{"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9945734143257141,"wiki_prob":0.9945734143257141,"text":"Kyrgyzstan Health Ministry says cargo plane crash kills 37\nA Turkish cargo plane crashed Monday in a residential area just outside the main airport in Kyrgyzstan, killing 37 people on the ground and in the plane, the Emergency Situations Ministry said. The Boeing 747 crashed on approach to the Manas airport, south of the capital, Bishkek. Reports of the death toll ranged from 37 people, according to emergency officials in the Central Asian nation, to 31 reported by the presidential press office which also said rescue teams had recovered parts of nine bodies. Fifteen people including six children have been hospitalized. Footage from the scene showed the plane's nose stuck inside a brick house and large chunks of debris scattered around. A dozen body bags were laid out on the ground in the yard of one of the homes. A car parked nearby was mangled, and a fridge lying open nearby. Kyrgyz Emergency Situations Minister Kubatbek Boronov said that 23 out of 43 houses in the village have been destroyed. Several dozen private houses are near the fence separating the cottages from the runway. The Manas airport has been considerably expanded since the United States began to operate a military installation there, using it primarily for its operations in Afghanistan. The U.S. handed the base over to the Kyrgyz military in 2014. \"I woke up because of a bright red light outside,\" Baktygul Kurbatova, who was slightly injured, told local television. \"I couldn't understand what was happening. It turns out the ceiling and the walls were crashing on us. I was so scared but I managed to cover my son's face with my hands so that debris would not fall on him.\" More than 1,000 rescue workers were at the scene by late morning, Abulgaziyev said. The cause of the crash was not immediately clear. Emergency Situations Minister Boronov told reporters that it was foggy at Manas when the plane came down but weather conditions were not critical. One of the two flight recorders has been recovered at the scene, the office of the Kyrgyz prime minister said on Monday afternoon. The plane, which had departed from Hong Kong, belonged to Istanbul-based cargo company ACT Airlines. It said in an emailed statement that the cause was unknown. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Monday called his Kyrgyz counterpart, Erlan Abdildaev, to offer Turkey's condolences, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said. The Turkish transportation ministry said it was sending two experts from its accident investigation board to Bishkek to assist Kyrgyz authorities. The statement followed a telephone call between the Turkish and Kyrgyz transportations ministers, during which the Turkish minister conveyed his condolences and offered \"every kind of support\" to Kyrgyzstan.\nBISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan —\nA Turkish cargo plane crashed Monday in a residential area just outside the main airport in Kyrgyzstan, killing 37 people on the ground and in the plane, the Emergency Situations Ministry said.\nThe Boeing 747 crashed on approach to the Manas airport, south of the capital, Bishkek.\nReports of the death toll ranged from 37 people, according to emergency officials in the Central Asian nation, to 31 reported by the presidential press office which also said rescue teams had recovered parts of nine bodies. Fifteen people including six children have been hospitalized.\nFootage from the scene showed the plane's nose stuck inside a brick house and large chunks of debris scattered around. A dozen body bags were laid out on the ground in the yard of one of the homes. A car parked nearby was mangled, and a fridge lying open nearby.\nKyrgyz Emergency Situations Minister Kubatbek Boronov said that 23 out of 43 houses in the village have been destroyed. Several dozen private houses are near the fence separating the cottages from the runway.\nThe Manas airport has been considerably expanded since the United States began to operate a military installation there, using it primarily for its operations in Afghanistan. The U.S. handed the base over to the Kyrgyz military in 2014.\n\"I woke up because of a bright red light outside,\" Baktygul Kurbatova, who was slightly injured, told local television. \"I couldn't understand what was happening. It turns out the ceiling and the walls were crashing on us. I was so scared but I managed to cover my son's face with my hands so that debris would not fall on him.\"\nMore than 1,000 rescue workers were at the scene by late morning, Abulgaziyev said.\nThe cause of the crash was not immediately clear. Emergency Situations Minister Boronov told reporters that it was foggy at Manas when the plane came down but weather conditions were not critical.\nOne of the two flight recorders has been recovered at the scene, the office of the Kyrgyz prime minister said on Monday afternoon.\nThe plane, which had departed from Hong Kong, belonged to Istanbul-based cargo company ACT Airlines. It said in an emailed statement that the cause was unknown.\nTurkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Monday called his Kyrgyz counterpart, Erlan Abdildaev, to offer Turkey's condolences, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said.\nThe Turkish transportation ministry said it was sending two experts from its accident investigation board to Bishkek to assist Kyrgyz authorities.\nThe statement followed a telephone call between the Turkish and Kyrgyz transportations ministers, during which the Turkish minister conveyed his condolences and offered \"every kind of support\" to Kyrgyzstan.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line289148"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7308507561683655,"wiki_prob":0.7308507561683655,"text":"Music Submission Guidelines\nReview Queue\nSearch and Request\nLast 90 Songs Played on Girls Rock Radio\nGet Stuff\nCheck out these other great Internet Radio Stations\nWelcome to Girls Rock Radio!\nContact Girls Rock Radio\nGirls Rock Radio\nAs I write this at 8:15am CST on a Thursday morning, the stream is full. What does that mean?\nWell, first of all it means that we have been getting many new listeners. To them, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to Girls Rock Radio!\nSecondly, it means that there are only so many \"listener slots\" that Girls Rock Radio can make available for you to \"tune in\" and lately, as many people as we have slots have been tuning in to listen to the station. When that happens, and if you are the next person who tries to tune in, you'll get some sort of error on the tune in page, or in your media player saying something like, \"server full.\"\nYou see, unlike broadcast radio where all it takes is a radio with a decent antenna and theoretically an unlimited number of people can tune in – unlimited meaning as many people as you can cram within the reach of the broadcast tower like an entire city like Chicago or LA – Internet Radio works very differently. Each \"listener slot,\" whether in use or not, costs the Internet radio station on a monthly basis. Current per-listener cost is approximately $1.00 - $2.00 per month. So let's say an Internet radio station provides slots for up to 1000 people. That would cost $1,000.00 - $2,000.00 per month(!), and it would cost that whether anyone was listening or not. For simplicity's sake, let's say a listener slot costs one dollar. Let's also say that, on average, 300 slots are typically in use. That means that $700 per month is being thrown away.\nObviously, we can't be throwing huge sums of money to the wind like that, and so how many people are listing is closely monitored, and additional slots are added in small enough increments to keep up with demand while at the same time minimizing throw away dollars.\nBut there is another grim economic reality at play here. Internet radio is typically listener supported, meaning that Internet radio stations rely on the generosity of those who tune into the station and find value in the music they get to hear. But what if that listener support is not happening? Where does the money for additional capacity come from in then? Good question! It comes out of the pockets of the Internet radio station owner.\nIn 2011, Girls Rock Radio received a grand total of $260.00 from listener donations. That doesn't even cover six months worth of music royalty payments, let alone listener slots to make the station available for your listening pleasure. What else does that NOT cover? Remember that Girls Rock Radio is my primary profession, so what else isn't being covered is any sort of salary, food to put on the table for myself and my daughter, an education for her after high school, any sort of retirement for me in the future, blah blah blah. Cue the violins now?\nI truly wish that I could expand the listener capacity of Girls Rock Radio. About one year ago, I doubled the listener capacity of the station, and you guessed it, have been paying for it out of my own pocket despite no additional money coming in at all.\nI can't do it again.\nIf you truly love Girls Rock Radio and wish to see it survive, and thrive, I urge you to consider the value you are receiving from listening to the station, and acting accordingly. There are donate buttons on the homepage of the Girls Rock Radio website, on the tune in page, on the confirmation page you get when you request a song, and if I work a little harder I could probably think of a few more spots to put them.\nI see so much untapped potential in Girls Rock Radio, but without funding assistance it has little option but to limp along in its present state - which may not be much longer, btw, since the computer that broadcasts Girls Rock Radio has been running non-stop for five years straight! More on that another day...\nA Little Story:\nI had coffee a couple years ago with a woman I had met back then. I explained to her what Girls Rock Radio was, and a little about the financial challenges it faces. She surprised me by saying that it made perfect sense to her that Girls Rock Radio would fail. \"Why would you say THAT?,\" I asked. Her response shocked me. She said, and I paraphrase here because it's been a while, but this is the gist of her response, \"People view women as second-class citizens, and so anything that is for or about women will never be taken all that seriously, and will be destined to fail.\"\nWas she right?\nWhen I started Girls Rock Radio, I believed in my heart that an Internet radio station celebrating the music of women artists would be wildly successful. I see other Internet radio stations and their owners thriving, while holding contests giving away vacations for two to exotic locations with their excess donations, while Girls Rock Radio can't even pay its own monthly bills let alone put food on the table for the guy trying to make it all happen. That said, I keep telling myself that it's not about me, but rather it's about the artists, the music, the audience, and bringing them all together. And yet I wonder how long I can keep this up.\nSo again I ask, was that woman in the coffee shop right?\nI truly apologize if you have tried to listen to the station lately and have not been able. I wish, and remain hopeful, the situation for Girls Rock Radio will change.\nTom (djMot)\n~ Owner & General Manager, Girls Rock Radio\nP.S. There is some listener capacity still available on our lo-fi stream even when the hi-fi stream is full. Look for the links near the bottom of the tune in page.\nCopyright 2006-2020 Girls Rock Radio.\nThis Internet radio station is licensed to broadcast by SOCAN through TorontoCast. The stream you listen to originates in Canada.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1942173"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5340679287910461,"wiki_prob":0.5340679287910461,"text":"Older Victims of Hurricane Harvey May Need Special Attention as Texas Recovers\nSue Anne Bell,\nVolunteer rescuer workers help a woman from her home that was inundated with the flooding of Hurricane Harvey on August 30, 2017, in Port Arthur, Texas. (Photo: Joe Raedle / Getty Images)\nNews and social media reports from coastal Texas have shown many striking images of Hurricane Harvey flood victims, but few were as arresting as a photo of older women in a Dickinson nursing home, sitting in waist-high water in their wheelchairs. Although the women were moved to safety, the picture highlighted how vulnerable older adults can be during and after major disasters.\nMy work focuses on answering pressing questions about the health of older adults after events such as Hurricane Harvey. While age alone does not make people more vulnerable to disasters, many health issues that are common with aging do, including frailness, memory impairment, limited mobility and chronic illness. Sixty percent of Hurricane Katrina deaths were age 65 and older, and more older adults died after Hurricane Katrina and in the year after than any other age group.\nNever miss another story\nGet the news you want, delivered to your inbox every day.\nIn a study published earlier this year, we showed that older adults are affected by disasters well after storms or other threats have passed. But disaster response planning for communities and health care systems focuses on the immediate surge after the event, which varies with every disaster but typically lasts hours to days.\nAs flood waters in Texas peak and recede, public officials and health care providers should begin to plan now for older adults’ long-term medical needs. Beyond getting the electricity back on and patching up broken limbs, an adequate disaster response must understand and correct the ways in which disasters disrupt survivors’ normal living patterns in the extended period after the storm.\nLearning From Past Disasters\nUnderstanding the connection between disasters and hospital admissions among older adults, and developing strategies to minimize hospitalizations, are issues of growing importance. Climate change is increasing the number and scale of natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes and wildfires. There were three times more natural disasters globally between 2000 and 2009 than from 1980 through 1989. And with the U.S. population over age 65 expected to double by 2060, helping older people stay safe through disasters will become increasingly important.\nPrevious disasters have shown that older adults are particularly vulnerable, especially if they need ongoing health care. During Hurricane Sandy in 2012, over 31 nursing homes closed, leaving more than 4,500 residents in need of emergency assistance. After-action reports from Hurricane Matthew in 2016 documented multiple instances of critical communication breakdowns for special medical-needs patients. For example, patients who needed specialized care were placed in shelters with inadequate staffing.\nHouston officials did not order a mandatory evacuation last week as Hurricane Harvey approached. In any case, many older adults have physical or financial constraints that can make it hard for them to evacuate. However, when they ride out a storm at home or in a shelter, they do not have ready access to health services. This places them at greater risk of immediate injury and longer-term physical decline.\nHealth care services along the Texas coast have been severely impacted by Harvey, which will only exacerbate the challenge of caring for the elderly. Over 21 Texas hospitals have either closed or evacuated patients. Multiple nursing homes have also been evacuated. Ben Taub Hospital, which had already upgraded its infrastructure to protect against floodwaters, now is scrambling to provide food to patients.\nLong-Lasting Effects\nExperiences like this can have lasting impacts on older people. In a recent study, we examined hospitalizations among older adults after a 2011 tornado outbreak that spawned hundreds of tornadoes throughout Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee, resulting in over 300 deaths and billions of dollars in damage. Using claims data from Medicare and connecting it with geospatial data from the storm area, we compared hospital admissions among older adults in the month after the disaster to admissions during the other 11 months of the year.\nOur findings showed that hospital admissions increased over the 30 days after the disaster by 4 percent among older adults who lived in a ZIP code with a tornado touchdown. This translates to hundreds of additional hospital admissions. We then removed the first three days after the disaster from our data analysis, to see whether the increase in admissions might be related to immediate injuries from the storm. But we found that hospitalizations over the rest of the month still remained higher than normal.\nFinally, we conducted a similar analysis examining ZIP codes in an area in the same region which was not affected by the storm, in order to rule out the possibility that increased admissions were related to seasonal factors such as extreme temperatures or high pollen counts. Hospital admissions did not increase in the unaffected area, which told us that the higher numbers we found appear to be related to the tornadoes.\nIncreased hospital admissions after disasters are only part of the story. The aging U.S. population has a rising incidence of chronic diseases requiring consistent health care, such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity. If these health needs had been met in the tornado zone after the disaster, these patients might not have had to be hospitalized, and our study would not have shown the increase in hospital admissions that we detected.\nAlthough we did not have data on individual cases that would have shown why each person was hospitalized, it is likely that personal stress, difficulty accessing health care and an ineffective community response to the disaster all were contributing factors. Our team will continue to study the drivers of post-disaster hospitalizations.\nCaring for Older Victims After Harvey\nDisruptions in regular care after a disaster can worsen existing chronic conditions, leading to hospitalizations. These immediate disruptions from the disaster can have much longer-lasting impacts on health.\nFor example, many older adults are dependent on medical equipment requiring electrical power, from refrigeration for insulin to dialysis machines. Patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes or emphysema may run out of the medications or home oxygen supplies they need to manage these conditions.\nIn coastal Texas, many clinics and community health centers closed as Harvey approached, and road or weather conditions may keep people from getting to care centers after they reopen. The stress of evacuating from home to a shelter can also cause fragile conditions to worsen.\nFor now, the key priorities are to protect and support older adults and help them return to their normal routines as soon as possible. Past research has shown that some older adults bounce back quickly from disasters, while others struggle to return to baseline. Planning needs to start now for recovery, which will last for years. It also should include preparing for future disasters, so that we can be more prepared and less reactive when the next superstorm looms.\nSue Anne Bell\nSue Anne Bell is a clinical associate professor of nursing at the University of Michigan.\nPruitt Delayed Emergency Rules for Chemical Plants Weeks Before Toxic Fires Erupted in Houston\nThe EPA ignored a warning from emergency planners.\nMike Ludwig,\nAntifa and Leftists Organize Mutual Aid and Rescue Networks in Houston\nAnti-fascists have been busy rescuing Houston’s flood victims.\nCandice Bernd,","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1940228"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7059399485588074,"wiki_prob":0.7059399485588074,"text":"Clearwater Analytics Announces New Investment From Growth Investors\nPermira, Warburg Pincus, Dragoneer and Durable Capital have joined majority shareholder WCAS to power R&D and drive growth into new markets.\nAnthony R. O’Donnell // October 12, 2020\n(Image credit: Marco Rosas.)\nClearwater Analytics, a Boise, Idaho-based SaaS provider of investment accounting and analytics, announced today that it will receive a new investment led by investment firms Permira (London), Warburg Pincus (New York), Dragoneer Investment Group (San Francisco) and Durable Capital (Chevy Chase, Md.). Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe (WCAS, New York), which first invested in Clearwater in 2016, will remain the Company’s majority shareholder, and Sandeep Sahai will continue as Clearwater’s CEO. The parties declined to specify the amount invested but say the funds will drive growth into new markets, including Europe and Asia-Pacific, continue aggressive investment in R&D, and pursue “transformative” M&A opportunities.\nSandeep Sahai, CEO, Clearwater Analytics.\nA Clearwater Analytics statement describes the company’s place in the market by saying it helps thousands of leading corporations, insurance companies and asset managers by providing unified, highly-compliant, and powerfully-automated investment accounting, reporting, and analytics. The new investor group will further Clearwater’s innovative leadership and strong organic growth as it brings its solutions to the global marketplace and enable transformative M&A opportunities in the years ahead, according to the statement.\nClearwater reports that its solution serves more than $4 trillion in assets for clients that include American Family Insurance, Arch Capital, Aureum Re, Cisco, CopperPoint Mutual Company, C.V. Starr & Co., Facebook, J.P. Morgan, Knights of Columbus Insurance, Oracle, Selective Insurance, Sirius Group, Sompo International, Starbucks, Unum Group, WellCare Health Plans, and Wilton Re. “Investment professionals in 49 countries trust Clearwater to deliver timely, accurate, and auditable data, accounting and analytics solutions that are mission-critical to their businesses,” the Clearwater statement says.\nEric J. Lee, General Partner, WCAS.\n“Our new partnership with Permira, Warburg Pincus, Dragoneer, and Durable, builds upon our very strong relationship with WCAS and continues the momentum Clearwater has achieved as the innovative leader in the investment accounting and analytics market,” comments Sahai. “We remain 100 percent focused on bringing our clients the best solutions and service quality in the world. We look forward to benefitting from all of our partners’ deep domain expertise, global resources, and growth capital as we continue to extend Clearwater’s international reach and advance our solution set for our valued clients.”\nClearwater’s growth trajectory has been built on its fundamental commitment to client success, quality and innovation, according to Eric J. Lee, Clearwater’s Chairman and a WCAS General Partner. “Every decision the Company makes starts with these principles,” he says. “Despite the challenging backdrop in 2020, Clearwater has won significant new client mandates as it pursues its vision of becoming the world’s most trusted and comprehensive technology platform for investment accounting and analytics. We are incredibly grateful for, and proud of, our partnership with Sandeep Sahai and the Clearwater team and are pleased to welcome this group of world-class growth investors to support the Company’s pursuit of global market leadership.”\nPermira seeks partnerships with companies with differentiated technology solutions serving large market opportunities. Clearwater is a perfect fit in that respect, according to Andrew Young, Principal and Fintech lead, Permira. “We look forward to supporting Clearwater’s continued growth in a number of large vertical markets worldwide. With one of the highest Net Promoter Scores among all SaaS companies, the company’s strong focus on its clients is clear. We are excited to help enable Clearwater’s vision of becoming the world’s most trusted and comprehensive technology platform for investment accounting and analytics.”\nAndrew Young, Principal and Fintech lead, Permira.\nExpansion into New Markets and Geographies\n“We are very excited about Clearwater’s long-term prospects and its plan to continue its expansion into new markets and geographies,” comments Cary Davis, Managing Director, Warburg Pincus.\n“The senior Clearwater team, led by Sandeep Sahai, has established the company as the true market leader and we are excited to help write the next chapter in Clearwater’s growth,” added Chandler Reedy, Managing Director, Warburg Pincus.\nGoldman Sachs & Co. LLC and Credit Suisse served as financial advisors and Kirkland & Ellis LLP (Chicago) acted as legal advisor to Clearwater Analytics. Warburg Pincus was advised by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP (New York).\nMajesco Launches L&A Insurance Data & Analytics Platform","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1458265"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9193602204322815,"wiki_prob":0.9193602204322815,"text":"Full grant for Alana House women's centre\nStaff at a women’s centre in Reading are delighted to learn they will be receiving their full grant funding for this year.\nLabour candidate for Reading East and Reading borough councillor Matt Rodda has welcomed the news that the Probation Service will be providing funding for Alana House in South Street.\nBut Cllr Rodda is urging the Government to provide permanent funding.\nTo show his own commitment to the centre for vulnerable women, Cllr Rodda, who works in the voluntary sector, has been helping staff find grant-giving bodies.\nHe is also running the Mizuno Reading Half Marathon for the centre, which is in Katesgrove ward where he is a councillor.\nHe said: “Alana House carries out vital work stopping vulnerable women getting sucked into crime and I am delighted resources have been found to help it carry on for another year.”\nThe onus, he said, was on the Government to continue the funding into the future.\nHe went on: “It would be a tragedy if an important centre like this had to close after just one more year.\n“Funding from charitable trusts and other bodies may help, but ultimately the £175,000-a-year cost of Alana House is far too great for charities to cover on their own.\n“Cuts that threaten organisations like Alana House are short-sighted and are likely to create more misery and more cost to the taxpayer in the longer term.\n“The Conservative and Lib Dem Government needs to think again and make an ongoing commitment.”\nJan Fishwick, chief executive officer of the charity Parents and Children Together which runs Alana House, said: “We are delighted to announce that Alana House services have received full funding for 2013/14 courtesy of Thames Valley Probation and JP Getty charitable trust.\n“We are very grateful to all involved in achieving this outcome and we will continue to work hard to ensure we can continue to support the 300 vulnerable women that rely on this service for many more years.\n“We are pleased that Helen Grant, the Minister For Justice, was able to visit Alana House last week in order to see first hand the holistic approach we take in order to address a wide variety of complex issues in order to help transform the lives of hundreds of local women.\n“Alana House is the only service of its kind in the area, and brings a value of over £35.1 million of economic or social benefit from a project which only costs £175,000 per annum to run, according to a report by Baker Tilly and the Cass Business School into the Social Return on Investment for Alana House.”","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line564376"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9960164427757263,"wiki_prob":0.9960164427757263,"text":"Taylor Swift Signs New Record Deal Amid Big Machine Feud\nTaylor Swift has signed a global publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group.\nThe Lover hitmaker announced her big power move on Instagram Thursday (February 6), revealing she's broadened her partnership with the Universal Music Group amid her ongoing battle with her former label. In 2019, Big Machine was sold to Scooter Braun and Scott Borchetta, and with it the rights to the pop star's masters.\n\"I’m proud to extend my partnership with Lucian Grainge and the Universal Music family by signing with Universal Music Publishing Group, and for the opportunity to work with Jody Gerson, the first woman to run a major music publishing company. Jody is an advocate for women’s empowerment and one of the most respected and accomplished industry leaders,\" Swift wrote alongside an image of her signing the deal.\n\"Troy Tomlinson has been an amazing part of my team for over half my life and a passionate torchbearer for songwriters,\" she continued. \"It’s an honor to get to work with such an incredible team, especially when it comes to my favorite thing in the world: songwriting. & swipe photos to see one of my other fav things: a fluffy floofy cat.\"\nJody Gerson, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group, also released a statement to Variety, writing, \"We are honored to welcome Taylor Swift to UMPG. Using her power and voice to create a better world, Taylor’s honest and brave songwriting continues to be an inspiration to countless fans.\"\n\"We look forward to further amplifying Taylor’s voice and songs across the globe,\" she added.\nFollowing the success of her seventh studio album, it looks like Swift is ready for 2020. She just released her Netflix documentary Taylor Swift: Miss Americana and will embark on a Lover Fest tour this summer.\nTickets and more information are available here.\nTaylor Swift's Hottest Red Carpet Photos\nSource: Taylor Swift Signs New Record Deal Amid Big Machine Feud","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line667109"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6387684941291809,"wiki_prob":0.3612315058708191,"text":"When it comes to the crunch - Unpaid overtime in the games industry\nShane Mason, a Solidarity Federation member, libcom poster and games industry worker writes about the practice of 'Crunch Time' - the long hours of unpaid overtime in the games industry and the reasons behind it.\nImagine if you had to give your company over fifteen hours of extra unpaid work a week. Imagine if you hadn’t been able to cook yourself a proper meal in over two months. Imagine if you came home late at night and left for work early in the morning, that’s if you even leave work at all. Welcome to the modern games industry!\nThe above is what is meant by the term ‘crunch time’, a phrase all too familiar to those in or around the games industry. Technically crunch time is any form of overtime (almost always unpaid) required by a game studio in order to complete a project on time. In reality however there are differing types of overtime, dependent on the country a company operates in, the particular labour laws they work under and whether or not they are owned by a large company. The type of crunching I do is technically voluntary. I say ‘technically’ because even though I could theoretically refuse to do any overtime, you can bet that I wouldn’t last very long with the company if I didn’t. Overtime may not be obligatory, but it is expected.\nThe other type of crunch time is mandatory unpaid overtime. This is every bit as soul-destroying as it sounds. Very common in North American games studios and those owned and run by big companies and publishers (such as EA, Activision, etc) where it is colloquially known as a ‘Death March’. In this case the company bosses have decided that the game will come out on release date X, with no schedule slippage allowed for. This is usually done for monetary reasons, where fears of a shrinking profit margin have grown too much for executives to bear. This decision inevitably means that huge amounts of work have to be compressed into incredibly small amounts of time. The solution to this problem is inevitably ‘Crunch Time’. This will usually involve working till late into the night (in extreme cases working overnight with little to no sleep), subsisting almost entirely on what cheap food (often junk) the company will provide and sometimes even going without weekend breaks – all without any pay.\nThis is not an exaggeration. For the upcoming first-person-shooter game ‘Homefront’ publisher THQ has said that the New-York based studio ‘Kaos’ has been put into a ‘seven-day’ crunch period for two months in order to meet their scheduled release date of March 8th, 2011. So this dev team have been working unpaid overtime, without weekends for two months. Yet this is not the worst the industry has to offer. EA’s CEO, John Riccitiello, admitted that they had the Vancouver-based Black Box studio on a near constant crunch churning out yearly additions to EA’s Need for Speed franchise for five years. He says that ‘those days are gone’ and that they now have the team on much healthier ‘bi-annual cycle’. While it’s true that doing a bi-annual release schedule is much less stressful than doing a game yearly, someone had better tell Riccitiello’s findings to the EA Sports division. Those studios are still churning out a game a year for their respective franchises, and I’d be surprised if they weren’t being crunched just as hard as the devs at Black Box were.\nThere have been one or two voices raised against the practice of crunch time, but they are often few and far between. We work in that most desirable of things, a creative industry. It’s common knowledge that for every single job in the games industry there are hundreds of people just waiting for their chance to get in – often influenced by very idealistic concepts of how the industry actually is. Combine this with a deliberately atomised work culture based around small, insular teams and there’s not much room for dissent. No one wants to be the one to put their head above the parapet. Yet even when arguments against crunch time are made, they often miss the heart of the matter.\nThe first argument often made is based around how crunching affects our ‘Quality of life’. This is most definitely an issue, as being on crunch time is an awful sensation. Your life becomes an endless cycle of work, sleep and take-away food. You may stop getting the chance to see your friends, families and loved ones. Your working environment can become filled with stress, tension and hair-trigger tempers. The negative effect that crunch time has on day-to-day life is certainly one of the worst things about it, but focusing on this as the only part of the problem is kind of missing the point. It implies that working long hours unpaid would be absolutely fine if it could just be made more pleasant. Yet the stresses and strains of crunch time are inherently intertwined with it. The game developer’s quality of life doesn’t take a hit because he is doing badly managed unpaid overtime, it’s because he’s doing that much unpaid overtime in the first place.\nThe second type of argument comes from the ‘pragmatic management school’ of thinking. It puts forth the rather radical idea that perhaps this level of rapid, intense overtime isn’t very good for productivity. I can tell you this is true from personal experience. When you’re undergoing a particularly bad crunch time you can just completely zone out. The food makes you feel ill, the lack of sleep makes you distracted, and it takes you a lot longer to do even the simplest of tasks you would otherwise have sailed through.\nYet this argument assumes that crunch time is something that companies should ideally avoid as being ‘bad for business’. You will often hear it said that crunch time happens because of ‘bad planning’. That the schedule was put together way too tight from the outset at which point management will turn around in desperation and decree crunch time in order to cover their own ineptitude. Yet this ignores the huge amounts of money made by big game companies who use crunch time the most. You don’t make those sort of profits without knowing exactly what you’re doing. Crunch time is used as a deliberate part of the game development cycle precisely because it works from the perspective of those who make their money at the top. Why was the schedule made so tight in the first place? Well, to save money on development costs and get a new title into stores as quick as possible. This drive to push games out quickly in order to maximise profits is what also drives companies to crunch their developers. Forcing such a large amount of free labour out of workers is another way to make more money out of a project, even if it is to the detriment of those workers’ lives and even to the quality of the project itself.\nThis is the true issue with crunch time, that it is a form of blatant economic exploitation. The quality of life issues suffered by developers when crunching are symptoms of a much deeper disease. Games industry workers will often say that they put up with crunch time because they love games and love working with them. Of course we do. Yet look at other creative industries, such as film or television. Those who work in their respective mediums love them just as much as we love ours, yet also get paid for the hours they work. It is not a radical demand that someone be paid for the work they do - whether they love that work or not. If we truly love games we should want to fight to end an industrial practice that harms not only us as workers, economically, physically and mentally, but also damages the games we make, by cutting creative endeavours down to fit a timescale defined by profit alone.\nYet even though the culture of crunch-time is currently ingrained in the industry, we do not have to put up with it. The only reason that companies get away with demanding their employees work crunch time is because we the workers put up with it. If every games industry worker refused to work a single hour’s overtime, what would happen? If crunch time was as necessary and inherent in the industry as companies claim, then the industry would simply die. We all know that wouldn’t happen. What would be far more likely to happen would be that companies would learn that they could no longer leave the workforce out of the equation when planning new projects. Schedules would have to be re-thought to take account of workers unwilling to suffer so much purely for the profits of their bosses. Unpaid overtime is only so common in the games industry because we allow it to be. If enough industry workers banded together and refused to do it, it would become unworkable and would no longer be so ubiquitous.\nWe’re obviously a long, long way away from anything like that happening in the industry, yet it helps to illustrate the point. We, as games industry workers, could choose to end crunch time if we truly wanted it to happen. It would need workers to stand together and support each other, both within a studio and across the whole industry, but it could be done. Our bosses can only dictate our lives and living conditions in this way if we allow them to do it. If we stand together and support one another, then we can be the ones to make the decisions, we can be the ones in control of our own lives. We want to work in an industry that helps produce the games we are passionate about, not just profits wrung from another late night with no pay.\nWe do this job because we love games. Let us work for our passion, not for our bosses’ profits.\nFrom http://www.solfed.org.uk\nWhen it comes to the crunch - Unpaid overtime in the games industry.pdf 134.86 KB\nShane Mason\nWhen it comes to the crunch - Unpaid overtime in the games industry.pdf (134.86 KB)\nthanks Auto, this was a really interesting insight into an industry rarely (if ever) examined from a workers standpoint. i've only ever been involved in hobbyist open source stuff and i thought that was stressful!\nPS have you ever thought of applying sabotage as an industrial tactic - assuming you could band enough devs together? it could be seriously effective if need for speed's cars wont go above 5mph, or all the guns in a FPS are waterguns\nThere was a decent discussion on crunch time here where sabotage was mentioned, namely the Simcopter incident. That pushed back the release date but we're now in the age of mandatory updates for the games to actually work, so it could be patched out instantly. I think the last notable act of sabotage was a unhappy worker at Rockstar who had just got the boot, leaked a new release to torrents.\nPS have you ever thought of applying sabotage as an industrial tactic - assuming you could band enough devs together? it could be seriously effective if need for speed's cars wont go above 5mph, or all the guns in a FPS are waterguns laugh out loud\nThe thing is, any form of direct action in the games industry would be ridiculously effective. The investment/profit risk in a game is incredibly high for shareholders and bosses. Add to that the fact that a game studio is effectively production bottlenecks as far as the eye can see (animators can't do animations without having character models, modellers can't do modelling without the artwork etc) and you have the recipie for very effective workplace action.\nThe main problem in the games industry is the culture. The way the games industry has generally worked is by burning out the old and exploiting the young. You get some guys in their early twenties who can't believe their luck that they're working in the industry and they'll put up with all the shit thrown at them. These same guys get to their thirties and fourties, burn out and say 'I'm done'. This kind of turnover means that games industry workers never get to build up enough of an 'us vs them' culture in order to take on their bosses over working conditions and creative control. Those who do stay in one place for a long time are often ground down into compliance. One of the worst sights to see in the games industry is a once creative and forthright person joylessly churning through another crappy iPhone port because 'that's just the way it is'.\nI definitely think there is a space for worker organisation and resistance to open up in the games industry, but it's going to take a big culture shift. It'll be especially important for young workers in the industry to know their rights and not put up with the shit. If that happens then bosses will find it a lot harder to just cycle people onto the scrap heap and force down working conditions.\nHopefully I'm going to be writing more stuff about working in the games industry, so stay tuned...\ni wonder if you could somehow get Anonymous involved\ntheres a sub-fraction called Anonymous Anarchist Action who work within Anonymous who would help initialize anything over the web that could possibly help with labour disputes\nbut as you said, its a question of social attitudes toward taking action not a technical issue.\nperhaps anonymous (not the hacker group) threats of sabotage and acts of sabotage during periods when everyone is collectively pissed off during a crunch might help spark some solidarity or collective action... (i'm just throwing around ideas)\nsince its a creative industry with loads of eager scabs, anonymity might be the best protection so that they can't fire the \"trouble-makers\"\nMike Harman\nHarrison Myers wrote:\nActually I think it's a bit of both while I've never worked in the games industry, on large technical projects in general there is a massive cycle of crunch and lulls - during the crunch the tendency is for people to try to power through it in the hope they can take it easy after launch. But then after launch, everyone is dispensable, so people have to look busy (and it's quite easy for companies to lay people off then if they want then).\nA new game (or iphone app, website - anything else that is software) is completely different from a car factory or whatever - once the product is built, distribution is mostly online now (and if it's in shops, then the DVD printers are not going to be at all connected to the games company). While websites go down, and games have bugs in them, they can also keep running for days (if not months or years) without any human interaction. in some cases, say a games company where the website is run in-house, or they might host the centralised update system for the games - so there might be someone who could take it down/deface it and that might affect sales - but that person is going to be extremely easy to identify (unless they deliberately left avenues to sabotage in there - but that is also extremely risky compared to 'traditional' sabotage and with a much higher chance of getting caught). In many cases, the people who would end up being 'scabs' in such a situation are people working for the App store, or a hosting company - who'd just be asked to restore a backup, or move the site to a new server, or block a DDOS attack - all of which are routine tasks and they may not even realise they're scabbing.\nSo while the few months before a big deadline there is definitely a lot of power (and some areas in the industry have a high demand for workers, who are not easily replaced), it is very uneven over the overall lifecycle and there are a lot of weaknesses too.\nyuumei\nAuto wrote:\nThe main problem in the games industry is the culture. The way the games industry has generally worked is by burning out the old and exploiting the young. You get some guys in their early twenties who can't believe their luck that they're working in the industry and they'll put up with all the shit thrown at them.\nI used to work in the games industry. There were a few 70+ hour weeks. I put up with it because I was a new graduate and probably wouldn't have gotten in otherwise. I did enjoy it sometimes, but the thing I find most disturbing is that only the really terrible games are like this - the publishers want the world on a stick in a short ammount of time to specification. If the companies actually let the employees be creative (It is a creative industry after all) and didn't have to rely on publishers there would be so many better games out there. And not just sims 4.\nI have since moved on to just non-game related 3D. Much less stressful :3\nyuumei wrote:\nThis, this, a thousand times, this.\nSabotaging a game isn't necessarily impossible, one game was made unplayable with a spelling mistake. It doesn't say if the person repsonsible faced any consequences or was even identified. Of course the company released the game broken and never fixed it, it was fixed by a modder 5 years later. Like is said in the article, the industry relies on exploiting young people and then drops them when they burn out (a bit like teaching in the UK and probably quite a lot of industries) IT isn't going to be an easy industry to reform because there are always a lot of people ready to replace the workers, but then gain, that argument is the basic argument used against any industrial action and it is rarely true. Scabs can't usually integrate seamlessly, even for 'unskilled' work. It doesn't always mean workers win unfortunately, but it costs the bosses more to beat us.\nReading this in 2019 unfortunately while crunch periods and other abuses are still very common in the industry there is more a pushback. Bigish games news services are taking a more hostile line with things like this and there are some signs of game dev workers pushing towards organisation.\nhttps://youtu.be/E8G7zipy6bM","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line2180"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7263126373291016,"wiki_prob":0.7263126373291016,"text":"Irina holds a BA in Journalism and has been part of the Romania-Insider.com team since its early days in 2011. She likes to keep the Romania-insider.com readers informed every day. Irina reports on various topics, on a wide range of areas such as politics, social or entertainment. She also writes travel or leisure articles, as well as interviews. She splits her time between Sinaia, her hometown, and Bucharest. Being born and raised in a mountain town, Irina loves spending time in nature, but she also likes to read, write, listen to music, travel, teach her dog new tricks and listen to other people’s stories (so don’t hesitate to contact her for an interview if you have an interesting story that you want to share with the Romania-insider.com readers). She dreams to visit Iceland one day and maybe get to see the Arctic Monkeys play live. You can send her press releases or feedback on her stories by emailing [email protected]\nirina.popescu0\nSubmitted by irina.popescu0 on Tue, 09/04/2018 - 12:35\nRomanian opposition parties prepare new no-confidence motion against Govt.\nThe opposition parties People’s Movement Party (PMP) and the National Liberal Party (PNL) want to file a new no-confidence motion against the government led by prime minister Viorica Dancila.\nPMP president Eugen Tomac announced on Monday, September 3, that his party plans to file a no-confidence motion against the government, the main reasons being the violent incidents at the street protest in Bucharest on August 10 and the spread of the African swine fever.\n“These are two strong reasons for preparing this document, which we will send to all opposition MPs, but also to the rest of MPs, asking for the support of all those who believe that we need to be united,” Tomac said, according to local Mediafax.\nHis announcement came the day after PNL leader Ludovic Orban also announced that they are preparing a no-confidence motion against the Dancila cabinet.\n“We will prepare the motion very carefully. In this sense, we decided to form a larger team of negotiations, we decided to intensify dialogue with all the groups, to convince them that Dancila must leave,” Orban said.\nHowever, Calin Popescu-Tariceanu, the president of ALDE, the junior coalition partner of the social Democratic Party (PSD), said he doesn’t believe that this no-confidence motion will pass the Parliament vote, according to Stirileprotv.ro.\nThe opposition parties previously filed a no-confidence motion against the government in June this year, but the government survived after only 166 MPs voted in favor. The motion needed 233 votes to pass. The result was predictable, however, as the PSD-ALDE ruling coalition’s MPs didn’t took part in the vote and neither did the Hungarian Union’s (UDMR) MPs.\nIrina Marica, [email protected]\n(photo source: Inquam Photos / Octav Ganea)","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1806635"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7366514801979065,"wiki_prob":0.7366514801979065,"text":"DVD Review: Trapped Ashes\nBy Ryan Midnight | August 31st, 2008 at 4:16 pm\nTrapped Ashes (2006)\nDirected by Sean S Cunningham, Joe Dante, Monte Hellman, Ken Russell, John Gaeta\nWritten by Dennis Bartok\nStarring John Saxon, Rachel Veltri, Scott Lowell, Lara Harris, Henry Gibson, Jayce Bartok\nIn the late 60’s and early 70’s, anthology horror movies poured from low budget production houses throughout Europe, including the time-honored Black Sabbath from Mario Bava and EC Comics inspired Tales From The Crypt by Freddie Francis. Anthology horror on the big screen took on new life in the US in the 1980s with Creepshow and sputtered out in the early 1990s with Tales From The Darkside: The Movie. Meanwhile in Hong Kong, a ghostly anthology series called Troublesome Night has been going strong since 1997 and most recently the East Asian anthology films Three and Three: Extremes have been chilling audiences around the world.\nBut is there hope for a revival of this horror niche here in the United States? Writer Dennis Bartok would like to think so. Bartok, who has spent much of his career on the fringes of the film community as the head of programming at American Cinematheque in Los Angeles and as an interviewer for DVD featurettes, makes his screenwriting debut with Trapped Ashes, and with the help of some Japanese financing has brought along some top-name talent to back him up.\n...continue reading »\nLeave a comment: 2 Comments »\nTopics: DVD Reviews, DVDs, Movies, Reviews\nTags: Dennis Bartok, Henry Gibson, Jayce Bartok, Joe Dante, John Gaeta, John Saxon, Ken Russell, Lara Harris, Monte Hellman, Rachel Veltri, Scott Lowell, Sean S Cunningham, Trapped Ashes","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1874963"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6033190488815308,"wiki_prob":0.6033190488815308,"text":"Cosmo Le Breton, 1 month ago 0 9 min read 118\nImage credits: Sika Group\nThe impending destruction of South East Asia’s tropical rainforests will impact one of the most biodiverse areas in the world, an area which remains poorly understood due to its biological, geographical, cultural, and economic features. This article will compare two case studies of deforestation in Indonesia. The Grasberg mine is a project which has been completed, and its effect on the ecology of New Guinea is unfortunately only just being understood. The second case study is that of Menara Group’s proposed sugar cane plantation in the Aru Islands which would destroy hundreds of thousands of hectares of pristine primary rainforest (long-untouched rainforest). Both projects are vastly different in that one already exists, but the other has been stalled by a highly successful grassroots campaign. However, what is clear is that neither are unique to this region, which has been plagued by vast infrastructure projects at the expense of the environment.\nSouth East Asia’s Rainforests are facing the highest relative levels of habitat destruction and fragmentation of all major tropical areas worldwide (Achard et al. 2002; Mayaux et al. 2005), in particular driven by the rapid population growth and resultant demand for natural resources. Indeed 75% of South East Asia’s original forest cover could be lost by 2100 if current deforestation rates continue (Achard et al. 2002). By 2012, deforestation stood at 840,000 hectares, which eclipsed deforestation in Brazil (UN, 2010). This is extraordinary considering Brazil is nearly four times the size of Indonesia. The Grasberg Mine is located on the vast island of New Guinea, the second largest island in the world, at just under 800,000 km2. It is predominantly cloaked in pristine primary rainforest, with a central cordillera of mountains extending up to almost 5000m in altitude, providing a range of habitats with unique endemic wildlife. The Aru Islands are a geological extension of the mainland, but due to rising sea levels they are now located over 120km away from the mainland. They consist of over 95 individual low-lying islands creating an area of 8,152 km2 of land, saturated by saltwater channels and inlets: a unique and pristine coastal mangrove and multiple tropical rainforests.\nIn 1936, the Dutch geologist Jean Jacques Dozy was part of an expedition which climbed the current highest mountain between the Himalayas and the Andes, Mount Cartensz, or Puncak Jaya, which rises to 4884m in height. Dozy, being a geologist, noted the unusual rock surrounding the mountain, which was black with a green colouration, and he spent time estimating the extent of the potential ore deposits around the mountain. He subsequently discreetly filed a report which was not to become of significant value until over 20 years later. Later on, as a result of alluvial gold being discovered in the Arafura Sea off New Guinea (Lindesay, 1959), an expedition was mounted to this Ertsberg (‘Ore mountain’) by Freeport Minerals & Co, which confirmed a vast amount of copper mineralisation less than 5km from Mount Cartensz. Construction of the mine necessitated the associated infrastructure in one of the world’s most remote locations. This included a 116km road from the coast into the mountains, a 166km pipeline to transport the slurry to the coast to a port that was built bespoke, and a town built for the miners, complete with airstrip and powerplant. The cost of the mine was $175m in the 1960s, $55m over budget, and equivalent to billions of dollars today (Mc Donald, 1980).\nFigure 1: Grasberg Mine\nThus the Grasberg Mine, the largest gold mine and the second largest copper mine (by size of mineral reserves) in the world was born. It is situated at 4100m above sea level, and is predominantly of the open-caste design (Jamasmie, 2017; MiningTechnology, 2017). This huge infrastructure project destroyed thousands of hectares of some of the most unique ecosystems in the world – neighbouring Lorentz National Park is the only national park in the world to have a full range of ecosystems, from coastal mangroves and lowland rainforests to coniferous forest and alpine tundra due to the huge altitude range. Construction of the mine directly destroyed one of the worlds few equatorial glaciers, and the overburden of the mine covers an area of 8 km2 to a depth of 480m. The mine also produces over 700,000 tonnes of mining tailings every day (Perlez & Bonner, 2005), of which over 200,000 tonnes is dumped daily into one river system, the Aikara delta (Circle of Blue, 2012). This enormous volume of waste has covered 230 km2 of formerly pristine wetlands, lowland rainforest and riverine systems (Van Zyl et al., 2002). This vast mine is one of several across Indonesia which profits mining corporations and corrupt government officials – Freeport reportedly ‘gave’ over $20m to senior government officials and units between 1998 and 2004 (Perlez & Bonner, 2005). And yet, they have collectively destroyed hundreds of thousands of hectares of pristine habitats, found nowhere else on earth.\nARU SUGAR CANE PLANTATION\nAround 300km away from the Grasberg mine, 120km off the coast of mainland New Guinea, lies the Aru Islands, 95 low lying islands of primary rainforest. These islands have a rich ethnographic culture, with 14 indigenous languages of 117 clans dotted sparsely on the island, only accessible through the myriad channels and inlets. Historically, the birds of paradise were key to Alfred Russell Wallace forming his theory of evolution and founding the science of biogeography. These same birds have today formed the figurehead of an exceptionally successful grass roots movement called #SaveAru. In 2013, unbeknownst to the islanders, the conglomerate Menara Group was granted permission by a corrupt politician, Theddy Tengko, to produce one of the world’s largest sugar cane plantations, which would destroy over two thirds of the island group’s tropical rainforests. These pristine forests and mangroves are the only source of livelihood for the isolated and exceptionally poor islanders, and this sugar cane plantation was in one step going to destroy this all. The grass roots movement began with a small group of the indigenous population enlisting the help of indigenous populations across the archipelago in making the government accountable to the people. The government had for too long been controlled by large capitalist ventures such as the Menara Group which profit at the expense of the environment and indigenous populations. However, #SaveAru needed to work fast, as Menara had only to receive regional and national government approval before it could start bulldozing, as the permits issued by Tengko had illegally bypassed a number of stages that were legal safety nets for indigenous populations.\nFigure 2: Map showing Menara Plantation concession (shaded)\nThe small group of indigenes who lived in the capital, Dobo, enlisted the help of local peace movements, formed after the collapse of President Suharto’s dictatorship in 1998. Although protests were beginning to take place in Dobo, there was no media coverage, due to underfunded journalists and corrupt businessmen. Thus the group enlisted friends who had trained in Ambon as lawyers and journalists to probe the legality of the deal and encourage media coverage. A network of informers within the local government was also set up, leading to the associated government paperwork being recovered, revealing 28 plots of land between 2 and 4 times the size of Manhattan registered to different shell companies, all owned by the Menara Group. This is how Menara had avoided government restrictions on size of land development. Local university professors and church groups were enlisted by #SaveAru to petition to the regional and national government, and members of the group travelled to all 117 clans to raise awareness of the issue. Media coverage exploded as the informants passed on inflammatory information, and tribal leaders placed ceremonial Sasis on government buildings and their own land, preventing any government business from occurring there. They also warned ministers and Menara employees not to enter; impinging on the Sasis is considered an act of war. After years of campaigning, threats and bloodshed, Indonesia’s Minister of Forestry finally halted the project, due to the increasingly heated protests, national support and media coverage.\nThis grassroots organisation’s success is fundamentally down to the effective local and international collaboration that encouraged cohesion of the movement and the passion of the indigenous population in effectively protesting against a corrupt government and business conglomerate. It is a shining example of how a small local movement can initiate national support and change legislation.\nFigure 3: Photo of a Greater Bird of Paradise by Tim Laman which became the image of the #SaveAru campaign\nIn many ways, the Grasberg Mine and #SaveAru are incomparable. One has already been implemented and is destroying/has destroyed the surrounding environment. The other is, however, a beacon of hope, highlighting how a cohesive, strategic grassroots campaign with limited resources in one of the most remote locations in the world was able to halt a very contentious project. Unfortunately, these virtues of the population don’t protect enough of the world, and Menara Group have gone on to start bulldozing 2,800 km2 of primary rainforests in New Guinea for one of the worlds largest palm oil plantations, the Tanah Merah Project, identical in illegalities to the project planned for Aru. Just bulldozing the land for this project will release more emissions than Belgium produces in a single year from burning fossil fuels. However, this project does not have a cohesive indigenous movement to halt it. Urgent research and lobbying are needed to stall what could be Indonesia’s biggest environmental catastrophe since the Grasberg Mine.\nAchard., F., H.D Eva, H.J. Stibig, P. Mayaux, J. Gallago, T. Richards, and J.P Malingreau, 2002. Determination of the deforestation rates of the world’s humid tropical forests. Science 297: 999 – 1002.\nCircle of blue, 2012, Global Gold Rush: the price of mining pursuits on the water supply Accessed 24/10/2020\nGecko Project & MongaBay, 2019. Saving Aru: The epic battle to save the islands that inspired the theory of evolution. Accessed 24/10/20\nGlobal Forest Resources Assessment 2010 – Trends in Extent of Forest 1990–2010 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Media Centre, Accessed 24/10/20\nJamasmie, C., 2017, Freeport to yield control of giant Grasberg copper mine to Indonesia, MiningTechnology Accessed 24/10/2020\nLindesay, P., 1959, Dutch to explore New Guinea area – Remote Section of Disputed Territory Will Be Object of Intensive Research, New York Times, p.8 accessed 24/10/2020\nMalaysiakini, Tempo, Gecko Project & Mongabay, 2018. The secret deal to destroy paradise. Accessed 24/10/20\nMayaux, P., P. Holmgren, F. Achard, H.D Eva, H.J. Stibig, and A. Branthomme, 2005. Tropical forest cover change and options for future monitoring. Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 360: 373 – 384.\nMc Donald, H., 1980. Suharto’s Indonesia, Fontana Books, pp. 81-82.\nMiningTechnology, 2017, Grasberg Open Pit Copper Mine, Tembagapura, Irian Jaya, Indonesia Accessed 24/10/20\nPerlez, J. and Bonner, R., 2005. Below a mountain of wealth, a river of waste. New York Times, 27.\nVan Zyl, D., Sassoon, M., Digby, C., Fleury, A.M. and Kyeyune, S., 2002. Mining for the future. Appendix J. International Institute for Environment and Development, World Business Council for Sustainable Development, 68, p.31.\nCosmo Le Breton\nTags\t#essay\t#Science\t#Sustainability\nEngineering, Interviews, Technology\nTalking Engineering (4) with Michael Tusch\nJohn Chang, 10 months ago 6 min read\nThe Gravity Slingshot phenomenon\nHayden Kua, 10 months ago 5 min read","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line191328"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5570781826972961,"wiki_prob":0.44292181730270386,"text":"Last edited by Mecage\n6 edition of G.W.F. Hegel found in the catalog.\nmodernity and politics\nby Fred R. Dallmayr\nPublished 2002 by Rowman & Littlefield Publishers in Lanham, Md .\nHegel, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich, 1770-1831 -- Political and social views.\nStatement Fred R. Dallmayr.\nSeries Modernity and political thought\nLC Classifications JC233.H46 D35 2002\nPagination xxi, 270 p. ;\nISBN 10 0742521362, 0742521370\n: The Philosophy of History () by G. W. F. Hegel and a great selection of similar New, Used and Collectible Books available now at great prices/5(K). G.W.F. Hegel (–) was one of the most important and sophisticated modern thinkers, but only now are his substantial contributions to metaphysics, epistemology, political philosophy, aesthetics, philosophy of history, and philosophy of religion gaining the recognition they deserve.\nAnyone who does theology in the twenty-first century should have some understanding of the German philosopher G. W. F. Hegel, whose writings deeply influenced European thought on both the left and the this introduction to Hegel, Shao Kai Tseng examines the events in Hegel’s life that shaped his work, shows the theological significance of his philosophy, and surveys the Brand: P & R Publishing. G. W. F. Hegel (–) Anyone who does theology in the twenty-first century should have some understanding of the German philosopher G. W. F. Hegel, whose writings deeply influenced European thought on both the left and right.\nitem 3 Phenomenology of Spirit by G.W.F. Hegel Hardcover Book Free Shipping! - Phenomenology of Spirit by G.W.F. Hegel Hardcover Book Free Shipping! $ Free shipping. No ratings or reviews yet. Be the first to write . The thought of G. W. F. Hegel ( ) has had a deep and lasting influence on a wide range of philosophical, political, religious, aesthetic, cultural and scientific movements. But, despite the far-reaching importance of Hegel's thought, there is often a great deal of confusion about what he actually said or believed. G. W. F.\nVapor-pressure measurements by effusion methods\nHot Words, Hot Topics (Mathscape)\nHugo Grotius, Of the government and rites of the ancient church, conciliation of grace and free will, certainty and assurance of salvation, government of the highest powers in church affairs\ncomparison of the effects of modified soccer games on 8 and 9 year old boys.\nAncient Indian artifacts\nUnion and anti-slavery speeches delivered during the rebellion.\nLepidoptera report\nLake Keuka.\nProfile of courtaulds textiles.\nordering of the arts in eighteenth century England.\nForgotten girl\nRadiology Pearls\nGrandparents Song\nSynoptic tables of chemistry,...\nSacrament of Penance Its and Its Meaning for Today\nDuns Business Rankings\nThe yearly chronicle for M,DCC,LXI\nHūnas in India.\nMultiple skills series, E1\nG.W.F. Hegel by Fred R. Dallmayr Download PDF EPUB FB2\nHegel (–) Anyone who does theology in the twenty-first century should have some understanding of the German philosopher G. Hegel, whose writings deeply influenced European thought on both the left and right.\nIn this introduction to Hegel, Shao Kai (“Alex”) Tseng examines the events in Hegel’s life that shaped his. Let’s take a look at your book choices. First of all, we have Hegel’s Phenomenology of is Hegel’s project in this work.\nThe project of the Phenomenology is inseparable from the project of his Logic is the start of Hegel’s system. It is his metaphysics but it’s a particular kind of metaphysics that tries to disclose the nature of being through understanding. Hegel's Logic: Being Part One of the Encyclopaedia of the Philosophical Sciences () (Hegel's Encyclopedia of the Philosophical Sciences) by G.\nGeorg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, German philosopher who developed a dialectical scheme that emphasized the progress of history and of ideas from thesis to antithesis and thence to a synthesis.\nHe was the last of the great philosophical system builders of modern times. Learn more about Hegel’s life and work. Online shopping from a great selection at Books Store.\nThe Difference Between Fichte's and Schelling's System of Philosophy: An English Translation of G. Hegel's Differenz des Fichte'schen und Schelling'schen Systems der Philosophie.\n‎ G. Hegel (–) Anyone who does theology in the twenty-first century should have some understanding of the German philosopher G. Hegel, whose writings deeply influenced European thought on both the left and right.\nIn this introduction to Hegel, Shao Kai (“Alex”) Tseng e. Discover Book Depository's huge selection of G W F Hegel books online. Free delivery worldwide on over 20 million titles. This book is a translation of a classic work of modern social and political thought, Elements of the Philosophy of Right.\nHegel's last major published work, is an attempt to systematize ethical theory, natural right, the philosophy of law, political theory and the sociology of the modern state into the framework of Hegel's philosophy of : Dover Publications.\nHegel explains reflection on religion is essential for philosophical inquiry, or, as he would say, for the system of philosophy. This chapter concerns religion as such and does not, or at least not very much, concern God. Hegel is an immensely important yet difficult philosopher. Philosophy of Mind is the third part of Hegel's Encyclopaedia of the Philosophical Sciences, in which he summarizes his philosophical system.\nIt is one of the main pillars of his thought. The NOOK Book (eBook) of the The Philosophy of Art (Barnes & Noble Digital Library) by G.\nHegel at Barnes & Noble. FREE Shipping on $35 or more. Due to COVID, orders may be delayed/5(3). \"Hegel's Phenomenology of the Spirit was written, so the story goes, on the eve of Napoleon's destruction of the Holy Roman Empire and at the beginning of the German 'Wars of Liberation.' The book itself is no less dramatic or revolutionary.\nIt is Hegel's grandest experiment, changing our vision of the world and the very nature of the philosophical enterprise/5(10). Book Description. The thought of G. Hegel ( ) has had a deep and lasting influence on a wide range of philosophical, political, religious, aesthetic, cultural and scientific movements.\nBut, despite the far-reaching importance of Hegel's thought, there is often a great deal of confusion about what he actually said or believed.\nThe guiding idea would be that Hegel had only hit upon a fully worked-out conception of the historical embeddedness of forms of consciousness in writing 'Spirit' and 'Religion'. One might look to the publication history of the book for support. Hegel initially considered the book complete with 'Reason', had a change of heart, and doubled its size.\nDownload Audiobooks written by G. Hegel to your device. Audible provides the highest quality audio and narration. Your first book is Free with trial. Hegel History What experience and history teach is this--that people and governments never have learned anything from history, or acted on principles deduced from it.\nBuy a cheap copy of G. Hegel, the Phenomenology of book. Free shipping over $ G. Hegel ( ) is one of the great figures in the history of Western thought, and the most important philosopher of his time. He spent his life in his native Germany, elaborating an enormously ambitious and broad-ranging philosophical system which has exerted a continuing influence on European and Anglo-American Malcolm Knox was Professor of.\nG.W.F. Hegel's Concept of Indian Philosophy absolute form according to Hegel acosmic Bhagavad-Gita Bibliography Brahman Brucker Buddhism called chapter character characterization Colebrooke concept consciousness Denken developed divine edition ego sum Eleatic elevation Ency Encyclopaedia Encyclopaedic Text essay European All Book Search.\nGeorg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel - Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel - At Berlin: In Hegel accepted the renewed offer of the chair of philosophy at Berlin, which had been vacant since Fichte’s death.\nThere his influence over his pupils was immense, and there he published his Naturrecht und Staatswissenschaft im Grundrisse, alternatively entitled Grundlinien der. The Phenomenology of Spirit, first published inis G. W. F. Hegel’s remarkable philosophical text that examines the dynamics of human experience from its simplest beginnings in consciousness through its development into ever more complex and self-conscious forms.It is Hegel's grandest experiment, changing our vision of the world and the very nature of the philosophical enterprise.\nAbout the Author: G.W.F. Hegel () is one of the great figures in the history of Western thought, and the most important philosopher of his time/5(14K).The thought of G. W. F. Hegel ( ) has had a deep and lasting influence on a wide range of philosophical, political, religious, aesthetic, cultural and scientific movements.\nBut, despite the far-reaching importance of Hegel's thought, there is often a great deal of confusion about what he actually said or believed.G. W. F. Hegel: Key.\nstevefrithphotography.com - G.W.F. Hegel book © 2020","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1545672"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5460900068283081,"wiki_prob":0.4539099931716919,"text":"US officials probe abuse of manatee with 'Trump' written on its back\nA manatee calf nurses from its mother inside of the Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River, Florida, Jan 15, 2015.\nNAPLES, Fla - The US Fish and Wildlife Service has opened an investigation into the harassment of a manatee found in a Florida river with the word “Trump” written on its back, the agency confirmed on Monday.\nThe West Indian manatee, a species classified as “threatened” under US wildlife protection laws, was found on Sunday (Jan 10) in the headwaters of the Homosassa River on the state’s west coast, about 100 miles (160 km) west of Orlando.\nA spokeswoman for the US Fish and Wildlife Service said the manatee did not appear to be seriously injured.\nThe Citrus County Chronicle published a video showing an underwater view of the slow-moving mammal, with the word “Trump” written in big letters.\nHow the letters were written was not immediately clear. It was also not clear if the act was meant to bring attention to President Donald Trump, a Florida resident.\nThe Tucson, Arizona-based Centre for Biological Diversity said it was offering a $5,000 (S$6658) reward for information leading to a conviction in the case.\nIn Florida, calls to keep 'saving the manatees'\nHarassment of manatees is a federal offense punishable by a fine of up to $50,000 and/or up to one year in prison.\nManatees, nicknamed “sea cows,” are protected under the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act.\nStrikes by boats are the top cause of death for the mammal; but loss of habitat, algae blooms and disease also threaten them. There are more than 6,300 manatees in Florida, up from about 1,267 in 1991.\n#USA #DONALD TRUMP #animals #marine life","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line659035"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9663698077201843,"wiki_prob":0.9663698077201843,"text":"The good, bad and ugly from Kerala in 2019\nThe present year, which is drawing to a close, has had its share of major news stories, both positive as well as negative. Express turns the clock back to see up-close the personalities who made news\nPublished: 28th December 2019 06:40 AM | Last Updated: 30th December 2019 07:33 PM | A+A A-\nThe present year, which is drawing to a close, has had its share of major news stories, both positive as well as negative. Express turns the clock back to see up-close the personalities who made news in the ‘soon-to-be the year gone by’\nMARK OF HONOUR: Akkitham\nAkkitham Achuthan Namboothiri, the philosopher-poet, was chosen for the 55th Jnanpith Award at the age of 93. He is the sixth litterateur from the state to get the coveted award. The Padma Shri awardee has authored 55 books.\nMAKING HISTORY: Bindu Ammini and Kanakadurga\nAround three months after the Supreme Court lifted the ban on the entry of women aged between 10 and 50 into the Sabarimala temple, Bindu Ammini and Kanakadurga made history by becoming the first two women in the age group to enter the hill shrine.\nHONOURED, AT LAST: Nambi Narayanan\nThe former ISRO scientist — who was cleared of the charges in the espionage case — was conferred with Padma Bhushan. On Thursday, the state cabinet gave its in-principle approval to give him a compensation of I1.3 crore to settle a case filed against his unlawful arrest.\nTHE MARKS ROW: K T Jaleel\nHigher Education Minister K T Jaleel remained the most controversial minister in the LDF government after Opposition parties levelled allegations against him regarding the controversial awarding of special moderation marks to students of MG University and APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University. Even Governor Arif Mohammad Khan did not take the issue kindly.\nA FILMY DRAMA: Shane Nigam\nActor Shane Nigam landed in a soup after he changed his appearance, ignoring the characters he was portraying in movies ‘Veyil’ and ‘Qurbani’. The Producers’ Association imposed a ban on Shane and said they will not cooperate with him in future ventures. The issue, which began in November, is yet to be resolved.\nKOODATHAYI HORROR: Jollyamma Joseph\nIn October, Jollyamma Joseph, 47, a mother of two, hit the headlines after it was revealed that she allegedly killed six family members, including a toddler, between 2002 and 2016. Jolly committed the crime, which came to be known as Koodathayi serial murders, by administering cyanide. She was arrested on October 5.\nCHECKMATE: S L Narayanan\nGrandmaster S L Narayanan clinched his first international title by winning El Llobregat Open in Spain, a FIDE-rated event. The 21-year-old Thiruvananthapuram |native beat Bartel Mateusz of Poland in a thriller despite starting as a third seed in the event.\nMASTERSTROKE: Sanju Samson\nThe wicket-keeper batsman scored a double hundred in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (national one-day tournament) against Goa and his unbeaten 212 became the highest ever individual score in the tournament. Sanju’s performance helped him receive a call-up to the Indian team for the T20I series’ against Bangladesh and West Indies, although he didn’t play any match.\nCOMMENDABLE FEAT: Ramya Haridas\nRamya Haridas, 32, became the second Dalit woman Parliamentarian from Kerala by unseating CPM’s sitting MP P K Biju by a stunning margin of 1.59 lakh votes. Daughter of a daily wager, she was handpicked for the LS polls by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.\nPOLITICAL ASCENT: V Muraleedharan\nFormer BJP state president V Muraleedharan was made Minister of State for External Affairs & Parliamentary Affairs in the second Narendra Modi government in May. Elected to the Rajya Sabha from Maharashtra in 2018, the 60-year-old is also the Government Deputy Chief Whip in the Upper House.\nPALA TAKEOVER: Mani C Kappan\nNCP leader Mani C Kappan wrested the Pala seat, a stronghold of the Kerala Congress (M) represented by its chairman K M Mani for 54 years. Kappan defeated his nearest opponent Jose Tom Pulikunnel by a margin of 2,943 votes.\nIn GUV SEAT: P S Sreedharan Pillai\nDuring his short tenure as BJP state president, P S Sreedharan Pillai failed to cash in on the Sabarimala issue. However, the year ended on a high note for him after the Centre appointed him the Governor of Mizoram.\nTHE FALL: Sriram Venkataraman\nThe IAS officer — hailed for his anti-encroachment drive in Munnar — made headlines for wrong reasons after the car allegedly driven by him under the influence of alcohol rammed the motorbike of journalist K M Basheer, in August, killing the latter. The incident snowballed into a controversy, especially after the bureaucratic machinery allegedly swung into action to help the officer.\nSON STROKE: Binoy Kodiyeri\nBinoy Kodiyeri, Dubai-based businessman and son of CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, was accused in a rape and cheating case filed by a 33-year-old former bar dancer hailing from Bihar. As directed by the court, Binoy underwent a DNA test to ascertain the woman’s claim that he fathered her child. The allegation brought embarrassment to the party.\nK M Mani\nThe death of Kerala Congress(M) stalwart K M Mani — popularly known as Mani Sir — on April 9, 2019, was termed as the passing away of a political era. In a political career spanning 51 years, Mani became the state’s finance minister for 13 times, the longest in history. He was also the country’s longest-serving legislator.\nLenin Rajendran\nRenowned director Lenin Rajendran passed away on January 14, at the age of 67. He has directed 16 movies in Malayalam, which helped him in winning national and state awards. His noted movies include Chillu, Swathi Thirunal, Vachanam, Daivathinte Vikruthikal and Rathrimazha.\nM J Radhakrishnan\nNoted cinematographer M J Radhakrishnan, 60, died on July 12. He won the national award for cinematography, posthumously in 2019 for the movie ‘Olu’.\nThomas Chandy\nNCP state president and former Transport Minister Thomas Chandy, 72, who represented Kuttanad constituency in the assembly, died on December 20, 2019.\nKadavoor Sivadasan\nVeteran trade unionist and Congress leader Kadavoor Sivadasan passed away on May 17, 2019. A four-time legislator, Sivadasan was part of the governments headed by K Karunakaran and A K Antony.\nRamachandra Babu\nAce cinematographer Ramachandra Babu, 72, passed away on December 21. He has cranked the camera for over 130 films which include all the south Indian languages.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line320713"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5621354579925537,"wiki_prob":0.4378645420074463,"text":"Doing Business in the Caribbean 2017: Central America Leading By Example\nBy Paul Hay\nCJ Contributor\nDoing Business 2017: Equal Opportunity for All is the 14th in the long-standing series of co-publications by the World Bank and International Financial Corporation (IFC). This annual report on the ease in doing business, now in 190 nations, covers the period from June 2015 to June 2016.\nFor the past 3 years, I have reviewed such reports and, with the exception of last year, published two articles from each: first examining the global ranking of Caribbean states, followed by an itemized breakdown of their performance. This article reviews “Doing Business 2017”.\nLast year Doing Business 2016: Measuring Regulatory Quality and Efficiency used a new methodology for its analysis and also additional data not previously measured. So, comparison with the previous year was difficult, to say the least, and proved too much to allow writing a second article.\nLike the last, the current report has also made changes which make an itemized breakdown difficult, if not impossible. So, this article will again be limited to the review of global rankings of Caribbean States; and again, the states referred to will be members of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS).\nThe two tables below present data for these states. Last year’s data is included as a convenience, but it is stressed that differences may simply indicate the change in the methodology used in preparing the report, which negatively impacted only the ranking of the Caribbean Islands.\nTable 1 conveys information on 13 Caribbean Islands, divided into two groups: 11 Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and 2 large island-states: namely the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The SIDS group is further sub-divided into three groups.\nPuerto Rico, being the only SIDS that is not politically independent, is a group unto itself. The 6 smallest islands belong to the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS); and, the remaining 4 states comprise the last group.\nTable 2 conveys information on 12 ACS Latin American (LatAm) states. Like the Caribbean Islands, these LatAm states are divided into two groups – Central, and South American States. The former comprises 8 states and the latter 4 states.\nIt should also be noted that this table includes three CARIFORUM member-states: Belize, in the Central American group, as well as Guyana and Suriname in the South American group. With the exception of Puerto Rico, all Caribbean islands in table 1 are CARIFORUM states.\nDoing Business Regional Profile 2017: Latin America and the Caribbean lists 32 LAC states. With the exception of Puerto Rico, 24 of these are ACS members. The 17 remaining LAC states are all located in South America. Average rating for the Caribbean Island ACS members is below the LAC average of 107.\nBut, 9 of the top 12 LAC performers are ACS member states, just like “Doing Business 2015”, but less than the top 10 in “Doing Business 2016”. Again, this is mostly due to the superior rankings of the Central American sub-group, though this number does include 3 Caribbean Island ACS members.\nCurrently, the top 12 ranked LAC performers, from highest to lowest, are: Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Panama, Saint Lucia, Guatemala, Uruguay, El Salvador, Trinidad and Tobago. Of these, Peru, Puerto Rico, and Uruguay are the only states that are not ACS members.\nSix LatAm ACS member-states are in the top 12: Colombia being the sole South American member, of its group of 4. Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala and El Salvador comprise the remaining 5, of the 8 member Central American group.\nNo large Caribbean-Island state is present. Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago are 2 of the 4 larger ACS SIDS that are top performers. Puerto Rico is also among the top performers. But, Saint Lucia is the sole member of the 6 OECS members that is a top performer.\nThe superior ranking of the LatAm sub-group is specifically due to performance of Mexico, and Colombia: Mexico with rank of 47 being best performer in the Central America group and Colombia, ranked 53, best of the South America group. The former being ranked higher than the latter.\nOnly 2 of the 8 Central American group members were below the LAC average. One which was below average – Belize – is a CARIFORUM member. Otherwise, only Puerto Rico, and Jamaica ranked above the Central America group average of 85.\nRegrettably, ACS still comprises 7 of the 8 lowest ranked economies in LAC. In ascending order from the lowest, these are: Venezuela, Haiti, Suriname, Bolivia, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Nicaragua, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Bolivia is the sole non-ACS member.\nThe South American group has the largest discrepancy in ranks: Colombia is at the top with 53 and Venezuela the last at 187: the remaining 2 – Guyana and Suriname – being CARIFORUM members: Suriname and Venezuela being in the bottom 8.\nThe Association of Caribbean States not only has the most capable states to effect reform, but it also has the most deserving of states. Therefore, it seems to be the body most suitable to facilitate this reform in the shortest order. Indifference to reform should not be allowed to further deteriorate performance.\nCentral America is leading by example. Can other ACS members, including CARIFORUM members, follow suit? Can we all collaborate to bring about well-needed reform and a better future? We can, and we must, but we need to actively effect change now and stop procrastinating.\nBelize Travel, caribbean, costa rica, doing business, dominican republic, grenada, grenadines, guyana, haiti, jamaica, mexico, puerto rico, saint kitts and nevis, saint lucia, st. kitts, st. vincent, suriname, tobago, trinidad","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1389477"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9399498701095581,"wiki_prob":0.9399498701095581,"text":"Sister Mary Kateri\nFrederick N. RasmussenThe Baltimore Sun\nSister Mary Kateri Sullivan, a member of the Religious Sisters of Mercy whose career as a parochial school educator spanned nearly 50 years, died in her sleep Friday at The Villa, her order's retirement home in the Woodbrook section of Baltimore County. She was 94.\nCatherine Agnes Sullivan was born and raised in Southwest Baltimore. As a child, she attended St. Peter the Apostle parochial school.\nAfter graduating from Seton High School in 1933, she entered the Religious Sisters of Mercy. She took the religious name of Mary Kateri and made her final profession of vows in 1939.\nSister Mary Kateri earned a bachelor's degree in education from Mount St. Agnes College in 1949 and a master's degree in education from Loyola College in 1956.\n\"From second grade on, Sister Mary Kateri aimed to become a teacher and never lost her enthusiasm for elementary education. She knew that she had a genius for teaching,\" said Sister Mary Faith McKean, a member of the Religious Sisters of Mercy and a longtime friend.\n\"She served as a parochial school teacher, principal, supervisor of Mercy schools and as a college teacher of education,\" Sister Mary Faith said. \"With the exception of a dozen years in Georgia, she taught in Maryland.\"\nSister Mary Kateri began her teaching career in 1937 at St. Gregory parochial school before joining the faculty at St. Vincent parochial school in Savannah, Ga., in 1939.\nIn 1942, she returned to St. Gregory in Baltimore, and then taught at Mount Washington Country School from 1945 to 1949; she then taught for a year at St. Cecilia parochial school.\nSister Mary Kateri was principal of the Cathedral School in Savannah from 1950 to 1955, when she was named principal of Our Lady of the Assumption in Atlanta.\nShe returned to Baltimore in 1960 when she joined the faculty of Mount St. Agnes College in Mount Washington.\nFrom 1963 to 1977, Sister Mary Kateri was an administrator of Mercy schools in Baltimore, serving as a counselor and later supervisor of elementary education.\nSister Mary Kateri also established STEP - Student Teacher Education Program - for student teachers in the Archdiocese of Baltimore.\nShe held teaching positions at St. Frances de Sales school in Salisbury and Mount Washington Country School, and later was a staff member at Stella Maris Hospice from 1982 to 1984.\nSister Mary Kateri was a part-time educator at St. Joseph parochial school in Cockeysville from 1984 to 1994, when she retired.\nIn retirement, she volunteered at Trinity House, an assisted-living facility in Towson, from 1994 to 2004.\n\"She was always a marvelously encouraging teacher. Here she was in her 10th decade, and she was still interested in teaching and prepping young girls,\" Sister Mary Faith said. \"As a teacher, she never burned out. She just had a great gift of encouraging others.\"\nSister Mary Christopher Bourke is also a member of the order and a retired teacher.\n\"She was an enthusiastic teacher who influenced many students to become the kind of teacher that we need today. She mixed her academic knowledge with laughter and joy. What a good foundation she gave them,\" Sister Mary Christopher said.\n\"Her interest in education lasted until the end of her life. Just two years ago, she helped a teacher find the right book which she needed to reach a child who was having difficulty,\" Sister Mary Christopher said.\nSister Mary Agnese Neumann, also a semiretired educator and member of the order, taught with Sister Mary Kateri in Savannah.\n\"She was my principal at the Cathedral School and was a great influence on my life,\" she said. \"She was such an enthusiastic and infectious educator that in no time at all, this spread not only to the students but the faculty as well. And this was because of her love of education.\"\nSister Mary Agnese said she ran a \"well-ordered school with a firm hand\" and praised her willingness to let teachers explore and implement new teaching methods in their classrooms.\n\"She was always very supportive and open to new ideas. And as a principal, she was fair and just to both students and faculty. She was an excellent role model and expected you to measure up.\"\nSince 1999, Sister Mary Kateri had been a resident of The Villa.\n\"She never forgot her roots in Southwest Baltimore and was always sending me money for the poor at St. Peter the Apostle. I don't know where she got it,\" said the Rev. Michael J. Roach, former pastor of the church, who now is pastor of St. Bartholomew Roman Catholic Church in Manchester.\n\"She was a very handsome and charming Irishwoman who was extremely competent and all heart,\" Father Roach said. \"She was also a wonderful correspondent who never forgot anyone.\"\nFather Roach celebrated a Mass of Christian burial for Sister Mary Kateri on Monday at The Villa.\n\"We had so many people - including a former student who had traveled all the way from Kansas City - that we had to set up extra chairs,\" he said.\nSurviving are a brother, Thomas Sullivan of Halethorpe; a sister, Mary S. Morini of Amsterdam, N.Y.; and many nieces and nephews.\nCopyright © 2021, The Baltimore Sun, a Baltimore Sun Media Group publication | Place an Ad","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1441228"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6866410970687866,"wiki_prob":0.6866410970687866,"text":"> Underground Worlds\nUnderground Worlds\nFor centuries, people have built mind-blowing structures underground. This new and exclusive series reveals incredible feats of human endeavour and reveals what people have built, how they built it and why.\nSeries 1 | Episode 10\nExploring the military headquarters built beneath Dover Castle during the Second World War, and Odessa's catacombs, possibly the largest tunnel network in the world.\nThe sinister history of Edinburgh's vaults and the development of Helsinki's subterranean spaces. Plus, the impact of the building of Naples on the volcanic ground below.\nThe secrets of the largest subterranean fortress along France's border with Germany, and a look at how a unique precious mineral was discovered in Derbyshire.\nThe underground bases built by the German army during the occupation of Jersey, and a group of more than 20 underground cities in Turkey, one of which dates back to 800BC.\nAn underground city beneath a forest in Northern France built to house 3,000 people, an ice cave under Iceland's biggest glacier, and a subterranean power station in London.\nA labyrinth of tunnels underneath a tiny French village which contains mysteries from several historical eras, and a Welsh slate mine that has been given a new lease of life.\nHighlights from the Show\n4 Hidden Places You Never Knew Existed\nHere are just four of the strangest subterranean spots you never knew were there.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line586219"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8676726818084717,"wiki_prob":0.8676726818084717,"text":"Here's What to Know About Trump's Travel Ban That Takes Effect Tonight\nIt's a \"limited\" version.\nThanks to a Supreme Court ruling, parts of President Trump's travel ban will take effect tonight—just in time for Independence Day in the nation of immigrants. Some have called it a \"Muslim ban,\" but the president has kinda-sorta disputed that characterization. So what, exactly, is in this thing—particularly the provisions that are set to take effect at 8 p.m. EST tonight? According to The New York Times, a lot of it has to do with figuring out which relatives are which.\nThe \"limited\" travel ban will still apply to foreign visitors from six predominantly Muslim countries: Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. However, the Court ruled that the ban couldn't be imposed on anyone with \"a credible claim of a bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States.\" The Supremes left the definition of \"bona fide relationship\" vague, however, so the administration has gone to some lengths to play Webster here. The State Department sent a diplomatic cable to U.S. Embassies to inform them of the new policy guidelines, and the Times also got itself a copy:\nAccording to a diplomatic cable obtained by The New York Times, \"close family\" is \"defined as a parent (including parent-in-law), spouse, child, adult son or daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, sibling, whether whole or half. This includes step relationships.\"\nBut it went on to state that \"close family\" does not include \"grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-laws and sisters-in-law, fiancés and any other 'extended' family members.\"\nIt is not clear how the administration arrived at the new definitions.\nThe definition does seem arbitrary, and the ACLU and immigrants' rights groups have raised concerns about the administration's ability to unilaterally expand the directive because of the Supreme Court's vagueness. The ban will still bar many students, tourists, business travelers, new immigrants, and refugees, though it seems green card holders will finally have protection from it. But the fact that the policy does not bar these groups across the board is an improvement on previous iterations—an improvement that's cause for some serious introspection.\nA Pro Tip: Don\\'t Insult a Woman\\'s Face\nWhat Happens After Trump's Revised Travel Ban?\nSeth Meyers: Trump's Ban Was Also Incompetent\nA Judge Temporarily Blocked Trump's Muslim Ban\nHow to Sidestep the Cuban Travel Ban\nTakes Something Big to Get This Group Protesting\nTrump Fired the Attorney General Over Muslim Ban","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line20330"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6707472205162048,"wiki_prob":0.6707472205162048,"text":"Activism Reproductive Rights\nFeminists Fought Back Against Anti-Abortion Extremists in Alabama Last Week\nLast week, the anti-abortion extremist group Operation Save America (OSA) organized its annual national event of increased harassment and protesting outside targeted clinics in Alabama. The Feminist Majority Foundation’s Clinic Defense Team spent several weeks on the ground in Alabama before and during the protests, providing assistance to clinics throughout the state.\nFeminist Campus and Lizz Winstead of Lady Parts Justice! @lpjleague This clinic stays open!\nA photo posted by Feminist Campus (@feministcampus) on Jul 16, 2015 at 8:41am PDT\nFor years, OSA has used the summer to travel around the nation and protest abortion, often targeting vulnerable clinics in states where abortion providers are already under siege. This week, anti-abortion extremists targeted Montgomery, Alabama’s Reproductive Health Services, the only clinic left in the state’s capital. OSA historically attracts many out-of-state anti-choice extremists to their demonstrations, but this was the first year OSA invited an advocate of “justifiable homicide” to be a featured speaker during the week of intimidation and harassment.\nMatthew Trewhella , the leader of Missionaries to the Preborn, was spoke to an evening OSA rally; Trewhella is a signatory of the Defensive Action petition in support of the use of lethal force to stop abortion. In addition, John Brockhoeft, an Ohio-based advocate of justifiable homicide and convicted felon who served time for arson attacks on clinics in Ohio and conspiring to bomb a clinic in Pensacola, FL, participated in the OSA protests.\n“In spite of severe intimidation and harassment by OSA, all of the abortion clinics in Alabama, from Huntsville to Mobile, Birmingham and Montgomery, remained open and all patients were seen,” said duVergne Gaines, director of FMF’s Clinic Defense Team. “We were pleased to work with courageous clinic staff, hundreds of pro-choice supporters and dedicated law enforcement throughout the state to keep these clinics safe and open to serve the women of Alabama. What’s more, OSA’s numbers were down this year as compared to last year when they targeted Louisiana, and it appears they are more desperate than ever.”\nAlong with the Feminist Majority Foundation’s Clinic Defense Team, feminists and activists from across the Southern states have come together throughout the week to protect clinics in Alabama. Organizations like Alabama Reproductive Rights Advocates, The Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance of the University of Montevallo, and the Feminist Caucus of the University of Alabama showed up in support of Reproductive Health Services and other clinics. Through the FMF Choices Campus Leadership Program’s Adopt-a-Clinic campaign, local college students have mobilized to help protect Alabama clinics.\n“The students have been instrumental in training, reaching out to community members to build a network, and organizing their campuses,” said Edwith Theogene, National Campus Organizer for the Feminist Majority Foundation. “We’re proud of the student turn-out and the dedication these students are showing to keeping their clinics open and safe.”\nBesides protesting outside of abortion clinics, OSA disrupted progressive religious events or services to oppose both abortion and LGBT rights during its annual national siege. The protest left many residents of Alabama feeling uneasy and unsafe.\n“Everybody is on high alert [during this time],” said Mia Raven, legislative director of the Alabama Reproductive Rights Advocates. “Everybody in the state of Alabama and everybody in surrounding states is on high alert.”\nSuch high alert is often necessary during extremist protests such as OSA. The Feminist Majority Foundation’s 2014 National Clinic Violence Survey shows that since 2010, the distribution of Old West-style WANTED posters and pamphlets targeting doctors and clinic staff, and featuring doctors’ and staffs’ photographs, home addresses, and other personal information, has almost doubled from 27% to 52%. Historically, these kinds of threats to abortion doctors, staff, and clinics have often preceded serious crimes such as violence, arson, bombings, stalking of clinic staff, patients, and doctors, and murder.\n“Given this history, the dramatic increase in extremist threats cannot be ignored,” said Eleanor Smeal, President of the Feminist Majority Foundation. “Clinics like those targeted in Alabama, are a vital part of women’s healthcare, providing birth control, STD and cancer screenings, and other reproductive health services in addition to abortion. Without these clinics, there is no choice.”\nMedia Resources: Feminist Majority Foundation NCAP 2014 Survey\nabortion Alabama news","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line349089"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6453425884246826,"wiki_prob":0.3546574115753174,"text":"School Testing and the Rising Rate of ADHD\nPosted by Peter on March 19th, 2014 | No Comments\nA new book finds a startling connection\nRead the Interview: http://www.nbcnews.com/health/kids-health/could-school-testing-be-driving-adhd-n55661\nIs the increased demand for performance behind the increased diagnoses of ADHD? Two University of California professors have released a book this month titled, “The ADHD Explosion.” They call it a “reality check” for parents, providers, educators and politicians.\nThe Berkeley professors, Dr. Stephen Hinshaw and Dr. Richard Scheffler, are noted researchers on ADHD. Their research tells them that federal policy issues may be behind the recent explosion in cases of ADHD.\n“When you look at that [national testing policy], you get the\nclosest thing there is to a smoking gun,” says Dr.Scheffler.\nThe Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Pediatrics, found that rates of ADHD in California have jumped by 24% since 2001. Additionally, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports increases from 7.8 percent in 2003 to\n9.5 percent in 2007 and to 11 percent in 2011— a rate of 5 percent a year.\nIt looks for all the world like a growing epidemic. But ADHD wasn’t even something people noticed until recently,” says Hinshaw.\n“It started about the same time in history that we made kids go to school,” Hinshaw told NBC News in an interview.\nThen come the 1990s, and a crisis of falling test scores. “What happened is that a number of states began to pass accountability laws,” Hinshaw said.\nHinshaw and Scheffler examined the correlation between diagnoses of ADHD and maps of states that had passed accountability laws.\nAccording to NBC News, by the turn of the century, 30 states had passed accountability laws. They tended to be Republican-leaning states in the South, such as North Carolina. In 2007, 15.6 percent of all children in North Carolina had been diagnosed with ADHD at some point, including nearly one in three teenage boys.\nTwo things happening together don’t prove a correlation. Is it coincidence? Hinshaw and Scheffler were persuaded to look further.\nAN NBC News article reports that the professors then examined date related to the No Child Left Behind federal policy enacted in 2002. It was one of the first official acts of President George W. Bush after he took office.NCLB required standardized testing to show if schools were, in fact, educating students. A truly salient aspect of NCLB was that it held teachers and principals directly responsible for the results and removed federal and state bureaucrats who mandate curriculum and educational policy.\nAccording to the NBC News article:\n“Now what happens is a natural experiment,” says Hinshaw. The other states raced to write accountability laws, requiring schools to show they are actually educating children.\n“When you incentivize test scores above all else, there is probably pressure to get kids diagnosed with ADHD.”\nHinshaw and Scheffler compared ADHD rates in the 30 states that had been requiring testing with the 20 states that had to play catchup.\nRates of ADHD diagnoses soared.\n“Children ages 8 to 13, living in low-income homes and in states without previous consequential accountability laws, went from a 10 percent to a 15.3 percent rate of ADHD diagnoses once No Child Left Behind started,” they wrote. That’s a 53 percent increase over four years.\nCalifornia’s current rate, post-testing? It’s 7.3 percent. North\nCarolina’s rate actually fell slightly, to 14.4 percent in 2011.\n“When you incentivize test scores above all else, there is probably pressure to get kids diagnosed with ADHD,” Hinshaw said. “We know from our own research that medication not only makes you less fidgety but also can bump up your test scores.”\nThat would be the benign interpretation, that testing has\nencouraged parents to get their kids in to see specialists for\nmuch-needed medical care. But there’s also a more sinister\npossibility and one that Hinshaw and Scheffler say is at work in\nsome states.\n“If you can identify the children with ADHD, you can take them out of the pool that measures how schools are doing,” says Scheffler.\nHe says some districts — he won’t say where — do seem to have been doing so. State school officials and the federal Department of Education did not respond when contacted by NBC News.\nNo Child Left Behind ties federal funding to test scores, Scheffler points out.“You can see the incentive for schools to get kids diagnosed with ADHD,” he says.\nEither way, Scheffler and Hinshaw say the increase in ADHD cases is real, and it’s not just affecting kids. Recent studies show adult diagnoses are on the rise, too.\n“Although often ridiculed, ADHD represents a genuine medical\ncondition that robs people of major life chances,” they write in the book.\n“You can see the incentive for schools to get kids diagnosed with ADHD.”\nScheffler doesn’t see the increase in adult ADHD diagnoses as\nsurprising. “This has nothing to do with the schools. This has to do with global competition and performance,” he says. People are under pressure to perform better at work.\nAnd news about adult ADHD in turn sends more people to their doctors, and diagnoses spike even more, Hinshaw adds. “Here are we are in 2014 with evidence that medications can benefit. Adult ADHD clinics spring up,” he says.\n“That’s not necessarily a bad thing,” says Hinshaw.\nWhat is bad is if ADHD is not being diagnosed with the proper care, Hinshaw says. A 10-minute pediatrician visit is not adequate for an ADHD diagnosis and certainly not as the basis for writing a prescription for a powerful stimulant, such as Ritalin or Adderall, to treat it.\n“Many pediatricians are not trained in the emotional disorders of childhood, or not reimbursed for the time it takes,” Hinshaw said.\n“It is easy to pull out prescription pad at the end of a visit.”\nHe calls the book a “reality check” and says parents, providers, educators and politicians should take note, and make sure the right kids are being diagnosed, and helped, properly.\nThe Global Market For ADHD Medications\nPosted by Peter on April 22nd, 2007 | Comments off\nThe University of California, Berkeley reports that ADHD has more than tripled worldwide since 1993. Researchers at UC, Berkeley found that the United States, Canada, and Australia “presented higher-than-expected rates of ADHD medication use between 1993 and 2003 – based on predictions from per-capita GDP indicators – a country-by-country analysis showed increases in ADHD drug consumption in countries ranging from France and Sweden, to Korea and Japan.” The US still leads the world in dollars spent on ADHD medication at $2.7 billion in 2006.\nThe University of California at Berkeley study was published in the journal, Health Affairs. Researchers reviewed data on ADHD medication use among 5-19 year-olds in countries belonging to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), whose members are largely economically fit North American, European and Northeast Asian nations.\nThe researchers stated that one in twenty-five children is taking medication for ADHD in the US. However, their research also suggests that the diagnosis of ADHD and subsequent use of medications to control it is now spreading worldwide.\nDr. Richard Scheffler, a UC Berkeley distinguished professor of health economics and public policy Overall thinks the study reflects global trends. “Given the global diffusion of ADHD medications, as well as the prevalence of this condition, ADHD could become the leading childhood disorder treated with medications across the globe,” Scheffler said. “We can expect that the already burgeoning global costs for medication treatment for ADHD will rise even more sharply over the next decade.”\nThe Berkeley researchers also cite that “Growth trends indicate that other countries are following in its tracks. For example, global spending on ADHD medications increased nine-fold among OECD countries during the time period studied. This increase is largely due to the advent and availability of more costly and long-acting medications such as Concerta™, Strattera™ and Adderral XR™”.\nThe use of medications outside of the US is still primarily short acting amphetamines. However, the pharmaceutical industry is well aware that they cannot reach the estimated $3.4bn by 2015, unless it is led by the launch of drugs with novel delivery mechanisms such as improved durations of action and anti-abuse profiles as media are raising the abuse flag significantly. These custom drugs will help differentiate these pipeline drugs from the current established ADHD therapies and increase market share.\nIt is important to note that although ADHD drugs have demonstrated efficacy in improving the three main symptoms of ADHD – inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity – none have shown efficacy in treating the cognitive deficits of ADHD.\nDrug makers are likely to increase the costs of these novelty release (e.g. long acting) drugs globally as they become more prevalent outside the U.S. in order to reach the estimated $3.4bn target in 2015.\nBack to Berkeley, using the IMS Health MIDAS™, an international pharmaceutical database, researchers looked at data and found that between 1993 and 2003, “the number of countries using ADHD medications rose from 31 to 55, with the U.S. share of global market decreasing from 86.8 percent to 83.1 percent. Meanwhile, countries with traditionally low and moderate consumption of ADHD drugs were showing steady upswings.”\nStephen Hinshaw, who is frequently approached by the media to comment on ADHD, is chair of UC Berkeley’s Department of Psychology was a co-author of the study. Commenting on this study, Hinshaw states, “The results temper some key criticisms of ADHD. A common misconception is that ADHD only exists in the U.S. and that the pharmaceutical firms are getting bigger sales because of the ‘creation’ of the disorder in the U.S. Yet cross-cultural research has shown that ADHD exists in nearly any culture that has compulsory education. Clearly, ADHD–which has a substantial genetic liability–is not just a figment of American doctors’ imaginations.”\nIn a nutshell, here’s Hinshaw’s argument: The use of stimulant\nmedication in wealthy member nations of the OECD outside of the U.S. is\ngrowing, therefore, “ADHD is not just a figment of American doctors’\nimaginations.” I’m not arguing that ADHD is real or not real. I am\nsimply citing that pharmaceutical marketing dollars greatly contribute\nto the rise in use of stimulant medications in these nations. For\nexample, when adult ADHD medication was marketed heavily in the U.S.,\nsales of the drug skyrocketed. Did the number of diagnosed cases\nincrease? Yes. Did that mean more people had the disorder? No. If this\npoor logic and poor research is the best Berkeley and Hinshaw can\nproduce, then the students that are graduated from Berkeley are doomed!\nBut, wait, that’s also a non causa pro causa!\nHinshaw has essentially committed a non causa pro causa (false cause). He’s co-authored a study of data from a pharmaceutical database and citing that the number of persons outside the U.S. in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), whose members are largely economically fit North American, European and Northeast Asian nations. The pharmaceutical industry has spent many millions of dollars over the past few years to increase their profit in these nations in an effort to obtain their estimated goal of $3.4bn by 2015.\nWhat can be clearly gleaned is that the Berkeley study is meaningless. It might have some teeth if the researchers actually correlated the marketing dollars spent by the pharmaceutical manufacturers to the numbers of persons using their medications in the OECD. It would be interesting to see the data on usage in third world countries who cannot afford it. I’d wager that they have far fewer cases of ADHD and use far less medication.\n9/8/2005 New Video Game Shows Promise In Treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD)\nPosted by Peter on September 8th, 2005 | Comments off\nAs many as three million children in the United States are being treated for Attention Deficit Disorder. And they’re not the only ones. 4.4 percent of the adult population have A.D.D. or a related disorder, making it the second most common psychological problem in adults after depression. VOA’s Paige Kollock reports on a new ‘game’ that might be able to help them.\nNew Video Game Shows Promise In Treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder\nBy Paige Kollock\nMedical studies have shown that television and video games may contribute to the rise in Attention Deficit Disorder, especially in children.\nDoctor Stephen Hinshaw of the University of California researches children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. He says, “Very fast paced media are in some ways overwhelming the young brains.”\nNow a company called Unique Logic and Technology has created a video game that helps re-train those young brains. It’s called “Play Attention,” and the company claims it can teach your brain how to pay attention. It works by using a helmet that has sensors.\nThe sensors can tell whether or not the user is paying attention. In conjunction with computer software, the sensors teach the user what it feels like to pay attention and reward them for paying attention for longer periods. Over time, the user acquires the skill of concentration.\nFormer Principal Pat Faulkner says the $1,795 program is worth the money. “I think Play Attention was worth every penny they ever spent on it, and all the time that was spent on it, because it has the power to change a child’s life. When a child can learn to participate in class, then he can learn, and that’s a life changing experience.”\nAdults are using Play Attention too. While the U.S. Women’s Olympic bobsled team may not have A.D.D, using Play Attention helps them increase their focus, which gives them a competitive edge.\nEducators say the game takes between eight and 12 months to become permanently effective. From that point on, they say, users can fall back on the skill for the rest of their lives.\nCan custom-made video games help children with attention deficit disorder?\nFrom the Berkeley Medical Journal:\ny Attention!\nCan custom-made video games help kids with attention deficit disorder?\nBy Gordon Kwan\nFor children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), life can feel like a never-ending video game. They are wired–restless, impulsive, and easily distracted. Their minds are constantly bombarded with different elements of reality that compete for their attention.\nSo far, the most popular treatment for ADHD has been Ritalin, a rapid-acting stimulant for adults that has the opposite effect in children, calming the jitters associated with the disorder. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about three percent of American school children take stimulants like Ritalin regularly. However current research suggests a surprising new strategy for treating this disorder: video games linked to brain-wave biofeedback that can help kids with ADHD train their minds to tune in and settle down.\nIt is difficult for a child with ADHD to learn how to self-regulate and know what it feels like to concentrate. Biofeedback teaches patients to control normally involuntary body functions such as heart rate by providing real-time monitoring of such responses. More than 15 years of studies show that with the aid of a computer display and an EEG sensor attached to the scalp, ADHD patients can learn to modulate brain waves associated with focusing. Increasing the strength of high-frequency beta waves and decreasing the strength of low-frequency theta waves, for example, creates a more attentive state of mind. With enough training, changes become automatic and lead to improvements in grades, sociability, and organizational skills.\nDespite its proven success, the technique has not become a mainstream treatment for several good reasons. First, unlike drug therapy, which can have immediate results, a typical course of biofeedback treatment takes a series of about 40 one-hour sessions over a span of several months before benefits become apparent. Second, it is more expensive than drugs. Costs range from $3,000 to $4,000 for these treatments, so insurance companies tend to pick the less expensive option. Finally, biofeedback training requires the very kind of prolonged concentration that patients with ADHD struggle to attain.\nAlan Pope, a behavioral scientist at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, came up with a more engaging approach through work with NASA flight simulators. He was determining the degree of interaction with cockpit controls necessary to help pilots stay attentive during routine flights. In an experiment, he linked the level of automation in the cockpit to the pilots’ brain-wave signals, so that some controls switched from autopilot to manual when the pilot started to lose focus. He found that with practice the pilots could begin to adjust the controls to the level of automation that felt most comfortable by regulating their own brain waves.\nPope applied his findings to help ADHD patients stay focused by rewarding an attentive state of mind. He realized, however, that the simple displays that were already part of biofeedback treatment may not be enough to hold the interest of restless youngsters. He then chose several common video games and linked the biofeedback signal from the player’s brain waves to the handheld controller that guides the games’ actions. “In one auto-racing game, a car’s maximum speed increases if the player’s ratio of beta to theta waves improves. The same sort of feedback also controls the steering,” Pope says.\nIn the test, six Sony PlayStation games were used with 22 boys and girls between the ages of nine and thirteen who had ADHD. Half the group received traditional biofeedback training; the other half played the modified video games. After 40 one-hour sessions, both groups showed substantial improvements in everyday brain-wave patterns as well as in tests of measuring attention span, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity. Parents in both groups also reported that their children were doing better in school.\nThe difference between the two groups was motivation. “In the video-game group, there were fewer no-shows and no dropouts,” according to Pope. The parents were more satisfied with the results of the training, and the kids seemed to have more fun.\nSince children are more motivated toward video-game biofeedback and may already be familiar with video games, they will not need one-on-one coaching to master the technique. As a result, the cost of the treatment should be reduced and maybe even permit “do-it-yourself” biofeedback. One North Carolina company markets their Play Attention system as a fun bike helmet and game-like video exercises that work on almost any computer. The helmet is lined with sensors that monitor the child’s brain waves, and the child actually controls the computer video exercises by mind alone. Parents should not expect regular video games to help their children. The wrong kinds of video games might actually hurt children with attention disorders.\nParents, however, may be hesitant to switch from traditional treatment programs. One parent whose child currently takes drugs to control ADHD says, “Our son is using drugs to control his attention problems and although we don’t like giving him the pills, he is no longer causing problems at school. We try to keep our son away from things that might make him hyperactive. Unless our doctor tells us to do this brain wave training in a hospital, we are not going to buy a machine to do our own treatment at home.”\nBrain-wave biofeedback alone may not be a substitute for drug therapy. Professor Stephen Hinshaw, an expert in the field of child clinical psychology at UC Berkeley, gives a reserved opinion about biofeedback treatment. “Biofeedback is a promising potential alternative, but unfortunately the kinds of really well-controlled studies that might support its clinical benefits have yet to be performed.” The two treatments have complementary aspects that make them effective as adjuncts. A single dose of Ritalin, for example, acts quickly but only for a few hours, and most patients take it only on school days. Brain-wave regulation takes a long time to learn but has the potential for longer-lasting effects.\nResearchers and clinicians are realizing that ADHD is not easily outgrown. Most doctors support an approach that combines good nutrition, sleep, exercise, and learning strategies as well as biofeedback and drug therapy. The possibilities for brain-wave biofeedback are very promising since its benefits could last a lifetime. Video game biofeedback therapy may provide a more tolerable and long-lasting form of treatment for children through a medium they are more likely to enjoy.\nStephen Hinshaw\nPosted by Peter on December 8th, 2004 | Comments off\nI just wanted to take a moment to further comment on The November 13, 2004 Boston Globe article, Playing their Way to Improved Concentration, referring to Play Attention, a feedback based learning system I created for persons with attention problems. It uses a video game format to teach cognitive skills typically deficit in children and adults with diffused attention.\nIn order to balance out the article, Globe reporter Hiawatha Bray sought out the expert opinion of Dr. Stephen Hinshaw.\nDr. Stephen Hinshaw chairman of the psychology department at the University of California at Berkeley and an expert on hyperactivity disorders, said techniques that teach concentration may work in a doctor’s office, but often stop working when the child reenters his home or classroom. “I’m not a cynic, but I’m a skeptic until things are proven pretty thoroughly,” Hinshaw said.\nI admire Hinshaw’s candor. Frequently experts are requested to remark on technology or teaching methods they have never seen or used. They must produce off the cuff remarks. Hinshaw should be respected as he utilizes multi-modal approaches to treating AD/HD and has a book worth reading.\nWhile I was not allowed to comment about Dr. Hinshaw’s remarks in the article, I would like to comment that Play Attention is the preferred educational learning system for students struggling with attention problems in over 450 school systems in the US. We’ve recently received a 91% satisfaction rating from our users because of our great support and teaching method utilizing feedback technology.\n(support) Play Attention is proudly powered by WordPress","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1193210"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5208004713058472,"wiki_prob":0.47919952869415283,"text":"Dave Walsh\n2021 C.A.R. President |\nDave Walsh serves as C.A.R. president. Walsh is a strategic leader with broad-based business, financial and operational expertise gained from over 40 years of residential real estate sales, management and training experience.\nWalsh began his career in the real estate industry in 1980 as a sales associate and became a broker in 1982. He was owner of a real estate firm and general manager of six Windermere offices prior to joining Alain Pinel REALTORS® as vice president in 2007. He became part of the Compass family when Compass acquired Alain Pinel in 2019.\nAs vice president and manager of the Compass San Jose office, Walsh is responsible for supervising the 124 real estate sales professionals and staff that work for him and for reviewing all their transactions for professional, regulatory, and disclosure compliance.\nWalsh has a history of being at the forefront of real estate trends, its policies and industry organizations. He served on the Board of Directors for both the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) and the Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS® (SCCAOR) as well as the Board of Directors for San Francisco Bay Area-based multiple listings service, MLSListings, Inc. In 2007, Walsh was awarded the prestigious “REALTOR® of the Year” award by the Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS® and was elected its president in 2008.\nIn 2018-2019, Walsh served as state treasurer of the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and was responsible for leading the Strategic Planning Committee, identifying critical issues of importance to REALTORS® based on the driving forces affecting the evolution of the real estate market and brokerage industry. He previously served as C.A.R.’s 2020 president-elect.\nWalsh is passionate about consumer protection and the professional standards of the real estate industry. To that end, he frequently speaks on real estate ethics and professional conduct as well as other trends, values, and issues impacting the Bay Area, California, and national real estate industry.\nHe frequently meets with elected legislators in Sacramento and Washington D.C. to support and advocate for all property rights and homeownership issues.\nOtto Catrina\n2021 C.A.R. President-Elect |\nA full-time real estate broker/REALTOR® since 2002, Otto Catrina serves as C.A.R. president-elect.\nIn addition to serving his clients, Catrina also is active with his local, state, and national associations of REALTORS®.\nAt the local level, Catrina was 2011 president of the Bay East Association of REALTORS®, where he served on various committees, including Strategic Planning, Board of Directors, Marketing, Professional Standards, and Local Government Relations.\nCatrina also serves as a State Director for the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, where he has served as C.A.R.’s Federal Chairman and Chairman for C.A.R.’s Legislative Committee. He has served as Public Policy Liaison to C.A.R. Leadership, overseeing federal and state legislation.\nCatrina also has served in various leadership positions at the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR) including NAR Director, member of the Issues Mobilization Committee, and REALTOR® Party Member Involvement Committee.\nDistinguished in the real estate industry, Catrina has been recognized by the Bay East Association of REALTORS® with numerous honors. He received the Association’s prestigious “REALTOR® of The Year” in 2007, the John A. Deadrich Distinguished Service Awards in 2009 and the Outstanding Leadership Award in 2019. He is a member of NAR’s Presidents Circle and in 2016, was inducted into NAR’s Hall of Fame.\nJennifer Branchini\n2020-2021 C.A.R. Treasurer |\nBay Area REALTOR® Jennifer Branchini serves as C.A.R. treasurer. Branchini has been a REALTOR® since 1998, having worked in management at her family’s brokerage for many years. She’s also an active REALTOR®, helping her clients with their housing needs on a daily basis.\nBranchini has held numerous leadership positions during her career. At the local level, she served as the 2014 President of the Bay East Association of REALTORS®.\nAt the state level, Branchini has served on the Board of Directors of the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® since 2010 and has served in various capacities on numerous C.A.R. committees.\nNationally, she has served on the National Association of REALTORS®’ Board of Directors since 2014. Most recently, she served as Member Services Liaison Chair of the Meetings and Conference Committee.\nBranchini is passionate about working together with her fellow REALTORS® to improve the real estate profession and enjoys mentoring others along the way.\nJoel Singer\nC.A.R. Chief Executive Officer\nC.A.R. CEO Joel Singer has held the Association's top staff position for more than 30 years, overseeing the association’s objectives, business development, strategic planning, legislative policies and creating products so that real estate professionals can succeed in today’s changing real estate market.\nAs an industry visionary, Singer led C.A.R. into the digital era by creating California Living Network in 1996, one of the industry’s first web-based listing and real estate information service. Singer was also the driving force behind the development of electronic forms through C.A.R.’s for-profit subsidiary, Real Estate Business Services® LLC (REBS®) and serves as its president.\nAs its previous president and chief executive officer, he was instrumental in positioning zipLogix™ as the leader in the real estate forms and transaction management space. Under Singer’s leadership and C.A.R.’s 20-year stewardship, zipLogix™ was at the forefront of electronic real estate forms and e-signatures. Singer oversaw the recent sale of zipLogix™ in order to leverage best-in-class technologies and business systems to grow and further enhance the success of REALTORS®.\nUnder Singer’s direction, C.A.R. has a strong presence in Sacramento, advocating for the real estate brokerage industry, housing, private property rights and other policy objectives of its members. Recent legislative victories include supporting bills that ensure that real estate professionals can remain independent contractors; create greater transparency for property assessed clean energy (PACE) programs; and help increase the construction of accessory dwelling units. C.A.R. also defeated a bill which would have eliminated the mortgage interest deduction for second homes and defeated a ballot measure that would have repealed the Costa Hawkins Rental Housing Act.\nSinger joined C.A.R. in 1978 and previously served as its chief economist and headed the Association's Public Affairs department.\nSince 2015, Singer has appeared on Swanepoel’s Power 200 list, which identifies the 200 leaders that have the most power and influence to impact the residential real estate brokerage industry. He was named to the 2015 Inman 101 list of real estate industry doers “whose ingenuity, outspokenness, strength, conviction, power, and persistence are driving change.” Singer also was selected to Inman’s list of Real Estate Influencers of 2017 for his long-time efforts of keeping the REALTOR® at the center of the transaction. In 2004, he received NAR’s William R. Magel Award of Excellence, which is presented annually to an individual who has truly exceled in his or her role as an association executive of a REALTOR® association.\nC.A.R. Staff Roster","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1889755"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7366425395011902,"wiki_prob":0.7366425395011902,"text":"Posted on November 4, 2009 November 4, 2009 by Matthew VanDevander\nWell, sorry I haven’t been updating much recently or anything. I haven’t had much time lately to do really anything of this sort. Also I don’t have internet at home, so it’s a bit hard to just get out and post things on here all the time. But for this post, I’ve got something fairly decent prepared. I just quit my job so I can start working on Fij full time, meaning I will hopefully get the game finished or at least in some working order. But I will go ahead and get on with the rest of this post, which is a review of the new Prince of Persia.\nPrince of Persia is one of the oldest gaming franchises there is, with the entries spanning nearly two decades. The original Prince of Persia is somehow considered a classic, and appreciated for its astonishingly smooth animation for the time. Even despite its horrid laggy controls, which are caused mostly as part of the “smooth” animation. It’s somewhat surprising that such a flawed game has spawned so many sequels. I mean, there’s the first sequel, which was basically like the original, only different levels, then there’s a remake… At one point, someone decided that the franchise was worth bringing into the 3d era, and the god-awful “Prince of Persia 3D” was born. Not surprisingly, after such a flop, and with the Nintendo 64 and Playstation already in their waning years, the idea of a 3d Prince sat stagnant for a while.\nBut then, an idea was born.\nThe primary appeal of the original game was the atmosphere of a heroic Persian prince who was a master at acrobatic feats. The only problem was, in the original game, in order to perform these acrobatic feats, you had to spend hours getting used to the strange laggy timing of the game. When the original came out, this wasn’t really an issue. Nobody knew how games were “supposed” to be, so there weren’t any real pre-concieved notions about how a game should behave. However, by the Playstation 2 era, gamers, and especially reviewers weren’t willing to put up with “control lag.” So, in Prince of Persia: the Sands of Time, the controls were fine tuned and acrobatic feats were made as easy as possible. Everything seemed good, the game came out with a nifty rewind mechanic and people wanted more.\nUnfortunately, in the two sequels that followed, they had missed something. The fact of the matter was, Prince of Persia has always been an unfair game, including the stellar Sands of Time. What with all the spikes coming out of the ground and killing you when you walk too fast across them. Most of the dangerous traps in the dungeons require the player to “learn by dying.” This practice was of course quite common back in the era the original Prince was released. But today is generally considered a design “no-no.” Sands of Time relieved the unfair feeling by allowing the player to rewind time when he died. Although the rewind mechanic itself was somewhat gimmicky and didn’t add much gameplay, it was still a key point of the games design.\nLuckily, someone at Ubisoft realized that the unfairness of the later Playstation 2 Era Princes was a problem, and set to remedy it by once again re-inventing the franchise. And thus, “Prince of Persia” was released.\nNow I guess I can get to the real review, now that I’ve ranted on about something you probably already know about.\nPrince of Persia succeeds in creating a smooth easy-to-control and acrobatic Prince. Suprisingly, he’s even easier to control and more acrobatic than Sands of Time. The controls in Sands of Time were quite specific and although not difficult, were somewhat complex. This meant that as the game progressed, you learned new things and were accquianted with new gadgetry at a reasonable pace. However, this new Prince manages to cram in all of the controls and the major environmental obstacles into less than an hour of gameplay. Now, this isn’t bad because it’s confusing, because it’s anything but. In fact, the controls are so simple, most actions are performed automatically or with one button. This is bad because the rest of the game is set up as a non-linear experience. Now, I know the big buzzwords in gaming right now are all about “non-linearity” and “sandbox gameplay” and “emergent behavior”. But the issue is that these things just don’t really work in Prince of Persia’s puzzling platform universe. It’s sad to see that the game had to make it to full production before anyone truly realized just how much it doesn’t work.\nThe problem is that the game lacks a real sense of progression due to it’s “Go anywhere” approach. There are four different worlds with 5 stages in each, and each stage ends with a boss. So, there’s twenty stages in total. Now, this would seem like a decent amount of content if this game had followed the linear style of it’s predecessors. Unfortunately, the freedom the game offers you in allowing you to pick which worlds and levels you want to tackle in which order makes all of them kinda taste like beans.\nThe fundamental controls are introduced in the intro part of the game, and after that, there are really few additions. With the major ones being these “plates” which require you to press the “Y” button when you land on them. There are four plates, which are each unlocked after collecting a large number of “light seeds.” The light seeds themselves are basically just an incentive to re-explore areas that you’ve already been to, as they are only available after you have completed the stage by defeating the boss and “healing the land” by rapidly pressing the “Y” button. The plates offer several different “moves” which will be performed upon activation. Two of the plates require interaction from the player to avoid hitting obstacles while on a sort of spiritual train-ride against the laws of physics. And the other two basically just play an animation which takes you somewhere else in the level. Unfortunately, none of the plates add anything really interesting to the puzzles in the game, and they all require the press of the same button. So they eventually just add up with the rest of the elements in the game into what feels like an elaborate Simon Says game. When I see the grappling ring, I should press “B”, when I see the plate, “Y”, Press “A” before you get to the edge, “Y” if it’s really far.\nThe way I put it, the game may sound boring. And I’m sad to say, the truth is that the game is rather boring. The choice of non-linearity allows nothing in the game to build upon anything else, and so it never gets more complex than the first stage you play. Sure, they throw in a few new baddies that you must avoid, and each of the bosses has a slightly different weakness. Unfortunately, these aren’t really enough to add interest, because all of the fighting in the game follows the same sort of Simon says feel with many “Press A to not die” events that pop up if you get too close to the enemy. Although the combat in the game, like almost everything else, is more forgiving than Sands of Time. It’s not really as satisfying or interesting. At the beginning of the game, we are introduced to the novel aspect of combat that we will be controlling two characters during combat. With the Princess’s magic attacks being assigned to the “Y” button. However, as the game progress, we realize that you will never fight more than one opponent at a time, and that all of your opponents will basically be proxies for one another. Sure, one of the bosses you have to push off the cliff because they’re too big to actually feel your sword. And the wierd feral cat-chick thing has some interesting “illusion” battles. But overall, most of the battles involve the same sort of back-and-forth “Simon says” feel as the rest of the game. Oh, now I have to start with an “A” attack, now I have to start with “Y” attack. Uh-oh, he’s charging, better press the buttons on screen so I don’t die.\nOf course, as I’ve said earlier, the game is quite forgiving. Almost too forgiving, you can’t even die. Every time you fall to your doom the Princess magically teleports over to you and saves you. (Kinda makes you wonder why you go through all the trouble of helping her out when she can fly the whole time.) Every time you might die in battle, or get sucked in the black “corruption” you get saved by Princess Elika. There are some penalties, if you fall while on a series of acrobatic moves, you get moved back to the last solid ground. If you “die” in battle then the boss regains some health. But overall, the game is easy to an almost ridiculous level. There was a certain joy to being able to let my Prince smack into the ground and die in Sands of Time. There was a certain other joy in being able to just rewind it back when I felt like it. (or didn’t, you bastard prince. *smacks into ground repeatedly*)\nWell, anyways. The non-linearity is obviously a problem. And the most interesting bits are the start and the end of the game, where the designers could actually have some idea of what you’ve experienced up to that point.\nThe story of the game reminds me of a Super Nintendo era game, such as Zelda 3, with the majority of the real backstory and lore being contained solely in the games instruction manual. (Which of course, is entirely in black and while, because no gamer would ever consider reading the instruction manual.) The story in the game is primarily conveyed through conversations between the prince and Elika. Unfortunately, these conversations are completely optional, and only activated when you press the left trigger button. So, you can play through the whole game without actually knowing anything about what’s going on. Many of the conversations pop up at inopportune moments, such as in the middle of a daring escape sequence from a crumbling tower. And due to their disposable nature, all of the conversations feature the same camera angles. This is sad, considering the interactions in Sands of Time worked quite well with conversations that continued regardless of what the player was doing. Although this sometimes created strange situations which didn’t quite match up to the writers intentions, the game didn’t suffer from the same feeling of having a big back-story crammed into a tiny game that the new Prince has.\nThe game’s ending leaves the story open for a sequel, and is perhaps the highlight of the entire game. If there is a direct sequel to this Prince, I hope the fine folks at Ubisoft will see their mistake and make the next one a linear experience.\nBut maybe they won’t. After all, the series must be making some good money, for them to be making a Disney movie of the thing. Jerry Bruckhiemer is even jumping on that cash cow. Let’s just hope that movie has a deeper story than this game, and it might just turn out to be watchable.\nThe game is very playable. There are a few interesting moments, but the game as a whole is rather forgettable. Sad, because the art style of this game was a positive direction for the series.\nTagged Game Reviews, Games, Jerry Bruckhiemer, Prince of Persia, The Sands of Time, video games\nPublished by Matthew VanDevander\nAn award-winning graphic designer, an independent game developer, a self-published novelist, a movie and video game critic, and everyday artist. Matthew VanDevander lives in the great state of Tennessee and is on a never-ending quest for the deeper meaning of life.\tView all posts by Matthew VanDevander\nPrevious Post Humdiddly Day…\nNext Post Some new swagger…","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1350630"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7042598724365234,"wiki_prob":0.7042598724365234,"text":"If there’s any place more dangerous than the prisons, it is the world outside it. Humans have taken it their due right to harm others physically, and this behavior has made society more violent. Of course, not all but most humans in the society feel it a not only compulsion but embrace it willingly. This increasing tendency to harm others has forced the states to make the criminal justice system an essential practice in the state affairs\nThe essential part of the criminal justice system is prisons, where the criminals are kept so that society can be peaceful. At the same time, work is being done to improve criminals’ mental health. So, we can say that prisons are the homes of criminals where they learn the ethics of behaving in a society.\nThe Criminal Mindset can vary from person to person. For example, a person might have a more damaging criminal mindset, while others might have a less harmful mindset for society; therefore, the prisons are designed differently.\nThe humans falling in the category of possessing more criminal mindset are kept in such places where the environment is more conservative than other prisons so that their behavior and mental health can be improved. Such prisons are called dangerous jails of the world\nThis article will give you essential information about the prisons and enlighten you about the top 15 most dangerous prisons globally.\nPenologist Career Guide – What Does A Penologist Do ?\nList of 15 Most Dangerous Prisons In The World\nIt is for sure that prisons are not an ideal place to spend time. Inmates are facing many problems, but there are standards among the prisons too. Some are considered organized and well-managed prisons, while others might have issues of overcrowding, gang rapes, physical abuse, and disease.\nThe list is based on different factors such as the law and order situation in the prisons, the inmates’ behavior, facilities being provided in prison, and the behavior of administration of the prisons.\n15- Sabaneta prison Venezuela\nVenezuela is among the countries with the highest homicide rate, and therefore the situation of the prisons there is worse. The prisons’ situation in Venezuela can be assessed from a statement made by the director of prisons who said in a public gathering that armed inmates run 80 percent of the Venezuelan prisons.\nMore than 3,700 of the most dangerous prisoners are being kept in Sabaneta prison, which has a capacity of 700 people. One can easily imagine the situation of law and order, hygiene, and over-crowdedness in such prisons. There is only one guard for 150 people in the mentioned prison, which makes the situation worse.\nGang culture is promoted in such prisons because there is no higher authority to control the inmates; therefore, they are their own lords in the prisons. There are powerful gangs in the Sabaneta prison whose members oppress the weaker prisoners. The situation is so worse that often the more vulnerable prisoners are not even allowed to drink water, so the only way left for them is to drink it through the washroom pipes.\n14- Tadmor Prison, Syria\nThe Tadmor prison in Syria gives goosebumps to every citizen of Syria because of the JailJail’s terror. The Syrians usually reflect on this prison with words such as torture cell, horror, and madness.\nThe Jail is famous for keeping the country’s political dissidents for a long time; for this reason, Tadmor prison was the first thing ISIS blew up when they captured Palmyra. Thousands of political dissidents were kept there for years and were tortured to death; for this reason, the Jail is known as the country’s most notorious Jail, and everyone fears going into it.\n13- Bang Kwang Prison, Bangkok, Thailand\nThe prison is made for international and domestic criminals, but there have been many complaints of less funding and overcrowdedness. Due to foreign criminals, most of the Prison budget is being spent on security, and the prisoners inside the prison are left helpless.\nThe prison is internationally famous for unfair sentencing and inmates abuses.\nThe prison was built in 1930 with an original capacity of holding 3,500 prisoners, but currently, more than 8,000 prisoners are being held. Most of the prisoners kept in this facility are waiting for their death sentence, and a tradition of wearing a shackle for the first three months in prison is being followed for every prisoner.\nThe prisoners are kept in such poor conditions that only a bowl of soup and a plate of rice is being served every day, and if a prisoner feels the need to himself, he can buy the items from the canteen. The lack of enough drinking water and a weak sewerage system is constantly harming the prisoners’ health.\n12- Petak Island Prison, Vologda, Russia\nPetak Island is often referred to as “Alcatraz of Russia,” and the most dangerous criminals are being brought to this correctional facility. The prisoners who are being transferred to this Jail could face physical torture 23 hours a day. Apart from this, most of the criminals are only allowed to meet two visitors in a year.\nYou might be thinking that prisoners would try to escape from such prisons, and that feeling is so real, I believe many would have even tried. Still, the Island prison is inescapable because a frozen lake surrounds it from all sides.\nA prison psychologist, Svetlana Kiselyova, said that this place destroyed people. There is no way a person can spend twenty-five years in such a place without being psychologically destroyed. According to her observation, in the first nine to ten months, a person tries to adapt to the environment. Still, after spending a year or so, his personality starts to deteriorate.\nPunishment VS Rehabilitation In The Criminal Justice System Pros & Cons\n11- La Santé Prison, France\nThe prison is located in France under the operation of the Ministry of Justice. The prison is divided into two wings; one of the wings is for VIPs while the other is for ordinary criminals with high security. The prisoners’ Meeting scenes with their families have been captured in camera and been telecasted in the Bollywood movies.\nThe prison environment and torture are so extensive that many inmates had tried to poison themselves through Rat poison and drain cleaners. Skin diseases are shared among the prison inmates because of the lack of shower facilities in the prison. The prisoners are only allowed to take a bath twice a week.\nThese incidents have been reported in famous newspapers of the world, which caused massive damage to the French government’s reputation as they portray themselves as the most prominent advocates of human rights.\n10- Guantanamo Bay Cuba\nThe prison is located on the eastern tip of Cuba and is being operated by the United States. The prison was opened post 9/11 for the sole purpose of Keeping the Taliban and Al-Qaeda leaders. Despite the claims made by President Obama to close the prison, it is still operational and functional.\nThe total numbers of inmates in prison are 150, and they are kept in two different camps of the prison.\nThe two camps of the prison are:\n· Camp Delta\n· Camp Iguana\n9- San Quentin State Prison US\nSan Quentin is considered among the most violent prisons globally, and it’s the oldest Prison in California. The prison has been home to many infamous prisoners, such as Sirhan. Sihran assassinated US president John F Kennedy.\nThe prison only has a death facility for male inmates and is considered the largest death facility in the United States. There have been many reported incidents of financial corruption and other irregularities in the prison.\n8- Terre Haute, USA\nThe prison complex is located in Indiana and consists of three different units. Maximum security, medium security, and low-security are three of its units, and the prisoners are kept in these units according to their criminal profile.\nThe prison is nicknamed Guantanamo North and is home to the federal government’s execution chamber. The inmates who are sentenced for death are kept in small cells in this prison and are only allowed to go to the exercise cage thrice a week.\n7- La Sabaneta Prison, Venezuela\nThe prison is heavily crowded and is home to 3,700 criminals. The prison was initially designed for 700 people but has been overly crowded, resulting in disease and incidents of violence among the inmates.\nThe prison facility is governed by corruption where the guards are facilitating the influential people, but the weaker suffer; moreover, many incidents of financial corruption have been reported. The guards are charging money for serving the prisoners.\nPublic VS Private Prisons Pros Cons Complete Fact Sheet – By CJ\n6- Diyarbakir Prison, Turkey\nThe prison is known for having the most number of human rights violations per inmate. The violence in prison, both physical and mental, has been so brutal that it has compelled many inmates to take their own lives in the prisons.\nThe facility is built for 700 people, both men and women, but is often overcrowded, causing severe administrative problems. When the families of the inmates visit them, they don’t dare to speak a word of complaint because these words can be used against the inmates for torturing them more.\n5- Mendoza Prison, Argentina\nThe Mendoza prison is considered among the most crowded prisons in the world. According to an estimate, five inmates are living in a cell that measures only four square meters. There have been several complaints of inadequate drainage systems in prison.\nThe condition is so poor that the prisoners are forced to use plastic bags and bottles as their toilets. Necessary medical facilities also lack in prison, and the prisoners only see the doctor when they have died.\n4- Rikers Island Prison, USA\nThe Jail facility in Rikers Island is the third-largest jail facility in the world. The prison is made for either short sentences for less than a year or those who are awaiting trial and transfers.\nIt is hard to imagine that a prison in which the prisoners are being kept for so less time will be poorly managed. The main issues being faced by the inmates are gang violence and the abusive behavior of the correctional officers.\nThe New York Times has reported several cases of violence in the Jail. In one of their famous stories, they mentioned that almost nine lawsuits had been filed against the correctional facility for the guard suctioned violence and inmates’ violence.\nIn one such violence case, the guard in prison ordered six prisoners to beat an inmate who was hospitalized, and his lungs had collapsed.\n3- United States Penitentiary, Administrative Maximum Facility (ADX), USA\nUSP Florence ADMAX is home to the most violent criminals in the United States; therefore, foolproof security measures are taken for this prison. The prisoners kept in this prison are considered too dangerous to be held in any other prison facility; therefore, this prison has the most security personnel deployed.\nThe prison has been impenetrable due to the emphasis on its security and higher spending on it. Notorious gang leaders, domestic and international terrorists, and other wanted criminals have spent their time in Florence.\nThe prisoners in this facility also faced the physical torture of up to 23 hours a day and isolated from other inmates for torturing them mentally. The prison is designed in such a way that the prisoners themselves do not know their whereabouts in the correctional facility.\nDue to these conditions of the prison, it’s considered the worst prisons in the world. A former warden of the Prison Robert Hood gave the title of “Cleaner version of hell” to the prison.\nRelated: How To Become A Federal Probation Officer Full Guide\n2- Camp 22, North Korea\nCamp 22 in North Korea was kept secret by the government of North Korea until the Satellite images of the prison facility were released. The laws for criminals in North Korea are strange for the rest of the world; a person’s crime can result in the arrest of his whole family. Due to this law, Camp 22 is overcrowded, and many believe that 50,000 criminals are being kept in this facility.\nThe prisoners are not provided with basic food due to which they malnourished. Secondly, the prisoners are subject to physical violence and mental torture in the camp 22.\n1- Gitarama Prison, Rwanda\nThe Gitarama prison was built only for 400 people, but there are currently 7,000 prisoners. This makes Prison one of the most crowded prisons in the world. Rwanda genocide took place in 1994, and most of the prisoners kept in the facility are the culprits of genocide.\nDue to overcrowding, the men and women in the Jail are forced to stand barefoot for long hours, which is causing their feet to rot. The prisoners are not given necessary medical facilities due to which half a dozen people die every day.\nPros And Cons Of Being A Correctional Officer- BY CJ\nTagged most dangerous prisonsmost violent prisonsscariest prisons in the worldtoughest prison in the worldworld most dangerous prisonsworst prisons in the world\nTop 10 Good Minors For Criminal Justice Majors\nTOP 15 Criminal Justice Jobs That Don’t Require Police Academy\nJanuary 26, 2020 December 4, 2020 admin\nLocal Non Emergency Police Numbers Full Directory By City","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line538038"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6811918020248413,"wiki_prob":0.3188081979751587,"text":"Aneev Rao – Faculty\nMy only advise to students would be to pay more attention to their sources of inspiration. The internet is riddled with bad/mediocre content and I urge them to go beyond that and find something truly inspiring to guide their work and vision.\n– Aneev Rao\nSatish Kumar Raju – Faculty\nLLA is a hub for image makers. LLA is my place to see groups of photographers discussing about image making and continuously talking about what makes the image look good and how to improvise a shot like studying the behavior of subject, technical challenges, waiting for light, team work, group activities and knowing so many things. This is a place that tunes a person to appreciate life and art of living through photography. LLA is not only for enrolled students to learn, it’s also for faculties since we also get to learn.\n– Satish Kumar Raju\nPankaja Srinivasan\nI am taking away so many lessons myself. The young photographers I interacted with showed passion, aesthetics and most importantly sensitivity in their work. Heartening. Photojournalism is in good hands.\n— Pankaja Srinivasan\nIqbal Mohamed\nIqbal Mohamed inspires students with his knowledge and vision, while keeping them in splits with his sense of humour. He is indeed the fulcrum around which the faculty finds true meaning in teaching. He is easily accessible to students for a discussion about assignments or photography in general – in his cabin, classroom or even the corridors. The other faculty at Light & Life Academy are aligned with the philosophy of the academy: share knowledge and the willingness to work with students who have varying learning curves. Being practicing photographers (some of them are alumni) they are all equipped to teach in a structured fashion. They help re-invent the syllabus and be relevant in terms of trends, techniques and aesthetics. Since they’re practicing photographers, the faculty may change from month to month and year to year. However, none of the faculty ever gives up till every student learns every single technique/aesthetic aspect thoroughly.\nwww.iqbalmohamed.com\nAjit S N\nAjit started his photographic career in the year 2007 when he decided to make his passion his profession. A graduate from Light & Life Academy, he specialises in shooting cars and bikes and has shot for numerous advertising campaigns.\nHe fell in love with the ocean since he first dived in Maldives when he wanted to discover scuba diving. Since then he has been obsessed with underwater photography. Ajit is a Tech 40 Diver certified by PADI. His work as a photographer has taken him to the most remote and exciting dive destinations across the world.\nAjit’s personal challenge is to visually communicate the incredible beauty beneath the world’s ocean and inspire a greater determination towards the preservation and respect for the marine ecosystem that has to be protected\nwww.ajitphotography.com\nAneev Rao\nAneev is a portrait and fashion photographer. Taking a stroll through Chennai's Parry's Market on his 16th birthday, Aneev chanced upon an antique camera store. A couple of tantrums later, and with the promise of better exam results, he walked out with an old Olympus OM 10 and a slightly disgruntled father in tow. Three years later he enrolled into The Light & Life Academy. After graduating in 2007 he spent some time working as a photo-editor in Bangalore and then decided to move to Mumbai.\nAneev's work has featured in Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Grazia, Harper’s Bazaar, People, etc. He now lives in Goa with his vegetable patch, antique furniture and cats.\nhttps://www.behance.net/aneevrao\nAnkit Gupta grew up in Delhi. A big fan of cricket, he played the sport every chance he got, apart from enjoying his fair share of Table Tennis and Badminton. Like everyone around him at the time, Ankit had one of two paths to take after school, either becoming an engineer or a doctor. Ankit chose the former and completed his under graduation in engineering.\nHe was placed in Infosys straight from college and shifted base to Mysore. His mother gifted him a DSLR just before he left for Mysore. This was the beginning for Ankit. He worked at Infosys for 4 years with the ambition of completing his MBA abroad. Realizing that being abroad would mean spending less time with his family, Ankit’s plan completely changed and he decided to stay in India and stay close to his family. He quit Infosys and went back to Delhi and quickly turned to photography. The constant encouragement from his friends and family about the quality of his photographs boosted his confidence.\nHe recollects one morning distinctly, when he was in a valley, surrounded by mountains in Kashmir, where he realised his passion for photography, because all he could think about was capturing that moment, and saving it for eternity.\nAfter little deliberation, with bags packed, he came to LLA and completed his Post Graduation in professional photography, specialising in Travel, Nature, Architecture and Interior photography.\nInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ankitguptaphotography/\nArnab Nath\nArnab’s first inspiration to take up photography was his father, a photographer himself. Arnab started taking pictures from the 3rd Standard and became the designated photographer for all the family functions.\nArnab joined the BA science from Ferguson college, Pune, specializing in Mass communication and Physics. This was the turning point where his fascination with photography grew into a passion and one that he decided to pursue whole-heartedly.\nArnab joined Light & Life Academy and completed his Post Graduation Diploma in Professional Photography in 2003. He mainly covers product, automobile and portrait photography. He has been a faculty at LLA since 2008. He also invests a lot of his time in personal projects that help him constantly evolve and grow as a photographer. Some of them include a shoot for South African Tourism, a visual representation of the KumbhMela, Holi celebrations at Mathura and Pushkar festivals.\nDolly Kabaria\nDolly graduated in computer engineering from the Sardar Patel University, Vidhyanagar, Gujarat. After pursuing a successful career in the IT industry, she took up photography as a full time career. She completed her Post Graduate Diploma in photography from the Light & Life Academy, Ooty, specializing in product, interior-architecture and industrial photography. She has a special interest in macro photography, panoramic views and 360 degree virtual tours. Apart from photography, Dolly is also a design consultant for all projects involving products, furnitures, accessories, artefacts and installations.\nhttps://www.behance.net/dollykabaria\nGarima Chaudhary\nGarima started her photography journey from her Grad school as an optional subject. She has specialized in People and Fashion photography. She has worked extensively with e-commerce firms during the last 6 years. And started when the e-commerce industry was in a nascent stage and have grown along with it. Her major clients have been Koovs, Zovi, Fashion & You. Other than that she has done numerous freelance project & worked as a consultant for setting up studios and training junior photographer for the same.\nGarima is an alumnus of Light & Life Academy Ooty. She holds a PG Diploma from St. Xaviers Mumbai and B.A. in Applied Art from Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi.\nGarima is keenly interested in painting with Acrylic on canvas as a medium. She also likes to teach art to young kids and expand their natural creativity.\nhttp://garimac.wix.com/photography\nMihir Hardikar\nMihir Hardikar was born in Bombay and now lives, works and dreams in Mumbai.\nAfter graduating from the Sir J.J. Institute of Applied Art, he went on to study photography at the Light & Life Academy (www.llacademy.org) in Ooty, where he got multi-faceted grounding in the techniques and aesthetics of photography.\nWhen he is not at work, Mihir loves travelling and trying out new cuisines - both street and sophisticated. He dreams to taste local food across the globe and shoot Chernobyl someday. Starting with his dad's humble Minolta Range Finder, Mihir today has shot for various clients and categories, landscapes and locales, places and products.\nhttp://mihirhardikar.format.com/\nPunya Arora\nPunya Arora, is a Punjabi by nature but South-Indian at heart, a professional Photographer, a self-proclaimed Biriyani connoisseur and one of the very few female stand-up comedians in the country. Her style of comedy reflects on everyday life, encasing some amazingly funny moments and situations and a couple of accents. Her style of photography includes taking pictures of people, both on land and underwater. Other than portraits and fashion, she also photographs spaces, food and weddings. A constant spreader of happiness and sunshine is a great way to sum it all up.\nhttps://www.behance.net/punyaarora\nSatish Raju\nSatish is a 3rd generation photographer from Pondicherry. Omni studio, founded by his grandfather a century ago focused on creating magical portraits. Today, Satish has taken to a new level encompassing a diverse range of photography.\nSatish studied ‘Visual Communication’ in Loyola College, Chennai. He assisted renowned photographers Iqbal K Mohamed and Satyajit. He went on to do the P.G Diploma course at Light & Life Academy. He currently specialises in shooting automobiles and has worked with a number of leading international brands.\nhttp://www.omnistudio.in/\nShantonobho Das\nShantonobho completed his B.Com, with Accountancy as his specialisation subject. With an opportunity in early 2003 to move base to Mumbai he found his way ahead. In the midst of his day job he joined National Institute of Photography and started to learn the craft.\nIn 2007, Shantonobho joined Carnival, the worlds largest cruise liners as a photographer and then moved on to be appointed as the head of the on board ship, printing department. A year later, he completed his one year Post Graduation in Photography from Light & Life Academy, with renowned photographer Iqbal Mohamed as his mentor.\nThere on, he decided to launch his own commercial photography career and went on to win two silver awards at Spikes Asia and ABBY Awards and one nomination at Cannes.\nHe is currently based in Mumbai, where he pursues his creative, professional and personal interests in the field of People and Travel Photography.\nHis other area of interest is food. Shanthanobo runs a very popular catering service with a friend out of Mumbai.\nhttp://www.shantonobhodas.com\nSukil Tarnas\nWhile studying Chemistry in Loyola College, Sukil discovered his love for the camera. His passion for the art was deep enough to make him take the risk of quitting the course and joining Visual Communication.\nHe went on to assist Iqbal Mohamed from there and eventually joined Light & Life Academy to learn the science of the art.\nMarrying a photographer, he went on to start Sukil & Khushboo.- doing work in the verticals of Interiors, Portraits, Industrial and Product. He also makes corporate films for various clients. Now settled in Chennai, he has worked with various clients including Indian Terrain, William Penn, Verve Magazine, Madras Regimental Centre, Khwahish Diamonds.\nwww.sukilandkhushboo.com","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line391705"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9273770451545715,"wiki_prob":0.9273770451545715,"text":"Eurovision 2021: AVROTROS confirms the dates: Grand Final on 22 May!\nThe Netherlands 2021\nby Sanjay (Sergio) Jiandani June 15, 2020 1:30 pm 981 views\nThe EBU and Dutch public broadcasters, NPO, AVROTROS and NOS have unveiled the dates for the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam.\nThe 2021 is scheduled to be held on 18, 20 and 22 May at the Rotterdam Ahoy in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.\nThe 2021 Eurovision Song Contest will be co-produced by NOS, AVROTROS and NPO along with the EBU.\nMartin Osterdahl (Eurovision Song Contest Executive Supervisor) says:\nIt’s vitally important that the Eurovision Song Contest returns next year, and we’re pleased to have the necessary commitment from our Members in The Netherlands to bring this much-loved show back to audiences across the world.\nSietse Bakker (Eurovision 2021 Executive Producer Event) says:\nThe music, the artists, the fans, the competition and the international character combined is what makes the Eurovision Song Contest so special. We now have a year to explore all scenarios in detail with the parties involved and to make the shows happen regardless of the circumstances, with adjustments if necessary. We still aim high!\nThe stage will be carried over to next year, because that was already prepared. Apart from that, a lot depends on what is possible at that time, on the availability of all those involved and on what fits the spirit of 2021.\nThe 2020 Eurovision Song Contest was set to be held in Rotterdam on 12, 14 and 16 May in Rotterdam, but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.\nThis will be the fifth time that the Eurovision Song Contest will be held on Dutch soil, as the Nethelands has hosted the event four times before; Hilversum (1958), Amsterdam (1970), The Hague (1976/1980).\nCyprus: Tamta drops new single 'Yala' feat. Stephane Legar\nEurovision 2021: AVROTROS unveils the CORE Team","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line71353"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.863717794418335,"wiki_prob":0.863717794418335,"text":"State aid: EU Commission approves €550 million Danish scheme to support electricity production from biomass installations\n19/05/2020 MaP News 0\nThe European Commission has approved a DKK 4,150 million (approximately €550 million) State aid scheme to support the production of electricity in existing and depreciated biomass installations in Denmark.\nThe installations benefitting from the scheme will receive support in the form of a premium covering the additional operating costs of producing electricity from biomass compared to producing electricity from a coal plant. The premium will be calculated on an annual basis and it will be capped at DKK 0.11/kWh (approximately 0.015 €/kWh).\nThe scheme will be in place until 31 December 2029. The Commission assessed the Danish measure under the 2014 Guidelines on State aid for environmental protection and energy 2014-2020. It found that the scheme is necessary to prevent the switch of the supported installations to fossil fuels.\nThe Commission also found that the scheme will help Denmark reaching its target of 55% of electricity production from renewable energy by 2030 and its objective of phasing out coal from its electricity production in the same year. The Commission concluded that the scheme will contribute to the EU’s energy and environmental objectives and the goals set by European Green Deal,without unduly distorting competition.\nOn this basis, the Commission approved the measure under EU State aid rules. More information will be available on the Commission’s competition website, in the public case register under the case number SA.55891 once confidentiality issues have been resolved.\nCoronavirus: EU Commission welcomes ECDC guidance on surveillance of COVID-19 in long-term care facilities in the EU\nState aid: EU Commission approves Finnish State guarantee on €600 million loan to Finnair in the context of coronavirus outbreak","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line546117"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9526429176330566,"wiki_prob":0.9526429176330566,"text":"Review underway at B.C. vaccine clinics over concerns of queue-jumping\nRichard Zussman GlobalNews.ca\nMore allegations of vaccine queue jumping in BC\nOfficials are reviewing how the COVID-19 vaccine has been administered after recent concerns of queue-jumping.\nProvincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix said Wednesday that “appropriate action” will be taken following recent reports of queue-jumping at Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health.\nThe main concern is ensuring the clinics keep an accurate list of people who can have access to the vaccine, if those who have an appointment don’t show up. The added challenge is the location of vaccine clinics are being moved around and it’s hard to keep track of who nearby is on the priority list for vaccination.\n“We want to make sure there are very clear instructions and guidance given by public health on immunization and the priority list and to make sure to follow the guidelines in order to protect our most vulnerable. And we are determined to see that will happen,” Dix said.\nFraser Health directors, staff accused of jumping COVID-19 vaccine queue in B.C.\nThe Pfizer and Moderna vaccines must be administered within six hours of being thawed. If anyone misses their vaccination appointment, clinic staff can consult a list of eligible people close to the vaccination centres to take their place.\nOn Tuesday, Global News reported that four employees of Fraser Health, including two hospital directors, had received the vaccine ahead of front-line health workers on Dec. 27.\nA vaccine clinic at Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster found itself with 17 leftover doses after a day of immunizing front-line workers.\nAccording to Fraser Health employees who spoke to Global News on condition of anonymity, the clinic’s executive director reached out to other directors in the health region and offered up the extra doses.\nA director at Peace Arch Hospital in White Rock, who, according to colleagues, is not involved in day-to-day direct patient care, received one of those doses, as did their son and son-in-law, who work at the hospital as a porter and a screener, respectively.\n“It is always making sure that we have that list of people. But at the end of the day, if people are not available in very small instances, we have others who are offered the vaccine, who are also health-care workers and working in that setting,” Henry said on Wednesday.\n“So it’s not like we’re going off of script entirely. But that has happened in a small number of cases.”\nMeanwhile, Vancouver Coastal Health is investigating allegations of doctors jumping the queue when it comes to receiving the second dose, Global News has also learned.\n“The COVID-19 vaccines administered through our VCH Vaccination Program are being tracked in a single provincial database, which allows us to identify everyone who has received a first dose at any clinic,” reads an internal memo obtained by Global News.\n“Through this system, it has come to our attention that there have been instances in which physicians have attended our clinics and received their second dose of vaccine before they were invited or permitted to do so. These instances will be investigated and may result in disciplinary action.”\nWhen is it my turn? A coast-to-coast look at COVID-19 vaccine rollout\nWhen asked about the investigation, Dix said the province is “very disappointed”.\nDr. Penny Ballem, chair of the Vancouver Coastal Health board of directors and former Vancouver city manager, will oversee B.C.’s mass immunization rollout, set to begin in April. More details are expected next week.\n–With files from Sarah MacDonald and Janet Brown\nTrump reportedly blames 'Antifa' for far-right attack on U.S. Capitol","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line2010032"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5859183073043823,"wiki_prob":0.5859183073043823,"text":"McNight v. Petersen, 137 S.Ct. 2241 (2017)\nPosted on January 27, 2018 by Commentator\nThe district court in McNight had issued qualified immunity to the officers in an excessive force case and was reversed by the Ninth Circuit.The Supreme Court granted a petition for certiorari, vacated the decision of the Ninth Circuit, and remanded for “further consideration in light of White v. Pauly, 137 S.Ct. 548 (2017).” In White, the case recommended, the Justices criticized other excessive force reversals by appellate courts on grounds of high generalization of qualified immunity.\nIn McNight the Ninth Circuit has not issued an opinion on the remand since the Supreme Court decided the case in June, 2017.\nU.S. v. Perkins, 850 F.3d 1109 (9th Cir.)\nThe Ninth Circuit consists of a variety of judges, the majority of whom are classified as “liberals.” The meaning of the word varies contingent on the subject matter, and in reading enough of their decisions you will note the high degree of reversals of state court cases in federal habeas decisions. In most cases the conviction penalty is murder. In one case a judge dissents and explains that the failure of the death penalty is attributable to philosophic differences of Ninth Circuit judges reversing state court judges in habeas corpus decisions.\nIn Perkins, however, the charge is child molestation, and the split among the three judge Ninth Circuit panel illustrates the distinction of philosophy although the case is more an academic disagreement in a search warrant case. The dissenting judge particularly notes the opinion of the trial judge who sensed credibility of the officer who testified in lieu of a dry record read by an appellate court.\nCanadian officials detained the defendant while he crossed the Canadian border, and his car search revealed a photograph of a young women whom Canadian officials concluded was not pornographic under Canadian law. American border officials disagreed, arrested Perkins, and obtained a search warrant for his house, The search revealed another questionable photo. A search of Perkins’ records unearthed a conviction of child molestation twenty years ago.\nIn an American federal trial court, Perkins moved to suppress the photographic evidence and objected to the search warrant. Perkins argued the American official misled the court for failing to include the Canadian opinion in the warrant, and failed showing the photos to the judge in applying for the warrant. The Ninth Circuit panel majority held these two errors invalidated the warrant.\nAmerican courts near the border had accepted the expertise of border officers in pornography, and the court or jury would see the photos to decide the case. The absence of including the photos of Canadian officer’s opinion is irrelevant. The dissenting judge expressed the objection more fully.\nCongress originally attempted to reduce the constant interference of the Ninth Circuit in state court convictions, (AEDPA), and the U.S. Supreme Court criticized the Ninth Circuit for applying legal error to these cases when the object of federal habeas corpus is to determine state court injustice. The Ninth Circuit has never used this problem. Congress must intervene.\nPosted in Fourth Amendment\t| Leave a reply\nRodriguez v. McDonald, 872 F.3d 908 (9th Cir. 2017)\nThe U.S.Supreme Court has repeatedly criticized the Ninth Circuit for its habeas corpus decisions reviewing state court convictions. Recently the Justices told the Ninth Circuit not to assume your duty is correction of legal mistakes. Your test is to determine whether a breakdown has occurred in the state court justice system. The Ninth Circuit simply ignores this instruction, recites the facts and calls the case reviewed as a breakdown. In Rodriguez, the Ninth Circuit decision reversed a criminal case tried in state court, conviction affirmed by the California Court of Appeal, denied review by the California Supreme Court, state court habeas denied, federal district court habeas denied, appeal reversed by the Ninth Circuit.\nA police officer arrested Rodriguez, who admitted gang membership, during an investigation of a murder, and various witnesses provided evidence of his responsibility. Officers had extensive discusions with Rodriguez who ultimately confessed. The legal issue in the case was Miranda. A venerable U.S. Supreme Court originally established Miranda in an attempt to avoid use of force or threats when officers were questioning a usppect. In this case the evidence is in conflict to some extent whether the officers did not use Miranda early enough. The trial court resolved the evidenciary conflict as did the California Court of Appeal, the California Supreme Court, state courts in habeas filings, the district court. Period. No breakdown of the justice system. Appeal reversed by the Ninth Circuit correcting an alleged legal error. Read the stinging dissent in Rodriguez.\nAs a result of this decision the murder conviction was reversed and the charge involving gangs potentially retried unlikely. This practice goes on and should be criticized by police and prosecution. Congress should simply end AEDPA and suspend any use of habeas corpus by federal courts over state cases.\nPosted in 9th Circuit Reversals: 2012\t| Leave a reply\nBrowning v. Baker, 875 F.3d 444 (2017 (9th Cir.)\nPosted on January 8, 2018 by Commentator\nIn 1996 Congress enacted the AntiTerror and Effective Death Penalty Act (AEDPA) to reduce the impact of a U.S. Supreme Court decision adding federal habeas corpus in the U.S. Constitution to jurisdiction in state courts. Federal courts began to review state court criminal cases in habeas corpus petitions to reverse judgments already decided. The imposition exceeded its expectation as federal courts rendered decisions far exceeding legislative intentions.\nIn time, the language of the Act came very close to almost ending federal habeas review of state courts. Federal appellate courts, particularly the Ninth Circuit, evaded the statutory language and was repeatedly reversed by the U.S. Supreme Court. In the words of a Supreme Court Justice, AEDPA was intended “only to guard against extreme malfunction in the state justice system not a substitute for ordinary error correction through appeal.”\nThis test rarely fits the decisions of the Ninth Circuit as demonstrated in a November 2017 case of Browning v. Baker. No case illustrates better a complete disregard of AEDPA and its purpose as expressed in the dissent. The 2/1 majority opinion in Browning is just that in the words of the Justice: correction through appeal. The majority repeats the entire state court trial record of a robbery admittedly involving conflicting testimony. The jury, who sat through the trial and evaluated testimony and its credibility, unanimously voted for “guilty.” The majority of judges in the Ninth Circuit saw no witness, and the trial judge made no legal mistakes-including affirmation of the jury verdict. But the majority in the Ninth Circuit didn’t like some of the witnesses and re tried the case. Certiorari is assured.\nGodoy v. Spearman 861 F.3d 956 (9th Circuit 2017)\nAnother murder case resolved by the Ninth Circuit whose judges regularly reverse murder cases and death penalties although the jury in Godoy v. Spearman voted only second degree murder. The California Court of Appeal had affirmed the conviction, the California Supreme Court denied review, and the district court denied a habeas corpus petition filed by the defendant. The Ninth Circuit heard the appeal from the district court and in a split vote reheard the case again on federal habeas corpus and reversed.\nThe Ninth Circuit author of the Godoy decision wrote that the case was originally governed by AEDPA, but the California Court of Appeal refused to apply U.S. Supreme Court precedent. For that reason the court said, we can use the correct standard of de novo instead. This judicial invention, unsupported by precedent, allowed the Ninth Circuit to repeat its earlier discussion of AEDPA for some irrelevant reason and rewrote the decision in the “correct” version.\nIn the course of that alternative legal version of the law, the majority court panel repeatedly criticized the California Court of Appeal for all its errors, reverses a state supreme court case and a federal district court for the unknown future of a second trial. Or, if witnesses cannot be found, records lost, investigating officers retired, the defendant convicted of murder goes free.\nThe essence of this case is nothing more than a statement by a juror to the trial judge that she had heard another juror converse on the phone with a “judge friend” during the trial. No evidence was presented on the subjects discussed, but according to the Ninth Circuit the trial judge should have held a hearing. If the juror was unaware of the topics discussed what would the hearing have proved? The issues in the case are not so much what response the state court trial judge should have made or done, but the repeated criticism of the California Court of Appeal. Secondly, the Ninth Circuit rejection of AEDPA. Their decision also reversed the district court judge who affirmed the state court decision.\nGodoy v. Spearman is another example of two court systems for the same case. A waste of time and money, endless appeals, and a refusal of Congress to eliminate federal habeas corpus. Whenever the state court concludes their case is ended, the only post trial issue is state habeas corpus-and possibly the U.S. Supreme Court. Who have said almost the same thing.\nU.S. v. Sanchez-Gomez, 859 F.3d 649 (9th Cir. 2017)\nIn a split 9th Circuit court vote the majority Constitutionalizes a courtroom practice defined as “shackling” prisoners, and destined to affect all state and federal trial courts. The dissent is a written masterpiece rejecting the majority court decision of four men convicted several years ago. The court is ruling on: the absence of a “Case or Controversy” mandated by the Constitution; violation without precedent of the Fifth Amendment Clause; a series of adjectives describing the impaired dignity of everyone shackled; ignoring a presumption of innocence until a verdict; the work of justice applies to everyone until convicted. In addition to a justifying a jurisdictional right to begin with an a case already concluded, the court invents mandamus as an alternative to appeal.\nBut these procedural controversies are not the heart of the case. The majority outlines a legal history beginning with the common law and thendisagreement between the other Circuits. The issue: can ederal Marshals shackle all prisoners in non jury appearances before a judge or magistrate judge? For a variety of reasons, including inability to forecast violence by the prisoner, the configurement or location of the court, the lack of adequate staff to restrain escape or injury, and other factors. The court majority ignores all criticism of shackling and defines prisoners in criminal court as presumed innocent men until found guilty, entitled to dignity in a courtroom, and judicial decorum. The dissent characterizes this language as ivory tower rationale.\nFederal court Marshalls in non jury trials attempt to shackle every defendant but do lack staff in some cases. No federal statute exists to enforce shackling of all defendants in criminal trials, and inventing the procedural Constitutional decisions are absurd. Time for certiorari if the California Attorney General knows anything about Constitutional law.\nPetrocelli v. Baker, 862 F.3d 809 (9th Cir. 2017)\nAnother death penalty case reversed by the same judge who reverses other capital cases (including this one earlier ), never upholding the verdict regardless of the vicious and brutal murder the jury voted correctly. In this case, scouring the record of a defendant who filed three state habeas corpus cases rejected by state courts; a previous federal habeas corpus case reversed by the 9th Circuit; the instant case reversed by the 9th Circuit.\nTo begin, the judge assures us this case was not under AEDPA jurisdiction-the defendant constantly in court for this case starting in1996. The record reflects that the prosecutor asked a psychiatrist Dr. Gerow to interview the defendant and determine his legal competency. After his examination the doctor concluded the defendant incurably violent, and testifies to his opinion at trial. According to the 9th Circuit panel, a Supreme Court case rejects this process without a Miranda admonition and used as an admission of responsibility by the defendant.\nAt the trial the doctor testified he did not use the Miranda admonition and asked no incriminating statements from the defendant. The doctor only examined for legal competency and his testimony included nothing about an admission of complicity in the crime. Despite that, the panel concluded his testimony inadmissible.\nTwo defense doctors submitted their report on the same issue of competency, but without testimony, and concluded curability33 was a possibility. Now the panel concludes no testimony and only a written report by defense doctors overcomes the live testimony of a colleague. Apparently the court panel has never tried a case when the direct testimony of a witness (a doctor who is not a detective) lacks the veracity over two written reports. But the panel needs an excuse.\nThe panel criticizes the state court judge who had affirmed the conviction and lists his errors. For example, they commented on Doctor Gerow who did not interview the defendant on April 20, but on April 21. Devastating. The balance of the “list” of errors is equally trivial.\n. Apparently the panel, who were not at the trial, decided the case for the jury. In fact, the panel offered their own opinion of the doctor whose testimony they had reviewed in an earlier case. Evidence by a witness who the panel had not seen as jurors did, was not admitted at trial because the doctor had not Mirandized the defendant prior to a legal competency test.\nOne of the worst cases I have ever read. Now the prosecution must call all the witnesses again to hear evidence only on the death penalty. And people criticize California courts for tardy disposition of cases. The year 1996 and this case is still in federal courts on a simple ten day trial obviously warranting the death penalty.\nThe second judge on the court panel wrote an equally absurd concurrence. the third judge signed nothing.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1822580"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6282327771186829,"wiki_prob":0.37176722288131714,"text":"Happy Birthday Ella Fitzgerald\nFiled under: Art, Beauty, Blues, Entertainment, Music — 3 Comments\n” Ella Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996), also known as the “First Lady of Song“, “Queen of Jazz“, and “Lady Ella”, was an American jazz vocalist with a vocal range spanning three octaves (D♭3 to D♭6). She was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing and intonation, and a “horn-like” improvisational ability, particularly in her scat singing.\nFitzgerald was a notable interpreter of the Great American Songbook. Over the course of her 59-year recording career, she sold 40 million copies of her 70-plus albums, won 13 Grammy Awards and was awarded the National Medal of Arts by Ronald Reagan and the Presidential Medal of Freedom by George H. W. Bush.”\n” Fitzgerald was born in Newport News, Virginia, the daughter of William and Temperance “Tempie” Fitzgerald. The pair separated soon after her birth, and Ella and her mother went to Yonkers, New York, where they eventually moved in with Tempie’s longtime boyfriend, Joseph Da Silva. Fitzgerald’s half-sister, Frances Da Silva, was born in 1923. She and her family were Methodists and were active in the Bethany African Methodist Episcopal Church, and she regularly attended worship services, Bible study, and Sunday School.\nIn her youth, Fitzgerald wanted to be a dancer, although she loved listening to jazz recordings by Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby and The Boswell Sisters. She idolized the lead singer Connee Boswell, later saying, “My mother brought home one of her records, and I fell in love with it….I tried so hard to sound just like her.”\n” In 1932, her mother died from a heart attack. Following this trauma, Fitzgerald’s grades dropped dramatically, and she frequently skipped school. Abused by her stepfather, she ran away to her aunt and, at one point, worked as a lookout at a bordello and also with a Mafia-affiliated numbers runner. When the authorities caught up with her, she was first placed in the Colored Orphan Asylum in Riverdale, Bronx. However, when the orphanage proved too crowded, she was moved to the New York Training School for Girls in Hudson, New York, a state reformatory. Eventually she escaped and for a time was homeless.”\n” She made her singing debut at 17 on November 21, 1934, at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York. She pulled in a weekly audience at the Apollo and won the opportunity to compete in one of the earliest of its famous “Amateur Nights”. She had originally intended to go on stage and dance, but, intimidated by the Edwards Sisters, a local dance duo, she opted to sing instead in the style of Connee Boswell. She sang Boswell’s “Judy” and “The Object of My Affection,” a song recorded by the Boswell Sisters, and won the first prize of US$ 25.00.\nIn January 1935, Fitzgerald won the chance to perform for a week with the Tiny Bradshaw band at the Harlem Opera House. She met drummer and bandleader Chick Webb there. Webb had already hired singer Charlie Linton to work with the band and was, The New York Times later wrote, “reluctant to sign her….because she was gawky and unkempt, a diamond in the rough.” Webb offered her the opportunity to test with his band when they played a dance at Yale University.”\n” She began singing regularly with Webb’s Orchestra through 1935 at Harlem’s Savoy Ballroom. Fitzgerald recorded several hit songs with them, including “Love and Kisses” and “(If You Can’t Sing It) You’ll Have to Swing It (Mr. Paganini)“. But it was her 1938 version of the nursery rhyme, “A-Tisket, A-Tasket“, a song she co-wrote, that brought her wide public acclaim.\nChick Webb died on June 16, 1939, and his band was renamed “Ella and her Famous Orchestra” with Ella taking on the role of nominal bandleader. Fitzgerald recorded nearly 150 songs with the orchestra before it broke up in 1942, “the majority of them novelties and disposable pop fluff”.”\nRising Jazz Star\n” Going out on her own, Ella Fitzgerald landed a deal with Decca Records. She recorded some hit songs with the Ink Spots and Louis Jordan in the early 1940s. Fitzgerald also made her film debut in 1942’s comedy western Ride ‘Em Cowboy with Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. Her career really began to take off in 1946 when she started working with Norman Granz. Granz orchestrated the Jazz at the Philharmonic, which was a series of concerts and live records featuring most of the genre’s great performers. Fitzgerald also hired Granz to become her manager.”\n” Around this time, Fitzgerald went on tour with Dizzy Gillespie and his band. She started changing her singing style, incorporating scat singing during her performances with Gillespie. Fitzgerald also fell in love with Gillespie’s bass player Ray Brown. The pair wed in 1947, and they adopted a child born to Fitzgerald’s half-sister whom they named Raymond “Ray” Brown Jr. The marriage ended in 1952.”\nThe 1950s and ’60s proved to be a time of critical and commercial success for Fitzgerald. She even earned the moniker “The First Lady of Song” for her mainstream popularity and unparalleled vocal talents. Her unique ability to mimicking instrumental sounds helped popularize the vocal improvisation of “scatting” which became her signature technique.”\n” In 1955, Fitzgerald began recording for Granz’s newly created Verve Records. She made some of her most popular albums for Verve, starting out with 1956’s Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Song Book. Two years later, Fitzgerald picked up her first two Grammy Awards for two later songbook projects—Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Song Book and Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Song Book. She actually worked directly with Ellington on that album.”\n” A truly collaborative soul, Fitzgerald produced great recordings with such artists as Louis Armstrong and Count Basie. She also performed several times with Frank Sinatra over the years as well. In 1960, Fitzgerald actually broke into the pop charts with her rendition of “Mack the Knife.” She was still going strong well into the ’70s, playing concerts across the globe. One especially memorable concert series from this time was a two-week engagement in New York City in 1974 with Frank Sinatra and Count Basie.”\nWorldwide Recognition\n” Ella continued to work as hard as she had early on in her career, despite the ill effects on her health. She toured all over the world, sometimes performing two shows a day in cities hundreds of miles apart. In 1974, Ella spent a legendary two weeks performing in New York with Frank Sinatra and Count Basie. Still going strong five years later, she was inducted into the Down Beat magazine Hall of Fame, and received Kennedy Center Honors for her continuing contributions to the arts.”\n” Outside of the arts, Ella had a deep concern for child welfare. Though this aspect of her life was rarely publicized, she frequently made generous donations to organizations for disadvantaged youths, and the continuation of these contributions was part of the driving force that prevented her from slowing down. Additionally, when Frances died, Ella felt she had the additional responsibilities of taking care of her sister’s family.\nIn 1987, United States President Ronald Reagan awarded Ella the National Medal of Arts. It was one of her most prized moments. France followed suit several years later, presenting her with their Commander of Arts and Letters award, while Yale, Dartmouth and several other universities bestowed Ella with honorary doctorates.”\n” In September of 1986, Ella underwent quintuple coronary bypass surgery. Doctors also replaced a valve in her heart and diagnosed her with diabetes, which they blamed for her failing eyesight. The press carried rumors that she would never be able to sing again, but Ella proved them wrong. Despite protests by family and friends, including Norman, Ella returned to the stage and pushed on with an exhaustive schedule.”\n” By the 1990s, Ella had recorded over 200 albums. In 1991, she gave her final concert at New York’s renowned Carnegie Hall. It was the 26th time she performed there.\nAs the effects from her diabetes worsened, 76-year-old Ella experienced severe circulatory problems and was forced to have both of her legs amputated below the knees. She never fully recovered from the surgery, and afterward, was rarely able to perform. During this time, Ella enjoyed sitting outside in her backyard, and spending time with Ray, Jr. and her granddaughter Alice. “I just want to smell the air, listen to the birds and hear Alice laugh,” she said.\nOn June 15, 1996, Ella Fitzgerald died in her Beverly Hills home. Hours later, signs of remembrance began to appear all over the world. A wreath of white flowers stood next to her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and a marquee outside the Hollywood Bowl theater read, “Ella, we will miss you.”\nAfter a private memorial service, traffic on the freeway was stopped to let her funeral procession pass through. She was laid to rest in the “Sanctuary of the Bells” section of the Sunset Mission Mausoleum at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California. “\nApril 25, 1918-June 15, 1996\nSouvenir Album\n‎ (10″, Album) Decca 1949\nElla Sings Gershwin\n‎ ◄ (8 versions) Brunswick 1950\nSongs In A Mellow Mood\n‎ ◄ (2 versions) Decca 1954\nPeggy Lee And Ella Fitzgerald – Songs From Pete Kelly’s Blues ‎ ◄ (3 versions)\nElla Fitzgerald, Lena Horne , and Billie Holiday – Ella, Lena, And Billie ‎ (LP)\nColumbia 1955\nSweet And Hot\nSings The Cole Porter Songbook\n‎ ◄ (17 versions) Verve Records 1956\nSings The Rodgers And Hart Song Book\n‎ ◄ (8 versions) Verve Records 1956\nElla And Her Fellas\nElla Fitzgerald / Count Basie / Joe Williams – One O’Clock Jump ‎ ◄ (2 versions)\nVerve Records 1957\nElla Fitzgerald With Duke Ellington And His Orchestra – Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Duke Ellington Song Book ‎ ◄ (2 versions)\nElla Fitzgerald With Duke Ellington And His Orchestra – Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Duke Ellington Song Book Vol. 2 ‎ (2xLP, Mono)\nElla Fitzgerald & Billie Holiday – At Newport ‎ ◄ (6 versions)\nElla Fitzgerald Sings The Duke Ellington Song Book, Vol. 1\nElla Fitzgerald At The Opera House\nSings The Irving Berlin Songbook\nThe First Lady Of Song\n‎ (LP, Mono) Decca 1958\n‎ ◄ (4 versions) Verve Records, Verve Records 1959\nSings The Rodgers And Hart Songbook Volume 2\nSings The Rodgers And Hart Song Book Volume 1\nSings The George And Ira Gershwin Song Book – Volume One\nElla Fitzgerald Sings The George And Ira Gershwin Song Book (Volume Two)\nSings The George & Ira Gershwin Song Book Vol. 5\nElla Fitzgerald Sings The Gershwin Song Book Vol. 2\nSings Sweet Songs For Swingers\nMack The Knife – Ella In Berlin\nSings The George And Ira Gershwin Song Book – Volume Four\nSings The George And Ira Gershwin Song Book – Volume Three\nClap Hands, Here Comes Charlie!\nElla Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book\nElla In Hollywood\nElla Fitzgerald Sings The Irving Berlin Song Book, Volume 1\n‎ (LP) Brunswick 1961\nSings The Irving Berlin Songbook, Volume 2\n‎ (LP) Verve Records 1961\nElla Fitzgerald With Nelson Riddle And His Orchestra – Ella Fitzgerald Swings Brightly With Nelson ‎◄ (9 versions)\nRhythm Is My Business\nElla Fitzgerald With Count Basie And His Orchestra* – Ella And Basie! ‎ ◄ (15 versions)\nElla Fitzgerald Sings The Jerome Kern Song Book\nThese Are The Blues\nElla Fitzgerald with Rodgers & Hammerstein, Lerner & Loewe, Adler* & Ross*, Frank Loesser – Ella Sings Broadway ‎ ◄ (6 versions)\nElla At Juan-Les-Pins\nElla In Hamburg\n‎ ◄ (4 versions) Verve Records, Stern Musik 1965\nElla At Duke’s Place\n‎ ◄ (3 versions) Metro Records 1965\nElla Fitzgerald With Marty Paich And His Orchestra* – Whisper Not ‎ ◄ (5 versions)\nHello Ella!\n‎ (LP, Album) Polydor, Bertelsmann Club 1966\nElla Fitzgerald / Duke Ellington – Ella & Duke At The Côte D’Azur Vol.2 ‎ ◄ (2 versions)\nBrighten The Corner\n‎ ◄ (4 versions) Capitol Records 1967\nElla Fitzgerald / Duke Ellington – Ella & Duke At The Côte D’Azur ‎ ◄ (5 versions)\nElla Fitzgerald’s Christmas\nElla In Concert\n‎ (LP, Album) Verve Records 1967\nElla Live\n30 By Ella\nWalkin’ In The Sunshine\n‎ (LP, Album) Sounds Superb 1968\n‎ ◄ (9 versions) Reprise Records 1969\n‎ ◄ (12 versions) MPS Records, MPS Records 1969\nThings Ain’t What They Used To Be (And You Better Believe It)\nElla A Nice\n‎ (LP, Album) CBS 1971\n‎ (LP, Album, Ltd) Supraphon, Gramofonový Klub 1971\n‎ ◄ (4 versions) Atlantic 1972\nNewport Jazz Festival Live At Carnegie Hall, July 5, 1973\n‎ ◄ (7 versions) Columbia 1973\n‎ ◄ (3 versions) MCA Coral 1973\n‎ (LP) Capitol Records, EMI 1973\nElla In London\n‎ ◄ (2 versions) Pablo Records 1974\nJoe Pass & Ella Fitzgerald – Take Love Easy ‎ ◄ (7 versions)\nPablo Records 1974\nElla Fitzgerald At The Montreux Jazz Festival 1975\nIt’s Only A Papermoon\n‎ (LP) S*R International, S*R International 1975\nChick Webb And His Orchestra Featuring Ella Fitzgerald – Silver Star Swing Series Presents Chick Webb And His Orchestra ‎ (LP)\nMCA Coral 1975\nElla Fitzgerald & Chick Webb Orchestra, The* – Ella Fitzgerald & The Chick Webb Orchestra ‎ (LP)\nRecord International Service 1975\nЭлла Фитцджеральд\n‎ ◄ (4 versions) Мелодия 1976\nElla Fitzgerald & Oscar Peterson – Ella And Oscar ‎ ◄ (5 versions)\nElla Fitzgerald / Joe Pass – Fitzgerald & Pass…Again ‎ ◄ (5 versions)\n‎ ◄ (4 versions) Intercord 1976\nElla Fitzgerald With Tommy Flanagan Trio, The* – Montreux ’77 ‎ ◄ (3 versions)\nPablo Live 1977\nThe Rodgers And Hart Song Book\nElla Fitzgerald & Cole Porter – Dream Dancing ‎ ◄ (7 versions)\nElla Fitzgerald And Nelson Riddle Orchestra, The* – The George And Ira Gershwin Songbook ‎ ◄ (3 versions)\nElla Fitzgerald With Jackie Davis And Louie Bellson* – Lady Time ‎ ◄ (2 versions)\nLionel Hampton, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong – Original History Of Jazz ‎ (2xLP, Gat)\nAmati 1978\nElla Fitzgerald And Nelson Riddle Orchestra, The* – The George And Ira Gershwin Songbook ‎ (Cass, RE, Dou)\n‎ (2xLP) Lakeshore Music 1978\nFine And Mellow, Ella Fitzgerald Jams\nI Grandi Del Jazz\n‎ (LP) Fabbri Editori 1979\nElla Fitzgerald & Billie Holiday – Ella Fitzgerald Und Billie Holiday ‎ ◄ (2 versions)\nElla Fitzgerald And Count Basie – A Perfect Match ‎ ◄ (7 versions)\nElla Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Joe Pass, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen – Digital III At Montreux ‎ ◄ (2 versions)\nThe Duke Ellington Songbook\n‎ (2xLP, Album, RE) Verve Records 1980\nElla Abraça Jobim – Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Antonio Carlos Jobim Song Book\nWebb On The Air\n‎ (LP) Jazz Bird 1981\nElla Fitzgerald Sings Count Basie Plays With Count Basie Orchestra, The* – A Classy Pair ‎ ◄ (2 versions)\nPablo Today 1982\nThe Duke Ellington Songbook, Volume Two: The Small Group Sessions\n‎ (2xLP, Gat) Verve Records 1982\nElla Fitzgerald, Joe Pass – Speak Love ‎ ◄ (4 versions)\nElla À Nice\n‎ ◄ (3 versions) Pablo Live 1983\nThe Ella Fitzgerald Set\n‎ (LP, Mono) Verve Records 1983\nSings The Johnny Mercer Song Book\nElla Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington – The Stockholm Concert, 1966 ‎ ◄ (5 versions)\nSings The Harold Arlen Song Book\nLive And Rare\n‎ (LP) Delta Music 1984\nElla Fitzgerald And Joe Pass – Easy Living ‎ ◄ (2 versions)\n‎ (LP) Contour 1987\n‎ (LP, Album) Hallmark Records 1988\nElla In Rome – The Birthday Concert\n‎ (Vinyl, Album) Verve Records, Gong 1988\n‎ ◄ (2 versions) Success 1989\nFor The Love Of Ella\nElla / Things Ain’t What They Used To Be (And You Better Believe It)\n‎ (CD, Album) Reprise Records 1989\nElla Returns To Berlin\n‎ (CD) Verve Records 1991\nЭлла Фитцджеральд Поёт Произведения Дюка Эллингтона / Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Duke Ellington Song Book\n‎ (LP) Мелодия 1991\nElla Fitzgerald With Nelson Riddle And His Orchestra – Ella Swings Gently With Nelson ‎ ◄ (3 versions)\nElla Fitzgerald Sings Songs From Let No Man Write My Epitaph\n‎ ◄ (2 versions) Classic Records 1994\nElla Fitzgerald Sings The George And Ira Gershwin Songbooks\n‎ (4xCD, Album, RE, Dig) Verve Records 1998\nFrank Sinatra + Ella Fitzgerald + Antonio Carlos Jobim – A Man And His Music + Ella + Jobim ‎ (DVD-A, Mono)\nWarner Reprise Video 1999\nElla Fitzgerald & Joe Pass – Sophisticated Lady ‎ (CD, Album)\nSings The George & Ira Gershwin Songbook\n‎ ◄ (6 versions) Not Now Music 2010\n‎ (2xLP, Album, Ltd) Analogue Productions 2012\nThe Official Web Site of Ella Fitzgerald\nElla Fitzgerald – Music Biography, Credits and Discography : …\nElla Fitzgerald 1954 | Ella Fitzgerald, Brubeck, Coltrane and …\nElla Fitzgerald – PBS: Public Broadcasting Service\nElla Fitzgerald : NPR\nElla Fitzgerald @ All About Jazz\nElla Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation\nJoe Pass & Ella Fitzgerald – Duets in Hannover 1975\nElla Fitzgerald and Oscar Peterson Live Paris Olympia 63 part II\nElla Fitzgerld Live at The Montreux Jazz Festival 1977\nElla Fitzgerald Live Jazz festival in Cannes 1958 part II\nella fitzgerald in berlin feat. freddie waits\nElla Fitzgerald interview 1974\nBobbie Wygant Interviews Ella Fitzgerald\nELLA FITZGERALD BIOGRAPHY PART Of 11\niTunes – Music – Ella Fitzgerald – Apple\nElla Fitzgerald on Spotify\nAmazon.com: Ella Fitzgerald: Songs, Albums, Pictures, Bios\nElla Fitzgerald – Listen to Free Music Pandora\nTags: April 25, Blues, Ella Fitzgerald, First Lady Of Song, Happy Birthday Ella Fitzgerald, Jazz, Music, National Medal of Arts, Scat, Vocals\nHi, I’m Leaving A Happy Birthday Response For Ella Fitzgerald And So, I Wish Her A Nicest Drea\nm Come True And A Good Performer She is Til She Passed Away in 1996 And So, We’re Deeply\nSaddened Because Her Life Was Short And Didn’t Live Long To See This Happen And In Honor\nof Ella’s Birthday I Dedicate This On Her Tomb Saying “Happy Birthday, Miss Ella” And Rest In P\neace And Forever In Our Hearts And She’ll Be Grateful And Happy For Her Birthday Tomorrow\nAnd Hoping Ella’s Spirit Endureth Forever in Heaven And If She We’re Alive Today I’ll Be Happy\nTo See Her When I Dream of Her in My Sleep Tonight Whispering To My Ears!\nPost We’ll Surely Miss You, Miss Ella Watch Over Us Always! Posted As Anonymous\nDate 04/24/2013 Time 9:41pm.\nOh, Miss Ella Happy Birthday And Good Wishes Come True As You Grow Up To Be A Singer Som\neday And Wishing You A Nice Birthday And Lots of Love From Your Fans!!! We Love Ella Fitzgeral\nd! Yay, Good For Her!\nElla Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong – Can Anyone Explain? (No! No! No!) | mostly music\n[…] Happy Birthday Ella Fitzgerald […]\n« Scientists Prove Yellowstone Super Caldera Very Much Alive\nHappy Birthday Albert King »","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line804803"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5591232180595398,"wiki_prob":0.4408767819404602,"text":"[node:field_meeting_type] | November 2006\nTHE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT\n/ THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234\nAppointment of Adjunct Member of the Regents Review Committee\nShould the Regents appoint Carole F. Huxley as an Adjunct Member of the Regents Review Committee?\nRequired by State Statute �6510.\nThe question will come before the Higher Education and Professional Practice Committee at its December 2006 meeting where it will be voted on and action taken. It will then come before the Full Board at its December 2006 meeting for final action.\nPursuant to statute, the Regents Review Committee, when it sits to conduct professional discipline hearings, consists of three members, at least one of whom is a member of the New York State Board of Regents. The balance of the Committee serving is obtained from the roster of those appointed by the Board of Regents as Adjunct Members of the Regents Review Committee. Adjunct Members of the Regents Review Committee are appointed to serve for fixed terms.\nCarole F. Huxley served for many years with distinction as the Deputy Commissioner for Cultural Education. Her many years of experience with the Board of Regents and the State Education Department and her professional judgment would make her an invaluable member of the Regents Review Committee.\nIt is recommended that the Regents approve the appointment of Carole F. Huxley as an Adjunct Member of the Regents Review Committee.\nTerm of service: December 6, 2006 � December 31, 2007.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line207711"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6824905276298523,"wiki_prob":0.3175094723701477,"text":"What to Look For in Tesla Earnings Report\nWhen Tesla Motors Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) reports third-quarter earnings after markets close Tuesday, the company is expected to post a net loss of $0.50 a share on revenues of $1.26 billion, slightly worse than the second-quarter loss of $0.48 per share.\nThe key for Tesla is producing and delivering its Model S sedans and Model X crossovers. The Model X will make little difference to third-quarter deliveries, but analysts and investors are going to want to hear good news about ramping up production of the new model.\nTesla has said it wants to deliver at least 50,000 cars in 2015, and 55,000 or more would be even better. The company has announced a preliminary total of 33,157 vehicles sold in the first three quarters of this year, leaving more than 16,800 needing to roll off the assembly line in the fourth quarter in order to reach the 50,000 mark. The math does not seem to be in Tesla’s favor.\nSome recent analyst action has been lukewarm:\nRobert Baird reiterated a Hold rating and price target of $282.\nJPMorgan reiterated an Underweight rating and raised its price target from $178 to $180.\nBarclays downgraded the stock to Sell.\nS&P Equity Research upgrade the stock from Sell to Hold and put on a price target of $225.\nThe stock traded down about 0.7% at $212.24 Tuesday afternoon, in a 52-week range of $181.40 to $286.65. The consensus price target on the stock is $289.19, and the high target is $450.00.\nALSO READ: America’s Most (and Least) Expensive Cars\nRead more: Autos, TSLA, Earnings\nTesla Should Be Worth as Much as Alphabet -- Analyst\nShort Sellers Jump on Electric Vehicle Stocks\nNio Prices $1.5 Billion of New Debt at Guaranteed 50% Premium","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1985769"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7273639440536499,"wiki_prob":0.7273639440536499,"text":"Home Event Listings Art Exhibition: “Extended Realities”\nExhibition: “Extended Realities”\nTues to Sun 04 – 25 Sep 2020, 10:00 am – 07:00 pm\nManzi Exhibition Space, No. 2 Ngõ Hàng Bún, Ba Đình, Hà Nội\nFrom Manzi:\nManzi Art Space and the Goethe Institut are pleased to present “Extended Realities” – a group exhibition featuring works from five contemporary artists of Vietnam: Võ Trân Châu, Nguyễn Huy An, Phan Thảo Nguyên, Nguyễn Trinh Thi and Trương Công Tùng.\nThrough a minimalist installation, a video art piece, an ephemeral installation and a series of 10 multimedia paintings, “Extended Realities” examines how the artists are working with ideas of time, memory and history.\nDrawing from literature, philosophy and daily life, artist Phan Thảo Nguyen observes ambiguous issues in social conventions and history. Nguyên’s work ‘Hunger Thread’ is part of her personal interpretation of the rarely discussed 1945 famine in Vietnam. This ephemeral installation consists of hundreds of raw jute balls scattered throughout the exhibition space. These jute balls can be blown away by the wind or kicked or stepped on by the viewers. In this work, the artist proposes a more nuanced approach to personal and historical tragedies using a new perspective on history and narration, and an artistic medium. Meanwhile, artist Võ Trân Châu recreates collective memories via her embroidery and mosaic artworks depicting long gone architectural structures or historical figures, in an attempt to access obscured or unwritten histories of Vietnam.\nIn contrast with Châu and Thảo Nguyên, artist Trương Công Tùng considers time as one medium for his series of paintings ‘The time of passing shadows (1 2 3 4…)’. In this intriguing series, Tùng sets out a layered narrative of time that is coherent yet tacitly perplexing, with images and information interleaved with fact and fiction\nTime and history are always central themes in Nguyễn Huy An’s research. In this exhibition, Huy An presents a minimalist installation entitled ‘Exercise No. 2’ which forms part of his ongoing project inspired by the undeniable significance of Lenin as a political figure in the history of the country. The work is created following the artist’s study of the changing shadows of a public sculpture of Lenin over the course of one day, according to the time and position of the sun.\nNguyễn Trinh Thi’s practice as a moving image artist has consistently engaged with memory and history, and her work ‘Eleven Men’ is no exception. ‘Eleven Men’ is composed of scenes from a range of Vietnamese classic narrative films featuring the same central actress, Nhu Quynh. Spanning three decades of her legendary acting career, this multilayered work has created a personal connection with and contemplation of the complicated history of Vietnam.\n“Extended Realities” will open from 04 to 26 Sep 2020 at Manzi, No. 2 Ngõ Hàng Bún. Admission in free.\nPlease note: In light of the current Coronavirus developments, we can only accommodate a maximum of 10 visitors per time slot at the exhibition. Visitors are requested to wear mask and wash hands before coming in.\nThe exhibition is part of Manzi’s Art Programme supported by the Goethe Institut.\nCommunications partners: Hanoi Grapevine\nBorn in 1982 in Hanoi and graduated from the Vietnam Fine Art University in 2008, Nguyen Huy An is considered one of the most dynamic and innovative artists of his generation. Huy An’s work has been a process of trying to dig into the darkness of psychology. Most of his projects have been underpinned by an obsession with memory and the complexities of a pessimistic perspective. From installations, performance art to paintings and sculptures, Huy An’s works are highly acclaimed by international art critics and curators for their introspective, simple and strong concepts.\nHuy An has participated in a number of exhibitions and performance art festivals including “Âm Sáng”, Galerie Quynh, Vietnam (2019); Calculus Exercise #6/5, Manzi Art Space, Vietnam (2018); 78 Rhythms, Galerie Quynh, Vietnam (2014); Disrupted Choreographies, Carré d’Art – Musée d’Art Contemporain, Nimes, France (2014); If The World Changed, Singapore Biennale (2013); Sounds of Dust (somniloquy), 943 Studio Kunming, China (2011) among others.\nNguyễn Trinh Thi is a Hanoi-based moving image artist. Her diverse practice, transcending the boundaries between cinema, documentary and performance, has consistently engaged with memory and history. Her works have been shown at international festivals and art exhibitions including Asia Pacific Triennial (Brisbane, 2018), Sydney Biennale 2018; Jeu de Paume, Paris; CAPC musée d’art contemporain de Bordeaux; the Lyon Biennale 2015; Asian Art Biennial 2015, Taiwan; Fukuoka Asian Art Triennial 2014; and Singapore Biennale 2013.\nBorn to a family of traditional embroiderers, Võ Trân Châu understands the power and materiality of threads and fabrics, and chooses textiles, particularly found fabrics and second-hand clothing, as materials for her artistic practice. By deploying these materials, imbued with their own personal stories, Châu portrays how strongly history reflects on the grand narrative of nation states and society. She delves into the social and cultural history of Vietnam to highlight issues surrounding labor, consumption and waste.\nChâu’s selected exhibitions include: “Leaf Picking in the Ancient Forest” (The Factory Contemporary Arts Center, 2020); “Where The Sea Remembers” (The Mistake Room, Los Angeles, CA, USA, 2019); “Unfolding: Fabric of Our Life” (Centre for Heritage, Art & Textile (CHAT)/MILL6, Hong Kong, 2019); “Bodies Survey(ed)” (Sàn Art, HCMC, Vietnam, 2018); “Lingering at the Peculiar Pavillon” (Manzi Art Space, Hanoi & Salon Saigon, HCMC, 2017); “The Foliage” (VCCA, Hanoi, Vietnam, 2017); “Still (the) Barbarians” (EVA International: Ireland’s Biennial of Contemporary Art, Limerick, Ireland, 2016); “Suzhou Documents” (Suzhou Art Museum, Suzhou, China, 2016).\nTrained as a painter, Phan Thảo Nguyên is a multimedia artist whose practice encompasses video, painting and installation. Drawing from literature, philosophy and daily life, Nguyên observes ambiguous issues in social conventions and history. She started working in film when she began her MFA in Chicago. Nguyên exhibits internationally, with solo and group exhibitions including WIELS (Brussels, 2020), Rockbund Art Museum (Shanghai, 2019); Lyon Biennale (Lyon, 2019); Sharjah Biennial (Sharjah Art Foundation, 2019); Gemäldegalerie (Berlin, 2018); Dhaka Art Summit (2018); Para Site (Hong Kong, 2018); Factory Contemporary Art Centre (Ho Chi Minh City, 2017); Nha San Collective (Hanoi, 2017); and Bétonsalon (Paris, 2016).\nNguyên is a 2016-2017 Rolex Protégée, mentored by internationally acclaimed, New York-based, performance and video artist, Joan Jonas and in 2019, she was shortlisted for the Hugo Boss Asia Art Award.\nIn addition to her work as a multimedia artist, she is co-founder of the collective Art Labor, which explores cross disciplinary practices and develops art projects that benefit the local community.\nBorn in 1986, Trương Công Tùng grew up in Dak Lak among various ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands, Vietnam. He graduated from the Ho Chi Minh Fine Arts University in 2010, majoring in lacquer painting. With research interests in science, cosmology and philosophy, Trương Công Tùng works with a range of media, including video, installation, painting and found objects, which reflect personal contemplations on the cultural and geopolitical shifts of modernization, as embodied in the morphing ecology, belief or mythology of a land. He is also a member of Art Labor (founded in 2012), a collective working between visual art and social/life sciences to produce alternative non-formal knowledge via artistic and cultural activities in various public contexts and locales.\nTrương Công Tùng has exhibited extensively in Vietnam and abroad as a solo artist and as part of Art Labor Collective. Select recent exhibitions include Bangkok Art Biennale (2018), “Between Fragmentation and Wholeness” at Galerie Quynh in Ho Chi Minh City (2018), “A Beast, a God, and a Line” at Para Site, Hong Kong (2018) and Museum of Modern Art, Warsaw (2018), Dhaka Art Summit, Dhaka (2018), Carnegie International 57th edition at Carnegie Museum of Art (2018), Cosmopolis at the Centre Pompidou, Paris (2017).\nFollow updates on event’s page.\n14 Phan Huy Ich, Hanoi\nOpening hours: 8 am – 10.30 pm everyday\nWhats on Hanoi\nMemorable Portraits Exhibition\nGermany Film Festival 2020","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line942011"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5696054697036743,"wiki_prob":0.4303945302963257,"text":"Economists set the course for...\nEconomists set the course for a self-reflective debate\nPosted on 21/07/2014 11/06/2015 by Christian Schumacher\nWhat makes a good economist? 6 Nobel Laureates and 8 young economists give answers.\nWhat is this world going to look like in 50 years – I’m worried and it ought to be a major concern of the profession.\nRobert Shiller is one of six “Nobel Economists” featured in the two short films we produced in eager anticipation of the 5th Lindau Meeting on Economic Sciences coming up in just a month’s time: 19-23 August 2014. 18 laureates of the “Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel” will meet with more than 450 aspiring young economists from more than 80 countries. Shiller was awarded the 2013 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences jointly with Eugene Fama and Lars Peter Hansen for their empirical analysis of asset prices. Unlike Joseph Stiglitz, Peter Diamond, Edmund Phelps, and many other renowned laureates, Robert Shiller will unfortunately not be able to participate in the 2014 Lindau Meeting himself. But by expressing his views in our films he has already joined a central debate with the next generation of leading scientists. “A sense of what’s really important for us to understand…”; “creativity – in order to be able to think of interesting questions…”; “someone who knows how to answer questions…”; “a good economist should have a very strong sense of responsibility…”. These are just a few quotes from the self-reflective debate that started with this video and is likely to shape the 5th Lindau Meeting on Economic Sciences. Enjoy watching and continue the debate – also on Twitter, #lindauecon14!\nThe bad news is economists don’t know enough. The good news to the new generation is there’s more work to do – economics is not finished. Roger B. Myerson\nWhat Makes a Good Economist?\nNobel Laureates Peter Diamond (Nobel Prize 2010) Edmund Phelps (2006) Eric Maskin (2007) James Mirrlees (1996) Roger Myerson (2007)\nYoung economists, Lindau alumni (2011 Lindau Meeting on Economic Scieces) Eduardo Davilla Dania Francis Theodore Koutmeridis Xiaofei Pan Alex Olbrecht Dominique Shure Alex Teytelboym Pierre-Louis Vézina\nProduced by: Econ Films Ltd.\nAbout Christian Schumacher\nChristian Schumacher was the head of the communications department of the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings from 2013–16. It’s the community spirit that has fascinated him about the Lindau Meetings when he joined the executive secretariat in 2010.\nNature film from Lindau sheds light on cutting edge drug research - 08/10/2014\nNew Film “The Long Goodbye” - 01/10/2014\nNew Film Series “A Picture of Health” - 25/09/2014\nEconomists reflect on challenges - 22/07/2014\nEconomists set the course for a self-reflective debate - 21/07/2014","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1574892"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6202021837234497,"wiki_prob":0.3797978162765503,"text":"Bodrum City Tour\nThe castle was built by the Knights of St. John between 1402 and 1409. After being defeated in Symrna (The ancient name of Izmir), the Knights came to Halikarnassos and began the construction of the castle. Unknowingly, they used many stones from the great tomb of Mausolus. Today on the walls of the castle you can see lots of stones from Mausoleum, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.\nThe fortifications of the castle consisted of walls to which ramparts and central towers were added.Also there are five towers; The French, Italian Spainish, German and English. The French Tower stands at the highest point of the complex, 48 meters above sea level.\nCategory: Private Tours Tag: Bodrum\nToday the castle’s rooms are used as a museum where finds from the Bronze Age, Mycenaean, Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine period are exhibited. The castle also houses the largest underwater archeological museum in Turkey. It is one of the few of its kind in the world. The reconstruction of a ship-wreck the museum itself is worth a visit.\nMausolus was the ruler of the Caria Kingdom between 377 and 353 BC, he made Halikarnassos its capital. Then he enclosed his new capital with a huge wall. He also adorned the city with splendid edifices, the most famous of which was the Mausoleum which he designed as a great Carian shrine dedicated to himself. His sister-wife Artemisia completed it after he died during her own reign.It was so beautiful that it became one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. ( The other six wonders were the Pyramids of Egypt, the Lighthouse at Alexandria, the Colossus of Rhodes, the Hanging gardens of Babylon, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia and the Artemis Temple. at Ephesus. )\nThe architects of the monumental tomb were Pythius and Satyrus. From south to north it was 63 feet wide and it was surrounded by 36 columns. The funeral chamber itself was 8 by 9 meters and about 2 meters high.\nToday you can see the cleared platform and some of the finds from the magnificent Mausoleum. The stones were used for the construction of the castle and some parts of the tomb are exhibited at the British Museum in London, England.\nTHE AMPHI THEATER\nThe hillside theater that dates from the 4th century BC was built to seat 10.000 people.When rediscovered, it was not in very good condition and therefore has been recently restored. The view of the town from there is beautiful.\n09:00 Visit the Castle of St. Peter, the symbol of Bodrum\n11:00 See what is left of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Mausoleum\n12:00 Visit the ancient theater","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line819556"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9876165986061096,"wiki_prob":0.9876165986061096,"text":"Wednesday marks one week since a gunman opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida – ...\nWednesday marks one week since a gunman opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida – taking 17 lives.\nNow, the president of the Portland Association of Teachers has a strong message about gun violence.\nLast week's shooting is intensely personal to her, as she graduated from that Florida high school.\n\"I don't think everyone understands what it's like to hide in a closet, barricade your door and prepare for an active shooter,\" said Suzanne Cohen.\nFor 15 years, Cohen was a teacher to Portland students.\n\"This generation is a mass shooting generation,\" she said.\nActive school shooter drills became the normal, she says, both for her and her middle school students.\n\"There are questions like, what do I do, do I have to wait for you, and you're like, no you run, you save yourself,\" said Cohen.\nOne week ago, teenagers in Florida were doing just that, at Cohen's very own high school.\n\"I was a graduating class of 1994,\" she said.\nCohen says this mass shooting in her own hometown struck a nerve.\n\"I don't know how to explain it except I know that I need to take charge of these feelings I'm having,\" she said.\nCohen represents more than 4,000 educators in Portland. She is the president of the Portland Association of Teachers, and this president has a new purpose: to end gun violence at school.\n\"We can no longer pretend that gun control isn't an issue for education,\" Cohen said.\nMost of Cohen's inspiration to speak out comes from these students.\n\"As kids who've grown up watching us adults accept these tragedies, I'm so proud of them for not accepting it,\" she said. \"It's really very inspiring.\"\nOn Wednesday, survivors of the Parkland shooting got loud at the state capitol in Florida, calling for a ban on assault weapons.\n\"I'm not here for a fight. I'm not here to argue with you,\" said survivor Ryan Deitsch. \"I just want to speak. I just want to see your face and know why!\"\nAnd in Washington D.C., more students are demanding change. Inside the walls of the White House, there was a listening session with President Donald Trump and victims of gun violence.\n\"It should have been one school shooting and we should have fixed it,\" said Andrew Pollack, whose daughter was killed in Florida shooting. \"And I'm pissed, because my daughter… I'm not going to see again. She's not here.\"\nPresident Trump then made the suggestion of arming teachers.\n\"It's called concealed carry, where a teacher would have a concealed gun on them. They'd go for special training,\" he said.\nCohen said it's not a solution.\n\"As long as we're crouching in closets and practicing locking our doors, we've got a problem, and that's what needs addressing,\" she said.\nKlobuchar departure sends a strong message\n6-year-old Baltimore girl shares emotional message on city violence in viral video\n'Gun-sharing' station uses art to make point about gun violence\nExclusive: Group chat messages show school shooter obsessed with race, violence and guns\nA generation raised on gun violence sends a loud message to adults: Enough\nGun owners embrace Trump's message in Dallas","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line796005"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9863854050636292,"wiki_prob":0.9863854050636292,"text":"Profile of Derek\nz*********k@g*******m\nH3gg League Satellite Season 2,\n1/8 Derek 0 : 0 cruz3N\nLogin to predict\nClan Wars 3,\nFaza zasadnicza Odelle, Derek 1 : 0 amator, Nadziej\nFaza zasadnicza Derek 0 : 1 Chleb\nFaza zasadnicza RitoSux, Tsar_Konrad 1 : 0 Odelle, Derek\nFaza zasadnicza Derek, Mikii 1 : 0 Bulbet, ignus\n1/16 Derek 2 : 0 cuc9ctblu\nFaza zasadnicza rybas 1 : 0 Derek\nFaza zasadnicza Derek 1 : 0 Machberet\nGroup phase Derek 1 : 0 zuro007\nGroup phase Derek 1 : 0 Maretti\nGroup phase korczi 1 : 0 Derek\nPonton Cup 2,\n1/4 Derek 0 : 2 Dawidu91\n1/8 Haspid 0 : 1 Derek\n1/16 Derek 1 : 0 veeto\n1/32 Wladcawunszy. 0 : 1 Derek\nBottom bracket phase MatulloBuzzo 0 : 1 Derek\nGroup phase JustShizer 0 : 1 Derek\nGroup phase Timmy92 0 : 1 Derek\nGroup phase MaciekMocarz 1 : 0 Derek\nMirror Jebus Tournament 2,\nGroup phase Asis321 1 : 0 Derek\nGroup phase Xenofex 1 : 0 Derek\nGroup phase Wrzosy 0 : 1 Derek\nGroup phase Kacper 1 : 0 Derek\n1/128 Derek 1 : 0 None\nMatch is not ready\n1/64 Derek 0 : 1 JohnDruitt\nGroup phase Derek 1 : 0 Bolibzdurz\nGroup phase Derek 1 : 0 Shaacke\nGroup phase poeer 0 : 1 Derek\nDe_Luxe memorial,\nGroup phase Vergiliusso 0 : 1 Derek\nGroup phase LuckyF 1 : 0 Derek\nGroup phase knorek 0 : 1 Derek\nGroup phase Haze_Tech 1 : 0 Derek\nSept. 12, 2020, 3:09 p.m. PiesKadziela 0 - 1 Kacper 1\nSept. 12, 2020, 3:07 p.m. Fantom 1 - 0 alpaca 3\nSept. 12, 2020, 3:08 p.m. Haspid 0 - 1 Derek 3\nSept. 12, 2020, 3:08 p.m. Dawidu91 1 - 0 Hektor96 3\nSept. 19, 2020, 5:31 p.m. Odelle 1 - 0 PiesKadziela 3\nSept. 12, 2020, 3:09 p.m. Mikii 0 - 1 Abrasus 1\nSept. 12, 2020, 3:10 p.m. bejbus1 1 - 0 cruz3N 1\nSept. 12, 2020, 3:10 p.m. zetena 0 - 1 P0liQ 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:51 p.m. Fantom 0 - 2 Venefiz 1\nSept. 25, 2020, 5:20 p.m. Derek 2 - 1 Dawidu91 1\nSept. 26, 2020, 9:13 p.m. Odelle 2 - 0 Mikii 1\nSept. 25, 2020, 5:42 p.m. cruz3N 2 - 0 P0liQ 1\nOct. 20, 2020, 6:55 p.m. Fantom 0 - 2 Dawidu91 5\nSept. 12, 2020, 3:12 p.m. LuckyF 1 - 0 twaryna 3\nSept. 12, 2020, 3:12 p.m. Yarki 0 - 1 bejbus1 3\nSept. 12, 2020, 3:12 p.m. Szopa666 1 - 0 FireToSky 3\nSept. 12, 2020, 3:12 p.m. Dawidu91 1 - 0 HellLighT 3\nSept. 12, 2020, 3:13 p.m. Tyranuxus 0 - 1 LuckyF 1\nSept. 12, 2020, 3:14 p.m. Amiloo 1 - 0 Szopa666 1\nSept. 12, 2020, 3:14 p.m. LuckyF 1 - 0 Dawidu91 1\nSept. 12, 2020, 3:15 p.m. Yarki 0 - 1 hexeract6 3\nSept. 12, 2020, 3:15 p.m. bejbus1 1 - 0 Tyranuxus 3\nSept. 12, 2020, 3:15 p.m. twaryna 0 - 1 Drakonin 3\nSept. 12, 2020, 3:16 p.m. Szopa666 1 - 0 HellLighT 3\nSept. 12, 2020, 3:16 p.m. Amiloo 0 - 1 Stinger 3\nSept. 12, 2020, 3:16 p.m. FireToSky 0 - 1 LuckyF 0\nSept. 12, 2020, 3:16 p.m. Dawidu91 0 - 1 bejbus1 1\nSept. 12, 2020, 3:17 p.m. hexeract6 1 - 0 twaryna 3\nSept. 12, 2020, 3:17 p.m. Tyranuxus 0 - 1 Drakonin 3\nSept. 12, 2020, 3:18 p.m. Stinger 0 - 1 Szopa666 1\nSept. 12, 2020, 3:19 p.m. LuckyF 1 - 0 HellLighT 3\nSept. 12, 2020, 3:19 p.m. Yarki 1 - 0 Amiloo 1\nSept. 12, 2020, 3:19 p.m. bejbus1 0 - 1 FireToSky 3\nSept. 12, 2020, 3:20 p.m. Drakonin 1 - 0 Dawidu91 1\nSept. 12, 2020, 3:20 p.m. Tyranuxus 1 - 0 hexeract6 1\nOct. 4, 2020, 9:41 p.m. Szopa666 1 - 0 LuckyF 1\nOct. 4, 2020, 9:42 p.m. Stinger 1 - 0 Yarki 1\nOct. 4, 2020, 9:41 p.m. HellLighT 0 - 1 bejbus1 3\nOct. 4, 2020, 9:42 p.m. Amiloo 0 - 1 twaryna 1\nOct. 4, 2020, 9:42 p.m. FireToSky 1 - 0 Drakonin 3\nOct. 4, 2020, 9:43 p.m. Dawidu91 1 - 0 hexeract6 3\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:34 p.m. Yarki 0 - 1 Szopa666 3\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:20 p.m. bejbus1 0 - 1 LuckyF 3\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:28 p.m. twaryna 1 - 0 Stinger 3\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:05 p.m. Drakonin 1 - 0 HellLighT 0\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:11 p.m. Tyranuxus 1 - 0 Amiloo 1\nOct. 4, 2020, 9:59 p.m. hexeract6 1 - 0 FireToSky 0\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:25 p.m. Szopa666 1 - 0 bejbus1 1\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:28 p.m. Yarki 0 - 1 twaryna 3\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:06 p.m. LuckyF 1 - 0 Drakonin 3\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:11 p.m. Stinger 0 - 1 Tyranuxus 0\nOct. 4, 2020, 9:59 p.m. HellLighT 0 - 1 hexeract6 0\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:15 p.m. Amiloo 0 - 1 Dawidu91 3\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:28 p.m. twaryna 0 - 1 Szopa666 0\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:07 p.m. Drakonin 0 - 1 bejbus1 0\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:11 p.m. Tyranuxus 1 - 0 Yarki 3\nOct. 4, 2020, 10 p.m. hexeract6 0 - 1 LuckyF 0\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:15 p.m. Dawidu91 1 - 0 Stinger 0\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:33 p.m. FireToSky 0 - 1 Amiloo 0\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:07 p.m. Szopa666 1 - 0 Drakonin 0\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:11 p.m. twaryna 1 - 0 Tyranuxus 0\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:02 p.m. bejbus1 0 - 1 hexeract6 0\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:16 p.m. Yarki 0 - 1 Dawidu91 0\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:35 p.m. Stinger 0 - 1 FireToSky 0\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:39 p.m. HellLighT 1 - 0 Amiloo 0\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:12 p.m. Tyranuxus 0 - 1 Szopa666 0\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:02 p.m. hexeract6 0 - 1 Drakonin 0\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:16 p.m. Dawidu91 0 - 1 twaryna 0\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:35 p.m. FireToSky 1 - 0 Yarki 0\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:20 p.m. Amiloo 1 - 0 LuckyF 0\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:41 p.m. HellLighT 0 - 1 Stinger 0\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:03 p.m. Szopa666 1 - 0 hexeract6 0\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:12 p.m. Tyranuxus 0 - 1 Dawidu91 0\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:29 p.m. twaryna 0 - 1 FireToSky 0\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:25 p.m. bejbus1 0 - 1 Amiloo 0\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:41 p.m. Yarki 1 - 0 HellLighT 0\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:21 p.m. LuckyF 1 - 0 Stinger 0\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:16 p.m. Dawidu91 0 - 1 Szopa666 0\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:32 p.m. FireToSky 0 - 1 Tyranuxus 0\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:08 p.m. Amiloo 0 - 1 Drakonin 0\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:29 p.m. HellLighT 1 - 0 twaryna 0\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:26 p.m. Stinger 1 - 0 bejbus1 0\nOct. 4, 2020, 10:21 p.m. LuckyF 1 - 0 Yarki 0\nSept. 27, 2020, 8:54 p.m. Venefiz 1 - 0 wojtek121 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 8:55 p.m. Venefiz 1 - 0 PiesKadziela 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 8:55 p.m. Venefiz 1 - 0 Kacper 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 8:55 p.m. wojtek121 0 - 1 PiesKadziela 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 8:55 p.m. wojtek121 0 - 1 Kacper 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 8:56 p.m. Zwei 0 - 1 Gumis 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 8:56 p.m. Zwei 0 - 1 Redwhait 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 8:56 p.m. Zwei 0 - 1 Opa 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 8:56 p.m. Gumis 0 - 1 Redwhait 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 8:57 p.m. Gumis 1 - 0 Opa 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 8:57 p.m. Redwhait 1 - 0 Opa 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 8:58 p.m. grzechen88 0 - 1 LordDavy 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 8:58 p.m. grzechen88 1 - 0 Alkinuxus 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 8:58 p.m. grzechen88 1 - 0 PMP 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 8:59 p.m. LordDavy 1 - 0 Alkinuxus 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 8:59 p.m. LordDavy 1 - 0 PMP 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 8:59 p.m. Alkinuxus 1 - 0 PMP 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 8:59 p.m. Drizzt 0 - 1 rybas 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9 p.m. Drizzt 0 - 1 Rotede 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9 p.m. Drizzt 0 - 1 Aproh 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 9 p.m. rybas 0 - 1 Rotede 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:01 p.m. rybas 0 - 1 Aproh 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:01 p.m. Rotede 0 - 1 Aproh 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:01 p.m. Team0n 1 - 0 mirek_swirek 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:01 p.m. Team0n 1 - 0 smok_ 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:01 p.m. Team0n 1 - 0 chickychicks 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:01 p.m. mirek_swirek 0 - 1 smok_ 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:02 p.m. mirek_swirek 0 - 1 chickychicks 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:02 p.m. smok_ 1 - 0 chickychicks 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:03 p.m. Spartakus 0 - 1 W4rchi 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:03 p.m. Spartakus 0 - 1 Haze_Tech 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:03 p.m. Spartakus 0 - 1 Aleister 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:03 p.m. W4rchi 1 - 0 Haze_Tech 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:03 p.m. W4rchi 0 - 1 Aleister 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:05 p.m. Haze_Tech 0 - 1 Aleister 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:05 p.m. Machberet 0 - 1 H3Beker 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:06 p.m. Machberet 1 - 0 DaculCB 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:06 p.m. Machberet 0 - 1 GromHellscream 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:06 p.m. H3Beker 1 - 0 DaculCB 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:06 p.m. H3Beker 1 - 0 GromHellscream 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:06 p.m. DaculCB 0 - 1 GromHellscream 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:07 p.m. Majestatyczny 1 - 0 Crackbrained 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:07 p.m. Majestatyczny 1 - 0 Mont 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:07 p.m. Majestatyczny 1 - 0 sav1tar 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:07 p.m. Crackbrained 1 - 0 Mont 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:07 p.m. Crackbrained 1 - 0 sav1tar 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:08 p.m. Mont 1 - 0 sav1tar 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:09 p.m. korczi 0 - 1 Derek 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:10 p.m. korczi 0 - 1 Maretti 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:10 p.m. korczi 1 - 0 zuro007 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:10 p.m. Derek 1 - 0 Maretti 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:10 p.m. Derek 1 - 0 zuro007 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:10 p.m. Maretti 1 - 0 zuro007 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:15 p.m. Master_of_mind 1 - 0 cuc9ctblu 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:15 p.m. Master_of_mind 0 - 1 Xocenk 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:15 p.m. Master_of_mind 1 - 0 maklaud 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:15 p.m. cuc9ctblu 0 - 1 Xocenk 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:16 p.m. cuc9ctblu 0 - 1 maklaud 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:16 p.m. Xocenk 1 - 0 maklaud 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:17 p.m. Shyfayren 0 - 1 Lysy 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:17 p.m. Shyfayren 0 - 1 Wanil 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:17 p.m. Shyfayren 1 - 0 StygianOne 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:17 p.m. Lysy 0 - 1 Wanil 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:17 p.m. Lysy 0 - 1 StygianOne 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:17 p.m. Wanil 1 - 0 StygianOne 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:18 p.m. Synesthesiac23 1 - 0 Abozykk 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:18 p.m. Synesthesiac23 0 - 1 cruz3N 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:18 p.m. Synesthesiac23 1 - 0 Arytmetyczny 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:18 p.m. Abozykk 0 - 1 cruz3N 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:18 p.m. Abozykk 0 - 1 Arytmetyczny 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:18 p.m. cruz3N 0 - 1 Arytmetyczny 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:19 p.m. siofo 1 - 0 Aravol 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:19 p.m. siofo 0 - 1 michail117 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:19 p.m. siofo 0 - 1 RitoSux 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:19 p.m. Aravol 0 - 1 michail117 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:20 p.m. Aravol 0 - 1 RitoSux 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:20 p.m. michail117 1 - 0 RitoSux 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:21 p.m. kesZu 0 - 1 Hektor96 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:21 p.m. kesZu 1 - 0 JanPegasus2 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:21 p.m. kesZu 1 - 0 Scooby 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:21 p.m. Hektor96 0 - 1 JanPegasus2 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:21 p.m. Hektor96 1 - 0 Scooby 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:21 p.m. JanPegasus2 1 - 0 Scooby 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:22 p.m. JohnDruitt 1 - 0 Mrkracy 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:22 p.m. JohnDruitt 0 - 1 ProtosArchon 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:22 p.m. JohnDruitt 0 - 1 kexibq2134 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:22 p.m. Mrkracy 0 - 1 ProtosArchon 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:22 p.m. Mrkracy 0 - 1 kexibq2134 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:23 p.m. ProtosArchon 0 - 1 kexibq2134 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 8:53 p.m. t3mz 0 - 1 Kicaj_666 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 8:54 p.m. t3mz 1 - 0 mitsurugi321 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:23 p.m. t3mz 1 - 0 kiniok 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:23 p.m. Kicaj_666 1 - 0 mitsurugi321 3\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:24 p.m. Kicaj_666 0 - 1 kiniok 1\nSept. 27, 2020, 9:24 p.m. mitsurugi321 0 - 1 kiniok 1\nOct. 10, 2020, 10:45 p.m. SDK_Ravciozo 0 - 1 Majestatyczny 3\nOct. 10, 2020, 10:45 p.m. SDK_Ravciozo, Chleb 0 - 1 Venefiz, Aproh 3\nOct. 10, 2020, 10:43 p.m. t3mz 0 - 1 kesZu 3\nOct. 10, 2020, 10:43 p.m. HussarrPL 0 - 1 cruz3N 1\nOct. 10, 2020, 10:43 p.m. rybas 0 - 1 Gumis 3\nOct. 10, 2020, 10:44 p.m. Zwei 1 - 0 Aravol 1\nOct. 10, 2020, 10:44 p.m. Spartakus 1 - 0 Shyfayren 1\nOct. 10, 2020, 10:44 p.m. ignus, Bulbet 1 - 0 Kicaj_666, n0myzS 3\nOct. 10, 2020, 10:42 p.m. Xeno 0 - 1 wojtek121 3\nOct. 10, 2020, 10:42 p.m. Dadalus 0 - 1 Jakub 3\nOct. 10, 2020, 10:42 p.m. Cez 0 - 1 Abozykk 3\nOct. 10, 2020, 10:42 p.m. Ortant 0 - 1 Hektor96 3\nOct. 10, 2020, 10:43 p.m. Machberet, maestro 0 - 1 Szopa666, chickychicks 3\nOct. 10, 2020, 10:44 p.m. Voideck 1 - 0 karkus 3\nOct. 10, 2020, 10:44 p.m. jacajackson 1 - 0 Findan 1\nOct. 10, 2020, 10:45 p.m. Rotede 1 - 0 Hiszpan 3\nOct. 10, 2020, 10:45 p.m. LordDavy 1 - 0 Spinaonic 3\nOct. 10, 2020, 10:45 p.m. Tsar_Konrad, Daradrax 1 - 0 korczi, Krzynsztof 3\nOct. 10, 2020, 10:44 p.m. Dogge 1 - 0 Krisis 1\nOct. 21, 2020, 8:43 a.m. Lexiav, HussarrPL 0 - 1 cruz3N, Gumis 1\nOct. 20, 2020, 9:18 p.m. KadzielPL 0 - 1 Crackbrained 3\nOct. 20, 2020, 9:18 p.m. Wraku 0 - 1 RitoSux 3\nOct. 20, 2020, 9:18 p.m. cruz3N 1 - 0 Bartus 1\nOct. 20, 2020, 9:18 p.m. Bajer89 1 - 0 Matek8 3\nOct. 20, 2020, 9:18 p.m. Gumis 1 - 0 Rotede 3\nOct. 20, 2020, 9:19 p.m. kesZu, cruz3N 1 - 0 Bartus, Daradrax 1\nOct. 20, 2020, 9:20 p.m. Arytmetyczny 0 - 1 Aproh 1\nOct. 20, 2020, 9:20 p.m. Hiszpan 0 - 1 Ziemian 3\nOct. 20, 2020, 9:20 p.m. Spinaonic 0 - 1 JohnDruitt 3\nOct. 20, 2020, 9:21 p.m. majoseek 0 - 1 Bandon 3\nOct. 20, 2020, 9:21 p.m. korczi 0 - 1 Venefiz 3\nOct. 20, 2020, 9:21 p.m. Krzynsztof, Arytmetyczny 0 - 1 JohnDruitt, Majestatyczny 3\nOct. 20, 2020, 9:17 p.m. kiniok 1 - 0 LivingAnarchy 1\nOct. 20, 2020, 9:16 p.m. Odelle 1 - 0 maestro 3\nOct. 20, 2020, 9:16 p.m. H3Beker 1 - 0 Cez 3\nOct. 20, 2020, 9:16 p.m. michail117 0 - 1 Dadalus 3\nOct. 20, 2020, 9:16 p.m. Kacper, JanPegasus2 0 - 1 Jelen117, Machberet 3\nOct. 20, 2020, 9:19 p.m. Bezimienny 0 - 1 amator 3\nOct. 20, 2020, 9:19 p.m. Debilizm 1 - 0 Nadziej 3\nOct. 20, 2020, 9:19 p.m. n0myzS 0 - 1 Chleb 3\nOct. 20, 2020, 9:19 p.m. Krisis 0 - 1 Oddajmake 3\nOct. 20, 2020, 9:20 p.m. Aravol, Debilizm 0 - 1 amator, Oddajmake 3\nOct. 20, 2020, 9:16 p.m. Derek 1 - 0 Machberet 3\nOct. 23, 2020, 7:27 p.m. chickychicks 0 - 1 Niechcic 3\nOct. 23, 2020, 7:27 p.m. wojtek121 1 - 0 Illithid 3\nOct. 23, 2020, 7:27 p.m. Abozykk 0 - 1 Klaudo98 3\nOct. 23, 2020, 7:27 p.m. Jakub 1 - 0 Spartakus 1\nOct. 23, 2020, 7:27 p.m. chickychicks, Szopa666 1 - 0 ignus, Bulbet 3\nNov. 4, 2020, 2:53 p.m. Juniorx10 0 - 1 Exhio 3\nNov. 4, 2020, 2:33 p.m. Chleb 1 - 0 Abozykk 3\nNov. 4, 2020, 2:33 p.m. SDK_Ravciozo 1 - 0 mitsurugi321 1\nNov. 4, 2020, 2:33 p.m. Nadziej 0 - 1 wojtek121 3\nNov. 4, 2020, 2:34 p.m. amator, Oddajmake 0 - 1 chickychicks, Szopa666 3\nNov. 7, 2020, 7:33 p.m. Venefiz 1 - 0 Wraku 3\nNov. 7, 2020, 7:33 p.m. Ziemian 1 - 0 KadzielPL 3\nNov. 7, 2020, 4:46 p.m. mqnabz7 0 - 1 michail117 3\nNov. 7, 2020, 4:46 p.m. rybas 0 - 1 Derek 1\nNov. 7, 2020, 4:47 p.m. materaldo 0 - 1 JanPegasus2 1\nNov. 7, 2020, 4:47 p.m. Wozny888 0 - 1 bejbus1 3\nNov. 7, 2020, 4:47 p.m. JuraBKS 1 - 0 kiniok 1\nNov. 7, 2020, 4:47 p.m. HussarrPL, Lexiav 0 - 1 Kacper, Odelle 1\nNov. 7, 2020, 4:48 p.m. ignus 1 - 0 MalyFarciarz 3\nNov. 7, 2020, 4:48 p.m. Witu 0 - 1 maestro 1\nNov. 7, 2020, 4:49 p.m. Klaudo98 0 - 1 Machberet 1\nNov. 7, 2020, 4:49 p.m. Niechcic 1 - 0 Dadalus 3\nNov. 16, 2020, 10:44 p.m. Venefiz 2 - 0 Gumis 5\nNov. 16, 2020, 10:45 p.m. LordDavy 1 - 2 rybas 1\nNov. 16, 2020, 10:45 p.m. smok_ 0 - 2 Aleister 5\nNov. 16, 2020, 10:45 p.m. H3Beker 2 - 1 sav1tar 1\nNov. 16, 2020, 10:45 p.m. Derek 2 - 1 cuc9ctblu 1\nNov. 16, 2020, 10:46 p.m. Shyfayren 0 - 2 cruz3N 1\nNov. 16, 2020, 10:46 p.m. RitoSux 2 - 0 Scooby 5\nNov. 24, 2020, 10:32 a.m. kexibq2134 2 - 0 mitsurugi321 5\nNov. 16, 2020, 10:47 p.m. wojtek121 2 - 1 Redwhait 1\nNov. 16, 2020, 10:47 p.m. grzechen88 2 - 1 Rotede 1\nNov. 16, 2020, 10:47 p.m. Team0n 0 - 2 W4rchi 1\nNov. 17, 2020, 9:14 a.m. DaculCB 0 - 2 Crackbrained 5\nNov. 16, 2020, 10:47 p.m. Maretti 0 - 2 Xocenk 5\nNov. 16, 2020, 10:48 p.m. StygianOne 1 - 2 Arytmetyczny 1\nNov. 16, 2020, 10:48 p.m. siofo 0 - 2 Hektor96 1\nNov. 24, 2020, 10:33 a.m. ProtosArchon 2 - 0 t3mz 5\nNov. 25, 2020, 12:17 a.m. H3Beker 1 - 0 Witu 3\nNov. 25, 2020, 12:18 a.m. bejbus1 1 - 0 ignus 1\nNov. 25, 2020, 12:18 a.m. michail117 1 - 0 Klaudo98 3\nNov. 25, 2020, 12:17 a.m. Odelle 1 - 0 Illithid 3\nNov. 25, 2020, 12:17 a.m. JanPegasus2 1 - 0 Bulbet 1\nNov. 25, 2020, 12:17 a.m. Derek, Mikii 1 - 0 Bulbet, ignus 3\nDec. 29, 2020, 1:44 a.m. Crackbrained 0 - 1 Ziemian 1\nDec. 29, 2020, 1:44 a.m. kexibq2134 0 - 1 Majestatyczny 1\nDec. 29, 2020, 1:45 a.m. Bartus, Daradrax 0 - 1 Aproh, Bandon 0\nDec. 29, 2020, 1:41 a.m. Derek 1 - 0 Chleb 1\nDec. 29, 2020, 1:42 a.m. Odelle, Derek 1 - 0 amator, Nadziej 3","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line9969"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.734822154045105,"wiki_prob":0.734822154045105,"text":"| YUPP talks social justice\nEleanor Runde\nYUPP talks social justice\nEleanor Runde 2:01 am, Feb 25, 2014\nLast night, the Afro-American Cultural Center hosted a discussion on a new social justice project called We Are All Criminals.\nThe event, which was organized by the Yale Undergraduate Prison Project (YUPP), centered on We Are All Criminals, a one-person project started by Emily Baxter, who spoke at the event.\nThe project is a series of interviews conducted by Baxter in which anonymous individuals reflect on getting away with committing crimes, and how their lives would be different if they had to live with the label of ‘felon’.\nBaxter informed the audience that more than 25 percent of Americans have criminal records. The total number of people with felonies on their records has skyrocketed over the past 50 years, from approximately two million to 20 million individuals.\nBaxter highlighted the disadvantages that come with having a felony on one’s record. Housing and job opportunities are some of the most limited areas for these individuals, according to Baxter, 87 percent of all employers conduct criminal history reports. Job applications with the “felony” box checked are often immediately discarded, she said.\nTo raise awareness about the potential ramifications about having a felony on one’s record, Baxter has gone on a series of drives through her home state, Minnesota, and has conducted over 200 interviews with people who do not have criminal records, but have committed crimes in the past. Her project began with emails to family and friends that were passed on throughout the community, asking this question: “What have you done that you have had the luxury to forget?” Baxter wants to remind people that everyone has done something that they are not proud of.\n“Everyone needs a second chance,” Baxter said in her presentation. “We need to break down the dichotomy of ‘us versus them,’ ‘clean versus criminal.’”\nAfter Baxter’s presentation, three panelists spoke about their involvement with the movement to end or reform mass incarceration. Barbara Fair, a community organizer in New Haven and founder of the organization My Brother’s Keeper, stressed that current policies have disproportionately impacted minorities.\nKristi Lockhart, a psychology professor at Yale, said prisons have no incentive to shorten sentences; because prisons are often run by private corporations, they are incentivized to lengthen sentences instead. George Chochos DIV ’16, the third panelist, spoke about the need to support criminals in their re-entry into society after time in prison.\nThe event ended with a discussion of how students could make a difference.\n“The first step for students is to get educated,” Fair said.\nRepresentative Gary Holder-Winfield, who is currently running for a Senate seat in Connecticut attended the talk. He said students can also get involved in policy, naming three bills to which students should pay attention: a police in schools initiative, a reformation of school drug zoning and a bill regarding juvenile justice sentence review.\nNia Holston ’14, an organizer for the event and member of YUPP, said that part of the solution is changing the way students speak about felons in everyday language in order to reduce the stigma surrounding felony convictions.\nCharlotte Feingold ’17 said she came to the event because she is involved in policy research on juvenile justice.\n“People don’t think that anything like this could go down at Yale,” Feingold said. “But frankly, there’s illegal drug possession going on as we speak.”\nBaxter said she hopes her project will spur movements around the nation.\nFunding for the event came from the Social Justice Network, BSAAY, and UOC, said Holston.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line762633"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8032907843589783,"wiki_prob":0.8032907843589783,"text":"Kato Drys is located to the south-west of the city of Larnaka. Is stands in the middle of three cities, Nicosia, Larnaka and Limassol. It is built at an altitude of about 520 meters above sea level. The hilly terrain of the village with its narrow, deep valleys is intersected by the Saint Minas River. There are two interpretations as to how the village got its name. The first says that the village got its name from the many ‘Dryes’ (oak trees). A second interpretation says that many years ago there were two villages, Pano Drys and Kato Drys (Upper and Lower Drys) with a large Oaktree standing between the two. Kato Drys has a rich history and interesting architecture, flora and fauna with perfect cool dry climate in summer and a mild winter. The occupation of most of the village inhabitants is raising stock and, to a limited degree agriculture. Today great tracks of land in the village have been planted with various wine-making varieties of grapes, providing occupation to many of the village’s inhabitants. The village has the biggest vineyard of Larnaka region of α total area of 150 hectares.\nAvtivities and Places of Interest\nVisit the village churches of Agios Charalambos, Panagia Eleousa and Agios Georgios and the chapels of Saint Spyridonas, Saint Neofytos and Timios Prodromos and the Monastery of Saint Minas. Visit the Folk Art Museum and the Bee and Embroidery Museum. Follow the wine route no. 7 Larnaka and Nicosia Region which passes through the village and visit ‘Ktima Christoudia’ winery. Many local and foreign quality wine varieties have been planted in the village. Walk in the nature trails connecting Machairas forest, Lefkara, Kato Drys and Vavatsinia villages..\nGrocery store, tavern, winery, coffee shops, traditional products shop\nLarnaka airport 40km\nPafos airport 107km\nBee and Embroidery Museum - Kato Drys Village","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line680034"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7334151268005371,"wiki_prob":0.2665848731994629,"text":"Microsoft Sends Next Generation of CE to Beta Testers\nMicrosoft Corp. began a limited beta test this week of its next generation of the Windows CE operating system, code-named \"Talisker.\"\nThe Beta 1 version was delivered to about 300 testers. A second beta is expected in the third quarter, with a release to manufacturing by the end of the year. Microsoft hasn't officially named the follow-on to Windows CE 3.0.\nImprovements over Windows CE in Talisker include support for Bluetooth, Kerberos, Secure Sockets Layer, LDAP 3.0, Universal Plug and Play and USB drivers for storage, printers and network cards.\nContact Microsoft, www.microsoft.com.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line311517"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5651594400405884,"wiki_prob":0.5651594400405884,"text":"Barnbougle Castle\nDalmeny, United Kingdom\nBarnbougle Castle is a much-altered tower house on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth. It lies within the Earl of Rosebery's estate, just northwest of Dalmeny House. Although its history goes back to the 13th century, the present castle is the result of rebuilding in 1881 by the 5th Earl of Rosebery, who served as Prime Minister from 1894–1895.\nThe castle is built on a projecting rock terrace. It incorporates some of the fabric of the original castle on the north and east sides, but is mainly a late-nineteenth century construction. There are three storeys and an attic; the building is rubble, dressed with ashlar sandstone. Features include crowstep gables, bartizans (small turrets) with water spouts on the two western corners, and a crenellated parapet. A 2.4-metre high obelisk sundial stands in the castle garden, having been moved there in 1890.\nCastles and fortifications in United Kingdom\nSee all sites in Dalmeny\nCategory: Castles and fortifications in United Kingdom\nAberdour Castle (7,3 km)\nInchcolm Abbey (4,6 km)\nLauriston Castle (4,2 km)\nCramond Kirk (2,7 km)\nCramond Roman Fort (2,7 km)\nSt Giles' Cathedral (10,1 km)\nEdinburgh Old Town (10,3 km)\nGreyfriars Kirk (10,2 km)\nNational Museum of Scotland (10,3 km)\nCalton Hill (10,3 km)\nNational Monument of Scotland (10,4 km)\nMcManus Gallery (56,9 km)\nIan Taylor (7 months ago)\nNice for a lovely walk through the woodland walk ways with magnificent views\nMark Bruce (2 years ago)\nA beautifully refurbished Castle set in stunning woodlands\nKarl 1974 (2 years ago)\nBarnbougle Castle is a much-altered tower house on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth, between Cramond and Queensferry, and within the parish of Dalmeny. It lies within the Earl of Rosebery's estate, just northwest of Dalmeny House. Although its history goes back to the 13th century, the present castle is the result of rebuilding in 1881 by the 5th Earl of Rosebery, who served as Prime Minister from 1894–1895.\nMo Storey (2 years ago)\nAbsolutely pristine castle on the banks of the forth, makes an exceptional venue with unparalleled views of cramond Island, inch Keith and beyond!\nCharlie Sim (3 years ago)\nNice place to walk to although its private grounds with no entry","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1712815"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9212895035743713,"wiki_prob":0.9212895035743713,"text":"“The energy and charge of the music cast its spell on every one of us in the audience...”\n“You gave the performance of a lifetime...”\n“The Deadly Nightshade sidles into the song -- sly, back-alley, side-street truckin’ music with the hint of burlesque gum-popping, hip-swaying strut and flounce... ”\nThe Deadly Nightshade Band\n- one of the nation’s first all-female bands\nThe Deadly Nightshade is a New England-based, all-female band consisting of musicians Pamela Brandt, Anne Bowen and Helen Hooke. As one of the first outspokenly feminist women’s rock bands in the United States, our musical repertoire (and attitude) has expanded over the years to encompass rock, soul, kick-ass country/bluegrass, and whatever else makes us and our audiences feel good.\nOur Vibe...\nThe Deadly Nightshade is a drummerless but very danceable high-energy female band playing our own original songs as well as covers and requests. Don’t let the violin fool you... we're electric... very; we play loud. But we also play with listeners' minds, contrasting direct, gutsy instrumentals with unexpectedly complex, melodic (and hey, even pretty sometimes) three-part harmonies.\nOur History...\nSince our first go-round in 1972 to 1978 — when we went from a Western Massachusetts bar band, to national tours with the likes of Billy Joel, not to mention two mainstream albums — several newer musical bands have adopted our name.* But make no mistake: we’re the ONLY grammy-nominated, all-female, “The Deadly Nightshade” band you’ll find in the Smithsonian Institution, in the archives of the Country Music Hall of Fame, AND in the Sophia Smith Collection of Women’s History (now there’s a combo for ya...).\nWhile all these years have naturally aged us, they never once mellowed us.\nThese other bands include an Italian death-metal Deadly Nightshade\n(without the vital \"The\" which, we feel, makes the name way funny),\nand the Australian Deadly Nightshades – like us, a trio; unlike us, acoustic.\nWe’re The Deadly Nightshade Band\nThe Deadly Nightshade: Please Check Your Coats, Guns, and Preconceptions at the Door.\n© 2009 The Deadly Nightshade. All rights reserved.\nThe Deadly Nightshade Band Home | The Deadly Nightshade Band | The Deadly Nightshade History | The Deadly Nightshade Music | The Deadly Nightshade Gallery\nThe Deadly Nightshade News | The Deadly Nightshade Fans | The Deadly Nightshade Schedule | Contact The Deadly Nightshade\nPamela Robin Brandt\nIt is with deep sadness and utmost sorrow\nthat we announce the loss of Pamela,\nsuddenly and unexpectedly,\nof a massive heart attack in her home\non Sunday August 2.\nWe started playing music together in 1967.\nIt is incomprehensible to us that we\ncannot do that any more.\nLight a candle for her and listen:\nhttps://www.youtube.com/Aint-I-A-Woman","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1987231"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9532756805419922,"wiki_prob":0.9532756805419922,"text":"Today in Music History...April 25, 2018 (Now with more info)\nMusic History: April 25nd:\n2007 \"Monster Mash\" singer Bobby \"Boris\" Pickett at age 69 of complications from leukemia.\n2004 Billy Joel, who is much better behind a piano than at the wheel of a car, gets in another car accident - his third in two years.\n2003 The parents of the late Doors frontman, Jim Morrison, sue the remaining members for touring with a new singer as \"The Doors 21st Century\" using the band's image and logo.\n2003 Liv Tyler, whose stepfather is Todd Rundgren and biological is Steven Tyler, marries Spacehog frontman Royston Langdon at a ceremony in New York attended by celebrity guests that include David Bowie and Kate Hudson. The couple split in 2008.\n2000 Papa Roach releases the album Infest, a nu-metal milestone with the hits \"Last Resort\" and \"Broken Home.\"\n2000 Eric Clapton is reunited with his former Derek and the Dominos keyboard player Bobby Whitlock for their first performance together in 29 years. The setting is the London-based BBC TV series Later With Jools Holland.\n1999 Funk percussionist Larry Troutman (of Zapp), age 54, fatally shoots his brother and bandmate Roger Troutman, age 47, outside a recording studio in Dayton, Ohio, before turning the gun on himself. With no known witnesses, the motive for the murder-suicide is unclear, but family members suggest conflict over finances.\n1995 Ginger Rogers, Academy Award-winning actress and longtime dance partner of Fred Astaire, dies at age 83 of a heart attack.\n1994 Eagles play the first of two identical shows at Burbank Studios for their appearance on MTV Unplugged, which will promote their upcoming reunion tour and album Hell Freezes Over.\n1993 Legendary album artist Stanley \"Mouse\" Miller, designer of Grateful Dead's \"skull and roses\" logo, has his upcoming liver transplant financed by the band.\n1993 RuPaul performs \"Supermodel (You Better Work)\" at the LGBT March on Washington.More\n1990 A London auction house sells the Fender Stratocaster on which Jimi Hendrix played the US national anthem at Woodstock for $295,000.\n1985 Exodus release their first studio album, Bonded By Blood.\n1985 The musical Big River, based on Mark Twain's work and featuring a score by Roger Miller, opens on Broadway. Miller would go on to win a Tony Award for the music.\n1981 Denny Laine leaves the trio Wings, essentially leaving Paul McCartney a solo act once more.\n1980 Pop singer Jacob Underwood (of O-Town) is born in El Cajon, California.\n1978 Bob Dylan records \"Changing Of The Guards.\"\n1978 Queen's \"We Are The Champions\" is certified Gold.\n1977 Christian singer-songwriter Matthew West is born in Downers Grove, Illinois.\n1975 A forebear to Michael Jackson's \"Thriller\" video, the Alice Cooper horror/music special Alice Cooper: The Nightmare (featuring Vincent Price) airs on ABC.\n1975 The original New York Dolls break up after Jerry Nolan and Johnny Thunders leave the band in the middle of a tour in Florida. They carry on with replacements into 1976, but disband that year, returning again in 2004.\n1974 Pamela Courson, who was Jim Morrison's girlfriend and the one who found him dead in a bathtub, dies of a heroin overdose at age 27.\n1974 The streaking fad hits its peak as Rolling Stone reports that Yes and Gregg Allman concerts have been interrupted by naked people running around.\n1973 Sweet's \"Little Willy\" is certified Gold.\n1970 In Nashville, James Brown records \"Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine.\" It's the first recording with his new band, which he hired in March when his previous group complained about how they were treated. The bass player in this new band is Bootsy Collins.\n1970 The Jackson 5 bump The Beatles (\"Let It Be\") off the top spot with \"ABC.\"\n1967 The Beatles record \"Magical Mystery Tour.\"\n1965 Alt rock bassist Eric Avery (of Jane's Addiction) is born in Los Angeles, California.\n1964 Synthpop singer Andy Bell (of Erasure) is born in Dogsthorpe, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England.\n1961 Elvis Presley makes his last stage appearance for nearly eight years, at Bloch Arena in Hawaii.\n1960 Thrash metal singer Paul Baloff (of Exodus) is born in San Francisco, California.\n1960 Elvis Presley scores his first #1 of the '60s (and 13th of his career) when \"Stuck on You\" hits the top spot.\n1960 Eddie Cochran is laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Cypress, California, six days after his untimely death in a car accident.\n1955 David Sikes (bass player for Boston, Giuffria) is born near Cambridge, England, but will be raised in California.\n1955 The UN's commission on narcotics releases a report stating \"definite connection between increased marijuana smoking and that form of entertainment known as bebop and rebop.\"\n1950 Steve Ferrone (drummer for Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, The Average White Band) is born in Brighton, England.\n1949 Baroque pop keyboardist Michael Brown (of The Left Banke) is born Michael David Lookofsky in New York to jazz violinist Harry Lookofsky.\n1946 Ronnie Gilbert (bass guitarist for Blues Magoos) is born.\n1945 Bjorn Ulvaeus (of ABBA) is born in Gothenburg, Sweden.\n1945 Stu Cook (bass guitarist for Creedence Clearwater Revival) is born in Oakland, California.\n1944 Michael Kogel (lead singer of Los Bravos) is born in Berlin, Germany.\n1932 Jazz tenor saxophonist Willis \"Gator\" Jackson is born in Miami, Florida.\n1923 Blues guitarist Albert King is born on a cotton plantation in Indianola, Mississippi.\n1923 Lyricist Jerry Leiber, who will go on to pen several Elvis Presley hits with composing partner Mike Stoller, is born in Baltimore, Maryland.\n1917 Jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald is born in Newport News, Virginia.\nMichael Bolton Found Guilty Of Ripping Off The Isley Brothers\nA jury rules that Michael Bolton's 1991 hit \"Love Is a Wonderful Thing\" plagiarizes The Isley Brothers 1966 song of the same name and awards $5.4 million in damages, the largest ever in a music plagiarism case.\n2006 Bruce Springsteen releases We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions, a collection of songs popularized by Pete Seeger. The album brings Seeger into the spotlight, drawing attention to his work as a musicologist and scion of folk music. \"I've managed to survive all these years by keeping a low profile,\" Seeger says. \"Now my cover's blown.\"\n2002 30-year-old Lisa \"Left Eye\" Lopes (of TLC) dies in a car accident in La Ceiba, Honduras, after swerving to avoid an oncoming vehicle and losing control. The only passenger fatally injured, she's thrown from the car and dies instantly.\n1999 It's Joe DiMaggio Day at Yankee Stadium, and Paul Simon performs \"Mrs. Robinson,\" which contains the classic line, \"Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio?\"\n1992 \"Jump\" by Kris Kross hits #1 in the US, where it stays for eight weeks. Kris Kross is the rap duo of Chris Kelly and Chris Smith, who are both 13. The track is produced by Jermaine Dupri, who goes on to supply beats for another youngster: Lil Bow Wow.\n1977 Elvis Presley makes his last-ever recordings at a session after a show in Saginaw, Michigan.\nLabels: Music, Music Artists, Music Awards, Music Blog, Music Events, Music groups, Music Hits, Music Industry, Music News, Musicians, radio, Radio DJ info, RememberRadio.net, This Day In Music History","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1966209"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9934790134429932,"wiki_prob":0.9934790134429932,"text":"Central Dauphin wrestler Josh Miller puts total focus on senior season after making commitment to Air Force\nCentral Dauphin's Josh Miller wins the 126 pound District 3 class 3A wrestling championship with a 9-5 decision over Cole Wilson, Northeastern, at Spring Grove High School, Feb. 22, 2020. Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com\nBy Dustin Hockensmith | dhockensmith@pennlive.com\nCentral Dauphin wrestler Josh Miller had fallen into unknown and uncertain territory as part of a senior class facing a unique struggle through a pandemic. Miller proved last postseason that he deserved an opportunity to compete at the next level, but he wasn’t alone in finding those chances to be much fewer and further between.\nCollege visits weren’t possible and rosters were stocked with veterans who were back with an extra year of eligibility, but Miller waited it out and found the perfect fit. He gave his commitment to the Air Force Academy in late December and got that monkey off his back just in time for his senior season.\nThat door is exactly the kind Miller hoped wrestling could open for him when he got started as a kid. He’s a “3.9 or 4.0 GPA student,” coach Jeff Sweigard said, but found that wrestling still held the key.\n“It’s a great opportunity,” Miller said. “Kids have spent all their high school year trying to get in and still don’t get in, and I got in easily.”\nMiller said he was “pulled in” by a Zoom call with Air Force and committed shortly after, which brings a much-needed sense of peace for a shortened and chaotic senior season ahead.\nMiller is a returning sectional and District 3 champion at 126 pounds and a fifth-place state medalist who wrestled his way onto the podium at the PIAA championships on an injured knee.\nThe whole season could be considered a breakout for Miller, but his biggest moment perhaps came in the District 3 finals, when he won a 9-5 decision over Northeastern’s Cole Wilson. That result was a total shift from Wilson’s 16-8 major decision win over Miller earlier in the year.\nSweigard hinted that Miller’s best wrestling is still ahead of him, too, which is what he told colleges when he made calls on Miller’s behalf. Sweigard said he got a message from Air Force, left a message for the coaches, and found out Miller had committed 48 hours later.\n“I think Air Force Academy is going to be good for him,” Sweigard said. “I can see him fitting in wherever he goes because he’s just that kind of kid. He loves to wrestle. He’s friendly. He puts the time in. He’s got to back off on wrestling like he’s behind by five all the time. The fans like it. The coaches don’t.”\nMiller can take that feedback and apply with a little less pressure on him this season. His longer-term future is mapped out, and now it’s all about preparing for his deepest postseason run yet.\n“I’ve just got to keep working hard, and now I know what I’m doing for college,” Miller said. “I don’t have to worry about that. I can just focus now.”","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1595552"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7869434952735901,"wiki_prob":0.7869434952735901,"text":"This Data Visualization Tool Shines A Light On Money And Politics\nHolding individual politicians to account in an age of big data should be more than possible. It should be trivially easy. The basic challenge is surfacing salient details amid ongoing noise — which is exactly where technology tools can shine.\nRobust local news media, which traditionally played the scrutinizing role, has undoubtedly been weakened by the Internet. Which is why Solomon Kahn, who runs Paperless Post’s data team during the day, is building (and crowdfunding) a data visualization tool for U.S. political campaign contributions — to make it easier to follow the money to identify any corrupting influences on federal politicians.\nHe wants it to be a tool for journalists, as well as a way for the U.S. public to more easily understand their political representative’s corporate/union interests. He’s aiming for each politician tracked by the tool to have an overview landing page where salient details about how they finance their political campaign are surfaced. Users will be able to submit any notable details they discover — so he’s also looking to foster and host crowdsourced reportage on the platform. Very cool.\nThe tool, which is still in development at this point (and which Kahn plans to open source), offers an overview of proportional donations flowing to an individual politician by industry sector over time, as well as letting users drill down to inspect specific donations — to make it easier to identify things like patterns of donations coming from employees of a single company. All of which can then be cross-referenced with a politician’s voting record.\n“I was looking for a side project where I could use my data skills to do something good for the world. I thought that money in politics was a big problem, and also an area with a lot of data, but not a lot of visibility by the public or reporters, as to what was really going on. I figured I would take a shot at building something, and it turned out much better than I expected!” says Kahn, explaining the genesis of the project.\nThe tool, which he’s called Explore Campaign Finance, uses a cleaned up form of the data outputted by the Federal Election Commission, from an organization called OpenSecrets. It has campaign contribution data on more than 24,000 federal politicians over the past 25 years.\n“People have already built some great tools to look at campaign finance data, even though they aren’t as full featured as this. The programming frameworks to make a project like this haven’t been around for so long, and there aren’t that many people who know them. Additionally, if an organization wanted to build a project like this, it would be pretty expensive, and although people are donating money to fight against money in politics, it’s at a different scale than the people who are donating massive amounts of money to politicians,” he adds.\n“No single person or media organization could possibly investigate the funding sources of 24,000 federal politicians, but with the help of the internet, we might actually be able to hold every single politician accountable for how they raise money.”\nAt the time of writing Kahn has almost reached the $15,000 fundraising goal on his Kickstarter campaign. He’s aiming to use the money to pay for the servers to run the tool and for outreach to journalists to get them using the tool as a reporting aid.\nMore details in his explainer video below.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1862234"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5372191071510315,"wiki_prob":0.4627808928489685,"text":"Pride of Polmont\nCharlotte Bozic attended the premiere of ‘Home: A Philosophy’, performed by inmates at HMYOI Polmont.\nI was lucky enough to be invited to attend the performance of ‘Home; A Philosophy’ devised by Jeremy Weller and Mark Traynor of the Grassmarket Project in partnership with Fife College and Creative Scotland, and written and performed by Polmont HMYOI inmates.\nAccording to the invite, the performance and story was based upon the experiences of six young men who think they are free, in fact, they are in prisons everywhere: the prison of their bodies, physically held but most of all, they are held in a prison of their own personal anguish. They search for ‘home’ through love, amongst their friends and in trying to change their lives, find a way to begin again.\nThe audience included family members, some of whom had made a long journey to be there. It gave an added sense of pride and joy to the afternoon, which I felt privileged to be part of.\nAfter a long wait, which nobody seemed particularly perturbed by, the actors entered the room in high spirits. The sense of trust and goodwill between the young men and their teachers described by Jeremy and Mark was evident; as Jeremy joked: “Sometimes they were the ones doing the directing!”\nAnother thing that stood out, and was commented on by everyone, was their bravery. To stand up in front of an audience and your peers is daunting at the best of times, but to do it when you’ve never done anything like it before, and have been told that you’d never be capable of doing such a thing, takes a huge amount of courage to screw to the sticking place and not fail.\nAfter their initial shyness, the actors simply shone. Delivery was sometimes mumbled, bursts of laughter were inevitable, but none of it mattered – what captivated us the young men on stage, sharing their lives, hearts, dreams and disappointments.\nThe format of the play followed the lives of two young men as they were released from Polmont. Both made strong attempts to fit back into civilian life – but as one of them admitted: “No matter how hard I try, I always end up going back and doing the same thing”.\nWeaving throughout the narrative were true life accounts from the performers, either relating to their own experiences or those of others. One lad described how six months in Afghanistan had changed his perspective on death; another confided how taking ecstasy had affected his personality. All were honest, and all were deeply moving. I didn’t feel pity, only respect and admiration. These are the young men you read about in the headlines, the ones we’re meant to fear. Yet as flawed as they are (as we all may be) they came across as honest, vulnerable…and very young.\nIt reminded me of a conversation I had with Positive Prison? Positive Futures…at last week’s youth justice conference. The man I was chatting to had served time and wanted to help others in the same situation. He told me just how hard it is to reintegrate back into the ‘ordinary’ world after serving your sentence. This was echoed by one of the actors, who admitted: “I like the routine that comes with jail. Once you’re out, the buzz of seeing your family and friends wears off…and you get back to your old ways. I like being back (in jail) because I have a routine again.”\nLaughter warmed the afternoon, with some wickedly well-timed asides from the actors. A performance by J, a strapping six foot inmate as ‘Sandra’ caused much mirth – particularly amongst his watching family!\nIt was clear to me that acting gives the young men the chance to be themselves, to act out their frustrations and encourage them to achieve what they didn’t think was possible. When I spoke to Jeremy Weller of the Grassmarket Project, which supports people through transitions in their lives and re-connects disengaged people, he strongly agreed.\n“Drama gives the boys a space to let off steam, and vent their feelings,” he explained. “The art is just a framework for everything else, for emotions to be played out. Through this, we’re able to give the boys an opportunity to explore who they really are.”\nA buffet followed the play, giving the inmates valuable time to spend with their families and mingle with the audience. One inmate told us how much the drama workshop gave him something to look forward to, another confessed that acting is something he’d like to pursue, and we even got an autograph, signed on a paper plate. The sense of pride in the room was tangible, as families chatted, inmates teased each other and praise was given again and again.\nThe only reminder that Polmont is a prison came when the order for time up was given, albeit respectfully. As we filed out gratefully from the overheated room, looked forward to feeling the fresh air on our faces, I couldn’t help think of the proud young men who would be returning to their cells. But hopefully, with a sense of achievement and renewed determination.\nPerhaps the best words to finish on are from J aka Sandra:\n“They say every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future…and I’m looking forward to mine.”\nCharlotte Bozic is Knowledge Exchange Officer for CYCJ. She manages the Centre’s marketing and communications activities, including digital marketing, media relations, design and branding. Read more about Charlotte.\nOne response to “Pride of Polmont”\nJeremy Weller says:\nHi Charlotte, Thank you for this. I want to put it on to my LINLEDIN PAGE, is that ok? How do i do that? Cheers,\narts based interventions, Polmont, youth justice","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line518136"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9879565834999084,"wiki_prob":0.9879565834999084,"text":"The SCG Test: welcome to our hotspot\nIf this gives you an odd feeling, it doesn't mean you need a COVID-19 test. But you might need to lie down for a while.\n\"The decision [to play the third Test in Sydney] is no doubt recognition of the flexibility demonstrated by the SCG, Cricket NSW and the NSW government in saving the recent one-day and T20 international series against India that started the summer of cricket.\"\nIt sounds like Peter V'Landys, the chairman of everything in NSW. In fact, it's Tony Shepherd, the chairman of everything else in NSW, but in this instance wearing his Venues NSW hat.\nThe Test summer would be a lesser thing without the SCG Test. Credit:Getty Images\nThis is the thinking that has threaded negotiations about where the third Test should be played: when Queensland would not provide quarantine for the incoming Indians and Australian players returning from the IPL in October, NSW did and so deserve their reward.\nI don't doubt that many other factors were taken into account, foremost public health. And I didn't come down in the last shower. I understand realpolitik. But realpolitik speaks for itself. It doesn't blurt. \"We had a full-court press from NSW,\" Shepherd told The Australian, \"government, the SCG, the media - everybody on the same team, all pushing for the Test.\"\nAgainst such might - sorry, right - what is one or two or 18 new COVID-19 cases around Sydney on Wednesday?\nWhen complications surrounding the Sydney Test started to become acute last week, it was Shepherd's idea to seal off Sydney by playing both the last two Tests there. Brisbane could go jump. Paul Keating would have been proud. Fortunately, the idea was hydroxychloroquined.\nTo forestall accusations of parochialism, I'm with Victorian sports minister Martin Pakula and MCC chief executive Stuart Fox in wanting Sydney to have its cricket match. The Sydney New Year Test has its own tradition and flavour, perfectly complementing Boxing Day at the MCG. I've been there often enough to appreciate it. The Test summer would be a lesser thing without it.\nBut the virus doesn't understand this. It doesn't understand lore and history. It doesn't understand justice and reason. It doesn't understand risk and reward. It has only slightly more of a conscience than Donald Trump.\nShepherd himself has had a bit of trouble tracking its virulence. When in April it was first mooted that the AFL would set up hubs in Sydney, he fretted that they would become the new cruise ships. Later, he thought they could be vehicles to showcase the game in NSW (he is also chairman of the Giants).\nTony Shepherd. Credit:Getty Images\nLater still, he railed against shutdowns. \"Stop looking for the easy way out, which is to shut everything down and lock everybody in their homes,\" he told the AFR in October. \"This is nonsense. We've shown we can live with it, we've shown we can effectively conduct business, we've shown with rigorous contact tracing and enforcement protocols, we can protect people.\"\nElsewhere in the world, they're learning to live with it. Like the UK, where Monday's Manchester City-Everton match was postponed because of 18 newly diagnosed cases and there has been a call to suspend the season immediately for two weeks. \"I am 66 years old and the last thing I want to do is catch COVID,\" said West Bromwich Albion manager Sam Allardyce. \"I'm very concerned for myself and football in general. If [a break] is what needs to be done, we need to do it.\"\nLike in the US, where the prestigious Indian Wells tennis tournament, set down for March, has already been postponed again.\nLike South Africa, where the government has just strengthened a curfew and banned any sort of gathering for two weeks (and where cricket would love to have a crowd to ban). The Australian cricket team is due there in February.\nAustralia by and large has avoided the world's COVID-19 calamity. It hasn't been by accident. We've been thorough and careful, to some minds timid, to most prudent. We've trusted our governments, who've trusted our public health officials. We trust now that public health advice was at the top of the agenda in the talks about the Sydney Test.\nBut the fact is that Sydney is tightening its anti-COVID cordon. Scaled down New Year's Eve fireworks, 30 people in an outdoors gathering instead of 50, five instead of 10 at home … but in a week's time at the SCG, oh, I don't know, maybe 50 per cent of capacity, maybe more, but heh, there'll be masks available at the gate. This part of the regime sounds like public health policy on the run, and we in Victoria know how well that works.\nIt was one thing when the AFL, NRL, netball and women's basketball evacuated hotspots. It's quite another that Cricket Australia is moving its operation into one. Acting chief medical officer Paul Kelly approves of the suite of precautions cricket authorities are implementing around the Sydney Test. But, though a self-acknowledged cricket fanatic, he won't be taking his family.\nGreg Baum is chief sports columnist and associate editor with The Age.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line308288"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9368796348571777,"wiki_prob":0.9368796348571777,"text":"Saturday’s Eric Church concert isn’t just a hot ticket, it’s likely to go down as one of the largest crowds in Resch Center history.\nOne of 60-plus stops on his Holdin’ My Own Tour, the show sold out in September quicker than you can say “Mr. Misunderstood.” It was a repeat performance of Church’s last Resch show in 2014, which was also fast to sell out. He was greeted by a crowd of 9,816 that night.\nThis weekend’s concert is among the early dates on the tour, which launched Jan. 13 in Lincoln, Neb., and has Church on the road without opening acts. Instead, he’s playing two full sets with an intermission; shows have been clocking in at three hours.\nBecause of the expected large attendance, PMI Entertainment Group, which manages the Resch, is asking fans to arrive early and allow plenty of time to get through security lines.\nAll patrons and bags will be checked outside the arena doors. Concertgoers are encouraged to travel light to help speed up the process.\nDoors will open at 6:30 p.m. for the 8 p.m. concert.\nOnly small digital cameras will be allowed in the arena.\nChurch, who has been adamant about keeping tickets out of the hands of scalpers, used an on-sale process in which fans do not receive their tickets until just days before the concert they’re attending. Fans who elected to get their tickets via mobile device or to print at home won’t receive those notifications until Thursday morning.\nFor those who picking up tickets at will call, the Resch box office will open at 10 a.m. Saturday for any patrons who wish to get their tickets earlier in the day.\nRELATED: Jason Aldean lists a Green Bay tour stop\nRELATED: Scalpers be warned: ticket info for Eric Church\nRemembering Allsup at Riverside\nThe death last week of guitarist Tommy Allsup at age 85 didn’t dominate headlines, but it’s significant to the history of the Winter Dance Party at the Riverside Ballroom.\nAllsup was in Buddy Holly’s band on the cold night of the ill-fated tour with Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson (The Big Bopper) played the Riverside on Feb. 1, 1959. By the time Holly and his entourage, which also included bass player Waylon Jennings, finished their show the next night in Clear Lake, Iowa, seats on a plane Holly chartered for Fargo, N.D., were at a premium. Allsup and Valens flipped a coin for a seat. Allsup lost, putting him back on the bus and not on the plane that crashed in a cornfield outside of Clear Lake, killing Holly, Valens and The Big Bopper.\nAllsup, who went on to become a renowned session player, returned to the Riverside in 2008 as a special guest of John Mueller’s annual re-creation of the Winter Dance Party. It was his first time back on that stage in 49 years. Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt presented him with a key to the city and a proclaimed it Tommy Allsup Day in the city.\nIn an interview with Green Bay Press-Gazette that year, Allsup recalled arriving by train from Duluth, Minn., in 1959 after the tour’s bus broke down in the winter weather.\n“I remember Green Bay real well. I remember the night we played it and I remember how cold it was. We got in on a train late that afternoon from up north. I remember when we left the hotel and we came over in this taxi and the bell clerk said, ‘Be sure to put something over your mouth before you go outside and breathe that air.’ It was cold.”\nThis year’s Winter Dance Party featuring Mueller as Holly is Jan. 27 at the Riverside. Tickets are $30 at the ballroom box office.\n‘Bachelor’ at the Paine\nThe Paine Art Center and Gardens in Oshkosh will be featured on Monday’s episode of “The Bachelor” at 7 p.m. on ABC. The reality show filmed indoor and outdoor scenes at the 1920s mansion on Oct. 7, giving the staff just a single day’s notice before they arrived. About 50 cast and crew members were on site for the shoot, including star and Wisconsin native Nick Viall and his bachelorettes, who all arrived after dark — and, we can only hope, sans the aerosol whipped cream of this week.\nNext week’s episode will also feature scenes shot in October at Knigge Farms in Omro.\nRingling Bros. at Resch\nA bit of trivia on the heels of last weekend’s news that Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will end its 146-year run in May. The circus was the first family event booked at the Resch Center when it opened in 2002. “The Greatest Show on Earth” was in town for four days during the arena’s grand opening.\nIt had previously played Brown County Veterans Memorial Arena in 1997, its first Green Bay visit in almost 20 years. Its star attraction at the time was Airiana The Human Arrow, who was billed to travel 60 mph from a 5,000-pound crossbow.\nkmeinert@pressgazettemedia.com and follow her on Twitter @KendraMeinert","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1217513"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5798118710517883,"wiki_prob":0.42018812894821167,"text":"​SPONSORED BY:\nBalance the Scales\n​Last week, SB 415 was introduced in the Senate by Senator Steve Gooch (R), Dahlonega. On Thursday, a large and diverse group of small businesses, health care providers, and trade association (including CBA) held a press conference at the State Capitol along with numerous Senators to applaud the introduction of the bill. Click Here for more information on supporters of the bill\nThis legislation—which was the result of months of work by the Senate Study Committee on Reducing Georgia’s Cost of Doing Business—aims to reduce frivolously litigation and ensures that small businesses, health care providers, the agriculture industry, and countless others have an even playing field in Georgia’s legal system.\nFor more information on the bill and the issues that it addresses, please visit https://www.balancethescalesga.com/. We urge you to contact your Senators and ask that they vote for SB 415.\nThe bill was presented to the Senate Insurance & Labor Subcommittee on Wednesday morning with the Committee hearing approximately two hours of testimony. On Friday afternoon, the Subcommittee heard language from the author of the bill that would amended the bill. The bill as amended received a do pass by committee substitute.\n​We’ve officially made it halfway through the 40 day session. This week, the legislature completed days 17 through 21 of the session.\nHB 488 was presented to the House Judiciary Non-Civil Reeves Subcommittee by Rep. Martin Momtahan (R), Dallas on Thursday. Several proposed amendments were heard by the committee though only one amendment was made to the bill. The amendment does not impact the financial industry. The bill was passed by the Committee. On Friday morning, the bill was presented to the House Judiciary Non-Civil Full Committee and was passed by the Committee. CBA will continue to monitor the progress of this bill.\nHB 523 deals with short term rentals and was presented to the House Regulated Industries Committee by Rep. Kasey Carpenter (R), Dalton, and was passed as a committee substitute on February 5, 2020. The changes made relate to equal treatment of all rentals. This is no longer a short term rental bill and relates to any type of rental properties. It will prohibit any additional licenses or registrations of rental properties.\nHB 781 was presented to the Senate Banking & Financial Institutions Committee on Tuesday by Rep. Bruce Williamson (R), Monroe. This was a hearing only so no action was taken on the bill. Chairman William T. Ligon, Jr. (R), Brunswick indicated that there would be a vote at next week’s meeting.\nHB 785 was presented to the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday by Rep. Joseph Gullett (R), Dallas. This bill deals with electronic notarizations and remote online notarizations. There were several groups that testified in support of the bill and there were several groups opposed to the bill as it relates to real estate closings. Given the number of comments heard during testimony and questions from Committee members, there is a lot of work that needs to be done on the bill before it will be able to advance. The author of the bill committed to working with all parties to draft language that would be amenable to all parties.\nHB 955 was introduced in the House by Rep. Chuck Efstration (R), Dacula. The bill was assigned to the House Judiciary Committee. This bill deals with elder abuse and financial exploitation. The bill makes failure to report abuse or exploitation a high and aggravated misdemeanor instead of a misdemeanor. The change in severity of the crime and burden that it places on our institutions (i.e. tellers, CSRs) is troubling and CBA opposes the bill as drafted. CBA is working with the author of the bill to see if language can be tweaked.\nHB 968 was introduced in the House by Rep. Chuck Efstration (R), Dacula. The bill was assigned to the House Judiciary Committee. The bill relates to a court of appeals decision relating to warranties. The decision shifted warranties to a mandated eight year expiration instead of the stated warranty given by a company. For example, if someone purchased a new roof with a 25 year warranty, the warranty would no longer be valid after eight years. The bill passed unanimously by the committee on Tuesday and was placed on the House Rules Calendar for a vote on Day 22 of the session.\nHB 969 was introduced in the House by Rep. Chuck Efstration (R), Dacula. The bill was assigned to the House Judiciary Committee. The bill relates to fair housing and pertains to the unlawful practice in selling or renting dwellings and the procedures, remedies, and judicial review related to this. The bill was passed by the Committee on Tuesday.\nHB 987 was introduced in the House by Rep. Sharon Cooper (R), Marietta. The bill was assigned to the Health and Human Services Committee. The bill relates to the “Disabled Adults and Elder Persons Protection Act”. The bill states that no person shall discriminate or retaliate in any manner again any person who makes a report of elder abuse or financial exploitation or any disable adult or elder person that is the subject of the report. The bill was passed by the Committee. The bill was passed by the House with a vote of 160-1 on Friday.\nHB 1008 was introduced in the House by Rep. Joe Campbell (R), Camilla. The bill was assigned to the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee. This bill deals with factory built building and dwellings. The bill revises language to state that the structure may or may not contain a metal chassis. CBA will monitor the progress of this bill.\nHR 875 was presented to the Special Rules Committee by Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick (D), Lithonia, on Tuesday. This was a hearing only presentation.\nHR 933 was presented to the Special Rules Committee by Rep. William Boddie (D), East Point, on Tuesday. The Resolution was passed by the Committee.\nHR 1093 was introduced in the House by Rep. Don Parsons (R), Marietta. This Resolution establishes a Joint Study Committee on Cybersecurity. The Resolution was passed by Energy , Utilities & Communications Committee on Wednesday. CBA will monitor the progress of this resolution.\nSB 429 was introduced in the Senate by Senator William T. Ligon, Jr. (R), Brunswick. The bill was assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee. In addition to other areas of the law, this bill makes a few code revisions under Title 7. The bill was passed by the Committee on Wednesday.\nSB 442 was introduced in the Senate by Senator William T. Ligon, Jr. (R), Brunswick. The bill was assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee. This bill prohibits amendments to property owners’ association instruments and covenants that restrict rental of residential lots and plots. CBA will monitor the progress of this bill.\nSB 443 was introduced in the Senate by Senator Jesse Stone (R), Waynesboro. The bill was assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee. This bill relates to procedures for garnishment proceedings. CBA is reviewing the bill in detail and trying to determine if there are any adverse impacts for financial institutions. CBA will monitor the progress of this bill.\nSB 462 was in the Senate Hopper on Friday. The author of the bill is Senator John F. Kennedy (R), Macon. At the time of this article, a copy of the proposed bill was not available. The description of the bill states that the bill will transfer duties, powers, responsibilities, and other authority relative to industrial loans from the Industrial Loan Commissioner to the Department of Banking & Finance. CBA will monitor the progress of this bill.\nDepartment's Housekeeping Bill\n​HB 781 was presented on the House Floor on Tuesday by Representative Bruce Williamson (R), Monroe. This is the Department of Banking and Finance’s annual housekeeping bill. The bill passed the House with a vote of 167-0. Now the bill moves to the Senate. We anticipate the bill will be presented to the Senate Banking & Financial Institutions Committee next week.\nWe will continue to monitor the bill as it progresses.\nGeorgia Municipal and Local Government Infrastructure Finance Authority Act\n​SB 309 was presented to the State and Local Government Operations Committee on Tuesday by Senator Jesse Stone (R), Waynesboro. This bill establishes the Georgia Municipal and Local Government Infrastructure Finance Authority Act. The bill provides a mechanism through which local governments may finance infrastructure at lower prevailing costs to make such mechanism available to the largest number of local governments feasible.\nPrior to the meeting, CBA discussed this bill with our Board of Directors and CBA’s general counsel to determine if there were any major objections to this bill or if any aspects of the bill would have a material impact to community banks. Board members indicated that while this may change the municipal bond market somewhat there were no objections to the bill unless this bill changes anything relating to Tax Anticipation Notes (TAN) that community banks make.\nDuring the hearing, Senator Stone stated that there was no intention of changing the current practices for community banks. If a bank wants to move forward, then they can with existing bond counsel. The bill only relates to revenue bonds not general obligations for municipalities or cities/counties. Bank can continue to use the relationships that they have built over the years to meet the financing needs of the municipalities and cities/counties. While Georgia Bankers Association testified during the hearing that they opposed the bill from a competition standpoint, CBA remained neutral on this bill as we do not believe this bill has a significant impact on the community banking industry. After reviewing research provided by the Georgia Municipal Association, most of the lending that is done on capital expenditures for municipalities is done by big banks. Community banks do not engage in this type of specialized lending on a routine basis. Should your bank have objections to this legislation, then please contact CBA to discuss your concerns. The bill was passed unanimously by the Committee.\nHemp and Cannabis Banking\n​HB 847 was presented to the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee Representative John Corbett (R), Lake Park on Tuesday. This Bill relates to hemp farming and establishes certain state requirements in order to comply with federal laws and regulations. This bill is a clean up from HB 213 from last session. The USDA did not come out with rules and regulations until last year. The bill clarifies the ability of a greenhouse grower to sell to a farmer. In addition, clarification was added so that college and universities can conduct research for third parties.\nThe author of the bill was very clear that Hemp is not a controlled substance and therefore not subject to civil forfeiture laws. The prosecuting attorney’s council testified that this is indeed true. Numerous questions were raised by several legislators about whether or not the bill may be criminalizing hemp and contradicting with federal law. The core issue during the discussion was presented by the criminal defense attorneys as the lack of willingness or affordability of a test for field officers. Both the author of the bill and the chairman of the committee indicated that as long as the transporter has the proper paper documentation with them as it relates to Hemp, then there should not be any issues.\nThe bill was passed by the Committee. CBA will continue to monitor the progress of the bill.\n​This week, the legislature was back from the break last week and completed days 13 through 16 of the 40 day session. The break was designed to allow House members the time to thoroughly review the budget during appropriations meetings. The supplemental budget was presented to the House on Wednesday and HB 792 passed with a vote of 126-46.\nHB 865 was introduced in the House by Rep. Mitchell Scoggins (R), Cartersville. While the majority of this bill relates to code revision of the “Revised Probate Code of 1998”, there is a section in the bill that impacts Title 7 as it relates to deposits of deceased intestate depositors CBA has discussed our concerns with the author of the bill. The author and the Georgia Bar have worked to revise the bill to address our concerns related to the process for paying out funds pursuant to an affidavit from heirs, a funeral home, or a medical provider. However, the latest draft of the bill still contains provisions that would alter a bank’s duties upon receipt of notice from a court or other parties. This is a substantial change from the current law. The bill is not yet on the Committee schedule for a hearing. We will continue to monitor the progress of the bill.\nHB 969 was in the House Hopper on Friday. The author of the bill is Rep. Chuck Efstration (R), Dacula. The bill relates to fair housing and pertains to the unlawful practice in selling or renting dwellings and the procedures, remedies, and judicial review related to this. CBA will monitor this bill.\nHB 978 was in the House Hopper on Friday. The author of the bill is Rep. Bee Nguyen (D), Atlanta. The bill relates to the “Disabled Adults and Elder Persons Protection Act”. The bill prohibits retaliation against a person relating to a report that a disabled adult or elder person is in need of protective services or has been the victim of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. CBA will be monitoring the bill to make sure this does not cause a private cause of action for our bankers.\nHR 1093 was introduced in the House by Rep. Don Parsons (R), Marietta. This Resolution establishes a Joint Study Committee on Cybersecurity. CBA will monitor the progress of this resolution.\nSB 315 was presented to the Senate Judiciary Committee by Senator Lindsey Tippins (R), Marietta. This bill relates to mechanics and materialmen liens and rights. The bill was passed by the Senate on Friday with a vote of 53-0.\nSB 390 was introduced in the Senate by Senator Steve Gooch (R), Dahlonega. This bill is a tort reform bill that would streamline the process of litigation and reduce costs for Georgia’s industries, small businesses, and citizens. The bill was assigned to the Judiciary Committee.\nSB 415 was introduced in the Senate by Senator Steve Gooch (R), Dahlonega. This bill is a tort reform bill that would streamline the process of litigation and reduce costs for Georgia’s industries, small businesses, and citizens. This bill is virtually the same as SB 390; however, Part I, Section 1-1 of SB 390 was deleted. This is the priority bill for NFIB that was discussed at CBA’s Small Business Day at the Dome. The bill was assigned to the Insurance Committee.\nState Budget and its impact on the Legislative Session\nDays 10 through 12 of the session are now in the books. On Wednesday, the legislature passed SR 712 that outlined a new adjournment and meeting schedule for the legislative session through crossover day. Changes were made to the calendar for the session as the House needed more time to work on the state budget. Now, the legislature will be adjourned until February 18, 2020 in order to have time to work on the budget. The one constitutional mandate for each legislative session is balancing the state budget. Given the budget deficit of $300 million, the legislature is hard at work to determine where cuts are needed for all state agencies. The Governor has provided a proposed amended budget for 2020 and state agencies have been called before the legislature to explain the impact to each of their departments directly.\nOn Wednesday, the Department of Banking & Finance (Department) presented their budget to the Appropriations General Government Subcommittee. In an effort to illustrate how the state budget impacts a department that is important to our industry, I want to outline the comments made during the meeting by Commissioner Kevin Hagler. The Department’s revenues total $23 million while their budget is $13 million, which means the Department contributes $10 million in revenues to the State of Georgia as they do not have a designated fund for their revenues. The Department is funded 100% by state funds and they do not take any federal funds. Governor Brian Kemp has asked state departments to cut 4% for the current fiscal year (July 1st-June 30, 2020) and 6% for the 2021 fiscal year (July 1st-June 30, 2021). 85% of the Department’s budget is related to personnel costs so there are no easy cuts for them to make. The current headcount for Department employees is 108 positions, but the cuts will result in a headcount of 102 positions. The Supervision Division (insured institutions-banks, credit unions, holding companies) will feel the most impact as four of the positions will come from their headcounts. There is one vacant position that will be eliminated and three retirements and those positions will not be replaced. The Department had a Chief Information Officer position that was vacated a year ago and they will not replace that position either. One employee in support services will be a reduction in force. With all of these changes, the Department had to reallocate the funds that are in their budget. For the 2020 amended budget, the training budget will also be cut.\nFor the 2021 budget, the Supervision Division will cut another position that will result from a retirement. Funds for real estate will be reduced as the Department has made a decision to close the Loganville field office. Those employees will either work from home or be provided a landing spot at the main office of the Department. While examiners are typically on-site at institutions for the majority of the time, the trend in the regulatory industry has been one of moving to reviewing bank information remotely and electronically, which would actually result in the examiners being in the office more often. This makes the decision to close the Loganville office that much tougher. Telephone and internet charges will be reduced in the 2020 budget as a result of the office closure. One of the other major changes for the 2021 budget would include moving the Georgia Industrial Loan Act (GILA) from the Office of the Insurance Commissioner to the Department. The budget for the GILA transfer would result in an increase of funds to th Department of $487,000. Commissioner Hagler indicated that this transfer is a result of an audit that noted that efficiencies could be realized by moving GILA to the Department. The Department currently licenses 18,000 entities through their non-depository division through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System & Registry (NMLS). The Department would use NMLS to license the GILA licensees and would likely license the main office instead of all branch offices of GILA companies. In addition, Commissioner Hagler would like to transition to risk focused examinations of GILA licensees instead of the requirement to perform an examination annually. This is consistent with how the Department regulates the other non-depository licensees. The Department is working with legislative counsel on a bill that would move GILA to the Department. The Department will continue with business as usual until the legislation is passed. The expected transition date is July 1st.\nCommissioner Hagler was asked whether or not the Department would continue to provide $10 million in excess funds to the State in 2021. He indicated that the BB&T and SunTrust merger would result in a loss of fees totaling $6 million. Therefore, it is expected that the Department will still be accretive to the State Budget by $4 million. Commissioner Hagler was asked clarifying questions by several legislators as to whether the reductions in force were an elimination of vacant positions or an actual reduction in working employees. Hagler clarified that the reductions are a reduction of working employees (retirements or reduction in force not being replaced) and would result in a actual reduction in head count.\n​HB 488 was presented to the House Judiciary Non-Civil Reeves Subcommittee by Rep. Martin Momtahan (R), Dallas. This bill relates to selling of store value gift cards. During last session, CBA worked with the author of the bill to address concerns that we had with the bill as drafted. The author of the bill worked during the off-session to come up with language that would be amendable to financial institutions. As presented to the Subcommittee this week, the changes made by the author sufficiently address our concerns. The meeting was a hearing only for the bill and no action was taken.\nHB 781 was placed on the House Rules Calendar for Day 13 of the session and should be voted upon by the House. This is the Department of Banking and Finance’s annual housekeeping bill.\nHB 865 was introduced in the House by Rep. Mitchell Scoggins (R), Cartersville. While the majority of this bill relates to code revision of the “Revised Probate Code of 1998”, there is a section in the bill that impacts Title 7 as it relates to deposits of deceased intestate depositors As written, CBA has concerns with the bill in that it shifts the responsibility of determining the persons entitled to receive any funds, and the priority with which funds are paid to such persons, to the financial institution. This bill was originally assigned to the Code Revision Committee, but was later withdrawn and reassigned to the House Judiciary Committee.\nSB 315 was presented to the Senate Judiciary Committee by Senator Lindsey Tippins (R), Marietta. This bill relates to mechanics and materialmen liens and rights. The bill was passed as drafted and no changes were made by the Committee.\nSmall Business Day at the Dome - NEXT WEEK!\nWhile the legislature will not be in session next Wednesday, the event will still go on! We have made changes to the morning schedule for our bankers to include a discussion with State Treasurer Lynne Riley regarding SB 157 that was passed last session and the possibility of placing state deposits using the structure outlined in SB 157. ​\n​CBA has Partnered with NFIB to present the Small Business Day at the Dome. This important event is a chance for you to hear from key government leaders as well as network with other small business owners to get a first-hand account to what is happening in the Peach State! Governor Brian Kemp and Vince Dooley are confirmed speakers for our event. Registration is now open for this event.\nLori Godfrey\nEVP, Chief of Staff, Government & Regulatory Relations\nTyler Eck\nGovernment and Regulatory Relations Associate\nLegislation CBA is Tracking\nUpdate Archives\nCBA ADVOCACY OVERVIEW","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1737853"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7752695083618164,"wiki_prob":0.7752695083618164,"text":"As a host and weatherman of NBC’s Today Show, along with Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb, Al Roker has the undivided attention of the nation (over 30 million viewers per week) every weekday morning as America prepares for school and work.\nSpanning more than 40 years on TV and 13 Emmy awards, Al conducts interviews with celebrities and newsmakers around the world and does a wide variety of segments on every imaginable subject. Al also co-anchors the popular Third Hour of Today, presenting lifestyle segments that touch all Americans.\nIn addition to his on-air NBC duties, Al also hosts Off The Rails with Dylan Dreyer and Sheinelle Jones, Tuesdays on TODAY Radio on SiriusXM, and COLD CUTS with Al Roker on Today.com and YouTube as part of the Today Originals series.\nAl is also an accomplished television producer. He is the owner and CEO of Al Roker Entertainment, Inc. creating a vast array of programs for cable, digital, social media, and home video. Notably, Al was the Executive Producer of the award-winning Coast Guard Alaska and Coast Guard Florida series for The Weather Channel, now currently airing nightly on Pluto TV.\nAs a bestselling author with 12 acclaimed books to his credit, Al’s mystery novel, The Morning Show Murders (part of a 3-book mystery fiction trilogy) is now a TV staple airing on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, starring Holly Robinson Peete and Rick Fox.\nAl’s latest (and 13th) book is slated for release on June 2, 2020. You Look So Much Better In Person – True Stories Of Absurdity and Success is a humorous collection of essays based on lessons for living a happy life and achieving success through the power of saying “yes!”\nAl made his Broadway stage debut in Waitress the Musical to rave reviews in October 2018 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre in New York City, playing the part of Old Joe, the owner of Joe’s Diner. He reprised this role in November 2019.\nAl lives in New York City with his wife, ABC Correspondent, Deborah Roberts and has three kids.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line487846"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5311864018440247,"wiki_prob":0.46881359815597534,"text":"God of Cooking – Chapter 91: The weight of a restaurant (4)\nPosted on September 17, 2016 by bsubak — 17 Comments ↓\n“………My head is ringing. Don’t shout.”\nJo Minjoon forced a groan and barely spoke. Kaya looked at him with reddened eyes. Tears gathered and while it seemed like it would fall at any moment, Kaya endured it. She opened her mouth. Her rough and hard voice was trembling.\n“I’m sorry. I, I……..”\n“The tap was the one at fault. Why are you sorr-ugh…….!”\nAt the feeling that his neck burnt, Jo Minjoon closed his eyes tightly and bit his lips. It was a pain so horrible it didn’t make him able to control his expression. Jo Minjoon grinded his teeth and quickly took out his cooking uniform and threw it. At that cold air, he thought that the pain momentarily disappeared, but after a while it began to burn again.\nThe doctor, who was hesitating because the oil might pop again, approached Jo Minjoon with an alert face and raised him up. At the accident, Chloe asked with a surprised voice.\n“Do-doctor. He’s fine, right?”\n“I don’t know if I should call this fortunate, but the injury isn’t severe. There are blisters at some parts, but they are mostly first degree. If he takes care of it well, there will be no infections. Although the problem is the pigmentation…….. I’m sorry. It seems like it’s unavoidable for a scar to appear.”\nThe doctor spoke with an unconfident attitude. Kaya clenched her fists with an angry face, but it wasn’t because she was angry at someone else. She didn’t like herself. Korea? Immigration? There’s no point in worrying about that if she always end up committing accidents such as this.\nThe doctor placed a wet towel in warm water, put it over the injury, and opened the mouth.\n“You will have to keep replacing the towel. If you feel that the heat is getting dispersed, wash it with cold water. You will have to stay like this for at least 30 minutes.”\nThe moment when Kaya was going to open her mouth, Chloe took a step before her. She looked at Jo Minjoon with a teary face.\n“My god……. It really hurts, right?”\n“It does hurt. But times like this also happen.”\nHe tried to force out a calm laugh, but only convulsions appeared on his face. Chloe let out a sigh and changed the towel. The water was that was covering his skin was pressing down the pain. Jo Minjoon said with an exhausted voice.\n“……..Don’t make me worried. It’s also hard for those that are looking.”\n“And don’t be sorry.”\nChloe pouted her lips. Kaya just looked at him and only then did she feel the pain in her hand. Perhaps she got a little burnt when she was wiping off the oil from his neck, that his palm hurt a little. Kaya didn’t say anything and just went to the sink and turned the cold water. Jo Minjoon, that was looking at what Kaya was doing twitched his brows.\n“Kaya, did you perhaps get burnt?”\n“This much can’t be considered a burn. Don’t mind.”\n“How can I not mind? Doctor! Please check Kaya’s hand too.”\nAt those words, the doctor checked Kaya’s hands. And then, shook his head. Only after Jo Minjoon had heard that it wasn’t an injury did Jo Minjoon let out a sigh of relief. Chloe’s eyes that was looking at him got quite complicated. She opened her mouth with a low voice.\n“How gentle can you be? You got this big of an injury in your neck and you have the leisure to worry about others……. no, about Kaya?”\n“……….It’s not about worrying or not. I can see it with my eyes.”\nChloe didn’t say anything. She felt that she wouldn’t feel good with whatever she said. And she knew really well why she was feeling like that and the reason for it. Chloe let out a sigh and changed the towel.\n“Worry about your own body for now. The doctor said it before that there’s a high chance for a scar to appear. How sad is it for a scar to appear on the neck?”\n“…….You just seem like my mom.”\n“I know really well that that’s not a compliment.”\nChloe replied with a serious face as if it wasn’t the time to be joking. It was at that moment. Martin approached with a face mixed with worry and perplex and asked.\n“Minjoon, is the pain okay now?”\n“It’s because of Chloe.”\n“Why, should we go to a near hospital?”\n“No. I’m fine. We can’t do that just because of this injury. Also, the mission is right in front of our eyes.”\nMartin turned to look at the doctor as if they could do that. The doctor let out a sigh and said.\n“Although it’s not to the point that you should go to a hospital, we can also make a simple treatment here, only that the pain will be severe. On top of that, he shouldn’t go near the fire.”\n“………Even so, Kaya was the one in charge of the fire, it wouldn’t matter much.”\nIn Martin’s position, it was a fine development. Jo Minjoon rescuing Kaya in front of the exploding oil was quite heroic, and the viewers would also like it. The problem was on who was going to get responsible on that oil explosion accident. The sink not functioning properly was obviously a management problem of the restaurant but……. Just because there was a problem with the water pipe, there wouldn’t normally be a case where oil exploded. His head could only complicated because of many reasons.\n“I told you before. That there’s no need for you to apologize.”\nAt Kaya’s words, Jo Minjoon replied with a soft voice. Kaya plucked her lips with her fingernails, and then said with a heavy voice.\n“I will certainly do well.”\n“Right. Let’s.”\nJo Minjoon extended his fist. Kaya hesitated for a moment, and then bumped it with his. Anderson, who was looking at the two, opened his mouth.\n“I think that even if they send you to a graveyard you would be able to film a melodrama.”\nHe had probably said with without thinking about anything, but Chloe, who heard that, couldn’t control her expression. Ivanna, who was next to her, put her hand on top of Chloe’s shoulder. Chloe looked back at Ivanna and smiled awkwardly. Ivanna whispered in a low voice.\n“Just because she departed first, it doesn’t mean that she will arrive first.”\nChloe couldn’t reply anything.\nRegardless of the accident that happened in the kitchen, time flowed and night came. And on Kaya’s frying pan, the fire rose and was flambéing the fish. Jo Minjoon gave her a plate that he had finished decorating, and looked at what Kaya was doing. There was no case that she failed in cooking, not even once. Thinking about her skills, it may be something obvious, but in a situation where the orders of the customers came all at once, you could see it like she would have to fight to be able to do that.\n“The fried sea bass is done. Pour some sauce.”\nJo Minjoon setted garlic purée that seemed like tangsuyuk sauce and placed over the fried sea bass and the fried green onions. He looked at it as if the score was an obvious 8 and admired it. His level now was also level 7, but he wasn’t confident on being able to constantly cook 8-point dishes. On top of that, among the dishes she had cooked, compared to the ones they ate in the hall, there were some which scored higher. Rather than Kaya’s recipe being good, he wondered if she didn’t miss the points which the chefs of this restaurant did.\n‘You really are……..’\nJo Minjoon’s eyes became complicated. Will he be able to reach her, be able to walk next to her? And if he did get some hope, he felt like Kaya started to walk a step ahead of him. He didn’t think that he would be able to close that gap.\nKaya also had her own complicated thoughts. Of course, she was concentrating on cooking, but between that was hidden regret and anger. She wished for Jo Minjoon to look at her virtues at least once. In the last eliminating mission and in the team mission, she had always leaned on him. She didn’t want that anymore.\n‘I also have it. I have skills and determination. I also…….’\nFire rose once again in the frying pan. Looking at that faint violet fire that was inside that fire, Kaya’s eyes shone clearly. She couldn’t let Jo Minjoon get eliminated. At least, she didn’t want him team up with her and get eliminated. She didn’t know if the unlucky team would be given an eliminating mission or will be eliminated on the spot……… But whatever side it was, it wasn’t a nice story for Jo Minjoon. Because with his body condition, it wouldn’t be easy for him to do any kind of missions.\nShe wanted to protect him. Just like Jo Minjoon had helped her until now, she wanted to return that to him. Perhaps, those thoughts could have made her think about the immigration. That thought was showing up on many parts of her face: her closed mouth, close-knit eyebrows, and sharp eyes.\nJo Minjoon looked at Kaya acting like that, and returned to calmly chopping the vegetables. It could be seen as he was chopping them beforehand, but the freshness compared to the recently sliced ones would only fall. There were many cases where if you acted hurriedly, you would feel like it passed faster, but it would only last longer. He wanted to tell those things to Kaya, but……..this wasn’t the situation to do so.\nAs he only received the dishes from Kaya and made the decorations on it, he could feel that there was beauty in French dishes. His decoration level was 5. But of course, honestly speaking, it wasn’t that important. Excluding Anderson, most were level 5 or 6. He wondered that to go beyond that level, one would need to be able to make a dragon from a carrot. Rather than being a chef, that ability is better reserved for a food coordinator.\nThe plating Jo Minjoon could do with his skill was drawing the sauce with a spoon to be like brush writing, or giving it the feeling of modern art. Most of the dishes had some food in the middle of the plate, and in the surrounding of it was sauce spread, but even with just that it was quite cool. At least, it gave you the feeling that you have come to a luxurious restaurant. Jo Minjoon smiled with satisfaction.\n“It seems like this one also turned out well. You have done well.”\nKaya didn’t get happy or grumble and just put on a strange face. Her eyes slightly glanced to Jo Minjoon’s injury gauze. Jo Minjoon said as if he was throwing the words while still looking at the plate.\n“Don’t mind about me.”\n“I expected that this would happen when I decided to work in a kitchen. And rather than a mistake, it was an accident, so don’t worry that much. It’s more comfortable for me if you don’t do it.”\nAt Jo Minjoon’s blunt voice, even if she knew that she didn’t have to, she got angry. Kaya took out the codfish from the steamer and said.\n“I am going to mind.”\n“I told you that there’s no need to.”\n“There was also no need for you to do it but you did. But you are telling me not to mind?”\n“I’m……..”\nJo Minjoon wanted to reply something but just shut his mouth. Thinking about it, he didn’t have any words to reply back. Kaya snorted.\n“See? You are the same.”\n“So don’t say anything even if I worry about you. It’s something unavoidable, this.”\nHe opened his mouth trying to say something, but in the end only a smile appeared. Kaya blushed to her ear and turned her head. While mumbling with a sulky voice.\n“And don’t smile like that.”\nKaya concentrated again on the pan. After participating in this competition, it has been quite a while since she had cooked for someone. But of course, making breakfast and lunch for Jo Minjoon was also cooking for someone but……. It was different right now. Because her dishes were the ones that would decide Jo Minjoon’s elimination.\nSo the pan she was grabbing was felt more heavily. However, it wasn’t a bad feeling. She didn’t know why, but every time she finished every dish the satisfaction was high. And there was also a good result. The customers that were in the hall were indeed important. But she liked the fact that if she was able to cook well right now, she would be able to save Minjoon. Although there was some burden on it……. compared to the times when she had to worry about eating three meals a day, this doesn’t compare much.\nThe sea bass’s oil got mixed with olive oil and sizzled. The oil seeped through the knife marks on the meat, and she could feel the meat cooking more clearly than usual. It wasn’t a feeling of cooking with an enjoying heart. Perhaps, it could be closer to that of the head of a family. Responsibility. The weight of that short word became Kaya’s strength.\n‘………This one seems rather well-done.’\nShe handed the roasted sea bass and apricot purée to Minjoon and she turned to look at the frying pan again. Jo Minjoon frowned. It wasn’t because there was a problem; no, if there was a good problem, there was one.\n‘………9 points?’\nThe cooking score was 9. A roasted sea bass and apricot purée made by putting in ginger and cinnamon. Although it was a good combination, he didn’t think that it was so special to get 9 points. But for it to be 9 points… rather than the sauce, it was difficult to get that score if you didn’t roast the sea bass perfectly.\nJo Minjoon got so surprised that he even forgot the pain of his injury and looked at Kaya. He thought that his eyes would start to convulse, and a collapsed smile appeared on his mouth.\n[Kaya Lotus]\nCooking level : 8\nBaking level : 6\nTasting level : 10\nDecoration level : 6\n< The weight of a restaurant (4) > End\nTranslator’s note: Thanks for reading and for your support!\nProofreader : Saihikawa\n17 Replies to “God of Cooking – Chapter 91: The weight of a restaurant (4)”\nkirindas September 17, 2016 at 5:41 am\nyu3kino September 17, 2016 at 5:44 am\nWelp, love power? Also, Minjoo seems to get power up when he eat delicious food so have Kaya keep making things for him to eat might be quite a great benefit.\nkiyanazrael September 17, 2016 at 5:53 am\nSlikrapids September 17, 2016 at 5:54 am\nNapKnight September 17, 2016 at 6:22 am\nnaosouonight September 17, 2016 at 6:24 am\nexqalph03 September 17, 2016 at 6:35 am\nKaya once again pulled ahead~! Woohoo~!\nit’s like i want kaya to tell minjoon\n‘i’ll take care of you!’\nyou know.. for your entire life >.<\ni'll take responsibility if you can't marry because of your injury!\nhuehehhe\nas always thank you for the amazing chapter :3\nbtw did kaya cooking level just increased??\nMesmerised September 17, 2016 at 6:41 am\nwaganawa_megumin September 17, 2016 at 6:45 am\nIs this a cooking novel or a romance novel😂\neunieberry September 17, 2016 at 7:08 am\nOh my gosh!!! I ship Kaya and Min Joon sooo much that I squeeeeeealed like a fan girl that I am…and I’m sorry but I like Chloe but girl…NO. Just No…. don’t even think about crossing my ship!! 😂😂😂\nThank you so much for the awesome translation!! (As always)😋\nchopin124 September 17, 2016 at 9:17 am\nKyaaaaaaaaaaa\nXD xD\nMuwahahahahahahah\nThankee for the lovely chapter!! XD\nStill think there’s gonna be minus points for the misunderstanding but still great! Hehehe\nSoz Chloe… But gooo Kaya xD and somehow aim for a draw with kaya minjoon lol xD\nAlthough Chloe could get a power up via jealousy…\nshaynesor September 17, 2016 at 9:43 am\nUhh Chloe so sorry but I’m in team kaya. They’re just more adorable.\nthoth0 September 17, 2016 at 2:19 pm\nJust take them both to bed.\nperdidoenlapereza September 17, 2016 at 4:54 pm\nJujujujuju~\nkarmanisman123 November 19, 2016 at 3:15 pm","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1166008"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6461552977561951,"wiki_prob":0.35384470224380493,"text":"Corporate Lawyer\nMartin Waters\nWilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati PC\nMartin J. Waters is a corporate and securities partner in the San Diego office, a member of the firm’s board of directors, and a former member of the firm’s Policy Committee. He is a founding partner of the firm’s San Diego office and Southern California corporate practice. He was a partner in the Palo Alto office until opening the San Diego office in 2004.\nMarty is a proven company builder with nearly 20 years of experience providing corporate and securities counsel. He has been instrumental in starting, building, and shepherding through initial public offering or sale of numerous emerging growth companies in a broad range of industries, including biotech, clean technology, cloud computing, e-commerce, medical device, new and traditional media, SaaS, semiconductors, social networking, and telecommunications.\nA partial list of exited emerging growth clients includes Ablation Frontiers, CoreValve, Cytokinetics, evite, eyeonics, Helixis, Heritage Pharma, Illumina, Indigo Systems, Lara Networks, N Spine, Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Pain Therapeutics, SKS Microfinance, TearLab, and TweetPhoto.\nMarty also represents several public companies in a general counsel capacity, as well as investment banks and placement agents in PIPEs and public offerings. Marty has counseled issuers and underwriters in more than 50 offerings while at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati and with Cahill Gordon & Reindel and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld in New York.\nMarty’s practice is international in reach, but he concentrates on leading the firm’s efforts in representing public and private growth companies in San Diego, Orange County, and Los Angeles. He handles a wide variety of complex commercial transactions for clients, including public offerings of equity and debt securities; mergers, acquisitions and divestitures; venture capital financings; and formation and governance of partnerships, strategic alliances, and joint ventures.\nJ.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 1991\nB.A., Georgetown University, 1988\nASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS:\nMember, Board of Directors, COMMNEXUS\nMember, Board of Directors, CONNECT\nMember, NanoBioNexus Advisory Council\nMember, PEERs Network\nWhat types of cases Attorney Martin Waters & Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati PC can handle?\nWilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati PC can handle cases related to laws concerning Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions. We manually verify each attorney’s practice areas before approving their profiles and reviews on our website.\nWhere is Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati PC located?\nWilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati PC is located at 12235 El Camino Real, San Diego, CA 92130, USA. You can reach out to Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati PC using their phone line 858-350-2308. You can also check their website wsgr.com or email them at [email protected].\nHow much would it cost to hire Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati PC?\nMartin Waters lawyer charges are specific to each case. However, they work with contingency fees and its ranges from $$ to $$$. They also provide free consultation [and no obligation quotes] if you are interested to hire.\nAre Martin Waters reviews trust-able?\nWe have the ratings and reviews moderation team who checks and verifies every review submitted on our website manually. You can trust all the reviews you see on Martin Waters lawyer profile listing.\nEl Camino Real 12235\nSan Diego 92130 CA US\nErnesto Palomo\nJoel Sayres","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1865490"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.561775803565979,"wiki_prob":0.438224196434021,"text":"'New King James Version' Bible FREE today only!\nUntil 10 p.m. Pacific tonight, WorldNetDaily is giving away FREE copies of the popular \"New King James Version\" Holy Bible.\nThe beautiful \"Reader's Edition Holy Bible\" will be sent as a free gift to every WND reader who subscribes to WND's acclaimed monthly Whistleblower magazine or who renews their subscription before the offer expires later today.\nProviding the accuracy and beauty of the celebrated New King James Version translation, the \"Reader's Edition Holy Bible\" offers a stylish blend of comfortable print and the full text of the Bible – 1,216 pages! And it offers added benefits, such as the \"personal help index\" and \"plan of salvation.\"\nMirroring the classic King James Version (KJV), the NKJV preserves the poetry and power of its processor, but modernizes archaic expressions and word forms (\"Thou shalt not kill\" becomes \"You shall not kill\") while holding true in every respect to the original and most revered Bible translation in history. Thus, the New King James Version has quickly become the translation of choice for millions of readers desiring a text that balances accuracy and readability.\nThe \"Reader's Edition\" also includes:\n\"Help in Trying Times\" -- a guide for helpful scriptures\n\"Daily Prayer Guide\" -- a prayer plan for every day of the week\nControversial, explosive, truthful\nEach monthly edition of WND's popular Whistleblower magazine tackles a single topic – a controversial, often explosive, and almost always politically incorrect topic, but one of immense important to the lives of Americans. 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She was formerly a partner in Bridgespan’s Boston office and head of the firm's Knowledge Unit. She led the organization’s research and publishing operations, working with Bridgespan teams to identify themes, shape projects that advance them, and chart paths to influence across a variety of tools and media. She brings a background in journalism, nonprofit management, and strategy consulting.\nKatie has co-authored a number of articles on nonprofit management and strategy, including: \"Hidden Talent: How Smart Companies Are Tapping Into Unemployed Youth\" (Stanford Social Innovation Review online, September 8, 2016 ); \"The Nonprofit Leadership Development Deficit\" (Stanford Social Innovation Review online, October 22, 2015); “Making Sense of Nonprofit Collaborations” (Bridgespan.org, December 2014); “Why Nonprofit Mergers Continue to Lag” (Stanford Social Innovation Review, Spring 2014); “Making Organizational Learning Stick” (Nonprofit Quarterly online, February 2013); “Get Ready for Your Next Assignment” (Harvard Business Review, November 2011); “The Challenge of Organizational Learning” (Stanford Social Innovation Review, Summer 2011); “Growing Global NGOs Effectively” (Monday Developments, Winter 2010); “Finding Leaders for America’s Nonprofits” (Bridgespan.org, April 2009); and “Nonprofit Mergers & Acquisitions: More Than a Tool for Tough Times” (Bridgespan.org, Winter 2009). And she has authored two books on sustainable development, Growing Our Future and The Human Farm.\nA blogger and frequent conference presenter, Katie has been featured at the Stanford Nonprofit Management Institute, Independent Sector, The Alliance for Children & Families, Social Impact Exchange, Clinton Global Initiative University, and Salzburg Global Seminar. She has served on the boards of Canadian Food for the Hungry, Veritas Forum, Foundation for Children’s Books, World Vision US, One Hen, Inc. and is a trustee for the Anna B. Stearns Foundation.\nKatie is also a best-selling children’s book author and social entrepreneur. She co-founded and chaired One Hen, Inc., a nonprofit program that uses microfinance as a model to teach business building and giving back to youth, which was acquired in 2016 by America SCORES. One Hen counts more than 6,000 student alumni in the US and more than 100 countries accessing lessons plans, with a particular focus on urban youth in the US and self-help groups in Africa.\nPrior to joining Bridgespan she was a consultant in Toronto and Munich with Bain & Company, becoming a senior director in Boston and Bain’s founding publisher. Prior to business school, she was a business journalist with The Wall Street Journal/Europe and Montreal Gazette, a stringer for TIME in Guatemala and researcher/writer at Harvard Kennedy School. She also served in the European Union’s development directorate, and as a manager at nonprofit Food for the Hungry International, coordinating programs in Africa and Latin America and advocacy for the NGO agenda at the 1992 Earth Summit.\nKatie is a two-time Rotary Scholar and holds a BA in English from Stanford University, a Masters in European Studies from the Free University of Brussels, and MBA from INSEAD. She speaks fluent French and functional Spanish, Italian, and German.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1633104"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5299344062805176,"wiki_prob":0.4700655937194824,"text":"Archdiocese of Atlanta Hosts Pro-Gay Marriage Theologian for Catholic LGBT Retreat\nJoseph Sciambra2020-11-25T05:36:24+00:00February 4th, 2020|Blog, The Church|\nOn March 1, 2020, a Catholic LGBT advocacy group in the Archdiocese of Atlanta, Fortunate and Faithful Families, will offer a “retreat” entitled – “A New Heart.” According to Fortunate and Faithful Families:\nFortunate and Faithful Families is an archdiocesan-approved ministry to families with LGBT children or other family members. Our annual retreat provides compassionate and affirming information with a focus on sharing the love of Christ for all.\nAccording to the group’s official Facebook page: “One day we won’t have to ‘come out of the closet.’ We will just say we are in love and that’s all that matters.”\nTheir advertisement for the event included the following:\n“We believe God intentionally created LGBTQ people and wants them to live a full life. We believe the Church should be a home for LGBTQ persons exactly as they are…”\nIn 2018, Fortunate and Faithful Families held it’s annual “retreat” at the Chancery of the Archdiocese of Atlanta located in Smyrna, Georgia. Composed primarily of Catholic parents with self-proclaimed “gay” children, in 2014 Archbishop Wilton Gregory first addressed Fortunate & Faithful Families. After the meeting, Gregory said:\nTheir parents then spoke of the hostile environment that many of them encountered from the Church. The language that the Church uses in speaking of their sexual orientation is often unwelcoming and condemnatory…I spoke of the distinction that our Church makes between orientation and behavior, which admittedly needs reexamination and development.\nThe group is an offshoot of the dissident Catholic pro-gay marriage LGBT ministry Fortunate Families.\nFortunate Families is a gay-affirmative pro-same-sex marriage advocacy group founded in 2004 by the Catholic parents of a “gay” son – Mary Ellen and Casey Lopata. Inspired by the work of Robert Nugent and Jeannine Gramick and their New Ways Ministry, the Lopata’s decided to form an outreach specifically targeted to the Catholic parents of LGBT children. In 1999, Nugent and Gramick were both officially censured by the Vatican and “permanently prohibited from any pastoral work involving homosexual persons.”\nIn 2003, the Lopatas published their book “Fortunate Families: Catholic Families with Lesbian Daughters and Gay Sons.” They argued, among other things, that “homogeni-tal acts are not necessarily always a sin.” They also qualified prohibitions in the Bible regarding homosexual activity by stating that: “The biblical writers had no concept of our modern psychological understanding of homosexual orientation.” And, “The prophets, the gospels and Jesus say nothing about homosexuality in the bible.”\nOne of the presenters at the Fortunate and Faithful families retreat will be theologian Luke Timothy Johnson. In 2007 and 2012, Johnson spoke at the national symposiums of New Ways Ministry – a group that was formally condemned by the USCCB in 2010.\nIn 2007, Johnson wrote:\n“I think it important to state clearly that we do, in fact, reject the straightforward commands of Scripture, and appeal instead to another authority when we declare that same-sex unions can be holy and good. And what exactly is that authority? We appeal explicitly to the weight of our own experience and the experience thousands of others have witnessed to, which tells us that to claim our own sexual orientation is in fact to accept the way in which God has created us. By so doing, we explicitly reject as well the premises of the scriptural statements condemning homosexuality—namely, that it is a vice freely chosen, a symptom of human corruption, and disobedience to God’s created order.”\nOn the issue of transsexuality, Johnson wrote:\n“. . . [T]he desire to change one’s gender is not itself a moral issue. It is not in itself a disordered drive, or a form of rebellion against the creator. It could be, to be sure, but it need not be; like the discovery of one’s sexual attraction to persons of the same gender, it may in fact be a recognition of oneself that is deeply respectful of the Creator.”\nAt the 2018 Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, during one of the several LGBT sessions, attendees were encouraged to support a trans-child in their gender transition.\nIn 2016, the LGBT Ministry at the parish of St. Francis of Assisi in New York City recommended a particular hospital for those seeking transgender surgery.\nEvery year, Fortunate and Faithful Families marches in the Atlanta Gay “Pride” Parade.\nJesuit priest James Martin has praised the group and spoken to them twice: at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (afterwards, they presented Martin with a cake featuring a rainbow) in 2018; and in 2019 via Facebook Live. The “Shrine” in Atlanta is the home of Pastor Monsignor Henry Gracz who has been outspoken about his support for the LGBT community.\nAnne Berry February 4, 2020 at 7:22 pm\nGay lifestyle is trendy these days. Kids aren’t even conflicted but are bolstered by social media & popular culture. Every movie, song video, Instagram channel now has lesbians kissing. It’s inflaming girls with passions they wouldn’t have otherwise. Even at Christian schools girls are “bi” at unheard of rates. It’s demonic. We know first hand how it can ruin lives. It must be stopped.\nWake up!! And smell the fire.\nShaune February 6, 2020 at 12:16 am\nMsgr. Gracz did our pre-marital counseling and officiated at our wedding. Now I know why he told us that pre-marital sex was ok and contraception was a matter of individual conscience. He does not believe in what the Church teaches. He has done untold damage.\nJanice Kaya February 10, 2020 at 7:43 pm\nHe is using sociological terms to attempt to brow beat those Catholics who hold to Church Teachings. God gave his answer in Sodom and Gomorrah! Read the Bible. No one should address James Martin as Father because he does not Believe.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line395953"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5077874064445496,"wiki_prob":0.49221259355545044,"text":"The Way the Future Was\tFrederik Pohl\nFrederik Pohl has done it all in science fiction, one of the few who have won Hugo Awards both for his stories and for his editing. Becoming a science fiction magazine editor while still in his teens in the 1930s, he had already made a name for himself as an active science fiction fan. Here are his memories of how the field evolved from the first science fiction magazines in the 1920s when science fiction readers were regarded as oddballs to the time when science fiction novels took over the best-seller lists and spawned some of the most popular TV shows and movies of all, along with vivid portraits of the shakers and movers who turned a cult field of writing into the mature literature it is today.\nThe Way the Future Was\nThe Way the Future Was Frederik Pohl\nCustomer Ratings for The Way the Future Was","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1674306"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.50954270362854,"wiki_prob":0.50954270362854,"text":"Lucas, Ohio\n15 miles from Jeromesville, OH\nPulitzer Prize-winning author Louis Bromfield built Malabar Farm in 1939, and the historic homesite is open for tours and wagon rides. It is said to be haunted by Ceely Rose. According to her story, she was in love with a boy who didn't feel the same. In order to spare ...\n16.1 miles from Jeromesville, OH\nThe prison, defunct since 1990, was the setting for the movie The Shawshank Redemption. It has been used as a setting or featured on many other movies, music videos and TV programs, including Ghost Adventures. Witnesses have experienced shadow figures, slamming cell doors and yelling voices, and female witnesses claim ...\nBissman Building\nThe Bissman Building, once a grocery warehouse built in 1886, is said to be very haunted; ghost hunts and tours are offered here. Many apparitions are seen here, including a man in a long coat and top hat and a young girl; footsteps have been heard on empty floors above, ...\nMount Olive Cemetery\nBellville, Ohio\nMount Olive Cemetery, or Lucas Cemetery, has a ghost named Mary Jane. One legend has it that she was burned at the stake in the 1800s after being accused of witchcraft. Another says she was a Native-American medicine woman, and some folks thought her profession was a mite too close ...\nMansfield Women's Club\nRemaining as one of Mansfield, Ohio's largest and oldest homes, the estate of Mr & Mrs. Henry C. Hedges, is known for its near original 1800's interior and stunning Victorian charm. The home now is the official Club House to the Mansfield Federation of Women's Clubs, was left by widow ...\nMillersburg Hotel\nMillersburg, Ohio\nThis hotel has been in operation for well over a century, so it is more than likely that some of the spectres in this hotel were guests who never checked out. The owners and staff are displeased with the paranormal activity in the hotel, as they receive various reports ...\nSpitzer House Bed and Breakfast\nAt this 19th-century Victorian home-turned-inn, people have witnessed unexplained voices and music, and the piano in the parlor plays songs by itself. The ghost of a stern-looking man is said to appear in Ceilan's Room, and Anna's Room is haunted by a servant girl's spirit. The servant girl also has ...\nRogue's Hollow Bridge\nDoylestown, Ohio\nRogue's Hollow Bridge, or Crybaby Bridge, has a couple of legends attached to it that may explain the ghostly crying sound heard here. One says that long ago a woman tossed her unwanted newborn over the bridge, and now the phantom scene replays here along with the sound of a ...\nGrapevine House Inn\nDundee, Ohio\nThe 1834 bed and breakfast inn is located in the pleasant township of Winesburg, which is often confused with a novel of the same name by Sherwood Anderson. The old building is one of the earliest in the borough, and is rumoured to be haunted by a young girl ...\nHaunted Akron, Ohio\nJeri Holland\nHaunted Stark County (OH): A Ghoulish History (Haunted America)\nSherri Brake\nHaunting Tales from the Tree City\nBig Four Train Depot\nGalion, Ohio\nThis historic depot is heritage-listed, and also believed by many to be one of the towns most haunted buildings. The old train depot has played host to many tragedies and notable events in the town history, so it is easy to see where the basis of these rumours lie. The ...\nBrownella Cottage and Galion Historical Museum\nThis beautiful cottage houses the town historical society, and is well known for the ghost that reputedly haunts the old building. Although the identity of the apparition is currently unclear, witnesses describe a man dressed in black with white hair who wanders the hallways scaring visitors to the museum. Other ...\nWarehouse on the Canal\nThis 1906 building previously housed the old Finnerock Furniture building and now houses an arcade of quaint shops and restaurants. There have been reported sightings of many ghosts, including numerous apparitions in period clothing wandering around the building. The ghost of a little girl has been seen near the old ...\nLoyal Oak Tavern\nNorton, Ohio\nThe old tavern building was built in the 1840s, and was a cabinet shop in its early years. There are remnants of its older days as a tavern, such as a half-log bar in the basement as well as a 1930s keg. But locals here say that's not all that ...\nWarsaw, Ohio\nThis small, abandoned wooden house at the intersection of the two major roads is haunted by the apparition of a woman in black. Her husband murdered her in the house many years ago, and people driving past have reported smelling burning flesh and hearing the screams of a woman. (Submitted by ...\nRose Hill Burial Park\nRose Hill Burial Park, founded in the 1920s, is haunted by a ghostly lady in white and ghost lights that witnesses say appear toward the back of the graveyard, possibly near the Jewish section.\nCoshocton, Ohio\nThis historic building turned sweet shop is haunted by a whole horde of ghostly children. Staff have heard running footsteps and ghostly voices, but upon investigation, have found nothing. (Submitted by Callum Swift)\nWarehouse Restaurant\nThis historic warehouse was converted to a popular restaurant, but even back in the late twentieth century, police and authorities were responding to reports of paranormal activity which happened on a frequent basis. The restaurant is believed to be haunted by a ghostly child and the apparition of an ...\nOne of Akron Civic Theatre's ghosts is Fred the Janitor, who died during his shift and now returns to finish his work. He is said to get angry at people who mess up the restrooms. Another apparition of a well-dressed man appears sitting up in the balcony from time to ...\nThe University of Akron, founded in 1870 by the Universalist Church, has a few buildings rumored ot be haunted. One of them is the Sigma Nu House. Campus legend has it that a sorority girl hanged herself in the boiler room and her spirit lingers here to this day. Another ...\nHaunted Marion Ohio (Haunted America)\nCleveland Ghosts\nCharles, Jr. Cassady\nGhosts of Historic Delaware, Ohio\nJohn B. Ciochetty\nGuggenheim Air Institute\nThis building has been abandoned for over fifty years, but people driving past still report seeing ghostly lights moving around the upper levels of the building, and hearing strange noises when no one is around. (Submitted by Callum Swift)\nThe Taverne of Richfield\nWe have had numerous sitings at the Taverne. The building was built in 1886 in Richfield Ohio as a hotel/stagecoach stop. We have 3 ghosts. The original ghost is Baxter Wood who opened a hotel called the Center Hotel in the building which now houses local watering hole, the Doug ...\nBooks N' Things\nThis old store was in operation for many years, but now appears to be a private residence. While it was in operation, customers would smell the aroma of coffee, even when there was none brewing. The ghost was kind to the owners, and would often tuck them into bed ...\nThe Cobbler Shop Bed and Breakfast\nGuests at this 1800s inn, which was once a cobbler shop, have heard knocking on their doors when no one was there, and disembodied footsteps in the hallway. Those who have seen the ghost here say he is a man wearing a long dark coat.\nZoar Historic Hotel\nThis historic hotel has been acquired by the state historical society and is due to be renovated to restore it to its former glory. The hotel is rumoured to be haunted, which has been testified by many former guests, patrons and staff, and is widely acclaimed to be the ...\nOld Hercules Engine Factory\nThis historic abandoned building is haunted by several terrifying entities. In the section of the building that was previously an army training unit, an aggressive entity pushes visitors around, and has been known to swear or threaten those present during visits. Factory appliances move around by themselves, and cold spots ...\nBaldwin-Wallace College's Kohler Hall, built in the 1870s as a Methodist Children's Home, is said to be home to a spirit that manifests as a blue haze. Something reportedly presses down on students in bed and throws off their blankets. And Lang Hall is allegedly haunted by namesake Emma Lang, ...\nAccording to reports, when the area was being cleared for building this hotel, the body of a woman was found. She had committed suicide by shooting herself in the head. Her ghost is said to remain at the hotel and may manifest as a shadowy form. She also turns the ...\nTrinway, Ohio\nThe 29-room mansion built in 1856 by abolitionist G.W. Adams is said to have been a stop on the Underground Railroad. The house is said to be haunted by ghosts from its past, and has been featured on TV shows such as Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventures.\nHaunted Willoughby, Ohio\nCathi Weber\nA Haunted History of Columbus, Ohio\nNellie Kampmann\nColumbus Ohio Ghost Hunter Guide (Ohio Ghost Hunter Guides) (Volume 4)\nJannette Quackenbush\nBurnt Wood Tavern\nThis popular local eatery and restaurant is haunted by a former owner, who passed away several years ago and is still attempting to run his establishment. He has been known to welcome new staff members to the restaurant, and calls out peoples names. (Submitted by Callum Swift)\nClaque Playhouse\nThis historic playhouse is situated on an old farming property, as the theatre itself is a barn conversion. The former owner of the property, known to staff as 'Walter', has been seen and heard throughout the theatre. He often is heard sobbing in the theatre, and has been known to ...\nHuntington Playhouse\nThis quaint community theatre has been in operation for over half a century, but already seems to being developing a series of ghost stories associated with the theatre itself and the plot of land it was built upon. The first apparition is an man in an old-fashioned suit who appears ...\nDarrow Family Cemetery\nRumor has it that at night at the Darrow Family Cemetery, which only has 7 gravesites, tombstones that are whole in daylight appear broken, and strange things can be seen and heard: Unexplained bright lights, running water, screams and howls.\nEdmund Gleason Farmhouse\nThis historic farmhouse property is rumoured to have a whole horde of ghostly inhabitants. Passing motorists claim to have seen the figure of a spectral woman standing at windows, and have seen strange lights moving from room to room on the downstairs level. (Submitted by Callum Swift)\nVariety Theater\n1927 building The Variety Theater was a vaudeville house, then a movie theater until the early 1980s. After that, it was a rock concert venue until it closed in 1986. Now, locals say, it's haunted by a white figure who hangs out on first floor by the water fountain. A ...\nHarding Home\nPresident Warren G. Harding's Home, open to the public as a museum, is known for its Death Clock and Finch of Doom. The Death Clock, a wedding gift to the Hardings, hangs on the wall above the staircase. On August 2, 1973, at 7:30 p.m., the clock inexplicably stopped. The ...\nMarion Cemetery - The Revolving Ball\nMarion Cemetery is a large one with an impressive World War II Memorial, and it's also famous for its Revolving Ball. It's a large stone sphere that's part of the Merchant Family's plot. In 1896, several small black granite spheres were arranged in a large circle, with a 5-foot-tall granite ...\nTick Tock Tavern\nThis historic arcade building houses a haunted restaurant and tavern. A former delicatessen housed in the building closed down due to overwhelming paranormal activity, which stemmed from the rear of the building. The ladies restroom was haunted by a spectre that would rattle the doors and speak in strange voices, ...\nOld Licking County Jail\nThe Old Licking County Jail building, constructed in 1889, has an eerie castle-like appearance reminiscent of the Tower of London. In its day it housed many a notorious murderer and serial killer. It was here that Carl Etherington, a Dry-Agent Detective, was once held in a cell for his protection ...\nHaunted Miami Valley, Ohio\nThe Haunted History of the Ohio State Reformatory\nMore Haunted Michigan: New Encounters with Ghosts of the Great Lakes State (Ohio)\nRev. Gerald S. Hunter\nBourbon House Bed and Breakfast\nThis historic mansion may still be in operation as an inn, but is more renowned for a recurring apparition reported here by former tenants and guests. The building is believed to be haunted by a former owner and the builder of the house, who has been known to communicate ...\n4604 Turney Road\nThis historic apartment has a darker history, and has a terrifying haunting associated with the building. In the early 1940's, a mass brawl occurred on the upper floor, and several people were murdered. Staff in stores below the apartments claim to hear thumps, screams and the sound of a ...\nBryn Du Mansion\nThe Bryn Du Mansion and grounds comprise a fifty-two acre estate in Granville, Ohio. The property is managed by the Bryn Du Commission, a non-profit organization established by the Village of Granville. The organization follows a mission of historic preservation and providing program and event facilities for the benefit ...\nFranklin Castle\nFranklin Castle was built in the mid 1800s by Hans Tiedemann, a wealthy German immigrant. Since then, it has been a clubhouse for a German singing society, headquarters for a German Socialist organization, a doctor's office, apartments, and a hideout for bootleggers. Many ghost stories surround the place, and here ...\nJohnny Mango\nJohnny Mango World Cafe & Bar is reportedly haunted by several ghosts, the oldest being a woman named Margaret who died in 1895 when her trolley car ran into the Cuyahoga River.\nIt is said that in Room 169 during the 1900s, a guest named Mary hanged herself in her room. This is rumored to have led to at least some of the many haunting episodes here. Guests and employees alike have witnessed unexplained noises, electrical issues, and faceless apparitions. Some reports ...\nDenison University Library\nThe 7th tier of the Denison University Library is said to have a spirit, a shadowy woman wearing an old-fashioned dress. Those who fall asleep here, especially men, have been awoken by her hitting them on the back of the head.\nThe Buxton Inn\nVisit this inn and you may meet the ghost of Orrin Granger, the pioneer who built it in 1812. Or you may spot Major Horton Buxton, after whom the inn was named. Major Buxton operated the inn during the late 1800s. Former innkeeper Bonnie Bounell is also said to have ...\nBefore this building became a night club and closed down, it was a celebrated local eatery. The owner became an alcoholic after his wife died, and both him and his legendary restaurant quickly fell apart until it went out of business. A night club built on the premises was closed ...\nThis historic hotel was built over the site of many historic city landmarks including the cities first hotel, transferring the historical pasts of them into this building. Ghostly activity is mainly reported on the fourth floor, where lights turn on and off of their own accord and faucets switch on ...\nHaunted Ohio III: Still More Ghostly Tales from the Buckeye State\nChris Woodyard\nCreepy Ohio\nJoedy Cook\nOhio Ghost Hunter Guide V: A Haunted Hocking Ghost Hunter Guide\nJannette Rae Quackenbush\n» Cemeteries near Jeromesville, OH\n» Find museums in Jeromesville, OH","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1066638"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8063894510269165,"wiki_prob":0.8063894510269165,"text":"The “cockroach” epithet, unsurprisingly derogatory, has been used widely in politics, primarily to dehumanise. Photo: Shutterstock\nLanguage Matters by Lisa Lim\nHong Kong’s protesters are often called ‘cockroaches’, but where does the term come from?\nDuring the protests, the much-reviled insect’s name has been co-opted by pro-Beijing elements, intended as an insult\nThe Cantonese slang for cockroach is also a term of admiration for resilience in the face of adversity\nLisa Lim\nPublished: 5:00am, 10 Dec, 2019\nUpdated: 5:33am, 10 Dec, 2019\nLisa Lim has worked in Singapore, Britain, Amsterdam and Sri Lanka, and until June 2018 was Associate Professor and Head of the School of English at the University of Hong Kong, where she still holds an Honorary position. She now is Associate Professor in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Sydney. She is co-editor of the journal Language Ecology, founder of the website linguisticminorities.hk, and co-author of Languages in Contact (Cambridge University Press, 2016).","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1249689"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6769211888313293,"wiki_prob":0.6769211888313293,"text":"You’re Grounded!\nWhen it comes to air pollution, there’s bad, and then there’s Beijing bad. The air quality was so poor in the major Chinese city during the fourth quarter of 2016 that officials took the unusual step of grounding air flights from the Beijing airport. The reason: Pilots couldn’t see the runway on landing approach, even from only a few hundred feet in the air.\nCredit: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images\nOfficials attributed the heavy smog to a number of factors, including automobile exhaust, a drop in temperatures that resulted in increased use of wood-burning stoves and fireplaces, a spike in humidity that kept smog in place, and the coal-burning factories and plants in the area.\nWorst yet, Beijing wasn’t the only hotspot. In the Sichuan province, more than 20,000 people were stuck at that local airport one day after flights were grounded because of heavy smog.\nIn an effort to limit these instances, Beijing is experimenting with as new police force, which is tasked with tracking down environmental offenders. So, the new squad will be on the lookout for people burning garbage, organic fuel like wood or moss or barbequing in the open. In addition, the local government has pledged to close the city’s coal-fired energy plant, reducing coal consumption by 30 percent. Officials also want to removed older vehicles from the road, and improve some road conditions, which kick up dust from use.\nStill, issues remain. In the region, regulatory violations are openly flaunted by companies, with industries continuing production even when told to cease because of pollution concerns. There’s no word whether the new police squad will enforce industrial regulations.\nAll this comes at a time when Chinese workers are becoming more anxious about pollution levels, with sales of personal filtration masks and novelty “fresh air” canisters at an all-time high.\nCredit: The Washington Post\nAeraMax PRO combats bad air\nTo this end, AeraMax Professional has redoubled efforts to bring commercial-grade air filtration systems to more Chinese companies, in a move to improve overall indoor air quality. AeraMax Professional air purifiers have been proven to remove up to 99.97 percent of airborne contaminants from indoor spaces, making them a perfect way to combat bad air coming in.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line803129"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5550291538238525,"wiki_prob":0.5550291538238525,"text":"TheInfoList\nClick Here for Items Related To - Companion Of The Order Of St Michael And St George\nThe Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George\nBoth sexes use the same post-nominal initials, except that there is a distinctly female form of Knight Commander of St Michael and St George. This is Dame Commander of St. Michael and St George (DCMG).\nIan Fleming's spy, James Bond, a commander in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) was fictionally decorated with the CMG in 1953. (This is mentioned in the novels From Russia, with Love and On Her Majesty's Secret Service\nWoolley: In the [civil] service, CMG stands for \"Call Me God\". And KCMG for \"Kindly Call Me God\".\nHacker: What does GCMG stand for?\nWoolley (deadpan): \"God Calls Me God\".\nIan Fleming's s\nIan Fleming's spy, James Bond, a commander in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) was fictionally decorated with the CMG in 1953. (This is mentioned in the novels From Russia, with Love and On Her Majesty's Secret Service, and on-screen in his obituary in Skyfall.) He was offered the KCMG (which would have elevated him from Companion to Knight Commander in the Order) in The Man with the Golden Gun, but he rejected the offer as he did not wish to become a public figure. Dame Judi Dench's character \"M\" is \"offered\" early retirement and a GCMG in Skyfall after a series of events resulting in the loss of a list that named every NATO espionage operative.\nLong-time Doctor Who companion Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart wore the ribbon of the order as the highest of his decorations in the series' classic era.\n(NOTE: For clarity, the table denotes holders of the GCMG only; all other posts-nominal shown, for respective members, are for the sake of completeness alone.)\nSovereign: Queen Elizabeth II\nGrand Master: His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent KG GCMG GCVO CD ADC (1967)\nKnights and Dames Grand Cross\nHow To Use theinfolist.com\nThe \"Did you know\" Game\nHow To Research a Report, Essay or Topic\nContent is Copyleft\nWebsite design, code, and AI is Copyrighted (c) 2014-2017 by Stephen Payne\nConsider donating to Wikimedia","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1176449"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.629591703414917,"wiki_prob":0.370408296585083,"text":"George Kourpias -- Overseas Private Investment Corporation\nDirector of The Overseas Private Investment Corporation\nGeorge Kourpias currently serves as the President of the National Council of Senior Citizens. Most recently, he was International President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. He has been a leader in local, district, state and international union service since 1952, when he was employed as a machinist at the Wincharger Corporation. George served a six-year term as a member of the Judicial Nomination Committee of the Iowa Fourth Judicial District, and he was also a member of the Sioux City Redevelopment Committee, the United Fund Board and the Council of Community Services Board.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line477492"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8345016837120056,"wiki_prob":0.8345016837120056,"text":"Movie review: ‘RBG’ amuses, entertains and leaves you wanting more\nAl Alexander More Content Now\nShe’s been called “a disgrace” by President Donald Trump; “notorious” by adoring millennials who view her as a black-robed superhero; and “friend” by the late Antonin Scalia, a man who didn’t suffer liberals lightly. But in the compelling documentary “RBG,” Ruth Bader Ginsburg isn’t much for labels. In her own deep-blue eyes, she’s little more than a humble shepherd ensuring the U.S. Constitution lives up to its guarantees of opportunity and justice for all. And “all” is what the polarizing Supreme Court member is all about.\nFor the feisty 85-year-old, gender equality has been her life’s mission, beginning at Harvard Law (where she was one of nine women in a class of more than 500 students) and continuing through landmark SCOTUS decisions on women seeking reproductive rights and equal pay, to protecting the vote for African-Americans under assault by GOP factions intent on returning to Jim Crow. In between, Ginsburg has managed to raise two kids, fend off two attacks of cancer and bury a husband who gladly devoted his life to her. Yet, she still stands tall — or at least as tall as a 5-foot-1 firecracker can.\nDutifully — and fitfully — directors Betsy West and Julie Cohen work themselves into a lather attempting to condense and cram Ginsburg’s life story into a far-too-brief 95 minutes. But in the wake of some of the bladder-testing endeavors I’ve seen of late, it’s nice to experience a film that actually leaves you wanting more. And what you want most, is the charming, drolly funny Ginsburg opining on what she’s seen and done over a lifetime of jurisprudence.\nClearly, West and Cohen don’t favor that tact, opting instead to load up on talking heads, archival clips and revisiting Ginsburg’s greatest legal hits. No doubt all of these people and things are informative, but the moments where “RBG” most assuredly slams the gavel down are when we’re one-on-one with the Brooklyn native, watching her eyes well when talking about her beloved, “funny” hubby of 56 years, Marty, or watching her demurely giggle while watching a clip of the marvelous Kate McKinnon spoofing of her on “Saturday Night Live.” These are the times when “RBG” comes most alive.\nStill, what’s here is more than enough to sufficiently get your legal briefs in a twist. Love her (like Scalia) or bemoan her (like Orrin Hatch), the consensus is always an undying respect for a woman who has suffered no quarter and steadfastly adhered to her mother’s advice to always be a lady. And that meant keeping a level head, never giving into angry outbursts and remembering that your enemies are people, too. The movie tells us that Ginsburg has always been a listener, even if the person is talking bullpucky. It’s how she and Scalia became inseparable pals.\nRegrets, she has a few — most notably the day she forgot what her mother told her and unleashed a verbal attack on Trump during the 2016 election, calling him “a faker.” Under intense pressure, she issued a mea culpa. But it wasn’t like one of those insincere apologies passing through the lying lips of most politicians; it was an honest, straightforward “I’m sorry” rooted in genuine remorse. You can see it still bothers her today. But that doesn’t mean she now likes Trump. To the contrary, we see her hilariously satirizing The Donald the night after the 2016 election making a cameo as the haughty Duchess of Krakenthorp in a production of “The Daughter of the Regiment” at the Washington National Opera. (She adores opera, by the way.) She ends her brief Act II monologue with this warning: “Dropping traditions that have worked and are continuing to work is like throwing away your umbrella in a rainstorm because you are not getting wet.”\nThat’s so Ginsburg. No wonder she’s become the unlikely Internet hero for social networkers who have lovingly dubbed her “The Notorious R.B.G.” in honor of the late gangsta rapper The Notorious B.I.G. A flattered Ginsburg admits to getting a kick out of it and the clever memes that have popped up online; my favorite being her as Wonder Woman. It’s a kick, and so is Ginsburg. Heck, even Orrin Hatch finds nice things to say about her — and without grimacing. That’s some lady. Just like the one her mother always wanted her to be.\nA documentary by Betsy West and Julie Cohen featuring Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Gloria Steinem, Nina Totenberg, Bill Clinton and Orrin Hatch.\n(PG for some thematic elements and language.)","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1290573"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7197389006614685,"wiki_prob":0.2802610993385315,"text":"MedEd Matters\nThe Loss of a Giant\nSara Grethlein Mar 18, 2014\nSometimes when we see an average looking person, we are overlooking the unique characteristics that mark them as exceptional. In 2011 I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Janet Rowley when she spoke to SELAM (the Society for Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine) about the challenges of being a woman in medicine and science. Quiet and unassuming, Dr. Rowley was revolutionary. She was smart, tenacious and modest. She achieved her Bachelor’s degree at the age of 19 and was one of a very limited number of women admitted to medical school, graduating at age 23 in 1948. Dr. Rowley died December 18, 2013 at the age of 88.\nDr. Rowley was fascinated by familial and genetic disorders. She worked part time treating “mongoloid” children with Down’s syndrome. Along the way, she bore and raised 4 sons with her husband and former classmate. Her intellect could not be denied, and she eventually was able to negotiate part time work in a leukemia research laboratory. She described her salary negotiations as “weak” – saying that she was able to obtain funding sufficient to cover the cost of baby sitters for her children, a microscope and supplies.\nIn this laboratory she studied and applied herself to learning the emerging techniques to study the blood and bone marrow specimens of leukemia patients. She stained chromosomes, and used a literal cut and paste technique to compare those of leukemic marrow with those of normal patients. (She described her children calling the cutouts her paper dolls). Dr. Rowley identified a consistent abnormality in several leukemia patients – pieces of chromosomes 8 and 21 had changed places; they had “translocated”. She went on to clarify that the Philadelphia Chromosome was a translocation of chromosomes 9 and 22. Initially identified in 1960, the Philadelphia Chromosome was felt to be an artifact of the leukemia and possibly due to the deletion of chromosome 21.\n“CELLS from nine consecutive patients with chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) have been analysed with quinacrine fluorescence and various Giemsa staining techniques. The Philadelphia (Ph1) chromosome in all nine patients represents a deletion of the long arm of chromosome 22 (22q−)1,2. An unsuspected abnormality in all cells from the nine patients has been detected with these new staining techniques. It consists of the addition of dully fluorescing material to the end of the long arm of one chromosome 9 (9q+). In Giemsa-stained preparations, this material appears as an additional faint terminal band in one chromosome 9. The amount of additional material is approximately equal to the amount missing from the Ph1 (22q−) chromosome, suggesting that there may be a hitherto undetected translocation between the long arm of 22 and the long arm of 9, producing the 9q+ chromosome.” – A New Consistent Chromosomal Abnormality in Chronic Myelogenous Leukaemia identified by Quinacrine Fluorescence and Giemsa Staining, Janet D.Rowley – Nature 243, 290 – 293 (01 June 1973)\nDr. Rowley also identified the translocation of chromosomes 15 and 17 that has become the sine qua non characteristic of acute promyelocytic leukemia. Her landmark paper was published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1973 – “Chromosomal patterns in myelocytic leukemia.” Rowley JD. N Engl J Med. 1973 Jul 26;289(4):220-1. More recently, Dr. Rowley authored a Perspective in Science – “Genetics – A Story of Swapped Ends” Science 21 June 2013.\nDr. Rowley’s accomplishments have been marked by receipt of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, The National Medal of Science, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Association for Cancer Research and the Lasker Award. She did note that her five grandchildren were among her greatest prizes.\nDr. Rowley looked at chromosomal abnormalities in a way that others had not – she looked beyond the ordinary and used emerging staining techniques to see patterns not previously recognized. She founded a method of investigation in medicine that is integral to the way I treat cancer patients today. She helped us along the path that led to treatments like Imatinib (aka Gleevec), and ATRA (all trans retinoic acid), and that has led to the classification and treatment of leukemias on the basis of their chromosomal abnormalities.\nIt makes me wonder what our students will accomplish in the future. Which of them will identify a new way of looking at things that transforms medicine? With the passage of time, which one will emerge as the next giant? Odds are good that greatness is lurking within our students. Let’s share our passion, and nurture their intellectual curiosity – who knows what the next chapter will hold!\nSara Grethlein\nInfographic: IU School of Medicine Commencement 2017\nThe Evolution of a Healer: IU Physician Transforms Stigma Surrounding Depression\nStatewide IU Online Education Conference: Call for Proposals\nAdobe Connect Retirement at IU – Transition Support from UITS\nLearn the Basics of Zoom for Online Conferencing","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line599538"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7805970311164856,"wiki_prob":0.7805970311164856,"text":"October 6, 2019 by Brownie\nHOT AND HIGH PERFORMANCE\nFor more than 30 years, Heli Niugini Limited has operated on the western South Pacific island nation of Papua New Guinea and throughout Australia, Asia and the Pacific. It specializes in helicopter support for the precision construction, mining and oil and gas industries, conducting both general visual and instrument flight rule operations. The company also provides charter services.\nHeli Niugini is based on Papua New Guinea’s main island of New Guinea, which the country shares with Indonesia. An unbroken chain of mountains with peaks above 13,000 feet dominates the topography. Papua New Guinea’s highest peak, Mount Wilhelm, rises to 14,793 feet. In addition to those elevations, much of the country is covered by tropical rain forest. Year-round, temperatures in the capital of Port Moresby, on the southern coast of the main island, hover around 27 degrees Celsius. Humidity averages 80 percent at Heli Niugini’s main base at Madang, on that island’s northern coast.\nAll of which is to say Heli Niugini’s operating environment is among the toughest for helicopters. The experience of flying 12,000 hours a year in that environment, with a mixed fleet that includes the Bell 407, has made the operator’s staff severe skeptics of helicopter performance claims. When at May 2016’s Rotortech trade show in Australia they heard claims of what the Eagle 407HP could do, Heli Niugini executives wanted to see firsthand.\nShortly after the show, Eagle Australasia flew the Eagle 407HP to Papua New Guinea for trial operations. Privately owned Eagle Australasia is a joint venture set up by Eagle Copters and the Australian company Aero Assist, a long-term partner, to market and provide support to the aircraft.\nIn the trials, the Eagle 407HP, fitted with mission-specific equipment, replaced a standard Bell 407 on a drilling exploration contract. Among other work, it lifted various internal and external loads at around 6,500 feet (density altitude 8,000 feet). The 407HP showed it could launch with more fuel and loads similar to a 407, lift and move heavier parts of the drill rig reducing the need for disassembly, and land with a heavier internal load enabling it to complete a food resupply in one trip instead of two.\nThe trials also included testing on the 10,993-foot Mount Otto, which has a communication tower on it. Heli Niugini transports 420-gallon drums of diesel to the summit to keep the tower’s generator running. An experienced Heli Niugini 407 pilot calculated that on the day of the test, with the density altitude at 13,000 feet at the peak, the 407HP could have lifted four drums of diesel. With the drums, long line and cargo hook, that would be a load of 1,760 pounds. The standard 407 would lift only two drums under those conditions.\nThe trials proved the 407HP’s hot-and-high performance, demonstrating that it can outlift a Bell 212 above 8,000 ft., said Eagle Australasia CEO Grant Boyter,\nThe Eagle 407HP is torque-limited to around 10,500 feet, compared to around 3,500 feet on a standard Bell 407 in Papua New Guinea. That is one of many factors that make the 407HP a game changer. Heli Niugini officials said they are excited about now being able to bid for jobs at altitude that in the past have been done mostly been done by Bell 212s, standard 205A1s and Airbus SA315 Lamas.\nTestament to the game-changing nature was Heli Niugini’s decision after the trials to lease that 407HP and to convert one of its standard 407s to the HP configuration. Eagle Australasia completed that conversion, with support from three Eagle Copter mechanics, in April 2017, on budget, and right on the six-week schedule.\nWith Honeywell’s powerful, efficient and reliable HTS900, Eagle Copters’ 407HP upgrade turns a workhorse single-engine helicopter into a true hot-and-high performer with capabilities that outmatch competitors and, in some cases, surpassed those of bigger, twin-engine rotorcraft. The upgrade also gives 407HP operators added safety margin, reduced operating costs and the ability to execute missions longer and more effectively.\nThe 407HP provides the best possible performance, highest efficiency and lowest maintenance costs for the Bell 407. Experience the 407’s full potential powered by the HTS900 engine.\nhttp://interactive.rotorandwing.com/eagle-407hp-building-on-a-legacy-changing-the-game/\nNext article How to charter a helicopter\nLiechtenstein says:\nWonderful post! We will be linking to this particularly great post on our site. Keep up the good writing.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line70721"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6886741518974304,"wiki_prob":0.3113258481025696,"text":"How an Instagram account highlighting Black-owned businesses in Toronto has grown to massive popularity\nKerin John on why she started her now very popular account and the community’s response\nby Julia Mastroianni for TRNTO Posted: June 30, 2020 Photo: Kerin John\nKerin John used her expertise in graphic design to launch the incredibly popular Instagram account @blackowned.to. The account is meant to help Torontonians find Black-owned businesses that they can support in their local community, and within two months it has grown to more than 50,000 followers.\nJohn fell in love with graphic design back in high school at Central Technical School where a multi-year graphic design program was offered for high school students.\n“My first intention was to go to college for it, which I did for a little bit, but I realized it was kind of a waste of time because I studied it in high school for so long,” John says. “After that, I just decided I would freelance and do this myself.”\nAt first, John was mostly doing work for people she knew, and that led to other work through word of mouth. Now, she is living a full-time freelance career with her main focus being @blackowned.to.\n“Organization is probably the number one thing to just keep your head on straight,” John explains. “Also, try to prioritize a little bit and not take on too many things at once, or else you’re going to burn yourself out.”She has faced this challenge since starting @blackowned.to.\n“The idea came to me because I was having a very difficult time finding Black-owned businesses in the city. With my design background and everything, I knew that I could create a page that was just easy to use because I’ve always been pretty good with social media.”\nKerin John started the account at the beginning of May and was mostly finding businesses to post on her own. However, by the beginning of June, she says things “really exploded.” She was getting upwards of 1,000 likes on each post and started getting so many direct messages that she couldn’t keep track.\n“I had to turn them off and find a different solution. And that’s how I decided to get a website for the business submissions,” she says.\nJohn says running the Instagram account and posting new businesses from the submissions has now become almost all she does at this point.\n“It’s all I think about. I don’t even sleep. It’s almost like an addiction. I’m always checking my emails, always checking the page.”\nShe has a backlog of hundreds of businesses to post now, and so she thinks she likely will create a directory of them all and post it to the website.\n“I want people to still have the resources without having to wait for me to post because it’s going to take me forever to get through all of the businesses.”\nShe attributes the growth of the account to the community.\n“Up until the past couple of weeks, supporting Black-owned businesses hasn’t been a trend. Now, it’s kind of, I don’t want to say trendy, but people are just trying to find ways to be a good ally,” Kerin John says. “But I don’t want it to be temporary. I want it to be continued support for the Black community because, overall, we just haven’t had the same amount of customers, and starting a business for us has always been a little bit more challenging.”","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1926019"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5834124088287354,"wiki_prob":0.5834124088287354,"text":"Eugene Roberts (2007), Scholarpedia, 2(10):3356. doi:10.4249/scholarpedia.3356 revision #91298 [link to/cite this article]\n(Redirected from GABA)\nCurator: Eugene Roberts\nEric Barnard\nDr. Eugene Roberts, Neurobiochemistry, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, CA\nFigure 1: A plaque created by Dr. C. van der Stelt, chemist and artist, in honor of Roberts’ discovery and subsequent work on GABA at a meeting honoring him in Amsterdam, 1965 (provided by Dr. Eugene Roberts).\nThe term GABA refers to the simple chemical substance \\(\\gamma\\)-aminobutyric acid (NH2CH2CH2 CH2COOH). It is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Its presence in the brain first was reported in 1950 (Roberts and Frankel, 1950a).\n1 Discovery of GABA and early history\n2 Basic neurophysiology of GABA\n3 A brief synopsis of the neurochemistry of GABA\n4 The inhibited nervous system: a global view of GABAergic function (Roberts, 1976, 1986b, 1991)\n5 GABA and diseases of the CNS\n6 GABA, The quintessential neurotransmitter: electroneutrality, fidelity, and specificity (Roberts, 1993)\nDiscovery of GABA and early history\nThe history of GABA in brain began with the discovery of the unique presence of this substance in tissue of the vertebrate central nervous system (CNS). In the course of the study of free amino acids of various normal and neoplastic tissues in several species of animals by paper chromatography, relatively large amounts of an unidentified ninhydrin-reactive material were found in extracts of fresh brains of mouse, rat, rabbit, guinea-pig, human, frog, salamander, turtle, alligator, and chick. At most, only traces of this material were found in a large number of extracts of many other normal and neoplastic tissues and in urine and blood. The unknown material was isolated from suitably prepared paper chromatograms. A study of the properties of the substance in mouse brain revealed it to be GABA. The initial identification, based on the co-migration of the unknown with GABA on paper chromatography in three different solvent systems, was followed by an absolute identification of the GABA in brain extracts by the isotope derivative method. An abstract was submitted to the Federation meetings in March of 1950 reporting the presence of GABA in brain (Roberts and Frankel, 1950a). Three papers dealing with the occurrence of GABA in brain appeared later that year in the same issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry (Roberts and Frankel, 1950b; Udenfriend, 1950; Awapara et al., 1950). Detailed histories of the early chemical work outlined above have been published (e.g. see Roberts, 1986a).\nDetailed account of the discovery of GABA here: /history.\nThe 3 methylene groups between the amino and carboxyl groups of GABA endow it with great structural flexibility, allowing it freedom to explore the surrounding chemical space with a continuum of structures ranging from full extension ( Figure 1, upper right) to the contiguity of the amino and carboxyl groups shown in the cyclic form ( Figure 1, lower left). Therefore, GABA has potential capacity to engage in innumerable energy-minimizing, mutually shaping interactions with molecular entities encountered in its immediate environment.\nBasic neurophysiology of GABA\nFor several years the presence of GABA in brain remained a biochemical curiosity and a physiological enigma. It was remarked in the first review written on GABA that “Perhaps the most difficult question to answer would be whether the presence in the gray matter of the central nervous system of uniquely high concentrations of \\(\\gamma\\)-aminobutyric acid and the enzyme which forms it from glutamic acid has a direct or indirect connection to conduction of the nerve impulse in this tissue” (Roberts, 1956). However, later that year, the first suggestion that GABA might have an inhibitory function in the vertebrate nervous system came from studies in which it was found that topically applied solutions of GABA exerted inhibitory effects on electrical activity in the brain (Hayashi and Nagai, 1956). In 1957, the suggestion was made that indigenously occurring GABA might have an inhibitory function in the central nervous system from studies with convulsant hydrazides (Killam, 1957; Killam and Bain, 1957). Also in 1957, suggestive evidence for an inhibitory function for GABA came from studies that established GABA as the major factor in brain extracts responsible for the inhibitory action of these extracts on the crayfish stretch receptor system (Bazemore et al., 1957). Within a brief period the activity in this field increased greatly, so that the research being carried out ranged all the way from the study of the effects of GABA on ionic movements in single neurons to clinical evaluation of the role of the GABA system in epilepsy, schizophrenia, mental retardation, etc. This surge of interest warranted the convocation in 1959 of the first truly interdisciplinary neuroscience conference ever held, at which were present most of the individuals who had played a role in opening up this exciting field (Roberts et al, 1960).\nDuring the aforementioned period, GABA became established as the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS). It was found to fulfill the “classical” requirements for neurotransmitter: proof of identity of postsynaptic action with that of the natural transmitter, presence in inhibitory nerves, releasability from terminals of identified nerves, and the presence of a rapid inactivating mechanism at synapses. Information on the GABA system, as a whole, up to 1960 has been thoroughly reviewed and extensively documented (Roberts and Eidelberg, 1960, and Roberts, et al., 1960) and major updates have appeared at intervals (Roberts, et al., 1976; Bowery, 1984; Olsen and Venter, 1986; Martin and Olsen, 2000).\nFigure 2: Some metabolic relationships in nervous tissue.\nA brief synopsis of the neurochemistry of GABA\nGABA is formed in the CNS of vertebrate organisms to a large extent, if not entirely, from L-glutamic acid ( Figure 2). The reaction (reaction 5) is catalyzed by L-glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), an enzyme found in mammalian organisms largely in neurons in the CNS, although there now are many reports of the occurrence of both GAD and GABA in neurons in the peripheral nervous system, as well as in some nonneural tissues (e.g., pancreas) and in body fluids. Brain GAD catalyzes the rapid \\(\\alpha\\)-decarboxylation of L-glutamic acid and, of the rest of the naturally occurring amino acids, only L-aspartic acid to a very slight extent. Genes for two brain GAD isoforms have been cloned, as have families of other GABA-related proteins, such as 19 GABAA receptors and 2 to 3 GABAB receptors. It now is possible to visualize GABA, itself, and most of the proteins involved in GABA metabolism, release, and action on sections of the CNS at the light and electron microscopic levels, employing antisera to the purified components and peroxidase-labelling techniques. This has led to much more definitive data than were hitherto available through cell fractionation and lesion studies and has given detailed information of the interrelationships of GABA neurons in various nervous system regions (Roberts, 1978, 1980, 1984, 1986a).\nThe reversible transamination of GABA with \\(\\alpha\\)-ketoglutarate (reaction 9) is catalyzed by a mitochondrial aminotransferase, termed GABA-transaminase (GABA-T), which in the CNS is found chiefly in the gray matter but also occurs in other tissues. The products of the transaminase reaction are succinic semialdehyde and glutamic acid. There is present an excess of a dehydrogenase that catalyzes the oxidation of succinic semialdehyde to succinic acid, which in turn can be oxidized via the reactions of the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Because succinic semialdehyde is oxidized to succinate without the intermediate formation of succinyl-coenzyme A, one consequence of the operation of the GABA shunt in brain, through which 10% to 20% of glucose metabolism may flow, is a decreased rate of phosphorylation of guanosine diphosphate (GDP) to guanosine triphosphate (GTP). The latter may be involved in activation of G proteins, formation of deoxy GTP for mitochondrial DNA synthesis, and synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Although the exact functional significance of this GABA-dependent metabolic shunt still is not apparent, it seems certain that GABA plays a special metabolic role in brain mitochondria, which is abrogated when inhibition of GABA-T occurs. Of the keto acids normally present, only \\(\\alpha\\)-ketoglutarate is an amino group acceptor. In addition to GABA, several other ω amino acids also are effective amino donors.\nSteady-state concentrations of GABA in various brain areas normally are governed by the activity of GAD and not by GABA-T. In many inhibitory nerves, both GAD and GABA-T are present and are found throughout the neuron, GAD being more highly concentrated in the presynaptic terminals than elsewhere. The GABA-T is contained in mitochondria of all neuronal regions. GABA is a precursor of several substances found in nervous tissue and cerebrospinal fluid, among which are GABA histidine (homocarnosine), GABA-1-methylhistidine, \\(\\gamma\\)-guanidinobutyric acid, GABA-1-cystathionine, \\(\\alpha\\)-(GABA)-L-lysine, GABA-choline, and putreanine [(N-4-aminobutyrl)-3-aminopropionic acid]. Homocarnosine is present exclusively in brain and cerebrospinal fluid, and there are data suggesting important roles for it as an antioxidant, an optimizer of immune function, and a modifier of brain excitability.\nImportant controls in regulation of the GABA system might be exerted at points related to the availability of glutamic acid, the substrate for GABA synthesis in nerve endings by GAD (reaction 5). Glutamate carbon can originate from glucose through glycolysis and the Krebs cycle (upper right-hand corner of Figure 2), from glutamine subsequent to uptake (reaction 6), and from proline (reactions 3 and 4) and ornithine (reactions 2 and 4). Ornithine (reactions 2 and 3), but not glutamate, is an effective precursor of proline in nerve terminals, a putative inhibitory neurotransmitter. Arginine can be converted to ornithine (reaction 1), which in turn gives rise to glutamate (reactions 2 and 4), proline (reactions 2 and 3), and GABA (reactions 2, 4, and 5).\nGAD requires pyridoxal phosphate (PLP), a form of vitamin B6, as a coenzyme (Roberts et al., 1964). Dietary forms of vitamin B6 are absorbed and converted efficiently in tissues to (PLP), which is synthesized in brain from ATP and pyridoxal. PLP can readily be removed from the enzyme protein of GAD causing loss of enzyme activity, and the lost enzymatic activity can be restored simply by the addition of the coenzyme. Pyridoxine-deficient animals show a decrease in the degree of saturation with the coenzyme of the enzyme protein of cerebral GAD, but no decrease is found in the content of enzyme protein in the deficient animals. Brain GAD activity is restored rapidly to normal on feeding of pyridoxine to deficient animals. Pyridoxine deficiency, however produced, results in a susceptibility to seizures in animals, including humans, probably because of decreased ability to make GABA. Seizures in an infant with a simple dietary deficiency of vitamin B6 were abolished completely almost immediately after intramuscular injection of pyridoxine. This indicates that in a normal individual there is an extremely rapid conversion of pyridoxine to pyridoxal phosphate, association of the coenzyme with the apoenzyme of GAD, and formation of GABA in nerve terminals. Hydrazides and other carbonyl-trapping agents react with the aldehyde group of PLP and decrease its availability as a coenzyme. The seizures that result when such agents are administered are partially attributable to the decreases in the amounts of releasable GABA in nerve terminals of inhibitory nerves.\nThe inhibited nervous system: a global view of GABAergic function (Roberts, 1976, 1986b, 1991)\nPerhaps the subject of neural inhibition had lain dormant for so many years because there was no material basis for it. Inhibitory neurons had not been identified, an inhibitory neurotransmitter had not been isolated and characterized, and postsynaptic sites for neural inhibition had not been shown. It is well to remember that it was not until 1952 (Eccles, 1982), two years after the discovery of GABA in brain, that the controversy as to whether synaptic transmission in the CNS is largely electrical or chemical in nature was settled in favor of the latter. It also was 3 years before modern molecular biology was begun by Watson and Crick (Watson and Crick, 1953).\nGABA increases the permeability of membranes to specific ions in such a way as to cause the membranes to resist depolarization. For example, by acting on a particular class of receptors (GABAA), GABA produces an increase in permeability to Cl- ions that is measured as an increase in membrane conductance. GABA also produces increases in K+ conductance by action on another distinct class of receptors (GABAB) that are not colocalized with GABAA receptors. In general, GABA accelerates the rate of return of the resting potential of all depolarized membrane segments that it contacts and stabilizes undepolarized membrane segments by decreasing their sensitivity to stimulation. Thus, at many sites in the nervous system, GABA exercises inhibitory command-control of membrane potential. In this way this naturally occurring inhibitory transmitter can counteract the depolarizing action of excitatory processes to maintain the polarization of a cell at an equilibrium level near that of its resting value, acting essentially as a chemical voltage clamp. In most instances studied, GABA has been shown to exert hyperpolarizing or inhibitory effects by this mechanism. However, if high intracellular Cl- concentrations should occur, GABA can produce a decrease in membrane potential or depolarization. Data now suggest that the benzodiazepines (e.g., Valium) and barbiturates exert their pharmacologic effects largely by reacting with components of the GABAA receptor complex, thereby enhancing the efficacy of neurally released GABA.\nGABA is inactivated at synapses by a mechanism that involves attachment to unique membrane recognition sites, different from those for the receptor, and subsequent removal from the synaptic junction by a Na+- and Cl--dependent transport process that is similar in principle to that used for transport of many other substances. The removal of synaptically released GABA takes place by reuptake into terminals of neurons and into glial processes that invest the synapses.\nFigure 3: (A) Control section (non-immunostained) of nucleus interpositus in rat cerebellum. Neuronal soma (s). (B) Neuropil of nucleus interpositus immunostained for GAD. Soma of neuron(s), dendrite (d), reaction product (long arrows), grazed neuron soma (encircled by short arrows) with bouton-like reaction product on cell surface (b). (C) Neuron shown in Fig. 2B, photographed with Nornarski optics. Soma (s), dendrite (d), bouton-like deposits of reaction product (b).\nFigure 4: Electron micrographs of various types of synaptic terminals which contain GAD, the enzyme that synthesizes GABA. All specimens were obtained from the rat CNS. (a) axodentritic synapses in the substantia nigra (T1 and T2) with a dendritic shaft (D) in the pars reticulate; (b) axoaxonal synapse in cerebral cortex; (c) axosomatic synapse in dorsal horn of spinal cord; (d) axoaxonal synapse in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord; (e) dendrodentritic synapses in the glomerular layer of the olfactory bulb.\nThe ubiquity and extent of immunocytochemically visualized presynaptic endings of inhibitory GABAergic neurons on various structures in the vertebrate nervous system are striking. The impression is that of looking at a highly restrained nervous system ( Figure 3 and Figure 4). In coherent behavioral sequences, innate or learned, preprogrammed circuits are released to function at varying rates and in various combinations. This is accomplished largely by the disinhibition of pacemaker neurons whose activities are under the dual tonic inhibitory controls of local-circuit GABAergic neurons and of GABAergic projection neurons coming from neural command centers. According to this view, disinhibition is permissive, and excitatory input to pacemaker neurons serves mainly a modulatory role.\nDisinhibition., acting in conjunction with intrinsic pacemaker activity and often with modulatory excitatory input, is one of the major organizing principles in nervous system function. For example, cortical and hippocampal pyramidal neurons are literally studded with terminals from inhibitory GABAergic neurons. Not only are the endings of the local-circuit GABAergic aspinous stellate neurons densely distributed around the somata and dendrites of the cortical pyramidal cells, but they are also located on initial axon segments, where they act as frequency filters. In addition, GABA neurons have terminals from other GABAergic neurons impinging on them. Pyramidal cells are tightly inhibited by local-circuit inhibitory neurons that may themselves be inhibited by the actions of other inhibitory neurons in such a way that disinhibition of the pyramidal neurons occurs. Local-circuit GABAergic neurons also participate in processes that result in feedforward, feedback, surround, and presynaptic inhibition and presynaptic facilitation.\nBoth inhibition and disinhibition play key roles in information processing in all neural regions. Normally, the principal cells in particular neural sectors may be held tightly in check by constant tonic action of inhibitory neurons. Through disinhibition, neurons in a neural sector may be released to fire at different rates and sequences and, in turn, serve to release circuits at other levels of the nervous system. Communication among neural stations and substations may take place largely by throwing of disinhibitory neural switches. This may be the way information flows from sense organ to cerebral sensory area, through associative areas to the motor cortex, and by way of the pyramidal paths to the final motor cells of the medulla and spinal cord.\nGABA and diseases of the CNS\nDefects in coordination between the GABA system and other neurotransmitter and modulator systems may involve a local brain region, several brain regions, or the entire CNS. Enhanced synchrony of neuronal firing (e.g., in seizures) may arise in several ways: increased rate of release of synaptic excitatory transmitters, blockade of inhibitory transmitter receptor mechanisms, desensitization of receptors to inhibitory transmitters, decreased availability of inhibitory transmitter, decreased activity of inhibitory neurons, and increased formation or activation of electrotonic (gap) junctions. Immunocytochemical studies of the sensorimotor cortex in experimental epilepsy in monkeys showed highly significant reductions in numbers of GABAergic terminals of electrographically proved epileptogenic sites of alumina gel application. Electronmicroscopic observations showed a marked loss of axosomatic synapses on the pyramidal cells and a replacement of synaptic appositions with astrocytic processes in the alumina cream-treated animals. However, the symmetric, presumably excitatory synapses on the dendrites of these pyramidal cells appeared to be largely intact. Comprehensive biochemical studies complementary to the morphologic ones showed a significant correlation with seizure frequency only with losses in GABAergic receptor-related binding and decreased GAD activity. Current data support the notion that actual destruction or inactivation of inhibitory interneurons is one of the major cerebral defects predisposing to seizures, at least in the case of focal epilepsy (Roberts, 1986b). Mutations in GABAA receptor now have been shown to predispose individuals to various types of seizures (Macdonald, et al., 2004). GABA neurons play important roles in control mechanisms in various hypothalamic and brain stem centers. If their activity within these structures is compromised, abnormally enhanced responses may be observed, for example, in emotional reactivity, cardiac and respiratory functions, blood pressure, food and water intake, sweating , insulin secretion, liberation of gastric acid, and motility of the colon.\nThe roles of GABA neurons in information processing in various regions of the nervous system are so varied and complex that it appears doubtful that many useful drug therapies will come from approaches that are aimed at affecting one or another aspect of GABAergic function at all GABA synapses. Currently there are no drugs that are process and site specific. In this regard, the detailed molecular characterization that is being carried out of the enzymes of GABA metabolism, GABA receptors and transporters, the components of GABA receptor-associated anion channels, and the relationships among these structures and the lipidic membrane components in which they are imbedded should give rise to many opportunities for devising specific therapeutic modalities (e.g., see Roberts, 2006).\nGABA, The quintessential neurotransmitter: electroneutrality, fidelity, and specificity (Roberts, 1993)\nIsoelectric Points (PI) of Major Naturally-Occurring Amino Acids and Peptides in Animal Tissues (From Greenstein, J.P., Winitz, M. Chemistry of the Amino Acids, Vol. 1. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1961, pp. 486-489).\nAspartic acid 2.77\nGlutamic acid 3.22\nCystine 5.03\nAsparagine 5.41\nPhenylalanine 5.48\nHomocystine 5.53\nThreonine 5.64\nGlutamine 5.65\nTyrosine 5.66\nSerine 5.68\nMethionine 5.74\nHydroxyproline 5.74\nTryptophan 5.89\nCitrulline 5.92\nIsoleucine 5.94\nValine 5.96\nGlycine 5.97\nLeucine 5.98\nAlanine 6.00\nSarcosine 6.12\nProline 6.30\nβ-Alanine 6.90\nCysteine 6.94\nHomocysteine 7.05\n\\(\\gamma\\)-Aminobutyric acid 7.30\nHistidine 7.47\n\\(\\delta\\)-Amino-n-valeric acid 7.52\n\\(\\epsilon\\)-Amino-n-caproic acid 7.60\nl-Methylhistidine 7.67\nCarnosine 8.17\nAnserine 8.27\nLysine 9.59\nOrnithine 9.70\nArginine 11.15\nNature’s choice of GABA as the major inhibitory neurotransmitter is an example of evolutionary optimization. Alone of the known neurotransmitters, GABA is an electroneutral zwitterion (isoelectric point, 7.3) at physiologic pH, the ionization constants for both its amino and carboxyl groups being sufficiently far removed from neutrality so that shifts of pH in the physiologic range produce little change in net charge (Table 1). This endows GABA with a capacity for higher fidelity of information transmittal than that of other known major neurotransmitters, enabling it, in “stealth” fashion, to escape the charged minefields encountered in passage through the dense extracellular environment lying between presynaptic sites of release and postsynaptic sites of action. Coordinate enhancement with progressive acidification occurs in GABAergic inhibitory function because GABA formation and its anion channel-opening efficacy are increased while its metabolic destruction by transamination and removal by transport are decreased. Diminution of GABAergic inhibitory function occurs on alkalinization. Contrariwise, acidification decreases postsynaptic efficacy of glutamate, the major excitatory neurotransmitter, and alkalinization increases it.\nIn this manner the delicate balance between excitation and inhibition in the brain is maintained within the adaptive range in response to local or global activity that acidifies the environment in which it occurs. Accelerated metabolism after nerve activity results in accelerated formation of carbon dioxide and lactic acid; the accompanying acidification applies physiologic “brakes,” so to speak, preventing structural and functional damage from taking place. When GABAergic-glutamatergic relations are unbalanced by glutamatergic overactivity, seizures may occur. For example, the excitement experienced at an athletic event with the attendant hyperventilation and consequent alkalinization not infrequently causes seizures in susceptible individuals. Overbalancing in favor of the GABA system can lead to maladaptive decrement in neural activity and even to coma.\nThe properties of the simple GABA molecule itself, and of the machinery built to support its function, make it eminently suitable to guide the brain in a “civilized” manner. The yin-yang relationship between the glutamatergic excitatory and GABAergic inhibitory systems is played out on the tightrope of a delicate balance, and imbalances between them lead to serious disorders.\nNo \\(\\alpha\\)-, \\(\\beta\\)-, or \\(\\omega\\)- amino acid known to occur in any abundance in animal tissues approaches GABA in molar efficacy at the GABAA receptor. Therefore, the noise level created by nonspecific effects at the GABAA receptor are minimal, ensuring quantitative fidelity of the neural messages delivered by GABA.\nThe “charm” of GABA lies in nature’s choice of this simple molecule, made from the common metabolic soil of glutamic acid, for the all-important role as major controller of the infinitely complex machinery of the brain, allowing it to operate in the manner best described as freedom without license. Try as one might, one cannot come up with a better choice for the job (Roberts, 1991, 1993).\nAwapara, J., Landua, A.J., Fuerst, R., and Seale, B. Free gamma-aminobutyric acid in brain. Journal of Biological Chemistry 187:35-9, 1950.\nBazemore, A.W., Elliott, K.A.C., Florey, E. Isolation of Factor I. Journal of Neurochemistry 1:334-339, 1957.\nBowery, N.G., ed. Actions and Interactions of GABA and Benzodiazepines. New York: Raven Press, 1984.\nEccles, J.C. The synapse: from electrical to chemical transmission. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 5:325-339, 1982.\nHayashi, T., Nagai, K. Action of ω-amino acids on the motor cortex of higher animals, especially γ-amino-β-oxybutyric acid as the real inhibitory principle in brain. In: Abstracts of reviews: Abstracts of communications. Brussels: Twentieth International Physiological Congress, p. 410, 1956.\nKillam, K.F. Convulsant hydrazides. II. Comparison of electrical changes and enzyme inhibition induced by the administration of thiosemicarbazide. Journal of Pharmacological and Experimental Therapeutics. 119:263-271, 1957.\nKillam, K.F., Bain J.A. Convulsant hydrazides. I. In vitro and in vivo inhibition of vitamin B6 enzymes by convulsant hydrazides. Journal of Pharmacological and Experimental Therapeutics. 119:255-262, 1957.\nMacdonald, R.L., Gallagher, M.J., Feng, H.-J., Kang, J. GABAA receptor epilepsy mutations. Biochemical Pharmacology. 68:1497-1506, 2004.\nMartin, D. L. & Olsen, R. W., eds. GABA in the Nervous System. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2000.\nOlsen, R.W. and Venter J.C., editors Benzodiazepine/GABA Receptors and Chloride Channels: Structural and Functional Properties. New York: Alan R. Liss, Inc., 1986.\nRoberts, E. Formation and utilization of γ-aminobutyric acid in brain. Progress in Neurobiology. I. Neurochemistry. Korey, S.R., and Burnberger, J.I. eds. New York: Hoeber-Harper, pp. 11-25, 1956.\nRoberts, E. Disinhibition as an organizing principle in the nervous system: the role of the GABA system. Application to neurologic and psychiatric disorders. In: Roberts, E., Chase, T.N., and Tower, D.B., eds., GABA in Nervous System Function, New York, Raven Press, pp. 515-539, 1976.\nRoberts, E. Roles of GABA neurons in information processing in the vertebrate CNS. In: Karlin, A., Tennyson, V.M., Vogel, H.J., eds. Neuronal Information Transfer. New York: Academic Press, pp. 213-239, 1978.\nRoberts, E. γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA): a major inhibitory transmitter in the vertebrate nervous system. In: Levi-Montalcini, R., ed. Nerve Cells, Transmitters and Behaviour. Rome: Pontifical Academy of Sciences, 163-213, 1980.\nRoberts, E. γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA): from discovery to visualization of GABAergic neurons in the vertebrate nervous system. In: Actions and Interactions of GABA and Benzodiazepines, Bowery, N.G., ed. New York: Raven Press, pp. 1-25, 1984.\nRoberts, E. GABA: The road to neurotransmitter status. In: Benzodiazepine/GABA Receptors and Chloride Channels: Structural and Functional Properties, R.W. Olsen and J.C. Venter, editors, pp. 1-39. New York: Alan R. Liss, Inc., 1986a.\nRoberts, E. Failure of GABAergic inhibition: a key to local and global seizures. Advances in Neurology,44:319-341, 1986b.\nRoberts, E. Living systems are tonically inhibited, autonomous optimizers, and disinhibition coupled to variability generation is their major organizing principle: inhibitory command-control at levels of membrane, genome, metabolism, brain, and society. Neurochemical Research 16:409-421, 1991.\nRoberts, E. Adventures with GABA: Fifty Years On. In: GABA in the Nervous System: The View at Fifty Years, D.L. Martin and Richard W. Olsen, editors, pp. 1-24, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, 2000.\nRoberts, E. GABAergic malfunction in the limbic system resulting from an aboriginal genetic defect in voltage-gated Na+-channel SCN5A is proposed to give rise to susceptibility to schizophrenia. Advances in Pharmacology 54:119-145, 2006.\nRoberts, E., Baxter, C.F., Van Harreveld, A., Wiersma, C.A.G., Adey, W.R., and Killam, K.F., eds. Inhibition in the Nervous System and Gamma-aminobutyric Acid. Oxford: Pergamon Press, 1960.\nRoberts, E., Chase, T.N., and Tower, D.B., eds., GABA in Nervous System Function, New York, Raven Press, 1976.\nRoberts, E. and Eidelberg, E. Metabolic and neurophysiological roles of γ-Aminobutyric acid. International Review of Neurobiology 2:279-332, 1960.\nRoberts, E. and Frankel, S. γ-Aminobutyric acid in brain. Federation Proceedings 9:219, 1950.\nRoberts, E. and Frankel, S. γ-Aminobutyric acid in brain: Its formation from glutamic acid. Journal of Biological Chemistry 187:55-63, 1950.\nRoberts, E. and Sherman, M.A. GABA—the quintessential neurotransmitter: electroneutrality, fidelity, specificity, and a model for the ligand binding site of GABAA receptors. Neurochemical Research 18:365-376, 1993.\nRoberts, E., Wein, J., Simonsen, D.G. γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA), vitamin B6 and neuronal function: a speculative synthesis. Vitamins and Hormones 22:503-559, 1964.\nUdenfriend, S. Identification of gamma-aminobutyric acid in brain by the isotope derivative method. Journal of Biological Chemistry 187:65-9, 1950.\nWatson, J.D. and Crick, F.H.C. Molecular structure of nucleic acids: a structure for deoxyribose nucleic acid. Nature 171:737-8, 1953.\nPeter Jonas and Gyorgy Buzsaki (2007) Neural inhibition. Scholarpedia, 2(9):3286.\nJohn W. Moore (2007) Voltage clamp. Scholarpedia, 2(9):3060.\nGABA Receptors, Interneurons, Neural Inhibition, Synapse, Synaptic Transmission\nReviewed by: Dr. Eric Barnard, Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, UK\nRetrieved from \"http://www.scholarpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gamma-Aminobutyric_Acid&oldid=91298\"\n\"Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid\" by Eugene Roberts is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. Permissions beyond the scope of this license are described in the Terms of Use","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line4486"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5462360382080078,"wiki_prob":0.5462360382080078,"text":"Messages from the President Emeritus\nHome / President Emeritus Charles L. Flynn, Jr.\nPresident Emeritus Charles L. Flynn, Jr.\nDr. Charles L. Flynn, Jr., is President Emeritus of the College of Mount Saint VIncent. He served as professor of history and president from 2000 until 2021.\nOriginally from Connecticut, Dr. Flynn received a B.A. from Hamilton College, and the M.A. and Ph.D. from Duke University. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa.\nA historian, Dr. Flynn is the author of White Land, Black Labor: Caste and Class in Late Nineteenth Century Georgia. He is co-editor of an award-winning volume entitled Race, Class, and Politics in Southern History, and the author of numerous articles.\nDr. Flynn has served many community and professional organizations, including the Executive Committee of both the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) and New York’s Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU).","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1533246"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8184304237365723,"wiki_prob":0.8184304237365723,"text":"Transnet Cares May 2014\nTransnet Cares - Transnet Foundation Official Newsletter\nEnriching the Lives and Well-being of Communities\nCommunity-based and non-profit organisations play a crucial role in uplifting impoverished communities, where the majority of people don’t have the means to help themselves. By providing much needed care and services, they help empower people to live productive, healthy and fulfilling lives. They also offer hope for a bright future when prospects are dim.\nThe University of Pretoria, Faculty of Health science, School of Dentistry in partnership with the Transnet Foundation\nThe University of Pretoria, Faculty of Health science, School of Dentistry in partnership with the Transnet Foundation have committed itself to allocate dental and oral hygiene students to the Transnet Phelophepa Health care train on a fortnight bases for a period of five months. Currently the first group of students joined the train on 31st March 2014 and they returned on the 12th April 2014. The next group of students will soon follow.\nTransnet Bids Farewell to Dr Coetzee\nIn the month of March 2014, Transnet SOC Ltd will bid farewell to one of its passionate and dedicated long serving member of staff Dr Lynette Coetzee. Dr Coetzee is founder and project manager of the ‘train of hope’ Phelophepa and Portfolio manager for Health, at the Transnet Foundation. For 20 years, she has successfully headed the Phelophepa initiative and as she exits Transnet on retirement, she takes us through her experiences with the project that has been and will forever remain close to her heart.\nTransnet Donates R550K towards MISTRA Research Work\nTransnet’s Corporate Social Investment contribution towards social and economic upliftment of the country continues to impact both individuals and organisations. One recipient was Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA), a non-profit organisation founded in 2010 which combines research and academic development, strategic reflection and intellectual discourse to promote heritage preservation. To support and enhance research skills among African youth, Transnet Foundation gave a once-off sponsorship of R550, 000 towards the sustenance of research projects.\nTransnet Community Centres (“TCCs”) provides economic benefits\nThree years ago Transnet Foundation set in motion projects aimed at providing infrastructure and basic services to remote rural communities through constructing centres and approaching service providers that would help deliver safety and security services, as well as social services. To date three TCCs have been erected and are fully operational in Springs, Khuma in Potchefstroom, Ireagh in Bushbuckridge while two centres in Thokoza, Emalahleni and Idondotha in KZN are under construction.\nTransnet Foundation Support System for High School Teachers\nTransnet Foundation through its Education Portfolio continues to embark on programmes which improve the quality of the education system within the country. The portfolio has been running a project called Transnet Foundation Teachers Development Programme which offers support to targeted high school teachers.\nSchool of Excellence Matric and Sports Awards\nThe SAFA/Transnet Football school of Excellence held an awards ceremony on Friday the 21st of February to celebrate the academic and sport achievements of the matric class of 2013. The ceremony, in its splendour, was attended by officials from SAFA, Transnet, the 2013 matriculants and their parents, current students at the school, local area councillor and former students of the school who have now made it big in professional football.\nTransnet Funds building of 4 Classrooms to a North West School\nTransnet has granted funding of R 750 000 to Batswana Commercial Secondary School. The mixed sex institution is situated in Mafikeng, in the North West province and home to more than 1300 learners. The donation which will be spread over three consecutive years at R 250 000 per annum, effective February 2014, will help alleviate severe classroom shortages being faced by the school.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1496922"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6126534342765808,"wiki_prob":0.6126534342765808,"text":"Write For DUO\nINSIDE DUO\nGOODS TO DO GOOD\nBob Tinsley\nMany of us don’t even know what we want todo at the age of 22, let alone having written,produced and performed your own songs,started your own production company andsigned a contract with a major recording studio. It’s no wonder why Bobby Tinsley is becoming hotter than ever!\nDUO (D) How and when did you start your music career?\nBOBBY (B): I have been singing and making music my whole life, but I would say my “career” actually started early 2004 with the self-release of my first album “Page 1”.\nD:What are some of the challenges you encountered throughout your career?\nB:Getting started in music is no easy path. I have had to face haters, people doubting that you can really “make it”, shady record companies, broken promises, and the list can go on and on. Overcoming all of that is a day-to-day struggle; still, however, if you really believe in yourself, you get through the bad weather!\nD:How do you characterize your style and how do you stand out from other artists?\nB:My style is definitely R&B, but more like the stuff you would hear back in the ‘90’s, Jon B, Brian McKnight, songs that really gave you that “feeling”, ya know. I play guitar and keys live, and I write and produce pretty much all of my stuff. To me, it’s really about the message in the song. I feel like my music can really touch a broad range of people, just from a lyrical and emotional standpoint, so I think that definitely helps me to stand out.\nD:How did your life change after signing a record deal with Jean Rah Fya Records?\nB:This has been one of the best decisions I have ever made, business-wise. I really thank God every day for my label situation, and the type of people that Doug and Jackie are. It’s hard, because, unfortunately, we have a “music-business”, two words that really don’t go well together, but you have to be a businessperson with this stuff. Signing this deal, with everyone from my label to my management, has really helped me be able to focus more on the music side of things, which I am not complaining about!\nD:What can the audience expect from your album “What about Bob”?\nB:It’s really an emotional journey of my life over the last couple years. Some of the songs I wrote two years ago, and some of them were just recently added; but, all in all, I think people are really gonna love what they hear. There’s joy; there’s pain. It’s really a lyrical ride. I put my heart out there.\nD:On what projects are you currently working?\nB:Well, just recently, I wrote and produced some songs off of my label-mate Chani’s CD, so that has been a blast! I also am doing some writing and production for a lot of folks behind the scenes, and working with some other production houses that I really respect and look up to, like the Insomniax. I try to stay busy.\nD:Do you do charity work?\nB:Jean Rah Fya owners Doug and Jackie Christie support the Millionaire Club and the Children’s Hospital, so I’m really looking forward to getting involved in some of that with them. I also have plans to start a foundation of my own, hopefully as I get more known. I have a lot of ideas.- DUO","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1983402"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8177582025527954,"wiki_prob":0.8177582025527954,"text":"Prairie Land Electric Cooperative, Inc. is a member-owned full service rural electric cooperative serving approximately 24,000 customers in parts of 18 Northern Kansas Counties. Headquartered in Norton, Kansas, Prairie Land Electric's 86 employees maintain and operate almost 7000 miles of line.\nOur Power Supply\nOur Kitty: Kilowatt\n14935 US Hwy 36, P.O. Box 360\n223 West 5th Street, P.O. Box 469\nOur offices are open from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.\nFor after hours outage reporting, call 1-800-577-3323.\nTo make automated payments by phone at any time, call 1-844-241-0263\nElectricity is a unique product in that it can't be stored. It must always be on the move until it's used, and it has to be delivered in just the right amount needed by the consumer. A wholesale supplier generates the electricity, and uses transmission lines to provide it to the utility distribution provider that purchased it.\nElectricity can be generated from coal, natural gas, nuclear, wind, solar, water and biomass.\nPrairie Land Electric gets electricity from a Generation and Transmission cooperative called Sunflower Electric Power Corporation, based in Hays, Kansas. Sunflower Electric owns and operates generation and transmission assets that crisscross 36 central and western Kansas counties. Sunflower was created in 1957 by six rural electric cooperatives in western Kansas, including Prairie Land Electric, because they needed assurance they would have a reliable long-term power supply available to them at a price lower than what each individual cooperative could obtain independently. For more information on the sources of the power generated by Sunflower Electric, click here.\nPrairie Land Electric is a distribution cooperative and the direct point of contact with the electricity consumers. Distribution cooperatives purchase power at wholesale from a G&T and deliver it to members by reducing the voltage and transferring it to smaller distribution lines that allow it to travel safely to the consumer.\nThe mission of Prairie Land Electric Cooperative, Inc. is:\nto make electric energy available to its members at the lowest possible cost consistent with sound economy and good management.\nAfter the devastating ice storm of December, 2006, an employee returning from purchasing supplies was surprised by a kitten that had found her way into his warm truck. Prairie Land adopted the cat, and named her Kilowatt. Kilowatt earns her keep by sharing the monthly safety features in the newsletter, Kilowatt Tips, and by hunting rodents in the warehouse and along the tree line at the headquarters.\nIn the Fall of 1938, interested citizens of Norton and Decatur counties met in various places for the purpose of organizing a rural electric company to bring the conveniences of electricity to their farms. Other efforts having failed, they were convinced that in order to get the job done they would have to do it themselves. The Norton-Decatur Cooperative Electric Company, Inc. received its charter on October 13, 1938 and became the first rural electric cooperative in Western Kansas.\nThe first meeting of the board of trustees was held at the City Hall in Norcatur, KS on November 7, 1938. The first certificate to operate as a utility was issued by the Kansas Corporation Commission on December 13th that same year. The area covered by this certificate was along Highway 383 from 8 miles east to 20 miles west of Norton and also an area south and west of the City of Norton.\nThe first meeting of the members was held at the City Hall in Norcatur on February 14, 1939, with 30 members present. The first Norton-Decatur office was in two rooms in the Broquet building in Norton rented for $13 per month. Norton-Decatur's first loan from the Rural Electrification Administration was granted on May 19, 1939 in the amount of $88,000 to construct approximately 104 miles of line. The section of that construction was energized in February 1941. Due to wartime material shortages, further construction became virtually impossible. Power was purchased from the City of Norton.\nOn January 1, 1997, history was made when the Northwest Kansas Electric Cooperative Association merged into Norton-Decatur Cooperative Electric Company, Inc. The Norton-Decatur territory now included counties from the Phillips/Smith county line westward to the Colorado border. The first annual meeting of the merged cooperative membership was on April 3, 1997. An important item on the agenda for that meeting was the announcement of the merged cooperative's new name: Prairie Land Electric Cooperative, Inc.\nHistory was made again on April 1, 2007 when Prairie Land and the other five members of Mid-Kansas Electric Company, LLC completed an acquisition of the West Plains Kansas electric properties owned by Aquila, Inc. With that transaction, Prairie Lands electric service area extended eastward to include customers in Smith, Osborne, Jewell, Mitchell, Republic, Cloud, Washington, and Clay counties. Several counties already in the Prairie Land service area (Rooks, Phillips, and Norton) gained new customers from the acquisition as well.\nNorton Headquarters Map\nConcordia Map","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line381398"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5230779647827148,"wiki_prob":0.5230779647827148,"text":"Home Extras Social Work Month 2015 Black Lives Matter - What a Social Work Educator's Students Have To Say\nOur Clients/Our Selves - Mezzo Morning/Mourning Mezzo – Intervene (W)here? (!)\nHappy World Social Work Day, March 17, 2015\nBlack Lives Matter - What a Social Work Educator's Students Have To Say\nphoto credit: Gino Santa Maria\nFerguson Protest\nby Dana K. Harmon, Ph.D., MSW\nLet me start by saying that there are countless names that could be mentioned and that definitely need to be recognized and honored.\nOn August 28, 1955, White men in Money, MS, murdered 14-year-old Emmett Till for allegedly whistling at a White woman. On February 26, 2012, 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was fatally shot by George Zimmerman. Zimmerman’s race has been of much debate. However, another Black male’s life was lost. On November 23, 2012, in Florida, Jordan Davis, a 17-year-old, was fatally shot by a White man for playing loud music in his car. On July 17th of that same year, Eric Garner was choked to death by a White New York City police officer. Also in 2014, on November 22nd, 12-year-old Tamir Rice was fatally shot by a White Cleveland police officer within two seconds of the officer approaching Tamir.\nIt was not until August 9, 2014, when 18-year-old Michael Brown was gunned down in the middle of the street in Ferguson, MO, by a White police officer, that the words “Black Lives Matter” resonated on Twitter, Facebook, other social media sites, and in national and international news. Why did Black lives matter then, when they always have?\nAs I saw the breaking news about Michael Brown, his body lying uncovered in the middle of the street, and Black people who looked like me standing in the neighborhood as officers came to the scene, I sobbed and became extremely angry - especially when I saw Michael’s mother.\nI was engrossed in watching the news media for hours and then thought about how classes at my university would start in a week. How will I feel when I see my students? What will they say to me about what happened? How will we talk about the situation and for how long? Interestingly, I was to teach a cultural diversity and social justice course that semester and had never had a problem engaging my students about social issues in which injustices occur. However, this felt different for me, because when I saw Michael Brown, I saw my brother, father, cousins, friends, and others I care about in the middle of the street. And Lesley McSpadden, Michael’s mother, symbolized every Black woman in America.\nIt was a typical, warm August day and the first day of classes at this small liberal arts university in Alabama. Yes, the state with many, many years of racial tension. What was I walking into? The week since Michael Brown’s murder and seeing the tears and anger of Ms. McSpadden and Michael Brown, Sr., had definitely taken an emotional toll on me. As always, I was ready and excited to see my students, but being the only Black faculty in my department and part of a handful at what is a predominantly Black university (based on percentages), there was some ambivalence and anxiety. There has always been mutual respect and open dialogue in my classes about vulnerable populations and social justice, but would we be divided by race, just as the country had been?\nIt was 11:00 a.m., and I was headed to my 11:15 Cultural Diversity and Social Justice class. The students said, “Hi, Dr. Harmon!” I replied, “Hello everyone, it is great to see you!” After the pleasantries, most of the students said they could not wait to see me so that we could talk about what had happened in Ferguson, MO. Oh wait. There were 11 students (four White and seven Black) who were all female. I will share later about the Black male students (only two) that I had in two separate courses.\nSo, we went over the syllabus and spent about 30 minutes processing. That is what we do in social work, right? They immediately wanted to know my thoughts and feelings, which were what I conveyed earlier in this essay, but I wanted to hear from them. For me, it is about hearing my students, because they teach me something, too. Also, I was curious about what Millennials thought, because I always heard, “I do not see race,” and “Things are not the same as they were many years ago.” The Black students quickly expressed their anger and how they “feel like we are going backwards.” The White students sat quietly and then one said, “I am sad about what happened, because no one should be treated that way for being Black.” She went on to say, “We do not see White men being killed for being White.”\nAs for the two Black male students I saw later that day, one I knew said, “They do not care about us. They just see us as a threat and not human.” I said, “Who is they?” He replied, “White people.” As the conversation continued, he also included White professors. We talked further about him being in a classroom with White professors in which he already felt marginalized by some. When I met the other Black male student, he expressed after class how glad he was to see me because none of his other professors, who were all White, brought up Ferguson.\nFast forward. The semester was going smoothly, but #BlackLivesMatter was still everywhere - thus, still with my students and me. In all my classes, we continued talking about the importance of advocacy, organizing, and the NASW Code of Ethics. The university was quiet about the protests going on across the country, and my students were frustrated about that, but there was not silence in my classroom. There is a wonderful DVD called If These Halls Could Talk, in which Lee Mun Wah brought together 11 college students to share the frustration and anguish of trying to be understood and acknowledged on campus where the faculty and students are predominantly White. Last semester was a symbol of the halls of the university being quiet. The students wanted to fight for justice, but they voiced not feeling supported to do so.\nThe Black students were proud to have allies, and both White and Black students communicated how most faculty and administrators were missing out on what solidarity looks like. I recalled the Freedom Riders and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). This new generation of activists for human and civil rights have effectively used 21st-century technology in communicating with each other from across the globe to risk taking a moment to a movement. This emerging movement by White and Black millennial activists has encouraged those who were already passionate about social justice to become leaders and change agents.\nAs the semester ended, I told my students how proud I was of their resilience and strength. I further told them how their voices are important and need to be heard loud and clear, because I strongly believe they are the catalyst for confronting a system that fractures Black men, which has an impact on all of society.\nSo, to my and all social work students - think about these few words to Ella’s Song by Ella Baker:\nWe who believe in freedom cannot rest\nWe who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes\nUntil the killing of Black men, Black mothers' sons\nIs as important as the killing of White men, White mothers' sons\nhttp://thue.stanford.edu/jacquie/songs/ella.html\nElla's Song - Sweet Honey in the Rock\nDana K. Harmon, Ph.D., MSW, is an Assistant Professor of Social Work in the Department of Behavioral Sciences at the University of West Alabama. Her research interests include African American males’ and family functioning, marriage quality and commitment, spirituality/religiosity among African Americans, and parental loss. Dr. Harmon has published peer-reviewed journal articles on the factors associated with fathers’ involvement with their children, the impact of that involvement on mothers’ parenting stress and children’s behavior, and African American men’s perspective on the intersection of marriage and fatherhood. She received her B.A. in sociology from The University of Alabama, her MSW from Loyola University Chicago, and her Ph.D. in social work from The University of Alabama.\nBlackLivesMatter Racism Social Work Month 2015 Social work education","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1268467"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8330768346786499,"wiki_prob":0.8330768346786499,"text":"Statistics Canada Updating Poverty Cut-Off, Causing Bump in Low-Income Rates\nOTTAWA — The national statistics office is looking at changes to the federally adopted poverty line which, if approved, could mean more people are considered to live below the low-income threshold.\nThe last time the made-in-Canada measure was updated was in 2008 and poverty rates increased by 2.2 per cent because the financial cut-off used to define low-income was raised.\nExperts suggest that a plan by Statistics Canada to recalculate the threshold by changing the “market basket measure” early next year could lead to a similar bump in poverty rates.\nThe measure calculates the minimum a person or family would have to earn to afford a basket of goods and services needed to reach a modest or basic living standard.\nThe Liberals adopted the measure as the country’s official poverty line last year and set aside $12 million over five years to update the basket, which doesn’t include things like wireless services.\nIn July, the top official at Employment and Social Development Canada and the minister at the time were told federal officials would decide “on the actions to be taken” with Statistics Canada’s recommendations, including which to implement, and which to send for more research when it comes to making the changes.\nA final report from Statistics Canada is expected in February.\nThe Canadian Press obtained copies of the briefing notes under the access-to-information law.\nStatistics Canada has published reports outlining possible updates to the cost and items in the basket of goods and services, as well as “disposable income” thresholds, which are how much income a family has leftover after accounting for taxes and payroll deductions.\nClick Here: liverpool mens jersey\nA family or individual would be considered in poverty if the basket of goods strips away too much of their disposable income.\nOther updates proposed by Statistics Canada include reflecting changes to the national food guide in the cost of food, and updating transportation costs to reflect census findings that while some low-income earners take public transit, others drive. The agency has also suggested excluding capital gains taxes when calculating disposable income to avoid families “appearing to be in poverty” from a hefty tax bill, and putting homeowners with a mortgage and people in subsidized housing on “more equal footing” with renters when determining who is in poverty.\nGarima Talwar Kapoor, director of policy and research at Maytree, said the cost of housing, for instance, has gone up faster in the last 10 years than earnings, which could help increase the percentage of Canadians living in poverty.\nShe said a similar effect happened in the 2008 update when costs rose faster than incomes.\n“That trend is continuing,” Kapoor said.\n“The growth in costs is so much faster than the average income … which would therefore translate to a higher poverty level.”\nChanges to measuring poverty would likely result in an increase not only in the percentage of people in poverty, but a slight increase in the raw numbers as well, Kapoor said.\nThe Liberals have touted that under their watch, more than 800,000 people, including some 280,000 children, have been lifted out of poverty, and rates have dropped by about 20 per cent of where they were in 2015. The figures are key benchmarks — politically and from a policy perspective — to track the path of the government’s anti-poverty strategy.\nUpdates to poverty measurements\nIglika Ivanova, a senior economist at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, doesn’t foresee a revamped poverty line shifting Canada off the recent decrease in poverty rates.\nThe changes could drop those just above the line into poverty despite no material changes to their circumstances, she said.\nUpdates to the measurement will help identify the financial pressure points for people in poverty, which in turn would help governments set anti-poverty plans, she said.\n“It’s just important to keep updating these things because sometimes they are used to say we’ve done enough by the government — provincial or federal.”\nThis report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 23, 2019.\nPrevious Previous post: Turkish NBA Player Enes Kanter Finally Allowed to Leave U.S. For Game Against Raptors\nNext Next post: Le Top 5 des répliques cultes signées OSS 117","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1324292"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7273368239402771,"wiki_prob":0.2726631760597229,"text":"military mobilization\nActive Military Duty: How Will It Affect My Relationship With My Child?\nUnder Texas legislation the courts have a right to temporarily amend certain existing orders concerning a parent who is ordered to military deployment, military mobilization or temporary military duty. This legislation was set into Texas law, beginning September 1, 2009.\nIf a conservator is ordered to military deployment, military mobilization, or temporary military duty that involves moving a substantial distance from the conservator’s residence so as to materially affect the conservator’s ability to exercise the conservator’s rights and duties in relation to his or her child, either conservator may file for an order under subchapter (a) of Section 153.702 of the Texas Family Code.\nThe Court may then render a temporary order in a proceeding under this subchapter regarding:\n1. possession of or access to the child; or\n2. child support.\nA temporary order of the court under this subchapter may grant rights to and impose duties on a designated person (with certain limitations) regarding the child, except the court may not require the designated person to pay child support.\nAfter a conservator’s military deployment, military mobilization, or temporary military duty is concluded, and the conservator returns to the conservator’s usual residence, the temporary orders under this section terminate and the rights of all affected parties are governed by the terms of any court order that was applicable before the conservator was not ordered to military deployment, military mobilization, or temporary military duty.\nFurther, if the conservator with the exclusive right to designate the primary residence of the child is ordered to military deployment, military mobilization, or temporary military duty, the court may order appointment of a designated person to exercise the exclusive right to designate the primary residence of the child during the military deployment, military mobilization, or temporary military duty in the following order of preference:\n1. the conservator who does not have the exclusive right to designate the primary residence of the child;\n2. if appointing the conservator described by Subdivision (1) is not in the child’s best interest, a designated person chosen by the conservator with the exclusive right to designate the primary residence of the child; or\n3. if appointing the conservator described by Subdivision (1) or the person chosen under Subdivision (2) is not in the child’s best interest, another person chosen by the court.\nA designated person named in a temporary order rendered under this section has the rights and duties of a nonparent appointed as sole managing conservator under Section 153.371 of the Texas Family Code.\nThe court may limit or expand the rights of a nonparent named as a designated person in a temporary order rendered under this section as appropriate for the best interest of the child.\nIf the court appoints the conservator without the exclusive right to designate the primary residence of the child, the court may award visitation with the child to a designated person chosen by the conservator with the exclusive right to designate the primary residence of the child.\n1. The periods of visitation shall be the same as the visitation to which the conservator without the exclusive right to designate the primary residence of the child was entitled under the court order in effect immediately before the date the temporary order.\n2. The temporary order for visitation must provide that\na. the designated person under this section has the right to possession of the child for the periods and in the manner in which the conservator without the exclusive right to designate the primary residence of the child is entitled under the court order in effect immediately before the date of temporary order.\nb. The child’s other conservator and the designated person under this section are subject to the requirements of Section 153.316(a) with the designated person considered for purposes of that section to be the possessory conservator;\nc. The designated person under this section has the rights and duties of a nonparent possessory conservator under Section 153.376(a) during the period that the person has possession of the child; and\nd. The designated person under this section is subject to any provision in a court order restricting or prohibiting access to the child by any specified individual.\n3. The court may limit or expand the rights of a nonparent designated person named in a temporary order under this section as appropriate for the best interest of the child.\nIf the parent without exclusive right to designate the primary residence of the child is ordered to military deployment, military mobilization, or temporary military duty, the court may award visitation with the child to a designated person chosen by such conservator if the visitation is in the best interest of the child. The temporary order for visitation must provide that:\n1. the designated person under this section has the right to possession of the child for the periods and in the manner in which the conservator described by Subsection (a) would be entitled if not ordered to military deployment, military mobilization, or temporary military duty;\n2. the child’s other conservator and the designated person under this section are subject to the requirements of Section 153.316, with the designated person considered for purposes of that section to be the possessory conservator;\n3. the designated person under this section has the rights and duties of a nonparent possessory conservator under Section 153.376(a) during the period that the designated person has possession of the child; and\n4. the designated person under this section is subject to any provision in a court order restricting or prohibiting access to the child by any specified individual. The court may limit or expand the rights of a nonparent designated person named in a temporary order under this section as appropriate and as is in the best interest of the child.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1825730"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6757609844207764,"wiki_prob":0.32423901557922363,"text":"PayPal Helper Class\nTag: vampires\t(page 2 of 4)\nBook Review: Double Dead\nJanuary 26, 2012 / BlueInkAlchemist / 0 Comments\nEver wake up on the wrong side of the bed? It’s terrible. You’re bleary-eyed, groggy, sore from where your spouse has been elbowing you in the ribs all night to stop your snoring… and you’re starving. It’s that stomach-gnawing hunger you just can’t shake until you’ve devoured half the pantry. If that sounds familiar, you’ll immediately relate to the protagonist of Chuck Wendig’s debut novel Double Dead. Excepting of course that Coburn’s a bloodsucking fiend.\nThat’s not hyperbole. When we meet Coburn, there’s no question that he’s a monster. Vampirism has not turned him into an upper-class snob or a glittery mewling fangless stalker; Coburn the vampire’s an asshole. He knows it. He revels in it. It was what made his nights so much fun until he woke up in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. He hooks up with an RV full of humans heading to the West Coast and, being no fool, volunteers to protect them in exchange for the occasional nibble. Better than getting torn limb from limb and your brains eaten, right?\nOn the surface, Double Dead is deceptively simple. It’s the sort of premise fans of the horror genre and zombie fiction will find immediately appealing. Diving into it, though, we quickly find these dark waters run very deep. Sure, there are a couple characters who get picked off here and there because it’s the end of the world and everything, but many of them have enough dimension and living, breathing presence that its clear there’s more going on than a simple monster mash-up.\nI can’t say it’s for everybody, though. The squeamish will want to avoid it, and be forewarned that Chuck is his usual (and in my opinion, delightfully) profane self. But chances are, being a novel about zombies with a vampire as its driving force, you know already if Double Dead is interesting to you or not. I challenge you, though, to find another zombie apocalypse yarn with a Wal*Mart cult of cannibals, wilderness fortifications manned by juggalos and the scariest thing in a pink bathrobe you’ll ever encounter.\nFlash Fiction: David and Victoria\nOctober 17, 2011 / BlueInkAlchemist / 3 Comments\nFor the Terribleminds flash fiction challenge, Five Words Plus One Vampire.\nThe cockroach scuttled across the insulating layer of dust on the floor. David frowned as he swept his flashlight across the gatehouse interior. The castle had apparently been abandoned for the better part of a century, according to the locals. Nobody seemed to want to say much, though, and the taxi driver had been quite eager to leave once he’d drop the pair off.\n“Can you imagine?” Victoria’s voice echoed slightly in the murder holes above them. “Plenty of ski resorts in Romania are near castles, but none of them have one as its centerpiece!”\nDavid kept walking towards the interior side of the gatehouse. His wife had been just as skeptical as he was, but being a venture capitalist meant taking the occasional risk. Two successful start-up companies back in the States gave him plenty to work with, and Victoria’s nose for real estate opportunity had put his businesses in fantastic locations.\n“I think there’d be a lot of up-front work to do.” It was the most tactful way he could disagree with her.\n“Naturally. But it’s removed from major tourist centers, the drive up was lovely and getting electricity up here wouldn’t be that hard.” She smiled at him encouragingly. “Come on, there’s more to see.”\nThey emerged from the gatehouse into the courtyard. Towers loomed over the pair of Americans as they crossed the cobblestones. The fountain in the center had been dry for years. David caught sight of a rat scurrying along one of the walls to his left. The great hall dominated the section of wall across from the gatehouse. Victoria was at its massive double doors before David could say a word.\nWithin, portraits of people long dead watched them investigate the quiet stasis of the castle. Despite the windows, the interior was much darker than he had expected. The flying buttresses high above showed no rot, at least. But David could not shake the feeling that it was wrong for them to be here.\n“I love old castles. They were built to last.” Victoria was still smiling. “This place must have been beautiful in its prime.”\n“Oh, it was.”\nBoth of them turned to aim their flashlights at the interior door of the great hall. Standing there, holding a candle, was an elderly man in a dark robe. David narrowed his eyes. The robe seemed to be consuming him, a bit of the red lining visible under the black velvet. His voice was as withered as his form, but strong.\n“Forgive me for startling you. You are tourists, yes?”\nVictoria found her voice first. “Sort of, yes. I’m sorry, we didn’t know someone still lived here. The locals…”\nThe old man waved his hand dismissively. “Pah. They fear what they do not understand. My obligation to my family, this castle, is one I will not abandon. They do not understand it.”\nDavid’s frown returned. “You live here alone?”\n“Yes. Hence why it is not as lovely as it once was. I am only one old man, you see.” He cackled softly and David looked at Victoria. She was rolling her eyes when the rain started.\n“We better go. Sorry again for disturbing you.”\n“Go? In this downpour? You are brave indeed, my boy.”\nHe looked out the window. The rain was coming down in sheets. All he could see was water flowing down the glass. How had it hit them so quickly?\n“Come, I have food to offer. You vill be my guests for zee evening.”\nThey followed him through a dark corridor leading down the anterior wall to one of the towers. Within was a small reception room and a staircase on the wall leading both up and down. Sure enough, a small roasted game bird was waiting for them, with some fruit and vegetables. The old man, introducing himself as Nicu, told of how the castle once defended the valley and its villagers from raiders and Cossacks. Victoria listened with interest while David examined the bottle of wine. Despite the decay in the rest of the castle, things here seemed fine. Maybe the old man really had just let the maintenance get away from him.\nThe rain did not abate, and Nicu invited them to stay the night. Above the small dining area were a pair of solars, a room for each of them. David tried to call home but got no signal. With the rain outside and a long day of travel behind him, he settled into bed.\nHe awoke when he felt her on top of him.\n“You look so peaceful when you sleep, David.”\nHe blinked. Victoria straddled him on the wide bed, smiling down at him. She was wearing Nicu’s robe, and nothing else. It hung open, pale flesh and curves luminous in the moonlight. Her hands slid the blankets away from his chest.\n“Vicki, what…?”\n“Hush.” Her lips pulled back from her teeth as her smile widened. They were as red as the lining of the robe. “Nicu has shown me his true self, and we have much to do, you and I.”\n“I don’t understand.”\n“And that is your protection.” Her fingers slid over his neck, felt his pulse. She inhaled, and David couldn’t deny it was an enticing sight. “Your heart… it’s beating so fast.”\n“I’m married…”\n“She is unimportant. The castle will live again, thanks to us.”\n“You will see. But first, let me show you what Nicu showed me.”\nShe licked her lips and gasped as she slid against him, feeling the response he could not hide. Fangs descended into the darkness of her mouth.\n“I am his queen, and you our servant. When I finish with you, your will shall be ours. Don’t fight it, David. I know you want this.”\nHe admitted he’d had his fantasies, and wondered if this was a new one. It was when he felt the fangs in his neck that he started screaming; in pain at first, then for other reasons entirely.\nRequiem for the Masquerade\nMarch 29, 2011 / BlueInkAlchemist / 0 Comments\nHas it really been 20 years?\nObviously it has, since the 20th Anniversary Edition of Vampire: the Masquerade is coming. I’m definitely interested, for a variety of reasons, not the least of which the time I spent playing that game both on the table and in live action. This pending milestone, plus my current re-read of Niven & Barnes’ Dream Park, has me thinking back on those times I donned a suit for a purpose other than a job interview.\nMasquerade was a fun and engrossing game world, but it wasn’t without its flaws. A diverse set of clans for power specialization and fluff flavors coupled with an intriguing take on old vampire legends made it appealing right out of the box. The premise of it being based on ‘personal horror’ was fascinating as well, to me: what does this change, these powers, mean on a personal level? How hard will you fight against these new instincts, this new society, to hold on to the person you were? How far will you go to make a place for yourself among the other creatures of the night? These questions, to me, were far more important to me than any number of filled-in circles on a character sheet, especially in retrospect.\nThere’s a part of me that wonders if I left a good amount of this really juicy storytelling material unexplored. When I first became acquainted with the game I was still developmental in both my abilities for telling tales and my maturity in handling character beats. To put it another way, I was all about the circles. As time went on I did delve into some of the deeper issues but more often than not, real life found a way to upset the pace I was setting for myself in an ongoing Masquerade game.\nThen came Requiem. I haven’t played it anywhere near as much as Masquerade, although I did get a great taste of it when I met Will Hindmarch. The questions are still there, but the answers felt odd, in a way. There felt like there was a clean disconnect between who a character was after becoming a vampire, and who they were before. Maybe it’s just me, but the pitch and timbre of the ‘music’ of Requiem felt a bit more avant-garde than that of Masquerade.\nDon’t get me wrong, there’s some great stuff in Requiem. I adore the fact that they did away with cookie-cutter villains, letting player factions and politics become the crux of the drama in gameplay. The change to clans felt a bit odd to me; while I acknowledge it adds potential diversity through bloodlines, it also seemed like an overcomplication of an aspect of the game that didn’t need fixing, in my humble opinion. The obliteration of the Cainite history, and most history for that matter, felt like the least-welcome change. Traditions, tales and lore added depth and a sense of weight to the condition of the players: You are a product of all that has come before you, and it’s up to you if you follow in those bloody footsteps or strike out on your own. In Requiem, any ties to your past or your lineage is tangential at best. There’s less pressure on the player… fewer questions asked.\nI’ve long felt that the perfect vampire game (at least in the World of Darkness) lies somewhere between these two settings. The Cainite history, august lineages of the clans with their centuries of infighting, betrayal, absorption and breakaways and deeper personal questions from Masquerade coupled with the faction politics and cagey-yet-social nature of the Beast from Requiem seems like the best of both worlds. Then again, that could just be me. Either way, the characters continue to be the focus of any decent story, and when it comes to the World of Darkness, they’ve been fascinating for 20 years and hopefully will continue to be so for many more years to come.\nHeader image courtesy Highmoon’s Ponderings\nCardboard Memory Lane\nDecember 4, 2010 / BlueInkAlchemist / 0 Comments\nWith colder weather coming at us and my World of Warcraft account on hiatus for now since I zigged when I should have zagged in allocated this last paycheck, I figured it was high time for me to organize the rather large collection of trading card game stuff. For a while it’s lingered in a couple of old boxes, but I blew off the dust and started putting things together, if only to make sure I’ve plucked what Magic cards I still have out of the rest.\nAnd boy oh boy, did I sink a LOT of money into this hobby.\nIn alphabetical order:\nIf memory serves, this game preserves some of the elements that made the video game a great time for anybody into giant fighting robots in general and the BattleTech universe in particular. Iconic mechs, heat management and pilot selection all came into play. I guess slinging cardboard wasn’t a good substitute for either digital recreations or miniatures, though, as players were hard to come by.\nThere was a time when I enjoyed watching this show. There was also a time when I enjoyed bringing certain characters in it to life in a card game. I never enjoyed it as much as I did Magic, which makes me once again wonder what possessed me to give away so many classic cards.\nJyhad/Vampire:TES\nThis game’s complexity always appealed to me. I’m not entirely sure why, but the intricate structure of the politics and powers of the Masquerade being intact in these cards makes me happy. It’s like slipping on an old, comfortable pair of pants. Or fangs.\nThis is a universe I’ve always wanted to explore with more depth. The combination of bushido honor codes with hedge magic and dark powers beyond the wall is full of ideas I like. See also why I enjoy George RR Martin’s books. I’ve yet to get into a role-playing group that plays the tabletop game, and I only played this card game a few times. It was always fun, though.\nWhile I’m on the subject, I seem to have a Hantei/Shadowlands deck that isn’t mine. Ring any bells among my readers?\nIntroduced not long after Magic itself got started, NetRunner came with built-in PvP. One player was the Corporation, furthering goals of world domination. The other was the Runner, hacking into the Corp’s servers to make a quick buck. It’s definitely fun if you ever enjoyed things like Tron, Hackers, the works of Gibson or Dick or even The Matrix. Although there’s more actual hacking and less wire-fu.\nI taught some kids how to play back in Bloomsburg.\n…Don’t you judge me.\nI was going to demo this and help promote it at the Roundtable in Conshohoken, before they shut down. I still have my demo materials, which feature characters like Felicia from DarkStalkers, Cammy from Street Fighter, Tira from SoulCalibur and Mai from King of Fighters. Yes, there’s a pattern there. I also have the Penny Arcade decks. Gabe & Tycho make anything more awesome.\nI have more of these cards than I do Magic. I might have had similar numbers if I’d kept my original stock. I competed in a few events, picked up some of the raid decks (Onyxia & Molten Core) and even own a Aleyah Dawnbringer play mat. That may actually come with me on my next Magic trip. Anyway, most of these cards are, from what I understand, all but useless now, as power scopes have far outstripped the original expansions and, unlike Magic, the old cards have lost their luster. I doubt I could get $2000 for any of the rares from Heroes of Azeroth the way I could if I owned a Black Lotus. So they’ll likely sit in the bottom of the box until I can catalog the lot and try to sell it.\nAny other card players out there? If so, what’s your game of choice?\nGhoulish Games I: Bloodlines\nOctober 28, 2010 / BlueInkAlchemist / 1 Comment\nHalloween is right around the corner, despite the tendency of retail outlets to forget the holiday as quickly as possible. You can’t milk consumers for as much cash with costumes as you can with guilt-induced gifts for family and co-workers they don’t like. Anyway, since horror is interesting from a variety of standpoints and I missed talking about it in last night’s Classholes podcast, I’m going to talk about three games that really get under my skin when it comes to giving me the creeps. The first one is the most recent, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines.\nThe Ocean House Hotel is the setting for a task you can undertake early in the game. Unlike the other two games I’ll be discussing, this setting is unique in that it doesn’t contain a single enemy encounter. That’s right. No shambling zombies. No bloodthirsty vampiric rivals. It’s just you and the hotel.\nOf course, the hotel’s haunted.\nThe horror comes from some brilliantly simple set pieces and the building of atmosphere. The dilapidated, aging building already has a creepy air about it, the sort of building you might think of tearing down or fixing up if you could bear to get anywhere near it. Once inside, it’s even worse. The peeling wallpaper, stained carpets and flickering light fixtures all point to something being very wrong, and that’s before the clock chimes on its own and light bulbs burst without warning.\nAdd the chilling sound design, from the rather subtle music to the quiet whispers to the peals of thunder, and you’re bound to be on the edge of your seat for the entire time you’re in the hotel, provided you can even step foot into it. I know of people who turn their sound off and wait for a bright morning to tackle this place, and still struggle to get through it with their hearts at a calm rate.\nI would love to talk more specifics, but I don’t want to spoil it for those of you who haven’t played it. Seriously, beyond the hotel, Bloodlines is a game that holds up pretty damn well despite being buggy and a bit dated in aesthetic. It’s available on Steam.\nOlder posts\tNewer posts\nBuy This Book!\nThe Need To Break Through\nDry-Dock\nStop Putting It Off\n500 Words on Corners\nGetcher Updates!\nAdventure on a Dare\nBlood from the Underground\nEscapist Issue 192: The MMOG Connection\nBlueInkAlchemy.com by Joshua E Loomis is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. Some rights reserved.\nCategories Select Category Annual Wrap-Up Autobiography Comics Current Events Education Fiction Gaming Guest Post Guides How-To Maintenance Music Netflix Notes Opinion Podcast Poetry Politics Portfolio Programming Promotional Recipes Reviews Sport Tabletop Television The Work Uncategorized Videos Vlogs Writing\nArchives Select Month April 2020 (1) February 2020 (1) October 2019 (2) August 2019 (1) June 2019 (3) May 2019 (4) February 2019 (1) January 2019 (2) September 2018 (1) July 2018 (2) June 2018 (4) March 2018 (1) January 2018 (1) December 2017 (2) November 2017 (4) October 2017 (5) September 2017 (2) August 2017 (8) July 2017 (1) June 2017 (5) May 2017 (5) April 2017 (5) March 2017 (8) February 2017 (1) January 2017 (7) December 2016 (10) November 2016 (4) July 2016 (2) June 2016 (2) May 2016 (1) April 2016 (6) March 2016 (11) February 2016 (4) January 2016 (5) November 2015 (4) October 2015 (3) September 2015 (3) August 2015 (6) July 2015 (3) June 2015 (13) May 2015 (2) April 2015 (9) March 2015 (11) February 2015 (14) December 2014 (10) November 2014 (8) October 2014 (16) September 2014 (13) August 2014 (3) July 2014 (22) June 2014 (21) May 2014 (22) April 2014 (22) March 2014 (21) February 2014 (11) January 2014 (22) December 2013 (22) November 2013 (21) October 2013 (23) September 2013 (17) August 2013 (18) July 2013 (22) June 2013 (20) May 2013 (23) April 2013 (21) March 2013 (21) February 2013 (20) January 2013 (22) December 2012 (21) November 2012 (22) October 2012 (23) September 2012 (20) August 2012 (23) July 2012 (22) June 2012 (21) May 2012 (22) April 2012 (16) March 2012 (22) February 2012 (21) January 2012 (22) December 2011 (22) November 2011 (22) October 2011 (21) September 2011 (22) August 2011 (23) July 2011 (19) June 2011 (21) May 2011 (21) April 2011 (20) March 2011 (25) February 2011 (27) January 2011 (31) December 2010 (31) November 2010 (30) October 2010 (31) September 2010 (30) August 2010 (31) July 2010 (31) June 2010 (30) May 2010 (31) April 2010 (30) March 2010 (31) February 2010 (28) January 2010 (31) December 2009 (28) November 2009 (22) October 2009 (13) September 2009 (12) August 2009 (12) July 2009 (16) June 2009 (11) May 2009 (6) April 2009 (7)\n© 2021 Blue Ink Alchemy","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1351922"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6349003314971924,"wiki_prob":0.3650996685028076,"text":"Bolivia signs the Nuclear Ban Treaty\nHome/ Bolivia signs the Nuclear Ban Treaty\n17April Russell\nBolivia has become the latest state to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which was agreed at the United Nations in July 2017. The Treaty was supported by 122 nations, with the UK and the other nuclear powers refusing to participate in the process.\nPresident Evo Morales made Bolivia the 58th signatory to the Treaty, with seven of those states having already completed the ratification process. The Treaty will come into force once it has been ratified by 50 states.\nChristian CND continues to call on the UK government, and all states possessing nuclear weapons, to join the international consensus against nuclear weapons. As part of our Embassies Walk in March we visit a number of diplomatic missions in London and spoke about the need to make swift progress on ratification. We are please to see progress continues to be made and thank God for it.\nSupport the work of Christian CND with a donation today\nJoin the movement of believes against nuclear weapons","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1746837"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9132089614868164,"wiki_prob":0.9132089614868164,"text":"The B.C. Centre for Disease control is telling people to keep an eye out for the poisonous death cap mushroom, which thrives in fall weather conditions. (Paul Kroeger/BCCDC)\nB.C. expert asks residents to be wary as death cap mushrooms sprout\nB.C. Centre for Disease Control is warning people of poisonous mushrooms\nWith cool, wet fall weather rolling in, the B.C. Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is warning people that the most poisonous mushroom in the world — the death cap — is back in plentiful supply.\nBecause mushrooms thrive during the wetter months of the year, the BCCDC says the death cap can now be found in both urban areas and forest. The centre is urging people with young children or pets to keep a careful eye on them when they’re playing outside.\nMushroom foragers should also be wary. The fungi can be easily mistaken as a puff ball mushroom but, unlike this tasty lookalike, the death cap mushroom can be fatal if ingested.\n“Foragers should remember one basic rule: never eat anything that hasn’t been identified with certainty. A mistake can have serious or even deadly consequences,” said mycologist Paul Kroeger.\nIn 2016, a three-year-old Victoria boy died after ingesting one. He had been out foraging for mushrooms with his family.\nREAD ALSO: Victoria toddler dies after ingesting poisonous mushroom\nIn the first six to 12 hours after ingesting the death cap, the BCCDC says people will experience cramping, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration.\nThese symptoms can clear up after the first 24 hours and remain clear for up to 72 hours, giving people a false sense of being fine. Symptoms of liver and kidney damage will start to appear three to six days after ingestion.\nA 2008 survey by the Vancouver Mycological Society found the death cap growing in more than 100 urban sites in the Vancouver area. The mushroom has also been spotted in various locations in Greater Victoria.\nREAD ALSO: Island Health issues warning after death cap mushrooms found in Greater Victoria\nMost years, the majority of mushroom calls the Drug and Poison Information Centre receives are for children aged five and under. This year, that number has dropped significantly to 36 per cent.\nUPDATED: American Indigenous group, province argue over cross-border rights at Canada’s top court\nIt could snow along B.C. mountain passes over Thanksgiving weekend: Environment Canada","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line201052"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9123157262802124,"wiki_prob":0.9123157262802124,"text":"Back Street Slide\nin Archive, Bands/Musicians\n‘Back Street Slide’ at The Railway, Curzon Street.\nNigel Jones, Terry Biddulph, Trish Hathaway, Mark Stevens, Keith Jones & Dick Shaw.\nhttp://keithjonesmusic.wordpress.com/bands/back-street-slide/\nL- R Paul Harris (guitar), Matthew Edwards (vocals), Tina Adams (synth), Martin Recci (bass). Nigel Collis (drums) not visible in this shot.\nDance at the Fighting Cocks March 1980:\nTea & Symphony\nin Bands/Musicians\nTea & Symphony 1971 via Pete Chatfield\nTea and Symphony was a British musical group of the late 1960s and early 1970s whose style may be described as “progressive folk”. From Birmingham, they recorded two albums for Harvest Records, had one track, “Maybe My Mind (With Egg)”, included on the Harvest sampler Picnic – A Breath of Fresh Air, toured Britain with Bakerloo (Blues Line) and were guests on John Peel’s BBC radio programme.\nThe group was generally a trio, though sometimes supplemented by extra musicians. Members included Jeff Daw (vocal, guitar, flute), James Langston (guitar, vocal), Nigel Phillips (keyboards, vocal, percussion, left 1969), Dave Carroll (guitar, bass, violin, vocals, joined 1970, left 1971), Bob Wilson (guitar, keyboards, joined 1969, left 1971) Peter ‘Chatters’ Chatfield (drums, joined 1970, left 1972), Tom Bennison (bass guitar, French horn, joined & left 1970), Mick Barker (drums, joined 1971), and Stewart Johnson (guitars, vocal, joined 1971).[1] Steve Eaves is another former alumnus.\nAn Asylum for the Musically Insane\nLP Harvest SHVL 761 (1969)\n“Armchair Theatre” – 3:54\n“Feel How So Cool The Wind” – 3:19\n“Sometime” – 4:14\n“Maybe My Mind (With Egg)” (Jeff Daw) – 3:42\n“The Come On” – 4:30\n“Terror In My Soul” (Jeff Daw, Nigel Phillips) – 6:06\n“Travelling Shoes” (Fred Neil) – 4:25\n“Winter” (James Langston) – 3:19\n“Nothing Will Come To Nothing” (Nigel Phillips) – 6:12\n(All tracks written by Jeff Daw except where noted.)\nPersonnel;\nJeff Daw – lead guitar, flute, triangle, vocals\nJames Langston – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, kazoo, bells, cymbal\nNigel Phillips – drums, recorder, mandolin, organ, piano, vocals\nwith;\nMick Hincks – bass (05)\nBob Lamb – drums (05)\nClem Clempson – lead guitar (05)\nRon Chesterman – bass (07)\nGus Dudgeon – percussion, producer[2][3]\nJo Sago\n1) Jo Sago – A Play On Music (Jeff Daw) including;\na. “Miniature” – 2:01\nb. “Nyada” – 4:06\nc. “Journey” – 1:19\nd. “Brother” – 3:51\ne. “Africa Paprika” – 3:29\nf. “Fairground Suite” – 2:25\ng. “Desperate Oil” – 5:53\nh. “Umbilical Bill” – 0:51\ni. “Goodnight” – 3:33\n2) “Try Your Luck” (Nigel Phillips) – 3:18\n3) “Yourself” (James Langston) – 3:28\n4) “Green Fingered” – Redhanded (Jeff Daw) – 0:54\n5) “Seasons Turn To One” (Jeff Daw) – 3:04\n6) “View To The Sky” (James Langston) – 2:41\n7) “The Nortihorticulturalist” (Nigel Phillips) – 3:26\n8) “Dangling” (Bob Wilson) – 0:59\nJames Langston – lead vocals, acoustic & 12-string guitars, percussion\nJef Daw – acoustic, electric & 12-string guitars, bass guitar, percussion, flute, backing vocals\nBob Wilson – piano, organ, harpsichord, acoustic, electric & 12-string guitars, bass guitar, percussion, backing vocals\nNigel Phillips – drums\nMick Hincks – guitar.\nProduced by Tony Cox\nInfo available under CC [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_and_Symphony]\nPhoenix: formed by Rick Jones of Scarlet Fantastic. Line up Rick, Amanda Porter and Richard Porter via Mike Davies\nRumblefish\nRumbleFish press shot. Via Mike Davies\nRumblefish were a UK indie pop group, formed in Birmingham in 1986. After several releases on independent labels they were signed by East West who issued the band’s only album while still together in 1992.\nThe band was formed in 1986 with a line-up of Jeremy Paige (vocals, guitar), Dominic Crane (guitar, keyboards), Phil Edwards (bass guitar), and Rupert Knowlden (drums). Their first release was the track “Theatre King” on the Pink Label’s Beauty compilation. The band had an Indie hit single with “Tugboat Line” in 1987 followed by releases on Summerhouse Records (“Medicine” in 1988 and “Don’t Leave Me” in 1989). The band signed to Atlantic Records imprint East West Records in 1991, releasing a self-titled album in 1992. A retrospective album of early singles called 1234 The Early Singles was released in 2006. Several tracks were also included on compilations (Beauty, It Sells or it Smells, The Sound Of Leamington Spa Vol. 6). Members of the band went on to form Low Art Thrill.\nChart placings shown are from the UK Indie Chart.[3]\n“Tug Boat Line” (1987) Pink Label (#34)\n“Medicine” (1988) Summerhouse\n“Don’t Leave Me” (1988) Summerhouse\n“Everything Electrical” (1992) East West America\n“Mexico” (1992) WEA\nRumblefish (1992) East West America\n1234 – The Early Singles (2006) Summerhouse\n[info available under CC license]\nThe brilliant and much missed Delta. Press/label release. Via Mike Davies.\nThis Moseley, Birmingham, England-based band remains one of the best kept secrets on the UK independent music scene. Delta was formed in 1993 by James Roberts (b. 4 March 1970, West Bromwich, West Midlands, England; guitar/vocals), Patrick Roberts (b. 1972, West Midlands, England; drums/vocals) and Robert Cooksey (b. 14 November 1969, Solihull, West Midlands, England; guitar), who had previously played together in cult indie band the Sea Urchins. Adding Bird (b. 1972, England; drums) and John Alford (b. 1977, England; bass), they debuted with the 10-inch single ‘Sugared-Up’ on the Che label. Three singles for Dishy Records followed before the band signed to the Acid Jazz Records subsidiary Focus. This move effectively put the band’s career on hold for almost five years, with no material being released. They eventually broke free of the contract, returning to early supporters Dishy. Laughing Mostly, a compilation of EP tracks and demos recorded between 1994 and 1997, finally saw the light of day in 1999. Cooksey was subsequently replaced by keyboard player Louis J. Clark, the son of noted arranger Louis Clark who collaborated with Jeff Lynne on most of ELO’s albums. The band’s debut album proper, Slippin’ Out, was recorded at UB40’s studios and utilised horns and a string section to augment the Roberts brothers’ classic pop songs. The follow-up was originally slated for release on a major label, but the band’s run of bad luck continued when they were dropped following a management reshuffle. Hard Light was eventually released on the band’s own label.\n[info from: http://www.allmusic.com/artist/delta-mn0000165805/biography ]\nTable Scraps, Scruffy Murphy’s 01/06/13 via Paul Harris\nBand Members: Scott Vincent Abbott (guitar/vocals,) Poppy Twist (drums/vocals)","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1304801"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7064334750175476,"wiki_prob":0.2935665249824524,"text":"Free Essays Book Review Nickel and Dimed\nNickel and Dimed\nNickel and Dimed is a non-fiction book written by Barbara Ehrenreich about the plight of the low-wage earners in the United States after the welfare reform act signed by Bill Clinton in 1996. She developed the idea about writing Nickel and Dimed over an expensive luncheon with Lewis Lapham, an editor of Harper, where she wondered how unskilled workers survive on a small income. To end the curiosity, Barbara decided to take a first-hand experience by getting employment in three different cities, which includes Key West, Maine and Minnesota. In these cities, she worked in restaurants, hotels, eldercare facilities, retail outlets, and as a cleaning service provider.\nWorking in restaurants, hotels, retail outlets and eldercare facilities, as explained by Ehrenreich, affects the treatment and aspiration of low-wage workers. For instance, Ehrenreich expected the increase in the labor shortage to lead to the rise in the wages, which was not the case. Moreover, the market competition and the need to make profit among the investors are elevating the nickel and dimed situation in US. The need to find shelter has seen the price of houses inflated by the owners; hence, unaffordable for most of the low-wage workers.\nNonetheless, Ehrenreich found discrimination a success for her studies. For example, the poor do toilet cleaning and mopping that are accompanied by very low payments compromising their living standards. This has seen many campus and advocacy groups struggle for the improvement of the living wage. Therefore, the employers should consider basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing and health before deciding on what amount to pay their employees.\nFurthermore, Ehrenreich asserts that she managed to secure a house, but still could barely survive due to high prices of food. It is very clear that the poor cannot compete with the rich for houses and food leading to the price of house and food increase to the advantage of the rich. To avert this situation, the government should build state houses that the low-wage workers can rent since the welfare reform act has it that even the poor should seek employment. This has led some families to depend entirely on the services such as housing and help with childcare from the family unit rather than calling the government for help.\nFurther, nutrition and health is inevitable for low-wage workers due to the nature of work that they carry out. Firstly, the manual labor is taxing, uninteresting and degrading; thus needs nutritious food and good health. Secondly, such jobs need focus, quick thinking, incredible stamina and fast learning, which come because of nutrition and good health. In addition, healthy workers increase their daily productivity by increasing the number of hours they take to work- a phenomenon beneficial to the workers because their daily earnings increase. On the other hand, unhealthy workers are underproductive and get low earnings; hence, workers are motivated to go to doctors due to ill health in order for their productivity to increase. Workers who take long before going to doctors when they are ill end up spending a lot of money in treatment.\nHitherto, Ehrenreich explains that there are well paying jobs, but low paid workers are unable to find them. This scenario is characterized by, little education, transportation problems, and low self-esteem. Ehrenreich when at Minnesota encountered a challenge in moving from places to places filling the application forms. She finds out that application process for a job requires a lot of time because it takes hours to drive to places filling out the actual application form. Due to the taxing nature of the jobs done by the low-wage workers, the application process is lengthened to test the patience of the employees.\nHowever, Ehrenreich’s experience would be different in today’s economy because the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has put an initiative that allows states to apply for a waiver for the work requirement of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) after increasing employment by 20%. The waiver allows states to help TANF applicants to find jobs without putting many restrictions.\nEhrenreich reveals that having any job is better than having no job. Ehrenreich’s colleague, Holly, is sick and does not want to go to the hospital with the fear of losing her job. Having a job is vital because it reduces dependency; for instances, Ehrenreich stays with a friend for a while then finds a job of her own which even though pays little makes her independent. The steps taken by Ehrenreich have enlightened the US citizens and the government on the conditions faced by the low-wage workers, especially women.\nWomen are the most victims of low wages. From Ehrenreich’s experience, her colleagues were women- indicating feminization of poverty. For example, Holly and Marge are her colleagues in Maine and Melisa in Minnesota. Based on Ehrenreich encounter in the three cities, it is evident that the low-wage workers live a poor life because they barely afford the basic needs. As a result, low-wage workers spend many hours working in order to make ends meet after reforming the welfare act.\nWelfare ensured that the poor got basic needs- an exercise that saw many poor individuals reluctant to look for jobs. Although, it bridged the gap between the haves and the have-nots, it encouraged laziness among the poor. Welfare reform Act embraces employment even for the poor; however, it does not alleviate poverty among the poor due to the low wages.\nRelational-Cultural Therapy The Rich and the Rest of Us\nThe Rich and the Rest of Us\n\"The Naked Truth Young\"\nRelational-Cultural Therapy","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line593450"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.716077446937561,"wiki_prob":0.28392255306243896,"text":"Meet General Manager Bobby Asare\nBobby Asare is a part of the new generation of Buckhead Lifers and is excited to lead the Lobster Bar Sea Grille, Miami Beach team as the General Manager. In addition to installing the beverage programs at two other highly successful Buckhead Life Restaurants in Atlanta and Fort Lauderdale, Bobby continues his long love affair of marrying food and wine in Miami. Asare’s earliest culinary memories are from his childhood in Ethiopia. His mother owned a café and bakery, instilling the sense of work ethic that he carries with him to this day. He and his siblings used to sneak in to the restaurant to watch her work. He loved the scents wafting from the kitchen, the chatter of happy guests, and the chaotic joy of a restaurant. At age 19, Asare and his family moved to the United States. He studied Aeronautical Science at Embry Riddle University in Daytona Beach, but it wasn’t long before he realized that his passion for restaurants had re-emerged. Just after college, he moved to Las Vegas to work at Mario Batali’s hot spot Enoteca Sanmarco. The restaurant’s strong wine culture introduced him to an entirely new aspect of the culinary experience. He soaked up the teachings of the well-known owners and, in a short period of time, was promoted to Jr. Sommelier. In 2011, Asare moved to Atlanta to help his mother open a restaurant next door to a Buckhead Life Restaurant. It only took one look at the restaurant’s expansive wine list for Asare to apply for a position. He worked as the Beverage Director there until 2014, when he moved to Ft. Lauderdale, Fl to help open Lobster Bar Sea Grille’s sister restaurant. When speaking of wine, Asare states, “Wine is the only beverage that tells you about itself without saying a word. You can taste where it came from, the soil it grew in, what the weather was like, how the grapes were handled. It is alive in the bottle. It’s a very human thing.” Asare says the initial decision to move to Fort Lauderdale without any family was difficult for him, but he had a strong belief in Found and CEO, Pano Karratassos’, dream and passion for the dining experience. The move to Florida turned out to be the best move of his life. He met the love of his life, Maggie, and had his beautiful son, Zane.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line462636"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8292697072029114,"wiki_prob":0.8292697072029114,"text":"We want to ensure that all children in Baltimore City have access to the arts.\nWe’re proud to serve the community through TWIGS, a free after-school and Saturday arts program that serves more than 700 Baltimore City children in grades 2-8 each year. TWIGS offers free classes in dance, vocal and instrumental music, stage production and design, visual arts, and visual storytelling. TWIGS also serves as a pipeline for admission to the high school; each year roughly 50 percent of the incoming first-year class have been trained through TWIGS.\nView TWIGS curriculum offerings\nEach spring we hold auditions for the upcoming school year. Auditions are free and open to all students in grades 1-7 who reside in Baltimore City. Please be aware that the age range for each discipline varies.\nAuditions for the 2020-21 school year will be held August 24-29, 2020.\nReview Audition Instructions\nIn addition to TWIGS, Baltimore School for the Arts reaches thousands of young people through free matinee performances and gallery tours for city schools, as well as special performances for families and children throughout the year.\nKennard Henson\nDirector of TWIGS and Community Outreach\nBecky Mossing ’88\nbmossing@bsfa.org 443.642.5167\nBecky Mossing has performed all over America and overseas. Credits include Beauty and the Beast (nat’l tour); Cinderella Waltz (Ubu Rep – Off B’way); Working with Showdown Theatre Arts, in Guildford, United Kingdom; and both productions of Hairspray in Concert with John Waters and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Becky has narrated weekday and family series concerts for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra including Carnival of the Animals, The Remarkable Farkle McBride, and Wizards and Wands. Becky’s directing credits include The Polar Express with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Working, Our House, Hairspray, and Rent with Showdown Theatre Arts, U.K.\nMossing’s cabaret performances can be seen frequently in the Baltimore area. Mossing has been BSA’s musical theatre instructor for more than a decade and directs the Hippodrome Foundation’s summer theatre camp intensives. She is a graduate of the Baltimore School for the Arts and New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she received the Outstanding Achievement Award in Musical Theatre. She received her master’s in teaching degree from Goucher College and has dual certification in K-8 general and special education.\nDance Instructor and TWIGS Program Manager\nIris Andersen Grizzell ’96\niandersen@bsfa.org 443.642.5167\nIris Andersen Grizzell is a graduate of the Baltimore School for the Arts and holds a B.F.A. from the California Institute of the Arts. Her training began at the Peabody Preparatory Institute with Dale Center, followed by Caryl Maxwell Classical Ballet with Caryl Maxwell and Caroline Denzler, and then Kinetics Dance Theatre with Dottie Fried and Donna Pidel. She has trained with the Eglevsky Ballet, the Washington Ballet, and the Ailey School. During her four years at California Institute of the Arts, she was nominated for the Princess Grace Award and studied abroad in London at the London Contemporary Dance School.\nAndersen Grizzell danced with the Pasadena Dance Theatre in California from 2003 to 2011, and from 2004 to 2011, she danced with the Francisco Martinez Dance Theatre in both concert and outreach performances throughout California. Andersen Grizzell received first place for her work in Howard County Ballet’s Young Choreographer’s Showcase in April 2011. Recently, she has performed with Bowen McCauley Dance, the Campbell Dance Experience and the Harford Ballet. She is currently the program manager of the TWIGS program at Baltimore School for the Arts, in which she also teaches ballet, pointe, and modern for the high school students.\nTWIGS School/​Parent Liaison\nmsolomon@bsfa.org 443.642.5167\nProfessor Solomon has written and published eight books, including “How to Find Lost Objects,” “Japan in a Nutshell,” and “Coney Island.”\nTheatre Instructor\nPiper-Leigh Daniels ’86\nPiper-Leigh Daniels received her high school diploma from the Baltimore School for the Arts with a concentration in theatre and then earned a BFA in acting from Boston University. Her stage credits include: the role of Lady Anne in Richard III at the Columbia Festival of the Arts with Charles S. Dutton; the role of Mattie in Joe Turner’s Come and Gone; and the lead in the one-woman show Kick, a unique performance and discussion program about stereotyping of Native Americans/mascots in sports, at the prestigious Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles, among others. Her film and television credits include: Malcolm X, In Living Color, and Panther. She has also served as a casting director for Collinge Pickman/C.P. Casting in Boston; a shorts’ programmer for Robert Redford’s Sundance Film Festival; and a back-up singer for John Trudell’s albums produced by Angelina Jolie and Jackson Browne.\nStage Production and Design Instructor\nAnna Fitzgerald ’02\nAnna Fitzgerald is a puppeteer and performer based in Baltimore, MD. She studied theater at BSA (Class of ‘02) and has a master’s in fine arts in puppet arts from the University of Connecticut. Her original puppet show Reverse Cascade has been performed at festivals and theaters around the world, and her most recent family show, Adventures! was created with the support of the Jim Henson Foundation. Both productions perform under her theater company, Red Ball Theater. Fitzgerald was award an Individual Artist Award in Solo Performance by the Maryland States Art Council in 2016 and was a 2017 Baker Artist Award finalist. She has taught workshops and classes at camps, schools, colleges, and universities and has been a TWiGS teacher in Stage Production and Design since 2014.\nDirector of Ages on Stages + TWIGS Acting Instructor\nAnita Horwath\nahorwath@bsfa.org 443.642.5165\nAnita Horwath holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and has taught creative drama for TWIGS for the past 20 years. She also teaches an after-school drama program for Roland Park Country School. She directs Ages on Stages, an intergenerational improvisational group that includes the BSA sophomores. The group performs in senior centers and high schools around the city.\nFlute Instructor\nDenis Karp\nA native of Baltimore, Denis Karp began studying flute at the age of six at the Peabody Preparatory. In 1989, he performed John Corigliano’s Pied Piper Fantasy with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and James Galway on a two-week East Coast tour. In 2002, he received a bachelor of science degree in music from Towson University, where he studied with Sara Nichols. He frequently records in studio as a member of the Washington Winds and performs with many groups throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC. Karp is the flutist in the Gallery Winds woodwind quintet and is the co-founder and co-director of the Gallery Winds Chamber Music Sumer Camp. Karp teaches private flute lessons throughout Maryland and has served as a judge for Maryland All-State Band, Maryland State Solo and Ensemble Festival, Howard County GT Band, and many local competitions.\nOboe + Wind Chamber Ensembles Instructor + TWIGS Music Coordinator\nSandra Lisicky\nslisicky@bsfa.org 443.642.5165\nSandra (Gerster) Lisicky, principal oboist of the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival and Bach in Baltimore, performs regularly with the Baltimore Symphony. Formerly principal oboist of the Hartford Symphony, Connecticut Opera, New Sousa Band, Berkshire Opera, and Opera New England, Lisicky has also been a member of the Virginia (Norfolk) and Richmond Symphonies, Virginia Opera, and Williamsburg Symphonia.\nShe has collaborated with the New World, Franciscan, and Cavani String Quartets on numerous occasions and was a founding member of Soni Fidelis Quintet, resident wind quintet of the Hartt School of Music. In 2007 she toured Greenland with the acclaimed oboe trio, Trio La Milpa, the first American ensemble to perform in that country.\nCurrently a faculty member of the Peabody Institute, Lisicky has previously held teaching appointments at more than 20 educational institutions, including James Madison and Virginia Commonwealth Universities, and the Universities of Richmond and Connecticut.\nSamantha Christiansen ’91\nschristiansen@bsfa.org 443.642.5173\nSamantha Christiansen has been on the BSA faculty since 2002. She received her early training through Baltimore Ballet and Peabody Preparatory doing the strict Royal Academy of Dancing syllabus. In 1987, Christiansen was accepted into the Baltimore School for the Arts where she studied under Norma Pera, Sylvester Campbell, Stephanie Powell, and Debra Robinson. In 1997, she was awarded the only distinction for the Royal Academy of Dance Grade 8 syllabus in the United States. Christiansen also performed with the Stephanie Powell Danse Ensembles I and II for five years, as well as with Movement Addiction in How to Disappear Completely.\nIn 1997, Christiansen began teaching privately and at various dance schools around Baltimore. She then went on to open her own school, the Northwest School of Dance based in Finksburg. During this time, she helped students get into top dance programs and win numerous awards at local and national dance competitions. She has also completed the Russian Vaganova Syllabus under John White and the José Limón teachers training workshop in New York.\nDouble Bass + Theory Instructor\nLaura Ruas\nlruas@bsfa.org 443.642.5165\nAs a teacher, chamber and orchestral musician, Laura Ruas is one of the region’s most sought after double bassists. She is principal bass of both the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra and Concert Artists of Baltimore and was a member of the former Baltimore Opera Orchestra. Ruas has performed with the National Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, and performs regularly with the National Philharmonic.\nRuas is a dedicated music educator in Baltimore City, where she teaches double bass and theory at the Baltimore School for the Arts high school, and bass lessons in their TWIGS program. Ruas also serves as program director for the Bridges Program; an after-school string program for Baltimore City Public Schools.\nRuss started playing bass in New York City Public Schools, attended the High School of Performing Arts (of ‘FAME’ fame) and Manhattan School of Music Preparatory Division. She earned bachelor and master of music degrees from the Juilliard School.\nCreating Arts Opportunities for Baltimore's Children","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line833625"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5134127140045166,"wiki_prob":0.5134127140045166,"text":"The Broadway Mentors Program\nAudit Member Q&A with Anastasia Barzee with Anastasia\nSun, Feb 21 at 7:00 pm (EST)\nAfghanistan (+93) Albania (+355) Algeria (+213) American Samoa (+1) Andorra (+376) Angola (+244) Anguilla (+1) Antigua and Barbuda (+1) Argentina (+54) Armenia (+374) Aruba (+297) Australia (+61) Austria (+43) Azerbaijan (+994) Bahamas (+1) Bahrain (+973) Bangladesh (+880) Barbados (+1) Belarus (+375) Belgium (+32) Belize (+501) Benin (+229) Bermuda (+1) Bhutan (+975) Bolivia (Plurinational State of) (+591) Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (+599) Bosnia and Herzegovina (+387) Botswana (+267) Brazil (+55) British Indian Ocean Territory (+246) Brunei Darussalam (+673) Bulgaria (+359) 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(+1) Morocco (+212) Mozambique (+258) Myanmar (+95) Namibia (+264) Nauru (+674) Nepal (+977) Netherlands (+31) New Caledonia (+687) New Zealand (+64) Nicaragua (+505) Niger (+227) Nigeria (+234) Niue (+683) Norfolk Island (+672) Northern Mariana Islands (+1) Norway (+47) Oman (+968) Pakistan (+92) Palau (+680) Palestine, State of (+970) Panama (+507) Papua New Guinea (+675) Paraguay (+595) Peru (+51) Philippines (+63) Poland (+48) Portugal (+351) Puerto Rico (+1) Qatar (+974) Romania (+40) Russian Federation (+7) Rwanda (+250) Réunion (+262) Saint Barthélemy (+590) Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha (+290) Saint Kitts and Nevis (+1) Saint Lucia (+1) Saint Martin (French part) (+590) Saint Pierre and Miquelon (+508) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (+1) Samoa (+685) San Marino (+378) Sao Tome and Principe (+239) Saudi Arabia (+966) Senegal (+221) Serbia (+381) Seychelles (+248) Sierra Leone (+232) Singapore (+65) Sint Maarten (Dutch part) (+1) Slovakia (+421) Slovenia (+386) Solomon Islands (+677) Somalia (+252) South Africa (+27) South Sudan (+211) Spain (+34) Sri Lanka (+94) Sudan (+249) Suriname (+597) Svalbard and Jan Mayen (+47) Swaziland (+268) Sweden (+46) Switzerland (+41) Syrian Arab Republic (+963) Taiwan, Province of China (+886) Tajikistan (+992) Tanzania, United Republic of (+255) Thailand (+66) Timor-Leste (+670) Togo (+228) Tokelau (+690) Tonga (+676) Trinidad and Tobago (+1) Tunisia (+216) Turkey (+90) Turkmenistan (+993) Turks and Caicos Islands (+1) Tuvalu (+688) Uganda (+256) Ukraine (+380) United Arab Emirates (+971) United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (+44) United States (+1) Uruguay (+598) Uzbekistan (+998) Vanuatu (+678) Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) (+58) Viet Nam (+84) Virgin Islands (British) (+1) Virgin Islands (U.S.) (+1) Wallis and Futuna (+681) Western Sahara (+212) Yemen (+967) Zambia (+260) Zimbabwe (+263) Åland Islands (+358)\nSend me a text reminder\n1 hour 2 hours 3 hours\nin advance.\nYou will also be sent an email and a text reminder 3 days before your appointment.\nPlease indicate the types of activities you would like to focus on, if time permits, with your Mentor during this session in the comment box below.\nParent consent form on file:\nIf the student is under the age of 18, a parent consent form must be signed and sent to joy@broadwaymentorsprogram.com Click here to download and submit this form.\nBy clicking here you agree to the Terms and Conditions. (Required)\nThis appointment cannot be cancelled online. Please email your mentor at least 48 hours prior to your appointment. At least 48 hours’ notice is required for cancellation of your online one-on-one audition coaching session, in which case a credit will be provided for use on another booking. If you cancel a session with less than 48 hours’ notice or do not show up for your session, your payment will be forfeited\nRemember me at this computer","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1663698"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7669583559036255,"wiki_prob":0.7669583559036255,"text":"ISLAMIC TERRORISTS TARGETED INTEL TRAINING POST IN ARIZONA WITH AID OF CARTELS\nNovember 27, 2007 / Patriot / American Intelligence News, Terrorism\nBy Sara A. Carter – Fort Huachuca, the nation’s largest intelligence-training center, changed security measures in May after being warned that Islamist terrorists, with the aid of Mexican drug cartels, were planning an attack on the facility.\nFort officials changed security measures after sources warned that possibly 60 Afghan and Iraqi terrorists were to be smuggled into the U.S. through underground tunnels with high-powered weapons to attack the Arizona Army base, according to multiple confidential law enforcement documents obtained by The Washington Times.\n“A portion of the operatives were in the United States, with the remainder not yet in the United States,” according to one of the documents, an FBI advisory that was distributed to the Defense Intelligence Agency, the CIA, Customs and Border Protection and the Justice Department, among several other law enforcement agencies throughout the nation. “The Afghanis and Iraqis shaved their beards so as not to appear to be Middle Easterners.”\nAccording to the FBI advisory, each Middle Easterner paid Mexican drug lords $20,000 “or the equivalent in weapons” for the cartel’s assistance in smuggling them and their weapons through tunnels along the border into the U.S. The weapons would be sent through tunnels that supposedly ended in Arizona and New Mexico, but the Islamist terrorists would be smuggled through Laredo, Texas, and reclaim the weapons later.\nA number of the Afghans and Iraqis are already in a safe house in Texas, the FBI advisory said.\nFort Huachuca, which lies about 20 miles from the Mexican border, has members of all four service branches training in intelligence and secret operations. About 12,000 persons work at the fort and many have their families on base.\nLt. Col. Matthew Garner, spokesman for Fort Huachuca, said details about the current phase of the investigation or security changes on the post “will not be disclosed.”\n“We are always taking precautions to ensure that soldiers, family members and civilians that work and live on Fort Huachuca are safe,” Col. Garner said. “With this specific threat, we did change some aspects of our security that we did have in place.”\nAccording to the FBI report, some of the weapons associated with the plot have been smuggled through a tunnel from Mexico to the U.S.\nThe FBI report is based on Drug Enforcement Administration sources, including Mexican nationals with access to “sub-sources” in the drug cartels. The report’s assessment is that the DEA’s Mexican contacts have proven reliable in the past but the “sub-source” is of uncertain reliability.\nAccording to the source who spoke with DEA intelligence agents, the weapons included two Milan anti-tank missiles, Soviet-made surface-to-air missiles, grenade launchers, long guns and handguns.\n“FBI Comment: The surface-to-air missiles may in fact be RPGs,” the advisory stated, adding that the weapons stash in Mexico could include two or three more Milan missiles.\nThe Milan, a French-German portable anti-tank weapon, was developed in the 1970s and widely sold to militaries around the world, including Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. Insurgents in Iraq reportedly have used a Milan missile in an attack on a British tank. Iraqi guerrillas also have shot down U.S. helicopters using RPGs, or rocket-propelled grenades.\nFBI spokesman Paul Bresson would not elaborate on the current investigation regarding the threat, but said that many times the initial reports are based on “raw, uncorroborated information that has not been completely vetted.” He added that this report shows the extent to which all law enforcement and intelligence agencies cooperate in terror investigations.\n“If nothing else, it provides a good look at the inner working of the law-enforcement and intelligence community and how they work together on a daily basis to share and deal with threat information,” Mr. Bresson said. “It also demonstrates the cross-pollination that frequently exists between criminal and terrorist groups.”\nThe connections between criminal enterprises, such as powerful drug cartels, and terrorist organizations have become a serious concern for intelligence agencies monitoring the U.S.-Mexico border.\n“Based upon the information provided by the DEA handling agent, the DEA has classified the source as credible,” stated a Department of Homeland Security document, regarding the possibility of an attack on Fort Huachuca. “The identity of the sub-source has been established; however, none of the information provided by the sub-source in the past has been corroborated.”\nThe FBI advisory stated the “sub-source” for the information “is a member of the Zetas,” the military arm of one of Mexico’s most dangerous drug-trafficking organizations, the Gulf Cartel. The Gulf Cartel controls the movement of narcotics from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, into the U.S. along the Laredo corridor.\nHowever, the sub-source “for this information is of unknown reliability,” the FBI advisory stated.\nAccording to the DEA, the sub-source identified Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel as the drug lords who would assist the terrorists in their plot.\nThis led the DEA to caution the FBI that its information may be a Gulf Cartel plant to bring the U.S. military in against its main rival. The Sinaloa and Gulf cartels have fought bloody battles along the border for control of shipping routes into the U.S.\n“It doesn’t mean that there isn’t truth to some of what this source delivered to U.S. agents,” said one law-enforcement intelligence agent, on the condition of anonymity. “The cartels have no loyalty to any nation or person. It isn’t surprising that for the right price they would assist terrorists, knowingly or unknowingly.”","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line674956"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6632965207099915,"wiki_prob":0.33670347929000854,"text":"Gator's Lounge\nWhat Fits?\nSite Donations\nThis site is dedicated to keeping Colt, Case and Ingersoll garden tractors, yard tractors, and lawn tractors running and serving the needs of their owners. We also assist those in the collector hobby who work diligently to restore these tractors in order to preserve the past and remind others of an era in American manufacturing history that appears to be slipping away.\nIt began with a unique idea and two brothers with a passion to build garden tractors. Powered by a patented hydraulic drive system, the first Colt garden tractor rolled off the assembly line in 1963. The J. I. Case Company took notice and acquired Colt in late 1964. The rest, as they say, is History.\nUnder the venerable \"CASE\" brand, the lineup expanded to include a full range of rugged compact tractors, loaders, backhoes, attachments, and implements. Today, production of these versatile machines continues under the \"Ingersoll\" brand name.\nThe first Colt will soon reach its milestone 50th birthday and qualify for \"Antique\" status. Today, the latest models with the same patented hydraulic drive system roll off the assembly line at the Ingersoll factory. From first generation to the latest models, the Colt-Case-Ingersoll legacy stands apart.\nThis site has the most experienced and knowledgeable group of Colt, Case, and Ingersoll enthusiasts around. We are building the most extensive Technical, Manuals, and Reference section available anywhere. Whether you are a new owner, long-time owner, or just someone interested in learning more about these unique tractors, you will undoubtedly find a wealth of information here. Take a few minutes to look around at what we have to offer.\nLike what you see, then join the group. Once you join, you will receive e-mailed information about posting on the site. We do this for the express purpose of keeping the messages on the forum board focused on the more technical issues of these tractors. That is but one of the things that sets this site apart from the rest.\nIf finding a place to learn and share your knowledge about these amazing machines is something you've been looking for, then welcome to casecoltingersoll.com.\nHold your Pointer over an image to reveal the description.\nMove your Pointer off the image to restart the slides. Stop any slide's\nprogression by holding your Pointer over the image.\n-- Case -- Default Mobile Style\nCopyright VerticalScope Inc","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1923992"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9276006817817688,"wiki_prob":0.9276006817817688,"text":"Juncker says he will NOT renegotiate Brexit - but Leadsom says he’s bluffing\nPublished: 8:27 AM December 11, 2018 Updated: 8:43 AM September 18, 2020\nJean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, participates in a press conference. Photo: Sven Hoppe/dpa - Credit: DPA/PA Images\nEuropean Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker has said the Withdrawal Agreement on offer is the 'best deal possible' and the 'only deal possible', with 'no room whatsoever for renegotiation'.\nHe said: 'I will see Mrs May this evening and I have to say here in the Parliament, as I did say before in this Parliament, the deal we have achieved is the best deal possible - it is the only deal possible.'\nMEPs applauded as he said: 'There is no room whatsoever for renegotiation, but of course there is room if used intelligently, there is room enough to give further clarifications and further interpretations without opening the Withdrawal Agreement.\nMORE: 'EU legislation at work!' Tommy Robinson supporter tries to burn EU flag... and fails\n'This will not happen: everyone has to note that the Withdrawal Agreement will not be reopened.'\nHe said earlier that Brexit was a 'surprise guest' at the European Council, adding: 'I'm surprised because we had reached an agreement on the 25th November together with the government of the United Kingdom.\nMORE: May gets unexpected response from Commons on delivering Brexit\n'Notwithstanding that, it would appear that there are problems right at the end of the road.'\nCommons leader Andrea Leadsom, however, insisted that Juncker was bluffing and would change his mind.\nShe said on LBC: 'Of course we all know that's not the case. This is a negotiation and there is always room for alternatives.'\nShe later told the BBC: 'The EU is always in a position where it negotiates at the last possible moment.'\nAndrea Leadsom recently told the media that she does not make predictions on Brexit.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line558438"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8285385370254517,"wiki_prob":0.8285385370254517,"text":"← The Sports Archives – 4 Greatest European Imports In The History Of NBA!\nThe Sports Archives – Different Types of Rugby Boots, How They Differ and Why? →\nThe Sports Archives – Five Of The Highest Paid Managers In Baseball!\nMajor League Baseball is a multi-billion dollar industry, with a large portion of that rightfully going to the salaries of more than a thousand players; they are the people who decide if a team wins or loses and winning teams generate more revenue than losing teams do. The annual salaries and multi-year contracts of the ballplayers are widely known and discussed, but what is almost never publicized are the salaries of those intrepid men who manage and coach these players. Very few manager salaries are publicly available, and out of those that are, they are considerably less than that of the highest paid players.\nEric Wedge\nEric Wedge was hired on October 18, 2010 to finish out the Seattle Mariners dismal season in which they won only 61 games. Before then he was best known for leading the Cleveland Indians to their first division title in over a decade, as well as, winning the Manager of the Year Award, both in 2007. Because of his impressive history, Seattle signed him to a multi-year contract hoping he could turn the team around. Since he took the helm, their best record was a paltry 0.463 to give them last place. Despite the team’s woes, their skipper is expected to be paid a base salary in 2013 of $1.9 million.\nJoe Maddon was hired to manage the Tampa Bay Devil Rays starting in 2006. Before that year, the best record the team had ever garnered was 0.435, giving them a fourth place finish. Maddon came to a demoralized team and helped to rebuild it, leading them to their only World Series appearance in 2008. Since that year, the Rays have consistently made the American League Eastern Division a three-way fight between them and the Yankees and Red Sox. Because of his managerial consistency and winning record, Maddon has a contract which provides a base salary of $2 million a year.\nThe New York Yankees have been known over the last two decades as a team with bottomless pockets. Many of the highest paid players have been found on that team, and Joe Torre, the manager before Girardi, was also well paid. In 2007, Girardi signed a three-year contract that was reported to be worth $2.7 million a year. Since then he has led his team to a World Series title and two divisional titles. Currently, his salary is worth $3 million a year.\nThe Philadelphia Phillies hired Charlie Manuel in 2004. Since then, and despite some strong dislike from Philadelphia sports commentators, Manuel has earned a record of 813 wins and 645 losses for an average of 0.558, and he holds the record for the most wins for a Phillies manager. Because of this impressive performance, including a World Series title and a consistent presence in the National League East, Manuel earns $4 million every year.\nIn 2000, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hired Mike Scioscia from the Dodgers. Since that time, he has become the longest tenured manager in baseball and has turned the Angels from a perennial underdog into a regular contender. In 2002, the Angels won the World Series and since then, they have won the division five times and never been ranked less than third place. Because of his impressive leading of the team, Scioscia earns an impressive $5 million a year.\nThe manager of a baseball team is nicknamed the “Skipper” for a reason. Like the captain of a boat, the manager must make the hard decisions necessary to lead the team to a championship. The top players are paid much more than the top managers, Alex Rodriguez is paid $30 million dollars every year, but the players are not paid that much for very many years and they typically retire early. A manager, however, will stick with a team for many years, and a good manager will continue to be worthy of that salary for decades.\nHigh school athletic director and sports enthusiast Sam Johnson enjoys sharing with his readers facts and statistics about many different sports. Sam was also pleased to help find some of the best masters in sports management online for others who would love to begin a career in the sports industry.\nFive of the Most Expensive Sporting Tickets!\nBaseball Attendance May Increase Despite Economic Woes\nThis entry was posted in Baseball and tagged alex rodriguez, Baseball, Baseball Blogs, Boston Red Sox, Charlie Manuel, Cleveland Indians, coach, Eric Wedge, Joe Girardi, Joe Maddon, Joe Torre, Los Angeles Angels, los angeles dodgers, major league, manager, Mike Scioscia, MLB, money, New York Yankees, paid, Philadelphia Phillie, salaries, Seattle Mariners, skipper, sports and business, sports and leisure, sports and money, Sports Archives, Sports Blogs, Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Bookmark the permalink.\n3 Responses to The Sports Archives – Five Of The Highest Paid Managers In Baseball!\nPingback: The Sports Archives – 5 Craziest Antics By Baseball Managers! | The Sports Archives Blog\nPingback: The Sports Archives – Top 5 Moments in the St. Louis Cardinals History! | The Sports Archives Blog\nPingback: The Sports Archives – The Three Most Financially Irresponsible NBA Players Ever! | The Sports Archives Blog","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line202344"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7188129425048828,"wiki_prob":0.2811870574951172,"text":"Free Books / Medicine & Health / Structure Of Human Body /\nChapter XIII. The Nervous System\nThis section is from the book \"Animal Physiology: The Structure And Functions Of The Human Body\", by John Cleland. Also available from Amazon: Animal Physiology, the Structure and Functions of the Human Body.\n133. In the working of a nervous system in any animal, there are three sets of parts involved; namely, the nervous centre, the terminal organ, and the link of communication between the two, namely, the nerve. The distinctive part of every nervous centre consists of nucleated corpuscles, and any nervous mass containing nerve-corpuscles is called a ganglion. The nerve consists of uninterrupted fibres in structural continuity with the corpuscles, and without any branching until close to their termination; and the terminal organs are likewise in structural continuity with the nerves.\nThese terminal organs are, however, of very various descriptions, and with as much claim, in many instances, to be separately grouped as to be considered along with the nervous system to which they are so intimately united. For example, it would be difficult to raise a valid objection to considering muscular fibres in their entirety as terminal organs of nerves; yet they have a development and function of their own, and it would be inconvenient, as well as erroneous, to look on them as mere parts of the nervous system which governs them. It will be recollected that in treating of the skin, several terminal nervous organs have already been described (p. 68), to which the integuments owe their sensibility; and more complex organs are devoted to the special senses, which will hereafter be described. But at present we shall consider only the nervous centres and the nerves.\nThe nervous system, as developed in the invertebrate animals, consists of a series of ganglia connected in chains or other groups, and giving off nerves; but in the vertebrata it is divisible into two parts. One of these is the cerebrospinal system, consisting of the brain and spinal cord, together where it is exposed to the inhaled air, and when it reaches the arteries it is slightly colder than it was when in the right side of the heart, although it is not quite so cold as the blood in the jugular vein. That the blood should be cooled in passing through the lungs is contrary to all old beliefs, but it will not strike the student as strange when he considers how much heat is abstracted by the inhaled air before it quits the lungs. The absorption of oxygen by venous blood is proved experimentally to be accompanied with a certain evolution of heat; but the quantity is not sufficient to balance the loss by exposure to air inhaled at ordinary temperatures.\nIn disease, the temperature of the body may vary greatly from the healthy standard; in febrile affections it may rise to 106° or more, and in conditions of great feebleness, such as the collapse in cholera, it has been known to descend below 70°.\nIt will be understood, however, that the extremes of external temperature, which can be borne with impunity, are not accompanied with any such changes within the body, but illustrate the power which the body has of maintaining its own proper temperature. Thus, in extreme cold, the greater combustion necessary in the tissues is testified by the more active respiration; while in exposure to heat, the body is kept cool by evaporation. Temperatures far above what would be sufficient to boil the juices of the body, were they exposed directly to the heat, can be borne for a short time with impunity, provided always that the air be dry, so as to aid free evaporation from the surface; but moist air cannot be endured above a very moderate heat.\nprev: 122. The Liver (Figs. 57 And 78)\nnext: 144. Structure Of The Encephalon\nbody, humans, anatomy, muscles, tissue, structure, blood","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1237404"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.867258608341217,"wiki_prob":0.867258608341217,"text":"LASU VC selection: No faction in union, says ASUU\nDaud Olatunji, Abeokuta\nThe Academic Staff Union of Universities, Lagos Zone on Tuesday threw its weight behind the protest letter written by the leadership of the union at the Lagos State University, Ojo, on the selection process of the new Vice-Chancellor.\nThe leadership of ASUU-LASU had written a letter of complaint to Governor of Lagos state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, describing the ongoing selection process for the institution’s 9th substantive vice-chancellor as not transparent.\nThe letter, dated January 1, 2021, and signed by both the secretary and his assistant, Tony Dansu and Adeolu Oyekan, respectively, also passed a vote of no confidence on the chairman of the university’s governing council, Adebayo Ninalowo.\nThe union had also kicked against Mr Ninalowo’s chairmanship of the selection committee and had urged the governor, who doubles as the Visitor to the institution, to cancel the selection process if the allegations that the selected candidates are unqualified for the job are found to be true.\nWhile throwing its weight behind the ASUU-LASU letter, the zonal leadership of the union expressed displeasure over a media report which described the ASUU-LASU branch led by Dr Isaac Akinloye Oyewumi as a faction.\nThe Union in a statement signed by the Lagos zone Coordinator, Prof. Olusiji Sowande faulted the leadership of Ibrahim Bakare led-executives of Union, describing him as an impostor.\nThe union also condemned a report published by an online media, dated January 2, 2020, which described the leadership of ASUU LASU branch as a faction, saying, there is no faction of ASUU in the state.\nAccording to Sowande, ASUU is one, and has no faction in any Nigerian University, including LASU, and operates an unbroken leadership chain from the branches, through the zone to the national body.\nThe statement said “the attention of the National and Zonal leadership of our Union, ASUU, has been drawn to a publication in Premium Times dated 2nd January, 2021, titled: “LASU VC Appointment: ASUU writes Sanwo-Olu, condemns selection process”, in which the ASUU National recognised leadership of the Union at the Lagos State University was described as a faction.\n“While we appreciate the media for its role in the coverage of the Union’s struggles at different levels, it appears to us that the author of the publication needs to do a little more in understanding the workings of ASUU, and avoid being used by divisive elements to generate misleading narratives.\n“Consequently, it is necessary to reaffirm that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is one, and has no faction in any Nigerian University, including LASU, and operates an unbroken leadership structure from the Branches, through the Zones, to the National body.\n“In this unbroken chain of the Union’s leadership is the Dr Isaac Akinloye Oyewumi-led executive of Lagos State University (LASU) Branch.\n“As the Chairperson of ASUU-LASU, Dr Isaac Oyewumi is still a statutory member of the National Executive Council (NEC), and has continued to represent the LASU Branch of the Union as such.\n“Five out of nine current executive members (i.e. the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, and the Treasurer) of ASUU-LASU were maliciously tried on various trumped-up charges and were purportedly dismissed between 2017 and 2019.\n“We urge the general public and all stakeholders to continue to ignore the Ibrahim Bakare-led group of impostors currently parading themselves as the leadership of ASUU in Lagos State University.\n“They are an unknown entity to any structure, layer or organ of our Union, and have been taken to court on charges bordering on impersonation and misrepresentation.\n“Our Union shall continue to strive for a university system that is fair, just, transparent, and rooted in universal values characteristic of an ideal university, specifically in LASU, and broadly, across the country.\nWhile not averse to praising University Administration that has done well in truly preserving the integrity of the system and has dearly attended to the welfare of our members, we are at a loss as to how a group of academics wallowing in derision, purporting to be ASUU officials and led by one Bakare, could so shamefully assume the role of the mouthpiece of a Vice-Chancellor and Council under whose tenure academics were denied their entitlements.\n“It smacks of patronage and a overt expression of primitive bootlicking syndrome for immediate or future crumbs off the table. Such people of easy virtues could not have been ASUU representatives and our comrades in the writing profession ought to be more discerning. ”\nThe outgoing VC, Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun is billed to complete his five-year single term of office on January 11.\nASUU LASU Sanwo-olu","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line978050"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5145519971847534,"wiki_prob":0.5145519971847534,"text":"Bringing home Roma reality to the heart of the EU\nOn 8 April, we brought home the daily reality for Romani people to the European Union headquarters, when Roma community activists (alongside members of local and international organizations) marked International Roma Day by staging a flash mob outside the European Parliament in Brussels.\nIt is a commonplace reality, centuries old, of widespread persecution, prejudice, and discrimination in all areas of life. It leads to unlawful eviction, racial segregation in housing and education, even racially motivated violence and murder. This reality continues today within countries of the EU: it is time for the Commission to act.\nTo portray this we created a Roma settlement, complete with furniture and fittings, a shower and toilet, on the square at the entrance to the European Parliament. At a given moment, Amnesty and Roma activists in the character of local inhabitants, police officers and municipal officials staged a dramatic portrayal of a forced eviction, which enfolded before an audience of more than 200 people.\nThis action was not only to highlight the human rights violations and suffering of the Roma. It was also a celebration of the strength and resistance that individuals and activists from across Europe show every day. Some of the people there were not acting out scenes they had seen on TV. They were remembering real events and their own experiences of forced eviction or racially motivated violence.\nWe stood up together to demand equality and human rights. We shouted loud and clear that we expect and demand the EU to take decisive action to end discrimination and racism against the Roma.\nClaudia Greta, a Roma activist from Cluj-Napoca, Romania said: “What you saw today is not just theatre. It is something that happens on a daily basis to the Roma across Europe. We suffer abuses; we are discriminated against in all areas of life, at school, at work, on the streets, on the buses. EU institutions should take a stance and hold to account states that violate the rights of Roma.”\nOn 9 April, Helen Flautre, Member of the European Parliament , hosted a hearing at the Parliament building for Amnesty International and the European Roma Policy Coalition. Roma activists sat on the panel alongside the EU representatives. In a room packed with Members of the European Parliament and other EU representatives, we listened to powerful and shocking testimonies by Roma activists who inspired us all with their courage and determination. Their stories brought home a powerful truth. Urgent action is needed to end the human rights scandal of the discrimination and racism against Roma.\n“I had to fight to get my children into an ordinary school in France. Roma children are part of the community and need to be included in schools. I am so tired of words! Now is the time for action!” explained Roma activist from France, Mirabela Margelu.\nOne thing was clear from almost all who spoke at the event: we cannot afford to waste more time; the EU must act now and must act decisively. The European Commission has the responsibility, the obligation and the tools to ensure compliance and fight the discrimination and violence that Roma face. We called on the Commission to use their legal powers to ensure that the EU’s Race Equality directive was actively enforced.\nAnd we got our response: Pia Lindholm, the Commission’s representative said: “[t]he European Commission is ready to take action and open infringement proceedings against member states if they do not comply with their obligations under the Race Equality Directive.”\nNow we need to make sure that the Commission will stick to this commitment. We can mobilize a mass of people around this call. During the last few days, Amnesty International and partner organizations across Europe have asked the EU and national governments to take action across Europe and beyond.\nSo far, more than 20,000 people around the world have signed, our petition to Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, calling on her to ensure the EU uses all its leverage (including the infringement procedure) to end discrimination against Roma.\nBy Fotis Filippou, Regional Campaign Co-ordinator for Europe and Central Asia and Joey Hasson, Demand Dignity Campaign Co-ordinator\nProtect human rights work, take action for Laith\nUSA: Close the Guantánamo Detention Center!\nBosnia and Herzegovina: Systemic solutions and meaningful EU support, including safe pathways, could prevent recurring humanitarian emergencies","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line974056"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5382856726646423,"wiki_prob":0.46171432733535767,"text":"A GROUP BUILT ON TRUST\nCNS Group of\nThe CNS Group is a Cyprus based group of companies with an established role in a variety of business sectors. As such it is a leading player in the country’s overall commercial activity and a champion of development, making a significant contribution to the Cyprus economy. In addition to the Group’s broad presence in Cyprus, it has also extended the scope of its activity internationally.\nDIVERSITY AND SYNERGY\nEstablished size\n& scope\nFor over four decades, the CNS Group has been growing steadily, as it expands its operation and engages in new sectors, which are often related to each other and can work in synergy. The result is optimized performance as projects and business proposals are executed with maximum time and cost efficiency.\nA WIDE SPECTRUM\nThe CNS Group has been investing in the real estate sector in Cyprus since the early 80’s. Today its portfolio of rental properties includes both commercial buildings and…\nresidential properties. In addition, the Group has a significant land bank at its disposal for future development projects.\nIn the field of telecommunications, Cablenet is a member of the CNS Group and the only alternative, completely independent telecommunications provider in Cyprus, with…\nits own network and new generation infrastructure.\nCNS holds a substantial stake in Charalambides Christis Ltd, which was the result of a merger in 2008 of the two biggest dairy companies on the island. The company is the…\nleading local supplier of fresh milk and dairy products, with 34% of total cheese and dairy product exports.\nIn Greece, the CNS Group owns and operates the AKS Hotels, a chain of three hotels in the Peloponnese and on the island of Crete.\nThe Ergo Home Group Ltd is synonymous with superior quality, design, aesthetics and innovation. In its impressive showrooms across Cyprus, the group represents leading…\nbrands of high calibre Italian and other international home and kitchen furniture, as well as contract furniture, accessories, etc. It also carries out fit-out projects for large-scale residential projects, hotels, and others.\nAnother member of the Group is The Cyprus Phassouri Plantations Co. Ltd, which owns the biggest plantations in Cyprus comprising a total area of over 1270 acres of land…\nin the Limassol-Akrotiri area. The company is dedicated to the cultivation, production, packing and marketing of citrus fruits.\nLATEST DEVELOPMENT\nCity of Dreams Casino\nIn its most recent expansion, the CNS Group joined the Integrated Casino Resorts Cyprus Consortium (“ICR”), which comprises Melco Resorts & Entertainment and The Cyprus Phassouri (Zakaki) Limited – a member of the CNS Group – to develop and operate City of Dreams Mediterranean.\nMORE ABOUT CITY OF DREAMS CASINO RESORT\nResort in the Press","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1088646"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5494383573532104,"wiki_prob":0.5494383573532104,"text":"School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science\nEECS på svenska\nEECS\n'I never imagined working in the music industry'\nNitin Kulkarni using a guitar to demonstrate an audio processor during his master's thesis presentation. (Photo: Sharan Yagneswar)\nFor two master's students, the Embedded Systems programme at KTH opened up some unexpected doors.\nWorking with technologies for connected musical instruments and audio processors began as a student degree project for Sharan Yagneswar and Nitin Kulkarni, who studied Embedded Systems at the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at KTH. Now the two KTH alums are working in Stockholm with their project sponsor, Elk Audio.\nYagneswar worked on Elk’s smart guitar product, which enables musicians to use infinite modulations and effects in real time and in a natural way, without the help of any accessory or computer. Kulkarni (who did a dual degree with TU Eindhoven with the joint EIT Digital program ) worked with Elk’s operating system, which drastically reduces delay when audio signals are transmitted via the network.\nWe asked them recently to recount their experiences.\nEach of you worked on different projects, tell us about those.\nSHARAN: The overall project involved running complex audio processing algorithms in real time for Elk's guitar. These algorithms should be processed as fast as possible so that they have low latency, while keeping CPU usage as low as possible as well. My project in short was about optimizing some core DSP operations (such as IIR biquads, FFT and complex multiplication) using SIMD instructions.\nSharan Yagneswar playing the drums at the KTH Flavours event, India Day, at THS Nymble. (Photo: Dhruv Bhat)\nNITIN: The overall project was to reduce the round-trip latency of audio processing on a Linux based platform . Linux is traditionally not used for low latency audio application because Linux is not a real-time operating system per se. There are few flavors of Linux optimized for audio but they aren't good enough for pro audio applications where the quality of audio has to be absolutely glitch-free.\nHow did each of you contribute?\nSHARAN: Essentially, it was about trying to find as many parallel mathematical operations for each of the algorithms (total of 9) and implementing them with SIMD instructions (ARM NEON). This helped the code to perform 2-3x faster than the optimized code that the compiler could produce. Apart from that, I also needed to find a very accurate way of measuring the time taken for execution as well.\nNITIN: My contribution was that I was able to tweak the Linux kernel with a technique that improves Linux's real-time capabilities (The Xenomai project) and also write an audio driver for real-time audio processing.\nNow both of your work has been commercialized, as part of the ELK offering.\nSHARAN: Yes, in an indirect way. Most of the knowledge I obtained from that were used for optimizing other real time code.\nNITIN: Yes. The audio driver of Elk Audio OS is essentially my master’s thesis project.\nWhat was the most challenging part?\nSHARAN: I would say that implementing accurate execution time measurement was the most difficult part. Apart from that, It was difficult to keep the balance between writing highly customized and optimized code with no flexibility (aka reusable in other projects) vs having flexible code which trades off some optimization. At the end of the day, having reusable code is always better I feel.\nNITIN: Linux kernel is a massive code base and it's a steep learning curve to learn about the kernel internals for a newbie. The Xenomai dev community is a small one and a few people know exactly how it works. You essentially have to try everything and I have been stuck at a problem for weeks and wasn't progressing. It requires a lot of patience.\nYou’re both musicians. Do you see a connection between that skill and how you approached your work?\nSHARAN: Yes, I have been playing the drums and guitar since my early teens. I would have not understood the objective or the reasoning behind the project if I was not a musician. In fact, the whole reason I wanted to pursue Embedded Systems was because I wanted to get into real time audio processing as a career and wanted to make my own guitar processors. I could intuitively relate to how the DSP operations work and how they affect the sound.\nNITIN: Like most of us at Elk, I’m a musician too. I think it definitely helps in the way you approach your work since you are also a user of the technology that you are developing. The most important thing is the drive and motivation to work on something that you really love.\nWhat did you learn from your project?\nSHARAN: I gained a lot of professional and personal experience. It taught me to be disciplined, logical, and more importantly, patient when approaching problems that look insurmountable. On the technical side, this was my first deep dive use of tools such as Git, CMake and bash, along with using Linux in general.\nNITIN: I think I learnt a lot from this project since I had no idea about Linux kernel and how it works. As an embedded systems engineer the whole product development and how the driver fits in it was really fascinating to learn.\nHow did it feel to be part of it?\nSHARAN: This was something I always wanted to get involved since I got my first guitar processor when I was 15. So I feel great to be a part of this.\nNITIN: It was really challenging but it was also a joy to work on something that is related to music. When I tested the final outcome of the project, I was playing a guitar connected to an Elk board running some audio effects. It's incredibly satisfying as a developer and a musician.\nWhen you first started at KTH did you foresee working in the music industry?\nSHARAN: I knew I wanted to somehow end up there, though I absolutely did not foresee this. When I chose to come to KTH for my master's degree, I had no idea how many Swedish companies are involved in music tech, many of whose products I used a lot myself.\nNITIN: No, I never imagined working in the music industry, working as an embedded systems developer. But back then, I didn't know about the music tech ecosystem of Stockholm. I think Stockholm is a great place for someone who wants to work in music tech.\nWhat Advice would you have for a student who is interested in enrolling in your master’s program?\nSHARAN: This is a difficult one since everyone has their own interests and way of learning. I would say that the best way to learn something is to get involved in a project which uses it. I learnt 99 percent of my curriculum through the lab sessions – which were awesome. I would advise everyone to pay full attention to those.\nNITIN: I think Embedded Systems is a wide area of subject and there are a lot of tracks. It's worth trying out different courses and see which one feels more interesting for you. Also, if you know a specific industry or area is of special interest – like music tech – then try to do your master’s thesis in a company that works in that industry.\nPage responsible:press@kth.se\nBelongs to: News & Events\nLast changed: Nov 16, 2020","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1861449"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9844025373458862,"wiki_prob":0.9844025373458862,"text":"Adil Jawad\nDeath toll from toxic gas leak rises to 14 in Pakistan\nPeople offer funeral prayers for a victim of a toxic gas leak, during his funeral prayer, in Karachi, Pakistan, Monday, Feb. 17, 2020. The toxic gas leak killed several people and sickened dozens of others in a coastal residential area in Pakistan's port city of Karachi, police said Monday. The source of the leak, which occurred on Sunday night, and the type of gas that had leaked were not immediately known. There was no suspicion of sabotage. (AP Photo/Fareed Khan)\nKARACHI – A gas leak in the southern port city of Karachi has killed 14 people and sickened hundreds more, Pakistani health officials said Tuesday.\nThe leak that started Sunday has set off a panic in Karachi and raised concerns because city officials could not immediately identify the source and type of gas involved. Officials said there was no suspicion of sabotage.\nThe apparently odorless gas, which causes severe breathing problems, has sickened hundreds since striking Karachi's coastal neighborhood of Kamari and residents began rushing to local hospitals.\nZafar Mahdi, a senior health official, put the death toll at 14 on Tuesday.\nAuthorities said they were planning to evacuate residents from Kamari to safer places by Tuesday evening. Scientists and chemical experts from the army and navy were deployed to the affected area to try to detect the source of the leak.\nSyed Murad Ali Shah, chief minister in Sindh province, acknowledged that authorities were still unable to determine what caused the gas leak, which he said had not spread to other parts of the city.\nHundreds of residents rallied Tuesday demanding the source of the leak be traced quickly.\nAll of the stricken people — hospitals said they had treated more than 650 — were residents of Kamari.\nA patient in a Karchi hospital, Babar Bahadur, said Monday he first felt an ache in his eyes and pain in chest.\n“My heart started beating suddenly very, very fast,\" he told The Associated Press. He recounted how he immediately was rushed to the hospital where he was treated and felt better “after quite some time.\"\nBahadur said his son experienced some of the same symptoms and was also briefly treated at the hospital.\nPort officials insisted no gas leaks occurred at any of their facilities.\nKarachi is the capital of southern Sindh province, Pakistan's largest city and the country's chief commercial hub. It has oil refineries nearby and a key installation of Pakistan's navy is also located there.\nAssociated Press Writer Munir Ahmed contributed to this report from Islamabad.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1166593"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9903622269630432,"wiki_prob":0.9903622269630432,"text":"Mideast Crisis Is ‘Explosive'--Gorbachev\nPresident Mikhail S. Gorbachev said today that the military buildup in the Persian Gulf “makes the situation explosive, very dangerous.”\n“We have to act responsibly, all of us, to prevent a large-scale conflict,” Gorbachev told a rare news conference in Moscow.\nGorbachev did not specifically criticize the United States, which is committed to send up to 250,000 troops to Saudi Arabia.\nBut he urged a diplomatic rather than a military solution to the conflict that began with the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait on Aug. 2.\nThe U.S. deployment in Saudi Arabia was permissible under the terms of the U.N. Charter, he said, but “we have to be aware . . . (that a military intervention) is always fraught with unpredictable consequences.”\nThe Soviet Union voted in favor of a U.N. Security Council resolution authorizing the use of force to impose sanctions against Iraq but has balked at joining a U.S. naval blockade.\nAsked whether he thinks the United States will keep its forces in the gulf, Gorbachev said, “I don’t think that the U.S. leadership, after political solutions have been found, will retain” troops in Saudi Arabia.\nThe basis of the Soviet position, the Soviet leader said, is that “we cannot accept the annexation of Kuwait. It is unacceptable.”\nGorbachev also strongly criticized Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein for using military force rather than diplomacy.\n“Only those who think illogically can reject such a (peaceful) solution,” Gorbachev said. “I include the president of Iraq in that number.”\nHe denied assertions by some that the Kremlin preference for a diplomatic rather than a military solution indicates that the Soviet Union is slipping from superpower status.\n“Some people think we lose our prestige and reputation. It is not so,” he said.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line589986"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.888077974319458,"wiki_prob":0.888077974319458,"text":"Leo Varadkar to question Mike Pence on LGBT rights during St Patrick’s Day trip\nThe Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) is set to meet with the Vice President for an St. Patrick’s Day breakfast on Friday, March 16. He met earlier this week with a conservative Texas governor but did not bring up LGBT rights.\nFrances Mulraney\n@FrancesMulraney\nIrish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. RollingNews.ie\nTaoiseach Leo Varadkar began his Saint Patrick’s Day trip to the US in Texas before official March 17 events in Washington D.C. and New York.\nIrish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar has stated that he plans to question US Vice President Mike Pence on LGBT rights when the pair meets on Friday as part of the Taoiseach’s Saint Patrick’s Day trip to the US.\nVaradkar, the first openly gay leader of Ireland, had met with conservative Texan governor Gregg Abbott on Friday but admitted that he did not use his time with the governor to try and change his mind on gay and lesbian rights.\nHe does intend to bring it up to Pence, however. The Taoiseach will also be including a visit to the site in Manhattan where the Stonewall riots, a pivotal moment in the gay movement, took place when he travels to New York later in the week.\nRead more: How does deeply religious VP Pence cope with President Trump's antics?\nMike Pence at last year's Saint Patrick's Day Parade.\n“We’ve always seen America as a beacon of freedom. This is the land of the free, the home of the brave, this is where the gay rights movement began,” Varadkar said at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, where he was speaking on the first day of his trip on Sunday.\n“It’s really tough to see a country built on freedom, build on individual freedom, not being a world leader in that space anymore. I think the majority of American people would agree with what I have to say, even if the administration doesn’t.”\nWhile VP Pence speaks often of his Irish roots and his Irish grandfather, in particular, he is strongly in opposition to gay marriage and claims that to be gay is a “choice.” Varadkar claims he will question these beliefs when he meets with Pence at his home in the Naval Observatory in Washington on Friday morning, while also raising the issue of immigration with Donald Trump when the shamrock ceremony takes place in the White House on Thursday.\nRead more: Irish leader Leo Varadkar will visit Trump on St. Patrick’s Day\nMike Pence and former Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny on Saint Patrick's Day 2017.\n“It’s for each country to make its own choices on migration. I’m in the White House at President Trump’s invitation. I’m not going there to lecture him on American immigration policy,” Varadkar said.\n“I now live in a country where 17 percent of the population was not born in Ireland and we’re all the better for it.\n“It’s a huge bonus for a country to have young people with talent and ability come to your country and bring those skills with them.”\nDo you think that Varadkar should discuss LGBT rights and immigration during his meetings with the US President and Vice President? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section, below.\nRelated: St. Patrick's Day, US Politics","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1447824"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8138800263404846,"wiki_prob":0.8138800263404846,"text":"Prisoners' Rights on the Docket\nMonday, 6 April, 2020 - Thursday, 16 April, 2020\nDerek Lichtenwalter is incarcerated at Belmont Correctional Institution which, like all Ohio prisons, is experiencing a massive and uncontrolled COVID-19 outbreak. He is also a person living with HIV, and because of his immunocompromised status, is at serious risk if he contracts the virus. He filed a petition for habeas corpus pro se, seeking to be released early on the basis that continued detention violates his constitutional rights to be free from cruel and unusual punishment. This was the first time such a petition was before the Ohio Supreme Court (which has original jurisdiction over extraordinary writs) during the pandemic. We filed an amicus brief in support of his petition.\nUnnecessary exposure of state prisoners, especially those with underlying health problems, to COVID-19 is cruel and unusual punishment under the Ohio and U.S. constitutions. The Court may examine a habeas petition in extraordinary circumstances regardless of whether it meets the statutory filing requirements.\nRelator Derek Lichtenwalter filed his pro se petition for writ of habeas corpus or in the alternative, mandamus in the Supreme Court of Ohio on March 19, 2020. The Court ordered an expedited briefing schedule sua sponte. On March 30, Jacqueline Greene and Sarah Gelsomino from Friedman & Gilbert filed appearances on his behalf, and Respondents the State of Ohio moved to dismiss.\nOn April 6, Relator filed his opposition to the motion to dismiss and we filed an amicus brief in support of his opposition.\nOn April 16, the Court dismissed the petition for failure to state a claim. The ground for dismissal was because Mr. Lichtenwalter did not seek an appropriate remedy, and did not bar re-filing. In a concurring opinion, Justice Donnelley called on all Ohio state actors to take drastic steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in prison and its impact on Ohio prisoners and communities.\nPrisoners' Rights Resources\nLearn more about Prisoners' Rights\nACLU of Ohio Files Brief in Lawsuit On Wage Garnishment of Prison Laborers\nGroups Challenge Trump Administration’s Arbitrary Detention of Asylum Seekers\nACLU Urges Madison County Probate Court to Stop Refusing Marriage Licenses to Incarcerated Individuals\nMore prisoners' rights Press Releases...\nWilson, et al. v. Williams, et al.\nMann, et al. v. ODRC\nMore prisoners' rights Cases...\nHB 603 – Inmate Psychotropic Medicine and Healthcare Access (2011-2012)\nSB 329 – Inmate Health Care (2011-2012)\nHow Ohio’s Medicaid Expansion Can Keep People Out of Jail & Save Money: a civil liberties briefing\nMore prisoners' rights Publications...\nJailing Justice: Prison Privatization in the United States » Cleveland\nMore prisoners' rights Webcasts...","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line589537"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5144463777542114,"wiki_prob":0.4855536222457886,"text":"Available at GCIS provincial offices, GCIS district offices & Thusong centres in your area!\nJobs / Vacancies\nHome » Jan 2012\nThe chilling realities of climate change\nThe earth’s climate is always changing and several centuries ago the causes of this change would have been primarily natural in origin. Apart from increasing average temperature, climate change also includes changes in rainfall patterns and in extreme weather events that lead to things like floods and droughts.\nNowadays, although natural changes in the climate continue to occur, the term ‘climate change’ is generally used when referring to changes in climate which have been identified since the early part of the 1900s.\nMany of the causes of these changes are related to humanity’s emissions of greenhouse gases.\nRising levels of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, are already changing the climate and are expected to continue to do so throughout the 21st century and beyond. However, there are many uncertainties about the scale and impacts of climate change – particularly at the regional level.\nWhat is certain, however, is that climate change is likely to have a significant impact on the global environment through increases in temperature; increases in sea level; changes in levels and patterns of precipitation such as rainfall, snow and sleet; and changes in the severity and frequency of extreme weather conditions such as droughts and floods.\nWhat is causing climate change?\nAn increase in the atmospheric concentrations of gases known as greenhouse gases, is a major cause for the steady rise in average global temperatures.\nGreenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere when we burn fossil fuels like coal, oil, petrol, diesel and natural gases.\nHuman activities, such as chopping down forests (deforestation), also reduce the earth's natural ability to absorb greenhouse gases.\nSome facts about climate change:\nThe impact of climate change is already felt by both people and the environment throughout the world.\nNumerous changes resulting from climate change have already been observed:\nmeasured increases in the average global temperature\nmeasured rises in the average global sea level\nreduced snow cover in the northern hemisphere\nsignificantly increased rainfall in eastern parts of North and South America, as well as northern Europe and northern and central Asia\nthe frequency of heavy rainfall events has increased over most land areas - consistent with warming and increases of atmospheric water vapour\ndrying in the Sahel, the Mediterranean, southern Africa and parts of southern\nmore intense and longer droughts observed since the 1970s, particularly in the tropics and sub-tropics\nwidespread changes in extreme temperatures have been observed\ncold days, cold nights and less frequent frost\nhot days, hot nights, and more frequent heatwaves.\nWhy should I worry about climate change?\nIf we do nothing, then by 2100, we can expect the following consequences:\nCoastal regions will experience a rise in temperature of between 3 ° C and 4 ° C.\nThe interior will experience a rise in temperature between 6° C and 7° C.\nClimate change will have a serious impact on biodiversity, which is the variety of life around us - from the largest animal to the smallest plant.\nCommercial forestry is vulnerable because of increased frequency of wildfires and decreasing availability of water in many areas.\nIncrease in diseases such as cholera, which are associated with extreme weather events.\nThere will be more extreme weather events such as flooding, storms and drought.\nWhy should we be worried about climate change?\nMany South Africans are vulnerable to extreme climate conditions because of poverty, disease and poor housing and living conditions.\nIn many areas, South Africa already has low and unreliable rainfall.\nMost of our surface water resources are already fully allocated.\nWhat is Government doing?\nSouth Africa’s Climate Change Response Policy will embody Government’s commitment to:\na fair contribution to stabilising global greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere\nprotecting the country and its people from the impacts of unavoidable climate change\npresenting government’s vision for an effective climate change response and the long-term transition to a climate-resilient and low-carbon economy and society\na vision based on government’s commitment to sustainable development and a better life for all.\nA climate-resilient, low-carbon economy and society must:\nbuild up resilience to resist the effects of climate change\nreduce greenhouse gases.\nIn the long-term, the goal is to transform the economy by shifting from an energy-intensive path to a climate-friendly path as part of a pro-growth, pro-development and pro-jobs strategy.\nWhat can I do about\nClimate change?\nWe can’t stop climate change on our own, but all of us can make a contribution by changing the way we live. We can all play a part in lessening human impact on climate and reversing the effects of climate change:\nPlant indigenous trees\ntrees absorb carbon dioxide from the air and use it as their energy source, producing oxygen for us to breathe.\nrecycling plastic, glass and paper products. Recycling paper saves trees and reduces the energy used in paper manufacturing.\ndon’t use more water than you really need\ndon’t let water run while shaving, brushing teeth or washing vegetables,\nfix leaking taps\nshower rather than bath.\nSave electricity\nThere are many ways to save energy in our daily lives. The following is a short list of things we can do.\nunplug or turn off all electronic equipment when not in use, including lights, TVs, heaters, fans and kitchen appliances\nselect the most energy-efficient appliances.\ninstall a solar water heater\nuse gas for cooking\ninsulate your house\nuse less hot water; wash your laundry in cold or warm, instead of hot water\nset your geyser’s thermostat on between 50 °C 60 °C\ndry clothes on a washing line instead of using a tumble dryer\nSwitch to energy-saving light bulbs. Replace all your old light bulbs with energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs. This can save up to 80 per cent on your next electricity bill and lasts up to eight times longer.\nChange the way you travel\nuse your car less frequently; rather use public transport, walk, jog or cycle if you can\nensure that your car is in good running order\nmaintain proper tyre pressure to maximise your vehicle’s petrol consumption\nwhen you buy a car, choose an energy-efficient one to reduce you petrol consumption and emissions.\njoin a lift club.\nWhy do we need an international agreement?\nNo country can combat climate change on its own; the whole world needs to work together to make their fair contribution to mitigation efforts. South Africa’s greenhouse emissions are a small fraction of the global emissions – In 2005, it was only 0,98 per cent of global emissions. If South Africa reduced its emissions by 20 per cent and China and the USA increased their emissions by 0,6 per cent, global emissions would remain the same.\nSo even if South Africa does everything in its power to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to zero, but the rest of the world carries on regardless, South Africa will still experience the full impacts of climate change.\nThe South African government will continue to engage actively and meaningfully in international climate change negotiations, specifically the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations.\nThis will help us to secure a binding, multi-lateral international agreement that will effectively limit the average global temperature increase to at least below 2°C above pre-industrial levels. South Africa’s international engagement with the UNFCCC process.\nArticle 3.1 of the UNFCCC states that “Parties should protect the climate system for the benefit of present and future generations of humankind, on the basis of equity and in accordance with their common, but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities…” Articles 3 and 4 compel parties to take actions to mitigate climate change.\n-Source: Department of Environmental Affairs\nThe temperature of the Earth is determined by the balance of energy coming in from the sun in the form of visible radiation (sunlight) and energy being lost from the surface of the Earth to space.\nEnergy coming from the sun passes through the atmosphere and warms the Earth – but the emitted infra-red radiation coming from the Earth’s surface is partly absorbed by gases in the atmosphere and some of it is re-emitted downwards, further warming the surface of the Earth and the lower levels of the atmosphere.\nThis effect has been called the greenhouse effect because of a similar effect caused by glass in a greenhouse: it lets sunlight into the greenhouse but in turn traps a portion of infra-red radiation (heat) inside the greenhouse.\nThe change in balance between radiation coming into the atmosphere and radiation going out is known as radiative forcing. A positive radiative forcing tends on average to warm the surface of the earth; negative forcing tends on average to cool the surface.\nThe most important greenhouse gases in the atmosphere (in terms of this effect) are: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perflurocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride.\nCarbon dioxide: this is the most important of the greenhouse gases released by human activities. It is the main contributor to climate change because of the quantities released, especially through the burning of fossil fuels.\nWhen fossil fuels are burned, the carbon content is oxidised and released as carbon dioxide. Every tonne of carbon burned produces 3,7 tonnes of CO2. The global consumption of fossil fuels is estimated to release 22 billion tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere every year –and the amounts are still climbing.Department of Environmental Aff\n‹ Surviving festivities: DJ Zinhle's responsibility mix up Thuli wins with FAIS ›\nA qualifying seal of approval for new artisans\nAgriculture rooting to grow\nDisability not the end of the road for Zulu\nEducation: FET takes you further\nEducation: Kha Ri Gude leads the way\nEducation: National Skills Accord\nEducation: What is the Kha Ri Gude campaign?\nFAIS Ombud to the rescue\nFingerprint technology fights fraud\nGame, set, match for Sithole\nGauteng takes action to reach job targets\nGreat strides in evaluating government's performance\nHealth: Be aware – malaria can kill\nHealth: Eye-care centre a vision for success\nHealth: New all-inclusive HIV and AIDS plan\nJob interviews – Put your best foot forward\nLooking at the State of the Nation\nMatric results and supplementary exams\nMeet Minister Angie Motshekga\nMore jobs in non-agricultural sector\nMore workbooks for better learning\nOmbud's office a hive of activity\nOranges squash unemployment\nPE sports a comeback\nPresidential Hotline: Hats off to the Hotline\nRural development: Muyexe goes online with progress\nRural development: President ploughs back with rural development\nRural development: Rising above the breadline\nSafety & security: Beware of ATM thieves\nSafety & security: Going beyond the call of duty\nSafety & security: National Police Day – honouring our men and women in blue\nSafety & security: What is Crime Stop?\nSchool fees: who is automatically exempt?\nSecuring international peace and security\nSink or swim?\nSoldiers, we salute you!\nSurviving festivities: DJ Zinhle's responsibility mix\nThuli wins with FAIS\nWage increase a relief for domestic workers\nWe want to earn our money\nWriting a winning CV\nYouth tap into business opportunities\nOur Team | Contact Us | Copyright © 2021 All rights reserved","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line2021952"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8206791877746582,"wiki_prob":0.8206791877746582,"text":"Brad Pitt, Melissa McCarthy Join Property Brothers on New Show\n'Celebrity IOU' premieres April 13 on HGTV\nHGTV's Property Brothers have a new home renovation series on the way — this time with a Hollywood twist. Drew and Jonathan Scott will team up with various celebrities for a new show called Celebrity IOU.\nThe episodic series will follow the Scott brothers alongside weekly celebrity guests — such as Brad Pitt, Melissa McCarthy, Viola Davis, Rebel Wilson and Michael Bublé — as they work on renovations to \"give the gift of home\" to people that have helped them in their lives.\n\"It's amazing to see someone who is extremely successful be grounded enough to always remember the people who helped them get there,\" Jonathan Scott said in a statement.\nDrew Scott added, \"Being a part of this show really hits home for us. This is what we love to do, transforming people's lives through their homes.\"\nHGTV network president Jane Latman offered the following statement about the new series:\nFrom Extreme Makeover: Home Edition to the very exciting, upcoming Home Town Takeover, HGTV is having success with series that celebrate the power of human connection. The wonderful thing about Celebrity IOU is that it is about personal acts of kindness and thanks. We all want to find ways to help the people who are always there for us when we need them.\nCelebrity IOU premieres on April 13 and will air Monday nights at 9 p.m. on HGTV.\nWatch the series teaser below.\nMore Property Brothers\nMore Rebel Wilson\nMore Michael Bublé","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1046314"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9054371118545532,"wiki_prob":0.9054371118545532,"text":"LIST: 63 Most Beautiful Croatian Actresses\nHere is the list of some of the most beautiful actresses from Croatia. Some of them are also talented model, singer, dancer, some are former beauty queens, also, some are writer, director and businesswoman. See the list below in no particular order or ranking. We also included other Croatian actresses with American and other descents.\n1. Alma Prica is a Croatian actress. She graduated from the Zagreb Academy of Drama Arts in 1985 and then joined the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb in 1986. Although primarily a theatre actress, she also appeared in numerous film and television productions.\nBorn: 17 September 1962, Zagreb, Croatia\nEducation: ADU - Academy of Dramatic Arts\nParents: Čedo Prica Plitvički, Jasmina Prica\nAwards: Croatian Actor Award for Best Artistic Achievement in Drama - Leading Female Performance\nNominations: Golden Orange International Film Competition Best Actress Award\nMovies: Halima's Path (2012), The Diary Of Diana B. (2019), Countess Dora (1993), Witnesses (2003), My Uncle's Legacy (1988)\n2. Ana Majhenić is a Croatian film and stage actress.\nBorn: 16 June 1981, Zagreb, Croatia\nSpouse: Antun Herceg (m. 2018)\nMovies: 7sex7 (2011), Romkom (2011), Horvatovi (2014)\n3. Ana Vucak is a theater performer.\nBorn: 29 November 1986, Zagreb, Croatia\nSpouse: Ivan Veljača (m. 2018)\nNominations: Croatian Actor Award for Best Actress in Puppet Show or Play for Children and Youth\n4. Anna Maria Chlumsky is an American actress. She began her career as a child actress, best known playing the lead role of Vada Sultenfuss in My Girl and its 1994 sequel. Between 1999 and 2005, Chlumsky's career entered a hiatus while she attended college. Chlumsky is of Czech and Croatian descent.\nBorn: 3 December 1980, Chicago, Illinois, United States\nSpouse: Shaun So (m. 2008)\nChildren: Clara Elizabeth So, Penelope Joan So\nMovies and TV shows: My Girl (1991), My Girl 2 (1994), Veep (2012 – 2019), Gold Diggers: The Secret of Bear Mountain (1995), Trading Mom (1994)\n5. Bojana Gregorić-Vejzović is a Croatian actress. She starred in Naša mala klinika as Dr. Lili Štriga, also appeared in the biographical drama Lea and Darija and voiced Helen Parr in the Croatian-language dub of The Incredibles franchise.\nBorn: 17 February 1972, Zagreb, Croatia\nChildren: Raul Vejzovic\nSpouse: Enes Vejzović (m. 2006), Boris Novković (m. 1992–1997)\nParents: Bozidarka Frajt, Boris Gregoric\nMovies and TV shows: Horvatovi (2015 – 2016), Dolina sunca (2009 – 2010), Love Island (2014), Naša mala klinika (2004 – 2007), Dream Warrior (2003)\n6. Christina Cindrich is an American television producer, host, and actress, of Italian and Croatian descent. She is the producer and host of Private Islands and Global Passport and has won three Emmy Awards.\nBorn: 26 August 1981, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States\nParents: Ralph Cindrich, Mary Rose Cindrich\nMovies and TV shows: Private Islands (Since 2010), Spider-Man 3 (2007), Getting Back to Zero (2011), Global Passport with Christina Cindrich (Since 2014), 2095 (2005)\n7. Cintija Ašperger, credited as Cynthia Ashperger in English-language roles, is a Croatian-Canadian film, television and stage actress.\nBorn: 4 May 1963, Zagreb, Croatia\nNominations: Canadian Screen Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role\nMovies: S.P.U.K. (1983), The Waiting Room (2015), Croatian Cathedrals (1993), Accidental Co-Traveller (2004), The Promised Land (1986)\n8. Danira Gović is a Croatian actress, best known for a recurring role in the British television comedy-drama series Hotel Babylon.\nBorn: 1973, Šibenik, Croatia\nMovies and TV shows: The Mother (2003), Hotel Babylon (2006 – 2009)\n9. Daria Lorenci is a Croatian television and film actress. She appeared in more than twenty feature films since 2000. She lives and works in Zagreb.\nBorn: 13 April 1976, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina\nEducation: ADU - Academy of Dramatic Arts (1995–1999)\nSpouse: Emil Flatz (m. 2008), Jernej Lorenci (m. 1997–2000)\nParents: Danijela Turkalj, Emir Saltagić\nMovies: Sorry for Kung Fu (2004), Just Between Us (2010), Behind the Glass (2008), It's Hard to Be Nice (2007), Vegetarian Cannibal (2012)\n10. Denise Lee Richards is an American actress, former fashion model, and television personality. Her most recognized roles are Carmen Ibanez in Starship Troopers, Kelly Van Ryan in Wild Things and Bond girl Christmas Jones in The World Is Not Enough. Her mother is Croatian.\nBorn: 17 February 1971, Downers Grove, Illinois, United States\nMovies: Wild Things, Starship Troopers, The World Is Not Enough\nSpouse: Aaron Phypers (m. 2018), Charlie Sheen (m. 2002–2006)\nChildren: Eloise Joni Richards, Sam Sheen, Lola Rose Sheen\nTV shows: The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (Since 2010), The Bold and the Beautiful (Since 1987), Denise Richards: It's Complicated (2008 – 2009), Blue Mountain State (2010 – 2011), Melrose Place (1992 – 1999)\n11. Dijana Vidušin is a Croatian film, theater and television actress. She won a Golden Arena for Best Actress at the Pula Film Festival.\nBorn: 12 February 1982 (age 38 years), Pula, Croatia\nSpouse: Mario Knezović\nChildren: Marla Knezović, Vida Knezović\nTV shows: Zlatni dvori\nNominations: Croatian Actor Award for Best Artistic Achievement in Drama - Female Supporting Role\nMovies: Love Life of a Gentle Coward (2009), Koko and the Ghosts (2011), Mysterious Boy (2013), The Mystery Of Green Hill (2017), Ministry of Love (2016)\n12. Dinka Džubur is an Australian actress, model and filmmaker. She is known for her work in the Golden Globe winning HBO television series True Blood, and films Battle of the Sexes and Turkey Shoot.\nBorn: Slavonski Brod, Croatia\nEducation: The University of Queensland, QUT Gardens Point Campus\nKnown for: Battle of the Sexes, True Blood, Secrets & Lies, Little Hands\n13. Doris Pinčić Rogoznica is a Croatian actress and TV and radio presenter. She is known for her role as Lara Božić-Zlatar in the Nova TV series, Larin izbor.\nBorn: 4 September 1988, Zadar, Croatia\nSpouse: Boris Rogoznica (m. 2013)\nEducation: The Academy of Arts and Culture in Osijek\nChildren: Donat Rogoznica, Gita Rogoznica\nParents: Mario Pinčić, Violeta Pinčić\nMovies and TV shows: Larin izbor (2011 – 2013), Fuck Off I Love You (2017), Because of You (2016), Happy End: Stupid and Stupider 3 (2018)\n14. Ecija Ojdanić is a Croatian theatre, film and television actress.\nBorn: 26 June 1974 (age 45 years), Drniš, Croatia\nEducation: ADU - Academy of Dramatic Arts (1997)\nSpouse: Robert Orhel (m. 2009), Ante Viljac (m. 2003–2007)\nParents: Milenka Ojdanić, Petar Ojdanić\nSiblings: Jakša Ojdanić, Ilijana Ojdanić\nMovies and TV shows: Larin izbor (2011 – 2013), One Shot (2013), Kud puklo da puklo (2014 – 2016), Zlatni dvori (2016 – 2017), Ministry of Love (2016)\n15. Fani Stipković is a Croatian television reporter, host and journalist.\nBorn: 20 August 1982, Korčula, Croatia\nEducation: XV. gimnazija (1996–2000), University of Zagreb\nParents: Tina Stipković, Jerko Stipković\n16. Hana Hegedušić is a Croatian actress. She appeared in more than twenty films since 1997.\nBorn: 29 January 1976, Zagreb, Croatia\nAlbums: Festival Kajkavskih Popevki - Krapina 2016\nSiblings: Martina Pokupec\nParents: Hrvoje Hegedušić, Ksenija Erker\nAwards: Croatian Actor Award for Best Artistic Achievement in Operetta or Musical - Female Role\nMovies: Forest Creatures (2010), Play Me a Love Song (2007), God Forbid a Worse Thing Should Happen (2002), Cashier Wants to Go to the Seaside (2000), Josef (2011)\n17. Helena Minić-Matanić is a Croatian film, stage and television actress. Her debut role was in the 2003 multiple award-winning Bosnian film Remake.\nBorn: 8 March 1979, Pula, Croatia\nSpouse: Dalibor Matanić (m. 2014)\nEducation: Academy of Performing Arts\nResidence: Zagreb, Croatia\nMovies and TV shows: Exorcism (2017), Remake (2003), Zakon ljubavi (2008), In The Name Of The Strawberry, The Chocolate And The Holy Spirit (2018)\n18. Iskra Jirsak is a Croatian stage and film actress. She graduated from the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb in 2011. Iskra has already gathered extensive experience of working on the stage since her early age and for cinema and television during her studies.\nBorn: 28 May 1987, Zagreb, Croatia\nMovies: Because of You, Fuck Off I Love You\nAwards: Croatian Actor Award for Outstanding Achievement of Young Artists Under Age 28 - Female Role\n19. Iva Babić is a Croatian actress.\nBorn: Virovitica, Croatia\nMovies: Mali (2018), One Shot (2013), We Will Be the World Champions (2015)\n20. Iva Hasperger is an actress.\nBorn: 10 March 1977, Zagreb, Croatia\nMovies: Dinoshark (2010), Malevolent (2002), Vlad (2003), Frank McKlusky, C.I. (2002), Three Days (of Hamlet) (2012)\n21. Ivana Bašić is a Croatian actress who starred in the BBC medical drama Casualty as Serbian paramedic Snezana Lalovic. It was announced on 12 February 2009 that she was to leave the series at the end of March, along with co-star Janine Mellor. She resides in London.\nBorn: 28 February 1976, Split, Croatia\nMovies and TV shows: Happy Valley (2014 – 2016), The Rhythm Section (2020), A Street Cat Named Bob (2016), Margery and Gladys (2003), Talking to the Dead (2013)\n22. Ivana Miličević is a American actress and model. She is best known for playing Anastasia Rabitov/Carrie Hopewell in the Cinemax original series Banshee and for playing Charmaine Diyoza in season 5-7 of The 100 from 2018-2020. Her parents are both Croatians.\nPartner(s): Adrian Hunter (2007–2009)\nSpouse(s): Paddy Hogan (m.2018)\nMovies and TV shows: Banshee (2013 – 2016), The 100 (2014 – 2020), Casino Royale (2006), Just like Heaven (2005), Witless Protection (2008)\n23. Ivana Roščić is a Croatian actress. She appeared in more than twenty films since 2004.\nBorn: 27 September 1978, Split, Croatia\nSpouse: Marko Balić (m. 2014)\nMovies and TV shows: Uspjeh, A Wonderful Night in Split (2004), Editing (2006), Stories from the Chestnut Woods (2019), A Stranger (2013)\n24. Jadranka Đokić is a Croatian actress. Widely considered one of the most talented Croatian actresses of the 21st-century, she has garnered critical success and numerous accolades for her versatile range in theatre, film and television.\nBorn: 14 January 1981, Pula, Croatia\nAwards: Golden Arena for Best Actress, Vladimir Nazor Annual Award - Theatre\nMovies and TV shows: Behind the Glass (2008), Naša mala klinika (2004 – 2007), Fine Dead Girls (2002), Moja 3 zida (2009), The Priest's Children (2013)\n25. Jelena Veljača is a Croatian actress and screenwriter, currently writing a weekly column for Nedjeljni Jutarnji. Veljača was born in Zagreb. She is best known for her role as \"Maja Župan\" in the Croatian telenovela Ljubav u zaleđu. She also appeared in the first Croatian telenovela ever, Villa Maria.\nBorn: 23 April 1981, Zagreb, Croatia\nSpouse: Dražen Čuček (m. 2015–2018), Janko Popović Volarić (m. 2009–2012)\nChildren: Lena Čuček\nParents: Grozdana Veljača, Ivica Veljača\nBooks: Tatine curice\nTV shows: Pogrešan čovjek (2018 – 2019), Villa Maria (2004 – 2005), Prava žena (2016 – 2017), Larin izbor (2011 – 2013), Zakon ljubavi (2008)\n26. Jennifer Mary \"Jenna\" Elfman is an American actress, best known for her leading role as Dharma on the ABC sitcom Dharma & Greg, for which she won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy in 1999, and was nominated for three Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. She is of Croatian ancestry on her father's side and was raised Roman Catholic.\nBorn: 30 September 1971, Los Angeles, California, United States\nSpouse: Bodhi Elfman (m. 1995)\nChildren: Easton Quinn Monroe Elfman, Story Elias Elfman\nParents: Sue Grace Butala, Richard Wayne Butala\nMovies and TV shows: Keeping the Faith (2000), Dharma & Greg (1997 – 2002), Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003), EDtv (1999), Big Stone Gap (2014)\n27. Karmen Sunčana Lovrić, is a Croatian actress.\nPartner: Mladen Vujčić\nMovies: Happy End: Stupid and Stupider 3, Fuck Off I Love You, Zamka (za) snimatelja\n28. Katarina Strahinic is a Croatian actress.\nBorn: 24 October 1992, Zagreb, Croatia\nMovies: The Burden\n29. Kristina Krepela is a Croatian actress, the best known for playing in movies La Femme Musketeer and The Hunting Party and in telenovela Ne daj se, Nina, the Croatian version of Ugly Betty.\nBorn: 4 September 1979, Zagreb, Croatia\nMovies and TV shows: Crossroads (2013), The Hunting Party (2007), Mahmut & Meryem (2013), Ne daj se, Nina (2007 – 2008), La Femme Musketeer (2004)\n30. Lana Barić is a Croatian actress. She appeared in more than twenty films since 2001. In 2017, Lana Barić has signed the Declaration on the Common Language of the Croats, Serbs, Bosniaks and Montenegrins.\nBorn: 11 December 1979, Split, Croatia\nSpouse: Dragan Markovina (m. 2016–2017)\nChildren: Mirej Barić\nMovies: You Carry Me (2015), Hush... (2013), Eden (2020), The Reaper (2014), Yellow Moon (2009)\n31. Leona Paraminski is a Croatian theatre, film and television actress. She grew up in Vrbovec, a town near Zagreb, and spent time traveling around Croatia and Germany as a child.\nBorn: 22 August 1979, Zagreb, Croatia\nSpouse: Tin Komljenovic (m. 2012)\nMovies and TV shows: Winter in Rio (2002), Budva na pjenu od mora (2012 – 2015), Below the Line (2003), The Society of Jesus (2004), Because of You (2016)\n32. Lucija Šerbedžija is a Croatian actress and model, a daughter of Croatian actor Rade Šerbedžija and a sister of Croatian-Serbian film director Danilo Šerbedžija. She is probably best known in the English-speaking world for her role in The Saint as a Russian prostitute, in which her father also starred.\nBorn: 8 June 1973, Zagreb, Croatia\nSpouse: Filip Gajić (m. ?–2014)\nChildren: Anastazija Gajic, Sergej Gajić\nSiblings: Danilo Šerbedžija, Mimi Šerbedžija, Vanja Šerbedžija, Nina Šerbedžija\nEducation: ADU - Academy of Dramatic Arts, Classical Gymnasium Zagreb\nMovies: The Liberation of Skopje (2016), 72 days (2010), The Saint (1997), Madonna (1999), Slow Surrender (2001)\n33. Marija Omaljev-Grbić, also known as Mara Omaljev, is a Croatian-American film, stage and theatre actress.\nBorn: 5 December 1982 (age 37 years), Novi Sad, Serbia\nSpouse: Miraj Grbić (m. 2008)\nOther name: Mara Omaljev\nMovies and TV shows: Pecat, Body Complete, Dolina sunca\nEducation: Academy of Performing Arts (2003–2007), University of Sarajevo\n34. Marija Škaričić is a Croatian actress.\nBorn: 6 August 1977, Split, Croatia\nSiblings: Duje Skaricic\nParents: Ante Škaričić, Jadranka Škaričić\nAwards: Golden Arena for Best Actress, Mother of Asphalt\nMovies and TV shows: Mare (2020), Fraulein (2006), The Priest's Children (2013), A Wonderful Night in Split (2004), Uspjeh\n35. Marina Fernandez is a Croatian actress. Wikipedia\nBorn: 19 June 1981, Split, Croatia\nMovies: Strike Back (2020), Rest in Peace (2018), Ruza vjetrova (2012-2013), Morangos com Açúcar (2007)\n36. Matija Prskalo is a Croatian theater, film and television actress.\nSpouse: Dominik Galić (m. 2003)\nChildren: Kalista Galić\nMovies: How the War Started on My Island (1996), When the Dead Start Singing (1998), Flower Square (2012), Loving Glances (2003), The Society of Jesus (2004)\n37. Mia Begović is a Croatian film, stage and television actress. She is known as younger sister of the late Croatian actress, Ena Begović.\nBorn: 11 January 1963, Split, Croatia\nSpouse: Željko Žnidarić (m. 2004–2010)\nChildren: Maja Lena Lopatny\nSiblings: Ena Begović\nMovies and TV shows: Tata i zetovi, Serafim, the Lighthouse Keeper's Son\nParents: Tereza Begović, Nikola Begović\n38. Mira Furlan is a Croatian actress and singer. Internationally, she is best known for her roles as the Minbari Ambassador Delenn on the science fiction television series Babylon 5, and as Danielle Rousseau on Lost.\nSpouse: Goran Gajić (m. 1998)\nBooks: The Closing Sale\nChildren: Marko Lav Gajić\nMovies and TV shows: Babylon 5 (1994 – 1998), The Beauty of Vice (1986), Lost (2004 – 2010), When Father Was Away on Business (1985), Babylon 5: In the Beginning (1998)\n39. Mirna Medaković Stepinac is a Croatian actress.\nSpouse: Hrvoje Stepinac (m. 2015)\nChildren: Kaja Stepinac, Zora Stepinac\nMovies and TV shows: Kud puklo da puklo (2014 – 2016), Pod sretnom zvijezdom (2011), Dolina sunca (2009 – 2010), Forest Creatures (2010), Night Boats (2012)\n40. Nada Gačešić-Livaković is a Croatian actress. She appeared in more than fifty films since 1974.\nBorn: 8 October 1951, Požega, Croatia\nSpouse: Mirko Livaković\nChildren: Ivan Livaković\nMovies: The Lika Cinema (2008), Nausikaya (1995), Virgina (1991), Two Players from the Bench (2005), Serafim, the Lighthouse Keeper's Son (2002)\n41. Natalija Ugrina is a Croatian actress and fashion model currently based in Los Angeles, California.\nBorn: Croatia\nAlma mater: Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute\nMovies: The Gambler\n42. Nataša Dorčić is a Croatian theatre, film and television actress. Dorčić graduated from the Zagreb Academy of Dramatic Art in 1998, but started acting professionally as early as 1994, when she joined the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb.\nBorn: 9 June 1968, Rijeka, Croatia\nSpouse: Sven Medvešek (divorced)\nChildren: Tit Emanuel Medvešek, Toma Medvešek, Roza Medvešek\nMovies: You Carry Me (2015), Just Between Us (2010), I Have to Sleep, My Angel (2007), Lada Kamenski (2018), The Show Must Go On (2010)\n43. Nataša Janjić-Medančić is a Croatian film, stage and television actress.\nBorn: 27 November 1981, Split, Croatia\nSpouse: Joško Lokas (m. 2012–2014)\nParents: Predrag Janjić, Jagoda Janjić\nTV shows: Tito\nSiblings: Tamara Janjić\nMovies: You Carry Me (2015), Goran (2016), Comic Sans (2018), Donkey (2009), Vegetarian Cannibal (2012)\n44. Nera Stipičević is a Croatian pop singer and actress. Nera Stipičević was born in Makarska, where she attended elementary music school. Stipičević is of Albanian origin and was a close relative of Aleksandar Stipčević.\nBorn: 21 January 1983, Makarska, Croatia\nAlbums: Tell Me (3-Track Maxi-Single), Nera, Bintang AF Aidilfitri\nMovies: Till the End of Death, Little Darling, Nick\nParents: Marijana Stipičević, Matko Stipičević\n45. Nina Violić is a Croatian actress. Violić graduated from the Academy of Dramatic Art, University of Zagreb in 1994. She has appeared in more than twenty films since 1993. She also hosted the Croatian version of the quiz show The Weakest Link in 2004-2010.\nBorn: 15 March 1972, Rijeka, Croatia\nSpouse: Tvrtko Juric (m. 2001)\nChildren: Roza Jurić\nNominations: Croatian Actor Award for Best Artistic Achievement in Drama - Leading Female Performance\nMovies: Fine Dead Girls (2002), Alone (2001), Cashier Wants to Go to the Seaside (2000), Russian Meat (1997), On the Path (2010)\n46. Nives Ivanković is a Croatian actress.\nBorn: 1 June 1967, Tomislavgrad, Bosnia and Herzegovina\nOther name: Niki Iki\nParents: Ante Ivanković, Zora Ivanković\nMovies and TV shows: A Wonderful Night in Split (2004), Ruža vjetrova (2011 – 2013), The High Sun (2015), Nad lipom 35 (Since 2006), Babylon Sisters (2017)\n47. Olga Pakalović is a Croatian actress. She appeared in more than twenty films since 1993.\nBorn: 8 November 1978, Zagreb, Croatia\nSpouse: Samia Bergamane (m. 2013–2013)\nMovies and TV shows: Halima's Path (2012), Fine Dead Girls (2002), Ministry of Love (2016), Novine (Since 2016), I Have to Sleep, My Angel (2007)\n48. Petra Cicvarić is a Croatian actress.\nBorn: 29 March 1986, Osijek, Croatia\nPartner: Peđa Gvozdić\nParents: Tomislav Cicvarić\nMovies and TV shows: Ruža vjetrova, Fuck Off I Love You\nAwards: Croatian Actor Award for Best Actress in Puppet Show or Play for Children and Youth\n49. Rachel Leskovac is an English actress and singer best known for her television roles as teacher Lara Heaton in Shameless, hairdresser Natasha Blakeman in Coronation Street, and Joanne Cardsley in Hollyoaks. She has been nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award. Her father is Croatian.\nBorn: 5 June 1976, Bradford, United Kingdom\nSpouse: David Tench\nEducation: St Bede's & St Joseph's Catholic College Ignis Site, Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts\nSiblings: Kate Leskovac, Sophie Leskovac\nMovies and TV shows: WPC 56 (2013 – 2015), Coronation Street (Since 1960), Dead Clever (2007), Losing Gemma (2006)\n50. Rita Rusić, also known as Rita Cecchi Gori, is a Croatian born Italian producer, actress and singer. Rusic's career began as an actress with a major role in the 1982 film Attila flagello di Dio. She was eventually moved into the film industry, with Il pentito in 1982.\nBorn: 16 May 1960, Poreč, Croatia\nSpouse: Vittorio Cecchi Gori (m. 1983–2000)\nEducation: University of Milan\nChildren: Vittoria Cecchi Gori, Mario Cecchi Gori\nSiblings: Lierka Rusic\nMovies: Attila flagello di Dio (1982), Sorry If I Want to Marry You (2010), The Star Maker (1995), The Third Solution (1988), The Repenter (1985)\n51. Sandra Bagarić is a Bosnian-born Croatian opera singer and actress. She was born in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina where she attended the High School for Music. She continued her musical studies in Sarajevo, but due to war moved to Zagreb in 1992. In Zagreb she attended the Music Academy.\nBorn: 5 April 1974, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina\nSpouse: Darko Domitrović (m. 1997)\nChildren: Lovro Domitrović, Marko Domitrović\nAlbums: Adagio (Arr. for Soprano and Keyboard), Sjećanja\nFilmography: Obećana zemlja (2002), Naša mala klinika (2007), Zabranjena ljubav (2008), Samo ti pričaj (2015-2016)\n52. Sanja Doležal is a Croatian singer and television host. She is best known for being a member of the pop music band Novi fosili between 1984 and the early 1990s, during the peak of the group's popularity.\nSpouse: Nenad Šarić (m. 1993–2012)\nParents: Mišo Doležal\nChildren: Lea Šarić, Luka Šarić\nMovies: Lea and Darija\n53. Sanja Vejnović is a Croatian film and television actress.\nBorn: 8 August 1961, Zagreb, Croatia\nSpouse: Goran Mecava (m. 1984–2015)\nEducation: Faculty of humanities and social sciences, University of Zagreb\nTV shows: Kud puklo da puklo, Pure Love, Ponos Ratkajevih, Balkan Inc.\nChildren: Andrej Mećava\nMovies: The Falcon (1983), The Elusive Summer of '68 (1984), 100 Minutes of Glory (2004), The Three Men of Melita Žganjer (1998), High Voltage (1981)\n54. Sanya Mateyas is a Croatian–American actress and singer. She moved to the United States in 1999. She was a leader and a composer for her Los Angeles-based hard-rock band Duda Did It, with an independent album released in 2008.\nBorn: Zagreb, Croatia\nSiblings: Tajči\nNephews: Blais Cameron, Dante Cameron, Evan Cameron\nMovies: Holes (2003), Dragonquest (2009)\n55. Sementa Rajhard is a Croatian actress and singer.\nBorn: 4 January 1991, Rijeka, Croatia\nGenre: Alt Contemporary Christian\nParents: Ladislav Rajhard, Melita Rajhard\nSiblings: Giuliano Rajhard\nMovie: Vrati se, Zone (2016)\n56. Sonja Kovač is a Croatian actress, model and singer.\nBorn: 18 June 1984 (age 36 years), Bjelovar, Croatia\nTV shows: Neighbors Forever\nEducation: New York Film Academy (2015–2015)\n57. Stanka Gjurić is a Croatian poet, essayist, actress, filmmaker and ex model. She is a member of the Croatian Writers' Association and Croatian Academy of Science and Art in Diaspora. She has also acted in seven feature films.\nBorn: 20 January 1956, Čakovec, Croatia\nMovies: Ubojite misli, That Summer of White Roses, Immoral Manual, The Murmur of the Shell, Lust and the Heart, Here\nBooks: All That Glitters\n58. Suzana Nikolić is a Croatian actress. As of 2020, she is teaching acting at the Shanghai Theatre Academy.\nBorn: 22 June 1965, Županja, Croatia\nChildren: Ana Midžić\nEducation: ADU - Academy of Dramatic Arts (1989), Educational Language Center (1984)\nMovies and TV shows: The Three Men of Melita Žganjer (1998), Stipe u gostima (2008 – 2014), Kotlovina (2011), Kud puklo da puklo (2014 – 2016), 95 Decibels (2013)\n59. Tara Thaller is a Croatian actress, known for the lead role in HBO's TV series Uspjeh.\nBorn: 1998 (age 22 years), Zagreb, Croatia\nMovies and TV shows: Uspjeh, Success (Since 2018), Guardian of the Castle (Since 2017), Love Or Death (2014), Pogrešan čovjek (2018 – 2019)\n60. Tihana Lazović is a Croatian film actress. She is best known for the lead role as Jelena / Nataša / Marija in The High Sun.\nBorn: 25 September 1990 (age 29 years), Zadar, Croatia\nParents: Miljenko Lazović, Gordana Pavlić\nMovies and TV shows: The High Sun (2015), Aleksi (2018), The Last Serb in Croatia (2019), Novine (Since 2016), Hush... (2013)\n61. Vanessa Radman is a Croatian actress.\nBorn: 1974, Križevci, Croatia\nParents: Đurđa Radman, Momir Radman\nTV shows: Zora dubrovačka (2013 – 2014), Zakon ljubavi (2008)\n62. Vesna Tominac Matačić is a Croatian actress.\nBorn: 25 October 1968, Vinkovci, Croatia\nMovies and TV shows: The Border (1996), Kud puklo da puklo (2014 – 2016), Djeca jeseni, Borderland\n63. Zrinka Cvitešić is a Croatian film, television and theater actress.\nBorn: 18 July 1979, Karlovac, Croatia\nPartner: Niko Kranjčar (2014–)\nEducation: American Academy of Dramatic Arts\nAwards: Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical\nTV shows: London Spy, Capital\nMovies: On the Path (2010), What Is a Man Without a Moustache? (2005), Horseman (2003), My Beautiful Country (2012), Vegetarian Cannibal (2012)","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line534989"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6539354920387268,"wiki_prob":0.6539354920387268,"text":"Andreas joined AEA in 2017 as an Operating Partner focusing on value-added industrial products. He currently serves on the board of AptarGroup and AEA portfolio companies API Technologies, Excelitas Technologies, NES SitelogIQ, and Spectrum Plastics Group.\nMost recently, in his position as Honeywell Vice Chairman, he led the company’s Commercial Excellence Initiative, and helped advance the deployment of HOS Gold and position Honeywell as a premier software-industrial company. Prior to this role, Andreas served as the President and CEO of Honeywell Performance Materials and Technologies, a global leader in process technologies and catalysts for the oil, gas and petrochemical industries as well as a leader in the development and production of high purity, high performance materials such as refrigerants. Prior to that he served as President & CEO of Honeywell’s Environmental and Combustion Controls business.\nAndreas is the recipient of the 2017 Chemical Industry Medal.\nNick joined AEA in 2016 and focuses on AEA’s investments in the Value-Added Industrials and Services sectors.\nPrior to joining AEA, Nick was an investment banking analyst at Morgan Stanley in the global transportation group.\nAnneka joined AEA in 2010 and focuses on AEA’s investments in the Value-Added Industrials and Services sectors. She currently serves on the board of SitelogIQ.\nPrior to joining AEA, Anneka was an analyst at The Blackstone Group in the restructuring and reorganization group and prior to Blackstone, an analyst at Goldman, Sachs & Co. in the leveraged finance group.\nAlan joined AEA in 1989 as a Partner and currently co-heads the AEA Small Business Funds and is a Partner of the AEA Middle Market Funds. Alan serves on the boards of Balboa, Dayton Parts, LoneStar, Meritus Gas Partners, Omega, Pexco, SBP, SGLT, Sparrows, Spectrum Plastics Group, and Veseris. In the last 15 years, he also served on the boards of former AEA portfolio companies Aramsco, Behavioral Interventions, Flow Control Group, Implus Corporation, In the Swim, Kranson, NCS, Phillips Pet Food and Supplies, PLZ Aeroscience, PPC, Shoes for Crews, SRS Roofing Supply, and Troxell Communications.\nAs a Partner from 1989 to 1999, Alan concentrated his investment activities in Industrial and Consumer / Retail companies, overseeing many of AEA’s successful investments during that period. Alan left AEA in 1999 and joined Peter Solomon Company, a boutique advisory firm, and then returned to the private equity business in 2002 with Saratoga Partners. He rejoined AEA in early 2004 and helped establish the AEA Small Business Funds.\nPrior to joining AEA, from 1984 to 1989, Alan was with Lehman Brothers, first in the mergers and acquisitions department and then with the principal investment group. Previously, Alan worked at Citicorp and Pricewaterhouse and became a Chartered Accountant in England in 1980.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line136174"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5642201900482178,"wiki_prob":0.4357798099517822,"text":"Page: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] [36] [37] [38] [39] [40] [41] [42] [43] [44] [45] [46] [47] [48] [49] [50] [51] [52] [53] [54] [55] [56] [57] [58] - 59 - [60] [61] [62] [63] [64] [65] [66] [67] [68] [69] [70] [71] [72] [73] [74] [75] [76] [77] [78] [79] [80] [81] [82] [83] [84] [85] [86] [87] [88] [89] [90] [91] [92] [93] [94] [95] [96] [97] [98] [99] [100] [101] [102] [103] [104] [105] [106] [107] [108] [109] [110] [111] [112] [113] [114] [115] [116] [117] [118] [119] [120] [121] [122] [123] [124] [125]\n#581 by Bumblepuppy\nBeautiful episode, but I have a problem with it. Everyone feels that the end implies that Leela and Fry will get together. Beautiful, and a good way to end a series (although I hope this won't REALLY be the end). However, Leela has reacted to Fry in a similar manner in other episodes, and still they never get together after that. That's why I'm not sure that I agree with everyone. I want to imagine that they get together, and I guess it's open to your imagination, but I honestly still don't think it's a \"given\" in the way that other fans have told me it is.\nBumblepuppy gave 5 points\n#582 by Mero\ncould not end it in a better way\nMero gave 4 points\n#583 by Sean P\nI absolutely love this show!!! Us fellow Futurama fans need to unite and get this program back on the air. U think Fox would realize what a great hit they have on their hands. Sure, I like the Simpsons, but Futurama and Family Guy are better by a long shot.\nSean P gave 5 points\n#584 by Sean Stella\nIt's the last episode ever it's and great. It's very sad in one way how leela loses her hearing and fry's hands get chopped off. And ways the it ends is very nice however it did'nt give many laughs but there's something about it\nSean Stella gave 4 points\n#585 by Jake\nTo think that Simpsons gets to keep going after this show was cut down in its prime. A bunch of NFL old guys making fun of each other is better than this? HA! They need to pull the plug on the Simpsons before the bad episodes outnumber the classic good ones.\nAnyways, Futurama should be brought back and replace the moldy Simpsons, now.\nJake gave 5 points\n#586 by fry's bitch\nthese eposde iss bullshit. in a good way\nfry's bitch gave 5 points\n#587 by Ryan\nPerfect, I just hopr this isn't the end.\nRyan gave 5 points\n#588 by Shouri\nLoved it, very emotive ending :')\nShouri gave 5 points\n#589 by zerocool\nThis is one of my all time favorite shows to watch. It's a shame it was cancelled, but it's better to leave when the audience is still cheering, rather than run it for to long, when they get bored with the jokes. A marvellous send-off for the show, with it leaving many questions to your own imagination. well done, futurama!\nzerocool gave 5 points\n#590 by benda's mama\nI'd rather bite Benders shiny metal ass than watch it again Musical BLLLLLLLLH\nbenda's mama gave 2 points","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line851572"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6831315159797668,"wiki_prob":0.6831315159797668,"text":"Daniels said Scrubb's father confirmed an official visit to UC on Aug. 6.\nScrubb, who averaged 19.5 points and 8.6 rebounds at Logan, reportedly has considered entering the NBA Draft if he doesn't accept one of his multiple Div. I offers, which are believed to include UC, Xavier, UofL, Memphis, Creighton, Iowa State, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, West Virginia and Wichita State.\nScrubb also was invited to Team USA's Under-19 training camp last month in Colorado Springs.\nLOVE THE BEARCATS? Subscribe today to get access to all of our coverage","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1617132"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.779687225818634,"wiki_prob":0.779687225818634,"text":"Malaga to become first Spanish city to test pilot robot delivery scheme\nChris Orejuela with one of the robots to be used. / SUR\nThe company HappyBox will be using at least five robots developed by an Estonian company to deliver parcels ordered by customers\nThe Malaga branch of HappyBox, a company which specialises in express deliveries for businesses, including food, will take part in a pilot scheme this spring which involves using robots.\nAt least five of these autonomous robots will arrive in Malaga from the Estonian company Starship Technologies accompanied by an engineer who will help \"teach\" them to do their job.\nMalaga will be the fourth city in the world to take part, with the scheme already set up in Tallinn, San Francisco and London.\nWhen the order reaches its destination the customer is sent an unlock code to retrieve the parcel\nThe robots will operate in the pedestrian zone of the city's historic centre, with a delivery time of between 15 and 20 minutes.\nTypically weighing around 18 kilogrammes, they will be able to deliver parcels as heavy as ten kilogrammes, and although they have the capacity to move at a speed of 16 kilometres per hour, that will be reduced to ten during the experimental period so that they can keep pace with pedestrians. Their operating range is around ten kilometres and their batteries last around five hours.\nThe robots will also be fitted with GPS systems, optical cameras, accelerometers and ultrasonic sensors, which will allow them eventually to move about autonomously in a designated area of the city.\nHowever, the first step will involve an engineer helping them create a map of the area, which they will need before they are able to move around without any help. In Malaga, therefore, the engineer will be accompanying the machines during their first few deliveries.\nThe robots will be connected to the platform HappyBox uses to manage all of its deliveries, with a few slight changes.\nWhen an order from a customer comes through, the address and the time it has to arrive at its destination is transmitted to the robot. Once the machine has arrived at its destination, the customer will be sent an unlock code which will allow them to open the compartment where the parcel has been placed.\nThe managing director of HappyBox, Chris Orejuela, stated that the next version of these robots will be able to communicate with humans through an application similar to Siri, the programme used by Apple.\nOrejuela added that the robots will be accurately tracked at all times when they are out delivering parcels, while there will always be a human being monitoring closeby, to avoid them being stolen.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line714937"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6030392050743103,"wiki_prob":0.6030392050743103,"text":"Josh Oberlander, Chief Water/Wastewater Operator/Supervisor\nThe City of Douglas gets its water from three different sources. The Little B oxelder Spring is a high-quality gravity-fed water source located west of Douglas. This source provides up to two million gallons per day and meets the water demands in the fall and winter.\nThe second source of water for the community is the 1.5 million gallon a day Sheep Mountain Well. This well came into service in the fall of 1994 and supplements the city water supply during peak demand and also allows for reduced usage of the more costly water treatment plant.\nThe third source is the water treatment plant, which treats water from the North Platte River. The water treatment plant has a production capacity in the summer of two million gallons per day and is used May through September. It is not designed to service the community in winter. The water treatment plant also contains the municipal lab where daily testing of the city's water system is conducted.\nWater Storage Facilities\nThe city's water storage facilities include a three million gallon tank west of town, a two million gallon tank in town, and a one million gallon tank east of town.\nWyoming Public Works Standards & Specs","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line409672"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7867220044136047,"wiki_prob":0.7867220044136047,"text":"'To Entertain the Fancy': The Orchestral Concert song in England, 1740-1800\nFoster, Stephen Charles. 2014. 'To Entertain the Fancy': The Orchestral Concert song in England, 1740-1800. Doctoral thesis, Goldsmiths, University of London [Thesis]\nText ('To Entertain the Fancy': The Orchestral Concert song in England, 1740-1800)\nMUS_thesis_FosterSC_2014.pdf - Accepted Version\nThe orchestral concert song is a genre of solo song with instrumental accompaniment written or adapted for concert performance. In eighteenth-century England it formed a major part of the output of many composers, both native and foreign, with the London pleasure gardens being the principal venue of performance.\nHowever, this genre has not received much scholarly attention, and such literature as exists is largely concerned with the secular cantata, which was very much in a minority in terms of the overall output. Furthermore, this literature has focussed on the music itself, giving little attention to the surrounding issues that caused the genre to come into being, to grow and eventually to decline.\nThis study therefore endeavours to build on existing scholarship by not only discussing the other parts of the repertoire – namely the strophic song, the rondo and the aria – but also by examining the social and cultural influences upon the concert song as a whole. This examination precedes the historical account, which is in three parts: the early years (1740-1762); the period in which J.C. Bach and Arne were the predominant composers (1762-82); finally the later years of the century (1782-1800), during which the genre declined. The concluding chapter assesses current knowledge of the concert song, with a view to further investigation and potential revival.\nhttps://doi.org/10.25602/GOLD.00010719\nSong, England, eighteenth century, Orchestra, Music History","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1031570"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5890036821365356,"wiki_prob":0.41099631786346436,"text":"The Hometown Weekly for all your latest local news and updates! Delivered to every Home and Business... each and every week!\nHometown Weekly Community Calendar\nHometown Weekly Obituaries\nHometown Pets\nClassifieds & Services\nHometown Archives\nMedfield News\nMedfield Sports\nWalpole News\nWalpole Sports\nWestwood News\nWestwood Sports\nDover-Sherborn News\nDover-Sherborn Sports\nNeedham News\nNeedham Sports\nWellesley News\nWellesley Sports\nSend your News Story\nAnna’s Attic\nNeedhamites tell their Suitcase Stories\n[ccfic caption-text format=\"plaintext\"]\nBy Amelia Tarallo\nHometown Weekly\nEach person who immigrates to the United States of America comes to this country with a story about their journey here. Some of those tales are more easy going, while others are decades in the making. On Wednesday, June 12, the community was invited to hear some of these stories at Temple Beth Shalom. Speakers at Wednesday night’s Suitcase Stories program, organized by the Temple Beth Shalom Tzedek (social justice) and brought by the International Institute of New England, shared stories ranging from dangerous border crossing to war-torn countries, to reuniting families, to childhood memories.\nAfter Cheryl Hamilton’s brief introduction, the stories began, starting with seasoned story-teller Ron Goldman to kick the night off. Goldman spoke of his childhood in South Africa and the sudden change brought on by his parents’ decision to move to the United States. He reflected on how his parents gave up his childhood dog, and the crippling feeling of watching her being taken away. Goldman related these feelings to those of his mother’s leaving her own family as she escaped Nazi capture while her kin perished. Though it has been years since he has moved to the United States, ever since, he has been haunted by the look Honey gave him as she was being taken away.\nGeorgina Arrieta-Ruetenik talked her experience of moving from the Phillipines to the States. When she was five years old, Georgina lived in the Philippines with her father, while her mother lived in Brooklyn to become a nurse. Georgina recalled a time when her mother had sent a package with clothes in it, all the way from the United States. However, the clothes were too small, disappointing young Georgina. She felt that her mother had forgotten how old she was. About a year after, Georgina and her father immigrated to Brooklyn and were reunited with her mother. “The chill of the October air could not compete with her warm embrace,” she said.\nFast-forward to just a year ago. Georgina had been living in Needham for 16 years; she was now a mother herself and a valued community member. With a news cycle filled with stories of separated families and images of children with no parents at all, Georgina couldn’t help but feel the itch to do something. Before she realized it, she was organizing a march in Needham, accompanied by the hashtag “#FamiliesBelongTogether.\" Since then, Georgina has continued to organize meetings to raise awareness that all families deserve to be together.\nVicki Krupp began her story with a brief discussion of her Starbucks name (the name she uses to order Starbucks). For a long time, Vicki wished she had a different name, but recalled how her own family had changed their name to Levy. When her ancestors immigrated to this country, they changed their name to make it clear to anyone who knew them that they were Jewish to avoid having to explain that they kept Kosher. For years, the family lived in Georgia running a store, living paycheck to paycheck. It wasn’t until the popularity of Levi’s jeans exploded that the family’s luck changed; people thought that the jeans could be bought at the Levy’s store. Though the family now had money to spend, her grandfather always thought about when they had none at all, and were just beginning in this country “with nothing but a push cart and a donkey.”\nFrancisco Mendez talks about his journey from Mexico to Needham.\nSandra Rizkallah discussed her experience of immigration from a different point of view. She spent months of her life trying to get a youth band from Zimbabwe to the United States to play at a concert she was organizing. No matter how hard she tried, she could not manage to get enough money or obtain the visas for the group. But Sandra did not quit. She made another attempt to get a band from Africa to play at one of her concerts. After weeks of talking to fellow concert organizers, some from as far away as the Netherlands, Rizkallah picked the band up at the airport. Sandra ended her story with some words of encouragement that she tells her students: “If a magic carpet ends up at their door, they have to get on.”\nFrancisco Mendez was 14 when he swam across the Rio Grande to leave Mexico. After traveling for days, he ended up Texas and realized it wasn’t the American dream he saw. “Everyone spoke Spanish and I wanted to learn English,” he explained. Finally, Francisco made it to Waltham, where his sister was living, and began learning the language. Soon, he took on every job he could, eventually working at a family member’s restaurant. Soon, Mendez will be opening his own restaurant in Needham.\nRenaz Moulla recalled her childhood spent in Syria, starting with the Christmas when she received a Barbie Dreamhouse. Her father owned a successful factory, allowing Renaz to receive such lavish gifts, unlike many of the other Kurdish Muslims living in Syria. But the family’s life changed when war broke out and Renaz’s father lost his factory. Soon, the entire country seemed to have turned upside down. Years later, on Christmas Eve, Renaz arrived in the United States with her children. There was no family waiting for them, like everyone else. Instead, waiting for Renaz was a land of opportunity and new friends. To end her story, Renaz recalled some advice her mother had given to her: “Wear your insecurities like a crown.” Since then, Renaz has learned to love her worries about being a single mom and a Kurdish Muslim.\nThere wasn’t a dry eye in the room by the end of the showcase. Each audience member seemed to identify with the message of at least one story, whether it be the separation and loss of family, the want for a better life and the need to work hard for it, or making dreams come true.\nAttendees left the event with a new appreciation for their own lives, and some even commented that they now felt the urge to help immigrants coming to this country.\nHometown Weekly Staff\nAfrica, Brooklyn, Cheryl Hamilton, Community, country, Francisco Mendez, Georgia, Georgina Arrieta-Ruetenik, immigrants, International Institute of New England, Jewish, Kosher, Kurdish Muslims, Mexico, Netherlands, Phillipines, Renaz Moulla, Rio Grande, Ron Goldman, Sandra Rizkallah, showcase, South Africa, story, Suitcase Stories, Syria, Temple Beth Shalom, Temple Beth Shalom Tzedek, Texas, United States, Vicki Krupp, Waltham, Zimbabwe\nWritten by Hometown Weekly Staff\nView all posts by: Hometown Weekly Staff\nNHA resident needs assessment released\nNeedham’s Keating publishes ‘Yesterday’s Soldier’\nMedfield discusses Pfaff Center replacement\nSanta with a side of pancakes\nHometown Weekly Newspapers\nSend us your news story\nStaff Verification\nReal Estate Rate Card\nInserts Rate Card\nWebsite Rate Card\nArchive Select Month January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 July 2013\nHometown Weekly Newspapers • 508-359-2200\nOwned and operated by Hometown Publications, LLC Medfield, MA","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1993648"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6766989231109619,"wiki_prob":0.3233010768890381,"text":"Quick Hit Ellyn Fortino Tuesday July 26th, 2016, 10:52am\nAlthough fathers in the United States have increased their time spent on child care and housework in recent years, they are still doing much less than mothers, according to a report on the \"State of America's Fathers.\"\n\"Fathers are taking on more child care and domestic work than ever before - and they say they want to do more - but we still have a long way to go\" toward achieving gender equality in parenting, reads the report released last month by Promundo and the MenCare campaign.\nThe research, being billed as the first comprehensive report on U.S. fatherhood, is largely based on data from the Families and Work Institute's National Study of the Changing Workforce.\nAmong the key findings, 81 percent of employed parents who have a spouse or partner and a child under the age of 18 live in dual-income households. On the flip side, 19 percent of such parents live in single-income households.\n\"The gender-based boundaries between caregiving and breadwinning have begun to crumble,\" the report explains, \"and today's dual-career, dual-carer parents demand new policies that support them.\"\nOver the past three decades, there has been a 65 percent increase in the time U.S. fathers spend with their children during the workday, the report states.\nDespite this increase, mothers in households with children under the age of six still report spending an average of 66 minutes a day on child care, compared to an average of 26 minutes spent by fathers.\n\"Many men tend to cede most responsibility for family health care practices - arranging doctor visits, communicating with pediatricians and other medical staff - to female partners or family members,\" the report reads. \"But these and other caregiving acts which take place outside the home (parent-teacher conferences, recitals, check-ups, soccer practices, etc.) are nonetheless essential components of child care, and show how the gendering of certain care acts takes place not just within the closed doors of a family home, but also in society at large.\"\nThere are now about 2 million full-time stay-at-home dads. By comparison, there were only six self-identified stay-at-home dads in the 1970s, according to U.S. Census data cited in the report.\n\"In recent years, the number of stay-at-home dads has grown, both because that choice is becoming more socially accepted and because, for some, high unemployment and slow recovery from the recession have left little choice,\" the report authors wrote.\nWhen it comes to U.S. attitudes toward parenting roles, the report notes that 40 percent of men today hold the view that \"it is much better for everyone involved if the man earns the money and the woman takes care of the home and children.\" Back in 1977, 74 percent of men agreed with that statement.\nThe wide-ranging report on fatherhood argues that U.S. policies fall short in terms of supporting \"all parents, especially low-income fathers, to be involved substantively in their children's lives.\"\nGuaranteeing paid leave nationwide for new mothers and fathers and providing \"the poorest fathers and families with a living wage, a reformed justice system, and additional services that encourage and support their caregiving\" are among the policy recommendations.\n\"What our report and our new data show is this: women and men want the policies and the support so that all parents can be full-on, fully engaged, fully equal caregivers,\" said Promundo President and CEO Gary Barker. \"We also confirm that implementing paid leave is far less costly than often thought, and that when implemented alongside income support to low-income fathers and parents, these policies pay for themselves in increased productivity and happier, healthier families. What are we waiting for?\"\nFamilies and Work Institute\nPromundo","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line539373"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9699768424034119,"wiki_prob":0.9699768424034119,"text":"In New Hampshire, Maryland’s Hogan keeps 2020 door open\nGOFFSTOWN, New Hampshire - Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (center) signs wooden eggs on Tuesday at \"Politics & Eggs,\" a political breakfast at Saint Anselm College. (Carolina Velloso/Capital News Service)\nBy Carolina Velloso - April 23, 2019\nGOFFSTOWN, New Hampshire – Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan told a New Hampshire political breakfast Tuesday that he is “listening” to people encouraging him to mount a presidential bid against President Donald Trump.\nBut Hogan insisted he was not going to launch a “suicide mission” unless he thought there was a path to victory. While he considers a campaign, the governor revealed he is going to be visiting 16 more states.\n“A lot of people have been approaching me,” Hogan said at “Politics and Eggs,” co-sponsored by the New England Council and the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College. “People have asked me to give this serious consideration and I think I owe it to those people to do just that.”\nGOFFSTOWN, New Hampshire – Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (center) speaks at “Politics & Eggs” at Saint Anselm College. The political breakfast is a “must stop” for presidential, and would-be presidential, candidates. (Carolina Velloso/Capital News Service)\nHogan dismissed the notion that he would consider a presidential bid with an objective not of a victory, but of weakening Trump in the general election.\n“I’m not interested in just running to hurt (or) bruise the president. I have a state to run,” he told reporters after his speech. “I’m out here talking about things that I think are important.”\nHogan said he does not want to run unless he believes he has a chance at victory.\n“I have a real day job that’s important to me and (to) the people of Maryland,” he said.\nHogan drew a comparison to former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld, the first Republican to announce a primary challenge to Trump, saying that “it is a different calculus” for someone who is not a sitting governor.\nHogan’s remarks are nevertheless the strongest indication to date that he is seriously considering a bid for the Republican nomination.\nHogan revealed that he has already been to 10 states, and plans to visit 16 more over the next few months, playing coy as to his specific plans in each of those states. He said he is going to simply “continue to listen” to what people have to say.\n“Obviously I have very strong concerns about the future of my party and the future of the country,” Hogan said. “I’m going to take as much time as it takes to make that decision.”\nTom Rath, a veteran Republican strategist in New Hampshire, said the path to a Hogan victory would be difficult, but praised the Maryland governor’s credentials.\n“(Hogan) is is competent, fiscally conservative and fair-minded on social issues,” Rath told WMUR. “He won twice in a very, very Democratic state and has had success.”\n“The question,” Rath said, “is whether there is enough support here for someone to challenge the president, who, at the moment, has not just the hearts of many Republicans but also has a strong hold on the organization.”\nHogan’s decision to keep exploring a presidential run comes less than a week after the release of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report on Russian election interference and Trump’s possible obstruction of justice.\nHogan took aim at Trump for the revelations in the Mueller report, which concluded that there was no direct evidence of collusion, though it did not fully exonerate Trump on obstruction of justice.\n“There was some really unsavory (and) disturbing stuff in the report,” Hogan said. “Just because aides did not follow his orders, that’s the only reason we don’t have obstruction of justice.”\nHogan stopped short of saying that the outcome of the report would weigh on his decision on whether to challenge Trump for the Republican nomination.\n“(The report) did not make me proud of the president, and (it’s) certainly nothing to celebrate,” Hogan said. But he added that “it’s really about seeing what people think out there and whether there’s any path to victory and whether or not they’re really interested in having an alternative.”\nA potential campaign strategy, Hogan indicated, might focus on the states that have open primaries, in which voters do not need to be affiliated with a political party in order to vote.\nThis would allow the moderate Republican, who enjoys a high approval rating in a state with a Democratic majority, to tap into undecided voters or Republicans yearning for more options.\n“Here in New Hampshire, for example, they like to be independent, they like to look at the candidates and kick the tires and meet people one-on-one,” Hogan said. “I’m pretty good at retail politics.”\nHogan emphasized in his speech the legislative success he has achieved governing with a Democratic state legislatures, and some experts in attendance said Hogan’s history of bipartisanship could be an asset on the campaign trail.\n“I think his remarks on how he has cooperated with Democrats in Maryland were well received, particularly among anti-Trump Republicans,” Andrew Smith, a professor of political science at the University of New Hampshire and the director of the UNH Survey Center, told Capital News Service.\nSmith, however, remained skeptical that a successful primary challenge to Trump is realistic for Hogan.\n“I’m not sure that he convinced many people that he would be capable of defeating Trump for the nomination,” Smith said.\nHogan said he also met with Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker on his trip. Hogan trails only Baker, also a moderate Republican in a deep-blue state, as the most popular governor in the country (Baker holds a 72 percent approval rating, while Hogan sits at 69, according to a Morning Consult poll).\nWhen asked whether they discussed the 2020 election, Hogan replied: “A little bit.”\nTags 2020 election Andrew Smith Bill Weld Charlie Baker Donald Trump Larry Hogan mueller report New England Council New Hampshire Institute of Politics New Hampshire primary obstruction of justice Politics & Eggs Republican primaries Robert Mueller Russia Saint Anselm College Tom Rath University of New Hampshire Survey Center\nCarolina Velloso\nCarolina Velloso is a reporter for Capital News Service in the D.C. Bureau. A master’s student at the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland, she has interned at ESPN’s “Around the Horn” and the Newseum and has covered baseball and softball for The Left Bench and the Bethesda Big Train.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1889387"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5141218304634094,"wiki_prob":0.5141218304634094,"text":"Posts Tagged ‘Whores in the News’\nThat Was the Week That Was (#13)\nPosted in Current Events, Miscellaneous, News, Perception, Tyranny, tagged Above the Law, archeofeminism, Australia, avails laws, brothels, California, Canada, censorship, comics, cops, dirty, Divided We Fall, Down Under, East Asia, Elephant in the Parlor, ethics, Europe, FBI, Feminine Pragmatism, France, harm reduction, Hollywood, hysteria, Israel, J’accuse, Knights Erroneous, law, lawheads, LGBT rights, Malaysia, Middle East, neofeminism, New York, pimps, porn, pragmatism, Presents, See No Evil, Sex Lies and Busybodies, sisterhood, Spain, stage names, stereotypes, streetwalkers, Subtle Pimping, Swedish model, The Course of a Disease, The Crumbling Dam, TSA, Washington DC, Whores in the News on March 31, 2012| 15 Comments »\nBeware of purity workers [who are]…ready to accept and endorse any amount of coercive and degrading treatment of their fellow creatures in the fatuous belief that you can oblige human beings to be moral by force. – Josephine Butler\nTwo new items, ten updates and four metaupdates.\nAristophanes’ comedy depicts an Athenian woman who convinces the women of both Athens and Sparta that the only way to end the Peloponnesian War is to withhold sex from their husbands; in the play, as in real life, the problem is getting all the women to cooperate. The ridiculous sex strike American activists plan for April 28th is foredoomed to failure (as if a one-week strike could have any effect anyhow) because the wives of those making the objectionable laws won’t be participating, and even if they did the politicians would simply go to their regular pros. But if all the whores cooperated…\n…The largest trade association for luxury escorts in the Spanish capital has gone on…strike…for bankers until they go back to providing credits to Spanish families, small- and medium-size enterprises and companies…a…spokeswoman [said] “…We have been on strike for three days now and we don’t think they can withstand much more.” She has revealed that bankers have made some pitiful attempts to use their services by pretending to be engineers or architects…The bankers reportedly became so desperate that they even decided to call in the government for mediation…\nZero Information\nWell, not zero exactly, but I couldn’t resist my first title beginning with “Z”.\nA man who police say sometimes poses as a female prostitute to flag down motorists was arrested…Terrence Elliott…had been warned several times in the past few weeks…But Elliott was also found with a…crack pipe…and…charged with possession of drug paraphernalia [and]…loitering…\nWhat the hell does this mean? Is Elliott a drag prostitute, or does he dress in drag to rob or panhandle? News stories are a lot more informative when they actually contain information.\nFeminine Pragmatism (April 7th, 2011)\nBecause this was practically inevitable, she was a fool for waiting until her marketability dried up:\nAt the height of her fame…Octomom aka Nadya Suleman was offered a lot of money to show her body. Vivid even offered her a $1 million deal to star in one of their films. At the time…[she] swore she would never do nudity. But dignity doesn’t feed 14…babies so…she [started] doing fetish photoshoots and now…topless shoots…However, she’s not commanding the same price she used to. TMZ reports that days away from being foreclosed upon, Nadya has decided to go naked for…Closer. Sources say she only made $10,000…\nSubtle Pimping (April 8th, 2011)\n“Making money off of whores without giving them anything in return…is as good a working definition of ‘pimp’ as I can imagine…”\n…On Friday, March 30th…[the] 2012 Hooker Beauty Pageant…[will be held] in Hollywood…According to…[organizer] Natalia Fabia, the word “hooker” could be loosely defined as (excuse the pun) “someone who sells one’s talents and abilities, talent, or name for money, (but it also means) a rad, strong, talented, tough, colorful, independent, stylish, and beautiful woman.” This pageant is Fabia’s platform for highlighting real women in Hollywood’s music and art scene…\nUmm, how about highlighting real hookers – or more specifically, our mistreatment? I googled Fabia and found no statements about sex worker rights or decriminalization, and nothing about part of the proceeds from her “hooker art” or publicity stunts going to hooker organizations, hooker rights advertising, outreach to street hookers…in short, she’s pimping our image.\nDown Under (June 9th, 2011)\nAustralia continues to be what Sweden wants so desperately to be: the world leader in demonstrating the proper way to deal with prostitution:\n[A new study shows that]…New South Wales…is the best place in the world [for]…prostitutes…”Jurisdictions that try to ban or license sex work always lose track as most of the industry slides into the shadows,” [said]…Professor Basil Donovan…of [the] Kirby Institute… “In NSW, by contrast, health and community workers have comprehensive access to and surveillance of the sex industry. This has resulted in the healthiest sex industry ever documented.” The report, prepared for the NSW government, found…[that most] sex workers surveyed also reported being “well adjusted and comfortable with their occupation”…\nThe Crumbling Dam (October 14th, 2011)\nToday the Ontario Court of Appeal delivered a landmark decision on …prostitution laws…All five judges…found that…the provision restricting “common bawdy houses” is grossly disproportionate and overbroad, and…that the provision restricting “living on the avails”…is overbroad because it would criminalize non-exploitive relationships…However, three of the five…upheld the provision criminalizing communicating for the purpose of prostitution, holding that the purpose of the provision…is legitimate and must be weighed against the harms it causes…The…decision will most certainly be appealed to the Supreme Court of Canada…\nHere’s the full decision. If there’s any justice in the universe, the Supreme Court will not only uphold the decisions of both lower courts overturning the bans on brothels and avails laws, but also reinstate Justice Himel’s decision overturning the “communicating” law.\nElephant in the Parlor (October 23rd, 2011)\nNot news, but I want to catalog as many of these as possible:\n…John Edwards is denying a report that he used the services of a prostitute in New York…a call girl for…Anna Gristina told investigators she had sex with Edwards for money back in 2007…“Mr. Edwards categorically denies that he was involved with any prostitute or service”… said…a statement. “These allegations are false, defamatory, and he puts those who would publish or repeat them on notice that they acting [sic] with actual malice”…\nI’m publishing and repeating them, and I fully admit malice toward career politicians, especially those who bear a huge part of the blame for America’s sky-high medical bills.\nDivided We Fall (November 16th, 2011)\nGay activists could’ve demonstrated a commitment to supporting sex worker rights this week when “[Malaysian]…Deputy Minister…Datuk Mashitah Ibrahim…said…’The (LBGT) issue…can lead to prostitution, drug abuse, psychological problems and also mental illness…Part of the LBGT problem is caused by natural reasons, such as being born with two private parts…’” but instead many of them were just as indignant about being compared to prostitutes as they were with the mental illness and hermaphrodite stuff. I guess once you win your rights in the West it’s OK to join in with stigmatizing other groups who haven’t yet, just to show you’re part of the gang.\nSee No Evil (November 26th, 2011)\nAn inability to tell fantasy from reality would normally be considered evidence of psychosis, but in law enforcement it’s a job requirement:\n…the Canadian government [has] dropped all criminal charges against Ryan Matheson, [an] American…charged with…child pornography [due to] Japanese comic book images on his laptop…Matheson accepted a plea deal…[in] which he admitted to “a non-criminal regulatory offense…”\nPresents, Presents, Presents! (December 29th, 2011)\nI got three new presents this week! Ted sent me The Science of Fear by Daniel Gardner, and Gumdeo sent me the movie New Orleans and a Cuddly Cthulhu! Thank y’all both so much for thinking of me!\nThe Course of a Disease (February 16th, 2012)\nApparently Canadian neofeminists, angry at their inability to infect their native land with the Swedish Disease, have decided to poison the well in a country which is already sickening:\n[Canadian MP Joy Smith] has taken it upon herself to encourage Knesset members [via email] to support recent legislation…which will make paying for sex services a criminal offense…“Israel now has the opportunity to pass progressive legislation and to be a leader in the fight against this form of modern slavery,” Smith wrote in the email. “I urge you to support MK Zuaretz’s bill and help make Israel a country that others aspire to emulate. The world is watching and waiting for Israel to take this important step and eliminate the demand to purchase sex…”\nObviously, Israeli reporters don’t bother to check their facts any more than American ones do; this one erroneously states that “most” Western countries have adopted some form of the Swedish Model, and swallows the easily-debunked prohibitionist lie that most prostitutes are coerced.\nAbove the Law (March 8th, 2012)\nApparently, the American federal government believes it’s only OK to grope people if one puts on a uniform and does it without their permission: “[Bryant Jermaine Livingston, a TSA] manager at [Dulles International Airport] has lost his job after being arrested on prostitution-related charges…” The story explains that Livingston was running a kind of cheap temporary brothel in a hotel room, stupidly returned to the same hotel and was ratted out to the Gestapo of Montgomery County, Maryland by the irate manager.\nMetaupdates\nJ’accuse in November Updates (Part Three) (November 4th, 2011)\n“in France…it’s OK to be a whore as long as you have no friends, family, employees, assistants, managers or other human contact other than customers”, and if you’re an official who has embarrassed Paris one too many times, you can be charged with the horrible crime of helping legal workers to conduct their legal business: “…Dominique Strauss-Kahn…is under investigation for “aggravated pimping” for his alleged participation in a prostitution ring in France…”\nWhores in the News in Further Developments (November 18th, 2011)\nIt’s now official; the government will steal $6.4 million from the former owners of Escorts.com. As usual, the state’s claims read like an FBI drama, with heroic cops “investigating” hardened criminals; in reality, the feds botched an attempt to take over the site surreptitiously in order to use it to entrap thousands of escorts and clients. The bogus “money laundering” charge was just a way for them to recoup their losses; despite FBI claims to the contrary, federal judges have repeatedly ruled that “facilitating prostitution” is not a federal crime and websites are not responsible for the content of ads.\nSex, Lies and Busybodies in That Was the Week That Was (February 4th, 2012)\nSean McBride, AKA “John Curtis”, has resigned as head of “The Grey Man”. After it was discovered that a group of Thai children the group claimed to have rescued from “sex traffickers” were in fact ordinary village schoolchildren, Curtis issued a series of increasingly-absurd and self-contradictory “explanations” (including one on this blog), mostly based on a paranoid fantasy that a competing “rescue group” had conspired with the Thai government to discredit him. But after new revelations that McBride routinely lied about the age of “victims” and the number “rescued”, he stepped down voluntarily before he was thrown out. Good riddance to bad rubbish; let’s hope every one of the con artists who profit by the persecution of whores is similarly exposed, and soon.\nKnights Erroneous in That Was the Week That Was (#12) (March 24th, 2012)\nI’m pleased to see the number of voices raised in criticism of Nick Kristof’s anti-whore crusades is growing; ever-larger numbers of writers are pointing out the absurdity of the claims made by “trafficking” fetishists and calling attention to the harm this moral panic inflicts on women. I suspect The Guardian will be one of the first major media outlets to officially denounce the hysteria; it’s published a number of articles on the subject, most recently last Monday:\nNew York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof is on the move and his latest target is the Village Voice. This attack appears to be part of a broader campaign to shut down the sex industry and to rescue and rehabilitate women and girls working in it. Kristof’s allies range from women’s rights organizations to religious organizations…the critical lens applied to Kony2012…must [also be applied]…to the crusades against sex trafficking…when women and girls are “rescued” by the anti-trafficking organizations, they may be taken to state-run rehabilitation homes that have jail-like conditions. Human rights and sex worker organizations have long documented what rehabilitation might mean for a sex worker: overcrowded conditions, a lack of healthcare, and violence at the hands of the police and guards…\nIt’s wonderful to see statements like these in a large newspaper, and even more heartening to read the many supportive comments beneath.\nIn “March Q & A” I answer questions about cunnilingus, men pretending to be women online, and the sex drives of middle-aged escorts.\nFurther Developments\nPosted in Current Events, Miscellaneous, News, Perception, Tyranny, tagged A Tale That Grew in the Telling, activism, censorship, Central Asia, cops, cult of the child, dirty, FBI, Hollywood, hysteria, law, Madonna/whore, Pennsylvania, porn, sex rays, stage names, The Crumbling Dam, Think of the Children!, Whores in the News on November 18, 2011| 72 Comments »\n“Well, in our country,” said Alice, still panting a little, “you’d generally get to somewhere else — if you ran very fast for a long time, as we’ve been doing.”\n“A slow sort of country!” said the Queen. “Now, here, you see, it takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place. If you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as that!” – Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking-Glass (chapter 2)\nOne year ago today I published “November Miscellanea (Part Two)”, which explained how the U.S. government isn’t interested in prosecuting the trafficking of minors for sexual purposes when huge corporations like Time-Warner do it; reported that a Fox newsreader publicly advised another journalist to patronize sex workers; and linked an article called “10 Tips for Dealing with Cops”. And though I already published a three-part “November Updates” column two weeks ago, several more interesting stories have surfaced and so I present this special extra update edition.\nThink of the Children! (September 30th, 2010)\nChild Cultists apparently believe that sexually-active adults emit invisible “sex rays”, and that if any of that sex wasn’t entirely vanilla the intensity of those “sex rays” increases exponentially and never, ever fades away. Therefore no such person, no matter how long ago she committed these dreaded acts, can ever again be allowed with 10 meters of children lest her pervy emanations induce the dreaded “premature sexualization”, which might {Gasp!} cause innocent children to have sexual thoughts or feelings at some point before the magical Advent of Shazam at exactly midnight on their 18th birthdays. Here, courtesy of TMZ, is the latest example of a shameless harlot recklessly endangering children with her dangerous presence:\nPorn legend Sasha Grey says she will NOT back out of a national elementary school reading program — despite pressure from parents — claiming she will “not live in fear” of her XXX past…Grey…participated in the “Read Across America” program at Emerson Elementary School in Compton, CA last week. Afterward, the school received complaints for letting Grey around the kids. For the record, Grey has been out of the adult business for 2 years. Now, Sasha has released a statement … saying, “I committed to this program with the understanding that people would have their own opinions about what I have done, who I am and what I represent…I am an actor. I am an artist. I am a daughter. I am a sister. I am a partner. I have a past that some people may not agree with, but it does not define who I am. I believe in the future of our children, and I will remain an active supporter and participant in education-focused initiatives.”\nGood for Sasha; I just hope she doesn’t allow herself to be shamed into quitting as Tera Myers was.\nWhores in the News (October 29th, 2010)\nOn October 27th of last year the FBI raided the offices of Escorts.com, and reports I received from working escorts in the ensuing months convinced me that the company had been taken over by the feds and was being used in an attempt to entrap working girls. Fortunately, the operation was sloppy and heavy-handed and nobody with two brain cells to rub together was fooled; the site was closed entirely at the end of May and since the big pigs were unable to sexually victimize women as they intended, they contented themselves with stealing six and a half million dollars instead:\nTwo Philadelphia-based companies have been charged with running a website used by prostitutes and escort services to advertise…National A-1 Advertising Inc. and R.S. Duffy Inc. agreed to plead guilty to money laundering conspiracy and will forfeit $4.9 million, pay a $1.5 million fine and serve 1½ years of probation, according to court documents…the companies…operated Escorts.com beginning in 2007. Prostitutes and escort services paid to advertise on the site, while customers were charged subscription fees. The companies have forfeited the domain name. National A-1 also operates phone-sex lines and a pornographic website. Those portions of its business are unaffected by its plea agreement in the escorts.com case…The government said it reserves the right to prosecute individuals associated with the companies.\nAs we’ve pointed out before, companies aren’t responsible for the content of their advertising so the government had no case even if there was a federal law against advertising sexual services, which there isn’t. But federal prosecutors are empowered with a whole arsenal of nuisance charges (“money laundering” and “conspiracy” being chief among them) with which to hound individuals and corporations to death based on the flimsiest of evidence or even no evidence at all, so National A-1 and R.S. Duffy clearly decided that paying the ransom demand was simply the cheapest and quickest way to get on with their corporate lives.\nOctober Updates, Part Three (October 4th, 2011)\nIn my update to “A Tale That Grew in the Telling” I discussed the way stories get distorted in the process of rumor-spreading, becoming progressively more lurid and exaggerated. Here, via Furry Girl, is a perfect example from journalist Anderson Cooper: after the tsunami which struck Sri Lanka on December 26th, 2004, a man on a motorcycle took two injured children to a hospital. Some bystander decided he was actually kidnapping them, and it was so reported in a Sri Lankan newspaper; by the time the story reached New York a few days later dozens of storm orphans were being abducted into sexual slavery. It’s rather like And To Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street, except not at all cute.\nSpeaking of Furry Girl, I reported last month that she had to resort to a mobile billboard company for her sex worker rights ad after all the regular billboard companies rejected it (despite the fact that they’ve carried anti-prostitution ads in the past). Well, her billboard finished its run on November 9th, and here’s a report from her (with photos) telling about how it went. Let’s hope her next project finds an advertising company which is more interested in making money than in promoting a moral view via censorship of paying advertisers.\nMay Updates (Part Three)\nPosted in Current Events, Miscellaneous, News, Perception, Philosophy, The Dark Side, Tyranny, tagged agency denial, Backlash, bogus studies, cops, ethics, fantasy, FBI, hysteria, law, neofeminism, Pennsylvania, pimps, prohibitionist myths, psychology, rape, Real Men, South Africa, stereotypes, They Just Don’t Get It, Welcome to Our Updates, welcome to our world, Whores in the News on May 6, 2011| 18 Comments »\nThe history of persecution is a history of endeavors to cheat nature, to make water run up hill, to twist a rope of sand. – Ralph Waldo Emerson\nThis seems to be the month for twosies, ‘cause our first selection today is an update to the same column as our last item yesterday:\nWelcome To Our World (January 20th)\nThe Wall Street Journal isn’t exactly known for publishing neofeminist rants, but the April 23rd issue carried this rather bizarre manifesto which demands that fraternities be banned in order to “protect” helpless, fawn-like coeds:\nThe Greek system is dedicated to quelling young men’s anxiety about submitting themselves to four years of sissy-pants book learning by providing them with a variety of he-man activities: drinking, drugging, ESPN watching and the sexual mistreatment of women. A 2007 National Institute of Justice study found that about one in five women are victims of sexual assault in college; almost all of those incidents go unreported. It also noted that fraternity men—who tend to drink more heavily and frequently than nonmembers—are more likely to perpetrate sexual assault than nonfraternity men, according to previous studies. Over a quarter of sexual-assault victims who were incapacitated reported that the assailant was a fraternity member. It is against this boorish cartel that 16 Yale students and recent alumni asserted themselves in a Title IX complaint brought against the institution last month—a complaint that could cost the university $500 million in federal funds. The claim concerns both the ways that sexual assaults are handled by the university and also the effect that various fraternity “pranks” have had on its female students…If you want to improve women’s lives on campus, if you want to give them a fair shot at living and learning as freely as men, the first thing you could do is close down the fraternities. The Yale complaint may finally do what no amount of female outrage and violation has accomplished. It just might shut them down for good.\nAs is typical of such neofeminist punditry, the author indulges in the sort of slurs that, if made by a male against women, would rightfully be called “misogynistic”. And unsurprisingly, she demands blatantly unfair treatment in the name of “fairness”. Sex workers are, unfortunately, used to these tactics; the questionable “studies” making exaggerated claims, the steamrolling of individual rights in order to protect adult women from their own sexual choices or to keep them from getting their feelings hurt, etc. Interestingly, Jezebel writer Margaret Hartmann recognized this garbage for what it is, and wrote an article saying so; perhaps she’ll write an anti-prohibitionist column one day.\nMarch Miscellanea – Backlash (March 22nd)\nAt the end of this sub-column I wrote, “I’m sure the police were only beating women up for their own good, to save them from those evil traffickers. Or are whores still “dangerous criminals” in South Africa as we are in Florida? It’s hard to keep track these days.” Well, apparently the South African police have made up their minds: we’re dangerous criminals. Here’s the article from the April 30th Johannesburg Times:\nInvestigating officers this week revealed that their inquiries could uncover the identities of more wealthy clients killed in grubby hotels and guest lodges over the past six months…The infamous strip where the bodies were found…is characterised by overcrowded and dilapidated apartment blocks and rundown guest lodges and hotels…police dockets showed that all of the victims – believed to have been poisoned by [a] syndicate [of prostitutes] – were married and either owned their own businesses or headed up relatively large firms operating in the province…The bodies of five of the victims, who had already been buried after it was presumed that they had died of natural causes, [will] be exhumed; the police [will] conduct DNA and toxicology tests and other forensic procedures on the victims; and evidence in the police’s possession has led them to believe that all six men were carrying large sums of cash at the time they were allegedly poisoned…\nApparently, the South African police believe that it’s much more convenient to blame these murder-robberies on a gang of hookers than on regular gangsters (perhaps using fake prostitutes as bait); after all, chasing after real criminals rather than unarmed women could be dangerous.\nThey Just Don’t Get It (April 12th)\nThe Keystone Kops of suburban Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania never seem to get tired of bullying whores. Indeed, it seems that lies and trickery aren’t enough for them any longer, so they’ve graduated to employing the same Gestapo tactics which have become so common in serving drug warrants: namely, smashing people’s doors in without warning in the middle of the night and pointing loaded weapons at terrified children. Here’s the April 28th story from WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh:\nPolice from Moon Township were surprised by what they found — a woman and her kids — when they used a search warrant in connection with a prostitution case that involves a retired Pittsburgh police detective…police were looking for evidence in the case against Talib Kevin Ghafoor when they went to an address on Collins Avenue…early Thursday morning. “Right now, she’s got her front door and back door smashed in,” said Harvey Moore, the father of a woman who lives in that home. Moore told Channel 4 Action News that the woman and her children — ages 15, 5 and 4 — were asleep when a team that included SWAT members and state troopers approached the building and entered through the front and rear doors.\n“The Pennsylvania State Police surrounded the house, and before they could knock and announce their identity, a person up on the third floor was looking out the window, and they felt their positions were compromised, so they conducted a forced entry into the house,” Moon Township Police Chief Leo McCarthy said. The woman’s father said the family has been living there since February and was confused and startled when police arrived. “She claims that, about a month ago, she switched homes with Mr. Ghafoor,” McCarthy told Channel 4 Action News. “In other words, I’ll live in your house, you live in my house.” McCarthy said Allegheny County records led police to the home, which he said is still registered to Ghafoor and has not been sold to the woman. He said Ghafoor still had some of his belongings inside, which were seized…\nYou haven’t heard the best part yet; Ghafoor was arrested over a month ago and is scheduled for a hearing this week, so they could easily have served him with a warrant at that time at no taxpayer cost and with no danger to bystanders. Of course, that wouldn’t have allowed them to play sadistic cops-and-robbers games with automatic weapons. Still, the question remains…who did these buffoons expect to find in the house that led them to believe they would need a SWAT team? An elite team of armed assault strumpets, perhaps? I wonder if Pittsburgh area cops have been communicating with those from Johannesburg?\nReal Men Support Sex Worker Rights (April 22nd)\n“Deep Geek” produces a semi-regular podcast called “Talk Geek To Me” in which he often advocates for unpopular causes (including sex worker rights) and sometimes even reads my column aloud. This week, his podcast consists of a 25.5 minute editorial touching on such subjects as the assassination of Osama bin Laden, the two-party system, socialism and sex worker rights. He asked me to call attention to it and I’m happy to do so.\nWhores In the News – Escorts.com Raided by FBI (October 29th)\nSince the FBI raid in October the fortunes of Escorts.com have steadily declined; many clients and escorts abandoned their accounts immediately and many others continued to use them, but much more warily. Before the end of last year girls started complaining about a plethora of fake reviews (obviously posted by pigs trying to establish themselves as “hobbyists”), then a couple of months after that the site deleted reviews altogether. Finally, I just heard at about 9 AM today that the site will be closing as of May 31st. My theory is that the management was forced to cooperate with the disease infesting it, but found legal loopholes so as to prevent their being used to trick their customers. First they shut down ALL reviews in order to stop fake ones, then closed entirely to prevent the placing of entrapment ads (such as you’ll see mentioned in my May 10th column). One final attempt at trickery: A notice in red on the notice page states, “You must provide us with your full name and mailing address if you want a refund check.” Please, ladies, don’t be stupid; if you provide that information your check will come with a free visit from the local constabulary, either immediately or after they use you as a Judas goat for the next few months.\nWhores in the News\nPosted in Current Events, Miscellaneous, News, Perception, Tyranny, tagged bad customers, cops, cosmetic surgery, dirty, drugs, Europe, FBI, genitalia, Hollywood, hotels, hysteria, language, law, neofeminism, Pennsylvania, porn, prohibitionist myths, Spain, stereotypes, streetwalkers, Swedish model, Whores in the News on October 29, 2010| 22 Comments »\nWhy is it constantly necessary to do something to people? If we can’t do something for them, when are we going to learn to let them alone? Or must this incessant interference, this meddling, this mauling and manhandling, go on in the world forever and ever? – Samuel Milton Jones, mayor of Toledo, Ohio c. 1900\nToday’s column is yet another collection of short articles on whores which have appeared in the news media recently; what can I say? If the mainstream media would talk to us as often as they talk about us public ignorance (and with it official persecution) would’ve been swept away long ago. This first item is paraphrased from an article in The Telegraph of Monday, October 25th:\nFor Their Own Safety\nSpanish streetwalkers along a rural highway outside Els Alamus near Lleida in Catalonia have been ordered to wear fluorescent yellow bibs or pay fines of 40 euros under road traffic laws; police claim the sex workers on the LL-11 road are not being specifically targeted because of what they do but because they pose a danger to drivers. The prostitutes are in breach of a 2004 law which states that all pedestrians on major highways and hard shoulders must wear the high visibility garments. A spokesman for the regional police force said: “In the past couple of months the prostitutes have been fined for two reasons: for not wearing the reflective jacket and for creating danger on the public highway.”\nDespite police claims, the order comes suspiciously soon after recent legislation in Els Alamus which bans prostitutes from soliciting in public urban areas; Mayor Josep Maria Bea has been accused of mounting a campaign to drive the sex workers out of the area. An estimated 300,000 women work as prostitutes in Spain, where prostitution is not illegal but “living off the avails” is. Streetwalkers on roadsides outside towns and cities are a common sight across Spain, and a recent survey found one in four Spanish men admitted to having paid for sex.\nApparently, Spanish men are either liars or the survey actually asked if they had paid recently.\nCharlie Sheen, well known as a regular patron of hookers, was in the news again recently for going on a cokehead rampage and scaring the hell out of the working girl who was with him at the time. The following article was paraphrased from a New York Post article of October 26:\nCharlie Sheen Trashes Hotel Room\nCharlie Sheen, who left rehab only two months ago, allegedly trashed his room at The Plaza Hotel in the process of attempting to find his wallet and cell phone while high, authorities said.\nHotel security called police just after 2 a.m. after a prostitute called the front desk from the famed Eloise Suite and reported that Sheen had gone on a rampage and then passed out on the bed. Tables and chairs had been thrown around the room and a chandelier was also damaged, sources said; the damage to the luxury suite reportedly totaled about $7,000.\nThe star of the TV show Two and a Half Men was accompanied to New York Columbia Presbyterian Hospital by his ex-wife Denise Richards, who was staying in a separate room on the hotel’s 18th floor, sources said. Sheen was discharged from the hospital Tuesday night and is slated to return to rehab; he was only a week away from completing his probation, but told cops he was “out partying” and drinking and had snorted cocaine before he started tweaking, the source said. Sheen’s rep later claimed the actor was taken to the hospital after an allergic reaction to medication. Sheen was not injured, but checked himself into the hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.\nApparently, Sheen noticed his wallet and cell phone were missing soon after returning to the room with the escort and flew into a rage, sources said. The girl then called the front desk and reported that she feared for her life; a source for Life and Style magazine said, “Charlie was incoherent but started screaming slurs at the cops. They recognized him immediately and gave him two options: they could take him to the hospital or take him down to the station. Charlie chose the hospital.” NYPD spokesman Paul Browne said no complaints were made and there was no arrest. Sheen was not expected to face any criminal charges.\nAh, cokeheads; once they start tweaking they get paranoid and then it’s best just to leave. I think it’s worth noting that if a hotel room was trashed by a coked-up non-celebrity, both he and the hooker would’ve been taking a ride downtown rather than offered a ride to a hospital. However, I’ll forgive Charlie because he’s the only famous man I can think of who had the balls to refuse to apologize and beg for forgiveness when caught with whores in the past. And when he was being sentenced for using a prostitute, the judge asked him why a man like him would have to pay for sex; Charlie replied: “I don’t pay them for sex. I pay them to leave.” Perhaps the judge is living in a fantasyland where men can get sex for free, but Sheen is smart enough to realize that only hookers come without strings.\nTwo Arguments About “Trafficking”\nOn October 20th this column was published in the Huffington Post; I’m not going to quote it because it’s just the usual farrago of lies claiming that suppressing prostitution is a good way to control the bogeyman of “human trafficking”, but following the link is worth your time for several reasons. The first is that the author, a graduate student at NYU (which could just as accurately called “PCU”) who clearly wouldn’t know a call girl if one sashayed up and snogged her, is obviously repeating the latest, trendiest party line from her PC articles and texts, which happens to be “Nordic Model” propaganda. The second is that the comments (including one from yours truly) is almost unanimously anti-prohibitionist and condemnatory of the lies this silly little girl thought she could spread with impunity (judging by her increasingly flustered responses to the comments). Though Huffington Post tends to be very pro-personal rights and has printed a number of pro-prostitution columns in the past, it still pleases me to see so many people recognizing that a woman’s right to control her body does not exclude sex.\nEven more heartening is this article entitled “Sex Trafficking: The Abolitionist Fallacy” which one of the commenters linked; it was written last year but is still perfectly topical. Its author, Ann Jordan, is the director of the Program on Human Trafficking and Forced Labor at the Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, American University Washington College of Law. She is thus a respected expert in the REALITY of sex trafficking and a staunch anti-abolitionist; she even co-authored a letter to the U.S. federal government asking it to reconsider its prohibitionist policy, though as you might expect that has fallen on deaf ears. Still, it’s good to know that there are at least a few bona fide experts who recognize the prohibitionist propaganda for what it is and are willing to say so loudly and publicly.\nEscorts.com Raided by FBI\nThe Philadelphia offices housing Escorts.com (a popular escort advertising site) and HotMovies.com, an adult video-on-demand provider, were raided by 100 FBI agents on Wednesday morning (October 27th). The FBI tried to pretend that the raid was pursuant to pornography charges and most sources of this story make that claim, but local cops who assisted in the raid leaked the information that “it was conducted in connection to an investigation into a prostitution ring.” The Philadelphia bureau of the FBI would not confirm this, but reiterated previous reports that no one was charged or arrested in connection with the raid. They also said that no news would be forthcoming from the FBI; “Any information about the raid will only come from the U.S. Attorney’s office, not our office,” said the chief agent. “And it will probably not be today, or for quite a while.” The PR officer for the US Attorney’s office in Philadelphia said even less; “Our office does not confirm or deny the existence or non-existence of investigations,” she said. CBS affiliate CBS Philly is reporting, however, that the raid was related to a prostitution ring investigation, but had no other information.\nClearly, somebody in the FBI wants to look good to the lowbrows, bluenoses and neofeminists right before election day; “prostitution ring” is cop jargon for an escort service or internet escort review and/or advertising site. By calling it a “ring” rather than a business, they hope to convince ignorant people that the escorts and owners are criminals (as in the term “drug ring”). If any of my readers advertise on Escorts.com, I suggest you cancel your ad immediately and do NOT under any circumstances see any clients calling from that ad. The FBI now has your information and will almost certainly be attempting to “sting” you so they can make a big show of arresting “human traffickers”.\nAnother Porn Influence\nIn yesterday’s column I talked about how fads which first appear in porn often work their way into the mainstream (such as complete removal or pubic hair). Well, here’s the latest example: Labioplasty, in other words cosmetic alteration of the labia. I decided to link the article rather than paraphrasing it because I want to use it to make another point: Note that the author makes the ignorant but increasingly common mistake discussed in my column of September 25th, using the word “vagina” to mean “vulva”. She keeps using the term “vagina sculpting” when she obviously means “vulva sculpting”; nobody can see what her vagina looks like without gynecological tools. There is such a thing as vaginoplasty, but it’s a different operation altogether and has nothing to do with appearance.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1215337"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8783641457557678,"wiki_prob":0.8783641457557678,"text":"U.D.O Returns With STEELFACTORY (AFM/Soulfood Records)\n​After more than 40 years in the business and with a renowned breakthrough in the early 80’s with ACCEPT behind him, as well as several million records sold worldwide, Udo Dirkschneider from Solingen/Wuppertal, Germany, is one of the biggest rock legends in the business.\nU.D.O. has enjoyed well over two decades in the spotlight. Regardless of changes in the metal scene or the U.D.O line-up,the band has never deviated from Dirkschneider’s vision of serving up traditional balls-to-the-wall, no-nonsense heavy metal.\nAfter honoring the classic ACCEPT songs live with his other project DIRKSCHNEIDER in the last couple of years, it’s definitely about time to release a new U.D.O. studio album. Steelfactory will be out on August 31st 2018 via AFM Records / Soulfood Music.\nThe songs on Steelfactory are clearly influenced by the past DIRKSCHNEIDER shows - the simple straightness of the anthem-like songs make it a timeless record. With its earthy handmade sound – with the help of danish producer Jacob Hansen (e.g. Volbeat) - Steelfactory catches the spirit of the age perfectly. The album title is a hommage to both Udo’s nickname (German Metal Tank) and his down to earth attitude as well as his\npowerful stage presence.\nThe current (core) band line up is working and playing together successfully for many years, like a good family business: Udo,Udo’s son Sven Dirkschneider (drums), bass player Fitty Wienhold and guitarist Andrey Smirnov.\nWatch the video for ONE HEART ONE SOUL by clicking here\nUdo Dirkschneider (Vocals)\nAndrey Smirnov (Guitars)\nFitty Wienhold (Bass)\nSven Dirkschneider (Drums)\nwww.udo-online.com\nwww.facebook.com/udoonline/\nPower Chords Podcast: Track 23--Saxon and Graham Bonnet Band\nNew Armored Saint album could arrive in 2019\nRed Dragon Cartel drops new album in november\nNordic Union releasing their second album\nDio auction\nOverlord trailer (https://youtu.be/USPd0vX2sdc)\nSaxon--Crusader (1984)\nGraham-Bonnet Band--Meanwhile...Back at the Garage (2018)\nRockversation: Graham Bonnet--Part 1\nMatt speaks to the legendary singer about his 50+ year singing career. The new Graham Bonnet Band album “Meanwhile, Back in the Garage” is out now! Follow band news at www.grahambonnetband.com.\nArmored Saint and Act of Defiance\n7/14 @ Brighton Music Hall in Boston, Ma\nBonus Track: Mr. Big\n“Undertow” from the new “Live in Milan” album, out now.\nArmored Saint and Act of Defiance Put on a Show for the Ages in Boston\nWow. What a night.\nWhen Armored Saint announced a summer tour where they would play 1991's Symbol of Salvation in its entirety, I was already in. Then I found out that Act of Defiance was the supporting act, and it became one of my most anticipated shows in a long time. Expectations were high, and both bands exceeded them by a mile.\nI saw Armored Saint a couple years ago on the Win Hands Down tour, and they were fantastic, so I knew we'd be in for a great show from them. As far as Act of Defiance, I had been wanting to see them since former Megadeth members Chris Broderick and Shawn Drover formed the band in 2014. I've loved the two albums Act of Defiance has put out so far, and couldn't wait to see them live.\nThis was my first time seeing a show at the Brighton Music Hall in Boston, and it instantly became one my favorite venues. The place is tiny, but has great acoustics, and that's a great combination.\nI got a chance to meet Chris Broderick outside before the show, and he was super nice, which pretty much made the night a success before we even got inside. Little did I know it would get much, much better.\nAct of Defiance came out and played a great set that featured a great mix of songs from both albums, including M.I.A, The Birth and the Burial, Rise of Rebellion, Reborn and more. Seeing Chris Broderick's guitar wizardry up close was a mind-blowing experience. He is one of the all-time greats. Bassist Matt Bachand and drummer Shawn Drover provided a brutal foundation for Broderick's fretboard gymnastics, and singer Henry Derek brought a ton of energy that the crowd gave back twofold. It was a great set, and solidified Act of Defiance as one of my favorite bands of the last several years.\nMatt and I ended up chatting with Bassist Matt Bachand at the merch table after the set, and since he's a Massachuetts guy, we reminisced about hanging out at our local music shop Music Outlet,a s well as some of the local places we all used to catch shows when we were kids. We also got to meet Shawn Drover, and caught back up with Chris Broderick again, which was great.\nAnd them Armored Saint came out and put on one of the best shows I've ever seen.\nFirst, they warmed up the crowd with March of the Saint, Long Before I Die and Chemical Euphoria. And then they launched into Symbol of Salvation in its entirety and it was perfect. John Bush provided some insight about different songs as they went, and the crowd ate up every word. The place as packed with Armored Saint fans, and the crowd sang along to every song. The energy was just huge.\nAs if hearing that landmark album from front to back wasn't enough, Armored Saint played four more songs before they wrapped their set, including Can You Deliver and Win Hands Down. It was amazing.\nIf this tour is coming anywhere near you this summer, GO SEE IT. Armored Saint is a legendary band, and this a legendary show. And Act of Defiance is a sight to behold evil as well.\nArmored Saint Ride The Perfect Storm In Boston!\nWith my ears still ringing so much I can't do anything but write a review of the show I just left a few hours ago, Armored Saint performing their classic album SYMBOL OF SALVATION in it's entirety. I will admit I am late to the Saint party, picking up my first A.S. album in 2015, the brilliant WIN HANDS DOWN! Following that I took a crash course in their entire catalog and thought \"why wasn't I into these guys in the 80's - 90's ?\"\nWithout beating around the bush (a little pun intended), Armored Saint absolutely delivered on the stages at the Brighton Music Hall just a bit outside of Boston, MA. Musically they just brought it, song after song and electrified the audience who singer John Bush had in his hands from opener to closer. The set was made up of the full SYMBOL OF SALVATION album, played in it's running order, too which created a nice balance in their attack. The set sandwiched this with classic and beloved material from their entire past including March Of The Saint, Can U Deliver and Win Hands Down. The band played a total of 20 songs that also featured the expected and crowd favorites, the emotional Last Train Home and the cruncher Reign Of Fire.\nOn stage the band; John Bush (vocals), Jeff Duncan and Phil Sandoval (guitars), Joey Vera (bass) and Gonzo Sandoval (drums) are as tight and heavy as most bands out there! They attack without being just heavy and loud, they play with heart and soul without changing things all up and despite the over serious image I thought they have, they have fun on stage and let the crowd have fun, too. Bush took the time between songs to tell some amazing and some very emotional stories about the songs, the process, past tours and the sad loss of original guitarist, Dave Prichard to leukemia in 1990.\nThe venue, Brighton Music Hall in Boston is a small and incredibly intimate venue with a crystal clear sound system, perfect acoustics and built for a band like Armored Saint. The audience was made up of folks like us who just wanted to listen and see some live music at its best, chat with others about the music we all love and just share a collective experience. Mission accomplished!!!\nFollowing the show all Brian LeTendre and I could talk about was how, as a live band, Armored Saint may be one of the best bands we have seen live. I'm sure we weren't the only ones saying it.\nSorry boys I was so late to the party!!!!!\nMarch of the Saint\nLong Before I Die\nChemical Euphoria\nDropping Like Flies\nThe Truth Always Hurts\nHalf Drawn Bridge\nHanging Judge\nTainted Past\nWin Hands Down\nCan U Deliver\nGioeli And Castronovo Reunite For SET THE WORLD ON FIRE\nJohnny Gioeli and Deen Castronovo first played together on the debut Hardline album, “Double Eclipse, which was released in 1992. 25 years later, the two were reunited in Italy to commence work on the debut Gioeli-Castronovo album, “Set The World On Fire”.\nBoth men have continued on their musical paths since they last saw one another, with Gioeli continuing to lead Hardline, while Castronovo spent time with Ozzy Osbourne and had an extended tour of duty with the legendary Journey. Castronovo is currently active with The Dead Daisies and Revolution Saints in addition to Gioeli-Castronovo.\nGioeli’s vocal talents combined with Deen’s superb drumming abilities (and whom is also a fine vocalist in his own right) has made for a stunning album that is driving a driving hard rock record, while also chock full of uplifting melodies and poignant lyrical messages.\nWe’d tell you to sit back and enjoy this album, but you’ll be on your feet the second it starts, so stand up and take notice of this display of two immense talents doing what they do best!\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5M4etx36WY&start_radio=1&list=RDQMZlYRttm0mWw","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line637428"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9691495299339294,"wiki_prob":0.9691495299339294,"text":"Kobe Bryant items stolen from Lower Merion High School\nby Rob Tornoe, Posted: February 6, 2017\nSeveral pieces of Kobe Bryant memorabilia have been stolen from Lower Merion High School, according to an email sent to parents from the school.\nSometime Sunday evening, the lock was broken on a display case, known to students at \"Kobe's Shrine,\" outside the Bryant Gymnasium. Among the items stolen were a framed replica of Bryant's Lower Merion jersey, the Aces' 1996 PIAA Boys' Basketball AAAA State Championship trophy and net from the title game, and several pairs of Nike sneakers signed by the Lakers superstar.\n\"We're bummed,\" said Doug Young, Lower Merion's director of community relations, who said he could not understand why someone would steal items that do not have a significant monetary value.\n\"It's a replica jersey, it's not even the jersey he wore in high school,\" said Young, a high school teammate of Bryant. \"I'm not sure what someone would do with a state championship trophy. For us, the items are important because they represent some really wonderful memories.\"\nCurrent status of the Kobe case at Lower Merion: pic.twitter.com/TwNxomCggz\n— Zach Drapkin (@ZachDrapkin) February 6, 2017\nLower Merion police on Monday were investigating the incident and reviewing surveillance video from inside and outside the school.\n\"Material items can be replaced and we will make every effort to restore and even enhance the contents of the case with the help of alumni and friends,\" principal Sean Hughes and athletics director Don Walsh said in the joint email to parents.\n\"And even if we cannot replace all the items, the moments that produced them are still very much alive in our memories and honored through the ongoing traditions of Aces Nation.\"\nBryant, who was born in Philadelphia and is the son of former 76ers player Joe Bryant, was a standout during his career at Lower Merion. Not only was he the first freshman to start for the school's varsity team in decades, he ended his high school career with 2,883 points, more than either Wilt Chamberlain (Overbrook) or Lionel Simmons (South Philadelphia).\nLower Merion coach Gregg Downer said he had been in contact with Bryant since the theft. \"He didn't say too much,\" Downer said. \"He's still trying to process things.\"\nThe coach said the items \"mean a lot to our legacy. We've always tried to be transparent, allowing the community and anyone who came to our gym to view the items. The case always drew a lot of positive attention.\"\nMike Lachs, Lower Merion's scorebook keeper for about the last decade, said he could not understand why someone would steal the items.\n\"You can't sell the stuff,\" Lachs said. \"What can you do with it?\"\nStaff writer Rick O'Brien contributed to this article.\nPosted: February 6, 2017 - 9:19 AM\nRob Tornoe","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1915389"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9250385165214539,"wiki_prob":0.9250385165214539,"text":"RANDALL BEACH: 'The Barber of Westville' says 50 years is enough\nRandall Beach\nJan. 9, 2011 Updated: Aug. 16, 2017 10:17 p.m.\nAnthony Gamberdella has been cutting hair in New Haven for 50 years. He's retiring in April. (Brad Horrigan/Register)\nAnthony Gamberdella, who celebrates his 70th birthday today, has decided it's time to \"cut back\" on his barbering trade after 50 years.\nThis is terrible news for his customers, who are stunned when they enter Anthony's Men's Hairstyling, on Fountain Streeet in the heart of Westville Village, and read a sign announcing his plan to retire April 2.\n\"They all ask me, 'Where am I gonna get a haircut?'\" Gamberdella said.\nIf there is any upside to this development, it's Gamberdella's hope to hang around and keep cutting hair a couple of days a week, provided he can find a new guy to buy the business and the newcomer agrees to have a part-timer on the premises.\nOf course, there are still good barbers in New Haven and its environs, even if it is a shrinking trade. But Gamberdella's customers say there's something about his technique that will make him very hard to replace.\n\"You talk about value,\" said Dr. Arthur Seltzer, who came in for his monthly trim last Thursday afternoon. \"Where else can you get 12 minutes of psychotherapy plus a haircut for under 20 bucks?\"\nSeltzer, a customer for about 20 years, told Gamberdella, \"You can't retire!\"\nSeltzer turned to me and said, \"Nobody knows how to cut hair like Tony. Now I'll have to try to find somebody else who has those oldworld skills.\"\nThen Seltzer asked Gamberdella why so many barbers are Italian. He received a one-word reply: \"Artistic.\"\n\"Not everybody can be a barber,\" Gamberdella said as he worked on Seltzer's head. \"You've gotta know how to talk to people.\"\nHe added, \"You learn a lot. If I want to know something about a heart, I'll ask this man.\" He nodded toward the man in the chair; Seltzer is a cardiologist.\nGamberdella, whose sign out front proclaims him \"The Barber of Westville,\" has been holding down that spot for 37 years. Before that he worked at other barber shops: 10 years on Whalley Avenue, three years on York Street.\nHe said marking his 70th birthday and his 50th anniversary in the business made it seem like a good time to make a change. \"I don't want to go out here feet-first, that's all.\"\nHe added, \"I love what I do. But I'm tired of getting up early in the morning five days a week.\" He said too many barbers these days aren't willing to open at 8 a.m., as he does.\nGamberdella and his wife, Terri, have two daughters. When I asked if he had ever encouraged them to be barbers, he said, \"No, no, no! I made a good living doing this. But I think all parents want their kids to do better than they did.\"\nHe got the idea of being a barber one day when he was 16, while walking to school in East Haven. He noticed a barber shop and learned that the fancy car parked in front, a new 1957 Pontiac, belonged to the barber.\nGamberdella figured he could make a good living in that trade and he wouldn't hurt his hands the way his father did as a car mechanic. The elder Gamberdella didn't want his son going into his line of work because young Tony was a keyboardist and his hands were important.\nWhen I noticed all the people waiting in Gamberdella's shop for a haircut were men or boys, I asked him if he cuts women's hair. \"There are some women I do,\" he replied. \"I prefer men.\"\nSeltzer laughed and said that's another thing he'll miss about Gamberdella: his outspoken viewpoints.\nIndeed, I received a loaded reply when I asked Gamberdella if barbers are an endangered species. He said it was true and added, \"They don't have any more barber schools in Connecticut. They have hairdressing schools. The girls rule.\"\nI looked around the walls of the compact shop. There were photos of pretty women as well as framed pictures of James Dean and Howdy Doody. Gamberdella also pointed out the 1800s barbershop pole in the corner. He bought it at Levine's, an antiques shop that used to be across the street. Most of those second-hand shops are gone now, replaced by Internet shopping.\nSeltzer remarked, \"All the small stores are gone.\" He recalled Jackson-Marvin, the hardware store that once operated in Westville.\n\"It's all online,\" Seltzer said. But then he brightened and noted, \"You can't go to the barber online!\"\nGamberdella moved on to his next customer. The Beatles' \"Let it Be\" was playing on the radio. He said he has to rely on radio now because his TV set (that was always tuned to Fox News) is broken.\n\"That's another sign,\" Gamberdella said. \"Once your TV goes, you've got to move.\"\nBut a mother came in with her kids, saw the big bad banner and cried out, \"You can't retire!\"\nContact Randall Beach at rbeach@nhregister.com or 203-789-5766.\nReach Randall on\nRandall Beach covers New Haven Superior Court cases and writes columns twice a week on human interest topics. He also writes the \"Beachcombing\" column for Connecticut magazine. He enjoys running, rock and country music and local history.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1731738"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8494688272476196,"wiki_prob":0.8494688272476196,"text":"Round 7 Barcelona\nThe Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is a motorsport race track in Montmeló, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. With long straights and a variety of corners, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is seen as an all-rounder circuit. The track has stands with a capacity of 140,700. The circuit has FIA Grade 1 license.\nUntil 2013 the track was known only as the Circuit de Catalunya, before a sponsorship deal with Barcelona City Council added Barcelona to the track's title.\nThe Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya was built in 1991 and began hosting the Spanish Grand Prix that same year. Construction also coincided with the Olympic Games scheduled to take place in Barcelona the next year, where the circuit acted as the start and finish line for the road team time trial cycling event. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya should not be confused with the Montjuïc circuit, which hosted the Spanish Grand Prix four times between 1969 and 1975 and, unlike the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, is actually located within the city of Barcelona.\nBecause so much testing is done at this circuit, Formula One drivers and mechanics are extremely familiar with it. This has led to criticism that drivers and mechanics are too familiar with Catalunya, reducing the amount of on-track action.\nWhen first used, overtaking was frequent as cars could follow closely through the last two corners and slipstream down the long straight. As aerodynamic balance became more critical, this overtaking method drastically decreased as the cars were unable to follow each other through the fast final corner due to turbulence created by the leading car. The 2007 season saw the first of the two final sweepers replaced with a slow chicane in an effort to improve overtaking. However, the redesign has not yet shown any effect.\nThe Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has hosted a motorcycle Grand Prix since 1992, originally the European motorcycle Grand Prix from 1992 and later the Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix since 1996. There are at least five points on the track (turns 1, 2, 4, 10, 14) where riders are known to overtake. As in Formula 1, Turn 1 is arguably the most popular place for overtaking. The circuit is not known to produce copious amounts of overtaking, despite the long straights. Originally, the Formula 1 circuit changes were not instituted for MotoGP; however, after a fatal crash in the 2016 MotoGP round involving a Moto2 rider, the Formula 1 layout was implemented to slow down riders for safety purposes. The FIM made a further change to the chicane for 2017 by moving up the chicane to prevent riders from cutting the pit lane entrance.\nThe circuit hosted many other international racing series, including the FIA Sportscar Championship (1999-2002), European Touring Car Championship (2003), FIA GT Championship (2003), Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (2006-2011), European Le Mans Series (2008-2009), and World Series by Renault (2002-2004, 2006-2011). The FIA World Rallycross Championship currently visits Catalunya since 2015.\nhttp://www.circuitcat.com","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line348698"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9417423605918884,"wiki_prob":0.9417423605918884,"text":"Who’s your Little Who-Zis? (m. Ben Bernie, Al Goehring, w. Walter Hirsch)\nBusby Berkeley choreographed dance number from the film Night World (1932)\nTranscription of the intermittent dialog during the number, mostly banter between chorus girls as they dance:\nA. big plantation\ngirl 1: He’s got a big plantation down in Nicaragua. He wants me to go down there and grow nuts?\ngirl 2: Go nuts?\nB. post-Depression work\ngirl: And I said to him “I know the Depression’s over and you’ve got to find work for your hands. But keep them offa me.”\nC. sugar daddy\ngirl: Say Ruth, you’re a sap if you turn down that tall guy. He’s loaded with sugar and loves to give milk.” [See “sugar daddy.”]\nD. plastered\ngirl 1: Look at that kid. He’s been here three nights in a row, plastered [very drunk, stiff].\ngirl 2: Yeah, he’s still fighting the same jag, poor kid.\ngirl 1: Haven’t I seen his picture in the paper?\ngirl 2: Yeah, the Radman case.\ngirl 1: Oh, yeah. His mother killed his father.\ngirl 2: Yeah, in the other woman’s apartment.\nE. going low\ngirl 1: There’s ol’ Papa Movert again\ngirl 2: Yeah, and the more he comes here the lower he gets.\nF. phone number\npatron: Brian 8-7-8-4-3, baby.\ngirl: My husband will be glad to see you.\nG. Mister Baby\ngirl: “Hello, baby.”\npatron: [effeminate voice] “Mister Baby to you!”\ngirl: “My mistake.”\nWho’s your little who-zis\nWho’s your turtle dove\nWho’s the little what’s-it\nThat you’re dreaming of\nTell me, who has you a-flutter\nWhenever they’re passing by\nMelts your heart like butter\nOh me, oh my\nSay, when you get the blue-zis\nWho you thinking of\nSelected other recordings:\nVictor Arden-Phil Ohman Orchestra, vocal: Sylvia Froos — 1931\nVic Irwin and his Orchestra, with vocals by The Eton Boys: Jack Day, Earl Smith, Art Gentry and Charles Day\nThe side was recorded on 27 November 1931, and issued on Oriole 2386, b/w “I Don’t Blame You.” The Oriole 78 rpm discography for catalog numbers 2000 to 2500 at 78discography.com gives the recording artist for both sides as the Allstar Collegians (led by I. Abrams on “I Don’t Blame You”). Redhotjazz.com (defunct) identified Vic Irwin as a pseudonym of Irwin Abrams.\ndiscography notes:\nOriole 2386 matrix numbers: “Who’s Your Little Who-Zis?” 11025=3, “I Don’t Blame You” 11027=2*\nIn addition to Oriole, the same two recordings were also released as the opposite sides of a single on at least two other labels. The band name credits for the two sides varies according to the label they were released on, as follows:\nOriole 2386: “Who’s Your Little Who-Zis?” by Allstar Collegians, “I Don’t Blame You” by Allstar Collegians and (separately) Vic Irwin and his Orchestra\nThe Oriole 78 discography at http://www.musiktiteldb.de identifies two different versions of Oriole 2386 (Matrix 11027=2), one with the “I Don’t Blame You” side by Vic Irwin and his Orchestra and another with “I Don’t Blame You” by the Allstar Collegians. It’s possible that these two names refer to the same band.\nBanner 32331: “Who’s Your Little Who-Zis?” by Allstar Collegians, “I Don’t Blame You” by Vic Irwin and his Orchestra\nRomeo 1757: both sides by “Vic Irwin’s Allstars,” a name which may be a combination of parts of the two band names credited on the other two labels\nThe label displayed in the video below indicates that “Who’s Your Little Who-Zis?” is the A-side of Oriole 2386.\nBen Selvin’s Knickerbockers, vocal: Dick Robertson — recorded in New York on 29 December 1931; issued on Columbia 2591-D, c/w “With Love In My Heart” (Prager, Quinto, Klenner)\nJack Hylton and his Orchestra — recorded on 3 March 1932; issued on Decca F.2904, b/w “With Love in My Heart”\nAmpico Lexington Roll # 213911, played by Paul Rickenbach — released in March 1932\nAnson Weeks And His Hotel Mark Hopkins Orchestra — 1932 radio broadcast transcription included on the 1979 (or 1980) compilation Hindsight Records HSR-146\nDean Martin — recorded on 20 November 1952; issued on 12 January 1953 on Martin’s first studio album Dean Martin Sings\nSammy Kaye and his Orchestra, vocal duet: Shirley Ost and Ray Michaels — from the 1960 album Ballroom Date, Columbia CS 8182 (Stereo), Columbia CL 1387 (Mono)\n*The number after the equal sign in the matrix numbers may indicate the number of the “take,” when multiple takes were recorded.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1655271"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9227628707885742,"wiki_prob":0.9227628707885742,"text":"PLAN YOUR FESTIVAL STAY COVID SAFE ACCESSIBILITY FESTIVAL FEASTS ABOUT\nAbout Sydney Festival History Festival Director Festival Director 2022 Board of Directors Contact Us Work With Us Media Releases and Enquiries Annual Review Corporate Responsiblity Sustainability at Sydney Festival Acknowledgement of Country Unsubscribe\nAbout Sydney Festival\nSydFest 2021. Australian Made.\n2020 has been a challenging year. To kickstart 2021, we’re recovering, reconnecting communities, and reinvigorating Australia’s arts.\nEach January, Sydney Festival presents bold and memorable experiences that ignite, unite, and excite the city of Sydney.\nIn 2021, we’re building on our proud 44-year history of commissioning and presenting inspiring and ground-breaking new Australian art, with a program that celebrates the best work from our finest artists and companies.\nMore than any other cultural event, Sydney Festival defines Sydney’s personality, while audacious contemporary programming positions it at the forefront of arts practice in Australia and as one of the most wonderful arts festivals in the world.\nFor over four decades we have presented international artists, commissioned works that have become Australian classics, opened new perspectives and created a buzz like no other.\nTo revisit the Sydney Festival programs from 1977 to 2020, please visit our archive.\nSydney Festival was conceived by the Sydney Committee, the NSW State Government and the City of Sydney to attract Sydneysiders into the city centre during the holiday month of January.\nThe first Festival took place in 1977 and it has since grown to become one of Australia's largest annual cultural celebrations with an international reputation for modern, popular and intelligent programming. Sydney Festival celebrates our city, and the Festival’s style and energy reflect the confidence, diversity and vigour of one of the world's most beautiful cities.\nThe Festival has a rich history of bringing the world’s best artists and companies to Sydney stages, and showcasing and nurturing the best of Australia’s homegrown talent.\nMany of Australia’s most memorable productions have resulted from Sydney Festival commissions and premieres, including highlights from Cloudstreet (1998) to Black Chicks Talking (2003), Three Furies (2005), uniquely Australian musical The Adventures of Snugglepot & Cuddlepie and Little Ragged Blossom (2007), the outrageous cabaret Smoke and Mirrors (2010), The Secret River (2013), Black Diggers (2014), contemporary circus ensemble Circa’s Humans (2017), multi-award-winner Counting and Cracking (2019) and BLACK TIES (2020).\nThe buzz of Sydney in January wouldn’t be the same without Festival appearances from major Australian musicians, performers and comedians including Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Archie Roach, Ruby Hunter, Gotye, Regurgitator, Emma Donovan, Tex Perkins, Megan Washington, Meow Meow, Christa Hughes, Yana Alana and Celia Pacquola.\nWorld-leading artists and companies that have shared work with Sydney Festival audiences in recent years include Lars Jan and Early Morning Opera’s Joan Didion’s The White Album, performance artist Bryrony Kimmings’ I’m A Phoenix, Bitch, and choral choir Tenebrae (2020); Schaubühne Berlin and Complicité’s Beware of Pity, Ethiopian legend Mulatu Astatke, Neneh Cherry, and American artist Nick Cave’s epic exhibition UNTIL (2019); Wayne McGregor, Olafur Eliasson and Jamie xx’s ballet collaboration Tree of Codes, National Theatre’s Barber Shop Chronicles, The Wooster Group’s The Town Hall Affair, Pussy Riot Theatre’s RIOT DAYS, and DryWrite and Soho Theatre’s hit Fleabag (2018); Complicité’s The Encounter, Cheek By Jowl with Pushkin Theatre’s Measure For Measure (2017); James Thierry’s Tabac Rouge (2015); Sasha Waltz’s underwater dance opera Dido and Aeneas (2014); and Ludger Engels and Vivienne Westwood’s Baroque-punk Semele Walk (2013), to name but a few.\nThese works join a long roster and legacy of extraordinary work and artists including: Ariane Mnouchkine and Thèâtre du Soleil (Flood Drummers); Robert Wilson (The Black Rider); Robert Lepage (Far Side of the Moon, The Andersen Project, Lipsynch); Nederlands Dans Theater; Philip Glass; Ian McKellen (Dance of Death); Batsheva Dance Company; National Theatre of Scotland (Beautiful Burnout, Black Watch, Aalst); Al Green; Chaka Khan; Andrew Weatherall; AR Rahman; Angélique Kidjo; Kneehigh Theatre (Tristan & Yseult, The Red Shoes); and Fabulous Beast (Rian).\nFor more information on each Sydney Festival visit our archive.\nWesley Enoch AM is Festival Director 2017–present\nWesley Enoch, a proud Noonuccal Nuugi man, is a writer and director who has previously been the Artistic Director at Kooemba Jdarra Indigenous Performing Arts; Artistic Director at Ilbijerri Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Theatre Co-operative; Artistic Director at Queensland Theatre Company; and the Associate Artistic Director at Belvoir Street Theatre.\nEnoch’s other residencies include Resident Director at Sydney Theatre Company – he was also creative consultant, segment director and indigenous consultant for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games. He is Chair of Create NSW’s Aboriginal Arts and Culture Board; Chair of the Australia Council’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy Panel; a Board member of Annamila and NAISDA; and a member of the AGNSW Aboriginal Advisory Committee\nEnoch has written and directed a number of renowned Indigenous theatre productions, including The 7 Stages of Grieving which he directed and co-wrote with Deborah Mailman; The Sunshine Club for Queensland Theatre Company; and Black Medea – a new adaption of Euripides’ Medea. In 2004 Wesley directed the original stage production of The Sapphires, which won the 2005 Helpmann Award for Best Play. He directed Black Diggers, presented at Sydney Festival in 2014 and his most recent production was Black Cockatoo, which premiered at the 2020 Sydney Festival.\nPrevious directors were:\nLieven Bertels: 2013–2016\nLindy Hume: 2010–2012\nFergus Linehan: 2006–2009\nBrett Sheehy: 2002–2005\nLeo Schofield: 1998–2001\nAnthony Steel: 1995–1997\nStephen Hall: 1977–1994\nFestival Director 2022\nThe board of Sydney Festival has announced the appointment of their new Festival Director for 2022, Australian curator and producer, Olivia Ansell.\nAnsell, a highly accomplished arts professional with over two decades’ experience as a director, choreographer and performing artist, is set to commence her three-year tenure in November. She comes to the role after two and a half years as Head of Contemporary Performance at Sydney Opera House.\nVoted one of Vivid Sydney’s Top 100 Creative Catalysts, Ansell possesses a vast breadth of art experience, including roles as co-Executive Producer and creative force behind the hugely-popular immersive experience Hidden Sydney; Artistic Director of Sydney Comedy Festival at Sydney Town Hall; Curator of Kings Bloody Cross for Vivid Ideas; producer of Richard Walley OAM and Nigel Jamieson’s large-scale concert spectacular, HOME for Perth International Arts Festival; Consultant Executive Producer for OzAsia Festival Adelaide; and inaugural Executive Producer of Shaun Parker & Company. She is also a lecturer in Movement for the Sydney Conservatorium of Music’s Con Opera School.\nSince 2017, Ansell has curated and championed a diverse range of maverick storytellers to the Sydney Opera House stage, including Lucy Moss and Toby Marlow’s cult musical SIX; Hofesh Shechter’s critically acclaimed Grand Finale; Lin Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights; A O Lang Pho by Cirque Nouveau du Vietnam; Natalia Osipova and David Hallberg’s Pure Dance and Australian comedian Hannah Gadsby’s hit show, Douglas.\nThe full announcement can be read here.\nHer Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC, Governor of New South Wales\nDavid Kirk MBE – Chair\nCo-Founder and Managing Partner\nBailador Investment Management\nDavid is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Bailador Investment Management and Chairman of listed companies Bailador Technology Investments, Trade Me and Kathmandu. Prior to this, he was Chief Executive Officer of Fairfax Media. His previous experience also includes a period as an advisor to the Prime Minister of New Zealand. He is currently the Chairman of Trustees of Sydney Grammar School and sits on a number of other Boards and charitable organisations.\nDavid enjoyed a highly successful rugby career and captained the All Blacks to win the World Cup in 1987. He was awarded an MBE in 1987 and now lives in Sydney with his wife and three sons.\nProf. Larissa Behrendt AO\nDistinguished Prof. Larissa Behrendt holds the Chair of Indigenous Research at the Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning at the University of Technology, Sydney. Larissa won the 2018 Australian Directors Guild Award for best Direction of a Documentary Feature Film for After the Apology. She also wrote and directed the Walkley-nominated feature documentary Innocence Betrayed. She has written and produced several short films. She is a graduate of UNSW and Harvard Law School.\nShe has published numerous textbooks on Indigenous legal issues. Larissa won the 2002 David Unaipon Award and a 2005 Commonwealth Writer’s Prize for her novel Home. Her second novel, Legacy, won a Victorian Premiers Literary Award. Her most recent book is Finding Eliza: Power and Colonial Storytelling (2016, UQP).\nShe is a board member of the Sydney Festival and a member of the Major Performing Arts Panel of the Australia Council. Larissa was awarded the 2009 NAIDOC Person of the Year award and 2011 NSW Australian of the Year. She is the host of Speaking Out on the ABC Local Radio and Radio National.\nAndrew Cameron AM\nAndrew has served on the boards of the Biennale of Sydney, Belvoir, SCAF, ACCA, and Melbourne Art Fair and Foundation. He was Deputy Commissioner for Australia’s presentation at the Venice Biennale, is currently Chair of the Foundation at Art Gallery of New South Wales, Chair of Artspace, and is a member of the International Council of the Tate in London – as well as sitting on the Tate Asia-Pacific Advisory Committee.\nHe holds the position of Executive Chairman for a group of private businesses and has had previous careers in architecture and merchant banking. In addition, Andrew was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2014 for significant services to the performing and visual arts.\nPaddy Carney\nPwC Australia\nPaddy is a member of the Global Board overseeing the PwC international network and chairs its Risk & Operations Committee. She is also a member of the Board of Partners of PwC Australia and chairs its Finance & Operations Committee. She has over 25 years' financial experience with PwC in the UK and Australia advising a broad range of clients with a focus on retail, consumer, hospitality and agribusiness. She is also a Trustee of the Historic Houses Trust of NSW (Sydney Living Museums) and a member of Chief Executive Women.\nBeem It\nAngela Clark began her career as an investment analyst before joining global outdoor advertising leader JCDecaux as Managing Director of the Australian division, launching the company’s operations across four states. In 2003, Angela joined Macquarie Radio Network as CEO, leading the business to a listing on the Australian Stock Exchange in 2005. After five years, Angela left Macquarie Radio Network to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities, founding a number of digital media start-ups before joining ABC in 2011 as Director, Innovation and then as Director, Digital Network.\nAngela is currently the CEO of Beem It, a payments fintech founded by three banks, and was previously Executive General Manager of Small Business at the Commonwealth Bank. Angela has a held Directorships across multiple arts, media and sporting organisations and holds a BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from Oxford University.\nDarren Dale\nBlackfella Films\nSince joining Blackfella Films in 2000 Darren has produced many award-winning factual productions for SBS including the landmark multi-platform history series First Australians, feature documentaries The Tall Man, Deep Water - The Real Story and In My Own Words, two seasons of the Logie Award-winning First Contact, plus the series DNA Nation, How ‘Mad’ Are You? and two seasons of Filthy Rich and Homeless.\nIn collaboration with acclaimed UK writer Jimmy McGovern, Darren has also produced, with Miranda Dear, two series and a telemovie of the Logie Award and AACTA Award-winning Redfern Now for ABC1. He also produced with Miranda Dear the telemovie Mabo, commissioned by the ABC to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the landmark High Court decision, and the crime drama Deep Water for SBS.\nHe was Executive Producer on the Logie and AACTA Award winning teen drama series Ready for This for ABC3.\nDarren currently serves on the board of the Sydney Film Festival and was previously on the board of Screen NSW and the Council of the Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS). In 2012 he was the recipient of the prestigious AFTRS Honorary Degree.\nKate Dundas\nKate has enjoyed a career in media, public policy and cultural leadership. She held senior executive roles in the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) in both corporate and content areas, including five years as Director of ABC Radio. She has also held several senior government roles including Deputy Secretary Arts & Culture in NSW and most recently Executive Director of Performing Arts at the Sydney Opera House. Kate is a mentor for emerging and established leaders, working both independently and with McCarthy Mentoring. Kate is Deputy Chair of the Board of Australia for UNHCR and chairs its Leadership and Nominations Committee. She also currently serves on the NSW Multi Arts and Festivals Board.\nKate has previously served on other boards including the Australian Film, Radio and Television School where she also chaired the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee. She is a Vincent Fairfax Fellow (Centre for Ethical Leadership, University of Melbourne), holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications (Charles Sturt University) and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.\nDr Robert Lang\nDr Robert Lang is a leader in city building, community engagement, strategic urban planning, economic development, creating great public places, transport infrastructure, place management, arts, tourism and energy.\nHe has extensive experience in the public service, gained within a combination of state & local government businesses.\nHe has a long involvement in the arts, theatre production and direction, music creation and performance, training young people in the performing arts, delivering arts to western Sydney audiences and significant experience in outdoor events.\nHe has a focus on place making and place development and bringing together the drivers for making great cities. He has a keen interest in the potential of western Sydney to provide business growth & economic development opportunities and the goal of making Sydney a livable city with more jobs closer to home.\nAs a former CEO for Parramatta City Council he understands local government, knows how to develop a compelling vision for the city and deliver major new city property & infrastructure developments. He brought major new events to Parramatta, implemented a new place-making focus and initiated the Western Sydney Light Rail project.\nDr Lang has a number of interests in the not for profit sector including disability services, affordable housing, education and the arts.\nBenjamin Law\nAustralian writer and broadcaster\nHe’s the author of the memoir The Family Law (2010), the travel book Gaysia: Adventures in the Queer East (2012) and the Quarterly Essay Moral Panic 101 (2017). He’s the editor of the anthology Growing Up Queer in Australia (2019) and creator and co-writer of three seasons of the award-winning SBS TV series The Family Law, based on his memoir. He has a PhD in creative writing and cultural studies from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT).\nIn 2019, he was named one of the Asian-Australian Leadership Summit’s (AALS) 40 Under 40 Most Influential Asian-Australians (winning the Arts, Culture & Sport category) and one of Harper’s Bazaar’s Visionary Men.\nEvery week, Benjamin co-hosts ABC RN’s weekly national pop culture show Stop Everything. He also co-hosts online startup and tech TV show That Startup Show, and you can catch him on TV shows like Q&A (ABC), The Drum (ABC), The Project (Ten), Filthy Rich and Homeless (SBS) and the ABC’s two-part ABC feature documentary on Chinese-Australian history, Waltzing the Dragon. He has also written for over 50 publications in Australia and beyond including the Monthly, Frankie, Good Weekend, the Guardian, the Australian, Monocle and the Australian Financial Review.\nHe also co-wrote the comedy book Shit Asian Mothers Say (2014) with his sister Michelle, and the sex/relationships advice book Law School (2017) with his mum Jenny. He was also a researcher and associate producer on Blackfella Films’ Deep Water: The Real Story (SBS) and a writer on Endemol Shine’s Sisters (Netflix/Ten). His debut play Torch the Place (Melbourne Theatre Company) runs February–March 2020.\nBenjamin is based in Sydney. He is a Plan Australia ambassador and Story Factory board member.\nCatriona Noble GAICD\nMD Retail Distribution, ANZ Banking Corporation\nCommencing with ANZ in 2015, Catriona was responsible for key retail distribution channels to customers including the Australian branch network. In this role, Catriona led a team of more than 6,000 people. More recently she spent time as an executive sponsor for several key institutional banking clients.\nPrior to joining ANZ, Catriona worked for the McDonald’s Corporation as Chief Restaurant Officer, Asia, Pacific, Middle East and Africa based in Singapore. In this role she was responsible for more than 10,000 restaurants and 200,000 people. Previously, Catriona was CEO and Managing Director for McDonald’s Australia and Chair of RMHC (Ronald McDonald House Charities) for approximately four years.\nThroughout a 20-year career with McDonald’s, Catriona earned a reputation as an innovator for her success in driving fundamental cultural change to achieve business success. During her time as CEO she played an integral role in the transformation of the McDonald’s brand in Australia from a pure fast food outlet to one that offers healthier options, attracting a broader customer base in the process.\nShe is a member and mentor with the Business Council of Australia, CEW member and was previously a member of the Australian Social Inclusion Board (Federal Government), of which she was the Deputy Chair of the National Place Based Advisory Group.\nCatriona also completed the AMP (Advanced Management Program) at INSEAD business school, Fontainebleau in 2010.\nShe is an enthusiastic supporter of the arts across all mediums. She is especially passionate about the growth of access and support of the arts beyond major city centres.\nIf you have any feedback we'd love to hear from you.\nSydney Festival Office Details\nLevel 5, 10 Hickson Road\nThe Rocks NSW 2000\nPhone: (+61) 2 8248 6500\nFax: (+61) 2 8248 6599\nEmail: mail@sydneyfestival.org.au\nTicketing and box office inquiries\nEmail: ticketing@sydneyfestival.org.au\nVolunteering inquiries\nEmail: volunteer@sydneyfestival.org.au\nWesley Enoch AM\nexecoffice [at] sydneyfestival.org.au\nFestival Director 2022–2024\nOlivia Ansell\nChris Tooher\nCorey Zerna\nVivia Hickman\nvivia.hickman [at] sydneyfestival.org.au\nKate Willams\nkate.williams [at] sydneyfestival.org.au\nRebecca Gribble\nProgram Administrator & Associate Producer\nrebecca.gribble [at] sydneyfestival.org.au\nAimee Ocampo\naimee.ocampo [at] sydneyfestival.org.au\nTara Harding\nTicketing Manager\ntara.harding [at] sydneyfestival.org.au\nSarah Toner\nTicketing Systems Coordinator\nsarah.toner [at] sydneyfestival.org.au\nAnais Taylor\nanais.taylor [at] sydneyfestival.org.au\nBrooke Ravens\nSenior Corporate Partnership Manager\nbrooke.ravens [at] sydneyfestival.org.au\nAmalina Whitaker\nSponsorship Manager\namalina.whitaker [at] sydneyfestival.org.au\nMarita Supplee\nHead of Philanthropy\nmarita.supplee [at] sydneyfestival.org.au\nJohn Bayley\njohn.bayley [at] sydneyfestival.org.au\nAlycia Bangma\nalycia.bangma [at] sydneyfestival.org.au\nBlake Smith\nblake.smith [at] sydneyfestival.org.au\nFernando Motti\nfernando.motti [at] sydneyfestival.org.au\nDimitri Cachia\nHead of Finance and Administration\ndimitri.cachia [at] sydneyfestival.org.au\nJennifer Stallard\nFinance & Administration Manager\njennifer.stallard [at] sydneyfestival.org.au\nJulie Crawford\nAccounts and Payroll Officer\njulie.crawford [at] sydneyfestival.org.au\nCourtney Lewis\ncourtney.lewis [at] sydneyfestival.org.au\nAdministration Officer\nthomas.hamilton [at] sydneyfestival.org.au\nFiona Jackson\nExecutive Project Coordinator\nfiona.jackson [at] sydneyfestival.org.au\nCasual Crew Callout\nSydney Festival is looking for experienced Production casual crew for SYDFEST 2021. Each year the festival has a wide range of crewing requirements across all our venues from late December 2020 to late January 2021 – from crew for help setting up outdoor festival sites to people with experience in theatre lighting, sound or wardrobe. If this sounds like you, please complete our Crew Application Form.\nPlease sign up to our enews or keep an eye on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to be the first to find out when roles become available.\nMedia Releases and Enquiries\nSydney Festival 2021 Program Launch\nNew Festival Director for 2022-24 Announced\nFestival Director Wesley Enoch awarded Order of Australia\nFor more information and high-resolution images of Sydney Festival events, contact:\nJadan Carroll\njadan@commonstate.co\nLuke McKinnon\nluke@commonstate.co\nPlease note: media enquiries only.\nBrowse Sydney Festival annual reviews below.\nCorporate Responsiblity\nDisability Inclusion Action Plan\nThe Sydney Festival Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) supports the Festival's commitment to welcome everyone in Sydney, regardless of accessibility needs, and provides our organisation with strategic direction in addressing accessibility issues.\nDownload a copy of the 2019–20 Disability Inclusion Action Plan as a PDF or Word document.\nSydney Festival's vision for reconciliation is to formally and informally engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and communities, and to positively contribute to closing the gap between Indigenous and other Australians.\nThe Festival will do this by committing to four key areas:\n• respecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and cultures\n• offering employment opportunities to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people\n• offering development and presentation opportunities to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and arts workers\n• building cultural awareness and understanding among our staff, stakeholders and audiences of the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories\nSustainability Vision\nWe have a vision to be the most sustainable major performing arts festival in Australia.To read our full vision of sustainability, download the PDF here.\nSustainability at Sydney Festival\nWe have a vision to be the most sustainable major performing arts festival in Australia.\nFor several years we have been working towards making Sydney Festival a more sustainable event, with both big wins and big challenges. For example, we no longer offer disposable plastic water bottles – instead we give artists and staff reusable metal water bottles.\nOffsetting our carbon footprint remains a large task, and every Festival helps us take another step towards fully understanding our impact, and identifying ways to minimise our impact and maximise the positive environmental, social and economic legacies of Sydney Festival.\nMeeting our vision\nWith an estimated audience of 450 000, over 50 venues with performances by over 800 artists from Australia and abroad, the impact of resource consumption, waste creation, transportation, and greenhouse gas emissions is considerable.\nIn collaboration with our artists, venues, suppliers, staff, crew, volunteers and, importantly, with our audience together we can meaningfully reduce our resource consumption, waste creation, and our greenhouse gas emissions, so that together we meet our vision for a truly Sustainable Sydney Festival.\nWe will be enlisting your help to reduce our impact because; we believe that together we really can make a difference.\nTo read our full vision of sustainability, download the PDF here.\nSydney Festival acknowledges the 29 clans of the Eora Nation, the Traditional Owners of the land on which the Festival takes place.\nWe pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities.\nIf you'd like to unsubscribe from Sydney Festival's e-mails, online advertising, or physical mail lists, feel free to e-mail us any time at mail@sydneyfestival.org.au specifying what communication you would like to stop receiving.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1386666"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9332463145256042,"wiki_prob":0.9332463145256042,"text":"Fission and Alpha Both Receive Security holder Approval of Their Respective Plans of Arrangement\nFISSION URANIUM CORP. (TSX VENTURE:FCU) (OTCQX:FCUUF) (FRANKFURT:2FU) and ALPHA MINERALS INC. (TSX VENTURE:AMW) are pleased to announce that each of their respective previously announced plans of arrangement have been approved by their respective security holders today.\nThe Fission Arrangement, which involves spinning out of certain assets of Fission to Fission 3.0 Corp., was approved by shareholders and option holders of Fission at a special meeting of the Fission Security holders held today. At the Fission Meeting, a special resolution approving the Fission Arrangement was approved by: (i) 99.55% of the votes cast by Fission shareholders; and (ii) 99.60% of the votes cast by Fission Security holders, voting together as a single class.\nThe Alpha Arrangement, which involves acquisition of all shares of Alpha by Fission and spinning out of non-Patterson Lake South assets of Alpha to Alpha Exploration Inc., was approved by shareholders, option holders and warrant holders of Alpha at a special meeting of the Alpha Security holders held today. At the Alpha Meeting, a special resolution approving the Alpha Arrangement was approved by: (i) 83.18% of the votes cast by Alpha shareholders; and (ii) 85.72% of the votes cast Alpha Security holders, voting together as a single class. In addition, Alpha received minority approval of the Alpha Arrangement in accordance with Multilateral Instrument 61-101.\nBoth arrangements are still subject to final approval by the TSX Venture Exchange and the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta. The Court hearings for obtaining the final orders approving the arrangements are scheduled to take place on November 29, 2013, and the completion of the both arrangements is expected to occur on December 6, 2013.\nAdditional information regarding the terms of the Fission Arrangement are set out in Fission’s management information circular dated October 29, 2013, which is available under Fission’s profile at www.sedar.com.\nAdditional information regarding the terms of the Alpha Arrangement are set out in Alpha’s management information circular dated October 29, 2013, which is available under Alpha’s profile at www.sedar.com.\nAbout Fission Uranium Corp.\nFission Uranium Corp. is a Canadian based resource company specializing in the strategic acquisition, exploration and development of uranium properties and is headquartered in Kelowna, British Columbia. Common Shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “FCU”.\nAbout Alpha Minerals Inc.\nAlpha Minerals Inc. is a mineral exploration company whose principal focus is the exploration and development of uranium properties in Athabasca Basin in northern Saskatchewan, Canada. Common Shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “AMW”.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line437987"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5813347101211548,"wiki_prob":0.4186652898788452,"text":"Letter to the President of the UN Security…\nLetter to the President of the UN Security Council\nHis Excellency Sacha Llorenty\nAmbassador of Bolivia to the United Nations\nPresident of the United Nations Security Council\nDear Ambassador Llorenty,\nWe are writing regarding an offensive Holocaust analogy made by Lakhdar Brahimi during a recent UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East.\nDuring his speech to the Council, the former Algerian Foreign Minister and UN envoy sympathetically quoted a Palestinian woman from Gaza who told Brahimi that “Israel has put us in a concentration camp.” Much to our surprise, Brahimi’s remark went unchallenged by other Security Council members, including you.\nA comparison of this nature, which seeks to link the Jewish state with those who perpetrated the greatest and largest act of anti-Semitism in world history, is not an impartial or dispassionate accusation. It is a charge that is purposefully directed at Jews in an effort to associate the victims of the Nazi crimes with the Nazi perpetrators, and serves to diminish the significance and uniqueness of the Holocaust. To make such a comparison is an act of blatant hostility toward Jews and Jewish history. And indeed, Mr. Brahimi has a record of employing similarly offensive stereotypes about Jews, including accusing the “Jewish-Zionist lobby” of controlling the US government.\nMr. Ambassador, we strongly urge you to condemn Mr. Brahimi’s offensive Holocaust analogy. Doing so would send an important message about the Security Council’s rejection of anti-Jewish bias within the United Nations.\nU.S. Allows American Citizens Born in Jerusalem to have \"Israel\" Listed on Passport\nADL Applauds Historic Moroccan Decision to Recognize Israel\nThis agreement is especially significant given the longstanding heritage of the Jewish community in Morocco.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line2015115"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6038810610771179,"wiki_prob":0.6038810610771179,"text":"Made-in-India Royal Enfield ‘ELECTRIC’ Bullet: Check it out!\nElectric vehicles are often deemed as the future of the automobiles. While manufacturers are working to launch electric vehicles in the market, there are many who are also working on retrofitting electric vehicle components on regular vehicles. Here is a Royal Enfield Bullet that has been smartly converted into an electric vehicle in India. Here are the details.\nThe transformation job has been done by Cochin, Kerala based Hound Electric who have expertise in the design and development of powertrain for automobiles. This transformation job based on a Royal Enfield Bullet 350 has been done to pay tribute to the brand. The project was done by two interns D Harikrishnan and Mustafa after the inception of the idea by Hound Electric’s CEO Paul Alex as per Electric Vehicle Web.\nThe work on the transformation job started last year in September and initially, a Hero Splendor or similar lightweight bike was being considered. However, the duo planned to use a 10 kW electric motor and to power it a 72A/60V battery pack, which could be fitted on a small bike. Which is why Royal Enfield was chosen for the job.\nAlso read: Royal Enfield home service is now operational\nThe chassis of the Bullet EV has been designed from scratch and the frame comes from a scrapyard. It uses a Permanent Magnet Direct Current (PMDC) electric motor, which is sourced from an Indian manufacturer. The battery weighs around 32 kg and the electric motor weighs around 10 kg. The battery is located in the space where the engine of the Royal Enfield Bullet used to be. The space below the tank now has keeps the battery with inhouse fabricated mounts.\nThe bike weighs 166 kg and it can run for around 80 Kms on a single full charge. The top speed is about 100 km/h depending on the road conditions and the weight of the rider among other conditions. However, the time that it takes to charge completely is not known.\nThe whole project took about 10 months and the cost comes to be around Rs 35,000 for the transformation. The team did not ad the cost of the motor, battery and a few other components because they already had these with them.\nWith the transformation job, the team wants to convert the message that the electric vehicles can look retro and be futuristic at the same time. Interestingly, Royal Enfield is also working on the electric motorcycle and it is expected to be launched in a few years time.\nAlso read: 26-year old mother travels 1800 km from Pune to meet her sick son","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line111002"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9637333154678345,"wiki_prob":0.9637333154678345,"text":"Prodigy dies at 42 and other news of the week\nThe week that was June 19-June 23\nBy Martenzie Johnson\t@martenzie\nThe state of North Carolina, that bastion of civil rights, had a law barring sex offenders from using social media sites, such as Facebook, invalidated by the U.S. Supreme Court. The court also ruled that rejecting trademarks that “disparage” others violates the First Amendment; the Washington Redskins, locked in their own legal battle with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, wasn’t a party in the current case but supported the decision, which ruled in favor of Asian-American band The Slants. New York sports radio host Mike Francesa, when learning of the decision, referred to The Slants’ members as “Oriental Americans,” and when told that phrase was offensive, he asked, “You’re telling me that using the word ‘Oriental American’ is a slight?” The 47-year-old husband of Beyoncé announced a new, stream-only album available exclusively to the hundreds of Tidal and Sprint customers. In honor of Juneteenth, a commemoration of the end of slavery, President Donald Trump released a statement praising two white men (President Abraham Lincoln and Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger), and a sportswriter questioned the history of American police and slave patrols. A heady reporter tried Lyft Shuttle, the ride-sharing company’s beta-stage commuter option, which allows riders to “walk to a nearby pickup spot, get in a shared car that follows a predesignated route, and drops you (and everyone else) off at the same stop” — or, in other words, a bus. A data firm hired by the Republican National Committee left sensitive information — including names, dates of birth and home addresses — of nearly 200 million registered voters exposed to the internet; the company responsible, Deep Root Analytics, calls itself “the most experienced group of targeters in Republican politics.”\nThe Philadelphia 76ers officially acquired the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft, paving the way for the team to draft yet another player with past leg issues. Markelle Fultz, the first pick in Thursday’s draft, not only was traded from 53-win team to one that won just 28 games last season but also briefly considered signing with LaVar Ball’s Big Baller Brand over Nike. A Green Bay Packers fan and Wisconsin resident who, for some reason, has Chicago Bears season tickets, sued the Chicago franchise for not allowing him to wear Packers gear on the sideline at Soldier Field; the Wisconsin man told the court that the Bears “deprived me of my ability to fully enjoy this specific on-field experience.” In other bear news, three New Hampshire teenagers are being investigated for potential hate crimes for assaulting and yelling a racial slur at costumed Boston street musician Keytar Bear, who is black.\nWhite House chief strategist Steve Bannon said White House press secretary Sean Spicer wouldn’t appear on camera as much because “Sean got fatter.” Former five-weight boxing champion Sugar Ray Leonard offered UFC fighter Conor McGregor one piece of advice for his boxing match against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in August: “Duck.” FBI director nominee Christopher Wray once represented an American energy executive who was being criminally investigated by the Russian government, but Wray deleted that information from his official online biography sometime in 2017. Mattel diversified its Barbie and Ken doll lines, offering different sizes, skin tones and hairstyles, including man buns, cornrows and Afros. For the new heavyset Ken dolls, Mattel originally wanted to market them as “husky,” but, “A lot [of guys] were really traumatized by that — as a child, shopping in a husky section.” Twitter was in an uproar after it was reported that Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot was paid just $300,000 for her role in the critically acclaimed, $500 million movie, compared with $14 million for Man of Steel’s leading man, Henry Cavill; the latter figure was not true. Imprisoned former football player O.J. Simpson, who is up for parole for burglary and assault next month, spends his time in prison watching his daughter’s show Keeping Up With the Kardashians; “He likes to keep up with all the gossip with them,” a former prison guard said. NFL Hall of Famer Warren Sapp, last heard fighting prostitutes in Arizona, has decided to donate his brain to scientists when he dies; Sapp said his memory “ain’t what it used to be.” New York rapper Prodigy, real name Albert Johnson, died at the age of 42; Prodigy, one half of acclaimed duo Mobb Deep, had recently been hospitalized because of sickle cell anemia. U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, the nation’s top lawyer, hired his own lawyer. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, catching up to the 20th century, signed a bill that raised the age of consent for marriage from 14 to 18. An Algerian man was sentenced to two years in prison for dangling a baby out a 15th-floor window on Facebook, instructing his followers “1,000 likes or I will drop him.” A Canadian man stole a mummified toe that had been used as an ingredient in a hotel bar drink for more than 40 years; an employee said the hotel was “furious” because “toes are very hard to come by.” To test the performative advantages of the microbiome Prevotella, a Connecticut scientist performed a fecal transplant on herself, telling a news outlet: “It’s not fun, but it’s pretty basic.” Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard, at 8:55 p.m. ET, tweeted, “Ok Twitter Fans ,, give me your thoughts , trades or otherwise & Remember 2B-Nice”; five minutes later, Howard was traded to the Charlotte Hornets.\nThe Pentagon paid $28 million for “forest”-colored uniforms for the Afghan Army, yet “forests cover only 2.1% of Afghanistan’s total land area.” White House aide and former reality TV star Omarosa Manigault signs her name as “the Honorable Omarosa Manigault” despite not being a high-ranking federal official or judge. Despite President Trump once valuing his Westchester, New York, golf course at $50 million, the Trump Organization valued the property at $7.5 million on tax forms, half of the town assessor’s valuation of $15.1 million, to pay less in property taxes. The Russian government, accused by U.S. authorities of spreading fake news to influence the 2016 presidential election, said it will “raise the issue of fake news” at the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, calling it “a problem that should be defined and addressed collectively.” Although terrorism is defined as using violence for political reasons, the FBI said the shooting at a baseball practice for the Congressional Baseball Game by a white man had “no terrorism involved.” Meanwhile in Flint, Michigan, the stabbing of a police officer at an airport by a man who reportedly yelled, “Allahu Akbar” is being investigated by the FBI as an act of terrorism. A group of CIA contractors were fired from the agency for hacking a vending machine and stealing over $3,000 worth of snacks. Rep. Greg Gianforte (R-Montana), best known for body-slamming a Guardian reporter last month, was sworn in to the House; the Democratic Party of Montana sent Gianforte an orange jumpsuit for his first day in office. The daughter of two dentists who had enough education to teach their children about stocks and investments, and who, herself, owns a multimillion-dollar company, was taught to save and now plans to retire at 40. In shocking news, a new study found that films with diverse casts outperform films that are overwhelmingly white. A police officer was acquitted of fatally shooting a black man. An auto insurance industry-funded study found that states with legalized recreational marijuana laws had a higher frequency of auto collision claims than states without such laws. Murray Energy Corp. CEO Robert E. Murray sued comedian John Oliver for defamation after the HBO host used his weekly TV program to mock the energy executive, at one point calling Murray a “geriatric Dr. Evil”; Oliver predicted on his show June 18 that Murray would sue him. Hall of Fame professional wrestler Jerry “The King” Lawler, known for calling women’s breasts “puppies” and other sexist remarks, said even he hated the finish of a historic all-women’s match that ended with a man winning. In response to the new American craze fidget spinners, Chinese companies have started selling the Toothpick Crossbow, a small, $1 handheld crossbow that can fire toothpicks 65 feet; parents worry the crossbows could blind young children, and Chinese state media fear iron nails could be swapped in for the toothpicks. New York Knicks president Phil Jackson said he is willing to trade 21-year-old center Kristaps Porizingis, who is 21, with the “future” of the team in mind.\nESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith, still visibly upset over the recent actions of Phil Jackson, pointed out that the Knicks president’s first front office deal back in 2014 was signing forward Lamar Odom, “who was on crack”; Odom was released from the team three months later. Meanwhile, an NBA prospect said Jackson was “falling in and out of sleep” during the prospect’s workout. Knicks owner James Dolan skipped out on the NBA draft to perform with his band, JD & The Straight Shot, at a local winery-music venue. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who last week said U.S. presidents “cannot obstruct justice,” said President Trump alleged he had tapes of former FBI director James Comey to “rattle” him. The president, who in May insinuated that he had “tapes” of conversations with Comey, tweeted that he, in fact, does not have any such tapes. The lack of diversity at the Rupert Murdoch-owned Wall Street Journal is so dire that some reporters have taken to calling the newspaper “White Castle.” In another example of “life comes at you fast,” Chicago Cubs outfielder and World Series hero Kyle Schwarber was demoted to Triple-A Iowa after batting just .171 through the first 71 games of the season. The trainer for former Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler, in response to his client being traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, said he’s met “drug dealers with better morals” than Bulls general manager Gar Forman. Hip-hop artist Shock G, best known for his seminal 1990s hit “Humpty Dance,” was arrested in Wisconsin on suspicion of drug paraphernalia possession; there was no mention of whether or not the arrest took place at a Burger King restaurant. Just days after Uber CEO Travis Kalanick resigned from the company amid hostile work environment allegations, some company employees began circulating a petition to have Kalanick reinstated, stating “[Travis Kalanick], no matter his flaws (everyone has them) was one of the best leaders I have seen.” Montgomery County, Maryland, police are using DNA evidence to help create composite sketches of those suspected of sexual assault; the DNA, described as “bodily fluids,” is assumed to be male semen. A New York woman who traveled to the Dominican Republic to get reduced breast implants and liposuction developed an infection and now has a hole in one of her breasts; the woman, who traveled to the Caribbean island for a cheaper $5,000 procedure, will now pay over $10,000 in recovery costs. Famed comedian Bill Cosby is planning a series of town halls aimed at young people, specifically athletes, on how to avoid sexual assault allegations. After nearly three months of secrecy, Republican senators publicly released their version of a replacement for the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In unrelated news, only 38 percent of Americans want the president and Congress to repeal and replace the ACA.\nA Trump administration official once filed for bankruptcy because of his wife’s medical bills for treating her chronic Lyme disease. President Trump all but confirmed his former tweets about alleged “tapes” of former FBI director James Comey were an attempt to influence the director’s Senate testimony. Comey, who announced the reopening of an investigation into Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton just 11 days before the Nov. 8 election, refused three weeks earlier to attach his name to a statement on Russia’s involvement in that election because “it was too close to the election for the bureau to be involved.” A North Korea spokesman said the death of American college student Otto Warmbier just days after he was released from imprisonment in the country is a “mystery to us as well.” NBA Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman, who was in North Korea around the same time Warmbier was released last week, said dictator Kim Jong-Un is a “friendly guy,” and the two sing karaoke and ride horses together. Zola, a gorilla at the Dallas Zoo, danced to (a dubbed-over version of) Michael Sembello’s 1996 hit “Maniac.” The St. Louis Cardinals announced their first Pride Night celebration at Busch Stadium; a disgruntled fan demanded that the team “stop forcing this down my throat.” Great Britain, loser of the Revolutionary War, is now putting chocolate in its chili. In response to Pirates of the Caribbean actor Johnny Depp asking an English crowd “When was the last time an actor assassinated a president?” a White House spokesperson condemned the remarks: “President Trump has condemned violence in all forms, and it’s sad that others like Johnny Depp have not followed his lead.” Hours later, New Hampshire state Rep. Al Baldasaro, a Trump campaign adviser, visited the White House; last year, Baldasaro said Hillary Clinton “should be shot in a firing squad for treason.” Five-foot-9 Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas said if he were taller he’d be “the best player in the world.” Nearly 500 Syrian civilians have been killed in U.S.-led airstrikes against two provinces in the Middle Eastern country. Former MTV Jersey Shore star Ronnie Magro-Ortiz, describing his breakup with fellow reality TV star Malika Haqq, said he and Haqq were like “oil and water.” He added: “It tastes good with bread, but it’s just not mixing.” A jury deadlocked for the second time in the case of a police officer killing a black man. After less-than-stellar reviews from critics and Jada Pinkett Smith, and a 22 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the Tupac Shakur biopic All Eyez on Me is being sued for copyright infringement by veteran journalist Kevin Powell.\nMartenzie is an associate editor for The Undefeated. His favorite cinematic moment is when Django said \"Y'all want to see somethin?\"\nThis Story Tagged: The Week That Was","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1764732"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5908404588699341,"wiki_prob":0.5908404588699341,"text":"Def Leppard Rick Allen Speaks Drumming and His Fine Art\nReprinted from Medium article by Carol Ruth Weber\nRick Allen, the famed drummer for Def Leppard, has revealed an amazing artistic side beyond his musical attributes. Allen is wowing fans and gaining new ones with his beautiful fine art collections named \"Drums for Peace\" and his \"Art To Wear\" Collections.\nRick Allen Drums On\nAllen has proven to be a powerful force continuously drumming his life beyond expectations. The drummer, born Richard John Cyril Allen, joined the British rock band, Def Leppard, at the young age of 15 in 1977 right before the group signed their first contract in 1978. With Allen putting the beat in their heavy metal sound, the band quickly gained fame.\nOnly four years after the release of their first album in 1980, the drummer was sidelined by a horrific car accident in 1984. Admittedly speeding in the English countryside, Allen could not maneuver his corvette around a sharp turn and literally hit a wall. That wall would change his life forever.\nAlthough wearing a seatbelt, with the car flipping over multiple times, Allen was thrown from the vehicle. His left arm was literally ripped off during the accident. The drummer survived the crash but despite efforts to reattach his limb, his arm did not make it.\nYet this was not to be the end of Allen’s drumming career. The band had just been commercially recognized by the masses in 1983 after the release of “Pyromania.” Not only did Allen not concede to the notion of never drumming again, his bandmates rallied in full support of Allen’s efforts to continue drumming.\nAllen looked to his feet to take over for the loss of his left arm. A customized drum kit was designed for Allen to be able to play the snare drum with his foot. In 1986 the band got together in a pub to watch Allen perform his new-found drumming skills. He was a hit, and, soon after, Def Leppard was back on stage in full force at the “Monsters of Rock” festival in England. Fans excited to have their favorite drummer return on stage, gave Allen a wonderful inspiring ovation.\nRick Allen Is an Artistic Force\nWith their bandmate drumming in full force, Def Leppard played on. Their “Hysteria” album, released in 1987, firmly planting the heavy metal group in the top hierarchy of rock groups. As Allen continued on with his amazing drumming talent, he has also found another art outlet in painting and creating wearable art.\nIn 2006 the artist visited armed forces patients at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Relating to those who were dealing with lost limbs, Allen founded a charity to help veterans of war who are battling Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).\nAllen performs on stage with his bandmates as well as in a one-man act as a solo for his art shows. Passion and life has motivated him to create beautiful works. Allen gathers much of his inspiration from wounded warriors. His Purple Heart colorful works series is the perfect illustration of how Allen is stimulated to create.\nSpeaking with Rick Allen, the drummer, artist, and caring individual, is truly inspiring.\nCarol Ruth Weber: What first inspired you to start drumming?\nRick Allen: Around 10 years old I found a pair of drumsticks that were probably my fathers, and starting using cookie tins until I found furniture, and got into trouble with my mom [snickering]. My father influenced me with the love of his music collection, everything from Elton John to the Big Bands. My best friend got a guitar for Christmas and I went home to ask my parents for a drum kit. I was first told no, but then they said if I did odd jobs and work I could get one. I worked hard and while I was waiting to get my drums I took drum lessons with Kenny Slade who was playing with Joe Cocker.\nCRW: How did you become involved with Def Leppard at the young age of 15?\nRA: From the point that I got my drum kit I started playing with my friends and had a band. We were playing cover songs and from there every band I ended up playing with played cover songs, and I wanted more! So, at 14 I was going to get out of the business and my parents said there is an article in the Sheffield Star [local paper] saying “Leppard Losses Skins.”\nThey called the editor and got Joe’s information, and within a few days I went and met up with Steve and Joe in a local pub, standing in water in the bathroom we talked about all of the concerts that we had been to. From there we set a date for an audition and I auditioned with a couple of others. A few days later, around my 15th birthday, I was invited to join the band. My sixteenth birthday I opened for ACDC.\nCRW: Did you feel like life ended when the reality of the accident set in?\nRA: Yes and no! Initially it was like I don’t think I can do this anymore. At the time, I was going through many mystical experiences. Then the outpouring from my family, guys in the band, and literally people from all over the planet, gave me a new lease on life. I understood the meaning of how strong the human spirit is.\nPeople wanted to know if I needed to learn how to play drums again. I said no because it was already in me. My body naturally compensated for the loss. It was an important factor in my recovery - realizing new talents. The thing that helped me the most was to stop comparing myself to what I had been, and to stop comparing myself to others, and that is when I found my uniqueness.\nCRW: What drove you to find a way to continue with your art of drumming?\nRA: Family, band mates and the incredible out pouring from all over the world, and some of the experiences that I was happening at the time.\nCRW: What other everyday things did you have to relearn to do with just one arm?\nRA: Shoelaces! Velcro and zippers are great. I love to cook so I had to rethink how to cook.\nCRW: What led you to visiting Walter Reed Army Medical Center in 2006?\nRA: I thought I was just a bigger asshole after the accident. I had no therapy after accident and just went back to work. Once I felt things starting to surface, such as rage, I would self-medicate and it became a vicious cycle. I realized in 2006 that Warriors spoke the same language as me.\nIn 2009 I met John Roberts, who went down in a helicopter in Somalia. At a concert, we met the Warriors and John asked me if I had dealt with my PTSD. That’s when I really started getting the help. Our Foundation has been going since 2001 working with others parts of the population, such as battered women, and kids with cancer. In 2006 I realized we had to change our focus for Raven Drum to start working with Veteran Groups, but that didn’t really kick in until meeting John.\nWe started having 5 to 7 day retreats to help them, but in reality it helped me. There is always someone worse off to reach down to.\nCRW: When did you discover your love for creating fine art?\nRA: Not until recently. When I was a kid, art was just what we did to be creative but I wouldn’t call it fine art. I started painting with my youngest daughter when she was four, a couple of years ago. I saw her go to a mindless place where she was just doing everything from the heart. I realized that all I had to do was stay in the moment and I would do things that people are going to love.\nArt is a time for contemplation – is it good or am I just kidding myself. What I do at home in my art studio, I gather from inspiration on the road. I’ll plan it out on the road by marking it up with apps. I feel like some of what I do has a childlike quality.\nMy grandfather gave me a camera when I was seven or eight. Photography became my friend, especially after my accident because it was something else I could obsess over and express myself other than music. But everything led to the same road to creativity with a new thing to obsess over.\nCRW: Where do you find inspiration to create your artworks?\nRA: It comes from my heart and all of my life experiences, including my family and working with Wounded Warriors. From not being afraid to be vulnerable. All the same things that inspire the music - family, friends, traveling – such as New York and Big Sur.\nI gathered huge inspiration being in Boston from some of the statues, really from everywhere. There are no rules - I will take a picture and then start manipulating, turning it into something that I can continue with.\nCRW: How did you become a fashionista creating wearable art?\nRA: I got over the fear of presenting something new to the world. My wife was like, you have to show your artwork and photographs. I had a fear of rejection but once I presented it I got a positive response. I could push it in any direction I want. I produce prototypes of a suggestion and then designers work with me to hone the finished productions.\nNext I would love to get into lost wax castings.\nThe British Allen is happily married, with two daughters, living in California. Allen’s wife, Lauren Monroe, is also his partner in creating and paying forward. Inspired by meeting wounding servicemen and women, they founded the Raven Drum Foundation and Project Resiliency. The foundation has an important mission to support those globally in crisis.\n“To serve, educate and empower veterans and people in crisis. To support, promote, and contribute to global healing, multicultural unification, and community leadership.”\nRick Allen’s life force is contagious in his drive to create and help others. As he continues to tour with Def Leppard, Allen is also busy traveling to showcase his artwork, with the backing of Wentworth Galleries. The amazing artist also makes sure to have time to spread his goodwill in support of veterans.\nShow your support and subscribe: Sign up for email subscription at the top of the column on the right side.\n#RickAllen #DefLeppard #Music #Art #WoundedWarriors\nCentral Park Bombing Terror Cold Case Must be Solved\nFirst Energy Efficient Passive House Pre-K Built in the US\nThe Cutting Room Hosts Menu and Decor to Match Entertainment","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1643304"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6352047324180603,"wiki_prob":0.6352047324180603,"text":"The Economics of Accessibility & Universal Design\nConcerns regarding the costs associated with making buildings accessible are often raised by architects, builders and building owners, but questions abound regarding how these costs compare to the benefits derived.\nOver the past two years, Australia has seen a significant change in the legislation requirements for the provision of access to people with disabilities, the Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standard 2010 and its harmonisation with the Building Code of Australia being the most significant. Prior to the implementation of the new regulations, a series of Regulatory Impact Statements (RIS) attempted to quantify the costs associated with the changes they brought.\nPredictably, incorporating the new standard’s requirements into new buildings was found to be more cost effective then retrofitting existing buildings. The RIS to the Access to Premises – Buildings standard reported cost estimates as low as one per cent of total construction cost in some new developments. Multi-storey buildings with heritage significance were identified as building types likely to incur the highest costs.\nWhile the costs are somewhat tangible and can be more readily quantified, the benefits may not be.\nOrganisations offering public spaces for the provision of their goods and services may be losing out on possible sales by not meeting the needs for people with a disability and older people (estimated at 18.5 per cent and 14 per cent, respectively, of Australia’s population according the Australian Bureau of Statistics).\nThe employment rate for people with disabilities is also substantially lower to that of the overall population, with some estimates as low as 38 per cent for wheelchair users. This has several flow-on effects including that a higher proportion of people rely on government pensions and that this portion of the population earns considerably less on average than the rest of the population. An increase in workplace participation would result in people with disabilities having a larger income, enabling them to participate further as consumers in the economy. It would also lead to significant savings in government spending.\nMany of the provisions for access to people with disability also have implications for the safe use of buildings. For instance, wider passageways make the movement of goods and furniture easier and safer for service people, stairs with well-designed handrails on both sides may reduce the incidence of accidents, slip resistant floor finishes and increased lighting levels may reduce falls. The potential savings in hospitalisation and medical expenses as well as lost productivity could be significant, but would also be impossible to accurately predict and measure.\nFurthermore, there are benefits derived by other groups such as families with small children who use prams and people with temporary disabilities such as sporting injuries. Greater accessibility could also lead to increases in specific industries such as tourism.\nMany additional benefits can be identified within the residential sector. The combination of inappropriate housing design and an aging population bring about issues such as increased hospital admissions, and home care and support and early aged care admissions become increasingly prevalent.\nThe costs of future modifications to existing housing stock are also very significant with little support from government available to people needing such modifications. Savings could also be found in preventing falls within homes as well as caregiver injuries for those managing the needs of people with disabilities in less than favourable environments.\nClearly, there is a real need for further empirical evidence to be produced to better evaluate these questions. The potential benefits are many and varied and the beneficiaries extend far beyond the needs of people with disabilities.\nhttp://designbuildsource.com.au/the-economics-of-accessibility-and-universal-design","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1269723"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7328642010688782,"wiki_prob":0.2671357989311218,"text":"Focusing on Other Things\nWell, it’s all but official. We’re heading to another lockdown by next week. Will I be davening at home or with a minyan is still up in the air. But, it seems certain, that at least I’ll get to enjoy my Sukkos--in my Sukkah.\nOf course, nobody is happy about this. But of course, everybody has themselves to blame. The government, for opening up so quickly, having silly rules, silly counting mechanisms for the sick, not enforcing the real rules, empty threats, etc., and the people, for not being careful. You have mass anti-Netenyahu protests, mass weddings in the religious world, full bars and pubs, people not being careful with masks. And now, we all have to go to lockdown which will cause tremendous financial hardships for many people.\nIt’s an important lesson. Don’t think that your actions affect only yourself.\nOkay…on to more positive things.\nThere's a famous Gemara regarding Rebbe Elazar ben Shimon, who once met a very ugly man. As he passed him, he asked him, \"Are all people in your city as ugly as you?\" To which the man replied, \"Go and complain to the one who made me.\" At that point, Rebbe Elazar begged the man for forgiveness.\nIt's a very strange Gemara. We're not speaking of some regular person with bad middos. We're speaking of the son of Rebbe Shimon bar Yochai. Obviously, something deeper is going on.\nRav Meir of Premishlan gave his own interpretation of this Gemara. When Rebbe Elazar passed this man, the man was in the middle of davening. And throughout his davening, his face was contorted, and he was making strange gestures with his body. Rebbe Elazar did not approve of this, since this is not how you speak to the King. He therefore reprimanded him for his conduct. When the man told Rebbe Elazar to speak to \"his Creator\" about it, he was \"putting blame\" on Hashem. And for what?\nThis man suffered with all sorts of thoughts throughout his davening. No matter how much he tried to concentrate, his mind would automatically carry him somewhere else. When he was fighting these thoughts, his face and body would contort in strange ways. Therefore he said to Rebbe Elazar, \"You were born to holy parents and were raised in a holy environment, so you have no problems davening with pure thoughts. I, however, was not born in such a situation. Therefore, I'm plagued with these terrible thoughts throughout my davening, and each time I daven, I need to fight them with all my strength. So, go speak to your Creator…He made me this way.\"\nRav Yaakov Meir Schecter writes that we learn two things from here which are important to remember, especially during the next few weeks in which we increase our davening. The first is that unwanted thoughts in davening are not necessarily your fault. When you have issues with focusing, you don't have to be down on yourself. You were given a certain mental capacity (to concentrate) and a certain soul. You can only work with what you have.\nRav Schecter continues to explain that while the person was right in that regard, Rebbe Elazar was right as well. This person was fighting these thoughts with \"frontal assaults,\" doing his best to keep these thoughts out of his davening. But this is not necessarily the right approach.\nIt's known that a person can only think of one thing at a time. Yes, he can switch between thoughts, but he cannot think of two subjects at the same time. Therefore, instead of fighting to rid oneself of these thoughts during davening, or bad or depressing thoughts at any time, one should \"simply\" try to focus on another thought.\nRegarding bad thoughts in the street, he should focus on something pure, like Torah, or at least something neutral or pleasing, like a funny story you heard, maybe something from work, or set your mind on something else that you can focus on. (Where I live, which is mainly secular, many women suffer allergic reactions to clothes on their bodies in the summer. “Thankfully,” there are many dog owners as well, who let their dogs go wherever they wish. One member of the Kollel remarked that we need to be thankful for all the “treats” that the dogs leave in the middle of the street, so we’re so focused on where we are walking that we are forced not to look up at other things.)\nWith davening, the best suggestion is to simply put your finger on the words in the siddur and say each word, one at a time, focusing just on the simple meaning of the words themselves.\nBy fighting the Yetzer Horah front-on, you are rarely going to win. He needs to be pushed off to the side. By focusing on the simple meaning of each word, one can slowly build himself up to concentrate more and more in his davening, and to push evil or depressing thoughts out on the street.\nOur Actions Have Consequences\nWith possible chemical attacks in the horizon, my wife and I did our inventory of gas masks and discussed the idea of making sure the kids are comfortable in them. We saw a video on the Homefront Command on how to unpack and put them on. However, two things really bothered me about it: 1) It told us that we are NOT to open up our kits unless needed and 2) Given our location to the launch sites, we have 30 seconds from the launch time (or detection time, I’m not clear on that) to unpack, put together, and put on all the masks for the entire family.\nThat didn’t make me feel good.\nI’m also wondering how the mask will work with my beard?\nOh well… I hope not to have to find out.\n“And all the nations will say, ‘Why did Hashem do this to this land?’” (Devarim 29:23)\nI saw an interesting quote from Rav Schach concerning this pasuk, which is extremely relevant to the current military and political situation in Israel.\nMoshe warned us that even the non-Jews, after seeing the destruction of Eretz Yisroel, are going to wonder how is it that the Jewish nation deserved such a level of destruction. The next pasuk answers such a question: “Because they abandoned the covenant of Hashem, G-d of their fathers that He made with them when He took them out of the land of Egypt”.\nNo other nation in the world has ever enjoyed a covenant with G-d, Himself. History has proven the existence of this covenant over and over again. It’s bad enough when a person breaks his covenant with another person, but do so, with Hashem?\nIn our world, when a person, as an individual sins, he is listening to his Yetzer Horah, and the result is between himself and Hashem. However, when a community as a whole, decides to work against Hashem, THAT is a break in the covenant.\nThere is a man in charge of his country’s military assets only 60km from where I live (17 km, if you count Lebanon), who has shown the world that he has no problems using chemical weapons. He’s threatening to use these weapons on us if he himself is attacked by the United States (makes sense, no?). All this is coming on the heel of a major blow that this current government has given the Torah world in terms of budget cuts (up to 66% cuts, and yes… we’re certainly feeling it), forcing yeshivos of all stripes (Chareidi or Religious Zionists) to close, all in order that the government should gain control over them or to shut them down completely.\nShould we not be a bit worried when a country that calls itself the “Jewish homeland”, makes such an attack on Torah institutions? It’s easy to say, “Ah… nothing will come of it!” However, the Torah continues:\n“Perhaps there is among you a man or woman, or a family or tribe, whose hear turns away today from being with Hashem, our G-d, to go and serve the gods of those nations; perhaps there is among you a root growing. And it will be that when he hears the words of this oath, he will bless himself in his heart, saying, ‘I will have peace, though I go as my heart sees fit’ – there by adding the drunk with the thirsty” (Devarim 17-18)\nDo we not have what to worry about? When a person (and his party), who wears a kippah, openly declares war on Torah, abandons those who supported him, and sides with another anti-Jewish party… should this not be a sign that PERHAPS something is not good here?\nContinues Rav Schach: “This is why it is such a serious matter when Jews organize themselves into a secular political entity and declare secular law to be above that of the Torah. WHEN THIS HAPPENS WE MUST BE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES OF OUR INFIDELITY. As Torah Jews, we must recognize our responsibility to protect the entire nation from harm. Therefore, we must try to balance the scales on behalf of non-religious Jews, by learning more, increasing our awe of Heaven and improving our fulfillment of the commandments.”\nThe safety of the citizens of Israel, does not rest in the hands of Washington or Jerusalem, nor the American or Israeli military: It rests in those who keep Torah and mitzvos.\nWith Rosh HaShanah around the corner and an evil man in control of chemical weapons only 60 km away from major Jewish population centers, we should truly be fearful for our future and should use whatever time we have now to see to it that the future is a bright one.\nHave a wonderful and meaningful Shabbos!\nInitiating True Change\nMy wife and I had another... discussion the other week.\nI recently purchased a new suit for Shabbos, since a gift certificate fell into my hand.\nMy wife wants me to finally retire my weekday jacket and use my old Shabbos jacket as the new weekday jacket. I replied that I don't like throwing out clothes that are still usable. She pointed out that my jacket is falling apart, graying, and fraying at the seams, and that I have to listen to her.\nI, using my vast Talmudic knowledge, quoted the Gemara in Brachos which talks about the fact that everybody is surrounded by demons that are obviously invisible. The Gemara goes ahead and gives examples of where you can see evidence of these demons. One of the results of these demons is that they fray the garments of Torah Scholars. Obviously it’s clear that I’m a Torah Scholar then and even if I got a new jacket, it will only fray shortly after. Makes sense?\nShe didn't buy it.\n\"The matter is very close to you in your mouth and heart to do it\" (Devarim 30 14)\nRav Chaim Shmuelevitz notes on this pasuk, that regardless of how far a person is, if he resolves to change, he can have an immediate effect on himself from that one resolution.\nWhen a person makes a verbal commitment to change for the positive, that commitment will have a major impact in his personal growth. We're not talking about a mental note. We're talking about saying out loud, \"I am going to control my anger\", \"I am going to say the first bracha in the Amidah with concentration\".\nThe actual act of saying it out loud will have an effect on you. Certainly repeating it will help you internalize that message. All the more so when you are at that “crossroad of temptation”. By closing your eyes and verbalizing your commitment, it will work wonders towards overcoming your yetzer horah.\nOnce you begin to internalize the message, you will find it easier to initiate the change in action as well. This is an important lesson to keep in mind with Rosh Hashanah just around the corner.\nLearning Properly\nWith Shmittah beginning this week, my wife and I have to make a decision.\nThere are two minhagim ('traditions') in Israel, which differ on one small point, yet have profound consequences.\nThere are three main ways to get produce during Shmittah:\n1. Through Otzer Beis Din. The farmer, as per halacha, does not work his land, declares the produce ownerless, and Beis Din (Jewish court) comes, harvests it, and brings it to the store. Since, the produce was ownerless; the fruits are cheaper than ever. You just pay for the 'travel' expense.\n2. From produce outside of Israel. Since it's not from Israel, it has no holiness.\n3. Arab produce (from Israel), which we get during the other six years as well.\nThe question is: what is the status of Arab produce in Israel? Does it contain holiness or not?\nMinhag Yerushaliyim (Jerusalem) says 'no'. It's like produce from outside of Israel and can be treated in any way.\nMinhag Bnei Brak says 'yes', and each vegetable must be treated properly, and cannot be thrown away in a normal manner.\nBoth are completely acceptable and both have very big people keeping it. However, if you hold Minhag Bnei Brak, you will be running your kitchen and shopping in a more careful way for the next year and a half.\nWith Shmittah produce, you have a mitzvah to 'guard' it , by treating it with respect. If you don't, you do an aveirah (sin).\nSo, if you keep Minhag Yerushaliyim, there's no risk, since it has no holiness, yet at the same time, you're not performing the mitzvah.\nHowever, with Minhag Bnei Brak, every time you treat it properly and 'guard' its holiness, it's a mitzvah, AND the food you are eating contains holiness. However, you get a black mark if you treat it improperly.\nRight now, since we've been brushing up on our Shmittah education and asking questions, we're leaning towards Bnei Brak. This happens only in Israel and only once in seven years. It's too hard to pass up on this opportunity.\nOkay, on to more Torah!\n\"And you will hear these words and bless yourself in your heart saying, \"I will have peace, I will go with the whim of my heart...\" Devarim (29:18)\nA few years ago we spoke of this pasuk and said that this can refer those that change around the Torah to fit their desires. After \"correcting\" what they believe Hashem somehow made wrong, they will be able to live their lives in a happy, \"Jewish\" manner.\nThis pasuk can refer to another type of personality that we all contain a little of.\nThe more time I spend learning, the more time I realize what little we know. In the mornings, we learn halacha. We start with the Gemara, move to the Rif, Rabbenu Yona, the Rosh, the Rambam, the Tur, Beis Yosef, and finally the Shulchan Oruch and Mishnah Brurah.\nUnfortunately, most Jews have no idea who these names are.\nSimply put, they are the basic “founding fathers” of Jewish law. In order to know, understand, and render halacha, you need these as a mere beginning.\nHowever, most people are satisfied with their lot. They have no need to know who these great rabbeim are or what they have to say. They can read about Jewish law in a Jewish paper, internet, or an Artscroll book. Suddenly we know all the important things, we know the halacha, and we are free to render judgment. We pat ourselves on the back when we 'know' what we're talking about, and we feel free to argue in halacha with others.\nWe live in true ignorance, and thinking we know it all, we live in bliss.\nHashem gave us the Torah to learn, understand, and integrate into our lives. When we have a question, whether in halacha or in Jewish outlook, we have two options:\n1. We can say, \"Well, I believe...\"\n2. We can sit, learn, ask questions, and understand.\nIf we walk around thinking that we have all the Torah we need, we will continue to fool ourselves for the rest of our lives. With our lack of knowledge, we will only continue to fall in our growth.\nOr, we can learn and strive to understand the Torah the way it is meant to be. We can sit and toil for hours and days to find out the underlying reasons for halachos or beliefs, and truly know Torah. It might not be as 'quick and painless' as the first option, but it will lead us to live a proper life as the Torah wanted us to.\nWith that, I wish you all an excellent Shabbos!\nEverything is a Mitzvah!\nI learned a very important marriage lesson this week.\nWhenever my Rosh Yeshiva or his sons or brothers has any computer issues, he comes to me thinking that I actually know what I’m doing. On several occasions this past month, he has had some issues and questions in which I helped him out with.\nEarlier this week, he gave a shmooze for all the Kollel wives concerning Rosh Hashanah. Thankfully, my wife was able to attend. Afterward the shmooze, my wife approached the Rebbetzin Rosh Yeshiva and re-introduced herself, since they do not see each other so much. After the Rebbetzin heard my wife’s last name, she told her how much she and the Rosh Yeshiva appreciate all the help I gave them.\nLet’s be clear on something, folks. My Rosh Yeshiva is a very busy person. He’s constantly on the move with people to see, places to go, and Torah to learn. Yet, nonetheless, he finds time in his day to speak to his wife about such ‘mundane’ things as who helped him with his computer problem. Nothing deep, nothing big, just sitting and keeping her up to date with everything in his life.\n\"You are all standing today, all of you, before Hashem\" (Devarim 29:9)\nThis week's parsha is always read the Shabbos before Rosh Hashanah (by the way, next Shabbos is Rosh Hashanah for those of us who haven’t realized it). It serves as a reminder on what Rosh Hashanah is about: Standing before Hashem.\nRav Avigdor Miller says that the above pasuk serves as a positive-mitzvah (compared to a negative - \"don't do this\" mitzvah). How is this so?\nMesillas Yesharim says, \"Man is veritably placed in the midst of a raging battle. For all the affairs of the world, whether for good or bad, are a trial for a man\".\nThe Chovos Halvavos says that at first glance it seems that all the actions of man can be broken down into three categories:\n1. Mitzvah\n2. Aveirah (sin)\n3. Rshus (something that is permitted to do, but is not a mitzvah)\nAfter close examination, he realized that really there are only two categories: Mitzvah and Aveirah.\nWhat is Mesillas Yesharim and Chovos Halvavos trying to say?\nEvery action that a person takes is a mitzvah or aveirah. How is this possible? Is playing tennis a mitzvah or an aveirah? How about brushing one's teeth? Or going on vacation? Aren't these examples of \"rshus\", things that are neutral?\nThey answer, \"No\". These acts can be a performed as a mitzvah or an aveirah.\nThe Shulchan Oruch states, \"All one's deeds should be for the sake of Heaven\". As Rav Miller said, \"When a person eats breakfast, he should think, 'I am eating breakfast to have the strength to serve Hashem'. How long does that take- three seconds?\"\n\"I have placed life and death before you; blessing and curse, and you shall choose life so that you will live\" (Devarim 30:19)\nUnfortunately, a person usually comes to realize how much of his life he misused when he is much older. Every second can be used earning reward. How? By \"choosing life\". What is considered \"choosing life\"? Is it sitting and learning all day? Is it doing acts of kindness? Is it davening? Is it raising your children properly? Yes and no. The answer is dependent on whether or not you are transforming that action into a mitzvah.\nWhen we exercise, we should have in mind that we are doing so in order to keep ourselves healthy to serve Hashem. When we take a vacation, we should do so in order to relax ourselves physically and mentally in order to better serve Hashem. This is true in all actions. You could be cleaning your washroom, and with the proper mentality (i.e. cleaning for Shabbos), it can be counted as \"choosing life\".\nWith Rosh Hashanah quickly approaching, it behooves us to try to implement this mentality. By beginning now, we can transform so many mundane activities into mitzvos. We can easily 'rack up' more mitzvos in the next week then we did in the past month!\nWith this, I wish you all a great Shabbos!\nTshuva is Closer Than You Thought\nMy apologies for not getting a dvar torah out last week; I was down with something that's been going around here. During my sickness, I was giving some thought into a new halachic insight. As we all know, since I keep bringing it up, people outside of Israel keep two days for Yom Tov on Pesach, Shavous, and Succos, while those living in Israel keep only one. Now, Rosh Hashanah is a bit different. Everybody keeps two days. Okay, fine, I can deal with it. However, since people outside of Israel keep one day of Yom Kippur, perhaps people living in Israel should only keep a half a day? Just a thought... on to Torah!\n\"For this mitzvah that I command you today is not hidden from you and it is not distant... It is not in heaven... Nor is it across the sea... Rather, the matter is very near to you, in your mouth and your heart to perform it\" (Devarim 30:11-14)\nThe Ramban (30:11) writes that based off of the previous pasuk, \"this mitzvah\" refers to the mitzvah of tshuva (repentance). About tshuva, the Torah continues and says, \"it is very near to you, in your mouth and your heart to perform it\".\nRav Avraham Pam asks, \"Is this really so?\"\nAnybody who has learned even a little bit of writings on tshuva, such as Shaarei Tshuva or Rambam's Hilchos Tshuva, knows that tshuva is a very difficult process. A person is considered as if he did tshuva if Hashem can 'testify' that he will never return to his past deeds. His tshuva has to be so complete, that it seems as it's extremely difficult to do.\nRav Pam notes that many people are \"cold\" during the period of Elul and the Yomim Nora'im (Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur). They believe that changing themselves around so much is too difficult a task to accomplish. They put their heads down, go through the motions, eat their honey and apples, say slichos, fast on Yom Kippur, and hope it all passes by as quick as possible so they can return to their \"regularly scheduled program\".\nSays, Rav Pam, this is a tragic mistake. Elul is the time when \"I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine\" (Shir Hashirim 6:3. In Hebrew the first letter of each word of this verse spells out 'Elul'). This is THE time of the year, where Hashem is \"closest\" to His creations. Being that He IS G-d, Hashem understands the situation down here on earth, and understands that we will slip and sin. However, this period of time has been created specifically to rectify our behaviour and mode of conduct so it matches that which Hashem wants from us. So, what can we do?\nTake a businessman as an example. Here he is, burdened by a failing business. He has no money, yet tons of debt to pay off. At this point, the only option he has is to declare bankruptcy. While according to civil law, he would be under no obligation to continue to pay off his debts, the Torah does not allow it.\nWhat would an honest businessman do? He would speak to his debtors and plead for more time. On top of this, he would gather together some form of token payment to give to them, showing that he will do his best to pay them back, despite his current situation. As things begin to improve, he will continue to pay off his debts little by little.\nThis is applicable to every Jew during this time. We have all sorts of faults and sins, but nonetheless, during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur we beg for more time. While we cannot possible fix everything all at once, we give a 'token gift' to Hashem. We take on one small thing to work on to show that we are serious. From there, we can and will slowly pay off our 'debts', as the Talmud (Yoma 39a) says, \"if a person sanctifies himself a little, he is sanctified greatly (by Heaven)\".\nSo, how does a person figure out what they should work on? Rav Pam gives an answer based off of the above pasuk, \"The matter is very close to you\". A person should choose to work on something that he feels is close to him and can achieve success in.\nThe Netziv writes a similar suggestion based on the pasuk, \"Follow the path of your heart\" Koheles (11:9). There are different paths to serve Hashem. Some people put a bigger focus on prayer, some on charity, some on learning Torah, etc... (while obviously not ignoring the other paths). Some people simply feel more of a connection to some types of mitzvahs. The Netziv suggests that a person should \"follow the path of your heart\". Take what has more meaning to you and put more of a focus on it. Instead of running around trying to perfect everything, find something close to you and work on perfecting that. Obviously this needs to be done in conjunction with a rav who knows you and can help guide you.\nWith all this in mind, we can see how tshuva IS \"very near to you\". By finding the right mitzvah to work on, we can show Hashem that we really DO wish to change this year, that this 'down payment' is just that: a down payment. Hopefully, the rest of the year can be used to pay back the rest. On that note, have a great Shabbos!\nMy most humble apologies for getting this out late. I've been working through lunch this week, trying to convert a program from Active Server Pages to Java, all without having an ounce of knowledge in Java. The cool thing about it is, I got to set up a separate server to run it, and now I have three monitors in my workspace, bringing my Nerd Value up several points. Okay, let's move on to Torah!\n\"And he will bless himself in his heart saying, 'Peace will be with me, though I walk as my heart sees fit'\" (29:18)\nJust a warning. Figuring that Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are just around the corner, and it's always good to get cold water splashed on your face around now, this dvar torah will be a little more straightforward than others in the past. Obviously, this is only to serve every one of us as a wakeup call.\nThe pasuk in the Torah warns us of a psychological thing that occurs in people. Despite hearing warnings of what will happen if we don't obey the Torah, we like to say to ourselves, \"It's all right, I'm okay, it'll be the guy next door who gets it, since he's really deserving of it\". This is a giant no-no.\nRav Zvi Pesach Frank offers some insight into this pasuk. He believes that it's directed particularly to those who believe that walking around doing 'good deeds', will automatically put you into the category of a \"good Jew\". He believes it is his good heart (\"...as my heart sees fit...\") that will ultimately save him. \"So what, if I don't do other mitzvos...at least I have a good heart\", he will say to himself. According to Rav Frank, this is exactly the person who the Torah is speaking to. While having a good heart is imperative in Judaism, it is not the sum of all things. Just as the heart is one of the central organs of the body, and a person cannot survive without it; no matter how healthy that heart is, if the liver or brain dies, so does the body. I believe it was Rav Zev Cohen, who was once asked, \"If I give money to charity, and help the homeless, yet I don't do other mitzvos, does that make me a good Jew?\". His response, \"No...A good person? Absolutely. But to be a good Jew, you must do your best to improve in EVERY mitzvah that you can do.\"\nThe Chofetz Chaim (who lived earlier this century) writes that this pasuk refers to groups of Jews who \"translate\" the Torah differently. They have bold \"new\" approaches, in keeping Judaism alive. In their minds, they do not sin, since they \"walk as my heart sees fit\". Instead of meeting head on in battle with the Yetzer Horah, they give up more and more, all the while convincing themselves, that their \"interpretations\" are correct.\nBoth of these lessons apply to both those who are religious, and those who are not. It is human nature to not look in the mirror and look at ones ways, in an honest and truthful manner, and that is something we need to overcome during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. We must take note of which mitzvos we are doing well, which ones we have improved on since last year, which ones we need to improve, and which ones we have not touched, yet we know in our hearts, we should try to do. We are not obligated to reach super-lofty levels in merely a few weeks, but we are obligated, as the pasuk says, to take a hard look at ourselves, and see where we can truly improve ourselves.\nHe is Standing in Front of Us\n\"I call the heaven and the earth today to bear witness against you\" (30:19)\nLike many of you, I'm sure, I've always wondered why Hashem has chosen the heaven and earth to be witnesses to his declarations. Well, Rashi and Rav Moshe Feinstein \"tag up\" to give us some insight into this manner.\nRashi comments that if heaven and earth, which are not subject to reward and punishment, do not go against Hashem's will, how much more so should we, who ARE subject to reward and punishment, be careful to do His will.\nWell, everything seems nice and pretty with this Rashi, but Rav Moshe Feinstein has a problem. How could we compare the heaven and earth, which are inanimate objects with no free will, to mankind (or womankind if you prefer) who do possess free will, and CAN go against Hashem's wishes, if he (or she) so feels. One way to look at this problem is based on the Rambam, who holds that the angels (who \"control\" heaven and earth, basically the heavenly version of middle-management) actually DO have the freedom of choice to do what they want. So why is it that Saturn doesn't break off its orbit, head straight to earth, and use its rings to slice this planet in half to raise itself as the new super-power of the Solar System? Simple! Because the rings are made of giant ice-chunks and won't be able to cut through the earth's crust...that's why! Duh! But, I guess there's another more \"spiritual\" reason that it doesn't happen. Even though these angels have freedom of choice, they are so aware of Hashem's presence that they would never even think of not following His orders.\nYour average human being is not going to stand on the railroad tracks while a train is coming at him at Mach 2, even though he has free choice. Why? Because he is acutely aware of his situation. If he stands on the tracks, the train will hit him. If the train hits him, he will feel much pain and anguish. No. He won't feel anything, since his head was disconnected from his body a split second beforehand. Did I make my point clear enough? Just as this person is not going to stand on the train tracks since he knows exactly what is going to happen, the angel is not going to disobey Hashem, since He is right there in front of him.\nSo what does that leave us with? Simple. We should strive to constantly have in mind that Hashem is a reality who is constantly, \"standing in front of us.\" We will always have the freedom of choice, but when we \"see\" Him in front of us every minute, we would be foolish to do anything against His will. Have a great Shabbos!\nWaiting for Moshiach\n\"Then Hashem, your G-d, will bring back your captivity and have mercy upon you, and He will gather you in.\" (30:13)\nThe Rambam learns from this pasuk that we have an obligation to believe in the coming of Moshiach who will finally bring us back to Israel in the final redemption. In fact the Brisker Rav says that it is not sufficient to believe in the concept of Moshiach, but we are obligated to look forward to his coming each and every day. Hence we say in our davening, \"For we hope for Your salvation every day.\" Rav Schwab writes that we have unfortunately become impatient. \"We want him NOW. We don't want to wait!\" We forget that we cannot bring Moshiach down to our level, rather we must raise ourselves to his. Moshiach will arrive when we do tshuva (repent) and are worthy of his coming.\nWhat does it mean to wait for Moshiach everyday? To expect that he might arrive any moment? If we truly believed that Moshiach could arrive any moment, would we build such fancy homes and live expensive lifestyles? Why should we bother if Moshiach could show up any moment?\nRav Nachum Zev Ziv makes an analogy. Imagine a house where a member of the family is very ill. They know the doctor is coming, and they all sit around and wait for the doctor to arrive. A knock at the door! They all immediately rush to open the door...only to find the next-door neighbor. The return to the living room, shortly after another knock on the door! ...This time it's the mailman...again and again this is repeated, but nonetheless the family members get excited each and every time there is a knock at the door, without losing faith in the doctor, since they KNOW he will be there shortly. Finally, after the long wait, the doctor arrives and cures his patient. No matter how many false alarms there were, the family's hopes did not dim. This is how we should wait for Moshiach!\nThree days ago we heard a very big knock at the door. For decades now, the leaders of the Jewish people have all said that we are in the days of Moshiach's coming. Even this week, we are told that things are moving at even a faster pace. Moshiach can easily be waiting at the other side of the door. The question is: are we really ready for him?","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line685161"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6906843781471252,"wiki_prob":0.6906843781471252,"text":"by Rick Weinberg, Editor-in-Chief, California Business Journal\nTed Nichols developed a revolutionary process for cleaning and dehydrating pipelines that made him an industry icon and saved clients thousands of dollars.\nBy Rick Weinberg, Editor, California Business Journal.\nEVERYWHERE YOU LOOK IN AMERICA, in every industry, throughout the industrial and technological revolution, there are pioneers. Some big, some small. Some famous royalty like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, some not so well-known.\nIt’s difficult to know exactly where Ted Nichols fits in. But if you talk to anyone who works on pipelines in the U.S., Nichols is as famous as some of the most prominent pioneers of American industry.\nWhat Nichols did was pioneer a new, more effective way of cleaning and dehydrating pipelines that has saved companies hundreds of thousands of dollars over the last half century. Specifically, he established dryer improvements, “pig” design and a more efficient utilization of labor in the pipeline dehydration field.\n“He’s one of the founding fathers of the drying process and the methods of cleaning as we know it today,” says Shayne Robertson, who was so impressed with Nichols’ revolutionary procedure that he left a competitor to join Nichols Pipelines Services, Inc.\nNichols’ innovative improvements eliminated the need for companies to use outside labor and lease expensive equipment, saving them hundreds of thousands of dollars. He also speeded up the drying process by specialized pig design and equipment modifications.\nBasically, what Nichols did for the industry is akin to what Charles Hall did when he discovered the method of producing aluminum more inexpensively, enabling it to be brought into wide commercial use.\n“Ted is the one of the primary people responsible for simplifying the cleaning and dehydration pipeline cleaning process,” Robertson says. “He did what no one else could do and what no one else thought of at the time.”\nOf course, Nichols downplays his role in this significant industry improvement, saying in his Southern twang, “Ah, shucks, it wasn’t that big a deal.” Well, it was. Maybe small in the big scheme of things, but big nonetheless in the pipeline industry.\n“The big thing was having a more efficient utilization of labor,” Nichols says. “At the time, no one really thought that the on-site labor crew could be taught quickly enough to clean and dehydrate the pipelines.”\nBut Nichols thought otherwise. And he proved it. He took his best-trained supervisors – which were far more knowledgeable and experienced than the competition – and he dispatched them to the work sites, thereby eliminating potential problems, speeding up the drying process and saving his clients money. He also hired local pipeline contractors, rather than out-of-the-area contractors, to speed up the process and save money.\nPrior to that, upon finishing the prep and preliminary work, crews would wait around for an entire new crew to arrive on-site to finish up. But Nichols thought to himself, “Why wait? Let’s teach these guys here how to do it, we’ll use our equipment, and we’ll save ourselves a lot of time and money.”\nNichols’ clients always appreciated his knowledge and experience, as well as his honesty, integrity and his straightforward business approach.\nNichols’ business approach comes from what his parents taught him at a young age: “Mother and Dad always taught us boys, ‘Your word is your bond, do a better job than expected, and your customers will always come back,’” Ted says.\n“He’s a wonderful man who is very trustworthy,” says Ted’s wife of 47 years, Cindy. “Once he gets a client, they never want to leave him.”\nJames Stavinoha of Troy Construction in Houston is one of those customers who’d never consider doing business with anyone other than Ted Nichols.\n“He’s a super guy — straight up, fair and honest,” Stavinoha says. “He’s a pleasure to work with because he’s fair and there’s never an argument about anything. He always delivers what he says he’s going to deliver. He’s a class act.”\nLittle Rock Roots\nNichols was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, and he grew up in Star City as the oldest of three boys. He attended the University of Arkansas, where he received his Bachelors degree and later did post graduate work in law and management.\nWhile working at Vulcan Materials in Odessa, Texas after college, Ted became friends with Frank Lamberton. Later on, when Lamberton opened a branch in Houston in 1979 of Parkem Industrial Services, which included pipeline services, he hired Nichols as manager of pipeline services.\nThat was the beginning of Nichols’ work in the pipeline industry. He later worked at ABC Nitrogen Services, Nitrogen Pipeline Service, Coulter Services and Pipetronix before starting his own business in 1998 with the help and financial support of J.W. Gully, owner of Sunbelt Equipment Marketing.\n“He always wanted to have his own business,” Cindy Nichols says, “but with having to educate our two daughters, Candace and Caroline, and having a secure job with good benefits, Ted waited until the time was right.”\nSince raising the curtain on his business, Nichols has cleaned and dried thousands of miles of pipeline throughout the U.S.\n“He’s special in our industry,” Robertson says. “He’s made the process easier and better for everyone.”\n“For 40-plus years, there’s nothing I enjoyed more than working in this industry,” Nichols says. “There is nothing that couldn’t fit me better.”\nEditor’s note: Nichols Pipeline Services was sold to Weatherford International. Since then, Nichols has started T&C Rentals, Inc. which rents and sells pipeline dehydration equipment throughout the U.S.\nTo view the magazine version of this article, click here.\nCopyright © 2013 California Business Journal\n[California Business News Information]\n[Rick Weinberg is Editor-in-Chief at California Business Journal. He is a well-known journalist, writer and reporter who has worked for the New York Times, FOX and ESPN. He launched CalBizJournal.com to focus on California businesses and business professionals and California business information and news.]\nTags: AmericaAmericanCaliforniacollegecommercialcontractorsfocushonestHoustonindustrialinformationintegrityjobsjournalistlawlocalmarketingNew YorkNicholspigpipelinereporterrevolutionaryted nicholsTexas\nTHE NEW ART: POP SHUI\nTHE SIDEMAN\nRick Weinberg, Editor-in-Chief, California Business Journal\nRick Weinberg is Editor-in-Chief at California Business Journal. He is a well-known journalist, writer, reporter and on-air talent who has worked for the New York Times, FOX and ESPN. He launched California Business Journal to focus on California businesses and business professionals as well as California business news and information. Contact: Rick@CalBizJournal.com / 949-648-3815\nWorried About Cybersecurity For Your Business? You Should Be\nRewriting The Narrative: The Future Of Work","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line405994"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8822311162948608,"wiki_prob":0.8822311162948608,"text":"Film Shorts\nChow, Baby\nEats Feature\nBlotch\nWinner’s Circle 2020\nRoute DFW Food Truck Guide\nGallery Week 2020\nDads & Grads 2020\nSt. Patrick’s Day 2020\nMargaritas & Mardi Gras 2020\nAlive & Kicking 2020\nEATS Magazine\nFort Worth Weekly\nHome News Cover Friendly Fire\nRaising questions about 9/11 gets an Army sergeant demoted for “disloyalty.”\nSTEPHEN C. WEBSTER\nThese days, Donald Buswell’s job is not as exciting or dangerous as it once was. For the past few months, his working hours have been spent taking care of some 40-plus wounded soldiers at San Antonio’s Fort Sam Houston medical center.\nThe work is sometimes menial, even janitorial, but he doesn’t mind. After all, Buswell has been where these men are — three years ago, he too was recovering from wounds received in a battle zone in Iraq. “I truly consider this an honor,” Buswell told his dad not long ago. Still, it’s not exactly where Buswell expected to be after 20 years of well-respected service in the Army. Since joining the Army in 1987, he had risen to the rank of sergeant first class, serving in both Gulf Wars, Bosnia, Rwanda, and Korea. He ended up with shrapnel scars and a Purple Heart and, back in the U.S. after his last tour in Iraq, a job as intelligence analyst at Fort Sam Houston. He couldn’t have foreseen that one e-mail could derail his career and put him on his way out of the Army. One e-mail, speculating about events that millions of people have questioned for the last six years, was all it took. Sgt. Buswell wants to know: What really happened on 9/11? And he said so in his e-mail. In the few paragraphs of that August 2006 message — a reply not to someone outside the service, but to other soldiers — Buswell wrote that he thought the official report of what happened that day at the Pentagon, and in the Pennsylvania crash of United Airlines Flight 93, was full of errors and unanswered questions. “Who really benefited from what happened that day?” he asked rhetorically. Not “Arabs,” but “the Military Industrial Complex,” Buswell concluded.\n“We must demand a new, independent investigation.” For voicing those opinions in an e-mail to 38 people on the San Antonio Army base, Buswell was stripped of his security clearance, fired from his job, demoted, and ordered to undergo a mental health exam. (He was also ordered not to speak with the press. Information for this story came from documents, conversations with Buswell’s family members and friends, and sources within Fifth Army who asked not to be named.) As if all that weren’t enough, Fort Sam Houston’s chief of staff penned a letter accusing Buswell of “making statements disloyal to the United States.” His father, Winthrop Buswell, said that his son “is one of the most patriotic people I know.” “Donald saw something that his conscience led him to dispute,” he said. “That’s just the type of man he is.” For his dissent, Donald has paid a heavy price. Baghdad’s early light danced across the surface of a man-made lake. For Buswell, that April 2004 morning was the perfect time for a run. Behind him, the soldiers of Baghdad’s Camp Victory were, for the most part, not yet stirring. The path he took was a historic one: In the palace just a couple of hundred yards away, surrounded by the lake, Saddam Hussein was in custody, locked away in a former torture cell. Five miles into the jog, Buswell paused to catch his breath, and something splashed in the water nearby with unusual force. He jumped back, surprised, and surveyed the area with care.\nSeeing no threat, he resumed his run, heading toward a couple of Iraqi men painting a small building. Seconds later, Buswell heard a growing whistle and turned just in time to see a 122mm rocket barreling toward him. He dove out of the way, and the round hit several dozen yards behind him. Picking himself up off the ground, he saw another white trail forming over the water. He started running again, but had made it only a few steps when the force of another impact blew him to the ground. Shrapnel, rocks, and dirt rained down on him. Ahead, a fourth round hit the Iraqi painters, blowing off body parts and engulfing them in flames. Horrified, Buswell ran toward the men and tried to extinguish the flames. The men were still alive, screaming in agony. Then, he heard the increasingly familiar whistle of another rocket and once again hit the dirt. The one that struck the nearby road was a dud, like the first that hit the water. Had it exploded, Buswell probably would have died. When he turned to look again at the two Iraqi men, he saw they were dead, their bodies charred and smoking. “It was like the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan,” his dad recalled him saying. By this time, troops from the camp were running toward the scene. Only when the first of those soldiers arrived and screamed for a medic did Buswell realize he’d been hit. Sharp flakes of metal were embedded up and down his left leg and all over the right side of his back.\nThe relatively minor wounds Buswell suffered that day were his first in a battle zone, despite the fact that he’d served in southern Iraq during Desert Storm a decade before. In his first few years in the Army, Buswell had been a metalworker and had dealt with explosives. Since 1990, he had been an intelligence analyst. Buswell’s wounds were cleaned and bandaged within an hour of the rocket attack, and he rejoined his unit almost immediately. But 2004 had more — and more pleasant — developments in store for him. Two months after the attack, he returned to the United States, to Fort Hood in Central Texas, and married his girlfriend Lori, officially becoming step-dad to her 11-year-old daughter Kaitlyn, who calls him “DD” (Daddy Donald) for short. In one of those strange quirks of war, Buswell had actually met Lori’s ex-husband and Kaitlyn’s dad — Darren Cunningham — while both were based at Camp Victory. The two became close friends. When Cunningham, a military police officer, was killed in a rocket attack in October 2004, just a month before his retirement, Buswell became even more of a father figure for Kaitlyn — and in some ways helped Cunningham’s family deal with his death. For the next two years, Buswell worked at his intelligence post at Fort Hood, then was transferred to a similar job in San Antonio. But as he worked, he studied and read about what had happened on 9/11 — and came to the conclusions that would get him in so much trouble. The terrorist attacks of 2001 had a profound effect on Buswell. Before the much-disputed presidential election of 2000, Buswell shared with his father a view that very few held at the time. He was convinced that if George W. Bush won, he would take the country to war with Iraq to finish his father’s work. He believed the younger Bush would be too beholden to oil interests — and feared what that would mean for America’s foreign policy.\nWhen the planes hit the World Trade Center towers on 9/11, Buswell later told his father, he figured that war with Iraq was coming, even if the country had nothing to do with the attacks. Being a loyal soldier, he kept his views private for a long while. “He didn’t want to rock the boat,” Buswell’s father said. “Like all of us, he was somewhat in shock after what happened on 9/11.” And, as he told his father, his job was to serve. He was proud to do it, no matter who was directing policy. By the time he was transferred to Fort Sam Houston, Buswell had developed strong opinions about what had happened. He had come to believe that the World Trade Center attacks were aided by persons on the inside and that the planes that crashed into the towers were just one component of a larger, more complex attack. The career soldier had effectively become a member of what’s known as the “9/11 truth movement,” which has continued to grow in spite of news media coverage that has generally refused to take the questions seriously. The movement includes many factions, espousing theories from the somewhat plausible to the really out-there folks who talk about space weapons bringing down the New York towers.\nThe doubters include people like Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who recently agreed to distribute Loose Change Final Cut, a 9/11 conspiracy movie, and actors Charlie Sheen and Rosie O’Donnell, whose 9/11 dissents have been well-publicized. In light of his new job, Buswell wanted to make sure his superiors knew of his views. He went to Chief Warrant Officer Mario Torres, a legal advisor to his division at Fort Sam Houston. Buswell told Torres he would not be willing to write reports or give speeches that required him to say things he didn’t believe regarding 9/11. He shared with Torres his belief that the facts contradicted large parts of the official story of what had happened that day, calling the attacks an “inside job” — one of the central beliefs of many truth movement members. Torres didn’t see a problem: Buswell would not be working on anything related to 9/11, he said, and compared the sergeant’s views versus the official story to liking beer over wine. His concerns dismissed, Buswell went to work.\nIt was only a few weeks later, on Aug. 2, when Buswell received the e-mail that knocked his career off its tracks. The unsolicited message was sent to him and 38 others by someone who gave his name as Larry Anderson. No such person could be located at the San Antonio fort, and Buswell’s superiors declined to comment or to talk about the sender of the original e-mail. The e-mail’s subject line read: “F4 vs. Concrete Wall.” The message referred to “loony liberal reasoning” that there must have been a conspiracy involved in the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon because there allegedly wasn’t enough airplane debris left behind for the building to have been hit by an airliner. Anderson referred to a film clip showing, he said, an Air Force engineering test in which an F4 Phantom fighter jet crashed at 500 mph into a heavily reinforced concrete wall surrounding a nuclear reactor site. The jet “turned to vapor,” Anderson claimed, thereby explaining the lack of plane wreckage at the Pentagon. Later that day, Buswell committed the same infraction as Anderson: From his Army computer, he sent a mass reply to all the folks who got the initial message. Buswell’s crime was clicking the “Reply All” button — a mistake he still regrets. The comparison between the F4 and a 757 hitting the Pentagon, he wrote, “serves only to muddy the issue,” because the fighter jet hitting a concrete barrier hardened to nuclear containment standards is very different from a plane hitting the Pentagon.\nThe real issue, Buswell said, was that the official story on what happened that day “is filled with errors. “We all know and saw 2 planes hitting the WTC buildings,” he wrote. “[W]e didn’t see the 757 hit the Pentagon, nor did we see the plane crash in Shanksville, PA. Both the PA and Pentagon ‘crashes’ don’t have [the] tell-tale signs of a jumbo-jet impacting those zones! “The Pentagon would have huge wing impacts in the side of the building; it didn’t. Shanksville, PA would have had debris, and a large debris field; it didn’t.” He went on to express doubt that “some Arabs in caves with cell phones” had been responsible for the tragedies of that day. “I mean, how are Arabs benefiting from pulling off 9/11?” Buswell asked. “They have more war, more death and dismal conditions, so, how did 911 benefit them? Answer: It didn’t. So, who benefited from 9-11? The answer is sad, but simple: The Military Industrial Complex.” The idea of a 9/11 conspiracy, he added, is neither “Liberal Lunacy … nor is it Conservative Kookiness.” “People, fellow citizens we’ve been had!” he wrote. “We must demand a new independent investigation into 911 and look at all the options of that day … Even the most incredulous theories must be examined.” Not an opinion one might have expected from a career soldier — but then, expressing opinions, especially those of dissent, is the American way.\nThe e-mail exchange hadn’t seemed particularly important to Buswell, he later told his family. He found out differently the next morning. His key wouldn’t open the door to his office. That was the first clue Buswell had that something was wrong. In short order, he was informed that a “15-6 investigation” had been opened regarding his use of the military e-mail network. It’s the same designation given the investigation into the Abu Ghraib torture scandal. Over the next few days, Buswell was informed of the removal of his security clearance, subjected to intense scrutiny and intimidation, and alienated from other members of his intelligence division when he was relegated to secretarial work while the investigation went on. He was fired from his job and demoted to platoon sergeant. In a letter appointing Major Edwin Escobar to lead the investigation, Col. Luke S. Green, chief of staff of the Fifth Army, wrote, “SFC Buswell failed to obey a general order or regulation when he used his Government issued email account to send messages disloyal to the United States [emphasis added] with the intent of engendering disloyalty or disaffection for the United States in a manner that brought discredit upon the United States Army.”\nGreen added that Buswell “allegedly asserts that he has information that proves a conspiracy on the part of the US military industrial complex to attack targets within the United States (e.g., The Pentagon), opinions which he asserts publicly and over Government email systems.” However, no other documents related to the investigation mention Buswell’s opinions or question his loyalty. Officially, he was charged only with violating an Army policy regarding use of the military’s e-mail network. Winthrop Buswell said his son has acknowledged the infraction, but also noted it was the first time he’d ever heard of the rule being enforced. Green, at the behest of Lt. General, Robert T. Clark, deputy commanding general of the Fifth Army, ordered that Buswell undergo a mental health exam. However, the physician in charge of the medical center’s mental health division declined to administer the test, saying that Buswell’s actions did not warrant it. Buswell fought back. He contacted U.S. Rep. Charles A. Gonzales of San Antonio to register a complaint. Gonzales subsequently requested information from the Army about the investigation, but according to his aides, no other action has been taken.\nThe request was given a congressional inquiry case number and promptly put aside. In another sense though, Buswell has given up — at least on the idea of continuing his Army career. He filed retirement papers, set to take effect April 1, 2008. “Donald expressed to me his disappointment in the Army after all that has happened,” said his father. “I raised my son to love America. He still gets chills when he sees the flag flying and hears our national anthem. He’s committed his life to serving our country, only to get tossed aside like this. It brings me great sadness.” When his son gets out, he said, he plans to become an advocate for the 9/11 truth movement. For the last 10 months, Buswell has spent his days tending to the needs of wounded Iraq War veterans at the San Antonio medical center. “The service has mostly been good to Donald,” said the elder Buswell, a painter and retired locomotive engineer from Loudon, N.H. “He wouldn’t have made a career out of it if it wasn’t. But after all the controversy and the investigation, the thing that surprises me most is how he reacted to being fired. When they assigned him to the medical center, he told me, ‘Dad, I truly consider this to be an honor.\nTo be given such an important task as some kind of retaliation against me is confusing, but it is truly my honor to help these men and women right now.’” On the other hand, the elder Buswell said, his son’s empathy toward the soldiers now in his care isn’t surprising. “He provides great solace to the soldiers,” Winthrop said. “He is a good listener and knows what they’re going through, having been in Iraq and suffering injuries there as well. They truly appreciate him.” Family members say that’s par for the course for Buswell, a guy who delivered a Father’s Day present to Darren Cunningham from his daughter back in 2004 and even consulted Darren about raising his friend’s daughter, from whom Cunningham had years earlier become estranged. “I don’t know what I’ve done in my life to deserve such a blessing, but having Donny around has helped me and my family deal with losing Darren,” said Glenn Cunningham, Darren’s older brother. “I really admire and respect Donny for that, and because of how principled he is. Some people don’t have the sense of honor that Donny has.\nAnd, you know, Donny … He says things sometimes that get him into trouble, but he says them because he feels it’s the right thing to do. And I really, deeply respect that.” To this day, Winthrop Buswell said, his son still cannot believe the military would come down on him so hard for sharing a view widely held across the United States. “Donald really did nothing wrong,” his father said. “He responded to an e-mail. How many of us in civilian life respond to e-mail forwards from co-workers or friends? Is that really a crime? … He is convinced, as I am also, that the 9/11 attacks are not what they seem. We love this country. I even voted for Bush in 2000. Sadly, I must say that I do regret it.” He shares many of his son’s doubts and questions about what happened six years ago. “When you look back at that day — that terrible, terrible day — it seems almost like another lifetime ago,” he said. “Donald believes bombs were planted in the towers and that the investigation exhibited a number of very questionable characteristics. Like, how could fire melt the steel core of the towers? Or, why did the 9/11 Commission not talk about World Trade Center 7? That [building] fell around 5 p.m., but we don’t know why. And if it is true what we’ve heard recently, that a physics professor at [Brigham Young University] found elements of steel-cutting agents in the melted steel from the towers, why is that met with cries of insanity? There is a possibility that what really happened was much more than what we were told.” Not everyone close to the Buswells shares those views.\nGlenn Cunningham, who has become close friends with Buswell, much like his brother Darren, does not put much stock in conspiracy theories. “I’m not one for conspiracies, but from what Donny is saying, it really does sound kinda questionable,” he said. “But I haven’t looked at it. I’m not in any movement … And I just can’t imagine what people expect to come out of it. Of course I want to know the truth. Truth is always important, and if they’re lying to cover something up, we should find out. But then what?” Winthrop Buswell isn’t strident when he talks about 9/11. He just raises questions and encourage others to do the same — and that’s all his son has done, he said. “I pray Donald does not get in further trouble for standing up and speaking with his conscience,” he said. “I wish we were not all swept up in it. But here we are. So what will we do? “Donald told me once, ‘Dad, I hate feeling the way I do. I just hate it. And if I’m wrong, gosh, I’ll just apologize to no end. But I can’t deny where the facts have led, and I can’t tell you how disappointed I am. The evidence just seems so prominent, and the question must be asked.’” “Sadly, I agree with my son,” concluded Buswell. “I want the truth. Nothing less. We should all want that.” Stephen C. Webster is a freelance journalist in North Texas. A version of this story appeared originally in the Lone Star Iconoclast, published in Crawford, Texas.\nbuswell\nbuswell’s\nPrevious articleThe Art of the Botanical\nNext article’Chuting Fish in a Barrel\nReflecting on Betsy\nEd Huff on Reflecting on Betsy\nFivegray on Feeding Funkytown\nRoy on Reflecting on Betsy\nNathan Michell on One Night in Miami: To Be Young, Gifted, and Black\nJerry D. and Shirley L Cooper on COVID-19 Vaccine Registration Portal Now Open\n817 arlington art band bands bar call city comedy dallas Dallas Cowboys director events features film films food fort fort worth gallery good it’s life live music local movie movies music people play restaurants reviews school show stars story tcu texas theater tickets time work worth year years\nSince 1994, Fort Worth Weekly has provided a vibrant alternative to North Texas’ often-timid mainstream media outlets by offering incisive, irreverent reportage that keeps readers well informed and the powers-that-be worried.\nContact us: question@fwweekly.com\nFilm Shorts // January 13-19, 2021\nRemembering MLK Jr: Five Days of Events in Fort Worth\nBuck U: TCU Men’s Hoops’ Measuring Stick\nAround Fort Worth2575\nBlotch2523\nFilm Reviews1316\nRandom Stuff866\n© Copyright © 2020 Fort Worth Weekly, All Rights Reserved. Site by Ardent Creative\nThat Bloody Crossroads","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1415181"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5589975714683533,"wiki_prob":0.44100242853164673,"text":"Fanwen Kong\nHome Our Team Fanwen Kong\nAttorney at Law / Patent Attorney\nMr. Fanwen KONG received US patent litigation training in the United States. At the same time, he is qualified as both a patent attorney and an attorney at law in China. His main areas of practice involve patent invalidation, patent administrative litigation, patent infringement litigation, and trade secret infringement litigation. Mr. KONG started his career life as a neurosurgeon for 10 years and then switched to practice law as a patent attorney from 2005. Since then, he has focused on patent cases and trade secret disputes in the fields of machinery, electronics, medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry, etc. His client includes a large number of domestic clients, and some cases represented by Mr. Kong were selected as the top ten cases of the year by Hunan Provincial Higher People’s Court, Hubei Provincial Higher People’s Court, Anhui Provincial Higher People’s Court, and Shanghai Higher People’s Court, respectively.\nMr. Kong is a member of the Patent Law Committee of Beijing Lawyers Association, an appointed expert in the Expert Advisory Committee of Supreme Court’s Intellectual Property Case Guidance Research (Beijing) Base.\nMr. Kong represented the US chemical giant Ashland Company in suing a Suzhou company for infringing the patent “Anionic Water-In-Water Polymer Dispersion, Method For The Production Thereof And Its Use” and trade secrets. The case was selected as “Top Ten Cases of 2012” by the China Lawyers Intellectual Property Practice Forum and the 10th Annual Meeting of the Intellectual Property Committee of the All China Lawyers Association and was selected as one of the eight typical intellectual property cases by the Supreme People’s Court in October 2013.\nMr. Kong represented the US ICON IP, Inc. in suing Jinan Yibang Industry Co., Ltd. in a patent infringement retrial case, and the case was selected as one of the ten typical patent cases of 2014 by the China National Intellectual Property Administration.\nMr. Kong represented the US Freemotion Fitness, Inc. in suing Changzhou Yingcai Metal Products Co., Ltd. in a patent infringement case, and the case was selected as one of the typical cases of the Supreme Court.\nMr. Kong represented Changsha Shenxiang General Machine Co., Ltd. against Hunan Guangyi Technology Co., Ltd. in a patent infringement dispute. After the first and second trials, the court retrial, the Supreme Court direct retrial, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate demurrer, the Supreme Court review, patent invalidation, the first and second trials of the administrative litigation, and other procedures of the patent infringement litigation, he won the case in the Supreme People’s Court. This case is the first case of the patent infringement litigation of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate against the Supreme People’s Court, and earned high attention in the industry.\nMr. Kong cooperated with European attorneys to successfully represent the world’s largest Vanillin manufacturer SINOCHEM in response to a case relating to a Vanillin invention patent dispute initiated by the global chemical giant Rhodia in the Hague District Court of the Netherlands and won the first and second trials. The case, as a typical case involving foreign interests, was selected in Selected International Cases compiled by the All China Lawyers Association in 2018.\nmedicinal chemistry, machinery, electronics\npatent invalidation; patent administrative litigation; patent infringement litigation;","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line294395"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5882170796394348,"wiki_prob":0.4117829203605652,"text":"From The Desk of Risto Pakarinen\nRistory\nSomeday Jennifer\n🇨🇦 Someday Jennifer\n🇫🇮 Jonain päivänä Jennifer\n🇸🇪 En dag, Jennifer\n🇩🇪 Wunderbar wie Jennifer\nHenry Baker’s afternoon adventure\nPosted on July 19, 2018 by Risto\nHenry Baker hated his name. He wasn’t crazy about the Baker, but it was his last name and he considered it a given. Besides, it was the only thing he had left of his father.\nNo, Baker was fine. Even Mom thought so. It was Henry he had a real beef with.\nHe loved his mother very much but he hated his name, and that was a problem because while she loved him very much, too, she may have loved the idea of having a son named Henry just as much.\nHenry knew that names were important to Mom. Whenever he made a new friend, the first thing Mom wanted to know was his or her name – (not that he had many girl friends) – and then she’d consult her big book to see what the name meant. Whether it was popular but not too popular. Whether it hinted at foreign ancestry, whether it reminded her of a celebrity or a scientist, and whether she knew (and liked) someone by that name.\nIn fact, names were so important to Henry’s mother that she even told Henry to call her by her name instead of “Mom”. She was Elizabeth. (And never Liz or Lizzie, not Beth, Ellie or Libby, or Betsy or Bitsy, not even Lily). She was Elizabeth Baker, Mrs Baker to Henry’s friends, and Elizabeth to Henry.\nAnd when you’re eight years old, there’s not much you can do about anything, that much was clear to Henry, but it was just as clear to him that there’s always something even an eight-year-old can do.\nFor Henry, that thing was telling everybody his name was Hank. He hated being Henry because of all the names he had ever heard, Henry – he thought – was the worst fit. Henry was the name of a boy who collected stamps and sang in a choir, went to bed at 8pm, and had Eggs Benedict and a cup of coffee for breakfast. A Henry knew nothing about football, not even the names of the three best players of all-time (Pele, Maradona and Platini), a Henry was clueless about punk and rock, and a Henry probably didn’t like Tarzan because “while we share most of our genes with the primates, it’s highly unlikely that a human could become the king of apes”.\nHenry was the perfect name for a dullard, a simpleton who used long words, but who was clueless about how things worked no matter how many books he read. A Henry was simply a short grown-up, while Hank, well, he was the exact opposite of that. Hank was a man of action. Hank was street smart, Hank was popular, Hank was the one everybody would run to in a crisis.\nHank did not drink coffee.\nOn a hot summer’s day, a Henry would lie in his bed with a wet towel on his forehead, while Hank, on the other hand, had better plans. On a hot day, Hank rode his bike to the cliffs to go for a swim, or climb the ladder to the roof of their apartment building and have a private picnic there.\nToday, on the hottest day of the summer, Henr–, um, Hank had an even better idea. Downstairs, all the way in the basement where the laundry room was, and the sauna, and the storage rooms, there was also a mysterious blue steel door that Elizabeth had warned him about.\n“I don’t want you to go in there by yourself, Henry,” she had said. “It’s not dangerous, it’s just a cellar for potatoes and wine and such. Nothing you’d be interested in.”\n“Is that where we get out potatoes?”\n“No, Henry. We don’t have anything in ours. It’s empty. Go ahead, have a look, I’ll wait for you by the door.”\nAs soon as he had run in, he had felt the cool air on his skin. It was like a wet blanket on a hot summer’s day, but the difference between a Henry and a Hank was that a Hank would never use a wet blanket.\nHank grabbed a sandwich and the latest issue of Tarzan with him and skipped down the stairs – all 24 of them – to the first basement door. Hank opened it with the key that was hanging on a shoelace around his neck, and kept on walking toward the second basement door, which he also opened with the same key, and walked along the corridor toward the laundry room. About halfway through it, he stopped at the blue door, and pulled the metal handle on the door. The handle was stainless steel – these are the kind of facts Hank knew – and it had an interesting built-in locking mechanism that Hank decided to have a better look at later.\nThe door was heavy, heavier than any other door Hank had ever opened, but he managed to pull it wide open – of course – and as he stepped in, he was greeted by the sweet cool air he remembered from his earlier visit.\n“Aaaaah,” he said, and as he walked all the way to the back, he heard the door close behind him. He leaned against the wall, and opened his Tarzan comic book.\nHe took a bite out of his sandwich, and let out another satisfied sigh. Life was good.\nFour minutes later, the lights went out and Hank was sitting in the dark. He got up and feeling his way back to the door, tapped the walls to find the light switch but he couldn’t find any. He decided to open the door a little bit to get some light in (but to also keep the cool air in) but there was no handle on the inside.\nHe took a bite out of his sandwich and glanced at his watch. When he had got the watch as a birthday present just a few weeks earlier, Hank had been impressed with the dial that was coated with phosphorescent paint that glowed in the dark but now he was happy to see that it really worked.\nIt was ten to four.\nHe kicked the door a few times but it stayed shut. He tapped the walls from both sides of the door again but found no light switch. The darkness was starting to get to him. It began to hurt his eyes, and he started to see things.\nHe shut his eyes for a while. That helped. He could see clearly. Not with his eyes, of course, but he could assess his situation. The door was shut. There was no other door. Hank realized that he was trapped.\nHe opened his eyes again and checked the time. It was five to four. Elizabeth would come home by five, “at the latest”, she had said. When she got home and couldn’t find Hank, she’d come for him.\nBut surely others were walking along the corridor all the time, too, going to the laundry room or to get their bicycles, especially on a nice day like today. Hank walked to the door and pressed his right cheek against the cool blue door and filled his lungs with air.\nAnd then he yelled at the top of his lungs.\n“HELP ME, I’M STUCK HERE!”\nNo answer. Hank closed his eyes again. He always thought better with his eyes closed because that way, his brain had no distractions.\nYelling like that had been stupid. He remembered a Tarzan adventure in which the king of the apes was stuck in a cave and that it was important to use air sparingly. He could be stuck in the cellar for hours, even days, and he’d need the air. He had half a sandwich left, but in his backup plan, he was ready to kick in a neighbour’s storage space door and eat some of their potatoes.\nWhat if nobody came, though? What if he’d be in the cellar for two months? Elizabeth would become a broken woman, and a neighbour would tell her that growing potatoes was good for her soul and she’d do it and then she’d bring her sack of potatoes to the cellar, and find Hank on the floor. Or Hank’s remains.\nJust like in the Tarzan adventure in which he finds the lost city in the jungle.\n“Stop it, Hank,” he said. “Somebody will come … sooner or later.”\nHe could barely see his watch’s dial anymore but he thought it was 4.30. He had been inside for forty minutes and he wasn’t cold, or hungry. Or sleepy. He was fine. He was more than fine. He was super fine.\nHe sat down with his back against the door, so that he’d hear any voices or footsteps from the other side.\nElizabeth would be angry at him, because he hadn’t left her a note on the kitchen table. How many times had she told him to always leave her a note. How many? Ten, at least.\n“Even if you only go to the bathroom when I’m not home, I want to see a note on the kitchen table about it,” Elizabeth had said.\nShe hadn’t meant it literally, but for the first few weeks Hank had left a note on the table when he had gone to the bathroom, and then, slightly ashamed of his henryness, he’d thrown the notes into garbage right afterwards.\nNo note and no Hank would drive Elizabeth crazy, but she’d also go look for him. Maybe she’d call the cops. That would be embarrassing. To be carried out of the cellar by a policeman.\n“We found your son, Mrs. Baker. The little monkey had fallen asleep in the potato cellar,” he’d say.\nHank was not going to fall asleep. He sat up and pressed his ear against the door again.\nTime passed, but Hank had no idea how long he had been inside the cellar. He couldn’t see his watch anymore. He couldn’t see his feet or his hands, either, which was a strange feeling. He knew he was wiggling his toes, but since he couldn’t see it, he didn’t quite believe it.\nThere’s nothing in the dark that’s not there in the light, Elizabeth used to tell him when he was a kid. When he was six and afraid to go to sleep because he thought there was something under his bed. He had been such a Henry then.\nHe almost laughed.\nAnd then he almost cried.\nAnd right then – right then – just when Hank was about to burst into tears, he heard the sound of the second basement lock rattling, and then the door opening.\n“Henry?” somebody said.\n“Elizabeth?” he yelled.\n“HENRY?”\n“ELIZABETH?”\nA pause. Hank was afraid that Elizabeth was going to turn around and walk away.\n“HENRY, ARE YOU HERE?”\n“I’M IN THE CELLAR”, Hank yelled and beat the door with his both fists. He kicked the door, too.\nHe heard footsteps in the corridor and how they stopped at the blue steel door. The handle made a clinking noise and the door opened. Hank took a step back, Elizabeth took a step inside the cellar.\n“There you are!” she said and wrapped her arms around her son.\nElizabeth smiled and kissed him on the forehead.\n“That’s right, Henry. Mom’s here,” she said.\n“Mom and Hank,” Hank said and squeezed Elizabeth.\n“Mom and Hank,” Elizabeth said.\nThis entry was posted in Fiction, Inspired by a true story by Risto. Bookmark the permalink.\nLet's talk! Write a comment below.\tCancel reply","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1651179"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5257841944694519,"wiki_prob":0.5257841944694519,"text":"U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John C. Whitehead told a news conference in Tunis that Washington regrets the killing last month of Khalil Wazir, the PLO’s top military chief. “We confirmed . . . that the United States . . . found it a reprehensible action on the part of Israel and that we had absolutely no knowledge of the incident or participation in it,” he said. Pressed to explain whether this meant the United States now openly accuses Israel of the killing, he said: “Well, of course, none of us know for sure, do we? But we haven’t heard denials, so we can only assume.”","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1246319"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5554755926132202,"wiki_prob":0.4445244073867798,"text":"Home>Ingredients>Herbs & Botanicals\nCOVID 19: Industry Perspectives\nCBD executive anxious but hopeful during pandemic\nTAGS: Ingredients\nIn a first-person account on COVID-19, the founder of Colorado-based CBD marketer Bluebird Botanicals expressed \"hope and optimism\" that most people in the hemp industry will \"ride out this storm and find new, creative ways to thrive.\"\nBrandon Beatty | Apr 20, 2020\nAs I write this, I’m on “dad duty” filling milk bottles for my two toddlers at home. Like much of our team, I’ve been working from home full-time since the second week of March. Our company rolled out this measure to preserve the sanitization of our laboratory and minimize potential exposure to our production staff. These workers are crucial to maintaining normal operations of the business and are still showing up to our facility every day.\nThe extent of this crisis has become much more real in a personal way over the past several weeks. Between recently learning that my cousin has tested positive for the virus and seeing the daily news reports about the now-historic unemployment rate, it’s really hitting home in both a literal and figurative sense. My personal anxiety levels have certainly increased, and my top concern every day is for the health and safety of my family, friends and employees.\nFrom a business perspective, COVID-19 has also resulted in an economic crisis that’s impacted every industry—the hemp industry being no exception. Fortunately for Bluebird Botanicals and many other CBD companies, food and dietary supplements have been designated as essential by the government. Other non-essential hemp companies, however, have been forced to shut down for an indeterminate amount of time. Those with primarily e-commerce businesses are still fortunately faring well compared to brick-and-mortar companies now in dire straits.\nEven for Bluebird and other essential e-commerce businesses who are able to keep going, this crisis has intensely shaken up our operations. We’ve scrambled to shift suppliers and increase inventory to protect against stock shortages if an outbreak were to occur in our office, all while already running on a skeleton crew with half of our employees at home. We’re fortunate enough to not be in “crisis mode,” but it’s certainly cost us extra time and money in addition to diminishing our wholesale revenue.\nThere is hope, though, for those of us in the dietary supplement industry that our businesses will be able to sustain through the crisis. Market research studies have shown the supplement industry has fared well in previous economic downturns such as the 2008 recession. Even during times of financial hardship, health appears to remain a top priority for consumers, and thus, their supplement purchases continue and, in many cases, increase.\nThe fact that a health crisis is at the root of this economic recession suggests the above trend will only strengthen this time around. In fact, we already have some proof that this is occurring. The New York Times reported that sales of vitamin C supplements have grown 146% in the past month while Google Search Trends reported a massive uptick in online searches for terms, including vitamin C. On the CBD side, Bluebird is also continuing to benefit from solid e-commerce sales performance and organic search traffic.\nIt’s difficult to predict what the future holds for the hemp industry or for the global economy. The industry may consolidate as non-essential and brick-and-mortar companies are forced into closure or selling. However, we have hope and optimism that most of us will be able to ride out this storm and find new, creative ways to thrive.\nI’ve observed over the past month that this global pandemic is a humanitarian issue that requires us all to set aside our ideologies and borders and find new ways to work together and connect as a community. We are all one, and we have the ability to forge the path ahead together and support one another through this crisis.\nFortunately, I’ve already seen this happening. From the massive outpouring of support for frontline workers to the new virtual relationships connecting people from across the world, this crisis has forced a shift in the way we see each other. While this global emergency will surely continue to disrupt our lives for the foreseeable future, our communities are coming together. I find this refreshing after having witnessed a growing divide over the past five or so years. Despite the fear and uncertainty we’re facing today, perhaps we’ll still emerge from this crisis as a better society.\nBrandon Beatty began his career in the herbal industry in 2009 when joining the Ananda Apothecary, an online retailer of herbal extracts based in Boulder, Colorado. He founded Bluebird Botanicals in 2012 and has served as its CEO throughout his tenure. Brandon is a dynamic professional who is widely considered a leading expert in the hemp-CBD industry, and he has been involved in a handful of influential associations over the last six years. In addition to his work at Bluebird, he currently serves on the board of trustees of the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) and the board of directors of the U.S. Hemp Roundtable, both of which are playing fundamental roles in the quickly evolving hemp industry.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1830123"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8584871888160706,"wiki_prob":0.8584871888160706,"text":"Rain Confesses He Feels His Career As A Singer Is Almost Over\nRain revealed that he feels like he has almost passed his prime and will soon end his career has a dancing singer.\nRain recently attended Viral Fest Asia 2017 in Bangkok, Thailand, and prior to his performance, he talked about where he is currently headed in his career.\nHe mentioned that his career as a dancing singer is almost at its end and, because of this, he wants to give back to his fans with an even better song than before.\nRain compared his career as a dancing singer to that of a professional athlete.\n“Just like an athlete, dancing singers reach their prime at some point in their careers. Personally, I feel that I don’t want to dance anymore once my body starts slowing down, when it can’t follow the beat of the music.\nBut in my next album, I want to be able to show a dance that the younger singers can’t keep up with. I think I can show off this side of myself 1 or 2 more times.”\nMoving on to his acting career, he mentioned that his upcoming movie Uhm Bok Dong is currently around 40% complete and will be released in August. Rain may also appear in a drama in the second half of 2017, but he is as yet undecided.\n“If I end up accepting the drama offer I got, my new album would probably be released in December. If I don’t accept it, the album will be out in November.”\nSource: Star News [1] and [2]","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line994179"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6592875123023987,"wiki_prob":0.3407124876976013,"text":"Brad Kolls\nStatus epilepticus is the presence of seizure activity lasting for more than five minutes with impared neurologic function, or recurrent seizures without a return to baseline mental status between seizures. Seizures are a common problem in the ICU. Several independent studies have found seizure rates in the 10-20% range for hospitalized patients, with generally higher rates in critical illness settings. In addition to seizures being more common than previously thought, most of the seizure activity is subclinical; that is, there are no overt clinical signs of the underlying seizure activity except for depressed or altered levels of consciousness. The diagnosis must then be made through evaluation with electroencephalography.\nIn critical illness from either medical, surgical or traumatic causes patients are at an increased risk for seizure activity. Only episodic eye deviation and an altered or depressed level of consciousness have been found to be reasonable clinical indicators of underlying seizures. Generalized seizure activity occurs in some cases and is generally easily identified and treated quickly in the acute care setting. However, following a seizure if the patient does not return to baseline level of consciousness, underlying ongoing seizures should be considered. Other risk factors for seizures include a prior history of seizures and noncompliance with antiseizure medications.\nThe priority for management is stopping the seizure(s). In cases of multiple recurrent seizures, early use of antiseizure medications is appropriate. In some cases aggressive intervention includes a continuous infusion of benzodiazepine or other anesthetic agents and endotracheal intubation. This is because the longer a patient remains in status, the more difficult it is to stop the seizures. As a result, rapid seizure control is an early goal of therapy.\nIn a patient presenting in status due to a seizure lasting more than five minutes, immediate administration of intravenous (IV) benzodiazepine is recommended. Lorazepam (4-8 mg, IV) has been shown to be effective in stopping seizures in over 60% of cases. An additional dose of 4 mg may be repeated once, but if a second dose is required a loading dose of an anticonvulsant should also be considered and airway management should also be considered. Traditionally, Dilantin 15 mg/kg loading dose is given as a first-line anticonvulsant agent, though some trials of Depakote 15-20 mg/kg IV and Keppra 2000 mg IV have also been shown to be effective.\nIn patients without a prior history of seizure, with continued suppressed level of consciousness or confusion, or in whom new neurological deficits are suspected, immediate imaging with a non-contrast computed tomography (CT) scan should be obtained. If no cause for the seizures can be found with imaging, sampling of spinal fluid and initiation of electroencephalography are appropriate.\nThe absence of acute brain injury does not reduce the risk for underlying seizures as a cause for altered or depressed levels of consciousness in a critically ill patient. Indeed, in both general medical ICUs as well as mixed medical-surgical ICUs, the reported incidence of underlying seizures has ranged from 10% to 30%. There are no definitive clinical signs or symptoms of seizures in critically ill patients. While generalized tonic-clonic seizures have a characteristic clinical appearance and are easily diagnosed, these represent the minority of seizures in the ICU. It has been previously reported that episodic eye deviation can be suggestive of ongoing seizures. In most cases, level of consciousness is reduced during and for a variable period after the seizures. However, some patients may not lose consciousness and may only have a mild motor manifestation of their seizures. Given the numerous other reasons for a depressed level of consciousness in critically ill patients, physical exam findings cannot be used to exclude seizures in a given patient. As a result, the gold standard for diagnosis of seizures is EEG.\nEEG measures brain electrical activity using metallic disc or needle electrodes placed at the scalp. A conductive paste or glue is used to secure the leads to the scalp. The EEG leads are placed using an international standard approach in which even spacing is achieved by measuring the head and calculating the appropriate distances to create inter-electrode distances that are 10% lateral and 20% anterior to posterior. Typically EEG recording is continued for 24 hours in the ICU setting as patients can have recurrent seizures that would be missed if the standard EEG duration of 20 minutes were used. The EEG data must then be reviewed by a physician trained in EEG interpretation and optimally by one with experience in reading ICU patient studies.\nIf the patient’s level of consciousness remains altered and the EEG does not reveal seizures as the cause, other potential causes should be considered and evaluated. The EEG, even when seizures are not seen, can be very helpful in pointing the team to an underlying cause for the patient’s condition. EEG features such as triphasic waves and diffuse symmetric slowing can indicate a metabolic encephalopathy. More focal changes such as focal slowing or periodic, lateralized epileptiform discharges (PLEDs) are often seen in the setting of structural abnormalities. Periodic sharp waves in a focal region can also indicate an area of abnormal excitability suggestive of a focal lesion or other disease processes such as CJD. These results can help guide the decision to repeat imaging with either CT or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to better evaluate for possible structural lesions.\nIn the absence of imaging data to indicate a cause for seizures, sampling of spinal fluid is mandatory. Typically, 10-20 cc’s of fluid are collected and the fluid is analyzed for the number of white blood cells, number of red blood cells in the first and last tube used to collect the samples, as well as special stains to look for fungus and yeast as well as other pathogens (prions and viral particles, for example). A rare cause of uncontrolled seizures in patients who do not have a prior history of seizures is an autoimmune disorder. Testing of serum and/or spinal fluid for the presence of these antibodies can provide a diagnosis and indicate the need for plasmapheresis or IVIG administration.\nThe goal of treatment is to stop the seizure activity as quickly as possible. For clinically apparent seizures, often treatment with lorazepam or another benzodiazepine has already been initiated prior to arrival in the ICU. However, if seizures begin in the ICU, it is important to remember the early role of benzodiazepines in seizure management. When seizures continue, loading with an antiepileptic agent is indicated. More important than which agent is used, the ability to get the agent administered quickly is paramount, making the intravenously administered medications preferred agents for managing status.\nA list of drugs is provided here for reference. While this represents the preferred sequence of administration at many institutions, there are insufficient data to support one series of administrations over another. What is important is that a protocol exists and is followed to ensure that appropriate care and management are provided in a quick and efficient manner. In cases in which seizures continue after two agents have been loaded, it is appropriate to begin seizure suppression doses of intravenous anesthetic agents instead of or in addition to adding a third antiseizure agent.\n— Lorazepam 4 mg IV, may be repeated once, but airway and sedation effects will need to be managed.\n— Dilantin (fosphenytoin) 15-20 mg/kg IV load over 15-20 min (150 mg/min) (monitor for hypotension and arrhythmia, slow infusion rate if encountered).\n— Leveteracitam 2000 mg IV load, then 1000 mg IV every 8 hours.\n— Depakote (valproic acid) 15-20 mg/kg IV load over 15-20min (can be a substitute for Dilatin as a first-line agent; monitor for liver toxicity).\n— Midazolam infusion with 10-mg bolus then run at 5 mg/hr and titrate to seizure suppression.\n— Propofol infusion with 2 mg/kg load, then run at 2-10 mg/kg/hr and titrate to seizure suppression.\n— Pentobarbital infusion with 5-10 mg/kg load, then run at 1-5 mg/kg/hr and titrate to seizure suppression.\nRefractory cases\nMost patients presenting in status will respond to a single agent. However, in some cases, particularly in the ICU, the seizures can remain highly refractory to treatment. These patients should be moved to the ICU if not already there, and the patient should be intubated and placed on anesthetics to suppress the seizures. EEG monitoring should be initiated as soon as possible to guide management and to confirm seizures have been controlled.\nOnce the seizures are stopped they should be suppressed for a full 24 hours prior to weaning any of the medications. If seizures recur with weaning of the infusions, another agent should be added. Data exist for Lyrica, Topamax and Tegretol in this setting, with growing acceptance of the newest agent Lacosamide as well. Again, seizures should be suppressed for a full 24 hours prior to trying to wean the intravenous drips again.\n5. Disease monitoring, follow-up and disposition\nExpected response to treatment\nPatients with a single generalized tonic-clonic event often do not need more than close monitoring for subsequent events. In the ICU setting, more often patients have few to no clinical signs of seizures. In this setting, EEG monitoring is mandatory. Continuous EEG monitoring will ensure the seizures are suppressed and that they do not recur as infusions are weaned. Most patients will respond to a round or two of seizure suppression and recover to baseline. However, the level of recovery is tied to the underlying cause for the seizures. For example, large intracranial hemorrhage will produce clinical deficits unrelated to the seizures produced by the hemorrhage. In a rare few patients seizures will be extremely refractory and require prolonged periods (weeks to months) of deep sedation with anesthetic drugs, often in combinations and at high doses, to suppress the seizures. Prognosis for these refractory cases is highly variable, but includes some very good outcomes with return to work and normal function after weeks in the ICU.\nAs with the emergency evaluation, as soon as the patient is stable enough, imaging should be performed. MRI with contrast using a seizure protocol is the preferred study to look for an underlying cause for the seizures. Once a mass lesion or other cause for elevated intracranial pressure has been excluded, lumbar puncture and evaluation of spinal fluid for infectious causes of seizures is appropriate. Current medications should always be reviewed, as several common outpatient medications can lower seizure thresholds. Full metabolic evaluation is also warranted.\nTypically the patient will remain on the antiepileptics started in the ICU for the duration of the hospitalization. Outpatient follow-up with a neurologist is recommended so that the antiseizure agents can be weaned over time in a controlled manner by an experienced provider.\nThe true underlying cause for seizure initiation is unknown. There are multiple clinical conditions that can lead to spontaneous seizures. These can range from structural conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injury and surgical procedures, to infectious causes, to medications, to metabolic causes such as renal failure, drug withdrawal or overdose, and electrolyte imbalance. Even autoantibodies to select ion channels can lead to seizure activity. The mechanisms by which these perturbations cause seizure activity in the brain to develop and be sustained are far from clear and are likely to be varied in mechanism.\nThere are good data for some seizure causes, one being alcohol withdrawal. Ethanol binds to the GABAA inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors, which causes suppression of activity within the brain and downregulation of the receptors. As the alcohol level falls during withdrawal, these receptors become less activated and are no longer present in sufficient numbers to control the increasing levels of brain activity. In this disinhibited state of excitability, seizure thresholds are lower and spontaneous seizures can arise more easily.\nWhile the mechanisms underlying many of the other known causes for spontaneous seizures are less well characterized, it is thought that all must involve an increase in excitability of neurons, either through the GABAA system or through direct increase in excitability through excitatory neurotransmitter receptors like the NMDA receptor. While sound in theory, there is little direct clinical evidence that NMDA receptor blockade leads to improved seizure control or reductions in seizure risk. However, autoantibodies that bind to the NMDA receptor have been implicated in some cases of refractory status epilepticus, providing some data for an important role for this receptor in seizure development and maintenance.\nSeveral studies have tried to identify the clinical features and primary risk factors for status epilepticus. In general, prior brain injury is the single greatest risk factor for the development of seizures. While all forms of brain injury, including trauma, ischemic stroke and intracranial hemorrhage, can lead to seizures, penetrating brain trauma appears to carry the highest risk. The situation is a bit different for patients presenting in status epilepticus. Consistently, noncompliance with antiseizure medication by an epileptic patient is the number-one cause for status patients presenting to the emergency department.\nMore recently it has been reported that in cases of refractory status epilepticus, new-onset status is more common than recurrent status. This likely reflects the more varied and complex underlying causes associated with refractory status cases. In general, highly refractory seizures are commonly seen in cardiac arrest patients, patients with subdural hemorrhages, and in prion diseases. Less commonly seen causes for refractory cases are autoimmune diseases and paraneoplastic syndromes. Prior brain injury is considered a risk factor and can also lead to status.\nAs one might expect, the prognosis is most tightly correlated to the underlying cause for the seizures. In the ICU setting, most patients with ongoing seizures have a clear underlying cause, either infectious or structural. In some, imaging is normal and the seizures are new in onset and the overall recovery potential of the patient is tightly linked to the time it takes to stop the seizures and what is required to keep the patient from going back into status.\nThere is clear clinical evidence that the longer generalized seizures continue, the harder they are to stop and the higher the mortality. This emphasizes the need for early screening and aggressive intervention. While early detection of seizures in the ICU using continuous EEG has not been shown to improve outcomes, it has been found to identify subsets of patients who have higher morbidity and mortality. In the future, these patient subgroups may become the focus of new interventions and clinical research efforts aimed at finding treatments that can improve these outcomes.\nYoung, GB. “Continuous EEG monitoring in the ICU”. Acta Neurol Scand. vol. 114. 2006 Jul. pp. 67-8. This is a great review article providing an overview of the evidence that continuous EEG monitoring is useful in the ICU population.\nHirsch, LJ. “Continuous EEG monitoring in the intensive care unit: an overview”. J Clin Neurophysiol. vol. 21. 2004 Sep-Oct. pp. 332-40. This article also provides a nice discussion of several of the early reports of non-convulsive status in hospitalized patients.\nJordan, KG. “Continuous EEG and evoked potential monitoring in the neuroscience intensive care unit”. J Clin Neurophysiol. vol. 10. 1993 Oct. pp. 445-75. This article looked at how EEG data affect care decisions in the ICU, even in cases where seizures are not found.\nSimple concise reviews of the evidence for the current management approach to status epilepticus:\nRüegg, SJ, Dichter, MA. “Diagnosis and Treatment of Nonconvulsive Status Epilepticus in an Intensive Care Unit Setting”. Curr Treat Options Neurol. vol. 5. 2003 Mar. pp. 93-110.\nVarelas, PN. “How I treat status epilepticus in the Neuro-ICU”. Neurocrit Care.. vol. 9. 2008. pp. 153-7.\nMinicucci, F, Bellini, A, Fanelli, G, Cursi, M, Paleari, C, Dylgjeri, S, Comi, G. “Status epilepticus”. Neurol Sci. vol. 27. 2006 Mar. pp. S52-4.\nThese articles simply demonstrate that EEG is required to make the diagnosis of seizures in the ICU patient\nOddo, M, Carrera, E, Claassen, J, Mayer, SA, Hirsch, LJ. “Continuous electroencephalography in the medical intensive care unit”. Crit Care Med. vol. 37. 2009 Jun. pp. 2051-6.\nYoung, GB. “Continuous EEG monitoring in the ICU: challenges and opportunities”. Can J Neurol Sci. vol. 36. 2009 Aug. pp. S89-91.\nDrislane, FW, Lopez, MR, Blum, AS, Schomer, DL. “Detection and treatment of refractory status epilepticus in the intensive care unit”. J Clin Neurophysiol. vol. 25. 2008 Aug. pp. 181-6.\nBearden. “Newer data on the frequency of seizures in comatose patients in the ICU with no overt evidence of seizures”. Am. J. END Technol.\nAlroughani, R, Javidan, M, Qasem, A, Alotaibi, N. “Non-convulsive status epilepticus; the rate of occurrence in a general hospital”. Seizure. vol. 18. 2009 Jan. pp. 38-42. This article reinforces the fact that clinical symptoms cannot be used to exclude the possibility of underlying seizures:\nThese articles simply provide a few interesting reports on autoimmune causes of SE and their clinical course and treatment:\nKirkpatrick, MP, Clarke, CD, Sonmezturk, HH, Abou-Khalil, B. “Rhythmic delta activity represents a form of nonconvulsive status epilepticus in anti-NMDA receptor antibody encephalitis”. Epilepsy Behav. 2010 Dec 27.\nMilh, M, Villeneuve, N, Chapon, F, Gavaret, M, Girard, N, Mancini, J, Chabrol, B, Boucraut, J. “New onset refractory convulsive status epilepticus associated with serum neuropil auto-antibodies in a school aged child”. Brain Dev. 2010 Nov 12.\nJohnson, N, Henry, C, Fessler, AJ, Dalmau, J. “Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis causing prolonged nonconvulsive status epilepticus”. Neurology. vol. 75. 2010 Oct 19. pp. 1480-2.\nDalmau, J. “Status epilepticus due to paraneoplastic and nonparaneoplastic encephalidides”. Epilepsia. vol. 50. 2009 Dec. pp. 58-60.\nDisease monitoring, follow-up and disposition\nThese articles provide data on outcomes from convulsive and non-convulsive status epilepticus and reference other primary study literature:\nLegriel, S, Mourvillier, B, Bele, N, Amaro, J, Fouet, P, Manet, P, Hilpert, F. “Outcomes in 140 critically ill patients with status epilepticus”. Intensive Care Med. vol. 34. 2008 Mar. pp. 476-80.\nDeLorenzo, RJ, Garnett, LK, Towne, AR, Waterhouse, EJ, Boggs, JG, Morton, L, Choudhry, MA, Barnes, T, Ko, D. “Comparison of status epilepticus with prolonged seizure episodes lasting from 10 to 29 minutes”. Epilepsia. vol. 40. 1999 Feb. pp. 164-9.\nTowne, AR, Waterhouse, EJ, Boggs, JG, Garnett, LK, Brown, AJ, Smith, JR, DeLorenzo, RJ. “Prevalence of nonconvulsive status epilepticus in comatose patients”. Neurology. vol. 54. 2000 Jan 25. pp. 340-5.\nSpinal cord ischemia\nClose more info about Status epilepticus","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1131033"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5455175042152405,"wiki_prob":0.5455175042152405,"text":"The Auckland Harbour Bridge gets lit up for International Day of Light. (Photo by Chris Weissenborn)\nPut on your shades: the future is photonics\nDavid Hutchinson | Guest writer\nOn the first ever International Day of Light, Prof David Hutchinson outlines how the science of light is changing the world of computing, manufacturing, agriculture and medicine in New Zealand and around the world.\nIt’s a hidden fact that our modern world runs on light. Every email, every cellphone call, every website is encoded into data and sent around the world in the form of tiny packages of light down optical fibres. Another hidden secret is that New Zealand scientists are amongst the world-leaders in the science of light. Lasers, the power-tools in the world of light, are used to manufacture cellphones, to scan your barcodes at the supermarket, to detect gases, to test and grade primary produce, diagnose diseases, sort molecules, and countless other tasks.\nPhotonics is the science and technology of light. Just as the All Blacks, Ed Hillary and other Kiwi sporting heroes have won New Zealand legendary status, Kiwi scientists have won hero status in the world of photonics. Back in the 1970s and 80s a team of scientists led by Dan Walls at the University of Waikato were among the first in the world to understand what makes lasers so special and useful. They laid the theoretical foundations for much of modern photonics and attracted Nobel Prize winners and leading scientists from all around the world to work with them. Since then their legacy has spread across the world.\nIn the last few decades New Zealand photonics research has gone from strength to strength. The Dodd-Walls Centre for photonic and quantum technologies was formed in 2015 to pool talent and resources from around the country. The results are proving outstanding.\nAt the University of Otago, Dr Mikkel Andersen has achieved the greatest control over individual atoms in the world – all using lasers. He is using his technique to engineer chemicals atom by atom. Other researchers are using laser light to develop components for quantum computers and probe the strange realms of quantum physics.\nOn the more down-to-earth side Dodd-Walls scientists are working with the New Zealand meat, dairy, fruit and wool industries to add value to export products. Shining a light on a sample of material and analysing what comes back reveals a huge amount of information about the structure, function and quality of the material. Improving our ability to grade the quality of products allows us to charge premium prices overseas.\nAlso in the agricultural space, University of Auckland Professor Cather Simpson has spun-out two companies based on research combining light with materials science. Engender Technologies is developing techniques to sort sperm for the dairy industry, and Orbis Diagnostics plans to enable farmers to analyse milk and the health of their cows – right in the dairy shed.\nMedical technologies is another big strength of the centre. For example, University of Otago scientist Dr Sara Miller is working on techniques for diagnosing Coeliac disease and other gastrointestinal diseases using laser spectroscopy, and University of Auckland PhD student Simon Ashforth is developing tools for bone surgery using femtosecond lasers. Dodd-Walls scientists are also working on techniques for detecting eye disease, skin burns and several other conditions.\nMore efficient solar power and other energy-saving technologies are also the focus of research. Unexpectedly, the internet sucks up a large portion of energy worldwide – in particular converting data from optical to electricity and back again. Dodd-Walls scientists are figuring out ways to process data in the form of light which would save heaps of energy and make the internet more efficient. One of the really cool things they’re working on are optical frequency combs, which are tiny discs of crystal that transform a single laser beam into an array of different colours of light.\nNot only is this science exciting for the researchers, the vision is for photonics to transform New Zealand industry. Imagine an ecosystem of twenty, thirty or even fifty photonics-based companies in New Zealand all supporting each other and exporting to the world. This would provide really exciting jobs and stimulate the economy and culture. The big advantage with photonics is that, unlike other technologies, you can start a company with very little capital, creating high-value products out of cheap materials. That’s perfect for New Zealand as we’ve got the smart people and not too much capital.\nAt the centre we want to inspire young New Zealanders to get involved and start dreaming of what we could do with these technologies in the future. I would say, if you’ll excuse the pun, that the future looks bright with photonics.\nThe Bulletin: Day of drama for National\nThe Bulletin: Fonterra’s back to basics strategy pays dividends\nThe Bulletin: Does school food initiative go far enough?","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1146341"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6236495971679688,"wiki_prob":0.37635040283203125,"text":"Fondo, 84 resultados 84\nFondo Inglés\nRecords of the Consultative Group on Food Production & Investment in Developing Countries\nWB IBRD/IDA CGFP\nThe records of the Consultative Group are of three types: the records of the four meetings of the Group, the correspondence of the secretariat, and the files on the projects sponsored by the Group.\nRead together, the records of the meetings and the correspondence provide a miniature study of the difficulties of international cooperation in the middle of the Cold War. The Consultative Group was organized by the World Bank, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the United Nations Development Program, each of whom had a slightly different view of the mission of the Group. Shortly after the Group began its work, the United Nations slightly changed the charge to the Group; the United States, which had been the original sponsor of the idea of a Consultative Group, grew disenchanted; the Soviet bloc nations were not represented on the Group; uncertainly over the intentions of the OPEC nations in supporting food production grew; while tensions between food importing nations and food exporting nations hovered over debates. Add to this an injunction to the secretariat to coordinate but not to operate programs, all the while serving three masters at once, and the Group was probably doomed from the start. All of these topics can be researched in the records.\nThe project files are primarily those of national food plans. The Group's principal effort was to assess the food needs to be met in a specific country as far as food supply and related investments are concerned. It worked out a model for a national food plan, and plans were attempted by Bangladesh, Haiti, Honduras, Senegal, Sudan, and Upper Volta. Any researcher interested in the history of food production and consumption in those countries will find a baseline in these files. In addition, the Group commissioned a report on water resources development in the Narmada River basin of India for irrigation agriculture, and the report is in the files.\nConsultative Group on Food Production and Investment in Developing Countries\nWB IBRD/IDA KING\n1964-1994 (predominant 1982 - 1989)\nThe papers consist of a body of materials related to Zambia and a set of general policy and issues papers. King undertook a mission to Zambia for the Bank and wrote a report on it, and he collected information about and remained interested in Zambia thereafter. The materials related to Zambia include four documents prepared and distributed for the December 1986 meeting of the Consultative Group on Zambia, which had had its first meeting in June 1978. Most of the other documents related to Zambia are internal World Bank documents, with a few Bank publications and some publications from other sources. The materials are arranged in four sections: Consultative Group documents; unpublished Bank materials; Bank publications; and other publications. This is a useful body of materials for an overview of Zambian economic issues in the 1980s.\nThe policy and research papers cover a wide variety of subjects including structural adjustment lending and sector adjustment lending, agriculture, Japan and Ghana, and Bank history. All the policy and research papers are Bank papers except six items, which are identified by source on the item list. They are arranged by date of preparation or publication.\nKing, Benjamin B.\nRecords of the Europe and Central Asia Regional Vice Presidency\nWB IBRD/IDA ECA\nThis fonds has been provisionally arranged into eight series. Sub-headings are used to break up the content of this field according to provisional series. For a complete list of the provisional series, see the \"System of Arrangement\" field below.\nThe majority of the records in this fonds are country operational records. The \"operational records\" series contains records related to the Bank's operational work overseen by the Europe and Central Asia region (ECA) Vice Presidency and its predecessors. Records relate to investment, structural adjustment, technical assistance, and economic and sector work (ESW) financed, co-financed, and / or managed by the Bank. Note that projects financed or co-financed by external bodies such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), national governments, and trust funds but which were executed by the Bank are included.\nThe records in this fonds were created by Area Departments (1947-1972), Country Departments (CDs, 1972-1997) and Country Management Units (CMUs, 1997-2011) as well as the Economic Department (1946-1952), Technical Operations Department (TOD, 1952-1965), Projects Department (1965-1972), regional project departments (1972 - 1987), technical departments (1987 - 1997), and sector departments (1997 - 2011). See the \"Administrative history\" field for a history of these units and their functions. Records specifically relate to operations in countries overseen by the ECA as of 2016. These countries have remained constant since 1991 when ECA and the Middle East and North Africa region (MNA) were created out of the former Europe, Middle East, and North Africa region (EMN or EMENA). Records relating to these countries created while they reported to EMN and its predecessors prior to 1991 are also included. Note that records of regional projects or programs that span more than a single country are also included in this series as are records relating to the World Bank's involvement with the Soviet Union prior to its dissolution and, following dissolution, to Russia and other former Soviet republics.\nRecords relating to all phases of the World Bank Project Cycle, from conception through negotiation and completion, are found in this series. Project records contained in this fonds were created by both the unit identified as the designated record keeping unit within the Region and, in smaller number, the regional units that provided project support and the departments and Vice President front office responsible for review. Included are records relating to not only completed projects but also to abandoned (or dropped) projects (i.e. projects that were abandoned in the course of preparation or that failed to gain Board approval) and suspended projects (i.e. approved projects, including those partially disbursed, which were suspended and not resumed). Records related to the discussion and negotiation of projects that were never initiated are also included.\nProject records may also include: Project Implementation Index File (PIIF) documents; executive project summary/project concept documents; annual progress reports; supplemental documents; Project Completion Reports (PCRs, also known as Completion Reports); consultant reports; supervision reports; and final versions of mandatory reports. A small amount of project-related newspaper clippings, financial statements, photographs, hand-written notes, maps, engineering plans, and copies of loan agreements and related documents may also be found. External documentsreceived from borrowers, contractors, consultants, etc., including studies, reports, plans, specifications, PIIF documents, etc., are also included.\nGeneral country files are also included in the \"operational records\" series. These refer to correspondence (often in the form of chronological files), topical and subject files, and other records related to IBRD/IDA lending programs, other than those maintained for individual loans and credits. Records relate to economic, social, and sector work studies and research, analysis, and the development of sector and country programs, policies, and strategies. Specifically, these records might relate to: capital markets; indebtedness; investment law; missions to the country; technical assistance; disbursement; government relations; inquiries; local bond issues; country liaison; resident representatives; and Country Program Papers (CPP) preparation. Records relating to and filed according to the various sectors of investment are also included. In each series, country sector topics may include but are not limited to: agriculture; education; energy; industrial development and finance; industry; population; health; nutrition; telecommunications; tourism; transportation; urban development; water and sewage; governance; public sector development; private sector development; and social development. Records related to the membership of former Soviet republics and other eastern European countries are also included in this series. General country file records take the form of correspondence, memoranda, minutes of meetings, notes for files, back-to-office reports, aide-memoires, briefing papers, and reports. Records relating to other analytical and advisory activities (AAA) and the related collection of data for these activities may also be included. These records may include research material in the form of surveys and spreadsheets and guides created or used for analysis or processing of data.\nCountry-specific records relating to country program management are also included in the\"operational records\" series. These records were maintained primarily by the Country Department headquarter units and were used to document Bank Group assistance planning and strategy for each country. Records may relate to the creation of Bank reports such as: the Country Assistance Strategy (CAS); Country Briefs; Country Strategy Papers; Country Economic Memoranda; Medium Term Framework Papers; and policy statements. These records take the form of: agendas; briefings and reports of country team meetings;final versions of reports; consultant reports on specific sector or project issues; meeting summaries and notes; and background materials used in the preparation of reports.\nAlso included in this series are informational records related to each country and to development issues specific to that country. Many of the topics covered in these records are focused on the various development sectors. These records primarily contain externally created reference material, although a small amount of internally generated material (such as press releases, speeches and addresses, and material related to internally sponsored conferences and seminars) may also be included. Reference materials may include: lists of government officials; information on external consultants; newspaper clippings related to country matters; press releases related to Bank and country activities; correspondence with government officials and/or ministries; and records related to the activities of field offices in the country. Also included, in small amounts, are books, journals, magazines, articles, extracts, directories, manuals, handbooks, guides, and dissertations originating from elsewhere in the Bank Group or of external origin. Topics may include common development sectors (agriculture, transportation, education, etc.) as they relate to specific countries as well as: resettlement; indigenous peoples; participation; Global Environment Facility (GEF); World Bank operation policies; country politics, legislation and economic situation; debt; cofinancing, trust funds, and small grants programs; and natural resource management.\nConferences, meetings, and seminar organization and/or attendance\nFonds includes records related to the planning and attendances of conferences, meetings, seminars, and training organized or attended by ECA staff. Records may relate to events planned by various organizational units within the Vice Presidency, including Country Departments. Records may relate to the identification and selection of themes, topics, speakers and / or participants. Series may also include: proposals; reports; transcripts; copies of invitations and brochures; and administrative arrangements.\nFonds consists of records relating to the development and implementation of strategies for cofinancing and other instances of development coordination with bilateral and multilateral organizations. Records relate to cooperative relationships between the Bank Group and donors, cofinanciers, development agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), multilateral and bilateral organizations (government agencies, United Nations Development Programme [UNDP], Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development [OECD], etc.), and other partner organizations. Specifically, records may relate to: collaborative development assistance; Bank-sponsored seminars and conferences; and external funding for consultants. In addition to correspondence, records may include: copies of agreements and other legaldocuments; initiating briefs; reports and memoranda concerning disbursement of cofinanced funds; periodic reports to cofinanciers; trust fund audits; and other related materials.\nThe series also contains records documenting the establishment, proceedings and activities of the consultative groups convened and chaired by the Bank to coordinate external financial assistance and which the Bank provided secretarial support to. These include Consultative Groups for Kazakhstan (1992), Kyrgyz Republic (1992), Azerbaijan (1992), Uzbekistan (1992), Bulgaria (1992), Moldova (1993), Belarus (1993), Armenia (1993), Romania (1993), Belarus (1993), Ukraine (1995), Georgia (1996), Tajikistan (1996), and Moldova (1997). Files contain correspondence between the country department staff, the chairman who was typically the Country Director, and members of the consultative groups including the recipient country. Correspondence includes copies of outgoing memoranda and letters, cables, original letters from member government officials (some addressed to the Bank President), notes to the file, minutes of pre-consultative group meetings, sector, and/or local meetings organized by country staff in between consultative group meetings, and drafts of documents. Topics covered by the correspondence include policies and practices of the consultative group; its origins and establishment; changes in membership or participation; pledges and terms of aid by donor countries; and collaboration with International Monetary Fund and other multilateral participants or observers.\nAlso included are the set of official meeting documents of the Bank-chaired consultative groups aforementioned that contain: preliminary meeting summaries, notice of meeting, agenda, list of delegates, Bank-authored or government authored memoranda or economic reports and policy papers, Chairman's report of proceedings, transcripts or verbatim proceedings, participants statements, and press release. Meeting files also contain small amount of administrative correspondence authored by Secretary's department or the Area or Country Department concerning meeting preparations, distribution of documents or announcements about participants in attendance of the meetings.\nThere is also a smaller volume of files relating to donor meetings or conferences chaired by the department, and consortia and consultative meetings chaired by other organizations including the Organization for Economic Development (OECD) consortia for Turkey and Greece in which the Bank participated beginning in the early 1960s. The department provided studies of Turkey's economic performance and prospects for discussion at the meetings.\nFonds contains records relating to a variety of activities of which the Office of the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) Vice President is responsible or involved. As described in the \"Administrative history\" field above, ECA was created out of the former Europe, Middle East, and North Africa (EMN or EMENA) Vice Presidency in 1991. For records of the EMN Vice Presidency, see \"Related units of description\" field below.\nRecords in this series may relate to: public relations; borrower feedback; and VP unit evaluation and organization. Also included are country files relating to high-level involvement in projects, economic and sector work, and technical assistance. Records include correspondence and internal memoranda as well as country and thematic briefs, and meeting materials.\nFonds consists of records related to the maintenanceof ECA country departments' relationships with its client community both within and outside of the Bank Group as well as with the general public in individual countries. Records may relate specifically to the development of departmental and Bank-wide public relations policies, procedures, and communication strategies and major public relations initiatives and communication campaigns, such as the publication of reports. Records may include: correspondence; presentation slides and notes; press releases; transcripts of interviews; and talking point memos.\nFonds also consists of briefing books prepared for senior World Bank officials in preparation for visits to European and Central Asian countries as well as for participation in meetings, seminars, and speeches. Briefing books were created by ECA units including VP front office staff and were prepared for ECA senior officials as well as for other senior Bank staff including World Bank presidents and Executive Directors. Briefing books commonly contain: programof country visit; background profiles on country leaders and officials; talking points; country overview; World Bank Group activities; visit and meeting briefs; project meeting briefs; and other World Bank authored reports which serve as background information. In some files, travel information accompanies or is part of the briefing books.\nFonds includes records relating to the business plan and budget management activities (i.e. planning, implementation, monitoring, and review) of the Region. These records include: annual budget files created by the Region's budget and administrative units; Business Plans covering three-year periods; and Retrospective and Mid-Year Reviews. Records relating to the budgets of country and technical departments are included primarily in the form of correspondence and budget reports and tools. Budget records created by the Regional VP are also included.\nDepartment directors' chronological files\nChronological files created and maintained by ECA country department directors and technical department directors are included in this fonds. These may include incoming and outgoing correspondence, copies of reports, and copies of other records created or received within the unit.\nRecords relating to the management and oversight of the Region's country and technical departments' functional responsibilities and policy development are included in this fonds. Topics may include: work program development; unit policy and procedures; agency structure and organization; management improvement studies; field office management; VP-wide coordination and direction; departmental reviews; management retreats; regional objectives and operational directives; staff surveys; and staffing. Records may include: work program agreements; monthly reports and operational summaries; research program materials; various task force records including some final reports; unit reviews; management team meeting records; World Bank procedures and guidelines; and general correspondence including those disseminated from the ECAVP to VP staff. Fonds also includes the chronological files of ECA Vice President Johannes Linn.\nEurope and Central Asia Regional Vice Presidency\nPersonal Papers of William Clark\nWB IBRD/IDA CLARK\nWilliam Clark's notebooks provide a unique view of the World Bank during the McNamara years. Although some of this material found its way into the memoirs, the notebooks contain colorful and candid entries that are not in print. The description of the first meeting of McNamara's President's Council, for example, is much fuller and more lively in the notebooks than in the memoirs.\nThe notebooks, all of which are handwritten, contain a mix of items, ranging from draft memos and letters either for Clark's signature or for McNamara's, drafts of speeches and press articles, notes on meetings and conversations, diary-type entries and memoir drafts, to grocery lists. The subjects cover an equally broad range of topics, including relations with the United Nations, development issues, public support strategies for the Bank, and the Pearson and Brandt Commissions that studied development issues during the McNamara years. The files contain documents and clippings about Clark's appointment to the World Bank and McNamara's appointment to the World Bank Presidency, letters and notes about writing an article for Foreign Affairs and on the development of the memoirs, and copies of some Bank records from the McNamara years.\nOne of the notebooks contains a 14-page account of the start of the Suez crisis that Clark wrote in 1976, twenty years after events, plus another twelve pages of notes. It differs from the Suez piece in the memoirs.\nWB IBRD/IDA AFR\nThe countries included in the Africa region (AFR) have remained constant throughout its history, with the exception being the removal of northern African countries (Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco) into the Europe and Middle East Department (EME) in 1965. These countries have since remained in regional units responsible for Middle East countries. Records related to operations in these countries are not included in this fonds.\nThis fonds has been provisionally arranged into 13 series. Sub-headings are used to break up the content of this field according to provisional series. For a complete list of the provisional series, see the \"System of Arrangement\" field.\nThe majority of the records in this fonds are country operational records. The records in the \"operational records\" series broadly consist of project records relating to the negotiation and administration of loans as well as general country records relating to economic and sector study. These records were created by Area Departments (1947-1972), Country Departments (CDs, 1972-1997) and Country Management Units (CMUs, 1997-2010) as well as the Economic Department (1946-1952), Technical Operations Department (TOD, 1952-1965), Projects Department (1965-1972) and regional project departments (1972 - 1987), technical departments (1987 - 1997), and sector departments (1997 - 2010). See the \"Administrative history\" field for a history of these units and their functions.\nRecords related to the Bank's projects overseen by AFR are contained in the \"operational records\" series. These records relate to investment, structural adjustment, and other development projects financed, co-financed, and / or managed by the Bank. Note that projects funded or co-funded by external bodies such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), national governments, and trust funds but which were executed by the Bank are included.\nRecords relating to all phases of the World Bank Project Cycle, from conception through negotiation and completion,are found here. Project records contained in this fonds were created by both the unit identified as the designated record keeping unit within the Region and, in smaller number, the regional units that provided project support. Included are records relating to not only completed projects but also to abandoned (or dropped) projects (i.e. projects that were abandoned in the course of preparation or that failed to gain Board approval) and suspended projects (i.e. approved projects, including those partially disbursed, which were suspended and not resumed). Records related to the discussion and negotiation of projects that were never initiated are also included.\nCorrespondence files make up the bulk of the project records and relate to the identification, preparation, appraisal, negotiation, approval, supervision, fund disbursement, completion, and review of each individual project. Correspondence is in the form of letters, printed email, memoranda, telexes, and faxes. Accompanying materials most often include aide-memoires, minutes of meetings, Terms of Reference, and back-to-office reports. Correspondence is between the Bank and government officials, ambassadors, institutions, contractors, and consultants.\nProject records may also include: Project Implementation Index File (PIIF) documents; executive project summary/project concept documents; annual progress reports; supplemental documents; Project Completion Reports (PCRs, also known as Completion Reports); consultant reports; supervision reports; and final versions of mandatory reports. A small amount of project-related newspaper clippings, financial statements, photographs, hand-written notes, maps, engineering plans, and copies of loan agreements and related documents may also be found. External documents received from borrowers, governments, contractors, consultants, etc., including studies, reports, plans, specifications, PIIF documents, etc., are also included.\nGeneral country files are also included in the \"operational records\" series. These refer to correspondence (often in the form of chronological files), topical and subject files, and other records related to IBRD/IDA lending programs, other than those maintained for individual loans and credits. Records relate to economic, social, and sector work study, research, analysis, and the development of sector and country programs, policies, and strategies. Specifically, these records might relate to: capital markets; indebtedness; investment law; missions to the country; technical assistance; disbursement; government relations; inquiries; local bond issues; cofinancing; consultative groups; aid groups; country liaison; resident representatives; Country Program Papers (CPP) preparation; and Project Implementation Review (PIR). Records relating to and filed according to the various sectors of investment are also included. In each series, country sector files may include but are not limited to: agriculture; education; energy; industrial development and finance; industry; population; health; nutrition; telecommunications; tourism; transportation; urban development; water and sewage; governance; public sector development; private sector development; and social development. General country file records take the form of correspondence, memoranda, minutes of meetings, notes for files, back-to-office reports, aide-memoires, briefing papers, and reports. Records relating to other analytical and advisory activities (AAA) and the related collection of data for these activities may also be included. These records may include research material in the form of surveys and spreadsheets and guides created or used for analysis or processing of data.\nCountry-specific records relating to country program management are also included in the \"operational records\" series. These records were maintained primarily by the Country Department headquarter units and were used to document Bank Group assistance planning and strategy for each country. Records may relate to the creation of Bank reports such as: the Country Assistance Strategy (CAS); Country Briefs; Country Strategy Papers; Country Economic Memoranda; Medium Term Framework Papers; and policy statements. These records take the form of: agendas; briefings and reports of country team meetings; final versions of reports; consultant reports on specific sector or project issues; meeting summaries and notes; and background materials used in the preparation of reports. Briefing papers prepared for Annual Meetings and other reports to management may also be included.\nAlso included are informational records related to each country and to development issues specific to that country. Many of the topics covered in these records are focused on the various development sectors. These records primarily contain externally created reference material, although a small amount of internally generated material (such as press releases, speeches and addresses, and material related to internally sponsored conferences and seminars) may also be included. Reference materials may include: lists of government officials; information on external consultants; newspaper clippings related to country matters; press releases related to Bank and country activities; correspondence with government officials and/or ministries; and documents related to the activities of field offices in the country. Also included, in small amounts, are books, journals, magazines, articles, extracts, directories, manuals, handbooks, guides, and dissertations originating from elsewhere in the Bank Group or of external origin. Topics include common development sectors (agriculture, transportation, education, etc.) as they relate to specific countries as well as: resettlement; indigenous peoples; participation; Global Environment Facility (GEF); World Bank operation policies; country politics, legislation and economic situation; debt; cofinancing and trust funds; and natural resource management.\nRegional operational records related to the Africa Region are also included in this fonds. Included are the records of projects or programs that span more than a single country, such as the founding of new regional banks, the establishment of a common market, tourism projects, and the creation of regional infrastructure, such as roads, ports, electric power generation and telecommunications. Records relating to the Region's participation in interrelated development activities that have been aggregated into a coordinated development program are also included. These include, for example, the Onchocerciasis Control Programme and the Sub-Saharan Africa Transport Program (SSATP). The types of project-related records are similar to those described in the country operational records above. Also included are general records related to economic, social and sector work study and analysis and the development of sector and regional programs, policies, and strategies. In terms of topic and form, these records are also similar to the general operational records described above. However, records relate to either the region as a whole or to multi-country areas of the region.\nProject auditing\nSeries contains records relating to the regular auditing of Bank-funded projects in the Africa region conducted by the Operational Quality and Knowledge (AFTQK) department within AFR. Records primarily contain audit reports produced by external firms but may also contain: correspondence; project appraisal documents; legal agreements; and implementation completion reports.\nDepartmental subject files, reference materials, and correspondence files\nNon-country specific reference materials and subject files maintained by regional departments including both country departments and sector units are included in this fonds. Topics include the various development sectors as well as Bank operational topics such as: policy development; project identification; project procurement; consultants; exports; macroeconomic stability and growth; and private sector assessment. Reference materials may originate from elsewhere within the Bank or external to the Bank and may include: books; journals; magazines; newspaper clippings; articles; extracts, directories; manuals; handbooks; guides; Bank reports; and dissertations. Subject files related to sector-related organizations are also included. These records may include: reports published or disseminated by associations; correspondence between the Bank and organizations; meeting related records; and coordination records.\nSeries consists of records relating to the development and implementation of strategies for cofinancing and other instances of aid coordination. Records originate in country and sector departments and relate to cooperative relationships between the Bank Group and donors, cofinanciers, development agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other concerned organizations. Specifically, records may relate to: collaborative development assistance; Bank-sponsored seminars and conferences; cofinancing and trust funds; the Special Program for Assistance (SPA) in Africa; the Consultant Trust Fund Program (CTFP); and external funding for consultants. Records may include: copies of agreements and other legal documents; initiating briefs; reports and memoranda concerning disbursement of cofinanced funds; periodic reports to cofinanciers; and other related materials. Series also contains correspondence files of the Regional Cofinancing Advisor. Records were created while the position was held by Philip Birnham (1985 to 1995) and by Alison Rosenberg (1995 to 1998). The records relate to overall coordination of cofinancing forthe Africa Region and, specifically, to the Special Program of Assistance (SPA) for Africa.\nSeries consists of records relating to the development and implementation of strategies for cofinancing and other instances of aid coordination. Records originate in country and sector departments and relate to cooperative relationships between the Bank Group and donors, cofinanciers, development agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other concerned organizations. Specifically, records may relate to: collaborative development assistance;; Bank-sponsored seminars and conferences; cofinancing and trust funds; the Consultant Trust Fund Program (CTFP); and external funding for consultants. Records may include: copies of agreements and other legal documents; initiating briefs; reports and memoranda concerning disbursement of cofinanced funds; periodic reports to cofinanciers; and other related materials.\nThe series also contains records documenting the establishment, proceedings and activities of the consultative groups and aid groups convened and chaired by the Bank to coordinate external financial assistance and which the Bank provided secretarial support to. These include consultative groups for Nigeria (1962), Sudan (1963), Ghana (sponsored by Bank from 1970 after participation under IMF sponsorship since 1967), East Africa (1968), Ethiopia (1971), Zaire - Democratic Republic of Congo (1971), Tanzania (1977), Uganda (1978), Zambia (1978), Mauritius (1980), Somalia (1983), Sao Tome and Principe (1984),Senegal (1984), Zambia (1984), Mauritania (1985), Gambia (1986), Madagascar (1986), Malawi (1986), Mozambique (1987), Guinea (1987), Zimbabwe (1992), Eritrea (1994), Sierra Leone (1994), Angola (1995), and Cote d'Ivoire (1995). Many of the consultative groups typically met bi-annually for several successive years or for longer than a decade such as Nigeria and Tanzania with Bank staff leading smaller sector or local consultative meetings in between the bi-annual group meetings. Files contain a large body of correspondence between the country department staff, the chairman who was typically the Area or Country Director for consultative groups, and donor members of the groups including the recipient country. Correspondence includes copies of outgoing memoranda and letters, cables, original letters from member government officials (some addressed to the Bank President), notes to the file, minutes of pre-consultative group meetings, sector, and/or local meetings, and drafts of documents. Topics covered by the correspondence include policies and practices of the consultative groups; its origins and establishment; changes in membership or participation; pledges and terms of aid by donor countries; and collaboration with International Monetary Fund and other multilateral participants or observers.\nAlso included are the set of official meeting documents of the earliest Bank-chaired Consultative Groups for Sudan and Nigeria and other countries aforementioned that contain: preliminary meeting summaries, notice of meeting, agenda, list of delegates, Bank-authored or government authored memoranda or economic reports and policy papers, Chairman's report of proceedings, transcripts or verbatim proceedings, participants statements, and press release. Meeting files also contain small amount of administrative correspondence authored by Secretary's department or the Area or Country Department concerning meeting preparations, distribution of documents, or announcements about participants in attendance of the meetings.\nThere is also a smaller volume of files relating to donor meetings or investor conferences chaired by the department, and consultative meetings or roundtables chaired by other organizations outside of the Bank including Organization for Economic Development (OECD) and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in which the Bank participated beginning in the early 1970s. These include (but are not limited to) Central African Republic, Burundi, Benin, Cape Verde, Sao Tome and Principe, Guinea-Bissau, Rwanda, Lesotho, Togo and Mali.\nParticipation in external working and policy groups, committees, and other organizations\nSeries consists of records related to AFR staff participation in committees, task forces, working and policy groups, and other organizations external to, but in some cases sponsored by, the World Bank. Many of these organizations focus on regional cooperation, development, and research, such as the Central African Customs and Economic Union (UDEAC), the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), and the Global Coalition for Africa (GCA). Records may relate to administration, membership, and activities of organization, and the work or research undertaken or sponsored by the organization.\nSeries contains records relating to a variety of activities of which the Office of the Africa Vice President are responsible or involved. These include: public relations; borrower feedback; VP reorganization; and VP unit evaluation and organization. The records include correspondence and internal memoranda related to the various activities, as well as country and thematic briefs and meeting materials. Records related to the Region's participation in and leadership of the joint World Bank-IMF Africa Club for staff are included. A small amount of audio visual material in the form of video and audio tapes are also included in this series. They include recordings of interviews, meetings, and social and cultural events. A small amount of records also relate to the visit of World Bank senior staff, including World Bank presidents, to African countries and meetings held with country leaders during these trips.\nSeries includes the chronological files of a number of AFR Vice Presidents, including: Vice President Edward Jaycox (1991-1996); jointly Jean-Louis Sarbib and Callisto Madavo (1996-1997, during which time the two shared the position of AFR Vice President); Gobind Nankani (2004-2007); and Obiageli Ezekwesili (2007-2008). Chronological files of the VP front office and individual front office staff are also included.\nSeries contains the \"Commodity files\" of Barend de Vries, Chief Economist for the Western Africa Department and Region between 1970 and 1975. Included are copies of memos and reports relating to international and regional production and pricing of various commodities. Also included are Bank produced reports on commodity trade and price trends and price forecasts as well as papers on population and family planning programs for Africa.\nSeries relates to the activities of AFR departments asked, usually on an ad hoc basis, to respond to correspondence addressed to World Bank Group presidents, regional Vice Presidents, and other staff members.\nSeries also consists of briefing books prepared for senior officials in preparation for visits to African countries as well as for participation in meetings, seminars, and speeches. Briefing books were created by AFRunits including VP front office staff and were prepared for AFR senior officials as well as for other senior Bank staff including World Bank presidents and Executive Directors. These books commonly contain: program of country visit; background profiles on country leaders and officials; talking points; country overview; World Bank Group activities; visit and meeting briefs; project meeting briefs; and other World Bank authored reports which serve as background information. In some files, travel information accompanies or is part of the briefing books. A small amount of photographs of dignitaries and bank senior officials documenting their visits to resident missions is also included.\nSeries includes records relating to the business plan and budget management (i.e. planning, implementation, monitoring, and review) activities of the Region. These records include annual budget files created by the Region's budget and administrative units as well as Business Plans covering three-year periods and Retrospective and Mid-Year Reviews. Records relating to the budgets of country and technical departments are included primarily in the form of correspondence and budget reports and tools. Budget records created by the Regional VP, Country Departments, and the Regional Resource Management and Information Technology Department (AFTRM) are included.\nChronological files created and maintained by AFR country department directors and technical department directors are included in this series. These may include incoming and outgoing correspondence, copies of reports, and copies of other records created or received within the unit.\nProcurement policy, assessment, review, and training\nSeries contains records related to the regional oversight of procurement for goods and services needed for operational work. Activities include the review and audit of procurement activities. Procurement audits and review evaluate: project preparation procedure with regard to procurement; internal regional procedures; country procurement practices; and other activities. Records also consist of correspondence and documents relating to the review of ongoing project procurement activities.\nRecords also consist of background correspondence and documents relating to the formulation of Country Procurement Assessment Reports (CPAR). Records related to procurement training activities are also included.\nRecords relating to the management and oversight of the Region's country and technical departments' functional responsibilities, work program, and policy development are included in this fonds. Topics may include: work program development; unit policy and procedures; agency structure and organization; management improvement studies; coordination and direction; departmental reviews; regional objectives and operational directives; and staffing. Records may include: work program agreements and monthly reports; research programmaterials; various task force records including some final reports; unit reviews; management team meeting records; management retreats; records related to the 1987 and 1991 reorganizations of the operations complex and subsequent reorganization of the Technical Departments; and general correspondence.\nSeries also includes records maintained in the Region's front office relating to the activities and management of the Region's field offices. Records may include: correspondence; reports; Terms of Reference; establishment agreements; audit reports; and contracts. Records may relate to administrative matters such as: renovation; security; inventory; capital budget; audits; and local staff.\nAfrica Regional Vice Presidency\nRecords of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)\nWB IBRD/IDA CGIAR\nThe records in this series reflect the two principal activities of the Consultative Group: funding and evaluating the international institutes. The Group's activity is carried out through regular informal contacts, through consultation at yearly or semi-annual meetings, and through inspection visits to the centers. The records document the debates on whether to fund new institutes or new programs within existing institutes; what is the healthiest relationship between the international institutes and national research and extension programs; and how to manage the related roles of the Council and the Group, the two secretariats, and the four co-sponsors. A substantial amount of correspondence also is created during the sensitive process of selecting Council members and choosing leaders of the institutes.\nThe records of the meetings give a bird's eye view of the state of international agricultural research on topics ranging from pest control to rice production to the state of post-harvest technologies. Background papers, mission reports, priorities papers, instituted evaluations, minutes, verbatim transcripts, and correspondence range over every subject in agriculture. Of particular interest are the debates on how to support the collection, evaluation and conservation of plant genetic resources, which ultimately led to the establishment of the International Board for Plant Genetic Resources and a central fund to support it. Changing research interests can also be followed, as well as the growing awareness of the role of women in agriculture, the increasing appreciation of the role of the small farmer, and the heightening concern over the fragility of environmental balance.\nOf particular importance is the collection of publications and reports from all the institutes that are supported by CGIAR. Through these publications, the regular evaluation reports, the institute work plans and the regular correspondence, the successes and failures of each institute can be charted. The central files contain massivefiles on the institutes, often including such difficult to locate items as minutes of institute meetings. In the early 1990s a CGIAR project put a large body of the publications from the institutes on a set of 17 CD-ROMS; these publications and others are found in the series of institute publications.\nConsultative Group on International Agricultural Research\nRecords of the Development Committee\nWB IBRD/IDA DC\nThe Joint Ministerial Committee of the Boards of Governors of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund on the Transfer of Real Resources to Developing countries, usually known as the Development Committee, is an advisory body only. The primary function of the staff of the Committee is to arrange the Committee's semiannual meetings where issue papers are discussed. The records of the Development Committee, therefore, are primarily those of meetings and of the discussion documents prepared for the meetings. Transcripts of the proceedings exist for all meetings of the Committee, and are the only series of records that covers the entire history of the Committee.\nThe Committee's activities include support for international cooperation in development activities, coordination of international efforts in finance development, and advice to the Boards of Governors of the Bank and the Fund on all aspects of the transfer of real resources to developing countries. These activities are reflected in both thepapers prepared for the Committee and in the work of a number of task forces and working groups the Committee established in the 1970s and 1980s.\nDuring its first twenty years of existence, the Committee staff maintained subject and administrative files that contained background information on topics, programs, organizations, and meetings of relevance to the Development Committee's interests. Because during part of this period the Executive Secretary of the Development Committee also served as the DeputySecretary of the World Bank, some information in the subject and administrative files relates primarily to the Bank and its activities rather than to the Committee itself. These files are now discontinued, and the Committee staff files all records relating to a meeting, including administrative matters, background information, and official numbered documents, in a central meetings file. Chronological files have also been discontinued as of 1998.\nRecords of the Operations (Loan) Committee\nWB IBRD/IDA LC\nThe records of the Loan Committee consist of three distinct types of files: minutes; records of the chairman; and background information. The official Loan Committee minutes were maintained by the Bank's Central Files unit until 1987; this Central Files series is the first series of this fonds. Thereafter the official set of minutes became the responsibility of staff attached to the office of the Committee chairman; the second and third series are these records. Some gaps exist in the minutes, but records of these meetings may be found in the series of records of the chairman.\nThe chairmen of the Commitee also maintained records that, while partly duplicating the series of official minutes, also contain handwritten notes and annotations revealing the chairman's personal reactions to proposals. These are the fourth and fifth series in the fonds.\nThe bulk of the fonds is a series of project files, mainly from the 1980s, arranged by country. Each file contains the basic documents relating to the Committee's actions on a specific project. While the series of minutes show the chronological development of lending, this background series enables the researcher to look at all projects in a country or region to understand the project emphases in a geographical area. Taken together, the series in this fonds provide a comprehensive picture of the Bank's projects and the shifting priorities in lending policy over time.\nOperations (Loan) Committee\nRecords of the East Asia and Pacific Regional Vice Presidency\nWB IBRD/IDA EAP\nNote that the countries included in the East Asia and Pacific Region fonds fluctuated over the years; countries were moved from one Region to another and Regional Vice Presidencies were merged and separated. The only significant impact this had on the records of this fonds is the exclusion of Burma/Myanmar's operational correspondence previous to 1987. As described in the \"Scope and Content\" field above, Myanmar was moved into EAP unofficially in 1987 and officially in 1991.\nAlso note that this fonds has been provisionally arranged into one sub-fonds and twelve series. Sub-headings are used to break the content of this field up according to sub-fonds and series. For a complete list of the provisional series, see field the \"System of Arrangement\" field below.\nAsia operational correspondence (sub-fonds)\nThe majority of the records in the Asia operational correspondence sub-fonds are the result of a records management decision implemented by the central files classification system and then, after 1972, by the Regional Information Service Centers (RISCs). Two \"Operational correspondence - Asia\" classes of records were created in which records related to Asian regional lending and programming, economic and sector work, and reference were filed together regardless of unit of origin. Records were thus created by the units of the various Asia and East Asia regional department and Vice Presidency iterations, including: department heads, and, after 1972, Vice Presidents; Country Program Department heads and staff; and Projects/Technical Department heads and staff. Note that records of the Technical Departments (AST) units that were shared by SAR and EAP between 1991 and 1997 are included in these records. See 2.3 for further elaboration.\nRecords relate to a variety of topics that pertain to operations in the Asian region and to individual countries. These include: Bank missions to Asian countries; potential and ongoing projects; conferences attended by Bank staff; investment promotion; technical assistance in the region; UNDP projects; operations policy; external debt; audits; co-financing; Economic Development Institute (EDI); Project Implementation Review (PIR); and sector research and policy work. Records related to multilateral institutions with which the Bank has a relationship are included. Institutions include: the Asian Development Bank (ADB); Private Investment Corporation of Asia (PICA); Asian Institute of Economic Development; the Colombo Plan; the Mekong Committee; and the South Pacific Commission.\nAlso included in this sub-fonds are a small number of records created by the Asia Vice Presidency (ASI) during its existence between 1987 and 1991. These records were not transferred to the Asia RISC and were thus not classified according to the RISC classification system. Records include correspondence and reports related to UNDP projects (specifically RAS/86/160 - Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Development) as well as records related to regional Economic and Sector Work (ESW) maintained by the ASI Front Office from 1987 to 1991. Lastly, records of ASI Chief Economist Oktay Yenal are included. The majority of these records are correspondence from Yenal to ASI Vice President Attila Karaosmanoglu in which Yenal provides comments and advice. Note that while Yenal's records cover the entire period of ASI's existence (1987-1991), a small amount also relate to Yenal's time as Chief Economist of EAP from 1984 to 1987; during this time he was also reporting to Karaosmanoglu and the records are similar in character. A file containing Yenal's speeches from between 1989 and 1991 is also included.\nThe majority of the records in this fonds are country operational records. The records in the \"Country operational record\" series broadly consist of project records relating to the negotiation and administration of loans and general country records relating to economic and sector study. These records were created by Area Departments (1947-1972), Country Departments (CDs, 1972-1997) and Country Management Units (CMUs, 1997- ) as well as Economic Department (1946-1952), Technical Operations Department (TOD), Projects Department (1965-1972) and Regional project departments (1972 - 1987), technical departments (1987 - 1997), and sector departments (1997 - 2009).\nRecords related to the Bank's projects overseen by EAP are contained in the \"Country operational records\" series. These records relate to investment, structural adjustment, and other development projects financed, co-financed, or managed by the Bank. Note that projects funded or co-funded by external bodies such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), national governments, and trust funds but which were executed by the Bank are included.\nRecords relating to all phrases phases of the World Bank Project Cycle, from conception through negotiation and completion, are found here. Project records contained in this fonds were created by both the unit identified as the designated record keeping unit within the Region and, in smaller number, the Regional units that provided project support. Included are records relating to not only completed projects but also to abandoned projects (i.e. projects that were abandoned in course of preparation or that failed to gain Board approval) and suspended projects (i.e. approved projects, including those partially disbursed, which have been suspended and not resumed). Records related to the discussion and negotiation of projects that were never initiated are also included.\nProject records may also include: Project Implementation Index File (PIIF) documents; executive project summary/project concept documents; annual progress reports; supplemental documents; Project Completion Reports (PCRs, also known as Completion Reports); consultant reports; supervision reports; and final versions of mandatory reports. A small amount of project-related newspaper clippings, financial statements, photographs, hand-written notes, maps, engineering plans, and copies of loan agreements and related documents may also be found, as well. External documents received from borrowers, governments, contractors, consultants, etc., including studies, reports, plans, specifications, PIIF documents, etc., are also included.\nGeneral country files are also included in the \"Country operational records\" series. These refer to correspondence, topical and subject files, and other records of the Region's support activities for IBRD/IDA lending programs, other than those maintained for individual loans and credits. Records relate to economic, social, and sector work study and analysis and the development of sector and country programs, policies and strategies. Specifically, these records might relate to: capital markets; indebtedness; investment law; missions to the country; technical assistance; disbursement; government relations; inquiries; local bond issues; co-financing; Consultative Groups; aid groups; country liaison; resident representatives; Country Program Papers (CPP) preparation; and Project Implementation Review (PIR). Records relating to and filed according to the various sectors of investment are also included. In each series, sector files may include but are not limited to: agriculture; education; energy; industrial development and finance; industry; population; health; nutrition; telecommunications; tourism; transportation; urban development; water and sewage; and social development. General country file records take the form of correspondence, memoranda, minutes of meetings, notes for files, back-to-office reports, aide-memoires, briefing papers, and reports. Records relating to other analytical and advisory activities (AAA) and the related collection of data for these activities may also be included. These records may include research material in the form of surveys and spreadsheets and guides created or used for analysis or processing of data.\nCountry-specific records relating to country program management and aid coordination are also included in the country operational record series. These records were maintained primarily by the Country Department headquarter units and were used to document Bank Group assistance planning and strategy for each country. Records may pertain to the creation of Bank reports such as: the Country Assistance Strategy (CAS); Country Briefs; Country Strategy Papers; Country Economic Memoranda; Medium Term Framework Papers; and policy statements. These records take the form of: agendas; briefings and reports of country team meetings; final versions of reports; external reports; meeting summaries and notes; and background materials used in the preparation of reports. Briefing papers prepared for Annual Meetings and other reports to management may also be included. Materials generated from aid coordination activities not specific to projects, such as co-financing arrangements, donor meetings, Consultative Group meetings, and Country Team meetings, may also be included.\nAlso included are informational records related to each country and to development issues specific tothat country. Much of the topics covered in these records are focused on various development sectors. These records primarily contain externally created reference material, although a small amount of internally generated material (such as speeches and addresses and material related to internally sponsored conferences and seminars) may also be included. Reference materials may include: lists of government officials; information on external consultants; newspaper clippings related to country matters; press releases related to Bank and country activities; correspondence with government officials and/or ministries; and documents related to the operations of field offices in the country. Also included, in small amounts, are books, journals, magazines, articles, extracts, directories, manuals, handbooks, guides, and dissertations originating from elsewhere in the Bank Group or of external origin. Topics include common development sectors (agriculture, transportation, education, etc.) as well as: resettlement; indigenous peoples; participation; Global Environment Facility (GEF); World Bank operation policies; country politics, legislation, and economic situation; and natural resource management.\nOperational records related to the East Asia and Pacific Region are also included in this fonds. Included are the project records of projects that span more than a single country, such as the founding of new regional banks, the establishment of a common market, tourism projects, and the creation of regional infrastructure, such as roads, ports, electric power generation and telecommunications. The types of project-related records are similar to those described in the \"Country operational records\" series section above. Also included are general records related to economic, social and sector work study and analysis and the development of sector and regional programs, policies and strategies. In terms of topic and form, these records are similar to the general records of the country operational series described above; this includes records related to sector study and development, and analytical and advisory activities (AAA). However, records relate to either the region as a whole or to multi-country areas of the region. Also included are records relating to external institutions that work together with the Bank through research, co-financing, and other endeavors. These include: the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development; the Asian Development Bank; the Private Investment Corporation of Asia; the Mekong Committee; Asian-Pacific Telecommunity (APT); Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific; Asian Institute of Technology (AIT); Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO); International Labor Organization (ILO); United Nations (UN) and its various funds and programmes; and the World Health Organization (WHO).\nSeries consists of records relating to the development and implementation of aid coordination activities not specific to projects, such as co-financing arrangements, donor meetings, consultative group meetings, and Country Team meetings. Records originate in country and sector departments and relate to cooperative relationships between the Bank Group and donor members, cofinanciers, development agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other concerned organizations. Specifically, records may relate to: collaborative development assistance; Bank-sponsored seminars and conferences; cofinancing and trust funds; the Consultant Trust Fund Program (CTFP); and external funding for consultants. Records may include: copies of agreements and other legal documents; initiating briefs; reports and memoranda concerning disbursement of cofinanced funds; periodic reports to cofinanciers; and other related materials.\nThe series contains records documenting the establishment, proceedings and activities of the consultative groups convened and chaired by the Bank to assess and coordinate external financial assistance and which the Bank provided secretarial support to. These include consultative groups for Malaysia (1965), Thailand (1966), Korea (1966), Philippines (1971), Burma - Myanmar (1976), Papua New Guinea (1988), Indonesia (1992, previously the Intergovernmental Group on Indonesia in which the Bank participated), Vietnam (1993), and Cambodia (1996). Many of the groups met bi-annually for several successive years, some continuing over decades as in the case of Philippines.\nConsultative group files contain a large body of correspondence between the country department staff, the chairman who was typically the Area or Country Director but on occasion was the Regional Vice President, and members of the consultative groups including the recipient country. Correspondence includes copies of outgoing memoranda and letters, cables, original letters from member government officials (some addressed to the Bank President), notes to the file, minutes of pre-consultative group meetings, sector, and/or local meetings organized by country staff in between consultative group meetings, and drafts of documents. Topics covered by the correspondence include policies and practices of the consultative group or aid group; its origins and establishment; changes in membership or participation; pledges and terms of aid by donor countries; and collaboration with International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other multilateral participants or observers.\nAlso included are the set of official meeting documents of the Bank-chaired consultative groups aforementionedthat contain: preliminary meeting summaries, notice of meeting, agenda, list of delegates, Bank-authored or government authored memoranda or economic reports and policy papers, Chairman's report of proceedings, transcripts or verbatim proceedings, participants statements, and press release. Meeting files also contain small amount of administrative correspondence authored by Secretary's department or the Area or Country Department concerning meeting preparations, distribution of documents, or announcements about participants in attendance of the meetings.\nDepartmental reference materials and subject files\nNon-country specific reference materials and subject files maintained by regional departments including both country departments and sector units are included in this fonds. Topics include the various development sectors as well as Bank operational topics such as: policy development; project identification; loan project procurement; consultants; exports; macroeconomic stability and growth; and private sector assessment. Reference materials may originate from elsewhere within the Bank or external to the Bank and may include: books; journals; magazines; newspaper clippings; articles; extracts, directories; manuals; handbooks; guides; Bank reports; dissertations. Subject files related to sector related associations are also included. These records may include: reports published or disseminated by associations; correspondence between the Bank and associations; meeting related records; and coordination records.\nDepartment directors' chronological files and project records (reference)\nChronological files created and maintained by EAP Department directors are included in this fonds. These may include incoming and outgoing correspondence, copies of reports, and copies of other records created or received within the unit. Project file reference copies maintained by the CD, CMU, or Sector Family directors' front office staff are also included in this fonds. These include project-related records circulated from project managers to the departments for information, monitoring, review, or input. These records are arranged by project and then, in most cases, by project cycle component or phase.\nFonds includes records relating to business plan and budget management (i.e. planning, implementation, monitoring, and review) activities of the Region. These records include annual budget files created by the Region's budget and administrative units as well as Business Plans covering three-year periods and Retrospective and Mid-Year Reviews. Records relating to the budgets of Country Departments are included primarily in the form of correspondence and budget reports and tools. Budget records created by boththe Regional VP and Country Departments relating to country field offices are included (these offices also go by the names \"resident mission\", \"field office\", or \"country office.\") Records related to the quarterly VP Business Review Meetings are also included. Records include correspondence related to final budget and accrual reports\nRecords relating to the management and oversight of the Region's country and technical departments' functional responsibilities, work program, and policy development are included in this fonds. Topics include: work program development; unit policy and procedures; agency structure and organization; management improvement studies; coordination and direction; departmental reviews; regional objectives and operational directives; and staffing. Records include: work program agreements and monthly reports; research program materials; general correspondence; various task force records including some final reports; unit reviews; procedural and budget guides; management team meeting records; management retreats; records related to the 1987 and 1991 reorganizations of the Asia Region and subsequent reorganization of the Technical Departments; and general correspondence. Records related to regular operations Vice Presidents' meetings are also included.\nFonds includes the chronological files of Vice President Russell J. Cheetham from 1994 to 1996. Records maintained by Cheetham's successor, Jean-Michel Severino, are also included. Note that Severino's records, from 1997 to 1999, are organized by country. (See Related Units of Description in this description for location of other EAP VP chronological files.)\nFront office administration of field offices\nFonds includes those records maintained in the Region's front office relating to the administration and management of the Region's field offices. Records may include: correspondence; reports; establishment agreements; leases; contracts; Internal Auditing Department (IAD) reports; ad hoc reports related to staff issues in country offices; and other information of substantive nature. Records may relate to: renovation; capital budget; local staff; resident representatives; mission statement; job grading; and staff reassignment.\nFonds includes records related to the establishment, organization, and output of conferences, meetings, seminars, and training organized or attended by EAP staff. Records related to the Bank's Spring and Annual Meetings are also included. With regard to events organized or sponsored by the Region, records may relate to identification and selection of themes, topics, and speakers in addition to other planning, administrative, and logistical topics. Events organized by the Region can include both events internal to the Region (Country Assistance Strategy [CAS] retreat, Sector Manager's retreat, Regional Management Business Meeting, Regional Vice President and Country Directors' retreat, EAPand country office town hall meetings, etc.) and external (Executive Forum's East Asian Economic Forecast; World Bank Corporate Day meetings; World Bank Strategic Forums; MD/VP Business Review Meetings).\nRecords related to smaller or one-time meetings are also included. This includes meetings with a various individuals including government officials, representatives of institutions, academics, and other Bank staff. Records of these meetings may include the notes and memoranda of the Regional Vice President.\nFonds contains records relating to a number of temporary and standing committees, task forces, working groups, etc., on which the Region or its units are represented or about which they are kept informed. Functions of these committees generally include , thatthe establishment, recommendation, or supervision of policy and procedure monitor implementation of policy and procedures. Records related to other internal Regional VP or Country Departments are also included. and on which the Region or its units are represented or about which they are kept informed . Other committees internal to the Regional VP or Country Department relate to research, briefing and sector work. Records may include terms of reference, agenda, agenda papers, decisions, member lists, supporting or background documentation, and minutes and reports.\nA variety of front office reference material is included in this fonds. Topics include: development (including specific sector work); regional and country economic and political issues; corruption; governance; Bank-Fund collaboration; Bank operations; Asian Development Bank (ADB); post-conflict reconstruction; performance indicators; information technology; communications; privatization and private sector development; co-financing; consultants; Operations Evaluation Department (OED); human resources; the Quality Assurance Group (QAG); World Development Report (WDR); Global Environment Facility (GEF); and World Debt Tables. Records take the form of: photocopied articles; Bank-authored reports including task force reports; copies of Bank Executive Director memoranda; reports from external institutions; workshop publications; and seminar reports. Records received from other Bank Vice Presidencies are also included.\nBriefing books and travel records\nFonds also consists of briefing books prepared for senior officials in preparation for visits to East Asia and Pacific countries as well as for meetings and seminars. Books wereBriefing books were created by EAP units including VP staff and were prepared for EAP senior officials as well as other senior Bank staff including World Bank presidents and Executive Directors. Briefing These books commonly contain: program of country visit; country overview; World Bank Group activities; visit and meeting briefs; project meeting briefs; as well as other World Bank authored reports which serve as background information. In some files, travel information accompanies or is part of the briefing books. This is especially true for records related to the EAP Vice Presidents.\nEast Asia and Pacific Regional Vice Presidency\nWB IBRD/IDA LAC\nThis fonds consists of records created by the departments and vice presidencies that were responsible for World Bank operations in Central and South America and the Caribbean.\nThe majority of the records of this fonds are country operational records. These records broadly consist of project records relating to the negotiation and administration of loans and general country records relating to economic and sector study. These records were created by Area Departments (1947-1972), Country Departments (CDs, 1972-1997) and Country Management Units (CMUs, 1997-) as well as Regional project departments (1972 - 1987), technical departments (1987 - 1997), and sector departments (1997 - ).\nProject records\nRecords related to the Bank's projects overseen by the LCR are contained in the \"Country operational records\" series. These records relate to investment, structural adjustment, and other development projects financed, co-financed, or managed by the Bank. Note that projects funded or co-funded by external bodies such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), national governments, and trust funds and which were executed by the Bank are also included.\nInformation about specific projects from their conception through negotiation and completion is found in this series; records relating to all phases of the World Bank Project Cycle are included here. Project records contained in this fonds were created by both the unit identified as the designated record keeping unit within the Region and, in smaller number, the Regional units that provided project support. Included are records relating to not only completed projects but also to abandoned projects (i.e. projects that were abandoned in course of preparation or that failed to gain Board approval) and suspended projects (i.e. approved projects, including those partially disbursed, which have been suspended and not resumed). Records related to the discussion and negotiation of projects that were never initiated are also included.\nCorrespondence files make up the bulk of the project records and relate to the identification, preparation, appraisal, negotiation, approval, supervision, disbursement of funds, completion, and review of each individual project. Correspondence is in the form of letters, memoranda, telexes, and faxes. Accompanying materials most often include aide-memoires, minutes of meetings, Terms of Reference, back-to-office reports, etc. Correspondence is between the Bank and government officials, ambassadors, institutions, and consultants.\nProject records may also include: Project Files documents; Project Implementation Index File (PIIF) documents; executive project summary/project concept documents; annual progress reports; supplemental documents; consultant reports; supervision reports; and final versions of mandatory reports. Note that reports included in this fonds are occasionally available through the Bank's Projects & Operations site. A small amount of project-related newspaper clippings, financial statements, photographs, hand-written notes, maps, engineering plans, and copies of loan agreements and related documents may also be found, as well. External documents received from borrowers, governments, consultants, etc., including studies, reports, plans, specifications, Project File documents, PIIF documents, etc., are also included.\nCountry Economic and Sector Work (ESW) records\nGeneral country files are also included in the \"Country operational series\". These refer to background correspondence and other records of the Region's support activities for IBRD/IDA lending programs, other than those maintained for individual loans and credits. These relate to economic, social, and sector work study and analysis and the development of sector and country programs, policies and strategies. Specifically, these records might relate to: capital markets; indebtedness; investment law; missions to the country; technical assistance; disbursement; government relations; inquiries; local bond issues; country liaison; programs and missions; resident representatives; Country Program Papers (CPP) preparation; and Project Implementation Review (PIR). Records relating to and filed according to the various sectors of investment are also included. In each series, sector files may include but are not limited to: agriculture; education; energy; industrial development and finance; industry; population; health; nutrition; telecommunications; tourism; transportation; urban development; water and sewage; and social development. General country filerecords take the form of correspondence, memoranda, minutes of meetings, notes for files, briefing papers, back-to-office reports, aide-memoires, briefing papers, and reports. Records relating to analytical and advisory activities (AAA) and the related collection of data for these activities may also be included.\nCountry-specific records relating to country program management are also included in the country operational record series. These records were maintained primarily by the Country Department headquarter units and were used to document Bank Group assistance planning and strategy for each country. Records may pertain to the creation of Bank reports such as: the Country Assistance Strategy (CAS); Country Briefs; Country Strategy Papers; Country Economic Memoranda; Medium Term Framework Papers; and policy statements. These records take the form of: agendas; briefings and reports of country team meetings; final versions of reports; and background materials used in the preparation of reports. Briefing papers prepared for Annual Meetings and other reports to management may also be included.\nAlso included are informational records related to each country and to development issues specific to that country. These records primarily contain externally created reference material, although a small amount of internally generated material (such as speeches and addresses and material related to internally sponsored conferences and seminars) may also be included. Reference materials may include: lists of government officials; information on external consultants; newspaper clippings related to country matters; press releases related to Bank and country activities; correspondence with government officials and/or ministries; and documents related to the operations of field offices in the country. Also included, in small amounts, are books, journals, magazines, articles, extracts, directories, manuals, handbooks, guides, and dissertations originating from elsewhere in the Bank Group or of external origin. Topics include common development sectors (agriculture, transportation, education, etc.) as well as: resettlement; indigenous peoples; participation; Global Environment Facility (GEF); World Bank operation policies; country politics, legislation, and economic situation; and natural resource management. Also includes some reports and other resources relating to countries and regions outside of Latin America.\nOperational records related to the Latin America & Caribbean region are also includedin this fonds. Included are the project records of projects that span more than a single country, such as the founding of new regional banks, the establishment of a common market, tourism projects, and the creation of regional infrastructure, such as roads, ports, electric power generation and telecommunications. The types of project-related records are similar to those described in the \"Country operational records\" series section above. Also included are general records related to economic, social and sector work study and analysis and the development of sector and regional programs, policies and strategies. In terms of topic and form, these records are similar to the general records of the country operational series described above; this includes records related to sector study and development and analytical and advisory activities (AAA). However, records relate to either the region as a whole or to multi-country areas of the region. Also included are records relating to multilateral institutions that worktogether with the Bank.\nSeries consists of records relating to the development and implementation of aid coordination activities not specific to projects, such as cofinancing arrangements, donor meetings, consultative group meetings, and Country Team meetings. Records originate in country and sector departments and relate to cooperative relationships between the Bank Group and donors, cofinanciers, development agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other concernedorganizations. Specifically, records may relate to: collaborative development assistance; Bank-sponsored seminars and conferences; cofinancing and trust funds; the Consultant Trust Fund Program (CTFP); and external funding for consultants. Records may include: copies of agreements and other legal documents; initiating briefs; reports and memoranda concerning disbursement of cofinanced funds; periodic reports to cofinanciers; and other related materials.\nThe series also contains records documenting the establishment, proceedings and activities of the consultative groups convened and chaired by the Bank to assess and coordinate external financial assistance and which the Bank provided secretarial support to. These include the Colombia Consultative Group (1962) as well as consultative groups for Brazil (1966), Peru (1966), Bolivia (1977), Honduras (1988), Guatemala (1989), El Salvador (1991), Nicaragua (1994), Haiti (1996), and Costa Rica (1998). Many of the consultative groups met bi-annually for several successive years or longer than a decade such as Colombia and Peru, with Bank staff leading smaller sector or local consultative meetings in between the bi-annual donor group meetings. Files contain a large body of correspondence between the country department staff, the chairman who was typically the Area of Country Director, and members of the consultative groups including the recipient country. Correspondence includes copies of outgoing memoranda and letters, cables, original letters from member government officials (some addressed to the Bank President), notes to the file, minutes of pre-consultative group meetings, sector, and/or local meetings organized by country staff in between consultative group meetings, and drafts of documents. Topics covered by the correspondence include policies and practices of the consultative group; its origins and establishment; changes in membership or participation; pledges and terms of aid by donor countries; and collaboration with International Monetary Fund and other multilateral participants or observers.\nAlso included are the set of official meeting documents of the Bank-chaired consultative groups aforementioned that contain: preliminary meeting summaries, notice of meeting, agenda, list of delegates, Bank-authored or government authored memoranda or economic reports and policy papers, Chairman's reportof proceedings, transcripts or verbatim proceedings, participants statements, and press release. Meeting files also contain small amount of administrative correspondence authored by Secretary's Department or the Area or Country Department concerning meeting preparations, distribution of documents, or announcements about participants in attendance of the meetings.\nThere is also a smaller volume of files relating to consultative meetings of other organizations including the Guyana-led aid group and the Caribbean Group for Economic Cooperation in Development (CGCED) in which the Bank participated beginning in the early 1970s as well as CGCED sub-group consultative or other donor meetings chaired by the department.\nDepartmental reference materials\nReference materials maintained by Regional departments are included in this fonds. Topics include the various development sectors as well as Bank operational topics such as: project identification; loan procurement; consultants; exports; macroeconomic stability and growth; and private sector assessment.\nProject file reference copies maintained by the CD and CMU directors' front office are also included in this fonds. These include project-related records circulated from project managers to the departments for information, monitoring, review, or input. These records are arranged by project and then, in most cases, by project cycle component or phase.\nDepartmental directors' chronological files\nAlso included are chronological files created and maintained by the directors of CDs and CMUs. Specifically, the records of directors from LCC7C (Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay) and LCC1C (Mexico) are included; records date from 1992 to 1998.\nFonds includes records relating to business plan and budget management (i.e. planning, implementation, monitoring, and review) activities of the Region. The VP's Chief Administrator's annual budget records are contained in this fonds. These records include Business Plans covering three-year periods as well as Retrospective Reviews. Multi-volume annual budget files created by the Region's budget and administrative units are also included. Records relating to the budgets of Country Departments are also included primarily in the form of correspondence and budget reports and tools. Budget records created by both the Regional VP and Country Departments relating to country field offices are included. A small number of the Region's Budget Committee records from between 1996 and 2000 are also contained in the fonds.\nRecords relating to the management and oversight of the Region's functional responsibilities, work program, and policy development are included in this fonds. Topics include: work program development; unit policy and procedures; agency structure and organization; management improvement studies; coordination and direction; departmental reviews; Regional objectives and operational directives; and staffing. Records include: work program agreements and monthly reports; research program materials; general correspondence; various task force records including some final reports; unit reviews; LAC evaluation and restructuring records; records of the Region's Resource Management Group; and general correspondence. Records relating to the Funding Coordinators Group (trust funds) are also included.\nFonds also includes those records maintained in the Region's front office relating to the activities of the Region's field offices. Records may include: correspondence; reports; and contracts. Records may also relate to: establishment agreements; leases; renovation; capital budget; local staff; resident representatives; mission statement; and other information of substantive nature. Records were created between 1978 and 1993.\nFonds includes the chronological files of the Region's VP S. Shahid Hussain for the years 1990 to 1992.\nA variety of front office reference material is included in this fonds. This includes a collection of reports and articles created between 1987 and 1995. Topics include: development; governance; Bank-Fund collaboration; Bank operations; information technology; communications; and human resources. Records take the form of: photocopied articles; Bank-authored reports including task force reports; Bank Executive Director memoranda; reports from external institutions; workshop publications; and seminar reports. Also included are subject files of the LAC front office. Records date from 1977 to 1993 and cover a variety of topics related to sector development, operations, budget, other Bank units, and external institutions.\nUNDP liaison\nFonds contains records relating to the Region's cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with respect to development planning. Included are UNDP authored country programme records relating to LCR countries. Other reports authored by the UNDP are also included as is correspondence between the Bank concerning development activities in member countries in the Latin America and Caribbean region. Records are organized by country and date from 1981-1996. Note that project records from projects funded in whole or in part by the UNDP but executed by the Bank are included in the country and regional operational record series.\nAlso included are records related to the Region's communications activities. These consist of press releases authored by the World Bank dating from 1949 to 1997. Files are arranged by country and relate to: relations between the Bank and member country; projects fundedby the Bank; and other pertinent topics.\nFonds contains records relating to a number of committees, task forces, working groups, etc., that establish, recommend, or monitor implementation of policy and procedures and on which the Region or its units are represented or about which they are kept informed. Included are the Reorganization Steering Committee (1988), Evaluation Monitoring Implementation Committee, Operational Committee, and LCR's Office of the Director Filing Project committee.\nTraining, seminar, and workshop planning and management\nFonds includes records related to the establishment, organization, proceedings, and output of conferences, meetings, seminars, and training organized by LCR units. Records include back-to-office reports, presentation notes and outlines, planning materials, reports, and correspondence. Many of the records relate to events undertaken in conjunction with the World Bank Institute (WBI). Records relating to training, seminars, and workshops organizedby the Region's Environment Unit (LATEN) between 1992 and 1995 are also numerous. These events were organized for both Bank staff at headquarters and at country offices as well as for member governments and other institutions and groups.\nAlso contained in this fonds are records related to the management of information technology strategy for the Region. Included are files related to regional information strategy such as the LAC Enterprise Network pilot, the LAC communications link, imaging and the IRIS system, and files on LAC modernization and restructuring.\nLatin America and Caribbean Regional Vice Presidency\nWB IBRD/IDA AGR\nThe content of this fonds reflects a very small portion of the work of the Agriculture and Rural Development Sector. Subject files of the director of the Economics and Policy Division, of the forestry and fisheries specialists, and of the irrigation engineering adviser are included. Of these, the records relating to forestry are the most complete and have good potential for research use, as do the records of water policy found in both the records of the irrigation and drainage seminars and in the fisheries records. Records relating to UNDP projects executed by AGR are also included.\nWB IBRD/IDA DONATED\nA number of individuals have donated to the World Bank Group Archives small quantities of material about the history of the Bank. All of the donations in this fonds are less than four inches in size (the size of a standard archival box). For convenience of reference the Archives has grouped them in this fonds. Donations of the size of an archival box or larger are found listed as separate fonds.\nThe materials are principally drafts of papers. They range from a paper by W. Frank Blair, which a former Bank historian believes is probably the first mention of ecology in the Bank; to a taped narrative of William Bennett's flight from Egypt in 1967; to a series of reminiscences by A.D. Spottswood covering his work from Peru to Ethiopia to Thailand.\nWB IBRD/IDA EXC\nThe records of cover the entire span of administrative and substantive activities of the Bank. Particularly useful is the documentation of public relations activities by the presidents and coordination efforts with outside partners. Briefing books for country visits and for meetings at the Bank's annual meeting often provide good overviews of issues as well as reports on the economic and political situation in a country. Unique materials on major Bank studies and commissions, such as the Pearson and Brandt Commissions and the Task Force on Portfolio Management (Wapenhans Report), are also found in the records of the president's office.\nThe McNamara, Conable and Preston records include both the records of the president and the records of his immediate staff. Some staff members had specific mandates and their files are key sources for those activities, while other presidential assistants played a more general role in handling topics for the president.\nWB IBRD/IDA DIAMOND\nThroughout his career, Diamond kept a personal file in chronological order. Sometimes this file was primarily copies of the messages he sent, but at other times he included copies of incoming messages and copies of correspondence that had been sent to him by others. Occasionally a speech draft or a copy of minutes or other official documents are in the file. Although the papers are in one long chronological series, several distinct parts exist. The earliest file, dating from 1955 to 1958, is primarily outgoing messages and personal items on finances, travel arrangements, and publications. It includes information on EDI courses, Diamond's letters to Bank officials during his missions in Ethiopia, Greece, Turkey, and Tunisia; a letter to Newton Parker, March 24, 1958, on the roles of economic institutions in Honduras; and a memo to S.R. Cope of April 1, 1958, reporting on Davidson Sommers' meeting with a Yugoslav representative on future loans to Yugoslavia. An important series of files relate to Diamond's period in India as an advisor to ICICI. Beginning with his preparations in 1958 for the assignment, through the year in India, and continuing into 1960 after Diamond returned to the Bank, the files provide an exceptional view of the early organization of the ICICI and the establishment of its policies. Diamond included in the files incoming and outgoing correspondence, notes of meetings, reports, and clippings, as well as purely personal correspondence. Correspondents include Eugene Black and George D. Woods, the then current and future presidents of the World Bank; ICICI officials; Indian government officials and industrialists; the IBRD resident representatives in India and Pakistan; and various staff members in World Bank offices in Washington. Some items of correspondence discuss the establishment of the Pakistan Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation Limited and developments in Ethiopia. The bulk of the chronological file covers Diamond's assignments at the Bank between 1962 and 1978, when he retired. For the first eight years the files are primarily copies of Diamond's outgoing messages; thereafter the files increasingly include copies of incoming items, such as reports from the field and copies of items sent to him while he was on official missions. The files from the IFC period contain many items about the development banks in South Asia and North Africa. When Diamond was a director of country programs in the South Asia, the files include information on the Tarbela Dam project and the efforts to assist Bangladesh. The documents in these files are largely duplicates of those in the official files of the Bank, but their chronological arrangement allows the user to see the variety of issues that Diamond was handling at the same time and to trace the evolution of his and the Bank's responses to events. The final part of the series are files relating to Diamond's work as a consultant to IFC between 1980 and 1990. The earliest items relate to IFC's role in the work of the Societe Internatinonale Financiere pour les Investissements et le Developpement en Afrique (SIFIDA), but the bulk of the files relate to the Banco Portugues de Investimento SA (BPI). In 1978 a group of Portuguese industrialists created an Executive Group to develop a private financial institution to promote private economic development. They sought the involvement of the IFC, and the IFC engaged Diamond as its consultant on the BPI. This set of files includes both incoming and outgoing correspondence. The final items inthe Diamond papers are transcripts of two speeches that he gave, one in 1984 on the World Bank's policy on development banks and the other in 1999 on the beginnings of the Economic Development Institute. The Diamond papers are of particular importance to researchers interested in the history of development banks, especially those in India and Portugal, and the history of late twentieth century economic development in South Asia\nDiamond, William\nWB IBRD/IDA EXT\nRecords in this fonds relate to the functions of the external relations complex as described in the Administrative History field above. In addition, records created and received by EXT Vice Presidencies are also included. Note that, periodically, the EXTVP contained units responsible for functions not included in the above definition. See Related Units of Description below for direction to the fonds containing those records.\nExternal Relations Vice Presidency and reporting units\nWB IBRD/IDA IND\nThese files, created by the Industry Development Division of the Industry Department, include a large quantity of records of two Banks studies: the 1975 survey of Korean exporting firms and a study of the acquisition of technology capabilities of developing nations. There are manuals and background information regarding software developed by Bank personnel - especially Software for Industrial Trade and Incentives Analysis ( SINTIA and SINTIA T). The series of Reference Materials Regarding Industry Development Issues includes articles and reports regarding Russian defense conversion and industrial restructuring.\nThe INCA records document the work of a small unit established in August 1981 within the Strategy and Policy Division (INDSP) that conducted Incentives and Comparative Advantage (INCA) studies in the Ivory Coast and a dozen other countries. The unit had completed most of its work by 1984\nIndustry Development Sector\nWB IBRD/IDA GEF\nThe fonds consists of records that relate to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Secretariat's various activities. The majority of the fonds consists of GEF project files. Project types include the Small Grants Programme, Enabling Activities, medium-sized projects (MSP), and full-sized projects (FSPs). These records reflect GEF project cycle activities. Records include: reports; correspondence; forms; concept agreements; focal area work program documents; CEO endorsement; evaluation and review documents;terminal report; and other documents generated by the project cycle from concept development stage to its closure.\nRecords related to GEF's role in operational monitoring and assessment of GEF projects are included. The responsibility is shared between GEF and the implementing agencies. GEF's activities include: overall project evaluation; operational programs evaluation; evaluation of GEF practices and activities; and thematic reviews and assessments. GEF's Monitoring and Evaluation unit (GEFME) also contributes to the formation of Global and Regional Agreements and organizes and participates in workshops and other knowledge sharing activities. Records included here are generally unpublished materials including drafts, working papers, statistical information and other records related to the work of GEFME.\nThe fonds also consists of policy, procedures, and standards development and business strategy records. Records generally consist of correspondence, reports, research, ad hoc studies on various topics, and other records pertaining to the development and implementation of GEF policies, procedures, and standards.\nAlso included are records related to GEF's Focal Area programs. These records relate to: program operations; program strategy; program indicators and methodologies; capacity development initiatives; cross-team support; taskforce meetings; conventions; seminars; training; and the Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP). Records include: correspondence; reports; policy papers; reports to management; publications; and other materials.\nThis fonds also consists of corporate affairs and liaison records. Included is correspondence and reports that document GEF's relationship with client communities and stake holders, including: implementing agencies; executing agencies; STAP; donor countries; the private sector; and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Also included are records related to GEF's participation in the various conventions of which it acts as the financial mechanism. Records include: copies of agreements and contracts; terms and conditions; memoranda of understanding; annual and financial reports; and records related to replenishment. Included in this fonds are records created during meetings of GEF Council, GEF Assembly and other standing and ad hoc groups of GEF, including: Participants meeting; various taskforces and working groups; special donor meetings; and project review meetings. Records include: minutes; agendas; reports; Terms of Reference; supporting or background documentation; summaries of proceedings; member lists; intercessional decision reports; and speeches and statements made by GEF representatives. Audio and video recordings of some of the meetings are included in the fonds.\nRecords related to communications and outreach are also included. The majority of these records are a collection of magazine, journal, and newspaper articles that refer to the GEF. Issues of GEF's newsletter, Talking Points, are included, as are records related to GEF representatives' participation in seminars, meetings, and other events.\nAlso included are the chronological correspondence files of the GEF CEO, deputy CEO, and Secretariat from between 1992 and 2004. Communications to Council from the CEO and Secretariat from 1993 to 1997 are also included.\nRecords of the Environment Sector\nWB IBRD/IDA ENV\nThe fonds consists of records that reflect the various activities of the environment sector in the World Bank. The majority of the records in this fonds were created or received by the Environment Department's Global Environment Unit (ENVGC) and relate to the coordination of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol (MLF). These records date from the beginning of the Bank's involvement with the organizations and the creation of the ENVGCin 1991. Included are GEF-affiliated project files prepared by the project task manager and sent to the ENVGC for recordkeeping. For Bank-related projects, ENVGC serves as the liaison between the project task manager and GEF, and the files correspond to the task manager's files in the regional units. In most instances the ENVGC files will consist of records documenting project identification, negotiation and project agreement; records from the implementation phase of the project are usually not forwarded to ENVGC, although the project completion report often is. Dozens of projects are represented in the fonds; however, records related to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System are particularly numerous. A small number of chronological files created by the Environment technical departments of the Banks' Regions that were implementing GEF projects in its earliest years (from 1990 to 1992) are included.\nThe fonds also consists of records that document the ENVGC's role as GEF Trustee. Records of this type documentrelationships between the ENVGC and agencies internal and external to the Bank with regard to GEF funding, projects, and operations. Copies of agreements and contracts, terms and conditions, memoranda of understanding, and annual and financial reports are also included. The fonds also contains records related to the formation and monitoring of GEF and MLF budgets and work programs. Included are the final versions of the annual budget, the mid-year review, work program, disbursement reports, and budget-related correspondence. Also included are working files consisting of memoranda and individual transaction records related to the implementation of the budget. Annual regional retrospective reviews submitted by region offices are also included.\nCorrespondence, research materials, and reports pertaining to the development and implementation of GEF policies, procedures, and standards are also included. Included are ad hoc studies performed to inform GEF participants on various topics. Also included are records relating to GEF council meetings and bilateral consultations and meetings; these consist of minutes, information documents, work programs, and executive summaries. Also included are records relating to conventions, forums, conferences, retreats, workshops, planning meetings, informal consultations, and Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP) meetings.\nA significant number of GEF-related ENVGC records were created or collected by one of ENVGC's GEF Operations Coordinators, Ken Newcombe. Newcombe's chronological files from the early 1990s are also included. The chronological files of Ian Johnson during his time as Administrator/Assistant CEO of GEF are also included; these date from 1993 to 1996. Chronological files of Hans Wyss from this period are also included. Wyss worked out of the African Technical Department (AFT) and the Central Operations Department (COD).\nThe fonds also contains a smaller amount of records related to the Montreal Protocol (MP) and the MLF. Included are correspondence and reports related to Bank-managed or executed projects performed under the MP as well as agendas, minutes, reports and correspondence related to meetings and coordination activities. The majority of the meeting records are Executive Committee records. Also included in this fonds are chronological files of the ENVGC from between 1996 and 2003 that relate specifically to the Montreal Protocol.\nThe fonds also contains records evidencing liaison activities of ENV. Communications with NGOs, Bank Regions, funding and collaborating agencies, and other external national and international agencies and institutions are included.\nA diverse group of records created by the Environment Department's Carbon Finance Unit (ENVCF) are also found in this fonds. Carbon finance-related activities began in the Department in the late 1990s and support the World Bank's role as trustee of carbon funds that deliver greenhouse gas emission reductions to government and private sector participants. Records related to the ENVCF date from the late 1990s to early 2000s and include: chronological files; materials from Bank-organized and external conferences and seminars; organization and management records; public relations materials in the form of press releases, newspaper clippings, website printouts, and correspondence; ENVCF manuals, publications, and handbooks; briefing books for senior officials containing correspondence and memoranda, briefings, meeting agendas and minutes, reports and comments, and numerous files related to the Prototype Carbon Fund (PCF); records related to Activities Implemented Jointly (AIJ) projects and trust fund cycle records; and correspondence related to trust fund programs and management.\nSubject files created by the Environment Department's Director (ENVDR) dating from the mid-1990s are included in this fonds. Files contain correspondence and memoranda, meeting minutes, press releases, project information, and reports and research papers. Records originating in the Land, Water and Natural Habitats Division (ENVLW) of the Environment Department are also included. These include Division Chief chronological files from 1993 and centralized chronological files from 1991-1993. The former is limited to correspondence and memoranda while the latter includes a small number of reports in addition to correspondence.\nCentral chronological files of the entire Department are also included from August, 1992, to December, 1995. These records consist of correspondence between divisions, ESD departments, and other Bank Vice Presidencies and units. Records relate to: support and review of Bank projects; research projects; GEF activities; Departmental personnel and staffing; internal and external meetings; cross support; training for Bank staff relating to Environmental management; and staff conference attendance and participation. Copies of reports including ENV Divisional working papers and World Bank Environment papers are also included.\nEnvironment Sector\nRecords of the Human Development Network\nWB IBRD/IDA HRD\nThe fonds consists of records that reflect the various activities of HDN and its oversight of, and involvement with, sector departments within the network. Note that a small amount of records in this fonds were created prior to the creation of HDN by Bank employees within the Human Development Department (HDD); they were brought into HDN's recordkeeping system as a result of staff transfer into HDN.\nIncluded are records related to HDN Council's meetings and activities. Topics include: communications; budget; human resources; and strategy. Records include: minutes and agendas; strategy papers; correspondence with HDN sector boards, external bodies, external advisers, the regions, and other non-HDN sectors and networks within the Bank. Also included are records related to the launch of the HD network from 1996 to 1997. These include: informational memos for network employees; records related to professional associations; staff feedback; and records related to network staff training and development.\nAlso included in this fonds are records related to meetings, events, seminars, and conferences participated in or organized by HDN. These include records related to meetings of network council and Vice President with external bodies and government agencies as well as records related to HD Week events from 1997 to 2000. The latter includes records related to: exhibitors; budget; registration; keynote speakers; and programs. Video recordings of keynote speakers for HD Week 2000 are also included.\nThe fonds also consists of communications between HDN and Bank President Wolfensohn. Records include correspondence between the HDN Vice President and senior managers with Wolfensohn as well as correspondence from Wolfensohn to external agencies and governments that was forwarded to HDN. Briefing books prepared for Wolfensohn by HDN are also included.\nThe fonds also includes the correspondence files of the HDNVP unit from 1997 to 2005 as well as the chronological files of HDN Vice President Jean-Louis Sarbib from 1996 to 2000.\nHuman Development Network\nWB IBRD/IDA ENGY\nThe fonds consists of correspondence, memoranda, minutes, reports, notes, briefing papers, aide-memoires, back-to-office reports, agreements, background research notes, guides, issuances, published material, research papers authored by staff and consultants, and other records related to the functions of the Energy Sector Department. Records relate to: research projects and economic and sector work in the energy field; the development of regional, sector and country policies and strategies; energy lending projects financed or co-financed by the Bank; energy credits, grants, and trust funds; structural adjustment loans; and cross-support to operational staff in the Regional Vice-Presidencies. The records also relate to liaison, aid coordination and co-financing with other development agencies, bilateral and multilateral organizations, and member countries, including but not limited to: the Overseas Development Agency; the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA); the Finnish Department of International Development Cooperation (FINNIDA); the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE); United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA); among many others. The records also relate to the Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme (ESMAP): a global technical assistance program sponsored by the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and managed bythe World Bank. ESMAP records relate, but are not limited, to: donor relations; involvement in development projects and research studies; organization and management (work program and business planning, status of on-going activities, etc.); and the ESMAP Consultative Group (strategic agenda and programme coordination). The fonds also contains records related to: conferences, seminars and learning events either developed and offered by Energy Sector staff, or attended by Energy Sector staff; promotional and information material intended to inform others of Sector work; participation on Bank-wide committees and task forces; business planning and work program oversight and strategy; and chronological correspondence files maintained at the unit level (such as IENPD and ESMPD), and by individual persons (such as Efrain Friedman, Energy Advisor and Assistant Director for Energy and Fuel).\nRecords related to operational project (loans, credits, grants, and trust funds), research studies, conferences and seminarsinclude topics such as: fuel sources and technologies, such as coal, oil, gas and hydrocarbons; renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaic cells, solar power, hydropower, thermal power, and biomass programs; environmental issues and assessments; climate change; power systems and energy efficiency; gas trading; electricity supply and grid extension; rural electrification; power sector rehabilitation and institutional restructuring of power utilities; legislation and market forces; plus many others.\nEnergy Development Sector\nWB IBRD/IDA HIST\nBecause of the broad scope of the work of the office, which was essentially the entire history of the Bank, the records are extremely varied. They include: written reminiscences, solicited or volunteered, by former Bank staff members; drafts of various publications, both Bank and non-Bank; commentaries on drafts, discussing the commenters' views of particular issues and events; and background research materials used by the World Bank History Project.\nThe largest body of original source material in the fonds is the set of interviews conducted by the World Bank History Project authors as part of their research for the two-volume The World Bank: Its First Half Century. Typed notes are the only record of some interviews, but most interviews have both the tape of the interview and a transcript.\nRecords of Administration\nWB IBRD/IDA ADM\nPersonal papers of Irving S. Friedman\nWB IBRD/IDA FRIEDMAN\nThis fonds contains records related to Friedman's time as Economic Adviser to the President. The majority of the records are correspondence related to Friedman's activities as Economic Adviser. Memoranda to and speeches for Bank President Woods are included as is a small amount of Friedman's personal papers such as congratulatory letters and personal letters to colleagues outside the Bank.\nFriedman, Irving S.\nWB IBRD/IDA HRS\nHuman Resources Administration\nWB IBRD/IDA IAD\nOffice of the Auditor-General\nWB IBRD/IDA CIO\nOffice of Information Management and Technology\nRecords of Temporary Committees, Commissions, and Boards\nWB IBRD/IDA COM\nThe fonds contains the records of two task forces: the Economic Development Institute (EDI) Task Force and the Task Force on Local Cost Financing Under Adjustment Operations. The records of the secretariat responsible for the Bank's activities marking its 50th anniversary are also included.\nTemporary Committees, Commissions, and Boards","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1569218"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9733942747116089,"wiki_prob":0.9733942747116089,"text":"Military News U.S. Navy\nRetired Navy SEAL says he’s not a “terrorist” after breaching the Capitol building\nA retired Navy SEAL who described “breaching the Capitol” in a Facebook video is now being questioned by the FBI about his involvement in last week’s violent riot, according to a news report.\nAdam Newbold, 45, from Lisbon, Ohio, recorded a now-deleted video when he was returning from Washington, saying he was “proud” of the riot that happened at the Capitol building, ABC News reported. The news organization was able to obtain a copy of the video before it was deleted.\nFrom the 30 seconds of video that ABC News posted, Newbold appears to reference lawmakers who returned to the Capitol after the riot ended to conclude the certification of the election.\n“What did get destroyed — and they’re obviously trying to overcome now — again maybe they’re just — they just didn’t get the message, unfortunately. I’m hoping the message was strong enough. Unfortunately, maybe it wasn’t. I hate to see this escalate more,” he said.\nThe Navy confirmed Wednesday that Newbold is a retired senior chief petty officer, or E-8, who served more than 23 years. Most of his career, he was either training or based at an “East Coast naval special warfare unit” until he retired from the Naval Reserve in 2017, according to details of his service record provided by the Navy.\nNewbold has deployed to Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq, according to his military awards. Newbold has also received the Joint Service Commendation Medal, two Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals with Combat “V” for valor, the Army Commendation Medal, and four Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals, according to his service record.\nIn a Facebook video by Newbold posted the night before the riot, he said there are “good people on all sides of this thing” but they “can no longer be quiet.”\n“It’s time to stand up and take our country back, and make sure that we are being respectful and doing things in the right way. We are not going down looking for a fight, keep that in mind… we are just very prepared, very capable, and very skilled patriots ready for a fight. And we will react without hesitation when called upon to do so,” he said.\nNewbold told ABC News that he had been questioned by the FBI about his activities at the Capitol building and a second interview had been requested. An FBI spokeswoman from the Washington, D.C. Field Office would not confirm Wednesday that he is being questioned, saying the bureau does not comment on specific investigations.\nNewbold said he now regrets being in the crowd and he had gotten caught up in the moment to try to stop the election certification and that the riot on the Capitol “was all taken too far,” according to the ABC News report.\nIn the deleted video after the riot, he defended the people who broke into the Capitol, saying they had to destroy doors and windows to get in to “our building, our house,” according to ABC News.\nHe denied harming any police officers at the Capitol or entering the building. However, in the video, he described details of the damage caused by rioters. Now his life “has absolutely turned upside-down.”\n“I am not a terrorist. I am not a traitor,” Newbold told ABC News.\n(c)2021 the Stars and Stripes\nVisit the Stars and Stripes at www.stripes.com\nSoldier’s spouse found dead at Army post in Hawaii\nFort Drum soldier extradited to New Jersey where he faces murder charge\nCopyright © 2021 PopularMilitary | All Rights Reserved. This site is owned and operated by Bright Mountain Media, Inc., a publicly owned company trading with the symbol: BMTM |Contact us | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use .","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1469692"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6879417896270752,"wiki_prob":0.3120582103729248,"text":"\"Love is a god, my children...\" (In the Land of the Gods, M.532)\nHome › $25,000 and Up › \"Love is a god, my children...\" (In the Land of the Gods, M.532)\nThis artwork is sold.\nLithograph on Japon\nFramed size: 32.75\" x 28\"\nProduct Variants Default Title - Sold Out\nMarc Chagall is, without doubt, one of the greatest artists of the 20th century. He created a unique world full of pathos, poetry, humor, and enchantment, drawing on vivid memories of his childhood in what is today Belarus. \"Love is a god, my children...\" is a hand-signed lithograph. The image size is 17 x 13 - inches.\nThough Marc Chagall’s work bares the formal influence of Cubism, Fauvism, and Symbolism, he steered away from total abstraction, and instead held fast to representation by proving its potency with a distinctly narrative approach. Dreamlike color and folkloric imagery pervade throughout Chagall’s oeuvre comprised of painting, printmaking, and book illustration.\nClearly influenced by Byzantine and Russian icon painting and folk art, he wished his own mythological floating figures and symbolism to be interpreted freely. Chagall loved life. He loved the circus, he loved the Bible and found the same human paradox in both—joy mixed with tragedy, beauty with sadness. The poetic and biblical inspirations of Chagall’s art have always appealed to a broad public, and his works are collected, exhibited and admired all over the world.\nMarc Chagall was born Moishe/Marc Shagal in Liozne, near Vitebsk, in modern day Belarus, in 1887. He was a Russian-French-Jewish artist of international repute who, arguably, was one of the most influential modernist artists of the 20th Century, both as an early modernist, and as an important part of the Jewish artistic tradition. He distinguished himself in many arenas: as a painter, book illustrator, ceramicist, stained-glass painter, stage set designer and tapestry maker. Widely admired by both his contemporaries, and by later artists, he forged his creative path in spite of the many difficulties and injustices he faced in his long lifetime. Chagall's early life in the schetl with his Hasidic Jew parents was a strong influence on his work throughout his life. He carried a Russian mysticism, and an intrinsic understanding of and sympathy for his religious roots wherever he travelled.\nMore from Marc Chagall\nInspiration (M.398)\nLithograph Sold Out\nFrontispiece, Self-Portrait (M.282)**\nlithograph on Arches $5,850 $1,995\nLovers in Bouquet of Dahlias\nwatercolor, tempera, pastel, color pencil and pencil on heavy vellum paper Contact Gallery\nThe House in My Village (M.283)\nLithograph $4,850","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line303097"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5349825024604797,"wiki_prob":0.46501749753952026,"text":"Laureate Education Announces Proposed Offering of up to $800 Million of Senior Notes\nBALTIMORE, April 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Laureate Education, Inc. (Nasdaq: LAUR) (“Laureate”) announced today that it intends, subject to market and other customary conditions, to offer up to $800 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2025 (the “Notes”) in a private offering to eligible purchasers under Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Laureate’s obligations under the Notes will be guaranteed by certain wholly-owned U.S. subsidiaries of Laureate that are guarantors under Laureate’s senior secured credit facilities.\nLaureate intends to use the net proceeds from the offering of the Notes, together with a portion of the net proceeds from its initial public offering and net proceeds from the recently announced $1,925 million senior secured credit facilities, to (i) repay, redeem or repurchase certain of its outstanding 9.250% Senior Notes due 2019 (other than certain of such senior notes that the holders of which have agreed to exchange for shares of Laureate’s Class A common stock), (ii) repay the Company’s term loans under its senior secured credit facilities and/or (iii) repay the seller notes used to partially finance the acquisition of FMU Group, and pay certain related fees and expenses in connection with the offering.\nThe Notes and the related guarantees have not been registered under the Securities Act and, unless so registered, may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and other applicable securities laws.\nThis press release shall not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, nor shall there be any sales of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.\nThis press release includes certain disclosures which contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws, which involve risks and uncertainties. You can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “may,” “will,” “intends” or “expects” or similar expressions that concern Laureate’s strategy, plans or intentions. Forward-looking statements are based on Laureate’s current expectations and assumptions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements, which are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Laureate’s expectations are set forth in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 under the caption “Risk Factors.”\nAbout Laureate Education, Inc.\nLaureate Education, Inc. is the largest global network of degree-granting higher education institutions, with more than one million students enrolled across 70 institutions in 25 countries at campuses and online. Laureate offers high-quality, undergraduate, graduate and specialized degree programs in a wide range of academic disciplines that provide attractive employment prospects. Laureate believes that when our students succeed, countries prosper and societies benefit. This belief is expressed through the company’s philosophy of being ‘Here for Good’ and is represented by its status as a Certified B Corporation™ and conversion in 2015 to a U.S. public benefit corporation, a new class of corporation committed to creating a positive impact on society.\nTo view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/laureate-education-announces-proposed-offering-of-up-to-800-million-of-senior-notes-300440142.html\nSOURCE Laureate Education, Inc.\nSynergy Pharmaceuticals Appoints Gary G. Gemignani as Chief Financial Officer\nMast Reminds Stockholders To Vote For The Proposed Merger With Savara","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1969920"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9603028297424316,"wiki_prob":0.9603028297424316,"text":"HIGHLAND – Gov. Andrew Cuomo may need more than an act of the state Legislature to merge the New York State Bridge Authority into the New York State Thruway Authority.\nHe may need an act of Congress.\n“There's a federal law, passed in 1987, that clearly states tolls collected on the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge can only be used to operate, maintain and repair the authority's bridges,'' said Harry Stanton, a former executive director of the Bridge Authority and now a Cuomo appointee to its board.\nCuomo proposed merging the Bridge Authority into the Thruway Authority in his 2020-21 budget address on Jan. 21, catching Stanton and other board members as well as Hudson Valley legislators by surprise.\nThe governor's SAGE Commission had recommended a merger in 2012 as a first step in folding the two authorities into the Department of Transportation, but Cuomo never pursued it. At the time, lawmakers from both parties and both sides of the river were united in their opposition.\n“I alerted them (the governor's staff) to the law right away,'' said Stanton, now retired from the Westchester County Department of Transportation, where he was deputy commissioner.\nStanton is confident the state will have to reckon with the federal government because he negotiated the agreement that Congress subsequently adopted during his 1985-1997 tenure at the Bridge Authority.\nHe explained that the Bridge Authority received federal aid for the first and only time in 1980, to widen the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge to four lanes from two. The bridge carries a federal highway, Interstate 84, across the Hudson.\nThe Federal Highway Administration provided 90 percent of the money for the $140 million project on the condition that the Bridge Authority would abolish tolls on the span as soon as it paid its 10 percent share.\nStanton, however, fought to keep the tolls in place because the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge, then and now, accounts for roughly 50 percent of the Bridge Authority's revenue and the money is needed to maintain its other, smaller bridges. The FHwA ultimately relented and Congress memorialized the agreement in law.\nFreeman Klopott, a spokesman for the Division of the Budget, said the administration doesn't think the law will be an obstacle to a merger.\n\"There's a pretty simple solution,'' Klopott said. \"The proposed merger language allows the Thruway Authority as the successor agency to honor any agreements of the Bridge Authority.\"\nStanton speculated the merger recommendation has resurfaced now because the Bridge Authority plans to convert its five Hudson River crossings to all-electronic tolling in two years and is likely to draw on the Thruway Authority's experience. The Thruway Authority will complete its conversion this year.\nCuomo's budget does reference cashless tolling as well as a general desire to have the two authorities “leverage their expertise, increase coordination and operate more efficiently.”\nThe Bridge Authority already relies on the Thruway Authority to process its E-ZPass tolls and will join it and other toll agencies – the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Port Authority – to process “Tolls by Mail” for non-E-ZPass customers when it switches to all-electronic tolling.\nThe consortium allows the agencies to provide customers with joint statements and bills rather than individual ones.\n“The suggestion has merit but I don't think a merger is something that should be done rashly, certainly not in the tidal wave of adopting the budget,'' Stanton said. “There's a lot to consider beyond cashless tolling and it has to be studied, be given careful thought.”\nAssemblyman Kevin Cahill, D-Kingston, has already introduced a bill that would require a study and reiterated his long-standing opposition to a merger in the absence of one immediately after Cuomo's budget address.\nBy Monday, other legislators were piling on. Sen. James Skoufis, D-Cornwall, Sen. Jen Metzger, D-Rosendale, and Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson, D-Newburgh, announced their opposition in separate press releases but voiced the same fears that a merger, and a loss of local oversight, would eventually result in higher tolls to pay for projects elsewhere in the state.\njudyrife@gmail.com\nNYS Bridge Authority bridges\nKingston-Rhinecliff Bridge","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line54110"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.923275351524353,"wiki_prob":0.923275351524353,"text":"Rodrigo Y Gabriela Merchandise\nSelect View All Items View All Categories Sale Items T-Shirts Posters Hoodies Tote Bags Caps\nThe duo met in Mexico City while playing in a thrash metal band called \"Tierra Acida\". Growing frustrated with the limited scope of the domestic music scene, they pulled up roots and moved to Europe, where they have met considerable acclaim.\nThey have taken up residence in Dublin, Ireland, after hearing it was particularly welcoming to travelling musicians. Playing live gigs in various pubs and busking on Grafton Street and Temple Bar allowed them to practice their sound. They received their break when Damien Rice approached them to provide the support for Oxegen. In 2005 they toured extensively in festivals around the United Kingdom and beyond.\nThe duo had released three records - Foc, Live in Manchester and Dublin, and re-Foc - before recording their self-titled album Rodrigo y Gabriela which was produced by John Leckie. It entered the Irish Albums Chart at #1 beating The Arctic Monkeys and Johnny Cash to the top spot. It was released internationally on March 13th 2006, having been given an earlier Irish release. Rodrigo y Gabriela includes covers of Led Zeppelin's \"Stairway to Heaven\" and Metallica's \"Orion\". The duo list Metallica as being among their key influences, alongside other heavy metal bands such as Megadeth, Slayer, Testament and Overkill. The other tracks are original works inspired by the places they have been and the people they have met.\nThe duo currently use hand made guitars produced by Frank Tate.\nIn 2007, a US tour was disrupted when Sánchez was unable to renew his visa to enter the United States. However, this has been subsequently rectified and the tour has since continued.\nOn April 29, 2007 Rodrigo y Gabriela played at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival\nOn June 16, 2007 Rodrigo y Gabriela supported Muse at the new Wembley Stadium. The other support acts that played with them were The Streets and Dirty Pretty Things.\nOn June 23, 2007 the pair headlined on the Jazz World stage at the Glastonbury Festival, and their performance was subsequently aired on BBC television in the UK.\nOn July 4, 2007 Rodrigo y Gabriela opened the WXRT 20th annual Free 4th of July Concert at Grant Park in Chicago. They shared the stage with John Mayer and Robert Randolph & the Family Band.\nre-Foc has been certified gold in Ireland, while, Live in Manchester and Dublin and Rodrigo y Gabriela have both been certified platinum.\nOn August 20, 2007 - August 27, 2007 Rodrigo y Gabriela were featured on MTV during promos for upcoming shows.\nThey performed \"Orion\" on \"The Tonight Show with Jay Leno\" on September 4th, 2007.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line559731"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7200264930725098,"wiki_prob":0.27997350692749023,"text":"Gastroenterology > Hepatitis\nTime to Expand Age Base for HCV Screening?\n— Bargain price of $11,378 per QALY gained for one-time, universal testing\nby Diana Swift, Contributing Writer September 15, 2018\nCompared with currently recommended birth cohort screening, universal one-time screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) for U.S. adults would be highly cost-effective, resulting in an expenditure of $11,378 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained, researchers reported\nThe findings support broadening the current age cohort for one-time screening to all U.S. adults, concluded Mark H. Eckman, MD, of the University of Cincinnati, and colleagues. \"A recommendation for HCV testing of all adults will support the national response to the epidemic of HCV infection among young persons in the United States.\"\nAs noted in the study online in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the majority (81%) of U.S. residents with chronic HCV infection belong to the cohort born from 1945 through 1965, and testing is recommended for this age group by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, and the American Association of the Study of Liver Diseases/Infectious Diseases Society of America. \"However, HCV incidence is increasing among younger persons in many parts of the country, and treatment is recommended for all adults with HCV infection,\" the researchers wrote.\nTheir study aimed to determine the prevalence of HCV antibody above which one-time HCV testing for all U.S. adults 18 years and older is cost effective. Using a Markov state transition model, the team found that a threshold prevalence of HCV antibody above 0.07% in the general adult population outside of the 1945-1965 cohort would cost less than $50,000/QALY compared with no screening. But compared with cohort testing, universal screening and treatment would cost $11,378 per QALY gained.\nThe analysis was based on healthcare system expenditures using 2017 U.S. dollars and factored in the toll taken by fibrosis, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver transplantation, as well as the impact of excess mortality, and also addressed patient quality of life and the cost of treatment with direct-acting antivirals. The researchers calculated a mean age of 40.85 for the expanded-base cohort versus the 61.85 years for referent birth cohort.\nAsked for his perspective, Jagpreet Chhatwal, PhD, of Harvard Medical School, who was not involved in the study, said it \"provides the compelling evidence needed to update HCV screening guidelines in the United States.\"\n\"The current screening guidelines predate the availability of all-oral direct-acting antivirals, now the current standard of care. This study shows that universal one-time screening will further reduce HCV-associated burden, will be cost-effective, and will bring us closer to the goal of HCV elimination by 2030.\"\nBroader-based recommendations are needed, since the incidence of acute HCV infection rose almost three-fold in the period 2010-2015, an increase associated with more widespread injection drug use and was most pronounced in persons younger than 40. Furthermore, the new generation of potent, non-interferon-based, direct-acting oral regimens with fewer side effects and shorter treatment courses has altered the discussion around screening.\nThe authors noted that the estimated prevalence of HCV in the 1945-1965 cohort is 2.6% and 1.0% in the general population, while the calculated prevalence in adults outside the 1945-1965 cohort is 0.29%. \"Our estimate for the prevalence of HCV antibody positivity in adults who are not part of the cohort of adults born between 1945 and 1965 is likely low, as it is based on estimates made prior to the steep rise in new cases of HCV infection associated with the opioid epidemic,\" they wrote.\nAnother recent analysis also found an age-expanded strategy of one-time testing of all adults ages 18 and older to be cost effective at $28,000/QALY versus birth cohort-based screening. Those authors noted that targeted screening is not cost effective in very low-risk subgroups, such as Caucasian women ages 20 to 59 with no or only one lifetime sexual partner and no history of drug use or other HCV risk factors, as well as Caucasians older than age 60 with no history of blood transfusions before 1992 and no other HCV risk factors.\nThe study was supported in part by the National Foundation for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.\nEckman reported grant support from Merck; other co-authors reported financial relationships with AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Gilead, Inovio, Intercept, MedImmune, Abbott, Merck, Watermark, and Pace.\nChhatwal reported having no relevant conflicts of interest related to his comments.\nClinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology\nSource Reference: Eckman MH, et al “Cost effectiveness of universal screening for HCV infection in the era of direct-acting, pangenotypic treatment regimens” Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2018. DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2018.08.080.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1471919"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9482145309448242,"wiki_prob":0.9482145309448242,"text":"13/06/2013: Philippine Embassy in DC Marks Independence Day by Sharing Good News about Economic Transformation\nWASHINGTON, D.C.—The Philippine Embassy marked the 115th year of Philippine Independence on Wednesday with a well-attended diplomatic reception that allowed it to share the good news about the economic transformation taking place in the country.\n“Truly, we have much to celebrate as a country and as a people. Hope is permeating the Philippines today and a renewed sense of confidence is felt by Filipinos all over the world,” Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia Jr. told the close to 300 guests who attended the reception at the Hay Adams Hotel.\n“Key credit rating agencies have upgraded the Philippines to investment grade. Thus we hear about the Philippines being “the country to watch out for,” “the new Asian tiger,” and “an emerging economic giant,” testaments to the reforms instituted by the Aquino Administration,” he said, adding that the 7.8 percent growth the Philippine economy recorded in the first quarter of the year was the strongest in all of Asia.\nAmbassador Cuisia’s positive outlook of the Philippines was also shared by Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo; Rep. Ed Royce, chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations of the United States House of Representatives; and Deputy Secretary of State William Burns.\nIn his remarks, Secretary Domingo echoed Ambassador Cuisia’s optimism: “We have been improving in the competitiveness rankings released by the World Economic Forum, which has raised us from 85th place in 2010 to 65th place. We hope to continue to see more improvements in this rating.”\nAmong other accomplishments of the Philippines, Secretary Domingo told the audience about the country’s recent investment grade ratings from Standard and Poor’s and Fitch and its emergence as the No. 1 call center destination in the world.\nCongressman Royce, for his part, said: “Our economic ties are an important part of this relationship. For too many years, the Philippines had failed to reach its enormous potential. The problems have been bad government, corruption, and generally harmful economic policies.”\n“There are welcome signs that conditions are improving. When I met with President Aquino earlier this year in Manila, I was deeply impressed by his commitment to reform. He has already accomplished much under very difficult circumstances,” the California lawmaker added.\nIn his remarks, Deputy Secretary of State Burns said: “The US is one of the top trading partners of the Philippines and together, through the Partnership for Growth, we are working hard to support and sustain the Philippines’ unprecedented economic growth.”\n“We hope to bolster President Aquino’s goals of generating more jobs, attracting greater investments including a more equitable future for all Filipinos for many generations to come,” he told ambassadors and other diplomats, business leaders, congressional staff members and leaders of the Filipino-American Community present.\nDuring the program, Ambassador Cuisia presented awards of recognition to Dr. Gabriel Esteban, President of Seton Hall, the largest Catholic university in New Jersey, and White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford for their outstanding accomplishments.\nAccording to the Ambassador, Dr. Esteban, the first non-Catholic priest to head Seton Hall University, impressed the university with his leadership and business acumen while students and faculty praised him for his personal touch and take-charge personality. “He has led the University to greater heights, with Seton Hall winning more international faculty fellowships and student scholarships, including the first-ever prestigious Rhodes Scholarship,” he said\nAmbassador Cuisia said Comerford was recognized for becoming the first woman and first minority to hold the top position in the White House Kitchen. She served as assistant chef during the Clinton Administration and was subsequently elevated to executive chef by Mrs. Laura Bush in 2005. She was reappointed by First Lady Michelle Obama for her passion and emphasis for healthy eating. Her many responsibilities include designing and executing menus for official dinners and social events.\nThe event was capped with a performance by Filipina-American Broadway artist, Stephanie Reese, who captivated the audience with her impressive rendition of popular Broadway songs and the time-honored Bayan Ko and Ako ay Pilipino. ###\nAmbassador Jose L. Cuisia Jr. welcomes United States Assistant Secretary of State Joseph Y. Yun to the Independence Day Reception of the Philippine Embassy at the Hay Adams Hotel in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday (Philippine Embassy Photo by Elmer G. Cato)\nTrade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo delivers his remarks during the Independence Day Reception of the Philippine Embassy at the Hay Adams Hotel in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday (Philippine Embassy Photo by Elmer G. Cato)\nAmbassador and Mrs. Jose L. Cuisia Jr. and Dr. and Mrs. Gabriel Esteban pose after Dr. Esteban received an award of recognition for being selected President of Seton Hall University, the largest Catholic university in New Jersey, during the Independence Day Reception at the Hay Adams Hotel in Washington, D.C. (Philippine Embassy Photo by Elmer G. Cato)\nAmbassador Jose L. Cuisia Jr. congratulates White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford after she was presented with an award of recognition for her accomplishments during the Independence Day Reception at the Hay Adams Hotel in Washington, D.C. (Philippine Embassy Photo by Elmer G. Cato)\nAmbassador Jose L. Cuisia Jr. welcomes Rep. Ed Royce (R, California), Chair of the Committee on Foreign Relations of the United States House of Representatives, during the Independence Day Reception at the Hay Adams Hotel in Washington, D.C. (Philippine Embassy Photo by Elmer G. Cato)\nDeputy Secretary of State William Burns deliver his remarks during the Independence Day Reception at the Hay Adams Hotel in Washington, D.C. (Philippine Embassy Photo by Elmer G. Cato)\nAmbassador Jose L. Cuisia Jr. offers a toast during the Independence Day Reception at the Hay Adams Hotel in Washington, D.C. (Philippine Embassy Photo by Elmer G. Cato)\nFilipina-American Broadway artist Stephanie Reese sings Bayan Ko during the Independence Day Reception at the Hay Adams Hotel in Washington, D.C. (Philippine Embassy Photo by Elmer G. Cato)","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1222836"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.59572833776474,"wiki_prob":0.40427166223526,"text":"SmartAdvisor® - Additions\nDownload the latest Terms and Conditions for all products and services sold by AMETEK Surface Vision.\nTerms and Conditions - Americas\nTerms and Conditions - Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA)\nTerms and Conditions - Asia\nAMETEK, Inc. is committed to supporting the health, safety and protection of people and the environment. As required by the Conflict Materials provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, HR 4173, Section 1502 (Conflict Minerals Act), AMETEK is working with its suppliers to confirm that their supply of materials do not contain conflict minerals that directly or indirectly finance or benefit armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or adjoining countries. AMETEK, Inc. will seek to ensure that minerals from the conflict region do not enter our supply chain, including requesting reliable certificates of origin for all material that might possibly originate in conflict areas or adjacent countries. Further information.\nNotices (3) +\nTerms and Conditions - Europe, Middle East and Africa","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line522167"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.777074933052063,"wiki_prob":0.777074933052063,"text":"Patrick S. Roberts releases book on government preparation for disaster /\nCurrent page: Patrick S. Roberts releases book on government preparation for disaster\nPatrick Robert's new book cover\nGrowing up along the hurricane-prone Texas gulf coast, Patrick S. Roberts, an associate professor in the Center for Public Administration and Policy in the School of Public and International Affairs at Virginia Tech, developed an interest in how disaster and security organizations prepare for extreme events.\nHis new book, “Disasters and the American State: How Politicians, Bureaucrats and the Public Prepare for the Unexpected,” just released through the Cambridge University Press, explores the captivating history of the U.S. government’s growing role in dealing with crisis, including Hurricane Katrina and 9/11.\nRoberts’ book provides the only single-volume history of the development of federal government disaster management in the United States. The contents range from the origins of the disaster state between 1789 and 1914 to the creation of the Department of Homeland Security between 1993 and 2003 and include details behind the rise of emergency management and the formation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.\n“His analysis of the change from a government in transition — from responding to events to trying to manage them — is a tremendously important and path-breaking contribution to a question that increasingly, and inevitably, demands the best thinking we can bring,” said Donald F. Kettl, dean of the School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland.\nFourDesign, Virginia Tech's faculty-led, student run design agency created the information graphics included for the book. The resulting 17 figures chronicle the development of disaster relief in the United States and track the toll of the disasters themselves.\n“Disasters and the American State: How Politicians, Bureaucrats and the Public Prepare for the Unexpected” is available through numerous online outlets, and on GoodReads, there is a contest to win a hard copy of the book that runs through Oct. 14.\nPatrick S. Roberts is the associate chair for the Center for Public Administration and Policy and the program director for the center’s National Capital Region location in Alexandria, Va. He received his doctoral degree in government from the University of Virginia, a master’s degree from Claremont Graduate University, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Dallas.\nDuring 2010-11, he was the Ghaemian Scholar-in-Residence at the University of Heidelberg Center for American Studies in Germany. He has also worked as a reporter for the Associated Press.\nThe School of Public and International Affairs, one of four schools in the College of Architecture and Urban Studies, comprises three dynamic academic programs: Center for Public Administration and Policy, Government and International Affairs, and Urban Affairs and Planning. Each program consists of a robust cohort of faculty and researchers, led by a program chair who oversees the degree offerings across three Virginia locations in Blacksburg, Alexandria, and Richmond.\nCover of Roberts' book\nKatie Gehrt\nGreater Washington, D.C., metro area","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line894604"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6620734333992004,"wiki_prob":0.33792656660079956,"text":"Home/The Microfoundations of Community: Small Groups as Bridges and Barriers to Participatory Democracy\nThe Microfoundations of Community: Small Groups as Bridges and Barriers to Participatory Democracy\nThis chapter reviews research on the small group foundations of community participation and civil society. The approach used is interdisciplinary in nature, combining social psychological and microsociological research with wider-reaching theories of civil society and democratic theory, and arguing that the two are fundamentally linked. Fist, it is argued that associational groups provide both opportunities (bridges) and obstacles (barriers) for participation on a wider level, each of which is discussed in turn. It is argued that small groups provide microenvironments that allow individuals to develop cognitive and emotional models of citizenship, empowerment, and inclusion. However, the small group literature also points to cognitive biases, exclusionary tendencies, and irrational behavior associated with groups that call into question their ability to provide sustainable models of democratic participation. It is argued that many of the failings of participatory democracy cannot be understood without reference to the small group origins of modern democracies. In order to chart a path between these seeming contradictory findings the chapter concludes by posing the question of whether a polity based on principles of group psychology can sustain universalistic aspirations such as tolerance, universal participation, and mutual respect, or whether ultimately such aspirations break down into in-fighting and factionalism. An attempt is made to suggest provisional solutions based on social psychological research. Specifically, research on group relations that examines moderators of inter-group biases and factors that promote inclusion is suggested as a fruitful direction.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line598212"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9840752482414246,"wiki_prob":0.9840752482414246,"text":"Will Sacha Baron Cohen’s Borat Sequel Arrive Before the Election?\nThe long-rumored film, which was first announced in 2007, reportedly shot in secret and has already screened for some industry insiders.\nPhoto by Moviestore/Shutterstock.\nNext month could be pretty significant for Sacha Baron Cohen. On October 16, Netflix will release The Trial of Chicago 7, Aaron Sorkin’s long-gestating film about the 1969 legal proceeding. It stars as Abbie Hoffman in a performance that’s already garnered Cohen strong reviews and received nascent Oscar buzz. But that film might not even be Cohen’s biggest contribution to the discourse over the next four weeks. That’s because the comedian also appears to have his own October surprise in store: a sequel to Borat that was filmed in secret. It allegedly interrogates the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic as well as President Donald Trump’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, and could be released before Election Day.\nThat, at least, is what separate reports from film websites Collider and The Film Stage revealed earlier this month, as both sites reported on apparent test screenings of the project. But Cohen has been leaving his own trail of breadcrumbs for weeks. In June, a disguised Cohen crashed a far-right rally in Washington State and performed a savage parody song critical of Dr. Anthony Fauci, Bill Gates, and other “mask-wearers” who have preached scientific fact during the coronavirus pandemic.\nIn July, former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani called the police on Cohen, again wearing a disguise, after he surprised Giuliani in a spoof interview. “This guy comes running in, wearing a crazy, what I would say was a pink transgender outfit,” Giuliani told the New York Post. “It was a pink bikini, with lace, underneath a translucent mesh top, it looked absurd. He had the beard, bare legs, and wasn’t what I would call distractingly attractive.”\nAfter he called the police, Giuliani alleged, Cohen ran off. “I only later realized it must have been Sacha Baron Cohen. I thought about all the people he previously fooled and I felt good about myself because he didn’t get me,” Giuliani said. At the time, a representative for Cohen did not comment on the Giuliani interview; Vanity Fair has reached out to Cohen’s reps about Borat 2 and has not yet heard back.\nIn August, a video emerged of Cohen, dressed as Borat, driving through the streets of Los Angeles.\nOver the weekend, a potential title was revealed via a now-deleted page on the Writers Guild of America website: Borat: Gift of Pornographic Monkey to Vice Premier Mikhael Pence to Make Benefit Recently Diminished Nation of Kazakhstan.\nReleased in November 2006, Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan was a cultural phenomenon and massive blockbuster for 20th Century Fox, earning $262 million worldwide. In 2007, a sequel was announced by Rupert Murdoch. In the years since, however, Cohen has moved on to other projects, including Bruno (which Universal released) as well as his recent Showtime series Who Is America?\nAs Collider noted in its report last month, it’s unclear which company funded and will release the Borat sequel, as 20th Century Fox is now owned by Disney. The presumption is that the film will come out via a streaming platform. (Some speculation for thought: in addition to The Trial of Chicago 7, which Netflix acquired from Paramount, the streaming platform also released The Spy starring Cohen last year.) But at least one person on Twitter has connected Borat 2 to Universal. Last year, the studio announced an “Untitled Universal Event Comedy” would come out on October 23. No further details were revealed about that potential project, however, and Universal denied it was involved in the Borat sequel when reached for comment.\nStill, regardless of how it arrives, fans of Cohen’s political satire probably only have two words for the potential film: very nice.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line880645"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6751708388328552,"wiki_prob":0.6751708388328552,"text":"‘Fear Factor’ Reboot is Explosive\nFive years ago, “Fear Factor” showed us that eating buffalo testicles, African cave-dwelling spiders and hissing cockroaches can be mindlessly entertaining. This past December, “Fear Factor” returned to prime time television and it is crazier than ever.\nThe show originally debuted in the summer of 2001, becoming an instant hit. “Fear Factor” offered a fresh perspective on reality television, accented with stunts and mental challenges that drove viewers to the edge of their seats. After a series of good ratings, the show began competing against the Goliath of broadcasttelevision, “American Idol.” After losing a majority of its audience to Simon Cowell and company, “Fear Factor” was cancelled.\nNow airing instead in the less competitive 9 p.m. time slot, the show brought back its original host Joe Rogan to lead the pack and challenge contestants. Because of the immense popularity the show enjoyed in its original seasons, producers told audiences not to expect to see a lot of changes. “Fear Factor” will try to win back fans with a similar method to the one it used in the original series.\nIf you have ever watched the original “Fear Factor,” the first things you will notice about the new show is that it is now in HD and that Rogan looks 10 years older.\nThe stunts in the show remain as entertaining and fast-paced as they were in the original series. Whether jumping off a building or hanging onto a flying helicopter, contestants are pitted in the same overly dramatic stunts. With the show now in HD, the creators abuse the use of explosions, but one can’t argue with the results. The show is hands down one of the most thrilling shows on television.\nThe fan-favorite part of the show (better known as the gross part) will definitely not disappoint the audience with the challenges it has up its sleeve for the new season. Whether contestants are challenged to eat live scorpions, jump in a bath full of cow’s blood or drink a mixture of tomato horn worms, stink beetles, flies and spoiled milk, be ready to put your plate down for this segment and ask yourself: “Would I really do that for a chance to win $50,000?”\nWith a strong show of ratings in the first 3 weeks averaging over 7,500,000 viewers, “Fear Factor” has proven that it is back on television and here to stay. So if you’re bored on a Monday night looking for something to watch, fear not to grab the remote and turn on “Fear Factor.”","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line406346"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.543344259262085,"wiki_prob":0.543344259262085,"text":"​The National\nThree-part play first broadcast on Tues 19th, Weds 20th and Thursday 21st of November 2019 at 2.15pm on BBC Radio 4.\nPolitics and theatre do battle as the National's first Artistic Director, Sir Laurence Olivier, and his lieutenant Kenneth Tynan fight to establish a successful National Theatre.\nWith all the intensity of life back-stage, the theatre world itself can make for good drama, and writer Sarah Wooley has created one here, bringing to life the personalities and the power struggles that attended the opening of the National Theatre in 1963. No relationship was more key to the project’s success that that between founding artistic director Laurence Olivier (a suitably testy Robert Glenister) and his dramaturg Kenneth Tynan, (played by John Heffenan), and it’s captured in all its tension. Radio Times","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line632011"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8718042969703674,"wiki_prob":0.8718042969703674,"text":"The Forgotten Trauma Of Congo’s Forever War\nReprinted with permission from Tom Dispatch\nGOMA, North Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo — The boy was sitting next to his father, as he so often did. He mimicked his dad in every way. He wanted to be just like him, but Muhindo Maronga Godfroid, then a 31-year-old primary school teacher and farmer, had bigger plans for his two-and-a-half-year-old son. He would go to university one day. He would become a “big name” — not just in their village of Kibirizi, but in North Kivu Province, maybe the entire Democratic Republic of Congo. The boy was exceedingly smart. He was, Godfroid said, “amazing.” He could grow up to be a leader in a country in desperate need of them.\nKahindo Jeonnette was just putting dinner on the table when someone began pounding on the front door. “Open! Open! Open!” a man yelled in Swahili. Jeonnette was startled.\nThe 24-year-old mother of two looked at her husband. Godfroid shook his head. “I can’t open the door unless you say who you are,” she called out.\n“I’m looking for your husband. I’m his friend,” came the response.\n“It’s too late now. My husband can’t come out. Come back tomorrow,” she replied.\nThe man shouted, “Then I’m going to open it!” and pumped several bullets into the door. One tore through Godfroid’s left hand, leaving him with just a thumb and two-and-a-half fingers. For a moment, he was stunned. The pain had yet to hit him and he couldn’t quite piece together what had happened. Then he turned his head and saw his tiny son splayed out on the floor.\nThe grieving parents can’t even bring themselves to utter their late son’s name. “I’ll never forget seeing my baby lying there,” Jeonnette told me, her eyes red and glassy, as we sat in the kitchen of her two-room, clapboard home in a tumbledown area of Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province. “I close my eyes and that’s all I can see.”\nNo one knows who exactly killed Jeonnette and Godfroid’s son. No one knows exactly why. His death was just one more murder in an endless tally; a killing somehow tied to a war started decades before he breathed his first breath; a homicide abetted by an accident of birth — the bad luck of being born in a region roiled by a conflict as interminable as it is ignored.\nLightning Fast Lava, an Exploding Lake, and “the Most Dangerous City in the World”\nThe attack on Jeonnette and Godfroid’s home, the violence they endured, was no anomaly, but another painful incident in one of the most enduring catastrophes on the planet. A new report, “Congo, Forgotten: The Numbers Behind Africa’s Longest Humanitarian Crisis” by Human Rights Watch and the New York University-based Congo Research Group, finds that between June 1, 2017 and June 26, 2019, there were at least 3,015 violent incidents — including killings, mass rapes, and kidnappings — involving 6,555 victims in the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu.\nAn average of 8.38 civilians were killed per 100,000 people in those two provinces alone, a number that exceeds even the 2018 death rate of 6.87 civilians in Borno, Nigeria, the state most affected by the terror group Boko Haram. It’s more than double the rate — 4.13 — in all of civil-war-torn Yemen, where Houthi rebels and civilians have, for years, been under a relentless assault by a U.S.-backed coalition led by Saudi Arabia.\n“The fighting in recent years shows that peace and stability in eastern Congo are elusive,” said Jason Stearns, director of the Congo Research Group. “A comprehensive approach is needed, including an invigorated demobilization program and deep-seated reforms at every level of the state to counter impunity.”\nThe chances of that happening anytime soon are, however, remote. Violence has stalked the Congo’s far east since at least the nineteenth century, when slave raiders plied their trade here and local mutineers from a Belgian colonial expedition rampaged through the region. And since the end of the last century, North Kivu has been an epicenter of conflict.\nFor its part, Goma — home to two million people — has been called “cursed,” labeled a “magnet of misery,” and identified as “the most dangerous city in the world.” While it might not sit directly over hell, beneath the volcano that looms over it, Mount Nyiragongo, is a burning lake of lava — an estimated 2.3 billion gallons worth. At the same time, Lake Kivu, the body of water on whose shores Goma sits, could potentially asphyxiate millions in the event of an earthquake, thanks to gases building up beneath its surface. Then again, Lake Kivu itself might just explode — as it does about once every thousand years.\nGoma is, to put it mildly, a tough town and, in recent times, it’s endured some genuine tough luck as well. In 1977, Mount Nyiragongo erupted, sending lava racing through the outskirts of the city at the fastest rate ever recorded, around 62 miles per hour, just shy of the speed of a cheetah running at full tilt. Several outlying villages were obliterated and almost 300 people burned alive.\nIn 1994, after the overthrow of a Hutu-led regime that had committed a genocide on the Tutsis of neighboring Rwanda, more than a million refugees, mostly Hutus, swamped Goma, prompting aid agencies to set up camps for them. Those camps, in turn, became bases for the ousted genocidaires to launch cross-border raids into Rwanda. In addition, cholera ravaged those refugee camps and Tutsis who had also fled the genocide were soon being attacked in Goma just as they had been in their native Rwanda.\nThe aftermath of that genocide birthed what came to be known as Africa’s World War, a conflict that raged from the mid-1990s through the early 2000s and saw Goma become a rebel capital controlled by a military elite, while more than five million people in the region died of violence or its fallout: hunger, starvation, and illness. Then, as if things weren’t bad enough, in 2002, Mount Nyiragongo erupted again, sending more than 14 million cubic meters of lava flowing down its southern flank. Two raging rivers of molten rock tore through the center of Goma, destroying 15 percent of the city, killing at least 170 people, leaving 120,000 homeless, and sending 300,000 others streaming into Rwanda.\nDespite a regional peace deal that same year, Goma became the target of a Tutsi group that evolved into the March 23 Movement, or M23, a militia that would then battle the Congolese army for the better part of a decade, leading to yet another influx of displaced people settling into yet more camps and slums on Goma’s peripheries. Worse still, in 2012, the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels briefly seized and sacked the city, while carrying out an assassination campaign in and around it.\nToday, Goma is officially at peace, but it’s never really peaceful. “Since the start of 2019, a series of murders, violent robberies, and kidnappings have taken place in peripheral neighborhoods of Goma,” reads a report released this spring by the Rift Valley Institute, which investigates conflict and its costs in the Democratic Republic of Congo. An armed robbery described in the report bears an eerie resemblance to the attack on Jeonnette and Godfroid’s home in Kibirizi. One of the victims explained how bandits carried out that home invasion in a neighborhood on the edge of Goma:\n”I was sleeping downstairs with my wife and the baby. They entered the front door by shooting through it. We fled our room to take the stairs to go inside. Downstairs, they forced one of our daughters to show them the rooms upstairs. We locked ourselves in the room. The bandits shot through the door, hurting our baby, right above her eye and in her arm. We fled to the shower. The baby was bleeding very much. They came in and I started to give them everything they wanted from us… It was very traumatizing. My wife, who was pregnant, gave birth too early, but the baby is more or less OK. While locked in the bathroom, I called the chef de quartier and the colonel I know but they started to talk about fuel, [more specifically, the lack of fuel, which prevented them from intervening] so no one came to help.”\nIn the face of such violence, most Congolese are left with few options but to endure or flee. Last year, 1.8 million people — more than two percent of Congo’s population of 81 million — were internally displaced, second only to Ethiopia. All told, there are currently 5.6 million displaced Congolese and it’s estimated that 99 percent were made homeless due to violence.\nConflict Minerals Trumped by Conflict Alone\nFrom the 1990s through the first years of the present century, an estimated 40 armed groups operated in the eastern Congo. Today, more than 130 such groups are active just in North and South Kivu Provinces.\nWith at least $24 trillion in gold, diamonds, tin, coltan, copper, cobalt, and other natural resources beneath the ground, it’s often assumed that Congo’s violence is intimately connected with the desire to control its mineral wealth. The Congo Research Group’s Kivu Security Tracker data, however, indicates that there is “no systematic correlation between violence and mining areas.” Instead, that land’s conflicts have become their own revenue stream. A “military bourgeoisie” has used the country’s complex set of conflicts-within-conflicts for career advancement, financing their private wars through kidnapping, the taxation of commodities and the movement of people, poaching, and protection rackets of every sort. Violence has become just another resource in the eastern Congo, a commodity whose value can be measured in both pain and Congolese francs.\nBetween June 2017 and June 2019, about 11 percent of the killings and 17 percent of all clashes in the Kivus occurred in the Fizi and Uvira territories of South Kivu and yet the epicenter of the violence in the region remains Beni territory in North Kivu (also a hotspot in the current and widening Ebola outbreak that even powerful new vaccines are unable to stem). Thirty-one percent of all the civilian killings in the Kivus took place in or around Beni, according to the Human Rights Watch report, “Congo, Forgotten,” with most of the bloodshed attributed to conflict between the Congolese armed forces and the Allied Democratic Forces, or ADF, a decades-old group that only recently rebranded itself as an Islamic State franchise.\nNearby Rutshuru territory experienced 35 percent of all the kidnappings in the two provinces, according to “Congo, Forgotten.” Recently, Sylvestre Mudacumura, a leader of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, an armed group founded by Hutu genocidaires in 2000, was killed there by the Congolese army. Rutshuru and neighboring Lubero territory are also home to two loose coalitions of opposing militias — the Nyatura and the Mai-Mai Mazembe — that draw from and nominally defend different ethnic groups in the region.\nAnd so it goes in one of the most persistent bloodlettings on this planet, which is likely to continue taking a terrible toll in the years to come as the world turns a blind eye to it all.\nMuhindo Maronga Godfroid and Kahindo Jeonnette, both from the Nande ethnic group, hail from Rutshuru. While they don’t know for certain who attacked their home on November 24, 2017, they suspect that Nyatura, a Congolese Hutu militia, was behind it.\nWhen the couple returned from the hospital following the shooting, they found their home completely looted. Fearing for their lives, they fled to Goma, where I met them, with their five-year-old daughter Eliane. All three now live in a two-room shack in a rough part of town where dirt and volcanic rock serve as the floors of most homes.\nWith his injured hand, Godfroid has been unable to find work. The family survives on the money Jeonnette makes by selling lotoko, a potent local moonshine.\nWearing blue jeans and a red Liverpool soccer jersey, Godfroid continued to talk with me about their son until Jeonnette walked over and waved her hand as if to say, No more. The conversation had left her shaken and she didn’t want to hear about or talk about or think about that horrible night for one second more. Jeonnette said that she needed a drink. Would I like to join her? After an hour of my questions about the violence that had upended her world, about the death of a son whose name she couldn’t bring herself to utter, how could I not?\nJeonnette can’t forget that night, the sight of her son, the moment her life fell apart, but the world has forgotten the humanitarian crisis in Congo — to the extent that it was ever aware of it in the first place. After several decades of conflict, after a “World War” most people on this planet don’t even know happened (let alone killed millions), after rebel raids and village massacres, after countless attacks and uncounted murders, Congo’s constellation of crises remains largely ignored. It’s a burning reservoir of pain for which — the yeoman efforts of Human Rights Watch and the Congo Research Group aside — there is neither an accounting nor accountability.\nRetreating to the back room, Jeonnette emerged with a metal cannister of crystal-clear liquor and poured a bit for each of us. As we toasted the memory of her son and I savored the slow burn of the lotoko, Jeonnette took a deep breath and leaned toward me. “This trauma lives in my heart. I can’t escape it,” she said, her eyes brimming with hurt. “This country keeps pulling us back. We just can’t move forward.”\nNick Turse is the managing editor of TomDispatch. He is the author of Next Time They’ll Come to Count the Dead: War and Survival in South Sudan and the award-winning Kill Anything That Moves: The Real American War in Vietnam.\nCopyright 2019 Nick Turse.\nSouth Africa Summons US Envoy To Protest Trump’s Racist Conspiracy Tweet\nReprinted with permission from Shareblue.\nTrump’s decision to promote a racist conspiracy theory has sparked a diplomatic confrontation, requiring South Africa to summon America’s most senior diplomat there to set the record straight.\nEarlier this week, after watching a segment on Fox News, Trump tweeted that he has “asked Secretary of State @SecPompeo to closely study the South Africa land and farm seizures and expropriations and the large scale killing of farmers.”\nSouth Africa’s government summoned U.S. Charge d’Affaires Jessye Lapenn to “convey the unhappiness of the people” over Trump’s tweet.\nTrump’s tweet was based on “false information,” the South African government says, and served “only to polarize debate on this sensitive and crucial matter.”\nThe government also said it was “disappointed” in Trump’s failure to use the existing diplomatic channels to discuss issues.\nThe entire story is based on a conspiracy theory popularized by white supremacists that farmers are facing a form of “white genocide” in South Africa, as purported retribution for the racist policies of the apartheid regime.\nInvestigators who have analyzed crime data in South Africa have debunked the conspiracy, which has inflamed racial tensions in a country that has long struggled over racial divisiveness.\nTrump has come to the table with his own bigotry, and through the presidency has created problems for South Africa as they have been working to heal them.\nThe tweet thrilled many of the racists who form Trump’s base, but as is so often the case with his off-handed decisions, the fallout and repercussions have far-reaching effects.\nNow Trump has forced the U.S. State Department in a baseless conspiracy theory that involves the highest levels of South Africa’s government — a government that now has to clean up a mess Trump created by impulsively tweeting while watching Fox.\nDanziger: Expert Assistance\nWatch: Obama Warns Against Populist Bigotry In South Africa Speech\n#EndorseThis: Samantha Bee Opens Rescue Farm For Displaced Trump-Era Diplomats","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line834023"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9155884981155396,"wiki_prob":0.9155884981155396,"text":"https://apnews.com/article/4a98ad7e435c4d33a3aa3253551a356b\nPG&E: Company equipment ‘probable’ cause of California fire\nBy SUDHIN THANAWALA and CATHY BUSSEWITZFebruary 28, 2019 GMT\nFILE - In this Dec. 3, 2018 file photo, a vehicle rests in front of a home leveled by the Camp Fire in Paradise, Calif. Pacific Gas & Electric says its equipment may have ignited the 2018 Camp Fire, which killed 86 people and destroyed an entire town in Northern California. The embattled utility said Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, it’s taking a $10.5 billion charge for claims connected to the Camp Fire in its fourth quarter earnings.(AP Photo/Noah Berger, File)\nSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Pacific Gas & Electric Corp. inched closer to taking responsibility for the deadliest U.S. wildfire in a century, saying Thursday it is “probable” that one of its transmission lines sparked the blaze last year that killed 86 people and destroyed most of the city of Paradise.\nThe embattled utility company, which filed for bankruptcy protection in January, said it’s taking a $10.5 billion charge for claims connected to the fire in its fourth quarter earnings. The fire destroyed 14,000 homes in and around Paradise — a city of 27,000 people in the Sierra Nevada foothills.\nThe cause of the fire is still under investigation. But firefighters located its start near a tower on PG&E’s Caribou-Palermo transmission line.\n“Based on the information currently known to the company and reported to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and other agencies, the company believes it is probable that its equipment will be determined to be an ignition point of the 2018 Camp Fire,” PG&E said in a news release.\nPG&E has previously acknowledged that the Caribou-Palermo transmission line lost power right before the fire and was later found to be damaged. It also included the blaze among the more than $30 billion in potential wildfire liabilities it said it was facing when it announced plans to file for bankruptcy in January. But it had not gone as far as it did Thursday in connecting the line to the blaze.\n“We recognize that more must be done to adapt to and address the increasing threat of wildfires and extreme weather in order to keep our customers and communities safe,” said John Simon, interim CEO of PG&E. “We are taking action now on important safety and maintenance measures identified through our accelerated and enhanced safety inspections and will continue to keep our regulators, customers and investors informed of our efforts.”\nJohn Geesman, an energy consultant and former member of the California Energy Commission, said PG&E’s announcement Thursday is significant and will increase scrutiny of the company by lawmakers and others.\n“This corroborates a lot of the worst things that people have believed,” he said.\nThe Wall Street Journal, citing federal records, reported Wednesday that PG&E since 2013 has repeatedly delayed safety work on the Caribou-Palermo line, including replacing towers and wires. PG&E said in a statement that the story “inaccurately portrays planned electric transmission regulatory compliance work, and omits key aspects of the work we are currently doing to enhance safety.”\nPG&E also recorded a new $1 billion charge related to 2017 wildfires in Northern California.\nCiting extraordinary challenges from wildfires, PG&E’s management concluded the circumstances “raise substantial doubt about PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s ability to continue as going concerns.”\nPG&E also said there was an outage and downed wires in another location, called Big Bend, on the morning of the fire that destroyed Paradise.. While fire officials have identified the second location as another potential ignition point, PG&E said it’s unsure if that problem might have ignited the fire.\nThe Caribou-Palermo transmission line has been out of service since mid-December, and inspections have identified equipment that needs repair or replacement, the company said.\nBussewitz reported from New York.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1887714"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.647716760635376,"wiki_prob":0.647716760635376,"text":"abandoned batman nightclub\nMy interest in capturing this genre of images has led me to some peculiarly fascinating and truly one-of-a-kind places all around Thailand, the country I’ve called home for 9 years. I’ll tell you a bit about a place that stands out as one of the more unusual and magnificent abandoned sites that I’ve explored.\nThe Batman nightclub entertainment establishment sits decaying away in the Thai coastal city of Pattaya, often associated with its notorious sex-tourism trade, though there is much more to the city than that seedy side. Derelict for over 20 years, the crumbling club sits on Soi Batman, the street that still carries its name, as it is still a very distinguishing building. The Batman was built in the mid-1990’s in central Pattaya, where it became one of the city’s hottest night-spots. The club’s Batman spotlights could be seen beaming across the city each night, as if Pattaya were Gotham City and customers were being called instead of help from a caped-crusader. It was also a ‘snooker club’ on the members-only upper floors, where the ladies that worked there walked around scantily clad (or un-clad) and entertained club members in short-time rental rooms. This enormous, dilapidated venue, though only in operation for a brief spell, remains standing as a mysterious and foreboding reminder to Pattaya locals of past adventures in local nightlife.\nI visited the Batman club with my girlfriend Mook, my ride-or-die companion for most urbex-exploits. We heard about the the unusual venue via online forums and blogs on strange and unique places around Thailand. We were in the area for a weekend escape from bustling Bangkok and drove over to have a look, expecting it to be restricted or the entrances to be covered (often the case). However, when we arrived, we were, surprisingly, able to walk right in the front door without restriction.\nThe once-eventful six-floor structure (including the rooftop), now seems to host mainly street artists who come to spray murals on the many walled canvases, as well as a few vagrant folks who use it as a shelter for humid, rainy Pattaya nights. There was a street art event held at the Batman in March of 2016, which provided the colorful array of murals covering most of the internal and external walls, my favorite of which is a tribute to the late Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest. Due to the rainy weather, there was dripping water to be avoided on almost every floor, which required some careful maneuvering on stairs and overhangs. However, the oily water accumulated on some of the upper floors created some vivid, symmetrical reflections of the graffiti colors along with the rusty concrete support columns. The ground floor area, which was the main Batman dance floor, is completely submerged under several meters of water. What is now a murky pond was once a large dance area with a bar and a stage for live performances. It was reported in local news last year that a man’s dead body of was found floating in that very pool, a bit of information that I didn’t come across until after our visit.\nThe history of the Batman’s operation, along with the reasons for it’s closure are not easy to find in online research. Luckily, when we came back on the second day to get some more exterior shots, we met a former employee of the club who now works at a nearby motorbike shop and parks his truck in the vacant club’s parking lot. His name is Hae and he spoke with us for a few minutes, providing some detailed information on the club’s history. According to Mr. Hae, who was a security guard and general ‘everyman’ at the club, the location was open for less than two years before shutting it’s doors forever. He also confirmed that the upper floors were a sort of ‘VIP’ area with snooker tables and escort services. He explained that the large hole in the middle of two of the floors was originally surrounded by a protective railing and used to look down on one of the dance floors. According to Hae, there was an electrical fire caused by overloaded circuits from lights and other equipment. He indicated that several patrons died in the fire and that he only escaped out a top floor window, but I was unable to verify these fatalities in my research as the availability of online news from that time period is sparse. The fire damage, combined with an inability to maintain profits led to the clubs closure 18 or so months after its opening. The site is now owned by a local bank that repossessed it from the original owner. The final item that Mr. Hae mentioned was that he sometimes swims in the flooded dance floor area on the ground level, which is something I can’t imagine doing, especially after finding out about the floating corpse. Hae is a kind man and spoke in a genuine and thoughtful tone, though there was a sadness in his voice as he recalled the history of the his former workplace.\nThe Batman club is one of many distinctive abandoned sites around Thailand, and one of my favorite places to have ever taken pictures. Each ramshackle location across the country has its own unique history, as well as its own reasons for being left behind in time, but each one is connected in the the sense that they are reminders of what once was, what might’ve been, and what happens when we forget. They are no longer freshly painted, not shiny and new anymore. Windows are broken. Doors, furniture, light fixtures, and most metal has been either stolen or scrapped. They are not as they once were, nor will they ever again be. Nonetheless, despite the decay and rust that many see as unsightly blots on the landscape, the allure for urban explorers and photographers lies in identifying and capturing the remaining beauty in these forgotten locations. If we look closely, it isn’t hard to find.\n© 2016 Dax Ward\ntaken at the abandoned Batman nightclub, Pattaya, Chonburi, Thailand","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1617175"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6536409854888916,"wiki_prob":0.6536409854888916,"text":"Japanese ready for iPhone’s arrival\nAugust 24, 2007 10:46 am UTC\nDespite the country’s advanced cellular industry, many Japanese are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the iPhone, reports USA Today. According to a July survey conducted by research firm Yahoo Value, 13 percent of the 400 surveyed want an iPhone, and 15 percent of those would switch service providers to get one. “This is the first phone that thrilled me,” freelance journalist Tsutsumu Ishikawa says. Ishikawa flew to Hawaii on June 29 to pick up an iPhone, despite the fact that the device’s phone features don’t work in Japan. “People regard it as cool and advanced. And the interface is easy to use.” Several obstacles stand in the way of the iPhone and success in Japan, according to the article. Obstacles include Japan’s 3G networks, the iPhone’s pricing, privacy issues, and the process of negotiating a deal with a service provider, a process which, the article suggests, may be expedited by a “personal friendship” between Apple CEO Steve Jobs and SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son, who happened to be on hand at the device’s unveiling at the Macworld Expo in January. SoftBank is one of Japan’s three top service providers, along with KDDI and DoCoMo. “We are interested” in the iPhone, says DoCoMo spokesman Roland Arafat. “But nothing has been decided.” The iPhone is scheduled to be released in Asia in 2008.\niLounge > News > iPhone > Japanese ready for iPhone’s arrival","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line846569"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6278583407402039,"wiki_prob":0.6278583407402039,"text":"Even though Costa Rica is a small country, it has a great biological and habitat diversity due to the convergence of two hemispheres, two oceans, and its varying geography. This creates wonderful changing views for travelers. There is a chain of mountains that forms a back- bone down the length of Costa Rica. They start in the north with the Guanacaste \"Cordillera\" (mountain range), continues with the Tilaran Cordillera (location of Monteverde and Arenal), the Central Cordillera (Irazu, Poás, Braulio Carrillo), and finishes with the southern Talamanca Cordillera (which is the highest in the country).\nWhile the Pacific coastline is almost 780 miles (1,254 km), the Caribbean is only 132 miles (212 km). Hilly peninsulas are settled in the Pacific coast. There are two large gulfs, and many small coves and bays. Two major commercial ports are located in the Pacific: Puntarenas and Puerto Caldera. On the Caribbean, there is a natural harbor in the Moin - Limon area. It is the largest area of lowland plains (about one-fifth of Costa Rica), which stretches back from the northern coastline almost to Limon.\nCosta Rica lies in the tropics between 8 and 11 degrees north of the equator. You might expect moderate temperatures, but the rugged mountain chain's effect on factors such as wind, and rain, creating many microclimates. Most people are surprised to learn that frost and ice can occur on some of the loftier peaks, such as Chirripo. Temperatures are somewhat higher on the Pacific side than on the Caribbean at the same elevation because there are more clouds on the Caribbean watershed year-round than on the Pacific. At sea level on either side, the annual average is always above 75°F (24°C). Some of the highest peaks average 54°F (12°C), though temperatures there can fall below freezing.\nThere is not spring, or fall times in Costa Rica. The seasons are called verano (summer) and invierno (winter).They are just a dry season (since December until April) and a rainy season (since May until November). Temperature has more variation from night to day than from verano to invierno. Difference in daily temperatures averages 14°F to 18°F (8°C to 10°C). From November to January, cold breezes from the north funnel through the mountains of North America causing a little down in temperature. This is one of the few countries in the world in which polar air gets this close to the equator. The warmest months are March, April, and May, and the wettest months are September and October. Rainfall amounts vary from less than 59 inches (1500mm) to more than 190 inches (4800mm) during these months. The country's average rainfall pattern is in the range of 79 to 158 inches (2,000 to 4,000 mm). Precipitation can come in the form of a tropical downpour with impressive lightning and thunder (aguacero), steady rain, or the less common, a continuous light rain for several days (temporal).\nEven in the rainy season, rain will not fall during the all day, every day. It usually begins in early afternoon in the Central Valley and other highland areas, but later in the afternoon in the Pacific lowlands. Each season has its own beauty and unique characteristics. In wetter times the flora is profuse, with a vibrant life that gets into the soul. In the dry season the background is perfect for orchids, bougainvilleas, reina de la noche (queen of the night), as well as for colorful trees that flower only then.\nCosta Rica can boast that it is the country with the highest percentage (25%) of its territory designated as protected areas: Forest Reserves, Biological Reserves, Nature Shelters, and of course, National Parks. These is another of the good reasons why many Europeans and North Americans, further than coming to travel, have made this land their home being nowadays around 1% of the Costa Rican population.\nCountry Demographics:\nArea: 19,929 square miles\nCapital: San Jose\nGovernment type: Democratic republic\nLanguage: Spanish (official), English\nLiteracy rate: 94.8%\nLocation: At 19,929 square miles, Costa Rica is slightly smaller in area than West Virginia, U.S. It borders Nicaragua on its north, Panama on the southeast, the Pacific Ocean on the west and southwest, and the Caribbean Sea on the northeast.\nMajor Religions: Roman Catholic (76.3%), Evangelical (13.7%)\nPopulation (2002 est.): 3,834,934\nAbout the weather in Costa Rica:\nBe prepared for sunshine, rain, cool mountain breezes, and muggy jungle mists depending on where and when you visit our country. Due to our topography, we have a variety of microclimates. As you ascend or descend in altitude, or move from one province to another, our weather changes.\nOur rainy season, which typically brings sunny mornings and afternoon showers, lasts from May to November, but it's best to be prepared for rain at any time of the year. In rain forests and cloud forests, it rains almost every day, sometimes several times per day. Costa Rica's beaches are hot and humid, except for the northwestern province of Guanacaste, which tends to be dry and breezy. To get more specific, refer to the information provided in your itinerary.\nMore info in www.imn.ac.cr\nGovernment offices are open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Commercial offices are open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Stores and other businesses are open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.\nCosta Rica offers superb craft items at affordable prices. Wooden and leather goods are excellent buys, and they are typically very well made. Wooden jewelry and jewelry boxes, utensils, serving bowls and other small ornaments can be easily transported home in your luggage. Leather purses, wallets, and briefcases are similar to those found in the other places, but at much better prices. Fresh roasted coffee beans are a popular buy, and can be purchased in elegant gift packaging. For the best deals, however, purchase coffee in a grocery store rather than a souvenir shop. You will get the same quality merchandise without inflated pricing. Silver, gold, and ceramic replicas of pre-Columbian artifacts also make great souvenirs, but think carefully before purchasing anything advertised as an antiquity. Customs will also seize most items involving furs, coral, tortoise shell, reptile skins, feathers, and plants.\nBargaining is not a common practice in Costa Rica, even at the stands of street vendors However, you can ask for \"la feria\" which is an extra object as a gift for the many you have purchased.\nRemember to leave some extra space in your luggage when you are packing for your trip, so you can fit in your vacation purchases.\nChurches:\nLike all Latin American countries, Costa Rica is predominantly Catholic, but churches of other denominations are found throughout the country.\nDirect-dial telephone service, facsimile, telex, radio and cable television are all available. Bilingual operator assistance for international calls is - 116, local information - 113, long distance information - 124.\nOn the day of departure, travelers must be at the airport about two hours before the time their flight is scheduled to leave. There is a departure tax of US$26.00. There is a 13% sales tax at hotels, restaurants, and most service industries, and an additional 3% tourist tax at hotels.\nHealth care in Costa Rica is very good and sanitary standards are high. First aid assistance and access to hospitals are available throughout the country. However, you should bring sufficient supply of your prescribed medication if you are taking any. Travel insurance is advisable for refunds in your country of origin.\nSpanish is officially spoken. English is the second language spoken in many areas throughout the country.\nCosta Rica is in the same time zone as U.S. Central Standard Time.\nOfficial Holidays:\nJanuary 1st: New Year’s Day\nMarch/April: Easter Week\nApril 11th: Juan Santamaría Day\nMay 1st: Worker Day\nJuly 25th: Annexation of Guanacaste Day\nNovember 2nd: All Soul’s Day\nDecember 25th: Christmas Day\n... Costa Rica General Information ...\nby Frida Travel Staff\nWithin Costa Rica’s 51,200 square kilometers there is a wider variety of species of birds than in all of Europe or North America. With a relatively small population of roughly three and a half million inhabitants, Costa Rica also boasts of one of the oldest and more consolidated democracies in Latin America. In 1869, primary education for both sexes was declared obligatory and free of cost, defrayed by the State. In 1882 the death sentence was abolished. In the 1949 the armed forces were abolished and in 1983 Perpetual Neutrality was proclaimed. Prestigious international human rights organizations have their headquarters in Costa Rica. Because of this, and of its lush 1500 kilometers of tropical sun-bathed beaches and the wild diversity of flora and fauna to be found in its wide array of microclimates (most present in one or more of its National Parks), Costa Rica has justifiably earned its reputation of paradise regained.\nCosta Rica's microclimates vary from the barren cold volcanic tundra to the exotic cloud forest, from the deep dense jungle of Talamanca to the tropical dry forests of Guanacaste, from quiet gold-hued beaches where the Baulas Tortoises build their nests to the winding Tortuguero Canals where the crocodile is king. Even so, Costa Rica's overall climate can be best described as mild. Being located within the tropics, seasonal changes in Costa Rica are not as dramatic as they are in countries on other latitudes. There is a 'dry\" season (equivalent to summer and spring) during which temperatures hover pleasantly in the high 60’s to low 70’s (20 –23 degrees C), which goes from December to May, and a \"wet\" season from June to November during which mornings are usually sunny and showers might be expected in the afternoon. On areas near the coasts, temperatures may be as much as ten degrees higher, where as at Chirripó Peak, the highest mountain in Costa Rica (3800 meters), temperatures may drop down to the freezing point. Tourists should bring light clothes: a jacket and a raincoat is all the protection you'll need unless you plan to go hiking in the higher mountains.\nCosta Rica is six hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), which is equivalent to Central Time in North America. There is no daylight saving time.\nCosta Rica's official language is Spanish. On the Caribbean Coast a small minority of Jamaican descendants speak a local version of English, and most Costa Ricans can understand and speak a bit of English. Quite recently all public schools made mandatory the learning of a second language.\nAs in the rest of Latin America, Roman Catholicism is Costa Rica’s main religion, but there is a very wide margin of tolerance and the constitutional freedom of creed is always respected. Costa Rica’s religions by percentage of practicing members: Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2%.\nCosta Rica is a civil law country which means that the organization of the legal system is derived from the French Napoleonic Code as opposed to English common law. The Government of Costa Rica has 4 branches: The Judicial, Executive - President and cabinet ministers, Legislative - Elected members and Electoral Tribunal - takes over police and all government functions dealing with elections before each election. Members are usually unpaid volunteers who are judges. This is to ensure all elections are completely democratic and free.\nThe national currency is the colon and dollars are easily exchanged at all banks, other foreign currency can be exchanged through private agencies. All mayor credit cards as well as travelers checks are widely accepted. The colon exchanges at 460 per dollar (as of March 2005) and can be expected to increment by 0,17 on average per day.\nThe standard in Costa Rica is the same as in the United States: 110 volts AC (60 cycles). However, three-pronged outlets can be scarce, so it's helpful to bring along an adapter.\nMost banks are open Monday through Friday from 9am to 3:30pm, although many have begun to offer extended hours. Offices are open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm (many close for 1 hr. at lunch). Stores are generally open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 6pm (many close for 1 hr. at lunch).\nThere are postal and telegraph offices in cities and villages throughout the country. The Central Post Office is located in San José on Second Street between Avenues 1 and 3, and is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 12 noon. Radiográfica Costarricense is located on Fifth Avenue between Streets 1 and 3. This company provides telex, fax, international data transmission, and many other services (including Internet access). The country code for Costa Rica is 506, and there is no area code inside the country.\nInternational Air Transportation: Most air traffic to and from Costa Rica is handled through the Juan Santamaría Airport, located 29 minutes from San José, in the city of Alajuela.\nDomestic Air Transportation: All flights leave from the International Juan Santamaría Airport or the Tobías Bolaños Airport. There is a network of internal airports which not only serve important cities, but special interest tourist areas. Among the most important are: Liberia, Palmar Sur, Tamarindo, Barra del Colorado, Limón, Quepos, Golfito, Coto 47, etc. From the Tobías Bolaños Airport, located to the west of the capital city, private airlines offer flights to most areas of the country.\nDomestic Bus Service: The country, in general, offers adequate bus service. The majority are private companies which link San José with the principal provincial towns and cities, seaports and tourist areas. With good-quality vehicles and frequent itineraries, the user can easily travel by bus throughout the country. In the main cities and villages nationwide, there are taxicab companies that service the user to the more remote places in the country. Four-wheel drive vehicles are typical for the rural areas.\nInternational Bus Service: Leaving from San José, there is bus service to Central America and Panama. The companies: TICA BUS, SIRC A and TRACOPA have scheduled trips to Panama, Nicaragua and other countries.\nAutomobile Circulation: Costa Rica has a good highway network, the majority of which, for tourist use, is paved. In most places there are adequate traffic signs. In the major highways there are toll booths (San José-San Ramón, San José-Guápiles, San José-Cartago, San José-Ciudad Colón). Throughout the country there are many gas stations, some of which offer round-the-clock service. Costa Rica does not have self-service gas stations.\nDriver Requirements: A foreigner may drive with a current license from his country of origin and his passport, during the three months that his tourist visa is valid. Warning triangles should be carried at all times by all drivers, and seat belts are also required for drivers and front-seat passengers. The use of helmets for motorcycle conductors is required.\nClick here for a complete list of foreign embassies and consulates.\nEntry/Exit Requirements\nWith a valid passport and round trip or continuing ticket, citizens of the United States of America, Canada, Germany, Spain and Italy can travel to Costa Rica for a 90-day stay without a consular visa. To stay legally beyond the period granted, travelers will need to submit an application for an extension to the Office of Temporary Permits in the Costa Rican Department of Immigration. Tourist visas are usually not extended except under special circumstances, such as academic, employment, or medical grounds, and extension requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. There is a departure tax for short-term visitors. Tourists who stay over ninety days without receiving a formal extension can expect to pay a higher departure tax at the airport or land border, and may experience some delay at the airport. Persons who have overstayed previously may be denied entry to Costa Rica.\nAs of this time, Costa Rica does not require visitors to have any particular vaccinations, although you should make sure that all your normal vaccinations are up to date.\nAny foreigner who is temporarily in the country has the right to receive health attention at hospitals and clinics in case of an emergency, sudden illness or a chronic disease. Costa Rica boasts a modern and renown medical health system, under the administration of the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS)…more information\nCosta Rica has a 911 system for reporting emergencies. Crimes that are no longer in progress should be reported in person at the nearest police station. In the event of a traffic accident, vehicles must be left where they are, and not moved out of the way. Both the Tránsito (Traffic Police) and the Insurance Investigator must make accident reports before the vehicles are moved. Although sometimes slow to respond after notification, these officials will come to the accident scene.\nEmergency telephone numbers:\nEmergencies . . . . . . .911 (Metropolitan area)\nFire Department and\nRescue Units. . . . . . .118\nTraffic Police. . . . . .222-9330/ 222-9245\nPolice Department . . . .117\nRural Police Department .127\nRed Cross . . . . . . . .128\nJuan Santamaría International Airport Phone: 441-0744.\nLimón International Airport . Phone: 758-1379\nTobías Bolaños International Airport. Phone: 232-2820\nDaniel Oduber Quiros International\nAirport (Liberia, Guanacaste) . Phone: 666-0695","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1068644"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8143376708030701,"wiki_prob":0.8143376708030701,"text":"MEC-GAR MAGAZINES (4)\nCategory -> SMITH & WESSON\nSmith & Wesson M&P .45ACP 14RD extended magazine w/sleeve\nFactory stainless steel 14 Round magazine for the Smith & Wesson® M&P pistol chambered in .45 ACP. Extended magazine with sleeve.\nPlease check restricted shipping zones before ordering.\nSmith & Wesson M&P M2.0 Compact 9mm 15RD magazine\nSmith & Wesson M&P M2.0 Compact 15RND 9mm magazine.\nSmith & Wesson M&P 9mm 15RD magazine\nFactory 15 Round magazine for the Smith & Wesson® M&P pistol chambered in 9mm.\nSW3000247\nMec-Gar Smith & Wesson M910/M915/5900 Series 9mm 17RD Magazine - BLUE\nMec-Gar Smith & Wesson 9mm 17 round magazine for M910/M915/5900 Series pistols. Made in Italy\nMGSW5917B\nSmith & Wesson M&P Shield 9mm 7RD magazine\nFactory 7 Round magazine for the Smith & Wesson® M&P Shield chambered in 9mm.\nSmith & Wesson M&P Compact 9mm 12RD magazine\nSmith & Wesson M&P 9mm Compact 12rnd magazine with finger rest.\nSmith & Wesson Bodyguard .380 6RD Magazine\nFactory 6 Round magazine for the Smith & Wesson® Bodyguard pistol chambered in .380. Includes extended and low profile base plate.\nSmith & Wesson M&P Shield .40S&W 7RD Extended magazine\nFactory 7 Round magazine with finger rest for the Smith & Wesson® M&P Shield chambered in .40S&W.\nX-Grip - Smith - Wesson M&P45C .45\nThe X-Grip Smith&Wesson M&P45C converts full size M&P .45ACP magazines for use in the Compact .45 Pistol. No tools are required for assembly.\nXGSWMP45C\nSmith & Wesson M&P .45ACP 10RD magazine - STAINLESS\nFactory stainless steel 10 Round magazine for the Smith & Wesson® M&P pistol chambered in .45 ACP.\nMec-Gar Smith & Wesson M910/M915/5900 Series 9mm 15RD Magazine - NICKEL\nMec-Gar Smith & Wesson 9mm 15 round magazine for M910/M915/5900 Series pistols. Made in Italy. Nickel finish.\nMGSW5915N\nSmith & Wesson M&P .40 S&W 15RD magazine\nFactory 15 Round magazine for the Smith & Wesson® M&P pistol chambered in .40 S&W.\nSmith & Wesson M&P 2.0 Compact 9mm 10RD magazine\nFactory 10 Round Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 Compact magazine chambered in 9mm.\nSmith & Wesson M&P Shield .45ACP 6RD Magazine\nFactory 6 Round magazine for the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield chambered in .45ACP.\nSmith and Wesson Pistol Magazines\nChoose the finest Smith and Wesson pistol magazines for reliable functioning. Our magazine selection includes factory original parts and popular aftermarkets with a range of round capacities. Both options deliver mags built to exact gun specifications. Take a look at the rugged Smith and Wesson gun magazines by Mec-Gar, available for M910, 915 and 5900 series firearms. Also find genuine Smith and Wesson M&P 22 pistol magazines here, plus S&W mags for M&P 40, 45, and 9mm caliber models. Now available is the M&P Shield 380 EZ M2.0 magazine.\nShop for Smith and Wesson Pistol Magazines from Top Gun Supply\nFeed your firearm. Shop for Smith and Wesson pistol magazines from Top Gun Supply. Factory Smith and Wesson magazine clips for the M&P rank as durable equipment. The M&P was designed with military and police shooters in mind.\nSearch in: SMITH & WESSON\nI have been shopping here for over five years with 100% satisfaction. If I need to know anything Sig Sauer related, I start right here.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line583942"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6469169855117798,"wiki_prob":0.3530830144882202,"text":"Home Politics Nigerian Ambassador Baba Ahmad Jidda: China is our second home\nNigerian Ambassador Baba Ahmad Jidda: China is our second home\nSephoraNews\nThe Nigerian Embassy lies in Beijing’s Sanlitun, an area in Chaoyang District popular among ex-pats with a large number of embassies. Ambassador Baba Ahmad Jidda office is on the second floor.\nIf you ask him to show you one of the fancy things he keeps, he will probably show you something his wife bought for him – a special Chinese plant. “My wife brought it to my office. She said this one brings you a lot of fortune, a lot of money.\nChinese Bank of China money will come to this, the Export and Import Bank money will come, so I send it to Nigeria for infrastructure development,” Jidda said.\nBaba Ahmad Jidda took up his current post in September 2017.\nAt the beginning of the year, he went back to Nigeria for the Christmas holiday. When Wuhan was struck by COVID-19, he decided to rush back to Beijing.\n“China is our second home. So I discussed with my wife and said we cannot be away from China during the difficult time of China. And in any case, there were so many Nigerians in China, especially students.\nSo there is a need for me to go back, as a captain of the ship to ensure we sink or swim with China. So I returned to Beijing with my wife. And everybody was surprised to see us because the airport was empty, very few people. Few immigration officers were even there. It was like there was nobody,” Baba Ahmad Jidda recalled.\n“We have 75 Nigerians in Wuhan, 65 of them were student, 10 are other Nigerians. I told them ‘please stay put. I assure you that things will be good.’ So we sent them support, and the government did more than we did to support the students and other Nigerians.\nI made a press conference, a press release, urging all Nigerians to stay in China, assuring them that sooner or later China will do something about the COVID-19. Finally, I’ve been vindicated that China contained the virus.\nIn the whole world today, China is the safest. Therefore I feel very proud that I have taken that bold decision to come back to China when everybody was running out of China,” he said.\nHe said the construction company China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, undertaking railways and airports in Nigeria, was very helpful in fighting the pandemic.\n“Loads of medical equipment and medical personnel, you know, were sent to Nigeria, and they have done a great job. They trained my people, making sure some the equipment that we lacked was provided, and we have since been cooperating in that area, and we’ll not stop appreciating China for the support that was most needed at the time it was given,” said the ambassador.\nBaba Ahmad Jidda and his wife also made personal contributions to encourage Chinese people.\n“My wife is the President of the Commonwealth Society in Beijing. That society is like a charity organization. During the pandemic, they decided to support the medical facility in Wuhan hospitals. They contributed some 200,000 RMB for the support of hospitals who are taking care of the affected patients,” he said.\n“I personally took as an ambassador, I have made a contribution to students and other Nigerians in my own capacity, 25,000 to 30,000 yuan before the government came to my help,” he added.\nHe said with the coronavirus situation now under control in China, health is still the focus of bilateral cooperation.\n“China believes in multilateralism. China does not operate alone. China must ensure that other countries in the world also get healthy. Maybe that’s the reason his Excellency President Xi Jinping contributed some $2 billion during the last World Health Assembly.\nMaybe that’s why China is everyday supporting the World Health Organization because it’s very important for other countries to be healthy, for us to conduct or bilateral relations, especially African countries,” he said.\n“We cannot wait to receive [a] vaccine from China, we cannot wait to see China sending millions of vaccines to Africa, so that the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation, the Belt and Road Initiative you know, to have healthy countries, to have healthy bilateral and multilateral relationship with China,” he added.\nResponding to words saying China’s been setting a debt trap for Africa, he said, “If you are [a] naive type of leader, you’ll be frightened of what the Western press says about China’s loans to Africa. But our leaders are responsible leaders, our leaders are intellectuals, they are educated, they know what’s good for their people.”\nBaba Ahmad Jidda said he had been to almost every province in the country, and he praised China’s development blueprint, saying that the “Five-Year Plan” is an important tool for the country’s progress.\n“The 14th development plan of China is like a global plan. It encompasses almost everything the world is going through because China has reached a point where whatever it does, affects the rest of the world.\nThe plan has its ramifications to friendly countries, like African countries, they mentioned the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation, mentioned the Belt and Road Initiative, and these are areas that touch on several other countries of the world,” he said.\nBaba Ahmad Jidda said he’s staying in China for his second three-year term, as he aims to deepen the already friendly ties between his host, and home, country.\nSource: cgtn.com\nBaba Ahmad Jidda\nPrevious articleUS Government Condemns Killing Of 43 Farmers In Borno State\nNext article2023: It’s too early to consider South-East for presidency – Rotimi Amaechi\n2023 Presidency: Rotational presidency not solution to Nigeria’s problem – Nnamdi Kanu dares Ohanaeze\nCourt orders President Donald Trump’s arrest\nThe Story Of Biafra Football Club (1969- 1978)\nBreaking: Joe Biden Confirmed As Next US President","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line806711"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9650134444236755,"wiki_prob":0.9650134444236755,"text":"Her Paralyzing Disease Led to a New Nonprofit\nNatalie Parra was diving off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii, a few years ago when the then 23-year-old spotted a gleaming octopus tentacle, dangling as bait off a fisherman’s hook. Not far away was a small sea turtle. “I knew in my head, that turtle’s going to grab that octopus leg the moment it sees it,” she says. Sure enough, within minutes, the turtle was stuck on the hook. The fisherman, far away on the shore and unaware of the drama, began to reel in his catch.\nNatalie watched, horrified, as the sea turtle flipped to and fro while it was dragged underwater. At that moment, a fellow diver burst into the fray. The diver grabbed the turtle, cut the line, and took the hook out of his flipper. Off the turtle sped.\nAs a diver, Natalie had seen this kind of thing before: turtles and sharks tangled in fishing line, covered in nets and ropes, struggling for their lives. “I grew up just adoring animals and adoring the ocean, but once I started to dive…it becomes so much more real,” she says. “I couldn’t not do anything. It wasn’t an option.”\nNatalie Parra is back among the marine life that she has committed to protect. Alvaro Tapia Hidalgo\nThat’s why Natalie and her friend Siena Schaar began work on a project they called Keiko Conservation. Initially, the pair were hoping to do a few beach cleanups and support other conservation groups, but they didn’t have a formal mission.\nThen in October 2014, just days after founding Keiko, Natalie went on a diving trip to Tonga, in the South Pacific. There, she was bitten by a mosquito that may have been carrying a virus. At first, she showed no symptoms. She flew to Los Angeles to visit family and planned to return home to Oahu. But when she was getting ice cream with her mom, “I just had this, like, weird arm pain,” recalls Natalie, who was 21 at the time. “And I kept thinking, wow, if I were any older, I would think I was having a heart attack or a stroke.” When Natalie was admitted to the hospital, she was in “unbearable” pain. “I remember telling the doctor in the ER that it felt like someone had taken a rope and tied it really tightly around my arm.”\nThe virus had triggered something called transverse myelitis, a rare and serious autoimmune reaction that left Natalie paralyzed from the neck down. Respiratory failure ensued. Natalie spent nearly a month in the hospital. After her release, she stayed with her parents in California, still bedridden. “I was bummed because we had just started [Keiko], and there were so many things that I wanted to do and I was really passionate about,” she says.\nNatalie's organization aims to spread awareness and do more for ocean life. Alvaro Tapia Hidalgo\nInstead, Natalie spent a lot of time online. She came across a fisherman in Florida who was posting about hunting and killing sharks. “I remember being so upset about it, but not really knowing what to do,” Natalie says. “And what could I do? I was still crippled at home.”\nNatalie started Googling fisheries law and contacting the Florida Wildlife Commission. But, she says, officials gave her the runaround, saying they were unaware of the issue. Frustrated, she took to social media, telling people to call the Commission and complain. (The Commission said the fisherman in question was the subject of an investigation, which was closed due to insufficient evidence.)\nBy this time, Natalie realized the difference someone can make with nothing more than a telephone and a Wi-Fi connection, especially if they can get their friends and contacts on board.\nNow, Keiko Conservation’s mission is to leverage social media en masse to spread awareness and petition governments and businesses to do more for ocean life. Keiko will alert their social media followers about a damaging practice, like serving shark at a restaurant, and Keiko’s followers will fill that company’s feeds with protest hashtags.\nIn the past year, Keiko’s volunteers have tripled in number, to more than a dozen, and its projects have become more ambitious and international. They’ve opened chapters in Ecuador, Japan, and Russia and have plans to extend into Norway and Italy. In late 2017, they began the process of registering as a nonprofit. They also sell slogan T-shirts, towels, and jewelry in their online shop, the proceeds of which fund educational pamphlets and other efforts to raise awareness. And Natalie’s personal store, Thessalonike, supports Keiko Conservation’s efforts.\nNatalie herself is mostly back on her feet, several years after her illness. “I definitely have some issues. My left arm still doesn’t work fully all the way.”\nBut getting back into diving, she says, helped her to cope. Her illness also left her with an important insight about the marine life Keiko works to protect. “I know that core feeling of wanting nothing but to be living. And animals really don’t ask a lot from us at the end of the day—that’s kind of all they want too,” she says. “They just want to be here.”\nWords by Anne-Marie Vettorel\nReference photo of Natalie Parra by Chiara Salomoni","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1062629"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9500875473022461,"wiki_prob":0.9500875473022461,"text":"Grade A-listed former school is on the market with hotel and offices potential\n19th century-built Old High School put up for sale by\nThe Old High School is a Glasgow landmark\nThe Grade A-listed former Old High School in Glasgow city centre is up for sale for possible development as a hotel or offices.\nThe Charles Wilson-designed buildings on on Elmbank Street opened in 1846 as private school Glasgow Academy. It was bought in 1878 by the Glasgow School Board and became the new home of the High School, the city’s oldest school founded in 1460. It was closed in 1976 and has most recently occupied by Strathclyde Regional Council and Police Scotland. The present High School of Glasgow in Anniesland was founded independently.\nHotel group to build seven-storey venue on site of former RBS building\nGraham + Sibbald has been appointed to market the buildings by City Property (Investments). The 87,000 sq ft, self-contained site is in a designated Strategic Economic Investment Location (SEIL) compatible with continued class 4 office use. Graham + Sibbald says it is suitable for redevelopment into a \"high end luxury hotel\".\nThe school ended up in the hands of Glasgow City Council, which sold its portfolio of disused properties to. City Property (Investments) for £120 million in March 2010.\nInnes Flockhart, chartered surveyor at Graham + Sibbald, said: “G+S are delighted to bring this very prestigious site to the market. The surrounding area continues to see significant investment and we anticipate a number of exciting development proposals coming forward at the closing date.”\nRundown office building on the market as hotel development site\nAllan McDonald, disposal services manager at City Property, said: “This property provides an exciting opportunity to create something unique in Glasgow given the character of the buildings and the recent resurgence of commercial development to the area.\"","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line741258"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6660844683647156,"wiki_prob":0.3339155316352844,"text":"Defend Dignity, Ending Sexual Exploitation in Canada\nI recently had the chance to catch up with our friend and ally, Glendyne Gerrard, of Defend Dignity in Canada. Defend Dignity has a campaign called “Choose Change” modeled after our Dirty Dozen List, in which they identify organizations and entities that facilitate sexual exploitation through their policies.\nIn one of their recent Choose Change victories, Defend Dignity got the The Keg Steakhouse and Bar, one of Canada’s leading restaurant chains, to enable filters to block sexually explicit content on the free wi-fi they offer their customers!\nLaunched in 2010, Defend Dignity addresses all forms of sexual exploitation in their work including pornography, strip clubs, escorts, massage parlors and prostitution and note that each of these involves “the selling of sexual services which undermine the dignity of women, men and children.”\nThey conducts awareness, advocacy, and aid campaigns. Through their aid campaigns, they assist individuals, non-profits, and faith organizations working to help victims of sexual exploitation. With their awareness campaigns, they seek to educate the public on the public health harms of sexual exploitation. And through their advocacy efforts, they are working to change public policy.\nThey are doing amazing work in Canada, and Glendyne shared some of their recent successes in their work to end sexual exploitation. Watch the video above to learn more!\nKatherine Blakeman\nKatherine Blakeman is a former employee of NCOSE where she worked to foster a community of people who want to restore human dignity and end sexual exploitation through traditional press outreach, digital media, and email marketing. She has appeared on, or been quoted in, several outlets including LifeSiteNews, NewsBusters, American Family News, EWTN Radio, Relevant Radio, Cosmo, Elle, Deseret News, the Daily Signal, the Daily Caller, NPR, HLN, and Fox News. She has been featured on Matt Fradd’s Love People, Use Things podcast, as well as the North Carolina Family Policy Council’s radio show Family Policy Matters.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line548750"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6880697011947632,"wiki_prob":0.3119302988052368,"text":"SpaceX announce Hyperloop high-speed travel pod design contest\nPosted on 17 Jun 2015 by Matthew Buckley\nRocket and spacecraft company SpaceX is holding a competition to design and build pods for the company’s high-speed travel 'Hyperloop'.\nThe ‘Hyperloop’ is a concept that SpaceX’s founder Elon Musk outlined in a white paper in 2013. It is a transport system in which a pod containing passengers travels at up to 750mph (1207.5km/h) through a tube from Los Angeles to San Francisco and vice versa.\nTraditionally, if an object has to travel through a non-vacuum tube that is not much wider, the object needs to press against air within the tube. One example is when pushing the plunger of a syringe.\nHowever, Musk’s SpaceX Hyperloop concept solves this problem by having an electric compressor fan mounted on the nose of the pod. The fan would transfer high-pressure air from the front of the vessel to the back.\nThe electric compressor fan would also create a cushion of air that would act as a low-friction suspension system. Thus, the pod would float on a cushion of air, which would enable it to move quickly, like the air on an air hockey table does to the puck.\nThe Hyperloop would have an external linear electric motor, and would be powered by solar panels on the tube.\nMusk came up with the idea as a means of there being Los Angeles-San Francisco transport that is very high speed, resistant to earthquakes, self-powering, safe, convenient, cheap to run, immune to weather, and not an inconvenience to people nearby.\nThe Hyperloop competition\nSpaceX is now holding a competition in which entrants design and build a half-scale Hyperloop pod. Entry details are available here.\nAs part of the competition, SpaceX will design and build a sub-scale Hyperloop test track approximately 4-5 feet wide and approximately one mile long. The entrants’ pods will be tested on this track.\nSpaceX will likely build its own pod to demonstrate on the track. The team that builds this pod will be ineligible to win.\nEntrants must submit their Intent to Compete in the competition by September 15, 2015, and their Final Design Packages by December 15, 2015.\nOn the weekend of January 9, 2016 the entrants will showcase their designs to an evaluation panel comprised mainly of SpaceX engineers, university professors, and Tesla Motors engineers.\nCompanies will then choose which teams to sponsor.\nSpaceX says that entrants who are not interested in building a pod can still submit designs for a pod, an individual subsystem, or a safety feature. They would subsequently receive feedback.\nOn a weekend in June, 2016, the pods will be tested on a track.\nCriteria and rules for the competition will be released in August 2015.\nSpaceX is yet to announce what prize the competitions winners will receive.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line335587"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5003263354301453,"wiki_prob":0.5003263354301453,"text":"No VAT on women’s sanitary products\nThe UK was unable to zero rate VAT on women’s sanitary products under EU rules and the items were subject to 5% VAT. Following the end of the transition period the UK is no longer bound by the EU VAT Directive which mandates a minimum 5% rate of VAT on all sanitary products.\nThe VAT charge on sanitary products became widely known as the 'Tampon Tax' has therefore been abolished from 1 January 2021. This measure had been announced in the Spring Budget 2020 and honours a government commitment to scrap the tax as soon as was possible. This means that there will be no VAT whatsoever charged on women’s sanitary products.\nThis measure is part of a wider strategy to make sanitary products affordable and available for all women which includes:\nJanuary 2020 roll out of free period products for all young people in English state schools and colleges and extension of the scheme into 2021\nthe NHS offering period products to every hospital patient who needs them (including long-term in-patients) since 2019\nthe Tampon Tax Fund, established in 2015, which allocated the funds generated from VAT on period products to projects supporting vulnerable and excluded women and girls\nThe Tampon Tax Fund will continue to provide funding for projects supporting vulnerable women and girls.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line2021360"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6376422643661499,"wiki_prob":0.3623577356338501,"text":"DEAD MEN DON’T WEAR PLAID d. Carl Reiner, 1982 + Intro/Supporting Programme at The Cinema Museum (18 DEC 19:30):\nKennington Noir presents: “Our choice of Christmas film is a unique one. In mid-1980, comedian Steve Martin was having lunch with director Carl Reiner and screenwriter George Gipe. They were discussing a screenplay Martin had written where he suggested that they use a clip from an old film. From this suggestion came the idea of using multiple clips from many old films to make up an entire new feature. The result, after a lot of clever production work, was DEAD MEN DON’T WEAR PLAID.”\n#32BoroughsOfFilm: Following our report from their last screening of 2019 – NINOTCHKA (03 DEC) – we’re delighted to announce the new Spring/Summer 2020 programme at Wimbledon Film Club.\nFilms in London today: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at The Chateau (18 DEC).\nTHE DAY SHALL COME d. Chris Morris, 2019 + Q&A with the director at Curzon Soho (18 DEC 18:30):\n“The return of satirical mastermind Chris Morris, following his explosive, critically acclaimed Islamist satire FOUR LIONS. Moses is ready to lead a global uprising against the ‘accidental dominance of the white race’. The only trouble is that he only has three followers, no money and is struggling to put aside hallucinations about a talking horse.”\nJESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR d. Norman Jewison, 1973 + Drag Singalong at The Chateau (18 DEC 19:00).\nTNB London & The Batty Mama present: “The Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice rock opera about the life and death of Christ is brought to the big-screen after success on Shaftesbury Avenue and Broadway. The story of Christ’s (Ted Neely) last week on Earth is told by a group of travellers who arrive in modern-day Jerusalem on a tour bus. Events are seen from the perspective of Apostle Judas (Carl Anderson), who betrays Jesus to the Judaic religious leaders in return for thirty pieces of silver. Songs include ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him’, ‘Hosanna’, ‘Herod’s Song’ and the now-famous theme tune.”\nSTAR WARS TRIPLE BILL at Genesis Cinema (18 DEC 18:00):\n“Get your lightsabers at the ready and catch this Star Wars Triple Bill with THE FORCE AWAKENS, and THE LAST JEDI before the midnight premiere of RISE OF SKYWALKER.”\nAlso available at: Catford Mews (18 DEC 18:00); and, Rich Mix (18 DEC 18:00).\nTHE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM d. John Chester, 2018 at DocHouse (18 DEC 16:30).\nTHE CAVE d. Feras Fayyad, 2019 at Curzon Aldgate (18 DEC 18:15 – Other Curzons available!).\nHEIMAT IS A SPACE IN TIME d. Thomas Heise, 2019 at ICA (18 DEC 14:20).\nHUMAN NATURE d. Adam Bolt, 2019 at Regent Street Cinema (18 DEC 19:30).\nTHE IRISHMAN d. Martin Scorsese, 2019 at The Prince Charles (18 DEC 11:35).\nMILES DAVIS: BIRTH OF THE COOL d. Stanley Nelson, 2019 at ICA (18 DEC 14:15).\nOn Venus, Still d. Patrick Staff at ICA (18 DEC 18:45).\nSHOOTING THE MAFIA d. Kim Longinotto, 2019 at DocHouse (18 DEC 12:30).\nSINGIN’ IN THE RAIN d. Gene Kelly & Stanley Donen, 1952 at Phoenix Cinema (18 DEC 18:30).\nSORRY WE MISSED YOU d. Ken Loach, 2019 presented by Screen25 at Harris Academy South Norwood (18 DEC 19:45 – Use promo code “CIRCUS19” to book & save).\nWHITE CHRISTMAS d. Michael Curtiz, 1954 at Regent Street Cinema (18 DEC 12:00 & 15:30).\nFilms in London today: QUERELLE, part of CLOSE-UP ON RAINER WERNER FASSBINDER at Close-Up (18 DEC).\nDIE HARD 70mm d. John McTiernan, 1988 (18 DEC 20:45).\nBIG SCREEN CLASSICS: GETTING TOGETHER at BFI Southbank (DEC):\nTHE LADYKILLERS d. Alexander Mackendrick, 1955 + Intro by Mark Duguid (18 DEC 18:10).\nCHRISTMAS AT THE PCC at The Prince Charles (NOV to DEC):\nGrind shows: THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL d. Brian Henson, 1992 (01 to 24 DEC – various formats/check venue); IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE 35mm d. Frank Capra, 1946 (01 to 24 DEC – some digital/check venue); and, ELF d. Jon Favreau, 2003 (04 to 24 DEC – various formats/check venue).\nTHE APARTMENT 35mm d. Billy Wilder, 1960 (18 DEC 18:15).\nCHRISTMAS FILMS at Regent Street Cinema (14 to 24 DEC):\nWHITE CHRISTMAS d. Michael Curtiz, 1954 (18 DEC 12:00 & 15:30).\nCLOSE-UP ON RAINER WERNER FASSBINDER at Close-Up (until 21 DEC):\nQUERELLE d. Rainer Werner Fassbinder, 1982 (18 DEC 20:15).\nCURATOR’S PICKS at Barbican (13 to 19 DEC):\nSAUVAGE d. Camille Vidal-Naquet, 2018 (18 DEC 18:20).\nMAURICE PIALET AND THE NEW FRENCH REALISM at BFI Southbank (OCT to DEC):\nLE GARÇU 35mm d. Maurice Pialat, 1995 (18 DEC 20:40).\n42ND STREET d. Lloyd Bacon & Busby Berkeley, 1933 (18 DEC 20:30).\nRe-releases: THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG aka Les Parapluies de Cherbourg d. Jacques Demy, 1964 (06 to 30 DEC).\nWe don’t think there are any film festivals in London today… but we might have missed something! Let us know…\nFilms in London today: ALVA at ICA (13 to 19 DEC).\nALVA d. Ico Costa, 2019 at ICA (18 DOC 16:35):\n“After committing a crime, a man hides in the forest. Shot in the Portuguese highlands, in 16mm, the film follows Henrique, a solitary man running away from his life and from the world. In a progressively immersive style, you are transported into this space of solitude, in search of what really moves the protagonist.”\nAQUARELA d. Victor Kossakovsky, 2018 at DocHouse (18 DEC 20:30):\n“Set to the backdrop of an original soundtrack by the Finnish symphonic metal band Apocalyptica, AQUARELA’s roving lens takes you on a visceral global journey, allowing you to feel the raw power and beauty of water in startling visual detail.”\nFIDDLER: A MIRACLE OF MIRACLES d. Max Lewkowicz, 2019 at JW3 (18 DEC 12:40 & 20:30):\n“When Fiddler on the Roof opened on Broadway in 1964, it explored themes of tradition, religion, and anti-Semitism against a modern backdrop of radical social change that addressed gender roles, sexuality, and race. Rare archival footage and interviews with musical luminaries explore the legacy of this long-running, award-winning musical.”\nTHE KINGMAKER d. Lauren Greenfield, 2019 at ArtHouse Crouch End (18 DEC 12:20 & 17:00):\n“Documentary centring on the controversial political career of Imelda Marcos, the former first lady of the Philippines whose behind-the-scenes influence of her husband Ferdinand’s presidency rocketed her to the global political stage.”\nTHE CAVE d. Feras Fayyad, 2018 at DocHouse (until 19 DEC). CITIZEN K d. Alex Gibney, 2019 at ArtHouse Crouch End (13 to 19 DEC). HONEY BOY d. Alma Har’el, 2019 at The Castle Cinema (until 24 DEC). THE IRISHMAN d. Martin Scorsese, 2019 at Ciné Lumière (14 DEC to 05 JAN). KNIVES OUT d. Rian Johnson, 2019 at The Lexi (until 18 DEC). LA BELLE ÉPOQUE d. Nicolas Bedos, 2019 at Ciné Lumière (until 03 JAN). THE NIGHTINGALE d. Jennifer Kent, 2018 at Watermans (13 to 19 DEC). PHOTOGRAPH d. Ritesh Batra, 2019 at Whirled Cinema (16 to 18 DEC). PINK WALL d. Tom Cullen, 2019 at Catford Mews (13 to 19 DEC). SO LONG, MY SON d. Wang Xiaoshuai, 2018 at ArtHouse Crouch End (until 19 DEC). THE STREET d. Zed Nelson, 2019 at The Lexi (15 to 18 DEC). THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG aka Les Parapluies de Cherbourg d. Jacques Demy, 1964 at Ciné Lumière (until 07 JAN). THE WOLF’S CALL d. Antonin Baudry, 2019 at Watermans (13 to 19 DEC).","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line336750"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.806198000907898,"wiki_prob":0.806198000907898,"text":"California approves solar power law for new homes built from 2020\nTalal Husseini 6 December 2018\t(Last Updated December 6th, 2018 11:27)\nThe California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) has approved a new solar power law that requires houses built in the state from 2020 to include rooftop solar panels.\nCalifornia has approved a new requirement that houses in the state are built with solar power electric systems from 2020. Credit: Kenji Thuloweit.\nThe eight members of the CBSC voted unanimously to write the new requirement into the state’s building code, making California the first US state to make it obligatory for solar energy to be installed in single-family and multi-family dwellings, as well as condos and apartment buildings up to three stories.\nCalifornia Energy Commission executive director Drew Bohan told the CBSC on Tuesday: “While per capita electricity consumption in the US has increased steadily over the last 40 years, California’s per capita consumption has remained flat, due in large measure to building and appliance efficiency standards.\n“The new standards presented today will guide the construction of buildings that will continue to keep costs down, better withstand the impacts of climate change, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”\nThe California Energy Commission predicted that the new solar power law will increase the initial costs of housing by $9,500 on average, but could save as much as $19,000 in the long run in energy savings over a 30-year period.\nSome in the industry are concerned that electricity costs in the state will rise even further. University of California-Berkeley associate professor at the Haas Business School told CNBC: “You don’t need a mandate here — we already have vast amounts of solar in California. Half of US solar is installed in California, so it’s not at all clear to me you needed the mandate. We’re actually paying other states to take our electricity during daylight hours.”\n“We already have some of the highest electricity rates in the country, and this will only be exacerbated by this mandate. As more and more rooftop solar gets installed, that pushes the cost onto all the non-solar customers.”\nThe solar power law does allow for some new homes to continue running on natural gas, but California is hoping to reduce its gas dependence over time.\nSolar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) vice-president of state affairs Sean Gallagher said: “Today’s unanimous vote was the culmination of more than two years of work by SEIA, its partner organisations and of course policymakers in the Golden State. We hope other states will look at what California has done and consider similar policies to encourage clean and low-cost solar energy.”\nCalifornia is currently the seventh highest state in terms of electricity prices, with the average cost of electricity at 19.39 cents per KWh in September 2018. The highest electricity prices reached 32.29 cents per KWh in Hawaii, while in Louisiana they were as low as 9.28 cents.\nOnly 15%-20% of single-family homes in California currently have solar panel installations, according to the California Building Industry Association. Seven cities in California, including San Francisco, already have some form of solar requirement for new buildings.\nMETKA (EPC BUSINESS UNIT, MYTILINEOS S.A.)\nInternational Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) Contractor\nAlphatec Engineering\nEpoxy Grout Specialists and Concrete Repair\nSkrivanek\nGlobal Language Translation and Localisation for Power Companies","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1345050"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7175577282905579,"wiki_prob":0.7175577282905579,"text":"Megan, who was the only one of the two to be named \"Rapper of the Year\" by GQ, told the magazine about her experience in the early hours of July 12.\nThe rapper told the magazine that she tried to leave a car heading to a party after an argument broke out. Her phone battery was dead and she was in a bikini, so she decided to get back in the car. Then, she claimed she tried to walk away a second time when Lanez started shooting at her.\n\"Like, I never put my hands on nobody,\" she said. \"I barely even said anything to the man who shot me when I was walking away. We were literally like five minutes away from the house.\"\nShe went on to say that Lanez begged her and her friend not to say anything about the incident, even offering them money. A lawyer representing Lanez denied that he had offered money.\nPolice eventually did investigate, at which point Megan said her feet had been injured by some glass. \"[At this point] I'm really scared because this is like right in the middle of all the protesting,\" she said, referring to the Black Lives Matter uprising that was taking place at the time. \"Police are just killing everybody for no reason, and I'm thinking, 'I can't believe you even think I want to take some money. Like, you just shot me.'\"\nTory Lanez, who is Canadian, was specifically charged with one count of assault with a semiautomatic firearm and one count of carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle. He could face up to 23 years in prison.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line832358"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9990630745887756,"wiki_prob":0.9990630745887756,"text":"Angels give Trout record $1M deal\nSources: Ex-Dodger Baez, Astros agree to deal\nMike Trout signs 1-year contract\nThe Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday signed star outfielder Mike Trout to a one-year contract worth $1 million, a prelude to a much bigger deal in the future.\nIt's the largest pre-arbitration contract for a player, surpassing a record shared by Ryan Howard, who got $900,000 from the Philadelphia Phillies in 2007, and Albert Pujols, who got the same amount from the St. Louis Cardinals in '03.\n\"It's a landmark to do a $1 million with a two-plus player,'' Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto said. \"I think it's fitting and Mike's earned that and we're glad to provide that for him.''\nTrout also was pleased about the deal, saying, \"It feels good.\"\nNegotiations continue between the Angels and Trout, 22, on a multiyear contract. Yahoo! Sports has reported the sides were discussing a six-year contract worth about $150 million.\n\"I just go out there to play the game,'' he said. \"If the money is where it's at, that's where it's going to be.''\nThe Angels renewed Trout's contract last year for $510,000 -- just $20,000 above the major league minimum at the time.\nTrout is one of only four players to bat .320 with 50 homers and 200 runs scored in his first two full seasons. The others: Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio and Pujols, now a teammate of Trout's with the Angels.\nTwo-time All-Star outfielder Mike Trout and the Angels continue negotiations on a multiyear deal. Christian Petersen/Getty Images\nWhen Howard tied the previous record for a pre-arbitration player, he already had won National League Rookie of the Year and MVP awards and was coming off a 2006 season in which he led the majors with 58 home runs, 149 RBIs and 383 total bases. Pujols was coming off a 2002 season in which he batted .314 with 34 homers and 127 RBIs and was second in NL MVP voting.\nTrout, who finished second in American League MVP voting in each of his first two full seasons, said last week he's not interested in discussing contract negotiations with the media. Manager Mike Scioscia said this week he's not worried about contract talks becoming a distraction for Trout.\nCalled up a month into the 2012 season, Trout won the AL Rookie of the Year Award after hitting .326 with 30 homers and 83 RBIs. He followed that with 27 homers, 97 RBIs and a .323 batting average in 2013.\n\"We thought his performance was exceptional,'' Dipoto said. \"There are players that force you to break rules. What he did for two consecutive years forced us to break our own rule. His performance certainly merited us to do differently than any of the others.''\nESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick and The Associated Press contributed to this report.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1078972"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7325965166091919,"wiki_prob":0.7325965166091919,"text":"mdigital » Pop » American Quartet - I Love It / A Bit Of Grand Opera\nAmerican Quartet - I Love It / A Bit Of Grand Opera download mp3 album\nAmerican_Quartet\nAmerican Quartet\nI Love It / A Bit Of Grand Opera\nTTA WMA MP2 DTS FLAC VQF MP3\nThe String Quartet in F major, Op. 96, nicknamed the American Quartet, is the 12th string quartet composed by Antonín Dvořák. It was written in 1893, during Dvořák's time in the United States. The quartet is one of the most popular in the chamber music repertoire. Dvořák composed the quartet in 1893 during a summer vacation from his position as director (1892–1895) of the National Conservatory in New York City.\nEarth Opera is the eponymous first studio album by the psychedelic folk band Earth Opera. It was recorded and released in 1968 on Elektra Records. The group featured Peter Rowan and David Grisman, who made their solo careers in much different genres than this record of mainly psychedelic music. All compositions by Peter Rowan, unless otherwise noted. The Red Sox are Winning\" – 3:34. As It Is Before\" – 7:25. To Care at All\" – 3:35. Home of the Brave\" – 4:51.\nAlbum · 2008 · 38 Songs. By Gaetano Donizetti - Vincenzo La Scola, Hungarian State Opera Orchestra & Pier Giorgio Morandi. Aida, Act II: Grand March. By Giuseppe Verdi - National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland & Rico Saccani.\nThe debut album by the Aizuri Quartet is called Blueprinting. David Stith/New Amsterdam Records. The album's title alone connotes its socially conscious threads - \"Niña,\" with a text by Mexican poet and diplomat Octavio Paz, captures the elemental power of children. The fevered love song \"Tu y Yo\" is set to words by the pioneering Nicaraguan poet Rubén Darío. Other songs flash back to the nueva cancíon movement in Latin America in the 1960s, when songwriters paired socially poignant lyrics with folk-infused melodies. Before I fell in love with the crackling performances on this album, I'd never heard of the band Forma Antiqva.\nA Night At The Opera album is a masterpiece. Everything from its title to the music, the whole pomp and circumstance of the entire package is majestic. Freddie’s often covered ‘Love Of My Life’ (written for girlfriend Mary Austin) is a quite beautiful ballad, embellished with May’s harp, Roger’s delicate cymbals and the predominant Gibson Hummingbird acoustic guitar – coincidentally purchased by Brian in Japan the previous spring. Brian’s ‘Good Company’ is one of his wise family pieces – a song full of sound values and mature reflection. Why not? But if he kept his reasoning private, the public response was amazing, especially when he cunningly gave a pre-release tape to DJ friend, Kenny Everett, with a winking, But you’re not allowed to play it on air in its entirety.\nRead American Quartet's bio and find out more about American Quartet's songs, albums, and chart history. Get recommendations for other artists you'll love. Long before the rise of the Mills Brothers and the Ink Spots in the 1930s, the American Quartet (also known as the Premier Quartet) reigned supreme as one of the definitive male vocal groups in traditional pop. The foursome (which should not be confused with a 21st century gospel group that has the same name) was not the only vocal group that was active during traditional pop's acoustical era, which ended with the introduction of electrical recording technology in the mid-1920s and the rise of the crooners.\nUnfortunately, the rock opera is also a bit of a cheat, as any classical music fan knows. If you're used to kicking back with a little Verdi, and someone comes along and plays you Pink Floyd's The Wall, declaiming, \"Behold! Here is another kind of opera to blow your mind,\" you might point out that a rock opera isn't really an opera at all, but more, maybe, like a cantata, or a suite. Or even a musical, without the choreography. The Kinks uncorked Arthur in 1969, an album that some fans argue is the rock-opera gold standard, never mind that it's essentially a collection of vignettes-albeit gorgeous and well-drawn ones. That other rock opera by the Who-1973's get the attention that Tommy does.\nThe beautiful Aizuri Quartet, Kaoru, and Satoshi our backbone and foundation of the show. I love singing with you guys. And, please consider donating to the Aizuri Quartet’s Indiegogo campaign to help support the making of this album by , unique album cover art by and two full length music videos for two of the pieces (one of them featuring Lembit’s work!).\nOpera is a drama set to music. An opera is like a play in which everything is sung instead of spoken. Operas are usually performed in opera houses. The singers who sing and act out the story are on the stage, and the orchestra is in front of the stage but lower down, in the orchestra pit, so that the audience can see the stage. An opera is normally divided into two, three, four or even five acts. In older operas the music was mostly recitative and arias\nA I Love It\nB A Bit Of Grand Opera\nSimilar to American Quartet - I Love It / A Bit Of Grand Opera\nPeerless Quartet - Sweet Adeline / In The Evening By The Moonlight album mp3\nCollins And Harlan / American Quartet - Melinda's Wedding Day / Row, Row, Row album mp3\nAlbert Campbell And Henry Burr / American Quartet - Come Back Home To Old Kentucky / Loading Up The Mandy Lee album mp3\nThe Quartet - The Quartet album mp3\nUnknown Artist - Mickey's Grand Opera / The Orphan's Benefit album mp3\nThe Original Stamps Quartet - The Love Of God / What Could I Do album mp3\nThe Grand Opera Company / The Petrograd Quartet - Anvil Chorus / Volga Boatmen Song album mp3\nHouston Grand Opera - Porgy and Bess album mp3\nAmerican Quartet / Billy Murray - Billy (She Always Dreams Of Bill) / The Red Rose Rag album mp3\nVictor Herbert's Orchestra - A Dream Of Love / Madame Butterfly—Fantasie album mp3","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line9277"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5933976769447327,"wiki_prob":0.5933976769447327,"text":"Sophienburg Museum and Archives > Blog > Around the Sophienburg > Story of German Adelsverein told in new fictional trilogy\nStory of German Adelsverein told in new fictional trilogy\nThe “Adelsverein” trilogy can be purchased at Sophie’s Shop at the Sophienburg.\nAuthor Celia Hayes will be the guest speaker at the Scholarship Brunch of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Ferdinand Lindheimer Chapter, on Saturday, March 12. Brunch and book review are $20. Reservations may be made by calling Roberta Schmidt at (830) 626-2225 before Feb. 28.\nAuthor Celia Hayes has written a historical novel called “Adelsverein”. It’s actually a trilogy (three books, one story). Novels are not my favorite form of literature, but this one is different. This is not a “looking at the world through rose-colored glasses” type of book, and as in all good fiction, one can learn much about human nature.\nMembers of the Steinmetz family are the central family throughout the books. Hayes has an understanding of the values of the old German settlers. The father, Christian Steinmetz, decides in Germany that he wants to go to Texas. He is a freethinker and doesn’t agree with the restrictions of the church or the aristocracy. The family is educated and talented. Although Mrs. Steinmetz has reservations about leaving her home, she is more swayed by the wishes of her husband.\nThe author takes us to the port at Bremen and the family’s departure in November of 1845. The description of the conditions inside the ship and what they endured are gripping:\n“We can’t live like this, not for two months, or even two days”, says Mrs. Steinmetz. But the conditions just got worse and were described as “a long purgatory of darkness and misery.”\nSoon the inevitable seasickness: “A great sheet of seawater cascaded down the companion way to the lower decks, mixing with the stink of vomit and the contents of the upset privy buckets washing back and forth across the floor”.\nOh my gosh! Have you ever been seasick? What choice does one have on a ship? No relief from the misery. They couldn’t go back. Should they jump over and drown or remain in misery?\nAfter two months, Hayes takes us to another tragic period when so many were abandoned on the coast. John Meusebach becomes the central historic figure of the Adelsverein at this point. When the family finally arrives in New Braunfels, they decide to go on to Fredericksburg and it is in this area that the rest of the story takes place.\nBut before we go on, we are introduced to the first leader of the Adelsverein, Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels. The author takes us to San Antonio where Prince Carl meets Ranger Jack Hays, who pops in and out of the story throughout the trilogy. The Prince meets Hans (Johann) Rahm and tells him of his plan for colonization. Rahm describes the prince “as sleek and brushed as a pedigree horse on race day, arrogance setting in every line of his countenance.” Rahm tells the prince about a beautiful place where the springs come out of the land. Prince Carl brags that the Germans can make it better.\nThe fictional character Carl Becker, who later marries into the Steinmetz family, tells the prince why he shouldn’t go to the Llano and he left out no nauseating detail about the Indian problem. Becker calls the prince “a fool with money and powerful friends which makes him about the most dangerous kind there is.”\nBook two tells us about frontier life in the Hill Country during the Civil War. The fear of “brother against brother” comes true within the family. There are detailed descriptions of persecution by Confederates of those who refused to take the loyalty oath especially in the Hill Country.\nBook three takes the reader to a period after the Civil War.\nBased on true stories of atrocities on settlers by Indians, factual episodes of scalping and kidnapping of women and children are all too frightening and gruesome.\nSophienburg Executive Director Linda Dietert and author Celia Hayes examine relics from the emigrant ships in the museum.\nYour ticket for the: Story of German Adelsverein told in new fictional trilogy","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line547030"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6721951365470886,"wiki_prob":0.3278048634529114,"text":"What does the winner of The Great British Bake Off get?\nAnother batch of contestants are hoping to become the next Bake Off champion.\nBy Patrick Cremona\nMonday, 21st September 2020 at 5:19 pm\nAnother series of The Great British Bake Off is all set to get underway, and telly fans up and down the country are looking forward to getting to know another batch of excellent amateur bakers as they battle it out to become series champion.\nThis year’s Great British Bake Off contestants were revealed last week, and each of them will be hoping to follow on from last year’s winner David Atherton by impressing judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith with their signature bakes, technical challenges and showstoppers.\nBut as well as gaining lots of media attention – and perhaps even being on the receiving end of an elusive Hollywood handshake – is there a cash prize at stake for the lucky winner as well?\nRead on for everything you need to know about the Great British Bake Off prize.\nLove Entertainment on TV? Get news and views on the best shows direct to your inbox\nThanks! Our best wishes for a productive day.\nSign up to get the latest entertainment TV news, views and interviews direct to your inbox. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information about how we hold your personal data, please see our privacy policy\nWhat does the winning Great British Bake Off contestant win?\nBake Off actually differs from most other popular competition shows, in that the winning contestant does not receive a cash prize.\nThey don’t leave the tent completely empty handed though – with the winner walking away with a special cake stand and a bunch of flowers, not to mention the prestige of being able to label themselves a Bake Off winner and the national treasure status that grants them.\nOf course, in some cases winning the competition can also act as a launch pad to a successful TV or baking career – best exemplified by the tremendous success of 2015 winner Nadiya Hussain, who has gone on to present a variety of shows on the BBC including the recent Nadiya Bakes.\nAnother success story is 2018 champion Rahul Mandal, who has been writing a column in The Times Magazine as well as making appearances on This Morning.\nMeanwhile even some former contestants who didn’t win their series have gone on to successful careers since their time on the show – notably Liam Charles, who participated in the 2017 edition and now co-hosts Bake Off: The Professionals.\nThe Great British Bake Off starts on Channel 4 on September 22nd at 8pm. To keep up to date with the latest Bake Off news, see here. If you’re looking for more to watch, check out our TV guide.\nMeet Lottie, GBBO contestant and pantomime producer\nMeet Makbul, GBBO contestant and accountant\nMeet Rowan, GBBO contestant and music teacher\nMeet Sura, GBBO contestant and accounting student","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1604946"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9454675316810608,"wiki_prob":0.9454675316810608,"text":"Mega Man 11 Announced for Release in Late 2018!\n- Series returns, celebrating 30 years and 32 million cumulative units sold -\nCapcom Co., Ltd. (Capcom) today announced the latest entry in the Mega Man series, Mega Man 11, which will be released worldwide for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and PC.\nSince Mega Man debuted on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987, the series secured its position as one of Capcom's major brands, boasting cumulative sales of 32 million units worldwide (as of September 30, 2017). Mega Man gained a following due to the challenging gameplay that contrasted with the memorable design of its characters; in the 30 years following its launch, the series has spawned numerous spin-offs, which altogether still enjoy the support of a deeply passionate fan base, consisting of everyone from younger players to hardcore gamers alike. In addition to video games, Mega Man has been featured in a wide range of products around the globe, such as cartoons, movies, comic books, toys and a wealth of other licensed merchandise.\nMega Man 11 is a completely new title, and is scheduled for release in late 2018. Taking advantage of the latest generation of hardware, it will feature smooth animation and beautiful, hand-drawn characters and environments, alongside the tight side-scrolling action that the series is known for. The title will provide a progressing sense of achievement, giving long-time fans a chance to relive the thrill of their first time playing the series, and new players an opportunity to experience the fun of beating a 2D action game.\nBeginning with this announcement, Capcom is looking to build excitement around the Mega Man brand by kicking off the Mega Man Series 30th Anniversary. In addition to this title, in 2018 Capcom plans to release both Mega Man Legacy Collection and Mega Man Legacy Collection 2 for the Nintendo Switch, as well as all eight Mega Man X titles for the PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and PC. What is more, in addition to these games Capcom is preparing numerous Mega Man brand initiatives to roll out across the globe.\nCapcom remains firmly committed to satisfying the expectations of all users by leveraging its industry-leading game development capabilities in order to create highly entertaining gameplay experiences.\n1. Title Mega Man 11\n2. Genre Action\n3. Platforms PlayStation®4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PC\n4. Release Date Late 2018\n*\"PlayStation\" is a registered trademark of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.\n*Microsoft and Xbox One are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.\n(Address) 3-1-3, Uchihiranomachi, Chuo-ku, Osaka, 540-0037, Japan\n(Tel)+81-6-6920-3623 (Fax) +81-6-6920-5108\nBlow out the candles, Capcom's \"Mega Man\" is turning 20!","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line888442"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8697952628135681,"wiki_prob":0.8697952628135681,"text":"6 ISSUES FOR JUST £6 Subscribe to Business & Professional Life today CLICK HERE\nBig CEO interview: Dr Andy Palmer, Aston Martin\nPUBLISHED: 10:12 06 January 2017\nNicky Godding\nCEO Dr Andy Palmer\nPhotographer - Max Earey\nDr Andy Palmer is turning around the fortunes of the UK’s most iconic car brand and investing in new car design\nAston Martin, the only independent British car company of any size left in the UK, is the epitome of timeless cool.\nThe marque of choice for almost every James Bond since 1964, the well-tailored bottoms of Britain’s most debonair actors have warmed the seats of Aston Martin DB5s to the DB10s.\nLast September, after a hiatus of over a decade, Aston Martin’s DB marque made a comeback as the first DB11 began rolling off the company’s production lines at Gaydon, Warwickshire. It followed the DB9, launched in 2003. (The DB10 was designed exclusively for the film 2015 Spectre and only ten were manufactured). The DB11 is heralding the start of a new, hopefully profitable, era for Aston Martin.\nFor it’s true to say that the history of Aston Martin, founded in 1913, has been rocky at times, the company has been bought and sold many times throughout its 103-year history.\nNow its future seems as secure as it can be. Owned by two Kuwaiti families (Investment Dar) and one Italian Family (Investindustrial), German car company Daimler also has a 5% ownership. In 2014 Aston Martin announced the appointment of one of the automotive world’s most successful executives, Dr Andy Palmer. Andy is now Aston Martin’s President and CEO and he’s wasted no time in accelerating the company’s ambitions.\nA self-confessed product man, Andy is personally inspecting the first 1000 DB11s currently rolling off the production line. That’s a good 30 minutes per car, 500 hours or so of his head under each perfectly polished bonnet, around 40 working days of his life signing off perfection.\nDB11 comes off the production lines\n“I’m a product guy, it’s what I know and love,” he says. “I’m in our design offices every day, and walking the factory floor a couple of times a day. The DB11 is Aston Martin’s latest design. There’s often a reticence to buy the first of any new car model so I’m putting my name and email address on the first 1000 engine inspection covers. That’s a new owner’s security that the car is good, because I’m personally vouching for it.”\nYou might expect the boss of one of the world’s most lauded luxury car brands to be to be perfectly suited, booted and with an urbane, perhaps snooty manner. You’d be wrong. When we meet at Aston Martin’s Gaydon headquarters, Andy’s jacket is hanging off the back of his chair and his shirtsleeves are rolled up. This man means business.\nDr Andy Palmer might have a Bachelor’s degree, a Master’s, an MBA and a PhD under his belt, not to mention four professorships, but his career began in 1979 as an automotive apprentice in the Midlands, and his engineer’s mindset has never faded.\nHis apprenticeship, completed by the time he was 20, was overshadowed by the British car industry sinking to its lowest point. “As a supplier to British Leyland, the company I worked for was regularly teetering on bankruptcy thanks to really poor productivity. It was crazy. There had to be a better way.”\nDetermined to understand the industry’s problems and help solve them, Andy began a Bachelor’s degree at Coventry University, studying at night over three years. While studying he secured a job at Austin Rover, working under Clive Hickman (now chief executive of the Midland Technology Centre, part of the UK’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult). Clive encouraged Andy to study further, and Austin Rover paid for him to do a three year Master’s at Warwick.\nMeanwhile his career was blossoming. Austin Rover was working with Honda and the contrast between the chaos of Austin Rover manufacturing and the sleek processes followed by the Japanese carmaker came sharply into focus. “I looked at the Japanese engineers and thought ‘these guys are bloody good’, why can’t we be the same.”\nAndy wanted to learn from the best. After six years with Austin Rover, he joined Nissan in 1991, vowing to discover their secrets and return to fix the UK’s broken automotive industry.\nAt Nissan, where he rose to be the company’s most senior engineer in Europe, he learned more about the Japanese ‘Kaizen’ method of engineering: ‘if it’s broken, fix it and make sure it never happens again.’ A simple concept, but back then amazingly difficult to implement in a British context.\nKaizen methods or not, at that time Nissan was struggling financially. In 1999 its’ saviour was French car company Renault which took a 34% stake in the business. Andy was invited to turn around the company’s failing Light Commercial Vehicle business. He did so, very successfully, rising again and taking on planning, IT, marketing – finally becoming one of Nissan’s three global chief operating officers.\nThen Aston Martin came calling. “I could have stayed in Japan, being second in command, or I could be the boss at Aston Martin,” he says. It was a no-brainer. “Aston Martin is a great brand, based near where I went to school and no one had been able to make the business profitable for years. It was the luxury end of the automotive market, one part of the industry I’d yet to conquer.” He joined aged 51, determined to doing something spectacular with the company.\nFor the first four months he listened: to his global dealership and to the employees at Gaydon. Then he took his plan to the board in January 2015.\n“When I joined we were selling a 10 year old range of cars with nothing in the pipeline to replace them. Our plan is to stay in sports cars but replacing all the ones we currently manufacture. We’ll be bringing back the Lagonda name, and we are designing a brand new Aston Martin Sports Utility Vehicle.”\nThe company has bought a site in South Wales, near Cardiff specifically to manufacture the new SUV.\n“We will end up with seven cars, over seven years with a seven-year life cycle. That gives us a consistence expenditure on R&D, and revenue return which provides a positive free cash flow to invest in the next generation of cars, giving the company a surer financial footing,” says Andy.\nWhy is Aston Martin, the car of cool, intent on building a SUV? Surely ‘utility’ is the polar opposite of luxury, even with ‘sports’ tacked in front?\nIt’s simple mathematics. There are around 16 million high net worth individuals in the world, and in that very select world there isn’t a car company that covers all type of car.. “72% of our customers have an SUV in their garage,” Andy says. “Why shouldn’t that SUV be designed by Aston Martin?\n“Yes we make luxury sports cars. Everything we do is about proportion and beauty. Every one of our cars has to be the most beautiful one in its segment and the Aston Martin SUV will be the best of the best.” The first SUV will roll off the production lines in 2019.\nJust over two years at the helm of one of the UK’s most iconic brands and business is on the up. “We are on a long journey, but early sales are going well,” says Andy.\nAndy Palmer’s unique recipe for success\n“I get things done, but my style of management has adapted a lot from the confrontational style of survival politics driven by testosterone I encountered in Austin Rover. I matured when I worked at Nissan and hopefully the guys at Aston Martin will say I’m relatively logical and much softer. I’ve got a steely edge, but management is more about motivating others to work hard. The Japanese are process orientated. It’s about data. It’s about what I know here (he puts his palm to his forehead), rather than what I feel here (he strikes his heart). I work hard, and when everyone else has gone home, I leave.”\nAston Martin boosts apprenticeship training\nAston Martin needs engineers to thrive and grow, but many engineers are being drawn from its supply base, and the UK already has a problem of too few UK suppliers. The country needs to invest in apprentices and bring more suppliers to this country, says Andy.\nThe car company has increased its number of apprentices significantly, and the good news for them is that due to the lack of apprentices coming through over the last 20 years, they are likely to get promoted quickly because Andy’s cohort of 1970s apprentices are closer to retirement.\n“We train them at Gaydon, using Walsall College as our training partner,” says Andy. “We offer training opportunities to apprentices from 16 to 21. Our graduate apprentices study at Warwick University.\n“My goal is that by 2025, no matter if you came as a 16, 18 or the 21 year old route, you will receive on the job training, and we’ll put you through your industrial management qualifications. By 2025 every apprentice will be equal, no matter what route they came through. That’s when democracy ends and after that it’s how good you work and how hard you are prepared to work.”\nBritain needs an industrial strategy\nAndy has given evidence to a May Government parliamentary steering committee on the UK’s industrial strategy. “It’s not enough to want an industrial strategy- you’ve got to work out how you want it to drive the economy,” he said. “If you want to concentrate on the services and financial industries, you’ve got to get interest rates and inflation under control and don’t worry about the manufacturing sector, we’ll just die out.\n“But if you want a country that makes things, concentrate on getting the pound strength back, or if you want the intellectual property, nurture exports which means actively managing a weaker pound in the same way that Japan does with its Yen. It’s not always a success but there are parallels. It’s an island and it exports. Sound familiar?\nAston Martin’s biggest market outside the UK is the United States, with Europe its’ second biggest and Asia Pacific is growing fast.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1617143"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5914595723152161,"wiki_prob":0.40854042768478394,"text":"Bruce Willis cars highight Bonham sale\nThe Bruce Willis cars inspired great interest among collectors at the Bonhams auction Saturday at the The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. The actor’s 1968 Shelby Mustang GT500 convertible sold for $161,000. His 1969 Dodge Charger coupe sold for $86,580, and the 1957 Chevy Corvette given to him by Demi Moore sold for $79,500 .\nBonhams & Butterfields celebrated the sixth year of exceptional motorcycles, motorcars and automobilia on Saturday with an auction at the Petersen Automotive Museum. The auction was highlighted by The Bruce Willis Collection and memorabilia from Steve McQueen.\nLed by a ‘68 Shelby Mustang from the Bruce Willis car collection, the sale featured a guest appearance by Neile McQueen Toffel (a.k.a. Neile Adams), Steve McQueen’s first wife. An at-capacity crowd of collectors paid out nearly $2 million before the event was finished.\nAmong the highlights:\nThe Bruce Willis cars inspired great interest among collectors, particularly the actor’s 1968 Shelby Mustang GT500 Convertible, selling for $161,000. His 1969 Dodge Charger Coupe sold for $86,580, and the 1957 Chevy Corvette given to him by Demi Moore sold for $79,500.\nA 1974 Ducati 750SS, ranking on collectors’ “Top Ten Most-Desirable Bikes” lists for 20-years, sold for $81,900.\nThe diamond-studded Hot Wheels car, designed to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the brand and the production of its four billionth Hot Wheels car, brought $60,000, with proceeds benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles and the Inland Empire.\nMcQueen’s hardstone Asian seal, well-carved with a depiction of a dragon, sold for $27,600. His12-gauge shot gun, featured in the film “The Getaway,” sold for $22,800, and his U.S. passport brought $9,000.\n“With our unique offerings of entire collections and individual items from the likes of Steve McQueen, Bruce Willis, Clark Gable, Charles Bronson and Von Dutch over recent years -- not to mention outstanding performance cars and bikes -- our annual ”Classic California” auction is consistently the best of its kind anywhere in the world,\" said Mark Osborne, VP of the Motoring Department at Bonhams & Butterfields. \"Needless to say, we are very pleased with the results.”","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1595567"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.657301127910614,"wiki_prob":0.657301127910614,"text":"From The Summer Local: SK8EVL\nBefore we begin, let’s get something out of the way. If you are of the attitude that skateboarding (and snowboarding, for that matter) consists of shady kids looking for trouble, please get out from the rock you’ve been living under. No longer are these sports — or activities, whichever you’d prefer — anti-establishment, or any of the other preconceived notions society likes to label something different. Skateboarding is going to be an Olympic sport in 2020, and let’s be honest — would you rather our youth be glued to Fortnite, or be outside getting exercise and building confidence?\nGreat! Glad we’re all on the same page.\nChris and Brenda Perks love skateboarding. When they began preliminary discussions a few years ago about opening their own indoor park, the cost and difficulty made them rethink it, as an endeavor of that magnitude would be almost impossible for the private sector without substantial investment. The dream would have to wait.\nBut skateboarding fate wouldn’t be so quick to be done with the Perks’ vision. Last August, they connected with The Tony Hawk Foundation’s western New York project manager Trevor Staples, an Ann Arbor, Michigan native who had heard rumblings of a young, local couple trying to stoke the local skateboarding fire.\n“Trevor heard about what we wanted to do and got in touch with us,” Brenda said. “We met with him and learned more about the Tony Hawk Foundation’s ‘Built-to-Play’ initiative. The organization has teamed up with the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation to offer communities matching grants (up to $250K) to build outdoor concrete skateparks that are open to the public and free to use. There are some requirements to qualify, but Ellicottville matches all of them. We’re in the running for it.”\nThe late Ralph C. Wilson, Jr., former owner of the Buffalo Bills, was an outstanding human being. His fund, distributed through the foundation bearing his name, supports local communities throughout western New York and southeast Michigan. In 2018, the foundation announced that $200 million would be split evenly between the two regions to create parks and trails. The Tony Hawk Foundation, created by the world’s most recognizable skateboarder, has donated over $9 million to assist in creating 623 skateparks nationwide.\n“Basically, we need to fundraise $250,000 and they’ll match it,” Perks said. “We’ll apply for the grant in September. Those grants will be approved in December, and from that point, we’ll have one year to raise the money. After that, we’ll have one year to build and open it. The skatepark’s proposed location is in the Village Park.”\nThe amount that needs to be raised is no easy task. Fortunately, the Perks’ involvement in the community has allowed them an already-established relationship with those who will ultimately make the decision on approving the proposed project. So far, the skatepark has been galvanizing.\n“The reception has been incredible,” Perks said. “It’s been very well received. We’re pleasantly surprised to have the amount of support we’ve gotten from the Village. When we first presented it, we were a little nervous there would be some blowback. Because there’s this stigma about skateboarding. But right off the bat, a lot of people were on board — realizing that this is a tourism town, and this will only help bring in more visitors.\nThat leads us to the point made at the beginning of this story. A mom or dad that skated in the 1970s and 80s — when the sport was in its infancy — are now all grown up, married, have families of their own and have passed the thrill of four wheels onto their children. A majority of skateboarders are predominantly teenagers and young adults, but it’s not uncommon to find those now-moms and dads still rippin’ it up. And for those moms and dads that don’t skate, you’ll see them dropping their kids off to skate at the proposed park, then they’re going to head into the Village and eat, drink and shop. There’s an economic impact here.\nThe Perks’ have been working with Kathy Elser, a local grant writer (and Chris’ aunt), and the Village’s grant writer, Diana Cihak, to assist in seeking out money from local, county and state grants. And the committee currently has the wheels in motion for a ton of fun, unique fundraising ideas. The support of the community throughout this entire process will be critical.\n“We really want to emphasize — this isn’t our project. It’s the community’s project,” Perks said. “Not only does having a skatepark encourage people to get outside, but there’s a socialization aspect of it as well. There are so many things it can be utilized for besides skateboarding. Lessons, annual events that can raise money for other organizations, and a place for people to feel a part of something. Anyone that wants to get involved, we’re highly encouraging them to do so.” [Read More…]\nPreviousPrevious post:Ellicottville Times: Fund to bring skate park to Ellicottville established, meetings in the worksNextNext post:Village of Ellicottville NY Awarded $300,000 Built to Play Skatepark Grant","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line691788"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6536905765533447,"wiki_prob":0.3463094234466553,"text":"Igniting a Movement of Peace from the Grassroots: Tostan and Partners launch Project USAID UNAAM KAYRAAY\n27 June 2018 | News\nOn 12th May 2018, representatives from USAID, Partners Global, Tostan, Plateforme des Femmes pour la Paix en Casamance (PFPC), Partners West Africa and regional officials proudly launched the project ‘USAID UNAAM KAYRAAY’, or ‘Engaging Civil Society for Peace in the Casamance’ (CSPC). The initiative, financed by USAID, is implemented by Partners Global as lead partner and Tostan as one of the three sub-partners. The overarching goal is to strengthen the resilience of civil society, particularly women, in using non-violent means to resolve conflict in the Casamance region of southern Senegal, and across borders with Guinea-Bissau and the Gambia. Here, our intern Isabelle Wheeler introduces Tostan’s role in the project and show how our grassroots, human rights-based model engages civil society to contribute to the UN’s Global Goals, notably Goal 16 for Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.\nHuman Rights Education as a Base for Peace and Prosperity\nTostan’s Peace and Security module will be implemented in 40 communities that have previously completed the three-year Community Empowerment Program (CEP): 30 in Senegal and 10 in the Gambia. The CEP is a holistic and participatory program that has empowered over 3,000 African communities to fulfill their own visions for dignity and wellbeing since 1991. The CEP classes, facilitated in local languages, are often the first occasion participating communities have to learn about topics such as human rights, democracy, health and hygiene, literacy, numeracy and project management — knowledge which enables them to make decisions to improve their quality of life, and which they share with friends and neighbors to create a movement for positive social change.\nParticipants perform a sketch about the right to live in peace, at a previous project launch in Tankanto Maounde, Senegal, 22 April 2012.\nBelieving that there is always something more to learn, Tostan offers a variety of post-CEP projects and modules. These include our Reinforcement of Parental Practices module, the impact of which has been celebrated in an external evaluation by Stanford University, and the Peace and Security module, the ultimate goal of which is to empower communities with the knowledge and tools they need to create an environment of safety, security and cooperation from the grassroots. The module allows the positive changes engendered through the CEP (in areas such as education, health and gender equality) to flourish and develop for the wellbeing of all. The Peace and Security module was developed and piloted with the support of the The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) over the period 2010-2017. As a result, 120 communities in Senegal, Guinea-Bissau and the Gambia established Peace Committees and resolved over 1,500 local conflicts. More recently in 2016, 5,285 women and girls from 120 communities in Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Mali learned about how to prevent and resolve conflict in their communities, such as domestic disputes or arguments over land rights.\nThe ‘USAID UNAAM KAYRAAY’ project will run until November 2019, with the aim of creating a platform for peace and security across the border region of southern Senegal, the Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. Border communities here share a common cultural heritage and maintain closely-linked economic, political, and security ties with the Casamance, which has been unsettled by conflict and unresolved peace processes for decades. USAID have stated that: “USAID CSPC will contribute to long-lasting peace in the region of Casamance by creating a space for the inclusion of local civil society and women in the process of peace. We believe that when local voices are significantly and intentionally integrated to influence decision-making processes, innovative and reactive solutions arise, creating a base of results with durable and long-term effects.”\nTostan facilitators have already begun leading classes in 40 rural communities on human rights and responsibilities and over the following 18 months they will teach peacebuilding theories and tools for conflict mediation. To respond more directly to specific security issues faced in this border region, Tostan will lead dialogues on the grievances, challenges and risks posed by illicit trafficking, as well as identify potential solutions for communities that do not put them in harm’s way.\nContributing to the Global Goals\nThrough the CEP and post-program modules, Tostan supports communities to contribute to the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, or ‘the Global Goals’. Our programs empower communities to form a base from which they can achieve their vision of wellbeing and prosperity, parallelling the United Nations’ model to build a better world where no one is left behind. The Peace and Security module specifically empowers communities to address Goal 16 for ‘Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.’ In addition to the Community Management Committee (CMC) – the grassroots institution established during the CEP to ensure the sustainability of community development activities – Tostan helps to establish community-led Peace Committees. Tostan trains committee members in how to understand, prevent and manage conflicts, and provides mediation tools with which to lead peaceful dialogue around complicated and sometimes controversial issues. The Committees disseminate knowledge through awareness-raising meetings, and often become involved in local politics, mobilizing politicians at a local and even national level to listen and respond to pressing community issues. In this way, community members are empowered to build a movement for peace and justice from the grassroots up.\nPlease look out for updates and results from ‘USAID UNAAM KAYRAAY’ on our website and social media platforms.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1329161"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.644413948059082,"wiki_prob":0.644413948059082,"text":"Bulgaria’s Soviet Jets: Trojan Horses In A NATO Air Force? – Analysis\nBulgaria’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) has announced a tender for Russian and Belarusian state-owned companies to overhaul its Su-25 close air support aircraft, marking the latest in a decade’s worth of false starts and reversals plaguing Bulgaria’s efforts to replace aging Communist-era equipment. It also raises the question of whether US and NATO leaders are doing enough to support Bulgaria’s transition into the Western alliance. The short answer? No.\nEver since its accession to NATO in 2004, Bulgaria has struggled to bring its defense capabilities in line with alliance standards and ensure compatibility with other NATO militaries. Its fleet consists mostly of Soviet-era Su-25s and MiG-29s. NATO requires Bulgaria maintain at least one squadron of twelve planes in fighting shape; out of 16 aircraft in the Bulgarian Air Force, only seven meet that standard.\nAs a result, in February 2016, the Bulgarian parliament begrudgingly authorized NATO to help protect its air space due the state of its own planes. Matters worsened in October 2017, when pilots outright refused to flytheir MiG-29 jets due to concerns about the safety of the aircraft.\nSuccessive Bulgarian governments have faced the dilemma of either pouring money into repairing Soviet-era equipment or buying unaffordable replacements from NATO partners. Sourcing parts and maintenance from Russia creates an inherently vulnerable supply chain. Each replacement engine for Bulgaria’s Soviet jets has to be certified by the Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG, making their supply contingent on relations between the two countries.\nContinue reading here https://www.eurasiareview.com/16092018-bulgarias-soviet-jets-trojan-horses-in-a-nato-air-force-analysis/\nSource: Bulgaria’s Soviet Jets: Trojan Horses In A NATO Air Force? – Analysis – Novinite.com – Sofia News Agency","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1662037"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5186806321144104,"wiki_prob":0.5186806321144104,"text":"Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena discusses systematic repatriation process\nHon. Dinesh Gunawardena, Minister of Foreign Relations, Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations in an interview held on Siyatha TV ‘Morning Show’ at 6.55 am today (25 May 2020) discussed the systematic repatriation process of Overseas Sri Lankans amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.\nRead more about Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena discusses systematic repatriation process\nSri Lanka plays an active role at the CS 76 in Bangkok\nThe seventy-sixth session (CS 76) of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) was successfully conducted on a virtual platform for the first time in its history, due to the COVID 19 situation, on 21 May 2020, in Bangkok. The CS 76 deliberated on ‘Promoting economic, social and environmental cooperation on oceans for sustainable development’, reiterating commitments to realize SDG 14 on ‘life below water’, as its key theme for the Session. Delegations also engaged on a discussion on ‘Regional cooperation to address the socio-economic effects of the global health crisis’, where Sri Lanka joined in cosponsoring the resolution presented by the Secretariat, emphasizing the need for collaborative action in response to the challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic to the world and particularly to the developing countries in the most populous Asia and the Pacific Region.\nRead more about Sri Lanka plays an active role at the CS 76 in Bangkok\nMessage of H.E. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka on the occasion of Ramazan\n( Sinhala ) (Tamil) ( English )\nRead more about Message of H.E. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka on the occasion of Ramazan\nMemorial Day Commemoration on Monday May 25th at 5:30 PM US EST (Virtual Event)\nThe annual Memorial Day event organized by ACOBA-EC will take place on Monday May 25th at 5:30 PM.\nPlease join us on Zoom to commemorate the sacrifices made by US and Sri Lankan veterans of all past wars.\nRead more about Memorial Day Commemoration on Monday May 25th at 5:30 PM US EST (Virtual Event)\nInterview of Secretary/Foreign Relations on News 1st Newsline - 21 May 2020\nRead more about Interview of Secretary/Foreign Relations on News 1st Newsline - 21 May 2020\nFull text of the speech made by His Excellency the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the National Ranaviru Day commemorations on May 19th 2020.\nReverend Maha Sanga representing Maha Nayaka Theros and Anu Nayaka Theros of Malwatta and Asgiriya Chapters, Amarapura and Ramannya Nikayas,\nHis Eminence Cardinal,\nHindu Kurukkal leader, Islam Mowlawi,\n· Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa, former President and the Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka,\n· Hon. Maithripala Sirisena, former President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka,\n· Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda,\n· Marshal of the Air Force Roshan Gunatilleke, Governor of the Western Province\n· Secretary to the President,\n· Secretary Defence,\n· Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force,\n· Acting Inspector General of Police, Director General of the Department of Civil Defence,\n· Distinguished guests,\n· War heroes of Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and Civil Defence,\n· Dear parents, wives, sons and daughters of war heroes,\nMay 19th is a very important milestone in the history of Sri Lanka.\n11 years ago on a day like this, on May 19th 2009, we completely defeated the separatist terrorism which had been a curse to the country for nearly 30 years.\nIt was President Mahinda Rajapaksa who gave the leadership for this battle in his capacity as the Commander-in-Chief.\nWith the end of terrorism, an environment where people could live without fear or anxiety and enjoy their human rights freely was created.\nAfter a period of 30 years, we ensured democracy and build an atmosphere where free and fair elections could be held.\nThe atmosphere where people can travel freely without any restrictions to any place of the country was restored.\nRead more about Full text of the speech made by His Excellency the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the National Ranaviru Day commemorations on May 19th 2020.\nRanaviru Day Message of H.E the President\nRead more about Ranaviru Day Message of H.E the President\nCOVID-19 Community Briefing: Facing Today and Preparing for Tomorrow\nRead more about COVID-19 Community Briefing: Facing Today and Preparing for Tomorrow\nRepatriation of amnesty beneficiaries from Kuwait to commence tomorrow\nSri Lankans who have sought to benefit from the Amnesty declared by the Kuwaiti Government for Sri Lankans who are out of status, will commence repatriation tomorrow.\nForeign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena who had a telephone discussion with his Kuwaiti Counterpart Dr. Ahmad Nasser Al Mohammed Al Sabah today (18 May) agreed that the first batch of returnees, numbering approximately 460, will arrive on two Kuwaiti Airways flights on Tuesday 19 May 2020.\nThe Foreign Minister also said in consultation with the immigration authorities, the Sri Lanka Embassy in Kuwait will verify and issue emergency travel documents to those Sri Lankan nationals who will qualify for the Amnesty, when the Kuwaiti government reopens for them to register. The general Amnesty enables those out of status to leave with no consequences, and also to return to Kuwait for work in a legal manner.\nMinister Gunawardena assured his Kuwaiti counterpart that the government of Sri Lanka is committed to facilitate future repatriation of amnesty beneficiaries in Kuwait, consistent with previous practice. However Sri Lanka would require to coordinate it carefully in a manner that is consistent with the availability of space in quarantine centers, which are limited.\nRead more about Repatriation of amnesty beneficiaries from Kuwait to commence tomorrow\nOver 38,000 Sri Lankans in 143 countries seek to return home\nOver 38,983 Overseas Sri Lankans (OSLs) in 143 countries at present seek to return home, based on information gathered mainly through the ‘Contact Sri Lanka’ Web Portal of the Ministry of Foreign Relations. This comprises 3,078 students, 4,040 short term visa holders, 27,854 Migrant workers, 3527 dependents and 484 duel citizens and others. Meanwhile since 21 April, up to now, 3600 OSLs have been repatriated from 15 countries, largely comprising foreign students and government officials on training, as well as their dependents.\nRecognizing the need to collect data on vulnerable OSLs, the Ministry of Foreign Relations, with the assistance of the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), on 26 March 2020 created the ‘Contact Sri Lanka’ Web Portal, within a week following closure of the airport to inbound commercial flights. In parallel to the Portal, Sri Lanka Missions were also instructed to collect data on those who wish to return. The two sources, serve as the base for identifying vulnerable groups, prioritizing and repatriation.\nRead more about Over 38,000 Sri Lankans in 143 countries seek to return home","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line395073"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6374061107635498,"wiki_prob":0.3625938892364502,"text":"Granes v. 2389193 Ontario Inc.: Damages for Sexual Harassment, Toronto Employment Lawyer\nHuman Rights Tribunal awards damages for injury to feelings, dignity and self-respect\nSection 7(2) of the Ontario Human Rights Code (“Code”) states the following:\nEvery person who is an employee has a right to freedom from harassment in the workplace because of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression by his or her employer or agent of the employer or by another employee.\n“Harassment” is defined in section 10 of the Code as “engaging in a course of vexatious comment or conduct that is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome.” Sexual harassment would be a course of vexatious comment or conduct based on sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression that is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome.\nUsually more than one incident is required to justify a human rights complaint, however a single incident may be seen as sufficient if the conduct is serious enough that the harasser must have known that their behaviour was offensive.\nUnder Canadian case law, the term “sexual harassment” covers a broad range of conduct. The conduct can be physical or verbal. The more obvious forms of harassment being unwelcome physical conduct such as touching, kissing, and hugging. However, it also includes other conduct such as offensive remarks, remarks about physical appearance, inappropriate staring and offensive jokes.\nThere may be instances where the harasser does not realize that their comments are offensive. However, if the recipient makes it clear that the conduct is annoying and/or inappropriate, the harasser has been put on notice that their actions or words are unacceptable and should stop.\nThe standard for establishing sexual harassment is objective: would a reasonable person in the recipient’s position find the comments or conduct inappropriate?\nGranes v. 2389193 Ontario Inc., 2016 HRTO 821\nIn the Granes Application, the applicant was a full-time head server for a restaurant owned by 2389193 Ontario Inc. (“the Restaurant”). In September of 2013, the Restaurant changed ownership and the personal respondent, Mr. Dutta, became co-owner with Mr. Patel.\nOn February 1, 2014, the personal respondent sexually harassed the applicant multiple times. The applicant described numerous incidents of inappropriate comments and touching/groping. It was revealed during her testimony that the applicant asked him to stop on numerous occasions and made clear to him that his behaviour was unwanted and inappropriate.\nOne of the main legal issues in this Application was whether there was discrimination with respect to employment because of sex, including sexual harassment, and sexual solicitation or advances contrary to the Code.\nDamages to be Awarded\nThe Tribunal refers to the decision of Sanford v. Koop, 2005 HRTO 53, which outlined the factors to assess the appropriate amount of the award for injury to dignity, feelings, and self-respect:\na.Humiliation experienced by the applicant;\nb.Hurt feelings experienced by the applicant;\nc.An applicant’s loss of dignity;\nd.An applicant’s loss of self-esteem;\ne.An applicant’s loss of confidence;\nf.The experience of victimization;\ng.The vulnerability of the applicant;\nh.The seriousness, frequency, and duration of the offensive treatment\nThe Tribunal also references the following principles which are also relevant:\na.An award for monetary compensation must not be set too low as to trivialize the social important of the Code by creating a “licence fee” to discriminate (ADGA Group Consultants Inc. v. Lane (2008), 91 OR (3d) 649 (Div. Ct.)).\nb.The low end of the monetary spectrum involves circumstances of a few incidents, less serious incidents, and/or incidents that did not include physical touching. Conversely, the high end of the monetary spectrum includes multiple incidences, incidences of a serious nature and physical assault and/or reprisal or loss of employment (Vipond v. Ben Wicks Pub and Bistro, 2013 HRTO 695).\nIt was also noted that cases of sexual harassment involving explicit sexual touching tend to garner higher monetary compensation awards (Payette v. Alarm Guard Security Service, 2011 HRTO 109).\nAfter having considered the circumstances of the Application and the factors set in previous decisions, the Tribunal found that the infringement of the applicant’s right to be free from discrimination was serious and was exacerbated by the Restaurant’s lack of response, which left the applicant no choice but to resign from her position. The impact this had on the applicant’s dignity, feelings and self-respect was significant. The applicant was awarded $20,000 in monetary compensation for injury to her dignity, feelings and self-respect.\nThe case highlights that sexual harassment in the workplace will be taken seriously by the Human Rights Tribunal and damages will be awarded to those whose right to be free from discrimination has been violated. If you have been discriminated against, it is best to talk to a lawyer specializing in Employment Law when facing this situation. Please contact Monkhouse Law today at (416) 907-9249 for a free 30 minute consultation over the phone to discuss your options.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1070380"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7315444946289062,"wiki_prob":0.7315444946289062,"text":"The murky morality of biobanking\nDonated tissue samples could yield invaluable knowledge\nBiobanks are in short supply in South Africa, a place whose inhabitants have some of the greatest genetic diversity in the world. These repositories of human tissue, used for health research, could save lives as scientists find links between diseases and population groups – and, possibly, cures to currently untreatable diseases. But in giving consent for researchers to use your tissue, you are in effect also giving consent on behalf of your parents, family members and children – and possibly all those who share your genetics.\nBiobanks are “a major advance in terms of science and technology”, says Professor Ames Dhai, director of the Steve Biko Centre for Bioethics at the University of the Witwatersrand.\nA bank containing hundreds of thousands, possibly even millions, of samples with the donors’ medical and demographic information would allow scientists to conduct research with the possibility of statistically significant results. This could pave the way for personalised medicine tailored to South Africa’s population.\nYet biobanks are not mentioned in South Africa’s National Health Act of 2003, which governs human tissue usage, for therapies or research. Department of health deputy director general Terence Carter told the Mail & Guardian that workshops are planned to plug holes in the current law and regulations, and that ethicists will be included in these discussions.\nThis is “a scientific tissue issue, but also a major ethical issue, so we are bringing together the experts in ethics as well as cell technologies and genetics”, Carter said.\nA major question in this area is the notion of consent, and what it means to give informed consent.\n“Informed consent has different applications,” says the deputy dean of law at the University of South Africa, Professor Melodie Slabbert. “[You have] medical treatments on the one hand, such as between doctor and patient, and research between research participant and researcher on the other … Consent has specific legal requirements for it to be regarded lawful and valid consent.”\nDhai, in a 2008 article in the South African Journal of Bioethics and Law, says: “The traditional Hippocratic belief that one could do almost anything on a patient as long as the principles of beneficence (best interests) and non-maleficence (no harm) were upheld has been considerably revolutionised over the last century.”\nToday, before a healthcare professional administers treatment to or conducts surgery on a patient, they need the patient’s – or a proxy’s – “informed consent”.\nInformed consent requires that the patient has been informed about the procedure and its risks, benefits, possible alternatives and costs, Dhai says. She notes that patients are sometimes not informed about the full costs of their treatment beforehand.\nShe also says: “Informed consent is a process, not a signature on a piece of paper at a point in time. It is not just information; the healthcare practitioner must ensure that the patient understands the information, otherwise they are only paying lip service to informed consent.”\nThe law and responsibilities to do with medical treatments are well established, but those regarding biobanks are not, especially when it comes to the question of consent.\n“The fundamental issue is the patient’s competency to make the decision [to have their tissue used for research],” says Jacquie Greenberg, a professor of human genetics at the University of Cape Town. “When I ask a patient for cells, do they know what I am asking for? Do they understand what we are going to do with the sample?”\nThese questions become even more complicated when the patient or donor’s tissue is stored indefinitely. Though they might have originally given their consent for their tissue to be used for a certain research project, it is possible that – if it is stored in a biobank – their tissue will be used as part of another study for which they had not explicitly given consent.\n“Tissues are stored and the data is stored, and research may be done [on that tissue sample] many years later, even by different researchers. This could be important research,” Dhai says. “How does one go back to the participants [of the first study]? Is it always possible to get back to the participant who gave the tissue for every project? It’s not. It’s too costly and slows down important research.”\nAlso, “if you look at biobank research and genomics and genetics research, you have to look at an intergenerational period of 25 to 30 years”, Dhai says. “With informed consent, you have to tell participants exactly what is going to happen and the exact research projects that are going to be done. It is impossible to know what research questions will come up later.”\nAsked about biobanks, Medical Research Council president Glenda Gray said: “It allows the opportunity to make new discoveries … [but] it is important that it is regulated to avoid exploitation [by pharmaceutical companies or other countries].” She noted that all research conducted in this area would require ethics approval.\n“The important thing is how to regulate it, that it isn’t exploited and that samples that are accessed go through a rigorous ethical review,” she said.\nThe reality is that genetic research does carry risks, in the form of stigmatisation and discrimination. “DNA is a unique identifier,” Oxford University’s Jane Kaye told a conference in 2013. “This makes it difficult to make it anonymous.”\nA group of Native Americans has become a cautionary tale in genetic privacy: they offered their DNA to a study that was looking at diabetes among this population group. But this data was reused, without their consent, to look for a genetic predisposition to mental illness. These findings were published in journals and media, and now that community is associated with mental illness.\n“It is important that we acknow-ledge that [stigmatisation and discrimination] can happen,” Dhai says. “That is why it is important to speak to the individual [involved in the research]. We need to inform them that this is a possibility … Research ethics committees will only okay research where the benefits outweigh the risks.”\nBut the question of consent for this type of research remains, as well as how to balance the privacy of the individual with the wellbeing of society.\nHuman Tissue Act\nNigerian town is ‘twins capital’ of the world\nOur starch cravings date back to cave dwellers\nScience body pushes for better human genetics ethics guidelines\nHow biobanks can help improve the integrity of scientific research\nAncient DNA research makes important addition to our understanding of human history\nNew research proves society favours tall and skinny people","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1895996"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8471172451972961,"wiki_prob":0.8471172451972961,"text":"Bracknell Town celebrate at Coleshill Town. Photo: Neil Graham.\nHome | News | Club News | Uhlsport Hellenic Football League announce January Team of the Month\nTable calculated on games played and won as well as team discipline\nDarrell Freeland\nThe Uhlsport Hellenic Football League have announced Bracknell Town as Premier Division team of the month for January.\nThe award is presented monthly to the best performing team in the Premier Division and there’s also a combined award for Division One East and West.\nPerformance is calculated for each month of the season, with the production of a league table based in games played in the respective divisions along with FA Cup, FA Vase, and Hellenic League Cup games – it does not include County FA cup games or any external other cup a team may have entered.\nA very important part of the final table produced for each month is a deduction of points for the number of bookings accrued during play. 1 point deducted for each yellow card – 2 points for a double yellow sending off in a game – 4 points for a straight red – 10 points for a mass melee. The monthly total of those points are averaged against the number of games played. So effectively in any month a team could be top of the table having won every game, but end up bottom by not applying to the rules of the game.\nCongratulations to the Robins who join previous winners Highworth Town (August and September), Brimscombe & Thrupp (October) and Thatcham Town (November and December).\nMain image: Bracknell Town celebrate by Neil Graham.\nBracknell Town FC, Uhlsport Hellenic League\nDarrell is the co-editor of FootballinBracknell. He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of local football, it's teams and leagues and was previously club secretary at Bracknell Town FC. 'Duds' sadly passed away in April 2019 - this website is dedicated to his memory.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line682411"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7171832323074341,"wiki_prob":0.2828167676925659,"text":"What would be a cause for the arrow shown in the graph:\nA. Decrease in 2-3 DPG\nB. Increase in body temperature.\nC. Decrease in H+\nD. Decrease in CO2\nCorrect Answer » B\nAns: B. Increase in body temperature.\nRight Shift is shown in the Oxygen Dissociation Curve.\nOxyhemoglobin dissociation curve\nIt describes the relation between the partial pressure of oxygen (x-axis) and the oxygen saturation (y-axis).\nA hemoglobin molecule can bind up to four oxygen molecules in a reversible way.\nHemoglobin’s affinity for oxygen increases as successive molecules of oxygen bind.\nMore molecules bind as the oxygen partial pressure increases until the maximum amount that can be bound is reached. As this limit is approached, very little additional binding occurs and the curve levels out as the hemoglobin becomes saturated with oxygen. Hence the curve has a sigmoidal or S-shape.\nAt pressures above about 60 mmHg, the standard dissociation curve is relatively flat, which means that the oxygen content of the blood does not change significantly even with large increases in the oxygen partial pressure.\nThe partial pressure of oxygen in the blood at which the hemoglobin is 50% saturated, is known as the P50.\nRigh shift :\nindicates that the hemoglobin has a decreased affinity for oxygen.\nThis makes it more difficult for hemoglobin to bind to oxygen (requiring a higher partial pressure of oxygen to achieve the same oxygen saturation), but it makes it easier for the hemoglobin to release oxygen bound to it.\nThe effect of this rightward shift of the curve increases the partial pressure of oxygen in the tissues when it is most needed, such as during exercise, or hemorrhagic shock.\nThe right shift shows the decreased affinity, as would appear with an increase in either body temperature, hydrogen ions, 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate (2,3-BPG) concentration or carbon dioxide concentration.\nLeft Shift:\nindicates that the hemoglobin has an increased affinity for oxygen so that hemoglobin binds oxygen more easily, but unloads it more reluctantly.\nLeft shift of the curve is a sign of hemoglobin’s increased affinity for oxygen (e.g. at the lungs).","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1791516"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6742618680000305,"wiki_prob":0.6742618680000305,"text":"\"First, this isn't about telecommuting, because we still have offices that people will come to regularly when they need to brainstorm together, meet with clients, or do research in the library.\"\nJay Chiat\njudge Jay Chaudhry (born 1958/1959), American billionaire, CEO and founder of Zscaler Jay Chiat (1931–2002), American advertising designer Jay Cooke (1821–1905)...\nName Jay Chiat\nI'd make a terrible casting director.\nGail Honeyman, Writer\nMore Quotes by Gail Honeyman\n\"Fire has impacted every part of our lives - without fire, there would be no shopping, right? - that's how the Internet will intrude on our lives, particularly our kids' lives.\"\n\"Our technology is very scalable. Our software can accommodate enormous numbers of clients. It's a marvelous opportunity. We'll keep developing products.\"\n\"One is that that's the way we started and we thought there would be more value and less confusion if the business model was just based on delivering news that's of value to Web sites.\"\n\"I can't say the advertising model is obsolete yet but it doesn't make a lot of sense in the long range.\"\n\"It's hard to build a brand, competitively, and tell people what you do as well.\"\n\"Research we've done seems to indicate that people who are on the Net like the idea that they don't have to leave what they are reading to go buy something.\"\n\"We set up a beta site, a test site, with movie, music and book reviews. If you're reading them and you want to buy a book or a ticket for a movie that's reviewed on the site, you can do that without leaving our site.\"\n\"If you really think about it, when watching television, you have product placement all the time.\"\n\"Charlie Rose is the ultimate ad.\"\n\"I like the Gap ad, the khaki one. I liked that.\"\n\"Advertising ought to work by telling you what it is you want to tell, you should understand what you want us to do, what you want us to think, where you want us to shop.\"\n\"But I think technology advertising will have to stop addressing how products are made and concentrate more on what a product will do for the consumer.\"\n\"Technology is the fashion of the '90s. It affects everyone, and everyone is interested in it - either from fear of being left behind or because they have a real need to use technology.\"\n\"The intellectual architecture means focusing on doing great work instead of focusing on agency politics.\"\n\"The team architecture means setting up an organization that helps people produce that great work in teams.\"\n\"You come to work because the office is a resource: The office is a place where you can meet with other people, and the office has libraries of books and information on CD-ROM that might help you with your work.\"\n\"We don't have titles on our business cards. No one really gets any special treatment. No one gets a corner office to put pictures of their family and their dog in.\"\n\"Second, we're spending a huge amount of money on technology so that everyone can check out laptops and portable phones. We're spending more money to write our existing information into databases or onto CD-ROM.\"\n\"Eighty percent of what everyone's talking about never happens. I don't mean in terms of product development that's happening right now, I'm talking about the far-flung visions of the future.\"\n\"In the '20s they were telling us we'd all have our own private plane and take vacations to the moon.\"\n\"Outside of advertising, the person who's influenced me most is quite possibly Frank Gehry.\"\n\"Transferring successfully to the next generation means producing work that's as good as or better than the work of the first generation that founded the agency.\"\n\"Taking risks gives me energy.\"\nMore Quotes By Businessmans\nMark Burnett QuotesNick Woodman QuotesRick Kaplan QuotesLuke Nosek QuotesChen Guangbiao QuotesScooter Braun QuotesTheodore J. Forstmann QuotesFrancois Pinault QuotesCharles E. Wilson QuotesBilly Mays QuotesTim Finchem QuotesSean Parker QuotesJeff Jordan QuotesJack Dorsey Quotes","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1888795"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6010599136352539,"wiki_prob":0.6010599136352539,"text":"Bill wants to limit commission charged by Uber, 99 and Cabify [atualizado] | Legislation\nDrivers of services like Uber, 99 and Cabify are paid after companies discount their commissions. They can define their rules for the discount, but they may be required to respect a limit if a proposal is approved in Congress.\nUpdate (02/10): the project was rejected by the Câmara de Viação e Transportes da Câmara; see more here. The original text follows.\nO Bill 448/2019, presented by deputy Igor Timo (PODE-MG), defines that the companies’ commission must respect a ceiling of 10% on the amount charged for the trip. It also provides that services cannot charge drivers any extra fees.\nThe proposal is identical to Senate Bill 421/2017, from then senator Lindbergh Farias (PT-RJ). The original text was automatically archived due to the closure of the previous legislature in January 2019.\nBecause of the similarity of the proposals, the Chamber attached PL 2.255 / 2019, by deputy Pedro Augusto Bezerra (PTB-CE), to Timo’s project. Bezerra’s project limits the commission of companies like Uber, 99 and Cabify to 15%.\nThe rapporteur in the Committee on Viação e Transportes (CVT), deputy Lucas Gonzales (NOVO-MG), voted for the rejection of the projects because he understands that they go against the interests of passengers. According to him, the government should not interfere in the private relationship between companies and drivers.\n“It is this same private nature that characterizes the relationship that promotes competition between service providers, providing differentiated options for prices and services to the user,” he said. For him, the project prevents “the freedom to offer services and, consequently, the freedom of choice on the part of the user”.\nThe project has yet to be approved by CVT members. After that, he will be taken to the Commission for Economic Development, Industry, Trade and Services and, subsequently, to the Commission for Constitution and Justice and Citizenship.\nThe positioning of companies\nSought by Tecnoblog, Uber said the project interferes with the companies’ business model and violates the constitutional principles of free enterprise and free enterprise. “Flexibility and competition are the bases of this activity and it is precisely the freedom of engagement, pacification and variety of models that allow the platform to become a reliable alternative for locomotion for all”, says, in a note, the company.\n“It is important to note that Federal Law 13,640 / 2018 has already regulated the service, and a recent decision by the Federal Supreme Court ratified the points established by it,” he continues. “Uber is following the debate on the project and remains, as it always has been, at the disposal of the public authorities to dialogue and build ways to use the platform’s technology for the good of cities and people”.\n99 stated that the project is unconstitutional “as it makes competition impossible and sets prices”. The company also states that it “goes against efforts to improve the business environment in Brazil, restricting innovation and economic freedom”.\n“The activity of individual paid transportation by applications has already been regulated by federal law and follows the understanding of the Supreme Federal Court, based precisely on the principles of free competition and initiative”, he observes. “It is important to note that the partner driver is paid for the mileage traveled and travel time”.\nCabify, in turn, says that it maintains a dialogue with the public authorities of the cities in which it operates and that it considers the regulation of transport applications necessary and legitimate to balance the growing demand for mobility alternatives in large metropolises, “provided that laws do not affect the operation of platforms operating in this segment ”.\n“The company is aware of PL 448/2019 and is attentive to the movements and procedures related to the remuneration of the parties involved, in order to defend the interests of its partner drivers, users and technological intermediation by application”, he says.\nCabify also says that the limitation may “imply additional costs to the user, by casting the market model of applications”. The text, according to the company, “disregards other agents involved in the ecosystem, such as users and the platforms themselves”.\n“Cabify reinforces that it values ​​the balance of relationships and the culture of dialogue and transparency, in order to offer a fair and accessible service for all, and congratulates the Commission on Transportation and Transport for the rejection of the project”.\nUpdated with the positioning of companies.\nFacebook blocks links from The Pirate Bay | Internet\nEuropean Union approves right to repair to make appliances more durable | Legislation","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line527993"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7678900361061096,"wiki_prob":0.7678900361061096,"text":"The mask will be studded with 3,600 white and black diamonds\nIsaac Levy, owner of Israeli jewelry company Yvel, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press, next to parts of a mask, in Motza near Jerusalem, August 9, 2020. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)\nAn Israeli jewelelry company is working on what it says will be the world’s most expensive coronavirus mask, a gold, diamond-encrusted face-covering, with a price tag of $1.5 million.\nThe 18-karat white gold mask will be decorated with 3,600 white and black diamonds and outfitted with top-rated N99 filters at the request of the buyer, said designer Isaac Levy.Levy, owner of the Yvel company, said the buyer had two other demands: that it be completed by the end of the year, and that it be the priciest in the world. That last condition, he said, “was the easiest to fulfill.”\nHe declined to identify the buyer, but said he was a Chinese businessman living in the United States.\nThe glitzed-up face mask may lend some pizzazz to the protective gear now mandatory in public spaces in many countries. But at 270 grams (over half a pound) — nearly 100 times the weight of a typical surgical mask — it is not likely to be a practical accessory.\nIn an interview at his factory near Jerusalem, Levy showed off several pieces of the mask, covered in diamonds. One gold plate had a hole for the filter.\n“Money maybe doesn’t buy everything, but if it can buy a very expensive COVID-19 mask and the guy wants to wear it and walk around and get the attention, he should be happy with that,” Levy said.\nSuch an ostentatious mask might also rub some the wrong way at a time when millions of people around the world are out of work or suffering economically. Levy said that while he would not wear it himself, he was thankful for the opportunity.\n“I am happy that this mask gave us enough work for our employees to be able to provide their jobs in very challenging times, like these times right now,” he said.\nisrael diamond company\ndiamond mask\nThe largest natural colour diamond found in Russia’s Yakutia","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line481013"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7432761788368225,"wiki_prob":0.7432761788368225,"text":"Lost, Legacy, Love, Life: The Impact of DC Rebirth\nBy Pat Shand on June 28, 2016 in Guest Columns\nSomething is wrong with the DC Universe, and Wally West is desperately trying to fix it… or die trying.\nThat’s the simple concept behind DC Rebirth, which might be the most complex superhero event of the modern era. By the time this piece will air, most people who will have read the issue will already know what happens, so if you’re worried about spoilers, then get out there and read this issue first. Trust me – it’s worth it.\nGeoff Johns, the man who has been not only one of DC’s top writers but probably the biggest creative force behind the company’s decisions in the past decade or so, is on clean-up duty in Rebirth. This story, which skewers the New 52 continuity, is split into four chapters and an epilogue, each of which offer meta-deconstructions of the state of DC Comics. Rebirth is so introspective that it almost reads like narrative journalism, examining the decisions made that has made the DC Universe what it is today, theorizing about the roots of the cause, and turning the solution of the problem into a narrative. It’s crazy, it’s beautiful, and it’s something that only comics can do.\nLet’s unpack that a little.\nDC Rebirth opens with the above nine-panel grid, which introduce Wally’s problem with a poignant speech that encapsulates the theme of the entire issue. Like Wally’s uncle’s watch, which was passed down through the generations, the iconic characters of the DC Universe are passed down through generations of creators, of fans. “Every second is a gift” is inscribed on the back of the watch, and I can’t help but feel as if that is Geoff Johns looking at the gift he’s been given, control over the heroes that inspired him as a kid, and looking at them with new appreciation.\nThe next page is a shot of the world, our world, in which our superheroes live. Wally West’s narrations summarize what critics of the New 52 have been saying throughout its run, and even before it: “I love this world. But there’s something missing.”\nThis poignant narration continues through the issue as Wally West, who has been forgotten in this world, attempts to break through. Beyond the poetic metaphor of his narration, what I love about this issue is how careful Geoff Johns is to respect every fan of the DC characters. A portion of the readers were hoping that Rebirth would tear down the New 52 and bring back the original DC Universe as if it never happened. Here’s the thing, though – the New 52 includes stories that many, many readers were invested in for five years, and Johns is aware of that. Instead of burning the house down, Johns builds his narrative around the idea that the DC Universe isn’t what it’s supposed to be. We get Wally back with this issue, which is an enormous win, but what’s even more fascinating is that his return opens up a compelling mystery that can bring back the old universe (and is in fact about the old universe) while also operating within the New 52’s universe. Rather than another big cosmic shift that barrels through the last five years of story, Johns introduced a large-scale mystery and begins to build a bridge from the old stories to the new. How we get there, after all, is the fun part. I think that comic book events forget that a lot, a failing of which Rebirth feels keenly aware.\nThe climax of the issue reunites Wally with Barry Allen, who, when he begins to see Wally die, recognizes his old friend and gives him something to hold on to… hope. After their tearful hug, which reads to me like a heartfelt apology by Johns to Wally West (and perhaps the other forgotten heroes) for leaving him behind, we get what is already one of the most talked about and controversial scenes in comics this year. As Wally West speaks about a coming war between hope and despair, Batman finds the blood-splattered smiley button from Watchmen embedded in a rock in the Batcave. Then, we transition to Mars, where a conversation between Dr. Manhattan and Adrian Veidt straight out of the last issue of Watchmen plays out over another series of images of the watch from the opening page.\nIt’s a bold move. It’s bolder, even, than DC’s Before Watchmen launch, and is likely to both fascinate and infuriate even more readers. I’m not sure if we should read the “hope and despair” comment as an indictment of the darkness of Watchmen and the impact it had on superhero comics, or as commentary on the way that many superhero comics jacked Watchmen’s style and regurgitated it in a way that did a disservice both to Watchmen and the superhero comics that co-opted that dark and gritty style. Either way it goes, I’m stunned by the scope and humbled by the poignancy, artfulness, and balance of the storytelling in DC Rebirth. To call it a return to form seems odd, as the comic is as much about examining the process of the form as it is rebuilding, so I suppose I’ll just call it what it is.\nIt’s the best superhero comic I’ve read in a long time.\nPAT SHAND writes comics (Vampire Emmy, Hellchild, Van Helsing), novels (Iron Man, Charmed), and pop culture journalism (Sad Girls Guide, Blastoff Comics). The first DC comic he ever loved was an issue of Supergirl, and he is beyond excited to fall in love with DC Comics all over again.\nAbout Pat Shand\nPAT SHAND writes comics (Prison Witch, Destiny NY, Breathless) and novels (Iron Man, Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, Thor). He runs Space Between Entertainment in New York, where he lives with his wife Amy and their army of cats.\nView all posts by Pat Shand →","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line544053"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6399970650672913,"wiki_prob":0.6399970650672913,"text":"Google Search Inside\nPolitical Science - American Politics\nPolitical Science - General\nSocial Science - Women's Studies\nA Woman's Place is in the House\nCampaigning for Congress in the Feminist Era\nStudy of women candidates for U.S. House that argues women are successful in winning elections\nIn this first comprehensive examination of women candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives, Barbara Burrell argues that women are as successful at winning elections as men. Why, then, are there still so few women members of Congress? Compared to other democratically elected national parliaments, the U.S. Congress ranks very low in its proportion of women members. During the past decade, even though more and more women have participated in state and local governments, they have not made the same gains at the national level.\nA Woman's Place Is in the House examines the experiences of the women who have run for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1968 through 1992 and compares their presence and performance with that of male candidates. The longitudinal study examines both general and primary elections and refutes many myths associated with women candidates including their ability to raise money and garner support from both interest groups and political parties.\nAccording to Burrell, election year 1992 was correctly dubbed the \"Year of the Woman\" in American politics—not so much because women overcame perceived barriers to being elected but because for the first time a significant number of women chose to run in primaries. Burrell's study examines the effects women are having on the congressional agenda and offers insight on how such issues as term limitations and campaign finance reform will impact on the election of women to Congress.\nBarbara Burrell (Ph.D. University of Michigan) is professor and director of graduate studies in the Political Science Department at Northern Illinois University where she teaches courses in public opinion, political behavior and women and politics.\n1. Introduction - 1\n2. American Views of Women as Political Leaders: The Polls, Experiments, and Surveys - 15\n3. The Presence and Performance of Women Candidates in Primary Elections - 35\n4. The Backgrounds of Female Candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives, 1968-92 - 57\n5. Political Parties and Women's Candidacies - 81\n6. Sex and Money: The Financing of Women's and Men's Campaigns for the U.S. House of Representatives, 1972-92 - 101\n7. The Presence and Performance of Women Candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives - 131\n8. Women Members of Congress and Policy Representation - 151\n9. Conclusion - 183\nReferences - 193\nNetworks of Champions\nGetting Primaried\nDOI: 10.3998/mpub.14231\nPDF: Adobe Digital Editions e-book (DRM Protected)\nPDF Rental 180 Days: Adobe Digital Editions e-book (DRM Protected)\nPDF Rental 30 Days: Adobe Digital Editions e-book (DRM Protected)\nChoosing any of the above format options will take you to the appropriate e-retailer to complete your purchase. Pricing may vary by individual e-retailer. Please see e-retailer site for purchasing information.\nFor more information about our Digital Products, including reading systems and accessible formats, visit our Digital Products page.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line66637"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6832371354103088,"wiki_prob":0.6832371354103088,"text":"Two Similar Missouri Car Accidents – Two Vastly Different Outcomes\nBy Jeff LoweSeptember 20, 2012July 10th, 2019Highway Safety, Trucking Accidents, Trucking Laws\nWhat’s the difference between a fatal Missouri car accident and one that’s annoying – perhaps even terrifying – but not life-ending or even life-changing?\nThe difference can be inches. The difference can be small, unpredictable forces of chance.\nIf you were recently hurt in a truck accident or car accident in Missouri, understand that hundreds or even thousands of small dynamic factors may have contributed to what happened and/or protected you and others involved from a worst fate.\nTwo recent accidents illustrate this point. The first was a tragedy – a fatal accident in North St Louis. A car driving on the Natural Bridge sideswiped another car and then smashed into a cement wall. The female passenger, Mbonakira Lewis, died at the hospital from complications of her injuries; the male driver remains hospitalized. Fortunately, the driver of the car that got sideswiped was not injured. But obviously this was a very sad situation, and hopefully an investigation will reveal what exactly happened and why.\nMeanwhile, out in Marshfield, Missouri, a driver fell asleep at 3 in the morning on I-44. 34-year-old Lori Kittel fell asleep north of Marshfield and slammed into a cable, flipping her SUV. Amazingly, despite the vehicular acrobatics, both Kittel and her passenger, 25-year-old Terry Watson, only suffered moderate injuries. They were taken to a hospital in Springfield for treatment.\nObviously, in an ideal world, both of these accidents would never have happened, and no one would have been hurt. But these two stories, told in parallel, highlight how exquisitely small and arbitrary factors can influence the effects of an accident. Had the SUV not done a full rotation — but only done a three-quarter rotation — both women could have been killed. Conversely, had Lewis’ vehicle hit the other car at a slightly different angle, her outcome could have been better.\nFor help understanding the subtleties of your Missouri car accident, get in touch with the team here at Carey, Danis & Lowe. Get insightful and steady guidance about what to do and what steps to take.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line860283"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9249981045722961,"wiki_prob":0.9249981045722961,"text":"Home > Article Index > Alcoholism > Foods\nwww.reuters.com/news_article.jhtml?type=search&StoryID=875129\nUPDATE 3-Crisps, french fries, bread may cause cancer-study\nReuters April 24, 2002 02:53 PM ET\n(Adds research detail paragraphs 14-18, company comment 22-25)\nSTOCKHOLM, April 24 (Reuters) - Potato crisps, french fries, biscuits and bread, eaten daily by millions of people round the world, contain alarmingly high amounts of a substance believed to cause cancer, Swedish scientists said on Wednesday.\nResearch carried out at Stockholm University in cooperation with the government food safety agency showed that acrylamide, well known as a probable cancer-causing agent, is formed in very high concentrations when carbohydrate-rich foods such as rice, potatoes and cereals are fried or baked -- but is not present when they are boiled.\nThe results of the research were deemed so important, and so surprising, that the scientists took the rare step of going public with their findings before publishing them in an academic journal and having them reviewed by other scientists.\n\"I have been in this field for 30 years and I have never seen anything like this before,\" said Leif Busk, head of the National Food Administration's research department, of the results of the study.\nFood Administration officials told a news conference they had found that an ordinary bag of potato crisps may contain up to 500 times more acrylamide than the maximum concentration the World Health Organisation (WHO) allows in drinking water.\nFrench fries sold at Swedish franchises of the U.S. fast-food chains Burger King Corp, a unit of Britain's Diageo plc DGE.L , and McDonald's MCD.N contained about 100 times the equivalent of the WHO limit for water, they said.\nThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classifies acrylamide, a colourless, crystalline solid, as a \"medium hazard probable human carcinogen\".\nThe WHO has ruled that one litre of drinking water should contain no more than one microgram of acrylamide.\nA tougher European Union drinking water directive due to take effect at the end of 2003 sets the maximum permitted concentration at 0.1 microgram per litre, Stockholm University said in a statement -- one-tenth of the WHO limit.\nA microgram is one-millionth of a gram.\nAcrylamide is known to cause damage to the human nervous system, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer says it has been found to induce gene mutations and cause stomach tumours in animals.\n\"The discovery that acrylamide is formed during the preparation of food, and at high levels, is new knowledge. It may now be possible to explain some of the cases of cancer caused by food,\" Busk said.\n\"Fried, oven-baked and deep-fried potato and cereal products may contain high levels of acrylamide,\" the Administration said.\nBoiling the same products did not form acrylamide, said Margareta Tornqvist, an associate professor at Stockholm University's environmental chemistry department.\nHer study first looked at the buildup of acrylamide in a haemoglobin reactive in the blood of rodents fed with heated rat food, compared with rodents eating the same rat food unheated.\nAcrylamide levels proved to be about 10 times higher in rats eating the heated food.\nTornqvist and her team then tested protein-rich hamburger steaks and again detected an acrylamide buildup related to the heating process, though smaller than for rat food.\nAssuming that the heated rat food's acrylamide buildup must originate in a source other than proteins, the scientists tested carbohydrates and found that heating potatoes formed a concentration of acrylamide in them between 12 and 40 times greater than in the heated hamburgers, Tornqvist said.\n\"This was surprisingly high and implies a remarkably high cancer risk stemming from a single compound,\" she said.\nBusk said the Food Administration's follow-up analysis based on more than 100 random samples was not extensive enough for the agency to recommend the withdrawal of any products from shops or to advise people to change their eating habits. The raw materials used in the analyses had shown no trace of acrylamide.\nAmong the products analysed in the study were potato crisps made by Finnish company CHIPS ABP, whose shares fell 15 percent to six-month lows, breakfast cereals made by U.S. Kellogg K.N , Quaker Oats Co, part of PepsiCo Inc PEP.N , and Swiss Nestle NESZn.VX , and Old El Paso brand tortilla chips.\n\"Burger King is interested in studying the information closely and will launch its own investigation into the subject,\" Burger King said in a statement.\nNEWS TO FOOD INDUSTRY\nCHIPS ABP, in a statement to the Helsinki stock exchange, said: \"For us, these are completely new findings which have never before been known to the world's foodstuffs industry.\"\nNestle spokesman Marcel Rubin said the group did not at present think the findings were very grave. \"If it had been serious, the Swedish authorities would not have said that no change is required in eating habits.\"\nMcDonald's Sweden media relations manager Birgitta Mossberg told Reuters the company was taking the research seriously. \"But it is important not to draw hasty conclusions,\" she said.\nSpokesmen for the other companies were not immediately available for comment.\n\"We will evaluate this study and look at it but it is important to say that Sweden has not withdrawn any products from the market,\" said European Commission spokeswoman Beate Gminder.\nLiliane Abramsson-Zetterberg, a toxicologist at the Swedish Food Administration, said that while the cancer risk from acrylamide was much higher than levels accepted for other known carcinogens, smoking remained a bigger risk.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line881350"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6651252508163452,"wiki_prob":0.3348747491836548,"text":"Matthew H. Mousley\nMatthew H. Mousley 62, of Bridge Rd., Watsontown passed away on November 17, 2020 at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville. Born in Abington on October 12, 1958 he was the son of the late William and Thelma (Ramson) Mousley. He was married on June 25, 1988 to the former Patricia Hood who survives.\nMatt was a 1976 graduate of Abington High School. He worked as a self-employed landscaper, as an investment advisor and a farmer. He worked part time for Elery Nau Hardware in Montoursville and earlier he worked for Clark’s Ag Center in Turbotville. He attended St. Joseph Church in Milton. He enjoyed fishing, scuba diving, and camping, He liked photography and music and he played the guitar. Mostly he loved being outdoors and spending time with his wife.\nHe is survived by his wife, Patty; three brothers, Scott Mousley and wife, Heather of Greentown, Steve Mousley of Langhorne, and Timothy Mousley and wife, Susan of Langhorne; two sisters, Susan Ozosky of Hatboro, and Debbie Madey and husband, Jack of Little River, SC; and many loving nieces and nephews.\nFriends and relatives will be received from 6-8 pm on Friday November 20 at the Shaw Funeral Home, 400 N. Front St., Milton. A funeral mass will be held at 12 pm on Saturday at St. Joseph Church, 109 Broadway St., Milton with the Rev. John D. Hoke officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery.\nIn lieu of flowers memorial donations are requested to the Salvation Army, 30 Center St., Milton, PA 17847 please put for the emergency food pantry in the memo\nI am so sorry to hear of this news! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.\nWe are very sorry to hear of Matt's passing. He was such a kind person and always willing to do anything at Graeme Park. He was missed when you moved and will be missed again. Sending hugs, Patty.\nBeth & Mike MacCausland\nPatty & Family -\nI'm so sorry to hear of Matt's passing. I have such found memories of his contributions to Graeme Park: the flax he grew, his photographs, and all his hard work planning, organizing, and setting up for Celtic and Halloween. May you find peace and comfort in your happy memories of him.\nCarla Loughlin","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line106983"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8996226191520691,"wiki_prob":0.8996226191520691,"text":"নীড় উন্নয়ন Bangladesh: From ‘basket case’ to model\nBangladesh: From ‘basket case’ to model\nIn 1976, five years after independence, a book appeared called “Bangladesh: The Test Case of Development.”\nIt was a test, the authors claimed, because the country was such a disaster that if development could be made to work there, it could surely work anywhere. At the time, many people feared that Bangladesh would not survive as an independent state.\nOne famine, three military coups and four catastrophic floods later, the country that former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger once dismissed as “a basket case” is still a test. But no longer in the sense of being the bare minimum that others should seek to surpass. Now, Bangladesh has become a standard for others to live up to.\nIn the past 20 years, Bangladesh has made extraordinary improvements in almost every indicator of human welfare. The average Bangladeshi can now expect to live four years longer than the average Indian, though Indians are twice as rich. Girls’ education has soared, and the country has hugely reduced the numbers of early deaths of infants, children and mothers.\nSome of these changes are among the fastest social improvements ever seen. Remarkably, the country has achieved all this even though economic growth, until recently, has been sluggish and income has risen only modestly.\nBangladesh might seem like a special case. Because of its poverty, it has long been a recipient of vast amounts of aid. With around 150 million people crammed into a silted delta frequently swept by cyclones and devastating floods, it is the most densely populated country on Earth outside city-states. Hardly any part is isolated by distance, tradition or ethnicity, making it easier for antipoverty programs to reach everyone. Unusually, it has a culture that is distinct from its religion: although most Bangladeshis are Muslims, their culture and language are shared with the non-Muslim Indian state of West Bengal. Religious opposition to social change has been mild. Not many nationalities have so unusual a collection of traits.\nThe female factor\nThat said, the most important of the country’s achievements can serve as a model for others. Bangladesh shows what happens if you take women seriously as agents of development. When the country became independent, population-control policies were all the rage (this was the period of China‘s one-child policy and India‘s forced sterilizations). Happily lacking the ability to impose such savage restrictions, the government embarked instead upon a program of voluntary family planning. It was stunningly successful. It not only halved the rate of fertility within a generation, but also increased women’s influence within their own households. For the first time, wives controlled the size of families.\nLater, the textile industry took off — and four-fifths of its workers are female. Bangladesh was also the home of microcredit, tiny loans for the poorest. By design, these go to women. Thus, over the past two decades women have earned greater influence in the home and more financial autonomy.\nAnd, as experience from around the world shows, women spend their money differently from men: typically, on their children’s food, health and education. Child welfare has been underpinned by a quiet revolution in the role of women.\nThat is not all there was to it. Thanks to remittances from abroad and to the Green Revolution, Bangladesh has done better than most at reducing persistent rural poverty. It has maintained a broad consensus in favor of basic social spending despite military coups and a toxic politics dominated by the bitter infighting of the “battling begums” (the widow and daughter of former presidents, who lead the two main parties).\nBangladesh also has benefited by letting non-governmental organizations (NGOs) get on with what the state itself has been too weak or corrupt to do: experiment with different programs and scale up those that work. Much of its success is attributable to local NGOs like Grameen and BRAC.\nBangladesh has shown that countries can transform the lives of the poorest without having to wait for economic growth. But it does not show that growth is irrelevant. The country surely would have done better still if its economy had expanded faster.\nAs people’s education and expectations rise further, it will be all the more important to provide new jobs and opportunities for advancement.\nArticle by: THE ECONOMIST\nপূর্ববর্তী খবরএক বছরে ব্যাংকিং খাতে আমানত স্থিতি বেড়েছে প্রায় ২০ শতাংশ\nপরবর্তী খবরবারি-১ জাতের মরিচ চাষ\n১০ হাজার সামাজিক প্রতিষ্ঠানের অবকাঠামো উন্নয়ন হবে\nএমডিজির সবগুলো লক্ষ্য পূরণের পথে বাংলাদেশ\nআনিসুলের পরশে উন্নয়নের সুবাতাস ঢাকা উত্তরে\nরফতানি বাণিজ্যে নতুন সংযোজন\nশিক্ষায় এ যাবতকালের সর্বোচ্চ বরাদ্দ: ৬৬,৪০১ কোটি টাকা\nFarmers become self-reliant farming crop, vegetable on Padma riverbank\nস্টাফ রিপোর্টার - Jan 2, 2018","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1045327"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7017947435379028,"wiki_prob":0.29820525646209717,"text":"The Search for Hedge Fund Alpha\nJ. Bianchi, Robert\nE. Drew, Michael\nStanley, Alex\nBianchi, Robert\nThis paper analyses the performance of the global hedge fund industry to determine whether alpha, or risk-adjusted excess returns are earned. The efficient market hypothesis questions whether professional investors such as hedge funds can produce superior returns over and above a passive investment strategy. The study examines 7,355 surviving and non-surviving global hedge funds for the period 1994-2006. This paper proposes a simple multi-factor model which is easier to implement in comparison to more complex option-based frameworks that are proposed in the literature. The multi-factor framework employed in this study ...\nView more >This paper analyses the performance of the global hedge fund industry to determine whether alpha, or risk-adjusted excess returns are earned. The efficient market hypothesis questions whether professional investors such as hedge funds can produce superior returns over and above a passive investment strategy. The study examines 7,355 surviving and non-surviving global hedge funds for the period 1994-2006. This paper proposes a simple multi-factor model which is easier to implement in comparison to more complex option-based frameworks that are proposed in the literature. The multi-factor framework employed in this study demonstrates that the returns of individual funds and the systematic return of the global hedge fund industry can be replicated with passive investment strategies in global financial markets. This study reveals little alpha or manager skill in this sample of hedge funds and therefore questions the validity of high management fee structures in this segment of the global funds management industry.\n37th Australian Conference of Economists (ACE2008)\nhttp://www.ace08.com.au/\n© 2008 Economic Society of Australia QLD Inc. This is the author-manuscript version of this paper. Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. Please refer to the publisher's website for access to the definitive, published version.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line32505"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5925680994987488,"wiki_prob":0.5925680994987488,"text":"Home Analysis Carles Alena 2019/20 – scout report\nCarles Alena 2019/20 – scout report\nMario Husillos Jr\nAleñá makes himself available and plays a first touch pass to beat the pressure.\nDespite a difficult season so far, Carles Aleñá remains as one of the brightest prospects at FC Barcelona. The 22-year-old midfielder has already played 39 matches with Barcelona and 90 with Barcelona B. He proved his value in the 2017/18 season when he scored 11 goals and was arguably the best player in the Spanish Second Division with Barcelona B.\nBut his performances in the B side haven’t been enough to grant him a first-team spot, and the Catalan playmaker moved to Real Betis on loan last January seeking playing time. He has played ten matches since then, providing three assists in his first experience far from the Camp Nou.\nIn this tactical analysis, we will look at his adaptation to Real Betis and how he could adapt Barcelona’s tactics. This scout report aims to assess his current level and potential.\nAleñá is a proper Barcelona midfielder. Coming through La Masía, he has all the traits one could expect from a Barcelona playmaker. But he also has some physical characteristics that differentiate him from other talents of his age like Riqui Puig.\nWhile his most common position is as an ‘interior’ in the typical 4-3-3 formation Barcelona normally use, Aleñá can also play as a deep-lying playmaker, as a number ten and as a right winger. This adaptability could be key in his future, as he will probably need to adapt to the strengths and weaknesses of the Barcelona squad.\nIn his heat map below, we can see Aleñá’s positioning this season. He has mostly lined up as the left central midfielder in a 4-3-3 formation, but he often changes positions during the game and his influence can be seen all around the pitch.\nAleñá moves all around the central zones of the pitch.\nPositional and spatial awareness\nEducated in Barcelona’s academy, Aleñá understands very well every movement within the attacking phase. Thanks to his positional awareness and tactical intelligence, he can play the ball out of defence, connect the midfield and attacking lines and also be a threat going forward.\nAleña’s ability to find spaces between the lines is very useful in every situation. He combines this ability with his spatial awareness and great technique to receive in small pockets of space where he can quickly turn and advance the play. He’s versatile enough to do this in his own half to beat the first line of pressure or in the last third to create scoring opportunities.\nWhen his team faces a high-pressing opponent, Aleñá drops from the midfield line to support the defenders offering passing lines behind the first line of pressure. He has the intelligence to spot the best passing lines, the confidence to receive under pressure in dangerous zones and the technique to solve difficult situations with one or two touches. Also, Aleñá is well-built and strong to cover the ball when he needs to, using his body to his advantage when holding the rivals and turning.\nIn the example below, Aleñá sees his centre-back under pressure and reacts quickly to find a free space and support him from behind the pressing line. The centre-back plays the easy pass and Aleñá plays first touch to leave Rakitic in a good position to go forward. The image is from the Inter vs Barcelona match in the UEFA Champions League this season.\nAgain in the same match, we can see Aleñá dropping even deeper to help the build-up. Inter press very high and Aleñá offers an easy passing option for the right-back. It’s important to note how his first touch leaves him facing forward. If he had needed more time to turn, his only option would have been a pass to the goalkeeper.\nAleñá receives behind the first pressing line and is ready to advance after his first touch.\nThere are moments in which Aleñá is not the one in charge of playing the ball out from the back. In those moments, the Catalan midfielder shows his great understanding of the game providing passing options and positioning himself to exploit the spaces left by the opposition pressure.\nIn the next image, Real Betis’ Fekir is under heavy pressure from Rayo Vallecano. Aleñá positions himself behind that pressure and far from any rival, providing an excellent option to progress and create a dangerous counterattack. We can also see how he gestures to get the attention of his teammate, showing his confidence to receive the ball.\nAleñá detects the space left by the pressure and makes himself available.\nAs his team moves closer to the goal, Aleñá adapts his movements to take advantage of any spaces left by the rival. He makes very good runs from behind to get between the lines and help his team progress. As we have seen before, he’s very useful when he dictates from behind, but his best version comes when he can receive closer to the box and create from there.\nIn the play we show below, Betis have already established themselves in the opposite half. Aleñá realizes he’s no longer needed to beat the pressure and makes a run from a deep position to get behind the midfield line. From his new position, Aleñá can progress to the final third and create a promising situation.\nAleña makes a run from behind to receive between the lines.\nFinally, his positioning in the final third is very valuable too. Even if he can influence the game from any part of the pitch, Aleñá is a very attacking-minded midfielder. He always tries to get in and around the box, from where he can score or assist using the wide skillset we will analyze later. This is probably the role Barcelona lack in their midfield, where De Jong and Arthur are great at dictating from deeper positions but affect the final third less than Aleñá.\nLet’s take the play below as an example. In the picture, we see Aleñá controlling a ball at the edge of the box. He received the pass from the right side after positioning himself between four rivals but far enough to have space and time to receive the pass. This position is difficult to mark as it would require one of the defenders to leave the defensive line and leave a hole in it. Also, his first touch leaves him in a good situation to shoot or pass before a defender can press him.\nAleñá finds space to create from the edge of the box.\nA final example of this attacking attitude is seen below. In a situation where lots of midfielders would look to receive the ball at their feet, Aleñá looks to attack the space between the centre-back and the full-back to receive the ball inside the box. Once inside the box, Aleña’s vision, dribbling and quality are always a threat.\nAleñá runs into the box from behind.\nHis positioning in defence is good too, but he needs some work to adapt to teams that dominate less than Barcelona and their academy teams. Aleñá is aggressive to counter-press and is not afraid to use his body to recover the ball. He’s strong and can win defensive duels. But when he has to defend in his own half he has to be more active to intercept passes as sometimes he doesn’t provide enough cover to the defensive line and lets passes break the midfield line.\nTechnical arsenal\nTo affect as many phases of the game as we have seen in the previous analysis, Aleñá needs to have a very wide skillset. He can pass accurately, dribble in tight spaces, carry the ball in transitions and shoot from outside the box, which makes him a constant threat.\nAleñá shows a made-in-Barcelona passing style. He usually plays short passes trying to move the ball quickly to find spaces in the defensive line. He usually uses just one or two touches, with his positioning and body shape saving him time and unnecessary touches.\nHis vision is great to make the best out of his passing ability. Even if his passing seems simple, there’s always an intention behind it, moving the ball to the zones where he detects a weakness of the opposition. He thinks quickly and moves the ball before he gets pressed.\nHe’s very good at dribbling and carrying the ball forward. He combines powerful runs with intelligence to choose when to start running and when to pass. It’s his decision making regarding the exact moment to pass the ball that makes the difference in his game.\nIn the first picture below, we see Aleñá driving the ball towards the defensive line. When one of the defenders stops running back to press him, Aleñá passes the ball to the right winger, leaving the defender out of the play and his teammate in a good position to cross. In the second one, Aleñá has started a counterattack leaving two players behind with a powerful run, and when the third one tries to close him down, he plays a pass into the run of the right winger.\nAleñá doesn’t pass the ball until he attracts one of the defenders.\nAfter a powerful run, Aleñá makes the best decision and passes the ball forward.\nAleñá can also create from deeper positions with his great passing range. He’s well aware of his surroundings and quickly spots the runs of his teammates. As we see in the next example, Aleñá is capable of beating two lines and assisting with perfectly weighted and curved passes. His long shots are also a threat, especially when he cuts inside from the right.\nAleñá assists Carles Pérez run with a perfect ball from the midfield line.\nWhen assessing Aleñá using stats, we need to have two issues in mind. First, he has only played 438 minutes for Real Betis this season, so the sample available is not as big as in other cases. And second, his position is a mix of a central and attacking midfielder, so depending on the benchmark we set he will stand out more or less.\nAleñá stats in La Liga for Real Betis.\nKnowing that, let’s get to the analysis of his stats in La Liga for Real Betis in the current season. The first thing that stands out is his creativity. Aleñá has 4.73 passes into the final third per 90’ (better than 69% of the central and defensive midfielders in the top-5 leagues), 0.16 xG+xA/90’ (better than the 65%) and 1.64 dribbles/90’ (better than the 86%). He hasn’t scored or assisted yet for Betis, but given the small sample, his expected goals and assists are a better indicator.\nWith a pass completion of 83.33%, Aleñá is around the middle compared to other central/defensive midfielders, but if we compare him to attacking midfielders and wingers he’s above the 87% of them. Something similar happens with his dribbling. Compared to CM/DM, Aleñá completes more dribbles than the 86% of them but with a success rate worse than the 89%; but compared to attacking midfielders and wingers, he’s around the middle in both metrics. This shows a good balance between keeping possession and risking the ball and the intermediate role he has.\nHis defensive stats also express his playing style well. He makes 2.26 successful tackles/90’ and his success rate is of 61.11%, both figures better than those of almost 60% of CM/DM, showing how good he is when getting into duels. But with only 0.21 interceptions/90’, Aleñá is one of the worst in the central midfield position. Even if the small sample exaggerates the figures, Aleñá needs to improve his defensive positioning, especially when defending in a low block.\nAleñá is approaching a crucial moment of his career. With more than 100 professional games to his name so far, he’s expected to be in the first squad of Barcelona next season. His performances so far suggest he can solve some of the creativity problems Barcelona’s midfield has shown in recent times, but the step is big and he will need to make the best out of his fantastic attributes.\nIf he adapts well to being a regular of the first team lineups, Aleñá will save Barcelona millions in the transfer market, helping them recover their identity too as he came through the academy and knows exactly what’s expected from a Barcelona midfielder. Alongside other exciting prospects as Puig, Pedri or Monchu, Aleñá could be part of a new golden generation at the Camp Nou.\nPrevious articleLionel Messi 2019/20 – scout report\nNext articleJordi Alba 2019/20 – scout report\nFC BARCELONA – DEPORTIVO ALAVES – PREVIEW (07/19/20)\nFC BARCELONA – OSASUNA – PREVIEW (07/16/20)\nREAL VALLADOLID – FC BARCELONA – PREVIEW 07/11/20\nBarcelona’s reliance on Messi shows a lack of transfer planning\nRakitic could yet leave the Camp Nou\nWill Barcelona be able to administer the final blow to Manchester...\nCan Manchester United repeat their Champions League heroics once again?\nMatch Preview Analysis April 10, 2019","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1163553"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9520511627197266,"wiki_prob":0.9520511627197266,"text":"WEDNESDAY, Nov. 25, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Approved vaccines against the new coronavirus could begin to be distributed to the most at-risk Americans as early as mid-December, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, said Thursday.\n\"And as we get into the first quarter of 2021 — January, February, March — more and more people will get vaccinated,\" he added in an HD Live! interview.\nBut to put a real end to the COVID-19 pandemic, the vast majority of Americans will need to get the shot.\n\"Somewhere between 75% and 80% of the people [need] to get vaccinated in order to get a real umbrella of protection over the community — the 'community' being the United States of America,\" Fauci said. \"And hopefully that can get done worldwide so that we globally crush this outbreak.\"\nIn the meantime, the most important public and family holiday of the year begins on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day. And despite pleas from health officials that Americans should stay home this year to curb the spread of COVID-19, millions are traveling and gathering together as usual.\nFauci acknowledged that \"it's so difficult not to do these things that are so natural to our society.\"\nBut with almost 260,000 Americans killed by the virus this year, and more than 12.6 million known cases recorded by Wednesday, America is in a \"bad place,\" according to Fauci, who directs the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.\nMost alarming, he said, is \"the silent spread in the community from people who don't have any symptoms, who understandably and intuitively would let their guard down. And they say, 'Well, let's just get together, we're there, we're eating, we're drinking, we're not wearing a mask.' That's a risky situation.\"\nFor his part, Fauci said his three grown daughters have decided to forgo the Fauci family gathering this Thanksgiving, so Thursday will mean \"a quiet dinner with my wife.\"\nHis daughters \"don't want to endanger me,\" Fauci said. \"They want to be perfectly safe, so they are saying 'Lets worry about holidays in the future, and just call a time out for this one.'\"\nPrepare public for vaccine\nIn other pandemic news, on Monday, experts attending a meeting of an advisory committee to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stressed that Americans who get a shot shouldn't be surprised if they feel under the weather for a few days afterwards.\nThe CDC's Dr. Sara Oliver told the committee during the five-hour meeting that, depending on the survey, anywhere between 40% and 80% of Americans say they'd be willing to get vaccinated.\nThe virus spreads even when people do not show symptoms, Birx noted. \"It is because of this asymptomatic spread that we are asking people to wear a mask indoors,\" she said. \"Decreasing those friend-and-family gatherings where people come together and unknowingly spread the virus\" will also help slow the spread, she added.\nEarlier Thursday, the CDC asked Americans not to travel for Thanksgiving. More than 187,000 cases were announced nationwide on Thursday, another single-day record, and daily tallies have been rising in 47 states, according to The New York Times.\n\"We are in for a rough period through the end of February,\" Dr. Jessica Justman, a professor of epidemiology at Columbia University in New York City, told the Times. \"It looks hard to find a way to break it.\"\nBy Wednesday, the U.S. coronavirus case count passed 12.6 million while the death toll neared 260,000, according to a Times tally. According to the same tally, the top five states in coronavirus cases as of Tuesday were: Texas with over 1.2 million; California with just over 1.1 million; Florida with over 953,000; Illinois with more than 675,000; and New York with almost 612,000.\nThings are no better in India, where the coronavirus case count has passed 9.2 million on Wednesday, a Johns Hopkins University tally showed. Almost 135,000 coronavirus patients have died in India, according to the Hopkins tally, but when measured as a proportion of the population, the country has had far fewer deaths than many others. Doctors say this reflects India's younger and leaner population. Still, the country's public health system is severely strained, and some sick patients cannot find hospital beds, the Times said. Only the United States has more coronavirus cases.\nMeanwhile, Brazil passed 6.1 million cases and had more than 170,000 deaths as of Wednesday, the Hopkins tally showed.\nWorldwide, the number of reported infections neared 60 million on Wednesday, with more than 1.4 million deaths recorded, according to the Hopkins tally.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1359314"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7126185297966003,"wiki_prob":0.28738147020339966,"text":"Missouri Launches Statewide Initiative to Improve Computer Skills Among Teachers, Students and the Workforce\nST. LOUIS, Mo., July 26, 1999 — Technology in the classroom has made definite inroads in the past several years. According to a study released earlier this year by the CEO Forum on Education and Technology, a group of business and education leaders, there are now about 6 million computers installed throughout the country’s 87,000 public schools, and 80 percent of the schools have Internet access. But for many teachers, such advances are a mixed blessing.\nOn the one hand, technology brings a host of benefits for both students and teachers. Word processors free students from rote tasks so they can spend their time on more challenging activities. Tutorial software allows teachers to spend more time with their students individually. And Internet access provides students and teachers greater opportunities for research and learning. But all these benefits and many more can be realized only if the teachers themselves are adept at using the tools. When they are not, they spend the bulk of a lesson grappling with technology issues instead of focusing on content — or they simply avoid using the technology resources at all.\nThe CEO Forum’s StaR Assessment study this year revealed that most technology funding in the schools has been spent on equipment, and very little has been spent on training teachers to use it. With the average public school spending approximately $88 per student annually on computers but only $6 per student in teacher training, it’s no wonder that a mere 20 percent of teachers feel comfortable integrating technology into their classroom instruction.\nAll that is about to change in Missouri, however. The state earlier this month launched the nation’s first statewide initiative to raise the computer skills, not only of teachers but of students and the workforce as well, through the Microsoft Office Users Specialist (MOUS) program. MOUS is a Microsoft-approved training and certification program that identifies levels of competency in desktop-computer skills using Microsoft Office applications.\nPiloted at the Columbia Area Career Center last month, the Missouri MOUS program will be rolled out in late August to 25 other career centers and nine regional professional development centers across the state. The initial rollout will provide training and certification to teachers; programs targeted to students and the workforce are expected to be introduced at the career centers in October and November. Since the announcement, several other states have expressed interest in launching their own MOUS initiatives.\n“Our schools are in the business of preparing students for college and the workforce,” said Missouri Lt. Governor Roger Wilson. “By offering training and certification for industry-standard desktop applications to our teachers, students and the workforce, we’re preparing residents for the important work they will do for companies in our state. This initiative also allows us to offer businesses worldwide a well-trained, knowledgeable workforce as an incentive to operate in Missouri.”\nFor its part, Microsoft is donating $500,000 in software and training materials to the Missouri initiative, and Nivo International, the firm that administers the MOUS program for Microsoft, is donating $500,000 in free tests. In addition, 58 independent courseware vendors are donating training materials to help Missouri teachers and students pass their MOUS exams, and Missouri schools can use part of a $20 million grant for equipment, software and training to augment the MOUS program.\nMaking the Most of Missouri’s Investment in Technology\nAccording to Jan Bodeux-Boomer, Microsoft education account representative for Missouri, Microsoft and Nivo International saw the potential for integrating the MOUS program with a statewide effort to raise the level of computer skills in the schools. The two companies had been looking to invest in a state that could create a blueprint for technology training and set a trend for other states.\n“The Missouri Department of Education was a logical choice,” said Bodeux-Boomer. “It’s a dynamic department – they’re willing to do things out of the ordinary to achieve excellence – and they also had many of the processes in place that would make this initiative successful, such as training and career centers that were already delivering the Microsoft Office curriculum.”\nMissouri focused on rolling out the program to teachers initially for a number of reasons. First, if teachers are proficient in using computers and software, they will be better able to integrate technology into their curriculum. They will also be better able to help both inexperienced and technologically savvy students practice and apply their computer skills.\n“Students can be extremely well-versed in computer technology, but if the teacher isn’t, the equipment won’t get used,” said Boomer. “If teachers don’t integrate the curriculum using computers, students won’t get enough opportunity to practice what they know.”\nAnother incentive for providing teachers the opportunity to get up to speed on technology is that their proficiency will allow them to better utilize the resources in which Missouri has invested and reduce the total cost of ownership for computers and software in the schools.\n“Whenever we’re given a piece of equipment, a new software program, or even just an update, we have to learn how to use it on our own,” said Teri Holmstrom, an adult business instructor at the Columbia Area Career Center. “The Missouri initiative is a wonderful opportunity to get the additional resources we need at no extra cost and get up to speed more quickly so that we can help students better use technology.”\nMissouri is also currently focusing on designing student programs as part of its statewide initiative, which will be introduced at career centers across the state 30 to 60 days after the teacher programs have been implemented. The main incentive, according to Boomer, is to give children the opportunity to acquire the technology skills that are necessary both in higher education and in the job market. In addition, providing students computer skills enables them to focus on content rather than how to use the tools. It also gives them the opportunity to make better use of school assets.\n“The main advantage of this program for high-school students is that they’ll be more marketable in the workforce. The certification proves that they are either at a proficient or expert level using Microsoft Office applications,” said Holmstrom. “Our career center advisory board is made up of business leaders from the community, and they are telling us that these are the applications for which students need to gain proficiency to be competitive in the workforce.”\nInitiative Expected to Gain Momentum Nationwide\nSince the announcement earlier this month, governors in several other states, including Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, have expressed interest in launching similar statewide MOUS initiatives.\nIn Missouri, chief information officers in higher education also have expressed an interest in the program, according to Bodeux-Boomer. Microsoft is also currently working with the Missouri Department of Education to identify other sources of funding to help underwrite the program. In the future, the company would like to focus on underprivileged schools to help students pass the certification exams, which will enable them to secure higher paying jobs.\n“It’s really important for us to be able to train students to be employable,” said Bodeux-Boomer. “These are skills they must have for the workforce or in college, not only for their classes but also for the part-time jobs they hold while they work their way through school. And helping our teachers be more proficient in computer technology will undoubtedly have a positive impact on our kids’ education.”","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1331484"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.833339512348175,"wiki_prob":0.833339512348175,"text":"Brian May Imagined His Own Funeral After Heart Scare\nQueen guitarist Brian May said the outpouring of support after suffering a heart attack took him to an unusual place.\n\"This is going to sound very strange, but I sort of feel like I died, and yet I was able to come to the funeral and see all the tributes and stuff,\" May says in a new video shared with fans. \"I often think that at funerals: All these people come and say these wonderful things about the person that's gone – but you can't hear it ... and so I'm lucky I got to hear it. So, my life is complete. I'm sorry that sounds weird but I don't know, I can't compare it with anything.\"\nIt's been a difficult few weeks for May. The guitarist revealed earlier this month that he injured his gluteus maximus during a session of \"overenthusiastic gardening.\" He added sciatic nerve pain to the list of ailments on Sunday, then disclosed on Monday that he'd also suffered a \"small heart attack.\"\nDoctors said wearing a heavy guitar around his neck may have contributed to the nerve pain, following a lower-back MRI. \"In the middle of the whole saga of the painful backside, I had a small heart attack,\" said in an Instagram post that referenced Queen's 1974 album Sheer Heart Attack. \"I say small, you know, it's not something that did me any harm. It was about 40 minutes of pain in the chest, and tightness, and that feeling in the arms, and sweating.\"\nMay ultimately opted against open-heart surgery. Doctors instead implanted three stents in an effort to maintain proper blood flow.\n\"I'm taking it easy and taking all the right things and do the physio and all the rest of it,\" May said in his latest message to fans. \"So, I'm gonna be fully functional pretty soon. But thank you, thank you, thank you – that's all I can say – for the fantastic fantastic amount of love you give me.\"\nSource: Brian May Imagined His Own Funeral After Heart Scare","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line992085"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5409833192825317,"wiki_prob":0.45901668071746826,"text":"« Pow! Zap! Comics Aren't Just For Adults Anymore! | Main | Red in Tooth and Claw »\nPeter Bagge takes on the art world in his online comic for Reason, in terms that will make even the most resilient reader check for the traces of spittle flecked across their face:\n95% of what they're hyping is pure crap, yet if you dare to say as much out loud you'll be looked upon as a clueless philistine!\nAnd perhaps you should be, if you can't say it any better than this petulant swipe at an easy yet poorly-observed target.\nI have to say at the outset, I should be a much easier sell for this sort of thing. I typically don't care for minimalists or conceptualists or most of the more famous performance and installation artists (to overgeneralize terribly). I find nothing more depressing than that inevitable moment when, upon visiting one of those great museums organized along the old and increasingly rare chronological model, my tour leads me from gallery upon gallery of astonishing Dadaists and Vorticists and cubists and surrealists and pop artists into a room full of dull beige slabs or a few knotted metal cables.\nI'm more than willing to entertain criticisms that conceptualism is a vacant or overvalued or even suffocating direction in contemporary art. But I'd rather that critique be a little more incisive than Bagge's frothing about \"pure crap\" and \"nonsense\" and \"rackets,\" impotent stabs that work only if you presume your audience already agrees with you. Bagge's own subtitle acknowledges that he's belaboring the obvious, but when he criticizes the \"eye-roll inducing self-indulgence\" of performance art he seems not to be aware that these old chestnuts roll about as many eyes. His is the sort of piece in which art critics are bitter, elbow-patched hunchbacks, in which the art-world cognoscenti are at least a little queer (\"Clay, you have a flair for decorating...\"). I was amazed not to see a pair of bongos anywhere.\nIf the piece were only cliched I would have nodded to Johanna Draper Carlson's concise reactions and left it at that, but the criticisms go beyond Bagge's usual formless misanthropy. They're also deeply confused. At one point, Bagge restates Marcel Duchamp's critique of the aestheticizing effect of the art museum while also dismissing his \"Fountain\" as a \"stupid thing\" - and invoking the ghost of Duchamp himself to do it. (Isn't it just possible that the swooning onlookers understand the piece, that they're as in on the joke as Duchamp and Bagge? Why would they fawn if they didn't get it? Do they think it's that great a urinal?)\nBagge also ignores an important element of Duchamp's readymades, their attack on the notion of \"taste\" as the constituent element that separates art from not-art. That attack, of course, refutes many of Bagge's shrill claims; doesn't this artifact, purely conceptual and deliberately tasteless, say something far more significant than do the technically proficient, aesthetically vapid works of the old salons?\nBut, conversely, once Duchamp said it it had already been said, and little of the conceptually-driven art to emerge in his wake has been as witty or as deep. There is a serious question here about how we should evaluate this mode of art and its hold on the art world, but Bagge doesn't ask or answer it. (Neither, so far, has Brian K. Vaughan, who raises the same issue in less histrionic but not especially more nuanced terms over in current issues of Ex Machina.) A more effective dismissal, it seems to me, would engage this kind of art as art, challenge and dismantle it on its own terms.\nBagge also picks some puzzling targets. It's one thing to suggest that peformance artists, installation artists, and everybody's favorite piss-boy Andres Serrano are willfully obtuse, but by the third page his litany of \"unintelligible\" artists includes William Shakespeare. Apparently being produced by the NEA is reason enough to declare him the Yoko Ono of Avon.\nSimilarly, in one of Bagge's most bizarre digressions he takes PBS to task for airing fundraiser-month specials on Fleetwood Mac and the Bee Gees. Obviously he isn't railing against unintelligibility in the arts anymore (nor is it clear why appearing on PBS automatically confers upon Les Freres Gibb the status of high art; I suppose we'll be seeing \"Are You Being Served?\" at the next video installation, then) - he's casting about, looking for reasons why anything that public art agencies do is bad. If they focus on ideas, they're obscurantist; if they tackle political or social subject matter, they're dogmatic and elistist; if they offer the popular art for which Bagge has been clamoring, then they're panderers to boot. (Naturally, Bagge doesn't consider that public television stations might not have to pander to their audience if they received adequate funding in the first place.)\nIf the public sector can't get it right, who then can? Since Bagge's piece appears on Reason's website, it's unsurprising that his answer inevitably boils down to the free market. While he makes some feints towards quality as the ideal arbiter of art, that's one of the grounds on which he persistently refuses to engage the artworks he mentions. He does say, though, Robert Mapplethorpe's photographs were not simply excellent (in his view, I should add) but \"commercially successful,\" as if the two always go hand in hand. He reminds us that Steven Spielberg and Madonna are artists, too, as if their wealth proves that no artist needs support. As Johanna says, \"I'm surprised that a cartoonist whose recent bids for mainstream success (Yeah, Sweatshop) were so roundly rejected would make an argument that popularity says something important about art.\"\nBut even the artistic vision of Kabbalah-worshipping cone-wearers pales before the awesome vistas of the commercial landscape. In his last two panels, Bagge gushes over \"the industrial designs on display in Sony's Tokyo showroom,\" the \"beautiful new cars out on the streets these days\" - a P.T. Cruiser and an Audi coupe - and, just for good measure, a Japanese candy wrapper. I won't disagree that consumer products can be stunningly designed, although even his own examples require the necessary and shallow intercession of hipster irony; I love the corn-syrup surrealism of the \"Furuta\" package that's still sitting somewhere in my belongings, but it won't be displacing Max Ernst anytime soon.\nInstead of educating people about art, Bagge says, \"we should instead be marveling at the countless inspired man-made objects that literally surround us, both inside and outside our own homes.\" It's a free-marketeer's wet dream - all the art you need, in the things you and your neighbors are buying anyway!\nIt's a world aswim in art, but also a world utterly devoid of it. Bagge's gallery of cars and candy wrappers contains no place for content, theme, tone, narrative, emotional affect or social context, no suggestion of humanity's place in relation to itself or the universe save behind a wheel or a wallet. It's a fantasyland without public art; it's also a dystopia with no private access to intellectual stimulation, emotional reach, or aesthetic transport.\nBagge rightly berates contemporary artists and art lovers who undervalue craft and design. But in his zeal he reduces art only to those things, becoming just another variation on the tunnel-visioned critics he despises.\nPosted at 08:13 PM in Comics | Permalink\nurgh. I almost wish I didn't have to revisit Bagge's piece, but you just had to bring it up... ;)\nPosted by: Jon Silpayamanant | August 23, 2004 at 09:20 PM\nWhat I think Bagge should have focused on is the tendency for people to, in effect, want to be told what art is and what it isn't so they don't have to think about it themselves. I think the quotes he uses on page one of the comic were very effective in establishing a sense of absurdity (specifically, the woman who says \"Why is this here? The brochure doesn't explain why this is important\") and detachment from the process of engaging with art and artistic media: it's a shame he then dropped the ball into his weird rant about how grants are bad, Madonna's an artist too, and PT Cruisers and Candy Wrappers deserve more attention. I think there could have been an interesting debate in the idea that art has more or less been stolen from the people due to their own ignorance as to what art is, or what it should be or do... the idea that art is meant as much to challenge your assumptions as it is to 'look pretty' or 'be important' seems to be lost. I don't think slashing the NEA to the bone or putting PT Cruisers (which, I must say, just look like nostalgic messes to me, a hearkening back to a fake vision of American purity and innocence deliberately and cynically leapt upon to sell cars to aging baby boomers who want to go back to the nice safe blanket of their delusional 1950's memories) in our musems will solve a real problem, which is that we as a culture have become unable to recognize that art can be both entertaining *and* challenging, that 'popular' art and 'fine' art do not have to be distinct from each other but that to engage profitably with art you need to be able to determine what it is saying and how it is saying it, that there's a basic lack of facility in 'artistic vocabulary' as it were. Sure, Spielberg's an artist, but how many works of art has he made that do more than pass the time while you're eating popcorn? Not all that many, and of the films he made that *intended* to be capital-A Art, some come off as treacle and pretension. Great art demands attention and calls you on your beliefs, but often the attempt to make great art ends in a soggy mess, while it can be accomplished almost accidentally by an artist who is simply trying to do their best instead of worrying about the 'importance' of the work.\nI may be rambling as much as he did. I do think there's a connection between the artificial definition of art that is liked, that entertains and art that is 'important' and 'groundbreaking' and the inability of some people to make criticial judgments about either effectively. Bagge almost touches upon this with his bit about PBS and Fleetwood Mac, but then he veers away from it: much of PBS's offerings (like, as an example, Are You Being Served) aren't intended to be art at all. They're entertainment, pure and simple, part of the by now entrenched division between the two that only a few works are allowed to surpass any longer. Fleetwood Mac on PBS is essentially comfort food again, just like the PT Cruiser: it's being offered to assure an aging core constituancy that yes, their music is so much better than that of the Brittany Spears' and Linkin Parks of today (and Bagge seems to understand this in the panel itself, if not in its caption) when in fact there is little qualitative difference between them. All three could be examined as art without making an artificial distinction between them based not even on what kind of music they are or what effect they are intended to elicit but entirely on when they were recorded: this is good because you liked it then. Between the false nostalgia that's crept into everything from the design of those cars Bagge loves so much to the music PBS plays that so irritates him and the inability or unwillingness to consider art on its own terms you mention (and, for that matter, to consider the relative merits of art as both an entertainment and a challenge to the assumed maxims of its audience) you end up with the commercial art that is successful being successful because in part it is not even considered to be art at all and the fine art that we are presented being touted as important and yet being marginalized because no one understands how it is important in the first place, since so few people are exposed to the language that it is using to challenge their sacred cows. In essence, by so dramatically cutting back on our arts education, artists have become so specialized that they speak in a language the average viewer of art isn't going to comprehend, which allows for the disconnect between art and its audience. Sure, there are conceptual artists who are frauds putting up dull beige slabs, and they get away with it exactly because to people who have no idea of the rich artistic legacy we've inherited, there's little difference between that and a Pollack or Duchamp's toilet. And cutting the NEA's funding won't address that disconnect as much as expanding people's artistic vocabulary, which would of course cost more money, ultimately.\nPosted by: matt rossi | August 24, 2004 at 12:57 AM\nIs it just me, or does this comics kind of feel liek a Chick tract?\nI kept expecting Satan to show up telling someone he is in hell for not acceting Jesus as his lord.\nPosted by: Peli Grietzer | August 24, 2004 at 04:24 AM\n\"since so few people are exposed to the language that it is using to challenge their sacred cows.\"\nI like that...calls to mind Audhumla, or India, whichever you prefer...\nGood points Matt.\nAnd yeah, it almost felt like a Chick mini. I really have to find the copies I've collected and review them.\nPosted by: Noiseman433 | August 24, 2004 at 04:32 AM\nThis just in: Matt Rossi thinks WAAAAAY too much.\nPosted by: Nathan | August 24, 2004 at 04:01 PM\nYeah, he really does.\nPosted by: matt rossi | August 24, 2004 at 04:23 PM\nFor me, with Bagge, it's not always been, necessarily, what he says, but how he says it that I find amusing. I thought this page was pretty funny, but he didn't do much, if anything, to change my admittedly incomplete and nebulous opinions on fine art. Opinions are like...well, you know what they're like.\nPosted by: Johnny Bacardi | August 24, 2004 at 05:40 PM\nUmm, I like Fleetwood Mac better than Britney Spears and Linkin Park. And I'm 25. Does that mean I'm an idiot?\nPosted by: sifl2 | August 24, 2004 at 09:23 PM\nMatt: I wholeheartedly agree that there's room for a serious examination/critique of contemporary art's complete inscrutability to the public - even to that segment of the public that tries, like Bagge's befuddled brochure woman, to understand it with painful supplication. I don't think that disconnect is something we can blame solely on public ignorance or the high/low divide. Too often, even people who want desperately to understand contemporary art have to approach it first as theory, because otherwise what is there to interpret, let alone appreciate? Something in the art itself courts this.\nI also have to object that the \"frauds\" of contemporary art aren't succeeding because they've hoodwinked a public unschooled in Pollock and Duchamp. The art-literate are their bread and butter. How else could critics and patrons appreciate a Robert Morris slab unless they were able to place it in the context of a late-modernist minimalism that thought every other possibility in the plastic arts had been exhausted? Perhaps this is a somewhat rosy view of the art world - I'm sure there are museums, galleries, and especially schools filled with people who have absolutely no idea about the traditions their art is echoing - but it's certainly true that the critical/theoretical establishment upon which conceptual art absolutely depends is familiar with that tradition. Ignorance isn't to blame for their reception, although perhaps the cloistered and hermetic transmission of that artistic vocabulary does bear some responsibility for art's detachment from the public at large.\nHowever, because Bagge wants to turn this problematic inscrutability into an anti-government, pro-market diatribe, we don't get that conversation (or the entertaining rant version thereof).\nNo, not unless you only like them better because you use them to reassure yourself that the music that was playing when you were a five year old is just better for no other reason than you were five then, and things were better then. It's one thing to actually prefer one artist to another, another to let nostalgia for its own sake be the arbiter of the arts.\nMarc: I think you have a good point about the art-literate lapping up stuff like Robert Morris because there's a grounding in what came before... but I have to wonder how many of them really understand what they're inheriting. Of course, this may be because I have a rather jaundiced view of it, myself. Contemporary art of the conceptual variety often tries too hard to be 'important' or 'provocative' and forgets to be art, I'd be willing to say. Then again, there is the idea that art doesn't have to be nice. To quote from an article on Chris Ofili:\nSeveral weeks ago, New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani announced that the city would cut its funding to the Brooklyn Art Museum unless the museum canceled an upcoming exhibition. Titled Sensation, the show included installations containing animals in formaldehyde and sculptures of people with genitalia replacing their faces. The mayor was particularly offended by The Holy Virgin Mary, a 1996 collage by Chris Ofili, an award-winning British artist, which incorporates elephant feces.\nNow, I find it interesting that Rudy was more offended by a collage of the Virgin Mary with crap on it than formaldehyde corpses. You could argue that Ofili's art therefore succeeded: it challenged the expectations of its audience, it struck at the very heart of its viewers to the point where it became more offensive than corpses floating in formaldehyde, which is usually a relatively hard act to follow on the shock scale for an art museum. (They're lucky they didn't have to see the corpses the way I did duing my summer job as a kid, but I digress). Ofili, howeverm, argues that the elephant dung that so offends Rudy isn't even there to shock at all, it's just there to bring a piece of his African descent into the work. From the BBC:\nDuring his stay in Africa, Ofili began to incorporate lumps of elephant dung into his canvases - both as compositional elements and as supports on which to display his paintings. He says this is a way of - quite literally - incorporating Africa into his work.\nNow, if there's no disrespect intended, and yet it is taken, is this a measure of the success of the art? Is it just that Rudy Guliani doesn't know what art is? Is it that 'cloistered and hermetic transmission of that artistic vocabulary' (great phrase, by the way, I'm stealing that) to blame here? I'm not sure. I think it may be a combination of these factors, perhaps even more that I'm missing. But it does interest me to consider that you may have a situation where both the artistic establishment and its opponents are viewing a work of art completely divorced from the artist's intentions and reading into it what they bring along. Whether or not Bagge was doing likewise with his rant, or I am with these comments, I guess it's worth considering.\nalthough perhaps the cloistered and hermetic transmission of that artistic vocabulary does bear some responsibility for art's detachment from the public at large.\nHowever, because Bagge wants to turn this problematic inscrutability into an anti-government, pro-market diatribe, we don't get that conversation\nExcept that perhaps art's divorcing itself from the market through government funding means that art can stay detached from the public at large. By making art funding independent of private donations and admission from paying customers, there's no incentive to educate the public in artistic vocabulary.\nWhat you have is the worst of both worlds where a genre the public doesn't enjoy is funded but it's not even a pure expression of that genre due to fear of providing fodder for demagoguing politicians.\nPosted by: Captain Spaulding | August 26, 2004 at 12:05 AM\nSpaulding sez: \"By making art funding independent of private donations and admission from paying customers, there's no incentive to educate the public in artistic vocabulary.\"\nAgain, a lack of general education in artistic vocabulary is not what's hurting the arts - it is, I believe, the artists' propensity for operating at a conceptual, theoretical register most accessible to those already in the know. Government funding, what little there is, has not made the plastic arts more insular; that's a direction they've been taking since at least the 1950s (in America), if not the 1920s, the 1910s, the whole of the twentieth century.\nIt's also worth noting that, with the rise of modernism, private patronage also began supporting this hermetic trend, so it's not like throwing the arts to the winds of private financing will magically produce a Renaissance of populist art. Nor would it automatically lead to art education; right now public art funding promotes far more. If you're looking to do something as unprofitable as teach people about the arts, the free market isn't the way to go.\nI think the aesthetic problems that contemporary artists have created for themselves and the political debates over funding the arts are two almost completely separate issues - except when one party or another likes to seize on the former to justify its position on the latter. I think the arts do face a serious challenge in rethinking their relationship with the public, but, to be absolutely clear on this point, I also think ending all public financing and making them even more dependent on private donations and the art market would do fuck all to solve their problems. It would, I'm sure, result in lots more Impressionist exhibitions and angry, body-smearing performance artists - that is to say, more pandering from all sides.\nFinally, I would agree with your \"worst of both worlds\" comment, with the caveat that our government funds all sorts of things that some taxpayers do like and some don't. (Personally, I'm more concerned that my dollars have supported the real-life sadomasochistic photocollages of Abu Ghraib - and yes, John Stewart beat me to that joke weeks ago.) But your phrasing seems to suggest that a) the NEA does nothing but fund offensive or unpopular art, and b) the public uniformly disapproves, neither of which are true.\nAgain, a lack of general education in artistic vocabulary is not what's hurting the arts - it is, I believe, the artists' propensity for operating at a conceptual, theoretical register most accessible to those already in the know.\nMy point is that if the artist's income were dependent on reaching the public, they would potentially have to either make their art accessible to those outside the know or educate to make more people in the know. Or alternately those in the know would have to pay more for their insular art. Putting government money in the mix arguably distorts that from happening.\nWhy does the insular genre of contemporary art deserve government backing and not the insular genre of superhero comic books (It's for the children!)?\nBut your phrasing seems to suggest that a) the NEA does nothing but fund offensive or unpopular art\nThis is where Bagge's citing of Mapplethorpe comes in. Art is either a)popular in which case it doesn't need government funding or b)unpopular in which case perhaps it's not fair to ask people to essentially prop it up by gunpoint. Now obviously there's a wide spectrum of popularity but then we come back to the question of why that guy's sort-of-popular-but-perhaps-not-enough-to-fully-support-it-without-compromise-or-a-dayjob genre gets government support and someone else's doesn't.\nPosted by: Captain Spaulding | August 26, 2004 at 04:35 PM\nYour speculations about what would happen if the arts could no longer draw upon public funding - and I think you vastly overestimate just how many artists currently do - all presume that a total free-market dependency would Darwinistically force art to become more comprehensible to the general public.\nYet your own example of a completely non-supported niche genre, superhero comics, suggests that's the last thing that would happen. Instead you'd likely produce a more self-referential, inscrutable genre balanced precariously upon the backs of its dwindling patronage. And that would be no mean feat, because that's exactly what we've got now in an art world that's already far more dependent on private support than on government grants. Maybe Bagge should be blaming those private patrons, the Saatchis et al, who have foisted more pig-cutting formaldehyde artists on us than the NEA could ever dream of.\nBut no, that would be impossible - Charles Saatchi made his money advertising all those consumer products that so enrich our aesthetic landscape. The government must be to blame, somehow.\nYour speculations about what would happen if the arts could no longer draw upon public funding [...] all presume that a total free-market dependency would Darwinistically force art to become more comprehensible to the general public.\nThat's only true if you ignore the part where I say \"Or alternately those in the know would have to pay more for their insular art.\" If the art world stays insular but those in the clique have to pay more to support it, I don't see that as a bad thing (or no more a bad thing than comic book companies having to charge $3 for less popular comic books). If there's enough people that enjoy the status quo of art to support it, great. If it collapses due to an ever-shrinking audience, I again don't see why government needs to intervene (or why it gets precedence over stuff I like that's not terribly popular). If Charles Saatchi wants to buy pig-cutting formaldehyde art, well, he worked for his dough and he's entitled. Plus there's the added advantage that the art community can tell Mayor Tommy Shanks or Senator Claghorn to go screw themselves when they hold press conferences about \"offensive\" works of art.\nLets consider the less controversial works of the NEA so it's not just a referndum on the art community. If the audience for a city's symnphony, ballet company, opera house or Shakespeare troupe isn't big enough to keep it afloat, why should tax dollars be given to it? Again, why not government support for Broadway or Laurel and Hardy screenings?\nIf the audience for a city's symnphony, ballet company, opera house or Shakespeare troupe isn't big enough to keep it afloat, why should tax dollars be given to it?\nTo insure that all citizens have equal access to something that improves the city's quality of life and its educational climate? (And, incidentally, makes the city more attractive to the types of highly-skilled workers and businesses that cities like.) Some institutions - schools, libraries, and museums among them - require more support than we can reasonably expect most individual citizens to afford. Total privatization means denial of access.\nAs for Broadway or Laurel and Hardy screenings, why not support them? Indeed, plenty of cities already do, with summer movie screenings and the like. The local governments aren't doing it to subsidize the movie industry, they're doing it to serve their citizens.\nI'm glad you shifted to considering other, uncontroversial grants, though, as any mention of Mapplethorpe or Andres Serrano tends to cloud the issue. In fact, you've reminded me that I wanted to point out that Mapplethorpe, for all that he gets metonymized as Mr. NEA Funding For Obscene Art, wasn't being funded by the NEA. Museums that used NEA grants to fund a traveling exhibition of his work sparked the controversy. Those grants were never about funding the art (sadly, Mapplethorpe was already dead when the controversy peaked), they were about making the art available to people outside Manhattan and the art market, people who otherwise would never see it.\nAs for Mr. Saatchi, remember, I only brought him up as an example of how private patronage actually produces much of inaccessible art you've suggested it might eliminate through the magic of the free market. And, again, if Bagge is really worked up about artistic standards rather than government funding, why doesn't he take the private art market's tastes to task? The fact that his strip appears in Reason probably answers that question. Public support for the arts - which can come through tax deductions, higher education subsidies or artist employment as well as direct funding - might actually lead to more accessibility rather than less.\nBut I've said all this before, and have little desire to repeat it a third or fourth time. Rather than continue this duet, does anyone else care to join in?\nTo insure that all citizens have equal access to something that improves the city's quality of life and its educational climate?\nExcept if NEA-funded ballets and symphonies are charging around fifty bucks a ticket like Bagge claims (I haven't priced either so I'm taking his word) then the charge that the NEA is subsidized entertainment for the rich is perhaps not an illegitimate one? One could argue that a purchase of CDs, videotapes, and DVDs of operas, symphonies, Shakespeare performances, etc. to the city's library system would provide more access at a fraction of the cost.\nif Bagge is really worked up about artistic standards rather than government funding, why doesn't he take the private art market's tastes to task?\nBecause the private art market is, by defintion, customers who want the stuff and consists of voluntary transactions. Like I said, if there's enough support in the private market to keep things as is, then they should enjoy.\nPublic support for the arts - which can come through tax deductions, higher education subsidies or artist employment as well as direct funding - might actually lead to more accessibility rather than less.\nDo you want government in the business of determining what is and isn't good art or accessible art?\nA few points: should we also get rid of the National Endowment for the Humanities? Many of the writers I know dream of an NEH grant. It would make it possible to quit that job at the liquor store/meat packing plant/supermarket and actually sit down and write something. One thing public patronage of the art does is rescue artists: unless we're willing to admit that artists need time to create art, and it may be in the public interest to make the creation of art possible, we're just going to keep circling the issue here. Both the NEA and NEH are miniscule in their tax drain. You'd save more money if Halliburton wasn't allowed to overcharge us for gas in Iraq.\nWhen i first mentioned the trend of people not being conversant in artistic 'language' and so being easily confused or led (think of it as 'the artist has no clothes') I wasn't thinking about the NEA at all, because I was remembering my Grad School experience. My teachers all basically told me that the only reason to get an MFA was, basically, to teach writing. How many of these students were going to go on to get publicaion? How many of them were going to be able to pay for their chosen career by participation in it? The visual arts have a similar issue. Unless you're one of the lucky few who can get a wealthy patron to exert pressure on galleries (and this usually leads to the aforementioned 'hermetic transmission' issue, where the rich and of course 'enlightened' class of upper-class patrons look down their nose at most of art and select only those works that appeal to their own particular artistic ethos, which has been the ever broader and shallower class of 'conceptual' art over the past 30 years, the very trend Bagge was originally discussing) you're more or less shit out of luck. Now, I think I understand Captain Spaulding's point that being divorced from having to make a profit allows the arts to drift along this path to irrelevancy, but as Marc points out letting upper-class elites (and hell, they're probably snooty liberals, too :) pay for everything is creating The Land Of The Lost in the arts, where lumbering dinosaurs and hideous sleestaks stalk unfettered by the idea that any of this stuff should ever branch out of those valley walls. Based on how hard it is to GET an NEA grant and how few are actually given out, I doubt cutting off that trickle would make much of a difference, but cutting down the NEA at this point might well mean the death of the museum in America. (Okay, that might be hyperbole, but I don't think it's by much.) Personally, I think we need to keep them up and running.\nAnd as another commentator pointed out, it's interesting to hear this argument from Bagge of all people, whose recent attempt at mainstream success tanked. But let's consider the idea: what effect on art would there be if you removed public funding for art? I think Marc is dead on that the darlings of the patrons would continue on as they are, producing insular works that they can all sit around and jabber excitedly about while the rest of us would be staring into catalogues looking for a breadcrumb of understanding. \"It doesn't say why this is important\" comes ringing into my ears. Furthermore, we'd basically be turning our museums and galleries entirely over to the mercy of these self-same rich patrons.\nIn short, it's deregulation writ large. It didn't work for power in California and it wouldn't work here, unless you want to see a few wealthy folks with total control over not only what fine art is produced but even the few places it can be publicly displayed. Taken to its logical extreme, the end result of Bagge's argument is that we proles can be contented with our candy wrappers, PT Cruisers (which we might not be able to afford, but hey, we can look at them) and Fleetwood Mac, while the elect few can sample the good stuff in their privately run museums, made even more incomprehensible by a total divorce from the concerns and issues of the comman man or woman. Art that is entirely about art and the artistic process.\nWhich it would, unless it has the consequence of preventing any future performances of operas, symphonies and Shakespeare performances. The NEA doesn't give these agencies very much money at all: across the country, they're barely hanging on. Now, I understand the argument that if they're not making a lot of money, then that's fine and they should fail. But I can't really go along with it. If nothing else, it will lead to the cultural impoverishment of those popular artists who do make money (many of whom would freely admit that they gained the facility to do so via exposure to all kinds of art forms, including experimental ones and ones such as symphonies that help keep older traditions alive for the future) and could well leave us without sources for creativity. I'm very leery of applying Darwinian natural selection to the arts in the same manner that I'm leery of applying it to our schools: it seems to have led to shittier and shittier schools for the public and more and more vouchers for a wealthy few. I don't want that to be the case, and I don't want it to be the case for art, either.\nIs there a reason the Government couldn't simply give a tax break to someone who works as a creative artist in order to encourage the production of art without making a qualitative determination? Tax breaks and education subsidies do not have to make any sort of determination as to what is and what isn't good or accessible art. Giving a tax break to a museum or a college for its arts programs is as simple or complex a process as we make it: if the government chooses to make it about how good or accesible the art is, that doesn't immediately invalidate the idea of support.\nThat's it for me for now. I'll try and come back later.\nAnd as another commentator pointed out, it's interesting to hear this argument from Bagge of all people, whose recent attempt at mainstream success tanked.\nLike I said on my blog, referring to Bagge's failed projects is an irrelevant cheap shot because Bagge is not asking for government support for his comic books. Bagge to support his less popular stuff does work that's perhaps not his first choice (like his Spider-Man comic or his Batboy comic strip in Weekly World News). Similarly artists can either, on occassion, \"sell out\" and do something that they don't love but will sell or they can take day jobs.\nMe:Do you want government in the business of determining what is and isn't good art or accessible art?\nMatt:Is there a reason the Government couldn't simply give a tax break to someone who works as a creative artist in order to encourage the production of art without making a qualitative determination?\nMarc was using tax breaks, etc. as a method to make art accessible. I have no problem necessarily of non-qualitive determination but then it doesn't solve the acessible problem. Again, I'm not sure \"accessible\" is a problem government needs to solve or that we want them to solve for the \"do you want government making that decision\" reason I gave.\nPerhaps more later (or perhaps not).\nLike I said on my blog, referring to Bagge's failed projects is an irrelevant cheap shot because Bagge is not asking for government support for his comic books.\nWhile it's certainly a cheap shot (and barely much of the substance of what I said) it's not irrelevant. Bagge's entire comic was nothing more than a series of cheap shots: from his summoning of the shade of Duchamp to mock his original conceptual art to his accusations of cheap hackery at Shakespeare, Bagge delights in taking cheap shots: it seems disingenuous to leap to his defense over one. If Bagge's attack on the art establishment is in fact entirely rooted in the fact that it takes government money, he should make that point seperate from whether or not it's any good: he was too busy to use anything but invective to make that point.\nBut yeah, it's a cheap shot. After reading that thing, I felt like meat on a hook in a Stallone movie, so I gave one back. And a borrowed one, at that. I should have been more direct about it.\nWell, as I pointed out, I don't see any reason we therefore have to go the deregulation approach. Why can't we have both private and public support for the arts? Is art that irrelevant than we can't see the two means of funding co-exist, or is it just a case that we should ideologically not let the government do anything? Right now they have bombs they could kill us all with, and we trust them with those... while I certainly wouldn't want them to have anything like total control of the artistic world or the ability to approve or deny the creation of art (the way Rudy Giuliana threatened to pull public support for a museum that put up a painting he didn't like... one that was pre-existent and had no means to shock, no less) I don't see why we can't have the NEA out there making some grants to people while other people make money in other ways, thus establishing multiple channels of accessibility. What I'd like to see is more money for education on multiple levels, allowing more people to gain mental accessibility to the techniques and intentions of art. RIght now, we let government make the decisions on what we teach our kids (local and state, not federal) and maybe we need to go look at how good a job they're doing.\nI'm surprised no one has mentioned corporate support for the arts. Corporate sponsorship rarely happens unless the donation can be writen off, and that is usually not the case unless the arts organization has 501c non-profit status. Hell, a number of grants work this way as well. And usually, how non-profit status is gained for an organization depends on how much the organization actually interacts with the community (usually local). I think too much is being made of having dichotomized the types of sponsorship of artistic organizations or the arts. I know that in Indiana, most of the state grants for the arts require some sort of community \"outreach\" program from the artists/arts organization to the local community. It doesn't seem to me that grants are given \"for nothing\" (or merely on \"artistic\" merit)--or at least they shouldn't be given for purely these reasons--that the artist or organization must give back something in return--something other than mere artistic production.\nSure, private patronage doesn't require this at all, but I think cutting funding at the governmental level (whether local or federal) will just exacerbate things even further.\nPosted by: Noiseman433 | August 27, 2004 at 07:51 PM\nA few not-so-quick points:\n1. Spaulding, in response to my question of why Bagge doesn't criticize private art patrons for the effect their funding decisions have on art the way he does the NEA, says, \"Because the private art market is, by defintion, customers who want the stuff and consists of voluntary transactions.\"\nRemember, Bagge spends the first two pages of his four-page strip (and much of the last two) criticizing the contemporary arts themselves, not just public funding. His strip leaves the impression that the arts' predominantly conceptual bent is the result of government support through grants and universities, that \"the common people\" don't like it and wouldn't support it. He doesn't consider that private support for the arts outpaces federal funding by an order of magnitude. So, if Bagge doesn't like current directions in the arts, why doesn't he criticize the private donors and buyers who support those directions far more than the government does - criticize them not on fiscal grounds, but simply on matters of taste?\nThere is no logical reason for assuming that contemporary aesthetics are a product of government funding, but Bagge insinuates just that. Presumably to do otherwise would run against libertarian orthodoxy.\n2. Spaulding: \"Do you want government in the business of determining what is and isn't good art or accessible art?\"\nThis is, of course, not at all what the NEA does - at least, not any moreso than I'm \"determining what is and isn't good literature\" when I decide which books I'm going to teach. Yes, I'm making a value judgment on the various books I consider, as does the NEA on the grants it considers; that doesn't mean we're defining all art or literature or demanding that others follow our judgments. The attempts by Helms and others to gut the NEA in the late 80s and early 90s were far more censorious in this respect than the NEA itself is.\n3. Spaulding and Matt (see, I can share the love!): Johanna's reference to Bagge's own failure to crack the mainstream is neither a cheap shot nor irrelevant. It would be irrelevant if he were talking about popularity only in terms of arts funding, but Bagge also links it to the quality of the art itself. On nearly every page Bagge opposes the good, commercially successful art of the Common Folk to the bad, unpopular art of those Cultural Elites, from his apposite linkage of Mapplethorpe's financial success to his photos' quality, to his final paean to consumer products. Bagge claims popular = good, again in lockstep with libertarian orthodoxy; Johanna and I simply note the implications that absurd formula would have for his own career.\n(Come to think of it, I might just as easily have noted the hypocrisy of Bagge's criticizing conservative and liberal orthodoxies when he's echoing an equally inflexible dogma.)\n4. Noiseman (Jon?), thanks for grounding this discussion in some actual experience with arts funding. One of the serious problems with Bagge's piece - and one the reasons I feel you shouldn't be getting all your information about the arts from it, Spaulding - is that he seriously misrepresents both the extent and the nature of public arts funding.\nTo hear Bagge tell it, you'd think every piece of performance art or furniture art is sponsored by the NEA or some other governmental agency, when private support is in the billions, state and local support of the kind Noiseman describes climbs over a billion, and the NEA's budget is around $100 million. Now Noiseman is also suggesting that these grants are not the elite subsidies Bagge paints them as - they require community involvement as well. As I said yesterday, public arts funding serves the public as much as it does the arts.\nWhatever your feelings about government and the arts, Bagge's piece is deeply confused, disingenuous rant (and it doesn't even have the decency to be funny - haw haw that art is actually a giant TURD!). It makes for a poor authority.\nMarc:\nHaving read Joanna's piece, I'd say it wasn't a cheap shot when she used it, but I do believe it probably was when I did: it didn't have anything to do with my argument and was just a jab at the man, when I did better later in the post.\nYeah, sorry Marc--that was me. I think the first time I posted a comment at your blog I did so as Noiseman433 and I just forgot to unclick the remember personal info box or something.\nHaving done some work on different sides of the funding issue I think has helped me to see it as something more than just being \"free money\"--and since I'm currently on the look-out for some grant monies myself I've had to consider what type of \"outreach\" I would be capable or even willing to do to secure particular grant monies.\nI had just skimmed the NEA page and there are definately requirements, albeit-rather vague ones, concerning the outcome of a grant proposal that has nothing to do with the actual product itself. This is also where the issue of being a good grant-writer is a more important skill than actually having, say, a project with a high degree of local or national (whatever those mean) social relevance. but anyway...\nPosted by: Jon Silpayamanant | September 06, 2004 at 12:00 AM","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1466494"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.710300087928772,"wiki_prob":0.710300087928772,"text":"← Marilyn Will Give Book Review\nGarth Brooks and The Knights →\nThe Lyman and Manson Family\nI lived three blocks down the street from the Lyman Family who took over about twelve houses on Fort Hill. My niece, Drew Benton shares the same DNA with Jessie Benton and Mel’s child by Jessie. Quentin Taranteno could have had a fictional showdown in Roxbury, with the Lyman Family, but he didn’t. He will have to pay me for this opportunity.\nTwo female members of The Process Church came to visit me in our Roxbury commune. One became my lover. The other I saved from the Mafia. This is the real deal – not Hollywood! This authentic drama called for a foreign film director.\nI talked to Paul Williams when I went up to the fort during the first snow. He approached me and asked me what I doing there. I had on my black cape. He told me he was a guard. He said he was.\n“Do you carry a gun?”\nPaul showed me a small pistol. He may have made his break after out long talk. These were extremely interesting times. There were a lot of gutsy people who wanted their experiences. Every day was a movie! Terantino swooped down and picked up some cash and more fame. We dropped out of that trap. We went to the Lyman house to pick up food in our Food Conspiracy where hippies went into the produce market at five in the morning and bought wholesale. We should have been backed my the government. I just saw a report where twenty-five million Americans got hurt last year by misusing alcohol.\nThen there was the shoe factory we lived in. I lucked out! To wake up and find a beautiful young woman standing at the foot of your bed wearing a blue cape, was heavenly. In five minutes she climbs into my bed.\nhttps://rosamondpress.com/2013/06/30/boston-art-colony/\nhttp://www.youmustrememberthispodcast.com/episodes/tag/Michaelangelo+Antonioni\nOnce the crimes of Charles Manson came to light, the media brought new focus to The Lyman Family. Fairly or not, comparisons were increasingly drawn between the two communities. Jim Kweskin joked cryptically with the press, “The only difference between us and the Manson Family is that we don’t go around preaching peace and love… and haven’t killed anyone yet.” He was kidding, but a lot of people took the quote at face value. The Lyman camp had an aberrant attitude about Manson. Lynette Fromme progressed from a regular on The Lawrence Welk Show to an extended stay at Fort Hill followed by a westward jaunt to join the Spahn Ranch. Lyman Family member Faith Franckenstein remarked that it did not matter whether Charles Manson was innocent or guilty as “He made a gesture against all the things we do not believe in.”\nDavid Felton was a writer at Rolling Stone when he was granted exclusive access to the Lyman world. He was the first member of the media allowed to report on their private affairs. He quickly became the last. Lyman did not expect Fort Hill’s movements to be portrayed as abnormal. People outside Fort Hill were shocked by what they read. Felton learned about “The Vault,” a walled-in area, devoid of light, deep within the Lyman bunker where family members that were “having problems” could be placed. There, the struggling or dissenting family member could “learn about oneself.” Felton observed a climate of paranoia in which the Fort Hill community believed all outsiders were determined to destroy their God. The bizarre portrait told of a mechanic that had his life threatened by a Lyman disciple after he fixed Mel’s Volkswagen in a less than satisfactory manner. Felton observed “bulletins” sent down by Lyman, sets of “remarkably specific” rules, regulating diet, sleeping habits and hygiene. One such Lyman pronouncement was quoted: “To bathe less than once [but] more than twice a week is sick.”\nThis blog – is king! Everyone must come to – the king – eventually. The game of Bohemian Thrones is the oldest game in the Western World.\nhttps://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/news/keanu-reeves-among-hollywood-stars-to-condemn-alt-right-attack-on-italian-film-group/ar-AADEkFq?ocid=spartandhp\nhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mel_Lyman\nhttps://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/the-lyman-familys-holy-siege-of-america-235776/\nhttps://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/05/06/my-childhood-in-a-cult\nhttps://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2011/03/the-mel-lyman-personality-cult-revisited.html\nProcess Church of Final Judgement\nPosted on August 4, 2013 by Royal Rosamond Press\nDarcy told me she wanted to get away from her boyfriend who was at the top of the Boston Process. He had a hold on her, was playing mind games, and was trying to control her. Being a follower of Meher Baba who looked down on cults, I helped her break the chain. Darcy’s mother was very grateful when I cme to her house with her daughter who had become distant.\nNow Michelle was in deep trouble. She and her boyfriend had come to live in our commune James Harkins and I founded and sustained. One day she pointed out a guy sitting in a car across the street.\n“He’s Mafia. He wants to give us money to help him find our friend who became his lover. She stole a belt with a code in it for box cars containing drug shipments. She took it thinking it would buy her freedom from him. He is very abusive. He wants her and the belt back. We are thinking of taking the money and run.”\n“Do not take Mob money – period! If you do, they believe they own you. They will find you and dispose you.”\n“Can you go talk to him?”\nI was fearless in those day. I was a dead-an walking. I was Strider from the Lord of the Rings in my black cape. I was a Ranger. I went downstairs, walked up to the car, and said;\n“Michelle wants to talk to you.”\nWhere? When?”\nThere’s a bar around the corner. Will an hour from now do?”\nI wanted to prepare Michelle, put a white light of protection around her. Playing at playing with Satan, was over. Time to wake up.\nThe Process Church of The Final Judgment\nThe Process, or in full, The Process Church of the Final Judgment, commonly known by non-members as the Process Church, was a religious group that flourished in the 1960s and 1970s, founded by the English couple Mary Anne and Robert DeGrimston (originally Robert Moor and Mary Anne MacLean).[1] Originally headquartered in London, it had developed as a splinter group from Scientology,[1] so that they were declared “suppressive persons” by L. Ron Hubbard in December 1965.[2] In 1966, members of the group underwent a social implosion and moved to Xtul on Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, where they developed “processean” theology (which differs from, and is unrelated to process theology). They later established a base of operations in the United States in New Orleans.[2]\nLyman grew up in California and Oregon. As a young man, according to the music newsletter The Broadside of Boston, he spent a number of years traveling the country and learning harmonica and banjo from such musicians as Brother Percy Randolph and Obray Ramsey.[2][3]\nDuring a period in the early 1960s, Lyman lived in New York City, where he associated with other artists, filmmakers, musicians and writers. He was a friend of underground filmmaker Jonas Mekas, which led to the studios of Andy Warhol and Bruce Conner. He learned the art of filmmaking from Conner and made some films with him.[3]\nMusician[edit]\n“ Mel Lyman played harmonica like no one under the sun / Mel Lyman didn’t just play harmonica, he was one. – Landis MacKellar[4] ”\nIn 1963 Lyman joined Jim Kweskin’s Boston-based jug band as a banjo and harmonica player. Lyman, once called “the Grand Old Man of the ‘blues’ harmonica in his mid-twenties”,[5] is remembered in folk music circles for playing a 20-minute improvisation on the traditional hymn “Rock of Ages” at the end of the 1965 Newport Folk Festival to the riled crowd streaming out after Bob Dylan’s famous appearance with an electric band. Some felt that Lyman, primarily an acoustic musician, was delivering a wordless counterargument to Dylan’s new-found rock direction. Irwin Silber, editor of Sing Out Magazine, wrote that Lyman’s “mournful and lonesome harmonica” provided “the most optimistic note of the evening”.[6]\nIn 1966, supported and funded by Mekas, Lyman published his first book, Autobiography of a World Savior, which set out to reformulate spiritual truths and occult history in a new way. In 1971, Lyman published Mirror at the End of the Road, derived from letters he wrote during his formative years, starting in 1958 from his initial attempts to learn and become a musician, through the early 1960s as his life widened and deepened musically and personally. The last entries are from 1966 which simply express the profound joys and deepest losses which defined and gave his life direction and meaning in the years ahead. The key to the book and the life he lived afterwards are stated simply in the dedication at the beginning “To Judy[7] who made me live with a broken heart”.[8]\nThe Lyman Family[edit]\nThe Fort Hill Community\nIt was his relationship with Judy Silver that brought him to Boston in 1963. Again, Lyman became acquainted with many artists and musicians in the vibrant Boston scene, including Timothy Leary‘s group of LSD enthusiasts, International Foundation for Internal Freedom (IFIF). Lyman was involved for a very short time and, against his wishes, so was Judy. Knowing LSD’s power, he felt she was not ready but stated “the bastards at IFIF gave her acid … I told her not to take it. I knew her head couldn’t take it.” Lyman’s fears turned out to be justified and she left college and returned to her parents in Kansas. According to one of the anonymous sources interviewed by David Felton for Rolling Stone, “Judy got all fucked up – this is his second old lady – I mean like she got really twisted. I don’t know if it was the acid or the scene or whatever, but she split. She went back to Kansas. She was totally out of the picture by the summer of 1963. Judy is probably the most important thing in Mel’s life. He worshipped Judy, really loved her. Then she split, you know? She couldn’t help it, she was totally freaked out. They took her away.”[9] Lyman was by all accounts very charismatic and later, after Judy had left, a community or family naturally tended to grow up around him. At some point thereafter Lyman began to view himself as destined for a role as a spiritual force and leader.\nIn 1966, Lyman founded and headed The Lyman Family, also known as The Fort Hill Community, centered in a few houses in the Fort Hill section of Roxbury, then a poor neighborhood of Boston. The Fort Hill Community, to observers in the mid-to-late Sixties, combined some of the outward forms of an urban hippie commune with a neo-transcendentalist[10] socio-spiritual structure centered on Lyman, the friends he had attracted and the large body of his music and writings. Members of Lyman’s Community briefly included the young couple Mark Frechette and Daria Halprin, two non-actors who had been discovered and cast by Italian director Michelangelo Antonioni for the lead roles in his second English-language feature, the 1970 film Zabriskie Point. Michael Kindman, founder of the East Lansing underground newspaper The Paper, briefly worked on Avatar and remained with the group for five years. He later wrote of his experiences in his book My Odyssey Through the Underground Press.[11] Journalist and poet Paul Williams, founder of Crawdaddy rock magazine and author of Das Energi, spent a few months on Fort Hill. He told David Felton he had had to escape under cover of darkness after being told he would not be allowed to leave.[9][12]\nAlthough Lyman and the Family shared some attributes with the hippies – prior experimenting with LSD and marijuana and Lyman’s cosmic millennialism – they were not actually hippies; in fact, the ethos of the community was virulently anti-hippie. Female members dressed and behaved conservatively and male members wore their hair relatively short by the standards of the era. According to both Felton and Kindman, Lyman discouraged sexual activity and at least once ordered a pregnant member to get an abortion. Couples were discouraged from spending private time together. Women were expected to be obedient and serve in domestic capacities only, while men were expected to dominate and control them. Members turned over whatever money they had to the Family. Funds were used to purchase houses in the Fort Hill area for members to live in, construction tools and vehicles along with sound and video recording equipment for Lyman’s use. The community’s primary activity was construction and remodeling work. The foremost goal was to provide a supportive environment for Lyman to do his creative work.\nAccording to both Felton and Kindman, a macho, bullying ethic prevailed and guns were frequently brandished. Lyman seemed to believe that one could only be truly creative when one was “real” or “awake” – defined in practice as experiencing intense pain or anger – and that fear and cowardice caused one to remain “asleep” or even to die. People were subjected to rigid discipline and highly structured lives.[13]\nBy the Spring of 1967 the Fort Hill Community had become an established presence in Boston and it, along with members of the wider community in greater Boston and Cambridge, came together to create and publish the underground newspaper Avatar. It contained local news, political and cultural essays, commentary and more personal contributions, writing and photography, from various members of the Fort Hill Community including Lyman. Throughout the first year of its existence it created what became a national audience and many more people visited Fort Hill at that time, some eventually staying and becoming part of the community.\nRather than the gentle and collectivist hippie ethic in other underground publications of the time, Lyman’s writing in Avatar espoused a philosophy that contained, to some readers of the time, strong currents of megalomania and nihilism and to others a powerful alternative voice to the prevailing ethos.[14]\nI am going to reduce everything that stands to rubble\nand then I am going to burn the rubble\nand then I am going to scatter the ashes\nand then maybe SOMEONE will be able to see SOMETHING as it really is\n—  Mel Lyman\nAfter working very intensely on each issue, in the Spring of 1968 the Family gained complete editorial control of Avatar for the final issue of the paper. Later they founded their own magazine, American Avatar which continued the editorial directions of the newspaper. Lyman’s writings in these publications brought increased visibility and public reaction both pro and con. His writings, along with others in the publications, could be poetic, philosophical, humorous and confrontational, sometimes simultaneously, as Lyman at various times claimed to be: the living embodiment of Truth, the greatest man in the world, Jesus Christ, and an alien entity sent to Earth in human form by extraterrestrials. Such pronouncements were typically delivered with extreme fervor and liberal use of ALL CAPS.\nPost-Manson Family[edit]\nOn The Dick Cavett Show in 1970, Mark Frechette said Lyman’s group was not a commune: “It’s a ‘community’, but the purpose of the community is not communal living. … The community is for one purpose, and that’s to serve Mel Lyman, who is the leader and the founder of that community.”[16]\nIn 1971, Rolling Stone magazine published an extensive cover exposé on the Family by associate editor David Felton. The Rolling Stone report described an authoritarian and dysfunctional environment, including an elite “Karma Squad” of ultra-loyalists to enforce Lyman’s discipline, the Family’s predilection for astrology, and isolation rooms for disobedient Family members. Family members disputed these reports, but ex-members corroborated much of them, especially Michael Kindman in My Odyssey Through the Underground Press.[11]\nThe only difference between us and the Manson Family is that we don’t go around preaching peace and love and we haven’t killed anyone, yet. – Jim Kweskin (perhaps in jest)[9]\nThe Rolling Stone article appeared less than two years after the arrest of Charles Manson and members of the Manson Family for several murders. Lyman seemed to share some traits in common with Manson, which raised the Family’s profile and, whether fairly or not, established Lyman in the public mind as a bizarre and possibly dangerous person.\nIn 1973, members of the Family, including Frechette, staged a bank robbery. One member of the Family was killed by police, and Frechette, sentenced to prison, died in a weightlifting accident in jail in 1975.[17]\nUnlike the Manson Family, Lyman’s did not explode in a dramatic denouement. Rather, the Family took a lower profile and carried on, quietly building on the relationships formed in the turbulent early years.\nGrowing up in The Family[edit]\nAnother description of life in the Lyman Family comes from actress and screenwriter Guinevere Turner who spent her first eleven years (1968-1979) in the family, being expelled after her mother (who lived apart from her) ran away from the Family. According to Turner, by 1968 there were a hundred adults and sixty children in the family living “under the reign” of Lyman,” a charismatic, complicated leader”. They were taught that “World People”, all those outside the family, were soulless, and had as little contact with them as possible lest they have their souls sucked away. Doctors were called only in emergencies like losing a finger or being scalded by water. The family had compounds in Kansas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Boston, and Martha’s Vineyard, each with a house for Adults and one for children. Children were home schooled. While Turner had fond memories of camaraderie among the children, she describes punishment for children as severe, including “being locked in a closet for a whole day, or being deprived of food, or being beaten while everyone else was brought out to watch, or being the object of shunning, when no one was allowed to look at you or talk to you for days.”[12]\nTurner states that around the age of thirteen and fourteen, girls were often “chosen” by one of the adult men of the family: “They called it marriage, though there was no ceremony or anything official.” At least one girl Guinevere knew who had been chosen by Mel cried at the prospect of her marriage and said “that she didn’t want to have sex with Lyman but knew that soon she would have to”.[12] Another unusual belief of the Family was that “the world would end on January 5, 1974. On that date, Mel Lyman told us, we would be taken away to Venus. As the day approached, we children were told to put out our favorite clothes and pick one toy to bring on the journey. We sat in the living room all night, listening for the hum of the U.F.O.s.” When the prophecy failed, Lyman told the group that it was because their souls weren’t ready, which “ruined things for Mel, whose soul was exactly where it needed to be.”[12]\nWhen she became an adult, Turner was invited to return to the Family and spent several days visiting them before going away to college. She relates feeling “a surge of love and belonging” in the compound before being alienated by the traditional gender roles, men sitting and talking in the living room while women served them, did dishes, and got children ready for bed.[12]\n1 Response to The Lyman and Manson Family\nI will be posting more on the Bohemian Gangster Clubs of Berlin to show the paralells of Hip Culture.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1066047"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6143900156021118,"wiki_prob":0.3856099843978882,"text":"#5 in Christian persecution, Pakistan\nSecond-class citizens and blasphemy laws In 1947, the year of the country’s independence, the situation for Christians became more complicated as Pakistan officially became a Muslim state. All Christians suffer from institutionalized discrimination, illustrated by the fact that occupations seen as low, dirty and derogatory are reserved for Christians by the authorities. Many Christians are poor and some are victims of bonded labor. There are middle-class Christians as well, but this does not save them from being marginalized or persecuted. Historic churches (like Anglican or Roman Catholic churches) have relative freedom for worship, but they are heavily monitored, and extremists regularly target them for attacks—the last one occurring in December 2017. Christian churches that are active in outreach and youthwork face more persecution. In general, Christians are regarded as second-class citizens. Also, the country’s anti-blasphemy laws are disproportionately applied against the Christian minority—making it difficult and dangerous to live out one’s faith in public. These laws tend to target religious minorities (including Muslim minorities), but affect the Christian minority in particular given their overall percentage of population. Examples from the reporting period In May 2019, a landlord killed a Christian worker because he dared to work for another employer, according to a report by Morning Star News. This case illustrates the low social status of most Christians and is just a glimpse of the many similar cases that often go unreported. Although there have been no major bombing attacks against church buildings in the 2020 World Watch List reporting period, dozens of smaller “everyday attacks” against churches and cemeteries occur. One example is the desecration of the Christian cemetery of Okara on May 12, 2019. Population and number of Christian statistics: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds., World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2019).\nPray for Pakistan\nPakistan is an Islamic Republic that suffers from a plethora of radical Islamic groups. Pray the Pakistani government passes laws that will protect the Christians and other religious minorities in the country.\nPray for peace for Christians who converted from Islam. Family, friends and neighbors see these conversions as shaming the community.\nPray Christians accused under blasphemy laws will not face violence or mob “justice” and that they would stand strong in the midst of this dangerous trial.\nPlease pray for protection of Christian women and girls who are often raped and then forcefully married to Muslim men in the community. This usually results in forced conversions.\nPakistan Photo Gallery\nStories from Pakistan June 17, 2020 A Christian girl was kidnapped—Pray NOW! A parent's worst nightmare and an ongoing crisis for Christian women and girls today reveals persecution against believers in some of its darkest forms. Read More + READ MORE April 2, 2020 ‘It is very painful’: How coronavirus is impacting persecuted Christians in Asia + READ MORE March 6, 2020 A ‘living death’: How Christian women experience persecution A new 2020 Open Doors in-depth report focusing on gendered persecution surfaces some disturbing realities for Christian women and girls in the top 50 countries where women are highly persecuted for their decision to follow Jesus. Read More + READ MORE","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line924781"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8760598301887512,"wiki_prob":0.8760598301887512,"text":"You are here: Home Results 2014 November Munster Universities Road Relay Results - November 2014\nMunster Universities Road Relay Results - November 2014\nResults of Munster Universities Athletic Association Road Relay Championships 2014\nCIT, Cork\nAn Athletics Ireland registered event\nOrganised and Hosted by CIT AC\nCork Athletics Facebook Page\nResults of Athletics Ireland Registered Events - April 2014 - May 2016 (on Old Cork Athletics website)\nResults of Athletics Ireland Registered Events - May 2016 to date\nRace Calendar / Fixtures List - Athletics Ireland Registered Events\nResults of Munster Colleges Road Relays 2014\nResults courtesy of CIT AC\nRelays Format\nTeams of 3\nLeg 1 2km\n1km Splits\nLeg Splits\n1 University College Cork A 1 Niamh Moore 23:03:24 00:03:24\nUniversity College Cork A 1 Niamh Moore 00:03:27 23:06:51 00:06:51\nUniversity College Cork A 2 Anke Suijkerbuijk 00:03:30 00:03:30 00:10:21\nUniversity College Cork A 3 Orna Murray 00:03:18 00:13:39\nUniversity College Cork A 3 Orna Murray 00:03:19 00:10:08 00:20:29\n2 University of Limerick A 1 Grace Lynch 23:03:24 00:03:24\nUniversity of Limerick A 1 Grace Lynch 00:03:17 23:06:41 00:06:41\nUniversity of Limerick A 2 Ellen Moran 00:03:26 00:03:26 00:10:07\nUniversity of Limerick A 3 Niamh Donnelly 00:03:27 00:13:34\nUniversity of Limerick A 3 Niamh Donnelly 00:03:32 00:10:32 00:20:39\n3 Cork IT A 1 Rachael O'Shea 23:03:29 00:03:29\nCork IT A 1 Rachael O'Shea 00:03:47 23:07:16 00:07:16\nCork IT A 2 Jessica Neville 00:03:37 00:03:37 00:10:53\nCork IT A 3 Susan Finn 00:03:33 00:14:26\nCork IT A 3 Susan Finn 00:03:47 00:11:12 00:22:05\n4 University of Limerick B 1 Sinead Rigney 23:03:39 00:03:39\nUniversity of Limerick B 1 Sinead Rigney 00:03:53 23:07:32 00:07:32\nUniversity of Limerick B 2 Olwen Kennedy 00:03:39 00:03:39 00:11:11\nUniversity of Limerick B 3 Clodagh Galvin 00:03:45 00:14:56\nUniversity of Limerick B 3 Clodagh Galvin 00:03:59 00:11:42 00:22:53\n5 Waterford IT A 1 Alison Daly 23:03:41 00:03:41\nWaterford IT A 1 Alison Daly 00:04:11 23:07:52 00:07:52\nWaterford IT A 2 Una Rowe 00:03:33 00:03:33 00:11:25\nWaterford IT A 3 Shannen Ryan 00:03:45 00:15:10\nWaterford IT A 3 Shannen Ryan 00:04:02 00:11:50 00:23:15\n6 Waterford IT B 1 Cara Powell 23:03:55 00:03:55\nWaterford IT B 1 Cara Powell 00:04:05 23:08:00 00:08:00\nWaterford IT B 2 Niamh Tebay 00:03:50 00:03:50 00:11:50\nWaterford IT B 3 Julie Gay 00:03:41 00:15:31\nWaterford IT B 3 Julie Gay 00:04:15 00:12:36 00:24:26\n7 University of Limerick D 1 Sinead Gaffney 23:03:51 00:03:51\nUniversity of Limerick D 1 Sinead Gaffney 00:04:04 23:07:55 00:07:55\nUniversity of Limerick D 2 Aoife Doyle 00:03:45 00:03:45 00:11:40\nUniversity of Limerick D 3 Maedbh Chesser 00:03:54 00:15:34\nUniversity of Limerick D 3 Maedbh Chesser 00:04:30 00:12:55 00:24:35\n8 University of Limerick C 1 Cliona Mulroy 23:03:51 00:03:51\nUniversity of Limerick C 1 Cliona Mulroy 00:04:04 23:07:55 00:07:55\nUniversity of Limerick C 2 Claire Broderick 00:04:08 00:04:08 00:12:03\nUniversity of Limerick C 3 Orla Mulvihill 00:04:08 00:16:11\nUniversity of Limerick C 3 Orla Mulvihill 00:04:29 00:13:07 00:25:10\n9 Waterford IT C 1 Jenny O'Loughlin 23:03:54 00:03:54\nWaterford IT C 1 Jenny O'Loughlin 00:04:05 23:07:59 00:07:59\nWaterford IT C 2 Cora Doyle 00:04:25 00:04:25 00:12:24\nWaterford IT C 3 Jenifer Rice 00:04:16 00:16:40\nWaterford IT C 3 Jenifer Rice 00:04:23 00:13:16 00:25:40\n10 Cork IT B 1 Mai O'Leary 23:03:55 00:03:55\nCork IT B 1 Mai O'Leary 00:03:53 23:07:48 00:07:48\nCork IT B 2 Celine O'Shea 00:03:57 00:03:57 00:11:45\nCork IT B 3 Eimear FitzGerald 00:04:14 00:15:59\nCork IT B 3 Eimear FitzGerald 00:04:51 00:14:01 00:25:46\n11 Cork IT C 1 Roisin Kelleher 23:04:13 00:04:13\nCork IT C 1 Roisin Kelleher 00:04:26 23:08:39 00:08:39\nCork IT C 2 Grainne Kearney 00:05:21 00:05:21 00:14:00\nCork IT C 3 Joy O'Leary 00:04:24 00:18:24\nCork IT C 3 Joy O'Leary 00:04:45 00:14:09 00:28:09\nN/A Waterford IT D 1 Sorcha Keniry 23:05:08 00:05:08\nN/A Waterford IT D 1 Sorcha Keniry 00:09:42 23:14:50 00:14:50\nN/A Waterford IT D 2 Siobhan Halley 00:05:01 00:05:01 00:19:51\nWomens Team Results\n1 University College Cork A 20:29\n2 University of Limerick A 20:39\n3 Cork IT A 22:05\n4 University of Limerick B 22:53\n5 Waterford IT A 23:15\n6 Waterford IT B 24:26\n7 University of Limerick D 24:35\n8 University of Limerick C 25:10\n9 Waterford IT C 25:40\n10 Cork IT B 25:46\n11 Cork IT C 28:09\n1 University of Limerick A 1 Niall Tuohy 23:02:47 00:02:47\nUniversity of Limerick A 1 Niall Tuohy 00:02:48 23:05:35 00:05:35\nUniversity of Limerick A 2 Tom Hennesy 00:02:50 00:02:50 00:08:25\nUniversity of Limerick A 3 Kevin Chesser 00:02:58 00:11:23\nUniversity of Limerick A 3 Kevin Chesser 00:02:57 00:09:03 00:17:28\n2 Waterford IT A 1 Brian Murphy 23:02:54 00:02:54\nWaterford IT A 1 Brian Murphy 00:02:58 23:05:52 00:05:52\nWaterford IT A 2 Shane O'Rahilly 00:02:45 00:02:45 00:08:37\nWaterford IT A 3 Andrew Connick 00:02:55 00:11:32\nWaterford IT A 3 Andrew Connick 00:02:56 00:08:57 00:17:34\n3 Cork IT A 1 Cullen Lynch 00:02:53 00:02:53\nCork IT A 1 Cullen Lynch 00:02:57 00:05:50 00:05:50\nCork IT A 2 Jamie Skelly 00:02:58 00:02:58 00:08:48\nCork IT A 3 Mark O'Sullivan 00:02:56 00:11:44\nCork IT A 3 Mark O'Sullivan 00:02:54 00:08:54 00:17:42\n4 University College Cork A 1 Kieran James 23:02:53 00:02:53\nUniversity College Cork A 1 Kieran James 00:03:04 23:05:57 00:05:57\nUniversity College Cork A 2 Chris Mintern 00:02:53 00:02:53 00:08:50\nUniversity College Cork A 3 Ben Thistlewood 00:02:54 00:11:44\nUniversity College Cork A 3 Ben Thistlewood 00:02:59 00:08:57 00:17:47\n5 University of Limerick B 1 Aaron O'Brien 23:02:54 00:02:54\nUniversity of Limerick B 1 Aaron O'Brien 00:03:04 23:05:58 00:05:58\nUniversity of Limerick B 2 Shawn McCormack 00:02:56 00:02:56 00:08:54\nUniversity of Limerick B 3 Jake O'Regan 00:02:51 00:11:45\nUniversity of Limerick B 3 Jake O'Regan 00:03:15 00:09:14 00:18:08\n6 Waterford IT B 1 James Cloney 23:02:58 00:02:58\nWaterford IT B 1 James Cloney 00:03:15 23:06:13 00:06:13\nWaterford IT B 2 Richie Lucas 00:03:03 00:03:03 00:09:16\nWaterford IT B 3 Chris Jeuken 00:03:06 00:12:22\nWaterford IT B 3 Chris Jeuken 00:03:14 00:09:37 00:18:53\n7 Cork IT C 1 Mark Clifford 23:03:04 00:03:04\nCork IT C 1 Mark Clifford 00:03:10 23:06:14 00:06:14\nCork IT C 2 Aidan Cremin 00:03:13 00:03:13 00:09:27\nCork IT C 3 Michael Bruton 00:03:06 00:12:33\nCork IT C 3 Michael Bruton 00:03:16 00:09:38 00:19:05\n8 University of Limerick C 1 Jamie Buckley 23:02:59 00:02:59\nUniversity of Limerick C 1 Jamie Buckley 00:03:13 23:06:12 00:06:12\nUniversity of Limerick C 2 John McCallion 00:02:56 00:02:56 00:09:08\nUniversity of Limerick C 3 Sean O'Sullivan 00:03:07 00:12:15\nUniversity of Limerick C 3 Sean O'Sullivan 00:03:22 00:09:58 00:19:06\n9 Cork IT B 1 Craig Harrington 23:03:04 00:03:04\nCork IT B 1 Craig Harrington 00:03:18 23:06:22 00:06:22\nCork IT B 2 Philip Crowley 00:03:12 00:03:12 00:09:34\nCork IT B 3 Sheldon Kirkwood 00:03:22 00:12:56\nCork IT B 3 Sheldon Kirkwood 00:03:35 00:10:29 00:20:03\n10 Waterford IT C 1 James Deasy 23:03:16 00:03:16\nWaterford IT C 1 James Deasy 00:03:36 23:06:52 00:06:52\nWaterford IT C 2 Shane Connick 00:03:02 00:03:02 00:09:54\nWaterford IT C 3 Eoin Lynam 00:03:30 00:13:24\nWaterford IT C 3 Eoin Lynam 00:03:40 00:10:52 00:20:46\n11 University College Cork B 1 John Durcan 23:02:58 00:02:58\nUniversity College Cork B 1 John Durcan 00:03:09 23:06:07 00:06:07\nUniversity College Cork B 2 James Grufferty 00:02:54 00:02:54 00:09:01\nUniversity College Cork B 3 Jamie Fraser 00:03:29 00:12:30\nUniversity College Cork B 3 Jamie Fraser 00:04:34 00:11:49 00:20:50\n12 University College Cork C 1 David Kavanagh 23:02:53 00:02:53\nUniversity College Cork C 1 David Kavanagh 00:03:00 23:05:53 00:05:53\nUniversity College Cork C 2 Adrian Who 00:03:26 00:03:26 00:09:19\nUniversity College Cork C 3 Olan Harrington 00:03:39 00:12:58\nUniversity College Cork C 3 Olan Harrington 00:04:17 00:12:01 00:21:20\n13 University of Limerick D 1 Tom Melligan 23:03:19 00:03:19\nUniversity of Limerick D 1 Tom Melligan 00:03:47 23:07:06 00:07:06\nUniversity of Limerick D 2 David Bell 00:03:11 00:03:11 00:10:17\nUniversity of Limerick D 3 Eoin Callinan 00:03:35 00:13:52\nUniversity of Limerick D 3 Eoin Callinan 00:03:39 00:11:17 00:21:34\n14 Waterford IT D 1 Louis O'Carroll 23:03:16 00:03:16\nWaterford IT D 1 Louis O'Carroll 00:03:43 23:06:59 00:06:59\nWaterford IT D 2 Ian Lordan 00:03:49 00:03:49 00:10:48\nWaterford IT D 3 Graham Butler 00:03:25 00:14:13\nWaterford IT D 3 Graham Butler 00:03:38 00:10:48 00:21:36\n15 UCC/CIT A 1 Corman Hickey 23:03:20 00:03:20\nUCC/CIT A 1 Corman Hickey 00:03:35 23:06:55 00:06:55\nUCC/CIT A 2 Kevin Maybury 00:03:25 00:03:25 00:10:20\nUCC/CIT A 3 TJ Hogan 00:03:30 00:13:50\nUCC/CIT A 3 TJ Hogan 00:04:08 00:11:47 00:22:07\nMens Team Results\n6 Cork IT B 18:53\n7 Cork IT C 19:05\n11 University College Cork B 20:50\n12 University College Cork C 21:20\n13 University of Limerick D 21:34\n14 Waterford IT D 21:36\n15 UCC/CIT A 22:07","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1357352"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.733746349811554,"wiki_prob":0.733746349811554,"text":"Celebrity / Trending\nThe Celebrity Couples Who Will Explore Their Relationships On ‘Power Couple,’ A New Reality Show\nby Chaitra Ramalingegowda · December 1, 2015\nSeems like the reality TV bug is not quite through with Indian audiences. With a new reality show being unleashed on the unsuspecting Indian audiences almost on a monthly basis, there’s a brand new reality show that is all set to wow the viewers – Power Couple. Like most reality shows on air today, Power Couple, is an import too – this time from Israel.\nAll set to kick off from December 12th on Sony Entertainment Television, Power Couple is hosted by none other than a power couple themselves, Malaika Arora Khan and Arbaaz Khan. The original show, aired in Israel was apparently a big hit, and the Indian producers are looking to successfully replicate the model.\nImage source: PowerCouple\nThe show, which is shot entirely in Goa, will have 10 celebrity couples from various arenas of celebdom – including TV, movies, fashion, modeling, and reality TV. During the course of the show, each of the celebrity couple’s knowledge of each other is tested, while undergoing various other tests to prove how powerful their love is, all while living under one roof with other celebrity couples. You can only imagine the kind of drama and shenanigans viewers can expect with 20 people with different temperaments living under one roof for the duration of the show. Whew!\nSuggested read: Biggest hookups that have happened on Bigg Boss so far\nAnyway, there were speculations as who’ll be among the 10 celebrity couples who’d be participating in the show, with names like Sania Mirza – Shoaib Malik, Riteish Deshmukh – Genelia D’Souza, Upen Patel – Karishma Tanna, being thrown around. However, the 10 celebrity couples who will actually be a part of the new reality TV show, Power Couple, are:\n1. Ashmit Patel – Mehek Chahal\nWhile Ashmit was famously linked with Pakistani import Veena Mallik during Bigg Boss 4, Mehek, who was a part of Bigg Boss 5, was famously proposed to by her then-boyfriend, Danish Khan, during the grand finale. The two have since moved on from their link-ups and have been dating for the past three months. And now, they’re all set to participate in another reality show together. Let’s see how they fare.\n2. Apurva Agnihotri and Shilpa Saklani\nThe bad boy of ‘Pardes,’ Apurva and the ideal third generation (or is it fourth?) bahu of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Shilpa, have been married for 11 years now. And they even participated in Bigg Boss 7. Now, they’re all geared up to be one of the celebrity couples who’ll explore their relationship on national television.\n3. Mugdha Godse and Rahul Dev\n‘Fashion’ star and model Mugdha Godse and Rahul Dev have been dating for quite some time now. Apparently, the model-actress was a source of support to Rahul, who lost his wife of over a decade to cancer. And now that they’ve found love once again, they’re ready to test that love on the show.\n4. Delnaaz Irani and DJ Percy Karkaria\nAgain, a former Bigg Boss 6 contestant, Delnaaz, along with her partner of two and a half years, DJ Percy, are geared up to accept any challenges thrown their way on Power Couple. If you recall, Delnaaz’s fellow housemate on Bigg Boss 6 was none other than her then-separated husband, Rajeev Paul. Although Delnaaz was a loudmouth on the show, her best appearance till date – according to me, at least – is as Sweetu in the movie ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho.’\n5. Shawar Ali and Marsela Ayesha\nShawar Ali is a renowned model, who has appeared in numerous commercials, fashion shows, and music videos. Earlier this year, he got married to Marsela Ayesha, a ballet dancer/opera singer. They sure make a handsome couple.\n6. Salil Ankola and Ria Banerjee\nSalil is a cricketer-turned-actor, who will appear on Power Couple along with his second wife, Ria Banerjee. This will be his return to television after a hiatus of two years.\n7. Jesse Randhawa and Sandip Soparkar\nWhile Jesse is a supermodel, who has been in numerous shows, Sandip is a ballroom dancer and choreographer. The couple, who has been together for a decade and married for five, has a son.\n8. Naved Jaffery and Sayeeda\nJaved Jaffery’s younger brother and reality show host/judge/producer, Naved is all set to explore his relationship with his NRI banker wife, Sayeeda, on national television. The couple has been married for three years.\n9. Rahul Raj and Pratyusha Banerjee\nAnother couple who’s in the initial stages of their relationship, is Rahul Raj and TV’s favorite bahu, Pratyusha Banerjee. They’ve been dating for three months, and they’re all set to announce their relationship for the first time on the show.\nSuggested read: 10 gorgeous Bollywood brides who gave us #WeddingGoals\n10. Aamir Ali and Sanjeeda Sheikh\nAt one time, it seemed like every time you switch on the TV, you’d see these two faces – Aamir and Sanjeeda – that’s how much this couple was adored by viewers. The two were last seen back in 2007 on Nach Baliye 3, which they won. One of TV’s most loved couples, Aamir and Sanjeeda have been married for three years now.\nWell, there you have it. These are the 10 celebrity couples who’ll be putting their relationships to the test on Power Couple. We wish them all the very best!\nWhich of these are you rooting for? Which of these couples will get booted out of the show during the first week itself? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!\nFeatured image source: PowerCouple\n10 Celebrity Couples Participating In Power Couple, The New Reality Show\nCheck out the 10 celebrity couples all set to test their relationships on national TV, in the new reality show, Power Couple!\nBiggest hookups on Bigg Boss in the last 8 seasons\nSalman Khan: 6 Reasons Why ‘Bhai’ Has The Biggest Heart In Bollywood\n1000 weeks of DDLJ – Everything you need to know about the cast, then and now!\nSunny Leone-starrer Ek Paheli Leela’s first trailer is out, and it’s seriously hot!\nSalman Khan: “Marriage Is Not For A Lifetime”\n#NaPoWriMo 10 Of The Best Poems By Jack Prelutsky\nThe Best Anis Mojnani Poems To Cherish This #NaPoWriMo\n#NaPoWriMo Some Of The Best Poems By Claude McKay\n#NaPoWriMo Some Of The Best Poems By Phillis Wheatley\nLewis Carroll And His Magical Poetry","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1534396"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9805158376693726,"wiki_prob":0.9805158376693726,"text":"Kids Say the Darndest Things, With Tiffany Haddish, Revived at CBS\nKids Say the Darndest Things is returning to its original network. CBS has revived the latest version of the variety series, hosted and executive-produced by Tiffany Haddish, for a second season to air in 2021.\nThe news comes seven months after the family friendly series was cancelled at ABC. It aired as part of the network’s Sunday-night lineup during the 2019-2020 TV season, sandwiched between America’s Funniest Home Videos and Shark Tank.\n“I see my role as giving kids a safe environment where they can say anything they want with complete freedom and no judgement,” Haddish said in a statement. “What I love about this show is that we let kids truly be themselves. I’m the straight man here, and that’s fine with me.”\nAdds Mitch Graham, CBS Entertainment’s senior VP of Alternative Programming, “Few things have more universal appeal and humor than the unfiltered honesty of a child, and the comedic genius of Tiffany Haddish takes that to the next level. It’s great to have Kids Say back on CBS and part of our expanding alternative slate for 2021.”\nCancelled TV Shows That Came Back\nKids Say the Darndest Things originated as a CBS Radio segment in 1945, when Art Linkletter interviewed children as part of Art Linkletter’s House Party. The show made the leap to TV in 1952 and ran for an additional 17 years. A standalone version of Kids Say, hosted by Bill Cosby, aired on CBS from 1998 to 2000.\nABC’s one-and-done revival season averaged 3.6 million total viewers and a 0.6 demo rating (in Live+Same Day numbers). Its season finale aired in January.\nAre you looking forward to the return of Kids Say the Darndest Things?\nTAGS: CBS, Kids Say the Darndest Things, Tiffany Haddish\nGET MORE: News, Revivals and Reboots, Series Orders","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line355874"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5749836564064026,"wiki_prob":0.4250163435935974,"text":"Type - Any -Content (All)Media (All)ArticleAwardEventFunding OpportunityPublicationSpeech/General Message\nEffect of High-Visibility Enforcement on Motor Vehicle Crashes\nNotes From the Field: Emphasizing Education First in School Policing\nNotes from the Field: Snapshot of the United States Indian Policing Academy\nResearcher-Survivor Formative Evaluation of San Francisco's Anti-Human Trafficking Task Forces: Analysis of San Francisco Police Department Incident Reports\nThe Neurobiology of Sexual Assault: Implications for Law Enforcement, Prosecution, and Victim Advocacy\nResearch for the Real World\nDr. Campbell brings together research on the neurobiology of trauma and the criminal justice response to sexual assault. She explains the underlying neurobiology of traumatic events, its emotional and physical manifestation, and how these processes can impact the investigation and prosecution of sexual assaults. Real-world, practical implications are examined for first responders, such as law enforcement, nurses, prosecutors, and advocates.\nReview the YouTube Terms of Service and the Google Privacy Policy\nViolent Repeat Victimization: Prospects and Challenges for Research and Practice\nResearch tells us that a relatively small fraction of individuals experience a large proportion of violent victimizations. Thus, focusing on reducing repeat victimization might have a large impact on total rates of violence. However, research also tells us that most violent crime victims do not experience more than one incident during a six-month or one-year time period. As a result, special policies to prevent repeat violence may not be cost-effective for most victims.\nOpening the Black Box of NIBIN\nBill King discusses the operations of the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), a program through which firearms examiners at state and local crime laboratories compare tool marks on fired bullets or cartridges found at a crime scene to digitized images of ballistic evidence in a nationwide database.\nCivil Protection Order Enforcement\nT.K. Logan discusses her study that looked at the impact of civil protective orders for domestic violence victims in five Kentucky jurisdictions. Civil protective orders, sometimes known as restraining orders, may cover various situations, such as ordering an assailant to avoid a victim's home and workplace or forbidding any contact with the victim, including by mail or telephone.\nLegitimacy and Community Cooperation With Law Enforcement\nTom R. Tyler, chair of the New York University psychology department, describes research on profiling and community policing. His research found that citizens of all races show greater respect for law enforcement when they believe officers are treating them fairly. Even citizens who experienced a negative outcome getting a traffic ticket, for example showed higher levels of respect for and cooperation with law enforcement as long as they believed they were not being singled out unfairly.\nHow Collaboration Between Researchers and Police Chiefs Can Improve the Quality of Sexual Assault Investigations: A Look at Los Angeles\nPanelists discuss the application of research findings from an NIJ-sponsored study of sexual assault attrition to police practice in Los Angeles. There are three main focal points: (1) the mutual benefits of researcher/practitioner partnerships, (2) the implications of variation in police interpretation of UCR guidelines specific to clearing sexual assault (with an emphasis on cases involving nonstrangers), and (3) the content of specialized training that must be required for patrol officers and detectives who respond to and investigate sex crimes.\nEconomical Crime Control: Perspectives from Both Sides of the Ledger\nThe surge in incarceration since 1980 has been fueled in part by the mistaken belief that the population can be divided neatly into \"good guys\" and \"bad guys.\" In fact, crime rates are not determined by the number of at-large criminals, any more than farm production is determined by the number of farmers. Crime is a choice, a choice that is influenced by available opportunities as much as by character. This perspective, drawn from economic theory, supports a multi-faceted approach to crime control. Dr.\nDon't Jump the Shark: Understanding Deterrence and Legitimacy in the Architecture of Law Enforcement\nDeterrence theory dominates the American understanding of how to regulate criminal behavior but social psychologists' research shows that people comply for reasons that have nothing to do with fear of punishment; they have to do with values, fair procedures and how people connect with one another. Professor Meares discussed the relevance of social psychologists' emerging theory to legal theory and practice and how deterrence and emerging social psychology theories intertwine.\nReport on Reducing Gun Violence\nReforming New Orleans' Criminal Justice System: The Role of Data and Research\nWith its criminal justice system in disarray following Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans invited the Vera Institute of Justice to examine the city's court and jail operations. For five years, Vera has been tracking arrest-to-first-appearance time, custodial arrests versus summonses, the granting of pretrial release, and many other decision-making points. Based on analysis of these data, Vera is making policy recommendations to assist with the implementation of new procedures and to ensure performance monitoring.\nJust Wrong: The Aftermath of Wrongful Convictions\nThe strength of our criminal justice system depends on its ability to convict the guilty and clear the innocent. But we know that innocent people are sometimes wrongfully convicted and the guilty remain free to victimize others. The consequences of a wrongful conviction are far-reaching for the wrongfully convicted and the survivors and victims of the original crimes.\nBacklogs and Their Impact on the Criminal Justice System\nEvidence backlogs have been known to be an issue in crime laboratories. A recent study published by NIJ has shown that backlogs of untested evidence are also an issue in law enforcement evidence storage. This panel will discuss the issues and present preliminary findings from a study of the Los Angeles Police Department's and Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's experience with clearing out a large backlog of unanalyzed rape kits.\nElder Abuse: How Much Occurs and How Do We Measure It?\nNIJ Conference Panel\nPanelists will present NIJ research on elder mistreatment in noninstitutionalized adults as well as tools for measuring the financial exploitation and psychological abuse of the elderly. A recently completed telephone survey of more than 6,500 older adults living in the community provides the most accurate estimates of the prevalence and incidence of physical, sexual, financial and emotional elder abuse. A second study used state-of-the-art science methods to develop a tool that measures the financial and psychological abuse of elders.\nSituational Approaches to Making Communities and Correction Institutions Safer\nNIJ Conference panelists will present the results of three studies that applied situational crime prevention (SCP) principles: (1) an evaluation of the Safe City initiative in Chula Vista, Calif., designed to combine the expertise and resources of local law enforcement, retailers and the community to increase the safety of designated retail areas; (2) a randomized controlled trial (in partnership with the Washington Metro Transit Police) that assessed the effectiveness of SCP to reduce car crime in Metro's parking facilities; and (3) an evaluation of the impact of SCP on pr\nAn Examination of Justice Reinvestment and Its Impact on Two States\nFunded in part by the Bureau of Justice Assistance and the Pew Center on the States, the justice reinvestment project is a data-driven strategy aimed at policymakers to \"reduce spending on corrections, increase public safety and improve conditions in the neighborhoods to which most people released from prison return.\" Representatives from two states where the justice reinvestment strategy is currently being implemented will discuss how it is being used to reduce the rate of incarceration and how states can reinvest in local communities.\nSexual Violence Research 15 Years After VAWA\nPanelists will summarize the progress and results of sexual violence research since the passage of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994. The panel will also examine how research has contributed to policy, assess current knowledge gaps and discuss research needs.\nCustody Evaluation in Domestic Violence Cases\nPanelists will examine practices, beliefs and recommendations of professional and custody evaluators in domestic violence cases. Panelists will discuss current NIJ studies that use both qualitative and quantitative methods to assess the impact of personal attitudes and beliefs on custody evaluation.\nActive Representation and Police Response to Sexual Assault Complaints\nCOPS Office and Police Foundation Release Reports on Averted School Violence\nDecision Making in Sexual Assault Cases: Replication Research on Sexual Violence Case Attrition in the U.S.\nThe Impact of Primary Aggressor Laws on Single Versus Dual Arrest in Incidents of Intimate Partner Violence","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1903882"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9791352152824402,"wiki_prob":0.9791352152824402,"text":"Up To £20m\nSpeller Metcalfe picked to build Cinderford hospital\n24 Nov 20 Gloucestershire Health & Care NHS Foundation Trust (GHC) has appointed Speller Metcalfe to build a new £11m community hospital in Cinderford.\nAndy Metcalfe, joint managing director of Speller Metcalfe\nInitial work on the design and position of the building is under way but the full specifications will only be finalised after the completion of the public consultation into services to be provided from the new facility.\nThe £11m hospital, which will be built on the Lower High Street Playing Field in Steam Mills Road, will replace the existing community hospitals in Cinderford and Lydney.\nBuilding work is planned to start in autumn 2021.\nAngela Potter, director of strategy and partnerships at GHC, said: “Spellers demonstrated considerable experience of working on health and public sector projects and offering innovative and sustainable solutions so I am confident that together we can deliver a new hospital that will really improve the overall experience for patients and the staff who work there.\n“We look forward to the feedback from the public consultation so that we can work up a final design and begin the planning and building process.”\nSpeller Metcalfe previously built Cinderford Health Centre and Station Medical Centre in Hereford, as well as working on the extension and refurbishment of Hadwen Medical Centre in Gloucester.\nAndy Metcalfe, joint managing director of Speller Metcalfe, said: “We know that supporting the health sector is absolutely vital in the current climate, and as a local contractor we recognise how significant this hospital development will be for the wider community. With a strong history of successful project delivery for the NHS, we look forward to working with Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust to develop the latest addition to the Forest of Dean’s health provision.”","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1593987"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7116513848304749,"wiki_prob":0.28834861516952515,"text":"Distinguished doctors: Belarus\nPlastic Surgeon: Dr. Stebunov Sergey is an outstanding surgeon working at the high European level with a long track records of successful plastic surgeries. Works at Lode, Medical Center in Minsk. Tel: + 375 (8029) 637-30-03, e-mail: StebunovSS@yandex.ru\nOrthopedics: Dr. Murzich Eduard is a high standing orthopedist working at the high European level with ample clinical expertise. He is highly referenced doctor capable to tackle the most complex pathological cases. He works at the State center of traumatology and orthopedics. Tel: +375 (8017) 212-32-88, e-mail: mae77@list.ru\nEchography: Dr. Lukashevich Nikolai is regarded as one of the best specialists in Belarus focusing on echography. He performs all types of ultrasound diagnostics. Currently he works at the Lode, Medical Center in Minsk. Tel: +375 (8029) 638-30-03, e-mail: nik.luk@list.ru\nPsychiatry: Dr. Alena Tserashchuk is a highly skillful psychiatrist and psychotherapist, PhD, associated professor, Jungian analyst, individual member of International Association for analytical Psychology (IAAP), member of the Russian Society for Analytical Psychology (RSAP); associated professor of the department for psychotherapy and clinical psychology of Public Educational Institution “Belarus Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education” (BelMAPE);associate professor of the International Society for Guided Affective Imagery and Mental Techniques in Psychotherapy and Psychology (ISGAI); the first ex-president of Development Group IAAP of Republic of Belarus (Minsk); vice-president of the Belarusian Association of Psychotherapists. Tel: +375296306964, e-mail: alenatsereshchuk@gmail.com\nOncology: Prof. Zhavrid Edward is one of the most distinguished oncologists and represents European excellency specialising in the use of advanced methods of chemotherapy in treating various tumours. He authored and co-authored of over 600 scientific publications in peer reviewed journals. Works at the Oncology and Medical Radiology Center named after Alexandrov. Tel: +375 (17) 389-95-12 e-mail: e.zhavrid@gmail.com\nOncology and diagnostics: Prof. Prokhorova Violetta is one of the most recognized oncologists focusing on the most advanced diagnostic methods in oncology, She gained wide international recognition for her work on tumor markers, factors of conformational modification of transport molecules and cellular structures, growth factors, angiogenesis and intercellular interaction, cytokines, etc. Under her supervision, the Diagnostics Department has become one of the Leading European centers on tumours diagnostics. She works at the Oncology and Medical Radiology Center named after Alexandrov. Tel: +375 (17) 389-95-36, e-mail: vprohorova@mail.ru\nChildren Surgery: Prof. Averin Vasily is an outstanding (highest professional level) children surgeon. He has an outstanding reputation acquired during his tenure at the most prestigious medical centers in Belarus. He developed an effective method of surgical treatment of children with bladder exstrophy and organ-preserving surgery for spleen injuries in children. Works at the State Medical University, Minsk, Belarus. Tel: +375 29 700-90-70, e-mail: averinvi@mail.ru\nOncology of the chest organs: Prof. Malkevich Victor is a renowned oncologist with a wide range of interests and a long track records on working in this field. His expertise engulfs a wide range of tumors including lung cancer and other lung tumors, pleural mesothelioma, disseminated lung and pleural lesions, mediastinal tumors, chest wall, lymphoproliferative diseases. Currently he is chairman of the Oncological and Thoracic Department of the Oncology and Medical Radiology Center named after Alexandrov. Tel: +375 (17) 265-33-01, e-mail: malkvt@mail.ru.\nCardiology: Prof. is a distinguished cardiologist widely recognized by the international scientific community. He gained excellency in the study of the etiology and pathogenesis of athero- and thrombogenesis, the role of neurohormonal systems in the development of cardiovascular pathology of cardiac and endocrinological diseases, the issues of heart electrophysiology, the pathogenesis of heart rhythm disturbances, the problems of interventional cardiology. He is a recipient of a European gold medal. He works at the Cardiology Center in Minsk, Tel +375 (17) 213-50-53, e-mail: a.g.mrochek@cardio.by.\nObstetrics and gynaecology: Prof. Mozheiko Ludmila is a high standing ginaecologist with ample clinical expertise. She works at the high European level. She holds Ph.D. in medicine. She also holds title «Doctor of the highest professional level.» She is the Department Chairman of the Belarus Medical Uinversity. Tel +7 (495) 933-86-48, e-mail: +375 17 331-69-26, e-mail: ginekolog@bsmu.by","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1948921"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6959853768348694,"wiki_prob":0.3040146231651306,"text":"Home Churchil Picket Reports Risk Assessments Strike On Syria; The Day After And Non State Actors\nStrike On Syria; The Day After And Non State Actors\nQuite a bit of discussion has already taken place on the magnitude and the type of strike to conduct in Syria and the legal justification for it. Moreover, work also continues on forming an alliance and clarifying the US and western objectives for such an intervention. Nonetheless, this debate has opened more potholes than to bring about clarity. This was obvious in the British Parliament today, which voted against interference in Syria.\nIrrespective of the ongoing argument, one thing is certain now: action will take place in the next couple of days. The critical question to ponder over is what will happen next, and if there will be a response. The scenarios that can play out range from simple to really complex.\nNo Reaction\nIt is quite possible that other than a few rhetorical statements, there is no reaction from Assad in the aftermath of the strike. After all, this has been his posture to the previous Israeli strikes with in Syria. This is especially true in case the missiles are used to target a limited number of military installations and the strike is seen as merely symbolic, as the debate presently suggests.\nHowever, with non-state actors fully involved across the region, this scenario just looks too simplistic to digest. Even if Assad does not want to react, there are plenty of other players that would want to make something out of the opportunity at hand. Moreover, if the attack is seen as a stepping-stone towards a regime change, a response can be expected.\nThe Non-State Actors\nIt could come in the form of a chemical weapon attack against Israel, in a fashion similar to the one conducted in Syria last week. Israel has already pointed out it will react forcefully to any provocation of this sort. In the present chaos of Syria, it would be hard to nail down the source if this happened. From an Israeli perspective, the likely culprit would be Hezbollah. And, the reaction from Israel would be against the backer of both Syria and Hezbollah, Iran.\nThe cat and mouse game on how far Iran is from acquiring nuclear weapons has been raging for a while now. The above context provides ample pretext to tackle this aspect and Hezbollah. Meanwhile, NATO alliance could work on dealing with the Syrian chemical weapons and Al Qaeda linked groups, with the assistance of Free Syrian Army (FSA).\nThe Regional Angle\nAs this unfolds, it will be interesting to watch how Hamas and recently disenfranchised Muslim Brotherhood (MB) elements respond; which can create a nightmare for interim government of Egypt and its military. This is perhaps one of the other reasons MB senior leaders are being arrested in Egypt. In all likelihood, the situation of Sinai will worsen further as Syrian situation deteriorates.\nSubsequently, with the involvement of Hezbollah, another front could develop against Israel around the Syria-Lebanon-Jordan corridor. If not managed well, the situation can easily turn in to a Shia and Sunni non-state actors going at war with Israel, while they are also fighting each other. The other regional state actors are likely to be caught in the crossfire.\nHow much time this scenario may take to unravel is difficult to predict at this time. It will depend on the nature of initial strikes on Syria, and what follows. So, an ‘action-reaction’ dynamic is likely to play out. How Russia responds will also be a factor. However, Russian involvement and efforts are likely to be focused towards what emerges from the chaos.\nAnother variable to consider is the irredentist movement of Kurdistan. If the above scenario plays out, Kurds are likely to join hands with the West and will act to counter the non-state actors. Some of this is already at display in Syria where Kurds have clashed with AQ linked groups near the border with Turkey. Kurds obviously want to correct the mistakes of history.\nIn essence, there are two forces of change acting in the Middle East: the West and the non-state actors, while the Sunni state actors are striving to maintain the status quo. For all intents and purposes, the West appears to be in the midst of an intitive to reshape the Middle East so it no longer poses any threat to Israel, and at the same time protect its Sunni allies and energy supplies from the region. For this to happen, both Sunni and Shia non-state actors will have to be dealt with. While the West and NATO are aligned strictly with Sunni state actors, Russia and China have maintained ties across the Shia-Sunni divide, which gives them a definitive advantage in the present circumstances.\nPrevious articleSyrian Crisis And Limited Military Action\nNext articleMaking A Case For Striking Syria\nCoronavirus And Arab Spring 2.0\nCoronavirus, Race Relations, And Upcoming US Elections\nDeteriorating Situation Of Afghanistan And The Emerging US-Pakistan Ties","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1485591"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.969161868095398,"wiki_prob":0.969161868095398,"text":"Humanities › Visual Arts\n13 White House Facts You May Not Know\nTriggerPhoto / Getty Images\nAn Introduction to Architecture\nFamous Houses\nJackie Craven\nArt and Architecture Expert\nDoctor of Arts, University of Albany, SUNY\nM.S., Literacy Education, University of Albany, SUNY\nB.A., English, Virginia Commonwealth University\nDr. Jackie Craven has over 20 years of experience writing about architecture and the arts. She is the author of two books on home decor and sustainable design.\nConstruction of the White House in Washington, D.C., began in 1792. In 1800, President John Adams was the first president to move into the Executive Mansion, and it's been rehabilitated, renovated, and rebuilt multiple times since. The White House is recognized around the world as the home of America's president and a symbol of the American people. But, like the nation it represents, America's first mansion is filled with unexpected surprises.\nTorched by the British\nDuring the War of 1812, the United States burned Parliament Buildings in Ontario, Canada. So, in 1814, the British Army retaliated by setting fire to much of Washington, including the White House. The inside of the presidential structure was destroyed and the exterior walls were badly charred. After the fire, President James Madison lived in the Octagon House, which later served as headquarters for the American Institute of Architects (AIA). President James Monroe moved into the partially reconstructed White House in October 1817.\nWest Wing Fire\nOn Christmas Eve 1929, shortly after the United States fell into a deep economic depression, an electrical fire broke out in the West Wing of the White House. The fire gutted the executive offices. Congress approved emergency funds for repairs, and President Herbert Hoover and his staff moved back in on April 14, 1930.\nOnce America's Largest House\nWhen architect Pierre Charles L'Enfant drafted the original plans for Washington, D.C., he called for an elaborate and enormous presidential palace. L'Enfant's vision was discarded and architects James Hoban and Benjamin Henry Latrobe designed a much smaller, more humble home. Still, the White House was grand for its time and the biggest by far in the new nation. Larger homes weren't constructed until after the Civil War and the rise of Gilded Age mansions. The largest home in the United States is one from that period, the Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina, completed in 1895.\nA Twin in Ireland\nThe White House cornerstone was laid in 1792, but a house in Ireland may have been the model for its design. The mansion in the new U.S. capital was built using drawings by Irish-born James Hoban, who had studied in Dublin. Historians believe Hoban based his White House design on a local Dublin residence, the Leinster House, the Georgian style home of the Dukes of Leinster. The Leinster House in Ireland is now the seat of the Irish Parliament, but before that it likely inspired the White House.\nAnother Twin in France\nThe White House has been remodeled many times. During the early 1800s, President Thomas Jefferson worked with British-born architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe on several additions, including the East and West Wing Colonnades. In 1824, architect James Hoban supervised the addition of a neoclassical \"porch\" based on plans that Latrobe had drafted. The elliptical south portico appears to mirror the Château de Rastignac, an elegant house constructed in 1817 in Southwest France.\nEnslaved People Helped Build It\nThe land that became Washington, D.C., was acquired from Virginia and Maryland, where enslavement was practiced. Historic payroll reports document that many of the workers who built the White House were African Americans—some free and some enslaved. Working alongside white laborers, the African American workers cut sandstone at the quarry in Aquia, Virginia. They also dug the footings for the White House, built the foundations, and fired bricks for the interior walls.\nEuropean Contributions\nThe White House could not have been completed without European artisans and immigrant laborers. Scottish stoneworkers raised the sandstone walls. Craftsmen from Scotland also carved the rose and garland ornaments above the north entrance and the scalloped patterns beneath the window pediments. Irish and Italian immigrants did brick and plaster work. Later, Italian artisans carved the decorative stonework on the White House porticoes.\nWashington Never Lived There\nPresident George Washington selected James Hoban's plan, but he felt it was too small and simple for a president. Under Washington's supervision, Hoban's plan was expanded and the White House was given a grand reception room, elegant pilasters, window hoods, and stone swags of oak leaves and flowers. But Washington never lived in the White House. In 1800, when the White House was almost finished, America's second president, John Adams moved in. Adams' wife Abigail complained about the unfinished state of the presidential home.\nFDR Made It Wheelchair Accessible\nThe original builders of the White House didn't consider the possibility of a president with a disability. The White House didn't become wheelchair accessible until Franklin Delano Roosevelt took office in 1933. President Roosevelt lived with paralysis due to polio, so the White House was remodeled to accommodate his wheelchair. Franklin Roosevelt also added a heated indoor swimming pool to help with his therapy. In 1970, the swimming pool was covered over and used as the press briefing room.\nTruman Saved It From Collapse\nAfter 150 years, wooden support beams and exterior load-bearing walls of the White House were weak. Engineers declared the building unsafe and said that it would collapse if not repaired. In 1948, President Truman had the interior rooms gutted so that new steel support beams could be installed. During the reconstruction, the Trumans lived across the street at Blair House.\nAdditional Monikers\nThe White House has been called many names. Dolley Madison, the wife of President James Madison, called it the \"President's Castle.\" The White House was also called the \"President's Palace,\" the \"President's House,\" and the \"Executive Mansion.\" The name \"White House\" didn't become official until 1901, when President Theodore Roosevelt officially adopted it.\nGingerbread Version\nCreating an edible White House has become a Christmas tradition and challenge for the official pastry chef and a team of bakers at the White House. In 2002 the theme was \"All Creatures Great and Small,\" and with 80 pounds of gingerbread, 50 pounds of chocolate, and 20 pounds of marzipan the White House was called the best Christmas confection ever.\nIt Wasn't Always White\nThe White House is made of gray-colored sandstone from a quarry in Aquia, Virginia. The north and south porticos are constructed with red Seneca sandstone from Maryland. The sandstone walls weren't painted white until the White House was reconstructed after the British fires. It takes 570 gallons of white paint to cover the entire White House. The first covering used was made from rice glue, casein, and lead.\nBuilding the White House in Washington, D.C.\nHow Ireland Inspired the White House\nThe Architecture of Washington, DC\nPictures and Trivia About the Presidents of the United States\nJohn Tyler: Significant Facts and Brief Biography\nUS Presidents Who Were Enslavers\nMartha Jefferson\nThe U.S. Presidents and Their Era\nDecade by Decade Timeline of the 1800s\nWho Were the Democratic Presidents of the United States?\nWar Hawks and the War of 1812\nBiography of James Monroe, Fifth President of the United States\nPresidential Campaigns of the 1800s\nMansions, Manors, and Grand Estates in the United States\nThe State of the Union Address","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1595682"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5040664672851562,"wiki_prob":0.5040664672851562,"text":"Resources and Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee\nMonday, 21st September, 2020 7.30 pm\nAgenda frontsheet PDF 116 KB\nAgenda reports pack PDF 786 KB\nPrinted minutes PDF 139 KB\nVenue: Meeting to be held in accordance with SI 2020/392. Link to live stream will be found at https://www.tendringdc.gov.uk\nContact: Keith Simmons Email: democraticservices@tendringdc.gov.uk or Telephone 01255 686580\nApologies for Absence and Substitutions\nThe Committee is asked to note any apologies for absence and substitutions received from Members.\nThere were no absences or substitutions.\nMinutes of the Last Meeting\nTo confirm and sign as a correct record, the minutes of the last meeting of the Committee, held on 3 September 2020.\nThe Minutes of the last meeting of the Committee held on Thursday 3 September 2020 were approved as a correct record and were then signed by the Chairman.\nCouncillors are invited to declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or Personal Interest, and the nature of it, in relation to any item on the agenda.\nThere were no declarations of interest.\nQuestions on Notice pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 38\nSubject to providing two working days' notice, a Member of the Committee may ask the Chairman of the Committee a question on any matter in relation to which the Council has powers or duties which affect the Tendring District and which falls within the terms of reference of the Committee.\nOn this occasion no Councillor had submitted notice of a question.\nRecommendations Monitoring Report PDF 108 KB\nTo present to the Committee the updated Recommendations Monitoring Report, outlining any recommendations the Committee have sent to Cabinet. The Committee is requested to consider the report and determine whether any further action is required on the recommendations submitted.\nThe Committee had before it the current Recommendations Monitoring Report. The Committee were aware that this report outlined any recommendations it had made to the Cabinet, the Cabinet’s response and any relevant updates.\nAfter some deliberation it was RESOLVED that an update was required in relation to an item from the Committee meeting from 22 June 2020 (minute 62) regarding the cliff stabilisation survey, clarification is sought to know if his response included a district wide survey.\nIt was also RESOLVED that the Committee would like to know if its recommendation in relation to a public engagement plan as well as more information to the public in relation to the grants available, and if either of these have started yet, this is in reference to the Committee held on 22 June 2020 (Minute 68 refers) about Housing Issues.\nThe Committee discussed the maintenance contract discussed at the Committee on the 22 June 2020 (Minute 68 refers) where the Portfolio Holder responded that the contract is a 7 year contract with a review after 1 year, it was RESOLVED that the Committee seeks to be part of that review.\nThe Committee held on 22 June 2020 (Minute 63 refers) recommended that all funding to NEGC ltd. be suspended, as the company is in the process of being dissolved they RESOLVED that this matter is closed.\nReport of Acting Corporate Director (Operational Services) - A.1 - Scrutiny of the Waste and Recycling Collection Service PDF 89 KB\nTo submit to the Committee the future ambitions for the waste and recycling service including improving recycling levels (as requested by the Committee at its meeting on 17 February 2020).\nThe report will also address a proposed site visit to a waste and recycling centre.\nItem 6 - addendum report 21st September 2020 , item 86. PDF 149 KB\nThe Committee was informed that prior to the COVID pandemic, invitations for a select number of Councillors were about to be made by the Portfolio holder for site visits to the Veolia plastic sorting and processing plants based in both Rainham and Degenham Essex, along with a site visit to the ECC transfer site located on the A120 at Ardleigh. As COVID restrictions remained in place Veolia were currently not offering site visits to any of their sites, policies were under constant review in line with government guidance and once the authority and Veolia were in a position to offer site visits suitable arrangements would be put in place to resurrect the intended site visits.\nPhotography and video recording was prohibited at their sites and due to that, live streaming or educational video was not an option.\nFuture ambitions of the service to further improve the recycling rates:\nMembers heard the last of the main delivery of approximately 58,000 wheeled bins was completed by the end of August 2019 and as such the wheeled bin service had been in operation for just over a year. The report of the Portfolio Holder for Environment placed before Cabinet on the 16th February 2018 it was anticipated that the fortnightly collection of residual waste from a wheeled bin would reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill by an estimated 16% (4,500 tonnes) whilst increasing recycling by an estimated 3,100 tonnes and increasing the recycling rate by an estimated 8%.\nThe latest audited data supplied by ECC for the period of April 2019 to March 2020 had reported a reduction of waste sent to landfill by 7363 tonnes, increasing recycling by 2899 tonnes and increasing the recycling rate from the 2018/19 figure of 27.4% to 2019/20 figure of 36.6%; an increase of 9.2%.\nThose figures not only meet or exceeded the predicted ambitions of the new service, the new waste service had not become fully operational until the last week in August 2019, this indicated that with the first 5 months data based either fully or partially on the old weekly collection service, that the future performance of the fortnightly collection service would continue to over achieve the initial targets set for the service.\nWith the introduction of wheeled bins having clearly promoted waste minimisation and increased participation in recycling, that since the roll out of the 58,000 wheeled bins the authority and Veolia have continued to work towards increasing the wheeled bin participation of households within the District. The initial audit of the properties in the district indicated approximately 11,000 properties which should remain on a weekly bag collection service, TDC Officers continued to reassess and where practicably possible, introduce wheeled bins to these 11,000 properties, with numerous blocks of flats and properties in rural locations being transferred over to a fortnightly wheeled bin service. Additionally to those properties, as all new build developments became occupied the residents were automatically provided with not just a wheeled bin but also a full ... view the full minutes text for item 86.\nReport of Corporate Director (Place and Economy) - A.2 - Leisure Provision by the Council in the District PDF 141 KB\nTo set out the position concerning the emerging District-wide Leisure Strategy, the refurbishment of Clacton Leisure Centre , the sale of land for use by Clacton County High School at the open space adjacent to the Clacton Leisure Centre and the refurbishment of the Skate Park also adjacent to the Centre.\nThe Committee was updated on a number of items on the Sport and Leisure work programme. The Assistant Director for Economic Growth and Leisure # provided this background report.\nUPDATES ON THE WORK PROGRAMME FOR THE COMMITTEE\na) The emerging district-wide Leisure Strategy as previously reported to it – progress with the development of the Strategy\nMembers were informed that the Sports Facilities Strategy was due to be presented for consideration by Cabinet earlier in the year. One of the key focusses of that plan was a wholesale review of pricing and recommendations for a change in direction, based on an external review of the local fitness market and an evaluation of the number of the volume and value of pre-paid members. Due to the pandemic, that strategy had been postponed and was likely to be brought forward for consideration early in 2021.\nMembership numbers had fluctuated significantly due to the forced closure and phased approach to re-opening. In that state of flux, membership subscriptions had been halved to recognise the reduction in services available to those who pre pay, wither annually or through bank transfer. Further to that, the wider market has been drastically effected by the pandemic and it would not be an appropriate time to make radical decisions, without a clear understanding of when stability will resume.\nb) The refurbishment of the Clacton Leisure Centre – to review arrangements for the refurbishment since they were last presented to the Committee.\nThe Committee heard that in July 2019, Cabinet committed a budget for the refurbishment of the swimming pool changing rooms and health suite areas at Clacton Leisure Centre.\nA tender process for those works was postponed earlier in the year due to the forced closure of the Sports Facilities. A full specification had been prepared by a specialist organisation acting on behalf of the Council and was then in a position to be advertised to prospective contractors. This Architectural Design and Contract Administration company would also act on behalf of the Council during the evaluation of tenders and throughout the construction phase.\nFollowed by the receipt and evaluation of the subsequent submissions, it was anticipated that the work would be undertaken at the end of the year, which was historically the quietest period.\nc) The sale of land to Clacton County High School, community access to the pitches on that land, management of that community access and the conditional works on the existing 3G pitches at the Leisure Centre – progress/timescales.\nThe Committee was informed of the transfer of land to Clacton County High School (CCHS) had yet to be concluded and final agreements were not at that time, in place.\nIn anticipation of conclusion however, agreement had been reached with the school and Essex County Council (ECC) on arrangements for community use.\nThe grass pitch which was marked out on the ‘new’ school land, would remain available for community use outside of school hours. That would be booked through the same process as all ... view the full minutes text for item 87.\nScrutiny of Proposed Decisions PDF 57 KB\nPursuant to the provisions of Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 13, the Committee will review any new and/or amended published forthcoming decisions relevant to its terms of reference and decide whether it wishes to enquire into any such decision before it is taken.\nMatters may only be raised on those forthcoming decisions at Committee meetings where the Member has notified the Committee Services Manager in writing (or by personal email) of the question they wish to ask, no later than Midday, two working days before the day of the meeting.\nPursuant to the provisions of Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 13, the Committee reviewed any new and / or amended published forthcoming decisions relevant to its terms of reference with a view to deciding whether it wished to enquire into any such decision before it was taken. The relevant forthcoming decisions were before the Committee. The Committee was advised that the report referenced the lead Officers rather than the decision maker. The Committee was advised that rather than the officers identified in the report, the decisions would actually be taken by Cabinet in a meeting or by the relevant Portfolio Holder.\nThe Committee heard the proposed decisions and RESOLVED that they would add the following to their work agenda:\n1. Draft Climate Change Action Plan\n2. Financial Performance Report - Quarter 1 2020/21\n3. Back to Business Initiatives - Covid-19 Recovery\n4. Housing Development and Acquisitions Strategy\nReview of the Work Programme PDF 110 KB\nTo present to the Committee a draft detailed Work Programme 2020/21, to consider the detail and ordering of the Work Programme.\nThe Committee had before it an updated Work Programme 2019/20 that outlined the scrutiny to be undertaken by this Committee in the remainder of that Municipal Year. It had been expanded from that originally approved work plan.\nAfter some deliberation it was RESOLVED that:\n1) the Committee meeting for the 16 November 2020 be amended to include Back 2 Business and the Financial Performance Reporting on the agenda.\n2) Housing Acquisition/Development Strategy Review – right to buy numbers, values, type and age of housing and impact on risk appetite for Council building. Plus progress with Pension Provider discussions to build and lease back housing be the focus of the meeting scheduled for the 1 February 2021.\n3) scrutinises the draft Tourism Strategy as approved by Cabinet on 11 September 2020","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1201080"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6746641397476196,"wiki_prob":0.6746641397476196,"text":"Phlogiston\nNov 2, 2020·21 min read\nJ.J.Becher, father of phlogiston theory, public domain\nWhen Albert King recorded “Born Under a Bad Sign” in 1967, he described a man whose hardships included illiteracy and a penchant for big legged women. If the song’s character had ever met Noel Deign, he would’ve counted his blessings.\nNoel was born five years after the recording’s release, but it is impossible to say he was born under a bad sign. Noel was born under no sign. If the astrological charts had been laid out to illuminate the paths and plans for every person on earth, it seemed no divinity took the time or made any effort to slap together such a plan for Noel. Even his name — Noel, which means Christmas, and Deign, which means to do something that one considers beneath one’s dignity — is a nonsensical mashup of traditional festivity and conceit. What does it mean? Nothing, just like Noel Deign.\nNoel’s parents met when they were seventeen, and they were married by twenty. They married because they wanted to have sex, and being a devout Catholic, his mother could not fornicate for fear of being roasted on a spit in Hell for eternity. Instead, they gathered all who were dear to them and publicly spoke their vows of faithfulness and love before God and three hundred of their parents’ closest friends, all so Noel’s father, Howard, and Noel’s mother, Virginia, could copulate with the aplomb of those guaranteed entrance into Heaven.\nFor the honeymoon, Howard chose Harey Haven Resort in the Pocono Mountains, a two-and-a-half-hour drive north of Philadelphia. Upon arrival, the proprietor took them to their suite which featured a heart-shaped bed, white shag carpeting, and a hot tub that sat atop a five-foot-tall sculpture of a champagne glass. The proprietor lingered far longer than Howard or Virginia felt was necessary and spent an inordinate amount of time fixing the thermostat in the closet. Once he left, the Deigns tore each other’s clothes off and collapsed into a flesh-toned heap on the rotating heart-shaped bed. The duration of this first intercourse could be measured by the time it took Howard to position his erect penis at the opening of his wife’s vagina and the microsecond it took Howard to shudder like a man being electrocuted as his ejaculate traversed his urethra and shot through her small opening. Howard never achieved penetration, yet both he and Virginia insist that it was during that first encounter that she became pregnant. Nine months later, Noel was born, so named because he was born on Christmas Day. The coincidence of Noel’s birthday and that of Jesus, combined with what Noel’s father believed was an immaculate conception because he never broke Virginia’s hymen — thereby impregnating her while still a virgin — planted the seed in Howard’s mind that Noel was in fact the second coming of Christ. The universe reinforced the thought five years later when the FBI raided Harey Haven Resort and discovered the proprietor had been filming newlywed couples for more than ten years, covering the time of the Deigns’ honeymoon. Naturally, God would want to document the second immaculate conception, which explained why he allowed them to be filmed. Such thoughts had earned Noel’s father the high school nickname of “Deign the Insane.”\nNoel’s childhood was destined to be an unusual one. His father Howard decided to home school him because he thought himself smarter than any teacher public education could offer. As someone who barely made it through high school himself, Howard’s decision to home school Noel seemed an act tantamount to child abuse. But Howard was determined to “learn his boy all the good stuffs”; and while the state would remove a child from a home where he is physically or sexually abused, they could do nothing when faced with a homeschooling dad who thought viruses enter a person’s nose and work their way through the body until they exit from the big toe. That was Noel’s first science lesson.\nScience was Howard’s favorite topic to teach, and had been since he was laid off from the vinyl chloride plant just before Noel’s birth. Virginia kept the family insolvent by working three jobs that included cutting hair, cutting nails — and intentionally cutting herself on occasion — and acting as a counselor on a suicide hotline, which usually ended with the caller giving Virginia words of encouragement and advice.\nHoward taught Noel the basics. The four elements were earth, water, air, and fire. Earth and water combine to form mud. Earth and air combine to form dirt. Noel asked what happens when water and fire combine, and Howard said that water beats fire, but that fire beats paper and paper beats rock.\nLessons were a model of efficiency as Howard combined science, religion, and creative writing into one course. Howard told young Noel that the things in the Bible were incorrect, that they had all been sold a plastic grocery bag full of lies. There was no God. All the stories in the Bible were misrepresentations of alien visits that occurred in the distant past. There was no Garden of Eden; aliens mixed their own DNA with primate DNA. Elijah was not carried to Heaven in a flaming chariot, that was an alien abduction. Jesus didn’t die for our sins, he was just some guy who owed the Romans back taxes.\nNoel was a sponge and took in all Howard’s teachings. When Howard told Noel that iron rusts because water fills it with self-doubt, he took it as fact. When Howard taught Noel that plants do not die from a lack of sunlight or water, but that they commit suicide so their decaying remains will help the roots of a new generation, Noel was amazed by such self-sacrifice. Father and son built a garden on a shady side of the house and never watered it. They were perplexed when nothing grew until Howard realized they had bought heirloom seeds, and as heirs these seeds must’ve been spoiled rotten, resulting in their abject selfishness.\nOne of Howard’s favorite scientific principles was soft inheritance, an hypothesis debunked in the Middle Ages that states physiological changes acquired over the life of an organism may be passed to its offspring. Howard used this principle to explain why Noel was weak and sickly, because his pregnancy was unplanned and Howard didn’t have time to get buff before the insemination.\nVirginia also contributed to Noel’s education in ways more profound than her husband. One example is how she taught Noel to deal with death. For a child, the death of a pet is often the vehicle by which parents introduce the concept of death and how to handle the accompanying grief; but since Noel was not allowed pets — with the exception of the mixed German Shepherd-Doberman stray he owned for twelve hours before the dog defecated in Howard’s new Lincoln — Virginia’s adventitious opportunity came when Dr. Zhivago aired on network television. In the opening scene of the David Lean classic, a young Yuri Zhivago — a boy the same age as Noel — attends his mother’s funeral. When Virginia looked up from her drink and saw the headstones and dark clothing, she shrieked and pulled Noel’s head into her breast while shouting, “No! Don’t look, Noel! Don’t look at the funeral, oh my God! She’s dead! His mother’s dead!”\nWhen it was time to learn about astronomy, Howard took twelve year-old Noel to the backyard with a junior telescope to look at sunspots. Howard instructed that, similar to humans, sunspots can tell the age of a star. They both stared into the sun through the telescope until their corneas resembled the surface of Mercury. Howard mistook the halos caused by the photokeratitis as angelic visions that shook his faith in the Ancient Aliens theory and drove him back to the Catholic Church, much to the delight of Virginia who by this time was sprinkling crushed valium over her Cheerios. But Noel was devastated by his father’s reversal of faith. How could Howard teach him something for years and then act like it no longer mattered? That indignity provided the gumption Noel needed to embark on his own quest for self-educated truth. He struck out from home one sunny day and did the unthinkable, something that would create a rift between him and his father that would never mend: he filled out a form and became the proud first-time owner of a public library card.\nWhen Noel entered the library during his maiden outing — the first time he stood in any building that contained a lot of books — he was greeted by a large poster of William Faulkner with his much quoted advice, “Read, read, read. Read everything — trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it.” The timing was right for such words to have the maximum effect on Noel and to fill him with feelings of hope and urgency. Noel was at a milestone in his life, a time when he had made the decision to cast off what he had learned and to start anew. It was a feeling anyone who has lost faith in religion would recognize, a feeling of deconstruction riddled with fear and uncertainty, but with an excitement that something profound and ultimately good was happening to them. Unfortunately, Noel could not have known that Faulkner was referring to the reading of fiction — the product of human imagination — and in particular how it should be used to hone a fiction writer’s craft. No one mentioned to Noel that when it came to nonfiction, people should not read everything. When reading historical texts or scientific studies, people should go to great pains to avoid the trash, avoid the garbage, because garbage breeds parasites that infect the human mind and make it a host for their progeny. The power of Faulkner’s words inspired Noel greatly, but they could not fill the epistemological hole Noel’s parents had left in his development as a man capable of critical thought. Noel never learned how to learn. By looking at Noel, one could see that if a man is taught truth and falsehood in equal measure, with equal weight, and by virtue of his ignorance is unable to distinguish one from the other, he will emerge a danger to himself and to all around him.\nNoel spent the next several months placating his father by feigning interest in his lessons like “How Heat Flows From Cold to Hot in the Summertime,” and then set out for surreptitious jaunts to the chemistry section of what had become his favorite place on earth. There was something that overwhelmed Noel every time he stood before the rows of bookcases that started at the entrance to the second floor and stretched all the way to the back. He stood before the chemistry books and drew long breaths through his nose to enjoy the sweet smell of old paper. Noel would never learn the names of the chemicals that gave the books their fragrance, the volatile organic compounds produced from acid hydrolysis: the benzaldehyde, ethyl hexanaol, and toluene. As he gazed upon the bound paper that contained Newton’s apple and Galileo’s feathers and irons, Noel felt a warm sensation in his groin followed by a build up of pressure and then a release that made his vision blurry and compromised his balance. He recovered against the bookcase and pondered the cause of such a spontaneous loss of control. Noel guessed it was the scent of knowledge combined with his first taste of freedom, and didn’t realize it had more to do with his thirteen year-old body experiencing the metamorphic beginnings of puberty with its thrilling chemical reactions.\nStanding alone and surrounded by books, Noel had no idea where to begin, but remembering Faulkner’s words, he figured it didn’t matter where he started since he was going to read everything. Noel reached into a tightly packed bookshelf and retrieved a book at random. The significance of this event was lost on Noel, but there began a pivotal shift for him. Of the hundreds of books the library contained about chemistry, Noel could have selected any instead of the one he picked. He could have pulled From Caveman to Chemist, by Hugh W. Salzberg, an examination of the evolution of chemistry from its Stone Age beginnings through the development of classical theories of molecules and chemical reactions. Had he picked that book, he would have learned about Phlogiston theory within an historical context, and most importantly how it is no longer considered a viable model of nature. He could have also picked The Overthrow of Phlogiston Theory: The Chemical Revolution of 1775–1789, by James Bryan Conant, which conveniently indicates in the title that Phlogiston theory had been discredited long ago. Instead, Noel picked a book simply titled Phlogiston, by Mowry Dibble, an obscure book published by an even more obscure publisher. The book was the work of a scientific humorist that contained an ironic treatment of Phlogiston as if it had never been discredited and had survived into the modern time. It showed what the world would look like today if humanity had never moved past Phlogiston theory. Dibble’s wit was lost on Noel, who took his exaggerations and the absurdist way in which he presented the fundamentals of the theory as a factual telling. Phlogiston was the first book Noel checked out of the library, having spent months reading in the library to avoid being found out by his father.\nIt did not take long for Howard to discover the book and demand an explanation. Noel intentionally left the book in plain sight.\n“What is this?” Howard yelled, shaking the book at Noel.\n“A book.”\n“Where did you get it?”\n“At the library.”\n“What library? There’s no library in this town.”\n“Yes there is. It’s a block from our house. It’s been there a long time.”\n“Nonsense!” cried his father. “And this book is more nonsense.” Howard read the title aloud, mispronouncing it badly. “Phlogiston? I never heard of it. It’s crap!”\n“It’s crap because you haven’t heard of it?”\n“It’s just crap.” Howard opened a window and threw the book out of it. He and Noel were on the first floor, so it landed on top of an azalea bush, and Noel easily retrieved it.\nHoward did not seem to know or care that his outburst and irrational demands would have the opposite of the intended effect on Noel. He forgot his Frankenstein, not that he ever read it, and how young Victor reacted when his father called Cornelius Agrippa’s work “sad trash.” Like Frankenstein, Noel’s fascination with the taboo science increased with greater warnings against it, and he read about phlogiston more avidly than before.\nNoel learned that Phlogiston was a 17th century attempt to explain the process of combustion. Noel knew nothing of combustion, not even that it was the science behind the automobile engine or gas grills, so he would first have to learn the fundamentals of reaction chemistry, which he never did. He learned the history of the Phlogiston Theory, how water, earth, fire, and air — the four known elements of classical theory described by Aristotle and taught by homeschooler Howard Deign — could be re-categorized as moist, dry, hot and cold, which had nothing to do with anything. Rather than understand fire within a modern context, as a complex mixture of ionized carbon particles, water vapor, carbon dioxide, oxygen and nitrogen that emits heat, it was considered one substance, and the process of combustion, or burning, was seen as the decomposition of it.\nThe theory resonated with Noel who had been wondering why his penis felt so tingly and hot, and always did so just prior to what he could only describe as a great release of pressure. Could his penis contain great quantities of phlogiston? The theory could also explain why the girls in his neighborhood seemed aloof while he couldn’t take his mind off them. Did the female vagina contain low quantities of phlogiston or none whatsoever? If that were the case, what would happen if the high-phlogiston penis and the low-phlogiston vagina came into contact? The thought alone made Noel release large quantities of phlogiston in his underwear at night.\nWith these observations, Noel began what would become his life’s masterwork, Men Have Phlogiston, Women Don’t.\nThe tragedy of Noel Deign is that he was not a dumb man. He was born with above average intelligence and an insatiable curiosity about the world. Noel was simply born to the wrong parents, ones who filled him with suspicion, fear, and insecurity, and taught him worse than nothing: they taught him all the wrong things. They taught him the way the world isn’t.\nNoel would not publish his work for another thirty years, and it would have been better for everyone had he burned it and released all of its imaginary phlogiston then and there. Noel’s theory, that the complex differences between men and women could be explained by evoking a debunked 17th century theory about chemistry, was garbage in every sense of the word. His thesis was based upon circumstantial evidence he obtained third hand because, as Noel himself would admit, he could write everything he knew about women on one side of a piece of toilet paper. He also created his theory in a vacuum, and did not site any references from chemistry, biology, or psychology published in the last three hundred years. There were times Noel almost stopped writing, as if he could finally see what everyone but the author himself could see; but because he first developed his theory during a time of great personal discovery — his maturation and departure from childhood, not the least of which included the chemical and biological changes taking place within him that caused feelings of intense eroticism — he became bonded to his theory more strongly than the 124 kcal/mol carbon-fluorine bond, not that Noel would ever learn what that means. He associated his pseudoscience with the real magic of adolescence and all of its firsts: the first time he noticed the budding breasts of his female neighbors, his first erection, his first involuntary orgasm, his first all-weekend masturbate-a-thon that left him humping throw pillows in the living room. All his passions were so tightly-coupled that he could never disassociate them from one another or from the mangled mass of faith and reason his father had helped him create. For these reasons, Noel could not see his work objectively, and even when faced with irrefutable evidence that he was totally wrong and that his work was meaningless, he couldn’t let it go.\nThe Library Book Incident brought an end to any semblance of love that existed in Noel and Howard’s relationship. Noel would always think of Howard as a lowbrow, and Howard would think of Noel as an ungrateful, spoiled child who didn’t know good learning even when he repeatedly beat him over the head with it.\nA year later, Virginia tried to help the only way she knew how. She drank half a fifth of Smirnoff and called the first and last Deign Family meeting, to be held at 6:32 pm because those numbers held some significance, she was sure of it. When Howard and Noel walked the ten feet from wherever they had been and into the living room, she gave a short, tearful plea filled with Hallmark platitudes and drunken blubbering, and put a cassette tape into her Sony component stereo system. She hit PLAY and “Father and Son” by Cat Stevens came out of the speakers as Virginia sobbed into her drink. Howard stared out the window watching grass grow while wondering how it was able to do so in direct sunlight, and Noel wrestled down another useless erection. At the end of the song Virginia said, “See?” and then stared at them with her raccoon eyes before rising and staggering to her bedroom where she remained for the rest of the night.\nNoel never forgave Howard for his actions, and there was no time for father and son to repair the damage. One month after the delivery of Noel’s SAT scores, Howard found out that he had liver cancer along with twenty other men who used to work in the vinyl chloride plant. Two months after that, Virginia was diagnosed with cirrhosis and liver cancer. Noel’s parents died within a week of each other the following year. Virginia went first, and Howard insisted with his dying breath that he passed on his liver cancer to her during intercourse.\nNeither Virginia nor Howard had any life insurance, and the house had been remortgaged so many times the equity left in it had deflated like a balloon put into the freezer. Noel had to leave his parents home at the age of twenty and set out on his own for the first time. He did not spend much time thinking of what might have been. His parents were gone and perhaps that was for the best. He thought back to his father’s theory about plant suicide, the ones that die and decompose onto the roots of the younger plants to ensure their survival. Perhaps that’s what his parents had done, sacrificed themselves so he would not be burdened by them, so they would not impede his development any more than they already had.\nAFTER THE DEATH OF his parents, Noel Deign’s first task was to get an apartment, which he found above a newly opened deli on the main street of his home town. A sign over the entrance threshold read:\n’Tis moral sin an Onion to devour,\nEach clove of garlic hath a sacred power\nAbove the deli counter hung another sign:\nOnion skins very thin,\nMild winter coming in.\nOnion skins very tough,\nComing winter very rough.\nThe deli was owned by an immigrant family of indeterminate ethnicity. The apartment was small and clean, but the smells of fresh paint and new carpeting could not mask the pervasive odors of onions and garlic. They seeped from the walls and invaded Noel’s clothing and thoughts as if they draped his bedroom with their satin skins. In a dream, he viewed the earth from space and it looked like an onion. He held it in his hand. The skin was so thick he could not peel it. He wanted to peel it because he had to expose the fleshy layers to find out what made it sting so much and burn his eyes. Exasperated, he bit into the skin and tore out a chunk. He chewed the onion to bits and swallowed it, but immediately vomited it into empty of space. Noel looked at the world with a large bite out of it and decided he liked it that way. It looked too perfect before. Now it resembled him, broken and incomplete with a large piece missing.\nNoel discovered pornography and started on a path to becoming an aficionado. This led to his main order of business: hiring prostitutes to make with the phlogiston exchange. He had grown tired of waiting on these stupid girls who should have jumped at the chance to participate in his phlogiston experiment, at least for the sake of groundbreaking scientific research. Finding a prostitute was remarkably easy — they advertised in the back of a free newspaper that filled the kiosk in front of the deli. With the stealth of an extra from the reject line of Get Smart, he backed up to the kiosk with his hands behind his back and removed a copy. Even before he reached the security of his apartment, the phlogiston ached for release. He spread the paper out on the plywood supported by a milk crate that he used as a coffee table and read the ads out loud. They were written in some kind of code, using symbols he didn’t understand: m4w, w4m, m4t, BiWM, SAF, LTR, Sub, Dom, strap-on, fisting, ABR/ANR, golden shower, bukkake, BDSM, fresh off boat, yellow fever. They all sounded exotic to Noel, so intriguing. In the end he picked one the way he had picked his first and only book about Phlogiston, which was by random.\nA woman speaking broken English answered the phone.\n“I want someone with a vagina and breasts,” said Noel.\n“Vagina and breasts. It’s very important.”\nIt took some time, but eventually the woman explained that all her girls had both vaginas and breasts.\n“Send one, please. It’s for science. Make sure she’s pretty.”\nNoel gave her his address and then waited with a growing sense of unease.\nAn hour later there was a knock on Noel’s door. The sound alone triggered an intense orgasm. A flushed and chagrined Noel barked, “You’ll have to come back another day.” The response was another knock, but softer. “Go away!” he said.\nNoel went into his bedroom space — his whole apartment was one room — and changed his pants and underwear while cursing himself with the only banal, G-rated swear words he knew. He sat down on his lawn chair and turned on the 10 inch TV someone gave him for free at a yard sale. As he tried to relax, he heard another knock at the door, so faint he thought it was by a cockroach, of which there were plenty. He rose and unlocked the deadbolt and pulled the door open. Through the crack he saw a perfectly androgynous East Asian person who must have been standing there for at least a half hour.\nHe or she had short, cropped black hair and wore an oversized faux-leather jacket, also black, and black jeans that were two sizes too big. He or she stood in Air Jordan sneakers that looked like they had been hanging from a telephone wire until recently, and he or she had a distinctly male gait when he or she moved. His or her face was more feminine: pale skin that was smooth but for ancient acne scars drawn tightly over high cheekbones that tapered into a jaw so sharp it could cut glass. His or her large, almond-shaped eyes reminded Noel of the Grey Aliens his father spoke of during his Ancient Aliens lessons. Had he been thinking clearly, he never would have let him or her in the apartment, but with the end of his quest within reach, he was overcome by the thought of its fulfillment.\nHe or she reached into his or her pocket and handed Noel a piece of paper on which “$100” was written.\n“I didn’t think it’d be that much,” he said.\nWith no common language, it took some time before Noel came to understand that there was a very large, increasingly agitated man waiting for him or her downstairs in a car with tinted windows.\nNoel gave him or her the money, which was all of the disposable income he had, and he or she took his or her clothes off hastily, functionally, like someone getting ready for bed with no enticements, no tease, no hint of sexuality. He or she walked toward Noel and stood in front of him as he or she took off his or her last piece of clothing. He or she forcefully pulled down his or her panties and Noel winced, half-expecting to receive an uppercut to the jaw from a penis, but there was none. Noel was face to face with his first honest to goodness vagina. Standing before him was a real woman with really small breasts, dark areoles, and nipples that looked like they belonged on baby bottles. The smooth skin on her body enticed him to touch it anywhere he wanted. He put his hand on her knee and ran it up her thigh. His hand glided over her body as if she were covered in satin, like an onion skin, but very smooth. The hair on Noel’s arms raised as at the thought that he could do anything he wanted because he had paid for her, but he soon discovered there were rules.\nShe took out a condom from her pocket and unwrapped it and handed it to Noel, who immediately saw the dire implications. With such a barrier, there could be no phlogiston exchange. Without a phlogiston exchange, there could be no scientific discovery. That would ruin everything.\nNoel immediately saw a way around the problem by tearing a small hole in the tip of the condom with is fingernail. He rolled it onto himself with the deft handling of a man who did not possess thumbs. He rolled it halfway down and considered that good enough. The woman walked to Noel’s bed and laid herself down on her back. She spread her legs, put her forearms behind her knees, and pulled them to her chest. In his haste, Noel ran to the bed but tripped and fell before he reached it. She giggled slightly before repainting a stony countenance. Noel artlessly tried to insert his penis into her, but after half a dozen failed attempts, she reached down and did it for him. Wide-eyed with fear, he thrust himself into her twice and then exploded, looking like a man doing the Funky Chicken at a low budget wedding. He then collapsed onto her, panting heavily and putting his full weight onto her chest. She struggled to breathe and to get out from under him, and managed to roll him to one side. Noel lay on his back with an other-worldly stare, like he could see through the ceiling and into the heavens. She rose from the bed and looked down at his deflating penis and noticed that the condom looked empty. Without a word, she removed the condom and held it up. She hastened to the kitchen sink and ran water through it. It poured straight through without the slightest hint of obstruction. The condom slipped through her hand and fell to the floor. She followed it as she knelt on the floor with her face in her hands and her body heaving with sobs. Noel saw Phlogiston drip from her and he smiled.\nHard pounding on the door broke her soft despair and the woman stood up with the haste of the mortally afraid. She dressed quickly and was out the door before Noel could conduct any other experiments, not that he had planned to do anything further.\nNoel lay on his bed later that night and smiled to himself. The experiment was a tremendous success and equally thrilling. He mused what a wonderful thing it is to love your work. From that point forward, things would change for twenty-one year-old Noel. As unlucky as his childhood and teenage years had been, a stroke of serendipity lay in store for him at the start of his twenties. It would be centered around something that had been with Noel all of his life, but to which he had never given any thought. Noel had a rich voice that was perfect for radio.\nA voice for radio meant a career in radio. A career in radio, meant an audience. An audience meant an audience for his Phlogiston theory. Those who believed his Phlogiston theory believed that women were the cause of men’s problems. Men who believed women were the cause of men’s problems tended to vote conservatively. Men who tended to vote conservatively attracted the attention of conservative politicians. Conservative politicians became grateful for Noel Deign and his Deign Nation radio show. Conservative politicians who were grateful to Noel Deign showed their gratitude by swearing him in as the thirteen Secretary of Education.\nMany people looked at Noel Deign, the new Secretary of Education and his lack of basic credentials, and openly wondered how this could happen. This is how it happened. As mentioned before, Noel was not a dumb man. He was not an evil man or an apathetic one. He did not mean to destroy the earth and male and female relations with his Phlogiston theory. The problem with Noel is that he never learned how to learn.\n‘Everything I Know About Sex, I Got from Porn’\nSelene Midship, MSW/MEd\nTouch Me Here! (Stop Neglecting Important Erogenous Zones.)\nEmma London in Sexual Tendencies\nMy Battle With the ‘Uncleanliness of Masturbation’\nStephen Uba in Sexography\nCast the rod, spoil the child\nKitty StrangeLove in Swish Collective\nWhat the hell is a “Demisexual” and Do We Need it?\nLoren A Olson MD in Equality Includes You\nAssumed Shame in Self-Sex Practices\nMaggie Lupin in Fearless She Wrote\nShould You Reconsider Anal Sex?\nTracey Folly in Tracey’s Folly\nWomen, Us Guys Love the Way You Smell\nJoe Duncan in Moments","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1732615"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6313135623931885,"wiki_prob":0.3686864376068115,"text":"New Britain, CT – John Fraioli, vice president of field operations, recently celebrated his 40th year with Downes Construction Company. He began his career at the firm in 1980 as a carpenter apprentice. Over the last 40 years he has worked his way up through the ranks serving as project superintendent, general superintendent and, most recently, vice president of field operations.\nIn this role, Fraioli oversees all projects in construction, and also serves as safety director. He received the 1984 Carpenter of the Year Award and 2017 AGC CT Superintendent of the Year Award.\nAdditionally, Downes has received the AGC CT Platinum Safety Awards for the last three years (2017-2019).\nanniversary construction HPNews leadership Oct'20 safety","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line693087"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7374401092529297,"wiki_prob":0.2625598907470703,"text":"Smollett's accusations: 'Slap in face' to victims\nThe following is the opinion of the writer.\nI get thoroughly disgusted by people who lie. I also have little patience for people who claim that they’ve been victimized when they haven’t. No, this isn’t another letter from me about our president. It is about the greedy, selfish and unforgiveable actions by actor and singer Jussie Smollett of Empire fame.\nSmollett, who lives in Chicago, is a gay black man. He orchestrated a crime against himself by hiring two people to rough him up, to place a noose around his neck and douse him with bleach. He stated that they yelled racial and homophobic slurs at him, while also reporting that they told him “this is MAGA country”.\nBut, the fact exists that there are hate crimes in the U.S. and that our country is divided more than it’s been in decades. What the Chicago Police Department found out from the 2 men who Smollett hired, was that the reason for the fake attack was because Smollett was dissatisfied with the salary that he was receiving on the hit show, Empire.\nSo, in spite of all of the real hardships that gays and men of color actually have to go through in America, and despite the great strides in race relations that have been made over the past 5 decades in the U.S., a man who seemed to have everything going for him, concocted a would be hate crime, which included the use of one of the most symbolic items of racial hatred, a noose, to ensure that his case would receive maximum attention, sympathy for Smollett, and hopefully a nice raise in pay. Wow!\nSmollett wasted God knows how many man hours that the CPD put in on his case. He was the recipient of world-wide attention and sympathy, support from President Trump as well support from many 2020 presidential candidates. Granted, some of the information and behavior that Smollett initially reported was a bit hard to believe, but every potential victim should be believed and their case should be pursued.\nJust today we learned that a white supremacist has been planning to kill as many people as possible, with his main targets being congressional democrats and journalists from both CNN and MSNBC. Who would have thought that a lieutenant from the U.S. Coast Guard has been reading and studying the manifesto of Norwegian Anders Brevik, who orchestrated the killing of 77 people back in 2011.\nSmollett’s orchestrated crime, if true, is a giant slap in the face to anyone who has ever been the victim of a violent crime. After Smollett’s actions, when a hate crime is reported or suspected, this fabricated hate crime will be brought up, putting all purported victims of these crimes on the defensive, or perhaps even causing them to not even report the crime for fear that their character as well as the veracity of their crime will be treated with skepticism. While Smollett’s lies are the exception rather than the rule, future victims of hate crimes will likely be victimized twice, once by the perpetrator(s), and again by people who question the truthfulness of their story.\nGreg Thibeaux\nPiineville, La.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line2018748"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7910580635070801,"wiki_prob":0.7910580635070801,"text":"SMTD Alumna and Renowned Opera Star Jessye Norman dies at 74\nJessye Norman, MM ’68 (voice), Sc.D.Hon ’87, died on September 30, 2019, in New York at the age of 74. Norman was one of the world’s most celebrated performing artists, acclaimed for her performances in a wide range of leading roles with the world’s premier opera companies, in solo recitals, and in concerts of her cherished classical repertoire with preeminent orchestras all over the globe.\nNorman was the recipient of many awards and accolades including some 40 honorary doctorate degrees from colleges, universities, and conservatories around the world; five Grammy awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award; the National Medal of the Arts received at the White House from President Obama in 2010; and at the time in 1997, she was the youngest recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors. Additionally, she was a recipient of the highest recognition of the NAACP, the Spingarn Award and was a member of the British Royal Academy of Music.\nNorman earned her masters of music degree at the University of Michigan in 1968 and then moved to Europe, where she quickly landed a three-year contract with the Berlin Opera, making her debut that year as Elisabeth in Richard Wagner’s Tanhäuser. She made her Metropolitan Opera debut in 1983 and would go on to sing more than 80 performances at the Met.\nA bonafide opera star, Norman was often called upon to perform at many of the world’s most important events. She sang at the second inaugurations of Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton; at Queen Elizabeth’s 60th birthday celebration; at the opening ceremonies of the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta; at the 200th anniversary celebration of the French Revolution; and at a ceremony honoring the victims of 9/11 when two monumental columns of light were unveiled at the site of the former World Trade Center.\nUnafraid to venture onto stages beyond opera, Norman explored a wide range of musical expressions–including performances of the sacred music of Duke Ellington–and creative collaborations with artists ranging from choreographers Bill T. Jones and Alvin Ailey to the multimedia show Ask Your Mama, based on Langston Hughes work, with music composed by fellow SMTD alumna Laura Karpman (BM ’80, composition and voice). Norman’s last artistic expansion was with her jazz ensemble and extensive programming of music from American musical theatre, which she entitled American Masters.\nAt SMTD, two endowment funds, funded by the Charles H. Gershenson Trust, were established in the late 1990s in her honor to benefit the Department of Voice—The Jessye Norman Graduate Fellowship in Voice provides scholarship support and the Jessye Norman Master Class Series brings world-class artists to campus to work with our voice students. Norman also had a long history of returning to campus to mentor the next generation of vocalists and performed for University events on several occasions. In 2018, she was awarded the SMTD Hall of Fame Award during SMTD’s Homecoming Weekend celebration.\n“The impact of an artist like Jessye Norman can’t be measured in words. Jessye was a titan of the opera world and her legacy of performance, outreach, and philanthropy will pave the way for generations of performers,” said Dean David Gier. “Her artistry and humanity will continue to be felt by our students through the Jessye Norman Master Class and the Graduate Fellowship in Voice. We extend our deepest sympathies to her family and will continue to celebrate her beautiful life.”\nHer community service included trustee board memberships at The New York Public Library, Carnegie Hall, The Dance Theatre of Harlem, and The New York Botanical Gardens.\nA passionately involved advocate for arts education, Norman established The Jessye Norman School of the Arts in Augusta, Georgia, that serves as a tangible, living opportunity to address the need for education in the arts for school-age children in Norman’s hometown where Norman’s own studies and training began.\n*Our friends at the Interlochen Center for the Arts shared this archival audio of Jessye Norman performing “Allmächt’ge Jungfrau!” from Richard Wagner’s Tannhäuser in Kresge Auditorium on Aug. 3, 1968. Norman performed with the University Orchestra as a concerto competition winner. Norman received a two-minute standing ovation at the end of her performance. In 1968, Norman spent her summer at Interlochen Arts Camp as a postgraduate student while pursuing her MM at SMTD.*\nJessye Norman. Legend. ?\nBelow is a newspaper clipping w/ her at the 1968 @MetOpera National Council Finals, which she competed in while attaining her masters at @umichsmtd in #AnnArbor.\nMs. Norman perfs scattered throughout @WKAR’s Tues. 10/1 playlist starting at 9am. pic.twitter.com/kegb3SsfF1\n— Jamie Paisley (@JamiePaisley) September 30, 2019\nI had the privilege of meeting Jessye Norman one day on North Camps. @umichsmtd @UMBAGoBlue@JessyeSchool @CelesteHeadlee #RIP #GoBlue\n— BlackPhysicists (@BlackPhysicists) September 30, 2019\nSo many memories of this fabulous, inspiring woman. She earned her MA from @umichsmtd and was so loyal to Michigan and supportive of our students. https://t.co/nLgdyyBY8Z\n— Micheline Maynard (@MickiMaynard) September 30, 2019\nI’ll never forget seeing Jessye Norman (@umichsmtd grad!) in recital at Hill Auditorium deep in the winter of 1985. The most moving, ecstatic concert I’ve ever seen; perfect for me at that moment. Her voice resounds in my memory. https://t.co/7YLQlwrEu8\n— Tim McKay (@TimMcKayUM) October 1, 2019\nI remember when she came to the University of Michigan @umichsmtd and a group of us got to sit in the cafe with her and simply talk. She was kind, she was warm, she was a living example of how great artists can also be great and real people. Ever grateful for her gifts. RIP.\n— Andrew Lippa (@lippaofficial) October 1, 2019\nRIP Jessye Norman. I had the honor of meeting her in 2012 following a performance of Lost in the Stars at The @GOpera She was so generous with her time and we shared @umichsmtd stories. She truly was one of the… https://t.co/4kD4NTNYeK\n— Sean Panikkar (@seanpanikkar) October 1, 2019","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line352744"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7022865414619446,"wiki_prob":0.2977134585380554,"text":"Pound at 2-Week High Ahead of May-Juncker Brexit Meeting\nThe British pound was in high demand on Tuesday ahead of an important meeting between British PM Theresa May and EU officials, at which investors are hoping for a Brexit breakthrough.\nThe pound was by far the best performer on Tuesday; it gained nearly 1.5 cents against the US dollar and now buys US$1.3055—a 2-week high.\nSterling’s gains spread far and wide. Against the euro, it changed hands at €1.15 for the first time in 3 weeks, and against the Australian dollar, it rose back towards last week’s levels in the mid-A$1.82s.\nTraders are seemingly hopeful that Wednesday’s meeting in Brussels between British Prime Minister Theresa May and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker will bear fruit in the form of a breakthrough on the contentious Irish backstop. The meeting has been described as “significant” by a No 10 spokesperson, though Juncker has said he is not expecting a “concrete outcome.”\nWith a 12 percent loss against both the dollar and euro since the UK’s referendum on EU membership in June 2016, sterling bulls desperately need a deal; in the absence of one, the currency might lose 15-25 percent of its value, per the Bank of England.\nCurrency analysts at HSBC said earlier this month that sterling would be valued at levels near US$1.10 in the event of no-deal, near US$1.45 with a deal and at US$1.55 should Article 50 be revoked and Brexit cancelled entirely.\nFears for the UK’s economic future are being stoked on a daily basis—Honda confirmed on Thursday that is was axing 3,500 jobs in Swindon—and so a non-event of a meeting on Wednesday will likely see a sharp reversal in the pound’s trajectory.\nTuesday also brought with it the release of hard economic data. Although the ONS announced another record high in the number of Brits employed, the data was seen as backward-looking by traders and was ignored. There are clearly bigger (Brexit) fish to fry.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line853851"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5754770040512085,"wiki_prob":0.5754770040512085,"text":"Iranian Divorce In USA\nFor consultation call 609-915-2237\nParental Abduction of Children in Saudi Arabia\nBy Professor Gabriel Sawma\nSaudi Arabia is one of the most influential countries in the Islamic world; it is the world’s largest exporter of petroleum and oil products and is one of the richest countries in the in its oil reserve. Saudi Arabia is also the custodian of the two holy cities of Meccah and Madinah. The Prophet Muhammad was born in Meccah in 570 A.D., and moved at a later age to Madinah, in which he established the Islamic faith. The main sources of Islam are the Qur’an, which is composed of the revelations that descended on the Prophet during his ministry, and the Hadeeth or Sunnah, which contain the sayings and deeds of the Prophet. Saudi Arabia is a monarchy headed by the Al Saudi royal family, with a council of ministers.\nSOURCE OF FMILY LAW IN SAUDI ARABIA\nThe most important constitutional document is Saudi Arabia is known as The Basic System (or Basic Law) which took effect in 1992. It specifically states that the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad are the Kingdom’s constitution. Article 7 of the Basic System reaffirms Islamic Shari’ah (i.e., Islamic Religious Law) as the foundation of the Kingdom, stating that the government draws its authority from the Qur’an and the Sunnah, and that these two sources govern all administrative regulations of the state. It emphasizes that the role of the state and objectives is to protect the principles of Islam and to enforce its Shari’a. Th Basic System is guided by Islamic law when defining the nature, the objectives, and the responsibilities of the State.\nBeing the center of Islam, Saudi Arabia embraces the legal, economic, and social percepts of Islam, which acts as a major force in determining the institutional norms, patterns and structures of Saudi society. As such, Islamic faith is not only a religious ideology, but a whole comprehensive social system embracing detailed prescriptions for the entire way of life, and provides guidance to Muslims in all social, political, commercial and economic affairs. It also governs the law of family relations including marriage, divorce, and custody of the children.\nArticle 1 of the Basic System reads the following: “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a sovereign Arab Islamic State. Its religion is Islam. Its constitution is Almighty God’s Book, The Holy Qur’an, and the Sunna (Traditions) of the Prophet (PBUH). Arabic is the language of the Kingdom. The City of Riyadh is the capital.”\nThis means laws relating to marriage, divorce, custody of the children and inheritance are not codified; they are governed by Islamic law (shari’a law). Thus, polygamy is permitted for men limited to four wives at any one time. There is no minimum age for marriage and the Grand Mufti reportedly said in 2009 that “girls of the age of 10 or 12 were marriageable.” Saudi mufti okays marriage for 10 year old girls (alarabiya.net)\nMen have unilateral right to divorce their wives (Arabic talaq) without judicial interference. The divorce takes effect from the time a husband pronounces the divorce. A woman can only obtain divorce with the consent of the husband or obtain a judicial divorce through Shari’a court.\nWhen divorce occurs, the father has custody of his sons at the age of nine and daughter at the age of seven. The right of a husband to marry up to four wives, combined with his ability to divorce his wife at anytime without cause, can translate to unlimited polygamy.\nSAUDI ARABIA IS NOT PARTY TO THE HAGUE CONVENTION\nThe Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is not party to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, nor any international or bilateral treaties in force between Saudi Arabia and the United States dealing with international parental child abduction. The Hague Convention treaty puts into place general guidelines regarding how to handle international child abduction and international custody disputes. Accordingly, there are no legal standards governing the return of kidnapped children from Saudi Arabia. American women marrying Saudi nationals should bear in mind that the children born out of the marriage are considered Saudi citizens by Saudi Arabia, not U.S. citizens. This means the Shari’a court in Saudi Arabia will grant custody of the children to the father in the event of divorce.\nAmerican women married to Saudi citizens planning to travel with their children to Saudi Arabia should bear in mind that the husband may not allow the return of the children to USA.\nThe Saudi husband ask his wife to allow the children to travel to Saudi Arabia for a short vacation. After the children arrived, the father refused to return the children to the U.S. The wife may lose contact with the children after that. The father may refuse all requests from U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia for welfare and whereabouts visits.\nSAUDI COURTS GENERALLY DO NOT AWARD CUSTODY OF CHILDREN TO NON-SAUDI WOMEN\nAn American woman married to a Saudi citizen will not be able to obtain a Saudi court judgment of custody of her children unless she resides in Saudi Arabia, or the father is not Muslim. All Saudi citizens are considered to be Muslims.\nThis author represented numerous clients of various Middle East nationalities including Saudi Arabia. In 2015, I testified in a court in Pennsylvania on behalf of two girls born of an American mother and Saudi father. The court agreed with our testimony and allowed the girls to stay with their mother in the U.S.\nIn 2016, a desperate American mother of three children, who were residing with their father in Saudi Arabia, were ordered by a court in New Jersey to send the children to USA after my testimony was heard before the judge.\nIn 2012, I wrote an affidavit to the Supreme Court of Westchester County in New York for recognition of a divorce and custody order from Abu Dhabi. The Judge recognized the foreign court order and granted custody of the children to the mother.\nIn all the cases that I was privileged to testify before the court, the credit goes to the left behind parent who never abandoned the fight to regain their children no matter what the odds were.\nDISCLAIMER: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.\nGabriel Sawma is a lawyer with Middle East Background, and a recognized authority on Islamic law of marriage, divorce, and custody of children, Professor of Middle East Constitutional Law and Islamic Sharia (law), and Expert Consultant on Islamic divorce in U.S. Courts. Admitted to the Lebanese Bar Association. Former Associate Member of the New York State Bar Association, and former Associate Member of the American Bar Association.\nProfessor Sawma lectured at the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) in New York State and universities in the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East. He wrote Affidavits and legal opinions to State Courts, Immigration authorities throughout the United States.\nTravelled extensively to Saudi Arabia, the Arabian Gulf region, and other countries in the Middle East, and wrote numerous articles on Islamic divorce in USA and abroad.\nProf. Sawma speaks, reads and writes, Arabic, English, French and a few other Semitic languages spoken in the Middle East.\nInterviewed by the following news organizations;\nBBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8608878.stm\nCNN:http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/11/11/egypt.divorce/index.html\nCBN: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdwReohaIcs\nProfessor of Islamic Finance at the University of Liverpool (2012)\nAuthor gabrielPosted on November 30, 2020 November 30, 2020 Categories Uncategorized\nCUSTODY OF THE CHILDREN IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES\nCUSTODY OF CHILDREN IN KUWAITI LAW\nRECOGNTITION OF ABU DHABI CUSTODY ORDER IN NEW YORK\nRecognition and Enforcement of Mahr Agreements in New York\nAbduction of American Children to Iran\nAbduction of American Children to Jordan\nABDUCTION OF AMERICAN CHILDREN TO SAUDI ARABIA\nNew York Appellate Division Accords Recognition and Enforcement of United Arab Emirates Divorce, Mahr, and Custody Judgment\nAmerican Women Marrying Saudi Men\nThe Druze Divorce in USA\nINTRODUCTION TO SHI’I FAMILY LAW OF IRAN BEFORE AND AFTER THE REVOLUTION – A COMPARATIVE STUDY\nABDUCTION OF CHILDREN TO IRAN\nDivorce under Family Protection Law 1967 of Iran\nNationality of Iranian Woman Marrying Non-Iranian Man\nIranian Private International Law in Marital Conflicts\nCODE OF REGISTRATION OF PERSONAL STATUS, 1976, IN IRAN\nTHE FAMILY PROTECTION ACT (1975) – IRAN\nTHE CONSTITUTION OF IRAN\nFamily Protection Bill (as amended in August 2011) – IRAN\nTHE CIVIL CODE OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN\nQATARI DIVORCE IN U.S. COURTS\nIRAQI ISLAMIC DIVORCE IN U.S. COURTS\nYemeni Divorce and U.S. Immigration\nPalestinian Islamic Divorce of West Bank in USA\nEgyptian Islamic Divorce in USA\nEgyptian Divorce and U.S. Immigration\nSaudi Divorce in USA\nSaudi Divorce and U.S. Immigration\nSaudi Arabian Child Custody Cases in U.S. Courts\nIranian Divorce In USA Proudly powered by WordPress","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1531516"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5527461171150208,"wiki_prob":0.5527461171150208,"text":"Hotham History Project\nSt James Old Cathedral – Pioneer Service\nThe attached sermon focusing on the life and service of Canon Michael Henry Becher (1819-1883) was delivered by the current incumbent, Canon Matt Williams, at the Annual Pioneer Service at St. James Old Cathedral on Sunday, 3rd November, 2019, a service attended amongst others by the descendants of many pioneer families with historic connections to this parish. The fact that Canon Becher preached from the same pulpit from1861 to the end of his life in 1883 using texts reiterated in Matt’s homily vividly brought home the continuity of ministry.\nAs a member of the congregation and a committee member of the Hotham History project, I found the well-researched content and insights into the life of a minister in colonial times to be both inspiring and touching. Canon Becher faced many trials and tribulations during his ministry and he was much loved and revered by his congregation for his incredible dedication during his long tenure.\nSermon 3rd November 2019, Pioneer Service – Michael Henry Becher (1819-1883)\n“I have determined to know nothing amongst you save Jesus Christ and him crucified.”\nIn 1861 Michael Henry Becher took up his appointment at St James’ Cathedral, Melbourne.\nHe stepped up into this pulpit, where I am standing, and taking 1 Corinthians 2 as his text he declared to the congregation, that like the apostle Paul, he was determined to know nothing amongst them save Jesus Christ and him crucified.\nThe forty-two year old would give this Cathedral church the rest of his life, twenty-two years, and never lost that determination, that clarity and simplicity of faith. He knew nothing amongst them save Jesus Christ and him crucified.\nIt was not a recipe for an easy life.\nWhen he finally died from Tuberculosis, at sixty-four years old, The Dean of Melbourne, Hussey Burgh Macartney preached at his funeral, again, from this pulpit.\nThe Dean was himself eighty-four. He reminded the congregation of that first sermon, and how truly Becher had lived it out.\nHe couldn’t have spoken more highly of his colleague.\nMichael Becher was his ideal of what a Christian minister should be, unsurpassed in his long experience.\n“I never knew any one who combined all the powers which should grace a minister of Christ in such a degree as they were combined in him.”\nThe congregation loved him so dearly that they commissioned a huge marble tablet – an honour they would only repeat for the Dean himself and his wife Jane – and on that tablet they summed him up using other words from Paul in Acts chapter 20:\nYe know from the first day that I came, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons: serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears and temptations.\nThey erected the tablet, they wrote, in loving remembrance of his long and arduous labours in their midst.\nIt can be telling, when people have to sum you up in a few words, which words they choose.\nHis father ministered at Kilshannig in Ireland for 47 years, well liked, socialising with the gentleman class, arranging fox hunts for them and so on, and the congregation there also put up a marble tablet, in testimony of their affection and respect of their valued pastor and kind friend.\nThose words speak volumes too.\nBut very different words were chosen for his son.\nLoving remembrance. Long and arduous labours. Humility of mind, many tears and temptations. Knowing nothing but Christ, and him crucified.\nIt was not an easy life, and the congregation could see that. His father’s path was valid. His own path was harder.\nIn some ways it was a difficult life because of griefs beyond his control.\nHis first two sons had died in England.\nThe third died on the journey to Australia, of complications from measles.\nThe fourth son, Albert, died at six years old from Scarlet Fever, in 1867, which he only discovered after he recovered from a life-threatening illness himself.\nAltogether he buried seven of his sixteen children.\nAt the same time he himself had major episodes with illness and never returned to full strength after the illness at the time of Albert’s death.\nIn 1875 he was stood down for three months by his doctors.\nIn 1881 the parishioners appointed him a curate specifically and publicly because they were anxious for his health.\nHe finally died of Tuberculosis, age 64, in the long, painful way that disease has.\nSo it was a difficult life, in the way that many lives then were difficult.\nBut it was also a difficult life because he chose to spend it knowing nothing but Jesus Christ and him crucified.\nThis wasn’t just about of the subject of his preaching.\nIt was the manner of his living, the dangers he took on unnecessarily, that he might make sure Jesus was known in the smallest corners of Victoria.\nHe was determined to spend and be spent for his crucified Lord.\nLike Paul, he took on unnecessary sufferings and perilous journeys he didn’t shrink from arduous labours he took up his own cross and followed Jesus.\nThe story of those labours in Australia actually starts before his arrival in 1861.\nHe was born into a comfortable clergy family in Cork, being raised in Kilshannig.\nAt the age of sixteen he was sent for private tutoring in Bath which prepared him to go up to Cambridge, where he graduated with honours in Mathematics.\nThe Bishop of Cork ordained him, and two years later his family connections got him a comfortable rectors appointment with two hundred pounds a year at Barnoldby-le-beck in a very pretty part of Lincolnshire.\nHe had a lovely 13th Century church, recently renovated, a pretty Georgian rectory and only 269 people living in his whole parish, which made for a manageable workload.\nHe was the rector there for fifteen years.\nIt could have been a very pleasant life.\nBut he was determined to know nothing other than Jesus Christ and him crucified.\nHe was a bible man, when all was said and done.\nHe had his views about what the bible meant, certainly, but he wasn’t a sectarian,\nhe wasn’t obsessed with denominations, he was a bible man willing to work with other bible people wherever he found them.\nHe had a deep belief that the most good he could do was to put the bible in people’s hands so they could read it for themselves and by reading it come to know Jesus Christ crucified.\nAnd because of this belief he threw himself into the work of the British and Foreign Bible Society.\nThe Bible Society was founded in 1803 by a group of evangelicals including William Wilberforce.\nIt’s sole aim was to get bibles everywhere they could.\nIn 1853 they celebrated a Jubilee Year and resolved to redouble their efforts in the colonies.\nBecher volunteered for a two-year round trip to Australia, and they sent him off with their blessing.\nHe was granted a leave of absence from his parish and boarded a ship in October 1854.\nHis journals and letters from that trip are in the Cambridge University Library and I’ve been able to read copies of them.\nI have to say, they’re kind of breathtaking.\nHe travelled throughout Tasmania, then NSW, then Victoria and South Australia, going from cities to regional towns to hamlets and farming districts, and everywhere he goes he is inventing ways to further the aims of the bible society.\nIn one place he will speak to crowds of hundreds, establish a new branch or auxiliary of the society and inspire gifts equal to $20K in one night; and then in the next place he will chat to a local store owner to arrange a depot where scriptures can be obtained.\nIn some towns, like Benalla, he was unwelcome or treated with suspicion, in other towns he received the most liberal hospitality.\nHe made his way to places so remote that they hadn’t had a minister pass through in years, and so he door knocked every house and invited them to a church service and ran it on the Sunday.\nHe never stood on his dignity, he always just mucked in and did what was needed whether it was basic scripture distribution or inspiring crowds of wealthy gentleman to support the cause.\nIn the course of his visit he took the Australian Bible Societies from having 11 branches to 99; mapped out strategies for their continued work to the regions, and raised 2150 pounds in collections, the equivalent of about four hundred thousand dollars today.\nBishop Perry was the chair of the Branch in Melbourne, and he was so impressed with Becher’s report that he assured him there would be a job for him in Melbourne should he ever wish to return to the colony.\nAnd it wasn’t an idle wish, for in what seems to have been a prior arrangement Becher’s arrival in Melbourne saw him go straight from the ship to stay at the house of a solicitor, Mr Jennings, who had a 21 year old daughter.\nSix weeks later Becher married Philippa Jennings at St Kilda, and took her for a week’s honeymoon in Heidelberg before continuing his travels throughout Victoria and South Australia and taking her back with him to Barnoldby-le-beck.\nSo although Hussey Macartney was the Dean of Melbourne, he had many diocese-wide duties helping Bishop Perry and the day-to-day incumbency of St James’ was too much for him along with everything else.\nThe role was offered to the industrious Becher, and he brought his wife back near her family to take up the incumbency of St James.\nphotos taken by: Stephen Hatcher, 2010\nHe lived in the Deanery on site, which you can see sketched in a picture at the back of the church, and from then on he was the secretary of the Victorian Branch of the British and Foreign Bible Society.\nBecher was also thinking strategically about less accessible places than Australia.\nHe was particularly interested in the forty-thousand Chinese men he found scattered around the gold fields.\nHe saw this is a great opportunity, and ordered 4500 bibles in Chinese for immediate distribution amongst them.\nBack in England, He argued that it was an especially good investment to make sure the Chinese men heard the gospel and received the scriptures while they were in Australia and free to do so, unhindered by their local religious leaders or despotic governments.\nIt was strategic because they weren’t planning to stay, they had wives and children back in China, and then they would take the message of Christ with them back into the deepest reaches of the Chinese empire.\nThis happens to be the same missionary strategy we have today at St James’, not just for China but for countries all over the world.\nI think Becher would be pleased.\nEach Wednesday afternoon volunteers assemble next door to offer free English Conversation Classes, to anyone who wants them.\nRefugees, International Students, people seeking to stay, people planning to go home, in a ministry now overseen by our curate, Jess.\nA bible story is taught, often by Sarah Raiter or Reverend Jess.\nStudents are invited for dinner and bible study afterwards, and a team of people from St James’ join them, including Dan and Rachelle and Sarah and Lisa.\nWe have bibles in simple English and in a variety of other languages to give anyone who comes to the classes.\nI used to buy those bibles – literally hundreds of them each year – but then we found out that there was this organization that was quite willing to give them to us to give away.\nGuess what that organisation is?\nIt’s the Bible Society of Australia, still going strong, still doing the same thing 160 years later.\nIt would have been Becher’s 200th Birthday this year, and it’s been a joy to read his journals and discover how much of him has found a renewed expression in our ministry.\nWe honour his legacy today by being bible people: people who give away bibles, people who read bibles with people before they return to the far reaches of the globe, having learned to know nothing save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.\nAnnual Pioneer Service: Canon Michael Henry BecherDownload\nPreface by Jenny Cook, a member of the Hotham History Project. Story by Canon Matt Williams. Address given in November 2019. Republished with permission.\nDo you know more about St James Old Cathedral’s history? Email: info@hothamhistory.org.au\nYou are invited to join the Hotham History Project. You will receive notice of meetings and activities, which have included history walks, informative talks and information sessions at the North Melbourne Library, showing of old films, an historical enactment and the laying of a plaque to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the first building in North Melbourne.\nThe Hotham History Project is an incorporated body run by the community.\nHHP records\nHotham History Project Inc\nC/o North Melbourne Library\n66 Errol Street\n(c) Hotham History Project Inc","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1455702"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6894118189811707,"wiki_prob":0.31058818101882935,"text":"Employee / workerEmployerSafety and health representative\nThis page contains frequently asked questions on first aid. First aid is the immediate treatment or care given to someone suffering from an injury or illness. The initial treatment a person receives directly after an injury, accident or when a person becomes ill at work is extremely important in achieving the aims of first aid.\nWhat first aid training do I require?\nFirst aid may be administered by the first person 'on the spot'. It is generally recognised, however, that a first aider is a person who has had some level of formal training. First aiders may have skills that range from basic expired air resuscitation (EAR) or cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to being able to provide more complex treatment.\nSelection and training of first aid personnel is most important. First aiders should be familiar with the specific conditions and hazards at the workplace and the types of injuries likely to require treatment. The level of training that is needed should be determined according to the hazards identified at the workplace and the assessed risks.\nHow many first aiders are required at my workplace?\nIn selecting and determining the number of first aiders needed at a workplace, consideration should be given to:\nthe hazards identified at the workplace;\nan assessment of the risks associated with the hazards;\nthe size and layout of the workplace;\nthe location of the workplace including whether it is an isolated or remote workplace;\nthe distance from the workplace to the nearest occupational health or medical service, or ambulance service; and\nthe number and distribution of employees including those employees working shiftwork.\nWhat should I include in my first aid kit?\nThe first aid box should contain basic requirements and additional items appropriate to the workplace. The Code of practice: First aid, workplace amenities and P.P.E provides a guide for determining the contents and quantities for a basic first aid box. Individual items and quantities may vary according to the identified hazards and level of risk.\nCan I keep paracetamol in my first aid kit?\nIt is not illegal for a workplace to keep paracetamol in the first aid kit, however If a workplace chooses not to supply paracetamol, that is their prerogative. A workplace cannot supply any other analgesics or medication unless someone qualified to dispense it available, i.e. a doctor or nurse.\nEach workplace should develop a policy on what is to be provided in first aid kits. The policy may include procedures whereby employees sign for the receipt of paracetamol from first aiders. If this is the case, the first aider should not be held responsible for dispensing the paracetamol, only keeping it in the first aid kit. The policy should also advise workers that if they suffer from pain or a medical condition, they should keep a supply of their preferred medication with them.\nLast modified: Wednesday, May 14, 2014 - 16:42\nWhat to do if a worker has COVID-19\nVaping- Frequently asked questions\nCOVID-19 (Coronavirus)- looking after your mental health\nCOVID-19 (Coronavirus) Industry specific information\nCOVID-19 (Coronavirus) Frequently asked questions","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1842576"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7062754034996033,"wiki_prob":0.29372459650039673,"text":"position:Home > Child Welfare\nOverview of CCCWA Child Welfare Program\nCCCWA has been committed to developing its functions in the field of child welfare while making efforts in helping orphans and disabled children find permanent homes. In 2004, entrusted by the Ministry of Civil Affairs, CCCWA began to carry out a series of special welfare programs for children, such as the Tomorrow Plan (program for the operation and rehabilitation of disabled orphans), domestic adoption and child care etc. We have formed a set of mature model for operation, making significant contribution to improving the rehabilitation, basic life and education of orphaned and disabled children, strengthening the construction of the work force in welfare institutions, standardizing and improving the adoption work in China. In January 2011, CCCWA, which used to be called \"China Center of Adoption Affairs\", was renamed. With more mandates in child welfare, we will provide a new platform for further development of China's child welfare.\nAt present, we have made fruitful achievements in all aspects of child welfare: with a view to meet the demands of children, we have offered trainings in child upbringing and nursing, nutrition and health care, rehabilitation of cerebral palsy, special education, psychological health consultation to welfare institutions and established occupational skill training system of “caregivers for the orphaned and disabled children ”, leading to stronger service functions of welfare institutions. We have also established the long-term mechanism of \"tomorrow plan\", improved the treatment network of designated hospitals, made more efforts in screening, treatment and surgeries of children with rare and severe diseases and promoted the construction of standard demonstration base for training on cerebral palsy rehabilitation. Besides, we have also been cooperating with Changsha Social Work College in carrying out the\n\"Higher Education Supporting Program for Orphaned and Disabled children\". With our support through forms of independent enrollment, early admission and tuition funding, the orphans and disabled children from welfare agencies can go to college where they can improve their educational level and self-reliance. Also we have launched the program of the National Child Welfare Information Management System, which provides not only an effective technical support for real-time management and dynamic monitoring of the distribution of children’s basic living allowance but also an accurate and scientific analysis on data for the policy making in child welfare and evaluation of their social benefits. Furthermore, we have made in-depth investigation and analysis on the status quo of adoption in China and relevant measures and established the long-term mechanism for legal placement of abandoned infants, and we have taken the lead in introducing the idea of \"baby hatch\", helping set up the first \"baby hatch\" in Shijiazhuang Social Welfare Institution. In July 2013, the General Office from the Ministry of Civil Affairs issued a paper on the \"Baby Hatch\" Pilot Scheme proposed by CCCWA, and then the pilot work gradually spread nationwide. We also promote the social service quality in children welfare institutions by introducing social work into the institutions and selected 30 children welfare institutions as pilot bases for social work and granted funds for their construction.\nMeanwhile, in order to attract and integrate more extensive resources and accelerate the development China’s child welfare, CCCWA makes full use of its advantage in broad oversea cooperation under the support of foreign adoption agencies experienced in charity work. We have built platforms through advanced training, program cooperation, exchanges and visits, etc. to conduct active international exchanges and cooperation in special education, care giving, rehabilitation and fostering of orphaned and disabled children so as to learn the advanced concepts and experience in the development of child welfare work from developed countries. In recent years, we have cooperated with many corporations or organizations, such as adoption agencies from the USA, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Denmark etc., Half-the-Sky Foundation, Love Without Boundaries Foundation, Belgian Handicap International, Joint Council on International Children's Services, J. P. Morgan Foundation, Mead Johnson and Heinz Co. Ltd, instilling new vitality into the development of China's child welfare affairs.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line4195"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6965592503547668,"wiki_prob":0.30344074964523315,"text":"CVHS Times • October 20, 2020 • https://cvhstimes.com/887/entertainment/pandemic-pastimes/\nQuarantine left Cougars with a lot of free time…. and a lot of inspiration.\nThomas's animation emits a sense of brightness and creativity.\nWe all have hobbies that we love that take our minds off of the world around us. Right now, there is no better distraction than a new hobby amidst the chaos that is 2020. Whether it was a trend or something they’ve always wanted to try, many students have felt inspired to explore their creative side over the past six months. For sophomore Isabelle Le, that has been through an app called Depop.\nDepop is an online platform that allows people to buy and sell old clothes and accessories. Recently the app has gained a lot of popularity, especially among young people. However, for Le, her inspiration came from something more personal.\n“I have a passion for fashion. I love styling clothes and experimenting with what I wear,” Le announced.\nOnce quarantine set in, Le found that her house was riddled with items that would be perfect to give away: clothes, shoes, phone cases, earrings, purses you name it. Rather than just throwing everything away, Le took advantage of Depop, and her love for fashion, to create her own online fashion marketplace.\n“I take pictures of the items and then write a description on my profile. I also have to manage transactions and coordinate shipping, and it’s a lot of fun!” Le exclaimed.\nThis new hobby has been a chance for Le to immerse herself in something she loves while being productive at the same time. Not to mention it’s good for the environment! After months of selling clothes online, Le intends to continue with her newfound hobby even as the school year progresses. Over the summer, however, it helped her get used to the independent lifestyle we all have been forced in to.\n“It really helped me fill my free time over the summer. I couldn’t see my friends, but I could still occupy myself with this new hobby,” Le mentioned.\nMany students have admitted to picking up a new instrument or maybe a new sport over quarantine, but senior Bryn Thomas decided to try something a little less conventional. Using just her iPad and Apple Pen, Thomas started to experiment with animation.\n“I’ve had ideas written down for so long and I finally got a chance to sit down and make them happen,” Thomas presented.\nThomas uses a feature on her iPad called Procreate that helps bring her ideas to life. In the few short months that she has started animating, she has already done commissions for those who truly appreciate her unique style.\n“I would describe my style as contemporary with a big focus on lines. I definitely have a bright aesthetic and I love using light colors,” Thomas elaborated.\nAnimation can be tricky, and Thomas is no stranger to that fact. She embraces the process so that in the end, she is always able to create something that she is happy with. All it takes is some patience and a little bit of creative will-power. Though the sluggish summer days of quarantine have come to a quick halt, she hopes to be able to find the time to continue creating her little masterpieces.\nIt hasn’t been easy transitioning back to the quick-pace of school, especially after getting used to spending so many hours a day doing nothing but watching TikTok or Netflix. Hence, spending time exploring a new hobby will allow you to focus on yourself and take the time to detach from your everyday routine. You may even find a new passion in the process!","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line813813"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7284134030342102,"wiki_prob":0.7284134030342102,"text":"Home > Article Index > Adrenal Disorders > Parenting\nintelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/333/8015/348811.html\nExperiments Strengthen Link Between Fish Oil, Mental Problems\nBETHESDA, Md. (Cox News Service) -- Infant monkeys fed baby formulas supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids - the ones found in \"fish oil\" - were stronger and more alert even at less than a week old than monkeys given standard baby formula.\nAnd by the time they were adolescents, those that had been deprived of the special omega-3 baby food were showing signs of physical quirks that have been used to predict with unusual accuracy whether human teenagers will someday be incarcerated.\nThe experiments were described Wednesday by Dr. Joseph Hibbeln, a researcher at the National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse, (NIAAA) in a presentation to other NIH scientists.\nThey are part of a growing body of science indicating links between diets low in omega-3 and such problems as bipolar depression, suicide and post-partum depression in mothers of young infants.\nHeart researchers have believed for decades that modern diets low in omega-3, and high in a related group of fatty acids known as omega-6, are associated with increased risk of heart disease.\nEvidence that mental and behavioral problems may also stem from omega-3 deficiencies is more recent. But according to Hibbeln, chief of an NIAAA biochemistry laboratory, the evidence is dramatic.\nThe incidence of major depression is nearly 60 times as great in New Zealand, where the average consumption of seafood per person is about 40 pounds a year, as it is in Japan, where the average person eats nearly 150 pounds of seafood a year.\nAnd post-partum depression, the condition that some blamed for the actions of Andrea Yates, a Houston woman convicted of first-degree murder recently in the drowning deaths of her five children, is 50 times more common in countries with low levels of seafood consumption, scientists have reported.\nHarvard researchers gave two groups of persons who had recently been hospitalized with depression diets that were high in omega-3 and omega-6, respectively. The results were so dramatic that after three months, the scientists were directed by a research oversight committee to stop the experiment and allow all the subjects to take omega-3, Hibbeln said.\nomega-6 is a typical component of modern human diets that rely heavily on processed foods, grains and grain-fed farm animals. These diets may be deficient in omega-3, which is much more prevalent in wild game, fish and some nuts, he said.\nomega-3 seems to be critical to the growth and maintenance of brain cells, especially cell membranes. That is where all-important neurotransmitters bounce between cells, communicating all sorts of messages, including those related to feelings of well-being, Hibbeln said.\nWhen omega-3 is not available, the body uses what it has, typically omega-6, which produces cell membranes less able to manage the traffic of neurotransmitters.\nHibbeln, who was trained as a psychiatrist, sometimes suggests that people supplement their diets with from one to three grams a day of fish oil labeled to show it contains the omega-3 components eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Although \"cold-water\" fish such as tuna and salmon are said to be higher in omega-3, shallow-water fish also is rich in it, he said.\nIn fact, even farm-raised salmon is higher in omega-3 than beef, because in addition to its grain-based \"fish chow,\" the salmon gets some of the important fatty acid from other food in the water, he added.\nCopyright 2002 Cox News Service. All rights reserved.\nBabies Pick Up Emotional Clues From TV, Experts Find Jan 24 2003","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line493959"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7274316549301147,"wiki_prob":0.27256834506988525,"text":"Police search for man accused of raping child in Winston-Salem\nPosted: Mar 9, 2014 / 09:08 AM EDT / Updated: Mar 9, 2014 / 09:08 AM EDT\nWINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Police are searching for a man accused of raping a 5-year-old child in Winston-Salem.\nAccording to police, the man entered an apartment on Bruce Street, “committed the act” and fled the area.\nDetectives with the Criminal Investigations Division responded to the scene and assumed the investigation, which is in its “early stages,” police said in a news release.\nNo other information was provided.\nAnyone with infomation concerning this investigation is asked to contact the Winston-Salem Police Department at (336) 773-7700.\nby FOX8 Digital Desk / Jan 15, 2021\nGREENSBORO, N.C. -- He thought he won $1,000, but one Greensboro man got the surprise of his life when he realized he was a few decimal points off.\n\"My heart just dropped,\" he said.\nPerson killed by train in Lexington identified","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1775560"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5036656260490417,"wiki_prob":0.49633437395095825,"text":"Home » Years » 2016 » The Jungle Book ••••1/2\nThe Jungle Book ••••1/2\nStarring: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley\nDirector: Jon Favreau\nScreenplay: Justin Marks, Rudyard Kipling\nAdventure/Drama/Family, Rated: PG\nGreg, it looks like Disney decided to re-make an old classic.\nCan you re-make a new classic? Let’s recap The Jungle Book.\nWe meet Mowgli (Neel Sethi), a young man-cub who was left for dead in the jungle and then rescued by a black panther named Bagheera (Ben Kingsley). Mowgli is raised by Akela (Giancarlo Esposito) and her pack of young wolf-cubs. The young boy tries to act like a wolf but on occasion he can’t help showing the cleverness of a human. During this particular year, the dry season hits the jungle hard. All the animals call a truce so that they can all drink safely at the ever-shrinking watering hole.\nThat’s when Shere Khan arrives and declares that there’s not enough room in this jungle for him and the man cub. Once the truce is over he wants young Mowgli turned over to him. But Baheera decides to return the boy to the man-village so that he can be among his own kind. And so begins the boy’s odyssey.\nGreg, I have to admit, I greeted the arrival of this movie with skepticism and cynicism. I’m a big fan of Disney’s original 1967 version of The Jungle Book, and I saw no need to revisit such hallowed, near-perfect ground. Well, I’m here to tell our readers that as fabulous as the original movie was, this 2016 version is even more wondrous and spectacular. I’m reluctant to call any movie flawless, but this film was damn near perfect. I’m talking about character development, hero’s journey, supporting characters, CGI effects, you name it. I was dazzled and beyond satisfied.\nYeah, The Jungle Book was a much more sophisticated bit of animation than its predecessor. You will believe a tiger can talk. However, there were moments when I wondered if Mowgli was animated himself. When a film is clearly a cartoon (as was the 1967 version) you aren’t thrown out of the story by such questions. But there were times when I was asking myself “is this Mowgli a CGI or not?” And in those moments I was looking at the technology and not the story. It was a bit of a distraction.\nBut on the other hand, when you compare to a movie like Zootopia where the characters are animated – Jungle Book seems light-years ahead. The animals looked like lions and tigers and bears.\nAlso, the story itself is subtler than the original. The original story has Mowgli going from animal to animal trying on their lifestyle to see if he fits. Ultimately, Mowgli finds the man-tribe and realizes this is where he fits in. Bears should be with bears, and boys with boys.\nBut that message doesn’t fit with 21st century sensibilities. In 2016, Mowgli returns to his wolf pack. He is a member of a blended family and he is at home with his differences. He draws strength from the variety of the animal kingdom and he takes his place as an equal among different animals. It’s a more complex message.\nThe hero’s journey is compelling and non-traditional in some ways. It follows the classic journey in that Mowgli is sent away from his home and then encounters his bear friend Baloo and a couple of villainous obstacles in the form of the snake Kaa and the orangutan King Louie. Usually a hero is missing some inner quality that he must obtain in order to triumph. The Jungle Book turns this formula upside-down by identifying his human intelligence as his fatal flaw. At the beginning of the film, the animals with whom Mowgli lives are critical of his humanity and try to drill it out of him. It’s also one of the reasons why Shere Khan wants him gone.\nBut rather than shed this quality, Mowgli stays true to himself and uses his human cleverness to help himself and others. In fact, at the film’s climax, it is Mowgli’s ingenuity that saves him from Shere Kahn. Thus we have an interesting hero’s journey that turns the hero’s transformation on its head by underscoring the importance of not changing as a means of completing the journey. Instead of needing to find his missing inner quality, Mowgli has already been in possession of it and must hang onto it despite pressures to abandon it. For me this makes his hero path fascinating and unique.\nThat’s an interesting distinction. Mowgli gets many mentors in this story. Of course there’s Akela from the wolf pack, and Bagheera, later Baloo shows Mowgli how to enjoy the easy life. Ultimately, Mowgli listens to his inner self and combines all his mentors into a whole.\nI enjoyed The Jungle Book more than I expected. Disney has taken animation to a new level with the photo realism of the jungle animals. I was occasionally distracted by trying to determine if I was looking at a real person or a CGI image, but other than that I was drawn into this story and completely enjoyed myself. I give The Jungle Book 4 out of 5 Reels.\nMowgli makes for an interesting hero. He starts out sheltered and naive and grows to become mature and confident. It was a gradual process and enjoyable to watch. I give Mowgli 4 out of 5 Heroes.\nThe mentors in this story, including the unwritten code of the wolf pack, gave Mowgli the direction he needed to overcome his lack of confidence and allowed him to grow into the person he was destined to be. I give the mentors in The Jungle Book 4 out of 5 Mentors.\nMovie: Mentors: Heroes:\nYou’re right about the richness of the mentorship in this movie, and I have some observations to make about it before launching into my ratings. We’re learning that heroes receive assistance from many different types of “helpers”, for lack of a better term. A mentor is one such helper, and we define a mentor as an older figure who serves as the hero’s teacher. Sometimes these helpers assume a parental role; in this film, Akela plays that role with Mowgli. Sometimes these helpers are guides who know the terrain and who lead the hero to the special world; here Bagheera assumes that role. These guides could be called Charons, named after the ferrymen in Hades who guided people between worlds across the river Styx.\nOther helpers are bodyguards who offer physical protection for the hero; this role aptly describes Baloo the bear. Still other helpers are coaches who physically train the hero; Akela and Bagheera both share those duties here. As you’ve pointed out, Greg, mentoring can also come in the form of an internalized code of conduct; the wolves code in this film plays a pivotal role in steering Mowgli toward noble behavior. So we have physical, transportational, parental, and didactic teachers all helping our hero survive the jungle and defeat Shere Khan. The Jungle Book is one of the richest mentor/helper stories we’ve encountered in the movies in 2016.\nOverall, this movie is a true gem, one of Disney’s finest offerings of the past decade. This coming-of-age story is as old as storytelling itself, centering on a hero who must find his true identity. Mowgli cannot be trained to become a wolf, although he certainly makes the effort. His journey is a path toward manhood, and only through defeating the evil Shere Khan can his humanity be revealed. Every aspect of this movie is stirring and triumphant. It’s Reel Heroes Hall of Fame material to me, and so I’m more than happy to award this film the full 5 Reels out of 5.\nAs I’m mentioned, the hero’s journey is cleverly turned on its head, with Mowgli’s apparent flaw of “cleverness” being precisely the quality that must be cultivated for Mowgli to achieve success on his journey. So ironically, the transformation that our hero’s friends implore him to undergo at the beginning of the movie is exactly what he must avoid undergoing in order to succeed on his journey. Mowgli is a wonderful hero on a classic journey in every sense of the word. He merits the full 5 Heroes out of 5.\nI needn’t delve again into the rich assortment of mentor-like characters who assist our young hero on his journey. These characters are an inspired collection of teachers with unique and appealing personalities, and they help Mowgli emotionally, mentally, and physically. They are among the best mentors in the movies we’ve seen this year, rivaling those seen in Eddie the Eagle I award Mowgli’s helpers a Mentor rating of 5 out of 5.\nBy Greg Smith in 2016, 4 Heroes, 4 Mentors, 4 Reels, Adventure, Drama on May 8, 2016 .\n← Criminal •••\tKeanu ••1/2 →","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1587015"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8518534898757935,"wiki_prob":0.8518534898757935,"text":"December 2, 2020 by Graeme MacKay\nEditorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday November 24, 2020\nTrump Administration Approves Start of Formal Transition to Biden\nPresident Trump’s government on Monday authorized President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. to begin a formal transition process after Michigan certified Mr. Biden as its winner, a strong sign that the president’s last-ditch bid to overturn the results of the election was coming to an end.\nMr. Trump did not concede, and vowed to persist with efforts to change the vote, which have so far proved fruitless. But the president said on Twitter on Monday night that he accepted the decision by Emily W. Murphy, the administrator of the General Services Administration, to allow a transition to proceed.\nIn his tweet, Mr. Trump said that he had told his officials to begin “initial protocols” involving the handoff to Mr. Biden “in the best interest of our country,” even though he had spent weeks trying to subvert a free and fair election with false claims of fraud. Hours later, he tried to play down the significance of Ms. Murphy’s action, tweeting that it was simply “preliminarily work with the Dems” that would not stop efforts to change the election results.\nStill, Ms. Murphy’s designation of Mr. Biden as the apparent victor provides the incoming administration with federal funds and resources and clears the way for the president-elect’s advisers to coordinate with Trump administration officials.\nThe decision from Ms. Murphy came after several additional senior Republican lawmakers, as well as leading figures from business and world affairs, denounced the delay in allowing the peaceful transfer of power to begin, a holdup that Mr. Biden and his top aides said was threatening national security and the ability of the incoming administration to effectively plan for combating the coronavirus pandemic.\nAnd it followed a key court decision in Pennsylvania, where the state’s Supreme Court on Monday ruled against the Trump campaign and the president’s Republican allies, stating that roughly 8,000 ballots with signature or date irregularities must be counted.\nIn Michigan, the statewide canvassing board, with two Republicans and two Democrats, voted 3 to 0 to approve the results, with one Republican abstaining. It officially delivered to Mr. Biden a key battleground that Mr. Trump had wrested away from Democrats four years ago, and rebuffed the president’s legal and political efforts to overturn the results.\nBy Monday evening, as Mr. Biden moved ahead with plans to fill out his cabinet, broad sectors of the nation had delivered a blunt message to a defeated president: His campaign to stay in the White House and subvert the election, unrealistic from the start, was nearing the end. (New York Times)\nPosted in: USA\tTagged: 2020-40, concede, concession, denial, Donald Trump, election, Joe Biden, Presidency, transition, twitter, USA\nEditorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday November 17, 2020\nAmerica’s divisions run deeper than you think\nAs the dust finally settles two weeks after the American-election earthquake, two undeniable facts are now clear.\nFirst, whatever Donald Trump says, Joe Biden was elected president. Second, before Biden can put his progressive agenda fully to work, he must achieve the political equivalent of scaling a sheer, vertical mountain face.\nTo comprehend Biden’s predicament, look beyond the bitterly divided country he will lead. He’s also the head of a seriously splintered Democratic Party that agreed to a truce long enough to defeat the common enemy of President Donald Trump but then immediately returned to fighting itself.\nThis internecine conflict, along with ongoing confusion over what the party truly stands for, partly explains why the Democratic landslide so many pollsters predicted never materialized. Remember how, just before the election, the Democrats had high hopes of winning America’s political trifecta; the White House, the House of Representatives and the Senate?\nPoll after poll buoyed these expectations. And with the always outrageous Trump bungling his way through a pandemic, economic crisis and the most serious racial unrest in a half century, the planets seemed aligned for a historic Democratic victory.\nPretty much any Democratic body with a healthy pulse should have been able to trounce Trump, or so it seemed. Why this didn’t happen should result in some profound Democratic soul-searching. Yes, Biden won the presidency, but in many of the states he carried, he did so by razor-thin margins.\nSomehow, the Democrats managed to lose seats in the House of Representatives. Nor does it seem likely they’ll wrest control of the Senate from Republican hands. As a result, Biden’s dreams of massive infrastructure spending, a concerted nationwide campaign against climate change as well as overdue health-care reforms could remain just that — dreams.\nThe Democrats are at loggerheads over why they didn’t do better — a dispute that should itself point to the answer they need. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a self-proclaimed democratic “socialist” who sits in the House of Representatives, blamed incompetent party strategists and their failure to tack farther to the left.\nTo which Democratic Virginia Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger replied, the party should never again use the words “socialist” or “socialism,” and stop talking about defunding the police.\nTo be sure, this is a fight the Democrats must settle themselves. But it’s worth noting the Democrats made Biden president by persuading more Democrats to come out and vote, not by convincing Republicans to abandon Trump. Millions of more people voted for Trump in 2020 than did in 2016. To really make a difference moving forward, the Democrats need to win over some of those Americans.\nAs hard it will be for his opponents to admit, Trump expanded his base, including with Black and Hispanic voters. Despite this, the post-election Republicans are also divided, uncertain whether they should stick with Trumpist populism or whether their future lies in more moderate, centrist politics.\nWhat happens next matters greatly, not just to the U.S. but other countries, including Canada, which have experienced sharp, political polarization within, as well as between, political parties. For instance Erin O’Toole, who billed himself as a “true blue” Tory before becoming leader of Canada’s federal Conservatives, is suddenly flirting with populism.\nIt is fitting that Biden has pledged to be a great unifier and healer. We hope he brings his country together. But first he must unite his own party. Politics has been called the art of the possible. In a democracy, politics can also be categorized as the fine art of compromise. (Hamilton Spectator Editorial)\nPosted in: USA\tTagged: 2020-39, boot, Democratic, division, Donald Trump, election, extremists, Joe Biden, Left, leftist, party, Radical Left, USA, victory\nEditorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday November 7, 2020\n“They have given us a mandate for action on COVID and the economy and climate change and systemic racism,” Biden said in a late-night speech in Wilmington, Del. “They made it clear they want the country to come together — not pull apart.”\nBiden followed Saturday night by calling on Democrats and Republicans to come together after the election and pledged to join them.\n“And I believe that this is part of the mandate from the American people. They want us to cooperate,” Biden said. “That’s the choice I’ll make. And I call on the Congress — Democrats and Republicans alike — to make that choice with me.”\nBut Biden, who secured enough votes to win the Electoral College on Saturday morning, will face a narrowly divided Congress when he takes office in January. Biden’s significant lead in the popular vote did not translate to a Democratic wave in the House and Senate, leaving Biden without the votes necessary to pursue an aggressive legislative agenda in Congress.\nDemocrats maintained control of the House of Representatives but the GOP made gains, picking up at least five seats in the election. Control of the Senate will remain undecided until early January following a pair of runoff elections in Georgia.\nRepublican reaction to Biden’s victory has been muted as focus shifts to GOP efforts to defend incumbent Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue in those Georgia seats. So far, most Republican senators, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., have not congratulated Biden or acknowledged his victory.\nBut Democrats are already calling those races the linchpin that determines the success of Biden’s agenda. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., used Biden’s victory as a call to arms in the Georgia races.\nRegardless of the outcome in Georgia, the victors will have a narrow majority in the Senate. And Democrats will be forced to contend with divisions within their own party on some of the biggest policy items on Biden’s list.\nAmong the most controversial is a plan to combat climate change. Democrats themselves are not fully unified on how to approach the issue. Divisions over how quickly and aggressively to move to limit carbon emissions have simmered within the party since progressive lawmakers like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., introduced the Green New Deal — a plan to eliminate the carbon footprint by 2030 — back in 2019.\nProgressive activists are also calling for Biden to move on another issue that divides the party, Medicare for All. Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., both oppose the plan and instead want Obamacare expanded with a public option. But progressives argue that the party has shifted to embrace widespread government-sponsored health care.\nBiden has consistently promised that one of his top priorities will be to take immediate steps to combat and control the spread of the coronavirus, which has surged in recent weeks. His plan includes investing in expanded testing with a Pandemic Testing Board and a vast Public Health Jobs Corps as well as better tracing capacity and greater production and distribution of personal protective equipment. His plan also includes a plan to boost jobs to aid in economic recovery.\nCongressional leaders say they hope to pass some COVID relief before the end of this year but Democrats have long insisted that they expect the economy will need further support in 2021. (NPR)\nPosted in: USA\tTagged: 2020-37, birds of prey, division, dragon, eagle, election, Joe Biden, polarization, training, USA\nEditorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday November 4, 2020\nTrump prematurely crowns himself winner in chaotic U.S. election that remains undecided\nThe ingredients have now been assembled for a combustible post-election aftermath in the United States. And Donald Trump has begun flinging matches.\nUncertainty had been predicted for months and early returns confirmed that voting day would indeed pass without a clear winner.\nAs in 2016, Trump outperformed the polls, forcing a state-by-state duel with Democratic challenger Joe Biden that could conceivably culminate in Trump winning a second term.\nThe result could become clearer within hours, or perhaps days.\nStates are still counting mail-in ballots, which tend to skew Democrat, and Biden is quickly narrowing gaps in the count in several states; in some cases, he’s possibly set to overtake Trump.\nThe chaotic finale illustrates the country’s bitter polarization; the parties are arguing about which types of ballots are legitimate.\nThe president has eagerly fanned that polarization. Early Wednesday morning, he falsely claimed that he had already won. Trump did so in an unusual rally from the White House, a seat of government not typically used for election events.\n“This is a fraud on the American public. This is an embarrassment,” Trump said from the executive residence. “We did win this election.”\nTrump promised to head to court to try cutting off the counting of votes.\nIn Pennsylvania, for example, Republicans have been trying to cancel the counting of ballots that are postmarked before election day but arrive after. It’s one of more than 350 such casesthis year over pandemic-related voting measures. (CBC)\nPosted in: USA\tTagged: 2020-37, chaos, Donald Trump, election, Hurricane, indecision, Joe Biden, storm, Uncle Sam, USA, vortex\nEditorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday October 31, 2020\nBiden’s Call for ‘National Mask Mandate’ Gains Traction in Public Health Circles\nAs the nation heads into what public health experts are calling a “dark winter” of coronavirus illness and death, public health experts are coalescing around Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s call for a “national mask mandate,” even as they concede such an effort would require much more than the stroke of a presidential pen.\nOver the past week, a string of prominent public health experts — notably Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease specialist, and Dr. Scott Gottlieb, a former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration under President Trump — have said it is time to seriously consider a national mandate to curb the spread of the virus.\nOverseas this week, President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia became the latest foreign leader to impose a national mandate for citizens to wear masks. Mr. Trump is opposed to a mandate, and Mr. Biden has conceded that a presidential order for all Americans to wear masks would almost certainly face — and most likely fall to — a legal challenge.\nMr. Biden, the Democratic presidential nominee, echoed the “dark winter” language during the most recent presidential debate, and he is already using his bully pulpit to promote and reinforce a culture of mask wearing. If elected, he will almost certainly do more.\nMr. Biden has already said that, as president, he would mandate masks on all federal property, an executive order that could have wide reach. He could use his authority under federal transit law to require masks on public transportation. He could also prod governors who are resisting mask mandates to at least require masks in public buildings in their states.\nBut that is delicate terrain in the United States, where Mr. Trump has turned the act of wearing or not wearing a mask into a political statement. Public health and legal experts say it would be far better for Mr. Biden — or Mr. Trump, for that matter — to use his powers of persuasion to convince Americans that covering one’s face to curb the spread of the virus is a patriotic or civic-minded action.\n“Instead of making it about the president’s coercive authority under law it should be about whether the president can support a norm that supports public health, which is in people’s self interest,” said Harold Hongju Koh, a law professor at Yale University and an expert in national security and human rights.\nMr. Trump, however, has shown little interest in supporting such norms. At a rally on Wednesday in Arizona, he mocked California’s mask mandate, saying, “You have to eat through the mask.” (New York Times)\nPosted in: USA\tTagged: 2020-36, Coronavirus, covid-19, Donald Trump, Economy, election, Joe Biden, MAGA, masks, militia, pandemic, rally, Science, trust, USA","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line239950"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6082206964492798,"wiki_prob":0.6082206964492798,"text":"Home/SCITECH/Apple has removed 25,000 applications from the App Store in China\nApple has removed 25,000 applications from the App Store in China\nvenezuela August 20, 2018 SCITECH Leave a comment\nThe government of China, has a very difficult regime in terms of technological innovations that enter the country, so companies like to Googlethey have to change the way they work to get into it; However, that is not the only case that exists, since Apple is also indulged in Chinese standards.\nThe apple company had to remove 25,000 applications from the App Store in China, because they did not comply with the regulations that the country has with regard to situations that could distract people's attention.\nThat is why most deleted apps had to deal with games, bets, draws and other activities in which coincidence was involved.\nThrough a statement, Apple said the applications were removed because they did not comply with the rules that control the country:\n\"Gambling applications are illegal and are not allowed in the App Store in China, we have already eliminated many applications and developer profiles for distributing illegal gambling applications in our application store, and we are vigilant to find them and avoid them in the App Store. \"\nThis fact is added to the list of actions that the Tim Cook company had to perform to be present on the Chinese market, as it previously had to revoke the VPN services (private and virtual networks), which allowed people to access web pages & # 39; s and social networks such as Google, Twitter, Instagram or Facebook, which have been censored for several years.\niPhone and other gadgets would be manufactured in Mexico by the China-US tariff war\nParallel to this situation there is the recent decision of the President of the United States, Donald Trump, concerning it use of Huawei, ZTE and other Chinese companies, in his government, because he considers them dangerous for national security; all these situations make the US relationship with China is quite tense and that the technological future between the two is in limbo.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line301017"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6298117637634277,"wiki_prob":0.6298117637634277,"text":"Romance Languages Special Major\nLet your curiosity lead the way:\nAbout French\nFrench is one of the top five languages spoken around the world today, spanning the continents of Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas along with the Mediterranean and Caribbean regions. Our courses initiate students into various modes of French cultural production and analysis, preparing them to study abroad. Such experiences enable them to pursue careers in international business, medicine, law, diplomacy, and the arts.\nOur graduate program in French Language & Literature prepares graduates for the teaching and research demands of post-secondary education. Graduate studies encompass a combination of literary theory, literature, and cultural studies across periods, genres, and geographies, as well as carefully designed instructional methods and theory courses at introductory and advanced levels.\nOur summer, semester and year-long study abroad programs in Nice, Toulouse, Paris, and Dakar enable students to deepen their understanding and appreciation of French culture by taking courses in the French university system, living with French families, shadowing doctors in French hospitals, holding internships in French businesses, and traveling extensively.\nundergrad requirements\nFrench major & minor course requirements, honors options, and more\nUndergraduate Degree Requirements\nCross-Cultural Communication: Language Learning at Home and Abroad\nWe use the communicative method of language teaching enhanced with authentic cultural materials, enlivened with multimedia approaches, and reinforced with frequent revision for maximum oral and written proficiency, preparing you for one of our many summer or semester study abroad opportunities.\nDisciplinary Dialogues: Modes of Cultural and Artistic Expression\nOur faculty covers all eras and areas of French and Francophone language, literature, and culture, from the Middle Ages to the present, specializing in literature’s interconnections with philosophy, historiography, politics, the sciences, and the arts.\nThe Francophone World: Expanding Horizons\nWe help prepare you for professions in international business, medicine, law, and diplomacy, providing you with applicable knowledge and transferable skills, including historical and cultural background, cultural and textual analysis, and oral and written language.\nCareers & Outcomes\nCheck out what recent graduates have done, and explore career center resources to chart your path.\nOur Department of Romance Languages and Literatures, one of the most active in the country, offers highly qualified students the opportunity to earn Doctoral degrees in all areas of French and Francophone literary and cultural studies. Our students receive generous funding and benefit from our faculty's expertise.\nIn and out of classes, professors try to create an open and supportive environment for the development of graduate students in diverse fields. The program studies literature in an interdisciplinary and multicultural context, with attention given to all periods and genres. The program gives you and your advisor considerable freedom to plan a course of study that responds to your needs and interests.\nOur faculty’s fields of expertise combine the study of French literature (including Francophone regions of Africa, the Caribbean, and North America) with the arts and sciences as well as with theory, politics, and film. We encourage students to take a certain number of courses outside the department that complement the French program. You also have the opportunity to work with members of other departments and programs by participating in our research and reading groups for faculty and graduate students and by attending our events, including many prestigious guest speakers.\nExplore our Graduate Program in French\nProfessor Tili Boon Cuillé\n“I hope my students take away a love of culture and a curiosity about other people’s perspectives that will inspire them to explore further, travel further, think circumspectly, and have the courage to put themselves in situations in which their informed perspectives can have an impact in whatever professional venue they choose,” said Tili Boon Cuillé, Associate Professor of French and Comparative Literature and Director of Undergraduate Studies in Comparative Arts at Washington University in St. Louis.\nClick here to read the full article from The Teaching Center.\nOur faculty’s fields of expertise combine the study of French literature (including Francophone regions of Africa, the Caribbean, and North America) with the arts and sciences as well as with theory, politics, and film.\nThe Department and the University strongly encourage all students of foreign language to study abroad, both to improve their linguistic skills and to benefit from the experience of living in another culture. To permit students at virtually any level to participate, the Department sponsors a number of programs abroad. Students can select programs for summer, semester, or year-long study that award Washington University degree credits. Some of the programs are specialized and intended for students in Spanish and Business or French and pre-med. On the graduate level, the Department participates in two exchange programs based in Paris.\nStudy Abroad Details\nWe are here to support you! Browse all of our resources for undergraduates.\nbecome part of WashU\ncreate knowledge in any discipline with the office of undergrad research\nPlacement Exams\nfor French, Italian, and Spanish\nsearch more resources\nCollege of Arts & Sciences Resources\nFrench Awards\nRichard L. Admusen Award\nMr. Richard L. Admusen passed away on April 28, 1981; a victim of leukemia. He was an esteemed professor in the Department of Romance languages for 17 years. The purpose being to award an annual prize for the best Honors student in French.\nThe Roberta J. Luerty Award for Undergraduate Study in France\nThis travel award was established by the Luery family in memory of their daughter, Roberta Luery. Roberta was killed in a car accident on the way back to Washington University in August 1998 to begin her senior year. She had been on a study abroad program in France during her junior year and had a very positive experience while there. The establishment of this award has served as an instrument for many other students to benefit from the generosity of Roberta's family and friends.\nMarkovitz Travel Prize\nThe Markovitz Travel Prize was set up by the family of Rose Markovitz as a tribute to her memory and to her love of travel. This award is recognition of the students’ achievements in French/Spanish courses and is a tribute to the interest and intellectual curiosity the winners have demonstrated in French/Spanish culture.\nElizabeth Schreiber Award in French for Excellent Teaching\nThe Elizabeth Schreiber Award was set up by Faculty members of the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures in memory of Professor Emerita Elizabeth T. Schreiber.\nProf. Schreiber spent over 40 years teaching French at Washington University. She began teaching in 1945, and continued as a part-time instructor after her retirement in 1977. Faculty members wanted to honor her memory by recognizing outstanding Teaching Assistants in French with this award.\nIf you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.\nCopyright 2021 by:Arts & Sciences at Washington\nUniversity in St. Louis\nDepartment of Romance Languages & Literatures\nrll@wustl.edu\nVisit the main Washington University in St. Louis website\n1 Brookings Drive / St. Louis, MO 63130 / wustl.edu","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1480797"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.673841118812561,"wiki_prob":0.673841118812561,"text":"Home Defense Industry Naviris, the JV between Fincantieri and Naval Group is now fully operational\nNaviris, the JV between Fincantieri and Naval Group is now fully operational\nThe first board meeting of Naviris, the joint venture between Fincantieri and Naval Group, took place. This partnership cements the shared desire of the two companies to build a future of excellence for the shipbuilding industry and Navies.\nThe Alliance is the natural evolution of the historical partnership already existing between two world leaders. With more than twenty years of cooperation, Naval Group and Fincantieri have already achieved success together: as early as the 1990s with the Horizon air defence destroyer programme (four ships) and with the FREMM multi-mission frigate program ongoing since 2005 (twenty vessels).\nNaviris paves the way to the consolidation of European naval defence in response to the increasing pressure of worldwide competitors. Through Naviris, Fincantieri and Naval Group are pooling their strengths to develop a new strategic capability and respond in an innovative way to the needs of their customers.\nThe two companies have established that Naviris is a 50/50 joint venture. With the head office located in Genoa with a subsidiary in Ollioules, the Naviris team will focus on bi-national and export projects. Underlining the strategic and developmental will attributed by Fincantieri and Naval Group to the operation, Giuseppe Bono has been appointed Chairman and Hervé Guillou Member of the Board. Claude Centofanti, Chief Executive Officer and Enrico Bonetti, Chief Operational Officer, will run the joint venture. Parent companies are equally represented on the Board of Directors.\nNaviris’ objective is to create value for its customers through the following key areas:\nCommon R&D projects\nWorldwide proposals\nPrime Contractorship and Design Authority\nProcurement optimization\nNaviris foresees export and common French-Italians opportunities, such as the first studies for the Mid-Life Upgrade of the French and Italian Horizon-class destroyers, as well as European projects such as the development of the European Patrol Corvette light frigates.\n“We are grateful to have received the unconditional support of our governments for the creation of a new European leader for the strategic sector of naval defense. Together, we will accelerate our technological advance and maintain our key differentiators by combining our R&D capabilities, renovating the products for the benefit of our customers. Naviris opens the way to a real construction of European naval defence.”declared the two CEOs of Fincantieri and Naval Group, Giuseppe Bono and Hervé Guillou.\nGathered in Lyon for the bilateral summit, the French and Italian governments announce their intention for close civil and military naval cooperation.\nThe governments of both countries provide their full and entire support to the equal-share alliance presented by Fincantieri and Naval Group.\nThe two groups sign the Alliance Cooperation Agreement that defines the operating terms and roadmap of the joint-venture.\nThe joint-venture officially announces its name, Naviris, which embodies the solidity of the partnership and convergence of long term visions uniting the two parent companies.\nNaviris is fully operational.\nAbout Fincantieri\nFincantieri is one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups and number one by diversification and innovation. It is leader in cruise ship design and construction and a reference player in all high-tech shipbuilding industry’s sectors, from naval to offshore vessels, from high-complexity special vessels and ferries to mega-yachts, ship repairs and conversions, systems and components production and after-sales services.\nHeadquartered in Trieste (Italy), the group has built more than 7,000 vessels in over 230 years of maritime history. With more than 19,000 employees, of whom more than 8,900 in Italy, 20 shipyards in 4 continents, today Fincantieri is the leading Western shipbuilder. It has among its clients the major cruise operators, the Italian and the U.S. Navy, in addition to several foreign navies, and it is partner of some of the main European defense companies within supranational programs.\nwww.fincantieri.com\nAbout Naval Group\nNaval Group is the European leader in naval defence. As an international high-tech company, Naval Group uses its extraordinary know-how, unique industrial resources and capacity to arrange innovative strategic partnerships to meet its customers’ requirements. The group designs, builds and supports submarines and surface ships. It also supplies services to shipyards and naval bases. In addition, the group offers a wide range of marine renewable energy solutions. Attentive to corporate social responsibility, Naval Group is a member of the United Nations Global Compact. The group reports revenue of €3.6 billion and has a workforce of 14,860 (data for 2018).\nwww.naval-group.com\nSOURCE: Naval Group\nPrevious articleLockheed Martin delivers 134 F-35s in 2019, exceeding annual commitment\nNext articleRaytheon to upgrade air traffic surveillance radars for Brazilian Air Force\nFirst separation tests of Safran’s 1,000-kg AASM ‘Hammer’ air-to-ground weapon on Rafale a success","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1074735"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8160319924354553,"wiki_prob":0.8160319924354553,"text":"131 F.3d 264 (1st Cir. 1997), 97-1556, Vartanian v. Monsanto Co.\nParty Name: Leo VARTANIAN, Plaintiff--Appellant, v. MONSANTO COMPANY, et al., Defendants--Appellees.\nCase Date: December 15, 1997\nCourt: United States Courts of Appeals, Court of Appeals for the First Circuit\n131 F.3d 264 (1st Cir. 1997)\nLeo VARTANIAN, Plaintiff--Appellant,\nMONSANTO COMPANY, et al., Defendants--Appellees.\nUnited States Court of Appeals, First Circuit\nHeard Oct. 8, 1997.\nJohn C. Sikorski, Springfield, MA, with whom Robinson Donovan Madden & Barry, P.C., was on brief, for appellant.\nRichard J. Pautler, St. Louis, MO, with whom Peper, Martin, Jensen, Maichel and Hetlage, Francis D. Dibble, Jr., Springfield, MA, and Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas, were on brief, for appellees.\nBefore TORRUELLA, Chief Judge, LYNCH, Circuit Judge, and STEARNS, [*] District Judge.\nSTEARNS, District Judge.\nThis appeal involves a question of first impression in this circuit, namely, the standard to apply in determining when an employer's consideration of an employee severance program gives rise to a fiduciary duty of disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, 29 U.S.C.\n§ § 1001-1461 (\"ERISA\"). Plaintiff-Appellant Leo Vartanian alleges that his former employer, Monsanto Chemical Company (\"Monsanto\"), misled him by failing to respond adequately to his inquiries about a severance package that was under internal corporate consideration when he retired from the company on May 1, 1991. A benefits package for which Vartanian would have otherwise been eligible was approved by the Monsanto Board of Directors on June 28, 1991.\nVartanian filed a complaint against Monsanto in 1992 alleging two counts of breach of fiduciary duty under ERISA, one count of unlawful discrimination in violation of § 510 of ERISA, and one count of common law negligent misrepresentation. The district court, Ponsor, J., 1 granted Monsanto's motion to dismiss the action on the grounds that, having taken a lump sum distribution of all the vested benefits to which he was entitled, Vartanian could not qualify as a \"plan participant\" with standing to assert ERISA violations. Vartanian v. Monsanto Co., 822 F.Supp. 36, 41 (D.Mass.1993). This Court reversed, holding, inter alia, that because Vartanian was a plan member at the time the alleged misrepresentations were made, he had standing to sue under ERISA. Vartanian v. Monsanto Co., 14 F.3d 697, 703 (1st Cir.1994) (Vartanian I).\nOn remand Judge Ponsor dismissed Vartanian's claim that Monsanto had breached an ERISA duty by failing to disclose its prospective plans to reduce staffing, but permitted the claims of misrepresentation about the possibility of an early retirement incentive plan to proceed. Vartanian v. Monsanto Co., 880 F.Supp. 63, 70-71 (D.Mass.1995). After discovery, Judge Ponsor granted Monsanto's motion for summary judgment, holding that because no enhanced severance package that would have affected Vartanian was under \"serious consideration\" at the time he retired, no actionable misrepresentation had been made. Vartanian v. Monsanto Co., 956 F.Supp. 61, 66 (D.Mass.1997). We affirm.\nOur review of a motion for summary judgment is de novo. Associated Fisheries of Maine, Inc. v. Daley, 127 F.3d 104, 108-09 (1st Cir.1997). Summary judgment is appropriate where \"the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law.\" Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c). Inferences are drawn in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party. Reich v. John Alden Life Ins. Co., 126 F.3d 1, 6 (1st Cir.1997). The nonmovant may not, of course, defeat a motion for summary judgment on conjecture alone. \"The mere existence of a scintilla of evidence in support of the plaintiff's position will be insufficient; there must be evidence on which the jury could reasonably find for the plaintiff.\" Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 252, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 2512, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986).\nThe following undisputed material facts are drawn from the parties' Joint Statement of Stipulated Facts, Defendant-Appellee Monsanto's Statement of Undisputed Facts, and Plaintiff-Appellant Vartanian's Response to Defendant's Statement of Undisputed Facts. After thirty-six years at Monsanto, Vartanian in December 1989 announced his intention to retire on January 1, 1991 (later amended to May 1, 1991). Vartanian was then employed at Monsanto's plastics facility at Indian Orchard, Massachusetts. Vartanian elected to take a lump sum distribution of his Salaried Employee's Pension Plan benefits. During past restructurings of its business, Monsanto had offered early retirement incentives, sometimes on a company-wide basis and sometimes to specific groups of employees.\nDuring 1990 and 1991, Monsanto's sales stagnated and net income shrunk. Rumors began circulating among Monsanto employees that the company was pondering an early retirement program as a cost-cutting device.\nThese intensified when in October of 1990 Monsanto Agricultural Company (a separate Monsanto operating unit) offered a severance program to some of its employees as part of a reorganization plan. In the first quarter of 1991, Robert Potter, the president of Monsanto, began discussing with his senior managers various proposals to streamline operations at Monsanto Chemical. These included the closing of several plants, but not the Indian Orchard facility where Vartanian worked. No plans were drawn up to implement a severance package, 2 although Frank Reining, Monsanto's vice-president of finance, prepared an estimate of the cost of offering severance benefits to some 400 hypothetical employees.\nIn March of 1991, Vartanian asked Charles Eggert, his immediate supervisor, if the rumors about an early retirement plan were true. After investigating, Eggert reported to Vartanian that Monsanto was not contemplating any severance program for which he would be eligible. On March 25, 1991, Vartanian and his wife executed an Affidavit, General Release, and Agreement in anticipation of the release of the lump sum benefits.\nDuring the week of April 15-21, 1991, after gossip about a possible severance plan revived, Vartanian contacted both Eggert and Lori Heffelfinger, the personnel representative for his employee group. Eggert and Heffelfinger told Vartanian that they had been unable to confirm the rumors, and did not personally believe that any early retirement package was in the works. Vartanian does not dispute the truthfulness of either statement.\nBetween April 21 and May 1, 1991, the Monsanto Management Board met six times, eventually deciding to recommend to the Board of Directors the closure of six plants. No presentation concerning early retirement incentives was made at any of these meetings, and no document analyzing or proposing a severance program was prepared. Three alternate plans were drawn up for restructuring Monsanto's multiple product lines. None of the product lines in Vartanian's Plastics Division was recommended for discontinuance. Vartanian retired on May 1, 1991.\nOn May 7, 1991, Potter met with the Monsanto Executive Management Committee, which endorsed in principle his proposal to restructure the company. On May 16, 1991, John Manns, the director of employee benefits, was asked to develop a severance program for potentially impacted employees. Manns asked Monsanto's actuaries, Towers, Perrin, Forster & Crosby (\"TPF & C\"), to gather the necessary data. On May 24, 1991, Manns gave TPF & C an outline of his proposal. On May 28, 1991, Manns met with Robert Abercrombie, the corporate benefits director, and Barry Blitstein, a corporate vice president, to discuss a concrete severance plan. It was at this meeting that the idea of extending an offer of early retirement to all Monsanto employees was first raised.\nCoincidentally, on May 28, 1991, a St. Louis-based Plastics Division employee who had decided to retire on June 1, 1991, was assured by letter that he would receive the value of any increase in benefits if an early retirement program for which he would otherwise have been eligible was adopted within three months of his retirement date. On June 12, 1991, another St. Louis-based Plastics Division employee who planned to retire on July 1, 1991, was given a similar written assurance. Both employees were eventually paid the additional benefits from Monsanto's corporate treasury.\nOn June 3, 1991, Monsanto's Executive Management Committee endorsed the idea of a company-wide early retirement program, and authorized further development work on the project. Potter told his division managers that they were to make the final decision whether to offer the program to their respective employees. John Tuley, the manager of Vartanian's division, decided not to participate. Tuley's decision was reversed by his successor, Arthur Fitzgerald, in mid-June of 1991. The retirement plan was finalized on June 27, 1991, and approved by Monsanto's Board of Directors on June 28, 1991. Had\nVartanian been eligible to participate, he would have received an additional $174,700 in pension benefits. 3\nAlthough this Court, in Vartanian I, stated that Monsanto had \"a fiduciary duty not to mislead Vartanian as to the prospective adoption of a plan under serious consideration,\" 14 F.3d at 702, it had no occasion to reach the question of what exactly constitutes \"serious consideration.\" The district court on remand adopted the standard espoused by the Third Circuit in Fischer v. Philadelphia Elec. Co., 96 F.3d 1533 (3d Cir.1996) (Fischer II), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 117 S.Ct. 1247, 137 L.Ed.2d 329 (1997), that serious consideration obtains when \"(1) a specific proposal (2) is being discussed for purposes of implementation (3) by senior management with the authority to implement the change.\" 956 F.Supp. at 66 (quoting Fischer II, 96 F.3d at 1539). Finding that \"[t]he undisputed facts reveal that none of this occurred at Monsanto until weeks after...","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1689538"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.742370069026947,"wiki_prob":0.742370069026947,"text":"Slide-guitar blues and gritty folk come to church\nThere is a phrase that musicians in the Southern States of America use to describe music that sends a chill down your spine and makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. They call it ‘chicken-skin’ music. And that’s what we heard in St Andrew’s when Martin Simpson played to a capacity audience on 21 April 2018.\nSimpson is regarded as one of the most skilled folk guitarists currently playing on the British and American folk scene. Now approaching 65 (retirement age, as he proudly announced on Saturday), he has been performing live since 1970. He has released 21 solo albums, countless collaborative albums with other well-known musicians, and has been nominated 23 times in various categories of the annual Radio 2 Folk Awards, winning Artist of the Year twice.\nIt was a real coup for St Andrew’s that he was persuaded to come and play here.\nThe gig kicked off with Hertford’s favourite folk entrepreneur Pat Crilly playing a short six-song set of original songs. Pat – who describes himself as an Irishman with a Scottish accent – is himself a talented guitarist and packs a vocal punch with a pure, strong voice. He set the tone for the evening by opening with a song about meeting a man from Senegal on a boat in the Congo. ‘Magical and Mystical’ went the refrain. That could have described what followed.\nDressed in working men’s jeans and boots and a silk shirt that he later admitted was borrowed from his neighbour in Sheffield, Richard Hawley (one-time guitarist with Jarvis Cocker’s 90s band Pulp), Simpson walked onto the dais where the altar normally stands and started tuning his guitar.\nFixing a temporary feedback problem, his tuning gradually emerged, like a coil of mist rising from the swamps of the Mississippi, as a slow slide-guitar blues. The vocals which followed were like English traditional folk lyrics, telling the tale of a soldier dying in hospital. And then, just as we thought we had located the song, it merged into a version of Bob Dylan’s Blind Willie McTell. What intricate invention is that?\nOver the following two hours, Simpson selected songs from the rich catalogue of English and American folk and blues numbers, each one introduced by amusing stories that often brought the songs up to date with interpretations that referenced modern political or environmental issues. Grenfell Tower, the chopping down of 17,000 trees in Sheffield, mass poaching in the 1850s, the Aberfan tragedy – they all got a mention. Simpson is not shy of making a stand against injustice.\nPoignant lyrics and amusing anecdotes aside, it was his guitar and banjo playing that held the audience – many of them strangers to the church – in a silent trance. His version of Heartbreak Hotel or the Incredible String Band’s October Song were made his own by elaborate guitar playing made to look easy.\nIt was a great concert and a successful evening. According to Chris Seward, who organised the evening, over £1300 was raised for church funds.\nAfter the concert, the down-to-earth Simpson, sat at the back of the church selling CDs and chatting to fans. He kept saying how the acoustics in the nave were ‘unbelievably clear and beautiful’.\nAsked if he would play at the church again, Simpson replied ‘Oh yes, definitely’. We’d better watch this space, I’d say.\nForbes Mutch\nYou can find out more about Martin on his website","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line315505"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8566845059394836,"wiki_prob":0.8566845059394836,"text":"Tags / Rural\nBangladesh circus 09\nGhatail\nBy Eleanor Moseman\nFamilies take moments at the edge of the circus and await their family members that are spectators at other events.\nAn circus trainer rides his elephant up and down the roads of Bangladesh collecting cash tolls.\nA Wall of Death rider grabs for a 10 Taka note. This stunt rider has been riding for nearly 10 years without any accidents.\nTwo young women exit, precariously, down the steps from the Wall of Death.\nAnother Sky: An Uruguayan journey 02\nBrigadier General Fructuoso Rivera, Uruguay\nBy Francesco Pistilli\nThe sun sets over a cattle farm. Uruguay was founded on cattle industry, and is one of the world's biggest \"meat economies\" with 3 cows per person, so roughly 9 million cattle. It comes as no surprise that 75% of the country's exports are agriculture related.\nBrigadier General Fructuoso Rivera, Curtina 45002, Uruguay\nRoute 5 from Montevideo to Tacuarembo. In rural Uruguay almost 100 thousand people (gauchos, laborers and farmers) share the environment with animals. Their cattle and horses are raised in the open air, under natural conditions with a mild climate, fertile land and abundant water.\nCurtina, Uruguay\nTwo Uruguayan gauchos, father and son, are build their new family-home at Curtina, a rural village located deep in the Uruguayan countryside. However, the majority of the country's population (approximately 80%) live in urban areas, mostly in Montevideo.\nAn abandoned bus sits alongside route 5 between Tacuarembo with Montevideo. The national route, passing clear across the country, is one of the most important highways for the meat economy in Uruguay.\nV. (41) works in a small rural bakery near Tacuarembo. She is proud of her daughter who works for an International Company. \"Luckly, my daughter will be able to travel around the world, discovering places and beauty, far from this rural reality!\" she said.\nRobert Da Silva is a Gaucho, storyteller and researcher on rural education. He started to study Uruguayan traditions and rural anthropology after 30 years as Gaucho, working with cattle and horses. With the help of his friend and anthropologist Mr. Diaz, Robert wrote two books on rural legends and traditions. Nowadays he is a trainer in several \"Escuelas rurales,\" or rural schools.\nCarlos, a mechanic, poses with his sons for a portrait in Tacuarembo. Of African descent, his roots in Uruguay trace back to the slave trade. In the late 18th century, Montevideo became a major arrival port for slaves, mostly bound for Spanish colonies, like the endless fields of Uruguay.\nUruguayan anthropologist Walter Diaz (66) drinks YerbaMate and takes a rest with Don Ulisse Gonzalez (80), an old gaucho. Mr. Diaz works on a rural education development and training program with the Uruguayan \"Escuelas Rurales\" (rural schools).\nA closed \"quilombo\" or \"prostibulo\" alongside route 5 to Tacuarembo. \"Quilombo\" originally meant \"brothel\" in Lunfardo, a form of slang popularized by criminals in the early 20th century. Prostitution in Uruguay is legal for persons over the age of 18. It is commonly practiced in major cities, tourist resorts and rural communities.\nArgentina, 57, works in a kiosk at a bus stop. She lives in a rural village near Tacuarembo, the heart of Uruguay, with her husband. Her daughter (15) \"is a good student with big dreams,\" she said. \"She's got dreams too big for this small village where people live with cattle and horses, hoping to sell the land to some land grabber, a soy company for instance, and move to the capital.\" She added, \"I voted Mujica hoping for a better future for my daughter.\"\nNight falls in downtown Montevideo.\nBarra de Valizas, Uruguay\nBarra de Valizas, known as Valizas by locals, is located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean in the Rocha Department of southeastern Uruguay. Well renowned for its beaches, Valizas has attracted trendy surfers and vacation seekers that are slowly changing the lifestyle here from a rustic one to one defined by tourism and the habits of the global leisure class.\nCabo Polonio, Uruguay\nPeople ride on horseback down the beach from Valizas to Cabo Polonio, a remote and completely sustainable village between the Atlantic and a desert landscape of shifting sand dunes. The village is a bohemian outpost just south of the Brazilian border, where squatters have been developing a \"green-village\" without electricity or running water since the 60s.\nTourists relax in the \"green-village\" at Cabo Polonio.\nEditor's Picks 22 August 2013\nBy Editor's Picks\nSalt of the earth 025\nNuodeng, China, Yunnan\nBy David Tacon\nHuang Jingfei, 35, gathers corn husks on the upper level of his home as feed for his mules. Huang's family has lived in Nuodeng for 22 generations.\nA local man repairs a rein worn by mules in the thousand year old Nuodeng, once known as China's wealthiest village through its trade of salt. Mules are still used to transport heavy loads over the village's steep and narrow stone paths.\nA view from the hills above Nuodeng, once known as China's wealthiest village through its trade of salt. Today, salt-cured Nuodeng ham, which was traded all the way to India on the southern silk road, is major source of income for the town, along with tourism. Demand for Nuodeng ham leapt seventeen fold in a week after the village was featured in the hit television series 'Taste of China,' produced by China Central Television.\nAyi Huang prepares a meal in her kitchen using bits of precious Nuodeng ham.\nA young girl, a member of the Huang salt merchant family plays near a barn close to the Huang's ancestral compound. The Huang family has lived in Nuodeng for more than 20 generations, although this child's parents have left the village as migrant workers to better provide for them.\nChopped Nuodeng ham in Ayi Huang's kitchen. Today, salt-cured Nuodeng ham, which was traded all the way to India on the southern silk road, is major source of income for the town, along with tourism.\nA young girl, a member of the Huang salt merchant family near the Huang's ancestral compound.\nA young girl, a member of the Huang salt merchant family plays with a puppy in front of the Huang's ancestral compound. The Huang family has lived in Nuodeng for more than 20 generations, although these children's parents have left the village as migrant workers to better provide for them.\nYoung members of the Huang salt merchant family play with puppies in front of the Huang's ancestral compound. The Huang family has lived in Nuodeng for more than 20 generations, although these children's parents have left the village as migrant workers to better provide for them. Nuodeng was known as China's wealthiest village through its trade of salt.\nUrban Poverty\nBy U.S. Editor\nn Pakistan, a nation of 160 million people, 34% of its population lives below the poverty line. This estimate is much higher than the official government figure of 24%, but precious little seems to have been done to address the issue.\nThis problem is directly linked to the country tax structure, with the majority of the revenues going into coffers of federal and provincial government, forcing the local bodies dealing directly with the poverty to plead with these authorities for more money. The debate over this issue has been ongoing for years.\nBroom makers of Manito, Albay (1 of 16)\nManito, Albay, Philippines\nBy Sherbien Dacalanio\nA woman weaving broomcorn grasses.\nBroomcom (Sorghum Vulgare) is a variety of upright grass mostly found on the mountainous area of Manito, Albay. One of the major livelihood of people in this far flung area is making soft broom and they sell each broom from 20 pesos to 150 pesos.\nManito, Albay is around 15 hours away from Manila, capital of Philippines.\nMopti, Mali (1 of 3)\nMopti, Mali.\nBy George Henton\nImage from Mopti, Mali, taken during the ongoing conflict in West Africa.\nRural Life in Al-Raqqa\nRaqqa, Syria\nBy TTM Contributor 3\nThis is a picture of life in the rural countryside of Raqqa.\nEducation in Rural Uganda (7 of 14)\nBombo, Uganda\nBy Leyland Cecco\nThe rich red dirt paths that link the small village leave their mark on the children. More than 90% of Ugandans live in a rural area, with attendance rates in these areas lower than in urban hubs.\nLike all other teachers in Young Cranes Primary School, Moreen Nakiboneka teaches in English, a historical nod to Uganda's colonial past. She is a recent graduate from university, and confided that while she loves teaching, the pay, only $150 a month, isn't enough for her to make ends meet. She does, however, command the respect of the village elders and her students.\nEarly in the morning, Nico, Teo, Tina, Nakato and Eva of Conde Hill Orphanage run to school. Many have lost family because of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Uganda. Teo and Tina, for example, are 8 year-old twin girls who were homeless for two years after losing their family to HIV/AIDS. Conde Hill founder Gideon Mubiru, who lost 37 of his 39 siblings to HIV/AIDS, took them in. Over time Tina had grown to be skeptical of outsiders, so the members of Conde Hill had a tough challenge to overcome. Furthermore, Teo has a mental disability that places her a year behind her sister. Because of support from local charity Gideon Anti-AIDS Foundation (GAAF), these students are given the chance to attend school each day. Slowly, students like Tina and Teo can learn to smile again in the wake of this new educational opportunity. GAFF covers the cost of housing, food and uniforms for the students.\nEducation in Rural Uganda (13 of 14)\nStudents take a break between lessons in Young Cranes Primary. While education is universal, fees for meals, supplies and uniforms still place a large financial burden on many families.\nTeo (left) and Tina (right) can be playful, but Tina is still very protective of her sister.\nChalk slates are used by many of the students, another symptom of resource shortages. Relative to incomes, notebooks can prove to be costly.\nYoung Cranes Primary consist of three tin roofed brick building and adjoining thatched straw rooms. As many as 70% percent of rural schools lack adequate classrooms, and lessons are often held outside.\nMany of the classrooms are minimally equipped and rely on old, often out of date texts. Teachers are forced to make do with the resource shortage. Moreen Nakiboneka teaches in a classroom illuminated only by the soft rays of light streaming through the windows. She is also one of the lucky teachers. In rural areas, government-run schools often have high student/teacher ratios and many will lack electricity. In some areas, there are as many as 200 students to 1 teacher.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1749515"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8416575193405151,"wiki_prob":0.8416575193405151,"text":"Kiwoyma Not Ready To Play 90 Minutes Yet\nSteve says Chelsea youngster has some catching-up to do fitness wise.\nCrewe Alexandra boss Steve Davis has revealed that our on-loan winger Alex Kiwoyma is not yet fit enough to complete 90 minutes. The winger lit up the first game of the season at Stevenage when creating the opening goal for Ryan Lowe and then scoring a superb solo goal himself in our 2-1 win.\nKiwoyma, 20, was introduced as a substitute on Tuesday night at Bramall Lane and again had a hand in creating the dramatic equaliser for fellow sub Ryan Lowe. Kiwoyma had to win a header on the edge of the penalty area to keep the pressure on the Sheffield United back-line before it dropped invitingly for the experienced Lowe to convert from close range.\nKiwoyma then completed the extra 30 minutes of extra-time as Crewe progressed to face Blackburn Rovers in round two of the EFL Cup thanks to another smart finish from Lowe.\nSteve says that the Chelsea youngster still has some catching up to do in regards to his match fitness after not playing too much in pre-season.\nHe said: “Alex is not at the same level as the others here because he hasn’t played too much over the pre-season. We tested him on Thursday, on his day off, and he fell short of the standard required at this football club.\n“That is to be expected if he hasn’t had the same pre-season as our players and I cannot chuck him in at the moment and give him 90 minutes. He isn’t ready to do that at the moment and we have to be careful with him.\n“We don’t want to push him too much because he has just come here and we don’t want him to break down or suffer an injury that will keep him out. We will remain cautious with him and he is making a terrific impact as a substitute.\n“What he has done when he has been out on the pitch has been terrific to watch and we know that if we are careful with him then he will eventually be able to play 90 minutes and make a significant contribution to our season.\nHe added: “He has really explosive pace and has a lot of skill and the fans have already seen what he can offer us.”","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1790417"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6320756077766418,"wiki_prob":0.6320756077766418,"text":"The federal government—through the Canadian Space Agency (CSA)—will invest in Canadian innovation that will play a key role in the first-ever global survey of surface water. Kevin Sorenson, minister of state (finance), and MP Michael Chong made the announcement on Aug. 18 on behalf of James Moore, minister of industry.\nThe Georgetown-based manufacturer Communications and Power Industries Canada Inc. will receive $3.3 million to develop the Extended Interaction Klystron (EIK), a satellite radar component that will generate pulses used to gather surface information. The resulting information could help Canada more efficiently manage water resources, prepare for potential flooding, and help avoid costly damage from flooding or drought.\nThe Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission will survey 90 per cent of the globe and study the Earth’s lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and oceans. This SWOT data could potentially lead to improvements in water-related services in Canada, including operations at sea and water management systems. The data will also provide measurements for lakes and rivers in Northern Canada where none currently exist.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line904313"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6077460646629333,"wiki_prob":0.39225393533706665,"text":"Carl Hester Talks to Horse Magazine About Euro Champs & Judging\n5 years ago StraightArrow Comments Off on Carl Hester Talks to Horse Magazine About Euro Champs & Judging\nCarl Hester talking to Chris Hector The Horse Magazine\n/>Interview by Chris Hector\nLet’s talk about Nip Tuck – I guess there must have been dozens of horses that you have started that look more glamorous, that move more brilliantly, that never made Grand Prix. How important is what you can’t see, what’s inside?\n“Good point, that horse proves it all doesn’t he? I’m 48, coming up 25 years at championship level with different horses, and that one still taught me a great lesson. His owner Jane de la Mare is a really good friend of mine, she was a groom at Dr B’s (Dr Bechtolsheimer, father of Laura and owner of Carl’s Barcelona Olympic ride, Giorgione) when I was a rider there. So this is a good partnership between the three of us. We started at the bottom, Jane and I together. She’s from the Channel Islands too. When I got the horse, Nip Tuck was nothing on the way up, but I always said, ‘I know he will do a Grand Prix’, that’s all I could say…”\nHow did you know that?\n“You know when you ride him. You can ride that horse in a pair of slippers, it just wants to go. You don’t have to ride with a whip or spurs, nothing. The sensitivity is there, and if you touched him with a whip, the horse was like, right, I’m going to piaffe. That was a natural thing for him to do.”\n“I said, I think I can teach him everything. Last year, when he got to Grand Prix I said, he’s not going to be good enough. Jane said, oh please do a Grand Prix with him before we sell him. I said, we’ll go down the road where no one goes. We went to a back-of-beyond Grand Prix, and the blooming horse gets 77%. He was as green-as-a-leek. When I came out, I said, I can’t believe it, he was pretty tense last year, he’s a very hot horse, and January / February is not a good time of the year for him because he’s not in the field as much as I’d like. I said that’s unbelievable – the horse is so tense, but he tries his absolute hardest not to make a mistake, he’s doing what I said.”\n“Then Jane said, ‘oh please will you do one international’. I went, I’m not doing an international on him, he’s just not good enough! ‘Please before we sell him, do an international’. I said I’ll take him to Saumur, that’s a small one. And of course, he gets 71% at his first international! I thought, maybe I am being a bit hasty here, I’d better settle down and start believing in him. I just changed my mind about him – the biggest thing is that every day I wake up I think I can’t wait to get on that horse. He will go through the Grand Prix in a snaffle and a pair of slippers, it is a very unusual horse. I know physically it is demanding for him, he’s got a long back, his hind legs were naturally always out, he didn’t really have a walk because he was so tight, he didn’t really have a canter because he was so tense and always trying to run off – and his trot had to be developed.”\n“Everything that goes in a Grand Prix has helped make him a better horse. Once he learnt a canter pirouette, he started to take the weight back in canter, once he learnt to passage, the trot started to develop because before he had no lift, no nothing. It has just been a great lesson for me and I am delighted that I have been proved wrong, because it helps you in so many ways. It helps you as a trainer, because instead of saying to somebody, oh your horse is not good enough, now I say, well actually I tried this, I tried that, let’s see if we can develop something with your horse. Obviously on a personal level, every horse I get up to this level is a challenge for me, and that’s what I do it for. I love the opportunity to get a horse up to this level.”\n“I suppose the best thing about it, at my age, I’ve done so many championships, it is not about winning a medal, I don’t care if I win a gold medal. I would love to, but bearing in mind, Valegro and Nip Tuck work together, I’m looking at one and looking at the other, and there is no point in me thinking, why is she getting that score and I’m getting mine? I know why, you don’t need to be a dressage expert to get it, but I really feel that when the horse does a test like he did in the Special, that horse put as much effort in, as much hard work in his head, as Valegro. So, on the one hand, if somebody hung a little plastic gold medal around my neck yesterday, I’d be like, thanks very much because that horse deserved his gold medal yesterday.”\nAfter Valegro didn’t have the greatest Grand Prix did you give Charlotte one of your famous bollickings?\n“You know, I didn’t this time. One good thing happened in that Grand Prix, I don’t think anyone could be critical of Fiona (Bigwood), for where she is now, and where we are with her training, she met our expectations. Brilliant. I missed my flying change at the end of the canter and got a 4, fair enough, quite right. Charlotte didn’t count to six, she counted to seven. Did I lose the Team Gold medal or did she lose the Gold Medal? One of us did, and I think this was not the time to be saying to Charlotte, you caused that, it could have been my score as well, it was that close.”\n“Another reason is that I do realize at times, that her confidence, while she is a very brash, forward person, I know deep down, out the back, there’s this whole thing about Aachen, it was like absolutely stifling for her, to the point of I’m not really sure I want to ride. I was thinking we need a bit of reverse psychology here. It’s like, we could have had a gold, but we didn’t think we were going to get a gold, we got a silver and we just have to be happy that seven years on the trot, we’ve won medals.”\nShe was totally different in the Special?\n“Totally, it was like back to the old days. The other thing to remember is that it was ten degrees cooler for the Special than it was for the Grand Prix, and the horse is just not great when it is hot. You’ve stood next to him Chris, you’ve seen his legs, he’s a chunky monkey. When it’s hot, he’s like, stuff it. There’s one thing in his favor, but it does work against him as well, he doesn’t care about crowds and he doesn’t care about arenas. He’s so laid back. Unfortunately you don’t have the lift effect when he goes into the arena. He’s happy, he’s jolly, he’s up for it – even when he’s a bit hot or tired – I know it is not going to make any difference when he goes in, he still feels the same. It’s great for all the relaxation marks, not great when you need him hot and looking like a million dollars. He was getting better in Special.”\nI don’t want to drop you into it, but we do have to say, going into Rio, the judging situation is fragile? Marks were all over the place in the Grand Prix and the Special – I don’t think these are evil people, I think they are trying their hardest to do a difficult job, but we do have a problem…\n“Yes, we’ve had a problem but the general consensus is that after these championships, it will sort itself out because of what’s happened. On the positive side, two judges finally became brave enough to give marks that no-one thought would ever be given to Totilas. Finally somebody stood up and said, I don’t think this is right, we are going to give the marks it deserves, surely that gives the confidence to the other judges that they’ve really got to start being competent enough to actually give their marks, rather than think, what am I supposed to give? These people have been around for years and of course they are not evil people, they are good people, but I think this championship will make them, and we’ll get it sorted.”\nWhat worries me, if you look at the composition of our judging panels, they are not people who have come from business, where they have to make very fast decisions under pressure, or, none of them comes from a background where they have ridden a top Grand Prix horse…\n“It was interesting, Mr Truppa said to me, ‘we judged at Hagen, and did you see the results?’ He said, ‘we were all the same.’ You were all the same? He said, ‘that’s the old group, we are the original group that has been doing it for years.’ That is a problem, on one hand we have to open the judging to the world, take judges from all over the place, every country has trained them up, but there isn’t a culture in so many of these countries of having ridden at an advanced level, of having been immersed in it for years, and I think a lot of people think the panel has to consist of those people that have been in it for a long time, who have the experience to judge alongside each other and have the feeling for it. So the answer is in their own body.”\nBut we are not going to have a change to the Rio panel, and one of those judges distinguished herself by giving a silver to Andreas Helgstrand, and then distinguished herself by giving an 80 to Totilas here at the Europeans – her reward? Rio.\nCarl is chuckling: “Third time lucky, that’s all I can say, and for the sake of the Olympics, let’s hope that is the right one.”\nDo you think it would help if they had some sort of instant replay available to them in their box, they could say, I want to see movement 12 again, that wouldn’t be time consuming…\n“Great idea, but then they need to wait till the following rider has finished, at the moment the JSP fill that role. They will correct it if it is wrong. You can see on my sheet, they corrected the score, and Charlotte’s.”\nPut you up or down?\n“Down. Poor Michael Eilberg, his ambition here was a 70%, and you know what, he got 70 in the Grand Prix and they corrected it down to 69 something. He does the Special and gets 70 something, they correct it down, to 69 something. So I know the JSP was in operation.”\nHow can we have an experienced Ground Jury that can’t see a lame horse? We now have veterinary evidence that the horse was lame from day one, hello, where were the vets?\n“Surely it has to start at the trot up. The interesting thing that I found out from this championships, it’s not is the horse lame or sound, it’s is the horse fit to compete. What the hell is the difference there? The horse has to be sound, that is fit to compete. It’s not a question of, it’s slightly off but it’s fit to compete? It can only be is the horse sound? – and that can only start at the top. If they have to have three vets at a trot up, then let’s have them. That’s where it starts.”\n“We’ve had to open up the warm ups, they are open now, perhaps the trot up has to be open as well.”\nDo you still get an Aachen buzz\n“Yes, I do. The interesting thing is that I don’t ride at Aachen very often. I’ve actually been last here, I hold that record. In 2004 on Escapado, that walk of shame, coming out of A, to go back through the entrance and to the stables, is probably one of the longest walks I’ve ever walked, with that damn horse jogging the whole way back, foaming and so over-excited. That was my Olympic preparation. It caused a huge controversy, I heard women in the toilet who were like can you believe they put Carl Hester on the team, grr grr. The selectors were very good to me that year, I said, my horse will be fine if he is able to be in a venue for a couple of weeks. He can’t come to Aachen on a Wednesday and compete on a Thursday, and expect him to be settled. He was just too nervous, he was mostly Thoroughbred that horse. I’ve had that privilege, so Aachen has never been a place where I’ve had a great ride.”\n“Then with Charlotte, of course, she started getting the vibe off me, like well let’s not go to Aachen. I don’t mean for the championship but generally. But it is without doubt a great show. This is where the WEG should be all the time. It’s absolutely perfect, people love it. It’s full of buzz and atmosphere, great stabling and surfaces, there is nothing to complain about. As a competitor I’m just glad it went right for me, and right for Charlotte, and our team. Funnily enough I could see it on my face when I finished the Special, it was like, I actually really enjoyed that. No nerves, no nothing, just out there enjoying my ride and in an atmosphere that is appreciative when things go well. There is a buzz still for me.”\nThis article first appeared in the October 2015 issue of THM.\nGeorgina Bloomberg Joins Wellington Equestrian Partners\nStraightArrow 9 years ago\nWELLINGTON, Florida, July 10--Georgina Bloomberg, one of the most recognizable names in horse sports, has joined the Wellington Equestrian Partners. organizers of the world's premier winter circuit of the... Read More","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1810494"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6258572936058044,"wiki_prob":0.6258572936058044,"text":"U.S. News - National Universities\nWashington Monthly National\nWall Street Journal/Times Higher Education\nDoctoral/Professional Universities\nhttps://www.gonzaga.edu\nGonzaga University is a private catholic university located in Spokane, WA. Founded in 1887 by Father Joseph Cataldo, SJ, as an academy for local Native Americans, Gonzaga sits on over 150 acres along the Spokane River. The campus features over 105 buildings in a blended (but not contradictory) style of architecture. Spokane, known as the “Lilac City” celebrates the purple shrub with a Lilac Festival each May. It is a sister city to Nishinomiya, Hyogo, Japan and celebrates ‘Japan Week’ annually. The region is tech-savvy and forward-thinking in its economic base (clean/green energy and technology) having transitioned from traditional manufacturing and trade. Among its distinguished alumni, Gonzaga was the alma mater of Bing Crosby.\nGonzaga University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and offers Bachelor’s degrees, Master’s degrees and Doctorates in 92 fields of study. The university is comprised of seven colleges, the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business Administration, School of Education, School of Engineering & Applied Science, School of Law, School of Nursing and Human Physiology, and the School of Professional Studies. Gonzaga has received special recognition for its Nursing, Nursing Anesthesia, English Language, Teacher Ed, Music programs and the Law School; the largest programs are in Business (Commerce) and Engineering. Gonzaga’s Mission statement declares that it “… educates students for lives of leadership and service for the common good. In keeping with its Catholic, Jesuit, and humanistic heritage and identity, Gonzaga models and expects excellence in academic and professional pursuits and intentionally develops the whole person — intellectually, spiritually, physically, and emotionally. Through engagement with knowledge, wisdom, and questions informed by classical and contemporary perspectives, Gonzaga cultivates in its students the capacities and dispositions for reflective and critical thought, lifelong learning, spiritual growth, ethical discernment, creativity, and innovation.”\nThe 7,000 students at Gonzaga occupy the 16 residence halls and apartments on (and off) campus; some of the living quarters include specific themes. There are also over 150 clubs to add to the campus experience and Intramural sports to add to the academic experience. The red & blue Gonzaga Bulldogs participate in 8 sports in the NCAA Division I-AAA; their mascot, Spike the Bulldog, has enjoyed the men’s basketball success in the March Madness tournament over the past several years! Traditions include an annual luau hosted by the Hawaii Pacific Islanders Club and the residence halls welcome children from the local community to “Trick or Treat” every Halloween. Throughout the time spent at the university, students are exposed to the core values of the school: Knowledge (including: Thinking; Communicating; Quantifying; Problem Solving; Specializing; Integrating and Imagining); Habits of mind and heart (including: Reflection; Ethical reasoning and action; Civic, cultural and intercultural engagement; A commitment to a just society and world and the courage to act justly; A commitment to developing one’s mind, body, and spirit)and A thoughtful, evolving spirituality (including: Discerning one’s faith and vocation; Engaging with the personal challenges of formation and transformation; Becoming women and men with and for others).\nSchool of Nursing and Human Physiology\nRankings that feature Gonzaga University\nBest Online Colleges & Universities in Washington State\nTop Consensus Ranked Online Schools in Washington 2020\nTop 50 Consensus Ranked Catholic Schools 2020\nBest Regional Universities - West\nBest Colleges & Universities in Washington State\nTop Consensus Ranked Schools in Washington 2020\nTop 100 Consensus Ranked Schools 2020\nSee Schools in Washington\nWASHINGTON Rankings\n50 Most Supportive Alumni Networks for 2019\nTop Consensus Ranked Colleges for Advancement","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line955385"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8609978556632996,"wiki_prob":0.8609978556632996,"text":"Singapore Launches World's First Face Scan For Government Services\nIt has raised questions about privacy concerns.\nIn Singapore,over 400 online government services can now be accessed by facial recognition, sparking questions about privacy. Photo: AFP/Shutterstock\nIn something straight out from a sci-fi flick, Singapore has launched facial recognition log ins for online government services, which is a world first. This technology is being rolled out to the city-state’s SingPass digital identity scheme, offering access to no less than 400 online services, including tax declarations and public housing applications. Facial recognition is also increasingly being used to access other online services, such as banking.\nThis new function, dubbed SingPass Face Verification, lets users connect securely to government websites, as well as online services on private websites. The function is designed to work via home computers, tablets and cell phones, as well as at public kiosks.\nAccording to the Singapore authorities, the technology helps ensure that the right person is genuinely present in front of their screen, rather than a photograph, a video, a replayed recording or a deepfake.\nIn recent years, facial recognition has made huge progress with its most widely used application today for unlocking smartphones. In China, facial recognition technology can be used to identify individuals in a crowd.\nIn the future, facial recognition could find other applications in Singapore, such as making sure students sit their own examinations or for verification purposes in secure areas of the city-state’s ports. The country will become the world’s first to use facial verification in its national ID scheme, but privacy advocates are alarmed by what they say is an intrusive system vulnerable to abuse.\nFrom 2021, millions of people living in Singapore will be able to access government agencies, banking services and other amenities with a quick face scan. This biometric check will do away with the need to remember a password or security dongle when performing many everyday tasks, its creators say, and is part of the financial hub’s drive to harness technology, from ramping up the use of electronic payments to research on driverless transport.\n“We want to be innovative in applying technology for the benefit of our citizens and businesses,” says Kwok Quek Sin, who works on digital identification at Singapore’s technology agency GovTech.\nThis is one of the most ambitious plans yet, and the first to attach facial verification to a national identification database. The technology captures a series of photos of a person’s face in various lights and are matched with other data already available to the government such as national identity cards, passports and employment passes.\nSafeguards ensure the process is secure, said Lee Sea Lin of digital consultancy Toppan Ecquaria, which is working with GovTech to implement the technology. “We want to have assurance that the person behind the device is a real person… and that it is not an image or a video,” Lee said.\nThe technology is being integrated into the country’s digital identity scheme and is being trialled now at some government offices, including the tax authority and the city’s pension fund. Private firms can sign up to the initiative, and Singapore’s biggest bank DBS is part of the trial.\nSurveillance concerns\nA staff member of government technology agency GovTech demonstrates the use of facial verification technology to access government services on a computer at a community centre in Singapore. Photo: AFP\nFace scanning technology remains controversial despite its growing use and critics have raised ethical concerns about it in some countries, for instance, law enforcement agencies scanning crowds at large events to look for troublemakers.\nSingapore authorities are frequently accused of targeting government critics and taking a hard line on dissent, and activists are concerned about how the face scanning tech will be used.\n“There are no clear and explicit restraints on government power when it comes to things like surveillance and data gathering,” says Kirsten Han, a freelance journalist from the city. “Will we one day discover that this data is in the hands of the police or in the hands of some other agency that we didn’t specifically give consent for?”\nThose behind the Singapore scheme stress facial verification is different to recognition as it requires user consent, but privacy advocates remain skeptical.\n“The technology is still far from benign,” says Privacy International research officer Tom Fisher . He thinks systems like the one planned for Singapore left “opportunities for exploitation”, such as use of data to track and profile people.\nKwok of GovTech insists that no data would be shared with third parties and users would be left with other options, such as personal passwords, to access services. “It is not surveillance,” he says. “The use is very specific.”\nTags: SINGAPORE, banking, SingPass Face Verification, Face verification, face scan, face recognition, DBS\nCaster Semenya Cannot Compete Without Hormone-Suppressing Treatment\nSamsung vs. Huawei: Battle of the Foldable Phones\nBy Lira Jamaluddin\nMeet South Korea’s Non-K-Pop-Related Rising Star","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1008505"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7185640931129456,"wiki_prob":0.28143590688705444,"text":"Keegan Kuhn & Kip Andersen, Cowspiracy\nhttps://responsibleeatingandliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/ItsAllAboutFood_051314-Cowspiracy.mp3\nKeegan Kuhn is an award winning documentary filmmaker, video producer and professional musician based in the San Francisco bay area of CA. He runs First Spark Media, a video production company tailored to creating videos and films for non-profit organizations and conscientious companies. He is the director of “Turlock: the documentary”, “Something To Be Thankful For” and co-director of the groundbreaking environmental film “Cowspiracy: the sustainability secret”.\nKip Andersen is the executive director of Animals United Movement. A non-profit dedicated to producing films and media promoting sustainable, compassionate and peaceful living. He is the co-director of the groundbreaking documentary film “Cowspiracy: the sustainability secret”\nCaryn Hartglass: Hey everybody, I’m back. This is Caryn Hartglass, and it’s time for the second part of It’s All About Food here on the 13th of May, 2014. Before we get to the main part of the second part of this program, I want to direct you to my nonprofit website, responsibleeatingandliving.com. On the lower right-hand side of the website, I’ve added a couple of things. One is, if you remember—I think it was a month or two ago when we had Mississippi College professor Elizabeth Brandon and her student Bilal Qizilbash talking about kale research. Well, we know have a kale research update subscription. You could go to our website, responsibleeatingandliving.com, go to the bottom right-hand side and sign up, and any time there’s an update on their wonderful kale research, you will hear about it first. So you can visit that. The other thing I just added is, you know we’ve got hundreds of delicious vegan recipes on our website, right? I’ve compiled my personal favorites, the ones that we make over and over again in our family. If you go, again, to the homepage, right-hand side, you’ll see Real Favorites, and that’s a list of all of our real favorite recipes. Just so you know, you might want to try some of those if you haven’t already. All we want to do is make this world a beautiful delicious place with healthy, plant-based food. But. Some people make it hard. And difficult. We’re going to now talk to Keegan Kuhn and Kip Andersen, the co-directors of a new documentary: COWSPIRACY. Welcome to It’s All About Food, Keegan and Kip!\nKeegan Kuhn: Thank you!\nKip Andersen: Thanks so much for having us.\nCaryn: Okay, now how am I going to know the difference between Keegan and Kip? Keegan, say hello.\nKeegan: Hello, this is Keegan.\nCaryn: And Kip, say hello.\nKip: Hello, this is Kip.\nCaryn: Okay, I think Kip is a little higher-pitched maybe. We’ll see what happens. But you both sound great, you look great on the website! Let’s hear about this film. It’s scary!\nKeegan: Yeah, it’s a big film. It’s a big, scary issue. The film is an environmental documentary following my co-director Kip Andersen on a journey, finding out what is the leading cause of environmental destruction around the world, and the truth is that it’s animal agriculture, raising animals for food. We go to the world’s largest environmental organizations, because if animal agriculture is really responsible for the leading cause of rainforest destruction, water pollution, ocean dead zones, topsoil erosion, and virtually every other environmental degradation that’s happening, why wouldn’t the world’s largest environmental organizations be talking about it? So we pose a question to them, and the responses that we get are… If it wasn’t such a deadly, serious issue, they’d be very funny.\nCaryn: Well, we’ve been saying this for a long time, that why aren’t the major environmental organizations talking about animal agribusiness? One of the reasons I thought was just because they all like meat and they don’t want to give it up. But I think we’re going to learn through this film it’s bigger than that.\nKip: Yup. That’s definitely part of the reason, internal habits within their own offices all the way up to the very executive directors of many of these, that’s a big part. Also, a huge part is that they are businesses and what is their priority? Is their priority making a profit or saving the planet? That’s where the kind of blurred line is that we explore in the film.\nCaryn: Now, you’ve implied in the trailer that you had some funding that was taken away.\nKip: Yes, we had some funding… It’s definitely a bit of a controversial subject, and we did have some funding dropped. They don’t want to be mentioned who they are, it’s part of a reason why they wanted to be dropped, but we basically had to finance this a hundred percent on our own, that’s why we started a Indiegogo campaign to get the funding so we can release this properly, so everybody can see it.\nCaryn: Okay, we can’t give away everything that’s in the film obviously, but were you surprised with some of the things you learned? Or was everything the way you expected it to be?\nKip: Oh no, absolutely surprised. I think that’s the thing. We’ve done some small test runs of all walks of life that have seen this and even people who think they’re very well-informed on the subject are blown away. Things that you just can’t believe about wildlife and the ocean dead zones—we have a big section on the ocean. And then just about the nonprofits, when we go visit them. It’s shocking yet humorous, their reactions, and so it’s a fun journey no matter where you are on the scale of education on the subject. It’s a real entertaining and educational journey.\nCaryn: Okay, I don’t want to pick on any organization in particular, but I was remembering a few times I would visit the Rainforest Action Network, just as an example. I remember years ago that they had some campaigns against animal agriculture because it was affecting the forest, the rainforest, and they were talking about destroying forests to grow soy to feed animals and also the destruction of forests to graze animals. I noticed that the focus changed to palm oil. I had to dig to find some old material on the animals.\nKip: That was a big, again, almost comical if it wasn’t so serious, in particular Rainforest Action Network. There’s a couple that definitely stand out. We will go into the destruction that palm causes on rainforests and where, but a lot of this documentary focuses on comparisons. We acknowledge fracking is a huge issue, we acknowledge palm is, then we compare it to animal agriculture and there’s just absolutely, virtually almost no comparison. Then you start talking and addressing this to these people like Rainforest Action Network, and they just simply do not want to talk about it.\nKeegan: When we look at the numbers for palm oil. It’s incredibly destructive, what it’s doing to the Indonesian rainforests. The devastation is undeniable. But when we look at that globally, palm oil is responsible for about 26 million acres of rainforests cleared every year. Or actually today, I’m sorry, 26 million acres. But then you compare that to animal agriculture, and we’re looking at 136 million acres. We’re looking at this astronomical impact to our rainforests—which are the planet’s lung, they produce about half the planet’s oxygen—they’re being destroyed for cattle and to grow their feed crops, and yet all we hear about from the rainforest groups is palm oil.\nCaryn: Right. Just a little bit more on palm oil. What are the main uses for palm oil?\nKeegan: Palm oil—if you pay attention to anything that these groups are going to be saying—is used in snack foods. But a huge part of where palm oil goes is actually for animal feed crops. A very large percent is fed to the livestock.\nCaryn: I thought I was leading to that answer. It’s a really important point, because a lot of times I read these really angry posts and articles on palm oil that are targeted towards vegans because we happen to have our vegan butter, like Earth Balance products that are made with palm oil. Earth Balance, just one little company, is really trying to please its customer base and working towards sustainable palm and all of that, but the focus is in the wrong place.\nKip: Definitely. It’s the same thing. A lot of people, especially who don’t have much knowledge on the subject, they do the same thing with soy. They say, “These vegetarians eating all this soy, that’s what’s causing the rainforests…” Like, no, no…\nKeegan: When ninety percent of the Brazilian soy is fed to livestock, and livestock mostly in Europe actually.\nCaryn: Right. Whew. Okay, so you have an Indiegogo project and you’ve raised, you met your goal. And now you’ve stretched your goal. What can people expect and what would you like people to do?\nKeegan: We would love for people to continue to support the campaign. We reached our initial goal of $54,000 in six days, which was just phenomenal. We couldn’t have imagined there would’ve been such an outpouring of support. But we realize with more money, we can reach more people and we can actually do more with the film. So we created a stretch goal of $108,000. Right now we’re at about $85,000, which again is just phenomenal. We have about, I think, 22 days left on the campaign. If we can reach that $108,000 goal, we’ll be able to translate the film into ten or more languages. We want to create a dubbed version in German, Spanish, and potentially Mandarin. We want to make the film as accessible as possible. Part of that is creating a 50-minute educational edit of the film which educators around the world, from elementary school to universities, can use to educate students about the impact of this industry. That edit will be shorter, be more concise, it’ll have some new animations and graphs in it just so that it’s less of a story and more just the facts. And then that, hopefully again if we can reach our goal, will also come with a lesson plan. And again, just to make it as accessible as possible.\nCaryn: Alright. You made it sound in the trailer that people don’t want this information to get out. So when the film does come out and when your educational version comes out, is there going to be trouble?\nKip: No, we get asked that question a lot. Our goal is people are going to be inspired. People, when you find out something, when you find out the truth, sure you might be shocked and initially scared, but it supersedes it by just being inspired of things that we have to do right now. A big part of the film that was really important when we were making this is that the end ends on a very positive, all solution-based, we can do this. Real actions, real companies that are doing things, transforming the planet as we speak today, like big time, funded by people like Bill Gates and big funders and we explore…\nCaryn: Beyond Meat and Beyond Eggs.\nKip: Yeah, so all these new companies sprouting out and thriving. It’s basically jumping onto something that’s already happened. Are you going to be left behind, as well as the planet? I’d like to think it’s more inspiring than…\nCaryn: Right. You say that you have some actions and solutions at the end of the film, and we know that there are some businesses doing incredible things. I love the message behind Beyond Meat and Beyond Eggs because they’re creating the same products. They’re just removing the animal from the equation, which is genius. It’s cheaper, using plant-based ingredients. What other solutions are out there, not that I want to give away the ending of your film?\nKeegan: We focus on a couple different options and different things that people can do on a personal level. After the film comes out, we’ll see what these organizations do and how they respond. It’ll be a call to action involving how we get these large environmental organizations to start addressing it. But that’ll be… We’ll see how things play out with the release of the film.\nCaryn: Well you know it all comes down to money, unfortunately. These organizations don’t want to bite off the hand that feeds ‘em.\nKip: That’s the thing what happened with Blackfish in such a quick amount of time. It does come down to money. With this, we’ve said we’re not only making a movie, but starting a movement that they can be successful. These nonprofits can be successful. They’ll get a lot of support by doing these things of switching focus to things that are really, really important. They can be successful.\nKeegan: The thing is too, though, is that their focus—you look at their mission statement is about helping the planet. First and foremost, whether it’s a popular opinion or not, we need to be addressing animal agriculture. To go after these massive industries, like the fossil fuel industry, and try and put regulations on them, like that’s all very important. It’s absolutely essential we get control over the fossil fuel industry. But let’s look at what we all can do today on a personal level and regardless of how sensitive of a topic it is or how unpopular of a topic it is, it absolutely needs to be addressed.\nCaryn: Well, sometimes it just seems so impossible when you have the Koch brothers wanting to support coal and mining and squash the solar industry by putting some exorbitant taxes on them. It just all comes down to money, and it seems so hard. But. There are little pockets of hope everywhere, and I hope COWSPIRACY really makes a big change. Now you guys are young. When did you get the message? When did you get this vision of how to make the world a better place?\nKip: Well it happened a few years ago and really just a simple Google… Well, it first started with a Facebook post and that’s what’s fun about the movie, kinda follows my journey of really what happened. I saw a post about the Livestock’s Long Shadow report in 2006 and I found I was blown away ‘cause at that time I thought I was doing everything, riding my bike and…hours, yadda yadda. And then once I found this out, I really explored this and the thing was, it was an easy Google search. This wasn’t like some detective sleuth. It kinda popped up quite quickly and I was blown away, one thing after another, and I said, “Wow, if this really is true and not some propaganda, then these environmental groups that I’ve supported my whole life – Green Peace, Sierra Club – they must be screaming about this.” And then I went on their websites and I was shocked—there was nothing. That’s kinda when it started. I started emailing them, calling them, like what’s going on? They just would not reply to me. If I wanted to give money, sure they’ll talk to me, but they would not talk. Eventually I’m teamed up with Keegan and with a camera eventually kinda just have to knock on their door and go in person because they didn’t want to talk about it. It’s a film about sustainability, which it is. They’ll talk about that all day, but once you start mentioning the animal agriculture, then it gets a little funny.\nCaryn: I was very excited when that Livestock’s Long Shadow report came out in 2006, as were many, many other people because it was the first time that animal agribusiness kind of was seen for what it was, something that was a big polluter and affected our climate in a negative way. But unfortunately, the people that make those reports have changed their tune quite a bit since people jumped on that one statistic that 18% of human-induced greenhouse gases are caused by animal agriculture, and they’ve dropped that number, in more recent reports to 4.5%. I was recently on a panel with Frank Mitloehner, who is a professor at UC Davis, and he’s been working with the Food and Agriculture Organization on this. He is a big believer in animal agriculture intensification, talks about how efficient we are here in the United States, and how we’re doing such a great job using far less water and putting out less greenhouse gas emissions making cattle than the rest of the world, and the rest of the world needs to learn to do what we’re doing. The government’s behind him, and it is scary.\nKeegan: Yeah. We actually interviewed Animal Agriculture Alliance, and {16:55} sits on their board, largest animal agriculture lobby groups in the country. We asked him about that, about these studies and these statistics and about efficiency, and yet the truth is, is that if you want to raise animals, the most ecological and efficient way to do it is in extreme confinement. Pack as many animals as you can into as tight a spot as possible. Restrict their movement, prevent them from burning excess calories, and you’ll be able to conserve as much resources as possible. Clearly, that’s not beneficial for the animals. If you care about animal welfare issues at all, it’s extremely detrimental so it leaves you one option.\nCaryn: Plants.\nKip: Yup. That’s what’s interesting about the film too, is we cover the whole spectrum. We get into the whole grass-fed, we get into the organic. There’s some surprising, surprising results of a lot of these foodies who think they’re doing the right thing and in fact, maybe for the animals, but for the environment it’s actually the opposite. It’s just a weird situation.\nCaryn: Yeah. People don’t realize that grass-fed, “humane” raising of animals for food is not good for the environment. It’s worse for the environment than animal intensification and the only choice, the only choice for all the reasons is raising plants to feed people directly. It’s so obvious. Okay. So where do you guys live?\nKeegan: We’re in the San Francisco area, Berkeley-San Francisco.\nCaryn: Lots of good eating there.\nKip: Yes, there is. We’re fortunate, very fortunate.\nCaryn: Very fortunate. What are some of your favorites?\nKip: Favorite restaurants?\nCaryn: Yeah. I’m turning the tide here, I wanna lighten things up. I’m getting a little too depressed.\nKip: Yeah, some awesome stuff, and they all do so great. They do so well, like Café Gratitude, Gracias Madre, Source. There’s a few in LA, there’s way more than San Francisco, which is weird.\nCaryn: Yeah, I heard LA is taking over New York City, which I always believed was a vegan kingdom, here in New York City.\nKip: Yeah, yeah, and it’s weird because the Bay Area, it’s easy, but nothing like LA or New York. This is so funny, that’s kinda exploring how successful these restaurants do. You can’t even get on if you’ve heard of Gracias Madre, it’s all vegan, organic—\nCaryn: Yep. It’s always packed.\nKip: —Mexican restaurant. Yeah. When they started, it took a couple of months, but now you can’t get in at all. There can’t be enough of these hip plant-based restaurants.\nCaryn: Right. Veggie Grill is doing great.\nKeegan: There’s a little company, Cinnaholic, which is an all-vegan cinnamon roll company, and they’ve just done phenomenally well. They’re based here in Berkeley, and they just started franchising. These are growing businesses, and these are real business models where people are getting into this not just because of the environment or the animal or health benefits, but because it makes good business sense. That’s why you see people like Bill Gates and Biz Stone, who are—Biz Stone is actually vegan—but someone like Bill Gates is getting involved in plant-based companies because it makes good sense from a business point-of-view.\nCaryn: Yes. Now I just have to interject here. I personally promote a healthy, plant-based, whole, minimally processed diet which is ideal for health and if people want to junk food themselves out, it’s entirely their choice, but if they’re going to do it, it should be from a compassionate point-of-view and from an environmentally sustainable point-of-view. If you want to sugar yourself out and fat yourself out and white flour yourself out, go for it. But companies like Cinnaholic are the way to do it. Meanwhile, I’m gonna stick with kale salad.\nKeegan: That’s what’s exciting though can be depressing, especially when we’re doing all this research with the film, but we’re actually to walk away feeling really inspired. It just feels like this whole shift in evolution, whatever you want to call it, it’s already happened, it really has. It’s so fun to see. I believe it’s happening at an exponentially quantum-fast rate. It really is. That’s a big takeaway from all this. Just every day you see something new pop out in the store, a new restaurant opening, new things on the news, so it’s exciting times.\nCaryn: Now, did you primarily focus on environmental organizations in this film; did you talk to any people who were raising animals?\nKip: Yes, we did. We explored everything. We went to an organic daily farm, went to one of the nicest, most beautiful grass-fed beef down here on the coast. We’re fortunate. Where we live, all these farms are right here in the Bay Area, so we explored every part deeply. We want to leave no stone unturned so we did visit these places.\nKeegan: And all the way down to backyard animal husbandry.\nCaryn: Now, I know a lot of information is available online. We’re flooded with information, and if you really want to learn about how animals are raised, everything is online and some of it is really scary. I was just recently looking about how sperm is collected from bulls and how cows are artificially inseminated. It’s frightening, it’s almost pornographic, it’s obscene—I can’t believe these people do it. When you think about how animals are raised, every step of the way somebody’s had to figure these things out and they’re working towards making them more efficient, and when you see each step…it is profoundly creepy.\nKeegan: We said earlier, it all comes down to money and how do you make something as efficiently as possible. If your concern is that bottom dollar, then you can let everything else fall by the wayside, whether that’s ethics or environmental degradation or health or worker’s safety, anything. If you’re concerned about making money, then that’s all you’re gonna focus on.\nCaryn: Now do your actions and solutions, any of them include what these farmers and ranchers can do if they don’t raise animals?\nKip: Somewhat, yeah. We explore different types of farming: veganic farming…\nCaryn: It’s funny. When I was on that panel with Frank Mitloehner, he didn’t seem to know anything about veganic agriculture, was surprised to hear you could grow plants without animal manure.\nKip: It’s funny too when I hear people say, “If the animal agriculture industry falls apart, there’s going to be so many jobs lost.” To actually go back so we don’t have to have these GMO industrial farms because we have GMOs to feed these millions and millions of animals, going back to this really grassroots level of organic farming, veganic farming, creates tons of jobs. Tons of jobs, rather than these huge, huge industrial farming pesticide compounds that only produce a few jobs. I feel the economy will be stimulated by the shift.\nCaryn: Well, it’s all a shift and part of the shift is, efficiency is not necessarily the only parameter and is not necessarily the best goal. We could be a little less efficient, gentler on the planet, have more jobs for people, everybody’s happier. We’re not treating animals horrifically. We just need a little shift. And COWSPIRACY is gonna get us there.\nKeegan: Thanks. That’s our hope, that’s our plan. We first and foremost need to get people informed. They have to be aware of the situation. For the most part, many people in our society aren’t aware of this at all. If you ask them, “What causes more climate change cars and trucks and boats and planes, or cows?” They’re gonna tell you cars, trucks, boats, and planes. But in fact, the livestock industry is responsible for more greenhouse gases than the transportation sector.\nCaryn: Whether those numbers are true or not, and I’ve read a lot of science and it’s really complicated and very confusing, one thing is clear: the energy infrastructure we have today is not sustainable and absolutely needs to change and the problem is, it’s going to take a lot of time and a lot of money. In order to have a cushion and be able to get there without having some crazy tipping point where the world heats up and the game’s over, animal agriculture has to go away. That will mitigate climate warming.\nKip: It’s very important at the personal level too is to demand, whether emails or calls or whatever, to demand that these environmental groups—it’s not the animal agriculture industry, they’re not going to be the one to change, it’s the ones accountable that are doing the changes, they have the manpower, they have the actions and the practice of creating huge social change—to demand that Greenpeace, Sierra Club, and Rainforest Action Network, they address the situation immediately.\nCaryn: Okay, we’ve got just a few seconds, so tell me when the movie’s coming out and where can we find out more about it?\nKeegan: They can find out more information on cowspiracy.com, definitely want people to go there and check it out. We’ll be releasing the film, premiering in San Francisco on June 19 and then followed up by premieres all around the country we’ll be touring throughout the summer and then internationally as well.\nCaryn: Great! Well, thank you so much for telling me about COWSPIRACY, for creating it and having the courage to do so, Keegan and Kip, all the best to you.\nKeegan: Bye-bye.\nKip: Great, thank you so much.\nCaryn: Okay, so that’s been another It’s All About Food show. Thank you for joining me, and have a delicious week.\n15 comments for “Keegan Kuhn & Kip Andersen, Cowspiracy”\nWendy Lynne Lee\nDear Kip and Keegan,\nMy name is Wendy Lynne Lee, and while professionally I am an academic philosopher at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, I am also an activist writer, organizer, and photo-documentarian in the Pennsylvania shale fields. Relevant here as well is that I have been a committed vegetarian for the last 40 years–and am home to currently 10 rescue animals (including parrots, and until very recently, an elderly but spry iguana).\nI just finished watching Cowspiracy, and I came away from it feeling both galvanized and vindicated in a variety of ways. Probably most importantly–I have been arguing for years that if we in the anti-fracking (tar sands, unconventional oil extraction) movements do not undertake to see and act on the intimate relationship between fossil fuel consumption and animal agriculture, we will continue to see the liquidation of the lands and places we love by an industry that is as voracious as it is increasingly desperate.\nThis argument is met–over and over and over–with precisely the sort of response you so beautifully document in the film. Honestly, I have gone to protest after protest only to meet up with folks at a diner afterwards–and watch them order platefuls of bacon, and burgers, and chicken. When I remark on this–even in the most non-confrontational benign sort of way–all I get are stares of disbelief, a polite but dismissive glare, and an occasional suggestion that I am over-stepoping bounds and not “on topic.”\nThe only reaction that exceeds the dismissiveness of individual folks has been the utter push back I’ve seen from the Big (or Bigger) Greens who are so resistant to adopting the demand that fracking be banned that the prospect of even approaching them with respect to animal agriculture–well, truly, I could have told you exactly what was going to happen here. The Big Greens (Sierra Club, Food and Water Watch, Audubon–and many others) exist for the sake of continuing to exist–and they are never going to act in any fashion that does not accord with their mostly white, mostly well-connected donors. The incredible irony is that although I have worked really hard to get activists and citizens at the grassroots level to see that these Big Greenies do not have their interests, health, and welfare in mind, the response I get routinely is that I am “dividing the movement,” that “we must all row together,” and that the BIg Greens are in our camp.\nWhat I want to make sure YOU gentlemen know is that not only is the Sierra Club, et al NOT going to ever get serious about animal agriculture–their pitch to “Beyond Coal” to “ending fracking,” to get to renewables and meaningful conservation is also far more propaganda that commitment. In other words–even the stuff they pretend to care about is more hype than substance–and I can show this over and over.\nI also connect deeply with that segment of your documentary about being surveilled and intimidated. You can find the fuller story on my blog (and laid out in some of the fine work of Earth Island Journalist Adam Federman), but I was visited without warrant by an officer of the PA State Police/FBI Joint Ecoterrorism Task Force at my home last February on the pretext that they were investigating possible trespass reported by a company at a compressor station site where I photo-document illegal frack trash disposal. It became very clear that this officer knew I had not likely actually committed trespass (and indeed, I had not–I have a good Nikon and a telephoto lens, and I can climb trees)–but as he moved from a discussion of trespass to pipe bombs, it became equally clear that his visit was aimed not at investigation–but intimidation.\nI have since tried under FOIA and the federal privacy acts to gain access to the information relevant to that officer’s visit–and have just this past November been informed that the state will not release the records because I am either the object or connected to an “ongoing criminal investigation.” This no doubt too is aimed at intimidation.\nI have committed no crime; the gas industry–in connection with the Marcellus Shale Operator’s Crime Committee–does not like the (now thousands) of photographs I have taken of the damage the industry has done to the state (an experience I imagine rather similar is reported by folks filming inside factory farms).\nIn any case, I am posting you both because I very much identify with and appreciate your film–and because I think there are a number of connections to yet be drawn between industrialized carbon extraction and animal agriculture. It is precisely at that juncture, as well as the disproportionately negative effects of these relationships on those most vulnerable–women, children, indigenous peoples, and nonhuman animas) that you documentary will inform my own work.\nI also appreciated the moments you took in the film to discuss animal suffering–these, for me, and I think likely for many, were my original reasons for ending any and all animal product consumption when I was 16–much to my parents horror (I grew up in a ranching state–CO). I also have as one of my fields, philosophy of mind/brain–including animal cognition and affective capacities. I am on sabbatical right now (completing a new book entitled “A Manifesto for an Ecological Humanism”), but in the Fall term, I will be teaching a pre-graduate student level seminar on Animal Cognition, Animal Welfare, and Animal Rights. My plan is to show Cowspiracy the first night of class as a way to spark discussion.\nI am quite sure it will. This is patriotic, hunting/gun culture, very rural Pennsylvania out here.\nIn any case–thanks.\nI assure you, this film will have a real affect on my own writing and photographic work.\nMy photographs: https://www.flickr.com/photos/wendylynnelee/sets/\nBlog: http://thewrenchphilosleft.blogspot.com/\nAcademic Credentials and professional work: https://bloomu.academia.edu/WendyLee\nAs a last note–You’re right. It can’t just be about sustainability, but, as you put it thrive-ability. I’d also argue for the word “desirability” appealing to a potential future whose experiential, aesthetic, recreational, and other meaningful qualities is not one in which some may thrive–but in which all would wish for their children to be born.\nWendy Lynne Lee, professor\nVice President, National Community Rights Network (CELDF)\nwlee@bloomu.edu/570-389-4332\nrealworldwide\nThanks for your detailed post, Wendy and for your activism. This is not the place to contact the Cowspiracy directors however. This page is for my radio program’s interview with them. You might reach them at the Cowspiracy website. It nice to hear from some at Bloomsburg University. I graduated from Bucknell in Lewisburg. I am excited to hear about your course offerings. Times are changing! – Caryn Hartglass, founder, Responsible Eating And Living\nWill do, and Thanks!\nHello, this theme is just new for me.\nIm just eating tradition food, meet, vegetable, eggs, milk and all that. And i think its so difficult to change habits. People usually seem to think animals are natural resource and its easy to buy cellophane wrapped meet. Who would think it was a young cow ? we are even pleased by photos with cows walking in the nature, so kind, romantic. In Paris now is a farm exposition with all farms animals from all France with a competition of the best farm animals\nhttp://www.salon-agriculture.com/\nThis exposition is great in France and reveals how the tradition is strong, the politicians all go there to be seen, and all that make think that farms are working for our health. At the same time, they are bothering with some ecologic thoughts, which dont perturbe the higher economic interests.\nAt the moment i think we really don’t have a rigorous thinking. The lobbyists do, how to make money what ever it costs.\nThank you for your work. I hope that message is clear.\nEveryone just needs to stop eating animal products.\nIt’s self not to.\nKerry Jorgensen\nBefore I comment further, I must complement you on an excellent documentary.!!!\nNow to the info no one is addressing.\nHumans are designed and classified correctly as FRUGIVOREs.:\n“To say that humans have the anatomical structure of an omnivore is an egregiously inaccurate statement.” – The great taxonomist Carolus Linnaeus, (1707-1778), a Swedish naturalist and botanist who established the modern scientific method of classifying plants and animals, classified humans not as carnivores, not as omnivores, nor even as herbivores, but as frugivores. Carolus Linnaeus\nThus animal products should not be considered “food” for humans at all and are completely unnecessary.\nCheck out T. Colin Campbell’s books: WHOLE and THE CHINA STUDY\n5 % protein [about the same as human mother’s milk] turns cancer off, 20% protein [slightly less than cows milk] turns cancer on.\nThere is no amount of plant protein that turns cancer on.\nWhich brings me to the issue of protein.\nWhen we are putting on more new cells than any other time in our life is when we are babies. If, hopefully done on mother’s milk, that is only 5% protein. Many “experts” are advising more than triple this amount. It only makes our bodies more acidic and increases the cancer growth rate among many more disease susceptibilities.\nPlease examine your documentary for the misuse of the word ‘less’ used where correctly ‘fewer’ should have been used. I know it is a common error, but still very wrong.\nAnd ammediately instead of immediately.\nA side note: President Bill Clinton [heart issues and exercise program] is unaware of this error about protein and President Jimmy Carter [cancer] likewise.\nHi Kerry, Thank you for your post. Regarding your comment about “There is no amount of plant protein that turns cancer on.” this is actually not true. I learned the following in Dr. Campbell’s eCornell Plant-Based Nutrition course: Dr. Campbell explains that casein at 20% turned on cancer growth, and soy protein or wheat protein at 20% did not. However, we do not eat foods in isolation and it turns out that wheat protein when supplemented with its deficient amino acid, which is lysine, will act just as casein in stimulating cancer growth. This is based on his research and I don’t know if it has been replicated. One thing I know for sure is that we don’t understand everything about cancer. – Caryn.\nAmarildo Aguiar\nHi Kip, I am Brazilian and I’m watching your document COWSPIRACY, besides the fighter Dorothy Stang tbm happened chico mendea also murdered. As some say the forest amazonicaé the lung of the world today, and yet still being devastated, because what we produce in the livestock and agropecuaria, 60% are for export. They are ruining my country and saw in you the first to address this question\nTamera Lemon\nAs I like to say, we create our own limits.\nKip you are a absolute genius what a breathtaking and eye opening documentary. One of the most brilliant works of art I’ve seen in a really long time thanks so much for doing this and casting a light over everything. Yours truly … Chuck Taylor.\nTarik Quadir\nBrilliant work and to the point.\nGod bless Kip and Keegan.\nI have known about the environmental impact of people’s huge meat consuming habit but often forgot. Your works are great reminders. I plan to talk about it when I raise other issues about the environmental crisis in the courses I teach.\nI understand don’t eat meat but can you give me an idea on what we can eat?\nThat’s a great question and we’ve got that covered. Check out our daily blog, What Vegans Eat to see the REAL food that my partner Gary and I eat. There are close to 900 posts, and many link to recipes: https://responsibleeatingandliving.com/category/what-vegans-eat/\n– Caryn\nAnimal product free for 1 week since I watched your films. Thank you for having the courage to tell the truth.\nCongratulations! We have lots of resources here to help you in your journey.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line126423"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6384607553482056,"wiki_prob":0.36153924465179443,"text":"Where Are We Now (Politically, that is)\nby tonygreco November 21, 2013 1 Comment US Politics\nI intended, when I first started this blog, to open with a broad overview of where US politics has been going in recent decades and where it might be headed. I didn’t get to do that because other more immediate issues kept on coming up: first Syria, then the government shutdown/debt limit crisis. Things have calmed down enough to open a window for that overview, so here goes.\nThe United States has moved to the right over the past 30-40 years, and it isn’t easy to foresee a significant reversal of that trend in the near future. I need to be clear, though: when I say that the United States has moved to the right, I don’t mean that the American people have moved to the right. As I pointed out in my post of 11/8, public opinion studies have consistently demonstrated that a majority of Americans lean left of center: they generally want an active government to combat the various ills of capitalism, like progressive taxation, a strong social safety net, vigorous protection of the environment, and an active government role in promoting stable economic growth.\nThe country’s apparent move to the right reflects the fact that the effective structure of political power has moved to the right. Political power in Washington (and in most of our statehouses) is solidly arrayed against progressive change. There is no prospect for anything like the waves of groundbreaking legislation (civil rights, Medicare, environmental and consumer protection, etc) that we saw in the 1960s and 1970s, some of it signed into law by a Republican president. And yet, so much needs very badly to be done: Most urgent is the need to reinvigorate an economy still sputtering with millions of long-term unemployed. We also need to safeguard and advance financial reform, if only to ensure against another economy-crippling financial crisis. And, while climate change is not an immediate threat, the need to address it is immediate. Of course, I could go on.\nI see three main explanations for the country’s shift to the right in recent decades: the radicalization of the Republican Party,* the decline in the economic and political power of organized labor, and the increasing importance of money in politics.\nRepublican Radicalism—I’ve already said a lot about this, so I don’t need to add much. The Republicans’ willingness to systematically abuse the Senate’s anti-majoritarian rules and to employ extortion and sabotage as routine weapons of political combat makes significant progressive legislation practically impossible. Republican radicalism also tends to shift the terms of debate on public policy issues to the right. When one of our two major parties consistently advances extreme ideological positions, it legitimates them. The range of seriously considered policy alternatives expands in one direction and contracts in the other. Thus, the center has moved right. For example, Republicans’ demands for further drastic spending cuts during a serious, prolonged economic slump make no sense; they’re driven by radical ideology. The economy needs just the opposite. Yet, the policy debate hasn’t been about whether to increase or decrease spending, but how much to decrease it.\nOrganized Labor–Since the New Deal, the American labor movement, for all its shortcomings, has been the most important consistent source of support for progressive policy change in the U.S. There has been nothing to replace labor as an organized representative of mid to lower income groups in our society, capable of mobilizing a grass roots whose interests lie naturally with the left. Labor’s declining political clout reflects its reduced role in the economy, as manufacturing jobs have disappeared and the harder-to-organize service sector has become predominant. Labor’s political eclipse is also a result as well as a cause of the increasing strength of the right, which has fought government protections for unions and their right to organize.\nMoney in Politics–The power of money is pervasive in American politics. For most members of Congress, their single most time-consuming activity–far more time-consuming than learning about policy issues, or attending committee hearings or actually legislating–is fundraising. That fact reflects the ever-increasing cost of getting and staying elected. The average Congressional campaign now costs many times what it did in the 1970s, even after adjusting for inflation. Spending hours a day fundraising means, basically, spending a lot of time with rich people. Rich people, by and large, tend to be conservative. Even the relatively enlightened rich people who give money to Democrats are usually fairly centrist in their economic policy preferences, not to mention protective of their own special interests. (There are a lot of Democrats on Wall Street, but I haven’t heard any of them calling for stiffer financial regulation.) Our politicians’ heavy dependence on moneyed interests naturally skews the political agenda to the right.\nWhat are the prospects for change? Realistically, not very good, certainly not in the foreseeable future. The decline of organized labor is a secular trend that could perhaps be restrained by favorable legislation, but that’s not a likely prospect. Thoroughgoing campaign finance reform could also make a big difference in American politics, but that, too, has little chance of enactment.\nThat leaves the Republicans. The Republican Party of today is unsustainable. Not only is it ideologically out of touch with the majority of the population, but its base, disproportionately composed of elderly white people, is literally dying out. Eventually, the party must change. I don’t know just how that will happen, and “eventually“ can be quite a long time. But it will happen. It will happen most likely only after the party suffers a succession of crushing election defeats.\nAccordingly, the single most effective thing that progressives can do to alter American politics for the better is to help speed up the inevitable–to do what we can to ensure that the Republicans become a hopelessly dwindling minority at all levels of government. That is not to say that we should extend uncritical support to Democrats–sometimes you really do need to say that the lesser of two evils isn’t lesser enough. But a Democratic Party that is effectively open to the left will require a Republican Party that isn’t anchored tenaciously to the far right.\n* Michael Tomasky, in the current (12/5) New York Review of Books, effectively summarizes my post of 10/9: “It is still a category error to call practically anyone in the GOP a moderate, as some press reports do. You can count the truly moderate Republicans on Capitol Hill on one hand.” In my post, I counted six, which would require two hands, but I did explicitly set a low bar for defining “moderate.”\nJeffrey Herrmann November 22, 2013 at 4:50 am\nIf you are a dyed-in-the-wool Repugnican and you read about the demographic trends and attitudinal trends brewing in the US, you have to conclude:\n“Holy Crap! Our only chance to hang on to power for a few more decades is to employ voter suppression, gerrymandering and plutocrat-funded propaganda to rig a few more national elections. Then, like Neandertals in the last Ice Age, we can retreat to a few geographic refugia — hey! Idaho, Oklahoma and North Dakota aren’t so bad! — until we go extinct.”\nAny other Repugnican survival strategy (like appealing to Latinos/Hispanics to achieve an electoral majority) must rely on wish-fulfillment and fairy dust.\nYour call to speed up the inevitable is unwittingly being answered in their own way by Repugnican governors like Rick Perry, who is making sure that the life expectancy of Texans will be well below the national average due to lack of health care. Which illustrates just one of the many ways in which the death-throes of the current Repugnican Party wIll cause tragic and avoidable suffering.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line144536"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8570262789726257,"wiki_prob":0.8570262789726257,"text":"Why size matters - single-deck vs multi-deck Blackjack\nThere's no denying Blackjack's popularity and it's always been a casino favourite amongst players who are looking to get one over the dealer.\nBy Brian J. Stone\nThere's no denying Blackjack's popularity and it's always been a casino favourite amongst players who are looking to get one over the dealer. While the rules have stayed much the same since its inception, Blackjack has evolved through the use of multi-decks and side bets. If you're playing Blackjack online, you'll find lots of innovative twists on the classic game - in order to make it remain popular and appeal to the 21st century gamer. If you're playing a new variant, you'll notice the number of decks varies from one game to the next. So, let's take a look at why, when it comes to Blackjack, size really matters.\nFewer decks = more chance of Blackjack\nYou are more likely to land a natural Blackjack when fewer decks are in play. In a single deck, there are four aces and 16 cards with a value of 10 (the 10s of each suit, as well as Jacks, Queens and Kings) - so 20/52 cards can create a natural. With two decks, it's 40/104 and so on, with the probability decreasing with every additional deck.\nIf we look at it by the law of percentages, the probability of landing a natural Blackjack with a single deck of cards is 4.83%. This decreases to 4.78% with two decks, and could drop as little as 4.75% with six decks. If you're looking to land that 3:2 pay-out, the single-deck Blackjack is the one to play.\nBut don't play single-deck games if the pay-out for a natural is 6:5 - if that's the case, you'd be better off sticking to multi-deck games!\nFewer decks = more chance when you double down\nBy a similar reasoning to above, if you're dealt a 5, 6 and choose to double down, you're more likely to land that 10-value card if you're playing single-deck Blackjack, in comparison to multi-deck games. Dealers don't have the option of doubling down either, so the odds are very much in your favour.\nFewer decks = lower house edge*\n*Sometimes\nThere was a time that single-deck Blackjack was the holy grail of all casino games, but multi-deck games were introduced to make it harder for players to count cards, or use strategy, and also increase the house edge.\nSingle-deck Blackjack games can have a house edge as low as 0.15%, but as soon as additional cards are thrown into the mix, this can increase. Games that utilise up to six or eight decks can have an increased house edge of 0.50% - over three times that of a single-deck game.\nAlthough, interestingly, we mentioned the different pay-outs for a natural earlier and if you're playing a single-deck game which offers a pay-out of 6:5, as opposed to the usual 3:2, the house edge jumps from 0.15% to 1.45% - crazy, huh.\nFewer decks mean a greater chance of being dealt a natural, but adding decks can affect your odds. Unfortunately, the 6:5 pay-out is more common in single-deck games so if you're wanting better money, multi-deck Blackjack is more favourable. If you can find a single-deck game offering a pay-out of 3:2, or you're a basic strategy player, you should plump for single-deck games. At the end of the day, it's all about preference and whatever game you choose to play, you'll always have the same aim - to beat the dealer!","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1863242"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.605127215385437,"wiki_prob":0.605127215385437,"text":"KISS Frontman PAUL STANLEY Talks ‘Monster’ In New Video Interview\nApril 16, 2012 0 Comment Kiss\nFox News‘ Fox 411 recently spoke to KISS vocalist/guitarist Paul Stanley about the band’s forthcoming studio album, “Monster”. You can see the segment below.\nKISS has completed recording its new album, “Monster”, for a summer release. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include “It’s A Long Way Down”, “Back To The Stone Age”, “Shout Mercy”, “Out Of This World”, “Wall Of Sound” and “Hell Or Hallelujah”.\nSpeaking to VH1 Radio Network‘s Dave Basner following the March 20 press conference at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, California to officially announce details of KISS‘ summer co-headlining tour with MÖTLEY CRÜE, KISS vocalist/guitarist Paul Stanley stated about the band’s new CD, “‘Monster’ is really the culmination of everything this band has been in the past and where we’re going. When we did [2009’s] ‘Sonic Boom’, it was a big task for us because we were saying, ‘How do we define who we are today without losing who we’ve been?’ So, that was a tall order for us, but once we got that under our belts, we wanted to go back in and ‘Monster’ is far, far beyond anything we’ve done in terms of ‘Sonic Boom’ and yet it’s right up there with some of the best stuff we’ve done. It’s KISS.”\nIn a 2011 interview with Classic Rock magazine, Stanley stated about the band’s decision to return to the studio so soon after releasing “Sonic Boom”, “I wasn’t interested in making an album unless I was in charge and no one agreed to it half-heartedly. The band’s all there, all the time, and we cut the tracks all facing each other in the same room. Chemistry and camaraderie, that’s essential. That’s what made ‘Sonic Boom’ so great, and this album is thunderously better.”\n← STEVEN ADLER Talks About Bands That Have Yet to Be Inducted Into Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame\nNASCAR Presents FOREIGNER’s MICK JONES With Three Platinum Singles And Gold Award →\nKISS To Perform On Monday And Tuesday’s Episodes Of ‘Dancing With The Stars’\nOriginal KISS Guitarist ACE FREHLEY Faces Foreclosure Conference On Yorktown Home\nKISS To Guest On ‘Late Show With David Letterman’","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line422439"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8401781916618347,"wiki_prob":0.8401781916618347,"text":"An Introduction to Indian Languages\nEver wondered why some words are similar across Indian languages? Do all of our languages have the same root? Let us take a bird’s eye view of the history of language and in particular, of Indian languages, to find some answers!\nTranslated by: Raghunath J\nEvery living creature on the earth thinks of food, sleep, reproduction and self-preservation. It is only the human species that has the brain power to think beyond these instincts. Compared to a human, an elephant is larger in size, however its brain can’t think beyond a limit. But, the human brain broke off the limits, approximately 70,000 years ago in the course of evolution. This is sometimes called ‘Cognitive Revolution’. With a newly evolved brain power, humans began to settle in fixed geographical locations and began to learn about their surroundings. The knowledge thus gained, needed to be shared with fellow humans. This knowledge transfer, first took the form of ‘signals’ and therefore came to be called ‘Signal Language’. Later, it took the form of ‘words’ and came to be known as a ‘Language’. Initially, it didn’t have a script at all, it was only when the language evolved to a certain stage that linguists designed one. It is not clear as to which language is the very first one developed on this earth. This is because, humans developed many languages in the early stages after ‘Cognitive Revolution’, but many of those could not survive beyond a limited period of time. So, it is impossible to determine if a particular language is the very first one. But, we can still estimate which language among the existing ones has the longest recorded history.\nThe current population of the world is around 770 crores and they speak more than 5,000 languages. In our country, the population is 130 crores and the number of languages is more than 780, as per People’s Linguistic Survey of India (PLSI), carried out between 2010 and 2013. From a number of 1650 as of 1961, tens of languages have been withering away each year into non-existence. If it continues this way, after about 100 years, it would not be surprising if the number of languages-in-use drops down further to below 500. The Indian Constitution, in its 8th schedule, has recognized 22 ‘official languages’. They are 1) Assamese 2) Bengali 3) Bodo 4) Dogri 5) Gujarati 6) Hindi 7) Kannada 8) Kashmiri 9) Konkani 10) Mythili 11) Malayalam 12) Manipuri 13) Marathi 14) Nepali 15) Oriya 16) Punjabi 17) Sanskrit 18) Santhali 19) Sindhi 20) Tamil 21) Telugu and 22) Urdu.\nBased on their roots, Indian languages are classified into 4 categories : 1. Indo-Aryan language family 2. Dravidian language family 3. Astro-asiatic language family 4. Tibeto-burman language family. We can learn about most of the indian languages by understanding these 4 families.\nIndo-Aryan language family\nFirst, let us look into the Indo-Aryan family. This family is part of the Indo-European language family, which is the largest in the world. In the Indo-Aryan family, the first language is Sanskrit. Rig Veda is the first piece of literature in this language. There are those who would call it the very first piece of literature in the entire world, but that is contested by many other scholars. Sanskrit in the vedic era was primarily intended at performing religious rituals and associated worship. The time period associated with this, was between 1500 and 1000 BC. Later, Vedic Sanskrit evolved into a version of itself that is separate from religion, called Classical Sanskrit, a language of poetry. This sustained from 1000 BC to 600 BC. From this version of Sanskrit, the languages Pali, Prakrit and Apabhramsha evolved during the period 600 BC to 1000 AD.\nPali : Between 563 and 483 BC. It was in this language that the Buddha taught his followers.\nPrakrit : Between 600 BC and 1000 AD. It was formed from Classical Sanskrit by either losing some alphabets or changing its form. It appears in many Buddhist and Jain texts such as edicts, inscriptions and plays.\nApabhramsha : These languages were born out of Prakrit. Since these were different from the Prakrit language used in literature, they got the name Apa-bhramsha.\nModern Languages : These were born out of Apabhramsha languages. Prominent ones among these are 1. Hindi 2. Urdu 3. Bengali 4. Punjabi 5. Assamese 6. Gujarati 7. Oriya 8. Marathi 9. Kashmiri 10. Konkani 11. Nepali 12. Sindhi and others.\nHindi : Dating back to around 1000 AD, Hindi is spoken by around 65 crore people, who reside largely in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh. Dialects of Hindi are classified into two prominent categories. The western region has the dialects like Rajasthani, Vraja, Bunderi, Malavi, Bhojpuri, and Mewari. Because it is spoken by a large fraction of the population, there is a misconception that Hindi is the only National Language of India. In fact, all the 22 languages recognized by the Indian Constitution are National Languages. Belittling other languages because they are spoken by fewer number of people is a sign of narrow-minded view point.\nUrdu : About 11 crore people scattered across the country speak Urdu, which originated from soldier camps, shops and baazaars after the Allauddin Khilji’s invasion of South India. In the deccan region such as in Hyderabad, it is also referred to as Dakhini.\nBengali : About 30 crore people in West Bengal and Bangladesh speak this language. It dates back to around 1000 AD.\nPunjabi : About 10 crore people speak this language. It also dates back to around 1000 AD.\nGujarati : About 6.5 crore people speak this language. It dates back to around 1100 AD.\nAssameese : About 2.5 crore people speak this language. It dates back to around 1200 AD.\nOriya : About 4 crore people speak this language. It dates back to around 1200 AD.\nMarathi : About 8 crore people speak this language. It dates back to around 1100 AD.\nKashmiri : About 0.5 crore people speak this language. It dates back to around 900 AD.\nKonkani : About 0.5 crore people who reside largely in Goa and to a smaller extent in Mangalore, Mumbai and Kerala, speak this language. This is largely spoken by the Christian community.\nNepali : About 1.7 crore people speak this language.\nSindhi : About 2 crore people across the country speak this language.\nDravidian language family\nAfter the indo-aryan language family, the dravidian family is the next in terms of size. In this family, 23 languages have been identified. Prominent among them are 1. Tamil, 2. Telugu, 3. Kannada, 4. Malayalam.\nTamil : It is one of the oldest languages in the world. About 8 crore people residing in India, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Malaysia speak this language. It has literature dating back to the BC era.\nTelugu : About 8.5 crore people who reside in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana speak this language. It dates back around 2,000 years.\nKannada : About 4.5 crore people speak this language. Its history almost equals that of Telugu.\nMalayalam: About 4 crore people who reside in Kerala speak this language. It was born out of Tamil, about 1000 years ago.\nThere are a few similarities in the scripts of Tamil and Malayalam as well as in those of Telugu and Kannada.\nAstro-asiatic language family\nFrom the astro-asiatic language family come the languages Santhali, Mundari, Hu, Savara, Kork, Jwang, Kaasi, Nicobaris.\nTibeto-burman language family\nFrom the tibeto-burman family, the languages Bodo, Manipuri, Lushta, Garo, Bhutima, Newari, Lepcha, Asmaka and Mikir are the prominent ones.\nPost Script : Among the most spoken languages in the Indo-Aryan family, most of them have roots in Sanskrit. Because it gradually lost its prevalence in the society, the number of its speakers today is estimated at 15,000 only and is therefore close to extinction today, largely used in religious contexts.\nAuthor AdministratorPosted on November 29, 2018 Categories English\nPrevious Previous post: ഏകത്വത്തിലെ ഭാഷാവൈവിധ്യ സൗന്ദര്യം\nNext Next post: ಭಾರತೀಯ ಭಾಷೆಗಳ ಕುರಿತಾಗಿ ಒಂದು ಕಿರುಪರಿಚಯ","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line512488"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5472423434257507,"wiki_prob":0.5472423434257507,"text":"HomeNewsTrophy weekend heads to Widnes for 2019\nTrophy weekend heads to Widnes for 2019\n20th March 2019 Lucy Gordon News 0\nThe EIHA Women’s Leagues are pleased to announce that the 2019 Women’s Trophy Weekend will take place at Planet Ice Widnes on the weekend of June 1 & 2.\nTrophy Weekend is the finale to the domestic season and features ten games across the weekend and no fewer than four playoff finals on the Sunday.\nAlthough the event is moving to a new venue, the format will remain unchanged from previous seasons.\nSaturday’s six-game schedule will comprise semi finals from the Women’s Elite, Premier and Division 1 competitions.\nSunday’s action will comprise the Division 1 Trophy Final, Premier Trophy Final, U16 National Final and lastly the Elite League final for the Bill Britton Trophy.\nAdmission to the weekend will continue to be free for spectators, so fans can see the best women’s hockey in the country and a large number of Great Britain senior and U18 internationals in action.\nWomen’s League manager Sally Taylor said: “We are excited to take the Trophy Weekend to Widnes and look forward to another great weekend of women’s ice hockey.\n“Thanks to the management at Planet Ice Widnes for their help in making this happen and thanks to the teams in the women’s leagues for their patience while the final details were ironed out.\n“We are looking forward to the remainder of the regular season and look forward to players and supporters joining us in Widnes.”\nPlanet Ice Widnes rink manager Vernon Neil added: “Following successive NIHL playoff weekends, we are thrilled to be able to bring another showpiece of the EIHA calendar to Widnes.\n“Planet Ice Widnes looks forward to welcoming the teams and supporters to our rink and our town and we can’t wait to share the event with the hockey fans of this region.”\nThe full schedule for Trophy Weekend will be confirmed in due course.\nEIHA Women","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1083104"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5932613015174866,"wiki_prob":0.4067386984825134,"text":"Home > Company > Management Team > Joe Coughlin\nJoe brought more than 30 years of financial experience when he joined Ergotron in March 2019. As executive vice president and CFO, he leads Ergotron’s global finance organization and is responsible for overall financial strategy, including long-range business planning, to position our company for ongoing success.\nHe began his career at McGladrey and Pullen, LLC., as an auditor and rose to the position of senior manager providing team-based audit and consulting services. Joe also served as chief financial officer of Bermo Inc., an area manufacturer of enclosures and other engineering products. His notable achievements at Bermo included facilitating the startup of a Mexican manufacturing facility, serving as interim president, and spearheading several meaningful process improvements.\nMost recently, Joe served as executive vice president and chief financial officer at Twin City Fan Companies, Ltd., an international fan manufacturer, from 2007 to 2018. He was instrumental in several process improvements and investments, including overseeing a strategic international acquisition for the business.\nJoe and his wife, Shannon, and their youngest daughter live in Maple Grove, Minnesota. They also have an adult son and another daughter in college. Joe enjoys spending time with his family at the family’s lake home. Closer to home, he can be found cross-country skiing, biking and golfing.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line993211"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7130493521690369,"wiki_prob":0.28695064783096313,"text":"How to do Research for Your Novel\nKerstin said: Hi, I recently stumbled over your blog when I was researching dieselpunk for our online rpg and not only did it answer my question, it also revived my buried passion for writing. Well done!\nBut that also revived the old problem I always had when I sat down to put pen to paper:\nHow do you do research for your story?\nI don't mean mere facts - we all know how to google. I'm talking of the little details in the setting and interactions of the characters that make the world you create \"real.\"\n. . . Say I want to write a sci-fi story that plays on a space station. The closest real world example could be an oil-platform, but to the average writer it's as exotic and unapproachable as the space-station itself. If you want to write something in a milieu that has nothing to do with your own life, how do you research that, especially when you're not an established author that can ask for interviews or an \"externship\"?\nGlad my blog was helpful and revived your writing passion! Yay!\nFinding Exactly What You Need\nYes, a problem that many writers face. While Google might not pull up all the real details we are looking for (the kind that you can only know if you've experienced it), the internet can help lead you to people who do have the experience. One site I like, Jobstr (not to be confused with Jobster), centers on people being able to ask others questions about their jobs. They have private detectives on their site, police officers, referees, forensic scientists, magicians, gynecologists, flirting/relationship coaches and the list goes on. Sometimes doing research can be as easy as going on this site and asking them questions.\nFor places and methods on how to do things, Youtube can sometimes be a great source. People make videos on almost everything. Actually, I'm surprised about the kinds of things people do make videos of. The other day I was trying to figure out how to use a carpet shampooer that's decades old. I Googled it, and while I found the owner's manual, I went to a Youtube video instead. It was easy, simpler, and I was able to get personal insight from a person instead of text that sounded like it was written by a soulless robot. I have a character who has a hobby of breaking into places and things. I've learned quite a bit about bump keys and how to make and use them off Youtube. Of course, you have to be careful, just because it's on the internet and has a lot of views doesn't mean it's the most accurate or best way to do it.\nFor places, you can sometimes find vlogs. With these sorts of details, I feel like you are looking for the personal tidbits and insights--not the type of stuff you'd find in an encyclopedia. So personal videos, like vlogs, or even personal blogs, can be sources to get details like that. If you can't find exactly what you are looking for, you might be able to find someone who would know, and with social media and the internet, hopefully you can connect with them. You might not have a family who has served in the military, but chances are, you can find a family who has.\nNew York Times bestselling author, Brandon Sanderson, has an expert on poisons, remedies, and medicines (or things of the sort) that he regularly contacts when he needs help with them in his high-fantasy books. It's true, he's a very established writer, but you might be surprised who is willing to answer your questions about a topic they love or have spent years studying. (Sometimes the trick is to get them to stop answering.) With that said, it's also true that some experts, if you are looking for a very specific one, are unreachable. Then you have to settle for the next best person.\nWhen You Can't Find the Exact Thing You Need\nBut maybe the details you are looking for are even more evasive. Maybe it is a place that next to no one can go, or a job that people aren't allowed to talk about. My recommendation is to try to find the closest thing you can. And don't forget, your job as a writer is often to make things up. Often that means just making them realistic enough. \"God is in the details,\" they say. So try to imagine the firsthand details. Appeal to the senses--sight, smell, touch, taste, sound--that's often a great way to ground the reader and make whatever is happening in the story feel real.\nLittle Side Note: Sometimes you don't need to make anything up if you can get the personal details you are looking for. One writer said he was trying to figure out how to get the dialogue right for some characters (let's say they were truck drivers--I can't remember what it was), so he went to a truck stop and just eavesdropped on truckers for a while. Instead of trying to write new dialogue like them, he just used their actual dialogue. The result? Readers raved about how realistic the dialogue was. The author laughed because he basically wrote it word for word from real truck drivers.\nWhen You Can't Find What You Need\nIf you really can't find what you are looking for, try looking for other novels that write about the same thing and see how they did it, how they handled it. You can learn from their examples. No one has personal experience with cryosleep. And yet the term is common knowledge and universal in the science fiction world, and writers still make it seem very real. We've never terraformed a planet, but dang, there are some convincing \"firsthand\" experiences from fictional characters. One trick to making these things realistic is to use comparisons--similes and metaphors--that the reader can relate to. \"The walker moved in a swaying motion. It was more like riding an elephant than a tank.\" Comparisons can go a long way to making something feel very real in writing. Sometimes, you might have to resort to bluffing or BSing your way through it (which is actually acceptable if you don't have other options and you aren't just doing it because you are being lazy and you do it well). Again, remember to appeal to the senses. Your job is to make things up. It just needs to be realistic enough.\nReversing the Process: Pulling from Your Experiences, First\nWhile you brought up writing in milieus that have nothing to do with your own life, you can make even those milieus seem more realistic by pulling from your own experiences. One thing I love about The Hunger Games is how Suzanne Collins (who has obviously never lived in a place like Panem or been through the Hunger Games herself) clearly pulled from her own experiences to make her world. Her dad often talked to her about war and war tactics. Her mom was into fashion and taught her about the fashion world. Suzanne Collins worked in the t.v. industry before she ever penned novels. She pulled all those odds and ends into the milieu--she worked what she did know into that milieu, and it made it very real.\nOkay, I've been pulling a lot from science fiction, but this can apply to other genres too. What if your setting is in a different century in Asia? If you've studied martial arts, chances are you can pull firsthand experiences and knowledge you have about martial arts into your story, to give your story that touch of insider's knowledge. So you can think about what you do know and what you have experienced and try working it into the story. That's a different angle to come at the story, but it's an option.\nBe as Accurate as Possible, but Don't let Inaccuracies Stop You\nOne thing that I want to point out though is that I believe it's better to write a story that has some \"insider\" errors than it is to not write a story at all. I've seen movies where the character is playing the guitar and their fingers don't match the music--or at least that's what my brother tells me. It bugs him because he's a guitarist. But that little error doesn't stop me from enjoying a good story. Sure, the filmmakers should have just had a stand-in guitarist, or cut the scenes in a way that it wasn't noticeable; they could have fixed it. (And frankly, sometimes you need to just \"cut the scenes\" differently to get away with it even in fiction writing.) But I still left the movie feeling good inside.\nOne of my favorite bands, Muse, has a song that has some sciencey lyrics in it, and someone (my brother again--guess he notices these things) pointed out to me that the science was wrong. We laughed for a second, but moved on. Muse is still one of our favorite bands, and we both still listen to that song. Basically, what I'm saying is, we should all do the best we can, but even then, there are going to be things from time to time that we get wrong. Don't let it stop you from telling a great story. Chances are that the worth of the story and what it does for you and others outweighs any little \"insider\" errors.\nSo those are my thoughts on the topic. I hope they help or at least give some direction. But I'll be honest, most of the settings I've dealt with haven't been too extravagant, so I actually asked some other writers who have more experience than me on it so they could give us their advice:\nI would look for personal narratives or memoirs from people in those fields. My debut is set in 19th C. Hungary, and one of the best resources was 19th century travel narratives, published by British travelers through Europe. - Rosalyn Collings Eves, (The Blood Rose Rebellion)\nRead other books that do it well. Don't knock google either. You can find snippets of blogs, journals, and more of people who have been where you want to write from. Talk to people who live in a similar world. Imagine yourself in the environment and how you would interact. Watch documentaries and films that are acclaimed for getting things close to reality. - Charlie Pulsipher,(Zombies at the Door, Crystal Bridge)\nI've found websites for enthusiasts of things, like 18th century warships, and have emailed or even facebooked them with technical questions. I think people actually love being able to share their expertise with outsiders! And then, there are always small things you can do to give you a feel for bigger things. For instance, I went deep sea salmon fishing to help get a feel for what it's like to be on a small ship in the ocean, and did a weekend of SCUBA because I have some underwater scenes. YouTube is also an awesome resource where you can get lots of opinions and viewpoints on all sorts of things, and often raw footage with the sights and sounds as well. - Christine Tyler\nTwo suggestions I use come to mind: street view in Google Maps and travel podcasts.\nStreet view allows me to visit cities I can't afford to travel to. I've wandered Dublin, Ireland and Ronda, Spain, each time getting a flavor for the locations and people on the streets.\nTourism podcasts are helpful too. Not only for information, but speech patterns. Sometimes you can even find local interest podcasts on politics or cultural heritage. Tourism websites can even mail you brochures and maps for your areas of interest. - Tony Dutson\nIn writing the Setting Thesaurus books, Becca and I tried to visit each location we profiled to make sure we got the smells and sounds right, along with the terminology, but there were some we couldn't access for one reason or another (a funeral home--asking for a tour of their embalming facilities and crematorium? um...no. A Psychiatric ward? They aren't big on letting people see inside those. A submarine and tank just wasn't doable for either of us (but I did check out a military helicopter).\nIn these cases, we found you tube videos to be very helpful. There are walkthroughs and tutorials on just about anything. (I have the unfortunate life skill now to actually process a roadkill squirrel after watching a few videos on taxidermy for that setting, LOL.) For some settings, we then also sourced experts. For my ambulance entry, I had a paramedic go over my content for the book because I wanted to make sure I'd gotten the terminology right and I was able to ask about if there are smells or tastes associated with the oxygen mask, a detail I can't get from a video. For the police car entry, I was pranked by relatives who knew I needed the details and falsely arrested so I could get the \"real experience.\" Anyway, the point is, think creatively about locations that might be like your sci-fi locations (jobs that are similar, people who would have similar \"real life\" roles as those on your spaceship or space station, things like that) and then find people who do these jobs/have these roles, or search them on google. You can also find experts through twitter too. - Angela Ackerman, (The Emotion Thesaurus)\nAnd there you have it. Good luck!\n6:25 AMSeptember C. Fawkesask September, How to Research, Research, The Hunger Games, Writing TipsNo comments","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line758302"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8852046728134155,"wiki_prob":0.8852046728134155,"text":"The Birth of Washington, D.C.: 10 Things You Didn’t Know About the Nation’s Capital\nPresident George Washington signed the Residence Act 230 years ago this week on July 16, 1790. The Act provided for the establishment of both a temporary and permanent seat of government for the young United States. The temporary seat moved from New York to Philadelphia, but the new and permanent seat would be built by the Potomac River. The site became Washington, D.C., and as famous as it is, there are still facts that many Americans may not realize about how it came together, and what it might yet be. Here are ten things you didn’t know about the nation’s capital.\n1. It’s in the Constitution\nArticle I of the U.S. Constitution (Archives.gov; Public Domain)\nArticle I of the United States Constitution immediately concerns itself with the establishment of the legislative branch and the creation of the House and Senate. In Section 8 of Article I, the powers of Congress receive some fleshing out (like the laying and collection of taxes, war declaration powers, post office creation, etc.). Clause 17 of that section also gives Congress the ability to create a federal district for the nation’s capital with the phrase “To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of Government of the United States.”\n2. Maryland and Virginia Donated the Land\nMap of Washington, D.C. from 1893 (loc.gov; Public Domain)\nThe language in the Clause that indicates “by Cession of particular states” meant that pre-existing states would donate the land for the new federal district. Maryland and Virginia donated the land that comprised the 10×10 mile square, which was also stated in the Constitution.\n3. The Residence Act of 1790 Made It Official\nSigned 230 years ago this week by President George Washington, the Act fixed the future seat of government at the Potomac site. A deadline of December 1800 was established for the new capital to be in use. The Residence Act also gave Washington the authority to appoint commissioners to run the project.\n4. Why It’s the District of Columbia\nSurveying and construction was soon underway. The appointed commissioners chose a name for the new federal city and district on September 9, 1791. The city itself was named after the first president (who had, after all, signed the Residence Act into law). The federal district was named the District of Columbia for reasons that run from obscure to uncomfortable now. For quite some time, “Columbia” was a nickname for America as a feminine form of Columbus (which is, of course, a controversial topicThe song “Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean” was even a contender for the official National Anthem. So, the city is called Washington, D.C. with the city and district in the same way that you would identify a city in a state as, for example, Indianapolis, Indiana.\n5. The District of Columbia Organic Act of 1801 Covered the Details\nThe Alexandria, Virginia skyline (Shutterstock)\nCongress finalized the fine points with the District of Columbia Organic Act of 1801. An organic act determines the necessary pieces of how a territory is defined, including what body has authority over it. Being a federal district, Washington, D.C. is overseen by Congress. The Act also created two counties within the district, Alexandria County (south and west) and Washington County (north and east), each with a court. As the district encompassed the pre-existing cities of Alexandria and Georgetown, they hewed to their already established local laws. However, as the district, including those cities, fell under federal control, Congressional representation was removed since the cities were no longer part of the states that they were originally in. The fact that D.C. residents pay taxes without representation has long been a bone of contention and is one of the primary drivers behind the “D.C. Statehood” movement.\n6. John Adams Was the First President to Live There\nJohn Adams was the second president, serving from 1797 to 1801, but he was the first to live in the White House in Washington, D.C. Adams and his wife, Abigail, moved into the House in 1800 before it was even completed. In the widely acclaimed HBO mini-series John Adams, which won 13 Emmys and four Golden Globes, the arrival of John and Abigail at the White House was dramatized. The scene makes a point of the irony that enslaved people built the “free” nation’s capital; while John and Abigail Adams were not slave owners themselves, they occasionally paid slaves owned by other district residents to do work at the property. The scene is reportedly accurate in its depiction of the conditions around the White House; while the building proper was finished, the surrounding area was largely muddy and uncleared upon their moving in.\n7. The War of 1812 Wrecked the Place\nThe War of 1812 ran from June of that year until 1815, pitting the young United States against Great Britain. In 1814 on August 24, British troops made it to Washington and set about burning the city. The Capitol building suffered tremendous damage, including the loss of the then-current 3,000 volumes of the Library of Congress. The White House burned, as did the U.S Treasury, the Department of War, and other buildings. Fortunately for what was left, an enormous storm broke loose over the city and the pounding rain put out many of the fires. The storm touched off at least one tornado in the city, and the British withdrew to their ships, which were taking damage from the storm. All told, the British occupation of D.C. lasted just over a day, but much of the city, particularly the government buildings, would have to be completely rebuilt in the aftermath.\n8. D.C. Had Famously Bad Water\nA Killer in the White House. (Uploaded to YouTube by The Saturday Evening Post)\nAs documented in a Post story from 2019, early D.C. had no sewer system. The White House itself would have no running water for years; water was still being carried in by buckets before the fire in 1814. The Jefferson administration had looked into pumping in water as early as 1807, but no running water came until 1833. Unfortunately, there would be several problems with that over time, as the video above documents.\n9. The Smithsonian Institution Started with a British Donor\nSmithsonian Castle in Washington, D.C. (Shutterstock)\nWashington, D.C. is also home to The Smithsonian Institution, which was founded in 1846 and continues to be administered by the U.S. government. The name comes from James Smithson, a British scientist who made the original donation for a national museum. The Smithsonian as a whole includes 19 museums and galleries, most of which have enormous digital collections and videos that you can see at their sites online.\n10. They’re Still Building Monuments\nThe Vietnam Veterans Memorial (Shutterstock)\nOne could be forgiven for thinking that monument-building in D.C. has come to an end, but the city continues to add monuments and memorials to important people and events. The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial is still scheduled to open in September of 2020. Among the projects currently in the works is a National World I War Memorial that will be located in Pershing Park and memorials to Gulf War/Desert Shield/Desert Storm veterans, Native American veterans, and both free and enslaved Black Americans that served in the Revolutionary War. The Korean War Veterans Memorial is also slated for a “wall of names” like the one already featured at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.\nBuddies for life: President and CEO of Miami Lighthouse, Virginia Jacko, with her guide dog Tracker. Photo by Scherley Busch.\nVirginia Jacko was going blind. She knew it, but not everyone else did. Since the mid-1990s, her vision had been steadily deteriorating. Though capable of seeing people and objects in front of her, she might not recognize a person standing at her side. Finally, in 1998, then in her 50s, Virginia was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, an irreversible disease affecting about 1 in 4,000 people in the United States. The disease attacks the cells controlling night vision and peripheral vision first. But in advanced cases, such as Virginia’s, it robs central vision, eventually leading to blindness.\nSo it was with trepidation that Virginia arrived at the office of the incoming president of Purdue University for an initial meeting with her new boss. She wanted to assure the president that she could still fulfill her responsibilities as the financial advisor to the president and provost.\nFor years now, she’d found ways to adapt her personal and professional life to an increasingly narrow visual world. She scouted out meeting sites ahead of time. She’d stopped driving, relying on taxicabs if she needed to get somewhere quickly. She prepared for meetings at night, her face close to the monitor so she could read words on the screen and memorize data on Excel spreadsheets. “I never got depressed or felt sorry for myself,” says Virginia. “Negative energy is just a waste of time.”\nBut that fateful morning in late 2000, as she reached the office of the president’s assistant, her heart sunk. The president had ordered new furniture that completely changed the layout of the room. Virginia realized she would not be able to navigate the space without help. So, thinking fast, she pretended to be running late for the meeting and waited for the president to step away from his office. When he did, she slipped in, guided by the assistant, and sat down on the couch. When he returned, she merely had to stand up to greet him.\nThe plan was a success, but the experience was a loud wake-up call that Virginia couldn’t ignore. She needed to learn to live as a blind person if she was going to succeed in a sighted person’s world. Her vision was getting to be too much of a problem to conceal. After the meeting, she called her husband Bob, a professor of civil engineering at the same university. She told him she needed to take a three-month medical leave. She would study at a vision rehabilitation facility.\nOne of her three children, Julie, urged her to check out the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Virginia and Bob owned a condominium in Miami, so she would have a place to stay. Once there, Virginia immersed herself in the world of the blind, honing skills she once took for granted, such as baking oatmeal cookies and sewing buttons on clothes. She soaked up everything she could learn about computer programs for the blind, including programs that convert text to speech. After the three-month program, Virginia felt a renewed sense of confidence. “I learned that a blind person can do anything a sighted person does. They just have to learn to do things differently,” she says.\nAt the end of her medical leave, Virginia was at a crossroads. She could return to her job at Purdue and continue to advise the president and provost on financial affairs. Or she could continue her efforts to regain her mobility by enrolling in a one-month, 24/7 intensive training program with a guide dog. She chose the latter.\nBy then, not only was Virginia completely blind but for the first time in her life, she was stepping into the future without a clear career path. Yet she was at peace with her decision. “I had changed. Walking out the doors of Miami Lighthouse as a graduate of the program, I realized that my passion was helping the blind,” she says.\nVirginia’s husband Bob spent three months with her in Miami while she completed the program but, as a tenured professor, he had to return to Purdue for the new school year. Virginia would stay in Miami with her new guide dog Tracker, immersing herself in work at the Miami Lighthouse. She began as a volunteer, but such was her financial experience—and drive—that she soon became treasurer and a member of the board.\nNot everything went smoothly for Virginia as she adapted to her new life. Once, while out on a stroll along a coastal walkway, Tracker stepped aside to avoid colliding with a woman pushing a stroller. The sudden move knocked Virginia off the breaker wall and she plummeted into the sea. Virginia calmly treaded water until someone lowered a ladder, allowing her to climb back up to solid ground.\nAnother time, she attempted to sit down for lunch at a restaurant in a major department store, only to be told she couldn’t bring Tracker into the restaurant. Not one to be easily thwarted, she stood her ground and seated herself with her guide dog at a table. That day, she called the company’s headquarters and advised that the incident would result in a public relations fiasco unless changes were made. In no time, the chain changed its policy, and it now provides Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance training for all employees.\nIn early 2005, the president and CEO of Miami Lighthouse left unexpectedly for personal reasons. The chairman asked Virginia to serve as president and CEO on an interim basis until a permanent replacement could be found. Following a nationwide search, the board selected Virginia, making her the first blind president and CEO in Miami Lighthouse’s 81-year history.\nVirginia wasted no time in growing the organization by offering innovative programming as she deepened relationships within the philanthropic community. “When I took over in 2005, we had one grant and today we have more than 30 active grant awards,” she says.\nThanks to her outreach efforts, revenue has nearly tripled, allowing the organization to vastly increase the scope of its services. Today, Miami Lighthouse teaches rehabilitation skills to people of all ages—from blind babies to seniors with low vision—allowing them greater mobility and self-reliance. Miami Lighthouse has become a center of excellence in vision rehabilitation because of its innovative programs, such as sound engineering and mobile eye care for low-income schoolchildren. All told, under Virginia’s leadership, the organization has increased the number of people it serves fourteen-fold to about 10,000 annually.\nAll of this on a budget that Virginia watches like a hawk. For five consecutive years, Miami Lighthouse has received the highest rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator of financial health and accountability.\nVirginia’s disability has never slowed her down. “Virginia is such a determined person. Having a deep faith; supportive family; and positive, can-do attitude are at the core of her success,” says Doug Eadie, co-author of Virginia’s autobiography, The Blind Visionary.\n“I am so blessed,” Virginia says today. Her blindness, she feels, was a gift that allowed her to find a new mission and purpose in life. “We transform people’s lives at Miami Lighthouse every day. I lost my vision, and I found my passion.”","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1254406"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5244026780128479,"wiki_prob":0.4755973219871521,"text":"Federal Funding Announced to Support Indigenous Businesses\nOn April 18, 2020, the Federal Government announced $306.8 million dollars to be provided in order to support small and medium-sized Indigenous businesses that have been affected by COVID-19.\nThe financial support will be made by way of short-term interest free loans and non-repayable contributions. Funding will be provided by existing Aboriginal Funding Institutions, a list of which can be found here, and administered by the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (“NACCA”) and Métis Capital Corporations.\nInformation regarding eligibility criteria is limited; however, the following details have been released:\nLoans will be provided to those businesses that pass a business viability assessment; and\nNon-repayable contributions will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and given to those qualifying businesses that have been hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.\nIt should also be noted that those businesses that access this stimulus package will not be able to also access the Business Credit Availability Program (“BCAP”). The determination of which stimulus package to access should be made on a case-by-case basis taking into consideration your business’s unique needs.\nClark Wilson’s Indigenous Law Group has experience supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs with joint ventures, business structuring, tax planning, and other corporate and personal matters. To help support Indigenous entrepreneurship during COVID-19, we have published a list of resources available to Indigenous communities, businesses and individuals. We will continue to update this list as additional sources of relief are made available.\nSam Shury\nSaul Joseph\nReopening Businesses in BC: Key Points to Consider as Commercial Space Reopens\nOn May 6, 2020, Premier John Horgan announced B.C.’s plans for lifting restrictions on social distancing, with a goal of reopening certain economic sectors, while ... Continued\nRe-Opening Strata Corporation Amenities: Guidelines and Considerations\nMany strata corporations have started to re-open their recreational amenities now that we are in Phase 3 of the BC government Restart Plan. While it ... Continued\nArticles July 8, 2020\nCOVID-19: Federal Government Announces Further Details on Wage Subsidy Program\nNote: On July 13, 2020, the federal government announced an extension of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Program until December, 2020. You can find our ... Continued","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1938858"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9198222160339355,"wiki_prob":0.9198222160339355,"text":"Seattle Storm executive Karen Bryant announces resignation, effective at the end of the 2014 season\nSeattle Storm president and CEO Karen Bryant announced that 2014 will be her last season with the team, marking 15 years with the franchise.\n“I feel that now is the right time to step away from the Storm,” said Bryant in a statement. “I am so proud of all that we have accomplished the past 14 seasons. Right now, I am focused and excited about the upcoming celebration of the Storm’s 15th anniversary season.”\nShe will remain in her current role through much of the 2014 season while Force 10 Hoops conducts a search for a replacement.\nBryant helped make Seattle one of the most successful teams in the league with a large, loyal fan base and profitability. She joined the team in 1999 overseeing two championships, drafting marquee players Lauren Jackson and Sue Bird while surviving three ownership changes.\nSeattle ownership group, Force 10 Hoops co-owner, Lisa Brummel\n“Karen has been an integral part of the Seattle Storm since the beginning and we have had the great pleasure of learning from her over the past six years. We look forward to continuing our partnership as we start the 15th season of Storm basketball in Seattle and will support her in all that she wants to do as she moves on with her life pursuits.”\nStorm head coach and general manager Brian Agler\n“Karen has had the greatest impact on the success of the Seattle Storm over the 14 seasons of its existence,” said Storm head coach and general manager Brian Agler. “With this being Karen’s last season, we want to continue to make her proud of how this team plays on the court. I have total confidence that our ownership group will conduct a national search and put time into finding the right person and formula to take the Seattle Storm into a very successful future!”\nTags: Karen Bryant\nSign up for Hoopfeed's Weekly Newsletter","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line2012132"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.956815242767334,"wiki_prob":0.956815242767334,"text":"Shotgun used in Coventry teen attack\nThe incident occurred in Spon End yesterday afternoon\nKaty Hallam\nPolice say they believe a shotgun was used during an attack on a teenager in the city yesterday afternoon.\nA 15-year-old boy was injured during a shooting in Vincent Street, Spon End.\nParamedics and police officers were called to the scene at around 5.30pm yesterday (Sunday, September 15).\nFortunately, his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.\nA spokesman for West Midlands Police said: \"Police were called to a shooting in Vincent Street, Coventry, at around 5.30pm yesterday (15 September).\n\"A 15-year-old boy was taken to hospital with injuries not thought to be life-threatening or life-changing.\n\"Anyone with information is asked to get in touch via Live Chat at between 8am and midnight, call 101 anytime, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Quote log number 1947 16/9\nBelow, you can see an interactive map which details where violent incidents - including those involving firearms - have taken place in the city\nAmbulance statement\nA spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: \"We were called at 5.23pm to Windsor Street.\n\"One ambulance and a paramedic officer attended.\n\"We treated one patient, a teenage boy, for injuries not believed to be serious and he was taken to hospital for further treatment.\"\nWest Midlands Ambulance Service","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1552312"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7208571434020996,"wiki_prob":0.7208571434020996,"text":"Ethiopia’s higher- education boom built on shoddy foundations\nThe country desperately needs new universities to drive development, but most of the 30 built in the last 15 years fall woefully short\nPublished on Monday 22 June 2015 15.16 BST\nEthiopia’s higher education infrastructure has mushroomed in the last 15 years. But the institutions suffer from curricula being abandonded due to funding cuts, unqualified – but party-loyal – lecturers, and shoddily built institutions. The rapid growth of Ethiopia’s higher education system has come at a cost, but it is moving forward all the same.\nTwenty years ago the Ethiopian government launched a huge and ambitious development strategy that called for “the cultivation of citizens with an all-round education capable of playing a conscious and active role in the economic, social, and political life of the country”. One of the principal results of Ethiopia’s agricultural development-led industrialisation strategy (ADLI) has been a rapid expansion in the country’s higher education system. In 2000 there were just two universities, but since then the country has built 29 more, with plans for another 11 to be completed within two years.\nThe quality of these new universities varies widely; from thriving research schools, to substandard institutions built to bolster the regime’s power in hostile regions. One professor recalls a hurried evacuation from part of a recently completed university while he was working there: one of the buildings had collapsed.\nBut there have also been success stories. The University of Jimma, for example, has come first in the Ethiopian Ministry of Education’s rankings for the past five years, and is held up as evidence of ADLI’s efficacy since its establishment in 1999. The most recent development at Jimma, the department of materials science and engineering (MSE), opened for students in 2013, and has quickly expanded to become one of the top research schools in the sub-Saharan region. The department’s founder, Dr Ali Eftekhari, has since received a fellowship from the African Academy of Sciences on the back of the project’s success.\nThis success is much-needed. At 8%, African higher education enrolment is significantly lower than the global average of 32%, and Ethiopia trails even further behind, with fewer than 6% of college-age adults at university. Research in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (Stem) is starting from a particularly low base in Africa. The World Bank reported last year that though the sub-Saharan region has “increased both the quantity and quality of its research” in recent years, much of this improvement is due to international collaboration, and a lack of native Africans is “reducing the economic impact and relevance of research”.\nDr Eftekhari echoes these concerns: “The problem for development in Ethiopia and similar African countries is higher education itself. This is the reason that I focused on PhD programs. “For instance, Jimma’s department of civil engineering has over 3,000 undergraduate students. These civil engineers are the future builders of the country, but there is not one PhD holder among the staff; most only have a BSc.”\nEftekhari improvised and sweet-talked in order to get the department established; in its first year, the department taught 18 PhD students – all native Ethiopians – on almost zero budget, with staff donating their time and money until funding was secured from the ministry of education. Despite the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front’s (EPRDF) push for development, Ethiopia’s political landscape remains a minefield for education professionals, says Eftekhari: “People are always suspicious about the political reasons behind each new project. I decided to start with zero budget to allay those doubts. In developing countries everything has some degree of flexibility. I used this to borrow staff and resources from the rest of the university until we could secure a budget.\n“Many of the staff saw the project as a career opportunity,” says Eftekhari, but altruism also played a part. The department’s research focuses primarily on solving the country’s pressing poverty and development problems. “They knew they were actually saving lives,” says Jimma’s innovation coordinator, Maria Shou.\nThe belief that science and engineering is key to alleviating poverty propels the work of the school. Projects range from the development of super-capacitors for the provision of cheap power, to carbon nanomaterials for Ethiopia’s expanding construction industry. “You only need a couple of weeks in Ethiopia to realise that materials science is a priority,” says Pablo Corrochano, an assistant professor at the school. “Even in the capital you’ll experience cuts in power and water; in rural areas it’s even worse. Producing quality and inexpensive bricks for building houses, designing active water filters, and supplying ‘off-the-grid’ energy systems for rural areas are all vital to the country’s development.”\nHowever, Jimma’s success could be seen as a bit of an anomaly. Paul O’Keeffe, a researcher at La Sapienza University of Rome, who specialises in Ethiopia’s higher education system, believes that similar initiatives are needed, but that the government’s politics are an obstacle: “My research indicates that the rapid expansion of the public university system has seen a dramatic decline in the quality of education offered in recent years. Instead of putting resources into improving the existing system, or establishing a few good institutions, the EPRDF has built many new universities, largely for political reasons.\n“A lot of the time the universities are merely shells. They do not function as universities as we would expect and are poorly resourced, and in some cases shoddily built. It would seem that they are built almost as a token where the EPRDF can say to hostile regions ‘look we are doing something for you, we’ve built a university’.”\nEven when the universities do function, the quality of education is often low: “Once the funding, say from a western development agency, is finished for a particular course, it is no longer taught as the university authorities believe they can get funding for a new course instead; whatever is the latest fashionable course. So often this type of education for development is not sustainable.”\nReports of spies, classroom propaganda, of curricula that have been abandoned en mass due to funding cuts, and of unqualified staff are common at these universities, which make up the bulk of Ethiopian higher education, says O’Keeffe. “The party line is peddled during class, students are required to join the party, [there are] various reports of spies in the classrooms, who monitor what is said and who says it.”\nA lecturer at Addis Ababa University, who wished to remain anonymous, is concerned primarily with the lack of qualifications among staff: “What is disturbing is that those who have just graduated with BAs and MAs are the lecturers. That is the manpower that they have. If you talk with students you wouldn’t believe that these students actually graduated from these so-called universities. Their inability to articulate their thoughts is breathtaking. It is extremely frustrating and you wonder how they have spent four years at university studying a doctorate.”\nIn this context, the MSE school provides a beacon of hope. The school’s success demonstrates that higher education – Stem research in particular – has the potential to thrive and play a central role in helping Ethiopia to reach its goal of becoming a middle-income nation by 2025, provided political interests are put to one side. Let’s hope the EPRDF takes note.\nFor more, click here\neducation, Ethiopia, highe-education","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1414404"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9556658267974854,"wiki_prob":0.9556658267974854,"text":"TV & Radio Streaming\nOnline Terms Explained\nTV & Radio online for free\nLive News Channels\nLive French TV\nGerman TV (PSB)\nLive Music TV\nLive Asian TV\nFree IPTV Scandinavia\nFree IPTV English\nFree IPTV French\nFree IPTV German\nFree IPTV Asian\nFree IPTV Music\nUK Radio Live\nBelgium Radio\nDanish Radio\nDutch Radio (NPO)\nFrench Radio (PSB)\nGerman Radio (ARD)\nIrish Radio (RTÉ)\nNorwegian Radio\nSwedish Radio\nInternet Radio Live\nWatch live music channel from around the world for free.\nEuropean Music Channels\n1BM (Latvia) AlbMUSIC (Albania) Baraza TV HD Greek (Greece)\n1BM is a television station in Riga, Latvia, providing Baltic Music. The channel is 100% interactive, audience participation helps shape programming. AlbMUSIC is an Albanian music channel. The channel focuses on Albanian and international music.\nAlbanian music worldwide. Baraza TV Greek is a Greek music channel based in Thessaloniki, Greece.\nThe channel focuses on Greek language music.\nCompany TV (Italy) Deluxe Music (Germany) –Unavailable Deutsches Musik Fernsehen (Germany)\nCompany TV is an Italian music channel based in & around the cities of Padova, Venice, Trieste, Treviso, Undine, Trento and Verona. The channel plays both Italian & international music. Deluxe Music is a German music television channel, operated by Just Music Fernsehbetriebs and owned by High View Holding. The target audience is 25-year-olds and older. Deutsches Musik Fernsehen is a digital television station dedicated to German-language music. Primarily broadcasting music videos and music programmes from the pop genre. Genres include Deutsch-Pop and Deutschrock.\nFolx TV (Slovenia) GO-TV (Netherlands) Hip Hop TV (Italy)\nFolx TV is a German-language free-TV channel from Slovenia. The channel broadcasts to Germany, Austria and Switzerland, which offers musicians from the folk music scene a platform and allows them to produce music videos. GO-TV is a Feel-Good TV channel that everyone wants to feel good about. Every hour of the day a wide variety of music videos from the 60s, until now. Go-TV also keeps you informed on all the regional and national news. Hip Hop TV is an Italian music TV channel devoted to hip hop, rap and rhythm and blues music. The owner is Seven Music Entertainment, owned by Gianluca Galliani, son of Adriano Galliani.\nKroneHit TV (Austria) Musig24 (Switzerland) NRJ Hits TV (Belgium)\nKroneHit TV is an online music television channel run by KroneHit, a commercial radio station headquartered in Vienna, Austria. You no longer have to just listen to KroneHits, now you can watch the channel too. 24 hours playing the coolest music. Musig24 targets the 32 years plus age group and wants to be perceived as a real Swiss music station. The station primarily presents artists and musicians from Switzerland and culture from Switzerland. The channel broadcasts 24 hours a day. NRJ Hits TV is Belgium’s first and only television channel broadcasting non-stop video clips from French, Belgian and international artists 24/7. The promise is “Hit Music Only”\nRadio 21 TV (Germany) Radio Monte Carlo TV (Italy) –Unavailable Radio Pilatus TV (Switzerland)\nBest ROCK ‘N POP on the big screen: RADIO 21 TV is Germany’s first 24-hour radio television. RADIO 21 TV now has the entire radio program on TV. Radio Monte Carlo is considered one of the most popular networks especially in non-European Italian and French-speaking regions for its assumed neutrality. Radio Pilatus TV is a music channel owned by Radio Pilatus, a private station based in Lucerne. It operates two TV channels, Radio Pilatus TV and Radio Pilatus Beatz TV.\nSonus FM (Germany) Teins (Austria)\nSonus FM, 24/7 electronic music, from techno to tech-house and deep Live studio webcam.\nEnjoy our live shows or just watch our video-playlist. T Eins TV (Tiroler Heimat Fernsehen) is a television channel headquartered in Innsbruck, Austria. Breathtaking landscapes from the Alpine region.\nCalifornia Music Channel Indie Wave\nCalifornia Music Channel (CMC) is an American music video broadcast television network based in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is one of the longest-running local music video television stations in the world. IndieWave is an online music portal unlike any other! IndieWave welcomes talent in all music genres to upload their music onto a new platform with the goal of exposing their red-hot gems on our vast worldwide network at no cost to the artist.\nA2i TV Musique Afrobit\nA2i Music is a channel of the A2i Media Groupe group. It broadcasts live musical programmes. The channels of the A2i group are intended for the Senegalese diaspora around the world. Afrobit is an African music channel that broadcasts the best videos and programmes on the continent.\nAFROBIT, Feel African Music!\nB4U Music (India) Cine Voice (India) Desi Channel (India)\nB4U Music has been a strong platform for Bollywood film soundtracks, the revival of the golden oldies and upcoming artists.\nB4U music is the leading Bollywood and Asian music television channel worldwide. Cine Voice Channel is an HD 24X7 worldwide Punjabi Entertainment Channel which offers Punjabi genre programming.\nIt is focused on music, current affairs, business, entertainment, religion and culture. Desi Channel is a venture of AG Media and is being broadcast from Punjab, India. It is an entertainment and devotional channel & is available on all the major digital platforms in India. It has very varied programming.\nDil Se (India) D Music (Cambodia) Gabruu TV (Punjabi, Australia)\nBollywood films and music from India.\nDil Se means Heart To Heart, the name is from a famous Bollywood film. Dil Se shows the best Bollywood entertainment and music. D Music is a Cambodian music channel.\nThe channel plays traditional and modern Cambodian music.\nThe channel is part of the Cambodian DTV Network Limited. This service is available via satellite. Gabruu is a Punjabi entertainment specific application has content ranging from religious to humorous, informative to entertaining.\nKaraoke Channel (Indonesia) Kral Pop TV (Turkey) Kral Pop TV on YouTube (Turkey)\nIndonesian Karaoke Channel broadcasts Karaoke music around the clock, all songs are with lyrics in the Bahasa Indonesian language. Kral TV part of the Doğuş Group. Kral TV was Turkey’s first music TV channel. Kral TV broadcast Turkish music videos introduced by on-air hosts 24/7. Kral TV part of the Doğuş Group. Kral TV was Turkey’s first music TV channel. Kral TV broadcast Turkish music videos introduced by on-air hosts 24/7.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line402654"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8000008463859558,"wiki_prob":0.8000008463859558,"text":"High Anxiety and Theater Architecture\nPhoto shows sandbag testing from the Southtown Theatre built by Rapp & Rapp in 1931 for Balaban & Katz. (Courtesy of historictheatres.org)\nWhat does a Frank Lloyd Wright house in rural Pennsylvania — a series of horizontal planes over a waterfall — have in common with the Spanish Baroque St. George Theatre, a 2,672-seat movie palace, in Staten Island?\n​The answer recalls a moment I spent one afternoon at the St. George, in 1976, watching a real doggie of a movie, Don’t Open the Window, AKA Let Sleeping Corpses Lie. It was early in my year as a partner in movie palace management, and I was bored. I’d slipped into the auditorium to get away from trying to figure out how to pay the carting bill, so we (my partners and myself) wouldn’t end up getting our legs broken backward for non-payment by the mob-affiliates who collected our garbage. Suffice to say, we were short of cash, and I wanted escape; but the mediocre movie utterly failed to make me forget the balance in the theater’s checkbook. Bored, I gazed up at the intricately-decorated balcony overhang just above my head, which is when it hit me: Nothing’s holding it up! It was true: nothing was, or at least nothing visible. Somehow, despite my anxiety, the theater was doing a fine job of keeping me from being crushed.\nBuilt in 1929, the St. George has a “cantilevered” balcony, which is to say a shelf, projecting out from the back wall. The advantages of cantilevers are obvious. Wright enjoyed them for their dramatic effect (check out Taliesins West and East, not to mention the Robie House in Chicago and, of course Pennsylvania’s Falling Water previously mentioned). But when it comes to theater architecture, it’s all about business; you can sell more full-priced seats with unobstructed sight lines. (I love Carnegie Hall, but “partial view” seats are a drag; try dress circle row FF seat 38). Then too, there’d been lots of theater fires in the Victorian and pre-Victorian eras; besides a dearth of available exit doors on each level, regularly-spaced support posts probably didn’t speed evacuation.\nA balcony with no visible supports may seem like no big deal now, but when the Lyceum and the New Amsterdam (both Herts & Tallant theaters) opened to the public in 1903, offering Manhattan its first cantilevered balconies, some people were understandably reticent. Accordingly architects and impresarios began demo-ing cantilever strength with “tests.” In 1921 Balaban and Katz weighed down the new 1,500-seat balcony of the Chicago Theatre with 960,000 pounds of sandbags. No less in need of reassurance were the residents of Youngstown, Ohio in 1931, when the Warner (now the Powers Auditorium) opened, following a sandbag test of its modest 500-person balcony.\nProbably the most impressive test of a cantilevered balcony preceded the opening of Sid Grauman’s Million Dollar Theatre in Los Angeles in 1918 (architect: Woollett). The theater’s 110-foot-wide balcony boasted the world’s first reinforced concrete girder, a necessity, given the shortage of structural steel that followed World War I. Accordingly, 1.5 million pounds of sandbags were loaded on, and the girder hung tough.\nThe day I sat under the overhang and tried to watch Don’t Open the Window, I’d had an uneasy reminiscence. While sitting there, I’d recalled the story of an unsupported balcony I knew about that hadn’t ended well. The lackluster movie and this unsettling memory sent me back to my office, which was, paradoxically, under the stairs.\nThe next day in a box office conversation with a knowledgeable friend, I learned that our balcony was actually a wonder of engineering. From then on, I took great pride in boasting to anyone who would listen that ours was one of the largest cantilevered balconies in New York City, which, if not completely accurate, at least has a shot at being true. At an original capacity of more than a thousand seats, the balcony I sat under is arguably one of the largest such overhangs for miles around. As for the oldest cantilevered theater balconies in NYC, the Lyceum (total theater capacity 922) and the New Amsterdam (capacity 1,702) both Broadway houses, duke it out for the prize of being first.\nEngineering is our friend — until it isn’t. The thought that had sent me back to my office had been the memory of an apartment building in Cincinnati put up by a school acquaintance who’d started out as an architect, then suddenly styled himself a filmmaker. Reason for his career switch was revealed one night when we were out for a drive, and he pointed out the building in question. “I designed and built that...” he boasted, but his wife, a true queen of sarcasm if ever there was one, who delighted in deflating his balloon ego, reminded him of the (cantilevered) balcony — one of a series facing the street — that had fallen from that building, shearing off two or three others on its way down. Fortunately, no one had been sitting or standing beneath.\nAfterthought 1: The first theater in America to feature a cantilevered balcony is likely to have been the Colonial Theatre (capacity 1,700) in Boston which opened in 1900.\nAfterthought 2: Check out this earlier blog post on balconies of all kinds; in it I give the St. George credit for being one of the largest cantilevered balconies “in the world,” which is, in retrospect, fairly unlikely, but shows how much I love the place.\nAfterthought 3: The longest cantilever of any kind in the world may be The Busan Cinema Center in Busan, South Korea, with a 163-meter-long roof, containing an 85-meter cantilever portion.\nAfterthought 4: Frank Lloyd Wright appears not to have been a fan of traditional theater design. He rejected the “peephole” idea of the proscenium, wanting the audience to be more intimately involved in performance. Although he loved cantilevered construction in general, he doesn’t seem to have been a fan of balconies per se. But he did design several theaters, including the Kalita Humphreys Theater.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line779747"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6444111466407776,"wiki_prob":0.6444111466407776,"text":"Epidemiology Matters: A New Introduction to Methodological Foundations\nSandro Galea; Katherine M. Keyes\nAcademic, Professional and General > Technology > Medicine & health > Forensic medicine; incidence of injuries, wounds, disease; public preventive medicine\nEpidemiology Matters offers a new approach to understanding and identifying the causes of disease - and with it, how to prevent disease and improve human health. Utilizing visual explanations and examples, this text provides an accessible, step-by-step introduction to the fundamentals of epidemiologic study, from design to analysis. Across fourteen chapters, Epidemiology Matters teaches the individual competencies that underlie the conduct of an epidemiologic study: identifying populations; measuring exposures and health indicators; taking a sample; estimating associations between exposures and health indicators; assessing evidence for causes working together; assessing internal and external validity of results. With its consequentialist approach - designing epidemiologic studies that aim to inform our understanding, and therefore improve public health - Epidemiology Matters is an introductory text for the next generation of students in medicine and public health.\n2. What is a population and what is population health?\n3. What is an exposure, what is a disease, and how do we measure them?\n4. What is a sample?\n5. Watching a sample, counting cases\n6. Are exposures associated with health indicators?\n7. What is a cause?\n8. Is the association causal, or are there alternative explanations?\n9. How do non-causal associations arise?\n10. How can we mitigate against non-causal associations in design and analysis?\n11. When do causes work together?\n12. Do the results matter beyond the study sample?\n13. How do we identify disease early to minimize its consequences?\n14. Conclusion: Epidemiology and what matters most\nKatherine M. Keyes, PhD, is Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at Columbia University. Her research focuses on life course epidemiology with particular attention to psychiatric disorders, including cross-generational cohort effects on substance use, mental health, and chronic disease. She has particular expertise in the development and application of novel epidemiological methods, and in the development of epidemiological theory to measure and elucidate the drivers of population health. ; Sandro Galea, MD, DrPH, is Chair of the Department of Epidemiology at Columbia University. His work focuses on the social production of health of urban populations, innovative cells-to-society approaches to population health, and advancing a consequentialist approach to epidemiology in the service of population health. He is a past president of the Society for Epidemiologic Research and an elected member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies of Science.\nForensic Mental Health Assessment: A Casebook (2nd edition)\nCritical Epidemiology and the People's Health\nGlobal Management of Infectious Disease After Ebola\nOxford Handbook of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (4th edition)\nEvaluation for Civil Commitment\nThe Public Health Response to 2009 H1N1: A Systems Perspective\nVaccines: What Everyone Needs to Know®\nSleep, Health, and Society: From Aetiology to Public Health (2nd edition)\nVaccines: What Everyone Needs to Know (R)\nTapeworms, Lice, and Prions: A Compendium of Unpleasant Infections","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line530930"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7054672241210938,"wiki_prob":0.7054672241210938,"text":"TechnologyIts all about latest tech\nHistoryHistorical facts based on various subjects\nNatureInformation about the beautiful nature around us & an effort for conservation\nWorldWorld’s best of everything\nMediaHere we will see different posts related to Media & Pop cultue\nPlacesDifferent fascinating places of the world\nBusinessLists about various business & financial facts\nFoodTastiest facts about cuisine & taste cultures around the world\nPeopleInteresting & genuine facts about famous personalities\nSportsFacts about many sportsmen & sports\nBizzareStrange & odd facts with funny information\nGamesInteresting facts about various video games & related aspects\nInterestingHighly entertaining novel interesting facts around the world\nTop 10 Best DJs in the World Right Now\nby PickyTop\nWe have seen different trends and movements throughout the music that changed the world forever.\nIn that Disk Jockeying was a subtype in which a Jockey would introduce an old song with a new twist.\nJimmy Savile was the first DJ in the world, and since then, we have had many international artists till now.\nToday, we will list down famous DJs who are ruling the genre for a decade.\nWe won’t be including music artists like Kygo and DJ Khaled because they fall into a diversified genre.\nHere are the top best 10 DJs in the world in 2020:\n10. Alan Walker\nAlan Olav Walker (DJ Walkzz) is a record-breaking British Norwegian music producer.\nAfter releasing the single “Faded,” which received platinum certifications in 14 nations, Walker earned international acclaim in 2015.\nSome of the genres like EDM, electro house, progressive house, big house, and the deep house could be classified for Alan Walker’s music.\nAs a child, Walker had become fascinated by computers and was surrounded by technology.\nWalker began creating music on his laptop in 2012, inspired by EDM producers K-391, Ahrix, whom he discovered on YouTube and movie composers like Steve Jablonsky and Hans Zimmer.\nSome of the popular tracks of this top Dj includes Faded, Spectre, Sing Me to Sleep, Darkside, Lost Control, Lily, On My Way, Ignite, and Diamond Heart.\nHe had over 34 million Youtube channel subscribers as of now in 2020.\n9. Skrillex\nSonny Moore, also known by his name Skrillex, is an American DJ who specializes more in Dubstep, EDM, electro house, and Moombahton.\nHe started his career in music around 2004 from a local band where he was the lead vocalist.\nAround 2008, he started mixing & composing his own songs in which the first hit was the “Hate.”\nThis proved like a launchpad, which was later followed by super-hits like Bangarang, First of the year (Equinox), Scary Monsters, and Nice Sprites.\nSkrillex is also a Grammy awards winner eight times, one time Annie award & two times MTV Video Music Awards.\n8. Marshmello\nDJ Chris Comstock (Marshmello) is an EDM producer and DJ.\nMarshmello also is known as Dotcom and is one of your DJs making new hit songs by passing years.\nHe has a signature “feel-good” production style, which makes him & his music completely unique.\nHe first gained international attention for releasing remixed songs by DJ duos Jack Ü & DJ Zedd, which eventually became a successful hit.\nMarshmello is known for collaborations for a remix or composing with other musical artists.\nAlmost all have been multi-platinum listed in several countries and have ranked in the Top 30s on Billboard Hot 100’s.\nSome superhits include “Silence,” “Summer,” “Wolves,” “Friends,” “Happier,” and recent “One Thing Right” in 2019.\nMany of his tracks are remixes, while others are original or collaborative productions.\nThis is part of what gave Marshmello amazing success.\nHe can take a track that was otherwise not friendly to the dance floor and transform it into a main stage anthem.\nREAD Top 10 Most Beautiful Eyes in the World\n7. Hardwell\nHardwell is a Dutch electro house DJ originally from the Netherlands and works as a record producer and remixer.\nIn 2013 and again in 2014, DJ Mag voted him as the number one DJ in the world.\nDJ Mag again listed him on number three position in DJ Mag’s top 100 polls for 2018 DJs.\nUnlike other DJs in our list, we know Hardwell performing at best music festivals more than production; he loves to play both his songs & remixes from other artists in festivals.\nIn 2020, he will be mostly performing in the Ultra Music Festival, Sunburn, and Tomorrowland.\nThis Dutch DJ won first recognition for “Show Me Love vs B” bootleg in 2009.\nHe founded the Revealed Recordings record label in 2010 and a Hardwell On Air radio show and podcast in 2011.\nUnder his label, he has released eleven compilation albums and a documentary film.\nHardwell’s popularity skyrocketed after he released his debut studio album, United We Are, in 2015.\nSongs like “Spaceman,” “Imaginary,” “Live The Night,” “Bigroom Never Dies,” and recent “Summer Air” in 2019 are some hits recognized for him.\n6. Tiësto\nTiësto is a Dutch DJ also from Netherlands & record producer.\nHe was named “All Time’s Greatest DJ” by Mix magazine by-poll from Fans. In 2013, DJ Mag readers voted him “the best DJ of the last twenty years.”\nHe is also considered by many sources to be the “Godfather of EDM.”\nHis first solo album, “In My Memory,” was released in 2001, which gave him several major hits that started his career.\nDJ Magazine elected him World No. 1 DJ consecutively for three years from 2002 to 2004 in his annual Top 100 DJs.\nTiësto launched his radio show Tiësto’s Club Life on Radio 538 in the Netherlands in April 2007.\nHe has released his third ‘Elements of Life’ studio album, which was nominated for Grammy in the coming years.\nREAD Top 10 Richest Actors in India\n5. Calvin Harris\nWith his first album, “I Created Disco,” in 2007, Calvin’s career in the EDM world started.\nThe album’s tracks entered the top spot on the UK singles chart and sold 223,845 copies just in the UK.\nThis British DJ then published his second album Ready for the Weekend in 2009 after his excellent beginning.\nAfter its release, this album again came directly to number 1 in the UK Albums Chart and sold 274,786 copies.\nWith many famous artists such as Rihanna, Ne-Yo, Example, Florence Welch, he released many more collaborated tracks.\nNow that’s what we talked about by working with the popular artist, he received a lot of fame.\nIn 2012, he released his latest album, 18 Months, which just an instant hit in the EDM scene for this album sold over 923,000 copies in the United Kingdom.\nThis album gave him the biggest achievement in his life, making him internationally famous.\nAnd now Calvin Harris is the richest DJ in the world!!!\n4. David Guetta\nPierre David Guetta is a French DJ, music programmer, record producer, and sonic writer.\nOver 9 million albums and 30 million solo studios have been sold around the world.\nIn the 2011 poll of the DJ Mag Top 100 DJs, Guetta was voted number one. With his album, One Love from 2009, Guetta was a major success.\nThese included the hit singles “When Love Takes Over,” “Gettin Over You,” “Sexy Bitch,” and “Memories.”\nPersonally, he is my favorite DJ.\n3. Armin van Buuren\nArmin van Buuren is a top DJ in the world, record maker, and remixer known for his progressive house singles.\nHis six songs have become global successes for a popular radio series called ‘A State of Trance.’\nThe music impressed Armin, who was born in Leiden, South Holland.\nWhen he was 14 years old, he began to create music and performed as a DJ in many local bars and pubs.\nHe started to gain larger prospects of music over a period. In the early 2000s, he gradually moved his attention from law to music.\nTo date, Armin has published six studio albums and is now one of the most famous Dutch DJs.\nIn the US, he is a record holder for the highest amount of appearances on the Billboard Dance/Electronics list.\nIn the USA, he has also received a nomination for his song ‘This is Whatever It Feels Like.’\nREAD Top 10 Hottest South Indian Actresses\n2. Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike\nDimitri Vegas & Like Mike Belgian brother group have been delighting audiences all around the globe for over 15 years now with some of the finest songs around.\nThe collaboration with Tomorrowland was key to their explosive popularity.\nThis made these brothers more popular in the most challenging music areas.\nThey had to tour the world and develop their activities, supporting productions and screenings with Tomorrowland’s support.\nDimitri Thivaios (Dimitri Vegas) and Michael Thivaios (Like Mike) were born in Willebroek, a tiny town in Antwerp, Belgium.\nThey shifted into Ibiza in 2003 and started staying in some top clubs on the island.\nDimitri Vegas & Like Mike’s musical style is generally referred to as in EDM.\n1. Martin Garrix\nMartin Garrix is a DJ and record producer from the Netherlands.\nHe is said to be the world’s number one DJ, and he picked up music at the very tender edge to learn guitar and fed his passion.\nGarrix has a degree in production in Utrecht from Herman Brood Academy.\nTiesto influenced Garrix’s performance in Athens’s Olympic Games in 2004 and expressed a desire to become a DJ.\nMartin Garrix began experimenting with progressive house music, tried to make this style, and distracted him from his patent large-room sound style.\nHe had worked early 2015 on his track, ‘Forbidden Voices,’ that was a blessing to his official Facebook page for 10 million Facebook likes.\nGarrix is also the best EDM DJ with the highest followers on Instagram in 2020.\nHonorable mentions,\nIf this list wasn’t about the top 10 DJs in the world, I would have included late Avicii, deadmau5, The Chainsmokers, Swedish House Mafia, Steve Aoki, Afrojack, Alison Wonderland, etc.\nI hope you enjoyed this list; comment down below your favorite DJ, and please share this post on social media with your friends.\nSee you at EDC Las Vegas in 2020.\nShare it: on Twitter on Facebook on LinkedIn\nTop 50 Hottest Female News Anchors\n20 Most Beautiful Russian Women\nTop 10 Best Music Festivals in the World\nTop 10 Biggest Airports in the World\nTop 10 Netflix Series to Binge Watch\nTop 10 Biggest Music Festivals in the World\nTop 10 Best Bodybuilders in the World\nTop 20 Most Beautiful Birds in the World\n83 thoughts on “Top 10 Best DJs in the World Right Now”\nTahseen December 14, 2019 at 6:21 pm\nwhere is Alan Walker ?\nPickyTop December 14, 2019 at 6:29 pm\nAlan Walker could be more termed as a music producer than DJ.\nh34d January 4, 2020 at 9:51 pm\nALAN WALKER is a JD + a Produce better then all of them ABOVE\nwalker 48409 January 20, 2020 at 1:59 pm\nMathaba May 15, 2020 at 10:10 am\nDj black coffee frm south africa is considered one of the best in th world too..\nPickyTop May 15, 2020 at 10:37 am\nYeah!! I’ve seen his performance video of Tomorrowland Belgium 2019, he is a good DJ, will try to include him in top 20.\nDeep February 23, 2020 at 3:55 pm\nNot better than all of them because marshmello and martin garrix are also famous names!!\nAnd Calvin harris is the highest earning dj of the world\ncaptain12 April 30, 2020 at 9:25 am\ncos he’s good looking ?\nRayaan June 12, 2020 at 12:35 pm\nYo bro, he is the highest-paid DJ and a very good music producer. But, he’s not in the first place because of some reasons we might not know.\nSo please, don’t go by earnings and go by sheer talent 🙂\nisabelle woo April 30, 2020 at 3:35 pm\ni support u!!! I’m his biggest fan!!!\nAermyx May 20, 2020 at 10:59 pm\nHe uses ghost producers.\nMarvel walker June 20, 2020 at 6:06 am\n😀😍🥰☺️😉😄\nAayush Dalal February 15, 2020 at 8:07 am\nSayed December 20, 2019 at 7:44 pm\nYeah!,,he should’ve been in the list\noiuyt February 14, 2020 at 3:24 am\nor Seven Lions\nTIYASA PAN June 12, 2020 at 8:22 am\nHey dude, Alan walker should have ranked on the first position.\nUnkn0wn_1d3nt1ty June 17, 2020 at 5:25 am\nI can absolutely agree with that.\nWALKER FAN 😀😍🥰☺️😉😄\nWalker45715 July 17, 2020 at 2:24 am\nIn Norway, Oslo, Bergman\nKashish July 30, 2020 at 12:17 am\nRoberto Kuelho December 16, 2019 at 10:36 pm\nAlok – Brasil\nSayan January 2, 2020 at 5:52 pm\nAlan walker??\nLucas May 15, 2020 at 3:51 am\nWhat do you mean he’s a good dj (even more than R3HAB or Carl Cox)?\nMø ëłš January 21, 2020 at 9:46 pm\nThis is only mag bro\nTonny January 31, 2020 at 7:08 am\naye where Alan Walker at\nwalker May 15, 2020 at 1:15 am\nAt number 10 I didn’t expected that…I’m a huge fan of him..I’m also a Alan Walker….walker#47470\nYEAH TRUE BUT I AM NOT WALKER #47471 LOL\nHey, it’s Walker #54379 here!\n_-A L V I S-_ February 4, 2020 at 9:15 am\nWhy is our lovely ALAN WALKER and Deadmau5 not in here!\nRueben Romero February 5, 2020 at 11:09 pm\ndaft punk?????????\nrohan March 5, 2020 at 10:35 pm\nthey are father of edm bro they dont need no mention\nCaio February 10, 2020 at 10:30 am\nAlok ?????\nPickyTop February 10, 2020 at 10:40 am\nDJ Alok would probably rank on 12th or 13th place\nDJ Alexander Jokinsky February 14, 2020 at 2:48 pm\nNice! Thanks for sharing this information. I would like to tell you about DJ Alexander Jokinsky, Alexander Jokinsky’s base is in the EDM that is why he is popular as a Best DJ in Las Vegas Nevada, but he is no one-trick pony.\nAlex can spin whatever the room calls for. Alexander Jokinsky- Top DJ in Las Vegas always working on incredible 21st century tech advances and modern music culture. For Alexander Jokinsky, the passion for music began at a young age and never left.\nPickyTop February 14, 2020 at 2:59 pm\nNice try buddy, please don’t advertise here, your personal opinions are welcome but no commercial ads 🙂\nDeep February 24, 2020 at 11:16 am\nAlan Walker is no 1\nAlan Walker February 29, 2020 at 12:13 pm\nI am the best\nyesssss😀😍🥰☺️😉😄\nDeadmau5 March 9, 2020 at 12:57 pm\nSteffieF April 9, 2020 at 7:46 pm\nso you are but theres a small room at the top for 2.\nSeungHo Singapore March 25, 2020 at 8:17 pm\nwoody from the old skool forest April 3, 2020 at 3:06 pm\nAhoy there whippersnappers…what about Fatboy slim?\nPickyTop April 3, 2020 at 4:09 pm\nThis isn’t old DJ list mate!\nWinnerman April 9, 2020 at 1:05 am\nDj Neptune ♥️♥️♥️ Nigeria\nAs a enthusiast in genre and sub genres there are favorites impossible to choose “the top”.\nThese are my catagories;\ngenius, brilliant and very good.\nI reserve spot for 1 bad. Ranked by we feel marketing rather than content. Rated and supported consensus by international djs I interviewed. First name D. hint hint.\nRan April 11, 2020 at 12:55 pm\nMartin Garrix is ​​de beste DJ ooit … liefde uit Nederland\nSrianant Wadekar April 16, 2020 at 11:06 pm\nCheck the Dj Mag Rankings .\nDimitri Vegas and Like Mike are the #1\nsky music April 23, 2020 at 6:23 am\ndj snacke\nSantino April 23, 2020 at 8:29 pm\nDj naptune is the best\nJackson April 26, 2020 at 12:14 pm\nMarshmello is the best\njohnny moore May 13, 2020 at 9:32 pm\ni think its skrillex because he is my brother\nLeo May 23, 2020 at 9:39 pm\nMR. SMOOTH May 1, 2020 at 7:27 am\nHARWELL and MARTIN GARRIX are the best in the world.\nGokul May 4, 2020 at 1:59 pm\nAlan Walker will become the best DJ in the world very soon\nyeah really\nKushen May 5, 2020 at 12:32 am\nAlan walker and Marshmello are the best in the world.\nJohann Hughes May 5, 2020 at 8:15 pm\nAVIICI got to be in top 10.\nRIP BROTHER x\nMarvel marshal May 8, 2020 at 2:48 am\nNow and forever avicii is the best DJ in the world\nAvicii is dead\nMarshWalker May 13, 2020 at 10:13 am\nWheres Avicii…….\nAvicii is now in Heaven :'(\nHe will be the best DJ in Heaven 😀😍🥰☺️😉😄\nwalker#47470 May 15, 2020 at 1:16 am\nAre you a walker fan or marshmello..huh dj zedd, nicky romero, or KSHMR\ndaz May 15, 2020 at 12:00 pm\nallan walker i by far the best DJ in the world.. hands down…\nAfro May 15, 2020 at 7:25 pm\nBlack coffee is de best original unique modern sound.Yeah biased yes\ndj meshack May 24, 2020 at 1:19 am\nAlan Walker is more of a producer than a DJ\nKate June 9, 2020 at 4:43 pm\nAlan Walker and Marshmallow? But if I had to pick one, it would be Alan Walker.\nBilal July 13, 2020 at 10:29 am\nNo one better than Alan walker\nThey all are trying to do their best. KEEP IT UP!!!\nJermest June 22, 2020 at 4:22 pm\nDJ Zedd !!!! Whoop Whoop!\nEli July 6, 2020 at 10:10 pm\nFatboy Slim and Solomun are really underrated DJs\nVO July 10, 2020 at 2:33 pm\nWe are missing you Avicii :'(\nAlan walker should be at the 1st position\nJoseph E. Foster July 18, 2020 at 11:11 pm\nWhat about DJ Jazzy Jeff, D. Nyce, DJ Jelly, or DJ Joe Smooth.\nThese guys are wizards on the turntables and can rock any crowd! The list you made is for EDM and club DJ’s! They mix songs with the same tempo!\nPickyTop July 18, 2020 at 11:57 pm\nTrue, but most of all the currently reigning top DJs mostly produce EDMs.\nMixing songs with the same tempo, isn’t that DJs originally supposed to do?\nSpeaking about music production, almost all of the listed above, gained popularity due to their original tracks. Period!\nAditya raj July 30, 2020 at 11:10 am\nAlan Walker is one of my best singer\nThe best singer in the world\nW41K3R August 19, 2020 at 5:35 pm\nAlan Walker is supposed to be 1st. But why 10th??\nDevansh Rawat August 28, 2020 at 12:30 am\nDJ Snake should also have been included.\nLeave a Reply to Bilal Cancel reply\npreviousTop 10 Longest Mountain Ranges in the World\nnextTop 10 Fastest Rap Songs ever\nTop 10 Most Expensive Private Jets\nTop 10 Greatest Warriors of All Time\nTop 10 Largest Aircraft Carriers in the World\nTop 10 Richest Kids in the World\nTop 10 Best Tanks in the World\n© PickyTop Media 2020","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1191440"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5466656684875488,"wiki_prob":0.45333433151245117,"text":"Metro Investigates Monday Shootings\nSAVANNAH, GA (November 24, 2015): Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department’s Violent Crimes detectives are investigating two shootings that occurred on Monday.\nAt about 10:55 p.m. Metro responded to the 1300 block of East 60th Street where Charles Johnson, 32, was found suffering from a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. He was transported to Memorial University Medical Center for treatment.\nJohnson was reportedly walking near 55th Street when an unknown suspect greeted him before opening fire. Johnson left the scene and sought help on East 60th Street. Investigators are following leads on this case and also working to determine whether Johnson’s injury was self-inflicted.\nAt about 4:23 p.m. Metro responded to the 300 block of Lawton Street, where Jerome Frazier, 17, was found suffering from a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. Frazier was transported to MUMC for care.\nDetectives received several conflicting accounts of the events leading up to this shooting, and recovered no evidence supporting the claims.\nBoth shootings remain under investigation. Anyone with information on these cases should call CrimeStoppers at (912) 234-2020 or text CRIMES (274637) using the keyword CSTOP2020. Tipsters remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.\nBy Eunicia Baker|2015-11-24T17:19:04-05:00November 24th, 2015|BREAKING NEWS, Islands Precinct|0 Comments","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1243551"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8616396188735962,"wiki_prob":0.8616396188735962,"text":"Home / DreamWorks Pictures / movie / press release / The Penguins of Madagascar / Get ready for the world's most-awaited adventure epic movie – Dreamworks Animation's “PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR” (in 2D, 3D and IMAX)\nGet ready for the world's most-awaited adventure epic movie – Dreamworks Animation's “PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR” (in 2D, 3D and IMAX)\nCarol Ranas 8:00 AM DreamWorks Pictures , movie , press release , The Penguins of Madagascar Edit\nSuper spy teams aren’t born…they’re hatched. Discover the secrets of the greatest and most hilarious covert birds in the global espionage biz: Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private. These elitest of the elites are joining forces with a chic undercover organization, The North Wind. Led by handsome and husky Agent Classified (we could tell you his real name, but then…you know), voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch. Together, they must stop the villainous Dr. Octavius Brine, voiced by John Malkovich, from destroying the world as we know it.\nThe Penguins’ transition from beloved supporting characters in “Madagascar” to headlining their own big screen epic was a no-brainer, thanks to their memorable traits. “What drives the Penguins in all the films are their distinct and strong personalities,” says director Eric Darnell. Adds director Simon J. Smith: “They’re like a band of brothers who above all value their friendship, moral code and love for one another.”\nMost importantly, the Penguins really bring the funny. “The most exciting thing about the project was to experience the story’s and characters’ humor,” says producer Mark Swift. “They’re so appealing because they are so hilarious.”\nThere’s Skipper, voiced by Tom McGrath, who created the characters for the blockbuster animated feature “Madagascar,” which he helmed, along with Darnell. McGrath had originally envisioned Skipper being voiced by an authoritative Hollywood icon with “a momentous, straight-man kind of attitude” – but when that didn’t work out, he ended up with the role, himself. “Well, I was cheap, anyway,” he jokes.\nMcGrath’s Skipper is the team’s fearless leader and keeper of the Penguin code. He demands loyalty, obedience and order from his regimented flock, and asks nothing of his men that he wouldn’t do himself. His right-flipper man, Kowalski, voiced by DreamWorks animator Chris Miller, is the brains of the operation, and the go-to guy when the Penguins need a quick, life-saving fix.\nThe third member of the team, Rico, is “voiced” by DreamWorks Animation artist and Madagascar 3 director Conrad Vernon. Rico lives to blow things up. When he’s kept on a tight leash, Rico is an effective weapon, but left to his own devices is a loose cannon. Finally, there’s Private, voiced by DreamWorks Animation editor Christopher Knights; although he is the runt of the team, Private has the biggest heart of them all. Private is always up for new challenges, but because the group still sees him as the “baby,” he’s often sidelined during their missions.\nEach of the Penguins makes a memorable impression, and collectively, they’re a force to be reckoned with. “The sum of the Penguins is greater than the parts,” says Darnell. “The guys work incredibly well as a group – far better than they would as individuals. They’re like four parts of a complete brain: You’ve got Skipper’s leadership, Private’s heart, Kowalski’s smarts, and Rico’s courage. So the four of them make this whole, and that makes them a lot of fun.”\nA DreamWorks Animation feature, “Penguins of Madagascar” opensNovember 26 nationwide from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.\nGet ready for the world's most-awaited adventure epic movie – Dreamworks Animation's “PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR” (in 2D, 3D and IMAX) Reviewed by Carol Ranas on 8:00 AM Rating: 5","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line93412"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7471330761909485,"wiki_prob":0.2528669238090515,"text":"Port City’s Abbey Temoshchuk Wins Scholarship, Chats About QA/QC\nby Bill DeBaun June 30, 2016 0473\nLast month, Port City Brewing Company's brewer and yeast wrangler Abbey Temoshchuk got a piece of good news: she'd been awarded an Oregon State University Beer Quality & Analysis Series scholarship from the Pink Boots Society. The scholarship will help Abbey \"enhance her microbiology education\" according to the selection committee. This, in turn, will enrich her knowledge of quality assurance and control (QA/QC) and ultimately help Port City to brew even better beer.\nAbbey, like so many other beer fans, started out as a homebrewer. She describes to the Pink Boots Society how, during her first homebrew, she \"felt this emotion that simultaneously satisfied both my creativity and my type-A nature. It was a feeling I had only experienced one time before – in the laboratory.”\nAbbey has a background in the hard sciences and was using her Masters in Biohazardous Threat Agents & Emerging Infectious Diseases in a government position. But once the homebrew bug (no pun) took hold, she started educating herself in beer and scaling up her homebrew batches. She came to PCBC as a part-time server and then jumped full-time into her current brewer role when the opportunity arose.\nThe OSU Beer Quality and Analysis Series \"teaches the fundamentals of basic beer analysis and microbiological techniques and their roles in the brewing process based on the official ASBC Methods of Analysis used in QA/QC labs worldwide, providing attendees the knowledge and tools to analyze and evaluate beer to influence quality control in a production brewing setting,\" according to the Pink Boots Society.\nWe had the chance to ask Abbey about her work and her scholarship via email. (Apologies to her for the long delay between her responses and this post). What follows is a lightly edited transcript of our conversation.\nDCBeer: What does it mean to you personally and professionally to win this scholarship? What new skills and knowledge will this unlock, and which questions have you been asking that you hope it will answer?\nAbigal Temoshchuk: This scholarship to me is, as cliché as it sounds, a wonderful honor and opportunity. To have been chosen by a panel of my peers to attend this course means a great deal, and I look forward to doing Pink Boots some justice while class is in session. As someone with a science background who is fairly new to the industry, I’m hoping this course will allow me to gain more topical knowledge that will allow me to apply the concepts I already know more effectively in the brewery.\nThere's a serious lack of female brewers in the industry, which is a shame. To what do you attribute that fact, and are you hopeful that future generations of industry professionals will correct that imbalance? What kinds of steps do you think would make brewing a more attractive, or welcoming, profession to women?\nI hear a lot about how small the number of women in the brewing industry, and, it’s true, we’re definitely a minority. That being said, I think there’s a lot more of us that you’d expect. At the Pink Boots meeting at CBC this year, they told us that they’ve had 150 new members a month for the past two years. That’s a lot of women. In the DMV Pink Boots Chapter alone, we’ve got 117 members (and counting)! The fact is that, back in the day, women were the brewers. Somewhere along the way that changed for a number of societal reasons and just kind of became the norm, but I think the industry is starting to see a shift back in the female direction – or at least, an equal direction. The fact of the matter is, there’s a ton of beer-loving women out there, and more and more of them are figuring out that this passion makes a great career. In a male-dominated industry, I think the biggest reservation is a fear of “isolation,” but with an organization like Pink Boots providing a community for women in beer to find each other, and, honestly, an acceptance from the men as an equal in the first place, that “isolation” doesn’t really exist.\nPCBC is a very well-decorated brewery. To what extent do you attribute good QA/QC processes to that success? Are there steps at every stage of the brewing process that contribute to good QA/QC?\nPort City has been about quality, first and foremost, since day one, and I do think that a large amount of our achievement as a brewery is attributable to that mindset. It’s like the saying goes: it’s easy to make a good beer, but it’s hard to make a good beer twice. That’s what QA/QC is all about. Every single practice in our brewery, from mashing in all the way down to packaging, is directly or indirectly related to quality control, and it was designed that way. Having that attitude from the very beginning has made it easier for us to develop a more formal QA/QC program than it could have been, and we’re very fortunate that our leadership set it up for us like that. We’re more than honored to have received those awards, and our goal now is to make sure those beers maintain that award-winning quality.\nFor a small brewery like PCBC, what are the biggest struggles on the QA/QC front? Do you think enough small breweries pay attention to these processes, or do they fall by the wayside?\nFor small breweries, the hardest part about establishing a QA/QC program, like many other things, is finding the resources. When you’re small, it can be difficult to dedicate finite means, especially personnel, to a quality program, particularly because you might not see the effects as quickly as you would by hiring more brewers or adding new tanks, for example. But the thing about a quality program is that if you don’t have one and something goes wrong, it’s going to hurt a lot more, and I think that’s what worries me most about small breweries today. There are so many quality checks that require minimal time and money but can save you down the line. Thankfully, and perhaps evidenced by the number of talks at CBC this year, there’s been this new kind of resurgence in quality. With 4,000 some odd craft breweries in the US now, a quality program is going to be what sets you apart from the masses. I think pretty soon we’re going to see priorities shift, and QA/QC will come out near the top.\nWhat's your favorite PCBC beer, currently? (Please don't say all of them. Pick favorites. Everyone knows parents have favorite children.) Any favorite non-PCBC local or non-local breweries or beers that you often look toward?\nEven if parents do have favorites, they’re not supposed to tell anyone! But, if I had to pick, my go-to is definitely the Porter. It sits perfectly in the middle of that porter spectrum – roasty with just a little sweetness – that reminds me of high percentage cacao bars. Plus, our English Ale yeast is a total champion that gives it the perfect clean finish.\nAs far as other breweries, I have a lot of respect for places that focus on classic styles and balance, because it takes a lot more craft and focus to do that correctly. Sierra Nevada has always been a huge inspiration for me, as well as Allagash. That being said, I’m also a sucker for a good Lacto or Pedio beer – just keep your equipment separate! ☺\nTell us a little bit more about the \"Pay It Forward\" requirement of the scholarship.\nThe “Pay it Forward” portion is a way for me to say thank you to Pink Boots. Basically, it involves sharing the knowledge from this course with my fellow members in the Society, as a way to encourage professional development and learning amongst our community. Whether that be in the form of an article, a presentation at a conference, or something else, remains to be seen!\nWhat advice would you give to those interested in getting involved in the brewing industry? Similarly, what advice would you give to professionals in the STEM field who are weighing a jump to the brewing industry?\nWhatever your background is, my advice to those looking towards the brewing industry is the same: you just have to go for it! Be willing to start from the bottom and work your way up. I think a lot of places follow this model because it allows them to get a sense of your work ethic and shows them how dedicated you really are to the craft. Read and learn as much as you can about brewing and beer science, and ask questions, always! And to those with a STEM background thinking about it – be honest, where else will you have this much fun?\nThanks to Abbey for making the time to chat with us and for her insightful answers! Many congratulations to her for her accomplishments and award. Lift a pint to her and everyone else out there ensuring you're getting the best beer possible. Cheers!\nScreaming Into the Void (June 27, 2016 Edition)\nScreaming Into the Void (July 1, 2016 Edition)\nBill DeBaun\nSmuttynose Big Beer Bash at Rustico Ballston Tonight\nDuClaw Searches for the Next Homebrew H.E.R.O.\nChris Van Orden December 15, 2014\nNeighborhood Restaurant Group’s ABV Festival Announces Beer List\nBill DeBaun May 8, 2015","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1242266"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9227194786071777,"wiki_prob":0.9227194786071777,"text":"U.S. Sues S&P Over Pre-Crisis Mortgage Ratings\nThe credit rating agency gave high marks to mortgage-backed securities because it wanted to earn more business from the banks that issued the investments, the Justice Department alleges in charges filed in federal court in Los Angeles.\n(TheAssocPress)\nFeb 5, 2013 at 3:16PM\nWASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S. government says Standard & Poor's knowingly inflated its ratings on risky mortgage investments that helped trigger the 2008 financial crisis.\nThe case is the government's first major action against one of the credit rating agencies that stamped their approval on Wall Street's soon-to-implode mortgage bundles. It marks a milestone for the Justice Department, which has long been criticized for failing to act aggressively against the companies that contributed to the crisis.\nAccording to the lawsuit, S&P knew that home prices were falling and that borrowers were having trouble repaying loans. Yet these realities weren't reflected in the safe ratings S&P gave to complex real-estate investments known as mortgage-backed securities and collateralized debt obligations.\nAt least one S&P executive who had raised concerns about the company's proposed methods for rating investments was ignored.\nS&P executives expressed concern that lowering the ratings on some investments would anger the clients selling these investments and drive new business to S&P's rivals, the government claims.\n\"Put simply, this alleged conduct is egregious -- and it goes to the very heart of the recent financial crisis,\" Attorney General Eric Holder said at a news conference Tuesday.\nHolder called the case \"an important step forward in our ongoing efforts to investigate and punish the conduct that is believed to have contributed to the worst economic crisis in recent history.\"\nAt the news conference, acting Associate Attorney General Tony West said \"we think that at the very least,\" S&P is liable for more than $5 billion in civil penalties.\nJoining the Justice Department in the announcement were attorneys general from California, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Iowa, and Mississippi, who have filed or will file separate, similar civil fraud lawsuits against S&P.\nOn Tuesday, California's attorney general filed a lawsuit in San Francisco Superior Court claiming that S&P's inflated ratings on risky mortgage bonds cost the state's public pension funds and other investors billions of dollars.\nMore states are expected to sue, the Justice Department said.\nS&P, a unit of New York-based McGraw-Hill (NYSE:SPGI), called the federal lawsuit \"meritless\" in a lengthy statement.\n\"Hindsight is no basis to take legal action against the good-faith opinions of professionals,\" the company said. \"Claims that we deliberately kept ratings high when we knew they should be lower are simply not true.\"\nRating agencies are widely blamed for contributing to the financial crisis that caused the deepest recession since the Great Depression. They gave high ratings to pools of mortgages and other debt assembled by big banks and hedge funds. Their ratings gave even risk-averse investors the confidence to buy them.\nSome investors, including pension funds, can buy only investments that carry high ratings. In effect, rating agencies like S&P greased the assembly line that allowed banks to package and sell risky mortgages that generated huge profits.\nWhen the housing market collapsed in 2007, the agencies acknowledged that mortgages issued during the bubble were far less safe than the ratings had indicated. They lowered the ratings on nearly $2 trillion worth, spreading panic that spiraled into a crisis.\nIn its statement Tuesday, S&P said its ratings \"reflected our current best judgments\" and noted that other rating agencies gave the same high ratings. It said the government also failed to predict the subprime mortgage crisis.\nBut the government contends in its lawsuit that S&P was more concerned with making money than issuing accurate ratings. It says the company delayed updating its ratings models, rushed through the ratings process and kept giving high ratings even after it knew the subprime market was flailing.\nThe complaint includes a trove of embarrassing emails and other evidence that S&P analysts saw the market's problems early:\nIn 2007, an analyst who was reviewing mortgage bundles forwarded a video of himself singing and dancing to a song written to the tune of \"Burning Down the House\": \"Going -- all the way down, with/Subprime mortgages.\" The video showed colleagues laughing at his performance.\nA PowerPoint presentation that year said being \"business friendly\" was a core component of S&P's ratings model.\nIn a 2004 document, executives said they would poll investors as part of the process for choosing a rating. One executive asked, \"Does this mean we are to review our proposed criteria changes with investors, issuers and investment bankers? ... (W)e NEVER poll them as to content or acceptability!\" The executive's concerns were ignored, the government said.\nAlso that year, an analyst complained that S&P had lost a deal because its standards for a rating were stricter than Moody's (NYSE:MCO). \"We need to address this now in preparation for the future deals,\" the analyst wrote.\nThe lawsuit comes just 18 months after S&P cut its rating on long-term U.S. government debt by a notch. The downgrade followed a contentious debate between the White House and Congress over the raising of the government's borrowing limit that was resolved at the last hour.\nDuring the news conference, Holder was asked about a possible link between the lawsuit and the downgrade.\n\"There's no connection,\" Holder said, who added the Justice Department investigation began in 2009. He said that S&P lowered its rating on U.S. debt after \"assessing the creditworthiness of this nation.\"\nWest, the acting associate attorney general, said the documents \"make clear that the company regularly would 'tweak,' 'bend,' delay updating or otherwise adjust its ratings models to suit the company's business needs.\" He said that in 2007, S&P issued ratings that it \"knew were inflated at the time they issued them.\"\nS&P countered that the emails were \"cherry picked,\" that they were \"taken out of context, are contradicted by other evidence, and do not reflect our culture, integrity or how we do business.\"\nIt said the government left out important context. For example, one email that says deals \"could be structured by cows\" and then rated by S&P was unrelated to the types of mortgage investments at issue in the government's suit, S&P said. It said the analyst's concerns were addressed before a rating was issued.\nThe lawsuit alleges that S&P was well aware that the subprime mortgage market was collapsing by 2006, yet it didn't issue a mass downgrade of subprime-backed securities until halfway through 2007. The mortgages were performing so poorly \"that analysts initially thought the data contained typographical errors,\" according to one document cited in the lawsuit.\nIn a 2007 email, another analyst said some at S&P wanted to downgrade mortgage investments earlier, \"before this thing started blowing up. But the leadership was concerned of [ticking] off too many clients and jumping the gun ahead of Fitch and Moody's.\"\nThe government's case sides with critics of rating agencies who have long argued that the agencies suffer from a fundamental conflict of interest. Because they are paid by the banks that create investments they are rating, the agencies had to compete for banks' business. If one agency appeared too strict, banks could shop around for a better rating.\nThe government's lawsuit says \"S&P's desire for increased revenue and market share ... led S&P to downplay and disregard the true extent of the credit risks\" posed by the investments it was rating.\nS&P typically charged $150,000 for rating a subprime mortgage-backed security and $750,000 for certain other securities. If S&P lost the business to Fitch or Moody's, its main competitors, the analyst who issued the rating would have to submit a \"lost deal\" memo explaining why he or she lost the business.\nS&P analysts ended up trying to keep banks -- its clients -- happy, even if it meant approving sloppy ratings, the government said.\nThe government charged S&P under a law intended to make sure banks invest safely. It said S&P's alleged fraud made it possible to sell the investments to banks.\nIf S&P is found to have committed civil violations, it could face fines and limits on how it does business. The government said in its filing that it's seeking financial penalties.\nThere are no criminal charges, which would require a higher burden of proof.\nMcGraw-Hill shares dropped $2.72, or 5.4 percent, to $47.58 in morning trading Tuesday after plunging nearly 14 percent on Monday after the lawsuit was first reported.\nShares of Moody's, the parent of Moody's Investors Service, another rating agency, lost $1.05, or 2.2 percent, to $48.40 in morning trading Tuesday after closing down nearly 11 percent on Monday.\nSPGI\nS&P Global Inc.\nNYSE:MCO\nS&P Global Beefs Up Its Financial Data Arm By Buying IHS Markit\nWhy S&P Global and IHS Markit Both Popped on Monday\nThese 2 Big Deals Weren't Enough to Save the Stock Market Monday\nS&P Global Inc. (SPGI) Q3 2020 Earnings Call Transcript\n1 Financial Stock I'd Buy Right Now\nU.S. Sues S&P Over Pre-Crisis Mortgage Ratings @themotleyfool #stocks $SPGI $MCO Next Article","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1391223"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8291044235229492,"wiki_prob":0.8291044235229492,"text":"Home> Publications & Directories> Perspectives on History> Issues> March 2015> AHA Today> AHA Issues Letter of Support for the History of Medicine Division of the National Library of Medicine\nAHA Today\nAHA Issues Letter of Support for the History of Medicine Division of the National Library of Medicine\nAmerican Historical Association | Mar 24, 2015\nThe NIH is undertaking a review of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and has issued this RFI to solicit information about the use and value of the library. The AHA has submitted a statement as part of the formal process and the Council of the American Historical Association sent a letter to Francis S. Collins, director of the NIH, and to Donald A. B. Lindberg, director of the National Library of Medicine. The letter expresses support for the library’s History of Medicine Division and its crucial resources for scholarship, education, and public knowledge of medicine and historical and current public health issues.\nThe full letter is available in our Statements and Resolutions of Support and Protest.\nThis post first appeared on AHA Today.\nTags: AHA Today Advocacy","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1620515"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5910142064094543,"wiki_prob":0.5910142064094543,"text":"Home / Blog / The Journalistic Sources Protection Act: A Primer\nThe Journalistic Sources Protection Act: A Primer\nBy Justin Safayeni\n(Co-written with Andrea Gonsalves)\nWelcome to the club, Canada. On October 18, 2017, we joined the ranks of nearly every other Western democracy when Bill S-231 – the Journalistic Sources Protection Act (“JSPA”) – was finally passed into law, codifying a set of important protections for journalists and their sources.\nBefore the JSPA, the ability to compel information or documents from journalists had been limited mainly by a patchwork of common law doctrines.[1] The JSPA marks a significant change in the legal landscape, and has been rightly celebrated as a victory for free expression in general and journalism in particular. This post will aim to highlight four key reasons why this is so. At the same time, it is important to understand some of the limitations and potential drawbacks of the JSPA, as it is far from a panacea when it comes to the protection of journalistic sources.\n#1. Broad scope of protection\nDefining who is a “journalist” is always a thorny issue. The JSPA adopts a generous approach, which is entirely appropriate given the objective of protecting news gathering and dissemination.\nUnder the JSPA, a “journalist” includes any person (including a corporation) whose “main occupation is to contribute directly, either regularly or occasionally, for consideration, to the collection, writing or production of information for dissemination by the media, or anyone who assists such a person.”[2] (It also includes former journalists who met this definition at the time they received information from a source.[3]) Although this definition would exclude the hobbyist blogger who writes for free or has another main source of income, it would include freelancers, career bloggers, those engaged in news ‘start ups’ and others who fall outside the sphere of traditional media establishments.\nThe definition of “journalistic source” in the JSPA is also broad: “a source that confidentially transmits information to a journalist on the journalist’s undertaking not to divulge the identity of the source, whose anonymity is essential to the relationship between the journalist and the source.”[4] This formulation maintains the key Wigmore criteria for journalist-source privilege recognized by the Supreme Court in R. v. National Post.[5] But it dispenses with the cumbersome and potentially problematic requirement that the journalist-source relationship “must be one which should be sedulously fostered in the public good.”[6]\n#2. Significant safeguards for confidential sources (Canada Evidence Act)\nThe JSPA establishes different tests for orders made under the Criminal Code (e.g. search warrants, production orders and wiretaps), and for compelled disclosure made outside of the Criminal Code and in the context of civil and other proceedings governed by the Canada Evidence Act (e.g. matters in respect of which Parliament has jurisdiction).[7]\n(Civil and other proceedings that are governed by provincial law fall under the purview of provincial evidence legislation, not the Canada Evidence Act, and therefore would be outside the scope of the JSPA.)\nWith respect to compelled disclosure by means outside the Criminal Code, the key safeguard in the JSPA is that it amends the Canada Evidence Act so as to allow journalists to “object to the disclosure of information or a document before a court, person or body with the authority to compel the disclosure of information on the grounds that the information or document identifies or is likely to identify a journalistic source.”[8] The reference to “court, person or body” is broad enough to include not only judicial proceedings, but also proceedings before federal boards, commissions and other administrative agencies or tribunals.\nOnce the disclosure or likely disclosure of a journalistic source is established, then the burden shifts to the party requesting disclosure of the information or document to prove that:\nthe information or document cannot be produced in evidence by any other reasonable means; and\nthe public interest in the administration of justice outweighs the public interest in preserving the confidentiality of the journalistic source, having regard to (i) the importance of the information or document to a central issue in the proceeding, (ii) freedom of the press, and (iii) the impact of the disclosure on the journalistic source and the journalist.[9]\nThe JSPA’s framework mirrors, in large part, the Supreme Court’s common law framework for handling disclosure in the civil discovery process[10] – with one notable exception. Once it is shown that the identity of a journalistic source is likely to be revealed through disclosure, the requesting party bears the onus of proving that the public interest favours such disclosure.[11] This is a major role reversal from the Wigmore case-by-case privilege approach, where the burden was borne throughout by the party seeking to avoid disclosure.[12]\nUnfortunately, the JSPA’s amendments to the Canada Evidence Act are limited to those cases involving journalistic – that is, confidential – sources. Unless such a journalistic source is involved, the statute affords no protection against compelled disclosure that may intrude into the privacy of a journalist’s work product, disrupt the ability of a media organization to operate effectively, or use a journalist’s records as evidence in regulatory or administrative proceedings against a source. In all of these situations, a journalist could still presumably rely on common law protections, but would find no additional recourse in the JSPA.\n#3. Significant safeguards for all sources (Criminal Code)\nWhen it comes to warrants, wiretaps or production orders under the Criminal Code that target journalists, the JSPA protections extend beyond confidential journalistic sources. Regardless of whether or not it engages the identity of journalistic sources, any order “relating to a journalist’s communications or an object, document or data relating to or in the possession of a journalist” may only be issued if:\nthere is no other way by which the information can reasonably be obtained; and\nthe public interest in the investigation and prosecution of a criminal offence outweighs the journalist’s right to privacy in gathering and disseminating information.[13]\nThe fact that the state must meet these requirements before an order will be made – even if the material in question involves non-confidential sources or no sources at all – is an important development. Under the previous common law analysis (established in the Lessard case[14]), courts were often quick to equate an absence of information or documents revealing confidential sources with the lack of any harm to the media’s interests, and to uphold orders targeting journalists on that basis without further analysis. The JSPA imposes a more stringent approach in these situations.\nPart of that approach requires courts to take account of “the journalist’s right to privacy in gathering and disseminating information.” The notion that journalists should enjoy a zone of privacy with respect to their work product (e.g. notes, recordings, interviews, contact books) was discussed by Justice La Forest in his concurring opinion in Canadian Broadcasting Corp. v. Lessard,[15] but has received scant judicial attention since then. If taken seriously, the concept of a journalist’s right to privacy could serve as an important and effective safeguard against state intrusion into a journalist’s files – both in cases where journalistic sources are involved, and in cases where there are no confidential sources but where privacy is essential to journalistic expression. This could be achieved by focusing the inquiry on the concrete question of whether the material sought falls within a journalist’s work product, rather than the more difficult question of whether disclosing the material would cause a chilling effect on potential sources of news coming forward.\nThat being said, the fact that a “journalist’s right to privacy” is the only factor expressly listed on the journalist’s side of the balancing scale may prove to be problematic. (Recall that under the Canada Evidence Act amendments, the weighing exercise considers the more malleable factors of “freedom of the press” and “the impact of the disclosure on the journalistic source and the journalist”). On its face, it could be argued that the Criminal Code would allow orders to be made without any consideration of their chilling effect on potential sources – a somewhat absurd result, given that this chilling effect has long been recognized as the primary consideration for whether and on what terms an order should be made against journalists. This issue may ultimately prove to be academic if courts take a robust view of the need to protect a journalist’s right to privacy; indeed, it is difficult to imagine how an order that gives rise to a chilling effect would not also involve some aspect of a journalist’s work product.\n#4. A better process\nA frequent complaint of media lawyers in the pre-JSPA era was that applications for search warrants or production orders targeting journalists could be made by law enforcement on an ex parte basis (i.e. without notice to the media), before a justice of the peace who might not have any legal training. Not surprisingly, search warrants or production orders were granted almost without exception under that regime. By the time the media received notice and the matter was before a judge, the deck was already stacked in favour of law enforcement due to a highly deferential standard of review: the initial order could only be overturned if the reviewing court was convinced that the order was not one the justice of the peace “could have” made.\nThe JSPA puts in place a far better process. Warrants, wiretaps and production orders now may be issued only by superior court judges.[16] And although they may still be made ex parte, the JSPA gives judges the discretion to appoint a special advocate to “present observations in the interests of freedom of the press” before making any such orders.[17] If an order has been made, the documents obtained pursuant to the order are kept sealed in the court pending further authorisation from the judge.[18] The journalist or media target is entitled to apply for an order that the documents not be disclosed to the law enforcement officer.[19] The judge hearing the application must then consider the requirements for disclosure afresh, rather than on the deferential “could have” standard.[20]\nIn the case of compelled disclosure by means outside of the Criminal Code, the JSPA requires that “[b]efore determining the question [of disclosure], the court, person or body must give the parties and interested persons a reasonable opportunity to present observations.”[21] Where disclosure is authorized and a journalist wishes to appeal, the JSPA establishes clear appeal routes.[22]\nWhile the JSPA may not be perfect, it does afford important substantive and procedural protections for journalists over and above the common law. As with any legislation, however, the ultimate test of the JSPA’s impact and effectiveness must await judicial interpretation. At least on paper, Canada has given journalists some potentially strong tools with which to safeguard their work and their sources. Whether and to what extent that promise is achieved will be decided by the courts.\n[1] For orders sought by law enforcement under the Criminal Code, those common law protections are set out in cases like Canadian Broadcasting Corp. v. Lessard, [1991] 3 SCR 42 and R. v. National Post, [2010] 1 SCR 477. For compelled disclosure in the civil discovery context, the common law framework was established in Globe and Mail v. Canada (Attorney General), [2010] 2 SCR 592.\n[2] Canada Evidence Act, RSC 1985, c. C-5, s. 39.1(1); Criminal Code, RSC 1985, c. C-46, s. 488.01(1).\n[3] Canada Evidence Act, RSC 1985, c. C-5, s. 39.1(3).\n[5] 2010 SCC 16. Those well-established criteria are: (1) The communications must originate in a confidence that they will not be disclosed; (2) this element of confidentiality must be essential to the full and satisfactory maintenance of the relation between the parties; (3) the relationship must be one that, in the opinion of the community, ought to be sedulously fostered; and (4) the injury to the relationship that disclosure of the communications would cause must be greater than the benefit gained for the correct disposal of the litigation.\n[6] Ibid. at para. 53. Some courts had questioned whether the analysis of this criterion should take place at a general level (e.g. relationship between professional journalists and their sources generally), or at a more granular level (e.g. relationship between a particular journalist and a particular source, in certain circumstances, for certain reasons): see 1654776 Ontario Limited v. Stewart, 2013 ONCA 184 at paras. 84-96.\n[7] The statutory text lacks clarity and there is certainly room for an argument that Canada Evidence Act protections should apply in the context of orders made under the Criminal Code as well. After all, a court issuing a warrant, production order or wiretap is a “court, person or body with the authority to compel the disclosure of information”: see Canada Evidence Act, RSC 1985, c. C-5, s. 39.1(2). However, considering the different regimes established in the JSPA to assert and assess the effect of journalistic sources on a disclosure order in the Criminal Code versus the Canada Evidence Act, the better interpretation is likely that they are distinct regimes that do not overlap.\n[8] Canada Evidence Act, RSC 1985, c. C-5, s. 39.1(2). Courts, persons or bodies may also raise the issue of journalistic sources on their own initiative: s. 39.1(4).\n[10] Globe and Mail v. Canada (Attorney General), [2010] 2 SCR 592 at paras. 58-64.\n[11] Canada Evidence Act, RSC 1985, c. C-5, s. 39.1(9).\n[12] Ibid. at para. 65.\n[13] Criminal Code, RSC 1985, c. C-46, ss. 488.01(3) and 488.02(5).\n[14] Supra, note 2.\n[15] [1991] 3 SCR 42\n[16] Criminal Code, RSC 1985, c. C-46, s. 488.01(2).\n[17] Criminal Code, RSC 1985, c. C-46, s. 488.01(4). The authors of this post published an article in 2016 arguing in favour of a special advocate regime in circumstances where it would be impractical to give prior notice to the media. See: Safayeni and Gonsalves, “The role of media in our democracy deserves special protection,” Op-Ed, The Global and Mail, 8 November 2016.\n[18] Criminal Code, RSC 1985, c. C-46, s. 488.02(1)\n[19] Criminal Code, RSC 1985, c. C-46, s. 488.02(3). On its face, this provision inexplicably limits a journalist’s right to apply for an order that the document not be disclosed by stating that it must be “on the grounds that the document identifies or is likely to identify a journalistic source.” This makes no sense since the protections afforded under the Criminal Code do not turn on whether a document identifies or is likely to identify a journalistic source: see ss. 488.01(3) and 488.02(5). Reading the statute contextually and purposively, the only sensible interpretation is that a journalist’s right to apply for a non-disclosure order is not limited to situations where the order identifies or is likely to identify a journalistic source.\n[22] Canada Evidence Act, RSC 1985, c. C-5, s. 39.1(10).\nPosted October 26, 2017 - By Justin Safayeni\nUgly Voices: What's the Point of Covering Hate?\nIt’s a 44-year-old story that no self-respecting news organization anywhere would publish today—certainly not in the form it took.\nAnd is that a good thing?\nBy Ivor Shapiro / Posted Wednesday December 9, 2020\nCensorship, Freedom of the Press\nIt’s Complicated: Six Things Worth Discussing About Free Speech\nWell, hello again. Having ended last month's column with a candid appeal for readers to \"talk back\" about free speech, I was grateful to those who took me at my word. They made me think new thoughts, which is, of course, the whole idea.\nBy Ivor Shapiro / Posted Wednesday November 18, 2020\nArtistic Expression, Censorship, Freedom of the Press\nMaking it illegal will not stop the spread of misinformation\nAs we have seen in recent elections and in the present pandemic, misinformation can do real harm. But the Canadian government’s plan to consider legislation to criminalize the spreading of misinformation is the wrong response. Criminalization will not stop misinformation. In fact, it often draws more attention to it, as well as undermines civil liberties and human rights essential in a democratic society.\nBy James L Turk / Posted Wednesday May 6, 2020\nDisinformation, Freedom of the Press, Speech Restrictive Laws\nEven in the Age of Covid-19, Justice Requires Open Courts\nThe justice system is facing unprecedented challenges. Like almost every other sector of society, the new realities of province-wide “social distancing” have raised fundamental questions about whether — and perhaps even how — courts and tribunals can continue to function in the age of the pandemic.\nBy Justin Safayeni / Posted Tuesday March 31, 2020\nFreedom of the Press, Government & Corporate Transparency, Speech Restrictive Laws\nDoes Bailing Out Media Equal Controlling the Press?\nYou will likely have seen quite a few opinion pieces lately about what’s being called variously the “Canadian” media bailout, the “government” media bailout and the “Liberal” media bailout.\nSo, yes, there’s a media bailout afoot.\nBy John Degen / Posted Wednesday July 10, 2019","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1470976"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7892753481864929,"wiki_prob":0.7892753481864929,"text":"Sixth & I – Sanctuary\nUpright Citizens Brigade Touring Company\nThe Upright Citizens Brigade Touring Company brings the very best of its New York City and Los Angeles theatres to our stage. See the comedic stars of today and tomorrow from the theatre that brought you comedy greats Horatio Sanz, Amy Poehler, Rob Corddry, Ed Helms, MTV’s Human Giant, The Daily Show’s Rob Riggle, and more. The performers include:\nJames III – James is a co-host of the podcast, “Black Men Can’t Jump [In Hollywood]” and has developed content for Comedy Central Digital and Hearst Digital/Seriously.TV. He has a recurring role on the Seriously.TV show, Thanksgiving and starred in The Adventures of Jamel: The Time Traveling B-Boy web series.\nCaroline Cotter – Caroline has studied at UCB since 2009 and is an actor on the UCB House Sketch team, One Idiot. Past UCB sketch show credits include: “Dorothy Goes to Hollywood,” “Ocean’s Lake,” “The 2017 Tony Awardz,” and Maude night on the teams Ripley and One Idiot.\nPatrick Noth – Patrick is a New York City-based performer, writer, director, and musician who has appeared on Comedy Central, MTV, IFC, and TV Land. He has an Emmy nomination for his work on the cartoon series Pale Force, a recurring sketch on Late Night with Conan O’Brien. He began studying at the Upright Citizens Brigade in 2009 and is a proud performer and teacher at UCB.\nMolly Thomas – Molly is an improviser, actor, and writer based in New York City. She currently performs once a month with “We Know How You Die!” at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. She starred Off-Broadway in the world premiere of “Breathing Time”. Molly has been featured in videos on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Above Average, UCB Comedy, Nickelodeon, and MTV.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line560472"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7281473278999329,"wiki_prob":0.27185267210006714,"text":"378.629. Foreign society to have license, requirements. — No foreign or alien society shall transact business in this state without a license issued by the director. Any such society desiring admission to this state shall comply substantially with the requirements and limitations of this chapter applicable to domestic societies. Any such society may be licensed to transact business in this state upon filing with the director:\n(1) A duly certified copy of its chapters of incorporation;\n(2) A copy of its bylaws, certified by its secretary or corresponding officer;\n(3) A power of attorney to the director as prescribed in section 378.635;\n(4) A statement of its business under oath of its president and secretary or corresponding officers in a form prescribed by the director, duly verified by an examination made by the insurance supervisory official of its home state or other state, territory, province or country, satisfactory to the director;\n(5) Certification from the proper official of its home state, territory, province or country that the society is legally incorporated and licensed to transact business therein;\n(6) Copies of its certificate forms;\n(7) A showing that its assets are invested in accordance with the provisions of this chapter; and\n(8) Such other information as the director may deem necessary.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1056836"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5631619095802307,"wiki_prob":0.5631619095802307,"text":"Stop telling Notorious R.B.G. to step away from the bench.\nSeptember 24, 2014 May 7, 2015 / Historiann\nThe one & only Notorious R.B.G.\nThis Sunday morning, I snapped open my copy of the Los Angeles Times to see yet another “everyone says [U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice] Ruth Bader Ginsburg should retire ZOMG now now NOW!!!!” story. (The online version of the story’s headline today says “she has no plans to retire soon,” but the headline of the paper edition gave voice to her critics who are trying to shoo her off the bench.) If she retired today or in December, do any of these so-called liberals or leftists seriously think President Obama would get any judge remotely similar to her through the U.S. Senate’s “advise and consent” process?\nHere’s what R.B.G. has to say about that:\nWho do you think President Obama could appoint at this very day, given the boundaries that we have? If I resign any time this year, he could not successfully appoint anyone I would like to see in the court. [The Senate Democrats] took off the filibuster for lower federal court appointments, but it remains for this court. So anybody who thinks that if I step down, Obama could appoint someone like me, they’re misguided. As long as I can do the job full steam…. I think I’ll recognize when the time comes that I can’t any longer. But now I can.\nIn the unedited interview transcript, she said “But now I can, motherf^(kers, so step off.“\n(I actually just made that up. I have no evidence that she said motherf^(kers, so step off, but then, neither do I have any evidence that she did not say that. Quite frankly, I think it’s irresponsible not to speculate how very irritating these screams for her to go away are to the Associate Justice in question.)\nThe calls for her to go are just damned disrespectful, and put me in mind of the frantic, shrill screams of Obamatrons for Hillary Clinton to drop out of the Democratic primary now now NOW!!!!! in April and May of 2008, because staying on ballot through the primary season was somehow going to cause irreparable damage to the Obama 2008 campaign. You remember that general campaign, don’t you? The one in which it would have been possible for Barack Obama in fact to be a Kenyan anti-colonial Muslim socialist and still win the election because he wasn’t the Republican? Yeah, Hillary Clinton’s demonic powers were imagined to be so great that she’d blow the general for Obama, but somehow they weren’t powerful enough for her to win the Dem primary. Go figure.\nIsn’t it funny, and by funny I really mean infuriating, how eager so-called liberals are to toss aside the women who have worked on their causes for decades, and even lifetimes? Think of what the right wing and the left wing together have done to the reputations of Margaret Sanger or Mary Daly. Somehow Americans still have room for Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, and Martin Luther King in the American Pantheon, although they recognize that their views on race and gender were of their time rather than our times. It’s only women activists whose every utterance and political position is held up to scrutiny, mostly for the purposes of undermining their entire lifetime’s work.\nR.B.G. is swinging for the fences at age 81. She’s got her eye on history. She’s pretty sure her side is going to win, if not in her lifetime, eventually. Let her lay out her case so that succeeding generations can appreciate her dogged, persistent resistance to the revanchist Rehnquist and Roberts courts.\nAmerican history, bad language, Gender, happy endings, jobs, women's history\n← The Economic Influence of the Developments in Shipbuilding Techniques, 1450 to 1485\nGranny watch: new fake issue for mainstream press, same old sexist dismissal →\n15 thoughts on “Stop telling Notorious R.B.G. to step away from the bench.”\n“R.B.G. is swinging for the fences at age 81. She’s got her eye on history. She’s pretty sure her side is going to win, if not in her lifetime, eventually. Let her lay out her case so that succeeding generations can appreciate her dogged, persistent resistance to the revanchist Rehnquist and Roberts courts.” – Amen!\nHmm, I always want to tell certain other justices to step away from the bench, but she seems so smart and knowledgeble that I want her THERE!\ntruffula\nfunny [by which ] I really mean infuriating,\nNo kidding. We live in a 24×7 festival of laughs.\nNotorious R.B.G. is the best. She’s smart, funny, snarky, has done important work to bend the US legal system toward equity and justice, and can do more push-ups than I can do.\nIt helps that she only weighs something like 85 pounds, soaking wet. but yes: she’s a gym rat, too.\nYeah, this shitte is bulleshitte. We’re almost certainly going to elect another Dem prez in 2016, so what’s the fucken rush?\nThe rush is to get women off the stage as soon as possible. Maybe there were murmurs to get Thurgood Marshall off the bench, but I don’t remember it. Because he aged and died amidst a Republican run in the White House, I think most people who cared about Civil Rights were interested in letting him serve as long as possible & hoped that he’d outlive Bush I.\nThe women’s movement is the only social justice movement of the past 240+ years that is always in a hurry to get rid of their elders so that we can kick dirt on their graves. The 1910s and 20s feminists did it to the 19th C feminists; the 1960s-70s feminists did it to the 1920s feminists; my generation is doing it to the 1960s-70s generation, and now my generation is on the verge of it being done to us. That’s how we roll. Like most leftist movements we eat our own, but we just can’t get over how fat, unfashionable, boring, offensive, and embarrassing our foremothers were, and are, and will always be.\nWhat’s really embarrassing is how ignorant we are of our own history, and how we don’t get it that attacking our elders really undermines the movement. Does the Civil Rights movement feel they have to apologize for MLK’s plagiarism and serial adultery? No. But we feminists fall for that crap every time.\nEven if they could get somebody with the requisite predictable voting record confirmed, the quality of the necessary dissents would fall off, and the opinion-writing for the record and the guidance of other courts in the Federal Reports would decay. Questions from the bench that should be asked would not be asked, nor would their absence be noted. W.O. Douglas stayed around pretty late, as I recall. She should just remand this amicus advice to its originators.\nWe know that she sees Sandra Day O’Connor’s resignation as a cautionary tale. By the time she resigned to care for her husband, her husband was so far gone with dementia that he forgot who she was & had fallen in love with another woman. She’s still going strong now 9 years later–how much better for us all had she stuck it out and decided not to care about having a Republican appoint her successor.\nWell, now, with news of a looming Attorney General confirmation battle, I think that pretty much seals the question of how much appetite there would be at 1600 PA for a contemporaneous fight over a Supreme Court nominee. It would be perceived as a perfect time to cap and trade, in what direction we could well imagine. Far better to trust that scenario to HRC 2.5 + years from now.\nDid anyone see Rachel Maddow’s hilarious review of Holder’s tenure as top cop? Good Luck with the Asparagus!\nI, too, was thinking of Sandra Day O’Connor, who, as far as I can tell, is still fully qualified for the bench at 84 (though she’s also found worthwhile things to do instead).\nThis doesn’t entirely apply to RBG, who by her own account had a husband who took her career as seriously as his own, but shouldn’t women’s careers actually last a bit longer, since they (we) on average live longer, and many of us spend at least some of our prime years with more energy given to caregiving than is the case for your average male? This would also apply, of course, to a certain former secretary of state who recently became a grandmother, whose career choices were sharply limited for at least 8 years (and probably far more) by her husband’s career choices.\nMore evidence of the awesomeness of R.B.G.\nAnother point to emphasize: she’s on a major PR push to roll back the demands that she resign. She’s the puppet master, babied–maybe I was wrong to think that having had elective office was the only way to gain political experience! But she showed throughout her career a kind of sophistication that other jurists haven’t. (HINT: her model was Thurgood Marshall.)\nPingback: There are no founding mothers, just embarassing aunties and cleaner-uppers: the care work we demand of women and no one else : Historiann : History and sexual politics, 1492 to the present\nPingback: There are no founding mothers, just embarassing aunties and cleaner-uppers: the care work we demand of women and no one else | Historiann","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line237723"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6099615097045898,"wiki_prob":0.39003849029541016,"text":"Loner Week 2/13/20\nHow to Do Disney Parks Solo\nNicole Dieker\nI’ve done three solo Disney trips in the past three years. Two visits to Disneyland, and one to Walt Disney World.…\nThe Best Ways to Collect Disney Character Autographs\nMeghan Moravcik Walbert\nI’ve been to Disney World a few times with my extended family, including with my son and three nieces. Around the…\nHow to Plan the Perfect Trip to Disneyland and 'Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge'\nWhen I told my friends that I was planning to attend the opening weekend of Disneyland’s new “Star Wars land,”…\nA Guide to Visiting (and Surviving) Disneyland With a Toddler\nJamie Trudel-Payne\nWalt Disney once said: “It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.” He likely wasn’t referring to navigating his…\nHow to Save Money on a Disney World Trip in 2019\nIf a trip to Disney is in your plans for 2019, it pays to plan ahead. Disney updated its ticketing system for 2019…\nThere's a Digital Version of Disneyland's Fastpass System, But It Costs Money to Use It\nMichelle Woo\nFor those who don’t want to run back and forth across the parks to collect paper Fastpass tickets, Disneyland has…\nGo to Disneyland on a Wednesday Morning in September\nThe Happiest Place on Earth isn’t so happy when you’ve been stuck in line for Space Mountain the past two-and-a-half…","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1566327"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7144289612770081,"wiki_prob":0.7144289612770081,"text":"African-businesses rises despite the challenges\nAuthor: Ebrima Baldeh\nBy Ebrima Baldeh\nOpening a business is increasingly becoming a challenge for African immigrants hoping to cash in on opportunities in the U.S markets. It is not all gloomy as some immigrants are trying to create their own niche markets.\nLasanna Tambajang in his early 50s took a $10,000 loan in the Gambia in the early 1990s to pursue a better life in the U.S. His experience in small and medium scale business back in Africa paved the way for him to open a fish and meat business in the Bronx.\nFounded in 1998, the Fish and Meat market along Boston Road in the Bronx is largely run by his family. It now has two outlets in the Bronx and has three mobile trucks that distribute fish and meat to customers in Queens and Brooklyn. Overall, the business earns an estimated $3 million a year.\n“When my father set up this business at first there were challenges, people were asking questions about the viability of the business here,” said Lamin Tambajang, who took over his father’s business after completing high school\n“It is not easy for immigrants to set up business in the U.S, my father experienced several challenges in getting customers and making some profit, sometimes people hardly give you a chance if they don’t know you,” Lamin Tambajang pointed out.\nThe Fish and Meat market’s immigrant identity runs throughout. The family business has a dozen employees mainly immigrants from Latin America, Asia and Africa. “I was employed here because back in Mexico I have skills in processing fish and meat, I must say I enjoy working here because of the mixture of immigrants from different parts of the world,” said Jesus Mario Santos.\nIt’s selection of goods also cater to immigrant communities.\n“I like buying stuff that I can identify myself with, when I visit this store I buy food stuff that I don’t usually see in well-established food stores in Manhattan,”’ said Musa Kane, a regular customer at the Fish and Meat market, who is also an immigrant from Mali in West Africa. Kane says he enjoys cooking smoked fish and snails during his quality time on weekends.\nMomodou Jallow, another immigrant from Guinea in West Africa set up the Fouta African restaurant in Westchester Avenue in the Bronx with some immigrants from Spain and Mexico who are now American citizens.\n“We realized in the past that so many immigrants were getting homesick because there were no restaurants selling typical African and Spanish food” said Momodou Jallow.\nAccording to the U.S Black Chamber of Commerce, African-American businesses have grown at an exponential rate in the 21st century. It states that there are nearly 2.6 million African-American owned businesses in the U.S as of 2018.\nThe U.S Black Chamber of Commerce research revealed that the gap in average wealth between African-American and white adults decreases from a multiplier of 13 to 3 when one compares the wealth of business owners by race.\nAt Gun Hill Road and Pelham Parkway in the Bronx, there are a number of African-American small and medium scale business that have sprung up recently. Some of the business are beauticians and grocery stores that specifically target the huge black community in the neighborhood. “My parents originally come from Nigeria in West Africa, they winded up their clothing business in Nigeria to look for better opportunities in the U.S.,” said Jimmy Asoayabo, a beautician who employs more than twenty-five people at his shop on Gun Hill Road.\nInspired by the American dream, African immigrants are leaving the continent in large numbers to the U.S in the hope of getting better opportunities to rebuild their lifestyles. African immigrants and immigrants from mainly Muslim nations are increasingly finding it difficult to come to the U.S due to what many call President Trump’s harsh immigration policies.\nLamin Tambajang said the company is trying to expand new source markets in other major U.S cities like Pennsylvania, Seattle and California but it has been difficult.\n“You know it’s not easy nowadays with the heightened tensions on immigration, getting the right personnel to work is difficult to come by,” he said.\nMarlboro Meets Juul: The Millennial Black Market for E-cigarettes","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1491379"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5305754542350769,"wiki_prob":0.4694245457649231,"text":"ARH’s CEO and President Joe Grossman to retire\nJoe Grossman(none)\nBy AJ Cabbagestalk\nHAZARD, Ky. (WYMT) - Wednesday, Joe Grossman announced that he will retire on June 30.\nJoe Grossman took over as President and CEO at ARH in 2013. Grossman has 35 years of experience in healthcare and wishes to spend more time with his family.\n“On behalf of the ARH Board of Trustees, we are extremely grateful for Mr. Grossman’s excellent leadership and commitment to ARH’s longstanding mission as it pertains to bringing the most advanced care options to those living in even the most rural areas of eastern Kentucky and southern West Virginia,” said Duanne Thompson, chairman of the ARH Board of trustees. “During his time as president and CEO, the ARH health system has seen amazing growth and progress that will continue to be felt in our service areas for years to come. He will be greatly missed.”\nDuring Grossman’s tenure as President and CEO, ARH expanded to 13 hospitals, 80 clinic locations, and added retail pharmacies, home health agencies, and home durable medical equipment store locations. ARH currently provides healthcare to more than 400,000 people in Eastern Kentucky.\nGrossman has led partnership efforts and served on boards of economic groups such as One East Kentucky, One Harlan, and the Hazard-Perry County Economic Development Alliance. Grossman is also on the board for Kentucky Hospital Association, the Kentucky Health Collaborative, Kentucky Retirement Systems, HEAL (Help End Addiction for Life), Harlan County EDA, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, and the Coalfields Industrial Authority. Grossman was held a former board role for Treasurer of the Kentucky Commercial Utility Customers, Inc. and the East Kentucky Health Collaborative boards.\n“I greatly appreciate the opportunity to be a part of ARH and the wonderful Appalachian communities and people it serves. Further, I appreciate all the continued support I have received from the Board of Trustees and the ARH employees over the past 18 years,” Grossman said. “Our organization is in a good place and I believe it is headed for an even better future. The ARH team members are very talented and dedicated to the ARH mission and will continue to grow and improve the lives of the people we serve.”\nCopyright 2021 WYMT. All rights reserved.\nLexington’s St. Patrick’s Day events cancelled... again\nBaptist Health Lexington avoids post-holiday surge with COVID-19 home recovery treatments\nBeshear: Kentucky is prepared to deal with violent protests\n2018 Kentucky Mr. Football transfers to UK\nLexington mother accused of killing her baby has case sent to grand jury","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1841430"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7963225841522217,"wiki_prob":0.7963225841522217,"text":"Haighton\nManors◬\nTown Records◬\nVoting Registers◬\nHAIGHTON, a township in Preston parish, Lancashire; on the river Wyre, 4 miles NNE of Preston. It includes the hamlet of Cow Hill. Acres, 1,054. Real property, £1,554. Pop., 222. Houses, 40.\nJohn Marius Wilson, Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales (1870-72)\nLocal studies information is held at Preston library.\nOur Lady of the Well Roman Catholic, Fernyhalgh\nDetails about the census records, and indexes for Haighton.\nThe Register Office covering the Haighton area is Preston and South Ribble\nYou can see pictures of Haighton which are provided by:\nAsk for a calculation of the distance from Haighton to another place.\nThe National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland - 1868\n\"HAIGHTON, a township in the parish of Preston, hundred of Amounderness, county Lancaster, 4 miles N.E. of Preston, situated on the river Wyre.\"\nIn 1835 Haighton was a township in the parish of Preston. Information about boundaries and administrative areas is available from A Vision of Britain through time.\nYou can see the administrative areas in which Haighton has been placed at times in the past. Select one to see a link to a map of that particular area.\nView maps of Haighton and places within its boundaries.\nView a map of the boundaries of this town/parish.\nYou can see maps centred on OS grid reference SD564347 (Lat/Lon: 53.806434, -2.663724), Haighton which are provided by:\nFor probate purposes prior to 1858, Haighton was in the Archdeaconry of Richmond, in the Diocese of Chester. The original Lancashire wills for the Archdeaconry of Richmond are held at the Lancashire Record Office.\nLancashire Family History & Heraldry Society - Preston Branch\nLancashire Parish Register Society\nYou can also see Family History Societies covering the nearby area, plotted on a map. This facility is being developed, and is awaiting societies to enter information about the places they cover.\nLast updated Sat, 27/06/2020 - 21:31 - maintained by Phil Stringer","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1206234"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.855474591255188,"wiki_prob":0.855474591255188,"text":"Will Mamata Banerjee Invoke Bengali Cultural 'Asmita' to Push Back the BJP?\nBy successfully undertaking such a campaign, the TMC could project the BJP as a party of cultural outsiders.\nWest Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee pays tribute to Vidyasagar, whose statue was vandalised during political violence in Kolkata. Credit: PTI\nMonobina Gupta\nThat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership has no intention of lowering the heat on the Mamata Banerjee government in Bengal is evident from the party’s latest decision to invite families of more than 50 BJP workers, allegedly killed in Bengal’s political violence, to the Narendra Modi government’s oath-taking ceremony. A day after Banerjee agreed to attend the ceremony on grounds of ‘constitutional propriety’, the prime minister, and BJP president Amit Shah, sent out invitations to the families, designating them as “special invitees”.\nReacting swiftly and predictably, Banerjee retracted her decision to attend the ceremony. “The ceremony is an august occasion to celebrate democracy, not one that should be devalued by any political party which uses it as an opportunity to score political points,” she tweeted. “There have been no political murders in Bengal. These deaths may have occurred due to personal enmity, family quarrel and other disputes; nothing related to politics. There is no such record with us,” she added. An assertion that, given the continued high levels of political violence in the state, will convince few within and outside the state.\nIn its decision to invite the families in question, the BJP sent out a clear and provocative message to the Trinamool Congress (TMC) that the party means serious political business in Bengal. And that Banerjee’s gesture of accepting the invitation would be met with a retaliatory political gesture.\nMeanwhile, the situation in Bengal continues to be tense. Riding changing political tides in the state, the BJP seems to be closing in on the ruling TMC. As anticipated not just by the BJP but the Communist Party of India Marxist (CPI(M)) as well, the TMC has begun to unravel. On Tuesday, three MLAs in the Bengal assembly – two from TMC and one from CPI(M) – joined the BJP at the party’s Delhi headquarters. More than 50 TMC councillors too switched to the BJP.\nAmong the new converts were TMC legislators Subhrangshu Roy, son of BJP leader Mukul Roy, Tushar Kanti Bhattacharjee and Debendra Nath Roy of the CPI(M). The TMC recently suspended Subhrangshu for six years, charging him with anti-party activities. From all indications, more defections could be in the offing.\nWith 211 legislators in the 294-assembly at the moment, the TMC seems to have the numbers to ward off an imminent BJP threat. However, given the political volatility created by the BJP’s aggressive determination and the CPI(M)’s carefree fanning of the flames, Banerjee does indeed have reason to worry.\nFast-paced developments over the last week in Bengal suggest that rather than wait for the 2021 assembly polls, the BJP could work to a plan, pulling off a coup from within the TMC ranks. In case defections go on – BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya has gestured towards seven more rounds – Banerjee will need to find ways and means to stem the hemorrhage.\nA weakened TMC at the time of the 2021 assembly elections would suit the BJP as well as the CPI(M). Credit: Reuters\nNo doubt, the current arithmetic in the assembly strongly favours her party. But the BJP’s strategy of chipping at the block, even at minor levels, could easily demoralise supporters and entice opportunists. A weakened TMC at the time of the 2021 assembly elections would suit the BJP as well as the CPI(M). Both parties have a shared interest in bleeding the party in power; though only one is likely to reap rewards from the oncoming chaos.\nIdeally, the BJP would like the TMC to collapse before it runs its full tenure. On the ascendant, the party would like to build upon the grievances of disaffected TMC legislators with the aim of slowly weaning them away, preferably before 2021. Then there is the option of citing a “breakdown of law and order” situation and seeking the imposition of President’s rule in the state. Such a plea may even appear valid – despite its historic baggage of gross misuse by erstwhile Congress governments – in a perennially violence-wracked state like Bengal.\nInterestingly, as an ally in the Vajpayee-led NDA government and in opposition to the Left Front government, Banerjee in the late 1990s, time and again urged the Central government to bring Bengal under President’s rule. Political violence under the CPI(M)-led government was then, as high as it is now under TMC rule. To some extent, then, the scenario playing out now is a continuation of that history.\nAlso read: With BJP’s Tacit Support, CPI(M) Takes Advantage of a Weakened TMC in Bengal\nThe challenges before Banerjee, at this moment, are huge. Given the popular mood in the state, the TMC leader would need to devise innovative strategies to combat the rising forces of the Hindu Right. One such strategy might be to fall back on cultural idioms that are unique to Bangla culture. By successfully undertaking such a campaign, the TMC could project the BJP as a party of cultural outsiders.\nBattling a party essentially viewed as one of the Hindi heartland, Banerjee could perhaps go on to reinvent the TMC as a party committed to safeguarding Bangla asmita. Moreover, it is possible to suggest that the language articulating such a sentiment has already been crafted.\nFor instance, it’s worth noting in this context how the TMC recently turned the vandalisation of Vidyasagar’s statue during an Amit Shah rally on College Street, into a marker of Bengali resistance against the BJP. The day after the statue’s decapitation, thousands marched alongside Banerjee, taking the same route Shah had taken the previous evening.\nMamata Banerjee at a protest rally against the clashes that broke out during BJP president Amit Shah’s roadshow. Credit: PTI\nOr take another strong marker of such cultural differentiation. Despite strong factual contradictions, the RSS – based on Rabindranath Tagore being the composer of the national anthem – continues to raise questions over his patriotism. Notwithstanding refutations by numerous reputed historians, the RSS maintains that Tagore wrote the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, in celebration of King George V. Such an interpretation, factually wrong as it is, is not likely to go down well with Bengalis. Tagore is as integral to Bangla culture and society as Golwalkar is to the RSS ideology. This is just one of the many cultural fault lines that could pose a problem for the BJP.\nAlso read: It’s Unreasonable to Blame Mamata Banerjee for BJP’s Gains in West Bengal\nBanerjee, on the other hand, has expansively used Bengal’s homespun culture in her struggle against the CPI(M)-led Left Front government. She developed a language of opposition that was unique to taking on the Left Front. Unlike the Marxist language of class struggle and internationalism, Banerjee harped on home-spun Bengali culture and humanism.\nIn the run-up to the 2011 assembly elections that ended the Left Front government’s protracted rule, Banerjee reached out to her audience by invoking basic parables, digging into the works of Ramakrishna and Vivekananda, using shlokas from the Gita and the Upanishads. In fact, much of the cultural language Banerjee used in the 2019 Lok Sabha election was a replay of her 2011 campaign against the Left Front.\nObservers could already sense some of these developments during the election campaign in Bengal. Now, as the situation on the ground gets messier and the newly-reelected government digs in its heels at the Centre, it is worth restating how critical the next few months could be for Bengal’s future.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1791752"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5371099710464478,"wiki_prob":0.5371099710464478,"text":"Camera IconThe piece of the Eiffel Tower's original spiral staircase from 1889 at the Artcurial auction house.\nEiffel staircase piece sold for $264000\nA piece of the original spiral staircase from the Eiffel Tower, Paris's most famous attraction, was sold for 169,000 euros ($A264,265), three times the initial estimate.\nThe successful bidder, an unidentified collector from the Middle East, acquired a section of the 129-year-old iron landmark that measures 4.3 metres in height, weighs about 900 kilos and includes about 25 steps, a spokesman for auction house Artcurial said.\nThe piece, which came from a private collection in Canada, had connected the top two floors of the Eiffel Tower. It is one of 24 sections that were cut out in 1983 following the installation of a lift between the two floors.\nOther sections of the staircase can be found in sites such as the Yoishii Foundation gardens in Japan, near the Statue of Liberty in New York and in Disneyland in Florida.\nThe piece sold on Tuesday had been on public display for 20 days in the courtyard of the auction house on the Champs-Elysees.\nTuesday's bidding was less frenetic than in 2016, when another portion of the Eiffel Tower went for 523,800 euros, exceeding its estimate tenfold.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line394852"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6956357955932617,"wiki_prob":0.6956357955932617,"text":"AAPA Volunteers Give Back By Serving as Professional Liaisons\nKasel, Coll, Scherer and Garcia-Herrera Step Up for PAs\nAAPA has a long history of collaboration with other professional societies including the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American College of Emergency Physicians, and National Hispanic Medical Association. Each year, AAPA asks for volunteers to serve as liaisons to these professional organizations. Here are the generous and talented PAs who are currently serving as liaisons to our important partner organizations.\nJohn F. Kasel, DHA, MS, PA-C, DFAAPA\nLiaison to the American Academy of Family Physicians\nThe AAPA Board of Directors appointed John F. (Jack) Kasel, DHA, MS, PA-C, DFAAPA, as liaison to AAFP. His term runs through June 30, 2021.\nKasel serves as Director of Advanced Practice Providers for the Central Texas Region of Baylor Scott and White Health (BSWH). He works closely with the system’s department of family medicine as a leader and a provider. He is involved in their transition from the patient-centered medical home model of primary care delivery to a patient-centered care model and is participating in efforts to identify optimal practice models for PAs and nurse practitioners in the system. Prior to his tenure with BSWH, Kasel worked in primary care in large health systems including Mayo Clinic, U.S. Veterans Administration Health System, and the U.S. Army.\n“I believe that as PAs we are exceptionally suited to provide excellent quality care in the primary care setting. Striving to create and maintain a strong working relationship with our family medicine physician colleagues is key for us to demonstrate the optimal scope of practice,” Kasel said.\nJeffrey A. Katz, PA-C, served as AAPA’s liaison to AAFP from 2017-2019.\nLiaison to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons\nDaniel J. Coll, MBA, PA-C, DFAAPA\nAAPA’s Board of Directors appointed Daniel Coll, MBA, PA-C, DFAAPA, to serve as liaison to AAOS. His appointment runs through June 30, 2021.\nColl is employed at Tahoe Forest Hospital District, a federally designated Critical Access Hospital in Truckee, California. Coll received his undergraduate degree at UC Davis, PA Certification at Western University of Health Sciences, and Master of Health Sciences at Pacific University. He recently completed his MBA in health administration at CU Denver. He is currently enrolled at Northeastern University in the AAPA Center for Healthcare Leadership and Management certificate program.\nColl says, “I have been an active member of my national academy and my state and specialty constituent organizations. My engagement has provided opportunities to experience the constituent organizations’ operations through committee work while also refining my communication skills in these varied settings.”\nClinically, Coll participates in the evaluation and admission of patients with orthopedic injuries who present to the emergency department, practices in the orthopedic clinic, is first call for all inpatients, and assists multiple orthopedic surgeons. He previously directed the hospital’s orthopedics and sports medicine service line.\nColl has published multiple papers in orthopaedic journals and serves as AAPA’s representative to the National Quality Forum Rural Health Workgroup. He is an active member of the AAPA, AAOS, PAOS, OTA, and the PA state academies in Nevada and California.\nAaron Hewitt, PA-C, who served as a speaker during recent AAOS conference sessions on team practice, most recently served as AAPA’s liaison to AAOS.\nLynn Scherer, MS, PA-C\nLiaison to the American College of Emergency Physicians\nPAs who practice emergency medicine have had a strong relationship with ACEP for more than 25 years. AAPA’s Board of Directors appointed Lynn Scherer, MS, PA-C, as liaison to ACEP through June 30, 2021.\nScherer is familiar to ACEP leaders due to her membership on ACEP’s Academic Affairs Committee and her participation in the ACEP Directors Academy. Scherer served on the Society of Emergency Medicine PAs board for many years, including as president in 2015-16. She currently serves as SEMPA liaison to the Council of Emergency Medicine Residency Directors (CORDEM).\nIn addition to leadership experience in professional associations, Scherer has 19 years of clinical and leadership experience at Albert Einstein Healthcare Network Department of Emergency Medicine in Philadelphia. An active member of Einstein’s leadership team, PA Scherer serves as associate director of Advanced Practice Provider Services, program director of the Emergency Medicine PA Residency Program, and co-chair of Einstein’s Advanced Practice Clinician Council, in addition to practicing clinically as a member of the emergency medicine faculty.\n“As medical liaison, I will do my best to elevate the PA profession and the strategic relationships of AAPA with national physician and medical organizations to improve the PA practice environment and patient-centered care,” Scherer says.\nMost recently, the ACEP liaison was Thomas Chambers, PA-C, MBA.\nLiaison to the National Hispanic Medical Association\nRon Garcia-Herrera, PA\nThe AAPA caucus, PAs for Latino Health (PALH), for many years cultivated the relationship between NHMA and AAPA, and in 2011, the AAPA board appointed an official liaison to NHMA. The board has appointed Ron Garcia-Herrera through June 30, 2021.\nGarcia-Herrera has spent most of his career in the Latino community, giving him an intimate understanding of their healthcare issues and needs. In addition, having cared for many migrant workers, he has seen first-hand the disparities they face. He has more than 20 years of experience practicing in occupational medicine, orthopedics, physical medicine and rehabilitation, family practice, and urgent care. Garcia-Herrera also has 30 years of military service as a PA in family practice, urgent care, and aeromedical evacuation. His clinical experience includes managing patients with complex medical and psychosocial problems and Workers Compensation patients in California, New Mexico, and Texas. He holds medical Spanish certification, is fluent in French, and has studied American Sign Language.\nNow semi-retired, Garcia-Herrera lives in New Mexico and practices part-time in orthopedics and pain management in California. He volunteers at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque and has served on a community advisory committee to the New Mexico State Legislature for a Medicaid Buy-In pending legislative act that would cover those working uninsured who do not have insurance through employment and do not meet the usual Medicaid income eligibility criteria.\nMost recently, the NHMA liaison position was held by PA Robert Smith of Lewisville, Texas, whose term ended in June.\nTo see a complete list of AAPA liaisons to national medical organizations click here https://www.aapa.org/about/aapa-governance-leadership/aapa-volunteers/aapa-medical-liaisons/","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1231639"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5792083740234375,"wiki_prob":0.5792083740234375,"text":"Standard mileage rates, depreciation amounts updated\nOn 4 June, 2018 By velisabookkeepingIn Bookkeeping, IRS issues, Small Business Payroll, Small Business Taxes\nThe IRS provided information to taxpayers about changes in the use of standard mileage rates and increased depreciation limits for passenger automobiles as a result of P.L. 115-97, known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which made amendments to Secs. 67 and 217.\nIn Notice 2018-42, the IRS modified Notice 2018-03, which provided the optional 2018 standard mileage rates for taxpayers to use in computing the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical, or moving expense purposes.\nBecause the TCJA suspended the miscellaneous itemized deduction under Sec. 67 for unreimbursed employee business expenses from 2018 to 2025, the notice explains that the standard mileage rate will not apply to those expenses during that period.\nHowever, an exception to that disallowance applies to members of a reserve component of the U.S. armed forces, state or local government officials paid on a fee basis, and certain performing artists. They are permitted to deduct mileage expenses on line 24 of Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, (an above-the-line deduction) and may continue to use the business standard mileage rate, which remains at 54.5 cents per mile for these eligible taxpayers.\nThe next change is to the rate for moving expenses. Notice 2018-03 announced that the rate for 2018 was 18 cents per mile. The TCJA repealed the moving expense deduction for individual taxpayers from 2018 to 2025, except for U.S. armed forces members on active duty who move pursuant to a military order and incident to a permanent change of station to whom Sec. 217(g) applies.\nThe final change is to the depreciation allowances permitted pre- and post-TCJA. Under pre-TCJA law, under a fixed-and-variable-rate (FAVR) plan, the maximum standard automobile cost was $27,300 for 2018 for automobiles (not including trucks and vans) and $31,000 for trucks and vans. (Under a FAVR plan, a standard amount is deemed substantiated for an employer’s reimbursement to employees for expenses they incur in driving their vehicle in performing services as an employee for the employer.)\nSection 13202 of the TCJA increased the depreciation limits for passenger automobiles placed in service after Dec. 31, 2017. As a result, the maximum standard automobile cost is raised to $50,000 for passenger automobiles, (including trucks and vans) placed in service after Dec. 31, 2017. Unlike the other TCJA changes discussed here, this increase is permanent.\nCharitable contribution procedures updated\nProving a Business Connection for Meals and Entertainment","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1871604"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9983879327774048,"wiki_prob":0.9983879327774048,"text":"fanatix | Football | Premier League | Arsenal FC | Arsenal target signs new contract with Swansea City\nArsenal target signs new contract with Swansea City\nGlen Harrington\nAshley Williams has banished transfer speculation by signing a new contract…\nAshley Williams has ended transfer speculation linking him with a move to Arsenal, after signing a new long-term contract with Swansea City.\nThe Daily Mail reported that Sunderland had made an official bid for the Welsh defender, while Arsenal and QPR were amongst the long-term admirers of the 29-year-old, who has been with Swansea since 2008.\nIt’s a huge boost for Swans’ manager Gary Monk, who was desperate to keep hold of his club captain.\nOne man that could be on the way out of the Liberty Stadium is striker Michu, who is reportedly a £10m target for Italian side Napoli.\nMichu enjoyed a stunning first season with the club, scoring 22 goals in his debut season. However, he struggled during the club’s last campaign, netting just six times in an injury-hit season.\nThe emergence of Wilfried Bony as the club’s first choice centre forward, and the signing of Lyon’s Bafetimbi Gomis is also likely to limit his first-team opportunities next season.\nWilliams has been a rock at the heart of the Swans defence since joining the club from Stockport County in a £400,000 deal in May 2008 following a successful loan spell.\nHe was part of the squad that lifted the League One title while he played a vital role in the club’s Championship Play-Off final victory at Wembley.\nHe would return to Wembley two years later as the Swans won the Capital One Cup, while he also captained the club to the last 32 of the Europa League and a 12th-placed finish in the top flight last season.\nMore Stories: Arsenal FC, Swansea City AFC","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line16170"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5407798886299133,"wiki_prob":0.5407798886299133,"text":"Crete • 2020 • episode \"1/6\" • The Greek Islands with Julia Bradbury\nIn the first episode, Julia visits the picturesque, rustic and rugged island of Crete, a favourite island with British holiday-goers, but Julia steps away from tourist trail and heads deep into the heart of the island to explore the Dikti Mountains and its striking plateau of windmills.\nThe Greek Islands with Julia Bradbury • 2020 • 6 episodes •\nThis week, Julia visits the lush Ionian island of Corfu, often called the least Greek of all the Greek islands. Her trip begins in the capital Corfu Town where she discovers a surprising, cosmopolitan city more like a little slice of Italy than Greece.\nIn this episode, Julia’s journey brings her to the impossibly glamorous island of Santorini in search of the perfect sunset. Her trip begins in one of Santorini's most exclusive hotels where she discovers how one of the Aegean’s poorest islands became a playground for the rich and famous. In search of the secret Santorini away from the bustling crowds, she heads inland for a walk on the wild side, hiking through a forager’s paradise to the hilltop village of Pyrgos\nThe Sporades\nThis week, Julia’s journey reaches the Sporades. Known as the ‘Paradise Islands’, their lush pine forests and breathtaking coastlines are recognisable to millions as the backdrop of the movie Mamma Mia. On Skiathos, Julia boards a fishing boat in search of a secret world of hidden coves and deserted beaches,\nRhodes and Symi\nThis week, Julia arrives in the Dodecanese, a far-flung group of islands at the gateway between Europe and the East. In the medieval capital of Rhodes she uncovers a treasure of trove of Byzantine Art Travelling inland to the mountain village of Apollona; Her trip ends with a visit to the neighbouring island of Symi, an architectural wonder like nowhere else in Greece.\n3/4 • Africa with Ade Adepitan • 2019 • Travel\nIn this episode Martin travels to the Tiwi Islands, swims with a whale shark, and visits the Houtman Abrolhos, a string of over 100 little islands. Martin Clunes also samples life on Rottnest Island, which has long been a playground retreat for mainland visitors.\n2/3 • Islands of Australia • 2017 • Travel\nSimon's adventure starts in the magnificent 'red centre' of the continent and onwards through South Australia, via the extraordinary Indian Pacific Railway until he reaches the west coast city of Perth. On the way, he joins an Aussie rancher in the parched outback and takes part in a spectacular camel round-up. This mad adventure, involving specially adapted off-road vehicles and a chopper, is part of an ongoing effort to stop the damaging spread of up to a million feral camels across the country. Finally in Perth, Simon discovers a full scale British invasion. Working in a mine or driving a lorry can bring a salary of a hundred thousand pounds a year, as evidenced when Simon meets a former bin man from hull who is now living the dream, with a beautiful house in the sun, private pool and his very own boat.\n1/3 • Australia with Simon Reeve • 2013 • Travel\nFamed for its painted churches, this is a region that's replete with ancient monuments.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line307143"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6569951176643372,"wiki_prob":0.6569951176643372,"text":"Shelton closer to selling Chromium Process, a former brownfield site\nBrian Gioiele\nFeb. 16, 2020 Updated: Feb. 16, 2020 9 a.m.\nOfficials are one step closer to selling city property along Canal Street — four parcels formerly owned by the Chromium Process Co. — as part of the downtown’s continued revitalization. Lots 3 to 6, with a portion of 7 which is shaded, are up for sale.\nBrian Gioiele / Hearst Connecticut Media\nSHELTON — Officials are one step closer to selling four parcels formerly owned by the Chromium Process Co. along Canal Street and now belonging to the city as part of the downtown’s revitalization.\nThe Planning and Zoning Commission at its meeting Tuesday unanimously approved an application from the city for the sale. The P&Z is required make a recommendation for any project or major improvement proposed on city land.\nThe report now allows Mayor Mark Lauretti to negotiate the sale of the property — four lots totaling 1.63 acres along with a 40-foot strip of property, some 10,840 square feet — to a developer.\nCity Administrative Assistant Jack Bashar said that by selling the land, “the property will then be added back to the city’s tax rolls and will be a major part of the downtown redevelopment plan.”\nThe city acquired the Chromium Process property through foreclosure, and state and federal brownfields funding helped with the environmental cleanup.\nThe Chromium Process operation, part of an industrial area developed in the late 1880s, was once a thriving factory site in the heart of downtown Shelton. The plant building and adjacent garage were razed in the fall of 2016, replaced by a parking lot.\nThe Planning and Zoning Commission also approved two other requests by the city.\nZoners unanimously granted a request for the city’s plan to sell property adjacent to 35 Saginaw Trail. Bashar’s letter stated that the property is in the city’s Pine Rock Park area and is zoned R-3 Residential.\nBashar stated that one of the abutting property owners, Gerard Fowler, has expressed interest in purchasing the site.\n“The city has no use of the property, and it is now a vacant piece of property,” said Bashar, adding that the sale puts the land back on the city’s tax rolls.\nThe second approved referral allows city officials to negotiate the purchase of a one-acre lot on Meadow Street owned by Arthur B. Maybeck and Lupe A. Maybeck. The property is abutted to the west by some 24 acres owned by the city.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1760534"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5660117268562317,"wiki_prob":0.4339882731437683,"text":"Brighton Welcomes The UK’s First Cannabis-Infused Restaurant\nPosted by Gary Rose\nIt had to be Brighton, didn’t it? It was inevitable really… that the UK’s first cannabis-infused organic, vegan restaurant would be rolled out in the nation’s most progressive city.\nThe Canna Kitchen throws open its doors to Duke Street’s punters on 1st December 2018. But don’t get the wrong idea… this is no “caner” kitchen. They won’t be slipping you space cakes through a hatch around the back. No, these guys are looking to shatter such outdated stereotypes (although, clearly we’re not).\nTheir menu promises fragrant, seasonal plant-based food, infused with the flavour and health properties associated with various legal, non-psychoactive cannabinoids: compounds that are widely regarded to modulate pain, aid digestion, help manage stress, and even improve memory function.\nThe restaurant’s director is the heroically named Sam Evolution — the kind of moniker Hollywood would give a utopia-founding, Elon Musk-inspired entrepreneur. Played by Joaquin Phoenix.\nAnd we won’t argue with Sam’s comments on cannabis’s largely under-tapped potential. “It is one of the most versatile crops in nature,” he says “with potential applications in almost every area of modern life… If utilised properly [cannabis] could begin to remedy many of the ecological challenges of our time. It also happens to be the most nutritionally complete human food source on the planet.”\nExample dishes include Zaa’tar Roast Cauliflower, Hemp Heart Tabbouleh, and Buckwheat and Beetroot Pancake. And diners will have the option of infusing their food with the cannabinoids CBD, CBG and CBN, which “can lead to a sense of relaxation, peace and well-being”.\nAs well as the restaurant, there’ll be a CBD café and dispensary upstairs, and a roof terrace for tea and smoking (of the legal kind). The basement, meanwhile, will house a “log cabin-style chillout lounge” serving organic, non-alcoholic cocktails.\nSound too good to be true? Or could Brighton be witnessing the birth of the next decade’s major food trend? We’ll let you know when we’ve checked it out in a couple of weeks’ time. We’ve got the munchies now.\nTickets are now on sale for the public launch on 1st December, where £25 will secure you three courses and a mocktail.\nSee www.thecannakitchen.co.uk for further details.\nGary Rose\nA magazine journalist and former BBC minion, Gaz's words can be found in publications ranging from The Radio Times Guide To Films to 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die, as well as on his blog The Wine Ninjas . He plays drums in a psych band, and once fell into a frozen lake in Transylvania.\nThe Prodigy Review\nThe Lewis Family Xmas, Tues 11th Dec\nBrighton Welcomes The UK's First Cannabis-Infused Restaurant - Brighton Source","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1859050"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5753405690193176,"wiki_prob":0.4246594309806824,"text":"HOME | CART (0) | ABOUT US | CONTACT\nPreview Webinars\nHOME » NEWS » ARTICLES » Monitoring the Monitor? The Need for Further Guidance Governing Corporate Monitors Under Pre-Trial Diversion Agreements\nMonitoring the Monitor? The Need for Further Guidance Governing Corporate Monitors Under Pre-Trial Diversion Agreements\nDavid Matyas and Lynn Shapiro Snyder\nJuly 15, 2009 — 1,366 views\nThis article first appeard in BNA's Health Bare Fraud Report 13 HFRA 288, 4/8/09\nOver the last several years, there has been an increase in Federal prosecutors' use of Deferred Prosecution Agreements (\"DPAs\") or in some cases Non-Prosecution Agreements (\"NPAs\"). From 2002-2005, the Department of Justice (\"DOJ\") entered into twice as many of these agreements with defendant-companies as it had over the previous 10 years. Between 2005 and 2007, the number of these agreements increased even more with approximately 12 in 2005, 20 in 2006, and 30 in 2007.[1] In 2008, according to a recent study, the number of these agreements decreased to 16, a near 60 percent drop from 2007.[2] It is unclear whether the number of these agreements increase under the Obama Administration. Nevertheless, pre-trial diversion agreements remain a tool that U.S. Attorneys Offices may wield to fight corporate corruption without otherwise requiring a company to plead (or to be found) guilty of a criminal action. Yet, the use of pre-trial diversion agreements has been controversial in many aspects and raises a host of questions about procedural fairness and the criminal justice system.\nDPAs and NPAs are two types of pre-trial diversion agreements that may be entered into by the government and a defendant-company. The main difference between a DPA and an NPA is that charges are not filed in the latter; however, the obligations imposed in both types of agreements are extensive.[3] Generally, DPAs/NPAs involve a filing of a criminal charge, admission of criminal wrongdoing and to the facts in the charging instrument, substantial monetary penalties, adoption of strict corporate governance and compliance programs, cooperation with the government's ongoing investigation, and an agreement to external oversight by a corporate monitor approved by the government. If the company abides by the terms of the DPA/NPA, then the company will avoid prosecution.\nDPAs/NPAs are a method for federal prosecutors to impose penalties and internal reforms on companies without subjecting them to the dire consequences of a criminal conviction. A health system, for example, if convicted criminally, can be excluded from future participation in federal health care programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid. This is devastating not only to the health system, itself, but also to the community of patients that rely on the health system for health care services.\nA key and controversial element in many DPAs/NPAs is their reliance on a corporate monitor who is responsible for overseeing the company's compliance with the requirements memorialized in the agreement, itself, and generally, the company's compliance with law.[4] Usually, these pretrial diversion agreements require the company to retain the monitor at the company's expense. Although the number of DPAs/NPAs decreased by nearly 60 percent in 2008, the percent of agreements that contain monitor provisions has remained constant at 40 percent in 2007 and 2008.[5]\nDespite the amount of ink that has been spilled over DPAs/NPAs, there exists little guidance that defines the role of corporate monitors. This is troublesome because monitor provisions often grant virtually unfettered authority, compensation, and discretion to the monitors. In 2008, the DOJ issued guidance to U.S. Attorneys Offices in this area.[6] However, that internal guidance – commonly referred to as the Morford Memo – left many questions still unaddressed. Examples of these questions include: how a person/entity becomes eligible to serve as a corporate monitor; should monitors be subject to any ethical rules or guidelines; who should be responsible for overseeing the monitor's actions; do monitors have too much authority over business and corporate governance decisions; are prosecutors ill-equipped to oversee the monitor's decisions; and to whom should the company address any potential grievances it has with the conduct of a monitor. Subsequent to the Morford Memo, the DOJ issued additional guidance concerning \"extraordinary restitution\" in DPAs/NPAs, and amended the Principles of Prosecution of Business Organizations to address attorney-client and work product privileges in connection with DPAs/NPAs.[7] The DOJ has not issued any further guidance since the Morford Memo that addresses corporate monitors.\nAs the 111th Congress begins its session and the Obama Administration takes charge of the Executive Branch, the time is ripe for the Executive Branch to develop further guidance to U.S. Attorneys Offices about the roles, responsibilities, and duties of corporate monitors.\nI. Corporate MONITOR PROVISIONS IN PRE-TRIAL DIVERSION AGREEMENTS\nThe Federal Sentencing Guidelines require probation if a company fails to have a mandatory compliance and ethics program in place at the time of sentencing.[8] Probation requires companies, among other things, to submit to a reasonable number of examinations of their books and records by an officer appointed by the court.[9] Over the years, a series of DOJ memoranda applied the corporate probation model to the charging stage of a corporate prosecution. In particular, the Principles of Federal Prosecution of Business Organizations – commonly referred to as the Thompson Memo – explicitly stated that \"pretrial diversion may be considered in the course of the government's investigation.\"[10] This opened the door for modern day DPAs/NPAs.\nGenerally, about 40 percent of DPAs/NPAs include a corporate monitor requirement that enforce a method of oversight similar to corporate probation during the charging phase of a prosecution. For example, in a 2005 DPA, Bristol-Myers Squibb (\"BMS\") agreed that it would \"retain an outside, independent individual or entity (the \"Monitor\"), selected by BMS and approved by the [U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey]\" and that, among other things, the Monitor was to \"[m]onitor BMS's compliance with [the DPA] Agreement, and have authority to require BMS to take any steps he believes are necessary to comply with the terms of [the] Agreement.\"[11]\nThe vast majority of monitors come from the ranks of former judges, prosecutors, or Securities lawyers. It is unclear, however, whether the monitor must be an attorney, or whether other qualified professionals – such as accountants, professors, or consultants – could serve as monitors as well. Concerning the selection process for monitors, both prosecutors and the company must mutually agree to the selection. Sometimes prosecutors suggest a list of particular monitors. At other times, the company may choose the monitor while prosecutors retain a veto power over its choice. Undeniably, though, despite the Morford Memo, prosecutors hold tremendous bargaining power in the selection of a monitor because of the consequences that could be triggered from a company's non-compliance.\nWhat are the Roles, Responsibilities and Duties of the Monitor?\nGenerally, monitors are tasked in the agreement with collecting information and preparing reports to assist the prosecutor in determining whether the company has abided by the DPA/NPA. Monitors hold the power to review the company's compliance with its obligations under the agreement, and under laws generally, and to issue reports to the government and/or to the court. More specifically, monitors review and test the company's accounting, information management, and internal control functions.\nOnce a DPA/NPA is in place, a monitor begins by becoming familiar with the company. This entails meeting the company's board and employees. A monitor then develops a work plan which defines the scope, access, and power the monitor will have over the company. The monitor's work involves frequent visits to the company (including possible on-site accommodations) and broad access to company documents and meetings. The monitor should be knowledgeable about the regulatory aspects of the company's operations, but that is not necessarily a criterion for selection of the monitor. Indeed, a monitor can hire others to assist in his or her responsibilities at the company's expense. The monitor files periodic reports with the U.S. Attorney's Office and makes visits with that office as well as with the company. At the conclusion of a monitor's term – often 24-36 months – the monitor files a final report that details the activities accomplished and whether the company complied with all the terms of the agreement.\nMany DPAs/NPAs grant wide-ranging, and in some circumstances ill-defined, responsibilities and powers to the monitor. For example, in 2005, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey entered into a DPA with Bristol-Myers Squibb in connection with allegations regarding securities fraud. The monitor, former Judge Frederick Lacey, was given the power to \"take any steps he believes are necessary to comply with the terms of [the DPA].\" In another example, again in 2005, KPMG entered into a DPA related to charges of tax fraud. Here, the monitor was tasked with the responsibility of reviewing, monitoring and making recommendations concerning: compliance with the DPA; KPMG's Compliance and Ethics Program; personnel decisions regarding individuals who engaged in the illegal conduct; and various limitations placed on KPMG and its continued tax practice. To this end, the DPA stated that it was the intent that the monitor's jurisdiction, powers and oversight authority and duties be broadly construed. This is reflected in Paragraph 18(a) which states that \"KPMG shall adopt all recommendations submitted by the Monitor unless KPMG objects . . . and the [USAO] agrees . . .\" The monitor also has the \"authority to take . . . actions . . . necessary to effectuate . . . oversight and monitoring provisions.\" Furthermore, the terms of the KPMG DPA allow the monitor to recommend dismissal or other disciplinary action of any KPMG employee if that employee fails to cooperate.\nThe DPA entered into by the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (\"UMDNJ\") with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of New Jersey contains one of the most extensive grants of power to a monitor in a health care fraud case. This three year DPA was entered into in 2005 and specifically authorized the corporate monitor to:\n§ Conduct a nationwide search for a new General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer and provide options to the Board of Trustees;\n§ Perform a comprehensive review of all policies, procedures and report findings and recommendations to the Board of Trustees on a variety of issues (e.g., corporate structure, effectiveness of legal, finance, audit, compliance and audit functions, third party cost reporting and billing, relationship with faculty practice plan, and conflicts of interest);\n§ Review employment practices and make recommendations to the Board of Trustees on hiring and firings of senior management and legal, finance and compliance personnel; and\n§ Review and give approval to the hiring and firing of all outside counsel.\nThe three DPAs discussed above granted each monitor vast amounts of authority over defendant-companies. Although not all DPAs give monitors such authority, these three agreements are examples that highlight the need for further guidance as to how corporate monitors should exercise this broad contractual authority.\nII. PREVIOUS CALLS AND ATTEMPTS AT DEFINING THE CORPORATE MONITOR\nBoth the U.S. Congress and the DOJ have taken steps to implement reforms concerning monitors. On the Congressional side, in March 2008, the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law held hearings regarding the selection of corporate monitors and issues related to the terms that govern corporate monitors. In the Opening Statement to the hearing, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D – MI) stated that there are several reasons additional oversight is needed, including ensuring transparency and consistency, and perhaps most importantly, to eliminate any \"politicization\":\nOne such example of the potential for politicization has arisen in the agreement between Zimmer Holdings and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey, in which U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie chose his former supervisor, namely former Attorney General John Ashcroft, as the corporate monitor. Pursuant to this agreement, Zimmer Holdings has agreed to pay Mr. Ashcroft's firm anywhere from $28 to $52 million. Prior to Mr. Ashcroft's appointment, however, there was neither public notice of the monitor position nor any public bidding for the assignment.[12]\nDuring the 110th Congress, Congressman Pascrell (D – NJ), along with Congressmen Pallone (D – NJ), Sanchez (D – CA) and Conyers (D – MI), introduced H.R. 6492, entitled \"Accountability in Deferred Prosecution Act of 2008\", setting forth certain requirements regulating the process by which the DOJ allows U.S. Attorneys to engage in DPAs/NPAs with corporate offenders and award corporate monitoring contracts. The legislation was deferred in light of the DOJ's issuance of guidance. However, the House and Senate have tasked the Government Accountability Office (\"GAO\") to issue a report examining federal monitor provisions in pre-trial diversion agreements. At the time of this publication, this report has not yet been issued. According to the GAO, the Report may be released to the House Judiciary Committee in September 2009.\nFrom the administrative/executive side, immediately preceding the Congressional hearing discussed above, the Morford Memo outlined various principles to be considered by the DOJ when negotiating and finalizing monitor provisions. The principles discussed in the memorandum are as follows:\nSelection of Monitor\nBefore the monitor is selected, the corporation and Government are to \"discuss the necessary qualifications for a monitor based on the facts and circumstances of the case.\"\nThe monitor must be selected based on merits and the selection process should be designed to \"(1) select a highly qualified and respected person or entity based on suitability for the assignment and all of the circumstances; (2) avoid potential and actual conflicts of interests, and (3) otherwise instill public confidence . . . \"\nTo avoid conflicts of interests, this principle sets out that: (1) Government attorneys participating in the selection of a monitor must be mindful of the government's conflict-of-interest guidelines; (2) there should be a committee in the Department component or office where the case originated to consider monitor candidates; (3) the Office of the Deputy Attorney General must approve the monitor; (4) the Government should decline to accept a monitor if he or she has \"an interest in, or relationship with, the corporation or its employees, officers or directors that would cause a reasonable person to question the monitor's impartiality\" and (5) the \"Government should obtain a commitment from the corporation that it will not employ or be affiliated with the monitor for a period of not less than one year from the date the monitorship is terminated.\"\nScope of Duties\n\"A monitor [should be] an independent third-party, not an employee or agent of the corporation or of the Government.\"\nA monitor's primary responsibility should be to assess and monitor a corporation's compliance with the DPA and those provisions that are designed to address and reduce the risk of recurrence of the corporation's misconduct.\n\"[A] monitor will often need to understand the full scope of the corporation's misconduct covered by the agreement, but the monitor's responsibilities should be no broader than necessary to address and reduce the risk of recurrence of the corporation's misconduct.\"\n\"Communication among the Government, the corporation and the monitor is in the interest of all the parties . . . [and] it may be appropriate for the monitor to make periodic written reports to both the Government and the corporation.\"\nIf the corporation does not adopt recommendations made by the monitor within a reasonable time, either the monitor or the corporation, or both, should report that fact to the Government, along with the corporation's reasons. The Government may consider this conduct when evaluating whether the corporation has fulfilled its obligations under the agreement.\nThe DPA should \"clearly identify any types of previously undisclosed or new misconduct that the monitor will be required to report directly to the Government\" and that as to evidence of other such misconduct, \"the monitor will have the discretion to report this misconduct to the Government or the corporation or both.\"\n\"The duration of the agreement should be tailored to the problems that have been found to exist and the types of remedial measures needed for the monitor to satisfy his or her mandate.\"\n\"In most cases, [the DPA] should provide for an extension of the monitor provision(s) at the discretion of the Government in the event that the corporation has not successfully satisfied its obligations under the agreement. Conversely, in most cases, an agreement should provide for early termination if the corporation can demonstrate to the Government that there exists a change in circumstances sufficient to eliminate the need for a monitor.\"\nThe Morford Memo provides that the following criteria should be considered when determining the agreement's duration: \"(1) the nature and seriousness of the underlying misconduct; (2) the pervasiveness and duration of misconduct within the corporation . . .; (3) the corporation's history of similar misconduct; (4) the nature of the corporate culture; (5) the scale and complexity of any remedial measures contemplated by the agreement . . .; and (6) the stage of design and implementation of remedial measures when the monitorship commences.\"\nFlexibility of Monitor's Term\nThe Morford Memo recommends flexibility in the monitor's term to allow, at the Government's discretion, both an extension of the monitor's term in the event that the company has not satisfied its obligations under the agreement, as well as early termination of the monitor if there exists a change in circumstances sufficient to eliminate the need for a monitor. We believe that this type of contractual flexibility may only work in favor for the Government. This is because the parties could agree to a reduced time period, then the agreement could then be amended – e.g., abandonment of the product line, etc. but there needs to be a firm and specific deadline for these agreements. Otherwise the government threat of prosecution has no end. If the government is not \"satisfied\" that the company has met its DPA/NPA obligations, the agreements provide for a breach and procedures related to that. Recognizing that a breach may require a higher standard of non-compliance, the U.S. Attorney has several opportunities throughout the term of the agreement to make it known that he or she may not be fully satisfied with the company's performance even in the absence of conduct that could constitute a breach.\nIII. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AREAS REQUIRING FURTHER GUIDANCE\nAs a threshold issue, DPAs/NPAs raise a number of questions about procedural fairness and the criminal justice system. However, they remain a tool used by some U.S. Attorney's Offices. Consequently, DPAs/NPAs, if used, should be drafted carefully to reduce the need for interpretation. They should clearly define the roles of the parties, expectations regarding privilege, termination date of the agreement, and shareholder liability issues. Yet, a carefully drafted DPA/NPA may not eliminate the need for further guidance implemented either by Congress and/or by the DOJ. The guidance discussed below could ensure, as justice requires, the appropriate balance between serving the public interest and the need for the appropriate punishment, while respecting the rights of individuals and companies to appropriate due process.\nOne of the many guidelines that emerged from the Morford Memo was the requirement that a monitor be approved by the Office of the Deputy Attorney General. This is an important step in defining the scope of a monitor's role and power because it provides an additional level of accountability within the DOJ. For purposes of due process protections, there may need to be a greater role for the judiciary in DPAs/NPAs in an attempt to separate the function of prosecutor and judge when it comes to compliance. For example, if a monitor's recommendation is declined, many current DPAs/NPAs, as well as the Morford Memo, set forth that the company can \"appeal\" this recommendation to the U.S. Attorneys Office. However, given that the U.S. Attorney is serving as both the \"judge\" as well as prosecutor, it seems inevitable that failure to follow a recommendation of the monitor could be construed by the U.S. Attorney as non-cooperation and potentially a breach of the DPA/NPA. Should the judiciary play a greater role to help as a check and balance in \"monitoring the monitors\"? Can the judiciary play such a role?.\nFor example, the Boeing DPA has a provision that requires a judge to settle questions regarding breach. Could or should this provision be negotiated or required by the DOJ through additional guidance or by legislation? In the absence of charges being brought, what would be the nexus with the judiciary? This key provision would allow the judge to use a monitor's advice and guidance in determining whether a breach has occurred, and would emphasize the unbiased role of the monitor in reforming the defendant-company. A possible guidance could be provisions that grant the judiciary greater monitoring responsibilities over monitors that have more power to manage the company (e.g., BMS DPA), while leaving the DOJ with greater oversight over monitors that are more comparable to advisors (e.g., Computer Associates DPA).\nAlthough the Morford Memo references the issue of conflicts of interest that may arise in connection with the selection of a monitor and the monitor's relationship with the corporation, a number of conflicts of interest questions remain unanswered. For example, should an attorney, who is a monitor for one company, also defend another company before the same U.S. Attorney's Office during the monitoring period? If the answer to that question is no, then does this conflict apply not only to the individual person serving as the monitor, but also to the attorney's entire law firm? There should be a more detailed set of rules governing conflicts for corporate monitors similar to the development of conflict of interest rules related to attorneys in private practice, government attorneys, and judges.\nA related issue involves providing guidelines to the monitors, themselves. Currently, for example, no guidance exists – expect in very broad terms – explaining the content that should be included in a monitor's final report. This lack of guidance could leave monitors defenseless if shareholders of the defendant-company hold them liable for misstatements made in their reports or in their actions as monitors.\nEnsuring the Expertise and Consistency of Corporate Monitors\nWhile there obviously is need for flexibility in determining who should serve as a monitor based upon the industry and the extent of the monitor's responsibilities, more detailed guidelines should be established about the minimum level of expertise a monitor must possess. Also, a central clearinghouse for monitor related activities might help as an informal exchange of information among monitors to take advantage of the knowledge of monitors, themselves, in developing consistency in approach and in encouraging best practices. It could serve as an informal way to achieve some type of standardization or consistency of treatment and activities across multiple monitors.\nRegulating Fees\nWith respect to fees, while there may be variations in the agreements as to the resources required due to the responsibilities imposed on the monitors and the size of the organization, some standards should be established as to the reasonableness of fees and expenses imposed by monitors on the defendant-companies.\nCoordinating Corporate Integrity Agreements & Deferred Prosecution Agreements\nTo the extent a company also will be subject to other corporate integrity obligations – such as a Corporate Integrity Agreement (\"CIA\") with the DHHS Office of the Inspector General – these multiple agreements should be considered in their totality in light of their respective terms and any potential redundancies. For example, both the Zimmer DPA and CIA were signed on September 27, 2007, although some of the CIA provisions, like independent reviews, do not begin until after the DPA monitor term is completed. If the monitor finds the company compliant for the initial periods, then perhaps the CIA obligations should be modified (e.g. time period shortened, IRO review reduced), especially since the monitor's involvement with the company is significantly more involved than under a CIA. Also, the procedures established to the satisfaction of the monitor should be sufficient for integrity obligations in the CIA covering the same or similar topics.\nPre-trial diversion agreements are a relatively new method for addressing corporate non-compliant conduct. Both the enforcement agencies and the corporate defense bar benefited from the DOJ guidance issued in 2008. However, important questions remain unanswered, and all would benefit from further guidance.\n[1] Lawrence D. Finder & Ryan D. McConnell, Annual Corporate Pre-Trial Agreement Update – 2007, 22nd National Institute on White Collar Crime (March 2008), available at http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1080263.\n[2] Lawrence D. Finder & Ryan D. McConnell, Betting the Corporation: Compliance or Defiance? Compliance Programs in the Context of Deferred and Non-Prosecution Agreements – Corporate Pre-Trial Agreement Update – 2008, (forthcoming 2009 in the Corp. Counsel Rev. - Published by S. Tex. College of Law, Volume XXVIII, No.1) available at http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1332033.\n[3] For ease of reference, the authors refer in this article to pre-trial diversion agreements collectively as \"DPAs/NPAs\" or in the singular as \"DPA/NPA\".\n[4] DPAs/NPAs use a variety of terms to describe the role referred to in this article as \"monitor\" or \"corporate monitor\" (e.g., advisor, independent monitor, and examiner).\n[5] Lawrence D. Finder & Ryan D. McConnell, Betting the Corporation: Compliance or Defiance? Compliance Programs in the Context of Deferred and Non-Prosecution Agreements – Corporate Pre-Trial Agreement Update – 2008, (forthcoming 2009 in the Corp. Counsel Rev. - Published by S. Tex. College of Law, Volume XXVIII, No.1) available at http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1332033 at 11.\n[6] Available at http://www.usdoj.gov/dag/morford-useofmonitorsmemo-03072008.pdf\n[7] Memorandum from Mark Filip, Deputy Attorney General, to Holders of the U.S. Attorneys Manual (May 14, 2008); Remarks as Delivered by Deputy Attorney General Mark R. Filip at American Bar Association Securities Fraud Conference (Oct. 2, 2008) available at http://www.justice.gov/archive/dag/speeches/2008/dag-speech-0810022.html.\n[8] U.S. Sentencing Guidelines Manual § 8D1.1(a)(3).\n[9] Id. at § 8D1.4(c)(4).\n[10] Memorandum from Larry D. Thompson, Deputy Attorney General, to the Heads of Dep't Components, U.S. Attorneys, Section VI (B) (Jan. 20, 2003).\n[11] See http://www.law.virginia.edu/html/librarysite/garrett_bycompany.htm (follow Bristol-Myers link). This library collection contains scanned links to pre-trial diversion agreements. Created by Professors Brandon Garrett and Jon Ashley of the University of Virginia Law School, the library is an excellent resource for research about DPAs/NPAs. It provides links to every agreement referenced in this article.\n[12] See http://judiciary.house.gov/hearings/pdf/0311082opening.pdf\nRelated File\nPDFArtic.pdf\nEpstein Becker & Green P.C.\nAssignments for the Benefit of Creditors - A Bankruptcy Alternative\nLive Webinar — January 20, 2021\nPersuasion and Negotiation for Professional Collectors\nLive Webinar — February 9, 2021\nMortgage Foreclosures - A New World After the Moratoriums End\nLive Webinar — February 19, 2021\nView More Training Programs »\nCFPB Proposes Rule to Increase Efficiency of Privacy Disclosures\nBasel III Implementation in the U.S.\nCustomer Complaint Resolution\nView More Articles »\nPrint ArticleBack to Articles\nOnline Learning Login\n© 2021 BankerResource.com, owned and operated by Lorman Business Center, LLC","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1896345"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9572292566299438,"wiki_prob":0.9572292566299438,"text":"Lolo Jones back in bobsledding, seeks elusive Olympic medal\nby: TIM REYNOLDS, Associated Press\nFILE – In this Sunday, Feb. 16, 2014, file photo, breakman Lolo Jones, of the United States, prepares for a training session with her teammate Jazmine Fenlator for the women’s bobsleigh at the 2014 Winter Olympics, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia. Jones hasn’t returned to China since 2008, since one bad step in what was then the biggest race of her life cost her an Olympic gold medal. Her stance might change in 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn, File)\nLolo Jones hasn’t returned to China since 2008, since one bad step in what was then the biggest race of her life cost her an Olympic gold medal.\nShe’s never wanted to go back.\nHer stance might change in 2022.\nJones — the longtime U.S. hurdles star who decided to add sliding to her resume a few years ago — is back with USA Bobsled, making this season’s 10-woman national team as a push athlete. That puts her squarely in the mix for the next Olympics, which just happen to be in Beijing, the city where that misstep in the 100-meter hurdle final happened 12 years ago.\nHow perfect.\n“I would love to have the biggest failure of my life turned into the biggest success, and I would love for people to be encouraged by that persistence, determination, all these cliche things that Olympians say,” Jones told The Associated Press.\n“And so, can I make it happen? I don’t know, but we are in the home stretch. We’re in the last part of this long, long race and I’m going to do my hardest to return to Beijing, the place that has hurt my career the most and turn it around.”\nIt’s not a farfetched plan. In her most recent four World Cup appearances — in fairness, the last of those was nearly three years ago — she helped the U.S. win a medal, two of them gold.\nJones went to the Olympics for track in 2008 and again at London in 2012, then made the bobsled Olympic team for the Sochi Games in 2014. She withdrew from the 2016 U.S. Olympic track trials while recovering from hip surgery and wasn’t picked for the 2018 Olympic bobsled team. She was training for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which have been delayed a year because of the coronavirus pandemic.\nSo, she’s back in bobsled. And at 38, she knows that Olympic window is closing.\n“I would say she really has a real chance,” USA Bobsled and Skeleton CEO Aron McGuire said. “She knows what it takes for her specifically but she knows what it takes generally to be at a point where she is one of the top athletes in the world in whatever she is doing, whether it’s hurdling or pushing a bobsled. And she has that drive. She has that commitment to it and that passion that will certainly put her in a position to be one of the top athletes push athletes if that’s what she puts her mind to.”\nMcGuire was in the stands that day in Beijing in 2008. He was working for USA Track and Field at the time and saw her run clear from the rest of the field before hitting the next-to-last hurdle in the gold-medal race. She stumbled, lost all her momentum and crossed the line in seventh.\n“The ironic thing is that she was covering more distance between hurdles than she normally does because her velocity was so high,” McGuire said. “It’s a crazy thing. She was closer to the hurdles than normal because of that velocity. Had she been going just a little slower, she would have won that race.”\nThere is no such thing as too much velocity in bobsled. Her job: be in perfect harmony with the driver for about 45 yards of a dead sprint at the start, pushing the sled down the top of the chute as quickly and forcefully as possible, then hop aboard and let the driver do the rest.\nJones thought she was done with bobsledding after not making the 2018 Olympic team. Then Kaillie Humphries — the two-time Olympic champion, three-time Olympic medalist and reigning world champion — sent her a direct message on social media about returning to the U.S. team.\n“Slid into my DMs,” Jones said.\nBefore long, Jones was sliding again.\nJones was just in Lake Placid, New York — USA Bobsled’s training base — for about a month to prepare for team trials and selection races. That came after she completed filming for a reality show for MTV, and she wasn’t anywhere near as heavy as she would prefer to be for bobsledding. Her ideal weight for track is around 135 pounds; for bobsledding, it can reach 165. But she made the team anyway, opening the door for possibly a fourth Olympic berth.\nThat, of course, would mean a return to Beijing. It won’t be easy. There’s races to get through, other hopefuls to beat out and a selection committee to impress, but she’s got a chance and sees the obvious symmetry.\nBeijing is where it all went wrong. It could now be where she finally gets that long-awaited medal.\n“How can it be a coincidence?” Jones said. “But what’s more important for me, and it’s always been very important, is facing my fears. And in 2008, I was winning that race, and I hit a hurdle and it costs me Olympic gold. Nothing would mean more to me than to face my fears of 12 years of being ridiculed for not getting an Olympic medal, to going back to the same place where everybody said I blew it, everybody called me a failure all these years, and being successful.”","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1068729"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8785369396209717,"wiki_prob":0.8785369396209717,"text":"The Rian Johnson News\nIt’s crazy the difference five years makes.\nOn October 30th 2012, the news that Disney had purchased Star Wars and intended to produce a new trilogy dominated news cycles. Now, just two films later, the news that Rian Johnson has free rein to helm a trilogy of his own barely gets a look in (although, to be fair, Western democracy has steadily collapsed in the meantime).\nBut it’s still big news for Star Wars fans all the same.\nBack in 2012 when the Sequel Trilogy was announced I was one of a few voices calling for a new story removed from the Skywalkers. It was a point-of-view sadly vindicated by the way JJ Abrams so badly mishandled the legacy characters in The Force Awakens.\nIt’s the lack of foundation that makes the idea of Rian Johnson’s trilogy so appealing – the idea of seeing something creative and new against the backdrop we know and love so much. It’s the reason why Rogue One worked so well, and something I’m keen to see more of – so Johnson has that on his side from the start.\nBut do we have any idea what he’s going to do yet? The answer is, unfortunately, a resounding no. It’s hard to imagine a Star Wars film set around the Empire with absolutely no reference to the Skywalkers – but then, by referring to the films as taking place in their own corner of the universe, we could be dealing with a story set anywhere from the unknown regions to a different time period altogether.\nIt is potentially interesting that in his own statement Johnson expressed excitement for continuing the work he’s started. Whether that means continuing to develop the mythos of the Jedi Order or simply continuing to work on the Star Wars franchise, we’ll have to wait to find out.\nSpeaking of which – it’s now just over a month until The Last Jedi, Johnson’s first Star Wars film hits release, and last week Lucasfilm dropped the first TV spot…\nI don’t know about you, but seeing Luke back in the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon sure stirred up some emotions.\nThe timing of this week’s announcement couldn’t be more perfect as the hype starts to build for The Last Jedi. Lest we forget the cruel lesson of two years ago, before Johnson gets a whole trilogy right he still needs to show his skills with a single film.\nThe wait goes on!\nTagsRian Johnson The Last Jedi","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line97057"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6060688495635986,"wiki_prob":0.6060688495635986,"text":"Stop-and-frisk Failed in NY, But Trump Wants to Use It In Chicago\nProtesters demonstrate against the NYPD’s “Stop And Frisk” policy. (Thomas Good)\nPresident Donald Trump is a racist and he’s ignorant. And since he also has the powers of the United States government at his fingertips, that makes him a very dangerous individual. And this leads me to his latest bone-headed suggestion. Trump sees stop-and-frisk, a New York City policy that allowed police to detain and search individuals at random, as the solution to Chicago’s gun violence problem.\nLike many Trump policies, this is a decision based on gut instinct. He thinks it’s going to succeed, but there is no basis for this. During a 2016 presidential debate, Trump said, “Rudy Giuliani did a great job as mayor and they really straightened things out with stop-and-frisk, and it was used further by the next mayor, Bloomberg, and now they, you know, recently — not so recently but fairly recently — they stopped it. But stop-and-frisk worked.”\nThere are two major lies in that statement. Firstly, Giuliani didn’t do a great job as mayor. His police force was known for committing human rights abuses against ethnic minorities. It got so bad that Human Rights Watch produced several damning reports against the NYPD. Giuliani’s reign was only saved by 9/11, which made him look heroic. According to a Washington Post article, although Giuliani claimed that his tactics led to a drop in crime, statistics show that crime rates fell nationally during the same period.\nSecondly, stop-and-frisk did not work. The only thing it succeeded in doing is harassing black and Latino men. According to an extensive study of stop-and-frisk data by the New York ACLU, the program largely failed to discover crime.\nIn 2002, police stopped New Yorkers 7,296 times. However, 82 percent were innocent. The ACLU study also showed that stop-and-frisk did target black and Latino people. 2003 data showed that 54 percent of the people stopped were black and 31 percent were Latino.\nNow people like Trump and FOX News alt-right poster boy Tucker Carlson would argue that’s because blacks and Latinos commit more crimes, but that’s a simplistic view. If you’re going to arrest Pookie for selling drugs, what about the people who buy his product? Aren’t they criminals too? Pookie sells drugs because there is a demand for the product. And if Pookie is carrying a gun, what about the supply chain that provided him the gun? This is one of the main problems in Chicago because while the city has strict anti-gun laws, the surrounding states don’t. Combine that with poverty, high unemployment and family breakdown and you have a recipe for disaster.\nAnother problem with the stop-and-frisk policy is that it lets many criminals go. Since it targeted blacks and Latinos, white criminals were largely ignored, even though they were more likely to be carrying drugs and guns. According to a 2013 report released by New York Mayor Bill De Blasio, white people who were stopped were more likely to be carrying illegal items.\nThe report stated, “The likelihood a stop of an African American New Yorker yielded a weapon was half that of white New Yorkers stopped. The NYPD uncovered a weapon in one out of every 49 stops of white New Yorkers. By contrast, it took the Department 71 stops of Latinos and 93 stops of African Americans to find a weapon.”\nIf the New York police really wanted to accurately target crime, they’d stop more white people, but we all know that’s not going to happen. Also, if you really wanted to crack down on drug use, police would set up checkpoints at colleges and start shaking down white coeds. But if that happened, I’m sure police commanders would get angry phone calls from college presidents and parents.\nNormally, I would say Trump’s suggestion of restarting stop-and-frisk would generate eye rolls from his aides. But Attorney General Jeff Sessions said he wants to reactivate the disastrous War on Drugs.\n“The War on Drugs has been an abject failure,” said former CIA officer John Kiriakou. “It specifically targets minority communities”\nAs President Barack Obama said, “Elections have consequences.”\nCollective Action: A View from the 2019 Chicago Teachers’ Union Strike\nKnowles Teacher Initiative","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1431226"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.741341769695282,"wiki_prob":0.741341769695282,"text":"Ellis Island National Immigration Museum\nEllis Island, New York City, United States of America\nEllis Island is open every day except December 25. To enjoy both Ellis and Liberty Islands with ample time, plan to be on a Statue Cruises Ferry that departs from Battery Park or Liberty State Park before 1:00 P.M.\nMuseum of Jewish Heritage - A Living Memorial to the Holocaust\nJersey City Museum\nStatue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island Immigration Museum\nNational Museum of the American Indian; Smithsonian Institution\nHow far would you travel to find a better life? What if the journey took weeks under difficult conditions? If you answered \"Whatever it takes,\" you echo the feelings of the 12 million immigrants who passed through these now quiet halls from 1892 to 1954. Ellis Island afforded them the opportunity to attain the American dream for themselves and their descendants. Come hear their stories.\nFrom 1892 to 1954, Ellis Island was the United State's largest and most active immigration station, where 12 million immigrants were processed. On average, the inspection process took approximately 3-7 hours. For the vast majority of immigrants, Ellis Island truly was an \"Island of Hope\" - the first stop on their way to new opportunities and experiences in the United States. For the rest, it became the \"Island of Tears\" - a place where families were separated and individuals were denied entry into this country.\nMeet some of the \"PEOPLE\" who helped to make up the story of Ellis Island such as the workers who kept Ellis Island running, and helped immigrants make their way into America.\nThe \"PLACES\" in Ellis Island's timeline show us how people have utilized this speck of land in New York Harbor for hundreds of years.\nThe \"STORIES\" of Ellis Island's 'unsung' immigrants speak to all of us. Read some of these stories here.\nOur extensive \"COLLECTIONS\" help us learn about the histories of both Ellis and Liberty Islands through tangible objects.\nThere is no entrance fee. However, this national park is located on two islands which are accessible by ferry only via Statue Cruises. Buy your tickets in advance.\nRegional Museum of Herceg-Novi\nArt Gallery \"Josip Bepo Benković\"\nMuzejska poletna noč v MNZC\nKaj je galerija?\nIk- Kostumske skice\nMuseum of Fine Arts Ghent","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1074199"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5527725219726562,"wiki_prob":0.5527725219726562,"text":"By Talksuicide 23rd September 2020 No Comments\nA Scunthorpe manufacturer is encouraging other businesses in the town to offer suicide prevention training to staff, as part of a region-wide campaign led by local NHS and council organisations.\nThe #TalkSuicide campaign encourages people to complete a FREE 20-minute suicide prevention training programme, which is available at www.talksuicide.co.uk.\nThe campaign is led by the Humber, Coast and Vale Health and Care Partnership – whose member organisations include North Lincolnshire Council, North Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group, Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust and Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust.\nSteel door and security solution provider Bradbury Group, which employs more than 200 people at its production facility in Scunthorpe, became ambassadors for the #TalkSuicide campaign last year when they encouraged their staff to complete the suicide prevention training.\nEmployees were encouraged to use computers at work to complete the training during their breaks or once they had finished work, while the training was also promoted to colleagues during meetings. A short video has been created to capture Bradbury Group employees’ experiences of completing the training.\nPatsy Payling, Operations Director, said: “We have a lot of men that work for us so we wanted them to know it’s okay to feel this way, we wanted to make them aware of what they can do to help a colleague if they see something wrong in the workplace because men don’t always talk about how they are feeling.\n“Everyone who completed the training got some form of benefit, without a doubt. I took the training as I wanted to lead by example. I found the training to be really informative, with scenarios you could understand and relate to.”\nKatie Harrison, Senior Marketing Executive, said: “The training taught me the importance of making sure that the people you work with and your friends and family are okay and to regularly check in with them. Whether they are showing signs or not, you don’t know what people are going through and it’s important to be there and always be open to having a conversation with someone.\n“I definitely think other companies should roll it out to their staff. I think it’s important for everyone to learn about mental health and how people can deal with this issue. So many people go through mental health problems now and we don’t want to get to the point where it’s becoming more and more common but people still don’t understand what they can do to help.”\nAccording to the Office for National Statistics, there were 5,691 suicides registered in England and Wales in 2019 – which amounts to around one death by suicide every 90 minutes. A survey carried out by mental health charity Mind indicates that one in six employees has experienced depression, anxiety or unmanageable stress in the workplace.\nJo Kent, Suicide Prevention Lead for the Humber, Coast and Vale Health and Care Partnership, said: “I want to thank every member of staff at Bradbury Group who took 20 minutes out of their day to complete the suicide prevention training. In Humber, Coast and Vale we are working collaboratively with a number of organisations, including local businesses, to prevent suicides from happening in our communities.\nAre you an employer wanting to offer suicide prevention training to your staff? Request your FREE training pack at www.talksuicide.co.uk/employers\nPrevious PostNew online support service launched across Humber, Coast and Vale to help men with their mental health\nNext PostDawn encourages Scarborough companies to offer suicide prevention training to staff","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line690486"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6036549210548401,"wiki_prob":0.3963450789451599,"text":"Home » Headlines » Measles cases in the US rise, FDA statement on MMR vaccine\nMeasles cases in the US rise, FDA statement on MMR vaccine\nThrough April 19 this year, 626 measles cases have been confirmed in 22 states, an increase of 71 cases in the past week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).\nThe CDC notes, this is the second-greatest number of cases reported in the U.S. since measles was eliminated in 2000, second only to the 667 cases reported during all of 2014. In the coming weeks, 2019 confirmed case numbers will likely surpass 2014 levels.\nIn a statement from Peter Marks, MD, PhD, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research today, it states:\nThe measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine has been approved in the United States for nearly 50 years to prevent measles, mumps and rubella (also known as German Measles). As a result of its use, measles and rubella were completely eradicated in the United States, and mumps cases decreased by 99%.\nLarge well-designed studies have confirmed the safety and effectiveness of the MMR vaccine and have demonstrated that administration of the vaccine is not associated with the development of autism. However we’re seeing an increasing number of outbreaks of measles in communities across the country, including those in New York, New Jersey, Washington, California, and Michigan.\n5 Vaccine preventable diseases in the US: Then and now\nWe cannot state strongly enough – the overwhelming scientific evidence shows that vaccines are among the most effective and safest interventions to both prevent individual illness and protect public health.\nVaccinating against measles, mumps and rubella not only protects us and our children, it protects people who can’t be vaccinated, including children with compromised immune systems due to illness and its treatment, such as cancer.\nWe do not take lightly our responsibility to ensure the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, and work diligently to assess safety and effectiveness of all licensed vaccines for their intended uses. The MMR vaccine is very effective at protecting people against measles, mumps, and rubella. It also prevents complications caused by these diseases. And we have nearly 50 years of experience and evidence supporting that fact. In fact, according to the CDC, two doses of the MMR vaccine beginning at 12 months of age (the recommended dosing schedule) are 97% effective against measles, 88% effective against mumps, and 97% effective for rubella.\nUkraine closes in on 40,000 measles cases\nTennessee reports 1st measles case of 2019\nGlobal measles up 300 percent in 2019\nMeasles reported in the city of Detroit as Michigan total rises\nNYC measles outbreak tops 300 cases, Lawsuits over mandatory vaccinations\nConnecticut reports 3rd measles of the year, linked to Brooklyn outbreak","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1004575"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6505661606788635,"wiki_prob":0.6505661606788635,"text":"Home/Others/Products Reviews/“New York City” Is The Most Populous City In The United States\n“New York City” Is The Most Populous City In The United States\nNew York city or the city of New York only to distinguish it from New York state. New York city locates in the Southeastern of New York state at the mouth of Hudson river. It consists of five boroughs (Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, Manhattan and The Bronx), each one of these is a country in the New York state. It is the most populous major city in the United States. Its weather, it is humid subtropical climate as hot humid summers, unpredictable spring and autumn conditions with cold damp winters.\nThere are many remarkable landmarks in New York city such as : The Statue Of Liberty, Central Park and The Times Square. Manhattan is considered to be the home of the tallest buildings in the world including The Empire State Building and Chrysler Building. Many universities and colleges are located in New York such as Rockefeller University, Colombia University and New York University. The financial district in Lower Manhattan in New York City, has been called the leading financial center of the world and the home to New York stock exchange. It has been listed as the world’s largest stock exchange by total market capitalization.\nNew York City Court\nNew York City Train Station\nNew York is the cultural capital of the world as it has been described, it has a major impact upon many trends as fashion, media, entertainment and art throughout the world.\nTop 30 Multifunctional Watches & Their uses\nDo You Know How to Create a Wedding Website?\nWe Purchased Imagic Photo Enhancer and Here Our Final Review\nHannah Montana Is An American Teenager Who Made A Boom In The World Of Children\n9 Benefits Of Reading To Know Why You Should Read Everyday\n“Mark Zuckerberg” The Chairman Of Facebook Inc\nThe Neptune Project: Ambitious Step to Eliminate Single-Use Plastics\nMy Review of My Funnel Empire Marketing Product [PERSONAL Review]\nJVS to Establish Successful & Profitable Relationships with Top Partners\nBasic Information And Facts About The Sun\nMy Fix Redirect Virus Software Review – How Long Would You Suffer!","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line659597"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.841431736946106,"wiki_prob":0.841431736946106,"text":"Bell at the White House\nBy Stewart M. Powell\nRobert G. Bell often admires a dramatic White House photo of space shuttle Discovery blasting off and soaring heavenward with astronaut John Glenn on board. The special assistant to the President for national security affairs sees Discovery’s ascent as a vivid symbol of triumph in space-the antithesis of the haunting image of the 1986 explosion of Challenger.\n“We’re so used to seeing that footage of the Challenger’s contrail, with the parts breaking off,” said Bell. “Perhaps this [image of Discovery] will help replace that.”\nBell, a former Air Force officer and a leading civilian defense analyst, has more than a sentimental interest in space, of course. He has begun casting his own gaze more and more toward the politically charged, technologically complex effort to defend the interests of the United States in space in coming years.\nFrom his elegant suite in the Old Executive Office Building adjacent to the White House, Bell handles a variety of duties for the National Security Council. Military personnel policies, nominations, base closings, and weapon acquisition issues land on his desk. He manages nominations for the Medal of Honor.\nBell for years had monitored Iraqi compliance or noncompliance with UN­mandated inspections to thwart Saddam Hussein’s reconstitution of weapons of mass destruction and the missiles to deliver them. He tracks North Korea’s launches of its 3,300-mile-range Taepo Dong 2 missile. He works with Russia’s government to try to bring about ratification of the long-delayed START II agreement.\nFor Bell, though, the subject of space is big and getting bigger-especially when it comes to controversial issues of providing for protection of US interests in space and denying space access to adversaries. Both the White House and members of Congress look to Bell to serve as a pragmatic mediator on one of the most important, rapidly evolving national security challenges facing the nation.\n“The debates have become much more partisan, and the choices tend to be articulated in much more extreme black or white terms than I think the truth supports,” Bell said. “Usually the decisions are quite tough and there is merit on both sides. The challenge is to get it right in a way that balances competing interests.”\nThe challenges are all the greater because the stakes are so great.\nThe world’s spacefaring nations, led by the United States, are dispatching more and more commercial and military capabilities into orbit. Today, some 30 nations operate roughly 550 satellites in Earth orbit. Another 1,000 to 1,500 satellites-worth $500 billion-are expected to go into orbit over the next five years.\nA space industry study anticipates that worldwide revenues from space will reach $121 billion by 2000-a 57 percent increase over the $77 billion reaped in 1996. Step-by-step construction of the multibillion dollar International Space Station will only underscore nations’ growing reliance on space.\nThe effort produces unquestioned benefits, but the benefits bring potential vulnerabilities. Millions of Americans witnessed the dependence and vulnerability firsthand on May 19, 1998, when a single Galaxy IV commercial communications satellite malfunctioned as it orbited 22,500 miles over Kansas. The mishap disrupted communications with 35 million personal pagers and thousands of enterprises for hours before ground stations overcame the internal technical problem.\nThe episode drove home a point articulated barely a month earlier by Air Force Gen. Howell M. Estes III, the commander in chief of US Space Command. In his landmark space development plan for US Space Command, Estes said that, by 2005, the United States will need to add “space” to a list of “vital national interests” alongside Europe, the Persian Gulf, and the like. “Our nation’s increasing dependence upon space capabilities … produces a related vulnerability that will not go unnoticed by adversaries,” Estes cautioned.\nYet critics contend that US preparations for defense of space have lagged. While the Clinton Administration is publicly committed to the concept of space control to enable the United States and its allies to reach space and operate freely there, the critics argue that in reality US military forces do not at this time have any recognizable capability to back up the concept.\n“Clearly Established”\nA number of policies, treaties, and agreements restrict military operations in space, and the military has no charter to conduct offensive operations, if necessary, in defense of space.\nBell disputes critics of the Administration that he serves. “The requirement for space control capabilities has been clearly established at the highest levels of the US government,” he told the Air Force Association’s National Convention last September. The Clinton Administration approved a national space policy in 1996 that commits the United States to maintaining American leadership in space, Bell emphasized.\n“Central to this leadership role is ensuring our ability to exploit space and, if required, to prevent adversaries from using space for purposes hostile to American national security interests,” Bell added. “Our space policy requirements include deterring threats to our interests in space and defeating hostile efforts against US space assets, if deterrence fails. We believe we have programs and capabilities in place or under development to support these policy objectives.”\nFor much of the past two years, however, White House officials and key Republicans in Congress have struggled over the entwined issues of space control and space-based missile defense. The effort to forge a consensus for US defenses in space already has spanned a generation-dating back to the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in 1972 and the subsequent political furor over President Ronald Reagan’s ambitious Strategic Defense Initiative. Some liken the effort to the years after World War II when it took painful trial and error before the Truman Administration and Republican Congress settled on a policy of containment to check Soviet expansion.\nBell concedes that it has been a tough balancing act for Clinton officials to, on one hand, allay Congressional concerns over White House priorities with fresh initiatives to protect US interests in space while, on the other hand, reassure the Kremlin that the United States is not taking steps to prepare for pre-emptive attacks with space-based systems.\nFor example, the Administration throughout 1997 negotiated an agreement with Russia that cleared the way for US testing of theater missile defenses in ways both sides agreed would not run afoul of the 1972 ABM Treaty. The two sides signed a formal accord in September 1997 specifying details of a so-called “demarcation” agreement. It set out specific ways in which the two sides could differentiate between theater and national missile defense activities.\nThen, within weeks, Russian leader Boris Yeltsin greatly complicated Clinton’s dealings with Congress by proposing a change in US­Russian relations that would go to the heart of the space control issue. Yeltsin called on Clinton to commit the United States in a follow-up agreement to a formal ban on Anti-Satellite weapons.\nThough Clinton had made an earlier commitment to develop viable options for space control, defense-minded Republicans in Congress suspected that he might prove vulnerable to Kremlin appeals and renege on his commitment.\nRepublican lawmakers quickly spied what they viewed as solid evidence of backtracking by Clinton. They saw Clinton use his line-item veto to eliminate Fiscal 1998 funding for three space control­related programs of great importance to them. Clinton struck out $37.5 million earmarked to develop and demonstrate feasibility of a defensive, ground-based Kinetic Energy Anti-Satellite (KE-ASAT) weapon system. He cut $30 million for the Clementine 2 program to track and intercept asteroids. Finally, he vetoed $10 million for the study of a spaceplane being developed by the Air Force.\nThe Clinton Administration expressed confidence that the United States could defeat any adversary’s use of satellites during a conflict through US dominance of electronic warfare to interfere with the adversary’s communications with its satellites.\n“We need to not be victim to ‘old think,’ ” said Bell. “The old think Cold War mentality was that we envisioned space control as ASAT, and we equated ASAT with a dedicated system that went up and destroyed something.” Bell emphasized that “revolutionary advances in technology, particularly in the area of information operations, are so phenomenal that … we just need to widen our horizon” beyond reliance on ASAT systems to protect US interests in space.\nIn a speech to the United States Space Foundation last year, Bell stated, “There are a range of alternatives being explored or under consideration … and that are fielded and available, including options for destroying or jamming the links between an adversary’s satellite and the Earth. If we were in classified session I could say more, but I can’t.”\nHowever, Clinton’s use of the veto to target space-oriented technology fanned GOP concerns that the President was backing away from commitments to pursue technology development to give the United States the option of developing weapons capable of controlling the high ground of space.\nAs Frank J. Gaffney Jr., an ardent Administration critic and head of the conservative Center for Security Policy, put it: “The White House has showcased its belief that arms control agreements can protect American spacecraft.”\nClinton’s vetoes drew a powerful response. In January 1998, 43 retired senior military leaders sent Clinton an open letter that expressed their deepening concern about the course of events regarding space. Signatories included Gen. Thomas S. Moorman Jr., former Air Force vice chief of staff; Air Force Gens. Charles A. Horner and John L. Piotrowski, former commanders in chief, US Space Command; Gen. Russell E. Dougherty, former commander of Strategic Air Command; Air Force Gen. John A. Shaud, former chief of staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe; Air Force Lt. Gen. James A. Abrahamson, former director of the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization; and Army Lt. Gen. Malcolm R. O’Neill, former director of the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization.\nThese military leaders warned that few challenges posed “a greater danger to our future security posture than that of adversaries seeking to make hostile use of space or to deny us the ability to dominate that theater of operations.” Operation Desert Storm showed the stakes with space control, they said, adding: “What was true in 1991 will be even more so in the years ahead.”\nConcerns mounted on Capitol Hill as Clinton headed to a Moscow summit with Yeltsin in September 1998 amid reports that the US was prepared to finalize a secretly negotiated deal with Russia that would ban anti-satellite weapons.\nSecretary of Defense William S. Cohen attempted to reassure lawmakers.\n“Our approach does not constrain the US right to counter [threatening] space systems that are being used for purposes hostile to US national security interests,” Cohen declared. “Our intention is that these discussions [with Russian officials] not lead to arrangements that would impede US capabilities we determine are necessary for space control.”\nThe reported deal never materialized. But the claim of a secret deal only lent new impetus to the dispute between Democrats and Republicans over US preparedness in space. Both the White House and Republicans in Congress turned to Bell, a veteran defense analyst with a penchant for finding what he likes to call “ground truth” in any policy dispute.\nBell helped forge a compromise over US spending on space control to allay Congressional concerns. The deal led to passage of the most recent piece of defense legislation. The White House promised to “examine potential space control­related research, development, and acquisition options.”\nFor their part, Republican lawmakers agreed to give the Clinton Administration more leeway in pursuing this goal. Congress called for the Administration to submit a blueprint to Congressional defense committees early this year.\nMoreover, Congress ordered the Pentagon to “obligate promptly” the contested $37.5 million in funds for a KE­ASAT weapon, but it gave the Pentagon leeway to apply the funds to “other space control­development activities” if warranted. The compromise called for spending $10 million on development of the microsatellite technology within the Clementine 2 program without supporting the certain defense facets of the program that had alarmed the White House. Finally, House­Senate conferees agreed not to authorize an increase in funds for development of the spaceplane in Fiscal 1999 but agreed to apply the $10 million in Fiscal 1998 funds to help underwrite the program.\n“To me this was a success story,” said Bell. “It suggests, I hope, that we have moved past suspicion and distrust to a point where we’ve all sat down and calmly and very clearly agreed on a solution.”\nThe outcome was the kind of compromise that Bell has fashioned throughout his career. The son of a highly decorated World War II combat pilot, the 51-year-old native of Birmingham, Ala., graduated with honors in 1969 from the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. A year later, Bell took a master’s degree in international security studies from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. Bell then served mainly in communications assignments, before he resigned his commission in 1975.\nHe immediately launched a second career, becoming a defense analyst with the Congressional Research Service in the Library of Congress. Then Bell in 1979 won a temporary assignment at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, where he served as staff director of the military committee of the North Atlantic Assembly. Cold War tensions were high; Soviet forces had invaded Afghanistan, and Moscow was installing mobile SS-20 missiles aimed at Western Europe. The NATO Allies were laying groundwork to deploy mobile Pershing 2 intermediate-range ballistic missiles and ground-launched cruise missiles in West Germany, Italy, Holland, and the United Kingdom.\nWhen he returned to Washington, Bell briefly resumed his duties with the CRS but soon joined the staff of Sen. Charles H. Percy (R-Ill.), who at the time served as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. For years, Bell was Percy’s top aide for issues of defense and arms control. When Percy lost his seat to Democrat Paul Simon in 1984, Bell joined the staff of Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sam Nunn (D-Ga.), a post he held for eight years. In that post, he helped Nunn write the Missile Defense Act of 1991, which called for erecting a national missile defense by 1996.\nBell earned a reputation on Capitol Hill for being a can-do, nonideological analyst able to bridge partisan differences. President Clinton’s first national security advisor, Anthony Lake, invited Bell to join the Administration in January 1993 as the head of defense policy and arms control issues on the National Security Council.\n“By the time I got to the White House, I’d had 14 or 15 years of trying to approach defense policy without making it political,” Bell said.\nBell said the Clinton Administration and the GOP-led Congress have been able to strike compromises on space control by cutting through the rhetoric and distrust. “A lot of the near hysteria about the President’s line-item vetoes was being driven by this [press] accusation that we had a secret plan to negotiate an ASAT treaty with the Russians,” Bell recalled. “It was the dog that didn’t bite at the summit. It didn’t happen.”\nThe compromise over space control was reflected in the budget decisions made by Clinton in the late fall of 1998 for Fiscal 2000 budget, which will go into effect this Oct. 1. The President approved funds to “carry forward the master plan that was sketched out in [a] classified report to Congress,” Bell said.\n“We’re not negligent in any way in terms of what I call a robust enhanced technology exploration. We’re doing a lot of work looking into these technologies.”\nThe Persian Gulf War underscored the undisputed need to pursue space control, Bell emphasized, given the heavy space dependence of US military forces in that conflict.\n“We don’t have the option of turning the clock back and going off and negotiating some arms control treaty with Russia that prohibits the development testing or deployment of space control capabilities,” Bell said. “We’ve got to have them.”\nBell noted that Clinton has stipulated in his annual renditions of US national security strategy that the US remains “committed to maintaining our leadership in space” with “development of the full range of space-based capabilities” to enable the United States to “deter threats to our interests in space, and if deterrence fails, [to] defeat hostile efforts against US access to and use of space.” It remains to be seen whether continued US assurances will ease Russian fears as the White House works with Congress on the next phase of space defense development.\n“I can’t claim that our efforts have removed all of their concerns,” Bell said. “That, I think, is a discussion that will go on.”\nTo Control Space\nThe following comes from Air Force Doctrine Document 2-2, “Space Operations,” released Aug. 23, 1998.\nSpace control is the means by which space superiority is gained and maintained to assure friendly forces can use the space environment while denying its use to the enemy. To accomplish this, space forces must survey space, protect the ability to use space, prevent adversaries from exploiting US or allied space services, and negate the ability for adversaries to exploit their space forces.\nCounterspace is the mission carried out to achieve space control objectives by gaining and maintaining control of activities conducted in or through the space environment. Counterspace involves activities conducted by land, sea, air, space, information, and/or special operations forces. Counterspace includes offensive and defensive operations.\nOffensive counterspace operations destroy or neutralize an adversary’s space systems or the information they provide at a time and place of our choosing through attacks on the space, terrestrial, or link elements of space systems. The principal means of conducting offensive counterspace operations is through the use of terrestrial-based forces such as air attacks against space system ground nodes or supporting infrastructure.\nAs the use of and investment in space increases, protecting resources is critical. Because such protection introduces the possibility of Earth-to-space, space-to-space, and space-to-Earth operations, it is in the national interest to be prepared to develop the capability to support multipurpose operations in the space medium and employ such systems as national policy dictates.\nOffensive counterspace operations use lethal or nonlethal means to achieve five major purposes: deception, disruption, denial, degradation, and destruction of space assets or capabilities. …\nDefensive counterspace operations consist of active and passive actions to protect US space-related capabilities from enemy attack or interference. …\nContributing Capabilities. Three capabilities are critical to the successful conduct of offensive and defensive counterspace operations: surveillance and reconnaissance of space, ballistic missile warnings, and understanding how the space environment may affect systems operating through or in space.\nStewart M. Powell, White House correspondent for Hearst Newspapers, has covered national and international affairs in the United States and overseas since 1970. His last article for Air Force Magazine, “Reading, Writing, and Aerospace,” appeared in the January 1999 issue.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line707517"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9398684501647949,"wiki_prob":0.9398684501647949,"text":"Even though the appraisal company does the work to determine the assessment, a tax assessor needed to sign off on it. Schettino said the appraisal company consulted with George Reggo, a tax assessor who works for several municipalities, for this purpose.\n“It’s common when this happens that the assessors from the other municipalities as a courtesy perform the service just as our assessor does the same for those municipalities,” Schettino said.\nReggo was fined by a state agency earlier this year for reducing the assessed value of property he owned in Englewood Cliffs.\nDespite the attorney's report that found no issues with the reassessment, Rendo on Monday said he \"still feels uneasy because of the process.\" His key concern was that there was potential conflict of interest that he and the council were unaware of.\n\"There is no paper trail from what I've seen that shows Mr. Anzevino had advised the council or this mayor of any conflict concerning this matter at all,\" Rendo said.\nSchettino said that in terms of recusals, there typically isn’t a paper trail. “Nobody says, ‘Can you please put that in writing,’ ” he said.\nRendo also noted that the lowering of the assessment rested in part on the fact that 188 Broadway was vacant, but it was vacant because the new owners were not seeking tenants and had no intention to use it as an office building.\n\"It's a self-inflicted reduction,\" the mayor said.\n188 Broadway LP's proposal to redevelop the office building into 60 apartments was denied by the zoning board in July.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line980949"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7639225125312805,"wiki_prob":0.7639225125312805,"text":"PRODUCTION/CREW\nWhen I was a kid, I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up. Reading stories, watching stories and telling stories were always what I woke up thinking about. Back then, I had no idea how this passion would influence me.\nOpportunities at The Actor's Green Room in New York City allowed me to foster this passion. I've met new friends who truly nurture me as a storyteller. Uber Oracle is my fifth short film for the AGRtist Monthly Short Film Challenge and second film being directed by Renée Stork. Her vision and ability to touch us all is impossible to stay away from. I couldn't be more excited to be part of a team with such talent and same-mindedness.\nSteve O'Brien- Co-Producer\nSamantha Winter is a multi-passionate actor/writer/producer who also rides and trains horses for a living! She finds joy in the little things in life, and in the small magical moments that occur when we take the time to get still, look a little closer, and keep our eyes open to the miracles all around us.\nSamantha Winter- Co-Producer\nIn 1989 curiosity and ambition prompted Toru to leave his hometown of Osaka, Japan and settle in NYC where he was introduced to the motion picture and began to work his way up from the bottom.\nWhile working on documentary and TV shows, he developed a passion of cinematography. The documentary genre in particular allowed him to develop his cinematic technique and to understand the artistic possibilities in analyzing a scene then lighting and composition.\nAround 2009, however, looking for bigger challenge, he began the transition away from TV and documentary and into the world of commercial and narrative film.\nIn 2011 he debuted as a feature film cinematographer/DP with the film “Edible Soul’.“Birthday (2015)” is his second feature film along with number of short films to date.\nToru Nishikubo- Director of Photography\nBorn and raised in New Brunswick, NJ, Steve Boghossian has always had a strong love for the arts. An experienced actor, effects and timing editor, and classically trained percussionist, Steve has experience on many independent projects, animations, and albums.\nSteve has a degree in Animation and Media Arts from Philadelphia where he trained in acting and voice acting, as well as special effects timing and compositing. He has worked with many independent artists, including visionary animators such as Robert Wurzburg from Herbipolis Inc., Steve has first hand experience with all aspects of film creation and effects.\nSteve Boghossian- Editor\nJessica Green is honored to be the editor for \"Uber Oracle.\" She has just completed directing and editing three short films, The Red Lotus, Spilt Milk, and The Prime.\nShe currently has several films on the festival circuit, both as an actor and editor, as well as being editor on the currently running web series \"Here We Wait.\"\nYou can catch her recent acting work in the new Lifetime movie, \"Stalker's Prey.\"\nJessica Green- Editor\nBorn in Argentina and currently living in New Zealand, Adrian’s interests growing up always revolved around film and music.\nHis first steps into music where playing the bass in heavy metal and hard rock bands with high school friends.\nAfter 4 years in a Classical Music conservatory, he studied Music Production. It was during this time that his interest in post-production awoke, eventually turning into his main passion.\nSince then, he has collaborated with people from all over the world in a variety of projects ranging from short and feature films (animated and live action) to start-ups, commercials and video games. His experience includes cleaning up and editing production dialogue, ADR, Foley, music and mixing.\nAdrian Bosi- Sound Editor\nAn independent Production Sound Mixer with over 80 shorts, features & documentaries under his belt. Zach moved to Brooklyn in 2012 to pursue a Film/Video B.F.A. at Pratt Institute, where he picked up his love & aptitude for Sound Mixing. Whether scaling waterfalls in the Catskills, navigating the crowds of Times Square, or miking inmates at a maximum security prison, Zach's most at home strapped to a sound bag with a boom in his hands. When he's not on set or with a run and gun camera crew, he's looking for the next shoot.\nZach Travis- Production Sound Mixer\nLee Ann grew up in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, trained in classical theatre all around (London Dramatic Academy, American Shakespeare Center, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Harrisburg Shakespeare Festival), and is now based in Brooklyn, working in film as a writer/ director, happily married to her Adonis of a husband. She will forever attest that Clueless is one of the greatest films ever made.\nLee Ann Hoover- Script Supervisor\nWe are busy writing Ashley's bio.\nAshley Montesano- 1st Assistant Director","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line73292"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9456003308296204,"wiki_prob":0.9456003308296204,"text":"Connecticut Republicans vying to be top ‘Young Gun’\nWashington — The five Republicans running to replace Democratic Rep. Chris Murphy in the 5th Congressional District are competing for more than votes and campaign cash.\nThey are also vying to be chosen for an exclusive group of GOP candidates known as “Young Guns.” Those are the candidates the national Republican Party has determined to have the best chance of winning a congressional seat.\nEvery Republican who enrolls in the program is eligible for guidance from Washington. Those who reach a certain level are introduced to possible donors, and those who reach Young Gun status are considered priority candidates, opening the door to valuable endorsements and fundraising help.\nMarc Dillon, spokesman for 5th District candidate Andrew Roraback, who now serves in the state Senate, said applying to the Young Guns program was a way to bolster the campaign.\n‘We’re going to avail ourselves of every tool available to make sure we win the district,” Dillon said.\nBut not all who compete for “Young Gun” status will reach their goal, and that could be a liability for some Republicans running for the 5th District seat.\nThe Young Gun program was established by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., and other GOP leaders trying to recruit the strongest candidates and give mentoring and money.\nThe strategy seemed to work in 2010, as 62 of about 90 Young Guns won their seats and the Republicans won control of the House.\nThe five Republican candidates, Roraback, Justin Bernier, Lisa Wilson-Foley, Mark Greenberg and Mike Clark have all won “On the Radar” status, the first step toward becoming a Young Gun.\nNat Sillin, spokesman for the National Republican Campaign Committee, which runs the Young Guns program, said “there’s equal opportunity for all of the candidates” to move ahead. The next tier is “Contender” status, just a step away from “Young Gun.”\nTo reach “On the Radar” status, certain benchmarks had to be met, including raising $100,000 or more in campaign cash.\n“You need to prove you have the ability to raise money,” Sillin said.\nBut to be rated a “Contender,” candidates must meet even higher benchmarks, although Sillin declined to say how much campaign money had to be raised.\nMost of the Republican candidates for the 5th District seat have had no trouble raising money.\nExcept for Clark and Roraback, all had raised more than $400,000 at the end of last year. Greenberg and Wilson-Foley have loaned their campaigns hundreds of thousands of dollars and seem likely to continue to do so.\n“He will supplement his fundraising with more than sufficient funds,” said Greenberg campaign spokesman Chris Cooper.\nClark said he raised an additional $130,000 in the first three months of this year. The fundraising prowess of the rest of the GOP candidates will be determined this weekend, when all House candidates are required to file their latest reports with the Federal Election Commission.\nOther candidate requirements include having a good campaign organization and advertising tactics, a strong message and a winning strategy to move up the Young Guns ladder.\n“It’s a way for us to tell the quality of a candidate,” Sillin said.\nCooper, of the Greenberg campaign, said “it would be interesting” if the National Republican Campaign Committee promotes one of the 5th District candidates before the May 18 nominating convention, which will determine the support of the candidates among state and local party leaders.\nA candidate who wins at least 15 percent of the vote at the convention automatically qualifies for a place on the ballot in the Aug. 14 primary.\nThere’s a good chance all five GOP candidates will end up on that primary ballot.\nOne of them may have reached Young Gun status by then, which could be a disadvantage for the other candidates.\nIn the race for an open congressional seat in Arkansas, for instance, Tom Cotton, a strong fundraiser, was elevated to “Contender” status, while his GOP rival Beth Rankin, remains “On the Radar.”\nThe national committee will choose its list of Young Guns later this year, Sillin said.\nChris Healy, spokesman for the Wilson-Foley campaign, said climbing the Young Gun ladder “would be nice, but we’re not giving it much thought.”\n“Sometimes establishment support can be a drawback,” he said.\nClark also dismissed the importance of Young Guns status.\n“Benchmarks that include money as an important metric have not proven very reliable, particularly here in Connecticut,” Clark said. “The average voter in the 5th District finds measures of electability, depth of experience and trustworthiness more significant than Washington endorsements.”\nNathan Gonzales, deputy editor of the Rothenberg Political Report, a nonpartisan publication, said the mentoring and coaching provided by the Young Guns program can help strengthen a campaign.\n“It’s a way for candidates to get more experience,” he said. “It’s also something they can show reporters to give them some credibility.”\nBut Gonzales cautioned that the Young Gun designation “can backfire, if someone is considered the candidate of the establishment.”\nThe Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee also has a program for its hot races, but it’s structured differently. Rather than ranking the strength of a candidate, it identifies “Red to Blue” districts that merit special attention.\nDemocratic candidates that run in those districts will receive “financial, communications, grassroots, and strategic support,” according to a description of the Red to Blue program.\nConnecticut’s 5th District is on a list of 18 races targeted by the Democratic campaign committee, but the party is assessing the strengths of the Democrats running for that seat less publicly than the Republican committee with its Young Guns program.\nThe one thing both parties can agree on is that the race for the 5th District seat will draw plenty of attention and support from Washington.\nAna Radelat","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line103226"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5163910984992981,"wiki_prob":0.4836089015007019,"text":"Chevron and Second Harvest Distribute Holiday Meals to 600 Families Across Cameron and Calcasieu Parishes\nLAKE CHARLES, La (press release) – On Dec. 22, Second Harvest Food Bank of Southwest Louisiana distributed holiday staples, such as turkeys, canned goods, vegetables and more, to 600 families in Cameron and Calcasieu Parishes. Chevron contributed $50,000 to the initiative as part of the company’s continued efforts to support residents of Southwest Louisiana, an area that continues to recover from the impacts of Hurricane Laura and other tropical storms.\nIn addition to this food distribution, Second Harvest has already provided more than 3 million meals across Southwest Louisiana, including tens of thousands of prepared meals in the Second Harvest Community Kitchen, to people impacted by this year’s storms.\n“Partners like Chevron help make the work we do possible,” said Communications Specialist for Second Harvest Food Bank, Natasha Curley. “Today we were able to provide 600 families with the items they will need for a holiday meal. We hope having a traditional turkey and holiday side dishes will help bring a little bit of normalcy to locals during such a challenging year.”\nAs a part of their hurricane relief efforts, to date, Chevron has donated $500,000 to various charitable organizations, hosted two fuel giveaways, distributed 8,500 gallons of free gasoline and $15,000 in gas gift cards to citizens in Cameron and Calcasieu parishes. The company also recently donated an additional $75,000 to Catholic Charities to host a series of food distribution events.\n“We are hopeful that these contributions will help members of our community overcome some of the obstacles they may be facing and take care of everyday needs.” said Leah Brown, Public Affairs Manager for Chevron’s Gulf of Mexico Business Unit. “We feel very fortunate to partner with Second Harvest Food Bank and other charitable groups as they support Louisiana residents.”\nTogether, these organizations are working to provide hope to families that continue to face the challenges of rebuilding their homes and businesses in the wake of Hurricane Laura and other storms. For additional information on this and other events, click here. To learn more about Second Harvest Food Bank, visit no-hunger.org.\nCategories: Lagniappe, Louisiana Lagniappe\nGW Fins Is Now Selling Individual Praline Cream Soft Pretzel King Cakes By The 1/2 Dozen","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1755616"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9523457288742065,"wiki_prob":0.9523457288742065,"text":"Puneet Home\nPuneet Varma (Editor)\nI am a dreamer who dreams of a world full of good people helping eachother\nMalankara Metropolitan\nMalankara Metropolitan was a legal title given to the head of the Malankara Syrian Church, also called Puthencoor (New Loyalists) Syrian Christians by the Government of Travancore and Cochin in South India. This title was awarded by a proclamation from the King of Travancore & the King of Cochin to the legal head of Malankara Syrian Church . The Supreme Court of India had authenticated the usage of this title by Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church in its verdict in Malankara Church case.\nList of Malankara Metropolitans\nIt was when Col. Munroe the resident of Travancore, Pulikkottil Joseph Ittoop Ramban was ordained as a bishop by Geevarghese Mar Philexenos (Kidangan) (1811–29) of Malabar Independent Syrian Church (Thozhyoor Church) on 22 March 1815. He was given the episcopal title Dionysius (a Greek personal name derived from the name of the Greek god DIONYSOS), the second bishop in the Malankara Church to get this title. After the death of Mar Thoma VIII, he was made the head of the Malankara Church by a Royal proclamation issued by the King of Travancore and later by the King of Cochin. The proclamation insisted every Syrian Christian of Travancore-Cochin to obey the Malankara Metropolitan. From then onwards the head of the Malankara Syrian Church legally came to be known as Malankara Metropolitan. The position of the Malankara Metropolitan in the 19th century is an upgrowth from the position of the previous MarThomas' and Archdeacons'. The power and authority of the Malankara Metropolitan got more recognition than the power and authority of the previous Archdeacons' and Marthomas' because of some political changes in the country through the establishment of British rule.\nFrom 1816, Dionysius II, Dionysius III, Dionysius IV, Mathews Mar Athanasius, Thomas Mar Athanasius and Dionysius V were the Malanakara Metropolitans in the 19th century. Among these Mathews Mar Athanasius of Palakkunnathu exercised enormous spiritual as well as temporal powers inside and outside the community. He was the Malankara Metropolitan at the time of Mulanthuruthy Padiyola in (1876).However inspired by the western missionaries cooperated in the old seminary at Kottayam, he wanted to inculcate reformist ideas in the traditional Syrian church. A parallel group under Dionysious V was working against the ruling Malankara Metropolitan's reformist ideas. During the later half of the 19th century there occurred two factions in the community; the minority faction that favored reformation and supported the Malankara metropolitan (Metran Kakshi- Reformists)and the majority faction who were against the introduction of new changes which was against the Syrian tradition of the church got stood with the Patriarch of Antioch (Bava kakshi-Syrian traditionalists). This invited a closer interference of the Patriarch of Antioch. Mar Dionysius V stood with the Patriarch of Antioch against the ruling metropolitan, Mathews Mar Athanasius of Palakkunnathu. A series of court cases followed there after. The Travancore Royal court on 14 July 1889 declared that Palakkunnathu Thomas Mar Athanasius and the Reformist faction has no rights in the Malankara Syrian Church as they were not willing to accept the supremacy of the Patriarch of Antioch. Later the Reformist faction organised themselves as independent Marthoma Syrian Church .\nThe practice of issuing Royal proclamation ceased after the time of Palakkunnathu Mathews Mar Athanasius. Dionysious V of the Bava Kakshi (Syrian traditionalists) invited and brought Patriarch Peter III of Antioch to Malankara in 1875 .The Patriarch divided the Malankara church into seven diocese; Dionysious V who was holding the Diocese of Quilon was declared as the Malankara Metropolitan in the synod of Mulanthuruthy(27 to 30 June 1876) . Neither the reigning Malankara Metropolitan, Palakkunathu Mathews Mar Athanasious nor the Churches favouring him participated in the synod . Naturally the Patriarch formally took the control of the Syrian church as per the wishes of the traditionalists(Bava Kakshi). This resulted in a series of court cases and stronger rift in the church. Dionysious V of Bava Kakshi approached the Royal Court of Travancore aganist Palakkunnathu Thomas Mar Athanasious reigning as Malankara Metropolitan and against occupying assets of church and seminary. Appellant Dinoysious V and Bava Kakshi won the case in 1889 and Palakkunnathu Thomas Mar Athanasius was deprived of the title of Malankara Metropolitan and evicted from Syrian Seminary as he was not willing to attend the synod and accept the supremacy of the Patriarch .\nLater the reformist faction argued over years that the case took a turn in favor of Bava Kakshi on production of an evidence exhibit which later became infamous as KAPPI CANON ( A Syriac Church law book which was tampered with addition of extra articles narrating historic subordination of Malankara church to Holy See of Antioch and giving temporal powers to See of Antioch) dipped in coffee concentrate to show its antiquity.Mean while the defeated metran(reformist) faction organised themselves under the evicted Malankara Metropolitan Thomas Mar Athanasious with independent Indigenous Christian heritage as Marthoma Syrian Church.\nHowever, later after the establishment of Catholicate in Malankara in 1912, again a rift occurred among Jacobites over the temporal authority of Patriarch of Antioch .There were several years of litigation between the two factions, the Metran (orthodox) faction and the Bava (jacobite) faction. Now the Jacobites and the Orthodox are separate sister churches as Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (Under Catholicate See of Saint Thomas) and Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church aka (under The Holy Antiochian See of Saint Peter).\nHistorically the primate or the leader of St Thomas Christians were known as Jathikku Karthavyan (leader of Community), Malankara moopen (Elder of the Community), Archdeacon or Arkadyokon (High Priest).In 16th century to resist the latinization attempts of the Jesuits it became necessary to elevate the Archdeacon to a position of 'Metropolitan Bishop' named as Mar Thoma. In 1653 the Archdeacon position was elevated to Bishopric by laying hands of twelve priests in the absence of a valid Bishop. This was an emergency step. Then onwards the Metropolitan Bishop assumed the honorific ecclesiastical title Marthoma. This title was used from 1653 to 1815. Later a regular 'Bishopric' was established in Malankara with the help of Gregorios Abdal Jaleel. Until a few hundred years back, the leadership of St Thomas Christian Community was dynastically held by members of the Pakalomattom family.\nMar Thoma I – In 1653, Thomas of Pakalomattam Thravadu was consecrated with the title Marthoma I by Mar Gregorios Abdal Jaleel. Marthoma I survived a number of assassination attempts. He died on 25 April 1670 and was interred in Angamaly St Mary's Jacobite Syrian Church.\nMar Thoma II – (1670–1686) Consecrated by Marthoma I and Mar Gregorios Abdal Jaleel. Died on 14 April 1686 and was interred at St. Mary's Syriac Orthodox Church, Niranam.\nMar Thoma III – (1686–1688) Consecrated by Mar Ivanios Hirudyathulla (from Antioch), died on 21 April 1688. Laid to rest at St.Thomas Syriac Orthodox Church, Kadampanad.\nMar Thoma IV – (1688–1728). Consecrated by Mar Ivanios Hirudyathulla. Died on 24 March 1728 and was interred at Kandanad Martha Mariam Syriac Orthodox Church.\nMar Thoma V – (1728–1765) – Consecrated by Marthoma IV. Died on 8 May 1765 and laid to rest at St. Mary's Syriac Orthodox Church, Niranam.\nMar Thoma VI – (1765–1808) Consecrated by Marthoma V. Died on 8 April 1808 and laid to rest at St. Mary's Syriac Orthodox Cathedral, Puthenkavu. Important events:\nIn June 1770, he accepted re-consecration from Antiochian bishops in order to avoid a split in the Church and the title Dionysius was accepted.\nMarthoma VI did not approve the appointment of Kattumangattu Abraham Mar Coorilos as a metropolitan by a bishop from Antioch. This was the beginning of Malabar Independent Syrian Church.\nHe was forced to conduct a service according to Chaldean Catholic rites, but escaped during a rebellion in Travancore under Velu Thampi.\nRev.Dr. Claudius Buchanan visited and made arrangement for the translation of the Bible into Malayalam. Marthoma presented him the peshitto Bible written in the old Syriac. This manuscript is kept in the public library of the University of Cambridge.\nMar Thoma VII – (1808–1809) Consecrated by Marthoma VI in 1796. During his time on 1 December 1808, a sum of 3000 Star Pagoda (in 2002 one Star Pagoda coin had a market value of £475) was given as loan in perpetuity to the British resident Colonel Maccaulay. This is known as Vattipanam. Marthoma died on 4 July 1809 and was interred at St. Peter's & St. Paul's Syriac Orthodox Church, Kolencherry.\nMar Thoma VIII – (1809–1816) Consecrated on 2 July 1809 by Marthoma VII. During his time Kottayam Suryani Seminary was opened and modern education began in Kerala. Marthoma died on 26 January 1816 and was interred at St. Mary's Cathedral, Puthencavu, Chengannur.\nMar Thoma IX – (1816–1817). Consecrated by Marthoma VIII without the consent of the people. So he retired to St.George Orthodox Church, Kadamattom, and spent the rest of his days in prayer and fasting.\nThere after the Malankara Metropolitans didn't use the name Marthoma with their ecclesiastical title until 1975.\nPulikottil Joseph Mar Dionysius (Malankara Metropolitan) – (1816) was consecrated by Mar Philoxenos II, of the Malabar Independent Syrian Church (Thozhiyoor Sabha). Died on 25 November 1816 and laid to rest at Orthodox Old Seminary, Kottayam. (He didn't use the official title Marthoma even though people affectionately called him Marthoma X.)\nPunnathra Geevargis Mar Dionysius.(1817–1825)\nCheppattu Philipose Mar Dionysius.(1825–1852)\nMathews Mar Athanasius Metropolitan.(1852–1877)\nMar Dionysius V(1865-1909)\nGeevarghese Dionysius of Vattasseril(1909-1934)\nArchdeacon position was uplifted to Metropolitan position. Metropolitans of the Malankara Church were called with ecclesistical title Mar Thoma. (They all took the title name Marthoma except Mar Thoma VI)\nMar Thoma I (1653–1670)\nMar Thoma II (1670–1686)\nMar Thoma III (1686–1688)\nMar Thoma IV (1688–1728)\nMar Thoma V (1728–1765)\nMar Dionysius I(1765–1808)(affectionately called Mar Thoma VI)\nMar Thoma VII (1808–1809)\nMar Thoma VIII (1809–1816)\nMar Thoma IX (1816–1817)\nThere after Mar Thoma title was used from 1893 onwards in Malankara Marthoma Syrian Church and from 1975 onwards in Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.\nMalankara Metropolitan Wikipedia\nMike Homik\nJan Wijn","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1418990"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9758394956588745,"wiki_prob":0.9758394956588745,"text":"FG, National Assembly flex muscles, federal lawmakers dare Buhari over workers recruitment\nThe National Assembly, on Wednesday, said it had suspended the Federal Government’s planned recruitment of 774, 000 Nigerians under the Special Public Works programme.\nThe spokesperson for the Senate, Dr Ajibola Basiru, and his counterpart for the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, who announced the suspension, said the President, Muhammadu Buhari , could challenge the decision in court.\nBasiru read the statement during a press conference he addressed at the National Assembly.\nIn the statement, the spokespersons said the federal parliament took the decision following the disagreement between it and the Minister of State for Employment, Labour and Productivity, Mr Festus Keyamo, on Tuesday.\nThe lawmakers also hinged their decision on the fact that the programme did not exclusively belong to the President.\nThey said it was jointly conceived by the executive and the legislature. They argued that they could not be kept in the dark over its implementation.\nBut Keyamo, said the recruitment would not be suspended as directed by the National Assembly. According to him, the legislature has no power to issue directives to the executive.\nThe President had, a few months ago, approved the employment of 774, 000 workers to cushion the effect of the economic hardship caused by COVID-19.\nBy the arrangement, 1, 000 Nigerians, who will earn N20, 000 each on a monthly basis for three months, are expected to be recruited in each of the 774 local government areas of the country.\nThe programme will start in October this year.\nKeyamo was ordered out of the National Assembly on Tuesday following his refusal to apologise after the legislators accused him of raising his voice against them.\nThe National Assembly Joint Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity, had summoned the minister and the Director General of the National Directorate of Employment, Mr Nasiru Argungu, to brief its members on the steps so far taken to recruit 774, 000 people.\nTrouble started when the lawmakers criticised Keyamo for allegedly engaging in a lopsided recruitment without the active involvement of the NDE, the agency that got N52bn approval from the National Assembly to implement the programme.\nCategories: Business, Economy, News, Politics, Right now, Slider\nTags: Director General of the National Directorate of Employment, Dr Ajibola Basiru, Labour and Productivity, Minister of State for Employment, Mr Nasiru Argungu, Mr. Festus Keyamo, Muhammadu Buhari, National Assembly, President, spokesperson for the Senate","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line117717"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.811286449432373,"wiki_prob":0.811286449432373,"text":"Singled Out: One Goal for Young Mormon Singles—Get Married!\nDuring the April 2011 priesthood session of general conference, President Thomas S. Monson dedicated one fifth of his speech to encouraging single men to marry—a subject on which Church leaders have been preaching almost since Mormonism began.\n“Brethren, there is a point at which it’s time to think seriously about marriage and to seek a companion with whom you want to spend eternity,” he said.\nDuring the Sunday morning session of the same conference, apostle Richard G. Scott told single young men, “Don’t waste time in idle pursuits. Get on with life and focus on getting married. Don’t just coast through this period of life.”\nDays after President Monson’s speech, LDS leaders announced the disbanding of all student wards in Utah Valley and the formation of new all-single stakes and wards for people 18–30. The Salt Lake Tribune’s Peggy Fletcher Stack connected this reorganization to the pro-marriage preaching in conference the week before, noting that persuading “young men and women to stop postponing marriage . . . is, after all, the goal of all these singles wards.”\nWhat challenges do LDS singles confront? Does being single in the Church promise more than becoming a “ministering angel” who will wait tables in the celestial kingdom, as Pat Bagley has humorously imagined? Is singlehood a condition to be frowned on and pitied, or could it be accepted as normal–perhaps even celebrated?\nVideo: A Mormon Female Trio Sings About Needing a Man\nFrom Condemnation to Accommodation\nAuthors Marybeth Raynes and Erin Parsons trace LDS statements against singlehood back to 1831, when Joseph Smith penned a revelation for Leman Copley, a former celibate Shaker, declaring that “whoso forbiddeth to marry is not ordained of God, for marriage is ordained of God unto man” (D&C 49:15). By 1843, Joseph Smith was privately marrying plural wives and teaching that only those married for eternity by the power of the priesthood would “have an increase” in the resurrection.\nAs soon as Mormons settled in the West, Church leaders vigorously promoted marriage as the only way for men—naturally sinful and lazy—to become devout Christians, righteous patriarchs, and productive citizens. An 1857 Deseret News article invoked both theological imperatives and practical benefits to marriage when urging Mormon bachelors to “make one grand attempt for blissful days, comfortable nights, posterity, and an honest future.”\nWhile Brigham Young probably never actually said that every single man over 27 is “a menace to society” (one of Mormonism’s most famous misquotes), George Q. Cannon’s statement in an 1878 general conference sounds about as severe: “A large number of unmarried men, over the age of 24 years, is a dangerous element in any community.” Ten years before that, Brother Brigham had admonished: “Let every man in the land over 18 years of age take a wife.”\nWhile single men have been characterized as “selfish, sinful, and possibly suffering from a chemical imbalance,” women have generally been treated as “gentle victims of man’s selfishness,” with Church leaders consoling them that “they will yet receive all the blessings of matrimony in the hereafter.” As Lavina Fielding Anderson and Jeffery O. Johnson note, “Whatever single women may suffer, they still need not cope with the pressure and guilt single Mormon males must face in a culture where the initiative rests with the man and where the responsibility to take it is preached by precept and example in every ward in the Church.”\nA century later, President Ezra Taft Benson worked in the same rhetorical vein as had Brigham Young and George Q. Cannon when he implicitly questioned the manhood of unmarried males, urging them to “arise from the dust . . . and be men” (2 Nephi 1:21).\nDelmont R. Oswald, a 47-year-old divorced Mormon, responded to Benson’s speech at the next Sunstone Symposium. “The tone of President Benson’s speech troubled me,” Oswald said. “I heard his words as those of an adult lecturing a child. Too often [in the Church] adulthood comes to be defined by marital status rather than by age and maturity.”\nAt that same symposium, BYU sociologist Lawrence A. Young noted that the activity rates of single females in the Church can be five times that of single males. “There is strong evidence that as a Church, we are not meeting the needs of LDS single members, particularly single men,” he said. Young pointed to data showing that “single women over 30 have higher levels of education, occupation, and Church activity than single men.” Consequently, Young cautioned, “If never-married men were to arise en masse from the dust and seek marriage, we can only wonder who they would go out to marry. Based on available studies of marital success, we would have to be very concerned about the quality and long-term stability of a marriage between the typical never-married LDS male over thirty and the typical never-married LDS female over thirty.”\nIn retrospect, Benson’s 1988 address may have been a “last hoorah” for the harsh nineteenth-century style of preaching on male singleness. The quarter century since that address has seen some attenuation in Church leaders’ admonitions to marry. In fact, in 1987, President Hinckley declared that “marriage should not be viewed as a therapeutic step to solve problems such as homosexual inclinations or behavior.” In an even more recent speech to 5,000 singles, apostle M. Russell Ballard admitted that “not every one of you may find an eternal companion.”\nIn 2001, Jeffry H. Larson, chair of the Marriage and Family Therapy Program at BYU, made headlines at the university’s paper, the Daily Universe, by stating that LDS singles needed to put more thought and preparation into marriage. “Don’t rush even if you’ve found the right person,” Larson wrote. “I don’t think the Spirit will tell you, ‘Don’t get to know him or her better first.’” Larson explained that pressure to marry and marrying too young are factors that hamper the success of a marriage: the divorce rate, he warned, is 70 percent for people who marry before age twenty.\nVideo: Deseret First Wants You To Save for You Engagement Ring NOW!\nFamous Bachelors\nDespite the tremendous pressures single men and women face in Mormon culture, there have been some Mormon men who have defended their bachelorhood and Mormon women who rose to positions of prominence in the Church despite their single status.\nNone may be more peculiar than Evan Stephens (1854–1930), who served 26 years as director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. A confirmed bachelor who took a series of younger men under his wing and into his home, Stephens was also a gender-transgressive artist who sometimes sang in falsetto and impersonated “the old maid of ninety-five.” When world-renowned soprano Nellie Melba asked how many wives he had, Stephens quipped: “I am sorry you pressed the question. It is almost unlawful to talk about.” Ultimately, however, Mormon theology cured Stephens of his inveterate bachelorhood: on 5 November 1930, a year after his death, Stephens’s housekeeper Sarah Daniels was sealed to him.\nIn the twentieth century, perhaps no Mormon bachelor has received more media attention than legendary quarterback Steve Young. Successful, athletic, attractive, well-adjusted, and still single in his mid-thirties, Young was living proof that not all Mormon bachelors suffer from “a chemical imbalance.” At age 35, Young was asked by Mike Wallace about his single status. “Do you wanna talk about the pressure I feel?” Young answered candidly. “Brigham Young once said, right here on these grounds, that anyone over 27 years of age that’s not married is a menace to society. So here’s my grandfather telling me to get with it. You don’t think that I feel the pressure? I guarantee it.” Young escaped his “single cursedness” at the ripe age of 38, when he married fellow Mormon Barbara Graham, a former model. They have two sons and two daughters.\nNot even the shortest short list of famous single Mormons would be complete without Sheri Dew, possibly the most prominent single woman in Church history. C.E.O. and president of Deseret Book, Dew is also an inspirational speaker, writer, former counselor in the general presidency of the Relief Society, and former White House delegate to the United Nations.\nDew has spoken about her single status on many occasions, characterizing that status in essentially negative terms—as a cross to be borne. She has said that her singleness indicates that her prayers “have not been answered the way [she] asked them to be.” Dew has presented herself as an example of remaining chaste for life, if necessary. “As someone who has remained unmarried two-and-a-half decades beyond a traditional marriageable age, I know something about the challenge of chastity,” she stated at age 46. “It is not always easy, but it is far easier than the alternative.”\nAt the same time, Dew has reiterated traditional LDS teachings, affirming marriage and parenthood as normative. In October 2001, Dew affirmed that motherhood is “the essence of who we are as women” and preached on the topic, “It is not good for man or woman to be alone.” The dissonance between these ideals and Dew’s singleness has made her vulnerable to criticism. At an interfaith event in 2004, Dew found herself at the center of a controversy after speaking in defense of traditional marriage. Displaying a photo of two men getting married at the San Francisco City Hall with their adopted twin daughters in their arms, Dew said, “This is hard for me to stomach. What kind of chance do these girls have being raised in that kind of setting?” (Dew was unaware at the time that one of the men pictured, Eric Ethington, is a former LDS missionary.) In a statement expressing “outrage” over Dew’s remarks, Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons pointed to Dew’s singleness in an attempt to undermine her credibility: “While Ms. Dew, who has never married or raised children, pontificates about families, Eric Ethington, with his husband and his daughters, shows to the world what it really means to have one.”\nThe Emergence of Single Wards\nIn settings such as Brigham Young University, LDS leaders treat singlehood as a transitional period in which youth must be encouraged to keep the faith while being given opportunities to socialize, date, and find a spouse. “Church members who have never married or are divorced or widowed make up a significant portion of Church membership,” the 1998 General Handbook of Instructions frankly states. “All members, regardless of their age, circumstance, or interests, need the blessings of the gospel and a full range of Church experiences.”\nStarting in the mid-1960s, Church leaders contemplated the creation of student wards, branches, and stakes, and established rules regarding who could belong to these units. During the 1970s, the only single wards were student wards (meaning only students could attend them). The 1980s saw the creation of some wards for singles 18–30, as well as units for those over 30, regardless of their student status. But Church leaders were ambivalent about this development. Participation in such units, they insisted, should be considered “somewhat transitory.” Indeed, Church policy held that the best place for singles to “enjoy a full range of church experience” is the conventional family ward.\nThe driving aim of singles wards is simple: To create more opportunities for singles to find a spouse. BYU wards, with their frequent admonitions to marry, pictorial ward directories, and classes on dating, have generated a subculture revolving around the ideal of celestial marriage. Members who do not find suitable dates in their assigned wards sometimes engage in “ward-hopping.” According to the Deseret News, some BYU bishops have gone so far as to call ward members to serve as “dating specialists” to help other ward members find a spouse. A few years back, one BYU stake dedicated a meeting to the theme, “every member a matchmaker.”\n“A goal of mine is to get them married,” Walt Plumb, bishop of the University of Utah 16th Ward, acknowledged to the Deseret News in 2007. Plumb encouraged his ward members to date at least once a month and occasionally gave men $25 to take a woman out. “I know some people aren’t going to have the option of marriage for some reason or another,” Plumb said, “but it sure seems to me that people are a lot happier being married.”\nIn a culture influenced by a TV series such as Friends, concerned LDS leaders have noted a trend among young Mormons at BYU and elsewhere to “hang out” rather than go on traditional dates. BYU student Elisee Newey told the Deseret News that she prefers hanging out because it allows people to get to know each other and this “leads to better dates.” But Church leaders have recently voiced disapproval of “hanging out,” reaffirming the ideal of traditional dating. “Young women, resist too much hanging out, and encourage dates that are simple, inexpensive, and frequent,” apostle Dallin H. Oaks preached in 2007. “Don’t make it easy for young men to hang out in a setting where you women provide the food. Don’t subsidize freeloaders.”\nSex and the Single Mormon\nDespite LDS leaders’ efforts to create a culture of sexual abstinence among young Mormon singles, evidence suggests that these efforts have been only partially successful. In 1992, BYU sociologist Tim B. Heaton combined data from three surveys taken in the 1980s and concludes that “60 percent of LDS women will have had sex before marriage.” A study Wilford E. Smith conducted in the 1970s indicates that “nearly half of active LDS males of university age and a quarter of the active LDS young women” masturbate.\nIn the face of these realities, Church leaders have become less prone than previously to describe sexual immorality as a sin “next to murder” (Alma 39:1–7). “It appears that Church leaders are becoming increasingly aware of deviations from sexual standards,” Tim Heaton observed in the 1990s, but “feel somewhat frustrated in knowing how to deal with immorality. Changes in sexual norms may have also created a generation gap between the youth and their leaders or parents. These trends could make it more difficult to deal with the discrepancy between official codes of conduct and actual behavior.”\nTwenty years after Heaton wrote those words, the LDS Church may be facing a new generation of young Mormons who are openly questioning the Church’s standard of chastity. A 2005 story in the Washington City Paper spotlighted Janna Taylor, a single Mormon living in northern Virginia. At age 28, sitting through yet another Relief Society lesson on chastity, Taylor finally felt she had to stand up and vent. “We all know what the law of chastity is, and we all know the reasoning behind it,” Taylor said, getting teary. “What I want to know is how I’m supposed to live this law as a 28-year-old virgin. Because the reality of the situation is that every single cell in my body is telling me to have babies.”\n“I’m a sexual being, and that doesn’t change because of my faith,” Taylor told the Washington City Paper. “The question is how to reconcile that faith with my physical body. How can I embrace my sexuality as a single woman and a Mormon?”\nIn a more recent essay in the New York Times, Mormon author Nicole Hardy went a step further, writing about her decision, at age 35, to leave her Mormon virginity behind and become sexually active by dating non-Mormon men. “As I grew older, I had the distinct sense of remaining a child in a woman’s body,” Hardy writes. “It wasn’t just sex I lacked but relationships with men entirely. Too independent for Mormon men, and too much a virgin for the other set, I felt trapped in adolescence.”\nNew Wards, Same Goal\nAddressing some 5,000 singles from Salt Lake Valley on 26 April 2011, apostle M. Russell Ballard announced the dissolution of nearly 150 student wards and the integration of single students and non-students into 12 new stakes and 121 young single adult wards. According to Ballard and other Church leaders, the goal of the reorganization is to quell the massive loss of members in the 18–30 age group.\n“The reason we’re anxious for you to reach out and to encourage some of the young single adults that are not active is because one of the great places where there can be peace and joy and fellowship, a sense of belonging, is by being active in the Church,” Ballard said. “Would you do what you can to try to draw some of those who are less active back into fellowship in the Church?”\n“As an eternal unit, families go to the eternities forever—together forever,” Ballard added. “That’s why we’re drawing you into these young single adult stakes and young single adult wards under the tutelage of bishops and stake presidents who have keys of the power of the holy priesthood of God to answer your questions, to guide you, to give you blessings, and to help you along the way.”\nSeventy David Evans explained that pilot programs were run in Ogden, Cedar City, St. George, and other Utah areas in 2010 and were deemed a success: of 4,500 inactive singles visited, 1,000 had returned to the Church.\nAnd, as reported in the Salt Lake Tribune, LDS leaders concluded that the program also succeeded in “getting [singles] to the marriage altar.”\nIssue 163--June 2011\nMormon Life\nJesus and Mormons and Zombies\nPeople: Issue 163","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1709041"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7337678074836731,"wiki_prob":0.2662321925163269,"text":"Robby Wells is a man with a plan – Could this be our next President?\nRobby Wells\nGuest : Robby Wells :\nWebsite : http://www.robbywells2016.com/\nEmail: electrobbywells2012@gmail.com\nRobby Wells and Natalie Lencioni contacted The Truth Denied’s and asked for a LIVE radio interview. We are honored to have met Robby to conduct this excellent interview with him. Robby Wells is running for President in 2016and we plan on keeping track of his progress until election year. Robby is an optimist with a plan, as well he is one of us. He is a middle class citizen and who has spent his entire life making a difference in his local community, which lead him to running for the President of the United States.\nWhat did we discuss on the show?\nRobby, why run for President? Why not start with running for congress or the US Senate?\nRobby’s position on Gus and Second Amendment Rights\nHow to improve the economy\nHow do we increase employment in America?\nWhere do you stand on Taxes?\nBringing the troops home, how to make that happen\nUnifying the American people\nRobby recommends The Creature from Jekyll Island\nEnjoy the interview, and please , if you believe in what Robby Well’s has to say, contact him!\nAbout Robby Wells\nRobby Wells has been a public servant for over twenty years, serving as a teacher, football coach, and a member of the Army National Guard. Mr. Wells was adopted at birth, and grew up in the southeastern part of the country as the son of a Baptist Minister. He learned the value of hard work at a very young age when he delivered newspapers as a ten year old.\nAfter coaching ten seasons of college football, Robby Wells became the first white head football coach at Savannah State University, a historically black college (HBCU), on December 22, 2007. In his first season as head coach, Savannah State saw as many wins in that season as the previous five seasons combined. He is the most successful coach at Savannah State in the past decade. During his time at Savannah State University, Robby Wells was the host of the “Robby Wells Coach’s Show”, which aired on the regional NBC Affiliate in Southeast Georgia. Throughout his coaching career, Robby Wells has seen great success, and he attributes that to helping other people believe and achieve to their full potential.\nRobby Wells has also been recognized as one of the top young motivational speakers in America. He has been the keynote speaker for national conventions, school assemblies, and civic organizations around the country. Mr. Wells has also finished an autobiography that is scheduled to be published in 2012.\nIn 2006, Robby Wells joined the Army National Guard during the middle of the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Mr. Wells joined the Army National Guard at the pinnacle of his coaching career at the age of 38. He had always advised his players that serving your country was the most honorable endeavor that a person could achieve, and he believed that he needed to lead by example. See more here: http://www.robbywells2016.com/about_robby\nTo contact Mr. Robby Wells\nhttp://www.robbywells2016.com/\nContact Robby Wells Campaign headquarters: Phone 704-606-2859\nTo Contact The Northwest Coordinator\nMs. Natalie Lencioni\nemail: natalie_s_renner@yahoo.com.\nPlease look into some of Robby’s proposals:\nVETS FOR KIDS\nIn the wake of the tragic events that have taken place in Aurora, Colorado and Newtown, Connecticut, it is time for every law abiding citizen to take action in order to secure the ones that we love. Elected officials in Washington for both parties have used these tragedies to scream for greater gun control, which will take away from every law abiding citizen’s Second Amendment right. These elected officials have used these tragedies to jockey for position in their next election. Enough is enough, and we can solve this problem very quickly by using common sense.\nThat is why today, I am introducing my plan called “Vets for Kids.” For a minimal cost, every school in the nation can employ armed Veterans to secure our children from psychopathic criminals that target schools because they are considered “No Weapon Zones.”\nThis is a common sense solution that will give parents the peace of mind of knowing that their children are safe at school. This solution will also give thousands of unemployed Veterans the opportunity to once again provide for their families. Who better to protect our children than our Veterans who served to protect every American while they actively served. This program, “Vets for Kids” should be adopted on the local and state level. Now is the time to secure our children, who are the future generation.\n– Robby Carr Wells”\nRobby Wells RESTORATION PROJECT\nRobby Wells was adopted as an infant. He believes that we should get back to the basics, and follow the Constitution. In order for America to get back on track, we must return to what made us a great nation in the beginning. All people are created equal, and all people, born and unborn, deserve the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. As Americans, we have religious freedom to choose to worship as we desire. We must also continue to strive for equality for all races and genders. Robby Wells is a Christian that accepts all people. As the great Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “We must not judge a man by the color of his skin, but by the content of his character.” Robby Wells envisions an America where people from many ethnic groups can come together, embrace each other’s culture and heritage, and find common ground. Because we are all Americans, and it is going to take each one of us working together to get our country moving in a positive direction.\nThere are 49 million Americans that are living at or below the poverty level. That is unacceptable. In order for our country to get back to prominence, we must create an economic environment that will create jobs and get American citizens back to work. We must encourage small businesses to thrive by eliminating a lot of federal regulations that are currently choking their opportunity for success. We must help families that lost their homes due to a foreclosure during our economic downturn. We must become a nation that produces 100% of its energy sources. According to the 10th Amendment, we must eliminate Federal Programs that are not included in the United States Constitution. These are the Departments of Energy, Commerce, Education, and the Federal Reserve. We must balance the federal budget and create a fair and simple tax system. We must reform our health care system, and we must make sure that we protect the elderly by placing social security on a solid foundation.\nThe Federal Reserve is the main reason our economy has spun out of control. The Constitution states that only Congress can coin money, and regulate the value thereof… The Fed cuts secret deals, creates money out of thin air, manipulates interest rates, and interferes with the free market system. The Fed has devalued the worth of a dollar by 95%. There are no regulations that the Fed has to follow. My plan is to push for a full audit of the Fed, and to eventually shut it down.\nGetting Americans Back to Work\nToday we have over 20 million Americans that are unemployed and another 25 million Americans that are underemployed. We have 39 million Americans living in poverty, and 149 million Americans that exist on\nlow income. We have lost 5.5 million jobs in the manufacturing industry in the past 13 years thanks to\nNAFTA , CAFTA and all other trade agreements that are bad for our economy. As President of the United\nStates, I will push for legislation to repeal these treaties that are killing our economy. We also have over\n600,000 manufacturing jobs that are unfilled in our nation right now. The reason they are unfilled is\nBecause the Department of Education will not let students be trained for these jobs . I will cut the\nunconstitutional Department of Education , and let the states once again train people for these vacant\nBefore entering office, the President of the United States must take the following oath: “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States. The first objective of the President of the United States is to ensure the safety of the American citizens against all enemies. We must maintain a strong military and continue to protect our citizens. I will immediately send troops to our border with Mexico to insure that our border is secure from the gangs and violence taking place. Presently our border is not secure. Members of drug rings freely roam into America. This must stop and it will under my watch. My plan is to bring as many troops home as possible. We do not need to be the police of the world, and we do not need to be entangled with foreign countries. This means that we need to phase out our military involvement with NATO. Our military was designed to be our National Defense, not our National Offense.\nNational Energy Independence\nAs a nation, we must become completely independent on our own energy sources. Today, our nation only produces about 35% of our oil supply. The other 65% of the oil we use comes from foreign countries. Some of the countries we are doing business with harbor terrorists and support terrorist activities. Desert Storm, 9/11, the War in Afghanistan and the War in Iraq were all directly or indirectly the cause of America doing business with foreign countries to gain their oil supplies. There are over 9,500 reasons why we must become a nation that is energy independent, because over 9,500 people lost their lives in Desert Storm and 9/11, the War in Afghanistan and the War in Iraq. Our country is rich with natural resources, and as President of the United States, I will push for legislation to become a nation that produces its own oil, natural gas, nuclear power and bio fuels. Our country is rich with natural resources, and as President of the United States, I will eliminate the Department of Energy, and allow private companies to help America become an Energy Independent Nation. This will create at least 1.4 million jobs. This is not only an economic issue but also an issue of national defense.\nTax Reform and Government Spending\nUltimately we need to move towards abolishing the IRS and Federal Income Tax, and move to a tariff system that will fund our Federal Government. As President of the United States, I will push Congress for legislation to move to this system by eliminating Amendment XVI, which at present day gives Congress the power to lay and collect taxes on incomes. This is robbery, and I will push Congress to make this a reality. This must happen for Americans to truly have freedom and liberty from our Federal Government. I will work tirelessly as President of the United States to make this happen. Once elected, I will also cut all Federal Departments that are unconstitutional. I will follow Amendment X in order to decrease the size of our Federal Government, and decrease the amount of spending. We are going broke as a nation because our Federal Government is paying for these unconstitutional departments. This will change immediately under my watch.\nIt is really a simple concept. “Treat others the way you would like to be treated.” We must take care of our parents and grandparents. We must ensure that the social security system is placed on firm ground. In order for the social security system to work, elected government officials must first realize that they cannot continue to spend more than what they have to work with. By creating jobs, balancing the budget, making big businesses pay their fair share of taxes and becoming an independent energy nation, our aging citizens will be taken care of. In addition, we must take into account the average lifespan of American’s has increased and calculate a new plan according. We must move to privatizing the Social Security System. We must allow our citizens to determine which retirement plan that each individual wishes to participate in.\nAs a nation, we must always create an environment for open diplomacy with foreign countries. We must remain a superpower, and understand that working with other nations on a sound global economy will help our country grow. We must cut our ties with NATO because we do not need to be the police of the world. Having a strong economy goes hand in hand with having a strong national defense.\nThere are several things that need to change in Washington. Our elected government officials must never again spend more money than we have on hand. Overspending is a bad business practice, and it has started to haunt our nation. This must change. We must make sure that we leave our children and grandchildren a nation that has a thriving economy. As President of the United States, I will also push for term limits for members of Congress. The President of the United States can only serve for two terms as the Chief Executive. The same should apply to members of Congress. We have too many elected officials that are more concerned about keeping their jobs and getting reelected than actually doing their job.\nThere are several Federal Departments that are not covered under the United States Constitution. I intend on cutting the Departments of Education, Energy, Commerce, and the FED, as well as anything else that the Federal Government is illegally funding. According to the 10th Amendment, “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. Our country is going broke because we are paying for departments that are unconstitutional. This will change under my watch.\nwww.robbywells2016.com\nRobby Wells & Dr. Ron Paul\nPlease visit Robby’s website, or just give him a call today! Robby has not only offered to speak with American’s on the phone & email, but in person! If you wish for Mr. Wells to come to your town, simply schedule it with his Northwest Coordinator, Ms. Natalie Lencioni. Call Phone# 704-606-2859, or Email Mr. Wells at electrobbywells2012@gmail.com -or- Email Natalie Lencioni at natalie_s_renner@yahoo.com.\nPlease be sure to join Roxy Lopez every Tuesday night 8-10 p.m.( EST)\nTags: \"The Truth Denied Talk Radio, 2016 campaign, 2016 election, economy, gun rights, jobs, program, Revolution Radio, Robby Wells, running for president, second amendment rights, social security, taxes, The Truth Denied Roxy Lopez, Vets for kids, vote\n4 Responses “Robby Wells is a man with a plan – Could this be our next President?”\nrobby wells is a snake oil salesman, robby knows good & well that he has zero chance of being President of the United States. robby is just out to make money. http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2013/07/joshua-fauver-robby-wells-faux-of-the-liberty-movement/\nI disagree with having armed guards in schools. We already live in a police state. Putting armed guards in schools would further the government’s current agenda by “conditioning” our children into believing the presence of armed guards is normal: accepting the control of a police state. As quoted by B.F. Skinner, “Give me a child and I’ll make him into anything.”\nParents send their children to school for an education (the illusion). What their children receive is operant conditioning or performance based education (reality). According to Skinner, “Operant conditioning shapes behavior as a sculptor shapes a lump of clay.”\nIf armed guards were walking our streets today, most people would object. If today’s children grow up in a school system where they encounter armed guards daily, they will not take notice when armed guards start walking the streets. (Then there were two and three and.4 and…) By the time their children are old enough to attend operant conditioning, armed guards will be marching them to and from their authorized training camp locations.\n[Teaching and Conditioning is to People and Animals is to Educated and Trained]\nHow is it that when a crisis occurs the government, a.k.a. Intraspecific Kleptoparasites, have a solution before determining the cause/s? Previous solutions to prevent school shootings included installing security cameras and implementing controlled entry into a school.\nSandy Hook Elementary had both, yet both preventive measures failed. A video from the security camera of the incident does not seem to exist. Therefore, there is no evidence that indicates Adam Lanza (alleged shooter) gained entry by shooting through the glass door.\nAs of yet, there is no proof that Adam Lanza was on medication or that medication was the cause of his alleged actions or that he was under the care of a mental health professional. In fact, there is NO hard evidence, whatsoever, that Lanza even committed the crime. It is nothing but media hearsay as reported to them from Lt. Vance – also hearsay as far as I’m concerned.\nWhy waste more taxpayer’s money implementing preventive measures to events for which the cause has not been determined? They do not prevent future occurrences or mitigate the outcome.\nrkag\nThey aren’t all walmart some are walgreens. We need to start a walwethepeopleneedtoovercomethecorpandpowerelite.\nFoo Fighter UFO’s From WWII. Are They In Our Skies Today? Answer… YES!!!\nFallen Angel Technology? / UFO’s and Their Strange Attraction to Chemtrails\nCloaked Cloud Craft UFO’s… What / Who Is In Our Skies…\nMore Stories From GOVERNMENT","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line495849"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.602988600730896,"wiki_prob":0.397011399269104,"text":"Schlagwort: Identitarians\nAnti-terrorism at walking pace: Little European Union action against right-wing extremists\nOnly after the attack in Christchurch did the EU Commission and the Council take violent right-wing extremism and terrorism more seriously. However, no progress has been made in the cross-border fight against the phenomenon. Some Member States are putting the brakes on political decisions and consider terrorist attacks only as „extremism“.\nOn 15 March 2019, the Australian-born right-wing terrorist Brenton Tarrant shot 51 people in cold blood and injured another 50 in Christchurch, New Zealand. The perpetrator is considered a „lone wolf“ or „lone actor“, i.e. an individual who has radicalised himself in right-wing forums and social media on the internet. For many years, European police and secret services have monitored and prosecuted the phenomenon exclusively in the field of Islamist terrorism. Only after the momentous attack did cross-border right-wing networks and „lone actors“ radicalised through their structures find their way onto the EU agenda.\nThere are well-organised right-wing extremist associations such as Blood and Honour, Combat 18, Hammerskins, Soldiers of Odin, the Nordic Resistance Movement or the Identitarians, which all operate throughout Europe and also have connections on other continents. Their activities were partly observed by the EU, but not perceived as a threat. The EU police agency Europol publishes the „Trend Report on Terrorism in Europe“ (TESAT) every year. There, „right-wing terrorism“ is still at the end of the document after „jihadist terrorism“, „ethno-nationalist and separatist terrorism“ and „left-wing terrorism“, where Europol counts mainly arson attacks in the member states. „Anti-terrorism at walking pace: Little European Union action against right-wing extremists“ weiterlesen\nAutor Matthias MonroyVeröffentlicht am 30/10/2020 30/10/2020 Schlagwörter AWF Dolphin, Blood and Honour, Christchurch, Combat 18, COSI, Covid 19, EU Commission, EU Council, EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, EU Crisis Protocol, EU IRU, EU2020DE, Eurojust, European Union, Europol, Extremism, FIU.net, Germany, Halle, Hammerskins, Identitarians, IntCen, JHA, Nordic Resistance Movement, Soldiers of Odin, Terrorism, TESAT, TFTP, Violent Right-wing Extremism, Violent Right-wing Terrorism, Working Party on TerrorismSchreibe einen Kommentar zu Anti-terrorism at walking pace: Little European Union action against right-wing extremists\nSecret document: „Club de Berne“ criticises member in Austria for possible extremism\nAn audit report of the „Club de Berne“ finds serious deficiencies in the Austrian domestic intelligence service. Its IT systems were not approved for secret information. The authority should also ensure that it is not infiltrated by „extremist organisations“.\nThe Austrian Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution and the Fight against Terrorism (BVT) is regarded as a security gap for European intelligence cooperation. This is the conclusion reached by the European „Club de Berne“ in an audit report. The document classified as „secret“ was leaked to the daily newspaper „Österreich“ and published.\nFollowing an intervention by the government in Vienna, however, the editorial staff took essential parts offline again, and the public prosecutor’s office is now investigating for „treason of state secrets“. Netzpolitik.org was able to inspect the report, the authenticity of which was confirmed by the current Minister of the Interior, Wolfgang Peschorn. It contains 156 „observations“, „recommendations“, „advice“ and „expectations“. „Secret document: „Club de Berne“ criticises member in Austria for possible extremism“ weiterlesen\nAutor Matthias MonroyVeröffentlicht am 02/12/2019 07/12/2020 Schlagwörter Austria, BfV, BVT, Club de Berne, Counter Terrorism Group, CTG, FPÖ, Germany, Herbert Kickl, Identitarians, Intelligence Services, Kaspersky, Klaus-Dieter Fritsche, Martin Sellner, MI5, Neptune, Norway, Phoenix, Poseidon, Soteria, Switzerland","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1657905"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7463003396987915,"wiki_prob":0.2536996603012085,"text":"Paul Maynard – 2020 Statement on Flybe\nJanuary 14, 2020 admin\t2020, Paul Maynard, Speeches\nBelow is the text of the statement made by Paul Maynard, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, in the House of Commons on 14 January 2020.\nI thank my right hon. Friend for raising this matter. She is a strong advocate for her local airport.\nLet me stress that Flybe remains a going concern. Flights continue as scheduled, and passengers should continue to go to the airport as usual. I must also emphasise that regional air carriers and airports are vital to the Government, playing a key role in providing connectivity between communities, regions and nations across the United Kingdom.\nThe speculation surrounding Flybe relates to commercial matters. The Government do not comment on the financial affairs of or speculation surrounding private companies. We are working hard, but there are commercial limits on what a Government can do to rescue any firm.\nBe in no doubt, however, that we understand Flybe’s important role in delivering connectivity across the entire United Kingdom. This Government are committed to ensuring that the country has the regional connectivity that it needs. That is part of our agenda of uniting and levelling up the whole country. We do not have good enough infrastructure in many areas, and people do not feel they have a chance to get to the opportunity areas with high-skilled and high-paid jobs. That is what this Government are addressing now.\nI hope the House will appreciate that I regret that I am not able to go into further detail at this stage, but I will update the House further when it is appropriate to do so.\nFlybe is, as the Minister said, an important regional airline, serving the UK market for business and leisure travel. I must confess from the outset that Southampton airport sits on the boundary between my constituency of Romsey and Southampton North and the Eastleigh constituency, but it employs many of my constituents and, of course, serves the much wider region. It is a crucial part of Hampshire’s connectivity, located adjacent to the mainline to London Waterloo and the M27 motorway, and it serves the cruise terminal at Southampton. It is in every sense a transport hub for the south-east, and about 90% of flights out of Southampton are run by Flybe.\nI know that my hon. Friend the Minister is working hard on this issue, for which I sincerely thank him. He has been diligent in keeping me updated and has been in close contact with colleagues across the country who believe that the Government need to find a practical and pragmatic solution to the current reported difficulties, as indeed I do. It is a sensitive time for the company, but my questions today are not criticisms. We are seeking reassurance from the Government that solutions can be found.\nI welcomed the comments from my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister this morning about regional connectivity. He specifically referenced Northern Ireland, and Southampton airport has a thriving route in and out of Belfast, not to mention Glasgow and Edinburgh, with onward routes to Aberdeen. It is a hub that serves the whole United Kingdom.\nI do not wish to put the Minister in a corner, but I hope that he may be able to expand a little on what might be achieved with regard to air passenger duty, which has long been a concern to airlines and airport operators. We leave the European Union at the end of this month, which might give us some opportunity to consider the freedoms that there could be from state aid rules. I do not expect the Minister to make any sweeping announcements from the Dispatch Box, but I hope he and his officials are closely considering it.\nWhat powers does the Minister have to protect the key strategic routes operated by Flybe and, of course, to protect its staff? Flybe employs 200 people at Southampton, and the airport employs some 900 people. A far wider supply chain relies on a thriving regional airport with a functioning operator.\nWe have an opportunity to use every lever of government to make sure that regional connectivity is maintained to ensure that businesses can operate smoothly and that people can move around the country seamlessly. I seek reassurance from my hon. Friend that he is pulling all those levers.\nPaul Maynard\nI thank my right hon. Friend once again for working hard on behalf of Southampton airport. I am acutely conscious of the fact that some 94% of Southampton’s passengers are Flybe passengers, and she makes an important series of points about the airport’s importance to her region. Indeed, I gather the airport is also important to inbound tourism.\nMy right hon. Friend tries to tempt me on to the topic of APD. It may help the House if I make it clear that Transport Ministers never comment on air passenger duty, which is a matter for the Treasury, and I do not intend to change that now. I will not be making any comments on air passenger duty.\n← Emily Thornberry – 2020 Speech on Britain in the World\nAndy McDonald – 2020 Speech on Flybe →\nAdam Afriyie – 2012 Speech on Conservatism\nRichard Holt – 1986 Speech on Ambulance Services in Guisborough\nHugo Swire – 2014 Speech in Kathmandu","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line491687"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9357359409332275,"wiki_prob":0.9357359409332275,"text":"Iran invited to Geneva 2, Syrian opposition threatens to withdraw\nUN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon makes an announcement at the United Nations headquarters in New York, January 19, 2014. (AFP Photo / Emmanuel Dunand) © AFP\nIran has been officially invited to participate in the Geneva 2 Syria peace conference on January 22, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said. The Syrian National Coalition has threatened to withdraw from the talks, unless Iran’s invitation is revoked.\nThe UN chief also said that he had assurances from Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif that Tehran would play a “constructive role\" in solving the crisis in Syria, Reuters reports.\n“I believe strongly that Iran needs to be part of the solution to the Syrian crisis,” Ban told reporters today in New York after discussions with Iranian officials. “Iran said that they are committed to play a very constructive and important and positive role.”\nThe US State Department has accepted the invitation of Iran on the condition it expresses “explicit and public support for the full implementation of the Geneva communiqué including the establishment of a transitional governing body by mutual consent with full executive authorities.”\n\"If Iran does not fully and publicly accept the Geneva communiqué, the invitation must be rescinded,\" State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said, expressing deep concern about Iran's “contributions to the Assad regime's brutal campaign against its own people.”\nSo far, Tehran has not accepted the Geneva 1 declaration in full because it believes creating a transitional government in Syria would exclude any participation of President Bashar Assad from the country's political future. Ban however said he is convinced Iran eventually will accept the Geneva 1 communique.\n\"Foreign Minister Zarif and I agree that the goal of the negotiations is to establish, by mutual consent, a transitional governing body with full executive powers,\" Ban said. \"It was on that basis that Foreign Minister Zarif pledged that Iran would play a positive and constructive role in Montreux.\"\nRepresentatives of Iran and 39 other countries will attend talks in Montreux, Switzerland in advance of negotiations in Geneva starting January 22. Ban also has invited nine other nations on Saturday that have an interest in the Syrian conflict, saying that their presence would be an important display of solidarity. These include representatives of Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Greece, the Holy See, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands and the Republic of Korea.\n“The Syrian Coalition announces that they will withdraw their attendance in Geneva 2 unless Ban Ki-moon retracts Iran's invitation,\" Reuters reported, citing Syrian National Coalition spokesman Louay Safi’s statement on Twitter.\nAccording to another senior SNC member, the coalition was “surprised\" by the UN chief’s “illogical” move to invite Iran and “cannot in any way accept it.”\nSyria's main Western-backed political opposition group earlier agreed to attend the meeting. A powerful group of Syrian Islamist rebels however rejected the upcoming peace talks with the Assad government.\nIran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said on Saturday that participants of the conference must adopt a “realistic view.”\n“Participants in the Geneva 2 forum must adopt a realistic view and remember that their decisions should not lead to the strengthening of extremist movements in Syria,” Abdollahian said during the talks with French Deputy Foreign Minister Jean-Francois Girault, the ISNA news agency reported on Sunday.\n“The forum can provide a political solution providing the people of Syria can decide the future of their country… in a democratic solution that will be manifested in their votes,” Abdollahian added.\nGeneva 2, initiated by the United States and Russia aims to start a political dialogue and agree transition map to end the nearly three-year war that has killed an estimated 130,000 people and forced millions to flee their homes.\nRussia has been lobbying to bring Iran to the negotiations table in Switzerland as the country plays an important role in geopolitical affairs in the region. Tehran is also Damascus’s closest ally.\nWashington was the main party opposed to Iran’s participation in Geneva 2 talks, accusing Tehran of providing financial and military aid to the Syrian government and criticizing Tehran for not signing the Geneva 1 communiqué. Washington’s regional allies in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, were also hesitant for Iran to join the diplomatic round in Switzerland.\nIran has repeatedly stated that it is willing to attend the talks without any preconditions. “We insist that Iran will not accept any preconditions to attend Geneva 2,” Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif reiterated on Saturday.\nSyrian opposition coalition agrees to attend Geneva 2 peace talks\nSyrian split: Islamist rebels reject Geneva 2 talks","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1598779"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6872012615203857,"wiki_prob":0.31279873847961426,"text":"Audit of Information Systems General and Application Controls at Medco Health Solutions, Inc.\nAUDIT OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS\nGENERAL AND APPLICATION CONTROLS AT\nMEDCO HEALTH SOLUTIONS, INC.\nPharmacy I3enefit Manager for:\n• BlueCross BlueShield Federal Employee Program\n• American Postal Workers Union Health Plan\n• Government Employees Health Association\n• SAMBA Federal Employee Benefit Association\n• Foreign Service Benefit Plan\nReport No. lA-1O-OO-ll-OS2\nDate: March 1 4, 201 2\n--CAUTION-­\nThis audit report has been distributed to Federal and l\\on-Federal officials who are responsible for the administration of the audited\ncontract. This audit report may contain proprietary data which is protected by .\"ederallaw (18 ES.C. 1905). Therefore. while this audit\nreport is available under the Freedom of Information Act and made available to the public on the OIG webpage. caution needs to be\nexercised before releasing the report to the general public as it may contain proprietary information that was redacted from the publicly\nOf1ice of the\nMEDeo HEALTH SOLUTIONS, INC.\nPharmacy Benefit Manager For:\nBLUECROSS BLUESHIELD ASSOCIATION\nCONTRACT 1039: CODES 104, lOS, 111, 112\nAMERICAN POSTAL WORKERS UNION HEALTH PLAN\nCONTRACT 1370: CODES 471, 472, 474, 475\nGOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES HEAL TH ASSOCIATION\nSAMBA FEDERAL EMPLOYEE BENEFIT ASSOCIATION\nFOREIGN SERVICE BENEFIT PLAN\nCONTRACT 1062: CODES 401, 402\nReport No. lA-lO-OO-ll-052\nDate: 03/14/12\nwww.opm.gov www.usajobs.gov\nOrtice of the\nBLUECROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION\nCONTRACT 1039; CODES 104, 105, 111, 112\nGOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES HEALTH ASSOCIATION\nCONTRACT 1062; CODES 401, 402\nReport No. lA-lO-OO-ll-OS2\nDate: 03/14/12\nThis final report discusses the results of our audit of general and application controls over the\ninformation systems at Medco Health Solutions, Inc.\nOur audit focused on the claims processing applications used to adjudicate Federal Employees\nHealth Benefits Program (FEHBP) claims for Medco, as well as the various processes and\ninformation technology (IT) systems used to support these applications. We documented\ncontrols in place and opportunities for improvement in each of the areas below.\nwww.opm.gov www.usajobs.goll\nMedco has established a comprehensive series of IT policies and procedures to create an\nawareness of IT security at the Plan. We also verified that Medco has adequate human resources\npolicies related to the security aspects of hiring, training, transferring, and terminating\nWe found that Medco has implemented numerous physical controls to prevent unauthorized\naccess to its facilities, as well as logical controls to prevent unauthorized access to its\ninformation systems. However, we found that Medco’s data center does not require two-factor\nauthentication for access and that there is no documented review of system administrator\nactivity.\nMedco has developed formal policies and procedures providing guidance to ensure that system\nsoftware is appropriately configured and updated, controlling system software configuration\nchanges, and monitoring configuration through vulnerability scanning.\nWe reviewed Medco’s business continuity plans and concluded that they contained the key\nelements suggested by relevant guidance and publications. We also determined that these\ndocuments are reviewed, updated, and tested on a periodic basis.\nClaims Adjudication\nMedco has implemented many controls in its claims adjudication process to ensure that FEHBP\nclaims are processed accurately. However, we found that Medco does not use the Office of\nPersonnel Management (OPM) debarred provider listing to update its master pharmacy database.\nWe also recommend that Medco implement several system modifications to ensure that its\nclaims processing systems adjudicate FEHBP claims in a manner consistent with the OPM\ncontract and other regulations.\nHealth Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)\nNothing came to our attention that caused us to believe that Medco is not in compliance with the\nHIPAA security and privacy regulations.\nExecutive Summary ......................................................................................................................... i\nI. Introduction .................................................................................................................................1\nBackground ................................................................................................................................ 1\nObjectives ................................................................................................................................... 1\nScope .......................................................................................................................................... 2\nMethodology .............................................................................................................................. 2\nCompliance with Laws and Regulations .................................................................................... 3\nII. Audit Findings and Recommendations .......................................................................................4\nA. Security Management ............................................................................................................ 4\nB. Access Controls ..................................................................................................................... 4\nC. Configuration Management ................................................................................................... 6\nD. Contingency Planning ........................................................................................................... 7\nE. Claims Adjudication ............................................................................................................. 7\nF. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ......................................................... 14\nIII. Major Contributors to This Report ..........................................................................................15\nAppendix: Medco’s December 1, 2011 response to the draft audit report issued October 5, 2011.\nThis final report details the findings, conclusions, and recommendations resulting from the audit\nof general and application controls over the information systems responsible for processing\nFederal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) claims by Medco Health Solutions, Inc.\n(Medco).\nThe audit was conducted pursuant to applicable FEHBP contracts; 5 U.S.C. Chapter 89; and 5\nCode of Federal Regulations (CFR) Chapter 1, Part 890. The audit was performed by the U.S.\nOffice of Personnel Management’s (OPM) Office of the Inspector General (OIG), as established\nby the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended.\nThe FEHBP was established by the Federal Employees Health Benefits Act (the Act), enacted on\nSeptember 28, 1959. The FEHBP was created to provide health insurance benefits for federal\nemployees, annuitants, and qualified dependents. The provisions of the Act are implemented by\nOPM through regulations codified in Title 5, Chapter 1, Part 890 of the CFR. Health insurance\ncoverage is made available through contracts with various carriers that provide service benefits,\nindemnity benefits, or comprehensive medical services.\nMedco is the pharmacy benefit manager responsible for processing prescription drug claims on\nbehalf of the following FEHBP insurance carriers:\n• Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Federal Employee Program - contract CS 1039;\n• American Postal Workers Union Health Plan - contract CS 1370;\n• Government Employees Health Association (GEHA) - contract CS 1063;\n• SAMBA Federal Employee Benefit Association - contract CS 1074; and\n• Foreign Service Benefit Plan (FSBP) - contract CS 1062.\nThis was our first audit of Medco’s general and application controls. We also reviewed Medco’s\ncompliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).\nAll Medco personnel that worked with the auditors were particularly helpful and open to ideas\nand suggestions. They viewed the audit as an opportunity to examine practices and to make\nchanges or improvements as necessary. Their positive attitude and helpfulness throughout the\naudit was greatly appreciated.\nThe objectives of this audit were to evaluate controls over the confidentiality, integrity, and\navailability of FEHBP data processed and maintained in Medco’s IT environment.\nWe accomplished these objectives by reviewing the following areas:\n• Security management;\n• Access controls;\n• Configuration management;\n• Segregation of duties;\n• Contingency planning;\n• Application controls specific to Medco’s claims processing systems; and,\n• HIPAA compliance.\nThis performance audit was conducted in accordance with generally accepted government\nauditing standards issued by the Comptroller General of the United States. Accordingly, we\nobtained an understanding of Medco’s internal controls through interviews and observations, as\nwell as inspection of various documents, including information technology and other related\norganizational policies and procedures. This understanding of Medco’s internal controls was\nused in planning the audit by determining the extent of compliance testing and other auditing\nprocedures necessary to verify that the internal controls were properly designed, placed in\noperation, and effective.\nThe scope of this audit centered on the information systems used by Medco to process\nprescription benefit claims for FEHBP members. The business processes reviewed are primarily\nlocated in Medco’s Franklin Lakes, New Jersey facility.\nThe on-site portion of this audit was performed in June and July of 2011. We completed\nadditional audit work before and after the on-site visits at our office in Washington, D.C. The\nfindings, recommendations, and conclusions outlined in this report are based on the status of\ninformation system general and application controls in place at Medco as of September 9, 2011.\nIn conducting our audit, we relied to varying degrees on computer-generated data provided by\nMedco. Due to time constraints, we did not verify the reliability of the data used to complete\nsome of our audit steps but we determined that it was adequate to achieve our audit objectives.\nHowever, when our objective was to assess computer-generated data, we completed audit steps\nnecessary to obtain evidence that the data was valid and reliable.\nIn conducting this audit, we:\n• Gathered documentation and conducted interviews;\n• Reviewed Medco’s business structure and environment;\n• Performed a risk assessment of Medco’s information systems environment and applications,\nand prepared an audit program based on the assessment and the Government Accountability\nOffice's (GAO) Federal Information System Controls Audit Manual (FISCAM); and,\n• Conducted various compliance tests to determine the extent to which established controls and\nprocedures are functioning as intended. As appropriate, we used judgmental sampling in\ncompleting our compliance testing.\nVarious laws, regulations, and industry standards were used as a guide to evaluating Medco’s\ncontrol structure. This criteria includes, but is not limited to, the following publications:\n• Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-130, Appendix III;\n• OMB Memorandum 07-16, Safeguarding Against and Responding to the Breach of\nPersonally Identifiable Information;\n• Information Technology Governance Institute’s CobiT: Control Objectives for Information\nand Related Technology;\n• GAO’s FISCAM;\n• National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Special Publication (NIST SP) 800-12,\nIntroduction to Computer Security;\n• NIST SP 800-14, Generally Accepted Principles and Practices for Securing Information\nTechnology Systems;\n• NIST SP 800-30, Risk Management Guide for Information Technology Systems;\n• NIST SP 800-34, Contingency Planning Guide for Information Technology Systems;\n• NIST SP 800-41 Revision 1, Guidelines on Firewalls and Firewall Policy;\n• NIST SP 800-53 Revision 3, Recommended Security Controls for Federal Information\nSystems;\n• NIST SP 800-61, Computer Security Incident Handling Guide;\n• NIST SP 800-66 Revision 1, An Introductory Resource Guide for Implementing the HIPAA\nSecurity Rule; and,\n• HIPAA Act of 1996.\nIn conducting the audit, we performed tests to determine whether Medco’s practices were\nconsistent with applicable standards. While generally compliant, with respect to the items tested,\nMedco was not in complete compliance with all standards as described in the “Audit Findings\nand Recommendations” section of this report.\nII. Audit Findings and Recommendations\nA. Security Management\nThe security management component of this audit involved the examination of the policies and\nprocedures that are the foundation of Medco’s overall IT security controls. We evaluated\nMedco’s ability to develop security policies, manage risk, assign security-related responsibility,\nand monitor the effectiveness of various system-related controls.\nMedco has implemented a series of formal policies and procedures that comprise a\ncomprehensive security management program. Medco’s security management program is\ndeveloped, maintained, and annually reviewed by Medco Global Security; their responsibilities\ninclude creating policies to protect against threats or improper use of protected health\ninformation, HIPAA compliance, and to provide central governance and coordination. Medco\nhas also developed a thorough risk management methodology, and has procedures to document,\ntrack, and alleviate or accept identified risks. We also reviewed Medco’s human resources\npolicies and procedures related to the security aspects of hiring, training, transferring, and\nterminating employees.\nNothing came to our attention to indicate that Medco does not have an adequate security\nmanagement program.\nB. Access Controls\nAccess controls are the policies, procedures, and controls used to prevent or detect unauthorized\nphysical or logical access to sensitive resources.\nWe examined the physical access controls of a Medco office complex and a separate data center\nfacility, both in New Jersey. We also examined the logical controls protecting sensitive data in\nMedco’s network environment and claims processing related applications.\nThe access controls observed during this audit included, but were not limited to:\n• Procedures for granting and revoking physical access privileges to the data centers;\n• Adequate intrusion detection and incident response capabilities;\n• Controls over firewall configuration and security;\n• Use of software tools to monitor and filter e-mail and Internet activity; and\n• Strict identification and authentication requirements.\nHowever, we did note several opportunities for improvement related to Medco’s physical and\nlogical access controls.\n• Controls for securely managing changes to the operating platform and claims processing\napplication;\n• Controls for monitoring privileged user activity on the operating platform;\n• Procedures for routinely updating and patching the operating platforms; and\n• Procedures for monitoring configuration through vulnerability scans.\nNothing came to our attention to indicate that Medco does not have adequate controls related to\nconfiguration management.\nD. Contingency Planning\nWe reviewed the following elements of Medco’s contingency planning program to determine\nwhether controls were in place to prevent or minimize damage and interruptions to business\noperations when disastrous events occur:\n• Business continuity plans for several business units, data center operations, pharmacies, and\ncustomer service;\n• Business continuity plans for the check writing facility;\n• Disaster recovery plan for the claims processing system;\n• Disaster recovery plan tests conducted in conjunction with the recovery site; and\n• Emergency response procedures and training.\nWe determined that the service continuity documentation reviewed contained the critical\nelements suggested by NIST SP 800-34, “Contingency Planning Guide for IT Systems.” Medco\nhas identified and prioritized the systems and resources that are critical to business operations,\nand has developed detailed procedures to recover those systems and resources.\nNothing came to our attention to indicate that Medco has not implemented adequate controls\nrelated to contingency planning.\nE. Claims Adjudication\nThe following sections detail our review of the applications and business processes supporting\nMedco’s claims adjudication process.\nApplication Configuration Management\nThe OIG evaluated the policies and procedures governing software development and change\ncontrol of Medco’s claims processing applications.\nMedco has extensive policies and procedures related to application configuration management.\nMedco has adopted a traditional systems development lifecycle methodology that IT personnel\nfollow during routine software modifications. The following controls related to testing and\napprovals of software modifications were observed:\n• Medco has adopted practices that allow modifications to be tracked throughout the change\nprocess;\n• Code, unit, system, and quality testing are all conducted in accordance with industry\nstandards; and\n• Medco uses an automated tool to move the code between software libraries and ensure\nadequate segregation of duties.\nClaims Processing System\nWe evaluated the input, processing, and output controls associated with Medco’s claims\nadjudication systems. We determined that Medco has implemented policies and procedures to\nhelp ensure that:\n• Claims scheduled for payment are actually paid;\n• Claims are monitored as they are processed through the systems with real time tracking of the\nsystem’s performance; and\n• Paper claims that are received in the contracted mail room are tracked to ensure timely\nprocessing (aging reports).\nMedco employees download the Health and Human Services (HHS) OIG debarment list every\nmonth and compare it to the Medco pharmacy master database. Any debarred pharmacies that\nappear in Medco’s pharmacy master database are promptly removed. Removing the pharmacy\nfrom the master database prevents claims submitted by that pharmacy from processing\nsuccessfully during the claims adjudication process. However, Medco’s procedures only\nconsider the HHS debarment list and not the debarred provider listing maintained by the OPM\nOIG. Failure to update the debarment database with the OPM OIG exclusion list increases the\nrisk that claims are being paid to providers that are debarred by OPM but not by HHS.\nWe recommend that Medco implement procedures to routinely update its pharmacy master\ndatabase with OPM OIG’s debarred provider listing.\nNote: this recommendation does not apply to Medco’s BCBS contract, as Medco does not\nprocess retail pharmacy claims for BCBS.\nMedco Response:\n“Medco notes that in addition to screening against the HHS OIG list referenced in the audit\nfinding, Medco also checks the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) maintained by the\nGeneral Services Administration. It is Medco’s understanding that all executive agencies of\nthe federal government provide information relating to exclusion, debarment or suspension\nfor inclusion on the EPLS. Medco notes that OPM is included in the list of agencies in EPLS.\nMedco believes that by screening against the EPLS, Medco meets OPMs requirements. Please\nrefer to the attached monthly review memo (Attachment 1) that was provided to OPM OIG.\nThe memo notes that the General Services Administration list is checked monthly.”\nOIG Reply:\nAlthough the EPLS contains much of the same data as the OPM OIG’s debarred provider listing,\nthe EPLS is not acceptable for use by FEHBP contractors when making decisions that impact\nFEHBP members.\nThe EPLS is a public site that contains limited data regarding OPM suspended and debarred\nproviders. It does not provide FEHBP contractors with all the data elements needed to make\ndecisions regarding payment/nonpayment of FEHBP claims.\nOPM requires its contracted insurance carriers to process all FEHBP claims against a sanctions\ndatabase that is updated monthly with OPM’s debarment and suspension data. OPM uses a\nsecure webpage to electronically disseminate debarment/suspension/termination information to\nFEHBP carriers, and this webpage is OIG’s exclusive method for distributing debarment and\nsuspension data to FEHBP carriers.\nOPM may also post messages on the secure webpage concerning debarment and suspension-\nrelated operational matters, as well as corrections to prior data. Therefore, it is important that\ncontractors visit the webpage periodically between the regular postings.\nWe continue to recommend that Medco implement procedures to routinely update its pharmacy\nmaster database with OPM OIG’s debarred provider listing.\nSpecial Investigations and Fraud\nThe OIG evaluated the Medco policies and procedures governing special investigations and\nfraud. We determined that Medco has substantial policies and procedures in place to detect,\nmanage, and report fraud. There were no opportunities for improvement noted during our\nApplication Controls Testing\nWe conducted a testing exercise on Medco’s claims adjudication applications to validate the\nsystems’ claims processing controls. The exercise involved developing test claims designed with\ninherent flaws and evaluating the manner in which Medco’s systems processed the claims.\nThe sections below document opportunities for improvement related to Medco’s application\ncontrols.\na) Invalid Prescriber\nMedco’s claims processing applications do not have the ability to detect prescriptions\ncontaining invalid prescriber identifiers (identifiers not assigned to an active licensed\nprovider).\nWe submitted test claims for prescriptions written by non-existent prescribers. The National\nProvider Identifier (NPI) numbers for these providers had a valid structure (last number was\na correctly calculated check digit), but they were not assigned to a valid prescribing doctor.\nWe also submitted test claims that contained an NPI number without an accurate check digit.\nMedco’s system appropriately suspended the claims containing NPI numbers with incorrect\ncheck digits. However, all claims with an accurate check digit were processed and paid\nwithout encountering any system edits or suspensions, even though the NPI numbers were\nnot assigned to a valid prescriber.\nAlthough retail pharmacies should validate prescribers before submitting a prescription\nclaim, we believe that it is the responsibility of Medco to verify that prescriptions are written\nby valid prescribers prior to authorizing a claim for payment. A centralized method of\nverifying NPI numbers would be more efficient than relying on the efforts of various\npharmacies whose processes Medco cannot control, and would also provide Medco assurance\nall claims are verified with consistent quality.\nThe weakness in the current control structure could be exploited by individuals submitting\nfraudulent prescriptions from an invalid prescriber. If the pharmacist filling the prescription\ndoes not detect the anomaly, Medco will pay benefits for the claim and the individual will\ngain unauthorized access to prescription drugs. This risk of fraudulent activity is even\ngreater for mail order claims, where Medco is also the pharmacy filling the prescription and\nthere is no second level of control added from a retail pharmacist. Medco confirmed that the\nonly validation it does of prescriber identifiers on both retail and mail order claims is to\nvalidate the NPI check digit and verify that the prescriber is not on the OIG debarred\nprovider list.\nWe recommend that Medco make the appropriate system modifications in order to detect\nclaims being processed with invalid prescriber identifiers. Prescriber identifiers include:\nNPI, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) number, Unique Provider Identification Number\n(UPIN), or state license number.\nClaims that do not contain a valid prescriber identifier should not be rejected at the point of\nsale, but Medco should attempt to retroactively obtain a valid identifier for these claims.\nWhen unable to obtain a valid prescriber identifier, Medco should pursue reimbursement\nfrom the pharmacy or member that submitted the claim. All funds recovered should be\nreturned to OPM via the FEHBP carriers.\n“Medco notes that each plan determines the edits that are in place for that plan. Currently,\nno plan has requested the type of edit described above. Moreover, the recommendation, if\nimplemented by the plans, will result in patients not obtaining drugs from prescribers who\nare licensed prescribers. This is because not all prescribers have NPI numbers at this\ntime. Furthermore, while the above recommendation directs Medco to the CMS file, it\ndoes not take into account that the CMS file (1) is furnished only every 4-6 weeks, and\nthus does not provide current information; (2) does not require that the prescriber register\nusing the exact name that might be on the patient’s prescription; (3) does not provide all\nthe addresses at which a prescriber practices (it only has one location); (4) does not\nprovide termination dates for NPI numbers; and (5) does not provide clear practice area\ninformation. Thus, relying on this database would result in legitimate claims being\nrejected at point of sale. The recommendation also does not take into account instances\nwhere, for example, a vaccine is administered at a pharmacy so the NPI number for the\nprescriber could be the same as the NPI of the pharmacy.\nFor 2012, CMS continues to instruct plans not to reject a claim at point of sale for invalid\nNPI numbers, so OPM’s recommendation runs counter to CMS’s requirement and will\nresult in patients not receiving drugs to which they are entitled that are prescribed by\nlicensed prescribers. However, if the plans choose to implement this recommendation,\nMedco will implement it.”\nAdditional comments from Medco’s FEHBP clients:\nGEHA: “We concur with Medco’s response and would not want to implement an edit that\nwould prevent enrollees from receiving medications to which they are entitled.”\nMedco is correct that for 2012, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Center\nfor Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) instructed plans not to reject Medicare Part D\nclaims at a point of sale for invalid NPI numbers. The 2012 CMS Final Call Letter to all\nMedicare prescription drug plan sponsors states that “sponsors should not reject a pharmacy\nclaim solely on the basis of an invalid prescriber identifier unless the issue can be resolved at\npoint-of-sale.” However, this same document referenced by Medco also states that\nPrescription Drug Event (PDE) records submitted to CMS must contain one of four types of\nprescriber identifiers (including NPI), and that plans must ensure that these identifiers are\nactive and valid. Therefore, if a valid prescriber ID is not included on the Part D claim, the\nsponsor must retroactively acquire a valid ID before submitting the PDE to CMS. The Call\nLetter also states that CMS is considering limiting acceptable prescriber identifiers to NPIs in\nFurthermore, an audit report from the Inspector General at HHS recommended that Part D\nplans “institute procedures to (1) identify invalid identifiers in the prescriber identifier field\non Part D drug claims and (2) flag for review Part D drug claims that contain invalid\nidentifiers in the prescriber identifier field1.”\nOur draft audit report recommended that Medco make the appropriate system\nmodifications in order to detect claims being processed with invalid NPIs. In order to be\nconsistent with HHS, we modified the recommendation so that it does not explicitly require\nNPI numbers to be validated. Rather, we recommend that Medco’s validation of the\nHHS OIG Audit Report “Invalid Prescriber Identifiers on Medicare Part D Drug Claims.”\nhttp://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/oei-03-09-00140.pdf (page 4/25)\nprescriber can be done by any of the four valid prescriber identifiers allowed by HHS (DEA,\nNPI, UPIN, or state license numbers). We also recommend that claims should not be\nrejected at the point of sale for missing a valid prescriber identifier, but Medco should\nattempt to retroactively obtain a valid identifier for these claims. When unable to obtain a\nvalid prescriber identifier, Medco should pursue reimbursement from the pharmacy or\nmember that submitted the claim.\nb) Expired Prescriptions\nMedco’s claims processing applications do not have the controls in place to accurately\nprocess claims based on state laws for expired prescriptions.\nWe submitted several test claims for prescriptions where the fill date was between 5 months\nand 2 years after the prescription was written. Medco’s system denied all claims that were\nfilled more than one year after the issue date, and paid all claims that were less than one year\nold. However, several U.S. states and territories have prescription laws that do not conform\nto the one year expiration timeline, and Medco is not accurately processing claims from these\nFor example, prescriptions from Puerto Rico expire after 6 months, but Medco’s system\nwould inappropriately process and pay claims from there that were between 6 and 12 months\nIn addition, prescriptions from the states listed below expire at a point in time greater than\none year. Medco’s system inappropriately denies claims for prescriptions older than one year\nbut within the legal limit for that area. This practice could prevent FEHB members from\nreceiving medication that they are legally entitled to.\nStates where prescriptions expire later than one year:\n• Alabama (no expiration) • Massachusetts (no expiration)\n• California (no expiration) • New Mexico (no expiration)\n• Connecticut (no expiration) • New York (no expiration)\n• District of Columbia (no • Oregon (24 months)\nexpiration) • South Carolina (24 months)\n• Georgia (no expiration) • South Dakota (no expiration)\n• Idaho (15 months) • Wyoming (24 months)\n• Iowa (18 months)\n• Maine (15 months)\nWe recommend that Medco make the appropriate system modifications to alert pharmacies in\nPuerto Rico when they attempt to submit claims for expired prescriptions (those more than\nsix months old).\n“Medco notes that effective November 2011, the edit that previously allowed claims at\nPuerto Rico pharmacies to be filled up to 12 months after the prescription was written was\nchanged in our system. Going forward, any claims submitted from a Puerto Rico\npharmacy will now reject if the fill date would be more than 6 months from the date on\nwhich the prescription was written. With regard to mail service, as per the case law from\n2000, the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit affirmed a district court decision that\nthe Pharmacy Act of PR is not applicable to mail-order services based outside of Puerto\nRico that supply pharmaceuticals to customers within Puerto Rico.”\nAs part of the audit resolution process, we recommend that Medco provide OPM’s HIO with\nevidence that its systems have been modified to alert pharmacies in Puerto Rico when they\nattempt to submit claims for expired prescriptions.\nWe recommend that Medco make the appropriate system modifications to approve and pay\nclaims greater than one year old if allowed by the prescription laws in that state.\n“First, pharmacy regulations in the states in which the back end pharmacies are located\ndo not allow a prescription that is over one year from when it is written to be transferred\ninto the pharmacy. Thus, Medco is adhering to pharmacy law. For retail pharmacies,\nplans have the ability to determine coverage for a prescription, even if the coverage limits\nare more stringent than provided by pharmacy law. So, for example, pharmacy law might\nallow a member to obtain a refill of a prescription a few days after obtaining the original\nfill; however, the plan, as a matter of plan design, might use a refill too soon edit to\nprevent that refill from being paid for by the plan. Similarly, pharmacy law would allow\nany valid prescription to be filled, but the plan design might not cover a particular drug if\nit were off the formulary; or required prior authorization. The same logic applies for\npayment of claims for prescriptions that are over a year old. This might be allowed by\npharmacy law in certain states; however, it is generally not contemplated by our plans.\nIf the plans decide to implement this recommendation and allow prescriptions over a year\nold to be filled at retail pharmacies, Medco will implement the request of the plans.”\nGEHA: “Since the majority of the Plan’s prescription spend is through mail order, we\nwould need to maintain a standardized one year renewal period for all prescriptions.”\nFSBP: We wish “to keep within our contract and allow only one (1) year for prescription\nrefills.”\nWe acknowledge the fact that individual plans maintain the right to set coverage limits that\nare more stringent than state pharmacy laws, and that GEHA and FSBP have done so. We\nrecommend that APWU and SAMBA inform Medco whether they wish to continue the one-\nyear expiration limit or to allow claims to adjudicate based on prescription expiration dates\noutlined in state laws.\nF. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act\nThe OIG reviewed Medco’s efforts to maintain compliance with the security and privacy\nstandards of HIPAA.\nMedco has implemented a series of IT security policies and procedures to adequately address the\nrequirements of the HIPAA security rule. Medco has also developed a series of privacy policies\nand procedures that directly addresses all requirements of the HIPAA privacy rule. Each line of\nbusiness, subsidiary, and some departments have designated a Privacy Official who has the\nresponsibility of ensuring their area is compliant with HIPAA Privacy and Medco's HIPAA\nPrivacy policies. Medco employees receive HIPAA-related training during new hire orientation,\nas well as annual refresher training.\nvarious requirements of HIPAA regulations.\nIII. Major Contributors to This Report\nThis audit report was prepared by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Office of Inspector\nGeneral, Information Systems Audits Group. The following individuals participated in the audit\nand the preparation of this report:\n• , Group Chief\n• , Senior Team Leader\n• , IT Auditor\n• Auditor\n• , IT Auditor\n• , IT Auditor\n100 Parsons Pond Drive\nFranklin Lakes, NJ 07417\nwww.medco.com\nfinding, Medco also checks the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) maintained by the General\nServices Administration. It is Medco’s understanding that all executive agencies of the federal\ngovernment provide information relating to exclusion, debarment or suspension for inclusion on\nthe EPLS. Medco notes that OPM is included in the list of agencies in EPLS. Medco believes\nthat by screening against the EPLS, Medco meets OPMs requirements. Please refer to the\nattached monthly review memo (Attachment 1) that was provided to OPM OIG. The memo notes\nthat the General Services Administration list is checked monthly.\nInvalid Prescriber: Recommendation 4\ncontaining invalid (non-existent) prescribers. We submitted test claims for prescriptions written\nby non-existent prescribers. The National Provider Identifier (NPI) numbers for these providers\nhad a valid structure (last number was a correctly calculated check digit), but they were not\nassigned to a valid prescribing doctor. We also submitted test claims that contained a NPI\nnumber without an accurate check digit. Medco’s system appropriately suspended the claims\ncontaining NPI numbers with incorrect check digits. However, all claims with an accurate check\ndigit were processed and paid without encountering any system edits or suspensions, even\nthough the NPI numbers were not assigned to a valid prescriber.\nall claims are verified with consistent quality. The weakness in the current control structure\ncould be exploited by individuals submitting fraudulent prescriptions from an invalid prescriber.\nIf the pharmacist filling the prescription does not detect the anomaly, Medco will pay benefits for\nthe claim and the individual will gain unauthorized access to prescription drugs.\nA current database of valid NPI numbers is actively maintained by the Centers for Medicare\nand Medicaid Services. Medco could leverage this resource to make improvements to its\nclaims adjudication process.\nclaims being processed with invalid NPIs.\nMedco notes that each plan determines the edits that are in place for that plan. Currently, no plan\nhas requested the type of edit described above. Moreover, the recommendation, if implemented\nby the plans, will result in patients not obtaining drugs from prescribers who are licensed\nprescribers. This is because not all prescribers have NPI numbers at this time. Furthermore,\nwhile the above recommendation directs Medco to the CMS file, it does not take into account\nthat the CMS file (1) is furnished only every 4-6 weeks, and thus does not provide current\ninformation; (2) does not require that the prescriber register using the exact name that might be\non the patient’s prescription; (3) does not provide all the addresses at which a prescriber\npractices (it only has one location); (4) does not provide termination dates for NPI numbers; and\n(5) does not provide clear practice area information. Thus, relying on this database would result\nin legitimate claims being rejected at point of sale. The recommendation also does not take into\naccount instances where, for example, a vaccine is administered at a pharmacy so the NPI\nnumber for the prescriber could be the same as the NPI of the pharmacy.\nFor 2012, CMS continues to instruct plans not to reject a claim at point of sale for invalid NPI\nnumbers, so OPM’s recommendation runs counter to CMS’s requirement and will result in\npatients not receiving drugs to which they are entitled that are prescribed by licensed prescribers.\nHowever, if the plans choose to implement this recommendation, Medco will implement it.\nExpired Prescriptions: Recommendation 5\nMedco notes that effective November 2011, the edit that previously allowed claims at Puerto\nRico pharmacies to be filled up to 12 months after the prescription was written was changed in\nour system. Going forward, any claims submitted from a Puerto Rico pharmacy will now reject if\nthe fill date would be more than 6 months from the date on which the prescription was written.\nWith regard to mail service, as per the case law from 2000, the US Court of Appeals for the First\nCircuit affirmed a district court decision that the Pharmacy Act of PR is not applicable to mail-\norder services based outside of Puerto Rico that supply pharmaceuticals to customers within\nPuerto Rico.\nFirst, pharmacy regulations in the states in which the back end pharmacies are located do not\nallow a prescription that is over one year from when it is written to be transferred into the\npharmacy. Thus, Medco is adhering to pharmacy law. For retail pharmacies, plans have the\nability to determine coverage for a prescription, even if the coverage limits are more stringent\nthan provided by pharmacy law. So, for example, pharmacy law might allow a member to obtain\na refill of a prescription a few days after obtaining the original fill; however, the plan, as a matter\nof plan design, might use a refill too soon edit to prevent that refill from being paid for by the\nplan. Similarly, pharmacy law would allow any valid prescription to be filled, but the plan design\nmight not cover a particular drug if it were off the formulary; or required prior authorization. The\nsame logic applies for payment of claims for prescriptions that are over a year old. This might\nbe allowed by pharmacy law in certain states; however, it is generally not contemplated by our\nplans.\nIf the plans decide to implement this recommendation and allow prescriptions over a year old to\nbe filled at retail pharmacies, Medco will implement the request of the plans.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1487136"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5264819264411926,"wiki_prob":0.4735180735588074,"text":"Jonathan Wyner\nJonathan Wyner is an associate professor in the Music Production and Engineering department at Berklee College of Music and owner of M Works Mastering Studios in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Throughout his career, he has worked with artists both well-known and more esoteric, including James Taylor, David Bowie, Aerosmith, Kiri Te Kanawa, Pink Floyd, Cream, Richard Stoltzman, Miles Davis, Nirvana, Aimee Mann, Juliana Hatfield, Tiny Tim, Snakefinger, John Cage, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk. Wyner mastered the first interactive CD game (“Play It by Ear”), the first recorded opera (“Madame Butterfly,” recorded in 1912 by the BBC), and what’s believed to be the longest CD (80:32 for Razormaid Records). He holds a bachelor’s degree in French horn and composition from Vassar College.\nhttp://www.m-works.com\nAudio Mastering: Essential Practices\nImprove the sound of your recordings.\nRelated Technology and Production Books\nProducing Drum Beats: Writing & Mixing Killer Drum Grooves\nRecording and Producing in the Home Studio: A Complete Guide\nWriter. Producer. Engineer.: A Handbook for Creating Contemporary Commercial Music","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line521353"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7267386317253113,"wiki_prob":0.2732613682746887,"text":"On 23 March 2015, Singapore declared a week long period of national mourning for the passing of the country’s founding father, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. “The Longest Night” attempts to capture the physical and emotional state of half a million people queue up to pay their last respect at Singapore’s Parliament House. The series repetitive use of barricades, umbrella, police tape etc to represent the relationship between the State and the people they serve, and to symbolize the country in anxiety, sadness and despair.\nThis work was selected for the book \"Thank you Mr Lee\" Published by Platform / Basheer Graphic Books [2015]","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line901179"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6640152335166931,"wiki_prob":0.6640152335166931,"text":"Since April 28, 2017, the Non-Governmental Museum Named after Nicholas Roerich went defunct with the illegal seizure of its building and territory.\nTruth about the International Centre of the Roerichs\nInternational Congress of Public Resolution. 24.03.2018\nPress conference of the International Centre of the Roerichs. 30.01.2018\nThe Lopukhins Estate Restoration. Booklet\nPhotochronology of the damage of the Non-Governmental Nicholas Roerich Museum\nOn the Verge of Bankruptcy\nAnton Nadtocheev\nTax Inspectorate demands 59 million rubles\nfrom the International Center of the Roerichs for paintings donated by the patron\nThe ICR is in distress for the Federal Tax Service is claiming payment of 59 million rubles, which was not paid by the organization as a tax on the paintings donated by the patrons of the arts. If the amount is not found within the prescribed period, the ICR will face bankruptcy and sale of its property.\nThe International Center of the Roerichs (hereinafter the ICR) is a non-governmental organization known not only in Russia, but also outside its borders. It was found by Svetoslav Roerich himself, who took this step in order to preserve and promote the heritage of his father Nicholas Roerich and other members of his family. In the spring of 2017, the ICR lost its building located in the Lopukhins' estate. But the Ministry of Culture decided to place there the State Museum of Oriental Art. Now the center is faced with new, equally serious, problems. Back in 2016, the Federal Tax Service, charged the organization with taxes in the amount of 59 million rubles. The center must pay this amount for the use of the Roerichs’ paintings in museum activities. This is an unprecedented case, because no museum pays taxes for exhibiting works of its funds. Indeed, the amount assessed by the tax authorities is completely impracticable for a non-governmental organization.\nThe Ministry of Culture seized the Roerichs' heritage together with the property of the ICR in 2017. As a result the organization has essentially lost the opportunity to realize its property and pay off tax arrears at the expense of this money. This might indicate the intentional bringing the ICR to bankruptcy, as well as the fact that the Ministry of Culture was interested in this. The tax authority, having made sure that the organization is currently not able to cover the full amount of its arrears, granted interim measures of protection on its property, commenced enforcement proceedings to offset its arrears at the expense of the ICR’s property and sent the relevant document to the bailiffs.\nThe BFM.ru edition is citing the head of tax practice of the International Tax Associates Rustam Vakhitov, who explained why the tax authorities had claims against the ICR:\n“From the point of view of the property tax, which constituted the lion’s share of the additional charges, it follows from the definition that, theoretically, the possibility of exemption from this tax would have existed if these paintings had been registered with the Museum Fund. But for some reason this has not been done. That is, the property may not be in State ownership, but at the same time taken into account in the Museum Fund. It is not a transfer of property into State ownership, it is rather a registration.”\nDelay in two months\nOn January 24th the Moscow Arbitration Court held a hearing on the lawsuit of the Federal Tax Service, according to which the Federal Tax Service required to adjudge the ICR bankrupt. The Center applied to the court to postpone the proceedings, and it was accepted. The meeting was postponed until April 2nd. If the ICR find 59 million rubles during this period, the Tax Service will enter into a consent decree.\nThus, the ICR has about two months left to collect the necessary amount. Another way to solve the problem is to search for those (individuals or organizations) willing to put up the collateral sufficient to pay the debt.\nTo date about 10 million rubles have been collected. The money was donated by those sympathizing with the ICR. Taking into account the penalties that are accrued on a day-to-day basis, it remains to collect 49.9 million rubles. If the amount is not found, the court will initiate the ICR’s bankruptcy proceedings. As a result, its property, including the Roerichs’ paintings, will be auctioning off. The center itself will be liquidated. And this is very likely what the Ministry of Culture of Russia has been seeking for a number of years.\nIn this regard, the International Center of the Roerichs is requesting everyone who is not indifferent to the culture of Russia to support the ICR financially in order to prevent the sale of cultural property. This is the only way to save the ICR for it to go on restituting the Roerichs' heritage and reviving the activities of the museum, destroyed by the Ministry of Culture. The information on donations can be found on the ICR website.\nThe Ministry of Culture against the ICR\nAfter the Director General of the non-governmental Nicholas Roerich museum and the executor of Svetoslav Roerich’s will Lyudmila Shaposhnikova died in 2015, the Ministry of Culture, according to the ICR, began its endeavors to liquidate the center to appropriate the Roerich's heritage. During this period, a number of serious events relevant to the fate of the ICR occurred. The Ministry of Culture actually destroyed the museum, having captured its territory that of the Lopukhins' estate together with the Roerichs' heritage. On March 7–8th staff members of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (numbering sixty) and those of riot police, together with the representatives of the Ministry of Culture and the State Museum of Oriental Art appeared in the non-governmental Nicholas Roerich museum. The case of “Master Bank”, the President of which Boris Bulochnik was supporting the center as a philanthropist for many years was the cause of this visit. They smashed the front door with a sledgehammer, blocked the guard and rushed inside. The building was searched, after which the law enforcement officers took out about 200 exhibits from the museum, according them the status of corpus delicti. Subsequently, all the items were transferred to the State Museum of Oriental Art for safekeeping. At that, the Ministry of Culture claimed that their department was irrelevant to the March events, occurred in the Lopukhins' estate, and their representatives were present at the withdrawal of exhibits only as \"experts.\" The leadership of the ICR draws attention that not only the pictures donated by Bulochnik were transferred to the State Museum of Oriental Art. The items that have no relevance to the patron were also subject to confiscation. Although, according to the official version, the withdrawal was connected precisely with the criminal case initiated against the banker.\nAfter this episode the materials discrediting the activities of the ICR began to appear in mass media.\nOn April 28–29th, 2017 the Lopukhins' estate was seized. On April 28th the director of the State Museum of Oriental Art A.V. Sedov accompanied by law enforcement officers in uniforms without military insignias, came to the territory of the ICR. The entrances were blocked, and the museum staff was deprived of access to their workplaces. No documents justifying such actions were provided. Private security and police intervened in the situation, but on April 29th the officials of the Ministry of Culture and the special police units joined in. The estate was seized, and all cultural values, documents and the ICR’s property were transferred for safekeeping to the State Museum of Oriental Art. Neither takeover certificates nor inventory of transferred property were compiled in this case.\nThe non-governmental Nicholas Roerich museum was actually destroyed. The unique exposition, being created for twenty years, was lost. A part of the museum equipment and exhibits were damaged. Their subsequent restoration is impossible. The ICR does consider the incident a raider seizure.\nAfter that, the Ministry attempted to liquidate the ICR, accusing the organization of conducting extremist activity and violating the requirements of the registering body to amend the organization’s charter. However, these attacks could not destroy the ICR. And then the Ministry undertook such measure as adjudging the organization bankrupt. With that, before the Tax Administration decision for the ICR to pay the tax in the amount of 59 million rubles came into force, the leadership of the Ministry of Culture and the State Museum of Oriental Art seized all the property of the ICR. Thus, in the present context this means a forced bringing the organization into a state of bankruptcy.\nLetter to Mayor\nBefore the capture of the Lopukhins’ Estate and all subsequent events the Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation Vladimir Medinsky wrote a letter to the Mayor of Moscow Sergey Sobyanin, dated September 10th 2015. In it, the head of the Ministry of Culture requested the Mayor to transfer the Lopukhins' estate from the property of the city of Moscow to the federal one. He emphasized that the Ministry of Culture intended to “re-construct the integrity of the estate complex and locate the works of Nicholas and Svetoslav Roerichs from federal museums and private collections in it, so that in the future it would become a “center of cultural attraction for the citizens of Moscow and the guests of the capital” and “a venue for meetings and scientific discussions” for all Roerichs’ admirers. Medinsky pointed out that the plans of the Ministry of Culture regarding the estate corresponded to the wish of Svetoslav Roerich about locating the heritage of his family there.\nA month later, the estate buildings were transferred to federal property. Immediately after, the Federal Agency for State Property Management transferred the above – mentioned objects to the operational management of the State Museum of Oriental Art for the State Museum of the Roerichs to be established there as its branch. In February 2016, the Ministry of Culture approved the concept of the State Museum of Oriental Art to create the State Museum of the Roerichs in the area of the non-governmental Nicholas Roerich museum. At that, the officials were not at all disturbed by the fact that these actions contributed to the apparent destruction of the non-governmental organization, and grossly violated the will of Svetoslav Roerich, who believed that such a museum could exist only in a non-governmental status.\nHowever, as the Vice-President of the ICR A.V. Stetsenko noted in his article, it was commonly understood that the Ministry of Culture was not going to create a State museum of the Roerich family in the Lopukhins' estate, and all the promises of Medinsky and the leadership of the State Museum of Oriental Art, due to which the Roerichs’ heritage transferred to Russia would be allegedly collected in this place, were untrue. At the moment there is official information that in 2019 the estate will be closed for refurbishment.\nAccording to mass media with reference to the director of the department of museums of the Ministry of Culture, Vladislav Kononov, the object will subsequently be transferred to the joint use of the State Museum of Oriental Art and the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts. Currently, according to the official, the staffs of both museums, lacking exhibition space, are working on the concept of collaboration in the premises of the Lopukhins' estate. V. Kononov warned that the process of placing the above – mentioned museums there will be delayed for two or three years.\nWith regard to the situation with the ICR, Ex-Director of the Sakharov Museum and the Civic Center Yury Samodurov commented:\n“It was the largest non-governmental museum in our country. I say was because, unfortunately, the Ministry of Culture in 2017 began to destroy it and was a success in it. All the pictures, the entire archive, all materials of the Roerich family were taken out of this museum. Now all this is stored in the State Museum of Oriental Art. But whether all the items are there, no one knows. No one can see them today either.\nMuseum at the Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy\nAs for the State Roerichs’ Museum, a space for it will be allotted to the State Museum of Oriental Art at the Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy. Although at first such plans were not aired. The requirement of the State Museum of Oriental Art to remove the Roerichs’ monument and the Roerichs’ busts from the territory of the estate has become one more confirmation that the Ministry of Culture intends to purge the people's mind of any memories that there ever was the non-governmental Nicholas Roerich museum.\nBy the way, the second term of Svetoslav Roerich’s agreement when transferring the heritage of his family to Russia was to provide the ICR with the necessary buildings in Moscow, from which he himself chose the Lopukhins' estate. Thus, the Ministry of Culture violated this condition also.\nThe question arises why it was impossible from the very beginning to create a new State Museum at the Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy. Was there any necessity to destroy the non-governmental Nicholas Roerich museum? And why did they need to mislead the Mayor of Moscow and the wide public?\nThe ICR believes that the leadership of the Ministry of Culture, together with the State Museum of Oriental Art has been conducting a focused and systematic struggle against the Roerichs' heritage. And it’s still early to talk about its completion. The ICR representatives have already appealed for help to the country’s top officials, asking to stop the outrage that has been happening in relation to the non-governmental Nicholas Roerich museum.\nThe ICR has launched the virtual project “The Museum that Russia Lost”. On the site you can see the exposition that was presented in the Lopukhins' estate. The exposition was created thanks to the support of patrons and the public. It included paintings, books, personal belongings, photographs and archival documents of the Roerichs’ family. In addition, there is a chronicle of the Museum destruction, which, as noted on the site, can be regarded as one of the world's largest crimes against Culture.\nТranslated by N. Shnaider\nThe source: Versiya. February 1, 2019\nPublications in mass media:\nMedinskiy against the Roerichs // Ruspress, February 5, 2019","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1992422"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6905668377876282,"wiki_prob":0.3094331622123718,"text":"thebatteryshow\nFree Expo Features\nDigital Days Exhibitor List\nDigital Express On-Demand\nExhibitor Center\nVirtual Resources On-Demand\nVenue & Hours\nDiscounted Hotels\nRegistration Inquiry\nMedical Batteries Moving Forward\nSave the Date: November 10–12, 2020\nThese highly specialized battery systems are benefitting from the development of lithium-ion batteries for laptops and EVs.\nBy: Kevin Clemens | October 1, 2020\nZinc-air batteries are commonly used in medical devices such as hearing aids. Lightweight and powerful these single-use batteries are also environmentally friendly. (Image source: ReportsandMarkets.com)\nThe medical battery business is a very conservative one. That’s a good thing, because you don’t want implanted pacemakers to fail catastrophically, or medical devices to perform unreliably. A whole gamut of battery chemistries is used for medical purposes, including nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd), nickel-metal hydride (Nimh), and alkaline-manganese batteries. Lithium-ion batteries, the choice for EVs, personal electronics, and increasingly grid-scale electrical storage, are becoming popular.\nNon-rechargeable primary batteries are used in many medical devices. Zinc-air batteries, for example, are commonly found in hearing aids. These single-use batteries can provide high energy densities, are very light, and are relatively inexpensive to manufacture. The materials they contain are also relatively safe for disposal in the environment.\nHere’s how they work. As a zinc-air battery discharges, zinc particles form a porous anode, which is saturated with an electrolyte. Oxygen from the air reacts at the cathode and forms hydroxyl ions which migrate into the zinc paste and form zincate (Zn(OH)4), at the same time releasing electrons that travel to the cathode. The zincate decays into zinc oxide and water returns to the electrolyte. The water and hydroxyl from the anode are recycled at the cathode, so the water is not consumed. If the battery is kept sealed it can be stored for long periods. Removing the seal allows air to flow into the cell so that it can begin to produce electricity.\nPrimary batteries that are designed for implants are specifically designed to have an extremely long life and added stability, with wider margins for safety than typical commercial batteries. Battery maker EaglePicher supplies primary cells for implantable cardiac monitors and pacemakers and neurostimulators. It was also the first company with an FDA-approved implantable lithium-ion battery (2004).\nMedtronic is another company that has embraced lithium-ion batteries—since 2004, all of Medtronic’s rechargeable batteries are lithium-ion. The company uses inductive charging—the recharge system is sent home with the patient and is worn over the area where the device is implanted, recharging right through the skin.\nLast year, Dr. Marissa Caldwell, a battery research and technology scientist at Medtronic, told Design News, “For us, reliability is one of the first things that comes to mind. It means looking at reliability from all of the different facets, including what the requirements are from the device level and circuit level to how can we anticipate people using this device. What are the different recharge modalities? What are the possible failure modes that could happen? And all of this then gets wrapped up into the testing and modeling and designing. Most batteries that we design to be implantable are designed very conservatively. In order to build in this reliability, we do give up a lot of margins for, say, energy density. We will not be the most energy-dense cell on the market. But we will last longer and be more reliable.”\nBatteries come in incredibly small sizes and can power a variety of wearable and implantable medical devices. (Image source: EaglePicher)\nRapidly Growing Market\nThe market for medical batteries is a rapidly growing one. First, medical technology is moving forward at a blinding pace, and most of the new devices that are under development require the mobility that a battery-powered system can provide. Secondly, there are a growing number of lifestyle-related health issues such as cardiac disease, diabetes, and obesity that require electronically powered monitors and other medical devices. Some of these devices regularly use hospital power from the wall socket but can switch to battery power when the patient needs to be moved from their room for testing or procedures.\nNorth America dominates the market for medical batteries, primarily because of a broad application of medical technology in both the US and Canada. The large and increasing population in regions with growing economies, like Southeast Asia, China, and India, are expected to experience high growth in the medical battery market. As healthcare facilities in China, India, and the region improve, along with government funding for health care, the application of top-level medical technology will be a key driving force for medical batteries.\nA Number of Players\nMedical batteries, particularly the latest lithium-ion cells, come in a variety of shapes and sizes, powering everything from cardiac monitors and pacemakers, bioengineering devices, infusion pumps to external and implantable cardioverter defibrillators. Thin film and printed batteries are finding applications for miniaturized wearable and healthcare devices. There are many key players in the global medical batteries market. They include:\nPanasonic Corp\nQuallion LLC\nStmicroelectronics N.V\nUltralife Corp\nElectrochem Solutions\nEaglePicher Technologies\nShenzhen A&S Power Technology Co., Ltd.\nAlthough the global recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a decline in the medical battery market, this is expected to only be temporary as health care spending rapidly increases into 2021 and beyond, due to a need for electrically powered and portable diagnostic and therapeutic devices.\nHelping Move Forward\nFor a long time, the specialized nature of medical batteries has made them expensive to develop and manufacture. With the big push presently taking place to develop ever-improving, more powerful, and reliable batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries, for applications like personal electronics and electric vehicles, the medical battery market will benefit. Improvements and cost reductions in raw material extraction and processing will help medical battery production on the manufacturing side. A push to recycle the materials from lithium-ion batteries will eventually help further reduce costs and environmental impacts. Better energy densities and power outputs from more compact battery cells, needed for longer range, better performing EVs, can only help when the same technologies find their way into medical batteries.\nThere will always be a lag between the latest technology and what is acceptable for medical batteries. There are a host of different medical-specific requirements from different medical working groups and especially the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It’s important to prove that the batteries for medical devices will perform in the manner claimed. “It’s really hard to make a battery that’s going to last a long time, and it’s even harder to prove that it is going to last a long time,” summarized Caldwell.\nKevin Clemens is an engineering consultant who has worked on automotive and environmental projects for more than 40 years.\nMedia Center |\nEvents Calendar |\nInforma Allsecure |\nCCPA “Do Not Sell My Data”\n#TBS20","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1611346"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7335740923881531,"wiki_prob":0.2664259076118469,"text":"Sarah Jo Tripp Williams\nLakewood Funeral Home\nLakewood Funeral Home & Lakewood Memorial Park\nSarah Jo Tripp Williams, 85, passed peacefully from this world on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at Clinton Healthcare surrounded by loving family.\nShe was born to Annie McNair Trippe and Ben J. Trippe on August 26, 1932 in Lena, MS. She married the love of her life, Charles Edward Williams on March 3, 1949. They moved to Jackson, MS and began their life together. Her first job was as a secretary for the Lamar Life Insurance Company. Sarah’s most devoted career was as the secretary/receptionist at the Addie McBryde Rehabilitation Center for the Blind. Her friendly demeanor and gift of conversation were an asset to her profession. During her employment she was an active member and officer in the Lions’ Club. She retired after 25 years of unforgettable memories. In 1984 she fulfilled her goal of receiving her associate’s degree from Hinds Community College graduating with honors. Sarah and her husband were founding members of Boling Street United Methodist Church. A church home filled with many of their family members. She enjoyed singing in the Chancel choir and participating in the Ladies Auxiliary. As her husband was a Jackson firefighter, she was actively involved in the Wives’ Association serving as president in 1960. In her free time she enjoyed cooking, gardening, traveling, dancing and spending time with friends and family. In 1987, Sarah and Charles moved to Brandon, MS where they built their dream home together.\nMrs. Williams is survived by her daughter, Pam Williams McClellan and husband, Jeff of Raleigh, NC. Her two very loved granddaughters, Jessie McClellan Tate (Peter) of Slab City, CA/Elora, ON and Brenna Caitlin McClellan of Raleigh, NC. Sarah is also survived by her brothers, Benjamin Tripp (Dianne), Michael Tripp (Carolyn) and Billy Wayne Porter; one sister Elaine Cockrell (James). She leaves dear to her heart nieces and nephews and many fondly loved great nieces, great nephews and cousins.\nHer cherished husband, Charles, and her beloved sister, Janie Lee Tripp Brown, preceded her in death.\nIn lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First United Methodist Church of Clinton, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Lions Club International or Alzheimer's Association.\nThe family extends a heartfelt thank you to Clinton Healthcare for the loving, excellent care she received before her departing from this earthly world.\nMay you and Dad enjoy twirling around heaven’s dance floor for eternity.\nVisitation will be on Saturday, January 13 from 1:30 to 2:30 at Lakewood Memorial Chapel. The service will immediately follow the visitation at 2:30 and burial will follow at Lakewood Memorial Park.\nPlease visit lakewoodfuneralhomes.com for online guestbook.\nTo the Williams family,\nIt is very clear that Sarah was dearly loved by all who knew her. May you find comforting in knowing you are in the thoughts and prayers of many, and that God cares about you as you endure this difficult time. Psalm 94:19\nMichael Gandy\nHello Pam and family\nI am all ready to come to the visitation and service and my bum back has been going out over the last few days and right now I cannot stand for any period of time. What I would tell you if I could make it is that Sarah was one of the most delightful people I've ever known and that she made a huge difference in the lives of thousands of blind people and in the lives of us privileged to work with her. And, having gone out with her and other coworkers after the day was done, I can attest to what the obit said...she was a terrific dancer! Love to you all.\nPatricia Boyd\nI love You and God Bless you .\nWe always loved you and will miss you.\nIn Memory Of Sarah Jo Tripp Williams\nhttps://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/jackson-ms/sarah-williams-7714432","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line490679"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6803974509239197,"wiki_prob":0.6803974509239197,"text":"8 July 1983, 19:21 (1983-07-08UTC19:21Z) UTC\n9 July 1983[1]\nKosmos 1481 was launched from Site 43/3 at Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the Russian SSR.[3] A Molniya-M carrier rocket with a 2BL upper stage was used to perform the launch, which took place at 19:21 UTC on 8 July 1983.[3] The launch successfully placed the satellite into a molniya orbit. It subsequently received its Kosmos designation, and the international designator 1983-070A.[4] The United States Space Command assigned it the Satellite Catalog Number 14182.[4]\nThis satellite did not reach its working orbit and self-destructed. As well as its main entry this satellite has catalogued debris such as:\nCOSPAR [4]\nSatcat[4]\n1983-070E 14192\n1983-070F 20412\n1983-070G 26633\n1983-070H 27906\n1983-070J 27907\n1983-070K 33531\n^ a b Podvig, Pavel (2002). \"History and the Current Status of the Russian Early-Warning System\" (PDF). Science and Global Security. 10: 21–60. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.692.6127. doi:10.1080/08929880212328. ISSN 0892-9882. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 March 2012.\n^ a b c d e \"US-K (73D6)\". Gunter's Space Page. 8 March 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2012.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line202844"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.731056272983551,"wiki_prob":0.268943727016449,"text":"A Slow-Growth America Can't Lead the World\nAfter World War II, the U.S. promoted international economic growth through reliance on the market and the incentives it provides. Times have changed.\nDavid Gothard\nBy John B. Taylor\nWhen President Obama meets with his counterparts from other G-20 countries in Cannes later this week, American economic leadership will, unfortunately, largely be absent.\nAt the most recent meeting a year ago in Seoul, the G-20 rejected the president's pleas for a deficit-increasing Keynesian stimulus and instead urged credible budget-deficit reduction and a return to sound fiscal policy. And on that trip he had to defend the activist monetary policy of the Federal Reserve against widespread criticism that its easy money was damaging to emerging-market countries, causing volatile capital flows and inflationary pressures.\nWith a weak recovery—retarded by new health-care legislation and financial regulations, an exploding debt, and threats of higher taxes—the U.S. is in no position to lead as it has in the past.\nBy contrast, in the years after World War II, the U.S. led the world in promoting economic growth through reliance on the market and the incentives it provides, the rule of law, limited government, and more predictable fiscal and monetary policy. It created a rules-based, open trading system by helping to found the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, which slashed tariffs multilaterally. The miraculous postwar European and Japanese recoveries came from greater adherence to these principles of economic freedom and direct support from the U.S.\nAfter getting off track with interventionist policies in the 1970s, the U.S. put its economic house in order in the 1980s, adopting pro-growth policies and creating a long boom that lasted through the 1990s. Again its economic ideas were contagious, not just in Britain under Margaret Thatcher but in the developing world. Seeing the advantages of American-style economic liberty over state intervention and control, Deng Xiaoping expanded his initial and tentative market-based reforms in China and created an economic renaissance. The U.S. helped the countries in Central and Eastern Europe implement market-based reforms, and it encouraged other countries and the international financial institutions to do the same in Africa and Latin America.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1620865"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9876263737678528,"wiki_prob":0.9876263737678528,"text":"Boris Johnson to prorogue Parliament again next week\nBoris Johnson plans to prorogue Parliament for a second time. Picture: PA\nThe prime minister is set to suspend Parliament for a second time in order to bring forward a Queen's Speech on 14 October.\nBoris Johnson's plan will see prorogation commence on Tuesday 8 October and last until the following Monday when the Queen will deliver her speech.\nThe chosen date for the monarch's speech is three days before the start of a crucial EU summit on 17 October.\nIt will also mean that Prime Minister's Questions on 9 October will not go ahead, meaning the Conservative leader will have only faced the Commons for a weekly interrogation once since taking office.\nProrogation will last from the evening of 8 October until 14 October. Picture: PA\nDowning Street said: \"The Prime Minister has been consistently clear that he wants to set out a fresh legislative programme in a Queen's Speech.\n\"He therefore intends to request that the current session of Parliament be prorogued from the evening of Tuesday October 8, with a Queen's Speech on Monday October 14.\"\nMr Johnson's first attempt to push through his new legislative programme via prorogation was ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court only last week.\nIn that judgement the justices decided that five weeks without proper justification was too long and therefore a shorter suspension of the Commons would be permitted.\nHe has repeatedly said he would abide by the ruling of the court despite \"strongly disagreeing with it\".\nMr Johnson said: \"I want to deliver on the people's priorities.\n\"Through a Queen's Speech, the Government will set out its plans for the NHS, schools, tackling crime, investing in infrastructure and building a strong economy.\nA Queen's Speech is needed to push through the government's legislative agenda. Picture: PA\n\"We will get Brexit done on October 31 and continue delivering on these vital issues.\"\nThe prime minister was in conversation with the Queen whilst in New York last week with the government \"looking at the precise implications\" of the Supreme Court judgment.\nA senior minister told The Sun that \"everything will be done by the book\" this time and two or three days was \"the minimum time\" needed for the government to set out their agenda.\nParliament resumed last Wednesday to fiery scenes with emotions running high on both sides of the House and debates about MPs' language arising in the following days.\nTalking about a second prorogation, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn previously said: \"I think we should have the shortest possible gap between the end of this parliamentary session and the start of the new one.\"\nMr Johnson set out his \"final offer\" to the EU in a conference speech this morning during which he laid down his plan for an alternative to the Irish backstop.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line335313"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9588425159454346,"wiki_prob":0.9588425159454346,"text":"Baseball: BPCC’s season comes to a close\nThe Bossier Parish Community College Cavaliers closed the 2015 baseball season last week.\nThe Cavaliers were swept by Navarro College in three close games, 4-2, 6-5 and 5-4. BPCC finished the season 17-34-1 overall and 8-22 in Region XIV.\nKiefer Moore had two hits and two RBI in the 4-2 loss. Josey Langston also had two hits. Taylor Roy and Spencer Goodwin had doubles.\nFormer Benton star Andrew Close went 3-for-3 with a home run and four RBI in the 6-5 loss. Eric Goree had a double.\nCole finished the season with a .311 batting average, the highest on the team among players who played 30 or more games. He had six doubles and 17 RBI.\nRoy went 3-for-4 with a double in the 5-4 loss. Langston had a two-RBI double. Goodwin also had a double.\nFormer Airline standout Landon Lewis allowed eight hits in five innings but only one earned run. Navarro scored all five of its runs in the sixth when the Cavs made all three of their errors.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line773622"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8223364353179932,"wiki_prob":0.8223364353179932,"text":"converter design\nconverter faq\nconverter failure\nconverter care\nnox emissions\naftermarket converter\nconverter obd II\nconverter us law\nconverter links\nconverter news\nconverter replacement\nPlease support our site's generous sponsors.\nCatalytic Converter dot org\nMillions of people worldwide who enjoy the benefits provided by cars and trucks also suffer the miseries of traffic pollution.\nBut advances in automotive technology are helping to stem the tide of pollution and recent U.S. research into the effectiveness of one particular anti-pollution automotive component has uncovered one of the planet’s greatest environmental success stories which may have far-reaching global implications for as markets for new cars expand.\nThe device in question is the catalytic converter, which cleans gases passing through vehicles’ exhaust systems.\nEngineers estimate that during the last 11 years 130 million catalytic converters used in the U.S. have eliminated automotive pollutants that-if unchecked and unabated-could have covered the country with a toxic blanket of carbon monoxide more than 500 feet deep.\nThe carbon monoxide was captured from exhaust streams by catalytic converters and converted into harmless carbon dioxide.\nEngineers say that between 1975 and 1996, emissions control technology cleaned automotive exhaust streams in the U.S. of about 195 million tons of carbon monoxide; nearly 42 million tons of hydrocarbons; and at least 37 million tons of oxides of nitrogen. The carbon monoxide, at standard pressure and temperature (one atmosphere at 32 degrees Fahrenheit) and 100 parts per million concentration (the toxic level) would pile 512 feet high over the 50 states.\nThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data shows that due to emission controls, vehicles now sold in the U.S. emit 96 per cent less carbon monoxide, 98 per cent less hydrocarbons, and 90 per cent less oxides of nitrogen than vehicles sold in the early 1970s.\nThe improvement in air quality is continuing, as new vehicles are equipped with the latest emission control technology and older cars are scrapped. Currently, 85 per cent of automotive air pollution in the U.S. comes from the oldest 50 per cent of vehicles on the road.\nCatalytic converters typically consist of a ceramic or metal honeycombed monolith substrate that carries precious metal catalysts. The coated substrate is wrapped in an intumescent mat that expands when heated, securing and insulating the substrate which is packaged in a stainless steel shell and fitted into the engine exhaust system.\nAs exhaust gases pass over the catalysts, they promote chemical reactions that convert pollutants into harmless gases and water. Hydrocarbons combine with oxygen to become carbon dioxide; oxides of nitrogen react with carbon monoxide to produce nitrogen and carbon dioxide; and with hydrogen to produce nitrogen and water vapour.\nThe catalyst formulation, which promotes a faster chemical reaction at a lower temperature, is usually a mixture of the noble metals platinum, palladium and rhodium, and sometimes other catalysts such as the rare earth ceria.\nA catalytic converter is not a stand-alone cure-all for emissions control. Unleaded fuel is required. And to operate properly, a converter is fitted as part of an engine management subsystem - an integrated set of specific-purpose emission control components.\nhome | catalytic converter care | about us | e-mail\nCopyright 2020 ImageBuilders Web Design\nCatalytic Converters dramatically reduce harmful exhaust emissions\nCatalytic converters typically consist of a ceramic or metal honeycombed monolith substrate that carries precious metal catalysts.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1073856"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5214479565620422,"wiki_prob":0.47855204343795776,"text":"Carson Marshall Violin\nViolinist Carson Marshall aims to inspire audiences with generous and passionate performances in both formal and unconventional concert settings. Originally from Western Massachusetts, from a young age Carson joined his father doing outreach presentations, recently giving side-by-side presentations for school children on what life is like as a professional musician. It was this early exposure to outreach that sparked Carson’s passion for teaching. While participating in the Aspen Music festival in 2012-15 he was involved with the P.A.L.S program, which gives lessons to young students in the Roaring Fork River Valley. In 2016 he participated in the MERIT program at Music Academy of The West where he mentored young students in a nine day intensive chamber music and private lesson program, giving master classes and weekly coaching’s. Carson also recently gave a performance with the KINETIC ensemble, which invited young members of the Houston community to participate in a side-by-side performance. In addition, Carson is a violin coach for the Houston Youth Symphony.\nAs a performer, in 2012 he was invited to perform on the PBS radio show “From the Top” and is a recipient of the Jack Kent Cooke young artist award. In 2011 He performed Ein Heldenleben as concertmaster with the World Youth Symphony Orchestra, and is a recipient of the Interlochen Center for the Arts, Maddy Award. In the summer of 2012 he attended Greenwood music camp, and in 2013-15 he attended the Aspen Music festival and was a member of the Aspen Chamber Symphony. In 2016 Carson attended the Music Academy of the West where he studied with Kathleen Winkler, Jorja Fleezanis and Glenn Dicterow. In 2017 he served as Co-Concertmaster of the National Repertory Orchestra.\nCarson is an avid Fly-Fisherman and tea enthusiast, and is currently pursuing a MM at Rice University, studying with Paul Kantor.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line222683"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9114436507225037,"wiki_prob":0.9114436507225037,"text":"Toru Dutt\n9 Sydney Place\nLondon, SW7 3NL\nCambridge, CB2 1AQ\n52° 11' 58.362\" N, 0° 7' 37.5636\" E\nSt Leonards on Sea TN38 0PJ\n50° 52' 22.9332\" N, 0° 31' 59.556\" E\nTorulata Dutt\nCurrent name city of birth:\n9 Sydney Place, Brompton, London (1870)\nRegent Street, Cambridge (1871-2)\nSt Leonards-On-Sea (1873)\nToru Dutt was born into the well known Dutt family of Rambagan. Many of her uncles and cousins as well as her father, Govin Chunder Dutt, published poetry and prose. Her education and upbringing were rather unusual for even progressive mid-nineteenth century Bengal. Toru Dutt’s family had converted to Christianity, which in some ways led to a feeling of social alienation for the Dutt family in India. In 1869, a few years after the death of their elder brother Abju, Govin Chunder Dutt took his wife and two young daughters Aru and Toru to travel in Europe. They spent a few months in Nice where both sisters attended a French Pension and learnt French. In 1870 the family travelled to Brompton, England via Boulogne. It was unusual for Indian women of the time to travel abroad and also to gain an education abroad.\nIn England both sisters continued their French Studies. While living in Cambridge between 1871-3 they attended the Higher Lectures for Women at the University. Toru Dutt met and befriended Mary Martin, the daughter of Reverend John Martin of Sidney Sussex College. The friendship that developed between the two girls at this time continued in their correspondence after Toru’s return to India, until the time of Toru’s death. Toru Dutt seemed to have acquired a good set of acquaintances whilst attending the lectures at Cambridge as she mentions quite a few names in her correspondence with Mary Martin after her return to India. Amongst these names are Mr and Mrs Baker, the proprietors of Regent House where the Dutt family lodged in Cambridge; the son, Reginald, and daughters of Rev H. Hall of St Paul’s Church, Cambridge; Mr Clifford who later comes to officiate at the church near the Dutt’s Garden House outside Calcutta, and Sir Richard Claverhouse Jebb who was then Professor of Greek at Trinity.\nA collection of Toru Dutt’s correspondence includes her letters written from England to her cousins in India. Toru Dutt was a natural linguist and in her short life became proficient in Bengali, English, French and, later on, Sanskrit. Although she died at an exceptionally early age she left behind an impressive collection of prose and poetry. Her two novels, the unfinished Bianca or The Young Spanish Maiden written in English and Le Journal de Mademoiselle d’Arvers, written in French, were interestingly based outside India with non-Indian protagonists. Her poetry comprises of A Sheaf Gleaned in French Fields consisting of her translations into English of French poetry, and Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan which compiles her translations and adaptations from Sanskrit literature.\nA Sheaf Gleaned in French Fields was published in 1876 by the Saptahik Sambad Press, Bhowanipore without any preface or introduction. At first this collection attracted little attention but later it famously fell into the hands of Edmund Gosse who gave it a splendid review in The Examiner of August 1876. When her collection of Sanskrit translations Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan was published posthumously in 1882 Edmund Gosse wrote an introductory memoir for it. In this he wrote of Toru: ‘She brought with her from Europe a store of knowledge that would have sufficed to make an English or French girl seem learned, but which in her case was simply miraculous’ (Gosse, p xiii).\nClarisse Bader (Toru Dutt corresponded briefly with the French writer Clarisse Bader after reading her book Le Femme dans L'Inde Antique (Women in Ancient India). Dutt offered to translated Bader's book into English), Edmund Gosse, Mary E. R. Martin.\nAttended Higher Lectures for Women at Cambridge University, 1871-3\nPublished works:\nA Sheaf Gleaned in French Fields (Bhowanipore: Saptahik Sambad Press, 1876)\nBianca or the Young Spanish Maiden, serialized in the Bengal Magazine vi (January-April 1878)\nLe Journal de Mademoiselle D’Arvers (Paris: Didier, 1879)\nThe Diary of Mademoiselle D’Arvers, trans. by N. Kamala (Penguin Books, India, 2005)\nAncient Ballads and Legends of Hindusthan (London: Kegan Paul, 1882)\n‘An Eurasian Poet’, The Bengal Magazine iii (5 December 1874), p. 164\n‘A Scene from Contemporary Life’, The Bengal Magazine (June - July 1875)\n‘Bianca ,or The Young Spanish Maiden’, The Bengal Magazine (August 1877 - July 1878)\nDutt contributed regularly to The Bengal Magazine and The Calcutta Review between March 1874 and March 1877 and her translations often appeared signed with the letters TD. The Late Rev Lal Behari Dey was then the editor and he reserved a place for her translations in what was known as the ‘Poets Corner’. Her final contribution to the magazine was the translation of Barbier’s ‘La Cavale’ which was found amongst her papers and sent in by her father Govin Chunder Dutt after her death.\nThe only work Toru Dutt saw published in her brief lifetime was her collection of translations of French Poetry A Sheaf Gleaned In French Fields in March 1876. It received mixed reviews from India, England and France.\nBengal Magazine\nMadras Standard\nIndian Charivari\nFriend of India\nCourier de L’Europe\nLondon Quarterly Review\nLokuge, Chandani, Toru Dutt: Collected Prose and Poetry (New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2006)\nDas, Harihar, The Life and Letters of Toru Dutt (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1921)\nChaudhuri, Rosinka, Gentlemen Poets in Colonial Bengal- Emergent Nationalism and the Orientalist Project (Calcutta: Seagull Books, 2002)\nDe Souza, Eunice and Pereira, Lindsay (eds), Women’s Voices Sections from Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Century Indian Writing in English (New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2002)\nDwivedi, A. N., Toru Dutt: A Literary Profile (New Delhi: B R Publishing Corporation, 1998)\nNaik, M. K., A History of Indian English Literature (New Delhi: Sahitya Academi, 1982)\nRamachandran Nair, K. R., Three Indo-Anglian Poets: Henry Derozio, Toru Dutt and Sarojini Naidu (New Delhi: Sterling Publishers, 1987)\nSen Gupta, Padmini, Toru Dutt (New Delhi: Sahitya Academi, 1968)\nSharma, Alpana, ‘In-Between Modernity’, in Ann L. Ardis and Leslie W. Lewis (eds) Women’s Experience of Modernity, 1875-1945 (Baltimore: John Hopkins University press, 2003), pp. 97-110\nMukherjee, Meenakshi, ‘Hearing Her Own Voice: Defective Acoustics in Colonial India,’ in The Perishable Empire: Essays in Indian Writing In English (New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2000)\nFrom Harihar Das, Life and Letters of Toru Dutt (Oxford: OUP, 1921)\nLetter Dated: 11th May 1874, Baugmaree Garden House\nThis was one of Toru Dutt’s early letters to her friend Mary Martin after her return to India.\nWe all want so much to return to England. We miss the free life we led there; here we can hardly go out of the limits of our own garden, but Baugmaree happily is a pretty big place, and we walk round our own park as much as we like. If we can fulfil our wishes and return to England, I think we shall most probably settle in some quiet country place. The English villages are so pretty. But before we go, we have to get quite well, and sell our property here, for it is very expensive keeping up two houses here, we being in England in another.\nIn Toru Dutt’s correspondence with her friend Mary Martin she not only gives a detailed picture of her life in Calcutta but also of her yearnings to return to England. In her letters she expresses a sense of confinement, not only because she was unwell but also because of the fact that the Dutt family were quite secluded from society as they had converted to Christianity. The sense of freedom she associated with Europe came from the brief education she received at Cambridge and the friends she made at the time.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1597614"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8568933010101318,"wiki_prob":0.8568933010101318,"text":"In earning the elite designation, Raley's Mann joins just 53 other Masters of Wine in the United States.\nProduct Categories>Beverage\nRaley’s gets its own ‘Master of Wine’\nWine buyer Curtis Mann earns elite global wine certification\nRussell Redman 1 | Mar 04, 2020\nIn a rarity for a supermarket chain in the United States, Raley’s now has its own “Master of Wine.”\nCurtis Mann, director of alcohol and beverage at West Sacramento, Calif.-based Raley’s, has been certified as a Master of Wine (MW) by the Institute of Masters of Wine. He joins just 53 other Masters of Wine in the U.S. out of the 396 worldwide, the retailer said yesterday.\nRelated: Raley’s marks its 85th anniversary with ‘Good Never Stops’ campaign\nThe MW designation is considered “the most prestigious wine certification in the world,” according to Raley’s.\nCurtis Mann, director of alcohol and beverage at Raley's. (Photo courtesy of Raley's)\nRelated: Raley’s sets out on foodservice exploration in store remodel\n\"We want to congratulate Curtis on this impressive achievement,” Paul Gianetto, senior vice president of sales and merchandising at Raley’s, said in a statement. “Curtis’ perspective and knowledge will continue to enhance our wine category, bringing in new varietals from all over the world at a price point that meets our customers’ needs.”\nMann has been with Raley’s since 2013. As the wine buyer, he gained much of his knowledge for the MW certification through his experience at the grocery chain, as well as from global travel in search of unique wines and meetings with winemakers and winery owners, according to Raley’s.\n“Becoming a Master of Wine is an incredible honor,” Mann commented. “Passing this exam has inspired me even more to share my passion for wine with our Raley’s customers and team members.”\nThe MW exam, first held in 1953, tests the breadth and depth of knowledge and skills in the art, science and business of wine. The three-part exam encompasses theory and tasting tests plus a research paper on an in-depth study on a wine-related topic. Mann wrote his paper on California consumer understanding and preference for U.S. chardonnay styles, the London-based Institute of Masters of Wine said.\n“As director of alcohol and beverage, he has reshaped the chain's wine offerings with the help of in-store wine stewards and educational tastings, leading to a growth in sales over the last six years,” the institute said in announcing the latest Masters of Wine. “The wine press has noticed his efforts with awards such as the 2016 Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Award for U.S. retailer of the year and the 2018 Market Watch Leader Award.”\nMann is one of seven MWs, and two from the U.S., announced in the first crop of certifications for 2020, the Institute of Masters of Wine said. The other five are from the United Kingdom (two), Finland, France and Canada. The top six countries with MWs are Australia, France, Germany, New Zealand, the U.K. and the U.S.\nAmong grocery chains in the U.S., Raley's isn't the first to have a Master of Wine. Germany-based hard discount grocer Lidl had MW Adam Lapierre when it launched U.S. stores in 2017. \"Adam developed up our entire wine program and continues to be closely involved in the selection and rating of every bottle on our shelves,\" Lidl U.S. spokesman Will Harwood told Supermarket News. An SN search of the profiles of the 53 MWs in the U.S. found no others working for a U.S. grocery retailer.\n*Editor's Note: Article updated with more information on U.S. Masters of Wine in grocery.\nSprouts to spotlight emerging functional beverage brands\nAlbertsons recognized as Wine Enthusiast’s Retailer of the Year\nGelson’s Markets expands roster of store-brand wines\nMore Tops Markets now sell beer and wine","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1311679"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8268349170684814,"wiki_prob":0.8268349170684814,"text":"Intolerance in Academia\nIf you need an accurate update on some of the madness at the nation's institutions of higher learning, check out Minding the Campus, a nonprofit independent organization. John Leo, its editor in chief, says that the organization's prime mission is dedicated to the revival of intellectual pluralism and the best traditions of liberal education at America's colleges and universities. Leo's most recent compilation of campus madness leaves one nearly breathless.\nIn a USA Today op-ed, Emily Walton, a sociology professor at Dartmouth University, said that all college students should take a mandatory course on black history and white privilege. She says that by taking her class, white students \"come to understand that being a good person does not make them innocent but rather they, too, are implicated in a system of racial dominance.\" Walton adds, \"After spending their young lives in a condition of 'white blindness,' that is, the inability to see their own racial privilege, they begin to awaken to the notion that racism has systematically kept others down while benefiting them and other white people.\" This is inculcating guilt based on skin color. These young white kids had nothing to do with slavery, Jim Crow or other horrible racial discriminatory acts. If one believes in individual responsibility, he should find the indoctrination by Walton offensive. To top it off, she equates the meritocratic system of hard work with white discrimination against minorities.\nIf you thought integration was in, check out the University of Nevada. Based on a report in the College Fix, John Leo describes how integration on that campus is actively discouraged — and at taxpayer expense. The university provides separate dorms for different identities including Howell Town for black students, Stonewall Suites for LGBTQ students, the women-only housing of Tonopah community, the Healthy Living Floor for tofu and kale lovers and study-intensive floors for those who want to graduate.\nAccording to a New York Post report, New York City school administrators have been taught that pillars of Western Civilization such as objectivity, individualism and belief in the written word all are examples of white supremacy.\nAll school principals, district office administrators and superintendent teams were required to attend the anti-white supremacy training put on by the city Department of Education's Office of Equity and Access. They learn that a belief in an \"ultimate truth\" (objectivity) leads to a dismissal of \"alternate viewpoints or emotions\" as \"bad\" and that an emphasis on the written word overlooks the \"ability to relate to others\" and leads to \"teaching that there is only 'one right way' to do something.\" Administrators learn that other \"hallmarks\" of white supremacy include a \"sense of urgency,\" \"quantity over quality\" and \"perfectionism.\" Richard Carranza, New York City school superintendent, says the workshops are just about \"what are our biases and how we work with them.\"\nMichael Bloomberg, former New York City mayor, says that political rage and increasingly polarized discourse are endangering our nation. Americans used to move forward productively after elections regardless of which side won. Now, we seem paralyzed by absolute schism and intolerance. Bloomberg pointed to colleges as a prime example of a rising level of intolerance for different ideas and free speech. Steven Gerrard, a professor at Williams College in Massachusetts, serves as an example of campus intolerance. Students declared Gerrard \"an enemy of the people\" after he suggested that Williams College join other schools in signing onto what's called the Chicago Principles. The statement, published by the Committee of Freedom of Expression at the University of Chicago, calls for free speech to be central to college and university culture. Williams college students said free speech is a part of a right-wing agenda as a \"cover for racism, xenophobia, sexism, anti-Semitism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism and classism.\" Bloomberg pointed out that fewer than 70 of America's 4,000 colleges and universities have endorsed or adopted the Chicago statement.\nState governors and legislators can learn something from their Alaskan counterparts, who slashed public spending on the University of Alaska by 41%. There's nothing better than the sounds of pocketbooks snapping shut to bring a bit of sanity to college administrators.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line79670"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5055827498435974,"wiki_prob":0.4944172501564026,"text":"Home›Uncategorized›Some Observations on the Differences between N. American Sports and Soccer/Football in England\nSome Observations on the Differences between N. American Sports and Soccer/Football in England\nAn anonymous reader and I have corresponded considerably over the past month or two about the economics of North American professional sports, as compared with English Soccer/Football, especially at the Premiership level. Much of what follows is lifted shamelessly (but with his permission) from his e-mail messages.\nIn the U.S., the only way for a city to get a major league team in any sport is to either get the league to expand or to lure a team away from another city. Both are expensive processes fraught with politics.\nIn England, a city can get a Premiership team by supporting its local lower-division (minor-league) team, increasing its revenues, hoping the team's managers use the revenues to buy the rights to good players, and winning enough games to get promoted to the Premiership. Expansion and moves are almost unheard of--why go through that when you could just build up the lower-division team in the area instead? (Wimbledon did move to Milton Keynes several years ago, but that was an anomaly.)\nFurthermore, even if a city could purchase a franchise and move it, there is no guarantee they could keep it. The teams that finish at and near the bottom of the league each season are \"relegated\" to the next lower division. It'd be sort of like declaring Tampa Bay or Kansas City to be a AAA team if they finished last in a given season, and then promoting the top AAA team to the majors (Imagine what would happen if the Yankees finished last one season!). Or like promoting the best AA teams to AAA and relegating the worst ones to single A.\nNeedless to say, under the promotion and relegation system, the lower-division teams are always potential competitors; they definitely are not farm clubs for the top level clubs.\nEnglish football teams play in much older stadiums. From Wikipedia, here are lists of the home grounds of the 20 English Premier League (EPL) teams and the 30 Major League Baseball (MLB) teams:\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Premier_League_stadiums\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Major_League_Baseball_stadiums\nA minority of EPL teams but a majority of MLB teams play in stadiums built since 1990. This difference is almost surely because the threat of moving is so much more credible in the U.S. than in England.\nA lot of the English football stadiums are old, but a lot of the stands in the stadiums are new, and it's rare for a stand from before 1970 to still be in use. So renovation of the stadiums is common--it's entirely new stadiums that are uncommon. Since North American baseball teams usually scoff at offers to renovate their old stadiums and demand entirely new stadiums, this observation about stadiums and threats of moving is still true.\nGeographic concentration in the EPL is much greater than that in MLB.\nIn the EPL, 19 or 20 teams are either in the London, Birmingham, Liverpool-Manchester, or Newcastle areas--the only exception is Portsmouth. The teams are much more dispersed in MLB. However the system of promoting the best football clubs to the next higher division and relegating the worst teams to a lower division means that geographic dispersion can change considerably, as it will next season. Two Birmingham-area teams (Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion) and one Newcastle-area team (Sunderland) are being relegated from the top division to the next lower division. In their places will be a team in Reading, a team in Sheffield and possibly (depending on how the playoffs go) a team in Leeds. Still more concentrated than in North American leagues, but not quite as drastic as it was this past season.\nThis difference is almost surely because it is difficult in U.S. major leagues to expand in or move to an area that is already served by a team. It took forever to get baseball in D.C. again because of the objections of the Orioles' owner. New Jersey could probably support a baseball team, but surely won't get one as long as the Yankees, Mets, and Phillies have any political clout. In England, on the other hand, if an area can support an extra-top division team, you're likely to see a lower-division team get supported and ultimately promoted to the top division--and there's not much that other top-division teams in the same area can do about it. So you get a lot more teams close to other teams and clustered in big population centers.\nUnder the English system of promotion and relegation, New York would almost surely have three, four, or more teams and Boston and Philadelphia would each have two (as they did into the 1950s), and that those teams would be better-supported than the existing single teams in Milwaukee and Kansas City.\nAlternatively, if the NHL operated under the English system, would there be a restored Montreal Maroons to compete with the Canadiens?\nNote that being in the Premiership League for English football is worth a great deal of money to a club. If they are relegated, they often disperse the star players for cash and try to rebuild. It boggles the mind to think of this arrangement in American baseball. I cannot imagine that a major league team would be willing to risk major loss of funds and status by being relegated to the minors.\nThe sharing of revenues in English football seems to lie somewhere between MLB and the NFL. Much of the television revenue is shared between the teams. But the clubs get to keep most of their other revenue sources. The result is that teams that draw huge numbers of fans have much higher revenues than the others. And of course those that win more tend to draw more fans both at home and away.\nAt the same time, the revenue sharing from television revenues means that even bad teams have a strong incentive to try to remain in the top league and not be relegated to lower divisions or leagues. This incentive makes some of the games between rum-dumbs near the end of the season almost as exciting as games between the top teams.\nRunning Nonsense\nClosers v. Firemen\nShort England\nA Better Football Poll?\nPortugal's Hangover\nEuropean football, soccer, stadium subsidies\nMake Every Gym Session Count with These Game-Changing Workout Tips\nTwins Officials Acknowledge Lack of Economic Boost from Stadiums","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line19970"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7059136033058167,"wiki_prob":0.7059136033058167,"text":"Microsoft Seeks Revocation of “Special Master” Process to Ensure Complete Fairness in DOJ Case\nREDMOND, Wash., Dec. 23, 1997 — Microsoft Corp. today asked U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson to revoke the appointment of a special master in the consent decree compliance case to ensure fairness and address a number of legal and procedural issues.\n“The issues in this case are absolutely critical to Microsoft and the future of the entire software industry, so we need to be sure that this is a completely fair process,” said William H. Neukom, Microsoft’s senior vice president for law and corporate affairs. “Microsoft has concerns about the way the court created this special master position, so we are asking the court to reconsider its decision.”\nIn an order handed down Dec. 11, Judge Jackson ordered the appointment of a special master to receive evidence and propose findings of fact and conclusions of law for consideration by the court no later than May 31. In its motion filed with the District Court today, Microsoft cited a number of potential legal and procedural errors in the court’s action creating the special-master position. Most significantly, the motion said, the court exceeded its authority in delegating so much of the case to a special master.\n“Under court rules, unless the parties consent, special masters can only be appointed for specific and limited purposes, which are not applicable in this case,” Neukom said. “These rules exist to protect the parties’ constitutional right to have their federal cases heard by a federal judge.”\nNeukom said Microsoft might support the appointment of a more narrowly defined technical assistant to the court, to advise the court on complex questions involving software code or software industry business practices.\nNeukom also expressed concern that – contrary to the usual procedures for appointment of a special master – Microsoft did not receive any notice that the court was contemplating the appointment of a special master, was not provided the opportunity to object, and was not given an opportunity to suggest candidates or review the qualifications of any candidates under consideration.\n“The scope of the special master’s authority, and the procedure employed to identify the right person for the job, should be reconsidered to ensure that Microsoft’s rights are fairly protected,” Neukom said. Judge Jackson appointed Lawrence Lessig, a Harvard University professor, to be special master. In its brief, Microsoft cited several examples of Lessig’s writings to illustrate why the parties should be permitted to fully review the potential biases of special-master candidates before an appointment is made.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line709290"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5760993957519531,"wiki_prob":0.4239006042480469,"text":"Mount Holyoke Alumna Establishes Networks for the Empowerment of Girls\nMemory Bandera ’04. Photo courtesy of Memory Bandera ’04\nMemory Bandera ’04 grew up in Zimbabwe and learned about Mount Holyoke from an admissions counselor with whom she was invited to meet. Bandera already had co-founded the Girl Child Network (GCN) of Zimbabwe, a nonprofit that promotes empowerment and education for girls. After earning a master’s degree in international relations at Suffolk University, she moved to Uganda to work for Youth Action International, a nonprofit that rebuilds war-torn communities in Africa. Today, Bandera is the director of programs at DefendDefenders, a nonprofit that provides emergency protection to human rights defenders in the East and Horn of Africa.\nOn the need for the Girl Child Network:\nThere were no girls in positions of leader-ship at my high school, and girls were not speaking up in class. Some of us started meeting after school, discussing injustices in the classroom. People started sharing experiences from their homes: sisters who weren’t able to continue with school because they were expected to stay home and do chores, experiences around abuse and sexual violence. The organization was made official just after I finished high school. We got our first grant from the US Embassy, enabling us to secure office equipment. Then we received a grant from the Global Fund for Women that provided funds for office rent and incubating activities. I left to go to Mount Holyoke, but the organization continued. GCN was the first organization to have village empowerment centers outside of the city.\nWe were working on programs to reintegrate former child soldiers. We needed something to address their needs. Memory Bandera ’04\nOn helping women in post-war Uganda:\nWhen I came to Uganda I was working with Youth Action International, and we were focusing on conflict areas. I was working in the northern parts of Uganda, which were affected by the Lord’s Resistance Army for more than twenty years. They were abducting children, mostly, to take them into the bush and train them. And they were taking young girls, mostly teenagers, to be given to army commanders as wives. We were working on programs to reintegrate the former child soldiers. There was a whole category of people returning—girls who had children. That’s when I founded Girl Child Network Uganda. The entry point for those teen mothers was economic empowerment. Now there are programs for at-risk girls that focus on sexual violence prevention and response; a women’s role models program; and mentorship programs for young girls in the country.\nOn her job at DefendDefenders:\nOne thing I valued most [at Mount Holyoke] was Complex Organizations, taught by Professor Frederick McGinness. That really gave me different perspectives on managing companies. And because of my experience with GCN, which started in an informal way, I started thinking more about leadership in the nonprofit sector. At that point, I didn’t know that I’d end up doing this kind of work. All I knew was that I wanted to come back to the region and give back.\nOn the power of networks:\nWhen I finished high school, I was selected for the United States Student Achievers Program (USAP), at the time run by the US Embassy. Students who were part of that program ended up at different colleges in the US. Alumni of the USAP program and MHC are two strong networks. And my current job has been a great platform for my career growth, as I work in a network organization with membership in eleven different countries within the East and Horn of Africa.\n—Interview by Hannah Wallace ’95\nThis article appeared as “Establishing Networks for Girls” in the spring 2018 issue of the Alumnae Quarterly.\nTags: 10 minutes with, quarterly, spring 2018, ten minutes with\nOne response to “Mount Holyoke Alumna Establishes Networks for the Empowerment of Girls”\nellie greenberg says:\nfabulous!! good luck…\nLeave a Reply to ellie greenberg Cancel reply\nMount Holyoke Alumna Reduces Poverty in Her Native Country through Wholesome Dairy\nMarie Cavosora ’91 is known as the resident “Dairy Godmother” at CalaBoo Dairyard, a social enterprise that she founded in her native Philippines last year. After a prosperous two decades in corporate America—working in advertising for brands such as Pepsi, Disney, and Kraft Foods—a spiritual crisis and journey of self-discovery led Cavosora back to her…... » Read More\nMount Holyoke Alumna Proves Universal Access to Legal Aid Reduces Poverty\n“Our first year, I was doing all the casework myself, but now we have thirteen employees and have closed over nine hundred cases,” says Virginia Taylor ’08, cofounder of Bayview/Hunters Point Community Legal, a legal nonprofit she opened deliberately in the poorest area of San Francisco. Established with a friend from law school in 2013…... » Read More","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line374414"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6850721836090088,"wiki_prob":0.3149278163909912,"text":"Join a Hartwick Ensemble!\nOur ensembles include students, faculty and staff, talented high school students and community members. Regardless of your major, Hartwick ensembles are open to you.\nWind Ensemble – Dr. Andrew Pease (T/Th 6-7:30 p.m.)\nThe Hartwick Wind Ensemble performs two standard concerts each semester. The music we play includes everything from the standard wind band repertoire to the latest in new repertoire, including new commissions written specifically for us. The Wind Ensemble also plays at the True Blue Weekend football game and is featured at Hartwick’s Commencement. This ensemble features opportunities for students to select music and for student conductors. No audition required.\nChamber Orchestra – Prof. Ben Aldridge (M/W 7:30-8:50 p.m.)\nThe Hartwick/SUNY-Oneonta Chamber Orchestra performs one program of full orchestral literature each semester in concerts at both Hartwick and SUNY. It is open to string, woodwind, brass, and percussion players from both campuses.\nJazz Band – Prof. Gregg Norris (W 7-9 p.m.)\nThis standard big band covers jazz classics from the swing era, as well as exploring music from other important genres, such as ballads, rock, cool jazz and Latin. The ensemble strives for an advanced level of performance, but accepts any individual willing to make the commitment to attending weekly rehearsals, semester concerts and other performance events organized throughout the year. Open to Hartwick students and faculty, talented high school students and community members.\nMusical Theater Pit – Dr. Andrew Pease (J-Term)\nEach J-term, the Music and Theater departments coordinate to stage a full musical. The Pit ensemble is open to any instrumentalists, depending on instrumentation needs. Recent productions include A Year with Frog and Toad, Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical, and Chicago. More information on Hartwick Theatre Productions\nRock Ensemble – Prof. Evan Jagels (T or Th 7:45-8:45 p.m.)\nThe Rock Ensemble plays everything from Chuck Berry to Queen to Radiohead. No previous experience necessary, just a willingness to learn how to shred. Demand is high – contact Prof. Jagels to find out about auditioning.\nFlute Choir – Dr. Ana Laura González (W 6:30-8:30 p.m.)\nFeaturing students from both Hartwick and SUNY-Oneonta, this small group plays chamber pieces for flutes of all sizes, from piccolo to bass flute. In addition to performing at standard concerts, this group also appears at special events on and off campus.\nBrass Ensemble – Dr. Andrew Pease (T/Th 7:45-8:30 p.m.)\nWith a repertoire spanning nearly 500 years, this ensemble plays a diverse selection of music at events on and off campus, including open houses, college ceremonies, and concerts. Rehearsals feature a healthy dose of brass playing fundamentals.\nPercussion Ensemble – Dr. Graeme Francis (T 12:20-2:20 p. m.)\nCovering everything from African drumming to bowed vibraphone to snare duets, this diverse ensemble is open to students from all majors and backgrounds.\nJazz Combo – Prof. Evan Jagels (M 7-9 p.m.)\nThis small, eclectic group of musicians dives deep into music from all genres and periods of jazz, and also looks beyond jazz’s borders. Students in this ensemble work together to create their own arrangements, with an emphasis on improvisation.\nCollege Choir – Prof. Steven Nanni (M/W 5:15-6:45 p.m.)\nThe College Choir is a mixed ensemble that sings repertoire from diverse time periods and styles, including both secular and sacred works from a variety of traditions. We champion the work of living composers through the premiering of newly commissioned works and regular performance of twenty-first century repertoire. Collaborations with other local ensembles, including the Catskill Choral Society and the Catskill Symphony expose students to a broad range of performance experiences. While some previous choral experience is helpful, it is not required. Voice placement auditions take place during the first week of classes each term.\nChamber Choir – Prof. Steven Nanni (T/Th 4:00-5:00 p.m.)\nThe Hartwick Chamber Choir is open to select singers by audition. Depending on the number of qualified voices in any given semester, the Chamber Choir may be a treble or mixed voice ensemble. Vocalists accepted into the chamber choir are expected to participate in the College Choir concurrently (with rare exception). Like the College Choir, the chamber choir sings repertoire from diverse time periods and styles. Due to the smaller size of the ensemble, singers work on more intimate repertoire, occasionally performing without a conductor. The Chamber Choir is often asked to sing for college events and community functions.\nOpera/Musical Theater Scenes – Prof. Steven Nanni and Prof. Carol Castel (T/Th 2:30-4:00 p.m.)\nThis course is designed to familiarize students with vocal ensemble selections from the operatic and musical theater repertory through study, rehearsal, and live performance.\nMusical Theater Production (J-Term)\nEvery January, the Music and Theater departments coordinate to stage a full musical. Auditions take place in the Fall and the production is rehearsed during the January term. Performances take place at the beginning of the spring term. Recent productions include A Year with Frog and Toad, Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical, and Chicago. More information on Hartwick Theatre Productions\nNot So Sharp – Student-Run A Cappella Ensemble\nNot So Sharp is a select group (both music majors and non-majors) that performs a cappella music on Hartwick’s campus and surrounding areas. We aim to create a fun and inviting atmosphere for all levels of performers.\nAll of Hartwick’s ensembles are open to community members and talented local high school students with director approval based on an audition and the needs of each ensemble. The special opportunities below are specifically tailored to community involvement.\nHonor Band – Dr. Andrew Pease (Saturday 10/26/19, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.)\nThe Hartwick College Honor Band brings high school students from around the region together for one Saturday in the fall for an intensive day of music on our beautiful campus with our faculty and students. Players also work with a distinguished guest conductor. The day culminates in an evening concert. Look for the online application early in the fall. See more at our Honor Band page.\nFoothills Opera Experience – Prof. Steven Nanni – Returning Summer 2020\nFrom interpretation of music, story and character to vocal and physical freedom and expression, this summer program promises to guide young vocalists to new levels of artistry and confidence. Check the Foothill Opera Experience website for 2020 information.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line699446"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5994705557823181,"wiki_prob":0.4005294442176819,"text":"New Nature Tourism Partnership Debuts\nBy Turtle Island Restoration NetworkAugust 21, 2014Sea Turtles\nBy CHRIS O’SHEA ROPER | Thursday, August 21, 2014 12:15 am\nThere is a new partnership in Galveston focused on nature tourism, and it is preparing for an exciting and wide-open future.\nSpurred by frequent requests from nature tourism organizations to work together, the Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council and the Galveston Bay Area Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists took the lead to launch this partnership to “create a network that will advocate for Galveston Island conservation and preservation through the economic and cultural value of nature tourism.”\nFormally titled the Galveston Island Nature Tourism Partnership, it is becoming known as NTP, for short.\nThe group hosted Galveston Mayor Jim Yarbrough at its latest meeting and was pleased to note that the mayor is on the same page in terms of support for nature tourism on the island. In discussing his focus on infrastructure, the mayor indicated that cleaning up the “gateways” to the city, such as the Interstate 45 corridor and 61st and 71st streets, is important. And he noted that it is also important to nature tourists, who want to see a clean Galveston when they arrive.\nWhen asked if he thought the City Council was informed and supportive of nature tourism in Galveston, the mayor responded, “You won’t have a hard sell in terms of promoting nature tourism with the city.”\nThe new Galveston Island Nature Tourism Partnership is made up of representatives of nonprofit organizations and public entities that provide nature tourism services, events and education to visitors and Galveston residents. Member organizations include Artist Boat, Audubon, Clean Galveston, Galveston Bay Foundation, Galveston BayKeepers, Galveston Island Tree Conservancy, Gulf of Mexico Foundation, Moody Gardens, Scenic Galveston, Sea Turtle Restoration Project, Surfrider Foundation, Texas Nature Conservancy, Galveston Parks Department, the Convention and Visitor Bureau, Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, Galveston Island State Park and Friends of Galveston Island State Park.\nTo date, the group has partnered with Galveston.com to develop a calendar of nature tourism events for both guests and residents available through www.galvestonnaturetourism.org. Member organizations shared volunteers during events such as the Bucket Brigade to educate visitors on the benefits of sargassum, sponsored by the Park Board.\nOther opportunities to collaborate included the volunteer response to the oil spill sponsored by Galveston Bay Foundation, trash pickup on the beach after July Fourth, sponsored by the Surfriders’ Foundation, and beach patrols sponsored by the Sea Turtle Restoration Project.\nPartnership members have begun working on a series of “itineraries” for visitors to the island that reflect activities across organizations. In the coming months, the partnership will create a short list of goals for the coming year, including things like educating people on the value (including economic value) of nature tourism, creating a common language and message on nature tourism, and establishing a clear and ongoing dialogue with the City.\nMany thanks to Mayor Yarbrough for his time and interest.\nFor additional information on the Galveston Island Nature Tourism Partnership, contact Julie Ann Brown at dir@gintc.org.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line120276"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7868689298629761,"wiki_prob":0.7868689298629761,"text":"Oleg Grachev on living in Russia and the U.S.\nby Carrie Maxwell, Windy City Times\nThis article shared 1400 times since Fri Mar 30, 2018\nEver since Oleg Grachev was 10 years old, he had a dream of working on Wall Street. He has fulfulled that dream as J.P. Morgan's new investment banking analyst.\nGrachev's journey to Wall Street began in his Russian hometown Blagoveshchensk, which borders China.\n\"I was graduating fourth grade and we had to write an essay to ourselves twenty years in the future,\" said Grachev. \"At that point, I would watch news covering a lot of finance. I did not know what it all meant yet, but the dynamic and speed with which the markets moved seemed fascinating. I wanted to be one of those people in suits so I wrote about living in New York City, and working on Wall Street.\"\nWhen Grachev started school, his goal was to succeed academically so he participated in academic Olympiads covering many subjects and the U.S. State Department Future Leaders Exchange Program ( FLEX ) competition where he won a scholarship during his junior year in high school.\nA week after winning the scholarship, Grachev broke his neck at the end of a swimming practice. Doctors told his mom he might be paralyzed from the neck down. That did not stop him from recovering over a four-month period however, and a week after he was back on his feet, he boarded a plane to the United States.\nWinning the FLEX scholarship allowed Grachev to spend his senior year as an exchange student living with a host family in Paw Paw, Illinois.\n\"That ended up being one of the most memorable and eye-opening experiences in my life,\" said Grachev. \"Seeing what life is like beyond the big cities helped me understand a different side of America that I could not read about or see in the news.\"\nAfter high school, Grachev said he was able to fulfill his dream of attending college in the United States due to a merit-based scholarship that cut tuition in half. He chose NIU because of its proximity to his host-family's town and the friends he made in high school.\nIn 2015, Grachev created a peer-mentor program at NIU to help other international students adjust to life in the United States. This stemmed from an interaction he had with another international student in college who was having trouble assimilating into American culture.\n\"The program will continue through the International Students and Faculty Office on campus,\" said Grachev. \"This program created a tangible impact on campus bridging the gap between two communities further teaching how to appreciate different cultures and the differences between each other.\"\nComing to this country gave Grachev the ability to live his truth as an out gay man.\n\"Growing up in Russia, I always knew I was gay, but accepting that part of me was not easy in that social climate,\" said Grachev. \"I was sorry for not being perfect, I was afraid that none of my dreams would ever come true, I was scared for my life and quite frankly, at that time I thought I was alone in this world. The possibility of me coming out was one of the reasons why I moved to the U.S. and was something I could not imagine doing in Russia.\"\nGrachev came out to his host family and friends during his freshman year at NIU, and at the end of the first semester to his mom. He noted that since then it has been a work in progress for her to fully accept that he is gay.\nOn campus, he quickly got involved with Out for Undergrad ( O4U ). O4U focuses on advancing high-achieving undergraduate LGBTQ leaders in their professional lives. The group holds four annual conferences that guide students in industry-specific skills, coaching relationships and discussion about being LGBTQ-identified in the workplace.\n\"Involvement in O4U was instrumental in shaping me as an individual and a professional,\" said Grachev. \"I remember in my first year ( 2015 ) I needed to find inspiration to be myself, gain friends among the LGBTQ community and build my professional network. O4U has given me that and so much more—it gave me family. It gave me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone and inspired me to honestly stand for what I believe in. That is why in my second year I became a campus ambassador—extending this opportunity to students on campus who needed it. Recently, I organized and hosted a happy hour for O4U alumni in Chicago and plan on further giving back to the organization as I embark on my career.\"\nDue to Grachev's involvement with O4U, he learned about J.P. Morgan's Proud to Be program.\n\"This event, which takes place annually at J.P. Morgan's headquarters in New York City, gives students an opportunity to meet some of company's LGBTQ leaders, learn more about the firm and interview for one of the company's internship programs,\" said Grachev. \"The interview process was an eye-opening experience that led to an internship in the Investment Banking Division, and consequently a full-time offer. The program connected me with the family of open and proud professionals, both junior and senior, from the Pride resource group that have became role models and mentors.\"\nIndiana pols propose anti-conversion therapy bill\nIndiana Stonewall Democrats issued a press release lauding state Sen. JD Ford (District 39) and state Rep. Sue Errington (District 26) for introducing a new bill to effectively end so-called \"conversion therapy\" practices across the state ...\nNational LGBTQ organizations call for Trump's removal from office\nWORLD Lithuania outlook, HIV/AIDS and COVID, lawyer arrested, trans youth\nLithuania appears set to legalize same-sex civil partnerships next year, but same-sex marriage could be up to a decade away, according to Tomas Raskevicius—the country's only openly LGBT+ lawmaker, Reuters reported. \"We're going to submit t ...\n11th Circuit urged to reverse decision allowing LGBTQ youth conversion therapy\n--From a Born Perfect press release - ATLANTA, GA — The Born Perfect campaign submitted a friend-of-the-court brief on Friday urging reversal of a recent decision by a three-judge federal panel validating the dangerous unethical practice known ...\nSHOWBIZ Trans acting challenge, NYE parties, Charlize Theron, Diana Ross\nMichael D. Cohen, with support from Nickelodeon, is launching the Trans Youth Acting Challenge, according to a press release. Trans and non-binary kids can submit audition self-tapes online (preferably through their parents), and the top 12 ...\nBiden considering Buttigieg for high-profile ambassadorship\nAxios reported that President-elect Joe Biden is considering a high-profile ambassadorship for former presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg—possibly sending him to China. The outlet stated that Buttigieg—the openly gay 38-year-old former ...\nBuffalo Grove LGBTQ+ teen named one of HRC's ambassadors\nThe Human Rights Campaign (HRC) announced that Buffalo Grove teen Molly Pinta (she/her)—a 14-year-old who identifies as bisexual—has been named a member of the 2021 class of HRC Foundation Youth ...\nTHEATER Andre De Shields to help celebrate youth Dec. 9\nAndre De Shields—a Grammy-, Emmy- and Tony-winning actor, director and educator, and the 2019 \"Triple Crown\" winner for his portrayal of Hermes in Hadestown—will be the keynote speaker of the Victory Gardens Theater event \"Voices of ...\nSame-sex parents are 7X more likely to raise adopted, foster children\n--From a Williams Institute press release - A summary of data on same-sex parenting to inform reporting on Fulton v. City of Philadelphia On Nov. 5, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Fulton v. City of Philadelphia. The case will ...\nBooksellers launch \"Boxed Out\" campaign, a look at consumer choices\n--From a press release - (New York, New York) 20% of independent bookstores across the country are in danger of closing. Today, theAmerican Booksellers Association launched the \"Boxed Out\" campaign to draw attention to the high stakes indie bookstores face this ...\nInclusive curriculum tools offered to schools during LGBTQ History Month\n--From a press release - October is LGBTQ History Month, and a coalition of LGBTQ organizations are celebrating by making tools available to school administrators, educators, youth, and families to help implement the state's new Inclusive Curriculum Law. The Illinois Inclusiv ...\nAbout Face Theatre announces 25th season of new work, digital performances\n--From a press release - CHICAGO — About Face Theatre is excited to announce plans for its landmark 25th anniversary season. Featuring new and original works, the company will focus on using digital streaming and online tools for most of the ...\nWORLD French plan, 'gay panic' defense, trans youth case, Northern Triangle\nThe French government unveiled a national plan to combat hatred and discrimination against LGBTQ people, and the initiative emphasises the importance of inclusive education in stamping out homophobia, RFI.fr reported. The three-year plan aims to make ...\nStudy shows young queer adults face high rates of discrimination\nA new study from the progressive think tank the Center for American Progress (CAP) and the research group NORC at the University of Chicago reported that young queer adults face high rates of discrimination. The survey ...\nCampus Pride announces 2020 Best of the Best LGBTQ-friendly colleges, universities\n--From a press release - Campus Pride commemorates LGBTQ History Month and National Coming Out Day by releasing its 2020 BEST OF THE BEST LGBTQ-Friendly listing of colleges and universities. The announcement features forty campuses ...","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1676445"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.569750964641571,"wiki_prob":0.43024903535842896,"text":"Inside The Internet: 50 Years of Life Online • 2019\nWaste of the Future\nInnovations are emerging around the world to considerably reduce our waste: development of circular economies, the spread of composting, repair cafes, etc. So, what will it be like in 2050?\nVolkswagen Mega Factory\nVolkswagen’s Chattanooga facility, situated on 1,400 acres, is more than 3 million square feet. It employs about 3,500 people. In 2011, the Chattanooga plant became the first automobile manufacturing facility in the world to be certified LEED Platinum. More than 100,000 Atlas SUVs and 700,000 Passats have been manufactured at the plant.\nWhat if aliens landed on Earth? Much of science fiction explores the moment of first contact – what will people do when the aliens land? From H. G. Wells’ pioneering The War of the Worlds to Independence Day, Men in Black, and District 9, Invasion deals with our fears of alien invasions of earth. David Tennant explains the appeal of Doctor Who’s Daleks and Cybermen while John Carpenter and Chris Carter explore the rich appeal of the paranoia fuelled by hidden aliens with The Thing and The X-Files. It also asks what if the monsters were our own creation? With the aid of rarely seen animation tests, Phil Tippett takes us behind the scenes in the creation of the dinosaurs of Jurassic Park. But not all invasions are hostile. Peter Coyote and Richard Dreyfuss discuss the creation of Spielberg’s spellbinding classics E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. There is more than one kind of invasion.\nPart 3 • The Real History of Science Fiction • 2014 • Technology\nHow artificial intelligence is changing our society\nArtificial intelligence (AI) is changing our lives. It touches on all aspects of society - private life, business, security -- including in the spread of fake news and the challenges posed by the advent of autonomous weapons.\nHot Air Balloons, Synthetic Rubber, Metal Detectors\nExplore the hidden history and super science of hot air balloons, synthetic rubber and metal detectors.\n10/10 • Incredible Inventions • 2017 • Technology","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line101288"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7929055690765381,"wiki_prob":0.7929055690765381,"text":"You are at:Home»Art History»Art on the Edge at Real Art Ways\nArt on the Edge at Real Art Ways\nBy Elizabeth Normen on\t January 16, 2018 Art History, Uncategorized\nUnless otherwise noted, all images from the Real Art Ways Collection, Hartford History Center, Hartford Public Library\nBy Will K. Wilkins\nA couple of years ago I dropped into an exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City and, in a survey of performance art of the 1970s, saw a video of Mike Smith performing in downtown Hartford. Smith’s character Baby Ikki (the artist in a diaper and baby clothing) had been taped wandering into traffic and being led away by a befuddled policeman. This is not exactly the image of Hartford that likely comes to mind for most people.\nIn the mid-1970s downtown Hartford came alive with artistic exploration and innovation. Baby boomers were coming of age, affordable space was available in older buildings, and creative energy, much of it generated by young artists and musicians with some connection to the Hartford Art School or the Hartt School, was in the air.\nBoomers had been influenced by the civil-rights movement and the anti-war movement. Change was seen as possible, and there was a sense among many that the culture would benefit from fresh organizations and enterprises that reflected the values and interests of a new generation. Real Art Ways, Peace Train, Sidewalk, Artworks Gallery, Company One, the Craftery Gallery, and the Artists Collective were all places where innovation and new perspectives were welcomed and encouraged.\nReal Art Ways, founded in 1975, saw itself very much as the “avant-garde” wing of these new efforts. And, indeed, the organization’s presentations gave a Hartford a platform that supported forward-thinking visual artists, composers and musicians, performers, writers, and film and video artists. Building owner Henry Zachs provided the first low-cost space on Asylum Street that allowed Real Art Ways to get a foothold.\nNotable artists presented early on by Real Art Ways included composer John Cage. His “Empty Words,” presented in 1981, was an all-night concert, available to National Public Radio outlets nationwide. In 1984 RAW hosted New Music America, a multi-day national festival that kicked off with musicians playing on the Amtrak train from New York; the festival brought scores of experimental musicians and composers to Hartford. And Ornette Coleman was featured in 1985 in a festival that included film and several of Ornette’s ensembles and emphasized his importance to improvisational music.\nReal Art Ways moved into the old W.T. Grant’s department store space across from the Old State House in 1981. Along with the other organizations active then, RAW introduced downtown passers-by to sights and sounds that were probably jarring to the sensibilities of many. [See “When Artists Owned Hartford’s Street,” Vol. 3, #1.] But redevelopment moved the organization two more times before it landed at its present (and later expanded) location, 56 Arbor Street, in 1989.\nReal Art Ways took a stand in the culture wars of the early 1990s and brought several talented artists who had been criticized for the content of their work to Hartford audiences. In 1990 RAW presented the “NEA 4”: Tim Miller, John Fleck, Holly Hughes, and Karen Finley. All four performance artists had jury recommendations for National Endowment for the Arts funding abruptly vetoed by the NEA chairman earlier that year. Sold-out shows at Real Art Ways breathed new life into the organization, and in particular generated support from the LGBT community.\nReal Art Ways commissioned and produced several public art projects in Hartford neighborhoods, including, in 1991, Mel Chin’s “Ghost,” an evocation of Hartford’s first African-American congregation (now Faith Congregational Church) and Pepón Osorio’s “En la Barbería no se Llora” (“No Crying Allowed in the Barbershop”) in 1994, a street-level installation of the artist’s over-the-top version of an all-male Puerto Rican barbershop, installed on Hartford’s Park Street.\nReal Art Ways is a unique Connecticut institution, where art and community are intertwined. And RAW itself can be seen as an art installation. Where else in the country can you find a welcoming place, in a city neighborhood, that presents new and innovative independent film, gallery exhibitions, social events, concerts, story telling, and spoken word—and brings together audiences from different backgrounds and perspectives?\nFor all the breakthrough performances and artists that have been presented here, it is the organization itself that might be the most significant breakthrough of all.\nWill K. Wilkins is executive director of Real Art Ways.\nReal Art Ways\n56 Arbor Street, Hartford\nRealartways.org\nThe archives of Real Art Ways are housed at the Hartford History Center, Hartford Public Library. For more information visit hhc2.hplct.org/realartways.html.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line429886"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6728348731994629,"wiki_prob":0.6728348731994629,"text":"As we start to round the corner into a new year, the figures and analyses we're seeing paint a pretty definitive picture for what IT departments and CTOs can expect in 2021.\nForrester predicts remote work will increase by 300% compared to pre-pandemic levels\nAt the tail end of October, Forrester published its 2021 predictions for the year ahead. Among the dynamics that they saw as having the most impact on firms in the coming year, remote work ranked in the top three along with HR technology and automation. (I highly recommend checking out the full Forrester guide. You can download it here.)\nSpecifically, a Forrester analyst had this to say:\n\"While there is no clear end point to the pandemic yet, the number of employees working remotely will begin to dwindle, eventually settling in at 300% of pre-pandemic levels at the minimum.\"\nAlthough the word \"dwindle\" doesn't really capture what's ultimately a threefold increase, you still get the idea. The record numbers of permanent remote workers that we're seeing during the pandemic will fall from their current highs. But that will be nowhere close to the status quo that we saw before the arrival of COVID-19.\nAnd most organizations will end up having some type of hybrid model where people come into an office part of the time, and work from home part of the time - so IT will still need to ensure those hybrid workers have access to all of their critical apps and systems on the days they work from home. Which leads us to our next stat...\nOnly 13% of companies are planning to return to a fully onsite workforce by 2022\nNow that the viability of remote work is established, more companies than ever are acknowledging that it's here to stay. According to the 2019 Nutanix Enterprise Cloud Index report, just over one-quarter (26%) of companies had zero employees working remotely full-time.\nOne year on, that figure has changed significantly. Just 7% of the more than 3,000 IT decision makers surveyed for the latest Nutanix Enterprise Cloud Index said their companies have had no full-time employees working from home during the pandemic. And only 13% have resolved to stay that way by 2022.\nIn other words, global events, changing attitudes and the rise of digital workspace solutions have halved the number of companies that are still committed to no full-time remote employees. That's a huge shift in mindset over a very short period of time.\nIT departments are clearly going to have to adapt to permanent work-from-home (WFH) and hybrid workplace models. That's probably why close to half of the IT leaders in Nutanix's report said that their priorities over the next 12 to 18 months will be improving their systems and supporting WFH capabilities.\nPost-pandemic, 56% of workers would switch jobs to keep working remotely\nEmployers aren't the only ones who are banking on remote work being more commonplace. According to a survey of 602 full-time workers conducted by one desktop-as-a-service (DaaS) tech company, more than half (56%) of the respondents said they were planning to switch jobs if their employer didn't allow remote work after the pandemic.\nThat shows how much employees' attitudes have changed over the past eight months. What was once a perk is now looking more like a basic criterion for choosing a job. That's something companies will have to bear in mind when they're hiring.\nSome other interesting factoids from that survey, summarized here by Forbes:\nAlmost all (97%) said they'd taken necessary steps to stay equally focused while working remotely. That puts some fears over WFH productivity to rest, although those employees will still need the right solutions to stay productive.\nWell over half (63%) of the respondents warmed to the idea of self-employment during the pandemic; of those, 87% cited schedule flexibility as the main reason.\nOf the full-time workers surveyed, 85% were intrigued by the idea of becoming a \"digital nomad.\"\nBy the end of 2021, 80% of enterprises will accelerate their shift to a cloud-centric infrastructure\nWhen IDC looked into its data-driven crystal ball, it saw that 8 out of every 10 enterprise-scale organizations would have some kind of mechanism in place to double their pre-pandemic rate of cloud migration by the end of 2021. That means they'll be adopting cloud-centric infrastructure and applications twice as fast as they did nine months ago.\nThe reason for that isn't surprising. The pandemic has exposed serious shortcomings in the resiliency, flexibility and scalability of many workplaces. To remain competitive and productive, they're having to re-evaluate their legacy software and figure out how to adapt it to a dynamic, distributed workforce.\nIn fact, IDC predicts that in 2022 digitally resilient enterprises will be 50% faster in responding to new conditions than their peers who just focus on maintaining the status quo.\nWhat about you? Which of these remote work trends are you seeing play out in your own company? Were there any other remote work stats that caught your eye in November? Feel free to bring them to our attention in the comments below.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line868763"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7798693180084229,"wiki_prob":0.7798693180084229,"text":"Nanaville: Adventures in Grandparenting (Paperback)\n(Children - Parenting)\nKobo eBook (April 23rd, 2019): $11.99\nHardcover (April 23rd, 2019): $26.00\nMP3 CD (April 1st, 2020): $14.99\nNEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The perfect gift for new parents and grandparents this Mother’s Day: a bighearted book of wisdom, wit, and insight, celebrating the love and joy of being a grandmother, from the Pulitzer Prize–winning columnist and #1 bestselling author\n“This tender book should be required reading for grandparents everywhere.”—Booklist (starred review)\n“I am changing his diaper, he is kicking and complaining, his exhausted father has gone to the kitchen for a glass of water, his exhausted mother is prone on the couch. He weighs little more than a large sack of flour and yet he has laid waste to the living room: swaddles on the chair, a nursing pillow on the sofa, a car seat, a stroller. No one cares about order, he is our order, we revolve around him. And as I try to get in the creases of his thighs with a wipe, I look at his, let’s be honest, largely formless face and unfocused eyes and fall in love with him. Look at him and think, well, that’s taken care of, I will do anything for you as long as we both shall live, world without end, amen.”\nBefore blogs even existed, Anna Quindlen became a go-to writer on the joys and challenges of family, motherhood, and modern life, in her nationally syndicated column. Now she’s taking the next step and going full nana in the pages of this lively, beautiful, and moving book about being a grandmother. Quindlen offers thoughtful and telling observations about her new role, no longer mother and decision-maker but secondary character and support to the parents of her grandson. She writes, “Where I once led, I have to learn to follow.” Eventually a close friend provides words to live by: “Did they ask you?”\nCandid, funny, frank, and illuminating, Quindlen’s singular voice has never been sharper or warmer. With the same insights she brought to motherhood in Living Out Loud and to growing older in Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake, this new nana uses her own experiences to illuminate those of many others.\nPraise for Nanaville\n“Witty and thoughtful . . . Nanaville serves up enough vivid anecdotes and fresh insights—about childhood, about parenthood, about grandparenthood and about life—to make for a gratifying read.”—The New York Times\n“Classic, bittersweet Quindlen . . . [Her] wonder at seeing her eldest child grow into his new role is lovely and moving. . . . The best parts of Nanaville are the charming vignettes of Quindlen's solo time with her grandson.”—NPR\nAnna Quindlen is a novelist and journalist whose work has appeared on fiction, nonfiction, and self-help bestseller lists. She is the author of nine novels: Object Lessons, One True Thing, Black and Blue, Blessings, Rise and Shine, Every Last One, Still Life with Bread Crumbs, Miller’s Valley, and Alternate Side. Her memoir Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake, published in 2012, was a #1 New York Times bestseller. Her book A Short Guide to a Happy Life has sold more than a million copies. While a columnist at The New York Times she won the Pulitzer Prize and published two collections, Living Out Loud and Thinking Out Loud. Her Newsweek columns were collected in Loud and Clear.\n“In Nanaville, Quindlen shares her honest and funny experiences with maneuvering through new territory as she learns the importance of stepping back, allowing Arthur’s parents to take the lead and carving a new role for herself.”—Time\n“Grandparenting is new territory for this bestselling novelist and beloved former columnist, and as always in her warmly candid nonfiction, Quindlen voices concerns and celebrates high points with sensitivity and insight. As her life fills with unbreakable dishes, scattered Legos, and bite-sized treats, Quindlen savors a shared book, a held hand, a child’s laugh, and a relationship built on mutual love and respect. This tender book should be required reading for grandparents everywhere. . . . Quindlen has established a close rapport with readers as she shares her life experiences, and her latest will thrill loyal fans and draw a new audience.”—Booklist (starred review)\n“In this wise and endearing book, former New York Times columnist Quindlen . . . addresses the subject of grandparenting, sharing her own experiences and advice. . . . The book is filled with Quindlen’s playful sense of humor (if her baby daughter had wanted to sleep upside down “like a bat,” she would have let her), along with thoughtful reflections on how parenting and grandparenting have changed (for instance, fathers are more involved, there’s a lot more baby gear to buy, and more people are living long enough to become grandparents). This heartfelt and delightful work will especially appeal to readers already living within their own versions of Nanaville.”—Publishers Weekly\n“A first-time grandmother discovers joy and self-knowledge in her new role. Pulitzer Prize–winning novelist, columnist, and memoirist Quindlen . . . celebrates the gift of being a grandmother: a new experience, she writes, that gives her ‘a second chance, to see, to be, to understand the world, to look at it and reimagine my place in it, to feel as though I've made a mark.’ Besides reporting sweet anecdotes about her toddler grandson, the author reflects on her changing relationship with her son and daughter-in-law, an inevitable shift from being central in the lives of her children to a ‘peripheral place’ in a new family dynamic. . . .The author was sixty-four when her grandson was born; her grandmother was forty-seven when she had her first grandchild, yet grandparents seemed so much older then: ‘Our grandmothers were pre-gym, pre-Botox, pre–skinny jeans.’ They never kissed, hugged, or praised; they would never have gotten down on the floor to play with their dozens of grandchildren. . . . The author imparts sensible advice with self-deprecating humor and sincere gratitude for the bounty of her life. A warmhearted memoir sure to appeal to other new grandmothers—and Quindlen’s many fans.”—Kirkus Reviews\nFamily & Relationships / Parenting / Grandparenting\nCompact Disc (April 23rd, 2019): $34.99\nMP3 CD (April 23rd, 2019): $24.99","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line592159"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7178465127944946,"wiki_prob":0.28215348720550537,"text":"At the annual member’s meeting on September 26th, 2019, the NHNA membership adopted the following bylaws which are currently in effect. PDF version.\nAt our Annual Meeting on September 13, 2007 the membership adopted the bylaws shown below.\nSection 3.01 updated and adopted at the Annual Meeting on September 26, 2013.\nNumerous sections of these Bylaws updated and adopted at the Annual Meeting on September 27, 2018.\nArticle IX updated and adopted at the Annual Meeting on September 26, 2019.\nNOB HILL NEIGHBORHOODS ASSOCIATION, INC.,\nA NEW MEXICO NONPROFIT CORPORATION\nARTICLE I; NAME, OFFICE, and REGISTERED AGENT\nSection 1.01 NAME\nThe name of the corporation is the Nob Hill Neighborhoods Association, Incorporated (the “Association”).\nSection 1.02 REGISTERED OFFICE and AGENT\nThe corporation shall have and continuously maintain in the State of New Mexico a registered office and a registered agent, as required by law. The street address of the registered office and the registered agent shall be in Bernalillo County, New Mexico. The registered office may be, but need not be, identical with the principal office of the corporation. The address of the registered office may be changed from time to time by the Board of Directors.\nPURPOSE AND BOUNDARIES\nSection 2.01 PURPOSE\nThe purpose of the Association is to enhance and improve the quality of life for residents living within the Nob Hill area of the City of Albuquerque, New Mexico (“Nob Hill”) and to assure that the quality of life in Nob Hill reflects the social, environmental, and cultural needs, desires and interests of its residents. To fulfill this purpose, the Association has identified the following primary goals:\nTo strive to uphold good, efficient and beneficial community planning;\nTo protect the environment;\nTo promote the community welfare;\nTo preserve Nob Hill’s historic character and landmarks;\nTo undertake any other activities in addition to or in place of the goals stated in the Association’s bylaws that are in furtherance of the Association’s purpose.\nThese goals will be met by fostering communication among residents, neighbors, property and business owners and the City of Albuquerque (the “City”) as to plans, proposals, events, activities and issues that might affect Nob Hill by:\nAttempting to inform all eligible members of the Association of issues that might affect Nob Hill;\nHosting community meetings and social and cultural events for all eligible members of the Association and the public;\nEstablishing an orderly and democratic means for making representative decisions;\nPresenting an official position to the City, when providing a position is in the best interest of Nob Hill and the eligible members of the Association, identifying whether the position was reached by the board or the general membership of the Association;\nPromoting safety in the community;\nUndertaking other appropriate means in place of, or in addition to those listed above.\nSection 2.02 BOUNDARIES\nThe boundaries of the Association are outlined on the map attached as Exhibit A to these bylaws. These boundaries are subject to change by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Directors then in office and voting at any duly constituted meeting of the Board of Directors.\nSection 3.01 TERM\nThe membership year is from October 1 to September 30. Membership dues paid after June 1st will be considered as payment-in-full for the remainder of the current membership year and the following membership year as well; dues are not otherwise prorated. Dues may be pre-paid for additional years to maintain continuous membership.\nSection 3.02 ELIGIBLE MEMBERS\nThe Association shall make full membership open to all persons residing within its boundaries and to all persons and legal entities owning property or having a place of business within its boundaries.\nSection 3.03 DUES\nTo be recognized as a “Member” of the Association, any eligible person must pay membership dues of $10.00 annually, and any eligible legal entity must pay membership dues of $20.00 annually (“Dues”). Any otherwise eligible person or legal entity may request a waiver of its dues from the Board, and the Board may, in its discretion, grant a waiver to any such person or entity.\nSection 3.04 BENEFITS\nAll Members are entitled to vote at any Annual Meeting or Special Membership Meeting. Otherwise, the Association acts in the best interests of the neighborhood and the community at large, not for the sole benefit of any particular neighbor or neighbors.\nSection 3.05 TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP\nAny Member may, at any time, voluntarily terminate his, her or its membership. Memberships may not, however, be assigned. Should a Member fail to maintain his, her or its eligibility for membership as described in Article III, Section 3.02, that Member’s membership is terminated immediately upon failure to maintain such eligibility.\nSECTION 3.06 FEES AND COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS\nMembers shall not receive compensation for their services. However, Members may be entitled to reimbursement of expenses, as may be determined by resolution of the Board to be just and reasonable.\nSection 4.01 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING\nThe annual meeting of Members (“Annual Meeting”) will be held during the month of September at a time and place fixed by the Board.\n(a) Notice of Annual Meeting. The Board shall make a reasonable attempt to give written notice to every household and place of business within its boundaries of the Annual Meeting not less than ten (10) nor more than thirty (30) days prior to the Annual Meeting. Examples of adequate notice are as follows: mail; delivered handbills; or a number of prominent signs.\n(b) Notice to the City. No later than 60 days after the Annual Meeting, the Association shall send evidence of the meeting, including evidence of its advertisement to the City’s Office of Neighborhood Coordination.\n(c) Authority to Call. The President, with consent of the Board of Directors, has authority to call the Annual Meeting consistent with these bylaws.\nSection 4.02 SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS\nSpecial meetings of the Members (“Special Membership Meeting”) may be called for any purpose consistent with the Association’s articles of incorporation and bylaws.\n(a) Notice of Special Membership Meetings. The Board shall make a reasonable attempt to give notice to all Members of the Special Membership Meeting not less than ten (10) nor more than thirty (30) days prior to the Special Membership Meeting.\n(b) Authority to Call. Special Membership Meetings may be called by the President, the Board of Directors, any two Directors, or any twenty (20) Members, provided that if the Special Membership Meeting is being called by the Members, they must notify the Directors prior to the Special Membership Meeting so that reasonable attempts may be made by the Board to notify all interested parties of the Special Membership Meeting.\nSection 4.03 QUORUM\nThe presence, in person, of twenty (20) Members at any duly called and noticed Annual Meeting or Special Membership Meeting shall constitute a quorum. Any Annual Meeting or Special Membership Meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to transact the business of the Association, notwithstanding the subsequent loss of quorum, so long as any action taken by the Members is approved by at least a majority of the required quorum for that meeting.\nSection 4.04 VOTING AT ANY ANNUAL MEETING OR SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING\nEvery act or decision done or made by a majority of the Members present at any Annual Meeting or Special Membership Meeting duly noticed at which a quorum is present shall be regarded as an act of the Association, except where otherwise provided in the Association’s bylaws or the laws of the state of New Mexico.\n(a) Voting Privileges. Every person who, or legal entity that has satisfied all the requirements for Membership prior to the call of any vote at any Annual Meeting or Special Membership Meeting is entitled to cast one vote. A legal entity Member must designate in writing its voting representative at least 24 hours prior to casting a vote.\n(b) Proxy Voting. With the exception that legal entities must designate their voting representatives prior to casting their votes, proxy voting is not allowed.\nSection 5.01 CORPORATE POWERS\nSubject to the provisions of New Mexico’s Nonprofit Corporation law, and any limitations in the Association’s articles of incorporation and bylaws, the business and affairs of the Association shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors (collectively the “Board” or “Board of Directors” and individually “Directors”). Without prejudice to these general powers, and subject to the same limitations, the Directors shall have the power to:\n(a) Select and remove all officers, agents, and employees of the Association, prescribe any powers and duties for them that are consistent with law, with the articles of incorporation and with these bylaws, fix their compensation, and require from them security for faithful service;\n(b) Conduct, manage and control the affairs and business of the Association and make such rules and regulations for the Association that are not inconsistent with law, with the articles of incorporation and with these bylaws, as they deem best.\nSection 5.02 NUMBER AND QUALIFICATION OF DIRECTORS\nThe authorized number of Directors of the Association shall be not fewer than six (6) and not more than fifteen (15). Only Members (see ARTICLE III) may serve as Directors on the Board.\nSection 5.03 ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS\n(a) The term of office for each Director, except those elected to fill vacancies as described in Article V, Section 5.04, is two (2) years. A term of two years shall mean any amount of time beginning with a Director’s election and qualification at an Annual Meeting and ending at the Annual Meeting two years later.\n(b) All Directors’ terms which are due to expire at any Annual Meeting shall expire at 9:00 p.m. of the day of the Annual Meeting unless the Board fails to elect and qualify a willing successor. In such cases, the outgoing Director will continue to serve until the Director’s successor has been duly elected and qualified.\n(c) A Director may serve no more than two consecutive terms. However, a Director who does not serve on the Board for a period of one year is again eligible to serve as a Director subject to the limitations in Section 5.03(a).\n(d) Except to fill vacancies as described in Article V, Section 5.04, Directors shall be elected by the Members at the Annual Meeting in a fair and open process that is determined by the Board. Nominations for open positions shall be solicited prior to and at the Annual Meeting. Should the Members fail to elect a minimum number of Directors at the Annual Meeting, the President may call a Special Membership Meeting for the purpose of electing Directors.\n(e) The term of any Director may be extended by the Members for up to one (1) year, upon recommendation of the Board for the sole purpose of restoring the inflow and outflow of Directors into positions on the Board at a rate sufficient to establish or maintain the principle of orderly replacement of Directors.\nSection 5.04 VACANCIES\n(a) A vacancy or vacancies in the Board of Directors shall be deemed to exist on the occurrence of any of the following: (i) the death or resignation of any Director; (ii) the removal of a Director; (iii) an increase in the authorized number of Directors; (iv) the failure of the Members to elect the minimum number of Directors at the Annual Meeting.\n(b) Vacancies in the Board may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, though less than a quorum, provided that the Board make reasonable attempts to notify the Members of the vacancy and solicit interested Members to fill the vacancy. Each Director elected to fill a vacancy shall hold office until the next Annual Meeting.\n(c) With respect to the provisions of Section 5.03, any Director elected to fill a vacant position on the Board may seek election as if it were his or her first term.\nSection 5.05 PARTICIPATION OF DIRECTORS AND REMOVAL\nDirectors are expected to participate and lead the activities of the Association. Failure to attend required meetings, functions or activities may be cause for removal of any Director. Any Director may be removed by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Directors then in office at any duly noticed regular or special meeting of the Board where a quorum is present, or by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Members present at any duly noticed Annual Meeting or Special Membership Meeting where a quorum is present.\nSection 5.06 MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS\nRegular meetings of the Board may be held at the time and place that has been designated by the Board. Directors must be notified of the time, date, and location of regular and special meetings. The Board shall maintain a policy for the notice of meetings, for the conduct of meetings, for the formulation of agendas, and for the time, date, and place of the meetings; this policy shall be available for review by all Members on the Association website. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the President or any two Directors upon three days notice to the other Directors.\nThe presence in person of a majority of the Directors then in office constitutes a quorum. The Directors may continue to transact business at a meeting at which a quorum is initially present, notwithstanding the subsequent loss of quorum, so long as any action taken is approved by at least a majority of the required quorum for that meeting.\nSection 5.08 BOARD ACTION\nEach Director shall have one vote. Every act or decision done or made by a majority of the Directors present at a meeting duly noticed at which a quorum is present shall be regarded as the act of the Board of Directors. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board may be taken without a meeting, if a majority of Directors consent in writing to that action. Such action by the majority consent of the Directors shall have the same force and effect as a majority vote of the Board of Directors. Such action will be ratified at the next meeting following the Directors’ consent in writing to that action.\nSection 5.09 FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS\nDirectors shall not receive compensation for their services. However, Directors may be entitled to reimbursement of expenses, as may be determined by resolution of the Board to be just and reasonable.\nSection 5.10 NO LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS\nNo Director shall be personally liable for the debts, liabilities or obligations of the Association.\nSection 6.01 NUMBER AND QUALIFICATIONS OF OFFICERS\nThe officers of the Association shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. Neither the Secretary nor the Treasurer may serve concurrently as the President. Officers must be Members of the Association.\nSection 6.02 ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICERS\n(a) The term of the officers is approximately one year, from the election date to the date of replacement or renewal at the meeting to elect new officers, except for vacancies that arise as described in section 6.05.\n(b) The officers shall be elected by the Board of Directors, and each shall serve at the pleasure of the Board. The election of new officers shall take place at the first regular Board meeting following the Annual Meeting, but not later than 30 days after the Annual Meeting. Each officer’s term ends upon: (i) removal (Section 6.03), (ii) resignation (Section 6.04), (iii) death, or (iv) replacement at the first regular Board meeting after the next Annual Meeting, if their term as a Director has ended.\nSection 6.03 REMOVAL OF OFFICERS\nAny officer may be removed, with or without cause, by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Directors then in office at any meeting of the Board.\nSection 6.04 RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS\nAny officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Association. Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of the notice or at any time later specified in the notice. The acceptance of a resignation by the Association shall not be necessary to make it effective.\nSection 6.05 VACANCIES IN OFFICES\nA vacancy in any office shall be filled in the manner prescribed in Section 6.06(a).\nSection 6.06 RESPONSIBILITIES OF OFFICERS\n(a) President. The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Association and shall, subject to the control of the Board, generally supervise, direct and control the business and the officers of the Association. The President shall preside at all Regular and Special Meetings of the Board of Directors and the Membership. The President shall, with the approval of a majority of the board of directors, appoint all standing and special committees which may consist of Directors, Members, and non-members, and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees. If a vacancy in any office exists, the President shall convene a meeting of the Board of Directors, pursuant to section 5.06, to elect a successor. The President shall make an annual report to the general membership at the annual meeting. The President shall also have other such duties and powers as prescribed by the Board or these bylaws.\n(b) Vice President. In the absence or disability of the President, the Vice President shall perform all duties of the President, and, when so acting, shall have all the powers of, and be subject to the restrictions upon, the President. The Vice President shall also have other suchduties and powers as prescribed by the Board or these bylaws.\n(c) Secretary. The Secretary shall attend to the following:\n(1) Minutes. The Secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the Association’s office or other such place as the Board may direct, a book of minutes of all meetings and actions of the Board, the Members, or any committees. The minutes for each of these meetings shall include at a minimum the following: the type of meeting; the time and place of holding; whether regular or special; how notice was given, if required; the names of those Directors present and absent; the proceedings of the meeting.\n(2) Notice. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the Association required by the bylaws to be given.\n(3) Public Information. The Secretary shall lead, manage and maintain the Association’s efforts to communicate with the Members and those eligible for membership.\n(4) Other Duties. The Secretary shall, with the President, sign the Association’s annual report. The Secretary shall also have other such duties and powers as prescribed by the Board or these bylaws.\n(d) Treasurer. The Treasurer shall attend to the following:\n(1) Accounts. The Treasurer shall keep and maintain, or cause to be kept and maintained, adequate and correct books and records of accounts of the properties and business transactions of the Association. The books of accounts shall be open to inspection by any Director or Member at all reasonable times.\n(2) Deposit and Disbursement of Money. The Treasurer shall collect all Dues and shall deposit all money and other valuables in the name of and credit to the Association with such depositories as may be designated by the Board. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Association as may be ordered by the Board and shall render to the Board, whenever they request it, an account of all the transactions of the Association and of the financial condition of the Association. The Treasurer shall furnish a current financial statement at the Annual Meeting.\n(3) Membership Records. The Treasurer shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the Association’ s office or other such place as the Board may direct, a record of the Association’s Directors, officers and Members, including the names and addresses of each.\n(4) Submission of Records to the City. The Treasurer shall annually submit, or cause to be submitted, to the City’s Office of Neighborhood Coordination and the City Councilor for District 6 the following information: the number of dues-paying Members of the Association or other evidence of the size of the Association’s active membership; the names, addresses and phone numbers of the Association’s Directors and Officers; no later than 60 days after the Annual Meeting, evidence of the Annual Meeting, including evidence of its advertisement.\n(5) Annual Report. The Treasurer shall submit, or cause to be submitted, the Association’s annual report to the appropriate government agencies.\n(6) Other Duties. The Treasurer shall be designated as the Registered Agent (Section 1.02). In the absence or disability of the President, and in the absence and disability of the Vice President, the Treasurer shall perform all the duties of the President, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all restrictions upon, the President. The Board may call for an audit of the Association’s accounts. The Treasurer shall also have other such duties and powers as prescribed by the Board or these bylaws.\nSection 6.07 FEES AND COMPENSATION OF OFFICERS\nOfficers shall not receive compensation for their services. However, officers may be entitled to reimbursement of expenses, as may be determined by resolution of the Board to be just and reasonable.\nThe Association’s fiscal year shall be January 1 through December 31.\nThe Association shall indemnify each Director and officer against expenses, costs and attorneys’ fees actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense of any action, suit or proceeding, civil or criminal, in which the Director or officer is made, or is threatened to be made, a party by reason of being or having been an officer or Director. The indemnification may include any amounts paid to satisfy a judgment or to compromise or settle a claim. The Director or officer will not be indemnified if he or she is adjudged to be liable on the basis that he or she has breached or failed to perform the duties of his or her office and the breach of failure to perform constitutes willful misconduct or recklessness. Advance indemnification may be allowed of a Director or officer for expenses to be incurred in connection with the defense of the action, suit or proceeding, provided that the Director or officer agrees to reimburse the Association if it is subsequently determined that the Director or officer was not entitled to indemnification.\nINTEGRITY OF THE BOARD\nMaintaining the integrity of the Board in meeting its mission of enhancing the quality of life of the neighborhood is a primary goal. The Directors, in accordance with their common interest of representing residents and property owners in the area, have the responsibility to discuss, evaluate, vote and take actions with respect to the impacts of their decisions in carrying out the Association’s purposes. Directors are expected to safeguard the reputation of the Association.\nSection 9.01 POLITICAL ENDORSEMENTS\nThe Association, as an entity, shall not endorse any candidate for election or appointment. A Director may individually endorse a candidate and may identify themself as a Director, exercising diligence to communicate that it is not an endorsement by the Association. The endorsement shall not be part of business or discussion in Association meetings or communications.\nSection 9.02 DIRECTORS ON BOARDS OF OUTSIDE GROUPS\nThe Association encourages Directors to participate on outside boards, commissions, coalitions and similar groups. When such an outside group has business before the Association the Director shall advise the Board of the facts and shall recuse themself from voting on the matter. If the Director does not recuse the Board shall have the option, by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Directors present, to enforce recusal of the Director from voting on the matter.\nSection 9.03 CONFLICT OF INTEREST\nDirectors shall not use their position to benefit or promote their own or a client’s interests. If a Director has a direct personal, electoral, or financial interest, such as an interest in a development project, or representing a developer, or being on a development team for a proposed project, the Director shall be considered to have a conflict of interest, shall advise the Board of that conflict of interest, and shall recuse himself or herself from voting on that matter. If the Director does not recuse themself the Board shall have the option, by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Directors present, to enforce recusal of the Director from voting on the matter.\nThese bylaws may be amended at any duly noticed Annual Meeting or Special Membership Meeting where a quorum is present by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Members present at any such meeting, provided that each Member shall have been notified in writing of the proposed amendment(s) at least ten days prior to the meeting.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line712845"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8059189915657043,"wiki_prob":0.8059189915657043,"text":"Supratherapeutic Vancomycin Levels: Risk Factors and Outcomes\nZonozi, Reza, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States\nReza Zonozi,\nWu, Aozhou, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States\nAozhou Wu,\nShin, Jung-Im, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States\nJung-Im Shin,\nSecora, Alex M, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States\nAlex M Secora,\nCoresh, Josef, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States\nJosef Coresh,\nChang, Alex R., Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Pennsylvania, United States\nGrams, Morgan, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States\nMorgan Grams,\nVancomycin is a commonly administered intravenous (IV) antibiotic, and supratherapeutic levels of vancomycin may be an avoidable cause of nephrotoxicity. The objective of this study was to investigate the frequency of, risk factors for, and outcomes after elevated levels of vancomycin.\nThere were 31,316 hospitalizations in which IV vancomycin was given between 2008 and 2014 among 21,166 people in the Geisinger Health System, a large, integrated, tertiary, rural health care system.\nThere were 12,713 hospitalizations with vancomycin monitoring, and 1.24% of these hospitalizations had a vancomycin level >50 mg/L. Among hospitalizations with >7 days duration of therapy, 2.65% had a vancomycin level >50 mg/L. The risk of vancomycin levels >50 mg/L was higher with younger age, female sex, black race, pre-hospitalization diuretic use, an ICU stay, sepsis, concurrent use of piperacillin-tazobactam, and higher doses of vancomycin (Table). Neither BMI nor eGFR was associated with vancomycin levels >50 mg/dL in adjusted analysis. Length of stay, acute kidney injury (AKI), and in-hospital mortality were all higher among persons with vancomycin levels >50 mg/L.\nWe identified modifiable risk factors for Vancomycin levels >50 mg/L, which were associated with greater in-hospital mortality, AKI, and length of stay.\nAdjusted Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR) of High Vancomycin Levels (>50 mg/L)\nPredictor IRR (95% confidence interval) P-value\nAge, per 10 years 0.76 (0.68 to 0.84) <0.001\nSex (female) 1.40 (1.00 to 1.94) 0.049\nRace (Black) 2.04 (1.00 to 4.15) 0.049\nSpline < 60 1.02 (0.86 to 1.21) 0.85\nSpline ≥ 60 1.09 (0.94 to 1.27) 0.243\nICU 1.90 (1.33 to 2.71) <0.001\nSepsis 1.75 (1.26 to 2.42) 0.001\nUse of pre-hospitalization diuretics 1.48 (1.00 to 2.19) 0.048\nConcurrent use of piperacillin-tazobactam 1.44 (1.04 to 2.00) 0.029\nVancomycin dose (mg)\n≤1000 1 (ref) -\n1000-1500 2.83 (1.74 to 4.59) <0.001\n>2000 3.08 (1.75 to 5.44) <0.001","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1133072"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.669011116027832,"wiki_prob":0.33098888397216797,"text":"Israeli Ambassador: I believe that the elections would show the will of the people of Azerbaijan”\n“Free and independent elections are very important in a democratic society and it is very important that the constitution of Azerbaijan provides all citizens the right to vote. I believe that the elections would show the will of the people of Azerbaijan,” Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Israel to Azerbaijan Mr. Dan Stav has told sechki-2018.az. He noted that the presidential elections have also recently taken place in Armenia and Russia that are, along with Azerbaijan, important players in the region regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. “As Azerbaijan is the last of this states to have presidential election, I hope it would make positive impact on the efforts to peacefully settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.”\nThe Israeli Ambassador said that the elections are important in democratic countries. “It gives people an opportunity to express their thoughts and choose their representative and leaders for the upcoming years. In Azerbaijan, the president determines the foreign policy and has strong role in executing the internal policy and therefore, the presidential election is of pivotal importance for the country.”- Ambassador Dan Stav noted.\nAzerbaijan’s CEC assesses debates of presidential candidates on TV\nExperts of IPA CIS visit Central Election Commission","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line174316"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7474134564399719,"wiki_prob":0.2525865435600281,"text":"Dr. Nathan Riddle, D.C., C.C.W.P., PSc.D.\nOwner of Riddle Wellness\nDr. Nathan Riddle, owner of Riddle Wellness, is a licensed Chiropractor and leading expert in family wellness, corrective spinal care, weight loss with metabolic reset, and nutrition serving the Rochester, New York community.\nDr. Riddle’s path toward Health and wellness started as he served in the Air Force and Air National Guard from 1994 – 2008. While still serving, he earned his Physical therapy assistant license and his Bachelor’s in Chiropractic from New York Chiropractic College. He then went to receive his doctorate in Chiropractic in 2007. While Dr. Riddle is the only Chiropractor in his region to hold a post-graduate certification in Science of Human Wellness, he is also certified in the Webster Technique, a method of balancing the pelvis in pregnant mothers to allow more room for the baby to develop. He has completed over 100 hours of training with doctors of spinal biophysics and since 2008, he has been in private practice.\nRiddle Wellness specializes in Chiropractic, Spinal Decompression, Advanced Biostructural Digital Corrective X-rays, Acupuncture, ARP wave Neurotherapy, Custom orthotics, and Nutrition advice. Dr. Riddle’s practice offers the highest quality organic, live source supplementation and over the past 7 years, the addition of Wellness and Weight loss to the practice has radically transformed the lives of thousands of people in the Rochester, NY community. Not only has this system helped individuals understand the science behind weight loss, but the program has assisted to eliminate obesity related issues that people have suffered with all their lives.\nMost recently, by obtaining his doctorate of pastoral science and medicine degree (PSC.D). Dr. Riddle has added Cannabidiol supplements (CBD) to his practice. As a PSc.D. licensee, Dr. Riddle does not practice conventional medicine. Along with getting to the root causes of patient’s imbalances, he uses high grade hemp tinctures from Pure Cannaceuticals and water from Quantum CBD H2O to create rapid shifts back to ideal health for the patient.\nDr. Riddle is dedicated to educating the community by contributing his time and offering workshops on how to experience true health naturally. He has presented lifesaving and transforming health care classes to local support groups, churches, athletic clubs, independent living facilities, and businesses. Through his continued devotion to progressive healthcare, Dr. Riddle’s passion for serving humanity shines.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line307817"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6863513588905334,"wiki_prob":0.6863513588905334,"text":"Home › News › News Releases › FFRF wins major housing allowance challenge (again)\nFFRF wins major housing allowance challenge (again)\nA federal judge for a second time has ruled in favor of the historic challenge by the Freedom From Religion Foundation of a housing allowance in the tax code that uniquely privileges clergy.\nAt issue is the constitutionality of 26 U.S.C. § 107(2), a provision in the tax code that excludes from gross income a housing allowance paid to a \"minister of the gospel.\"\nRep. Peter Mack, sponsor of the 1954 law challenged by FFRF, argued that ministers should be rewarded with a clergy allowance for \"carrying on such a courageous fight against this [a godless and anti-religious world movement].\" The clergy allowance is not a tax deduction but an exemption—allowing housing allowances paid as part of clergy salary to be subtracted from taxable income.\nIn 2013, U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb ruled in FFRF's favor in its original challenge. Crabb's finding sent \"shockwaves through the religious community,\" according to the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, which bitterly fought the ruling, along with just about every religious denomination in the country.\nIn November 2014, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals threw out that victory—not on the merits but on the question of standing—arguing that Barker and Gaylor hadn't yet sought a refund of their housing allowance from the IRS. Accordingly, they sought them and when denied, went back to court.\nFFRF, a national state/church watchdog based in Madison, Wis., renewed its historic challenge of the housing allowance in April 2016. Sued are Steve Mnuchin, , U.S. secretary of the treasury, and John Koskinen, IRS commissioner. The case also had religious intervenors as defendants.\nPlaintiffs are FFRF Co-Presidents Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor, and Ian Gaylor, representing the estate of President Emerita Anne Nicol Gaylor, whose retirement was paid in part as a housing allowance.\n\"Although defendants try to characterize § 107(2) as an effort by Congress to treat ministers fairly and avoid religious entanglement, the plain language of the statute, its legislative history and its operation in practice all demonstrate a preference for ministers over secular employees,\" writes Crabb, for the Western District of Wisconsin.\n\"As I noted in the earlier lawsuit,\" Crabb writes, \"there is no reasonable interpretation of the statute under which the phrase minister of the gospel could be construed to include employees of an organization whose purpose is to keep religion out of the public square.\"\nAny reasonable observer would conclude that the purpose and effect of the statute is to provide financial assistance to one group of religious employees without any consideration to the secular employees who are similarly situated to ministers, Crabb noted. \"Under current law, that type of provision violates the establishment clause,\" she adds.\n\"In reaching this conclusion, I do not mean to imply that any particular minister is undeserving of the exemption or does not have a financial need for one. The important point is that many equally deserving secular employees (as well as other kinds of religious employees) could benefit from the exemption as well, but they must satisfy much more\ndemanding requirements despite the lack of justification for the difference in treatment.\"\nCrabb also discusses financial benefits to even wealthy ministers: \"\"Thus, an evangelist with a multimillion dollar home is entitled under § 107(2) to deduct the entire rental value of that home, even if it is not used for church purposes. (\"Joel Osteen lives in a $10.5 million home and is entitled to exclude the fair rental value of that home so long as he spends that money on the home and his church allocates that amount to housing.\").\"\nThe benefit of the tax exemption to the clergy is enormous. The congressional Joint Committee on Taxation has reported that the exemption amounts to $700 million a year in lost revenue. Religion News Service calculated the allowance increases the take-home pay of some pastors by up to 10 percent. This is because churches benefit, since tax-free salaries lower their overhead. Christianity Today found that 84 percent of senior pastors receive a housing allowance of $20,000 to $38,000 in added (but not reported) compensation to their base salary.\n\"The manner in which our housing allowance has been used borders on clergy malpractice,\" William Thornton, a Georgia pastor and blogger, told Forbes magazine in 2013. \"A growing subset of ministers who are very highly paid and who live in multimillion dollar mansions are able to exclude hundreds of thousands of dollars from income taxation.\"\nClergy are permitted to use the housing allowance not just for rent or mortgage, but for home improvements, including maintenance, home improvements and repairs, dishwashers, cable TV and phone fees, paint, towels, bedding, home décor, even personal computers and bank fees. They may be exempt from taxable income up to the fair market rental value of their home, particularly helping well-heeled pastors. The subsidy extends to churches, which can pay clergy less, as tax-free salaries go further.\nFFRF's complaint alleges that the section \"directly benefits ministers and churches, most significantly by lowering a minister's tax burden, while discriminating against the individual plaintiffs, who as the leaders of a nonreligious organization opposed to governmental endorsements of religion are denied the same benefit.\"\nCrabb issued a declaration that the tax benefit is unconstitutional and directed the parties to file briefing on whether additional remedies are needed.\nThe district court victory is FFRF's third court victory in eight days. Last week a federal court in Pennsylvania agreed a Christian cross on a county seal and flag violates the constitutional separation of church and state and a federal court in Florida sided with FFRF, AU and ACLU in permitting an atheist invocation at the Brevard County Board.\nThe case was filed on behalf of FFRF by litigator Richard L. Bolton. Gaylor et al v. U.S. Treasury has case number 3:16-cv-00215.\nThe Freedom From Religion Foundation, based in Madison, Wis., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational charity, is the nation's largest association of freethinkers (atheists, agnostics), and has been working since 1978 to keep religion and government separate.\nCurrent News Releases","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1447094"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9993034601211548,"wiki_prob":0.9993034601211548,"text":"(G)I-DLE partners with American label Republic Records to enter U.S. market\nAlongside K-Pop groups TWICE, TXT and many high-profile pop stars\n(G)I-DLE. Photo from Cube Entertainment\nKorean pop girl group (G)I-DLE has partnered with the American label Republic Records, according to the group’s agency Cube Entertainment in Thursday, in pursuit of pushing into the U.S. market.\nHome to several high-profile pop stars such as Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift, Republic Records is a division of Universal Music Group, which is also the partner of K-Pop groups TWICE and TXT in strengthening their ties with the American market.\nRepublic Records’s co-founder Avery Lipman said with regards to the news that the label was excited to partner with the group as it makes its highly anticipated U.S. debut. He also said (G)I-DLE’s latest mini-album “I Trust” will launch the six-piece act in the country and that the label has been striving to propel the group to global stardom.\nOn the other hand, Cube Entertainment’s CEO Ahn Woo-hyung said:\n“We are glad to team up with Republic, a flagship label in the U.S., and hope (G)I-DLE can write a new history for K-pop under our collaboration.”\nEarlier this year, (G)I-DLE also signed with the Los Angeles-based agency Asian Agent for its U.S. management duties.\nThe six-piece group dropped its third mini-album “I Trust,” with its title track “Oh my god,” on April 6. Leader Soyeon reportedly written all five tracks of the EP.\n“I Trust” conquered iTunes album charts in a whopping 39 countries after release and the music video of “Oh my god” ― had amassed more than 3.5 million views on YouTube as of Thursday.\n(G)I-DLE, composed of Miyeon, Minnie, Soojin, Soyeon, Yuqi and Shuhua, debuted with the song “LATATA” in 2018. They are considered as one of K-Pop’s monster rookies, being catapulted to fame after appearing on Mnet’s competition show “Queendom” last year. -HallyuLife.com\nIn this article:(G)I-DLE, Cube Entertainment, Republic Records\nNew date for PENTAGON’s online concert “WE L:VE” announced\nA new date for PENTAGON concert has been set!","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line747523"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8961524963378906,"wiki_prob":0.8961524963378906,"text":"Diogo Jota: Maguire has a lot of quality but I know and trust Wolves defence\nWolves host Manchester United on Monday having beaten them twice at home last season.\nWolves forward Diogo Jota insists he would not swap captain Conor Coady for £80million Harry Maguire.\nThe Portuguese has backed his team-mate’s quality ahead of Manchester United’s visit to Molineux on Monday.\nMaguire helped United keep their first clean sheet since February in their opening 4-0 win over Chelsea after becoming the world’s most expensive defender when he moved from Leicester earlier this month.\nFellow centre-back Coady, meanwhile, has been a focal point in Wolves’ rise from the Sky Bet Championship to the Europa League and, despite Maguire’s record-breaking transfer, Jota is siding with his skipper.\nAsked if he would swap Maguire for Coady or any of the other Wolves defenders, Jota said: “That is some question! I think Harry Maguire has a lot of quality but I know the players that we have in our team and I trust them.”\nEngland international Maguire was one of three summer recruits by United, along with Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men look to improve on a largely disappointing 2018/19 campaign.\nJota added: “It (the £80m fee) is hard to explain. The market is unreal now in my opinion. But nothing to do with me, it is to do with the clubs and it is the moment we are living. We just have to respect that amount.\n“It’s a new season. Solskjaer has had more time to work with his players, he’s made his own changes.\n“In the transfer market they’ve tried to improve their team so we know it’s going to be very hard for us. We have to understand that we will face a very big team.”\nJota scored in Wolves’ two home wins over United last season when they dumped them out of the FA Cup just weeks before a 2-1 league victory.\nNuno Espirito Santo’s side finished seventh, nine points behind sixth-placed United, last term as they qualified for Europe for the first time since 1980.\nBut despite being tipped to try to crack the top six Jota remained cautious about making predictions.\n“I think it is too soon about the final classification. We got seventh place it’s true but it is very hard to get it again,” said the 22-year-old.\n“We have loads of teams that spend more money than us, trying to achieve that position.\n“So we have to realise it’s not going to be easy to get seventh. We go game by game and in the end we will see.”","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line328787"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9690290689468384,"wiki_prob":0.9690290689468384,"text":"Guang-Zhong Yang\nProfessor Guang-Zhong Yang is the founding dean of the Medical Robotics Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. He was the founding director of the Hamlyn Centre for Robotic Surgery, Imperial College London. Professor Yang is also the Chairman of the advisory board, the UK-RAS Network (http://ukras.org). Professor Yang’s main research interests are in medical imaging, sensing and robotics. He is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, fellow of IEEE, IET, AIMBE, IAMBE, MICCAI, CGI and a recipient of the Royal Society Research Merit Award and listed in The Times Eureka ‘Top 100’ in British Science. Professor Yang is the founding editor of Science Robotics (http://robotics.sciencemag.org/) – a journal of the Science family dedicated to the latest advances in robotics and how it enables or underpins new scientific discoveries. He was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s 2017 New Year Honour for his contribution to biomedical engineering.\nCurrent Appointment\nChair Professor, Shanghai Jiao Tong University\nDean, Institute of Medical Robotics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University\nEditor-in-chief, Science Robotics\nChairman, British Association of Robots and Automatic Control Systems\nDeputy Chairman, Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College London\nProfessor, Department of Computing, Imperial College, London\n1988-1991 Imperial College, PhD, Computer Science\n1982-1986 Shanghai Jiao Tong University, BSc\nNov 2019 - present Chair professor, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China\nDec 2017 - present Dean, Institute of Medical Robotics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China\nSept 2001 - Nov 2017 Chair in Medical Image Computing, Imperial College London, UK\nOct 2000 - Aug 2001 Reader, Department of Computing, Imperial College London, UK\nApril 1999 - Sept 2000 Lecturer, Department of Computing, Imperial College London, UK\nOct 1991 - April 1999 Principal Scientist, Royal Brompton Hospital London, UK\n2017 - Dean, Institute of Medical Robotics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University\n2010 – Co-Founder, Director, Robotic Assisted Microsurgery Laboratory\n2010 – Deputy Chairman, Institute of Global Health Innovation\n2008 - Co-Founder, Director, Hamlyn Centre for Robotic Surgery\n2006 – Chairman, Centre for Pervasive Sensing, Imperial College\n2005-2010 Director of Imaging and Robotics, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Imperial College\n2004-2006 Theme Leader in Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College\n2003-2005 Chairman, Imperial College Imaging Sciences Centre\n2002 – Founder and Co-Director, Wolfson Surgical Technology Laboratory\n2001 – Founder and Director of Royal Society/Wolfson Foundation MIC Laboratory\n1999 – Head of Visual Information Processing Group, Department of Computing, Imperial College London\nFREng, Fellow the Royal Academy of Engineering\nFIET, Fellow of The Institute of Engineering and Technology (formerly IEE)\nFIEEE, Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers\nFAIMBE, Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering\nFIAMBE, Fellow of the International Academy of Medical and Biological Engineering\nFCGI, Fellow of the City and Guilds Institute.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line364025"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6672679781913757,"wiki_prob":0.33273202180862427,"text":"Islamabad's little Somalia\nSher Ali Khan\nA young Somali man at a store in Islamabad | Taveer Shahzad, White Star\nLaughing and chattering teenagers walk past Somali Specialist, a nondescript hair salon in a nondescript neighbourhood in Islamabad. Their raucous cackle earns them a glaring look from an elderly man walking by. This is ‘Somalistan’ or ‘Somali Street’ in the federal capital’s G-10 sector.\nThe street’s unofficial name has an exotic ring to it. In reality, it is like any other collection of mostly small two-storey houses in this lower middle-class area. Its only distinctive feature is the nationality of its residents — they are all from Somalia, a small country in the Horn of Africa, where a civil war has been going on since the late 1980s.\nMost of the inhabitants of ‘Somalistan’, are students who have come to Pakistan on valid study visas, and are enrolled in public and private educational institutions in Islamabad. The main reason why they choose to live in this particular street is that it is close to a number of universities and colleges in the city.\nMany more living here are asylum seekers — mostly young people who have escaped the war back in Somalia and are awaiting relocation to some country in the West. ‘Somali Street’ is a purgatory for them, a transit lounge for further travel to a safe place. It is not home.\n‘Somali Street’ is a purgatory for them, a transit lounge for further travel to a safe place. It is not home.\nAfter Afghans, Somalis form the largest refugee population in Pakistan. There are 411 registered Somali asylum seekers in Islamabad and Karachi, according to the data collected by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). A few hundred more are said to be living in Lahore, though their exact number is hard to come by. The role of the Somali Students Union is central in providing these refugees temporary shelter and food, in the same small flats where the students themselves live as tenants.\nAbdi Fataah, a former general secretary of the union, tells the Herald in a telephone interview that the original purpose of creating this organisation was to facilitate and help Somalis studying in Pakistan. Gradually, as the refugees started pouring in, the Union also became their primary caregiver, offering them all possible help — most crucially giving them information to navigate the refugee registration process and negotiate their presence within a society that they know little about, says Fataah who spent seven years in Islamabad and now lives in the United States.\nUnless Somali asylum seekers get the Proof of Registrations from the UNHCR, they are not eligible to receive any money from anywhere, even from their relatives living elsewhere in the world. This makes them totally dependent on the help from students, explains Fataah.\nThese refugees usually belong to some minority tribe in Somalia which has been facing persistent hostility and discrimination at the hands of the majority tribe in the deeply-tribal Somali society. Many of them have seen a lot of bloodshed during their young lives.\nAhmed Mukhtar emerges from the shadows of multistorey buildings in F-10 Markaz, a commercial neighbourhood in a posh part of Islamabad. He heads straight to a nearby mosque to offer his prayers before heading out for a meeting with journalists. His calm demeanour betrays little of the horrors he has been through.\nMukhtar was only 16 when he fled Somalia via Kenya and landed in Pakistan in 1996. Four years before that, Islamic Courts Union – an informal coalition of local clerics who decided disputes within and among clans under the Islamic laws – had started recruiting young men to organise them into a militia, which eventually became Al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda affiliate in Somalia. “They came to our house looking for recruits. My father refused to let his sons join the militants. They killed him along with three of my brothers. They also raped my ten-year-old sister and killed her,” says Mukhtar.\nHaving somehow survived this massacre, he decided to run away along with his mother, who was suffering from multiple health problems, and his younger brother. They were lucky to land in Pakistan on valid visas.\nSomali refugees playing football in a community ground | Tanveer Shahzad, White Star\nAhmed Farah, the head of the Somali Forum | Taveer Shahzad White Star\nA year later, Mukhtar’s brother went back to his native country but was killed there soon afterwards. He also lost his mother in the subsequent years. “Now I have no family at all.”\nWhen he had first landed in Pakistan, Mukhtar neither understood the local language nor did he know anyone here. All he could do was to have himself and his family registered with the UNHCR, and find out Somali students living in the city so that he could get some place to stay.\nOver the years, he has learnt some Urdu and has become quite familiar with Pakistani customs and culture. Yet, he does not know what to do with his life. He cannot attend a college or university because his status as a refugee does not allow him to do that; he cannot do a job because of the same reason. If he ever goes around looking for employment as a labourer, he gets the same response everywhere. “Our own people can’t get jobs. Who will employ a foreigner like you?”\nDressed in a neatly** ironed kameez over jeans, Ahmed Farah lights up as he talks about his plans to make the most of his stay in Pakistan. As the head of the Somali Forum – an informal network of his compatriots living in Islamabad – he has been at the forefront of many protest demonstrations in front of the local UNHCR office.\nFarah left the southern part of his native country back in 2008 as a wiry 19-year-old just out of school. Coming from war-wrecked Somalia, Pakistan looked peaceful to him, even when it had, by then, acquired the dubious distinction of being the second-most dangerous country in the world according to some international surveys.\nThe number of Somalis landing in Pakistan spiked in 2001 when another round of violence broke out between the Islamic Courts Union and the Somali government of the time. The numbers have been rising every year since then, mainly because of the proliferation of death and destruction in Somalia in the wake of violence perpetrated by the highly-radicalised extremist members of the Al-Shabaab militia.\nSomalis living in Pakistan have limited rights mainly because Pakistan has not ratified the 1951 UN Refugee Convention. They are not eligible to take up permanent residence here; they cannot do any business or move around the country freely. Unless they are registered as refugees with UNHCR, their stay in Pakistan remains illegal and could invite immediate repatriation — though so far this has happened in rare cases, if at all.\nAhmed Farah working from home | Tanveer Shahzad, White Star\nThe Pakistani government takes no responsibility for arranging boarding, lodging and other amenities, including food and education, for these Somali refugees. Only a few local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) work along with UNHCR for their welfare.\n“Due to my status as a refugee, I was not allowed to join any university when I first came to Pakistan,” says soft-spoken Farah. “So, I started to make space for my studies away from universities.” But then he wrote an article on the Somali education system that brought him to the notice of some Pakistani academics. Thereafter, a private university in Islamabad allowed him to attend classes without having to properly enroll there, and also without having to pay any tuition fee. After he passed his graduation examination, International Islamic University admitted him in its master’s programme, giving him some legal exemptions to pursue his studies and providing him a scholarship.\nOthers are not as fortunate and face much greater hardships while trying to survive in Pakistan. But almost everyone of them accuses the local UNHCR officials of creating hurdles in the way of financial aid and other assistance they deem themselves eligible to receive. They also allege that UNHCR creates unnecessary hurdles in their resettlements. In the last few months alone, Somali refugees have held several protest demonstrations to press for their demands.\nThe office of the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) in Islamabad is empty after Eid holidays in July this year. A residential building converted into an office, it houses a pharmacy and a medical centre where two doctors provide medical treatment to any ailing refugees. The organisation provides a monthly stipend, health care, primary education and other basic amenities to refugees who are awaiting resettlement. It is part of an alliance of NGOs which have been affiliated with UNHCR since 1998 for providing emergency aid to refugees.\nNergis Ameer Khan, a case manager at ICMC, says UNHCR means everything to the refugees since Somali embassy in Islamabad and Pakistani authorities do not want to have anything to do with them. She says her organisation, therefore, understands the struggles and challenges the refugees faces during their stay in Pakistan.\nYet there is palpable tension between the Somalis and ICMC. For one, Khan says the refugees develop a dependency syndrome due to the regular financial assistance that they receive from the UNHCR and they refuse to learn any skills which may help their case for resettlement. “At times, they become aggressive,” she says, “especially when their demands for financial assistance get turned down for some reason”. She talks about a Somali woman who used to sit outside the ICMC office in protest for days after she lost the right to receive subsistence allowance due to the fact that her two adult sons were also receiving the assistance. “I told the guards to ignore her,” says Khan.\nComing from war-wrecked Somalia, Pakistan looked peaceful to him, even when it had, by then, acquired the dubious distinction of being the second-most dangerous country in the world.\nShe claims that her organisation does not prefer one set of refugees over others. “We try to give equal attention to all the refugees but sometimes they lodge complaints to UNHCR against us, accusing us of mistreating them,” she says and then adds: “These complaints are unwarranted.”\nOfficials at UNHCR say some complaints arise because the refugees want exemptions from certain rules and a speedier processing of their resettlement applications. Many of them insist that their applications be processed under the old rules which allowed whole families, including all those under the age of 21, to be resettled. These rules, however, have been changed after 2012 as authorities in countries like the US realised that mass resettlements were becoming a pull factor for creating more young and adult refugees from places such as Somalia.\nWith the changed rules, a large number of young refugees cannot be resettled elsewhere and have been left stranded in Pakistan. Farah is one such stranded Somali. “My wife has been resettled to the US. I am now waiting for my turn,” he says, uncertain if that will ever happen.\nHe has been leading protests to get the rules changed back to what they were a couple of years ago. Some of his fellow protesters, however, feel that demonstrations are not helpful any longer so they must take some other steps. People such as Mukhtar are now planning a hunger strike in front of the National Press Club in Islamabad. Their objective is straightforward — something must be done to speed up the process of their resettlement.\n“We are tired of waiting,” says Mukhtar angrily.\nThis article was originally published in the Herald's August 2015 issue. To read more, subscribe to Herald in print.\nM. Emad Aug 24, 2015 04:36pm\nI met dozens of Somalian in Europe who came to Pakistan in 1980's and received higher education. They were full of praise for President General Zia who invited and offered them Islamic as well as (modern) higher education.\nSoveriegntist Aug 24, 2015 04:47pm\nPakistan is a welcoming country, we're not racist. Somalis are nice people and we don't mind them here. This is proof to those Leftists and Afghan hyper-nationalists who think we're \"inhospitable\" or that we don't like refugees. We welcome refugees and migrants. Pakistan is a country partly built by immigrants but we don't stand people who hate our country, our people(s), our way of life and histories on our own soil or who scheme against the country or plan to create some \"Loya whatever\". Otherwise we're chill people and welcome everybody of every shade and hue.\npakistani Aug 24, 2015 05:15pm\nSomalis are doing something productive in Pakistan as refugees as getting education while the Afghans are involved in terror activities.\nMalik Aug 24, 2015 05:48pm\nWith the Pakistan economy in a tailspin, what are we doing letting these people into our country. The politically correct fools are destroying Pakistan.\nWise-man Aug 24, 2015 05:55pm\nPlease make note of two things in this article: 1) How Al-Shabab came into being (For all those who blame west for everything) 2) How a catholic institution supports these refugees and not any Islamic institution in this >97% Muslim country. Hilarious really!\nshah Aug 24, 2015 06:15pm\nProud to know Pakistan is providing safe haven to these refugees who are in need.\nahmad waqas Aug 24, 2015 06:37pm\nI have many friends from Somalia who studied with me in IIU Islamabad. All of them consider Pakistan as their second homeland and have always been thankful for the respect and hospitality they recieved here in Pakistan during their stay.\nkhan afsar Aug 24, 2015 06:54pm\n@pakistani It's like you say 'everyone else is productive in the West, but Pakistanis are involved in terrorism', pathetic and negative thinking — generalising the whole people of Afghanistan. Afghanistan is the victim of terrorism itself.\nReality Check Aug 24, 2015 07:08pm\nWhy aren't refugees allowed to go to school or college? If this is a standard practice it's quite messed up and needs to change immediately; the poor people already have so many troubles can't have them near schools and colleges and not go there, that is just plain mean.\nmohammad ali qurbani Aug 24, 2015 07:40pm\nWhen their own Embassy is not willing to help them, then why does Islamabad allow the Somali Embassy to operate in our soil.\ntamy Aug 24, 2015 08:05pm\nHope more Somalis are welcomed to Pakistan. Somalis are very similar to Pakistanis by nature. They should be given food, shelter and education free of cost by Pakistan government. They are also great soldiers. They should be allowed to marry Pakistanis and stay in Pakistan, this way better bond will grow.\nBabar Aug 24, 2015 08:08pm\n@Wise-man Try visiting IIUI to see how many of them are being helped. Ofcourse not all of them.\nArisha G Aug 24, 2015 08:22pm\nInteresting read. I was unaware of this information that Islambad region houses Somalian Refugees and students.\nsaeeds Aug 24, 2015 08:44pm\n@pakistani they might indulge in terror activities, but we already have so many other terrorists in the country that their contribution may not be noticeable.\nFinland Aug 24, 2015 08:54pm\nFinland has the largest Somali minority and they are very nice people. Even in Karachi, I met many Somalis, they are humble and nice people and of course in Islam they are our brothers. They are living peacefully in Pakistan and are not involved in mischief practices.\nAnwar Siddique Aug 24, 2015 10:00pm\nIn the US Somalis consider themselves bigger thakidars of Islam than Pakistanis. Number of Somali youth have gone to Africa and Syria to join terrorist groups.\nAtif Khan Aug 24, 2015 10:23pm\nJust give them Pakistani citizenship and encourage them in soccer. One day we may see Somali-Pakistani's in our national soccer team\nAVeryWise-man Aug 24, 2015 11:49pm\n@Wise-man It is not hilarious at all.West should come out of the thought that they are the center of the universe. Please re-read and you will find that the Catholic institution is part of an allegiance of NGO's. \"It is part of an alliance of NGOs which have been affiliated with UNHCR since 1998 for providing emergency aid to refugees. \"\njaved helali Aug 25, 2015 12:23am\nShouldn't Pakistan take its own stranded Pakistanis in Bangladesh before doing anything for others? They are still waiting. Many of them have become BD citizens when the government gave them the offer. However, there are thousands of die hard Pakistanis who are still awaiting their repatriation to Pakistan, who i believe has the responsibility to take care of its citizens. javed helali\nRaja Farhat Abbas Aug 25, 2015 12:55am\n@Atif Khan I agree with you 100% they are a strong and brave people, to the ones who want it Pakistan citizenship should be given so that they can work, study and make a living.\nUzair Ahmad Khan Aug 25, 2015 02:21am\nHe can also earn to live by Freelancing :)\nThat 70's Vespa Aug 25, 2015 02:37am\nI moved to G-10 in 2005. On my very first day I ventured out into the market looking for a CD to rent and ended up in ‘Mini Somalia’. I had no idea about the Somali (and also Sudanese) presence in G-10. All the shops in that small market were owned by Somalis/Sudanese. I hesitantly walked into the only video store with 4 Somali guys inside. I asked (in English) if they have Bollywood movies and they said no only Afrikaans. I came out flustered having no idea how I suddenly ended up in Africa :) Later I worked for several years and in East, West and Horn of Africa and came across several Somalis. Amongst their compatriots they are no doubt the smartest. I hope peace returns to Somalia and no-body ever have to leave their country and go through what they have been going through..\nAbdi Aug 25, 2015 04:21am\nI am a Somali, born in Karachi to refugee parents and raised in Islamabad. And I have always considered Pakistan to be my home and I think the Constitution of Pakistan grants me citizenship although I have yet to formally claim/exercise it. My Urdu is better than my Somali, and it was the language I spoke best until I was 14 (I am still perfectly fluent). My start in politics was in Pakistan with the flipflop between PML and PPP and of course General Musharraf's spectacular coup. Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif were household names for us too. Got educated in the private schools there and you guys have no idea how grateful I am for that. It made me far superior academically to most of my Western peers. As a child, I only had Pakistani friends and I (almost) never felt like an outsider which I find to be interesting considering the racism I have to deal with in Europe. It pains me to see what has become of Pakistan lately and I pray to God I get the chance to visit my hometown again.\n@mohammad ali qurbani a very valid question. One I'd like an answer to as well (I am Somali).\nJohnDa Baptist. Aug 25, 2015 05:03am\nWe should take more Kashmiri refugees who are dying to come to Pakistan.\nSomali Citizen Aug 25, 2015 05:05am\nFirst of all I want to make it clear how thankful we are to the people of Pakistani for their brotherly welcome and sympathy they always show to our people in this country I call as my second country in all honesty, After that, My advice to this Huge outlet, Dawn to usually monitor and have interview with credible people because past two months in have read another article with this one and some of the points which is being related to us ridiculously fake and totally far from the truth, At the end, I read all the comments under this article and many thanks to the guys for their good comments about us. Viva Pakistan.\nbittertruth Aug 25, 2015 05:33am\nA recent US research ranked liveability in Pakistan worse than Somalia\nMusa Aug 25, 2015 10:44am\nAs a Somali I am grateful to Pakistan for the support it renders to my fellow Somalis in Pakistan. Pakistan Zindabad\nNoor ud dean Aug 25, 2015 04:27pm\nSomali people did not came to Pakistan for trouble but instead hoping for a better life. We are well wishers to Pakistan's peace and prosperity. Pakistan has various cultures which add taste to the way of life here, which is way similar to the way of life in Somalia. We need to keep in mind that our Pakistani brothers have welcomed us and we live in peace and harmony. As you have noticed from reading the above article ,which is great, we also welcome our guests and treat them with most respect. Where ever I go Pakistan was the part of my life that made me who I am.\nJatt Aug 25, 2015 08:55pm\n@tamy Is this a Joke.\nAbdi Ahmed Aug 26, 2015 05:40pm\nI am from Somalia and I live in Islamabad as student. First of all, the article is lacking the truth. Somalis who are living in Pakistan are not only refugees. They are few numbers who are registered as refugee. This is the second time that I am reading this kind of fabricated stories. As I already mentioned, the huge numbers of Somali living in Pakistan are students not refugees. And if you want to get proof of this you must visit university campuses in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and etc. _Pakistan Zindabad.\nAbdul Qadri Aug 26, 2015 09:22pm\nI have been in the City of Lights, the big and beautiful Karachi for about 5 years. I have got respect and brotherhood from Pakistani People> I always try to pay Pakistanis back for what they have done for us (Somalis). Here in Somalia I see many Pakistani citizens working development projects, i treat like my own brothers. I have still good friends in Pakistan. Pakistan Zindabad.\n@pakistani Thank you my friend. I appreciated your comment.\n@ahmad waqas I am one of the studends who graduated from IIUI. And this kinda story isn't reflecting the truth. Somalis living in Pakistan are mostly students who met at IIUI. Some persons who want to go abroad are those who behind this fabricated stories and want to damage the name of Somalia and Pakistan too. Thanks to Pakistani people and their government for hosting us brotherly.\nmaahir Aug 26, 2015 10:01pm\nWell it is nice to say thanks the Pakistani people and the government; I do appreciate the humble and generous way you people deal with us when all other (including Muslim) countries closed their hand and watched us. You and your government welcomed us in to your country, I really don't know how we can thank you. No matter what hardships we are passing through since so long, one day we will be united and overcome all the constraints we are facing. And note dear brothers and sisters of Pakistan, we are always your side and Pakistan is our second home as Somalia is your second home because we are there. I am one of those students who graduated from a public university in Pakistan but now I am in another country for further studies but I do wish to visit Pakistan again. I wish peace and prosperity to Pakistan forever, with good and strong governance.\nabdi Aug 26, 2015 11:18pm\nI would like thank the Pakistani people and government for their brotherly hospitally they have offered us, this is coming from a Somali student who is currently living and studying in Pakistan for the last 4 years, in possession of a passport with valid visas on self finance based studies. Most Somali people in Pakistan are students on self-financing their studies. Yes, there are less fortunate ones, but the embassy and students union do their best to ensure their well-being. I want everyone to know that things are not always as reported in this article only those who fall short of resources resort to refugees status with the UNHCR.\nmohamud Aug 29, 2015 02:34pm\n@mohammad ali qurbani The Somali embassy helps Somalis here more than you know. But they have rules, some of which the asylum seekers cannot live with.\nSimba Nov 30, 2016 05:31pm\n@M. Emad As well as free training , like Abdul Razak Ali Artan, who became well known after the car-ramming incident in Ohio university campus. He lived in Pakistan for seven years before moving to the US with his family in 2014. It is natural that Somalis would be all praise for the facilities and training they got in Pakistan.\nkuamr Nov 30, 2016 07:12pm\n@JohnDa Baptist. Nice thought. I hope it is true.\nABDULAH Nov 30, 2016 08:03pm\nthis somalian boy is my friend :),he is in G-10/4... too much somalians here un G-10 sector\nHOPE Nov 30, 2016 08:24pm\n@M. Emad : This is the reason for rise of nationalist like Trump in western world. for next few decades, the whole west including US, UK, Fance, Germany, Sweden, Italy, Hungary, Russia and portions of east, Myanmar, Thailand, Srilanka , China etc. are going to cleanse themselves.\nSohail Khan Gem Nov 30, 2016 09:24pm\nMost welcome Somali brethren and sisters. Pakistan is your second home. Feel free.\nAyaz Munir Dec 01, 2016 03:10pm\nA history of welcoming Millions of Afghans(Largest Refugee Population Ever), Millions of Bangladeshis , Numerous Burmese and of course Lots of Somalis shows how much open we Pakistanis as a nation are. Today throughout Pakistan , you will find people from every corner of South Asia in Large Numbers, I will have to say we Pakistanis love everyone. Pakistan Zindabad\nahmad Dec 01, 2016 03:31pm\n@Abdi i am also somalil in lahore living here for almost 10 yrs no doupt pakistan is like our home , although i was not born here and came after maturity , i can say lahore is unlike any other place , lahore is my soul . by the way abdi my name is ahmad\nSajjad Dec 01, 2016 04:25pm\n@Abdi Brother, wish you the best. I deal with lots of Somali people in the UK and they are great. I don't consider Somali's to be different from Pakistani's, culturally we are quite the same,\nTaimoor khan Dec 01, 2016 10:21pm\n@Wise-man pathetic Indian logic. Mind your own business and try to sort our own issues. Rather appreciating Pakistan which is accepting refugees from all over the world, for which India is hardly known, you should be thankful that a Muslim country is allowing a Christian charity to work without any discrimination unlike India where Christian organisations are targeted by Hindu extremists.\nHeart warming to see many Somalians praising Pakistan and it's people. There was an international survey conducted recently which revealed that Pakistan is the least racist country in the world. An eye opener to rest of the world and Afghans is particular. Afghans should have some introspection and see how things have come to present situation.\nAleem Dec 01, 2016 11:12pm\n@Abdi You are welcome back in Pakistan any time and things Alhamdolillah are looking up for Pakistan.\nIjaz Dec 02, 2016 03:33pm\n@Wise-man It is laudable that NGOs (Christian or otherwise) are supporting these refugees. The article mentioned one organisation which happened to be Christian. That is not a reason to make an unsound abstraction and assume Muslim charities are doing nothing - they are, just in different areas and not mentioned in the article. Don't jump to conclusions\nAmer Dec 03, 2016 08:50am\n@Reality Check It's your type of thinking which led to the rise of Trump in the USA. It's called ultra nationalism, and it's a very ignorant viewpoint. If Pakistanis are allowed visas to settle in USA, Canada, Europe, why can't Somalis have the same freedom afforded to you. You are not better than anyone in the world. God created all equally. I welcome other nationals allowed to come in Pakistan and hopefully create a MORE diverse country. A melting pot of decent, educated people who are wiling to work hard and contribute creates an advanced society. Look in USA, Europe, South American countries. Pakistan is a third world state. Why? One of the key reasons is the lack of tolerance and inclusion of others. Forget corruption, and politics for a minute. We need to open our country to others and businesses as well, else, we will always be a depressed society.\nIsmail Dec 03, 2016 10:51am\nTo all the Somali complaining of hardship let us know when your people plan to compensate the 24 Pakistani soldiers who were butchered when they went to inspect a weapons depot in Mogadishu in 1993 under the flag of the UN. What about the 16 Pakistani sailors kept by Somali pirates for one year who were saved by the Danish Navy in 2010. Also from the comments section please get over this Pakistani disease of offering our passport to every person that turns up on our shores or is born here. Haven't we learned our lesson from 40 years of ungrateful Afghanis?","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1343790"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6763927340507507,"wiki_prob":0.6763927340507507,"text":"IPitimi: Connecting Businesses, the IP Way\nCIOREVIEW >> Contact Center >>\nGreg Nielsen, Founder and CEO The Blackrock Desert in Northern Nevada has no inhabitants, water, electricity and, no internet or phone service, but for innovative entrepreneur Greg Nielsen and his company IPitimi (pronounced like epitome), it is all in a day’s work. During the annual Burning Man festival approximately 80,000 people gather in the Black Rock desert creating what becomes the sixth largest city in Nevada during the period known as “Black Rock City”. The whole point for Burning Man is about extreme self-reliance in such harsh conditions where, understandably, there shouldn’t be communications, but the work Nielsen and his company do, isn’t for them anyway. Just a mile outside of Black Rock City on the same dusty desert floor is another camp established by the Federal Department of the Interior where more than 250 federal agents from the Bureau of Land Management, DOT, State, County and local law enforcement as well as medical services rely on IPitimi to communicate with each other and with the rest of the world. IPitimi’s innovative voice and fax technology is at the core of a global satellite company named Lyman Communications that engineered a broadband solution for these mission critical services, emergency medical facilities, mobile command centers, BLM logistics and even a jail. “It takes an extremely flexible as well as extremely stable and reliable solution in order for IPitimi to continually be selected for such deployments,” remarks Nielsen, IPitimi Founder and CEO.\nIt’s more than just providing stability and reliability, the IPitimi voice solution is so quick and easy to deploy, that it is also used in the same manner by the U.S. Forest service for a rapid deployment system for emergency and first responders when an outbreak or fire occurs. Recently, IPitimi‘s solution was deployed at the Fish Fire Camp in California where its VoIP solution supported voice and fax communications for more than 500 fire, medical and emergency response personnel in the middle of the mountains during the raging California wild fires. This is only one of the examples of how quickly their solution can be deployed as well as the mission critical nature of IPitimi’s deployments for its customers.\nAs a driven entrepreneur, Nielsen’s solutions have been deployed all over the world, in places much more remote than even Burning Man, in the middle of the Gobi Desert, in Mongolia to be specific. Obviously, this isn’t the real world for the rest of us, but it is a great summary of his entrepreneurship and innovation. IPitimi is getting noticed worldwide because of the types of deployments that they do every day in a very diverse range of industries. Some of their call center customers are well known travel and hospitality providers, while other notable contact centers use IPitimi to assist emergency room doctors and nurses in hospitals around the country in the programing and maintenance of life saving pace makers. Other customers are a city municipality wherein IPitimi went in two years ago and fixed another company’s failed deployment across the city. More specifically in the police, fire, and emergency dispatch contact center, where still today, IPitimi provides the call recording, internet, and telephony services that they operate 24/7. In many cases with IPitimi, it’s more than just mission critical, its life or death. “We treat all of our customers with the same high degree of service availability because a customer’s business, whatever it is, is the most important thing to them,” remarks Nielsen.\nNielsen has a track record of thinking differently, and it started when he was young. He’s been recognized\nfor participation in startup and entrepreneurial competitions since he was in High School. In his early 20’s, he was a finalist in a statewide college entrepreneurial competition. In 2012, he was named by YMBL to the Austin 40 under 40, and just last year in Vienna, Austria at the Pioneers Festival, Nielsen was awarded the winner of the StartupBus Europe competition with thousands of applicants and hundreds of participants from dozens of countries around the world for a WebRTC communications product he built with a team of 3 others in less than 72 hours.\nBringing Businesses and their Customers Closer\nAt its core, IPitimi is a hosted and UC services provider. IPitimi has standardized on and leveraged the industry best UC platforms built by the likes of Broadsoft. The company offers a cloud-based UC platform that brings together communication services like IM, presence, voice and video calls, multi-party video collaboration, and desktop sharing in real-time to enhance team efficiency and boost productivity. The platform keeps distributed and mobile teams connected across locations and time zones, so that the contact centers can act immediately on business opportunities and respond quickly to customer requests. It can also integrate into existing CRM systems, eliminating silos of corporate information and reporting. “With hosted UC, contact centers can reduce network bottlenecks, simplify call routing, and eliminate sizable CAPEX spending,” claims Nielsen.\nDelivering a Seamless Automation Experience\nIPitimi offers the industry’s most powerful Interactive Voice Response and voice automation system in a geo-redundant cloud-based architecture that also works with legacy systems or as a component of one of its more advanced installations. This enables the company to provide a seamless automated experience for client’s customers who can use their telephone to update accounts, change reservations or manage just about anything that could be done with a computer or a live agent. “Adding voice automation to contact centers is a huge advantage. For this purpose, businesses come to us with a wide range of legacy ERP or CRM systems that they can’t break away from, so we help them make it work,” says Rick Dubois, CFO, IPitimi.\nHowever, adding voice automation to existing enterprise software is easier said than done and it often costs millions of dollars. The process requires a matter of understanding the data warehouse location and exchanging some secure credentials with system connectors and the rest of the time is spent determining what data businesses want to share or capture. The same is true for other elements of the customer contact center where every business has their own workflow or preferred methods. “We can map out all these needs and fit this into any of their existing ERP or CRM system like a set of Lego blocks,” says Nielsen.\nUnleashing the Business Opportunities\nAs many contact centers can be limited geographically or by workforce issues, IPitimi can seamlessly connect multiple contact centers reducing the limitations put on a particular business. “We can have contact centers all over the world seamlessly connected helping them to follow-the-sun, moving workloads to different geographic locations to efficiently balance resources and demand,” says Dubois. Businesses can easily design call flows, call queues or follow-the-sun routing without trying to re-create it on a location by location basis. Rather than waiting months for the proper infrastructure, local and long distance circuits, deployment, and management of premise based systems at each location, which seldom talk to each other, IPitimi’s solution can help setup contact centers the same day. “Just like we do for our emergency responder deployments, but instead it’s to save a business, rather than lives,” states Nielsen. For a contact center, this can save millions on deployments, corresponding management, and eliminate their significant time to market delay expenses. Best of all,\nthey will never have to forklift out their architecture again, because IPitimi provides all of the software upgrades and maintenance. “We also build open communication with our clients and help them innovate and develop their own long-term strategy with our open API’s and systems, so it is still their system, not just ours,” remarks Nielsen.\nBusiness Intelligence for Thorough Contact Center Insights\nIPitimi’s Business Intelligence (BI) helps contact centers know how they work, when they are most efficient, and who is most efficient. BI provides reports detailing number of phone calls received and from whom on a daily, monthly and yearly basis. When translated and shown in an easy-to-read graph and series of reports, this data shows more than just phone line, staffing, and system needs, it shows market demands, advertising campaign effectiveness and more.\nBuilding the Geo-redundant VoIP Networks\n“IPitimi operates a national 100 percent IP based network,” says Nielsen. IPitimi’s VoIP backbone features best-of-breed engineering and a geographically redundant super-nodes architecture to ensure that every single connection and call runs over its private network. The company’s systems are built on industry best Cisco, Broadsoft, Acme Packet, Sonus and General Bandwidth as part of its technology. “We are pioneers in IP Telephony, and our current architecture and network design does amazing things to help manage packet loss, jitter, and latency regardless of location or bandwidth provider,” extols Nielsen.\nServices that Keep VoIP Ticking\n“Most providers install VoIP service and expect it to work and then rely upon customers to manage their network appropriately,” says Nielsen. “But VoIP service in a corporate network is like a ‘canary in a coalmine’—it’s the first thing to give indications that something bad is happening elsewhere.” IPitimi has advanced systems that monitor not only its own VoIP network and each of its elements, but also each of the customer’s network, including LAN and WAN traffic, Router CPU utilization, and network quality and speed.\nFurthering the Inroads into Contact Center Excellence\nIPitimi serves clients from all over the world with more than 70 percent of its customer revenue derived from a half dozen countries outside of the U.S. IPitimi’s full service network communications and engineering specialization are consumed by medium to Fortune 1000 companies. The company also has opened offices around the world to provide round the clock support to its rapidly growing base of customers that expect the same mission critical support to them that they provide to their own customers, clients, constituents or patients.\nWith hosted UC, contact centers can reduce network bottlenecks, simplify call routing, and eliminate sizable CAPEX spending\nIPitimi is furthering its expansions in the contact center market by leveraging real-time communications or WebRTC—a technology that supports browser-to-browser applications for voice calling, video chat, and P2P file sharing. In addition, IPitimi is working towards adaptation of mobility in the contact center where people will no longer be tied down to a desk, but will be able to work effortlessly without the encumbrance of a keyboard or mouse.\nIPitimi\nGreg Nielsen, Founder and CEO and Rick Dubois, CFO. Ravi Vedantam, CTO. Jenn Smith, VP Operations. Alan Pourafzal, VP Engineering and Support.\nIPitimi is a leading IP services provider merging advanced voice applications with cloud, offering end-to-end IP telephony over one of the largest all IP networks in the world.\nhttps://contact-center.cioreview.com/vendor/2015/ipitimi","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1971698"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6261284947395325,"wiki_prob":0.37387150526046753,"text":"Hidden Portola Valley\nNeighborhood walking: All about the Chilean Woodchopper’s House\nby Nancy Lund on April 15, 2020\nWhen you take a drive down Portola Road — or walk along its adjacent pathway — you will see a little white house in a sadly decrepit state. It stands at 683 Portola Road, close by the road between the Jelich Ranch buildings and Springdown Equestrian Center. It is known as the Chilean Woodchopper’s House.\nWhat to do with it has been an ongoing question in Portola Valley for many years. Portola Valley is a town that cherishes its heritage and rural ambiance. This building, humble as it is, is one of only two that have survived from the earliest days of permanent habitation of the valley — 150 years. (Zotts is the other.) It also links the town to the greater story of California and even to the broader world.\nAt the end of the 19th century and into the early years of the twentieth, Portola Valley was home to immigrants from many countries, folks who came to try for a better life in a fertile and beautiful valley. Some worked for the few grand estates in the neighborhood. Most were small farmers. They came from Italy, Ireland, Germany, Portugal, China, the Philippines, Croatia and more.\nAfter the Mexican ranchero family, the earliest foreign residents were the Chileans. They were among the first to arrive in the gold fields when the word spread of the big 1848 discovery. However, they were driven from the gold country in short order by extreme prejudice.\nFernando Purcell, a Chilean who received a PhD from UC Davis in 2004, has published two articles based upon his research. Their titles provide a clue to the mood of those times: “Too Many Foreigners For My Taste: Law, Race and Ethnicity in California, 1848-1852” and “Hanging Bodies, Slashed Ears and Bottled Heads: Lynching, Punishment and Race in the California Gold Rush, 1848-1853.”\nImagine how those Chileans must have felt when they reached San Francisco and discovered that they couldn’t get home. The bay was clogged with abandoned ships whose crews were searching for gold themselves.\nSomehow, a few of the Chileans connected with Maximo Martinez, the grantee of Rancho el Corte de Madera, the land that became Portola Valley. Here is their story as a grandson of Martinez told it to Dorothy Regnery and separately to San Mateo County historian, Alan K. Brown in the late 1960s.\nMartinez hired the Chileans to cut willows along Sausal Creek to make charcoal for the burgeoning San Francisco market. (Sausal means willow; this same interviewee reported that willows in the valley were then as thick as hairs on a dog’s back.) His account and those of other old-timers report that five or six huts were scattered on the valley floor to house the woodchoppers.\nThe sad little building at 683 Portola Road is the only one of those humble huts that remains. It was moved to its present site in 1916 by the Jelichs to serve as a ranch hands’ home, and so it served until the Jelichs sold their property. The current owners have no use for it and have offered it to the town, but there is no place to relocate it. It is questionable if it is sturdy enough to be relocated. So there it sits, a reminder of earlier times.\nAngela Hey April 16, 2020 at 12:04 pm\nMaybe the current owners should lease it on a long term lease to a trust or the town that can raise money to fix it. Then another organization can become operators and use it as a rest stop for hikers and bikers selling coffees and teas and baked goods. Given the revival of the Alpine Inn and the old Schoolhouse, it would be good to have a use for it where it stands and compensate the owners adequately.\nchad May 05, 2020 at 1:08 pm\nLeave it as is.\nApril June 08, 2020 at 9:58 pm\nMy grandparents lived on the Jelich ranch for years. They raised their family there. He was the ranch hand for the property along with my uncle. My aunt, my grandmothers sister, lived in the little house.\nPat Mc June 12, 2020 at 11:14 am\nAre you part of the Ortega family? This historical account is missing their story…\nNancy Lund June 13, 2020 at 8:46 pm\nApril, I don’t know much about the Ortegas, only that they lived there and I think one of them drowned. I would love to know the names of your relatives who lived there and some stories about their lives. Any possibilities?","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1302714"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9229485988616943,"wiki_prob":0.9229485988616943,"text":"Inaugural Breandán Ó Buachalla Memorial Lecture: “Gaeilge anois labharfar: Travails of the Irish Language”\nTime: Thu Mar 27, 2014, 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm\nCormac Ó Gráda is Emeritus Professor of Economics at University College Dublin. His major books include Ireland: A New Economic History 1780-1939 (1994), Jewish Ireland in the Age of Joyce (2006) and Famine: A Short History (2009). Co-editor of the European Review of Economic History, Professor Ó Gráda is a member of the Irish Economic and Social History Society as well as the Royal Irish Academy, where he received the Academy's Gold Medal in 2010.\nBreandan Ó Buachalla (1936-2010) was the first Thomas J. and Kathleen M. O’Donnell Chair of Irish Language and Literature and a premier scholar of Irish culture, literature and linguistics. Instrumental to the success of Notre Dame’s Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies and its Irish Language and Literature department, this memorial lecture series honors a revered colleague and friend.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line431317"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9681607484817505,"wiki_prob":0.9681607484817505,"text":"WA to build stormwater harvesting plant\nThe Federal Government has announced $3 million in funding for the construction of a stormwater harvesting and reuse plant in Western Australia that will save up to 745 million litres of drinking water per year by 2014.\nMatched with $3 million in funding from the City of Greater Geraldton, the plant will be constructed under the City of Greater Geraldton's Stormwater Harvesting and Efficiency Project.\nThe project will also implement water efficiency measures such as installing more efficient irrigation systems and developing a water conservation plan.\nRoyal opening of Brisbane stormwater centre\nRain Bank, Brisbane’s new stormwater harvesting and reuse centre, has been officially opened by Her Majesty the Queen.\n$16 million for Victorian waterway repairs\nThe Victorian Government has committed $16 million for a range of flood recovery works and waterway repairs of damage caused by flood earlier in the year.\nJohn Gunn appointed as CEO of AIMS\nMarine scientist John Gunn has been announced as the new CEO of the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS).\nAgreement to protect the Hawkesbury-Nepean River\nThe University of Western Sydney, TAFE Western Sydney Institute and the Hawkesbury Environmental Network (HEN) have signed an agreement to contribute to protecting and maintaining the health and vitality of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River.\nDraft plan for Namoi water released\nThe New South Wales Government is calling for local farmers, industry groups and the wider community to comment on the draft Namoi water sharing plan for the area’s unregulated rivers and alluvial groundwater.\nWA storm water research node launched\nThe Western Australian Node of the Monash University-led Cities as Water Supply Catchments Research Program has been launched in Perth as a co-operative initiative between the University of Western Australia and Monash University.\nVictoria releases Anglesea River findings\nThe Victorian Government has released the findings of an independent review into water quality issues in the Anglesea River.\nOfficial Barwon-Darling water trading to begin\nThe New South Wales Water Commisioner, David Harriss, has announced that the formal rules governing water entitlements and allocations for the Barwon-Darling Unregulated River in the State’s far north-west are now in place.\nNSW announces revision to Snowy water licences\nThe New South Wales Water Commissioner David Harriss has revealed adjustments to the Snow Hydro’s water licence arrangements with an aim to better benefit water users and the environment.\nCommission urges investment in water science\nThe National Water Commission has called for the formation of a national water science strategy in its third National Water Initiative report.\nNWC announces new chief executive\nThe National Water Commission (NWC) has appointed James Cameron as its new Chief Executive Officer.\nNorthern Victoria irrigation agreement signed\nThe Commonwealth and Victorian governments have announced a new agreement that will deliver the country’s largest irrigation infrastructure renewal project.\nAdelaide Desalination Plant starts production\nThe Adelaide Desalination Plant has started preliminary operations as water produced by the plant enters the state’s network.\nProductivity Commission issues final report on urban water sector\nThe Productivity Commission has released its final report on Australia’s urban water sector following a year-long investigative inquiry to consider the case for further reform in the sector.\nThink tank addresses stressed water ecosystems\nA team of sixty physical, natural and social scientists from around Australia have participated in the Theo Murphy High Flyers Think Tank aimed at assisting in policy generation for managing the country’s most stressed ecosystems.\nWA completes first stage of smart water metering system\nThe Western Australian Government has announced the completion of the first stage of a trial to install and monitor new smart meters in 24 households in Kalgoorlie-Boulder.\nQueensland legislation to grant councils direct water management\nThe Queensland Government has introduced legislation before parliament that will allow direct management of water and wastewater services to be returned to the Gold Coast, Logan and Redland Councils.\nConstruction of Hobart's Marine and Antarctic Studies research centre set to begin\nConstruction of the new $45 million Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) development on Hobart’s waterfront is set to proceed, with the demolition of the Princes Wharf No. 2 Shed (PW2) expected to be completed next month.\nQueensland completes revision of North Pine Dam Manual\nSeqwater and the Dam Safety unit within Queensland’s Department of Environment and Resource Management have completed an interim review and approval of the North Pine flood mitigation manual in line with the recommendations of the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry interim report.\nVictoria announces terms of reference for marine assessment council\nThe Victorian Government has tabled the final Terms-of-Reference for the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council investigation into the state’s existing marine parks and other marine protected areas.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line4504"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8408575654029846,"wiki_prob":0.8408575654029846,"text":"NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope completes testing at Goddard\nJames Webb Space Telescope (JWST) artist’s concept. Image Credit: NASA\nNASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) successfully completed the center of curvature test, a crucial optical measurement of the telescope’s primary mirror prior to cryogenic testing, and the final test at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.\nThe spacecraft will be shipped to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston for more testing.\n“The Webb telescope is about to embark on its next step in reaching the stars as it has successfully completed its integration and testing at Goddard,” said Bill Ochs, NASA’s Web telescope project manager. “It has taken a tremendous team of talented individuals to get to this point from all across NASA, our industry and international partners, and academia. It is also a sad time as we say goodbye to the Webb Telescope at Goddard, but [we] are excited to begin cryogenic testing at Johnson.”\nJWST will experience high levels of noise and vibration during the rocket launch that will carry into space. Engineers at Goddard tested the space telescope in vibration and acoustics test facilities that simulate the launch environment to ensure that functionality is not impaired by the stresses of a rocket ride into space.\nOptical engineers set up an interferometer, the main device used to measure the shape of the telescope’s mirror, both before and after the environmental tests. An interferometer records and measures the ripple patterns that result when different beams of light mix and their waves combine or “interfere”.\nWaves of visible light are less than a thousandth of a millimeter long. The optics on JWST must be shaped and aligned even more accurately than that to function properly.\nUsing lasers to measure the mirror’s shape prevents physical contact that could scratch the mirror. By measuring light reflected off of the optics using an interferometer, scientists are able to measure extremely small changes in shape or position that may occur after exposing the mirror to a simulated launch or temperatures that simulating the subfreezing environment of space.\nTemperature and humidity conditions in the clean room were kept incredibly stable during testing to minimize fluctuations in the optics over time. To compensate for the tiny vibrations that remained, the interferometer is a “high-speed” one that takes 5,000 frames per second, a faster rate than the vibrations themselves. This allows engineers to subtract out vibrations and get clean results of any change in the mirror’s shape.\n“Some people thought it would not be possible to measure beryllium mirrors of this size and complexity in a clean room to these levels, but the team was incredibly ingenious in how they performed these measurements and the results give us great confidence we have a fantastic primary mirror,” said Lee Feinberg, Webb’s telescope optical element manager.\nThe JWST will be shipped to Johnson Space Center for optical testing in a vacuum at extremely cold temperatures. Then the spacecraft will go to Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems in Redondo Beach, California, for final assembly and testing before launch in 2018.\nThe James Webb Space Telescope completed its environmental testing at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Photo Credit: NASA/Chris Gunn\nTagged: Goddard Space Flight Center James Webb Space Telescope NASA The Range","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line75262"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6535015106201172,"wiki_prob":0.3464984893798828,"text":"Article I, Section 02, Clause 1-2\nArticle I, Section 02, Clause 1-2, The Original Documents, The United States Constitution 2. The Constitution, Article I Section 02 Clause 1-2\nhttps://constitutingamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo_web_360x80.png 0 0 Janine Turner and Cathy Gillespie https://constitutingamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo_web_360x80.png Janine Turner and Cathy Gillespie2013-11-13 12:42:322013-12-06 11:30:00Article I, Section 02, Clause 1-2\nHorace Cooper, Senior Fellow with the Heartland Institute, and author of our “90 in 90” Article I, Section 2, Clause 1-2 Essay,\nAnalyzing the Constitution in 90 Days 2011 Project, Article I, Section 02, Clause 1-2, Horace Cooper\nInterview with Janine Turner on the Janine Turner Radio Show\nHorace Cooper, Senior Fellow with the Heartland Institute, and author of our “90 in 90” Article I, Section 2, Clause 1-2 Essay, visits with Janine Turner on the Janine Turner Radio Show, Saturday, July 30 on DFW’s KLIF. Listen as they discuss Mr. Cooper’s essay on Article I, Section 2, Clause 1-2 found in Constituting America’s Analyzing the Constitution project at this link:\nhttps://constitutingamerica.org/?p=714\nListen to Horace’s analysis of an important detail that was not addressed when the 17th Amendment was passed!\nArticle I, Section 2, Clause 1-2 of the United States Constitution\nAugust 12, 2011 /0 Comments/by Janine Turner and Cathy Gillespie\nhttps://constitutingamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo_web_360x80.png 0 0 Janine Turner and Cathy Gillespie https://constitutingamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo_web_360x80.png Janine Turner and Cathy Gillespie2011-08-12 15:50:362020-03-14 20:30:29Horace Cooper, Senior Fellow with the Heartland Institute, and author of our \"90 in 90\" Article I, Section 2, Clause 1-2 Essay,\nArticle I, Section 02, Clause 1-2 of the United States Constitution\nAnalyzing the Constitution in 90 Days 2011 Project, Article I, Section 02, Clause 1-2, Horace Cooper 1. The Federalist Papers, 2. The Constitution, 11. Guest Constitutional Scholar Essayists, Article I Section 02 Clause 1-2, Federalist No. 52, Horace Cooper\nGuest Essayist: Horace Cooper, Senior Fellow with the Heartland Institute\nArticle I, Section 2, Clause 1-2\nThe House of Representatives or the people’s house was created by design to be the most democratic body and the legislative chamber closest to the public. It is the larger of the two chambers and its elections the most frequent at the federal level.\nIn his essay on the “Original Contract” philosopher David Hume in 1752 said “The people, if we trace government to its first origin in the woods and deserts, are the source of all power and jurisdiction, and voluntarily, for the sake of peace and order, abandoned their native liberty and received laws from their equal and companion.” The design and make up of the House reflects this view.\nJames Madison mentions in Federalist #52, the design and make up of the House of Representatives is predicated on the notion of a republican form of government. As Madison points out: “It is a received and well-founded maxim, that where no other circumstances affect the case, the greater the power is, the shorter ought to be its duration.”\n“…Members chosen every second year” ensures that House members will be appropriately responsive to the public. If the elections were more frequent there is the risk that House Members would stay in a perpetual election mode – constantly campaigning and less able to exercise their judgment and wisdom. On the other hand if the elections were held less frequently there was the risk that the House Members might exercise their personal judgments too and simultaneously the public might find it harder to hold them accountable due to the length of time between elections as passions and memories subside.\nThe two year cycle provides a happy medium that ensures accountability while also giving House members some limited ability to juxtapose their own judgment on policy matters.\nThe next provision establishes the Constitutional requirements for being a voter in a federal House election. The founders could have established an independent requirement or it could have authorized Congress to do so. Instead they took a third way – establishing that whatever voting requirements the states created for their own state assemblies would be used for the Federal House of Representatives election. The provision specifically requires that federal voters meet the same requirement needed to vote for the larger branch of the state legislature – typically the state House.\nThus, if a state required you to be a resident for 5 years and a property holder in order to vote in state legislative elections, that standard would apply in order to vote in federal House elections. Conversely if another state required voters merely to pay a fee in order to vote in state legislative races then there could be no additional restrictions for voting in the federal elections.\nInstead of states being able to interfere with federal elections or vice-versa, the citizens in each state find that the requirements for voting for state and federal elections are identical.\nThe Constitution sets the age for House members at 25 years for a few reasons. The age of 25 recognizes that younger individuals have a natural right to influence the political process and participate in the decision making while ensuring that all of those serving in government possess the necessary maturity, experience, and competence to perform effectively.\nThe citizenship requirement is equally interesting. The Constitution does not require the individual to be a “natural born citizen” – only a citizen of the U.S. for 7 years. While Congress has the authority to define the requirements for U.S. Citizenship, the Constitution only requires that a House member meet that standard for at least 7 years.\nAt the same time that the individual must be a citizen of the U.S. for 7 years, the requirement to represent a district within a state is not 7 years as a state resident. Note that the standard for the candidate is that he or she must be “an inhabitant” of the state – i.e. a person who has established his domicile. Often disputes arise over whether a candidate actually lives in the district that he or she is running in. But there is no legal recourse at the federal level – the Constitution only requires that he or she live in the state not in the county or district where the federal election is being held.\nThis section endorses a notion that is replete within all parts of the Constitution – a republican form of government ensures the people’s liberty is maintained. In this case the liberty of the people is safeguarded through clearly defined rules for holding elections and candidate requirements.\nHorace Cooper is a senior fellow with the Heartland Institute http://www.heartland.org/\nPosted in Analyzing the Constitution Essay Archives | 19 Comments »\n19 Responses to “February 23, 2011 – Article I, Section 2, Clause 1-2 of the United States Constitution – Guest Essayist: Horace Cooper, Senior Fellow with the Heartland Institute”\n“The greater the power the shorter the term should be”, wow! how true! Best argument I’ve heard for term limits if I ever heard one!\nJanine and Cathy,\nAre you going to be writing your daily essays again? I miss your wisdom that you shared with the Fed Papers.\nShannon_Atlanta says:\nI was wondering , since each state can make its own rules on voting, would it be upheld as Constitutional if my state of Georgia decided one must have earned income to vote?\nJanine Turner says:\nMr.Cooper, I thank you for being our guest scholar and dedicating your time\nto write this most informative essay. Isn’t this fun?!\nI learned so much. I realize that when I read the Constitution there is so much to\nabsorb and thus I skip over certain parts such as the requirements for the “voter”\nare maintained at the state level. I always thought this section dealt with requirements for the representative only, yet, I now know it also deals with the requirements of the voter!\nAlso interesting that the representative merely has to live in the state\nbut not the district. Fascinating!\nThe quotes from Madison and David Hume resonate as do your words in the closing paragraph, “a republican form of government ensures the people’s liberty is maintained. In this case the liberty of the people is safeguarded through clearly defined rules for holding elections and candidate requirements.” Is the constitution relevant?\nYes!!! Thanks Mr.Cooper\nMary Oprea says:\nIt’s interesting that our US Reps can be as young as 25. I wondered how many were actually this young, so I did some research.\nAccording to Wikipedia (“List of current members of the United States House of Representatives by age and generation”), we have 0 reps from the Millennial Generation who would be in that age bracket. The majority of our Reps are Boomers, born from 1943-1960. Only 28% of the Reps are younger than the Boomers (“Generation X”).\nIt looks like our younger generation are busy getting their education (which usually requires more than 4 years these days) and establishing their homes. However, the cost of running in an election could be an impediment also.\nGI Generation:1901 – 1924 (1 rep)\nSilent Generation: 1925 – 1942 (58 reps)\nBoomer Generation: 1943 – 1960 (254 reps)\nGeneration X: 1961 – 1981 (120 reps)\nMillennial Generation: 1982 – 2003 (0 reps)\nVacant – 2\nQuestion for Mr. Cooper. The idea of a two year term for the “people’s house” is that voters can throw them out if they are not representing the voters. Some of our representatives have spent their entire work life in the House. Many of us believe that service as a member of the House should not be a career choice. In my case, I think one should not spent more than half an estimated 40 year work life as a career politician. Are we barking up the wrong tree with respect to the original intent of the writers of the Constitution when we press for term limits, since the representatives must be representing the voters as the voters wish if they are reelected for more than 20 terms?\nCutler says:\nThank you very much, Mr. Cooper for your insightful essay. I must now turn my thanks to Mr. James Madison in his quote: “the greater the power is, the shorter ought to be its duration.” It is completely this attitude that the founding Fathers had when forming this country, not “Just how much government intrusion will the American public tolerate?” Washington (D.C.) has rotated a complete 180 degrees from limiting power originally to seeing how far it can stretch it while still giving lip service to the Constitution.\nShelby Seymore says:\nI agree with you Cutler. Obama (and his wife!) have overstepped their boundries one to many times for my taste, yet nobody sees this. It seems with this president four years is too long in power. The main problem is that the people are so unaware of these happenings they can’t see straight into the trap they are walking into. I believe the entire system needs to collapse so we start over, it’s not the ideal choice, but it will open people’s eyes.\nH Cooper says:\nShannon asks an interesting question as to whether the State of Georgia could require a person to have “earned income” in order to vote in the state assembly and thereby require a similar rule for federal elections. While no longer applicable today due to the adoption of the 15th Amendment and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, when the Constitution was first created states had broad power to determine what constituted an eligible voter. Today the 15th Amendment and the Voting Rights Act effectively mean that states have limited ability to restrict voting because the VRA prohibits states from imposing any “voting qualification or prerequisite to voting, or standard, practice, or procedure … to deny or abridge the right of any citizen of the United States to vote on account of race or color.”\nScott Miller says:\nIt would be nice if there was a printable version of each essay available as well as a version that could be emailed to freinds and family not aware of Constituting America’s study of the U.S. Constitution!\na guy says:\nAre you actually suggesting that we take voting rights away from legal, law abiding citizens if they are without income? What if they’re disabled or going to school or college on social security survivor benefits?\nAnd personally, though I am anything but a supporter of Obama, the last thing I want to see is for our entire system to “collapse”. Things are bad enough as they are now.\nBarb Zakszewski says:\nthanks to Mr. Cooper for his insightful analysis of this Article and Section and putting it into an historical context. 2 year terms for House of Representative members, 2 years being seen as a happy medium between perpetual campaigning and becoming less responsive to the people they represent. Unfortunately, most House members today are more concerned with keeping their jobs and are in perpetual campaign mode, then in doing anything of substance. I’m wondering if maybe a Constitutional amendment to increase the term of a House of Representative to 3 or 4 years might be in order. Get them to focus on the tasks at hand instead of worrying about re-election, at least for a little while.\nThreeDogs says:\n“the greater the power is, the shorter ought to be its duration.”\nWas there general agreement on this among the founders?\nIf so they must have thought that the most powerful body would be the the House, followed by the Executive branch, followed by the Senate and then the Judicial branch (lifetime appointments)!\nSeems to me that the Judicial has over time become the most powerful.\nRalph T. Howarth, Jr. says:\n…and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.\nI have always taken that clause to be speaking of the Electoral College Electors. There had to be qualifications for the Electors of the Electoral College too such that the qualifications of the Electors must be the same as that of the most numerous branch of the state’s legislature as Electors are those who cast their ballots for the President at the state capitol. From there, the ballots of the Electors collectively from each state are sealed and sent to the Congress to be opened up and read aloud how many votes from that state for a Presidential candidate.\nyguy says:\nIt needs to be understood that while we are indeed endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights, suffrage is not among them; and there is certainly nothing wrong with denying parasites the right to vote themselves even more largesse from the public treasury.\nWhich is not to say people in such circumstances as you mention are all parasites. I’m just making a more general point.\nAgreed ThreeDogs. The Judicial branch used to be the least powerful. In fact, people would leave to state positions to gain more political power.\nRobert Saunders says:\nPlease explain the wording, “and who shall not”, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state in which he shall be chosen.\nIt is formal 18th century usage for if you haven’t lived you shall not be elected to represent the place.\nThanks for asking .. I would love to write daily essays.. I am working toward that goal. For now, I am having fun blogging thanks for joining us!! Isn’t this fun?\nhttps://constitutingamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo_web_360x80.png 0 0 Janine Turner and Cathy Gillespie https://constitutingamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo_web_360x80.png Janine Turner and Cathy Gillespie2011-03-07 03:07:222020-03-14 16:52:26Article I, Section 02, Clause 1-2 of the United States Constitution","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1936549"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9633026123046875,"wiki_prob":0.9633026123046875,"text":"Trump vowed to punish companies that moved jobs overseas. Is Congress rewarding them?\nPublished Tue, May 8 201811:46 AM EDT\nMichael Grabell\nRepublican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event at J.S. Dorton Arena in Raleigh, NC on Monday November 07, 2016.\nJabin Botsford | The Washington Post | Getty Images\nThis story was co-published with The Atlantic.\nTwo weeks before the presidential election, Donald Trump flew into a faded textile town in North Carolina and riled up the crowd over one of his campaign's signature promises: bringing back the jobs that businesses had shipped overseas.\n\"They wouldn't be doing it if I was president,\" Trump said to cheers. \"Believe me, when they say, 'We want to send our product' — whatever the hell they make — 'We want to send our product back into the United States,' I'd say, 'We'd love to have your product — 35 percent tax. Let's see if you move.'\"\nHe ticked off a list of companies that had closed factories in the state, calling attention to Leviton Manufacturing, a maker of light switches and electrical outlets found in homes and offices around the world, including Trump's real-estate properties.\nMore from ProPublica:\nA prisoner in Gina Haspel's black site\nTreated like trash\nDid your employer ask you to sign away your right to talk? We want to know about it.\n\"I buy a lot of Leviton switches,\" Trump said. \"I'm not buying 'em anymore.\"\nFast-forward 18 months. Leviton now stands to benefit from a bill that would eliminate the taxes the company pays to import an outlet it makes in China — not, as Trump vowed, raise them.\nThe bill's supporters say it will get rid of punishing tariffs on raw materials and components that are critical to American manufacturing. But that's not all it does. Tucked into the legislation are tariff waivers like the one Leviton requested, which exempt hundreds of finished consumer products — from microwaves to pillows to fishing rods — that used to be made in America.\nLeviton qualified through a little-known provision that allows for waivers on finished products so long as there are no competing U.S. manufacturers. But Leviton wasn't required to disclose that one of the reasons the outlets are no longer made in America is that the company shut down four U.S. factories between 2005 and 2013, laying off more than 1,000 workers and shifting the work to Mexico and China.\n\"The whole thing kind of stinks,\" said Tom Kiefer, a toolmaker who lost his job of 21 years when the company's Warwick, Rhode Island, factory closed. \"It's not made here because they sent it to China.\"\nThe legislation, known as the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill Act, is emblematic of the contradiction at the heart of the country's trade policy: Congressional Republicans and many Democrats who support the bill want to ease the tariff burden on corporations — no matter where they make their products — even as the Republican president promises to punish companies that don't manufacture in the U.S.\nThe Trump administration has not commented publicly on the bill, which passed the House in January and is awaiting approval by the Senate. His aides have so far sent mixed signals, sending a letter to congressional staff expressing concerns only to later withdraw it. Their reticence runs contrary to the president's very vocal opinions about trade. Trump resurrected the issue from a policy backwater and has shaken the global economic order this year with new tariffs on solar panels, washing machines, steel and aluminum. Taking aim at China, he recently threatened to slap tariffs on hundreds of its exports in retaliation for the country's technology policies.\nFor now, the policy split in Washington means that later this spring, around the same time that Trump could impose tariffs on hundreds of products from China, Congress is expected to hand him a bill asking him to do the exact opposite — reduce or eliminate import taxes on finished products, including more than 400 from China.\nHere's just one bewildering example: The current bill would lower tariffs on electric delivery vans from China just nine years after the Obama administration spent billions of dollars to try to build an electric-vehicle industry in the United States. Meanwhile, Trump's top trade representative has specifically — and publicly — vowed to raise import fees on China's electric vehicles.\nMany companies, including Leviton, are effectively asking for tax breaks on the same products that they used to make domestically, but that are now made overseas. Granting companies such waivers amounts to a reward for shifting jobs to other countries, some workers and U.S. manufacturers say, and only encourages others to follow.\nTo find companies seeking tax breaks after closing U.S. factories, ProPublica compared the 1,662 waiver requests in the bill to Labor Department data on workers who've lost their jobs due to international trade. The analysis found that the companies requesting waivers on finished goods have eliminated an estimated 175,000 jobs due to outsourcing and competition from foreign imports since 1975, when the Labor Department began keeping track. Measuring it a different way, the industries impacted by the bill have especially seen manufacturing leave the U.S. — with more than 150,000 jobs lost in the last decade alone.\nAmong those pressing the government to lower the tariffs on their foreign-produced goods are a slate of corporations many consumers view as quintessentially American. Whirlpool, Caterpillar, PetSmart and the Gap all submitted petitions to the U.S. International Trade Commission, saying the import taxes on certain kitchen appliances, clothing, pet supplies and equipment are unnecessary, even if they used to be made domestically.\nThe fitness-equipment company Nautilus, for example, is seeking waivers for its Bowflex TreadClimber and other cardio machines, which it now imports from China. In 2008, Nautilus closed the Tulsa, Oklahoma, factory where it used to make these machines, laid off 150 people and moved production to China and Taiwan.\nThe cosmetics manufacturer Revlon closed its tweezer and nail-clipper factory in Irvington, New Jersey, in 2007 after 50 years. Now, it's asking Congress to drop the duties it pays to import tweezers, nail clippers and manicure/pedicure sets from China and South Korea.\nIn 2012, Rubbermaid left Wooster, Ohio, the town where it was founded 90 years before and formerly manufactured many products. Now, the company wants tariffs lifted on plastic lids for food containers made in China and Malaysia. (A Revlon representative said the \"majority of functions\" performed in New Jersey moved to North Carolina and that its application for tariff relief complied with the law. Neither Nautilus nor Rubbermaid responded to calls or emails about their waiver applications.)\n\"The whole idea of miscellaneous tariff bills is the bill should be for U.S. manufacturing — not retailers and importers,\" said Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio. \"The exemptions here have really undermined the intent of Congress. Congress needs to look at this again.\"\nSupporters of the consumer-product waivers in the bill say it helps U.S. companies stay in business, even if they've moved parts of their operations to another country. \"Everybody wants to make trade the boogeyman,\" said Nicole Bivens Collinson, a lobbyist and former trade negotiator whose firm handled several requests. \"Many times, it's only because companies have been able to source some goods overseas that they've been able to maintain U.S. manufacturing.\"\nThe National Association of Manufacturers, which has been the biggest proponent of the bill, declined to comment. But in a blog post, it defended the inclusion of finished products, saying that eliminating the tariffs would lower prices for American consumers. Other supporters note that the waivers last only three years and the rules cap the government's financial loss on any one item.\nWhile those claims are true, lifting those tariffs can still mean big tax breaks for some companies. For example, Bayer, the German pharmaceutical and agricultural company, requested suspensions on more than 100 products in the bill, including aspirin. That means that it and other importers of those products would see $100 million in savings over three years — more than a third of it on items Bayer described as finished products, a ProPublica analysis found. Amazon didn't request any waivers itself, but is listed as a likely beneficiary on $50 million worth of tariff reductions because it also imports the items.\nSome small manufacturers have objected to their competitors' waiver requests, saying they still make the products in the United States. Others, like the trade association for U.S. textile manufacturers, have argued that including finished products weakens the U.S. negotiating position by lowering trade barriers with other countries without concessions, such as requiring countries to open up their markets or raise their labor and environmental standards.\nFor Leviton, moving production overseas was perhaps an inevitable transition for a 112-year-old company whose timeline intertwines with America's industrial history. The company took off by manufacturing a lamp holder for Thomas Edison's light bulb and later made beaded chains for the dog tags soldiers wore in World War II.\nLeviton declined to make executives available for interviews or to answer specific questions. In a statement, it said, \"We are committed to doing all we can to keep jobs here in the U.S. and only operate elsewhere to remain competitive, protect our overall business and serve the best interest of our customers.\"\nWhen Leviton shut down its factory in Warwick, it left a hole — which turned into a literal one. A few years after the company left town, a developer demolished the iconic 19th century redbrick mill that housed Leviton's main building. The company had been there since 1939 and many workers could count several generations of relatives who had passed through.\n\"You had whole families working there,\" Kiefer said. His father worked as a mechanic for nearly 50 years until the warehouse closed in 2010. When his father was out with a back injury, his mother took his place, working \"mother hours\" so she could see the kids off to school and be home when they returned. Kiefer's sister worked there. So did his brother-in-law, an aunt and two uncles.\nBefore Trump turned tariffs into a cudgel, they served various purposes, first generating revenue for the federal government before the income-tax system and later protecting domestic industries from foreign competition. Generally, unless a country is part of a separate free-trade agreement like the North American Free Trade Agreement, importers must pay a tax on products and materials they bring into the United States.\nThe current fees were set through various international negotiations over the past few decades that left U.S. tariffs relatively low compared with those of other countries. In exchange, American companies are able to sell their products overseas, even if they have to pay a higher tariff to do so. As a side benefit, leaders often hope that war is less likely among countries that do business together.\nMany Americans blame low trade barriers for the loss of blue-collar jobs, but there is competing evidence. Light trucks, which have far higher tariffs than cars, are mostly made in North America. But high import taxes on sneakershave done little to prevent footwear companies from manufacturing in Asia.\nMiscellaneous tariff bills were designed decades ago to help American manufacturers compete against foreign companies by dropping fees on imported chemicals, minerals and other necessary components that weren't available domestically. But as global trade grew in the late 1990s and 2000s, the bills began to include finished consumer products that had no U.S. competitors.\nAbout 750 of the 1,662 products included in the current bill are identified as finished goods, a ProPublica analysis found. (The National Association of Manufacturers says that only about 400 are finished products but declined to explain its numbers.) As recently as 2004, similar tariff bills contained only a few dozen.\nPast bills granted waivers more informally. Companies and industry groups simply submitted requests to members of Congress, who reviewed them with government experts and inserted them into trade bills. But after House Republicans adopted a ban on earmarks in 2010, some lawmakers worried that the process could be seen as doling out special favors. As a result, a renewal of past tariff suspensions languished and no new ones were granted, costing businesses $750 million a year, according to the manufacturers' association.\nIn 2016, Congress created a more transparent system, requiring companies to file petitions with the International Trade Commission, an independent federal agency that provides expertise on trade to legislators and policymakers. The commission reviews the requests and makes recommendations to Congress, based in part on whether there is any relevant domestic manufacturing.\nMany companies fit the original legislative intent of easing taxes on foreign components that are critical to manufacturing final products in the U.S. Lasko Products of Pennsylvania, for example, is the last remaining U.S. manufacturer of electric pedestal and desktop fans, but it imports the fans' motors from China.\nAt a congressional hearing last fall, the company's chief operating officer, Ed McAssey, said Lasko employs 638 workers who assemble the fans at its factories in Tennessee and Texas, earning an average of $16 an hour. The company used to make the motors domestically but couldn't compete with cheaper foreign manufacturers. The tariff relief, McAssey said, \"enables us to compete with suppliers in China who do not incur the costs of livable wages, health insurance and retirement contributions that we provide our employees.\"\nThe bill's supporters often trot out such textbook examples of small to midsize U.S. manufacturers that waivers help to compete. But they rarely mention the multinational corporations like Mattel — or retailers, such as the Home Shopping Network — that are also seeking tariff breaks on products that require no American manufacturing.\nInside the 500-page bill are tariff reductions for hundreds of such items: baby strollers, hiking boots, pimiento-stuffed olives, boxing gloves, coffee makers, toasters, plastic spoons and forks, sparklers and party poppers, nicotine gum, pet toys, pajamas, reusable grocery bags, leather belts, sweaters, glass vases, basketballs, unicycles, yoga mats and vertical waffle makers.\n\"This is not what I ever thought the miscellaneous tariff bills were intended to do,\" said Jennifer Hillman, a Georgetown University professor who worked on past bills as a Democratic congressional aide and served on the trade commission. \"It's supposed to benefit domestic companies that are manufacturing in the United States.\"\nDan Ikenson of the libertarian Cato Institute, however, said that there's good reason to get rid of tariffs on finished products as well as component parts.\n\"You see an old textile mill in South Carolina with a rusty gate and a rusty chain around it and you see the blight in the town, you think this is the cost of trade liberalization,\" Ikenson said. But what's not seen, he said, are the jobs created by the extra money people have to spend because they pay less for imported clothes.\nIndeed, in supporting the waiver requests, companies made little attempt to justify them as creating American manufacturing jobs. For its request to eliminate import fees on microwaves, Whirlpool wrote, \"This product supports U.S. marketing and distribution jobs and complements U.S.-assembled cooking products.\" When the owner of Ann Taylor stores requested a tariff suspension for women's hats, the headwear company Dorfman Pacific submitted a public comment in support, noting that \"hats offer an extra layer of protection against skin cancer and premature aging.\"\nThe International Trade Commission did reject hundreds of requests from companies to include products in the bill after finding that doing so would harm U.S. manufacturers. And Congress culled the list further, removing items such as air conditioners, which would have been controversial after Trump made a big deal of stopping Carrier Corporation from moving a factory to Mexico.\nBut whether the companies' decisions to close their own factories helped them qualify for the waivers was not part of the review — or perhaps even known to lawmakers.\nProPublica analyzed the trade commission's database of approved requests against data from the Labor Department's Trade Adjustment Assistanceprogram, which provides financial help and job training to workers who lose their jobs due to increased foreign imports and outsourcing. In calculating job losses, ProPublica excluded companies seeking waivers for components and focused solely on finished products. Because the trade database identifies products while the labor data uses industries, it's not clear in every case if workers were making the exact same products or only similar products. But through additional reporting, several companies stood out.\nNautilus' factory in Tulsa got its start churning out StairMasters during the fitness craze of the 1980s. The company had bought StairMaster out of bankruptcy, and by 2007, it appeared stable. The local press reported that business was so good that Nautilus was adding an assembly line and even bringing back jobs from overseas.\nBut just over a year later, Nautilus announced it was closing the factory. According to Labor Department records, 178 workers were affected as the company shifted some production to China and Taiwan. At the time, many companies still made fitness equipment in the U.S. But the trade-assistance data shows a cascade of layoffs followed Nautilus' decision, as other companies like Core Industries and Icon Health & Fitness also closed their factories, affecting an additional 2,000 workers.\nRick Haselton, who helped design the TreadClimber, on which Nautilus is now seeking lower tariffs, said companies should face a penalty for moving manufacturing outside the U.S. \"It helps them do their job a little cheaper,\" he said. \"But all these jobs like I was in — that was what I depended on. That was my bread and butter, my livelihood.\"\nThe bill also seems to sacrifice high-tech manufacturing like electric vehicles. In 2010, Smith Electric Vehicles received a $30 million federal stimulus grant to build battery-powered trucks in Kansas City, Missouri. At the time, then-President Barack Obama toured the factory, telling workers they were \"building the economy of America's future.\" But Smith suspended production at the end of 2013 and, in 2015, formed a joint venture with Chinese investors called Nohm.\nThe company has asked Congress to eliminate the 25 percent tariff on electric commercial vehicles like the ones it makes in China. The trade commission approved the petition but balked at a full waiver, agreeing to only slightly reduce the duties. (No one at the company, which is now called Chanje, returned calls or emails seeking comment.)\nLawmakers asked almost no questions about the finished products included in the bill at a sparsely attended congressional hearing last fall. Representative Ron Kind, a Democrat from Wisconsin, summed up the mood in the room when he said, \"This is kind of a boring hearing because it's not that controversial.\"\nThe bill passed the full House 402-0. It was widely expected to be attached to the omnibus spending bill that passed Congress in March, but was left out as the Trump administration expressed concern about the number of imports from China.\nRepublican and Democratic congressional aides said the bill is still moving forward, as senators work through some of the line items.\nBrown, for example, said in an interview that he managed to remove electric vehicles from the Senate version of the bill, but the amendments have not yet been made public.\nWhen Tom Kiefer walked into the Leviton factory shortly after graduating high school in 1984, the plant hummed with 1,800 workers, many of them with little advanced education, assembling electrical outlets, light switches and lamp holders largely by hand.\nHe joined an apprenticeship program training new hires as toolmakers to help design the machines that would eventually automate most of the lines. At the time, the business manager of the union local had a slogan: \"Automation is our salvation.\"\nBut in the late 1980s, a few years before NAFTA was signed, Leviton opened a factory in Tijuana, Mexico.\n\"That's when they started sending stuff to Mexico,\" said Kiefer, 51, as he sat near the carousel in the Warwick Mall food court with his father, Tom Kiefer Sr., and another former toolmaker, Nick Izzi, at the end of March.\n\"When we were building the automated machines, they were sending them out one at a time,\" said Izzi, 55, \"making us think that they were just sending them to the other plants.\"\nGround-fault circuit interrupters, or GFCI outlets, on which Leviton requested the tariff waivers, were particularly labor-intensive. They're the kind of electrical outlets found in bathrooms and kitchens that are designed to shut off if the current comes into contact with water. The outlets were made in Warwick for a while but eventually made their way to Leviton's factory in Dongguan, China.\nKiefer Jr. and his wife were having an inspection on their new house the day that the bosses announced they were closing the plant in 2005.\nAfter three months out of work, he took another machinist job for $5 an hour less than the $21 an hour he made at Leviton. Still, he felt lucky. Other workers ended up at Walmart or as janitors at the local hospital.\n\"Before the end,\" Izzi said, \"we even had the Mexicans come and watch us build them so that they could build them themselves.\"\n\"They came in and they were actually complaining that Leviton was moving all the production they were making over to China,\" Kiefer Jr. said. \"We were like, 'Well, now you know how we feel.'\"\nAfter the Warwick factory closed, Leviton closed two plants in western North Carolina in 2008 and 2009 and a factory in El Paso in 2013. The company said in a statement that it still has thousands of employees in the U.S., but declined to say how many work in manufacturing.\n\"Most people, even though they hated it when they worked there, there was no place like that,\" Kiefer Jr. said.\n\"I think half of Rhode Island worked there at one time or another,\" said Kiefer Sr., 78, cradling a plastic-foam cup of coffee.\nSure enough, as they talked amid the mall's afternoon crowds, a few former Leviton workers or their relatives happened by.\nOne was Rui Carrinho, the longtime union leader at the plant. Talk turned to Leviton's request to get rid of the tariffs.\n\"That's the government giving them an incentive to move the jobs abroad,\" Carrinho said.\nBut even if Leviton doesn't get the waivers on the outlets now, because of a technology trade agreement signed in 2015, the tariffs on them are due to phase out within the next five years.\n\"To me, it's just frustrating because the state, they're looking for all these high-tech jobs — a lot of people can't do those kind of jobs,\" Kiefer Jr. said. \"They want manufacturing that people who can work with their hands can do. But there's not a lot of a jobs like that anymore.\"\nGovernment taxation and revenue\nSanctions and embargoes\nMetals and minerals industry","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1296852"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5479415059089661,"wiki_prob":0.45205849409103394,"text":"FYI Philly\nFYI Philly: Point-to-Point and the NFL Draft arrive\nThis week on FYI Philly, we're drafting some favorites and some deals for you to enjoy during NFL draft week. The Brandywine Valley's signature event of the spring is just a couple weeks away, we'll preview Point-to-Point and give you a chance to win tickets. Plus, two legendary Philadelphia chefs have new offerings, some style tips for this spring and wrap up with local tea and honey that will help you relax.\nFYI Philly airs Saturdays at 7 p.m. with encore shows Sundays at midnight. Here are the details on this week's features:\nIt's the 39th annual Point-to-Point at Winterthur, an all-day festivity the whole family can enjoy.\nGet to the Point-to-Point\nIt's the 39th annual Point-to-Point race on the grounds of historic Winterthur in Delaware. Karen Rogers has a preview of an event that serves as a rite of spring in the area.\nPoint-to-Point at Winterthur\nWinterthur, DE 19735\nEnter to win VIP experience sweepstakes\nWinterthur website\nhttps://www.facebook.com/WinterthurPTP/\nThe NFL draft is coming to Philadelphia for the first time since 1961. Ducis Rodgers has a closer look at what you can expect.\nReady for some football!\nPhiladelphia welcomes the NFL Draft for the first time since 1961. It's another huge event for the city. Ducis Rodgers has a closer look at what you can expect and some of the best places to enjoy the experience!\nNFL Draft in Philadelphia (April 26-29)\nThere are several free events along the Parkway. Check them out here: Fan opportunities\n6abc's NFL draft coverage\nhttp://www.discoverphl.com/nfl-draft-philadelphia\nhttp://www.nfl.com/\nBarclay Prime\n237 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103\nhttp://www.barclayprime.com/\nhttps://www.facebook.com/BarclayPrime/\nOcean Prime\nhttps://www.ocean-prime.com/locations-menus/philadelphia\nhttps://www.facebook.com/Ocean-Prime-Philadelphia-180391798807526//\nCity Tap House Logan Square\n2 Logan Square, Philadelphia, PA 19103\nhttp://www.logan.citytap.com/\nhttps://www.facebook.com/citytaplogan/\nIn your wardrobe and your home decor, big, bright and bold is the way to go.\nSpring has arrived, and this year the style experts at Philadelphia Magazine say citrus packs a real punch and bright primary colors are definitely on trend when it comes to both fashion and home décor.\nP.610.520.0222\nwww.shop-skirt.com\nhttps://www.facebook.com/ShopSkirt/\nhttps://www.instagram.com/shopskirt/\nMona Ross Berman Interiors\n116 Shurs Lane | Suite 2B\nwww.monarossberman.com\nInstgram: @monarossberman/\nLegendary chefs offering something new in Philadelphia. Alicia Vitarelli gets the scoop from Marc Vetri and Georges Perrier.\nMaster chefs\nVetri Ristorante (lunch served every Friday)\n1312 Spruce Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107\n215.732.3478 or\nhttp://vetriristorante.com/\nhttps://www.facebook.com/vetriristorante/\nBaril (dinners with Chef Perrier first Friday of the month)\nhttp://www.barilphilly.com/\nhttps://www.facebook.com/BarilPhilly/\nTamala Edwards found two Made in Philly gems specializing in tea and honey.\nMade In Philly: Tea & Honey\nUrbane Tea and Company is offering up a different cup of tea. The local tea company specializing in handcrafted teas made from the finest ingredients. Customize your own blend with their unique selection of teas, herbs and spices. Book a tea tasting party or order all your brew basics from their online shop! Pair with some honey from Zach and Zoe's Sweet Bee Farm, a family owned business that started with Zach developed allergies.\nUrbane Tea & Company\nhttps://www.urbanetea.com/\nhttps://www.facebook.com/urbanetea\nTwitter: @theUrbaneTeaCo\nInstagram: @urbaneteaco\nGood Roots Café Location\n1051 US-202, Ringoes, NJ 08551\nStockton Market Location\nStockton, NJ 08559\nZach & Zoe Honey\nStockton Market Location:\nhttps://zachandzoe.co/\nhttps://www.facebook.com/zachandzoehoney/\nhttps://www.instagram.com/zachandzoehoney/\nWe found a donut shop that is growing fast. But it's a family business that has been around for more than 3 decades.\nMmm, doughnuts\nIt's a family business that dates back more than three decades, but over the last five years Beiler's Bakery has taken a whole new approach. Time to make the doughnuts with Karen Rogers!\nBeiler's Doughnuts\n3900 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA\nwww.beilersdonuts.com\nhttps://www.facebook.com/beilersdonuts/\nAt the Winterthur Museum there's a new exhibition exploring fakes and forgeries. It's called Treasures an Trial and it's a fascinating collection of stories.\nA new exhibition at Winterthur Museum is making every day April Fool's Day. Some of the biggest fakes and forgeries are on display and you can be the judge. Melissa Magee has the story.\nWinterthur Museum, Garden & Library\nTreasures on Trial: The Art and Science of Detecting Fakes\nOpen to the public April 1- Jan. 7, 2018\nhttp://www.winterthur.org/\nhttps://www.facebook.com/winterthurmuse\nYou're invited to The marriage of Figaro\nOpera Philadelphia is staging one of the most beloved operas of all time: A story that tackles the age-old battle between rich and poor. Karen Rogers has more in this week's 6abc Loves the Arts segment.\nOpera Philadelphia: The Marriage of Figaro (April-May)\nThe Academy of Music\n240 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102\nhttps://www.operaphila.org/\nhttps://www.facebook.com/OperaPhila\nIn this week's Shelter Me, we meet a local rescue group saving dogs here in the Delaware Valley.\nIn this week's Shelter Me, we meet a local rescue group saving dogs here in the Delaware Valley. But their reach goes far beyond that. Matt O'Donnell has the story of a group whose name matches their mission.\nRescue Dogs Rock\nhttps://www.facebook.com/RescueDogsRock/\nhttp://www.rdranimalrescue.org/\nBonus: Go behind the scenes of our Shelter Me shoot with Matt O'Donnell and Kelly the puppy on our Facebook page.\nfood & drink2017 nfl draft in philadelphiafyi phillywinterthur\nFYI Philly: New Philadelphia restaurants, wellness spots and outdoor workouts\nCheck out the custom handcrafted woodwork from Hurricane Woodwork\nGrit Fitness is an all-new traveling gym on wheels\nThe Chandlery is South Street's new spot for candles, flower-lovers","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1494773"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5922680497169495,"wiki_prob":0.40773195028305054,"text":"No relief in sight from debt burden\nMuhammad Jehangir\nContrary to earlier projections, Pakistan’s debt burden is set to rise further in the years ahead. According to the staff level report of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Pakistan’s external debt will peak to $130 billion within four years – a net addition of $34.6 billion or 36.3pc under the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government.\nThe total external debt burden was $95.4-billion when the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government completed its term. The IMF has now projected that the external debt may rise to $130 billion by the end of fiscal year 2022-23. This means that there will be a minimum net addition of $34.6 billion to the external debt despite repayment of $48 billion in five years during the tenure of the PTI government. In other words, the PTI government will borrow a staggering $83 billion in five years to service the old debt, finance the current account deficit and build foreign exchange reserves. It may be recalled that PM Imran Khan has severely criticised the growth in the public debt during the PML-N and PPP tenures and has now set up a commission to investigate the borrowings. But now he has resorted to the same practice.\nAn analysis of available figures shows that Pakistan would pay back $37.4 billion during the IMF’s 39-month programme period (July 2019 to September 2022). According to a statement issued by the Federal Revenue Minister two weeks ago, the PTI government has already returned $9.5 billion worth of external debt in the last fiscal year 2018-19. It needs to be pointed out that IMF debt projections are based on the assumption that Pakistan will fully implement structural reforms under its programme. But in case Pakistan could not fully implement the reforms, the external debt as a percentage of the national GDP could hit 60% — double the ratio left behind by the PML-N government.\nAs per the latest calculations, the external debt, which was $95.4 billion or 30.3% of GDP in fiscal year 2017-18, touched $104.2 billion or 36.7% of GDP last fiscal year. The $104.2-billion external debt was equal to 345% of Pakistan’s total export receipts. The projection for the current fiscal year is that the external debt will peak at $112.5 billion, which would be equal to 43.4% of GDP. In terms of export receipts, the external debt is projected at 346%. In this fiscal year, the PTI government will also return $14.9 billion in public external debt, which means it would borrow $23 billion during the year. In the next fiscal year 2020-21, the external public debt is projected to grow to $119 billion, which will be equal to 43.5% of GDP and 334% of the country’s total export receipts. In the fiscal year, Pakistan will also return $13.5 billion of public external debt. This will increase the annual external borrowings to $20 billion.\nIn a recent statement, the IMF said that under its 39-month programme, “external debt is projected to steadily decline after peaking in fiscal year 2020-21, returning to a more sustainable path”. For fiscal year 2021-22, the IMF has projected the external debt at $124.6 billion, which will be equal to 42.2% of GDP and 325% of exports. The external public debt repayment in this year has been estimated at $7.6 billion, which brings the borrowing requirement down to $13.2 billion. The downturn in external debt will result from a combination of positive factors, including a narrower current account deficit, non-debt creating capital inflows and a recovery in economic growth.\nAn underlying assumption is that Pakistan would shift its short-term borrowings to long-term debt instruments by 2021-22. This may or may not come about, depending on the circumstances as they unfold. At the same time, there are some downside risks to the projected debt path which cannot be ignored. The external debt-to-GDP ratio would be adversely affected by current account and exchange rate shocks in which case the external debt ratio would reach around 60%. Clearly, Pakistan is faced with serious debt management issues which need careful handling in a treacherous international financial situation.\nThe Finance Ministry has a Debt Management Department which must get its act together to tackle the looming debt storm. Pakistan has borrowed recklessly for decades, a policy which has brought it close to bankruptcy. This must change and a more prudently devised pick-and-choose policy should be adopted. In the future, more reliance should be placed on attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). For the purpose, more investor-friendly policies should be framed with an attractive package of incentives for foreign businesspeople. Equally important is the need to push exports to build foreign exchange reserves which is the only way to get out of the external debt trap. In cases where borrowing is inevitable, care should be taken to ensure that the terms are soft and the payback period is of longer duration.\nNational Action Plan’s enforcement\nThe rising threat of inflation\nPakistan a laggard in education field\nJournalism in Pakistan","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line5408"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5453424453735352,"wiki_prob":0.45465755462646484,"text":"Baby Suffers Severe Brain Injury After Assault by Lubbock Man\nMalcom Dixon-White ( Lubbock County Detention Center)\nA Lubbock man has been indicted for injuring an infant to the point of near-death.\nKAMC News reports the incident occurred on September 11th, 2020, when a 14-month-old girl was brought to the emergency room at University Medical Center.\nThe girl’s mother told nurses and later police that she had been injured after falling off a couch. A doctor would later tell police that the story was unlikely, as the girl had suffered a severe head injury, brain swelling, and was fighting for her life.\nPolice then questioned 25-year-old Malcom Dixon-White (pictured above), the man who may have been in a relationship with the girl’s mother. Dixon-White allegedly admitted to police that he hit the infant multiple times with a pillow and shoes before throwing her onto the couch and dropping her on the floor.\nDixon-White was arrested four days after the incident on Sept. 15th and charged with aggravated assault. KAMC News also reports that he faces a felony charge of soliciting prostitution from someone under the age of 18, but that charge is unrelated to this case.\nDixon-White has now been indicted in federal court for the charge of aggravated assault and was last reported to be held in the Lubbock County Detention Center on a combined $310,000 bond.\nPolice did not say whether the infant’s mother knew about the assault or if she was lied to about the incident by Dixon-White. After the assault, the infant girl had to undergo surgery at the hospital and it’s being reported that she may be hindered by her injuries for the rest of her life.\nFiled Under: aggravated assault, Crime, infant, Lubbock Police Department, Malcom Dixon-White, Prostitution","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1881204"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7150058150291443,"wiki_prob":0.2849941849708557,"text":"Home / Program Offices / Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization / About OSDBU / Small Business Types and Programs\nSmall Business Types and Programs\nSmall Business Set Aside Program\nSmall Disadvantaged Business Certification Program\n8(a) Business Development Program\nSBA's Mentor-Protégé Program\nHUBZone Empowerment Contracting Program\nWomen-Owned Small Business\nSmall Business Subcontracting Program\nA business that is independently owned and operated and which is not dominant in its field of operation and in conformity with specific industry criteria defined by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Depending on the industry, size standard eligibility is based on the average number of employees for the preceding twelve months or on sales volume averaged over a three-year period. As of October 2008, small businesses may self-represent their status as small disadvantaged businesses (SDB’s) on the System for Award Management (SAM). Small businesses are not required to submit an application to the SBA for SDB status.\nThe Federal Government is required to reserve a fair proportion of its total purchases and contracts for property and services for small business concerns. The Government does this by reserving or \"setting aside,\" entire procurements or parts of procurements for small businesses. This does not guarantee that any particular small business will receive a contract. It means that only small businesses may compete for the contract (\"total small business set-aside\") or the reserved portion (\"partial small business set-aside\").\nThe Government is also required to buy goods and services at competitive, fair market prices. Therefore, contracts are set aside only when at least two qualified small businesses are expected to submit offers that are competitive in terms of market prices, quality and delivery. In this context, \"market price\" means a price based on reasonable costs under normal competitive conditions, and not lowest possible cost.\nSmall Disadvantaged Business (SDB) Certification Program\nThe Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) Certification Program is one of two SBA programs targeted towards providing business assistance to small disadvantaged businesses. SDB certification pertains specifically to federal procurement. SDB firms are eligible for special bidding benefits. Also, SDBs increase their subcontracting opportunities with prime contractors who accumulate evaluation credits by subcontracting to qualified SDBs. As of October 2008, small businesses may self-represent their status as small disadvantaged businesses (SDB's) on the System for Award Management (SAM). Small businesses are not required to submit an application to the SBA for SDB status.\nAn SDB is a small business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by a socially and economically disadvantaged individual or individuals.\nSocially disadvantaged individuals are those who have been subject to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias within American society because of their identification as members of certain groups. African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Pacific Americans, Subcontinent Asian Americans, and Native Americans are presumed to quality. Other individuals can qualify if they show by a \"preponderance of the evidence\" that they are disadvantaged. All individuals must have a net worth of less than $750,000, excluding the equity of the business and primary residence. Successful applicants must also meet applicable size standards for small businesses in their industry.\nEconomically disadvantaged individuals are socially disadvantaged individuals whose ability to compete in the free enterprise system has been impaired due to diminished capital and credit opportunities as compared to others in the same or similar line of business who are not socially disadvantaged. Economically disadvantaged must be established for all applicants. The SBA determines eligibility on a case-by-case basis.\nMore information on the Small Disadvantaged Businesses Certification Program.\nSBA's 8(a) Business Development Program offers a broad scope of assistance to socially and economically disadvantaged firms; it was created to help eligible small disadvantaged businesses become independently competitive in the federal procurement market. A firm must be 51% owned and controlled by a socially and economically disadvantaged individual or individuals to be eligible for the 8(a) Program; 8(a) firms automatically qualify for SDB certification. Unlike the SDB Program, 8(a) applicants must generally be in business for at least two years before applying. The SBA must certify small businesses that want to claim 8(a) status.\nProgram participation is divided into two stages: the developmental stage and the transitional stage. The developmental stage is four years and the transitional stage is five years. The developmental stage is designed to help 8(a) certified firms overcome their economic disadvantage by providing business development assistance. The transitional stage is designed to help participants overcome the remaining elements of economic disadvantage and to prepare participants for leaving the 8(a) Program.\nThe requirements to enroll in the SBA's 8(a) Program are similar to those for SDBs with the exception that an applicant's personal net worth must be less than $250,000 (excluding the applicant's ownership interest of the business and primary residence) for initial eligibility. For continued 8(a) eligibility after admission to the program, net worth must be less than $750,000. The SBA will also consider the individual's average two-year income, fair market value of all assets, access to credit and capital, and the financial condition of the applicant firm in evaluating economic disadvantage.\nFirms participating in the 8(a) Program may take advantage of specialized business training, counseling, marketing assistance, and high-level executive development provided by the SBA and its resource partners. They may also be eligible for SBA-guaranteed loans and bonding assistance. In addition, 8(a) Program participants are eligible to participate in the SBA's Mentor-Protégé Program.\nMore information on the 8(a) Business Development Program\nThe Mentor-Protégé Program is designed to enhance the capabilities of eligible 8(a) firms and to improve their ability to successfully compete for and receive federal government contracts. Mentors provide technical and management assistance, financial aid in the form of equity investments and/or loans, subcontracting support and assistance in performing prime contracts through joint venture arrangements with 8(a) firms for which 8(a) firms would otherwise not qualify.\nMentor and protégé firms must enter into an SBA-approved written agreement outlining the protégé's needs and describing the assistance the mentor has committed to providing. The Agreement must also specify that the Mentor will provide such assistance to the Protégé firm for at least one year.\nMore information on the SBA's Mentor-Protégé Program\nThe Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Program provides federal contracting opportunities for small business concerns located in economically distressed communities in order to increase employment opportunities, stimulate capital investments in those areas, and empower communities through economic leveraging. HUBZone areas are determined by various census data. To qualify as a HUBZone, a business must meet the following criteria:\nIt must be a small business by SBA size standards;\nIts principal office must be located within a HUBZone, which includes lands on federally recognized Indian reservations;\nIt must be owned and controlled by one or more U.S. citizens. Approved ownership can also be by a Community Development Corporation or Indian tribe; and\nAt least 35% of its employees must reside in a HUBZone.\nThe SBA must certify small businesses that want to claim HUBZone status. HUBZone businesses are eligible to receive sole-source or set-aside contracts, or receive a price preference up to 10% when competing for full and open competition procurements.\nMore information on the HUBZone Empowerment Contracting\nService-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)\nA service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern is a small business that is at least 51% owned by one or more service-disabled veterans. In the case of publicly owned businesses, at least 51% of the stock is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans and the management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans or in the case of a veteran with permanent and severe disability, the spouse or permanent caregiver of such veteran.\nService-disabled veteran means a veteran with a disability that is service-connected; the disability was incurred in the line of duty while serving in the U.S. active military, naval or air service.\nSDVOSBs are eligible for sole source contracts and restricted competitions. All contracts valued at $100,000 or more include a clause, which requires the prime contractor to provide the maximum practicable opportunity to SDVOSBs to compete for subcontracts.\nMore information on Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small\nVeteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB)\nA veteran-owned small business concern is a small business that is at least 51% owned by one or more veterans. In the case of publicly owned businesses, at least 51% of the stock is owned by one or more veterans and the management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more veterans. VOSBs are not eligible for sole source contracts and procurement set-asides however the FAR requires federal agencies to actively encourage their prime contractors to use VOSBs as subcontractors. All contracts valued at $100,000 or more include a clause, which requires the prime contractor to provide the maximum practicable opportunity to VOSBs to compete for subcontracts.\nWomen-Owned Small Business (WOSB)\nA women-owned small business concern is a small business that is at least 51% owned by one or more women. In the case of publicly owned businesses, at least 51% of the stock is owned by one or more women and the management and daily operations of the business are controlled by one or more women.\nMore information on Women-Owned Small Businesses\nThe successful offeror or bidder on contracts valued at $500,000 or more ($1 million for construction) must submit an acceptable subcontracting plan that sets percentage (based on the contract's total value) and dollar goals for the award of subcontracts to small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, HUBZone, small disadvantaged business and women-owned small business concerns. (Note: Small business concerns receiving prime contracts are exempt from this requirement.)\nOSDBU staff and contracting officers review all subcontracting plans by prime contractors to ensure compliance with subcontracting requirements. The subcontracting plan must be submitted and accepted before the contract may be awarded. Also, according to the FAR, any contractor receiving a contract for more than $100,000 (simplified acquisition threshold) must agree in the contract that small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, HUBZone, small disadvantaged business and women-owned small business concerns will have the maximum practicable opportunity to participate in contract performance consistent with its efficient performance.\nAbout Large Businesses","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1975754"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.970460832118988,"wiki_prob":0.970460832118988,"text":"Trump says ‘there will be an orderly transition’ as Congress certifies Biden’s electoral win\nby: Alexa Mencia, Sydney Kalich, Michael Geheren, and Haley Townsend\nWASHINGTON (NewsNation Now) — Congress formally confirmed Joe Biden’s presidential election victory after an overnight joint session was delayed by violent protests. Shortly after the certification, President Trump issued a statement promising an “orderly transition on January 20th.”\nLaw enforcement officers secured the U.S. Capitol building after pro-Trump supporters breached the perimeter and entered the building as Congress met Wednesday afternoon. Lawmakers reconvened late Wednesday evening, intending to vote and affirm Joe Biden’s presidential win.\nThe Senate recessed its debate over an objection to the results of the Electoral College after protesters forced police to lock down the building. The scene was declared a riot by police, and a curfew for DC is in effect. One woman was shot inside the Capitol and taken to the hospital; she has died from her injuries. Officials said late Wednesday she was killed when an officer discharged their service weapon. Lawmakers reconvened Wednesday evening shortly after 8 p.m. EST.\nWashington, D.C., Police Chief Robert Contee said three other people died in “medical emergencies.”\nCongress first began the joint session at 1 p.m. ET to count and confirm the Electoral College vote won by Biden, while thousands of supporters of President Donald Trump rallied near the White House before some demonstrators became violent and breached the Capitol building.\nTrump’s Republican allies in the House and Senate had planned to object to the election results, which the president continues to challenge. The effort will likely fail and be defeated by bipartisan majorities in Congress who are prepared to accept the election results.\nDespite Trump’s repeated claims of voter fraud, election officials and his own former attorney general have said there were no problems on a scale that would change the outcome. All the states have certified their results as fair and accurate, by Republican and Democratic officials alike.\nBelow is a timeline of updates from the NewsNation team. All times local.\n5:55 a.m. – The citywide curfew in D.C. is set to expire. Mayor Muriel Bower issued the curfew Wednesday afternoon and it began at 6 p.m. EST. However, the city will be under a public emergency order until at least Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021.\n3:55 a.m. – After Congress certified Biden’s win, Trump issued a statement promising an “orderly transition on January 20th.”\nTrump says in a statement tweeted by his Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino, “Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition on January 20th.”\nHe adds: “I have always said we would continue our fight to ensure that only legal votes were counted. While this represents the end of the greatest first term in presidential history, it’s only the beginning of our fight to Make America Great Again.”\nThere was no widespread fraud in the election, as has been confirmed by a range of election officials and by William Barr, who stepped down as attorney general last month.\nTrump’s account is currently locked by Twitter.\n3:41 a.m. – Congress confirmed Joe Biden’s Electoral College win after an overnight joint session was delayed by violent protesters. Biden defeated Trump by 306-232 electoral votes and will be inaugurated Jan. 20.\n3:30 a.m. – Joe Biden reaches 270 confirmed Electoral College votes.\n3:11 a.m. – The House joined the Senate and voted to reject the objections to Pennsylvania’s electoral votes. Lawmakers in the House voted 282-138 against the objection.\nSpeaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said the Senate and House will now resume a joint session to continue considering 2020 election results.\n2:20 a.m. – A small group of House lawmakers came close to physically fighting as the congressional count of electoral votes stretched into the wee hours and a Pennsylvania Democrat charged that Republicans had been telling “lies” about his state’s votes.\nRep. Morgan Griffiths, R-Va., objected after Rep. Conor Lamb, D-Pa., said a breach of the Capitol by an angry mob earlier in the day was “inspired by lies, the same lies you are hearing in this room tonight.”\nHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi shot down the objection, but a few minutes later Republicans and Democrats streamed to the middle aisle, with around a dozen lawmakers getting close to each other and arguing. But the group quickly broke up when Pelosi called for order on the floor.\n12:45 a.m. – The Senate voted 92-7 to reject the objections to Pennsylvania’s electoral votes. The House is still in discussion and has at least 90 more minutes to continue. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he didn’t expect anymore votes to challenge the election results after the House votes. Those objecting to Pennsylvania’s votes include 80 House Republicans and Missouri GOP Sen. Josh Hawley.\nA person holds the certificate of votes from the commonwealth of Pennsylvania during a joint session of Congress after the session resumed following protests at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, early on January 7, 2021. (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)\n12:16 a.m. – At least one Senator and Representative objected to Pennsylvania’s electoral votes. Both chambers of Congress will now deliberate for two hours.\nSan Diego man says woman killed in Capitol siege was his wife\n11:17 p.m. – The U.S. House of Representatives joined the Senate in rejecting a move by allies of President Donald Trump to overturn Democrat Joe Biden’s victory in Arizona, a vote delayed by rioters earlier pushing their way into the U.S. Capitol. The House of Representatives voted 303-121 against the measure. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said the Senate and House will now resume a joint session to continue considering 2020 election results.\n11:10 p.m. – At least four people died in and around the Capitol Complex, according to acting chief of Metro Police Robert Contee in a Wednesday night press conference. One of those deaths was a woman who was killed after a Capitol Police Officer discharged their service weapon. Authorities didn’t identify the person, but she was identified by her husband as the person who was shot and killed Wednesday afternoon.\nThe three others died because of medical emergencies. At least 52 people were arrested, authorities said.\n14 D.C. officers sustained injuries, authorities said. One officer suffered serious injuries and is currently hospitalized. One officer received significant facial injuries after being struck by a projectile. Two pipe bombs were found, authorities said, at the Democratic National Committee Headquarters and Republican National Committee Headquarters.\n10:15 p.m. – The Senate has voted to allow Arizona’s electoral votes after a challenge to the vote. The House is still in 2 hours of debate, which will continue between 11:30 p.m. and midnight, according to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. After that, the joint session of Congress will continue alphabetically counting the votes. It’s unclear if there will be more objections in other states.\n‘It’s an armed insurrection’: Sen. Blumenthal describes what transpired inside Capitol\n9:15 p.m. – House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says Congress’ certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s election win will show the world it won’t back down.\nPelosi made her comments as the House reconvened after being shut down for hours Wednesday by unruly pro-Trump protesters. She said that every four years the ritual provides an example to the world of American democracy.\nPelosi says, “Despite the shameful actions of today, we will still do so, we will be part of a history that shows the world what America is made of.”\nPelosi, a Roman Catholic, noted that Wednesday is the feast of the Epiphany and prayed that the violence would be “an epiphany to heal” for the country.\nDid DC protesters break the law? Ashleigh Banfield provides legal analysis of US Capitol situation\n8:55 p.m. – Multiple Republican senators have reversed course and now say they won’t object to congressional certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s victory.\nTheir change of heart came after a violent mob stormed the U.S. Capitol earlier Wednesday and interrupted their proceedings. One person was fatally shot.\nSens. Steve Daines of Montana, Mike Braun of Indiana and Kelly Loeffler of Georgia all said in light of the violence they would stand down from planned objections to Biden’s win.\nLawmakers gathered to certify the Electoral College votes from each state were forced to evacuate after an angry mob of Trump supporters descended on the Capitol. Loeffler said that the “violence, the lawlessness, and siege of the halls of Congress” were a “direct attack” on the “sanctity of the American democratic process.”\nAll three had previously signed on to Trump’s unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud to explain his defeat. Loeffler has just days left in her term. She lost her Senate race to Democrat Raphael Warnock earlier Wednesday.\nWATCH: Photos, videos of protesters occupying US Capitol\n8:42 p.m. – Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler of Georgia, who lost re-election to Democratic challenger Rev. Raphael Warnock in Tuesday’s special election runoff, said she is rescinding her objection to the certification of electors.\n8:37 p.m. – Scores of Republican representatives and 13 GOP senators had planned to object Wednesday to the electoral votes of perhaps six states that backed Biden. It was unclear whether those objections would continue in light of the day’s violent events.\n8:12 p.m. – Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer spoke third after lawmakers reconvened, saying that Jan. 6 is a day that “will live forever in infamy.”\n8:05 p.m. – Congress reconvened Wednesday night after the Capitol building was cleared and secured; Vice President Mike Pence made opening remarks, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell spoke next.\nPence condemned the violence “in the strongest possible way,” and thanked the U.S. Capitol Police, federal, state, and local law enforcement for their swift efforts.\nMcConnell addressed the American people, noting the U.S. Senate “will not be intimidated,” or “kept out of this chamber by thugs, mobs or threats.”\n7:52 p.m. – Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is expected to speak on the Senate floor at 8 p.m.\n7:44 p.m. – Stephanie Grisham, first lady’s chief of staff and former White House press secretary, resigned Wednesday amid violent protests at the U.S. Capitol.\n7:15 p.m. – Vice President Mike Pence has returned to the Senate, his press secretary tweeted:\n“Vice President @Mike_Pence has returned to the Senate. He never left the Capitol.\n@VP was in regular contact w/ House & Senate leadership, Cap Police, DOJ, & DoD to facilitate efforts to secure the Capitol & reconvene Congress.\nAnd now we will finish the People’s business.”\n6:32 p.m. – Acting Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen issued a statement condemning the violence at the Capitol:\n“The violence at our Nation’s Capitol Building is an intolerable attack on a fundamental institution of our democracy. From the outset, the Department of Justice has been working in close coordination with the Capitol Police and federal partners from the Interior Department, the Department of Homeland Security, and the National Guard, as well as the Metropolitan Police and other local authorities. Earlier this afternoon, the Department of Justice sent hundreds of federal law enforcement officers and agents from the FBI, ATF, and the U.S. Marshals Service to assist the Capitol Police in addressing this unacceptable situation, and we intend to enforce the laws of our land.”\nActing Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen\n6:30 p.m. – House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the joint session of Congress will proceed tonight at the Capitol once it is cleared for use.\nPelosi said she made the decision Wednesday in consultation with the Pentagon, the Justice Department and the vice president, who will preside.\nShe noted the day would always be “part of history,” but now it would be “as such a shameful picture of our country was put out into the world.”\nTrump had encouraged his supporters to come to Washington to fight Congress’ formal approval of President-elect Joe Biden’s win.\nTrump supporters breached the Capitol building and clashed with law enforcement before disrupting Congress’ tallying of the Electoral College votes. Trump has repeatedly told his supporters that the November election was stolen from him, even though that is not true.\n5:16 p.m. – US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo statement on Capitol violence:\n“The storming of the U.S. Capitol today is unacceptable. Lawlessness and rioting — here or around the world — is always unacceptable. I have traveled to many countries and always support the right of every human being to protest peacefully for their beliefs and their causes. But violence, putting at risk the safety of others including those tasked with providing security for all of us, is intolerable both at home and abroad. Let us swiftly bring justice to the criminals who engaged in this rioting. America is better than what we saw today at a place where I served as a member of Congress and saw firsthand democracy at its best.”\nUS Secretary of State Mike Pompeo\n6:01 p.m. – Officials tell NewsNation the woman shot inside the U.S. Capitol building has died.\nThe Metropolitan Police Department said it was taking the lead on the shooting investigation. Police did not immediately provide details about the circumstances of the shooting.\nDozens of supporters of President Donald Trump breached the security perimeter and entered the Capitol as Congress was meeting, expected to vote and affirm Joe Biden’s presidential win. They were seen fighting with officers both inside the building and outside.\nHours later, police had declared the Capitol was secured.\n6 p.m. – Curfew goes into effect in DC.\n5:36 p.m. – Officials say the U.S. Capitol building is now secure.\n5:26 p.m. – The Washington, D.C., police chief says at least five weapons have been recovered and at least 13 people have been arrested so far in pro-Trump protests.\nThe mostly maskless crowd stormed the Capitol earlier Wednesday as lawmakers were meeting to certify President-elect Joe Biden’s win. One person was shot; their condition is unknown.\nPolice Chief Robert Contee called the attack a riot.\nAs darkness began to set in, law enforcement officials were working their way toward the protesters, using percussion grenades to try to clear the area around the Capitol. Big clouds of tear gas were visible.\nPolice were in full riot gear. They moved down the West steps, clashing with demonstrators.\nMayor Muriel Bowser earlier declared a 6 p.m. curfew.\n5:25 p.m. – NewsNation has obtained several videos from inside and around the U.S. Capitol, showing the chaotic scene inside and outside the building. Watch in the player below:\n5:19 p.m. – Sen. Jeff Merkley said that the Electoral College ballots were rescued from the Senate floor.\n“If our capable floor staff hadn’t grabbed them, they would have been burned by the mob,” the Democratic Senator from Oregon said on Twitter.\n5:05 p.m. – Pro-Trump demonstrators have massed outside statehouses across the country, forcing evacuations in at least two states. In St. Paul, Minnesota, cheers rang out from demonstrators in reaction to the news that supporters of President Donald Trump had stormed the U.S. Capitol.\nHundreds of mostly unmasked people gathered outside capitols on Wednesday with Trump flags and “Stop the Steal” signs. In Georgia and Oklahoma, some demonstrators carried guns.\nNew Mexico state police evacuated staff from a statehouse building that includes the governor’s and secretary of state’s offices as a precaution shortly after hundreds of flag-waving supporters arrived in a vehicle caravan and on horseback. A spokesperson for the governor´s office says there was no indication of threats at the statehouse.\nThe staff of Utah Gov. Spencer Cox was sent home as several hundred pro-Trump demonstrators rallied outside the Capitol, though the demonstration remained relatively calm. A brief scuffle between pro-Trump demonstrators, who included members of the Proud Boys, and counterprotesters broke out in Columbus, Ohio, but there was no immediate threat to the Capitol.\n5 p.m. – The DC police chief says protesters deployed ‘chemical irritants on police’ to gain access to the US Capitol.\nPolice Chief Robert Contee says officials have declared the scene a riot. One civilian was shot inside the Capitol on Wednesday. Thirteen arrests were made of people from out of the area.\nMayor Muriel Bowser says the behavior of the Trump supporters was “shameful, unpatriotic and above all is unlawful.” She says, “There will be law and order and this behavior will not be tolerated.”\nMetropolitan police have been sent to the Capitol, and authorities were coming in from Maryland, Virginia and New Jersey to help out. The National Guard was also deployed, as were Homeland Security investigators and Secret Service.\nTrump had encouraged his supporters to come to Washington to fight Congress’ formal approval of President-elect Joe Biden’s win. He held a rally earlier Wednesday and urged his supporters to march to the Capitol. He has since tweeted a video telling his supporters to go home.\n4:40 p.m. – At least one explosive device has been found near the U.S. Capitol amid a violent occupation of the building by supporters of President Donald Trump.\nLaw enforcement officials said the device was no longer a threat Wednesday afternoon.\nThat’s according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity to the Associated Press.\nThousands of supporters of the president occupied the Capitol complex as lawmakers were beginning to tally the electoral votes that will formalize President-elect Joe Biden’s victory.\nVice President Mike Pence called on protesters to leave the Capitol immediately. President Donald Trump urged supporters to go home.\n4:25 – President Donald Trump tweeted a video Wednesday afternoon after President-elect Joe Biden called on him to address his supporters, urging his supporters to go home.\nThe video was issued more than two hours after protesters began storming the Capitol on Wednesday as lawmakers convened for an extraordinary joint session to confirm the Electoral College results and President-elect Biden’s victory.\nTrump opened his video, saying, “I know your pain. I know your hurt. But you have to go home now.”\n“I know you’re hurt. We had an election that was stolen from us. It was a landslide election and everyone knows it especially the other side. But you have to go home now. We have to have peace. We have to have law and order. We have to respect our great people in law and order. We don’t want anybody hurt. It’s a very tough period of time. There’s never been a time like this where such a thing happened where they could take it away from all of us: from me, from you, from our country. This was a fraudulent election but we can’t play into the hands of these people. We have to have peace so go home. We love you. You’re very special. You’ve seen what happens. You’ve seen the way others are treated that are so bad and so evil. I know how you feel, but go home and go home in peace.”\nPresident Donald Trump via Twitter\nTwitter flagged Trump’s tweet, saying “this claim of election fraud is disputed” and disabled replies, retweets or likes “due to a risk of violence.” The video was later removed by Twitter.\n4:20 p.m. – Democrat Jon Ossoff is projected as the winner of the second Georgia runoff for U.S. Senate; Democrats effectively gain control of U.S. Senate.\n4:05 p.m. – President-elect Joe Biden addressed Americans from Delaware, asking President Donald Trump to go on national television to “fulfill his oath and defend the constitution and demand an end to this siege.”\nBiden called the violent protests on the U.S. Capitol “an assault on the most sacred of American undertakings: the doing of the people’s business.”\nBiden’s condemnation came after violent protesters breached the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday afternoon, forcing a delay in the constitutional process to affirm the president-elect’s victory in the November election.\nBiden addressed the violent protests as authorities struggled to take control of a chaotic situation at the Capitol that led to the evacuation of lawmakers.\nWatch Biden’s full remarks here.\n4 p.m. – The Pentagon says about 1,100 D.C. National Guard members are being mobilized to help support law enforcement as violent supporters of President Donald Trump breached the U.S. Capitol.\nPentagon spokesperson Jonathan Hoffman said Wednesday afternoon that defense leaders have been in contact with the city and congressional leadership.\nA defense official said all 1,100 of the D.C. Guard were being activated and sent to the city’s armory. The Guard forces will be used at checkpoints and for other similar duties and could also help in the enforcement of the 6 p.m. curfew being implemented tonight in the city.\nThe officials said the D.C. request for National Guard was not rejected earlier in the day. Instead, according to officials, the Guard members have a very specific mission that does not include putting military in a law enforcement role at the Capitol. As a result, the Guard must be used to backfill law enforcement outside the Capitol complex, freeing up more law enforcement to respond to the Capitol.\nHoffman said the law enforcement response to the violence will be led by the Justice Department.\n3:55 p.m. – The top Democrats in Congress are demanding that President Donald Trump order his supporters to leave the Capitol following a chaotic protest aimed at blocking a peaceful transfer of power.\nSenate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a joint statement on Wednesday after violent protesters stormed the Capitol. They said, “We are calling on President Trump to demand that all protestors leave the U.S. Capitol and Capitol Grounds immediately.”\nTrump earlier encouraged his supporters occupying the U.S. Capitol to “remain peaceful,” but he did not call for them to disperse. He held a rally earlier Wednesday in which he repeated his false claims that President-elect Joe Biden had won the election through voter fraud.\n3:50 p.m. – The White House says National Guard troops along with other federal protective services are en route to the Capitol to help end a violent occupation by President Donald Trump’s supporters who are seeking to prevent the certification of the 2020 presidential election.\nPress secretary Kayleigh McEnany tweeted that “At President @realDonaldTrump’s direction, the National Guard is on the way along with other federal protective services.”\nShe added, “We reiterate President Trump’s call against violence and to remain peaceful.”\nVirginia Governor Ralph Northam is sending members of the Virginia National Guard, along with 200 Virginia State Troopers.\n3:43 p.m. – Vice President Mike Pence tweeted said the “violence and destruction taking place at the US Capitol Must Stop and it Must Stop Now.”\nPeaceful protest is the right of every American but this attack on our Capitol will not be tolerated and those involved will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.\n— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) January 6, 2021\n3:38 p.m. – NewsNation’s Brian Entin showed an update of the scene outside of the U.S. Capitol.\nI’m on the West side of the Capitol now. Phone service not good. pic.twitter.com/Avakgf0QFK\n— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) January 6, 2021\n3:36 p.m. – The Department of Homeland Security is sending additional federal agents to the U.S. Capitol to help quell violence from supporters of President Donald Trump who are protesting Congress’ formal approval of President-elect Joe Biden’s win.\nA spokesperson told The Associated Press on Wednesday that officers from the Federal Protective Service and U.S. Secret Service agents are being sent to the scene. He says they were requested to assist by U.S. Capitol Police.\n3:30 p.m. – NewsNation Washington D.C. Correspondent Joe Khalil describes situation as he shelters-in-place in basement of Capitol.\n3:28 p.m. – One person has been shot at the U.S. Capitol as dozens of supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the building and violently clashed with police.\nThat’s according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday on condition of anonymity amid a chaotic situation.\nThe exact circumstances surrounding the shooting were unclear. The person said the victim had been taken to a hospital. Their condition was not known.\n3:20 p.m. – Police with guns drawn watch as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol.\nPolice with guns drawn watch as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)\nWASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 06: U.S. Capitol police officers point their guns at a door that was vandalized in the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden’s 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. A group of Republican senators said they would reject the Electoral College votes of several states unless Congress appointed a commission to audit the election results. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)1\nWASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 06: Members of Congress evacuate the House Chamber as protesters attempt to enter during a joint session of Congress on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden’s 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. A group of Republican senators said they would reject the Electoral College votes of several states unless Congress appointed a commission to audit the election results. Pro-Trump protesters entered the U.S. Capitol building after mass demonstrations in the nation’s capital. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)\nWASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 06: U.S. Capitol Police stand detain protesters outside of the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden’s 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. A group of Republican senators said they would reject the Electoral College votes of several states unless Congress appointed a commission to audit the election results. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)\nWASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 06: Law enforcement officers point their guns at a door that was vandalized in the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden’s 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. A group of Republican senators said they would reject the Electoral College votes of several states unless Congress appointed a commission to audit the election results. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)\nWASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 06: Members of congress run for cover as protesters try to enter the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden’s 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. A group of Republican senators said they would reject the Electoral College votes of several states unless Congress appointed a commission to audit the election results. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)\n3:15 p.m. – Trump encourages supporters occupying US Capitol to ‘remain peaceful,’ but doesn’t call for them to disperse.\nI am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order – respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!\n2:51 p.m. – Lawmakers are being evacuated from the U.S. Capitol after protesters breached security and entered the building.\nSenate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and other senators were led out, escorted by staff and police on Wednesday afternoon. Members of the House were also being evacuated. Both chambers had been debating the certification of Joe Biden’s victory in the Electoral College.\nProtesters walk as U.S. Capitol Police officers watch in a hallway near the Senate chamber at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, near the Ohio Clock. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)\nThe skirmishes came shortly after President Donald Trump addressed thousands of his supporters, riling up the crowd with his baseless claims of election fraud.\nProtesters could be seen marching through the Capitol’s stately Statuary Hall shouting and waving Trump banners and American flags.\nSome House lawmakers tweeted they were sheltering in place in their offices.\nTrump supporters try to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden’s victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)\n2:48 p.m. – Members of Congress inside House chamber told by police to put on gas masks after tear gas dispersed in Capitol Rotunda.\n2:40 p.m. – President Donald Trump tweeted about what was happening.\nPlease support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!\n2:39 p.m. – D.C. Mayor issues citywide curfew beginning at 6 p.m.\nToday, I'm ordering a citywide curfew for the District of Columbia from 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 6, until 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 7. pic.twitter.com/lp6Pt3DcYC\n— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) January 6, 2021\n2:30 p.m. – Cameras show video of protesters inside the U.S. Capitol. The building is on lockdown.\n2:15 p.m. – Senate recesses Electoral College debate after protesters force lockdown of Capitol.\n1:46 p.m. – Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell spoke out against his fellow Republicans who were challenging Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory, saying it could do great harm to America.\nAt the start of debate on certifying the Electoral College result, McConnell said: “We cannot simply declare ourselves a national board of election on steroids.” McConnell added, “The voters, courts, states, they’ve all spoken. If we overrule them it would damage our republic forever.”\n1:17 p.m. – Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday said he did not believe he had the authority to accept or reject electoral votes unilaterally, but welcomed efforts by U.S. lawmakers to raise objections about alleged “voting irregularities.”\nPence, under pressure by defeated President Donald Trump to hold up certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the Nov. 3 election, told U.S. lawmakers in a letter that he would do his duty to ensure concerns about the election received a “fair and open hearing.”\nTrump says Pence has ‘power to act’ in Congress election count despite VP’s ceremonial role\n“When disputes concerning a presidential election arise, under Federal Law, it is the people’s representatives who review the evidence and resolve disputes through a democratic process,” said Pence, who is presiding over a joint session of Congress to certify the election results.\n1:15 p.m. – Republicans from the House and Senate have objected to the counting of Arizona’s electoral vote, forcing votes in both chambers on Joe Biden’s victory in the state.\nThe objection was made by Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar and was signed by Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. Both are Republicans. The two chambers now have two hours to debate the challenge.\nEXPLAINER: How Congress will count Electoral College votes\nBiden won the state by more than 10,000 votes. In all, eight lawsuits challenging Biden’s Arizona win have failed, in part over a lack of evidence.\nThe state’s Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the dismissal of an election challenge, because the plaintiff lacked the right to bring the suit in the first place. The woman wasn’t a registered voter when she sued.\nArizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, has said there were no irregularities with the vote in her state.\n1:15 p.m. – President Donald Trump is taking aim at Republican members of Congress who have refused to join him in his effort to contest the results of the November election he lost to President-elect Joe Biden.\nTrump on Wednesday told a large crowd of supporters gathered on the Ellipse that they needed to vote these Republicans out of office by putting up challengers in primary elections to push them out.\n“If they don’t fight, we have to primary the hell out of the ones that don’t fight,” Trump said, calling the Republicans who aren’t siding with him “weak.”\nLIVE: Protests break out in DC as Congress tallies Electoral College votes\nEarlier, he named and praised Republicans who have pledged to contest the electoral votes of some states when they come up for approval on Capitol Hill.\nHis supporters, who braved chilly, windy conditions, chanted “Fight for Trump!”\n1:10 p.m. – Congress has begun a joint session to count and confirm the Electoral College vote won by Joe Biden.\nWith supporters of President Donald Trump gathering around the Capitol, more than a dozen Republican senators and more than 100 Republican House members have said they will object to the count from as many as six battleground states. They are echoing Trump’s unfounded claims of widespread fraud.\nBiden won the Electoral College 306-232. He is set to be inaugurated Jan. 20.\nTheir efforts are almost certain to fail as many Republicans have said they will oppose the objections. But the session is expected to last into the night on Wednesday as the House and Senate must consider each objection separately and vote on whether to sustain it.\nIt comes months after the the Nov. 3 election, two weeks before the inauguration’s traditional peaceful transfer of power and against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic.\nVice President Mike Pence will preside over the session. He has no power to overturn the results, despite pressure from Trump to do so.\nWhile other vice presidents, including Al Gore and Richard Nixon, also presided over their own defeats, Pence supports those Republican lawmakers mounting challenges to the 2020 outcome.\n“I hope that our great vice president comes through for us,” Trump said at a rally in Georgia this week. “He’s a great guy. Of course, if he doesn’t come through, I won’t like him quite as much.”\nIt’s not the first time lawmakers have challenged results. Democrats did in 2017 and 2005. But the intensity of Trump’s challenge is like nothing in modern times, and an outpouring of current and elected GOP officials warn the showdown is sowing distrust in government and eroding Americans’ faith in the election process.\nUnder the rules of the joint session, any objection to a state’s electoral tally needs to be submitted in writing by at least one member of the House and one of the Senate to be considered. Each objection will force two hours of deliberations in the House and Senate, ensuring a long day.\nHouse Republican lawmakers are signing on to objections to the electoral votes in six states — Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.\nArizona is expected to be the first disputed as the state tallies are announced in alphabetical order, and Cruz has said he will join House Republicans in objecting to that state.\nRepublican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, who’s among those leading the challenges, has said he will object to the election results from Pennsylvania, almost ensuring a second two-hour debate despite resistance from the state’s Republican senator, Pat Toomey, who said the tally of Biden’s win is accurate.\nDemocrats have the majority in the House and the Republican-led Senate is divided over the issue. Bipartisan majorities in both chambers are expected to soundly reject the objections.\nThe group led by Cruz is vowing to object unless Congress agreed to form a commission to investigate the election, but that seems unlikely.\nPresident-elect Biden has kept quiet, not addressing the matter when he campaigned in Georgia Monday for the Senate runoff.\nBiden later spoke broadly about Democrats’ “opposition friends” realizing that “power flows from the people.”\n“Politicians cannot assert, take or seize power. Power is granted by the American people alone,” he said.\nThe Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report. Reporting by AP’s Lisa Mascaro and Mary Clare Jalonick; Kevin Freking contributed from Dalton, Ga., Bill Barrow from Atlanta.\nMaryland / 2 hours ago\nWashington-DC / 45 mins ago\nVirginia / 35 mins ago\nWest Virginia / 1 hour ago\nby Rebecca Burnett / Jan 15, 2021\nNORTHERN VA (WDVM) — Compared to other large metro areas, Northern Virginia has the highest rate of so-called “severe housing burden” among families of four earning about $50,000 a year.\nThe Community Foundation for Northern Virginia estimates a family of four needs an annual income of $94,000 to live comfortably in the region.\nLANSING, MICH. (WLNS) -- The Michigan State Police (MSP) has increased both personnel and protective measures ahead of planned demonstrations at the Michigan Capitol Building in Lansing on Sunday.\nMSP is working with local and county law enforcement, the Michigan National Guard and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1967670"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.528815746307373,"wiki_prob":0.47118425369262695,"text":"Home > Projects > National Museum of African American History and Culture\nPlaybill for Def Poetry Jam on Broadway\nOne of the time-honored traditions of the theater is the playbill. From local community theaters to Broadway, playbills provide the audience with information about the story being told on stage and the artists who bring it to life. After the show, playbills often become cherished souvenirs. \"Playbill,\" a monthly magazine distributed at major theaters in New York and nationwide, presents details about particular productions along with articles about current happenings in the theater world.\nThe Museum's collection of playbills, which spans from the nineteenth century to the present, offers insight into the roles African Americans have played in the development of American theater as actors, playwrights, directors, producers, costume designers, choreographers, and more. Help us transcribe this Playbill from Porgy and Bess to discover and share the history of African Americans taking the stage.\nCatalog Record | Download PDF | Go to Page\nShow pages needing (scroll down to load more): Transcription Review Notes | All\nProject Progress (details)\n33pages completed","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1503319"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8842763900756836,"wiki_prob":0.8842763900756836,"text":"The first quarter of 2018 saw a flurry of declinations of FCPA prosecutions by the DOJ and the SEC, and only one FCPA corporate enforcement resolution by the DOJ and two resolutions by the SEC. This activity—or lack thereof—appears consistent with senior DOJ officials’ statements that, absent corporate misconduct that is “serious or pervasive enough” to warrant an entity-level criminal resolution, the DOJ wants “to avoid imposing penalties that disproportionately punish innocent employees, shareholders, customers, and other stakeholders” and “to reward companies that invest in strong compliance measures.”[1]\nBased on publicly available records, FCPA charges were brought against only one individual in the first quarter, and charges were unsealed for two individuals who were charged in August 2017. In addition, two individuals pleaded guilty to FCPA charges.\nThe U.S. enforcement activity level last quarter contrasted sharply with stepped-up anti-corruption efforts abroad, as foreign jurisdictions continued to implement and enforce anti-corruption laws.\nOur thoughts on the most significant developments in anti-corruption and FCPA enforcement and policy during the first quarter are below.\nIn the first quarter of 2018, the DOJ and the SEC resolved a total of three corporate FCPA enforcement actions, resulting in a modest $3.45 million in combined fines, penalties, disgorgement and pre-judgment interest, of which $2 million was assessed by the DOJ and $1.45 million by the SEC. These resolutions are summarized below.\nIn contrast, there were a number of declinations disclosed by companies in the last quarter, as at least four U.S. companies (Cobalt International Energy, Exterran, Teradata, Juniper Networks) and three foreign companies (Core Laboratories, Sanofi, Kinross) disclosed that the DOJ and/or the SEC had declined prosecution in previously announced FCPA investigations.[2]\nNotably, none of the DOJ declinations appear to be “declinations with disgorgement,” several of which had followed the announcement of the FCPA Pilot Program in 2016.[3] It seems somewhat unlikely that this signals any intentional shift away from utilizing declinations with disgorgement, given that this form of resolution is included in the relatively new DOJ FCPA Corporate Enforcement Policy.[4] It more likely reflects that the declinations announced in the most recent quarter related to cases that were reported prior to the Pilot Program and/or involved cases with jurisdictional, evidentiary or statute of limitations concerns, or that otherwise did not warrant a disgorgement condition.\nThe apparent decline in the number of enforcement actions and the total settlement amounts from recent years, along with the relatively high number of declinations, appears consistent with recent statements by Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein suggesting that the DOJ will place less emphasis on corporate prosecutions and greater emphasis on companies’ compliance programs, along with individual prosecutions.\nThe SEC also has expressed continued interest in rewarding companies for their cooperation, recently endeavoring to provide clearer guidance about when it will grant cooperation credit and what the credit will be.[5] According to Anthony Kelly, Co-Chief of the SEC’s Asset Management Unit, to obtain cooperation credit from the SEC as a general matter, parties should demonstrate conduct that allows the SEC to reach a resolution in a shorter period of time than it otherwise would have been able to do, or that allows a resolution to be reached using fewer resources than otherwise would have been required.\nIt is also worth noting that both of the SEC’s corporate FCPA resolutions in the first quarter reflect the SEC’s long-standing practice of charging companies under the accounting provisions of the FCPA even if the evidence might not sustain a charge under the FCPA’s anti-bribery provisions.\nSummary of 2018 Corporate Resolutions\nOn January 12, 2018, Transport Logistics International, Inc. (“TLI”), a Maryland-based company that provides transportation management services to the nuclear power industry, entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the DOJ to resolve allegations that it conspired to violate the FCPA’s anti-bribery provisions.[6] TLI agreed to pay a $2 million criminal fine.\nBeginning in at least 2004 and continuing until at least 2014, TLI conspired to bribe an official at JSC Techsnabexport (“TENEX”), a subsidiary of Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation. The bribes were intended to help TLI secure business advantages and contracts with TENEX.\nThe DOJ calculated a fine range of between $28.5 million and $57 million. TLI received a 25-percent reduction off the bottom of the applicable U.S. Sentencing Guidelines fine range for full cooperation, though it did not voluntarily and timely disclose the alleged conduct to the DOJ. However, TLI represented that it was unable to pay a penalty higher than $2 million. An independent analysis conducted by the DOJ’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, with the assistance of a forensic accounting expert, verified the accuracy of TLI’s representations, resulting in a reduction of the fine to that amount.\nIn approving the terms of the agreement, Judge Theodore D. Chuang of the District of Maryland cautioned that deferred prosecution agreements “should be reserved for companies that have engaged in extraordinary cooperation and have entirely rid themselves of all remnants of the prior criminal activity.”[7] He noted that TLI did not self-report and that there remained board members who were on the board during the period of the fraud. Judge Chuang warned that under the circumstances—where a high percentage of TLI’s business was the same type of business that was secured through fraudulent means, and the agreement required TLI to pay a criminal penalty of less than ten percent of the amount contemplated by the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines—there was a risk that the deferred prosecution agreement “will provide insufficient deterrence to companies which otherwise would permit fraud, or fail to prevent fraud, by [their] senior officials.” He nevertheless approved the agreement, finding that the court’s authority to take action other than approval of the agreement was limited.\nIn January, a TLI co-president was charged with, among other things, multiple counts of conspiracy to violate the FCPA and violations of the FCPA. These charges remain pending. Previously, in 2015, another TLI co-president and the Russian official pleaded guilty to related charges.\nElbit and Plaza\nOn March 9, 2018, Elbit Imaging Ltd., an Israeli company, and its majority-owned indirect subsidiary, Plaza Centers N.V., consented to a cease-and-desist order with the SEC to resolve allegations that they violated the FCPA’s internal accounting controls and books-and-records provisions.[8] Without admitting or denying the SEC’s allegations, Elbit agreed to pay a $500,000 civil penalty.\nAccording to the SEC, in 2006 and 2011, at the direction of an unnamed senior executive at Elbit, Plaza engaged two off-shore, third-party consultants to assist in obtaining approval from the Romanian government to participate in a real estate development project in Romania. In connection with this real estate project, the SEC alleged that, between 2007 and 2012, Plaza paid the consultants approximately $14 million. The SEC alleged that Plaza did not conduct any due diligence on either consultant and that there was no evidence that the consultants provided services relating to the transactions. The SEC highlighted the consultants’ failure to attend any meetings and inability to provide any evidence of their consulting work.\nThe SEC also alleged that in 2011, in connection with the sale of a portfolio of 47 real estate assets in the United States, Elbit and Plaza—at the direction of the same Elbit executive—retained a third-party agent, again without conducting any due diligence, and paid that agent approximately $13 million in commissions after obtaining $1.428 billion from the portfolio sale.\nOn March 26, 2018, Kinross Gold Corporation, a dual-listed senior Canadian gold mining company, consented to a cease-and-desist order with the SEC to resolve allegations that it violated the FCPA’s books-and-records and internal accounting controls provisions.[9] Without admitting or denying the SEC’s allegations, Kinross agreed to pay a civil penalty of $950,000 and to report to the SEC for one year on its remediation and implementation of compliance measures.\nAccording to the SEC, Kinross acquired two West African subsidiaries in 2010, understanding that the subsidiaries lacked anti-corruption compliance programs and internal accounting controls. It allegedly took Kinross almost three years to implement adequate controls, and, after eventually implementing such controls, Kinross failed to maintain them. Among other things, Kinross allegedly awarded a lucrative contract to a company preferred by Mauritanian government officials in contravention of Kinross’s procedures, contracted with a politically-connected consultant without conducting the required due diligence, and paid vendors and consultants without ensuring the payments were consistent with policies prohibiting improper payments.\nKinross disclosed that the DOJ closed its investigation into this same conduct in November 2017.[10]\nDOJ Compliance Developments\nUnder the DOJ’s FCPA Corporate Enforcement Policy, when a company voluntarily self-discloses misconduct, fully cooperates, and timely and appropriately remediates, there will be a presumption that the company will receive a declination unless there are aggravating circumstances.[11] For a company to receive full remediation credit, it must appropriately retain business records, which includes prohibiting the improper destruction of those records and “prohibiting employees from using software that generates but does not appropriately retain business records or communications.”\nDavid Johnson, Assistant Chief in the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, recently indicated that the DOJ is focusing on companies’ record retention for instant messaging services—such as WhatsApp and WeChat—to which companies might not have access.[12] He urged companies to address record retention for instant messaging services now rather than waiting until an issue arises, at which point the company might need to convince the DOJ, the SEC, and possibly foreign authorities that it is not unreasonable that such records were not retained. Johnson also stated that companies should consider whether employees should be permitted to use messaging services at all and, if so, under what circumstances and whether prophylactic measures are necessary.\nIn light of the DOJ’s focus, companies may want to consider adopting explicit policies that set forth acceptable uses of these messaging services for business purposes, if any, and otherwise prohibit employees from using such instant messaging services for work purposes. Such policies can be incorporated into broader information technology and data use policies and included in employee trainings.\nSEC Whistleblower Program Developments\nIn Digital Realty Trust, Inc. v. Somers, the Supreme Court unanimously held that individuals who report alleged misconduct internally, but not to the SEC, are not covered by the anti-retaliation provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act, 15 U.S.C. § 78u-6(h).[13] This reporting requirement distinguishes the Dodd-Frank Act from the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which provides certain protections for individuals who report alleged securities violations internally.\nPrior to this decision, whistleblowers overwhelmingly reported their concerns internally before reporting them to the SEC. According to the SEC’s 2017 Annual Report to Congress, approximately 83 percent of whistleblowers who received monetary awards under Dodd-Frank raised their concerns internally before reporting to the SEC. Employees who only report internally now may still seek relief under the anti-retaliation provisions of Sarbanes-Oxley, but they must meet the shorter statute of limitations and exhaust administrative remedies before seeking relief in federal court.\nDigital Realty may thus discourage employee use of internal reporting systems and encourage immediate reporting to the SEC, including with respect to FCPA-related issues. By discouraging employees from utilizing internal reporting systems, Digital Realty may also weaken the role of corporate compliance programs, which generally encourage internal reporting as an early warning system to protect against fraud and other securities violations.\nThe decision does not appear to affect whistleblowers’ abilities to collect awards under the SEC’s Whistleblower Program.\nDigital Realty serves as a reminder that, irrespective of the current level of white collar enforcement activity, companies must remain vigilant on compliance matters.\nIndividual Prosecutions\nBased on publicly available records, FCPA charges were brought against only one individual in the first quarter, the TLI co-president charged with multiple counts of conspiracy to violate the FCPA and violations of the FCPA, as described above.\nCharges also were unsealed for two individuals who were charged in August 2017.[14] Both individuals, former Venezuelan officials, were charged with conspiracy to violate the FCPA in connection with allegations that they conspired to solicit bribes from vendors in order to secure business with Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. (“PdVSA”), the Venezuelan state-owned energy company.\nIn addition, two individuals pleaded guilty to FCPA charges brought in 2011 and 2016, respectively.[15]\nForeign Jurisdictions’ Anti-Corruption Enforcement Activity\nSignificant activity occurred abroad this quarter, as numerous foreign jurisdictions investigated and prosecuted perceived corruption.\nInvestigations and Prosecutions of Officials\nIn the first quarter of 2018, authorities in many countries throughout the world announced investigations and prosecutions of allegedly corrupt officials, and current and former government officials were convicted and sentenced in connection with corruption charges. Noteworthy examples are provided below.\nIn South Korea, following an almost year-long trial, in April former President Geun-hye was convicted of multiple criminal charges, including bribery, for conspiring with her confidante, Choi Soon-sil, to pressure numerous business groups to donate approximately $70 million to two non-profit organizations controlled by Choi, in exchange for various favors.[16] President Park was sentenced to 24 years in prison and a $17 million fine was imposed. Choi, who was convicted of receiving bribes from South Korean companies, was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment. Shin Dong-bin, chairman of the Lotte Group, who was convicted on related corruption charges, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison.[17]\nSeparately, Lee Myung-bak, the country’s president from 2008 to 2013, was arrested for bribery, embezzlement and tax evasion.[18] Lee allegedly received more than $10 million in bribes from various sources and embezzled $32 million. Lee also is accused of using his presidential power to help settle a legal case. In addition, prosecutors raided the homes and offices of two of Lee’s aides, who are suspected of illegally raising campaign funds from the private sector in connection with the 2008 presidential election in which Lee was elected.\nJay Y. Lee, the de facto head of Samsung, was released from prison, after serving approximately one year, when a South Korean appellate court suspended his sentence and reduced it to two-and-a-half years.[19] Lee was convicted of allegedly authorizing a payment to Choi to obtain government support for a merger between Samsung affiliates. Prosecutors are appealing to the country’s highest court the decision to release Lee early.\nIn China, the Communist Party’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, the party’s anti-corruption watchdog, announced that Lu Wei, China’s former Internet regulator, would be prosecuted for bribery.[20] The Party did not provide further information. Chinese prosecutors also charged Sun Zhengcai, former Chongqing Party Secretary and member of the Politburo, with bribery for accepting significant amounts of money and property during the span of his career.\nFollowing a year-long investigation, in February, Israeli police recommended that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu face prosecution in two corruption cases: one involving gifts for favors and another involving backroom dealings to ensure more favorable media coverage.[21] In March, Netanyahu was questioned in a third corruption case, involving allegations that, while serving as communications minister, he provided regulatory and financial benefits to a telecommunications tycoon in exchange for positive media coverage.\nIn Saudi Arabia, in the wake of the purported corruption purge instigated by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2017, witnesses reported being subjected to coercion and physical abuse.[22] Allegedly, at least 17 detainees were hospitalized and one later died in custody. The Saudi government has denied the allegations of abuse. Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, who is among the Kingdom’s most influential and wealthiest businessmen, was released after more than 80 days in detention.[23] It is widely presumed that he paid an immense sum to the government to secure his release, and that others who have been released did the same.\nFrench authorities are investigating former President Nicolas Sarkozy in connection with allegations that his 2007 election campaign received illegal financing from Muammar Gaddafi.[24]\nIn Greece, eight former ministers and two former prime ministers were named in an investigation into pharmaceutical company Novartis A.G. regarding alleged payments to public officials to increase subscriptions to their products at public hospitals.[25]\nPoliticians in Latin America continue to be implicated in the fallout from the investigations into alleged corruption in the construction and oil industries.\nIn Brazil, an appellate court upheld the conviction of former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for corruption and money laundering and extended his sentence from 10 to 12 years in prison.[26] Brazil’s Supreme Court subsequently ruled that he must begin serving his sentence while appealing his conviction.[27] On April 7, Lula surrendered to authorities, likely ending his bid for a third term as president.\nOn March 21, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, Peru’s president, announced his resignation after being implicated in the ongoing investigation into Brazilian construction conglomerate Odebrecht S.A.[28] He denies wrongdoing.\nIn Guatemala, former President Alvaro Colom and nine former members of his cabinet (including Juan Alberto Fuentes Knight, a former Guatemalan finance minister and chairman of Oxfam International) were arrested in an ongoing corruption investigation.[29] In addition, former Guatemalan presidential candidate Manuel Baldizon, who is wanted in Guatemala on bribery and money laundering charges relating to the Odebrecht investigation, sought asylum in the United States after he was arrested while trying to enter the country.[30]\nCorporate Enforcement Developments\nThe first quarter of 2018 also saw developments in foreign jurisdictions’ corporate anti-corruption enforcement.\nFor example, Odebrecht reached an agreement with the Guatemala Attorney General’s Office to pay $17.9 million to compensate for bribes that company executives paid a government official in 2012 in exchange for a $300 million highway contract.[31] The government official allegedly was paid $17.9 million, the same amount Odebrecht will pay as compensation.\nTeva Pharmaceutical Industries, an Israeli pharmaceutical company, agreed to pay a fine to Israeli authorities of approximately $22 million.[32] Teva admitted to making corrupt payments to public employees in Russia and Ukraine and improper payments in Mexico that generated more than $200 million in profits. In 2016, Teva reached settlements with U.S. authorities in connection with the same misconduct, agreeing to pay a $283 million criminal penalty to the DOJ and $236 million in disgorgement to the SEC.\nIn February, French authorities entered into the country’s first deferred prosecution agreements relating to corruption charges. These deferred prosecution agreements were with two companies (Kaeffer Wanner and Set Environnement), which had been alleged to have engaged in “passive” corruption for allegedly paying bribes. Compliance monitoring by the French Anticorruption Agency was imposed on both companies, they were required to disgorge ill-gotten profits, and one was required to pay an additional penalty.\nIn addition, in March, France’s Supreme Court held that double jeopardy under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights did not prevent authorities from prosecuting a French company that entered into a plea agreement on related charges in the United States. The court found that the relevant provision of the treaty did not apply to investigations and convictions by foreign sovereigns.\nIn Argentina and Peru, new laws came into force that establish criminal liability for foreign and domestic companies. Law 27.401, which Argentina enacted in December 2017 and which came into effect in March 2018, imposes strict liability for various offenses, including active domestic bribery, transnational bribery, and participating in the offense of illicit enrichment of public officials, whether committed directly or indirectly.[33] The law also introduces deferred and non-prosecution agreements, which may be granted to companies that cooperate with the prosecuting authorities. Peru’s new law, effective January 1, imposes independent criminal liability on legal persons for local and foreign bribery, with violations punishable by fine, debarment from government contracting, and dissolution.[34] Under the new law, corporate entities may face criminal liability for the illegal conduct of their agents or employees, provided those individuals are acting within the scope of their agency or employment and the illegal conduct is intended to provide a benefit to the corporate entity.\nIn March, Singapore passed legislation introducing a legal mechanism akin to U.S. deferred prosecution agreements.[35] The agreements are available to corporations accused of corruption, money laundering, or receipt of stolen property, and are intended to encourage companies voluntarily to disclose potential violations and to cooperate with authorities in their investigations.\nIn the first quarter, the World Bank Group imposed 94 debarments. The World Bank Group continued to debar considerably more individuals and entities than did the other multilateral development banks. The Inter-American Development Bank imposed 21 debarments, the Asian Development Bank imposed two, and neither the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development nor the African Development Bank imposed any. Only 12 of the debarments by the World Bank Group and none of the debarments by the other MDBs were based, in part or in whole, on corrupt practices.\nWhile the enforcement activity of the DOJ and the SEC in the first quarter of 2018 may substantiate senior Trump administration officials’ statements that they intend to move away from corporate prosecutions so as not to unfairly penalize innocent employees, stakeholders, and customers, the data sample is too small as of now to reach that conclusion with certainty.\nWe will watch these developments with interest and look forward to providing you with further updates.\n[1] Rod J. Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General, Dep’t of Just., Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein Delivers Remarks at the 32nd Annual ABA National Institute on White Collar Crime (Mar. 2, 2018), https://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/deputy-attorney-general-rosenstein-delivers-remarks-32nd-annual-aba-national-institute.\n[2] Three companies announced declinations by the DOJ (Juniper Networks, Sanofi, Kinross), two companies announced declinations by the SEC (Cobalt International Energy, Core Laboratories), and two companies announced declinations by both the DOJ and the SEC (Exterran, Teradata).\n[3] Since the start of the FCPA Pilot Program, the DOJ has announced seven declinations with disgorgement, meaning that the company was required to disgorge ill-gotten gains to the DOJ or was credited for disgorging ill-gotten gains to the SEC as part of parallel settlements. See Client Memorandum, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, FCPA Enforcement and Anti-Corruption Developments: 2017 Year in Review (Jan. 19, 2018), https://www.paulweiss.com/practices/litigation/anti-corruption-fcpa/publications/fcpa-enforcement-and-anti-corruption-developments-2017-year-in-review?id=25839. The DOJ’s most recent public declination letters were issued in June 2017, to Linde Group and CDM Smith.\n[4] See U.S. Attorneys’ Manual § 9-47.120.\n[5] See Client Memorandum, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, Leaders of SEC Enforcement Division Discuss Priorities and Recent Developments (Feb. 28, 2018), https://www.paulweiss.com/practices/litigation/securities-litigation/publications/leaders-of-sec-enforcement-division-discuss-priorities-and-recent-developments?id=26034.\n[6] See Deferred Prosecution Agreement, U.S. v. Transp. Logistics Int’l, Inc., No. TDC-18-0011 (D. Md. Mar. 12, 2018), https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1043221/download.\n[7] Order at 2, U.S. v. Transp. Logistics Int’l, Inc., No. TDC-18-0011 (D. Md. Apr. 2, 2018).\n[8] See In re Elbit Imaging Ltd., Exchange Act Release No. 82849 (Mar. 9, 2018), https://www.sec.gov/litigation/admin/2018/34-82849.pdf; see also Client Memorandum, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, Elbit Imaging Settles with SEC in First FCPA Resolution of 2018 (Mar. 15, 2018), https://www.paulweiss.com/practices/litigation/anti-corruption-fcpa/publications/elbit-imaging-settles-with-sec-in-first-fcpa-resolution-of-2018?id=26116#_ftnref1.\n[9] See In re Kinross Gold Corp., Exchange Act Release No. 82946 (Mar. 26, 2018), https://www.sec.gov/litigation/admin/2018/34-82946.pdf.\n[10] See News Release, Kinross Gold Corp., Kinross Announces End of Regulatory Investigation of West Africa Operations (Mar. 26, 2018), http://www.kinross.com/news-and-investors/news-releases/press-release-details/2018/Kinross-announces-end-of-regulatoryinvestigation-of-West-Africa-operations/default.aspx.\n[11] See U.S. Attorneys’ Manual § 9-47.120(1), (3); see also Client Memorandum, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, DOJ Issues New FCPA Corporate Enforcement Policy (Nov. 30, 2017), https://www.paulweiss.com/practices/litigation/anti-corruption-fcpa/publications/doj-issues-new-fcpa-corporate-enforcement-policy?id=25619.\n[12] See Adam Dobrik, FCPA Prosecutor Urges Companies to Rethink Messaging Services, Glob. Investigations Rev. (Mar. 8, 2018), https://globalinvestigationsreview.com/article/jac/1166454/fcpa-prosecutor-urges-companies-to-rethink-messaging-services.\n[13] See Digital Realty Tr., Inc. v. Somers, 138 S. Ct. 767 (2018); see also Client Memorandum, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, U.S. Supreme Court Narrows Scope of Whistleblower Anti-Retaliation Protections (Feb. 22, 2018), https://www.paulweiss.com/practices/litigation/white-collar-regulatory-defense/publications/us-supreme-court-narrows-scope-of-whistleblower-anti-retaliation-protections?id=26011.\n[14] See Press Release, Dep’t of Just., Five Former Venezuelan Government Officials Charged in Money Laundering Scheme Involving Foreign Bribery (Feb. 12, 2018), https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/five-former-venezuelan-government-officials-charged-money-laundering-scheme-involving-forei-0.\n[15] See Press Release, Dep’t of Just., Former Siemens Executive Pleads Guilty To Role in $100 Million Foreign Bribery Scheme (Mar. 15, 2018), https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/former-siemens-executive-pleads-guilty-role-100-million-foreign-bribery-scheme; Press Release, Dep’t of Just., New Jersey Real Estate Broker Pleads Guilty to Role in Foreign Bribery Scheme Involving $800 Million International Real Estate Deal (Jan. 5, 2018), https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/new-jersey-real-estate-broker-pleads-guilty-role-foreign-bribery-scheme-involving-800-million.\n[16] See Choe Sang-Hun, Park Heun-hye, South Korea’s Ousted President, Gets 24 Years in Prison, N.Y. Times (Apr. 6, 2018), https://nyti.ms/2Heh68v.\n[17] See Joyce Lee, Lotte Chief and Ex-President’s Friend Jailed in South Korea Scandal, Reuters (Feb. 13, 2018), https://www.reuters.com/article/us-southkorea-politics/lotte-chief-and-ex-presidents-friend-jailed-in-south-korea-scandal-idUSKBN1FX0P2.\n[18] See Choe Sang-Hun, In South Korea, Another Former President Lands in Jail, N.Y. Times (Mar. 22, 2018), https://nyti.ms/2G4IdSl.\n[19] See Choe Sang-Hun & Raymond Zhong, Samsung Heir Freed, to Dismay of South Korea’s Anti-Corruption Campaigners, N.Y. Times (Feb. 5, 2018), https://nyti.ms/2GOzfJA.\n[20] See James T. Areddy, Former China Internet Regulator Accused of Corruption, Wall St. J. (Feb. 13, 2018), https://www.wsj.com/articles/former-china-internet-regulator-accused-of-corruption-1518528434.\n[21] See Rory Jones, Israeli Police Recommend Charging Netanyahu With Bribery, Fraud, Wall St. J. (Feb. 14, 2018), https://www.wsj.com/articles/israeli-police-recommend-charging-netanyahu-for-bribery-fraud-1518550185; Isabel Kershner, Benjamin Netanyahu is Questioned in 3rd Corruption Case in Israel, N.Y. Times (Mar. 2, 2018), https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/02/world/middleeast/israel-benjamin-netanyahu-corruption.html.\n[22] See Ben Hubbard et al., Saudis Said to Use Coercion and Abuse to Seize Billions, N.Y. Times (Mar. 11, 2018), https://nyti.ms/2tBExpg.\n[23] See Ben Hubbard, Billionaire Saudi Prince, Alwaleed bin Talal, Is Freed From Detention, N.Y. Times (Jan. 27, 2018), https://nyti.ms/2FktUIi.\n[24] See Aurelien Breeden, Nicolas Sarkozy, Ex-President of France, Faces Corruption Charges Over Libyan Cash, N.Y. Times (Mar. 21, 2018), https://nyti.ms/2FTqQI6.\n[25] See Niki Kitsantonis, Greece Approves Bribery Investigation Involving Political Elite, N.Y. Times (Feb. 22, 2018), https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/22/world/europe/greece-bribery-novartis-investigation.html.\n[26] See Ernesto Londoño, Upending Brazil’s Presidential Race, Court Upholds Ex-Leader’s Conviction, N.Y. Times (Jan. 24, 2018), https://nyti.ms/2FaPA9A.\n[27] See Manuela Andreoni et al., Ex-President ‘Lula’ of Brazil Surrenders to Serve 12-Year Jail Term, N.Y. Times (Apr. 7, 2018), https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/07/world/americas/brazil-lula-surrenders-luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva-.html.\n[28] See Simeon Tegel, The Corruption Scandal That’s Ensnared Not One, But Three Peruvian Presidents, Wash. Post (Mar. 22, 2018), https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/the-corruption-scandal-thats-ensnared-not-one-but-three-peruvian-presidents/2018/03/22/7d15a75a-2c50-11e8-8dc9-3b51e028b845_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.a91a542e454c.\n[29] See Elisabeth Malkin, Guatemala Arrests Ex-President and His Finance Minister in Corruption Case, N.Y. Times (Feb. 13, 2018), https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/13/world/americas/guatemala-corruption-colom-oxfam.html.\n[30] See Sofia Menchu, Guatemala Businessman, Wanted on Graft Charges, Seeks U.S. Asylum, Reuters (Jan. 21, 2018), https://www.reuters.com/article/us-guatemala-corruption/guatemala-businessman-wanted-on-graft-charges-seeks-u-s-asylum-idUSKBN1FA0T2.\n[31] See Sofia Menchu, Guatemala Says Odebrecht Agrees to Pay $17.9 Million Over Bribes, Reuters (Jan. 24, 2018), https://www.reuters.com/article/us-guatemala-corruption/guatemala-says-odebrecht-agrees-to-pay-17-9-million-over-bribes-idUSKBN1FE09N.\n[32] See Chen Ma’anit, Teva Settles Graft Case with Israeli Authorities, Globes (Jan. 15, 2018), http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-teva-settles-graft-case-with-israeli-authorities-1001219547; see also Joel Schectman & Natalie Grover, Teva to Pay U.S. Government $519 Million Over Foreign Bribery Charges, Reuters (Dec. 22, 2016), https://www.reuters.com/article/us-teva-pharm-ind-probe/teva-to-pay-u-s-government-519-million-over-foreign-bribery-charges-idUSKBN14B1QL.\n[33] See Caroline Stauffer & Maximilian Heath, Argentina Congress Passes Law to Fight Corporate Corruption, Reuters (Nov. 8, 2017), https://www.reuters.com/article/us-argentina-corruption/argentina-congress-passes-law-to-fight-corporate-corruption-idUSKBN1D83AX; Jaclyn Jaeger, Argentina Passes Tough New Anti-Corruption Law, Compliance Week (Jan. 30, 2018), https://www.complianceweek.com/news/news-article/argentina-passes-tough-new-anti-corruption-law#.WtA5bnrwZjU.\n[34] See Waithera Junghae, New Criminal Liability Law Gives Peru’s Prosecutors the Tools to Tackle Corruption, Glob. Investigations Rev. (Jan. 15, 2018), https://globalinvestigationsreview.com/article/1152744/new-criminal-liability-law-gives-perus-prosecutors-the-tools-to-tackle-corruption; Teresa Tovar, Anti-Corruption in Peru, Glob. Compliance News, https://globalcompliancenews.com/anti-corruption/anti-corruption-in-peru/.\n[35] See Tan Tam Mei, Deferred Prosecution Agreements Proposed to Take Companies to Task, Strait Times (Jan. 15, 2018), http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/deferred-prosecution-agreements-proposed-to-take-companies-to-task-shanmugam; Selina Lum, Amnesty for Firms: Ensuring Transparency, Strait Times (Mar. 20, 2018), http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/amnesty-for-firms-ensuring-transparency.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line794011"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.932953417301178,"wiki_prob":0.932953417301178,"text":"Biography of Emperor Trajan\nTrajan's Forum\nAuthor: Joseph Kurschner (editor)\nBiographies >> Ancient Rome\nOccupation: Emperor of Rome\nBorn: September 18, 53 AD in Italica, Hispania\nDied: August 8, 117 AD in Selinus, Cilicia\nReign: January 28, 98 AD to August 8, 117 AD\nBest known for: Considered one of Rome's greatest emperors\nTrajan is considered one of the greatest emperors in the history of Rome. He ruled for nineteen years from 98 AD to 117 AD. He conquered many lands and grew the Roman Empire to its largest expanse in history. His rule was a time of great prosperity for Rome.\nWhere did Trajan grow up?\nTrajan was born in the Roman province of Hispania (the modern-day country of Spain). His father was a leading Roman politician and general. His mother came from a prominent Roman family. Although we don't know a lot about Trajan's childhood, he likely moved around the Roman Empire while growing up. He spent time in Spain as well as the city of Rome.\nTrajan followed his father and joined the Roman army. He was a gifted leader and soon rose up the ranks. He served with distinction in various parts of the Roman Empire including Syria. Trajan entered politics and was elected praetor and then consul. He also became a general over a full Roman legion.\nBecoming Emperor\nWhile Trajan was serving as governor of Upper Germany, he received a letter from Emperor Nerva. He was being adopted as Nerva's heir and would be next in line for the throne. It was common in Rome for an emperor who didn't have any sons to adopt an adult son as heir. Nerva picked Trajan because he was popular with the army.\nIn 98 AD, Nerva died and Trajan became emperor. Trajan didn't immediately return to Rome, but visited the Roman legions to make sure he had the support of the army. He finally returned to Rome a year later and was received by the people and the senate as the new emperor.\nBecause he had spent much of his life in the army, Trajan was often called a \"soldier-emperor\". He enjoyed battle and wanted to expand the Roman Empire. His first conquest was the kingdom of Dacia (modern-day Romania). Dacia became an important Roman province bringing wealth to Rome through its gold mines. His second major conquest was the kingdom of Parthia in Asia. He added two new Roman provinces in Asia including Armenia and Mesopotamia.\nTrajan also had many public works built throughout the Roman Empire. These works included bridges, aqueducts, baths, roads, public buildings, and canals. He also had a new forum built called Trajan's Forum in Rome.\nTrajan fell ill while campaigning in the Middle East. He died in Cilicia on his return to Rome. He was succeeded by his adopted son Hadrian.\nTrajan was considered one of the best emperors by the Roman Senate. After his death they would honor new emperors with the saying \"be luckier than Augustus and better than Trajan.\"\nInteresting Facts About Roman Emperor Trajan\nHe was the thirteenth Roman Emperor and the second of the Five Good Emperors.\nHis birth name was Marcus Ulpius Traianus.\nTrajan's Bridge over the Danube River was the longest arch bridge in the world for over 1000 years.\nTrajan helped the poor through a welfare program called the Alimenta.\nTrajan's column still stands in modern-day Rome. Trajan had it built to commemorate his victory over Dacia.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line772544"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5440641045570374,"wiki_prob":0.5440641045570374,"text":"Is Liga MX Becoming More Attractive to Players in Europe?\nBy Thomas Harrison\nBy general consensus, Liga MX is a growing league. Perhaps not as fast as it could, due to issues surrounding marketing and the league’s organisation, but most seem to think that Mexico’s top flight is getting bigger.\nThis is just a theory though, and this article will put that theory to the test. The method of testing chosen is to look at what players the league can attract, and where the players that join the league are being attracted from.\nFor most footballers outside of Europe, Europe is seen as the career goal, the place where they want to ‘make it’.\nTherefore, if footballers outside of Europe are easily attracted there, bringing them away from Europe would logically be a large challenge. This challenge should decrease depending on the size of the league. If Liga MX is a growing league, it should see an increase in players joining from Europe.\nThe graphic below shows the results of a 10-year study of transfers from Europe to Liga MX. Note that this doesn’t refer to European players, rather players that play in European leagues. The majority are of South American descent.\nThe graphic shows that, with the exception of outliers in 2008-09 and 2012-13, the number of players moving from Europe to Liga MX remained extremely stable between the 2007-08 and 2014-15 seasons. 6 of the 8 seasons between 2007-08 and 2014-15 saw 10 or 11 players moving to Liga MX from clubs based in Europe.\nThen, a major change was found. The number jumped from 11 to 20 between 2014-15 and 2015-16, and has remained high this season, with 22 footballers crossing the Atlantic to Mexico.\nA growing league?\nIf the number of European to Liga MX transfers is a good indicator of the strength of Mexico’s top flight, it would appear that the division made a large step-up in 2015. Interestingly, this was the same year that saw Liga MX’s biggest star, André-Pierre Gignac, joined Tigres. The perceived step-up in size appears to have been sustained this season, and even built upon, with 22 players moving to Mexico from Europe.\nHowever, even though the past data does suggest major growth, this increase has only been seen over 2 seasons, a short period of time. These 2 seasons may just be outliers, caused by factors other than a growth in the size and reputation of Liga MX.\n10/8?\nThe controversial 10/8 rule, which appears to have contributed to falling minutes for young Mexicans, may be thought of as a reason behind the increase in players moving to Mexico from Europe.\nThe fact that the major increase took place during the 2015-16 season, one season before the implementation of 10/8, suggests the new foreign player rule hasn’t had much of an impact on transfers from Europe.\nHowever, the 2015-16 season may have been a major outlier, and in fact, the large increase during the 2016-17 season could be a result of the 10/8 rule coming into force. If this were true, it would reduce the suggestion that the study is proof of Liga MX growing. Instead, it would suggest that previous stricter foreign player rules were holding back more Europe to Mexico moves.\nSeeing where this trend goes over the next few seasons will be fascinating to follow. Whether or not the significant increase observed during the 2015-16 season continues, as it has done this season, will give a major indication of how the size and reputation of Liga MX is changing.\nWith a fair amount of money and growing coverage of the league, for example, Univision’s new English-language facebook stream, the perception is that Liga MX is a growing league. The major recent increase in European-based players joining Liga MX appears to back up this belief, and the destination of this trend in the long-term will be an important method of determining how the size and reputation of Liga MX is developing.\nRelated Items:Research\nHas the 10/8 Rule Impacted Opportunities for Young Mexicans?: A 10 Season Study\nInternational Call-ups: Comparing Liga MX to Other Leagues in the Americas","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1021717"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8659797310829163,"wiki_prob":0.8659797310829163,"text":"Thousands petition Congress to ban Internet access taxes\nBy Josh Peterson / March 31, 2014\nMore than 43,000 people are petitioning Congress to permanently ban taxes on Internet access.\nGovernments, like businesses, see the Internet as a revenue source. Several bills would place a permanent ban on Internet access taxes.\nAs of early Monday afternoon, 43,646 had signed the online petition on Change.org, sponsored by MyWireless.org, a nonpartisan nonprofit wireless advocacy organization.\n“Internet access is a critical necessity for economic growth, and is also providing all of us tremendous benefits in our daily lives,” said Amy McLean, communications director of MyWireless.org.\n“With more and more Americans turning to wireless as their primary means of accessing the Internet, we think it’s more important than ever for people to weigh in now on the importance of keeping service as affordable as possible,” said McLean.\nThe organization is currently promoting a number of initiatives, including the Wireless Tax Fairness Act, which places a five-year moratorium on new wireless taxes at the state and local levels.\nMyWireless.org’s new petition increases awareness about two bills pending before the House and Senate: the Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act of 2013 in the House, and Internet Tax Freedom Forever Act of 2013.\nNot only would the bills prevent state and local governments from taxing Internet access, they would also prevent multiple taxes from being imposed upon an online purchase by ensuring that only one state can tax each transaction.\nMyWireless.org hopes to keep the cost of broadband access down for consumers.\n“The petition is a collective voice supporting the permanent extension of the ban on Internet access taxes, and sends a clear message to Congress to take action on behalf of hundreds of millions of American wireless consumers,” McLean said.\nContact Josh Peterson at jpeterson@watchdog.org. Follow Josh on Twitter at @jdpeterson\nArticle from watchdog.org","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1676709"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7981962561607361,"wiki_prob":0.7981962561607361,"text":"From ND to MLB: Frank Carpin\nin ND to MLB, Notre Dame on 01/14/11\nAs the “From Notre Dame to the Major Leagues” series resumes today, it bears a new look. First, it has a graphic, however rudimentary, that, when clicked, will take you to all of the posts in the series. There’s a simple graphic — an include, as we call it in the biz — embedded in each post and a static one with player images at the top of the right rail.\nAnd secondly, this latest installment is more than just my thoughts and observations gleaned from searching the internet for information on a long-ago player. After the New Year, I went to Notre Dame’s online alumni directory to see which former players had contact information listed. Last Saturday, I wrote out e-mails to those with web addresses, and on Monday, I sent out a letter to another. There are still more I have yet to contact, but after this initial effort, I’m more than pleased with the response. Of the six e-mails sent, I had three responses by Monday afternoon.\nWe’ll begin with the first response, because he wrote back within 24 hours and has been very helpful and forthcoming. I’m not a fan of Q&A formatted interviews (it doesn’t feel like writing to me), so I think the best way to present this is with some research and background, with his comments included for greater detail.\nAnd with that, the From Notre Dame to the Major Leagues” series continues with …\nFrank Carpin, a left-handed pitcher born in Brooklyn who went to high school in Richmond, Va., played just one season at Notre Dame, in 1958. The Irish went 20-11, reaching the NCAA Tournament, but falling in the district round with a 2-2 record in Kalamazoo, Mich. I picked up this 1966 Topps card — Carpin’s only card — at the same show where I got the 1965 Jim Hannan that began this project. (I’m not positive, but it looks like Carpin’s photo may have been taken at Shea Stadium. It looks like Shea’s left-field corner, and because of the card stock and quality of 1960s photos, I can’t be sure if the uniform is white or gray — and in ’65, both of the Bucs’ jerseys said “PIRATES.” Carpin was with the Pirates for all of their trips to New York that season.)\nBaseball had no part in my decision to attend ND. I chose ND because of its reputation and Catholic background. My first choice was West Point, but that was not an option when I realized my pro baseball potential. I turned down scholarships to many Southern schools, including Wake Forest [the 1955 NCAA champ]. Ironically, the man who got me the scholarship was Syd Thrift, a Pirate scout, who later engineered my being drafted from the Yankee farm system. I did receive a walk-on scholarship at ND, but signed [with the Yankees] after one year.\nBut Carpin left his mark in his one season. His 102 strikeouts remained the single-season record until Aaron Heilman broke it with 118 in 1999. Heilman now holds the top three single-season strikeouts totals in Irish history, fanning 118 again in 2000 and finishing up with 111 in 2001. Jeff Manship equalled the 111 in 2006 and Danny Tamayo struck out 106 in ’01. Those, along with Carpin’s 102 and David Phelps‘ 102 in 2007, are the only 100-strikeout seasons in Notre Dame history, and all but Carpin’s came in the past 12 years. To put it into greater perspective, in 1958, the Irish played 36 games. The rest of those hurlers compiled their strikeout totals in no fewer than 61 games.\nTo his credit, Carpin still holds the all-time marks for strikeouts per nine innings (12.63) and in a game. On April 16, 1958, he struck out 19 Indiana Hoosiers, then hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the 10th of a 12-10 Irish victory.\nAfter that stellar season, Carpin accepted the Yankees’ offer and headed to Greensboro in the Class B Carolina League in 1959.\nDespite signing with the Yankees in 1959, the Tigers made a better offer. [John] McHale was the GM then and an ND graduate. But my father liked the Yankees and since the Dodgers were not interested, the natural choice was the opposition … just like ND became the choice when West Point was not possible.\nAfter going 12-9 with a 3.24 ERA and 1.47 WHIP (minor league stats for the time period are incomplete, so we have to take what we can get) at age 20 with Greensboro, Carpin moved up to Class A Binghamton in the Eastern League in 1960, going 11-8/3.69/1.52. In ’61, he made the jump to Triple-A and got to go home, playing for Richmond in the International League. He went 7-9/3.52/1.25 with 104 strikeouts in 125 innings and returned the Virginians in ’62. But after starting out 1-6/4.71/1.65, he was demoted to Double-A Amarillo in the Texas League.\nThe most humbling [moment] was being sent down in 1962 by the Triple-A Yankee team from my hometown — Richmond — to the Texas League. I went from a prospect who nearly made the Yankees in 1961 and 1962 to a suspect who could not win a game until sent out of the organization in 1963 to Lynchburg.\nIn ’63, Carpin returned to the Southeast, starting out with the Augusta (Ga.) Yankees in the Double-A South Atlantic League before being sent to Lynchburg in the same circuit, but part of the White Sox organization. It was with Lynchburg where he experienced a turning point.\nI told this story to the young kids I coached to help them understand what is necessary to be successful in sports or any field. In 1963, I was languishing in the bullpen in Double-A Augusta, Georgia, after a horrible 1962 season and demotion from Triple-A to Double-A. I literally could not get anybody out and the August manager had to send someone out at cut time. They couldn’t send me back to Greensboro, where I had started five years earlier, because of option rules, so they offered me to Lynchburg in the same league. I walked across the diamond that night to join the opposing Lynchburg team, and the manager, Les Moss, asked if I could pitch that night because I was all they had. I eagerly accepted the start and pitched better than I had in two years. The minute I crossed the diamond from one clubhouse to another, everything changed. Two of my next three starts were shutouts on the way to a 15-game winning season and another win in the playoffs against my former Yankee teammates. I asked my kids — What changed? I had the same arm and same “stuff.” The only performance-enhancing substance I took was Wheaties. That’s how much the mental aspect plays in sports and the confidence you get when someone tells you, “You’re all we got.”\nCarpin finished ’63 with a 15-9 record, 3.12 ERA and 1.24 WHIP, fanning 142 in 196 innings. He spent ’64 back with Richmond, going 5-3/2.79/1.39, fanning 87 in 97 frames. After the season, the Pirates selected him in the minor league draft, assigning him to Triple-A Columbus, where he started 4-0/2.67/1.44 before getting the call. On May 25, 1965, he made his debut with the Pirates.\nThe happiest moment was the news of the call-up while in Triple-A early in 1965 and the win that night. My debut was very memorable: Two innings of relief and a win against the Cubs that started a long winning streak for the Pirates, who had started very poorly. I became a good luck charm among the players.\nThe win in Carpin’s debut was actually the fifth in a 12-game winning streak for the Pirates that season. Before the streak started, they had been 9-24 on the season; Carpin’s win improved Pittsburgh’s record to 10-24. By the end of the streak, they were 21-24 and had cut their deficit in the National League from 13 1/2 games to 7 1/2 and improved their standing from last place (10th in the league) to sixth. They spent most of the season in the middle of the pack before going 10-2 over the final two weeks to finish third.\nCarpin finished his rookie year with a 3-1 record, 3.18 ERA and 1.49 WHIP in 39 games, all out of the bullpen. He finished 14 contests, saving four of them, and struck out 27 and walked 24 in 39 2/3 innings. After the season, the Astros selected him in the Rule 5 Draft.\nHe opened the ’66 season with Houston, appearing in four games and earning the fourth win of his career before being sent down to Triple-A Oklahoma City. On May 5 at the Astrodome, he came into a tie game with two outs in the top of the 13th inning, caught the Cubs’ Adolfo Phillips trying to steal home to get out of the inning and earned the win without throwing a pitch when Joe Morgan scored the game-winner for Houston in the bottom half.\nDuring his 44-game stint with the 89ers, Carpin went 3-5/2.92/1.35 before a recall to the big leagues. He finished the season with a total of six innings in 10 Major League games, going 1-0/7.50/2.50. His final game came on Sept. 3, 1966, two innings in a 12-2 loss at Atlanta, allowing no hits and three walks.\nIn 1966 I had three children and an expectant wife. There were bone chips starting to develop in my pitching elbow and the Houston doctor told me I had an arthrithic elbow. He suggested they send me home in late August and see how things looked in the spring. I was making $12,000 and this was before free agency and arthroscopic surgery. I also had a Notre Dame degree and my oldest son would start grade school in the fall. My wife said she was not going to accompany me the following year and take my son out of the Richmond school. In addition, I had been working in a training program in the offseason to become a stock broker. All I needed was to pass the exam. I did so that October. What if there had been arthroscopic surgery then? Free agency? More than $12,000 salaries? I rested for two years then started pitching again. Blood flow had dissolved the developing chips and I only pitched once a week in the summer college league in Shennandoah Valley. The results were outstanding. Scouts asked if I would report to their Triple-A clubs right away if they could secure my services. I said no. My brokerage career was taking off, my family was happy in their place and pitching once a week wouldn’t cut it in pro ball. Plus, the money was not there as free agency was still a few years off. But looking back, it is easy to second guess.\nCarpin’s career line reads 49 games in those two seasons, a 4-1 record and 3.74 ERA. He holds a distinction for having the most wins since 1930 without allowing a home run, though Craig Kimbrell won four games for the Braves last season, his rookie year, without allowing a long ball. For the moment, Kimbrell and Carpin share that distinction.\n<p>&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; Report Created on &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href=”http://www.baseball-reference.com/”&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Baseball-Reference.com&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;</p>\nThough his career was cut short, Carpin counts five Hall of Famers among his teammates: Roberto Clemente, Bill Mazeroski and Willie Stargell with the Pirates and Joe Morgan and Robin Roberts with the Astros.\nInteresting point on Robin Roberts … I first met him in Yankee spring camp 1961 and renewed the relationship in 1966 at Cocoa Beach (Astros). He invited me fishing in Ft. Lauderdale and we surf fished together at Cocoa Beach. My first encounter with him was Richmond, Va., circa 1949. The Phillies were barnstorming north prior to the season and they came to Richmond to play the Cardinals. I was the only one at the ballpark early one Saturday morning when I saw him staring at the outfield in a box seat. I asked for his autograph and he never broke his stare. In 1961, I told him that story and the next day two autograph pictures were in my locker. Then he invited me fishing offshore and in 1966 he confided with me about Marvin Miller and his part in having a players union with Marvin as head. He introduced me to Marvin, who was also a Brooklyn native and Dodger fan. The Astros, I believe, were the only team that voted against the union and Marvin Miller. Management poisoned everyone’s minds, except me … The rest is history. Maz was a great teammate in Pittsburgh and Willie and Roberto were obviously great players. My Astro experience was a big letdown after Pittsburgh.\nNow 72, Carpin still lives in Richmond, where he is a stock and commodities broker for Oppenheimer & Co. He said he follows Notre Dame football “religiously,” attending several games a year, and keeps tabs on the basketball, baseball and top Irish women’s sports. “My wife played against Pat Summit’s first team, so that and soccer are on my viewing list,” he told me. In a follow-up e-mail he sent me yesterday, he offered some thoughts on his decision to leave Notre Dame. With the news that star receiver Michael Floyd would return for his senior season in the fall, I found Carpin’s comments to be quite poignant.\nLooking back on my decisions as a young man, I do regret leaving Notre Dame after one year as a baseball player. My education and receiving a degree is not the issue. I graduated in February 1962 with a B.A. in history. Although my career at ND was short, I am more proud that I was Domer than I was a Major League player. And I regret that I cut my college athletic experience short. I think about this when the NFL beckons with the big money. Today’s players don’t have much choice with injury a major concern, especially football players. But baseball is different. There was some money involved, but the main reason I jumped was wanting to find out if I could compete. Patience has never been a virtue, but I wish it had in respect to ND.\nAs I take this “From ND to MLB” series forward, I think Mr. Carpin’s willingness to share his memories have set the bar pretty high. In addition to trading e-mails with me during the week, he also asked for my mailing address. Yesterday, two signed photos of him at Forbes Field (one posted above, the other here) arrived in my mailbox — such a kind gesture. I wasn’t expecting anything and won’t be asking others for anything in return — only their time and their memories. I can’t wait to see what comes next.\n« Radioactive Man at Kauffman Stadium\nRooting for Chris Young won’t be hard »","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1377845"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5705555081367493,"wiki_prob":0.42944449186325073,"text":"Technical Committee of Economic Aspects Follows up Factories Operating in Basic Commodities\nMuscat, The technical committee of the Economic Aspects Team continues its work in following up factories operating in basic commodities, in light of the Covid-19 outbreak.\nThe committee consists of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Ministry of Transport, Directorate General of Customs at the Royal Oman Police, Public Authority of Stores and Food Reserve (PASFR), Public Authority for Consumer Protection (PACP) , Oman Global Logistics Group (Asyad ) and Oman Aviation Group.\nThe formation of the team came with the aim of following up the repercussions that affect the economic aspects due to the spread of the Coronavirus, ensuring the provision of basic commodities and facilitating the crossing of commodities through border outlets.\nMohammed bin Said al-Mahrouqi, Head of the Exemptions Department at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, who chaired the technical committee of the economic team, said that the team was formed by a decision of the Minister of Commerce and Industry and it is headed by the ministry’s undersecretary.\nHe added that coordination between members of the committee is done through meetings, as the team held five meetings to date. He furthered that members of the team communicate daily through electronic programs and email.\nHe added ,”The committee continues to follow the local factories operating in the field of commodities, to be sure about the stock of primary raw materials and the availability of spare parts to ensure the continuity of the work of these factories”.\nHe stressed that all the factories in the free zones and industrial areas affiliated to Madayn are operating normally.\nHe explained that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced several precautionary measures related to the work of industrial establishments with the aim of limiting the effects of the Coronavirus (Covid-19).\nOman Oil Price Rises 1.04 US Dollar","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1022011"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.765311062335968,"wiki_prob":0.765311062335968,"text":"IFHF and Madigan Army Medical Center Open New Intrepid Spirit at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA\nRepresentatives from the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund (IFHF), Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and Madigan Army Medical Center today opened a new Intrepid Spirit center that will diagnose and treat Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and psychological health conditions in service members at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. The facility, which started seeing patients in November 2017, is the sixth in a series of nine centers located at military bases around the country built by the IFHF, a not-for-profit organization and national leader supporting the men and women of the United States Armed Forces and their families. Intrepid Spirit centers currently are operational at Fort Belvoir, Virginia; Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; and Fort Hood, Texas. The seventh center, located at Camp Pendleton, California, opened earlier this week.\nJoint Base Lewis-McChord’s new Intrepid Spirit center cost $12 million to construct and equip with the latest in brain technology and treatment facilities and will span 25,000 square feet. Funding for the project was raised privately through the IFHF.\n“This week, the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund is proud to open two new Intrepid Spirit centers on the West Coast, one here at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and the other at Camp Pendleton in California”, said Arnold Fisher, Honorary Chairman of IFHF. “Being close to your family and having their support is so important to the recovery process. With these new centers, families will not need to uproot themselves and move across the country to be able to care for their loved ones.”\nFisher added, “We owe our success to the people of this country, their generosity and belief in our dedicated mission to heal the men and women who fight so bravely to defend our nation and its citizens.”\nAs home to the United States Army I Corps and the United States Air Force 62nd Airlift Wing, Joint Base Lewis-McChord supports more than 40,000 active guard and reserve service members, as well as more than 60,000 family members who live on- and off-base, and nearly 30,000 retired military who live within 50 miles of the base.\nIntrepid Spirit centers aim to diagnose and treat service members who suffer from TBI and psychological health conditions with the goal of allowing them to continue their regular service in the armed forces and to ensure their lives can be rewarding at work and at home.\nAll Intrepid Spirit centers around the country are being funded and built by the IFHF through a $100 million fundraising campaign. 100% of contributions to the IFHF go toward the construction and equipping of these centers. Though the centers are being built exclusively through private donations, each center is gifted to the Department of Defense for operation and management upon completion. All of the centers are located at military bases around the country.\nThe design and mission of the Intrepid Spirit Centers are based on the original National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE) which opened in 2010 at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. Operated by the Department of Defense, NICoE is the most advanced facility of its kind in the country, and is the center of the Armed Forces’ efforts in researching, diagnosing and treating TBI, psychological health conditions and related injuries sustained by military personnel.\nPosted on April 5 2018 in News","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1214166"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.887389063835144,"wiki_prob":0.887389063835144,"text":"The Human Future\nSir Crispin Tickell\nAdvisory Council Member, Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford\nWhen we know something of our past, we think we know the present. Some may see the future as a continuation of past and present, but according to Sir Crispin Tickell, this outlook is ineffective. In this visionary talk, Sir Crispin will urge us to confront the issues of our day: the multiplication of our species in all its aspects; the economics of health and wealth; the future source of food and energy; adaptation to climate change; and the shortcomings of conventional wisdom. Will the Anthropocene epoch represent no more than a relatively short episode in the story of life on Earth?\nA pioneer in linking environmental and climatic change to the realms of politics and business, Sir Crispin Tickell is a former diplomat, warden of Green College Oxford, Chancellor of the University of Kent, and serves as an adviser to ASU's President Michael M. Crow. He is the author of many papers and books, including \"Climate Change and World Affairs\" and \"Mary Anning of Lyme Regis.\"\nWelcoming remarks by:\nASU's President Michael M. Crow\nGlobal Institute of Sustainability's new director, Gary Dirks\nTempe Center for the Arts - Lakeside Room\n700 W. Rio Salado Parkway\n(reception to follow)","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1166256"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8837968111038208,"wiki_prob":0.8837968111038208,"text":"Bollywood / Celebrities / Singer\nMusic Director, Singer Pritam Chakraborty Biography, Career, Songs, Wife, Wiki\nby Gaurav Singh Negi · Published December 6, 2016 · Updated December 6, 2016\nMusic has always been the soul of Bollywood films. Behind this extraordinary music in films, there are some amazingly talented music directors and singers who make this happen. This biography is about one such skillful music director whose music has always been in the chartbusters. He is Pritam Chakraborty, an Indian music director, singer and composer for Bollywood films. Pritam has also composed many jingles for top brands in advertisements and music for Television serials. He is widely regarded as one of the best musicians and Bollywood singers. He is also among the best Bangla singers as he is into Bangla music along with Hindi films. The biography of Pritam Chakraborty is filled with many interesting facts about his life as well as career.\nPritam Chakraborty Date of Birth\nPritam Chakraborty birthday falls on 14th June and he was born in the year 1971. Pritam celebrates his birthday with his close friend circle and family on most occasions. He also likes to spend time with his fans on his special day and most of them wish him on social media.\nPritam Chakraborty Family Background\nPritam Chakraborty family hails from the city of Kolkata in India. He was born in a simple middle-class Bengali family in Kolkata itself. His father Prabodh Chakraborty was an insurance officer and also used to teach music to students. Pritam learned music from his father as it was already in his genes. Both his father and mother Anuradha Chakraborty would be very proud of their son’s achievements. Pritam Chakraborty wiki further tells you about the education he took in the early years of his life.\nPritam Chakraborty Education\nPritam completed his schooling from St. James School and then completed his graduation in Geology from Presidency College. He learned to play guitar during his school days. He was always inclined towards music since childhood. Pritam then joined the Film and Television Institute in Pune where he enrolled in the course of Sound recording and engineering. During this course, he got an offer to compose music for a film by Hungarian filmmaker Istvan Gaal. He trained himself in African music from musicologist Kedar Avati for this project and became a part of it.\nPritam Chakraborty Personal Life\nPritam Chakraborty has grooved Bollywood industry through his music. Pritam Chakraborty height is around 5 feet 3 inches. He is short in height but his personality doesn’t matter much as he is always behind the screens. Pritam Chakraborty is always seen in long hairs and a full beard. His fans can connect with him through social networking sites as he is quite active on them. Pritam Chakraborty biography has insightful details from the beginning of his career up to now.\nPritam Chakraborty Career\nBefore starting his career in Bollywood, Pritam formed a band with his Presidency batchmates called ‘Jotugriher Pakhi’ where he used to play guitar. He also joined the Bangla band ‘Chandrabindu’. After completing his education, he moved to Mumbai to pursue his career in music. Pritam has composed ad jingles for reputed brands like Hyundai, Emami, McDonald’s, Head & Shoulder, Thumbs up, Limca, Complan, and much more. Pritam Chakraborty songs also include the title tracks for television serials like ‘Astitva’, ‘Kkavyanjali’, ‘Ye Meri Life Hai’, ‘Remix’, ‘Dil Kya Kare’ and much more. In the year 2001, when Pritam Chakraborty age was 30 he got his first big break in Bollywood as a music composer for the film ‘Tere Liye’. He worked with his partner Jeet Ganguly on this movie. Although ‘Tere Liye’ badly sank at the box office, the music went very popular. The duo again paired up for YashRaj film’s ‘Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai’, both the movie and the songs were a super hit.\nBefore parting ways, the pair gave music for the film ‘Muddaand’ then due to some issues between them, the partners made their separate ways. Pritam’s career as a solo musician started but some of his films turned out badly. He went through a low phase in his career but he didn’t lose his hope and came back with a bang with the movie ‘Dhoom’. The music and the film was a superhit at the box office. There was no looking back then onwards, he gave some amazing hits. Pritam Chakraborty hit songs are in the movies ‘Gangster’, ‘Dhoom 2’, ‘Life in a Metro’, ‘Jab We Met’, ‘Once a upon a Time in Mumbai’, ‘Bodyguard’, ‘Jannat 2’, ‘Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani’, ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’, ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ and many more.\nDue to his immense popularity, Pritam Chakraborty latest songs are always among the chartbusters. He was seen as a judge on many popular television reality singing shows including ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2009’, ‘Chhote Ustaad’, ‘X Factor’, ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Bangla’ and much more. He was featured on ‘MTV Unplugged season 5’ where he sang some of his best songs in a different way. Being such a successful music composer and a singer, he has worked with the best singers in Bollywood.\nInteresting Facts about Pritam Chakraborty\nHe has received 2 Filmfare awards, 4 zee cine awards, 3-star screen awards, 3 IIFA awards, 3 ITA awards and many more awards as well.\nHe has composed jingles for many brands and gave title tracks in many TV shows.\nHe started his Bollywood career as a composer from the movie Tere liye.\nPritam Chakraborty Love Affairs\nPritam Chakraborty is happily married since many years. Before getting hitched, Pritam Chakraborty girlfriend and he dated each other for almost 5 long years. Pritam Chakraborty wife name is Smita Bhattacharya and she was his long-time girlfriend too. The pair is blessed with two children, a daughter named Ishqa and a son Purvesh. Pritam Chakraborty children are blessed with wonderful parents and we wish them a good future.\nPritam Chakraborty Controversy\nPritam Chakraborty has mostly faced controversies regarding song plagiarism. It is seen that he has copied a number of his popular songs from various artists around the world without giving credit to the original songs. In some cases, he has brought the copyright and has given them credit too.\nTags: BengaliIndianMusic ComposersMusic DirectorsSingers\nRam Kapoor Wife Gautami Kapoor Biography\nSinger Papon (Angaraag Mahanta) Biography, Songs, Wife, Wiki\nby Gaurav Singh Negi · Published August 2, 2016 · Last modified July 31, 2016\nNext story Tubelight Movie Actress Zhu Zhu Biography, Age, Movies, Love Life, Wiki\nPrevious story Model, Actress Vaani Kapoor Biography, Age, Movies, Affairs, Wiki","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line626058"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7092981934547424,"wiki_prob":0.29070180654525757,"text":"Bald Eagle Sightings in North Dakota\nFebruary 27, 2015 by VerticalScope\nby Doug Leier\nLast week driving near the Fargodome in north Fargo, I was scanning the road ahead and I spotted a bald eagle. Then another. Then another.\nOne of my kids noticed it, but the others in the car didn’t seem too interested. We didn’t stop. I didn’t turn down the radio, point, and begin a narrative on the history of bald eagles nationally and locally.\nFact is, I could have driven them to at least two bald eagles nests in less than 15 minutes.\nIt hasn’t always been that way.\nTwenty-five 25 years ago on a side trip across Logan County during the fall, I thought I noticed an odd bird. Odd, because if you spend enough time outdoors, you recognize what fits and what doesn’t.\nOff on the horizon the bird was just way too big to be a common red-tailed hawk or other large bird of prey. There was no way I wasn’t going to do my best to find out what it was or was not, so I spent the better part of a half hour getting close enough to verify that the bird indeed was what I had suspected – a bald eagle.\nAt that time, the sheer sighting of a bald eagle, in that part of the state, was reason to stop.\nHistorically, bald eagles are native residents of North Dakota and were regular breeders along the Red and Missouri rivers and in the Devils Lake area in the 1800s. Unregulated taking by humans, loss of habitat and environmental contaminants were main factors in the decline of eagles throughout much of the lower 48 states in the 1900s.\nConsidered pillagers of chickens and other domesticated livestock, bald eagles were gratuitously killed until Congress passed the Bald Eagle Protection Act in 1940, because of fears that the nation’s symbol since 1782 was threatened with extinction. While this curtailed indiscriminate killing, other factors conspired against bald eagles. In the 1950s the pesticide DDT was praised as the antidote for killing insects that eat agricultural crops and cause disease.\nLater it was realized that DDT not only killed untargeted critters, but thinned the eggshells of nesting eagles. Manufacture and use of DDT was banned in the United States in 1973. Even so, the bald eagle was listed under the Endangered Species Act in the lower 48 states in 1978.\nWhen the bald eagle was listed under the ESA in 1978, North Dakota had no known nesting pairs and hadn’t for quite some time. Fast forward 17 years and bald eagles had made enough of a recovery to be upgraded from endangered, or on the brink of extinction, to threatened status, which meant their population had improved but could still slip back to endangered.\nBy 1999 the FWS proposed taking the eagle completely off the endangered species list. On June 28, 2007, that proposal was granted.\nAlong that recovery trail North Dakota’s first documented pair of nesting bald eagles was observed along the Missouri River between Garrison Dam and Bismarck in the late 1980s. It wasn’t until the mid-2000s, though, that the number of nesting eagles started to climb significantly.\nToday, North Dakota has around 145 active bald eagle nests.\nBut even with the growing eagle population, every time I see one I still basically pause what I’m doing, make a mental note, and smile in appreciation.\nFacts about Bald Eagles\nNorth Dakota Bald Eagles\nEagle Nest Sightings on the Rise in North Dakota\n2013 midwinter bald eagle survey\nTags: Bald Eagles, North Dakota","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line827621"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8194965124130249,"wiki_prob":0.8194965124130249,"text":"‘Kisses On The Bottom’: Interview and Track Previews!\nWith one week to go until the release of Paul McCartney’s Kisses On The Bottom the album is now available to stream in its entirety by clicking here: NPR.org.\nAdditionally the first interview with McCartney and Award-winning producer Tommy LiPuma discussing the new album is now available in the official EPK below:\nKisses On The Bottom (out February 6/7 on Hear Music/Concord), is a collection of standards beloved to Paul since childhood as well as two new McCartney compositions: ‘My Valentine’ and ‘Only Our Hearts.’\nCreated with the help of Grammy Award-winning producer Tommy LiPuma and Diana Krall and her band—as well as guest appearances from Eric Clapton and Stevie Wonder—Kisses On The Bottom is the first record in McCartney’s historic oeuvre to feature him almost exclusively on vocals.\nWith the exception of a bit of acoustic guitar on two tracks, Paul’s sole instrument on Kisses On The Bottom is that unmistakable voice at its most intimate and unadorned.\nKisses On The Bottom is obviously a work born of intense inspiration and affection—and possibly most important of all fun. This is certainly reflected in the album’s title, which confused more than a few Macca obsessives (with many fixating on an anatomical interpretation!), but actually quotes from the album’s opener ‘I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter’. Originally made a big hit by Fats Waller in 1935, the song opens with the lines ‘I’m gonna sit right down and write myself a letter and make believe it came from you. I’m gonna write words oh so sweet. They’re gonna knock me off of my feet. A lot of kisses on the bottom, I’ll be glad I got ‘em’.\nKisses’ heartfelt interpretations of these classics—many of which were introduced to a young Paul by his father on piano--were recorded along with its two McCartney originals at the legendary Capitol Studios in Los Angeles, and in New York and London over the course of 2011. The album also features stellar guest turns from Eric Clapton (on ‘My Valentine’ and ‘Get Yourself Another Fool’) and Stevie Wonder (‘Only Our Hearts’) and suitably classy cover art featuring a portrait of Paul shot by his daughter Mary McCartney worked into a concept by Jonathan Schofield (Visual Director at Stella McCartney) and design by Matthew Cooper (Arctic Monkeys, Franz Ferdinand, etc.).\nFor more information, visit Paul's website: www.paulmccartney.com\nKisses On The Bottom – Full Tracklisting\nStandard CD – 14 tracks\n01. I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter 02:36\n02. Home (When Shadows Fall) 04:04\n03. It’s Only A Paper Moon 02:35\n04. More I Cannot Wish You 03:04\n05. The Glory Of Love 03:46\n06. We Three (My Echo, My Shadow And Me) 03:22\n07. Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive 02:32\n08. My Valentine 03:14\n09. Always 03:50\n10. My Very Good Friend The Milkman 03:04\n11. Bye Bye Blackbird 04:26\n12. Get Yourself Another Fool 04:42\n13. The Inch Worm 03:43\n14. Only Our Hearts 04:21\nThe Deluxe CD Album features two bonus tracks plus access to a download of the Capitol Studios show (available from Tuesday 14th February via paulmccartney.com), plus longer liner notes and expanded packaging featuring three postcards):\n15. Baby’s Request 03:30\n16. My One And Only Love 03:50\nThe album will also be available digitally.\nAll photographs c. MPL Communications Ltd and may not be reproduced without the express permission of the copyright holder\nPosted by Donna at 17:56 No comments:\nLabels: Music, News\nPaul McCartney and Stevie Wonder\n© 2012 MPL Communications Ltd.\nPhotographer: MJ Kim\nThis year sees 30 years since Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder first worked together on the classic smash hit Ebony and Ivory (March 1982), which was number 1 in the UK and the US. The release of Paul's new album Kisses On The Bottom sees them reunited on the track, Only Our Hearts. Only Our Hearts is one of two original McCartney compositions included on the album, which is a collection of standards Paul grew up listening to in his childhood.\nOn working with Stevie Paul said, \"Stevie came along to the studio in LA and he listened to the track for about ten minutes and he totally got it. He just went to the mic and within 20 minutes had nailed this dynamite solo. When you listen you just think, 'How do you come up with that?' But it's just because he is a genius, that's why'.\nStevie joined Paul at LA's legendary Capitol Studio's to record the track.\nKisses On The Bottom is a collection of standards Paul grew up listening to in his childhood as well as the two new McCartney compositions My Valentine and Only Our Hearts. With the help of Grammy Award-winning producer Tommy LiPuma and Diana Krall and her band, Paul’s new album is a deeply personal journey through classic American compositions that, in some cases, a young Paul first heard his father perform on piano at home\nKisses On The Bottom is out on Tuesday, February 7th.\nHENRY McCULLOUGH and DENNY SEIWELL to Reunite for New CD of Beatles and Paul songs\nDamian Smyth, co-author of The Beatles and Ireland, has just shared this news with the BBFC:\nFormer Wings Lead Guitarist HENRY McCULLOUGH made his first U.S. appearance in over 20 years, last summer at our Chicago FEST, and he was most personable. His stylish brand of guitar is most evident on the solo on My Love, considered one of the best in popular music. Before joining Wings, Henry was a member of Joe Cocker's Grease Band, and appeared at Woodstock.\nHenry and fellow Wings band mate Drummer DENNY SEIWELL are reuniting at our FEST with a musical surprise. They are recording a CD of Wings and Beatles songs and plan to have it ready exclusively for us in March.\nThey plan to perform some of these new versions Live at THE FEST.\nDenny is also going to have another Live Drum Session History of the Ram Album. Denny began his relationship with Paul during the Ram Sessions as a New York City Session Musician. Paul asked him to join Wings, which he did. Henry and Denny were in Wings at the same time for Red Rose Speedway and a few hit singles.\nFor more details on The Fest, click here\nCelebrate Valentine's Day in Style at the Hard Day's Night hotel in Liverpool\nAll you need is love ...\nDelighted to present to romantics and lovers of good food everywhere :\n'So This is Blakes Valentines Menu'\nOur chefs have hand crafted a stunning six course menu , for the special price of £42.50\nTable reservations are now being taken.\nClick here for more information, download our menu’s or to book online.\nPaul McCartney Live Webstream\nJoin Paul As He Starts Promotion For His New Album 'Kisses On The Bottom'\nThursday 19th Jan – 11am EST (4pm in the UK)\nTune in live to PaulMcCartney.com tomorrow (Thursday 19th January) at 11am (EST; 4pm in the UK) to get an exclusive live behind the scenes broadcast of Paul answering questions from some of the world's media. Paul will be spending the afternoon in London talking with press from around the world to promote the release of his new album.\nPaulMcCartney.com will stream 30 minutes of the afternoon at some point between 11am and 12pm (4pm to 5pm in the UK).\nIn addition you have the opportunity to ask a question to Paul. Simply email your question to kissesonthebottom@paulmccartney.com and one question will be chosen and given to Paul to answer.\nThis is an amazing chance for fans to get a fly on the wall view of what happens before an album is released.\n'Kisses On The Bottom' is released on February 6th in the UK and Feb 7th in the US.\nPre-Order Kisses On The Bottom:\nOfficial website: http://www.paulmccartney.com\nTwitter: http://twitter.com/PaulMcCartney\nFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/PaulMcCartney\nMOST FAMOUS CLUB IN THE WORLD CELEBRATES 55 YEARS IN BUSINESS\nLiverpool’s iconic Cavern Club celebrated its 55th birthday by inviting 200 music students to perform on the same stage as superstars Sir Paul McCartney, Dave Gilmore, Arctic Monkeys and Adele.\nCelebrations included a visit from Liverpool’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Frank Prendergast who met the Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Irene Chamberlain and, along with 200 pupils, presented Cavern Club owners with a giant 55th Birthday card filled with personal messages.\nThe birthday marks Solihull Music Services’ annual pilgrimage to The Cavern Club where students, aged between 12 and 18 years old, perform 20-minute sets of their own material on the world famous Cavern Club stage. Solihull Music Services works in partnership with pupils and schools to provide equipment and opportunities for music making.\nCavern Club owner Dave Jones said: “We have an ongoing relationship with Solihull Music Services after they started bringing pupils to visit us almost four years ago. We were extremely impressed with the musical ability we saw and since then we have honoured our commitment to fostering new music talent by inviting them back for our birthday. The Cavern Club isn’t just about Liverpool’s great music legacy but about the music of today and the musicians of the future.\n“To mark the occasion we made each performer an honorary member of our new Cavern Club membership scheme. The Cavern started as a members club and we feel that now is the right time to go back to our roots. Those who sign up will have access to exclusive content on our website along with other 'member only' benefits.”\nIf you would like to become a member of the Cavern Club, click here!\nThe Cavern club opened its doors on 16th January 1957 and was Liverpool’s first venue dedicated to live popular music. Over half a century later, The Cavern is still surviving and thriving as a contemporary music venue with resident tribute bands and original acts performing seven days a week.\nLiverpool’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Frank Prendergast said: “For 55 years Liverpool’s famous Cavern Club has played a pivotal role in pop music throughout the world. I’m proud and excited to have celebrated this landmark birthday with the owners and some of our future musical stars.”\nThe Cavern Club’s 55th Birthday is the first in a long line up of anniversary events taking place in 2012 – The Beatles 50th anniversary year.\nPosted by Donna at 10:42 3 comments:\nBecome a Member of the Most Famous Club in the World!\nWhen the Cavern Club opened 55 years ago, it was a members club and memberships cards from those early years are now extremely valuable. To mark the Cavern's birthday, on January 16 2012, a brand new membership scheme has been launched!\nTwo levels of membership are available: Gold and Silver\nGold membership costs £35.00 per year and includes the following:\nFree General Admission to The Cavern for a year*\nEXCLUSIVE Members only pin badge\nPersonalised plastic souvenir membership card\nMonthly e-newsletter\nEXCLUSIVE FREE Members only T Shirt\nEXCLUSIVE member only content online\nImmediate notification of latest gigs\nPriority notification of latest products\nFan club events\nSilver membership costs £17.50 and includes the following:\nEXCLUSIVE Member Only pin badge\nNotification of latest gigs\nMore details of how to become a member of the most famous club in the world are on the Cavern website here.\nLabels: Beatle Places, News\nKisses On The Bottom from Paul xxx\nPAUL'S TRIBUTE TO PERSONAL FAVOURITES\n& TWO NEW SELF PENNED COMPOSITIONS\nOUT FEBRUARY 6TH/7TH\n‘Kisses On The Bottom’ is a collection of standards Paul grew up listening to in his childhood as well as the two new McCartney compositions ‘My Valentine’ and ‘Only Our Hearts’. With the help of Grammy Award-winning producer Tommy LiPuma and Diana Krall and her band—as well as guest appearances from Eric Clapton and Stevie Wonder, McCartney’s new album is a deeply personal journey through classic American compositions that, in some cases, a young Paul first heard his father perform on piano at home. The full tracklisting reveals that Paul has been both reverent and adventurous in his song choices.\n01. I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter - 02:36\nDeluxe CD Album will feature 2 bonus tracks plus access to a download of an exclusive live show (available from Tuesday 14th February via paulmccartney.com, plus longer liner notes and expanded packaging featuring 3 postcards)\nThe album was recorded at the legendary Capitol Studios in Los Angeles, New York and London throughout 2011. It also features guest musicians Eric Clapton and Stevie Wonder, respectively, on the original compositions ‘My Valentine’ and ‘Only Our Hearts’. Eric also appears on the track ‘Get Yourself Another Fool’.\nwww.paulmccartney.com\nMore Memories of George\nHere are some more of the great interviews that DIDN’T make our George special.\nThe Harrison Exclusive tribute magazine will be available next week, but orders can be placed now via the BBFC Shop by clicking here.\nWe would like to thank those who gave their time to give us reminiscences of George.\nDavid Jacobs, who was the host of the hit BBCTV music show ‘Juke Box Jury’, recalls the apprehension of The Beatles as they returned to Liverpool for the premiere:\n\"I travelled to Liverpool with The Beatles for the first night showing of ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ in their home city.\nOn the flight, George in particular was worried, as were the other Beatles, about returning to Liverpool. They thought their home city would reject them because of the fame they had achieved and leaving their original fans.\nAs we flew into Liverpool Airport, George looked out through a window and said “Look at all that down there, it looks like black tar”.\nIn fact it was the heads of all the fans that had turned out to greet them on their return to their home city!\nI sat with Brian Epstein in the car from the airport taking us to the city centre. To see the look on people’s faces that had just seen The Beatles, who were in the car ahead of us, was simply amazing.\"\n(Our thanks to David Jacobs for granting the BBFC an interview in August 2010)\nLeslie Cavendish, the Beatles hairdresser, recalls the occasion when he visited George in hospital when his tonsils were removed.\n\"I remember going to the hospital when he had his tonsils out in February 1969 at the London University Hospital. This was a few years after Ringo had his out.\nI was asked by Derek Taylor to go and wash and cut George's hair because it was making him feel uncomfortable. When I got to the hospital the press were there waiting for news. As I walked in they approached me and asked I would tell them what George had said after I saw him.\nI went upstairs to his room and told him that I had never seen so many press people before. He told me this was normal and he just gets on with it. I mentioned that they would like me to tell them what was happening or say something. As it wasn't my job to tell the press anything, when I left I told them (“no comment”) I've always wanted to do that. George had this very special peaceful aura around him and the times I had been in his company you felt it.\nIt was SOMETHING in the way he smiled.\"\n(The BBFC would like to thank Leslie Cavendish for granting an interview August 2010)\nVictor Spinetti shared this special memory with the BBFC:\n\"I was spending the day with George at his bungalow in Esher.\nWhilst sipping some green tea he said,” Come, I’ve just bought something and I’d like you to see it.”\nHe led me into another room which was all white-a white fitted carpet, white walls and floor to ceiling white muslin curtains gently rippling in the breeze from an open window over which they were drawn.\nGeorge was also in white-a loose fitting Indian type garment, comprising of an open shirt and loose fitting trousers.\nOn the floor of this room was a beautiful ivory studded musical instrument, this was he explained to me a thousand year old sitar.\nWithout warning he sat behind it and started playing. I too sat on the floor, cross legged as was George, I had previously taken off my shoes, and George was already in bare feet.\nAs he played, the white curtains rippling behind him, the music in the all white room seemed as though the two of us had been transported to some far off spiritual retreat.\nI had been telling George earlier that I couldn’t get it together with Indian music.\n“You don’t listen to it Vic, you just let it happen to you”, he said.\nSo there I was ,letting this whole experience of George, the thousand year old sitar, the amazing music , the all white room ,happen.\nHe finished playing as suddenly as he begun. We were both quite as the music faded into the stillness of the room.\nI reached out and impulsively touched his foot.\n“How did you know?” he asked\n“Know what?” I replied.\n“To touch my foot? This is the custom in India when a musician finishes playing”\nI didn’t know of course I’m only glad I did the right thing ,it just seemed the gentle thing to do in order to thank him…to thank my teacher for this one amazing afternoon, To thank my own personal guru in teaching me the ways of Indian music, George Harrison.\"\n(With thanks to Victor Spinetti, February 7, 2011)\nIn 1969 the Apple band Badfinger would have a huge hit with the Paul McCartney song ‘Come and Get It’, which was part of the soundtrack to Ringo Starr’s up and coming film ‘The Magic Christian’, also starring the former Goon, Peter Sellers. Joey Molland, of Badfinger, recalls walking into Apple, just after the single became a hit.\n“I remember walking into the Apple offices in London, just after ‘Come and Get it’ became a hit. As I walked in there was George Harrison. He turned and congratulated us on having a huge hit, and told me- “You do now realise you will be playing this for the rest of your life, don’t you?.” How right he was.”\n(Thanks to Joey Molland- Liverpool August 2010)\nLabels: Interviews\nHENRY McCULLOUGH and DENNY SEIWELL to Reunite for ...\nCelebrate Valentine's Day in Style at the Hard Day...\nMOST FAMOUS CLUB IN THE WORLD CELEBRATES 55 YEARS ...","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1230892"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5839847326278687,"wiki_prob":0.41601526737213135,"text":"World Health Assembly endorse resolutions on meningitis, epilepsy control\nThe World Health Organisation (WHO) says delegates attending the virtual session of the 73rd World Health Assembly (WHA) have adopted two resolutions on meningitis and epilepsy control.\nThe organisation disclosed this in a statement posted on its website on Friday\nThe WHA is the decision-making body of the WHO, and it is being attended by delegations from all member states.\nThe world body stated that member states recommended the adoption of the two resolutions on meningitis control and epilepsy at the 73rd World Health Assembly.\nIt added that “Committee A, which focuses on programme and budget matters, decided to recommend the adoption of the first-ever resolution on meningitis, which will approve a global roadmap to defeat meningitis by 2030.\n“Meningitis is a disease that kills 300,000 people annually and leaves one in five of those affected with devastating long-term consequences.\n“The Committee also recommended the adoption of a resolution calling for scaled-up and integrated action on epilepsy and other neurological disorders such as stroke, migraine and dementia.\n“Neurological disorders are the leading cause of disability and the second leading cause of death worldwide.”\nIn addition, the statement stated, the Committee further decided to recommend the adoption of a decision endorsing the new roadmap for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).\n“The roadmap, which targets year 2030, aims to reduce the number of people requiring treatment for NTDs by 90 per cent.\n“It also hopes to eliminate at least one NTD in 100 countries, eradicate two diseases (dracunculiasis and yaws), and reduce by 75 per cent, the Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) related to NTDs.”\nThe WHO statement noted that the Committee A noted the Operational Framework for Primary Health Care, which aligned with the Declaration of Astana and resolution WHA72.2 (2019).\nIt noted that WHO established a Special Programme on Primary Health Care to roll out the Operational Framework – supporting Member States to build people-centred, resilient and sustainable primary health care-based health systems.\nIt pointed out that Committee B – which deals predominantly with administrative, financial and legal matters – reviewed the Director-General’s report on “Health Conditions in Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan.\nThe Committee also decided, by vote, to recommend the adoption of a decision requesting the Director-General, among others, to report on progress in the implementation of its recommendations to the next World Health Assembly.\n“All resolutions and decisions recommended by the Committees for adoption by the 73rd World Health Assembly will be included in the Committees’ reports to be considered by the Assembly,’’ it added.\nThe main functions of the WHA are to determine the policies of the organisation, appoint the Director-General, supervise financial policies, as well as review and approve proposed programme budget.\nThe WHA usually takes place in May, but this year, given the COVID-19 pandemic, a reduced (de minimis) WHA took place on May 18 and May 19.\nThe resumed WHA73, which started on Nov. 9, ended on Friday. (NAN)\nTags: Assembly, Control, endorse, epilepsy, meninginitis, on, resolutions, World Health\nmeninginitis\nCISLAC congratulates, US President-elect, unveils shopping list\nNNPC clarifies increase in PMS ex-coastal, ex-depot price of PMS","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1120216"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9096333384513855,"wiki_prob":0.9096333384513855,"text":"The Nationals moved fast at the start of last offseason. This one is already different.\nMike Rizzo was quick to the market last offseason. He has yet to make a move this year, with the GM meetings beginning Monday, and that's to be expected given the internal decisions he still has to work out. (Patrick Semansky/AP)\nJesse Dougherty\nReporter covering the Washington Nationals.\nSCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — By the time Mike Rizzo arrived in Carlsbad, Calif., for last year’s general managers meetings, he had already added two players to step ahead of a slow-moving market. Rizzo, the Washington Nationals’ general manager, had made Trevor Rosenthal the first free agent signing of the 2018-19 MLB offseason. That came just weeks after the Nationals traded for reliever Kyle Barraclough. If teams were wading into the winter — and 29 of them were — Rizzo dived headfirst and started checking items off a to-do list.\nNow, after they have won the World Series, there is no shortage of questions for the Nationals to address. Their pace just promises to be much steadier.\nThe GM meetings began at the Omni Resorts here Monday. The Nationals, just 12 days removed from a title, arrived with holes to fill at catcher, first base, second, maybe third, maybe in their rotation and definitely with their bench and bullpen. Rizzo ripped through a similar situation a year ago, acquiring those two relievers, then bringing in Kurt Suzuki, Yan Gomes, Patrick Corbin, Matt Adams and Aníbal Sánchez, in that order, before December was through. But with internal decisions to sort out — the most pressing centered on Stephen Strasburg and Anthony Rendon — the Nationals’ plans are tethered to retaining some of the best available players or using an influx of money to replace them.\nIf they bring back Strasburg, they would explore only depth additions to their starting staff. If they don’t, they could jump into discussions for front-line pitchers such as Gerrit Cole or Zack Wheeler. Discussions with Strasburg are expected to move faster than with other stars. He opted out of the remaining four years and $100 million on his Nationals contract Nov. 2. He is interested in staying with Washington, according to those close to him, but the baseline price could be the seven-year, $210 million deal that Max Scherzer signed with the Nationals in January 2015.\nStrasburg, 31, is coming off a career year that ended with a World Series MVP award. His agent, Scott Boras, represents Scherzer and helped construct that contract four years ago. Boras will be in Scottsdale for the meetings. But he has someone stationed with Strasburg, near his offseason home outside Washington, in case talks gain traction in the near future. There are a lot of clubs that need starting pitching, including two — the Los Angeles Angels and San Diego Padres — near Strasburg’s hometown of San Diego. The Nationals have already begun negotiating a new deal. Their interest is sky high. They know that everyone else’s is, as well.\nIf they bring back Rendon, they could shift their priorities to lower-cost additions at catcher, first base and possibly second, depending on what they envision with top prospect Carter Kieboom. But if they don’t, it could lead them to exploring third basemen Josh Donaldson or Mike Moustakas as shorter-term options. Or Yasmani Grandal, the top catcher on the market, could make sense because the Nationals declined a $9 million club option for Gomes. The offense will bring back centerpieces in Juan Soto, Trea Turner, Adam Eaton and Victor Robles, but the Nationals would need to act swiftly if Rendon falls out of its blueprint. Losing him and Bryce Harper in back-to-back offseasons cannot be addressed without spending.\nRendon and the Nationals traded proposals throughout this past season, but none were able to keep him from testing the open market. Washington’s latest offer was for seven years and between $210 million and $215 million in early September. Boras, Rendon’s agent, countered, and the Nationals did not accept the terms. That Boras was still negotiating then, less than two months before the start of free agency, suggests Rendon remains interested in returning. But those negotiations also showed that the sides are still far apart.\nAnd the hang-ups for the Nationals don’t end with Strasburg and Rendon. Ryan Zimmerman is a free agent and willing to come back on a cheap deal. Gomes, Howie Kendrick, Daniel Hudson, Asdrúbal Cabrera, Brian Dozier, Fernando Rodney and Gerardo Parra were also on the World Series roster before becoming free agents.\nThe Nationals can’t keep all of the players who led them to their first championship. They may cut a handful of them loose. Because those decisions will shape their plans, and dictate what they need and don’t need in the coming weeks, this offseason will inch into gear. Re-signing Strasburg or Rendon, or both, would greatly alter Washington’s financial planning. Zimmerman could fill one of two openings at first base. Kendrick could fill the other and pad the bench if the Nationals want to compete with the American League teams that will court the NL Championship Series MVP as a designated hitter. Cabrera could be a utility infielder and pinch hitter from both sides of the plate. Hudson could kick-start the construction of the bullpen for 2020.\nBut Rizzo will have to balance nostalgia with practicality. He will have to attack his to-do list, another lengthy one, with any number of contingencies. And because of that, because of all the Nationals don’t know, he will have to slow down.\nMLB awards: Finalists, predictions, more\nWhat Dave Martinez saw during the Nationals’ parade: A city that had fallen in love","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line18794"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8144678473472595,"wiki_prob":0.8144678473472595,"text":"SPHL, HockeyTech launch new mobile app\nby dprice\nHUNTERSVILLE, NC (September 22, 2020) – The Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) today announced an extension of their digital services partnership with HockeyTech with the release of their new mobile app, now available on the App Store and Google Play.\n“We are excited to expand our partnership with HockeyTech and announce the release of our new SPHL Mobile App,” stated Commissioner Doug Price. “With the app, SPHL fans will now have real-time scores, stats, news and more, all at their fingertips.”\nMobile apps powered by HockeyTech allow the SPHL to further engage fans with live scores, game notifications, fan polls and more. HockeyTech has also partnered with the SPHL to stream all regular season and playoff games beginning with the 2020-2021 season.\nAbout HockeyTech\nHockeyTech (hockeytech.com) is the worldwide leader in providing hockey-related technologies, analytics, and information services. HockeyTech was founded in 2012 by Stu Siegel, a technology entrepreneur, and former Florida Panthers (NHL) Managing Partner/CEO. HockeyTech has made six company acquisitions to date, integrating, and developing one-of-a-kind hockey-focused tools. HockeyTech’s brands have been Digitally Powering HockeyTM since 1998.\nAbout Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL)\nNow entering its 17th season, the Southern Professional Hockey League is comprised of 10 member teams located throughout the southeastern and midwestern United States. Headquartered in Huntersville, North Carolina, the mission of the SPHL is to provide a quality family-friendly entertainment product structured inside an economic model that is viable for small and mid-size markets and arenas. For more information about the SPHL, visit the league’s website at thesphl.com.\nVictor returns to Marksmen for sophomore season\nDawgs bring back O’Brien, add rookie","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line413795"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6305744647979736,"wiki_prob":0.36942553520202637,"text":"Datacenters.com Signs Agreement With 365 Data Centers to Offer Colocation Services\n3 Apr 2020 by Bob West\nENGLEWOOD, CO. April 3, 2020 – Datacenters.com, the leading technology platform and marketplace for buyers and sellers of colocation, cloud, and connectivity, has entered into a strategic partnership 365 Data Centers to offer colocation and connectivity solutions throughout the United States.\nAs part of the direct agreement, Datacenters.com will offer colocation, interconnection and support services from 365 Data Centers to its existing customer and throughout its network of independent sales agents, consultants, brokers and MSPs. 365 Data Centers will also be participating in the launch of the Datacenters.com Project Platform platform which is a digital RFP tool for colocation.\n“365 Data Centers has a great channel program for partners like Datacenters.com,” said April Armijo, VP of Operations at Datacenters. “365 Data Centers provides great support and quick turnaround times for quote and pricing requests.”\n365 Data Centers have added their company profile along with all of their data center locations to the Datacenters.com platform. 365 Data Centers currently has 12 data center locations listed with facilities in Boca Raton, Bridgewater, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Indianapolis, Long Island, Nashville, Philadelphia, New York City and Tampa.\n“We are proud of our strong relationship with Mike Allen and his team,” said Nathan Milkins, Channel Manager at 365 Data Centers, “Datacenters.com is the top platform in the data center industry for marketing and selling colocation services online.”\nIn addition to listing their company profile and data center locations, 365 Data Centers is also participating in the Datacenters.com Marketplace. The Marketplace features upfront and transparent pricing on colocation bundled services and packages. Datacenters.com users can reserve colocation space at any of the 365 Data Center locations online.\nAbout Datacenters.com\nDatacenters.com is the #1 technology platform and marketplace connecting buyers and sellers of colocation, cloud, connectivity, managed services, and related IT services. We’re dedicated to one thing – helping IT professionals research, purchase, and manage their technologies across a diverse range of solutions, providers and vendors.\nSince 2014, Datacenters.com℠ has attracted more than 1.4 million visitors. The platform provides detailed information on 295 providers, 2,917 data center facilities, and 331 marketplace products globally.\nDatacenters.com is the sister company of Global Consulting Group, Inc. (GCG), a leading technology services distributor and IT consulting company headquartered in Englewood, Colorado.\nLearn more at Datacenters.com and follow us on LinkedIn.\nAbout 365 Data Centers\n365 Data Centers is a leading provider of hybrid data center solutions in 12 strategic, primarily edge, markets. The Company operates facilities aggregating220,000 SF and 21 MW of power, along with a robust interconnected, resilient, low latency, nationwide fiber network. 365's carrier neutral ecosystem and secure, reliable edge colocation, network, IP, DRaaS, backup, cloud and business continuity services help organizations reduce costs and drive innovation. Mission-critical application infrastructure is supported through industry leading SLA protections and by adhering to industry standards such as HIPAA, PCI DSS, SOC 1 Type 2, SOC 2 Type 2, SSAE 18, and ISAE 3402.\nLearn more at 365Datacenters.com.\nBob West is a tech-savvy, digital enthusiast with a deep-rooted passion for data centers, cloud, internet exchanges (IX) and blockchain. He was a driving force within the original team that built Datacenters.com in 2011. It’s his belief that a new breed of data centers will become increasingly important as we move towards IoT, AI, and edge computing.\nGetting to Know: Granite Telecommunications\nGetting to Know: Pegasus Data Center Cleaning\nPacket.com is Now Equinix Metal. Colocation Provider Goes All-In on Colo, Cloud and Interconnection","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line718097"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6359243392944336,"wiki_prob":0.6359243392944336,"text":"Furman v. Georgia by Tim McNeese\nAuthor: Tim McNeese\nPublisher: Chelsea House Publishers\nFile Name: Furman v. Georgia.pdf\nDimension: 172.97x 239.27x 11.68mm| 367.41g\nDownload Link: Furman v. Georgia\nDownload torrent Furman v. Georgia. The Court consolidated Jackson v. Georgia and Branch v. Texas with the Furman decision, and thus also invalidated the death penalty for rape. Moore's decision to choose his victims on the basis of a specific characteristic-their advanced ages-separates his case from murderers [*15] who made no such The Court holds that the imposition and carrying out of the death penalty in these cases constitute cruel and unusual punishment in violation of Ellington's 5 TD passes rally Georgia State past Furman. Dan Ellington threw five touchdown passes and Georgia State rallied from a 17-point Recommended Citation. L. S. Tao, Beyond Furman v. Georgia: The Need for a Morally Based Decision on Capital Punishment, 51 Notre Dame L. Rev. Furman v. Georgia. Lewis F. Powell Jr. Follow this and additional works at: This Manuscript Collection is brought to you for free and open access by the Powell Publish Date: December 1, 2009; Publication Title: Furman v. Georgia, 408 U.S. 238,in Encyclopedia of the Supreme Court of the United States David S. the advantage of the new ruling.3. Furman v. Georgia was decided in the context of great ferment in the case law over the death penalty. In 1968, Witherspoon v. This is the first US Supreme Court case to hold that capital punishment was a violation of the cruel and unusual punishments clause and therefore Petitioners (Furman, Jackson, and Branch-all black) were sentenced to death, one of them for murder, and two for rape in Georgia and Texas. Certiorari was But until Furman v. Georgia, 408 U.S. 238 (1972), the Court never confronted squarely the fundamental claim that the punishment of death In Furman v. Georgia, 408 U.S. 238, 92 S. Ct. 2726, 33 L. Ed. 2d 346 (1972), the U.S. Supreme Court struck down three death sentences, finding that they 69-5003 was convicted of murder in Georgia and was sentenced to of Georgia affirming Furman's conviction of murder and sentence of In 1972, the year the Supreme Court decided Furman v. Georgia, the death penalty was a part of the criminal codes in 40 of the 50 States. Widespread popular Furman V. Georgia, 408 US 238, 92 S. Ct. 2726, 33 L. Ed. 2 d. 346, (1972) The problem raised in the Supreme Court was \"Is it the death penalty in case of FURMAN v. GEORGIA. In its last decision day before adjourning the 19 preme Court issued some 50,000 words of opinio sentences of capital punishment in Legal definition of Furman v. Georgia: 408 U.S. 238 (1972), ruled that capital punishment laws, as then enforced, were unconstitutional. The Court stated that the Corinna Barrett Lain, Furman Fundamentals, 82 Wash L. Rev. Furman v. Georgia, the 1972landmark decision that invalidated the death penalty, provides a\nBuy and read online Furman v. Georgia\nAsiatic Breezes book\nThe Fra Magazine A Journal of Affirmation, January 1914 to June 1914\nUpon This Tree epub\nDie Lebenserfahrung des Säuglings\nNIV Compact Strawberry Cream Quilted Duo-Tone Bible\nDownload Journal of the Australian Catholic Historical Society. Volume 35 (2014)\nDownload ebook Effective Prayer by Robert Collier (the Author of Secret of the Ages)\nCoversation Display How Talk Can Change Our Lives download torrent","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1097455"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7019263505935669,"wiki_prob":0.2980736494064331,"text":"How schools can become more trans inclusive – Year 12 student tells us how it is\nNo Comments on How schools can become more trans inclusive – Year 12 student tells us how it is\nMy name’s Tia and I’ve come down from Portsmouth to do work experience with Gendered Intelligence. I’ve just finished my first year of sixth form, studying A level psychology, philosophy, chemistry and biology, and I’m looking to study psychology at university, with the hope that this will lead into a work concerning gender and sexuality, specifically improving services in place for trans people. Reflecting on my own experiences at school, I decided to write about the ways that schools can become more trans inclusive, and help people to become intelligent about gender.\nAround the age of 2 children begin to develop their understanding of gender, and this continues to expand throughout a person’s development, particularly being reinforced at puberty. School is, therefore, clearly a key time to be learning about and understanding gender identity in an open and intelligent way, in order to prevent the formation of prejudices from an early age and to allow young people to explore their own identity.\n64% of trans men and 44% of trans women experienced transphobic bullying or harassment at school, coming from both students and teachers. Yet, Stonewall’s 2007 report found that 90% of teachers have received no training on how to support LGBT students. Training is needed for teachers, regardless of whether or not they have trans young people in their classes, due to the influence teachers have on their students, and their ability to foster positive and open attitudes towards trans people, and allow students to question their gender identity. Many teachers may also have trans children in their classes without being aware of this, as 40% of young people are not ‘out’ in their everyday lives (GI’s Capturing Journeys report), making it clear that a more accepting environment is necessary in order to help trans people feel comfortable enough to come out at school.\nHowever, in order to fully support trans young people it’s necessary to also educate students, as many transphobic views and actions stem from ignorance. Currently knowledge about gender identity is not coming from the classroom, for most people it comes from the internet, the media, and through having trans friends or family. Resources on the internet may not always be found unless people are intentionally looking for them, and much of the trans representation in the media can be incredibly harmful. For example Caitlyn Jenner’s transition being discussed using male pronouns and her birth name, and the use of transphobic slurs in shows such as RuPaul’s Drag Race. This misinforms people of the appropriate language to be used when referring to trans people. Currently when trans people ‘come out’, they are often faced with many questions from friends and family, although they may not mean any harm and simply intend to gain a better understanding, there is a tendency to ask insensitive and inappropriate questions. This places unnecessary pressure on trans people, as it should not be their responsibility to educate others.\nCompulsory introduction of information concerning trans identities and issues into PSHE would give trans* young people the language to talk about and understand their gender identity, as well as reducing the amount of transphobia stemming from ignorance. It is also important to include trans people and the discussion of the issues they face in other areas of the curriculum, for example studying the work of trans writers and artists, or influence figures such as the actress and trans activist Laverne Cox, this provides role models for all students. It is also important for trans young people to have an understanding of the equality act and the rights they are afforded from this, something which will also benefit other people affected by this.\nOften unnecessary segregation is made by gender within the classroom, for example boy-girl seating plans and pairings which highlight to trans people who are not out that they are not being seen as their self-identified gender. This can also be harmful for non-binary people who may feel as if their gender identity is being invalidated, and that they are being made to confine themselves to the binary gender they were assigned at birth. Gendered language should also be avoided, in situations where assumptions are made about a person’s gender. For example addressing groups of students as ‘ladies’ or ‘gents’ places assumptions of a specific binary gender onto people, this once again may risk misgendering people and invalidating non-binary identities.\nGendered uniforms should also be avoided, as having distinct male and female uniforms may make a trans person feel as if they cannot wear the uniform of their self-assigned gender, due to the increased visibility this gives them. For non-binary trans people this is also a problem as they may feel uncomfortable having to categorise themselves within one of the binary genders, and therefore invalidating their gender identity. By providing uniform rules which are not segregated between the binary genders, schools can maintain their structure and regularity of uniform, whist being inclusive to people of all genders and allowing students to explore their gender expression.\nEven if all steps are taken in order to create a trans inclusive environment, it remains important to also have safe spaces, in which trans students can know they will be understood and accepted. LGBT groups are particularly important for creating a sense of community, and by inviting speakers in there is the opportunity for trans people to gain role models, and also to further understanding and visibility. These groups within schools can play a very important role in ensuring that trans students are aware of staff members who can provide support, and introducing them to the wider trans community.\nStrict policies should be in place for challenging transphobia, as there are with other types of prejudice and discrimination, this includes deliberate misgendering. Once students have been educated on what transphobic actions are and why they are harmful, as well as the appropriate way to discuss trans issues, a zero tolerance policy should be adopted. If both students and staff are encouraged to consistently challenge transphobic actions, it will soon become clear that transphobia is not tolerated, creating a safer environment for trans young people.\nIt is clear that there are many steps a school can take towards creating an inclusive environment for trans people, and also to help educate all young people regardless of their gender identity, in order to create a generation of accepting and understanding people.\nGendered Intelligence have produced this poster for schools. They cost £1 so if you would like some to put up at your school or college, get in touch with Jay at jay.stewart@genderedintelligence.co.uk","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1170178"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9491072297096252,"wiki_prob":0.9491072297096252,"text":"Tom Hanks heads TV special celebrating Biden’s inauguration\nby: MARK KENNEDY, Associated Press\nThis combination photo shows musician Jon Bon Jovi performing at the Samsung Charity Gala in New York, Nov. 2, 2017, from left, Justin Timberlake performing during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl 52 football game in Minneapolis on Feb. 4, 2018 and Demi Lovato performing in London on June 25, 2018. Bon Jovi, Timberlake and Lovato will perform at a 90-minute primetime TV special celebrating the inauguration of Joe Biden as president of the United States. (AP Photo)\nNEW YORK (AP) — Tom Hanks will host a 90-minute primetime TV special celebrating the inauguration of Joe Biden as president of the United States, with performances by Justin Timberlake, Jon Bon Jovi, Demi Lovato and Ant Clemons.\n“I was left speechless when I was asked to perform! ” Lovato wrote on Instagram. Clemons was also effusive: “To say that this is a dream come true, would be an understatement!”\nTimberlake said he and Clemons would perform their new song “Better Days,” adding: “This song was our way of doing what little we could to encourage everyone to stay hopeful.”\nThe special will be broadcast live on ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and MSNBC beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET on Jan. 20. It will also be streamed live on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Twitch, Amazon Prime Video, Microsoft Bing, NewsNOW, DirectTV and U-verse.\nAccording to producers, the show “will showcase the American people’s resilience, heroism, and unified commitment to coming together as a nation to heal and rebuild.”\nThe inauguration will look different from other presidential inaugurations because of last week’s riot at the U.S. Capitol. Security will be extremely tight around the area.\nThe event was already going to be pared down because of COVID-19; Biden had asked supporters to say home and watch from afar. In keeping with crowd size restrictions to slow the spread of the virus, traditional activities like the parade and the inaugural balls will be virtual.\n(NEXSTAR) – Dwayne \"The Rock\" Johnson posted a photo Thursday from early in his wrestling career when he was \"broke as hell.\"","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1901371"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6676333546638489,"wiki_prob":0.3323666453361511,"text":"Self-Driving Cars And The Kobayashi Maru\nAndrew Heikkila\t5 years\nAndrew Heikkila Contributor\nAndrew Heikkila is a tech enthusiast and writer from Boise, Idaho.\nTechnology, happiness on demand and the absurd human condition\nDefining our relationship with early AI\nIn 1966, Gene Roddenberry’s Star Trek would boldly go where no man had gone before, telling the tale of Captain Kirk and his crew as they explored the galaxy while taking on myriad sci-fi adventures.\nIn the opening scene of the franchise’s 1982 motion picture, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, the U.S.S. Enterprise responds to a distress call from another ship, the Kobayashi Maru. Stranded in an area of space that the Enterprise can’t enter without risking interstellar war, the limping ship has almost 400 souls on board and is quickly losing life support. These people are going to die without help; the captain has an impossible choice to make.\nThe scene is later shown to be an unwinnable simulation, created as part of a training scenario. Deciding to not aid the Kobayashi Maru results in the death of its crew and passengers. However, acting to help the stranded ship will trigger conflict and result in the death and destruction of the Enterprise. The theme of a no-win scenario is prevalent throughout the rest of the film, and many Star Trek fans have colloquially come to call “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situations by the name of the ship: Kobayashi Maru.\nThe idea of the no-win situation has gotten more attention over the last couple of years, as Google has been making strides with the driverless vehicle and Apple is rumored to be getting into the same market. But how does the Kobayashi Maru relate to self-driving automobiles?\nImagine you are driving down the road and you suddenly find yourself boxed in. In front of you is a large semi-truck with heavy crates on the back, to your right is a person on a motorcycle and to your left is a big SUV. All of a sudden, one of the crates falls off the back of the semi, directly in your path. What do you do?\nIf you swerve to the right, you’ll live, but the move would probably end up costing the person on the motorcycle their life. If you swerve left, you’ll collide with the SUV and possibly kill both yourself and its inhabitants — but there’s still a chance you’ll all survive the incident (albeit sustaining injury) because of the SUV’s high safety ratings. If you don’t swerve either way, you won’t injure anybody, but you’re definitely going to wreck and possibly die. So what should a driver do in this situation? What is the right answer?\nThis scenario comes from TEDEd, and is meant simply to illustrate that there is no right answer, especially in a scenario where there is little time to think. Each choice has a negative consequence, and the driver simply has to determine which option is, in their mind, the lesser of the evils.\nUnfortunately, a person’s reactions in situations like these are more instinctual than they are based on decision or logic, simply because humans can’t process information that fast. Computers, on the other hand, can.\nMachines don’t get drunk and drive.\nThe driverless car as an invention has the potential to prevent approximately 1.3 million deaths annually, as well as between 20 and 50 million injuries, according to ASIRT. They are able to network with other smart cars and stop lights so that 151 million Americans can get to work faster and more safely. Because machines don’t blink. They don’t sleep or get drowsy. Machines don’t get drunk and drive.\nIn the only accident to date involving a self-driving car, it was determined humans were at fault, not machines — and yet, therein lies the problem. Accidents will happen, and a computer must be programmed to react in those situations, sometimes when death is inevitable. In those instances, it’s succinct to say that we’ll have to program computers to kill.\nLet’s take a look at another scenario. There is a thought experiment called the trolley problem that asks you to imagine a runaway trolley headed for a group of five people tied up in its path. You’re standing near a lever, however, that will send the trolley to a different set of tracks if you flip it — the only problem is that there is a person tied up on those tracks, as well. You have two options: Do nothing, letting the trolley kill all five people on the main track, or flip the switch and send the trolley to the side track where it will kill one person.\nIn the most recent iteration of this problem, facilitated by researchers at Michigan State University, 147 subjects were given 3D headsets so they could actually experience this dilemma in an environment as close to reality as possible. Ninety percent of the participants flipped the switch, saving five people to kill one. This isn’t that surprising, as most people would say that five lives saved over one is ethically the right choice — but what happens when we switch the problem up a little bit?\nLet’s say there is no side track the trolley will divert to if you flip the switch; instead, you’re standing next to a person large enough to stop the vehicle. The only caveat is that you must push him onto the track. The second variation of the problem produces different results, because there is a perceived difference between killing somebody and letting them die. The trend you come across is that not as many people would choose to kill the large man, even if it meant saving more lives overall, because they don’t want to be held personally responsible for his death.\nHere’s a third scenario: What if you were the large person that could stop the trolley via self-sacrifice? Even better, what if your self-driving car turns a corner only to see a crowd of five people standing in the road? Your car either can hit them, sparing your own life, or the onboard AI can run your car off of the road, killing you and saving five lives.\nPeople won’t buy autonomous vehicles if they’re designed to kill their passengers.\nIf you answered that flipping the switch in the first iteration of the trolley problem was the right choice, because one death is better than five, then logically you would agree that your self-sacrifice is necessary to save the lives of the five people in the road ahead of you, right? Interestingly, if you defy the framework of logic and would rather choose self-preservation in this scenario, you’re actually in the majority.\nJean-Francois Bonnefon and the Toulouse School of Economics in France concluded from their own studies that these types of logical fallacies run rampant. As such, they believe it will be interesting to watch public opinion inevitably play a role in deciding how the ethics of AI works. Says Bonnefon and company: “[Participants of our study] actually wished others to cruise in utilitarian autonomous vehicles, more than they wanted to buy utilitarian autonomous vehicles themselves.”\nEssentially, the problem is that people actually want driverless cars to sacrifice the occupant in favor of saving a higher number of lives — but only if they don’t have to drive one themselves. Unfortunately, the biggest catch-22 is that people won’t buy autonomous vehicles if they’re designed to kill their passengers, meaning that the status quo allowing split-second human decisions will continue to define accidents and reactions around the world. If we never legalize self-driving cars, our own human driving will continue to contribute to more than a million deaths globally.\nEmploying a fourth scenario, Robohub.org ran a reader poll that showed similar results trend toward self-preservation: You’re driving through a tunnel and a child appears at the opening and trips, blocking your exit. You can’t stop, so you’re left with the choice of swerving into a wall to save the child, or running over the child to save yourself. Of 110 people polled, 64 percent said they would continue straight and kill the child.\nWhen asked which entities should determine how an autonomous car responds to the tunnel problem, 44 percent of respondents thought it should be the passenger of the vehicle, while 33 percent thought it should be lawmakers. Twelve percent thought the manufacturers or designers should be burdened with that choice; 11 percent responded “other.”\nDetermining who will control these “ethical settings” that guide no-win responses is a huge problem that self-driving cars are going to have to face in terms of liability. Because if a car will have to be programmed to choose between two lives, that means whoever decides how the algorithm is going to function is also possibly condemning to death either bystanders or passengers.\nThere is a perceived difference between killing somebody and letting them die.\nThis type of “predetermined” action, an algorithm that chooses to spare children over adults, for example, would almost vicariously put the programmer in the driver’s seat, lending truth to the Department of Public Safety’s comment that a self-driven car will always have a “determinable human operator.”\nInsurance companies are going to have to wrestle with that one, because in any instance, somebody will be liable if an autonomous vehicle gets into a wreck. If you get to decide on your car’s ethics settings and decide to continue straight and kill the child in the tunnel situation, does that make you liable for that child’s death? If it’s left up to the auto company, will they be liable?\nThe repercussions of these decisions extend much further into the future than anybody is able to foresee. As artificial intelligence advances, it may very well use the programmable ethics settings found in self-driving cars as a platform to build upon. Isaac Asimov once suggested there should be three laws of robotics that govern AI:\nA robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the first law.\nA robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the first or second laws.\nObviously, the first law doesn’t work in this context, and is in danger of being trampled by militaries the world over searching for autonomous soldiers and vehicles (such as assault drones). Weapons aside, there are obvious reasons explored above that an AI would inevitably have to break the First Law of Robotics when faced with a Kobayashi Maru, and however we decide they should respond may constitute some kind of basis for how AI develops and writes its own ethical programming in the future.\nIf we determined today that favoring “quantity of lives” is the sole rule to follow for self-driving cars, for example, a much more developed, Skynet-esque AI of the future might calculate that citizens of industrialized countries are making the world uninhabitable for a majority of people and their many generations of offspring. Ethically, that AI could justify eradicating a large swath of the population so that an even larger percent can live.\nOf course, there are much more immediate concerns that we’ll have to deal with in response to the self-driving car. What is going to happen to everybody in the trucking industry? Or to cab and Uber drivers? What happens if somebody remotely hijacks your car via the Internet of Things and crashes it with you in it?\nThe autonomous vehicle is still in the very early stages of development, but the way we decide to build its AI will set precedents. Unfortunately, we’re a species that still fights wars over land and money, that murders over passion and justifies the actions of the wicked.\nOn the other hand, we do have the capacity to love and sacrifice self for causes greater than our own. Sometimes it seems like we’re these creatures trying to program ethics into machines, when, in reality, we barely seem to understand or practice ethical behavior ourselves.\nNevertheless, we have an opportunity here to discuss these ethics and decide what type of character we want to define humankind, collectively, when faced with a Kobayashi Maru. Only once we’ve done our soul-searching and overcome that obstacle will we be able to follow in the footsteps of Captain Kirk, and bravely go where no man has gone before.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line639228"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7022262811660767,"wiki_prob":0.7022262811660767,"text":"Catholic Church Names Nineteen Priests In Kansas City, MO Accused Of Sexual Abuse Of Children\nOn Friday, September 6th, 2019, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of released the names of 19 priests who have been accused and/or found guilty of sexually assaulting children. In fact, Bishop James Johnston Jr. stated that each man listed had \"substantial allegations\" against them. Have you been sexually abused at church? Contact our lawyers who represent victims across the states including in Pennsylvania Catholic church sexual assault lawsuit.\nWhere Are The Nineteen Kansas City Priests Accused Of Child Sexual Assault Now?\nOf the nineteen on this recently released list, thirteen have died. Two have been removed from ministry and four have been laicized which means they have been removed as clergy by the Catholic Church. In fact, one of the priests who has been defrocked is Shawn Ratigan, who is now serving 50 years in prison for producing child pornography.\nSimilar Reading: Grand Jury Determines Two Bishops Covered Up Sexual Abuse In Pennsylvania\nCatholic Church Covered Up The Abuse Of Children\nThe current bishop of Kansas City - St. Joseph, Bishop Johnston, has said that he hopes the release of these names will help the survivors to heal. However, support from Catholic Church officials has been very rare when it comes to reported cases of child sexual assault. Shawn Ratigan's case is just one example of the attempts by the church to hide sexual assaults by priests. In 2010, the former bishop of Kansas City - St. Joseph, Bishop Finn, received some upsetting news - one of the priests in his area had attempted to commit suicide. That priest was Shawn Ratigan and he made his attempt by running his motorcycle in a closed garage. The bishop was shocked, given that he had a good relationship with Ratigan and thought he was a good choice to run a parish. Then the truth came out - the day before the attempted suicide, a computer technician had discovered child pornography images on Ratigan's computer.\nIt turns out that this revelation shouldn't have surprised the bishop too much, however. A few months before, the principal of the parochial school that was part of Ratigan's parish had sent a memorandum to the diocese and bishop stating that: “Parents, staff members, and parishioners are discussing his actions and whether or not he may be a child molester.\nThey have researched pedophilia on the Internet and took in sample articles with examples of how Father Shawn’s actions fit the profile of a child predator.” This was sent after Ratigan had attempted to contact an 8th-grade student via social media, he had placed a girl in his lap during a bus trip, and had an inappropriate \"peer to peer\" relationship with a 5th-grade girl.\nParents who went by his residence also reported what appeared to be a small child or dolls clothing at his home. The bishop had a talk with Ratigan and told him to take the report seriously but indicated that he just believed there were \"boundary issues\". If only he had taken the complaint seriously. It was Ratigan himself who took his laptop to a computer technician for repair. The technician was horrified by the images of the genitals and torsos of children that he discovered while attempting to repair the laptop. He took the laptop to the parish deacon who later testified that the technician was so upset that he couldn't open the computer due to his hands shaking.\nThe deacon then delivered it to Monsignor Murphy, a priest second in command to Bishop Finn. Monsignor Murphy, in turn, took the computer to a technology staff member hired by the diocese who discovered hundreds of inappropriate photos of children's crotches. Even more disturbing was that most of the photos appeared to have been taken with a personal camera and were not pornography downloaded on the internet, indicating that the priest was actively taking part in creating child pornography.\nBishop Failed To Report Child Sexual Abuse\nDespite the horrific images discovered on Ratigan's personal computer, Bishop Finn failed to contact police. Monsignor Murphy did, however, he told the officer he spoke with that it was only one nude image, that the image was of a family member, and that it was not a sexual pose. He then asked if that would be considered pornography and was told no. When it was discovered that he had left a suicide note saying he apologized for the harm he caused children, the bishop had a psychiatrist see Ratigan.\nThe bishop claimed that the psychiatrist told him that Ratigan was not a danger to children and that the suicide attempt had been made due to false accusations by the school principal. The bishop then made the choice to not take the matter to the police but to instead place restrictions on Ratigan, saying that he could not use a computer and could not contact children. He was removed from his position and moved to serve as a chaplain in Independence, Mo.\nDespite these restrictions, he was not monitored. In the five months after his suicide attempt, Ratigan attended several children's birthday parties, used social media to contact children, and was caught taking pictures of a parishioner's daughter's crotch under a table when they invited him over for dinner. The bishop still did not take action.\nNearly a year after the report from the principal, Monsignor Murphy went against the bishop's wishes and finally contacted police because he came to the conclusion that the man was a pedophile. He let them know that hundreds of pictures of child pornography had been discovered on Ratigan's computer. Ratigan was finally arrested and was found guilty of creating child pornography. He will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars. Although he has not been formally charged or found guilty of it, the evidence presented at Ratigan's trial also suggested that he may have molested some of the children he took inappropriate pictures of.\nThe Catholic Church Apologizes For Protecting Priests Who Sexually Assault Children - But Is That Enough?\nAlthough Bishop Johnston is working hard to help his community heal from the sexual assault of children throughout the diocese, the reality is that a public apology isn't enough. Thankfully, the survivors of child sexual assault by a clergy member have powerful legal options. A sexual assault lawsuit can help to provide for any medical treatments needed by the survivor, as well as their physical and emotional pain. Monetary compensation may not be able to change the past but it can make the future a brighter one.\nChild Sexual Assault Lawsuits: The Facts\nA sexual assault lawsuit is a form of a civil lawsuit that is filed against both the abuser and those who made it possible for the abuse to continue. Those eligible to file the lawsuit typically include the survivor and the parents of the survivor. The legal process has several phases:\nThe Pleadings: This is when the initial paperwork is filed and the plaintiff lets the court know that they are choosing to take legal action. This paperwork also explains why the plaintiff is choosing to file a lawsuit. The defendant may provide an answer to the allegations.\nThe Discovery: During this phase, the evidence needed to support the case will be collected. Depositions may be taken and documents from the defendant requested.\nPre-Trial Negotiations: In many cases, a settlement can be reached. This allows a plaintiff to recover a set, known amount without having to go to trial. However, negotiations can take some time and an agreement cannot always be reached.\nTrial: The case is argued in court and a judge/jury makes a determination.\nThis legal process can go smoothly if the plaintiff chooses to work with an experienced legal team.\nAbuse Guardians: Protecting Sexual Assault Survivors\nIf you or a loved one were abused by a member of the clergy, let Abuse Guardians help you fight for justice and for compensation. Our attorneys believe and support the survivors of sexual assault. With decades of combined experience and a passion for the law, you'll know that you are working with a legal team you can trust. You can take legal action while keeping your identity protected. Contact our law office for a free consultation and to learn more about how to remain anonymous while standing strong against your abuser.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line92450"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.757642924785614,"wiki_prob":0.757642924785614,"text":"President Declares National Emergency\nSydney Cooper, Editor-in-Chief|February 15, 2019\nOn February 15, 2019, President Donald Trump officially declared the United States to be in a state of national emergency due to the dissatisfaction with the funding Congress is providing him for barriers at the southern border.\nWhen a national emergency is called by the President, this means that there is a situation beyond the ordinary which threatens the health or safety of citizens and which cannot be properly addressed by the use of other law. For Trump’s administration, this means building the wall.\nTrump’s reasoning behind the need for a Southern Border wall is rooted in wanting to stop crime from entering the United States. He said, “We want to stop drugs from coming into our country. We want to stop criminals and gangs from coming into our country.”\nAccording to CBS news chief correspondent Major Garrett, the President will announce he’s getting $8 billion for the border wall. These funds were previously asked for through Congress, however, Trump said the deal “wasn’t good enough.”\nThis move is almost certain to be met with a legal challenge. Congress is looking to overrule the President’s declaration through Congress or through the courts by the National Emergencies Act. This states that the House and the Senate can take up what is called a joint resolution of termination to end the emergency status if they believe the president is acting irresponsibly or the threat has dissipated.\nHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that Trump’s move sets a precedent that a future Democrat president could capitalize on, “If the president can declare an emergency on something he has created as an emergency, an illusion that he wants to convey, just think about what a president with different values can present to the American people.”\nFew Republicans have commented on the national emergency, yet the ones that have spoken out are mostly criticizing the declaration.\nSenator Rand Paul, Republican of Kentucky and an ally to the president on other issues, said a national emergency declaration of this sort ran counter to the separation of powers outlined in the Constitution.\nAnother known Trump ally, Senator Marco Rubio said in a statement, “We have a crisis at our southern border, but no crisis justifies violating the Constitution.”\nAt Highlands High School, there are differing perspectives on Trump declaring the national emergency.\nSenior Kat Finseth said, “I have lost all faith in our system. Our democracy is based on the idea of separation of powers, and Congress has abdicated their authority and responsibility to check Donald Trump. Hopefully, the courts will strike this down.”\nWhile Junior Will Russell said, “While this is not necessarily the preferred way of getting the funds, I believe this will is still an effective way of building the wall. He had given Congress a significant amount of time to allow for increased funding in a spending bill, but they did not allow the funds to be given. The use of emergency powers is an effective, lawful way of constructing the border wall.”\nOver the next couple of days, Congress and the courts will be making decisions about the national emergency.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line525827"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8714792132377625,"wiki_prob":0.8714792132377625,"text":"'Desperately needed': Man steals packages containing teen’s cancer medication\nBy Carla Wade and Nina Porciuncula\nThe mother of a child with a rare cancer is scrambling to replace his chemotherapy medicine after someone swiped it right off their front porch of their home.The sight is so familiar, it’s almost a suburban cliché. We've even given these common package thieves a catchy nickname: porch pirates. But this one is particularly sinister to Stacy Shavinsky.“It just happened that this time it wasn't a shirt or pair of shoes,” Shavinsky said. “It happened to be something that we desperately needed.”Her 14-year-old son, Gage, has a rare form of cancer called systemic mastocytosis.Insurance doesn't cover the total cost of $40,000 a month because it’s not typically given to someone his age.\"I had to do a lot of begging and pleading and I had to apply for financial assistance,” said Shavinsky. “We went to Salt Lake City and Los Angeles to get second opinions, so we have done a lot of work to make sure this medication would be beneficial for him.\"The alleged thief should be easy to identify. The individual is wearing a bright red plaid shirt and a Montreal Expos ball cap and is captured on their doorbell camera.But it’s the callous casualness of it all that really irked Shavinsky and the more than a thousand people who saw the video on Facebook and shared it. With a drink and fruit in hand, he strolls up the sidewalk and puts his food to the side on a table, exchanging it for two boxes on the porch before just walking away.Gage, who has been dealing with an infection due to a compromised immune system, said the medication was just starting to work for him.“I’m just sad. I know how much my mom worked for it,” he said. “And these pills are really helping me. I can really tell the difference. And just knowing that I'm going to have to wait to take them and the next couple of days. I'm going to feel really bad.’A crime map shows no other reported thefts in the area, even though Stacy said police told her there have been others. She believes most people decline to report it just because it’s so common.\"There's just no accountability,” she said. “When I talked to the police, they said there was an investigator in the neighborhood so he happened to stop by, but if I had called dispatch it would have been five or six hours before someone actually came out.\"She spent the day making arrangements with the pharmaceutical company to get it replaced but what she really wants is for the guy to be caught.“And there needs to be some sort of consequences for his actions.”The-CNN-Wire\nLAS VEGAS (KTNV) —\nThe mother of a child with a rare cancer is scrambling to replace his chemotherapy medicine after someone swiped it right off their front porch of their home.\nThe sight is so familiar, it’s almost a suburban cliché. We've even given these common package thieves a catchy nickname: porch pirates. But this one is particularly sinister to Stacy Shavinsky.\n“It just happened that this time it wasn't a shirt or pair of shoes,” Shavinsky said. “It happened to be something that we desperately needed.”\nHer 14-year-old son, Gage, has a rare form of cancer called systemic mastocytosis.\nInsurance doesn't cover the total cost of $40,000 a month because it’s not typically given to someone his age.\n\"I had to do a lot of begging and pleading and I had to apply for financial assistance,” said Shavinsky. “We went to Salt Lake City and Los Angeles to get second opinions, so we have done a lot of work to make sure this medication would be beneficial for him.\"\nThe alleged thief should be easy to identify. The individual is wearing a bright red plaid shirt and a Montreal Expos ball cap and is captured on their doorbell camera.\nBut it’s the callous casualness of it all that really irked Shavinsky and the more than a thousand people who saw the video on Facebook and shared it. With a drink and fruit in hand, he strolls up the sidewalk and puts his food to the side on a table, exchanging it for two boxes on the porch before just walking away.\nGage, who has been dealing with an infection due to a compromised immune system, said the medication was just starting to work for him.\n“I’m just sad. I know how much my mom worked for it,” he said. “And these pills are really helping me. I can really tell the difference. And just knowing that I'm going to have to wait to take them and the next couple of days. I'm going to feel really bad.’\nA crime map shows no other reported thefts in the area, even though Stacy said police told her there have been others. She believes most people decline to report it just because it’s so common.\n\"There's just no accountability,” she said. “When I talked to the police, they said there was an investigator in the neighborhood so he happened to stop by, but if I had called dispatch it would have been five or six hours before someone actually came out.\"\nShe spent the day making arrangements with the pharmaceutical company to get it replaced but what she really wants is for the guy to be caught.\n“And there needs to be some sort of consequences for his actions.”","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line642767"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9243698716163635,"wiki_prob":0.9243698716163635,"text":"Yemen Tensions at the Tipping Point\nYemen could be edging toward civil war, particularly if the military gets involved in both sides of the conflict, says Yemen expert Gregory Johnsen, but the United States has limited ability to influence the outcome in a country that has been an ally in fighting terrorism.\nInterview by Gregory Johnsen, Interviewee\nRenewed fighting in Yemen’s capital between a powerful tribal group known as the al-Ahmar family and President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s forces has reportedly killed over one hundred people in the past week (al-Jazeera) and raised questions about whether the country is on the brink of civil war. The possibility looms large if the military gets involved in the conflict between the government and tribal forces, says Yemen expert Gregory Johnsen. While the United States has been a generous benefactor to Yemen over the years, the aid has fluctuated with the perceived terrorist threat, says Johnsen. Right now, Johnsen believes, \"the United States doesn’t have a great deal of leverage or influence\" in Yemen. There have been tensions for years between Yemen’s elite, who don’t want Saleh to appoint his son or anyone else to replace him, says Johnsen, but there is no clear successor to Saleh, who has been president since 1978. Johnsen says a transitional council should be set up, which would lead to elections if Saleh leaves. Johnsen says, \"President Saleh will either be forced out, or will have to vacate the presidency. I don’t see him lasting out his term, which is to 2013.\" But he adds that in 1978, the CIA predicted Saleh would not last six months.\nYemen looks like pure chaos right now. Is that an exaggeration?\nDomestic Terrorism Strikes U.S. Capitol, and Democracy\nRaymond W. Kelly\nSecuring the Sochi Olympics: Three Things to Know\nIt’s certainly a chaotic situation, but there is a structure to what’s taking place. The worrying development is that forces loyal to Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar [former general of the Yemen army, and half brother of Saleh], who had defected from the regime back in March, and forces loyal to the president were involved in clashes today. This is a significant escalation. Previously, what we’d seen in Sanaa was fighting between forces loyal to the president and forces loyal to a major tribal family--the family that leads the Hashid tribal confederation. That family is called the al-Ahmar family, although they bear no relation to Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar. If the military gets involved on both sides of the conflict, then we could have something that really drags Yemen into a civil war.\nRight now, it’s not a civil war?\nThere’s a lot of fighting, but it would still be a stretch to call it a civil war. President Saleh is [probably] quite worried, which is why forces loyal to him have cracked down on protestors over the past couple of nights in the city of Taiz and have attempted to force peaceful protestors out of some of the squares that they’ve occupied for the past three months. So there has been escalation, and I think there will continue to be escalation as Saleh is increasingly seeing himself as being in a corner. It’s do or die time for Saleh, and he’s digging in his heels.\nIf the military gets involved, then we could have something that really drags Yemen into a civil war.\nWhy did he come under attack in recent weeks?\nIn recent years, there’s been growing tension among the elite circles within Yemen over the direction of the state, particularly who was going to succeed Saleh--whether it was going to be his eldest son Ahmad or one of his nephews. This led to fractures within the inner circle. Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar has been someone who has protected Saleh for the past three decades. Essentially, the president was his back, and he was the president’s back. He was really the iron fist of Saleh’s rule, and in recent years, their relationship has led into some difficulties because of Saleh’s rumored attempts to install Ahmad as a potential successor as president.\nAhmar didn’t want Saleh’s son to replace him?\nIt’s unclear exactly what the general wanted. He’s someone who, previous to his defection, was very much behind the scenes in Yemen, much more of a kingmaker than a king. There’s also been a lot of tension between the other al-Ahmar family, [which] the president is now fighting. The tribal head of Hashid since 1960 had been Sheikh Abdullah al-Ahmar. He died in 2007 of cancer and after he died, his ten sons, especially Hamid, had been very active in challenging the president. There’s been a lot of tension between these two families, whereas previously, Sheikh Abdullah al-Ahmar had been seen as a close ally of the president, even though Sheikh Abdullah led Yemen’s largest opposition party. And once he died, his sons really started to pressure the president much more than they ever had previously. So this fighting that we’ve seen in the past week between the al-Ahmar family and forces loyal to the president has been building for quite some time. In fact in August 2009, Hamid al-Ahmar (YemenTimes) went on al-Jazeera, and said that he believed Saleh should be tried for crimes against the state.\nThe United States supplies enormous amounts of foreign aid and military equipment to Yemen, particularly since the 2009 al-Qaeda attempt to blow up a plane over Detroit. Is there anything else the United States can do right now?\nThe real question is not when or if Saleh leaves, but the manner in which he leaves the presidency. Is it something in which he drags the entire country into civil war in an attempt to hold onto power?\nAt the moment, the United States has been providing a lot of aid. But it is instructive to see how, over the past twenty years, the United States has doled out aid in Yemen. Yemen was on the UN Security Council in 1990 when Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait. And after going back and forth on exactly what Yemen should do, eventually Yemen abstained and voted \"no\" to a number of resolutions, which infuriated not only Washington, but also Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. That had a severe impact on Yemen’s autonomy. So from 1990 until November 2001, much of the aid that the United States put into Yemen was only humanitarian food aid, and this was about $400,000 a year. After September 11, 2001, the United States started putting a great deal of aid into Yemen, particularly related to counterterrorism, which went up in ’01, ’02, ’03. Then, as the threat from al-Qaeda started to dwindle in 2004 and 2005, the U.S. money went away; in fact, in 2006, it got as low as $4.6 million. There was a resurgence of al-Qaeda in Yemen, particularly after an attack on the U.S. Embassy in late 2008. Since [then], the U.S. aid really increased to Yemen. Most figures have it at $300 million, with about $170 million for counterterrorism and about $130 million for development aid.\nDoes the United States have much influence over Yemen’s armed forces?\nThe United States doesn’t have a great deal of leverage or influence. A few months ago, it was a different story. The United States had tremendous political influence; that is, what the United States says matters a great deal to Yemen. Financially, the money that the United States puts into the country is dwarfed by Yemen’s neighbors, particularly Saudi Arabia. And Saudi Arabia has a great deal of influence, not just from money that it puts into the country through the central government, but also through its tribal allies that it patronizes in Yemen.\nWe’re at a situation where Saleh has continued to refuse to sign the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-brokered deal that would see him step down in exchange for immunity and early elections. At this point, there are not a lot of very good options for outside powers. Saleh’s thinking seems to be that he will beat his domestic opponents, in effect clear the table, and then hold some sort of new elections for either himself, a family ally, or another close ally to assume the presidency. These are things he’s done in the past, but at this point, things in Yemen have fundamentally changed, so it would be very difficult for him to pull that off.\nWhat are the U.S. options?\nThe options are not that extensive. No one wants to see any sort of a military involvement with U.S. troops on the ground. Most people who have spent time looking at Yemen realize that that would be disastrous. Targeted sanctions, as Washington has done with Syria, would give Saleh an incentive to stay and really fight until the end.\nWhy did Saleh pull out at the last minute after promising to sign that deal worked out by the GCC and backed by the United States?\nI don’t think Saleh ever had any intention of signing the deal or stepping down. He thinks this is a crisis that he can weather, and something that he can withstand. The way he handled it is the way that he has often handled difficult situations in Yemen. He was up against the wall with the GCC under a lot of pressure from the regional and international communities. He had all the diplomatic representatives from the GCC sign the agreement, and then [he said], \"I’m not going to sign it until the opposition actually comes here and signs in the presidential palace.\" The opposition, of course, had signed the deal the night before, as instructed by the GCC--and this was a last-minute condition that Saleh imposed. His attempt was to say, \"It wasn’t me, the opposition was unwilling to compromise. I would have signed if they just came.\" That didn’t work, and then that night his troops started barricading and positioning weapons in their training school near the compound of the Sadeq al-Ahmar, the head of the Hashid tribe. The next morning, fighting broke out, and it has continued to escalate since then.\nPresident Obama has said that Saleh should go (GulfNews). But what if he does? You seem to think he will, right, at some point?\nAt some point, Saleh will either be forced out, or will have to vacate the presidency. I don’t see him lasting out his term, which is to 2013. But people have made that prediction about Saleh before and have been proved very wrong. There is a very famous case that Saleh likes to bring up. Right after he came to the presidency, the CIA predicted that he wouldn’t last six months in power, and here he is thirty-two years later, and still the president of Yemen. The real question is not when or if Saleh leaves, but the manner in which he leaves the presidency. Is it something in which he drags the entire country into civil war in an attempt to hold onto power? And it appears that that’s where we’re headed, particularly with the fighting today between the First Armored Division and the Republican Guard and central security forces.\nIs there a likely person to replace him as president?\nNot necessarily. The U.S. Embassy has run these games for a number of years in which they try to come up with names of people who would eventually succeed Saleh, and every year they came up empty. The best option for Yemen would be some sort of a transitional council with a number of people representing different interests, so that they would be able to help Yemen maneuver from Saleh’s rule to a more democratically elected president. But this is going to take some time. I know there’s been a plan put out by Faisal Amin Abu Ras, Yemen’s former ambassador to Lebanon who resigned in the aftermath of one of the massacres of protestors back in March. He’s provided a lot of very interesting plans. Other people have talked about different variations of this. But if it becomes a bloody war, then all bets are off.\nExplore More on Political Movements\nNigerian Human Rights Activist Arrested—Again\nDelegitimizing Armed Agitations in the Niger Delta\nBlog Post by Guest Blogger for John Campbell December 4, 2020 Africa in Transition\nNigerian Army at the Lekki Toll Gate","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line585477"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6293087601661682,"wiki_prob":0.3706912398338318,"text":"‘Save Me the Plums’ Next Featured Selection for O’s Reading Room Book Club\nHolland America Line and O, The Oprah Magazine have named food writer and restaurant critic Ruth Reichl’s “Save Me the Plums” as the next selection for O’s Reading Room, the line’s onboard book club. “Save Me the Plums” just released in April 2019 and is Reichl’s latest memoir, which chronicles her groundbreaking tenure as editor-in-chief at Gourmet Magazine.\nGuests on all Holland America Line cruises will be able to read and discuss the selection as part of special onboard programming developed in partnership with O, The Oprah Magazine. Book club discussions are led by a member of the ship’s staff, and selections change periodically throughout the year. The latest O’s Reading Room selection is listed on Holland America Line’s website on the O, The Oprah Magazine page.\nRead on below for some background on Ruth, as well as what you can expect to find in her newest book!\nFrom the age of eight, Reichl adored Gourmet Magazine. She was introduced to the publication when her father sat her in front of piles of them in a used bookstore while he searched for first editions. She paged through them reading about exotic cuisines and travel, and began to experiment with cooking herself.\nBy the time she reached her fifties, Reichl had become a well-known restaurant critic for the New York Times and published author. Her first memoir, “Tender at the Bone,” had become a best seller, and yet she was surprised when she was approached by Conde Nast to run the magazine that had been her childhood inspiration.\nThus began a 10-year tenure as Gourmet’s Editor-in-Chief, during which she hobnobbed with the elite of New York Society, learned that she could manage a staff and a budget, and fell completely in love with her job while bringing it back to editorial glory. But then one day, the Newhouses decided to close shop without warning, leaving Reichl & her beloved staff blindsided.\nWhat brought her out of her unemployed funk? She started cooking again … and that’s the story of “Save Me the Plums.”\nHolland America Line and O, The Oprah Magazine Partnership\nHolland America Line and O, The Oprah Magazine’s exclusive partnership unites the soul-stirring power of travel with O’s deep commitment to connection and personal growth. More than 300 Holland America Line cruises sailing in North America this year offer a variety of engaging activities developed with the magazine’s editors including meditation, exercise, healthy eating and more. Due to its popularity, all 15 ships in the fleet around the world feature O’s Reading Room.\nTags: O Magazine, O's Onboard Book Club, O's Reading Room\n20 Songs That Bring B.B. King’s Blues Club Into Your Home\n20 Songs That Bring B.B. King’s...\nHow To Make a Towel Animal Seal\nHow To Make a Towel Animal...\nHAL@HOME Takes Fans on a Virtual Holland America Line Cruise: Music Edition\nHAL@HOME Takes Fans on a Virtual...\nNew Microsoft Studio Classes Challenge Guests to Get Creative\nNew Microsoft Studio Classes Challenge Guests...","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1154256"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7546004056930542,"wiki_prob":0.7546004056930542,"text":"Venezuela automotive\nCurrency and petrol price adjustments announced\nFebruary 18th 2016 | Venezuela | Fuel sources\nThe president, Nicolás Maduro, has announced a moderate devaluation of the bolívar and a petrol price increase. Adjustment measures do not go far enough to address deep distortions in the economy.\nRevisions to the foreign-exchange system were probably the most important of all Mr Maduro's recent announcements. One of the three official exchange rates, the so-called Sicad, will be eliminated. Of the two remaining rates, the fixed official rate will be devalued by 37%, from Bs6.3:US$1 to Bs10:US$1. The second rate, the so-called Simadi, will apparently be allowed to float, although, despite similar claims in the past, the rate has been fixed around Bs200:US$1 for many months. Currently 93% of transactions are at the official fixed rate and 7% of transactions occur through the Simadi, implying a weighted average rate of Bs23:US$1. With the black-market rate at Bs1,000:US$1, and inflation expected to average over 500% in 2016, an adjustment of the bolívar on this scale will do little to address currency overvaluation.\nThe other main adjustment was in petrol prices, which have been raised for the first time since 1996—by over 1,000%, to Bs1/litre, for regular unleaded petrol, and by over 6,000%, to Bs6/litre, for premium unleaded. Although this is a huge increase, in US-dollar terms even premium unleaded will cost only 27 cents/litre, implying that it will remain among the cheapest in the world—on the back of continued costly subsidies—and that border smuggling will remain rife.\nThe announced measures are much too timid to stop the spread of deep economic distortions. On top of this, they were accompanied by a new strategy for the \"Bolivarian economic agenda\", which suggests that, far from tackling the deep disincentives to domestic output that are crippling the economy, the government will plump for more and more controls in the coming months, which will ultimately heighten the risk of hyperinflation.\nSource: The Economist Intelligence Unit\nMonthly update: the automotive sector in July 2020\nPDVSA seizes controls of dozens of petrol stations\nMaduro seeks to counter fuel scarcity in Venezuela","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1263452"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5591103434562683,"wiki_prob":0.5591103434562683,"text":"Sad State of Affairs\nWendy Vega\nI’m a Democrat and I’m very afraid. As much as I like Bernie Sanders and want him to be president, I don’t think it will happen. Moreover, why do these old fellows want that job? They should be writing memoirs and playing golf, not solving world problems. Yech!\nI dislike Hillary.\nAs much as I like Bernie, I dislike Hillary. Sure, it’d be great to have a woman as president. She might make good president, but I simply don’t trust her. I don’t like her morals or scruples. I need a shower after watching her debate. Of course, the debate is on at night, so I might need a shower anyway, but I attribute it to her nonetheless.\nAll the Republicans are buffoons and sandbox bullies, too. I picture them all in a sandbox, taking away shovels from each other and hurling insults. “You’re a bit pumpkin head!” “You're a big fat liar!” Christie is the biggest bully of all. Rubio is silly and Cruz is scary looking. If I had to look at Cruz for eight years, I’d move to Canada.\nThe fact that Trump won New Hampshire is so scary I can’t even believe it. This man is racist, insulting to everyone, hates immigrants, although I’m sure his family were immigrants at some point. He is still in the sandbox, to be sure. He may have a gorgeous family, money goes a long way, and his wife would make Jackie Kennedy ugly as a first lady, albeit foreign born, but the man covets his daughter. Moreover, he makes fun of the disabled and his hair. Oy.\nI have an old friend that emigrated from Europe in the early 1950s. Yet, he hates immigrants. I’m like, but you are an immigrant! “We’ll we’re European. I’m talking about Hispanics,” he says. Still, European immigrants, the Germans, Irish and Polish, for example, were, in America, reviled, at one time or another. Now it’s the turn of Hispanics.\nI love immigrants, as long as they are here for positive reasons. My grandparents came from Austria. They contributed to America.\nBen Carson should return to the operating room.\nBen Carson is a surgeon. He should return to his day job. He's too soft for this rat race. Go do good deeds where you can.\nI don’t even remember the names of the other candidates. Oh yeah, Carly Florina; she screwed up the company she worked for, Hewlett Packard. Go home, Carly.\nThe fact so many ostensible voters love Trump has me worried about the state of the country. I lived in New York and Los Angeles, but there is so much in between. Last July, I visited Oklahoma City and it was like being on another planet. People were carrying openly, discussing sermons at Starbucks and talking about how Trump is wonderful.\nBetween coasts, there are people who love guns and bibles and Trump. I just don’t run into them very often.\nMike Bloomberg was the mayor of New York for twelve years. When he didn’t cotton to term limits, he overturned them and stayed an extra four years. Some wish remained mayor, today.\nMike Bloomberg was a good mayor, if a little fascist.\nMike Bloomberg is now pondering an Independent run for president. Mike is a no-nonsense businessperson that was good for New York City. He cut back on places where people could smoke, made more of the city park areas and clamped down on all sorts of things. Yes, he is a bit fascistic, at times, but maybe that’s what we need in the White House. He never would’ve let Congress roll all over him, as has Obama.\nGranted, no one in Middle America knows much about Bloomberg, but if he gets into the race now they will. My only problem with Mike is that he might take votes away from the Democrats. I think he should get in as Republican. He has been a shape-shifter as far as political parties are concerned, so he can shift once more.\nRemember the movie “Dave?” Kevin Kline was president and Charles Grodin came in and balanced the budget overnight? We need “Dave” in the White House. Absent that, we need Bloomberg. Yes, Bloomberg a Jew, but so is Bernie Sanders. Obama is Black and he won. I’d like to think we’ve gone beyond all that, though I know we haven’t.\nBloomberg is a grownup, ad adult. He gets petulant and cranky at times, but who doesn’t? Moreover, when I worked for ABC-TV, I put a mic on his butt three times. I’d love to say I touched the butt of a president; so far, no dice.\nWendy Vega ran the board for radio legends \"Cousin Brucie\" and Dan Ingram, at WABC-AM, and Zacherle at WPLJ-FM, all in New York City. At WNEW-AM, Jonathan Schwartz stole her lunch and she became great friends with the legend of radio legends, William B Williams. Then Vega moved to news, first WINS-AM 1010, in New York City, later television stations in Los Angeles. Today, she is a former television news editor replaced by a machine. She's a writer living near the train station in Larchmont, New York. Joan Rivers came from Larchmont, NY. Maybe the same fate will befall Vega as befell Rivers. Watch this space.\nMore by Wendy Vega:\nA Worried Woman\nRecycling Quandary\nThere's Always One\nI Prefer Animals\nEven more by Wendy Vega\nIdentity Missed\nSqueezed at Both Ends\nFood, Food, Food\nBranded for Life\nPlease Shut Up\nHair Despair\nWhat is Journalism\nMore Bobby Darin\nPrivate Snafu","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1023401"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6002321839332581,"wiki_prob":0.6002321839332581,"text":"DVD Review: “I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell”\nI Hope They Serve Beer in Hell (available today on DVD) should have been Ferris Bueller, the corrupt college years. Based on the exploits of successful blogger/author/self proclaimed asshole, Tucker Max, this film had the potential to be shocking, inventive and possibly endearing, especially with the hyper-charismatic Matt Czuchry as Max. Czuchry brings so much energy and commitment to the role that it’s a shame that more of the general public did not see the film. Lucky for him he landed a plum role in the new hit series, The Good Wife. Of course, it’s not Czuchry’s fault, nor is it the fault of his very talented co-stars, Geoff Stults (October Road) and Jesse Bradford (Flags of Our Fathers). Given the right material (i.e. a good script) all three capable actors could have come away from this film a little less soiled.\nThe thrown together plot involves Max dragging his two law school pals on a road trip/bachelor party in honor of his buddy, Dan (Stults). The third friend is the embittered Drew (Bradford) who unleashes a constant barrage of venom toward all women after walking in on his girlfriend giving a blowjob to a big rap star. Sounds fun already, huh? Their destination is a strip club where they can drink and grope the dancers without repercussions. As we eventually find out, this trip is all a ploy for Max to fulfill one his ultimate sexual fantasies.\nDan is the most straight-laced of the group and ends up lying to his understanding fiancé (Keri Lynn Pratt) to go on the trip. While at the club, Drew meets a stripper with a heart of gold (and a kid), Dan winds up in the drunk tank after pissing on a cop, and Tucker succeeds is insulting nearly every woman he comes in contact with.\nLike I said, since the film is based on Max’s first person narratives, the screenwriters had a golden opportunity to craft a screenplay that resembled John Hughes genius film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, in which Matthew Broderick’s’ titular character broke the fourth wall and spoke directly to the audience throughout the movie. It was Broderick’s charm and these asides to the viewers that helped make Ferris less of an asshole when he took advantage of people, (especially his friends). Unfortunately, screenwriters Max and Nils Parker created a very conventional road trip movie we’ve seen hundred of times before. And despite one of the most disgusting screen jokes I’ve ever seen (in which Max literally shits his pants), there is nothing very original in this movie. Moreover the direction and camera work are so flat that there is nothing to keep you interested.\nSome of you may read comparisons between I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell and the Golden Globe winning The Hangover, which is also about a bachelor party gone awry. The comparisons stop with the words “bachelor party.” The Hangover is funny and its expertly executed; I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell is not. Instead, it is a clichéd raunch-fest that lobs the plot points at you like waterlogged Nerf softballs. Will Dan’s finance forgive him in time for the wedding? Will Drew wind up with the stripper and revive his heart? Will Max manage to gain the forgiveness of his friends with some longwinded wedding speech? I think you know the answers.\nShould you see this movie? I think you know the answer to that, too.\nDVD Reviews, Film\nDVD Reviews, Geoff Stults, I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell, Jesse Bradford, Matt Czuchry, Tucker Max\nScott Malchus\nScott Malchus is a writer, filmmaker and die hard Cleveland Indians fan. His memoir, “Basement Songs,” is available in paperback and Kindle. He wrote and directed the film “King's Highway.\" His family is heavily involved in fund raising to find a cure for cystic fibrosis. Scott Malchus is an employee of Cartoon Network and Turner Broadcasting. The opinions expressed on Popdose are his own and do not reflect those of his employer. Email: Malchus@popdose.com. Follow him @MrMalchus\nThe Worst of the Best: “The English Patient”\n(Not So) Famous Firsts: Jon Favreau’s “Made”\n“The Book Was Better”: Five Film Adaptations of Classic Novels That Prove the Opposite\nAnthony’s Yard Sale: Carlos Santana, “Blues for Salvador”\nThe Popdose Guide to Prince, Part Three","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1488839"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5319210886955261,"wiki_prob":0.5319210886955261,"text":"seychelles scops owl\nUnlock thousands of full-length species accounts and hundreds of bird family overviews when you subscribe to Birds of the World. Its call which sounds like a rasping \"whaugh\" with various \"tok tok\" notes can be heard from a far distance and in particular in the darkness. The Bird Island, Home To Heaviest Tortoise And Famous For Birdlife. Each species account is written by leading ornithologists and provides detailed information on bird distribution, migration, habitat, diet, sounds, behavior, breeding, current population status, and conservation. The Bird Island, which is the … In 1959 it was rediscovered by French naturalist Phillippe Loustau-Lalanne in a mountainous cloud forest at an altitude of 200 meter above sea level on the island of Mahé. The Seychelles Scops Owl (Otus insularis) - also known as Bare-legged scops-owl or syer (in Creole) - is a rare scops owl which only occurs in the Morne Seychellois National Park on the Seychelles island of … locusts). In 2000 the first infrared photograph was shot of a female with her juvenile. The long grey legs are unfeathered. The underparts and the facial disc are rufous. It is also known as the Bare-legged Scops Owl. Denver W. Holt, Regan Berkley, Caroline Deppe, Paula L. Enríquez, Julie L. Petersen, José Luis Rangel Salazar, Kelley P. Segars, Kristin L. Wood, Guy M. Kirwan, and Jeffrey S. Marks, Ornithological Society Of The Middle East The Caucasus And Central Asia, RED DE OBSERVADORES DE AVES Y VIDA SILVESTRE DE CHILE. Information. It is mainly found in highland forests of Mahe, so it is rarely seen. Due to the lack of information about the population this species was long regarded as critically endangered by the IUCN. The Seychelles scops owl (Otus insularis), also known as bare-legged scops owl or syer (in Creole) is a rare scops owl species, which only occurs in the Morne Seychellois National Park on the Seychelles island of Mahé. Its plumage is rufous brown and exhibits black shaft streaks. The eyes are large and golden yellow. Sexual size dimorphism in the critically endangered Seychelles Scops Owl Otus insularis, SPECIES CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT & ACTION PLAN, ARKive - Photos and Information about the Seychelles Scops Owl, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Seychelles_scops_owl&oldid=989436605, Articles with dead external links from May 2018, Articles with permanently dead external links, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 18 November 2020, at 23:50. Breeding in Indian ocean: Seychelles Islands; can be seen in 1 country. Description. Originally … Otus insularis (Seychelles Scops Owl) is a species of birds in the family typical owls. Distribution: Endemic to the Seychelles Archipelago. Originally present on most of the islands, but now only on Mahé. Its call which sounds like a rasping \"whaugh\" with various \"tok tok\" notes can be heard from a far distance and in particular in the darkness. The Seychelles scops-owl (Otus insularis), also known as Bare-legged scops-owl or syer (in Creole) is a rare scops owl species, which only occurs in the Morne Seychellois National Park on the Seychelles island of Mahé. Distribution: Endemic to the Seychelles Archipelago. Discover them all with Birds of the World. Due to the clearing of the mountainous cloud forests and introduced alien animals, like rats, cats, and barn owls the population had dropped so drastically that it was thought to be extinct by 1906. The Seychelles Scops Owl is a very small owl with tiny, barely visible ear-tufts. The Seychelles scops owl (Otus insularis), also known as bare-legged scops owl or syer (in Creole) is a rare scops owl species, which only occurs in the Morne … Its plumage is rufous brown and exhibits black shaft streaks. It can sometimes be heard calling from tall trees, its usual call sounds like a frog or the rasping noise of a big saw on wood, Seychelles Scops Owl © Herve Chelle Seychelles Scops Owl ~ Otus insularis Introduction. A survey by Nature Seychelles … The eyes are large and golden yellow. It reaches a length between 19 and 22 cm. The scops owl was thought to be extinct for many years and no one had seen a nest or egg nor knew what it ate, when these were discovered by Nature Seychelles team in 1999 and 2000. Reproduction is dioecious. It is listed as endangered by IUCN and in CITES Appendix II. Every bird has a story. An extensive multimedia section displays the latest photos, videos and audio selections from the Macaulay Library. Thanks to the new knowledge and the conservation efforts on Mahé this species was reclassified as endangered in 2004. Due to the discovery of further populations it was noticed by 2002 that the population was stable at about 318 individuals. Seychelles Scops Owl … Free, global bird ID and field guide app powered by your sightings and media. The wings are about 17 cm. It reaches a length of between 19 and 21 cm. Seychelles Scops Owl: English, United States: Seychelles Scops-Owl: French: … In 1999 the first nest was discovered but there was no breeding success. It reaches a length of between 19 and 21 cm. Its diet consists of geckos, tree frogs and insects. Its diet consists of geckos, tree frogs and insects (e.g. The ear tufts are very small. The scops owl or Syer is nocturnal which means it is active at night. The Seychelles Scops Owl is a very small owl with tiny, barely visible ear-tufts. The underparts and the facial disc are rufous. It is also known as the Bare-legged Scops Owl. The ear tufts are very small. The Seychelles scops owl (Otus insularis), also known as bare-legged scops owl or syer (in Creole) is a rare scops owl species, which only occurs in the Morne Seychellois National Park on the Seychelles … The wings are about 17 cm. (Browse free accounts on the home page.). It is found in the Afrotropics. Information. The wings are about 17 cm. Today the range consists of 159 territories which cover an area of 33 km². The long grey legs are unfeathered. The range of this bird when first described in 1880 were the Seychelles islands of Praslin, Mahé, and Silhouette Island. The Seychelles Scops Owl ( Otus insularis) - also known as Bare-legged scops-owl or syer (in Creole) - is a rare scops owl which only occurs in the Morne Seychellois National Park on the Seychelles island of Mahé. Seychelles Scops Owl bird information Values; Conservation status: EN - Endangered: … Seychelles Scops Owl (Otus insularis) bird calls and sounds on dibird.com. Explore Seychelles Scops-Owl Take Merlin with you in the field!\nOpinel Les Forgés, French Positive To Negative Translator, 2 Times Table Quiz, Hp 17bii+ Review, Short Story Prompts, Downtown Los Gatos, California Style Vegetable Mix Recipe,\nseychelles scops owl 2020","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line389332"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9472071528434753,"wiki_prob":0.9472071528434753,"text":"Continental a Founding Partner and Exclusive Tyre Supplier to the New Extreme E Series\nSeries kicks off in spring 2021, travels around the world to five remote locations\nContinental a founding partner and exclusive tyre supplier, providing special-purpose tyres for the ODYSSEY 21 electric racers\nFormula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton launches his own team: X44\nPORT ELIZABETH, South Africa, 14 October 2020 – The innovative new Extreme E all-electric off-road racing series is scheduled to make its much-anticipated debut in March 2021, and Continental is proudly a founding partner, premium sponsor and the exclusive tyre supplier to the global championship which was recently officially granted status as an FIA International Series.\nAlejandro Agag, CEO of Extreme E, said: “All of us at Extreme E are delighted to have this seal of approval and be officially classified as an FIA International Series. We’ve been working hard towards this goal and the speed of recognition by the FIA gives us all a great confidence boost as we prepare to start our first season in 2021.”\nThe Extreme E series was founded by the same visionary team that established Formula E. From 2021, Continental will be equipping all the vehicles involved in the races with tyres for the diverse and extremely demanding conditions that they will encounter. In addition, Continental’s digital tyre monitoring platform, ContiConnect, will ensure digital connectivity, with sensors inside the tyres enabling pressures and temperatures to be constantly monitored.\nThe inaugural season will be staged across five diverse environments in some of the most remote regions of the world, from the desert to the Arctic and the Amazon to utilise its sporting platform to promote electrification, sustainability and equality. The first race is scheduled for March 2021.\nExtreme E adopts a unique format, with each team comprising two drivers, which must include one male and one female, who both drive and share the co-driver’s navigation duties for the two race laps that make up the event. There’s a limit of up to five team members as mechanics or engineers. All of the Extreme E freight and logistics will travel by sea, using the repurposed and completely refurbished former Royal Mail Ship, the 7 000-ton St Helena, as a floating garage to reduce freight emissions by two thirds in comparison to air travel.\nThe organisers are gradually lifting the covers on the teams set to take professional motorsport in electric SUVs to the furthest corners of the planet. And, none other than six-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton has announced that his newly founded team X44 will be joining the fray.\n“Extreme E really appealed to me because of its environmental focus,” says the motor racing icon, explaining his commitment to the series. And indeed, the hallmark of Extreme E is its choice of race venues in the immediate vicinity of endangered habitats. The series aims to put climate change on the radar of motorsport fans around the world, as well as politicians, local communities and authorities at the venues – and encourages a redoubling of efforts to restrict global warming to 1.5°C.\n“Every single one of us has the power to make a difference,” says Hamilton. “It means so much to me that I can use my love of racing, together with my love for our planet, to have a positive impact. I feel incredibly proud to announce my new race team and confirm its entry into Extreme E.”\nWith the arrival of X44, eight of the Extreme E teams are now in place. “As the final preparations take shape, the tension is building,” says Sandra Roslan, who is in charge of the Extreme E project at Continental. “As founding partner and exclusive tyre supplier, we are of course thrilled that the organisers have been able to sign up Lewis Hamilton for this new and unique race series. His name is sure to play a big part in drawing global attention to the Extreme E series in its very first season.”\nLewis Hamilton’s X44 operation joins seven other teams that have already announced their involvement in Extreme E, including the famous US IndyCar teams Andretti Autosport and Chip Ganassi Racing, the Spanish QEV Technologies project, two-time Formula E champions Techeetah, and British-owned Veloce Racing, co-founded by current Formula E Champion Jean-Eric Vergne.\nTwo teams from Germany – ABT Sportsline and HWA RACELAB – will also be among the contenders. ABT Sportsline is one of the most successful German motorsport teams and in recent years has won three of the most important German series: the German Supertouring Championship, the DTM and the ADAC GT Masters. With eleven driver’s championships and more than 180 race wins as a Mercedes-AMG race team, HWA is the most successful DTM outfit of all time. Both teams also have experience of racing in Formula E.\nAs for who will be driving the ODYSSEY 21 cars for Lewis Hamilton’s team in the opening rounds of the Extreme E series, this is still to be decided. The names of most of the drivers for the other teams that have already confirmed their participation also remain a well-guarded secret.\nThe official virtual launch for Extreme E will take place on Tuesday 27 October 2020 at 14:00 GMT (16:00 in South Africa). Visit the website to register: www.extreme-e.com.\nFor more information on Continental Tyre SA, visit the website: www.continental-tyres.co.za or follow us on our social media channels: www.facebook.com/ContinentalSA and www.instagram.com/sa_continental\nContinental - Extreme E - 1.jpg\nContinental CrossContact Extreme E tyre.jpg","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line663802"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5304222702980042,"wiki_prob":0.5304222702980042,"text":"Zenobia of Palmyra – Great Warrior Queen Who Stood Up to a Roman Emperor\nZenobia | Herbert Gustave Schmalz [Public domain] (This is a guess by a German artist – no images of Zenobia exist except on coins.)\nZenobia was a queen of the Palmyrene Empire (modern Syria). She was called “The Pearl Necklace” in the history of the Syrian kingdom.\n“Her face was dark and of a swarthy hue, her eyes were black and powerful beyond the usual…, her spirit divinely great, and her beauty incredible. So white were her teeth that many thought that she had pearls in place of teeth. Her voice was clear and like that of a man. Her sternness, when necessity demanded, was that of a tyrant, her clemency…that of a good emperor.”\nThese were the words of a Roman historian around 270 A.D. describing Queen Zenobia of Palmyra, the city of Tadmor in today’s Syria, and also the name for the empire she ruled.\nThere have been many queens who went to war. In my reading about amazing women and a recent focus on warrior queens, I discovered Zenobia. She was tremendously brave and a fierce fighter, meeting and – for a time – beating Roman emperor Aurelius (Lucius Domitius Aurelianus).\nTo Set the Stage:\nPalmyra | James Gordon from Los Angeles, California, USA [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)]\nIt was the 3rd century of the Common Era. Zenobia, sometimes called Septimia or Bat-Zabbel, was born around 240 CE in the Palmyrene Empire in Syria. She married Odeanathius, ruler of the city of Palmyra (sometimes called Tadmose), and when he was assassinated, she became the regent for her young son Wahballat. Some said she had him killed, but it’s difficult to know.\nZenobia claimed that she was a Ptolemy (the last ruling dynasty of Egypt) and a direct descendant of Cleopatra. She certainly was ambitious, and in 269 she decided to conquer Egypt. Within a year, her general Zabdas has secured most of Egypt and at the same time, Zenobia with other troops had taken most of Syria, as far as the Black Sea, under her control. At this point, she truly had an empire. But it wasn’t to last long.\nZenobia’s Battles Against Aurelian\nThe Romans didn’t like having territory taken away from them. The emperor Aurelian was a skilled military leader, and he immediately took back much of Zenobia’s empire, reconquering Egypt first.\nZenobia met him in battle, riding on her horse. The battle resulted in a horrible slaughter of Zenobia’s troops, and they fley to Palmyra. Aurelian besieged the city, cutting off trade and travel.\nDuring the siege, Aurelian seems to have something of a grudging admiration for Zenobia. He sent her a message asking her to surrender, telling her he would save her city if she agreed. She responded with defiance.\nFinally, in desperation, Zenobia tried to escape from the city to get help from the Persians. She got through a city gate and rode on a female camel (supposed to be faster than horses) to the Euphrates River, where she was captured as she tried to board a boat.\nZenobia was brought before Aurelius as a captive. When she was confronted with her “treasonous” (to the Romans, anyway) actions, she said she was just a “simple woman” who had been misled by her advisors. Against advice, Aurelian decided not to kill her, but he took her to Rome as his captive. I’m sure he saw the political capital to be gained from showing off his beautiful prize to the Romans.\nIn Rome, she was supposedly shackled with gold chains and paraded through the streets of Rome in Aurelian’s triumphal procession. Later, he went back to Palmyra, sacked the city, and ended the Palmyrate empire forever.\nWhat Happened to Zenobia\nAfter the parade, there are several versions of events, depending on which Roman historian you read. The most likely but, for me, the least palatable, outcome was that she Zenobia was allowed to live in an estate near Rome. She was said to have married a Roman senator and lived (relatively) happy ever after.\nZenobia’s Legacy\nZenobia has become something of a symbol for other women adventurers. Lady Hester Stanhope was determined to go to the ruins of Palmyra in 1911, where she styled herself as Zenobia reborn. She expected to be hailed as another Zenobia and “was not disappointed.”\nZenobia still shows up in popular culture. I’m not sure how I feel about these commercializations; for example, see this Zenobia T shirt, and this toy, in revealing garments.\nMost of my information comes from Zenobia of Palmyra, by Agnes Carr Vaughan (1967). Because there is little known about Zenobia, Vaughan says she used her “imagination liberally.” Much of her information comes from the Roman historian Pollio. So, I guess this is a 3rd hand source.\nGrandma Gatewood – Intrepid Walker and Trailblazer\nEmma Gatewood | Stratness [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)]\nEmma Gatewood had lived a rough life. Born in 1887, she was married at 19. Her husband started beating her during their honeymoon and he beat her many times – sometimes almost to death – through 35 years of marriage and 11 children.\nAfter her divorce in 1940, she was looking for something to keep fit. She saw an article about the Appalachian trail in a copy of National Geographic magazine (August 1949). So she decided to walk it.\nHer story is an incredible one of determination and just plain toughness. Ben Montgomery tells Grandma Gatewood’s tale exceedingly well, so I’ll just give you the highlights.\nHow She Walked\nNational Geographic DVD about the Appalachian Trail\nEmma started her walk on May 3, 1955, at the top of a mountain in Jasper, South Carolina. She was 67 years old and a great-grandmother! No one knew she was there except the taxi driver who brought her to the top of the mountain and her cousin Myrtle in Atlanta. She told her children she was going for a walk.\nShe had attempted the trail the year before (1954), starting in Maine, but she lost her way, broke her glasses, and ran out of food; she was ordered by Park Rangers to leave. She told no one about this aborted trip. This time she was determined to go the whole way.\nShe had no map, no sleeping bag, and no tent, and only a little money for food. She wore tennis shoes and carried a backpack with some essentials, including a shower curtain to use as a rain poncho. She had been preparing for her walk by walking, and she had gotten up to 10 miles a day by the time she started.\nAt the time she started, the official 2,050-mile Appalachian Trail was used mostly by day walkers or hikers; only a few men (and no women) had walked the entire trail. The trail was still in its infancy, still being developed, and only portions of it were marked. There were only a few shelters, and no one really knew much about it. So when Emma started walking, she was literally blazing a trail.\nHer father had always told her, “Pick up your feet,” so that’s what she did. She just started walking. At the end of each day, she would start looking for a place to stay, asking politely. Sometimes she was refused, sometimes welcomed. When she was refused shelter, she slept on the trail. When she ran out of money, she would work for a few days. She would accept rides to nearby towns for food and a place to sleep, always requesting that she be returned to the trail where she left it. Most trail walkers today follow this requirement if they want to claim to have walked the entire trail.\nThe trail, from Mt. Oglethorpe in South Carolina to Mt. Katahdin in Main, held many dangers. There were mountains to climb, rivers with rapids to cross, and stretches of unmarked pasture land to get lost in. Many dangerous animals – mountain lions, black bears, and rattlesnakes to name a few – and people roamed around. (This was still the time of hillbillies and moonshiners.) Towns were few and far between.\nWhen she began her trip in May, it was cold and snow was still on the mountains. Many days it rained and stormed. As she got further north, the hot summer sun beat down on her and the humidity brought out mosquitoes. And don’t forget the poison plants – dangerous to eat or to get close to. As Ben Montgomery said,\n“There were a million heavenly things to see and a million spectacular ways to die.\nBut she was inspired by the beauty of the sights she had seen and her interactions with the kind people she met. She said,\n“The forest is a quiet place and nature is beatiful. I don’t want to sit and rock. I want to do something.”\nThe Public Begins to Notice\nIn early June, near Roanoke, Virginia, Emma was approached by two Appalachian trail club members who wanted to tell her story. She was reluctant to let them publish anything about her because she still hadn’t told her family about her journey. She finally agreed to a picture and a story.\nWord spread “like wood smoke” and soon she found that local reporters were joining her on her walk just to talk with her and get her story for their newspaper. She was welcomed in some towns and treated like a visiting dignitary, which annoyed her; she just wanted to keep moving.\nEmma Gets Addicted to Walking\nGrandma Gatewood didn’t stop with one more trip through the Appalachian Trail. She made the trip two more times, the third time completing her first attempted trip. Then she walked across the country, from Ohio to Portland, Oregon. And she did more trips, climbing six mountains in the Adirondack Range,\nAt age 71, she walked the Oregon Trail from Independence, Missouri to Portland, Oregon. Everywhere she went, reporters and crowds followed and she was asked to appear on television, including the Groucho Marx show. She said she was starting to feel like a “sideshow freak.”\nBack at home, Emma set out to encourage hiking but working to establish hiking trails in Ohio. She often walked around her home in Ohio, where she would set off on walks on a whim, covering 20 miles in a day.\nHer lifetime of walking counted up to 14,000 miles. In the spring of 1973, she bought a bus ticket and visited 48 states and 3 Canadian provinces. shortly after her return, on June 4, she collapsed and died. (As I reviewed my notes before writing this article, I thought I’d made an error in the date, assuming that she couldn’t have made such a long trip so shortly before her death. But she did.)\nHonors and awards followed, including her 2012 induction into the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame. Emma (Grandma) Gatewood’s story was inspirational to me. She survived a brutal husband, had many children and grandchildren, and she was tough enough to start on her dream later in life. She never stopped walking and encouraging others to walk.\nPick up your feet, Jean!\nSources and more information\nThe quotes and most of the information in this article is from Grandma Gatewood’s Walk by Ben Montgomery. In 2018, the New York Times included Grandma Gatewood in their Overlooked series of people who should have had NYT obituaries.\n_________________________-\nDisclosure: The books featured in my posts have links to Amazon.com, and I receive (a little) money if you buy a book from one of these links.\nElla Maillart – A Life-long Adventurer – Unconventional and Multi-Talented\nIt’s 1932. A woman with a bicycle is standing on a mountain looking at the eastern frontier of Russian Turkestan.\n“…from the heights of the Celestial Mountains, I could [see], on a plain far away and further still to the east, the yellow dust of the Takla Makan desert. It was China, the fabulous country of which, since my childhood, I had dreamed.”\nI almost cried to read these magical words – “China,” “Celestial Mountains.” Such a vision. but she couldn’t get to China. No visa could be had at that time and it was too dangerous. She explained,\n“If I went on I should be arrested at the first Chinese village. Sadly I retraced my steps, turning my back on the limitless unknown that beckoned.”\nBut Ella Maillart was determined to get where she wanted to go. And there weren’t many places she didn’t go.\nElla Maillart at her home of Chandolin in 1992. Photo courtesy of NVP User:nvpswitzerland / CC license 3.0\nElla Maillart’s Early Life\nElla was born in Geneva, Switzerland, in February 1903. She was the only child of a wealthy fur trader and his Danish wife. A sickly child, she spent her time reading adventure books and maps and she dreamed of travel. Her adventurous life began with learning how to sail, and she and her friend Hermine de Saussure won their first sailing race at age 13. From there, she went on to many more adventures.\nAccording to Brian Fagan*, by the age of 30, she had:\nTaught French in a Welsh school\nCompeted in a sailing competition in the 1924 Olympics (the only woman in the race)\nActed on the stage in Paris\nCaptained the Swiss women’s field hockey team\nAssisted at an archeological excavation in Crete\nStudied film production in Moscow\nPublished a book about her walk through the Caucasus\nRidden a camel across the desert in what is today Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan\nSailing turned to skiing and she competed for the Swiss in four world championships from 1930 to 1934. At the end of the trip above, when she was turned back at the Chinese border, she continued to travel alone back to Europe, through the southern Soviet republics, without permits and avoiding checkpoints where she could have been jailed – or worse.\nThe trip to Russia and her walks through the Caucasus whetted her appetite for the Far East. Her first books, Among Russian Youth (1932) and Turkestan Solo (1932).\nForbidden Journey\nBy 1935 Ella was back in Asia, ready to tackle China again. She and English journalist Peter Fleming (brother of James Bond creator Ian Fleming) went from Beijing to Kashgar and India, back to the place where she had stopped three years earlier.\nIn Forbidden Journey, she tells the story of this journey. It’s just about the best travel writing I have read in a long time.\nElla wanted to get “as far as possible from the world of luxury hotels and stream-lined expresses,” and by this time she was an experienced traveler. When she and Peter first talked of traveling, he told her she could come with him.\nShe stopped him and replied, “I beg your pardon. It’s my route and it’s I who will take you, if I can think of some way in which you can be useful to me.” She knew the dangers of travel and took precautions against them. She was appalled at Peter’s lack of planning and his refusal to get the vaccine against the typhus that was rampant in China at that time. Ella said her two biggest worries while traveling were toothache and appendicitis; she had had a tooth filled by Austrian sisters before her latest trip.\nThey walked most of the time, lived in traditional Chinese hogans, and ate local food, including “to-fu” and with food “served in little heaps in which nothing is whole and entire.” The visited Kumbum monastery in eastern Tibet, as had Alexandra David-Neel a few years before. Ella was charmed by the colors of the place and the holy men who looked like “perambulating tulips.” They ate Tsamba, a Tibetan food made from toasted barley meal and buttered tea (I know it sounds gross, but it seems to be the only drink in Tibet.)\nIn central Asia, they traveled in caravan – 250 camels, 30 horses, and 80 humans. Every night Peter would say, “Sixty li’s (measure of distance) nearer to London.” Ella felt the opposite. She said,\n“I was so completely absorbed in the life of the trail, …the life of the beasts, of the elements, it was as though I had always been living it.”\nIn the mountains, Peter’s eyes suffered from the extreme light. He had neglected to bring along goggles even though she had told him to. Their interactions became curter and their bantering not as nice. Peter thought she was too serious, and she didn’t understand his British humor. She wanted to understand the “thousands of diverse lives that make up humanity,” and he just wanted to get back to England.\non June 4, 109 days after leafing Peking, they came to Sinkiang (now Xinjiang province) in northwest China, home to many ethnic groups, including the Uyghur people (Muslims that are currently being persecuted by the Chinese). Their travel became even more monotonous, and Ella recited poetry over and over to herself to keep on going. The most exasperating thing about the journey was fleas. She had to “engage in mortal combat” with them almost every night.\nDuring their trek through this part of China, they were stopped often by soldiers who asked for their papers.\nThere’s much more in Ella’s story, but I’ll stop here in the hope that you will be interested in reading it. On September 12, at 17,000 feet, they ended their trip in Kashmir, in India.\nElla was sad to say goodbye to the “careless life of the trail” and head back to Europe, where “shadows of war” were hovering.\n‘Suddenly I understood something. I felt now, with all the strength of my senses and intelligence, that Paris, France, Europe, the White Race, were nothing….The something that counted in and against all particularisms was the magnificent scene of things that we call the world.”\nElla’s Later Life\nPeter Fleming went back to England, married actress Celia Johnson later in 1935. He continued to explore and write about his adventures, including Brazilian Adventures (still in print). He died in 1971 at age 64.\nElla Maillart continued to travel, including trips to Afghanistan, Turkey, and Iran. In 1939 she traveled to Kabul, Afghanistan, but this trip was cut short by the start of World War II. During the war she was in India studying Hundu philosophy. She returned to Tibet in 1986, then retired to her home in Chandolin, Switzerland, a virtual recluse after so many years of adventuring. She died at age 94 in March, 1997.\nJournalist Simon Schreyer calls her\n“an ardent traveller, a bride of the wind and a storyteller, like the world had not seen before.”\nI agree. She lived life on her own terms, confident, at her own terms, and out loud.\nMuch information and all quotes are from Forbidden Journey\n*Brian Fagan, From Stonehenge to Samarkand.\nA complete biography is available on her website: http://www.ellamaillart.ch/bio_en.php\nHelga Estby – Walked Across America To Save Her Family\nHelga Estby (left) and her daughter Clara, 1897 in Minneapolis.| Unknown photographer [Public domain]\nSPOKANE. Wash., May 4.(1896) -Mrs. H. Estby and her daughter, aged 18, leave tomorrow morning to walk to New York City. They are respectable, but will “rough it” as regular tramps and carry no baggage. Their object is to wear a new style garment, which they will exhibit when they reach New York. Mrs. Estby is the mother of eight children, all of whom are living with their father on a ranch near here, except the one going with her. The family is poor and the ranch is mortgaged. Mrs. Estby, seeing no other way of getting out, concluded to make the journey afoot.\nWhat would you do for $250,000? That’s the equivalent today of the $10,000 promised to Helga Estby for walking across America in 1897 in an effort to get money to save her family farm. Helg’s story is amazing. Even if she only had one adventure, it was quite a big deal.\nHelga’s Life Before Her Walk\nHelga Estby had a tough life all around. She was born in Norway in 1860. Her father died, her mother remarried, and in 1871, when Helga was 11, they moved to Michigan. At sixteen she married Ole Estby, they had eight children, and they lived the first part of their married life in Minnesota. Their lives were like many pioneer families; the winters in Minnesota were brutal, they had to endure prairie fires, illnesses like diphtheria, hunger and the death of children.\nIn 1884, seeking an easier life, the Estbys moved to the area around Spokane, Washington. they bought a home in Spokane Falls and lived there with their six surviving children. But bad luck seemed to follow them. Helga was injured in a fall on a slippery street and injured her pelvis, requiring an operation. The family moved once again, to Mica Creek, about 25 miles southeast of Spokane, to a community with other Scandinavian immigrants.\nHelga’s Desperate Wager\nIn April 1893, an economic depression hit the U.S. Ole couldn’t work because of a back injury, and they took out a loan on their property. But they couldn’t pay back the loan. They were in danger of losing their farm. In desperation, Helga somehow found a wealthy sponsor for a trip across America. She would receive $10,000 for making the trip with her 18-year old daughter Clara.\nThe conditions for the trip were specific: They had to work to get money, they were required to wear and publicize a new type of woman’s clothing (illustrated in the photo above), and they had to arrive by a specific date, no more than seven months later. They also had to get a signature from the governor of every state they passed through, to document their travels.\nHelga’s family and neighbors were not happy about this trip. The trip was seen as irresponsible, unseemly for a woman, and even scandalous. They were advertising Ole’s inability to care for his family, and women in traditional communities should never seek publicity.\nI wasn’t able to come up with a name for the mysterious sponsor. One source said it was a woman, and others said it was someone in New York. Being naturally suspicious of anonymity, I read of Helga and Clara’s adventures with increasing concern.\nHelga and Clara’s Journey\nHelga, 36, and Clara, 18, started on their 3,500-mile journey on May 5, 1896. They had to walk and decided to follow railroad tracks to keep from getting lost. They knew the tracks would take them into towns where they could buy things and find work. “Putting one foot in front of the other,” they set off, taking only a few things: a revolver, homemade pepper spray, and a curling iron for Clara.\nThey endured rain and sleet and were not welcomed in some of the towns because they were seen as “scandalous vagrants.” To cross the Blue Mountains, they had no blankets, boots or food. Averaging 27 miles a day, they were in Baker City, Oregon on May 24. In Boise, Idaho, they got their first signature.\nIn Park City, Utah, they found the Mormons more welcoming, and they got another signature. At this point, they picked up their new ankle-length bicycle skirts and continued.\nThrough Wyoming, where they were lost in forests and had adventures with mountain lions, they moved into Greely, Colorado. At this point, they needed new shoes (they wore out a total of 32 pairs of shoes on the journey). They were able to find shelter most nights and were often fed, especially as their story became known.\nSomewhere after Park City, Helga and Clara started to gather more publicity. Railroad workers left jugs of water by the track for them, and they often received welcoming parties in the towns they visited. Clara injured her ankle and they had to rest for 10 days. This was a bad setback, putting their trip 10 days behind schedule.\nWilliam Jennings Bryan, c. 1896 | Copyright by Geo. H. Van Norman, Springfield, Mass. [Public domain]\nCongressman William Jennings Bryan and his wife welcomed them in Lincoln, Nebraska. Bryan was in an election contest for the presidency against William McKinley of Ohio, so both he and the Estbys got publicity from the meeting.\nIn my research, I found an article Helga wrote while after her trip while she was stranded in New York trying to earn money to return home. The article in a Norwegian newspaper describes Helga’s experiences as a gold and silver miner She used an ordinary frying pan to pan for gold in Boise, Idaho and she was able to go down into a silver mine in Park City, Utah.\nHelga and Clara arrived in Des Moines, Iowa on October 17. They bought new shoes and raincoats and headed to Chicago. The weather was turning to fall, which meant rains and cold nights. In Canton, Ohio, McKinley signed a letter for them. They quickly marched through Pennsylvania, fending off two attackers with their revolvers.\nThey continued trudging onward. Linda Lawrence Hunt, author of Bold Spirit, says, “Each new destination strengthened Helga’s sense of achievement” and her confidence.\nThe Sad Aftermath of The Journey\nFinally, on December 23, 1896, they arrived in New York, at the agreed-upon location of the New York World magazine. The sponsor refused to pay, saying they had arrived late (only a few days, and mostly because of Clara’s injury). They had no money and had to work to survive. All the mother and daughter wanted was to go home. Finally, a wealthy railroad owner gave them a ticket to Minneapolis, but it took them until the spring of 1897 to get back home.\nThings got worse. During the time they were stranded in New York, two of her children died of diphtheria. The family blamed her for not being there to care for them. (Yes, that’s irrational; she probably couldn’t have saved them, but it was her duty as they saw it.)\nHelga had made extensive notes and kept a journal of her trip, and she hoped to write a book about it for money. She started writing, but couldn’t finish. I was able to find one magazine article from the Minneapolis Star Tribune, that reproduced an article from an interview with Helga.\nAfter Helga and Clara returned, the family farm was sold. They hadn’t saved it after all. Friends and neighbors turned their backs on the family and the family never talked of what had happened. When Helga died in 1942, a daughter burned all her notes.\nIt was only recently that one of Helga’s descendants found some material, which set Linda Hunt on a search for more, resulting in her book Bold Spirit.\nHelga became a supporter of the women’s suffrage movement in later life. I think her journey made her think differently about women’s place in the world and how women can do anything they set out to do. She was brave, if naive, and I admired her courage.\nMost of my information came from Bold Spirit. This article from HistoryLink was also a source.\nZxczxc\nHelga died in Spokane in April 1942. Her obituary in the Spokane Daily Chronicle made no mention of her amazing trip across the U.S.\nFiled Under: Women Adventurers Tagged With: famous walks, Helga Estby, women adventurers\nClara Brown – Determined Pioneer Who Held On to Hope\nClara Brown was a slave. No property, no expectations of life. But she happened to find a kind master who freed her when he died, and she started on two long journeys: one to find a place to live free, and the other to find her daughter. This is the inspiring story of a determined woman who was down, then up, then down again.\nClara’s Journey to Freedom\nClara (took the last name of Brown because that was the name of her master) was born into slavery about 1800. She lived with her mother on a plantation in Kentucky. When she was 18 she married Richard, another slave. They had four children, Richard, Margaret, Paulina Ann, and Eliza Jane. When the twins were 8 years old, Paulina Ann was drowned; Eliza Jane was devastated.\nIn 1836 she was sold to a different owner. This family, the Browns, were kind and loving to her. She was called “Auntie” by the children, and she spent 20 years with them.\nWhen Clara’s owner, George Brown, died, he left her $300 in his will, and he gave her freedom. The catch was that she had to get out of Kentucky quickly so the slavers wouldn’t grab her and sell her back into slavery. She traveled to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where people were eagerly trying to get to Colorado, specifically Pike’s Peak. Gold had been discovered there, and a wagon train was being assembled.\nThey agreed to take Clara in exchange for her doing the cooking and washing. She wasn’t allowed to ride in a wagon so she walked the whole way, through a blizzard and a buffalo stampede, and she slept under a wagon.\nClara’s Life in Colorado\nDetail of Central City, Colorado | Chamberlain, W. G. [Public domain]\nWhen she arrived in Colorado, for a while she lived in Denver (called Cherry Creek at that time), then in 1859 she settled in Central City, northwest of Denver.\nShe bought a small cabin and started doing laundry. She saved every penny possible to buy shares in mining stocks and real estate. At one point she had 7 houses in Central City, 16 lots in Denver, and property in Georgetown and Boulder.\nHer goodness and benevolence were evident during this time. Much of her money went to helping people. She helped found several churches in the area, Methodist and Catholic. A local newspaper commented on her home, which she had turned into a “hospital, a hotel and a general refuge for those who were sick or in poverty.”\nIn 1865, after the Civil War, she went back to Kentucky to look for her daughter. She didn’t find her but she did bring a group of freed slaves to Colorado. She paid for their train fare, found them places to live and jobs.\nWith all of her generosity and the trickery of some unscrupulous real estate speculators, by the time she was in her 80s her money was gone. She scraped together $1000 as a reward to anyone who could tell her about Eliza Jane. Her health went downhill.\nThen in 1882 a friend from Denver wrote to say she had found Eliza Jane who was a widow living in Council Bluffs, Iowa. When asked about a sister who drowned, the woman said, Eliza Jane’s eyes filled with tears.\nClara’s health improved immediately! She quickly found money and took a train to Council Bluffs, where she recognized her long-lost daughter, saying her smile reminded her of Richard’s brown eyes. Accounts of their meeting said it was pouring rain and they slipped in the mud as they hugged. What a picture!\nEliza Jane came back with Clara to Denver and the last 3 1/2 years of her life were spent with her daughter.\nWhen Clara died, the city of Denver and the state of Colorado were full of praise for this remarkable woman. She was named to the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame and there’s a permanent memorial chair in her honor at the Central City Opera House.\nClara’s story is one of determination and selflessness. She found her freedom but she never stopped thinking about her daughter and looking for her. It’s wonderful that her dream came true in time.\nI used several sources for the information in this article, including Frontier Grit: The Unlikely True Stories of Daring Pioneer Women by Marianne Monson-Burton. Another interesting woman in this book is Charley Pankhurst, who lived her life as a man, drove a stage coach, but had secrets that weren’t discovered until after her death.\nThere is no adult biography of Clara Brown. One More Valley, One More Hill is a fictionalized biography for children (ages 8 and up).\nFiled Under: Women Adventurers Tagged With: Clara Brown, Colorado pioneers","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1141834"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5497949123382568,"wiki_prob":0.5497949123382568,"text":"Journal of Information Sciences and Computing Technologies\n# Authorship and Contributorship\nAuthorship credit should be based on meeting the following criteria: 1) substantial contribution to paper concept or design, acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data; 2) drafting the article or reviewing and introducing fundamental changes in it; 3) final approval of the version to be published.\nAll persons designated as authors and co-authors should meet these criteria. 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It is the author’s responsibility to bring an infringement action if so desired by the author.\n# Content license\nSRO applies the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license for scholarly work it publishes. This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon your work non-commercially, and although their new works must also acknowledge you and be non-commercial.\nAuthors sign an exclusive license agreement, where authors have copyright but license exclusive rights in their article to the publisher*. In this case authors have the right to: Share their article in the same ways permitted to third parties under the relevant user license (together with Personal Use rights) so long as it contains a CrossMark logo, the end user license, and a DOI link to the version of record on Zenodo. Retain patent, trademark and other intellectual property rights (including research data).Proper attribution and credit for the published work.\n*Please note that society or third party owned journals may have different publishing agreements. Please see the journal’s guide for authors for journal specific copyright information.\nCopyright-Notice_Form\nCopyright © 2020| Journal of Information Sciences and Computing Technologies. All rights reserved.|\n|ISSN: 2394-9066\n|For any help/support contact us at jiscteditor@scitecresearch.com.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1409227"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7339558005332947,"wiki_prob":0.2660441994667053,"text":"CDRH Issues Final Q&A About FDASIA Appeals Process\nWe previously posted about CDRH’s guidance on the appeals process contained in the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act (FDASIA), and its issuance of a draft Q&A discussing section 517A. Section 517A imposed timeframes for appeal decisions that were shorter than those originally proposed by CDRH, and required CDRH to provide a “substantive summary” of the rationale for any “significant decision” being appealed.\nOn July 30, 2014, CDRH issued the final Q&A, with only two modifications:\nClinical hold decisions have been added to the list of significant decisions subject to the shorter review timeframes in 517A. Since clinical holds do have a substantial impact on the ability of a company to proceed with its product development, adding this to the list of significant decisions is likely non-controversial and appropriate.\nExamples of non-significant decisions have been provided, including 510(k) requests for additional information, PMA major deficiency letters, refuse to accept letters, 522 orders, CLIA waiver decisions, Warning Letters, and responses to requests under section 513(g).\nOtherwise, the draft and final guidance documents are the same. This means that the final Q&A still fails to answer the most critical question: when will the substantive summary be provided to the requester? As we noted in our prior post, under section 517A, the appeal must be filed within 30 days of the significant decision. If the substantive summary is provided beyond the 30 day timeframe, or even late in the timeframe, it will be of little to no use in preparation of the appeal, contrary to the apparent statutory intent. It is disappointing that the final guidance does not clearly state that the summary must be provided promptly so as to facilitate the timely preparation of an appeal that directly responds to FDA’s concerns.\nCategories: Drug Development | Medical Devices","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line686679"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5602642893791199,"wiki_prob":0.4397357106208801,"text":"Join free & follow Toes In Video Production\n48. The Inn of the Sixth Happiness, The Warriors, Guest House Paradiso\nby Toes In Video Production\n48. The Inn of the Sixth Happiness, The Warriors, Guest House Paradisoby Toes In Video Production\nIn a week where we are told that the Lord’s prayer is not allowed to be played before movies at your local cinema, we talk about a movie whose existence is arguably due to a shed load of Prayer; we hunt down some WOORRREEEOOOORS, and invite them to COME OUT AND PLAAYEE-YAY!!! We meet Nicola in the hospital who gives us one of the funkiest tunes that we’ve played for a while, and we talk about one of the films that we are frankly ashamed to say was filmed on the Isle of Wight. Welcome to They Don’t Make ‘em Like They Used To.\nFilms discussed\nThe Inn of the Sixth Happiness\nGuest House Paradiso\nMore from Toes In Video Production\nTosin Ajayi interviewed about George Floyd, Racisim in the UK and the British Empireadded 6 months ago\n3. Dr Strangelove, Doris Day, The Lone Ranger, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spyadded 2 years ago\n2. The Adventures of Robin Hood, The Italian Job, Gulliver's Travels (1939), Master and Commanderadded 2 years ago","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1948607"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6505312323570251,"wiki_prob":0.34946876764297485,"text":"Business Commentary\nMorals over money: Low-cost options for socially responsible investors\nLisa Kramer\nPublished July 9, 2018 Updated July 9, 2018\nDo you keep your morals in mind when making investment decisions? If so, you’re not alone. Increasingly, investors are considering the broad social impact of their portfolio allocation decisions. And accordingly, a bevy of new financial products (and a mouthful of jargon) has emerged to cater to those ethically minded investing intentions.\nInvesting with one’s conscience has many labels. The concept of “socially responsible investing,” or SRI, may be familiar to some readers, with a goal of ensuring one’s portfolio excludes “sin stocks” from the tobacco, gambling and firearms industries. The fossil-fuel “divestment” or “divestiture” movement seeks to pressure large pensions and other managed funds to abandon their holdings in the so-called dirty-energy sector. And “ESG” investing aims to prioritize stocks that score high on environmental, social and governance criteria over those that don’t.\nThere is no regulatory body or widely agreed-upon set of principles that determines whether certain stocks or funds fit particular socially responsible criteria. This leaves financial institutions, fund managers and advisers free to use their own discretion when building a portfolio built around such goals, so investors must look under the hood to confirm that a fund’s definition of ethical aligns with their own. For instance, a prominent Canadian ETF in the SRI class, iShares Jantzi Social Index ETF, includes Suncor Energy Inc. among its top-10 holdings, which may not be ideal for investors who wish to exclude one of the world’s largest bitumen producers from their portfolio.\nFee-minded investors will be pleased to know there are low-cost financial products in the responsible investing space, especially for those able to invest in the United States. For instance, the Vanguard FTSE Social Index, a mutual fund that adheres to ESG principles, clocks in with a mere 0.2-per-cent expense ratio. And there are several others in the 1-per-cent-or-less range.\nFees aside, what about the claim that investing responsibly comes at a steep price in terms of lower returns or higher risk than a well-diversified broad-based index? That is a tired trope. While a grossly undiversified portfolio certainly can expose an investor to unpleasant surprises, one need not invest in the whole market to achieve both good diversification and returns commensurate with the amount of risk taken. In fact, funds that closely track a broad index, such as the S&P/TSX 60, will typically hold only a subset of the equities in the index, leaving plenty of scope for well-formulated SRI or ESG portfolios that are suitable for the responsibly minded yet conservative investor.\nFurthermore, new tools are emerging for do-it-yourself investors who may seek to apply their ethical investment values in ways that aren’t met by existing financial products. For example, the website CrueltyFreeInvesting.org categorizes publicly traded U.S. stocks on the basis of whether they do or don’t exploit animals, taking into account whether the companies undertake practices that involve the harming or killing of animals. The website additionally identifies what it considers to be the 10 worst companies in terms of animal exploitation, featuring the world’s largest breeder of dogs for experiments, among others.\nWhether your own moral compass gravitates to human rights, animal rights, green energy, or a combination of these and other progressive ideals, it’s no longer necessary to pick between your conscience and your pocketbook when choosing how to invest. May you sleep well at night and invest well, too.\nLisa Kramer is a professor of finance at the University of Toronto.\nAdapt or die: How big-name investors are pushing Canadian companies on climate change\nI want to be an ethical hacker … what will my salary be?\nWill the transfer of wealth to women take sustainable investing mainstream?\nFollow us on Twitter @globebusiness Opens in a new window","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1412234"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7423620820045471,"wiki_prob":0.2576379179954529,"text":"What Does \"The Hero's Journey\" Mean for Us?\nWhat is our \"Hero's Journey\"?\nThoughts on Joseph Campbell's \"The Hero With A Thousand Faces\"\n​The idea of the adventure of a hero is not one unique to the realms of myth and fairy tales. I am currently reading Joseph Campbell’s masterpiece, “The Hero With A Thousand Faces,” and I must admit that the profound nature of this book is eye-opening to say the least. Before opening the book, I would like to have believed that I understood the concept of a “Hero’s Journey” and what it entailed for characters in my books as they moved like chessmen across the board of space and time that is the plot of the story. And, now halfway through the book, I would also like to believe that I understand something more about stories.\nAnd I would also like to believe that I have encountered something much more profound.\n​The “Hero’s Journey” affects us all, whether in the vastness of one’s life completely, or in the smallness of going to the grocery store. And the reason for this, I believe, is because the idea of this Journey is rooted in our abilities to choose. Even when one rejects their destiny, the destruction they have wrought is their creation, and theirs alone.\nThe Journey is all around us, an omnipresent force which moves the gears of the clock of destiny to chime to the time of the hero to begin again and be born anew. But the bell tolls for all, not just Theseus, and humanity’s destiny (and the destiny of the individual) resides in their unique keenness to hear the chimes of the seemingly supernatural, all-encompassing, subconscious forces of the world and mind.\nSo how then is the common man akin to the man of myth?\nThe answer is rather simple, and the answer is this: you have the ability to choose. Think about your choices every day, for the clock is constantly ticking, awaiting to chime its beckon for one to be summoned to the destiny of their life. Or perhaps it merely chimes to the destiny of one’s day, one’s singular hour. Destiny is a fickle mistress in that, though she is a commander of paths, she lays in bed with the autonomy of Free Will.\nSo, watch your life. You may be surprised to find that your “Hero’s Journey” lies everywhere. No matter how large. No matter how small. Listen well, for the bells of adventure beckon merely for those who hear.\nEnjoyed this post? Sign-Up for my monthly newsletter for the latest news on my writings and other projects!\nHow is Writing Like Chess?\nThe Writer as a Strategist\n​Though I am largely a fan of strategy games, I am not very good at chess. I studied chess for short while, but instead of improving in my knowledge of the game, the experience gave me a rather interesting insight into the world of writing. And, as I stand now, I fully believe that the art of crafting a story is a lot like the science of playing chess.\n​“How, Will?” You must ask. “How is telling a story anything akin to two players moving chess pieces vindictively across the rows and files of the chessboard?”\n​And the answer lies within the question, for all a story is composed of is two forces, two objects of willpower, making moves across a board in hopes for a victorious goal.\n​Sit with me here and imagine. Have you ever been writing an arc, a chapter, or a scene and stopped to think: “Why isn’t this working? Why am I not moving towards my desired goal?” And thus the writer, whether they know it or not, sits at the board, ogling the pieces before them, pondering as to why their decisions up until this point are not working, when in a sudden in a whirlwind of epiphany, they think “Of course! If I do this, then it will work!”\nJust like that, the writer is no longer merely a spinner of ideas or characters, but a strategist of the storytelling art. As the same way a grandmaster moves his pieces to his designs, the writer places their characters to create certain effects. The characters dance upon the board—upon the plot in a magnificent play to move toward the end goal.\nThe writer desires the checkmate, or, the end of the story.\nBut how do they do this with so much against them? And who, then, is their opponent?\nThe opponent of the writer remains one object, be it the the World, the Psyche, the Self. The writer fights against the mind, in a glorious duel to uncover the World within.\nAnd so, for every brilliant move, there is an equal counter-force. This, is the exact way that the story is like the chess match. The writer concocts his plot by moving their pieces to the common goal of finality, just as the grandmaster moves their pieces to the common goal of checkmate.\nHow does this—how should this—change our mentalities as writers?\nWell, it’s rather simple. If we think more about the utility of our characters, we will see more about their quality to the plot and why they are important. Likewise, if we think of the plot less a series of events and more a strategy, it gives us the ability to take away the intimidation that it sometimes presents. After all, it is merely the concoction that results from our strategic decisions along the writer’s journey—the writer’s game. And lastly, if we think of our end goal as checkmate, it implies one thing particularly.\nIt implies that we must be aware of the goal (the ending) and thus it gives us a goal to play our pieces in favor of.\nI have been thinking about this analogy much lately, and I believe it is a strange one, yet equally refreshing. And though the World, the Psyche, and the Self strike against us, we must know that the strategy is in our hands, and, as long as we can play our way to victory, the art is eternally free.\nWhy Must Fantasy Remain \"Realistic\"?\nThe Light of Fantasy\nIlluminating the Magic Mirror\nFantasy contains an inherent contradiction. The genre is not as it appears, but its truth makes it exceedingly relevant. Fantasy is not a pure escape. While escapism is absolutely a facet of the genre, it is misleading to suppose that fantasy fully escapes the present world. It is, instead, a mirror. Fantasy, as a rule, must reflect the world in which we live. As hypocritical as this sounds, the writer then has a mission to make the fantastic seem mundane, the surreal seem real, the unbelievable seem believable. A writer is to spin a web of illusion and capture the human mind within its grasp. To bring the myth alive, one must bring it down from Olympus—from the realm of the gods—and place it within the finite minds of fragile mortals. In essence, fantasy must reflect the human condition.\nThat is the only way that a man could wrap his head around it.\nThis is not for no reason, however; it is not out of spite, nor of a sinister machination of the author. Within a fantasy story, there is a conscious and unconscious desire to confront the horrors of the world. Through fantasy, a reader (and the writer) is able to confront the despicable and the evil.\nPhoto by William F. Burk\nThis is the thing that makes fantasy ever relevant. It is not merely the escape, but the reflection of the true magic in the world. It is the reflection of the human spirit and the miraculous desire for life to continue. It is in it's very essence a reminder that good can triumph and that there is still beauty worth fighting for. The glory of fantasy is that it attunes itself with the songs of our hearts and reminds us that there is something greater and far more powerful than despair, and that this power exists in each and every one of us—that we have the strength to overcome great adversity. There is light in the most pervasive darkness, and the greatest magic exists in the smallest of voices. Whether we know it or not, our greatest power against the evils of the world is but our mortal will to live that carves its path through the horrors around us. The reader sees themselves through the spyglass of the imagined world, and perhaps they discover through the tale that, though the world is vast and treacherous, there is light, and it is bright enough to illuminate the night.\nEnjoy this post? Sign up for my monthly newsletter for the latest news on my writings and projects!\nWhy is Fantasy so Important?\nOn Fantasy, the Escapist,\nand Plato's Cave\nAs a writer, I found the foundation of my own style only recently. The fantasy genre is much more than merely stories about heroes, elves, and dwarves. As a genre, it includes a specific set of characteristics; as a form of literature, it represents a realization that wells deep from within the human condition. Fantasy——and fantasy, in particular——is the Escapist’s Genre.\nThe very rise of the fantasy genre sprouts from despair. For my example, consider Tolkien’s The Hobbit. Published in 1939, the classic tale of the adventure of Bilbo Baggins came onto shelves during the eve of what would quite considerably be the largest war known to humanity. More so, the story arrived merely two decades after what was, at the time, the greatest war the world had ever known. The world faced depression; the world stared into the mirror and perceived their own mortality.\nAnd thus, people wished to find a way out——to another world, another time.\n​To write fantasy is to seemingly write a paradox through a jagged spyglass. The world of the story must be unreal in some way. In contrast, it is the story’s realistic nature that captivates a reader. While the readers read to escape their surroundings, the readers secretly read to find themselves within the tale. So, while it is true that one wishes to leave the real world behind, it is just as true that one wishes to find shards of the real world in the place that the tale takes them to.\nAlong this vein of thought, the fantasy genre is comparable to Plato’s Analogy of the Cave. Imagine a person whom, throughout the entirety of his life, faced the back wall of a cave. And, as Plato puts it, there is a light that shines into the cave from the mouth, illuminating the back wall. People walk by the cave on the outside, casting shadows upon the wall for our prisoner to see. And, he sees nothing but these shadows. Given the only experience and knowledge he has perceived throughout his life, he would believe that these shadows are the “real” world and would not know that they are, in fact, merely the shadows of something else.\nIn certain aspects, fantasy stories follow this idea.\nThe writer creates a world, yet he can only make sense of it with what he knows and what he can fathom. One cannot write about something they do not cognitively perceive; creativity is only useful when it surfaces, not when it is dormant. So, then, the writer of fantasy, though crafty, must in some way or another cast shadows upon the wall for their reader (the chained man) to believe. This form of writing is, at its root, a type of trickery. It is a ploy by the hands of the writer, the Puller of Strings, to fool the reader into believing in the shadows: To make them care about non-existent characters, in non-existent places, doing non-existent things. With the reader always carefully in mind, the writer must piece together a mosaic of life and imagination, a collision of the real and the unreal. And therefore, as writers, we must watch the wall of the cave from the mouth, carefully observing the shadows that the world creates——and we must mold them to our liking.\nWhere Do Characters Come From? (Opinion Piece)\nThe Eternal Cafe:\n​At the Table of the World\nOver the past few weeks, I have been going to the local Starbucks on a fairly consistent basis. Given that I have been stopping by for a drink quite often, I have become quite friendly with the majority of the employees. I enter the shop, order, then joke around with these people as they make my drink. To be completely candid, it is a bright part of my day. On my off days, I bring my computer and work on my stories. Sometimes employees on break will sit and talk with me for their short time.\nThis coffee shop experience is comparable to the endeavor of the writer. The journey of the writer takes place when one enters the “Eternal Cafe.”\nThe Eternal Cafe, however, is not a place one can reach on foot or by car. The Eternal Cafe is a state of mind. It is the mentality of the writer as he attempts to transcribe the words of the World. He enters the Cafe, and around him are people. They are but faceless phantoms, mixtures, entering and exiting the ethereal terminal. These phantoms will not speak unless the writer speaks first, but their faces appear, ever there, in his peripherals.\n​They all have a story to tell——but he lacks the time to tell them all.\nThe baristas work behind the bar, and the writer talks to them. As they converse, they tell the writer a story:\nThey give him a hint.\nA quality.\nA face.\nThese ghosts——these spirits——are what we call “characters.”\nThey embody us. They embody others. They embody themes.\nThey are the creations of our mind, molded from the World around us.\nAnd that is what the writer has done, for the Eternal Cafe is but the sentience of the writer; it is his vigilance——his watchful eye. He is aware and catches the spirits as they go by; he is unaware and bumps into them. Some take hold and become people he knows quite well (if not completely), and some disappear——lost between the chasms of his mind, swept away by the muses.\nThe Eternal Cafe has only one table. One seat: The writer’s inevitable destination.\nHe sits at the table.\nHe must.\nBeside him, is the Self: his heart, mind, soul, spirit. And, sitting lazily in front of him is the World——not the World as he sees it, but rather the World as it truly is. The conversation he has with this entity (whether we call it God or the Universe or whichever) is the essence of all true writing.\nIt is the purest form a writer can embody.\nThe Eternal Cafe has a plethora of entrances, each with a myriad of signs pointing us toward its doors. The World is ever before us; the phantoms ever walk our minds. We, as writers, must learn to perceive these things. For the single table beckons us, and the World has much to say.\nWhat is Language? A Writer's Perspective.\nThoughts from Starbucks:\n​On the purpose of Language, the Story, and My experience with a Beta-reader\nRecently, I had a conversation with one of the employees at the local Starbucks in which I often visit (caffeine addiction, so...). In the conversation, I found that she is a writer as well. It was a brief encounter, but it was still enough to spark thoughts into my mind——thoughts primarily on the essence of the story itself.\nLanguage has one function: Communication.\nAll language is designed to do this one thing.\nI remember my Intro to Composition 2 class during my second semester of college. The professor began his class by writing the word “SIGN” in big, bold, letters on the board. At the age I was, I was not prepared for the simplicity in which this word would begin to imply, and it was not until much later that the lecture would “click.”\nHe said: “A word, is a sign.”\nIt is such a bare——such a plain definition of the concept, yet it is the greatest definition I have yet to encounter. It is because words are signs.\nA word represents a concept: Abstract or concrete, moving or stationary, true or false.\nThis applies to the story, as well. A story, at its most basic——most cellular level——is a variety of words which, when placed in particular combination, convey an idea. This idea, in terms of stories, creates the illusion of the world, or a world.\nThe writer of fiction, then, is alike the magician; the storyteller is an illusionist and a weaver of words. The job of the storyteller is to combine these words into the right order to make the reader (or listener) care about non-existent people, in a non-existent reality, doing non-existent things.\nOn my way home from the coffee shop, I considered this; I considered how these things could make me a better writer, then, I thought about my beta-reader.\nHaving a beta-reader has been, for me, the ultimate example of the importance of using words to create the illusion mentioned above——and using words correctly. The thing is this: I never realized just how blind I was——just how little I knew about writing the story——just how blind I was because I knew the story in its entirety.\nSo, what do I mean?\nI mean that I know what I mean. I know the story; I know what the story is supposed to say. My reader, on the other hand, does not. This, then, means that the reader only knows the story through the information I give her. There have been many times when my beta-reader has come back and said something like “So [CHARACTER] is really...” or “So [THIS] is [THAT]?”\nConversely, these times fill my pulse with anxiety as I think “Oh no! What have I done to make her think that?”\nWhat the reader thinks about your story, whether true or false, is not their fault. They only understand what has been communicated to them; they only comprehend the ideas that the writer’s words have conveyed to them.\nI have learned, through many semi-anxiety-attacks as a writer, just how crucial it is to watch my words. When I edit, I ask myself “Does that word mean ___?” and “What am I trying to convey? What am I trying to tell the reader?”\nThrough my experiences with the beta-reader, I am learning to be a bit more discerning with my diction.\n​That said, I am glad that writing is, like all arts, an incremental process. I am merely learning and have far to go. That is my contemplation for the week, and I can say is this: Next time you edit, watch your words and say, “What idea am I trying to convey?” :)\nMystery Works! An Example From Kingdom Hearts.\nThis week has a lighter aura than the last.\nHowever, there are things in this post that one might consider\nSPOILERS FOR KINGDOM HEARTS 3, but idk.\nREAD AT YOUR OWN RISK :)\nSo, I finished Kingdom Hearts 3 last night, and I thought I would talk a bit about it.\nAnd by the Aeons, I am NOT okay!\nSo, I wanted to talk about a technical storytelling aspect in Kingdom Hearts that I personally find intriguing. This would be what that I also think to be one of the greatest staples of the series: The usage of mystery over actiony suspense.\nThe story has a way of using cryptic language and imagery to propel itself and hook his audience. Think about it: The opening of the original Kingdom Hearts begins with Sora’s unclear dialogue, saying things like “I’ve been having these weird thoughts lately...Is any of this real, or not...?” Not to mention that the first place we see in actual gameplay is the enigmatic Station of Awakening.\nThroughout the entire series, from the first battle with Darkside all the way to the final clash with Xehanort in the sky above Scala ad Caelum, the story has the essence of a mysterious dream.\nSo, why do I find this storytelling strategy to be so captivating?\nWe have all had dreams; we have all seen the Oracle or Soothsayer spin their omens and fortunes. In the beginning lines to Aristotle’s work on Metaphysics: “All men, by nature, desire to have knowledge.”\nIt is bred into us——from the moment we are born, we have such a driving curiosity. Consider: The infant tests objects by putting them into its mouth; children wander around the back yard, taking in the sights around them; teens wish to know what love and purpose are in a world that has been made new to them; adults desire to see things they could not see with younger eyes.\nAnd it is that—--it is that primordial attribute of the human nature that makes Kingdom Hearts an exciting story.\nIt is no different than the stories of Greek myth, in which the hero or heroine encounters a world in which they did not know before——a world new to them, or perhaps a world made bare, manifest, or even true.\nThe same is true for Sora’s journey.\nIn the beginning, we have Sora, who, through each installment, has his character and spirit tested with each new thing he discovers about the world. Through this, we see a world unfold before him, be it through the loyal companionship of Donald and Goofy, or Sora’s striking desire save his friends and protect the ones he loves, or even in his encounters with the members of Organization XIII.\nIt is the “Myth.” Even the final installment for this arc itself mirrors the heroes of ancient myth—--a hero who hears a call to adventure, then journeys forth to meet his greatest challenge yet. He is brought to the brink of death, and failure consumes him. But not for long, as he overcomes——and through that resilience, he is victorious.\nThe final installment of the Seekers of Darkness Arc has closed, and I personally felt that it had been done by tying as few knots as possible. But. That in itself is the beauty of the series: A story full of characters, plots, and settings that keep us guessing.\n​The ending was somewhat bittersweet——we see a more human Xehanort, and we see the story laid out in the metaphor of a game of chess between the duality of Darkness and Light. And, though I told myself that I would be done after Kingdom Hearts 3, I must say:\nI can’t wait for the next one.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line575771"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.682774007320404,"wiki_prob":0.682774007320404,"text":"Review: Finian’s Rainbow\nOn November 15, 2009 December 12, 2009 By dramaqueennycIn Broadway, musical, review, theatreLeave a comment\nOriginally reviewed for GaySocialites.com.\nThis musical revival charms from the word “go.” Finian’s Rainbow follows the charismatic Irish dreamer of the title (played with genuine magic by Jim Norton) and his fiery daughter Sharon (Kate Baldwin) through a fanciful version of the American south, where they go up against an intolerant Senator, a credit crisis, a wronged leprechaun, and, of course, a complicated love affair.\nThis is assuredly the best-sung Finian’s Rainbow that ever was. There’s no arguing with Cheyenne Jackson’s glittering delivery of “Old Devil Moon” (there’s a too-easy dirty joke in hunky Cheyenne playing a character named Woody, but I’ll leave it be). I’ve never heard a more luscious “How are Things in Glocca Morra” than the one Baldwin gives us. “Necessity” was never more passionate and moving than when sung by Terri White, and Chuck Cooper rattles the rafters in “The Begat” (I’d bet anything they turned his mic off more than once, he sings so strongly).\nDirector/choreographer Warren Carlyle has in general done a solid job of keeping what could have been hopelessly dated fresh and brisk. In his very briskness, though, he’s tended to gloss over some key things. The actual moment that Sharon and Woody fall in love, well, it just didn’t seem to happen. Boom, they’re in love — which could have been magic, too, but wasn’t. Also, lyricist Yip Harburg wrote some of the funniest, jokiest lyrics in musical comedy , but as often as not the cast zoom right by the jokes.\nIt’s clear that choreography is Carlyle’s great strength — when this Finian dances, it soars. If only the book scenes were as agile. These are quibbles, though, with a show that’s more often than not a genuine pleasure and delight.\nReview: The Power of Two (CD)\nOn November 9, 2009 November 9, 2009 By dramaqueennycIn CD, reviewLeave a comment\nThe new duet CD by classic crooner Michael Feinstein and bodacious Broadway boy Cheyenne Jackson, “The Power Of Two,” opens with our two handsome, out fellas gushing over each other to the tune of Cy Coleman’s “I’m Nothing Without You.” They follow that up with “Me and My Shadow” made famous as a duet between Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr.\nDespite how little they physically resemble Frank and Sammy, the comparison is oddly apt. Feinstein is, and Sinatra was, his time’s greatest popularizer of the Great American Songbook. Jackson is, and Davis was, one of the great musical theatre showmen of his day as well as arguably one of the best vocalists. So, yes, like Sinatra and Davis, but oh, so much gayer.\nFeinstein wrings every note out of “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter” and Jackson rattles the rafters with an open-throated “Don’t Get around Much Anymore.” But just as often they turn in all seriousness to gay subject matter. Michael solos on “The Time Has Come,” a moving ballad written by a gay songwriter in the aftermath of Stonewall. And later they have a gorgeously restrained romantic duet on “We Kiss in a Shadow.”","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line466939"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6653138995170593,"wiki_prob":0.3346861004829407,"text":"Shane SchaetzelRenewal, Social CommentaryAbuse, America, Bishops, Catholic Church, Eschatology, History, In the News, Modernism, Scandal, Violence2 Comments\nCoronation of the Virgin, by Diego Velázquez, circa 1636\nPraise be to God, Our Lady’s work has finally begun!\nThe prophecies of Fatima are coming to their fulfillment. Many Marian prophecies are now coming to fulfillment, all at the same time. Saint John Paul II’s prophecy of the Springtime of Evangelization is not to be understood in the present tense, but rather a future tense, which comes after the passion and crucifixion of the Church. The passion of the Church began in 2002, and now it is in full swing. We are approaching the crucifixion of the Church next. Then, and only then, will we follow with the resurrection and Springtime of Evangelization.\nMake no mistake about it, the clerical-abuse and cover-up scandal is the passion of the Church. It began in 2002, with the public revelation of massive clerical homosexual abuse (pederasty) of teenage boys, and cover-up by the Church’s hierarchy. Since 2002, there have been pederasty networks uprooted in various dioceses around the world: Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Italy, Malta, Austria, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, UK, Canada, Mexico, Chile, Peru, etc. There will be more, many more, and what we are witnessing in the United States (US) is now the final straw. Our Lady gave the bishops in the US a full 16 years to repent and clean up their act. They did not. Instead they covered it up, even worse! While making it appear as if they were addressing the issue. The whole thing started in the US, and now, round two is going to begin in the US, reverberating around the world yet again. This time it will be a hundred times worse. Our Lady has pleaded with Our Lord to clean up his Church, and now the cleaning begins.\nLike in ancient times, Our Lord uses the forces of the world to judge and purify his people. In AD 70, after the Jewish leaders of the Temple were given 40 years to repent, Our Lord used the Pagan forces of Rome to bring an end to the Temple and the political-religious system that distracted them from the arrival of their Messiah. So likewise, in 2018 and beyond, Our Lord will use the Secular forces of Western democracies to breakup the pederasty rings in the Catholic Church, often referred to as “The Lavender Mafia.” In the United States, we saw the fall of Cardinal McCarrick, followed by the release of the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report. The deep roots of The Lavender Mafia have prompted other states to initiate their own Grand Jury investigations, starting in New York, Illinois and Missouri. More will follow. Many more. Once the gravity of the interstate problem is realized, it is all together likely that the US Attorney General will activate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). These are the laws that the government uses to fight organized crime. Once enacted, all federal and state grants to the Catholic Church will cease overnight. Since the US Catholic bishops take in about 60% of their funding for Catholic Charities that way, it’s gonna hurt. The Church will immediately find itself under both legal and financial scrutiny in every diocese of every state. The Catholic Church, Our Lord’s Holy and Spotless Catholic Church, will be treated as a criminal organization on par with the mob, all because of the infiltration and infestation of The Lavender Mafia. This is the passion of the Church, leading to her crucifixion. Many Catholics will lose faith because of this. If you think too many Catholics have walked away from the Church already, you haven’t seen anything yet. What we are about to face is nothing short of a purging, not just the purging of corrupt priests and bishops, but also the purging of Catholic laypeople who will leave the Church in disgust. It’s coming. It’s hear. It’s has begun.\nAt the height of Our Lord’s passion 2,000 years ago, all but Saint John, Our Lady and a handful of women abandoned him at the foot of the cross. From his 12 apostles, 120 disciples, and thousands of followers, the faithful of the Church were reduced to a mere remnant; his mother, his youngest apostle, and a small group of women. That’s it. What followed his resurrection was a Springtime of Evangelization that turned the ancient world upside-down. The events of 2,000 years ago were called the Passion of the Christ. The events of today will be called the Passion of the Church. As Christ has suffered, so will his bride. No, these are not the Last Days immediately before the end of the world, but this is the time that will initiate the last epoch of world history before the Last Days at the end of the world. We are about to enter the Age of Mary (Marian Age) which will be a Springtime of Evangelization unlike anything seen since the time of the Apostles following the Resurrection of Christ. It will be a time of relative peace for the Catholic Church, and great evangelistic success around the globe. But to get there, we must first go through the passion of the Church, followed by the crucifixion of the Church. Will you be one of the few to stand at the foot of this cross with Christ and Our Lady? Or, will you be one of the many who will lose faith, run away and hide?\nThe temptation is to say “I’m not Catholic,” just as Saint Peter denied Christ, cursing and swearing, “I don’t know him!” That’s how bad it’s going to get. In the days ahead, it will be easier to deny our Catholicity. Many of us will say “I’m not Catholic” or “I’m just a Christian,” while secretly going to mass when nobody’s looking. Still, many more will just say “I used to be Catholic” and stop going to mass entirely. Many of us will turn to Evangelical mega-churches, and Protestant denominations. A few of us will go to the Eastern Orthodox. But most of us will just stop going to church entirely, neither Atheist nor Christian, but just some kind of former Catholic who answers “none” on religious affiliation surveys. That is what we can expect in the months and years ahead. This is the purging. This is the exodus from the Catholic Church that parallels the exodus from our Lord during his passion and crucifixion. It is now upon us. The following outlines what could possibly happen in the months and years ahead…\nA papal inquiry into the depth of the crisis that will likely result in multiple episcopal resignations,\nMore statewide grand jury reports, starting with New York, Illinois and Missouri, then fanning out across the country,\nA possible activation of the RICO Act, classifying the US Catholic Church as a corrupt organization and placing it under federal investigation nationwide,\nProtests erupting at the US National Bishops Conferences by angry Catholics demanding justice and resignations,\nProtests against chancery offices across the United States, particularly in those dioceses hit hard by the sexual abuse scandal,\nVigilantes bringing harm to Catholic clergy (both innocent and guilty alike), as well as destruction to Catholic parishes,\nA massive selloff of diocesan-held properties to pay for civil settlements and criminal penalties, some of which will likely be parish buildings,\nA significant thinning of the number of priests on active duty,\nThe possibility of the Vatican itself under investigation, and criminal charges being filed against senior Vatican officials,\nA very large number of Catholics walking away from the Church.\nI cannot know how many episcopal resignations will happen after the papal inquiry, because I don’t know how deep The Lavender Mafia has buried its roots into the US Catholic Church, but it is helpful to remember that after the papal investigation in Chile earlier this year, Pope Francis required the resignations of every single Chilean bishop on his desk, before sorting through them to determine who would stay and who would go. Could something similar happen in the United States. I am leaning toward the possibility of yes, maybe even likely.\nI believe what I have outlined above is a worst-case scenario. I am currently under the impression that we will see all ten of these listed events above, but I’m not a prophet, so we’ll just have to wait and see if I’m right, and how serious they will be. Perhaps, if we are lucky, all of these things might happen, but they won’t be so severe. So far, numbers 1 and 2 are already in play. Number 4 is in the planning stage. Number 6 has already happened at least once, according to a recent report out of Indiana, wherein an innocent Eastern Rite Catholic priest was beaten unconscious by a crazed vigilante who shouted “this is for all those kids!” during the attack. I fear this innocent priest has become just the first of many martyrs.\nThe root cause of this problem goes back to the 1920s. It was at that time two groups merged together that would eventually bring the Catholic Church to ruin. The first was a homosexual ring which entered the seminaries in about 1924. This is well documented in the 1982 book “The Homosexual Network” written by Enrique Rueda. The second was a full communist infiltration which began entering the seminaries in about 1929. Mr. Manning Johnson, a former official of the Communist Party in America gave the following testimony in 1953 to the House Unamerican Activities Committee. He said:\n“Once the tactic of infiltration of religious organizations was set by the Kremlin, the Communists discovered that the destruction of religion could proceed much faster through infiltration of the Church by Communists operating within the Church itself. The Communist leadership in the United States realized that the infiltration tactic in this country would have to adapt itself to American conditions and religious make-up peculiar to this country. In the earliest stages it was determined that with only small forces available to them, it would be necessary to concentrate Communist agents in the seminaries. The practical conclusion drawn by the Red leaders was that these institutions would make it possible for a small Communist minority to influence the ideology of future clergymen in the paths conducive to Communist purposes.”\nHe went on to state the goals of the infiltration where twofold. The first was to neutralize the Catholic Church’s moral obstruction to the advancement of communism. The second was to direct clerical thinking away from the spiritual and toward the temporal and political.\nMr. Johnson’s testimony was corroborated by the testimony and autobiography of Dr. Bella Dodd, who revealed that one of her jobs in the Communist Party was to recruit young radicals (not always communists per se’) into the Catholic priesthood for the purpose of rising through the ranks of the hierarchy and recruiting more “social-justice” radicals who viewed the mission of Christianity more in temporal terms rather than spiritual. Dodd claimed that she recruited approximately 1,100 such men into the seminaries, many of whom went on to become Catholic priests, and some became bishops, archbishops and cardinals. Dr. Dodd eventually defected from the Communist Party and converted to Catholicism, and at the prompting of Archbishop Fulton Sheen began telling her story to the world. Once within the Church she befriended a devout Catholic by the name of Dr. Alice von Hildebrand, who has given her video testimony of her encounters with Dr. Bella Dodd to ChurchMilitant.Com and can be viewed here.\nWhat we are dealing with now is the direct result of these two things, (1) the infiltration of a homosexual network into the Catholic Church starting in 1924, followed by (2) the infiltration of communist agents, and other radicals, beginning in 1929, who had neither faith nor morals, with the intention of corrupting the priesthood and destroying the moral influence of the Catholic Church in western society. Fast forward to 2018, almost one-hundred years later, and we have a mission accomplished. The destruction of the Catholic Church began in the 1920s. In less than 100 years, it has now nearly succeeded. If Pope Leo XIII’s vision of the 100-year satanic trial for the Church is to be believed, we can certainly date the beginning of that satanic trial no later than the 1920s. This would mean it should come to its conclusion no later than 2030 (hopefully?). If we are right in this interpretation, we are entering the final stages of it now.\nThe origin of this crisis, in and of itself, is of little concern to us outside of contextual understanding. Future historians will like to know the cause, effect and outcome of the crisis, but for those of us living through it right now, it matters little. What matters to us is how to identify the problem and uproot it, while at the same time preserving what remains of our Catholic Christian faith.\nThe primary problem in the Catholic Church is pederasty not pedophilia. There is a difference. Pedophilia, according to both psychiatric medicine and the dictionary, is the abnormal sexual interest in pre-pubescent children (ages 0 to 11). Ephebophilia is the abnormal sexual interested in post-pubescent teenagers (ages 11 to 17). Pederasty is a form of homosexual ephebophilia, wherein homosexual men seek out young teenage boys, for the purpose of sexual grooming and domination. Within the Catholic Church, the incidents of pedophilia (sex with pre-pubescent children) numbered in the single percentages, less than 5%. About 15% of sexual abuse was with teenage girls. The remaining majority, approximately 80% of sexual abuse was with teenage boys, between the ages of 11 and 17. That, by clinical definition, and the dictionary, is NOT pedophilia. That is pederasty. It is homosexual in nature, and reports indicated it’s not limited to teenagers. Young male adults, especially in the seminaries, report widespread sexual harassment from homosexual men, coming from; faculty, clerics and other seminarians. The Catholic Church is suffering from a homosexual crisis at all levels of the hierarchy. This is but a symptom of the wider problem.\nThe wider problem is a lack of supernatural faith, wherein the gospel is seen more in temporal terms (social gospel) rather than spiritual, which leads certain men (of a homosexual inclination) to believe that homosexual acts are not sinful. This is the greatest heresy of our time. It is the heresy of communism, which has led clerics and laypeople to believe the Church is more concerned about temporal matters of this world (social justice) than she is about the eternal matters of the spirit. This in turn has led to the second part of this heresy, which is that sexual sins are not sins at all, since they do not relate to the temporal matters of this world. In other words, the social gospel is more concerned with social justice than it is with private moral issues. So long as a given sexual perversion (such as homosexuality) does not deprive anyone of social justice (food, clean water, housing and medical care), it is not a sin. This thinking is communist to the core, and it leads to widespread sexual perversion. Today, we call this network of homosexual and pederast clergy “The Lavender Mafia.” They primarily operate in blackmail of each other, to maintain an atmosphere of secrecy and cover-up. They also oppress good clergy, due to their many positions of power, and keep them from acting in ways that might hinder their progress. This has been going on for decades!\nSo what shall we do? I think that question is answered with yet another question. In the sixth chapter of John’s Gospel we read that many of Jesus’ disciples left him. Then he turned to Peter and the twelve and asked if they would leave him too. Peter responded on behalf of the twelve: “Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). So my questions to you are as follows: Where will you go? What other church has all seven sacraments of Jesus Christ? What other church has an authentic sacrament of the Eucharist? What other church has authentic holy orders? What other church is in full communion with the Successor of Peter? There are no others. Only the Catholic Church has all of these things. Every other church is a step down from the Catholic Church. Every other church is settling for less.\nLet’s look at it a different way, shall we? Let me just put it bluntly to you with a little fire from my belly…\nWhy in HELL should we go anywhere!?!?! This is CHRIST’S CHURCH, and we belong to HIM. Why should WE leave!?! Why should WE be the ones to walk away in shame!?! WE didn’t molest those boys! Some of us were actually victims! WE didn’t cover it up!\nSEND OUT THE PERPETRATORS, and give us our Church BACK!\nWHY DOESN’T THE POPE EXCOMMUNICATE\nTHE LAVENDER MAFIA !?!?!\nI think this is a more appropriate line of questioning. And I think it puts us in the right frame of mind. For anyone willing to stay at the foot of the cross during the Passion of the Church, is going to need some kind of a fighting spirit.\nYou see, on a personal note, I have nowhere left to go. I came into the Church in the Spring of 2000. I walked away from what could have been a fairly well-paid ministry at a local Evangelical Church. My wife and I suffered the scorn of our families and friends upon entering the Catholic Church. We literally lost all of our friends. We entered the Church anyway, and tried to put our social lives back together, only to be hit with the first wave of this pederasty scandal in 2002, and suffer even more scorn from our former friends, added by the scorn of society at large. Yet we stayed in the Church anyway, and raised two children within her. This kind of stubborn faithfulness to the Church comes only when one believes the Catholic Church is truly the Church established by Jesus Christ. So, let me put it to you this way. I literally have nowhere left to go. My back is up against a wall. I have no choice but to fight for my faith, or else give it up entirely, and I do mean all of it! I’m not willing to entertain that thought, so guess what I’m gonna do? You guessed it. I’m gonna fight. Will you join me?\nHere’s what I’m going to do…\nI’m will pray the Holy Rosary every night, asking Our Lord and Our Lady to remove these pederast priests and corrupt bishops from among us. I’m going to ask that he remove them abruptly and forcefully, using any means necessary. I will not ask for any mercy on that one. I do this for the sake of the saving the youth and young men from any more harm.\nI will identify the problem as homosexuality in the priesthood, and call upon the pope and all bishops to enforce canon law which states that men with strong homosexual tendencies should not be admitted to the seminaries, and most certainly should not be ordained priests.\nI will not give any money to the USCCB, or any collection sponsored by them. It is an institutionally corrupt organisation. That’s it. They will not get one more dime from me ever again — period.\nI will not give any money to a bishop who does not call for the resignation and/or removal of clergy who cover-up sexual or physical abuse. I am fortunate in that my own bishop has already called for the resignation/removal of such clergy. If your bishop has not already done this, maybe you should call or write your bishop’s chancery office and ask him why not?\nI will support criminal investigations of the Catholic Church wherever they may arise, and support the pope’s removal of problem bishops.\nI will report any suspicious activity of criminal behavior both to civil and Church authorities.\nI will continue to identify myself as a Catholic even if doing so is difficult and causes others to look down upon me.\nI will continue to go to mass regularly and visit the confessional as much as possible.\nI will educate my children about what happened, and how they too can fight the homosexual-communist network (The Lavender Mafia) that is infiltrated the Catholic Church.\nBeyond that, I don’t know what else to do as a layman, and I don’t see much more we can do as laymen, other than making our sentiments known to our priests and bishops, as well as writing letters to the pope. I have written an open letter to the pope, which can be viewed here. There are, however, some practical considerations we Catholics should make in the days ahead.\nOne practical consideration is our safety and the safety of our priests and fellow parishioners. I’m generally not worried about the government. The state and federal governments will soon have their hands full investigating The Lavender Mafia across the United States and perhaps internationally. I know many people worry about persecution of the laity by government officials, and I’m not ruling out the possibility that something like that could happen in the future (a mild form of it already happened under the Obama administration), but that is not our primary concern right now. Our primary concern right now is not government persecution, but rather the persecution of crazed vigilantes who want to take the law into their own hands. These people are usually not very intelligent, so they are usually wrong in their fact-finding and make critical errors in logical thinking. As a result, they’re completely random, totally unpredictable, and usually punish the innocent instead of the guilty. Vigilantes truly present a real, physical danger to the safety of our priests and our families. Parish members should begin taking parish-security seriously. I’m talking about such things as security cameras throughout church facilities, lock-down procedures, and armed security personnel during liturgical times such as mass and public prayer. To cut down on cost, armed personnel could consist of parishioners legally trained and licensed in conceal-and-carry laws. This is a call especially to fraternal orders, such as the Knights of Columbus, for example. Now is the time to step up to the plate and become real knights in the traditional and historical sense, physically protecting worshipers in their pilgrim journey on earth. It only makes sense that knights should take more than a ceremonial role in the liturgies of the Church. Perhaps while the color guard is doing their thing during mass, a few well-placed knights in plain clothes, distributed throughout the chapel, trained and licensed in conceal and carry laws, could function as a layer of protection in the event of a vigilante or terrorist attack on the parish. Of course, I am also talking about bringing in the expert advice of law enforcement. Most large parishes have police officers on their parish membership rolls. They should be consulted. When such members don’t exist, a simple call to the local police department can easily produce free security advice from trained professionals. This is a very simple and doable thing, which shouldn’t cost any parish more than a one-time investment of a few thousand dollars for a hardened parish building, with a ready and able security detail that can last decades. If the Vatican can have the Swiss Guard, then local parishes can have a few security cameras, a lock-down procedure, and some armed knights.\nAnother consideration is how to talk about all this and who to talk to. I strongly believe that we Catholics should talk to each other about the crisis and its effects as much as possible. This helps to calm our nerves and strengthen our faith. It’s therapeutic you see. Even public discussion, such as here on this blog, and also on social media, can serve a therapeutic effect, provided it’s between practicing Catholics who really love the faith. However, I do not recommend broaching this subject with non-Catholics. If non-Catholics happen to broach this subject with you, simply remind them that whatever concern, frustration and anger that is being felt among non-Catholics, it’s ten-times worse among Catholics just trying to live the faith. Thank them for their concern. Assure them you’re working with other Catholics to purge the evil from our Church, and then politely move on to another subject. This assures non-Catholics that we are not tone-deaf to the problem, and we are trying to do something about it. However, there are some non-Catholics who will try to use this crisis as a means to draw you out of the Church, attempting to persuade you to become Atheist or join some non-Catholic denomination. You will know these people by their argumentative and accusatory tone. They will seem highly aggressive in their line of questioning, and sometimes mocking in their comments. These people are to be totally ignored. In some cases, we may have to ignore them rudely. They have an agenda, and we simply don’t have time for it. Nor will such people listen to reasonable discussion.\nAnother consideration is personal holiness. We are entering a dark time for the Church. Though times have been dark already, they’re about to get much darker. If you’re dealing with some personal sin, it’s time to root it out. Visit the confessional. Do spiritual exercises. Focus your mind on spiritual things, particularly the word of God as relayed in the Sacred Scriptures and Apostolic Tradition. Go the extra mile in your walk with God, and most especially, turn to Our Lady in this time of trial. Our Lady of Fatima told the children that the rosary was the spiritual weapon of her choice. Maybe we should take that seriously in our own lives as well.\nWe must also consider this. Homosexuality has now taken center stage in our culture. While the average layperson usually has no occasion to counsel homosexual people, in part because of the popularly encouraged “pride” in their sin discourages homosexuals from seeking counselling, especially religious counselling, it is nevertheless helpful for laypeople to understand something. The Catholic Church does not teach that temptation, in and of itself, is sinful. This is because the Scriptures tell us that Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-13). If Jesus could suffer temptation, and Jesus was without sin, as Catholic theology teaches, then temptation (in and of itself) is not sin. Therefore, if you have a passing temptation to steal something, and you don’t act on it, you are not a thief and you have not sinned. If you have a passing temptation to commit adultery, and you don’t act on it, you are not an adulterer and you have not sinned. Likewise, you have a passing temptation to commit a some homosexual act, or you are attracted to members of the same-sex, you are not a homosexual and you have not sinned. Temptation is just temptation. We are all tempted to do all sorts of things. If temptation (in itself) made us sinners, then we would all be thieves, adulterers, murderers, etc. So this is important to understand. When we speak of homosexuals, we speak of people who are acting in homosexual ways, not people who merely have passing homosexual temptations and resist them.\nThere is another consideration related to this. That is homosexual people who do act on their temptations, and live as homosexuals within the general population. Generally speaking, these are not the people we’re talking about when it comes to the homosexual crisis in the Catholic Church or The Lavender Mafia. Regular homosexual persons in society are just that — regular homosexual persons — and likely have no connection whatsoever to the homosexual/pederasty crisis in the Catholic Church or The Lavender Mafia. It’s very important to understand this. What’s going on in The Lavender Mafia within the Catholic Church likely has nothing to do with that gay fellow who lives down the street. There is probably no connection whatsoever. So it’s important that we don’t distrust innocent homosexual bystanders because of the crisis going on in our own Church. Unless he’s a Catholic priest or bishop, there is probably no connection at all. So leave that poor fellow alone and give him the benefit of the doubt. He’s probably just a regular person, trying to sort out the problems in his own life, just like the rest of us.\nFinally, there is a prophetic component to all this, just as the title of this essay suggests. The crisis is real, but limited. There is an expiration date. It will come to an end. We just don’t know when that day will come. Our Lady has promised us victory, and she has promised us renewal. Those who stick with her, at the foot of the cross within the Church, will be rewarded when it’s over. However, consider this. Judgement always comes to the house of the Lord first, before it it brought to the world (1 Peter 4:17). If God is cleansing the Church now, among his own children, what manner of cleansing is he planning for the rest of the world when he’s done with the Church? Whatever we get, we know it will not be nearly has harsh as what’s coming to the world. We also know that the incidence of sexual abuse of minors, and sexual harassment of adults, is much higher in the world than it is in the Church. Approximately one in four public high-school students in the United States is sexually abused before graduation by a member of the faculty or staff, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. So consider what great judgement is soon to befall this world immediately after the Catholic Church is cleansed. If this doesn’t motivate us to clean up our own lives, now before it’s too late, I don’t know what will. So be prepared. Pray the rosary. Go to mass. Go to confession. We must immerse ourselves in the things of God, and think about heavenly things, rather than the things of this world. For a great cleansing is soon coming upon this world, maybe within a decade or two? And it will make this current cleansing of the Church look like nothing more than a loving Father’s gentle hand of correction.\nWhy Do I Go To Mass?\n2 thoughts on “Our Lady’s Work Has Begun”\nFrank Andrew says:\nThanks for your powerful article, Shane, it’s a good overview and an encouraging action plan for the potential results of this new crisis.\nI was born and raised a Roman Catholic but only paid it lip service. After the revelations of depravity in the early 00’s I lost my faith and left ‘The Faith’. I stayed away, angry, furious and determined to viciously undermine any religious belief as much as possible. Sad to say, I was very successful at it, too…..turning the rest of my family off all kinds of spiritual practice.\n3 years ago I returned by “chance” (believe it or not, Fr. James Martin’s ‘Jesus-A Pilgrimage’ and British writer Peter Hitchens helping along the way) and have since been blessed with a stronger, more robust appreciation and gratitude for Catholicism.\nThis time, the latest round of predatory sexual behaviour from these rancid two faced, “politically engaged” sexual abusers won’t cause me to lose my faith or abandon the Roman Catholic Church.\nEchoing Pope Benedict’s words that “The Lord has allowed you to live in this moment of history so that, by your faith, his name will continue to resound throughout the world”, I believe we are supposed to be here and now as part of this current ‘History’ and are witnessing the acceleration of an already tottering North American Catholicism. But I’ve asked myself is that so bad? A brutal disinfecting is the only way forward. ‘Charters’, ‘plans, tersely worded damage control statements approved by the “legal team” isn’t going to cut it anymore. Our travel to the desert for Catholicism’s time in the wilderness has to be public, costly and humiliating. The smug certainty of our modern prelates has to be brought down until we can become the one true holy, Catholic and apostolic church again.\nMaria Rios says:\nThis is a result of Vatican ll, l know people will rebuke this but ,that’s when all the nonsense and changes where made, it will get worse until tradition is restored","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line321606"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8776496648788452,"wiki_prob":0.8776496648788452,"text":"As Coronavirus Testing Gears Up, Specialized Swabs Running Out\nby Lauren Weber, Christina Jewett\nThe two top makers of the highly specialized swabs used to test patients for the novel coronavirus are straining to keep up with the demand, even as both the Italian and U.S. governments are working with them to increase production, including at a key manufacturing site in the midst of Italy's outbreak.\nThe nasopharyngeal swabs required for the coronavirus tests are quite different from your standard Q-tips — and the exploding need for them has created a bottleneck in the soaring demand for diagnoses.\nThe swabs have to be long and skinny enough to get to the nasopharynx, the upper part of the throat, behind the nose. They must be made of synthetic fiber and cannot have a wooden shaft. Nor can they contain calcium alginate, a substance typically used for swab tips in wound care, as that can kill the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.\nThese swabs are currently singled out by CDC and Food and Drug Administration guidelines as suitable for most coronavirus testing. Once used, they're typically mailed in transportable vials full of a solution known as \"viral transport media,\" which keeps the virus testable.\nWhile last week's critical shortage was a reagent chemical used in the diagnostic tests, now the specialized swabs are in dire demand, according to Soumi Saha, a pharmacist who is the senior director of advocacy for Premier Inc., a group purchasing organization that procures supplies for 4,000 U.S. hospitals and health systems. As testing finally ramps up in the U.S., hospitals especially are having a hard time getting enough of these swabs, Saha said.\n\"We have folks that can't get a hand on any of them right now,\" Saha said. \"Hospitals want to do their part and want to expand access to testing, but they're hamstrung by the fact that they can't access the actual swabs.\"\nFormer FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb pointed out on Twitter on Monday that a lack of swabs could be the new bottleneck even as the number of sites with the capacity to test has increased, showcasing that the weakest link in the supply chain becomes the limiting factor.\nMissouri has been among the places seeing a shortage of swabs, state Department of Health and Senior Services spokesperson Lisa Cox confirmed over the weekend. Ontario, Canada, plus counties in Washington and Michigan have announced that limitations on swabs were creating a logjam in their testing capabilities, according to news reports. Axios first reported on the national swab shortages last week.\nPart of the problem lies in the nature of current test procedures for COVID-19. Typically, one needs to use two swabs per person: one swab for a flu test to potentially rule out the need for a coronavirus test, then another for the coronavirus if the flu test is negative.\nSince the swabs are a product that is regulated, patented and specialized, they're hard to make on the fly, Saha said. That puts additional pressure on the two largest manufacturers.\nOne of them, Puritan Medical Products, based in Guilford, Maine, has been working to keep up with demand even as its workforce, like many in America, has been affected by the spread of the virus, spokesperson Timothy Templet said.\nThe U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, along with working groups from the White House and other federal agencies, has been in discussion with the company over the past week to redirect some of their manufacturing capabilities away from other clients to COVID-19 specialty swab production, Templet said.\nCurrently, Templet estimated, Puritan is producing between 800,000 and a million swabs a week that could go to COVID-19 efforts. If the government decides to redirect its manufacturing efforts, cutting off the supply of its other medical products for items like flu kits, it could make millions more.\nStill, Templet said that ramping up production so drastically would take a few weeks to get fully off the ground, considering manufacturing capabilities and protocols.\nTemplet said HHS plans to open 37 testing sites across the country in the coming days to account for increased testing needs — which will require even more specialty swabs. He also said the government is considering expanding its recommended testing material options to allow for more general nasal swabs to keep up with the increased testing demand.\nFDA spokesperson Stephanie Caccomo said in an email that the agency is aware of \"supply chain pressures on obtaining certain materials for running tests\" and that it is continuing to evaluate other options for specimen collection supplies, which it will list on its website.\nAnother specialty swab manufacturer, Copan Diagnostics Inc., which is based in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, is working 24/7 in a \"tremendous effort\" to produce products such as its CDC-recommended and patent-protected FLOQSwabs, all while asking customers and distributors to ration orders to maximize output, spokesperson Gabriela Franco said in an email.\nWhile produced in a region hit hard by the novel coronavirus, where most other work has stopped, Franco said, the Italian government has allowed the business to continue production. And it is working with local and national authorities on keeping production up in case stricter health restrictions are adopted.\nCopan could produce 720,000 specialized swabs in a day and as many as 100 million per year for the global market, according to records the firm filed in a 2018 patent lawsuit.\nAmid the crunch, Copan CEO Stefania Triva said in an emailed statement that her company is working round-the-clock to keep up with demand.\n\"Without full commitment and sacrifices from all of my staff, we would not be able to meet this unexpected demand,\" Triva said. \"COPAN's more than 660 members of staff, many of whom are women, without hesitation, once made aware of the Coronavirus emergency, have stepped up from five working days and two shifts to seven working days and night shifts also.\"\nThe volume of Copan swabs arriving in the U.S. has been increasing, according to data from Import Genius, which tracks container ships arriving in American ports. Six tons of Copan culture swabs arrived at the port of Norfolk, Virginia, on March 4. Before that, 4.5 tons of swabs arrived at the same port on Jan. 20. The swabs then tend to go to domestic test-kit assemblers that package them for health care use.\nNew Jersey-based Becton, Dickinson and Co., a leading assembler of those kits involved in ramping up coronavirus testing, has seen extremely high demand for swab products this year, company spokesperson Troy Kirkpatrick said. But now that Copan is \"running operations 24/7\" to increase production, Kirkpatrick said, \"we will be providing hundreds of thousands of swabs to the U.S. market each week.\"","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line403912"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6243645548820496,"wiki_prob":0.37563544511795044,"text":"FCC’s Net Neutrality Myths\nWe’ve been having the policy debate over creating net neutrality since at least 2005. During that time there have been a lot of arguments made on both sides of the issue. But overall it’s been a policy debate that is similar to the many other issues discussed in the telecom regulatory world. Both sides make their arguments and eventually a decision is made to regulate or not regulate according to the arguments. Politics has always played a role in these debates and issues tend to slew a bit according to the political leanings of the FCC at any given time.\nFCC Chairman Ajit Pai recently released a document that argues strenuously for the end of net neutrality. This document lists various ‘myths’ associated with net neutrality and then describes why each myth is untrue. If you look back at the history of the net neutrality debate you’ll see that his list is a summary of the arguments being made over time by the big ISPs. This is a document that one would expect from AT&T, Comcast, USTA or ALEC – but not from the Chairman of the FCC.\nI have a problem with the Chairman’s list because most of the conclusions drawn are factually incorrect. It’s expected for the big ISPs to make arguments in their favor, even if those arguments are not wholly true – but it’s disturbing to see these same arguments coming from the FCC, which is supposed to be the arbiter for telecom policy issues.\nI don’t think I have any bias that makes me see these statements as false. Anybody whose been reading my blogs knows that I am as biased as anybody else in the industry. My bias is towards policies that allows smaller ISPs to compete. And I am strongly in favor of policies that try to solve the rural broadband gap and the overall digital divide. But other than that I am largely neutral on other telecom policies and am receptive to hear all arguments on the various issues. Other than as a consumer I have no strong bias in the net neutrality debate because I don’t believe that small ISPs will violate net neutrality even if there aren’t any rules. The net neutrality argument really only concerns the behavior of the largest and most powerful ISPs in the telecom market. I could go through the document and discuss each ‘myth’ – but that doesn’t lend itself to a blog-length discussion. But I think every one of the Chairman’s arguments is stretching the truth.\nFor example, the document rolls out the old big-ISP argument that broadband investments have dropped due to Title II regulation. This argument goes back to shoddy work done by one researcher on the big ISP payroll and has been debunked numerous times. The numbers tell a different story and investments have not dropped. So do the actions of the big ISPs – AT&T, Verizon, Comcast and most of the other big ISPs are all undertaking aggressive expansion and upgrades. Look at what each of these companies is telling their stockholders and you don’t see an industry in retreat. Title II regulation has had almost zero impact on investment decisions (and regulation rarely has ever done so).\nChairman Pai also argues that the Internet was free and open before we had Title II regulation. That’s not the way I remember it. The net neutrality debate has been going on since 2005 and the ISPs have been held in check by the threat of net neutrality regulation. Even without Title II regulations in place the FCC was able in the past to pressure the ISPs on practices like data caps and zero-rating by the threat of future regulation – and for the last decade this has largely worked. Title II regulation didn’t just appear out of thin air with the FCC order in 2014 – the net neutrality principles were the backbone of FCC regulation and actions for a decade before then.\nThis FCC document also argues that the Federal Trade Commission is well equipped to police unfair, deceptive and anticompetitive behavior from ISPs. That gives the FCC cover to duck out of regulating broadband. What this doesn’t mention is that the big ISPs are now attacking the FTC’s right to regulate broadband (a blog will be coming on this soon). I find it extraordinary that the FCC would declare that it should have no role in regulating broadband – the most important telecommunications product. Regulating broadband seems to be their role in the industry almost by definition.\nI guess more than anything else this document disappoints me. While there have always been some politics involved in the decisions made in our industry, past FCCs have largely decided issues on their merits. My own business was founded largely due to the Telecommunications Act of 1996 which unleashed much-needed competition into the industry. But I look at this current FCC and see that the pendulum has swung to one far extreme and the merit of issues aren’t even part of policy discussions. That saddens me.\nTagged: Chairman Ajit Pai, Federal Trade Commission, net neutraility, Title II regulations\n← How Do You Plan?\nThe Impact of the End of Net Neutrality →\nOne thought on “FCC’s Net Neutrality Myths”\nL. Nova says:\nWhy are you surprised Doug? Pai has shown to be a liar.\n1. Blatant lying that NN caused a downturn of ISP network investment when the CEOs of these companies which are required by law to tell the truth to investors told them that the 2015 title II had no impact on network investment. Company records showed investment increased.\n2. His refusal to release any evidence to investigators of why the FCC site went down claiming it was a DDOS attack.\n3. Pai also wants to lower the minimum broadband speed of 25 megs to 10 megs. Why? Because of the many massive areas in this country that are STILL underserved. He wants to make it easy for wireless providers to deploy no matter how inferior or very costly to the consumer it is. All this 5G hype is just what it is: hype. It hasn’t even been developed yet. Never mind all the fiber needed.\n4. Then there’s the matter of copper retirement which a vast amount of the country relies on for DSL and plain old telephone service that both AT&T and Verizon are pushing to get rid of without the equal function test that ensures that whatever replaces it can deliver without issue.\n5. Preventing states from deciding for themselves what they want at the behest of corporate greed.\n6. Then comes Pai’s argument of calling ISPs “information services” which they were 20 YEARS AGO at the dawn of the internet when Compuserve and AOL where dominant and dial-up was commonplace and expensive for those that could afford it.\nISPs are now “telecommunication service providers” hosting a helluva lot more than just information. We are talking about streaming TV made possible by Netflix, You Tube, VOIP telephones which have essentially replaced POTS, gaming, video chat, multimedia, downloads, e-commerce and a lot more.\n7. His latest bullshit over twitter saying that the social network has silenced conservative views when in fact the company has only kicked off users that perpetuate hate speech which is not the same.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line368569"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8115730881690979,"wiki_prob":0.8115730881690979,"text":"Sam Martin's cancer journey as told by his dad\nSam Martin's story has touched parents everywhere. Contributed\nMARK Martin has shared a moving account of their son, Sam's, cancer journey on social media for Childhood Cancer Week and to support other families.\nHe details the extraordinary painful experience of watching their son suffer and then their decision to stop treatment.\nThe entire Sunshine Coast community prayed and lit candles for Sam, hoping for a miracle.\nHe passed away on October 8.\nThese are Mark's words:\n\"July 25, 2013 was the day our world would never be the same again.\n\"As parents we heard the words no parent ever thinks they will or should hear 'your child has cancer'.\n\"That was the start of an incredible, eye-opening and life changing 15 month journey that ultimately saw us lose our precious eight-year-old son, Sam.\n\"If first hearing those words isn't earth-shattering enough, being immersed into the world of children's oncology certainly is.\n\"For the first few weeks after being given the 'news', your feet don't touch the ground and your head doesn't stop spinning as your world alters from that of assuring the kids have got school lunches packed, or getting them to sports in time, to a world where you have absolutely no control of anything.\n\"A world of countless tests, a world where a foreign language is spoken, a world where your child is subjected to all sorts of invasive and painful tests.\n\"As this is all going on, you are trying as best you can to deal with a new level of fear and emotions, all while trying to keep a brave face to protect - as much as you can - from your precious child.\n\"From the time we were told the small lump on the left hand side of Sam's face was cancerous (initially thought to be a swollen gland) to the time we received a formal diagnosis was three weeks.\n\"In that time, the tumour had more than tripled in size and was now occupying the space of a lemon in Sam's head.\n\"Those three weeks seemed like an eternity as, without a formal diagnosis, no treatment plan could be put into place.\n\"We didn't care what they wanted to call Sam's lump, we just wanted to get on with getting it rid of!!\n\"When the diagnosis finally came through from the medical school at Oklahoma University, Sam embarked on 'his' treatment plan.\n\"We're saying his treatment plan in inverted commas as it wasn't his as such, we were dealing with a very aggressive, inoperable tumour normally found in adults.\n\"The style of treatment, the intensity of the drugs were those normally reserved for adults not a fragile eight-year-old boy.\n\"Thirteen rounds of chemotherapy was planned along with an intensive six-and-a-half weeks of radiation in the hopes of reducing the tumour enough to remove the balance through surgery.\n\"Regrettable, we've all been exposed to cancer, but nothing can compare to dealing with this disease when it has taken over the body of one of your children.\n\"We've all seen the images of a smiling child who has lost their hair due to treatment, normally with a Naso-gastric feeding tube taped to their faces.\n\"As heart-wrenching as those images are to see, in reality they are oncology kids on a good day.\n\"Thirteen rounds of chemo and six-and-a-half weeks of radiation doesn't sound too bad, yet the actual treatment is the easy part.\n\"The complications and legacy caused by the treatment are another story and one that we are completely unprepared for.\n\"To this day, we often comment that we don't think we could of handled what Sam went through, burns to his face and oesophagus, nights in ICU due to complications from surgery, the constant nausea and vomiting.\n\"Watching one of your babies go through this is soul destroying and it does throw a whole new perspective onto everything.\n\"In February 2014, Sam had completed his radiation treatment and, unfortunately, while there was a reduction in the size of Sam's tumour, it was not enough to enable an operation to be completed.\n\"The chemotherapy had had little impact on the tumour.\n\"We were given the option of continuing with more chemotherapy, purely as a way of prolonging Sam's life, or taking Sam home to enjoy some quality time with him.\n\"After seeing what Sam had been through for the past seven months, we chose to bring Sam home.\n\"This was by no way a sign of giving up hope as we explored many options and alternatives to treat Sam once we left hospital, yet it was a decision we made purely with Sam's best interests at heart.\n\"Sam thrived being out of hospital and even returned to school for a while, he enjoyed being a kids again riding his motorbike, kicking a footy and fighting with his big sister, Ella.\n\"While the time bomb was slowly ticking, those four months Sam was home were the best.\n\"It allowed us to see Sam again for who he was, a cheeky, loving little boy who had a love for life and an even bigger love for his family, not a sick, bed ridden, machine connected shell of his former self.\n\"In July 2014 Sam started to go downhill rather rapidly, the tumour had started to grow again and at even faster rate of knots.\n\"We returned to hospital, not for any oncology treatment, but because Sam felt safer there as he was getting sicker by the day.\n\"The tumour was now the size of a small watermelon and had deformed Sam's head to the shape of a football, it has travelled up into his brain as well as protruding through his ear canal.\n\"We could literally see the tumour growing daily as it was coming out of his ear.\n\"One morning in September, Sam asked to go home.\n\"He wanted to be him his own bed, be surrounded by all his family and be with his dog, Roxy.\n\"The next month was tough, although Sam was home he was not Sam, he was a lifeless body without the ability to communicate or do anything for himself, but he was at home.\n\"At 19:47, on October 8, 2014 Sam quietly drifted off to sleep and joined all of the other Angels in heaven, his pain and suffering had ended.\"\n$30k Give Me Five pool gift keep Sam’s legacy alive\nMum who said no to chemotherapy ‘poison’ clear of cancer\ncancer editors picks sam martin","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line248818"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8615133762359619,"wiki_prob":0.8615133762359619,"text":"A fantastic drama filled with the names of famous actors, originates in the heart of Africa. A small, not noticeable, at first glance, state of Wakanda, in fact, turns out to be a place that is rich in one of the unique types of metal – vibranium. It is capable of absorbing any vibration that has arisen. There are no analogues of vibranium, and when other miners learn about it, the state has to save itself from looting by any methods.\nAt the end of the first part, it becomes clear that there are unresolved issues that will be accurately covered in the continuation of the Black Panther.\nWhen the Black Panther 2 comes out\nThe release date of the film Black Panther 2 has not yet been officially announced.\nAccording to the latest data, the shooting of the part 2 will take place in 2020-2021. The premiere is tentatively scheduled for the spring of 2022.\nTo save Wakid from violent attacks from robbers, the prince of the state calls on the spirit of the Black Panther.\nPreviously, living people have already resorted to such help and know that her call is the latest measure. To do this, you need to conduct a complex ritual, which requires close attention and control. Not knowing all the features of the conduct, the prince did not expect that he himself would become the Black Panther. Such an omen promises only one thing: the ruler must defend the territory, stop the attacks of ill-wishers and keep the vibrarium on his land.\nFor fans of exciting adventures, the film will pass in one breath. The film will be available for display to any audience, therefore it rightfully belongs to a series of films for family viewing. It is planned to put it on a par with the film “The Avengers” and add the Black Panther to a spectacular squad of super-people, but what will come out of it – only time will show.\nThe Black Panther is Chadwick Bozeman. In addition to his acting career, he is a talented playwright and screenwriter. In 2016, he already played his character in the film “The First Avenger. Confrontation. “\nEric Kilmanger – Mikey B. Jordan. In the “Fantastic Four” in 2015, Johnny Storm played, after which he was seen by other directors and began to appear in films of a wider scale. In 2013 he voiced Victor’s cyborg in the animated series “Justice League”.\nNakya – Lupita Niongo. A native of Kenya, also engaged in directing and producing. Awarded an “Oscar” for the role of Patsy in the drama “12 years of slavery” (2013).\nThe eye is Danai Gurira. Actress, playwright. World fame was after the appearance in the second season of “Walking Dead” in the role of Mishon. Now the shooting of the series continues, and Gurira has become a central figure, having received public recognition.\nAll key characters are black. Do not forget that the film takes place in Africa.\nDirector Ryan Kugler until the last moment could not decide on the location of the shooting, because Niongo refused to go to Africa. Gurira had to persuade Lupita.\nIn the nineties, the role of the black panther was claimed by Wesley Snipes (he played the vampire killer in the action movie “Blade”), but the shooting did not take place.\nDuring the shooting, only in extreme cases used the services of stuntmen. Actors tried to perform all the tricks themselves.\nOriginally, for Danai Gurira, the role of Nakiya was prepared, but after reading the script, Danai asked the director for a long time to give her the opportunity to play Okoy, because this character is closer to her in spirit.\nBlack Panther 2: release date\nBlack Panther 2 spring of 2022\nIn/Spectre Season 2\nThe Morning Show Season 2\nTravelers season 3\nDrifters Season 2\nIs It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? Season 3 / DanMachi 3\nTrust Season 2","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line250346"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6767982840538025,"wiki_prob":0.3232017159461975,"text":"Apple iPad Mini 2 Release Date: How it is Likely to Differ From Current iPad Mini\nApple had taken the tech work by storm when it had launched the iPad Mini back in November 2012. However, we are fast approaching the first anniversary of the launch, which means there is a new version in the making and should be ready for prime time action soon. Also, the immense popularity that the first gen iPad Mini enjoyed has only led to the hype surrounding the second gen device to reach almost frenzied proportions.\nIt’s the talk of the tech town, which coupled with the complete secrecy that the device is shrouded in right now has only meant we can be at our speculative best to ascertain what to expect in the next couple of months from Apple. That it would be a significant improvement over the current version is all too well known, though all the curiosity is centered on by what margin. The iPad Mini is already an excellent device, (not for nothing did it go on to outsell its own stable mate, the iPad) and we all are eager to know how much better the next generation iPad Mini 2 will be.\nMentioned here are some of the key aspects of the iPad Mini and what we can expect from the iPad Mini 2.\nOne of the biggest debates currently centered on the iPad Mini is whether or not the iPad Mini 2 will sport a Retina display. There are a lot of factors which makes us believe there is no reason why the next gen iPad Mini won’t have such a display. After all, the lack of a retina display is considered one of the biggest flaws (if it can be considered a flaw in the first place) of the mini iPad and the biggest improvement Apple can implement with its next generation is to incorporate the high resolution displays. It can be considered a glaring omission given how obsessed Apple is with high resolution panels which it calls retina displays. The regular 9.7 inch sized iPads (4th generation onwards) all come with such displays, including many of the Macbook versions as well.\nAnother point in favor of Apple going for a retina display is the new font that is a bit narrower being used in the iOS 7. Apple has announced the new platform in early June. With this being the operating system for all future mobile devices from the company, it would be a compromise on something as vital as reading experience as the slightly lower resolution displays (1,024 x 768) of the iPad Mini could prove the thinner fonts a bit less appealing.\nHowever, with that being the general expectation, those with their ears to the ground have however picked up a different trend. That Apple might skip on such displays for the new iPad Mini and the reason is being attributed to there being a lack of the said displays in adequate numbers. These rumor sources are claiming Apple will launch a new iPad Mini soon but it won’t have the Retina display, something that we got to wait till next year to see becoming a reality. Surely it is hard to believe the new iPad Mini will be missing out on Retina displays one more time, though it is only time and Apple that can tell what it has in store for us.\nOne of the biggest USPs of the iPad Mini has been its looks. Its light and thin, which combined with its even thinner bezels along the sides, has ensured the device is nothing short of a stunner. This combined with its 7.9 inch display ensured the iPad Mini is just right as far as portability and ease of use is concerned. It marked a complete departure from the iPad design which has remained more or less consistent ever since it was launched back in 2010. In comparison, the iPad Mini might look somewhat like an enlarged iPhone though there is nothing wrong in it being so. The sales figure is ample proof of that.\nNow coming to the iPad Mini 2, expert opinion on this has generally been varying from an even thinner bezel to the bezel being completely non-existent. Also, the two usual qualities that gets further impetus with the new version of the devices, thinner and lighter, is also likely to be applicable to the iPad Mini 2 as well. However, it’s here that things can get a bit tricky for Apple as incorporating a Retina display will call for a bigger battery unit to ensure the tablet can stick to the 10+ hours of charge it is capable of. However, a radical new design should not be expected.\nApart from sharing the same resolution display as the iPad 2, the iPad Mini is also powered by the same Apple A5 dual core chip. That Apple will up the ante on this front is almost a certainty, more so if a higher resolution display is used since the latter will call for a more efficient graphics processor. Meanwhile, the iPad 4 equipped with retina display is powered by the faster Apple A6X processor and chances are that the same could also find its way into the iPad Mini 2 as well. Or even if it’s the same low resolution display is continued on the new iPad Mini, the A6 will no doubt do a world of good to its processing capabilities.\nMeanwhile, Apple is also working on an even faster A7 chip as well and it shouldn’t be surprising if the same end up at the core of the new iPad Mini 2 as well. This will ensure Apple has the same chip in use across all its iPad range.\nStorage Option\nCurrently, the iPad Mini is available in the 16, 32 and 64 GB storage options and that Apple will stick to the same with the new iPad Mini 2 is all too evident. However, a surprise addition could be a new version that comes with 128 GB of storage. Apple already offers an iPad with that much of storage, which means it perhaps won’t be too way off to assume an equivalent iPad Mini 2 variant might also be in the offing.\nRumor mongers have been really wild on this one though the one schedule that perhaps makes the most sense is a launch during the October November period. For not only does this make almost a year after the first gen version was launched, this period also goes well with what Tim Cook had announced that they have new exciting products to be launched after September. Further, Apple has also stated their new iOS 7 platform will be available in all its glory only in autumn.\nMeanwhile, another school of thought had been maintaining that Apple will launch a non Retina panel equipped iPad Mini 2 this fall and will come up with a new iPad Mini complete with a Retina panel early next. This seems least likely as Apple surely won’t risk pissing off its fan base by launching a new variant of the iPad Mini so soon. Also, sales generally tend to drop off a bit right after the holiday season, a period that major manufacturers generally tend to skip launching any new product.\nApple has never adopted the low initial price bait to lure in consumers. What this means is that a price cut for the new iPad Mini 2 as is being rumored in some quarters seems least likely. Instead, the new iPad Mini will slot into the same price range as its ancestor. The price range starts at $330 for the base Wi-Fi only version of the tablet with 16 GB onboard, going all the way up to $659 for the top of the line LTE version of the Apple tablet with 64 GB of storage.\nAlso of course, the coming of the iPad Mini 2 should not be considered as the end of the road for the first gen version. Instead, Apple could well use the same as a weapon of choice to decimate the challenge posed by the budget Android tablets, including the new Nexus 7 2 which is expected to hit streets sporting a price tag of $230. A $100 discount is all that is needed to pitch the iPad Mini bang in the Nexus 7 2 territory. After all, the first gen iPad Mni is still going strong enough and continues to sell in numbers higher than its bigger cousin, the iPad. If that be the case, then both the two generation of the iPad Mini devices could be seen ruling the roost in the low to mid end smaller tablet segment.\nFiled Under: Tablets Tagged With: Apple, Apple iPad Mini, Apple iPad Mini 2, iPad Mini 2, iPad Mini 2 Release Date\nLenovo Yoga Tab 3 Pro Review – The Power Inside The Tab 3\nNabi Big Tab Review – Design, Performance, Apps And Games\nA Review Of The RCA Viking Pro 10.1 2in1 Tablet 32 GB Quad Core\nRCA Tablet Reviews: Galileo Pro, Mercury, Cambio, and Voyager Pro\nLenovo Tab 2 A10 Review\nDell Canvas Is The Latest 27-Inch Display Workstation\niPad Mini 4 Comes With a Smaller Battery Than its Predecessor\nAmazon Launches $50 Fire Tablet\nJust How Much Better is the iPad Pro Compared to the iPad Air 2?","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1614129"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5490729212760925,"wiki_prob":0.45092707872390747,"text":"Command Sergeant Major Harold Shrewsberry, USA-Ret\nGolf Tournament Chairman\nAfter Operation Desert Shield & Desert Storm, Command Sergeant Major Harold F. Shrewsberry became the Commandant of the NCO Academy at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.\nHe had had six years of experience as a CSM and eight years as a First Sergeant and had combat assignments in Vietnam, the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Korea and Operation Desert Storm.\nHe was the CSM of VII Corps Artillery, joining the Corps Artillery in Southwest Asia during Desert Storm in January of 1991 and deploying the unit back to Germany.\nOther CSM experience was as Community CSM of Ansbach, Germany (1st Armored Division); CSM of the 7th Infantry Division (Light) Artillery, Fort Ord, California, helping to deploy the unit to Operation Just Cause and serving as Division (Rear) CSM; and CSM of the 2d Battalion, 8th Field Artillery, also in the 7th Infantry Division.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1890080"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6646243929862976,"wiki_prob":0.3353756070137024,"text":"Thursday, 02 July 2015 12:47 | |\n\"For many years, however, more the last five years, we live the complete failure of the whole of our political world , which has led the country to the brink of a national test, one step before a disaster of historic proportions.\nRecently we experienced the effort of some foreign powers (regardless of whatever our responsibilities) to design methodically destroying our country in every respect, national, historical, cultural, social and converting the people to our people slaves, who would beg for a piece of bread.\nThey saw trying to fully control the country's power system and make it an instrument for the implementation of their plan in all areas of our national life with special emphasis on the weapon of the economy, to dismantle the Greek society in all areas: labor, education, growth, trade, production, culture.\nWe saw to try to completely control the critical areas of international relations and of our national defense.\nThey saw the Memoranda and Loan Agreements to exclude any relationship with a country other than their own, to have such exclusivity in full control of our country and also to assert our common wealth, ports, airports, the major roads, solar energy, water, public buildings, our historical monuments, as well as control of education and culture.\nAnd then we saw our governments to sign agreements and texts such characteristics maintained and Professor C. Kasimatis could not be signed \"either with the gun on his temple.\"\nFaced with this storm that surprised us all, our people found naked.\nHis only weapon was Unity. Unfortunately this did not happen.\nAt the same time we saw the struggle of SYRIZA to become government. Personally I warned that a government of the Left and with the heroic past of the Greek left would mean an alarm to the winners of the Civil War will want to exterminate both the government and the People who voted. This will dry out the country from money and at the same time do everything to punish us. That the effort of a left party become government without having obtained a foothold and without drawing direct application for the next day, they are opportunistic and will pay dearly. And I had set two conditions : The formation of a more than 50% Pallaikou Front and preparing alliances grounded upon joint ventures with powerful international forces for the joint exploitation of our national wealth, because otherwise, we would go barefoot thorns. And these developments unfortunately vindicated.\nToday we find ourselves in front of a Referendum . After five whole months 'negotiations' with the 'institutions' -Troika made within the framework of the Memorandum, which dared SYRIZA to abolish the \"First Law that would bring the House\" as stated before the elections the current Prime Minister and they eventually threw rocks, ask us if we agree with the last sentence of the \"institutions\" requiring more steps, just half a billion additional measures amounting to 8 billion accepted by the Greek government and with signature of the Prime Minister himself.\nOf course it is possible to vote for the agreement with lenders. But the NO voters will choose the ballot it is NOT at all burdensome and onerous agreements with \"institutions\". NO to all agreements that load the People with even more burdens leading to the full misery and killing and robbing of national integrity, independence and sovereignty. And one should not think or encroaching on this reply by displaying it as a vote of confidence in government and even more so as a consensus in its proposal of 8 billion which after all included in the proposal of the creditors.\nMost important though, is what happens the day after the referendum . After complete as I mentioned earlier failure of the whole of our political world, which has led the country to the brink of a national test, I wish there was a way to form a government of \"national salvation\" to the country out of the current impasse in which the They have led leaders inferior conditions and problems facing the people and the country in recent decades, and especially during the time of the Memoranda.\nHowever, since this is not possible, again the only weapon left to the Greek people is Unity . Only united like a fist we strive to address the cancer that threatens us even in death. The Greek people must demonstrate composure, maturity and responsibility and to become in any legal way to leading defender of freedoms and rights.\nGoogle-Translation","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line102789"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9944102168083191,"wiki_prob":0.9944102168083191,"text":"America’s Shrinking Middle Class: A Close Look at Changes Within Metropolitan Areas\nThe economic status of adults improved in about half of U.S. metropolitan areas from 2000 to 2014\nMap: The American middle class: Who is in it, and who is not, in U.S. Metropolitan Areas\nInteractive: Are you in the American middle class?\nThe middle class is shrinking in most U.S. metropolitan areas, and lower-and upper-income tiers are gaining share\nThe tale of two metropolitan areas: A smaller middle class could signal a move either up or down the income ladder\nWho is ‘middle income’ and ‘upper income’ in 2014?\nMetropolitan areas with the highest shares of middle-income adults in 2014 are mostly in the Midwest\nThe 10 metropolitan areas that gained or lost the most in economic status from 2000 to 2014\nMedian incomes of the middle class and other tiers fell from 1999 to 2014\nWho is middle income?\nShare of American adults living in middle-income households has fallen\nMany of America’s top middle-income metropolitan areas are in the Midwest and the Northeast\nMetropolitan areas with the highest shares of upper-income people are mostly to the northeast\nMost lower-income metropolitan areas are to the south or the southwest\nHousehold incomes in many metropolitan areas in the southern part of the U.S. were less than the national median in 2014\nU.S. metropolitan areas with the 10 highest and 10 lowest household incomes in 2014\nU.S. metropolitan areas with the highest and lowest incomes for middle-class households in 2014\nU.S. metropolitan areas with the highest and lowest incomes for households in the lower-income tier in 2014\nU.S. metropolitan areas with the highest and lowest incomes for households in the upper-income tier in 2014\nIn 2014, metropolitan areas with higher incomes had larger upper-income tiers and smaller lower-income tiers\nMedian incomes of households in all income tiers fell from 1999 to 2014\nThe median income of households fell in the vast majority of the U.S. metropolitan areas from 1999 to 2014\nFrom 2000 to 2014, upper-income tiers grew in areas where incomes rose, or fell by less; lower-income tiers grew more in areas with more of a decrease in income\nThe middle-class share fell more in metropolitan areas with more of an increase in income inequality from 2000 to 2014\nDistribution of adults by income tier in U.S. metropolitan areas, 2000 and 2014\nDistribution of adults by income tier in U.S. metropolitan areas, 2000 and 2014, cont.\nChanges in the distribution of adults by income tier in U.S. metropolitan areas, 2000 to 2014\nChanges in the distribution of adults by income tier in U.S. metropolitan areas, 2000 to 2014, cont.\nThe middle-class share fell in almost all U.S. metropolitan areas from 2000 to 2014\nThe share of adults in upper-income households increased in the vast majority of the U.S. metropolitan areas rom 2000 to 2014\nThe share of adults in lower-income households increased in most U.S. metropolitan areas from 2000 to 2014\nThe middle-class share was greater in metropolitan areas with lesser income inequality in 2014\nST_16.05.12_MiddleIncome-#3_HP\nST_16.05.12_MiddleIncome_Featured-Image_DotMap2","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1883893"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7937712669372559,"wiki_prob":0.7937712669372559,"text":"U.S. service member killed in Afghanistan\nMilitary.com By Hope Hodge Seck\nA U.S. service member has been killed in action in Afghanistan, the second American to die while supporting operations in the country in January 2019.\nOfficials with Operation Resolute Support announced Jan. 22, 2019, that the death of the service member, whose service branch was not identified, is under investigation.\nIt’s not clear where the service member was killed. Defense Department policy is not to release the names of those who died supporting combat operations until 24 hours after next-of-kin is notified.\nThis most recent death comes five days after Army Sgt. Sgt. Cameron Meddock, of the 75th Ranger Regiment, died from combat wounds at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany on Jan. 17, 2019. Meddock was shot during combat operations in Badghis province, Afghanistan, on Jan. 13, 2019.\nSgt. Cameron A. Meddock, 26, of Spearman, Texas.\n(U.S. Army Special Operations Command)\nEarlier January 2019, Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jonathan R. Farmer and Navy Chief Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) Shannon M. Kent were killed, along with an American DoD contractor and civilian worker, in a bombing in the northern Syrian town of Manbij. Three other American troops were wounded in the bombing.\nMattis Names Army Colonel as Guantanamo's Chief War Court Judge\nRussia Turns Up Uninvited to NATO's Trident Juncture War Games ...\nAfghanistan War Veteran Climbs Mount Kilimanjaro on Prosthetic Legs\nInsider Attack Kills Service Member as New US Commander Takes ...\nTwo Minute Brief: Afghanistan's Opium Trade | Military.com\nEverything you need to know about the AC-130 Gunship\nAirman Magazine By Hope Hodge Seck\nThe AC-130 gunship is a devastating display of force and firepower. Through the years, the aircraft has been equipped with an array of side-fired canons, howitzers, mini-guns, wing-mounted missiles and bombs, and laser guided-missiles launched from the rear cargo door, earning it the moniker the “Angel of Death.”\nThe primary missions of the gunship are close air support, air interdiction, and armed reconnaissance.\nThe heavily armed aircraft is outfitted with sophisticated sensor, navigation, and fire control systems, allowing it to track and target multiple targets using multiple munitions with surgical precision.\nAnother strength of the gunship is the ability to loiter in the air for extended periods of time, providing aerial protection at night and during adverse weather.\nThe AC-130 relies heavily on visual targeting at low altitudes and punishes enemy targets while performing pylon turns around a fixed point on the ground during attack.\nThe Air Force is the only operator of the AC-130 and the gunship has been providing close air support for special operators for the last 50 years.\nDuring the Vietnam War, the C-130 Hercules airframe was selected to replace the original gunship, the Douglas AC-47 Spooky (Project Gunship I). The Hercules cargo airframe was converted into AC-130A (Project Gunship II) because it could fly faster, longer, higher, and with increased munitions load capabilities.\nThe gunship’s AC identifier stands for attack-cargo.\nThe aircraft is powered by four turboprop engines and has a flight speed of 300 mph and a flight range of 1,300 miles, depending on weight.\nThe AC-130 gunship’s primary missions are close air support, air interdiction and force protection. Missions in close air support are troops in contact, convoy escort and urban operations. Air interdiction missions are conducted against preplanned targets or targets of opportunity. Force protection missions include air base defense and facilities defense. (U.S. Air Force photo)\nThe AC-130A was equipped with down facing Gatling guns affixed to the left side of the aircraft with an analog fire control system. In 1969, the AC-130 received the Surprise Package, which included 20mm rotary autocannons and a 40mm Bofors cannon configuration.\nThe gunships have been modified with multiple configurations through the years with each update providing stronger avionics systems, radars and more powerful armament.\nCurrently, Air Force special operations groups operate the AC-130U Spooky II and the AC-130W Stinger II.\nThe Spooky II became operational in 1994, revitalizing the special operations gunship fleet as a replacement for the AC-130A aircraft, and to supplement the workhorse AC-130H Spectre, which was retired in 2015.\nThe Spooky II is armed with a 25mm GAU-12/U Gatling gun (1800 rpm), a 40mm L60 Bofors cannon (120 rpm), and a 10mm M102 howitzer (6-10 rpm). The AC-130Us have a pressurized cabin, allowing them to operate 5,000 feet higher than the H models, which results in greater range.\nThe AC-130W was converted from the MC-130W Dragon Spear, a special operations mobility aircraft and are armed with precision strike packages to relieve the high operational demands on AC-130U gunships until new AC-130Js enter combat-ready status.\nOver the past four decades, AC-130s have deployed constantly to hotspots throughout the world in support of special operations and conventional forces. In South America, Africa, Europe and throughout the Middle East, gunships have significantly contributed to mission success.\nAn AC-130W Stinger II fires its weapon over Melrose Air Force Range, N.M., Jan. 10, 2013. The AC-130W is one of the newest aircraft being flown at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ericka Engblom)\nAs of Sept. 19, 2017, the AC-130J Ghostrider, the Air Force’s next-generation gunship, achieved Initial Operating Capability and will be tested and prepared for combat deployment in the next few years. The AC-130J is the fourth generation gunship replacing the aging fleet of AC-130U/W gunships.\nThe Ghostrider is outfitted with a Precision Strike Package, which includes 30mm and 105 mm cannons and precision guided munitions of GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs and AGM-176 Griffin missiles. The 105mm M102 howitzer system is a devastating weapon that can fire off 10 50lbs shells per minute with precision accuracy.\nThere are 10 Ghostrider gunships in the current fleet and the Air Force plans on purchasing 27 more by fiscal year 2021.\nThe AC-130 Gunship operational history includes:\n1960s/70s – Vietnam/Laos\n1983 – Grenada – Operation Urgent Fury\n1989 – Panama – Operation Just Cause\n1991 – Persian Gulf – Operation Desert Storm\n1993 – Somalia – Operation Restore Hope\n1995 – Bosnia – Operation Deliberate Force\n2001 – Present – Afghanistan – Operation Enduring Freedom\n2003 – Present – Iraq – Operation Iraqi Freedom\nAn AC-130U Gunship aircraft from the 4th Special Operation Squadron jettisons flares over an area near Hurlburt Field, Fla., on Aug. 20, 2008. The flares are used as a countermeasure to heat-seeking missiles that can track aircraft during real-world missions. (Air Force photo/Senior Airman Julianne Showalter)\nAir Force units that operate the current fleet of AC-130Us and AC-130Ws include:\nAC-130U Spooky – 1st Special Operations Group, Hurlburt Field, Florida\nAC-130W Stinger II – 27th Special Operations Group, Canon Air Force Base, New Mexico\nAC-130A Spectre (Project Gunship II, Surprise Package, Pave Pronto)\nConversions of C-130As; 19 completed; transferred to the Air Force Reserve in 1975, retired in 1995\nAC-130E Spectre (Pave Spectre, Pave Aegis)\nConversions of C-130Es; 11 completed; 10 upgraded to AC-130H configuration\nAC-130H Spectre\nUpgraded AC-130E aircraft; eight completed; last aircraft retired in 2015\nAC-130U Spooky\nOperational aircraft (active duty USAF); 17 in service\nAC-130J Ghostrider\nBased on MC-130J; 32 aircraft to be procured to replace AC-130H\nAC-130W Stinger II (former MC-130W Dragon Spear)\nConversions of MC-130Ws (active duty USAF)\nAlso Read: This was the badass predecessor to the AC-130 Spooky gunship\n– The original and unofficial nickname for the AC-130 gunship was “Puff the Magic Dragon” or “Puff.”\n– The AC-130H Spectre was introduced in 1969 and was used for 46 years in service; the longest service time of any AC gunship.\n– Air Force Special Operations Command plans to install combat lasers on AC-130 gunships within a year.\nAC-130U Spooky Fact Sheet:\nPrimary function: Close air support, air interdiction and force protection\nBuilder: Lockheed/Boeing Corp.\nPower plant: Four Allison T56-A-15 turboprop engines\nThrust: 4,300 shaft horsepower each engine\nWingspan: 132 feet, 7 inches (40.4 meters)\nLength: 97 feet, 9 inches (29.8 meters)\nHeight: 38 feet, 6 inches (11.7 meters)\nSpeed: 300 mph (Mach .4) at sea level\nRange: Approximately 1,300 nautical miles; limited by crew duty day with air refueling\nCeiling: 25,000 feet (7,576 meters)\nMaximum takeoff weight: 155,000 pounds (69,750 kilograms)\nArmament: 40mm, 105mm cannons and 25mm Gatling gun\nCrew: AC-130U – pilot, co-pilot, navigator, fire control officer, electronic warfare officer (five officers) and flight engineer, TV operator, infrared detection set operator, loadmaster, and four aerial gunners (eight enlisted)\nDeployment date: 1995\nUnit cost: $210 million\nInventory: Active duty, 17; reserve, 0; Air National Guard, 0\nThe 8 most useless pieces of gear ever issued\nBlake Stilwell By Hope Hodge Seck\nQuality of gear aside, when the U.S. military is equipping its troops, it tries to ensure they have everything they need to defeat the enemy and – if funding permits – not be entirely miserable in the meantime. Given the Pentagon’s track record with winning battles, one would have to concede they’re doing a pretty good job. Operationally, however, the troops figure out very quickly what’s going to work and what they need to improvise.\nSomewhere in there is a troop still trying to get out of his mosquito net.\nMosquito Nets – Vietnam\nOne private in the Army who was deployed to an aircraft maintenance detachment in Vietnam mentions using the mosquito net diligently, just as he was trained. Except, when the base was attacked, he stumbled in the dark looking for the zipper, nearly getting himself killed in the process.\nHe, like many in Vietnam, never used the mosquito net again.\n“Bring out the E-3”\nArmy Cold Weather Mask\nAre you into bondage? Then this is the issued gear for you. If you hate how much it itches your face or if you wear glasses, it definitely is not.\nIf they only wore them in dress blues, that would be one thing.\nPatrol caps and boonie hats serve the dual purpose of protecting your head from the sun while giving your kevlar a place to rest. They’re also both breathable and prevent the interior of the hat from becoming a swampy mess. The beret did none of these things, but the Army insisted every soldier wear one.\nSun-Wind-Dust Goggles – Iraq & Afghanistan\nThe only Sun-Dust-Wind goggles that couldn’t protect your eyes from sun, dust, or wind. All that and after a while, the padding slips out of place, the elastic wears out, and they become unwearable. Which isn’t a big deal because they get so scratched up you can’t see from them anyway.\nNBC Gear – U.S. Navy\nThe U.S. military’s old MOPP system used what is essentially a charcoal suit to protect troops from chemical agents in the air. The only problem was they were useless when wet – which is exactly what happened to the sailors during nuclear, biological, chemical warfare drills when they had to start cleaning the ship.\nBlack Leather Gloves with Wool Inserts\nThe dual glove system pretty much meant any fine motor skills you needed weren’t going to happen while wearing these things. Many troops would take off the leather gloves to use their fingers, which promptly froze because the liners themselves were useless in the cold.\nHave at it hipsters, you poor deserving bastards.\nM65 Field Jacket\nSpeaking of things that are useless in the cold, there was a time when the only jacket issued for the battle dress uniform was this cruel joke.\nPresenting the most miserable troop of the 1980s.\nLoad-Bearing Equipment\nThis is a great way to carry many different kinds of gear. Until someone starts shooting at you and you need to get down on the ground, stay low, and/or maneuver while you’re down there.\nThe 10 worst armies in the world\nThese are the worst weapons an army could buy\n6 things geardos buy that are actually useful\n8 useless pieces of gear the military still issues out\nU.S. Military Lingo: The (Almost) Definitive Guide : Parallels : NPR\nSmall-Town Cops Pile Up on Useless Military Gear | WIRED\nDoD bought phony military gear made in China, including counter ...\nThe North Korean cold war will be paused for the Olympics\nBusiness Insider By Hope Hodge Seck\nThe Trump administration has agreed to delay joint military exercises with South Korea until after the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics next month, the Pentagon said Jan. 4.\nA Pentagon spokesman, Col. Rob Manning, said President Donald Trump agreed to the delay in consultation with South Korean President Moon Jae-in.\n“The Department of Defense supports the President’s decision and what is in the best interest of the ROK-U.S. alliance,” Manning said, referring to the U.S. defense treaty with the Republic of Korea.\nPresident Donald J. Trump and President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea at the United Nations General Assembly (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)\nThe decision pushes back a set of annual military exercises known as Foal Eagle, which normally are held between February and April. Foal Eagle is a series of exercises designed to test the readiness of the two countries’ militaries. North Korea routinely objects to such maneuvers as a rehearsal for an invasion.\nThe Jan. 4 decision came as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reopened a key cross-border communication channel with South Korea for the first time in nearly two years.\nIn a tweet early Jan. 4, Trump claimed his tough stance on nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula is helping push North Korea and South Korea to talk.\nTrump tweeted, “Does anybody really believe that talks and dialogue would be going on between North and South Korea right now if I wasn’t firm, strong, and willing to commit our total ‘might’ against the North.”\nEarlier this week, Trump seemed open to the possibility of an inter-Korean dialogue after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made a rare overture toward South Korea in a New Year’s address. But Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations insisted that talks won’t be meaningful unless the North is getting rid of its nuclear weapons.\nAlso Read: South Korea wants North Korea to host some 2018 Winter Olympics events\nThe overture about talks came after Trump and Kim traded more bellicose claims about their nuclear weapons.\nIn his New Year’s address, Kim repeated fiery nuclear threats against the U.S. Kim said he has a “nuclear button” on his office desk and warned that “the whole territory of the U.S. is within the range of our nuclear strike.”\nTrump mocked that assertion Tuesday evening, tweeting: “Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger more powerful one than his, and my Button works!”\nKim Jong Un is embarrassed by North Korean infrastructure\nNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un made a rare, revealing admission when discussing the state of his country with South Korean President Moon Jae-in: He’s “embarrassed” by his country’s infrastructure.\nAs Kim and Moon held a historic summit on April 27, 2018, the South Korean president told North Korea’s supreme leader he’d like to visit his country in order to climb Mount Paektu, a mountain that plays a significant role in Korean folklore. Kim then said, “I feel embarrassed about the poor transit infrastructure,” BBC reports.\nThis was an out-of-character moment for Kim, as North Korean leaders have long been well-known for boasting about their country (and themselves) in an exaggerated fashion.\nRelatedly, in December 2017, North Korean state media reported Kim had climbed Mount Paektu and seemed to suggest he has the power to control “nature” given the good weather at the time. Images of the alleged climb also showed Kim in dress shoes and slacks, with no mountaineering equipment.\nNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un poses on Mt. Baekdu.\nNorth Korea is notoriously impoverished. When a North Korean soldier defected to South Korea in 2017, doctors removed an 11 inch parasitic worm from his stomach and also discovered he’d consumed corn kernels, offering a glimpse into how difficult life can be in North Korea. Correspondingly, Chinese tourists have been known to visit the reclusive country almost solely to see how poor North Koreans truly are.\nAt April 27, 2018’s summit, Kim and Moon made a joint announcement the Korean Peninsula would be completely rid of nuclear weapons and also pledged to work toward formally ending the Korean War, which has technically been ongoing since fighting ceased via an armistice in 1953.\nLater in the day, as President Donald Trump met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Washington DC, Trump sounded cautiously optimistic about his impending meeting with Kim. But he said the US would continue its campaign of “maximum pressure” until the Korean Peninsula is completely denuclearized.\nNorth Korea will invite US experts to witness nuclear site shutdown ...\nNorth Korea summit, peace talks: Trump praises China, Xi Jinping ...\nSouth and North Korea agree to a 'complete' denuclearization ...\nWe decided to make the best fictional fighter squadron ever\nHarold C. Hutchison By Hope Hodge Seck\nThe fighter squadron has long been a staple of the military in the real world – as well as in fiction. When you think “Star Wars,” you think Red Squadron making the trench run. “Robotech” had Skull Squadron. “Baa Baa Black Sheep” had a very fictionalized version of VMF-214, the “Black Sheep.”\nThere are real squadrons with legendary track records as well. VMF-211 is the famous “Wake Island Avengers,” there are the “Jolly Rogers” from the U.S. Navy, as well as the “Black Aces” of VF-41. The Air Force has the 555th Fighter Squadron (the “Triple Nickel”), as well as the “Juvats” from the 80th Fighter Squadron.\nFighter squadrons can have anywhere from 12 to 24 planes. In this case, we will go with four flights of four planes each. We’ll also add the CO, XO, and Ops Officer slots as well in what we will call All-Star Squadron.\nCommanding Officer – Greg “Pappy” Boyington from “Baa Baa Black Sheep”\n(Photo from Wikimedia Commons)\nThe real Pappy Boyington was the top Marine Corps ace – and he had a good run as the commander of VMF-214. The fictionalized version played by Robert Conrad was a superb tactician – cooking up a version of “Operation Bolo” in the pilot of the series, then pulling off several other operations. Also, his experience riding herd on the motley crew of VMF-214 will help with this unit as well.\nExecutive Officer – Wilma Deering from “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century”\n(Youtube Screenshot)\nA good pilot in her own right, Wilma also can backstop Boyington’s weaknesses. Notably the paperwork and all the other mundane details that Boyington either got bored with, or may be too hung over to deal with.\nOperations Officer – Chappy Sinclair from “Iron Eagle”\nChappy Sinclair is here as a superb operational planner. In all four “Iron Eagle” movies, he is a mover and shaker — often able to accomplish missions despite long odds and being outnumbered and outgunned. Who else could you pick as the Ops O?\nAll-Star One-One – Jeffrey Sinclair from “Babylon 5”\nWith a long family tradition of fighter pilots, Sinclair was no slouch himself, being one of the few survivors from the Battle of the Line. However, in more even fights, he held his own.\nAll-Star One-Two – Luke Skywalker from “Star Wars”\nThis farm kid has been lucky and has a few kills, but he is clearly a raw talent who could learn from being on the wing of a more experienced fighter pilot. This kid will get his own squadron – someday.\nAll-Star One-Three – David Campbell from “The Longest Day”\nOne of “The Few” who had fought off the Nazis in the Battle of Britain, he can be an excellent element lead. Tends to be up for a sortie – unless he’s drinking a beer.\nAll Star One-Four – Christopher Blair from “Wing Commander”\nHe is fresh out of flight training but clearly has some natural ability. Like Skywalker, he is best suited as a wingman for now, but has the ability to rise through the ranks.\nSecond Flight\nAll-Star Two-One – Roy Fokker from “Robotech”\nHe has seen a lot of combat, and has been a father figure to younger pilots. Given his extensive combat experience, he can lead a flight, no problem.\nAll-Star Two-Two – Lieutenant Starbuck from the original “Battlestar Galactica”\nA sharp pilot who can sometimes get himself in too deep (he’s crashed his fighter a number of times), Starbuck is not quite yet flight or element lead material.\nAll-Star Two-Three – Wedge Antilles from “Star Wars”\nThis guy has plenty of experience, and he has managed to survive two Death Star runs. That said, his units have taken heavy casualties in the past. Good enough to command an element, but flight lead may be a stretch for now.\nAll-Star Two-Four – Doug Masters from “Iron Eagle”\nAnother natural stick with a high kill count. Still, there is a distinct need for more seasoning. Though Masters does seem to enjoy playing tunes while flying.\nThird Flight\nAll-Star Three-One – Tyrus Cassius McQueen from “Space: Above and Beyond”\nHe’s taken on an enemy ace and lived, plus he has a track record of being a mentor to younger pilots. McQueen’ll be able to handle the other pilots in this flight.\nAll-Star Three-Two – Steven Hiller from “Independence Day”\nHe’s a good pilot – scoring a maneuver kill against an enemy that had a means to neutralize other weapons. Then he readily adapted to flying an alien craft. While he may get his own squadron some day, right now, he needs someone more experienced to get him to settle down and get over his obsession with the Fat Lady.\nAll-Star Three-Three – Cameron Mitchell from “Stargate: SG-1”\nHe’s had combat experience on Earth and against the Gou’ald, as well as some small-unit leadership experience. Mitchell also received the Medal of Honor for heroism.\nAll-Star Three-Four – Pete Mitchell from “Top Gun”\n(WATM photo archive)\nNo relation to Cameron Mitchell, Pete is a very good pilot with three kills in one engagement over the Indian Ocean. That said, some view his unorthodox style as “dangerous,” and he has made high-speed passes on various towers.\nFourth Flight\nAll-Star Four-One – Brad Little from “Fire Birds”\nOkay, he mostly flew rotary-wing aircraft, but he has extensive experience as an instructor, and did score a kill on a fighter with an Apache.\nAll-Star Four-Two – Harmon Rabb, Jr. from “JAG”\nRabb’s shown some skill, but had a lengthy layoff due to his assignment to the Judge Advocate General corps for an extended period. He’ll catch on quick, but let’s season him under Little.\nAll-Star Four-Three – Blaine Rawlings from “Flyboys”\nThe combat experience Rawlings has is substantial, and he did down a pair of German aces. He was also awarded the Croix de Guerre for a daring rescue.\nAll-Star Four-Four – Tom Kazanski from “Top Gun”\nThe man flies by the book, and has very rarely made a mistake (over the Indian Ocean, he got target-fixated and a MiG-28 damaged his bird). We figure he’s best suited to flying as someone’s wingman until he can loosen up a little.\nWho do you think we should add? Let us know in the comments below.\nThese legendary squadrons are being featured by Ace Combat for its 25th Anniversary\nWhen did having a prisoner’s last meal be anything they want start?\nToday I Found Out By Hope Hodge Seck\nIf you happen to ever find yourself slated to have society as a whole decide it would be best if they killed you, the silver lining is that in many parts of the world where this is still a thing, the last meal you ever eat is likely to be significantly better than the ones you’ve been consuming up to that point in prison. So how did this rather odd meal tradition come about and is it actually true death row inmates can get anything they want to eat?\nTo begin with, while it’s commonly stated that the whole idea of the last meal request came about due to Christ’s famed last supper, there doesn’t seem to be any direct evidence of this.\nSo how did the tradition actually start?\nWhile history is absolutely littered with various cultures having feasts associated with death, such as the public feast for Roman gladiators the night before their potential date with death, called the coena libera, it wouldn’t be until slightly more modern times where we start seeing those being executed widely granted such a courtesy en masse. Once this did start to become a thing, in the early going, while wealthy individuals slated for execution, as ever, could generally request whatever they wanted any time, and were even often allowed servants to attend them as they awaited their execution, common things granted to the poor before their execution seem to have been at best a swig of some alcohol or the like.\nThings began to pick up steam considerably on this front around the 16th century, however. Or, at least, things appear to have. It is entirely possible that such courtesies were widely granted before this to even the poor, with documented evidence of it simply not surviving. On that note, things like the printing press’ invention in the 15th century began making documented history of rather mundane events like the executions of random Joe Citizens more, well, documented. Thus, it may or may not be coincidence that accounts of such courtesies started to pop up more and more around the 16th century and progressing from there.\nWhatever the case, by the 18th century, particularly in places like England, such practices were definitely around and relatively common. For example, in London it was common to allow the condemned to enjoy a meal with various guests, generally including the executioner, on the eve of the execution. Further, there is record of Newgate Prison death row inmates being allowed to stop at a pub on their march to their death at the Tyburn Fair gallows. At the pub, they would typically share drinks with their guards and executioner.\nOver in Germany, perhaps the best documented case of the food practice around this time was that of Susanna Margarethe Brandt of Frankfurt. On January 14, 1772, Brandt, a poor servant girl, was executed for allegedly killing her newborn child. Eight months before this murder, she’d become pregnant by a journeyman goldsmith who she never saw again after they had sex. She subsequently successfully hid her pregnancy all the way to the eighth month when she gave birth secretly and alone in a laundry room on August 1, 1771. Unfortunately, when the baby came out, whether because newborn babies are insanely slippery or she just failed to realize it was about to drop, it fell from her and smacked its head against the stone floor. The child then, according to her, wheezed momentarily and then ceased to breathe. Brandt subsequently panicked, hid the baby in a stable and fled the scene. However, having no money or means to support herself, the next day she returned to Frankfurt where she was eventually arrested for murdering the child. Whether she did or not, and even if it would have survived anyway given it was premature, is a matter of debate even today, but she was nonetheless convicted of the murder and sentenced to death.\nShortly before her execution, however, she was the guest of honor at what has been dubbed the “Hangman’s Meal”- a rather large feast prepared for the condemned and various officials who had condemned her. If you’re curious, the meal in this case supposedly was “three pounds of fried sausages, ten pounds of beef, six pounds of baked carp, twelve pounds of larded roast veal, soup, cabbage, bread, a sweet, and eight and a half measures of 1748 wine.” Of course, the young Susanna reportedly ate none of it, merely drinking a little water as the officials feasted around her. Not long after, her head was lopped off.\nMoving over to the United States where the idea of the “last meal” is perhaps best known today, it would appear this tradition did not initially jump across the pond when Europeans began setting in the Americas. Or, at least, surviving accounts of executions don’t seem to mention such courtesies, with some exceptions usually having to do with drink or something to smoke. For example, in 1835, the New York Sun reported shortly before his execution, murderer Manuel Fernandez requested and was granted a bit of brandy and some cigars, courtesy of the warden at Bellevue prison.\nAs the 19th century progressed, this sort of thing became more and more reported, as did eventually the practice of granting last meal requests, which by the early 20th century became quite common.\nThis all leads us to why. Well, as far as more historic cases, such as the early known instances in Europe, it’s generally hypothesized that people did it as a way for officials and executioners to more or less say to the prisoners “We’re going to kill you, but it’s nothing personal.” In essence, offering a bit of kindness to the condemned before their death with the prisoners themselves seemingly appreciating the courtesy, at least when it came to the alcohol.\nOn that note, it’s widely reported from this that the practice was instituted as a way to ensure the ghosts of the executed would feel friendly towards their condemners and executioners and thus not come back and haunt them, but we couldn’t find any primary documentation backing such a notion.\nWhether that’s true or not, moving on to more modern times, the underlying reason why prison officials started doing this is not any better documented and there doesn’t ever seem to have been any laws requiring it, for instance. It’s just something people did on their own and the idea spread, presumably thanks to the media’s then love of reporting everything about the last hours of those being executed, and the general public eating it up across the nation.\nWhatever the case, law professor Sarah Gerwig-Moore, co-author of Cold (Comfort?) Food: The Significance of Last Meal Rituals in the United States, posits of all this,\nLast meals may be an offering by the guards and prison administrators as a way of seeking forgiveness for the impending execution, signaling that ‘it’s nothing personal.’… There are standard operating procedures that put up a wall between guards and prisoners, but nevertheless, there is a fondness between them… The last meal as a tradition is really a way of showing humanity between the caregivers of people on death row who are completely powerless and who come to care about these people — they feel complicit, and conflicted. The last meal is a way to offer, in a very, very small way, a show of kindness and generosity.\nOn this point, she also notes from her research, “The most generous meals correlate to the states that execute the most people — except for Texas…”\nTexas, of course, having executed about 1,300 people in the last two centuries and trending the opposite of everyone else- actually increasing the number of executions in recent decades. For reference here, they’ve conducted 562 executions (almost half their couple century total) since 1982- apparently doing their best to adhere to the supposed 13th century Papal decree at the Massacre at Béziers, “Caedite eos. Novit enim Dominus qui sunt eius.” This translates to, “Kill them. For the Lord knows those that are His own.” Or to put it in the form that is apparently Texas’ state motto- “Kill ’em all and let God sort ’em out.” (Joking asside, Texas’ state motto is actually the single word- “friendship”, owing to the fact that the name of the state derives from the Caddo word for “friends” or “allies”.)\nOn the note of Texas, last meals, and being friendly, in 2011 Senator John Whitmire very publicly pushed for an ultimately got the special meal requests for those about to be executed abolished, at least officially. He noted of this, “It is extremely inappropriate to give a person sentenced to death such a privilege… enough is enough… If you’re fixing to execute someone under the laws of the state because of the hideous crime that someone has committed, I’m not looking to comfort him… He didn’t give his victim any comfort or a choice of last meal.”\nThat said, proponents on the other side of that argument generally state that part of the point of offering such courtesies is to demonstrate that while the state is killing someone on behalf and with the express consent of the public as a whole, if it’s not done in a humane way, the public and the state are no better than the person being killed. As Professor Kathy Zambrana of the University of Florida sums up, “It comes down to how do you treat one human being when you’re about to take someone’s life.”\nHistory professor Daniel LaChance of Emory University further chimes in, “These last meals — and last words — show the state is democratic and respects individuality even as it’s holding people accountable. As horrible as the deed they’ve been convicted of [is], the person still has some kind of dignity that we’re acknowledging.”\nAs to what drew the ire of Senator Whitmire to come against the then almost century old Texas tradition of the last meal, it was the meal request of death row inmate Lawrence Russel Brewer, who was sentenced to death for taking part in the rather horrific and senseless racially motivated murder of James Byrd Jr in 1998. So what did Brewer ask for? A couple chicken fried steaks, a triple decker bacon cheeseburger, a beef and cheese omelet, fried okra, a full pound of BBQ, a half loaf of bread, three fajitas, and a meat lover’s pizza. For dessert, he requested a container of Blue Bell ice cream and peanut-butter fudge. To wash it all down, he asked for three root beers.\nWhen the time came, however, he ultimately ate nothing.\nThis all brings us to whether inmates can actually request and receive basically anything they want. While the media widely reports this is the case, including with this specific example of Brewer, this isn’t correct at all. In fact, in the vast majority of cases where inmates request something elaborate like this, what they actually get is just a simple, one-person version of it.\nAs famed “death row chef” Brian Price, who prepared well over 100 such meals, states, “The local newspaper would always say they got 24 tacos and 12 enchiladas, but they would actually get four tacos and two enchiladas… They only get items in the commissary kitchen. If they order lobster, they get a piece of frozen pollack. They quit serving steaks in 1994. If they order 100 tacos, they get two or three.”\nThat said other states and prisons sometimes do it differently. For example, in nearby Oklahoma, they allow the meal to be purchased from a local restaurant if desired, though capping it at … Other states that allow similar, such as Florida, are more generous, allowing for a budget of .\nOf course, as you might have guessed from all we’ve said so far, those actually involved in making or acquiring the last meal may or may not pitch in if they so choose to go beyond. For example, in Cottonport, Louisiana, when one unnamed death row inmate requested lobster, the warden at the Angola prison, Burl Cain, went ahead and paid for a full lobster dinner, with Cain then dining with the inmate. You see, much like many historical instances of this sort of thing, before Cain’s recent retirement, he would always extend an invitation to the condemned to have their last meal with him and sometimes other select guests.\nOf course, as with Susanna Brandt and Lawrence Brewer, it’s quite common for death row inmates to forgo eating their “last meal”, as the whole impending death thing generally leaves many without an appetite. To try to get around the problem, the so-called last meal is sometimes not actually the last meal at all, with it generally designated the “special meal” by prison officials. Even when it is literally the person’s last meal, it is usually scheduled far enough ahead that they might still be able to eat, but not so far away that they’ll have to go an extended time without eating before their execution. For example, in Virginia the rule is the meal must be served at least four hours before the execution. In Indiana, they go even further with the special meal often coming a few days before the big show, in a time when the person can actually enjoy it on some level.\nFor those who don’t have an appetite, they often share. For example, in places like Florida, in certain cases family or friends may be allowed to enjoy the meal with the condemned. Some inmates instead donate it to others. For example, in 1951, Raymond Fernandez, one of the “Lonely Hearts Killers” along with his lady love Martha Jule Beck, made a request that his meal be given to another inmate to enjoy.\nOn a similar note, in the early decades of this tradition in Texas, it was relatively common for the condemned to order and be given large portions of food for their special meal precisely so they could have enough to share with every other inmate on death row in the prison. This extra food request was usually honored by prison officials because it was seen not just as a mercy, but something that helped keep all those on death row in line directly before executions.\nThat said, not all inmates have trouble eating. Perhaps the most famous case of this was murderer Rickey Ray Rector. After committing two rather senseless murders, he attempted to kill himself by shooting himself in the head. However, he ended up living through the ordeal owing to shooting himself in the temple- a common way to kill one’s self in the movies, but in reality very survivable if medical aid is nearby, with the person effectively having just given themselves a lobotomy.\nDespite his rather deficient mental faculties as a result of the whole bullet through the brain thing, Rector was controversially sentenced to death. The issue became even more of a media sensation after the fact when it was learned that while he happily ate his last meal, he chose not to eat the pecan pie that he got with it. Why? He told the guards he was “saving it for later.”\nOnce again showing the humanity of the guards involved, they went ahead and saved the piece of pie just in case there was a last minute stay of execution.\nThis all brings us to what prisoners actually usually request for their last meal. While exact fare is rather diverse (for example in one case a person simply requested a “jar of pickles” according to the aforementioned Brian Price), if categorizing this into groups, it often comes down to either things you’d find at McDonald’s or KFC (or literally McDonald’s or KFC meals in many cases), something fancy, or a favorite home cooked meal from the person’s childhood or the like.\nAs for the first two categories there, it’s noted that the vast majority of death row inmates come from rather impoverished backgrounds, and thus often go with favorite food items they are accustomed to and haven’t gotten while in prison- things like fried chicken, cheeseburgers, french fries, and soda, or the like. That said, some go the other way, picking foods they couldn’t really afford when in the land of the free, or may have never even tried at all, like lobster or filet mignon. As for favorite home cooked meals, the aforementioned Brian Price states when he prepared these meals, he always did his best to make it just as the inmate described, or even potentially getting a specific recipe from the condemned’s loved ones.\nRegardless of what camp one goes with, some choose their last meal not on what they necessarily intend to eat, but rather to make a statement.\nAs for such statements, going back in time a bit in 1963, murderer Victor Feguer requested nothing more than a single solitary unpitted olive for his last meal. He then requested the seed be buried with him in the hopes that it would grow an olive tree as a symbol of peace and rebirth.\nOn a similar note, one Jonathan Wayne Nobles, who apparently had been on drugs since he was 8 years old living in foster homes, as an adult murdered two women while high on a cocktail of substances. In prison, however, he got off the drugs and became a devout Catholic and, not just model inmate, but model person. As one example, at one point he attempted to save the life of a random woman he heard about who was dying from kidney failure. However, while he did successfully find a doctor willing to perform the procedure to take one of his kidneys out and give it to the woman, it ultimately turned out the pair were did not have matching blood types and the woman died. Doubling down, Nobles later attempted to have all his organs donated after his execution, but this request was denied as Texas did not allow death row inmates to donate their organs. Going back to his last meal request, he simply asked for the Eucharist (communion).\nTo end on a lighter note- well… relatively speaking…- in the 1940s Wilson De la Roi, who murdered a man while in prison, was slated to be killed via a somewhat newly minted poison gas chamber in San Quentin. When asked what he wanted for his last meal, he merely requested a bunch of indigestion tablets. When asked why, he stated that he felt sure he was soon to have rather severe case of gas…\nThe Curious Practice of Execution By Golden Shower\nThe Teenager Who was Executed Twice - Today I Found Out\nWhat Happens if You Commit a Crime in Space? - Today I Found Out\nHow \"The Birdman of Alcatraz\" Got His Name - Today I Found Out\nWhat is the Longest Possible Prison Sentence for a Single Crime?\n‘South Park’ banned in China after most recent episode\nThe most recent episode of “South Park,” called “Band in China,” mocked Hollywood’s submission to the country. Now the long-running Comedy Central animated series has seemingly been banned in China itself.\nEpisodes, clips, and online discussions of the show have been removed from the Chinese internet, according to The Hollywood Reporter. THR reviewed the Chinese social network Weibo and found zero mention of the series; clips and episodes on Chinese streamer Youku didn’t work; and “South Park” discussion forums on Tieba had been closed.\n“According to the relevant law and regulation, this section is temporarily not open,” a note on the platform says when you search for a “South Park” discussion thread, according to THR.\nIn the episode, Hollywood wants to make a biopic of Stan Marsh’s band, but must alter the movie to fit China’s regulations. Meanwhile, Stan’s dad, Randy, attempts to sell marijuana in the country after people in South Park stop buying his and start growing their own.\nThe Return of Fingerbang – “Band in China” – s23e02 – South Park\nChina is currently the second-largest theatrical market in the world and Hollywood has increasingly relied on the country’s box office to give potential blockbusters a boost. A report from Ampere Analysis last year predicted that China would surpass the US as the world’s box office leader by 2022.\nThe “South Park” episode is heavily critical of China’s censorship and references the country’s crackdown on Winnie the Pooh imagery. After China’s ruling Communist Party announced it wanted to eliminate presidential term limits last year, photos comparing its leader Xi Jinping to Pooh popped up online.\nDisney’s “Christopher Robin,” a live-action take on the Winnie the Pooh characters, was not released in China last year because the character was such a symbol of resistance, according to THR.\nWhy the South China Sea is so crucial | Business Insider\nPentagon: China is restructuring itself for war\nChina harvesting organs of Uighur Muslims, China Tribunal tells UN ...\nThis Green Beret invented a flag that can’t – and won’t – burn\nTessa Robinson By Hope Hodge Seck\nWhen 10th Group Special Forces soldier Kyle Daniels returned from his last combat deployment, he was frustrated by what he saw. He understood that he’d been fighting for America’s freedom, including the important freedom to protest. But he didn’t like seeing the American flag burned.\nSo he did something about it.\nDaniels designed and developed a flag that will not burn. Now, after two years of research and hundreds of prototypes, on Sunday, June 14 – Flag Day 2020 – the Firebrand Flag Company will launch its first product: A first-of-its-kind, official, fire-retardant U.S. Flag made in America from the same kevlar and nomex fabric that keeps our service members and first responders safe.\nDaniels has big ambitions for his flag company. “I want Firebrand Flags to be the official flag company of the U.S.A.,” he said. “I want every home, business and government building in America to proudly fly one of our flags. And, if, for some reason, one of our enemies got ahold of one of our flags, it wouldn’t be much use as a propaganda tool. They would have to go to extreme lengths to destroy it, much like they do when they are face to face with an American service member. Old Glory can now defend itself.”\nEarly on, Daniels shared his vision with his former Green Beret commander, Jason Van Camp. Van Camp immediately invited Daniels to join his Warrior Rising incubator. Warrior Rising helps veteran entrepreneurs find mentors who can help realize their business goals and transition to the private sector. “I’ve known Kyle since the Special Forces Qualification Course. I believe in Kyle. He was a perfect fit for Warrior Rising,” Van Camp explained. “He had passion and zeal for making a flag that would literally dominate the narrative about flag burning but needed to evolve a new set of business skills to realize his vision.”\nThe mission wasn’t going to be easy. To make a flag that would look, feel and fly like a real flag but that wouldn’t burn, Daniels needed to engineer new materials and design a manufacturing process that previously didn’t exist. There were plenty of roadblocks along the way. The process to make the flag required entirely new cutting machines and the largest purchase of Kevlar fabric outside of the U.S. military. But Daniels applied the resilience he learned in the military to his business. As Daniels put it, “You have to adapt, overcome and do whatever needs to be done to accomplish the mission.”\nAt a Warrior Rising event, Kyle met yet another ex-Green Beret, Chase Millsap, the Chief Content Officer at We Are The Mighty. We Are The Mighty is a publisher and content studio focused on the military and veteran communities. Millsap loved the Firebrand mission from the outset. “We tell stories that celebrate service. Kyle’s unburnable flag is an awesome product with an amazing story.” It took Milsap no time to convince his colleagues to jump on board and the two companies have formed a partnership to bring the Firebrand Flag to market. WATM is the proud media partner of Firebrand Flags.\nGet your unburnable flag today. The first 150 orders before June 26 save , and get free shipping (a value). All orders placed by June 26 are guaranteed to arrive in time for the 4th of July.\nFIREBRAND FLAG COMPANY – Founded by Green Beret veteran Kyle Daniels, Firebrand Flags is the 1st company to develop a 100% made in America, fire retardant officials U.S. Flag.\nWARRIOR RISING – A 501c(3) which empowers U.S. military veterans and their immediate family members by providing them opportunities to create sustainable businesses, perpetuate the hiring of fellow American veterans and earn their future.\nWE ARE THE MIGHTY – Launched in 2014, We Are The Mighty (WATM) was created to give military veterans a voice to tell the most authentic, entertaining and inspirational stories about the military and by the military.\nThis ‘Ragged Old Flag’ Super Bowl commercial hit it out of the park\nThis is when to fly the flag at half-staff\nDear America: It’s time to fly your flag\n10 flag facts ​you might not know\nMarine veteran combats PTSD symptoms by serving others\nAll Green Berets are inspiring. Here are 5 of the best\nKyle Daniels - Warrior Rising\nWarrior Rising - Firebrand Flags founder, Kyle Daniels #Repost ...\nFirebrand Flags (@firebrandflags) • Instagram photos and videos\nThe Veterans Project — SSG Kyle Daniels (Army Special Operations ...\n5 simple whiskey cocktails to make this summer\nFatherly By Hope Hodge Seck\nA well-made whiskey cocktail is a nice reward at the end of any day. But sometimes classic cocktails are too much. For one thing, unless you’re a seasoned drink-slinger, many whiskey cocktails are often too complicated — or intensive — to whip up at the end of a long day (Hey if you want to shake the hell out of that classic whiskey sour, go right ahead). For another, the alcohol content of one concoction can quickly equal that of two or three regular drinks. Sometimes this is great; other times, not so much. Because while we’d like this to not be the case, “falling asleep in the chair” is not really a regular item on the nightly to-do list.\nThat’s what inspired this list of one-shot whiskey cocktails. They’re all great to sip at the end of the day but won’t put you on your ass — or require four kinds of hooch and one of those hilariously long copper mixing spoons. They’re simple, refreshing, and very drinkable. What more do you want from a summer cocktail?\n(Photo by Jessica Lewis)\n1. The Blinker\nWhat is it? The Blinker is a simple, refreshing drink made with grapefruit juice and rye whiskey. While they might not seem like the most obvious combination, one sip and it might just become your new summer go to.\nTry it with: Michter’s Rye. It’s bold enough to shine through the intensity of the grapefruit tang.\nHow to make a Blinker:\n1-2oz Rye\n2-3oz fresh grapefruit juice\n1oz raspberry syrup\nInstructions: Shake over ice and strain into a coupe glass.\n2. Bourbon and Georgia Peach Coca-Cola\nWhat is it? A way better version of the classic whiskey and Coke.\nTry it with: Knob Creek. The strong vanilla notes compliment the peach flavoring.\nHow to make a Bourbon and Georgia Peach Coca-Cola:\n1-2oz Knob Creek Bourbon\n4-6oz Georgia Peach Coca-Cola\nGarnish with a fresh slice of peach\nInstructions: Fill a highball glass with ice and add all the ingredients.\n(Photo by Johann Trasch)\n3. The Bourbon Bloody Mary\nWhat is it? The vodka brunch classic made with bourbon. Whiskey gives the drink a subtle hint of smoke and more depth than the original.\nTry it with: Bulleit Bourbon. The whiskey’s citrus and spice notes accentuate the punch of the tomato and the heat of the hot sauce.\nHow to Make a Bourbon Bloody Mary:\n1-2oz bourbon\n4oz Bloody Mary mix (we like McClure’s)\nA few generous dashes of Worcestershire sauce\nDash of Tapatio hot sauce\nGarnish with black pepper and a kosher pickle spear\nInstructions: Fill a highball glass with ice and add all ingredients. Stir.\n4. Japanese Highball\nWhat is it? A whisky-soda with a rock and roll kick. A good Japanese malt gives this classic a radically different profile.\nTry it with: Nikka Coffey Malt Whisky. The whisky is fruity and floral and the tiny bubbles from the soda atomize the nose to create a fragrantly charming and refreshing cocktail\nHow to make a Japanese Highball:\n1-2oz whisky\n4oz club soda\nInstructions: Fill a Collins glass with ice. Add ingredients. Stir briefly.\n(Photo by Adam Jaime)\n5. The Single Malt Old Fashioned\nWhat is it? It’s just an Old Fashioned made with Scotch instead of rye or bourbon. The Old Fashioned is a perfect cocktail and normally we don’t like to tinker with perfection. But, variety is the spice of life and Scotch is, and always will be our first love.\nTry it with: Ardbeg 10. This single malt adds a big peaty smoke as well as a touch of salt and pepper for a more layered drink.\nHow to make a Single Malt Old Fashioned:\n1-2oz Single Malt Scotch\n2-3 Dashes of bitters\n1 Tsp of simple syrup\nTop with 1oz club soda\nInstructions: Fill a rocks glass with ice. Add the ingredients.\n5 rye whiskies you should sip on this summer\n6 awesome items from ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’ we want in real life\nThe best beers to drink with your favorite Halloween candy\nDisneyland Will Serve Alcohol in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge | Fatherly\nScience Says Light Drinking During Pregnancy is Fine. Just Take it ...\nThe US Space Force just got its first leader\nDepartment of Defense By Hope Hodge Seck\nVice President Mike Pence swore in Air Force Gen. John W. “Jay” Raymond as the highest-ranking military leader of the newly created U.S. Space Force in a ceremony that recognized the arrival of the nation’s newest military branch.\nRaymond was formally designated the first chief of space operations in a formal ceremony sponsored by the White House and held at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. It came less than a month after the Space Force, by law, became the sixth independent branch of the U.S. military, marking the first time since 1947 that a new military branch had been created.\n“The first decision the president made after establishing the Space Force was deciding who should be its first leader,” Pence said. “I was around when the President made that decision and I can tell you, he never hesitated. He knew right away there was no one more qualified or more prepared from a lifetime of service than General Jay Raymond to serve as the first leader of the Space Force.”\nGen. John W. “Jay” Raymond addresses the audience in the Executive Eisenhower Office Building Washington after being sworn in as the first chief of space operations by Vice President Mike Pence, Jan 14, 2020.\n(Photo by Andy Morataya, Air Force)\nThe Space Force was established Dec. 20 when President Donald J. Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act. He also appointed Raymond to lead the Space Force. Although directed by its own military leadership, the Space Force is nested within the Department of the Air Force.\nRaymond noted the historic nature of the moment. “Not only is this historical; it’s critical,” he said. “That is not lost on me or the outstanding Americans who serve with me.”\nThe Space Force’s overarching responsibility is training, equipping and organizing a cadre of space professionals who protect U.S. and allied interests in space while also providing space capabilities to the joint force. The Space Force’s mandate includes developing military space professionals, acquiring military space systems, refining military doctrine for space power, and organizing space forces for use by combatant commands.\nA major reason for creating the Space Force is the importance of space for both national security and everyday life. It is the backbone that allows for instant communication worldwide, precision navigation and global commerce. The U.S. Space Force will ensure the country’s continued leadership in space, Raymond said. Equally important, he added, is avoiding conflict in space.\n“We want to deter that conflict from happening,” he said. “The best way I know how to do that is through a position of strength.”\nAmong those attending the ceremony were Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper, Deputy Defense Secretary of Defense David L. Norquist, Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein and Air Force Gen. John E. Hyten, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as Adm. Charles Ray, vice commandant of the Coast Guard; Navy Adm. Michael Gilday, chief of naval operations; and Air Force Gen. Joseph L. Lengyel, chief of the National Guard Bureau.\nFaculty members and cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy wait to receive “first contact” from the cadet-designed FalconSAT-6 satellite after its successful launch into space, Dec. 3, 2018.\n(Photo by Joshua Armstrong, Air Force)\n“We are moving forward with alacrity and in accordance with presidential direction, the law, and DOD guidance,” Barrett said about the establishment of the new U.S. Space Force. “Directing this effort is the incomparably qualified leader, General ‘Jay’ Raymond. As a career space officer, he’s the perfect person to guide this lean, agile, vital Space Force.”\nRaymond was the natural choice for the job. He is the commander of the U.S. Space Command; the nation’s unified command for space.\nBefore his new role, Raymond was the commander of Air Force Space Command, which carried the nation’s primary military focus on space, managing a constellation of satellites, developing policy and programs and training frontline space operators. Air Force Space Command was redesignated as the U.S. Space Force under the recently passed NDAA.\nMore broadly, the Space Force is responsible for maintaining the United States’ space superiority, even as space becomes more crowded and contested. The NDAA, which created the Space Force, also directs that the Space Force “shall provide the freedom of operation in, from, and to space, while providing prompt and sustained space operations.”\n(Charles Pope is assigned to the Secretary of the Air Force Office of Public Affairs. Air Force Maj. Will Russell contributed to this report.)\nThis article originally appeared on Department of Defense.\nThe Air Force issues its first Space Force guidance\nRussia is now talking tough with its Space Force response\nCommanders are excited about US Space Force\nThis Coastie and musician won the chance of a lifetime\nShannon Corbeil By Hope Hodge Seck\nU.S. Coast Guardsman Bobby “Blackhat” Walters is the epitome of “cool cat.”\nHe’s a Coastal Virginia Bluesman and an award-winning recording artist, harmonica player, vocalist, songwriter, producer, comedian, and actor. He’s also the winner of the 2017 Mission: Music competition that found incredible musicians from the military community, sent them to Nashville for a professional video shoot at the iconic Ocean Way Nashville Recording Studios, then introduced them America, who voted for which artist would take the stage at Base*FEST Powered by USAA.\nWalters’ blues and contagious laughter carried him all over the country and right up to that stage, along with headliners Thompson Square and DNCE.\n“You know, when you’re going up onto that stage, and the first thing you worry about is ‘please don’t let me trip,'” he laughed. “But then I gathered everyone around me together and I said, ‘Okay guys, rule number one: have fun.'”\nAlso read: The votes are in – this Coastie is the MISSION: MUSIC winner\nFor many veterans, who put their creative careers on hold when they join the military, building an artistic life can be challenging. Opportunities like Mission: Music give talented service members a helpful boost as a way of thanking them for that service. Nationwide coverage and the chance to play at an event with major headliners can be a game-changer.\nWalters called the experience one of the highlights of his musical career.\n“They say you get the rockstar treatment, well, we got the ‘blues star’ treatment!”\nFollow Walters’ journey from the U.S. Coast Guard to the blues, to competing in Mission: Music and receiving that victory call, all the way to the stage at Naval Air Station Pensacola and his meeting with Thompson Square in the video below:\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvbQUBaGlwo\n(Bobby Blackhat slays at Base*FEST Powered by USAA)\nA mass murderer allegedly learned to kill from an Army vet-turned hitman\nThe story of Robert Prongay gets more confusing the more anyone retells it, but it all begins with prolific serial killer and alleged mafia hitman, Richard Kuklinski. Known as “The Iceman” for masking his victims’ times of death by freezing their corpses, Kuklinski claimed to have killed more than 100 people for the five families of the New York City mafia — and he claimed to have learned his skills from a Special Forces veteran.\nKuklinski was only ever convicted of five murders, but it was enough to put him away for the rest of his days. These victims were small-time drug and porn dealers in the mid-1980s. In one of those murders, he used a hamburger laced with cyanide, a murder technique he picked up from a man he described as a Special Force veteran-turned-ice cream man, Robert Prongay.\n“He taught me a lot,” Kuklinski once said. “But he was extremely crazy… he’d go into these neighborhoods and sell ice cream to the kids, then maybe kill one of their fathers.“\nProngay was played by Chris Evans in the 2013 movie about Kuklinski, ‘The Iceman.’\nKuklinski was known as “The Iceman” to law enforcement and Prongay was called “Mister Softee.” According to Kuklinski, the two men met at a New Jersey motel while stalking the same mark. They summed each other up and realized they were both contract killers. Prongay told Kuklinski he was an Army Special Forces veteran, trained in using explosives and poisons.\nIn Kuklinski’s words, Prongay used his ice cream truck as a surveillance van to follow around his potential victims, whom he would kill using aerosol cyanide and remotely-detonated grenades. It was from Prongay that Kuklinski said he learned to freeze bodies to mask time of death.\nA man who is allegedly Robert Prongay serving ice cream from his Mister Softee truck.\nNot much is really known about the real Prongay. Kuklinski claimed to have a very firm moral code when it came to killing. He could kill anyone without feeling anything at all, but he wouldn’t kill innocent women and children. The Iceman claimed that Mister Softee asked Kuklinski to kill his wife and young son for him, which Kuklinski declined. When Prongay began to talk about poisoning an entire reservoir just to kill one family, Kuklinski shot him.\nThe only verification that Prongay existed and may have known Kuklinski is that an ice-cream man by the name of Robert Prongay was killed in his ice cream truck, shot twice in the chest. On Aug. 9, 1984, his body was found hanging out the side of his ice cream truck. The real Prongay, it turns out, was facing trial in New Jersey for bombing the front house ex-wife and making terrorist threats against his ex-wife and son.\nBefore murdering Prongay, the Iceman and Mister Softee teamed up on a few occasions. An HBO Documentary in 2001 found old film reels of Prongay and called him an “Army demolitions expert,” a claim verified by Paul Smith of the New Jersey Organize Crime Bureau.\n“It is our opinion,” Smith told HBO, “that friendship led to Richard Kuklinski learning a lot about killing with different types of chemicals, including cyanide.”\nIn reality, Kuklinski made a lot of claims about himself and his famous hits. He was convicted of killing the members of a small-time burglary gang he led in New Jersey, along with one of his cyanide suppliers. The claims of the people he worked for and murdered makes his resume sound like one of the most prolific hitmen in the history of the American mafia. If you believe Kuklinski, he was recruited by Gambino capo Roy DeMeo, who gave Kuklinski his death orders.\nKuklinski claimed the murder of NYPD detective Peter Calabro, a murder in which Gambino underboss Sammy “The Bull” Gravano was also charged. The Iceman also claimed the death of Roy DeMeo and claimed to be involved in John Gotti’s famous hit on Gambino boss Paul Castellano. The only mafia hit law enforcement really related to Kuklinski was that of Calabro.\nKuklinski claimed to have killed some 100-250 people between 1948 and 1986 but his claims varied wildly in later years, as some of them were unverifiable and others were found to be complete fabrications (he claimed to have killed famous disappearing act Jimmy Hoffa, for example). Renowned mafia writers and historians claim to never have heard of Kuklinski.\nIf Kuklinski’s claims are true, he would be the most prolific serial killer in American history.\nRichard Kuklinski, 70, a Killer of Many People and Many Ways, Dies ...\nRichard Kuklinski: The Mafia “Iceman” And His Stone-Cold Heart ...\nRichard \"The Iceman\" Kuklinski - Organized Crime - Biography","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line857622"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8545668125152588,"wiki_prob":0.8545668125152588,"text":"Five Things We Learned – Manchester United vs West Ham [Away]\nDate: 18th April 2013 at 3:47am\nWritten by: Saad Noor\n“Great game lad, now you’re coming off…”\n1) All we need is Shinji Kagawa\nKagawa was our best attacking player by far in an evening where we were far from our free-flowing best. The Japanese international showed glimpses of the player he is destined to be as he drifted in from the left always looking to create openings and open up the West Ham defence. He was instrumental in both of the goals; first dropping his shoulder to leave James Collins on his backside before squaring to Antonio Valencia, it was his nifty footwork that led to our second equaliser of the night when he weaved out of a tight spot to get a brilliant shot away which hit off the woodwork before Robin van Persie pounced. In both instances Kagawa showed the difference he can make in the final third when playing off the front man but also displayed his ability to be creative from a wide position. He has been deployed on the flank this season simply because our actual wingers have had indifferent campaigns due to poor form, injuries or a combination of the two. Antonio Valencia was better than he has been recently but that isn’t saying much as he has endured an extremely poor season. The Ecuadorian has become predictable and seems to lack confidence when taking players on. He did well to make the run for his goal, his first in a year, but still doesn’t look like the player he was at that time.\nNani and Ashley Young have also struggled this season which has meant Kagawa has had to fill in on the left which hasn’t enabled him to deliver the consistently outstanding performances he showed in the Bundesliga last season. His overall performance was impressive as he often tracked back to help out against a West Ham team that were dangerous on the counter but if we are to see the best of him, he’ll need to be played in his preferred position.\n2) Phil Jones becoming the new O’Shea\nWhile we’re on the topic of playing players out of their natural and/or preferred position, a quick word on our number 4. I know he can “do a job” in midfield but he has produced his best performances in a red shirt in defence. It is obvious, even to Fergie now, that we lack bite in the middle of the park but to put Jones in there is unfair as the 21-year-old is more suited to playing in defence.\nIn the last three games he has started at centre back, right back and in midfield which would be disorientating for a seasoned professional, let alone a relatively inexperienced youngster. Sir Alex has talked him up recently as an “animal for football” and that “he can play anywhere” but those comments came across as a sweetener for Jones to accept his role as the new utility man that the manager likes to have. He had Phil Neville and then, most notably, John O’Shea who filled this role to play in a number of positions which eventually saw both players deprived of a regular starting position as they never had the opportunity to nail down a regular spot in the team.\nJones is in danger of following in their footsteps as the game seemed to pass him by when up against a powerful Mohamed Diame and his positional sense was not as it was against Manchester City. I personally feel, as does the man himself, that Jones is a centre-back and until he gets regular action there, he will also be unable to fulfill his potential at United.\n3) Wayne Rooney needs to be dropped\nRooney was rightly brought off by the manager as the England forward grew visibly frustrated with his inability to have an effect on the game and it’s time he is dropped for his lacklustre showings. Granted, he also has been moved around the pitch a lot lately (notice a pattern here?) but the man who is supposed to be after a new contract has to prove his worth if he is to be offered similar terms he is on at the moment. It’s been a strange season for Rooney as his importance to the team has somewhat diminished with the arrivals of Kagawa and van Persie so it seems he is unsure of what his role in this new team is. He played in midfield against Stoke and dropped very deep again against West Ham as United struggled to put sustained pressure on the home side’s defence. Fergie should take the opportunity on Monday to give Rooney a break (regardless of what the press read into it) and give Welbeck the chance to play as a striker which he hasn’t been doing (another victim of the wingers’ form).\n4) De Gea can handle a bit of rough and tumble\nDavid De Gea has often been criticised for being unable to deal with crosses and set-pieces but he showed both against West Ham and Stoke that he has grown used to the style of these types of teams and is much more confident when balls come into the box from wide positions. He has been one of our most improved players this term and showed his character when recovering from an assault by Andy Carroll. Luckily, Nemanja Vidic had an ongoing battle with the on-loan Liverpool striker and kept him at bay for the majority of the game. If Vidic had been available last season, De Gea may not have been exposed to the threats from aerial balls that he had been vulnerable to as the captain showed in the last two games that it is a centre-back’s responsibility to protect his goalkeeper from such aggressive advances. The manager singled him out for praise afterwards and the Spaniard is finally getting the plaudits he deserves from those outside the club too.\n5) We can win it on Monday\nA lot of Reds were understandably unhappy with our display against West Ham but considering we went behind twice and our second equaliser was arguably offside, it was a good point. Also, if City lose to Spurs on Sunday and we overcome strugglers Aston Villa on Monday night, number 20 will be finally in the bag. Smile guys, we’re nearly there.\n@saadnoor","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1514354"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6486504077911377,"wiki_prob":0.6486504077911377,"text":"Reston Limousine listed as one of the Largest Woman-Owned Businesses in Greater D.C.\nOctober 19, 2018 | By Marketing\nReston Limousine is proud to be listed as one of the Largest Woman-Owned Businesses in the Greater D.C. Area, by the Washington Business Journal\nView the list here.\nUnder the leadership of President and CEO Kristina Bouweiri, Reston Limousine has grown from five vehicles in 1990 to a $26 million company with more than 240 sedans, SUVs, limousines, vans, and buses. The award-winning transportation operator services the Washington metropolitan area and beyond, 24/7 from its headquarters in Dulles, Virginia, and locations in Fairfax as well as offices in Capitol Heights, National Harbor, Maryland. Most visibly branded through the shuttle bus routes it operates for George Mason University, Howard University and other public and private institutions, Reston Limousine also provides the full spectrum of charter services including winery and brewery tours, DC sightseeing excursions, airport transfers, corporate and event transportation, and more.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line949410"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5994673371315002,"wiki_prob":0.5994673371315002,"text":"STEMulate Learning\n\"Where STEM Begins with Math\"\nDenise Peoples\nChief Educational Officer (CEO)\nDenise Peoples was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She attended California State University, Fullerton where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications with an emphasis in Marketing. She was awarded a scholarship to UCLA’s Anderson School of Business where she obtained her certification in “Management Development of Entrepreneurs’.\n​Prior to opening STEMulate Learning, I owned an Executive Search firm for many years placing Nuclear Engineers and Technology professionals in STEM careers all over the country. I could not understand why it was such a struggle to find talent in the United States. In many cases, I hired professionals from China and India because we could not find subject matter expertise in in our own country. This discovery led me to take a deeper dive into the “Why” which revealed a knowledge and achievement gap in STEM subjects such as Math and Science which needed to be addressed. At that moment, my passion and purpose was revealed. I closed my brick and mortar and opened STEMulate Learning and have never looked back!\nSeeking to understand, my travels took me all over the United States speaking to esteemed educators who shared their perspectives, acknowledging that teachers have content knowledge, but struggle to make a connection with children in Math and Science. They do not know how to make Math and Science fun, engaging and rigorous. My business partner and mentor said, “Teachers teach how they were taught, good and bad”. “In turn, they teach their students the same”. As instructional coaches, we conducted discovery-based orientations with each teacher we worked with that proved his conclusion. As we walked classroom to classroom it became apparent that the missing ingredients is cultural relevance, social emotional learning, and growth mindsets in 95% of the districts we served.\nIntentionally leveraging my background as a Master Recruiter, I began to hire Math and Science instructional coaches that look like many of the children present in 90% of the districts we serve. Our instructional scholars joined forces with STEMulate Learning on a quest to make learning culturally relevant, social emotional, rigorous and most of all FUN!\nIn doing just that, we continue to bridge the learning gaps and students scores began to soar!\nUltimately, our goal is to help 1 million children find their love of Math and Science by supporting both teachers and students. WE WON’T STOP UNTIL OUR KIDS REACH THE TOP!\n#21stCenturySTEMCareers/ #EducationalGameChangers/ #EducationalFuturist\nAMARE EL JAMII\nHometown: Waterbury, Conn\nAssociate Degree: Mathematics & Computer Information Systems - Graphic Design\nBachelor Degree: Statistics & Applied Mathematics\nAfter working for a number of years in multiple industries, Amare El Jamii enrolled in community college with the intent on pursuing a more fulfilling career. He obtained his associate degrees in both Mathematics and Computer Information Systems and his bachelor degrees in Statistics and Applied Mathematics from Norco College and UCLA respectfully. Since graduation in 2013 he has worked in education, specifically with students from underrepresented communities. His work experience includes Non-profit organizations, Norco Community College, CSULB and UCLA. He is currently a partner in an educational consulting company named Cultivating Hope and also holds a position at Bridges Academic Center of Excellence as a Program Director where he oversees a number of college-bound based programs for local students in the Carson, Long Beach, South LA, Compton and the Watts communities.\nBARAK BOMANI\nBarak has over 20 years of experience in public and private education. He has served as a tutor, teacher, vice principal and principal for grades 6 through 12 with a 100% four-year college acceptance rate for his graduating classes of black and brown students. Barak consults in education with school districts throughout California in Oakland, Compton, Los Angeles, Long Beach and Riverside to improve educational outcomes for students of color. Numerous organizations have invited him to speak including the internationally acclaimed House of Blues Foundation. Barak was awarded a commendation by the Mayor of Inglewood for his service to the city’s youth and also recognized with proclamations by California Senator Don Perata and former Mayor Jerry Brown for his educational leadership in his hometown East Oakland. Barak co-founded Unearth and Empower Communities, a 501 c3 non profit organization dedicated to mentoring and teaching literacy, entrepreneurship and arts education to K-12 students in Compton. He is the visionary behind Cultivating Hope, an educational consulting company that coaches educators to build the whole village through Math Proficiency, Equity, Diversity & Race and Social Emotional Learning. Barak earned his Bachelor of Arts in English from Dartmouth College and his Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from San Jose State University, where he graduated with highest honors. Barak is currently working on his Doctorate in Ministry to provide affordable resources to communities interested in building the whole person through education. Barak is married and is the father of two sons.\nCAROL DUDEN\nCarol has a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and is K-12 Math,\nK-8 Science certified. She as four years middle school and high school teaching experience, and over 30 years process engineering, quality engineering expertise in Project Management/Team Leadership. Carol’s passion has always been to teach, and whether she’s working, supporting her family or involved in community service, her mantra has been “to help students see math and explain the basics involved and that will build the foundation for them to succeed!!!\nMy passion for physics and math has allowed me to complete a B.S. in Physics at UC Santa Cruz and a M.S. in Physics at UC San Diego. My educational background therefore was highly math intensive and has given me wide knowledge and experience with advanced math subjects including Statistics, Calculus, Algebra, Complex Analysis, and many others.\nDuring my four years at UC San Diego, I served as a teaching assistant, running the physics lab and giving lectures. That experience developed my ability to communicate complicated subject matter to students who felt uncomfortable with physics and math.\nI also worked at the Cambridge Learning Center, JEI Learning Center and Sylvan Learning Center, helping K-12 students with all subjects. In these positions I helped students understand and conceptualize SAT/ACT/ISEE math, AP Statistics, AP Calculus, AP Physics, and all other standard math curricula including the Integrated Math 1, 2, and 3.\nZEUS CUBIAS\nMy journey towards seeking educational fairness for underrepresented people started when I was a student at Alain Leroy Locke High School, one of the lowest performing schools in the country in one of the toughest neighborhoods in the state. I got accepted to every college and university I applied to and it was during that decision-making period that I made the realization that would not only affect my next steps but my career path as well. I decided to become a teacher and return to Locke to serve my brothers and sisters. I also decided I would attend UC Santa Barbara because of the excellent reputation of their educational program.\nAfter graduation, I kept my word and returned to Locke High School to teach mathematics. To improve my practice and increase my impact, I attended job fairs which led to becoming a master teacher for the UCLA Graduate School of Education. This had a snowball effect across other departments, and by 2007, nearly 60% of Locke’s staff was not only fully credentialed, but had reached senior status within the teacher’s union.\nI was eventually offered an assistant principal position at Locke under Green Dot, followed by a move to Dean of Culture at Esperanza High School. Through these various experiences I’ve come to realize that the key to improving education for underrepresented students lies in the preparation and retention of the staff that’s there to serve them. This is why I joined the STEMulate Learning team. I fully believe the organization is providing a service to teachers and students needs it most, and I also believe I have much to contribute to help achieve the organization's goals.\nKen “Coach” Collins\nKen Collins was born in the Kenilworth Projects of Washington, DC, raised in Louisiana, and attended high school in New York City. He moved to Los Angeles to attend UCLA where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics/Sociology, and later a Masters of Education from the UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information, where my undergraduate and graduate course work included courses in Mathematics, Sociology, Naval Science, Russian Literature and Language, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, and Secondary Education. Prior to his teaching career, Mr. Collins served as a Naval Cryptologist (CTI), working throughout North Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. His classroom teaching career includes 30 years of service with Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD), Green Dot Charter Schools, and the Los Angeles Catholic Archdiocese where he served as Department Chair, Director of Curriculum, and Instructional Coach. Mr. Collins’ respect and passion for mathematics, including the beauty and power imbedded in it, led him to create a tutorial company, Intense Algebra, LLC, which provides math, language, science and life-skills to underserved students and their families. Since its inception in 2013, his vision resulted in over 500 students being mentored and led to acceptances at colleges and universities to include: Columbia, Georgetown, George Washington University, Harvard, Indiana, John Hopkins, Loyola (Chicago), MIT, Notre Dame, Stanford, Tulane, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Los Angeles, University of Pennsylvania, US Naval Academy, USC, Yale, and a host of others. At the middle school level, Mr. Collins, personally, implemented and monitored common core curriculum for public, parochial, and private school systems and prepared students for the Mathematics portion of the Los Angeles Archdiocese's annual Academic Decathlon (ACADECA) competition. My students almost always received their first choices for high school to include: Archer, Bishop Montgomery, CAMS, Chadwick, Crossroads, Harvard-Westlake, Immaculate Heart, Loyola, Mayfield, Notre Dame, Orange Lutheran, Providence, Ribet, Rolling Hills Prep, Saint John Bosco, and countless more. In all the above, I set high standards for my students with a casual but focused (intense) attitude, regardless of their starting point!\nTaquan S. Stewart, Ed.D.\nDr. Stewart obtained his undergraduate degree in Physics from the University of Delaware. From there he worked with the United States Army, in the area of Interior Ballistics. After a short time in Interior Ballistics, he turned his attention to teaching. He began teaching secondary school science in the Christina School District (Delaware). He then brought his passion to Los Angeles, where he taught physics, science and math. While teaching Taquan earned his Master’s in Education and Administrative Policy Studies, and his Doctorate in Educational Leadership. From 2007 through 2012 Dr. Stewart served as a secondary principal in South Los Angeles. He currently serves as Faculty Advisor for the CalStateTEACH and Los Angeles Urban Teacher Residency (LAUTR) programs. In addition, he serves as Program Director for Project Youth California– a non-profit organization designed to provide additional educational services to underserved youth of the Los Angeles Metropolitan area. Dr. Stewart has also held seats on several boards, and consistently mentor’s youth.\nAn educator for 29 years, Dr. Stewart’s interests lay in the opportunity gap in science, math, urban education, culturally sustaining pedagogy, and the preschool to prison pipeline. In 2017 Dr. Stewart released Thoughts of a Ghetto Scatterbrain: The EP – a text using the intersection of science fiction and critical race to jump start the minds of educators (teachers, administrators, parents, family and community members) to dream of possibilities not always considered. In the same year he released a book of poetry, Penumbra: Me, My Shadow, and the Artificial Light Source.\nAs a teacher educator, Dr. Stewart stresses a humanizing pedagogy.\nDPeoples@STEMulateLearning.net\n- Educational Consulting\n- Parent Engagement and Education\n- Leadership training​\n© 2019 STEMulate Learning, LLC","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line466146"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6496936082839966,"wiki_prob":0.3503063917160034,"text":"Succinic anhydride has been described as insoluble or very slightly soluble in water and is inherently unstable in aqueous media, rapidly hydrolyzing to form succinic acid. This behaviour was confirmed during an attempted hydrolysis study. Therefore the behaviour of the substance succinic acid was investigated.\nThe ready biodegradability of succinic acid was determined by measurement of the dissolved organi carbon content (DOC) at frequesnt intervals over a period of 28 days using OECD guideline 301E. The reference substance (sodium benzoate) was degraded by 95.9% within 14 days. A toxic control containing the reference substance and succinic acid indicated no inhibition of microbial activity due to the test substance.\nThe test substance, Succinic acid, with a nominal starting concentration of 20 mg DOC/L was degraded by 96.6 % after 28 days of incubation at a mean temperature of 21.6°C. The \"10-d window\" as defined by the guidelines started at approximately Day 1. 70 % degradation was exceeded at about Day 4.\nAccording to the guideline, succinic acid is readily biodegradable. Consequently, it can be safely assumed that succinic anhydride is also readily biodegradable.\nAs succinic anhydride is readily biodegradable, no further biodegradation tests in soil or aquatic systems are necessary.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line505454"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9796188473701477,"wiki_prob":0.9796188473701477,"text":"Fortnite’s New Season Delayed A Third Time\n‘Fortnite’ season three has been delayed yet again. Image Source/ Bang Showbiz The online battle royale game has announced the third delay to its launch of season three, after it was originally supposed to launch season 3 on April 30 before developers at Epic Games said they were pushing it back by over a month […]\n‘Fortnite’ season three has been delayed yet again.\nThe online battle royale game has announced the third delay to its launch of season three, after it was originally supposed to launch season 3 on April 30 before developers at Epic Games said they were pushing it back by over a month to June 4.\nLast month, Epic moved the launch date back a second time to June 11, and on Thursday (04.06.20), another delay was revealed, making the new launch date one week later on June 17.\nAccording to a statement from Epic Games, the current delay is due to “recent events”, including the death of George Floyd and the subsequent protests across America in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.\nTheir message read:\n“[These events] are a heavy reminder of ongoing injustices in society, from the denial of basic human rights to the impact of racism both overt and subtle against people of colour.”\nMeanwhile, Epic’s previous delay was said to give the developers more time to “get everything ready” for the launch.\nIn a statement, they said:\n“In an effort to get everything ready for Chapter 2 – Season 3, we’re extending Season 2 by one week. The new launch day of Season 3 will be Thursday, June 11.”\nBut to keep everyone’s spirits high before the new launch, Epic have also announced a special one-off live event called ‘The Device’, which will start at 2pm ET (7pm GMT) on June 6.\nThey added:\n“Also make sure to check out a one-time-only live event called The Device, now scheduled for Saturday, June 6 at 2 PM ET (please show up 30 minutes early to help secure your spot, space is limited!).”","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line682638"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7759346961975098,"wiki_prob":0.7759346961975098,"text":"NY Supreme Ct.\nIN RE: Paula CRISELL\nIN RE: Paula CRISELL, Appellant, v. Sandra FLETCHER et al., Respondents, et al., Respondent. (Proceeding No. 1.)\nIN RE: Sandra Fletcher et al., Respondents, et al., Respondent, v. Paula Crisell, Appellant. (Proceeding No. 2.)\nBefore: Egan Jr., J.P., Clark, Mulvey, Aarons and Pritzker, JJ. Monique B. McBride, Albany, for appellant. Monica V. Carrascoso, Cooperstown, for Sandra Fletcher and another, respondents. Larisa Obolensky, Delhi, attorney for the child.\nAppeals (1) from an order of the Family Court of Delaware County (Rosa, J.), entered August 10, 2017, which dismissed petitioner's application, in proceeding No. 1 pursuant to Family Ct Act article 6, to compel respondents to comply with a prior order, and (2) from an order of said court, entered August 10, 2017, which dismissed petitioners' application, in proceeding No. 2 pursuant to Family Ct Act article 6, to modify a prior order of visitation.\nPaula Crisell (hereinafter the mother) and Barry Fletcher Jr. (hereinafter the father) are the parents of a son (born in 2005). Sandra Fletcher and Barry Fletcher Sr. (hereinafter collectively referred to as the grandparents) are the child's paternal grandparents and share joint legal custody of him with the father. Pursuant to a December 2016 order entered on consent, the mother had supervised therapeutic visitations with the child and the child's counselor once a week on a biweekly basis and, if the mother appeared at such visitations consecutively for four times, the mother would then have visitations with the child on alternate weekends. If, however, the mother did not complete the four consecutive therapeutic visitations, the mother's visitation would be suspended until a further court order. The mother completed the first three therapeutic visitations but encountered a scheduling issue with respect to the fourth visitation. In March 2017, the mother commenced proceeding No. 1 seeking to direct the grandparents to facilitate the fourth visitation. The grandparents opposed and, in proceeding No. 2, cross-petitioned to modify the December 2016 order by terminating or modifying the mother's visitation with the child.\nAt a May 2017 appearance, the grandparents indicated a willingness to have the mother repeat the four consecutive, biweekly therapeutic visits. The mother, however, refused and argued that she should not have to restart the four visits. Family Court encouraged the parties to continue the therapeutic visits and, pending the fact-finding hearing, permitted the mother to have phone contact with the child twice a week. A fact-finding hearing commenced in June 2017, wherein the parties agreed to call a witness out of turn and proceed first with evidence on the grandparents' cross petition. The sole witness who testified was the child's counselor and, after the completion of his testimony, the hearing was adjourned to August 2017.\nAt the August 2017 hearing date, the mother's counsel appeared but the mother was not present. The mother's counsel initially explained that he did not know where the mother was and that he had not heard from her since the June 2017 hearing date. The grandparents thereafter moved to dismiss the mother's petition for failure to prosecute. After some further discussion, Family Court stated that it would adjourn the matter for approximately 20 minutes and, if the mother had not appeared by then, her petition would be dismissed. Following the adjournment, the mother's counsel advised the court that he had just spoken with the mother, who explained that she could not be in attendance because she had just started a new job. When asked by the court whether he could proceed without the mother, the mother's counsel responded, “To the extent I can,” and indicated that the mother wanted him to call the grandparents as witnesses. The grandparents objected on the basis that they would not be able to defend against the mother's petition without her presence. In response, Family Court noted, “I don't know that [the mother] can prove her case, that's the problem.” After hearing more argument, Family Court granted the grandparents' motion to dismiss based upon the mother's failure to prosecute. This dismissal was embodied in an August 2017 order issued in proceeding No. 1. In view of the dismissal of the mother's petition, the grandparents withdrew their cross petition (proceeding No. 2), and the dismissal was embodied in a separate August 2017 order. These appeals by the mother ensued.1\nWe agree with the mother that Family Court's determination in proceeding No. 1 to dismiss her petition on the basis of failure to prosecute was erroneous. Although the mother was not present at the August 2017 hearing date, her absence was explained, albeit at the last minute, by her counsel, and counsel was ready to call the grandparents as witnesses as directed by the mother.2 Notwithstanding counsel's intent to do so and before the close of all proof, Family Court expressed an opinion about the mother's ability to prove her case, never permitted the mother's counsel to offer testimonial proof and subsequently dismissed the mother's petition. Under these circumstances, we find that there was no failure by the mother to prosecute her petition (see Matter of Simmons v. Ford, 163 AD3d 685, 685 [2018]; Matter of Latanya C., 37 AD3d 716, 716 [2007] ), and Family Court erred in dismissing it (see Matter of Shevon C., 163 A.D.2d 14, 15 [1990] ). Accordingly, the matter must be remitted to continue the fact-finding hearing on the mother's petition. In view of the foregoing, the mother's remaining contentions are academic.\nORDERED that the order in proceeding No. 1 is reversed, on the law, without costs, and matter remitted to the Family Court of Delaware County for further proceedings not inconsistent with this Court's decision.\nORDERED that the appeal in proceeding No. 2 is dismissed, without costs.\n1. The mother's appeal from the order entered in proceeding No. 2 must be dismissed because she is not aggrieved by such order (see CPLR 5511).\n2. For these reasons, we find that the mother did not default and that the appeal from the order in proceeding No. 1 is properly before us (see Matter of Harris–Wilks v. Harris, 56 AD3d 1063, 1063–1064 [2008] ).\nAarons, J.\nEgan Jr., J.P., Clark, Mulvey and Pritzker, JJ., concur.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line325799"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9293199181556702,"wiki_prob":0.9293199181556702,"text":"Black lawmakers boycott conference over state flag\nby Adam Ganucheau May 1, 2017 January 11, 2021\nRep. Sonya Williams-Barnes, D-Gulfport, spoke about closing the gender pay gap during a news conference on Wednesday. Credit: Rogelio V. Solis, AP\nThe Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus announced Monday it will skip the Southern Legislative Conference, which will be held this year in Biloxi, because of the state flag.\nThe 51 members of the black caucus said they would boycott this year’s conference because Mississippi leaders have failed to address changing the state flag, which is the last in the country containing the Confederate battle emblem.\nThe caucus expressed disappointment with House Speaker Philip Gunn and the Southern Legislative Conference for choosing to host its conference in Mississippi because of the flag.\nThe Southern Legislative Conference, chaired this year by Gunn, is a coalition of state legislators who meet annually to discuss policy work inside statehouses across the South.\n“A stronger statement would have been to conduct the 2017 meeting in another state,” wrote Rep. Sonya Williams-Barnes, D-Gulfport, in a letter to Gunn. “As a body, the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus voted to boycott this year’s SLC meeting. We believe participation at the meeting would send a message of support for the continued use of the Confederate flag.”\nLast session, lawmakers filed 22 bills dealing with the state flag in some manner. All died in committee.\nTwelve bills, all drafted by black Democrats, proposed a new state flag, while seven bills, all drafted by white Republicans, would impose statutory punishments for governmental entities refusing to fly it.\nTwo bills would have left the issue to Mississippi voters on a statewide ballot (one in November 2017 and the other in November 2018), and another would have adopted a second official state flag.\nAll eight of the state’s public universities have stopped flying the flag, as well as some of the state’s largest cities, including Jackson, Biloxi, Tupelo, Greenville, Hattiesburg, Columbus and Vicksburg.\nWilliams-Barnes wrote in the letter to Gunn that she hoped he would use his position to “encourage (the SLC) to support our efforts to replace the flag with one all Mississippians can be proud to display.”\n“We wish not to turn our backs on the millions of Mississippians, including our constituents, who desire a change in our state’s most prominent official symbol,” Williams-Barnes wrote. “This decision is taken seriously and after much consideration.”\nClick here to see the full letter from the Legislative Black Caucus.\nIn 2001, Mississippi voters decided overwhelmingly to keep flying the current state flag. Since then, no substantial executive or legislative action has been taken. Since 2000, five flag-related initiatives failed to garner enough signatures to make a statewide ballot. Initiative 55, which expired Oct. 15, 2016, would have stripped the Confederate emblem from the state flag. Initiative 58, which expired Nov. 5, 2016, would have cemented the adoption of the current state flag in the Mississippi Constitution.\nMississippi leaders are split on the issue. Gov. Phil Bryant and Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves have cited the 2001 vote, saying Mississippians should vote again on whether to change the flag. Opponents of the flag say a 16-year-old vote should not dictate today’s policy.\nGunn remains the highest-ranking state officials to vocally oppose the flag, citing a portion of the population that feels excluded by the rebel emblem it contains.\n“My position on the flag has not changed,” Gunn told Mississippi Today earlier this year. “I still believe the flag needs to be changed. I think we can find something that represents all of Mississippi, so we’re going to continue those discussions to see what we can come up with.”\nThe Mississippi Economic Council, a coalition of the business leaders that serves as the state’s chamber of commerce, led the 2001 charge to change the flag. In late 2016, the council unveiled a bicentennial banner to honor the state’s 2017 bicentennial. Many, including former council president Blake Wilson, say the banner could spark a new conversation about the state flag.\n“You’ve got a brand that disenfranchises 37 percent of your population (who are African Americans), so why would you use that brand?” Wilson said. “It’s not a brand that brings people together.”\n

Black lawmakers boycott conference over state flag

by Adam Ganucheau, Mississippi Today
May 1, 2017

The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus announced Monday it will skip the Southern Legislative Conference, which will be held this year in Biloxi, because of the state flag.

The 51 members of the black caucus said they would boycott this year’s conference because Mississippi leaders have failed to address changing the state flag, which is the last in the country containing the Confederate battle emblem.

The caucus expressed disappointment with House Speaker Philip Gunn and the Southern Legislative Conference  for choosing to host its conference in Mississippi because of the flag.

The Southern Legislative Conference, chaired this year by Gunn, is a coalition of state legislators who meet annually to discuss policy work inside statehouses across the South.

“A stronger statement would have been to conduct the 2017 meeting in another state,” wrote Rep. Sonya Williams-Barnes, D-Gulfport, in a letter to Gunn. “As a body, the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus voted to boycott this year’s SLC meeting. We believe participation at the meeting would send a message of support for the continued use of the Confederate flag.”

Last session, lawmakers filed 22 bills dealing with the state flag in some manner. All died in committee.

Twelve bills, all drafted by black Democrats, proposed a new state flag, while seven bills, all drafted by white Republicans, would impose statutory punishments for governmental entities refusing to fly it.

Two bills would have left the issue to Mississippi voters on a statewide ballot (one in November 2017 and the other in November 2018), and another would have adopted a second official state flag.

All eight of the state’s public universities have stopped flying the flag, as well as some of the state’s largest cities, including Jackson, Biloxi, Tupelo, Greenville, Hattiesburg, Columbus and Vicksburg.

Williams-Barnes wrote in the letter to Gunn that she hoped he would use his position to “encourage (the SLC) to support our efforts to replace the flag with one all Mississippians can be proud to display.”

“We wish not to turn our backs on the millions of Mississippians, including our constituents, who desire a change in our state’s most prominent official symbol,” Williams-Barnes wrote. “This decision is taken seriously and after much consideration.”

Click here to see the full letter from the Legislative Black Caucus. 

In 2001, Mississippi voters decided overwhelmingly to keep flying the current state flag. Since then, no substantial executive or legislative action has been taken. Since 2000, five flag-related initiatives failed to garner enough signatures to make a statewide ballot. Initiative 55, which expired Oct. 15, 2016, would have stripped the Confederate emblem from the state flag. Initiative 58, which expired Nov. 5, 2016, would have cemented the adoption of the current state flag in the Mississippi Constitution.

Mississippi leaders are split on the issue. Gov. Phil Bryant and Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves have cited the 2001 vote, saying Mississippians should vote again on whether to change the flag. Opponents of the flag say a 16-year-old vote should not dictate today’s policy.

Gunn remains the highest-ranking state officials to vocally oppose the flag, citing a portion of the population that feels excluded by the rebel emblem it contains.

“My position on the flag has not changed,” Gunn told Mississippi Today earlier this year. “I still believe the flag needs to be changed. I think we can find something that represents all of Mississippi, so we’re going to continue those discussions to see what we can come up with.”

The Mississippi Economic Council, a coalition of the business leaders that serves as the state’s chamber of commerce, led the 2001 charge to change the flag. In late 2016, the council unveiled a bicentennial banner to honor the state’s 2017 bicentennial. Many, including former council president Blake Wilson, say the banner could spark a new conversation about the state flag.

“You’ve got a brand that disenfranchises 37 percent of your population (who are African Americans), so why would you use that brand?” Wilson said. “It’s not a brand that brings people together.”

\nThis article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line719686"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9731655120849609,"wiki_prob":0.9731655120849609,"text":"Home/Sports News/Timberwolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns says season will be difficult amid off-court tragedies\nTimberwolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns says season will be difficult amid off-court tragedies\nAs Karl-Anthony Towns prepares to begin his sixth season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, he said he also is continuing to process the death of his mother, Jacqueline Cruz-Towns, and six other family members who also died of complications from the coronavirus.\n“I’ve been through a lot, obviously starting out with my mom,” Towns said Friday. “Last night I got a call that I lost my uncle. I feel like I’ve been hardened a little bit by life and humbled.”\nOn March 25, Towns shared an emotional video on Instagram explaining that his mother had been placed on a ventilator and was in a medically induced coma as a result of the virus. Cruz-Towns died April 13 at the age of 58.\n“I’ve seen a lot of coffins in the last seven months,” Towns said. “I have a lot of people who have — in my family and my mom’s family — gotten COVID. I’m the one looking for answers still, trying to find how to keep them healthy. It’s just a lot of responsibility on me to keep my family well-informed and to make all the moves necessary to keep them alive.”\nTowns’ father, Karl Sr., also contracted the virus but has recovered.\nTowns has posted several video updates to his social media detailing what he went through as he cared for his mother and how he felt after she died. He said that he felt the need to share those videos to help people better understand the effects of the disease.\n“I didn’t want people to feel the way I felt,” Towns said. “I wanted to try to keep them from having the ordeal and the situation I was going through. It just came from a place that I didn’t want people to feel as lonely and upset as I was. I really made that video just to protect others and keep others well-informed, even though I knew it was going to take the most emotionally out of me that I’ve ever been asked to do.”\nTowns said that his teammates — particularly D’Angelo Russell — helped him navigate the weeks after losing his mother. He said he got a slew of supportive calls and text messages from members of the Timberwolves organization.\nTowns said that although getting back to playing basketball is something he welcomes, it also will be challenging for him to play without his mother. Cruz-Towns rarely missed one of his games.\n“It always brought me a smile when I saw my mom at the baseline and in the stands and stuff and having a good time watching me play,” Towns said. “It is going to be hard to play. It’s going to be difficult to say this is therapy. I don’t think [playing basketball] will ever be therapy for me again. But it gives me a chance to relive good memories I had.”\nOnce hospitalized, Black patients with COVID-19 have lower risk of death than white, study finds -- ScienceDaily\nDeirdre O'Brien, Apple's SVP of Retail + People, talks about the company's response to COVID-19 and how its retail staff and stores evolved amid the pandemic (Steven Levy/Wired)","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line677477"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.701750636100769,"wiki_prob":0.701750636100769,"text":"Title: Rhode Island Report on the Judiciary 1999\nAnnotation: This 1999 Annual Report on Rhode Island's judiciary profiles the activities of the State's judicial system during the 1999 calendar year and is intended to be a valuable source of information on the judiciary's operation.\nAbstract: The year 1999 saw a number of improvements and innovations in each of the six courts that compose Rhode Island's unified judicial system. In an effort to deal effectively with its massive caseload, the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal installed a new computer system and made various improvements to ensure that the public is served in a more timely and efficient manner. The District Court has continued to deal effectively with its varied and numerically significant case load. Both civil and criminal cases have been managed well. The Family Court has continued to mount innovative programs, such as the formation of a new Truancy Court, a new drug calendar, and an aggressive approach to domestic violence and child support problems. The Workers' Compensation Court continues to be a model for the Nation in its timely disposition of complex cases. It has positively affected the business community by reducing workers' compensation insurance premiums as well as ensuring that employees receive appropriate compensation in a timely manner; most cases are reached for initial hearing within 30 days or less. The Superior Court has continued with its alternate dispute resolution, court annexed arbitration, and mediation programs, and the court has moved closer to meeting its goals of time standard performance. The Supreme Court continues to reduce its case inventory and remains one of the most current appellate courts of its type in the United States; cases are resolved in an average of 10 months from the time of filing to disposition. The plans of the unified judiciary for logistical, computer, and structural improvements are advancing at a satisfactory pace. Appended court statistics, rosters, and directory\nMain Term(s): Court management\nIndex Term(s): Court case flow; Court case flow management; Court statistics; Rhode Island; State courts\nRhode Island Administrative Office of State Courts\nCorporate Author: Rhode Island Administrative Office of State Courts\nLicht Judicial Complex\n250 Benefit Street\nType: Report (Annual/Periodic)","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1855237"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.765630304813385,"wiki_prob":0.765630304813385,"text":"Jesse Cook: The Tempest 25 Tour\nConexus Arts Centre\n/ticket/p/2340317/jesse-cookthe-tempest-25-tour-regina-conexus-arts-centre 09-17-2021 22:00:00 09-17-2021 22:00:00 Jesse Cook: The Tempest 25 Tour Conexus Arts Centre true MM/DD/YYYY\nREGULAR: CAD62.00 / CAD52.00 / CAD41.50\nWHEELCHAIR: CAD41.50\nREGULAR / WHEELCHAIR Public Onsale: December 18, 2020 3:23 PM to September 17, 2021 8:00 PM\nNEW DATE: Friday, September 17, 2021\nWe understand you may not be able to make the new date, but have worked with the event organizer to make sure you have an option. You have until Thursday, October 22, 2020 to request a refund. If you do not choose this option by October 22, your ticket(s) will remain valid and honoured on the rescheduled date.\nPRICES: $41.50 - $62.00 (Plus Applicable Service Charges)\nAward-winning and Internationally acclaimed guitarist, composer and producer Jesse Cook is set to mark 25 years of music with 25 special tour dates across Canada.\nThe tour serves as a bemusing milestone for a guy who never planned on releasing an album.\n“If you had asked me at age 22, I would have said I would never, never make music for the public,” Cook says with a laugh. “I would have told you the public is much too fickle… They may love you one minute and forget you the next.”\n“Well… It turns out I did the thing I said I’d never do, and somehow it’s worked out.”\nBy the numbers, Jesse Cook holds ten platinum and gold studio albums with combined sales exceeding two million copies, five concert DVDs and live discs, and five PBS specials — his most recent, directed, edited and mixed by Cook himself. He holds a JUNO Award win for Best Instrumental Album with 2000’s Free Fall (Narada) — which celebrates its 20th anniversary next year — and 11 JUNO Award nominations. These stack alongside three Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards, a Gemini Award and Acoustic Guitar Magazine Player’s Choice Silver Award, not to mention thousands of concerts in dozens of countries, plus millions of views and streams, and countless fans around the world.\n“25 years ago, before Tempest was released — and all that would follow — if you had asked me what I wanted to do with my life, I would have told you I was happy in my solitude,” Cook reflects. “I didn’t want to be in the public eye. But I was wrong.”\n“Without my fans, none of this would have happened. Words are not enough to thank all the people who have been with me on this crazy, beautiful journey these last 25 years.”\nSASK REGULATIONS: Ticket Sales Regulations in the Province of Saskatchewan prohibit the sale of tickets outside the boundaries of Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, the Northwest Territories, North Dakota and Montana during the first hour of sale. Please be advised tickets are subject to cancellation if the purchasers delivery address is outside of these boundaries. For more info go to, http://www.fcaa.gov.sk.ca/Default.aspx?DN=e657ee51-e810-4a9a-ac83-1319f122dd8e\nTICKET PRICE POLICY: These amounts are only one component of the price of tickets within each category. They include taxes, but do not include service fees and delivery fees, which are (or may be) included in the price of specific tickets offered for sale.\nBABES IN ARMS POLICY: It is the Conexus Arts Centre Ticket Policy that all persons entering the Theatre must have a ticket regardless of age. Each person must have a ticket for the performance including children (and infants in arms). For further information on our ticketing policies please contact our Box Office.\nPLEASE NOTE: Tickets are non-refundable, and exchanges are not permitted.\nThe account holder is the only person authorized to pick up tickets at the box office by showing their photo ID and credit card used to purchase the order.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line272119"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7466692924499512,"wiki_prob":0.7466692924499512,"text":"13-yr Omar Farouq: UNICEF demands reversal of sentence - ITREALMS\nDespite recently signing Child Protection Bill into an Act, the Kano State Sharia Court at Feli Hockey, Kano, in northern Nigeria, has sentenced a 13-year-old Omar Farouq to 10 years imprisonment with menial labour, reports ITREALMS.\nThis is coming as UNICEF has expressed deep concern about the sentence and asked the government both at the Federal and Kano State to reverse it.\nThe sentence was handed down after he was convicted of blasphemy on 10 August 2020.\n“The sentencing of this child - 13-year-old Omar Farouk - to 10 years in prison with menial labour is wrong. It also negates all core underlying principles of child rights and child justice that Nigeria - and by implication, Kano State - has signed on to,” said Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria.\nThe sentence is in contravention of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Nigeria ratified in 1991. It is also a violation of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child - which Nigeria ratified in 2001 - and Nigeria’s Child Rights Act 2003, which domesticates Nigeria’s international obligations to protect children’s right to life, survival and development.\nUNICEF called on the Nigerian Government and the Kano State Government to urgently review the case with a view to reversing the sentence.\nUNICEF expressed appreciation of the strides recently made by the Kano State Government to pass the Kano State Child Protection Bill.\n“This case further underlines the urgent need to accelerate the enactment of the Kano State Child Protection Bill so as to ensure that all children under 18, including Omar Farouq are protected – and that all children in Kano are treated in accordance with child rights standards,” said Peter Hawkins.\nUNICEF will continue to provide support the Nigerian Government and Kano State Government on child protection system strengthening, including justice sector reform, to ensure that states put in place child-sensitive measures to handle cases involving children. This includes adopting alternative measures, in line with international best practice, for the treatment of children alleged to have committed offences that does not involve detention or deprivation of family care.\nThe child rights organization stressed the government’s international obligations to ensure child-sensitive judicial measures for children who are alleged to have committed any offence. This should include ensuring quality legal representation and full implementation of child justice principles - all of which are geared towards reform, rehabilitation and reintegration of the child with their family and community.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1714201"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5788722634315491,"wiki_prob":0.4211277365684509,"text":"Exhibit booths--California--Pomona✕[remove]25\nFairs--California--Pomona25\nAgricultural exhibits--California--Pomona7\nLeopards--United States1\nnews photographs25\nLos Angeles County Fair (Los Angeles County, Calif.)25\nCeleste, Olga, 1888-19691\nNational Orange Show 1\nPomona (Calif.)25\nYou searched for: Subject Exhibit booths--California--Pomona ✖Remove constraint Subject: Exhibit booths--California--Pomona\nTwo uniformed boys salute each other in front of a display at the Los Angeles County Fair, Pomona, 1933\nRelated to Los Angeles Times article, “County Fair Gates Open on Great Wonderland: Old Mother Goose and Blue Eagle Predominate in Exhibit Array; Pari-Mutuel Betting Begins,\" 16 Sept. 1933: A1.\n[circa September 1933]\nPasadena display at the Los Angeles County Fair, Pomona, 1933\nOrange County display at the Los Angeles County Fair, Pomona, 1933\nThree people sit in a display at the Los Angeles County Fair, Pomona, 1933\nSan Bernardino County display at the Los Angeles County Fair, Pomona, 1933\nSan Bernardino County display at the Los Angeles County Fair. The base of the display is covered in fruit and topped with an elephant. A woman stands in front of the display and other women are visible on the side. Other people are visible at the side of the display. A sign in the shape of a scroll reads, \"San Bernardino County.\"\nTwo women stand in front of the San Diego County display at the Los Angeles County Fair, Pomona, 1933\nTwo women stand in front of the San Diego County display at the Los Angeles County Fair. A sign resting on the display reads, in part, \"Spreckels open-air organ...Balboa Park-San Diego.\" The base and columns of the display are covered in fruit. Produce lines the floor surrounding it. There is a model of an organ at the center. The columns are topped with lights. There are plants covering part of the display and beyond that a miniature bell tower.\nVentura County display at the Los Angeles County Fair, Pomona, 1933\nVentura County display at the Los Angeles County Fair. There is a structure topped with a Spanish roof and arches with paintings of mountains within them. Above the arches are signs for, \"Camarillo\" and \"Simi.\" The rest of the display is covered in various types of produce. The entire display is covered by an awning.\nPasadena Chamber of Commerce booth at the Los Angeles County Fair, Pomona, 1932\nThis photograph appears with the article, \"Most Dazzling Show of Southland History, Lavish in Oriental Splendor, Under Way at Pomona,\" Los Angeles Times, 17 Sept. 1932: A1.\nAlhambra display at the Los Angeles County Fair, Pomona, 1932\nAlhambra display at the Los Angeles County Fair.\nWoman sits with display of quilts at the Los Angeles County Fair, Pomona, 1932\nWoman sits with display of quilts at the Los Angeles County Fair. She holds one quilt on her lap and holds her hand out to another one. Other quilts hang on a rack behind her with tags attached to them.\nLos Amigos Rancho display at the Los Angeles County Fair, Pomona, 1932\nLos Amigos Rancho display at the Los Angeles County Fair. The sign on the front reads, \"Presenting in a 'Persian market' by the patients of Los Amigos Ranch. This booth and every article in it is the work of aged and handicapped patients of the Occupational Therapy Department.\" The display consists of furniture, blankets, and various small objects including vases and bowls. A woman stands, holding a striped blanket and a girl sits on a chair. Another woman and child stand in the display and another man is visible at the right of the photograph.\nMan stands in a rug bazaar display at the Los Angeles County Fair, Pomona, 1932\nMan stands in a rug bazaar display at the Los Angeles County Fair. He wears a headdress and robe. There is a hookah at his feet and a loom next to him. Rugs are hung on the faux-brick walls and parts of the display are lined with fruit. A sign reads, \"Isphahan rug bazaar\" and the background is painted to look like a bazaar.\nWoman stands next to a display at the Los Angeles County Fair, Pomona, 1932\nWoman stands next to a display at the Los Angeles County Fair. The display is covered with produce of various types, including gourds and walnuts. A sign reads, \"Chino walnut growers.\" At the top there is a globe on top of which sits a doll dressed in overalls and a hat. Figurines of animals and carts circle the globe. Other people and displays are visible in the background.\nThree women stand in front of the Yorba Linda display at the Los Angeles County Fair, Pomona, 1932\nRelated to Los Angeles Times article, \"Most Dazzling Show of Southland History, Lavish in Oriental Splendor, Under Way at Pomona,\" 17 Sept. 1932: A1.\nGirl stands beside the San Joaquin booth at the Los Angeles County Fair, Pomona, 1929\nRelated to Los Angeles Times article, \"Fair at Pomona Best in History: Los Angeles County Events Now in Full Blast: Exhibits Excel All Records in Size and Beauty: Race Track Laurels Expected to Set New Mark,\" 18 Sept. 1929: A1.\nSculpture of a man's head at the Los Angeles County Fair, Pomona, 1929\nSculpture of a man's head at the Los Angeles County Fair. A sign on the side of the base reads, \"Please do not handle.\" A sticker with the number 3 on it is affixed to the sculpture. In the background, other works of art are visible, including paintings and another sculpture.\nOrange County booth at the Los Angeles County Fair, Pomona, 1929\nChino booth at the Los Angeles County Fair, Pomona, 1929\nChino booth at the Los Angeles County Fair. The base of the booth is lined with produce. A sign on the front reads, in part, \"The Sahkieh or Egyptian waterwheel.\" A man is visible at the right of the photograph.\nNational Orange Show booth at the Los Angeles County Fair, Pomona, 1929\nNational Orange Show booth at the Los Angeles County Fair. It is made up of a base covered in fruit and pillars that are topped with a pointed dome. Lights surround the border and fabric hangs from the center. A sign reads, \"San Bernardino County,\" and another reads, \"National Orange Show.\" There is another sign on the base that reads, in part, \"20th National Orange Show, San Bernardino, February 13th to 23rd 1930...\" and another that reads, \"This is a complimentary exhibit not [entered] in competition.\"\nEscondido booth at the Los Angeles County Fair, Pomona, 1929\nThe Escondido booth at the Los Angeles County Fair, which is decorated in an Egyptian theme. There are large pillars and the base of the display is covered in gourds and other produce. Two women stand on the booth, both dressed in Egyptian costumes. There are children visible at the right, along with a man.\nPaintings displayed at the Los Angeles County Fair, Pomona, 1929\nPaintings displayed at the Los Angeles County Fair. The painting at the center depicts three people sitting by a body of water with boats in the background. At the right is a painting of a boat, and at the left a landscape including mountains, trees, and a lake. The center painting is propped on the floor, the other two are hanging on the wall.\nCabinet of objects on display at the Los Angeles County Fair, Pomona, 1929\nCabinet of objects on display at the Los Angeles County Fair. There are small statues, a pillow, and what may be a vase. A few of the items are labeled, \"first prize,\" and the objects at the top right corner are labeled as pottery.\nPainting of a boy, displayed at the Los Angeles County Fair, Pomona, 1929\nPainting of a boy, displayed at the Los Angeles County Fair. The boy is seated. He wears a hat and holds a stick. The painting is framed and propped up on a wood rail. Other paintings are visible in the background.\nOlga Celeste stands in front of the Ontario booth at the Los Angeles County Fair along with her leopard, Pomona, 1929\nAnaheim booth at the Los Angeles County Fair, Pomona, 1929\nAnaheim booth at the Los Angeles County Fair. The exhibit consists of two camels carrying a carriage with a woman in it. There is a mannequin next to the camel in the front. The base of the display is lined with produce and beneath that are Egyptian hieroglyphics. Signs read, \"California Valencia Orange Show Anaheim\" and \"'Transportation' from Anaheim oasis to Pomona.\" Palm trees surround the exhibit. People are visible in the background.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1708626"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6391630172729492,"wiki_prob":0.6391630172729492,"text":"A big new all-inclusive resort is coming to one of the fastest-growing hotel destinations in Jamaica.\nThe first phase of the new all-inclusive Oceans By H10 Resort is coming to Jamaica’s Trelawny this November, according to Jamaican tourism officials.\nThat phase will include 513 rooms, a significant boost for Trelawny, a destination considered part of greater Montego Bay that has been seeing a boom in new hotel development in recent years from brands like Royalton.\nWhat the lobby will look like at the hotel.\nH10, which is based in Spain, is reportedly investing $250 million in the project, which will be called the Ocean Coral Spring Hotel.\nAmenities at the Ocean Coral Spring will include two pools, a lazy river, 10 eateries, four bars, a coffee shop, an ice cream shop and a spa.\nA rendering of the beach and the property’s exterior.\nThe 24-hour all-inclusive will additionally be home to a spa, a gym, two tennis courts, a theater and a bowling alley, among other features.\nThe family-friendly resort will also include H10’s “Privilege” level of rooms and services, which include everything from in-room amenities like Nespresso machines and nighttime turndown service to an exclusive section of the pool and the beach.\nEvent space will feature four conference rooms and a total of 840 square meters of flexible rooms – with capacity for up to 800 people, according to the company.\nWhat a room will look like at the new Ocean Coral Spring.\nH10 has been steadily growing its resort portfolio in the wider region, though this will be the company’s first-ever hotel in Jamaica.\nIts other resorts are located in Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Mexico.\nJamaica’s Trelawny parish, particularly the corridor between Rio Bueno and Falmouth, has some 6,000 new hotel rooms in its development pipeline.\nThe newest in Trelawny is the Excellence Oyster Bay adults-only resort, which opened its doors over the summer.\nFor more, info, visit the Ocean Coral Spring.\nAll-Inclusive, caribbean, cuba, dominican republic, family, h10, hotels, jamaica, mexico, montego bay, pools, trelawny","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line192061"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8615490794181824,"wiki_prob":0.8615490794181824,"text":"10 Everyday Items Brought To Us By the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair\nBy Jocelyn Mackie on January 24, 2015 History\nIn 1892, when Christopher Columbus was still considered a hero, the United States wanted to hold a world’s fair to commemorate the 400th anniversary of his mis-navigation. Chicago, which existed on the blood of slaughterhouses and continued to rise from the ashes of its Great Fire of 1871, threw in a seemingly hopeless bid that nevertheless beat the more cosmopolitan cities of New York, Washington D.C., and St. Louis. Dedication ceremonies occurred on October 21, 1892, and the public started visiting on May 1, 1893. The Chicago World’s Fair was born.\nThe Fair attracted one of the first documented serial killers (H.H. Holmes) and witnessed a political assassination (Mayor Carter Harrison, Sr.). Up until its closing ceremonies in October 1893 it gave fairgoers the opportunity to observe the latest groundbreaking inventions. That year, these items were met with wonder and enthusiasm. Today, they blend into the landscape of our modern world.\n10. Commemorative Stamps and Coins\nIn this century, commemorative stamps and coins are commonplace. Very few post office visits or glances into a change jar are without one, and you can blame the frenzy on the Chicago Fair. News of the Fair and America’s excitement about it spread, and the U.S. Post Office jumped on that momentum with its first set of commemorative stamps they called the Columbians. Designed for collection and unusable for mailing, postmaster General John Wanamaker referred to them as “souvenir” stamps.\nCommemorative coins arose from a similar fundraising idea. To celebrate the Fair’s opening and Columbus’ anniversary, the U.S. Mint issued a half-dollar with a profile picture of the explorer, predictably named the Columbian half-dollar. First sketches of the design generated controversy because historians and enthusiasts considered the picture inaccurate, but a portrait was eventually agreed on.\n9. Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit\nChewing gum wasn’t a new invention, but it wasn’t yet being mass-produced. William Wrigley, Jr., a soap and baking powder salesman, handed out gum to his customers as an incentive to buy his products. He discovered the candy was more popular than his wares, so he started mass-producing chewing gum in 1892. Juicy Fruit was the first featured flavor — Wrigley revealed it to enthusiastic Fair attendees right before introducing Wrigley’s Spearmint. More than 100 years later, Juicy Fruit remains the favorite brand of chewing gum in the United States and is sold all over the world.\n8. Pabst Blue Ribbon\nThe punch line of every beer snob joke started from humble beginnings in 1844, but it didn’t become a blue ribbon favorite until it hit the national stage at the Fair. German immigrant Jacob Best started brewing the well-known lager under the name Empire Brewery in Milwaukie, Wisconsin. It became Phillip Best Company after his son took it over, and later it became Pabst Brewing Company in 1889.\nThe signature beer of Pabst, Best Select, won ribbons at local and state fairs, but company president Gustave Pabst had greater ambitions. He entered the Best Select in the Fair’s brewing competition, where it won yet another blue ribbon. From that point the name changed to Pabst Blue Ribbon, and the brew for the budget-wary has stayed in popular culture ever since.\n7. Aunt Jemima Pancake Mix\nDrenched in overtones unacceptable by today’s standards, the original Aunt Jemima was Nancy Green, a slave born on November 11, 1817. Chris Rutt and Charles Underwood were owners of Pearl Milling Company and developed a packaged self-rising pancake flour. He named it Aunt Jemima after a black-face character in a vaudeville show who sang a tune by the same name. Lacking business sense as well as racial sensitivity, Rutt and Underwood were out of business and broke by 1890. They sold the formula to R.T. Davis Milling Company. Needing assistance to market the new product, they discovered Nancy Green and hired her to play Aunt Jemima.\nGreen and the pancake mix made their debut at the Fair, where she produced instant pancakes for public enjoyment. Between warm food and an even warmer nature, Green was a hit with the public. Police officers had to control foot traffic to keep people from loitering at the booth. At the conclusion of the Fair R.T. Davis Milling Company received 50,000 orders, and Green received a lifetime contract. Aunt Jemima products are now part of Quaker Oats and the company updated her image in 1989 to help her appear less like a stereotypical African-American housekeeper and more like a middle-class homemaker.\n6. Cracker Jack\nBefore it was a staple at baseball games, Cracker Jack started as a mix of popcorn, peanuts and molasses that supposedly debuted at the Fair. Unfortunately, there’s not much solid information on how or why this snack was invented. Lewis and Frederick William, aka F.W. Rueckheim, invented the treat but not the name — that was attributed to an unknown Frito-Lay sales representative. Seeing an opportunity, the pair marketed it at the Fair to good results, keeping the brand in the American mainstay ever since. At least, that’s the story told by its manufacturer — there’s actually no hard evidence it was sold at the Fair, so this may very well be a myth. But true or not, the story has become a key part of Cracker Jack’s place in American pop culture. It’s a better way to be remembered than its other claim to fame — some historians argue that Cracker Jack was the world’s first junk food.\n5. Squashed Pennies\nYou’d be hard-pressed to visit a tourist trap without seeing the squashed penny machine. For a total of 51 cents, you can flatten a penny into a decorated token as proof of your adventures.\nThese handy money collectors started their careers at the 1893 Fair. Those squashed pennies were simpler, with only raised letters stating “Columbian Exposition 1893.” Each machine had seven different designs for the lettering so tourists could pick their favorite and treasure an elongated coin for the ages.\n4. The Zipper\nUntil you dabble in historical reenactment and deal with corset lacings, hooks and loops, you may not quite appreciate the invention of the zipper. Now so commonplace as to be taken for granted, the zipper started out as a Fair novelty. Elias Howe, sewing machine innovator, started playing with the zipper concept in 1851, patenting it as the “Automatic, Continuous Clothing Closure.” However, he was more fascinated with his sewing machine, so he neglected the zipper.\nIt took 44 years before Whitcomb Judson discovered and developed Howe’s zipper concept. He invented the “clasp locker” with Colonel Lewis Walker and started the Universal Fastener Company. The two decided to introduce the device at the Fair, but it wasn’t successful. However, the brave debut allowed the concept to receive notoriety and development. After studying the clasping technology Gideon Sundback, an electrical engineer at the Universal Fastener Company, started improving the design until it became our modern day zipper in 1913.\n3. Spray Paint\nSpray paint wasn’t an exhibit at the Fair, but unbeknown to everyone who attended they could see it on display daily. Even as the Fair started, several buildings remained under construction. The ones that were ready for visitors needed to shine, and fast. To hasten this effort, artist Francis Davis Millet developed a way to spray exterior paint on the buildings to cut back on preparation time. The aerosol sprayer we’re familiar with wouldn’t be invented until 1949, but do-it-yourself home improvers and graffiti artists can thank the Fair for planting the seed for their favorite tool.\n2. Dishwasher\nToday we argue over how to load it and who gets to empty it. But in 1893 the dishwasher, part of a fully-electric kitchen Fair display, was the stuff of dreams.\nInventor Josephine Cochrane filed the patent on her dishwashing machine on December 31, 1885. She explained it as a system of baskets and levers that would splash soapy water on dishes. Although she continued to develop the concept for the next four years, she wouldn’t get a chance to demonstrate it until it appeared at the Fair. Her company gained momentum, later became KitchenAid, and continued producing appliances for the modern kitchen.\nIt lacks the thrills of roller coasters, and people who fear heights loathe it. But no midway would be complete without a Ferris Wheel.\nParis hosted a World’s Fair in 1889 and unveiled the Eiffel Tower. This feat proved that large buildings could be constructed out of steel, and the architectural world was in awe. Fair architect Daniel H. Burnham called on engineers and designers to build something even bigger — a tower 500 feet taller than the 984 foot Eiffel Tower.\nBut let’s face it — towers are boring. At a meeting of engineers and architects headed by Burnham, everyone demanded a unique, novel and flashy structure as a show of American prestige. Among them was a quiet engineer named George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr., who until he revealed his idea had only worked on railroad and mining projects. Needless to say, his proposal was a bit of a departure.\nThe original Ferris Wheel definitely met the qualification of enormity. Supported on two 140 foot towers and a 45 foot axle, it had a diameter of 250 feet and a height of 264 feet. It included cars that were 24 feet long and 13 feet wide, and each carried up to 60 passengers. A single revolution took nine minutes.\nConstruction started in late 1892, and the wheel was operational on June 21 the following year. The first passengers, including Burham, Margaret Ferris, and investors, boarded a car while onlookers held their breath in anticipation of disaster or success. It ran without any difficulty for the duration of the Fair, and some accounts believe it’s responsible for keeping the event out of financial ruin — it made $395,000 in profit.\nThe original Ferris Wheel moved to St. Louis in 1904 for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. With no one willing to move it again, it lived in neglect until it was blown apart on May 11, 1906. It required a total of 300 pounds of dynamite and, without ceremony or sentiment, the steel was sold as scrap. But the concept, like much of what the fair brought us, remains beloved to this day.\nJocelyn Mackie is an intrepid researcher and web content provider with a fascination for events, buildings, and technology that is 100 years and older. You can see more of her work at www.jocthewriter.com.\nChicago's World's Fair capped off an eventful 19th century.\nRead about the greatest inventions of the 1800s, or read the century’s biggest headlines.\nPrevious ArticleTop 10 Kick-Ass Husbands\nNext Article Top 10 Insane Foods to Try From Around the World\nKaniya Purdis on February 1, 2016 3:15 pm\nI really want you to tell me mores,,. Like how and why did they invented the\nLynda Appell on January 29, 2015 8:53 pm\nFascinating post. Never realized so many inventions we take for granted started out so long ago back in the 1890s. Crackerjack First junkfood. Well something had to be the first. Right. By the way Dave Appell , the musician, composer, arranger , record exec was my father His first musical instrument was a uekelele. It was his older brother Joseph’s. Joe told him if he ever played it he’d really give it to him. Well dad play it and much better than Joe ever could. So Joe told him you keep it. From arranging for jazz greats such as Benny Carter, Earl “Fatha” Hines, Ben Pollack to recording Grover Washington , my father was a true musician and I’m very proud of him.\nRuss Cross on January 24, 2015 1:14 pm\nOne more factoid for the Ferris Wheel entry. The original Ferris Wheel was built by Luther V. Rice of my hometown, Ladoga, Indiana.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line291578"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9327585697174072,"wiki_prob":0.9327585697174072,"text":"In Halifax, housing advocates fear shortages of shelter adding to the 'new poor'\nPublished Monday, November 23, 2020 7:52PM AST Last Updated Tuesday, November 24, 2020 10:21AM AST\nGrace Fogarty sits at home in her Halifax apartment on Monday, Nov. 23, 2020. Fogarty is facing eviction as the landlord wants to repair and renovate her apartment. Her rent will almost double if she remains in the building. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan)\nHALIFAX -- Community legal worker Mark Culligan refers to cases of Nova Scotians facing pandemic-era evictions in a hot housing market as \"the new poor.\"\n\"We're seeing a growth of a new form of homelessness, or housing precariousness,\" Culligan, who works at the Dalhousie Legal Aid Service, said in an interview Monday.\n\"It's not just people who have experienced ongoing poverty, but rather people who've never lacked housing before.\"\nGrace Fogarty is among the recent clients at his downtown Halifax clinic -- one of a steady stream of hardship stories emerging as winter approaches.\nThe 63-year-old woman with a heart condition said in an interview on Friday the owner of her building in the city's west end wants her out of her one-bedroom apartment to conduct renovations.\nA written notice she was given last month says her rent would go from $725 a month to more than $1,300 by next April 1, a figure she can't afford on her $13-an-hour job at a local gas station.\n\"It (the building) is definitely going to be a high-end unit,\" she said. \"But at whose expense? I have no place to go. I can't find an apartment I can afford.\" The developer who purchased her building, United Gulf Developments, didn't respond to requests for an interview.\nCulligan says his options for defending tenants are limited in a province without rent control, unless a landlord isn't respecting notice periods for rent hikes or is using rent to retaliate against a tenant.\nIn cases of renovations, landlords with a building permit can make an application to the Residential Tenancies Program for a hearing to vacate the building.\nThere are potential appeal processes, but Culligan says that under typical circumstances, the residents may have to leave within one to two months.\nHousing advocacy groups argue the evictions are setting off a chain reaction, where the working poor cannot afford housing, shelters fill up and more people end up on the streets.\nAccording to a study released this month by the Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia, the city's homeless population has grown to 477 people, more than double the figure a year ago.\nDean Johnston, director of residential tenancies at Service Nova Scotia, says from July 1 to Nov. 18 this year there were 1,695 applications for evictions from landlords, down from 2,111 applications by landlords for the same time period the year before.\nHowever, he adds the figures are only those cases where a formal application is made by the landlords and don't include voluntary departures that aren't being recorded. \"Our case management system is quite old . . . . Things like renovictions (evictions due to renovations) weren't something built into the system,\" he said in an interview on Monday.\nIn Dartmouth's north end, tenants in two apartment buildings where one-bedroom apartments were in the $600 per month range are among those obliged to find new homes.\nCathy Young, 53, said she can't pay more than the $550 she was paying if she wants to continue her medications, so she's moved to her sister's home. She says the notice that she would have to move out due to renovations came as a shock.\n\"I came over to my sister's house and I started to cry, because I didn't know where I was going to go and what I would do,\" she said in an interview last week.\nThe building's new owner, Adam Barrett, of Central East Developments, said in an email Thursday that soaring operating costs and deferred maintenance are contributing factors to renovations that lead to tenants departing.\nHis company had, \"no option but to invest millions in revitalizing the derelict properties to create more safe and quality homes for Nova Scotians,\" he wrote.\n\"I do have sympathy for those who were and are living in buildings that are unsafe, unhealthy, and lack minimum living standards,\" he said, adding that Young's former building met that description.\nLiberal Premier Stephen McNeil has said his government is looking at ways to assist, but it has yet to announce new measures. \"We just don't believe (rent controls) work. That doesn't mean the issue is not real, and we will work with our partners to provide other options,\" he told reporters in October.\nOttawa has provided $8.7 million for affordable housing in Halifax, and city council is planning a special meeting Tuesday to consider how to use the federal rapid housing money to address the housing crisis in the city.\nHowever, the shelter shortages have been a long time in the making and may require a decade to fix, says Jim Graham, the executive director of the Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia.\nA study of housing needs in the city carried out in 2015 found about one fifth of people earning $30,000 or less weren't able to come near to affording the average market rental price of about $934.\nThe numbers in search of affordable housing have almost certainly grown since then, Graham says.\nMeanwhile, Young, who faces an indefinite stay with her sister, is grateful for her help but also feels lasting remedies are needed.\n\"There should be affordable rent that people can pay, and affordable housing that people can pay on a limited wage and limited income,\" she said.\nThis is a corrected story. A previous version referred to Mark Culligan as the director of the Dalhousie Legal Aid Service\n'It's ridiculous': Calls for affordable housing in Halifax area grow louder\nAffordable housing in Nova Scotia getting harder to come by\n'There's no affordable housing' advocates say as needs of homeless grow during pandemic","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line361470"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.584616482257843,"wiki_prob":0.584616482257843,"text":"Oh Dear Oh Dear\nClambering along a track I rarely use the other day I noted 2 nearby graves inscribed with “accidentally killed” memorials – one to a man killed while bushfelling in Woodville in August 1912 and the other for a lad drowned in Te Aro pool in December of the same year.\nA quick search of New Zealand newspapers using the wonderful facility provided by the National Library - http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz – reveals the details. In the first case the young man, a settler in the area “met with a frightful accident this afternoon, while engaged with a neighbour in bushfelling. Suddenly a large tree came down and pinned Hooper to the ground, and he was unconscious when assistance reached him. It took some time to lift the tree.“\nBoth Hooper’s legs were broken and he sustained internal injuries. A doctor was summoned, but Hooper died shortly after from shock, it was further reported. His parents lived in South Karori which is presumably why their fourth son, John, was buried in the Karori Cemetery.\nThe other incident attests to the popularity of the Te Aro Baths. These were saltwater and were the first public baths in Wellington, built in 1862. They were in Oriental Bay, where the Freyberg Pool is now. Although fixed to the shore they were sited in the harbour and therefore tidal. For reasons of convenience and expense, saltwater baths remained the only such facilities built until well into the 20th century. There was another saltwater bathing facility at Thorndon, built alongside the Thorndon reclamation, completed in 1882.\nIn December 1912 Reggie Jounnax, a telegraph messenger boy, went to the baths for a swim before reporting for work at 6,00pm. Late that afternoon there were between three and four hundred men and boys at the baths. Reggie’s uniform was found on a peg in a cubicle by the caretaker after the baths were closed for the day. The pool was then dragged, but nothing was found, leading to speculation that Reggie may have climbed over the wall and fallen into the harbour, or some suspicious act had taken place. Next morning, at low tide, Reggie’s body was found in about 5 feet of water in the pool, not far from the chute (presumably the precursor of today’s hydro slides). An inquest was held two days later, which concluded “death was due to accidental drowning and that no blame was attachable in any way to the caretaker of the baths.”\nThese tragic deaths are just two of many who are buried throughout the cemetery and include the sad inscription “accidentally killed” or the brief details of the event which led to the death on their headstone. Come walking with me and I’ll tell you about some of the others.\nContact me on kararicemeterywalk@gmail.com or 021065 3778","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1106954"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5623353123664856,"wiki_prob":0.4376646876335144,"text":"Former World Champion Athlete | Martial Arts Teacher | College professor Writer | Collector of Quotes | Student of Life | Peaceful Warrior in Training\nDAN MILLMAN is the author of seventeen books, including Way of the Peaceful Warrior, which have inspired and informed millions of readers in 29 languages worldwide.\nAfter an intensive, twenty-year spiritual quest, Dan’s teaching found its form as the Peaceful Warrior’s Way.\nNick Nolte starred as Dan Millman’s iconic spiritual teacher and mentor, Socrates, in the feature film “Peaceful Warrior,” which tells the story of a chance meeting with a gas station attendant who becomes a mentor and spiritual teacher to a young gymnast who is recovering from a severe motorcycle accident that shattered his right leg. The film is based on incidents that happened to Dan Millman in real life.\nDan Millman’s work continues to evolve over time, to meet the needs of a changing world. peacefulwarrior.com/\nNOTE: Check out this month’s Sandie’s Bookworms Section, and discover why she chose not just one of Dan Millman’s book as her featured bookworm, but the entire Peaceful Warrior’s Way series of books.\nImprov Wisdom by Patricia Ryan Madson\nAlthough the author is an Emerita professor from Stanford University in the Drama Department, it is not a book on acting theory or improvisational comedy. Instead, she uses improv principles to teach a constructive approach to living wisely and well. I’m acquainted well enough with the author to know that she has extensive experience with and personally practices these principles. Her writing and guidance are clear and positive. I still have this book on my shelf as one of those lifetime keepers. In a field of innumerable rah-rah self-help books recycling slogans and bromides, this book comes as a breath of fresh air with practical, actionable, realistic reminders anyone can apply in daily life.\nConstructive Living by David K. Reynolds\nThis clear book of uncommon sense was a mind-changer and game-changer for me. This relatively small volume is part de-programming manual and part reality check, bringing spiritual readers back to earth where we live and work. It is a provocative book that reminds readers how to function well – despite changing thoughts and emotions and in its own way, helps transcend even (and especially) the most sophisticated or obscure spiritual teachings.\nStranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein\nA classic work of humanistic science fiction (like that of Ray Bradbury), but with more of an edge, this book about a Candide-like figure – a human who comes to Earth after being raised by Martians – who brings a fresh and unconventional view of love and life and religion. Both satire and morality tale that somehow transcends morality, and which gave us the word “grok,” was ahead of its time when I read it as a teen and remains both timely and timeless today.\nEinstein’s Dreams by Alan Lightman\nI found this small volume enchanting in its simple, delightful take on life, and the nature of time is a mind-shifter, to entrance readers even as it leads them out into the universe, taking us into that rarified space where physics and metaphysics dance together.\nThe Last Temptation of Christ by Nikos Kazantzakis\nThis classic work was adapted to a film with Anthony Quinn, whose character says, “If you could dance what you just said, I might understand.” This daring work reveals the human side of one of humanity’s illumined spiritual adepts, speculating on what Jesus’ life might have been had he married Mary Magdalene, avoided crucifixion, and lived an ordinary life.\nThe Holy Man\nby Susan Trott\nThis small, readable, quietly profound parable, like the two other books in the series, draws the reader into a sanctuary of peace and wisdom. In simple language, Trott uses the classic device of a Holy Man who speaks to us all.\nThe Universe is a Green Dragon by Brian Swimme\nIt didn’t hurt that I read this book while in Yosemite, which may have lent to my reading experience a certain aura — but even if I’d read it in a basement somewhere, it would have transported me into the cosmos. Until I read it, I hadn’t considered the idea that the author proposes, that “Love is gravity — the universal attraction of one body to all others.” This is a big-picture book of cosmological truths that helps any reader expand beyond the small self into the mystery of life unfolding, helping us to see ourselves in perspective.\nEmmanuel’s Book by Pat Rodegast\nI don’t normally read or own so-called “channeled” works (although Jane Roberts’ The Nature of Personal Reality nearly made my final 10). But this book — whose foreword was written by Ram Dass — brings a transcendent wisdom equal to that of Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet, another favorite, into our world. Lyrical, piercing, compassionate wisdom on various subjects as expressed from a timeless being who sees it all from a higher reality and place of understanding.\nZen Mind, Beginners Mind by Shunryu Suzuki\nAlthough I have a number of books on Zen, this volume has that ordinary yet profound taste of “just sitting” and the importance of right attitude that we can bring to meditation and to life, as we retain a clear and yet childlike beginner’s mind to each arising moment.\nA Mind at Home With Itself by Byron Katie and Stephen Mitchell\nAlthough I’ve appreciated the Work and other writings of Byron Katie, I find this an unparalleled modern statement of radical transcendental vision, which goes beyond the usual self-help advice since, as Katie and her husband and brilliant translator Stephen Mitchell state, there is no separate self to be helped.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1875862"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9016379117965698,"wiki_prob":0.9016379117965698,"text":"Rock 'n' funk at two Queen tributes\nA pair of tribute shows filled with local musicians and singers at World Café Live at the Queen this weekend were nearing sell-out status at press time: Friday night's Rick James tribute and Saturday night's Rolling Stones-themed \"Shine a Light on the Queen\" concert.\nFriday's \"Superfreak: A Tribute to Rock James\" at the Queen (500 N. Market St., Wilmington) will once again feature Queen bartender Corey Osby as James, backed by Newark's Universal Funk Order.\nUnlike the first time they teamed up back in September, this show will be held in the larger downstairs concert hall.\nTickets are $10 for the 8 p.m. show.\nOn Saturday, the third annual Shine a Light show will once again bring together about 50 local musicians to perform Rolling Stones songs.\nIt's the largest fundraiser of the year for the Light Up the Queen Foundation, which uses the proceeds to fund arts education outreach programs.\nTake note: Tickets are $60 a pop this year. (That's a 275 percent increase over the $16 ticket price in 2012 for you keeping track at home.) The show kicks off at 8:30 p.m.\nTickets for either concert can be purchased through queen.worldcafe live.com or by calling (302) 994-1400.\n— Ryan Cormier\nFirst State Ballet's vampire debut Friday\nSexy and sadistic \"Irene,\" First State Ballet Theatre's vampire valentine, takes the stage Friday at The Grand (818 N. Market St., Wilmington).\nThe original work features angular women in leather-and-lace-trimmed corsets and polka dot and plaid tutus clawing and shoving one another and crawling around the floor like gremlins.\nIt's the company's first foray into horror and its first collaboration with Trolley Square guitarist and composer Shaun Dougherty, who will perform live in the pit with a handpicked band.\n\"Irene\" is an all-Delaware affair, choreographed by company member Alex Buckner.\nTickets are $28 to $48 at (800) 37-GRAND or www.ticketsatthegrand .org. The one-night-only performance starts at 7 p.m.\n— Margie Fishman\nElk-Tones, Bullets to rock Logan House\nRockabilly and surf music will rule at Kelly's Logan House Friday night at a concert pairing the reunited Elk-Tones with Wilmington rockabilly stalwarts The Bullets.\nThe veteran acts will be joined by young retro rock act Tin Can Ramblers, led by George Murphy (The Keefs, Scantron).\nThe instrumental surf rock foursome of The Elk-Tones returned to the stage last year after a seven-year hiatus, performing at Newark's Mojo Main.\nThis time, the band will look to draw old-time fans in Wilmington, especially since the band is paired with The Bullets, performing at the Logan House for the first time in a while.\nThere is no cover for the show, which kicks off at 10 p.m.\nWrestler Bazooka Joe faces UD student in the ring\nProfessional wrestling returns to Newark on Saturday night, as Right Coast Pro continues the 2014 schedule with \"Elements of Chance.\"\nThe pre-show will feature a special photo opportunity with new RCP heavyweight champion Bazooka Joe and the championship title belt. Bazooka Joe defends his title for the first time later in the evening against University of Delaware student Joey Silver. In other action, crowd favorite Chris \"The Show\" Steeler will face \"Self-Made\" Blake in a \"Spin the wheel, Make a deal\" match, which could hold one of several stipulations (a ladder mater, \"I quit\" match, strap match, falls-count-anywhere match or pie-in-the-face match).\nRight Coast Pro shows are family friendly and concessions are available. Shows are at Life Community Church, 750 Otts Chapel Road in Newark.\nTickets are $15, and $8 for children 12 and younger. Doors open at 6:15 p.m., with a 7 p.m. bell time.\nFor more information, visit rightcoastpro.com\n-Andre L. Smith\nWorld of photos displayed at exhibit\nFor just a handful of days, local shutterbugs can see what their international brethren have been shooting at the 81st Wilmington International Exhibition of Photography, which opens Sunday.\nFilling the walls are about 300 framed photos, as well as 200 more that will be projected during an audiovisual presentation at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Sunday, and again on March 2.\nThe exhibition will be open from noon to 5 p.m. both Sundays, complete with chamber music from 1 to 3 p.m. If you just want to peruse the framed prints, the exhibition also is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Feb. 28.\nThe event, which is hosted by the Delaware Photographic Society, is free and is being held at University of Delaware's Arsht Hall, Academy of Lifelong Learning, 2700 Pennsylvania Ave., Wilmington.\nFor more information, call (610) 358-5191 or visit www.delaware photographicsociety.org.\n-Sarika Jagtiani","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1582694"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5482692122459412,"wiki_prob":0.5482692122459412,"text":"Posted on April 13, 2009 by Baron Bodissey\nAs longtime readers know, we normally avoid posting about LGF’s gradual retreat from any association with most anti-jihad bloggers and writers. Tundra Tabloids has been following this meme, and has created an amusing graphic showing a bus and all the people that Charles Johnson has thrown under it. KGS recently ran out of room and had to expand the picture to add the latest victims.\nI know this runs against our customary practice, but I couldn’t let this one pass unnoticed.\nOne of our readers — who is on CAIR’s mailing list — received a press release today and forwarded it to us. CAIR is alerting its members to an upcoming “Islamophobic” conference in Florida in which Robert Spencer of Jihad Watch will participate [Correction, for the record: CAIR chose to attack Robert Spencer concerning this conference, even though he is not involved in it]. The email included the following paragraph:\nThe Little Green Footballs blog, also widely known for its Islamophobic viewpoint, wrote of Spencer’s site: “His website has descended into a true hate site at this point, dominated by extreme, bigoted commenters who regularly advocate genocide and mass murder of Muslims.”\nSo this is what it’s come to: CAIR is now citing Little Green Footballs to score points against one of the most important Counterjihad activists of our time.\nThanks, Charles. You did us all a real big favor.\nAnd now you can rest easily, knowing that your site is 100% Nazi-free.\nA more extensive excerpt from the CAIR press release is below the jump.\n“If Representative Hasner truly wishes to represent Florida’s diverse religious and ethnic population, he should immediately disassociate himself and the state legislature from this motley collection of Islamophobes and Muslim-bashers.” — CAIR-South Florida Executive Director Altaf Ali\nFla. House GOP Leader Linked to Anti-Islam Hate Fest Rep. Hasner asked to disassociate himself from ‘Islamophobes and Muslim-bashers’\n(WASHINGTON, D.C., 4/13/09) — The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called on the leader of that state’s House Republicans to disassociate himself from an upcoming anti-Islam conference backed by a “motley collection of Islamophobes and Muslim-bashers.”\nCAIR said Rep. Adam Hasner is on the “host committee” for the April 27 conference in Delray Beach, Fla., featuring Dutch anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders. Wilders was recently denied entry to Britain because of his extreme anti-Muslim views, including urging that the Quran, Islam’s revealed text, be banned.\nOther conference backers include Joe Kaufman, a Florida anti-Muslim extremist with a long history of seeking to marginalize and disenfranchise the American Muslim community and its institutions. He has in the past promoted the views of the terrorist organizations Kach and Kahane Chai and praised the Kahane terror group and its founder Mier Kahane on a forum of the radical Jewish Defense League in Florida.\nIn 2006, Kaufman joined forces with an anti-Islam preacher in Florida to block the expansion of a mosque in Boca Raton. “This mosque should not exist on American shores,” said Kaufman. (St. Petersburg Times, 7/14/06)\nIn 2003, Kaufman was forced to remove a link to kahane.org on his website after CAIR exposed his efforts to promote the terror group. That same year, the Washington Post reported that the United States added to its list of foreign terrorist organizations “newkach.org, kahane.org, kahane.net, kahanetzadak.com as aliases for the Jewish group Kahane Chai or Kach, which is suspected of organizing attacks on Palestinians.”\nFrank Gaffney, one of the event’s other sponsors, is linked to an anti-Islam group that has advocated prison terms in the U.S. for “adherence to Islam” and that questioned whether women and African-Americans should be allowed to vote. Gaffney has claimed that the use of Islamic finance in America is a form of treason. “[I]t is advancing a criminal conspiracy whose purpose is the violent overthrow of the United States Constitution and government in favor of Islamic rule,” wrote Gaffney. (Washington Times, 9/16/08)\nAnother event sponsor, Pamela Geller, operates one of the Internet’s most vicious anti-Islam sites. Her blog features categories such as “Advancing Islamic Lies,” “Islam 2008: Religion of Barbarism” and “Slavery: An Arab custom.” Geller has even been criticized by other Islamophobes for her extremism and for supporting far-right groups in Europe.\nRobert Spencer, who has also been criticized for the extremism exhibited on his anti-Muslim blog, is listed as a conference “coalition partner.” Spencer was recently involved in a controversy over his joining a Facebook group advocating genocide of Muslims in Turkey.\nThe founder of another conference sponsoring group, Act! for America’s Brigitte Gabriel, told the Australian Jewish News: “Every practising Muslim is a radical Muslim.” She also claimed that “Islamo-fascism is a politically-correct word…it’s the vehicle for Islam…Islam is the problem.”\nWhen asked whether Americans should “resist Muslims who want to seek political office in this nation,” Gabriel said: “Absolutely. If a Muslim who has — who is — a practicing Muslim who believes the word of the Koran to be the word of Allah, who abides by Islam, who goes to mosque and prays every Friday, who prays five times a day — this practicing Muslim, who believes in the teachings of the Koran, cannot be a loyal citizen to the United States of America.”\n“If Representative Hasner truly wishes to represent Florida’s diverse religious and ethnic population, he should immediately disassociate himself and the state legislature from this motley collection of Islamophobes and Muslim-bashers,” said CAIR-South Florida Executive Director Altaf Ali.\nAli noted that earlier this year, Hasner attempted to block a “Florida Muslim Capitol Day.” In an e-mail to more than a dozen Jewish lobbyists, he wrote: “By now, I can’t imagine you haven’t heard about this upcoming lobbying day for Muslims in Tallahassee.Do you all intend to be part of an information campaign in opposition to it?”\nSEE: House Leader E-Mails Alert About Muslim Event to Jewish Lobbyists (St. Petersburg Times)\nIn 2007, Hasner sponsored a screening of the anti-Muslim film “Obsession: Radical Islam’s War Against the West” for state legislators.\nCAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties organization, has 35 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.\nCONTACT: CAIR-South Florida Executive Director Altaf Ali, 954-272-0490, 954-298-8214, E-Mail: aali@cair.com; CAIR-Tampa Executive Director Ramzy Kilic, Tel: 813-514-1414 or 813-486-2529, E-Mail: rkilic@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787 or 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com\n32 thoughts on “Et Tu, Brute?”\nNatalie on April 13, 2009 at 4:38 pm said:\nStupid, stupid, stupid! Charles spreads lies about almost everything, from Robert Spencer to Serbia to the counterjihad movement in general. What a singularly annoying person. I am just so sick and tired of him. Have you seen his lauding of Obama since the election? It’s absolutely disgusting.\nnimbus on April 13, 2009 at 8:29 pm said:\nHas he reverted to being a liberal, or what? What has happened to him?\nCharles is technically a 9/11 conservative and he seems to have reverted to his liberal roots. I trace his reversion to October 2007 (October 19, to be exact), when he developed a rather strange vendetta, which he still has today, against the excellent Belgian political party Vlaams Belang.\nFor a while I tried giving Charles the benefit of the doubt, but he’s become more and more liberal lately, and with him attacking Robert Spencer, that was the last straw. Sad. I like to look at the quicklinks from the viewers at the top of his page, but I can’t stand looking at his topics. What in the world caused him to revert??? And I wonder what his viewership now is.\nNatalie on April 13, 2009 at 10:14 pm said:\nHave you seen Robert Spencer’s post about this whole thing?\nFélicie on April 14, 2009 at 2:43 am said:\nHe’s gone off the deep end. Have you seen his entry on Obama’s bow to the King of audi Arabia? He tried to say that Bush did the same thing and presented as evidence a video of Bush accepting some medal. Even his lizards took him to task for it. He kept mocking them, Daily Kos style, about becoming paranoid and labeling Obama as evil. I swear, he is fast becoming an Obot.\nHolger on April 14, 2009 at 12:51 pm said:\nGoogle.video: Complete Idiot’s Guide to the New World Order\nArmance on April 14, 2009 at 12:59 pm said:\nArmance on April 14, 2009 at 1:04 pm said:\nHe’s gone off the deep end. Have you seen his entry on Obama’s bow to the King of audi Arabia? He tried to say that Bush did the same thing and presented as evidence a video of Bush accepting some medal. Even his lizards took him to task for it. He kept mocking them, Daily Kos style, about becoming paranoid and labeling Obama as evil. I swear, he is fast becoming an Obot.Indeed, I saw that thread and the comments and poor Charles reached a new low. I wouldn’t be surprised either if in short time he becomes one of Hussein O-bow-a’s most passionate supporters. Perhaps he feels a sort of regret that he couldn’t bow himself.\nHolger on April 14, 2009 at 1:12 pm said:\nBaron Bodissey on April 14, 2009 at 1:16 pm said:\nHolger —\nPlease don’t paste long URLs into the comments; they make the post page too wide and mess up the appearance of the permalink page.\nUse link tags; the instructions are at the top of the full post’s comment section.\nHolger said…Charles is bought by bigger interests!\n– Illuminati perhaps that wants to institute a New World Order? Or: CIA? Bilderberger Group. Council on Foreign Relations. Trilateral.\nC’mon, guys, it’s obvious “something happened” which lead him to completely change his tune. He was bought up, because he was one of the biggest blogs out there and could influence the most.\nHe sold out. …And if you don’t believe the Illuminati etc. to be more than a conspiracy theory, do some research on it:\nlink4/14/2009 1:51 PM\nLook, Holger, I’m prone to paranoid moments myself, but consider this…\nIf Charles was bought and paid for, why did he run his blog into the ground and cause his trafiic to drop by 75%? Not much value there.\nOr do you think he was bought and then instructed to destroy the LGF brand?\nSorry, I think I deleted an additional comment by mistake.\nFeel free to re-post it. But use embedded links instead of pasted URLs.\nNot sure at all about how it all ties together, Baron… BUT unless he went clinically insane why would he turn on a dime like that? He has enough facts to know that what he is saying isn’t true. It’s just like politicians. To the regular folks it just seems they’re “dumb”, but if you look at it from another angle, that they might be on a NWO-agenda for instance, then it ALL makes sense. And you can see how shrewd they are! Seriously: the borders, the economy (establishing shariah banking), the whole dialogue with the enemy bs, the misguided wars – i.e. not fighting where the enemy REALLY is etc. Honestly. I know it sounds paranoid, but when you start looking into it it makes sense. – That being said, I’m not saying 911 was an inside job. And if by the slimest chance possible it was an “Illuminati” job, I’m sure they collaborated with willing Jihadis. =)\nAnyway, back to Charles Johnson:\nMaybe he was bought and it just didn’t work out that well once he began taking orders? People simply saw through his lies. It would be typical of the “top” people to see us as sheep and that we’d buy anything that came out of the alternative media, because they know many don’t trust the MSM anymore. In other words, they underestimated the intelligence of the people. And as for Charles Johnson, well he basically committed harakiri. Or perhaps it is Karma coming back with his plummeting popularity? His credibility is next to zero, and once his bosses realize that they’ll move on and he’ll be stuck writing about bikes again. That is if anyone is interested in hearing even about that from him.\nI’ll start digging deeper if you think I might be on to something =) In fact, I encourage everyone to do their research on the NWO etc, because it isn’t just an urban legend. They ARE talking about it! It’s documented. All you need to do is go on youtube or google.video and hear the Bushs’, Clintons’, Gordon Brown and Obama among others discuss it.\nCharles Johnson is just on the payroll, just like they tried to hire Benjamin Fulford, the man in charge of Forbes Magazine’s Asia division. He came out talking about it and it was BIG news for a while, since he isn’t just some nutty crackpot.\nMorgan on April 14, 2009 at 2:40 pm said:\nCharles Johnson has allowed himself to become an insignificant sideliner as far as the Counterjihad is concerned.\nAnd it’s not just the Counterjihad. It’s also in regards to intelligent design and the questionable validity of Obama’s birth certificate as well.\nHe derides those who believe intelligent design is valid and question whether Obama was actually born in Hawaii, same as those who think Vlaams Belang is not neo-Nazi.\nAs far as I’m concerned, he’s just an insignificant tool.\nFélicie on April 14, 2009 at 2:59 pm said:\nArmance:”I wouldn’t be surprised either if in short time he becomes one of Hussein O-bow-a’s most passionate supporters. “\nOK, I admit it: I’v been having the same thoughts as Holger (i.e. Charles Johnson having been bought off), but didn’t dare to voice them for the fear of being called a paranoid conspiracy nut.\nMy reasons for thinking are his complete turnaround regarding the Obama issue. People just don’t change their views this suddenly. especially considering that with every passing day Obama gives more, not fewer, reasons for concern.\nBaron says: “If Charles was bought and paid for, why did he run his blog into the ground and cause his trafiic to drop by 75%? Not much value there.”\nBut maybe the goal is not to run his blog into the ground but to convert its supporters, given that it’s still a very popular blog?\nLook how he does it. He tries to be subtle. Instead of openly bashing Obama, he is on an “anri-extremism” and “objectivity” crusade. Yes, the left is bad. Yes, some of Obama’s policy decisions are regrettable. But look – the right is no better. They are all suffering from the Obama derangement syndrome. They simplistically portray him as evil and don’t give credit where credit is due. He simply wants to redress the balance, ahem… Look at the last 3 Obama-related topics: the bow, the pizza, and kudos to Obama fro the successful naval rescue mission. It’s the same stance – an attempt of a subtle shift of focus, a diluting of truth, an obscuring of crucial differences. Honestly, analyze what he is doing. This doesn’t strike me as a display of immediate emotional reactions, but as a deliberate and cool-headed long-range strategy aimed at gradual change of course.\nThis is why I am wondering about him being bought off.\nBy the way, Baron, why do you say that his traffic has dropped by 75%? When I started reading his blog, it had 2-3 thousand comments every day. Now it has 5-6 thousand comments. I don’t remember there ever being 1000 comments after each post before. It used to be several hundred. (OK, 99% of them is trash, but still…)\nFelice! You had some very interesting points. Yes, of course he has been bought off. I’d bet my house on it.\nAs for the right and left-issue; Well, at the top there is no such thing, I believe. They work together for a common purpose. It’s good cop/bad cop but they’re on the same team, and that’s why there will never be any real difference, no matter what you vote. The Republicans didn’t tighten border security. Neither will the Democrats. I don’t think it’s about gaining voters, in the latter case, because no matter who people vote for it’ll still be for one of “the chosen” who are working with the Illuminati, Bilderberger or similar. INSTEAD, and here’s the point, they want to erase all sharp borderlines in order to later open it up for the “Amero”. Just like the EU and the coming EUrabia. That’s why they’re massimporting people from the Middle East – to make it indistinguisable, and so the concept of borders lose all meaning. It’s not due to the fluffy principals of multiculturalism but in order to eventually have one world government.\nI know it sounds paranoid, honestly I do, BUT if you don’t believe this to be true, at least do some research on it before you dismiss it. There is only ONE theory that can explain everything from the multicultural madness, lacking borders, shariah banking, 2nd amendment ban, the banking crisis etc…\nIf people don’t understand the underlying principles behind what’s happening any effort to turn the trend will be just as ineffective as the “war on terror” has been, ie. combating the symptoms rather than the root cause.\nExcerpt from the newsletter: “Our Country Desrves Better”. NWO!!!\n“Mark Williams of the Our Country Deserves Better Committee here. My friends, I am disgusted by the actions of the Department of Homeland Security which has directed local law enforcement agencies to focus their attention on conservatives.\nIt’s a shocking document, folks. The report warns of “rightwing extremism” and Washington Times reveals that the report defines such extremism as, “groups that reject federal authority in favor of state or local authority” and “groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single-issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration.”\nBarack Obama’s administration is basically telling law enforcement that the potential enemy to this country and law-and-order are individuals who are pro-life, want the U.S. border secured, and believe in state’s rights. And it gets even worse: the DHS report says military men and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan should be perceived to be a potential threat. “\nFélicie —\nBy the way, Baron, why do you say that his traffic has dropped by 75%?Back in the fall of 2004, if I remember correctly, LGF had over 400,000 hits a day. Admittedly, that was during Rathergate, and times are leaner now, what with all the competition.\nBut still, if you look at his Alexa traffic rankings over the last year or so, you’ll see the steady decline.\nI can’t see why buying him would have done anybody any good. It would be like buying GM.\nHis blog is not a major force anymore. Except for people who go there for the links, there are only the hard-core lizardoids left. Admittedly, they will believe anything CJ says. But what good does that do whoever put him on the payroll?\nThe advantage of this escapes me. The remaining lizardoids are not going to form the obedient cadres of some right-wing fifth column infiltratingAmerican conservatism. They’re just not smart enough to do that kind of work.\nHey — maybe They should buy us instead. How much do you think I should ask for?\nSpeaking of paranoia, have you ever read Gravity’s Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon? It’s a masterpiece.\nIn the book Pynchon composed a series of “Proverbs for Paranoids”. My favorite was:\nYou may not touch the Master, but you may tickle his creatures.\nDP111 on April 14, 2009 at 5:23 pm said:\nBlogosphere ‘revolution’ is as phoney as our redundant parliamentary system\nGraham Dawson (Archonix) on April 14, 2009 at 5:50 pm said:\nDP11, in the context of European politics – and especially British politics – that article is spot on. I’m not so sure how it applies to US politics except that there may be a tier of blogs in the US that want to be like the media.\nLGF, incidentally, strikes me as such a blog. CJ wanted to replace the legacy media but rather than being something better and different he’s turned toward copying their activities and motivations. It’s rather like rightist parties moving progressively more to the left in order to capture the “centre ground”. l you do is lose your base.\nHolger, all this stuff that has been coming out lately about the new world order, the history of the Federal Reserve, etc., is fascinating. But I am still on the fence as to whether to believe it or not. Maybe some of it is true. But I do, at this point, resist the idea that all our human history has been shaped by a group of people. If it is so, it must be on some spiritual, metaphysical level, such as Eric Voegelin’s idea of gnosticism, or something as general as evil or Satanism, if you will, but not as a specific manifestation through the Rothschild family, for example. I looked up Benjamin Fulford and watched one of his videos. According to him, the history of this secret society goes back to Mesopotamia, Ancient Jews, and the Hebrew Bible, and has been one uninterrupted line. As a person with religious sensibilities, I cannot accept this worldview. I also don’t like the anti-semitic implications of this theory. But I am sufficiently interested not to automatically reject everything these people say and keep an open mind.\nBaron, I see what you are saying. If before there used to be 400,000 hits daily, now there are only 70,000. It is a big drop. But maybe CJ’s new employers did not anticipate it. They do, after all, buy out paper media, why not the electronic one? Maybe they were hoping that CJ would be able to re-program his flock.\nToday’s headline is a case in point. More attacks on “right wing nuts/conspiracy mongers.”\n“The latest cause for hyperventilation in the right-wing blogosphere is a report from the Department of Homeland Security on the need for vigilance against extreme right-wing groups like Posse Comitatus, militias, “Patriot” groups, and neo-Nazis like the Christian Identity weirdos. Some bloggers, prompted by World Net Daily, are reading this as an attempt to “smear half of the country or more as kooks for criticizing the government’s handling of the economy.””\nIn other words, we are all hyperventilating, hysterical idiots for worrying´, according to him. This is just not normal. Something is going on. If he is on payroll, then I am glad that his taskmasters have miscalculated, and his influence is plummeting.\nProfitsbeard on April 14, 2009 at 7:04 pm said:\nJohnson’s apologetics for Obama will be his undoing, because Barry Hussein is only going to get worse and worse, and drag all his little lickspittles down with him.\nCJ has hitched his wagon not to a star but a black hole.\nNothing racist implied 😉Pamela G. at Atlas Shrugs has a droll video link to a parody of the Lizards in their Bunker as the Gotterdammerung approaches, and Charles is forced to closed his “Lizard Lounge” to stop the dissenting voices.\nI will definitely read that book! Thanks for the tip Baron.\nWell, Felice, I agree about the whole “anti-zionist-ranting” of Benjamin Fulford. But still, he is an intriguing character. Would someone in his position really jeopardize everything by risking to become the joke of the year? However, people did nonetheless take it seriously, which adds further validity that people higher up knows about Illuminati’s exsistence too. It’s just us the flock of sheep who don’t know for sure.\nAnd finally back to CJ… Yes, he’s GM and that’s exactly why they bought him. They’re looking at it from the angle of reaching out to the most people, even if it’s old and rigid. But that’s probably not WHEN they bought him. The rigidness and plummeting happened after he switched tune.\nI don’t think the MAIN purpose with buying Charles Johnson was too convince us of joining the NWO, but rather create a rift. To divide and conquer is the oldest trick in the book! So that’s why they acquired the rights to one big, significant, established player rather than an up’n’comer which would die much more easily or couldn’t have such a great impact if attacking heavy weight as Spencer, Baron, EUropean politicians, Bostom and Pamela Geller etc. No, it had to be someone with power and punch! That’s what I believe happened.\nAvery Bullard on April 14, 2009 at 10:30 pm said:\nFrom neocon establishmentarians like David ‘axis of evil’ Frum to popular blogs like LGF and a few others I’m seeing more attacks on the ‘far right’, social conservatives, and ‘anti-immigrant’ anti-amnesty people, than on the left or Muslims.\nThe advocates of the Iraq debacle, which in turn brought the world President Obama, know that in the public mind the Iraq war and anti-jihadism are linked to unfashionable white Christian conservative Republicans.\nPrediction: the neocons and 9/11 conservatives like CJ will win out and eventually be seen as benign and thus respectable by the left establishment; their critics on the right will be exiled to political Siberia like the John Birch Society and so many other ‘right wing extremists’ before them. (The neocons in particular are experts at abandoning sinking ships).\nThe parasites have fed off their conservative host; little of the host now remains. It makes sense for the neocons to distance themselves from the declining demographic that is so discredited and despised in the eyes of fashionable whites and virtually all non-whites. Next up will be the demographic demise of the conservative base.\n(It says a lot about the failed conservatives when even self-proclaimed ‘demography bore’ Mark Steyn cared less about America’s demographics than about ‘liberating’ Iraq, freeing Afghan women, and hating the ‘Euroweenies’.)\nEx-Dissident on April 14, 2009 at 10:36 pm said:\nLike many here, I was once a fan of LGF. Johnson managed to gather a community of clear thinking people who discussed important news. I think this changed when he became more and more obsessed with controlling “intolerant” speech on his site. I still think that Charles is a smart guy worth reading, but I also think he has isolated himself from constructive critics. The comments that he allows there essentially parrot his own statements. Strangely I find that Johnson’s views are completely in sync with a liberal troll on Malkin’s site called Chapoteer. It makes me wonder if this is the same person, despite Johnson’s protestations that he never comments on other’s sites.\nZenster on April 14, 2009 at 11:21 pm said:\nOff Topic: Baron, there’s a screw loose in the server. I thought it was just my crappy old computer but here in this thread it is quite clear.\nPlease note how often an HTML isolated group (usually in Italics) suffers an immediate text-wrap connection with the next (usually non-Italicized) paragraph.\nThis started happening in the last three days and I thought it might just be inattention on my own part. Now it seems as though it is not.\nI’ll email you about this as well.\nBaron Bodissey on April 14, 2009 at 11:30 pm said:\nZenster —\nIt’s a Blogger thing. You wouldn’t understand it.\nSeriously, it used to happen years ago, and everyone had to compensate for it when using italics. Then it quit doing it.\nI think Blogger must have reverted to an older piece of software.\nThe way around it is to close the italics before the final punctuation, i.e. a period or a quote mark.\nText here.\nAnother paragraph.\nFinal paragraph.\nA real test:\n…and then resume.\nRolf Krake on April 15, 2009 at 6:46 am said:\nThe Lizard Lounge, saw this brilliant parody on Charles Johnson on NukeGingrich, a very good laugh 🙂\nhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFgKXAphIlc","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1626295"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8007603883743286,"wiki_prob":0.8007603883743286,"text":"Chicago Mayor Offers Up Big Promises Of More School Nurses And Social Workers\nJuly 30, 2019, 5:04 p.m. CT\nBecause of a limited number of nurses in Chicago Public Schools, Florencia Guzman came to school every week to check her daughter’s glucose levels so she could stay for an afterschool program. Mia has Type 1 diabetes and needs constant care. Manuel Martinez / WBEZ\nMayor Lori Lightfoot on Tuesday offered up a long list of big hiring promises but had few details for how Chicago Public Schools would make them happen.\nAt the same time, she announced the expansion this fall of a teacher recruitment and retention program at hard-to-staff schools.\n“Each one demonstrates our commitment to expanding educational equity for all of our students and our families,” Lightfoot said at a news conference at Michele Clark Magnet High School on the West Side.\nThe big promises include hiring 250 more nurses and 200 more social workers over five years. It also includes providing more case managers so schools with 240 of more special education students can have at least two, she said. These new hires will be school district employees, rather than contractors, CPS officials said.\nLightfoot also said the district is going to expand access to career and technical programs. Under her plan, half of all incoming freshmen will get an apprenticeship or an internship and all others will at least get a “career exposure experience,” by the time they graduate, Lightfoot said. She did not offer details for how the school district will make this happen.\nFurther, she said the school district is going to spend a year examining whether the way money is doled out to schools creates inequities — and whether there’s a better way. Currently, schools get a stipend for each student, which means schools with shrinking enrollment lose money.\n“I have heard feedback from principals and teachers who are operating with squeezed budgets, but are doing everything they can to do right by their own students, even when it means coming out of their pockets to supply and fill the gap that is not otherwise provided,” Lightfoot said.\nThe Chicago Teachers Union has been demanding more support personnel in schools for years but want promises codified in the teachers contract currently being negotiated. This is shaping up to be a key issue as the union threatens to strike if there is no deal by September.\nLightfoot did not directly answer questions about how much the additional staff or career and technical programs would cost or how she plans to pay for them. Instead, she said the school district can afford it because additional money has been coming from the state since a late 2017 overhaul of the Illinois’ school funding system.\n“We believe that we have the resources to be able to address this, starting as soon as possible, that is why we are making this specific commitment,” she said. “The fortunes of CPS absolutely have improved.”\nThe school district will not provide any additional money for social workers, nurses or case managers in the 2019-2020 school year budget, but plans to start hiring the extra staff next year.\nLightfoot said she is making these commitments because she’s heard about the need from parents and teachers. After years of budget cuts prior to 2018, there has been a groundswell of activism calling for nurses and social workers in particular.\nSome of that has come from the Chicago Teachers Union. Lightfoot has been non-committal in the face of the union’s demand for contract language spelling out staff-to-student ratios in key areas.\nIn response to Lightfoot’s announcement, the union said the hiring pledges must be “supported not by press release or public pledge but a real commitment in revenue and a legally binding agreement with the CTU.”\nThe union also asked several questions in a press release: “Will these individuals be fully licensed and certified school professionals? Will these individuals be staffed by outside companies with zero accountability to students, parents, faculty or staff? Will we be able to see these individuals on day one or in year five? Is this a fixed commitment to increasing wrap-around services or is this an opening offer? Are there loopholes in these promises that will give the mayor the opportunity to renege in year five?”\nWhile Lightfoot did not talk much about money, she did say the school district is limited in what it can do quickly. She noted a lack of available school nurses and social workers.\n“It would be easy for us to say ‘yes, we are going to do this in every school,’ but ignoring the reality that there aren’t enough supply yet. But we are going to be working diligently to make sure we get the pipeline going so we can reach our goal,” she said.\nIn fact, last summer Lightfoot’s predecessor Rahm Emanual promised he would hire 250 additional social workers. But so far, the district has only been able to bring 45 additional ones on board, according to the CPS June 30 employee roster.\nThe National Association of Social Workers-Illinois Chapter released a statement criticizing Lightfoot for taking too long to hire these staff. Further, even with these additions, the school district ratio of social workers to students will be 500 to 1, which is more than the recommended ratio of 250 to 1, according to Kyle Hillman, spokesperson for the association.\nRecruiting teachers\nThe one area where Lightfoot and school district officials made a tangible commitment was to include 10 additional high schools in the “Opportunity Schools” program. This program, which was started with 50 schools two years ago, recruits teachers, vets them and then offers them up to schools that have a hard time finding staff.\nWhen it started, it cost the school district $300,000 annually. Since then, the school district has started doing more to support the new teachers in schools. They provide coaches and have them meet on regularly to talk about issues. The school district also works with each school principal to make their welcoming .\nThe school district did not provide the current cost of the program or the cost of the expansion.\nSchool district officials say the program has decreased the number of vacancies at Opportunity Schools in September. They also say it has helped with retention.\nChicago School Security Guards Accused Of Sexual Misbehavior At High Rates\nChicago Teachers And School District On ‘Collision Course’ Over Staffing\nThe Chicago Teachers Union Wants More Sanctuary Schools\nCPS Teacher Develops Toolkit To Fight White Nationalism","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line594497"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5946422815322876,"wiki_prob":0.4053577184677124,"text":"Lagos Theatre Festival 2018: Lagos comes alive with non-conventional theatre festival!\nby Laila Ijeoma February 24, 2018, 2:23 pm\nLagos Theatre Festival has released the schedule of performances and workshops that will feature at the 2018 edition of the festival which will be held from 27 February till 4 March 2018 at the Freedom Park and several other venues in Lagos.\nFocus for this year is on theatre in unconventional spaces, innovative interpretations of new ideas that will inspire and challenge audiences, and promoting new works that will spark conversations and debates.\nThe curated strand of the festival will feature 6 productions with over 20 shows throughout the festival. The other aspect of the festival, the fringe strand, has over 35 production programmed to present over 80 shows to theatre audiences in Lagos.\nThe capacity development thrust of the festival will deliver workshops and trainings in acting, script development and some other theatre related subject matter throughout the festival.\nTalking about the programming of this year’s edition, festival director, Kenneth Uphopho explained that productions were carefully selected to offer an interesting array of the arts. He said,\n“This year’s festival has been programmed to ensure there is something that appeals to every segment of the society – drama, spoken word, music, workshops, variety shows, visual arts and so many more.\nWe offer a slice of every bit that you wish to experience.”\nExpressing her elation at the growth of the festival over the years, British Council’s Head of Arts in West Africa, Ojoma Ochai revealed that Lagos Theatre Festival has been listed as ‘One of the top 20 theatre festivals around the world’ by America Express Essentials.\nShe went further to say,\n“It is quite commendable that in the 5th year of the festival, we get accorded this recognition as one of the top 20 theatre festivals across the world. Lagos Theatre Festival was listed alongside other festivals such as Edinburgh Fringe, Galway International Arts Festival and London International Festival of Theatre amongst some others. This is good news for us”.\nThe 2017 edition featured over 80 events at 16 venues across Lagos and was well attended by over 5000 people.\nThis year is scheduled to present over 100 shows at more than 18 venues in Lagos by production companies from America, Ghana, Nigeria and the United Kingdom.\nInfinix Is Giving out a Brand New Car in 1 week: Join the Mega Jackpot now to Win\nDJ Cuppy, Do2dtun and Infinix Dancers Lit up Turn Up Friday with Infinix\nTHE 59TH FIRSTBANK LAGOS AMATEUR GOLF OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP TEES-OFF\n‘15,897 successful applicants to undergo further screening’ – Gov. El-Rufai\nRapper Stormzy writes an emotional post to fans on his ‘GANG SIGNS & PRAYER’ album","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line877253"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6244078874588013,"wiki_prob":0.6244078874588013,"text":"This Cookies Policy (“Policy”) describes Lyca Group’s collection, use, and retention of the cookies present in the website.\nCookies are simple text files that help coordinate Lyca Group’s website servers and your browser to display the full range of features offered by Lyca Group. These features include hassle-free automatic logins and authentication, shopping cart functionality, third party ad serving, ad management, preference setting, and language setting, among others.\nWe require your consent to process cookies, unless you provide us with your personal information, for instance for registration, placing an order, or complete online forms. In this case, we may collect, store and use your personal information in accordance to our Privacy Notice.\nOur Cookie Policy applies to all websites offered by Lyca Group (LycaMobile, LycaRemit, LycaFly, LycaTalk, etc.). LycaMobile UK Ltd is a company incorporated in England with company registration number 05903820 and whose registered address is 3rd Floor Walbrook Building, 195 Marsh Wall, London, E14 9SG.\nLyca Group started operations in 2005, in the UK, and became the leading Telecom Infrastructure Managed Service Provider in Europe. In early 2007 LYCA started operations in US.\nIn 2008, Lyca Group offshored its Technology Services to India and created a world class telecom engineering facility and operate across 23 different countries worldwide.\nAlso known as the 'Cookie Directive', the instrument that defines the requirements for consent for cookies across the EU is Directive 2009/136/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, an excerpt of which is reproduced below:\n“Member States shall ensure that the storing of information, or the gaining of access to information already stored, in the terminal equipment of a subscriber or user is only allowed on condition that the subscriber or user concerned has given his or her consent, having been provided with clear and comprehensive information”.\nThe UK introduced the amendments on 25 May 2011 through The Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) (Amendment) Regulations 2011. The relevant section is below:\n“6. - (1) Subject to paragraph (4), a person shall not store or gain information, or to gain access to information stored, in the terminal equipment of a subscriber or user unless the requirements of paragraph (2) are met.\n(2) The requirements are that the subscriber or user of that terminal equipment -\n(a) is provided with clear and comprehensive information about the purposes of the storage of, or access to, that information; and\n(b) has given his or her consent.\n(3) Where an electronic communications network is used by the same person to store or access information in the terminal equipment of a subscriber or user on more than one occasion, it is sufficient for the purposes of this regulation that the requirements of paragraph (2) are met in respect of the initial use.\n(3A) For the purposes of paragraph (2), consent may be signified by a subscriber who amends or sets controls on the internet browser which the subscriber uses or by using another application or programme to signify consent.”\nIn summary, to comply with the law Lyca Group needs to give clear information about what the cookies are used for, why, and obtain consent from you, the user. 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For instance, we remove persistent cookies set to hold data for an excessive period of time, which do not meet the principle of storage limitation, as per Article 5.1.e of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).\nWhat the cookies do Reason to have the cookies in Lyca Group’s website\nEnhance our website's functionality Cookies allow us to enhance the functionality of our websites so that we can personalise your experience and allow you to use many of the useful features of our websites.\nThese cookies are strictly necessary for the proper functioning of the websites. 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These data do not allow to identify any individual, i.e. no personal data is collected.\nWe may change our Cookies Policy from time to time to be in compliance with current Data Protection legislation. However, we will not reduce your rights under this Cookies Policy. We will always update this Cookie Policy on our websites, so please try to read it when you visit any of Lyca Group websites (the ‘last updated’ reference tells you when we last updated it).\nYou can, at any time, make changes to how Lyca Group deals with the cookies present in this website.\nTo view, change or withdraw your consent Click Here\nAs cookies are stored in the web browser used to access the website, users need to change the settings pertaining that browser in particular. Below are some of most popular browsers and corresponding links to the vendors’ guidance on disabling cookies:\nIn addition, Google Analytics gives you the option to install an opt-out browser add-on for Internet Explorer 11, Firefox, Chrome, Safari, and Opera: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout\nPlease note that disabling or rejecting the use of cookies on Lyca Group websites may result in some pages becoming inaccessible or not functioning properly.\nSeveral websites explain how cookies work, offering more detail, such as www.aboutcookies.org and www.allaboutcookies.org. (Lyca Group has no affiliation with these websites).\nIf you would like to contact Lyca Group with regard to the use of cookies on our websites, please email DPO@lycagroup.com","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1123032"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5473794937133789,"wiki_prob":0.4526205062866211,"text":"Fashion Visual Cultures is taught across all three years of the Fashion BA at Middlesex. Students engage with critical thinking around fashion history, theory and industry.\nFashion as a Second Skin: Interactive Fashion\n‘Nothing signals the arrival of a new generation so surely as the fact that the previous one is shocked by its influences’. (100 Fashion Designers 10 curators, 2013, p. 4)\nMassimo Osti (1994-2005) is an Italian designer, born in Bologna, who dedicated his life to the experimentation and creation of a new type of fashion. He studied graphic design, and in the 1970s, he created a range of t-shirts with innovative printing techniques like silkscreen and four-color process, both of which are widely used nowadays. During the 1980s, Osti experimented with materials and textile development, as well as creating different types of dyeing techniques. In 1987, Osti presented ‘Rubber Flax and Rubber Wool’: linen and wool with a thin rubber coating which made the fabric waterproof. After this, Osti went on to create the brands Stone Island and C.P. Company, both of which shared the same principle: avoiding seasonal collections, and instead focusing on creating garments that would last a lifetime.\nThe Ice Jacket (1987) (Figures 1 and 2) was the first product that joined together Osti’s technological advances in one garment. The jacket was made from liquid crystals that created a fabric which could change colour, depending on temperature. The jacket inspired a collection made with this material, which became popular with celebrities and high-profile clients such as Olympian skier Alberto Tomba, and Prince Rainier of Monaco (Facchinato, 2016, p. 56). Osti continued to develop fabrics such as Cool Max throughout his career. This was a fabric that makes the moisture of the body stay outside of the fabric. He also developed Mag Defender: a fabric that protects the wearer from magnetic fields, and Steel, which is a highly resistant fabric from cuts and tears (Facchinato, 2016, p. 14)\nFigure 1: Refrigerated window display with an Ice Jacket, showing how it changes colour within seconds of the temperature changing. Corlaita, F. (2015) Ice Jacket changing colour by Massimo Osti [Photograph]. Mantova: Publi Paolini\nFigure 2: Corlaita, F. (2015) Ice Jacket label by Massimo Osti [Photograph]. Mantova: Publi Paolini, Corlaita, F. (2015) Ice Jacket label by Massimo Osti [Photograph]. Mantova: Publi Paolini,\nIn 2000, Osti undertook a collaboration with Phillips and Levi´s. The result was the ICD+ line: a collection of high-performance, technical outerwear, seen in figure 3 and 4. These garments could be equipped with a mobile phone, an MP3 player, accompanying headphones, and a microphone, all of which were wired into the garment itself. This product was ground-breaking in that it was the first commercial offering where the garment was purposefully designed to house and fully integrate a variety of consumer electronics.\nA few of the garments from the ICD+ collection are stored in the Westminster Menswear archives. I had the opportunity to visit the archives to examine them first-hand. One of the garments I analysed was a sand-coloured, hooded jacket from 2000 with a variety of wearable technology features. All the trimmings were black to contrast with the sandy main colour. The openings were double secured with a zip and Velcro tabs, and there was Velcro on the cuffs, which made them adjustable. The jacket lining was black mesh with taped seams. There were two curved large pockets on the front, closed with zippers, where the user could connect their phone and MP3 player to the jacket, with room for other objects to store inside the large pockets. All the wiring was hidden inside the garment, which gave the jacket a clean cut and simple silhouette. The earphones were wired into the hood, which is a design that has since been used for contemporary products. All the wires were easily removable, making it completely safe to wash, if necessary. The jacket’s design also included a practical way of being stored, by folding it into the two main pockets, so that it could become a shoulder bag. In appearance, this sandy jacket looks like any outerwear jacket. However, once I started opening the pockets, feeling the integrated wires, and noticed the connectors, I realised it is something else entirely.\nFigure 3: Lightweight breathable polyester raincoat with thermally bonded seams attached to a nylon vest into the back of which the coat can be stored. ICD+ Collection S/S 2000. Corlaita, F. (2015) ICD+ Jacket and Vest by Massimo Osti [Photograph]. Mantova: Publi Paolini.\nFigure 4: Nylon vest, designed to hold a Phillips electronics kit, including a GSM Mobile phone, MP3 Player, Headphones, Microphon and centralised remoted control, ICD+ Collection S/S 2000. Corlaita, F. (2015) ICD+ Vest by Massimo Osti [Photograph]. Mantova: Publi Paolini.\nThe way a wearer could use this jacket was confusing, as it did not seem to come with any instructions. While looking for more instructions about how to use it I found a small description on the webpage of the archives: ‘A central control module connects all the devices through the unified remote control to allow the wearer to switch between them and control their separate functions’ (Westminster Menswear Archives, 2020). Apparently, when someone purchased the jacket, they were given a set of instructions about how to use it, and how to store it. However, the jacket is now obsolete, despite being made as recently as 2000, and being considered to be cutting edge in technology at the time. The connectors were all for outdated devices. Nowadays, electronic connectors are different, so this jacket could not be used anymore, even if someone wanted to.\nIn 2002, Bradley Quinn tried to precisely define techno fashion, although his expansive definition demonstrated how enormous and complex techno fashion can be: ‘The new wave of intelligent clothing that fuses fashion with communication technology, electronic textiles, and sophisticated design innovations that express new ideas about appearance, construction and wearability’ (Quinn, 2002, p. 5). Quinn’s definition showed that there is no single, specific style attached to techno fashion, but that technology becomes another tool for the designer to create something new and different.\nUsing Quinn’s understanding of techno fashion, we can see that the Levi’s jacket meets two of his criteria: it fuses fashion with communication technology by wiring a phone to the jacket; and it expresses a new idea about what fashion is, and what its function is, by making the jacket have another function other than just covering the body. The jacket becomes a chimera between an electronic device and a normal jacket, yet it is still a garment, it is still fashion.\nAfter the collaboration between Osti and Phillips, a new trend in fashion developed. Science and technology studies sociologist Sherry Turkle discussed this in her book The Second Self, arguing ‘the trend was for new computational objects-personal digital assistants (PDAs), cell-phones, laptops-to become even more intimate partners to their users, more like thought-prosthetics than simple tools’ (Turkle, 1984, p. 3). We can see Turkle’s thinking reflected by the fact that Levi´s continued to search for further collaborations after this one where they could integrate electronics to their garments.\n“The jacket becomes a chimera between an electronic device and a normal jacket, yet it is still a garment, it is still fashion.”\nLevi’s latest collaboration with Google in 2018 could certainly be considered a remake of ICD+ collection: The Google Jacket (Figure 5 and 6) allows the user to connect their mobile phone to a denim jacket, which is made possible due to a small integrated computer in one of the cuffs. As a result, the jacket can be used as if it was a mobile phone. Through the jacket, the wearer can control features such as playing music, taking pictures, searching the internet, or following instructions from Google Maps, among many other features (Jaquard, 2019, p. 3). The jacket is sold in two different models for a price of around £200.\nFigure 5: Google Jacket with cuff details. Google Jacket with cuff details (2019). Available here\nFigure 6 Google Jacket with cuff details. Google Jacket with cuff details (2019). Available here.\nThe more I researched about this new category in fashion, the more I realised that it is a far more complex field than I imagined. I also realised that there is not one exact way of making a techno fashion garment, nor a specific purpose. This is a new field, and most of the garments being created are experimental, which means that they can have any purpose and can be seen in any style. Ultimately, this made me understand that techno fashion is not a temporary fashion, it is a new way of creating fashion, through the use of technology.\nFacchinato, D. (2016) Ideas From Massimo Osti. Mantova: Publi Paolini.\nQuinn, B. (2002) Techno Fashion. Oxford: Berg.\nTurkle, S. (1984) The Second Self: Computers and The Human Spirit. London: Granada.\nInvisible Men Exhibition: An Anthology from the Westminster Menswear Archives. (2019) Available here. (Accessed 01.07.2020)\nThe Register (2000) Levi's and Philips Create Wired up Clothing. Available here. (Accessed 01.07.2020)\nUniversity of Westminster (2020) Westminster Menswear Archives. Available here. (Accessed 01.07.2020)\nVHM (2000) 2000 PHILIPS/LEVIS ICD+. Available here. (Accessed 01.07.2020)\nNature and the Human in Fashion: A Sustainable Relationship? After Charles Darwin's book On the Origin of the Species was published in 1859, there emerged an exciting new trend among fashionable society to discover the natural world. Read more\nRepresentations of Resistance: The Aesthetic of the New Age Movement In my dissertation, I explored the New Age Traveller movement, specifically focusing on the music and arts collective ‘Spiral Tribe’. I also examined the media representation of the movement through popular culture studies and music theorists, as well as fashion theory. Read more\nGender Inequality and The Representation of Craft in the Fashion Industry Gender inequality is a concerning problem in the fashion industry. The Design Council’s 2018 report stated that ‘78% of the UK’s design workforce is male’. Moreover, women are less likely than men to be in senior roles, with only ‘17% of design managers being female’ (2018, p. 7). Read more\nManuela Gonzalez Pigorini","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1710034"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.629239559173584,"wiki_prob":0.370760440826416,"text":"Book Store » Biography » A Pebble in the Torrent\nBy Jan Vitek\nStarting out as a struggling, aspiring writer, Jan Vitek would go on to play a secret role in undermining the Czech communist party from within, a mission that would result in the kidnap of his wife and child and his own exile in Switzerland. He has battled political regimes and devastating illness with the same refined humility during a life marked equally by triumph and tragedy. Born in South Bohemia and coming of age during the Second World War, Vitek witnessed the liberation of the Czechoslovakia in 1945, the subsequent Communist takeover and the unbridled Capitalist transformation that many of the ex-communist states experienced following the revolutions of the late 1980s. His own life has been played out against a dramatic backdrop of a Europe in flux and his accounts of both his own experiences and this sweeping social change is illuminating. A Pebble in the Torrent is Jan Vitek's captivating and dramatic story of a man who said no to oppression and injustice.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line98103"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7745644450187683,"wiki_prob":0.7745644450187683,"text":"No EU sanctions can disrupt Turkey’s Mediterranean plans\nForeign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu says no EU sanctions will change Turkey’s position on its rights in the Eastern Mediterranean\nWe will not abandon our rights and interests in the Eastern Mediterranean just because sanctions will be imposed or because the EU will criticize us, ”Cavusoglu quotes Sabah.\nRecall that in recent months, Ankara has sent drilling vessels for the exploration of energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean, defending its rights in the region, as well as the rights of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Turkish leaders have repeatedly stressed that Ankara is in favor of solving all problems in the region with the help of international law, good-neighborly relations, dialogue and negotiations.\nPompeo accused Russia of fomenting chaos and conflict in the Mediterranean\nUS Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is trying to rewrite history in the Middle East and Mediterranean. Earlier, the Russian Foreign Minister pointed out the negative consequences of Washington’s political activity in the region.\n“It is regrettable and useless that Mr. Lavrov is again mistaken in facts and trying to rewrite history … Russia continues to threaten the stability of the Mediterranean by using various methods to spread misinformation, undermine national sovereignty and wreak havoc, conflict and division in states across the region,” the statement reads. statement on the website of the US Department of State.\nTurkey and Azerbaijan agreed on gas supplies to Nakhichevan\nEnergy Ministers of Turkey and Azerbaijan Fatih Donmez and Parviz Shahbazov signed a memorandum of understanding on the supply of natural gas from Turkey to the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic in Azerbaijan. Reported by RIA Novosti\nUS imposed sanctions on Turkey\nThe sanctions were imposed “for knowingly participating in a major deal with Rosoboronexport, Russia’s main arms export company, through the purchase of the S-400 anti-aircraft missile system.”\nTurkish Foreign Ministry condemned US decision on sanctions over purchase of Russian S-400\nAccording to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, such actions on the part of the United States are not logical, since the acquisition of Russian weapons is a necessity to ensure the protection of the country, which obviously implies Washington’s refusal to sell Patriot complexes to Ankara. The Turkish Foreign Ministry has promised to give its own response to Washington’s actions.\nBritish scientists have identified the oldest human relative\nDuring a new science project, British scientists have named the most distant animal relative of man. It’s about sponges. The researchers recalled that these are aquatic, mainly marine, multicellular animals with an attached lifestyle.\nFinnish parliament extends free education to 18 years\nFree compulsory education in vocational schools and gymnasiums was approved by the Finnish parliament on December 15, according to the YLE TV and radio company. The approximate age of children up to which they will now be able to receive free education is 18 years\nHungary passed a bill that bans same-sex couples from adopting children\nThe document was proposed by the government headed by Prime Minister Viktor Orban. As the British media company BBC explains, same-sex marriage is prohibited in Hungary, but previously the law could be circumvented if only one of the partners applied for adoption.\nThe tax authorities and the Bank of Russia can expand access to secrets.\nThe Ministry of Finance of Russia has prepared amendments that expand the tax authorities’ access to banking secrecy – they will be able to receive data on transactions on the accounts of banks and their clients not only upon request, as now, but as part of a regular information exchange with the Central Bank. At the same time, the Central Bank will be able to receive information from the Federal Tax Service that constitutes tax secrets.\nBelarus suspended the transit of oil products through the port of Klaipeda in Lithuania\nThe subsidiary of the Belarusian Oil Company BNK (UK) Limited has suspended the transshipment of oil products through the port of Klaipeda, the Lithuanian state company Klaipedos nafta reported.\nKlaipėdos nafta added that the new contracts remain in force, but their implementation has been suspended indefinitely. The agency notes that cargoes are still going to Klaipeda, but in smaller volumes than before.\nLower electricity prices did not help the economy of the Far East\nThe reduction in electricity prices at the expense of the entire country did not help the economy of the Far East did not lead to the growth of the regional economy, according to the Russian School of Economics (NES). The wholesale electricity market has already paid 129 billion rubles for the reduction in tariffs, but, according to the Institute’s estimates, this did not attract investment to the region, and productivity even decreased. The conclusions of analysts may change the mechanism of subsidies, hopes the regulator of energy markets. Industrialists are pushing for the complete abolition of subsidies.\nThe European Commission added “VKontakte” and Telegram to the list of resources with pirated content\nThe European Commission (EC) has expanded the “Counterfeiting and Piracy Watchlist” by adding, in particular, the social network “VKontakte” and the Telegram messenger. The corresponding document, dated December 14, was published on the website of the European Commission.\nIKEA invests in a Russian furniture factory\nThe workshops of the furniture plant are planned to be located in the Kovrovsky district of the Vladimir region – in the special economic zone “Dobrograd”. This is confirmed by the founder of the company “Ascona” and investor Vladimir Sedov, who spoke at the Investment Congress. The construction of the enterprise should be completed in 2021. IKEA is ready to invest 200 million rubles in new production facilities.\nUral builders asked Putin to freeze the rise in housing prices\nUral builders complained to President Vladimir Putin about developers who decided to make money on the state program. Due to the introduction of preferential mortgages at 6% per annum, the demand for housing increased sharply, and developers decided that this was a favorable moment for raising property prices\nOil and gas company CNPC has become a long-term partner of Turkmenistan\nThe China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) has been implementing projects in Turkmenistan since 2002. The holding’s work consists of investments in the oil and gas industry and the provision of engineering and technical services in the oil and gas fields.\nFrom Azerbaijan to Turkey\nTo date, more than 76 billion cubic meters of gas have been transported through pipelines from Azerbaijan to Turkey. Energy Minister of Azerbaijan Parviz Shahbazov stated this, Azertac reports.\nUnknown species of mountain animals and plants discovered in Bolivia’s forests\n20 new species of plants and animals, as well as some species of insects and amphibians that were previously extinct, were discovered by members of a scientific expedition to the Zongo Valley, located in the eastern part of the Cordillera Real mountain range in Bolivia. According to the head of the expedition, Trond Larsen, the specialists studied the so-called “cloud forests” located about 50 km from La Paz for 2 weeks.\nFound an effective way to protect neurons and stimulate their growth\nA group of several universities led by researchers from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine and the Shealy Institute of Vision at the University of California, San Diego have identified another family of enzymes called four germ cell kinase (GCK-IV kinase), the inhibition of which is potent neuroprotective and also permits axonal regeneration, making it an attractive therapeutic approach for the treatment of several neurodegenerative diseases.\nElastic cement was created in the USA\nElastic cement, created by scientists from the United States, allows you to effectively seal gas wells and wells, eliminating leaks hazardous to humans and the environment. About the development, which was presented by the staff of the University of Pennsylvania, writes the publication “Popular Mechanics”.\nA new variety of rice has been developed using ion-beam technology\nBreeders are planning to use ion-beam bioengineering to create new agricultural plants in the future. This year, in this way, it was possible to breed about a hundred varieties of corn, wheat and the same rice.\nSmart jersey for athletes developed at Innopolis University\nScientists at Innopolis University (Tatarstan) have created a smart T-shirt that records muscle activity and collects data on exercise performance, the university’s press service reports.\n“A team of scientists tested the development on a group of athletes in ski jumping and gymnasts. (…) Experiments have shown that the data obtained helps to find errors in the execution of exercises,” – said in the message.\nRestore tooth enamel without fillings\nChinese scientists have developed a liquid mixture that can effectively restore the outer layer of damaged enamel. To do this, they used a material that mimics the natural process of mineralization of the protective cover of our teeth. Tooth enamel is formed as a result of the biomineralization process.\nAustralian scientists explain why you need to work less in winter\nRecent research in chronobiology – a branch of natural science about the regulation of sleep and wakefulness in living organisms – has confirmed the theory that the need for sleep and rest increases in winter. Writes about this publication “Popular Mechanics”.\nAccording to Murray, reducing the time of natural light in the morning during the cold season contributes to the phase delay of the body, in other words, in winter people want to wake up later. It is worth noting that many people around the world face a decline in strength during the winter.\nProduction of silicon qubits at the atomic level\nThanks to a grant from the US Department of Energy, a group of scientists from the University of Texas at Dallas has developed a method for more accurate creation of silicon qubits, which in the future could lead to the mass production of quantum processors based on semiconductor manufacturing.\nScientists have found meteorites with traces of alien organic matter\nIn early 2018, a meteorite fell on the ice of a lake in Michigan, which was tracked by the National Aerospace Agency’s weather radar. Thanks to this fact, scientists were able to quickly establish the place of the meteorite fall and find it. As a result, the researchers first received a fragment weighing 22 grams, and then several more fragments of a celestial body, the total mass of which approached a kilogram. Analysis of a meteorite that fell in the northeastern United States showed the presence of traces of uncontaminated organic matter.\nThese are mainly hydrocarbons of extraterrestrial origin, but sulfur and nitrogen-containing substances have been found in some fragments, the study authors say.\nAstronomers have clarified the distance to the most distant galaxy\nAn international team of scientists using the MOSFIRE spectrograph installed at the observatory in Hawaii was able to refine the redshift of the radiation from GN-z11. New research has confirmed that GN-z11 is the farthest and oldest galaxy ever observed. It is located almost 32 billion light years from us.\nRoscosmos proposed to launch satellites from a cannon\nSpecialists of the head scientific institute “Roscosmos” TsNIIMash propose to launch small satellites with carrier shells from electromagnetic guns. This follows from the materials published in the journal Vestnik NPO named after Lavochkin.\nSamsung Galaxy Buds Pro wireless earbuds price\nOn January 14, Samsung announces the flagship smartphones of the Galaxy S21 family. Together with them, the fully wireless Galaxy Buds Pro headphones are expected to debut. The headphones will come in silver, light purple and black colors. They will receive an active noise reduction system and high-quality emitters, created in partnership with AKG specialists. The total battery life, as noted, will reach 22 hours with noise cancellation. The novelty can be purchased for $ 200\nTwitter to close the video streaming service Periscope\nTwitter’s video streaming service Periscope will cease to exist on March 31, 2021. In addition, from December 15, new users will lose the ability to create accounts on the social network, the company said.\nFacebook develops TLDR service\nFacebook is developing an artificial intelligence-powered TLDR tool to automatically generate news snippets. It is reported by Buzzfeed News with reference to internal company information. The name of the service comes from the abbreviation “too long, didn’t read” (“too long, did not read”). The neural network will summarize large articles in a bulleted list. It is also assumed that the voice assistant will be able to voice this news.\nDisney and Marvel Studios have announced a new series\nThe show, titled “Legends,” will be a retrospective of the superhero team that has always been the focus of fans’ attention, with each episode known to feature a different character\nThe first people to get to know the audience will be Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany). This choice was made deliberately to refresh fans’ memories of these characters before the release of their solo series.\nOn criminal liability for blocking roads\nDmitry Vyatkin (United Russia), the first deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee for the Development of Civil Society and Issues of Public and Religious Associations, on Wednesday introduced a bill to the lower house on criminal liability for deliberately blocking transport infrastructure and obstructing traffic. The document was published in the Duma electronic database\nOracle moves headquarters from California to Texas\nOracle, one of the largest US IT corporations, will move its headquarters from California to Texas. At the same time, the company does not intend to sell its former headquarters, like other offices in Seattle, Denver and other cities.\nThe readiness of Russians to receive a salary in an envelope\nMore than 44% of Russian citizens are ready to receive a salary in an envelope, – found out the research center of the portal SuperJob, – the website of the radio station “Echo of Moscow” reports. Experts note that mainly the poor agreed to this option – among Russians who earn more than 80 thousand rubles a month, 36% would agree to this option, but among Russians with a salary of less than 30 thousand rubles a month, this is already 45%.\nArctic navigation season in 2020\nEuropean meteorologists note that the navigation season in 2020 has become a record for shipping in the Arctic. Previously, the Northern Sea Route was open to LNG tankers from June to October. Due to the climate crisis, the amount of ice in the Arctic Ocean is rapidly decreasing and in 2020 shipping continues even in December.\nEU agreed on third package of sanctions against the Belarusian authorities\nThe permanent representatives of the 27 EU member states have agreed on a third package of sanctions against the Belarusian authorities, which, according to the community, are responsible for election fraud and human rights violations. This was reported to a TASS correspondent on Wednesday by a source in the delegation of one of the European countries in the EU Council. According to the diplomat, the new list includes about 35 individuals and legal entities.\nThe European Parliament proposed to open an office of the Belarusian opposition in Brussels\nMore than 100 MEPs signed an appeal proposing to EP speaker David Sassoli to open in Brussels a permanent office for the Sakharov Prize winners, which this year was received by representatives of the Belarusian opposition. RIA Novosti writes about this with reference to the press service of the European People’s Party (EPP).\nEU ambassadors agreed to extend sanctions against Russia\nThe extension of economic sanctions against Russia for six months, which expire on January 31 of this year, was agreed by the permanent representatives of the 27 member states of the European Union. This was reported on December 16 by a source in the delegation of one of the European countries in the EU Council.\nThe State Duma approved a ban on publishing data on the property of security officials\nThe State Duma adopted in the first reading a bill that prohibits the dissemination of information about the private life and property of the military, law enforcement and control officials. This is stated on the website of the Duma\nThe explanatory note to the bill notes that the publication of such information “interferes with the administration of justice, the fight against crime and other offenses.” An exception will be made when investigating criminal cases, checking for corruption or personal consent of a person.\nWage arrears in Russia\nThe wage arrears in Russia as of December 1, 2020 amounted to 1 billion 898.2 million rubles, according to the materials of Rosstat. Compared to the level of November 1, 2020, the total debt increased by 1.5%, or by 28 million rubles\nThe State Duma passed a law for the promotion of drugs on the Internet\nFor citizens, the fine will be from 5 to 30 thousand rubles, for officials from 50 to 100 thousand rubles, for legal entities from 1 to 1.5 million (or up to 90 days of a ban on work), for foreigners from 4 to 30 thousand. rubles with deportation (or 15 days of arrest).\nAlso, the liability of operators who do not block resources with such propaganda is becoming stricter: a fine for officials from 10 to 30 thousand rubles, for legal entities – from 100 to 500 thousand, rubles for a repeated violation within a year – from 30 to 50 thousand rubles, and from 500 to 800 thousand rubles, respectively.\nIn addition, the Duma has a bill on criminal punishment for persuading people to use drugs on the Internet: up to 10 years in prison, and if this resulted in the death of several people – from 12 to 15 years. The document passed I reading\nFAS will monitor prices together with the prosecutor’s office\nIn case of non-execution or delay in the execution of decisions to reduce prices for certain socially significant types of products, the Federal Antimonopoly Service will conduct unscheduled inspections and start cases.\n“The measures taken will be permanent and lasting,” the message says.\nSeven basic products with zero mark-up\nX5 Retail Group announced that the retailer will sell seven basic products in all stores with zero mark-up – at the purchase price from suppliers. The list will include:\nTrading expenses for these goods (including rent, logistics, utility bills, staff salaries) are going to be covered by the company. On store shelves, such goods will be marked with special price tags, the retailer’s press service said.\nParis mayor’s office fined for feminism\nThe Paris City Hall was fined 90 thousand euros for feminism: too many women were found there in leadership positions. By law, men and women in the administration should be equally divided, or 60 to 40 in favor of men. In Paris, the female half is 19% more since 2018, supervisory authorities found.\nThe Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, declared the fine absurd, unfair, irresponsible and dangerous, and promised to continue to “vigorously promote women.” She said that she was ready, together with her “directors and all employees of the General Secretariat” to pay this fine to the Ministry of Civil Service from her own pocket.\nAccording to the rules, it is supposed to “burn everything out with fire”\nIn the Nizhny Novgorod region, Orthodox priests burned a 150-year-old church built without a single nail. The Russian Orthodox Church explained that there is no blasphemy in this, according to the rules it is necessary to “burn everything with fire.”\nRoman Kiyanov, a press secretary for the Lyskovo diocese, told the Podyem newspaper that the wooden bell tower in the village of Okishino had long ago fallen into disrepair and was dangerous, and there was no money to restore it.\nIn Brussels, it was decided to create Eurocomnadzor.\nThe European Commission has published a cybersecurity strategy designed to protect European institutions, infrastructure and citizens from new threats. Among the proposed measures is the creation of a permanent body to coordinate the fight against virtual threats between different EU structures and the authorities of its individual countries.\nThe Ministry of Defense will receive compensation twice for the same job\nThe Russian government ordered to compensate the Ministry of Defense for the costs incurred by the department during the outbreak of covid in the Severo-Yenisei region of the Krasnoyarsk Territory. At the same time, the department has already been compensated for its expenses. Writes about this NGS24.ru. They are going to compensate 256.1 million rubles from the reserve fund of the Putin government.\nWe are talking about a situation when more than 1,000 shift workers fell ill at the Olympiada deposit of the Polyus gold mining company. Then the Ministry of Defense made a temporary covid hospital and an observatory there. It was in May. The company “Polyus” claims that they fully compensated the expenses of the Ministry of Defense for helping the company in the fight against covid.\nRussia has set maximum prices for sugar and sunflower oil\nThe government, retail chains and manufacturers have set maximum prices for sugar (46 rubles per kilogram) and sunflower oil (110 rubles per liter)\nUntil the last riot policeman and a real doctor say that he has done his job\nAlexander Lukashenko said that he would fight for Belarus until “the last riot policeman and a real doctor” say that he has done his job. He stated this during a meeting with the staff of the regional clinical hospital in Mogilev.\n“Nobody should think that Lukashenka has folded his hands, and that’s it, he has already dropped everything and left. Until the last riot policeman and the real doctor say: “That’s it, Lukashenka, you have done your job,” until then I will fight for this country. I have nothing else besides her, ”Lukashenka said.\nHe also asked not to believe those who say that Lukashenka makes the Constitution for himself. He assured that his position is unchanged and is to save the country\nDeflation in China.\nConsumer prices in China in November fell by 0.5% (compared to November last year). Especially food – by 2%. Economists attribute this to the rise in the yuan exchange rate, which makes imports cheaper. Since May 2020, RMB dollars have dropped 9%.\nThree years for commenting on former Interior Minister Karaev under video\nThe Human Rights Center Viasna reports that 31-year-old Yuri Kornilovich was accused of publicly insulting a government official in connection with his official duties. The materials of the case say that Kornilovich with his comment “humiliated the honor and dignity” of the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus at that time, and also “caused him moral suffering”.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line817525"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8022629618644714,"wiki_prob":0.8022629618644714,"text":"GRIPPING TEASER 4 SF FILM \"I AM NUMBER FOUR\" WITH ALEX PETTYFER. \"SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN\" & \"SNOW AND THE SEVEN\" BRING A NEW TAKE ON THE CLASSIC FAIRY TALE\nAccording to \"The Hollywood Reporter\" Rupert Sanders will direct SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN, a new take on the famous fairy tale in which the huntsman, who was ordered to take Snow White into the woods and kill her, but decided to let her free, will now have a new role. In this new film he will actually be shackled to the girl for a good deal of the movie and the huntsman will not be a love interest, instead he will act as a mentor, with the prince still very much a part of the story.\nAt the same time Walt Disney Pictures is also preparing their version of this fairy tale called SNOW AND THE SEVEN which will be a fantasy-adventure about a young British girl who is trained to fight by seven Shaolin monks :(\nThe first very gripping teaser trailer for the upcoming film adaptation of science fiction book series I AM NUMBER FOUR is finally here. It brings some\nintense flashes from this intriguing sf story about an earthbound alien disguising himself as a high school student in an attempt to hide from a rival species looking to destroy his race. Gorgeous young cast including magnetic Alex Pettyfer, Jake Abel, gorgeous Dianna Agron, mesmerizing Teresa Palmer, Callan McAuliffe alongside Timothy Olyphant and Kevin Durand, will portray a group of nine earthbound alien teens who escaped their home planet just before it was destroyed by a hostile species. While the high school-aged kids assimilate, one of them discovers that he is being hunted by the enemy that blew up his planet. The film premieres next February.\nGORE VERBINSKI AND JOHNNY DEPP TO REUNITE 4 \"THE LONE RANGER\". DARREN ARONOFSKY AND NATALIE PORTMAN TO REUNITE 4 \"SUPERMAN\" REBOOT. RACHEL BILSON IS IN \"GHOST ANGELES\"\nAccording to \"MovieWeb\" director Gore Verbinski might reunite with Johnny Depp on THE LONE RANGER. As you know, the two of them worked together on THE PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN. The popular western follows The Ranger, a masked cowboy riding a white stallion named Silver, who is trying to bring the unscrupulous gangs and others of that ilk to justice.\nLovely Rachel Bilson (Hayden Christensen's ex girlfriend) has pretty much disappeared after starring in THE O.C. but now she will be the main star of a show with an uber-cool name GHOST ANGELES :) This new NBC show will revolve around a young woman living in Los Angeles who can talk to the dead, so\nsomething like GHOST WHISPERER but without Jennifer Love Hewitt :) The show will be produced by Josh Schwartz (CHUCK, GOSSIP GIRL).\nThe latest gossip about SUPERMAN reboot says that one of the strongest candidates for the director's seat is Darren Aronofsky and according to the same gossip if he takes the helm he will put his muse Natalie Portman in the role of Lois Lane, with whom he just finished BLACK SWAN. The rumors also say that Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures had wanted Natalie Portman in this role back when they were shooting SUPERMAN RETURNS a few years ago as well. The reboot must start with the production soon before the studios lose rights on the famous superhero character.\nTHANDIE NEWTON IS HOLLYWOOD SPY'S BEST BRITISH ACTRESS. NEW POLL: BEST BRITISH GENTS PART III\nWith almost half a thousand of votes from some charming trolls lurking around, the second part of our BEST BRITISH ACTRESS poll is over :) Refined beauty Thandie Newton has won with 56% of votes, Kate Winslet took second place with 20%,\nleaving Polly Walker (8%) and Helen Mirren in third and fourth place with Polly scoring just two votes more than Helen. Now methinks you will agree with a strange notion I have that this poll has been hijacked by Thandie Newton's fans, because she probably wouldn't be able to beat experienced and acclaimed actresses such as Helen Mirren, Kate Winslet or Polly Walker in reality, but I won't complain too much :) I do love the beautiful and sensual Thandie.\nShe basically got world wide fame with her supersexy role in MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 2 alongside Tom Cruise and Dougray Scott. After that she was equally brilliant and mesmerizing as dangerous Dame Vaako alongside Karl Urban and Vin Diesel in THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK. She showed her\ndramatic talent in one of the best films of the last decade THE CRASH by Paul Haggis. After that she didn't have a lot of noticeable roles, but I must admit I remember and love her most for her touching portrayal of African doctor in famous TV show E.R. where she had a tragic love with Noah Whyle. In 2012 she got the chance to play a presidential daughter. In the future we shall watch her in futuristic mystery THE VANISHING ON 7TH STREET alongside Hayden Christensen and then in spooky thriller RETREAT alongside Cillian Murphy and Jamie Bell.\nIt's interesting that she has a Cambridge degree in anthropology, proving she's not just beautiful but smart as well. She was supposed to be a CHARLIE'S ANGEL instead of Lucy Liu. Would you believe that she is almost 40?\nNow, off to our next poll which will be the closing chapter of our BEST BRITISH GENT voting. Eight new distinguished British actors for whom you can vote during next two weeks as much as you like are: Jude Law (SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW, ALFIE, SHERLOCK HOLMES), Dougray Scott\n(MISSION IMPOSSIBLE, ENIGMA, ARABIAN NIGHTS), Kenneth Branagh (HAMLET, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING), Johnny Lee Miller (THE FLYING SCOTSMAN, AEON FLUX, MINDHUNTERS, EMMA), Paul Bettany (LEGION, WIMBLEDON, THE YOUNG VICTORIA, PRIEST), Anthony Hopkins (SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, THOR, ALEXANDER), Jeremy Northam (THE TUDORS, GOSFORD PARK, ENIGMA) and Clive Owen (ELISABETH THE GOLDEN AGE, KING ARTHUR). Vote on and let the best men win!\nAND A SMALL INFO - you know that I work as a book translator, so if you are interested in seeing how my books actually look like, head over to my dear Vics over at HAIRNETS AND HOPES who has organized a charming game with the covers of my books. So go over to Vics and join the fun :)\nSTARZ TO FIND NEW SPARTACUS FOR \"BLOOD AND SAND\"? GUILLERMO DEL TORO MAKING \"TROLLHUNTERS\". DAVID OAKES AND HOLLIDAY GRAINGER ARE LUCREZIA AND JUAN IN NEW EPIC SAGA \"THE BORGIAS\"\nYou already heard the terrible news earlier this month that Andy Whitfield has problems with cancer again, and that he won't be able to do the second season of SPARTACUS BLOOD AND SAND. It was planned for him to shoot the new season which was supposed to be aired in Autumn after the\nprequel SPARTACUS GODS OF ARENA which will be aired early next year describing the rise of the house of Batiatus. The new update is that Starz is now thinking of finding a new actor for the role of the brave gladiator, since Andy probably won't be able to return any time soon, and Andy is apparently OK with that solution. The second option is to cancel the whole show, which would be unwise having in mind the financial and critical success of the show so far. I'll keep you posted.\nGuillermo del Toro will write and direct an animated movie for Dreamworks. Tittled TROLLHUNTERS, the film will be based on his YA novel, which he is currently writing, combining fairy tales and creatures of ancient lore with modern times and it will tell the story of how difficult it is to be a kid.\nBut he first has to finish spooky arctic flick AT THE MOUNTAINS OF MADNESS for which he already has one of the actors - Ron Perlman.\nShowtime's new epic saga which is to replace legendary show THE TUDORS next spring - THE BORGIAS is moving on with production. This saga, directed by Neil Jordan, will follow the infamous Italian Renaissance family lead by Rodrigo Borgia, the cunning, manipulative patriarch who ascends to the highest circles of power within Renaissance-era Italy. Beside Jeremy Irons as the pope Rodrigo Borgia, Francois Arnaud as his son Cesare, Colm Feore and Derek Jacobi as Cardinal Orsini ... the two other children of pope\nRodrigo have been cast: gorgeous young British actress Holliday Grainger (\"Merlin\") has been cast for the lead female role of Lucrezia Borgia, the beautiful and passionate daughter of the pope, while young David Oakes (\"Pillars of the Earth\") will play her older, more responsible, brother Juan Borgia. Trevor Morris who made the amazing scores in THE TUDORS will compose the music in THE BORGIAS as well.\nCHARLIZE THERON & PATRICK WILSON IN \"YOUNG ADULT\". NICOLE KIDMAN AND AARON ECKHART IN \"RABBIT HOLE\". WW1 DRAMA \"BESA\" BY SRDJAN KARANOVIC IS SERBIAN CANDIDATE FOR OSCAR 2011\nNow this sounds like a great tandem, two super gorgeous and super talented creatures together: Charlize Theron and Patrick Wilson will star in YOUNG ADULT. Written by creative Diablo Cody (\"Juno\", \"The United States of Tara\") and directed by Jason Reitman (\"Up In The Air\"), YOUNG ADULT will focus on a ghostwriter (Charlize Theron) of young adult novels who returns to her hometown to reconnect with high-school friends and an ex-boyfriend who wants nothing to do with her.\nA whole bunch of gorgeous TV actresses will have new gigs as guest stars in popular TV shows: Teri Hatcher will appear in SMALLVILLE as Lois Lane's mom, Eliza Dushku will appear in THE BIG BANG THEORY as an FBI agent, Summer Glau will appear in CHUCK, and Hilary Duff will guest star in COMMUNITY.\nAnother interesting tandem appears in RABBIT HOLE, a drama which premieres this December in the pre-Oscar season. Starring Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart and based on the Pulitzer-Prize winning play, the film tells the story of parents who are struggling to cope with the death of their four-year-old son.\nSerbian Academy of Film Arts and Science has chosen BESA for the Serbian candidate in the qualifications for Oscar in the best foreign film category. Directed by acclaimed movie maker Srdjan Karanovic, BESA is set in the WW1 when Filip, the principal of a Grammar School in the south of Serbia,\ngets drafted to go to war, but he doesn't know what to do with his young wife, the dance teacher, whom he had met during his studies in Western Europe. Seeing Filip's problem, Azem, an uneducated traditional Albanian who works as a janitor in his school, vows to him that he will protect and take care of his wife no matter what. But what happens when the unexpected and forbidden love between a Christian woman and an older Muslim man threatens to break that vow? This touching historical drama, which deals with the deep historical differences between classes and religions, has gotten great critical reviews since its premiere this year and has scored many prizes at international film festivals.\nPOST APOCALYPTIC EPIC MOVIE \"THE LOST FUTURE\" FROM SYFY WITH SEAN BEAN, COREY SEVIER, ANNABELLE WALLIS AND SAM CLAFLIN\nI'm not sure how I missed this one so far: scheduled to premiere sometime this year THE LOST FUTURE is SyFy's and Germany's RTL elaborate new mini series. This post-apocalyptic story will be set in 2510, where a group of post-apocalyptic survivors struggles to survive in a world where jungles and forests and primeval wetlands and deserts have obliterated civilization. They staunchly face genetically mutating beasts and mysterious diseases in an attempt to re-establish the human race as masters of Earth. Although humans have devolved back to the Stone Age a small group of wise men knows there is knowledge in the mysterious artifacts called books. Now they have found a young man who knows how to read. If they can defeat the warlord who rules the city where the books are kept, the young man can help them defeat the disease that decimated the world and restart civilization.\nBeside Sean Bean (whom we can expect in HBO's \"Game of Thrones\" next year) in the lead role, the cast of this enigmatic, multifaceted story full of surprising turns, also includes great young actor Sam Claflin (we've watched him this summer in \"Pillars of the Earth \" and he will also star next year in \"Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides\"), Eleanor Tomlinson (\"Alice in Wonderland\", \"The Illusionist\"), gorgeous Annabelle Wallis (beautiful queen Jane Seymour from \"The Tudors\") and hunky Corey Sevier who plays the future leader of the tribe. The film is directed by Emmy-winner Mikael Salomon (\"Band of Brothers\", \"The Company\"). Not much is known about the film so far, but HOLLYWOOD SPY will try to keep you informed on the project.\nPICS OF CHRIS EVANS FROM \"CAPTAIN AMERICA\". FAIRY SAGA \"WICKED LOVELY\" GETS A FILM. WARNER BROS SF EPIC \"EXPULSION\". TRAILER 4 \"MRS PEPPERCORN'S MAGICAL READING ROOM\"\nNow while our cinemas are swamped with vampires, werewolves, Mel Gibson and other scary creatures :) here's a real refreshment: Kimberly Peirce (\"Boys Don't Cry\") will direct the adaptation of WICKED LOVELY a book by Melissa Marr about a young girl who has the ability to see a hidden fairy world. The story follows Aislinn, a girl who has always seen faeries but followed her grandmother's rules to ignore them at all costs. But suddenly the faeries are stalking her and she's forced to confront them and their world that she's feared all her life. There's also Keenan, a Summer King, who has been searching for his Summer Queen for nine centuries and now he has his eyes on Aislinn.\nIt seems that Warner Bros is preparing a huge sf project. According to \"Deadline\" the studio has bought a script from author Gregg Hurwitz called EXPULSION. This futuristic film will begin with an act of terror which destroys Earth after which a small band of survivors escape to a planet beyond the solar system.\n\"Movieweb\" has posted yesterday the first pictures of Chris Evans as Steve Rodgers at the set of CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER, and as you can see Chris, who had a smoking body before as well, got even more muscly, ripped and brawny for the role. He is now a true super hero. Coming to cinemas next summer, the film also stars Hugo Weaving, Tommy Lee Jones, Sebastian Stan, Dominic Cooper...\nAnd if you like magic and fairy tales, you might want to check out the trailer for the small and low budgeted but super charming British film MRS PEPPERCORN'S MAGICAL READING ROOM, directed by Mike Le Han, a story about a little girl who gets more than she bargained for when she sees some unusual movement in the reading room of the shop across the street. There she meets Mrs. Peppercorn who shows her how magical the world can be ... The trailer is very atmospheric.\nKATE WINSLET & JODIE FOSTER IN \"GOD OF CARNAGE\". REESE WITHERSPOON IN \"BRAVE\". 1ST TRAILER FOR \"THE KING'S SPEECH\". EMILY BLUNT IN \"ENGAGEMENT GAMES\"\nDisney and Pixar are working on BRAVE a charming animated movie in which Reese Witherspoon will give voice to Merida, a Scottish princess looking to escape her royal fate and become a world-renown archer. A clash of wills with her mother compels Merida to make a reckless choice, which unleashes unintended peril on her father's kingdom and her mother's life. Merida struggles with the unpredictable forces of nature, magic and a dark, ancient curse to set things right. The film should be out in 2012.\nGorgeous Charlize Theron will star in TWO EYES STARING, a weird story of a nine-year-old girl who discovers her sinister friend is the ghost of her mother's dead twin. Equally gorgeous Emily Blunt will star in ENGAGEMENT GAMES a comedy about three sisters who get engaged at once and will stop at nothing to get their mother's wedding ring. The dad settles the dispute with a game of \"family Olympics\" :))\nKate Winslet and Jodie Foster will act together in Roman Polanski's GOD OF CARNAGE, a film about two sets of parents who decide to have a cordial meeting after their sons are involved in a schoolyard brawl. The union turns sour once the parents begin attacking each other over their questionable parenting skills, and soon this heated discussion turns to their marital problems as well. The husbands will be played by Matt Dillon and Christoph Waltz.\nAnd I finally have a trailer for the praised drama THE KING'S SPEECH in which Colin Firth plays British king George VI, who unexpectedly became king when his brother Edward (Guy Pearce) abdicated the throne. Geoffrey Rush stars as the speech expert who helps the king find a voice with which to lead the nation into war. The cast also includes Helena Bonham Carter as Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Derek Jacobi, Timothy Spall and Michael Gambon.\nLIAM HEMSWORTH IS \"FALLEN\" ANGEL. MILLA JOVOVICH IN COSTUME IN \"THE THREE MUSKETEERS\". HILARIOUS TRAILER FOR \"GNOMEO AND JULIET\"\nDoes Liam Hemsworth, the brother of Chris Captain America Hemsworth and the boyfriend of Miley Montana Cyrus, look like an angel to you? Well, he might take the lead role in Disney's FALLEN, a teen fantasy similar to \"Twilight\" but with fallen angels instead of vampires. This will be an adaptation of the cheesy novel by Lauren Kate about a high school student who experiences forbidden love, and has to choose between two young men who are actually fallen angels who have battled over her for centuries :)) Ah, the story of my life :))) As HOLLYWOOD SPY wrote earlier, young Liam is also playing the lead role in 2011 epic \"Arabian Nights\".\nAnd as you've already noticed, Paul W.S. Anderson's THE THREE MUSKETEERS is slowly but resolutely shaping up to become the film with the trashiest costumes ever. You've seen Orlando Bloom in frills, feathers and brocade and now take a look at Milla Jovovich's Halloween costume she'll be sporting in the film as Milady De Winter :)\nYou can also check out the first trailer for the crazy, funny and super charming animated movie GNOMEO AND JULIET which features songs from Elton John and voices from Emily Blunt, James McAvoy, Jason Statham, Michael Cane ... Premiering in February 2011, GNOMEO AND JULIET will be a story about two garden gnomes who have as many obstacles to overcome as their quasi namesakes when they are caught up in a feud between neighbors. But with plastic pink flamingos and thrilling lawnmower races in the mix, can this young couple find a happy ending?\nHOLLYWOOD SPY CELEBRATES ITS 150,000TH VISITOR AND SOME OTHER STUNNING RECORDS\nHey, gorgeous people, I just wanted to celebrate with you a few great things. First of all you've probably noticed that HOLLYWOOD SPY has had its 150,000th visitor on Sunday, that's an amazing number for a little blog, and I wanted to thank you for visiting and reading your favourite film and TV news blog daily. Yesterday something unusual happened as well: we've had mind-blowing, jaw-dropping, record-breaking 6,700 visitors in\njust one day!I'm not sure how and why, but it happened. The previous record was 3,000 visitors on September 14th. So thanks to everyone who comes by daily, to all you darlings who comment on my posts as well, huge kiss to you gorgeous people from my official blogroll in the left sidebar, and thanks to readers from 184 countries around the world who have come by HOLLYWOOD SPY during the previous year! Dezz loves you and there's nothing you can do about it :)\n\"ENDER'S GAME\" SF EPIC. SPIELBERG TO DIRECT \"ROBOPOCALYPSE\". READY FOR ZOMBIE INVASION IN \"THE WALKING DEAD\" TV SHOW?\nThis Halloween will sure be spooky if you decide to spend it watching the premiere of AMC's new zombie TV show \"The Walking Dead\" which has already caused quite a hype around the Net. The show will be set in the dark, scary and grim time after a zombie apocalypse when a group of survivors tries to find a safe and secure home. The cast includes Andrew Lincoln (\"Love Actually\"), Jon Bernthal (\"The Pacific\"), Sarah Wayne Callies (\"Prison Break\")... and is directed by Frank Darabont.\nDirector Gavin Hood (\"Wolverine\") might helm the film adaptation of Orson Scott Card's sf epic \"Ender's Game\" set in a world in which humans face a serious threat from an alien race known as the Formics and begin training elite military units in response. Against this backdrop comes Andrew Wiggin, also known as Ender, who becomes a top-flight soldier and helps to save Earth by fighting simulations that turn out to be real.\nIt seems all the producers and agents in Hollywood want to take part in \"Robopocalypse\" after Steven Spielberg has shown interest in directing this movie himself. This lavish sf epic would explores the fate of the human race after the world was hit by a robot uprising.\nAlthough they have already started filming, \"X-Men: First Class\" is still adding new actors to portray its gallery of mutants. Young Spanish actor Alex Gonzalez has been added to the cast as Janos Quested a.k.a Riptide, a mutant with the ability to spin his body at an incredibly fast rate while shooting shurikens and spikes all around. He joins the cast which already includes Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, Caleb Landry Jones, Nicholas Hoult, Kevin Bacon, Jennifer Lawrence, January Jones, Jason Flemyng....\nSENSATIONAL TRAILER FOR SF EPIC \"STAR BLAZER\". DRAGON SAGA \"FIRELIGHT\" GETS MOVIE ADAPTATION\nNow since I know there are many writers of YA novels among my dear readers, this one will surely excite a lot of you: Mandalay Pictures has bought the movie rights to fresh new novel \"Firelight\" by Sophie Jordan. \"Firelight\" follows twin teenage sisters who are descendants of dragons, they can shift between human and dragon forms and one of the sisters has the ability to breathe fire. And believe it or not, one of them will fall in love with a dragonhunter :)\nAnd, coming directly from our favourite Asian spy, Jaccsy, you must check out the stunning trailer for new Japanese sf epic \"Space Battleship Yamato\" or \"Star Blazer\" which will be its US name. This interplanetary film, with the theme song by Steven Tyler :) is set in the year 2194. The Gamilons, an enemy of undetermined form, begin an invasion of Earth. The nations of Earth pool their forces and fight back, but their armies are defeated and most of humanity wiped out. Five years later, in 2199, the Earth has been polluted by space bombs, and those who remain alive have fled underground. Even the former top pilot, Susume Kodai, has left the military. One day as he is exploring above-ground, a mysterious object falls out of the sky. This is a communications capsule from the planet of Iscandar, 148,000 light years distant, which has an equipment that will eliminate the radiation. The Defense Force of Earth equips the Space Battleship Yamato with a previously unknown propulsion system, a wave-motion engine based on plans found in the capsule. Kodai rejoins the Force, and resolves to set out aboard the Yamato. With the fate of the Earth in their hands, the crew blasts off for distant Iscandar. They have one year until radiation drives humanity to extinction.\nHOLLYWOOD SPY'S BEST TV SHOWS OF ALL TIMES\nSince I got an official order from the Cassastarian government, and their Grand Mogul Alex, to spy out Dezmond's favourite TV shows, here it goes:\nBEST HISTORICAL SHOWS\nProbably my favourite genre. ROME was absolutely amazing with the sets, the plots, the amazing actors (especially Polly Walker, Kevin McKidd and Ray Stevenson). THE TUDORS the first season was definitely groundbreaking, bringing the most amazing acting (Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Henry Cavill), costumes, intrigues, drama ... BAND OF BROTHERS was the most touching show on WW2 bringing some of the best actors together - Damian Lewis, Ron Livingston, Michael Fassbender, Tom Hardy...\nBEST WRITTEN SHOWS\nThere are always some shows with amazing plots like DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (super intelligent twists, brilliant acting, witty humour), clever dialogues like THE UNITED STATES OF TARA, beautifully written lines like in GILMORE GIRLS or mind-blowing and ultrashocking stories like in NIP/TUCK. Some people have prejudices and won't watch these shows, but they all bring the most profoundly written scripts TV has even seen raising television programmes on some much higher level.\nSCIENCE FICTION SHOWS\nI grew up with STAR TREK, watching mostly NEW GENERATION, but I also loved VOYAGER for it's scientific vibe and ENTERPRISE. As a teenager I also loved SLIDERS with Jerry O'Connel and Karie Wuhrer who traveled through parallel dimensions. And off course there's also the prematurely deceased FIREFLY.\nFANTASY, MYTH AND LEGENDS\nNot many of those on TV unfortunately, but I do love BBC's MERLIN with amazing Colin Morgan, I also enjoyed SPARTACUS BLOOD AND SAND, and I will forever miss LEGEND OF THE SEEKER and my favourite Mord Sith Cara. Can't wait for Starz' CAMELOT and HBO's GAME OF THRONES next year!\nI've mentioned before that I was pretty much raised by family sitcoms as a kid, developing my ethical principles and social values while watching the amazing family comedies such as HOME IMPROVEMENT, THE NANNY, BOY MEETS WORLD, COSBY SHOW, GOLDEN GIRLS and later on I had unforgettable fun watching FRIENDS (Chandler, Phoebe and Monica being my favourite), SEX AND THE CITY, WILL AND GRACE (especially Karen and her Rosario), GROUNDED FOR LIFE, WAR AT HOME, ALF...\nGREAT BRITISH SHOWS\nOne thing's for sure, over in Britain they know how to make memorable TV programmes. I can't describe how happy I am for growing up with AS TIME GOES BY (the legendary sitcom with Judi Dench). I've never laughed so much as I laughed watching WW2 comedy ALLO ALLO with the brilliant gallery of characters and cult lines, and Rowan Atkinson's hilarious acting in BLACKADDER. Many times I thought I'd die from laughter watching Patsy and Edwina in ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS. I'm sad that the world doesn't make such shows any more.\nWhen it comes to British TV I also loved ITV's brilliantly written show THE PALACE about a fictional royal court with an amazing chemistry between young king Richard and his PR Abigale. Then there's also CRANFORD mini series which brings the best acting TV has even seen, and BBC's supercharming BEING HUMAN in which a vampire, a werewolf and a ghost live together as roommates.\nTARSEM SINGH'S GREEK EPIC \"IMMORTALS\" WITH HENRY CAVILL AND MICKEY ROURKE TO PREMIERE IN NOVEMBER 2011\nOfficially my own most anticipated movie of 2011 \"Immortals\" has been given a release date and a very interesting one - 11.11.2011. Directed by visual genius Tarsem Singh (who brought us amazing visual feasts in \"The Cell\" with Jennifer Lopez and in \"The Fall\" with Lee Pace, and he also directed REM's \"Loosing My Religion\" video) this epic adventure will be set eons after the Gods won their mythic struggle against the Titans, but now a new evil threatens the land. Mad with power, king Hyperion (Mickey Rourke) has declared war against humanity. Amassing a bloodthirsty army of soldiers disfigured by his own hand, Hyperion has scorched Greece in search of the legendary Epirus Bow, a weapon of unimaginable power forged in the heavens by Ares.\nOnly he who possesses this bow can unleash the Titans, who have been imprisoned deep within the walls of Mount Tartaros since the dawn of time and thirst for revenge. In the king’s hands, the bow would rain destruction upon mankind and annihilate the Gods. But ancient law dictates the Gods must not intervene in man’s conflict. They remain powerless to stop Hyperion until a peasant named Theseus (Henry Cavill) comes forth as their only hope.\nSecretly chosen by Zeus, Theseus must save his people from Hyperion and his hordes. Rallying a band of fellow outsiders, including visionary priestess Phaedra (Freida Pinto) and cunning slave Stavros (Stephen Dorff), one hero will lead the uprising, or watch his homeland fall into ruin and his Gods vanish into legend.\nAs you've noticed the cast consists of some super gorgeous young stars including also young Kellan Lutz (\"Twilight\") who will portray the Greek God Poseidon, John Hurt will be Old Zeus, Luke Evans (\"Clash of the Titans\") the young Zeus, Corey Sevier is Apollo, Isabel Lucas (\"Transformers\") is Athena, Steve Byers is Heracles....\nMAGICAL TRAILER FOR HOLIDAY ADVENTURE \"THE NUTCRACKER 3D\". PIC OF ORLANDO BLOOM FROM \"THE THREE MUSKETEERS\". SACHA BARON COHEN IS FREDDY MERCURY\nHere's the first picture of Orlando Bloom as the Duke of Buckingham in the upcoming historical adventure \"The Three Musketeers\" which is currently being shot in Germany. How do you like Orlando's spruced up hair and ornate costume? As you know the rest of the cast includes: Logan Lerman, Christoph Waltz, Ray Stevenson, Luke Evans, Matthew Macfadyen, Mads Mikkelsen, Milla Jovovich...\nNow this is just plain horrible if not even disgusting: that obnoxious Sacha Baron Cohen, aka Ali G, aka Borat, will play Freddie Mercury in a biopic about the famous pop icon and the leader of the Queen!!! I mean, what did such a great musician do to deserve to be humiliated by such a horrible actor playing him??? The movie will follow Queen's formative years, which will lead up to the band's performance at Live Aid in 1985 and the producers have the license to use Queen's songs in the film.\nNow, I've no idea where did this one come from, I've never heard of it before, but here's an adorable and magical trailer for the steam-punk adventure \"The Nutcracker 3D\" which is coming to cinemas this Holiday season. Directed by famous Russian director Andrei Konchalovsky and starring Elle Fanning, John Turturro, Nathan Lane and Charlie Rowe, this lovely film is set in the 1920s Vienna and follows little Mary who lives in a home filled with lovely things and loneliness. On Christmas Eve, Mary's beloved Uncle Albert arrives with the gift of a wooden nutcracker doll. Later that night, Mary's imagination brings the doll to life. Introducing himself as NC he takes her on a wondrous journey through a stunning dimension where toys assume human form and everything appears ten times larger. But danger lurks. An army of toothy rat creatures, led by the flamboyant Rat King and his devious mother, has unleashed a plot to overthrow humanity. When NC is captured and placed under a paralytic spell, Mary, her brother Max and a spirited band of toy sidekicks must rescue him from the Rat King's clutches and thwart his wicked plans to 'ratify' the world.\n\"PRIEST\" CHARACTER POSTERS. \"PARADISE LOST\" FILM. PARAMOUNT WORKING ON \"DEADLIEST WARRIOR\" MOVIE. \"VOLTRON: DEFENDER OF THE UNIVERSE\" CONCEPT ART\nThe first thing I have for you today are four cool character posters for the sf vampire epic \"Priest\" which premieres next year. Starring Paul Bettany, Karl Urban, Stephen Moyer, Cam Gigandet, Madchen Amick, Christopher Plummer and Maggie Q this dystopian film will follow a warrior priest who breaks his sacred vows to Church after his niece gets abducted by a murderous pack of vampires, and goes on a quest to find her before she turns into a vampire as well. He is joined on his adventure by a trigger-fingered young wasteland sheriff, and a former Warrior Priestess who possesses otherworldly fighting skills.\nAlthough the plot is still kept as secret, Paramount Pictures will make a big-screen adaptation of Spike TV's hit series \"Deadliest Warrior\". The popular TV series has put history's greatest warriors against one another to determine who reigns supreme using modern science and the latest CGI technology, and the comments from world-class fighters, historians and weapons experts. The show had battles like Spartan vs Ninja, Viking vs Samurai, Pirate vs Knight, Comanche vs Mongol. This could be a helluva intriguing film.\nWe've been hearing, for more than a decade now, how Hollywood is preparing a film adaptation of John Milton's famous epic poem \"Paradise Lost\" but now it's official - Alex Proyas has been hired to direct it for the Legendary Pictures. As you know Milton's \"Paradise Lost\" was about the epic battle between archangels Michael and Lucifer and this is going to be an action movie with 3D aerial battles. I'm excited already.\nAnd if you liked watching \"Voltron\" animated series as kids, you will be happy to hear that \"Voltron: Defender of the Universe\" film is in preparation and you can check out the first concept art. \"Voltron\" follows five Galaxy Alliance pilots who control vehicles shaped like lions that combine and form the massive sword-wielding Voltron robot in order to battle an evil menace. The film itself will be set in post-apocalyptic New York City and Mexico.\nCHARLIE COX, WES BENTLEY, DOUGRAY SCOTT AND OLGA KURYLENKO IN \"THERE BE DRAGONS\". CUTE NEW TRAILER FOR DISNEY'S \"TANGLED\"\nComing to cinemas later this year is a historical drama \"There Be Dragons\" which brings a thrilling tale from the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War with a great (and super hot) cast including Charlie Cox (the lead from \"Stardust\"), Wes Bentley (he was amazing in \"American Beauty\" and \"The Four Feathers\"), Dougray Scott (\"Ever After\", \"Mission Impossible\", \"Desperate Housewives\", \"Enigma\"), Rodrigo Santoro (Xerxes in \"300\"), gorgeous Olga Kurylenko (\"James Bond\", \"Centurion\", \"Empires of the Deep\") and lovely Lily Cole (\"Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus\"). The plot: Arising out of the horror of the Spanish Civil War, a candidate for canonization is investigated by a journalist who discovers his own estranged father had a deep, dark and devastating connection to the saint's life. Check out the intriguing trailer which promises a very touching drama.\nYou can also check out the second trailer for Disney's super charming animated movie \"Tangled\" the adaptation of the famous Rapunzel fairy tale about the kingdom's most wanted-and most charming-bandit Flynn Rider (Zachary Levi) who hides out in a mysterious tower and gets taken hostage by Rapunzel (Mandy Moore), a beautiful and feisty tower-bound teen with 70 feet of magical, golden hair. Flynn's curious captor, who's looking for her ticket out of the tower where she's been locked away for years, strikes a deal with the handsome thief and the unlikely duo sets off on an action-packed escapade, complete with a super-cop horse, an over-protective chameleon and a gruff gang of pub thugs :))\n\"DAY OF WAR\" AN EPIC ON KING DAVID. FIRST TRAILER FOR KATE WINSLET'S MINI SERIES \"MILDRED PIERCE\". \"MONSTERS\" DIRECTOR WORKING ON A NEW SF EPIC\nYou know how I love me some good epics, so I don't mind John Fusco (\"Hidalgo\") writing a script for \"Day of War\", a 3D historical epic about the early life and adventures of David before he became king of Israel. The film will be an adaptation of Cliff Graham's \"Lion of War\" book and it will be directed by David L. Cunningham (\"The Dark is Rising\").\nYoung Gareth Edwards whose directorial debut \"Monsters\" has been enjoying some serious hype around the Net recently, is apparently working on a new sf thriller which will be produced by Timur Bekmambetov. The untitled project is still kept as secret but it is being described very intriguingly as an epic human story, set in a futuristic world without humanity :)))\nAnother programme which will air on HBO early next year is the five-hour mini series \"Mildred Pierce\" with our dear Kate Winslet and you can check out the first trailer. Directed by Todd Haynes (which isn't a good thing if you ask me) it tells the gripping story of Mildred Pierce Beragon, a wife who leaves her unemployed husband and gets a job as a waitress while struggling to earn her daughter's (Evan Rachel Wood) love in Los Angeles during the Great Depression. Smells like Emmies.\nGERARD BUTLER IS HOLLYWOOD SPY'S BEST BRITISH GENT. NEW POLL - BEST BRITISH LADIES PART TWO\nI must admit you are some mad, mad and crazy creatures but I still love you. I mean you silly silly freaks have sent almost 2,650 votes in THE BEST BRITISH GENT poll and I don't know whether to spank you all or French kiss you :)\nI reckon you have enjoyed the poll big time :))) I promise to lavish you with other great polls in the future as well if you promise to turn out in thousands like this time ;)\nNow, the winner was kinda expected - Gerard Butler is HOLLYWOOD SPY'S BEST BRITISH GENT with stunning 1389 votes! Close to the number of all the lovely girls he dated so far :) Why do we love him so much - he's charming, funny, talented, a great guy, often very royal (ATILLA, 300, BEOWULF), sometimes charmingly naughty (THE UGLY TRUTH, THE BOUNTY HUNTER), often dangerous (LAW ABIDING CITIZEN, GAMER, THE REIGN OF FIRE) but usually just smashing dashing (PHANTOM OF THE OPERA). It's our Gerry Berry :) Can't wait to see him as CORIOLANUS, BURNS and MACHINE GUN PREACHER in 2011.\nMy ladies really like Rufus Sewell, so he took second place with breathtaking 776 votes which would bring him victory in almost any other poll. We love RufRuf because he is always so very genuine and kind, and emits warmth even when he plays villains. He is also often very royal (THE ILLUSIONIST, TRISTAN AND ISOLDE, THE LAST KING, HELEN OF TROY) and we can't wait to see him in some great new film roles.\nThe young hope from the British Isles, James McAvoy took third place with stunning 231 of your votes. Who wouldn't love him with all of his talent, charisma, peaceful presence and modesty. Admit that you just loved him in NARNIA, that you found him amazing in ATONEMENT, that you believed him in DUNE, that he took your heart away in PENELOPE and that you can't wait to see him in X-MEN FIRST CLASS.\nThe fourth place was left for a man who should be proud with the 165 votes he got from you. Damian Lewis, one of my personal favourite British actors. He was the star in the stunning cast of THE BAND OF BROTHERS, he was the charismatic and magnetic head of the family in THE FORSYTE SAGA, he was also great in LIFE, DREAMCATCHER, COLDITZ... he deserves lead roles in big Hollywood movies. Do I smell a redhead Bond?\nNow, let us move to our next poll. You will have the rest of September to vote for THE BEST BRITISH LADY part two. The first part of the poll was won by her imperial majesty Judi Dench (stand up and bow immediately or you shall be flogged), and the following ladies, the creme de la creme of British acting, are in the new poll, so vote on as much as you like: British rose Kate Winslet (READER, TITANIC, LITTLE CHILDREN), British orchid Polly Walker (ROME, CLASH OF THE TITANS), British iris Helen Mirren (THE QUEEN, CALIGULA), British tulip Saffron Burrows (ENIGMA, TROY), British violet Kate Beckinsale (UNDERWORLD) and British peony Thandie Newton (THE CRASH, MISSION IMPOSSIBLE).\nGRIPPING TEASER 4 SF FILM \"I AM NUMBER FOUR\" WITH ...\nGORE VERBINSKI AND JOHNNY DEPP TO REUNITE 4 \"THE L...\nTHANDIE NEWTON IS HOLLYWOOD SPY'S BEST BRITISH ACT...\nSTARZ TO FIND NEW SPARTACUS FOR \"BLOOD AND SAND\"? ...\nCHARLIZE THERON & PATRICK WILSON IN \"YOUNG ADULT\"....\nPOST APOCALYPTIC EPIC MOVIE \"THE LOST FUTURE\" FROM...\nPICS OF CHRIS EVANS FROM \"CAPTAIN AMERICA\". FAIRY...\nKATE WINSLET & JODIE FOSTER IN \"GOD OF CARNAGE\". R...\nLIAM HEMSWORTH IS \"FALLEN\" ANGEL. MILLA JOVOVICH I...\n\"ENDER'S GAME\" SF EPIC. SPIELBERG TO DIRECT \"ROBOP...\nSENSATIONAL TRAILER FOR SF EPIC \"STAR BLAZER\". DRA...\nTARSEM SINGH'S GREEK EPIC \"IMMORTALS\" WITH HENRY C...\nMAGICAL TRAILER FOR HOLIDAY ADVENTURE \"THE NUTCRAC...\n\"PRIEST\" CHARACTER POSTERS. \"PARADISE LOST\" FILM. ...\nCHARLIE COX, WES BENTLEY, DOUGRAY SCOTT AND OLGA K...\n\"DAY OF WAR\" AN EPIC ON KING DAVID. FIRST TRAILER ...\nGERARD BUTLER IS HOLLYWOOD SPY'S BEST BRITISH GENT...\nEPICALLY MAGIC TRAILER FOR \"GAME OF THRONES\". GRE...\nSF EPIC \"OBLIVION\", HISTORICAL ADVENTURE \"THE LADY...\nFIRST MINDBLOWING TRAILER FOR SF EPIC \"THE PRIEST\"...\nUNIVERSAL BUYS RIGHTS ON STEPHEN KING'S \"THE DARK ...\nEXCLUSIVE: FIRST PICTURES FROM \"CAPTAIN AMERICA: T...\nIS HILARY DUFF SPIDERMAN'S NEW LOVE? EXCLUSIVE FIR...\nMARTIN FREEMAN REFUSES ROLE IN \"THE HOBBIT\". SODER...\nPRODUCERS DESPERATELY WANT EMILY BLUNT AS A NEW VI...\nZIYI ZHANG AND JAN DE BONT WORKING ON \"MULAN\" EPIC...\nRACHEL WEISZ 2 GO SF IN \"GRAVITY\". NEW PICS OF HEL...\nTOM HARDY IN STARSTUDDED \"TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER,...\nJAMES MCAVOY & TOM CRUISE IN \"AT THE MOUNTAINS OF ...\nSCARLETT JOHANSSON AND JOSEPH G.LEVITT AS ZOMBIES....\nDWAYNE JOHNSON LEADS THE CAST IN \"JOURNEY 2: THE M...","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line159721"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6538527607917786,"wiki_prob":0.6538527607917786,"text":"Two-car collision in West Berkshire closes two roads\nEmergency services were called to the collision at the cross roads of the A329 Reading Road and B4009, in Streatley, shortly after 1pm\nOne of the main routes through a West Berkshire village was closed this afternoon after a crash involving two cars.\nEmergency services were called to the collision at the cross roads of the A329 Reading Road and B4009, in Streatley, shortly after 1pm.\nA Land Rover Freelander and a Mazda collided at the cross roads outside The Bull at Streatley.\nCrews from Caversham Road and Dee Road fire stations had to help remove the driver of the Mazda from their car.\nPolice closed the two roads in all four directions while the vehicles were recovered.\nThe road opened shortly after 3pm.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line989063"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5995520949363708,"wiki_prob":0.5995520949363708,"text":"William Y. (Corky) Klett, III\nJ.D., University of Nebraska (1990)\nB.S.E., Colorado School of Mines (1987)\nAdmitted In\nU.S. District Court – District of Colorado\nU.S. District Court – South Carolina\nU.S. District Court – Western District of Texas\nU.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit\nU.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit\nAmerican Bar Association (Intellectual Property Law and Litigation Sections)\nFédération Internationale Des Conseils En Propriété Intellectuelle (FICPI) - U.S. Section, Council Member\nBest Lawyers in America, Intellectual Property (2006-2011), Copyright Law (2012-2021), Trademark Law (2012-2021), Patent Law (2012-2021), Litigation -Patent (2012-2021), Litigation - Intellectual Property (2012-2021)\nBenchmark Litigation Local Litigation Star (2021)\nMartindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent© Peer Review Rating\nSupreme Court of SC's Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline (1995-1997)\nSupreme Court of SC's Commission on Lawyer Conduct (1997-1998; 2000-2004)\nSC Bar Ethics Advisory Committee - Chair\n\"Legal Elite of the Midlands\" - Intellectual Property\nManaging Intellectual Property, ''IP Stars\"\nRepresented a large textile manufacturer in a case related to fire retardant textile treatment (Northern District of Illinois).\nRepresented a manufacturer accused of infringing a hand-held equipment mount patent (Western District of Washington).\nRepresented a manufacturer accused of infringing a trailer hitch patent (Western District of Oklahoma).\nRepresented a medical cart manufacturer accused of infringing a mobile clinical workstation patent (Northern District of Georgia). Such defense included a concurrent reexamination of the patent at issue before the USPTO.\nMultiple patent enforcement actions against competitors accused of infringing various construction material patents (District of South Carolina).\nRepresented an ink manufacturer accused of infringing a patent directed to sublimation inkjet printer inks (District of South Carolina).\nRepresented a large insurance claims processor accused of infringing a healthcare management patent (District of South Carolina).\nRepresented a beverage blending system manufacturer accused of infringing a patent directed to flavored beverage blending systems (District of South Carolina).\nEnforcement action against an infringer of an ATM transport and mounting system (District of South Carolina).\nEnforcement of a design patent related to juvenile beverage containers (District of South Carolina).\nMultiple enforcement actions against competitors accused of infringing various patents related to electrical lighting fixtures (District of South Carolina).\nEnforcement of utility and design patents against a competitor related to a system of removing construction debris (District of South Carolina).\nEnforcement of a patent directed to a transformable mechanic's creeper (District of South Carolina).\nRepresented a manufacturer accused of infringing a patent related to paintball accessories (District of South Carolina).\nRepresented a steel manufacturer accused of infringing fastening tool patents (District of Arizona). Such defense included a concurrent reexamination of the patents at issue before the USPTO.\nEnforcement of patents directed to tourniquets (District of Nevada; Western District of North Carolina).\nManagement and enforcement of the trademark portfolio of a preeminent publisher of lawyer referral directories.\nMultiple trademark infringement actions against competitors marketing counterfeit coating products (District of South Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, Middle District of Florida).\nDefense of trademark action against a manufacturer of optical solutions (District of Nevada).\nDefense of a trademark action against a resort hotel (Southern District of Georgia).\nDefense of trademark claims against a real estate management company by a consortium of resort hotels.\nDefense of a trademark infringement action against a travel services company (District of South Carolina).\nProsecution of a trademark and trade dress infringement claim against a competing heavy equipment manufacturer (District of South Carolina).\nProsecution of a trademark infringement claim on behalf of a national dry cleaning franchisor against a terminated franchisee (District of South Carolina).\nDefense of a trademark and trade dress infringement claim relating to cookie packaging (Western District of North Carolina).\nProsecution of trademark infringement claim on behalf of a miniature golf business (District of Delaware).\nProsecution of a trademark infringement claim against a competing manufacturer of boat heaters (District of South Carolina).\nProsecution of unfair competition claims against competing resellers of luxury bath fixtures (District of South Carolina).\nRepresented a national restaurant and bar chain accused of infringing trademark associated with the menu items of a local competitor (District of South Carolina).\nRegional counsel and led a team in the management of all internet music downloading cases in North and South Carolina brought by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). These efforts resulted in the filing of over 100 cases in South Carolina alone for copyright infringement arising out of peer-to-peer music file sharing.\nLead counsel in enforcing copyrights in house plans authored by a nationally recognized, award-winning designer against a national monthly publication (Northern District of Alabama).\nDefense of copyright infringement claims asserted by a decorative sign company against a competing manufacturer (District of South Carolina).\nDefense of an exercise video production company against claims of copyright infringement by a set designer (District of South Carolina).\nEnforcement action by nationally recognized artist whose copyrights were infringed by counterfeit reproductions of his work (District of South Carolina).\nDefense of a test preparation company accused of infringing copyrights held by a testing service (District of South Carolina).\nEnforcement of copyrights in maps against an infringing competitor (District of South Carolina).\nEnforcement of copyrights owned by a regional home builder against a local competitor (District of South Carolina).\nDefended a distributor of sanitizing solutions accused of misappropriating product formulas and directly competing against distributor's former supplier.\nRepresented a parts manufacturer accused of misappropriating design information from a former customer.\nEnforcing on behalf of a European company a foreign judgment obtained in Ireland against a former employee accused of misappropriating confidential design information and data (District of South Carolina).\nProtecting the proprietary information of a nonparty to a patent infringement action where client was served with a subpoena requesting such information from both foreign and domestic company divisions (District of South Carolina).\nArbitration of a failed software implementation project on behalf of a major utilities provider against a software developer.\nAssisted in the representation of a major New York savings and loan relating to a failed computer system project (District of South Carolina).\nDevelopment, monetization, and enforcement of a large IP portfolio consisting of music copyrights, trademarks, and publicity rights.\nAuditing of royalties.\nNegotiation of various production deals associated with music, film, and performance productions.\nManagement of copyright terms and termination rights.\nCorporate/Transactional\nAssist with IP due diligence in corporate sales and acquisitions.\nDraft license agreements for patents, trademarks, or other intangible property.\nDraft nondisclosure, assignment, and joint development agreements for use with employees, vendors, or third parties.\nAssist with IP issues arising in bankruptcy and tax proceedings.\nPartner | Columbia, SC Charleston, SC\nIntellectual Property Cybersecurity Commercial / Corporate Litigation Employment Litigation\nCorky is an intellectual property lawyer specializing in patents, trademarks and copyrights with offices in Columbia and Charleston, South Carolina. Corky has a broad and diverse intellectual property practice throughout the Southeast and in courts across the United States.\nCorky is routinely involved in the intellectual property aspects of corporate transactions including due diligence for mergers and acquisitions, technology transfer and licensing, as well as intellectual property portfolio creation, management, and enforcement. He represents both plaintiffs and defendants, and has experience protecting the rights and interests of inventors, engineers, artists, authors, and musicians.\nCorky has experience representing clients in patent infringement matters related to a broad range of technologies, and has argued before Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. He litigates both utility and design patents in Federal Court, and has experience before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) in the conduct of trials, including inter partes, post-grant, and covered business method patent reviews and derivative proceedings. His patent practice also includes rendering infringement and freedom-to-operate opinions.\nCorky has experience filing and prosecuting federal trademark applications, managing and enforcing trademark portfolios, and litigating trademark matters. His litigation experience includes trademark and trade dress infringement claims, federal false advertising and unfair competition claims, counterfeiting, and unfair trade practices. He also regularly represents parties in cancellation and opposition proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). He also has experience with UDRP claims associated with internet domain name disputes.\nCorky has a wide variety of copyright experience, including internet music downloading cases, infringement of various types works, such as architectural plans, maps, testing materials, music samples, and visual art. He has experience with music publishing issues, royalty negotiation, and termination rights.\nCorky has experience in developing strategies for the preservation and enforcement of corporate proprietary information. He assists companies in developing policies and employee agreements aimed at protecting this valuable intangible asset. Corky has experience with the Defend Trade Secrets Act (as well as other aspects of the Economic Espionage Act) in defending against the misappropriation of trade secrets.\nCorky has experience in negotiating and drafting license agreements for software, as well as litigating software implementation, development, and licensing issues.\nCorky is the primary intellectual property counsel to the Estate of James Brown. In connection with this representation, he is involved with a wide variety of issues. He has experience with issues related to enforcement of rights of publicity and privacy, as well as claims involving likeness, image, and persona.\nCorky routinely represents companies in the development, protection, and management of intellectual property assets. He assists clients with data security and privacy issues, website issues, and ESI (electronically stored information) concerns.\nSPEAKING & WRITING\nCorky frequently speaks on a variety of intellectual property issues. He has taught copyright and entertainment law at the University of South Carolina School of Law, and participated as a speaker at numerous continuing legal education seminars on a variety of IP and ethics topics.\nOUTSIDE BURR FORMAN MCNAIR\nOutside the office, Corky spends as much time as possible with his wife and four children. Corky is also an avid soccer player, having played on scholarship in college, as well as professionally. He still plays in amateur leagues and has been a member of amateur State Cup title teams in Colorado, South Carolina, and Texas. He has had the privilege of coaching all four of his children’s soccer teams.\nWhen he is not on the soccer field, Corky enjoys international travel, snow skiing, and reading.\nwklett@burr.com\nColumbia, SC Charleston, SC\nLegal Practice Assistant\nMarie C. Chappell\nmchappell@burr.com","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1844088"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6029967665672302,"wiki_prob":0.6029967665672302,"text":"Qian Yang\nCSE 5095\nUniversity of Connecticut, Storrs\n371 Fairfield Way, Unit 4155\nStorrs, CT 06269\nOffice: ITE 259\nEmail:\tqyang _ at _ uconn dot edu\nMy research lies at the intersection of computational science and the physical sciences, with an emphasis on machine learning for materials, physics, and chemistry applications. I completed my Ph.D. from the Institute for Computational and Mathematical Engineering at Stanford University, and hold a B.A. in applied mathematics/computer science from Harvard College. Before joining UConn, I was a postdoctoral scholar in the Materials Computation and Theory group at Stanford University.\nFeb 2019: Journal paper, Transferable Kinetic Monte Carlo Models with Thousands of Reactions Learned from Molecular Dynamics Simulations, accepted to The Journal of Physical Chemistry A.\nNov 2018: Book chapter in Computational Approaches for Chemistry Under Extreme Conditions in production, webpage here.\nAug 2018: Started position as Assistant Professor in the Computer Science & Engineering Department at the University of Connecticut, Storrs.\nMaterials and Megabytes Podcast\nCheck out our podcast exploring the development of machine learning for materials science, physics, and chemistry applications! Each episode features conversations with researchers at the forefront of this growing interdisciplinary field. In collaboration with the Stanford Materials Computation and Theory Group.\nCurrently available on iTunes, via RSS feed and here. Visit each episode's webpage for links to papers and additional materials.\nNew Episodes!\nProfessor Gábor Csányi (University of Cambridge)\nProfessor Anatole von Lilienfeld (University of Basel)\nDr. Patrick Riley (Google Accelerated Science)\nUpcoming Episodes:\nDr. Turab Lookman (Los Alamos National Lab)\nProfessor Lucy Colwell (University of Cambridge)","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1501104"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8481183052062988,"wiki_prob":0.8481183052062988,"text":"Home Cricket Ban v Eng England’s tour to Bangladesh will be a befitting answer to terrorism\nBan v Eng\nEngland’s tour to Bangladesh will be a befitting answer to terrorism\nFaisal Caesar\n“Sport is extremely powerful. For more than a hundred years, it has done things which politics failed to do. It has the power to unite a nation and spread love all over the world. In this unrest world, it’s the perfect tool to undermine terrorism and thus, if England tour Bangladesh, it will be a befitting answer to terrorism”\nJuly 1, 2016. All of a sudden the whole world was stunned. A horrifying night preceded the glorified Night of Power of Holy Ramadan. Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, was left in a state of stupor and in a dazed state of disbelief and heartbreak. The whole nation came to a standstill and the vengeance of that night jolted the whole nation.\nFive militants took hostages and opened fire on the Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan, which is known as one of the most secured and posh areas of Dhaka. The assailants entered the bakery with crude bombs, machetes, pistols, and took several dozen hostages, both foreign and local. The Bangladesh Army took a drastic approach and ended the standoff via “Operation Thunderbolt.”\nA few days later, during the Eid prayers at Sholakia, a group “Son of the Devils” carried out a bomb blast which added more grief to the heart and soul of the Bangladeshis who were already hurt and devastated by the Gulshan attack.\nThe incidents of Gulshan and Sholakia had put Bangladesh in a very bizarre state. They faced the risk of losing various foreign investments in the business sector and a major setback in tourism and sports, especially cricket.\nLast year, Australia’s tour of Bangladesh was officially postponed due to concerns over security. An Italian charity worker was shot dead in Dhaka and later, Islamic State reportedly claimed the responsibility, and thus, Cricket Australia had no option but to abandon the tour.\nBREAKING: Cricket Australia postpone tour of Bangladesh over security concerns. #SSNHQ\n— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 1, 2015\nIt was a sad state of affairs for the Tigers, who were eagerly waiting for the tour to happen. They were in such a wonderful form last year that it promised to be a cracking Test series against a team who are weak against spin and were down after losing the Ashes in England.\nBut Australia’s decision to postpone the tour left the Tigers devoid of Test cricket for almost a year and since the World T20 ended, Bangladesh are hardly involved in any international cricket. The likes of Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman featured in some T20 leagues, but that was not enough to quench the thirst of Bangladeshi cricket fans.\nEngland are supposed to tour Bangladesh this year for a bilateral Test and ODI series. But the tragic incident of July 1 has cast a shadow over the tour. England Cricket Board’s (ECB) security delegation arrived in Dhaka last week and inspected venues in Mirpur, Chittagong, and Fatullah. They also inspected the hotels and had meetings with the intelligence agencies and BCB officials in Dhaka. They were also shown the security plan for the tour at the home ministry.\nThe ECB delegation left Dhaka, but it is still not certain whether the tour will proceed or not.\nEngland should not postpone the tour. The whole world is affected by terrorism, but it doesn’t stop the day-to-day activities and sports at all. Moreover, the security state of Bangladesh is not in the doldrums like some of the countries where each day children have to wake up with the fear of a drone attack or bomb blast.\nMashrafe Mortaza, who has supported the tour, said, “Firstly, I would ask them to come, and I still believe they will come. We are all confident that the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the government will be able to make necessary security arrangements. As a player, I will say that the sport should continue. This kind of attack is happening all over the world. There were attacks in France and still the Euro was held there. I think it depends on ECB-BCB, what is going on between them. I think they should come.”\nAgain, if England’s tour to India in 2008 could proceed despite the horrifying terrorist attack in Mumbai, why not the Bangladesh tour?\nThe Government of Bangladesh has taken stern steps to control violence and terrorism all over the country and at the moment the state of security in Bangladesh is comfortable. The foreign investors have not stepped back, whereas many foreigners are still visiting Bangladesh as tourists and for various business purposes.\nBangladesh has stood up on her feet and moved on with enough determination and positivity.\nEngland should realize what cricket means to the people of Bangladesh and how badly it will affect the country’s cricketing affairs if they decide not to tour Bangladesh. England should not forget, despite Australia’s sad decision, Bangladesh has successfully staged two major international events and a limited-overs series this year. The arrangement of security by the Bangladesh government was stupendous and there were no reports of any ugly incidents during those events.\nMoreover, England must not miss the opportunity to enjoy Bangladesh’s eye-popping natural beauty, heartwarming hospitality, and passion for the game. No matter where they go to play, they will be greeted with a cheer, and no matter whom they meet they will never experience a moment of hostility. Bangladesh is the school of life.\nBangladesh are a rising force in world cricket and deserves to host and play against big teams like Australia and England. It’s quite sure, Bangladesh won’t wobble against them like in the past but will offer an exciting contest which will not only benefit both the teams, but cricket itself will be enriched a lot.\nSport is extremely powerful. For more than a hundred years, it has done things which politics failed to do. It has the power to unite a nation and spread love all over the world. In this unrest world, it’s the perfect tool to undermine terrorism, and thus, if England tour Bangladesh, it will be a befitting answer to terrorism.\nBangladesh v England 2016\nPrevious articleThe unique cricket culture of Sri Lanka\nNext articleBangladesh bowlers will benefit from Courtney Walsh\nhttp://www.faisalcaesar.blogspot.com\nFaisal Caesar is a doctor by profession and a passionate cricket writer. He is the cricket editor of Cricketsoccer. Previously, he has worked with prominent websites like Cricket Country, News18 and Sportskeeda as a cricket analyst. He tweets @faisalyorker1","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1381453"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9172607064247131,"wiki_prob":0.9172607064247131,"text":"Abstract from Wikipedia : Joseph Frank \"Buster\" Keaton (October 4, 1895 – February 1, 1966) was an American comic actor, filmmaker, producer and writer. He was best known for his silent films, in which his trademark was physical comedy with a consistently stoic, deadpan expression, earning him the nickname \"The Great Stone Face\". Buster Keaton (his lifelong stage name) was recognized as the seventh-greatest director of all time by Entertainment Weekly. In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked Keaton the 21st-greatest male star of all time. Critic Roger Ebert wrote of Keaton's \"extraordinary period from 1920 to 1929, [when when] he worked without interruption on a series of films that make him, arguably, the greatest actor-director in the history of the movies. \" His career declined afterward with a dispiriting loss of his artistic independence when he hired on to MGM which fueled a crippling alcoholism that ruined his family life. However, he later recovered in the 1940s, remarried and successfully revived his career to a degree as an honored comic performer for the rest of his life, earning plaudits like an Academy Honorary Award in 1958. Orson Welles stated that Keaton's The General is \"the greatest comedy ever made, the greatest Civil War film ever made, and perhaps the greatest film ever made. \" A 2002 worldwide poll by Sight & Sound ranked Keaton's The General as the 15th best film of all time. Three other Keaton films received votes in the magazine's survey: Our Hospitality, Sherlock, Jr. , and The Navigator.\nBuster Keaton appears in...\nWell Known People (1)\nSee All Pictures of Buster Keaton\nSample of Pictures","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line317851"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6432727575302124,"wiki_prob":0.6432727575302124,"text":"Local Knowledge Crucial to Minimising Future Flood Risk\nDevastating flood damage caused by sudden bank breaches can be minimised by tapping into local knowledge and resources, while also helping to manage water levels and create availability during times of drought, says a major risk management authority.\n“Climate change is a reality, and we have to accept that with more extreme weather conditions, there will be increased frequencies of river bank overtopping,” explains Innes Thomson, chief executive of ADA (Association of Drainage Authorities), the organisation representing drainage, water level and flood risk management authorities in the UK.\nThe discharge of water from the Steeping River into the Bellwater Drain which is within W4DIDB’s system and managed and maintained by them. The water is being pumped using one of the EA’s high-volume pumps mounted on the road bridge over the Steeping River at Thorpe Culvert.\n“It is all about resilience, and we must ensure embankments can withstand overtopping without failing,” adds Mr Thomson. “The local knowledge of public bodies such as Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs), alongside others including the local Environment Agency offices, Local Authorities, Parish Councils, is key to providing a local service in managing water where it really matters, to the people and the environment,” Mr Thomson adds.\nCiting the example of the sudden bank failure on the Steeping River in June, causing flooding devastation to the Lincolnshire village and community of Wainfleet, ADA warns that it is essential that when water does breach embankments, the infrastructure is in place to get rid of that water.\n“The first priority is to ensure embankments are resilient to avoid dangerous breaches, and local IDBs are best placed to identify any concerns within their own drainage district, due to local knowledge and surveying of risk areas,” continues Mr Thomson.\n“When water does overtop embankments, it is essential to have the infrastructure in place, with well-managed and maintained sluices and pumping stations to divert water and relieve pressure.”\nMr Thomson flagged up the recent £1.8 million sea defence project at Wrangle Banks, on the Lincolnshire coast north of Boston, funded by Defra, with European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) support via Lincolnshire County Council. Here sea defences were raised and re-profiled to increase their resilience in an area of the Wash shoreline previously viewed as potentially catastrophic.\nHeaded up by Witham Fourth District IDB (W4IDB) as the lead risk management authority, this partnership project protects 3,400 hectares of prime grade one farmland and 460 domestic and industrial properties.\nThe project involved re-profiling the sea banks and raising them to over 7 metres high, with a slope leading to a soke dyke to cope with future over-topping. The project created a maintenance strip behind the bank and larger soke dykes. During high tides, these accommodate the water that permeates up through the ground and during heavy rainfall, they enable surplus water to flow to the W4IDB managed pumping stations.\nThis is a prime example of a co-ordinated effort, and highlights the importance of landowners and communities working together with local risk management authorities.\nOne example where working together brings obvious benefits, is in balancing environmental and habitat demands with the need to manage water level and flood risk requirements. Burrowing animals, for example, can have a significant impact on the resilience of a flood embankment, and this needs to be carefully managed. It is essential, therefore, that IDBs and other risk management authorities work closely with the Environment Agency and Natural England to address problems with the right balance.\nWhile the lasting memories for many of the viewing public, watching coverage of the devastating Wainfleet flooding, may well be the two RAF Chinooks and a Puma helicopter dropping 342 one tonne bags of aggregate to plug the breach, what was going on behind the scenes was more engaging for the local communities.\nRecognising the incredible response from all the emergency services and authorities involved, Lindsey Marsh Drainage Board were at the heart of the operation, the IDB’s Thorpe Culvert pumping station moving 430,000m3 per day out of the flood cell and back into Steeping River. When water levels threatened breaching the sub-station, the IDB team were joined by members of the local community, the emergency services, the Environment Agency and others, battling to keep flood water out of the station’s structure by building temporary defences, using over a thousand sandbags.\nWitham Fourth District IDB also played a decisive role by taking water into their neighbouring system, from the Steeping River. They diverted water 17 miles through a well maintained drainage network and two pumping stations to get to the Wash, helping to relieve pressure on the Steeping River system.\nThe heroic urgent intervention of all those teams working together remarkably kept the station operational throughout. Its loss would have resulted in a larger number of homes being affected in and around Wainfleet. In total, the station shifted in excess of five million cubic metres of water from the flooded area over 11 days.\nBoth these examples, very much replicated in lowland areas at risk across the country from the Fens to the Somerset levels, demonstrate the positive and proactive role of IDBs. Often however, there appears to be some disconnect between what happens on the ground, and the public perception.\nUltimately, IDBs are often best placed due to their connection to the local community. Public consultations help raise awareness, avert or reassure concerns but also justify expenditure and levy payments in internal drainage districts.\nMr Thomson concludes,\n“Working in close collaboration with the Environment Agency and other authorities and voluntary groups, IDBs provide a cost-effective, efficient, local service in managing water where it really matters to people and the environment. The Wainfleet event demonstrated how professionals can come together in a very effective way behind the scenes. It is increasingly important, however, to publicise that joint service provision more and allow people to understand and support the work being done to reduce the risks of their lives being affected by flooding and drought.”\nUK Needs Sustainable Economy Act say's Think Tank\nHuge Decline in Bird Species When Grouse Management Ends\nWildfire Warning from the CLA\nCLA Urges Farmers to Follow Hedge Cutting Rules","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line864444"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5167010426521301,"wiki_prob":0.5167010426521301,"text":"Share this Story: Daphne Bramham: A step closer to preventing the deaths of thousands of mothers and babies\nDaphne Bramham: A step closer to preventing the deaths of thousands of mothers and babies\nWith all the chatter about bike lanes, greenways and cetaceans in captivity, it is easy to lose sight of the fact that there are lots really big problems in the world, and there are people in Vancouver working on the solutions.\nEach year, 76,000 pregnant women and 500,000 fetuses and infants die from pre-eclampsia. It is the second leading cause of maternal death, especially in developing nations. A mobile oximeter and smartphone application developed by three UBC professors can accurately stratify women into risk categories. Photo by UBC PRE-EMPT Team\nWith all the chatter about bike lanes, greenways and cetaceans in captivity, it is easy to lose sight of the fact that there are lots of really big problems in the world, and there are people in Vancouver working on the solutions.\nOne of the biggest problems is that every day, 750 pregnant women, 7,200 fetuses and 8,200 newborns die from preventable causes.\nDaphne Bramham: A step closer to preventing the deaths of thousands of mothers and babies Back to video\nPeter von Dadelszen, Mark Ansermino and Guy Dumont — three UBC professors — know how to reduce those deaths by up to 90 per cent.\nThey had hoped to get a $2-million grant from the Saving Lives At Birth partnership Friday and have their project completed within the two years.\n(Savings Lives At Birth, aka SLAB, is funded by the government-supported Grand Challenges Canada, as well as the American, Norwegian and British governments and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.)\nThat didn’t happen. But they were awarded $250,000 to continue their work, which will now take at least four years. And instead of devoting all their time and attention to research, they will have to spend some of it raising money.\nThe trio has a solid track record.\nThey have proven in field trials that their technology can reduce deaths from eclampsia (a pregnancy complication) by 85 per cent. To get that done, they had a $17-million grant from the Gates Foundation and $250,000 from SLAB.\n“I was surprised (at how well it worked),” says lead researcher von Dadelszen. “And I believe in the project.”\nDumont — an engineer — designed a mobile oximeter, which is a small finger clamp that connects through a USB port to a smartphone.\nThe oximeter measures the oxygen level in a woman’s blood and, based on the reading, a software application prompts health-care workers to ask specific questions aimed at determining how great the woman’s risk is for potentially fatal high-blood pressure (eclampsia).\nThe app assesses the answers and prescribes treatment that can range from “Must go to the hospital now” to “Needs magnesium sulphate and followup in a few weeks.”\nVon Dadelszen, an obstetrician, developed the app along with Ansermino, an anesthetist and director of innovations in acute care and technology.\nEven though eclampsia is the second leading cause of preventable maternal and infant deaths, it only accounts for 20 per cent of those deaths. The harsh reality in the developing world is that to be affordable and scale-able, the technology needs to do more than that.\nSo, the next step is to expand the app’s capabilities to diagnose women at risk of bleeding, prolonged labour, sepsis (a severe blood infection that can lead to organ failure) as well as those who have malaria, HIV/AIDS and possibly tuberculosis.\nIt must be also able to predict the risks of stillbirths, respiratory problems and jaundice in newborns, ensuring proper treatment.\nOne reason that the app can be developed so quickly is that they plan to use existing data compiled by other researchers and the Aga Khan Foundation.\nMuch of the money will be spent is on hiring PhD students in Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Kenya and Tanzania to do the work, which provides the added benefit of strengthening the research capacity in those countries.\nAs good as the technology is, the UBC professors recognized early on that there are social and economic factors in play.\nMany women never make it to hospital because their husbands or mothers-in-law won’t give permission. Many arrive too late to be saved. And many families, no matter how caring, can’t afford even the cost of taking a woman to hospital.\nIn scaling up the technology, von Dadelszen says they will have to continue identifying barriers specific to the countries in which they work, educate community leaders, and try to promote micro-financing so that communities can have a plan and money in place for the emergency transportation of women to hospital.\nIt is a measure of how many great and worthy ideas are out there that von Dadelszen and his team were passed over both this year and last year.\nThe four projects that did get $2 million each included a Kenyan group that provides e-vouchers for health-care; an American phone-based tool that supports screening and counselling of pregnant women; a Dutch project that will provide community-based health insurance for low-income families; and a portable counterfeit and substandard drug detector developed by researchers at Boston University.\nTwenty-five other projects along with the UBC app received $250,000 to continue their work.\nWinning the funding requires going through a gruelling week of presentations and various rounds of voting.\n“My wife, who is a physician at Childrens Hospital, likens it to ice dancing, where everything depends on the Russian judges,” von Dadelszen says with a laugh from the competition site in Washington, D.C.\n“But there are so many smart people. It’s been really exciting to be with them.”\ndbramham@vancouversun.com\nClick here to report a typo or visit vancouversun.com/typo.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line608314"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9694312214851379,"wiki_prob":0.9694312214851379,"text":"Michael Jackson’s newest album exhibits freshness and modernity\nZach Smith, Staff Writer|May 28, 2014\nPress release photo from hypetrak.com\nMichael Jackson’s “Xscape” debuted at No.2 on the billboards on March 14\nThe King of Pop continues to release hits, even after his death. “XSCAPE,” a modernized mix of songs that did not make the cut on Jackson’s previous albums, is one of many albums to be released during the posthumous Michael Jackson era.\nTimbaland executive-produced the album with assistance from other big name producers Rodney Jerkins, Jerome Harmon, Stargate, and John McClane, providing a fresh sound to the old recordings. Their works stuns, as the album maintains a true Michael Jackson vibe throughout, excluding “Blue Gangsta,” a beatboxed tune that screams Timbaland. Despite the lack of vintage Jackson on the track, “Blue Gangsta” appeals to young music fans, delivering a upbeat tempo sure to have listeners dancing.\nThe deluxe edition of “XSCAPE” features eight original tracks chosen from 1983 to 1999, in addition to nine renovated versions of the identical singles. “Love Never Felt So Good,” originally recorded over thirty years ago, sees two interpretations both produced by Timbaland. Michael Jackson meets Justin Timberlake in the second copy, making for a radio-friendly and likable hymn.\nThis is the fourth post-death album released by Epic Records and MJJ Productions. The previous records include “Michael Jackson’s This Is It” Soundtrack, “Immortal,” and “Michael.” “Michael” is the first posthumous compilation album of unpolished Jackson tracks, shedding light on the King of Pop’s impact on the music industry.\nThe producers manage to construct an album not entirely focused on reminiscing in Jackson’s past, introducing fresh sounds and tracks unlike his most popular anthems; however, there are several songs resting on nostalgia. The funk number “Chicago” bumps in a similar manner to Jackson’s smash hit, “Billie Jean,” in sound and overall bulk.\nOutside of the controversy behind releasing the posthumous album, “XSCAPE” held a position on iTunes top ten albums for multiple weeks following its release. “Slave to the Rhythm,” once featuring Justin Bieber, has a techno sound and catchy chorus sure to have music listeners from any decade grooving to the rhythm of the beat. The album maintains a familiar sound, while experimenting with popular music of today, thus, ensuring a wide range of appeal to music enthusiasts across the globe.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line479373"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6580454707145691,"wiki_prob":0.3419545292854309,"text":"Supply of Data Processor Object Storage Software and NVRAM Storage\nThe purpose of the work is to assess readiness of technology developments in storage for use in the SDP compute clusters.\nUnited Kingdom-Cambridge: Research and development services and related consultancy services\nThe Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Cambridge\nProcurement Services, Greenwich House, 1st Floor South, Madingley Rise, Madingley Road\nContact point(s): Procurement Services\nFor the attention of: Tom Twitchett\nCB3 0TX Cambridge\nE-mail: purchasing.intend@admin.cam.ac.uk\nGeneral address of the contracting authority: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofcambridge\nOther: higher education/research\nUCAM 046/15 For the provision of SKA-Science Data Processor Object Storage Software and NVRAM Storage.\nService category No 8: Research and development services\nNUTS code UKH1\nThe notice involves a public contract\nThe Square Kilometre Array (SKA, http://www.skatelescope.org/) is a major international project to build a next generation radio astronomy observatory. The anticipated construction cost of the full SKA is about 2 000 000 000 EUR. When completed, the SKA will be, by a large margin, the largest and most sensitive low-frequency radio observatory ever built.\nThe design of the main elements of the SKA is being carried out by International Consortia, with the SKA Organisation coordinating the design process. The SKA Organisation is also the overall design authority for the SKA. The SKA Organisation is a UK company limited by guarantee and is based in the UK at Jodrell Bank in Cheshire.\nAn integral part of the observatory is processing the data from the streams produced by digital signal processing into calibrated, usable science products. This processing is the responsibility of the ‘Science Data Processor’ (SDP) element of the SKA which is led by the University of Cambridge. The ‘Science Data Processing Consortium’ includes members on five continents and a mixture of Universities and government organisation and institutes.\nThe deployment of the telescopes in SKA will be phased, with the first phase (SKA1) due to commence procurement in 2017. Until 2017 the SKA project is in a pre-production phase during which elements are undergoing design and technology is brought to production readiness level. The observatory will consist of telescopes which will be sited in Southern Africa and Western Australia. There will be a computing facility for Science Data Processing on each of the continents.\nThe purpose of the work is to assess readiness of technology developments in storage for use in the SDP compute clusters. The applications running in the SDP clusters have an extreme need for high performance read I/O. The details of a preliminary design of the SDP can be in the Bibliography below. Additional information on software can also be found here.\nThe SDP clusters may well have a hybrid storage system comprising ultra-fast node-local storage leveraging NVRAM, fast island-wide shared storage spanning a limited collection of nodes (e.g. 2 racks of computers may comprise an ‘island’) while a third storage system will provide an archive in which the science products will be stored. Given current industry trends, object stores are of considerable interest.\nThe purpose of this project is to establish if combinations of existing technologies are feasible to achieve the following goals:\n— Can an application simultaneously use NVRAM storage as part of an object store and as memory class storage?\n— Can a fast RDMA interconnect be leveraged to access an object storage backend?\n— Layer a layout-aware I/O-interface, for example ADIOS, on an object store and demonstrate good performance?\n73000000, 73300000, 72230000, 72200000\nVariants will be accepted: yes\nThe Square Kilometre Array (SKA, http://www.skatelescope.org/) is a major international project to build a next generation radio astronomy observatory. The anticipated construction cost of the full SKA is about 2 billion Euros. When completed, the SKA will be, by a large margin, the largest and most sensitive low-frequency radio observatory ever built.\nLegal persons should indicate the names and professional qualifications of the staff responsible for the execution of the service: no\nRecourse to staged procedure to gradually reduce the number of solutions to be discussed or tenders to be negotiated no\nUCAM 046/15\nTime limit for receipt of requests for documents or for accessing documents: 7.8.2015 – 12:00\n7.8.2015 – 12:00\nDate: 14.8.2015 – 12:30\nPersons authorised to be present at the opening of tenders: no\nThe University of Cambridge is not a public body within the meaning of the Public Contracts Regulations 2006 (Directive 2004/18) and is not subject to the procurement legislation. Where the University advertises contracts in the Official Journal of the European Union, it does so on a voluntary basis and does not undertake any obligation to comply with the procurement legislation. The University reserves its rights in full to adapt or step outside the procedures in the procurement legislation as the University considers necessary.\nInformation about the tender process to be followed does not amount to a legally binding offer by the University to follow the process so described. The University reserves the right not to follow or to modify the procedures as the University considers necessary.\nThe tender process is being conducted electronically via In-tend.\nSuppliers are required to register on this website:\nhttps://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofcambridge in order to receive documentation. After registering the tender documentation can then be downloaded. All tender responses and any supporting documentation must be submitted through this system. There must be no postal correspondence from bidders unless agreed with the University. Tenders shall not be sent and will not be accepted by fax or email.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line2021623"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6890807747840881,"wiki_prob":0.6890807747840881,"text":"Yerra Sugarman is the author of two poetry collections: Forms of Gone and The Bag of Broken Glass, both published by The Sheep Meadow Press. She received a 2011 National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, and awards from PEN American Center, the Canada Council for the Arts, the Poetry Society of America, and The Nation magazine. She is a PhD candidate in Literature and Creative Writing at the University of Houston.\nInvisible Desire: Celia Dropkin (1888 - 1956)\nYerra Sugarman\nApproximately five years after immigrating to the United States in 1912, Celia Dropkin, innovator of the erotic modernist love poem in Yiddish, began writing poetry in her mother tongue for the first time.\nShe was born in 1888, in Bobruisk, White Russia, a shtetl (the Yiddish word for town) about 85 miles southeast of Minsk in what is today the independent country of Belarus. At the outbreak of World War I, over half the inhabitants of Bobruisk were Jewish, but by 1939, when World War II started, they constituted less than 30% of its population. Hitler's army conquered the town in 1941, and shot 20,000 Jews, burying them in mass graves. Dropkin wrote verse in Russian until about 1917.\nHer earliest Yiddish poems were her own translations of work she had originally written in the language of her birthplace, her other mother tongue. Masterful in its invigoration of meter and rhyme as well as in its, less often, exploration of free verse, the radically passionate and personal lyric that establishes Dropkin's stature in Yiddish literature is groundbreaking in its candor about sex, love, death and relationships between men and women. It also addresses with freshness and immediacy other subjects: nature (often eroticized), motherhood, and childhood.\nOne later poem, \"Shvere gedanken\" (\"Hard Thoughts\") is a response to the Holocaust. By exposing how desire and erotic yearning are buried in a woman's body, to recall Virginia Woolf's demand of women writers, Dropkin now takes a place in 20th century literature. Exploring our inner conflicts and despair, Dropkin challenged her readers' preconceptions of women's poetry as a form of the pious and popular tkhine: a mainly woman's individual, noncanonical, prayer. Her transgressive work, sometimes compared to Plath's, exceeded the limits of acceptable discourse in her time, and even now challenges conventions about sex, marriage and motherhood.\nIf Yiddish poetry for women was a form of prayer, it was not a dignified one, as it would have been in Hebrew; it was a lesser form in a lesser language. Dropkin and other unrecognized modernist women poets reshaped this domestic village patois into writing in which the female self could speak. She was no longer on her knees scrubbing floors and asking God to get pregnant. She was a woman expressing desire.\nAlthough Dropkin's poetry was acclaimed for its power and originality, it was likewise disparaged and overlooked by some Yiddish male critics and a number of her contemporaries who found it too openly erotic, personal, emotional, and insufficiently political for the leftist literary circles of the time or lacking in Jewish content. As Sheva Zucker points out in her essay, \"The Red Flower: Rebellion and Guilt in the Poetry of Celia Dropkin,\" the leading Yiddish critic of the 1930s, Shmuel Niger, complained that the personal content of some of her work was more suited for a scrapbook than it was for poetry.\nDropkin, we now acknowledge, was among the significant immigrant poets in New York, many of them women, who rediscovered and recreated Yiddish, transmuting it into a modern poetic language. Born of exile and Diaspora, Yiddish, since about the 10th century, had been a vernacular of the people. A fusion of several languages created by Ashkenazi Jews, it was standardized only about a hundred years ago, influenced by the \"classic\" writers of modern Yiddish literature: Mendele, Peretz and Sholem Aleichem.\nDropkin and her contemporaries contributed to the swift and unprecedented burgeoning of Yiddish poetry in New York from the late nineteenth century until the beginning of World War II. A simultaneous development occurred in Europe -- the richest one in Poland -- with the years between the wars, especially the 20s, the high point as they were in the US. In Russia, this blossoming took place until the late 1920s. Modernism's impact (particularly that of its internationalism) on Yiddish literature, which in many ways paralleled trends in Europe and America, was intense by the 1920s.\nThe group with which Dropkin is sometimes associated, In Zikh (\"Introspectivists\" or \"In the Self\"), especially embraced it, espousing personal poems that conjured the harshness of Jewish experience, and used free verse and Imagism. The In Zikh poets and those in the three other major Yiddish groups in the US—the \"Sweatshop\" or \"Proletarian\" poets, Di Yunge (\"The Young Ones\"), the leftist poets of the 20s and 30s—created an important, new and genuinely American literary establishment, second only to the English one. Yet the Yiddish poets remained marginalized, and their work untranslated, for the most part. Still, they had an audience among the massive waves of refugees who had been fleeing persecution and anti-Semitism in Eastern Europe and Russia since 1880.\nWith her husband, Shmaye, a Bundist (a General Jewish Labor Union activist), who fled tsarist police in 1910, Dropkin had six children, one of whom died. Before they were married in 1909, she had been in love with, and inspired by, the renowned Hebrew writer Uri Nisim Gnessin. In the best Russian Romantic tradition, he discouraged a romantic relationship because he had tuberculosis. Dropkin's impossible love for him seems to have provided a powerful emotional subtext to her poems. She wrote while raising her children who contributed to her creative energy, motivating her to recall the Yiddish lullabies and rhymes of her childhood and a state of innocence to which she related.\nIf Dvorak wove the plaintive melodies of his homeland into his modernist music, and T. S. Eliot incorporated the speech of Cockneys in experimental poems, Celia Dropkin used Yiddish lullabies and children's rhymes to set a certain folk innocence and experience beside her modernist concerns with the experiences of a woman's body. Dropkin was also an accomplished painter during her last years and a short story writer, but had only one volume of poems published in her lifetime, In heysn vint (In the Hot Wind) in 1935.\nAfter her death in New York in 1956, her children oversaw the publication of a more comprehensive collection of her poetry in 1959, by the same title, which included later and previously unpublished poems, her short stories and reproductions of her paintings. In 1994, with the guidance of her granddaughter, Frances Dropkin, a French translation of selected poems,Dans le vent chaud, was published. Dropkin's most important work was done in the 20s and 30s.\nHer productivity, her family suggests, was possibly devastated by the effect that the Holocaust had on her. The tragic fate of European Jewry, and the end of Yiddish itself as the everyday language of 11,000,000 Jews, approximately 6,000,000 of whom had been exterminated, meant the demise of Europe's Yiddish culture, including poetry -- most of its Jewish poets victims of Hitler as well as Stalin. What has remained of Yiddish literature in the wake of the Shoah has largely been written by survivors and an aging generation of Jewish American writers in the US, where secular Yiddish speakers gradually succumbed to the pressures of assimilation.\nSome post-Holocaust Yiddish poetry has also been written in Israel, despite the essential aversion there toward this mother tongue, once considered a threat to the establishment of Hebrew as the daily national language. Celia Dropkin's moving poems that redefine the boundaries of a woman's passions are a testament to Jewish women's transformation of their homely folk tongue of humble hearts into a proud lyrical language. Originally Published by the Center for the Art of Translation: August, 2009\nPoems By Celia Dropkin Translated from the Yiddish by Yerra Sugarman\nA Summer-Sonata I swam alone in fresh, clear waters, And through a light-green stream, saw my white, white feet. Barefoot, I walked home in lush woods That breathed hard and circled me sweetly. I came out onto a vast field, Where the wind lustfully licked my feet, The grass kissed them, and even a fat fly bit me With passionate delicacy. I got home full of love and ecstasy; I was breathing heat, my heart beating wildly, And everything was wonderful in my eyes, As if I was meant to be very lucky. And when the evening fell hot and still, Something sharp sucked, feeding on my heart, As if someone were going to kiss me at night, As if serpents were going to suckle.\n(Published in Ekleksographia, Fall 2009)\n\\*\\*\\* My Hands My hands, Two small pieces of my body I'm not ashamed of showing, With fingers like branches From a coralberry bush. With fingers like two nests, White snakes. Or ½ like thoughts Of a nymphomaniac.\n(Published in Prairie Schooner, Spring 2007)\n\\*\\*\\* To Lucifer My lovely Lucifer, Your cold-gray stare Looks at me unmoved, And contorted as an ape, I'm on my knees And lick your skinny feet. My back bends Like a question mark. Only it doesn't matter. As long as you keep looking, My lovely Lucifer, Unmoved, at me, I will crouch At your feet Like a gargoyle On Notre Dame.\n\\*\\*\\* And Wonderful Words I took a knife, Sharp as the steel of these eyes no longer alive, And cold as the gaze from your living eyes. With that knife, I opened my heart And I softly said: drink, -- Your lips snuggled up to my injured heart. You drank and you drank ½ And your eyes suddenly became hot And wonderful words broke Out of your warm thirsty mouth.\n\\*\\*\\* My Mother My mother, A twenty-two-year-old, A widow left with two small children, Humbly decided never to be anyone's wife again. Her days and years spread out, muted, As if lit by a guttering candle. My mother never did become anyone's wife, But every day, Every year, every night sighs From her young and passionate spirit, Her yearning blood, Occupied my childish heart, Emptying deep inside me. And my mother's scalding invisible desire Rushed like an underground spring, Flowing in me freely. Now, openly, out of me, spurts My mother's boiling hot, holy, Deeply hidden hunger. \\*\\*\\* In the Hot Wind 1 In the Morning The hot wind rocks The fresh, fresh leaves, Like a young mother rocking Her new-born. The hot wind whooshes In the fresh, fresh leaves, Like a young mother singing: Hush, little baby, hush. 2 In the Daytime Rocking in a hot dance, In the arms of that hot wind, With green fans, the branches Reel in a round of sin, Entwined with the hot wind, Adorned in sunlight. One minute they're apart, The next they're entwined again with the wind. Like hot blood in the veins of the branches, Each leaf dances in the round of sin. Not one wants to rest, or be silent And dances and sings a song of sin. 3 At Dusk Ended is the dance of sin, Asleep now is the hot wind, The trees weary, languishing, Stretch and stretch pondering Purest heaven up above Like thin, green smoke.\n(Published in Wherever I Lie Is Your Bed, edited by Margaret Jull Costa and Marilyn Hacker)\n\\*\\*\\* \\*\\*\\* To My Son Who Gave Me Light Blue Beads Your beads cool me, And I feel weirdly young; I don't know if I would ever want To be young again. But it seems to me, I can still please A nineteen-year-old boy, like you, Like this, the way I wear these beads With a smile of light blue calm. 1931\n(Published in Poetry International, Fall 2009)\n\\*\\*\\* Between Being Between being a child and being a grandmother -- How many worlds must one spoil? How many must one plod through, step over? How often must a person cry and laugh and listen to mourning? From smooth youth to crumpled elder, When the gaze and blood become colder, How often must a person see on herself metamorphosis Deeper and deeper, like the flourishing and fading of grasses? But to go from being a grandmother back to being a child -- Is only to step over one stair. The stair to there, from where The grandmother will hear: \"Go to sleep my child.\" 1948\n(Published in Pleiades, Spring 2009)","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1591063"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7525777220726013,"wiki_prob":0.7525777220726013,"text":"← The Grand Austin Flour Sack: An Idea Whose Time May Come Again!\nA March Through War →\nA visit with “Old Kinderhook” on the 150th anniversary of his death\nPosted on July 25, 2012 by Chris Mackowski\nThe secession of South Carolina triggered civil war in Martin Van Buren’s house before it ever triggered fighting on the battlefield.\nAfter his public career ended, the former president had retired to the quiet life of a country farmer in his hometown of Kinderhook, just south of Albany, NY. His household included his son, Abraham, and Abraham’s wife, Angelica, who had served as Van Buren’s first lady during the widower’s time in the White House. A cousin of former First Lady Dolly Madison, who had fixed up Angelica and Abraham, had come from South Carolina.\nAngelica Van Buren\nWhen the Palmetto state seceded, it rankled Van Buren, who had done much during his time in Andrew Jackson’s administration to oppose the Nullification Crisis South Carolina had sparked some thirty years earlier. As tensions mounted between North and South in 1860 and early ‘61, tensions mounted in the Van Buren household—enough so that Abraham and Angelica left the premises for a while.\nI arrived on Van Buren’s doorstep just before 11 a.m. yesterday. I’d been passing by the highway exit for Van Buren’s place—the Martin Van Buren National Historic Site—for the better part of four decades as I shuffled back and forth between family in western Pennsylvania and family in Maine. I’ve always said, “I’m gonna stop there someday”—and yesterday morning, at the start of my most recent trek north, that yesterday would be the day.\nBy sheer coincidence, it happened to be the 150th anniversary of Van Buren’s death.\nThe Red Fox in Winter\nVan Buren’s presidency often gets overlooked, following on the heels, as it does, of Andrew Jackson’s. It doesn’t help, either, that Van Buren kicked off a twenty-four-year string of one-term presidencies that didn’t end until Abe Lincoln got reelected in 1864. He wasn’t part of the Virginia Dynasty, and his last name wasn’t Adams, so he’s really the first easy-to-forget president we’ve had.\nOne could make a credible argument, though, that Jackson’s presidency would not have happened without Van Buren’s masterful political maneuverings behind the scenes. He wasn’t called “the Little Magician” for nothing.\nThe Red Fox built a career starting as an Albany-area attorney; from there, he became a New York state senator, the state’s attorney general, a U.S. senator, New York’s governor, U.S. secretary of state, vice president, and ultimately president. While in office, as legend has it, he initialed documents with a shortened version of another of his nicknames, “Old Kinderhook,” and thus “O.K.” evolved into “okay,” which might be his most enduring legacy.\nIt’s worth noting, too, that Van Buren was the first American president actually born as an American—on December 5, 1782, just six years after independence. He’s the first president who didn’t come from English or Irish descent; as the son of a Dutch family, English wasn’t even his first language. In 1807, he married Hannah Hoes, a childhood sweetheart who’d grown up with him in Kinderhook. They had five children, but Hannah died after only a dozen years of marriage. He never remarried. During his time in the White House, his daughter-in-law, Angelica—wife of his oldest son, Abraham—served as first lady.\nVan Buren failed in his reelection bid because of an economic slump caused by overzealous credit speculation by banks. It was the worst economic depression in America’s history up to that point, and not even the establishment of an independent treasury could save him. In 1848, he failed in a third-party bid for the presidency as the candidate for the Free Soil Party, which his son John had helped found.\nThe change in allegiance was a big deal for the Little Magician, who had helped found the Democratic Party that then propelled Jackson and, later, Van Buren into the White House. His opposition to the expansion of slavery put him at odds with his own party, triggering the eventual third-party run.\nBy 1860, in declining health, Van Buren keenly watched the unfolding crisis as Southern states began to secede in the wake of Lincoln’s election. The former president and his former first lady saw the situation from entirely different perspectives, leading to the family split.\nAs Van Buren’s health deteriorated, though, the family patched things up. Abraham and Angelica came back.\nDependent on his family for news about the war in a year when the Union wasn’t faring so well, Van Buren remained satisfied that the North would achieve victory—but only because his son and daughter-in-law avoided the question, fudged the truth, or lied outright to him. Van Buren died on July 24, 1862 convinced the Union he’d once led would remain preserved.\nI stood only a foot and a half from the bed Van Buren died in a century and a half ago to the day. On the bed laid a hickory walking stick—a gift from Old Hickory himself—silver-tipped and engraved, with silver-capped knots that bear the letters to spell out “Andrew Jackson.”\nAt the Dutch Reformed Cemetery on the far side of the village of Kinderhook, an obelisk stands at Van Buren’s gravesite. It’s been landscaped with flowers and tall fronds of tufted grass. Someone has planted a flag, and someone else has left a wreath bedecked in red, white, and blue.\nVan Buren would want to know that his Union was doing all right. I would tell him so, even if it meant stretching the truth a little in Abraham-and-Angelica fashion. On this of all days, Old Kinderhook should rest easy. Things, I would tell him, are okay.\nVan Buren’s gravesite at the Reformed Dutch Cemetery\nVan Buren’s home, Lindenwald, was completed in 1797. He purchased it in 1839.\nFour-and-a-half flights up to Lindenwald’s tower.\nThe old hickory walking stick from Old Hickory, at rest on the bed Old Kinderhook died in\nVan Buren’s desk in Lindenwald’s library. The bust of Van Buren is identical to one on display in the White House’s Red Room.\nThis entry was posted in Battlefields & Historic Places, National Park Service, Personalities, Photography, Politics, Slavery and tagged Andrew Jackson, Angelica Van Buren, Free Soil Party, martin van buren, Nullification, secession, Slavery, South Carolina. Bookmark the permalink.\n2 Responses to A visit with “Old Kinderhook” on the 150th anniversary of his death\nvirginiaplantation says:\nWhat a great house and great post!!\nThanks. It sure was a neat house to visit.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1107309"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5442650318145752,"wiki_prob":0.4557349681854248,"text":"BOEING TO INTEGRATE CFT ON U.S. NAVY F/A-18 SUPER HORNET FIGHTER JETS - The Aviation Geek Club\nBOEING TO INTEGRATE CFT ON U.S. NAVY F/A-18 SUPER HORNET FIGHTER JETS\nDario Leone Feb 17, 2018 Nov 12 2020 0\nAdvanced Super Hornet\nThe integration of the CFT is one of the several improvements that will feature the Block III Super Hornet which Boeing is currently developing\nThe Pentagon announced on Feb. 14, 2018 that Boeing has been awarded $219 million “for the design, development, test and integration of the conformal fuel tank (CFT) in support of the F/A-18.”\nMajority of the work is to be carried out at El Segundo, California and St. Louis, Missouri. The job will be completed by 2022.\nThe integration of the CFT is one of the several improvements that will feature the Block III Super Hornet which Boeing is currently developing.\nAlong with the CFT in fact the aircraft will have a new engine (that will be the so called General Electric’s enhanced performance engine or EPE, that would increase the F414-GE-400’s power output from 22,000 lbs to 26,400 lbs) and the infrared search and track (IRST) 21 sensor system.\nNoteworthy Block III Super Hornet is aimed to keep the aircraft relevant into the 2040s.\nHowever unlike Boeing’s previous Advanced Super Hornet concept that was revealed in 2013, the new Block III aircraft is a more modest proposition that is designed to support the rest of the air wing including the Lockheed Martin F-35C Joint Strike Fighter, Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye and the EA-18G Growler under the service Naval Integrated Fire Control Counter Air construct (NIFC-CA).\nNevertheless the Block III takes the existing upgrade path for the Super Hornet—including biennial hardware and software upgrades—and expands upon those. Indeed, some of the existing planned upgrades to the jet’s powerful Raytheon AN/APG-79 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, AN/ALQ-214 Integrated Defensive Electronic Countermeasures (IDECM) Block IV suite and the Lockheed Martin AN/ASG-34 Infrared Search and Track pod—the IRST21 sensor—are part of the Block III package.\nThis print is available in multiple sizes from AircraftProfilePrints.com – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS. F/A-18F Super Hornet VFA-103 Jolly Rogers, AG201 / 166621 / 2007\nBlock III Super Hornet CFT conformal fuel tank EA-18G Growler F/A-18 Super Hornet IRST21 U.S. NavyShareFacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsappTelegramEmail\nFIRST U.S. ARMY PILOT FLIES V-280 VALOR\nEDWARDS F-35 INTEGRATED TEST FORCE NOMINATED FOR THE 2017 COLLIER TROPHY","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line563949"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9304165840148926,"wiki_prob":0.9304165840148926,"text":"Anglo-Saxon History\nEarly Modern & Modern History\nBurgundian and French History\nEarly Modern and Modern French History\nPosts on 17th and 18th Century French Artists\nThe Reign of King Francis I (1515-1547)\nThe Valois Dukes of Burgundy\nWomen of France\nQueens of France\nScottish Queens\nKings of Scotland\nPlaces and Stories of Scotland\nWomen of Scotland\nSpanish and Portuguese History\nTudor History\nPre-Tudor History and the Reign of King Henry VII 1485-1509\nThe Reign of Edward VI 1547-1553\nThe Reign of Elizabeth I 1558-1603\nThe Reign of King Henry VIII 1509-1547\nThe Reign of Mary I 1553-1558\nVikings Related Articles\nThe Freelance History Writer\nAll things History\nCategory: Kings of Scotland\nJoan of the Tower, Queen of Scots\nJuly 13, 2018 July 16, 2018 Susan Abernethy11 Comments\nFor most medieval princesses, it was inevitable they would end up as a pawn in a diplomatic game. This was certainly true for Joan of the Tower who would become a party to the union of the youngest royal couple to be married in Scotland and England. David, the son of Robert I (Robert the Bruce) was four years, four months and thirteen days old and Joan was seven years, twelve days old at the time of the marriage. Joan was also taken from home and her mother at this young age.\nJoan was born on July 5, 1321 in the Tower of London. She was the daughter of King Edward II of England and Isabella, daughter of King Philip IV of France. Nothing is known of Joan’s early life. She was the last child of the queen and at the time of her birth, Queen Isabella had grown resentful of her husband’s favorites and his treatment of her.\nDiscussions of a marriage for Joan began when she was four years old. The first prospect was the son and heir of the King of Aragon, Jaime II and then Philip, Count of Valois (later King Philip V) was a prospect. However, neither of these marriages materialized.\nIn 1327-28, Joan’s mother Queen Isabella and her lover Roger Mortimer deposed her father King Edward II and began ruling as regents for Joan’s brother King Edward III. The couple wanted to pursue peace with Robert I of Scotland. The Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 had not ended the war between England and Scotland. King Robert saw this as an opportunity to realize his most significant objective. He insisted that his status as King of Scots be recognized and that England renounce all claims of sovereignty over Scotland, something King Edward II had refused to do this during his reign.\nIt was not until March 1, 1328 that Edward III issued letters patent recognizing Robert the Bruce as King of Scots and establishing the border between the two countries as it was during the reign of Alexander III. In order for England to abandon this position, which they had held since 1291, Scottish friendship had to be assured. English envoys started negotiating a marriage between Joan and Robert I’s son and heir David, born to his second wife Elizabeth de Burgh.\nAll parties were counting on this marriage to guarantee Scotland’s friendship. Because of the youth of the two children, the marriage would not be truly valid until David reached the canonical age of marriage at fourteen in 1338. To cover this, the treaty contained a provision that if the marriage was not completely validated and consummated within two months of David turning fourteen, the concessions of the treaty were null and void. If Joan were to die before the wedding, Edward was obliged to find a replacement. If David died, Joan would marry the next son and heir instead. The Scots were to assure Joan had property with revenue of £2000 per annum.\nThe treaty did not discuss a dowry for Joan. If the wedding was not consummated by Michaelmas 1338, King Robert was to pay an enormous penalty of £100,000. The English feared the Scots would back out of the marriage which they could certainly do before David reached marriageable age.\nThe Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton was finalized and signed on March 17, 1328 in the King’s Chamber at Holyrood where King Robert lay ill. It was ratified by the English on May 3 at Northampton. Queen Isabella and Joan travelled to Berwick where Joan and David were formerly married on July 17 in the church there. Queen Isabella attended the wedding but Edward III inexplicably was not there and Robert I claimed illness and was absent. However, it was a grand occasion because King Robert spent £2500 on the festivities.\nAfter the wedding, the couple were taken to Cardross to see King Robert. Some of Joan’s ladies returned to England while Joan stayed in Scotland to live with her husband. King Robert died on June 7, 1329 rendering David king and Joan queen. A double coronation took place at Scone Abbey on November 24, 1331 with James Ben, Archbishop of St. Andrews presiding. At the time of the ceremony, David was too young to realize the significance of the event. He was the first Scottish king to be both anointed and crowned due to the Pope having just recognized Scotland as a separate sovereign state, granting the king the right to be formally anointed. A new crown and small scepter were made for the occasion. Joan was also the first queen to be formally crowned and anointed as consort.\nNothing is known about Joan’s life in Scotland for the first six years. Because of David’s youth and his rule being subject to a regency, there were others who wanted to seize the throne. Joan’s brother Edward was dismayed and unhappy his mother and Mortimer had completed the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton in his name. People had given Joan a new soubriquet “Joan Makepeace” which Edward considered derogatory.\nEdward ousted his mother’s lover Roger Mortimer and had him executed in November 1330. He was now in control of his own government and used the minority of David II as an opportunity to interfere in Scottish politics. Within a year of David and Joan’s coronation, the former King of Scots John Balliol’s son Edward was claiming to be king with the support and assistance of Edward III. Edward was banking on Balliol accepting his over-lordship of the Scottish kingdom.\nBalliol engaged David’s army at the Battle of Dupplin Moor near Perth on August 12, 1332 and Balliol defeated the royal forces and was crowned at Scone on September 24. Balliol suggested to Edward III that he marry Joan assuming her current marriage could be annulled before it was consummated. Balliol was probably in his fifties at the time so nothing came of this suggested union. Balliol’s hold on the throne was tenuous and forces gathered in the name of King David surprised Balliol in a night raid and he was forced to flee over the border into England. Edward III intervened by taking an army north and won the Battle of Halidon Hill on July 19, 1333.\nJoan and David at the court of Philip VI of France\nBecause of Balliol’s threat to David II’s position, David and Joan were removed from Dumbarton Castle in 1334 and taken to France for safety at the invitation of King Philip VI, Joan’s mother’s cousin. Philip gave them accommodations in Château Galliard in Normandy where they lived quite well for the next seven years with several Scottish attendants.\nBalliol never gained enough authority to hold onto the entire Scottish kingdom and eventually fell from power. Joan and David returned to a warm welcome in Scotland in May of 1341. David was unprepared to rule his kingdom and found there were lords and nobles who had even more dominion than he did as king so it was rough going. When Edward III won the Battle of Crécy in France in August 1346, David was obliged to invade England in support of his ally of France, according to the terms of the Auld Alliance from 1295.\nThe Battle of Neville’s Cross on October 17, 1346 was a humiliating defeat for David with many Scottish nobles dying and David himself being taken prisoner. David was kept in captivity for the next eleven years, spending some time in the Tower of London and a great deal of time at Hertford Castle. He had one short stay in Scotland in 1351-2.\nIt is unclear if Joan remained in Scotland, stayed in England or divided her time between the two countries. She may have stayed mostly in Scotland possibly as a hostage for David’s security. David’s nephew Robert ruled as Steward of Scotland while he was captive. David never liked Robert but he was his heir. Even though Joan and David were married for over thirty-five years and obviously had sexual relations, there was never any evidence Joan became pregnant.\nDavid II, King of Scots (pictured left) and Edward III, King of England (pictured right) from an excerpt from folio 66v of British Library MS Cotton Nero D VI medieval manuscript “Edward III and David II of Scotland, in a Historical Compilation\nJanuary 17, 1357, the Scots sent ambassadors to England to negotiate the return of their king. In August the preliminaries were agreed upon and the terms were ratified by the Scots Parliament. Joan does not appear in any of the documents regarding the discussions for David’s release. The Treaty of Berwick was finalized in November. David was to return to Scotland in exchange for a payment of 100,000 merks which was spread out over ten equal installments. This was never fully paid. On Christmas Day, Joan, the Bishop of Andrews and Earl of March received safe conducts to go to England to organize the first installment of the ransom.\nDavid’s return precipitated a crisis in his relationship with his wife. As a captive, David had taken a mistress by the name of Katherine Mortimer and apparently was deeply in love with her. For all intents and purposes, Joan and David severed their relationship and Joan would spend the rest of her life in England. King Edward gave Joan a pension of £200 per annum. Katherine Mortimer was murdered in Soutra, Scotland in the summer of 1360 by being stabbed at the instigation of jealous Scottish lords. David then took up with Margaret Drummond, the daughter of Sir John Drummond and the widow of Sir John Logie.\nIn September of 1356, the Prince of Wales, son of Edward III won a resounding victory at Poitiers in France and captured King John II and his son along with much of the French nobility. Peace was made between England and France in March, 1357. On May 5, the Prince of Wales landed at Plymouth with the captive king. A series of tournaments and celebrations were planned. The greatest of these was a tournament held at Windsor on St. George’s Day 1358. Joan attended the Windsor Tournament along with her mother. A contemporary chronicler described Joan as sweet, debonair, courteous, homely, pleasant and fair.\nAfter the tournament, Joan nursed her sixty-six year old mother who was ill. Queen Isabella died on August 22, 1358. By 1362, the payment of Joan’s pension was running far in advance, indicating the amount was inadequate to cover her expenses. Joan died on September 7, 1362 at the age of forty-one while visiting her brother at Hertford Castle. She was interred in the church of Greyfriars in London where her mother had been buried. About a year later, King David married Margaret Drummond.\nFurther reading: “The Origins of Scotland’s National Identity” by T J Dowds, “Scottish Queens 1034-1714” by Rosalind Marshall, “The Kings and Queens of Scotland” edited by Richard Oram, “The Kings and Queens of Scotland” by Timothy Venning, “The Perfect King: The Life of Edward III, Father of the English Nation” by Ian Mortimer, “British Kings and Queens” by Mike Ashely, entry on Joan of the Tower in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography by Bruce Webster\nNew Decade, New Bride: Henry VIII and Anna of Cleves ~ A guest post by Heather R. Darsie\nThe Funeral of Catherine of Braganza, Queen Consort of England\nDescription of a Pageant Witnessed in the Courtyard of Old Somerset House During the Reign of Queen Elizabeth I\nEmpress Hermine and Emperor Wilhelm II – An Unwanted Match – A guest post by Moniek Bloks\nLetter from Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox to William Cecil, Principal Secretary of Queen Elizabeth I – October 5, 1570\nDaily Life and Commercial Activities in Roman Macedonia ~ A guest post by Grigorios Charalampidis\nThe Five Fiancées of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V ~ A Guest Post by Heather R. Darsie\nSir John Gates, Tudor Courtier\nQueen Elizabeth I, the Spanish Armada and the Celebrated Speech at Tilbury – 1588\nHans Holbein the Younger – Podcast featuring The Freelance History Writer\nSusan Clarenceau, Tudor Courtier\nAn English Adventure in Portugal During the Reign of Queen Elizabeth I\nThe Odyssey of Richard the Lionheart – A guest post by Olivia Longueville and J C Plummer\nMargaret Clifford, Countess of Derby\nAnglo-Saxon History (31)\nCathedrals in a Minute (38)\nEarly Modern History (43)\nFrench History (107)\n17th & 18th Century French Artists (13)\nBurgundian and French History (73)\nPortuguese History (9)\nKings of Scotland (12)\nWomen of Scotland (30)\nSpanish history (10)\nStuart history (8)\nTudor History (122)\nViking History (6)\nWomen's History (222)\nReligious Women (9)\nFollow The Freelance History Writer on Pinterest\nVisit Susan's profile on Pinterest.\nThe Anne Boleyn Files\nThe Seventeenth Century Lady\nKeira Morgan – Renaissance Historical Fiction\nThe Freelance History Writer Notes and Reviews\nFrench Renaissance Women with Keira Morgan\nA Bit About Britain\nMadame Gilflurt's 18th Century History\nDiscover Middle Ages\nParty Like 1660\nShannon Selin\nThe Tudor Society\nMimi Matthews: Author\nFollow The Freelance History Writer on WordPress.com","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1531875"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7349244952201843,"wiki_prob":0.2650755047798157,"text":"Howard L. Hawks Hall\nGraduate Certificate Programs\nFuture Undergraduates\nFuture Master's Program Students\nFuture Doctoral Students\nFuture Graduate Certificate Program Students\nUndergraduate Scholarships and Aid\nLife at Nebraska\nBusiness Advising and Student Engagement\nClifton Strengths Institute\nBusiness Abroad\nOutreach & Impact\nExecutive and Professional Development\nMarijane England\nAssociate Professor of Practice in Management\nHLH 325 BB\nmarijane.england@unl.edu\nPh.D. in Community and Human Resources, University of Nebraska–Lincoln\nM.S. in Animal Science, University of Nebraska–Lincoln\nB.S. in Mathematics and Statistics, University of Nebraska–Lincoln\nHancock Vita 2019.docx\nCliftonStrengths ®\nDr. Marijane England is an Associate Professor of Practice. England is a “second-career” faculty member. Prior to teaching in Management, her career focus was in resource management and applications of computer systems in advancing business practice. From 1994-2000, England put theory to practice and directed the Arctic logistics and science support activities for UNL’s Polar Ice Coring Office.\nEngland taught in the Department of Management from 2000-2006 and was awarded the Excellence in Teaching award in 2004 and 2006. She left teaching to serve as Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs and Director of Institutional Research for the University of Nebraska from 2006-2008. Prior to returning to the classroom in 2011, England was Dean of Administration for the Bryan College of Health Sciences with responsibility for finance, human resources, IT and facilities.\nEngland is a graduate of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln with a bachelor’s degree in statistics, a master’s degree in animal science and a doctorate in community and human resources. She currently teaches Strategy and Business Policies.\nMNGT 475 Strategic Management\nStrategic Management is a senior-level capstone course designed to build on and integrate the knowledge and skills acquired during the business school curriculum. The goal of this course is to study the company as a whole rather than any one functional area. Students will learn principal concepts, frameworks, and techniques of strategic management and will use written and oral communication skills to analyze and critically think about strategic problems, solutions, and decisions. This course requires students to formulate and apply business strategies through the analysis of cases and business simulations. Students will gain an understanding and appreciation of how strategy affects careers, company performance, and industry attractiveness.\nSignificant External Service\nLancaster County Planning Commission CAFO Working group 2019\nNebraska Women's Leadership Network 2014-present\nChair Undergraduate Curriculum and Assessment Committee 2018-present\nChair Dept of MNGT Curriculum Committee 2019-present\nMember College Awards Committee 2019-present","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1640463"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9386265277862549,"wiki_prob":0.9386265277862549,"text":"Webb’s evolution takes him to West Liberty\nSouth Point Pointers’ senior guard Austin Webb signed a scholarship letter-of-intent to play at West Liberty University. Attending the signing ceremony were: seated left to right, father Jeremy Webb, Austin, mother Leslie Webb and sister Gracie Webb. (Kent Sanborn of SouthernOhioSportsPhotos.com)\nSOUTH POINT — Austin Webb has gone from a 140-pound freshman to a 175-pound senior.\nBut Webb has done a lot more growing than just some weight gain.\nIn fact, Webb’s evolution during his four years playing basketball for the South Point Pointers has been so impressive he garnered the attention of a lot of college programs.\nOn Wednesday, Webb removed some mental weight from his body as he secured his future by signing a letter-of-intent scholarship with the West Liberty University Hilltoppers.\n“This just lets me focus more on this year and this season with my guys and we can win some games and hopefully change the district banner in there,” said Webb referring to changing the recent banner from district runner-up to champion.\nLast season the 6-foot-3 Webb averaged 22.4 points a game last season along with 7.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.6 blocked shots.\nDue to a torn muscle injury, he missed the end of the season and fell 10 points shy of 1,000 points.\n“I would have had it if I hadn’t got injured last year, but the first game this year I’ll be back with 1,000,” said Webb.\n“It was the weirdest thing, I tore my groin somehow. I woke up the next morning and I had torn my groin and then I got the flu and I was in the hospital for two weeks. I lost 20 pounds.”\nPointers’ head coach Travis Wise said Wise has grown both as a player and a person during the past four years.\n“Austin is a great kid. Individually as a person he is just top-notch,” said Wise. “Great, great kid. Academics, he’s a 4.0 (grade point average) and going to be the valedictorian of his class. He came in as a skinny freshman, about 140 pounds, and had to play the post and then we started moving him out away from the basket.\n“He’s worked his butt off all the way up. Never missed an open gym, never missed a workout. Just a great ballplayer and the ceiling, he’s still got room to grow. He’s always in early and stays late. If we had 12 of him, our job (as coaches) would be a lot easier.”\nWebb said he talked with Marshall University on a few occasions as well as other schools in Mountain East Conference that includes Alderson Broaddus, University of Charleston, Concord University, Davis & Elkins College, Fairmont State, Glenville State, West Virginia State, Frostburg State, West Virginia Wesleyan, Wheeling University and Notre Dame College of Ohio.\nBut after weighing his options, Webb decided on the NCAA Division II program for several reasons including head coach Ben Howlett.\n“I had a lot of D1 interest, but I thought this was the best option for me,” said Webb.\n“I just liked their coach. Their coach is really good guy and he’s straight up with everything. I just like that they have a good, winning program and they send a lot of players overseas and that’s something I want to do is go play basketball overseas. I just felt it was a good fit for me.”\nWest Liberty plans to keep Webb on the outside when he lands on campus.\n“I’m going to be doing pretty much what I’m doing now. Just run up and down the floor and shoot 3s,” said Webb with a grin.\nWise said Webb’s work ethic is something that will keep him improving.\n“He comes in early. We come in at 6 o’clock in the morning and he calls and says, ‘can I get in early?’ Three days a week he’s coming at 6 o’clock in the morning working on his shot. He just works hard,” Wise said.\nBesides being a good player, Wise said Webb is a leader by example and should have a lasting effect on the Pointers’ program and he will do the same for West Liberty.\n“I told Coach Howlett you’re getting a kid who is a gym rat. He loves to be in the gym and he loves to get better,” said Wise.\n“And he still has something to prove. As a player, he still thinks there’s room for him to grow. That’s what I like about him. He’s not content to be where he is right now. He’s a great kid to have in the program and hopefully the younger kids will see that and work to get better.”\nWebb is undecided on a major and said, “I’ll just see whatever fits me.”\nCy Young Facts & FIgures\nNL Cy Young National League Cy Young Winners 2020 — Trevor Bauer, Cincinnati 2019 — Jacob deGrom, New York 2018... read more","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line673236"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5087756514549255,"wiki_prob":0.5087756514549255,"text":"Carrying the torch for San Francisco - Olympics or not\nLet’s pause for a moment to give thanks to the United States Olympic Committee.\nBy rejecting San Francisco’s bid to be the United States’ representative city in the competition to host the 2024 Summer Olympics, the USOC saved us a decade of kvetching about traffic gridlock, spiraling debt and the idiocy of hosting rhythmic gymnastics.\nAlso, by picking Boston over San Francisco — like Pablo Sandoval, the committee was unmoved by Larry Baer’s charms — the USOC allowed us to play locals’ favorite game:\nWhy would anyone choose any place on Earth over the Bay Area?\nBut that’s what they did, rejecting our glorious city, as well as Los Angeles and Washington, in favor of Boston.\nWhy? No one knows because the only thing you can say for sure about any Olympic decision is that you won’t ever know the real reasons behind it.\nLike San Francisco, Boston has no obvious place to host either the opening and closing ceremonies or track and field, and has proposed a possible temporary stadium. Like San Franciscans, Bostonians are decidedly lukewarm on the idea and have already organized a vocal anti-Olympic movement.\nBoston’s charms might have something to do with more accessible public transportation. Or a more compact plan. Or the USOC members might have felt some patriotic impulse, thanks to Boston’s revolutionary history and the city’s Boston Strong response in the face of an attack during its biggest annual sporting event, the Boston Marathon.\n1of2Boston may look enchanting at dusk, but how could it have the panache to beat out San Francisco to be the U.S. city bidding to host the Olympics?Michael Dwyer / Associated PressShow MoreShow Less\n2of2Harvard Stadium in Cambridge, Mass., would be one of many university venues that could be used to host the 2024 Olympics if Boston were chosen by the International Olympic Committee.Stephan Savoia / Associated PressShow MoreShow Less\nMaybe the committee looked at the history of the “Big Dig,” and figured, “if any city can live with horrible construction and traffic problems, it is Boston.”\nOr maybe the members wanted to sleep in the dorm rooms at MIT and Harvard (which are expected to be used as Olympic housing) and feel smarter by osmosis. Or maybe they just want to meet Tom Brady.\nSo sure, we produce tons of Olympic athletes, regularly pull down the highest ratings for Olympics coverage, are the world’s technological center, have refreshing summer weather (think of all the Olympic sweatshirts that would be sold!), stunning vistas, and are annually mentioned as one of the world’s top tourist destinations. And you pick Boston? Really?\nI love Boston. And I love the Olympics. I truly do. It is the most unique sporting event in the world, littered with goodwill and higher ideals, straining to break through the corporate greed and corruption. My streak of covering every Games since Lillehammer in 1994 was finally broken by not going to Sochi in February.\nBut Sochi is Example A as to why we should breathe a sigh of relief over this decision. Sochi cost $51 billion to host — and that’s a Winter Olympics; the Summer Games are much larger. The spiraling costs of the Olympics are just one reason to be happy this won’t be our burden. All the talk about private funding is too often just that: a huge portion of the cost of hosting the Games will land squarely on the taxpayers.\nBeing awarded the Olympics potentially could have solved the issue of a stadium in Oakland; there had recently been talk of exploring an Oakland Olympic Stadium as part of the bid, and part of the “legacy” of the Olympics. However, the USOC might not have been too enthusiastic about having the Black Hole literally be their legacy. A black hole of debt is usually enough.\nAnd the Games won’t be awarded until 2017. By that time the Los Angeles Raiders and Derek “Hollywood” Carr may be firmly entrenched in Inglewood.\nThe past two American cities proffered as hosts have been knocked down: Chicago lost in the first round of voting on the 2016 Olympics, which will be held in Rio de Janeiro, and New York was shot down for the 2012 Games, which went to London. The last time our country hosted the Olympics was the Salt Lake Games in 2002; it has been 19 years since we’ve held a Summer Games, the roundly panned competition in Atlanta.\nThough there is talk that the USOC has repaired our country’s image and reputation with the International Olympic Committee, one still has to wonder about American chances. The IOC still likes public over private funding, opaqueness over transparency, and lots and lots of gifts. The American bid is expected to compete with Rome, Paris, Berlin, Istanbul and Cape Town.\nMeanwhile, it’s not like we need any more tourists. Have you tried to drive across the Golden Gate Bridge on a weekend lately? It’s almost impossible.\nThough having the Olympic Flame flicker atop the south tower would have been pretty cool.\nAnn Killion is a San Francisco Chronicle staff columnist. E-mail: akillion@sfchronicle.com","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1090048"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5666839480400085,"wiki_prob":0.5666839480400085,"text":"Tag: global citizens\nBan Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens > Blog > global citizens\nBan Ki-moon Global Citizen Scholars 2020 – Closing Ceremony\nOn December 15, 2020, the Ban Ki-moon Global Citizen Scholarship Program 2020’s Closing Ceremony took place. The BKMC, together with RELX & University of Bordeaux awarded, six extraordinary African Global Citizen Scholars – Akosua Pepra, Oduor Kevin, Hikmat Baba Dua, Tafadzwa Sachikonye, Barbara Nakijoba, and Ruvimbo Samanga – for successfully completing the scholarship program and implementing outstanding SDG Micro-Projects in their communities.\nThe Ceremony was opened by Co-chair Ban Ki-moon, who greeted participants in a video statement and welcomed the scholars to the alumni family of the BKMC, expressing support and gratitude for the scholars’ contributions to the Agenda 2030: More than ever the world needs young leaders like yourselves. It makes me proud that you have chosen to be ambassadors of global citizenship and that we can consider you as a valued member of the BKMC family.\nMárcia Balisciano, Global Head of Corporate Responsibility at RELX Group and a valued member of the BKMC Board, also addressed the audience. Márcia Balisciano expressed RELX’s enthusiasm for funding the Ban Ki-moon Global Citizen Scholarship Program 2020 while sharing exciting news, “We are thrilled to have participated in this program and we would like to announce that we would like to fund this program again next year.”\nBKMC CEO Monika Froehler also congratulated the scholars and emphasized the impact they have created with their projects: This is exactly what a global citizen mindset is about: global citizen values and 21st-century skills. We are honored that we had the chance to have worked with you.\nThe University of Bordeaux, represented by Vice President for External Relations Stéphanie Debette, shared her words of congratulations and also positive feedback from professors at the university who mentored the scholars during their SDG Micro-project implementation.\nThe highlight of the ceremony was the presentations by our GC scholars where they shared the impact they have created in their communities.\nTo improve the livelihoods of widows and orphans involved in farming, GC Scholar Akosua Pepra developed the SDG Micro-Project “Climate Resilient Agriculture for Widows and Orphans in Rural Communities in Ghana” (SDGs 1, 2, 5 and 13).\nBarbara Nakijoba, deeply passionate about youth empowerment, conceptualized the “Youth take the lead” in the Rugaba Division in Uganda to create a more peaceful society by reducing crime by 2021 (SDG 16).\nAction4Periods by Hikmat Baba Dua, created a safe space for 60 women and girls in rural communities in Mbanaailiy (Ghana) by engaging elders, women and girls to discuss the stigma of menstrual hygiene and produced 60-70 reusable pads, improving access to menstrual products (SDG 3, 4, 5 and 13).\nGC scholar Oduor Kevin founded INFO4FOOD, as he realized that food waste was dumped on the roads by vendors contributing to environmental degradation. With his project he prevented post-harvest losses, reaching 87 households in Kenya.\nRuvimbo Samanga’s project Agrispace, helps farmers in Zimbabwe gather missing agricultural data by using satellite technology to monitor agricultural productivity, leading to more sustainable and climate-resilient practices. The program can map different agricultural zones providing soil data, weather soil analysis, and monitoring crop health and irrigation, allowing farmers to have better time and yield tools for crops. Agrispace contributes to many SDGs, particularly SDG 2 for “zero hunger” and target 2.1.2 for “food insecurity”.\nTafadzwa Sachikonye raised public and private awareness for improved urban wastewater system in Zimbabwe with her project Waterclix for sustainable urban water systems in Zimbabwe (SDG 6 and also 3, 5, 13).\nIn the last part of the evening, Program Officer Julia Zimmerman awarded the scholars with their certificate of achievement, and Co-chair Heinz Fischer offered closing remarks, commending all GC scholars 2020 on their efforts, “You showed resilience, passion and transformed challenges into opportunities.”\nWe want to congratulate all of our GC scholars 2020! We are immensely proud of the results of your hard work and look forward to seeing what you do next! Additionally, we want to thank our partners RELX Group and the University of Bordeaux again for their wonderful support and collaboration for the program this year!\nTurning challenges into opportunities – Global Citizen Scholars engage in inspiring talk with Arrey Obenson, CEO of Transformunity\nLast week, our current Global Citizen Scholars and Alumni from the program had the chance to attend an expert workshop with Arrey Obenson, CEO of Transformunity. Transformunity is a consulting company that tackles the opportunities of organizations, drawing on expertise in movement building and citizens engagement to accelerate positive change and sustainable development for a better future.\nBased on his experiences from the past 20 years, Arrey shared his personal theory of change, kicking off the workshop with an inspiring speech on how we can choose between two roles when we approach challenges: spectator or actor. He emphasized that only one role will lead to finding solutions and living a prosperous life.\n“I choose to be an actor rather than a spectator. I see life as a stage where we have a choice to be in the audience cheering others on or can use the opportunity to play a role”.\nDuring the workshop, Arrey prepared a thought-provoking exercise for our scholars and alumni and asked them to write down what challenges they saw standing in the way of their success. Afterwards he asked them to determine opportunities within those challenges.\nWe all know how incredibly challenging this year has been, as our realities were significantly altered by the global pandemic Covid-19. But as Arrey and our global citizen scholars discussed, the crisis has also brought with it many opportunities, including new ways of learning through increased access to online education globally as well as opportunities for international cooperation and gatherings without burdening our resources, both in the financial sense as well as the environmental sense. These are just a few of the opportunities that were shared.\nInstead of focusing on challenges alone, Arrey advocated looking at the possible opportunities and solutions. Arrey exemplified Africa as a case where challenges often overshadow the opportunities in the global dialogue. However, he sees so many opportunities! To Arrey, it is a “land of a billion opportunities”, vastly rich in 1.2 billion human resources.\nMoreover, he illustrated how his theory has proven successful in his own work. After the outbreak of Covid-19 in Cameroon, Transformunity organized a massive education campaign on health and wellness: “Covid-19 was the challenge, but the opportunity was to build resilience in Cameroonian communities against infectious diseases”.\nTo conclude his presentation, Arrey encouraged everyone to turn every challenge into an opportunity.\nFollowing the workshop, the scholars had the chance for peer-to-peer exchange with the alumni of the scholarship program who joined the call. After a round of introductions, the scholars were sorted into breakout rooms to connect and network.\nAt the end of the breakout room rotations, Program Officer Julia, thanked the scholars for their participation and shared ways for them to stay in contact!\nWe are very excited to celebrate the closing of this year’s scholarship program on December 15th! Stay tuned for information for how you can join the virtual event and watch our scholars present their SDG Micro-Projects!\nSecond Expert Workshop with our Global Citizen Scholars!\n“Start small, start with something and have trust that it will grow.”\nZoe Kelland\nThis week, our Global Citizen Scholars had the opportunity to attend their 2nd Expert Workshop hosted by the BKMC featuring Zoe Kelland, Digital Campaigns Director at Global Citizen.\nDuring the workshop, Zoe shared her experiences working with both Global Citizen and her own NGO Nakuru Children’s Project in Kenya and offered advice on how to scale a movement. She also had the opportunity to hear from each scholar about their own SDG Micro-Project for their communities.\nDuring her presentation, Zoe shared some background information about Global Citizen, including their mission and the tools they use to activate over 4 million global citizens around the world.\nZoe also highlighted the organization’s tremendous impact over its’s 10-years of existence.\nAdditionally, to illustrate the way that Global Citizen works, Zoe exemplified a case-study in Sub-Saharan Africa where 1 in 10 girls miss school during their menstrual cycles. In 2018, Global Citizen organized a massive music festival in Johannesburg, South Africa in honor of Nelson Mandela’s 100th birthday. In the lead-up to the festival, Global Citizens sent 86,000 emails and 22,000 tweets to the South African Government demanding removal of the tax on sanitary products, funding for adequate sanitation in schools, and the provision of quality menstrual hygiene education for boys and girls. As a result, President Ramaphosa appeared on the stage during the festival and committed to taking action to provide sanitary products to girls with vulnerable backgrounds across the country.\nZoe also shared a bit about her NGO Nakuru Children’s Project in Kenya. Nakuru works in partnership with government schools to support vulnerable children through every stage of their education: providing free school meals; building classrooms; paying their school fees; and establishing extra support for children with special needs.\nSince its founding over 10 years ago, Nakuru Children’s Project has directly impacted an estimated 2,000 children — through providing 330,000 free school meals; sponsoring 148 kids through secondary school; building 20 classrooms and other facilities; and creating a special needs unit where 42 children now learn.\nTo conclude her presentation, Zoe offered her advice for how to scale a movement:\nFind a gap in the Market\nMake it accessible\nTap into influencers\nUse the power of storytelling\nStart small and it will grow\nTo learn more about Global Citizen visit: https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/\nTo learn more about Nakuru Children’s project: https://www.nakuruchildrensproject.org.uk/\nThe second BKMC x UNESCO APCEIU collaborative online course is now available on GCED Online Campus!\nToday on February 21st, 2020, the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens is pleased to officially launch its second collaborative online course with UNESCO APCEIU on GCED Online Campus. Those who are interested in learning about the issues surrounding gender equality and how to effectively tackle the issues and contribute to empowering women and girls are cordially invited to take the course. This course provides global citizens an opportunity to learn from global leaders, experts and advocates from across sectors: international organizations, universities, NGOs, governments, and corporations. While our first course introduced the overall concept of global citizenship and the SDGs, our second course focuses on the topics of gender equality and women’s empowerment with a combination of the series of lectures by renowned international experts on concepts, theories and thematic areas, interviews with scholars, UN representatives, change makers, case presentations of innovative approaches and practices by global citizens all around the world. Understanding the 5th SDG – the multifaceted issues around it and the efforts put forth worldwide to achieve it – is the foundation for this course. Particularly, the course aims to examine and critically reflect on the revolving issues around both gender equality and women’s empowerment with sustainable development by providing a platform where learners can virtually meet and learn from one another. It brings a critical eye to gender inequality and how it is addressed in the field of sustainable development. Learners will be able to deepen their understanding of gender equality and women’s empowerment, exchange and embrace different perspectives, and challenge their own assumptions. The course invites those who see themselves as global citizens as well as who aspire to assume active roles in bringing meaningful changes to oneself and so the society they are in. “Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment: A Pathways to Sustainable Development” is comprised of five modules: (1) Introduction to Gender Equality and Women’s Rights (2) Gender Equality in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (3) Women’s Empowerment (4) Critical Issues on Gender Equality (5) Plan for Action Paving the Way to Equality After completing all courses, students will received a Certificate issued by UNESCO APCEIU and the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens. Requirements for the completion are as followed: 1) Watch all lectures / videos 2) Participate in Form / Discussion 3) Take a quiz 4) Final Assignment 5) Course Evaluation Please invite those around you, who see themselves as global citizens as well as who aspire to assume active roles in bringing meaningful changes to oneself and to global society! Register HERE.\nCo-chair Ban Ki-moon’s acceptance speech for Sunhak Peace Prize\nSpeech by Co-chair Ban Ki-moon\nSunhak Peace Prize\nThank you for your warm introduction.\nDr. Hak Ja Han, Universal Peace Federation Founder,\nSunhak Peace Prize Foundation Members,\nDistinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,\nIt is my great privilege to stand before you this evening and humbly accept the 2020 Sunhak Peace Prize.\nI’m incredibly grateful for this esteemed honor, and it is quite meaningful to follow in the footsteps of the previous luminary awardees you have bestowed this honor upon.\nMy special recognition goes to Dr. Hak Ja Han for her visionary patronage of this award, as well as for her longtime advocacy efforts in support of world peace, global citizenship, and sustainable development issues.\nI also take this opportunity to commend the impressive work and forward-thinking vision of the Sunhak Peace Prize Foundation.\nThe critical efforts by the Sunhak Peace Prize Foundation are essential as we collectively strive to expand essential understanding, cooperation, and tolerance on the road to world peace and global sustainability.\nIn this connection, I simply couldn’t be more proud to receive this award intended to further the ideals of such a pioneering individual who so firmly believed in the importance of peace, human development, coexistence, and environmental protection.\nMy deepest gratitude goes to the Sunhak Peace Prize Foundation Members for this very special honor.\nOur world is changing and this is bringing many new challenges and uncertainties to the geopolitical and economic order.\nMultilateral cooperation is viewed with increasing skepticism just as the world needs it the most. Human rights are under threat as nationalism spreads. Development and humanitarian funds are being slashed.\nAnd our climate crisis is deepening as wildfires burn, sea levels rise higher, and temperatures continue to surge.\nUnder this backdrop of instability and waning internationalism, I firmly believe that we must work together through expanded partnerships and cooperation, as well a driving commitment to global citizenship, to cope with these seemingly insurmountable challenges.\nDuring my ten-year tenure as United Nations Secretary-General, I strived to execute my leadership duties by leveraging the power of partnerships and promoting the spirit of global citizenship.\nThis was critical in bringing the entire world together to agree to the UN’s 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the Paris Climate Agreement.\nThese were two of my biggest achievements leading the UN as they provide humanity, and our planet, with a collaborative blueprint to ensure the future we want.\nAnd global partnerships, including the active participation of nonprofit organizations, civil society groups, religious organizations, philanthropists, and other key stakeholders like you, are necessary if we are to deliver on the United Nations’ development and climate commitments.\nBut to establish long-term solutions, achieve world peace, and save our rapidly warming planet, we need inclusive and participatory action from all global citizens.\nThis includes, especially, young people, as they are absolutely essential to solving so many of the world’s challenges such as achieving the SDGs, tackling climate change, and building peace and resolving conflicts.\nAs such, I’ve been trying my best to help elevate global citizenship as a driving vision for young, transformative leaders to help us forge a more peaceful and sustainable world.\nIn this regard, two years ago I launched the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens, based in Vienna, Austria to help provide young people and women with a greater say in their own destiny, as well as a greater stake in their own dignity.\nThe actions we take in the next ten years will be critical to ensure the future viability of both humanity and our planet. So we must work hard to illuminate true peace.\nWhat type of peace? I am reminded of the words of President John F. Kennedy who said, “I am talking about genuine peace, the kind of peace that makes life on earth worth living, the kind that enables men and nations to grow and hope and build a better life for their children …not merely peace in our time, but peace for all time.”\nIn 2020, the year of the rat, and beyond, we all share a common destiny grounded in sustainability, peace, and prosperity. Let’s expand our unified efforts to realize this shared destiny for all global citizens in the years to come.\nI thank you for your attention and this great honor.\nCo-chair Ban Ki-moon gives a special lecture at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).\n“Nature is sending us a strong warning: we must listen to its voice. Nature does not negotiate; it does not wait for us. Unless we work together as one, we will never be able to fight climate change.” – Co-chair Ban Ki-moon\nOn January 31, Co-chair Ban Ki-moon gave a special lecture on the topic of “Addressing Climate Change and Air Pollution in Asia-Pacific” as a part of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)’s Distinguished Person Lecture Series. The special lecture was opened with UN ESCAP Executive Secretary Armida Alisjahbana’s opening remark.\n“In Asia-Pacific, it is our historic opportunity to consider how we can be a solution-provider, raise ambition and take transformative action in response to the climate crisis.”\nIn his lecture, Co-chair Ban Ki-moon expressed his concerns on the gravity of climate change. To warn that we are running out to time, he referenced the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)’s report, which reported that we are left with only 12 years to make a massive and unprecedented change to mitigate the consequences of global temperature rise to its moderate levels. Moving on, Co-chair Ban underscored the deadly health hazards resulted from air pollution as a global challenge. He said,\n“There is clear evidence that links particulate matters to various illnesses such as respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and even cancer.”\nHe also referred to the findings of the World Health Organization (WHO) that 92% of the Asia-Pacific population – roughly 4 billion people – are already exposed to high levels of air pollution. He noted how these two serious matters are linked together and are like two sides of the same coin. He said,\n“Not only they share similar emission sources, but they also influence and exacerbate each other.”\nDespite the complexity of these issues, Co-chair Ban showed a sense of optimism.\n“Fortunately, the close link between the two challenges means that collective action can maximize impact effectiveness. The intertwined nature of the two challenges also means that effective action cannot be pursued separately. Joint action is an absolute must.”\nDuring his speech, Co-chair Ban commended the efforts and actions taken by the UN ESCAP in adopting the resolution on ‘strengthening regional cooperation to tackle air pollution challenges in Asia and the Pacific’. Moreover, he spoke highly of Italy for taking the first step in making climate change mandatory in early education, and said,\n“Last year, we witnessed the power of a single young person. After hearing Greta Thunberg, I’m emphasizing quality education on environment for young people. When they are educated, they will be equipped with leadership and ready to take action.”\nAs he concluded his lecture, Co-chair Ban said,\n“This decade will be the final decade where we can turn the tide against the irreversible destruction of our climate. If we miss that deadline, ALL of us will meet the consequences. A ‘me versus you’ mentality has no meaning in climate action. Remember, that it should be ‘us versus climate change’.”\nWatch the full lecture Source Ban Ki-moon Foundation for a Better Future © UN ESCAP\nCo-chair Ban Ki-moon’s speech during opening session of PMAC 2020\nPrince Mahidol Award Conference (PMAC) 2020\nYour Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Your Royal Highness Princess Dina Mired, Prince Mahidol Award Laureates, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, I am honoured to speak to you today at the opening ceremony of the Prince Mahidol Awards Conference, which has become one of the most important events on the global health calendar. This conference has had a profound impact in shaping the global health agenda – most notably through initiating and spearheading the campaign for Universal Health Coverage. Leading health activists and policy makers have been championing UHC at PMAC for almost a decade now and your collective efforts helped ensure that UHC was incorporated into the Sustainable Development Goals. I congratulate you all for this tremendous achievement. This year, PMAC is taking place at a time of acute public concern about the global health risks posed by the corona virus in China, which has already spread to other countries and continents. As with SARS and avian flu, this epidemic highlights the critical importance of achieving UHC through resilient health systems that can protect all citizens, regardless of income or background. The WHO has just declared corona virus to be a global health emergency. The way to overcome the corona virus is through countries working together in a spirit of solidarity and coordination. This is the same spirit that informs the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, of which UHC forms an integral element. Ladies and gentlemen, today I am speaking to you as the Deputy Chair of The Elders. The Elders believe that the best way to achieve the health SDG is though UHC, where everybody receives the quality health services they need, without suffering financial hardship. By 2030, there should be no one dying needlessly from preventable diseases; no one should be left behind. That is the philosophical motto of the SDGs. Three times over the last decade, all countries have committed themselves to achieving UHC at the United Nations –most recently at the High-Level Meeting on UHC in September 2019. At this, dozens of heads of state said that they would ensure that their countries reach UHC by 2030 and made bold announcements about the health reforms they will implement to achieve this goal. But if we are being honest, we have to acknowledge that since the signing of the SDGs, progress towards UHC has been inadequate and uneven. The latest WHO and World Bank UHC Monitoring Report shows that although health service coverage has been improving, levels of out-of-pocket health spending have been rising, meaning that more people are being impoverished because of health costs. This shows that governments are not meeting their obligations to finance UHC properly – too much of the burden is falling on households. This not only undermines achieving UHC, it is also a threat to global health security, because out-of-pocket-spending on medicines is one of the main drivers of anti-microbial resistance. High private health spending also inhibits progress towards other SDGs including eliminating poverty, reducing inequality and achieving gender equality. Women and their children often suffer most when health services are underfunded, as they have higher healthcare needs but often lower access to financial resources to pay for services themselves. This is why, when implementing UHC reforms, countries must prioritize delivering the health services women and children need most and provide them free at the point of delivery. With the clock ticking to the SDG deadline in 2030, it is therefore appropriate that the theme of this year’s PMAC is “Accelerating Progress Towards UHC”. To achieve this target, many countries will require massive investments in their health systems and radical changes in policies to improve access to care for the poor and vulnerable. The good news is that, by learning from UHC success stories from around the world, including Thailand, we know what works and what doesn’t. Take for example the tricky issue of how to finance UHC. As my fellow Elder, Gro Harlem Brundtland, former Prime Minister of Norway and former Director-General of the WHO, highlighted at the United Nations High-Level Meeting in September: there was a time when some development agencies and Western countries used to discourage higher government spending on health and instead promoted private voluntary financing like user fees and private insurance. But thankfully across the world political leaders, and the heads of international financial institutions and lenders, have now listened to the needs of their people. They have rejected these failed policies and instead switched to a health financing system dominated by public financing – either through general taxation or compulsory social health insurance. This is the only way to ensure that healthy, wealthy members of society subsidize services for the sick and the poor, so that nobody gets left behind. As Dr. Brundtland said in New York:\n“If there is one lesson the world has learned, it is that you can only reach UHC through public financing.”\nTherefore one of the simplest ways we can hold political leaders to account in reaching UHC is tracking how much public financing they allocate and disburse to their health systems. Transitioning from a health system dominated by private out-of-pocket financing to one mostly financed by public financing has become one of the defining steps in achieving UHC. It’s a transition my own country, the Republic of Korea, made in 1977 and was also seen as the key step to bringing UHC to the United Kingdom in 1948 and Japan in 1961. And of course one of the most celebrated and impressive transitions to publicly financed UHC happened right here in Thailand in 2002, with the launch of the Universal Coverage scheme. It’s worth remembering that this was implemented in the immediate aftermath of the Asian Financial Crisis, when the World Bank advice was that Thailand couldn’t afford to increase public health spending to cover everyone. But as my good friend and former World Bank President, Jim Kim, said at the World Health Assembly in 2013, the Thai Government wisely ignored this advice and in one year injected around half a percent of GDP in tax financing into its health system. In the process, the country swiftly moved from around 70% coverage to almost full population coverage – a shining example of how to accelerate progress towards UHC. In fact, during my time as Secretary-General, I have introduced this story every time we talk about public health and UHC. What Thailand, the Republic of Korea, Japan, the UK and many other countries have also shown is that UHC reforms are so effective and so popular, they can become part of a nation’s identity and prove resilient in the face of changes of government. So what are the implications for the theme of this year’s PMAC: accelerating progress towards UHC? On a global level, we need to prioritize helping countries that are still to make the transition to a universal publicly financed health system. Here our focus should be on countries with low levels of public health spending, often less than 1% of GDP, where up to three quarters of health spending is in the form of user fees. These countries need to double or triple their public spending on health over the next decade and prioritize funding a universal package of services, focusing on primary care services provided free at the point of delivery. These low-spending countries tend to be in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia but there are already shining examples of countries in these regions using public financing to extend health coverage – for example Sri Lanka in South Asia and Rwanda in Africa. Also, it is perfectly feasible to increase public spending on health this quickly, if there is political will, as shown by Thailand and China. This reinforces the point made by the WHO Director-General Dr Tedros that UHC is a political choice. Your Royal Highnesses, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, let me conclude. The focus of our UHC program at The Elders is to encourage political leaders to make this choice, by helping them appreciate the health, economic, societal and political benefits of achieving UHC. Some of my fellow Elders have spearheaded successful UHC reforms themselves, like former President Ricardo Lagos of Chile and former President Ernesto Zedillo of Mexico – so we are speaking from experience. In doing this we are very keen to work with you, the UHC community, to identify opportunities to promote UHC reforms at the highest level of government. We have already engaged with political leaders in Indonesia, India, South Africa, Tanzania and the United States to promote UHC and are always on the lookout for windows of opportunity to champion UHC to the next generation of global leaders. So if you feel political commitment to UHC is lacking in your country and we can be of assistance, do please let us know, as we want to play our part in accelerating UHC as a means to deliver the SDGs. UHC makes medical, economic, political and social sense. But as the founder of The Elders, Nelson Mandela, so powerfully stated:\n“Health cannot be a question of income; it is a fundamental human right.”\nAt the start of a new decade which also marks the 30th anniversary of Mandela’s freedom from prison, let us commit to work together to realize his vision and make UHC a reality for all. Let us join our hands together to help make the world healthier and stronger Thank you. Source: The Elders\nOp-Ed by Ban Ki-moon: “A new generation of global citizens gives hope to humanity”\nOp-Ed by Ban Ki-moon, Special to Gulf News Published: January 25, 2020\nI was recently in Dubai for a Model United Nations conference where students from across the United Arab Emirates gathered to participate in simulated sessions of the UN Security Council to address key issues that directly impact the world we live in. The title of the conference was ‘Challenges of Intervention in a Complex World’. Our world is complex, yes, and it faces unprecedented global challenges that require unprecedented global responses.\nMaintaining peace is invariably challenging given there are always many sides to any issue. Conflicts and wars run the risk of becoming protracted, and dialogue often slows things down. When inflammatory words are used, angers flare and emotions go unchecked. The risks to humanity and the world as we know it must always be at the forefront of any decision. Dialogue, if used correctly, can play a crucial role. Agreements can be formed.\nTake, for example, the 2016 Paris Agreement on Climate Change, which was backed by more than 200 governments after a process of dialogue. Strong international support and unwavering commitment was reflected in the consensus of governments around the world that robust global cooperation — and action — was essential to undertake ambitious efforts to combat climate change and adapt to its effects.\nStudents’ leadership skills\nIn Dubai, I was hugely impressed by the young men and women I met. Their passion for the world and its future was clear to see as each sought to find realistic solutions to some of the biggest issues facing our planet. Finding solutions that are acceptable to a majority of representatives requires incredible skills of negotiation, conflict resolution and cooperation. I was interested to see what leadership skills these students would portray and if they would explore solutions that world governments, NGOs and others might not have thought of before.\nWhat impressed me most was the way they looked at the issues from multiple viewpoints — a key trait that all United Nations members must have. In fact, these students, made up of more than 100 nationalities, were not unlike the United Nations itself. Many have lived outside their home countries for years, yet they maintain great pride in their heritage and have the upmost respect for the country in which they live as well as the wider Middle East region, which is no stranger to conflict. It made me think that these students are truly global citizens with a strong global vision. And this is what our world needs. They are receiving quality education that is preparing them to be future leaders, rooted in global citizenship. Their eyes are wide open to their surroundings and they respect the views of their peers.\nFormer UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon addresses a Model United Nations conference in Dubai recently. Image Credit: Supplied\n“The best advice I can give students, who could one day be our leaders, is to always consider each person’s point of view and find dialogue that takes everyone’s needs into consideration.” – Ban Ki-moon\nAs the conference got under way there were reports circulating of an escalating crisis between the US and Iran. Fortunately, the crisis is now de-escalating, and dialogue is the only way to resolve it going forward to ensure permanent solutions are found. Forging an international consensus, at the best of times, is not simple, and even harder when tension sets in.\nThe best advice I can give these students, who could one day be our leaders, is to always consider each person’s point of view and find dialogue that takes everyone’s needs into consideration. For that, they must be armed not with weapons or threats, but with two key traits — passion and compassion.\nWhen I left the United Nations, I founded the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens based in Vienna along with Heinz Fischer, former president of Austria. The centre focuses on the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals for empowering women and youth. Gender equality and quality education are critically important for the future of our planet. The reason is that women make up half of the world’s population, while half of the world’s population is also under the age of 25. Yet, despite best efforts, in many developing countries, primary, secondary and tertiary education for girls remains a challenge. Currently 264 million children are not at school, and a majority of them are girls. The world is also home to the largest generation of youth ever, with 1.8 billion young people worldwide. Nearly 90 per cent of which live in developing countries. More than 70 million youth are currently unemployed, and around 40 per cent of the world’s active youth are either jobless or living in poverty — despite working. As we all know, unemployment breeds many problems, ranging from inequality and crime to terrorism.\nIt is up to us as individuals to go out into the world and work for the betterment of humankind. To be a global citizen and act with passion and compassion so we can make the world a safer and more sustainable place for generations to come.\nThe youth I encountered in Dubai gave me hope, and filled me with great pride, that together we can make a difference and drive change. A brighter future depends on global citizens like you.\n— Ban Ki-moon is 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations and Co-founder of the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens.\nOriginal source: https://gulfnews.com/opinion/op-eds/a-new-generation-of-global-citizens-gives-hope-to-humanity-1.69230614#\nCEO Monika Froehler hosts a Panel at the 2020 RAUN Conference\n2020 RAUN Conference kicked off in Vienna, Austria on January 15th. In cooperation with the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens, University of Vienna, and the International Security and Conflict Analysis Network (iSCAN), this 2-day annual conference was hosted by the Regional Academy on the United Nations (RAUN). This year, the conference had the theme of “Environmental and Socioeconomic Sustainability: How to Create Lasting Impacts,” and was attended by BKMC CEO Monika Froehler and COO Katrin Harvey. Today, on the 2nd day of the conference, Froehler chaired a panel session on “Innovations for Sustainable Development.” During the session, two research groups actively presented their ideas and the research outcomes and raised critical questions, highlighting the importance of community engagement, needs assessment, clear communication, and courage.\nCEO Monika Froehler said,\n“RAUN research groups looked at sustainable development and innovation through the lens of cities and SMEs. One group explored best practices in Vienna, Hamburg, and Prague. The other explored SMEs in Vietnam and how the 4th Industrial Revolution impacts them.”\nLearn more about RAUN 2020: http://ra-un.org/2020-raun-conference.html © RAUN\nCEO Monika Froehler holds a meeting with Ambassador Prakash Kumar Suvedi of India\nYesterday, Ambassador Prakash Kumar Suvedi of the Embassy of Nepal to Austria visited the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens. In his meeting with CEO Monika Froehler, Ambassador Suvedi was briefed on the work of the Centre. Then they talked about the challenges and pressures existing in Nepal, including the climate issues, natural hazards and issues with a good number of qualified workers leaving the country. Ambassador Suvedi also introduced SAGARMATHA SAMBAAD, a permanent global dialogue forum initiated by the Government of Nepal.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1429516"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5392758250236511,"wiki_prob":0.4607241749763489,"text":"Home Get to Know Plante Moran People Daron Gifford\nDaron Gifford\nPartner, Strategy Consulting Services Leader, Automotive Industry Leader, Commercial Due Diligence Services Leader\ndaron.gifford@plantemoran.com 248-223-3709\nMy clients look to me to provide insights to help their businesses grow, using objective, data-driven analysis. They appreciate my straightforward advice to help them make decisions; whether it’s good news or bad, I’m always candid because I know, in the long run, it’ll help them reach their goals.\nView More of Daron's Experience\nGiven my passion for strategic thinking and problem-solving, it made sense that I go into strategy consulting, and I’ve been fortunate to spend the past 40 years focusing on the automotive industry. One of my greatest accomplishments at the firm has been establishing our team as a global leader in the automotive industry through thought leadership and speaking engagements in countries like Mexico, Japan, India, and Germany. I’m currently writing a book on how technology is shaping both automotive and manufacturing sectors. I like looking forward — and to me, a good strategy means one that’s applicable today, tomorrow, and 10 years from now.\nOutside of work, my true passion lies with my family. The success of my wife and children motivates me every day, and it’s a personal goal of mine to help them reach theirs. I’m also involved in the community — I like to volunteer with my wife to support the South Oakland Shelter, and I’m associated with the Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, where I’m chairman of the board of trustees, and the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish, where I’m a finance committee member.\nI hold a bachelor’s degree in industrial administration from Kettering University and an M.B.A. from the University of Virginia, Darden Graduate School of Business.\nMy mother is Japanese — she and my father met in Tokyo during the Korean War — and in December 2016, I was able to take her back to Japan to reunite her with her sisters after 31 years of separation. It was truly a joy to see them all together again!\nBiden administration to usher in the age of electric cars\nArticle January 15, 2021 5 min read\n2020 deal trends: Attractive industry segments resulting from the rise in working from home\nWebinar Dec. 15, 2020 60 min watch\nCrisis exposes major flaws in the auto supply chain\nThe future of mobility: What lies beyond COVID-19?\nMark Barrott\nArticle October 29, 2020 7 min read\nLooking for a particular professional?","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1391445"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7408909201622009,"wiki_prob":0.2591090798377991,"text":"The Oxford Real Farming Conference celebrates its tenth year\nConferences and events Knowledge centre\nby Ryan Johnson\n2 January 2019, at 12:00am\nUK - Taking place on 3-4 January 2019 in the Oxford Town Hall, the 2019 Oxford Real Farming Conference will be the biggest yet – with more sessions, more delegates and an additional venue\nThe conference is open to all who are interested in working towards a more sustainable food and agricultural system, from farmers and growers to scientists and policy-makers.\nAs always, the conference features sessions on a wide range of important themes, from practical management to in-depth policy debates. As well as showcasing new techniques for best practice in agroecological farming, there will be broader discussions on what must happen to create real, worthwhile change in our food system. Speakers will include pioneering organic farmer Eliot Coleman; Vivien Sansour, founder of the Palestine Heirloom Seed Library; and agroforestry expert, Steve Gabriel.\nThis year’s programme stands out with its timely discussions around key issues for the future of UK food and farming, including sessions on the Agriculture Bill and life after Brexit, a theme around public goods, including a debate on natural capital, and of course we don’t shy away from addressing controversial issues with a discussion about veganism and what constitutes a sustainable diet.\nFor practitioners there is a wealth of knowledge, with sessions exploring agroforestry, soil management, pasture regeneration, mulching, drought resilience, business advice and much more.\nThe conference delves into some hot topics, including honest food labelling, rewilding and problems of pollution, from chemicals to plastics. There’s also an emphasis around local food systems, with discussions on direct sales, box schemes, community supported agriculture as well as a session exploring how we can save local abattoirs.\nAnd as always with ORFC we intersperse this with things not often covered by a farming conference! This year we’ve got singing, explorations of spirituality and empowering women.\nCo-founder, Ruth West, said: “I’m looking forward to that moment when after all the preparation the doors finally open and the two days begin of debating, listening, learning; catching up on old friendships, making new ones. But while we celebrate our 10th and the growth in recognition and acceptance of the importance of ‘real’ farming aka agroecology, there’ll be a sombre note to proceedings as we prepare for the inevitable challenges the year ahead will bring.”\nConference Manager, Tom Simpson, said: “It has been exciting putting together this year’s programme and the demand for tickets shows that the issues we are exploring are hugely relevant to people, 10 years after the first ORFC – maybe more than ever. There is a good balance between sessions organised by those who have been with ORFC from the start and new faces; there really is something for everyone. The addition of St Aldate’s Church as a conference venue will mean that there is lots of space for the networking and chats that go on between sessions, which are just as important as the stuff in the programme.”\nAll tickets for ORFC 2019 are now sold out. The programme can be viewed here.\nThe ORFC would like to thank the following funders, sponsors and partner organisations, without whose support this event would not be possible: Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Riverford, Compassion in World Farming, Lush, A-Team Foundation, the Soil Association, Agricology, Cotswold Seeds, Triodos Bank, Landworkers’ Alliance, the Pasture-Fed Livestock Association and Sustain.\nEditor at The Poultry Site\nRyan worked in conservation from 2008 to 2017, during which time he operated a rainbow trout hatchery and helped to maintain public and protected green spaces in Canada for the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. As editor of The Poultry Site, he now writes about challenges and opportunities in agriculture across the globe.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1341920"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6480394601821899,"wiki_prob":0.35196053981781006,"text":"Justia Dockets & Filings Ninth Circuit California Eastern District O'Connor v. Lizarraga Filing 3\nO'Connor v. Lizarraga\nFiling 3\nORDER signed by Magistrate Judge Michael J. Seng on 8/17/2017, CASE TRANSFERRRED to Sacramento Division. New Case Number 2:17-cv-01704-KJN. (Lundstrom, T)\n1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 GLENN O’CONNOR, 12 1:17-cv-01101-MJS-(HC) Petitioner, 13 v. 14 ORDER TRANSFERRING CASE TO THE SACRAMENTO DIVISION OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA J. LIZARRAGA, 15 Respondent. 16 17 18 19 Petitioner, a state prisoner proceeding pro se, has filed a habeas corpus action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. ' 2254, together with a request to proceed in forma pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. ' 1915. 20 Venue for a habeas action is proper in either the district of confinement or the 21 district of conviction. 28 U.S.C. § 2241(d). It is preferable for petitions challenging a 22 conviction or sentence to be heard in the district of conviction and for petitions 23 challenging the manner in which the sentence is being executed to be heard in the 24 district of confinement. Dunne v. Henman, 875 F.2d 244, 249 (9th Cir. 1989). 25 Here, Petitioner is challenging the manner in which his sentence is being 26 executed as a result of prison disciplinary proceedings. Accordingly, it is preferable for 27 his challenge to be heard in the district of confinement. Petitioner is housed at Mule 28 1 1 Creek State Prison, located in Amador County, which is part of the Sacramento Division 2 of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California. Therefore, the 3 petition should have been filed in the Sacramento Division. 4 Pursuant to Local Rule 120(f), a civil action which has not been commenced in 5 the proper court may, on the court’s own motion, be transferred to the proper court. 6 Therefore, this action will be transferred to the Sacramento Division. Good cause 7 appearing, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that: 8 9 10 11 1. This action is transferred to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California sitting in Sacramento; and 2. All future filings shall reference the new Sacramento case number assigned and shall be filed at: United States District Court Eastern District of California 501 \"I\" Street, Suite 4-200 Sacramento, CA 95814 12 13 14 15 3. This court has not ruled on petitioner's request to proceed in forma pauperis. 16 17 18 IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: August 17, 2017 /s/ 19 Michael J. Seng UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 2","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1256589"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9434212446212769,"wiki_prob":0.9434212446212769,"text":"Denver investigates license for guard arrested in shooting\nDENVER (AP) — Denver officials were investigating Monday how an armed security guard for a television station who is suspected of fatally shooting a man following an altercation following opposing protests was able to work in the city without a license.\nMatthew Dolloff, 30, was being held in jail for investigation of first-degree murder following Saturday afternoon’s shooting near Civic Center Park as protesters filed out of the park following the demonstrations — a “Patriot Muster” and a “BLM-Antifa Soup Drive” counterprotest. He has not been charged and no lawyer was listed as representing him in court records.\nUnder rules adopted by Denver in 2018, both security companies and the guards they employ must have city licenses. Guards must undergo 16 hours of training and an FBI background check to get a license and complete eight hours more training to renew their license each year, said Eric Escudero, a spokesman for the city’s Excise and Licenses Department. Guards that carry firearms must also be screened by police, he said.\nDolloff did not have a license at the time of the shooting and there is no record of him applying for one, Escudero said. Companies that employ guards without licenses can have their licenses suspended or revoked and face fines. Individual guards who do not have licenses can be punished with a $999 fine and up to one year in jail.\nDolloff did have a permit to carry a concealed weapon in Colorado issued by his local sheriff’s office but it was suspended Monday because of the allegations against him. Elbert County Sheriff Tim Norton said he will decide whether Dolloff will get the five-year permit back based on what happens in the criminal case.\nAccording to state business records, Dolloff was listed as the registered agent for a farm that raises animals including turkeys, sheep and goats in Elizabeth, a town just beyond the Denver metro area. No one answered the phone at the farm on Monday and a message left for another person listed in business filings was not returned.\nKUSA-TV said Sunday that it has been hiring private security to accompany its staff at protests for a number of months. It said Dolloff had been hired through the Pinkerton security company. However, in a statement, Pinkerton said Dolloff was a contractor, not a Pinkerton employee. The company did not reveal the name of the contract company Dolloff worked for.\n“Pinkerton is fully cooperating with law enforcement authorities in their investigation of this matter,” it said.\nAuthorities have not identified the man who was killed, but his son told the Denver Post it was his father, Lee Keltner, a 49-year-old U.S. Navy veteran who operated a hat-making business in the Denver area.\n“He wasn’t a part of any group,” Johnathon Keltner said of his father. “He was there to rally for the police department and he’d been down there before rallying for the police department.”\nA man — appearing to be Keltner — slapped and sprayed Mace at a man who appeared to be Dolloff, the Post reported, based on its photographs from the scene.\nCarol Keltner, who said she was the victim’s mother, wrote in a social media post that her son was shot in the head.\nPolice have said two guns and a Mace can were found at the crime scene.\nPolice declined on Monday to release any more details about what happened, including who the guns belonged too, because they do no want to harm their ongoing investigation, department spokesperson Jay Casillas said. The document laying out the reasons for Dolloff’s arrest has been sealed.\nAn organizer of the patriot demonstration, John Tiegen, said on Instagram on Sunday that it was not clear if the man who was killed attended the demonstration or was just nearby but he extended his condolences to his family.\n“It’s tragic that Americans find themselves in danger just by coming together and showing support for their country,” he said.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1540339"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5806400775909424,"wiki_prob":0.4193599224090576,"text":"A study investigating patient decision making in the light of 'evidence'\nProf T Newton\nDepartment of Dental Public Health\n18th Floor Guy's Tower\ntim.newton@kcl.ac.uk\nIn this study we intend to determine, on what basis patients make decisions about whether or not to have dental treatment carried out, when faced with information from two sources. The aim of the study will be to identify the relative effects of research evidence and clinical evidence on patient decision making.\nNot available in web format, please use contact details to request a participant information sheet\nThe study will take place in the waiting areas of King's College Dental Hospital. All participants will be asked to give their consent to participating in a study examining patient decision making about whether or not to have dental treatment carried out, when faced with information from two sources.\nThe experimental design will be a two-factor independent group design. The two factors will be the type of information given to patients, informed by the clinician's judgement and the research evidence. Each factor will have two levels: strong evidence for and strong evidence against. The participant will be randomly assigned to one of the four combinations of the two variables. Participants will be given a cover letter explaining the purpose of the study, demographic questions and a case vignette. The participants will be asked to complete the vignettes, making judgements and decisions about treatment and use of information given. Additionally participants' will be asked to rate their oral health using a standardised scale (Atchison and Dolan, 1990)\nThe scenario will be identical in each vignette. Each vignette will describe a visit to their dentist for treatment of a large hole in one of their back teeth. The nature and purpose of the visit will be identical in each vignette. The first paragraph will describe our study. The second paragraph will describe the context of the visit to the dentist. The next paragraph will describe the strength of research evidence available. The fourth paragraph will describe the dentist's clinical judgement of the possible outcome. The two factors will be manipulated to express two levels of each variable; the evidence strongly supports the intervention, the evidence strongly suggests no effect. The four vignettes will correspond with all four factorial combinations of the two factors. Participants will be asked to read their vignette. After reading their vignette they will be asked to indicate their decision about possible treatment based on the information they will have been given in the vignette and their confidence in the decision.\nThe vignettes were reviewed as a result of the Research Ethics Committee's comments given on 27th February 2004. In response to these comments, the vignettes were reviewed by three dentists and subsequent modifications were made to encompass the need for clinical reality.\nThe outcome variable will be the proportion of patients to undergo the treatment described in the vignette.\nThe outcome measures will be assessed by:\n1. Patients' willingness to engage in treatment with the binary of unwilling/willing\n2. Patients' confidence\nNo secondary outcome measures\n1. Patients from the waiting areas of King's College Dental Hospital\n2. Gave consent\nDoes not meet inclusion criteria\ndhmail@doh.gsi.org.uk\nhttp://www.dh.gov.uk/Home/fs/en\nKings College Hospital NHS Trust R&D Consortium (UK)\nNHS R&D support funding (UK)\n05/07/2016: No publications found, verifying study status with principal investigator.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1703695"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5400041937828064,"wiki_prob":0.4599958062171936,"text":"On The Subject of Nick Castellanos’ Defense\nBy Neil Weinberg on July 28, 2014\nThe numbers don’t look good. Your eyes might disagree, but hold onto that thought for a moment. Let’s consider the data first and our perceptions second. Nick Castellanos was never heralded as a good defender at any time coming up through the system and he spent a year and a half playing the outfield prior to 2014, so the expectations weren’t terribly high. No one expected Castellanos to be Evan Longoria at third this year. The goal was simply to be better than what Cabrera over the last couple of years.\nTo date, by the numbers, this is the worst case scenario. Twenty eight third basemen have at least 500 innings at the position this year and Castellanos ranks last in DRS (-19), last in UZR (-10), second to last in UZR/150 (-17.4), and last in RZR (.611). No one is going to tell you that defensive statistics are perfect over the course of a half season, but when so many different methodologies line up like this, it’s probably safe to say that you’re not doing very well. We don’t have to say that Castellanos is terrible, but he’s definitely performed poorly during this 100 game sample.\nBut maybe you think these defensive stats are garbage. They’re not, but I’ll indulge you. Forget ball tracking and comparisons to average and all of the things that go into advanced metrics. Let’s go back to school on the most basic measure of defense. How well does Nick turn ground balls into outs? Let’s look at BABIP on ground balls to third.\nNow the available data only allows us to grab Tigers’ 3B, so there are a few Cabrera and Kelly games mixed in, but Castellanos has played in close to 90% of the team’s games so this is a fine estimate.\nTo do this, I went to Baseball Savant and looked at ground balls toward third base and carved up the field by a few different cutoff points to make sure we had it right. The left field line is at -45 degrees and the second base bag is a 0 degrees, just to give you an idea. Let’s look at -45 to -25 degrees. This assumes that the 3B has about 45% of the left side of the infield.\nBABIP on ground balls from -45 to -25 for the Tigers is .398, which is by far the worst in the league. Let’s try .-45 to -30 and ask that our 3B only covers 33% of the left side. That leaves the Tigers at .343, which is 29th in baseball. It’s also nice to see Cleveland in last because that’s who the other defensive stats look poorly upon. Finally, let’s go -45 to -35, which calls on Nick to cover just 22% of the field. Again the Tigers are last at .339.\nYou might think advanced defensive stats are still in beta testing, but there’s nothing advanced about looking at how well a player turns ground balls into outs. This is as basic as it gets and Castellanos is baseball’s worst third baseman in this department.\nThere are a couple of reasons to pump the breaks, however. First, Nick just spent 18 months playing a different position. It’s possible that he just doesn’t have his bearings back. When you think about it, that’s totally fair. You shouldn’t expect him to pick the position right back up, meaning that even if his performance this year has been bad, it’s fair to say this is his floor and not his ceiling.\nSecond, this is all about range. That matters, but his hands and arm and such don’t grade out poorly. He’s not getting to a lot of balls, but he’s converting the ones he gets to. You can’t necessarily teach him to be more mobile, but I’d rather he have one big problem that four medium sized problems.\nThird, he doesn’t look as bad as the numbers. I don’t think you can throw out the numbers just because you don’t like what they say, but Castellanos doesn’t look like he’s worse than Cabrera was. My guess is that when all is said and done, this is going to regress a little. He’s more of a -8 than a -18. It’s not hard for a few bad plays to haunt you on defense just like a bad week can sink your offensive stats.\nThe scouting reports are positive enough on his defense to the point where most see him staying at 3B for at least the next few seasons. I’m not so sure, but that’s because the Tigers might not need him to be there. Pretty much the only area of depth on the farm for the Tigers is middle infield and if Suarez is going to swim at the big league level, he’s going to need a new position next year. That might be 3B and he’s not the only one knocking on the door behind Iglesias and Kinsler.\nIt doesn’t sound like the plans are in place or anything but Castellanos could move to RF as early as 2015. Not necessarily because he’s so horrible that he has to move off the position, but because he’s not good enough there for it to matter. I can see a world where Castellanos is a serviceable gloveman at third, but that might not be the best way to line up the defense. He’s never going to be a plus defender, so it’s just a matter of finding a place for his glove so that his bat can shine.\nI think he’s going to be a big time contributor at the plate, but while his defense doesn’t look as bad from a tools perspective as it has from a performance perspective this year, there’s not a lot of reason to think he can be a positive contributor at third base. It’s been bad this year. I think it can and will get better, but the simple fact of the matter is that it might not have to.\nYour Dream Roster for 2015 - Page 4 October 22, 2014 at 2:11 pm | Reply\n[…] numbers around the trade deadline. Short answer is no improvement, got slightly worse actually. On The Subject of Nick Castellanos’ Defense | New English D We will bankrupt ourselves in the vain search for absolute security. – DDE Those who take the […]","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line78427"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6587258577346802,"wiki_prob":0.3412741422653198,"text":"Developer eyes Snoqualmie for new Hilton hotel, February public hearing set\nJanuary 12, 2017 by Danna McCall 35 Comments\nUPDATE | February 6, 2017\nThe City of Snoqualmie has confirmed a public hearing about the amendments needed for a proposed hotel development to move forward on Snoqualmie Ridge. It will be held during the February 6th Planning Commission meeting at City Hall, 38624 SE River Street. That meeting begins at 7PM and will also include a presentation about the proposed amendments and design renderings.\n** Due to inclement weather, there will also be a continuation of the hearing on another evening. The city hopes that second public hearing opportunity will happen later this week, but will be determined at the Feb. 6th meeting. **\nHow to Testify:\nIn summary, there are three options to testify on the proposed hotel:\nAttend the public hearing/presentation tonight February 6th at 7PM\nAttend the continued public hearing/presentation with date to be determined tonight (hopefully in the next week)\nSubmit written comments to bswanson@ci.snoqualmie.wa.us.\nAs explained in the original story below, the developer is not able to submit an application until the Planning Commission and the City Council consider amendments to the Snoqualmie Ridge Mixed Use Final Plan, Snoqualmie Ridge Development Standards, and Business Park Binding Site Improvement Plan.\nVia press release, the City of Snoqualmie said:\n‘The hotel could benefit Snoqualmie in many ways, including creating a significant source of revenue for the city to apply to capital projects, public safety, and services for residents.\nIt could also attract corporations considering opening or relocating their businesses to vacant lots and buildings in the business park, further increasing revenue sources and supporting economic health.\nVisitors to Snoqualmie – including the nearly two million visitors that come to Snoqualmie Falls each year – currently have only one lodging option in Snoqualmie at the Salish Lodge & Spa. Many visitors to Snoqualmie come to Snoqualmie Falls via I-90 and head straight back out of town after visiting Snoqualmie Falls Park, many times not exploring the shops, restaurants, and other attractions throughout town.\nWith the addition of a second hotel, many of those tourists, as well as those coming to enjoy the Boeing Classic and other activities, can be accommodated, allowing them time to shop and dine to support our local merchants. Residents will also have a lodging option for family and friends visiting from out of town.’\nIf the City of Snoqualmie Planning Commission recommends some changes, made through amendments to the Snoqualmie Ridge (SR) Business Park Binding site improvement plan and the SR Mixed use plan – AND the city council approves them – next summer there could be a new hotel in Snoqualmie, at the corner of Snoqualmie Parkway and Center Street (across the Parkway from the IGA retail complex). Upper Snoqualmie Valley hotel options are currently limited to the Salish Lodge and some older motels in North Bend.\nNext week the Planning Commission will look at the second set of [conceptual] design plans from a developer working with the Hilton Group to bring a 97-room Hampton Inn & Suites to Snoqualmie Ridge. Commission members saw the first designs at their December 22nd meeting where they requested some design modifications.\nConceptual drawing of new hotel/retail development – corner of Center Street and Snoqualmie Parkway. Not final design – only conceptual.\nRequired Code Changes for Development to Proceed\nThe first change required for the project to proceed is to decrease the 50-foot buffer setback to 15 feet for the edge of the property that borders Snoqualmie Parkway. This is needed because approximately 50% of the land parcel has a Puget Sound Energy (PSE) power line easement running through it, limiting the buildable area of the property to this portion near the Parkway. City of Snoqualmie Senior Planner Ben Swanson said PSE restricts buildings in their easements, explaining if transmission line repairs or other work is ever needed, PSE doesn’t want to work around structures.\nBecause the proposed hotel would essentially front Snoqualmie Parkway, the Planning Commission is requiring front of building design standards for the rear of the property. Swanson said they want the back of the building to look as nice as the front so it fits in with the rest of the retail area. The commission also asked the design be pedestrian-friendly to draw hotel patrons out and into nearby businesses.\nThe second required change is to add an access lane into the property from Snoqualmie Parkway. This is necessary because property’s current small entrance off Center Street is also located in the PSE easement area, which limits redesigning and grading the entrance. Swanson said the developer has already completed a traffic study, which deemed the access lane acceptable.\nAccess lane from Snoqualmie Parkway into the proposed site of new hotel/retail development.\nDetails on Proposed Snoqualmie Ridge Hotel and Retail Development\nThe four-acre site would house a 75,200 square foot, 97-room hotel complete with a breakfast area, 1,500 sq. ft. meeting room, 800 sq. ft board room and indoor swimming pool. The hotel would be four and five stories, with the five-story portion being on the lower end of the sloped property.\nNext door would be a 16,600 sq. ft., two-story retail/office building. Half of the first level space would be for a restaurant/cafe and the rest for other retail. Office space would be on the second level. According to plans, both buildings would have a Northwest style design to “honor the beauty of the nature in the City of Snoqualmie.” The 200 stall parking lot would be located in the PSE easement area.\nAt the request of the Planning Commission, the developer is incorporating a large outdoor plaza, with seating areas, as gathering space for the community. Swanson said this is something the commission felt the existing retail area lacks. The entrance to the property would also included a water feature.\nThe portion of the hotel that fronts Snoqualmie Parkway would have a stacked design,with portions of the building jutting in and out (vs. a flat building), to create architectural interest. Potential siding materials include stacked stone and various colors of hardie and long board. There would be pedestrian street/sidewalk access to the property. Although some trees will have to be removed along the Parkway, large existing tree(s) will be kept at the property’s south end.\nCity of Snoqualmie Director of Community Development Mark Hofman explained, “Commercial development must be a true asset that fulfills community needs. Design guidelines act to create and preserve a sense of place.” He emphasized, “For example, in working for the community, we could not accept a stucco box hotel that looks like it should be along a highway in the desert Southwest. A hotel or any business in Snoqualmie needs to be respectful of residents’ expectations, as this well-designed concept for Parcel 20 of the Business Park does. We try to anticipate and support expectations, and always encourage people to voice their opinions through the public hearings.”\nDevelopment Timeline\nThese latest set of designs will be reviewed by the Planning Commission on Tuesday, January 17th at 7PM at City Hall. Planning Commission meetings are open to the public.\nIt’s anticipated that a Public Hearing on the proposed code changes will be held on February 6th. Residents can attend and comment in person or email comments to the city.\nIn mid February the commission will likely make a recommendation to the city council about the code changes and agree on a final conceptual design for the project. Swanson anticipated the city council could be asked to approve the code changes and a development agreement in mid March.\nWith council approval of the code change amendments, the developer could then move forward with other development requirements, like submitting a building applications and permits. Swanson said the developer hopes to begin construction this spring/summer.\n** NOTE: All photos in this article are only conceptual design plans f(NOT final) that will be presented to the Planning Commission. Design plans created by Jensen/Fey Architecture and Planning in Redmond, WA **\nConceptual design for potential hotel and retail building, with large outdoor plaza for community to gather.\nConceptual design of proposed hotel. Front entrance to hotel.\nConceptual hotel design – side view of access lane.\nConceptual design – rear of proposed hotel recessed down into land parcel and fronting Snoqualmie Parkway\nConceptual design of proposed hotel – south end of building with existing tree and indoor pool on ground level.\nFiled Under: North Bend, Snoqualmie, Snoqualmie Valley Info, Valley News Tagged With: Top Stories\nKendall Hunt says\nI think the hotel is a great idea. I was just thinking the other day why Snoqualmie didn’t have a hotel/motel in the city. Probably should have two of them.\nReally like the outdoor pedestrian area. I think the city lacks this and would make a great addition.\nThe Conceptual drawings for the Casino were nice looking as well. What was built was much larger and very different from the conceptual drawings used to gain public support.\nA hotel would be nice. Given the location and the restrictions on that site, the hotel will be very visible and stand out like nothing else on the ridge. 4 and 5 stories? The city and all constituents should think long and hard about whether this is really what we want, or if we want to maintain the rural, open, tree-filled nature of our city.\nfuturist says\nRural, open, and filled with trees ? Do you really not know that Snoqualmie Ridge was once owned by Weyerhaeuser and then trees were cut and 5,000 people moved in ?\nThe population of Snoqualmie will increase. So will the populations of North Bend and Issaquah. The population of King County may double over the next 40 years. Designing a good future is difficult in part because people want what exists today to be maintained. Nothing in human history has ever been maintained. Nothing is sustainable; there is only ever change.\nSHOBUZ IKBAL says\nI agree with Mike – renderings look great until they’re built and we should be very careful about bringing in a hotel. The Ridge is all residential now and we have a great town center with small retails. Hotel will change this completely as it is a whole different kind of business – to bring in transient people for short stay. That’s why city collect “transient and occupancy tax” from hotels.\nTo “futurist” – all I can say is “if you build it they’ll come”.\nCameron says\nStreganona says\nYou don’t have time to think long and hard. There’s already been one public hearing.\nThe hearing on code changes is February 6. Bring your lawyer!\nA hotel of casino loving, “can’t make it home cuz I am wasted” guests and assorted family members not wanted at the cracker jack Ridge townhouse. A great place for the kids to walk past on their way to the library\nExactly! It boils down to a less expensive hotel stuck in the middle of our family oriented neighborhoods. This is a complete negative for our community. Really unwise. I have a feeling between this and the possible 800 resident adult community, there are going to be some unhappy owners that will be listing their homes. There may even be a flood of homes on the market up here the more residents that find out.\nThis would change the feeling of the Ridge. Very different looking then Salish Lodge.\nMy concern also regards crime, and the fact it’s so close to the new elementary school. I think the community and families should be priority, not revenue.\nIt looks as though homeowners in our area have nothing to say?? Big business has taken over and everyone is OK with that? I think a 5-story motel in the middle of the Ridge is an unwise choice for property owners. It may be convenient for travelers, but is that what our community is more concerned about accommodating? And, if we have to put up with this, why is it such undesirable architecture? And why is Snoqualmie OK with a Hampton? It’s lower end lodging. Snoqualmie residents, speak up if you’re against this. Remaining complacent will change the look of the Ridge forever. We will be left with a 5-story building that doesn’t belong here in a family neighborhood. It is one of the more ridiculous proposals I’ve seen. Instead of a motel, how about nice shops and a couple of decent restaurants?\nAlissa says\nSo what happen to the hotel proposed in North Bend?\nDanna McCall says\nSounds like it has been delayed, but is still in the works.\nThe developer got wrapped up in EIS tape. So he decided to build up\n.on the Ridge, where no one would care.\nThe North Bend hotel project was originally applied for in 2011, the State EPA has an application for in in 2012, SEPA didn’t block it. Currently the ground hasn’t been graded to start.\nAccording to Gina Estep, Director, Community and Economic Development [North Bend]: “We do believe the owners of the site in North Bend plan to build out their planned and permitted hotel. Currently due to winter high ground water no ground work is able to be done until the spring, most likely April.”\nAgain, the application was originally submitted in 2011, and currently they are still looking at little to no progress. From the way that Gina has stated this, it sounds like they aren’t sure what the owner’s plans are.\nDoug Walsh says\nA hotel is desperately needed in the area HOWEVER… if you really cared about ““honor(ing) the beauty of the nature in the City of Snoqualmie.” you wouldn’t build a view-blocking hotel.\nI’ve lived in Snoqualmie for 12+ years now and I am absolutely disgusted by the building taking place along the east side of Snoqualmie Parkway. First it was the giant white landing strip of a warehouse. Now, we’ve got Bartells and Safeway moving in, obstructing even more of the wonderful view, and now they want to add a hotel. Walking along Snoqualmie Parkway and admiring the view of the Cascades was one of the things that made living on the Ridge so enjoyable. And now it’s going to be obliterated.\nRight idea. Wrong location!\nDavid G says\nToo high and too close to the Parkway. This will stick out like a sore thumb – you want the tallest building on the ridge right here, blocking views of the mountains? And you want to reduce the Parkway buffer in doing so? This will look completely out of place. Please make it stop – the city planners are out of touch. We do not want Snoqualmie to look like the dreadful Issaquah highlands. Snoqualmie is going downhill fast.\nIf you look closely at one of the photos – that’s where you can see the hotel is recessed into the property so the bottom two floors sit lower than street level… looks like three levels show from the Parkway. It is closer to Snoqualmie Parkway than other buildings, though, which is why the developer is requesting the code change.\nHi Danna – the setback for the tallest part of the building will be zero (right on the walkway), according to the documents submitted for the amendments. Again, 60 feet tall right on the pathway beside Snoqualmie Parkway at its tallest point. There won’t be any tall trees to screen the tallest part of the building, there may be some shorter trees.\nThanks David G., you couldn’t be more on point. What are they thinking? And I suppose the residents in North Bend care more about their community then we do?! How unfortunate for us. If people don’t think that pollution and crime will come with this hotel development they don’t have a clue. Fortunately, I don’t have a school-age child anymore, he’s graduated. But if I did, I would not stay if a hotel was built. Yes, I agree that Sammamish has changed entirely. But the 22 years we lived there, there wasn’t ever a conversation about a hotel being built smack dab in the middle of our family community. Now we will end up like some kind of pitstop off the freeway for who knows what. This completely changes the entire community and what people have worked so hard to build. Very disappointed. If any of you have a better idea of a community that is still unspoiled, let us know.\nRay Say says\nThe Ridge needs a broader tax base, and more retail can provide that. Currently, something like 75-80% of retail purchases by Ridge residents are made off the ridge. A community of 13k desperately needs more services on the Ridge, thus minimizing auto use and the attendant pollution, etc. a new Safeway, Bartells, along with a hotel is just what is needed to grow the tax revenue. As an aside, my understanding is the developer of the Ridge hotel is the same one who was supposedly moving forward with a hotel in North Bend. I would be curious to know what happened to that proposal, as an indicator of how credible and capable this developer is.\nGreat question Ray Say, what is the track record for this developer? I used to work for a city in California, in the building department. They had approved contractor lists, do they have anything like that for Snoqualmie?\nHawkfan says\nThe Ridge absolutely needs a broader tax base. Relying on homeowners to foot the bills isn’t realistic especially as Pulte is finishing up and moving out. More and more current and future homeowners would move to less expensive (tax-wise) nearby cities where goods and services are more easily attained. Normal stores (Safeway, Bartells, and hopefully others) with cheaper/more competitive prices will allow more revenue to stay in Snoqualmie rather than continue to go to Issaquah, Bellevue, and other nearby cities. This increased tax base will be something everyone living on the Ridge and in downtown Snoqualmie will benefit from.\nWhat I heard on North Bend hotel project is that it got stalled because the developer couldn’t get the brand that it was originally proposed as. That one and the proposed one on the Ridge are not corporate project by any hotel chain, rather they’re private developer building to suit certain hotel chain. Ridge will be taking the same risk as North Bend.\nShobuz: It would be helpful to get a reliable source about this. Most of the pro Snoqualmie hotel are for it because of the potential revenue it will bring the city. Without the franchise, it’s unlikely the hotel will be profitable.\nPeggy: I can tell you about the source for info. on North Bend project. Pls e-mail me at shobuz.ikbal@gmail.com. Thanks.\nRemember this isn’t the Hilton, just a Hampton Inn and Suites owned by them. Hampton isn’t a high end hotel. This isn’t like Salish Lodge. There are existing homeowners and other buyers paying $700K-$850K+ to live in Eagle Point and some other areas on The Ridge. This in no way is fair to homeowners that have invested their life savings. And I’m not forgetting all homeowners on The Ridge. Just using that area as an example.\nPublic hearing in front of the City Council is scheduled for Monday March 13th at 7 pm. This is the last chance to make our voice heard on such significant project. This will unalterably change the character of our town center.\nThank you for letting us know, much appreciated.\nThe setback is actually zero if you read the proposal’s edits, it also has in places that it will be 15 feet average (which is not minimum).\nThere are two residents that are directly across from where the hotel will be built, I don’t believe they were notified of this project.\nI ask people on the ridge if they are aware of the proposed hotel for Snoqualmie Parkway, and many of them still aren’t aware of the project.\nWe measured the diameter of one of the trees, it was 64″. You can calculate the age of a tree using its diameter and based on the kind of tree (douglas fir), it calculates to be 102 years old, which will be cut down for this project.\nAs I recall Peggy, I just found out mid Feb. How I missed this, I don’t know. I believe that many living on the Ridge aren’t aware, and the same with downtown Snoqualmie Residents. I understand and I’m in favor of Safeway and Bartell. It’s a 5-story lower end motel that’s unappealing. That will be an unattractive landmark here, if it goes through. Maybe most of the original owners have sold and left the area, because the people that purchased a home out here in 1998 moved here for a reason. Not to have some commercial mess sitting across from the library along with beautiful trees cut down. If those living up here are in favor, but only plan on living here for a few years, then it’s not fair to those of us that care more about our environment and the beauty of the Ridge. The Safeway center will bring jobs and revenue to our area, but we truly don’t need a motel. In the long run, it will prove to be one of the worst decisions for our community. All the hard work those before us have to done to preserve the beauty will be gone with this poor choice.\nI am still running across residents that are not aware of the hotel proposal. I wonder if the residents that are for the hotel realize how close it will be to Snoqualmie Parkway and how tall it will be.\ncorrection – the tree’s circumference was 64″.\nFor some the inches look like feet;\nThe tree’s circumference was 64 inches\nusing – http://www.cliftonparkopenspaces.org/treecalculator/\ntree type: Douglas Fir, the tree we measured was 102 years old.\nI cannot find the notes from the public hearing on February 9th, of the residents that came in person to the meeting and spoke against this proposal. One planning commissioner did thank us for coming to the meeting on February 9th, in opposition to the proposed hotel. We are just a few residents that have been going to meetings about this one project, the city council needs to see more residents show up at the meeting on March 13, 7 pm at City Hall 38624 SE River St, Snoqualmie, WA 98065; if you can’t show up – please email city hall at : jwarren@ci.snoqualmie.wa.us on or before March 13, 2017 at 5:00 PM.\nNote: email and showing up in person is preferable!!","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1867146"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6691814661026001,"wiki_prob":0.3308185338973999,"text":"Frequency of American families having dinner together at home 2013\nPublished by Statista Research Department, Dec 26, 2013\nThis statistic shows the results of a survey, conducted in 2013, among adult Americans on the frequency of having dinner at home as a family. In December 2013, 53 percent of the respondents answered that their family eat dinner together at home on 6 to 7 nights a week.\nHow many nights a week out of seven does your family eat dinner together at home?\n0 to 3 nights 21%\n18 and older\nTelephone interview\nAccording to the source, \"based on adults with children under 18 at home\".\nAverage size of a family in the US 1960-2020\nNumber of married couples in the U.S. 1960-2020\nNumber of families in the US by number of children 2000-2020\nNumber of births in the United States 1990-2018\nStatistics on \"Families in the U.S.\"\nU.S. - number of black families 1990-2019\nU.S. - Number of Asian families 2002-2019\nNumber of white families in the United States 1990-2019\nU.S. - Number of Hispanic families 1990-2019\nNumber of marriages in the U.S. 1990-2018\nUSA - Marriage rate 1990-2018\nMarriage rates in the U.S., by state 2018\nMarital status of the U.S. population, by sex 2020\nInterracially married couples, by race and Hispanic origin U.S. 2020\nGeneration gap on social issues - attitude towards same-sex marriage in the U.S.\nSurvey on the legalization of same-sex marriages in the U.S. 1996 to 2020\nNumber of divorces in the U.S. 1981-2018\nU.S. - divorce rate 1990-2018\nU.S. - divorce rate by state 2018\nAmericans' moral stance towards divorce in 2018\nThe most expensive divorces among celebrities, by settlement\nSurvey on blame for divorce among Americans in 2016\nU.S. catholics - view on children being raised by divorced parents 2015\nChildren living with single divorced parents, by age of child U.S. 2020\nUnited States - birth rate 1990-2018\nU.S. - Infant mortality rate 1990-2018\nPublic opinion on adoption rights for same-sex couples in the U.S. 2014\nAmericans' moral stance towards having a baby out of wedlock 2018\nWomen's satisfaction with having a baby in the U.S. in 2016\nNumber of families with a single mother U.S. 1990-2019\nUnited States - number of families with a single father 1990-2019\nNumber of Hispanic families with a single mother U.S. 1990-2019\nNumber of Hispanic families with a single father U.S. 1990-2019\nNumber of Asian families with a single mother U.S. 2002-2019\nNumber of Asian families with a single father U.S. 2002-2019\nNumber of white, non-Hispanic single mother households U.S. 1990-2019\nNumber of white, non-Hispanic single father households U.S. 1990-2019\nFamily income levels in the U.S. - percentage distribution 2019\nMedian family income in the United States by state 2019\nMedian family income, by ethnic group U.S. 2019\nPoverty rate for families in the U.S. 1990-2019\nTrend in attitude to family dinners in Great Britain 2005-2015\nSelected opinions on family size in the U.S. in 2011\nSatisfaction with family relationships U.S. in 2011\nLiving distance between American parents and children in 2011\nImportance of selected family life aspects in the U.S. in 2011\nIdeal number of children for a family to have 2003 to 2013\nThanksgiving meal in the U.S. - number of family members present 2010\nSurvey on person responsible for family dinner preparation in Norway 2014\nItaly: parents dealing with the non-existence of Santa Claus 2016\nPeople living alone in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2018, by age and gender\nLifestyle question: Importance of family versus career in the UK 2012, by demographic\nGrowth rate of people who have a baby in their family in China 2013-2020\nItaly: parents and children preparing for Christmas 2016\nShare of family types in Australia 1976-2011\nLifestyle statement: Importance of family versus career in the United Kingdom 2012\nNumber of people who have a baby in their family in China 2012-2020\nItaly: Christmas gift ideas for dads 2016\nFamilies living in absolute poverty in Italy 2016-2019, by number of children\nFamilies Homosexuality Demography Pets Weddings and Marriage\nGallup. (December 26, 2013). How many nights a week out of seven does your family eat dinner together at home? [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved January 15, 2021, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/284157/frequency-of-american-families-having-dinner-together-at-home/\nGallup. \"How many nights a week out of seven does your family eat dinner together at home?.\" Chart. December 26, 2013. Statista. Accessed January 15, 2021. https://www.statista.com/statistics/284157/frequency-of-american-families-having-dinner-together-at-home/\nGallup. (2013). How many nights a week out of seven does your family eat dinner together at home?. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: January 15, 2021. https://www.statista.com/statistics/284157/frequency-of-american-families-having-dinner-together-at-home/\nGallup. \"How Many Nights a Week out of Seven Does Your Family Eat Dinner Together at Home?.\" Statista, Statista Inc., 26 Dec 2013, https://www.statista.com/statistics/284157/frequency-of-american-families-having-dinner-together-at-home/\nGallup, How many nights a week out of seven does your family eat dinner together at home? Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/284157/frequency-of-american-families-having-dinner-together-at-home/ (last visited January 15, 2021)","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1448049"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.777330219745636,"wiki_prob":0.777330219745636,"text":"F1 2018: A Review of an Unforgettable Season\nIn the twinkle of an eye (at least so it seems), the 2018 F1 season has come to an end.\nActually the final race of the year will take place in Abu Dhabi this weekend. It’s the final race of a 21-race season; an unforgettable season. When a driver wins the drivers’ championship title with a few races to spare, then you can understand what kind of F1 season it has been.\nIt all started with Sebastian Vettel’s two race wins in Australia and Bahrain. In both races, Lewis Hamilton, the reigning champion, finished in second and third respectively. This two wins brought some sort of competitive spirit to the sport. “Finally, someone to give Hamilton a run for his money”, most fans most have said.\nDaniel Ricciardo, one of the only 3 other drivers, picked up the chequered flag in China, a race in which Hamilton finished in 4th place – one of his lowest of the season. Of course the narrative remained the same at this stage. Just with the addition of one more name to the battle for the championship title.\nBut to an extent, this competition did not last for too long. By the fourth race (Azerbaijan GP), Lewis Hamilton recorded his first race win of the season. He quickly followed it up with another win in Spain before finishing in third place in Monaco.\nIn the test practices, which driver will take pole position?\nClick here to put your money where your mouth is and win.\nIn the first two races which Hamilton won, Sebastian Vettel failed to manage a podium finish. This was where the Englishman’s early started from. The German recovered a bit by winning the Canadian GP. But his inconsistency came to the fore when he finished in the race that followed in France, a race that Lewis Hamilton won.\nWhich driver do you think will win the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi this weekend?\nClick here to back yourself and earn some extra cash this weekend.\nMax Verstappen’s win in Austria gave us a break from the Hamilton-Vettel back-and-forth. While Vettel managed a third place finish, Lewis Hamilton did not finish. Hamilton’s slide continued when Sebastian Vettel won the British GP, to the surprise of the English fans who had wanted to see Hamilton win.\nAs if they were out to get each other, Lewis Hamilton won the race in Vettel’s home, Germany. And it was the first time that Vettel did not finish a race. The Team Mercedes driver would go on to win 6 of the 9 following races.\nAt this point, he had become unreachable and had claimed yet another title. His 10 race wins this season earned him 383 points. With 5 wins, Ferarri’s Sebastian Vettel earned 302 points.\nWhich of these drivers will win the race in Abu Dhabi?\nWill it be another Hamilton win?\nOr will Vettel manage a sixth win of the season?\nWhat was the highlight of your 2018 F1 season? Leave us your comments and share your thoughts with us.\nAnother F1 Weekend: Which Driver Will be the Fastest?\nBet on More This Month with the Return of These 5 Sporting Events\nMarch into More Money This Month by Betting on These 5 Events","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1627670"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5490317344665527,"wiki_prob":0.5490317344665527,"text":"Hardcover, 9.75 x 11.75 in. / 224 pgs / 5 duotone / 100 tritone.\nOut of stock indefinitely\nCatalog: SPRING 2012 p. 22\nAtget\nText by John Szarkowski.\nEugène Atget (1857–1927) devoted more than 30 years of his life to a rigorous documentation of Paris, its environs and the French countryside, through more than 8,000 photographs. In the process, he created an oeuvre that brilliantly delineates the richness, complexity and character of his native culture. Atget’s uncompromising eye recorded the picturesque villages and landscape of France; the storied chateaux and the romantic parks and gardens of the ancien régime of Louis XIV; and, in post-Haussmann Paris, architectural details, private courtyards, shop windows, curious buildings and streets, and the city’s various denizens. Atget died almost unknown in 1927, although groups of his prints were included in various Paris archives. In 1925 Berenice Abbott discovered his work, and after his death she arranged to buy his archives with the help of art dealer Julien Levy; in 1968 that collection was purchased by The Museum of Modern Art. Originally published in 2000 and long unavailable, this classic, superbly produced volume surveys the collection through 100 carefully selected photographs. John Szarkowski, head of MoMA’s Department of Photography from 1962 to 1991, explores the unique sensibilities that made Atget one of the greatest artists of the twentieth century and a vital influence on the development of modern and contemporary photography. An introductory text and commentaries on Atget’s photographs form an extended essay on the remarkable visual intelligence displayed in these subtle, sometimes enigmatic photographs.\nSTATUS: Out of stock indefinitely.\nFORMAT: Hbk, 9.75 x 11.75 in. / 224 pgs / 5 duotone / 100 tritone.\nLIST PRICE: CANADA $79\nPUBLISHER: The Museum of Modern Art, New York\nPUBLISHING STATUS: Out of stock indefinitely\nD.A.P. CATALOG: SPRING 2012 Page 22\nPublished by The Museum of Modern Art, New York.\nVIEW MORE ONLINE AT: http://www.artbook.com/0870700944.html","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1859641"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7573591470718384,"wiki_prob":0.7573591470718384,"text":"U.S. says BP to pay $20 billion in fines for 2010 oil spill\nBP Plc will pay more than $20 billion in fines to resolve nearly all claims from its deadly Gulf of Mexico oil spill five years ago, marking the largest corporate settlement of its kind in U.S. history, Attorney General Loretta Lynch said on Monday.\nThe agreement, first outlined in July, adds to the $43.8 billion BP had previously set aside for criminal and civil penalties and cleanup costs. The company has said its total pre-tax charge for the spill is now around $53.8 billion.\nThe total penalties Lynch announced on Monday sounded higher than the $18.7 billion deal reached to this summer, in part because she included $1 billion in restoration work BP had agreed to long beforehand.\nBP’s shares rose nearly 3 percent in New York to $33.45 each. Investors have praised the agreement as essentially capping liabilities that could have been much larger.\nThe fines – to be paid to the federal government, five Gulf Coast states and hundreds of municipalities over 18 years – will fund environmental restoration and economic development programs to address the worst offshore spill in U.S. history.\n“This agreement will launch one of the largest environmental restoration efforts the world has ever seen,” Lynch said.\nThe spill fouled 1,300 miles of coastline and dumped more than three million barrels of crude into the sea, hurting fishermen and prompting overhauls of safety rules and emergency plans in one of the world’s most prolific offshore oil basins.\nThe core of the agreement includes $7.1 billion for natural resource damages, $5.5 billion for Clean Water Act fines, and $4.9 billion in payments to states.\nThe Macondo well blowout and the fire on the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig on April 20, 2010 killed 11 workers.\nFederal and state officials formally filed the settlement on Monday and it should be approved by a U.S. District Court in Louisiana soon.\n“The filing of the consent decree does not reflect a new settlement or any new money,” BP spokesman Geoff Morrell said.\nIn the past, BP has paid for liabilities by shedding assets, eroding about one-fifth of the earnings base it had before 2010.\nIts smaller size among the bigger oil majors has made it vulnerable to potential takeovers, analysts have said.\nBP has effectively settled all big claims from the spill. Previous settlements included a fund originally set at $7.8 billion to compensate individuals claiming economic harm from the spill.\nOther settlements included one with contractors Transocean Ltd and Halliburton Co.\nPrevious articleBig U.S. firms hold $2.1 trillion overseas to avoid taxes: study\nNext articleTPP Trade Deal: Who Stands to Gain, Suffer in Asia-Pacific","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line230570"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7281400561332703,"wiki_prob":0.7281400561332703,"text":"IL: Tax breaks sought for Illiana toll road. In another sign the controversial Illiana Expressway still has a pulse, Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration is seeking legislative approval of tax breaks that could benefit the on-again, off-again project. . . . The project also has been the subject of a federal court ruling that found the Federal Highway Administration’s approval of the project in 2013 violated U.S. environmental law. . . Howard, Learner, executive director of the Environmental Law and Policy Center, was surprised to hear the administration was pursuing the sales tax exemption proposal in light of the federal ruling. “I don’t get it. Why in the world is the Department of Revenue proposing to grant a sales tax exemption for this project?” Learner said. “It’s time for the State of Illinois to stop wasting money on boondoggle projects like the Illiana Expressway.” The Southern Illinosian\nWI: Private firm cashes in on public campsites. . . Base camping rates at state parks, which increased on Tuesday, and the cost of vehicle-admission stickers, make camping in those facilities too expensive for him and a lot of his peers, he said. It’s not just those fees that campers must pay to stay in state recreation areas. A reservation fee that is assessed in virtually every transaction involving a state campground reservation also is tacked on to the cost. Most of the revenue generated from that fee goes to a private contractor, which collects more than $1 million every year from residents and tourists, Gannett Wisconsin Media has found. The company, ReserveAmerica, has been paid an estimated $16.4 million since 1999, when it first entered a contract with the state Department of Natural Resources to manage online and phone reservations for state camping sites, according to data released by the DNR. Of the $9.70 reservation fee, the DNR keeps $1 and the rest goes to ReserveAmerica. Marshfield News-Herald\nKY: Candidates for governor propose privatizing parks. . . Kentucky’s two major nominees for governor said Tuesday the state should consider privatizing at least some of its public park system as a way to save money to deal with upcoming budget issues. NewsOK.com\nFL: Hundreds show up to voice complaints over plan for I-275 toll lanes. . . Speakers from several local community groups organized the town hall meeting to put pressure on the Department of Transportation and Metropolitan Planning Organization to stop plans for the Tampa Bay Express project that would widen portions of Interstate 275 with toll lanes. The Metropolitan Planning Organization will meet Aug. 4, and community organizers expect residents to show up in throngs. More than 2,000 people already have signed a petition on stoptbx.com to remove the project from road plans. At Tuesday’s town hall meeting, activists and businesses owners helped answer residents’ questions about the 175-page expansion plan TBO.com\nOH: Audit: Dayton charter school board members overpaid themselves. Board members at a Dayton charter school over-paid themselves by a combined $4,350 last year, according to a state audit released today. Dayton Daily News\nNJ: Freehold Twp. teachers reject outsourced assistants. The teachers union here is taking a stand against the school district’s move to outsource teacher assistant posts to a local agency, saying the cost-cutting move would diminish learning. Asbury Park Press\nNJ: 911 dispatch – the next go-to service for privatization?. Lawrence Township became the first New Jersey municipality to make the move in early 2013. According to Mayor Cathleen Lewis, her town may see cost savings over time, but the main reason for the switch was to get more officers on the street. New Jersey 101.5 FM\nOK: Editorial: No privatization: Keep Tulsa Jail under public control. . . Privatization turned out to be a bad deal for taxpayers the first time around — from 1999, when the new jail opened, until March 2005, when the sheriff’s office won a bid to take over jail operation. We don’t think a second experience would be any better. Tulsa World\nOpinion: A job for government. Tucked into a dusty corner of the Senate’s pending Highway Trust Fund bill is a zombie proposal to hire private debt-collection agencies to hound delinquent taxpayers on behalf of the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS has actually tried outsourcing tax-collection activities before, at Congress’ behest. Twice, in fact, over the last two decades. Both times, the experiment was a disaster. Privatizing delinquent tax collections led to complaints from taxpayers who got harassed and bullied by an industry known for rampant harassment and bullying, particularly of low-income people who don’t know their rights. Perhaps more important, at least from a fiscal responsibility perspective, both times the program was scrapped because it actually cost taxpayers money on net, despite assurances ahead of time of the huge bounty it would lasso. The Leaf-Chronicle","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line898782"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9921496510505676,"wiki_prob":0.9921496510505676,"text":"The Latest: Australia won’t retrieve refugees in cease-fire\nTurkish soldiers stand atop of their tanks at a staging area close to the border with Syria in Sanliurfa province, southeastern Turkey, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and State Secretary Mike Pompeo were scheduled to arrive in Ankara and press Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to accept a ceasefire in northeast Syria. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)\nBEIRUT (AP) — The latest on Turkey’s invasion of northern Syria (all times local):\nAustralia has ruled out retrieving dozens of Australian women and children from refugee camps during the cease-fire in Syria.\nAustralian Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said Friday the situation remained too dangerous to send Australian troops or officials into the war-torn nation.\nDutton says he is hopeful the cease-fire will lead to lasting peace.\nAbout 46 Australian women and children who fled Islamic State-held territory are being held at the al-Hawl refugee camp in northern Syria.\nEight Australian offspring of two slain Islamic State group fighters were removed from Syria in June, Australia’s only organized repatriation from the conflict zone.\nTurkey’s president has responded to a tweet by Donald Trump in which the U.S. leader says a Turkish-U.S. cease-fire deal will save millions of lives.\nIn his response, Recep Tayyip Erdogan tweeted Thursday: “Mr. President, many more lives will be saved when we defeat terrorism, which is humanity’s arch enemy.”\nErdogan’s reply came hours after the U.S. and Turkey agreed to a five-day cease-fire in northern Syria during which Kurdish fighters would withdraw to roughly 20 miles from the Turkish border. Turkey regards the Syrian Kurdish fighters as terrorists due to their links to outlawed Kurdish rebels fighting in Turkey.\nThe arrangement appeared to be a significant embrace of Turkey’s position in the weeklong conflict.\nThe United Nations says Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomes any effort to de-escalate the situation in northeastern Syria and protect civilians.\nU.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a brief statement Thursday that “the secretary-general recognizes that there is still a long way to go for an effective solution to the crisis in Syria.”\nDujarric said Guterres is aware of the discussions between U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which led to the announcement of a five-day cease-fire.\nTurkey launched an offensive against Kurdish fighters who had been allied with U.S. forces in their campaign against the Islamic State extremist group. The incursion began after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the withdrawal of American forces from northern Syria.\nThe commander of Kurdish-led forces in Syria has told Kurdish TV that they will abide by a cease-fire agreement announced in Ankara by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence.\nMazloum Abdi tells Ronahi TV that the extent of the cease-fire stretches 100 kilometers (60 miles) from the town of Tal Abyad to Ras al-Ayn.\nThat appeared to conflict with Turkey’s insistence that its “safe zone” from which Kurdish forces must be removed should stretch the entire length of the border from the Euphrates River to Iraq.\n“We will do whatever we can for the success of the cease-fire agreement,” Mazloum said Thursday, describing it as a “tentative agreement.”\nU.S. and Turkey agreed to a five-day cease-fire in northern Syria during which Kurdish fighters would withdraw to roughly 20 miles away from the Turkish border.\nThe president of the U.N. Security Council says a cease-fire on Turkey’s attacks on Kurdish fighters in northern Syria would be “a great thing if it happens.”\nSouth Africa’s U.N. Ambassador Jerry Matjila, this month’s president, told reporters Thursday that members were waiting for details.\nThe U.S. and Turkey agreed Thursday on a five-day cease-fire that U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said was aimed at ending the bloodshed from Turkey’s military offensive, which followed the withdrawal of American troops.\nMatjila said a cease-fire would give the parties “the chance to go back to the political track” and encourage the first meeting of the 150-member committee that will draft a new constitution for Syria on Oct. 30.\n“If it does happen, I think it’s a step in the good direction,” Matjila said.\nRussia’s foreign minister says Moscow will try to promote a deal that would help Turkey secure its border while ensuring Syria’s territorial integrity.\nSergey Lavrov said Russia will work to “settle the Kurdish problem through a dialogue between the Kurdish leaders and the legitimate government in Damascus.” He added that a future agreement must ensure “Syria’s territorial integrity and Turkey’s security interests.”\nRussia has deployed its forces to Syria’s north as a buffer force in the face of a Turkish after the U.S. troops pullout.\nLavrov spoke to Interfax on Thursday before U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said after talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Turkey has agreed to a cease-fire in Syria to allow for a Kurdish withdrawal from a security zone 20 miles south of Turkey’s border.\nTurkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu says the United States has accepted “the importance and functionality” of a “safe zone” long-pushed by Turkey and says Turkish Armed Forces will control such a zone under an agreement reached with the United States.\nCavusoglu on Thursday insisted that Turkey had agreed to a “pause” in fighting, rejecting the term cease-fire, which he said is only possible between “two legitimate sides.”\n“We will only halt our operation after the terrorist elements depart,” northeast Syria, Cavusoglu added.\nCavusoglu added: “The pause does not mean that our soldiers and our forces will withdraw. We remain there and continue to be there.”\nCavusoglu spoke Thursday following more than four hours of talks between delegations headed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence on Turkey’s offensive in northeast Syria.\nTurkey’s state-run news agency says a total of 71 Turkish-backed Syrian opposition fighters have been killed since the start of a Turkish-led incursion into northeast Syria.\nAnadolu Agency said Thursday that another 207 fighters have been wounded in clashes since the offensive was launched on Oct. 9.\nSeven fighters were killed on Thursday in “violent fighting” that occurred near the towns of Tal Abyad and Ras al Ayn, Anadolu reported. Twenty others were wounded, the report said.\nTurkey says it aims to create a “safe zone” along its border that would be cleared of Syrian Kurdish fighters that it regards as terrorists.\nTurkish officials say a total of six Turkish soldiers have died since the start of the incursion. At least 20 civilians were also killed.\nFrench President Emmanuel Macron is urging his European Union partners to unite in condemning Turkey’s invasion of northern Syria and warns the incursion could revitalize the so-called Islamic State group.\nSpeaking in Brussels on Thursday ahead of an EU summit, Macron told reporters that “I want us to speak again with a united, clear and firm voice to condemn this attack.”\nHe is urging the 28-nation bloc to agree “all together to stop arms exports to the Turks.”\nMacron says the EU should work with its major international partners “to bring an end to this offensive that is today creating a real humanitarian drama and risks sparking a resurgence of Daesh\nSyrian President Bashar Assad has blasted Turkey’s “criminal aggression” in Syria, vowing that Damascus will respond to the offensive.\nAssad made his comments Thursday in Damascus while receiving Iraq’s National Security Adviser Faleh al-Fayyadh, who is on a visit to Syria.\nThere have been concerns that the Turkish attack against Kurdish fighters might lead to a revival of activities by the Islamic State group that once controlled large parts of Iraq and Syria.\nAssad said the military operation is part of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ambitions and is being carried under “false slogans.”\nThe Syrian leader vowed to respond to the Turkish attack “in any area in Syria and through all available legitimate means.”\nTurkey’s state-run news agency says a top aide of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has met Russia’s envoy for Syria, Aleksander Lavrentiev in Ankara.\nThe meeting Thursday came as U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Turkey to press Turkey to halt its military offensive in Syria.\nAnadolu Agency reported that Lavrentiev met with Ibrahim Kalin to discuss Turkey’s ongoing incursion as well as the situation in Syria’s northern Idlib Province.\nThe two agreed on the need for continued Russian-Turkish cooperation to prevent the threat that “all terror organizations” pose to Syria’s territorial integrity, the agency reported.\nErdogan is scheduled to meet with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin in Sochi, Russia to discuss the military operation.\nThe Kremlin says Russia’s President Vladimir Putin will discuss humanitarian problems stemming from Turkey’s military operation into northern Syria when he meets with his Turkish counterpart next week.\nPutin expressed his concern over the “possible humanitarian consequences of this operation” during a recent telephone call with Recep Tayyip Erdogan.\nKremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday that the toll of Turkey’s operation, now in its ninth day, “will be a very important theme on the agenda of the talks.” The two leaders are set to meet Tuesday.\nPeskov also said he was surprised by the harsh tone used in by U.S. President Donald Trump in a recent letter to Erdogan, warning the Turkish leader not to be a “tough guy.”\nThe Russian spokesman said: “Such language is not often encountered in communication of state leaders. It’s a pretty unusual letter.”\nIraq’s foreign minister says his country will only take back Iraqi citizens detained in Syria who were fighters with the Islamic State group and their families.\nThursday’s comments by Mohammed Ali-Hakim said that the home countries of other former IS members and their families should take the necessary measures.\nHis remarks followed a meeting with his French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian in Baghdad, and come amid worries about the fate of thousands of IS members held by Kurdish fighters in Syria.\nKurdish-led forces in Syria are warning that they might not be able to adequately guard some 10,000 IS fighters because of Turkey’s ongoing military operation into northern Syria, which began last week. That’s raised fears of potential IS jailbreaks.\nLe Drian says his visit is to discuss the repercussions of the Turkish operation, warning that it “is threatening the gains that were achieved against IS.”\nGerman Chancellor Angela Merkel has again called on Turkey to stop its military offensive in Syria.\nMerkel said in a speech Thursday in parliament that the offensive “makes tens of thousands, among them thousands of children, flee.”\nShe’s calling the military operation “a humanitarian drama with big geopolitical consequences.”\nShe says it strengthens the role of Russia and Iran in the region and says the consequences of that “cannot be judged today.”\nMerkel says both the Middle East and Europe are being made to feel insecure because prisoners of the Islamic State extremist group are no longer being adequately guarded by Kurdish-led forces. Those forces are now diverting their attention to the Turkish invasion.\nSyria’s Kurdish fighters have allied with the U.S. since 2014 to fight IS militants.\nMerkel also reiterated that Germany will not deliver arms to Turkey.\nThe commander of the Syrian Kurdish-led forces says U.S. President Donald Trump did not oppose a deal his group made with Russia and the Syrian government to protect against a Turkish offensive in northeastern Syria.\nCommander Mazloum Kobani told Ronahi, a Kurdish TV channel, late Wednesday that Trump essentially gave the go-ahead for the deal. Kobani and Trump spoke by telephone Monday, a day after the Kurdish forces announced the agreement.\nThe deal came after Trump ordered U.S. troops to step aside as Turkey launched its attack last week. Syria’s Kurdish fighters have allied with the U.S. since 2014 to fight Islamic State militants. Kobani said the priority now is to stop Turkey’s invasion.\nKobani said his forces will decide what to do with detained IS prisoners and their families.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line661603"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6273198127746582,"wiki_prob":0.6273198127746582,"text":"McClain sends out an email to local teachers inviting them to come and pick up the free supplies and selects a day, usually in July, to hold the giveaway out of her garage.\nMcClain is in the Sigma chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, an international organization of female educators, both working and retired. Her friends from her chapter assist her with her efforts, but McClain does the majority of it on her own.\nShe taught art for 34 years, 25 of those at Kresson Elementary School in Voorhees, another 7-plus years at Estell Manor and Weymouth Township in Atlantic County and two years at Holy Spirit High School, her alma mater, before retiring in 2009.\n“We just want to promote female educators and help them in any way we can,” said McClain, who has lived in Moorestown for 15 years. “When I was teaching, I would see all this wonderful stuff in the trash. I’d see scissors and new bottles of glue.\n\"I would say to the teachers 'so why is this in the trash, it looks like something I could use in the art room?' She’d say, ‘oh the kids are cleaning out their desks, they just throw everything away.’ I actually pulled out the scissors and the glue and the pencils from the trash, cleaned them up and used them in my classroom. That got me started.”\nShe underscored that it doesn’t create extra work for the teachers. Boxes are placed next to the trash can for the supplies to be placed in. McClain and her husband retrieve the boxes after the school year ends and she sorts the supplies.\nThe project has grown over the years by word of mouth. A teacher from a local school district contacted her about science books they were getting rid of, and asked if McClain wanted them. The same has happened with school libraries getting rid of books. She’s grabbed them up as well.\nOn a recent Monday morning, McClain’s garage was filled with goodies, despite visits from quite a few teachers already. She said most of the supplies would soon be snatched up, and the ones that aren’t will be donated to another cause.\nSue Yoder, president of the Sigma chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, was among several women helping McClain.\n“Sky is an amazing environmentalist. It always bothered her at the end of the year how much stuff got thrown away. Most of us are retired teachers. One of the things our organization does is support young educators. Schools don’t provide many school supplies these days,\" said Yoder, who was an elementary school teacher for 38 years in the Cherry Hill Public School District\n“It’s amazing…It would’ve been in the trash and ended up in landfills,\" she said of the reclaimed supplies.\nMcClain has plans for what’s left of the three huge boxes of crayons. A.C. Moore is participating in a program called “The Crayon Initiative” and is collecting youth crayons through Aug. 2, which will be melted down. New crayons will be created and sent to children’s hospitals.\nLeftover books will be donated to GreenDrop, which will send the books to Third World countries, she said.\n“I want people who really need it,” she said.\n“There will not be one pencil left.”\nCeleste E. Whittaker; (856) 486-2437; cwhittaker@gannettnj.com","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1344751"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9221322536468506,"wiki_prob":0.9221322536468506,"text":"The University of Debrecen may be reserved by a foundation\nJanuary 11, 2021 Bácsi ÉvaLeave a Comment on The University of Debrecen may be reserved by a foundation\nFrom the first of August, the universities of Debrecen and Szeged could be under private foundation control. A Hungarian employee of the University of Debrecen told Magyar Orange that the dean’s council of the institution had been convened a few days ago, and the rector explained that the concrete plans would be completed within a month.\nAccording to the source, the teachers of the institutions have not yet been officially informed. One lecturer saw that the university management speaks openly and proudly about the foundation being reserved.\nSzegeder wrote about the University of Szeged, and Chancellor Judit Fendler told the dean’s college earlier this year that they could initiate a transfer to a private foundation. This step was also supported by Rector László Rovó. The leader saw this as a way to get more development resources for the university.\nAccording to an interviewed lecturer, there is an idea tied to Béla Merkely, rector of Semmelweis University, that a top medical university should operate nationwide. The medical courses of the universities of Debrecen, Pécs and Szeged would continue to operate as outsourced sites.\nIf the University of Debrecen really becomes a foundation property, it is not known what will happen with the Nagyerdei Stadium and the Kenézy Gyula University Hospital, since the university has an impact on both of them.\nThe Corvinus University of Budapest was maintained by the foundation in 2019, and last year the University of Theater and Film Arts would also have been transformed, but there were opposing views about that matter. No agreement has been reached with the protesting SZFEs since then, although the transfer of ownership of the foundation and the delivery to the Attila Vidnyánszky were still carried out over their heads.\nFrom February 1, Szent István University in Gödöllő can also continue to operate as a foundation, called the Hungarian University of Agricultural and Life Sciences.\nA pedestrian died in a train accident","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1057797"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8437300324440002,"wiki_prob":0.8437300324440002,"text":"The Debonairs (3)\nPar dion1 le 30 April 2017 à 10:17\nThe Debonairs (3) (New York)\nPaul Dino (Lead)\n1962 - Going To Town / Will You Marry Me (Carol Ann 1001)\nPaul Dino\n1960 - Goin' In Town / Will You Marry Me (Flame 301)\n1961 - Ginnie Bell / Bye-Bye (Promo 2180)\n1962 - That's How I Miss You / Tonight's The Night (United Artists 481)\n1963 - I Like Your Style / Your Candy Kisses (Entré 101)\nPaul Dino Bertuccini is a former American singer-songwriter and musician, who appeared fleetingly as a teen crooner in the early to mid-1960s. Paul Dino had decided to become a barber and in the late '50s he started a band called The Nite Caps, adopted the shortened professional name Paul Dino, and before long the job of singing an assortment of songs in nightclubs won out over warbling \"Shave and a Haircut\" a couple dozen times a day. Paul had learned to play several instruments during high school including piano, saxophone and drums; he even became quite the accordion assimilator.\nNo word on whether he was ever proficient with a pair of scissors. Songwriting was a passion as well and he began making regular excursions into New York City to knock on the doors of the various music publishing houses. He made overtures to some of the record labels too, but they didn't seem interested. After more than a year of attempts, he got his foot in the door at a very small company, Flame.\nWith his group, the Debonairs , Dino recorded two songs he had written \"Goin' In Town\" and \"Will You Marry Me\". The Record was released in early 1960 as Paul Dino. Two Years later the single was re-released as the Debonairs. Dino was signed to Promo label, and his single “Ginnie Bell” debuted in January 1961, which eventually broke into the Top 40 that year. Dino took advantage of this success by appearing on shows such as Dick Clark’s American Bandstand.\nPaul Dino & Justine Carrelli with The Paul Dino group\nPromo didn’t bother to follow up “Ginny Bell”s success however, and Dino would record for a number of labels until his days as a teen idol were over and a new status as a one-hit wonder would loom. Dino and his wife Justine Carrelli (a former regular dancer on American Bandstand) moved to Las Vegas, Nevada where they performed at lounge bookings before going into a successful real estate business.\nhttp://www.waybackattack.com/dinopaul.html\nGoing To Town / Goin' In Town Will You Marry Me\nGinnie Bell Bye-Bye That's How I Miss You\ndoo-wop - Créer un site personnel sur Eklablog - Terms and Conditions - Report abuse -","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1727264"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7890418767929077,"wiki_prob":0.7890418767929077,"text":"Ailsa Patterson\nIn March 2000 Ailsa Patterson B.Sc M.Chiro, became the owner and principal Chiropractor at the well time-honoured, City Centre Chiropractic, established 1973/4. Her qualifications include Bachelor of Science from The University of Queensland and a Master of Chiropractic from Macquarie University in Sydney. To gain broad industry knowledge she has previously worked in clinics in Perth and South East Queensland , before settling in Brisbane City.\nPrior to becoming President of the Queensland Chiropractors' Association of Australia (2002-2005), she served for several years as an Executive member of the Queensland Chiropractors' Association of Australia, (2000 2006) holding the portfolio of Public Education. She was appointed by the Health Minister for a four year term on the Chiropractors Board of Queensland ( 2006-2010), a reflection of her commitment to helping others and to her profession.\nDuring her time with the association she held a general interest in health promotion and the media. For nine years Ailsa nurtured a relationship with a local television program, Brisbane Extra, on Channel 9, until its final episode aired 2009, regularly appearing to promote healthy spines / lifestyles and chiropractic. The Public Education Campaign has also seen her contribute to print and radio mediums and other various television shows across the three commercial channels.\nOne area of focus for Ailsa whilst she was a member of the Registration Board was continuing professional development. She was heavily involved with the production and execution of seminars, both local and regionally for the Chiropractors Board of Queensland.\nAilsa is currently serving her second term as the Queensland practitioner member on the Chiropractic Board of Australia and enjoys helping to regulate the profession.\nDouglas Scown\nUnexpectedly in mid-March 2019 we said goodbye to Douglas Scown as he has injured his wrist. After thirteen years of working together (and twenty in the profession) it was not an easy decision for him to take early retirement from chiropractic.\nAilsa Patterson and Tony Roberts are happy to help any of Doug's patients who still required treatment in the city.\nDoug Scown B.Ed B.App.Sci B. Chiro.Sci has been in clinical practice in Brisbane since 1998 after graduating from RMIT and moving from Melbourne with his family. Areas of interest are general spinal, musculoskeletal, disorders of balance, headache and chronic pain.\nHis work with Ailsa Patterson began after 2000 when they merged their efforts into City Centre Chiropractic. This meant that they could provide a broader service with extended hours as both their families grew. Since then they’ve also worked with a number of other practitioners, in particular Luka Botic, AKA The Muscle Therapist, as well as being openly collaborative with imaging and other medical specialties and services.\nMore recently Doug returned part time to teaching, his first profession, and began lecturing in the new chiropractic program at Central Queensland University primarily in the area of critical thinking. He briefly represented the profession at state level executive and is involved with research into education and professionalism issues.\nTony (B.Sc M/Chiro) works in Brisbane CBD and also at a clinic in Aspley, he is a fourth generation Chiropractor from a family practice of 100 years' standing. Tony has 22 years' extensive clinical experience and completed his Masters of Chiropractic from the Macquarie University, NSW.\n​Tony attended the University of Queensland where he obtained a Bachelor of Science (Anatomy) with a Masters qualifying in Embryology. Tony’s primary interest was in the creation of the spine and its congenital and developmental variants to aid in the understanding of how this may affect its form and function. This theme explains the need to involve both soft and bony therapeutic techniques in a single treatment regime.\nTony merged his clinic form George Street into the Edward Street clinic in March 2018.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line851345"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7639086842536926,"wiki_prob":0.7639086842536926,"text":"Hot chat rooms mature women\nwhite men dating black\nwww polish dating ca\nchristian dating service in dallas texas\nCam to cam anal chat free xxx\nLocal sex text chat\ndreamweaver updating or changing content\ndating service single parents\nDating dan kennedy style\n12-Jan-2020 18:28 by 2 Comments\nFeeling almost like I’ve time travelled, I arrive at the school’s large doors that open directly onto a country kitchen turned home economics classroom with a huge teaching island that fits 10 pupils and an equally impressive oak dining table to the back where Kennedy and his wife, Lucy Moore, give a warm welcome.\nAlong with a post explaining how much blood the human heart pumps in a lifetime, she expressed her new motherly thoughts in the caption.'I love him to the moon and back times infinity,' she gushed, 'my son is my whole world now.Her brunette tresses, which featured copper-dyed tips, were parted in the middle and fell well past her shoulders.The designer and sometime model appeared mostly make-up free, save for a slick of light pink lipstick.Kennedy pleaded guilty to a charge of leaving the scene of an accident and later received a two-month suspended sentence.The incident and its aftermath hindered his chances of ever becoming President.Rather was anchor of the CBS Evening News for 24 years, from March 9, 1981, to March 9, 2005. Rather became embroiled in controversy about a disputed news report involving President George W. In 1953, he earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from Sam Houston State University After obtaining his undergraduate degree, Rather briefly attended South Texas College of Law in Houston, which awarded him an honorary Juris Doctor in 1990.\nBush's Vietnam-era service in the National Guard and subsequently left CBS Evening News in 2005, and he left the network entirely after 44 years in 2006. The three all hosted their network's flagship nightly news programs for over 20 years, and all three started and retired or died within a year of one another. The Rathers moved to Houston, where Dan attended Love Elementary School and Hamilton Middle School. In 1954, Rather enlisted in the United States Marine Corps but was soon discharged because he had rheumatic fever as a child.\nAlong with Peter Jennings at ABC News and Tom Brokaw at NBC News, Rather was one of the \"Big Three\" news anchors in the U. Rather began his journalism career in 1950 as an Associated Press reporter in Huntsville, Texas.\nLater, he was a reporter for United Press (1950–1958), several Texas radio stations, and the Houston Chronicle (1954–1955). Under the auspices of the Houston Police, he experienced the drug which he characterized as \"a special kind of hell.\" During the 1959 minor league baseball season, Rather was the play-by-play radio announcer for the Houston Buffs team of the triple A American Association.\n(born October 31, 1931) is an American journalist and the former news anchor for the CBS Evening News.\nHe was most recently managing editor and anchor of the television news magazine Dan Rather Reports on the cable channel AXS TV.\nAnd Mia Tyler was already out and about with new son Axton on Friday, when the two were seen making a beeline for their house in New York City.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1317229"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6243138909339905,"wiki_prob":0.6243138909339905,"text":"Susan Keefe\nBook Reviewer and Promoter\nBook Reviewers Blog\nTranslators I would like to recommend.\nSpanish Translator Joe Cortes Publica tu eBook\nFrench translator – Emilie Baudrez\nArticles for the Month of December 2016\nThe Witch’s Shadow (The Mind Traveller Book 2) by James McKenna\nAuthor: susan\t• Discussion: No Comments\nRosie is a 15 year old orphan who lives with her Uncle Hugo at Haston Manor, however, she is also very special as she has inherited the ability to travel into Mind Space from her mother. Mind Space is a mysterious realm which can be reached by special people called Mind Traveller’s, and it is inhabited by strange and mythical creatures, angels, demons and more.\nThis story begins on Rosie’s end of term sports day, at St Monica’s Boarding School for Girls, and her new adventure is about to begin…\nThat night, lying on her bed in the dorm, she is transported by Elissa, her SAS Angel to the Ministry of Procedures building, a special place where everything in her world and other parallel ones are organised. There Rosie learns that she must go into Mind Space again. Apparently she has inherited from her mother a section there, however, is overrun with scrowlers, and their owners, the Dark Angels are beginning to win the angel wars.\nThe Rule Maker Grubalot has decreed that as a Mind Traveller, and Warrior of Light, she must free Prince Tiago and his main army of Cloud Riders from a terrible place, so they can fight the Dark Angels, kill the scowlers, and save the human race.\nHowever, this is not all, she is told that she must continue her mother’s mission and collect the pieces of the Dove of Peace, however the next piece is in a place soon to disappear forever!\nAs Uncle Hugo sets off with Rosie to Larkin Cottage in Southwold, Suffolk, for their holidays, little does he know that he is fulfilling his role in the plan, for the cottage has stood there for hundreds of years, and it, and its inhabitants have their own special part to play.\nSoon Rosie is travelling through Mind Space again with the aid of her magic talismans, advice from her mother’s diaries, and her Three Musketeers (Charlie, Oliver and French boy Jean-Paul). However on their quest Rosie soon discovers that the mission and the researching her school project about the Battle of Sale Bay have combined, and have become a terrifying real life adventure.\nCan the brave explorers find Princess Lavinia, her baby, and a piece of the Dove of Peace?\nWill they survive the dangers which lurks at every turn, as Gizeda, the Dark witch, and her minions try desperately to thwart their mission?\nFind out the answers to these questions, and so many more in this exciting story where the war against good and evil rages and mysterious creatures roam the lands.\nThis book is the second book in this series by this talented author, its sequel is called The Mind Traveller, however it also stands alone.\nI was born while enemy aircraft bombed London, spent some of my childhood amidst the wretchedness of post-war Austria, then with siblings and mother, followed my military father across the world. At the age of 15 I joined the British Army and attended the apprenticeship college at Harrogate, then the Royal School of Military Engineering. At 17 I passed selection for the Paras serving in the Gulf and Europe. Afterwards, running my own electronic and physical protection company came easily and gave insider knowledge for my crime thrillers The Unseen, The Uncounted and The Unwanted. Now a father and grandfather, in parallel to these crime thrillers, I have ventured into the action/fantasy world of the young reader aged 12+16. The Mind Traveller is the first of a series where Rosie adventures deep into the unchartered universe of Mind Space. The Witch’s Shadow second in the series will be published on the 5th of June. As a fulltime writer I live between the UK, Portugal and Ireland.\nAbout the Book: Once again Rosie enters Mind Space to fight in the Angel Wars. Her mission, to release Prince Tiago and the Cloud Riders trapped in the Valley of Stone so they can join battle against the scrowlers and Dark Angels.\nChased by the witch, Gizeda whose bite turns victims into spiders, Rosie and her pals must first rescue Tiago’s wife and child who are trapped in Southwold, 1672. Elissa from the Special Angel Service gives help but all are caught in the sea battle between the Dutch and English. Danger is everywhere, Gizeda closes in and Rosie has only her own determination and skills to save her friends.\nMind Space, where time future slips to time past through time present, that place of transition where all time is condensed by infinity, a place which must exist yet cannot exist except in our minds.\nAvailable from Amazon in Paperback https://www.amazon.co.uk/Witchs-Shadow-Mind-Traveller/dp/099284004X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1481811754&sr=8-1\nand Kindle format https://www.amazon.co.uk/Witchs-Shadow-Mind-Traveller-Book-ebook/dp/B00Y0SV4ZS/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1481811754&sr=8-1\nand Barnes and Noble in Paperback http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-witchs-shadow-james-mckenna/1122050466?ean=9780992840044\nThe Time Traveler’s Son (Book 7) by Joe Corso\nThis book starts another chapter in the exciting Time Traveler series. It is spring in the 12th century and we find Lucky’s young 6 year old son Robert in the castle gardens, waiting for the chance to enjoy special time with his father. The bond between father and son is very close, and it is closer still when Robert reveal to his father that he can see sparkles, and Lucky realises that his son has inherited his father’s gift for seeing portals into other times in history.\nLucky recognises that it is important that Robert learns to respect the portals in due time, when he is old enough, however, for now, he needs to understand the danger they can put him in. Obediently Robert listens to his father’s words, and agrees never to go through one, until his father decides the time is right and takes him.\nA year later, with the agreement of his wife, the Princess Krystina, Lucky is just about to take Robert on his first trip through the portal when there is an emergency at the palace, the King is ill. Lucky decides he has no choice but to take the King with them to the 21st century and seeking emergency help.\nWell of course, young Robert is amazed at the 21st century the televisions, light, iphones, electricity and even has a ride in a car, everything is so magical to him. However soon the adventure takes a dark twist as Micky and Robert are kidnapped, by three men, trying to locate Lucky.\nIn fear of their lives, and needing to escape, Robert disobeys his father and takes Micky through a portal, and thus begins an amazing adventure. It leads them to the spot where the famous aviator brothers Wilber, and Orville Wright are trying out their flying machine, and Lucky catches up with them there.\nDeciding not to go back through the same portal the trio start an amazing journey, leapfrogging through time and across continents, meeting famous people through history, like Alexander Dumas, and Queen Elizabeth I, and actually witnessing first hand world changing events like the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.\nA thrilling adventure for a young boy, certainly, however, sometimes he finds himself alone, facing real dangers, having to use his wits to survive, and needing his mother, as any young boy would.\nI love the ‘Time Traveler’ series of stories, however, this book can stand alone. The bond between father and son is wonderful, and the clever links between time, events and historical figures make it not only an enjoyable book to read, but also very interesting.\nAbout the Author: I Grew up in Queens, New York. I’m a Korea Veteran. I Retired from the FDNY and I started writing late in life hoping to help my grandchildren pay for their college education. I found to my surprise that I could tell a good story which resulted in my writing 30 books, garnering 27 awards and making me a 4 time top 100 best selling author and a 3 time top 5 best selling author. Go figure… If I would have known I could tell a good story. I would have started writing a half century ago.\nAbout the Book: When king Robert of England falls deathly ill, it’s up to Lucky Campo to step in and same the day for all time’s sake. The problem is that the 12th century isn’t known for its cutting-edge medics, so Lucky is faced with the realization that he has no other option but to take Robert back to the 21st century hoping and praying that the doctors at the COMPOUND can save the ailing monarch. Meanwhile the other Robert, Lucky’s son, has inherited his father’s ability and can now see the shimmering gateways that crisscross the time stream, allowing him to travel through various points in time and space. When his son’t abilities become known to him, Lucky fears that Robert in his youthful ignorance may not fully understand he faces when entering a portal. Thus, out of necessity, a partnership is formed between father and son, one teaching, the other learning. But When Robert and Mickey are kidnapped, the young boy is forced to put everything his father taught him to the test without adult supervision. He and Mickey escape their kidnappers through a gateway, which plunges them into places no six-year old boy should ever have to go. Lucky desperately searches the time stream for his son and best friend. Will he find them in time? Or is time simply not on his side? Find out in this thrilling new roller coaster time travel adventure!\nAvailable from Amazon in Paperback https://www.amazon.com/Time-Traveler-Travelers-Son/dp/1540334724/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1481537316&sr=1-3&keywords=the+time+travelers+son\nand kindle format https://www.amazon.com/Time-Traveler-Travelers-Son-ebook/dp/B01N0PRCZB/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1481538076&sr=1-7&keywords=the+time+travelers+son\nBarnes and Noble in Paperback http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-time-traveler-joe-corso/1125134874?ean=9781540334725\nThe Mind Traveller by James McKenna\nThis fast paced fantasy story opens with Rosie, hunting in her Uncle Hugo’s cellar at Haston Manor. It’s creepy down there, but she is on a mission, she’s searching for a family heirloom, a locket handed down through her mother’s line. Why? Because her mother told her in a letter given to her by Uncle Hugo on her 14th birthday, that the locket holds special powers, and she should ‘accept her fate,’ but what does that mean?\nRosie is soon to discover that her destiny lies before her, and that the locket is not the only legacy which is handed down from mother to daughter. Her uncle often fondly tells her that her mother used to see goblins and demons hiding in the grounds, strange creatures, just like she has started seeing. However, it is not until she loses a very special bracelet that her search to find it takes her through a magical portal into another place, Mind Space, and she realises that the creatures really do exist…\nMind Space is a mysterious realm which is inhabited by strange and mythical creatures. She and three friends, (who are transported with her by accident) find themselves trapped there until they can complete their quest. It is a land in torment, torn apart by the fierce angel wars between the Knights of Lousã and the Dark Angel and his demons.\nThis exciting adventure follows the brave friends’ quest through this strange land, where they find themselves fighting against evil side by side with strange creatures and a fire breathing dragon.\nWho will win the angel wars?\nWill Rosie find her bracelet, and if she does, how do they return to their time?\nThe answers all lie within the pages of this fantastic fantasy story which will enthral young adults of both sexes. However, not only is this an exciting story, but it also demonstrates the incredible powers of true friendship and loyalty, and the comradeship which can be shared.\nI thoroughly enjoyed this thrilling story and look forward to reading its sequel.\nAbout the Author: I was born while enemy aircraft bombed London, spent some of my childhood amidst the wretchedness of post-war Austria, then with siblings and mother, followed my military father across the world. At the age of 15 I joined the British Army and attended the apprenticeship college at Harrogate, then the Royal School of Military Engineering. At 17 I passed selection for the Paras serving in the Gulf and Europe. Afterwards, running my own electronic and physical protection company came easily and gave insider knowledge for my crime thrillers The Unseen, The Uncounted and The Unwanted. Now a father and grandfather, in parallel to these crime thrillers, I have ventured into the action/fantasy world of the young reader aged 12+16. The Mind Traveller is the first of a series where Rosie adventures deep into the unchartered universe of Mind Space. The Witch’s Shadow second in the series will be published on the 5th of June. As a fulltime writer I live between the UK, Portugal and Ireland.\nAbout the Book: When Rosie inherits a Mind Traveller’s locket from her mother she is transported to Mind Space and thrown into the angel wars. With help from Elissa of the Special Angel Services, the SAS and three village boys who have been accidently transported with her, she joins with the Knights of Lousã in battle against Hisdrillo the Dark Angel and his Grolack tree monsters. Rosie is warned that if the sand in her locket runs out, she and her pals will be trapped forever in Mind Space. When Grolacks invade the castle, Rosie and friends are sent to wake the feared Dragon Queen and ask for her help. Together they fight the Grolacks but her friends are captured and the dragon killed. With sand in the timer nearly gone all seems lost, except Rosie’s will and determination.. Mind Space is where you are encapsulated when time future rolls into time past. A place somewhere in the infinite centre of time change, a place that must exist yet cannot exist.\nAvailable from Amazon in Paperback https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mind-Traveller-James-McKenna/dp/0956972381/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481105478&sr=8-1&keywords=the+mind+traveller\nand Kindle format https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mind-Traveller-James-McKenna-ebook/dp/B00DWZ4BJ6/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1481105478&sr=8-1\nBarnes & Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-mind-traveller-james-mckenna/1116092864?ean=9780956972385#productInfoTabs\nDying For Revenge (The Lady Doc Murders Book 1) by Barbara Golder\nAuthor: susan\t• Discussion: 1 Comment\nThis enthralling murder mystery is set in Telluride, Colorado, at Mountain Village, once a sleepy ranch town, it is now the place to live, with many of the rich and famous having homes there.\nOne of its residents is the favourite leading man of the moment, Mitch Houston, who seems to have it all, however, all this changes when his wife receives a phone call from a reporter, giving her news which will change their lives forever.\nFor the Western Slope of Colorado Chief Medical Examiner, Jane Wallace, Tuesday June 6th starts very early with a phone call from Sheriff Tom Patterson, there’s been a murder, and of course she must attend.\nFive years have passed since the death of her beloved husband John, and Jane has never come to terms with the loss, she is living with it every day. Her other children have flown the nest, and now she lives with her son Ben, finding great comfort in her church, and she enjoys the company of the new young priest Father Matt. It is he who introduces her to Eoin Connor, a true crimes author.\nOne death is a tragedy, however, as the death toll steadily rises, it soon becomes apparent that the killer must be found, but there is only clue, the killer’s weapon of choice is a .22 rifle. Not much to go on.\nThroughout the book there are many small stories giving the reader snapshot insights into the varied lives of its main characters, and building such a depth to the story that it is simply totally enthralling.\nI loved reading this very cleverly written murder mystery, which was packed full of suspense, and can’t wait for Book 2 to be released.\nAbout the Author: Dr. Barbara Golder is a late literary bloomer. Although she’s always loved books (and rivals Jane in the 3-deep-on-the-shelf sweepstakes), her paying career gravitated to medicine and law. She has served as a hospital pathologist, forensic pathologist, and laboratory director. Her work in forensic pathology prompted her to get a law degree, which she put to good use as a malpractice attorney and in a boutique practice of medical law, which allowed her to be a stay-at-home mom when her children were young. She has also tried her hand at medical politics, serving as an officer in her state medical association; lobbying at a state and national level on medical issues, writing and lecturing for hire, including a memorable gig teaching nutritionists about the joys of chocolate for 8 straight hours, teaching middle and high school science, and, most recently, working for a large disability insurance company from which she is now retired. Her writing career began when she authored a handbook of forensic medicine for the local medical examiner office in 1984. Over the years she wrote extensively on law and medicine and lectured on medicolegal topics. On a lark, she entered a contest sponsored by the Telluride Times Journal and ended up with a regular humor column that memorialized the vagaries of second-home living on the Western Slope. She currently lives on Lookout Mountain, Tennessee with two dogs, two cats and her husband of 41 years.\nAbout the Book: “Barbara Golder joins the ranks of Chesterton’s bloodthirsty heirs as she spins a tale that will delight mystery fans. With Dying for Revenge in hand, your beach experience is now complete!” Mark P. Shea, Author of Mercy Works Someone is killing the rich and famous residents of Telluride, Colorado, and the medical investigator, Dr. Jane Wallace, is on a collision course with the murderer. Compelled by profound loss and injustice, Jane will risk her own life to protect others from vengeful death, even as she exacts a high price from those who have destroyed her world. DYING FOR REVENGE is a story of love, obsession and forgiveness, seen through the eyes of a passionate, beautiful woman trying to live her life — imperfectly but vibrantly — even if she won’t survive.\nAvailable from Amazon in Paperback https://www.amazon.com/Dying-Revenge-Lady-Murders-Book/dp/1987970004/ref=cm_rdp_product_img\nand Kindle format https://www.amazon.com/Dying-Revenge-Lady-Murders-Book-ebook/dp/B01F9IGQVE/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=\nand Barnes & Noble in Paperback http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dying-for-revenge-barbara-golder/1123872527?ean=9781987970005\nThe Jerusalem Assassin by Avraham Azrieli\nIn this superb spy thriller, the author has revisited the weeks leading up to the 1995 assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. The assassination itself is shrouded in mystery, of course being such a radical leader, Yitzhak Rabin knew that was never going to be popular with everyone, however, he did what he believed to be right in his search for peace, by extending his hand to Yasir Arafat, leader of the PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization).\nAnd so the story begins…\nIt is the 11th October, 1995, and Al-Mazir arrives at Charles De Gaulle airport. He has been sent for a meeting with Abu Yusef, and a rich Saudi prince, their sponsor. The men are eager to show the world the power and strength of the Palestinian resistance as it unites against the Zionist enemy. However, Elie Weiss is head of the Special Operations Division in Europe. Al-Mazir’s arrival has been noticed by his agents Gideon and Bathsheba, and they have other plans…\nSoon, readers of this book’s prequel ‘The Jerusalem Inception’ will see ghosts from the past arising. We discover that Lemmy, the thought to be dead son of Rabi Abraham Gerster, (one time leader of the Neturay Karta, an ultra-orthodox sect), is very much alive, and is now married with a son of his own. With a false identity he is living under the name of Herr Wilhelm Horch, and is vice-President of his father-in-law’s Hoffgeitz Bank in Zurich.\nCleverly set in place years before for long term infiltration, Lemmy has been clandestinely working for Special Operations leader Elie Weiss all along. Despite the years not having been kind to him, aged and ill, Elie is determined to lay claim to the billions of dollars in blood money secreted for General Klaus Koenig, by his old school friend and banker Armande Hoffgeitz. The money had come from the selling of the jewels and gold from the WWII holocaust victims, and the amounts had been noted in a ledger. Many years may have passed since that day, but Elie’s memory of that time is still vivid. A survivor of such a terrible war, how could he forget its horrors, or the day, right at its end, when he and a young Abraham Gerster, after killing the general had found the ledger, and a beautiful pregnant girl, now Mossad agent Tanya.\nThis gripping spy thriller, has a fantastic plot, which, set at such a tremulous time, in such a vehemently religious part of the world makes it enthralling reading. I found the insight into the fanaticism of the members of the PLO, and the acts they commit horrifying. That people such as the characters in this book exist is without doubt true, however, the true depths they are prepared to go to, the taking of lives without a second thought, and the lies they are prepared to tell in pursuit of their goals are incredible.\nI loved reading this action packed, exciting, and sexy take on a real event in fairly modern history by this talented author.\nAbout the Author: Avraham Azrieli’s new novel, Deborah Rising (Harper Collins, 2016), portrays the dramatic (and unlikely) rise of the first woman to lead a nation in recorded human history. A graduate of Columbia Law School in New York City, Azrieli tried many complex court cases before his first novel, The Masada Complex (a political thriller) was published in 2010. A full-time author since then, his other books include the Israeli spy novels The Jerusalem Inception and The Jerusalem Assassin, as well as Christmas for Joshua (a family drama dealing with interfaith conflicts), The Mormon Candidate (a political thriller), Thump (a courtroom drama featuring sexual harassment and racism) and The Bootstrap Ultimatum (a mystery involving the commercialization of Memorial Day). He also authored Your Lawyer on a Short Leash (a guide to dealing with lawyers) and One Step Ahead – A Mother of Seven Escaping Hitler’s Claws (a WWII biography, which inspired the musical By Wheel and by Wing). Azrieli grew up in Israel, where he received extensive Talmudic education, served as an intelligence officer and, after attending law school, clerked for the Israeli Supreme Court in Jerusalem. Residing primarily in the United States since 1990, he currently lives near Washington DC with his wife and children. Like Ben Teller, the protagonist in The Mormon Candidate, Azrieli often rides his motorcycle in the mountainous forests of western Maryland. To learn more, visit www.AzrieliBooks.com]\nAbout the Book: In the wake of the 1995 Oslo Peace Accords, a wave of Palestinian terror hits Jewish targets. Israel responds with a clandestine war in Paris, Zurich, and Tel Aviv. When a beautiful Mossad agent is critically wounded in Amsterdam, master spy Jerusalem Gerster pursues the attackers back to Israel, where he uncovers a sinister conspiracy to perpetrate an unprecedented national catastrophe—the assassination of Prime Minister Rabin.\nAvailable from Amazon in Paperback https://www.amazon.com/Jerusalem-Assassin-Avraham-Azrieli/dp/1460906551/ref=cm_rdp_product_img\nKindle https://www.amazon.com/Jerusalem-Assassin-Avraham-Azrieli-ebook/dp/B005GMUU8Y/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=\nand Audible https://www.amazon.com/The-Jerusalem-Assassin/dp/B00T56AOU6/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=\nBarnes & Noble in Paperback http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-jerusalem-assassin-avraham-azrieli/1105834606?ean=9781460906552\nand as a Nook Book http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-jerusalem-assassin-avraham-azrieli/1105834606?ean=2940151941075\nKobo.com https://www.kobo.com/fr/en/ebook/the-jerusalem-assassin?open=true\nImportant Information for Authors and Publishers – How the New York Times Selects Books for Review for 2021 by Scott Lorenz\nThe Rugged Entrepreneur: What Every Disruptive Business Leader Should Know by Carlton Scott Andrew\nThe Broken II: Tainted Trail by A. L. Frances\nThe Broken by A. L. Frances\nConceal Reveal: The Space between Entrepreneurs and the Defense Industry by Julie Willis\nAimee Anderson\nAlan Brenham\nAlison Roundtree\nAlpaca's\nAtlas Jordan\nBarry Jordan Jr.\nBoys adventure\nBrian Heffron\nBroken Cats and Cowboy Hats\nC. L. Murphy\nCarrie Regan\nchic lit\nConnie Manero\nConny Manero\nD. C. Rush\nDavid Pickering\nDeclan Harney\nDiane Condon-Boutier\nDiane Marie Lumpkins\nDiem Carpe\nErica Snyder\nFor the very young\nGabriel Valjan\nGary A. Stewart\ngirls adventure\nInter-racial\nJames R. Vance\nJohn Needham\nJulia Dweck\nKathleen Jarvis\nKhaled Talib\nKimberley Jane Pryor\nLisa Dennis\nllamas.\nLynn Petronella\nMarie Maiden\nMarilyn Z Tomlins\nMary Clark Dalton\nMayra Calvani\nMichael Soward\nMichelle Caruso\nMike Nach\nmurder.mystery\nNina Carothers\nNina Faust\nOlyn Warfield\nPaddy Bostock\nPamela Sisman Bitterman\nPatricia Cardello\nPeggie Biessmann\nPeggy Krause\nRadford Lee\nRamshed Akhtar\nRanda Handler\nRandy Siegel\nRenee Heiss\nRobyn Opie\nRoger Knowles\nRonda Caudill\nScott T. Gill\nsex-trafficking\nSimone Da Costa\nSusie Kelly\nTegon Maus\nTerry Clark\nTerry Sirrell\nTimothy Hugee\nTodd M. Thiede\nTony Sandall\nTottie Limejuice\nTracy Kauffman\nturkish folklore\nWalter Jacobson\nWamboee Geekenye\nWander Stories\nWomans Fiction\nwriting and publishing skills","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1903107"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6558182835578918,"wiki_prob":0.6558182835578918,"text":"From endangered species to commodities: report reveals scale of wildlife crime\nby Apoorva Joshi on 10 June 2016\nThe report was produced by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime using data on thousands of species and seizures from more than 120 countries.\nIt found that trafficking is faciliated by widespread corruption at many levels of government and society, and that crimes are generally not restricted to certain countries.\nTo better fight wildlife crime, officials urge a stepping-up of enforcement and monitoring, as well as increased transnational cooperation.\nWildlife trafficking is a global problem, revealed the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in their first-ever World Wildlife Crime Report. Released late last month, the report finds, among other things, that more ivory has been seized than cocaine, and that broad corruption is facilitating illegal trade in plants and animals.\nDeveloped by and part of UNODC’s ongoing Global Programme on Wildlife and Forest Crime, the report uses data provided by partner organizations under the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime like the CITES Secretariat and the World Customs Organization, and included an analysis of 164,000 wildlife crime related seizures from 120 different countries.\n“Based on the latest and best available data, and building on UNODC’s established expertise in researching and analysing multifarious aspects of transnational organized crime, this report comes at a decisive time, when the international community has clearly recognized the urgency of saving our planet’s flora and fauna from the predations of organized criminals,” Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of UNODC said during his remarks at the report’s launch.\nImage courtesy of UNODC, World Wildlife Crime Report: Trafficking in protected species, 2016.\nIconic species like tigers are now hanging on by a thread, he said, adding that populations of African elephants and rhinos, too, are under constant pressure from poaching. “But the threat of wildlife crime does not stop with these majestic animals….it also includes thousands and thousands of lesser-known animals, as well as marine and plant life, that are under serious pressure, and that cannot survive without our attention and help,” he said.\nA global issue\nHighlighting the sheer diversity and scale of this trade, nearly 7,000 species were included in the World WISE database of seizures analyzed by experts. Despite that, the report found not a single species represented more than 6 percent of the total seizures, neither is a single country the source of more than 15 percent of the seized shipments. In other words, these crimes are not restricted to certain countries, but are a global phenomenon.\n“One of the critical messages to emerge from this research is that wildlife and forest crime is not limited to certain countries or regions. It is not a trade involving exotic goods from foreign lands being shipped to faraway markets,” Fedotov said. “All countries play a role as either source, transit or destination countries, and we share a responsibility to act.”\nThe report also showcases how gaps in legislation, law enforcement and the criminal justice system can cause serious problems. Traffickers and criminal syndicates, Fedotov said, will always look to exploit loopholes and the system wherever they can.\nThe amount of illegal ivory seized worldwide in recent years was more than the amount of cocaine seized globally. According to the Elephant Trade Information System [ETIS], an average of about 30 metric tons of ivory was intercepted every year between 2009 and 2013. The report fortifies what conservationists have been worried about for a long time – the commodification of endangered species.\nAn African elephant calf (Loxodonta africana) surveys visitors in Namibia. Photo by Rhett A. Butler\nLinking ivory to cocaine further signifies how vast and profitable this trade is — with one major caveat. “Unlike cocaine or heroin, there is an absolute limit on the amount of ivory that can be produced, so there is a danger of a vicious cycle ensuing where each elephant poached increases scarcity, and thus the incentives for poaching another,” the report reads.\nA massive enterprise\nReleased this week by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and INTERPOL, another report titled Rise of Environmental Crime estimates global environmental crime to be worth as high as $258 billion –26 percent higher than previous estimations. Environmental crime encompasses illegal wildlife trade, forest crimes, exploitation of minerals, illegal fisheries, trafficking of hazardous waste and carbon credit fraud.\nThe UNEP/INTERPOL report finds environmental crime is the world’s fourth largest criminal enterprise following drug smuggling, counterfeiting and human trafficking, but that international agencies spent only $20 to $30 million combatting it. For perspective, the report states that a single fishing vessel targeting Patagonian toothfish was estimated to have taken in $200 to $300 million in illegal harvests.\n“It’s not just an environmental problem, it’s a threat to our societies,” Achim Steiner, Executive Director of UNEP told Al Jazeera. “First, it’s stealing from nations; secondly the proceeds finance conflicts and divisions in society. It’s a way of undermining our economies, let alone killing vital biodiversity and pushing some species to the point of extinction. It is something that the whole world has to work together on, it’s part of the phenomenon of globalisation,” he said. “We’re dealing with environmental crime, which is about much more than the poacher – it’s about criminal syndicates that are one day smuggling people, the next day weapons, the next day drugs.”\nCompounding the problem, not all illegally-obtained wildlife products (e.g., through poaching) are sold illegally. The UNODC report finds that when illegally traded wildlife is introduced into legal commercial channels, criminals have access to a much larger source of demand than they would have had on the black market alone. And just as with other sensitive products like firearms or pharmaceuticals, protected species can be legally traded internationally if accompanied by the right paperwork. The report says permits for around 900,000 legal shipments of protected wildlife products are issued annually and studies show that forged or fraudulent permits, sometimes acquired through corruption, have been used to traffic wildlife.\nPangolins – or scaly anteaters – are considered a sought-after delicacy in China. The report found more than 100,000 illegally trafficked pangolins were seized between 2007 and 2013. All species are threatened, and several are endangered. Photo of an endangered Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) by Sandip Kumar via Wikimedia Commons (CC 3.0).\nCorruption is one of the major drivers of the illegal wildlife trade, the report confirms. It uses the example of live apes, saying the illegal trade of such large, valuable animals would not be possible without fraudlent paperwork from corrupt officials. The report also asserts the rhino horn trade is facilitated by “pseudo-trophy hunters” operating via exploited hunting permits.\n“The World Wildlife Crime Report shows the extensive involvement of transnational organized criminal groups in these highly destructive crimes and the pervasive impact of corruption, demonstrating that combating wildlife crime warrants even greater attention and resources at all levels,” said John Scanlon, Secretary-General of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).\nIn fact, the report further substantiates the recent raid on a Buddhist monastery in Thailand and subsequent revelations of wildlife trafficking. “Case studies suggest that some wildlife farms, captive-breeding operations, or even zoos may play a role in laundering illegally acquired wildlife,” the report says. It references World WISE database numbers that list 380 tiger skin seizures occurred between 2005 and 2014. Given that there may be only 3,000 tigers left in the wild, the report estimates the ecological impact of those skins is far greater than their $4 million value.\nFedotov said the report’s findings help identify key policy implications that could help address gaps in current responses to wildlife crime. Outside the CITES system, he said, most national laws do not criminalize possession of wildlife that was illegally harvested or traded from abroad. One of the authors of the study, Theodore Leggett, told The Guardian, that laws could be proposed on national, international or regional levels to address this by, “effectively saying: ’If it is illegal in your country, it is illegal in my country’.”\nRosewood is a catch-all term for multiple species of trees that are particularly sought-after for furniture production. Because of this demand, several species have been protected under CITES. Illegal logging is one of the most destructive environmental crimes since it can destroy habitat along with targeted trees. Photo of rosewood logs in Madagascar by Rhett A. Butler.\nIn addition, Fedotov said, range countries must be supported in developing sustainable livelihoods for communities and to better protect their natural heritage. He also recommends strengthening customs security at ports and national borders, as data show most trafficking interceptions occurr there, as well as increasing the use of wildlife forensic science to ensure the proper identification of species. Fedotov urges the estalishment of new protected areas to overcome the ongoing problem of habiat loss, as well as addressing the major facilitators of wildlife crime and corruption must be addressed through the supply chain. He called on governments to use the UN Convention on Corruption and the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime to fight these crimes, and for the global demand for illegal wildlife products to be reduced.\n“If we want to get serious about wildlife and forest crime, we must shore up our collective responses and close these gaps,” Fedotov said. “All these efforts must be coordinated for optimal strategic effect and maximum impact.”\nFor many, wildlife trafficking isn’t just concerning the plants and animals themselves, but is a larger issue that stands to affect the world as a whole.\n“Each year, thousands of wild animals are illegally killed, often by organized criminal networks motivated by profit and greed. I call on governments and people everywhere to support the new United Nations campaign, Wild for Life, which aims to mobilize the world to end this destructive trade. Preserving wildlife is crucial for the well-being of people and planet alike,” said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.\nArticle published by Morgan Erickson-Davis\nAnimals, Crime, Elephants, Endangered Species, Environment, Environmental Crime, Logging, Mammals, Pangolins, Plants, Reptiles, Rosewood, Tigers, Traditional Chinese Medicine, trafficking, Wildlife, Wildlife Crime, Wildlife Trafficking","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1796360"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.771308183670044,"wiki_prob":0.771308183670044,"text":"Facebook has a window to self-regulate, and it's taking advantage\nFacebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg testifies before a joint hearing of the Commerce and Judiciary Committees on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, April 10, 2018, about the use of Facebook data to target American voters in the 2016 election. (AP Photo, Alex Brandon)\nDuring Facebook (FB) CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s visit to the Senate on Tuesday, the European Union’s General Data Protection Act, known as GDPR, was the elephant in the room.\nThe landmark legislation, going into effect on May 25, was only mentioned by name once in response to Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) asking whether Zuckerberg believed “European regulations should be applied here in the U.S.”\nZuckerberg gracefully responded some version of no, but added that Facebook would roll out “affirmative consent” controls required in GDPR. “We’re doing that around the world,” he said, “regardless of what the regulatory outcome is.”\nAnyone familiar with a 10-K, an annual report the SEC requires companies to file, knows that “risk factors” is one of the most interesting chapters in an otherwise rather dry document. In Facebook’s, it plainly references the European regulation, noting its severe penalties for non-compliance. With penalties up to 4% of global revenue, there is no doubt that neither Facebook nor its chief executive enjoys the European regulations.\nThroughout his Congressional testimony on Wednesday and Thursday, lawmakers threatened Zuckerberg with a “if you don’t fix it, we’ll fix it for you” approach, with Republicans adding gravitas by reminding the CEO that in general they don’t like regulations.\nA consensus has emerged in the Beltway based on the lawmakers’ shaky grasp of Facebook and the lack of a unified vision for regulation: nothing much will happen, probably.\nAn American GDPR is probably not coming, and Facebook can keep it away\nScott Vernick, a trial lawyer at Fox Rothschild, who deals in tech and privacy law, considers this to be a bit of a reprieve for Big Data, a moment they can have to self-regulate, which Congress showed may actually not be too late.\n“The grand bargain is being re-examined — free services for your data,” Vernick told Yahoo Finance. But for the private sector, he continued, and particularly for data-rich companies and social media platforms, “they have a window now to take the initiative to get their house in order. If they don’t, I think someone else is going to do it for them.”\nThe companies of Big Data – Facebook, Google, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Microsoft, to name a few – have already prepared for GDPR’s arrival, to fall in compliance with the new law. In February, Yahoo Finance spoke to GDPR experts like Lydia de la Torre, a fellow at Santa Clara University School of Law and former privacy counsel for eBay, who expressed doubt that Facebook or other companies would roll out GDPR-mandated tools for users outside of Europe.\nThe U.S., for example, would likely not get the tools to take control of data.\nBut with the Cambridge Analytica scandal rocking Facebook’s foundation, the landscape has changed enough for Zuckerberg to say over and over again to lawmakers: we’re doing some of the stuff in GDPR on our own.\nAn aide to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg closes a binder of notes left on the table as Zuckerberg takes a short break from testifying before a joint hearing of the Commerce and Judiciary Committees on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, April 10, 2018, about the use of Facebook data to target American voters in the 2016 election. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)\nZuckerberg’s hearing notes, photographed by an AP photographer, had a few bullet points on GDPR — capped off with “(Don’t say we already do what GDPR requires)” in bold. The rest of the points were essentially what he told the government: the company would be putting in place better consent forms and will revamp the terms of service so the bargain is clear.\n“There’s a real opportunity right now, not just for Facebook, but for any data-rich company generally to take the initiative,” said Vernick. “Be very aggressive and very public and transparent putting in place something like GDPR — call it GDPR lite, or whatever — so the company is controlling its destiny.”\nThe initiative, Vernick notes, is important. Regulation would obviously include fines for non-compliance, because why even have regulation otherwise? “Even if you don’t have fines,” Vernick said,” when the government tells you to do it, obviously that’s different.” If this move staves wards off government intervention — and helps rebuild user trust — it have been be worth it.\nSo when will this “GDPR lite” happen? One of the more savvy lawmakers, Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-Calif.), asked Zuckerberg to shine a little light on when exactly American users will have the “similar protections” to GDPR.\nAll McNerney was able to get out of the CEO was a “we’re working on it,” indicating that it probably won’t be in place when the Europeans get it next month. But with Congress watching, un-unified and on their back feet, Facebook probably won’t need to be told twice.\nEthan Wolff-Mann is a writer at Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Twitter @ewolffmann. Confidential tip line: FinanceTips[at]oath[.com].\nA sweeping regulation will change how Europe uses the internet\nGDPR could crush media business models","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line958768"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5495415925979614,"wiki_prob":0.4504584074020386,"text":"Benojir Ahammed1, Md Maniruzzaman1, Farzana Ferdausi2, Md Menhazul Abedin1, Md Tanvir Hossain3\n1 Statistics Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh\n2 Jhikargacha Upazila Health Complex, Jashore, Bangladesh\n3 Sociology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh\nStatistics Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna\nKeywords: Children, low birth weight, Nepal, risk factors\nAhammed B, Maniruzzaman M, Ferdausi F, Abedin MM, Hossain MT. Socioeconomic and demographic factors associated with low birth weight in Nepal: Data from 2016 Nepal demographic and health survey. Soc Health Behav 2020;3:158-65\nAhammed B, Maniruzzaman M, Ferdausi F, Abedin MM, Hossain MT. Socioeconomic and demographic factors associated with low birth weight in Nepal: Data from 2016 Nepal demographic and health survey. Soc Health Behav [serial online] 2020 [cited 2021 Jan 15];3:158-65. Available from: https://www.shbonweb.com/text.asp?2020/3/4/158/294535\nChild mortality has a significant contribution to the overall deaths in the contemporary world. Both government and non-government organizations are fighting in the past few decades to reduce child mortality across the globe and made remarkable progress in child survivability. Globally, the total number of under-five death was 5.4 million in 2017, a 58% decrease from that of 1990s,[1] a substantial proportion of these losses recorded in low-and middle-income countries.[2] Among various factors contributing to the unexpected demises of young children, birth weight the utmost significant measure for determining neonatal and infant survival is one of the most critical one with instant health outcomes, and both developed and developing countries are experiencing severe problems in meeting maternal and child health in this regard.[3]\nWorld Health Organization (WHO) has defined low birth weight (LBW) as weight <2.5 kg at birth,[4],[5] while other international possibilities suggest that the measurement should be taken preferably within the first hour of life before significant postnatal weight loss has occurred.[4],[6] Globally, 15%–20% of all infants born with weight deficiency, which inadvertently is contributing to 40%–60% of newborn mortality, hence, WHO is aiming at attaining a 30% reduction of the total number of infants born with an LBW by 2025.[7],[8] It is needless to say that babies born alive before 37 weeks of pregnancy posed high risk of LBW resulting 1.1 million demises. Moreover, LBW also rises the hazard for noncommunicable diseases in later life.[9],[10] LBW, with its short and long-run outcome, is one of the most pronounced hurdles to attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs aimed at reducing the neonatal mortality rate by 12 per thousand live births and under-five mortality rate by 25 per thousand live births by 2030.[11] However, achieving the targets remained a challenge for low-and middle-income countries because a large number of LBW babies are born in these countries.[12],[13],[14]\nThe LBW is, indeed, a basic problem in developing countries. Asian countries, for example, account for 75% of the total LBW followed by Africa (20%) and Latin America (5%). Among Asian countries, South Asia has the highest incidence (27%) of LBW, whereas only 6% reported in Eastern Asia.[15] Nepal is one of the poorest countries of South Asia and about one-fourth of its population are living below the poverty line. In Nepal, the prevalence of LBW is relatively high as documented from various hospital and community-based studies. The LBW rate was 18% in 2009–2013; however, it rose to 27% in 2015, of which LBW babies at term constituted 70%, and the rests constituted preterm babies.[16],[17] In Nepal, the child mortality rate was 33.7 deaths per 1000 live births in 2017, and over 75% of these newborn deaths occurred due to LBW.[18],[19]\nNumerous factors were explored to comprehend the causes of LBW in different countries.[5],[20],[21],[22],[23],[24] Majority of these studies, however, focused on the maternal factors, sociocultural and nutritional risk factors, and only handful studies considered the socioeconomic and demographic variables. In Nepal, on the contrary, the socioeconomic and demographic factors, such as mothers antenatal care (ANC) visit, mothers working status, father's education, wealth index, intake of iron tablet/syrup during pregnancy, delivery by caesarean, twin children, and ecological zone, have not been well studied. Hence, it is essential to assess the effects of socioeconomic and demographic factors together to comprehend the complex nature of LBW, which will lead to awareness at an individual level as well as to implement public based interventions, such as media operations, health education messages, and national level policy directions. In this study, the objective was to find out the risk factors of LBW in Nepal. The findings of this study are expected to provide pertinent information for policymakers, program planners and other stakeholders, which in turn, may help to design and implement appropriate interventions at different levels to prevent LBW and for the betterment of women and child health.\nData source and sample design\nThis study utilized a cross-sectional dataset extracted from the fifth NDHS conducted in 2016. Details of survey design and data collection techniques have been described in the survey reports.[25] NDHS collected nationally representative demographic, socioeconomic and health data in every five years. The target respondents for this survey were women of age between 15 and 49 years; hence, all residents meeting the criteria mentioned above in a household were eligible to participate. The NDHS used a stratified sampling strategy to enroll participants from both urban and rural areas. In the first stage, 383 wards were selected with probability proportional to the ward size and with independent selection in each sampling stratum. In the second and final stage, a fixed number of 30 households per cluster was selected with an equal probability systematic selection from the newly-created household listing. A total of 11,473 sampled households (7294 households from urban, 4179 households from rural) were selected for the sample, and among them, overall, 98.5% of the households responded. Within each selected household, all women aged between 15 and 49 years were eligible to be respondents for the survey. Data were collected according to a standard protocol. Three core survey questionnaires were used in this survey. The questionnaire was administered to all eligible members of the household by face-to-face interview by trained interviewers. The household questionnaire was administered to the respondents, who reported to be the head of the household. Data from the most recent child born within the household were included in this study.\nThe outcome variable for this study was birth weight expressed in a binary form (0 for normal birth weight (NBW) and 1 for LBW). The birth weight data were collected by measuring the children's weight. The birth weights of the children were recorded in grams.[23] The NBW was considered as more than or equal to 2500 g. The newborn child whose weight was <2500g was considered as LBW.\nDifferent socioeconomic and demographic factors were considered as explanatory variables based on previous studies conducted in Nepal as well as other countries. Prior studies found that maternal age,[16],[18],[26],[27],[28],[29],[30] mother's education,[26],[28],[30],[31],[32],[33] number of ANC visits,[16],[26],[27] father's education, household wealth index,[27],[30],[32],[34] intake of iron tablet/syrup during pregnancy,[35] number of children,[30] sex of children,[32],[34] ecological zone,[32] and place of residence,[32] have substantially influenced the LBW. Despite their efforts to examine the determinants of LBW, there remains a lack of evidence about factors associated with LBW in Nepal. In this study, an attempt has been initiated to fill the existing gaps in the literature to assess the determinants of LBW in Nepal using data from NDHS 2016. This study also considered some additional factors, such as mother's working status, delivery by cesarean, twin-child, religion, to measure their impact on LBW. Risk factors of LBW were grouped into socioeconomic (mother's education and working status, husband's education, wealth index, delivery by caesarean, ecological zone, type of place of residence, and religion of the respondents) and demographic (maternal age, ANC visit, intake of iron tablets/syrup during pregnancy, number of children, twin-child, and sex of children) characteristics. Based on a broad literature review and availability of the dataset, we considered 14 explanatory variables along with categories which are discussed in [Table 1].\nTable 1: Definition of explanatory variables used in the study\nThe Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) was approved by the Nepal Health Research Council and ICF Macro International Review Board in the USA. The NDHS data were collected according to ethical standards. The Inha University School of Medicine granted ethics approval. The data is freely available online at https://dhsprogram.com/data/available-datasets.cfm.\nAt the preprocessing stage of data, missing observations were dropped from analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to present the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of the respondents. Data then weighted to account for the sampling design and prevalence along with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated for LBW using the prior stated cut-points. The Chi-square analysis was performed to examine the bivariate association between the LBW and explanatory variables. Variables, which were found significant at 5% level of significance, were entered into logistic regression analysis. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate how much the explanatory variables were influencing the LBW based on the adjusted odds ratio (AOR). For all cases, 5% level of significance was considered.\n[Table 2] presents the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, unweighted distribution and weighted distribution of the respondents. In this study, birth weight was measured for a total of 2,618 children. Among them, 307 (11.7%) children had experienced LBW, and rest (2,311; 88.3%) experienced NBW. More than one-third (34.6%) of the mothers were between 20 and 24 age group and only 9.8% of the respondents were from 15 to 19 years age group. Most of the mothers (62.1%) and fathers (74.6%) of the children had secondary and higher education. Overall, 53.4% of the mothers had ever given birth to 2 or more children. While 54.2% of the mothers had received ANC <4times. Most (95.9%) of the mothers took iron tablets/syrup during pregnancy, whereas only 13.5% of the mothers gave birth by caesarean. Around 1% of the mothers had twin child, and most of the child were male (56.2%). Around half (49.8%) of the respondents lives in Terai region, whereas two-third (66.4%) of the respondents were from the urban area.\nTable 2: The basic characteristics and prevalence of the selected factors and low birth weight based on socioeconomic and demographic factors, Nepal Demographic and Health Survey, 2016 (n=2618)\nThe prevalence of LBW was low amongst mothers or fathers who had secondary and higher education or experienced an ANC visit (4 or more) during pregnancy or children from households with the top level of wealth or mothers took iron tablets/syrup during pregnancy. The prevalence of LBW was higher (18.1%) among the mothers who were young (15–19 years) and having single children (13.4%). Mothers having twin (62.5%) and female (13.3%) children had a higher prevalence of LBW. The prevalence of LBW was higher among children from rural (13.0%) and Terai (13.9%) areas.\nAssociation of explanatory variables with low birth weight\n[Table 2] reveals that bivariate analysis of the different socioeconomic and demographic characteristics with LBW. A total of 14 explanatory variables was used in bivariate analysis, and among them nine variables, namely maternal age (P = 0.001), ANC visits (P = 0.006), father's education (P = 0.003), wealth index (P = 0.029), intake of iron tablets/syrup during pregnancy (P = 0.004), number of children (P = 0.021), twin-child (P < 0.001), sex of children (P = 0.003) and ecological zone (P = 0.001), found to have statistical significance. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was executed using the significant explanatory variables from the Chi-square test.\n[Table 3] shows the results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis. In the fully adjusted model, maternal age, mother's education, wealth status, intake of iron tablets/syrup during pregnancy; the number of children, twin-child, and sex of children were marked as significant factors for LBW. Logistic regression reveals that chances of LBW decreased as the age of mother increased. Children whose father received secondary and higher education have experienced the least LBW (AOR: 0.594; 95% CI: 0.409–0.862) compared to fathers with no education. The odds of having LBW of children were 0.578 times (AOR: 0.578; 95% CI: 0.350–0.854) lower among higher wealth status families compared to that of the poorest. Intake of iron tablets/syrup during pregnancy was negatively associated with LBW (AOR: 0.455; 95% CI: 0.303–0.685). A family having multiple children had 0.686 times (AOR: 0.686; 95% CI: 0.512–0.920) lower odds of LBW babies compared to the families with one child. The twin children were 22.538 times more likely to have LBW compared to the single child (AOR: 22.538; 95% CI: 8.706–58.343). A female child had 1.444 higher odds (AOR: 1.444; 95% CI: 1.132–0.841) of having LBW compared to a male child.\nTable 3: Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios for factors associated with low birth weight according to socioeconomic and demographic factors, analysis of Nepal Demographic and Health Survey, 2016 (n=2618)\nThe purpose of this paper was to explore the socioeconomic and demographic determinants of LBW in Nepal. Findings reveal that around one per eight children (12.9%) experienced LBW in Nepal, which is relatively high compared to other countries.[5],[24] LBW was associated with different socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, such as maternal age, father's education, wealth index, intake of iron tablets/syrup during pregnancy, the total number of children, twin-child, and sex of children. Our findings show that the prevalence of LBW in Nepal corresponded with some studies conducted in Nepal Medical College, Nepal (11.9%),[36] and Afghanistan (15.5%).[32]\nThe prevalence of LBW in nationally representative study was lower than the several studies conducted in different regions of Nepal, such as Dhulikhel Hospital, Nepal (21.6%),[37] obstetrics and gynecology ward of Janakpur Zonal Hospital, Janakpur, Nepal (21.56%),[26] College of Medical Sciences and Teaching Hospital, Bharatpur, Nepal (23.6%),[38] and Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal (33.33%).[18] The prevalence of LBW was also lower compared to several other studies conducted in different regions or countries outside of Nepal, such as a tertiary care hospital in Uttar Pradesh, India,[39] Ethiopia (17.3%),[40] Bangladesh (23.22%),[27] and least developed and developing countries (19.0%).[16] A study conducted in gynecology and obstetrics ward in Bharatpur hospital, Chitwan, Nepal, found the prevalence of LBW around 9.4%, which is also lower than our present study.[41] This difference could be explained by variations in the study set up and socioeconomic and demographic differences. This study found that as the age of mothers increased the likelihood of LBW decreased subsequently. The findings of the present study supported by many existing studies[24],[41],[42] that suggesting older mother is less likely to have babies with LBW, because older mothers are less likely to deliver LBW children due to the maturity of the reproductive organs. The current study found that fathers, who had secondary and above education, were less likely to experience LBW children compared to fathers with no education. The finding is consistent with other studies carried out in, Poland,[43] Bangladesh,[22] and Indonesia.[42] One possible explanation for the findings could be that better-educated fathers are relatively more conscious and cautious about taking care of their pregnant wives that eventually help the latter to nurture and deliver healthy children; however, further studies – whether qualitative or quantitative– in details is essential to examine the sociocultural circumstances.\nThis study also showed that children from richest households were less likely to have LBW, and such a result is in line with different international studies.[22],[23],[44] This finding needs to be treated with caution; however, families with less financial capital may likely have the least access to proper health care as well as nutritious food facilities. Despite poor economic status, if a woman could maintain a functional nutritional status and avoid potential medical complications during pregnancy may give birth to a healthy baby. The current study also showed that the intake of iron tablets/syrup by the mother during pregnancy was associated with LBW. Mothers who took iron tablets/syrup during pregnancy, the risk of LBW of their children were lower compared to the mothers who did not take iron tablets/syrup during pregnancy. This finding is consistent with the findings of previous study carried out in some developing countries, such as Cambodia, Indonesia, Jordan, and Pakistan.[12]\nThis study also demonstrated that the number of children of mothers was a significant factor of LBW. These findings were confirmed by other studies showing that families with more than one child were less likely to suffer from LBW in Malawi[45] and some other developing countries.[12] The reason for this number of children divergence is not well established, but it is believed that more than one child is more influential in making any mother more cognizant about the previous problem of LBW. Likewise, twin-child was also found to have a significant influence on LBW. Women having twins were more likely to experience LBW compared to women delivering a single child at once. The pregnancy with twins has a higher risk for prematurity, and prematurity may lead to several problems of LBW. Such findings are unique as no other existing studies evidently explored the dynamics of twin-child and LBW. This study also demonstrated that the sex of children was a significant factor for LBW, and the findings are in line with other studies[12],[20],[21] suggesting that female children were significantly more likely to suffer from LBW than their male counterparts.\nThis study has several strengths. First, this study used the 2016 NDHS data with considerably large sample size and higher statistical power. The dataset was the most recent and nationally representative that covers all regions and administrative cities of Nepal. The dataset also used validated and standardized survey tools to interview survey participants. Finally, this data was verified through records, removing the opportunity for recall bias.\nHowever, this study has also had several limitations. For example, data of the study were cross-sectional that restricts the interpretation of the causality of factors associated with LBW. This study focused on socioeconomic and demographic variables in their interviews, ignoring other factors, such as genetic, environmental, and community-level variables because of unavailability. Therefore, a significant proportion of study samples were excluded from the study. This study only considered women aged between 15 and 49 years which did not cover people of all age groups. As the instruments, used to measure birth weight, were not calibrated or validated by the survey team, this could also cause some misclassification, though this misclassification is more likely to be nondifferential.\nLBW is now a global concern because it is one of the major causes of under-five child mortality. This study provides national population-based estimates and found that LBW (11.7%) still exists among the children of Nepal. The study found that twin-child and female children are at higher risk of LBW. On the contrary, high maternal age, intake of iron/syrup by mothers during pregnancy and mothers having more than one child reduce the chance of LBW in Nepal. The underlying causes of LBW, however, remain an important issue for further research. Socioeconomic and demographic gaps need to be addressed through the proper policy action in order to reduce LBW among Nepalese population.\nThe all data sets are available to the public at online: https://dhsprogram.com/data/available-datasets.cfm.\nThe authors appreciate the Demography and Health Survey program for free access to the original data. The authors are also grateful for the contribution of Statistics Discipline under Science, Engineering and Technology School of Khulna University, Khulna 9208, Bangladesh.\nWorld Health Organization. Global Health Observatory (GHO) Data: Infant Mortality. Situation and Trends. World Health Organization; 2016.\nHug L, Sharrow D, You D. Levels & Trends in Child Mortality: Report 2017. 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N Am J Med Sci 2014;6:302-8.\nKhan JR, Islam MM, Awan N, Muurlink O. Analysis of low birth weight and its co-variants in Bangladesh based on a sub-sample from nationally representative survey. BMC Pediatr 2018;18:100.\nKayode GA, Amoakoh-Coleman M, Agyepong IA, Ansah E, Grobbee DE, Klipstein-Grobusch K. Contextual risk factors for low birth weight: A multilevel analysis. PLoS One 2014;9:e109333.\nNobile CG, Raffaele G, Altomare C, Pavia M. Influence of maternal and social factors as predictors of low birth weight in Italy. BMC Public Health 2007;7:192.\nMinistry of Health, Nepal. Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2016. Kathmandu, Nepal: Ministry of Health, Nepal; 2017.\nYadav DK, Chaudhary U, Shrestha N. Risk factors associated with low birth weight. J Nepal Health Res Counc 2011;9:159-64.\nKhatun S, Rahman M. Socio-economic determinants of low birth weight in Bangladesh: A multivariate approach. Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2008;34:81-6.\nHosain GM, Chatterjee N, Begum A, Saha SC. Factors associated with low birthweight in rural Bangladesh. J Trop Pediatr 2006;52:87-91.\nBondevik GT, Lie RT, Ulstein M, Kvåle G. Maternal hematological status and risk of low birth weight and preterm delivery in Nepal. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2001;80:402-8.\nMondal B. Risk factors for low birth weight in Nepali infants. Indian J Pediatr 2000;67:477-82.\nWorld Health Organization. Children: Reducing mortality. Weekly Epidemiological Record 2014;89:409-20.\nDas Gupta R, Swasey K, Burrowes V, Hashan MR, Al Kibria GM. Factors associated with low birth weight in Afghanistan: A cross-sectional analysis of the demographic and health survey 2015. BMJ Open 2019;9:e025715.\nJafari F, Eftekhar H, Pourreza A, Mousavi J. Socio-economic and medical determinants of low birth weight in Iran: 20 years after establishment of a primary healthcare network. Public Health 2010;124:153-8.\nNair NS, Rao RS, Chandrashekar S, Acharya D, Bhat HV. Socio-demographic and maternal determinants of low birth weight: A multivariate approach. Indian J Pediatr 2000;67:9-14.\nMatin A, Azimul SK, Matiur AK, Shamianaz S, Shabnam JH, Islam T. Maternal socioeconomic and nutritional determinants of low birth weight in urban area of Bangladesh. J Dhaka Med Coll 2008;17:83-7.\nKayastha S, Tuladhar H. Study of low birth weight babies in Nepal Medical College. Nepal Med Coll J 2007;9:266-9.\nPrajapati R, Shrestha S, Bhandari N. Prevalence and associated factors of low birth weight among newborns in a tertiary level hospital in Nepal. Kathmandu Univ Med J (KUMJ) 2018;16:49-52.\nBansal P, Garg S, Upadhyay HP. Prevalence of low birth weight babies and its association with socio-cultural and maternal risk factors among the institutional deliveries in Bharatpur, Nepal. Asian J Med Sci 2019;10:77-85.\nAgarwal K, Agarwal A, Agrawal VK, Agrawal P, Chaudhary V. Prevalence and determinants of” low birth weight” among institutional deliveries. Ann Nigerian Med 2011;5:48.\nEndalamaw A, Engeda EH, Ekubagewargies DT, Belay GM, Tefera MA. Low birth weight and its associated factors in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Ital J Pediatr 2018;44:141.\nKandel KP, Kafle S. Risk factors associated with low birth weight among deliveries at bharatpur hospital. J Nepal Health Res Counc 2017;15:169-73.\nSebayang SK, Dibley MJ, Kelly PJ, Shankar AV, Shankar AH, SUMMIT Study Group. Determinants of low birthweight, small-for-gestational-age and preterm birth in Lombok, Indonesia: Analyses of the birthweight cohort of the SUMMIT trial. Trop Med Int Health 2012;17:938-50.\nMerklinger-Gruchala A, Jasienska G, Kapiszewska M. Paternal investment and low birth weight-the mediating role of parity. PloS one 2019;14:e0210715.\nMumbare SS, Maindarkar G, Darade R, Yenge S, Tolani MK, Patole K. Maternal risk factors associated with term low birth weight neonates: A matched-pair case control study. Indian Pediatr 2012;49:25-8.\nMuula AS, Siziya S, Rudatsikira E. Parity and maternal education are associated with low birth weight in Malawi. Afr Health Sci 2011;11:65-71.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line31276"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8930558562278748,"wiki_prob":0.8930558562278748,"text":"Rescuers search for victims at a village hit by Sunday's landslides in Sumedang, West Java, Indonesia, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. Landslides triggered by heavy rain in the village left at a number of people died and injured, officials said. (AP Photo/Sorasoca)\n26 Missing, At Least 13 Dead In Indonesia Landslides\nJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Rescuers are searching for 26 people still missing after two landslides hit a village in Indonesia’s West Java province over the weekend, officials said Tuesday. At least 13 people were killed and 29 others injured in the landslides that were triggered by heavy rain on...\nAlbania Helps Families In Flooded Areas With Food, Water\nTIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albanian authorities said Sunday that military troops have supplied food and water to families in the northwest isolated from the recent flooding following heavy rainfall in the last week. A Defense Ministry statement reported at least 36 families evacuated in Lezha and...\n3 Killed In Flooding In Southern Bolivian City Of Sucre\nLA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — A heavy downpour in southern Bolivia caused floods that killed three people and washed away vehicles and street kiosks, police said Tuesday. About 10 people were treated for hypothermia after the deluge Monday night in part of Sucre city, according to medical reports. Hail...\nFILE - In this Monday, June 20, 2016 file photo, smoke from wildfires burning in Angeles National Forest fills the sky behind the Los Angeles skyline. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has calculated the risk for every county in America for 18 types of natural disasters, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, volcanos and even tsunamis. And of the more than 3,000 counties, Los Angeles County has the highest ranking in the National Risk Index. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)\nWatch Out La: Feds Calculate Riskiest, Safest Places In Us\nSpending her life in Los Angeles, Morgan Andersen knows natural disasters all too well. In college, an earthquake shook her home hard. Her grandfather was affected by recent wildfires in neighboring Orange County. “It’s just that constant reminder, ‘Oh yeah, we live somewhere where there’s natural...\nA father and his sons transport cows from a flooded area to drier ground using a dugout canoe, in Old Fangak county, Jonglei state, South Sudan Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020. Some 1 million people in the country have been displaced or isolated for months by the worst flooding in memory, with the intense rainy season a sign of climate change. (AP Photo/Maura Ajak)\n'our Children Die In Our Hands': Floods Ravage South Sudan\nOLD FANGAK, South Sudan (AP) — On a scrap of land surrounded by flooding in South Sudan, families drink and bathe from the waters that swept away latrines and continue to rise. Some 1 million people in the country have been displaced or isolated for months by the worst flooding in memory, with the...\nA man and girl walk through the flood water, in Great Barford, in Bedfordshire, England, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020. Hurricane-force winds reaching up to 106 miles per hour (170 kph) and rainstorms battered parts of Britain, disrupting train services and stranding drivers in floodwaters. The Isle of Wight saw Storm Bella’s strongest winds at 106mph, while parts of the south coast of England and north Wales also saw gusts of around 80mph (129 kph). (Joe Giddens/PA via AP)\nHurricane-Force Winds Up To 106 Mph Batter Parts Of Britain\nLONDON (AP) — Hurricane-force winds reaching up to 106 mph (170 kph) and heavy rainstorms battered parts of Britain on Sunday, disrupting train services and stranding drivers in floodwaters. The Isle of Wight saw Storm Bella’s strongest gusts hit 106 mph, while parts of the south coast of England...\nMalnourished five-month old Tiere Pascol, whose mother can't afford food and has trouble breastfeeding, lies in his mother's arms at a feeding center in Al Sabah Children's Hospital in the capital Juba, South Sudan Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. One county in South Sudan is likely in famine and tens of thousands of people in five other counties are on the brink of starvation, according to a new report released Friday, Dec. 11, 2020 by international food security experts. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick)\nNew Report Says Part Of South Sudan Is In 'likely Famine'\nJUBA, South Sudan (AP) — One county in South Sudan is likely in famine and tens of thousands of people in five other counties are on the brink of starvation, according to a new report by international food security experts. Nowhere in the world has been in famine since one was declared nearly four...\nRohingya refugees board a ship as they are ferried to Bhashan Char, or floating island, in the Bay of Bengal, from Chittagong, Bangladesh, Friday, Dec. 4, 2020. Authorities in Bangladesh on Friday started sending a first group of nearly more than 1,500 Rohingya refugees to an isolated island despite calls by human rights groups for a halt to the process. (AP Photo/Saleh Noman)\nFirst Rohingya Refugees Arrive At Isolated Bangladesh Island\nDHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Authorities in Bangladesh on Friday sent the first group of more than 1,500 Rohingya refugees to an isolated island despite calls by human rights groups for a halt to the process. The 1,642 refugees boarded seven Bangladeshi naval vessels in the port of Chittagong for the...\nFILE - In this Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020 file photo, Herman Termeer, 54, stands on the roof of his home as the Blue Ridge Fire burns along the hillside in Chino Hills, Calif. An overheating world obliterated weather records in 2020 — an extreme year for hurricanes, wildfires, heat waves, floods, droughts and ice melt — the United Nations’ weather agency reported Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)\nUn: Warmer World In 2020 Busted Weather Records, Hurt People\nAn overheating world obliterated weather records in 2020, creating an extreme year for hurricanes, wildfires, heat waves, floods, droughts and ice melt, the United Nations’ weather agency reported Wednesday. While the globe partly shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, extremes linked to human-...\nAs high tide laps against the sea wall tourist walk down the Battery in Charleston, S.C. Friday, Nov. 13, 2020. Charleston has remained relatively unscathed this hurricane season. That means more time to mull a $1.75 billion proposal by the Army Corps of Engineers that features a sea wall along the city's peninsula to protect it from deadly storm surge during hurricanes. (AP Photo/Mic Smith)\nCharleston Weighs Wall As Seas Rise And Storms Strengthen\nCHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Vickie Hicks, who weaves intricate sweetgrass baskets in Charleston, South Carolina's historic city market, remembers climbing onto the table at her grandmother’s booth downtown when the floodwaters rushed by. Decades later, the seasoned seller of this art form passed down...","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line685896"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6751514673233032,"wiki_prob":0.3248485326766968,"text":"How much is sea level rising?\nSelect a level... Basic Intermediate\nA variety of different measurements find steadily rising sea levels over the past century.\nSea level rise is exaggerated\n\"We are told sea level is rising and will soon swamp all of our cities. Everybody knows that the Pacific island of Tuvalu is sinking. ...\nAround 1990 it became obvious the local tide-gauge did not agree - there was no evidence of 'sinking.' So scientists at Flinders University, Adelaide, set up new, modern, tide-gauges in 12 Pacific islands.\nRecently, the whole project was abandoned as there was no sign of a change in sea level at any of the 12 islands for the past 16 years.\" Vincent Gray).\nGavin Schmidt investigated the claim that tide gauges on islands in the Pacific Ocean show no sea level rise and found that the data show a rising sea level trend at every single station. But what about global sea level rise?\nSea level rises as ice on land melts and as warming ocean waters expand. As well as being a threat to coastal habitation and environments, sea level rise corroborates other evidence of global warming\nThe blue line in the graph below clearly shows sea level as rising, while the upward curve suggests sea level is rising faster as time goes on. The upward curve agrees with global temperature trends and with the accelerating melting of ice in Greenland and other places.\nBecause sea level behavior is such an important signal for tracking climate change, skeptics seize on the sea level record in an effort to cast doubt on this evidence. Sea level bounces up and down slightly from year to year so it's possible to cherry-pick data falsely suggesting the overall trend is flat, falling or linear. You can try this yourself. Starting with two closely spaced data points on the graph below, lay a straight-edge between them and notice how for a short period of time you cancreate almost any slope you prefer, simply by being selective about what data points you use. Now choose data points farther apart. Notice that as your selected data points cover more time, the more your mini-graph reflects the big picture. The lesson? Always look at all the data, don't be fooled by selective presentations.\ngraph from Church 2008\nOther skeptic arguments about sea level concern the validity of observations, obtained via tide gauges and more recently satellite altimeter observations.\nTide gauges must take into account changes in the height of land itself caused by local geologic processes, a favorite distraction for skeptics to highlight. Not surprisingly, scientists measuring sea level with tide gauges are aware of and compensate for these factors. Confounding influences are accounted for in measurements and while they leave some noise in the record they cannot account for the observed upward trend.\nVarious technical criticisms are mounted against satellite altimeter measurements by skeptics. Indeed, deriving millimeter-level accuracy from orbit is a stunning technical feat so it's not hard to understand why some people find such an accomplishment unbelievable. In reality, researchers demonstrate this height measurement technique's accuracy to be within 1mm/year. Most importantly there is no form of residual error that could falsely produce the upward trend in observations.\nAs can be seen in an inset of the graph above, tide gauge and satellite altimeter measurements track each other with remarkable similarity. These two independent systems mutually support the observed trend in sea level. If an argument depends on skipping certain observations or emphasizes uncertainty while ignoring an obvious trend, that's a clue you're being steered as opposed to informed. Don't be mislead by only a carefully-selected portion of the available evidence being disclosed.\nCurrent sea level rise is after all not exaggerated, in fact the opposite case is more plausible. Observational data and changing conditions in such places as Greenland suggest if there's a real problem here it's underestimation of future sea level rise. IPCC synthesis reports offer conservative projections of sea level increase based on assumptions about future behavior of ice sheets and glaciers, leading to estimates of sea level roughly following a linear upward trend mimicking that of recent decades. In point of fact, observed sea level rise is already above IPCC projections and strongly hints at acceleration while at the same time it appears the mass balance of continental ice envisioned by the IPCC is overly optimistic (Rahmstorf 2010 ).\nBasic rebuttal written by doug_bostrom\nLast updated on 5 July 2015 by pattimer. View Archives\nComments 1 to 50 out of 315:\nneilperth at 14:02 PM on 7 October, 2009\nIn an interview with Dr. Nils-Axel Mörner (head of the Paleogeophysics and Geodynamics department at Stockholm University in Sweden, past president (1999-2003) of the INQUA Commission on Sea Level Changes and Coastal Evolution, and leader of the Maldives Sea Level Project – he has been studying the sea level and its effects on coastal areas for some 35 years) by EIR (Argentine Foundation for a Scientific Ecology) [http://www.mitosyfraudes.org/Calen7/MornerEng.html] he talked about the IPCC misrepresentation of sea level data: “Then, in 2003, the same data set, which in their [IPCC's] publications,... was a straight line—suddenly it changed, and showed a very strong line of uplift, 2.3 mm per year, the same as from the tide gauge... It was the original one which they had suddenly twisted up, because they entered a “correction factor,” ... I accused them of this at the Academy of Sciences in Moscow —I said you have introduced factors from outside; it's not a measurement. It looks like it is measured from the satellite, but you don't say what really happened. And they answered, that we had to do it, because otherwise we would not have gotten any trend! That is terrible! As a matter of fact, it is a falsification of the data set. ... So all this talk that sea level is rising, this stems from the computer modeling, not from observations. The observations don't find it! I have been the expert reviewer for the IPCC, both in 2000 and last year. The first time I read it, I was exceptionally surprised.\nA recent ( June 2009 ) scientific paper by Cliff Ollier of the School of Earth and Environment, The University of Western Australia, states as follows : Abstract: Graphs of sea level for twelve locations in the southwest Pacific show stable sea level for about ten years over the region. The data are compared with results from elsewhere, all of which suggest that any rise of global sea level is negligible. The Darwin theory of coral formation, and subsidence ideas for guyots would suggest that we should see more land subsidence, and apparent sea level rise, than is actually occurring. Sea level studies have not been carried out for very long, but they can indicate major tectonic components such as isostatic rebound in Scandinavia. Attempts to manipulate the data by modelling to show alarming rates of sea level rise (associated with alleged global warming) are not supported by primary regional or global data. Even those places frequently said to be in grave danger of drowning, such as the Maldives.\nKen in Oz at 21:12 PM on 8 January, 2010\nI got into an argument about sea level rise as an indicator of climate change and was told that all recent rise could be attributed to increased sedimentation rates. Whilst I expressed doubts that, given the global ocean surface area, it could affect overall sea levels that much I had to concede that a lot of river mouths and bays are being affected by both silt from erosion and from deliberate infilling to create waterfront building sites. Locally both can be quite extensive. I have struggled to find quantification of human induced sedimentation and infilling; if anyone can link to something that a layperson such as myself can view and provide some perspective on rates relative to sea level rise I would appreciate it. Thanks, Ken.\nRiccardo at 22:17 PM on 8 January, 2010\nKen in Oz, as far as i can remember, sediment deposition is historically of the order of a few GTons, or a percent of current ice sheet loss. Negligible. Also, the sedimentation rate is on the decline due to the more and more dams that are bilt. I'd like to see where your friends got the numbers that explain sea level rise with sedimentation, i never heard about it.\nRiccardo, I'm not sure I really want to see where he got the argument and suspect it's not an argument based on any numbers; rather, it's an argument that appeals to something that sounds credible only as long as numbers are absent. Which is why I'd like to see some.\nMarkJ at 04:47 AM on 11 January, 2010\nRe: 1 & 2 - I can't find much on Morner other than his Wiki page which suggests his work was often cited and though now seemingly discredited he must have once been a leading authority on sea level rises or the lack of them. He certainly claimed to be the best in the world in the external links to interviews from Wiki in which he rages about the IPCC bringing in modellers rather than sea-level experts.\nArno Arrak at 04:09 AM on 5 February, 2010\nCan I point out that your statement about rising sea level is false? B. F. Chao, Y. H. Yu, and Y. S. Li (Science, 320:212-214) have shown that sea level rise for the last eighty years has been linear, with a slope of 2.46 millimeters per year. Theirs is the sea level that has been corrected for the effect of water held in storage by all dams built since the year 1900. Something that has been linear this long is not likely to change anytime soon. Which means that you can be a futurist and predict that sea level will rise a little under ten inches in a century, not twenty feet that Al Gore is still peddling in his movie.\nResponse: Arno, thanks for bringing our attention to that paper which actually shows that the situation is worse than I described. The paper is Impact of Artificial Reservoir Water Impoundment on Global Sea Level (Chao 2008). It reconstructs how much water has been impounded in water reservoirs since 1900. The amount of water stored skyrocketed after 1950. If this hadn't occured, sea level would've been even greater. Consequently, they calculate what global sea level should be after accounting for reservoir impoundment water. They then compare their results to actual observed sea level:\nWhat they find is the increase in the rate of sea level rise is actually greater when you factor in water impoundment. This increases the significance of retreating ice sheets. A sobering result, considering the accelerating ice loss from Antarctica and Greenland.\nRiccardo at 06:24 AM on 5 February, 2010\nArno Arrak, we all know that Al Gore didn't quote any time span for the 20 feet rise. We all also know for sure that the sea level will not stabilze by the end of this century. Comparing Al Gores number with a one century rise is (intentionally?) misleading.\nArno Arrak at 16:29 PM on 10 February, 2010\nI did not realize that you had posted a comment to my comment until now. I want to emphasize that factoring in water impoundment gives the true rate of sea level rise that would exist if no water were impounded. I don't know why you bring in the other curves especially since the slope, and hence the predicted rate or rise, is essentially the same. And none of this has any significance whatsoever on the fate of retreating ice sheets. That is a totally different issue and depends upon the causes of arctic warming. In the case of the Antarctic the West Antarctic ice sheet is melting because it is being undermined by warm water rising up from below in the Amundsen Sea. This is because prevailing winds are from land to sea and blow away the cold surface water which is then replaced by warmer Antarctic bottom water. It has collapsed before, most recently 1500 years ago, and may collapse again if this keeps up. In the Arctic we are now in the middle of more than a century long warming period that started abruptly at the start of the twentieth century. This abrupt beginning rules out any greenhouse effect as its cause and indicates that a rearrangement of North Atlantic current system that directed warm water to the north took place at the turn of the century. Since we know that the Gulf stream now brings warm water to the Arctic it is likely that it assumed its present northerly course at that time. It is futile to try to predict any of this from computer models using the old carbon dioxide global warming paradigm. They produce nothing but GIGO.\ndoug_bostrom at 17:53 PM on 10 February, 2010\nNeil, I don't wish to be unkind to Dr. Mörner, just want to point out what he says elsewhere in that interview as a bit of a reality check. I'm not sure what exactly the situation with him is, but quite clearly this is wrong: \"Always the same thing: In about 1970, the sea fell about 20 cm, for reasons involving probably evaporation or something. Not a change in volume or something like that- it was a rapid thing. The new level, which has been stable, has not changed in the last 35 years. You can trace it so very, very carefully. No rise at all is the answer there.\" Much of the rest of the piece consists of accusations of lies, coverups, falsifications, too much to be believable. It's actually pretty sad, and I say that with sincerity. Sometimes you need to look at a narrative in sum and ask yourself, how -likely- is this? If I'm confronted with one man's word against hundreds and there is coherent consistency between what those many say that is completely inconsistent with the beliefs of the lone individual, I'm afraid I'm not going to believe him. There are just too many eye-popping anecdotes in Dr. Mörner's story to hold water.\n1077 at 11:13 AM on 1 March, 2010\ndoug_bostrom #10 Back to my analogy with Galileo. Science is not a matter of votes. Politics is... in a democratic society of course. Thus your argument of \"one man's word against hundreds\" is, on the face of it, inconsistent with your statement earlier today that you did not want to follow me in the \"wilderness\", which I assumed was the wilderness of human psyche of which politics is the direct result.\nArgus at 03:08 AM on 4 March, 2010\nIn #10 doug_bostrom hands us a quote from Dr Mörner, where he appears to be talking about a sudden (impossible) 20 cm fall of the sea level in 1970. Actually he is at the time talking about local changes in the Venice area, not about general sea level. It is, I think, misleading and dishonest to use a quote in this way. Also, it is not 'one man's word against hundreds'. He tells us that he was shocked, as an IPCC reviewer in 1999, to see the chapter on sea level in a forth-coming report. The chapter was written by 33 authors, and not a single one was a sea level specialist! He brought the report up in subsequent meetings in INQUA, where 300-400 experts on sea levels talked it over, and agreed that it was faulty. So it is more like hundreds of experts against 33 amateurs...\ndoug_bostrom at 04:42 AM on 4 March, 2010\nArgus at 03:08 AM on 4 March 2010 Actually the bit I referred to was in connection with Tuvalu. But I could have been more clear. Here's what I should have said more explicitly: It is questionable for Dr. Mörner to cite what is clearly a local drop in sea level, a change unconnected with events elsewhere, in connection with a general argument that global sea level is not subject to change due to AGW.\nMaybe we have heard different interviews. Anyway, I listened to a one-hour telephone (I think) interview on the site: http://itsrainmakingtime.com/2010/nilsaxelmorner/ At about 33 minutes nto the recording he talks for only a minute or so about Venice specifically, mentioning the long range of measurements available. He did not use the temporary drop as an argument. He is also generally very clear about how you must separate local changes (both going up and down), around the world's coast lines, from overall changes in the oceans. He sounds very credible and knowledgeable to me.\nArgus at 05:07 AM on 4 March, 2010 Ah, you're right, different interviews. Here's what I referred to: http://www.climatechangefacts.info/ClimateChangeDocuments/NilsAxelMornerinterview.pdf In this interview, Dr. Mörner makes a lot of accusations, statements that seem reckless and would not pass muster via this site's moderation policy. Beyond that, I find the sheer amount of falsity and misconduct Dr. Mörner claims he sees to be unlikely. Dr. Mörner has a distinguished publication record in his field, yet he's sneeringly dismissive of researchers working with methods he's not accustomed to using. I'll hazard a guess about why he's so upset about this matter and sees what can only be described as a fairly vast conspiracy among other scientists. Dr. Mörner is a geologist who likes getting up to his elbows in actual material things out in the field, no bad thing. But as well, he appears to have a fundamental mistrust of numerical methods he believes are \"sophisticated\" in the pejorative sense of the word. He's not comfortable with remote sensing and he's not comfortable with abstractions. As an example of how Dr. Mörner's seeming lack of insight into disciplines he does not appear to understand leads him into the weeds, he summarizes research conclusions about Greenland's ice volume trend as \"falsification.\" For me, that's where his credibility on this matter flatlines; referring to the already large and growing body of research into Greenland's ice volume condition as \"falsification\" is not a persuasive argument.\nbutareyousure at 08:53 AM on 15 April, 2010\nSpeaks for itself! \"These new results indicate that relative sea levels in New Zealand have been rising at an average rate of 1.6 mm/yr over the last 100 years - a figure that is not only within the error bounds of the original determination, but when corrected for glacial-isostatic effects has a high level of coherency with other regional and global sea level rise determinations. There continues to be no evidence of any acceleration in relative sea levels over the record period.\" http://www.agu.org/pubs/crossref/2004/2003GL019166.shtml\ndoug_bostrom at 09:18 AM on 15 April, 2010\nOn the other hand: \"Sea levels in New Zealand have remained relatively stable throughout the past 7000 years, but salt-marsh cores from southern New Zealand show evidence of a recent rapid rise. To date and quantify this rise we present a proxy sea-level record spanning the past 500 years for Pounawea, southeastern New Zealand, based on foraminiferal analyses. Ages for ten sea-level index points are established from AMS14C, Pb concentrations, stable Pb isotopes, pollen markers, charcoal concentrations and 137Cs. Sea level was rising slowly (0.3 ± 0.3 mm yr−1) from AD 1500 to AD 1900, but during the 20th century the rate increased to 2.8 ± 0.5 mm yr−1, in agreement with instrumental measurements commencing in 1924. This is the first sea-level record from the southern hemisphere showing a significantly higher rate of sea-level rise during the 20th century as compared with preceding centuries.\" A 20th century acceleration of sea-level rise in New Zealand Found in list of articles citing the Hannah article cited by butareyousure...\nResponse: Just letting you know I've added a new argument \"New Zealand sea level is not accelerating\" along with the two peer-reviewed links from these last two comments. Good to have these papers at our fingertips for future reference.\ndaniel at 01:35 AM on 27 May, 2010\nI feel I am getting mixed messages from the AGW community. On one hand Sea level has been rising since the 1800's which is caused by anthropogenic emissions warming the planet. On the other hand melting rates for Arctic sea Ice and increases in the global mean temperature anomaly have only risen from \"normal\" or \"naturally caused\" levels since the mid 70's. Please clarify when exactly AGW was supposed to have had an effect or why these factors should be so vastly seperated in time.\ndoug_bostrom at 02:17 AM on 27 May, 2010\nDaniel you'd need to do some ferreting on your own to develop confidence in the idea but the time disparity in response you note is likely down to the fact that sea level rise is due not only to addition of water from melting ice but also significantly to thermal expansion of the sea itself. The world ocean has been quite efficiently absorbing \"excess\" retained heat and thus expanding in a noticeable way during the entire period in question while up here in the air the temperature has only more recently risen sufficiently to begin carving into terrestrial ice in a significant way, this in part because the ocean is indeed such a capacious sponge for warmth. There's a helpful primer on thermally-induced sea level rise here. There is an up-to-date and truly excellent discussion of sea level rise here* with a cornucopia of background information including some treatment of the lag of ice response versus ocean expansion. *Global sea level linked to global temperature Martin Vermeera, Stefan Rahmstorf 2009\nAndrew Hobbs at 21:06 PM on 13 June, 2010\nI know this is a bit late in the day but considering the nature of this site I thought it would be worthwhile to make a comment. Scientists from Flinders University, Adelaide, certainly DID NOT abandon the project. The following statement comes from their financial statement for 2003. \"In 2003 the University decided to cease the operations of the National Tidal Facility Australia (NTFA). The NTFA fulfils an important national role as it specialises in tidal predictions, sea level monitoring and contemporary marine science issues. However as it is not involved in the University’s core teaching and research activities, it was decided that it is more appropriate for the services to be provided by the Commonwealth Government. The operation was transferred to the Commonwealth Government effective from 1 January 2004.\" It is possible to access their latest results on the Australian Bureau of Meteorology website at the web page for the South Pacific Sea Level and Climate Monitoring Project. These results support the general rate of global sea level rise noted elsewhere.\ndaniel at 22:03 PM on 26 June, 2010\nTo doug-bostrom post # 19 Sorry it has taken me a month to get back to you doug. You're links were a little hard to follow to be honest and I will say that it is probably because they are lengthy wafflings about how we can test the outputs of a simple two term equation to a \"simulated\" millenial scale model and recent sea level observations. We all know that water expands when heated and although there may be some credibility issues with the global temperature record of the last 200 years we can safely assume that things have warmed a bit since the LIA and that the sea level may have responded. The question is, just like the temp record, is it unprecedented? Rather then spend time reading how the two term equation predicts future sea levels I decided to turn my attention instead to the papers cited by the above article. The article claims that skeptics are guilty of interpreting small recent trends from noisy data as significant. Here's a quote: \"The lesson from this is to treat with skepticism anyone who concludes long term trends from several years of a noisy signal (after all, skepticism should cut both ways)\" Yes indeed it does cut both ways. What the author of this article doesn't realise is that the two papers cited for paleo sea levels make the mistake of claiming an unprecedented rapid sea level rise from very noisy data. The Donnely paper, on the reconstruction of SLR at Barn Island Connecticut, on it's own is simply an utter joke. 10 or so paleo samples with quite large height and age uncertainties are used to construct a linear 1mm/year sea level trend over 1300-1850 A.D. There is more than enough slack in this data to periodically reproduce the apparently rapid sea level rise of 2.8mm/year in the NYC tide gauge data of the last ~150 years (cited and compared to by the authors). The Gehrels paper I would say is a much more commendable attempt at reconstructing sea levels off the west Icelandic coast. The low resolution issue is adressed but the uncertainty issue does not disappear. Height and age error estimates again provide more than enough slack to allow the reproducuction of the modern rates of sea level rise. The authors fail to discuss the suspicious nature of the sudden and relatively linear increase in sea level reconstruction at ~ 1800 A.D. which also marks the point at which the age of the reconstruction is measured by Pb and Cs isotopic ratios and paleo-magnetism rather than the seemingly much less certain C14 analysis. As I have mentioned elsewhere on this website (see \"There is no concensus\" argument page) the claim that \"experts\" of climate science have a more credible opinion on this issue is highly insulting to scientists from other fields. Scientists who after having found the time and inclination to review the data of climate scientists are utterly apalled at the conclusions drawn.\ndoug_bostrom at 02:56 AM on 27 June, 2010\nDan, rhetorical laughter is not a persuasive argument. You need to undo some statistics in sufficient detail to show how the measurement uncertainty reported by Donnelly is in error: This 700-year record from Barn Island provides a SLR estimate free of vertical displacement due to autocompaction of the peat column. A linear rate of rise of 1.0 ± 0.2 mm/year intersects all the 2s uncertainty boxes of the record from the 14th to the mid-19th century (Figure 2). Linear regression of the NYC tide-gauge data reveals an average rate of SLR of 2.8 mm/year from 1856–2001 A.D. Why don't you attack the Donnelly paper in detail? Until you do so your credibility does not seem equal to that of the authors you're critiquing.\ndaniel at 00:31 AM on 28 June, 2010\nDoug, it's simple, look at the graph. A claim of a linear trend is made with 10 data points of clearly very high uncertainties. The recent trend which is of much shorter length in time but of higher resolution and certainty is then tacked on the end and the claim is made that a recent rapid rise in sea level is observed. Any bachelor degree graduate can see that it is not a valid conclusion from the data. The error estimates give us the level of uncertainty, the boundaries within which the true paleo-sea level may reside at a given level of statistical confidence. Do you belive it is valid to say that the sea level did not deviate significantly from the proposed linear trend during this period? It's not my credibility that's at stake here doug, look in the mirror.\n\"Look in the mirror?\" Calm down, Daniel, remember I'm neither the author of the paper nor the person doing a casual critique of methods without resort to quantitative treatment such as that done by the authors being critiqued. Do the work in detail necessary to show the paper's statistical treatment is undependable and don't imagine that sarcastic remarks are a useful substitute.\nPeter Hogarth at 01:32 AM on 28 June, 2010\nneilperth at 14:02 PM on 7 October, 2009 Forgive the late entry here, not wishing to push my own efforts, but many of the sea level rise issues were also discussed here recently. I suggest you read the up to date references and review articles as I took some time assembling them (and have gained few more since). A lot has happened in the past ten years, for example routine precision vertical reference station values from GPS and greatly improved estimates of isostatic rebound and crustal movements, as well as better and more satellite data from several satellites. With reference to your comments about the IPCC, to see what the sea level measuring community is currently saying look at the GLOSS documents and please, read the references. daniel at 22:03 PM on 26 June, 2010 References to the any recent \"downturn\" in sea level rise are already out of date. The charts above have been updated with latest satellite data including JASON2 and Envisat, see link above.\nDoug why don't you explain the detail required? I have provided all the detail nessecary. A short term trend of ~150 years, measured using direct measurement techniques at high resolution is compared to a general linear trend over ~550 years approximated using 10 paleo data points with clearly alot of uncertainty in each. There is no statistics to \"undo\" can you explain what you mean by that? I doubt only the conclusions section of the paper. 10 noisy data points do not adequately measure sea level trends at the 150 year time scale between 1300-1850 AD. Therefore it is invalid to conclude there has been a significant recent increase in seal level rise. As I mentioned in my previously deleted comment both you and peter have put words in my mouth by claiming I doubt the methods or error analysis of the Donnely paper or reffered to a \"downturn\" in recent sea level trends (good one pete). You're nit even listening to what I am saying. Which is a reflection on your credibility not mine.\nLet me explain why you need to do the work or must instead pipe down, Daniel. Any bachelor degree graduate can ... The Donnely paper...is simply an utter joke. Scientists who after having found the time and inclination to review the data of climate scientists are utterly apalled at the conclusions drawn. Those words are what is known as the \"Badge of Hubris.\" You have said you believe the work you're criticizing to be defective, you have said that \"any bachelor degree graduate\" can show why. You have spoken for a number of scientists you claim are appalled. The problem is, you've not yet earned your Badge of Hubris because you have not shown exactly what is wrong with the authors' conclusions. Where are their ranges of uncertainty incorrect, how did they calculate that incorrectly, for instance? \"I doubt it\" is not an argument that can earn you the Badge of Hubris. Your demand that I supply the detail required to make your argument earns a Badge of Comedy. You're the person flinging assertions, support 'em or pipe down. Simple enough, right?\nAmending my earlier remarks to Daniel or that is to say supplying necessary detail. Daniel, you're dismissing research performed by workers practicing in several disciplines entailing a myriad of details and knowledge. I'm going to take a flying leap of speculation and say that I don't think you yourself practice in those disciplines. My speculation is informed by my observation that beyond not addressing even such simple matters as the calculation of uncertainties of the conclusions formed in Donnelly, you have not attacked in detail the disciplinary practices employed in selecting and analyzing the samples you sneeringly dismiss as inadequate. If I'm correct and you indeed do not practice in at least the core discipline producing the research you are dismissing, you have an enormous amount of work to to perform before you are capable of usefully critiquing research output in that discipline. That is, unless you are very lucky and find a blatant blunder in the work, and you've not yet even bothered to test your luck. You want me to help you with your critique, but I'm not so arrogant as to imagine I can suddenly take on the attributes of a person who has earned an advanced degree in geology with a strong bent to a narrow part of that discipline involving a wealth of arcane information. Not as an \"appeal to authority\" but as an indicator of how much work you need to do before you're suitable for producing useful critique of work produced in a specialty discipline, let's take a brief look at a bit of Jeffrey Donnelly's CV. Ask yourself, do you -really- believe you're as well informed on his discipline as is he? B.S. Earth Science, University of Massachusetts M.E.S. Coastal and Watershed Systems, Yale University Ph.D. Geological Sciences, Brown University Mann, M.E., J.D. Woodruff , J.P. Donnelly, and Z. Zhang, submitted, El Nino, Tropical Atlantic Warmth, and Hurricanes Over the Past 1500 Years, Nature. *Boldt, K.V., P. Lane, J.D. Woodruff, and J.P. Donnelly, submitted, Sedimentary evidence of hurricane-induced coastal flooding in southeastern New England over the last two millennia: Geophysical Research Letters. *Newby, P., J.P. Donnelly, and B.N. Shuman, 2009, Evidence of centennial-scale drought from southeastern Massachusetts during the Pleistocene/Holocene transition: Quaternary Science Reviews (in press). Shuman, B.N., P. Newby, and J.P. Donnelly, 2009, Abrupt Climate Change as a Catalyst of Ecological Change in the Northeast U.S. throughout the Past 15,000 Years: Quaternary Science Reviews (in press). Madsen A.T., G.A.T. Duller, J.P. Donnelly, H.M. Roberts, and A.G. Wintle, 2009, A chronology of hurricane landfalls at Little Sippewissett Marsh, Massachusetts, USA, using optical dating: Geomorphology (in press). *Woodruff, J.D., J.P. Donnelly, and A. Okusu, 2009, Exploring typhoon variability over the mid-to-late Holocene: Evidence of extreme coastal flooding from Kamikoshiki, Japan: Quaternary Science Reviews (in press). *Woodruff, J.D., J.P. Donnelly, K. Emanuel, and P. Lane, 2008, Assessing sedimentary records of paleo-hurricane activity using modeled hurricane climatology: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems v. 9, Q09V10, doi:10.1029/2008GC002043. Donnelly, J.P., and L. Giosan, 2008, Tempestuous Highs and Lows in the Gulf of Mexico: Geology, v. 36, p. 751-752. *Woodruff, J.D., J.P. Donnelly, D. Mohrig, and W. R. Geyer, 2008, Reconstructing relative flooding intensities responsible for hurricane-induced deposits from Laguna Playa Grande, Vieques, Puerto Rico: Geology, v. 36, p. 391-394. *Carlson, A., J. Stoner, J.P. Donnelly, and C. Hillaire-Marcel, 2008, Response of the southern Greenland Ice Sheet during the last two deglaciations: Geology, v. 3 6, p. 359-362. *Ashton, A., J.P. Donnelly, and R. Evans, 2008, A discussion of the potential impacts of climate change on the shorelines of the Northeastern USA: Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, doi: 10.1007/S11027-007-9124-3. Cheung, K. F., L. Tang, J.P. Donnelly, E. Scileppi, K. Liu, X. Mao, S.H. Houston, and R.J. Murnane, 2007, Coastal Overwash Modeling in Paleotempestology: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 112, F03024, doi:10.1029/2006JF000612. Donnelly, J.P., and J.D. Woodruff, 2007, Intense hurricane activity over the past 5,000 years controlled by El Nino and the West African monsoon: Nature, v. 447, p. 465-468. Hill, J.C., N.W. Driscoll, J. Brigham-Grette, J.P. Donnelly, P.T. Gayes, and L. Keigwin, 2007, New evidence of very high discharge to the Chukchi shelf since the Last Glacial Maximum: Quaternary Research, v. 68, p. 271-279. *Scileppi, E., and J.P. Donnelly, 2007, Sedimentary Evidence of Hurricane Strikes in Western Long Island, New York: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, v. 8, Q06011, doi:10.1029/2006GC001463. Thieler, E.R., B. Butman, W.C. Schwab, M.A. Allison, N.W. Driscoll, J.P. Donnelly, and E. Uchupi, 2007, A catastrophic meltwater flood event and the formation of the Hudson Shelf Valley: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology and Palaeoecology, v. 246, p. 120-136. Keigwin, L., J.P. Donnelly, M.S. Cook, N. Driscoll, J. Brigham-Grette, 2006, Rapid Sea-Level Rise and Holocene Climate in the Chukchi Sea: Geology v. 34, p. 861-864. Donnelly, J.P., 2006, A Revised Late Holocene Sea-Level Record for Northern Massachusetts, USA: Journal of Coastal Research, v. 22, p. 1051-1061. Giosan, L., J.P. Donnelly, S. Constantinescu, F. Filip, I. Ovejanu, A. Vespremeanu-Stroe, E.Vespremeanu, G.A.T. Duller, 2006, Young Danube delta documents stable Black Sea level since the middle Holocene: Morphodynamic, paleogeographic, and archaeological implications: Geology, v. 34, p. 757-760. Shuman, B., and J.P. Donnelly, 2006, The Influence of Seasonal Precipitation and Temperature Regimes on Lake Levels in the Northeastern United States during the Holocene: Quaternary Research, v. 65, p. 44-56. Donnelly, J.P., 2005, Evidence of Past Intense Tropical Cyclones from Backbarrier Salt Pond Sediments: A Case Study from Isla de Culebrita, Puerto Rico, USA: Journal of Coastal Research, SI42, p. 201-210. Giosan, L., E. Vespremeanu, J.P. Donnelly, J. Bhattacharya, and F. Buonaiuto, 2005, Morphodynamics and evolution of Danube delta: Journal of Sedimentary Research, SP 83, p. 391-410. Shuman, B., P. Newby, J.P. Donnelly, A. Tarbox, and T. Webb III, 2005, A Record of Late-Quaternary Moisture-Balance Change and Vegetation Response from the White Mountains, New Hampshire: Annals of American Association of Geographers, v. 95, p. 237-248. Donnelly, J.P., Driscoll, N., Uchupi, E., Keigwin, L., Schwab, W., Thieler, E.R., Swift, S., 2005, Catastrophic Meltwater Discharge down the Hudson River Valley: A Potential Trigger for the Intra-AllerØd Cold Period: Geology v. 33, p. 89-92. (Research Highlight: Nature 17 February 2005 433: 702) Donnelly, J.P., and Webb III, T., 2004, Backbarrier sedimentary records of intense hurricane landfalls in the northeastern United States. In: Murnane, R. and Liu, K. (eds.), Hurricanes and Typhoons: Past Present and Potential, New York: Columbia Press, pp. 58-96. Donnelly, J.P., J. Butler, S. Roll, Micah Wengren, and T. Webb III, 2004, A backbarrier overwash record of intense storms from Brigantine, New Jersey: Marine Geology, v. 210, p. 107-121. Donnelly, J.P., Cleary, P., Newby, P., and Ettinger, R., 2004, Coupling Instrumental and Geological Records of Sea-Level Change: Evidence from southern New England of an increase in the rate of sea-level rise in the late 19th century: Geophysical Research Letters, v. 31 L05203 doi:10.1029/2003GL018933. Donnelly, J.P., and M.D. Bertness, 2001, Rapid shoreward encroachment of salt marsh cordgrass in response to accelerated sea-level rise: Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., v. 98, p. 14218-14223. Donnelly, J.P., S. Roll, M. Wengren, J. Butler, R. Lederer, and T. Webb III, 2001, Sedimentary evidence of intense hurricane strikes from New Jersey: Geology, v. 29, p. 615-618. Donnelly, J.P., S. S. Bryant, J. Butler, J. Dowling, L. Fan, N. Hausmann, P. Newby, B. Shuman, J. Stern, K. Westover, and T. Webb III, 2001, A 700-Year sedimentary record of intense hurricane landfalls in southern New England: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 113, p. 714-727. (editors’ choice: Science 8 June 2001 292: 1801) Donnelly, J.P., T. Webb III, and W.L. Prell, 1999, The influence of accelerated sea-level rise, human modification and storms on a New England salt marsh: Current Topics in Wetland Biogeochemistry v. 3, p.152-160. Donnelly, J.P., 1998, Evidence of late Holocene post-glacial isostatic adjustment in coastal wetland deposits of eastern North America: Georesearch Forum, v. 3-4, p. 393-400.\nI've been inspired by Daniel to scrutinize Donnelly et al more closely. One thing to note right away: I'm struck by Daniel's powerful rhetoric (Donnelly's paper is an \"utter joke\") compare to Donnelly's measured language in his conclusions: The likely increase in the rate of SLR in the late 19th century A.D. is roughly coincident in time with climate warming observed in both instrumental and proxy records [e.g., Mann et al., 1998; Pollack et al., 1998]. The results indicate that this recent increase in the rate of SLR may be associated with recent warming of the global climate system. Daniel might have a point about uncertainties, if Donnelly's stratigraphic conclusions were taken in isolation and were naively dated, and if Donnelly's main objective was to derive a reasonable absolute measure of sea level for each stratigraphic sample. However, Donnelly's dating interpretation of the sequence is consistent with independent markers and in any case Donnelly's objective is not to obtain a series of accurate historical sea levels attributed to particular years over a 700 year period but rather to form an estimate of rate of rise over that entire span. That means that if the samples can be boxed into periods of a few years they're suitable for Donnelly's requirements. It turns out that markers constrain the uncertainties of individual measurements sufficient to eliminate extended large excursions of the type Daniel hypothesizes making it quite unlikely that the bulk of the rise indicated by the sequence was concentrated in short bursts. The various tools deployed by Donnelly to constrain dates are exactly what I'm talking about when I say the neither Daniel nor I are equipped to offer criticism of this work with an eye to disproving it. Here's a typical example: To further refine our C-14 chronology, we used fossil pollen evidence of European clearance/agriculture and industrial revolution-related heavy metal pollution horizons (Figure 3). Peat samples for pollen and metals analysis were also taken from just above the contact with the erratic. The initial rise in Rumex spp. pollen (a native weed) (-46.5 to -50.5 cm) coincides with land clearance for agriculture between 1650 and 1700 A.D. [Clark and Patterson, 1985; Donnelly et al., 2001]. An uncertainty box has been plotted (light gray) based on the presence of Jg and Sp remains at this interval (indicative meaning of 6.7 ± 10.4 cm above MHW) and the time interval of initial land clearance (box with diagonal line fill; Figure 2). The combination of the indicative meaning of the sample (including 2s uncertainty) with its accepted age range yields boxes representing the most likely elevation of MHW in the past (Figure 2). The appearance of Plantago lanceolata (an introduced species) between -32.5 and -35.5 cm (Figure 3) suggests deposition in the early 19th century [Clark and Patterson, 1985]. Based on the presence of Jg and Sp remains at this interval we plotted a box representing the indicative meaning of this interval (vertical line fill) and the associated uncertainty box (light gray) (Figure 2). Other methods were used to constrain other samples, methods of which Daniel and I know nothing. This is what I mean when I refer to unearned hubris; dismissing a paper as \"junk\" from a position of ignorance of the specialized tools used to produce it is foolish. Daniel complains There is more than enough slack in this data to periodically reproduce the apparently rapid sea level rise of 2.8mm/year in the NYC tide gauge data of the last ~150 years but that's speculation. The conservative way to interpret the data is to take it for what can say. Donnelly: A linear rate of rise of 1.0 ± 0.2 mm/year intersects all the 2 [sigma] uncertainty boxes of the record from the 14th to the mid-19th century. That's it, and in any case we've already seen that wild slews in rate changes don't seem to fit the C14-independent constraints of the samples. Donnelly himself is carefully circumspect about his conclusions: Coupling the Barn Island record and regional tide-gauge data indicates that the rate of SLR increased to modern levels in the 19th century (Figure 2). However, given that the center of each uncertainty box has the highest probability the most conservative interpretation of the data is that the SLR increase to modern values occurred in the late 19thcentury (Figure 2). Daniel needs to do better than Donnelly at performing this same work in order to dismiss Donnelly's paper but he can't because he's not trained in Donnelly's area of specialization. Because Daniel cannot address the paper at this level of detail but can only use general purpose adjectives to support his case, I'm with Donnelly on this matter. What choice do I have? Donnelly makes a reasonable case using tools he describes adequately but which I'm unqualified to judge, as is Daniel. I suggested an attack via uncertainty to Daniel because that's the only technique I could use in this case, lacking the disciplinary tools to address Donnelly's methods as I do, and in all probability that's true of Daniel as well.\ndaniel at 22:03 PM on 26 June, 2010 I did make an assumption and I apologise, I'm not sure where that came from, but it was late! Perhaps \"The article claims that skeptics are guilty of interpreting small recent trends from noisy data as significant\" figure 1 etc. I assumed this was an oft used reference to the Jason 1 satellite altimeter data showing a decrease in trend a couple of years back (not a decrease in level, it appears we both got the wrong end of the stick), that's what I meant anyway. More relevant to your debate, see Grinsted 2009 which is pertinent to your points on sea level reconstructions. There's a few more I can dig out if of interest and I get time. I'm not sure \"Therefore it is invalid to conclude there has been a significant recent increase in sea level rise\" is really supportable. Doubt whilst you accumulate more evidence would be ok.\nUpon further scrutiny of my last post, I think it communicates poorly the conservative nature of Donnelly's interpretation of his samples versus Daniel's assertions concerning hidden slewing. Daniel posits There is more than enough slack in this data to periodically reproduce the apparently rapid sea level rise of 2.8mm/year in the NYC tide gauge data of the last ~150 years (cited and compared to by the authors). Donnelly on the other hand sticks to the available data. Looking at Donnelly's figure 2 where he marries together the various data I think shows how Daniel might be right that while short episodes of discontinuous rise and fall may indeed be invisible, a linear interpretation not only avoids speculating signal features where none can be derived from the data but in fact more likely yields a result that is plausible on its face. Supposing for a moment that we are free to make up data however we please, how exactly would discontinuities of the kind Daniel imagines may have happened actually fit within the constraints of connections between the samples while still connecting to the more recent instrumental record? If I felt free to draw lines wherever I pleased between the samples it might be possible to squeeze in some excursions, but then I'd not only be substituting fiction for reality, I'd almost have to end up with an implausible looking graph, and again I'd have to be creating data to do so. So my conclusion is that Donnelly's more conservative than Daniel. Here's the figure from Donnelly by way of illustration:\nHere's a quote from the above comment from doug # 31 \"If I felt free to draw lines wherever I pleased between the samples it might be possible to squeeze in some excursions, but then I'd not only be substituting fiction for reality, I'd almost have to end up with an implausible looking graph, and again I'd have to be creating data to do so. So my conclusion is that Donnelly's more conservative than Daniel.\" You wouldn't be substituting fiction for reality doug :) The error estimates allow you to draw those lines. The fiction comes from believing that given the uncertainty in the data points we can conclude that short term deviations from the proposed trend are non-existent. Look at the uncertainty in time for samples 7 and 8, it's approximately 150 years. That means the authors are saying that the assigned height (which has it's own level of uncertainty) lies somewhere in the range of 150 years (between about 1500-1650). That is the time span of the current instrumental record. That should give you an idea of the vast difference in certainty between the two sets of data. Can you see that sample 11 has two date ranges assigned to it? Does that sound like a high level of certainty to you doug? We can see also that sample 9, which by the authors own admission should be younger than sample 10, has a date range generally older than sample 10. How much of sample 10's 95% confidence interval can actually be so confidently assigned when sample 9's 95% confidence interval is not even as young as that? It's true statistical methods lead to these confidence intervals but then logic needs to be applied before we write our conclusions section. That portion of the graph, 1300-1500 AD, has a lot of potential for a significant deviation from the proposed trend. As does 1600-1750 AD, if we could more confidently assign samples 7 and 8 toward the younger end of their current 95% confidence intervals then a short term trend of much greater than 1mm/year SLR through sample 5-8 could potentially exist. If such deviations from the trend were visible then the recent sea level rise would not be as alarming as is made out to be. These short term rates of paleo sea level rise do not even have to match the 2.8mm/year observed in recent times it only has to be closer to it than the average 1mm/year in order for the recent rise to be less alarming. The low resolution data really undoes the conclusions of Donnely et. al. but we find that although the Gehrels paper tries to address this issue the uncertainties are still too high to obtain a meaningful result. These attempts to measure paleo sea level rise are certainly commendable for the level of effort put in but the conclusions drawn are unsound.\nHi Daniel, glad to see you back, I was afraid I was going to have to argue with myself. I thank you for forcing me to take a closer look at Donnelly and strain my eyesight squinting at his graphs. I see your point about samples 7 & 8, I'm sure Donnelly would have been happier if they'd resolved better but because they're embedded in the middle of the series their effect is not very drastic; interpretation of those is constrained by the surrounding boxes. As to your problems with multiple date ranges for samples, if you read the text carefully you'll see how Donnelly eliminated date ranges by using methods beyond C14: In some cases we can use the Principle of Superposition to determine which range most likely represents the age of the sample. For example sample 9 should be younger than sample 10 (since sample 9 was recovered 3.5 cm above sample 10), so we eliminate the two older ranges (1306–1356 and 1357–1365 A.D., gray on Figure 2); the youngest range from sample 9, 1386–1440 A.D., best represents the age of that sample. Other sample ambiguities were treated with different methods appropriate to the individual cases, with the result that multiple date ranges appear to have been eliminated in all cases if I'm reading Table 1 correctly. With regard to drawing a line through the whole collection, if I get you right and correct me if I'm misunderstanding you, you're suggesting that it's equally reasonable to pick and draw a series of lines perhaps pointing up and perhaps pointing down between any chronologically linear pair of samples. That's not as conservative as doing what Donnelly did. As well, doing such a series of arbitrary choices leaves the issue that the entire series must begin somewhere within the region circumscribed by the sample 4 and 11 confidence boxes, meaning that the overall conclusion of the series of choices made to connect individual samples ends up being nearly the same, confined by the beginning and ending samples. Meanwhile, it appears that the slope described by the direct recent tidal measurements is inevitably going to be steeper than the sum linear product of whatever combination of ups and downs you might choose to impose on the paleo series, and as well covers a disproportionate vertical range compared compared to the paleo series. This suggests to me that attempting to create and insert arbitrary additional information into the series is pointless. So again my take is that you're suggesting a liberal interpretation of the data, Donnelly is picking a conservative approach. And I do think neither of us are equipped with the specific skills we need to cast technical judgment on this article, certainly not to fling the term \"utter junk\" in describing it. The suite of dating refinements employed by Donnelly I refer to are an example our ignorance, as I mentioned before.\nDoug you do a lot of commenting on this website so I don't really know how cosy you are with the authors. I have been absent because my comments have been deemed inappropriate by a rather draconian comments policy. I will assume you know little about that but I am suspicious since you continued to argue with me and seemed to address some of the issues I was raising in those comments. I will address your recent comments soon. I have only skimmed over them now. I would like to say that this comments policy is not endearing to the authors of the website. If you deem your opponents comments as uncivilised, off topic, whacky or inappropriate then you can just casually reply saying as much and allow them to discredit themselves as they rant some more. Only truly foul language should be deleted. Explain to me doug why it is that you can use ad hominem arguments against my credibility by saying that I'm not a climate expert and therefore have nothing to say in regards to the quality of work coming from those fields? It really doesn't look good for you guys.\ndoug_bostrom at 17:40 PM on 30 June, 2010\nAd hominem, Daniel? Yes, some things concern attributes of individual persons, specifically in this case what they know and don't know. Are you a geologist with an advanced degree specialized in paleochronology, Daniel? Have you spent a significant portion of your life learning how to tease dating information out of stratigraphic sequences? If you can honestly answer \"yes\" then my comparison of your abilities with regard to paleochronologies with those of Donnelly is less relevant. If you can only answer \"no\" then your assertion that Donnnelly's paper is \"pure junk\" is notably arrogant and makes your lack of qualifications a matter of complete relevance. If you answer \"no\" you are an amateur without a professional record casting rather nasty aspersions on the work of a professional with an extensive research track record in the subject you purport to be able to judge. There's entirely too much of this sort of thing going around, it's debasing to everybody concerned. You seem upset that you're not free to make whatever remarks you please here. I suggest that you've developed some poor habits by frequenting places where debased discussion is tolerated. Your choice of the term \"pure junk\" effectively made you part of the subject we're discussing because naturally anybody reading that remark is going to immediately wonder, \"who says that and why should I believe him?\" As you can tell, your language certainly got my attention. By your language you chose yourself as a topic, Daniel. Please don't complain to me about your choice.\ndaniel at 01:04 AM on 1 July, 2010\nNo I don't have a degree in advanced Geology or a shining track record in paleochronology, but people like yourself just don't seem to understand how irrelevant that is. The debate on these issues is debased by this kind of ad hominem garbage. The details of what the researchers did is all laid out in the paper. Scientists from multiple fields need only read, perhaps suppliment that reading with some supporting material and they can have a thorough and detailed understanding of what has been done. It is a fantasy for you to think that you yourself cannot research the methods of the scientists and critique their papers just because you have not studied it or worked in the field. It is patronising nonsense. You put these people on a pedestal of heavenly heights and praise them as infallible heroes who shall not be questioned..... but that is just not realistic in the slightest. I did not say \"pure junk\" but \"utter joke\" and you felt you needed to leap to the aid of researchers who may actually be embarassed by your amateur attempts to dress them up as god like figures. How do you know that they might not agree with me in retrospect? How many times do I need to explain that I was never disputing the quality of the data but referring to the validity of the final comparison of two very different data sets? You have done it again in comment #33 Lets go through that one with some quotes. You said: \"I see your point about samples 7 & 8, I'm sure Donnelly would have been happier if they'd resolved better but because they're embedded in the middle of the series their effect is not very drastic; interpretation of those is constrained by the surrounding boxes.\" Does Donnely et. al. actually say that? At what level of confidence can we say that the true paleo sea level is in the middle of or at the extremes of the boxes? If you want to say that it is closer to the middle you will lose statistical confidence to less than 95% At 95% you can speculate that the paleo sea level may have been at one or the other extremes. This reality is part and parcel of scientific data doug you can't wish it away regurgitating the word \"conservative\" from the paper. Here's where again you (after having plenty of time to just read what I say and not imagine it) seem to be putting words in my mouth: \"As to your problems with multiple date ranges for samples, if you read the text carefully you'll see how Donnelly eliminated date ranges by using methods beyond C14\" I'm not disputing the eliminations for samples 1 - 10. But..... look carefully at the graph like I asked you to and you will see that sample 11 has two date ranges assigned. Two boxes, not greyed out lines, but boxes at the same height labelled 11. This is actually in conflict with table 1 which seems to suggest the younger range is rejected. But the researchers can't use the principle of superposition adequately here to dismiss the younger age range for sample 11 because it is still slightly younger than or equal in age to samples 9 and or 10. Either the box assigned to the younger age range is a printing error or the authors neglected to discuss this inconvenient data point in detail. How did such an error occur in the indestructable field of climate science?\nKR at 01:53 AM on 1 July, 2010\ndaniel - while the tone on this thread has become quite heated, you have made some extremely strong statements (utter joke) regarding the Donnelly paper. Looking at your initial comments, are you indeed saying that the current rise in sea levels could drop in between the samples Donnelley collected? And that therefore their data is not strong enough? Keep in mind that while there _may_ be space between samples for a steep rise, it would have to be accompanied by an equally steep decline or halting trend to match later samples. And that the samples are independently dated except for elimination of carbon date repeats by physical position ordering - an excellent technique for disambiguation, I would add. Between the multiple species examined, carbon dating, choice of uncompacted site, etc., this is an excellent paper. And hence, it shouldn't be a surprise that some people have reacted strongly to your harsh dismissal of it. As to sample 11 (representing ~8% of the data) - you may have a point there, it looks like they left the younger (eliminated) date box for #11 on the chart. But their fitting appears to use the information from Table 1, and while this looks to be an editing issue, that doesn't seem IMO to affect their calculations or their conclusions. They certainly seem to have used the #11 older date for the curve fitting. And as to how such an error might occur? While editors appear to be inhuman in nature (grrr) they are actually fallible in reality. I'd suggest dropping a note to Donnelly et al and asking whether this is the correct chart. It might be interesting to ask if these samples could be used as date tags, and examine intermediate samples (in some number) to see if there were fossil variances indicating different levels of sea rise (short term variations) - but as it stands, with the data they extracted, the linear mapping with a curve at the beginning of the industrial era is perfectly justified by the data used to generate the trend lines.\nFurther quotes from #33 \"if I get you right and correct me if I'm misunderstanding you, you're suggesting that it's equally reasonable to pick and draw a series of lines perhaps pointing up and perhaps pointing down between any chronologically linear pair of samples.\" Well almost, what I'm really saying is that the paper hasn't got a hope of determining the short term sea level trends during 1300-1850 AD. This ties in with what you say next: \"That's not as conservative as doing what Donnelly did.\" You like to regurgitate that word but I wonder if you know why Donnely et.al. used it? It's because they are trying to claim that the centres of their 95% confidence boxes are of a higher likelihood of being where the true paleo record lies. I cautiously agree with them on that, but I can't see how it legitimises their final comparison. If the centres of the boxes were the true paleo sea levels then in an attempt to obtain short term trends from the data (which is tje only valid comparison to make when trying to detect unusual recent uptrends in the last 150 years) you could in principle draw lines between each pair or in other words connect the dots. But then you would have to explain the jump back in time between samples 10 and 9 or explain why the rapid rise in sea level between samples 7 and 8 is not as, or even more alarming, then the recent rise over 150 years. No I won't let them have it both ways. If thier long term trend line doesn't need to cut right through the centre of the boxes then neither do my short term trends. You continue: \"As well, doing such a series of arbitrary choices leaves the issue that the entire series must begin somewhere within the region circumscribed by the sample 4 and 11 confidence boxes, meaning that the overall conclusion of the series of choices made to connect individual samples ends up being nearly the same, confined by the beginning and ending samples.\" Sigh. When will you understand that the important point here is that a lack of certainty in short term trends invalidates any claim that recent rises are alarming. \"Meanwhile, it appears that the slope described by the direct recent tidal measurements is inevitably going to be steeper than the sum linear product of whatever combination of ups and downs you might choose to impose on the paleo series...\" Same as above \"sum linear product\" is irrelevant, short term uptrends of similar rate and range are. They cannot be detected by a study of this type. \"...and as well covers a disproportionate vertical range compared compared to the paleo series. This suggests to me that attempting to create and insert arbitrary additional information into the series is pointless.\" No the paleo data covers something like 60-70cm and the recent data covers 30-40cm. Plenty of slack for a similar uptrend and a plateau. \" The suite of dating refinements employed by Donnelly I refer to are an example our ignorance, as I mentioned before.\" You make it sound complicated but as I've outlined before, people who are educated in distant fields to climate science can easily understand a climate science paper. The principle of superposition is simply applying the logic of higher stratum are younger than lower stratum. Using known historical markers from the introduction of different plant species as added refining tools for dating is not complicated. Just becausr you don't understand it doug doesn't mean that I don't.\nPeter Hogarth at 02:25 AM on 1 July, 2010\ndaniel at 10:49 AM on 30 June, 2010 Much of this debate is focusing heavily on one Donnelly paper based on data from one area (Southern New England). Let me take a different tack. If we accept that the temporal sampling in Donnelly 2004 on historical sea level is sparse, we have two options. 1) We look for more data to fill in the gaps from other sources, and build up a higher resolution composite. Though there are difficulties with different rates of rise in different regions this process is ongoing and 6 years is a long time in climate research. From what I have read and am aware of in a professional capacity the evidence suggests relatively small changes in sea level over this period consistent with Donnelly (allowing for occasional dramatic localized crustal movements). 2) We also look at the physical effects which cause sea level rise and see if these have changed over the period in question. This might be viewed as “modeling”. Any dramatic sea level variability between or over the temporal range of uncertainty of the samples (as you suggest could hypothetically be present) would be driven by dramatic variability in temperature, land ice volume or hydrological cycle, or some combination. The evidence on past variability in temperature is far denser temporally and spatially and better researched, and is consistent with the published estimates of past changes in sea level (for example see Grinsted on Medieval Warm period). The ice core data which can give not only regional (North and South) temperature proxies but estimates of deposition/loss rates is consistent with this also. Then we must apply this same logic to what is happening now, and look at recent research in other areas of climate related science. Temperature is rising, global ice mass is diminishing and sea levels are rising with both thermal and ice melt contributions. For some more recent overviews and a few more clues on extra data see Church 2008, and Milne 2009 as well as Grinsted linked previously.\ndoug_bostrom at 03:01 AM on 1 July, 2010\nI don't find your remarks persuasive, Daniel. Your entire thesis depends on deriving -more- interpretive detail from a data series you yourself claim has insufficient power to describe -less- detail. That's nonsensical. By the way, Donnelly does not own the term \"conservative.\" It's commonly used in science the same way we might use \"circumspection\" or other words suggested suitable humility in the face of ignorance.\ndaniel at 17:15 PM on 1 July, 2010\nYes pete I know that we are focused too much on the one paper here. But I am not going to take the blame for that one (nor am I suggesting that you're blaming me). When I used the infamously inflammatory \"utter joke\" comment (and I apologise for the severity) I made it clear that I was saying as much considering the paper \"on it's own\" see for yourself #19. Others decided to take offence and make it part of the focus of the discussion. I just wanted to examine the papers cited by the article and show the poor quality of conclusions that can come from what is supposed to be \"peer reviewed\" climate science and how this kind of data is then used to support AGW to the public. I feel that there is far too much public trust in the quality of work, not just in climate science, but in the entire body of technical literature out there across all fields. The kind of ad hominem rhetoric above is being used as a debate strategy by proponents of AGW and it is simply not science. Can we please just discuss the data and the quality of conclusions drawn. It is extremely unconvincing (or should be) to anyone who works in a technical field to simply quote your qualifications and report a list of published articles. All this proves is that you are active in the field and fairly knowledgeable. But your papers can still be scrutinised by others who have been educated in distant fields but still have an understanding of (and can easily read up on) how the basic underlying principles (Math, Stat, Phys, Chem, sampling techniques etc.) are used to perform the work in your field and whether you have gleaned logically valid conclusions from your study. To adress your points from #39 in order 1) I believe that Gehrels et. al. 2006 cited in the original article tried to address the low resolution issue and even mention it in the paper. But I will go on to argue that this paper is another insight into the nature of the methods used in these studies which appear to be creating large height uncertainties, coupled with time uncertainties, that undermine any detection of short term recent trends (even with high resolution data). I'm not saying that any significant errors in the methodologies have occurred, just that the methods employed have too much uncertainty to detected the trends described. Please cite the papers and I'll try and get a hold of them. If these studies suffer from the same problems I see in Gehrels 2006 then I will most likely not be convinced of recent rapid SLR. 2) Yes this is a good point there needs to be a driver of SLR. But given that my confidence in the quality climate science is currently very weak due to issues like those in my complaints above then I doubt that my appraisal of the Grinsted and other SLR (or other) articles (that also investigate other factors like paleo-climate etc.) will be similar to yours. I fear I will find the same skewed conclusions I have thus far read in the two papers cited. I will need time to read the Grinsted paper and the reviews/articles you have linked to. Thankyou for those please let me know of any others you think are relevant. Doug, you may almost get my point on the Donnely paper. You said in #40: \"Your entire thesis depends on deriving -more- interpretive detail from a data series you yourself claim has insufficient power to describe -less- detail.\" Donnely's thesis is actually guilty of claiming -more- detail through 1300-1850 AD than is actually detected. I am saying that it is largely unclear as to what short term trends may or may not have existed in that time. Therefore the final conclusion by Donnely et. al. based on the data they have provided (not counting sea level data from any other papers) was invalid and may be just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the true state of the quality of climate literature. If this, seemingly popular, website uses these papers to back it's message of AGW then I fear what else may be going on\ndoug_bostrom at 17:47 PM on 1 July, 2010\nDaniel, Donnelly interprets his data as offering -no- detail between 1300 to 1850, instead chooses as much as possible to smooth his interpolation by taking a linear approach, you propose that there may be detail therein. Who is more liberal in interpretation? We disagree and I don't think either of us is going to change our minds.\ndaniel at 17:15 PM on 1 July, 2010 I accept the data points on the chart are sparse, and have temporal uncertainty and height uncertainty. The time series trend developed from these samples is a simple low order curve fitted through them, which is common practice when trying to extract trends. This assumes low long term variation of the variable in question. An alternative fit involving high short term variation which still explains the limited data points would involve undersampling and aliasing. Is this likely? You do not suggest it is, but you propose it is possible. I have spent some hard earned cash looking at over a dozen recent site specific salt marsh studies related to sea level. Without exception they display the poor resolution which you would rightly criticize if any study was the single source of our evidence. One of the best that is free (I honestly did not select by author!) is Donnelly 2006. It is possibly close enough geographically to the 2004 data set so that gaps in the record in each could be reduced, which makes short term variations far less probable. Likewise, archaeological and historical evidence on sea level changes, from around the world, taken in isolation, means little - and could easily be written off using local crustal depression etc. It is the integrated wider evidence based picture that emerges when researchers try to put all this stuff together that proves persuasive to many, and to me. A further point is that researchers like Donnelly cannot help but acquire a great deal of background knowledge or expertise, and will be aware of large amounts of evidence that might not even be in publication, but nevertheless adds to the overall common sense probability based conclusion. Is this conclusion overwhelmingly robust? I couldn’t say without analysis, but it is consistent with the majority of recent and emerging published data. daniel at 17:15 PM on 1 July, 2010 I accept the data points on the chart are sparse, and have temporal uncertainty and height uncertainty. The time series trend developed from these samples is a simple low order curve fitted through them, which is common practice when trying to extract trends. This assumes low long term variation of the variable in question. An alternative fit involving high short term variation which still explains the limited data points would involve undersampling and aliasing. Is this likely? You do not suggest it is, but you propose it is possible. I have spent some hard earned cash looking at over a dozen recent site specific salt marsh studies related to sea level. Without exception they display the poor resolution which you would rightly criticize if any study was the single source of our evidence. One of the best that is free (I honestly did not select by author!) is Donnelly 2006. It is possibly close enough geographically to the 2004 data set so that gaps in the record in each could be reduced, which makes short term variations far less probable. Likewise, archaeological and historical evidence on sea level changes, from around the world, taken in isolation, means little - and could easily be written off using local crustal depression etc. It is the integrated wider evidence based picture that emerges when researchers try to put all this stuff together that proves persuasive to many, and to me. A further point is that researchers like Donnelly cannot help but acquire a great deal of background knowledge or expertise, and will be aware of large amounts of evidence that might not even be in publication, but nevertheless adds to the overall common sense probability based conclusion. Is this conclusion overwhelmingly robust? I couldn’t say without analysis, but it is consistent with the majority of recent and emerging published data.\nPeter Hogarth at 05:19 AM on 2 July, 2010 \"An alternative fit involving high short term variation which still explains the limited data points would involve undersampling and aliasing. Is this likely? You do not suggest it is, but you propose it is possible. It is not possible to know if it is likely given the data presented. But it is certainly possible and given the data presented, it's just as likely. \"Without exception they display the poor resolution which you would rightly criticize if any study was the single source of our evidence.\" The Gehrels paper (annoyingly $25 USD) cited in the article has decent resolution through most of the period examined. (Coincidentally it lacks resolution through most of the period examined by the Donnely paper discussed). Another article which I still haven't read yet by Gehrels et. al. Quaternary Science Reviews 24 (2005) 2083–2100. Appears to have high resolution over the period discussed. But I think that as long as error estimates are high, comparisons to short term recent trends will be undermined. \"One of the best that is free (I honestly did not select by author!) is Donnelly 2006. It is possibly close enough geographically to the 2004 data set so that gaps in the record in each could be reduced,\" Admittedly I haven't read the article yet but having skimmed over it and focusing on figure 7 and taking into account the height uncertainties, I can't see how either paper helps to validate the other. Donnely 2004 only covers a small portion of the Donnely 2006 reconstruction between samples R5 and R6 and has ~20cm total height error at 95% confidence (you can read the actual +/- ~10cm intervals in the text). Donnely 2006 has ~30cm total height errors and so cannot serve to further refine Donnely 2004. Donnely 2004 cannot serve to refine 2006 beyond possibly reducing the error margins to ~20cm total. \"Likewise, archaeological and historical evidence on sea level changes, from around the world, taken in isolation, means little - and could easily be written off using local crustal depression etc.\" Certainly the overall global picture is not represented even if all of the papers we've discussed thus far are put together, I agree. Is crustal depression such a factor in any of these papers? I thought that the more recent papers tried to address these issues, Gehrels 2006 seems to. But I may have my (depression mixed up with my subsidence, my ignorance shows - but I could read up on that Doug) \"It is the integrated wider evidence based picture that emerges when researchers try to put all this stuff together that proves persuasive to many, and to me.\" But the wider picture in terms of SLR thus far seems to be an integration of poor data (in the correctly calculated error estimate sense) and or conclusions. \"A further point is that researchers like Donnelly cannot help but acquire a great deal of background knowledge or expertise, and will be aware of large amounts of evidence that might not even be in publication, but nevertheless adds to the overall common sense probability based conclusion. Is this conclusion overwhelmingly robust? I couldn’t say without analysis, but it is consistent with the majority of recent and emerging published data.\" I hope you don't get annoyed when I say that i think this comment again boils down to an ad hominem type argument roughly equivalent to \"They're experts, just trust em, they know what they're doing.\" I wonder about the quality of all of that published data both on SLR and other climate factors.\ndaniel - While it's possible that there are high frequency changes in temperature missed by a particular low-resolution sample set, it's really completely unreasonable to postulate that this indeed is the case based on that evidence. If I permit more degrees of freedom in my fitting than are supported by my data, I can draw whatever curve I like - including one that indicates the Earth cycled between absolute zero and plasma temperatures during a 30-day period between samples. I could also postulate that such temperature swings were driven by invisible pink unicorns, but I don't have samples that actually indicate that. In the universe of possible data fits, a randomly chosen fit is NOT as likely as the simplest one that fits the data. It's a rudimentary basis of data analysis that you don't over-fit your samples - that falls into the aspects of parsimony, or Occams razor. Given the samples present in the papers you have been referring to, it's reasonable to state that there's a linear historic trend passing through those data points, with a later steeper trend passing through the much denser data points of recent records. Are there excursions outside that linear trend that don't fall upon the sample points, that weren't sampled? Perhaps. That would take more data - the data presented doesn't support that hypothesis. If you take into account the multiple lines of evidence, the many data sets containing samples at different (and overlapping) timepoints along historic record, the hypothesis of a fairly linear trend for the 1400-1850 period, with a steepening incline after that, is still the most reasonable, parsimonious explanation that fits the data. And with no unicorns...\nTo KR #45 \"daniel - While it's possible that there are high frequency changes in temperature missed by a particular low-resolution sample set, it's really completely unreasonable to postulate that this indeed is the case based on that evidence.\" Yep, don't remeber talking much about temperature changes. Mostly about SLR. \"If I permit more degrees of freedom in my fitting than are supported by my data, I can draw whatever curve I like - including one that indicates the Earth cycled between absolute zero and plasma temperatures during a 30-day period between samples.\" Geez KR don't go overstating what I said or nothin. Although maybe I guess you're right, slight short term increases in SLR (not temperature) are about on par with absolute zero to plasma level temperatures (not SLR) aren't they. I'm so glad I've got you around to keep my feet on the ground. Thanks KR ;) \"I could also postulate that such temperature swings were driven by invisible pink unicorns, but I don't have samples that actually indicate that. In the universe of possible data fits, a randomly chosen fit is NOT as likely as the simplest one that fits the data. \" Uh huh..... unicorns...... got it. I think you may be a little stressed having to strain to understand that I don't dispute the long term linear trend just it's comparison to the short term uptrend. It's called an invalid comparison :) \"It's a rudimentary basis of data analysis that you don't over-fit your samples - that falls into the aspects of parsimony, or Occams razor. Given the samples present in the papers you have been referring to,\" Yes I know you shouldn't \"overfit\" your samples as you say. You also shpuldm't just assume short term linear trends from such noidy data. It's cute that you know what parsimony is I wonder if you're aware that it doesn't always apply to reality (a concept you claim to have a better grasp of than me). It's also cute when people go on about Occam's razor, a phrase recently popularised by the movie \"Contact\" but as I j ust said, not always applicable. \" it's reasonable to state that there's a linear historic trend passing through those data points, with a later steeper trend passing through the much denser data points of recent records.\" But not to say that the recent uptrend has been shown to be unusually high given the sparse, noisy data available. \"Are there excursions outside that linear trend that don't fall upon the sample points,\" Eh? Please clarify this rant. \"If you take into account the multiple lines of evidence, the many data sets containing samples at different (and overlapping) timepoints along historic record,\" Yes I know they're claiming the trend extends into the instrumental record. Lucky really. My complaints are perfectly valid and need to be addressed. \"the hypothesis of a fairly linear trend for the 1400-1850 period, with a steepening incline after that, is still the most reasonable, parsimonious explanation that fits the data. And with no unicorns...\" I agree, there was definitely a long term trend of 1mm/year that overlaps with a few decades of the instrumental record but what were the short term trends in that period. What do you have against unicorns in science! They are just as able to understand your jibberish as I am and any reference to them as \"imaginary\", \"mythological\" or \"unparsimonious\" I take as an ad hominem attack!\nActually, daniel, I think that would be insulting unicorns would be ad Unicornis, as best I can tell. I'll apologize now to the greater Unicornis community... Sorry about the mis-reference to temperature, instead of sea level - proof that I sometimes don't proof-read enough! And that perhaps I'm taking too much cold medicine at the moment :) \"Are there excursions outside that linear trend that don't fall upon the sample points\" means that the sample points in that Donnelly paper mark, within the errors on vegetation prevalence and radiocarbon dating, points on the sea level record. The simplest fit justified by the record is a piece-wise linear fit running through each data point. The least justified fit is a line that avoids your data points. Given the noise in that simple reconstruction, it's reasonable to time-average data points, especially for the recent (dense, somewhat noisy) data points. Note that the core samples have some implicit time averaging - it takes time for vegetation to grow, and the sample investigated is not going to be a 2D core slice; the thickness of it (and is the sediment flat there?) will introduce some time averaging. I didn't see that explicitly stated in the paper, but that's a known element for core analysis - you don't tend to see day-to-day changes in them! Either way - the reconstruction best justified from the evidence in this experiment should pass through or very close to each of the data points or averages. The data \"anchors\" the reconstruction there, and any large deviation from the trend (excursion) would have to either (a) show as a shifted data point, or (b) occur between data points - and vanish again before the next one. However, there is in this experiment actual evidence against offsets from the reconstructed sea level trend around the data points themselves.\ndaniel at 18:21 PM on 2 July, 2010 I think you may have missed or misunderstood the point. If there were short term variations of the magnitude which you suggest between the sparse points then the probability of all of these randomly sampled points fitting any smooth long term curve is small. Statistically, your alternative is most certainly not \"just as likely\"! Any extra points we find which also fit the curve increases the probability that the curve is a good model, and constrains other probable models to those with low amplitude variations. With respect, if this is lost on you, then I understand why you keep re-iterating your point, and you should address this. I would not argue that you should not question the work of experts. I am arguing that Donnelly is presenting work that is specialist. His data is site specific and is intended to add a small piece to the unfolding picture which is science, rather than act as first line defence against \"climate skepticism\". That you accept that drivers of sea level should be accounted for is a good step, yet you still do not appear to modify your suggestion of \"likely\" high sea level variations in light of this. This is not scientific.\nTwo Daniels?\ndoug_bostrom at 06:42 AM on 4 July, 2010 There is only one Daniel KR at 02:08 AM on 4 July, 2010 \"Sorry about the mis-reference to temperature, instead of sea level - proof that I sometimes don't proof-read enough!\" Yes, but it's not just you that's doing it both Doug and Peter have also skimmed over what I've said and quickly responded with fervour without actually understanding my point. I would like to highlight the fact that these issues are highly emotive and the fears people have from your side of the argument are clouding your judgment. This is occurring both on this and other points of the debate and is clearly evidenced by all of your comments during this discussion. \"The least justified fit is a line that avoids your data points. \" Have I proposed such a fit? I have proposed short term fits within the error estimates of the data points. \"Given the noise in that simple reconstruction, it's reasonable to time-average data points, especially for the recent (dense, somewhat noisy) data points.” I agree but I don’t see the relevance, you cant compare that recent, directly measured, high resolution, short term to the uncertain, low resolution, long term data set like that. “Note that the core samples have some implicit time averaging - it takes time for vegetation to grow, and the sample investigated is not going to be a 2D core slice; the thickness of it (and is the sediment flat there?) will introduce some time averaging. I didn't see that explicitly stated in the paper, but that's a known element for core analysis - you don't tend to see day-to-day changes in them!\" I can't say I follow you here. My understanding is that the time uncertainties are from the C14 analysis. The researchers can only obtain a date range (from a non-Gaussian probability function) using this method. It doesn't give you a range on the order of days or months but years. \"Either way - the reconstruction best justified from the evidence in this experiment should pass through or very close to each of the data points or averages. The data \"anchors\" the reconstruction there, and any large deviation from the trend (excursion) would have to either (a) show as a shifted data point, or (b) occur between data points - and vanish again before the next one. \" I'm sorry but you are not addressing the long term / short term issue. I will say again that I agree with the proposed long term linear trend and the data allows for short term deviations not too far from the data points that would undermine Donnelly’s conclusions. \"However, there is in this experiment actual evidence against offsets from the reconstructed sea level trend around the data points themselves.\" Explain. Peter Hogarth at 03:42 AM on 4 July, 2010 \"If there were short term variations of the magnitude which you suggest between the sparse points then the probability of all of these randomly sampled points fitting any smooth long term curve is small.\" Maybe you are finally understanding my point. You're right that on the short term scale the probability of the long term trend is small, thankyou. :) \"Any extra points we find which also fit the curve increases the probability that the curve is a good model, and constrains other probable models to those with low amplitude variations.\" There aren't any more data points provided and if more data points showed that there was a low amplitude variation from the linear trend then the recent uptrend would look less alarming, more precedented or natural and much less anthropogenic or induced by CO2. \"With respect, if this is lost on you, then I understand why you keep re-iterating your point, and you should address this.\" It's not lost on me Peter, as far as I can see you are trying to use wordy rebuttals that don't amount to much. There is not enough resolution to determine that thre is a long term linear trend that barely deviates on the short term. More importantly as long as there are large enough uncertainty levels the recent uptrend will never be shown to be unusual. If you reconstruct the data Peter from table 1., just use the absolute centres of the boxes, you will see that using sample 1 (dated ~1975) along with the other data points the trend stays much the same (possibly even lowers a little) and so the entire trend over the last 700 years is still ~1mm/yr at Barn Island. I hope that addresses your “undersampling” or “Unlikely wild deviations” tack. The instrumental record is showing us that the Donnely reconstruction may in fact be an undersampling of a natural higher amplitude trend. \"I am arguing that Donnelly is presenting work that is specialist.\" Ad hominem \"His data is site specific and is intended to add a small piece to the unfolding picture which is science, rather than act as first line defence against \"climate skepticism\" Undoing the poor science of climatology is the first line of attack when it comes to this debate. Their methods may be scientific in nature but their conclusions seem to be biased, driven by an unfounded fear of gloom and doom. \"That you accept that drivers of sea level should be accounted for is a good step, yet you still do not appear to modify your suggestion of \"likely\" high sea level variations in light of this. This is not scientific\" It has not been shown from this data that the uptrend is un-natural and therefore it is not necessarily anthropogenic. To claim otherwise is unscientific.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1433110"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8700029253959656,"wiki_prob":0.8700029253959656,"text":"(Photo: Zululand)\nClive Vivier, cofounder of the Zululand rhino reserve in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa, has been given a green light by the US state department to buy the Arcturus T-20 drone to combat poachers who are driving the country’s rhinos toward extinction.\nSouth African Poaching\nVivier believes that close to 1,000 rhino were killed in South Africa last year by poachers who sell their ivory rich horns to lucrative Asian markets. A significant dent in a population of around 20,000. “We’re now eating into our capital of rhino,” he said.\nAround 400 rhinos were killed last year in giant Kruger national park alone, which is impossible for a limited number of rangers to guard effectively. “We need to change the rules of the game, Vivier said. “We need technology.”\nThe drones would enable the tracking of poachers escaping South Africa across the nation’s borders into Zimbabwe, Mozambique Botswana or Namibia.\nThe T-20 has a 17-foot wingspan, can fly at a height of 15,000 feet with up to 65 pounds of payload and stay aloft for 16 hours without refueling. Outfitted with cameras, it can beam back live video of a full 360 degree unobstructed field of view to the operators.\nArcturus T-20 drone\nWhile the T-20 can hold missile payloads, being a civilian, Mr Viver’s drones will not carry bombs or missiles. Its primary use will be reconnaissance of poachers.\nThe drone flies silent and its infrared camera will be invaluable for spotting poachers at night. “It can tell whether a man is carrying a shovel or firearm and whether he has his finger on the trigger or not,” said Vivier. “We can see the poacher but he can’t see us. We’re good at arresting them when we know where they are. Otherwise it’s a needle in a haystack.”\nVivier is now seeking clearance from local civil aviation authorities to put 30 of the drones in South African skies.\nThe Zululand Rhino Reserve\nwas established in 2004 and comprises 17 landowners who have dropped their internal fences to create a big 5, endangered species reserve. The Reserve was chosen as a release site for the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Black Rhino Range Expansion Project.\nSouth African rhino (Photo: Zululand)\nIn 2005 a founder population of black rhino were released into their new home. In 2009 the reserve was proclaimed as a Nature Reserve under the Protected Areas Act 57 of 2003 acknowledging the reserve as a site of biodiversity importance that makes essential contributions to the conservation of species and habitats.\n« First responders Throw away the key »","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1892805"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9265808463096619,"wiki_prob":0.9265808463096619,"text":"1999.11.08 - MTV - Axl Rose: A conversation with Kurt Loder\nby Blackstar on Thu Aug 09, 2018 5:51 am\nIt's been eight years since Guns N' Roses released an album, and that drought may be about to end.\nSinger Axl Rose's new edition of GN'R, heavy in the industrial-crunch department, has a cut on the soundtrack of the new Arnold Schwarzenegger movie \"End Of Days\" and will be releasing a whole new album called \"Chinese Democracy\" sometime early in the next century, while the old Guns lineup, with guitarist Slash churning out the classic riffs, now exists only as a subject of lawsuits, apparently.\nAxl Rose spoke with MTV News' Kurt Loder by phone from Los Angeles on Monday, November 8, and he had quite a bit of light to shed on all things Guns N' Roses...\nThe interview:\nLoder: What have you been doing for the last six and a half years, since the last tour ended?\nRose: Trying to figure out how to make a record.\nLoder: Ah, you already knew how to do that, right?\nRose: I originally wanted to make a traditional record or try to get back to an \"Appetite [For Destruction]\" thing or something, because that would have been a lot easier for me to do. I was involved in a lot of lawsuits for Guns N' Roses and in my own personal life, so I didn't have a lot of time to try and develop a new style or re-invent myself, so I was hoping to write a traditional thing, but I was not really allowed to do that.\nLoder: What prevented you from doing, like, a traditional rock record?\nRose: Slash.\nLoder: [Laughs] But you could have found another guitar player or something, right?\nRose: Well, not really.... Not to make a true Guns record. It's kind of like, I don't know, if you know somebody has a relationship, and there's difficulties in that, and Mr. or Mrs. Right doesn't kind of just stumble into their path, or they don't stumble across that person, they can't really get on with things. Somebody didn't come into my radar that would have really replaced Slash in a proper way.\nLoder: Yeah.\nRose: And it really wasn't something we were trying to do. We were trying to make things work with Slash for a very, very long time... about three and a half years.\nLoder: Wow. Jeez. That's a shame, because it seemed like such a tight unit. This live album seems like a farewell to that era.\nRose: It is exactly that. It's a farewell to that.... It was something we wanted to give to the public in a way of saying farewell. It was a very difficult thing to do, as listening to it and the people involved... [it] wasn't the most emotionally pleasant thing to do.\nLoder: Is it fair to say that we may never be hearing this stuff ever again? This old material?\nRose: No, no, that's not true at all. In fact, actually, I have re-recorded \"Appetite\" and--\nLoder: You re-recorded \"Appetite For Destruction?\"\nRose: Yes, I have.\nLoder: The whole album?\nRose: Yes.\nLoder: Whoa.\nRose: Well, with the exception of two songs, because we replaced those with \"You Could Be Mine,\" and \"Patience,\" and why do that? Well, we had to rehearse them anyway to be able to perform them live again, and there were a lot of recording techniques and certain subtle styles and drum fills and things like that that are kind of '80s signatures that subtly could use a little sprucing up... a little less reverb and a little less double bass and things like that.\nLoder: Who are the musicians who have re-recorded \"Appetite?\"\nRose: Josh Freese on drums, Tommy Stinson on bass, Paul Tobias on guitar -- you guys know him as Paul Huge, that's how it's been written everywhere. It's Paul Tobias on guitar, and Robin Finck was on lead guitar, but that... that will stay on some of it. Robin's guitar will stay on some, but not all. I don't know what I'm going to do with it, exactly, when I would be putting that out. But you know, it has a lot of energy. Learning the old Guns songs and getting them up, you know, putting them on tape, really forced everybody to get them up to the quality that they needed to be at. Once the energy was figured out by the new guys, how much energy was needed to get the songs right, then it really helped in the writing and recording process of the new record.\nLoder: At any time, were you thinking of keeping Duff [McKagan] or Matt Sorum or anybody on board too? Or was that all over from the beginning?\nRose: That was their choice to leave. Everybody that's gone did it by choice. Matt was fired, but Matt came in attempting to get fired and told many people so that night. So it's kind of like everybody left by choice. They really didn't think I was going to figure out a way to make a record, [and they] didn't want to help really make a record. Everybody kind of wanted what they wanted individually rather than what's in the best interest of the whole.\nLoder: This \"End of Days\" track, \"Oh My God,\" is real, real different. Have you been listening to [or] working with samples and stuff a lot? Has your whole musical approach changed?\nRose: No, not a lot, no. Basically, [I'm] listening to everything that's out there as far as music goes. That was a big difference between myself and Slash and Duff, is that I didn't hate everything new that came out. I really liked the Seattle movement. I like White Zombie. I like Nine Inch Nails, and I like hip-hop. I don't hate everything. I don't think everybody should be worshiping me 'cause I was around before them.\nSo once it was really understood by me that I'm really not going to be able to make the right old-style Guns N' Roses record, and if I try to take into consideration what Guns did on \"Appetite,\" which was to kind of be a melting pot of a lot things that were going on, plus use past influences, I could make the right record if I used my influences from what I've been listening to that everybody else is listening to out there. So in that sense, I think it is like old Guns N' Roses as far as, like, the spirit and the attempt to throw all kinds of different styles together. If you get to the second guitar solo in \"Oh My God,\" Paul's doing a very Izzy Stradlin-Aerosmith-type riff in the middle of the song, which is a completely different thing than everything else that's going on in the music, but yet it blends. There's a disco drum beat in the post-chorus, in the heaviest section of the song. We blended a lot of things.\nLoder: How much stuff have you got for this new album? You've been working on this for a long time. Is there just tons of material?\nRose: We've been working on, I don't know, 70 songs.\nLoder: Oh!\nRose: The record will be about, anywhere from 16 to 18 songs, but we recorded at least two albums' worth of material that is solidly recorded. But we are working on a lot more songs than that at the same time... in that way, what we're doing is exploring so, you know, you get a good idea, you save it, and then maybe you come back to it later, or maybe you get a good idea and you go, \"That's really cool, but that's not what we're looking for. Okay, let's try something new.\" You know, basically taking the advance money for the record and actually spending it on the record.\nLoder: [Laughs] Not always the case, obviously.\nRose: No, and I don't want to be in a situation again where I have to depend on other people and have [to] start all over. So we have material that we think is too advanced for old Guns fans to hear right now and they would completely hate, because we were exploring the use of computers [along with] everybody really playing their ass off and combining that, but trying to push the envelope a bit. It's like, \"Hmm, I have to push the envelope a little too far. We'll wait on that.\" So we got a list of things.\nLoder: Are you involved in computer music yourself? Are you playing guitar now?\nRose: A little of both, a little of both.\nLoder: How's your guitar playing coming along now?\nRose: It's all right. I just wanted to be good enough to be able to contribute what was needed to this main album. It took working on the majority of these things and at least the couple albums' [worth] of material to figure out what should be on the first official Guns album. I wouldn't say it's like, you know, that we recorded a double album, or that we have all of our scraps to be the second one. There is a distinct difference in sound. The second leans probably a little more to aggressive electronica with full guitars, where the first one is definitely more guitar-based.\nLoder: Do you find it difficult to capture with a new group of musicians that same sort of group feeling that the original Guns had?\nRose: No. No, not with the particular people involved. To be honest, it was a long time for me since Guns N' Roses as the old lineup had been fun, and the new guys have been a breath of fresh air. People are really excited about what we got. They're really proud of it, and it was, again, it was just time. I'm not trying to put the other guys down. It's like, I think people really wanted to do different things other than try to figure out the right record here for Guns N' Roses. But at the same time, Guns N' Roses was a big thing. How do you walk away from that? It's a very complicated thing, I think, for everybody involved.\nLoder: I gather that on the record there's going to be a piano version of a Black Sabbath song? How did that work out?\nRose: Oh, that's on the live [album]. I just like the piano song [\"It's Alright\"] and the words, and when you play it for people, they had no idea it was a Black Sabbath song.\nLoder: [Laughs]\nRose: So it was just kind of fun, and then it worked out as a intro to \"November Rain\" live, and it just so happened that [it] came out well on tape, so we were able to use it. Del James worked for a couple of years off and on going though every single show we did on DAT tape from the \"Use Your Illusion\" tour and then every available tape, and finding tapes, and finding people that have recorded things, so he could have in his mind what was recorded best from the entire time Guns N' Roses was together. There were a lot of difficulties where things weren't... when they were recorded, when they were fully recorded to 24, 48 tracks, it wasn't recorded that well at times, and so it took a long time to find what tracks were available to use, because we had never officially recorded a show to make a live album.\nLoder: When you listen to that stuff back now, do you think, \"Wow, that was a great band, that was a great time,\" or are your feelings clouded?\nRose: For me, when I hear certain things on the \"Use Your Illusion\" tour, I... on that record, it's... since I'm in it, I can hear a band dying. I can hear when Izzy was unconsciously over it. I can hear where the band was leaning away from what Guns N' Roses [had] originally been about.\nPeople may have their favorite songs, and it may be on \"Use Your Illusion,\" but most people do tend to lean towards \"Appetite\" as being the defining Guns N' Roses record, and I can hear how, in the sound, it was moving away from that there. There's just so much I was able to do in keeping that aspect together.\nLoder: Are you thinking now about a stage show? Is it close enough to be thinking how you're gonna present this live, or is that still pretty much still in the future?\nRose: In ways. What we're doing is we're rehearsing with different guitar players, and we're still recording. I'm doing the vocals. I'm about three-quarters of the way through, and it's a very difficult process for me.\nI write the vocals last, because I wanted to invent the music first and push the music to the level that I had to compete against it. That's kind of tough. It's like you got to go in against these new guys who kicked ass. You finally got the song musically where you wanted to, and then you have to figure out how to go in and kick its ass and be one person competing against this wall of sound.\nWhy I chose to do it that way is that, you know, I can sit and write poetry 'til hell freezes over, and getting attached to any particular set of words... I felt that I would write to those words in a dated fashion, and we really wouldn't get the best music. \"Oh My God\" is a perfect example. When we finally got \"Oh My God\" where it needed to be, then I got the right words to it. With \"Appetite,\" I wrote a lot of the words first, but in, like, \"Oh My God,\" I wrote the words second, but the music was written like \"Appetite.\" We kept developing it until it we got it right. [With] \"Appetite,\" everything had been worked on, and worked on, and worked on. That was not the case with \"Use Your Illusion.\"\nLoder: You got Dave Navarro to play on this. Have you always been a fan of his playing?\nRose: I've always been a fan of Dave Navarro, to the point that when we got signed, I had a Jane's Addiction demo tape [laughs] and was actually trying to convince the record company, \"No, no, no, no, I suck. We suck. These guys rock!\" And I was trying to get Tom Zutaut, at the time [at Geffen], to sign Jane's Addiction, and he was actually in negotiations to sign them at one point. I was just into Jane's Addiction.\nAt the time... when we first put out \"Appetite,\" it didn't go over so well, and MTV and John Cannelli there are really what broke us. I think you guys aired \"Welcome to the Jungle\" three times... [dramatically] going on your fourth now!\nRose: That's really what finally got the public to find some interest in Guns N' Roses, and there was a lot less [interest] for Jane's Addiction. Where now, I think, we would consider Jane's Addiction one of the great rock and roll bands in the last however many years. They were a great band, they were a bit ahead of their time. I was a very big fan of them, and Dave.\nDave's a great guitar player. It's a different style. It's not like Guns N' Roses. It's not blues-based, and it's not all that Guns N' Roses is, and that was done on purpose. There will be elements of blues-based things on the new Guns record. It's a very diverse record. There's a lot of hip-hop beats, there's straight-ahead rock. But if someone says, \"Hip-hop beats,\" what do you mean by that? Well, Radiohead uses beats that are similar to hip-hop beats. There's actual, \"official\" hip-hop beats and then there's \"Radiohead-style\" hip-hop beats, there's rock beats. Like I say, \"Oh My God\" has a disco beat in it. I read a review where somebody caught that. That made me laugh.\nLoder: What's been knocking you out yourself lately? Is there anything today that you think is better than Jane's Addiction was back in the day?\nRose: I don't know about, like, as far as aggressive goes, but I really like the new Fiona Apple.\nLoder: Really?\nRose: You know, I liked the last record, I like the new one. Who do I listen to that's aggressive? I think that the \"End Of Days\" soundtrack is a lot of fun. Limp Bizkit is fun. The White Zombie stuff is fun.\nLoder: Do you think that stuff can be done in that old sort of [GN'R] style, that blues-based style, or do you think that's just over?\nRose: No, no, I don't think any style of music's over. I mean, look at [Lou Bega's] \"Mambo #5.\"\nLoder: True.\nRose: You could find ways to blend all kind of things. It really just takes the right song. I don't personally believe that was the interest of Guns or Slash, I don't believe the right song was the interest. I mean, what people don't know is, the [Slash's] Snakepit album, that is the Guns N' Roses album. I just wouldn't do it.\nRose: Oh, yeah! Duff walked out on it, and I walked out on it, because I wasn't allowed to be any part of it. It's like, \"No, you do this, that's how it is.\" And I didn't believe in it. I thought that there were riffs and parts and some ideas, I thought, that needed to be developed. I had no problem working on it, or working with it, but you know, as is, I think I'm with the public on that one.\nLoder: Yeah, apparently so. Obviously, you've been working on all this music for the last six years. What else have you been doing? Do you go out a lot? Do you see shows?\nRose: You know I... I pretty much stay to myself, and that's about it.\nLoder: Just kind of hang around the house?\nRose: [Laughs] I just, you know, I pretty much work on this record and, and that's about it. It takes a lot of time. I'm not a computer-savvy or technical type of person, yet I'm involved with it everyday, so it takes me a while.\nLoder: Do you have a computer setup at home? Are you online?\nRose: Yeah, I have a full studio, and that causes me great pain and pleasure.\nLoder: [Laughs] What are the painful parts, when it crashes?\nRose: Yeah. Just, you know, basically my inadequacy with modern machinery.\nLoder: You're going to call this album \"Chinese Democracy.\" What is the meaning of that, since there is no Chinese democracy, of course?\nRose: Well, there's a lot of Chinese democracy movements, and it's something that there's a lot of talk about, and it's something that will be nice to see. It could also just be like an ironic statement. I don't know, I just like the sound of it.\nLoder: When do you think we will actually see this album? Is it possible to say early next year?\nRose: We're hoping. Yes, definitely, everything seems to be going well. Robin's departure was abrupt, sudden, you know, not expected...\nLoder: He just wanted to get back to Nine Inch Nails, right?\nRose: [continuing] ... but at the same time, it's turned out to be a good thing. We've been able to push some of the guitar parts a step farther, that had he been here, it's not something that would have been considered, and I wouldn't have been rude enough to attempt to do that. Robin did a great job, but we've been able to up the ante a little bit. Dave came in and did something great on \"Oh My God,\" and we've had a few other people come in, so that was a setback for a while, but then it's turned out to be a good thing.\nLoder: People that hear \"Oh My God,\" they might say that, \"Gee, the new Guns is all this sound,\" but I think that what you're saying is that it's a bunch of different kinds of sounds.\nRose: It's a lot of different sounds. There's some other really heavy songs, there's a lot of aggressive songs, but they're all in different styles and different sounds. It is truly a melting pot.\nI go back to listening to Queen -- you know, we're still hoping to have Brian May come in and do some tracks, and I got a fax today that he's coming in -- Queen had all kinds of different-style songs on their records, and that's something that I like. 'Cause I do listen to a lot of things, and I really don't like being pigeonholed to that degree, and it's something that Guns N' Roses seem to share [with Queen] a bit. With \"Appetite,\" even though it seems to have the same sound, if you really go back, you can pull all the little parts from different influences. That's not really the case by the time we're on \"Use Your Illusion.\" People are kind of set in their ways. [\"Chinese Democracy\"] is coming from all over the place.\nLoder: Have you actually brought in any hip-hop guys to sort of, like, examine the roots of the rhythm now? Has Dr. Dre stopped by or anything?\nRose: No, we haven't done anything like that. It's been thought of, but it's kind of [like] we would really be wasting somebody else's time, as we're trying to figure out how to develop this ourselves. Maybe if it were to get closer to, say, mastering or mixing, maybe there could be something someone else could add to it.\nLoder: Have you thought about maybe taking the boys out and playing on New Year's Eve or something? Are we gonna see you before...\nRose: Nah.\nLoder: : No? None of that?\nRose: Nah!\nLoder: Why not?\nRose: Na-nah-na-nah!\nLoder: [Laughs] It could be fun.\nRose: [Laughs]\nLoder: Where are you going to be on New Year's Eve?\nRose: Have no idea.\nLoder: So we'll see you some time this new year, right? You will be around?\nRose: Yeah, we'll be around. I'm not working on all this to keep it buried. We plan on getting out there and doing it right. The new guys are a lot of fun, and like I say, we will be continuing to look for and or decide who the official new guitar player will be, but it's not that important to the band at this time, as that person's not really needed. There's not a whole lot for them to do at this time in regards to recording, as we've recorded [a] majority of material.\nLoder: But you continue to audition, right?\nRose: Yes, we do. Yes, we do, and there's some people who have done a really great job. It's just not something we're prepared to make a complete decision on at this time.\nLoder: Okay, well, we're dying to hear this stuff. I hope you get it out sometime real soon.\nRose: All right, man. Later.\nRe: 1999.11.08 - MTV - Axl Rose: A conversation with Kurt Loder\nby Soulmonster on Tue Mar 10, 2020 3:40 pm\nThe video doesn't correspond to the transcript. I assume the transcript is from a longer video that has now gone missing?\nby Blackstar on Tue Mar 10, 2020 3:47 pm\n@Soulmonster wrote: The video doesn't correspond to the transcript. I assume the transcript is from a longer video that has now gone missing?\nYes, this video is a recap of the interview.\nI think the full interview used to be on youtube, but I can't find it now.\nAh, great thing we got the transcript then, because this is pure gold.\nYeah, thankfully MTV had published the transcript besides the video, so at least we've got that.\nby Soulmonster on Sat Mar 14, 2020 7:18 am\nDuff would later comment on this interview:\nI want to say something against that MTV interview. He said the he likes the Seattle sound, but Slash and me hated the new music that comes out. It's stupid, but let me defend myself. I'm the one who brought ICE-T or Killing Joke etc. in the band and listened to other kind of music. I'm not a country boy from Indiana. I'm from Seattle!\nBurrn! Magazine, December 1999; translated from Japanese\nFree forum | Music | Rock, Punk, Alternative | © phpBB | Free forum support | Report an abuse | Forumotion.com","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1436407"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9436676502227783,"wiki_prob":0.9436676502227783,"text":"Government is set to make an announcement on South Africa’s lockdown restrictions this week, as the country continues to battle with a second wave of Covid-19 cases.\nSouth Africa moved to an adjusted level 3 lockdown on 28 December, including further restrictions on the sale of alcohol, a stricter curfew and limits on gatherings.\nPresident Cyril Ramaphosa in his announcement at the end of December said that these level 3 restrictions will remain in place until 15 January (Friday) at which time they will be reviewed based on the Covid-19 situation in the country.\nIn an interview this weekend, Ramaphosa said that the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) met last week to discuss the pandemic, with further provincial meetings held on Sunday.\nThe president said that government was concerned about the continuing spike in infections.\n\"Cabinet will look at some of the recommendations coming from our natjoints and health department. It is then that we will be able to make an announcement to the nation,\" he said.\nIn the initial stages of the virus, we locked down the country to prepare our health systems. Our health system is robust and it did withstand the infections then. But now this is now the second wave and we have a different variant.\"\nCooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma is also likely to extend the country’s state of disaster by a further month as it is set to end this week.\nSpeaking to the Sunday Times, health experts said that another spike in Covid-19 cases could be reduced if Gauteng is moved to lockdown level 4 for a period of 21 days.\nThey cited concerns around an anticipated influx of holidaymakers heading back home at the end of the festive season, which could lead to a spike in cases in the country over the next three to six weeks.\nThe University of Kwa-Zulu Natal’s Professor Mosa Moshabela said the effects of holiday travel were already being felt in Limpopo and Mpumalanga due to cross-border travel.\nHe said both the western Cape and KZN were approaching their peaks already, but Gauteng was still lagging behind.\n\"The most important thing right now is to stop new infections. Every new infection we prevent is less pressure on our limited resources – hospital beds, oxygen and our healthcare workers. If Gauteng has to move to level 4 for 21 days to prevent new infections, they should do it. We need everything at our disposal to stop new infections.\"\n\"Gauteng is so densely populated it’s already a superspreader event by design. I worry that cases in Gauteng are going to rise much higher than the peaks in KZN and the Western Cape, as we’ve already seen in the first surge.,\" he said.\nFullview has reported that some government officials are pushing for a level 4 lockdown at a national level, while other officials have called for the relaxation of some restrictions.\nCooperative Governance Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Police Minister Bheki Cele have recommended the country move to virus alert level 4 for 30 days, two people familiar with the matter said. They asked not to be identified as no decision has been taken.\nOther officials concerned about the impact harsher restrictions might have on the economy called for the relaxation of measures including the ban on alcohol sales and the closing of the nation’s beaches, the people said.\nOn Sunday South Africa reported 17,421 new cases, taking the total reported to 1,231,597. Deaths have reached 33,163 (a daily increase of 339), while recoveries have climbed to 966,368, leaving the country with a balance of 232,066 active cases.\nMore in this category: « COVID-19 Daily Update: SA's coronavirus cases rise to 1 231 597,with total deaths of 33 163. Livestream: State Capture Inquiry resumes to hear mining-related evidence. »","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line958781"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8606494069099426,"wiki_prob":0.8606494069099426,"text":"Freedman - Penalty proved decisive\nDougie Freedman says he has no complaints about the penalty decision that ultimately proved decisive in the weekend’s game at Ipswich.\nAfter a scramble in the area Andrew Lonergan upended David McGoldrick who duly slammed home the resulting spot kick.\nAll that after an encouraging opening 45 minutes in which Bolton’s attacking play impressed, with Lukas Jutkiewicz the focal point of the frontline.\n“Once again we’re on the end of a very disappointing result,” the manager said after the game.\n“Not for the first time we felt we were by far the better side in the opening 45 minutes. We competed very well and created four or five opportunities and it was a shame we didn’t take any of those.\n“At the start of the second half a rush of blood and a rash decision was the difference between the two teams. Aside from that, there wasn’t a lot in it.\n“We have no complaints about the penalty decision. That small moment won the game for Ipswich.\n“Unfortunately, that’s the way things have been going for us recently.\n“A disappointing thing from our point of view was the fact that we didn’t really create that much in the final 20 minutes when we were chasing the game.\n“It’s obviously a concern that we’re not winning games of football at this moment in time, but we’ve got a group of good players here.\n“We can’t let our heads go down. We have to make sure we keep the performance and commitment levels up.\n“We have a number of big games at home coming up this month and we have to be right at it from the off.”","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line927039"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9132387638092041,"wiki_prob":0.9132387638092041,"text":"An evening of comedy & laughter\nSlideshow tribute to ‘comedian’s comedian’ https://www.jimmycricket.co.uk/wp-content/themes/blade/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg 150 150 mhamer mhamer https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e3e9e71d9bef1ab16642587b224d590b?s=96&d=mm&r=g October 20, 2013 October 20, 2013\nSlideshow tribute to ‘comedian’s comedian’\nJohnnie Casson enjoys his own memories of Norman Collier. Pictures courtesy of OlsenParker photography\nJimmy Cricket was among several top entertainers who paid their last respects to legendary comedian Norman Collier in a special tribute show.\nThe event, called An evening of Comedy and Laughter, took place at the New Theatre in Hull in September.\nIt included Northern Irish funnyman Jimmy plus fellow stars Tom O’ Connor, Syd Little (of Little and Large), ventriloquist Roger De Courcey (plus Nookie Bear), Johnnie Casson and Robin Grumbleweed.\nNorman, who died in March this year aged 87, was born and bred in Hull and for most of his life lived in the nearby town of Brough.\nHe achieved popularity following television appearances in the 1970s and was best known for his ‘faulty microphone’ routine and his chicken impressions.\nNorman was highly regarded by many fellow comics, including Frank Carson and Les Dawson, and was described by Jimmy Tarbuck as ‘the comedian’s comedian’.\nRead more about Norman here.\nThe show was hosted by Norman’s son-in-law, John Ainsley, who was also the main organiser of the event.\nJimmy pays tribute\nJimmy Cricket said: “Suffice to say the theatre was packed to the rafters and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.\n“A sizeable amount of money was raised which will be given to Norman’s widow, Lucy.”\nEnjoy some nostalgia and watch Jimmy and Norman performing a chicken sketch together.\nAll pictures in the slideshow below are courtesy of OlsenParker photography which is based in Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire.\nhttps://www.jimmycricket.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/norman_collier1.mp4\nTribute to the late, great Norman Collier https://www.jimmycricket.co.uk/wp-content/themes/blade/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg 150 150 mhamer mhamer https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e3e9e71d9bef1ab16642587b224d590b?s=96&d=mm&r=g September 15, 2013 September 15, 2013\nTribute to the late, great Norman Collier\nJimmy Cricket is among a host of comedy greats paying tribute to the legendary Norman Collier on Monday night (16 September).\nThe show, An Evening of Comedy & Laughter to celebrate the life of Norman Collier, takes place at the New Theatre, Kingston Square, in Hull.\nThe comedian, who died in March this year aged 87, was born and bred in Hull and for most of his life lived in the nearby town of Brough.\nHe achieved popularity following television appearances in the 1970s. He was best known for his ‘faulty microphone’ routine and for his chicken impressions. Read more about him here.\nThis memorial event has been put together by John Ainslie, Norman’s son-in-law, and the line-up of entertainers taking part in the show includes comedians Tom O’Connor and Johnnie Casson, comic duo Little and Large, and ventriloquist Roger De Courcey with Nookie Bear.\nJimmy said: “Such a line-up is a really fitting tribute to Norman Collier, who was one of the nation’s finest comedians and who especially had a great talent for visual comedy.”","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1541617"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.677313506603241,"wiki_prob":0.677313506603241,"text":"HomeWalker, Alice\nBiography of Alice Walker\nAlice Walker was born on February 9, 1944, in Putnam County, Georgia. She is an accomplished American poet, novelist, and activist. Walker was the eighth and youngest child of Minnie Tallulah Grant Walker and Willie Lee Walker. Her father was a poor sharecropper who once remarked that Alice was \"wonderful at math but a terrible farmer.\" In the summer of 1952, Walker was blinded in her right eye by a BB gun pellet while playing with her brother. Alice grew up in an environment rife with racism and poverty, which, along with her passion for gender issues, remains a large part of her narratives.\nTo help send her to college, Walker's mother worked eleven-hour days as a maid for a meager seventeen dollars per week. Walker flourished in an academic environment. After two years at Spelman College, she received a scholarship to Sarah Lawrence College in New York. She became one of a chosen few young black students to attend the prestigious school. Walker was involved with many civil-rights demonstrations, and in 1962, she was invited to the home of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.\nAfter graduating in 1965, Walker became a social worker and teacher, while remaining heavily invested and involved in the Civil Rights Movement. As a writer in residence at Jackson State College and Tougaloo College, she taught poetry while working on her own poetry and fiction. She contributed to groundbreaking feminist Ms. magazine in the late '60s, writing a piece about the unappreciated work of African-American author Zora Neale Hurston. Her first novel, The Third Life of Grange Copeland, was published in 1970. Meridian, Walker's second novel, was published six years later.\nWalker wrote the critically acclaimed novel The Color Purple (1982), for which she won the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. The novel was adapted into an acclaimed film directed by Steven Spielberg in 1985, starring Whoopi Goldberg as protagonist Celie Harris. The novel and film trace Celie's life in the early-20th-century American south, and her struggles with poverty, racism, sexism, and violence, along with the female friendship that empowers her.\nWalker's work can be found in many popular anthologies of American fiction and poetry. She continues to be a prominent social and political activist.\nStudy Guides on Works by Alice Walker\nAlice Walker: Poetry Alice Walker\nAlice Walker is an African-American writer and active political advocate, known for her good-great works in fiction, non-fiction and poetry itself. She was born in 1944 in a small rural town in central Georgia, where her parents used to farmed the...\nThe Color Purple Alice Walker\nIn her preface to the Tenth Anniversary Edition of The Color Purple, Walker explains: “This book is the book in which I was able to express a new spiritual awareness, a rebirth into strong feelings of Oneness I realized I had experienced and taken...\nEveryday Use Alice Walker\nEveryday Use was first published in 1973 as part of the short story collection In Love and Trouble: Stories of Black Women. These stories span multi-generational periods and interconnect Black women from the American South, New York City and...\nThe Flowers Alice Walker\n\"The Flowers\" is a short story written by Alice Walker, published in 1973 as part of the collection In Love and Trouble: Stories of Black Women. It is only two pages long—565 words total. \"The Flowers\" describes the carefree life of Myop, a...\nIn Love & Trouble: Stories of Black Women Alice Walker\nIn Love and Trouble: Stories of Black Women is a collection of short stories written by the famous author Alice Walker. Alice Walker is an American writer, poet, and activist. She has written many books about black people and their sufferings. She...\nIn Search of Our Mothers' Gardens: Womanist Prose Alice Walker\nIn Search of Our Mothers' Gardens is Alice Walker's 1983 collection of 36 essays composed from 1966 and 1982. At the start of the collection, Walker coins the term \"womanist\", which refers to a black feminist or other feminist of color. The text...\nMeridian Alice Walker\nAlice Walker set to work on a new novel shortly after filing for divorce from her husband in 1976. In the three years since the publication of her short story collection In Love and Trouble, Walker had become a contributing editor at Ms. Magazine,...\nThe Temple of My Familiar Alice Walker\nThe Temple of My Familiar is a novel written by Alice Walker. It was published in 1989. The novel intertwines multiple narratives that are all intertwined with each other in the struggle to find moral truth. The narrator guides the reader through...","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1834722"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6708365082740784,"wiki_prob":0.32916349172592163,"text":"Encouraging the next generation of designers...\nTim Weston, Head of Design and Technology at Oakham School, has teamed up with black+blum to launch a NEW national product design competition for children aged 11–14. As well as having the chance to win an iPad, pupils who take part will also be able to develop their design-thinking skills – which are hugely in demand in tomorrow’s job market!\n\"We want to encourage and inspire the next generation of British product designers and engineers,” says Tim, who together with Dan Black, Co-Founder & Lead Designer at black+blum, created the competition. “Dan and I believe passionately in giving children the opportunity to think about product design and to foster design-thinking from an early age and we hope this competition will go some way to achieving this.”\nThe competition challenges children aged 11–14 to make food and drink ‘on-the-go’ products for their peers – to come up with solutions for how black+blum could expand its adult lunch range into the teen market. It encourages pupils to develop their consumer research skills, test their creativity and to create a mood board of their unique product idea. The competition also provides an opportunity for teenagers to really think about healthy eating and ways to reduce food and packaging waste – two things that are central to black+blum’s philosophy.\nOakham School’s renowned Design Technology Department regularly holds competitions for its pupils, to encourage and inspire pupils to design products. Having already successfully run a similar competition earlier this year for pupils at Oakham, Tim and Dan honed the idea further, to launch it onto a national stage and to enable as many pupils aged 11–14 to take part.\nThe competition ends on 30 April 2021 and there is a first prize of an iPad and runner up prizes of black+blum lunch boxes and water bottles. The design brief can be found here – which we hope you will share widely – so that many pupils across the country can benefit from taking part.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line955759"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6987037658691406,"wiki_prob":0.3012962341308594,"text":"Q&A: Joan Rivers Reveals How She's Stayed in Show Business\nBy Star Staff, February 28, 2014\nCredit: Photo by: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images\nAwards season is a busy time for Fashion Police host Joan Rivers, and she’ll have a lot of style judging to do after the Oscars this Sunday! Of course, the week leading up to the Academy Awards still means time to party, even for the busy 80-year-old, and on Wednesday, she attended Global Green USA’s 11th Annual Pre-Oscar Party.\nStar was on the red carpet and caught up with Joan about the big show and how she’s managed to stay relevant in show business after so many years. Of course, the funny lady couldn’t get through our entire interview without cracking a few jokes, too!\nHow do you stay environmentally friendly?\nHow can you not if you have any kind of a conscious? You reuse your towels a little bit more, you unplug your TVs when you’re not watching them, you reuse plastic bags. I mean, just use your head! Plastic surgery is very good, too.\nHow have you managed to stay in show business for so long?\nI have made sure to reinvent myself and my career every four years, at least. That’s the trick and that’s the secret. You have to in this business! In our business, you just always have to keep thinking ahead. It’s a very temperamental business.\nWho do you get most excited to see on the Oscars red carpet?\nI like to see the great ones. Meryl Streep works it. Tom Hanks after the way he was in Captain Phillips, in that last scene. The ones that really are actors. I really get crazy about the actors. I’m also really looking forward to seeing Shirley Temple. I should come early!\nWhat is your favorite red carpet moment to date?\nJulia Roberts came up to me and she’s got great humor. She came up to me on the red carpet about eight years ago and said, “Take a look and say it to my face!” And you just love her for that. Say it to my face!","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line446294"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.832547664642334,"wiki_prob":0.832547664642334,"text":"Looper column: ‘AKA Jane Roe’: The Norma McCorvey story\nFX Networks (a Walt Disney Company) is about to release the documentary “AKA Jane Roe,” the story of Norma McCorvey, the woman whose challenge of Texas law led to the 1973 U.S. Court ruling that struck down many state and federal abortion laws.\nMs. McCorvey was 21, unmarried and pregnant for the third time when she was referred to lawyers Sarah Weddington and Linda Coffee, who were looking for a way to challenge and overturn Texas’s abortion laws. That was in 1969. Long before the case reached the Supreme Court, McCorvey’s baby had been born and given up for adoption.\nIn the mid-1990s, McCorvey made a very public conversion to Christianity, was baptized in a nationally televised event, left her job at an abortion clinic and became a very public anti-abortion advocate. She published a book in 1998, recounting her conversion and continued protesting abortion for more than two decades.\nA few months before her death, however, she made another highly publicized, filmed for television “deathbed confession,” as she called it, saying that her anti-abortion advocacy was all an act. She said she was paid handsomely (FX puts is around $500,000) to say the things she had said and claimed it made no difference to her whether “a young woman wants to have an abortion.”\nMs. McCorvey went on to say proudly that she was “a good actress,” then added, “Of course, I am not acting now.” But who knows? She had played the actress so frequently in her life, it is possible she could no longer tell whether she was acting or not.\nBefore being referred to the lawyers who took her case to the Supreme Court, McCorvey tried to get a legal abortion by claiming she had been gang-raped by a group of black men. The investigation, however, was dropped for lack of evidence, and McCorvey later admitted it was all an act.\nIt would be easy to attack Ms. McCorvey’s character, but that would be a mistake. She was a person, created and loved by God, who had been subjected to abuse and manipulation throughout her life. Her mother was an alcoholic, reputed to be violent. Her father abandoned the family. She was made a ward of the state at age 11 and was repeatedly institutionalized.\nMcCorvey was misused again and again. Her mother tricked her into giving up her daughter for adoption. Her attorneys took her case because they saw her as a tool for overturning abortion laws. The evangelical Christians she met in the mid-90s saw her as a tool for reversing Roe v. Wade. Did the executives at Disney see her as a tool for bolstering ratings?\nMercenary TV executives and lawyers are so common as to be cliché. It is the religious people in this story who sadden and repulse me. Somehow, they thought it was morally acceptable to manipulate a woman who had been manipulated her entire life. They thought they could somehow exploit a human being in the name of Jesus.\nWhat they did was outrageous. It was sinful. The Rev. Rob Schenck, who has himself made a very public about-face on abortion, was one of those involved. He now says: “I knew what we were doing … and I wondered: ‘Is she playing us?’ What I didn’t have the guts to say was: ‘Because I know … we’re playing her.’”\nI oppose abortion and expect that future Americans (including the irreligious) will too. They will look on this period in our history with bewilderment and think it barbaric: the bad old days of racial hatred, wars, and millions upon millions of elective abortions.\nAbortion stains our history. Nevertheless, if it took but a single lie or act of exploitation to end abortion, it would be wrong to do so. Jesus himself would not do it. Abortion will never be legislated out of existence, though legislation is needed. It will never be shamed out of existence - that has already been tried. It will only be loved out of existence and that is the work of the church.\nI wonder: What would Norman McCorvey’s life have been like had she been loved at age 11 rather than institutionalized? No one knows but, perhaps, things would have been different.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line946892"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9683657288551331,"wiki_prob":0.9683657288551331,"text":"Dug In 1844\nNew York Boasts Oldest Subway Ever\nIt took New York history buff Bob Diamond eight months of research and some crawling around in dark spooky places, but in 1980, after hearing about its possible existence on a radio show, he found a sealed-up railway tunnel under Brooklyn.\nSince then, the half-mile-long tunnel with its standard gauge railroad tracks, has gone on the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest subway tunnel in the world, even though it was never built for subway use.\nDiamond promoted the project and got some backing. The Brooklyn Historic Railway Association was formed in 1982 to preserve, publicize and provide public access to the historic tunnel. In 1989 the tunnel was registered as a protected historic site by the National Register of Historic Places.\nKnown as the Atlantic Avenue Tunnel, it was built in 1844 to allow the Long Island Railroad trains operating between Boston and New York to safely enter the city without killing people and animals in the street. Or so the story is told.\nDiamond gave up his studies as an engineering student to devote his life to restoring and maintaining the tunnel. But in recent years he has been battling with the city over efforts to build a proper entrance, to continue offering public tours and even entering the tunnel. It has been a legal fight apparently involving safety issues since the site is located directly below one of the busiest hubs of the city.\nThe trains followed the tunnel under the riverfront area that is now Brooklyn Heights and Cobble Hill, now among the more densely populated parts of the city. The concept of driving a steam engine and train through an underground tunnel was so new to the railroads in 1944 it was said a man riding a horse always preceded the train through the dark tunnel.\nThe tunnel was sealed in 1861 after Brooklyn banned steam locomotives within city limits. Sealed with it, Diamond believes, was an historic circa-1836 “Hicksville” steam locomotive that was retired from service in 1848 and parked in an adjoining tunnel that Diamond was never able to enter. A scan by a magnetometer in 2011 revealed a massive metallic object the size of a steam engine located where Diamond believes it was buried. Excavation of the site has been denied by the city.\nTo get to the tunnel, Diamond persuaded the local gas company to open a manhole at the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Court Street. Equipped with an oxygen tank, he found his way through a two-foot gap under the street and crawled about 50 feet where he reached a concrete wall, plugged with bricks and stones. He used a crowbar to open a way through and entered a giant chamber. Diamond and his friends build a staircase leading down into the tunnel from there to accommodate visitors.\nBetween 1982 and 2010, before the city banned access to the tunnel, Diamond offered public tours. It is said that thousands of people, including local police and fire fighters, followed him into the abyss. To get there, everyone entered the manhole, climbed down a ladder, then crawled through the shaft, then through a tiny doorway that opened to the staircase.\nDiamond has always sought to restore a public entrance to the tunnel, restore the passageway and make it part of a new trolley line, and build a museum around the tunnel’s history. Digging up the historic locomotive would be part of the museum.\nIt appears that modern political issues, fear of litigation and other matters are preventing Diamond’s dream from becoming reality.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1615262"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9480850696563721,"wiki_prob":0.9480850696563721,"text":"Photo: Win McNamee/Getty ImagesPhoto: Win McNamee/Getty Images\n“They Pray to the Money”; House Republicans Decry Speaker John Boehner’s Lobbyist-Friendly Congress\nTwo House Republicans who joined the attempted ouster of Speaker John Boehner last week say their main issue is how much he caters to moneyed interests.\nLast week’s surprise bid by a group of House Republicans to oust Speaker John Boehner wasn’t about Boehner’s ideology, two members of the would-be rebellion said in a radio interview Thursday. It was about how Boehner uses congressional power to raise money over the interests of individual legislators.\n“He’s not a policy leader. He’s a political leader. He knows how to raise money,” Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., told North Carolina radio host Tyler Cralle. “We have allowed the money to control policy in Washington, D.C.”\nRep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., another lawmaker who tried to oust Boehner, said the media is wrong to portray the fight as the Tea Party versus the establishment, or some other ideological battle.\n“The lobbyists in Washington, D.C. are not ideologues. They have no ideology,” Massie said with a laugh. Cralle suggested that lobbyists do believe in making money. “Well, that’s their god, too, that’s what they pray to, the money,” Massie said.\nThe fundamental issue, Massie continued, is about who has the power in Congress. Massie argued that the Founding Fathers never intended for the American people to be “represented by the moneyed class in Washington, D.C.”\nListen to Massie and Jones explain their opposition to Boehner on the Tyler Cralle show below:\nWhen Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., offered a controversial resolution on July 28 that condemned Speaker Boehner for seeking to “consolidate power and centralize decisionmaking, bypassing the majority,” it came as a surprise, and many members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus were quick to ridicule it as a waste of time. Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif., a member of the caucus, called it the “dumbest idea I’ve seen here.”\nThe resolution did attract support from a handful of legislators, including Massie, Jones, and Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla.\nEarlier this year, Massie alleged that GOP leaders had distributed a “do not give list” to lobbyists in order to choke off campaign funding to lawmakers perceived as disloyal to Speaker Boehner.\nMassie, who voted against electing Boehner as speaker in January, has also upset party leaders with his push to end surveillance programs. Massie joined with fellow civil libertarian Rep. Justin Amash, R-Mich., to stand guard in the House of Representatives to ensure that provisions of the Patriot Act expired on June 1. They promised to object to any short-term extension of the program.\nJones is one of the few Republican lawmakers in office who has consistently voted in favor of greater campaign finance disclosure and stronger regulations for the financial industry, and the only House GOP member to vote this year to support publicly financed elections. Jones is known for his sharp criticism of foreign wars and the influence of money in politics.\nLast year, GOP leaders backed a campaign by a Wall Street consultant named Taylor Griffin to run against Jones in the Republican primary. Though over $1 million in Super PAC and dark money campaign funds flooded the district in support of Griffin, Jones prevailed. Jones is expected to face another establishment-backed candidate next year.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line70303"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7116947174072266,"wiki_prob":0.7116947174072266,"text":"Rush CEO Receives 2020 President’s Science and Technology Medal\nDr. K. Ranga Rama Krishnan honored for leading medical school and helping found medical centre\nHome Rush Content Hub Rush CEO Receives 2020 President’s Science and Technology Medal\nResearch December 22, 2020\nDr. K. Ranga Rama Krishnan, CEO of Rush University System for Health, has been awarded the President's Science and Technology Award, Singapore’s highest honor for research scientists and engineers.\nPresented by the president of Singapore, Halimah Yacob, the award recognizes and celebrates outstanding contributions to research and development in Singapore. Recognized for his central role in laying the foundations for the SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Krishnan also was honored for his leadership during his tenure as dean of the Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore from 2008 to 2015.\nThe award also highlights Krishnan’s work in strengthening academic medicine and translational and clinical research, as well as the promotion of technology transfer and entrepreneurship to enhance health and support economic development in Singapore.\nThe President’s Science and Technology Medal is awarded to outstanding individuals who have made distinguished, sustained and exceptional contributions and played a strategic role in the development of Singapore through the promotion and management of research and development. The prestige of the President’s award underpins Singapore’s efforts to raise the level of excellence in research and strengthen the growing community of scientific talent in Singapore.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line190459"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.755814254283905,"wiki_prob":0.755814254283905,"text":"« Jonno's word: Morgan can sharpen Blades but Bournemouth are the team to watch in League One | Main | Jonno's word: Consistent Cardiff rewarded for giving Mackay time »\nThe talking point: Johnson v Johnson is much more than just a family affair\nBy Joe Ridge (@JoeRidge87)\nAs soon as Lee Johnson was appointed Oldham manager on March 18 fans and journalists alike were checking the fixture list to see if and when he would come up against his dad Gary, the Yeovil manager.\nWell, that date arrives on Tuesday evening when Gary's Glovers travel to Boundary Park for their npower League One clash with Lee's Latics.\nYes, it's father v son, Johnson and Johnson, a headline-writer's dream - but there is much more to this fixture than the family connotations. It falls at a pivotal time of the season for both sides.\nPromotion dream: Gary Johnson has Yeovil challenging at the top of League One\nOldham are in serious danger of relegation into the fourth tier. They are just two points clear of Scunthorpe, who occupy the final relegation place.\nThey do have a game in hand on the Iron, but they have a tougher run-in. Oldham's final two games of the season are away from home - at Shrewsbury and Leyton Orient - and next up at Boundary Park it is Crawley, who have lost just one game in 11, on Saturday.\nThe toughest game of the lot though, on paper at least, will be on Tuesday night.\nYeovil have been the surprise package in League One this year. The perennial strugglers sit fourth in the table and are just five points from Bournemouth in the second automatic promotion place with a game in hand.\nWith a trip to already-relegated Bury on the last day coming after they welcome mid-table Crewe to Huish Park next week, promotion is a real possibility for the Somerset club.\nA draw won't suit either Johnson.\nScunthorpe will be hopeful of three points at Bury on Tuesday night and Yeovil's promotion rivals Sheffield United, Brentford and Swindon can all add three points to their tallies on the same night.\nFor all the quirks that this fixture throws up, at least one Johnson will have their season hanging on tenterhooks by the end of the night.\nThat is not to say that Yeovil expected a promotion challenge by any stretch of the imagination, but having set the pace all season long they will not want to fall at the final hurdle.\nRelegation battle: Lee (kicking ball) is in his first managerial post\nGary's side will be favourites heading into the game. Yeovil have won their last three fixtures and possess the league's top scorer in Paddy Madden.\nLee - the youngest manager in England at 31 - has got off to a solid if not spectacular start at Boundary Park. Oldham have picked up eight points from a possible 18 under his stewardship, but his only two wins have come against the bottom two sides in League One, Bury and Hartlepool.\nAnother twist in the tale is Lee's status as a Yeovil legend. He made 191 appearances for the club as a midfielder between 2001 and 2006 and was instrumental in their rise from non-league to League One, where they have remained since.\nGary, 57, is seeing his stock rise once more after he endured torrid times at both Peterborough and Northampton.\nThe man who took a Bristol City side including Lee to the Championship play-off final in 2008 appears to have found his mojo again - how ironic it would be if it was his son who was to throw a spanner in the works.\nLee said of his Dad recently: 'I've lived with my dad for 20 years as a manager and I've lived through almost every decision he's made.'\nThey will certainly be living through each other's decisions on Tuesday night.\nApril 15, 2013 Comments (0) | Permalink","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1841973"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7036418914794922,"wiki_prob":0.7036418914794922,"text":"Lou Mitchell's, Chicago, Illinois\nLou Mitchell's restaurant has earned it's nickname \"the first stop on the Mother Road\" due it's huge popularity with Route 66 roadies. Many folks stop at Lou Mitchell's for a good breakfast and a caffeine injection prior to heading off on their Route 66 adventure. The restaurant is known for it's quality food and generous portions making it popular with locals and tourists alike.\nIn 1958 the restaurant added a new service that embodied their sense of fun - free donut holes for all and boxes of milk duds for the ladies and children! There's often a line waiting out of the door but don't worry, the line moves fast and the free donut holes really help!\nEstablished in 1949, Lou Mitchell's is a true icon of Route 66. With the obvious exceptions of the kitchen and bathrooms, the interior has been largely preserved in it's original style. The dining area retains it's original black and white terrazo flooring and most of the dining and counter areas remain unchanged.\nSince Lou Mitchell’s is known for its breakfast and lunch you'll find that it's not open past 4pm on any given day. The lunch service begins at 10.30am but the breakfast can be ordered at any time.\nLou Mitchell's was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2006.\nVisit their website.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1964291"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9756234288215637,"wiki_prob":0.9756234288215637,"text":"FIFA launches internal probe\nSoccer’s world governing body FIFA has launched an internal investigation of alleged corruption, two people familiar with the matter said, in a development that may signal greater cooperation with criminal probes by U.S. and Swiss authorities.\nMembers of FIFA’s executive committee were briefed on the internal investigation at a closed-door meeting in Zurich last month, said the sources, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity.\nQuinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, a U.S. law firm, is conducting the investigation, which is running parallel to the probes by authorities in the United States and Switzerland, the sources said. The results of the investigation are expected to be shared with the authorities, they added.\nFIFA was thrown into turmoil in May when U.S. prosecutors announced the indictment of nine current and former soccer officials, many of whom had FIFA positions, and five sports marketing executives. Prosecutors said the 14 corrupted the sport by agreeing to more than $150 million in bribes and kickbacks for media and marketing rights.\nIt was previously known only that FIFA had hired Quinn Emanuel to represent its interests during the U.S. and Swiss investigations. Reuters was not able to determine what stage the internal investigation had reached or how long it would take.\nFIFA is cooperating with authorities and will not comment on ongoing investigations, said a spokeswoman for the Zurich-based organization.\n“We are dedicated to improving the organization, and will continue to strengthen FIFA’s governance and accountability. Our work in this area continuously evolves, and we are focused on achieving the highest standards for the international football community,” the spokeswoman said in a statement.\nRepresentatives with the world’s six continental soccer confederations either declined to comment or did not respond to requests for comment. Top former officials from the two confederations in the Americas are among those who have been indicted by the U.S.\nIn the corporate world, an internal investigation like this is a common practice if a company could be the target of U.S. prosecutors. By launching its own investigation, often run by a big law firm, a company can try to show it is committed to cooperating with authorities and wants to get to the bottom of a problem.\n“One thing to understand about these internal investigations is how de rigueur they are. Really, every company does them,” said Michael Fine, an anti-bribery and compliance expert at the New York consulting firm LRN.\nIn exchange for voluntarily disclosing wrongdoing, a company may get treated more leniently when the U.S. Justice Department is deciding whether to bring charges and seek fines, according to official guidelines published by the department.\nU.S. authorities have said their investigation is continuing and that additional people could be indicted. A Justice Department spokeswoman declined to comment on FIFA’s internal investigation.\nWORLD CUP AWARDS\nThe Swiss criminal investigation into possible corruption in soccer is specifically targeting the award of the World Cup hosting rights to Russia for 2018 and to Qatar for 2022. It is at an earlier stage than the U.S. investigation.\nQuinn Emanuel lawyers in their presentation to FIFA’s executive committee last month made clear that they are reporting to FIFA’s general counsel, Marco Villiger, not to FIFA President Sepp Blatter or Secretary General Jerome Valcke, the sources said. Villiger has been the director of legal affairs at FIFA since 2007 and previously was the head of disciplinary matters.\nIt is not clear how the election of a new FIFA president at a meeting scheduled for February would affect the internal investigation.\nBlatter and Valcke have both been widely criticized for their handling of the corruption crisis enveloping FIFA, and Blatter has said he will not run in the February election. Swiss prosecutors have said Blatter and Valcke may be summoned for questioning, and sources have told Reuters that the FBI is examining their stewardship of FIFA as part of its probe.\nBlatter is fully cooperating with the internal investigation, his U.S. lawyer Richard Cullen said. A lawyer for Valcke did not immediately respond to a request for comment.\nAlthough authorities have so far described FIFA as a victim of the alleged corruption, the organization itself could still be added as a defendant at the discretion of prosecutors, especially if they believe FIFA is not fully cooperating as a victim would, according to lawyers with expertise in complex criminal cases.\nA senior U.S. prosecutor, Assistant Attorney General Leslie Caldwell, said in a speech in April before the FIFA case became public that generally the government expects cooperation to be timely and complete.\n“We expect cooperating companies to identify culpable individuals – including senior executives if they were involved – and provide the facts about their wrongdoing,” Caldwell said.\nFIFA had a rocky experience with an earlier internal investigation by Michael Garcia of Kirkland & Ellis, another U.S. law firm. Garcia quit his job as FIFA’s ethics investigator in December in protest at the way FIFA handled his report on allegations of corruption in awarding the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.\nGarcia’s report, which has not been made public, had limited evidentiary value for authorities because Garcia had no subpoena power and did not take sworn testimony, a source told Reuters in June.\nU.S. prosecutors could eventually turn to a court-appointed monitor to try to ensure that FIFA cleans up its act, a tactic they have used with organizations as diverse as major banks and labor unions, according to attorneys with expertise in such matters.(Reuters)\nUS vows to end graft in FIFA\nIndia Sink to Shocking Defeat in First Test\nWe don’t know how one could fix a match\nJun 21, 2020 eyeadmin\nWaqar, Amir Khan laud Sri Lanka\nOct 31, 2017 eyeadmin\nPakistan welcomes end of isolation","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1307142"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8871358036994934,"wiki_prob":0.8871358036994934,"text":"Donald Trump Jr. (Source:Donald Trump Jr. / Twitter)\nAt the Wednesday rally in Washington D.C., shortly before seditionists stormed the Capitol and rioted at the suggestion of the President, Donald Trump Jr. needlessly attacked transgender athletes in an expletive-ridden speech, NBC News reports.\nTrump Jr. thanked those in attendance for \"being in this fight with us... standing up to the bullshit\" — presumably a reference to his father's loss of the Presidency in the most recent, and found to be legitimate, Presidential election.\nHe then pivoted toward negative remarks about a recent study on transgender athletes that found, according to NBC News, \"transgender women retain an athletic advantage over their cisgender peers even after a year of hormone treatment.\"\nInaccurately claiming the study was funded by Democrats — a standard of the Trumps' approach to vilifying for their supporters anything remotely liberal — Trump Jr. further misled the seditionists by saying, \"They spent money on a study that came to the incredible conclusion yesterday that trans women playing female sports have a competitive advantage.\"\n\"No shit! Who could have seen that coming?\"\nA report published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, NBC New says, \"showed transgender women were able to do 10 percent more pushups and 6 percent more situps in the first two years after starting estrogen and testosterone blockers.\"\nTimothy Roberts, lead author of the study, said neither the Democratic Party nor anyone else had funded the report. \"This was done in addition to our normal duties as a service to our patients.\" Data was gathered by Roberts and colleagues from existing \"medical records and fitness test evaluations of U.S. Air Force members who started or continued transition-related treatment while still in service,\" NBC notes.\nSaying he was flattered Trump Jr. chose \"to recognize and promote our work,\" Roberts also said \"There's a whole lot of people playing recreational sports, and very few people get to be pros, so just let them play.\" Furthermore, Roberts added, \"I encourage everyone to read the article for a more nuanced view of our findings.\"\nAt the same rally, Trump Jr. complained that the U.S. is giving \"$10 million to Pakistan on gender studies ... and billions elsewhere that is driven by the insanity of the left.\"\n\"Nobody cares how you identify, but you don't have to do the nonsense that follows,\" he said and then asked why feminists weren't up in arms, \"as men are dominating women's sports\" — Trump Jr.'s reference to \"men\" an intentional, and again standard for the Trumps and anti-LGBTQ Republicans, misgendering of trans people.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line285813"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5330599546432495,"wiki_prob":0.5330599546432495,"text":"A Unique Maison\nOur mindset\nOur history in stories\nThe Louis Vuitton experience\nConnected with passion\nOne Maison, 14 universes\nTailormade careers\nCustomized mobility\nJoin our Maison\nThe Recruitment Journey\nYour next journey starts here\nArticle-reading-time\nBehind the scenes of our eco-designed windows\nHow our teams are innovating\nPassing on excellence: the future of our savoir-faire\n16 workshops in France\n10 spoken languages at the Maison Vendôme\nWarm wishes from #LouisVuitton. May the new year bring you and your loved ones an abundance of good cheer.\nDiscover all our job offers\nA dreamy perception. #UrsFischer’s new Monogram seems to float and move before the eyes. Explore the entire collection via link in bio.\n@ursfischerstudio\nAll LVMH Celebrates Pride Month\nLouis Vuitton Americas Produces Face Masks\nFrom Client Advisor to Senior Merchandising Manager\nH I feel as though all these experiences have really made me who I am. They've built on each other.\nMy name is Rebecca.\nI started my career 15 years ago in Columbus, Ohio. I started out as a client advisor for the store there part-time.\nI was kind of the weekend closer person because I was in school for full-time during the week. It was a great experience because when I was there, I had all those moments of high traffic clienteling coming in. I was able to build a lot of strong relationships. I think that's when I first realized what luxury was.\nFrom Colombus, I've held a few different roles. I think my next major city I went to was Chicago. Then a few years after Chicago, I made my way up to New York.\nWhen I moved to New York for Vuitton, I actually came in as a Team Universe Manager for a men's store. I opened the first men's store we had here in North America. That was amazing.\nI think always when I do mobility and I changed roles that the first three months are a little challenging. It's very exciting as much as it can be a bit uncomfortable to start over or to move to a city. For example, when I moved to Chicago, I knew no one. I just picked up and moved from Ohio to Chicago for this new experience. Not only was I learning the ins and outs of a new store, a new team, but then I was also really learning my new life. I feel now as change comes, whether it's within my personal or my professional life, I'm usually pretty receptive.\nI managed a project that we worked on the collaboration with Supreme. From a merchandising standpoint, I was the lead of the project.\nWe were quite transparent on things. Because we did this collaboration with an outside streetwear brand, we had to be more agile. Everything was a bit top secret until the last moment. It made it very, very fun. It was definitely something that I will never forget.\nI've really tried to work hard on taking advantage of every moment, not only whether it's having fun in a team building situation, or staying very late nights in a buying session while we're in Paris, or working with a VIC client. I feel as though all these experiences have really made me who I am. They've built on each other.\nI think sometimes when we think about mobility, and when we hear about mobility with outside companies, it's very fast moving. Mobility happens in these companies within a year, within eight months, within two years maximum. That's not always the case in Vuitton. I actually appreciate that because I think we get to learn our roles much better. I feel very lucky because I have retail experience for 11 years I was in store. Now, I've also had corporate experience through merchandising, where I get to work with many different teams.\nIt's a very unique and diverse role that I'm now in that I feel as though it could take me anywhere. I can't say what my next step will be, but I'm sure it will be equally as exciting to what I've experienced so far.\nRebecca, Merchandising Manager\nFrom Store Manager to Retail Trainer\nIf you have a track record of proven performance, if you’re hungry to learn and to improve, then you should raise your hand. I took that seriously and I thought “I think he’s talking to me”.\nMy name is Aaron.\nI started my career at Louis Vuitton in November of 2010, so a week before Thanksgiving, as the store manager for the shops at the Bravern in Seattle, Washington.\nIt was a smaller intimate team, I was one of seven and really, really enjoyed delving into Louis Vuitton. It’s something the magic that you feel when you first start working there but I got to experience a lot in those first three years.\nI remember we had a sales meeting in San Francisco in 2013, and we had a general session, and one of the store managers stood up and ask about mobility. Mr. Burke said, “I hear what you’re saying sometimes you will have to move away from your friends and your family to grow yourself and stretch yourself. (…) If you have a track record of proven performance, if you’re hungry to learn and to improve, then you should raise your hand.” I took that seriously and I thought “I think he’s talking to me”. I went home, and I raise my hand and through conversations and some interviewing I took a position in San Francisco as the team manager for leather goods and accessories.\nI was in San Francisco for about two years, and then I had an opportunity to come to the corporate side. I always felt that as a store manager we train and we coach on the daily basis, but I thought it would be interesting to focus that energy full time as a retail learning manager, so I audition for the position and I got the job and I moved again to Los Angeles. I keep making jokes at this rate I’m going to – if I keep moving south I’m going to be in Mexico, I’m going to keep moving further down. I’m very happy in LA and so I’ve been the retail learning manager in base out of LA for the west coast since 2015.\nThe stores are such a vibrant fast fanatic places and to understand the business right there in the frontlines with our clients, with our store teams gave me tremendous insight when it comes to being a retail learning manager. Is the training relevant? Will this work? How will this scale?\nThings happen, and sometimes I have to correct or pivot it different way to make sure that the learning is really happening.\nThere’s a lot of magic when it comes to training, there’s that sugar high that you get, and it will wear off.\nI love unlocking potential through facilitation, I love it when the light bulbs go on and people see how they can go further with something.\nAaron, Senior Retail Learning Manager\nFrom London to Tokyo\nI’ve never felt like it’s been almost 15 years being in this Maison. There’s never a moment where you think “this is not possible or it’s impossible”.\nMy name is Mayuko. My current position is Vice President for Merchandising and VM (Visual Merchandising).\nSo this means managing two departments.\nThe first one involves really starting from the first part of the product cycle, where we see the products in the showroom in Paris, and we work on what is best for Japan in terms of product offer, what we want to do in terms of strategy. So, of course, we receive the general strategy and what we want to do as a brand, but then we try to filter, and we digest things, we try to see what that means for our zone. And then after the buys and assortments being made in Paris, we take that back into Japan where we work also with the Visual Merchandising team to see how that will roll out in store.\nI started my career in 2003 in the New Bond Street store in London.\nI was extremely lucky to work within the Watch & Jewelry team, the Visual Merchandising team, the after-sales team and the leather goods team. So it was an extremely fulfilling challenge, and really created the base of my career within Louis Vuitton.\nThe journey has been extremely smooth, and yet full of different things happening along the way. So first starting from New Bond Street in the store, this was for about six months, and then I was in the head office in London, and I was representing the UK, Scandinavia and Ireland for Regional Products Merchandising Manager. After one year, I was in the Paris office, in the Europe zone, where I had many different experiences: first within the ready-to-wear team, and then working in the accessories team, where we built merchandising and accessories, which was not existent then, and then moving on to leather goods. That’s when I was also weighing out the fact that I’m Japanese, and I’d actually never lived in Japan before, so due to personal reasons, I wanted to be closer to my family.\nAnd what was quite amazing is that of course we are LVMH, we are Louis Vuitton, so there was this amazing chance to be able to move by mobility, which is how I moved into Louis Vuitton Japan, to become Merchandising Manager for leather goods.\nAnd then there was an opportunity within LVMH still, but in FENDI, this time in Hong Kong, when I then moved back after a year to Tokyo, within a brand outside of LVMH.\nHowever, 2½ years ago there was this wonderful opportunity to be the Vice President of Merchandising here, which I gladly took because it’s really maximizing the experiences that I’ve had so far within all product categories. So this is how I came back to Louis Vuitton in Tokyo.\nWhat keeps me excited within Louis Vuitton is that you’re on a treadmill; it doesn’t stop. I’ve never felt like it’s been almost 15 years being in this Maison. I guess we go through so many changes, so many different things happening, so many new challenges coming on board, that we really do never stop.\nThere’s never a moment where you think “this is not possible or it’s impossible”, because there’s always a way to then look at something differently. There’s no set career plan in the sense that once you join the Maison you start with A and then it’s B, C, D. It depends on what happens afterwards to then determine what could be the path.\nObviously, when you spend more than ten years in a company or when you work extremely closely - because sometimes in the showrooms in Paris, for example during the buying sessions, we are together from 8 o’clock in the morning until midnight - it’s extremely tough mentally and physically. So that’s when you have that one moment when you’re parting, when you have your farewell goodbyes, that you really have made not only solid professional relationships, but really good friendships: a lot of trust, a lot of connections with people beyond just Louis Vuitton and merchandising.\nMayuko, Vice President Merchandising, Louis Vuitton Japan\npage:1 | page:2 | page:3 | page:4 | page:5 | page:6\nSpanish International","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line225102"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6680862307548523,"wiki_prob":0.3319137692451477,"text":"Interviews Lotus Crush\nRock n' roll veterans Lotus Crush best known from The Voice, Driveblind, Candlebox and Jimmy’s Chicken Shack, released their sophomore album \"Rabbit Hole\", with great success. Frontman vocalist Terry McDermott discusses the album and some backstory on the band.\n1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.\nTerry: Pete and Scott are best known for being founding members of a multi-platinum American rock band: Candlebox. When I came to the US I was in a band called Driveblind from my hometown, Aberdeen, Scotland. We were on Geffen Records and I think we toured 10 months in 2006. Four of them were with Candlebox. That’s how I met Pete and Scott. We were kind of “Candlewho?” since we were from the UK and missed the fact these guys were selling millions and millions of records. When I saw these guys play for the first time when we joined the tour, I knew they were the real deal. Pete shared some demos he’d knocked together for another project he had going and I instantly heard overtones of The Verve, Pink Floyd and The Shore. We found a common love of these bands when we talked more and I guess that was the seed for Lotus Crush. Island Styles and Mark Mattrey have joined more recently but both are serious players. Real bad ass musicians. Mark played bass on all of Rabbit Hole and came highly recommended by the co-producer. He was so bloody good we asked him to join the band.\n2. Why did you pick the name Lotus Crush?\nTerry: We tossed the hand grenade of naming the band around FOREVER. I think all bands do, but when we recorded our first album Half Light Morning, there were all kinds of talented friends chipping in here and there to help move the record on. All with same attitude, all hopelessly addicted to making music and scraping by. We joked about the Lotus eaters of Greek mythology being a good analogy for the poor souls we counted ourselves amongst. A “crush” would you believe, is also a group of something. Hence, Lotus Crush.\n3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?\nTerry: The band was formed in Seattle, the label is based in Seattle and most of the members are from Seattle. Which I get a kick out of, because I never imagined when I was coming up in Scotland that I’d be in a Seattle band. I spend a lot of time up there and have done since Pete and I formed the band. It’s kind of like a weird second home and I have people there that I think of like family. I love the musical vibrancy of the city. It’s co-operative but with healthy competition. And of course it has a glittering history of producing great music. I’ve caught a few killer acts up there. I remember seeing Cody Beebe and thinking “ok….this place has got some players.” I think the best live rock show I’ve ever seen was in Seattle, but it was Scottish band Biffy Clyro at The Crocodile Cafe so my country gets that point not Seattle. Ha!\n4. How would you describe your style? Which bands influenced your music?\nTerry: We’re half indie band, half space rock band. You can hear all the influences like Floyd and The Verve in there, and I think in more recent years I’ve personally been shaped by harder edge British indie bands. I’ve yet seen someone sum us up and thought “yeah….that’s it” so I love when people toss names out there.\n5. What can people expect from Rabbit Hole, why should they be interested and check it out?\nTerry: This is the best record I’ve ever been part of. It felt like it HAD to happen. Sometimes the timing sucks and you’ve got great songs but not the opportunity to make a great record. In this case we got both. I wanted to talk about the fucked up world we live in and the elephant in the room about the world turning to shit….and other such light hearted topics. I think the musical vision, coupled with the content is pretty damn concise and the way we wanted it to be. Oh….and it SOUNDS awesome.\n6. Do you play live as well? What do you have planned in terms of shows and touring, if any?\nTerry: I’m typing this in between packing for our European tour. We’ll get a few weeks off and then we tour the US. We’ve got a second video coming out around then too (Death From Above). It’s going to be a busy year. The people in our team are all believers. They’ve heard the record. They know what we’re trying to bring to the audience out there. Have songs. Will travel.\n7. What should labels/zines/promoters know about your band? Why should they be interested in it?\nTerry: We’re a Scottish/American misfit creature of a band with a bizarre roller coaster past and these are real songs. This is a real album. That might sound obvious, but I’m tired of hearing style over content. I’ll take the Pepsi challenge with anything out there. I don’t believe we dropped the ball on a single song. There’s heart and soul all over them. If you don’t like it we’ll give you your money back* (*that last bit was actually a lie).\n8. What plans do you have for the future as a band?\nTerry: We plan to be the Scottish/American touring equivalent of Cain from the TV show Kung Fu. We’re just going to roam the earth but instead of using martial arts to fight injustice, we’re bringing songs about how much deep shit we’re all in to people’s ears. That’s kind of the plan.\n9. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?\nTerry: You need not roam the earth. We’re on all digital retailers, Spotify, Pandora etc. @lotuscrush for Twitter, Facebook.com/lotuscrushmusic for FB. You get the deal. Cheers!\n12:00 PM Natalie\nLabels: Interviews Lotus Crush","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1478708"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.514840304851532,"wiki_prob":0.485159695148468,"text":"Triple H: Biography, Age, Family, Net Worth and More\nPosted by Ogunyomi Samuel September 1, 2020\nMikel Obi Net Worth and Biography\nTriple H is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to the world of wrestling. He is a loved pro wrestler and has been in the wrestling entertainment industry for decades.\nTriple H have thrived in the WWE starting from his legendary entrance to his body build and perseverance. In this article we will let you know all about Tripple H biography, net worth and many more.\nTriple H Profile\nTriple H Age\nTriple H Education\nTriple H Career\nTriple H Relationship\nTriple H Achievement\nTriple H Net Worth\nFull Name: Paul Michael Levesque\nState of Origin: New Hampshire\nState of Residence: Weston, Connecticut, United States\nOccupation: Professional wrestler, actor and a businessman.\nTriple H was born on the 27th of July, 1969 in Nashua, New Hampshire. His parents Paul Levesque Sr. and Patricia Levesque are white Americans with Canadian French roots. He is the brother of Lynn and the only son of Paul Levesque Sr and Patricia Levesque.\nTriple H went to Nashua South High School. During his school years he was very athletic. He was a member of his school baseball and basketball team and he graduated in 1987.\nAt the age of 14 Triple H was already involved in his bodybuilding training and shortly after his graduation from high school, he got involved in a lot of bodybuilding competitions.\nAt the age of 19 Triple H won the 1988 Mr. Teenage New Hampshire competition and got a job as a gym manager in Nashua. During the period of his gym job, he came in contact with the world champion powerlifter Ted Arcidi, who worked at WWE.\nHis relationship with Ted finally led to his introduction to a former wrestler Killer Kowalski, who had professional wrestling school in Malden, Massachusetts. He enrolled in the wrestling school and was trained by Kowalski.\nHis first match was on March 24, 1992, when he wrestled and defeated Tony Roy under the ring name of Terra Ryzing at the International Wrestling Federation (IWF).\nHe kept wrestling and in 1994, he signed a contract with the World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and adopted the name “Jean-Paul Lévesque”.\nIn 1995, Triple H signed up with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) and adopted the name “Hunter Hearst Helmsley” which changed to “Triple H”.\nDuring his wrestling career in WWF, Triple H achieved a lot of industry fame after co-founding the mind-blowing D-Generation X stable, which was a major element of the “Attitude Era” in the 1990s.\nTriple H wrote and released a book towards the end of 2004, he titled it “Making The Game: Triple H’s Approach to a Better Body”. This book is about bodybuilding advice, memoirs, autobiography and other information.\nApart from wrestling, Triple H has starred in a hand full of movies such as Blade Trinity, Relative Strangers, The Chaperone, Inside Out and Scooby-Doo! WrestleMania Mystery.\nOthers are WWE Power Series, Surf Up: Wavemania, Scooby-Doo! and WWE: Curse of the Speed Demon, Robot Chicken, Blue Pacific and many more.\nTriple H together with his wife started off a Connor’s Cure cancer fund in honor of Connor “The Crusher” Michalek, a WWE fan who died of cancer at the age of eight.\nTriple was in a romantic relationship with Joan Chyna Lauren ( female wrestler) from 1996 to 2000. However their relationship came to an end due to her mental health problems and her unwillingness towards having kids.\nTriple H is a legend when it comes to the world of wrestling has won a number of championships in his career with his Pedigree legendary finishing move.\nTriple H has been a five-time Intercontinental Champion, a three-time world tag team champion (two World Tag Team Championship reigns, and one Unified WWE Tag Team Championship reign).\nTriple H has won a two-time European Champion, and a fourteen-time world champion. Triple H is a the company’s seventh Triple Crown Champion and second Grand Slam Champion.\nTriple H is also a two-time Royal Rumble match winner, and a King of the Ring tournament winner.\nTriple H was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017 for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America\nTriple H was inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame for the Class of 2015. Tripple also won the Metal Hammer’s Spirit of Lemmy Award in the following year.\nTriple H has an estimated net worth of $40 million.\nTags: Wrestler\nPrevious Article Yemi Alade Biography and Net Worth\nNext Article Funke Akindele: Biography and Net Worth\nKostya Tszyu Net Worth and Biography\nKostya Tszyu is a Russian-Australian boxer who is described as one of ...\nObafemi Martins Net Worth and Biography\nObafemi Martins is a popular professional Footballer who previously played for Nigeria ...\nVictor Moses Net Worth and Biography\nVictor Moses who is currently on loan at Spartak Moscow, is one ...\nPosted by Christian Edet November 8, 2020\nVincent Enyeama Net Worth and Biography\nVincent Enyeama is one of Nigeria’s most respected and richest footballers as ...\nPosted by Christian Edet October 26, 2020","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line742510"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6874862313270569,"wiki_prob":0.3125137686729431,"text":"Home » About CPB » Philosophical Background\nPhilosophical Background\nBuddhism’s long history has allowed it to adopt unique forms in various cultures, mostly throughout Asia, but more recently in the West. A number of unifying Buddhist principles are shared by most Buddhist establishments, and these commonalities serve to connect the major traditions. This article will outline some of these shared Buddhist views so that the reader can familiarize him or herself with a general understanding of Buddhism. Due to the impossibility of articulating a single, universal perspective that adequately represents the various forms of Buddhism, even this general overview will reflect the form of Buddhism of which the author is most acquainted, Pragmatic Buddhism. Most conclusively, Buddhism, in all of its forms, aims to: 1) provide human beings with a practical and achievable path that leads to the alleviation of suffering or unsatisfactoriness through the recognition of dependent origination and its conclusions (the interdependence and interconnectivity of all things), and 2) cultivate human actions that stem from this understanding.\nBuddhism originated in northern India over 2400 years ago. While many Buddhist traditions converge on aspects of the birth, life, enlightenment and death of the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, it is recognized in modern scholarship that these stories are not verifiable, as we have no primary sources from Siddhartha himself. The stories concerning Siddhartha’s life were compiled in a retrospective manner, in an attempt to solidify the most meaningful aspects of the numerous interpretations found throughout the early oral traditions of Buddhism. The Buddhisms of today are the result of centuries of revision and refinement, which includes the incorporation of cultural elements unrelated to the historical message of Siddhartha Gautama, but that are nonetheless meaningful interpretations of the Buddhist message.\nThere are key aspects of the stories of Siddhartha’s life that serve to enhance an understanding of Buddhism’s purpose. Unlike most Western religions, where the central prophet or messiah figure’s significance stems from his or her historical existence and physical acts, the historical reality of Siddhartha is not important in Buddhism. Instead, the vital element in Buddhism is the efficacy of Buddhist methodology, an actual path that leads to the alleviation of suffering or unsatisfactoriness in this world. Unsatisfactoriness encompasses the pervasive question of the “self” and the basic nature of personal identity. This question of the self arises when we perceive ourselves to be separate from the rest of our world, in a way that is deeply disturbing. This erroneous view of the self as separate from the rest our world—as opposed to playing an integral, connected role—is what Buddhism addresses through its various contemplative and meditative methods.\nBuddhism posits an interconnected and interdependent reality where humans are not separate, but connected in an inherently meaningful way. We are important precisely because we are here, and we function as a necessary aspect of our experiences. Our world and our experiences are not characterized by separation, but are the continuously generated syntheses between the perceiver and the perceived, an ongoing interplay of mutual dependence. This focus on interconnectedness and interdependence makes personal Buddhist action simultaneously a social action, a point repeatedly emphasized by comparative scholar Peter Hershock, also a practicing Chan Buddhist. We help and care for our neighbors not simply because we are told to do so, but because we see that they are integral to our world just like ourselves. Moreover, we see others engaged in the same basic struggle as ourselves: as sentient beings seeking a solution to unsatisfactoriness. Buddhism acknowledges that the realization (“enlightenment”) of dependent origination (causation) leads to understanding and action that provides solutions to unsatisfactoriness, and is achievable by all people.\nThe Life of Siddhartha Gautama\nMost Buddhist traditions agree that Siddhartha Gautama was born to a wealthy king in Northern India. A seer is said to have predicted that Siddhartha would become a great king, or a great spiritual leader. In an attempt to cultivate the former, Siddhartha’s father, it is said, ensured that all forms of unsatisfactoriness stayed out of his son’s life. In his early adulthood, Siddhartha’s curiosity compelled him to climb his palace walls and discover the condition of average, everyday human beings. His encounter with four human conditions—a dead person, a dying person, a decrepit person, and an impoverished person—challenged Siddhartha’s understanding of his world. Having been ignorant to such human conditions, the question of human unsatisfactoriness and a solution for its alleviation preoccupied his adult life. Siddhartha renounced his nobility and wealth, and set out on a course that would lead to answers.\nThe first step for Siddhartha was to learn as much as possible about his contemporaries’ answers to the problems associated with human unsatisfactoriness. The Indian intellectual environment during this time encompassed all of the major schools of philosophical thought. Included in this milieu were the traditionalists, rationalists, and empiricists. On the extremes, there was strict materialism (radical empiricism) and the metaphysical beliefs of the Upanishadic tradition (radical traditionalism). Strict materialism encompasses the belief that the material world is all that exists, and that the human psyche (mind, consciousness) does not exist at all. The materialists, who asserted only what could be known through the senses and adhered to the philosophy of determinism (all things are on a fixed course and human action cannot affect real change), believed that:\nthere was no such thing as a “self” or “soul”\nthat the laws governing the Universe and their consequences (karma) did not affect the human mind--they did not believe in the actual existence of consciousness, much like the modern philosopher Daniel Dennett\nthat there is no continuity after death, only annihilation.\nOn the other end of the spectrum were the metaphysical theories contained in the religious Upanishadic tradition. “Metaphysics” means “beyond the physical,” and it addresses ideas that cannot be proven through the senses. The Upanishadic school asserted:\nthe existence of an individual soul (atman)\nthe reality of human consciousness and karma\nthe continuity of one’s personality after death.\nSiddhartha committed himself to an intense study of the major schools of Indian thought in the accepted manner of his time: personal apprenticeship with verified Masters.\nThough Siddhartha was confirmed to have mastered the various schools he studied, which included traditional yogic asceticism of the Upanishadic tradition as well as empiricism and the analytical traditions of the rationalists, he rejected the teachings he received from these schools, citing their extreme and narrow orientations as a significant limitation. According to Siddhartha, extreme and narrow views are not only incapable of providing effective solutions to our problems, they do not adequately describe the holism of our experiences. Extreme and narrow views exaggerate some points while ignoring others. Siddhartha’s study and mastery of the available traditions had not yet answered the basic human question that mattered to him the most: how do human beings alleviate persistent unsatisfactoriness in this world?\nSiddhartha is said to have found solace by sitting in contemplation, or reflective quietude, and meditation (awareness cultivation) under a Bodhi tree. According to Buddhist tradition, it was under the Bodhi tree where Siddhartha realized the source of human unsatisfactoriness as perpetual craving and unnatural attachment. He recognized the alleviation of human unsatisfactoriness as awareness of dependent origination, the process by which all things in this world arise and pass away--known as “causation” in the West. While the traditions Siddhartha (who will now be referred to as “the Buddha”) studied focused primarily on a deeply personal realization experience, his pursuit involved a question that was pertinent to all of humanity; the results of his insight under the Bodhi tree necessarily involved all members of the human community. As Buddhist scholar David E. Shaner has pointed out, realization in the Buddhist tradition is necessarily a personal and social question, which involves not only oneself, but also one’s entire community of sentient beings.\nIn order for this personal and social realization to occur, it is necessary for one to embrace rigorous self-honesty about his or her current condition, and he or she must also determine a suitable methodology and worldview through which he or she can attend to the problems associated with unsatisfactoriness, especially the question of the self mentioned earlier. By embracing both of these key aspects, rigorous self-honesty and a perspective that yields meaningful solutions to the problem of human unsatisfactoriness, one authenticates his or her unique situation in this life, and a realization of interconnectedness and interdependence of all things results. Authentication of one’s contingency in this world is the condition necessary for realization to take place. The notion of authentication specifically refers to the awareness of one’s own contingency and acculturation, and the commitment and rigorous self-honesty necessary to embrace a more inclusive, holistic worldview that allows the dissolution of dualistic thinking--the belief that what we experience in our world is separate or disconnected. As we will see, authentication is akin to a meaningful notion of human liberation, and this relies on a connected experience.\nAfter his personal realization, the Buddha spent the remainder of his life guiding others in what would come to be known as the Buddhist path.\nBuddhist Principles: Dependent Origination, Nonduality, Karma, and Rebirth\nBuddhist principles stem from an awareness of the binding conditions of humanity, especially as made known through unsatisfactoriness, and the realization of dependent origination. Additionally, Buddhist methodology seeks to address present problems in this world, and is therefore pragmatic in approach. The Buddha’s pragmatic approach was rooted in his keen observations and understanding of the contingency of all things. Such an understanding necessarily acknowledged that each person would require different degrees of teachings to arrive at realization, a pragmatic notion known as “skillful means” (upaya). Many of the metaphysical notions employed by the Buddha were intended as such skillful means, to reach varied audiences who related to such teachings. The historical record is full of examples of the Buddha altering his teaching methods to facilitate realization in his students.\nThe affinity for awareness of our experiences and present conditions has its roots in the ancient Sanskrit concept of rta, meaning “natural order” or “every event has a cause.” Consequently, dependent origination plays a central role in Buddhist thought. Because every event has a cause, the Universe is seen as interdependent and interconnected, and all things that arise and pass away relate to all other things--known succinctly as dependent origination. This particular concept and its central place in Buddhist thought is one of the major reasons for the mutual interest and agreement between Buddhism and modern science, a paradigm grounded in causation.\nGiven that a Buddhist perspective acknowledges that all things emerge from continuity, Buddhism is well known for its emphasis on nonduality. Instead of viewing the world in terms of “good” vs. “evil,” “liberal” vs. “conservative,” “us” vs. “them,” Buddhism recognizes that the orientations and views humans take stem from particular perspectives, which each yield their own conclusions, dependent on the contingency and present needs of the observer. All human beings are privy to a particular albeit limited perspective of the whole. But by staying mindful of the knowledge that our personal views are limited, and by retaining an understanding that all things are connected, we can contribute to personal and social harmony that acknowledges difference and variety as just unique manifestations of the whole. Comparative philosopher Thomas P. Kasulis, in his book Intimacy or Integrity: Philosophy and Cultural Difference, says it well:\n...the better we can adjust the way we analyze and communicate, the more successful we will be in establishing fruitful, pragmatic, and effective relations with a diversity of others. There is something we will have to give up, however--namely, the idea that there is only one legitimate take on reality...I cannot argue orientations; I can only argue within them. (157)\nKasulis points out that from each of our perspectives, what we see is really what we see. The important point in Buddhism is that even among the differences, we recognize that these relative perspectives are to be holistically situated, where our individual views contribute positively to the harmony of the whole, whether it is to human society or environmental health. This inclusive perspective, where we keep our eye on the big picture even when we cannot see it, must be cultivated. Like any positive attribute we seek to incorporate into our mind-body, we must practice and act, as this teaches us how to become better at being good human beings for ourselves and others. Just like athletes who must train themselves to perform on the field, seeing the world in holistic terms requires active participation on behalf of the practitioner. Holism as such dissolves the problems that arise due to dualism, or the belief that things in this world are separate and disconnected. One such dualism is the problem of the “self,” where we perceives ourselves as existentially separate and disconnected from other people and our environment.\nAn awareness of dependent origination and nondualism are cultivated in Buddhism through prelinguistic awareness (also known as awareness of undifferentiated or pure experience). This cultivation of pure experience without the attachments and labels of thought and language is usually achieved through awareness cultivation practice, sometimes called “just sitting in mindfulness.” This allows one to develop an understanding of and appreciation for dependent origination as the “glue” of our experiences. Perceiving holism can be cultivated through a continuous engagement of pure experience--through regular practice--so that acceptance and more inclusive understanding can become integrated into the practitioner’s mind-body. Such an immediate awareness of our experiences allows us to see the dependent origination of all things; this particular view grants us the ability to let go of our cravings and attachments that propagate the cycle of unsatisfactoriness.\nHow does one embrace an immediate awareness of his or her experiences? Uncultivated, our perspectives are distorted by our acculturated attachments. Instead of experiencing our world in an inclusive, holistic way, we screen our experiences with judgement, preference and differentiation, mostly due to our biopsychosocial acculturation. These distortions stem from the labels that we attach to our experiences, our craving for and our fear of them. These labels are insufficient to describe our experiences, as our experiences are fleeting; they are integral to the continuous change of dependent origination. This is the world most of us live in most of the time, what philosopher Martin Heidegger called average everydayness. Nondualism is realized during practice such as awareness cultivation when one is able to let go of the desire to constantly discriminate his or her experiences. Most important is the understanding that nonduality characterizes our experiences; thus, even when going about our normal lives in the world of thought and language, where discrimination and labels are necessary for practical purposes and to weave the web of social interaction with others, we can know that our experiences remain unified. In this way, the practice of awareness cultivation in Buddhism is an exercise in realizing a more inclusive, holistic worldview, one characterized by nonduality. This achievement of increased awareness and a larger perspective does not occur without rigorous self-honesty (to identify current weaknesses), acceptance of personal perspectives that work well for us individually, and continuous practice (to literally “train” the mind-body how to think and act holistically). Buddhist practice, as awareness cultivation, is a powerfully effective way to realize nondualism.\nWhen considering how to obtain reliable information from a world in which we are part and parcel, Buddhism recognizes three primary epistemological (how one comes to know) methods:\ntestimony of another (usually an authority)\naccount from an authoritative text\npersonal experience (experiential verification)\nAll of these components must be considered, and no single source of knowledge is sufficient to generate an informed understanding of the world. However, method (3), experiential verification, plays a particularly prominent role in Buddhism. This is often demonstrated in the Buddha’s famous admonition, “Be a light unto your selves.” This idea of personal veracity of our experiences is also highlighted in pragmatism, where authentication is used to describe the personal investigation (contemplation) of one’s present views in such a way that he or she can choose--from among the viable options for that person--the views that work best to create sustainable harmony in one’s life and one’s society.\nAcknowledging (1) and (2) above as valid epistemological methods allows for a social dimension of knowledge to become integrated into one’s understanding, and this helps to prevent individuals from accepting extreme views through their personal experiences alone. Avoiding the extremes leads to Buddhism’s middle way. It serves the same function as professional associations today, which help govern the overall direction of individual practitioners in a way that preserves the integrity of the entire profession, a concept described by Richard Rorty as intersubjective agreement. The particularly important method of (3) experiential verification necessitates consistent Buddhist practice--usually contemplation and meditation--as this refines the ability of a person to trust his or her senses through the cultivation of awareness and the implementation of mindfulness in everyday life. Buddhists posit that cultivated awareness is a requisite for trusting the information gathered from the senses, to curb any tendency towards dogmatic views. The refinement of one’s ability to calmly perceive the world and thus trust his or her senses is a primary reason why meditation is central to Buddhist practice. An end result of this cultivation process, exemplified in long-time practitioners, is a perceptible and deep calmness, or relaxation in the practitioner’s disposition and actions. We have now traced what might be called the “triple As” or the “threefold formula”: awareness, acceptance, and action.\nFrom a moral standpoint, dependent origination implies that nothing in the universe occurs at random, or apart from anything else. “Randomness” and “accident” are names given to events that are too complex for human beings to fully understand from our limited perspectives. Though a person does not always intend to take a particular action, there are very specific causes that converge and allow given consequences to emerge. Thus, while most events are beyond our personal control, the insight of dependent origination allows us to better understand the types of actions that will elicit positive or harmonious consequences, and those that will lead to negative or disruptive results. This recognition of balancing actions (equilibrium) is acknowledged by modern physics, and is what Buddhists call karma.\nRelated to dependent origination and karma is the Buddhist concept of “merit.” Merit, stated simply, is positive karmic effect that stems from harmonious action. The knowledge that such positive karmic results extend to all things, and specifically, all sentient beings is reason for the Buddhist practitioner to highlight the significance of merit in his or her practice. Merit, understood in this way, is not an “accumulation” or “storing up,” but rather is continually discharged to all things through the mindful actions of the Buddhist practitioner. Dedicating the merit that is discharged during Buddhist practice to all sentient beings, for example, is a symbolic recognition of interdependence and interconnectivity.\nThe question of “rebirth” necessarily follows a discussion of karma. What exactly is rebirth? Unlike reincarnation, which assumes the existence of an existentially discrete or independent “self” (or “soul”), rebirth implies that character dispositions or personality carry over in some form after death. It is viewed in Buddhism that a person will make a transition into a harmonious phase of existence because of his or her action-oriented self-cultivation, where one puts into practice the conclusions of his or her personal authentication and realization. An understanding of dependent origination and an ability to integrate this understanding into his or her mind-body and everyday life leads to human liberation, whereby the fear, uncertainty and unsatisfactoriness of a dualistic perspective no longer hold us captive. Even though we cannot know the state of human beings after death, any transition that may take place for the realizing, unattaching person is necessarily a transition that remains connected to all other things, as the idea of an independent existence is rejected in Buddhism. This is a common source of misunderstanding in Buddhism: that upon realization, one “exits” existence. This, however, does not take into account the central Buddhist concept of the dependent origination of all things, and its two fruits: interconnectivity and interdependence. One’s liberation after realization is a freedom or release from the perpetual unsatisfactoriness created by dualistic craving and attachments in oneself. It is not a literal liberation into a different realm, or into non-existence (something that exists cannot be “annihilated,” but can only transform). The Buddha rejected both eternalism (the belief in permanent existence) and annihilationism (the belief in permanent destruction). Buddhist practices that focus on achieving liberation in other realms or dissolving the self into a state of non-being, such as some Tibetan and Chinese and Japanese Pure Land practices, do so for the functional benefit of the practice first and foremost.\nA modern or Western interpretation of “rebirth” is that it simply implies that one is not “annihilated” upon death, and that one necessarily remains interconnected with the rest of existence. Thus, while loyalty to experiential verification calls one to refrain from speculating on what exactly happens after death, it can at least be known—through modern physics and awareness of dependent origination—that like all things, human beings are not “created or destroyed.” Whatever the case, we can at least know that we will remain an integral part of our Universe in some form, though not in our current form (nothing is eternal or unchanging), which includes the “self” or “consciousness” we presently know. This is a valid and widely held interpretation of rebirth in the Buddhist West.\nIn remaining loyal to experiential verification, Buddhism does not ponder on the question of God or Gods, as such metaphysical inquiries are beyond the realm of human sensory ability and knowledge. Thus, it is important to recognize that while Buddhism does not answer or speculate about the question of theism, it does not deny it either. From the Buddhist perspective, humans are charged with dealing with the issues of everyday life in this world, because here and now is the location of positive transformation.\nThree Foundational Concepts in Buddhist Thought\nThere are three foundational concepts in Buddhist thought that stem from an understanding of the previous section on “Buddhist Principles,” which will help explain Buddhist morality. These elements are:\nimpermanence (anicca)\nunsatisfactoriness (dukkha)\nselflessness (anatman).\nThe doctrine of dependent origination implies that all things arise from the same processual activity, or “way-making” (Dao) and pass back to this continuously moving, flowing activity, revealing their impermanence of form. Rather than talking in terms of “being” or “nonbeing”--dualistic terms stemming from traditional Western philosophy--Buddhism is better explained by a concept of transformation, from which all things arise and pass back into. Continuity and practical meaning of form (including conventional thought and language) are maintained through interconnection and interdependence. This idea of impermanence does not, however, mean that the world as we know does not exist, or that it is literally an “illusion”; it only means that the world has no permanent, independent reality that is apart from everything else. The Buddhist view is one that embraces a middle way, where no extreme views are taken as acceptable accounts of our situation and experiences. Instead, our world as we know it is one of transformation and change, governed by dependent origination. All things arise and pass away, transforming their states, yielding to the idea that particular states (or forms) are impermanent, fleeting, transforming and changing. A concrete example is the transition of firewood into ash and other various chemical compounds that are released into the air. Though the firewood is no longer firewood, it has not vanished, only transformed its constituents. This example also helps to explain the Buddhist notion of rebirth previously discussed.\nDukkha, often translated as suffering but more accurately translated by Buddhist scholar David Kalupahana as unsatisfactoriness, is a human obstacle that prevents the realization of one’s wholeness and oneness with his or her experiences (or oneness with his or her Universe). This is the obstacle that is dealt with through sincere and deferential practice, such as that found through meditation (awareness cultivation). During meditative practice, the human mind enters a state of simple but profound awareness. (The beneficial physiological changes that take place in the human brain are well documented in James H. Austin’s “Zen and the Brain.”) This awareness, once cultivated, allows one to see the world as interconnected and interdependent. Importantly, this holistic view of our experiences, free from negative emotions (anger, frustration, resentment) and predetermined expectations that may cloud our understanding, must be regularly engaged through dedicated practice. Though the communicative ability of human beings is always bound by our acculturation, our experiences during awareness cultivation can remain undifferentiated, granting us insight into a positive, inclusive worldview from which we can effect important changes in ourselves and our communities. Meditative practice helps us acknowledge and distance ourselves from our sense of (an independent) “self” and our persistent fears that propagate craving, attachment and dualistic thinking. Regular meditative training—even 15 minutes a day—literally teaches the human brain how to receive sensory experience without judging it, or attaching labels to it. Fears associated with craving and attachment, fleeting moments of our experiences that we wish to eternalize, are the very source of our unsatisfactoriness. Impermanence is our condition, but an empowering condition where positive transformation is possible.\nAs mentioned, a basic element of the human situation is acculturation, or cultural inheritances that are initially unexamined by us. As they are unexamined, these inheritances become our habits. Peter Hershock puts it this way:\nMany of these habits are entirely personal in nature, reflecting our individual likes and dislikes. But because we are born into families and communities and cultures, many of the ways in which our ignorance is habitually patterned are “inherited.” We are taught what things are and are not by parents, teachers, and friends but also by our culture more broadly. By appreciating the emptiness [impermanence] of all things, we become aware that the world we live in did not arise randomly, according to inherently fixed principles, or according to the purely objective operation of natural laws. Rather, it has taken shape in conformity with our likes and dislikes, according to our values, through our intentions, to meet our needs and desires. In Buddhist terms, our world is an expression of our karma. (21) (bracketed italics mine)\nThrough a recognition and acknowledgment of our acculturation and habits, we come to see that they are mostly not our own, but were rather transferred to us from previous generations, or from our present culture without choice. By recognizing unsatisfactoriness, we come to see the central role our inherited habits play in its perpetuation. By cultivating a deep sense of the impermanence of all things, we can begin to deconstruct the negative aspects of our present condition, and replace them with positive characteristics.\nThe acknowledgment of unsatisfactoriness is not considered a pessimistic concept, but rather a binding condition of human existence. Until our situation is acknowledged and confronted, it cannot be transformed in a meaningful way. The Buddhist path provides a way out of unsatisfactoriness, and the solution is found in this world.\nThe concept of anatman, as selflessness, stems from the idea of impermanence. One of the sources of unsatisfactoriness for human beings is the belief in a permanent self, or soul that is independent and separate. Buddhism acknowledges that the implications of dependent origination apply to human beings, and consequently, human existence is conditioned by causative factors--some knowable and some unknowable. If human existence is grounded in interconnectivity and interdependence as our cultivated experience indicates, then we are governed by them as well. Cultivating personal insight through Buddhist practice leads to the recognition that the notion of “self” or “soul” has no independent, permanent reality, and the elemental human fear of separation passes away. This understanding of selflessness is critical to releasing us from the types of human fears that produce unsatisfactoriness (fear of death; fear of rejection; fear of punishment). By embracing selflessness, a freedom emerges in the Buddhist practitioner that grounds itself in the realization that our experiences are already unified. Furthermore, this knowledge of unity, along with dependent origination, gives rise to the emergence of human liberation. Without exposure and insight into our unique and personal situation, we cannot be considered to have “freedom.” Once we recognize our situation, we can determine effective solutions to our problems in creative ways, allowing our freedom to illuminate a meaningful and positive sense of solidarity with our fellow human beings. Realization in oneself necessarily includes others as well.\nBuddhist Morality: Four Ennobling Realities. (Four Noble Truths) and the Eightfold Path\nThe Buddha’s realization experience empowered him with insight into four basic human truths about human unsatisfactoriness known as the Four Ennobling Realities. (Four Noble Truths) They are:\nUnsatisfactoriness exists for human beings\nthe cause of unsatisfactoriness is craving, unnatural attachments and dualistic thinking that neglect an understanding of dependent origination\nthere is a path that leads to the cessation of craving and unnatural attachments of the mind, and thus there is a way to positively transform unsatisfactoriness\nthis path is Eightfold.\nRight Intention\nRight Livelihood\nRight Effort\nRight Mindfulness\nRight Concentration\nPeter Hershock has pointed out that the Four Noble Truths are not to be considered absolute, but rather act as markers that help to guide us to a meaningful resolution to our central human problems. Moreover, they are meaningful for us only when we apply them to our unique circumstances (17).\nA breakdown of the Eightfold Path, found in David Kalupahana’s text Buddhist Philosophy: A Historical Analysis, groups (1) Right View and (2) Right Intention as “Intellectual Understanding,” and (3) Right Speech, (4) Right, Action, (5) Right Livelihood, and (6) Right Effort as “Moral Understanding.” The final two parts of the Eightfold Path, 7) Right Mindfulness and 8) Right Concentration, are considered “Meditative Understanding,” and are the result of regular and wholehearted Buddhist practice. All of the components of the Eightfold Path are intended to aid the Buddhist practitioner by implementing the conclusions of Buddhist thought as described in the above sections, so that his or her thoughts, words and actions eventually emerge as unmediated reflections of a deep understanding. Following the Eightfold Path simultaneously places the Buddhist practitioner on the path of realization; observing the Eightfold Path is living out the fruits of realization.\nCircularity, Compassion and the Bodhisattva Ideal\nBuddhism seeks to posit a viable alternative to the view that we human beings are separate from our experiences, thereby helping to alleviate the unsatisfactoriness--in all its various forms--that plaque humanity. The Buddhist worldview, with its emphasis on cultivating an awareness of dependent origination, avoids eschatological perspectives, where a linear progression is charted by its practitioners, or where an “end times” is awaited. Buddhism asserts a circular cosmology, where unique and contingent conditions arise from and pass back into a continuous, connected transformation. Buddhists see that what is here has always been here and will always be here, though it will continually manifest dynamic transformation. There is no cosmological beginning, a time when our universe did not exist, nor is there an “Armageddon” in Buddhism. There is only the here and now--the locus where we can effect meaningful change in light of our unique situations.\nIt is in the here and now where the Buddhist practitioners effect positive transformation in their world. During this change and transformation—during the betweeness of everyday life—authentic, realizing persons act as guides for other human beings in how they live out their lives, serving others by example. This altruism is a natural result of realization. One who sees our experiences as unified, acts in ways that cherish this holistic view.\nThe natural emergence of altruism in the person who sees our condition as connected allows for a unique concept to arise in Buddhism. The Bodhisattva ideal is the conclusion to realization. Though there are various cultural and sectarian differences in the understanding of the Bodhisattva, Buddhism as a whole acknowledges the living role of the realizing person as one of a guide for others, by being an example of the possibility of living life as an outstanding human being.\nPerhaps the most important point is that average, everyday human beings are those who achieve realization. Authenticating themselves, freeing themselves from the cycle of unsatisfactoriness, these average, everyday persons share their positive and transformative approach with others through skillful means. Freedom from unsatisfactoriness does not require divine abilities or magic, nor material wealth, intellectual intensity or physical prowess. Anyone who accepts the personal responsibility of simple and modest, daily practice can work to discover the personal issues that prevent their own realization of dependent origination. The Buddhist practice of awareness cultivation aims to do just this. Meditation is the central Buddhist tool for this positive self-transformation.\nMeditation is our simplest tool, // Breathing in... // ...Breathing out, // Seeing the world anew.\nChan/Zen Buddhism\n\"...Buddhist practice is always both a critique of self and a critique of culture. Although our individual values, intentions, and desires are central to our karma and the kind of life we experience, so are the broader values and patterns of conduct that we inherit from our culture.\" Peter D. Hershock, from Chan Buddhism\nChan Buddhism focuses on the method of sitting meditation as a primary way to understand the Four Ennobling Truths and the Eightfold Path as taught by the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama. According to legend, the emphasis on sitting was brought to China by the Indian monk Bodhidharma. While in China, Chan Buddhism emerged as a distinct approach characterized by a synthesis between Indian Buddhism and Chinese Daoism. After hundreds of years of development in China, Chan was transferred to Japan most notably by the Japanese philosopher-monk Dogen in the form of Soto Zen.\nToday at the Center for Pragmatic Buddhism, we utilize the methods of Chan and Zen, along with American Pragmatism in a manner that takes the needs of the Western mind into consideration, one that appreciates personal and cultural background. As Westerners, Americans have specific needs in developing a meaningful Buddhist practice. Just like every phase of Buddhism's evolution, a new form arises to meet the needs of its new sociocultural environment. The measure of our success at CPB is found in the people who comprise us and our effectiveness in helping others. Though we stem from a wonderful lineage of teachers, it is our contemporary reach that empowers and defines our practice at the Center for Pragmatic Buddhism.\nThough time and refinement are required to establish a distinctly American form of Buddhism, the Center for Pragmatic Buddhism is actively engaged in this process, and has adopted a weekly practice schedule that speaks directly to our contemporary situation in the United States. Following our formal meditation practice, CPB teachers give dharma talks, and then we engage in group discussion, a means of applying our practice to current issues. During this open forum, members and guests ask and discuss various questions pertaining to everyday life and how issues or problems might be addressed from a Buddhist perspective. CPB teachers offer Pragmatic Buddhist teachings and perspectives, aiming to guide and empower the questioner while engaging the entire group. This \"Ask-A-Monk\" format was devised by Jim Eubanks' dharma teacher, the late Ryugen Fisher (Shi Shen Long). Time during group discussion is devoted to our group Buddhist education, where CPB teachers discuss important topics in Buddhist studies. This portion of our program is associated with a particular reading. To see the current book we are reading, please click here.\nPrior to the dharma talk and group discussion, CPB teachers lead the group in a bell meditation, a walking meditation, and sitting in mindfulness (zazen).\nWhen practicing personal development at CPB, one engages Buddhism in a way that promotes positive perspectives, promotes bodily health, and allows the \"letting go\" of unhealthy or negative aspects of one's life that lead to unsatisfactoriness.\nOne of the primary goals of CPB is to present an historically perceptive Buddhism to Americans in a Western vocabulary. While particular language is often used in the Buddhist community, it can often hinder a practitioner's ability to make Buddhism meaningful. The Buddhist jargon is often confusing, and may require years of study in itself. The Center for Pragmatic Buddhism has created a vocabulary to achieve the practical purpose of conveying Buddhism in a way that makes sense today.\n\"On the pragmatic view I am putting forward, what we call \"increased knowledge\" should not be thought of as increased access to the Real, but as increased ability to do things—to take part in social practices that make possible richer and fuller human lives.\" Richard Rorty, from Philosophy as Cultural Politics\nPragmatism as embraced by Pragmatic Buddhism includes classical American pragmatism and neopragmatism. These two branches of the pragmatic perspective share an equal emphasis with our embracement of traditional Buddhism in the thought and practice at CPB. American pragmatism is a system of philosophy that values practical application and function over theory as a way to solve human problems. It stems directly from great thinkers such as William James, Charles Peirce, John Dewey, Charles Horton Cooley, A. N. Whitehead and George Herbert Mead.\nNeopragmatism is most commonly associated with the late Richard Rorty, an internationally recognized philosopher, whose work emphasized the social and creative aspects of language. Neopragmatism rest on the idea of antifoundationalism, the idea that there is no privileged vocabulary or way of speaking or believing. Language is purely relational and does not \"mirror\" nature, or escape its own unique historical and cultural situation. Through the neopragmatism of the late Richard Rorty, the Center for Pragmatic Buddhism is developing an \"American\" approach to Buddhism, having revised the language employed to describe Pragmatic Buddhism and having embraced an indigenous system of thought alongside traditional Buddhism. This position is liberating, as it allows us the ability to redescribe our selves and our society through the playful and creative use of an ever-shifting language. Impermanence must indeed be applied to all things, including our forms of Buddhism.\nAll major forms of Buddhism alive and well today have survived by synthesizing a traditional approach with a novel, indigenous worldview; at CPB we have chosen to embrace American pragmatism and neopragmatism. Just as Buddhism emphasizes impermanence (anicca), unsatisfactoriness (dukkha), selflessness (anatman), Pragmatism emphasizes contingency, openness and antifoundationalism (no essence or underlying substance). Both Buddhism and Pragmatism reject metaphysics, dualism and extremism (dogma), and instead embrace a \"middle way.\"\nPragmatic Buddhism\n\"Remember that the historical Buddha himself rejected most of the central “traditions” of his day. He rejected the fundamental Hindu doctrine of atman, or the “eternal Self,” and posited anatman in its place: selflessness. But the reason Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) rejected this doctrine was not because of a rebellious and irreverent mind, but because he saw that the concept of atman was hindering meaningful personal and social development for the Hindu people. He sensed that the lure of the attachment to the idea of a permanent, eternal Self, when no experience of permanence and eternalism is possible, led spiritual seekers down a dead path. Tradition is simply a set of values and expectations that worked for a previous generation of peoples, but tradition says little of its value to us today when it is not appropriately weighed against the contemporary needs. This is just like the historical Buddha rejecting the traditions of his own day after seeing they no longer worked as well as they could. Instead, we must take the heart of the message and put it into whatever form works. This is Pragmatic Buddhism: mindfulness made meaningful for today's world.\"","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line594689"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8976336717605591,"wiki_prob":0.8976336717605591,"text":"Widely considered the father of American cuisine, Jeremiah Tower began his culinary career in 1972 as co-owner and executive chef of Chez Panisse in Berkeley, California. He then continued as executive chef and sole owner of Stars in San Francisco, one of the highest grossing, most innovative, and profitable restaurants in the United States. After Stars, Tower opened restaurants in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Manila.\nHe’s an award winning chef, author, keynote speaker, architecture aficionado and a fantastic podcast guest.\nHe’s also the subject of The Last Magnificent, a CNN feature-length documentary film produced by Anthony Bourdain, now on Netflix.\nI asked Jeremiah on the show to give us a look behind the curtain on how he became so successful in a notoriously difficult industry and to get his thoughts on where the young hoteliers of the world should be focused on pushing our industry forward.\nOn this episode we discuss:\nHow Jeremiah got his start (2:13)\nHow to establish yourself as a leader (4:53)\nThe secret to great hospitality (7:56)\nLeading by example and instilling integrity (9:45)\nServant Leadership (16:04)\nWhat we need to fix in the industry (18:10)\nAbout Jeremiah\nJeremiah Tower began his culinary career in 1972 as co-owner and executive chef of Chez Panisse in Berkeley, California. Then continued as executive chef and sole owner of Stars in San Francisco, one of the highest grossing, most innovative, and profitable restaurants in the United States. After Stars, Tower opened restaurants in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Manila. Tower sold the Stars group in 1998.\nAwards include the James Beard Foundation’s “Outstanding Chef of the Year” in America (1996), “Regional Best Chef” California (1993), and the Beard Foundation “Best American Regional Cookbook” for Jeremiah Tower's New American Classics (1986), Nation’s Restaurant News “Fine Dining Hall of Fame,” and an honorary degree from the C.I.A.. Tower has written eight books including Jeremiah Tower Cooks (2002), California Dish (2004), Escoffier, A Dash of Genius (2013), Table Manners: How to Behave in the Modern World and Why (2016), Start the Fire (2017), and an e-book Flavors of Taste (2018).\nKeynote speaker and TV guest, including Good Morning America, The Late Show with David Letterman, and host of the PBS13-series show “America’s Great Chefs.” Food & Wine Festivals include Pebble Beach, several Meals on Wheels, the Oxford University and Blenheim Palace Festivals, and the Hawaiian Wine and Food at the Kahala, Jeremiah is the subject of The Last Magnificent, a CNN feature-length documentary film produced by Anthony Bourdain, now on Netflix, and is working on cooking videos, combined with real estate, and a new book.\nRitz & Escoffier, The Hotelier, The Chef and The Rise of the Leisure Class\nStart the Fire: How I Began A Food Revolution In America\nJeremiah Tower Cooks: 250 Recipes from an American Master\nJeremiah Tower's New American Classics\nInstagram: @tower.jeremiah\nIf I can help you in any way, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can book a free call with me by going to knowinghospitality.com/contact\n--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/provenprinciples/message","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1895299"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8424175381660461,"wiki_prob":0.8424175381660461,"text":"NEIL O'RIORDAN\nThe idea that Dundalk should have dropped the intensity and denied themselves a place in the record books is illogical\nIRISH FOOTBALL has long been a hotbed for some odd opinions.\nBut there can scarcely be anything stranger than the idea that Dundalk should have relented against Athlone Town.\nAndy Boyle of Dundalk heads his side's third goal during the Extra.ie FAI Cup Semi-Final match between Athlone Town Credit: Sportsfile\nChris Shields scores his side's seventh\nThose who worry about the ignominy suffered by the Athlone players on Sunday night are undoubtedly well-intentioned.\nThe bigger source of embarrassment is surely that the depth of the Irish football industry is so shallow that, in a country of just 19 senior clubs, one can beat another on an 11-0 scoreline in a national cup semi-final?\nRather than blame Dundalk for being so far ahead, look at why others have fallen so far behind.\nThere were so many records being broken on Sunday evening in Lissywollen that you half expected Roy Castle and Cheryl Baker to make an appearance.\nRECORDS BEGAN TO FALL\nNever before had an FAI Cup semi-final been won by more than a six-goal margin — Chris Shields put Dundalk 7-0 up in the 55th minute.\nThe club’s own record win was 9-0, achieved against Jacobs in 1932 and Shelbourne in 1980, both in league matches — Jordan Flores made it 10-0 in the 74th minute.\nWhen Sean Murray scored their 11th in the 83rd minute, it secured the biggest win in the competition’s history and was even thought to have equalled another record.\nWith nine different scorers for the one team, they matched Liverpool’s feat, achieved in their 11-0 win against Stromsgodset in the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1974.\nThere were a few around Oriel Park who might not have been too unhappy about seeing the Norwegians beaten by that scoreline way back then.\nBecause it ensured that Dundalk were no longer the opposition for the Reds’ largest win, having been beaten 10-0 at Anfield in the Fairs Cup five years previously.\nBut, in fact, that was no longer the other record anyway. FC Infonet Talinn had 11 scorers when they beat Virtsu Jalgpalliklubi 36-0 in the Estonian Cup in 2015.\nIn any case, unpleasant as it most certainly was for Athlone on Sunday, the idea that Dundalk should have reined themselves in and denied themselves club, national and international records is illogical.\nFIGHTING FOR PLACES\nWith the FAI Cup final against Shamrock Rovers sandwiched between Europa League fixtures against Molde and Arsenal, players are fighting for places.\nNot only that — with 18 of the squad out of contract, their livelihoods are at stake. Expecting that they should present anything less than the best version of themselves is daft.\nJohn Mountney heads another goal in for Dundalk\nDavid McMillan also got on the score sheet\nSportspeople talk about mentality and momentum so, if they slacked off, would there not be a danger that mindset could carry on into their upcoming fixtures which — given the calibre of Mikel Arteta’s side in particular — could have disastrous consequences for them?\nThey finished 22 points behind Rovers in the league which, given their outlay, simply is not good enough. So why would they not try to prove that is not representative of their ability ahead of this Sunday’s showdown?\nADMIRABLE EMPATHETIC RESPONSE\nFeeling sorry for Athlone is an admirable empathetic response but this was not developmental football — it’s the most prestigious knockout competition in the professional game here.\nThere was, rightly, an outcry last week when a soccer academy in the USA boasted about its girls Under-5s side going undefeated as they finished first in their league.\nAll right-minded adults would agree that participation and development are key at that age and results should not be recorded or league tables published, even if the kids themselves might keep a mental note of how they are doing.\nEven with older children, something does not sit quite right when club accounts are boasting of victories with goals in double figures.\nLUDICROUS IDEA\nBut the idea that, in an FAI Cup semi-final, full-time players should take pity on their opponents and take the foot off the gas is ludicrous.\nWhat should have happened? Should Filippo Giovagnoli have shouted across to Adrian Carberry and asked him if he wanted to throw on an extra player or two?\nOr maybe tell his players they had to rack up 20 passes in a row before they could shoot? It’s hard to think of anything more insulting to Athlone than have Dundalk stroking the ball around aimlessly with no intent to score further goals.\nAs if they would not know exactly what was going on.\nTHIS IS SENIOR HURLING\nTo borrow that cliched phrase, this is senior hurling.\nAnd those who were quick to hail Athlone’s victory over Shelbourne in their quarter-final and Longford Town’s win over the same opposition in the promotion/relegation play-off as proof of the quality in the First Division would surely be equally happy to acknowledge this defeat as evidence of the huge gulf that exists within senior football.\nThere were particular factors surrounding Sunday’s result.\nFor one, Athlone had to win just two rounds to get to the last four when, ordinarily, it would have required three.\nATHLONE HAD A LUCKY RUN\nThere is a reason why no First Division club has reached the final since 2011.\nIt’s not even just those in the second tier who struggle as this will be the first time since 2014 that the decider has not been contested by the league’s top two, with Dundalk finishing third in the Premier Division.\nAthlone’s first-round win was in extra-time over Wexford, the only side to finish below them in the First Division, before their eye-catching 4-1 triumph over Shels.\nThat was the second of four successive defeats for Ian Morris’ side which, aside from exiting the Cup, had the far more serious result of relegation from the top flight.\nNO MATCH IN FOUR WEEKS\nSince then, through no fault of their own, Carberry’s side had played no matches for four weeks.\nThe First DIvision had ended and the Cup semi-finals were pushed further and further back because of Covid-19 and scheduling issues.\nThrow in their first-choice keeper Aaron Moyles being absent with an eye infection, on top of a couple of suspensions, and the chances of another upset had been diminished considerably.\nThese were extenuating circumstances which anyone looking to have an informed view — rather than just sneer at someone who suffered a heavy defeat — will take into account.\nATHLONE’S PROBLEMS\nBut, let’s be clear, they were Athlone’s problems and of no real concern to Dundalk.\nThere was empathy shown at the end when Gary Rogers had what looked like a few comforting words for his opposite number Patrick Martyn, the 18-year-old who was between the posts for the hosts.\nBut, during the 90 minutes, he and his team-mates were doing the job they are paid to do.\nPerhaps Rogers could have touched upon how, 20 years ago next month, he was in goal for St Francis — during a loan spell from Shels — when they were beaten 7-0 by Dundalk.\nRESILIENCE AGAINST SETBACKS\nHeavy defeats need not be devastating to a young player’s career.\nJust 15 months ago, Liam Scales was part of the UCD side which suffered a record 10-1 loss to Bohemians. This Sunday, he will line out for Shamrock Rovers against Dundalk in the FAI Cup having already pocketed a league medal and brought his Ireland Under-21s cap tally to six.\nOne of the key skills that any young footballer — or person — should be taught is resilience, the ability to deal with setbacks.\nNow, all of those who played in that match have a better understanding of what is required to make it at the top of Irish football.\nA HARSH LESSON\nUnquestionably, it was a harsh lesson but Dundalk were not wrong to mete it out.\nAnd Athlone’s staff and players are not the only ones who should be seeking to learn from it.\nBetween them, clubs and successive FAI regimes have failed to create a league of any real depth, with some already looking to opt out of the national underage competitions, unable to make long-term strategic commitments because their short-term problems are so overwhelming.\nThese are the harsh truths of Irish football.\nDundalk’s players should not be blamed for shining a light on them.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line689222"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7336932420730591,"wiki_prob":0.2663067579269409,"text":"Rock Bass, May 2014, Fish of the Month!\nThe Rock Bass is the first in our list of members of the Sunfish family.\nAmbloplites rupestris\nGoggle-eye, Red-eye, Red eye bass Northern Rock bass\nThe head is large, as is the eye.\nThe base color of the eye is red.\nThe mouth is large with the upper jaw extending to the mid-point of the eye.\nThe two dorsal fins are attached. The first dorsal has 10, 11, or 12 stiff spines, the second has one spine.\nThe anal fin has 5, 6, or 7 spines on and following its leading edge.\nThroughout its life the Rock bass feeds heavily on aquatic invertebrates, especially insects, adults also take crayfish and small fishes in some quantity.\nThe nesting and spawning behavior of this species is typical of the other members of the Sunfish family, and so is included in this entry.\nAt a water temperature ranging from 60 to 70 degrees F. Rock bass begin nesting. The male of the species selects a site and makes a shallow depression in the substrate. Although usually much smaller, these nests may be as much as 2 feet in diameter. They are typically sited in close proximity to one another on prime annual spawning grounds. They are very jealously guarded by their male excavators who exhibit aggressive pre and post spawning behavior toward their neighbors. Nests may be constructed in habitats ranging from fine gravel or sand bottoms to heavily vegetated swampy areas. When females begin to move out of their deeper wintering waters to join the males in the shallows, individual males rush out to their preferred mates, swim in circles around and over them, and then lead them back to the nest sites where the two mill about close to one another until the female is ready to commence spawning and signals this by gradually turning onto one side with the male remaining in an upright position head to tail with the female. The pair vibrates and rocks back and forth as the eggs and sperm clouds are released and fertilized in small batches over a period of about an hour. The typical female Rock bass will carry from 3,000 to as many as 11,000 eggs. Females are likely to spawn with multiple males and release eggs into a nest where another female has already mated with the male of that nest, another way that “nature” assures successful reproduction of especially these small species.\nThe fertilized eggs are adhesive, are fanned by the male throughout their incubation, and also protected by him after they have hatched. The female leaves the nest site immediately after she has completed spawning and begins feeding. The incubation period is short, about 3 to 4 days at a temperature of 69 degrees F. (20.56 degrees C.).\nThe young grow quite rapidly, attaining a length of about 2 inches (5.08 cm.) by their first fall.\nFly Fishing for Rock Bass:\nWithin their range Rock bass are found in a wide assortment of habitats, but are especially fond of those including large rocks. They inhabit the lower portions of small streams and the shallow rocky margins of rivers and lakes.\nFew adult anglers actively pursue Rock bass, but probably everyone fishing within their range will hook them from time to time. They are aggressive, hit hard, and put up a very strong fight, especially for their size. This is another of our small native fish species that can provide young sportsmen plenty of fun and an opportunity to become better anglers. Outfits in the 4/5 weight range will allow these feisty sunfish to make good accounts of themselves once hooked. They variety of flies that they’ll readily take covers the full range of possibilities. Small fly-rod poppers will provide plenty of fun as a Rock bass makes a surface take.\nAs is the case with all our smaller sunfish species, the majority of Rock bass are taken only as incidentals by anglers seeking larger fish, especially Smallmouth bass. We’re assuming that this article won’t inspire many long distance Rock bass focused fishing trips.\nAlthough they are typically of a small size, like their relatives, Rock bass make an excellent meal for those willing to properly prepare them. Their meat is white, firm, and of an mildly sweet flavor, which is one reason why all these small fresh-water fish species are called “pan-fish.”\nFor generations, within their central states range, Rock bass have been commercially fished, especially in Lakes Erie and Ontario, and are there locally marketed as fresh fish. This species’ role as a game fish is primarily that of a “kids’” fish.\nLike all our smaller sunfishes, this hardy species can be successfully kept in a large home aquarium. These fish will thrive when fed live native foods collected by the aquarist. Keeping Rock bass, or any native species, in a home aquarium is an excellent way to encourage our young folks to a first-hand investigative look into how the natural world works.\nThriving.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line842309"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5946947336196899,"wiki_prob":0.40530526638031006,"text":"Media People Politics\nDellums Agrees to Pay Cut; Wants to Kill Slush Funds\nOakland Mayor Ron Dellums has offered to cut his pay by 10 percent and slash his office's budget by 20 percent to help solve the city's huge budget problem, according to the Chron and Trib. The mayor also proposed eliminating slush-fund accounts, known as \"pay-go,\" from both his own office and those of the eight city council members. Dellums rightly labeled pay-go as \"not good policy\" that \"perpetuates parochialism.\" Council members have historically used the slush funds to improve their individual districts, as opposed to supporting programs that benefit all of Oakland.\nThe mayor's offer to cut his own office by 20 percent came in response to a proposal by four council members to cut it by one-third. Dellums said the lower number was fair because council members had offered to cut their own staffs by 20 percent, too. It'll be interesting to see whether council members fight to keep their slush funds and force the mayor to slash his own budget by a larger percentage than their own. In addition, the mayor's offer to take a substantial pay cut should finally put to rest the erroneous rumor fueled by Chron columnist Chip Johnson that Dellums wanted a pay increase during the economic crisis. The council is scheduled to finalize the city's budget by June 30.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line628873"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9843884110450745,"wiki_prob":0.9843884110450745,"text":"First Saudi opera house to open in Jeddah\nFirst Saudi opera house to open in Jeddah /node/1252501/saudi-arabia\nIn this file photo, musicians perform at the Royal Opera House in Muscat during a women's celebration in Oman. Saudi Arabia will soon have its own opera house, to be located in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah. (Photo courtesy of the Royal Opera House in Muscat)\nAisha Fareed\nJEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s first opera house is set to open in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah, Ahmed Al-Khatib, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), announced on Thursday.\nThe announcement was part of the launch of the 2018 entertainment calendar at the Four Seasons Hotel in Riyadh, where Al-Khatib revealed a budget of $64 billion for the entertainment sector over the coming decade. More than 5,000 events in 56 cities in the Kingdom are planned for 2018.\nAl-Khatib told Reuters last April of Saudi Arabia’s plan to open “a world-class opera house” as part of the Kingdom’s entertainment reforms.\nThe Saudi General Culture Authority will handle the establishment of the new opera house, Al-Khatib, who declined to give further information, told Arab News.\nThe General Culture Authority could not be immediately reached for comment.\nAccording to Reuters, the opera house to be completed around 2022.\nSpeaking to Arab News, Sultan Al-Bazie, former president of the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts, described the announcement as a significant step toward enriching the Kingdom’s cultural scene and said it deserved “a warm welcome.”\nAl-Bazie wondered, however, about the fate of the Royal Arts Complex and whether the opera house would be a substitute for it.\nIn 1869 the Egyptian Khedivial Opera House in Cairo became the first opera house in Africa and the Middle East. Designed by architects Pietro Avoscani (from Livorno) and Rossi, the opera house was built on the orders of Khedive Ismail to celebrate the opening of the Suez Canal.\nIn 2011, Oman opened the Royal Opera House in Muscat becoming the second Arab and first Gulf country to have an opera house. Other Gulf countries such as Dubai and Kuwait later opened opera houses.\nSaudi Arabia announces 3 more COVID-19 deaths /node/1793226/saudi-arabia\nThe total number of recoveries in the Kingdom has increased to 356,382\nA total of 6,313 people have succumbed to the virus in the Kingdom so far\nLONDON: Saudi Arabia announced 3 deaths from COVID-19 and 173 new infections on Friday.\nOf the new cases, 66 were recorded in Riyadh, 43 in Makkah, 32 in the Eastern Province, 9 in Madinah, 4 in Asir, 2 in Najran and 1 in Jazan.\nThe total number of recoveries in the Kingdom increased to 356,382 after 181 more patients recovered from the virus.\nA total of 6,313 people have succumbed to the virus in the Kingdom so far.\nTopics: Saudi Arabia Coronavirus\nSaudi Arabia's Eastern Province conducts health inspection tours","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1758484"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9271203875541687,"wiki_prob":0.9271203875541687,"text":"HomenewsTerm paper writingThe Allepian Waslah in New York Term Paper\nThe Allepian Waslah in New York Term Paper\nThe Allepian Waslah, literally �extension��or �stretch��, is a multisectional form of music consisting of several related vocal and instrumental compositions from the same maqam-melodic mode. Aleppian Waslah, also known as Al Waslah or Al-Halabiah, has a big role in the recovery and revitalization of individual and collective memory through its poetry, tunes and dances. Al Waslah is an organic, living poetic and musical form of memories inherited from the past that also incorporates the present history of Arabs. Al Waslah is both revolving and evolving, and its components come from different social groups because Al Waslah is without borders. In this paper, I will present my initial findings on the cultural role of Al Waslah in New York’s Syrian and Lebanese communities, based on several key sources.\nThe Al Waslah is an essential part of the cultural life of Arab, Jewish, and Christian communities. It is a unique phenomenon in the culture because it manages to unite different cultural and religious communities. At the same time, the Al Waslah contributes to the preservation of cultural identity of Arab and Jewish communities in different parts of the world. Remarkably, the components of Al Waslah have been used in Syrian and Jewish synagogues, Arab Christian churches, as well as the weddings of Arab Muslims, Jews and Christians. Thus, the Al Waslah is deeply rooted in the culture of different communities. At the same time, this component of Muslim, Jewish and Christian culture has migrated with the population from its place of origin to areas populated by Arabs and Jews. In migrating with diverse groups, the Al Waslah has allowed these groups to distinguish themselves from local, dominating cultural groups. The Lebanese and Syrian communities in New York, which have managed to significantly maintain their cultural identity, have used the Al Waslah to help preserve their cultural identity and maintain ties to their motherland. The importance of Al Waslah for Arabs, Jews and Christian cultures can hardly be underestimated, but it is particularly important for ethnic minorities, such as Lebanese and Syrian communities in large cities like New York, where different cultures coexist and interact.\nHistorically, the Al Waslah was closely associated with the Middle East, but the phenomenon is paradoxical in that it is found in cultures which are traditionally viewed as antagonistic, if not hostile, to Muslim, Judaist, and Christian cultures. Additionally, the Al Waslah transcends time and physical location, marking it as an art form. The Al Waslah is still an essential element of Syrian-Jewish, Muslim and Christian cultures, but today is spread is found not only in the Middle East, but some of the most remote parts of the world.\nIn New York City, anything but remote or isolated, Syrian-American, Lebanese-American, and Jewish-Syrian have preserved the Al Waslah as an essential element of their culture. In fact, the Allepian Waslah has become one of the most important factors shaping the cultural identity of these diverse ethnic groups.\nIn A.K. Rasmussen’s book �Music of Multicultural America: A Study of Twelve Musical Communities��, the author studies the music and cultural life of twelve different communities in America, showing that music is closely intertwined with the cultural identity of diverse ethnic groups. Like the Al Waslah’s cultural significance in New York’s Arab and Jewish communities, Rasmussen proves that music has a significant impact on other ethnic communities. Al Waslah has become an essential component of the cultural life of both communities, and is still widely used during wedding ceremonies. Rasmussen’s book is also very important in comparing the role of Al Waslah in Syrian and Lebanese-American communities to other musical styles and ethnic groups. Though Rasmussen studies the distinct elements of twelve different communities, she also finds common threads among diverse communities.\nRasmussen shows that music is an essential component of social life, where the cultural identity of ethnic minorities is revealed. The author uncovers the cultural power of music, where it not only evokes strong emotions and influences aesthetic feelings of the audience, but also conveys the cultural peculiarities of each ethnic group. Al Waslah is particularly noteworthy because the author shows that Jewish and Arab communities preserved it and conveyed it from one generation to another as a valuable cultural heritage and a historical experience of the people.\nThe Al Waslah, which originally appeared in the Near East, is not a static component of Jewish or Arab culture. It is a dynamic component of culture which progresses and accompanies cultural groups. �Magic Carpet- Alleppo-in-Flatbush: The Story of a Unique Ethnic Jewish Community�� by J.A.D. Sutton reveals that the Al Waslah is an integral part of the cultural life of Jewish community, �exported�� from Israel to the U.S. In New York, the cultural centers of Jewish communities maintain and develop traditions and customs, and preserve cultural identity �� and the Al Waslah is ever-present there. The Al Waslah is one of the essential elements of the cultural life in Jewish-American communities, where it is heard at every wedding and at most musical events.\nSutton argues that the Al Waslah is an essential part of the cultural identity of Jewish-Americans and helps them distinguish themselves from the rest of American society. At the same time, the author shows that different generations of Jewish immigrants have maintained their cultural links throughout the past century due to the Al Waslah. The Al Waslah has linked different generations of Jewish immigrants to New York City, both old and new. Here Sutton provides clear evidence that the Al Waslah is conveyed from one generation to another, and while younger generations of Jewish-Americans have grown up in a multicultural environment, they still remain devoted to Jewish culture due to Al Waslah. The author extrapolates the significance of the Al Waslah from a purely musical, artistic phenomenon to a cultural one. Thus, the Al Waslah becomes a cultural phenomenon that unites the New York City-Jewish community.\nThe idea of a uniting power of the Aln Waslah and the view on this musical form as a complex cultural phenomenon is found in other books as well as in the views of the people. Specialists observe the same trends and cultural power of the Al Waslah not only in the Jewish community, but also in Arab-Muslim and Arab-Christian communities. Sutton fortifies Rasmussen’s thesis, which emphasizes the cultural implications of music and to move beyond the traditional perception of music as simply an art form. Instead, both Sutton and Rasmussen contend that the Al Waslah, as well as other musical forms, should be viewed from a broader point of view. Moreover, they have uniting power, which accelerates two seemingly contrasting forces: interaction of diverse cultures and preservation of cultural identity.\nThe Al Waslah has survived in the Jewish-American community, despite the impact of American culture and the clash of traditional Jewish culture and contemporary American culture. Yet the Al Waslah is not an element of Jewish culture alone. Other communities, including the Syrian and Lebanese communities in New York, have managed to preserve this element of their culture which helps them feel themselves a part of Syrian and Lebanese culture in global terms. Thus, the Al Waslah links ethnic communities in different parts of the world, including New York City, with their motherlands and their original cultures.\nMoreover, the Al Waslah does not simply help to preserve cultural identity but also popularizes and spreads Jewish and Arab cultures in large cities like New York. For instance, an interview with Shadi Jameel, a singer of Al Waslah in New York City, proves that the Al Waslah contributes to the popularization of Arab culture in the city and stimulates cultural interaction between representatives of different communities, including Arab and Jewish communities. At the same time, Shadi Jameel points out that the Al Waslah helps to maintain their ties to their motherlands. Shadi Jameel sings the Al Waslah at weddings and parties in Jewish-Syrian communities, where it is more than just a song or piece of entertainment. The Allepian Waslah has a spiritual power of returning Jewish Syrians to their native places.\nThe Jameel interview supports the ideas suggested by Sutton and Rasmussen, as Jameel says that the Jewish-Syrian community manages to preserve the Al Waslah in both Jewish and Syrian community, despite controversies between them. Instead, both Jews and Syrians feel a certain cultural closeness to each other. At this point, the role of the Jews in Syria, at the heart of Aleppo and Damascus, must be stressed.\nThe fact that the Al Waslah is still popular in New York proves that this music, as a cultural element, can overcome geographical distance and eliminate borders between states and communities. On the other hand, it does not eliminate, but conversely strengthens the cultural identity of representatives of different ethnic communities.\nThe Al Walsah is just one manifestation of the great cultural power of music as a tool to preserve cultural identity and accelerate cultural interaction between different ethnic groups. Ray Allen and Lois Wilken, editors of �Island Sounds in the Global City: Caribbean Popular Music and Identity in New York��, reveal the extent to which New York’s ethnic music is interactive. Focusing on the study of Caribbean music in New York City, the authors show the formation of social identity of people of Caribbean origin. Allen and Wilken research different Caribbean styles which have become extremely popular in modern New York City. They find that New York City has become the center of Caribbean music and Caribbean culture because it is widespread and oriented to the masses. In this way, Caribbean music has become both a means of self-expression of Caribbean peoples living in New York and a tool which preserves cultural and social identity. The uniqueness of Caribbean music emphasizes the uniqueness of Caribbean cultures.\nHowever, Allen and Wilken research Caribbean music in a broader, multicultural context. The authors argue that New York is a kind of melting pot where Caribbean music styles and culture progress dynamically and interact with each other, as well as with other musical styles and cultures. They trace the individuality of diverse Caribbean musical styles, pointing out, for example, that Jamaicans tend to calm reggae while the Trinidadian community thrives on its calypso and steel pan music.\nIn such a way, each ethnic group has its own music style, which distinguishes it from others and allows the ethnic group to maintain its national traditions and culture. Their book is important to understand the role of music in the preservation of cultural identity and its impact on the culture of local communities living in New York. The authors argue that, in New York, representatives of different cultures and ethnic groups interact with each other. Moreover, the authors highlight that Caribbean artists work in a multicultural environment and play their music for an extremely diverse audience. As a result, their music is spreading to different ethnic groups. In such away, Caribbean music styles and cultures enrich each other as well as the local culture, including that of white and black Americans who are native-born Americans. In such a context, the Al Waslah is similar as it proves to be the distinguishable characteristic of the Lebanese and Syrian communities in New York.\nAllen and Wilken reveal contradictory trends in the modern music and culture of New York. On the one hand, there are different music styles which help to preserve social identity of individual groups, while on the other, there is growing cultural interaction, which can lead to the assimilation of different ethnic groups and integration of their music styles. Nonetheless, the authors say the Caribbean communities have managed to avoid assimilating into American culture and, at the same time, have managed to make their music and culture extremely popular in New York. Like the Allepian Waslah in Lebanese and Syrian communities of New York, this musical form allows these groups to preserve their culture and distinguish themselves from other cultural groups in New York, while fostering interaction among groups.\nThe organization of Allen and Wilken’s book helps the authors convey their socio-cultural message that music is vitally important for culture and necessary to preserving culture. In such a way, Allen and Wilken support the ideas suggested by Rasmussen, Sutton and Shadi Jameel that music is able to convey cultural messages, preserve cultural identity in a multicultural environment. Their definition of metro is particularly noteworthy since it reveals the actual diversity of the cultural environment of New York. At first glance, the city seems as if all ethnic groups are mixed together. However, metro become a means of self- expression of those amateur or semi-professional artists who use painting to express their self. The Al Waslah is also a kind of self-expression of representatives of different ethnic communities in New York.\nIt is possible to conclude that the Al Waslah constitutes an integral part of the cultural life of different ethnic groups and communities. It is a unique cultural phenomenon because it persists in different groups, including Muslim Arabs, Christian Arabs, and Jews. Al Waslah is growing more popular today, from the place of its origin to places overseas. Thus, Al Waslah should not be viewed as solely a musical form, but rather as a constructive, cultural element which reveals the power of music to preserve cultural identity and maintain cultural traditions throughout the history of different peoples, regardless of where they live.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line897333"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8195968270301819,"wiki_prob":0.8195968270301819,"text":"1 COPY LEFT! In 1979, as a 15-year-old Eddie Piller was perfectly placed to be at the epicentre of the Mod revival. An inquisitive passion for music, a family connection to Mod royalty The Small Faces, and an attitude that saw him travelling his home city, then the country and then the world to take in the sounds that were emerging. In the years since, he has been a legendary figure within the music industry setting up and continuing to own the ground-breaking Acid Jazz label, signing multi-platinum artists such as Jamiroquai and The Brand New Heavies collaborating on compilations with Martin Freeman and as an award winning broadcaster even setting up his own Totally Wired Radio station. Mod started as a 60’s youth movement original built on sharp clothes, American soul music and nights on the town, that has never really died. The originals added young British groups to their likes and then moved on, but their influence echoed on through the 70’s in Northern Soul clubs, and in the 60’s influenced bands of the pub rock era. When punk arrived, it was supposed to sweep away the past, but instead the Sex Pistols were covering the Small Faces. The Clash brought in Mod DJ Guy Stevens to produce “London Calling”, The Buzzcocks sounded closer to the Hollies than The Ramones and in The Jam’s Paul Weller there was a musical and sartorial nod to the past of The Who, The Beatles and pop art arrows. In bleak late 70’s Britain, the glorious optimism of the 60’s looked bright and shiny, and as it was only a decade or so in the past, it was easy to pick up original records, clothes and books for pennies, and as you bought these you met other like-minded souls who did the same. Eddie never stopped being a mod and has a unique perspective having now lived through four decades of being intimately involved in the music that has emerged from the mod scene. In this 92 track, 4 CD box set, we are guided through some of his favorite music from the scene by a plethora of bands whose influences include The Who, The Kinks and the Jam, to sixties soul and R&B, those with an eye on psychedelia. All have a vitality and a certain stylish swagger to them, that marks them out as Mod. Eddie has written an in-depth note describing what it meant to him and has granted access to his own scrapbooks from his many years of gig-going from which pages and memorabilia are reproduced. ESSENTIAL IN OUR MINDS!! GREAT!!\nTurning Circles + bonus disc\nArtist: Dropkick\nThe 2020 reissue of Dropkick’s 2007 album “Turning Circles” comes as an expanded CD. This was the first album the Andrew/Alastair/Roy/Stu line up made before “Dot the I” and “Pa ... read more »","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1213895"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6815712451934814,"wiki_prob":0.6815712451934814,"text":"Prelude 4: Jacqueline Li and Johnny Fong\nJacqueline Li, Johnny Fong 6:00 pm - 6:45 pm\nJacqueline LI is now a staff accompanist at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts as well as the guest keyboard player in the Hong Kong Sinfonietta. Born in Hong Kong, Li started to play piano at the age of four. She read music at the Chinese University of Hong Kong with major studies in piano under Professor David Gwilt. After she obtained her Professional Diploma in piano accompaniment at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Li pursued further studies at the Royal College of Music (London). There she studied piano performance with Andrew Ball and fortepiano with David Ward and won the Amadeus Fortepiano Prize in 2006. She was also the recipient of the RCM Hong Kong Scholarship as well as the British Council Chevening Scholarship.\nLi performed with clarinetist Johnny Fong at Carnegie Hall in New York in 2009. She has been an active performer as a soloist, accompanist and chamber musician in Hong Kong. Highlights of her performances include the Yellow River Piano Concerto, Bach’s keyboard concerto in D minor BWV 1052 and Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue in 2007, and Rachmaninov’s piano concerto No. 2 in 2013. She played Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with Kharkov Philharmonic Orchestra in 2013. She has also performed in TV, radio and various cities including Vienna, Salzburg, London, Kent, Taipei, Macau and Guangzhou. For CD recording, Li played for the commercial album “Breeze Kisses My Face — The Choral Music of Jan Tien-hao” on The Modern Audio label, which received the IFPI Hong Kong top sales music award in 2014.\nOriginal from Hong Kong, Johnny FONG is the principal clarinet in the Hong Kong Sinfonietta since 2008. Fong received his Bachelor in the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts in 2006, studied with Mr. Andrew Simon. In 2008, under the support of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Music and Dance Fund, Fong received his Master Degree in Mannes College, The New School of Music, studied with Mr. Charles Neidich and Miss Ayako Oshima.\nAfter joined the Asian Youth Orchestra in 2004, Fong started his career as a freelance orchestral player. He has currently played with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as being invited as the guest principal clarinet of the Macao Orchestra and the Hong Kong Sinfonietta. Fong has worked under the baton of Maestro Edo de Waart, Sergiu Comissiona, Takuo Yuasa and Yip Wing-Sie. Fong has performed throughout the world including China, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Philippines, Kular Lumpur, France, Italy, South Americe as well as the Carnegie Hall Stern Auditorium in New York.\nAs a soloist, Fong recently gives his recital in the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. He was one of the winners in the concerto competition held by Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts in 2004, played the Copland Clarinet Concerto with the Academic Symphony Orchestra. In 2006, Fong won the same competition and played the Second Concert Piece for Clarinet and Basset Clarinet by Felix Mendelssohn.\nPresented by the Artist International Presentation Inc., Fong makes his début solo recital in the Carnegie Hall Weill Hall, New York in January 2009. He played the Dance Preludes by Witold Lutoslawski with the Hong Kong Sinfonietta in the Hong Kong Arts Festival 2009. He also played the Concertino by Carl M. von Weber with The Hong Kong Wind Philharmonia in the same year. He was a featured soloist in the orchestra’s Expo 2010 Shanghai Concert (Hong Kong Week Closing Performance).\nFong has currently taught in Chinese University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Baptist University.\nSonatina for clarinet and piano\nAllegro calmato\nLento, quasi andante\nAdagio from Clarinet Concerto in A major\nSonata for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 120 no. 1 in F minor\nAllegro appassionato\nAndante up poco Adagio\nAllegretto grazioso","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line221802"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6650434732437134,"wiki_prob":0.3349565267562866,"text":"New York Medical and Dental Care\nKings Clinic Directory\nErasmus Hall Educational Campus School-Based Health Center\nErasmus Hall Educational Campus School-Based Health Center - Brooklyn School-Based Health Center\nClinic Details: The School Health Program - Family Health Centers at NYU Langone provides medical, mental health, and dental services, along with health education, directly to children and adolescents through clinics located in public elementary, middle, and high schools throughout New York City. We care for children when they are sick, but also provide the preventive medical care to keep them healthy. By operating clinics inside schools, we help ensure that healthcare is accessible and convenient for children and families. A healthy child misses fewer days of school, which makes it easier to keep up with schoolwork and succeed academically. Also, when a child is healthy, his or her parents miss fewer days of work.\nWebsite: https://nyulangone.org/\nServices: Behavioral Health; Medical Care\nRemarks: Urban Area, Seasonal Clinic, Seasonal\nFlatbush Family Health Center\nLocation: Brooklyn, NY - 11203 | 0.7 mile away\nDetails: Flatbush Family Health Center at NYU Langone provides a full range of primary care health services for adults and children. In addition to our primary care services, as a patient at the Family Health Centers we can connect you with doctors from more than 30 adult and pediatric medical and surgical specialties. Behavioral health and dentistry and oral health services are also available. We also offer nutrition services, HIV counseling and free testing, and services specific to the needs of members of the LGBTQ+ community and their families. The center’s team includes health professionals and staff who can speak English, Haitian Creole, Spanish, and French.\nCaribbean Women's Health Association\nDetails: Caribbean Women’s Health Association, Inc. (CWHA) was founded in 1982. For over thirty years CWHA has served as an advocacy group and service provider in the community. CWHA strongly relies on community involvement in planning, implementation and evaluation of programs that meets the health and social support needs of the community. There is continuous interaction with the community to review the appropriateness of the educational and promotional materials produced by CWHA.\nCrown Heights Health Center\nDetails: Our Crown Heights Health Center has been serving the Crown Heights/Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn since 1964.\nTotal Professional Medical Care\nServices: Medical Care\nEzra Medical Center - 38th St\nLocation: Brooklyn, NY - 11218 | 1.5 miles away\nDetails: A welcoming presence on 38th Street, Ezra Medical Center invites you into a cutting-edge facility inspired by New York's finest hospitals. Despite the bustle of medical professionals and support staff, the peace and calm speak volumes to Ezra's coordinated services roster and joyful visitor experience.\nSterling Health Center\nDetails: Brightpoint Health drives dramatic improvements in the health of New Yorkers. Brightpoint Health is a recognized leader in the delivery of high-quality, person-centered, integrated care resulting in improved health outcomes for people, families and communities challenged by health disparities caused by poverty, discrimination and lack of access.\nPs 10 School-based Health Center\nDetails: The School Health Program - Family Health Centers at NYU Langone provides medical, mental health, and dental services, along with health education, directly to children and adolescents through clinics located in public elementary, middle, and high schools throughout New York City. We care for children when they are sick, but also provide the preventive medical care to keep them healthy. By operating clinics inside schools, we help ensure that healthcare is accessible and convenient for children and families. A healthy child misses fewer days of school, which makes it easier to keep up with schoolwork and succeed academically. Also, when a child is healthy, his or her parents miss fewer days of work.\nMs 88 School-based Health Center\nPark Slope Family Health Center\nDetails: Park Slope Family Health Center at NYU Langone offers primary care and same-day sick visits for adults and children. We also provide behavioral health and general and pediatric dentistry, and our medical staff is fluent in Russian and Spanish. As a patient at the Family Health Centers, we can connect you with doctors from more than 30 adult and pediatric medical and surgical specialties.\nPs 282 School-based Health Center","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1113649"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9109454154968262,"wiki_prob":0.9109454154968262,"text":"Sen. Portman talks of defense cuts at Wright-Patt\nCivilian workers could be forced to take unpaid leave\nFlickr: soundfromwayout SOURCE: Flickr: soundfromwayout\nU.S. Sen. Rob Portman visited Ohio's largest military installation on Monday to discuss the potential impact of anticipated defense spending cuts on the base, where officials have said most of its 13,000 civilian workers are expected to face unpaid leave if the cuts aren't averted.Portman met with officials at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton to gain information on the expected effects, if Congress and President Barack Obama's administration fail to avert the cuts that are scheduled to start automatically on Friday. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has said most of the military's 800,000 civilian workers could be forced to take unpaid leave.Portman told base officials Congress is \"working hard\" on the issue, Col. Cassie Barlow, commander of the 88th Air Base Wing at Wright-Patterson, said in a telephone interview.The cuts loom amid a standoff between Obama and Republican leaders over whether to offset cuts with other cuts alone or cuts and increased taxes.In an emailed statement, the Republican senator blamed out-of-control spending, not a lack of revenue, for budget deficits.But he also said across-board spending cuts would \"have a detrimental effect on our national defense,\" and he would like to \"give the administration the flexibility to target the spending cuts so as not to blindly gut the military and hamper operations.\"The Obama administration has said that about 26,000 civilian Department of Defense employees in Ohio would be furloughed, reducing their total wages by about $161 million. Funding for Air Force operations in Ohio would be cut by about $3 million and Army base operations in the state would be cut by about $1.9 million, according to White House figures released Sunday.Barlow said that most of the base's civilian employees are expected to face furloughs. She said exemptions have been requested for employees such as medical and fire personnel, but that number is probably less than 100.Barlow said it will be tough to operate the southwest Ohio base where civilians make up about 60 percent of all its employees.\"To go through the furloughs and take the reductions we are looking at, that is critical,\" she said.Barlow said she hopes there will be some flexibility allowed in arranging the furloughs so not all employees would be off within a particular office on the same day.Base officials say the furloughs of 22 days would start in April.The president of the local American Federation of Government Employees union did not immediately return calls seeking comment Monday.Barlow stressed the impact will go far beyond the workers and the base.It also will be \"devastating\" to surrounding communities, Barlow said, echoing concerns of local officials worried about lower tax revenues and businesses that rely on spending by base employees.\nU.S. Sen. Rob Portman visited Ohio's largest military installation on Monday to discuss the potential impact of anticipated defense spending cuts on the base, where officials have said most of its 13,000 civilian workers are expected to face unpaid leave if the cuts aren't averted.\nPortman met with officials at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton to gain information on the expected effects, if Congress and President Barack Obama's administration fail to avert the cuts that are scheduled to start automatically on Friday. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has said most of the military's 800,000 civilian workers could be forced to take unpaid leave.\nColonel: cuts likely affect most OH base civilians\nPortman told base officials Congress is \"working hard\" on the issue, Col. Cassie Barlow, commander of the 88th Air Base Wing at Wright-Patterson, said in a telephone interview.\nThe cuts loom amid a standoff between Obama and Republican leaders over whether to offset cuts with other cuts alone or cuts and increased taxes.\nIn an emailed statement, the Republican senator blamed out-of-control spending, not a lack of revenue, for budget deficits.\nBut he also said across-board spending cuts would \"have a detrimental effect on our national defense,\" and he would like to \"give the administration the flexibility to target the spending cuts so as not to blindly gut the military and hamper operations.\"\nThe Obama administration has said that about 26,000 civilian Department of Defense employees in Ohio would be furloughed, reducing their total wages by about $161 million. Funding for Air Force operations in Ohio would be cut by about $3 million and Army base operations in the state would be cut by about $1.9 million, according to White House figures released Sunday.\nBarlow said that most of the base's civilian employees are expected to face furloughs. She said exemptions have been requested for employees such as medical and fire personnel, but that number is probably less than 100.\nBarlow said it will be tough to operate the southwest Ohio base where civilians make up about 60 percent of all its employees.\n\"To go through the furloughs and take the reductions we are looking at, that is critical,\" she said.\nBarlow said she hopes there will be some flexibility allowed in arranging the furloughs so not all employees would be off within a particular office on the same day.\nBase officials say the furloughs of 22 days would start in April.\nThe president of the local American Federation of Government Employees union did not immediately return calls seeking comment Monday.\nBarlow stressed the impact will go far beyond the workers and the base.\nIt also will be \"devastating\" to surrounding communities, Barlow said, echoing concerns of local officials worried about lower tax revenues and businesses that rely on spending by base employees.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1037688"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8162199258804321,"wiki_prob":0.8162199258804321,"text":"This is historical material, \"frozen in time.\" The web site is no longer updated and links to external web sites and some internal pages will not work.\nPRESIDENT | VICE PRESIDENT | FIRST LADY | MRS. CHENEY | NEWS\nYour Government | History & Tours | Kids | E-mail | En Español\nPodcasts RSS Feeds\nFederal Statistics\nHome > News & Policies > June 2004\nPrinter-Friendly Version Email This Page\nMessage to the Congress of the United States\nI am pleased to transmit to the Congress, pursuant to section 123d. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, the text of an amendment to the Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for Cooperation on the Uses of Atomic Energy for Mutual Defense Purposes of July 3, 1958, as amended, and my written approval, authori-zation, and determination concerning the agreement. The joint unclassified letter submitted to me by the Secretaries of Energy and Defense that provides a summary position on the Amendment is also enclosed.\nThe Amendment extends for 10 years (until December 31, 2014) provisions that permit the transfer of nonnuclear parts, source, byproduct, special nuclear materials, and other material and technology for nuclear weapons and military reactors, and revises text, principally in the Security Annex, to be consistent with current policies and practices relating to personnel and physical security.\nIn my judgment, the proposed Amendment meets all statutory requirements. The United Kingdom intends to continue to maintain viable nuclear forces. In light of our previous close coopera-tion and the fact that the United Kingdom has committed its nuclear forces to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, I have concluded that it is in our interest to continue to assist them in main-taining a credible nuclear force.\nI have approved the Amendment, authorized its execution, and urge that the Congress give it favorable consideration.\nJune 14,2004.\nHistory & Tours | Kids | Your Government | Appointments | Jobs | Contact | Text only\nAccessibility | Search | Privacy Policy | Help | Site Map","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line2001882"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.841281533241272,"wiki_prob":0.841281533241272,"text":"Spotify Instagram Twitter Facebook Global Activity Feed\nThe Rabbit Room\nAmy Garg\n@delhicitybabes\nhttps://emmakhan016.tumblr.com/\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/greater-noida-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/noida-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/ghaziabad-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/saket-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/vaishali-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/indirapuram-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/rohini-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/mehrauli-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/vikas-puri-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/kapashera-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/greater-kailash-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/uttam-nagar-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/janakpuri-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/paschim-vihar-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/aerocity-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/cr-park-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/rk-puram-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/rajouri-garden-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/pashchim-vihar-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/punjabi-bagh-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/dwarka-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/connaught-place-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/nehru-place-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/mahipalpur-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/malviya-nagar-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/kalkaji-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/karol-bagh-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/vasant-kunj-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/lajpat-nagar-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/munirka-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/defence-colony-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/east-of-kailash-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/hauz-khas-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/pitampura-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/mayur-vihar-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/paharganj-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/okhla-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/mukherjee-nagar-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/jangpura-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/chattarpur-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/laxmi-nagar-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/crossings-republik-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/kaushambi-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/daryaganj-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/mayapuri-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/vasundhara-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/kashmiri-gate-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/patel-nagar-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/model-town-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/nirman-vihar-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/govindpuri-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/gaur-city-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/ashok-vihar-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/chandni-chowk-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/gtb-nagar-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/gurgaon-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/jodhpur-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/udaipur-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/raipur-escorts.html\nhttps://www.delhicitybabes.com/indore-escorts.html\nhttp://www.delhicitybabes.com\nhttp://www.delhicitybabes.com/delhi-call-girls-service.html\nMy Other Other Website\nhttp://www.delhicitybabes.com/russian-escorts-in-delhi.html\nAbout the Rabbit Room\nRabbit Room Press\nThe Local Show\nHutchmoot\nStay up to date with the latest Rabbit Room news\nThe Rabbit Room fosters Christ-centered community and spiritual formation through music, story, and art.\n© 2021 The Rabbit Room. All rights reserved. Website development by Mosaic Web. Hosted by Flywheel.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1249029"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6928998827934265,"wiki_prob":0.3071001172065735,"text":"Latest News from Masoala\nWWF scandal\nRecently the WWF has been confronted with extremely serious accusations concerning its human rights' record which in many well documented[...]\nTravelling to Masoala?\nTo those of you who plan to visit Masoala, we recommend HARIMALALA Paul Clément as your tourist guide. Paul is[...]\nUpdate on our Petition\nOur online petition \"Respect basic human rights in Masoala, Madagascar\" has up to date been signed by 318 people from around the[...]\nOur Petition | Background In 1997, most of the Masoala peninsula in Madagascar was declared a strictly protected national park.[...]\nNew book on Nature Conservation in Masoala\nEva Keller, founder of Human Rights in Masoala, has been working for many years on a social anthropological research project concerning[...]\nNew Report on Land Grabbing in Madagascar\nLAND GRABBING IN MADAGASCAR. ECHOES AND TESTIMONIES FROM THE FIELD is a new comprehensive report over current land grabbing projects[...]\nRefusing farmers’ humanity\nMalagasy farmers are often said to be engaged in agricultural practices that will inevitably lead to the eventual destruction of[...]\nPublished two years ago in THE WASHINGTON POST on 25 January 2010, Katherine Marshall's column about the concerns raised by[...]\nExpulsion of Malagasy families from their land\nThe Collectif pour la Défense des Terres Malgaches has launched an online petition against the expulsion of Malagasy families from their land[...]\nOn Sunday 24 July (14:30) and Saturday 6 August (01:05), FRANCE 5 will show a documentary called \"La lune et[...]\n“Just Conservation”\nWe have uploaded a link to Just Conservation. Just Conservation is a facebook platform (accessible also to those not on facebook)[...]\nCyclone in February 2011\nOn 14 February 2011, Ambanizana – one of the villages that the documents you find on this website talk about[...]","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1161778"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9930896162986755,"wiki_prob":0.9930896162986755,"text":"THURSDAY, May 7, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- A new study suggesting that the new coronavirus has mutated to become even more infectious should be viewed with skepticism, multiple experts said Wednesday.\nEarlier this week, researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory concluded that the new strain of the coronavirus started spreading in Europe in early February and then expanded to other parts of the world, becoming the dominant strain of the virus in the United States and Canada by the end of March, CNBC reported.\nThe team also concluded that the strain was more easily transmitted between people.\nThe study was posted Thursday on the website BioRxiv, and has not been peer-reviewed.\nThe research \"doesn't prove that this new strain is in fact more infectious,\" Gottlieb said Wednesday on CNBC's \"Squawk Box.\"\n\"The analysis could be confounded by the fact that this just became the dominant strain in Europe because it got into Europe early and then got into the United States from Europe,\" former U.S. Food and Drug Administration head Dr. Scott Gottlieb explained. \"It really doesn't prove anything.\"\nHe also noted that the study is only based on computational analysis and more research is required, CNN reported. \"We don't have any other data to support it, including cell culture data,\" he noted.\n\"We saw a change like this with Ebola and we initially thought that it also made Ebola more contagious, and we actually had cell culture data to support it at that time,\" Gottlieb said.\n\"We found that when we put it into animal studies, in fact the change in the [Ebola] virus didn't change its contours at all, didn't make it more infectious,\" he explained.\nSpeaking to The New York Times, evolutionary biologist Sergei Pond, of Temple University, agreed.\n\"I don't think they provide evidence to claim transmissibility enhancement,\"he said.\n\"In order to establish this, you'd need direct competition between strains in the same geographic area,\" and that hasn't been shown, Pond explained.\nThere are different strains of the new coronavirus circulating, but mutation alone doesn't mean it's more contagious, Gottlieb said.\n\"Just because it mutates doesn't mean it's changing in ways that's going to make it more virulent or more infectious,\" he said. \"It is going to drift over time. Generally the drift should be in the direction of making it less virulent, less dangerous, not more, if it's selected for, because it wants to keep its host [people] alive.\"\n\"I think those [Los Alamos] claims are suspect, to say the least,\" Bill Hanage, an epidemiologist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, added on Twitter, the Times reported.\nVisit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more on the new coronavirus.\nSOURCE: CNBC; CNN, The New York Times","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line596669"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6062386631965637,"wiki_prob":0.3937613368034363,"text":"Meny – Gallery\nSlottet & Rikssalen\nDO YOU WANT PICTURES TO USE?\nWe have high resolution pictures of Uppsala Castle and the Hall of State. Contact us if you would like to use them in printed form or on the Internet.\nFestivities at Uppsala Castle have developed into what they are today over a long period of time. The setting is still as grand – and these days it is complemented by modern technology. The catering takes its inspiration from traditional castle meals.\nThe Hall of State can accommodate 550 banquet style, 700 theatre style, and 1000 reception style.\nIn 1549 Gustav Vasa started building a fortress at Kasåsen in Uppsala. After Gustav Vasa’s death, his three sons took over the construction and by the early 1600s the castle had become a magnificent palace with three towers.\nThe beautifully preserved spaces in Uppsala Castle provide an attractive location for the perfect function.\nWhen dinner is over, the guests will be served coffee and liqueurs in the highest gallery in the Castle.\nA party at Uppsala Castle is a journey through time. It also provides a culinary experience and a venue for music, dance and entertainment. Together they make the evening unforgettable.\nFor a few hundred years, the castle was one of Sweden’s top public venues, accommodating coronation ceremonies, and dramatic deliberations and events. Even today the magnificent halls, galleries and stairwells bring history to life.\nThe castle has also been the venue for seven coronation ceremonies, the most magnificent festivities of all time. When Erik XIV was crowned in June 1561, the festivities lasted for six days.\n© Rikssalsstiftelsen 2017 | info@rikssalen.se","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1270850"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8874379992485046,"wiki_prob":0.8874379992485046,"text":"Blog Categories all music news GHOST Is Trying To Decide Where To Film New Concert DVD/Blu-Ray\nGHOST Is Trying To Decide Where To Film New Concert DVD/Blu-Ray Thursday March 14 2019, 10:02 PM\nTobias Forge has confirmed that GHOST is planning to film a concert DVD and Blu-ray during the band's still-ongoing world tour in support of last year's \"Prequelle\" album. \"That's definitely in the pipeline,\" he told Australia's Wall Of Sound in a new interview. \"We don't know yet as to when and where we will shoot this. It really, really isn't something that you do just anywhere. You wanna do it in a venue that might possess some sort of look, some sort of aura.\"\nThe GHOST mastermind continued: \"I think for what I wanna do and how I like things, and being a control freak and a very much habitual person, playing arenas is the best thing in the world, because nothing changes. The production is more or less the same every day. But as an individual who was kind of rebellious in the aesthetic, the downside — if there is one negative thing to say — is it's very repetitive and very generic. So, most venues, even if it's a very well-known historical arena or a newly built one, they basically look the same. So, from a cinematic point of view, there are slim pickings when it comes to a suitable venue. So we're trying to look into that — if there's anything historical, as in an older venue. Also where we can play. Where can we do the production? Maybe in Europe. Maybe an old Roman arena or something like that. That would be more of a physical look. And on the other hand, in order to do things like that, you might need access for more than one day. And it would be really good if the place was sold out. It would be really cool if that crowd was a very vivid, raging, Friday-night sort of crowd instead of a very subdued, Tuesday-night, wants to leave during the encore… even if it's your crowd. There's a very big difference between the two extremes. You can do fantastic shows in the middle of nowhere, or even in a big metropolitan city, on a Tuesday night, and the crowd equals dancing with someone that is about to fall asleep.\"\nForge recently said in another interview that his current stage persona, Cardinal Copia , has a very good chance of sticking around for GHOST 's next studio album.\nForge performed as a \"new\" Papa Emeritus on each of the band's first three LPs, with each version of Papa replacing the one that came before it. Papa Emeritus III was retired in favor of Cardinal Copia before the release of \"Prequelle\" .\nForge told Billboard that he is already focused on the band's next recording project, with plans to be in the studio again by the beginning of 2020. But GHOST still has an extensive touring schedule to get through for the rest of 2019, including a opening stint for METALLICA this summer.\nLUNATIC HOOKERS VISUAL ATTACK\nIN FLAMES | New Single 'Clayman (Re-Recorded)'...\nBuffalo Heavies BUNGLER to Embark on May U.S. Tour...\nTRAGIC DEATH: Apocalyptic Blackened Metal Collective...\nNew Promo: Veritas - Threads Of Fatality - (Hard...\n5IVE: \"Versus\" Sees Reissue Today\n\"Project: Almaz\": new animation video by Built-in...\nSCOUR Announces The Black EP; Free Bathory Cover To...","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line161950"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8420320749282837,"wiki_prob":0.8420320749282837,"text":"A University researcher wants to find out what helps people become active users of the Māori language to try to reverse the decline in speaker numbers.\nProfessor Rāwinia Higgins from Te Kawa a Māui—School of Māori Studies is co-leading a three-year research project to investigate how Māori language contributes to economic development, cultural identity, and social cohesion.\nHer focus is on community responsiveness to Māori language, while co-leader Associate Professor Pōia Rewi from the School of Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies at the University of Otago is examining state responsiveness.\nDr Higgins and her team are concentrating on people who have taken steps to include Māori language in their everyday life—those who are not necessarily proficient, but motivated to use the language.\n“We want to know what motivates them, where they find support, and if they use the resources that are available—such as Māori radio and television, Māori language interfaces on websites, and Māori materials provided in areas like doctors’ waiting rooms.\n“As a speaker of te reo Māori, I generally don’t read Māori language versions of material. It’s frustrating, because they’re often quite dense, and to work them out you need a rich vocabulary or plenty of time. Consequently, we have to ask if these materials are of value in encouraging and supporting language normalisation,” says Dr Higgins.\nThe researchers also want to know where people are most likely to use Māori language. “Marae, for example, have been seen as a priority area but our preliminary findings show Māori is not an active form of communication on the marae. A lot of people attend functions and ceremonies there but it’s not a place where they go regularly to talk the language.”\nDr Higgins is working in collaboration with the Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust and Te Ataarangi, an initiative to encourage people to speak Māori in homes and communities, to carry out her research. Information is being gathered through questionnaires in both Māori and English, face-to-face interviews and online surveys.\nWhat’s clear, says Dr Higgins, is that most of the initiatives underway to encourage uptake of Māori language are operating in silos.\n“There are points of crossover but they tend to be informal—there is no single, coordinated strategy to move forward.\nThrough our collaboration with these two significant Māori language organisations, we hope that our research will highlight the positive transformative effect the language has had with active users and how this can benefit society as a whole.”\nA government review of the Māori language sector carried out in 2011 found that more than $500 million is being spent on the language, but Dr Higgins says it is still struggling.\n“What our research will be able to do is guide how we invest the money being spent. It makes sense for the dollars to be going into providing things people who are driven to learn the language are actually using.”\nProf Rawinia Higgins\nDeputy Vice-Chancellor (Maori)\nPVC Maori/Iwi Studies\nrawinia.higgins@vuw.ac.nz\nRS 201, Robert Stout Building, Gate 2, Kelburn Parade","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line785823"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6381442546844482,"wiki_prob":0.36185574531555176,"text":"Book Review: About the B'nai Bagels by E.L. Konigsburg (1969)\nAbout the B'nai Bagels was first published in 1969, on the heels of Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth, and From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, which won a 1968 Newbery honor and the 1968 Newbery medal respectively. It had a couple of tough acts to follow, but overall, I think it rose to the occasion.\nMark Setzer is twelve years old. He's coping with the loss of his best friend who has recently moved to a richer part of town and made a snobby new friend, while also preparing for his bar mitzvah, and trying to get out of the shadow of his over-achieving older brother, Spencer. On top of that, his mother has volunteered to manage his little league team. When Mark becomes aware of some information that could jeopardize the team's success and undermine all his mother's work, he wonders whether he should tell, or keep it to himself. What he decides, in the end, results in a coming of age experience that puts Mark firmly on the path to adulthood.\nThe language in the book now seems quite dated, but I actually enjoyed that aspect of it. I think it might bother a contemporary young reader, but as an adult, I've become interested in some of the older, forgotten children's books, and I enjoyed being immersed in the style and context of another time period. I also enjoyed Mark's wry observations about his family life, his interactions with other boys on his team, and in his neighborhood, his struggle to hang onto aspects of his lost friendship, and most of all, the humorous and realistic dialogue Konigsburg writes for the Setzer family.\nI think adults who enjoy children's literature, and like to look back as well as forward, should definitely read this book. Kids, though, will be harder to sell on it, unless they really like realistic fiction,or have an interest in what day to day life was like in the late 1960s. There's not even really enough actual baseball action in this book to make it appeal to baseball fans. There will be the rare kid, though, who will read this and love it, and whoever that kid is, I hope he stops by my desk in the library to talk about it when he's done.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line109221"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6108505129814148,"wiki_prob":0.3891494870185852,"text":"Home Our Story\nProviding girls access to higher education, mentorship, and sport through track and field empowerment programs.\nTrackGirlz is a 501c3 nonprofit organization providing girls access to higher education, mentorship, and sport through our track and field empowerment programs. TrackGirlz is a 501c3 nonprofit organization helping girls reach their full potential through track and field. Our programs include empowerment workshopz and grants that provide resources to enable participation in track and field, educational resources, and direct interaction with women from the TrackGirlz community, including Olympians, elite coaches, and industry leaders. The sport is one of the most diverse and inclusive sports for women, appealing to various ethnicities, body types, and athletes with physical disabilities.\nAccording to research conducted by the Women’s Sports Foundation, by the age of 14, girls drop out of sports twice as often as boys for factors such as social stigma, lack of access, safety and transportation issues, costs, and lack of positive role models. Track and Field was found to most likely lead to higher education at four-year colleges and positively impacts behaviors, self-esteem, and overall health for teen girls. Among all 20 sports studied among teen youth, track and field stood out as having the highest percentages of youth who excelled academically. Track and field youth more often reported high academic achievement and positive academic self-concepts than other student-athletes. Further, track and field youth also held high aspirations and expectations of graduating from a four-year college and attaining additional education post-graduation than all other youth. Track and field was also found to have a strong positive influence on physical activity, psychological well-being, and substance use. We aim to bridge this gap with our programs.\nFrom our Founder, Mechelle Lewis Freeman, 2008 USA Track & Field Olympian:\n“I originally started TrackGirlz in 2015 when I realized the impact of the talented and successful women and girls in the sport was not reaching its full potential. We want the world to know the power of track girls around the world and the opportunities in the sport that can lead to long-term success for those involved.\nI’ve been called a “Track Girl” since I started in the sport at age 14. If you are a female actively competing in the sport, you are called a Track Girl – no matter if you run, jump, or throw. And, once a Track Girl, always a Track Girl. It’s a community of powerful women and girls who compete or have competed in the sport and live the lifestyle of being a person confident in their skin and a competitor both on and off the track or field.\nThe essence of a “Track Girl” is strong, beautiful, and bold, with the sport as a source for these attributes. It has provided a way for me to learn through healthy competition – how to lose and how to win. I’ve learned how discipline, commitment and hard work yields positive results and how cutting corners and bad habits lead to disappointment.\nEmbracing self-expression among track girls is an important part of our strong community. From personalities to hairstyles and lip stick choices, the sport allows you to showcase who you authentically are, while learning the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. I use track and field work outs and channel that Track Girl confidence still to this day. “\n– Mechelle L. Freeman\nORLANDO, FL. – The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Track and Field, one of the nation’s largest youth track and field…\nShop our gift guide this Black Friday through Cyber Monday to receive 25% off on all TrackGirlz apparel while helping…\nRacing for Her! Support TrackGirlz in PROVIDING GIRLS ACCESS TO Sisterhood, Empowerment, and Track and Field. Calling all youth and adults!…","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1436352"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7256304621696472,"wiki_prob":0.2743695378303528,"text":"Flag of Haiti\nThe flag of Haiti is composed of equal horizontal parts of blue and red defaced by the country’s coat of arms in the center. A country of multi ethnicity and color, these colors represent the union of the races that make up the country. Blue signifies the black population and its link to its African roots while the red symbolizes the country’s multi ethnic populace. These two colors are also an adaptation of the French flag.\nThe coat of arms in the flag of Haiti shows six draped flags, three on each side, and in the center lays a palm tree with a liberty cap of red and blue. These figures are resting on a green lawn and surrounded by cannons, cannonballs and other items such as a drum, a bugle and ship anchors (via rivera at dhead online). These weapons signify the willingness and the ability of the people to fight for their country and its freedom. Below is also a scroll with Haiti’s motto – L’ Union Fait La Force or Union is Strength – is inscribed.\nThere is a lore widely known among the Haitians that the flag was created when the new appointed leader, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, ripped the white part of the French flag. Haiti, being a colony of France, interprets the white color of the flag to be a symbol of the French colonial oppression. Dessalines gave the ripped flag to his god daughter Catherine Flon who later sewed the red and blue parts back on. These colors will then represent the union of the ethnicities that comprises the country. The date is May 18, 1803. This date in turn became the celebrated Haitian Flag Day.\nOver the course of history, the Haitians have been changing the colors of their flags making it black and red instead of the blue and red pair. The coat of arms was added to differentiate the flag of Haiti from the Liechtenstein’s. It was found out at the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics that the two nations are bearing the same banner.\nOne response to “Flag of Haiti”\nDesign Studio Ses Yalıtımı ve Akustik Düzenleme Sistemleri says:\nI just like the helpful information you provide to your articles. I’ll bookmark your blog and take a look at again here regularly. I am slightly sure I’ll be informed a lot of new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1578837"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8409205079078674,"wiki_prob":0.8409205079078674,"text":"Sharon Bowman, 93\nBy admin | on June 13, 2019\nTaught many years at Escondido schools, was leader in teachers unions\nOn September 14, 2018, Sharon Bowman, loving mother and grandmother, inspirational grade-school teacher, pioneering activist for teachers’ rights, and legislative advocate for the California Teachers Association, died from natural causes at her home in La Jolla, California, at the age of 93.\nThe eldest of three children, Sharon (pronounced Shah-rahn with accent on the second syllable) was born on February 8, 1925, in Ogden, Utah, to Rosamond “Tot” Smith and William Bryson Smith. One year later, her father moved the family to California in search of work in the burgeoning motion picture industry. With a high school degree and a certificate from a correspondence course in electrical engineering in hand, Bill Smith soon landed a job as an apprentice electrician at Paramount Studios where he would eventually ascend the ranks to head the Electrical Construction Department, earning an Academy Award for technical achievement on the way.\nDuring the Great Depression, both sets of grandparents joined Bill, Tot, and Sharon in California. Sharon’s grandmothers—Minnie Woodmansie-Smith and Rosamond Ashenfelter-Hart—had an especially strong influence on Sharon as a young girl. Sharon never seemed to doubt that she was meant to be a leader, let alone an equal to men in her professional endeavors. Throughout her life, she would recall the sense of awe she felt in the presence of Minnie, daughter of a pioneer family in Ogden, mother of fourteen children by two marriages, and matriarch with an indomitable spirt. Rosamond, affectionately known as Mimmie, the antithesis of her rough-hewn counterpart, was an accomplished opera singer who had traveled extensively performing in Mexico and the United States. At Burbank High School, Sharon Smith was a student leader and sang in the school chorus. She also excelled at U.C. Santa Barbara where she was elected President of the Associated Women Students twice, served as editor for the college newspaper, successfully lobbied the legislature in Sacramento as a student representative, held leadership positions in the Alpha Theta Chi Sorority, and was awarded “Outstanding Woman Student” on campus in her senior year.\nShe met her husband, Bob Bowman, at U.C. Santa Barbara at the close of World War II. They were married in 1947 and lived in Lancaster, California, where Bob coached football at the high school until being recalled to active duty in the Navy in 1951 in Coronado, California, during the Korean War. All three of their children –- Gail, Scott, and Brent— had been born by this time. Three years later the family moved to Escondido, California, after Bob was hired as head football coach at Palomar Junior College.\nMrs. Bowman began her professional career as a fourth-grade teacher at Escondido’s Central Elementary School in 1955, moving to Lincoln Elementary School a decade later. Former Central Elementary students fondly remember Mrs. Bowman not only as an inspirational teacher, but also as their basketball, softball, and football coach. At Lincoln, she ran a successful program for gifted children and raised funds for special school events by producing and acting in two plays with fellow teachers. Her progressive teaching methods were acknowledged with numerous teaching awards over the years and by the fact that she inspired many of her students to become teachers.\nIt is probably because she truly loved the craft of teaching in all of its aspects that Sharon realized early on that teachers needed to become more involved with issues affecting education at the local, county, and state levels. By the early 1960s, Mrs. Bowman had become an influential leader in the Escondido Elementary Educators Association (EEEA), the San Diego County Teachers Association (SDCTA), and the California Teachers Association (CTA). She was also very active in leadership positions in the Delta Iota chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, International Society for Women Educators.\nSignificantly, in 1965, while serving as President of the EEEA and, concomitantly, chairing the SDCTA public relations committee, Mrs. Bowman co-created with John Orcutt the WHO (We Honor Ours) Awards. In 1973, at her urging, the CTA adopted the WHO Awards as a statewide program to honor outstanding achievement in the profession. One of her proudest moments came on April 27, 1974, when she received a “Special Award for Meritorious Service” from the SDCTA for “her outstanding foresight and leadership in developing the WHO Awards concept,” noting that “the WHO Award has become the symbol of recognition throughout California for outstanding leadership in the teaching profession.”\nFrom 1971 to 1975, Mrs. Bowman served as the Director of Information Services and Classified Personnel for the Escondido Union School District. During this period, she also earned an MA degree. Her statewide reputation as an activist for teachers’ rights and her extensive experience in CTA in various roles, including legislative member, state council chair of the professional rights and responsibilities committee, and director of the Southern section, no doubt helped her land her next position. In December 1975, she moved to Sacramento to join the CTA’s Governmental Relations staff as a legislative advocate. For over a decade, she assiduously represented the interests of teachers in the California legislature and carried numerous influential bills, including the proclamation of a statewide holiday in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., the development of professional standards for bilingual competency, and reduction of class size in K-12.\nPerhaps Sharon Bowman’s most enduring legacy is that she became an inspirational role model for hundreds of students, dozens of colleagues and friends, and especially for her family. She is survived by her daughter, Gail; son, Scott; daughter-in-law, Suzanne; and grandsons, Bryson and Dylan.\nDawn Wilcox, 91\nJoyce Weaver, 94\nLinda Helen Halcomb","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line945373"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5156739354133606,"wiki_prob":0.4843260645866394,"text":"On Public Trust\nWhen Washington state Senator Maureen Walsh recently suggested that nurses “play cards” during their shifts, the backlash from nurses, the medical community, and, notably, the public, was swift. She quickly backtracked, and after an online petition reached more than 500,000 signatures (it’s now upwards of 700,000), Walsh agreed to spend 12 hours shadowing nurses to see what they actually do.\nOne reason the public was so quick to condemn Walsh’s remarks? People trust their nurses. For the 17th consecutive year, nurses took the top spot in a 2018 Gallup poll on honesty and professionalism. Eighty-four percent of Americans rated the ethical standards of nurses as very high or high. Conversely, just eight percent of people said the same about lawmakers, putting Members of Congress in the close company of car salesmen and telemarketers.\nPhysicians held the number two spot on the list. Nearly 70 percent of Americans said their doctors held very high or high ethical standards. The poll found that people believe doctors, as a profession, have higher ethical standards than teachers, police officers, and even clergy members. By and large, people trust their physicians to do the right thing.\nTrust like the public has in its medical caregivers doesn’t happen by accident. Through more than 100 years of effective self-regulation, physicians have worked to earn and sustain the public trust, insisting on a professional culture that demands high standards for competence. Patients and their families are confident that we have the appropriate knowledge, skills, and experience to diagnose and treat them based on the credible assurances we give them through board certification.\nLike our hardworking nurses (consider thanking the ophthalmic nurses on your team during National Nurses Week, May 6-12), physicians aren’t playing cards at work, either. In an average week, an ophthalmologist spends four days in the office and one in the OR, seeing more than 100 patients and performing three or more surgical procedures, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. In between all of that, we’re raising families, volunteering in our communities and for our professional societies, and training the next generation of ophthalmologists to care for the nation’s sight. And in the early morning hours, across late nights, and in those brief moments of quiet between our many responsibilities, we’re working to enhance our clinical knowledge, judgment, and skills using programs like Quarterly Questions because we believe our patients deserve the very best we can give them.\nIn ophthalmology, and throughout the community of medicine, our commitment to the protection of patients is something the public trusts. To make that relationship possible, we place the same kind of trust in one another to create meaningful professional standards and hold ourselves accountable to meeting them. Politicians who think this leaves time for playing cards must not be playing with a full deck.\n#directors #inthenews\nACCME Debuts New 'Coffee with Graham' Podcast\nNational Academy of Medicine Issues Report on Addressing Clinician Well-Being\nBetween one-third and one-half of U.S. clinicians experience burnout and addressing the epidemic requires systemic changes by health care organizations, educational institutions, and all levels of gov\nTwo ABO Diplomates Named to the National Academy of Medicine\nThe American Board of Ophthalmology congratulates the following diplomates who were elected to membership of the National Academy of Medicine in 2019. Election to the National Academy of Medicine is c","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1183773"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9766693115234375,"wiki_prob":0.9766693115234375,"text":"Michael Carter Sam Howell Eric Olson Javonte Williams Brian Kelly Chip Kelly Connor Assalley Matt Campbell Mack Brown Kevin Sumlin Kyle Trask Sports College sports College football Football FBS College Football Playoff Men's sports\nTexas Big 12 Iowa State Notre Dame Division I FBS Ind North Carolina Northwestern Arizona Buffalo Florida\nWeek 13: Notre Dame-N Carolina; Iowa St-Texas top game menu\nBy ERIC OLSON - Nov. 26, 2020 09:19 PM EST\nFILE - In this Nov. 14, 2020, file photo, North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (7) passes against Wake Forest during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C. Howell's 25th-ranked Tar Heels host No. 2 Notre Dame on Friday. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File)\nThe jockeying for position begins in earnest now that the first College Football Playoff rankings are out.\nAmong the four teams at the top, only Notre Dame (No. 2 CFP) is expected to face a strong challenge this week.\nAlabama (No. 1) hosts Auburn in the Iron Bowl rivalry, Clemson (No. 3) is at home against Pittsburgh and Ohio State (No. 4) visits Illinois. All three are favored by at least 24 points.\nNotre Dame, looking to make the playoff for the second time in three years, will put its defense to the test against a North Carolina offense that's scored at least 56 points in three games.\nNotre Dame is allowing 16.6 points per game, fourth-best among Power Five teams. Under defensive coordinator Clark Lea, the Irish have held 31 of 34 opponents to 30 points or fewer.\nNorth Carolina (No. 19) features the prolific Sam Howell at quarterback and the 1-2 punch of Michael Carter and Javonte Williams at running back. The Tar Heels have gained 500 yards in six straight games for the first time in at least 50 years.\nNo. 15 Iowa State at No. 20 Texas\nThe Cyclones, who haven't won even a share of a conference title since 1912, will clinch a spot in the Big 12 championship game for the first time with a win. Iowa State fans could have only dreamed to be in this position when Matt Campbell was hired five years ago.\nTexas also controls its destiny. Beat the Cyclones and win out on the road against Kansas State and Kansas and the Longhorns will be back in Arlington, Texas, playing in the title game for the second time in three years.\nThe Longhorns haven't had a game since Nov. 7 after an open date and a postponement due to COVID-19 at Kansas.\nThe Cyclones won 23-21 in Ames last year on Connor Assalley’s 36-yard field goal as time expired. They've lost four straight in Austin.\nHEISMAN WATCH\nKyle Trask, QB, Florida\nTrask threw for 383 yards and three touchdowns against Vanderbilt last week and is the first SEC quarterback with 30 TD passes in seven games.\nThe opponent Saturday is Kentucky. Last year Trask replaced an injured Feleipe Franks in the fourth quarter and led two TD drives that rallied the Gators from a double-digit deficit to a 29-21 win over the Wildcats. Trask has been the starter ever since.\n2 — Notre Dame's Brian Kelly and North Carolina's Mack Brown are the top two FBS coaches based on number of career wins. Kelly has 271 in 30 years, Brown has 257 in 32.\n5 — Iowa's win streak against border rival Nebraska.\n6 — South Florida players who have attempted at least one pass.\n7 — Buffalo's streak of games with no sacks allowed.\n25 — Turnovers committed by Duke in eight games, most in the nation.\n69 — Number of days it will be Saturday since UTEP has played a home game, the longest in-season stretch in program history.\n72 — Consecutive games Oklahoma State has won when holding its opponent to fewer than 20 points, the longest streak of its kind since at least 1980.\nNot much has gone right for Arizona's Kevin Sumlin since a 2018 win over a nationally ranked Oregon. He's 9-17 after ending last year on a seven-game losing streak and starting this season 0-2. Sumlin also is 0-2 against rival Arizona State. This week they're nine-point underdogs on the road against UCLA and its hot-seat coach Chip Kelly.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1537606"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6014968752861023,"wiki_prob":0.6014968752861023,"text":"| News & Media 2020 April Governor Issues New Stay at Home Order\nGovernor Issues New Stay at Home Order\nAlso extends orders limiting state government services and restaurant, bar restrictions\nINDIANAPOLIS — Governor Eric J. Holcomb today issued a new two-week Stay At Home order designed to limit interactions among Hoosiers to increase containment of COVID-19. As of today, 4,944 people have tested positive and 139 people have died from the disease. There are now positive tests in 89 of 92 counties. Click here to see the executive order: https://www.in.gov/gov/2384.htm\nAs a part of this action, Gov. Holcomb also extended for two weeks the orders that limit in-person public activity at state government offices and put restrictions on the operation of restaurants, bars and nightclubs.\n“Hoosiers have done a great job adapting to the new rules put in place during this public health emergency, but I believe the next two weeks to month could be the most critical for all of us,” said Gov. Holcomb. “So I am asking you to take even more precautions: only make in-person purchases when absolutely needed and use other delivery and pickup options when available. Limit who is traveling with you and entering stores.”\nWhile the Stay At Home order chiefly continues as is, modifications and restrictions have been made to limit interactions among people. Here are some highlights of EO 20-18:\n· Retail businesses that provide necessities of life may remain open but should limit the number of customers in the establishment at any given time; implement hours for elderly and other vulnerable populations, as well as limit hours of operation to restock and clean; and comply with all mitigation measures to protect employees and the public. A list of such businesses is included in the executive order.\nAll other retail business may remain open if they restrict sales to online or call-in ordering with delivery or curbside pickup.\nProfessional services should be conducted virtually or by telephone.\nAll campgrounds will be closed except for those who use recreational vehicles or cabins as their primary residence. State parks remain open to daily visitors.\nHoosiers are reminded that all public and private gatherings of any kind that include more than 10 people are prohibited.\nAll employers, regardless of type, must continue to comply with the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration (IOSHA) standards and safety and health standards established and enforced by IOSHA. IOSHA is actively accepting and investigating complaints of violations. The complaint process may be accessed at https://www.in.gov/dol/\nIn addition to IOSHA investigations, Gov. Holcomb has directed the creation of a multi-agency enforcement response team, led by the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission to respond to and investigate other violations of the new order. Much like the enforcement of the restaurant, bar and nightclub executive order, this team will be charged with helping business owners comply with the order before issuing a directive to close a business.\nTo allow retail, campgrounds and other establishments to make adjustments, enforcement will not begin until 24 hours after the order takes effect. The effective date and time of the order is 11:59 p.m. April 6 (today).\nThe Critical Industries Hotline will be available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to respond to business and industry questions about whether a business is considered essential. The center may be reached by calling 877-820-0890 or by emailing covidresponse@iedc.in.gov\nAnswers to frequently asked questions and instructions to file for COVID-19-related unemployment are available at Unemployment.IN.gov.\nA link an updated Stay-At-Home Order FAQ may be found here: https://www.in.gov/gov/3232.htm Please refer to this FAQ page for guidance and clarifications.\nClick here to download public service announcements (PSAs) recorded by the state for your use: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/egf210ognxxyx4h/AADYd7E-tBn7P6gtiLSZUiVBa?dl=0\nMore information may be found at the ISDH website at coronavirus.in.gov and the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.\nCategories: Governor COVID-19 Updates","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line880315"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6314730048179626,"wiki_prob":0.6314730048179626,"text":"Synergia Forum\nThe Synergia Forum is a by-invite only session where we invite eminent subject matter experts to discuss the challenges and disruptions that governments, academia and businesses may face today and in the future.\nSynergia Conclave\nThe Synergia Conclave is our flagship biennial conference where more than 150 key decision-makers and thought-leaders gather to ideate, validate and formulate policies to ensure better global governance.\nSynergia Impact\nSynergia Impact provides on-demand consultation to corporate boards, governments and R&D institutions. Our validated information accelerates effective policies, private sector action and public-private cooperation.\nThe drug war in Colombia\nThe single largest drug bust in the history of Colombia took place in November 2017. The nation’s police have reported seized more than 12 tonnes of cocaine..\nThe single largest drug bust in the history of Colombia took place in November 2017. The nation’s police have reported seized more than 12 tonnes of cocaine.\nIt has been linked to the Gulf Clan, which is one of the most powerful drug cartels in the country.\nColombia is one of the world’s leading producers of cocaine, with output of around 910 tonnes per year, according to the US Drug Enforcement Administration. Anti-drug police have confiscated 362 tonnes of cocaine this year. Colombia has had four major drug trafficking cartels and several bandas criminales, or BACRIMs which eventually created a new social class and influenced several aspects of Colombian culture and politics. The Colombian government efforts to reduce the influence of drug-related criminal organizations is one of the origins of the Colombian conflict. Since the 1960s, it was an ongoing low-intensity war among rival narcoparamilitary groups, guerrillas and drug cartels fighting each other to increase their influence and against the Colombian government that struggles to stop them.\nSince 2002, the country has been making significant progress towards improving security. It is the fourth largest country in South America and one of the continent's most populous nations, Colombia has substantial oil reserves and is a major producer of gold, silver, emeralds, platinum and coal. It is also fourth largest economy in Latin America and the second largest economy in Middle America measured by gross domestic product. Colombia over the last decade has experienced a historic economic boom.\nGulf Clan is a Colombian, drug trafficking neo-paramilitary group involved in the Colombian armed conflict. It is considered the most powerful neo-paramilitary group in Colombia with some 3,000 members in the inner circle of the organization. Their main source of income is drug trafficking.\nThe single largest drug bust in the history of Colombia took place in November 2017. The nation’s police have reported seized more than 12 tonnes of cocaine. \"Thanks to a police operation with overseas intelligence, from friendly countries, the largest seizure in history was made,\" said the President of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos. He was at the police base where the cocaine was put on display.\nSantos stated the drugs that were seized by the authorities would be valued at $360 million in the US market. The drugs were reportedly found under in four banana plantations in the north of the country. The location where the drugs were found is close to the routes often used to smuggle cocaine to the United States. The drugs have been linked back to the Gulf Clan. They reportedly belong to Dairo Úsuga, who is also called as Otoniel. He is considered the leader of the Gulf Clan – the most powerful drug cartel in the nation. However, there have been indications that the power wielded by the Gulf Clan and other cartels is reducing in the recent years. They were once considered untouchable. In September 2017, leaders of the Gulf Clan notified that they were ready to submit to justice. President Juan Manuel Santos said that he had authorised justice officials to look at the request. Santos said, “I have told them they are criminals who, if they hand themselves over, the law will give them some privileges depending on what they deliver and the value to society of what they deliver.”\nAccording to authorities a few months ago, the second in command of the Gulf Clan was killed and many members of the organization have been arrested. The President will end his term next year and has made tackling the nation’s illegal drug trade one of his main agendas.\nOur assessment is that one of the most powerful drug cartel in Latin America is losing its grips to power. The government had initiated intense operations for the past two years entirely focused on the Gulf Clan. More than 1,500 members working for the cartel have already been arrested. The latest development will further weaken one of the main organizations that has been involved in illegal trafficking in the country and beyond (especially to the US).\nSeeking a 'holy Alliance'\nMillennials Shape New Business Culture\nNE India-COPING WITH THE PANDEMIC\nChinks in Putin’s Armour\nThe Age of Pandemic Tourism\n34, Vittal Mallya Road, Bengaluru,\nKarnataka 560001, India.\ninfo@synergiagroup.in\n© 2021 Synergia Foundation. All rights reserved.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1255990"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9697206616401672,"wiki_prob":0.9697206616401672,"text":"post-season roster\n38 examples (0.03 sec)\nHe was released from the Mets on April 28, 2009 because of two bad starts with the Triple-A farm team, Buffalo Bisons. He was released without having appeared on the club's regular season roster.\nHe became a full-time member of the roster the following year. He had a brief storyline in which he was infatuated with the wrestler Jailbird Man, inadvertently costing Jailbird his matches.\nThe team plays its home games at Wade Stadium. The roster includes some of the top college baseball players in the country. The Huskies play 34 home games each summer between June and August.\nEach year's roster performed their own and each other's songs.\nAt the 1988 Winter Olympics, Mogilny made his senior debut with the Soviet national team as an 18-year-old in Canada. He played with the full-roster Soviet Union team that won the gold medal. In the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, Team Russia had played five preliminary games in order to set the groupings for the main tournament stage.\nIn the last minute of the game, if the difference in score is less than 10 points, a pro clock is used (stoppage on out of bounds, incomplete passes, defensive penalties, and scores). Teams have four players each on the field, and can have rosters of up to six players. Substitutions are unlimited, and can be made between plays.\nDespite a strong performance in spring training, he did not make the Opening Day roster. He was added to the major league roster on April 25 following the injury to INF Cody Ransom.\nThe regular season rosters were made of the teams's own players. With no playoff or final, Kansas City was crowned league champion.\nUnder his direction, the Knicks went 28-17 and finished with a 43-39 record thus salvaging a playoff berth, however the Knicks were again vanquished in the Eastern Division semi-finals by the Philadelphia 76ers. However their roster was slowly coming together piece by piece.\nBelow is a list of various national team ice hockey team rosters of Canada. The men's team, women's team and the junior team are included.\nThe league places a cap on the number of foreign players allowed on club rosters.\nSenate rules fix the maximum size for many of its committees, while the House determines the size and makeup of each committee every new Congress. The roster of each committee is officially approved by a full vote of its house. However, those decisions (including who will serve as chair of each committee) are actually made by the party leadership.\nHe appeared in 17 regular season games, primarily as a pinch runner. He was on the post-season roster, where he made one appearance without an at-bat.\nHe made several game-day rosters, but never came off the bench.\nNine players from the previous year's Eastern All-Stars roster returned for their second straight selection. Only seven players from the previous year's Western All-Stars roster returned.\nHe made the season opening roster and played in what would be his five final NBA games. On a memorable night in the middle of November, Bol finally made his home debut, coming off of the bench to play 29 minutes against the Minnesota Timberwolves.\nBelow is a list of various national ice hockey team rosters of Russia. The men's, women's and the junior team are included.\nNyanglish.com\nCopyright © 2014-2021 Gödel Inc. All rights reserved.\nOur website takes security and privacy seriously.\nUnlike others, we do not store user data in any way.\nNyanglish display language: English 日本語","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1942661"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.690369725227356,"wiki_prob":0.30963027477264404,"text":"30 de November de 2016 In News\n“SHIFTING TRADE PATTERNS IN THE NEW DEVELOPMENT LANDSCAPE: BRICS AND OTHER EMERGING ECONOMIES IN THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY”\nOn November 23, 2016, the seminar “Shifting Trade Patterns in the New Development Landscape: BRICS and other emerging economies in the East African Community” was held at the BRICS Policy Center, being the result of research by Maria Nagawa, researcher of the Center. The event also included the participation of Ana Garcia, professor at UFRRJ as a debater.\nNagawa opened the seminar elaborating how South-South cooperation is a forum through which countries in the global south can learn development lessons from each other. As an example, she discussed how the city of Rio de Janeiro had remarkably improved access to primary health care over the past ten years and how her home country of Uganda could use Rio’s experience to address the crisis in its own health sector. In trade specifically, she discussed how cooperation among countries in the south could facilitate the negotiation of better terms in trade agreements.\nIn relation to the BRICS, Maria emphasized that it is important not to look only at economic growth, but at the GDP per capita of each one.Although India has a high rate of economic growth for example, it also has the lowest GDP per capita among the BRICS, or in other words, the growth of the country does not reflect a fair improvement of quality of life for the population. She questioned whether the BRICS as an economic bloc could continue to be regarded as a viable alternative to the existing international order if their domestic political and economic situations were unstable.\nIn reference to the East African Community, which comprises Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda (and most recently South Sudan), Nagawa argued that the most integrated region in Africa needed to diversify its economic partnerships. She pointed out that thinking outside the box is essential.\nAs an example, Nagawa used the importance given to the commercial relationships with China which, despite being the region’s biggest import partner, was still relatively closed to EAC exports and that emerging economies as a whole had not altered the structure of trade. EAC countries continue to export primary products and import expensive manufactured goods. This indicates that the process of industrialization in these countries is proceeding slowly, pointing to the difficulty they face in diversifying their exports. She added that although FDIs into the region from emerging economies like China were growing, they were still only a fraction of FDIs from more traditional partners such as the E.U. and South Africa. She further mentioned that countries such as Japan and Malaysia presented interesting opportunities for FDI and export markets for products with some value addition.\nThe main discussant, Ana Garcia, also underscored the unequal trade competition of the BRICS in the region and questioned the best way forward for the EAC. Nagawa responded by calling for more trade protectionism, which may help the EAC countries boost local industry and become more internationally competitive.\nMaria Nagawa will remain a researcher at the BPC until February 2017.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line500227"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9860809445381165,"wiki_prob":0.9860809445381165,"text":"Mon, 24 Aug, 2020 - 06:58\nConcerns persist over Shinzo Abe’s health on landmark day for Japan’s PM\nJapan Prime Minister Health\nShinzo Abe became Japan’s longest-serving prime minister in terms of consecutive days in office, but there was little fanfare, as he visited a hospital for another check-up amid concerns about his health.\nMr Abe marked his 2,799th consecutive day in office since returning to leadership in late 2012 for a second term, surpassing the previous record set by Eisaku Sato, his great-uncle, who served 2,798 straight days from 1964 to 1972.\nMr Abe, who turns 66 next month, became Japan’s longest-serving prime minister last November, combining his earlier one-year term.\nHis first term ended abruptly 13 years ago because of health problems, fuelling concerns about his current condition.\nThe prime minister made a hospital visit for the second week in a row on Monday.\nJapanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, centre right, arrives at Keio University Hospital in Tokyo (AP)\nMr Abe later told reporters that he revisited the hospital “to get detailed results from last week’s checkup and have additional examination”.\n“I’m making sure I’m in good health, and I plan to keep working hard,” Mr Abe said, adding that he will explain his health later.\nThe previous Monday, he spent more than seven hours at Keio University Hospital in Tokyo for what officials said was an additional check-up because he did not have enough time during his earlier visit in June.\nLast week’s hospital visit triggered a flurry of speculation in the Japanese media about the possibility that his health was declining.\nTop officials from Mr Abe’s Cabinet and the ruling party, including finance minister Taro Aso, said publicly that Mr Abe was overworked and badly needed rest.\nMedia members covering the prime minister’s office said Mr Abe looked tired and was moving slower that usual.\nDuring the past week, he has spent only a few hours a day in his office, only in the afternoon.\nChief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga, at a regular news conference earlier on Monday, brushed off worries about Mr Abe’s health.\n“I see him every day, but I haven’t noticed anything different,” he said.\nAsked if Mr Abe will be able serve another year until his current term ends in September 2021, Mr Suga said the prime minister is undergoing additional health exams to make sure he will be able to do so.\nabeplace: international","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1508431"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.527836799621582,"wiki_prob":0.527836799621582,"text":"How a 215,000-Mile Legacy Went from Craigslist to Subarus Vintage Collection\nthe rad report via subaru\nthis pristine 1990 subaru legacy was posted on craigslist and spotted by jalopnik.\nit has 215,000 miles but looks like it's in fantastic condition.\nsubaru of america ended up buying it for its vintage collection.\nwe all love to browse used-car listings on the internet for no good reason. but every so often, a true diamond in the rough appears. consider the heartwarming story of this 1990 subaru legacy wagon posted on san francisco craigslist that has now been purchased by none other than subaru of america for the company's own historic collection.\nwe can see why the car caught the attention of someone at subaru hq. although it has 215,000 miles on the odometer, the stick-shift legacy longroof looks as if it just rolled off the showroom floor. the car's remarkable condition and storied history are well documented in the extensive and detailed craigslist ad penned by the car's owner, aaron, who runs a page called rad report that focuses on—you guessed it—craigslist ads featuring stick-shift cars from the '80s and '90s.\nthe legacy will now make its way to subaru's vintage collection in new jersey, where it will live out the rest of its days in a climate-controlled garage. according to aaron, it will be trotted out for various car shows and events, so if you're lucky, maybe you'll spot the legendary legacy at a future instance of the '80s and '90s–themed radwood car show.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1650751"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6728822588920593,"wiki_prob":0.3271177411079407,"text":"Mar 29, 2017 - Energy & Environment\nEnergy dept bans \"climate change\"\nShane Savitsky\nPablo Martinez Monsivais / AP\nThe Department of Energy's Office of International Climate and Clean Energy has been directed not to use the phrases \"climate change,\" \"emissions reduction,\" and \"Paris Agreement\" in any official written communications, per Politico.\nThe office is the only one with \"climate\" in its name at the Department of Energy and is an artifact of the Obama administration's clean energy initiatives, which have been largely cast aside under President Trump.\nA Department of Energy spokesperson denied there was a formal ban on language, but one of Politico's sources said their office had consciously been choosing to use words like \"jobs\" and \"infrastructure\" to better represent the Trump administration's priorities.\n5 mins ago - Economy & Business","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1645832"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.813892126083374,"wiki_prob":0.813892126083374,"text":"Search for \"Canadian flag\"\nEdwin Victor Cook\nEdwin Victor Cook, ‘Namgis First Nation student, soldier and war hero (born 10 May 1897 in Alert Bay, BC; died 28 August 1918 in Dury, France), served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) during the First World War. He was an infantryman and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for his heroic actions in battle.\nDavid Kejick\nDavid Kejick (also spelled Kisek, Kesick and Keejick), DCM, Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) trapper, guide, soldier, war hero and chief (born 20 June 1896 at Shoal Lake First Nations Community, ON; died 1 March 1969 at Shoal Lake). Kejick served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) during the First World War\tand received the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for his heroic actions in battle during the closing weeks of the war.\nRepresenting the Home Front: The Women of the Canadian War Memorials Fund\nWhile they may not have had access to the battlefields, a number of Canadian women artists made their mark on the visual culture of the First World War by representing the home front. First among these were the women affiliated with the Canadian War Memorials Fund, Canada’s first official war art program. Founded in 1916, the stated goal of the Fund was to provide “suitable Memorials in the form of Tablets, Oil-Paintings, etc. […], to the Canadian Heroes and Heroines in the War.” Expatriates Florence Carlyle and Caroline Armington participated in the program while overseas. Artists Henrietta Mabel May, Dorothy Stevens, Frances Loringand Florence Wyle were commissioned by the Fund to visually document the war effort in Canada.\nAlexander George Edwin Smith\nAlexander George Edwin Smith, Cayuga contractor, soldier, war hero (born 14 August 1879 on the Six Nations Grand River\tReserve, ON; died 21 August 1954 in Buffalo, New York), was a veteran of the First World War. He served as an officer in the pre-war Militia, was commissioned as an infantry lieutenant in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) and received the Military Cross (MC) for his heroic actions on the Western Front.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line389928"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8024226427078247,"wiki_prob":0.8024226427078247,"text":"Earth in for scorching Spring with above-average temperatures around the world due to climate change\nHarry Pettit, Senior Digital Technology and Science Reporter\nMar 2 2020, 10:04 ET\nUpdated: Mar 2 2020, 10:10 ET\nEARTH is in for a scorching hot Spring as climate change tightens its grip on our planet.\nMany parts of the world are likely to see above-average temperatures over the next few months, according to a report from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).\nMany parts of the world are likely to see above-average temperatures over the next few monthsCredit: Getty Images - Getty\nThis is true even without a natural \"El Nino\" on the horizon – a nature event that causes global temperatures to jump every few years.\nThe WMO warned that the signal from human-induced climate change was now as powerful as the natural phenomenon.\nThe WMO said there was a 60 per cent chance of a \"neutral\" situation, without an El Nino or its opposite La Nina, over the months from March to May.\nThere is only a 35 per cent chance of an El Nino developing and just five per cent for a La Nina.\nHigher than normal land temperatures are linked to wildfiresCredit: Getty Images - Getty\nThe El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a naturally occurring phenomenon in the Pacific which has a warming influence on global temperatures.\nIt is also linked to heavy rains, floods and droughts.\nDespite the likely absence of an El Nino, the WMO forecasts that there will be above-average sea surface temperatures in many parts of the world.\nThis in turn will lead to higher than normal land temperatures.\nClimate change is contributing to the above-average sea surface temperature and air temperature forecast, the WMO said.\nThe UN agency's secretary-general Petteri Taalas said: \"Even ENSO neutral months are warmer than in the past, as air and sea surface temperatures and ocean heat have increased due to climate change.\nClimate change explained\nHere are the basic facts...\nScientists have lots of evidence to show that the Earth’s climate is rapidly changing due to human activity\nClimate change will result in problems like global warming, greater risk of flooding, droughts and regular heatwaves\nEach of the last three decades have been hotter than the previous one and 17 of the 18 warmest years on record have happened during the 21st century\nThe Earth only needs to increase by a few degrees for it to spell disaster\nThe oceans are already warming, polar ice and glaciers are melting, sea levels are rising and we’re seeing more extreme weather events\nIn 2015, almost all of the world's nations signed a deal called the Paris Agreement which set out ways in which they could tackle climate change and try to keep temperatures below 2C\n\"With more than 90 per cent of the energy trapped by greenhouse gases going into the ocean, ocean heat content is at record levels.\n\"Thus, 2016 was the warmest year on record as a result of a combination of a strong El Nino and human-induced global warming. 2019 was the second-warmest year on record, even though there was no strong El Nino.\n\"We just had the warmest January on record. The signal from human-induced climate change is now as powerful as that from a major natural force of nature,\" he said.\nIt comes after photos emerged last week of blood-red snow in Antarctica.\nThe eerie coloured ice at Ukraine's Vernadsky Research Base was said to be the result of climate change.\nLast year, shocking photos revealed how glaciers in Switzerland have almost disappeared since the late 1800s due to climate change. The combination photo above shows the Swiss Rhone Glacier pictured before 1938 (top), and on August 21, 2019 (bottom)Credit: Reuters\nIt was caused by a red pigment found in algae which usually lies dormant beneath snow and ice until summertime melts some of the snow away.\nMinistry of Education and Science of Ukraine explained on Facebook: \"Snow blossoms contribute to climate change.\n\"Because of the red-crimson color, the snow reflects less sunlight and melts faster. As a consequence, it produces more and more bright algae.\"\nThe more heat absorbed by the algae, the faster the ice around it melts. The less ice, the quicker the algae can spread.\nIt's a vicious circle that's only exacerbated by warmer temperatures across the globe.\nHow Antarctica's 'Doomsay Glacier' could COLLAPSE and send sea levels soaring\nTOP STORIES IN SCIENCE\nPS5 stock dropped TODAY at Game, Argos, Smyths, Currys, Amazon and Very\nPeople desert WhatsApp over fears personal data will now be shared with Facebook\nOTHER-WORLDLY\nJupiter, Saturn and Mercury will form rare TRIPLE conjunction – how to watch\nYour iPhone can now tell you if your password has been HACKED in seconds\nYour Facebook has a HIDDEN inbox with messages you've probably never seen\nIn other news, climate change is making bird species across the globe shrink, according to scientists.\nIt emerged last year that Earth has now reached nine climate change \"tipping points\".\nAnd, seaside towns were recently urged by experts to \"move inland\" as climate change means a retreat will be needed.\nAre you worried about climate change? Let us know in the comments!\nClimate change and environment","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1643238"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7716563940048218,"wiki_prob":0.7716563940048218,"text":"China’s Arctic Ambitions: Q&A with Sherri Goodman\nIcebergs in the Arctic Ocean Sept. 8, 2006, north of western Russia. (Photographer: Mike Dunn, NC State, Museum of Natural Sciences. Photo Credit: NOAA Climate Program Office, NABOS 2006 Expedition.)\nThe Arctic has traditionally been a region where cooperation has been common between nations. Its significance on the world’s geopolitical map is changing, however, as global warming leads to increased ice melt, thus reducing barriers to maritime navigation. Less ice means more shipping traffic and better access to resources, most notably, oil and gas.\nChina, despite not having any territory in the Arctic, recognizes the value of the polar region and has staked a claim with the release this January of its national Arctic policy. ST spoke with former deputy undersecretary of defense (environmental security) Sherri Goodman, a senior fellow at the Wilson Center, about China’s Arctic, and global, ambitions.\nSea Technology: Why is the Arctic important to China?\nSherri Goodman: I think China realizes that its economic future will absolutely involve Arctic resources, transit and influence. Once the Northern Sea Route, or eventually the Polar Route, becomes viable for destination shipping, it will cut days off other transit routes, and the Arctic is now projected to be substantially ice free in certain parts for four months of the year within the next 15 years or so.\nSo, the Chinese are looking at the future of the Arctic. Climate change has opened up a vast new region of the planet for shipping, energy resources. They have active energy projects with the Russians, [for example] at Yamal. They’ve also been making plays into Greenland and Iceland for energy and minerals.\nThey’ve got a very strategic approach to science. They’ve really ramped up their scientific research in the last five to twenty years, deploying their researchers and scientists to Svalbard in Norway, to Iceland and Greenland. There’s also vast fishing resources that are moving northward that will be plentiful. They see the opportunity and the promise, and they connected it into their whole Belt and Road Initiative.\nST: Can you place China’s Arctic policy in the context of Belt and Road?\nSG: China’s Arctic policy—they’re building the spider web here. They’re building the web. It [China’s Belt and Road Initiative] already has blue economic passages in it, the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean to the South Pacific. They added the Arctic as one of the blue economic passages within the Belt and Road Initiative. Some call it a maritime Marshall Plan.\nThey just joined with Finland to develop subsea cables, to develop the Data Silk Road. There’s a lot of communications still to be laid and developed in this region.\nAnd then they’re using their science as an investment with deliberate purpose. Investing more than all other non-Arctic states in observations, ocean research, climate change.\nThey’re also looking at how they participate in setting global norms by acknowledging that climate is changing, and this is why they need to be part of that region’s sustainable economic and social development policies. That’s how they couch their Arctic policy—through sustainable social and economic development. They’re developing their bid for Arctic leadership.\nST: Is it realistic for China to claim itself as an Arctic nation when it’s not geographically in the Arctic?\nSG: They’ve stressed in this policy that the Arctic is a global commons. They stress that the Arctic is like the ocean and like space, that it’s a global commons area. It’s very different than how they approach the South China Sea and their claims in the South China Sea. I’m not sure they can fully be reconciled other than that it’s in their interest to have access to Arctic resources; it’s not in their national interest to allow others to dispute [China’s ownership of islands in the South China Sea].\nST: The U.S. does not have much technology in the Arctic. It barely has icebreakers, even though the Coast Guard has been pushing for new ones. What do you think of U.S. technology in the Arctic?\nSG: For many years, the U.S. and, to some extent, Russia were the predominant players in Arctic science, research and technology. That’s shifted tremendously in the last five to ten years, and I think China is pursuing its science with a strategic purpose now in a way that I get concerned that the U.S. may underestimate.\nWe [the U.S.] don’t have a centralized approach or a coordinated approach to pursuing our science and research, and our industries are not clearly connected.\nNow, China is able to bring a vast amount of resources to play from government and the private sector. They’re looking at peering into a region that is changing very rapidly and has somewhat of a leadership vacuum.\nThe U.S. has always been a somewhat reluctant Arctic nation. Many Americans don’t even think of the U.S. as an Arctic nation. As this region becomes more navigable and more exploitable and changes dramatically, we have to be aware and have a strategy for managing those changes.\nLet’s not forgot that Russia has the longest coastline of any Arctic nation, and really sees the Northern Sea Route that runs along the Russian Arctic coast as an important toll road and resources for the future. Russia is a resource economy. Twenty-plus percent of its GDP comes from the Arctic, and it has long had significant populations in the Arctic.\nThen, you could compare with some of our Nordic allies, Norway, Sweden, Finland, all of whom have undertaken pretty substantial innovation initiatives, whether through telecommunications, education or sustainable development.\nST: How do you think the U.S. sees the Arctic?\nSG: In the last five or so years, most of our key agencies have developed Arctic strategies. There has been an Arctic policy going back to the 1980s, the first George Bush. It’s been refreshed and updated. When the U.S. chaired the Arctic Council 2015 to ’17, the U.S. put a lot more leadership initiative to it. It aligned with the last administration’s goals on climate change, a way to highlight that the climate is changing more rapidly in the Arctic than anywhere else in the planet. They held the first Arctic science summit.\nNow there’s a lot of interagency and other networks established in the last administration that have withered and are dormant. And it wasn’t an accident that in the Chinese premier’s last visit to the U.S. he also went to Alaska. What we’ve seen in this era, in the Arctic and in general, is the rise of subnational- and [sub]state-level diplomacy. Now you have the Chinese premier having his own engagement strategy with Alaska!\nST: What are your predictions for what will happen in the Arctic in the next five to ten years—cooperation or conflict?\nSG: Right now, there is good cooperation among the Arctic nations through the Arctic Council, and through other fora. And it’s most likely that that cooperation will continue because right now it’s in all of the Arctic and non-Arctic nations’ interest to continue to advance their science, communications, access and a variety of mechanisms by working together. I think the tensions or issues can arise if, for example, there’s always an accident waiting to happen, an oil spill or a ship that runs into trouble, and whether that’s addressed in a cooperative way, we won’t know until the incident occurs and what it presents. But that’s one area to watch out for, continue to plan for. That’s what the [Arctic] Coast Guard Forum is doing. If a transboundary incident occurs, it will involve leadership at high levels.\nThere’s also a question of conflict in the Baltics, Russia, Ukraine spilling into this region. The Russians are building up their military. The Chinese are building up their capabilities and military capacity.\nI’m concerned the U.S. has been slow to develop its surface ability to operate and its infrastructure capability, partly because it doesn’t see itself as an Arctic nation and partly because it’s vastly expensive—but we do so at our peril because we could be surprised.\n─Interview by Aileen Torres-Bennett\ntagged with Arctic, Arctic nation, Baltic, China, climate change, coast guard, defense, environment, featured, GDP, George Bush, government, icebreakers, initiative, innovation, military, Nordic, oil and gas, polar, politics, research, Russia, science, Sherri Goodman, shipping, South China Sea, U.S. Coast Guard\nFront Page Left","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1464995"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8932315707206726,"wiki_prob":0.8932315707206726,"text":"Melbourne City goes 100 per cent renewable\nMelbourne City Council has announced it is now fully powered by renewable energy following the purchasing of an 80 MW wind farm in Ararat.\nThe purchase was completed by 14 institutional buyers, including universities, cultural institutions, corporations and councils.\nCity of Melbourne Deputy Lord Mayor Arron Wood said Pacific Hydro has installed 25 of the 39 turbines required and energy has begun flowing into the power grid.\n\"Making the move to 100 per cent renewable energy is the ultimate New Year's resolution. Every light on our streets, every treadmill in our gyms and every barbecue in our parks is now powered by renewable energy,\" the Deputy Lord Mayor said.\n\"We are immensely proud to be the first Australian capital city council powered by 100 per cent renewable energy. We were also the first group in this country to implement a renewable energy power purchasing agreement.\n\"We have led the nation in responding to climate change, securing a sustainable energy supply for the future and have shown a great example of how a major city with a $92 billion economy can influence positive outcomes in our regional towns.\"\nConstruction of the Crowlands wind farm is continuing with the remaining turbines to be progressively commissioned over coming months. The project is expected to be fully completed in May.\n\"Leading by example, we will expand the ground-breaking project to facilitate power purchase agreements for businesses across the city,\" the Deputy Lord Mayor said.\n\"This will continue to generate investment in new renewable energy which is the cheapest cost for new build electricity generation. So it's good for the environment, great for the economy with new jobs and really good for the hip pocket to manage energy costs into the future.\"","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1190223"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9182972311973572,"wiki_prob":0.9182972311973572,"text":"Thomas Augustine Judge, founder of the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity, was ordained a Vincentian priest in Philadelphia in 1899. At that time the Church in the United States faced the task of absorbing thousands of immigrants from the Catholic countries of eastern and southern Europe. On April 11, 1909, at a meeting in Brooklyn, New York, six women responded to his appeal for lay apostles who would share in the mission and ministry of the Church. In the years immediately following, Father Judge’s influence inspired women and men from many walks of life to become members of this lay apostolic band, later known and accepted in the Church as the Missionary Cenacle Apostolate.\nIn 1912, under the auspices of James Cardinal Gibbons, women associates opened a Missionary Cenacle in Baltimore for the care of homeless and unemployed women, and for work among the Italian immigrants in that city. This was the first time the “Associates” as they were then known, lived together as they worked together. The year following, another Missionary Cenacle was opened in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where the work of the associates pioneered the Catholic Charitable Bureau of that Diocese. In 1915 Father Judge was unexpectedly assigned to a rural Vincentian mission in Opelika, Alabama. This is how, in the providence of God, the Missionary Cenacle came to the southern United States. Some of the men and women who had been nurtured in the apostolate by Father Judge followed him to the heart of the American Southland. Between 1916 and 1918, while the Cenacle Lay Apostolate continued to flourish in the north, a number of lay volunteers gave their lives completely to the Missionary Cenacle, which was taking a different shape in a rural and remote area of the south. The formal beginnings of distinct religious apostolic life emerged. A form of community life began in both Phenix City and on a plantation in what would become Holy Trinity, Alabama.\nAmong the volunteers in Alabama was a young woman, Louise (Lulu) Keasey, a school teacher from Butler, Pennsylvania, who had gone south in 1916 at the age of thirty-one to render whatever service she could to the struggling band, and to teach in their mission school in Phenix City, Alabama. She became known as Sister Mary Boniface.\nOn February 2, 1918 the women were officially incorporated\nin the State of Alabama as the\nMissionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity.\nIn 1919, Sister Mary Boniface was appointed by Father Judge to be the first General Custodian of the new sisters’ community and received the name Mother Mary Boniface. Under the combined leadership of Father Judge and Mother Boniface, the Missionary Cenacle Family further developed in distinct forms of apostolic life: clergy, religious, and lay.\nIn the providence of God and in a way humanly unforeseen, two religious communities emerged. Among the members of these infant communities there was a warmth and spiritual camaraderie that closely paralleled the spirit of the infant Church. The two communities, one of men, the other of women, shared the same founder, enjoyed the same heart’s formation from Mother Boniface, participated in the same prayer form, the same apostolate, and even identified themselves by the same name. The men and women were all known as Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity until well into the nineteen-twenties.\nThe year 1920 itself was a high point year. In that year, the apostolic delegate, Archbishop John Bonzano, wrote to Father Judge approving, not only the newly formed community of women, but the Missionary Cenacle Lay Apostolate as well.\nMother Boniface died in 1931. Less than three months after her death, in February 1932, the sisters received canonical status from Rome under the original title, “Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity.” Father Judge had worked for this; it was a definite and specific decision of his to seek canonical status and when it came he was overjoyed, for the new status incorporated the old from which it had evolved. The Cenacle Lay Apostolate was to remain and the rules of both religious congregations assert that members will foster and train lay apostles for the mission of the Church, with particular reference to the Cenacle laity.\nToday the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity serve the Church in many dioceses across the continental US, Puerto Rico and Mexico where they continue to respond to Fr. Judge’s call to be “a power for good”, to develop a missionary spirit in the laity and to work for the preservation of the faith, especially among Catholics that are abandoned.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1196823"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5320441126823425,"wiki_prob":0.5320441126823425,"text":"2021 / 2020 / 2019 / 2018 / 2017 / 2016 / 2015 / 2014 / 2013\nChange in Officers\nNikko Asset Management Measures in Response to Latest Declaration of State of Emergency in Japan\nNikko Asset Management (Nikko AM) is carrying out the following measures to ensure business continuity, following the Japanese government’s latest declaration of a state of emergency on 7 January regarding Tokyo and three surrounding prefectures.\nNikko Asset Management Appoints New Global Head of Consultant Relations\nNikko Asset Management Co., Ltd. (Nikko AM) announces that effective 18 November 2020, Tony Glover takes on the additional role of Global Head of Consultant Relations.\nNikko Asset Management Publishes its Second TCFD Report\nNikko Asset Management Co., Ltd. (Nikko AM) today published its second annual report presenting activities aligned with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). The report analyses and presents the impact of climate change on Nikko AM’s operating results and financial positions in the 2019 calendar year. Nikko AM’s report focuses on the TCFD’s recommendations with respect to governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics and targets, and seeks to spotlight the firm’s efforts to reflect ESG in its operations as benchmarks for sustainable and responsible investing.\nNikko AM Wins Two ETF Awards\nBest ETF Provider, Japan and Best ETF Mandate\nOn 4 June, Nikko Asset Management (Nikko AM) was recognised as Best ETF Provider Japan and for the Best ETF Mandate as part of The Asset Triple A Awards 2020. The Asset, an influential industry publication about the asset management industry in Asia, made a comprehensive decision looking at ETF providers’ products, launches, educational and other activities, innovation, leadership and performance over the period of 1 January to 31 December 2019. This is the second time The Asset has awarded Nikko AM, following the company’s first win in 2017.\nNikko AM Wins Best Fund House, Japan\nA category of AsianInvestor’s Asset Management Awards 2020\nOn 4 May, Nikko Asset Management (Nikko AM) was announced as the Best Fund House, Japan in the 2020 Asset Management Awards by AsianInvestor, one of the region’s leading industry publications about the asset management industry.\nNikko Asset Management Measures in Response to Declaration of State of Emergency in Japan\nNikko Asset Management (Nikko AM) is carrying out the following measures to ensure business continuity, following the declaration of a state of emergency on 7 April by the Japanese government regarding Tokyo and six other prefectures.\nNikko AM Releases Its 2019 Sustainability Report\nOn 13 March, Nikko Asset Management (Nikko AM) released its 2019 Sustainability Report, showcasing the company’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) commitments along with its progressive philosophy, goals, and the internal and external committees and standards that the firm follows and shapes.\nNikko AM Appoints Global Head of Intermediaries\nNikko Asset Management (Nikko AM) is pleased to announce that Tony Glover has joined the firm effective 1 March, 2020, taking on the newly-created roles of Global Head of Intermediaries and Head of International Intermediary Sales Department.\nNikko AM Wins Four Categories in Asia Asset Management's 2020 Best of the Best Awards\nNikko Asset Management (Nikko AM) has won four categories at the Asia Asset Management 2020 Best of the Best Country Awards - selected in Japan for Fund Launch of the Year, Best Retail House, and ETF Manager of the Year. The company also won ETF Manager of the Year in Singapore. The recognitions cover the period ending November 2019, and mark the seventh consecutive year Nikko AM was awarded by Asia Asset Management, The Journal of Investments and Pensions, regarded as one of the most influential publications about the asset management industry in Asia.\nPress Release Nikko AM Hosts Internship for Syrian Refugees\nNikko Asset Management Co., Ltd. (Nikko AM) has hosted its first internship for Syrian graduate school students, welcoming three participants and providing them with experience and skills for working in a professional environment in Japan. The interns are members of the programme Japanese Initiative for the future of Syrian Refugees (JISR), which is implemented by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The programme was introduced to Nikko AM through its relationship with UNHCR.\nNikko AM Goes Carbon Neutral\nNikko Asset Management Co., Ltd. (Nikko AM) has been certified as carbon neutral for the first time, after entering into a carbon offset programme with the UK-based international organisation Carbon Footprint Ltd.\nNikko AM’s Corporate Sustainability Department aggregated the travel and financial data from the Firm’s global offices in Tokyo, Singapore, Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, New York, and London.\nNikko AM Publishes Inaugural TCFD Report\nNikko Asset Management Co., Ltd. (Nikko AM) today published its first annual report presenting activities aligned with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).\nWe hereby announce the below officer personnel changes decided in accordance with the approval of the transition of Nikko Asset Management Co. Ltd. to a Company with an Audit and Supervisory Committee on the Board. The changes were approved at an extraordinary general shareholders meeting held on 21 June, 2019.\nNikko Asset Management Appoints Head of Asia ex-Japan Equity\nNikko Asset Management has today announced the appointment of Rob Mann as the Head of Asia ex-Japan Equity, based out of Singapore.\nNikko Asset Management Appoints New Global Executive Committee\nNikko Asset Management Co., Ltd. (“Nikko AM”) has decided on the appointment of six Senior Corporate Managing Directors who will join Junichi Sayato, Chairman and Co-CEO, and Hideo Abe, President and Co-CEO, in supporting the management of the company, effective as of 1st May.\nNikko Asset Management Recognised as Best Asia Pacific Equity ETF Manager\nNikko Asset Management (Nikko AM) today announces that it has been voted the Best Asia Pacific Equity ETF Manager for the ninth time in ten years in a survey conducted by ETF Express, the digital news publisher serving institutional investors and investment advisers.\nNikko Asset Management Opens in Germany\nNikko Asset Management (Nikko AM) today announces the establishment of its first office in Germany, at Skyper Villa in Frankfurt's financial district.\nTakumi Shibata to Step Down as President and Chief Executive Officer of Nikko Asset Management\nAfter 6 years leading Nikko Asset Management, Takumi Shibata has decided to step down as President and Chief Executive Officer.\nNikko Asset Management bolsters its Global Equity team\nNikko Asset Management (“Nikko AM”) today announces the appointment of Michael Chen as an analyst in its Global Equity team. Michael is a Chartered Financial Analyst® with a degree from the London School of Economics, and will be responsible for providing industry and stock level research and analysis. He joins Nikko AM from Schroders in London.\nNikko AM Recognised in Two Categories in Asia Asset Management’s 2019 Best of the Best Awards\nNikko Asset Management (Nikko AM) has been recognised across two categories in Asia Asset Management’s 2019 Best of the Best Awards. Asia Asset Management, The Journal of Investments and Pensions, has acknowledged Nikko AM in Japan as Best Institutional House, for the third year running, and for the first time ever, Singapore ETF Manager of the Year. This is the sixth consecutive year for Nikko AM to be honored by Asia Asset Management.\nNikko Asset Management Commits to Support the Japan-British Society\nNikko Asset Management Co., Ltd. (“Nikko AM”) today announces its support for the Japan-British Society, General Incorporated Association (“the Japan-British Society”). This is initially through a JPY 1 million donation towards planting and maintaining 1,000 cherry trees across parks in the United Kingdom, as a symbol of bilateral friendship between Japan and the UK.\nNikko Asset Management Supports The Investor Agenda\nNikko Asset Management Co., Ltd. (“Nikko AM”) today announces its support for efforts towards commitment to the four areas of impact (Investor disclosure; Corporate engagement; Policy advocacy; Investment) under The Investor Agenda, for the global investor community to address climate change.\nNikko Asset Management Expands Green Bond Capability\nNikko Asset Management (“Nikko AM”) today announces the expansion of its global green bond capability to include a wider investment universe of Sovereign, Supranational and Agency (SSA) green bonds.\nNikko Asset Management Appoints Mari Yamauchi as Outside Director\nAt an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting, Nikko Asset Management Co., Ltd. (“Nikko AM”) has confirmed the appointment of Mari Yamauchi as Outside Director.\nNikko AM to List Yen-Hedged ETF Linked to S&P 500 Index\nNikko Asset Management today announces a new exchange traded fund (ETF) linked to the S&P 500 Index with a currency hedge for the yen.\nNikko AM extends and deepens bench strength in China equity\nNikko Asset Management today announces that it has augmented its China Equity capability with additional resource based in Shenzhen and Hong Kong.\nNikko AM commits to Women’s Empowerment Principles\nNikko Asset Management today announces that it has signed a statement of support for the Women’s Empowerment Principles. Produced and disseminated by the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and the United Nations Global Compact, the Principles present seven steps that business and other sectors can take to advance and empower women.\nNikko Asset Management Appoints Yoichiro Iwama as Outside Director\nAt its Board of Directors meeting today, Nikko Asset Management Co., Ltd. (\"Nikko AM\") confirmed the appointment of Yoichiro Iwama as Outside Director. When he assumes the role, he is also to be appointed Chairman of the Firm's Board of Directors, effective 15 May.\nNikko Asset Management today announces that it has been voted the Best Asia Pacific Equity ETF Manager for the seventh time in eight years in a survey conducted by ETF Express, the digital news publisher serving institutional investors and investment advisers.\nNikko Asset Management Appoints Head of Marketing - International\nNikko Asset Management today announces that Head of Marketing, Asia ex-Japan & The Americas Joyce Koh is as of 1 March 2018 appointed Head of Marketing - International. Based in Singapore, in this newly created role she continues to report to Tokyo-based Joint Global Head of Product & Marketing, and Head of Marketing and Communications, Stefanie Drews, and her scope expands to include responsibility for all aspects of the Firm’s marketing worldwide, ex-Japan.\nNikko AM Recognised in Three Categories in Asia Asset Management’s 2018 Best of the Best Awards\nNikko Asset Management has been recognised across three categories in Asia Asset Management’s 2018 Best of the Best Awards. Asia Asset Management, The Journal of Investments and Pensions, has acknowledged Nikko AM in Japan as Best Institutional House and ETF Manager of the Year, both for the second year running, and for the first time as Asia Region ETF Manager of the Year. This is the fifth consecutive year for Nikko AM to be honored by Asia Asset Management.\nNikko Asset Management and Japan for UNHCR Partner to Support Refugee Children\nNikko Asset Management (\"Nikko AM\") today announces a partnership with Japan for UNHCR, a national partner of UNHCR (the UN Refugee Agency), whereby Nikko AM globally supports funding towards school supplies and textbooks, access to schools, and extracurricular and classroom facilities through the UNHCR Educate A Child (EAC) programme.\nNikko Asset Management Announces Senior Appointments\nNikko Asset Management today announces that Nikko Asset Management Europe Ltd Chairman John Howland-Jackson is as of 1 January 2018 additionally appointed EMEA CEO (subject to Financial Conduct Authority approval).\nNikko Asset Management Enhances Governance, with Full Disclosure of its Voting Results\nNikko Asset Management today announces its commitment to disclose the results of individual voting in the companies in which it invests at shareholder meetings, in accordance with the Principles for Responsible Institutional Investors set forth in Japan’s Stewardship Code.\nNikko Asset Management Adds Depth to Global Equity Team\nNikko Asset Management (“Nikko AM”) has appointed Jeremy Hall as Investment Director – Global Equity. In this role, he will be a portfolio manager within the Nikko AM Global Equity team based in Edinburgh, Scotland.\nNikko Asset Management and ARK Invest Partner for Disruptive Innovation Investment Solutions\nNikko Asset Management today announces that it is enhancing its disruptive innovation focused investment solutions by acquiring a minority stake in ARK Investment Management LLC (“ARK”). In this partnership Nikko AM will obtain exclusivity in select Asian geographies to offer ARK products and investment strategies and its investment team intends to continue working closely with ARK’s disruptive innovation focused analysts.\nNikko Asset Management Maintains Overweight Stance on Global Equities\nNikko Asset Management’s (“Nikko AM”) Global Investment Committee (GIC) maintains its bullish stance on global equities despite geopolitical uncertainty in its latest House View, due to increasing confidence in economic growth amongst consumers and corporations in much of the developed world.\nNikko Asset Management recognised as Japan's Fund House of the Year\nAsianInvestor has recognised Nikko Asset Management (Nikko AM) as Japan's 2017 Fund House of the Year for generating strong returns in Japan's negative interest rate environment. This is the sixth time in seven years that the firm has won the award*. Nikko AM's actively managed Japanese equity strategies demonstrated a record of investment excellence that drove growth in assets under management (AUM) throughout 2016.\nNikko Asset Management Maintains Overweight Stance on Global Equities, Expects Rise in Global Bond Yields\nNikko Asset Management’s (Nikko AM) Global Investment Committee (GIC) maintains its bullish stance on global equities, particularly for the United States and the Developed Pacific ex-Japan region in its latest house view, due to increasing confidence in economic growth by consumers and corporations in much of the developed world. The GIC also maintains a moderately underweight stance on global bonds, as yields are expected to maintain a gradual rise.\nNikko Asset Management Receives Three Awards from Asia Asset Management\nNikko Asset Management has been recognised for excellence by Hong-Kong based Asia Asset Management. The firm won the Best of the Best Country Award for Japan in three categories: Best Institutional House, ETF Manager of the Year and Best Responsible Investor.\nNikko Asset Management Upgrades View on Global Equities to Overweight, Bullish on the U.S. Dollar\nNikko Asset Management’s Global Investment Committee has lifted its view on global equities to overweight and is bullish on the U.S. dollar in its latest house view, due to stronger prospects for the global economy with the election of Donald Trump as U.S. President and expectations of a hawkish monetary policy by the U.S. Federal Reserve.\nNikko Asset Management Bullish on Japan and Developed Asia-Pacific Equities\nNikko Asset Management's Global Investment Committee is positive on Japanese and developed Asia-Pacific equities over the next six months, but maintains a slightly underweight stance on global equities amid continued sluggish global growth.\nNikko Asset Management Votes at 2015/16 Shareholder Meetings\nNikko Asset Management to List Currency Hedged and Non-Hedged US Bond ETFs\nNikko Asset Management is launching two ETFs – a currency hedged type and a non-currency hedged type – that will track indexes of US government bonds with maturities of 7-10 years.\nNikko Asset Management’s Economic Forecast Moderately Shifts Down Following BREXIT\nDespite the UK’s decision to leave the European Union, the Global Investment Committee has noted that it does not think economies or risk markets will crash, but added that it is hard to be enthusiastic about the prospects for the post-BREXIT world over the next few quarters.\nWe are pleased to be bringing you Nikko AM's 2019 Sustainability Report. In it, you will read about our responsibility as an investment manager and fiduciary that contributes to a sustainable society, considering ESG as a part of long-term investment strategies.\nNikko AM works with the UK-based international organisation Carbon Footprint Ltd. to offset carbon emissions through offset programmes, and has been certified as carbon neutral since 2018.\nAbout Nikko Asset Management\nTotal AUM* US $249.1bn**\nTotal Employees*** 905\nPortfolio Managers 107\nAnalysts/Strategists 56\nTraders/Other Specialists 46\n* Consolidated assets under management and sub-advisory of Nikko AM and overseas subsidiaries.\n** 26.28 trillion yen as of 30 Sep 2020.\n*** As of 30 Sep 2020, including employees of Nikko AM and its subsidiaries.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1965105"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9380204677581787,"wiki_prob":0.9380204677581787,"text":"Sylvia Bartel\nNewton, Kansas 67114\nFacebook Fan Page LinkedIn\nMarion Co.\nPeabody, KS Real Estate\nEstablished Date\nDistance from Wichita\nDistance from Hutchinson\nSearch for Properties in Peabody, KS\nView All Peabody Listings\nProperty Type 4-Family+/Apartment Condo/Townhouse/Half Duplex Farm Mobile/Modular Patio/Garden Single Family Triplex Twin/Duplex Undeveloped Acreage Vacant Land\nBeds Beds 1+ 2+ 3+ 4+ 5+ 6+ 7+ 8+ 9+ 10+\nBaths Baths 1+ 2+ 3+ 4+ 5+ 6+ 7+ 8+ 9+ 10+\nPeabody Schools\nPeabody students attend school in the Peabody-Burns Unified School District 398. Total enrollment as of 2015 is 321 for USD 398. Students can participate in a variety of activities including football, track and golf.\nPeabody Lifestyle\nThere is simply no place like Peabody, Kansas. Nestled at the foot of the flint hills, Peabody is Rockwell’s vision come to life. From stunning late Victorian architecture in the central business district, to the immaculate public parks, Peabody has something for everyone. To put it simply… Peabody just feels like home!\nSource- City of Peabody-www.peabodyks.com)\nPeabody Transportation\nHighway US-50 runs through the north side of town. Downtown Wichita is under 45 minutes away and Newton is under 25 minutes from Peabody.\nPeabody Local Attractions/Activities\nPeabody offer two restaurants, the Coneburg Grill & Pub and Pops Diner. Peabody is home to Gracepoint Church, the Baptist Church and the United Methodist Church.\nPeabody Parks\nThe Peabody City Park is located at the west end of Second Street. The park has playground equipment, picnic areas, the municipal swimming pool, the Jr/Sr High School football field and is home to the annual Fourth of July celebration.\nThe City Park has an interesting history. The Peabody City Park was first owned by the Marion County Fair Association. The State Fair was held on the grounds in 1885. There was an exhibition hall built with three wings and a race track equal to none other in Kansas. The grandstand would seat 2,000 people. Dining services and food to feed 10,000 people each day were brought from Emporia by train.\nSanta Fe Park is located at the South end of Walnut. The park has picnic areas and a gazebo which hosts summer concerts. The park is also home to the Doyle Valley Farmer's Market, held every Saturday from 8:00am to 12:00pm from Memorial Day to Labor Day.\n(Source- City of Peabody-www.peabodyks.com)\nPeabody –History\nThe Wisconsin Colony played a major role in the settlement of Peabody. In the spring of 1870, a group of men in Wisconsin, organized for the purpose of settling in Kansas. Leaders of the alliance were Colonel J. E. Cone, president, William C. Nye, secretary, and C. D. Bradley, general agent. These men, along with M.Birdsall, were the commissioners of the organization. The group planned to settle a tract six miles wide and nine miles in length along both sides of Doyle Creek, which was part of the proposed route for the Santa Fe Railroad. After arriving on the scene, the group enlarged its claim to a tract 12 by 8 miles in size. A surveyor was hired to plat the acreage and show settlers which lands were available in the region named Coneburg, in honor of the company president. The townsite extended from where the present U. S. Highway 50 is on the north end of present day Peabody to Division Street (so named when the street became the dividing line between the two early communities of Coneburg and Peabody.\nThe Wisconsin Colony formed the Coneburg Town Company on March 31, 1871, and the plat of the town was recorded on April 10th at the United States Land Office in Augusta, Kansas. After surveying the site, the organization soon discovered it was unable to control claim jumping or jurisdiction over the tract. The Wisconsin group quickly splintered because of infighting and a new group spun-off from part of the old.\nA legal battle ensued between various segments of the area. By the Congressional Act of March 1867, probate judges were granted the authority to enter townsites but were not authorized to create such areas. On February 23, 1873, the Secretary of the Interior canceled the new Coneburg townsite. The group petitioned to have the case reopened during the winter of 1874-1875 (White 1970: Chapter One). A new hearing occurred in the summer of 1875, in Wichita. The court ruled in favor of the earlier judiciary decision made by Judge I. W. Bouse who had ruled in favor of the Coneburg Company (White 1970: Chapter One). However, this decision was overturned in September 1877 when the Secretary of the Interior affirmed the rights of the North Peabody Town Company. In 1877, the federal government ruled Probate Judge I. W. Bouse had overstepped his authority when he approved the entry of the Coneburg townsite. Bouse ordered the site surveyed, platted, apportioned to the occupants and partly deeded. The federal government saw this ruling as a violation of the law.\nThe community of Peabody was also created south of North Peabody. For $2,878.97 William and Annie Endicott (of Suffolk, Massachusetts) acquired title on May 6, 1870 from Amos Lawrence for the south-half of Section 4, Township 22, Range 3; the future site of Peabody. On January 12 1871, the Endicotts sold the acreage for $2,700 to Marion schoolteacher Thomas M. Potter. While construction was underway on the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad line west of Emporia, the directors of the company traveled through the area on an inspection tour six days before a new townsite was filed. Businessmen rushed to the new site. With the Wisconsin Colony land in legal dispute, Potter's clear title on the south-half of section four was seen by town speculators as the most desirable location for a community. Potter's holding was platted, adjoining North Peabody at Division Street. Because of the county surveyors error in measurements, the width of Division Street (the dividing line between Peabody and part of Coneburg that became North Peabody) was 90 feet wide on the east edge of the town and fifteen feet wide on the west edge. Potter, Col Robinson, S. B. Riggs, R. K. Tabor, L. Carson and J. S. Straughen (attorney for Potter) formed the Peabody Town Company. On June 16, 1871, when the charter for incorporation was filed for the Peabody Town Company, Potter and his wife, Mary sold the land to the Peabody Town Company for $6,400. The town was named Peabody in honor of F. H. Peabody of Boston, the railroad's vice president after the directors of the line recommended the railroad be routed south of North Peabody. In 1874, Peabody visited the community named in his honor and agreed to donate the funds necessary to build a library and furnish it with furniture and a collection of books and periodicals if the residents agreed to maintain and support the bequest. The facility was the state's first free public library and is on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1901, the structure contained 7,000 volumes. In 1914, a new Carnegie Library Building, also on the National Register of Historic Places, was erected nearby to replace the earlier frame structure.\nSelect a Point of Interest and Distance from the search form.\nPeabody, KS Real Estate Property Information\n605 N Walnut\nPeabody, KS 66866\n3 Beds|1 Full/1 Half Bath\nResidential|Single Family OnSite Blt\nThere are no Recently Reduced listings at this time. Please check again soon.\nSylvia Bartel |","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1395144"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5277631282806396,"wiki_prob":0.5277631282806396,"text":"Saturday,October 31 2020 [ Issue 5 October/ 2020 ]\nNext week, Rio Tinto’s Argyle mine, which produces 90 per cent of world’s rarest pink diamonds is shutting down. Pink diamonds have cast their spell on people for so many years now, a diamond itself is so rare, a pink diamond on top of that, is considered one of Nature’s most beautiful miracles.\nArgyle has been running since 1983, and since then it has produced over 865 million carats, making it the world's largest producer of coloured diamonds and the only source of pink diamonds. Now that it’s life cycle has come to an end, the prices of pink diamonds are going to shoot up and it’s demand even more!\nIn other news, the battle between Tiffany & Co. and LVMH has finally come to an end. The fight was after all about a difference of $500 million! By paying $15.5 billion rather than $16 billion for Tiffany, the combined market share of both companies is well about 17 per cent!\nFurther to the recentannouncementof two masterpieces created by Feng J, one of the world’s most exciting, contemporary jewellery artist-designers, Phillips proudly unveils additional highlights from theJewels & Jade\nLightbox, the innovative laboratory-grown diamond jewelry company, today announced the official opening of its new US manufacturing facility in Gresham, Oregon and a major partnership withBlue Nile, the largest online fine je\nTiffany and LVMH Modify Merger Price\nLVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE, the world’s leading luxury products group, and Tiffany & Co., the global luxury jeweler, today announced that they have concluded an agreement modifying certain terms of the\nKGK Group won two meritorious titles at JNA Awards 2020\nAs one of the pioneers in the gems and jewellery industry, KGK Group is renowned for its passion for artistic excellence and commitment to exceptional quality. KGK’s consistent growth, outlined by innovation, has streng\nVDB Launches Software as a Service\nVirtual Diamond Boutique (VDB), the jewelry industry’s leading technology partner and largest virtual marketplace, announces the launch of Software as a Service (SaaS) in support of jewelers of all types –retailer\nYoram Dvash, IDE President, will not run for third term in elections in December\nYoram Dvash, who has been President of the Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE) for the past five years, announced today that he will not stand for a third term in elections that will be held in December 2020. Dvash said that he wil\nPetra revenue increases with growing rough prices\nQ1 revenue increased 33% to US$82.0 million (Q1 FY 2020: US$61.6 million) mainly due to the release of inventory carried over from Q4 FY 2020. Although diamond prices increased ca. 21% on a like-for-like basis at the Septembe\nGJEPC to organise the first Diamond Studded Jewellery Virtual Buyer-Seller Meet\nAfter the success of the Virtual Buyer-Seller Meets for Loose Diamonds and Plain Gold Jewellery, GJEPC is all geared up for the Diamond Studded Jewellery VBSM from 25th– 28thNovember 2020. Buyers are expected from the U\nDmcc Enhances Ease Of Doing Business In Dubai With New Offer For International Companies\nDMCC – the world’s flagship Free Zone and Government of Dubai Authority on commodities trade and enterprise – has rolled out a company setup offer for businesses worldwide. The offer provides international c","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line361120"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6859816908836365,"wiki_prob":0.6859816908836365,"text":"Articles by Michael Brazile, Contributing Editor at Grand Piano Passion™\nMichael Brazile has recently added the piano back to his musical life after spending a decade behind the harpsichord. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in musicology from the New England Conservatory, specializing in 17th century French music.\nAmateur pianist Michael Brazile plays the Aria from the Bach Goldberg Variations in this original video, and offers advice on how to handle the tempo and repeats. »\nAmateur pianist Michael Brazile plays the Bach Invention No. 14 in B-flat Major in this original video, and shares how he approaches tempo and repetition in the two-part invention. »\nThe Bach French Suite No. 4's Allemande is relatively short, making its contrapuntal demands on the player manageable; get tips on how to play the piece. »\nGain perspectives on interpreting Satie's Gnossienne No. 3, with its flexible sense of rhythm, lack of measure markings, and colorful written indications. »\nLearn more about how to play and interpret Erik Satie’s Gymnopédie No. 3, which involves a wide spectrum of dynamic contrasts and leaps with the left hand. »","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line242679"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5486700534820557,"wiki_prob":0.45132994651794434,"text":"What tax reforms do 4th District candidates support?\nnow commitment. 2020 Questions for the candidates. We asked the candidates for the Fourth Congressional District. What is your vision of tax reform? And do you believe wealthier people should carry a heavier burden? The strongest tax reform or tax proposal? Eyes actually say that I have seen has come from Senator Cory Booker and was co sponsored in the House by Congresswoman Diana Preston. It's a Baby Bonds bill. It would increase the inheritance tax, would increase some capital gains taxes and used those to create what's called baby bonds basically three allocation of bonds upon birth to low income Children and then funding those assets until they reached the age of maturity at 18 which they could unlock those assets for use for house housing education, etcetera. This is a bill that would tax the assets of the very wealthy in order to create assets for the lowest income members of our country. It would do a tremendous amount to rectify income inequality and the racial wealth gap that has accumulated over 400 years of systemic racism in this country. On it would do so in a way that I think is deeply progressive and that creates opportunity for all. Just This did come up in Massachusetts just recently with the Millionaire's tax, and I was not for the Millionaire's tax. I don't think that you should have separate rules for, for for people. And I think there's a lot of millionaires that come or people that have money in the state, and they give a lot of money to the state. They give a lot of. They donate a lot of money. We don't want that to start happening. Nor do I think that you should be penalizing people who knows how they made that money. They could have scrimped and saved and, you know, work very, very hard. So we should not be saying to people, Hey, if you work very, very hard, you know we're going to make you pay more money. So e, I'm not for that. I do definitely think that we need some tax reform. We need to be able to. First of all, I think we need to bring the taxes down, especially as we move out of Cove. It we need to bring the taxes down. We are spending more money than we're taking in in this country, and that's not good. But to go and then tax people right now, you know that are in a predicament where they have to put food on their, you know, they feed their kids. That is not the right thing to Dio. That's gonna be the worst thing to do. But we do need to have some tax reform, and we do need to even more than tax reform. We need to have accountability for the programs that we are paying for, especially unfold unfunded programs that perhaps we can't sustain anymore. Check out the commitment 2020 section of the WCVB App or wcvb dot com, for election news and voter re sources.\nCandidates for the 4th Congressional District -- Jake Auchincloss and Julie Hall -- share their views on tax policies and reforms.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1850921"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6136377453804016,"wiki_prob":0.6136377453804016,"text":"Cancer Research Grant Proposal\nU CAN-CER VIVE Foundation\nPowered by Team LaFontaine\nU Can-Cer Vive\nU Can-Cer Vive Foundation Presents First Contribution at Children’s Hospital of Michigan\nEvents, Press Release\nContact: Kelley LaFontaine\nHighland, MI – December 6, 2016 – U Can-Cer Vive Foundation is presenting its first contribution as a 501c3 to the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation on December 7th at 11:00 am at a check signing at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan.\nThe $172,000 contribution will provide funding for two research grants that will develop new treatments for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and Neuroblastoma, two difficult to treat childhood cancers. AML represents 20% of pediatric leukemias and 80% of acute adult leukemias. It is responsible for 50% of leukemia deaths of American children each year despite intensive therapies and stem cell transplants. Neuroblastoma is the most common non-brain solid tumor in children, and frequently recurs after treatment.\nThe first funded grant is Novel Hybrid Drugs for the treatment of AML and Neuroblastoma. This grant will help develop new synthetic dual-acting drugs which will work as hybrids to help treat AML and Neuroblastoma more effectively.* The second funded grant is Novel Immunotherapy for the Treatment of AML. This grant will help develop a new approach to harness a patient’s immune system to attack AML cells.\nU Can-Cer Vive is co-chaired by Ryan LaFontaine and Kelley LaFontaine, and is officially a 501c3 foundation since May 2016. The LaFontaine’s created the foundation so they could insure that 100% of the donations have immediate impact on research and treatment efforts that provide relief and comfort to those affected by cancer. The mission of U Can-Cer Vive is “To provide vital funding for cancer research to create a cancer free world.”\nU Can-Cer Vive Foundation is looking forward to continuing to make a strong impact in our local community by supporting future research grants.\nAbout the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation\nEstablished in 2003, the Foundation is dedicated to advancing the health and healthcare of the children of Michigan. This is accomplished through philanthropic support for pediatric medical education, research, and community benefit programs. The Foundation granted $5.4 million in 2015 for vital pediatric health initiatives. The Foundation is an independent public charity governed by a community board of 29 directors, and is a 501c3 charitable organization. Learn more at www.chmfoundation.org.\nAbout the Children’s Hospital of Michigan www.childrensdmc.org\nFor nearly 130 years, the Children’s Hospital of Michigan has been dedicated to providing high quality care to children and adolescents in a caring, efficient and family-centered environment. With more than 40 pediatric medical and surgical specialty services, the hospital draws patients from nearly every Michigan County, 39 additional states, and 22 countries, annually and provides the highest level of pediatric specialty care available for children. The hospital is a national leader in cardiology and heart surgery, neurology and neurosurgery, nephrology, and orthopedics. It is ranked as one of America’s best hospitals for children and sees more children than any hospital in the state. Children’s Hospital of Michigan is one of eight hospitals operated by the Detroit Medical Center (DMC).\nAbout U Can-Cer Vive Foundation\nwww.ucancervive.com\nEstablished officially by Ryan and Kelley LaFontaine in May of 2016 as a 501c3 U Can-Cer Vive is a foundation with the mission to provide vital funding for cancer research to create a cancer free world. We are 100% volunteer driven group with passion to continue to support cancer research and raise awareness towards the fight against cancer. The proceeds raised to support U Can-Cer Vive and its mission are dedicated 100% to this cause.\n*Learn more information about these two grants on our website, http://www.ucancervive.com\nConnect with U Can-Cer Vive\nFacebook – https://www.facebook.com/ucancervivepoweredbyteamlafontaine/\nInstagram – https://www.instagram.com/ucancervive/\nU Can-Cer Vive Give Detroit Challenge\nDonate, Events, Foundation\nWe’re really excited to let you know that we’re a part of the Give Detroit Challenge. It’s a fundraising campaign launched by Hour Detroit where organizations in Southeastern Michigan compete to raise the most money with the top team winning a grand prize cash donation of $20,000.\nIt started on September 29th at 12pm ET and a total of $50,000 will be given away to organizations in the Challenge. The organization that raises the most will receive a $20,000 donation. And, second through fifth place also get large cash donations ranging from $1,000-$10,000. We’re ready to raise as much money as we can so we can win the $20,000 grand prize donation. We will also be reaching out to support our weekly Bonus Challenges.\nPlease consider joining our U Can-Cer Vive team as a fundraiser. By setting up a fundraiser for our cause and reaching out to your network of supporters, you can help us make an even bigger impact and get us closer to that grand prize.\nIt takes less than five minutes to set up a fundraiser. All you have to do is Go Here and click ‘Fundraise for This Campaign.’\nEvents, Foundation\nU Can-Cer Vive 9 & Wine 2016 Update\nThank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the support you have given us. We created our own 501c3 for U Can-Cer Vive, powered by Team LaFontaine.\nThe event was phenomenal and raised a grand net total of $228,000.\nU Can-Cer Vive 9 & Wine – Rebelling Against Cancer\nU Can-Cer Vive powered by Team LaFontaine raising money to rebel against cancer hippie style!\nGOAL: Cancer Free World.\nJoin our cause by submitting your email address and receive updates, invitations and more!\nFirst Name Last Name Your E-Mail Address","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1480948"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8335505127906799,"wiki_prob":0.8335505127906799,"text":"How coronavirus is boosting e\nSeydou Sall sprays antiseptic on bags of food freshly deposited by an e-commerce firm at his home in an upmarket quarter of Senegal’s capital Dakar.\nIn a pattern repeated across the continent, the researcher has turned to online deliveries to get basics such as sugar, milk and coffee during the coronavirus pandemic.\n“Home delivery allows me to avoid contact and queues,” he said, explaining that his order is completed in three clicks and that delivery costs just 2,000 CFA francs ($3.3, 3 euros).\nSenegal’s government, in common with others around the world, has restricted travel between cities in a bid to curb coronavirus infections, and reduced opening hours for markets and shops.\nDespite initial fears the virus would devastate poor African countries, the continent has so far recorded low infection rates compared to virus-stricken Europe and the United States.\nAfrican anti-virus efforts have nonetheless dealt a heavy economic blow, with retailers especially hard hit as governments have shut markets and restricted the flow of goods and people.\nThe sudden change has driven some contagion-wary consumers to use e-commerce platforms.\nSall, for example, uses a new Senegalese platform named Rapidos, which has partnerships with supermarkets, bakeries and pharmacies.\nSet up two years ago, the firm is now doing a roaring trade.\n“Home deliveries have gone up 90 percent,” said company official Mohamed Badiane, adding that orders for Ramadan essentials such as dates are strong.\nPrecise data on African e-commerce trade is hard to come by. But officials who spoke to AFP suggested that the coronavirus crisis has been a boon for some online delivery platforms.\n‘Explosion of orders’\nAfrica’s e-commerce giant, Jumia, appears to be one of the companies benefiting from a virus-driven bump in online sales.\nThe company has struggled with high operating costs, raising questions over its long term viability.\nBut in an earnings report on Wednesday Jumia said it had seen a “surge in demand” in early March due to coronavirus restrictions, while noting that supply had also been hit in some countries.\nFrancis Dufay, the firm’s managing director in Ivory Coast, said that there had been an “explosion of orders,” with demand currently three times higher than normal.\nA similar dynamic is playing out in the continent’s most developed economy, South Africa.\n“There has been a huge surge in demand,” Lynton Peters, a co-founder of the e-commerce firm OneCart, told AFP.\n“Over the last couple of months we have seen a 500-percent increase in our business, and we have expanded quite rapidly in order to deal with demand,” he added.\nThe uptick in online sales follows years of growth in the sector, which has appealed to a young and urban internet-savvy population, and a growing African middle class.\nBut e-commerce in Africa still lags behind other parts of the world.\nSome 21 million people shopped online in 2017 in Africa, according to a United Nations report, accounting for only 2 percent of the world’s total.\nHalf of those shoppers are also concentrated in just three countries: Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya.\nE-commerce has nonetheless grown by 18 percent annually since 2014, the report said, and it is increasingly luring investors.\nMany were previously put off by the myriad problems facing would-be e-retailers in Africa, ranging from a lack of street names, to limited internet access and suspicion of online payments.\nAmazon, the world’s largest e-retailer, is barely present on the continent.\nLocal players such as Jumia, however, are adapting business practices to overcome hurdles, such as developing their own fleet of delivery drivers, for example.\n– Everyone a chef –\nSome e-commerce business owners hope that locking in previously-wary customers might be a silver lining to the coronavirus crisis.\n“The fact that people could not go out has increased awareness and curiosity around online shopping and delivery services,” said Jerobeam Pengevally Mwedihanga, who owns an e-grocer in Namibia.\n“People have become excited about using delivery services and those who did not know about it now know,” he added.\nSuccesses have not been even, however, and many delivery businesses have struggled to cope with strict anti-virus policies.\nDufay, the Jumia official, said that evening food deliveries had collapsed in Ivory Coast because of a night-time curfew in the country.\nMaguelonne Biau, the Ivory Coast managing director of delivery outfit Glovo, also said the curfew had struck a “big blow” to business.\nAnd in another adverse effect, an increase in online deliveries may spell bad news for restaurants.\n“Everyone has become a chef,” said Salmi Shigwedha, who owns a local eatery in the capital Windhoek called The Garden Inn.\n“Instead of getting home from work too tired to cook, people now actually have time to prepare their own meals,” she added.\nPrevious articlePost COVID\nNext articleOuter Banks reopens for visitors","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1328514"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5056195855140686,"wiki_prob":0.4943804144859314,"text":"In Japan tea is more than a simple beverage; it is an attitude of mind\nThe tea ceremony (Chanoyu, which simply means “Way of The Tea”) is of crucial importance in traditional Japanese culture and is characterised by serving and drinking Matcha, a powdered green tea, in a simple and harmonious environment.\nTea, from China, was introduced to Japan in the sixth century by Buddhist monks, who discovered that tea increased the concentration during meditation. For a long time, tea was only grown and consumed by the monks. A formal ceremony was introduced only in the late 12th century by a monk called Eisai. At that time, the valuable tea beverage was also used for medicinal purposes. The custom of drinking Matcha spread among the priests of the temples and the upper classes. In the 16th century, during the Momoyama period, drinking tea became popular among other Japanese society groups, when tea master Sen Rikyu, considered the historical figure with the most profound influence on Japan’s tea ceremony, established a set of teachings that persist through to today.\nSen Rikyu defined four basic principles for the tea ceremony:\nWA (harmony)\nKEI (respect)\nSEI (purity)\nJAKU (tranquility)\nIn addition, it was considered that every single tea ceremony was unique and could not be reproduced.\nAccessories to prepare Matcha – tea powder – of the Tea Ceremony\nSweets to eat before drinking Matcha\nAccessories for preparation of Matcha (powdered tea for tea ceremony)\nBeginning of Ceremony\nPrepare the cloth to clean the accessories\nTake the Matcha with chashaku (bamboo spoon)\nBeat Matcha with Chasen (bamboo whisk)\nServe Matcha in Chawan (Matcha bowl)\nLearning the rules of the tea ceremony is demanding and difficult, and also requires knowledge of other traditional arts, especially architecture (tea rooms), landscape gardening and the floral arts.\nThe tea ceremony commences as follows:\nWhen they arrive, participants pass through a Japanese gate in order to leave behind the worries of their day-to-day activities. They then follow a path to the tea house, which is a simple wooden structure. Before going in, they wash their hands and mouth at a well. The entrance to the tea house is low so that all participants have to enter on their knees (indeed Samurai have to leave their swords out) and by getting on their knees, all people assume equal importance. Shoes are left at the entrance of the structure and once inside, participants sit on the ground waiting for the tea master. Inside the structure, there is always a Tokonoma (corner) with a display of calligraphy and seasonal flowers. The tea ceremony takes place in silence.\nSee how to prepare Matcha","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1520412"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8252034783363342,"wiki_prob":0.8252034783363342,"text":"Ford and VW collaborating to develop Electric and Autonomous Vehicles\nLeave a Comment / News / By Mickey Sampson\nThe partnership of Ford and Volkswagen have been in news since the announcement. On Friday, Ford announced that the collaboration of seven months, between the two companies, would be further expanded and would even include autonomous and electric vehicles on its list.\nWith the growing technology, electric vehicles have come into view and very soon would even appear in the market. To make a position in the field of electric and autonomous vehicles, Ford and Volkswagen have joined hands. Apparently, Volkswagen is going to invest $2.6 billion in Argo AI, an autonomous vehicle startup from Pittsburgh which was found by Ford in 2017 and the company had invested $1 billion in the startup then. It has been said that VW would be investing $1 billion in cash and the rest $1.6 billion in the assets which would be used in Argo AI. The after value of the product is being estimated to be $7 billion.\nThe earlier contract between the two companies, which took place in January, had only pick-up trucks and commercial vehicles in its list but the new contract also includes autonomous as well as electric vehicles which can be a bit risky for the companies. This can be expensive and has a lot of risks but if it becomes successful then it would definitely change the mode of transportation around the globe.\nAs per the latest news report, Ford and Volkswagen are not the first companies to think about autonomous and electric vehicles; there have been many companies who are working in this field and soon we would be able to see the results. The thing that would make the difference is which company would be able to produce an electric and autonomous vehicle successfully.\nThis contract would no doubt give Argo AI a global status but it would also give a lot of expectations to the people. Argo was first invented by Uber engineers along with the help from Carnegie Melon University’s robotics lab. The startup has been tested with Ford in Pittsburgh, Detroit, Miami, and Washington DC and has been well accepted.\nThe contract would even prove to be beneficial for Ford as it would be able to gain access to VW’s MEB or “Modulare E-Antriebs-Baukasten” platform which can become the basis for producing over 15 million electric vehicles. The platform can be efficiently used to design and build the structure of an electric vehicle. Ford would be using the platform for the above purpose from 2023. If the model for the electric vehicle becomes successful then Ford would be able to sell more than 600,000 electric vehicles in European countries. European countries are the supporters of electric vehicles which can prove to be good for Ford.\nIt is clearly stated that VW and Ford would have their own autonomous vehicles and would sell them separately in the market but both would be using Argo’s software. Though the technology and data of both the models from the companies are same but some of the features would be different.\nWith the decrease in the availability of conventional energy sources such as fossil fuels, it has become necessary for us to take help from non-conventional energy sources. This also includes a decrease in the use of fuel-driven vehicles which not only consumes fuel but even causes air pollution. With the arrival of the idea of an electric vehicle, the fuel-driven vehicles would soon come to halt. This contract is a small step in stopping the sale of fuel-driven vehicles and help in conserving the conventional energy sources.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1622291"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.809611439704895,"wiki_prob":0.809611439704895,"text":"(Redirected from 1989 WS)\n1989 World Series (4-0)\nOakland Athletics (99-63, AL) over San Francisco Giants (92-70, NL)\nBR 1989 World Series Summary\n1.1 Umpires\n3 The Games\n3.1 Game 1: October 14\n3.3 Interrupted by Earthquake\n4 History sidenote\n5.1 1989 Postseason\n\"It puts everything into perspective in that baseball is only a game and has pretty much nothing to do with life.\" - Giants first baseman Will Clark, talking about the earthquake.\nWhile remembered best for the devastating earthquake that interrupted its progression, the 1989 World Series had many other subplots. It was the second straight all-California World Series, and the fourth overall as of 2012 (the others were in 1974, 1988, and 2002). It was the first World Series featuring teams in the same metro area since 1956. It featured one team that had been upset the previous Series and had a chip on its collective shoulder, versus a team that hadn't been to the Fall Classic in nearly three decades. The San Francisco Bay Area had largely been a laughingstock on the baseball frontier since the mid-1970s, but in October 1989, the eyes of a nation were transfixed as the Bay Area trotted out its two teams as combatants for baseball's ultimate prize.\nUmpires[edit]\nRich Garcia (AL), Paul Runge (NL), Vic Voltaggio (AL), Dutch Rennert (NL), Al Clark (AL), Eric Gregg (NL)\nAL Oakland Athletics (4) vs. NL San Francisco Giants (0)\nTime of Game\n1 Giants – 0, A’s – 5 October 14 Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum (Oakland) 49,385 2:45\n3 A’s – 13, Giants – 7 October 27 Candlestick Park (San Francisco) 62,038 3:03\n4 A’s – 9, Giants – 6 October 28 Candlestick Park (San Francisco) 62,032 3:07\nThe Games[edit]\nGame 1: October 14[edit]\nOakland 0 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 X 5 11 1\nW: Dave Stewart (1-0) L: Scott Garrelts (0-1)\nThe Series got underway at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 14th. The pitching matchup featured two pitchers coming off fine years: Scott Garrelts for the Giants, a seven-year veteran but a first-year starter, a 14-game winner who captured the National League's ERA title with a 2.28 mark, going up against the menacing, formidable Dave Stewart, a 20-game winner for the third consecutive year, and a runner-up in the American League's Cy Young Award voting.\nAs the game got underway, things started off bleakly for Stewart. He gloved a weak grounder hit by Robby Thompson in the 1st inning, and promptly threw the ball away, allowing Thompson to reach second and putting the Giants in an early position to strike first blood. Unfortunately for them, Thompson didn't score, and neither did his teammates. After the inauspicious start, Stewart mowed the San Francisco lineup down to the tune of a 5-0 complete-game shutout.\nOakland 1 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 X 5 7 0\nW: Mike Moore (1-0) L: Rick Reuschel (0-1)\nThe next evening, Oakland rode a four-run 4th inning to a 5-1 victory. Three of those runs came on a home run by Terry Steinbach off 40-year-old Rick \"Big Daddy\" Reuschel in that fourth frame. Unbeknownst to Steinbach, manager Tony LaRussa had made a pregame prediction that the A's catcher would hit one out against Reuschel, citing that \"Big Daddy\" was a low-ball pitcher and Steinbach was a low-ball hitter.\nInterrupted by Earthquake[edit]\nShortly before the scheduled start of Game 3 on October 17, 1989, the Loma Prieta earthquake struck, rattling the Bay Area for 15 terrifying, agonizing seconds. Early reports had the magnitude at 6.9, but the final, official reading was 7.1. Due to the destructive nature of this earthquake, and the fact that both teams' cities were affected, the game was postponed, as was the entire Series, for what would turn out to be ten days.\nOakland 2 0 0 2 4 1 0 4 0 13 14 0\nSan Francisco 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 4 7 10 3\nWhen the Series did resume, on October 27th, at Candlestick Park, it was greeted by much fanfare, preceeded by a moment of silence. Singers on the field led the crowd of over 60,000 in the singing of San Francisco, while the Giants' pennant was hoisted up the flagpole. The ceremonial first pitches were thrown by the heroes who helped save lives - police, firemen, doctors/nurses, civilians - in the aftermath of the earthquake. Immediately afterward, on the field, the managers and the umpires met to discuss the ground rules that would be employed should an aftershock occur.\nThe game featured a rematch of starting pitchers from Game 1: Stewart versus Garrelts. As they did in Game One, the Athletics struck early, pushing across two runs on a Dave Henderson double that hit off the top of the chain-link fence in right field. Matt Williams hit a home run in the 2nd inning to cut the Athletics' lead in half. Both teams traded two runs in the 4th, but the A's pulled away in the 5th, tallying four runs on a three-run Canseco homer and a solo shot by Henderson. Oakland added one more in the 6th and four more in the 8th, effectively putting the game away. The Giants, resiliant all year, put up a four spot of their own in the bottom of the 9th but fell well short.\nLosing the previous year's World Series in disappointing fashion had left a bitter taste in the A's mouths, but they knew that it would soon dissipate. They had history on their side; no team had ever lost a World Series after being up three games to none.\nOakland 1 3 0 0 3 1 0 1 0 9 12 0\nW: Mike Moore (2-0) L: Don Robinson (0-1) S:Dennis Eckersley\nIn Game 4, Oakland built an 8-0 lead before Kevin Mitchell blasted a two-run home run in the bottom of the 6th. The following inning, the Giants rallied for four more, cutting the A's lead to 8-6. In the top of the 8th, Steinbach drew a bases-loaded walk from Steve Bedrosian to give the Athletics an insurance run. As it would turn out, the A's wouldn't need it. Todd Burns retired the Giants in order in the bottom of the 8th, and Dennis Eckersley set them down in the 9th to seal the deal on Oakland's fourth World Series championship.\nHistory sidenote[edit]\n1989 was not the first time the Athletics and Giants franchises met in the World Series. They had clashed three times in the 1900s and 1910s, while the Giants were in New York and the Athletics were in Philadelphia.\nIn 1905, Christy Mathewson pitched three shutouts as the Giants triumphed four games to one. In 1911, the A's got revenge, beating the Giants four games to two. Just for good measure, the A's defeated the Giants again two years later, in the 1913 World Series.\nThe Athletics' victory was the 50th triumph for the American League in the history of the World Series.\nRelated Sites[edit]\nWikipedia article on the Loma Prieta Earthquake\nBlog gathering pictures of the A's, Giants, and the Loma Prieta Earthquake\nNL Championship Series (4-1) Giants over Cubs\nWorld Series (4-0) Athletics over Giants\nAL Championship Series (4-1) Athletics over Blue Jays\nModern Major League Baseball World Series\nPre-1903 Postseason Series\nRetrieved from \"https://www.baseball-reference.com/bpv/index.php?title=1989_World_Series&oldid=757293\"\nWorld Series Sweep","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line5519"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.722415030002594,"wiki_prob":0.277584969997406,"text":"The warning signs have been there since the 1970s but in the early 2000s, when the major economies of the world were growing, a number of organisations started to think more seriously about the issue of sustainability.\nIn 2001 SC Johnson launched its Greenlist, a process of continuous improvement in packaging, waste and chemical composition of its products\nIn 2005 Ford underwent a materiality exercise that resulted in CO2 reduction commitments being announced in 2007\nIn 2005 GE launched Ecomagination to focus on cleaner technology solutions\nIn 2007 M&S launched Plan A, a 100 point plan to make the retailer more environmentally sustainable\nThese are just a small number of organisations across all sectors to have such commitments. And yet habitat loss around the world has continued and carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere have increased.\nIn short, we are as unsustainable now as a planet, as were when the initiatives above were launched.\nTo list a few discrepancies: there are children making garments who should be in school, there are wild animals being displaced to make way for crops used in cosmetics, soils are being degraded by chemicals used in agriculture, water courses are being polluted by micro plastics, we create more waste than we know what to do with, and our buildings are still not as energy efficient as they should be.\n’Look at the world around you. It may seem like an immovable, implacable place. It is not. With the slightest push—in just the right place—it can be tipped.’ Malcolm Gladwell, The Tipping Point\nBut what has changed is public opinion. There is now a growing movement of people from all social groups and of all ages who are concerned and voicing their opinions. In 2019 a YouGov poll that has been tracking public opinion since 2010, revealed that Climate Change was now a bigger concern than the Economy, coming third to Brexit and Health but above other issues including Crime, Immigration, Welfare and Education.\nIn March 2019 it was estimated that 1.4 million young people went ‘on strike’ from schools and colleges to protest about climate change but also the impact of unsustainable business practices that destroy habitats and put plastic into the world.\nIn October 2018 Walkers Crisps were forced to introduce a recycling scheme for its metallised crisp packets after customers were encouraged to post them back to Walkers, overwhelming Royal Mail. In November 2018 Iceland’s Christmas ad (that was banned from being televised on scientific grounds) became an internet and social media hit for raising awareness of palm oil plantations that are destroying Orangutan habitats. In June 2019 Waitrose launched a package free trial whereby shoppers use their own containers to buy an array of products. In the same month Boots committed to replacing plastic bags with paper after it came under criticism for packaging prescriptions in plastic bags for delivery.\nWherever you look: parents, children, grandparents, customers, employees, voters and shareholders are demanding that the world addresses the various issues that are contributing to an unsustainable and potentially life threatening way of living.\nWhat’s more, these same concerned people have realised that it’s not governments that are exploiting cheap labour, destroying habitats, producing plastics and driving chemical-led intensive farming; it’s businesses.\nThese same people are your employees or potential employees, they are your customers or potential customers, they are investors and decision makers.\nAny organisation that is determined to have a long term future cannot afford to ignore the signals; doing business sustainably, with a positive impact on society and the environment, is the only choice.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line820903"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9357185959815979,"wiki_prob":0.9357185959815979,"text":"Find sources: \"Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult\" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (February 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)\nNaked Gun ​33 1⁄3: The Final Insult is a 1994 American comedy film, and the third and final installment in The Naked Gun film series, which was based on the television series Police Squad!.\nNaked Gun ​33 1⁄3:\nThe Final Insult\nRobert LoCash\nRobert M. Stevens\nJames R. Symons\nThe \"​33 1⁄3\" in the title is a reference to the number of revolutions per minute at which long playing (LP) phonograph records play. The film was originally going to be titled The Naked Gun ​33 1⁄3: Just for the Record, but was changed after the studio felt that audiences would not get the joke.[2] It was also going to simply be titled The Naked Gun 3: The Final Insult, according to some Christmas 1993 video previews.\nLeslie Nielsen returns as Lieutenant Frank Drebin (his original character from Police Squad!), along with Priscilla Presley as Jane Spencer Drebin, O. J. Simpson as Officer Nordberg and George Kennedy as Captain Ed Hocken. Newcomers to the series Fred Ward, Anna Nicole Smith, and Kathleen Freeman co-star as a gang of bombers set to blow up the Academy Awards ceremony. Raye Birk reprises his role as the villainous \"Pahpshmir\" from The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!.\nThis film was O. J. Simpson's final role before the notorious murders of his ex-wife and her companion Ronald Goldman, and his subsequent arrest for them that June and the following year's trial.\n4.3 Year-end lists\n5 Cameo appearances\n6 Related litigation\nFrank Drebin has retired from Police Squad and lives a seemingly happy life with his wife, Jane Spencer Drebin. Under the surface, however, Frank is unfulfilled acting as a househusband, and he and Jane attend marriage counseling. Six months after Frank's retirement, he is visited by Ed Hocken and Nordberg, who ask for Frank's help with an investigation. Police Squad has caught wind that infamous bomber Rocco Dillon, who is currently incarcerated, has been hired by terrorists to conduct a major bombing against the United States. Frank remembers Rocco's girlfriend Tanya Peters from an investigation years ago and agrees to help Ed and Nordberg by visiting the clinic where Peters works.\nFrank, in disguise, visits the clinic and writes Peters' address on a handkerchief, but loses it before he can give it to Ed and accidentally ends up a repeating sperm donor. Jane comes home to an exhausted Frank and accuses him of doing police work again. Frank lies and swears he is having an affair, but Jane does not believe him and moves out of their house. With nothing else to lose, Frank volunteers to go undercover in prison to befriend Dillon and learn the details of the bombing. Frank is put in Rocco's cell in prison and adopts the name Nick \"The Slasher\" McGuirk. He wins Rocco's trust after protecting their escape plan from a guard and causing a riot. Rocco and Frank escape through a tunnel out of their cell and are picked up on the outside by Rocco's mother Muriel. At Rocco's hideout, Frank attempts to get information on the bombing out of Rocco and his mother, but they are distrustful of him and refuse to tell him the details.\nIn the meantime, Jane and her friend Louise are on a road trip together when Jane discovers the handkerchief with Tanya Peters' address on it. Believing Frank was being truthful about the affair, Jane decides to drive cross-country to the address to find Frank. When she arrives, Frank answers the door and must quickly cover for her; he convinces the Dillons that Jane is a random stranger but that they should keep her alive as a hostage. Then Rocco finally reveals his plan to Frank: the bomb is to be set off at the Academy Award ceremony, with the bomb hidden in the envelope with the winner of the Best Picture category and triggered when the card is pulled out.\nAt the awards ceremony, Frank traps Muriel in the car and sneaks into the show with Jane to search for the bomb. Frank and Jane separate and frantically begin searching for the bomb, with Frank inflicting his usual chaos on stage during the show. While searching for the bomb backstage, Frank encounters Rocco's busty girlfriend Tanya Peters. She attempts to seduce Frank to distract him from searching for the bomb. As she undresses, her shadow on the wall reveals she has a large penis, causing Frank to become sick to his stomach, ultimately vomiting in the tuba of the orchestra. They are unable to find the bomb before the Best Picture winner is to be announced. Frank bursts onto the stage and awkwardly tries to prevent the detonation of the bomb, but ends up in a stalemate with Rocco. Frank manages to drop an electronic sign which takes out Muriel. A desperate Rocco decides to detonate the bomb to follow his mother, but Frank manages to catapult Rocco and the bomb offstage into the catwalks above. Frank snares Rocco with a rubber cable and slings him through the roof of the arena with the bomb pulled out. Rocco crashes into Pahpshmir's private helicopter hovering overhead, and the bomb explodes, killing both. Frank and Jane reaffirm their love under the applause of the awarding audience and viewers worldwide.\nNine months later, Frank and Nordberg rush into the obstetric ward to witness the birth of Frank's child, but run into the wrong delivery room. Seeing that the baby is black, Frank assumes Nordberg is responsible and angrily chases him. Just after they leave, Ed comes out of another hospital room with Jane, who is holding their real baby.\nLeslie Nielsen as Lieutenant Frank Drebin\nPriscilla Presley as Jane Spencer Drebin\nGeorge Kennedy as Captain Ed Hocken\nO. J. Simpson as Detective Fred Nordberg\nFred Ward as Rocco Dillon\nKathleen Freeman as Muriel\nAnna Nicole Smith as Tanya Peters\nEllen Greene as Louise\nEd Williams as Ted Olsen\nRaye Birk as Pahpshmir\nJames Earl Jones as Himself\nOlympia Dukakis as Herself\nRaquel Welch as Herself\nJoe Grifasi as Director\nBill Erwin as Conductor\n\"Weird Al\" Yankovic as Himself\nVanna White as Herself\nPia Zadora as Herself\nMary Lou Retton as Herself\nThis is the only film in the series to be directed by Peter Segal, rather than David Zucker, who instead received credit for writing the screenplay. Similar to the previous entry in the series, Jim Abrahams and Jerry Zucker did not write the film's script, but both returned as executive producers and received writing credits due to their contributions to Police Squad! and the first film.\nSeveral scenes had been planned for the earlier films but cut out. The opening sequence had been planned for the first film. The scene where Frank and Jane get married, then drive off with Nordberg on the back of the car, was shot for the second film. In the latter, the car being driven is the electric car featured in the second film.\nIn the opening scene at the train station, the woman with the baby carriage who is assisted by Frank Drebin is played by Susan Breslau, the sister of Jerry and David Zucker.\nThe dream sequence parodies the train-station shoot-out from the 1987 film The Untouchables, which is itself a homage to the \"Odessa Steps\" montage in Sergei Eisenstein's famous 1925 silent movie Battleship Potemkin.[3][4]\nDirector Peter Segal, in addition to playing the producer of Sawdust and Mildew, also has several minor roles in the film (mostly in voiceover):\nThe voice of the suicide bomber in The Untouchables (1987) parody at the start of the film.\nThe voice of the K.S.A.D. DJ.\nThe ADR'ed scream of the inmate escaping prison by pole-vaulting.\nThe real Phil Donahue, before Frank knocks him out and takes his place.\nThe voice of the man shouting \"Stop the stairs, Joey!\" at the Academy Awards.\nThe film made over $51 million in the United States and Canada[5] and $122 million worldwide.[1] However, this would be the lowest-grossing film of the Naked Gun series. Still, ​33 1⁄3 managed to grab the No. 1 weekend box office title in the U.S. during its opening weekend (the other Naked Guns did as well).[6]\nCritical responseEdit\nNaked Gun ​33 1⁄3: The Final Insult received mixed reviews from critics.[7] The film holds a 54% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 35 reviews, with an average rating of 5.6/10. The website's critical consensus reads, \"Naked Gun ​33 1⁄3: The Final Insult can't help but be sporadically funny thanks to Leslie Nielsen's dependably solid work, but it's still a steep comedown from the original.\"[8]\nPeter Rainer of the Los Angeles Times praised the opening sequence, which parodied The Untouchables, and the climax at the Academy Awards, but felt the middle was uninspired, and that the film overall had too little plotting and relied too much on comedy without the romantic or action elements of the previous films.[9] Others felt that the humor was weak and too similar to that of the previous films. Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film three out of four stars, the same rating he gave to The Naked Gun ​2 1⁄2.[10]\nThe movie won two Golden Raspberry Awards: Worst Supporting Actor for O.J. Simpson and Worst New Star for Anna Nicole Smith.\nYear-end listsEdit\n10th – David Stupich, The Milwaukee Journal[11]\nHonorable mention – Jeff Simon, The Buffalo News[12]\n3rd worst – John Hurley, Staten Island Advance[13]\nCameo appearancesEdit\nNumerous celebrities have cameo appearances in the film, both in credited and uncredited roles.\nAs themselves:\nDiahann Carroll – uncredited[citation needed]\nShannen Doherty – uncredited[citation needed]\nVic Damone – uncredited[citation needed]\nOlympia Dukakis[14]\nMorgan Fairchild – uncredited[citation needed]\nElliott Gould[14]\nMariel Hemingway – uncredited[citation needed]\nJames Earl Jones[14]\nMary Lou Retton[14]\nRaquel Welch[14]\nVanna White[14]\n\"Weird Al\" Yankovic[14] (previously appeared in The Naked Gun as himself and in The Naked Gun ​2 1⁄2 as the police station thug)\nPia Zadora[14]\nAs minor characters:\nJoe Grifasi as the director of the Academy Awards (previously appeared as the Pier 32 Dockman in The Naked Gun)\nAnn B. Davis as \"Alice\" from The Brady Bunch (credited as playing herself)\nMarc Alaimo as the trucker\nR. Lee Ermey (The Gunny) as the mess hall guard – uncredited[citation needed]\nBill Erwin as the Orchestra Conductor at the Academy Awards\nJulie Strain as the dominatrix\nRosalind Allen as Bobbi the Soap Opera Actress\nEarl Boen as Dr. Eisendrath\nRobert K. Weiss as Tuba Player\nPeter Segal, Robert LoCash and William Kerr as producers of Sawdust and Mildew\nPaul Feig as Oscars audience member\nTim Bohn as Waldo\nTimothy Watters as Bill Clinton\nEugene Greytak as Pope John Paul II\nRandall \"Tex\" Cobb as Big Hairy Con\nDoris Belack as Dr. Roberts\nLois de Banzie as Dr. Kohlzac\nChrissy Bocchino as Mother Teresa[15]\nRelated litigationEdit\nMain article: Leibovitz v. Paramount Pictures Corp.\nAn image used on the promotional poster for the film parodies a famous portrait photograph by Annie Leibovitz which was featured on the August 1991 cover of Vanity Fair magazine. The original photograph showed a pregnant, nude Demi Moore, and the parody photograph showed Leslie Nielsen in a similar pose. Leibovitz sued Paramount for copyright infringement; the Second Circuit deemed the use to be protected under fair use because of its transformative parodic purpose.\n^ a b \"Worldwide Rentals Beat Domestic Take\". Variety. February 13, 1995. p. 28.\n^ \"Trivia for Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult\". IMDb. Retrieved May 21, 2007.\n^ \"Iconic movie scene: The Untouchables' Union Station shoot-out\". Den of Geek. November 16, 2011. Archived from the original on April 19, 2019. Retrieved October 15, 2020.\n^ Xan Brooks (February 1, 2008). \"Films influenced by Battleship Potemkin\". The Guardian. Retrieved October 10, 2016.\n^ Box Office Information for Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult. Box Office Mojo Retrieved May 9, 2014.\n^ Cerone, Daniel (March 22, 1994). \"And the Winner Is . . . 'Naked Gun 33⅓'\". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 11, 2010.\n^ Fox, David J. (March 28, 1994). \"Oscar Winners Pick Up at the Box Office\". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 25, 2010.\n^ \"The Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult (1994)\". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved April 10, 2018.\n^ Rainer, Peter (March 18, 1994). \"MOVIE REVIEW : The Gags That Hit Mark Are Reason Enough to Get 'Naked'\". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 18, 2010.\n^ \"Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult\". RogerEbert.com. March 18, 1994. Retrieved August 11, 2010.\n^ Stupich, David (January 19, 1995). \"Even with gore, 'Pulp Fiction' was film experience of the year\". The Milwaukee Journal. p. 3.\n^ Simon, Jeff (January 1, 1995). \"Movies: Once More, with Feeling\". The Buffalo News. Retrieved July 19, 2020.\n^ Hurley, John (December 30, 1994). \"Movie Industry Hit Highs and Lows in '94\". Staten Island Advance. p. D11.\n^ a b c d e f g h Willistein, Paul (March 18, 1994). \"'Naked Gun 33-1/3' So Funny It Shoots Holes in Winter's Depression\". The Morning Call. Allentown, Pennsylvania. Archived from the original on January 31, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2015.\n^ Gleiberman, Owen (April 1, 1994). \"Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult\". Entertainment Weekly. Meredith Corporation. Retrieved March 27, 2019.\nNaked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult on IMDb\nNaked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult at AllMovie\nNaked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult at Box Office Mojo\nNaked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult at Rotten Tomatoes\nRetrieved from \"https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Naked_Gun_33⅓:_The_Final_Insult&oldid=999987624\"","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line953966"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8729323148727417,"wiki_prob":0.8729323148727417,"text":"Manchester Arndale shoppers to get UK's first look at new Volvo XC60\nThe new Volvo XC60 will be unveiled in the UK for the first time next week at a Scandinavian-inspired pop-up shop in Manchester's Arndale centre.\nFrom Friday 31st March to Saturday 15th April, customers visiting the shopping centre will get a chance to see Volvo's long-awaited new SUV ahead of anyone else in the UK, before it becomes available in dealerships later this year.\nCustomers are invited to experience first-hand the look and feel of Volvo's latest premium offering in the comfort of a relaxed, Scandinavian environment while enjoying traditional Swedish Fika* and free WiFi.\nThe pop-up shop will feature Volvo's new XC60 D5 Inscription in Pine Grey, alongside the firm's recently launched V90 premium estate and XC90 SUV.\nJon Wakefield, Managing Director, Volvo Car UK, said: \"The new XC60 is the latest product in Volvo's transformation, and introduces to our best-selling SUV the premium design, advanced connectivity and pioneering safety technology already seen on the successful S90, V90 and XC90.\n\"We're delighted to be giving Manchester residents the UK's first look at the new XC60. Our pop-up shop will allow customers to explore the car in a relaxed, welcoming environment, which reflects not only the design of our products but also the overall Volvo ownership experience.\"\nRevealed at this year's Geneva Motor Show earlier in March, the new car replaces Volvo's highly successful original XC60, which in the nine years since its launch became the best-selling premium mid-sized SUV in Europe, with nearly a million units sold globally.\nThe new XC60 is loaded with advanced safety technology, including Steer Assist – a feature added to the ground-breaking City Safety system – and Oncoming Lane Mitigation, which uses Steer Assist to help mitigate head-on collisions, while Volvo's Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) now uses Steer Assist functionality to reduce the risk of lane-changing collisions.\nThe Volvo pop-up shop will be located on the upper mall of the Arndale, opposite H&M and HMV.**\nAfter its introduction in Manchester, a second XC60 will take up residence at Kent's Bluewater shopping centre from Saturday 8th April to Saturday 15th April.\nFor more information on the new Volvo XC60, please visit www.volvocars.co.uk\n* Fika is considered a social institution in Sweden; it means having a break, most often a coffee and sweet treats, with one's colleagues, friends or family. It's more than your usual coffee break – it's a cultural institution.\n** The Volvo pop-up shop at Manchester Arndale is open from now until Saturday 15th April, with the new XC60 appearing on Friday 31st March. Opening hours are as follows:\nWeekdays: 09:00 – 20:00\nMore details can be found at www.manchesterarndale.com\nEvents/Activities, Special Interests, 2018, XC60","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line961962"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9738661646842957,"wiki_prob":0.9738661646842957,"text":"Dungeons & Dragons Young Adventurer’s Guides Series\nFound in Games\nSign me up for more news about the Dungeons & Dragons Young Adventurer’s Guides Series and more from Penguin Random House\nBy clicking submit, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Penguin Random House’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.\nDungeons & Dragons Young Adventurer’s Guides Series (6 Titles)\nSort by: Newest to Oldest Oldest to Newest A to Z\nBeasts & Behemoths (Dungeons & Dragons)\nThe Young Adventurer’s Collection [Dungeons & Dragons 4-Book Boxed Set]\nWizards & Spells (Dungeons & Dragons)\nDungeons & Tombs (Dungeons & Dragons)\nMonsters & Creatures (Dungeons & Dragons)\nWarriors & Weapons (Dungeons & Dragons)\nOther Series You Might Like\nFind other titles in\nGames Children’s Activity & Novelty Books Children’s Middle Grade Books Children’s Picture Books","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1774649"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6802303791046143,"wiki_prob":0.31976962089538574,"text":"Home › Wineries of Distinction › William Knuttel: A Career of Outstanding Wines\nWilliam Knuttel: A Career of Outstanding Wines\nPosted on October 6, 2015 by Robert Johnson\n“Wines of intensity and finesse.” That’s the slogan embraced by the William Knuttel winery, which somehow manages to meld those seemingly disparate qualities in its various wines.\nVeteran California vintner William Knuttel has concentrated on ultra-premium winemaking for the majority of his career. His philosophy has long been to make a wide range of wines in various styles every vintage. Why? Simply because the number of vintages for any winemaker is finite; one gets only so many opportunities to craft great wines.\nHis wealth of experience has led directly to Knuttel’s adherence to traditional winemaking practices. This results in balanced, elegant wines that pair well with food and have excellent aging potential — the hallmarks of classic wine.\nKnuttel’s winemaking journey began at Saintsbury, one of Napa Valley’s most famous estates, where he was winemaker from 1983 to 1996. There, he established that brand as an international leader in high-end Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, made in the Burgundian style. Based on Saintsbury’s success, the way those varieties were produced in California was emulated by countless fellow winemakers.\nDuring his tenure at Saintsbury, Knuttel founded and was owner/winemaker of Tria, producing fine Pinot Noir, Syrah and Zinfandel.\nAfter leaving Saintsbury, Knuttel became Vice President and Winemaker at Chalk Hill Winery, one of Sonoma County’s top estates. From 1996 to 2003, he specialized in making ultra-premium Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris.\nFrom 2003 to 2011, Knuttel was Executive Winemaker at Dry Creek Vineyard, where he completely re-honed the styles and quality of that winery’s extensive portfolio, working with second-generation family members who wanted to ensure that the winery remained a family business.\nIn 2005, Knuttel also was the winemaker for the Zinfandel Advocates and Producers, crafting that group’s Heritage Zinfandel. Further demonstrating the diversity of his skills, he also served as President of the California Cabernet Society from 1999 to 2003.\nIn addition to the William Knuttel wines, Knuttel now is partner and winemaker for two other brands: Ottimino, which produces Zinfandel exclusively from the Sonoma Coast, and Teira, producer of premium Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel and Merlot.\nWines bearing the William Knuttel label now include Pinot Noir (the 2006 “Clone 777” bottling from Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley was recently featured by Vinesse’s Elevant Society), Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petite Sirah and Chardonnay.\nKnuttel works hand in hand with Rex Smith, a talented winemaker who was born and raised on a farm in New Zealand where, at a young age, he became interested in horticulture. Smith attended Massey University in New Zealand, earning a Bachelor of Horticultural Science degree in 1984, majoring in Viticulture and Oenology.\nAfter graduating, he traveled to the Napa Valley to gain hands-on winemaking experience, working for Saintsbury Winery for the following three vintages. It was in the Saintsbury cellars where he discovered his passion for winemaking and met Knuttel for the first time.\nSmith subsequently decided to alternate harvests between Napa Valley and the Barossa Valley in South Australia in order to gain more experience. He returned to school to earn his Graduate Diploma in Wine from Roseworthy Agricultural College in Australia before permanently moving to the Napa Valley.\nJobs at The Hess Collection, Cuvaison, Heller Estate, Durney Vineyards and Vine Cliff enabled Smith to gain extensive experience. Then, in 2012, he re-forged his relationship with Knuttel, becoming Winemaker and General Manager for the William Knuttel winery.\nToday, Smith manages a crew of five as well as Knuttel’s custom crush clients, and works closely with Knuttel to make a wide range of wines. Together, Knuttel and Smith make a great team, and it shows in each and every bottle they craft — wines of intensity and finesse.\n‹ Pretty Labels Are Nice, But Pretty Wines Are Better\nThe Great Debate: Corks vs. Screw Caps ›\nTagged with: California, Malbec, Napa Valley, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Sonoma, William Knuttel","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line811511"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5545934438705444,"wiki_prob":0.44540655612945557,"text":"Hello Halbstarke!\nYankees – Halbstarke (1965)\nLyrics: They race (biduah, biduah) / through the streets / and the alleys / they are deserted / blonde beehives / with bands in the hair / and on the black leather that they wear.\nGermany may have been divided, but the post WWII desire for American culture was universal. In the USA, there were rebels without a cause—in the eastern Democratic Republic, and western Federal Republic, of Germany, there were Halbstarke.\nLiterally translating to “semi-strong,” the term Halbstarke had been around since the early 20th century, when it was used to describe young working-class delinquents. In the ‘50’s and ‘60’s Halbstarke were rebellious “saviors of the culture of the Christian West,” “hooligans,” or “fascists,” depending on who you asked.\nIn East Germany, no American movies were re-leased in the 1940s and only six American films were shown in the course of the 1950s, but […] every day thousands of East Germans, especially young people, crossed the borders to the Western sectors of Berlin where they watched West European and American movies.”—Uta G. Poiger\nInspired by American movies like Rebel without a Cause (1955) and The Wild One (1953), teens in Germany craved the new global youth culture.\nhttpv://youtu.be/cAZonNCrkfs\nFrom Die Halbstarken (1956)\n“Tight pants were a must, and for some it was important to wear the original Levis jeans and not the imitations from the German Woolworth stores. When T-shirts were not yet available in Germany, young men would wear the high backs of undershirts in the front, in order to achieve the high-cut neck.—Uta G. Poiger\nIt was mostly West German youth, whose spending was bolstered by the new Deutsche Mark, who could afford the right look. Teens in the Federal Republic had 2.3 billion marks available for shopping in 1955, and another 500 million to spend on dancing, drinks and rock and roll.\nBill Haley, one of the first rock and roll musicians, visits Berlin in 1958.\nBut the “Cola-colonization” of Germany was troubling to both the governments of the East and West. In the Federal Republic of the West, consumption and leisure threatened to overpower political involvement and industrial production.\n“I am ten years old. So is our Republic!”\n“Access to Western programmes gave Eastern teenagers an important means of immunizing themselves from the effects of official propaganda.”—Mark Fenemore\nIn the German Democratic Republic of the East, socialists feared that a commercialized youth culture favored “rags to riches” fairytales over the self-sacrifice required for a socialist society.\nSoviet tank in Leipzig to put down the East German strikes – June 1953\nBoth the East and West German experienced political unrest in the post-war era. In the West there were riots in working class neighborhoods after Halbstarken concerts and movies. Some claimed youth modeled their behavior “word for word, picture for picture” after Marlon Brando in The Wild One.\nIn the East, there was hostility and uprisings in the face of Soviet oppression. Newspapers used anti-American propaganda to fight off the influence of Halbstarken culture, calling West German politicians “fascist spawn” dressed in “Texas tie[s] with picture[s] of nude women.”\nMany thanks to Max Nesterak for translation and Ben Van Zee for sources.\nimages via here, here, here, here, and here.\n« Young Miners Street Style »","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line523196"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6036975383758545,"wiki_prob":0.3963024616241455,"text":"What Makes Us Laugh, With Famed Character Actor Jay Brazeau!\nby Patricia\nWelcome back to WHR Radio Where You Decide!\nWe are pleased to announce our next special guest host, Jay Brazeau, who will join WHR Sunday July 8, 2012 5 PM Pacific, 8 PM Eastern time to discuss his human interest topic, “The Importance of Laughter” in our lives.\nAs always, we will do a full post interview follow-up news article featuring our exclusive Jay Brazeau interview including our discussion about his long and distinguished entertainment career spanning thirty-seven years!\nThe Importance of Laughter:\nLaughter is part of the human vocabulary. All members of the human species understand it. Unlike English, French or Spanish, we do not have to learn how to speak it. We were all born with the ability to laugh.\nGiven the universality of the sound, our ignorance about the purpose and meaning of laughter is remarkable. We somehow laugh at just the right times, without consciously knowing why we do it. Most people think of laughter as a simple response to comedy, or a cathartic mood-lifter.\nRobert Provine, Ph.D, of developmental and behavioural psychology at Maryland University, argues that, “laughter is primarily a social vocalization that binds people together. It is a hidden language that we all speak. It is not a learned group reaction but an instinctive behavior programmed by our genes”.\nWhen we laugh, our entire facial expressions are altered and we make sounds. If the experience becomes more powerful, the muscles of the arms, legs and upper body become involved and our breathing pattern is modified. That is a lot going on for an activity we know little about.\nLaughter first appears in infants at about three and a half and four months of age, long before we are able to speak. Laughing, like crying is an effective way for a baby to communicate with his or her mother and other caregivers.\nAccording to Provine, “most laughter is not about humor; it is about relationships between people.” To prove his thesis, Provine and several graduate students headed to some local malls to record what happened just before people laughed.\nEven the most humorous of the 1,200 comments that preceded laughter weren’t necessarily howlers: “You don’t have to drink, just buy us drinks!” and “Was that before or after I took my clothes off?.” This suggests that the critical stimulus for laughter is another person, not a joke.\nWe do not decide to laugh at these moments, our brains make that decision for us. It is a social glue that binds our relationships. When we laugh, we feel good. Behaviour psychologists have told us for years that positive reinforcement, or things that make us feel good, are more likely to help us repeat a behaviour. Thus, laughter is often a reward to encourage further positive social behaviour.\nAlthough laughter is a positive behaviour, it can also be negative. There is a difference between laughing with someone and laughing at someone. People who laugh at others may be trying to force them to conform, or force them out of the group.\nLaughter is also extremely difficult to control consciously.\nTry asking a friend to laugh, for example. Most will tell you, “I can’t laugh on command,” or some similar statement. The effort to laugh on command will be forced or futile. It will take the person many seconds to produce a laugh, if they can do it at all.\nThis suggests that we cannot deliberately activate the brain’s mechanisms for affective expression. Playfulness, being in a group, and positive emotional tone mark the social settings of most laughs.\nLinguist Deborah Tannen described gender difference in speech in her book, “You Just Don’t Understand”. The gender differences in laughter may be even greater. In Provines case studies, he discovered that while both sexes laugh a lot, females laugh more.\nIn cross-gender conversations, females laughed 126% more than males do, meaning that women tend to do the most laughing while males do the most laugh getting. Men seem to be the instigators of humour across cultures, which begins in early childhood. Most class clowns in school are male. There are also more male comedians than female comedians.\nWhen a group of behavioural psychology students studied personal ads in newspapers throughout the United States, they found that women seek men who make them laugh, and men are eager to comply with this request.\nWhen anthropologist, Karl Grammar and Irenaus Eibl-Eibesfeldt studied spontaneous conversations between mixed-sex pairs of young German adults meeting for the first time, they noted that the more a woman laughed aloud during these encounters, the greater her self-reported interest in the man she was talking to. In the same vein, men were more interested in women who laughed heartily in their presence.\nThe personal ads and the German study complement an observation from Provine’s field studies: The laughter of the female, not the male, is the critical index of a healthy relationship. Guys can laugh or not, but what matters is that women get their yuks in.\nLaughter is self-effacing behavior. Women have used it as an unconscious vocal display of compliance or solidarity with a more socially dominant group member for centuries.\nHowever, the workplace giggles of a young female executive will probably diminish as she ascends the corporate ladder, but she will remain a barrel of laughs when cavorting with old chums. Consider your own workplace. Have you ever encountered a strong leader with a giggle? Someone who laughs a lot, and unconditionally, may be a good team player, but they’ll seldom be a president.\nIn general, men are more likely to use aggressive and self-defeating humor, and the effects of men’s humor styles seem to have practical consequences. In general, it’s more difficult for women to pull off a comedy routine, whether they are popular entertainers or just ordinary folk. One interesting study of teaching style in college professors showed that students rated male, but not female, professors as more effective when they used humor in the classroom.\nNot all laughs are the same. We all recognize a laugh when we hear it, but some are chortles, some chuckles, some guffaws and some snorts. Jo-Anne Bachorowski, PhD, a psychology professor at Vanderbilt University, has begun to expand on Provine’s work by teasing out the differences between varieties of laughs and what those differences might mean.\nIn a 2001 study published in Psychological Science (Vol. 12, No. 3, pages 252-257) she and her colleagues asked college students to rate 50 taped examples of male and female laughter. The examples ranged from “voiced” laughter with an almost song-like “hahaha” or “hehehe,” to “unvoiced” laughter that sounded more like a snort.\nThe researchers found that both male and female listeners responded much more positively to the voiced laughter than to the unvoiced laughter: They enjoyed listening to it more, said it sounded friendlier and were more likely to express interest in meeting the laughter.\nThese positive reactions, Bachorowski says, hint at the evolutionary purpose of laughter. We use laughter, she states, to elicit positive reactions from other people and to communicate to them that we mean them no harm. “Humans rely on cooperative behavior with non-kin to an extent that isn’t seen in other species,” she says. “But humans are also inherently competitive. So the idea is that we had to evolve some means that let others know we feel positively towards them.” Laughter, she says, is that means. But not just any laughter.\nShe and her colleagues believe that voiced laughter is a much more reliable indicator of a person’s positive mood than unvoiced laughter. In other words, a person laughing “hahaha” probably really is happy and nonaggressive. A snorter, though, you just can’t be sure about. A snort can sound derisive or be seen as a clue that the person may intend you harm.\nFinally, the dependency on cultural context can help explain why jokes seldom translate well from culture to culture. The more the joke relies on a frame of reference steeped in the uniqueness of a culture, the less likely it will be to successfully cross borders. In 2002 a study was done to find the funniest joke in the world. The winner was:\n“A couple of New Jersey hunters are out in the woods when one of them falls to the ground. He doesn’t seem to be breathing, his eyes are rolled back in his head. The other guy whips out his cell phone and calls the emergency services. He gasps to the operator: “My friend is dead! What can I do?” The operator, in a calm, soothing voice, says: “Just take it easy. I can help. First, let’s make sure he’s dead.” There is a silence, then a shot is heard. The guy’s voice comes back on the line. He says: “Okay, now what?”\nThe classic elements of humor are all here. The initial situation, the set up, the twist and the sudden understanding of the twist, resulting in, apparently, universal laughter. Notice that the context is so broad and independent of a cultural context that anyone, anywhere, should “get it”. There is nothing culturally specific about this joke. But now let’s look at what the winner in the US was: “A man and a friend are playing golf one day at their local golf course. One of the guys is about to chip onto the green when he sees a long funeral procession on the road next to the course. He stops in mid-swing, takes off his golf cap, closes his eyes, and bows down in prayer. His friend says: “Wow, that is the most thoughtful and touching thing I have ever seen. You truly are a kind man.” The man then replies: “Yeah, well we were married 35 years.”\nThe humor in this joke depends on understanding how fanatical some males are about golf, a context familiar in the US, not as familiar in Sri Lanka or Zimbabwe.\n“I pointed to two old drunks sitting across the bar from us and told my friend, “That’s us in 10 years”. He said, “That’s a mirror, dummy!” — Jay Brazeau\nSo laughter, or more specifically, humor is not a one size fits all coping mechanism, and it seems to vary not only by culture but by gender. It’s safe to say that regardless of your gender, your best bet is to use humor to cheer yourself up. Give yourself some inner chuckles. Your wisecracking approach will mean that you’ll be less likely to get into trouble and more likely to cope successfully on those days that life throws some stress your way.\nThanks to Kenn for final staging of the audio and images in this news article and thanks to you for stopping by WormholeRiders News Agency! We look forward to seeing you for our exclusive interview with Jay Brazeau this Sunday 5 PM PST 8 PM EST!\nPlease feel free to leave a comment here, click an icon below to share this interview with your friends, or you can visit and follow me on Twitter by clicking on my avatar to the right.\nArcticGoddess1 (Patricia)\n: 2012 - Jay Brazeau July 08, 2012, Deborah Tannen, Eureka, Irenaus Eibl-Eibesfeldt, Jay Brazeau, Jo-Anne Bachorowski, Karl Grammar, Maryland University, Psychological Science, Robert Provine, Stargate, Stargate Atlantis, Stargate SG-1, Supernatural, The Guess Who, The Killing, Vanderbilt University, Watchmen, X-Files\n: comedy, Deborah Tannen, Eureka, Irenaus Eibl-Eibesfeldt, Jay Brazeau, Jo-Anne Bachorowski, Karl Grammar, Laughing, Laughter, Maryland University, Psychological Science, Robert Provine, Stargate, Stargate Atlantis, Stargate SG-1, Supernatural, The Guess Who, The Killing, Vanderbi, Vanderbilt University\nKenn Weeks says:\nHello Patricia,\nOutstanding feature article on laughter, an inherent component in life made possible by comedy and fine actors such as Jay Brazeau!\nThank you for your hard work!\nJAY BRAZEAU says:\nThank you all for the interview. I had a ball. xo Jay\nLoved the interview. Thank you. xo Jay\nThank YOU for a wonderful interview last evening. Your talent for making everyone laugh is superb. Including humorous jokes you shared. Your career experience has enlightened and delighted us all!\n« Frank Cassini Interview: A Jedi Master Who Teaches Young Actors to Use The Force!\nJay Brazeau Interview: A Man of Humor For All Seasons and Series! »","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1398993"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6918741464614868,"wiki_prob":0.6918741464614868,"text":"Top Military Battles of Ancient Greece\nHome > Greek Culture > Ancient Greek Histo… > Top Military Battle…\nWritten by GreekBoston.com in Ancient Greek History Comments Off on Top Military Battles of Ancient Greece\nThe Ancient Greeks were known for their intellect and strength of will. Because of its strategic location, they also were susceptible to invaders. When they weren’t fighting off foreigners, they were often at war amongst themselves. There were some battles, however, that stood out more than others. Each battle fought had a special place in history, but some stood out more than others.\nHere’s a look at some of the best battles that took place in Ancient Greece:\nBattle of Marathon\nThe Battle of Marathon was a part of the First Persian Invasion where King Darius of Persia attempted to conquer Greece. In this battle, the armies from Marathon and Plaea joined forces to try to fend off the Persians. The battle itself was a victory and it proved to the rest of the world and to the Ancient Greeks that it was possible to defeat the Persian Empire. Not only was this an important battle, but it also formed the basis of the marathon foot races that are so popular today!\nThe legend of the three hundred Spartan soldiers that managed to hold off the Persian Empire before finally succumbing is one of those takes that has been told for thousands of years. The Spartans devised a brilliant battle strategy that involved trapping the Persian Army inside the pass at Thermopylae. Aside from a secret passageway, there was only one way in and one way out. The Spartans almost won the battle, but they were ultimately betrayed by a fellow Greek, who told the Spartans of a secret way through the pass. Though this battle was an outright loss for the Greeks, it set the tone for the Persian’s eventual defeat. Messengers were able to send word to Athens so that they could assemble their navy.\nBattle of Salamis\nWhile the Spartans and Persians were fighting hard at Thermopylae, a messenger managed to send word to the Athenians that the Persians had arrived once again in Greece. After the First Persian Invasion, there are those in Athens who knew they would be back. So, the citizens voted to build and fortify a strong navy in order to beat the Persians when they did return. Ten years after they left, the Persians arrived again to try again to invade Greece. After the Persians defeated the Spartans at Thermopylae, the Athenian Navy was ready. They had devised a brilliant and legendary naval battle plan at Salamis. The Athenian Navy won the day, and ultimately this set the stage for the Greeks to win the war. The Persians left and never came back.\nBattle of Aegospotami\nThe Peloponnesian War pitted two powerful Greek city-states, Sparta and Athens, against each other. While the legendary Athenian Navy defeated the Persians, the entire fleet was nearly destroyed during this battle as part of the Peloponnesian War. It is said that around nine ships managed to escape. The loss at this battle was devastating to the Athenians. They were hungry and suffering and rather continue fighting the Spartans any further during the war, they decided to surrender.\nBattle of Chaeronea\nPhillip of Macedon started the push to conquer Greece. The Battle of Chaeronea is what started this out for him. It was the first decisive battle in what would be a push to defeat all of the city-states and kingdoms of Greece. Eventually, Phillip would gain control of much of Greece before his death. His defeat of the Greeks helped solidify Greece as one, powerful place, rather than a series of self-governed places. Eventually his son, Alexander, would pick up where he left off because he spread Greece’s influence Easter by conquering prominent places like Persia and India.\nThere were some memorable battles that took place in Ancient Greece. These are some of the most important.\nCategorized in: Ancient Greek History\nMyth of the Old Man of the Sea\nCity-States Give Rise to Attica\nOrthodox Saint Mary Magdalene History and Name Day Information\nBest Ancient Greek Historic Sites to Visit","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1916920"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6099376678466797,"wiki_prob":0.3900623321533203,"text":"Smithery\nInnovation and Strategic Design\nInterview with Beth Kolko\nJohn V Willshire\ton November 10, 2014\nAs part of the preparation for running the third lab of the Stirling Crucible at the University of Stirling, I spoke to Beth Kolko, Professor of Human Centered Design & Engineering at the University of Washington, about an Experiment called Hackademia, which is “an attempt to infect academic pursuits with a hacker ethos and challenge non-experts to see themselves as potentially significant contributors to innovative technologies.”\nIt’s not just great as an example of creating new conditions for learning in an academic setting, but also offers some great inspiration for other types of organisation where there’s a need to break down the barriers of ‘expertise’. Here’s what Beth said:\nHackademia had two starting points. The first was my own personal journey as an academic who stumbled into hacker communities around 2005/06, the early days of the maker community. I did that work solely as a non-professional activity, it was what I did in my off-hours. I would think “wow, this is really interesting, it’s an alternative research community”. It was like a third place, not academic or corporate, with its own emergent social and organisational practices.\nPart of my interest was that people didn’t have formal expertise or credentials. My PHD is from an English department, but I’m a professor in an Engineering department; this means that all of my technical knowledge has been gained through informal means. Essentially, I studied the internet before it had pictures, and as the technology changed I kept up.\nSo I was an academic within hacker communities, really interested in how non-experts were gaining technical expertise. It is uncommon for someone at my stage of career to be a novice learner. There was something quite magical about that.\nThe second piece of the genesis of Hackademia was an undergraduate student I was working with, who was changing her major from social work to our department in Engineering. She said she’d never really thought of herself as someone who’d major in a technological discipline, and then we started talking about gender and technical fields. I said to her “well, I don’t know what makes women, or anyone, who is non-technical feel that they can enter a technical field… but let’s figure it out”.\nI advertised for a group of students as an independent study, something they could take and get extra credit for it. You didn’t have to have a technical background to apply. We bought a first generation Makerbot, and I said “We’re going to build it. I don’t know how to do this, but you guys are going to have to figure it out, and you’re going to keep track of how you learn. You will be your own object of study”.\n(Hackademia class of Winter 2010 – with honorary member Bre Pettis)\nSo that was the first ten weeks, and I did it again, and again, and again. Every quarter for the first two years, keeping track of the failures and the successes… there were many more project/experiment failures than successes, but the programme has been very successful.\nPeople had to learn the vocabulary of a new area. We had a room, and we had tools, and at the end of each quarter the room would be a mess. So what I would do is start each new cohort and say “we’re going to clean up, and we’re going to put things away”. It gave everyone the chance to learn the names of things, as we labelled the shelves and the bins that they would go in.\nInstead of giving people the vocabulary on a list, it was a functional activity; they were creating the space that they were going to work in so that they would have ownership of that space. The conversation around the activity emerges to introduce vocabulary, which is really important; if you don’t even know the name of something, you can’t go and look it up online.\nThere was then a series of activities that were designed for success, but also to make people curious. I would always start people out with making an LED blink, by writing a few lines of Arduino code. Then you learn about copying; you can copy other peoples’ code, then refine it yourself. Usually there would be people who knew how to do that, and they would show people who didn’t know how to do it, which showed co-operative learning. Then they moved on to gradually more sophisticated tasks, then they’d finally do their own task.\nI’d make them go off-campus, and see what was available in the real world, activities that took them outside their momentary learning community. Everything we did also leveraged online resources. I didn’t teach them anything; I wanted them to get into the habit of navigating the knowledge universe.\nWe created some data collection sheets, and started a blog about the technical aspects, they wrote reflective autoethnographies of their learning process; we produced a lot of documents. We then did exit interviews at the end of each quarter, with retrospectives of peoples’ experiences. Eventually, we’d put on our academic hats and analyse the data available to us (the autoethnographies, individual journals, and a bunch of other artefacts) and extracted six dimensions of technical learning, around which the Hackademia curriculum is built:\nIdentity, Motivation, Self-efficacy, Social Capital, Material Technical Practice, and Conception.\nThey’re built on top of what we know about informal science learning, but tweaked for engineers.\nIn the university community, we value expertise, and that is the death knell of innovation. If you really want interdisciplinary, transformative inquiry, professors like myself who are ‘experts’ have to learn to talk to people who have different expertise, and overlap these vocabularies and come to some sort of shared understanding.\nThanks to Beth for kindly taking the time to share the Hackdemia experiences with me. You can read more on the Hackademia blog over here, or read the full Hackademia paper that Beth and the team produced for the Participatory Design 2012 conference.\nCategory: making, people, technology\nPrevious: Previous post: Interview with Nell Haynes\nNext: Next post: Fictional Recommendations\n© Smithery Ltd 2011 - 2020","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1344555"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.602130115032196,"wiki_prob":0.39786988496780396,"text":"now reading: Supreme Court Hearing Should Signal Shift From Baseless Lawsuits to Realistic Climate Solutions\nAP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File\nSupreme Court Hearing Should Signal Shift From Baseless Lawsuits to Realistic Climate Solutions\nBy Guy Caruso\nFor years, energy manufacturers have helped drive down U.S. carbon emissions by unleashing a flood of home-grown, low-carbon natural gas, reducing America’s carbon footprint even as we use more energy. At the same time, despite emissions reduction progress, a handful of cities and counties including Baltimore, New York City, and Washington, DC among others have sued energy manufacturers in the name of climate change, spurred on by ambitious trial attorneys and imaginative legal theories.\nFederal law is clear, though, with the Supreme Court clearly ruling in American Electric Power v. Connecticut in 2011 that it’s EPA’s job to regulate carbon emissions. That’s why trial attorneys have fought so hard to move climate lawsuits to state courts and that’s why a January 19th Supreme Court hearing could be so important. Major energy firms have asked justices to send Baltimore’s climate lawsuit to federal court, creating a potential legal precedent that could effectively sink the climate lawsuit cottage industry.\nLet’s be honest. Climate lawsuits aren’t really about climate anyway. For example, while attorneys argue publicly that such lawsuits are about reducing fossil fuel use in the name of climate, their filings seek only damages, not regulation of emissions or other policies that would actually help our climate. And the so-called damages? While cities like Oakland claim billions in climate change damages in legal filings, they sing a different tune in bond offerings, with Oakland officials saying they are “unable to predict” climate change’s impact on the city. The Manufacturers’ Accountability Project examined the motivations driving these lawsuits in a recent report. The report found that University of Oregon School of Law Professor Mary Christina Wood, who is involved in advancing climate lawsuit strategies stated, “Building sea walls and repairing roads won’t do anything to fix our global climate system, but it will drain the profits of the fossil fuel companies.”\nIt’s not just hypocrisy that’s the problem. Climate lawsuits are actually counterproductive when you consider that energy manufacturers have made great strides in reducing emissions, addressing climate change, and pursuing clean energy technology and innovative solutions. In fact, increased energy supplies are driving climate gains. A new Energy Information Administration report says natural gas hydraulic fracturing and competitive energy markets are to credit for reducing U.S. carbon emissions, not government regulation. A switch from coal to natural gas has accounted for more than half the nation’s emissions reductions since 2010, with energy-related carbon emissions in the U.S. dropping 2.8% last year alone. Energy supplies, not government mandates, are why the International Energy Agency has credited the U.S. for achieving the largest absolute decline in carbon emissions of any nation since 2000.\nAnother major driver in these climate gains? The very manufacturing sector targeted with lawsuits. American manufacturers have reduced their carbon footprint 21 percent over the past decade while their economic value has increased 18 percent. For example, ExxonMobil is cutting greenhouse gas emissions to support Paris Agreement climate change goals. In December the energy firm announced plans for aggressive reductions in emissions, notably methane, over the next five years to help meet global net zero emissions goals. Chevron is taking action to reduce GHG emissions by about 5 million metric tons per year, while ConocoPhillips, Shell, and BP all have similar plans to use ingenuity and best practices to be part of the climate solution. Working together with industry could be a major path to net zero carbon emissions by 2050.\nThe truth is that while climate lawsuits target the energy industry, climate goals can’t be met without major energy companies. As the Progressive Policy Institute has detailed in a recent paper, natural gas is crucial to the deployment of renewables. The unique flexibility of natural gas power plants to turn on and off within minutes creates an indispensable symbiotic relationship with renewables like solar and wind. If the U.S. hopes to have any chance of achieving its climate goals, endangering fossil fuel production is the last thing officials should do. No one knows how long it will take the U.S. to decarbonize its economy, meaning America’s natural gas supplies will have tremendous value into the foreseeable future.\nClimate lawsuits are legally flimsy and impractical. These suits are infused with the inherent danger of targeting the very energy manufacturers who are active and leading participants in reducing carbon emissions to lower global temperatures. Instead of taking us farther down this counterproductive path, public officials should seek real solutions instead of more lawsuits. U.S. Supreme Court justices have an important opportunity in January to pull the plug on unhelpful climate lawsuits and allow us all to focus instead on the monumental challenges that face our planet.\nGuy F. Caruso is a non-resident senior adviser in the Energy Security and Climate Change Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies; prior to joining CSIS, he served as administrator of the U.S. Energy Information Administration from July 2002 to September 2008.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line815027"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6356877684593201,"wiki_prob":0.6356877684593201,"text":"Florida Sex Crime Convicts Won’t Get Automatic Voting Rights Under House Plan\nFlorida voters last year approved a state Constitution amendment to give people who have been convicted of crimes the right to participate in elections after they serve their punishments. But that amendment leaves out people who have been convicted of murder or a felony sex offense.\nEven people with other sex offenses or criminal convictions on their records may not automatically have their voting rights restored, if a plan floated in the state legislature is approved. A House Criminal Justice subcommittee recently cleared a measure to implement Amendment 4, which granted felons “automatic” voting rights. That legislation would exclude people convicted of a wide range of sex crimes from being able to vote.\nThe legislation would also require convicts to clear up court costs, fees and fines before having their rights restored. That provision has drawn sharp criticism from felon rights groups who say it creates new hurdles to keep former convicts from voting.\n“The bill places unconstitutional restrictions on the eligibility to vote for individuals who should have their voting rights restored, as Floridians intended,” the American Civil Liberties Union said after the subcommittee approved the measure. “Among other deficiencies, the bill creates additional financial barriers to voting that were not considered a part of a person’s sentence after receiving sentencing instructions from a judge and conditions the right of people who are eligible to vote on whether or not they can afford to pay fees.”\nA total of 64 percent of voters approved Amendment 4 in November. The provision provided that felons who have completed “all terms of their sentence including parole or probation” would automatically get the right to vote restored.\nTalk to an Experienced Florida Sex Crimes Lawyer Today\n“Sex crimes” is a general term that applies to a wide range of offenses, from sexting to child pornography and rape. These crimes carry significant potential punishments that can have lifelong impacts for everyone involved. That includes long stretches behind bars and steep fines. You may also be required to register publicly as a sex offender. The stigma that comes with that status can make it difficult to find and keep a job.\nIf you or a loved one has been charged with—or is even suspected of—a sex crime in Florida, it’s vital that you seek the assistance of a seasoned Florida sex crimes lawyer. A lawyer can help build the strongest possible defense in the case. The earlier that you seek legal advice the better chance you have to avoiding a conviction or reducing the charges.\nThe Florida sex crimes lawyers at Whittel & Melton represent clients throughout the Sunshine State who have been charged with a wide variety of offenses, including sexual assault, rape and child pornography. Our attorneys work tirelessly to fight these charges head on. We have offices throughout the state, including in Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, and Pensacola. Contact us online or call (866) 608-5529 for a free evaluation.\nFri Apr 12, 11:08pm\nCustomer Service is the best. All employees are professional & personal. That's hard to find. Excellent work. Mary Sciglia","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1850526"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8945690989494324,"wiki_prob":0.8945690989494324,"text":"Goodell Displays Air Of Arrogance When Answering Deflategate Questions\nBy JEFF JACOBS |\nNFL Commissioner Roger Goodell talks about \"Deflategate\" during his annual state of the league address in Houson on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017.\nThe more he talked Wednesday the emptier his suit got. At least, Roger Goodell, the tough guy NFL commissioner, the snarling sheriff, had teeth. Granted some of his decisions were bad and some of those teeth got knocked out, but at least he had bite.\nHOUSTON — Roger Goodell, the calm explainer, the artful dodger, has no artfulness. As dancer commissioner, he has two left feet and a mushy mouth.\nAsked a handful of times at his annual Super Bowl press conference about the fallout from Deflategate, about whether he got bad advice, about why he hasn't shown up at Gillette Stadium, Goodell essentially said it was time to move on. Wait. That's exactly what he said. What he really meant to say to New England was, \"Get over it!\"\nOr maybe he didn't. Even rehearsed, Goodell couldn't even quite get it right on why he hasn't shown up for a Patriots game since Deflategate began two years ago. He couldn't quite get the legalities of the case right either. So after Goodell sweated out five questions on the subject over nearly an hour of myriad topics in a convention center ballroom, the bottom line is this:\nGoodell is just going to have to lump it. Give Robert Kraft and Tom Brady the Lombardi Trophy if the Patriots beat the Falcons, smile a fake smile.\nAnd lump it.\nThe NFL, as Texans owner Bob McNair said, allowed a deflated football to become a mountain out of a molehill. Brady should have received a much lesser punishment for having the air taken out of his footballs. I'm not among those who claim he's innocent, but a four-game suspension? Brady got thrown in football jail for speeding. Goodell kept talking Wednesday about the violation, the process and the discipline that was litigated and validated by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.\n\"We're moving on from there,\" Goodell said. \"That's part of our history ... we're focusing on the game now.\"\n[Related] Belichick says he won’t receive Presidential Medal of Freedom »\nThat's pretty funny. Those words may play well in the rest of the country, but it had to come off as tone deaf from Portland, Maine, to Portland, Conn. Goodell has a lot of power, but he doesn't have the power to tell the fans of an entire region to move on. If they're still hot, they're still hot. Some will never get over it, but, certainly, until Brady holds up the Lombardi Trophy and maybe even gives Goodell a little dig, Goodell isn't going to get off so easy.\nThese are sensitive times for the Brady family. Tom's mother Galynn, Tom E. Curran of CSNNE reported this week, has had health problems the past 18 months. Brady grew emotional on Monday night when he talked about his dad being his hero. A dad, who torched the commissioner last week, saying that somebody with Goodell's ethics doesn't belong on the same stage as his son.\n\"He went on a witch hunt and went in way over his head and had to lie his way out in numerous ways,\" Tom Brady Sr. told a San Francisco television station. \"And the reality is that Tommy never got suspended for deflating footballs. He got suspended because the court said that he could — Roger Goodell could do anything he wanted to do to any player for any reason whatsoever. That's what happened.\"\nGoodell Addresses Deflategate, Foxborough Absence In Q&A With Reporters\nA handful of times at his annual Super Bowl press conference, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was asked about the fallout from Deflategate, his relationship with\n\"I would tell you it's not awkward at all for me,\" Goodell said. \"We have a job to do. We do our job.\n[Related] Bills beat Colts 27-24 for 1st playoff win in 25 years »\n\"We understand when fans who are loyal and passionate for a team object and don't like the outcome. I totally understand that. That's not an issue for me. … From our standpoint, this is just about making sure we take care of business and do it the way that is right, to uphold the integrity of our teams and our rules for all 32 teams.\"\nIf it's not awkward, why not at least show up at Gillette Stadium for one of the two playoff games?\n\"I was in Boston two seasons ago for two consecutive playoff games, the same way as I was in Atlanta this year,\" Goodell said.\nIn putting the Foxborough question to the commissioner, Dan Shaughnessy of the Boston Globe pointed out this rationalization strained all credibility.\n\"If I'm invited back to Foxborough I'll come,\" Goodell said.\n[Related] Jets interview 49ers defensive coordinator Saleh for head coaching job »\nJonathan Kraft said a few weeks ago that teams don't invite the commissioner. He tells them he is coming.\n\"I have no doubt if I wanted to come up to a Patriots game and I asked Mr. Kraft he would welcome me back,\" said Goodell, trying to clarify things and failing to do so. \"That's up to him though.\"\nThe Krafts were in the ballroom for Goodell's address. They left before answering questions, but later put out a statement that if the Patriots are fortunate enough to win Sunday, the kickoff to next season would be the perfect time.\nJacobs' Super Bowl Journal, Day 3: Goodell Pressed Hard About Absence From Foxborough\nWednesday, 9:10 a.m.: Patriots' Ebner A Unique Talent And A Belichick Favorite\nAt media night on Monday, Robert Kraft said, \"The league messed up royally the way they handled the whole thing, in my opinion. But still we're in a system that we agreed to adhere to what the rules of the system are. So I try to compartmentalize in my life and not get bogged down with the negative. In a strange way, what happened, I think, has energized our fans so that they're more energized in support of this team than, I think, except for the first [Super Bowl] or the second.\"\nAsked if it also energized the Patriots' locker room, Kraft answered, \"Oh, yeah.\"\n[Related] Giants, Panthers have contrasting rebuild approaches »\nIn other words, Goodell is going to have to lump it at least through a potential trophy ceremony Sunday night.\nAt one point during the question-and-answer period, Curran stood up and said to Goodell, \"One quick fact check. The courts didn't uphold the investigation. It upheld your right to go ahead and do what you did.\"\n\"If you look at the 2nd Circuit Court the decision they set was that there was compelling if not overwhelming facts,\" Goodell answered.\nLatest Football\nBelichick says he won’t receive Presidential Medal of Freedom\nJets interview 49ers defensive coordinator Saleh for head coaching job\nI'd submit Curran's version of the punishment being upheld is much closer to the truth. Kevin Duffy, of Masslive.com, went one better. He looked through the 42-page decision and found nothing resembling \"compelling and overwhelming facts.\" Goodell, as Duffy pointed out, was referring to a remark by Judge Denny Chin during the court hearing. That's one judge's opinion, and wasn't used by the three-judge panel to uphold Goodell's arbitration victory. The commissioner won because it was found he acted within his authority. Not because of the inflation or deflation of footballs.\n\"Listen, we have a disagreement about what occurred,\" said Goodell, who wouldn't say if he had talked to Tom Brady this season. \"We have been very transparent about what we think the violation was. We went through a lengthy process. We disagree about that. But I can continue to respect and admire Robert, Jonathan, the entire organization. They are an extraordinary organization. They are extraordinary people in my view.\n\"I have a very deep and close relationship to them. But that doesn't change we have to compartmentalize things we disagree on. I'll be honest with you. I have disagreements with probably all 32 of our teams. I'm not afraid of disagreement. I don't think disagreement leads to distrust or hatred. It's a disagreement. You take your disagreements, find a common place and move forward. That's what it is. It's not all personal in nature, which I know people like to make it.\"\nNothing personal to Brady, to the Krafts, to all those crazed fans? That's fall-down funny. Nothing personal commissioner, but if I had a nickel for every time you used the word disagreement, I'd have enough money to fill your gas tank in Connecticut on your way from New York to a long overdue visit to Foxborough.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line541033"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6551432013511658,"wiki_prob":0.34485679864883423,"text":"Includes an informative history of the U.S. Marine Corps motto\nMinted in solid 14k gold\nReady to win battles in the air, on land, and at sea\nIncludes a free preview of future issues in the collection Marine Corps Coin Collection. For more information, please refer to the Satisfaction Guarantee tab below. If you do not wish to preview future issues in the collection, you may purchase the single item using the 'Individual Item Only' tab at right.\nLatin for \"Always Faithful,\" Semper Fidelis became the motto of the U.S. Marine Corps in 1883... more\nLatin for \"Always Faithful,\" Semper Fidelis became the motto of the U.S. Marine Corps in 1883 and embodies the core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment.\nUtilizing naval mobility to engage in amphibious and expeditionary warfare, Marines pledge themselves completely to the protection of the United States Constitution and carry out missions at the bequest of the President. Once this commitment has been made, it can never be broken; once a Marine, always a Marine.\nIn honor of the U.S. Marine Corps, American Mint has created an exclusive masterpiece: the Semper FidelisGold Coin Tribute. At the center of this magnificent tribute is the Semper Fidelis solid 14k gold coin. Minted to the highest quality \"Proof ” standard, it features a highly detailed engraving of theMarine's symbol encircled by the credo \"Semper Fidelis” - Always Faithful. Encased in an archival shell, this exquisite gold coin tribute includes an informative history of the U.S. Marine Corps andis strictly limited to only 9,999 complete collections worldwide.\nObverse: Semper Fidelis, \"Always Faithful\"\nReverse: United States Marine Corps","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line722160"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5847702622413635,"wiki_prob":0.5847702622413635,"text":"Recent Specials\n5 men = 1 cow\nDefying the Court\nInventions, innovations\nand discoveries\nTo the guns born\nRelieving back ache\nThe Temple Cleaners\nModernising Pakistan\nThe Sixth Battle\nof Panipat\n50,000 years ago...\nthat wears the crown\nAnd benefits for all\nA Walk for Water\nZalazek a keeper\nof Hindu traditions\nChronicle of terrorism\nMORE SPECIALS...\nThe Rediff Special/Tarun Tejpal\nPeople have asked me why we have stopped updating tehelka.com [site might not show] and whether I am unhappy at this unpleasant development.\nThere is a monthly server charge of Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000. Since we did not have the money at that point of time, I told them to put out a notice that the site updating would be suspended due to financial and technical reasons and we would be back very soon.\nBut the truth of the matter -- and I have been saying this for the last eight months -- is that we have no more staffers and we are not paying salaries any more. We were 120 people when we broke the story Operation Westend exposing corruption in the defence deals on March 13, 2001, and we are now less than five. None of us is a paid journalist.\nEven the site was being maintained by loyalists who just came and worked in their spare time. Most of them have been helping us with our legal work because we have loads of cases to look after. We have to go to the Justice K Venkataswami Commission. We have a large number of cases pending in various courts.\nIn the last one-and-a-half years, we have not been able to do any serious kind of journalism. We are all involved in preparing for the commission.\nDo I feel sad that things have come to such a pass? Frankly, no!\nYou have to deal with these things. Of course it has been a very difficult time. But let me add that I have absolute and complete faith in tehelka's future. It has a great value as an independent media company. And this value would come to pass in the public domain in the coming years.\nIf you want to know whether I am anxious about the future of tehelka.com I would say that I am not at all anxious about it. I am confident of tehelka's future. Do I have any regrets for what we have done? None whatsoever. In fact, as and when tehelka is healthy again, we would do the same kind of journalism that we have done so far.\nThe saddest part of it is that we have not been able to do the kind of journalism that tehelka started in India. It took us eight months to do the story on corruption in defence deals and it is more then one year and eight months that we have been defending our story.\nThe establishment has snarled our progress by illegal, unconstitutional, and dishonest means. There is a regret for the time wasted that could not be utilized for constructive journalism.\nThe story has had a wide impact and won us acclaim and goodwill across the country from all sections of society. We have to look at the upsides at what we have achieved to enable us to keep going. If we look at the downsides, then we have had many. But we are taking things in our stride.\nTehelka journalism has been an incredible ride. It has been a fascinating experience for those of us who have been a part of it. Besides doing investigating stories, we have done some of the best features in Indian journalism. When I go to smaller towns and villages, I am astonished to hear from the people about the kind of goodwill tehelka has generated.\nIt has been a pitched battle between tehelka and the establishment for a year-and-a-half. When we broke the story, the kind of response we got was simply phenomenal. We received acclaim from the chief executives of the biggest private companies as well as from the people at the grass-root level.\nUnfortunately, nobody came forward to invest even a single rupee in tehelka.com. On many occasions, we were close to clinching deals for investments in tehelka but at the last minute, the people backed out saying that they wanted more time or they would invest when the times change, etc.\nPeople see the potential of tehelka as a media brand and they are ready to invest but are waiting for the right time. This is the biggest media brand in the last 30-odd years. While some fear retaliation from the establishment, others are put off by the kind of independence we would like to have in running the organization.\nThere is a tremendous difference between the match-fixing story that we broke and Operation Westend. In the match-fixing case, we were dealing with sportsmen, namely the top cricketers. The match-fixing story yielded great results because it led to two major inquiries: one by the CBI [Central Bureau of Investigation] and the other by International Cricket Conference. Cricketers are not the kind of people who would come and harm you and be vindictive.\nBut the same is not the case with the politicians. If you hit them and if they are in power, they hit you with their immense power. They try and damage you. If the establishment is immoral, if it is unethical in its conduct, then it has the ability to damage that much more.\nLet me say that despite all this we are still there. We are still carrying on. We have survived because we are totally clean. They [the government] have tried their best but they have not found anything on us.\nThe other thing that has kept us going is the goodwill of the people. I would say that even the most deranged in the government understands that the people are behind us completely. This has acted as some sort of a shield for us.\nWe have got tremendous support from editors of various newspapers and from other media outfits. Even the Press Council of India has lauded our work. Our story was one of the most explosive pieces in Indian journalism. There has not been a similar story in the last 50 years with this kind of impact.\nI think Aniruddha Bahal and Samuel Mathew did an incredible story. If there are people who disagree with certain aspects of the story, they are free to do so. I have no problem with them on this count. Within journalism you can have different perspectives and it depends upon you on the kind of journalism that you want to practice. If people are happy doing press release kind of journalism, it is fine with me.\nIn my opinion, the time has come in India for journalism to stand up and show its teeth. If that does not happen, then Indian democracy would be severely in danger. The next few years are very crucial.\nAll governments, all powers, are malign. The only counter that the people of India have to the misuse of power is journalism. Journalists would increasingly become the warriors of the people. They must perpetually be in opposition to those who are in power.\nTarun Tejpal, managing director and editor-in-chief of tehelka.com, spoke to Onkar Singh.\nThe Defence Scandal\nThe Betting Scandal\nImage: Rahil Shaikh\nThe Rediff Specials\nHOME | NEWS | CRICKET | MONEY | SPORTS | MOVIES | CHAT | BROADBAND | TRAVEL\nASTROLOGY | NEWSLINKS | BOOK SHOP | MUSIC SHOP | GIFT SHOP | HOTEL BOOKINGS\nAIR/RAIL | WEDDING | ROMANCE | WEATHER | WOMEN | TRAVEL | E-CARDS | SEARCH\nHOMEPAGES | FREE MESSENGER | FREE EMAIL | CONTESTS | FEEDBACK","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line493190"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9335029125213623,"wiki_prob":0.9335029125213623,"text":"Aiming to get teens more sleep, high schools consider later start times\nBy Robert McCoppin\nBarrington High School students head into the library about 6:50 a.m. March 2, 2016. High school students in Barrington School District 220 start school at 7:20 a.m. but the school board and community are thinking about moving the start time back to as late as 9 a.m. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)\nIt may seem like a teenager's dream to be able to sleep in for two extra hours each morning before school. But some teens at Barrington High School don't want to make that dream their reality.\n\"Everyone I know would like school to start as late as possible … because they like to sleep,\" said junior Ethan Stearney, 16. \"But either way, if they push the time up two hours, then (students) go to bed two hours later. It's up to the kids to get sleep.\"\nDespite such skepticism, research has found that most high school students don't get enough sleep and that starting school later can help them. In response, Barrington School District 220 is considering a proposal to push back the start of the school day, in one scenario by more than two hours.\nA backlash from some parents, teachers and students, however, has prompted the school board to lean toward a more modest, interim change at the high school rather than a sweeping overhaul of all school start times that affect schedules for nearly everyone else in the K-12 district.\n\"It's a complex puzzle, and it's a community reset,\" Superintendent Brian Harris said. \"We know our school start times impact our entire community, our parents, kids, businesses that hire teenagers, park district programs. It does have a ripple effect.\"\n[Most read] Coronavirus in Illinois updates: State confirms first case of more contagious COVID-19 variant as 6,642 new cases and 123 additional deaths reported Friday »\nAs evidence mounts that students who get more sleep perform better in school, Barrington is one of several Chicago-area districts considering later start times for high schools. But such changes aren't just logistically complicated — affecting busing schedules, extracurricular activities and work schedules. They also represent a cultural shift at a time many students' days stretch from before dawn until after midnight.\nLast year, St. Charles' Community Unit School District 303 tabled consideration of a later start after objections were raised and a survey showed a slight majority of teachers wanted to keep their 7:20 a.m. first bell.\nLast fall, Chicago Public Schools also backed off a proposal to delay school start times after objections were raised. The measure, meant to save busing costs, had to be modified at a loss of $4 million,officials said.\nThe push for later start times for middle schools and high schools comes in part from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC reports that four out of five middle and high schools start before 8:30 a.m. — the earliest start time recommended by the AAP in a 2014 policy statement.\nTwo out of three high school students don't get enough sleep, the CDC reports, falling short of the recommended eight-hour minimum. With busier-than-ever schedules, researchers say, teens are experiencing an epidemic of sleep disorders tantamount to narcolepsy.\n[Most read] Watch live: Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker discusses COVID-19 restrictions, indoor dining »\nThe problem can be partly alleviated by beginning the school day later, researchers say. One study of 18,000 Minnesota high school students who made such a switch found they averaged an extra hour of sleep.\nOf course, many other factors affect how much sleep kids get, such as after-school activities, jobs and staying up late with friends or playing videos, which parents can rein in. But class starting time is the single change that affects all students, said Dr. Judith Owens, a Boston Children's Hospital pediatrician who has led the later-start movement.\nResearch shows later start times have helped improve attendance, mental health and academic performance, and have reduced sleep-related auto accidents. In response, about 70 districts nationwide have changed to later start times.\nIn the Chicago area, Arlington Heights-based Township High School District 214 and Naperville Community Unit School District 203 are looking into later start times, and Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire is going through with it.\nNext school year, Stevenson will make a modest shift in starting times, from 8:05 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., which spokesman Jim Conrey said was approved without much dissension. Because of scheduling conflicts with grade schools, Stevenson will have to spend an extra $150,000 for buses each school year.\nTo avoid running into conflicts with extracurricular activities and busing schedules, Stevenson will keep the same ending time, 3:25 p.m., meaning class periods generally will be reduced to 47 minutes from 50 minutes.\nIn District 214, which operates six high schools, spokeswoman Jennifer Delgado said a committee is looking at the issue and leaning toward moving most start times from about 7:30 to 8 a.m. or later.\nSchool leaders don't want to push back the end of the school day because of conflicts with sports and club schedules, but Delgado said they'll try to shorten the day without cutting class time. Any changes would likely come in the 2017-18 school year.\nIn Barrington, the later-start proposal has been contentious, drawing hundreds of parents to meetings to debate the merits. The topic has drawn community members into spontaneous debates at the train station, grocery stores and sports games.\nAn advisory council spent months studying the issue and recommended options including to start much later, at 9 or 9:30 a.m., while pushing back middle school starts from 7:55 to 8:50 a.m.\nBut grade schools and preschools would start an hour earlier, at 8 instead of 9 a.m. In addition, the plans would cost an extra $58,000 to $845,000 in busing costs annually, depending on the scenario.\nEvery proposal called for shorter high school class times, by up to six minutes per class, which raised concerns that instruction would suffer. Teachers warned that later dismissal times would cut into sports and club activities. And parents worried about starting grade school earlier, with small children waiting for buses in the winter shortly after dawn.\nCommunity members formed Barrington United for Education, which reported more than 400 signatures on an online petition objecting to the proposed changes.\n\"We think some of the energy and the angst of the community comes from surprise at the magnitude of the change,\" group member and parent David Holterman said.\nThe clock is ticking to find a solution. While any major change was put off until fall 2017, officials said any smaller change for the 2016-17 school year would have to be made by mid-April.\n[Most read] Illinois confirms first case of more contagious COVID-19 variant, health officials say »\n\"The ideal scenario would be to maintain instructional minutes but have later start times,\" Harris said. \"That's the puzzle we're trying to figure out.\"\nrmccoppin@tribpub.com\nTwitter @RobertMcCoppin\nLatest Barrington\n‘Ohio Superintendent of the Year’ picked to replace retiring Harris at Barrington School District 220\nTeaching history, easing anxiety: How Chicago-area schools are addressing the Capitol riot\nBarrington police: Driver faces no valid license, improper lane use charges following traffic stop","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1731450"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6289097666740417,"wiki_prob":0.6289097666740417,"text":"Sweet Stocks to Ask to Be Your Valentine\nBy Debbie Carlson February 5, 2020 5 min read\nFewer folks celebrate Valentine’s Day, but those who do tend to spend more\nCandy is the most popular gift, followed by flowers\nRather than exchanging gifts, many choose to celebrate with experiences\nLove is in the air and could be in your portfolio.\nValentine’s Day is right around the corner, and spending on this holiday remains sweet for some industries. According to 2019 data from the National Retail Federation (NRF), people who celebrate the holiday were expected to spend $161.96 on average, with $20.7 billion spent overall.\nFor a holiday that’s supposed to be about tokens of appreciation for a loved one, we’re shelling out more than just a few bucks. And the industries that are most closely associated with the holiday, such as candy manufacturers, florists, jewelers, and experience vendors, could benefit, according to Michael Kealy, education coach at TD Ameritrade.\n“The companies involved in the holiday will see, in all likelihood, a bump as a result of the splurging that takes place,” he said.\nValentine Spending Is Up\nEven though only 51% of people surveyed said they were celebrating Valentine’s Day, spending has increased over the years. In 2009, the average spend was at $102.50, with overall spending at $14.7 billion that year. By 2019, those figures had risen 58% and 40%, respectively.\nThe top two categories for gifts are candy and flowers, according to NRF’s survey, with 52% of people giving sweets. Kealy noted two pure-play publicly traded confectionary companies: Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory (RMCF) and Hershey (HSY). RMCF is known for its gourmet chocolates and other candies, and its stock has slowly trended higher since late 2018.\nHershey makes its eponymous brand of chocolate (including the Kiss, so appropriate for Valentine’s Day), and the Pennsylvania-based company also boasts a vast portfolio of chocolate company names, including higher-end brands like Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker and Dagoba Chocolate. HSY is at the upper end of its year-long trend.\nCandy sales around Valentine’s Day are important for U.S. manufacturers too, according to the Census Bureau. Using data from its 2016 survey of manufacturers, the bureau estimated that the value of chocolate confectionary products shipped by manufacturers in the United States was $16.1 billion, while nonchocolate candy was $10.7 billion.\nFlowers remain a popular gift, with NRF noting 35% of people surveyed said they would give their Valentine some blooms. A company like 1-800-Flowers.com (FLWS), which ships nationwide, could see an uptick in business, Kealy suggested. FLWS's price has come down significantly from its 52-week highs.\nAlthough jewelry isn’t as popular a gift as it once was, according to NRF, it’s the gift with the highest individual price point, at $30.34 per person, or $3.9 billion spent overall. The Census Bureau’s data showed the estimated value of jewelry and silverware shipped by manufacturers in the United States was $6.5 billion.\nKealy pointed out the chart for Signet Jewelers (SIG) might look promising. The company's strong holiday sales may have helped push the stock price higher. SIG is the world’s largest retailer of diamond jewelry and owns well-known, mid-priced brands such as Kay Jewelers, Zales, and Jared. Were you thinking a little more upscale? Luxury brand conglomerate LVMH (LVMUY)—which announced in November it had reached a deal to buy Tiffany & Co. (TIF)—owns several other high-end names such as Louis Vuitton, TAG Heuer, and Bvlgari.\nFor those who celebrate, age is nothing but a number. Slightly more than half of people ages 18 to 54 said they would participate in Valentine’s Day, while that number dips to 49% for the 55 to 64 age group and 46% for those over 65. Some of us stay romantic all our lives.\nFor a holiday that’s supposed to be about tokens of appreciation for a loved one, we’re shelling out more than just a few bucks.\nBeyond the Valentine’s Day Trifecta\nKealy suggested investors might want to think beyond just candy, jewelry, and flowers when it comes to Valentine’s Day and consider experiential gifts as well. A date night would probably come in right around the average spend for the holiday.\nThe traditional date-night activity, dinner and a movie, can be part of a portfolio too. Kealy mentioned that Darden Restaurants (DRI), which owns inexpensive chain restaurants like Olive Garden, and two movie-theater chains, Cinemark Holdings (CNK) and AMC Entertainment (AMC), offer low-cost experiences.\nIMAX (IMAX) is also a publicly traded cinema company, although Kealy suggested it might not show the traditional Valentine’s Day movie fare.\nEven those who don’t participate in the holiday may mark the occasion, with 49% of women and 40% of men treating themselves to a little something-something.\nClothing is starting to uptick in gift-giving, NRF noted, matching jewelry. The percentage of people giving gifts of jewelry is at 18%. Kealy remarked that a firm such as popular retail apparel company Lululemon (LULU) could be the recipient of those gift-giving dollars, whether for a special someone or yourself. “While it might seem a little different to list LULU as a recipient of Valentine’s Day dollars, I don’t see why not. The younger demographic would likely see it as viable in terms of a Valentine’s Day gift for a significant other,” he said.\nOr, of course, you could always treat yourself with a new addition to your portfolio.\nConsumer Discretionary Sector Consumer Staples Sector Food & Beverage Industry Investing Strategy Stocks","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line229647"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.783507764339447,"wiki_prob":0.783507764339447,"text":"History Literature Philosophy Opinion Law & Justice All Topics\nVladimir Nabokov Speak Memory Russian Literature Russian Revolution\nThe 1905 Russian Revolution through the Eyes of Vladimir Nabokov in Speak, Memory\nBy Iulia O. Basu-Zharku\n2011, Vol. 3 No. 01 | pg. 1/1\nKeywords:Vladimir Nabokov Speak Memory Russian Literature Russian Revolution\nThe insight that Vladimir Nabokov provides into the 1905 Russian Revolution, in his book Speak, Memory, sometimes merges with the general view--presented, for example, by Nicholas V. Riasanovsky in a more traditional account--but at many other times is totally unique, a product of Nabokov’s personal observations.\nMany of the causes that determined the 1905 Russian Revolution are presented in Nabokov’s novel. One of these is industrialization, which occurred at a rapid pace: “In the early years of this century, a travel agency on Nevski Avenue displayed a three-foot-long model of an oak-brown international sleeping car.... One could make out the blue upholstery inside, the embossed leather lining of the compartment walls, their polished panels, inset mirrors, tulip-shaped reading lamps, and other maddening details. Spacious windows alternated with narrower ones... and some of these were of frosted glass.... The then great and glamorous Nord-Express... connected St Petersburg with Paris.”1 This industrialization, which grew apace under Witte’s supervision2, was accompanied by a proportionate decrease in the living conditions of industrial workers, who were enduring “overcrowded housing with often deplorable sanitary conditions, an exhausting workday... widespread disease... constant risk of injury from poor safety conditions, harsh workplace discipline, and inadequate wages.”3 All of this could only spread resentment towards the government and the Tsar, helping form a perfect arena for revolutionary ideas, notably Marxism4. However, these details are not dwelled upon by Nabokov, who gives only a glimpse of the luxurious results of this trying process.\nIn addition, the author presents the poverty and desperation that plagued the countryside: “fatal poverty and fatalistic wealth got fantastically interwoven in that strange first decade of our century. Several times during the summer... the butler, with an unhappy expression on his face, would bend over and inform my father in a low voice... that a group of villagers wanted to see the barin outside.... It presumably had to do with a plea for his mediation of some local feud, or with some special subsidy, or with the permission to harvest some bit of our land or cut down a coveted clump of our trees. If, as usually happened, the request was at once granted, there would again be that buzz, and then... the good barin would be... rocked and tossed up and securely caught by a score or so of strong arms”5.\n1st edition cover of Speak, Memory by Vladimir Nabokov.\nNabokov learns of the problems in the country from the village schoolmaster, as well, who “took us [the author and his brother] for instructive walks (‘What you hear is the sound of scythe being sharpened’; ‘That field there will be given a rest next season’; ‘Oh, just a small bird-no special name’; ‘If that peasant is drunk, it is because he is poor’)”6. Through Vasiliy Martinovich Zhernosekov (the school master) one can see as in a realistic painting, the changes happening in the countryside, the liberal and revolutionary ideas that penetrate the villages. The schoomaster is one of those “fiery revolutionaries,” maybe one of the 3rd elements, who “would gesture vehemently on our country rambles and speak of humanity and freedom and the badness of warfare and the sad (but interesting, I thought) necessity to blowing up tyrants, and sometimes he would produce the then popular pacifist book Doloy Oruzhie!... and treat me, a child of six, to tedious quotations”7. However, the rise of the Social Democrats and their more radical factions are not mentioned; only the end result, the Bolshevik Revolution, is mentioned again and again.\nAnother major problem was the Russo-Japanese war8. At Abbazia (at the Adriatic Sea), in a café, his father sees two Japanese officers at a table nearby “and we immediately left-not without my hastily snatching a whole bombe of lemon sherbet, which I carried away secreted in my aching mouth. The year was 1904. I was five. Russia was fighting Japan”9. English newspapers, of which Nabokov gives the example of the one his governess, Miss Norcott, received, illustrated Japanese cartoons of Russian locomotives drowning as a threat “if our Army tried to lay rails across the treacherous ice of Lake Baikal”10. The war was in the attention of Europe. However, Nabokov sees the war only through a child eyes, to whom General Kuropatkin the movement of the sea with some matches just before he is called “to assume supreme command of the Russian army in the Far East”11. Only later on, as an adult, Nabokov acknowledges that the war ended disastrously: “his [General Kuropatkin’s] armies also vanished, and everything has fallen through, like my toy trains that, in the winter of 1904-1905, in Wiesbaden, I tried to run over the frozen puddles in the grounds of the Hotel Oranien”12.\nNonetheless, the problems did not stop there. Nabokov’s father’s (Vladimir Dmitrievich Nabokov) brief biography, illustrates further the problems that led to the Revolution of 1905: the pogroms (an example that Nabokov gives is the one in Kishinev in 190313), which are noted by the liberal aristocrats, to which Nabokov’s father pertains. He writes about the pogrom in Kishinbev, thus losing his court title “in January 1905, after which he severed all connexion with the Tsar’s government and resolutely plunged into antidespotic politics”14. This shows another major, probably essential issue that brings about the Revolution of 1905: the Tsar is estranged from his own class-the aristocrats. Nabokov’s father “at an official banquet in 1904... refused to drink the Tsar’s health”15. This note probably alludes to the “banquet campaigns” which were staged by the liberals “featuring fervent speeches and resolutions calling for democratizing political change”.16 It is also a clear example of the gap between some of the members of the aristocracy and the Tsar. In the wake of 1905, political meetings were illegal, and they would frequently be held in secret at the house of one or another, in this case Nabokov’s father’s house estate at Vyra: “he had to attend many committee meetings, and these were often held at our house17.\nThus, up to this point, the Tsar and his government gathered the workers, the peasants and the aristocrats against themselves, creating a perfect context for a revoltuin. A telling episode is the involving Nabokov’s cousin, Yuri, who in 1904 was “coming out of a souvenir shop and running toward me with a breloque, an inch-long little pistol of silver, which he was anxious to show me-and suddenly sprawling on the sidewalk but not crying when he picked himself up, unmindful of a bleeding knee and still clutching his minuscule weapon”18. In some ways, Yuri’s gesture is the one that the whole Russia is doing: rising up, beaten and worked as it is, to ask for a change, and not releasing the weapon at any cost, feeling that it is the last resort in this battle with its own government.\nThe consequences to all the problems enumerated above, and seen through the eyes of a child, were “furious internal disorders”. Nabokov’s mother is “undaunted by them” and returns after “a year of foreign resorts”19, namely Beaulieu, Abbazia and Wiesbaden20, to Russia. This return was happening “in the beginning of 1905,” just as the Revolution starts. It is a perfect example of a scene of the countryside, which was not as affected by the bloody revolution as the cities were. Amidst the revolution, “a large woman, a very stout woman, Mademoiselle rolled into our existence in December 1905 when I was six and my brother was five”21. Indeed this serene, tranquil country life, dominated by the image of a French governess, is contrasted with the cities’ 1905 “a year of strikes, riots and police-inspired massacres, and I suppose my father wished to keep his family away from the city... where his popularity with the peasants might mitigate, as he correctly surmised, the risks of unrest”22. In Moscow, the trees in Maria Square witnessed “children shot down at random from the branches into which they had climbed in a vain attempt to escape the mounted gendarmes who were quelling the First Revolution (1905-1906)23. These gruesome scenes (which the author emphasizes that were not singular at all24) go beyond what is usually present in history textbooks (general strikes and police shooting at petitioners and workers25) and portray the revolution’s violence and the government’s injustice.\nIn contrast to his mother, Nabokov’s father is in the middle of the revolution: he goes to Moscow, being one of the founders of the Constitutionalist Democratic Party, and upon his return, he wants his sons to learn Russian and asks the village schoolmaster to teach them26. This shows not only Nabokov’s father’s patriotism (“he ascertained, with patriotic dismay, that my brother and I could read and write English but not Russian”27) but also is a way to introduce his liberalism and protectorate over education: the schoolmaster “revered my father who had recently rebuilt and modernized the village school”28. This glimpse into his father’s activities is also a way to enter the world of the liberals and their newly formed (in 1905) Constitutionalist Democratic Party (or Cadet), after putting the bases of the Union of Liberation, in 190329. This activity of Vladimir Dmitrievich Nabokov is not surprising at all, put in the context that his son puts it. The author’s grandfather, Dmitri Nikolaevich Nabokov, had been Minister of Justice in the time of Alexander III, and Nabokov confesses that his grandfather “did what he could to protect, if not strengthen, the liberal reforms of the sixties (trial by jury, for instance) against ferocious reactionary attacks”30 (pg. 40). His legacy went on to his descendants, especially Nabokov’s father (although Nabokov’s grandmother, Baroness Maria von Korff, opposed it, seeing in the upcoming revolution a disintegration of her class31) and uncle Konstantin, who entered diplomacy and was the protagonist of an incident in “Moscow, on 17 February 1905, when an older friend, the Grand Duke Sergey, half a minute before the explosion, offered him a lift in his carriage, and my uncle said no, thanks, he’d rather walk, and away rolled the carriage to its fatal rendezvouz with a terrorist’s bomb”32. This episode not only emphasizes the long history of liberalism and political life in Nabokov’s family but also portrays lesser known moments of the revolution of 1905, like the assassination of the Grand Duke Sergey Alexandrovich, the Tsar’s uncle by revolutionary terrorist33. Uncle Konstantin was not the only one of Nabokov’s uncles to enter diplomacy: his mother’s brother, Vasiliy Ivanovich Rukavisnikov34 was another one, although about his activities neither Nabokov, nor his family, seem to have known much.\nIn Speak, Memory, Nabokov gives a frugal look into the 1905 Russian Revolution and its causes, dwelling on the issues he was most familiar with, like the peasants' pleas, the organizations and activities of the liberal aristocrats an the Russo-Japanese war, and less so into the situation of the workers. But in doing so, he also gives us precious details, that history books do not always record; the look and feel of industrialization, the luxury of life in the countryside, despite the problems raging throughout the country, the continuous Westernization of the aristocratic class as well as their professed patriotism, and the personal touch of all the events, such as the realistic and human portrait of the commander in chief of the Russian army. Lastly, it gives details of the 1905 Russian Revolution that show it in all its grotesque and violence, extended from the revolutionaries in the streets, to innocent children, and to the members of the royal family. In this, Nabokov tells us that the 1905 Russian Revolution involved everybody and forgave nobody.\nAlexy, Archbishop of Orekhovo-Zuevskij. “The Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich.” Spasnanovom. Novospassky Monastery, http://www.spasnanovom.ru/330105.\nNabokov, Vladimir. Speak, memory. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1999.\nRiasanovsky, Nicholas V. and Steinberg, Mark D. A History of Russia. 7th ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005.\n1.) Vladimir Nabokov, Speak, Memory (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1999), 107.\n2.) Nicholas V. Riasanovsky and Mark D. Steinberg, A History of Russia, 7th ed. (New York: Oxford University Press, 2005), 398-399.\n3.) Ibid., 408-409.\n5.) Vladimir Nabokov, Speak, Memory (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1999), 18-19.\n6.) Ibid., 71.\n9.) Vladimir Nabokov, Speak, Memory (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1999), 15.\n10.) Ibid., 15.\n13.) Ibid., 134.\n16.) Nicholas V. Riasanovsky and Mark D. Steinberg, A History of Russia, 7th ed. (New York: Oxford University Press, 2005), 379.\n17.) Vladimir Nabokov, Speak, Memory (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1999), 144.\n25.) Nicholas V. Riasanovsky and Mark D. Steinberg, A History of Russia, 7th ed. (New York: Oxford University Press, 2005), 380-381.\n26.) Vladimir Nabokov, Speak, Memory (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1999), 16.\n33.) Alexy, Archbishop of Orekhovo-Zuevskij, “The Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich,” Spasnanovom. Novospassky Monastery, http://www.spasnanovom.ru/330105.\n34.) Vladimir Nabokov, Speak, Memory (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1999), 50-51.\nBasu-Zharku, I. O. (2011). \"The 1905 Russian Revolution through the Eyes of Vladimir Nabokov in Speak, Memory.\" Inquiries Journal/Student Pulse, 3(01). Retrieved from http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/a?id=374\nBasu-Zharku, Iulia O. \"The 1905 Russian Revolution through the Eyes of Vladimir Nabokov in Speak, Memory.\" Inquiries Journal/Student Pulse 3.01 (2011). \nBasu-Zharku, Iulia O. 2011. The 1905 Russian Revolution through the Eyes of Vladimir Nabokov in Speak, Memory. Inquiries Journal/Student Pulse 3 (01), http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/a?id=374\nBASU-ZHARKU, I. O. 2011. The 1905 Russian Revolution through the Eyes of Vladimir Nabokov in Speak, Memory. Inquiries Journal/Student Pulse [Online], 3. Available: http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/a?id=374\nIulia O. 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Read Article »\nComparative Literature Sophocles Clint Eastwood Tragedy Reconciliation Atonement","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1414223"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7610269784927368,"wiki_prob":0.7610269784927368,"text":"Burned Alive: Can the U.S. Continue to Justify Lethal Injection?\nAmanda Fickett\nKen Piorkowski via Wikimedia Commons\nFor most Americans, the phrase \"death penalty\" conjures images of an orange-clad inmate strapped to a metal gurney, his last shallow breaths behind glass in a sterile room. Others with longer memories might see the grim outline of an electric chair or a hooded figure edging toward the hangman's noose.\nBut Salem Witch Trial-style stake burning? Isn’t that rather 1690s?\nUnlikely as it sounds, \"burning people alive\" is precisely what came up at the Supreme Court last week as the justices grilled lawyers during a particularly grizzly session of oral arguments for Glossip v. Gross, a case that could redefine what constitutes cruel and unusual punishment in the United States.\nGlossip v. Gross is not about whether the death penalty itself is unconstitutional. Instead, this case is about whether the procedure some states use to put prisoners to death is unconstitutionally cruel.\nThe procedure is commonly referred to as the \"three-drug protocol.\" It involves administering a sedative to cause unconsciousness (and prevent pain), followed by another drug to cause paralysis (and to prevent the unsightly thrashing and convulsing that so often accompanies execution), finishing with a third drug, usually potassium chloride, to stop the heart. Though that may sound as humane as the act of putting another human being to death could possibly be, a problem arises when the drug being used as a sedative proves an unreliable way to render someone unconscious.\nDeath row inmates who are executed using an unreliable sedative may suffer ghastly agonizing deaths. Potassium chloride, the third drug used in the three-drug protocol, creates the sensation of, put bluntly, being burned alive. Without a proper sedative, lethal injection transforms from an efficient, humane way to administer death into a modern twist on the medieval.\nJames Heilman via Wikimedia Commons\nMidazolam is the drug at the center of this controversy. It is a sedative, but the question is whether it is the right kind of sedative.\nIf a state’s chosen method of execution creates an imminent risk that a condemned prisoner will feel severe pain, the Court has held such a method would run afoul of the Constitution. If a particular sedative does not reliably put prisoners into a deep state of unconsciousness before the more lethal drugs are administered, there is a strong argument the use of that sedative is unconstitutional. Sixteen professors of pharmacology wrote an amicus brief to the Supreme Court pointing out that \"there is overwhelming scientific consensus, including among pharmacologists, that midazolam is incapable of inducing a 'deep, comalike [sic] unconsciousness.'\" Essentially, evidence shows that midazolam will put someone to sleep, and it might prevent that person from waking up when a needle is\nTo read more, continue to the next page.\ninserted; however, it might not keep them asleep through more intense pain. In terms of lethal injection, that fact is crucial.\nMidazolam also has what's called a \"ceiling effect\"-- meaning that once you've administered a certain dosage, the effect does not become any more intense. It's roughly analogous to taking more than your recommended dosage of ibuprofen: at a certain point it's not going to help your headache pain dissipate so much as just be toxic to your system.\nFewer choices in the cupboard\nThe logical question, then, is why use this drug? States have only recently begun to use midazolam; many drugs used in the past are simply no longer available, as pharmaceutical manufacturers are increasingly less willing to supply them for use in executions. Akorn Pharmaceuticals, for example, now requires that its distributors agree to keep its medicines out of correctional institutions.\nAccording to Manny Fernandez of the New York Times, \"the decision by manufacturers to cut off supplies of drugs, some of which had been widely used in executions for decades, has left many of the nation’s 32 death penalty states scrambling to come up with new drugs and protocols.\" That means states must either postpone executions or make do with whatever is in the cupboard, so to speak. And the list of obtainable drugs is growing short.\nSupport from medical professional associations is rapidly waning as well. Both the American Society of Anesthesiologists and the American Pharmacist Association currently discourage their respective members against providing medications for executions. In March, the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists adopted a similar policy.\nJustice v. Vengeance\nThe use of midazolam has already resulted in several horrific botched executions. For instance, The Guardian reports that 38-year old Clayton Lockett, \"groaned, writhed, lifted his head and shoulders off the gurney and said 'man!'\" before blinds were drawn to block witnesses' view of the execution. After that, things took an even more gruesome turn. Witnesses within the execution room recounted Lockett thrashing and gasping, as well as the presence of a lot of blood after a doctor accidentally struck an\nartery while searching for another viable vein. Ultimately, it took Clayton Lockett an excruciating forty-three minutes to die.\nA few months later, Joseph R. Wood III was executed in Arizona using a similar drug protocol; his death took nearly two hours.\nLockett and Wood were not what you would call sympathetic cases; the fact is, death row inmates seldom are. It's not easy to get the general public to care about how painful a death might be when the sentence itself stems from the commission of a heinous act of violence.\nBut no matter their crimes and no matter how little consideration they might deserve, the Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits cruel and unusual punishment--without exception. While the Court has not yet interpreted the Eighth Amendment to prohibit the death penalty altogether, it has held that a \"clear risk of severe pain\" is enough to postpone an execution until a painless method can be found.\nSo does a drug cocktail that has the potential to cause a human person to feel as if they are slowly being burned alive meet that standard? The Court will decide in June.\nThe battle during oral arguments was sharply split along ideological lines. Conservative justices could not contain their ire at what Justice Alito called \"a guerilla war against the death penalty,\" with Justice Scalia railing against the \"abolitionist movement\" that he seems to believe has taken control away from the American people to decide how to administer punishment. Liberal justices, on the other hand, showed tremendous concern over whether midazolam by itself is sufficiently effective as a sedative to pass constitutional muster.\nAs with many things ideological, the deciding vote will likely belong to Justice Anthony Kennedy, who sat virtually silent throughout oral arguments. And which way Kennedy chooses to vote will likely depend upon whether he is persuaded that a ruling against an unreliable three-drug protocol will sound the death knell for lethal injections.\nWhile a majority of Americans still agree with the practice, support for the death penalty is declining in the U.S. Approval rates that were as high as 78 percent in the mid-nineties have plummeted to 56 percent in recent years. But while approval rates have tended to yo-yo in the U.S., global support for the death penalty has seen a\nsteady decline. According to Amnesty International, 16 countries had abolished the death penalty in 1977. That number rose to 140 by 2013.\nIn 2012, the U.S. ranked 5th highest in the world for the number of reported executions. Despite the perception that criminal investigations operate like episodes of CSI, or that trials play out like episodes of Law & Order, reality is a lot messier. Human beings make mistakes: we misremember things, we forget faces, we confuse facts. Sometimes, as a result, innocent people go to jail. Sometimes those innocent people are put to death. The LA Times reports that according to a study published by Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), around four percent of defendants who are found guilty of capital crimes and sentenced to death are, in fact, innocent. As of January 1 of this year there were 3,019 inmates on death row; if the PNAS study is correct, at least 121 of them are innocent.\nEven when we use technology to guide us, those methods can also fail. In a very recent and unsettling article, Business Insider's Christina Sterbenz reports that, before the advent of mitochondrial DNA analysis, the best biological tool in criminal investigation was hair microscopy. In this method, analysts essentially would compare hairs found at crime scenes under a microscope and testify about their findings. According to Sterbenz, \"[a]nalysts gave testimony in 268 cases and made 'erroneous statements' in 257 of those cases…. Defendants in at least 35 of these cases got the death penalty, and 33 of those cases contained errors. Five of them, however, died of natural causes while on death row, and nine of them have already been executed.\" It is very possible that some of the individuals who died in prison or who were executed were innocent.\nThe extinguishing of innocent life is only one of a myriad reasons that public support for the death penalty is waning. Statistics show that capital punishment is not reserved for our country's most serious offenders. Not only is the punishment applied rather arbitrarily, but race has a tremendous impact on whether a death sentence will be imposed. According to Amnesty International, despite the fact that half of all homicide victims are African-American, \"the single most reliable predictor of whether someone will be sentenced to death is the race of the victim,\" and \"African-American defendants receive the death penalty at three times the rate of white defendants in cases where the victims are white.\"\nWhile we as a nation continue to reevaluate whether the death penalty itself remains constitutional, our Constitution at a minimum requires that, when the state chooses to put people to death, it must do so humanely. While no one disputes that requirement, what constitutes \"humane\" may rest entirely upon the ideological views of the justices--little comfort for those who might languish on death row, some of whom likely were unjustly accused and sentenced to die.\ncruel and unusual death penalty death row Eighth Amendment Glossip v. Gross innocent lethal injection Supreme Court","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line233741"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.870006263256073,"wiki_prob":0.870006263256073,"text":"Music Mondays: Jazz\nMembers of the CSUN Jazz Band perform for the crowd during the College of Humanities and College of Health and Human Development commencement ceremony on May 23. Photo credit: Erik Luna\nMichael Herrera\nJazz has had a major influence on the music most people listen to today. The sounds can be heard through a wide variety of genres including pop, hip-hop, rap and especially rock ‘n’ roll, according to Jazz in America.\nThe genre was also influential for African-Americans in the South as it provided them with an escape from the harsh realities they lived during the time. It was also widely popular in New Orleans during the 19th century and the city is still considered as the birth place of jazz, according to New Orleans Online.\nThere are also some people on campus who voiced their love for the genre.\n“It just resonates differently,” said Jackie Fonseca, 23, who works for the music department. “I love to listen to live jazz. It just has a deeper, fatter sound.”\nFonseca also said one of her favorite jazz artists is Charles Mingus.\nCSUN alumna Marleny Lopez, 25, said she enjoys jazz because she enjoys the different sounds it has.\n“I like smooth jazz because I find it relaxing,” Lopez said. “But I also like upbeat jazz because it always makes me want to dance.”\nLopez said some of her favorite jazz artists Fats Waller and Billie Holiday.\nThis week’s playlist features some amazing artists from the genre including Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra.\nMichael Herrera, Author","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1804481"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7737665772438049,"wiki_prob":0.7737665772438049,"text":"Saints Of Saints\nPaying Tribute to Mr. Lawrence, the Essence of St. George’s School\nSam Shen, Tom Sun, and Cameron Burian|May 29, 2015\nCatrina Van Rijn\nMr. Lawrence after the pie eating contest with Dr. Matthews at the Saints Fair.\nPrincipal Shawn Lawrence, who has been teaching at St. Georges for 32 years, announced his impending retirement at the start of the school year, thus marking the retirement of another well respected member of the St. George’s community. Mr. Lawrence has been a pivotal part of St. George’s school, and his leaving of Saints will be a bittersweet moment for both students and staff, leaving behind a commendable legacy for the next principal to follow.\nA quick Mr. Lawrence bio:\nMr. Lawrence has been a faculty member at St. George’s for 32 years. He was born on the west side of Vancouver, attending Queen Mary for elementary school. His dad’s business moved his family over to Victoria for a couple of years, but his family moved back to the lower mainland in his senior years. He graduated from Burnaby Central and then went to university locally at Simon Fraser University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in science and kinesiology. He started his respectable career at St. George’s in 1983 as a science teacher, and after 20 years of outstanding service, became the head of grade 12 in the fall of 2003. He was head of grade 12 for nine years and is retiring from St. George’s as the senior school principal. He has been an active member in the athletics department, coaching the first XI soccer team for over 15 years, and he has coached the track and field team over his time at St. Georges. Certainly a large legacy to leave behind.\nThe Final Assembly\nOn May 26, the entire school held an assembly to commemorate Mr. Lawrence’s retirement. To start off, Head Boy Quinton Huang shared his memories of Mr. Lawrence as his teacher: “Mr. Lawrence was my first teacher, of the first block, of my first year at Saints”, emphasizing Mr. Lawrence’s longevity and dedication to the school. Following his speech, grade 12 student Christopher Milani spoke about Mr. Lawrence as his soccer coach, always cheering the team up and even letting the team eat breakfast at his house.\nThe senior school band also played two tribute songs, Arabesque and Bohemian Rhapsody. Dr. Mercer then gave a speech about his fellow staff member, describing Mr. Lawrence as a great biology teacher and a vital part of St. George’s over the past few decades. Dr. Matthews finished it off, delivering a heartfelt speech to his friend and colleague, touching upon Mr. Lawrence as both an amazing teacher and friend. Mr. Lawrence’s daughter, Ms. Lawrence, then presented him flowers and a commemorative gift, capping off an emotional moment for the entire St. George’s community.\nHere is an exclusive interview with Mr. Lawrence in which he discusses his retirement and longevity at Saints:\nWe also interviewed many people to share their opinions about Mr. Lawrence.\nFirst, We interviewed Ms. Lawrence. (Mr. Lawrence’s daughter.)\nThe Creed: Is Mr. Lawrence’s behaviour different as a dad rather than a teacher?\nMs. Lawrence: Maybe he’s a little more laid back at home life. I’m sure his discipline for students is a lot different than his own children, but some of it also carries through. I’ve only seen him this year at school, so I’m not too sure.\nThe Creed: How does it feel to work in the same school as your dad?\nMs. Lawrence: Weird and awesome. It’s kinda strange seeing your dad and realizing he’s your dad but also your boss. Saying “Hey dad!” in the hallway is probably inappropriate when I do that, because I should probably be calling him Mr. Lawrence.\nThe Creed: Did you expect his retirement to be earlier or later?\nMs. Lawrence: I expected it to be around now. I don’t think it would be later.\nThe Creed: How has he inspired you to become a teacher?\nMs. Lawrence: He’s totally inspired me to become a teacher probably since high school. I think I witnessed his life here at Saints, and it was awesome. As a child, I’ve been coming here since I was born and I’ve been part of the school with my dad, who’s been here for 33 years. So, I get to come to all the Saints’ fairs, children playtimes, and even help staffing. I saw my dad’s experience here and I thought it was awesome, which inspired me to become a teacher.\nThe Creed: Is there anything you want to tell us about him?\nMs. Lawrence: Well, he’s got four daughters at home, so it’s all girls at home. But he works at an all boys school. So it’s probably quite a different life. It’s kind of funny how we don’t have any boys in our family but he decided to work at an all boys school.\nWe then interviewed Mr. Yen, a former student of Mr. Lawrence.\nThe Creed: What classes did you have with Mr. Lawrence?\nMr. Yen: He was my advisor in Gr.11 and my Biology teacher in my senior years.\nThe Creed: Can you tell us about his teaching skills?\nMr. Yen: He was a calm teacher, and I cannot recall him ever yelling at any of my classmates. He knew so much information about biology. He was great at explaining the subject and he told us everything we needed to know. Overall, he was a great teacher.\nThe Creed: What was your favourite thing he taught you at school?\nMr. Yen: I think that the favourite thing he taught me was during my advisor group. He really emphasized the sense of community to us and that we were all apart of the same family.\nThe Creed: Was he a mentor for you to pursuit a teaching career?\nMr. Yen: I am not 100 percent sure if he was a mentor for my pursuit of a teaching career. He was definitely an influence for sure. I like to use his style of teaching when I am the teacher in the classroom.\nFinally, we interviewed Dr. Matthews, the headmaster of St. George’s School.\nThe Creed: How long have you known Mr. Lawrence for?\nDr. Matthews: I’ve known him for 5 years, back when he was the head of grade 12.\nThe Creed: In 3 words, how would you describe Mr. Lawrence?\nDr. Matthews: Kind, respectful, and upbeat. He’s always positive and just a great person to be around, always with a smile on his face.\nThe Creed: How would you describe your relationship with Mr. Lawrence?\nDr. Matthews: We’ve had a close relationship over the years, working together on a daily basis. I both admire and respect him.\nThe Creed: Do you have a favourite Mr. Lawrence memory?\nDr. Matthews: That’s a tough one… there have been so many moments over the years. I would have to say the farewell assembly on Tuesday was very powerful for me. Just the community coming together to say farewell, showing respect and giving kind recognition.\nHave a happy retirement, Mr. Lawrence! You will be missed.\nSam Shen, Staff Writer\nTom Sun, Staff Writer\nGiving Back: SGS Casual Day\nOn Friday February 23, the St. George’s Senior School participated in its monthly Friday Casual Day to support a charity. The main past beneficiary ...\nStep Into The Shoes of St. George’s Grads\nPurple Rain: Spirit Day","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1120360"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5120398998260498,"wiki_prob":0.4879601001739502,"text":"Travel to London a Perfect Destination\nLondon is one of the world’s leading holiday destinations. An incredible number of visitors travel here each year to view the numerous sight-seeing opportunities the city can offer.\nLondon for the Traveller\nThe metropolis has got a wealth of galleries and museums, royal palaces, spectacular points of interest, as well as a vast selection of cultural sites such as the parliament buildings, Buckingham palace and market areas.\nAs a favoured tourist choice, London delivers a broad range of overnight accommodation for its visitors. There is certainly no lack of places to stay or even themed hotels within the main areas.\nThe Horse Guards is considered the official ceremonial entrance to St James’s and Buckingham Palace. However, the clock face over the entrance has got a black blot marking the hour that King Charles I had been executed, 2pm. A strange way for you to honour the death of your monarch.\nYou will discover all types of accommodation to match the budget of each and every traveller. Holiday cottages or maybe travel inns are additionally here for those who would like to savour the tranquillity in areas that surround the city.\nThe capital is well supported with excellent transport links; as a result, it makes it much easier to visit just about any place of interest.\nNonetheless, if you’d like to make your trip more enjoyable, prepare and plan the journey beforehand. Search for hotels from which you will get easy accessibility to nearby points of interest, shopping, and any night-life.\nIf you’re a budget vacationer, you’ll find several hostels and affordable hotels close to tube-stations or significant attractions and even lively night-life venues.\nThat said, whether you’re a vacation traveller that’s here to experience the many attractions or any royal sights. Maybe a business traveller on the road, the wide-ranging places to stay to choose from will guarantee that you’re not in short supply of the activities within the city.\nWhy you need to Visit London\nVery few cities around the world can really awaken the feelings, passionate visions, ambitious character, waves of pleasure, possibly even twinges of envy. Let’s not forget the motivation for books and movies.\nEven the obsessions of war starved despots, as well as the sales tools for TV companies that display graphics across our televisions, making us think, this has to be necessary. Plausible global news agencies that cover those valuable reports when they take place.\nThe travel and leisure program that has been to some seriously impressive destinations let’s see the place they are going to this evening. Having said that, you’ll be able to really claim your at the top of the game as soon as they pen a nursery rhyme about one of your best bridges, whether or not it’s falling down.\nLondon could be the greatest survivor.\nIt’s survived and triumphed over conquests, fires, wars, terrorism, plagues and demonstrations. Through all of that, Londoners stand very proud and defiant while they adjust and carry on and build up their city.\nFor a person becoming a black cab driver, they have to take a test called ‘The Knowledge’, that requires them to memorise each and every street throughout the capital. Cab drivers may spend years learning the whole thing. Some walk around the city to register every one of the streets and back alleys inside their heads.\nJust about the most popular tourist destination worldwide, this magnificent city gives the traveller a mix of new and old worlds like no place else. On the one hand, London can be progressive, dynamic, vibrant, and even excessive alternatively, traditional, practical and frustratingly developed. A mixture of the expected and the sudden, however seldom the disheartening, and people who live here wouldn’t like it any different.\nGenerally, all people know a bit about London well before they’ve been officially introduced. It could be the recognizable images of the Royal family, cricket at the oval, those fashion-conscious ladies, bowler hats, spectacular castles, the sweeping river Thames, Wimbledon, monopoly board landmarks, East end humour and West End theatre.\nMaybe it’s the cobbled streets of Charles Dickens, fish’n’chips drowning in vinegar and passionate soccer fans. Possibly the labyrinth on the tube, or the societal phenomena and mix of music being celebrated through many decades beginning in the swinging ’60s.\nBut much more than that, the metropolis is acknowledged for its valuable culture and history. The place you’ll find Britain’s national art collections, stunning architecture, world premiere productions, leading orchestras, opera companies. There’s something for all visitors regardless of your traditional and artistic persuasions.\nYou can be forgiven for thinking we waste time in the pub cracking jokes and telling hard-luck stories. Even doing deals for dodgy stuff that fell off the back of a lorry.\nIt’s a common mistake, but Big Ben is really not the name of the legendary Tower in London. Big Ben is really the name for the actual bell inside of the Tower. The name is at times extended to clock also. Even locals nowadays relate to this as being the Big Ben tower. The Tower is situated in the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London.\nIn reality, there are far more recreational areas and green spaces within London than another city of its size worldwide. It’s where many of us stroll, have a picnic, and even have fun, far from the bustle of city living, up until the pub opens up anyway.\nThe metropolis is known as a shopper’s heaven; ask just about any woman furnished with credit cards and weakest of excuses to go on a spending spree. Right from leading retail stores to fashionable boutiques and street traders, for those who can’t find it while in London, it likely doesn’t exist.\nOnce you’ve carried everything back to the hotel, you’ll find countless bars, dining places, night-clubs and theatres. Or perhaps stand up comedy and live music venues that will keep you engaged well into the very early hours.\nLondon has additionally accepted multiculturalism like few locations on earth. It is now a cultural cauldron with well over 9 million individuals from around the world today, calling the place home.\nThe combination with western cultures and people coming from the West Indies, Africa, and across Asia. All have evolved the city into one of the more varied locations for travellers, along with the tens of thousands that come back every single year.\nThe best places to visit in London\nIf you’re planning on taking a holiday in London, don’t forget to take full advantage of this fantastic city with everything it can offer.\nThe entire city of London is filled with a tremendous selection of places to visit and things you can do and discover, for everyone among all cultures and age groups.\nTruly being one of the most significant cultural capitals across the world, the city delivers sight-seeing and tour options like nowhere else. Going to London entails enjoying the city within all its beauty and fantastic sight-seeing.\nBelow are a few of the very best sight-seeing destinations in the city of London.\nThe British Museum established during 1753 with an assortment of exceptional items which had all been given by Sir Hans Sloane, a doctor. During the 1800s, this particular museum acquired further interest. It started to prosper, which then enhanced its selection of items to at the moment over eight million subjects.\nIt’s believed that London in the prehistoric era was simply a selection of scattered rural settlements. Spearheads and weapons belonging to the Bronze and Iron Ages have been discovered about the Thames. Also, a recent archaeological dig near Vauxhall uncovered signs of a likely wooden bridge over the Thames around 3,000yrs ago!\nThis museum’s constitution states it must be open at no cost to everyone curious and who are wanting to learn more. And so, come and have a day roaming throughout the everlasting corridors.\nBrowsing and finding a lot of the most beautiful works of humankind’s successes and enjoy several of the very best artefacts from the Egyptian and even Greek empires.\nThe London Eye is probably one of the most fashionable sight-seeing destinations these days. This fantastic wheel stands at 135 meters tall overlooking the city of London, and it’s at present regarded as one of the highest viewing wheels all over the world.\nThis incredible production of modern-day engineering enables tourists to see over London through an entirely different perspective. Letting visitors see areas of the city that you’ll find are usually never seen from the ground.\nGoing to the London Eye has long been referred to as an ‘enchanting and provoking experience’ and no trip to London being full without having visited this monument.\nSaint Paul’s Cathedral gives a fascinating picture of a British Empire of yesteryear. It is also a fantastic achievement for the reconstruction of London that happened following the great fire of 1666.\nThe very last execution that was performed at the Tower of London wasn’t nearly as long ago as you may think. During 1941 a German spy named Josef Jakobs had been captured and executed using firing squad in the Tower.\nRenowned for hosting wedding ceremonies, festivities and even funerals of many of the most exceptional leaders of Britain, the Cathedral appeals to incredible numbers of tourists every single year.\nThe National Gallery, located in the middle of Trafalgar Square, houses several of the most beautiful pieces of art worldwide.\nMany of these creations go back to the 13th century. Building the gallery began during 1832, and since that time it’s accumulated many excellent works of art, including those by Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir, Da Vinci, and many others.\nVisitors often will commit days attempting to see all the items within the gallery.\nLondon Zoo situated on the northern edge of Regents Park is among the most well-liked zoo’s globally it’s where you will find 17,000 animals across more than 750 species. Really worth visiting, people travel from all areas of the planet to discover the wildlife displays that can be put on every day.\nTate Modern considered one of London’s most advanced galleries, typically the Tate Modern includes wonderful collections and various displays of contemporary art. Popular with both, kids and also adults, experts in addition to newcomers, the Tate Modern contains significant collections from artists such as Matisse, Bacon and Andy Warhol.\nThe London Underground or Metropolitan Railway, as it was first called, opened in 1863 is the world’s first underground passenger railway. Today, this system has 270 stations and 249 miles of track, which makes it the 3rd longest on the planet.\nThe Tower of London was primarily constructed of stone that has been shipped in from France along with other local stone. The Tower or ‘Bloody Tower’ is known to have imprisoned, secure and in many cases execute wrongdoers in past times.\nThe Natural History Museum is an enigmatic gothic style property that’s where you will find many of the most popular collections of dinosaurs anywhere. The Natural History Museum contains displays that take over the vast halls and building.\nThe Madame Tussaud’s a museum that’s packed with life-like waxworks along with animated displays demonstrating the darker side of history.\nWestminster Abbey is definitely an ancient work of breathtaking importance as well as the burial ground for many of the very most well-known kings, statesmen, music artists, scientists and even poets ever since the 11th century. The Abbey features many of the most fascinating literary works and creative talent in the form of artwork, wall art and even tombs.\nOnce you decide to visit London, you’ll be sure of an excellent time. There are numerous sights and places to stay you will end up spoiled for choice.\nReasons Everyone Should Visit Wales\nWales may be small but comes up big when compared …Read more »\nVisiting Scotland Beautiful Countryside\nScotland is full of experiences that can make your trip …Read more »\nLanzarote this Stunning Island\nEven though Lanzarote is a popular beach destination, particularly in …Read more »\nFraser Island a Beautiful World Heritage Site\nThe primary appeal of Fraser Island combines beautiful quiet streams, …Read more »\nAndalusia Southern Spain\nBy the era of the Roman conquest, Andalusia was home …Read more »","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1259603"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6211254000663757,"wiki_prob":0.6211254000663757,"text":"Home » Public Involvement and News » Press Releases » DEC Statewide Forest Ranger Highlights\nFor Release: Tuesday, January 12, 2021\nDEC Statewide Forest Ranger Highlights\nRecent Forest Ranger Actions\nNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents statewide. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations, and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured, or distressed people from across New York State.\nIn 2019, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 337 search and rescue missions, extinguished 74 wildfires that burned a total of 212 acres, participated in 29 prescribed fires that burned and rejuvenated 645 acres, and worked on cases that resulted in 2,507 tickets or arrests.\n\"During New York's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, more people are enjoying the outdoors than ever before and our Forest Rangers are on the front lines to help people get outside responsibly and get home safely,\" said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. \"Rangers' knowledge of first aid, land navigation, and technical rescue techniques are critical to the success of their missions, which for more than a century have taken them from remote wilderness areas with rugged mountain peaks, to white water rivers, and throughout our vast forests statewide.\"\nTown of Cortlandt\nWilderness Search: On Dec. 29, 2020 at 6 p.m., a New York State Police Investigator contacted Forest Ranger Lt. Ashida for assistance locating a missing person. The individual was last seen fleeing the scene of a motor vehicle accident in the town of Cortlandt on Dec. 15, 2020. At 11 a.m. on Dec. 30, Lt. Ashida and Forest Ranger Pries organized a search effort along with New York State Police and the Peekskill Police Department, conducting a type 1 search along Sprout Brook Road south of where the accident occurred. A gray hooded sweatshirt that fit the description of what the man was wearing was found approximately 100 yards south of the accident site, just above the water line of Sprout Brook. After several days of searching, on Jan. 4, the missing man was located deceased in a stream about 3/4 of a mile from the accident scene. The incident is being investigated by Peekskill and State police.\nTown of Dresden\nWilderness Rescue: On Jan. 9 at 5:16 p.m., DEC's Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a 28-year-old hiker from Ballston Spa who became disoriented and lost the trail while hiking Erebus Mountain. Three Forest Rangers responded to assist. Ranger Hess entered the Lake George Wild Forest at the end of Shelving Rock Road while Rangers Donegan and St. Claire entered by boat from the Green Island Maintenance Center. At 9:30 p.m., Rangers located the lost hiker and proceeded to warm her and assess her injuries. The hiker was safely escorted down to the boat for transport back to the maintenance center and given a courtesy ride back to her vehicle at the trailhead. Rangers were cleared of the scene and back in service at 10:55 p.m.\nBe sure to properly prepare and plan before entering the backcountry. Visit DEC's Hike Smart NY, Adirondack Backcountry Information and Catskill Backcountry Information webpages for more information.\nPress Office - Jeff Wernick","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line776671"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7436599135398865,"wiki_prob":0.2563400864601135,"text":"Mercedes-Benz Vans to launch midsize pickup.\nThe new Mercedes-Benz pickup will initially be targeted at markets in Latin America, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Europe, all of which are posting sustained growth in this segment.nd of the decade, Mercedes-Benz will expand its product range into a promising segment by launching the first pickup from a premium manufacturer.\nThe midsize pickup segment is currently undergoing a transformation worldwide. More and more pickups are being used for private purposes, and commercial as well as private users are increasingly asking for vehicles that have car-like specifications. Mercedes-Benz is the first premium manufacturer to respond to this market shift by developing its own pickup.\nA similar example was the successful introduction of the M-Class around 20 years ago. As the first sport utility vehicle (SUV) from a premium manufacturer, the M-Class completely redefined the segment.\nThanks to their versatility, all-round utility, and payload of about one metric ton, pickups are popular across the world and thus have good sales potential.\nMr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars Division said “The Mercedes-Benz pickup will contribute nicely to our global growth targets, we will enter this segment with our distinctive brand identity and all of the vehicle attributes that are typical of the brand with regard to safety, comfort, powertrains, and value”.\nVolker Mornhinweg, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, adds: “As part of our ‘Mercedes-Benz Vans goes global’ strategy, the pickup is the ideal vehicle for the international expansion of our product range with a newly developed model.”\nMercedes-Benz Vans: Centre of competence for commercially and privately used vehicles.\nThe new Mercedes-Benz pickup will initially be targeted at markets in Latin America, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Europe, all of which are posting sustained growth in this segment.\nThe Mercedes-Benz Vans division is responsible for the new vehicle. With its many years of experience in developing, manufacturing, and marketing vehicles that are used commercially as well as privately.\n“We are very excited that we will be able to perfectly serve customers looking for a vehicle that offers a high level of utility and at the same time has the comfort, safety, and design of a Mercedes-Benz passenger car. We have been working on this project for a number of years and Australia and New Zealand have been an integral part of the program from the very beginning. We will be conducting product testing in Australia over the next couple of years,” says Diane Tarr, Managing Director, Mercedes-Benz Vans.\nGet ready for the Mercedes-Benz pickup","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line874012"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5007279515266418,"wiki_prob":0.5007279515266418,"text":"Tag Archives: ghost writers\nA woman in a man’s world determined to succeed on her own terms.\n(2018) Biographical Drama (Bleecker Street) Keira Knightley, Dominic West, Fiona Shaw, Robert Pugh, Sloan Thompson, Arabella Weir, Máté Haumann, Ray Panthaki, Al Weaver, Virág Bárány, Dickie Beau, Kylie Watt, Janine Harouni, Jake Graf, Joe Geary, Rebecca Root, Julian Wadham, Eleanor Tomlinson, Polina Litvak, István Gyurity, Karen Gagnon, Alexandra Szucs. Directed by Wash Westmoreland\nSidonie-Gabrielle Colette, who went by her last name as a pen name (Knightley), was one of the most successful women in the history of French literature. She emerged from La Belle Epoque as a virtual rock star, and her stubborn refusal to live on any other terms but her own remain an inspiration to women – and men – even today.\nColette, a simple girl from the Burgundy countryside, ends up marrying Parisian roustabout Henry Gauthier-Villars (West) who is better known to Parisian society as Willy. He is known for biting and acerbic theater reviews, essays and short stories but the problem is that he hasn’t written a word of any of that. He has an army of writers who supply hi with the material which he passes off as his own.\nThe most talented of these is his wife and her Claudine novels take Paris by storm. Relegated to a background role by her egotistical husband, at first she is content to write her novels but as Willy’s gambling debts and lavish lifestyle take a toll on their finances, he begins to resort to outrageous measures to force his wife to meet publishing deadlines, such as locking her in a room. His serial infidelity also begins to upset her; she responds by doing the same thing he does – sleep with other women. She also prefers to dress like a man, which was illegal in France at the time and was quite the scandal.\nEventually she manages to win her independence from Willy but it isn’t easy and it isn’t without pain. The real Colette was an admirable woman and this screen version can only scratch the surface of who she was, Knightley’s fine performance to the contrary. Her chemistry with West palpably sizzles, and the two make one of the best dysfunctional couples you’re likely to see on the screen for some time.\nWestmoreland has a keen eye and fills the screen with sumptuous scenes of lush countrysides, lavish salons and decadent theaters. There is a lot of sex in the movie – ah, those lusty French! – which to be honest begin to get in the way of the story. It’s a bit on the long side and some of the decadence could surely have been cut out; we get the picture, after all.\nThis is a pretty decent biography, but it doesn’t do her justice at the end of the day. There are some fine biographies of her extant and you would do better to pick up one of those. It’s not really Westmoreland’s fault; a movie can only do so much justice to a life in just under two hours. Still, it is dazzling to look at and not just because of Knightley’s lustrous beauty.\nREASONS TO SEE: Beautifully shot, both exteriors and interiors.\nREASONS TO AVOID: Doesn’t really do justice to the subject.\nFAMILY VALUES: There is sexuality and some nudity.\nTRIVIAL PURSUIT: This is the first feature film to be directed solely by Westmoreland, who until then had always co-directed with his partner Richard Glatzer, who died of Charcot’s disease in 2015.\nBEYOND THE THEATERS: Amazon, AMC On Demand, AppleTV, Fandango Now, Google Play, Kanopy, Microsoft, Redbox, Vudu, YouTube\nCRITICAL MASS: As of 1/17/20: Rotten Tomatoes: 87% positive reviews: Metacritic: 74/100.\nCOMPARISON SHOPPING: Coco Before Chanel\nNEXT: A Star is Born (2018)\nPosted in VOD Review\t| Tagged 1890s, betrayal, biographical drama, bisexuality, Bleecker Street, Burgundy, cinema, Cinema365, Colette, decadence, Dominic West, dysfunctional marriage, Eleanor Tomlinson, Films, financial ruin, Fiona Shaw, France, gambling debts, ghost writers, Keira Knightley, La Belle Epoque, lavish lifestyle, menage a trois, movies, Paris, philandering, Robert Pugh, salons, theater reviews, VOD Reviews\t| Leave a reply","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1622986"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6048229336738586,"wiki_prob":0.6048229336738586,"text":"Rapid drug development yields potential treatment for yellow fever\nYellow fever, a hemorrhagic disease that is common in South America and sub-Saharan Africa, infects about 200,000 people per year and causes an estimated 30,000 deaths.\nWhile there is a vaccine for yellow fever, it can't be given to some people because of the risk of side effects, and there are no approved treatments for the disease.\nAn international team of researchers, led by MIT Professor Ram Sasisekharan, has now developed a potential treatment for yellow fever.\nTheir drug, an engineered monoclonal antibody that targets the virus, has shown success in early-stage clinical trials in Singapore.\nThis class of antibodies holds promise for treating a variety of infectious diseases, but it usually takes several years to develop and test them. The MIT-led researchers demonstrated that they could design, produce, and begin clinical trials of their antibody drug within seven months.\nTheir approach, which condenses the timeline by performing many of the steps necessary for drug development in parallel, could also be applied to developing new treatments for Covid-19, says Sasisekharan, the Alfred H. Caspary Professor of Biological Engineering and Health Sciences and Technology.\nHe adds that a potential Covid-19 antibody treatment, developed using this approach in a process that took just four months, has shown no adverse events in healthy volunteers in phase I clinical trials, and phase 3 trials are expected to start in early August in Singapore.\nTraditional drug development processes are very linear, and they take many years. If you're going to get something to humans fast, you can't do it linearly, because then the best-case scenario for testing in humans is a year to 18 months. If you need to develop a drug in six months or less, then a lot of these things need to happen in parallel.\"\nRam Sasisekharan, Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology\nJenny Low, a senior consultant in infectious diseases at Singapore General Hospital, is the lead author of the study, which appears today in the New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers from the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, and the biotechnology company Tysana Pte also contributed to the study.\nSeveral types of monoclonal antibodies have been approved to treat a variety of cancers. These engineered antibodies help to stimulate a patient's immune system to attack tumors by binding to proteins found on cancerous cells.\nMany researchers are also working on monoclonal antibodies to treat infectious diseases. In recent years, scientists have developed an experimental cocktail of three monoclonal antibodies that target the Ebola virus, which has shown some success in clinical trials in the Democratic Republic of Congo.\nSasisekharan began working on a \"rapid response\" to emerging infectious diseases after the Zika outbreak that started in 2015. Singapore, which experienced a small outbreak of the Zika virus in 2016, is home to the SMART antimicrobial resistance research group, where Sasisekharan is a principal investigator.\nThe Sasisekharan lab antibody design process uses computational methods to target functionally important, and evolutionarily stable, regions on the virus. Building blocks from a database of all known antibody elements are selected based on several criteria, including their functional importance, to build candidate antibodies to evaluate.\nAdvanced nanomaterial-based biosensing platform detects COVID-19 antibodies within seconds\nStudy: DOT1L enzyme is essential for humoral immune responses\nTesting these candidates provides valuable feedback, and the design loop continues until an optimized antibody that fully neutralizes the target virus is identified.\nThe group also explored new approaches to compress the timeline by performing many of the necessary steps in parallel, using analytical techniques to address regulatory risks associated with drug safety, manufacturing, and clinical study design.\nUsing this approach, the researchers developed a candidate Zika treatment within nine months. They performed phase 1a clinical trials to test for safety in March 2018, but by the time they were ready to test the drug's effectiveness in patients, the outbreak had ended. However, the team hopes to eventually test it in areas where the disease is still present.\nSasisekharan and his colleagues then decided to see if they could apply the same approach to developing a potential treatment for yellow fever.\nYellow fever, a mosquito-borne disease, tends to appear seasonally in tropical and subtropical regions of South America and Africa. A particularly severe outbreak began in January 2018 in Brazil and lasted for several months.\nThe MIT/SMART team began working on developing a yellow fever antibody treatment in March 2018, in hopes of having it ready to counter an outbreak so that it could be made available for potential patients in late 2018 or early 2019, when another outbreak was expected.\nThey identified promising antibody candidates based on their ability to bind to the viral envelope and neutralize the virus that causes yellow fever.\nThe researchers narrowed their candidates down to one antibody, which they called TY014. They then developed production methods to create small, uniform batches that they could use to perform necessary testing phases in parallel.\nThese tests include studying the drugs' effectiveness in human cells, determining the most effective dosages, testing for potential toxicity, and analyzing how the drug behaves in animal models. As soon as they had results indicating that the treatment would be safe, they began clinical trials in December 2018.\n\"The mindset in the industry is that it's like a relay race. You don't start the next lap until you finish the previous lap,\" Sasisekharan says. \"In our case, we start each runner as soon as we can.\"\nTY014 was clinically tested in parallel to address safety through dose escalation in healthy human volunteers. Once an appropriate dose was deemed safe, the researchers began a phase 1b trial, in which they measured the antibody's ability to clear the virus.\nEven though the 1b trial had begun, the 1a trial continued until a maximum safe dose in humans was identified.\nBecause there is a vaccine available for yellow fever, the researchers could perform a type of clinical trial known as a challenge test.\nThey first vaccinated volunteers, then 24 hours later, they gave them either the experimental antibody drug or a placebo. Two days after that, they measured whether the drug cleared the weakened viruses that make up the vaccine.\nThe researchers found that following treatment, the virus was undetectable in blood samples from people who received the antibodies.\nThe treatment also reduced inflammation following vaccination, compared to people who received the vaccine but not the antibody treatment. The phase 1b trial was completed in July 2019, and the researchers now hope to perform phase 2 clinical trials in patients infected with the disease.\nPosted in: Drug Discovery & Pharmaceuticals | Disease/Infection News\nTags: Antibodies, Antibody, Antimicrobial Resistance, Biotechnology, Blood, Clinical Trial, Drugs, Ebola Virus, Fever, Hospital, Immune System, Infectious Diseases, Inflammation, Manufacturing, Medical School, Medicine, Monoclonal Antibody, Mosquito, Placebo, Research, Vaccine, Virus, Yellow Fever, Zika Virus\nResearchers develop novel nanobodies against SARS coronavirus-2\nScientists use genomics to track the outbreak of Yellow fever virus in São Paulo\nKobe University and Sysmex conduct joint research on new blood test for identifying COVID-19\nNovel treatments could cut the death rate from dengue, Zika, West Nile viruses\nProteogenomic study may lead to more effective treatments for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma\nPresence of microbes in the lung can modulate lung cancer pathogenesis\nResearchers discover new 'hidden' gene in SARS-CoV-2\nMutations in SARS-CoV-2 spike protein may improve monoclonal antibody resistance\nPairs of antibodies may be more effective at preventing and treating COVID-19","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line688528"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8673617839813232,"wiki_prob":0.8673617839813232,"text":"Facebook wants to prevent the adpocalypse... with ads\nBy Adrian Potoroaca\t on December 17, 2020, 14:55 12 comments\nIn brief: Earlier this month, Facebook was sued by the FTC along with 48 state attorneys-general over several antitrust issues. In response, the social giant thought Apple should be getting more of that attention for providing users with more information and the ability to opt out of data collection in apps like Facebook and Instagram, which have rather long lists of things they track.\nFacebook is the most vocal critic for the new App Tracking Transparency feature that Apple introduced in iOS 14.3. The feature was overdue, as privacy advocates pressed Apple to implement it as soon as possible to give users a better look at ways apps track their personal information.\nFacebook faces a projected a revenue drop of around 40 percent, which is partly the reason why the company has gone on a crusade against Apple as of late. On Wednesday, the social giant started a campaign consisting of full-page newspaper ads in publications like the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post, seeking to enlist more public support for the idea that small businesses would be affected by Apple's limiting of data gathering and targeted ads.\nFacebook isn't entirely wrong when they say that targeted ads are more likely to get the kind of engagement that generates revenue for small businesses, who either can't or choose not to charge a fee for the services they provide. However, Apple has already fired back at Facebook with at statement that clarifies the former's stance on the way advertising should be served to its customers.\nSpecifically, Apple believes it's doing its users a service by allowing them to choose if they want to be tracked, when, and by whom, depending on personal preference. In other words, Apple wants companies like Facebook to adhere to the same privacy and transparency standards that (allegedly) govern Apple apps and services.\nFacebook is most likely hoping for one of two outcomes. Either Apple caves in to public pressure to relax its new App Store policy, or regulators could step in to force Apple's hand for supposedly using privacy as an excuse to abuse its dominant position. The latter seems more likely, since Facebook seems intent on proving that Apple is just as guilty of silent data collection through something called Identifier for Advertisers (IDFA) on iOS.\nIn the EU, Apple is already under fire for its use of IDFA, but an underfunded Irish Data Protection Commission has yet to move forward with a formal investigation.\nFacebook has equally welcomed the EU's new Digital Markets Act and the Digital Services Act, which introduce new gatekeeping rules that are supposed to prevent platform owners from abusing their power to harm developers and small businesses.\nAs for Facebook's newspaper ads, they fired up a new one today, titled \"Apple vs. the free internet,\" in which it's trying to convince readers the Cupertino giant is secretly trying to move all apps and services to a paid model, where it can extract a fee from subscriptions and in-app purchases.\nIn the ad, Facebook also claims that small businesses can expect to see 60 percent less sales on average, if they keep their advertising budget the same. According to a Facebook-commissioned study conducted by Deloitte, targeted ads on social media have seen the biggest positive net change amid the pandemic, but non-targeted ads have also seen double digit growth, as did search engine ads and display ads shown on websites across multiple categories.\nFacebook isn't fighting Apple using only newspaper ads, either. Earlier, the social giant promised to assist Epic in its ongoing legal battle against Apple over App Store rules. If anything, Epic just found a new friend in its quest to paint Apple as the evil gatekeeper of the App Store, and Facebook just found a way to disguise its self-interest as fighting for the \"free internet\" and \"small businesses.\"","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line604887"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9190355539321899,"wiki_prob":0.9190355539321899,"text":"Donnie Summerlin, University of Georgia Libraries,\nThe Columbus Enquirer and the Columbus Ledger\nHarris Ownership and Consolidation\nThe Columbus Ledger-Enquirer is the fourth-oldest newspaper in the state, behind the Augusta Chronicle, the Milledgeville Union-Recorder, and the Macon Telegraph, and has covered news for the people of Columbus, southwest Georgia, and east Alabama since 1828. The paper, which is owned by the McClatchy Company, has won two Pulitzer Prizes for public service and has a daily circulation of more than 25,000, making it one of the largest newspapers in Georgia.\nMirabeau B. Lamar established the Columbus Enquirer as a four-page weekly newspaper in 1828, the same year the General Assembly incorporated the city of Columbus. The paper was politically aligned with the Jeffersonian Democrats and states’ rights advocates. After two unsuccessful runs for Congress and the death of his wife and brother, Lamar sold the paper in 1835 and moved to Texas. He later fought in the Texas Revolution and was eventually elected the first vice president and the second president of the Republic of Texas.\nColumbus Enquirer\nThe Enquirer experienced several changes in ownership in the decades that followed. In the 1840s, the paper was aligned with the Whig Party and supported its national candidates. After the collapse of the party, the editors avoided aligning with another political organization but maintained strong support for compromise with the North during the antebellum period. In 1858 the Columbus Enquirer began daily circulation for the first time to maintain readers in response to competition from the newly established Daily Sun. When Georgia seceded from the Union in 1861, the Enquirer supported the decision, thus falling in line with most of the other large newspapers in the state. The Columbus Enquirer managed to survive shortages inflicted by the Civil War (1861-65) and absorbed the Daily Sun in 1874 to become the Enquirer-Sun.Publisher E. T. Byington and his wife, Elia Goode Byington, established the Columbus Ledger as a new\nJulian Harris\nchallenger to the Enquirer in 1886. Unlike its competitor, the Ledger was released as an afternoon paper and almost exclusively hired women in its office. Alabama native Rinaldo William Page purchased the Ledger in 1892. Page successfully published the paper through the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, during which time it was a strong advocate for Democratic Party policies. The Ledger would remain under Page family ownership for more than eighty years.\nIn 1920 Julian LaRose Harris (son of celebrated writer Joel Chandler Harris) purchased the Columbus Enquirer-Sun with his wife, Julia Collier Harris, and partner Thomas W. Loyless. Under their control, the newspaper became a courageous voice for social advancement and racial justice. The Harrises personally traveled to Tennessee in 1925 to cover the Scopes \"monkey\" Trial and wrote critically of those who refused to teach evolution in schools. They also investigated the activities of the Ku Klux Klan and bravely editorialized against the group’s views and tactics. Moreover, the Enquirer-Sun opposed lynching practices in Georgia and supported increased educational opportunity for African Americans. The work of Julian and Julia Harris earned the paper the Pulitzer Prize for public service in 1926. It was the second southern newspaper to win the award.\nLedger-Enquirer Building\nDespite the national recognition, the Harrises were constant victims of threats and vandalism and faced increasing debt that forced them to sell the Enquirer-Sun in 1929. The R. W. Page Corporation, publisher of the Columbus Ledger, purchased the paper the following year. Despite being under sole ownership, the two publications continued individual circulation, with the Enquirer serving as the city’s morning edition and the Ledger as the afternoon edition. The two titles published a combined Sunday Ledger-Enquirer on the weekends.\nThe papers continued their commitment to quality reporting in the years that followed. In 1955 the Columbus Ledger and Sunday Ledger-Enquirer won its second Pulitzer Prize for public service for its coverage of municipal corruption and organized crime in nearby Phenix City, Alabama. It is the only Georgia newspaper to win that particular award twice. Newspaper publisher Knight Newspapers purchased the papers in 1973 and merged with Ridder Publications the following year to form Knight Ridder. Under their ownership, the Ledger and Enquirer would finally merge into a single daily edition in 1988, forming the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. In 2006 the McClatchy Company purchased Knight Ridder and its holdings, including the Ledger-Enquirer. The publication continues to deliver news to the citizens of Columbus and the greater southwest Georgia and east Alabama area.\nJulian and Julia Collier Harris (1874-1963; 1875-1967)\nPulitzer Prizes of Georgia\nMore in Newspapers\nNineteenth-Century Georgia Newspapers\nAugusta Chronicle\nMedia Gallery: Columbus Ledger-Enquirer\nLouis Turner Griffith and John Erwin Talmadge, Georgia Journalism, 1736-1950 (Athens: University of Georgia Press, 1951).\nWilliam F. Mugleston, \"Julian Harris, the Georgia Press, and the Ku Klux Klan,\" Georgia Historical Quarterly 59 (fall 1975): 284-95.\nSummerlin, Donnie. \"Columbus Ledger-Enquirer.\" New Georgia Encyclopedia. 08 March 2018. Web. 15 January 2021.\nDigital Library of Georgia: Georgia Historic Newspapers, West\nNorma Brumback\nTed Turner (b. 1938)\nGladene Tucker\nW. F. Denny (1874-1905)\nDorothy Berge\nWill Edward Hipps\nJ. Richardson Jones (ca. 1901-1948)\nKerry Moore\nRoger McLain\nMuseum of Contemporary Art of Georgia\nGeorgia Trend\nThomas Addison Richards (1820-1900)\nTed Kallman\nTrans-Oconee Republic\nBert Lance (1931-2013)","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1557258"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9645388722419739,"wiki_prob":0.9645388722419739,"text":"How Democracy Dies by 'A Thousand Cuts'\nMaria Ressa has been arrested by Rodrigo Duterte's government in the Philippines twice. Image: Frontline\nFrontline: A Thousand Cuts premieres Friday, January 8 at 9:00 pm on WTTW and online or via the PBS Video App\n“What we’re seeing is death by a thousand cuts of our democracy.” It sounds like something an American pundit might say about the United States right now, but it is spoken by the journalist Maria Ressa about the Philippines in the documentary A Thousand Cuts, presented on PBS by Frontline.\nRessa is a co-founder of the Manila-based news site Rappler and a frequent critic of the populist President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte. For her and Rappler’s dogged pursuit of the truth in a country awash with disinformation and press intimidation, she was named Time magazine’s Person of the Year in 2018—and has been arrested twice by Duterte’s government, as well as hit with other cases in court.\nFor A Thousand Cuts filmmaker Ramona S. Diaz, who grew up in the Philippines under the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos, such attacks on the press are “heartbreaking.”\n“I was born and raised in the Philippines under martial law,” she says. About the beginning of Duterte’s reign in 2016, she says, “I felt like we were just going back to a dark time and regressing, and I just wondered, ‘What is going on in that country?’”\nDiaz was in the Philippines in 1987, the year after the People Power revolution ousted Marcos and led to the creation of a democratic Constitution. “The freedom and the way that people could now express themselves after years of Marcos was incredible,” she says. The heady atmosphere spurred an interest in documentary filmmaking, leading to her first film, Spirits Rising, which examined women’s role in the revolution. She has continued to make documentaries about the Philippines ever since, including one about Marcos’s larger-than-life wife Imelda.\n“In my entire career, I have always made films about the Philippines,” she says. “I always go back to the motherland.”\nSearching for another subject after making a film called Motherland, about the world’s busiest maternity ward, Diaz returned to the Philippines at the end of 2017 intending to focus on Duterte’s violent war on drugs. Thousands of people have been killed in the drug war, which was enacted in part by former police chief Ronald dela Rosa, known as Bato—one of several subjects Diaz follows in A Thousand Cuts as they run for the Senate in the 2019 midterm elections.\n“I wanted to talk to Duterte’s allies, people who are part of his inner circle,” Diaz says of Bato and another Senate candidate, the blogger and entertainer Mocha Uson. Both fascinated her as characters, but she also felt that they provided an important backdrop, “just to give context to what Maria was really up against.”\nWhile Bato is a symbol of the drug war, Uson in a sense represents what Ressa and Diaz both believe is another important aspect of Duterte’s popularity: social media and disinformation. Rappler has tracked how pro-Duterte posts and disinformation have influenced millions of people on social media, in part via stalwart supporters with large followers like Uson.\n“I think his popularity is a mixture of disinformation and also a bit of the strongman appeal,” Diaz says. Duterte has admitted to killing people, boasts about his virility, uses blunt language, and has made rape jokes. “The strongman will avenge all the ills that are before you,” explains Diaz about Duterte’s message. “There was no one else in the landscape, so people forgave him his language.\n“He was using very populist rhetoric, identifying a common enemy: the elite and the media, journalists. Not only would he solve your problems, it’s more like revenge, for the failures of the People Power revolution. The promises of the revolution never came to fruition, the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer.”\nWatching the Philippines slide away from democracy—Duterte allies control the legislature, courts are stacked with his appointees, and freedom of the press is vanishing—has made Diaz realize “how fragile democracy is. Especially in the global south, but evidently in this country [the United States] too,” she says. “But this country can take more blows than somewhere like the Philippines.\n“It takes so long to build institutions and trust, trust in government, trust in media, after so long of everyone being repressed. Democracy is messy. You really have to be vigilant, because you can take your eyes off the ball, and then so quickly democratic institutions crumble.”\n'Frontline' on America's Crisis of Democracy\nA Year in Review with 'Frontline'\nFrontline's Michael Kirk on 'The Choice 2020'\n\"I've Never Covered a More Important Story\": Journalism During COVID-19\n'For Sama' from 'Frontline' Nominated for An Oscar\n'America's Great Divide' and the 2020 Election","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line879326"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6584641337394714,"wiki_prob":0.34153586626052856,"text":"How Much Did Massachusetts Make From Weed Sales Last Year?\nThe state brought in over $400 million in 2019.\nby Anna Lucia Krupp– January 8, 2020\niStock / NeoPhoto\nIt’s been over a year now since Massachusetts legalized recreational cannabis and weed sales in the Bay State are booming. We’ve officially rung in the new year and the final numbers are rolling in, with the thirty-three cannabis dispensaries open across the state reporting gross sales totaling over $420M in 2019 alone.\nThis is according to data released in a report made by the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission in December. Apparently, those numbers didn’t even include cannabis sales from the week of Christmas; an updated report is expected from the commission later this month.\nBack in November, Cannabis Control Commission Chairman, Steven Hoffman, gave an interview to the online news source Mass Live, saying, “I feel proud of what we’ve accomplished and I’m pleased with how the rollout has gone to date but we are in the early stages and have a ton more work to do. I have no expectation there will be a retail store on every corner, but we have a lot more geographic expansion to do. That’s the biggest part of our job.\nGoing on, added Hoffman, “I’m not criticizing any city or town. Everyone is trying to do the right thing…[but] we can’t process applications without an agreement and that’s a factor on the pace of rollout. I think we’re missing an opportunity to substantially improve the lives of patients around the state. We need to figure out how to engage the medical community in this.”\nAs in many of the states that have legalized marijuana for recreational use in recent years, the state of Massachusetts has implemented a hefty tax rate of between 17% and 20% on all recreational cannabis sales. To break it down, this includes a combination of sales tax (6.25%), excise tax (10.75%) and an optional local tax (up to 3%).\nBased on a rough calculation using those numbers, Massachusetts should have brought in at least $70M in tax revenue, money which has already been earmarked for multiple social justice efforts aimed at low-income communities and communities of color across the state, including funding going to public education, housing, and addiction services.\nJust last month, Massachusetts Revenue Commissioner, Christopher Harding, said that the amount of tax revenue gathered from the sales of recreational cannabis this year was “fairly close to” what legislators were expecting.\nAt the state’s recent annual consensus revenue hearing, Harding told lawmakers of the Joint Ways and Means Committee to expect more of the same, saying, “We expect that revenues will continue to accelerate as retail outlets are licensed and open for business. However, from a revenue perspective, the legal marijuana market has not yet fully developed, and uncertainty remains around the rate at which the market will grow and how prices will change over time.”\nVisiting Massachusetts soon? Find out where to legally purchase recreational cannabis here. Also be sure sure to become familiar with the state’s marijuana laws, including how much cannabis each individual is allowed to possess (either on your person or in your home).\nHow Much Did Massachusetts Make From Weed Sales Last Year? was last modified: January 8th, 2020 by Anna Lucia Krupp","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1088036"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5134997367858887,"wiki_prob":0.48650026321411133,"text":"Government, Parliament and employers must come together to end discrimination\nIn this guest blog, solicitor Kiran Daurka says that recent employment rights reforms could adversely impact on people with mental health problems.\nAs an employment lawyer who acts on behalf of individuals who have been subjected to unlawful discrimination, I regularly encounter the stigma that continues to surround mental health conditions. A recent study from anti-mental health stigma campaign Time to Change found that 9 in 10 young people with a mental health diagnosis receive negative reactions because of it. While racism, sexism and homophobia are no longer publicly acceptable, this study suggests that discrimination on the grounds of mental health remains mainstream.\nHowever, there is reason for optimism from a legal perspective; a Private Member’s Bill that removes outdated obstacles for individuals who have been detained under the Mental Health Act is close to becoming law and has support from all three main parties. It is unacceptable that the law still prohibits people from carrying out jury service, being appointed as a statutory company director, serving as a school governor or being elected as an MP because they have been detained under the Mental Health Act at some point in their lives.\nGavin Barwell’s bill, which has reached the committee stage in the House of Commons, will help to reintegrate the most excluded individuals into society. In doing it so will mark an important step in challenging the stigma and untruths surrounding mental health conditions.\nAnother vital area in the fight against discrimination is employment. Many employees are reluctant to disclose a mental health condition to an employer, fearing action might be taken against them. But without disclosure of a mental health condition, employees are not necessarily protected by equality legislation; employers can argue that without knowledge of the condition they could not have been expected to make reasonable adjustments or provide adequate support. I have advised in numerous cases where employers have made rash or unjustifiable decisions without a proper understanding of the condition or the support that is available to help the individual.\nDespite gradual progress in reforming mental health legislation, the Government’s recent reforms of employment rights will directly impact upon employees with mental health conditions. The Government has recently changed the law so that employees must have been employed for at least two years in order to claim for unfair dismissal. Given that people with mental health conditions are one of the least employed groups – recent figures suggest that only 27% of working age adults in England with a mental health condition are in employment – those trying to enter the workforce are particularly vulnerable, with little protection against unfair dismissal where discrimination cannot be proven.\nFurther to this, there are proposals to introduce fees to employment tribunals from next year, which will make it harder and more expensive to access justice. In particular, vulnerable groups, such as those with mental health conditions, who are more likely to face discrimination at work – and possibly dismissal – will find it increasingly difficult to bring claims if required to pay a fee before a claim can be heard.\nThis is a clear erosion of hard-fought employment rights, and should be a concern for everyone. But it is a particular issue for groups who are already marginalised and find it difficult to obtain and maintain employment.\nEmployers should note that 1 in 4 people will experience some sort of mental health issue during their lives, so it is in their interest to fight against discrimination. Education and discussion around mental health conditions can only help to alleviate the discomfort that this topic still brings. Further, if the Government wants to get people who can work back into employment it needs to ensure that there is adequate protection in place to keep them there.\nKiran Daurka is a solicitor at the London office of Slater & Gordon. She advises on discrimination issues, and has particular expertise in disability discrimination and mental health issues in the workplace. She has acted for numerous clients with mental health conditions, helping them to bring claims to employment tribunals and appeals tribunals.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1277873"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6140400767326355,"wiki_prob":0.3859599232673645,"text":"Ruth Bader Ginsburg admits Roe v. Wade was bad for America\nPublished by Stephen Kokx at May 15, 2013\nGiven the Kermit Gosnell case you’d think pro-choice advocates would avoid talking about abortion. Apparently that course of action never crossed the mind of liberal Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. On Saturday, May 11th, the 80-year-old justice spoke candidly about abortion at the University of Chicago Law School.\nDuring her visit Ginsburg told attendees that she thinks Roe v. Wade was a disappointing decision. Not because it resulted in more than 55 million unborn children being denied their right to life, but because the Court went “too far, too fast” in liberalizing abortion laws.\nThe Court’s sweeping decision, Ginsburg argued – and has argued in the past – gave “opponents of access to abortion a target to aim at relentlessly.” The Court should have exercised judicial restraint and “let that change develop in the political process” at the state level.\nGinsburg went on to express her resentment toward the Court for halting what she thinks the feminist movement would have accomplished organically. When those “unelected old men” ruled in favor of Roe, “it seemed to have stopped the momentum that was on the side of change.” The Court’s majority opinion focused too much on privacy rights and not enough on advancing women’s rights. It was not “woman-centered. It was physician-centered,” she grumbled.\nAlthough I disagree with Ginsburg’s claim that advocates of abortion would have won the day had it remained a state issue, I agree that Roe v. Wade was politically advantageous for the pro-life movement. Obviously it would have been better had Roe been struck down, but it’s undeniable that it galvanized millions of Americans into taking a stand against abortion.\nWhat’s also interesting to note here is that Ginsburg’s desire to let states decide these sorts of issues comes just two months after the Supreme Court heard two cases regarding the rights of homosexual couples: the Defense of Marriage Act and California’s Proposition 8. Whether or not Ginsburg is hinting at how she plans to rule on those cases remains unknown. We’ll have to wait until June to hear the Court’s opinion. At that point we’ll know just how “far” and how “fast” the Court decided to go when it comes to marriage. Until then, keep fighting for the rights of the unborn. Lord knows we need strong pro-life leaders now more than ever.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line864609"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9317280650138855,"wiki_prob":0.9317280650138855,"text":"Honorable Alphonso Jackson\nFormer U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development;\nVice Chairman and Managing Director, Global Regulatory Policy and Strategy JPMorgan Chase\nFormer United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Alphonso Jackson has joined First Data, the global leader in payment technology and services solutions, as a Senior Advisor. In this role, Secretary Jackson’s primary objectives will be to strengthen First Data’s government relations and public policy initiatives, and advance the company’s government business opportunities.\n“We are honored to have Secretary Jackson as part of the First Data team,” said Himanshu Patel, Executive Vice President, Strategy, Planning & Business Development at First Data. “With a lifetime of engagement on national issues, from his participation in the Selma-to-Montgomery March in 1965 to his service in the cabinet, Secretary Jackson brings a breadth of leadership skills and relationships to our company.”\nPrior to joining First Data, Secretary Jackson was Vice Chairman of Mortgage Banking with JPMorgan Chase. Before that, he served as the Director of the Center for Public Policy and Leadership and as the Distinguished University Professor at Hampton University.\nNominated by President George W. Bush and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Secretary Jackson served as HUD Secretary from 2004 to 2008. His work at the HUD began in June 2001, when he was appointed Deputy Secretary. In that role he managed the daily operations of the $32 billion agency. His service at the federal level grew from his seven years as president and CEO of the Housing Authority of the City of Dallas, from 1989 to 1996, where he was credited with turning around the troubled municipal agency, making it one of the best-managed large city housing agencies.\nImmediately preceding his move to Washington in 2001, Secretary Jackson was the President of American Electric Power-TEXAS, a $13 billion utility company in Austin, Texas. He joined Central Southwest Power, which later became American Electric Power, in 1996.\nSecretary Jackson was also the director of the Department of Public and Assisted Housing in Washington, D.C., and served as Chairperson for the District of Columbia Redevelopment Land Agency Board. He was the Director of Public Safety for the City of St. Louis, Missouri, and served as the Executive Director for the St. Louis Housing Authority. He was also Director of Consultant Services for the accounting firm of Laventhol and Horwath in St. Louis and was a Special Assistant to the Chancellor and Assistant Professor at the University of Missouri.\nSecretary Jackson received a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in education administration from Truman State University. He also earned a law degree from Washington University School of Law.\nAbout First Data\nFirst Data is a global technology leader in the financial services industry. With 24,000 employee-owners and operations in 35 countries, the company provides secure and innovative payment technology and services to more than six million merchants and financial institutions around the world, from small businesses to the world’s largest corporations. Today, businesses in nearly 70 countries trust First Data to secure and process more than 2,000 financial transactions per second, totaling $1.8 trillion a year. First Data’s unparalleled infrastructure and partnerships go “beyond the transaction” with next-generation point-of-sale technology fueled by powerful analytics to detect fraud, gain insights into consumer spending, and strengthen customer loyalty. All day, every day, First Data helps its clients thrive in the evolving world of commerce.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line767635"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9647425413131714,"wiki_prob":0.9647425413131714,"text":"In Coronavirus, China Weighs Benefits of Buffalo Horn and Other Remedies\nFebruary 5, 2020 - by mindfullmess\nAs it races to treat patients infected with the new coronavirus, the Chinese government is seeing potential in a cocktail of antiviral drugs. It is also recommending the Peaceful Palace Bovine Pill, a traditional Chinese medicine made with the gallstone of cattle, buffalo horn, jasmine and pearl.\nThere is no known cure for the coronavirus that has sickened 24,324 people and killed 490 in China. The country’s National Health Commission says doctors should try treating patients mainly with a combination of Western drugs used to treat HIV and fight viruses, depending on the severity of illness.\nBut the government is also looking at ways to supplement the treatment with remedies that are integral to its national identity — traditional Chinese medicine. It has its supporters.\n“I think it is the correct approach,” said Cheng Yung-chi, a professor of pharmacology at Yale University School of Medicine. “The evidence is going to come and we have to give it the benefit of the doubt.”\nThere is no clinical proof that the roots of various plants, licorice, and the Peaceful Palace Bovine Pill can help combat the deadly disease. Practitioners say the regimen could help ease symptoms such as swelling in the lungs, with fewer side effects. Critics say the use of such concoctions could raise concerns about patient safety.\nThe use of these ancient Chinese remedies dovetails with a push by Xi Jinping, China’s top leader, to harness them as a source of national pride. He has said that officials should place as much importance on traditional Chinese medicines as they do on Western medicines. His government has called for the remedies to be promoted in its “Belt and Road” trade route, China’s push to build ports, rail lines and other infrastructure around the world.\nIn turning to traditional medicine, China is relying on past experience. During the severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, outbreak in 2002 and 2003, doctors found that steroids prescribed to reduce inflammation had harmful side effects such as bone destruction. Chinese medicine, they said, would mitigate some of these adverse reactions.\nIn its treatment plan for the coronavirus released on Wednesday, the National Health Commission recommended traditional Chinese medicine remedies that could be used with antiretroviral H.I.V. drugs like Lopinavir and Ritonavir. The national health department suggested trying the Peaceful Palace Bovine Pill for severe symptoms such as wheezing and respiratory distress.\nSome hospitals are already using a combination of Western and Chinese medicines. In recent weeks, Beijing’s health department reported that two patients who were discharged had been treated with traditional Chinese medicines together with other unspecified drugs. And in Guangzhou, a major city in the south, health officials said 50 patients reported having no more fever and half of them said their coughs went away after using traditional Chinese medicines and other drugs.\nDoctors are conducting clinical trials to test the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine in Wuhan, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, said Dr. Cheng, the expert at Yale, who is also chairman of the Consortium for the Globalization of Chinese Medicine, a group of academics in the field.\nJiang Xianfeng, a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner at United Family Health, a top hospital for the affluent in Beijing, said these medicines are safe, effective and easy to get.\n“Western medicine does not have better answers to this virus,” Mr. Jiang said. “The Chinese people have experienced these sort of plagues many times in our thousands of years of history. If traditional Chinese medicine was not effective, the Chinese people would already be destroyed.”\nAfter the SARS outbreak, the World Health Organization studied the use of traditional Chinese medicine during that period and determined that they were safe and showed some potential in relieving symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath. Researchers from the United States and Taiwan found that certain herbs could suppress the virus if prescribed at specific concentration levels, while other studies said their findings were inconclusive.\nThat scientific uncertainty is not stopping the Chinese government. Since the second version of its treatment plan, the health commission has added more traditional Chinese medicines to the mix. The authorities in Wuhan say coronavirus patients with light or moderate symptoms should be treated with traditional Chinese medicine, the state-run Beijing News reported.\nZhu Mao, a representative of a traditional Chinese medicine manufacturer in Hubei, said he was producing more than 20,000 prescriptions per day at the request of the government. On Jan. 25, the State Administration of Traditional Chinese medicine dispatched 25 teams of Chinese healers to Wuhan.\nTraditional Chinese medicine teaches that disease arises from imbalances in the body and that some people have “hot” constitutions, therefore making them vulnerable to fevers and inflammations. When someone gets a fever or a respiratory illness, it is not uncommon to have Chinese people say: “You are on fire.”\nPractitioners have determined that the coronavirus is a “hot” disease, and therefore, medicines should be prescribed to “clear the heat.”\nIt is unclear how the science works behind these medicines. Compounding the problem: There is no standardization for these herbs and regulation is poor.\nTraditional Chinese medicine has also been linked to the consumption of exotic wild meats, though it is unclear whether the eating of the meats is really based on the practice. But some people, particularly in the south, believe that the way to achieving a balanced body is through eating certain meats. Wildlife markets such as the Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan, the site that is believed to be the origin of the coronavirus, proliferated because of the demand for such meats.\nLaurie Garrett, a member of the World Economic Forum’s global health security advisory board who covered the SARS outbreak in China, said that using traditional Chinese medicine in the new coronavirus outbreak could be risky because the approach is not rigorously backed by research.\n“There’s no such thing as dosing,” she said. “It’s like being a chef in a kitchen.”\nThe prestigious science journal Nature pointed out that dozens of women who had taken Chinese herbs as part of a weight-loss program ended up with kidney failure in the 1990s. Proponents of traditional Chinese medicine say the herbs were misused. Still, Nature argued in a 2017 editorial: “Hundreds of years of use in clinics that don’t standardize or analyze the clinical data are no match for blinded, controlled studies.”\nDoctors in neighboring Hong Kong, a semiautonomous region of China, are not convinced that traditional Chinese medicines can help. “I am not trying to devalue their treatment, but this is not something we practice,” said Arisina Ma, the president of the Hong Kong Public Doctors Association.\nIn China, people have searched anxiously for ways to protect themselves. In many Chinese cities, some stood in line for hours to buy “Shuanghuanglian” — a herbal concoction that mixes flowers such as honeysuckle and forsythia, among other ingredients — after two government-backed research institutes published a study that said it was effective in preventing the coronavirus.\nChen Xi, an assistant professor of health policy and economics at the Yale School of Public Health, urged the Chinese news media to be more careful in its reporting, saying that the potential for traditional Chinese medicine to inhibit a virus is not equivalent to a form of prevention or treatment.\n“If incidents like Shuanghuanglian happen again and again, it will lose the public trust, cause more panic, and go against the authorities’ advice to avoid crowd gathering,” Mr. Chen wrote.\nQin Xi, a manager of a pharmacy in Beijing, said sales of some of his traditional Chinese medicines, including “Shuanghuanglian,” have been off the charts. “As for whether it works, who knows?” he said.\nElsie Chen, Yiwei Wang and Zoe Mou contributed research from Beijing. Tiffany May contributed reporting from Hong Kong.\nScreening clients for respiratory infection symptoms at entry to homeless shelters\nCoronavirus: Outbreak at ‘decisive point’ as WHO urges action\nA Single Gesture Behind Trump Fuels an Online Conspiracy Theory\nPrevious Article Trapped on coronavirus-ravaged cruise ship, Diamond Princess passengers struggle to keep spirits up\nNext Article Coronavirus: Life in quarantine on a cruise ship","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line2012604"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5325108170509338,"wiki_prob":0.5325108170509338,"text":"May 29, 2019 / 5 comments / Category: Uncategorized\nI was fortunate to have a critique of my EU Elections article from Robin Bunce, a Cambridge politics professor who is far cleverer than me. (However, I maintain that I sourced better GIFs.) You can read the public exchange on Facebook here if you like.\nAfter some quibbles about my maths, Robin made three substantial points about Labour’s stance on Brexit which make sense to me, but still need a push back. They were:\n“Labour’s strategic ambiguity has stopped Brexit.” (At least for now, because otherwise enough Labour MPs would have put Withdrawal Agreement (WA, or May’s deal) across the line.)\n“In a situation where Remain is not strong enough to win a full-on battle, the best solution is a guerilla struggle.” (Stretch it out, avoid losing, keep Remain “in the game” essentially.)\n“As soon as the Tories elect a new leader and adopt a harder Brexit stance, Labour can endorse a second referendum as a last resort.” (It can be said that Labour tried everything else first.)\nWhile that sounds kind of sensible to me, it also sounds all kinds of horrific, for reasons I’ll explain in my reply below.\nBut Robin’s most powerful point, I thought, was that “Remain have won all of the arguments* but lost the POLITICAL battle,” and that Labour needs a political strategy. (* by “arguments” I think Robin meant economic analyses rather than elections, but he could correct me on this.)\nIn any case, I thought I should post my reply here rather than just leaving it in a Facebook comment.\nThe breakfast food references are my way of trying to make sense of these polling numbers, by the way. Thousands of people were asked to rank their preferred Brexit options. “Remain” was the most polarising, in a Marmite-like “love it or hate it” way. “No Deal” had quite a few fans but most people were not keen, which I’ve likened to black pudding. The middle options were more palatable to most, but were more for settling than loving – “Soft Brexit” looks to me like the cornflakes most people will happily put up with (it’s the majority’s second choice), but the “WA (Withdrawal Agreement)”, or “May’s Deal”, is a lot less popular, perceived more like a bowl of cold porridge.\nI like analogies which help me to think laterally and potentially break out new solutions to tricky problems by seeing if there’s something we can observe from a different angle. Also, I like food.\nWhat stands out for me in your excellent analysis is the idea of perhaps winning an (economic?) argument but losing the political battle. I’ll stick with my breakfast analogy for a bit, but put it in a domestic situation...\nLet’s say Dad wants black pudding but Mum says it’s too expensive and gross. Mum wants Marmite, which is better economically, but Dad says it’s yeasty shite which no one in their right mind could like, and now Mum is crying.\nThere’s an economic argument here, but the kids won’t remember it. They will remember how Mum and Dad started to make them feel when they kept shouting “bollocks*” at each other and nobody had any breakfast, even that crappy dust in a jar which no one likes or remembers why it ended up in the kitchen in the first place.\n(*If you’re wondering why the bad language is necessary, by the way, I didn’t start it. This is the state we’re in. This is a REAL photo, from a REAL political campaign from a party generally known for its sensible, moderate views, led by your kindly uncle. How did we get here?)\nThe actual Liberal Democrat manifesto for the 2019 European Elections\nFact is, the significance of broken politics is starting to overtake the significance of who’s right in the economic arguments. There’s an economic cost to pay for this as uncertainty is not an attractor of business investment. But the political cost of a prolonged fight should be a scary wake up call to Labour, Conservatives and the rest.\nIt’s possible that Labour forces the election it wants, but in doing so loses the trust of the electorate. Enter parties like the Brexit Party which might get real wide-ranging power without offering any real policy other than Brexit. You might think that’s as unlikely as a lying, repulsive, impetuous, emotionally stunted, economically incompetent reality TV star winning the US presidency, and you’d be right.\n(At time of writing, I forgot that the Brexit Party had also recruited a candidate who may be most famous for appearing on a popular reality show and not being very good at what the show is meant to be about. But I strictly shouldn’t mention that.)\nThe political battle is everything now, and if parliamentary democracy can’t or won’t deliver something, anything, even an unpopular but workable option, it may get overwritten by the next charismatic dictator who comes along and says we can have what we want if only we’ll trust them. Even if we obviously can’t trust them.\nSo Labour needs to get itself together. “We want an election” is not a policy you can put into a manifesto if you get one. So grow a policy.\nI’m thinking Labour might regret trashing the WA quite so much. After all, if policy was to deliver Brexit but make it nice and soft, the WA was (and, err, still is) the way to get that. Yes, it seems like a political win to unseat May, but who’s going to celebrate that if it leaves Labour unelectable? I’m not going to write publicly about how a Conservative could reframe the whole debacle to make that happen, but they could. I think we’ll find that at least one of the leadership candidates will be better at basic political competence like this than May.\nPaths for Labour to proceed with political credibility have narrowed. I think there are two, and they both involve reframing unpopular Brexit options in the hope that people will buy into one.\nThe one I don’t want but I think is easier, and stands the best chance of avoiding no-deal Brexit, is to embrace the WA as a bowl of crud nobody wants, but at least it’s a bowl. If we can at least settle on cornflakes (and if you’re feeding a whole crowd one thing, it obviously has to be cornflakes), that’s the way to get them. Start with an empty bowl, which is what the WA should always have been described as. It’s not what you want, it’s the way to get what we all need. But Labour have trashed and possibly smashed the WA bowl to the point where they might not be able to use it at all.\nThe harder option is to sell the benefits of Remain to people who hate the idea. There’s maybe a little hope here. I actually hate Marmite but still like Twiglets. I know, that makes no sense. They’re covered in Marmite and even say so on the packs now. But if enough people who don’t want Marmite for breakfast can be persuaded that they might like Twiglets instead, it’s doable.\nWhat that means in political practice is not trying to sell the idea of being internationalist to people who don’t want it, but reinforcing the power of being British and proud of it.\nHaving a vote about what we do with Europe is having power. So let’s have a vote. And what can we do in Europe? Focus on Brits and British influence abroad, which is a positive thing to celebrate, rather than just worrying about people “coming over here taking our jobs”. Focus on the transforming for good we can get done in Europe rather than the paralysis implied by “remain”.\nLabour ideally needs reframe “remain” with a better word, and back it up with positive, deliverable promises of what Britain can achieve for the many if it takes back control (yes, use that term) from a paralysed, incompetent, not-listening, failing Conservative party.\nThat’s snack food for breakfast, eat all you want.\nSo, what do you think? If you’re reading this far, I’m guessing you’re super into politics, or really can’t sleep.\nIs there any good way to bring people happily along into a new point of view on Brexit? Can you think of a better term than “Remain”? And what do you want to do about it?\nLove both the critique by Vince and your response. Can’t say I fully understand your use of culinary stuff – we both have porridge laced with fresh fruit every morning!\nI think that the nation (with the exception of Scotland and, possibly, Northern Ireland) is in the mood to vote in Farage: he has charisma (if nothing else!) we’re there to be a general election.\nI honestly feel that the Remain group could win the argument if there were to be a ‘people’s vote’ but only if they show as clearly as possible the probable consequences of a no deal exit or even a revised May deal.\nThank you! Do you think there’s a way to talk about bad consequences without being dismissed as “Project Fear”, though? That’s a powerful bit of framing. What could overcome it?\n‘Project fear’ has been used on both sides of course, Bern, but you have made a good point. I certainly like the idea of focusing more on what we Brits have been and, to an extent, still are, good at.\nPerhaps ‘Transform’ of something similar might be better than ‘Remain’; it does, at least, convey an element of hope.\nWhile I still think it important to win the economic argument, there can be no doubt that Farage and those who dance alongside (if not fully in step with) him can and will fight back with the ‘look what we achieved in the past’ and such an attitude could still gain the majority in any people’s vote.\nThis may sound arrogantly naïve, but I think that, without a British involvement in the heart of the EU, the whole idea could collapse into pieces again with (some) individual nation states being led by tin pot but charismatic leaders willing to push their nations into warfare of one kind or another. In the background, quietly, the larger empire-building nations would be chewing away around the edges.\nI don’t think that the presence of the Brexit MEPs in Brussels does anyone any favours, least of all any future PM of whatever party colour. But we are where we are and, to be honest, I think it’s a tragedy. Yet, I’m not without hope. I’m not sure where all this fits with cornflakes, black pudding, marmite and twiglets!?\nI think you’re right about British involvement in the EU being important, but not because they couldn’t function without us. According to the BBC’s Europe correspondent, looming Brexit has actually made other countries value the EU more and raise their determination to stay in. Parties which previously campaigned to exit didn’t do that in the EU elections this year. Britain has a future part to play in helping with the reformation of the EU which is now widely talked about and accepted as necessary, and preferred to its break up. We can’t do that from the outside.\nThe food analogies, by the way, come from the end of my previous article, and particularly this graphic: http://bernleckie.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/brex-preferences-food.jpg It’s drawn from a large academic survey of 5000 people’s preferred leave/remain outcomes, and I tried to draw parallels between the patterns of preferences for each outcome with a recognisable food – e.g. Marmite for “remain” because preferences break down into strong loves or hates with very little middle ground, and cornflakes for “soft Brexit” because most people would agree they’d quite like it even if it were few people’s actual favourite. There’s lots of room to quibble over whether I picked the right food for each option, but I’ve served quite a few breakfasts in different contexts over the years, and I stand by my “expert” opinion!\nI was aware of the food analogies, Bern; I read the article but, being a bear of little brain, I couldn’t get my head round them. I guess it’s because I tend to think in terms of toast, porridge and full English!\nAnyway, I take your point although I noticed that NF talked about aligning himself and his dance partners with other groups who want to break up the EU. Anyway, we’re off now to more mountainous climes.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line636490"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5881748199462891,"wiki_prob":0.5881748199462891,"text":"After 31 years at Auberge Madeleine, of which 23 were in management, Micheline Cyr is retiring.\nA return to a path of commitments and diligence – As well as her academic achievements, Micheline was a socially engaged student. At the end of her Masters in molecular biology, she took up the challenge to obtain a doctorate in social work. It was during this pursuit of her doctorate that she experienced a major turning point in her life and decided to reorient herself towards becoming involved with women in difficulty. At first in 1987 as a night shift counsellor, she became a coordinator in 1989 and managing director in 1995.\nBeing very concerned with the violence towards homeless women, Micheline developed a flexible feminist intervention, created openings with sensitivity and respect for the different walks of life and encouraged the sharing of knowledge between counsellors and residents of the Auberge.\nShe favoured cooperation with university researchers and was an active participant in group projects which gave a voice to women. As a spokesperson in the battle against violence towards women, she worked hard to make known the many faces of feminine homelessness. Her expertise is recognized and respected at regional and provincial levels.\nAt the end of 2010, in the interest of responding to the feminist situation and under the guiding force of its director, Auberge Madeleine began steps towards the acquisition of a new residence allowing them to offer 26 places, and in the autumn of 2014, the private rooms became a reality.\nFor all women frequenting Auberge Madeleine, Micheline Cyr gave assurance that the shelter was more than just a roof overhead but also a refuge against hunger, fear, cold, violence and loneliness.\nShe leaves a solid heritage for which we are sincerely thankful.\nIn a unanimous voice, we wish smooth sailing to the wonderful woman she is.\nThe Board of Directors and team of the Auberge","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line880952"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5049925446510315,"wiki_prob":0.5049925446510315,"text":"You are here: Home / Soup Du Jour / DSC Women’s History event launches matching challenge grant, honors trailblazer\nDSC Women’s History event launches matching challenge grant, honors trailblazer\nFunds to benefit students through Center for Women & Men\nDaytona State College’s Center for Women and Men kicked off its 41st year of serving the area’s most vulnerable adult populations at the annual Women’s History Month luncheon that recognized its founders and honored local activist Cherise Wintz for her fundraising efforts on behalf of Operation Changing Lives, a Daytona Beach-based non-profit medical service organization.The March 30 luncheon also served to announce a matching challenge grant by longtime DSC friends and patrons Andrea and Larry Frank, who agreed to match donations aimed at supporting programs offered through the Center for Women and Men.\nFor nearly a decade, Wintz has helped raise thousands for Operation Changing Lives, which is dedicated to providing reconstructive surgeries to disadvantaged men, women and children suffering from facial disfigurements. Through a variety of annual fundraising events, the longtime owner of Cherise’s Salon and Cherise’s Heavenly Fitness has helped support the organization’s ability to expand its scope and bring toys and holiday cheer to hundreds of special needs children attending area schools.\n“Today we honor a true trailblazer in Cherise Wintz for her dedication and service to others,” said DSC President Tom LoBasso in welcoming the capacity crowd to the event, held in the college’s Daytona Beach Campus Hosseini Center. “When she sees a need, she steps up to make a difference.”\nAlso stepping up at the luncheon were the Franks, who committed to match dollar-for-dollar donations to the DSC Foundation dedicated to the center – up to $10,000. “Andrea and Larry, we can’t thank you enough for your generosity and commitment to our mission,” said center Director Erin LeDuc. “On behalf of the entire college community and, in particular, the students served by the Center for Women and Men, please accept our sincere thanks and gratitude.”\nThe Franks noted they were moved to support the center’s most recent extension of services to DSC students and the community. “Larry and I are excited to kick off this challenge during today’s luncheon,” said Mrs. Frank. “We have witnessed first-hand the work that is done here and the way the Center for Women and Men is now expanding its programs and services to reach out and help lift the lives of even more people. It is truly life-saving for so many, and we are delighted and honored to be a part of that effort.”\nBy the time the luncheon ended, other donors had already committed nearly $1,300 to the challenge.\nThe theme for Thursday’s luncheon was “Celebrating Trailblazers in Our Community.” Fittingly, program organizers also recognized the center’s founders Ellen O’Shaughnessy and Deortha (Dot) Moore. In 1976, the now retired faculty members shared a vision to help remove barriers to education for women. Theirs was a mission founded on the premise that education and workforce training in a supportive and nurturing environment can lead one out of poverty and uncertainty into a life of independence, self-sufficiency and purpose.\nOriginally called the Women’s Center, for decades its focus was on helping displaced homemakers with little-to-no work experience, women who because of divorce, widowhood or other circumstances would come to learn new life skills, gain self-confidence and train for employment. Today, the Center for Women and Men reflects an expanded mission and scope dedicated to serving the needs of all students seeking to find their place in the ever-changing social and economic landscapes of our communities.\nIn addition to anchor programs such as Fresh Start, New Directions and CCAMPIS, the center has become a hub where all students in need can seek out services and help in one central location. The center’s new Falcon Fuel food pantry is helping to mitigate food insecurity among DSC students, an issue that, along with homelessness, has become a growing concern with colleges and universities across the nation. The center also provides temporary emergency bus passes to help students get back and forth to classes, and a lending library helps students offset the cost of textbooks. Further, students wanting to achieve a professional image for job interviews can use the center’s Clothes Closet to look their best.\nFor information on how to donate to the challenge grant, visit donate.daytonastate.edu or call (386) 506-3110.\nFiled Under: Soup Du Jour Tagged With: daytona state college, DSC Women’s History event","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line506613"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8043652772903442,"wiki_prob":0.8043652772903442,"text":"Thaidb.info > News > English news of Thailand > Thai Fishing Industry Is Using Slave Labor To Catch The Fish Imported By The U.S.\nThai Fishing Industry Is Using Slave Labor To Catch The Fish Imported By The U.S.\nA new report from a British activist group is placing Thailand’s fishing industry in some pretty hot water, with allegations that 15 Burmese workers of a Thai crew were basically slaves. The group is now urging the United States, which is the No. 1 importer of Thai fish products, to hold Thailand accountable for the reported abuses the workers suffered at the hands of the fishing crew.\nIn the report “Sold to the Sea: human trafficking in Thailand’s fishing industry” by British NGO the Environmental Justice Foundation, the group details the plight of 15 Burmese workers who say they were beaten and abused by a Thai fishing crew, and forced to work for 20 hours a day for either little or no money, reports the Christian Science Monitor.\nThe men have since been rescued from the ship, where they say they saw others tortured and murdered by the crew for not working hard enough.\n“We were shocked by the extreme levels of violence inflicted on and witnessed by migrant men held as captive workers on these boats,” said Steve Trent, executive director of EJF in a statement. “This is not an isolated case, but indicative of the widespread acceptance and use of modern slavery in an industry that feeds a global appetite for seafood.”\nThe EJF and other anti-trafficking groups now want the U.S. state department to downgrade Thailand in its annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report, which would put it at the the lowest level. If Thailand is downgraded from Tier 2 to Tie 3, it would be among the worst countries for trafficking in the world and could result in repercussions like restrictions on U.S. foreign aid and access to institutions like the World Bank.\nHowever, it’s up for debate, say experts, if the U.S. will actually do that, because of the cozy trade and tourist ties the countries share. To that end, America is the No. 1 buyer of Thai’s fish products like tuna and shrimp with exports to the U.S. from Thailand valued at $1.8 billion in frozen and fresh fish in 2011.\nThe next TIP report is due out next month.\nFrom: http://consumerist.com/2013/05/31/report-thai-fishing-industry-is-using-slave-labor-to-catch-the-fish-imported-by-the-u-s/\nBlog Search : Thai Fishing Industry Is Using Slave Labor To Catch The Fish Imported By The U.S.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1770344"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9656234979629517,"wiki_prob":0.9656234979629517,"text":"Aligning with liberals on DACA and LGBTQ rights, Chief Justice John Roberts asserts his independence\nWASHINGTON – The winners at the Supreme Court this week were the nation's LGBTQ community and undocumented immigrants. The losers were conservatives, led by President Donald Trump.\nAnd the man most responsible for the unexpected turn of events was the leader of the supposedly conservative court – a label that is coming under a little re-examination.\nJohn Roberts, the chief justice of the United States, was in the majority in both cases, along with all four of the court's liberal justices. In delivering the one-two punch to the president and his base, Roberts served notice that he can be either side's punching bag.\nIn 2010, he voted with conservatives in Citizens United v. FEC to allow unlimited independent spending by corporations in elections. Liberals are still seething.\nTwo years later, he voted with liberals to uphold President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act, which he again saved in 2015. Conservatives have never forgotten.\nBut while conservatives have more to appreciate in Roberts' overall voting record, he has not been as reliable as they had hoped when he was confirmed as chief justice in 2005, promising to be like an umpire calling balls and strikes. The last 12 months have been perhaps the most obvious case in point.\nLast June, the chief justice sided with liberals in striking down the Trump administration's effort to include a question on citizenship in the 2020 census.\n\"The sole stated reason seems to have been contrived,\" he said of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross' decision. \"What was provided here was more of a distraction.\"\nIn April, he and Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh joined the liberal justices in jettisoning a case that gun-rights groups had pursued in order to bolster the Second Amendment. Earlier this month, his court turned away a bevy of other challenges to states' gun restrictions.\nThen this week, Roberts sided with Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch and the liberals in ruling that a federal law banning sex discrimination in the workplace applies to sexual orientation and gender identity. That was followed by Thursday's opinion, which he wrote, saving Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program for undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children.\nThe Department of Homeland Security, Roberts said, \"failed to consider the conspicuous issues of whether to retain forbearance and what if anything to do about the hardship to DACA recipients.\"\n'Playing games'\nConservatives in and out of Congress were apoplectic.\n\"If Justice Roberts wants to be a politician, he should resign and run for office,\" Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., tweeted.\n\"The most disappointing week at SCOTUS in years,\" tweeted Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., who once served Roberts as a law clerk at the high court.\n\"Judging is not a game. It's not supposed to be a game,\" Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, intoned on the Senate floor. \"But sadly, over recent years more and more, Chief Justice Roberts has been playing games with the court to achieve the policy outcomes he desires.\"\nAfter 15 years at the court's helm, however, the 65-year-old Roberts is accustomed to the criticism.\n“When you live in a politically polarized environment, people tend to see everything in those terms,\" he told about 2,000 people at Temple Emanu-el in Manhattan last September. \"That’s not how we at the court function.”\nTo label Roberts a closet liberal, on the other hand, would be a colossal mistake.\nIn 2013, he wrote the 5-4 decision striking down the key section of the Voting Rights Act, casting aside federal oversight of racial discrimination in elections. Five years later, he wrote the 5-4 decision upholding the final version of Trump's travel ban against several majority-Muslim nations. Last year, he wrote the 5-4 ruling that gave state legislatures unfettered freedom to draw partisan election districts.\n\"He is quite consistent,\" said former U.S. solicitor general Theodore Olson, a conservative who nevertheless argued on behalf of DACA recipients in the case decided Thursday. \"He is very much a rule-of-law individual, and someone who cares a great deal about the process by which legal decisions are being made.\"\nIn both the census case and the DACA case, Roberts insisted that the Administrative Procedure Act be followed. For him, that meant federal agencies must be able to explain the reasons for their actions.\n\"We do not decide whether DACA or its rescission are sound policies,\" Roberts wrote. \"We address only whether the agency complied with the procedural requirement that it provide a reasoned explanation for its action.\"\n'Without fear or favor'\nOnly the nation's 17th chief justice, Roberts is driven like his predecessors by a desire to maintain the court's legitimacy in the eyes of the public.\nTranslation: too many 5-4 decisions based on ideology – which for the past decade would mean five justices named by Republican presidents besting four chosen by Democrats – will make the court seem like just another political branch of government.\nRoberts is aware, no doubt, that the court is the only branch viewed favorably by a majority of Americans. A Marquette Law School poll in October found 57% of those surveyed trusted the Supreme Court the most, compared to 22% for Congress and 21% for the president. He wants to keep it that way.\nThus it was that during Trump's impeachment trial in the Senate, the chief justice presided even-handedly. When it came time to chastise those arguing for or against the president, he chastised both sides.\nWhen Trump criticized an \"Obama judge\" in 2018 over an immigration ruling, Roberts issued a rare rebuke. \"We do not have Obama judges or Trump judges, Bush judges or Clinton judges,\" he said.\nBut earlier this year, he gave Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., the same treatment. After Schumer threatened Gorsuch and Kavanaugh if they vote to limit abortion rights, Roberts said such statements \"are not only inappropriate, they are dangerous.\"\nDespite his tangles with the executive and legislative branches, Roberts told his New York City audience last fall that he is not influenced by criticisms from the president or Senate Democrats.\n“It does not affect how we do our work. We will continue to decide cases according to the Constitution and laws without fear or favor,” he said. \"That’s necessary to avoid the politicization of the court.”\nAs for the critics, Olson, who has known and worked with Roberts over four decades, summarized an old Spanish proverb:\n\"It's one thing to speak of bulls,\" he said. \"It's another thing to be in the bullring.\"","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line571000"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6160086393356323,"wiki_prob":0.3839913606643677,"text":"Today The Talking Stops\nIT would be fair to say that the time for talking stops this afternoon at 3pm, when Argyle kick-off the most important match in their history at Rochdale.\nDefeat, combined with an unlikely, but possible, set of results at three other grounds, will spell the end of the Pilgrims’ Football League membership after 93 years.\nFair, but inaccurate. For there has been precious little talking at Home Park this week.\nInstead, manager John Sheridan has been concentrating on reinforcing the positives from a run of recent form that has seen recent Argyle victories at Chesterfield and Southend, as well as home wins over Fleetwood, Exeter and Cheltenham.\n“We know the importance of the game,” said the manager. “There’s no use going on about it and talking about it.\n“I’m not one of those who has meetings and keep telling the players this, that and the other, telling them to ‘do this’ or ‘do that’.\n“We’ve been playing well and we’ve just got to do that.\n“Rochdale are a good team with some good players, but we’ve picked up one or two decent results away from home of late, other than York. Hopefully, we can take it into the game on Saturday.\n“We’ve trained as if we’ve still got 20 games to go. We’ll just prepare as if it’s another game, but, deep down, we all know what’s there to be done.”\nA point from the match will render other results meaningless from the Pilgrims’ point of view but John is not playing the safety-first card.\nHe said: “I don’t think I’ve ever gone out to try and get a draw from a game – we’ll take the game to them. Hopefully, [the players] will respond in the right fashion.”","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line20650"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5193419456481934,"wiki_prob":0.5193419456481934,"text":"Directors of Nursing\nNurses in New Zealand\nDevelopments in nursing\nInternational Year of the Nurse\nNarrative for change\nPrimary Health Care Nursing Leadership\nSector update\nDeanna Telfer\nActing Director of Nursing and Midwifery, Northland DHB\nWebsite: Northland District Health Board\nJocelyn Peach\nDirector of Nursing, Waitemata DHB\nWebsite: Waitemata District Health Board\nI prepared as a nurse at Middlemore Hospital, registering in 1978. My post registration clinical specialities are trauma and cardiothoracic nursing and I continue to have a strong interest in clinical nursing. I am proud of leading the introduction of the Professional Development and Recognition Programme in 1988 which influenced the practice of nurses and the national programme. I have worked in Chief Nurse and Director of Nursing & Midwifery roles in the Auckland region since 1990.\nI joined Waitemata in March 1999, serving the communities of North Shore, West Auckland and Rodney district. I am proud of the positive changes we have made together over the past ten years as the organisation has continued to grow in size, complexity and opportunity to serve the population of 520,000. I have enjoyed the challenge as we have put systems and processes in place to support the growth and to support the staff and to ensure patient safety.\nMy commitment is to support the safest clinical practice environment possible – with the right people in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing to achieve the right outcome for each service user. The skill of nurses or midwives is critical to safe clinical outcomes. I work to ensure that nurses and midwives have the support they need to practice professionally, to develop as innovative, dynamic practitioners at the leading edge of service delivery and to make a positive contribution.\nMargaret Dotchin\nChief Nursing Officer, Auckland DHB\nWebsite: Auckland District Health Board\nMargaret completed her nursing training at Middlemore Hospital as a Registered General and Obstetric Nurse in 1985. Margaret worked in a variety of roles as a registered nurse both at Middlemore Hospital, National Women’s Hospital and overseas prior to her first senior nursing role as Charge Nurse Gynaecology Oncology, National Women’s in 1990.\nMargaret was appointed to the role of Executive Director of Nursing, Auckland District Health Board (ADHB) in July 2012. Prior to this Margaret held the position of Director of Nursing for Adult Services, ADHB. Margaret has held both General Management and Nursing Leadership roles across Adult Health Services and Women’s Health Services in her long history of working at ADHB or its predecessors.\nMargaret is passionate about nursing and the contribution the profession brings to the delivery of safe, high-quality, compassionate, family-centred care – balanced with financial sustainability.\nJenny Parr - RCompN, DipHE (Midwifery), DHSc\nChief Nurse & Director of Patient and Whaanau Experience, Counties Manukau DHB\nWebsite: Counties Manukau District Health Board\nJenny Parr commenced as Chief Nurse and Director of Patient and Whaanau Experience at Counties Manukau Health in January 2017.\nPrior to that Jenny held a number of senior nursing, professional and management roles over 24 years, both in New Zealand at Waitemata DHB and in London, England. She held a Board position as Executive Director of Nursing and Patient Experience at Kingston Hospital NHS Trust from 2010 – 2013. During this time, she led the Quality Governance agenda to achieve Foundation Trust status in 2013. She was appointed to the Health Quality Safety Commission Board in 2019.\nAs Chief Nurse and Director of Patient and Whaanau Experience, Jenny is working to bring the expertise around patient experience, standards and safety together to create a whole of system patient experience function within CM Health. Jenny is a Registered Nurse and qualified midwife with a Doctorate in Health Science. Her research interests include the relationship between leadership, engagement and quality outcomes, and fundamentals of care. She is a Steering Group member of the International Learning Collaborative.\nSue Hayward\nDirector of Nursing, Waikato DHB\nWebsite: Waikato District Health Board\nSue Hayward has been Director of Nursing and Midwifery (DON/M) since February 2008, and has been nursing since graduating in 1977. Sue’s clinical background is neonatal, and has worked in neonatal units and services in the Hutt, Whangarei and Christchurch Women’s hospitals. Sue is a Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Nursing, Postgraduate Diploma in Health Management and Masters in Health Sciences.\nThe role of DON/M Waikato District Health Board (Waikato DHB) reports to the CEO providing advice and guidance to the CEO and Executive team. Sue heads a team of Clinical Nurse and Midwifery Directors who in turn provide professional oversight, delivery of education and all aspects of practice development to nurses and midwives.\nOn a national level Sue is:\nChair of the Nurse Education Advisory Team- reporting to the DHB Directors of Nursing\nChair of the Midland NENZ - reporting to National NENZ\nRepresents the DHB DoN’s on the Cardiac Surgical network.\nChair of the A.C.E (Accelerated Choice of Employment) Governance Group\nSue has also been the Chair of the NETP project group, and was a member of the Safe Staffing Healthy Workforce committee of Inquiry. She has been involved in setting up the ACE (Accelerated Choice of Employment) a centralised recruitment process for all newly graduated nurses going into NETP or NESP.\nOn a local level the key activities are set out in the Nursing and Midwifery strategic plan. In summary our focus is on:\nRecruitment and retention.\nDeveloping the right staff and skill mix for each specialty.\nDeveloping a clear pathway for nurse practitioner development and inclusion within the organisation.\nLeadership capability of nurses and midwives.\nImplementing the recommendations of the COI Safe Staffing and Healthy Workplace\nDevelop a culture that expects and encourages nurses and midwives to be involved and engaged, at every level of the organisation.\nJulie Robinson\nDirector of Nursing, Bay of Plenty DHB\nWebsite: Bay of Plenty District Health Board\nJulie has a B.A (Social Sciences) with a Masters in Health Management.\nJulie works in conjunction with the Nursing Leadership Team to ensure nursing contributes to excellence in integrated patient and family centred care for the population of the Bay of Plenty District Health Board.\nNursing has identified the following strategic priorities for 2014 - 2017:\na strong confident nursing workforce\ndynamic sustainable leadership\nkaitiaki of health resources\nintegrated health.\nBOPDHB Nursing Leaders want to recruit and retain high calibre staff with the proper balance of knowledge, skills and experience to have Bay of Plenty District Health board seen as a place of opportunities and excellence in nursing.\nSerita Karauria\nActing Director of Nursing, Quality and Patient Safety\nWebsite: Tairawhiti District Health Board\nRaised in Tokomaru Bay, Serita completed her undergraduate in Auckland before returning to Gisborne to start her career as a New Graduate Nurse. Since then Serita has expanded her career across the United States and New Zealand, gaining clinical credibility within the critical care setting, being certified as a Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) and Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN).\nSwitching gears from bedside to leadership in order to start a family, Serita first embarked on an education journey before managing a team of 100+ specialty nurses for a 5-Hospital health care system in San Diego, California.\nSerita returned to Gisborne with her husband and two children. She understands the community in which she serves and is devoted to promoting optimal patient outcomes via nursing excellence.\nGary Lees\nDirector of Nursing, Lakes DHB\nWebsite: Lakes District Health Board\nGary has been a Nurse for 25 years and has worked in a variety of mental health settings covering clinical, managerial and professional roles. He moved to New Zealand in April 2006 to the role of Director of Nursing and Midwifery for Lakes DHB.\nGary’s previous role was managing the learning and development system for an NHS Trust in the UK as well as being the Organisational Development lead. His main interests are organisational culture and how it is impacted by leadership practice, complex adaptive systems, partnership development and organisational learning.\nThere are about 500 Nurses employed directly by Lakes DHB. There are also large numbers of Nurses working in varied roles within the Lakes communities. The provider arm of the Lakes District Health Board provides secondary hospital and community based health care services to the people of the region. Lakes DHB has hospitals at Taupo and Rotorua that have a combined total of 210 beds.\nChief Nursing Officer (Hospital & Primary Care), Hawke's Bay DHB\nWebsite: Hawke’s Bay District Health Board\nChris has been a nurse for 25 years and has worked in a variety of acute settings, largely in Intensive Care and Emergency Care, her career spanning a range of health leadership, managerial and education roles. Chris is well known in Hawke’s Bay and has been part of many health developments over the years, of late working with the PHO to strengthen linkages with developing nursing capability.\nChris has been Director of Nursing for Hawke's Bay DHB since 2010 and is a member of the Executive Management team plus a member of a number of health sector groups and represents HBDHB nursing at a governance level regionally and nationally.\nBuilding sector relationships and developing capability and supporting clinicians across the sector to practice at the ‘top of their licence’ is core to the role. The role supports nursing working collaboratively and interdisciplinary, so as to provide a quality environment for our patients/clients. Chris has a Masters of Nursing.\nLyn Wardlaw\nDirector of Nursing, Taranaki DHB\nLyn Wardlaw commenced as the Director of Nursing for Taranaki DHB as of 20 May 2019. She has previously worked in Australia as a Director of Nursing/Midwifery and Facility Manager for Mareeba District Hospital and also Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery at Torres & Cape Hospital Health Service.\nMore recently Lyn was the Operations Manager for Theatres, PACU, Endoscopy, Inventory and CSSD across Waitemata District Health Board. Lyn originally trained and worked as a registered nurse and well child nurse in New Plymouth before undertaking her midwifery training.\nLyn looks forward to supporting, advocating and adding value to the nurses and midwives across Taranaki.\nWebsite: Taranaki District Health Board\nLucy Adams\nDirector of Nursing, Whanganui DHB\nWebsite: Whanganui District Health Board\nLucy took up the role of director of nursing at Whanganui DHB in May 2019. Prior to this she was employed at Waitemata District Health Board as an associate director of nursing and has had clinical governance nursing director positions in Queensland, Australia.\nLucy trained as a comprehensive nurse in the late 1980s and worked at Auckland DHB, and specialised in neurosurgery and neurointensive care before transferring to emergency nursing. During her tenure at Auckland DHB Lucy was involved in the change management programme and was an occupational health and safety advisor. Lucy then joined the New Zealand Police where she continued in an occupational health and safety role and was a key project manager for the implementation of stab resistant body armour, along with other projects. She was then appointed to St John as a health emergency manager where she implemented the MoH emergency management project, the Emergo Train system.\nLucy has worked in Australia, New Zealand and the Caribbean, in public and private hospitals, on cruise ships and in rural and remote areas. Lucy has a Bachelor of Nursing, Masters in Health Sciences and an MBA.\nCelina Eves\nExecutive Director of Nursing and Midwifery, MidCentral DHB\nWebsite: MidCentral District Health Board\nCelina has vast experience in healthcare provision. Celina has worked as both a nurse and a midwife and held executive director and very senior positions in both nursing and midwifery management, leadership, supervision, project management and staff development in the UK and in Saudi Arabia.\nCelina joined MidCentral District Health Board as their executive director of nursing and midwifery in January 2018, she is accountable for ensuring high standards of quality patient care and services are maintained, including patient care and experience. One of Celina’s key roles is to ensure the on-going development of the nursing and midwifery services within the whole DHB to ensure that the needs of the patient underpin practice and care.\nDirector of Nursing, Hutt Valley DHB\nWebsite: Hutt Valley District Health Board\nChris has worked in the New Zealand Health sector since completing her nursing training at the Wellington Hospital School of Nursing in 1983, with her nursing career including secondary and aged residential care, with a predominant focus in the primary care sector since 1992. Her primary care experience includes practice nursing; nurse manager of a Maori Health Provider; and clinical leadership for a large PHO.\nSince 2009, Chris has held clinical leadership roles at Compass Health PHO, including Clinical Director, Chief Operating Officer and Acting CEO. This work included reportable event management; complaints and privacy officer roles; sub regional District Health Boards (Wairarapa, Hutt Valley and Capital & Coast) integrated care work, service planning, integrated care, development of new models of care, and emergency management.\nChris is a member of the Nurse Executives of New Zealand and College of Nurses groups.\nShe is passionate about nursing leadership; empowering and supporting nurses to work to the level of their expertise and training, and to adapt to changing models of care; the development of the nursing workforce so that nurses are equipped for not only today, but for the challenges facing healthcare in the future; and is committed to supporting the safest practice possible with a focus on patient safety.\nChris has completed a Post-Graduate Diploma in Primary Care (with distinction) from Otago University - graduating in 2004. She has worked alongside the Health, Quality and Safety Commission promoting the reporting of and learning from adverse events, and contributing to the review of the National Adverse Event Reporting Policy (reviewed document released 2017).\nPhill Halligan\nActing Director of Nursing, Wairarapa DHB\nPhill joined Wairarapa District Health Board (WrDHB) in September 2018 as the Site Manager for the Care Capacity Demand Management (CCDM) Programme. Since then he has achieved several milestones in the implementation of CCDM as well as contributing to the development of nursing as a member of the senior nursing leadership team. He comes to the current role with over 25 years of experience as a Registered Nurse, health manager and strategic leader.\nAfter five years post graduate experience as a staff nurse working in various NZ hospitals, Phill entered service with the NZ Defence Force (NZDF). Employed as a Nursing Officer, he deployed operationally several times in support of overseas missions before promotion and a move to health management.\nFollowing a successful tenure commanding the Health Support Company at the Waiouru Military Camp, Phill spent three years strategically managing the careers of a range of specialist officers in the NZDF including nurses, doctors and dentists. After two years spent as an Associate Director of Nursing, Phill was then appointed Director Health Strategy where he was responsible for the development and delivery of strategic direction for all health services provided by the NZDF. He has risen through the ranks from Lieutenant to Lieutenant Colonel and continues to serve in the Reserve Forces.\nFollowing graduation from a joint, interagency, and multi-national leadership course at the NZDF Staff College, Phill completed a Master of International Security degree in 2015 and the United States Medical and Strategic Leadership Programme in 2016. He has been awarded both a Chief of Army commendation and Armed Forces Award for exceptional Service.\nPhill believes that professional, holistic nursing practice is pivotal to delivering effective healthcare. Nurses must be ‘empowered to perform’ within the multi-disciplinary team through great leadership, enlightened teamwork, focussed professional development, and the freedom to innovate.\nWebsite: Wairarapa District Health Board\nEmma Hickson\nChief Nursing Officer, Capital & Coast DHB\nEmma was appointed to the Chief Nursing Officer position at Capital and Coast DHB in 2019, having previously held the role of Director of Nursing, Primary and Community for the DHB. Emma is a registered nurse, has been a midwife and has a Masters in Nursing (Applied).\nEmma began her career overseas and worked clinically in medical and maternity services before specializing as a Primary Health Care nurse. Her career in New Zealand for over twenty years has included working as a clinical nurse, an educator/lecturer, a researcher and a manager.\nEmma believes that her role is to support and facilitate optimal provision of healthcare and equitable health outcomes for the people of her region within Aotearoa. Through strategic leadership, and focus on priorities such as safe, quality patient care, workforce safety and development, and commissioning of new models of care and services, Emma aims to enable the best health services and equitable health outcomes for all.\nEmma considers the nursing and midwifery workforces are fundamental to the current and future sustainability of the New Zealand health system and feels privileged to hold her leadership role. With use of evidenced based information, collaboration with academic and interdisciplinary colleagues, use of developing technologies, she believes nurses and midwives will lead future developments to refine and advance an ever improving and sustainable health system.\nWebsite: Capital & Coast District Health Board\nPamela Kiesanowski\nDirector of Nursing and Midwifery, Nelson Marlborough DHB\nWebsite: Nelson Marlborough District Health Board\nPamela Kiesanowski was appointed Director of Nursing and Midwifery for the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board in December 2014.\nPrior to this Pamela held a number of clinical and management roles within the Nelson Marlborough and Canterbury District Health Boards. She has also worked in the primary healthcare sector and held several clinical nursing roles in London.\nThe role of Director of Nursing and Midwifery for Nelson Marlborough differentiates from a larger city role due to its vast geographical spread. The District covers from Blenheim on the east coast to Takaka in the north and as far south as Murchison. Nelson Marlborough also has one of the fastest growing ageing populations within New Zealand, requiring a significant focus on integrated care, working closely with the primary healthcare sector.\nAs a member of the Executive Leadership Team, Pamela provides input into the strategic plan to meet the overall goals of the District. Her vision for nursing and midwifery is to build a strong leadership team; develop the workforce; and support new initiatives to provide quality care, in an empowered and safe working environment.\nBrittany Jenkins\nDirector of Nursing, West Coast DHB\nWebsite: West Coast District Health Board\nBrittany was appointed as a ‘home-grown’ Director of Nursing for the West Coast DHB in April 2019.\nBrittany originally grew up in rural western Montana and came to New Zealand in 2004 to begin her nursing education and explore the outdoors. After meeting her Kiwi partner, she went on to complete her Bachelor of Nursing at Massey University in Palmerston North; graduating as a Massey Scholar. Brittany subsequently moved to the West Coast to start her nursing career with the DHB as a new graduate nurse in 2007.\nBrittany’s clinical experience is rural and generalist by nature, and has mainly focussed on general surgery, general medicine, and critical care. Brittany moved into her first senior nursing role in 2013 as a casual Clinical Nurse Educator, which was soon followed by Resuscitation Service Leader, and Associate Director of Nursing for Workforce Development.\nIn 2015, Brittany completed her Master of Nursing at Massey University. Her research explored the experiences of Filipino and Indian qualified Registered Nurses working in Aged Residential Care in New Zealand, which was inspired by an academic internship with the Office of the Chief Nurse at the Ministry of Health (2013).\nIn her previous roles, Brittany has worked collaboratively with colleagues based in Canterbury and throughout New Zealand to facilitate implementation of a number of service improvements and initiatives, including: introducing a contemporary ventilation training programme enabled by Telehealth, establishing sustainable resuscitation service training and support across the DHB’s Primary and Secondary care services, and creating and leading the DHB’s Workforce Development Team. This work has served as the foundation for improving clinician’s access to various training and professional development, as well as improving the DHB’s early health workforce pipeline through empowering relationships between local communities and the DHB.\nBrittany is extremely passionate about all things rural and remote and is especially interested in working to empower subjective wellness for the unique people, tangata whenua, and whānau who live in these unique places. Brittany has particular interests in equity and indigenous health, workforce wellness, advanced and rural generalist nursing, and interprofessional ways of learning and working.\nExecutive Director of Nursing, Canterbury DHB\nWebsite: Canterbury District Health Board\nMary was appointed as Executive Director of Nursing for Canterbury in September 2002 and has been nursing since graduating in 1984. Mary’s clinical background has been diverse with a generalist focus across acute medical, surgical and cardiology. In 1990, she took a year out of practice for full time study to complete what was then the Advanced Diploma of Nursing at CPIT. Following this Mary returned to the West Coast and established the health promotion service working with health protection, public health nurses and rural nurses providing health education and health promotion campaigns.\nIn 1995, Mary was appointed as the nursing leader for the West Coast; whilst based in Greymouth she developed the nursing consultancy team that provided senior nursing leadership, professional direction and support to nurses throughout the West Coast region. Since then she has worked in Hawkes Bay, South Canterbury and Counties Manukau before returning to Canterbury in 2002.\nMary is a member of the Executive Management Team and works with her colleague Directors of Nursing and other nursing leaders within the Canterbury Health System to achieve the vision of an integrated health system for the people of Canterbury. Nursing is integral to achieving an integrated health system and our focus to achieve this and ensure we have a vibrant and sustainable workforce includes focusing on 5 strategic goals, these being:\nGrowing our Workforce\nAttracting our Workforce\nEnabling our Workforce\nExtending our Workforce\nThis collaborative approach extends to the wider South Island within the Alliancing model; Mary chairs two of the SI Alliances, these being the SI Workforce Hub (also known as SI Regional Training Hub) and the SI Quality & Safety Alliance.\nMary is a member of Nurse Executives of NZ, College of Nurses, Aotearoa, Lead Directors of Nursing and until recently was a member of the National Health Board (2009-2014).\nLisa Blackler\nDirector Patient, Nursing and Midwifery, South Canterbury DHB\nWebsite: South Canterbury District Health Board\nLisa Blackler is a Registered Nurse and Midwife. She commenced her career in nursing in general surgery before moving into a variety of other roles including community, education and staff development roles. She was involved in the new build of Southland Hospital in 2004 and was part of the leadership team in the Southland orthopaedic and surgical ward for a number of years. With a focus on Orthopaedics Lisa extended her knowledge by completing a diploma in Health Assessment – Speciality Orthopaedics.\nIn 2009 Lisa was seconded to lead the nursing and midwifery team in the Southland Maternity Service, which led her to undertake a diploma in midwifery in Queensland Australia. This evolved into leading the maternity, nursery and paediatric teams, and then the inclusion of the perioperative service, at Central Queensland Hospital and Health Services.\nIn 2016 Lisa returned to New Zealand and in her role at the DHB has professional oversight of nursing and midwifery in the region as well as Operational Leadership of Hospital Services and Child and Youth Community Services. This is a diverse role and as the Director of Patient, Nursing and Midwifery at South Canterbury DHB she gets the best of both worlds being Operational Executive and Professional lead. Lisa has a passion for modelling health and wellbeing, so as a leader and role model in health she sees it as essential to aim for optimal health in herself, wider whānau and staff teams. Lisa Blackler has been integral in building a better health system which ensures ‘every moment matters’ for patients and staff in South Canterbury.\nChief Nursing and Midwifery Officer – Southern District Health Board\nWebsite: Southern District Health Board\nJane was appointed to the role of Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer in August 2017.\nPrior to this, Jane was Director of the Commissioner’s Office (since October 2015) and Acting Director of Nursing Operations. Jane has held a number of nursing leadership positions at Southern DHB since returning home in 1991 after spending several years working and studying in London, including clinical nurse specialist, nurse educator, charge nurse manager, service manager and nursing director.\nJane is committed to working closely with colleagues across all disciplines and is continuously building connections nationally and internationally to advance clinical practice and build capacity and capability within the broader health system - all in the context of best serving her community. The most satisfying part of her role is getting out and about amongst staff and teams who work most closely with patients, clients and whanau to find out what she can do to improve their experience so they can improve the experience of others – doing more of what matters most.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1470165"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6717218160629272,"wiki_prob":0.6717218160629272,"text":"After withdrawal from Lebanon crisis in Israel\nFred Weston\nAfter 22 years of the military occupation of South Lebanon, Israel's withdrawal marks an important change in the situation. Fred Weston looks at the history of Israel's occupation, the current state of the \"peace process\" and outlines an internationalist way forward.\nAfter 22 years of the military occupation of South Lebanon, Israel's withdrawal marks an important change in the situation. The election of Ehud Barak of the Israeli Labour Party to the position of Prime Minister was welcomed by the West as they see in this the possibility of speeding up the peace process.\nEven before the Second World War, the Zionist dream of creating an Israeli state on Palestinian territory was totally reactionary. The creation of this state was only possible on the basis of a war and the expulsion of 800,000 Palestinians from their land. Trotsky had predicted that the creation of such a state would mean the Jews having to live in an \"infernal trap\", a state of almost permanent warfare with their Arab neighbours.\nThe history of the state of Israel is in fact one of a series of wars. Far from being a \"safe haven\", the \"promised land\" from the very beginning has been a besieged fortress, surrounded by hostile states.\nThe strategic importance of this region lies in the fact that three quarters of the world's oil reserves are concentrated there. First British then US imperialism have always based their strategy for the domination of the Middle East on the division of the Arab people into a number of autocratic and reactionary monarchies such as those in Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the Arab Emirates. And they have used Israel and Turkey to police the region. US subsidies to Israel to the tune of $5 billion a year have transformed it into a major economic and military power in the region.\nThe occupation of Lebanon\nIsraeli military strategy has always been based on occupying buffer zones on its borders in order to defend its basic interests. In 1967 Israel's victory in the six-day war led to the occupation of the Sinai peninsula, the Gaza strip, the Golan Heights and the West Bank, where a total of 1,400,000 Arabs lived.\nThese territories were colonised with settlers recruited among the most fanatical orthodox Jews who were armed and supported by the Israeli state. Their number has now risen to more than 300,000. They have gradually displaced the local people, thus leading to the building up of enormous, and potentially explosive, resentment on the part of the Arab masses.\nWhen the civil war broke out Syria and Israel invaded the Lebanon in 1978. Israel established its own protectorate in southern Lebanon, resting on a puppet army, the South Lebanese Army (SLA), which it used to crush any rebellion on the part of the Lebanese population.\nAgain in 1982 Israel launched a large scale invasion of the Lebanon with the aim of uprooting Arafat's PLO (Palestine Liberation Organisation). In the hunt for PLO supporters genocide of the Palestinian people was perpetrated. Between 16th and 18th September 1982 Christian militias, allied to Israel, massacred over 2,000 Palestinians in the refugee camps of Sabra and Chatila.\nThe PLO apparatus collapsed and Arafat, together with 4,000 of his militants, had to flee to other countries. But at the same time the government and the ruling class of Israel found themselves, for the first time, facing mass opposition to the war inside Israel itself. This movement involved hundreds of thousands of Israeli workers and youth.\nIn 1985 the Israeli army was forced to withdraw, moving back to its former position in southern Lebanon. However, the Israeli debacle seriously affected the morale and discipline of the SLA and many cases of desertion and insubordination were reported. In these conditions it became almost impossible to contain the growing influence of the Hezbollah, an Iranian influenced Shiite Islamic movement. Thus a long, drawn out guerrilla movement developed. Israel's initial response was to increase the brutality of its reprisals, especially in July 1993 and April 1996 when it launched air raids on both military and civilian targets, thus killing hundreds of Lebanese. The SLA made an infamous name for itself by rounding up civilians and carrying out torture and murder in concentration camps such as the hated Al-Khiam prison.\nA planned withdrawal or a debacle?\nSources close to the US government concluded that the withdrawal of Israeli troops would be a positive development, from their point of view, that would improve the situation in the Middle East. They saw it as a move aimed at gaining a strong position in Israel's peace negotiations with Syria.\nBarak had already announced the withdrawal during the election campaign that was to bring him to power less than one year ago. The reasons he gave for the announced withdrawal basically come down to an admission that 50 years of Israeli foreign policy have been a failure and that a new relationship must be built up if security is to be guaranteed.\nIn twenty-two years of military occupation over 1,000 Israeli soldiers have been killed, but this has in no way served to stop the growing influence of the Hezbollah among the Arab population. Barak has had to admit that, \"When we moved in there were no Hezbollah. They were created by the occupation\" (Il Manifesto, 24.5.2000). Neither has security been guaranteed for the Israeli settlements near the Lebanese border. During these years the Hezbollah have managed to launch more than 4,000 missiles on Kiryat Shmona alone, a town in northern Israel.\nThe Israeli ruling class, together with western imperialism, had drawn the conclusion that their interests would be better served by withdrawal from southern Lebanon and reaching an agreement with its Syrian neighbour.\nBarak abandons the SLA\nThe Israeli government had announced that the withdrawal of troops would take place at the beginning of July. So why did events suddenly develop so fast?\nAs always, the imperialists are not very generous with their own lackeys, when these are no longer of any use to them. In spite of 22 years of \"honourable\" service, at the same time as announcing the planned withdrawal Barak also declared that Israel would not give asylum to the SLA militiamen. Thus, in just a few hours, faced with the massive pressure of thousands of Arabs returning to their villages and to the homes they had been forced to abandon twenty years earlier, the SLA simply collapsed, abandoned even by its founder, general Lahad, who has fled to Paris. Hundreds of its soldiers refused to fire on the returning refugees and surrendered either to the Hezbollah or to the Lebanese army. Thousands deserted and fled with their families towards Israel. There was chaos and generalised demoralisation among the SLA soldiers.\nThe collapse of the SLA and the uprising of the Hezbollah transformed what was supposed to be an ordered retreat, with the \"handing over of the keys\" to the Lebanese army, into a chaotic rout. The prisons were abandoned, with the prisoners still in their cells. Even the Israeli military bases were left intact and now they will be used against Israeli air attacks, as one Israeli military expert commented bitterly.\nThe Hezbollah now dominate southern Lebanon. However, the Syrian army has a say in what it can and cannot do. Israeli reprisal air attacks could increase in the near future if the Hezbollah do fire on Israeli territory. This would include Syrian targets, who would get the blame for future Hezbollah raids. The Syrian regime is trying to achieve an agreement with Israel and doesn't want any trouble on the southern border of Lebanon.\nThe impact on Israel\nThe rout of Israel's puppets in southern Lebanon and the withdrawal of its troops has unleashed an offensive of the extreme right wing parties in Israel against the Barak government. The Barak government could thus be brought down. However, if this should lead to the Likud and the extreme right wing parties returning to government this will only serve to further aggravate the situation.\nIt would also lead to renewed social conflict along the same lines as what happened in the Spring of 1999, when the accumulated anger of the working class culminated in a series of strikes against the Netanyahu government and in a general strike of the public sector in April which involved 400,000 workers. The economic situation in Israel is placing a lot of pressure on the working class. Under this pressure, and with growing levels of inflation, the Histradut (the main Israeli Trade Union federation) has been forced to refuse the government's offer of a 3.1% increase in wages and has demanded increases of 14%. It was even forced to call a general strike, only to call it off later.\nThree quarters of Israel's foreign trade is with the European Union and the USA. Therefore a crisis in the west means a crisis in Israel. On top of this, western aid is on offer only if the government of Israel applies IMF policies. That means cuts in welfare spending on such things as health and education. Already back in 1998 200,000 students in Israeli universities took part in a strike to stop the increase in university fees. They received massive support, with up to 91% of the population declaring they sympathised with the students' demands.\nIMF policies have also meant widespread privatisation of Israel's large publicly owned industrial sector, involving job losses. In 1996 GDP growth in Israel was 4.5%. This had already declined to 1.5% in 1999. Unemployment has reached the level of 10%. This is a new phenomenon for Israeli workers, who were used to practically full employment for decades.\nWhat is taking place is a huge differentiation between rich and poor. Zionism has always been based on the idea of \"one-nation\", but as in all capitalist countries there is no common interest between workers and bosses, and Israel is no exception. In 1999, 1.3 million Israelis, out of the total of 6 million, lived below the poverty line.\nStrikes have already taken place and sooner or later the workers of Israel will have to take up the class struggle to defend their own interests against those of the Israeli ruling class.\nThe situation is much worse, however, when we look at the conditions of the Palestinian masses in the occupied territories and in the Palestinian Authority. In some areas one third of the work force is unemployed and of those that do have work less than a third have regular well paid jobs.\nThe Israeli bourgeoisie desperately needs to find new outlets for its products if it is to achieve the levels of growth required to avert a major movement, both among the workers in Israel and the Palestinian masses on its borders. This, together with pressure particularly from US imperialism, explains the attempts to keep the so-called \"peace process\" alive.\nBut on the basis of the crisis in the economy they will not be able to solve the basic underlying problems of the Palestinian masses. The unemployed will not get jobs. The housing problem will not be solved. Neither will the problem of water distribution. The Palestinians aspire to their own state where they can live in decent conditions. This will never be achieved so long as the capitalists dominate in Israel and the surrounding Arab regimes remain in the hands of reactionary cliques.\nThe crisis in Israel is a signal for millions of Arab youth and workers who are tired of being oppressed. In the occupied territories and in the Palestinian Authority the situation has become explosive, and the conditions for a new Intifada have developed. Thousands of Palestinians have come out onto the streets and have clashed with Israeli troops, like in 1987. The exchange of gunfire between Palestinian police and Israeli soldiers underlines the extreme tension which has developed.\nNationalism must be broken down on all sides and in its place workers' internationalism should be posed as the only alternative. If the problems are posed in a class manner then an identity of interests can be developed among workers in Israel and Palestinian workers. The task of linking up the growing struggles of workers and youth in Israel against the effects of the crisis of Israeli capitalism to that of the struggle of the Arab workers has to be a priority for all conscious revolutionaries. This is not an easy task. But the crisis of capitalism in Israel will create the preconditions for achieving this. However, what is essential is the building of a workers' party among the Palestinian masses, based on the genuine ideas of Marxism. Such a party would be able to make an appeal to the Jewish workers and thus build workers' unity. It would be able to explain the need for common struggle of all workers in the Middle East, for the overthrow of the capitalists in Israel and for the overthrow of the reactionary Arab regimes, for the building of a Socialist Federation in the region, where all peoples would be guaranteed jobs, housing, health care, and a decent standard of living.\nAs long as capitalism continues to dominate the region, then any peace agreement will only be temporary. Conflicts will break out again and again. In the end it is a question of either class struggle for socialism or wars, ethnic conflict and barbarism.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1661950"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6818491816520691,"wiki_prob":0.6818491816520691,"text":"I’ve been listening to a stream of police dept. audio during the initial response to the Sandy Hook shooting.\nThis link has most of its action in the first four minutes:\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8uVR7TifS\nAt roughly 2:38, a police voice says: “Party in custody.”\nThen at 3:49, “We have a suspect down.”\nThis next link, for me, was somewhat clearer:\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3E-Ix_aaDhg&feature=endscreen\nhttp://youtu.be/3E-Ix_aaDhg\nStarting at roughly 3:13, there are relevant police comments:\n“A teacher reports two shadows running past the building past the gym.”\n“They’re shooting.” (??)\n“Yeah, we got ‘em.”\n“They’re coming at me down Kurt’s (sp) Way!”\n“Got ‘em (?)…proned out.”\nWe get the distinct sense there are multiple shooters.\nWhoever is proned out, whoever is in custody, whoever is “coming at me,” whoever is down…we don’t know what happened to them.\nReporters on the scene have, as far as I know, provided no information, and neither have police.\nThe suspects have disappeared down the memory hole.\nThen we have these television interviews with families of the victims.\nhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VizQGl8bu8&feature=youtu.be\nhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmdXR3TtOvM&feature=endscreen\nhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddF6UzgoPiY&feature=endscreen\nIt’s astounding. Parents are smiling. They’re actors from Central Casting? One thing is for sure.\nThey’re androids, if you measure their responses against reports of what happened in the Sandy Hook School.\nAnd as androids, they’re only matched by the TV reporters who are interviewing them.\nIf you’re tempted to say the parents and family members are in shock, or they’re reacting to being on television, forget it. Their attitudes don’t match a massacre by any stretch of the imagination.\nIs Sandy Hook/Newtown a Stepford Village? Are these people all programmed to be pleasant and accommodating No Matter What?\nIt’s about as bizarre as the purported video footage of the Aurora theater during the shootings there this summer. As people exit the lobby and come out on to the street, there is no sign of blood and no one is coughing from the reported tear gas inside the theater.\nWith these Sandy Hook parents, we’re looking at a level of conditioning in which Being Nice can completely overwhelm even the murder of one’s own child.\nTears? Not one person in these interviews has actual tears running down his or her face.\nOne of the fathers, Robbie Parker, has had his interview played and replayed all over the planet on YouTube, and you can watch him smiling and grinning, for all the world looking like he’s just been appointed CEO of a company he works for…and then he steps to a podium to make his statement, and as one poster succinctly describes it, “gets into character.”\nThis isn’t just an internal event. You can watch Parker huffing and puffing and pushing himself into what he thinks is a tragic and grief-stricken state of mind.\nHe does it so badly you wonder why no one in the room calls him on it. It’s beyond strange. Yet reporters later talked about Parker “struggling through tears and suffering to make a heartfelt statement…” The reporters are just as deranged as Parker is.\nThis boggling show isn’t confined to Sandy Hook. A commenter below a Deseret News article on Parker replied: “Brave young father, wise to forgive early and choose to move forward—nothing can be gained by dwelling on what cannot be changed.”\nAt times, watching these interviews, I wondered whether the parents had been conditioned to believe, in the face of ANYTHING, that good and nice children all take a choo-choo train to heaven and there is nothing to regret about their murders at all.\nIn an earlier article, I pointed out that, indeed, at 1hr:58 of The Dark Knight Rises, Gary Oldman, talking about an impending attack on “Strike Zone 1,” is pointing to the words “Sandy Hook” on a map in front of him.\nThese are the only legible words on the map.\nBy happenstance, the production designer of Dark Knight Rises, Nathan Crowley, is related to the infamous British black-magic legend, Aleister Crowley, who was sometimes called The Great Beast 666.\nhttp://www.theartnewspaper.com\nIn an interview, Nathan said, “Yes, Aleister Crowley is a direct relative, he’s my grandfather’s cousin, but we were never allowed to even mention his name because we were a very Quaker family.”\nNathan is also the production designer of Lady Gaga’s video ad for her Perfume, Fame.\nIn terms of “the dark side,” the full 5:41 version of the video-ad makes Dark Knight Rises look like a Disney cartoon by comparison.\nhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az1-oLmxhHQ\nBut not to worry. What happened at Sandy Hook was exactly as the major media portrayed it, and nothing more. Sure. You bet.\nWhy Didn’t Anyone Fight Back? Questions Linger Over James Holmes Batman Movie Theater Shooting The James Holmes Conspiracy (2012 Full Documentary) Videos: More Than One Shooter Involved At Elementary School Massacre, Sandy Hook In Batman Dark Knight Rises Movie High-Ranking Mexican Drug Cartel Member makes Explosive Allegation: ‘Fast and Furious is not what you think it is’","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line229082"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5765395164489746,"wiki_prob":0.4234604835510254,"text":"Fall 2015 HIV/AIDS\nThe Fall 2015 Quarterly Conversations in Global Health focused on the spectrum of issues that surround and stem from H IV/AIDS. Topics discussed include current research being done in the field, HIV/AIDS as a global health concern, and the social effects of stigma related to HIV/AIDS.\nThe 1st Inaugural Quarterly Conversations in Global Health commenced on November 16th at the Great Hall at UC San Diego. The event brought in community resources who focus on HIV/AIDS prevention, education and awareness, as well as featured a photo booth, a faculty panelists and Q&A session. The Fall 2015 Quarterly Conversations in Global Health focused on the spectrum of issues that surround and stem from H IV/AIDS. Topics discussed include current research being done in the field, HIV/AIDS as a global health concern, and the social effects of stigma related to HIV/AIDS.\nUCSD Students participated in a photo booth to fight the stigmas associated with HIV/AIDS.\nGlobal Health Program Director, Dr. Thomas Csordas opened the event and introduced our inspiring speakers where we heard from:\nMembers of San Ysidro Health Center “Our Place” spoke about their personal experience being HIV positive.\nTake away: Despite the greater awareness, people are still being affected bu HIV/AIDS at an enormous rate.\nWays of coming into contact with the virus: blood, semen, vaginal fluids, breast milk but it is 100% preventable. There are resources, so people must use them!\nThings have changed, like there are better medications, but people still get infected and many don’t know they have it because they feel “fine.” There are disproportionate stats among groups of people like African Americans and Latinos. The pandemic in San Diego is still going­ on and there is still work that needs to be done.\nDr. Steffanie Strathdee, Ph.D, Chief of the Division of Global Public Health in the Department of Medicine at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine spoke about the HIV and AIDS crisis in Tijuana, specifically focusing on the River canal next to the border where many people live. San Diego and Tijuana both share the issue of HIV/AIDS. Sexual workers who use drugs or have partners that use drugs are affected by STDs (including HIV) more often. Barriers to HIV prevention in Tijuana include police malpractice and lack of access to health care, so she is working with the police in Mexico to prevent needle accidents and she has started programs toward HIV prevention in Mexico.\nMany of the issues are rooted in social, political, and economic realities in the Mexico, San Diego border.\nDr. Radhika Sundararajan, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at UC San Diego spoke about the role of traditional healers for HIV. Traditional healers (TH) include herbalism, spiritual treatment, bone setting, and birth attendants (most use a combination of these). About 80% of people use traditional healers in some countries in Africa and Asia (but some use it rarely).\nBeyond the need for traditional healers, people prefer to use traditional healers because they provides holistic care, aid for “possession/curses,” people have mistrust of bio medicine, and healers are respected members of the community. Traditional healers are the first point of contact when people get sick (not the doctors). HIV diagnosis is delayed when people visit TH. But there is lack of data for people who don’t have access to bio medical medicine.\nTo improve care, there needs to be collaborations between healers and bio medical providers, a better understanding of the needs and concerns of stakeholders, and formative research to understand how to best help people.\nDr. Robert Schooley, Chief, Division of Infectious Diseases and Academic Vice Chair, Department of Medicine, spoke about his research regarding HCV, influenza and HIV pathogenesis. He describes the advent of HIV in the early 1980’s and the stigmas surrounding HIV infections (especially towards gay men). Doctors didn’t accept gay men socially and thus did not want to treat them and they were also afraid of getting the disease if they helped them.\nBigotry allowed for a continuation of the epidemic. Clinical trials were done to provide drugs to HIV patients but the FDA did not want to approve initially, setting back access to aid for patients.\nHe began a study that had the people in other countries like India and Zimbabwe learn more about aid for HIV and persuade their governments to make drugs available to constituents.\nHowever, most of the initiative is made by western countries since eastern nations don’t have as quality education for medicine. Therefore we need to work towards helping develop health care education in other countries.\nThe event ended with a speaker Q&A:\nWhat common misconception should be cleared up?\nDr. Schooley: global health is more than medicine. Also, people in other countries with\nlimited resources do not lack knowledge, they just lack resources.\nDr. Sundararajan: there is so much more to global health than going and helping out- they already have the people for that. It’s about lending support intellectually and financially. It’s also about helping build infrastructure. Although it’s a slow process, it is lasting and is effective.\nDr. Strathdee: it’s also about social, political, and economic factors as well. You can’t just tell people to “not do something” that is deeply rooted in their lifestyles or culture.\nHow do you help women in particular?:\nDr. Strathdee: for example, sex working women are not doing their jobs because they want to, they are doing it because they need to support their families. We need to move upstream instead of saying “you shouldn’t do that.” Women should be given alternatives like micro­loans for example.\nDr. Sundararajan: there are different cultures and reasonings for why women do certain things. We need to understand why and not just make assumptions. For example, why do women use traditional healers more than biomedical aid. The more we engage with people, the more we can move away from making assumptions and actually learn more about people. There are many differences between different communities and we must learn about what makes each community unique by engaging with its people.\nDr. Schooley: when women are the leaders in the projects, they are able to help other women better. He agrees with Dr. Sundararajan in that people need to communicate with patients better about shortcomings and challenges and ways to open up.\nAudience Question: What is the interaction between allopathic and biomedical medicine and are those interactions are impeding care?:\nDr. Sundararajan: most people discount allopathic medicine. For example, people in India visit healers because they didn’t know if they are cursed or actually infected with malaria. But doctors or practitioners of biomedical treatments claim healers are stupid and conducting malpractice. However, community members themselves respect healers more. Doctors and healers have the same goal but collaboration is lacking which impedes care.\nIs it difficult to convince traditional healers that they are dealing with “western” problems/diseases as opposed to “possessions/curses?”:\nDr. Sundararajan: No because most of TH are knowledgeable. They hear the messages and have the knowledge of AIDS, for example, though the treatments aren’t perfect. It’s about respecting what they do and making suggestions nicely since they don’t often get positive reinforcement.\nWhat would you say is the biggest barrier on the U.S. side?\nDr. Strathdee: The mind­set that “it is their fault.” It is about creating international partnerships and see the HIV epidemic as a shared responsibility. We have held Mexico back and now it’s coming back to us and affecting people in San Diego. Therefore, we need to make sure we are helping people, not blaming them.\nDr. Schooley: it has become more about the agencies like USAID and CDC as opposed to actually helping the people. USAID for example, monopolizes care over certain areas and prevents other groups from the CDC from working with the people in those areas.\nWe should let ourselves listen a little more and make sure money is being spent the right way.\nFinal Thoughts and Announcements:\nThe 3rd annual Horizons Global Health Conference focusing on global mental health will be held on May 3, 2016.\nThe next Quarterly Conversations in Global Health will be focusing on gun violence, so stay tuned for updates with more information!\nEvent Co-Sponsors","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1808308"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7429388761520386,"wiki_prob":0.2570611238479614,"text":"Customised support\nDiversity In Our Workplaces\nHaving been born and raised in the islands, I have learned of the uniqueness of Women. How respected we are, and the values we maintain in our families. Coming into a community as diverse as Auckland’s is, I have met unique women and men with different values, backgrounds and upbringings. People that have been bought up in different environments than I. Through these experiences, I have been able to reflect on myself. I am proud of who I am. Working with Pacific Business Trust has especially increased my interests and dignity, as a Woman, a Pacific islander and a worker.\nThe work environment PBT has to offer runs on principles that allow for a healthy work life balance. It is through working with fellow Pasifika people, that I have seen the importance of diversity and unity. How the presence of diverse ideas in culture, community, work experience and skill sets, is vital to a well working team. We can teach each other, while also learning from each other. It is our role to showcase and highlight the talents and skills that we have, so that we can perform well in what we do best.\nDiversity is also essential in an organisation such as this, because we cater to the needs of Pacific Entrepreneurs and Businesses nationwide. We have the chance to engage with Pacific people of different races, cultures and values, yet with similar interests as us. The uniting of talents, skills and experiences, enhance the capability of assistance our people can receive. We strive to reflect a high-performance culture, where differences in perspective is valued. By reflecting the community we serve and appreciating different ways of thinking, we aim for better problem solving and results. As a team, we recognise the value in different perspectives and experiences. How these perspectives can help us improve how we approach our work and our lives.\nWhat is good about diversity, is that it has no end or limits. It be found in the workplace, people we help out, events and programmes we participate in. At PBT we do our best to contribute to the formation of a more productive and dynamic society. Improving our ability to see and connect with the communities around us. Our people need to feel included and valued for us to be successful in our work. Without inclusion, there is disengagement. Embracing all people means becoming a more successful team that recognises difference as a source of creativity, innovation and new connections. I stand for diversity and inclusion because it gives everyone the chance to work to their potential and that’s better in workplaces and communities.\nPacific leadership includes acknowledging and respecting people of all cultures that come through. Having no toleration for discrimination, and dealing with disagreements in a fair way. So join us, whoever you are! No matter what industry or generation! You help shape an active community culture which supports equality, fairness and the opportunity for all people to contribute. You will enjoy better business outcomes as a result.\nFast-track your business growth and success with the right support behind you.\nPBT Team\nPBT News team bringing you the latest news in the PBT community\nHave a comment?\nLearn from the experts, grow your business and help other Pacific business owners.\nRegister to become a Service Provider\nⒸ All Rights Reserved 2020","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1282116"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6839192509651184,"wiki_prob":0.3160807490348816,"text":"A theology of billboards\nTamara Hill Murphy • September 29, 2014\nIt makes sense for political figures to discuss the use of billboards in public spaces, but what if it also became a Christian conversation?\nThree years ago my family moved to Austin, Texas. Our very first spring we got a front row seat to the effects of the Highway Beautification Act of 1965, a legacy of former first lady Lady Bird Johnson. In a place known for heat and drought, springtime in Texas kicks off a wildflower parade up and down the state’s medians and roadways. Johnson’s concern about the increasing number of billboards crowding out the natural beauty of her home state energized her to become the first president’s wife to actively campaign for legislative action.\nA recent NPR story described the new battle Texans are fighting against the billboard lobby’s request to heighten signs. It makes sense for political figures to discuss the use of public spaces, but what if it also became a Christian conversation?\nWriting on the theology of culture, James K.A. Smith reframes our perception of public spaces as liturgical structures that actually shape our community’s thoughts and affections. In Desiring the Kingdom, Smith refers to billboards as part of a “wider web of practices and rituals associated with consumer capitalism.” What Lady Bird Johnson hoped to achieve by limiting the built environment (billboards) and cultivating the natural environment (wildflowers) speaks at least one truth: beauty is worth fighting for. In a decade of unrelenting national anxiety, the First Lady placed her bets on beauty. \"Ugliness is so grim,\" she said. \"A little beauty, something that is lovely, I think, can help create harmony which will lessen tensions.\"\nIt makes sense for political figures to discuss the use of public spaces, but what if it also became a Christian conversation?\nThe purpose of liturgy for the church congregation is to rehearse together the creative and redemptive work of Father, Son and Spirit in the world and to remember our rightful response of worship and mission. In the parallel view of cultural liturgies, public spaces present us with something larger than the individual and promote a particular community response, be it noble or demeaning. Pastor and author Eric Jacobsen describes this contrast: “The availability of places where we are invited to stop and enjoy our rest provides a tacit reminder of what is important. If these places invite us to stay because we are consumers or producers, we will learn to see ourselves as valuable only insofar as we contribute to the economy. If our public spaces are ugly or inconvenient, we learn tacitly that our value as human beings is minimal.”\nUnfortunately, Christians have often added to the spread of ugliness, using billboards as 14-foot-high pulpits to threaten motorists with certain condemnation. On our cross-country drive to Texas three summers ago, my family lost count of the number of billboards warning us that hell is real and God is mad. Maybe someday we’ll discover someone benefitted from that message, but I fear that it is just more visual pollution where beauty could have been offered.\nLast month a campaign called Art Everywhere used the abundance of public space meant for commercial advertising as a canvas to display great American art. The goal of the initiative is to provide millions of people who commute each day across the United States a chance to encounter beauty in public spaces. In a summer with a level of national and global tension not unlike 1965, I can’t think of a more Christian way to offer hope and human value than this sort of celebration of beauty. Can you?\nTopics: Culture At Large, Business & Economics, Economics, Science & Technology, Environment, Theology & The Church, Theology, News & Politics, History, North America\nTamara Hill Murphy writes at This Sacramental Life, where she encourages her readers to see God’s presence through daily practices of art, liturgy and relationships. Born and raised in the Northeast, she now lives in the bright city of Austin, Texas, with her audacious and often-homesick family: two daughters, two sons, one husband. / Image of billboards via Shutterstock.\nWhy Apple’s new headquarters isn’t designed for flourishing\nThe short-sightedness of Chicago’s Trump stamp","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line448463"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9130870699882507,"wiki_prob":0.9130870699882507,"text":"How To Get Away With Murder Season 7 Details Of Release Date, Cast, Storyline And Much More\nAn American thriller television series, How to get away with murder. This show was created by Peter Nowalk and producer of this show is Shona Rhimes and ABC Studios.\nThe stars who became cast of this show were\nViola Davis, Billy Brown,\nAlfred Enoch,\nJack Falahee,\nKatie Findlay,\nAja Naomi King,\nMatt McGorry,\nKarla Sauza,\nCharlie Weber,\nLiza Weil,\nConrad Ricamora,\nRame Flynn,\nAmirah Vann and Timothy Hutton.\nThe first season was released on September 5, 2014.\nThis show has 6 seasons and 84 episodes. The original network of this series is ABC. The second season of this show was released on May 7,2015.It had 15 episodes. On March 3, 2016 the third season was premiered. The series launched its fourth season on February 10,2017 and fifth season on May 11,2018. Lastly, the sixth season was released on September 26,2019.\nIn this show, the story of Annalise Keating is shown who’s a defense attorney and also a teacher who teaches at a University. She selects a group to work with. With this work, some secrets are discovered which leads to a murder. The students are forced to hide it using thier brain which they enhanced by working with Annalise.\nSome time ago, any specific date wasn’t selected to release Season 7. But now, April 2,2020 is regarded as official date to release the 7th season.\nAlso Read Reason of BJ Hogg Death the Actor From Games of Thrones\nThe show will come to an end with this final season. The audience is really sad to know that the show will end and really happy to know that new season would be there. The audience is going through mixed emotions currently. The cast of the show who has worked for 6 seasons together will miss each other.\nThe Good Doctor Season 4 Episode 4 Release Date and Preview\nIndustry Episode 3 & 2 Preview and Release Date\nThe Voice Season 19 Episode 8 and 7 Preview and Updates\nI'm Shubhyanshi. My hobbies include writing, drawing and singing!\nCable Girls Season 2: Date of Release, Cast Details and Plot Analysis of this Popular Netflix Show\nSpiderman 3: Details Of Release Date And All Information Of Upcoming Tom Holland’s Movie","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line579651"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6578814387321472,"wiki_prob":0.3421185612678528,"text":"U.S. Senate Bill Will Make It Easier For Vets To Get Medical Marijuana\nAccording to estimates by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder affects 31 percent of Vietnam veterans, 10 percent of Desert Storm vets, 11 percent of Afghanistan vets, and 20 percent of Iraqi war veterans. It's hard to comprehend the scope of that suffering - and a growing movement of ex-military, doctors, and researchers has been pushing to have cannabis recognized as a legitimate, low-side-effect treatment for PTSD.\nThis week, that fight took a promising, albeit preliminary, shift. On Nov.10, the U.S. Senate voted 18-12 to pass the FY2016 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Bill. This means that Veterans Administration (VA) doctors can now recommend medical marijuana to their patients in legal states.\nCurrently, the VA specifically prohibits its doctors from offering recommendations or opinion to their patients about state medical marijuana programs. This policy is unfair, says Michael Collins, Drug Policy Alliance deputy director of national affairs,\n\"Veterans in medical marijuana states should be treated the same as any other resident, and should be able to discuss marijuana with their doctor […] It makes no sense that a veteran can't use medical marijuana if it helps them and it is legal in their state.\"\nDoctors must still be willing to prescribe it\nBut just because doctors are legally allowed to talk to vets about medical marijuana is no guarantee they'll actually do it. Some vets, however, remain cautiously optimistic.\n\"We see this victory as a step toward a peace treaty with the government we volunteered to defend with our lives and as a step toward restoring our first amendment rights and dignity as citizens of the United States, \" said TJ Thompson, a disabled Navy veteran.\nNow, the bill must be negotiated as part of a more comprehensive omnibus spending bill to determine federal funding for the next fiscal year. Check out the video for a quick look at the bill and its potential impact.\nVubble | US veterans get new access to medical marijuana\nThe U.S. Senate passed a bill November 10, 2015, allowing Veterans Affairs doctors to recommend marijuana in states where it's legal. Studies have found that up to 20% of Iraq War veterans have PTSD -- and that marijuana can reduce symptoms by 75%.\nh/t The Weed Blog, The Drug Policy Alliance","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1108083"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8283970952033997,"wiki_prob":0.8283970952033997,"text":"Title: Chandrapur\nSubject: List of state highways in Maharashtra, Tadoba Andhari Tiger Project, Shantaram Potdukhe, Vidarbha, Ordnance Factories Board\nCollection: Chandrapur, Talukas in Maharashtra\nDistrict HQ/ Municipal Corporation\nLocation in Maharashtra, India\nChandrapur Fort\nMrs. Rakhi Kancharlawar\nMr. Sudhir Shambharkar\n77 km2 (30 sq mi)\nChandrapurkar\n(+91), 7172\nhttp://chanda.nic.in/\nChandrapur (meaning moon city) (formerly Chanda) (meaning moon) is a city and a municipal corporation in Chandrapur district in Maharashtra state, India. It is also the headquarters of Chandrapur district.\nThe city of Chandrapur has ancient temples of the goddess Kalikankalini, a form of the goddess Mahakali, and of Anchaleshwar, a form of the god Shiva.\nThe city was founded by Gond King Khandakya BallalShah in the 13th century and is situated at the confluence of the Irai and Zarpat rivers.\nThe region is very rich in mineral wealth such as coal and limestone. Due to its large number of coal mines, the city is also known as Black Gold city. Many cement factories are also located in this region.\nKalikankalini Mandir 5.1\nAnchaleshwar Mandir 5.2\nDeeksha Bhoomi 5.3\nAkhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan 6.1\nChandrapur Super Thermal Power Station (CSTPS) 8.1\nPlaces of interest 10\nNotable people 11\nAs per legends, on the death of King Surja (alias Ser Sah) of the Gond in the 13th century A.D., his son Khandkya Ballal came to the throne. This prince had tumours all over his body. He was looked after by his wise and beautiful wife. When no remedy could heal Khandkya she induced him to leave Sirpur and reside on the northern bank of the Wardha, where he erected a fort named Ballalpur. One day, as the legend goes, while the king was hunting north-west of Ballalpur he grew thirsty and rode up to the dry bed of the Jharpat river in search of water. He discovered water trickling from a hole, and after drinking, washed his face, hands and feet. That night he slept soundly for the first time in his life. Next morning the queen was delighted to see that many of the tumours on her husband's body had disappeared. On enquiry the wonderful cure was ascribed to the water of Jharpat where the King drank water and washed his face. The queen requested Khandkya to take her to the spot where he had quenched his thirst. Both proceeded to the Jharpat and in a little while the hole was found. On clearing the grass and sand there were seen five footprints of a cow in the solid rock, each filled with water. The water source at the spot was inexhaustible. The place was holy - the Tirtha of Acalesvar of the Treta Yuga fame. When the king bathed in the water all the tumours on his body vanished.\nThat night the royal party encamped near the place, and in the visions of sleep Acalesvar appeared to the king, and spoke comforting words. On hearing the dream the queen advised the erection of a temple over the healing waters, and the king, approving of the idea, sent his officers to collect skilled architects for the work. He took great interest in its progress. One morning, after his daily visit, while he was riding he saw a hare darting out of a bush and chasing his dog. Astonished at this unusual sight he looked on and saw the dog running in a wide circle while the hare took zig-zag cuts to catch it. At one point it closed in with the dog which however shook it off and continued its flight. On nearing the point where the chase had commenced, the dog turned on and killed the hare. The king found that on the forehead of the hare was a white spot. Pondering what this might mean, he rode home and recounted to his wife all that he had seen. That wise woman counselled that the occurrence was a good omen, and that a fortified city should he built within the circuit of the chase, with walls following the hare's tracks. She further advised that special bastions should be erected, both where the hare had closed in upon the dog and where the dog had killed the hare. She expressed her belief that the latter point would prove to be dangerous to the city in the future.\nThe king lost no time in giving effect to her suggestions. A trench was dug along the hare's track, which was easily discernible by the footprints of the king's horse. The gates and bastions were planned, the whole marked out, and the foundations commenced. The work was under the management of the Rajput officers of the King, called Tel Thakurs. Thus began the building of the city of Chandrapur. Some scholars derive the name from \"Indupur\" (city of the moon), which stood near the Jharpat in the Treta Yuga, but the common people see its origin in the white spot (Chandra) which marked the forehead of the wondrous hare. Khandkya Ballal Sah thus founded the city of Chandrapur.\nThe name of the place was 'Lokapura' which was first changed to 'Indupur' and subsequently to 'Chandrapur'. During the British colonial period it was called Chanda district, which was again changed to its original name 'Chandrapur' around 1964. Other places of the region in ancient times include Wairangad, Kosala, Bhadravati and Markanda. Gond Kings ruled the area till 1751 after which Maratha period started. Raghuji Bhosale, the last King of the dynasty, died heirless in 1853 and Nagpur province together with Chandrapur was declared annexed to British Empire.\nIn 1854, Chandrapur formed an independent district and in 1874, it comprised three tehsils: Viz Mul, Warora and Bramhpuri. In 1874, however, upper Godavai district of Madras was abolished and four tehsils were added to Chandrapur to form one tehsil with Sironcha as its headquarters. In 1895, the headquarters of one tehsil transferred to MUl to Chandrapur. A new tehsil with headquarter at Gadchoroli was created in 1905 by transfer of zamindari estates from Bramhpuri and Chandrapur tehsil. An small zamindari tract from Chandrapur district as transferred to newly from districts in 1907. In the same year and area of about 1560 km2. comprising three divisions of the lower Sironcha tehsil namely Cherla, Albak nad Nugir were transferred to Madras State.\nNo major changes occurred in the boundaries of the district or its tehsils between 1911-1955. Consequent upon reorganization of the states in 1956, the district was transferred from Madhya Pradesh to Bombay state. In the same Rajura tehsil, a part of Adilabad district of Hydrabad state, was transferred to Nanded district subsequently it was transferred to Chandrapur district in 1959. the district became part of the Maharashtra since its creation in May 1960. For administrative convenience and industrial and agricultural development, this district was again divided into Chandrapur and Gadchiroli district after 1981 census. Chandrapur district now comprises the tehsil of Chandrapur, Bhadravati, Warora, Chimur, Nagbhir, Bramhpuri, Sindhewahi, Mul, Gondpipri, Pomburna, Saoli, Rajura, Korpana, Jivati and Balharshah.\nThe city is located at the confluence of the rivers Erai and Zarpat. The northern portion of the city is at a high elevation and the southern portion is low.\nThe old city is surrounded by walls called \"parkots\". These walls have four gates to enter and leave the old city, namely, Jatpura Gate, Anchaleshwar Gate, Pathanpura Gate and Binba Gate. Also they have four windows (\"khidki\" in Marathi) to enter and leave the old city: Bagad Khidki, Hanuman Khidki, Vithoba Khidki and Chor Khidki.\nThe Gaontideo Nala originates from the uplands of the Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station. The Macchhi Nala originates from uplands of Central Forest Rangers College. These nalas merge to form the Zarpat river. River Erai has a long history of floods, and the flood marks appear on the fort walls of the city. In the north of the city, a dam is constructed on the river Erai, having the capacity of 207 million cubic meters.\nChandrapur, the headquarters of the district to which it gives its name, is the largest city in the district. The city is located at 19.57°N latitude and 79.18°E longitude in the eastern Maharashtra. It is situated at 189.90 meters above the mean sea level. The area of the city is about 70.02 km². The north-south length of the city is about 10.6 km, while the east-west length is about 7.6 km.\nChandrapur is known for its hot and dry climate. Humidity is very low in the region. Temperatures start decreasing in October with December being the coldest month, with a minimum average temperature of 9 °C and maximum of 23.2 °C. Temperatures begin to rise in February. May is the hottest month with a mean maximum temperature of 43 °C and minimum of 28.2 °C. The highest temperature ever recorded in Chandrapur was 49 °C on June 2, 2007 and the lowest was 2.8 °C on January 10, 1899.\nMonsoons mark the rainy season, lasting from June to September, bringing most of the rainfall to the region. Chandrapur receives an average annual rainfall of 1249.4 mm. The average number of rainy days is 59.2.[1]\nClimate data for Chandrapur (1971–2000)\nSource: India Meteorological Department[2][3]\nAs the city passed the population limit of 300,000, with a population of 375,000 as per the 2011 census, in a decision made on 20th Oct, 2011 by the state cabinet, Chandrapur municipal council was elevated to the D-grade municipal corporation status,[4] along with Latur and Parbhani in the state, and has 67 wards.[5]\nKalikankalini Mandir\nKalikankalini Mandir (temple) in Chandrapur is an icon for Chandrapur. It is symbolic to Chandrapur and it has a prominent place in people's hearts. Devotes visit Kalikankalini Mandir every day, but Tuesdays are special days to visit. There are a small Ganesh temple and Hanuman temple inside the Kalikankalini Mandir premises. The temple has two entrances, both with small shops for puja supplies like coconut, flowers and cloth. Things for home décor and puja décor items are sold near the temple. There is also a Shani temple next to the rear entrance.\nThere are two idols (murtis) in the Kalikankalini Mandir. One standing murti is the main idol decorated with red, yellow and orange cloths. This idol is associated with Shiv Ling. The second murti is in a reclining position. This is actually below the ground level and to reach it, devotees need to walk in a tunnel.\nInside the temple is a priest to assist visitors with puja and offerings. Every year there is a fair during the month of April, and during this period all the devotees from different parts of state visit the Kalikankalini Mandir.\nNow there is a trust formed to take care of temple administration. There were lot of improvements to the amenities of the temple in the last decade. The temple authority has made dharmashalas for devotees to help them stay near the temple for free, if they have traveled from distant places.\nThe annual fair (Jatra) that used to happen in the month of April used to be a big festival for the devotees of Kalikankalini and also for Chandrapur people. There used to be lots of activities and events for all ages and it used to be a time for joy and fun for everyone. Shops sold kitchen gadgets, toys, bangles, imitation jewellery, and clothes. Entertainers came from different parts of the district and state to show entertain and show their skills. There were small magic shows and a circus. The kids would wait all year for this event, a memorable festival for the family.\nAnchaleshwar Mandir\nA temple of Anchaleshwar, a form of Lord Siva, is situated near Anchaleshwar Gate on the banks of the Zarpat river. The official mausoleum or Samadhi of the Gond kings is also located in the temple's premises.\nDeeksha Bhoomi\nThe historical embracing of Buddhism, the ‘Deeksha’ ceremony, by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and his followers took place in the city in 1956. Babasaheb Ambedkar embraced Buddhism along with his family members on 14 October 1956 at Nagpur. Soon after that, he converted millions of his followers. On 16 October 1956, he gave Diksha of Buddhism to his followers at Chandrapur. Now the place is known as \"Deeksha Bhoomi\".\nDr. Ambedkar chose only Nagpur and Chandrapur for Dharmantar (conversion to Buddhism) and therefore Chandrapur has historical importance. Barrister Rajabhau Khobragade established the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar College of Arts, Commerce and Science in the Deeksha Bhoomi premises. A branch of Buddhivruksha from Bodh Gaya is planted in the premises and is growing gracefully. The two-day function of Dhamma Chakra Pravartan Din is hosted on 15 and 16 October every year at this holy place. Thousands of pilgrims and monks visit Deeksha Bhoomi then.\nMarathi is spoken by most of the people in Chandrapur. The people are also fluent in Hindi. English is spoken by a large section of the population.\nAkhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan\nVaman Krushna Chorghade in 1979 and by Vasant Aabaji Dahake in 2012.\nChandrapur lies on major state highways MH MSH 6, MH MSH 9 and state highways MH SH 233, MH SH 243 and MH SH 264. [7] Chandrapur is connected to many cities in Maharashtra by MSRTC buses. The buses ply to Nagpur, Wardha, Yavatmal, Gondia, Bhandara, Gadchiroli, Amravati, Akola, Washim, Nanded, Shirdi, Aurangabad, Pune, Adilabad, Karimnagar and Hyderabad.\nChandrapur railway station comes under Nagpur division of the Central Railways. It is located on New Delhi - Chennai section of the Indian Railways. Another railway station is Chanda Fort railway station which comes under Nagpur division of South East Central railways. It lies on the Bangalore - Gorakhpur railway route. Other railway stations within its urban area are Babupeth, Vivekanand Nagar and Choti Padoli.\nChandrapur Airport is situated near Morwa village on MH SH 264, about 12 km from the city. The airstrip is 950 metres long and is operated by the Maharashtra Airport Development Company. MADC has no plans of developing this airstrip, owing to obstructions all around the site, particularly the thermal power plant.[8] The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, Nagpur.\nAbout 6000 small, medium and large scale industries are located at Chandrapur district. Chandrapur has large deposits of coal and lime stone. The mammoth coal mines around the city also contribute to the heavy industrialization of the city. Western Coalfields Limited (WCL), a subsidiary of Coal India, has many mines here. Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station by Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Limited is its biggest pit head thermal power station.\nThe city houses various cement factories in its vicinity. They are Manikgarh Cement, a division of Century Textile and Industries, part of the BK Birla group of companies, UltraTech Cement (formerly L&T Cement), a division of Grasim Industries, part of the Aditya Birla Group; Chandrapur Cement Works, a division of Associated Cement Companies, part of Holcim Group; and Maratha Cement Works, part of Ambuja Cements Limited.\nThe district also boasts of having Ballarpur Industries Limited, the largest manufacturer and exporter of paper in India.\nOther major industries include a Chandrapur ferro alloy plant (formerly Maharashtra Elektrosmelt Ltd), a ferro-manganese plant, and a silico-manganese plant of Steel Authority of India Limited. Chandrapur's ferro alloy plant is the largest manganese-based ferro alloy producer in the country.\nChandrapur Super Thermal Power Station (CSTPS)\nThe Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station, sprawling over 12212 hectares and employing a workforce of around 3460 people, is the biggest pit head thermal power station of the Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Limited, located 6 km from Chandrapur city. The 3,340 MW power station complex contributes more than 25% of the electricity for the entire state. It is the first ever thermal power plant in India to have commissioned a 500 MW unit, which it did in 1991-92.\nThe first stage of the plant was sanctioned in 1976 and the Central Energy Minister Shri K. C. Pant laid the foundation stone on 16 January 1977. The first set of 210 MW unit was commissioned in August 1983 and the second set in July 1984. The first unit was dedicated to the nation on 8 Oct 1984 by the Hon. Prime Minister, the late Smt Indira Gandhi. The station has 4 units of 210 MW, 3 units of 500 MW and 2 units of 500MW. Durgapur and Padmapur Collieries of WCL are the pit head mines from where the coal is transported by Ropeway.\nA 420-metre masonry dam, constructed on the river Erai at a distance of about 15 km from the power station, caters to its water requirements. It is a composite dam with a central spillway and earth saddle dams on left and right bank of 800 and 425 meters length respectively. MSPGCL acquired 7041 hectares of land for the construction of this dam. It has an effective storage capacity of 198 million cu. meters, of which 12 million cu. meters per year is released to Chandrapur city.\nChandrapur is well known for its education facilities. It is the second city in Maharashtra having GEC and GMC, after Aurangabad. Chandrapur has many engineering, polytechnic, medical, and law schools. Except medical, all graduation colleges in Chandrapur are affiliated to Gondwana University.\nEntrance gate of GEC\nNotable educational institutes in the city are:\nGovernment Medical College, Chandrapur [16]\nGovernment College Of Engineering, Chandrapur [17]\nRenaissance Institutes of Management & Sciences Education [18]\nRenaissance Polytechnic [19]\nPurushottamdas Bagla Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital\nVimla Devi Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital\nRajiv Gandhi College of Engineering, Research and Technology [20]\nBajaj Polytechnic\nShri Sai Polytechnic College [21]\nSomayya Polytechnic [22]\nJanta Mahavidyalaya [23]\nDr. Ambedkar College of Arts Commerce and Science\nFemale Education Society College [24]\nSardar Patel College [25]\nArts, Commerce and Science College [26]\nShantaram Potdukhe National Academy for Legal Studies and Research\nHislop Junior College\nKarmavir Dadasaheb Kannamwar (ZP Jubilee) High School (previously known as Zilha Parishad High School, is the oldest institution in Chandrapur, established in 1906, by the British to mark golden jubilee of win in Indian Rebellion of 1857)\nLokmanya Tilak Vidyalaya\nMarathi City Higher Secondary School\nHindi City Higher Secondary School\nNew English High School\nKendriya Vidyalaya, W.C.L. (Durgapur)\nMount Carmel Convent High School [27]\nB.J.M. Carmel Academy\nBishop Januarius Memorial Carmel Academy [28]\nSt. Michael's English Medium School [29]\nSt. Mary's Convent High School and Junior college (Durgapur)\nVidya Niketan Higher Secondary School and Junior College\nNarayana Vidyalayam [30]\nChhotubhai Patel High School\nMurlidhar Bagla High School\nBhawanji Bhai Chavan High School and Junior College\nNehru Vidyalaya\nRafi Ahmed Kidwai Memorial High School\nTiger at Tadoba\nTadoba National Tiger Reserve\nAnandwan Ashram for Leprosy Patients (Warora)\nRamala Talav (Chandrapur)\nGhodazari Talav (Nagbhir)\nAsola Mendha Talav (Saoli)\nMahakali Mandir (Chandrapur)\nAnchaleshwar Mandir (Chandrapur)\nBhadranag Mandir (Bhadravati)\nJain Mandir (Bhadravati)\nBuddha Leni (Bhadravati)\nGaurala Ganpati Mandir (Bhadravati)\nGay Mukh (Talodhi Balapur)\nOld Mahadeo Temple (Palebarsa-Saoli)\nLord Vishnu Temple (Korpana)\nKarmavir Dadasaheb Kannamwar, the second chief minister of Maharashtra, was from Chandrapur.\nMohan Bhagwat, chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh, is from Chandrapur.\nBalasaheb Deshmukh was a prominent advocate and a follower of Bal Gangadhar Tilak. It was due to his efforts that Tilak visited Chandrapur and laid the foundation stone of a school Lokmanya Tilak Vidyalaya.\nBarrister Rajabhau Khobragade, former Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, leader of the Republican Party of India (Khobragade) and follower of B. R. Ambedkar, was from Chandrapur.\nShantaram Potdukhe, one of the ministers of state who had charge of the finance portfolio in Narasimha Rao's government, is also from Chandrapur.\nMake In Maharashtra\n^ India Meteorological Department. \"Ever recorded Maximum temperature, Minimum temperature upto 8°C.\". India Meteorological Department.\n^ \"Monthly mean maximum & minimum temperature and total rainfall based upon 1971–2000 data\" (HTML). India Meteorological Department. Retrieved 2013-05-21.\n^ \"Ever recorded Maximum and minimum temperatures upto 2010\" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. Retrieved 2013-05-21.\n^ Chandrapur is now municipal corporation with the population of 3.73 Lakh - TOI NEWS Article, Oct 21st, 2011\n^ EC to declare reservation of CMC wards - TOI NEWS Article, Jan 26th, 2012\n^ Marathi literary congregation concludes in Chandrapur.\n^ List of state highways in Maharashtra\n^ \"MADC projects\". Retrieved 24 April 2012.\nOfficial website of Chandrapur district\nChandrapur information portal\nTalukas in Maharashtra\nMumbai, Marathi literature, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Varkari, Marathi language\nMaharashtra, Mumbai, Vidarbha, India, Hindi\nDevanāgarī, Maharashtra, Goa, Daman and Diu, Hindi\nList of state highways in Maharashtra\nMaharashtra, Ahmednagar district, Amravati district, Buldhana district, Latur district\nTadoba Andhari Tiger Project\nMaharashtra, India, Chandrapur, Tiger reserves of India, Chandrapur district\nShantaram Potdukhe\nIndian National Congress, 10th Lok Sabha, 9th Lok Sabha, Maharashtra, Chandrapur\nMaharashtra, Nagpur, Marathwada, Amravati district, Marathi language\nOrdnance Factories Board\nChennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, Katni, Artillery","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line945831"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5404933094978333,"wiki_prob":0.5404933094978333,"text":"Why this country is calling for a six-hour workday\nThe ministers’ approach to work/life balance is a lesson for other countries\nBY Rachel Ranosa 02 Sep 2020\nTop officials in Finland are renewing calls to adopt the six-hour workday as well as similar measures that aim to promote a better work/life balance for Finnish employees.\nPrime Minister Sanna Marin raised the idea of shortening the traditional eight-hour shift to just six hours when she urged her party to reconsider alternative working arrangements amid the COVID-19 pandemic.\n“We need to create a clear vision and concrete steps as to how Finland can proceed towards shorter working hours and Finnish employees towards better working life,” said Marin, who championed the cause prior to becoming prime minister.\nMarin believes a six-hour workday could spark greater productivity among workers, and that the arrangement would not hamper Finland’s public finances or its goal of raising employment to at least 75%, Reuters reported.\nRead more: Long work hours waste time and lead to lower productivity\n“The wealth brought about by the increase in labour productivity has to be split not only between owners and investors but also [between] ordinary employees,” Marin said.\nAino-Kaisa Pekonen, the country’s social affairs and health minister, shared Marin’s sentiments, tweeting: “The effects of a shorter work week could be positive especially in the care sector.”\n“We should trial not only six-hour workdays, but also other ways to reduce working hours such as a four-day work week. The key in the trial should be to examine the effects of shorter working hours on labour productivity, sick leave and employee well-being,” she said.\nRead more: Could four-day work week solve productivity puzzle?\nPekonen is asking the Finnish government to set aside funding to improve not only the country’s employment situation but also the quality of life in the workplace.\nThe government should therefore revaluate the impact of a shorter workday on the well-being and longevity of employees as well as on the country’s job creation programs, she said.\nFinland has long enjoyed a reputation for having one of the best working conditions in Europe. In a 2017 study, the country emerged as the fourth best in the region in terms of work/life balance.\nFinnish employees are said to devote an average of eight hours a day to leisure; 7.2 hours a day to staying in bed; and 1.5 hours to miscellaneous activities.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line793764"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9356685280799866,"wiki_prob":0.9356685280799866,"text":"Can information security deliver business value?\nInformation security remains a perennial priority for IT leaders.\nHistorically, security has been regarded as an insurance-type activity to keep the bad guys out, but this attitude is increasingly outdated, as forward-thinking organisations show how security can be an enabler and a means of gaining competitive advantage.\nAt a Computer Weekly roundtable, in association with Oracle, IT security leaders discussed the business value in information security and how best to deliver it.\nDelegates discussed how the new government will change the security landscape, and focused on key security issues, such as the impact of new regulations, accreditation, a new era of openness, and what IT security professionals can learn from high-profile security failures.\nImpact of the new government\nThe government has announced plans to roll back the database state, scrapping ID cards and the National Identity Register. But Toby Stevens, managing director of Enterprise Privacy Group (see box), said this risks creating \"an identity vacuum\" which will be filled with competing identity and authentication schemes.\nThe civil liberties agenda will change the way government and industry approaches information security. There will be a cap of £100m on government IT contracts and Stevens said splashing out on IT projects without thinking about security will end.\n\"Those organisations that were brave enough to say, 'If security is too expensive then maybe it's not a good project' will be held up as the champions and pioneers,\" he said.\nData handling failures by government have come under the spotlight since HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) lost two CDs containing millions of child benefit records.\nHistorically, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has not been able to do much to increase accountability, beyond censuring miscreants, said Stevens, but it now has new punitive powers to fine organisations up to £500,000 for serious breaches of the Data Protection Act.\nHowever, Stevens questions the \"value of fining a government department if it means taking away money so it can't deliver what it needs to deliver.\"\nInstead, he thinks the ability to prosecute for repeated failures makes more sense and he believes this provision is likely to become law.\n\"The government was centralising and aggregating data in a way that private companies would shy away from doing,\" said Stevens.\nA lack of accountability and security controls means we have seen \"brand new systems bought with no attention to security,\" he added.\nAnd as accountability increases in the wake of new regulations, there is an expectation that there will be greater rewards for information security and assurance professionals. \"They will be paid better rates,\" said Stevens.\nIT security chiefs agreed that ensuring systems are secure and information is managed securely is a priority for government and industry, although there is no magic wand.\nFollowing the HMRC data-loss, the Hannigan Review of government data handling procedures called for security accreditation of new systems, but the word \"new\" was inserted eight hours before publication, said Stevens, who described this as a cop-out.\n\"We have a hugely interconnected environment. If one system is accredited and not others do you have any security?\" he asked.\nStevens foresees a culture which will \"force creeping accreditation across public services\", with a mandate that accredited systems can only work with other accredited systems.\nOrganisations will have to look at their information assets and \"assess what level of protection is required\", said Stevens, who called for an end to a culture of accreditation \"catching everyone by surprise\" because it is added at the end of the procurement process.\nMike Trevett, deputy director for information security and legal services at the Office for National Statistics (ONS), questioned the financial implications of accreditation. \"A chain is only as strong as the weakest link, but accreditation does not come cheap. How do you make that circle square?\" he asked.\nDes Powley, technical director for security and ID management at Oracle UK, said there is a risk associated with accreditation if organisations think they can do it once and forget about it, and suppliers are faced with the problem that security is not static.\n\"Accreditation can breed complacency because it happens at a point in time. A system changes, but is accreditation updated? The threat landscape is constantly changing and if you buy software with a gold standard of security to ensure it is accredited to the highest level at the point of sale, it only addresses the threat present at that current point in time,\" he said.\nStevens foresees the end of \"security through obscurity\". He described it as outmoded and said it has held back progress in government.\n\"So many organisations believe that they are a centre of security excellence, but they don't like sharing,\" he said.\nA fundamental problem is that CESG [Communications-Electronics Security Group, which advises the government on IT security] has been holed up at GCHQ in Cheltenham and not provided enough direction to industry, said Stevens.\n\"People who should be talking and liaising should be moved to London with an open front door. There is nothing happening that should be under lock and key. This is not something that should be confidential,\" he said.\nThe language of security can be a hindrance to openness and clarity.\nCallum Halliday, information security manager for the London 2010 Olympics, is focusing on providing clear communication about the importance of security to users.\n\"We are rolling out a security education awareness project with staff which will expand over the next months to improve the level of understanding about sensible user behaviour,\" he said.\nMartyn Croft, CIO at The Salvation Army believes that making security open and easy for users to follow is advisable. \"Make it incredibly easy for people to do the right thing and difficult for them to do the wrong thing,\" he said.\nSuppliers also need to be more open about the cost of security. In the past they have been guilty of adding on security as a \"forgot-to-do\" to government IT projects because they \"didn't want to increase their tender offer\", said Stevens.\nThe actual cost of two lost CDs holding 25 million child benefit records to HMRC amounted to about £2, but the cost in terms of reputation and co-operation with the public is unquantifiable.\nIndependent research consultant John Leach said the breach damaged HMRC's ability to do its job. \"HMRC relies on the average taxpayer doing their tax returns properly. The problem for HMRC if they lose data is the public won't play ball. Their operational costs went up through the roof trying to rebuild the damage caused,\" he said.\nHowever, Powley said that although HMRC went into paralysis in the wake of the data breach and the chief executive lost his job, there are always some organisations that take the attitude \"it is cheaper to pay the fine than address the issues\".\nBut more organisations are beginning to appreciate the business imperative of getting IT security right.\n\"A database is worthless if it is corrupted,\" said Marcus Alldrick, senior manager, information protection and continuity, at Lloyds of London.\nTrevett said, \"It's not the value of the data; it's the value of replacing it. There is the physical cost of replacing the data asset and the reputational cost.\"\nThe future of security and privacy\nToby Stevens, managing director of Enterprise Privacy Group, is an expert on privacy and identity and has advised the Conservative Party, whose plans to scrap the ID card scheme and the next generation of biometric passports were announced in the Queen's Speech in May.\nStevens believes the strong civil liberties agenda heralds a new security direction for industry and government, and the \"emotional quality\" of privacy will be more keenly felt.\n\"There is an intangible quality that comes with privacy that gets people riled and security managers have to take this on board,\" he said.\nEmotional quality means, for example, companies with a family reputation such as Marks & Spencer or Boots risk getting badly hurt if there is a security lapse, said Stevens.\nData losses and failures in handling sensitive information will not be tolerated by the public or customers and Stevens believes that the lack of accountability for handling sensitive information that was symptomatic in the past will change.\n\"We have an environment where the penalties for individuals in organisations who fail to protect data are going up rapidly. I don't like to scaremonger, but IT security heads have to ensure that senior executives are aware that they must take responsibility. They can delegate responsibility, but they can't delegate accountability and they will carry the can,\" said Stevens.\nWithin government IT security, Stevens expects an \"opening of doors\" which will be beneficial for industry.\n\"Industry can't see anything coming out of government such as standards to follow,\" he said.\nSecrecy coupled with a lack of leadership, where the chief information security officer role is fudged into the CIO agenda, means that \"each department must re-invent the wheel\" resulting in a \"diverse duplication of effort\", said Stevens.\nHe believes improved security and professional standards, and better recognition of information security and assurance professionals is necessary and will help to prevent projects being completed with security flaws and blowing money on outdated technology.\n\"I want to see security seen an asset rather than an obstacle,\" said Stevens, and he believes this is possible with a new culture of leadership and openness in industry and government.\nRead more on IT risk management\nHMRC warns locked-down freshers of ‘wave’ of tax scams\nWestern Australia government goes all-in on Microsoft\nCoronavirus: HMRC job retention scheme targeted by cyber criminals\nEDS wins training accreditation – ComputerWeekly.com\nHMRC left the door open to data loss – ComputerWeekly.com\nIAS 6 aims to lock down data from government ... – ComputerWeekly.com","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1875539"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.885367214679718,"wiki_prob":0.885367214679718,"text":"News Overuse Injuries More Common in Kids Who Specialize in Individual Sport\nOveruse Injuries More Common in Kids Who Specialize in Individual Sport\nYoung athletes who specialize in an individual sport – such as gymnastics, tennis and dance – were at higher risk for overuse injuries (i.e. gradual onset of pain and symptoms), compared to those who focus on a single team sport, according to a study published in The Physician and Sportsmedicine. Acute injuries (i.e. from a single traumatic event) were more common in young athletes whose single sport was a team sport, especially football, cheerleading and soccer.\n“Kids in an individual sports usually start specializing at a younger age than those in team sports, and individual sport athletes tend to spend more hours per week training, which might explain why we see a greater proportion of overuse injuries among these athletes,” said senior author Cynthia LaBella, MD, Medical Director of the Institute for Sports Medicine at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and Associate Professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.\nOf 1190 athletes, 7-18 years of age, enrolled in the study, 313 reported participating in a single sport and training in that sport more than eight months of the year. Sports with the highest proportion of single-sport-specialized athletes were tennis, gymnastics and dance. These three sports also had the highest rate of serious overuse injury. The youngest age of sports specialization was seen in gymnastics (8.9 years), dance (10.8 years) and soccer (10.9 years).\n“Better understanding of the relationships between sports specialization and injury risk can help us design more effective injury prevention strategies,” said LaBella. “For example, we know from previous studies that neuromuscular training may help to improve motor skills and performance while decreasing risk for injury among athletes specializing in a single sport. Our data suggest that young athletes specializing in individual sports may reap the greatest benefits from this sort of preventive neuromuscular training.”\nThe study was funded by the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine Foundation.\nResearch at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is conducted through the Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute. The Manne Research Institute is focused on improving child health, transforming pediatric medicine and ensuring healthier futures through the relentless pursuit of knowledge. Lurie Children’s is ranked as one of the nation’s top children’s hospitals in U.S.News &World Report. It is the pediatric training ground for Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Last year, the hospital served more than 198,000 children from 50 states and 51 countries.\nNews Release Research Innovation\nLurie Children’s Seeks Proposals to Support All Hands Health Network\niREACH Study Aims to Enhance Prevention of Peanut Allergy in Pediatric Practices\nGrant for Collaborative National Center for Safe Supportive Schools Awarded to the Center for Childhood Resilience (CCR) at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago\nParents Want More Bullying Prevention in Schools","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1222517"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5770087242126465,"wiki_prob":0.5770087242126465,"text":"CSS Planter\nIn May 1862, Robert Smalls (1839-1915) committed an act that would lead to him being known as a daring hero during the Civil War.\nThe Confederates had commandeered into service the Planter, a transport steamer whose crew included Smalls and three other slaves. From the Planter in Charleston Harbor, the men could see the Union ships tantalizingly close as the Union Navy blockaded Fort. Sumter. When all of the white crew went ashore for the evening on May 12, 1862, Smalls and the other slaves gathered their families on the Planter for a daring escape to freedom. Casting off, Smalls eased the ship into the current and headed out of Charleston harbor. Familiar with the waters and the Confederate routines, he steamed the Planter past five Confederate gun batteries, giving the correct signals for safe passage at each.\nBy dawn on May 13, 1862, Smalls had successfully cleared the harbor and surrendered the Planter to the Union forces.\n“One of the most heroic acts of the war,” reported the New York Times on May 19, 1862. The commander of the Union Navy along the South Atlantic coast, Rear Admiral Samuel F. Du Pont, pronounced it “one of the coolest and most gallant naval acts of war.” Southern newspapers considered it “one of the most shameful events of this or any other war.”\nIn addition to providing the Union forces with the Planter, Smalls and the other former slaves provided invaluable intelligence, including information that allowed for the establishment of an important base on the Stono Inlet and Stono River for future military operations.\nPhoto courtesy of the Naval Historical Center, Washington, D.C.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line32532"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8784806132316589,"wiki_prob":0.8784806132316589,"text":"FBI: Missouri man planning to bomb hospital killed himself\nby: HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH, Associated Press\nFILE – In this April 2020, file photo is the Belton Regional Medical Center in Belton, Mo. A Missouri man who was planning to bomb a Kansas City-area hospital killed himself in March as FBI agents served a probable cause arrest warrant, the FBI said Friday, May 15, 2020. An autopsy determined that FBI agents shot Timothy Wilson, 36, of Raymore, Mo., in the upper and lower extremities on March 24 on a street in Belton, Mo., but that his cause of death was a self-inflicted wound to the head, the agency said. (Tammy Ljungblad/The Kansas City Star via AP, File)\nMISSION, Kan. (AP) — A Missouri man who was planning to bomb a Kansas City-area hospital killed himself in March as FBI agents served a probable cause arrest warrant, the FBI said Friday.\nAn autopsy determined that FBI agents shot Timothy Wilson, 36, of Raymore, Missouri, in the upper and lower extremities on March 24 on a street in Belton, Missouri, but that his cause of death was a self-inflicted wound to the head, the agency said. The FBI didn’t say if Wilson shot himself before or after the agents shot him.\nInvestigators said Wilson was distressed by the government’s response to the coronavirus crisis and motivated by racial, religious and anti-government animus, according to court documents. The plot was reminiscent of the 1995 bombing of a federal building in Oklahoma City. Wilson first talked of plans for an attack in April or June, but FBI agents say he moved up that timeline as the coronavirus made its way to Missouri.\nThe violent take-down followed a long-running domestic terrorism investigation that began in 2019 with Wilson’s encrypted communications about bomb-building with Jarrett William Smith, a 24-year-old Army infantry soldier who faces prison for distributing bomb-making information through social media.\nWilson considered attacking the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas, before settling on a plan to park a vehicle loaded with explosives and detonate it in the parking lot of Belton Regional Medical Center in Cass County, investigators state in court documents.\nJust two days before his death, Wilson and an undercover FBI agent visited Belton Regional to inspect the hospital property and conduct a dry run of their plot, court records say.\nThe records show that for months, Wilson had discussed ideas for a terrorist attack, telling an undercover FBI agent that he was considering sites including a nuclear plant and Islamic centers in Missouri and the Walmart headquarters or a synagogue in Arkansas. He also discussed last year shooting up a predominantly black elementary school, the FBI said in the affidavits.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line20203"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9903943538665771,"wiki_prob":0.9903943538665771,"text":"Director Guillermo del Toro has been attached to a “Justice League Dark” film since 2012, but a new report says he’s left the project. In The Hollywood Reporter’s article on Vertigo-based films including “Sandman” moving from Warner Bros. to New Line Cinema, the industry outlet also disclosed that del Toro is “no longer attached” to “Justice League Dark.”\nWord first surfaced in November 2012 of a possible del Toro-directed “Justice League Dark” film, based on the comic book series of the time starring John Constantine, Zatanna, Deadman and more. Updates came periodically from del Toro at various events — including a working title of “Dark Universe” — though based on reports, the film never seemed to move past preliminary stages. Notably, though THR says del Toro is no longer attached to the movie, it doesn’t rule out another direct taking on the project.\nThe “Justice League Dark” DC Comics series ended earlier this year, and a “Dark Universe” title is expected to debut later this year. del Toro has a full slate even without “Dark Universe,” with his film “Crimson Peak” scheduled for release on Oct. 16, and a “Pacific Rim” sequel in the works.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line222453"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5246668457984924,"wiki_prob":0.47533315420150757,"text":"HOME : Near Eastern Art : Achaemenid Art : Achamenid Bronze Dish\nAchamenid Bronze Dish - BF.015\nOrigin: Central Asia\nCirca: 500 BC to 400 BC\nDimensions: 2\" (5.1cm) high x 9.5\" (24.1cm) wide\nCollection: Near Eastern Art\nLocation: Great Britain\nThe Achaemenid Empire (559 -330 BC) was one of the most dynamic and historically significant socio-political entities of the first millennium BC. Originally based in Persia, their borders extended eastwards and also into the Mediterranean region, where they were the notable foe of the ancient Greeks. The founder (the mythological founder of the Achaemenid empire was called Achaemenes) Cyrus, following an abortive raid on the Peloponnese, besieged and captured Babylon in 539 BC; his release of Jews who had been held captive there earned him immortality in the Book of Isaiah. The empire continued to grow until Cyrus’ death in 529 BC, by which time the kingdom extended as far as the Hindu Kush in present-day Afghanistan. However, his successors were less successful and the empire was gradually eroded as intrigue and corruption threatened court stability. Darius, beaten at the battle of Marathon in 490 BC, led the Achaemenids back to Asia Minor where they attempted to consolidate the remains of their power. While successful in his lifetime, the court and empire returned to their usual downward cycle until the death in 330 of the last of the Achaemenids, Darius III, at the hands of his own subjects.\nThe cultural achievements of the Achaemenids were considerable, for although somewhat despotic in the technical sense, free trade and social tolerance went to provide a comparatively enlightened environment in which the arts flourished. The economy was healthy, fuelled by Darius’ introduction of stable gold currency, and the road system allowed the spread of trade, luxury items and ideas. As a result the artists and craftsmen of the time were extremely attuned to neighbouring and distant polities, and were able to produce a wide variety of elite items such as this. Most iconography of the time was based around enormously ornate zoomorphic statuary and architectural design as seen in Persepolis, and smaller items retain much of their grandiose monumentality. - (BF.015)","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1286235"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5644218921661377,"wiki_prob":0.5644218921661377,"text":"trespass on the case:\n(15c.)\n1. At common law, a lawsuit to recover damages that are not the immediate result of a wrongful act but rather a later consequence. The lawsuit was instituted by a writ of trespass on the case. It was the precursor to a variety of modern-day tort claims, including negligence, nuisance, & business torts. — Often shortened to case. — aka action on the case; breve de transgressione super casum. [1]\nExcerpt from Edwin E. Bryant’s The Law of Pleading Under the Codes of Civl Procedure (2d ed. 1899):\n“The most important of the writs framed under the authority of the statute of Westminster 2 is that of ‘trespass on the case’, to meet cases analogous to trespass in delict, but lacking the element of direct or immediate force or violence. This writ gave a form of action in which the court was enabled to render judgment of damages in cases of fraud, deceit, negligence, want of skill, defamation oral or written, & all other injurious acts or omissions resulting in harm to person or property, but wanting the vi et armis (“with force & arms”), the element of direct force & violence, to constitute trespass.” [2]\nAnother excerpt from Edwin E. Bryant’s The Law of Pleading Under the Codes of Civl Procedure (2d ed. 1899):\n“Common law recognizes a distinction between the actions of trespass vi et armis (or simply trespass) and trespass on the case. This distinction has been expressed by stating that a tort committed by the direct application of force is remediable by an action for trespass, while a tort accomplished indirectly is a matter for trespass on the case. Other authority makes the distinction on the basis of the defendant’s intent, stating that trespass involves a willful and deliberate act while trespass on the case contemplates an act or omission resulting from negligence.” [2]\nDisclaimer: All material throughout this website is pertinent to people everywhere, and is being utilized in accordance with Fair Use.\n[1]: Black’s Law Dictionary Deluxe Tenth Edition by Henry Campbell Black, Editor in Chief Bryan A. Garner. ISBN: 978-0-314-61300-4\n[2]: Edwin E. Bryant, The Law of Pleading Under the Codes of Civl Procedure 7 (2d ed. 1899)\nTo be Added:\n[2]: Ballantine’s Law Dictionary Legal Assistant Edition\nby Jack Ballantine (James Arthur 1871-1949). Doctored by Jack G. Handler, J.D. © 1994 Delmar by Thomson Learning. ISBN 0-8273-4874-6.\n[3]: Ballantine’s Law Dictionary with Pronunciations\nThird Edition by James A. Ballantine (James Arthur 1871-1949). Edited by William S. Anderson. © 1969 by THE LAWYER’S CO-OPERATIVE PUBLISHING COMPANY. Library of Congress Catalog Card No. 68-30931\nBack to Types of Actions\nIntro to U.S. Law\nLegal Precepts Adopted (from Europe) into The U.S. Constitution\n§ § of Law Embedded into the Constitution Pursuant to the American Revolution\nIndian Country Law\nFederal Rules of Procedure\nLike this website?\nPlease Support Our Fundraiser\nor donate via PayPal:\nDisclaimer: Wild Willpower does not condone the actions of Maximilian Robespierre, however the above quote is excellent!\nThis website is being broadcast for First Amendment purposes courtesy of\nQuestion(s)? Suggestion(s)?\nDistance@WildWillpower.org.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1585491"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5132802128791809,"wiki_prob":0.4867197871208191,"text":"A Look Back at medical facilities\nBy Bill Stewart\nPublished 12:55 am Tuesday, November 3, 2020\nWhen we old readers of the Hartselle Enquirer were born, if we were not born at the home of our parents, we probably came into the world at the Decatur General Hospital. In those days, Hartselle didn’t have a hospital.\nDr. Claude Lavender brought Hartselle Hospital on the scene largely thanks to the Hill-Burton Hospital Construction Act of 1946.\nWhen men were examined prior to induction into the armed forces at the beginning of World War II, many of them – especially those from southern states – were found to have health problems attributable to inadequate medical care earlier in their lives. The main sponsor of the 1946 act was Alabama’s long-time Sen. Lister Hill. On Capitol Hill in Washington, some called Sen. Hill “Mr. Health” because of the leadership role he played in so many areas pertaining to public health.\nIn the not–too–distant past, Hartselle could boast of two fully functioning hospitals – the previously mentioned Hartselle Hospital, later called the Hartselle Medical Center, and Block-Chandler Hospital, later called Pineview, started by Drs. W. H. Block and David Chandler.\nNow Hartselle is back to where it was before Dr. Lavender came back to the States after the War. It no longer has a complete hospital. Local residents who require hospitalization need to go to Decatur-Morgan Hospital or Cullman Regional Medical Center.\nThis column usually looks back to more distant times than the 1940s. When we “look back” for medical facilities, we find a complete absence of anything in our area that could be called a hospital according to the meaning of that word today. Here are some examples of what was done – or, more precisely, not done – for people who probably needed hospitalization many years ago because of accident or illness.\nEven in those instances where death was probable, comfort could have been provided in the last hours of life.\n–1902: A young man working with lumber got his shirt sleeve caught in the machinery and was whirled around and thrown against the ceiling. His arms and legs were broken, and he received internal injuries as well. Doctors bandaged his wounds, although they quickly realized his life probably could not be saved. There was no hospital; the young man was carried on a cot to his home, where he passed away.\n–1902: Another young man was shot during a baseball game by the father of the young woman he was dating. The father felt the young man had not shown proper respect for his daughter and, because of this, shot him. The bullet lodged in the breast, and a doctor who was called to the patient’s grandmother’s house was uncertain whether his life could be saved.\n–1903: F. F. Davis, who was seriously shot several weeks ago by Will Peppers, has recovered sufficiently to be removed from Dr. Davis’s residence to his home on College Street, and his many friends trust he will soon be able to be back at his place of business.\n–1908: Mrs. Dorsett and daughter, who were painfully hurt in the recent storm, have been brought to this place and are being cared for by friends here.\nSometimes physicians were negligent in using findings of research laboratories even given the absence of hospitals in which to place their patients. Examinations made by the Tennessee Valley laboratory during 1926, according to Dr. A. J. Perolio, the director, showed that 61.7 percent of all the physicians in the Valley were not using the services of the laboratory.\nIn 1911 a specialty hospital was on the horizon. Dr. McWhorter was in the area looking for a suitable location for the establishment of a tuberculosis sanitarium for the state and a state epileptic sanitarium. He was much impressed with the high altitude of Morgan County, saying this portion of the state should be free from consumption and kindred lung trouble.\nPerhaps it “should” have been free of TB, but it definitely was not.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line797162"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6955043077468872,"wiki_prob":0.6955043077468872,"text":"Student follows her dream of a Royal Navy career\nWe are delighted that Year 13 UTC Swindon student, Kate Kerrane, has been offered an apprenticeship with the Royal Navy.\nKate’s family has always worked with the Royal Navy, which sparked her interest in joining the force several years ago. She originally applied for a job, but when they saw the qualifications she was working towards they put her through a test to see whether she would be more suited to the apprenticeship scheme instead.\nBy completing an Aviation Engineering Apprenticeship, Kate will gain a Masters qualification after three years rather than 22 years if she were to join as a Regular.\nKate said: “I will spend 10 weeks at HMS Riley, which is normal for a Regular, then I will go to HMS Collingwood for 18 months where I’ll be learning about all the different parts of helicopters, fixed wing, rotary wing etc. I will then go on deployments and start working through a course, before I’ll have to take charge of a group.\n“It’s all very hands-on and practical, which I like. I don’t mind theory and there is some of that, but it’s more focused on the practical side which is more suited to me.”\nCommenting on her time at UTC Swindon, Kate said: “I’m definitely glad I made the move to UTC Swindon from my old school. I used to have no confidence at all, but this has dramatically improved. I also didn’t used to do very well academically, but we’re given lots of independence here and having more independent study time has really helped me focus and improve.”\nWe wish Kate the best of luck.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line462490"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5693568587303162,"wiki_prob":0.43064314126968384,"text":"\"Here We Are, Folks!\" - Sign O' the Times Deluxe Edition Unboxing\nI received my copy of the deluxe edition of Prince's 1987 album, \"Sign O' the Times.\" Check out my unboxing video below!\nSubscribe to my newsletter for updates on my book on Prince's spiritual journey. Click here.\nPosted by E. Thompson at 8:38 AM No comments:\n\"Shock-a-lock-a, Boom!\" - Giveaway\nCongrats, Amy A.!\nThis contest is closed.\nPosted by E. Thompson at 3:03 PM No comments:\n\"We Can Work It Out\" - Experimenting with Facebook Ads\nI set a goal for myself to increase my monthly newsletter list to 1,000 this year (I have just over 700 as of today). I've had great success collecting email addresses through my giveaways (come back next week for another one, btw), but I wanted to explore other avenues. Over the past week, I ran two Facebook ads to gain new subscribers, and things were decent for my first try!\nSee below for the details and if you haven't subscribed to my monthly newsletter, you can do so right here.\nFirst, I created a \"lead generation\" ad, which collects email addresses directly on Facebook. I'm pretty happy with these results. The ad will be finished tomorrow, and I think I'm going to hit 50 leads. I spent approximately 70 cents per email address, which isn't too expensive for me. I would run this type of ad again and spend more money to get 100 new subscribers.\nCost: $33.63 (of $35)\nDuration: 6 Days (of 7)\nReach: 2,017\nLeads: 46\nI wasn't sure if people would put their email addresses directly on Facebook, so I ran a \"website visitors\" ad that took them off Facebook and directly to my signup form on MailChimp. Although this ad reached more people, fewer people signed up for my newsletter. So, moving forward, I will only run the ad above to collect email addresses, but I will utilize the \"website visitors\" ad to send people to my blog to get more views on my content. I'll also plan to run some ads to boost the number of people who \"like\" my Facebook page.\nSubscribers: 16\nPosted by E. Thompson at 10:26 PM No comments:\n\"Count the Days\" - Song of the Month\nEach month I will share some brief, personal thoughts on one of my favorite Prince songs.\n\"Count the Days\" is technically a New Power Generation song, released as the third single from the band's 1995 album, Exodus. Of course, Prince played an integral role, though disguised as \"Tora Tora,\" one of his many alter egos. Bass player Sonny T. takes the lead vocal, but Prince's guitar is the real star. (By the way, Prince positioning Sonny as a lead vocalist reminds me a lot of Jimi Hendrix featuring drummer Buddy Miles as a singer in the Band of Gypsys, but that's another discussion for another blog.) I fell in love with this song watching a video of a live performance on British TV program \"The White Room.\" First of all, Prince, aka Tora Tora, somehow made a costume of a face-obscuring scarf, hat and black-and-white suit look appealing. I love how he was so meticulous about image and mystique.\nThe song is a perfect example of how Prince is able to write in layers. If you don't listen closely, you might think \"Count the Days\" is a love song. That was my first reaction because the TV host introduced the song by commenting on Prince and Mayte Garcia's relationship. The music is pretty, pleasant and almost tranquil. Listening again, I heard a deep connection to Curtis Mayfield, and I began to think Prince was simply focused on evoking a feeling of old-school soul music, especially because the lyrics seemed so cryptic.\n\"Here's a church, here's a steeple/Here's a motherfucker that I gotta blow away.\"\nBut I knew something was missing. I talked through the song with my friend and writer Scott Woods. We asked ourselves, how often is Prince purposely nonsensical, and how often is he writing personal lyrics? In my opinion, \"Count the Days\" is very personal, and there's a thread of anger under the lovely melody. You could imply the song is about his deteriorating relationship with Warner Bros. Prince is literally counting down the days until he is out of his contract. And you could read the whole Exodus album as an escape from the control of the record label, but also as Prince's mission to free other artists, especially Black artists, from the limitations and abuse in the music industry.\nThe video for the song adds another layer. It features historic footage of events during the Civil Rights Movement, including Martin Luther King, Jr. at the March on Washington, and his wife, Coretta Scott King, standing over his coffin. Prince felt very strongly that he could use both his celebrity and advocacy for artist rights to help create a better future for Black people in America, and much has come to light about his charitable contributions since his death. So, it makes perfect sense to me that he paired a song about being enslaved to a corporation with a video about the plight of Black people.\nI once found myself thinking, \"This song would be more enjoyable without the abrasive lyrics.\" But that's precisely the point. We can't be fully at peace with the world because we aren't fully free. Think about what Black people are still enduring in 2020. We're still counting the days...\nCount The Days from Irresistible Rich on Vimeo.\nPosted by E. Thompson at 11:09 PM 1 comment:\n\"With an Intellect and a Savoir-Faire\" - Purple Recommendations\nThere are a lot of folks consistently creating great content about Prince. Here are some recent examples that caught my eye.\n1. Muse 2 the Pharaoh: The Sun, The Moon and Stars\nDarling Nisi's podcast explores Prince-related topics from a female perspective. Her latest episode explores Prince's natal chart.\n2. Podcast on Prince: Bernie Grundman Interview (Patreon only)\nThis long-running Prince podcast features news, reviews and interviews. The latest episode features a noted mastering engineer who recently worked on the forthcoming remaster of Prince's \"Sign O' the Times\" album.\n3. Press Rewind Prince - Lyrics Podcast\nJason Breininger's podcast analyzes the lyrics of Prince's music, album by album. He's currently on Around the World in a Day. Check out all the episodes featuring a lineup of special guests.\n4. Dance/Music/Sex/Romance: The Dawn: How Prince’s Troubled Followup to 1999 Almost Became His Feature Film Debut\nZachary Hoskin's blog analyzes Prince's discography, song by song, but he often has some interesting detours along the way. This post imagines \"a circa-1984 Prince without Purple Rain.\" Creative stuff!\n5. polished solid Newsletter\nThis is a new venture by De Angela L. Duff, the mastermind behind some compelling Prince symposia. Subscribe to keep up with all of her Prince projects and much more!\n6. #PrinceTwitterThread: 3121\nDJ UMB and Edgar Kruize have been inviting guests to dissect each track on certain Prince albums. The latest in the series included a surprise contributor who worked with Prince for years.\n7. Purple Playground: Academy of Prince performance\nThis summer music program \"enriches teens' lives with Prince history and a chance to make music inspired by him, helped by musicians who played with him.\" Watch the young people play a song they wrote with help from Shelby J., Adrian Crutchfield and Elisa Fiorillo.\n\"Here We Are, Folks!\" - Sign O' the Times Deluxe E...\n\"We Can Work It Out\" - Experimenting with Facebook...\n\"With an Intellect and a Savoir-Faire\" - Purple Re...","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line2009387"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.512101948261261,"wiki_prob":0.487898051738739,"text":"Omar Khorshid\nBelly Dance, Vol. 1 (Omar Khorshid and His Magic Guitar)\nCairo, Al Qāhirah, Egypt\nStar of the cinema and leading guitarist of the Orient, Omar Khorshid (Arabic: ‏عمر خورشيد‎) (* 1945 in Kairo; † 29. May 1981) has also composed the music for thirteen films and in 1971 won the Premier Prix at the Film Festival of Tachkand for his music for the film \"Tbnati El Aziza\" . He is renowned as one of the greatest guitarists of the Arab world and has accompanied its leading singers, including Umm Kulthum, Abdel Wahab, & Abdul Halim Hafez. In 1981 Khorshid was tragically killed in a car accident three days after returning back to Cairo from a tour in Australia. A… read more\nStar of the cinema and leading guitarist of the Orient, Omar Khorshid (Arabic: ‏عمر خورشيد‎) (* 1945 in Kairo; † 29. May 1981) has also composed the music for thirteen films and in 1971 won the Premier Prix at the Film Festival of Tachkand for his music for the film \"Tbnati El Aziza\" … read more\nStar of the cinema and leading guitarist of the Orient, Omar Khorshid (Arabic: ‏عمر خورشيد‎) (* 1945 in Kairo; † 29. May 1981) has also composed the music for thirteen films and in 1971 won the Premier Prix at the Film Festival of Tachkand for his music for the film \"Tbnati El Aziza\" . He is renowned as one of the greatest guitarists of the Arab world and… read more\nBaligh Hamdi\nRaksat El Kheyl\nArrissassa\nSabirine\nKa'an Azzaman\nWadil Muluk\nCasatschok\nYa Salat Ezzein\nGuitar El Chark\n30 Mar 2010 · 18 tracks\nBelly Dance, Vol. 1\n1 Jan 1992 · 12 tracks\nBelly Dance From Lebanon\nRhythms From The Orient\nFacebook (omarkhorshidofficial)\nTroupe Majidi","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1166874"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7751166820526123,"wiki_prob":0.7751166820526123,"text":"Determination in recount sets stage for challenge\nNovember 30, 2020 3:49 pm WKOW News, Political, Top Stories\nMADISON (WKOW) – Chairperson Ann Jacobs of the Wisconsin Elections Commission today made what election officials call \"a determination\" of the recount in Wisconsin's presidential race.\nWith the determination made, President Donald Trump's campaign now has five days to appeal the results of the recount.\nTechnically the chair does not certifying the presidential race, according to a news release from the WEC.\n“This is a very different process than for the other contests on the November 3 ballot where the WEC Chair does determine the winner and issues certificates of election. There is no certificate of election in a presidential contest,” said Meagan Wolfe, administrator of the WEC and Wisconsin’s chief election official.\nIn presidential elections, the law requires that the chair determines the result, or the numbers, of the recount and the contest based on the certified result statements submitted by each of the 72 counties.\nThis determination is what can be appealed. If there is not a determination, then parties to a recount do not have anything to appeal.\nToday's determination allows President Trump's campaign to exercise the five-day recount appeal rights afforded to it under Wis. Stat. 9.01(6) if the campaign believes the determination inaccurately reflects the election outcome.\nAs part of today’s determination, a copy of the canvass determination for president and a statement of ascertainment will be sent to the governor’s office. The governor then decides whether to sign off on the slate of presidential electors, according to a WEC news release.\nOn Tuesday, during the regularly-scheduled Commission meeting, the Chair will certify the other contests, which will result in the issuance of certificates of election to the winners, because there is no recount in those contests and therefore no appeal time period.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1059896"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6097569465637207,"wiki_prob":0.3902430534362793,"text":"Background and Statement of the Problem\nImplications for Research and Education\nSystematic Review of the Effect of Home Modification and Fall Prevention Programs on Falls and the Performance of Community-Dwelling Older Adults\nCarla A. Chase; Kathryn Mann; Sarah Wasek; Marian Arbesman\nCarla A. Chase, EdD, OTR/L, is Associate Professor, Western Michigan University, 1903 West Michigan Avenue, CHHS 5333, Kalamazoo, MI 49008; carla.chase@wmich.edu\nKathryn Mann, MS, OTR/L, is Occupational Therapist, Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana, Indianapolis\nSarah Wasek, MS, OTR/L, is Occupational Therapist, Ingham County Medical Center and Rehabilitation, Lansing, MI\nMarian Arbesman, PhD, OTR/L, is Consultant, AOTA Evidence-Based Practice Project; President, ArbesIdeas, Inc.; and Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Science, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Williamsville\nComplementary/Alternative Approaches / Evidence-Based Practice / Geriatrics/Productive Aging / Home Accessibility/Environmental Modification / Special Issue on the Relationship Between Occupation and Productive Aging\nCarla A. Chase, Kathryn Mann, Sarah Wasek, Marian Arbesman; Systematic Review of the Effect of Home Modification and Fall Prevention Programs on Falls and the Performance of Community-Dwelling Older Adults. Am J Occup Ther 2012;66(3):284–291. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2012.005017\nThis systematic review explored the impact of fall prevention programs and home modifications on falls and the performance of community-dwelling older adults. It was conducted as part of the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Evidence-Based Practice Project. Thirty-three articles were analyzed and synthesized. The strongest results were found for multifactorial programs that included home evaluations and home modifications, physical activity or exercise, education, vision and medication checks, or assistive technology to prevent falls. Positive outcomes included a decreased rate of functional decline, a decrease in fear of falling, and an increase in physical factors such as balance and strength. The strength of the evidence for physical activity and home modification programs provided individually was moderate. Implications for practice, education, and research are also discussed.\nThis systematic review was part of a larger project that reviewed research studies examining the effect of occupation- and activity-based interventions designed to promote and support productive aging. The objective of this systematic review was to synthesize existing literature to answer the following focused question: “What is the evidence for the effect of home modification and fall prevention programs on the performance of community-dwelling older adults?” We reviewed the effect of home modification as both a separate intervention and a component of several fall prevention programs. Fall prevention programs that studied the effects of physical activity interventions on strength, endurance, or balance, such as exercise-based or tai chi intervention programs, were also included in this review.\nFalls are a major public health concern and contribute significantly to mortality and morbidity in the older adult population. In many studies, falls are defined as unintentionally coming to rest on the ground, floor, or other lower level (Buchner et al., 1993). Falls are the leading cause of injury and deaths in people over age 65 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2011). One in 3 adults age 65 and older fall each year (Hausdorff, Rios, & Edelber, 2001; Hornbrook et al., 1994), and in 2009, 2.2 million nonfatal fall injuries were treated in emergency departments (CDC, 2011). The risk of a serious injury after a fall increases with age, and in 2009, the rate of fall injuries for adults age 85 and older was reported to be almost 4 times that for adults between ages 65 and 74 (CDC, 2011). In 2000, direct medical costs of falls were estimated to total more than $19 billion, and almost $200 million of that total was related to fatal fall injuries (Stevens, Corso, Finkelstein, & Miller, 2006).\nAfter an injurious fall, an older adult may experience difficulties in activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) and have an increased risk of early death (Alexander, Rivara, & Wolf, 1992; Sterling, O’Connor, & Bonadies, 2001). Falls also affect performance in other areas of occupation (AOTA, 2008). Tinetti and Williams (1998) reported that older adults falling twice or more in a 3-yr period were less involved in social and leisure activities. In addition, even after a fall without injury, older adults may develop a fear of falling that leads to a decrease in activity level with a decrease in overall strength and endurance (Kressig et al., 2001; Tennstedt et al., 1998). This fear of falling is also reported to increase future risk of falling (Vellas, Wayne, Romero, Baumgartner, & Garry, 1997).\nHealth care practitioners of all types work with this population in an attempt to decrease falls and risk of falls through such interventions as medication management, vision screening, exercise or physical activity programs, home modifications, and education. Occupational therapy practitioners play a key role in supporting older adults who wish to remain safely in their homes and connected to their communities. Many occupational therapy practitioners provide services through home evaluations before discharge from a rehabilitation facility, through occupational therapy home health services, or by providing aging-in-place services through consultation or entrepreneurial opportunities.\nRegardless of service pathway, occupational therapy practitioners provide interventions for community-dwelling older adults that include home evaluations with recommendations for home hazard reduction, home modifications, education on use of assistive technology and modified techniques, and training in fall prevention strategies related to physical activities to improve strength and balance. According to Steultjens et al. (2004, p. 459), occupational therapy brings a “client-centered, problem solving attitude” to the process of supporting community-dwelling older adults’ independence and safety. Reviewing the most recent evidence for various fall prevention and home modification strategies can provide guidance for occupational therapy practice decisions and can have implications for education and research.\nThe articles included in this review were the result of database searches for articles published from 1990 to November 2008. Selected articles published in 2009–2011 were recommended by experts in the field and included in the review. In addition, bibliographies of selected articles were reviewed for potentially relevant articles. Search terms for the review were determined by a team of experts for the overall project and included ADLs, adaptive equipment, aging in place, assistive technology, environmental barriers, environmental modification, fall prevention, falls, fear of falling, home assessment, home modification, home safety, independent living, IADLs, occupational performance, personal care, self-care skills, self-help devices, and universal design. Articles selected for the review included studies in which the focus was on older adults living in the community. In addition, the interventions studied were within the scope of practice of occupational therapy and included a fall prevention or home modification intervention.\nAfter AOTA Project Consultant Marian Arbesman initially identified articles, lead author Carla A. Chase and two graduate students in occupational therapy involved in the project, Kathryn Mann and Sarah Wasek, individually reviewed each article to determine whether it fit the inclusion criteria. Discrepancies were resolved through discussion until group consensus about article eligibility was achieved. Studies were then further analyzed, categorized, and summarized according to established protocols. Detailed information about the methodology and a complete list of search terms for the entire project dedicated to productive aging can be found in “Methodology for the Systematic Reviews on Occupation- and Activity-Based Intervention Related to Productive Aging” in this issue (Arbesman & Lieberman, 2012).\nOf the 33 studies included in this review (see Supplemental Table 1, available online at http://ajot.aotapress.net; navigate to this article, and click on “supplemental materials”), 31 were randomized controlled trials (RCTs; Level I studies) and 2 were Level II studies. Not all studies included occupational therapy services specifically; rather, they involved interventions within occupational therapy’s scope of practice. The results presented here are divided into themes on the basis of the intervention studied and include multifactorial studies, studies of physical activity alone, and studies assessing the effectiveness of home assessment and home modifications.\nMultifactorial Interventions\nMultifactorial approaches to fall prevention combine multiple interventions in one package. The types of interventions included may vary but often incorporate several of the following approaches: home modifications, education on health and safety, medication management, vision management, gait and balance training, and exercise. The disciplines providing these services may also vary but often include occupational therapy, internal medicine, physical therapy, nursing, and social services.\nThe evidence that multifactorial approaches reduce falls and difficulties with ADLs and IADLs in older adults is strong. Ten Level I RCTs explored multifactorial approaches (Clemson et al., 2004; Close et al., 1999; Davison, Bond, Dawson, Steen, & Kenny, 2005; Day et al., 2002; Gitlin et al., 2006; Hogan et al., 2001; Hornbrook et al., 1994; Logan et al., 2010; Nikolaus & Bach, 2003; Shumway-Cook et al., 2007). Clemson et al. (2004) reported a 31% reduction in falls at 14-mo follow-up for the Stepping On program, which included occupational therapy and incorporated environmental and home safety, balance, strength, vision screening, and medication management. Davison et al. (2005) reported 36% fewer falls after an intervention that combined occupational therapy, physical therapy, and medical management for older adults presenting to an emergency department after a fall. In addition, participants had a shorter duration of hospital admissions during follow-up and better falls efficacy than those in the control group. Groups did not differ, however, on the number of participants falling and the number of hospital admissions.\nNikolaus and Bach (2003) reported 31% fewer falls in the year after an intervention that included a diagnostic home visit and home intervention assessing the home for environmental hazards and providing advice for hazard reduction. In addition, training in the use of technical and mobility aids was provided, and a second home visit took place 3 mo later. Occupational therapy, physical therapy, nursing, and social work provided the intervention. Nikolaus and Bach reported that the intervention was most effective in a subgroup that had fallen 2 or more times before study recruitment. The results indicated that the rate of falls and proportion of frequent fallers was significantly reduced in this subgroup.\nClose et al. (1999) found that an occupational therapy home assessment and a medical visit with referrals as appropriate led to a reduction in falls and fall risk, a decrease in the chance of hospital admission, and a slower decline in ADL function at 1-yr follow-up. All participants were recruited to the study after presenting to the emergency department after a fall. Participants in the intervention group were provided with minor equipment and referred to social services for additional adaptations. All participants in the Logan et al. (2010) study were recruited after calling an ambulance after a fall. The multifactorial intervention incorporated strength and balance exercises, home assessment of hazards, and review of medications and blood pressure as provided by occupational therapy, physical therapy, and nursing. Referrals were made to other agencies as needed. The results indicated fewer calls for an ambulance, fewer falls, better performance in ADLs and IADLs, and a significant decrease in fear of falling at follow-up.\nGitlin et al. (2006) evaluated the effectiveness of an individualized program to reduce difficulties in ADLs and IADLs, improve self-efficacy, and reduce fear of falling in community-dwelling older adults >70 yr old with difficulty in one or more ADLs. Five sessions provided by an occupational therapist examined environmental hazards and incorporated problem solving to identify behavioral and environmental contributors to performance difficulties. A single visit by a physical therapist focused on balance and muscle strengthening and fall recovery techniques. Results of the study indicated that participants in the intervention group had less difficulty with ADLs and IADLs, improved self-efficacy, and decreased fear of falling compared with control participants. In addition, those in the intervention group had fewer home hazards and more use of adaptive strategies, with significant improvements persisting at 1-yr follow-up.\nDay et al. (2002) studied falls among older adults living at home with good to excellent self-reported health. Using an intervention that incorporated group-based exercise, home hazard management, and vision in various combinations, they reported that exercise alone provided the strongest evidence for a single intervention. The addition of home hazard management, vision management, or both further reduced falls. Shumway-Cook et al. (2007) provided group exercise, fall prevention education, and falls risk assessment to older sedentary adults. Although the intervention group had a 25% decrease in falls at follow-up compared with the control group, the results were not significant. Hogan et al. (2001) found no difference in falls and emergency department visits between groups for an intervention providing an individualized treatment plan plus exercise for older adults who fell within 3 mo before study recruitment. They reported, however, that participants who had reported two or more falls during the prerecruitment period had a significantly longer time between falls and fewer falls.\nPhysical Activity Interventions\nStudies of physical activity interventions in the systematic review included group and individual sessions that incorporated balance retraining, walking, general exercise in sitting and standing, lower-extremity strengthening, use of a workstation format, or tai chi. Mixed but overall positive results were found in studies that measured the impact of physical activity programs on the performance of community-dwelling older adults. Seven RCTs reported a significant decrease in falls and fall risk after physical activity, regardless of the type of exercise incorporated into each study (Buchner et al., 1997; Faber, Bosscher, Chin, Paw, & van Wieringen, 2006; Gardner, 1998; Lord, Ward, Williams, & Strudwick, 1995; Means, Rodell, & O’Sullivan, 2005; Skelton, Dinan, Campbell, & Rutherford, 2005; Voukelatos, Cumming, Lord, & Rissel, 2007). Exercise programs in these studies included functional walking, tai chi, balance, flexibility, lower-limb strengthening, and gait training. Voukelatos et al. (2007) also reported a reduction in fear of falling in a study of tai chi with community-dwelling older adults.\nLin, Wolf, Hwang, Gong, and Chen (2007) examined the effects of several fall prevention programs; the group participating in an exercise program showed improved functional reach and balance scores and a decreased fear of falling compared with either an education group or a home safety assessment and modification group. In a Level I RCT of Finnish older adults living in the community, Luukinen et al. (2007) found no significant difference between control and intervention groups in fall rates after exercise; however, results indicated a significant decrease in the decline of balance skills over a 6-mo period. In another Level I RCT, Lord et al., 2005) compared an extensive intervention combining exercise with strategies for maximizing vision and sensation with a minimal intervention providing brief advice and with a no-intervention control. Although researchers found no difference in fall rates, the participants receiving the most extensive intervention had a decrease in some physiological risk factors related to falls such as knee flexion and sit-to-stand time but no improvement in balance.\nNitz and Choy (2004), in a Level I RCT, compared a fall prevention pamphlet control group with a group participating in a series of workstations of balance activities in addition to receiving a pamphlet. Participants in the workstation group showed improvement in functional motor ability, lateral reach, and functional step compared with control participants, but no difference in falls was found between groups at follow-up. In Hauer et al. (2001), older adults in a geriatric rehabilitation unit were randomized to either an exercise program emphasizing strength, balance, and functional performance or a placebo control group before discharge to the community. Both groups received physical therapy twice a week that did not emphasize strength and balance. The results indicated that those in the exercise intervention group had improved strength, functional motor performance, and balance and reduced fear of falling compared with the control group. No differences were found between groups for falls.\nIn several Level I RCTs included in the systematic review, results varied with age, fall history, and participant’s activity level. For those over age 80, strengthening, balance retraining that progressed in difficulty, and a walking plan led to fewer falls and fewer injuries when falls did occur (Campbell et al., 1997; Robertson, Devlin, Gardner, & Campbell, 2001). Campbell et al. (1997), however, found no difference in ADL performance at follow-up. Means et al. (2005) reported that participants in an exercise intervention group with a history of multiple falls had fewer falls in follow-up than did the control group with a similar fall history. Morgan, Virnig, Duque, Abdel-Moty, and DeVito (2004) reported that falls among higher functioning older adults increased after an exercise program, whereas lower functioning adults had a decrease in the risk of falls.\nHome Assessment and Home Modifications\nThe home assessment and home modification interventions in this section of the systematic review included hazard identification, structural changes to the inside and outside of the home, and provision of assistive technology and assistive devices. A Level II prospective cohort study (Liu & Lapane, 2009) surveyed older adults at baseline and during a 2-yr follow-up period as part of the second Longitudinal Study of Aging. Liu and Lapane (2009) found that those having residential modification at baseline (e.g., railings, bathroom modifications) were less likely to experience a decline in physical functioning. In a Level I RCT, Cumming et al. (1999) compared occupational therapy home visits for home modifications for older adults before hospital discharge with a no-intervention control group. The occupational therapist facilitated the implementation of the home modifications. Although both groups showed no difference in falls at follow-up, a significant difference was found between groups at follow-up for participants reporting one or more falls in the year before recruitment.\nIn a Level II nonrandomized controlled trial in Sweden (Petersson, Kottorp, Bergström, & Lilja, 2009), occupational therapists provided assessments for home modifications for older adults with disabilities reporting difficulty in at least one of these areas: getting in and out of the home, mobility indoors, or self-care in the bathroom. The local government provided grants to install the home modifications. Participants in the intervention group reported significantly less difficulty in everyday tasks at follow-up than the comparison group.\nIn a Level I RCT, Campbell et al. (2005) studied targeted falls prevention provided to older adults ≥75 yr old with severe visual impairment. Home safety assessment and modification provided by an occupational therapist was compared with vitamin D supplementation and a home exercise program provided by a physical therapist, a combination of both interventions, or a social visit. Although the home safety group had significantly fewer falls than the exercise group, strict adherence to exercise was also associated with fewer falls. Neither group reported reduced injuries as a result of the falls. In a Level I RCT by Mann, Ottenbacher, Fraas, Tomita, and Granger (1999), an occupational therapist provided a functional assessment, environmental interventions, and assistive technology to frail older adults living alone. Although both intervention and control groups had a functional decline at 18-mo follow-up, the control group declined significantly more than the control group. Tomita, Mann, Stanton, Tomita, and Sundar (2007; Level I RCT) evaluated the effectiveness of commercially available smart home technology to operate lights, appliances, door, and windows for frail older adults living alone. Although no difference was found in IADL performance between groups at follow-up, those in the intervention group reported a high degree of satisfaction with the technology. Stevens, Holman, Bennett, and de Klerk (2001; Level I RCT) reported no differences between groups when a home modification assessment and information on hazard reduction was provided to healthy older adults by a research nurse.\nA Level I RCT (Pighills, Torgerson, Sheldon, Drummond, & Bland, 2011) compared the effectiveness of a home modification assessment by an occupational therapist with that of a nonprofessional assessor. The study also included a no-treatment control group. Both the occupational therapists and the nonprofessional assessors received training in home modification assessment. Outside agencies provided the home modifications for the older adults. Although Pighills et al. (2011) found no effect on fear of falling, those in the occupational therapy assessment group had fewer falls than did those in the control group. No difference was found when comparing falls for the trained assessor and control groups, and no difference was found in ADLs at follow-up between either occupational therapy or assessor groups versus the control group.\nThe role of occupational therapy practitioners in fall prevention and in providing support for older adults striving to remain in their home and actively participate in their community as they age includes facilitation of exercise through individual and group sessions, education about strategies to remain safe and independent, and recommendations for assistive technology and home modifications. This review provided strong evidence that when used in combination, these interventions play a role in successfully reducing the number of falls, limiting fear of falling, and preserving independence in community-dwelling older adults. When physical activity and home modifications are provided individually, the evidence that these interventions reduce falls and maintain and promote ADL and IADL performance is moderate. The evidence also indicates that the subgroup of frequent fallers show the greatest benefits from individual and multifactorial interventions (Cumming et al., 1999; Hogan et al., 2001; Nikolaus & Bach, 2003). In addition, participants with better adherence to a physical activity program had a lower rate of falls at follow-up than those who did not have good adherence to the program (Campbell et al., 2005).\nFall prevention and home modification interventions are crucial for the reduction of morbidity and mortality related to falls. Occupational therapy practitioners are experts in this area because they provide client-centered and occupation-based interventions with older adults. In addition, occupational therapy practitioners recognize that the physical and psychological benefits of maintaining independence need to be weighed against potential physical damage if an injury occurs as a result of a fall (Arbesman, Campbell, & Rhynders, 2001). Pighills et al. (2011) emphasized the value of occupational therapy with community-dwelling older adults, and they reported that adherence to recommendations was significantly higher in the occupational therapy group than in the nonprofessional assessor group.\nThe systematic review presented here has several strengths. The methodology included a large time frame (since 1990) and incorporated several bibliographic databases, thus ensuring that relevant literature was captured. In addition, a wide range of interventions was studied in the articles included in the review. Of the 33 articles included in the review, 31, or 94%, were Level I RCTs, and 100% were Level II or Level I. Although studies at all levels may have limitations, those at Level I are less vulnerable to bias and more generalizable. In addition, the outcomes are more likely to be attributed to the intervention being studied.\nSome of the articles included in this systematic review, however, had limitations. Several studies were not blinded, had high dropout rates, and had small sample sizes. Many of the studies used self-report, and the methods for recording falls and injuries varied among the studies. Self-reported function may have involved participants responding to general ADL and IADL status questions with a broad sweeping report rather than considering each task separately, which would provide a more detailed account of their abilities and challenges. Interventions included in studies may not have been clearly described, and the definition of home modifications and equipment may have varied among studies. The studies were conducted in several countries, and whether differences in health care systems had an impact on the design and implementation of the interventions is unknown. In addition, determining the contribution of individual components of multifactorial interventions is difficult, and it was also not always clear whether home modifications were completed on the basis of the recommendations provided or whether modifications were made appropriately.\nThe information provided in this systematic review provides occupational therapy educators with evidence on fall prevention and home modification that can be integrated into program curricula and student research activities. The results have the following implications for future research:\nSpecifying a population that would specifically benefit from a given type of intervention may be important; for example, one study found that people over age 80 and those considered frail responded particularly well to fall reduction interventions (Robertson et al., 2001).\nAlthough the amount of research in the area of fall prevention through various physical activity or exercise programs is fairly large and growing, more research is needed that explores the impact of home modifications on fall prevention and performance in all areas of occupation.\nHome modification studies have often missed the opportunity to measure outcomes related to maintained or increased ability to complete ADLs or IADLs and to analyze performance in a variety of environments and contexts. Using standardized outcome measures for functional status and safety in the home such as the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (Law et al., 1994), the In-Home Occupational Therapy Evaluation (Stark, Somerville, & Morris, 2010), and the Safety Assessment of Function and the Environment for Rehabilitation (Chiu, Oliver, Marshall, & Letts, 2002) can provide a more consistent way to examine change by assessing the wide range of environments in which older adults participate, including the home and community.\nThe results of this systematic review contribute to evidence-based practice for occupational therapy practitioners working with older adults in community-based settings and reinforce the importance of the role of occupational therapy in the home and community. The findings have the following implications for occupational therapy practice:\nIn general, a client-centered intervention plan that includes a mix of exercise, education, home modifications, and assistive technology is supported by the best evidence for fall prevention and occupational performance in community-dwelling older adults.\nRegardless of the setting in which one practices, occupational therapy practitioners can incorporate fall prevention and home modification strategies throughout the occupational therapy process, from evaluation to intervention planning and implementation and outcome review.\nThe evidence discussed here reinforces the role of occupational therapists on the home and community team and the importance of client-centered care with a mix of interventions to provide the best fit.\nAlexander, B. H., Rivara, F. P., & Wolf, M. E. (1992). The costs and frequency of hospitalization for fall-related injuries in older adults. American Journal of Public Health, 82, 1020–1023. http://dx.doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.82.7.1020 [Article] [PubMed]\nAlexander, B. H., Rivara, F. P., & Wolf, M. E. (1992). The costs and frequency of hospitalization for fall-related injuries in older adults. American Journal of Public Health, 82, 1020–1023. http://dx.doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.82.7.1020 [Article] [PubMed]×\nAmerican Occupational Therapy Association. (2008). Occupational therapy practice framework: Domain and process (2nd ed.). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 62, 625–683. http://dx.doi.org/10.5014/ajot.62.6.625 [Article] [PubMed]\nAmerican Occupational Therapy Association. (2008). Occupational therapy practice framework: Domain and process (2nd ed.). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 62, 625–683. http://dx.doi.org/10.5014/ajot.62.6.625 [Article] [PubMed]×\nArbesman, M., Campbell, R. M., & Rhynders, P. A. (2001). The role of occupational therapy in injury prevention. Israel Journal of Occupational Therapy, 10, E97–E108.\nArbesman, M., Campbell, R. M., & Rhynders, P. A. (2001). The role of occupational therapy in injury prevention. Israel Journal of Occupational Therapy, 10, E97–E108.×\nArbesman, M., & Lieberman, D. (2012). Methodology for the systematic reviews on occupation- and activity-based intervention related to productive aging. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 66, 271–276. http://dx.doi.org/10.5014/ajot.111.003699 [Article] [PubMed]\nArbesman, M., & Lieberman, D. (2012). Methodology for the systematic reviews on occupation- and activity-based intervention related to productive aging. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 66, 271–276. http://dx.doi.org/10.5014/ajot.111.003699 [Article] [PubMed]×\n*Buchner, D. M., Cress, M. E., de Lateur, B. J., Esselman, P. C., Margherita, A. J., Price, R., et al. (1997). The effect of strength and endurance training on gait, balance, fall risk, and health services use in community-living older adults. Journals of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 52, 218–224. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/gerona/52A.4.M218 [Article]\n*Buchner, D. M., Cress, M. E., de Lateur, B. J., Esselman, P. C., Margherita, A. J., Price, R., et al. (1997). The effect of strength and endurance training on gait, balance, fall risk, and health services use in community-living older adults. Journals of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 52, 218–224. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/gerona/52A.4.M218 [Article] ×\nBuchner, D. M., Hornbrook, M. C., Kutner, N. G., Tinetti, M. E., Ory, M. G., Mulrow, C. D., et al. (1993). Development of the common database for the FICSIT trials. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 41, 297–308. [PubMed]\nBuchner, D. M., Hornbrook, M. C., Kutner, N. G., Tinetti, M. E., Ory, M. G., Mulrow, C. D., et al. 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Journals of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 53, 112–119. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/gerona/53A.2.M112 [Article] ×\n*Tomita, M. R., Mann, W. C., Stanton, K., Tomita, A. D., & Sundar, V. (2007). Use of currently available smart home technology by frail elders: Process and outcomes. Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation, 23, 24–34. [Article]\n*Tomita, M. R., Mann, W. C., Stanton, K., Tomita, A. D., & Sundar, V. (2007). Use of currently available smart home technology by frail elders: Process and outcomes. Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation, 23, 24–34. [Article] ×\nVellas, B. J., Wayne, S. J., Romero, L. J., Baumgartner, R. N., & Garry, P. J. (1997). Fear of falling and restriction of mobility in elderly fallers. Age and Ageing, 26, 189–193. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ageing/26.3.189 [Article] [PubMed]\nVellas, B. J., Wayne, S. J., Romero, L. J., Baumgartner, R. N., & Garry, P. J. (1997). Fear of falling and restriction of mobility in elderly fallers. Age and Ageing, 26, 189–193. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ageing/26.3.189 [Article] [PubMed]×\n*Voukelatos, A., Cumming, R. G., Lord, S. R., & Rissel, C. (2007). A randomized, controlled trial of tai chi for the prevention of falls: The central Sydney tai chi trial. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 55, 1185–1191. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2007.01244.x [Article] [PubMed]\n*Voukelatos, A., Cumming, R. G., Lord, S. R., & Rissel, C. (2007). A randomized, controlled trial of tai chi for the prevention of falls: The central Sydney tai chi trial. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 55, 1185–1191. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2007.01244.x [Article] [PubMed]×\n*Indicates studies that were systematically reviewed for this article.\nIndicates studies that were systematically reviewed for this article.×\n284_ds001.pdf\nOccupational Therapy in Fall Prevention: Current Evidence and Future Directions\nEffect of Occupation- and Activity-Based Interventions on Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Performance Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Systematic Review\nExtended Occupational Therapy Reintegration Strategies for a Woman With Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Case Report\nSystematic Review of Occupation- and Activity-Based Health Management and Maintenance Interventions for Community-Dwelling Older Adults\nEffect of Home Modification Interventions on the Participation of Community-Dwelling Adults With Health Conditions: A Systematic Review\nHome Accessibility/Environmental Modification","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line36087"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6965924501419067,"wiki_prob":0.6965924501419067,"text":"7 Soldiers Killed In Terror Attack On Army Unit In Nagrota Near Jammu\n30 November, 2016 Tanya Nanda\nIn a major terror attack on an army artillery unit in Jammu and Kashmir’s Nagrota two officers and five soldiers have been killed on Tuesday morning. Heavily armed suicide attackers entered the unit at 5.30 am with grenades and forced their way in.\nIn a separate strike, another group of terrorists attacked a BSF patrol at Chamliyal in the Ramgarh sector of Samba district. A BSF DIG was among four injured in the incident. While three terrorists were killed in Nagrota, another three were gunned down at Chamliyal.\nThe terrorists – there were reportedly three – fired indiscriminately at the Officers’ Mess before storming the building.\nNagrota, which is around 20 km from Jammu, is the headquarters of the army’s 16 Corps, a massive military formation that defends the borders and fights terrorists in the greater Jammu region. The army camp is surrounded by thick forests and a river flows just behind it.\nThe unit is highly fortified, said officers, but the terrorists were from the fidayeen or suicide squad and were “determined to get in”.\nNagrota, 20 km from Jammu, is the headquarters of the army’s 16 Corps.\nThe army has cordoned off the area and all schools have been shut down. Traffic has been stopped on the highway, which is very close to the camp.\nDefence Minister Manohar Parrikar said: “Statistics have shown the attack is on military installations. Civilians not being targeted.”\nIn a second incident, the Border Security Force intercepted a group of terrorists and killed three of them while they were attempting to cross over at the International Border at the Samba sector.\nThere has been a spurt in attacks and infiltration attempts by terrorists from across the border over the past few weeks.\nIn September, 19 soldiers were killed when terrorists from Pakistan attacked an army base in Uri. A few days later, the army carried out surgical strikes across the Line of Control targeting staging areas for terrorists planning to attack Indian cities.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1448244"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7697589993476868,"wiki_prob":0.7697589993476868,"text":"50% off + 2 months free\nHow Blair Spins His Magic\nBritish PM Tony Blair is a master spinner and Crikey's correspondent at Westminster, writing under the name of Martin Suiteach, tells exactly how he does it.\nBritish PM Tony Blair is a master spinner and Crikey’s correspondent at Westminster, writing under the name of Martin Suiteach, tells exactly how he does it.\nIt’s 10:45 AM and a group of hacks shuffle their way along London’s Whitehall, past the grey edifices of the Treasury and Foreign Office. They present their special parliamentary passes to police at the iron gates that guard Downing Street, a monument to Margaret Thatcher’s fear of the IRA, and make their way, appropriately, to the tradesman’s entrance of Number 10.\nThey are members of the “Lobby”, a small group of parliamentary journalists who enjoy privileged access to certain parts of Parliament, and are there for their morning briefing from Alastair Campbell, Prime Minister Tony Blair’s spokesman.\nCampbell, a former political editor of the Mirror newspaper, joined the team in the run-up to the 1997 General Election. He is tough, abrasive, and seen by many as the real power behind No 10 Downing Street.\nCampbell’s briefings are on the record, can be audio taped, but not filmed. The contents can be used in copy, but the recording can’t be used for broadcast. Downing Street takes its own recording and produces a read-out which is faxed to all ministerial departments to keep them up to speed on what the main running stories are for the day. A second briefing is held at 4pm in the House of Commons.\nAs the journalists leave their briefing, a few may stay behind to share a joke with Campbell, or try to tease a few more facts out of him. Others, from the news agencies or afternoon papers will make their way back to King George Street, between the government departments and away from Whitehall’s traffic and tourists to file copy via mobile phone.\nCampbell insists on being referred to as the Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman (there’s no unofficial post, so what’s the point?), his deputy is a mere “Downing Street spokesman”.\nHis morning Lobby briefings are generally jovial, but he is not above seeking out the author of an offending article and referring to it as “garbage” or a “poisonous piece of propaganda” as he did on a BBC piece last week.\nCampbell changed the previous reporting rules on Lobby briefings, when he placed them on the record. Now you can even get a summary of these on the internet, which did cause some concern among hacks here that their news desks would have access to this “privileged” information.\nThe rules on reporting these briefings have changed over the years. Joe Haines, working for Harold Wilson’s Labour administration in the mid-1970’s, made them on the record. However, when the questions got awkward, he banned them altogether.\nConservative Prime Minister Ted Heath, who preceded Wilson, went for presidential-style press conferences with cameras allowed in, but made sure he was only questioned by a chosen few who wouldn’t rock the boat. This group of senior Lobby correspondents became known as “the White Commonwealth”.\nUnder Margaret Thatcher’s spokesman Bernard Ingham, lobby briefings took place, but were entirely off the record, to the point that officially, they didn’t happen. Journalists couldn’t even refer to Downing Street, instead the phrase “Whitehall sources” was used.\nBack in the mother of parliaments, the reporters that hold such high office within their profession are forced to work together in the cramped conditions of the press gallery. Spread over three floors, journalists sit cheek-by-jowl, with little privacy in rooms that are cold in the winter and roasting in the summer.\nNews organisations share facilities that test temperaments and political affiliation. For example, journalists from the right-wing Daily Mail share an office with the left-leaning Sunday broadsheet The Observer.\nHowever, they do have a silver service restaurant, a typically ropey canteen, and that haven of all havens, a press bar offering booze at subsidised prices. Here, information is passed happily between hacks. When a few too many have been imbibed, invitations are issued to settle differences “outside”.\nThe place does reek of the past, of an old mens’ club. It is one of the last workplaces in town where smoking is allowed. There are dress rules. Men can take off their jackets in the House of Commons reporters’ gallery in the summer only. Every year two reporters are elected as chairman of the gallery and Lobby respectively.\nIn the lower gallery there is a row of telephone booths with sliding doors that you will only see now in old 1950s movies. They used to be wired to a red light on the outside to show copy was being filed and the occupant shouldn’t be disturbed.\nNow, these are used by hacks who need to make calls that can’t be overheard by competitors, or, in some cases, as offices by new entrants to the Lobby who can’t be given a desk due to lack of space.\nIn the bar, a straw poll of Campbell’s decision to place his comments on the record shows some journalists welcome the move, but others believe it is a smoke and mirrors trick. It is easy to say “no comment” on the record. In other words, it looks open, but very little useful information is being passed on compared with an off-the-record chat.\nOne of Campbell’s favourite phrases is: “I’m not going to go beyond what I’ve already said”, even when what he’s already said is bugger all. Another, particularly in relation to questions on the Northern Ireland peace process is “we are where we are”. When a story is published that is accurate and has got behind the government’s defences he says it is “unhelpful”.\nExperienced hacks in the gallery are also concerned that the medium becomes the message. They told me last week that even with this attempt at open government, Campbell still does a ring around anyway to the chosen few who are regarded as “on message”.\nThe role of the spin doctor is obviously not a foreign concept to Australian journalists. A good scan of the Crikey register will tell you that. It should be familiar to Melbourne journalists working in the early 1980s under the Cain administration when the Media Unit was established.\nThis group of press spokesmen and women developed the art of keeping the media pack at arms’ length from their minister – unless they had good news or something to sell, of course. One hack who dared to use his contact book and contact a minister directly was told all future access would be refused unless he went through the media minder first. No wonder it became known as the “Ministry of Truth”.\nThe operation in the UK follows similar lines with a few modifications. Each minister has at least one “special adviser”; they are well-paid and loyal. Their arrival following Labour’s crushing election win in 1997 also put the noses of several established press officers well and truly out of joint after they found themselves “outside the loop”.\nThe pre-1997 structure was fairly straightforward. Each department had a press office, staffed by public servants. These were led by a “head of news”, a public servant with (theoretically) no political leanings.\nThe biggest ructions were caused at the Treasury within Labour’s first two months in power, when the established head of news resigned in disgust at being kept in the dark on the new government’s policy by the two spin doctors working for the Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown.\nThese advisers, Charlie Whelan and the absurdly young 31-year-old Ed Balls, helped Brown to design his five year plan to redistribute the nation’s wealth without saying as much.\nWhelan, a former trades union press officer, liked to brief journalists in the pub opposite the Treasury. He was overheard on his mobile phone feeding the UK line to the Times that the government wouldn’t join the first wave of the European single currency by two researchers from the Liberal Democrat Party who promptly leaked the information.\nThis led to mass confusion within Labour ranks. Campbell was away, Blair couldn’t find anyone to help and ended up calling Whelan, not a fan of the Blair faction within the Labour Party, to find out his own government’s position on the single currency.\nThe story caused a huge media feeding frenzy, which put the role of the Lobby and its relations with the new administration under the spotlight for the first time in decades. Now the press advisers were becoming as well known as Cabinet ministers (something that didn’t please always their masters).\nWhelan, who has admitted bending the truth to get a policy a good run in the news, was forced to quit after his alleged involvement in the resignation of Trade Secretary Peter Mandelson over an undeclared home loan. The lobby network has secured him a radio show, newspaper column on sport (why?) and a script for a fictional political mini-series involving a minister who is, you guessed it, forced to resign.\nThere is also a pecking order. Information is handed out to those outlets who have the largest audience, so the BBC, ITV and national newspapers are given a good steer in policy and announcements. This has led to complaints that parliament is being sidelined as most announcements meant to be given to the House first are trailed in the papers and radio bulletins beforehand.\nBlair has a well worked routine at press conferences, the TV reporters get first crack (whether they’ve got a question or not), then a couple of newspaper guys. If he’s got an international audience, some lucky foreigner will get to quiz the prime minister.\nDuring the ’97 campaign, Blair was in Nottingham at a press conference on a video link back to Labour’s London HQ where more hacks were assembled. After his opening remarks Blair called for questions and pointed to Ian Austin of The Australian who identified himself as such, only to find Blair looking confused and mumbling something along the lines of “I thought you were a local reporter”. Austin looked suitably unimpressed and fired back: “Does it make a difference? I can still ask a question, can’t I?”\nThe foreign press, or “planet no vote” as they were labeled by Campbell in 1997, got little change out of Labour during the campaign. This soon changed after the victory when the new administration, which now needed to show its pro-European credentials as centre-left parties started to dominate the European political scene, was accused of arrogance over refusing to speak to the Continental media.\nNow the European media, which gives Blair a fairly good ride, is held up as a paragon of balanced journalism by Campbell and Blair, who will tell the Germans, French, Italians and others that the UK media is “self-obsessed”.\nThree years into Labour’s first term in office since 1979, Campbell is as recognised a figure as his “boss”. Journalists in Scotland and Wales, however, have emphatically rejected the Lobby system as a model for reporting in their newly devolved legislatures. They feel the whole system is out of date for the 21st century. For them a national press pass is sufficient for entry and they feel the right to approach ministers directly.\nMeanwhile, In London, the House of Commons has welcomed the 21st century by allowing reporters to use a 20th century invention to help them cover debates in the chamber – the tape recorder.\n48 hours only: Save up to 50% + get 2 months free\nFor a limited time only, choose what you pay for a year of Crikey, and, if you subscribe in the next 48 hours, you’ll get an additional two months free added to your membership.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1725143"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6301559805870056,"wiki_prob":0.3698440194129944,"text":"Finance Committee hears review of city’s health care plan, options for change\nPosted byvermilionphotojournalonline April 20, 2018 Posted inCity UpdatesTags:employee health insurance, health insurance, Vermilion city council, Vermilion finances, Vermilion health insurance, Vermilion Ohio\nBy Karen Cornelius\nThe Finance Committee of city council met on Monday, April 9, and listened to a review of the city’s self-insurance plan for city employees. Council called for the review due to concerns health care costs were out of control. The representative from the health plan, BAC, Tom Forrester was present with some suggestions to curb costs that have escalated year after year to what he estimated in 2017 as $1,145,984.10. A possible cost of even $1.6 million was mentioned for 2018.\nForrester told the committee that mayor Jim Forthofer has started a new committee on health care to go forward into union negotiations and to bring in attorney Susan Anderson for the city to review the structure of the plan. He said currently an individual’s deduction is $2,000 for single and $4,000 for family. Then, if they meet those deductibles they have a 100 percent free layout. There is also a Wellness Program where employees can buy down their deductibles to where they could be “zero” out of pocket. “That’s a wealthy plan,” he said. “That’s one you don’t see any longer so we have to re-think this.” He said the city’s increases year after year are due to the claims. He said in the self-insured plan they buy a specific deductible which is a $50,000 obligation per individual per claim. The city is responsible for this, but he advised this could be changed. There is also another layer he called an aggregate for claims that never reach the $50,000 but the city is responsible for the whole host of aggregated claims. He said this is due to an aging work force. He said looking forward to today and the future he doesn’t see any serious large claims coming up.\nForrester said they could make some changes in the basic benefit plan such as what they are buying, make a change in the deductible to add out-of-pocket costs. “We cannot continue on with “zero” deductible plans, we need greater participation.” He suggested looking at other plans, but said Vermilion has too many claims and no other insurance would cover them. He suggested seeing where they are heading with claims in the next two to three months and get attorney Anderson involved to help with negotiations giving her the data to where she can go. He thought this would be on ongoing process for the next few years.\nCouncilman John Gabriel pointed out that he had questions related to how the city pays versus BAC’s book and figures. He said this is at least the third or fourth set of numbers that he has been given concerning budget figures from 2015, 2016, and 2017. Now that councilwoman Barb Brady and he are on the new health committee, he hopes to bring back a set of numbers that are more accurate. “Our growth doesn’t match the expenses,” said Gabriel. Forrester and Gabriel agreed the self-insurance plan is a moving target. Forrester added that Vermilion was hit hard the last few years with large claims.\nLaw director requests changes in compensation for rates, prosecutor, paralegal","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1422867"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9886183738708496,"wiki_prob":0.9886183738708496,"text":"Meet Vera Stark – A Maid's Tale\nIt’s been a season of Black maids from “reel to real”. There are entertainment showcases with a glimpse at Black maids in 20th century America. Like the film The Help, set in 1963 Jim Crow Mississippi and the Off-Broadway comedy By The Way, Meet Vera Stark, a fictional exploration of a 1930’s Hollywood maid who becomes a scene-stealing movie actress playing maids. Then there’s the recent real-life 21st century victimization of two Black maids from African nations who bravely filed charges of being sexually attacked by wealthy businessmen while working in New York City’s elite hotels.\nIt’s interesting that Black women doing “days work” is getting a close-up view in pop culture and global news. I am the daughter of a housekeeper. In fact, although my mother had many jobs throughout her life—from being one of the first Black telephone operators at Western Electric to co-founding the first daycare center in our New Jersey town, during the 1970’s and 1980’s she worked as a housekeeper doing “days work” to help pay the family bills. Some of her friends still dabbled in “days work” even in their seventies, making extra money washing floors and dusting furniture.\nIn the Off-Broadway comedy By The Way, Meet Vera Stark, Brooklyn’s Pulitzer prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage turns the spotlight on Black actresses from the 1930’s, 1940’s and 1950’s who were segregated to the roles of the maid. Now playing at the Second Stage Theater until June 12, By The Way, Meet Vera Stark, stars glamorous Sanaa Lathan (Love & Basketball, Alien vs Predator and Something New) in a story inspired by the glamorous Black actress Theresa Harris.\nNottage, a MacArthur “genius” fellow, is renowned for her work on Black women from her critically acclaimed turn-of-the-century Off Broadway drama Intimate Apparel, which starred Viola Davis to her Pulitzer prizewinning Broadway drama Ruined, about women in war-torn Congo. Mesmerized by Harris’ performance as Barbara Stanwyck’s maid and friend in the 1933 film Baby Face, Nottage amassed a collection and study of this forgotten supporting star whose spotlighted roles were mostly maids. Harris’ films ranged from Professional Sweetheart where her character Vera teaches Ginger Rogers how to be sexy to classics like Jezebel, The Women, Cat People and Miracle on 34th Street. “As an actress, she was progressive,” Nottage told the New York Times. “She was asserting her presence in the films. I wouldn’t argue that it’s entirely directors. I would argue that there’s something this woman did that was unique — that demanded directors pay attention.” By the mid-1950s, Harris married a doctor and retired from the movies.\nBy The Way, Meet Vera Stark is the creative collaboration of two very smart Black women. Both are Ivy Leaguers. Nottage holds a bachelor’s from Brown University and a master’s in drama from Yale. Lathan earned a bachelor’s from Berkeley and a master’s in drama from Yale. Together, they take the audience on a 70-year journey through the life of the fictional Vera Stark, an out-of-work Black actress who takes a job as a maid for a Hollywood star. Then uses her theatrical talents to quit her day job as a maid to perform as a maid on the big screen.\nThis is Lathan’s first star turn on the New York stage. She earned a Tony nomination for the Broadway run of A Raisin in the Sun with Sean Combs and Phylicia Rashad, then co-starred in the London stage production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof with James Earl Jones and Phylicia Rashad.\n“There are so many amazing Black actresses out there who are so talented, and they’re just kind of, I can’t say forgotten, but they’re kind of in the shadows,” Lathan told Broadway.com. “The roles out there for women of color are few and far between, and it’s really wonderful to not only be playing a Black actress but, in a weird way, to bring a Black actress’ journey to life.”\nOver the years, I’ve interviewed veteran Black actresses dating back to Theresa Harris’ era, who had roles as Hollywood and Broadway maids. The late great actress and theatre producer Rosetta LeNoire worked with her godfather Bill “Bojangles” Robinson and even Orson Welles, but gained TV fame as the grandmother in Family Matters. LeNoire would remark that during her early career, “I always knew my costume would be a maid’s uniform.” Butterfly McQueen appeared on WLIB talk several times and would tell us about her college degrees and memories of Gone With The Wind. Actress and Negro Ensemble Company co-founder Clarice Taylor, who recently passed away at 93, was renowned as Dr. Huxtable’s mother in The Cosby Show, but thriller fans knew her as Clint Eastwood’s ill-fated maid in the 1970’s hit Play Misty for Me. Broadway star and TV pioneer Gertrude Jeannette, founder of Harlem’s HADLEY Players, befriended playwright Tennessee Williams who expanded her role as a maid in the Broadway drama Vieux Carre.These women gave a voice and dignity to the Black women that did “days work.”\n“Even though she’s a fictional character, she is representing all of the Black actresses through the ages and their struggle,” Lathan explained to Broadway.com about Vera Stark. “The struggle is different today, obviously, than it was for someone like Vera Stark in the 1930’s, but there is still a long way to go in terms of opportunity.”","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line564611"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6945326328277588,"wiki_prob":0.6945326328277588,"text":"9/23/00 remarks By the President at DNC Lunch, Palo Alto, CA\n(San Jose, California)\nFor Immediate Release September 23, 2000\nREMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT\nAT DNC LUNCH\n1:36 P.M. PDT\nTHE PRESIDENT: First of all, thank you for talking a few seconds\nlonger so I could -- (laughter) -- could almost finish my Indian meal. I\nwant to thank the Doctors Mahal and their children for opening their home.\nThank you, Vish. Thank you, Dinesh. Thank you, Joel Hyatt.\nYou know for a long time, Joel Hyatt was the first legal entrepreneur\nin America. He had this sort of legal services for the masses. He was\nadvertising before it was fashionable. Hillary and I used to look at\nJoel's ad on television. She said, you know, he was behind us at Yale Law\nSchool, but he's way ahead of us in income. (Laughter.) So I'm very proud\nof him and grateful for his service to the party.\nI would also like to thank all of those who provided this wonderful\nmeal and the people who served it today. It's really quite a wonderful\noccasion for me. Back when I was a civilian and had a private life, I used\nto spend a lot of time in Indian restaurants, starting from -- I fell in\nlove with them when I was in England living for two years, where most of\nthe impoverished college students like me ate Indian food at least four\ntimes a week. (Laughter.) We figured if we couldn't be full, at least we\nwould be warm, and we loved it. (Laughter.)\nI want to thank you for supporting our party, and I want to make just\na few brief observations, if I might. First of all, the primary thing I\nhave tried to do as President is to turn the country around and make the\nsystems of our country work so that Americans have the tools and the\nconditions to make the most of their own lives.\nIf you look at the Indian-American community in this country, if you\nlook at the phenomenal success just here in Northern California, the\nindustry and enterprise and imagination of people will carry communities\nand countries a long way if governments aren't getting in the way, but\ninstead are offering a hand up. And that's basically what we've tried to\nI'm very grateful for the partnership that I formed way back in late\n1991 with a number of people in Silicon Valley who helped me to adopt good\nboth macroeconomic policies and to do better by the high tech community and\nthe information technology revolution in general. And I am very grateful\nfor that.\nI also appreciate the kind words many of you said about the opening\nthat my administration and I have made to India and the restoration of\nharmonious and good relationships which were, as I said at our table,\nunderstandably a little out of kilter during the Cold War when India had to\nrelate to the Soviet Union because of the tensions between India and China;\nbut for more than a decade now have made absolutely no sense at all. So we\nare working hard on a partnership that I believe will be one of the most\nimportant relationships that the United States has for many, many decades\nto come.\nIn a larger sense, your presence here -- I met one person who came\nthrough the line and said, I can't believe it, I've been here one month and\nI'm meeting the President. (Laughter.) And I think that is adequate\ntestimony to the increasing importance of mobility and openness in our\nglobal society, increasing interconnectedness and, therefore, increasing\nthe importance of networks. Now, some people believe that networks will\nreplace nation states. I don't believe that, because there will still be\nplenty of work to be done by both. But I do believe that global networks\nwill become more and more important.\nThere is a book I've been talking quite a bit about lately that -- the\nauthor actually wrote me a letter last week and thanked me. But I haven't\nasked for any royalties or anything. (Laughter.) The title of the book is\n\"Nonzero,\" written by a man named Robert Wright, who wrote a fine earlier\nbook called, \"The Moral Animal.\"\nBut the argument of \"Nonzero\" is that even when human history seems to\nbe regressing -- in the Dark Ages, for example, in the early part of the\nlast millennium -- basically, there is a long process of increasing\ninterdependence which has reached its apotheosis in our time. And that the\nmore interdependent people become, the more they are compelled to treat\neach other in better and better ways, because the more you are\ninterdependent with others, the more your victories require other people to\nhave victories as well.\nSo the title is a reference to game theory, but that -- in a zero-sum\ngame, in order for one person to win, someone else has to lose. In a\nnonzero sum game, in order for one person to win, you have to find a way\nfor others to win as well. And he basically argues that the present stage\nof economic, political and social development is the latest and by far the\nmost advanced example of the growth of interdependence.\nAnd that's also, by the way, been at the heart of a lot of what I've\ntried to do in racial, religious and ethnic reconciliation. I think the\ntrick is not to get people to give up their identities, but to take great\npride in their identities, their ethnic and their religious convictions,\nbut to recognize, at least in this lifetime, the ultimate primacy of our\ncommon humanity and a way of reaching across divides so -- not so that we\ncan give up our differences, but so that we can celebrate them and still\nfind a way to work together and move forward.\nThat's another reason I think that it's very important that you be\ninvolved in the political life of your nation. When Secretary and Mrs.\nMineta and I were riding over here, I told him that I believed that it was\nimperative for the next administration to do more to get Indian-Americans\nand others who come here from other countries involved not just in the\npolitical process but in the governmental process in appointed positions at\nhigh levels, in more boards and commissions and more advisory committees,\nworking on more projects because you really are making the world of the new\nmillennium.\nOne of the things that I used to say earlier in the year, when our\nelectoral prospects didn't look as good as they do now, when I would assure\npeople that I thought that the Vice President would prevail is that the\nquestion is not whether we're going to change. Anybody in a governmental\nposition who advanced the proposition that things are going so well we\nshouldn't change, I wouldn't vote for that person.\nIf there had been a candidate this year running, saying, vote for me,\nBill Clinton's a great President and we don't need to change anything, I\nwould vote against that person, because the underlying circumstances of\nlife are changing so much that's not an option.\nThe real issue is not whether, but how. Are we going to change in a\nway that enables us to take advantage of a unique moment in human history.\nAre we going to meet the big challenges this country faces. Are we going\nto continue to successfully integrate all the different groups of\nimmigrants that are coming into our country. Are we going to have a policy\nwith regard to other nations that recognizes that their challenges are our\nWe actually had -- Vice President Gore and I had some people in the\nother party making fun of us not very long ago when we said that AIDS was a\nsecurity challenge. But it is. When you look at democratic African\ncountries with infection rates hovering around 40 percent in their\nmilitary, when you look at countries we've worked hard to stabilize as free\nsocieties that within just a few years will have more people in their '60s\nthan in their '30s, when you look at wars that have been propagated and the\nchildren that have been turned into soldiers and what that's doing to the\nfabric of society and how the epidemic feeds that, we have to have a\nbroader notion of what is in our security interests.\nFirst, it's about more than military, it's about nonmilitary causes as\nwell. And, secondly, it's about a lot of things that have to do with\nhealth and education and well-being.\nClimate change, if we don't do something about it, will become a\nnational security concern because more and more land will become unarable,\nand people will fight more and more over that which is. More and more\ncountries will have water supply problems.\nWe're working very hard to finish up the peace agreement in the Middle\nEast, and one of the things you never hear anybody talk about is the\nimportance of these nations reconciling so that we can meet the coming\nwater challenge in what is perhaps the second most arid part of the world.\nSo I wanted to be here not only to thank you for what you have done\nand thank you for what you are doing, but to tell you that to me, your\nsupport for our administration and for what we're doing in this election\nseason is a stellar example of what I think America needs to be doing more\nWhen I ran for president in 1992, I had a more systematic outreach to\nall sorts of immigrant groups than anyone ever had. And I did it because I\nbelieved that you were important to America's place in the world as well as\nto America's economic growth and social health. I still believe that more\nstrongly.\nSo I would just like to leave you with this. There are huge\ndifferences between the two parties in America. There are some\nsimilarities and that's good. We've stabilized our country over many years\nbecause we've managed to have two parties that could be broadly\nrepresentative. But in the last decade, as you know, we had a much more\nstark ideological difference and a challenge that had to be met.\nAnd essentially, our party is -- now is a modern political party with\na modern economic philosophy that is pro-growth, pro-high tech,\npro-immigration, pro-education, but believes that the most important\nsolutions are community-oriented solutions, the ones where everybody wins.\nWe believe that everyone deserves a chance, that everyone counts and\nthat we all do better when we help each other. And when you strip it all\naway, that really is the fundamental difference here. That explains the\ndifference in our position on a patient's bill of rights, and theirs. Our\nposition on a drug benefit for seniors who don't have it now, and theirs.\nOur position on raising the minimum wage, and theirs. Our position on tax\ncuts so that everybody can afford four years of college for their children,\nand theirs; a whole range of issues. And thank goodness, the last eight\nyears have given us some evidence that if you do all this within the\nframework of fiscal prudence and a sensitivity to the economic opportunity\nareas of American society, it turns out that good social policy is good\neconomic policy as well.\nSo I came here, I guess, finally more than anything else, just to say\nthank you. This is an interesting election for me. It's the first time in\n26 years I haven't been a candidate. (Laughter.) My party has a new\nleader, my family has a new candidate. (Laughter.) And I tell everyone\nwho will listen, my new official title is not Commander-In-Chief but\nCheerleader-In-Chief. (Laughter.) And I'm enjoying it immensely.\nI think that Hillary will be elected in New York if we can keep\ngetting -- building her support, and I think that we're going to do very\nwell in these Senate races. I think we'll do very well in the House races.\nBut we have to win the White House, because of the stark differences on\neconomics, the environment, crime, education, health care. On all these\nissues, there are real differences.\nAnd I hope that if we do win, and I believe we will, that you will\nintensify your involvement. I hope you'll continue to support the\nfundraisers, but I want to see more Indian Americans in the government, on\nthe boards, on the commissions, coming to us with specific ideas that ought\nto be broadly spread. Because we have only scratched the surface of the\npublic benefits of the information revolution. And I'll just close with\nI went to Flint, Michigan a couple of days ago, which was the home of\na lot of the early automobile factories. They still have seven, but they\nonly have 35,000 people working in the car plants there as opposed to\n90,000 people at their height.\nAfter the Second World War, an enormous number of people, both African\nAmericans and European Americans from my home state couldn't make a living\non the farm anymore, and they moved to Flint or to Detroit or to other\ntowns in Michigan where they got jobs in the auto industry and they became\ngood, middle-class citizens.\nSo when I ran for president, everybody from my home state, it seemed\nlike, moved to Chicago or Michigan. I won big victories in Illinois and\nMichigan and the gentlemen who were running against me never did figure out\nwhy. It's because half the people who live there were born in Arkansas.\n(Laughter.) Because they literally couldn't make a living, so they went up\nNow, Flint's gone through this enormous economic restructuring, but I\nwent there because they have one of these community computer centers we're\nsetting up, like the ones I saw in the little village of Nyla, for example,\nin Rajasthan when I was in India. But they have -- in Flint -- I went\nthere for a specific reason. They had a particular emphasis on the power\nof the Internet and new software technology to empower the disabled. And\nwe had this great disability rally.\nBut before, I went through and I looked at the technology there and\nsaw how people who were deaf could use it, people who were blind could use\nit, and I also used this laser technology that is fully activated and\noperated by one's eyes. And it's very important for people who are\ncompletely paralyzed or for people who are suffering from Lou Gehrig's\ndisease, where eventually, you lose all momentum, movement in your body\nexcept for your eyes.\nThe people there in Flint, Michigan every week get an e-mail from a\nguy with Lou Gehrig's disease in North Carolina who is a friend of mine.\nAnd we were friends in the 1980s and he was a young, handsome, vigorous\nman, and we worked on education and economic development in the South, and\nhe was tragically stricken with Lou Gehrig's disease. He's had no movement\nfor some time now.\nIn the next month or two, he will publish a book that he wrote with\nhis eyes, thanks to the Internet. (Applause.) Maybe even more important,\nhe can talk with his wife and children. And I've mastered the technology\nenough so that I've turned on lights and turned them off, I turned on the\ntape deck to listen to music and turn it off. And I finally got \"good\nmorning\" down. (Laughter.) But I could see how, with a couple of days'\neffort, particularly if you couldn't move your head, which is the primary\nthing that throws it out of whack. It was an amazing thing.\nStephen Hawking, the famous British physicist -- and a lot of you may\nhave read his books -- is a friend of mine. And he has lived longer with\nLou Gehrig's disease than any person ever recorded, as far as we know, any\nperson in history. And he has lived longer because he has just this\nmovement in two fingers. But he can operate a machine that has thousands\nand thousands of words in it and he's memorized the order of all of them.\nAnd he came to the White House and delivered a speech on the future of time\nand space for Hillary in one of our Millennial Evenings that he wrote\nhimself, put into his machine and then pulled out with a voice box. And he\nis alive today because he can share what he can think and feel and know\nwith other people.\nSo that is the other thing I would like to say about this. I'm glad\nall this money has been made here. I'm glad that our country has added all\nthis wealth. I hope we can do a better job by bringing these kinds of\nopportunities to poor areas and poor people who have been left behind in\nour country and in other countries.\nBut fundamentally, the wealth itself is not an end; it's a means to an\nend. And what really matters to people is their life story. Norm and\nDanny and I were talking about that on the way in. That's one thing I\nlearned as a young boy from my relatives who had no money but were very\nwise. They said, just remember there is not much difference separating the\nvery successful from people that have had a lot of bad breaks in life. And\neverybody's got a story. And people should be able to live their story,\nthey should be able to dream and live their story.\nAnd one of the things that I am thrilled about is that this\ninformation revolution and what's happening with the Internet has the\npotential to lift more people more quickly out of poverty, adversity and\ndisability than any development in all of human history by a good long\nstretch.\nBut it will be very important for the United States to lead the way\nand very important -- this is another big difference between the two\nparties. One of my greatest regrets is that the United States is -- we\nhave never succeeded in winning a big debate about what our\nresponsibilities are in the rest of the world and how fulfilling them helps\nus. If we help a poor country become a middle class country and a trading\npartner, it helps us. It's also the morally right thing to do.\nSo that is another argument, I would hope, for all of you staying very\nactively involved. We need to imagine what all these technologies can do\nand all of these new ideas that you're coming up with and all of these new\ncompanies you start, what it can do not simply to pile wealth upon wealth,\nbut to do it by continuing to advance society, by continuing to find those\nnonzero sum solutions so that we all win.\nIf we become what we ought to become, if we make the most of this\ntruly magic moment, I'm convinced that it will be in no small measure\nbecause people like you played a full part in it.\nEND 1:58 P.M. PDT","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1997121"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9670511484146118,"wiki_prob":0.9670511484146118,"text":"'Like watching a train wreck': Experts say America is behind on COVID-19 vaccine messaging, call for honest, straight talk\nElizabeth Weise\nThe U.S. government has spent more than $10 billion creating vaccines to protect against COVID-19 but so far little encouraging Americans to take them.\nPublic health officials say that's a mistake.\n“This needed to happen yesterday. It’s like watching a train wreck happen,” said Daniel Salmon, director of the Institute for Vaccine Safety at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.\nNow, even before any vaccines are approved, is the time to start telling America straight-up what to expect, more than a dozen public health and medical experts told USA TODAY.\nThat includes warning that a COVID-19 vaccine likely won't be 100% effective, getting it will make a substantial number of people \"feel like crud\" for a day or two,and two shots will be required, not just one.\nAnd they question if the best messenger is a brand-new entity called Operation Warp Speed, which they fear screams: \"We're cutting corners.\"\nPart of the concern is the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been sidelined by the Trump administration when it comes to communicating with and educating the public about the importance of receiving a coronavirus vaccine.\nIn almost every other major public health emergency since World War II, the agency, long touted as the world's premier public health agency, has taken the communications lead.\nin this pandemic, however, that crucial work is being spearheaded by Operation Warp Speed, a Trump-administration-created and -appointed task force, and the Department of Health and Human Services.\nThat puzzles public health experts.\n“The CDC should be leading the charge and coordinating, as they always have in the past,\" said Anne Rimoin, a professor of epidemiology at the University of California-Los Angeles School of Public Health. \"Instead, what’s happened is most people are getting their public health messages from CNN and MSNBC.”\nDuring COVID-19, the CDC has been diminished by the White House, which makes its ability to get clear messages out more difficult.\nThus far the largest Health and Human Services expenditure on communication has been a $40 million Office of Minority Health partnership initiative with Morehouse School of Medicine to deliver education and information on resources to help fight the pandemic, including vaccines, in racial and ethnic minority and vulnerable communities.\nAccording to an HHS spokesperson, various agencies and offices at the Department of Health and Human Services are working with Operation Warp Speed and other groups on a robust public health information campaign that focuses on vaccine safety, efficacy and hesitancy.Specifics, however were not provided.\nBriefings to the point of boredom\nExperts ticked off specific actions health officials should be taking now, well ahead of when an actual COVID-19 vaccine is authorized. Top among them: public briefings.\nThere has been confused, chaotic and intermittent communication to the public about the pandemic and what it will take to end it. Daily briefings should immediately start, led by the same person every day, so the public has a face they can get to know and trust, experts say.\n\"This is textbook crisis communications. Pull out the rulebook and follow it,\" said Dr. Kelly Moore, associate director of immunization education at the Immunization Action Coalition, a national vaccine education and advocacy nonprofit.\nEarly on in the pandemic, the CDC held several briefings. These were ended and the White House Coronavirus Task Force began daily public updates in March, often led by President Donald Trump. These ended in late April, and public briefings have been only held sporadically since then.\nFor COVID-19 vaccines, public health leaders should go into excruciating detail about how they're developed, how they are tested for safety and efficacy and how the review process works, said Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.\nThe information needs to be repeated so often the public could almost give the briefings themselves, Moore said. \"There should be documentaries on television about this stuff.\"\nYour arm will hurt, you'll feel like crud\nEven without an FDA approved vaccine, anecdotal information from the five Phase 3 clinical trials now underway for COVID-19 vaccines indicates this is not a painless vaccine.\n“This is a nasty vaccine to get,\" said Dr. William Schaffner, a vaccine expert and professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University. \"It really makes your arm sore. It can make you feel crummy for 24 hours. And remember, it’s a two-dose vaccine. Well, guess what – the second dose is worse than the first.”\nThe last thing the vaccination campaign needs is the first groups of people who get the shots to show up on TV saying they felt like \"crud\" for a day or two, said Dr. Eric Toner, a senior scholar with the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.\n“That would really impact others further down the list,” he said. People need to know what is expected and that it means the vaccine is working.\nDitch the nod-to-Star-Trek monicker\nOne of the first things many of the experts interviewed suggested was backing off the name Operation Warp Speed because it sends the wrong message.\n“Just choosing the name Operation Warp Speed has set people’s teeth on edge,\" Schaffner said.\nWhile it was named with all good intentions to communicate hard work and speed, \"what people heard was 'They’re cutting corners,'\" he said.\nIt’s a bad name for what is actually a good process, said Marla Dalton, CEO of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.\n“What we’re doing is compressing the timeline; we’re not skipping steps,” she said. “Unfortunately, Operation Compressed Timeline isn’t as catchy.”\nIt hasn't helped that Operation Warp Speed has been largely silent on how it functions and what it's doing, not just in terms of talking to the public but also the medical community, Schaffner said.\n“They’ve been given no insight into this newly created government entity that’s been given billions in taxpayer dollars,\" he said. \"The public health community has been in the dark about exactly how they function.”\nInvite the news media to play a role\nNews stories about how vaccines work, how they’re made and the hurdles they must pass to be approved should be everywhere now, experts said.\n“The first thing would be to really open up the process. Have news cameras following the researchers and the regulators. Interview the scientists, look at the labs,” said UCLA's Rimoin who worked on polio eradication and Ebola vaccination campaigns.\n“I don’t see anyone talking to the media right now to walk them through the steps of the process and why they should trust it at all,” said Tony Fratto, deputy press secretary for the administration of George W. Bush from 2006 to 2009.\nBe brutally honest about expectations\nNews Monday that the candidate vaccine from Pfizer and its collaborator BioNTech prevented more than 90% of infections with the virus that causes COVID-19 was very positive.\nEven so, expectations need to be managed, experts say. The public needs to remember the vaccine will not be immediately available and even when it is it will take months, if not a year, to immunize the entire nation.\nA vaccine is not an magic bullet, said Monica Schoch-Spana, a senior scholar with the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. It may not be equally effective for all ages and some people can't, or won't, get vaccinated.\n“Just because a vaccine shows up doesn’t mean we can throw our masks away and stop washing our hands and social distancing,\" she said. There's a tremendous amount of work that must happen before that day comes. \"It was a mistake by the (Trump) administration to suggest that a vaccine was going to be a be-all and end-all.”\nCommunicate the potential risks\nThe first impulse of many governments is to downplay bad news out of concern the public will react negatively. Trump told journalist Bob Woodward he was playing down the risk of coronavirus because he didn’t want to create panic.\nBut lying always goes badly, said Maya Goldenberg, a professor at the University of Guelph in Canada and author of the forthcoming book, “Vaccine Hesitancy: Public Trust, Expertise, and the War on Science.”\nShe pointed to United Kingdom in the 1990s, when the government played down the risk of getting mad cow disease from beef. More than 170 people died and 4.4 million cattle were slaughtered, leading to decades-long distrust of government scientists in Britain.\nFor a vaccine to succeed, officials need to be crystal-clear about the risks and the benefits, and what they know and don’t know.\nAddress people’s fears up front, Rimoin said. “You can’t go wrong with more public health messaging,\" she said. \"Explain what the public health risks are. Explain what the side effects might be.”\nHonesty about potential bad side effects from a vaccine also is important.\nDr. Richard Jackson, an emeritus professor at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health, worked on the swine flu vaccination campaign in 1976. He spent hundreds of hours talking with the public, elected officials and reporters about what could happen when people got the shots.\n“We knew some people would literally pass out because of the shot and smash their face on the floor,” he said, not because of the vaccine itself, but because of a fear of needles.Because of the time he had spent with reporters, they were able to make the distinction clearly, he said.\nEmbrace independent review\nSo far five states and aBlack doctors' group have announced they will conduct independent reviews of any COVID-19 vaccines approved by the FDA. The moves came in response to perceived political interference in the vaccine approval process but have shifted more toward adding another set of eyes on a complex system and communicating that to the public.\nThat is excellent, Goldenberg said. Having independent reviews of decisions made by the FDA and CDC will only increase public trust.\n“The public wants to hear an honest and transparent account, even if the message isn’t as delightful as we want it to be. These review groups can help provide another voice,” she said.\nHave trust in the public\nThe American public doesn't want to be preached to, talked down to or persuaded to be vaccinated, said Salmon of Johns Hopkins. The goal is to understand people's values and concerns and honestly address them.\nThe truth doesn't need to be sugarcoated, Goldenberg said.\n\"It turns out the public can handle uncertainty,\" she said. \"We can manage ambiguity.”\nDecades of public health work has shown experts the right communication strategies are not marketing or sales pitches, Moore said.\n\"It's about getting people good information they can relate to so they can make up their own minds,\" she said.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line293676"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6388753056526184,"wiki_prob":0.3611246943473816,"text":"Gay Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender (2)\n(-) Uninsured or Underinsured (3)\n2010 State Profile — Missouri\nReport Type: State Report\nThis state profile includes data from facilities in Missouri that reported to N-SSATS for the survey reference date March 31, 2010. Data were collected on the location, characteristics, services offered, and number of clients in treatment at alcohol and drug abuse treatment facilities (both public and private) in Missouri. In...\nPart of the 2010 NSSATS State Profiles Collection\n2010 State Profile — United States\nThis state profile includes data from facilities in the United States that reported to N-SSATS for the survey reference date March 31, 2010. Data were collected on the location, characteristics, services offered, and number of clients in treatment at alcohol and drug abuse treatment facilities (both public and private) in...\nBehavioral Health Equity Barometer\nThe Behavioral Health Equity Barometer, United States, 2014 provides a snapshot of substance use and mental health indicators by selected determinants of health: race and ethnicity, income level, geographic location, and health insurance status in the United States as measured through the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)...","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line922475"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.625057578086853,"wiki_prob":0.625057578086853,"text":"Home / Software & Gaming / Blizzard to expand on Heroes of the Storm until it ‘gets sick of it’\nBlizzard to expand on Heroes of the Storm until it ‘gets sick of it’\nMatthew Wilson January 31, 2015 Software & Gaming\nBlizzard has plans to continue to expand on the Heroes of the Storm character roster, map selection and game modes in order to prevent the game from becoming “stale”, until the studio gets “sick of it”, according to the game’s director.\nHeroes of the Storm game director, Dustin Browder, recently had an interview with PCGamer, in which he discussed plans for the game and its future: “We’re just going to keep adding heroes forever until we get sick of it and stop at this point,” Browder said. “There’s no secret number, and there’s no number that determines when we launch.”\nA similar strategy will be applied to the game’s list of maps:\n“We’re gonna keep adding more, definitely the rate of growth on maps is not gonna slow or stop until we say so,” he said. “Until somebody tells us, ‘Dude, too many maps’ or whatever. We’re adding them as frequently as we can, and we’re going to keep adding them as frequently as we can, even after launch.”\nThe Director went on to say that Blizzard is hoping to continue expanding at its current pace in order to keep the game relevant and keep players coming back with new maps, characters and game modes to try out.\nYou can read the full interview, HERE.\nKitGuru Says: Heroes of the Storm is currently in an invite only beta, although you can buy in with the founders pack, which gives you access to three heroes and three skins. However, it isn’t a particularly good deal for the price. Have any of you guys tried out Heroes of the Storm? What do you think of it?\nSource: PCGamer\nTags blizzard Development Heroes of the Storm MOBA news\nPrevious Seagate: We will refresh entire HDD and SSD lineup this year\nNext Airline to offer in-flight VR entertainment","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line394684"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5632658004760742,"wiki_prob":0.5632658004760742,"text":"Public keys\nAmateur radio, or ham radio, is a technical, explorative and contact-seeking hobby practiced by some three million people worldwide. In one sense it is similar to the various walkie-talkies that are freely available; in another, it is very different. In order to operate an amateur radio transceiver (that's shorthand for a combined transmitter and receiver) you are required to have a license, but that license gives you the right to do a lot more than just talk on the radio to your next-door neighbor or friend across town. The choice is up to you whether you want to talk to them using radiotelephony, or if you prefer to chat with someone on the other side of the world using for example Morse code or digital transmissions, which looks and acts similar to chatting over the Internet except that everything goes over a radio link.\nWhile it is very free-form, amateur radio is also regulated. There are both international regulations, such as the ITU Radio Regulations, as well as national regulations. By and large, however, the regulations are the same throughout the world: radio amateurs enjoy access to mostly the same frequency bands, call signs are made up in a similar way, and the purpose of amateur radio regardless of which country one is in. Regardless of where you are, amateur radio transmissions have to be identified using a uniquely assigned call sign. For example, my call sign is SM6YBY (the series SA-SM, 7S, 8S is assigned to Sweden; I am in district 6; and YBY is simply a sequentially assigned identifier); this uniquely identifies me in the world of radio amateurs.\nYes, I did say frequency bands above. Most radio services are allocated as specific frequencies for a given purpose, most often referred to as channels, but radio amateurs have large bands within which many governing bodies place no technical restrictions on what kind of transmissions can be made. This has led to the adoption of so-called band plans, which are recommendations for where in each frequency band to use which transmission mode. This is done both to reduce conflict, as well as to help two people using the same transmission mode (Morse code telegraphy, single sideband radiotelephony, frequency modulated telephony, PSK31 digital transmission, and so on) find each other.\nRadio amateurs talk of channels, too; but in our case, it is just a convenient way to express a frequency or frequency pair possibly combined with an implicit or explicit transmission mode. It is much easier to say \"let's switch to R1\" than \"let's switch to the 12.5 kHz-wide frequency modulation repeater with input frequency 145.025 MHz and output frequency 145.625 MHz\", but to a European radio amateur the meaning is the same. The channel \"3750 kHz\", likewise, is a convenient way to express the lower sideband 3 kHz frequency space with a suppressed carrier at 3750 kHz. If someone is using, say, 3752 kHz already, you can just as easily move down slightly to 3749.5 kHz to reduce interference.\nBesides being a fun hobby, radio amateurs are also often called upon to provide various forms of disaster relief and other public service communications. This is more often done within the amateur radio service in for example the United States, but even in countries where emergency communications is handled by other means from a legal point of view, because radio amateurs continually practice and hone their radio communication skills, those providing the service to the community are often radio amateurs as well as whatever other certifications they might have.\nSKØTM\nAll original content on this site © Michael Kjörling unless otherwise explicitly noted.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1384263"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8771452903747559,"wiki_prob":0.8771452903747559,"text":"San Diego Zoo successfully clones an endangered Przewalski’s horse\nWritten by Bonface Landi\nNews Animals Endangered & Extinct\nKurt, a baby Przewalski’s horse, looks and plays like any other baby horse. But the now two-month-old colt is unique in that he is a clone. The endangered Przewalski’s horse colt was created from stallion cells that had been frozen at the San Diego Zoo in 1980. The frozen cells were recently collected and fused with an egg from a domestic horse to create the world’s first cloned Przewalski’s horse.\nThe process of cloning started several decades ago. In 1980, cells from a 5-year-old stallion were collected and stored at the San Diego Frozen Zoo facility. According to officials at the San Diego Zoo, the cells were merged with an egg after removing the nucleus. The egg was then implanted in a mare, who became the mother to Kurt two months ago.\nRelated: Scientists in China have successfully cloned monkeys\nThe San Diego Zoo now sees the birth of the cloned horse as a huge step forward in the efforts to restore the population of Przewalski’s horses. Also known as the Asiatic Wild Horse or Mongolian Wild Horse, this species was formerly extinct in the wild and only about 2,000 are left, mostly residing in zoos. Intensive breeding programs have aided in conservation efforts but have also limited the gene pool. Zoo officials say that it is necessary to take measures that will help repopulate the endangered species. Cloning, depending on cells available in the Frozen Zoo, can help prevent genetic diversity losses.\n“This colt is expected to be one of the most genetically important individuals of his species,” Bob Wiese, chief life sciences officer at San Diego Zoo Global, said in a statement. “We are hopeful that he will bring back genetic variation important for the future of the Przewalski’s horse population.”\nThe baby horse has been named after Kurt Benirschke, who was instrumental in founding the Frozen Zoo facility.\n“A central tenet of the Frozen Zoo, when it was established by Dr. Benirschke, was that it would be used for purposes not possible at the time,” said Oliver Ryder of San Diego Zoo Global.\nThe cloning was made possible through a partnership among the San Diego Zoo, conservation organization Revive & Restore and genetic preservation company ViaGen Equine.\nPrzewalski’s horses are said to be the only truly wild horses in the world today. Although there are some horses in the wild in the U.S. and Australia, most are actually the ancestors of escaped domesticated horses. This species is named for Nikolai Przewalski, a Russian geographer who came across a horse skull and hide, then donated his findings to a museum.\n+ San Diego Zoo\nVia Huffington Post\nPhotography by Scott Stine via San Diego Zoo\nPrzewalski’s horse\nKurt, a baby Przewalski's horse, looks and plays like any other baby horse. But the now two-month-old colt is unique in that he is a clone. The endangered Przewalski's horse colt was created from stallion cells that had been frozen at the San Diego Zoo in 1980. The frozen cells were recently collected and fused with an egg from a domestic horse to create the world's first cloned Przewalski's horse.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1952648"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8576667308807373,"wiki_prob":0.8576667308807373,"text":"Mary APParitions\nCanada‎ > ‎\nOur Lady of the Cape\nNotre Dame du Cap, Marian holy cards collection,\nML.031 Box 22, circa 1675-2018. Marian Library,\nUniversity of Dayton Libraries, Dayton, Ohio.\nAlso known as Notre Dame du Cap, Our Lady of the Cape is located in the former city of Cap de la Madeleine which has been absorbed into the city Les Trois Rivières, or Three Rivers. In reality, there are only two rivers, the St. Maurice River and the St. Lawrence but the existence of two long and narrow islands gave it the appearance of branching off into three separate rivers when it was discovered and settled by the French in the 1500s. Dedicated to the Rosary, the area was consecrated to the Immaculate Conception by Jesuit missionaries around 1634. Small shrines began popping up along the St. Maurice River, and it became a tradition to travel to these different shrines by families or groups to pray to the Virgin Mary. This devotion led to one of Canada’s first Confraternities of the Holy Rosary in 1694, one that is still present in the shrine.\nAs the region was settled, a small wooden church was built and dedicated to St. Mary Magdalen, hence the name of the city Cap de la Madeleine. After the Jesuits left, Fr. Paul Vachon took charge and built the shrine chapel in 1714 which still stands today. Unfortunately, Canada fell upon hard times as control of the country was handed over from the Catholic French to Protestant England. In a time where the faith was extremely low, a statue was donated by Mr. Zephirin Dorval in 1854 as he was leaving to participate in the gold rush. Designed by an Italian sculptor, the statue was one of eleven made in Canada and depicted Our Lady as she appeared to Catherine Labouré in Paris in the apparition of the Miraculous Medal. The statue replaced an older one referred to as “The Golden Virgin”, but that one was lost and has not been seen since.\nFr. Luc Desilets was given the task in 1864 to revive the parish, of which there were only 10 active parishioners. It wasn’t until 2 years later that he was able to make a change. One day, after waiting in vain for hours to hear a confession, he went to the chapel and lament in front of the tabernacle in frustration. When he entered the church though, he saw a pig next to the Lady Alter, grinding its teeth on a rosary that had fallen to the floor. Blaming himself for the desecration, he vowed to devote his life to the Rosary. The next day, Fr. Desilets told the story to the congregation and, holding up the rosary, said, “The people drop the Rosary and the pigs pick it up”. His zeal enlivened the church which also instilled a devotion to the Rosary in the city.\nA couple of miracles are attributed to Our Lady of the Cape. When it became necessary to build a larger church because the rise in active Catholics, the plan was to tear down the old church and use its stone in the larger one. When all the stone was ready on the opposite shore, the people waited for the St. Lawrence to freeze over so they could transport it to the new location for construction. That winter of 1878-79 was a particularly mild one though and by the time March came around, any hope for a freeze was virtually non-existent. Fr. Desilets prayed fervently to Our Lady, asking that if she produced a path across the river to carry enough stone so they could build the new church up to the windowsills, the old church would remain standing and be dedicated to her as a shrine of the Holy Rosary. Miraculously, on March 15th, a strong gale picked up and broke up the ice floes against the shore, pushing them together to form a bridge. A few men braved the bridge, often walking only on frozen snow in between the floes. It has become known as the Bridge of Rosaries due to the rosaries said by Fr. Desilets and the men as they worked.\nTrue to his promise, Fr. Desilets renovated the old chapel and the statue of Our Lady of the Cape was enshrined in a formal dedication on June 22nd, 1888. On the evening of the dedication, Fr. Desilets, Fr. Frederick, who was a visiting priest, and Pierre Lacrroix, a sick man the former were assisting, looked upon the statue of Our Lady of the Cape. Her eyes were open, looking westward with sorrow. All three men saw it but guarded against it in case it was an illusion. When looking again, her eyes remained open “with a living glance of sweetness and sorrow that impressed itself indelibly on each of their hearts”. The statue was crowned by Pope St. Pius X in 1904 and the Plenary Council of Quebec made Cap de la Madeleine a national shrine. Many people pilgrimage to the shrine for Our Lady of the Cape’s blessings.\nShaw, James G. Canada's Shrine to Mary: the Story of Our Lady of the Cape. Editions Notre Dame Du Cap, 1984.\nMarian Library\nResearched by Jillian E. Foster\nPopular Devotions\nPopular Devotions: The Rosary and Novena\nJe vous salue, Marie pleine de grâce\nle Seigneur est avec vous.\nVous êtes bénie entre toutes les femmes et Jésus,\nle fruit de vos entrailles, est béni.\nSainte Marie, Mère de Dieu,\npriez pour nous pauvres pécheurs,\nmaintenant et à l’heure de notre mort.\nAll content is used with permission\nof the Marian Library at the\nUniversity of Dayton.\nWelcome to Mary of the Americas\nAPP Created by Students\nMarian Flyers\nMarian Library Coloring Pages\nMary of the Americas at a Glance\nLa Virgen del Valle de Catamarca\nMaria del Rosario de San Nicolas\nNuestra Señora de Itati\nNuestra Señora de Lujan\nNuestra Señora de la Paz\nNuestra Señora de las Peñas\nOur Lady of Copacabana\nVirgen de Cotoca\nOur Lady of Aparecida\nOur Lady of Navigators\nOur Lady Queen of the Rosary\nThe Apocalyptic Woman\nOur Lady of the Fjords\nLa Purisima de la Compania\nNuestra Senora Purisima de lo Vazquez\nNuestra Señora de Andacollo\nNuestra Señora de las Mercedes\nNuestra Señora del Carmen de Maipu\nOur Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquira\nLa Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre\nOur Lady of la Altagracia\nNuestra Señora de Dolores\nOur Lady of El Cisne\nOur Lady of Quinche\nLa Virgen del Carmen\nNuestra Señora del Rosario\nVirgin de Suyapa\nNuestra Señora de Los Angeles\nNuestra Señora de San Juan\nOur Lady of Talpa\nOur Lady of the Refuge of Sinners\nOur Lady of the Remedies\nOur Lady of the Thunderbolt\nOur Lady of Tonatico\nLa Conchita\nLas Purisimas\nNuestra Señora Del Perpetuo Socorro\nOur Lady of the Immaculate Conception of El Viejo\nNuestra Senora de los Remedios\nNuestra Señora de la Antigua\nNuestra Señora de la Esperanza del Valle de Media Luna\nSantuario Nacional Del Corazon De Maria\nVirgin Mary Patron of Penonome\nNuestra Señora de la Asuncion San Blas\nOur Lady of the Miracles of Caacupe\nLa Dolorosa de Cajamarca\nLa Inmaculada Virgen de la Puerta de Otuzco\nLa Virgen Candelaria en Arequipa\nNuestra Señora de Cocharcas\nNuestra Señora de La Nube\nNuestra Señora de La O\nNuestra Señora del Prado\nNuestra Señora de Belén\nOur Lady of Providence\nLa Divina Pastora\nHoly Hill National Shrine of Mary\nNuestra Señora de la Leche\nOur Lady of Chaminade\nOur Lady of the Universe\nNuestra Señora de la Fundacion\nNuestra Señora de los Treinta y Tres\nNuestra Señora de Guia\nOur Lady of Altagracia\nOur Lady of Betania\nOur Lady of Coromoto\nVirgin Divina Pastora","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1188281"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5880522131919861,"wiki_prob":0.5880522131919861,"text":"This article needs to be updated. Please update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (May 2014)\nElle Girl was the largest older-teen fashion and beauty magazine brand in the world with twelve editions . Launched in August 2001,[1] it was the younger sister version of Elle magazine, and similarly focused on beauty, health, entertainment and trendsetting bold fashion—its slogan: \"Dare to be different\".[2] The magazine was published monthly and was based in New York City.[2]\nIts staffers were informed in early April 2006 that Elle Girl (USA)'s final issue would be its June/July 2006 Summer Issue, while they were recently in the middle of working on the August 2006 issue, which is traditionally the largest issue of the year-covering fall fashion and back-to-school topics. The company intended to continue updating the Elle Girl website, and create new media in conjunction with Alloy.com, as well as publishing bi-annual special issues.\nHachette Filipacchi CEO Jack Kliger, who was also responsible for closing three other Hachette magazines—George, Mirabella, and Travel Holiday,[3] commented on Elle Girl's future on the Internet and explained, \"When teen girls are not on the Web, they are on their cells. The company will keep the website and work on Elle Girl ringtones, wallpaper mobile pages and projects in the mobile blogging area.\"\nELLEgirl.com relaunched in early 2008 after parting ways with Alloy. The new version included a blog, more simple navigation, and a strengthened association with ELLE.com under Executive Editor Keith Pollock. Hearst Magazines bought the website in 2011. As of May 2014, the ELLEgirl website redirects to the main Elle website.\nInternational editions[edit]\nThe UK edition of Elle Girl magazine closed for business shortly before the American version. As of August 2005, international editions continued to be published in South Korea, the Netherlands, Canada, Taiwan, Japan, Russia, France, Germany, and China.[4] Elle Girl USA offers most foreign editions 60% of their content, yet it was not announced whether all of the foreign editions would also fold.[5] Sarra Manning, author of YA novels Guitar Girl and Let's Get Lost, was on the launch team of Elle Girl UK and edited the magazine for a short period.\n^ Casey Lewis (August 1, 2014). \"The Tragic History of Fallen Teen Magazines\". The Hairpin. Retrieved October 26, 2015.\n^ a b \"Elle Girl\". Fashion Model Directory. Retrieved February 23, 2016.\n^ \"Celeb Weeklies Still Sell\". Reporter. April 6, 2006. Retrieved May 18, 2014.\n^ \"Christina Kelly to Replace Brandon Holley at 'ELLEgirl'\". Gawker. August 19, 2005. Archived from the original on May 18, 2014. Retrieved May 18, 2014.\n^ \"Floating in ElleGirl's Wake\". Mediabistro.com. April 5, 2006. Retrieved May 18, 2014.\nOfficial website (defunct – redirects to elle.com)\nHachette Folds Elle Girl Mag\nELLEgirl-In-Chief\nR.I.P. ELLEgirl\nLike, see ya: Elle Girl shuttered after five years\nellegirl.jp\nRetrieved from \"https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Elle_Girl&oldid=997559103\"\nFashion magazines published in the United States\nMonthly magazines published in the United States\nDefunct women's magazines published in the United States\nMagazines disestablished in 2006\nMagazines published in New York City\nWomen's fashion magazines\nWikipedia articles in need of updating from May 2014","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line660053"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6281365752220154,"wiki_prob":0.6281365752220154,"text":"Ancient rocks show high oxygen levels on Earth 2 billion years ago\nResearch on Russian drill core challenges long-standing models of oxygenation on Earth\nCredit: K. Paiste.\nEarth may have been far more oxygen-rich early in its history than previously thought, setting the stage for the evolution of complex life, according to new research by scientists at the University of Alberta and the University of Tartu in Estonia. The study provides evidence for elevated oxygen levels 2 billion years ago and flies in the face of previously accepted models.\nThe international team of researchers, led by UAlberta scientists, studied a Russian drill core containing shungite–a unique carbon-rich sedimentary rock deposited 2 billion years ago. The material provides several clues about oxygen concentrations on Earth’s surface at that time, including strikingly high levels of molybdenum, uranium, and rhenium, as well as elevated uranium isotope ratios.\n“These trace metals are only thought to be common in Earth’s oceans and sediments when oxygen is abundant,” explained Kaarel Mänd, a PhD candidate in the University of Alberta’s Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and lead author of the study. “These trace metal concentrations are unrivaled in early Earth’s history, suggesting elevated levels of oxygen at the time when the shungite was deposited.”\nWhat’s puzzling, Mänd explained, is that many widely accepted models of Earth’s carbon and oxygen cycles predict that shungite should have been deposited at a time of rapid decrease in oxygen levels.\n“What we found contradicts the prevailing view,” says Mänd, who is completing his PhD under the supervision of Professor Kurt Konhauser. “This will force the Earth science community to rethink what drove the carbon and oxygen cycles on the early Earth.”\nThe new findings also provide insight into the evolution of complex life. Earth’s “middle age” represents the backdrop for the appearance of eukaryotes. Eukaryotes are the precursors to all complex life, and require high oxygen levels in their environment to thrive. This study strengthens the idea that suitable conditions for the evolution of complex life on early Earth began much earlier than previously thought.\nFuture research will examine the delay between the initial rise of oxygen and the appearance and spread of eukaryotes, remaining an area of active research, one that University of Alberta and University of Tartu researchers are well positioned to help answer.\nThis research was funded by the Archimedes Foundation, the Estonian Research Council, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), and the Research Council of Norway.\nThis paper, “Paleoproterozoic oxygenated oceans following the Lomagundi-Jatuli Event,” was published in the journal Nature Geoscience (doi: 10.1038/s41561-020-0558-5).\nKatie Willis\nhttps://www.ualberta.ca/science/news/2020/april/rocks-oxygen-earth.html\nAtmospheric ChemistryAtmospheric ScienceClimate ChangeEarth ScienceEvolutionGeology/Soil\nHow has the COVID-19 pandemic affected women’s sexual behavior?\nVitamin D determines severity in COVID-19 so government advice needs to change\nUnderstanding future species distribution: new data for biogeographers\nShock-dissipating fractal cubes could forge high-tech armor\nScienmag Jul 7, 2020\n3D printed fractal structures with closely spaced voids dissipate shockwaves five times better than solid…\nNew fundamental knowledge of the ‘abdominal brain’\nHow childhood brain function and memory skills shape each other\nHybrid inverter integrates distributed energy resources, supports…\nWater loss in northern peatlands threatens to intensify fires, global…","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1293458"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7980006337165833,"wiki_prob":0.7980006337165833,"text":"10 Songs About Divorced Parents & Broken Homes\nJulian PLAYLIST\n(Last Updated On: January 4, 2021)\nNot all marriages are bound to last till death. Unfortunately, some of these marriages that do end have kids involved in the whole process. They will definitely be affected psychologically by the proceeding and their way of life may change to something completely new. Here is a list of songs about parents who are getting a divorce or have been through a divorce.\n1. RaeLynn – Love Triangle\nIn the song, a ‘Love Triangle’ refers to the aspect of co-parenting whereby the child is at the center of the triangle. RaeLynn sings about how separated parents share custody of their child.\n2. James TW – When You Love Someone\nJames explores the topic of divorce in the song. He was inspired by a young boy to whom he was teaching drums. He ended finding out that the boy’s parents were getting a divorce so he wrote the song in order to tell the boy in a way he can understand.\n3. Sasha Sloan – Older\nThe track is about the hardships of growing up with parents who fought and realizing that sometimes love isn’t always perfect. Since Sasha is now older, she never wants to be like her parents who fought a lot. She has learned that it is necessary to accept the pain that comes with love and heartbreak.\n4. Papa Roach – Broken Home\nThis is a personal song for the band since three-quarters of the original band members came from broken homes. The song is about a broken home and being torn between your parents.\n5. Blink 182 – Stay Together For The Kids\nThe song is written from the point of view of a child with divorced parents. Both singers come from homes with divorced parents. Their intended message was that when you growing up you think that your parents are more powerful than they are but as you get older you start to learn that they are human too and vulnerable just like you.\n6. Pink – Family Portrait\nThis is a track about a broken home. When Pink was a young girl at around the age of nine, her parents got a divorce. She decided to write about what she experienced as a child.\n7. Tammy Wynette – Divorce\nThis is a country music song written by Bobby Braddock.\n8. Stephen Lynch – Lullaby\nIn the song, Stephen tries to explain to his daughter why her mother left them.\n9. Zac Brown Band – Highway 20 Ride\nThis is an upbeat track with a much deeper meaning. He sings about how every other Friday he heads east on Highway 20. The reason for this trip is to go see his son who is in full custody of his ex-wife.\n10. Dolly Parton – Starting Over Again\nThe song was able to peak at #36 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was able to top Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.\n10 Songs About Jealousy and Insecurity In A Relationship\n10 Songs About Miscarriage\n14 Songs About Believing In Yourself\n13 Songs About Going Home\n17 Songs About Staying Together Through Hard Times\n12 Songs When You Want To Get A Fresh Start/New Beginning In Life\n11 Songs About Being Taken Advantage Of & Being Used\n10 Songs About Uniqueness & Being Unique\n14 Songs That Tell A Story\n12 Songs About Second Chances In Love","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1635967"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9103832840919495,"wiki_prob":0.9103832840919495,"text":"Fabrice Delannon Has Sights On New Goal In ONE Super Series\nONE Championship - June 18, 2018\nMuay Thai star Fabrice Fairtex Delannon has plied his trade across the globe in his bid to become the best, and that journey will pass through ONE Championship on Saturday, 23 June.\nDelannon will face two-weight Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion Petchmorrakot Wor. Sangprapai in a ONE Super Series Muay Thai bout at ONE: PINNACLE OF POWER in Macau.\nThe French-Guyanese striker will be looking to claim one of the biggest scalps of his career as he bids to make an impact and add more honours to the three MAX Muay Thai World Championships already in his trophy cabinet.\nDelannon was born and raised in French Guiana, before moving to Paris, France, with his mother and sister, where he initially struggled to deal with the cosmopolitan Parisian culture.\nHowever, he adapted, and ended up with a group of friends from a variety of different backgrounds.\n“I had all types of friends – poor friends, rich friends, friends from bad neighbourhoods and good neighbourhoods,” he says.\n“There was everything – all types of influences on me.”\nThings could have been tricky for Delannon, with the family moving back and forth between Guiana and Paris, but he took it all in his stride.\nHe was a good student at school, but his passion was away from his books. He wanted to compete.\nHe started boxing training as a 12-year-old, inspired by his heroes Roy Jones Jr and Mike Tyson. When he made his competitive debut, he was only 14, and it came in front of a huge crowd.\n“It was in [French] Guiana, in front of two or three thousand people,” he recalls.\n“I faced a guy much bigger than me. I finished with a draw, but everybody told me, ‘Wow, you had a great contest with him.’\n“I was happy. To have the support of my team, my friends, and my neighbourhood – that was good.”\nHealth issues curtailed his boxing career and, while he tried other sports, he could not replace the sensation of competing against another athlete in hand-to-hand combat.\nBut that all changed when, aged 22, he discovered Muay Thai and threw himself into learning the “art of eight limbs”. He had found his new passion, and it is one he continued to pursue today.\n“Since I was young, I always loved martial arts. It excited me,” he explains.\n“I always dreamed about going to Asia and practising, like the warriors I admired in my head.”\nHe chased that dream, as he moved to Thailand in 2007 and spent two years there perfecting his art. He returned in 2013 and now trains out of Pattaya’s Fairtex Gym.\nHopes were high for a stellar career, but Delannon had to deal with more health issues that threatened to hold him back.\n“I had a very bad respiratory problem – an infection in my lung, and a problem with my stomach, too,” he says.\n“Despite all that, I took some fights when I was literally sick. The doctor told me I was crazy to fight through it.\n“I suffered in the ring and pushed my limits. There was a time in the final of the French Championships where I had one or two breaths, max, and I was just happy to survive. It was impossible to breathe, but I made it to the end.”\nDelannon’s ability to battle through adversity and his determination to succeed has taken him through more than 60 professional bouts.\nHe believes he could have topped 100 by now, and perhaps would have had a better win-loss ratio, had he not had to deal with his health issues.\n“I am not a bad loser. If I lose, I am happy to take it, but now I know I should not have taken those bouts, for sure,” he says.\nHe has shown his quality throughout his career, picking up three MAX Muay Thai World Titles in two different weight classes.\nAnd now he is looking to prove his worth as one of the best strikers on the planet with success in the ONE Super Series.\n“I left everything to live my dream. I am living it, and I am happy,” he says.\n“Now I just want to take on the top fighters in the world in ONE Championship and do my best.”\nPaired with Petchmorrakot in his ONE Super Series debut, Delannon says he is ready to make a statement with a spectacular victory.\n“I will knock him out and win the fight,” he says.\n“It will take me one step closer to becoming the ONE World Champion.”\nXiong Jing Nan Wants To Show Power Of Chinese Martial Arts In First World Title Defence < Previous Post\nHow Li Kai Wen Used Martial Arts Values To Change The Mindset Of His Wrestling Team\tNext Post >\nLeandro Issa Shows Black Belt Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Skills In First-Round Victory\nJapan Trials fighters make weight\nAJ Lias Mansor Opens Up About His Life-Saving Surgery\nSorgraw Petchyindee Academy Happy To Step Out Of Comfort Zone Against Giorgio Petrosyan\nHow Giorgio ‘The Doctor’ Petrosyan Earned His Nickname","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line918688"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5644989013671875,"wiki_prob":0.4355010986328125,"text":"T.K. Kirkland\nHelium Comedy Club - St. Louis\n1151 St Louis Galleria Street\nDAVE FOLEY\nhttps://www.kirklandreporter.com/life/comedy-icon-and-coffee-addict-dave-foley-to-play-kirklands-laughs-comedy-spot/ \"Yes Man\". The Vault - Fallout WikiDavid Scott Foley (born January 4, 1963) is a Canadian actor, stand-up comedian, director, producer and writer. He is known as a co-founder of the comedy group The Kids in the Hall, who have appeared together in a number of television, stage and film productions, most notably the 1988-1995 TV sketch comedy show The Kids in the Hall, as well as the 1996 film Brain Candy. He also starred as Dave Nelson in the sitcom NewsRadio, voiced the main character, Flik, in A Bug's Life and Terry in Monsters University, portrayed recurring character Bob Moore in the sitcom Hot in Cleveland, and hosted the game show Celebrity Poker Showdown.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1835045"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6430646777153015,"wiki_prob":0.6430646777153015,"text":"The History of Democracy\nBrian S Roper\nRecent elections in Britain have been marked by extremely low voter turnout. Since such elections are supposed to be a cornerstone of modern society, we would be right to ask what this says about our democracy.\nSocialists have long argued that under capitalism democracy is extremely limited. Unelected bankers and bosses make daily decisions affecting the lives of millions of people, while every few years we get to vote for politicians who probably won't stick to their pledges.\nDespite these failings, millions of people around the world yearn for even this limited democracy. In Brian Roper's new book he points out that at the end of the 20th century less than half of the world's countries were such liberal democracies. It is no surprise then that the Arab Revolutions have shown that millions of people are prepared to take to the streets to win some democratic control over their lives.\nOur limited democracy is often portrayed as the pinnacle of achievement. Yet in reality throughout human history democracy has taken widely different forms. In ancient Greece, for instance, with the exception of women and slaves, citizens \"faced no major obstacles to significant involvement in public affairs based on social position or wealth\", a situation that contrasts favourably to some modern democracies until the early 20th century. Indeed to be a citizen in ancient Athens was to take part in such democracy, even if 80 percent of the population was excluded.\nModern differences between state and society, people and government would not have been understood by those taking part in Athenian democracy. But this is because our electoral system is a result of a particular set of historical events, in particular the American and French Revolutions.\nModern democracy evolved out of the revolutionary struggles that ended feudalism and allowed capitalism to triumph. It is a reflection of the needs of the bourgeoisie, combined with the gains made by ordinary people for the extension of the democratic franchise. Frequently it has been working people who have been at the forefront of such demands, and key democratic reforms such as the 1867 Reform Act were responses to workers' militancy.\nYet such limited bourgeois democracy can be contrasted to the democracy that emerges from class struggle. Often these are related. Revolutionary movements demand the right to take part in elections but then begin to create their own participatory democracy. The 1871 Paris Commune and the Russian Revolution are two classic examples of this.\nWhile this book might have benefited from further exploration of how revolutionary socialist democracy might function in a more technologically advanced era, it is an excellent exploration of the history of democracy and the struggle to extend it.\nThe History of Democracy is published by Pluto, £20","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line760680"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7790572643280029,"wiki_prob":0.7790572643280029,"text":"BMC polls 2017: Inside the BJP war room\nHaving retained some features of BJP’s Lok Sabha campaign and throwing in a few innovative new ideas, young professionals in the party’s war room are putting in long hours every day to ensure a repeat of the 2014 results\nWritten by Arita Sarkar | Mumbai | Updated: February 10, 2017 8:48:25 am\nBMC polls 2017: The war room has been decentralised this time around to ensure maximum reach, says BJP spokesperson Shweta Shalini, who heads it. (Express photo)\nIn the BJP’s ‘war room’, hectic activity can be seen almost round the clock. For, that’s where the campaign strategies for the upcoming Mumbai civic polls are being firmed up. While much of the features of the party’s war room for 2014 Lok Sabha elections have been replicated, the difference this time is that the operations are being handled by a team of young professionals from varied fields who have brought some innovative ideas on the table too.\nWhile the party had initially set up the war room in Walkeshwar in South Mumbai, much of the activities were later shifted to the Mumbai BJP’s head office in Dadar. Moving away from the earlier model for the civic elections, the war room this time around has been decentralised to ensure maximum reach, says BJP spokesperson Shweta Shalini, who heads the party’s war room. “We have adopted the German method of warfare called ‘Blitzkrieg’ and have mobilised our war forces. We have invested in training our party workers even at the taluka level,” she says, adding that apart from the party leaders, staff from Facebook and Twitter have provided training sessions on using social media tools.\nWatch What Else is Making News\nAs part of the strategy, says Shalini, the BJP has come up with three aspects of the campaign — above the line (hoardings and radio broadcast), below the line (interactive street plays, LED vans) and one-on-one (calls, messages, emails and door-to-door campaigns). “We have listed out the wards based on the kind of support for the party. For instance, we are confident of winning in 100 wards who are listed in the A+ category and we will send a message to people living in those wards once in two weeks. For the wards where our presence is weak, candidates will do extensive door-to-door campaign,” she adds.\nIn keeping with the young mindset of the team, 36-year-old Shalini, who has been working with the party for over a decade, says several people apart from party workers have volunteered to work on the election campaign on a permanent or full-time basis, including artists, chartered accountants, doctors, lawyers and marketing agencies. Close to 3,000 party workers and 500 volunteers are involved with the campaign in Mumbai. Volunteers who work full time are given a stipend and the party would be open to absorb any of them after the election campaign, provided their views are in consonance with the party’ sensibilities.\nThe BJP’s campaign has laid a lot of emphasis on social media steered by 27-year-old Devang Dave, who has been working with the party since 2008. Considering the nature of his work, says the computer engineer, he and members of the social media team put in close to 18 hours daily, starting their day as early as 8 am.\nThe BJP had carried out a membership campaign last year after which it prepared a database of around 50 lakh supporters in Mumbai. Dave says real time feedback from local areas is integral to their planning. On an average, the social media team puts out around 10 posts on Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp.\nApart from constant feedback, the war room has adopted a very data-oriented approach to strategies. Much of the data analysis is done by 33-year-old Praful Nikam, the party’s data mining expert who has taken a sabbatical from his job as an analyst with a Pune-based software company. While the party has set up a war room in various parts of the state, Nikam says the party’s focus is primarily on the elections in Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune, Thane and Mumbai.\nOn a typical day, says Nikam, close to 20 volunteers and 30 party workers carry out the day’s activities at the war room in Dadar. “Our day begins with internal meetings on taking stock of the events lined up for the day, including interviews and rallies, and then we give our input to media management and social media teams. Every day, we have a two-hour meeting with party leaders to discuss any suggestion they may have for fine-tuning the campaign, after which we focus on the day’s events,” he adds.\nApart from new ideas, the party has retained two aspects of the Lok Sabha election war room, which had helped in ensuring a clean sweep for the BJP in 2014. “We have kept the tone of the campaign positive and its effect can be seen in all our messages and posts. The party promises development instead of focusing on communities or religions. The fight is now between the Shiv Sena and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and even though he is not a contesting candidate, pushing a credible party face energises the cadre and wins the support of people,” he says.\nBMC polls 2017\nArita Sarkar... read more\nDeonar fire: BMC’s counter-claim from contractor is over Rs 1,000 crore\nConfusion over renewal of Mumbai Police Gymkhana lease agreement\nHawker removal: A long term solution is not possible until Town Vending Committee formed, says BMC","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line481692"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9977684020996094,"wiki_prob":0.9977684020996094,"text":"Saturday's tee times at The Masters\nAll times Central\n9:20 a.m. — Jason Day\n9:30 a.m. — Daniel Berger, Branden Grace\n9:40 a.m. — J.B. Holmes, Francesco Molinari\n9:50 a.m. — a-Curtis Luck, Larry Mize\n10 a.m. — James Hahn, Ross Fisher\n10:10 a.m. — Matthew Fitzpatrick, Brandt Snedeker\n10:20 a.m. — Kevin Kisner, Andy Sullivan\n10:30 a.m. — Daniel Summerhays, Adam Hadwin\n10:40 a.m. — Emiliano Grillo, Justin Thomas\n11 a.m. — Byeong Hun An, Bernd Wiesberger\n11:10 a.m. — Steve Stricker, Louis Oosthuizen\n11:20 a.m. — Brooks Koepka, Pat Perez\n11:30 a.m. — Kevin Chappell, Paul Casey\n11:40 a.m. — Brian Stuard, a-Stewart Hagestad\n11:50 a.m. — Russell Henley, Brendan Steele\nNoon — Bill Haas, Jimmy Walker\n12:10 p.m. — Lee Westwood, Marc Leishman\n12:20 p.m. — Ernie Els, Jason Dufner\n12:40 p.m. — Hideki Matsuyama, Martin Kaymer\n12:50 p.m. — Soren Kjeldsen, Charl Schwartzel\n1 p.m. — Matt Kuchar, Rory McIlroy\n1:10 p.m. — Jordan Spieth, Phil Mickelson\n1:20 p.m. — Justin Rose, Adam Scott\n1:30 p.m. — Jon Rahm, Fred Couples\n1:40 p.m. — William McGirt, Ryan Moore\n1:50 p.m. — Thomas Pieters, Rickie Fowler\n2 p.m. — Charley Hoffman, Sergio Garcia","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1473379"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6322483420372009,"wiki_prob":0.3677516579627991,"text":"Major changes at Hermes after EU authorities give the green light\nAdvent International, a global private equity firm focused on buyouts of companies, has invested in two branches of the logistics and courier service provider Hermes. It bought 25% of the shares in Hermes Germany and as much as 75% in Hermes UK, which belongs to the Otto Group. The European Commission has just agreed to this consolidation of the companies.\nHermes insists that it is doing well, which was also influenced by the change in the situation of the CEP industry caused by the pandemic. In the financial year 2019/20, the two branches transported a total of over 760 million shipments. In the current one, the company say they are recording a high increase in volume due to the coronavirus pandemic. The company’s press release also provides assurances that Hermes shall experience further growth and is therefore employing more workers.\nAs we wrote in mid-August, the Otto Group is giving up its majority shareholding in Hermes UK, but it still holds the majority of shares in Hermes Germany, as it regards the German market as ‘the main one’.\nThe transaction was subject to approval by the boards of directors and relevant antitrust authorities. This week, it was approved by the European Commission as part of its control of the merger.\nPhoto credit @ Hermes\nAmerican Advent International bought two-third of...\nClare Booth is the new HR...\n#back2business#Germany#Great Britain#hermes#management\nAmerican Advent International bought two-third of British Hermes in $1.3B deal\nClare Booth is the new HR director of Scania UK\nNo, the Eddie Stobart name is not about to disappear from the UK’s roads\nVideo: Hermes part company with driver who hurled packages into van\nDocuments British drivers need to carry out international transportation tasks","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line665262"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6675115823745728,"wiki_prob":0.6675115823745728,"text":"Thomas Barclay Hennell (1903-1945)\nGeorge Large, Loading the boats - scroll down for more\nNicholas Holloway\nClick on image to view larger version\nAnne Louise Falkner (1862 -1933)\nWorking horses in an extensive landscape,\nOil on canvas laid on board,\n9¼ x 24 inches\n£1,500 (Free shipping)\nClick here to enquire about this work\nA striking image bringing to mind the work of Robert Polhill Bevan with the clear delineation of the picture space.\nAnne Louise Falkner was the daughter of a Dorset vicar and the sister of the novelist and poet John Meade Falkner. After studying at the Slade, she became part of the first wave of St Ives artists that settled there in the early 20th Century. She exhibited throughout her life at the Royal Academy (1897, 1910, 1911), the Royal Institute of Oil Painters (1908-1912) and the Royal Society of British Artists (1893). She also exhibited in Paris at the Salon D'Automne and through this connection was elected to the Women's International Art Club where she exhibited from 1913-1922, alongside contemporaries such as Gwen John and Dame Laura Knight. Additionally, she had shows at the Baillie Gallery (a joint exhibition with her life long companion Florence Leslie Hervey) and at the Beaux Art Gallery (1926). A critic reviewing the latter, described her work thus,\n\"Miss Falkner has a special turn for horses and cattle, and some of her best pictures, reminding one a little of the work of the late Mr Robert Bevan, are concerned with them. Noon, ploughing teams in repose, is an excellent example. In it we see Miss Falkner's power of reducing the complexities of nature to a few tones of colour, so nicely related in their values that the effect of solidity is maintained...\" The Times, 19/3/1926\nHer work is held in several public collections including the British Museum, The V & A, The Southampton City Art Gallery and the Dorset County Museum.\nSource: Dr Pamela Gerrish Nunn, 'Anne Louise Falkner', johnmeadefalknersociety.co.uk, July 2012\nOther work by the artist on this website:\n© Nicholas Holloway 2021\nAnne Falkner","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1300283"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9851294159889221,"wiki_prob":0.9851294159889221,"text":"EXCLUSIVE: Vin Diesel Says 'Fast 8' Might Get F. Gary Gray the Oscar Love that 'Straight Outta Compton' Didn't\nBy Raphael Chestang 6:06 PM PDT, October 17, 2016\nThe Fast and the Furious franchise has always been a crowd pleaser, but now Vin Diesel says the next installment might win over awards show voters as well.\nStraight Outta Compton director F. Gary Gray joined the Fast & Furious family by taking over the helm of Fast 8, and Diesel told ET that being snubbed by the Oscars for his music biopic last year lit a special fire under him that showed on set.\nWATCH: 'The Fast and the Furious' Turns 15: ET's Top 4 Moments With the Cast\n\"I think he went into making this movie with a little bit of a chip on his shoulder, going 'Oh, really? Ok. Now I'm going to take the biggest saga in the world, and I'm about to throw Oscars at you,'\" Diesel told ET while promoting his next film, Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk, opening Nov. 11. \"Wait till you see what he does!\"\nAccording to Diesel, Fast 8 makes a departure from the previous seven films, while building off the last installment, which was Paul Walker's last Furious movie.\n\"Fast 8 is different. It's very dark,\" Diesel explained. \"My character is conflicted in a way that is really going to shock you. He's coming off of a lot of emotion from 7 and the loss that 7 represents.\"\nRELATED: 29 Things You (Probably) Didn't Know About the 'Fast & Furious' Films\nWhile the movie's release isn't until next year, fans in New York City will get an early Christmas gift when the trailer drops.\n\"December 11, every screen in Times Square will be playing the trailer, and it's going to hit you like a ton of bricks,\" Diesel promised. \"Everything is going to make sense.\"\nFast 8 is due out April 14, 2017.\nFLASHBACK Paul Walker on the Set of 'The Fast and The Furious'","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1370284"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.658677875995636,"wiki_prob":0.658677875995636,"text":"The next election in El Salvador\nThe next election in El Salvador involves magistrates for the country's Supreme Court of Justice. Saturday, March 10, lawyers across the country will go and cast their votes for candidates for the high court. The elections are organized by the Federation of Attorney Associations of El Salvador (FEDAES). A video urges the lawyers to elect honest and competent judges:\nThirty thousand lawyers will be able to cast ballots for 22 candidates. Bios of the candidates are available here. This election will reduce to 15, the number of potential candidates for the Supreme Judicial Court. In addition to those 15 candidates, 15 more candidates are chosen by the National Council of the Judiciary. This total list of 30 candidates represents the body from which El Salvador's legislative National Assembly should pick new magistrates to the court.\nThe National Assembly will ultimately elect five new magistrates this July, by a two thirds super-majority vote. The five new magistrates make up one third of the Court's magistrates and serve nine year terms. Four of those new magistrates are scheduled to go the the Constitutional Chamber (Sala de lo Constitucional).\nThe expiration of the terms of four of the five magistrates from the Constitutional Chamber is extremely important for the legal and political system in El Salvador. These are the magistrates who have been responsible for such things as invalidating the 1993 amnesty law, requiring that citizens be allowed to vote for candidates from different parties, issuing an order of habeas corpus against the army in a case of youth disappeared by soldiers, and more. These magistrates have also issued orders which have frustrated plans of recent FMLN governments including invalidating government borrowing plans and prohibiting the SITRAMSS bus system from using a designated lane in the capital city. Over the last few years, the FMLN has been increasingly strident in its complaints against the magistrates of the Constitutional Chamber.\nAfter the March 4 elections, however, the FMLN has potentially lost any voice in who is chosen for the Court. Previously the FMLN always had more that 28 deputies and could block super-majority votes. The FMLN thus had to be consulted in order to elect any magistrates. After this most recent election of deputies to the National Assembly, however, the FMLN has dropped to 22 seats and conservative parties can elect magistrates without regard to the position of the leftist party. This could be one of the most important long term results of the FMLN's disastrous loss at the polls on March 4.\nCampaign posters of judicial candidates in stairwell of courthouse in Santa Ana, El Salvador\n2018 elections Constitution FMLN Justice system","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1135342"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8528252840042114,"wiki_prob":0.8528252840042114,"text":"Foreign Minister: Saudi Arabia will provide $ 100 million to alleviate the suffering of brotherly Syrian people\nBrussels, Minister of Foreign Affairs Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir announced that the Kingdom will provide $ 100 million through King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre to alleviate the suffering of brotherly Syrian people.This came during his parti...\nBrussels, Minister of Foreign Affairs Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir announced that the Kingdom will provide $ 100 million through King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre to alleviate the suffering of brotherly Syrian people.\nThis came during his participation today in the conference to support the future of Syria and the region held in the Belgian capital Brussels, pointing out that the convening of this international meeting comes in the wake of the terrible crime that took place in the city of Douma in the eastern Ghouta in Syria, which claimed the lives of civilians and innocent women and children.\n\"The world is facing a regime allied with terrorist militias who believe that spreading atrocities and committing crimes will bring victory to it, and that war crimes are bearing fruit. In addition to bombing civilians with explosive barrels, the policies of starvation and siege, ethnic and sectarian cleansing and the demographic change of Syrian cities and towns, its use of chemical weapons have shocked the entire world.\nHe explained that the only solution to the Syrian crisis is political and peaceful solution and that Saudi Arabia has sought to find peaceful solutions to the Syrian crisis since its inception and worked with brothers and friends to avoid the human tragedy we are experiencing today.\nHe pointed out that the Kingdom called for the implementation of the international resolutions, particularly the Geneva 1 and Security Council Resolution 2254, in order to meet the rights and demands of the Syrian people in a unified, civil state in which security and stability for all sectors and components are based on citizenship. The reconstruction of Syria will only take place through a serious political process leading to a political transition stage that will be the subject of international consensus and represent the internal Syrian consensus.\nHe highlighted the role of the Kingdom in unifying the ranks of the Syrian opposition and encouraging them to speak with one voice. After the Riyadh 1 Conference in 2015, the Kingdom hosted the Riyadh 2 conference for the Syrian opposition in November 2017 which succeeded in unifying the opposition in all its spectrums and formations and the formation of a unified delegation to it, through the negotiating body of the Syrian opposition, which formed the reference for the opposition in the rounds of negotiations held since that date, which is still showing positive cooperation witnessed by all and was praised by the United Nations, indicating that the continued Syrian regime and intransigence prevented achieving progress in the Geneva negotiations.\nMinister Adel Al-Jubeir affirmed the support of the Kingdom for the efforts of UN Secretary General's envoy Stephan de Mistura to resume the negotiating process between the Syrian parties in Geneva to find solutions based on the Geneva Declaration and related international resolutions.\n\"The Kingdom hopes that the agreements endorsed by the international resolutions on the ceasefire and the delivery of humanitarian aid to its beneficiaries will be implemented throughout Syria, regardless of their ethnic, religious, sectarian or political affiliations, and calls for the speedy release of detainees and abductees and clarifying the situation of those absent. It also renews its demand to punish individuals and institutions for the crimes of war and to prevent their impunity.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1686517"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7939767837524414,"wiki_prob":0.7939767837524414,"text":"Catholicism for the Non-Catholic\nA Brief Introduction to Catholicism\nWhile the number of Jesus' followers in 33 AD is unknown, those who claim Him today as the source of their life and unity in the Catholic Church number about one-fifth of the human race. Catholicism for the Non-Catholic presents the Catholic faith from an historical perspective and within its current practice. Fr. Chiola explores the uniqueness of the Catholic Church among other Christian denominations, the structure of authority, the Protestant Reformation, the influence of the Second Vatican Council, and contemporary tensions and struggles. He also addresses Catholic prayer life, the veneration of the saints and the special honor given to Mary as the Mother of God.\nRichard Chiola is a Roman Catholic priest in the diocese of Springfield in Illinois. He previously taught theology at Yale Divinity School and St. John's University, Collegeville, MN, and has given retreats, parish missions and workshops in the U.S. and abroad. He holds a Ph.D. in Historical Theology.\nREVIEW: \". . . may be the perfect gift to give non-Catholics who have expressed interest in the church. But its readable writing style and forthright approach might be just the thing to get non-practicing Catholics to at least consider glancing through and maybe reading a chapter or two.\" Catholic Times\nEXCERPT: \"The Catholic Church developed by adapting to various cultures. In the process it also adopted practices from other world religions. Today, one of the great issues confronting the Church is how to continue to adapt to the rapidly changing cultural conditions in the ever shrinking global village.\nIn the period before the New Testament books were written, in the first decades of its life, the Catholic Church adapted the Jewish world view in which it was born to the Greek culture in which the faith was being preached and lived. The Church spread east among Jewish Christians whose descendants two millennia later still use Aramaic in their liturgy. The Church adapted in the first centuries to the culture in Lebanon and today the Maronite Church has its own unique forms and practices, customs and liturgy. Similarly, the Catholic faith adapted to Egyptian, Armenian, and Syrian cultures, as well as the cultures of Rome, and the northern European tribes. In each of these cultures, different liturgical, devotional and theological expressions created a truly Catholic or universal expression of Christian life.\nThe Catholic Church, in the first centuries and especially in the east, adapted customs that predate Christianity. The use of incense in worship, sprinkling persons and articles with water as a sign of blessing, the use of icons and statues, oil lamps or candles, and the vestments of the clergy are all cultural adaptations that vary, depending on the area in which the Church lived when they were adopted. Music, chant, and prayer-forms are clearly cultural expressions which vary in the Church from location to location. Since the Second Vatican Council, the Church has been in a process of relearning how to adapt itself to diverse cultures, a charism it had severely restricted after Trent. This work of the Spirit holds great promise as the Church faces its next great cultural Everest, adapting the Catholic Faith to an increasingly secularized world-culture driven by materialist interests and projected into every part of the earth by mass communication.\"\nAbraham Lincoln: Selected Writings\nEdith Stein Daybook: To Live at the Hand of the Lord\nLife and Soul: New Light on a Sublime Mystery\nHumble and Awake: Coping with Our Comatose Culture\nSelections from the Talmud\nDorothy Day: Modern Spirituality Series\nDoors of Hope: Paths for Renewal in the Catholic Church\nNotify me when the author of Catholicism for the Non-Catholic writes another book","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1254451"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8156473636627197,"wiki_prob":0.8156473636627197,"text":"The Cadence Learning team came together to reimagine distance learning in the pandemic.\nSavita Bharadwa\nSavita was chief of staff of Newark Public Schools, supporting the superintendent on the transition from state to local control, the annual budgeting process, management of the school board and other stakeholders, and strategic planning. She worked at the New York City Department of Education in the Bloomberg administration, creating city-wide plans for opening new charter and district schools, closing under-performing schools, and implementing strategic enrollment-based policy changes. Previously, Savita also worked at Deloitte Consulting and Deutsche Bank. Savita has an B.S. in electrical engineering and computer science from the University of California, Berkeley and an MBA from Columbia Business School. In 2018, she completed the Broad Residency in 2018, graduating with an M.A. in education leadership.\nChris Cerf\nChris Cerf was superintendent of the Newark, New Jersey public schools, where he drove dramatic increases in reading and math performance. Graduation rates rose 20 percentage points and the city was recognized as having the most “beat the odds” schools in the country. Newark also developed one of the largest and most successful charter school sectors; Newark charter schools now serve 31 percent of the city’s students and 50 percent of its African American students. Previously, Chris was New Jersey’s commissioner of education and deputy chancellor of the New York City Department of Education.\nAquan Grant\nAquan has served as a high school principal in Michigan for eight years, and heads leadership development for PrepNet, a network of high schools in the state. Recently, Aquan established Balance Power, a nonprofit leadership development organization focused on transforming educational communities. She began her fifteen-year career in education as a high school science teacher. Aquan earned her B.A. and M.Ed. in education from Wayne State University.\nKeri Hubbard\nAfter teaching high school math in Charlotte as a TFA corps member, Keri joined Achievement First in New Haven. Teaching seventh-grade math and eighth-grade algebra at the network in Brooklyn, she led her students for two consecutive years to 100 percent proficiency on the New York State exam, with 97 percent of eighth-graders passing the Algebra Regents exam. Later, she joined KIPP in Austin, teaching sixth-grade reading, and rose to become assistant principal and director of curriculum and professional development. Currently, Keri is managing director of leadership development at Teaching Trust, an education leadership development organization. Keri holds a B.A. in economics and sociology from Duke University.\nMaddy Levine\nMaddy is the Director of Academic Operations at Cadence Learning responsible for managing all of the operations and communications for the program. Maddy was most recently the Senior Manager of Community Partnerships & Outreach at Girls Who Code where she worked to foster strong partnerships with school districts, library networks, and community-based organizations so that every girl has the opportunity to gain the confidence and skills they need to succeed in the 21st century. Previously, Maddy served as an Assistant Principal at Success Academy Charter Schools, where she managed instruction and teacher development in science, math, and literacy for grades K-4 - achieving results in the top 1% of all New York state public schools. She first became passionate about education while serving as an AmeriCorps member in an urban education fellowship program in Boston, Massachusetts. Maddy received her BS in Psychology and History from Union College and holds a Women in Leadership Certification from Cornell.\nDoug McCurry\nDoug is the co-CEO and superintendent of Achievement First, which operates a network of 37 public charter schools educating 14,000 students in New Haven, Bridgeport and Hartford, CT; Brooklyn, NY; and Providence, RI. Achievement First is consistently one of the highest performing charter networks in New York City. Prior to co-founding Achievement First in 2003, Doug was one of the founders of Amistad Academy and served as the school’s instructional leader for three years. Achievement First Amistad High is ranked the number one high school in Connecticut.\nIan Rowe\nAs CEO of Public Prep, Ian provides the strategic direction for the network of single-sex elementary and middle public schools that are determined to put their students on a predictive path to earn a degree from a four-year university. Ian was the Deputy Director of Postsecondary Success at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where he worked to increase college completion rates among low income young adults. Ian worked for MTV as the Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Public Affairs. Prior to MTV, Ian worked as the director of strategy and performance measurement at The White House USA Freedom Corps office.\nBetsey Schmidt\nMesh Ed Collective\nBetsey is the founder and CEO of Mesh Ed, a design collective that builds digital portfolio tools and enrichment, wellness, and mindfulness programs for middle school, high school, and early college students. She led R&D teams for Whittle School & Studios, a global network of independent schools, where she designed and built in-school, after-school, summer, and online programs that foster project-based learning aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Prior to Whittle, Betsey served as chief curriculum and innovation officer at Ascend Learning, where she led the design of an ambitious liberal arts curriculum that between 2015 and 2017 helped Ascend students close the achievement gap of race in New York State.\nLibby Short\nLibby is the Operations Manager at Cadence Learning responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the program. She supports both the Cadence team and partner schools to ensure that programming runs seamlessly. Libby started her career as a middle school teacher in Los Angeles, teaching a variety of subjects including engineering and social studies. Libby earned her B.A. in Secondary Education and History from the University of Rhode Island.\nSaya Taniguchi\nSaya partners with mission-driven organizations to help them realize greater impact. She helps clients design and implement customized plans and systems by providing strategic advising, project management, and execution support. Recent clients include Transcend Education and the Philadelphia School Partnership. Saya began her career as a TFA corps member and most recently served as Director of Strategic Initiatives for a STEM charter network in Los Angeles. She earned her B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Southern California and M.A. in Urban Education from Loyola Marymount University.\nSteven is a senior fellow at the Center on Reinventing Public Education. He founded and led Ascend Learning, a charter school network in Brooklyn which offers a tuition-free liberal arts education in a warm and supportive setting to 5,500 students. Funded entirely at district spending levels, Ascend reversed the achievement gap on Common Core assessments. As special assistant for strategic planning for Massachusetts Governor William Weld, Steven helped shape the state’s landmark 1993 Education Reform Act that made Massachusetts schools the highest performing in the country and gave rise to the Boston charter school sector.\nLakisha Young\nThe Oakland REACH\nLakisha is cofounder and executive director of The Oakland REACH, a parent-run organization founded in 2016 with the mission to “make the powerless parent powerful.” The Oakland REACH has conducted over 5,000 1:1s with parents in Oakland’s most underserved communities to create a team of informed and organized parent advocates fighting for quality schools. Lakisha is a respected national voice on parent advocacy and regularly consults with cities across the country interested in exploring parent advocacy to demand better access to quality education for underserved students.\nCadence Learning 517 Boston Post Road, Suite 171 Sudbury, Massachusetts 01176\nP 978-261-7096 E info@cadencelearn.org\n© Cadence Learning 2021","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1865255"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6017552018165588,"wiki_prob":0.6017552018165588,"text":"Economics and\nLionel Obadia,\nThe Economics of Religion: Anthropological Approaches\nThe “economics of religion” has grown into a new and groundbreaking approach to the study of religious beliefs, preferences, attitudes, belongings, organizations, and dynamics. This chapter circumscribes its epistemological area, outlines some of the major developments in the field, allows place for the presentation of both important theoretical models (market theory, rational choice, supply-and-demand) and crucial criticisms that have been directed toward them. If the “economics of religion” partakes of an attempt to explain religion in ancient or recent history, in the conceptual prism of economics, the general movement known as globalization has accelerated the convergence of economics and cultural/social analysis in religious studies. Anthropology, however, has gone its own way regarding economic issues. It has been somewhat reluctant to espouse the principles of “economics of religion,” even while being convinced of its relevance. Some recent anthropological works on globalization and religion are presented here as examples of this ambivalent contribution of anthropology to the economics of religion in global settings.\nObadia, L. and Wood, D.C. (2011), \"Economics and\", Obadia, L. and Wood, D.C. (Ed.) The Economics of Religion: Anthropological Approaches (Research in Economic Anthropology, Vol. 31), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Bingley, pp. xiii-xxxvii. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0190-1281(2011)0000031003","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line179519"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7419456243515015,"wiki_prob":0.7419456243515015,"text":"Subject: Dow Jones Industrial Average Today Sliding on Rate Hike Speculation\nURL: http://mney.co/2cL0c6d\nStocks: BRC, CMG, DOW, EROS, HOV, KR, MFRM, SBUX, WFC\nDow Jones Industrial Average Today Sliding on Rate Hike Speculation\nOn Friday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was trending down in morning hours as investors keep an eye on several upcoming speeches from members of the U.S. Federal Reserve. Although the probability of an interest rate hike remains low for September, Fed officials continue to argue the case for just the second change to monetary policy in a decade.\nOn Thursday, the Dow slipped more than 46 points after the European Central Bank said it will leave its benchmark interest rate unchanged and that it anticipates low rates to remain for an \"extended period.\"\nLet's take a look at Thursday's Stock Market Numbers:\nDow Jones: 18,479.91; -46.23; -0.25%\nS&P 500: 2,181.30; -4.86; -0.22%\nNasdaq: 5,259.48; -24.44; -0.46%\nInvestors are going to be listening for clues into the timing of the next interest rate hike. A recent string of disappointing economic data has left investors totally in the dark about whether there will be a September Federal Reserve rate hike. Here's when we expect the next rate hike.\nWhat's Ahead for the Dow Jones Industrial Average Today\nThe Dow Jones Industrial Average projected a 97-point decline as investors digest the latest comments from Boston Federal Reserve Bank President Eric Rosengren. This morning, the Fed official said that continued low interest rates have the potential to fuel an overheating domestic economy. Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas President Rob Kaplan speaks later this morning.\nDon't Miss: How You Can Profit on the Same Trend That Drove U.S. Stocks Up 1,262% in the 80s and 90s\nOil prices were pulling back after huge gains on Thursday.\nOn Thursday, the Energy Information Administration announced a massive drawdown of crude inventories last week. U.S. inventory levels fell by 14.5 million barrels. That is the single largest weekly decline in crude stocks since January 1999.\nThis morning, the WTI crude price was off 1.4%, while Brent crude fell 1.5%.\nInvestors are keeping a close eye on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. (NYSE: CMG). Yesterday, the company announced that it has settled cases with more than 100 customers who became sick during its foodborne illness outbreak in 2015. The news comes a day after activist investor Bill Ackman's hedge fund announced a large stake in the company and plans to shake up the company. We're not buying into the hype surrounding the Chipotle stock price after Ackman's involvement in the firm. [Editor's Note: Here's why we recommend investors avoid this stock.]\nBut the big news this morning comes from Libertarian Party presidential candidate Gary Johnson. On Thursday, Johnson made an embarrassing gaffe after asking \"What is Aleppo\" during an interview with MSNBC. The candidate failed to know that Aleppo is the epicenter of the ongoing crisis in Syria. Johnson has roughly 9% support for the upcoming election and is vying for an opportunity to take part in the debates this fall. Here's more on Johnson's gaffe.\nStocks to Watch Today, Sept. 9, 2016\nShares of Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE: WFC) are in focus on news that the investment bank will pay a record fine – $190 million – after thousands of employees created fake accounts and charged customers for fees that they didn't authorize. According to reports, the firm has fired 5,300 employees after they created 1.5 million bank accounts and applied for 565,000 credit cards without authorization. This is the largest fine ever collected by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.\nStarbucks Corp. (Nasdaq: SBUX) CEO Howard Schultz has generated a lot of noise after he endorsed Hillary Clinton for president on CNN on Sept. 7. The question investors should ask themselves during this busy political season is if you should buy a stock based on the politics of its CEO? In an appearance on FOX Business' \"Varney & Co.\" yesterday, Money Morning Technical Trading Specialist D.R. Barton answered that question. Here's what he had to say.\nApple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) stock is falling again this morning. Investors are still reacting to the downgrade of AAPL stock by Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE: WFC) on Thursday. The downgrade came after the investment bank reevaluated the risks and rewards of the company moving forward. The announcement came a day after Apple unveiled the iPhone 7, the iPhone 7 Plus, and the Apple Watch 2. [Editor's Note: Money Morning Chief Investment Strategist Keith Fitz-Gerald offers his way to profit from the European Commission's recent decision that will force Apple to pay $14.5 billion in taxes and penalties to Ireland, right here.]\nIn earnings news, shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) were off nearly 1% after the grocery giant announced second-quarter earnings. The firm reported an EPS of $0.47, topping Wall Street expectations of $0.45. However, it fell just shy of bottom-line revenue estimates, leading to a small selloff in pre-market hours.\nLook for additional earnings reports today from Mattress Firm Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: MFRM), Brady Corp. (NYSE: BRC), Hovnanian Enterprises (NYSE: HOV), and Eros International (Nasdaq: EROS).\nToday's U.S. Economic Calendar (all times EDT)\nBoston Federal Reserve Bank President Eric Rosengren speaks at 7:45 a.m.\nFederal Reserve Bank of Dallas President Rob Kaplan speaks at 9:30 a.m.\nBaker Hughes Inc. (NYSE: BHI) Rig Count at 1 p.m.\nFederal Reserve Bank of Dallas President Rob Kaplan speaks at 8:15 p.m.\nUp Next: How Small Investors Can Take on Wall Street… and Win\nFollow Money Morning on Facebook and Twitter.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line730138"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6988471746444702,"wiki_prob":0.3011528253555298,"text":"FliersHaveMerit\nFliers have merit, those meritorious fly, those who don't fly have no merit!\nA look over the fence\nHead Тracking\nWhile simulating flight on personal computers, head tracking represents an obvious advantage when compared to other available methods of controlling the view: using the keyboard or the POV hat on the joystick. This is achieved in an almost natural way: by moving one's head the user controls rotation, translation and the zoom of the view, while the user's eyes must remain pointed at the display screen, which imposes certain limitations. Working principle of head tracking systems boils down to analyzing the image recorded by the sensor pointed at the user's head and sending the coordinates to the software that needs such coordinates. Actualization differs with different systems:\nSome systems use an IR point model attached to the head of the user, while the camera is supplied with the visible light filter, which provides for reliable head tracking at home with the CPU load necessary for head tracking kept at relatively low levels. Perhaps the fact that the system Schel- 3UM, used on some Russian fighters such as the MiG- 29 and the Su- 27, which is based on a similar principle may be found interesting, the difference being that passive diodes are attached to the pilot's helmet, while rotating IR lamps situated below the HUD emit the IR radiation. Ambiental light filtering is performed on the basis of the IR pulse frequency dictated by the speed of the rotation of the lamps;\nWhere IR cameras equipped with emitting IR diodes are used, tracking points on the point model can be covered with IR reflecting material, thus eliminating the need to fit IR emitting diodes on the point model itself. This solution can be considered convenient from the standpoint of saving energy, since only the camera will need electric current, but on the other hand, and as a consequence of lower intensity of reflected radiation that reaches the cam, problems with filtering out the ambiental radiation will increase;\nIn some instances, the image of the user's face is analyzed and no point model is used. CPU load required for head tracking is the highest in such cases;\nRUCAP head tracking system, which will be discussed in more detail on a separate page, has a different working principle. Reportedly, emission of ultra- sound is performed, which probably eliminates problems having to do with filtering out the ambiental radiation for the most part.\nAside from the use it found in simulating flight, head tracking is also used with car racing games, tactical simulations and first person shooters, but it can also be used as a substitute for usual control devices, such as a mouse or a trackball, by physically challenged people. Freetrack represents, perhaps, the most widely known free head tracking software, for successful use of which the user will need, aside from an off the shelf webcam, a point model which will be worn on the head and the position of which the camera will record. The reason for existence of this website is, among other things, offering built point models for purchase to those who don't wish to bother themselves with building their own models.\nPoint Models\nIf You are ready to get pumped visit totally sweet mammels, or the following website.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1886636"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6330116987228394,"wiki_prob":0.36698830127716064,"text":"Mahmood Sariolghalam\nName Mahmood Sariolghalam\nEducation University of Southern California, California State University, Northridge\nMahmood Sariolghalam (Persian: محمود سریع‌القلم‎‎) is a professor of International Relations at the School of Economics and Political Science in Shahid Beheshti University (formerly Iran National University) since 1987. He was born in Tehran, Iran in 1959. He received his B.A. degree in Political Science/Management from California State University, Northridge in 1980 and his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in International Relations from the University of Southern California in 1982 and 87, respectively. Sariolghalam also completed a Post Doctorate program at the Ohio University in 1997. During the 2009-2010 academic year, he taught at the Kuwait University.\nSariolghalam specializes in international politics of the Middle East, Iranian foreign policy and political culture and has written extensively in Persian, Arabic and English. He is a member of International Studies Association (USA), Global Agenda Council of the World Economic Forum (Switzerland) and a Non-Resident Scholar at ASERI (Italy).\n“International Relations in Iran: Achievements and Limitations,” in International Relations Scholarship Around the World edited by Arlene Tickner and Ole Waever. Routledge: 2009;\n\"The Evolution of State in Iran: A Political Culture Perspective,\" published by the Center for Strategic Future Studies of Kuwait University: 2010, (Arabic and English);\n\"Iran in Search of Itself,\" Current History, December 2008; Iran's Political Culture, a field research based on 900 questionnaires (in Persian), third edition, Tehran: 2010;\nIranian Authoritarianism during the Qajar Period, Center for Cultural and Social Studies, Tehran: 2010;\nRationality and Iran's Development (in Persian), 6th edition, Tehran: 2010;\nResearch Methods in International Relations (in Persian), 6th edition, Tehran:2010;\nIran and Globalization (in Persian), third edition, Tehran:2010.\nMahmood Sariolghalam Wikipedia\nCircus (1936 film)\nDane Murphy\nEric Staller","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line46531"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7796216011047363,"wiki_prob":0.7796216011047363,"text":"TechEntrepreneursJobsOpinionsVideos\nNewsVentureJobs\nHere's how much BC's highest-paid executives earned last year\nVincent Plana\nJul 19 2019, 3:37 pm\nProfessor Santa J. Ono, President and Vice-Chancellor at UBC (UBC).\nThe Ministry of Finance has released the financial earnings of the top executives in the public sector.\nIn British Columbia, businesses and organizations within the public sector are required to disclose all compensation that is paid to the CEO and the next four highest-paid executives that earn more than $125,000 annually.\nExecutive compensation is then shared with the public as a means of practicing transparency, as well as accountability.\nThis includes Crown corporations and agencies, post-secondary institutions and research universities, health authorities, government employees, and K-12 school districts.\nThe BC Investment Management Corporation, BC Pension Corporation, Translink, and the BC Ferry Corporation are not included in this report, because they don’t qualify as a public organization under BC’s Public Sector Employers Act.\nThis year, four university executives were included in the top 10.\nThe top 10 highest-paid executives in BC’s public sector in 2018-19 is as follows:\nBC Transit to spend $79 million on 118 new buses, including electric models\nFeds settle class action lawsuits from military members with $900M payout\nSeattle is the 'new Vancouver' when it comes to Chinese housing investment\n10. Mark Poweska, executive vice-president, operations, BC Hydro\nSalary: $285,667\nHoldback/bonus: $54,303\nBenefits: $20,484\nPension: $61,418\nAll other compensation: $874\nTotal compensation 2018-19: $422,746\n9. James Cassels, president and vice chancellor, University of Victoria\nHoldback/bonus: $0\nBenefits: $7,318\n8. Andrew Petter, president, Simon Fraser University\nAll other compensation: $35,586\n7. Andrew Szeri, vice-president academic and provost, University of British Columbia\nAll other compensation: $1,785\n6. Nicolas Jimenez, president and CEO, ICBC\n5. Ken Cretney, president and CEO, BC Pavilion Corporation\nHoldback/bonus: $173,872\n4. Brenda Leong, chair, BC Securities Commission\n3. Chris O’Riley, president and COO, BC Hydro\n2. Santa J. Ono, president and vice-chancellor, University of British Columbia\n1. Thomas Bechard, president and CEO, Powerex\nNote: Total compensation includes base salary, holdback or bonus, statutory and health benefits, and pension contributions, as well as other allowances and/or payments, which may include vacation payout, sick leave payout, vehicle allowance, paid parking, severance/salary continuance, retirement allowance, professional fees and administrative leave.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1251767"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.916139543056488,"wiki_prob":0.916139543056488,"text":"Featured, Franklin Research Center, From Our Collections\nABC’s of John Hope Franklin – (D) Durham\nThe Franklin family had the pleasure to call Durham home twice in their lives. John Hope first came to Durham to research his PhD dissertation in Duke University’s manuscript department in the late 1930’s. When John Hope was offered a teaching position at the North Carolina College for Negroes (now North Carolina Central University) in 1943, he and Aurelia moved from Raleigh, NC to take jobs. While John Hope worked in the department of history, Aurelia worked as a law librarian at the school. The Franklin’s enjoyed Durham, particularly the bustling African American community but left for Washington DC in 1947.\nJohn Hope and Aurelia Franklin listed in the yearbook at North Carolina College for Negroes, 1946\nIn 1980, John Hope Franklin and his wife Aurelia relocated to North Carolina, after he retired from the University of Chicago. Franklin served as a fellow with the National Humanities Center in Research Triangle Park for one year. In 1982, he joined the faculty at Duke University as the James B. Duke Professor of History, becoming the first Black professor to hold an endowed chair at Duke University. Franklin served as emeritus professor of history from 1985-1995 and Professor of Legal History from 1985-1992.\nJohn Hope Franklin attends Duke University basketball game at Cameron Indoor Stadium, 2000\nJohn Hope became rooted in the Duke and Durham community for the remainder of his life. He served on boards like the Durham Literacy Center, wrote insightful editorials for the Herald-Sun newspaper and Trumpet of Conscience newsletter, and spoke at local events. The John Hope Franklin Center for Interdisciplinary and International Studies was the first academic building named for an African American on Duke University’s campus. The Center, located at the corner of Erwin Road and Trent Drive, opened in 2000.\nJohn Hope Franklin Center Building\nFranklin lived in Durham until his death in 2009.\nThis series is a part of Duke University’s John Hope Franklin@100: Scholar, Activist, Citizen year-long celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. John Hope Franklin\nSubmitted by Gloria Ayee, Franklin Research Center Intern\nAfghanistan in Pictures\nMad Men Monday Tuesday, Episode 9\nHe Lives! Frankenstein in the Rubenstein\nPrevious PostCrazies in Love: A Valentine’s Open HouseNext PostPresentation and Reading of The Beast by 2014 WOLA-Duke Book Award Winner Óscar Martínez","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line624435"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6278111338615417,"wiki_prob":0.6278111338615417,"text":"Surrey’s Zhao family earned a 2020 Civic Distinction Award for their work to keep the city clean. (submitted photo)\nCivic Distinction Awards for 30-plus Surrey people, groups and projects\nRead about all the winners in arts, heritage, sports, ‘Heart’ and other categories\nTom Zillich\nClose to three dozen Surrey-area residents, groups and projects were given Civic Distinction Awards during a virtual ceremony on Thursday evening (Dec. 10), for “outstanding contributions to the City over the last three years.”\nThe City of Surrey-planned online gathering, hosted by Olympian Charmaine Crooks, featured entertainment by Krystle Dos Santos, George Leach, Kwel Eng Sen Dancers and Royal Academy of Bhangra.\nAward winners were announced in several categories, including Arts & Heritage, Design, Beautification & Enhancement, Heart, Sport Tourism, Environmental and Mayor’s Choice.\n(Story continues below video of the awards event)\nThe complete list of 2020 Civic Distinction Awards winners, with biographies, is shown in a 44-page PDF posted to the city’s website, surrey.ca.\nAt the Dec. 8 city council meeting, Jim Bennett was named Surrey’s Good Citizen of the Year for his community work over the past 30 years.\nDetails about Surrey’s awards programs are posted to surrey.ca/awards.\nPosted below are winners of Surrey’s 2020 Civic Distinction Awards, with bios submitted by award presenters:\nBEAUTIFICATION & ENHANCEMENT AWARDS\nOUTSTANDING COMMUNITY GROUP: WRAPAROUND PROJECT STUDENTS UNDER LEADERSHIP FROM JONATHAN ROSS, FOR THEIR PROJECT: COMMON-UNITY\nUtilizing the colours from the medicine wheel, this mural is intended to showcase positivity and racial inclusivity in the City of Surrey. It also allowed brought to life the vision of artist Chris Perez and his desire to give a voice to marginalized groups and promote a sense of community connectedness and inclusion. The mural allowed an opportunity to engage youth from the Surrey Wraparound Project who had an interest in art and also provided them the ability to spend the summer taking part in this exciting project. As Jon Ross said, “Most of these youth experienced discrimination in some form and this allowed them to give their voice some kind of permanence and to feel like they’ve been heard, and they belong.”\nOUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL: ABDUL HAQ AMARKHIL AND FAMILY\nThe Amarkhil family contribute regularly, sometimes even weekly, to the City of Surrey through their clean ups at Cougar Creek Park and the adjacent school grounds. This small family is making a big different in their local parks.\nOUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL: RECIPIENT WISHES TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS.\nThis is a recipient whose work is described as being a guardian angel. This individual takes note of downed trees, illegal dumping, litter, wet sections of the path, weeds and so much more. He has organized countless planting events, invasive plant removal events, annual open houses and public outreach. His works extends for over 16 years, working to ensure that not only his community benefits from the health of the forest but the entire City and our residents. presentations at Semiahmoo Senior Secondary to the Ecology club. All this is done with the most cheerful demeanor and a huge smile!\nOUTSTANDING COMMUNITY GROUP: LITTLE CAMPBELL WATERSHED SOCIETY\nThe Little Campbell Watershed Society (LCWS) focuses on activities to preserve, enhance and restore fish, wildlife, water resources and green space within the Little Campbell River Watershed. The society volunteers regularly engage in clean ups along the Little Campbell river, Boundary Bay and Semiahmoo Bay. They engage in native plant species planting to enhance the watershed and encourage plant diversity. LCWS holds open house days and educational events to help the public understand and get involved with caring for the environment. The society is currently also involved in helping to bring salmon back into the smaller creeks that feed into the Little Campbell River.\nHEART AWARDS\nOUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL: SIMRYN ATWAL\nSimryn has made it her mission to ensure that mental health information and services are accessible to the Surrey community. Simryn is the youngest ever Kids Help Phone Surrey regional chair and vice-chair and launched her own registered non-profit, Bridge the Gap Mental Health Association, aimed at improving accessibility to mental health resources for marginalized communities across B.C. She has worked with the Surrey School Board to present educational programming for hundreds of elementary and secondary school students to help connect students with free local counselling services. Simryn works to amplify at-risk voices in this sector, and always has new ideas and actions to help respond to identified needs.\nOUTSTANDING GROUP: EMPOWER THE FUTURE, LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT\nUnder the leadership of Shawna Narayan, a 24-year-old Medal of Good Citizenship Recipient, Empower The future aims to support Surrey’s inner-city high school students with the transition from high school to post-secondary life. Their team has mentored over 1000 students & spearheaded 3 initiatives to support students. The Life After High School project tackles 5 topics: dealing with financial stress; finding information about post-secondary education; preparing to enter the workforce; searching for volunteer opportunities; & caring for yourself.\nLIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: GARRY SASS & DIANNA SEARS\nMarried couple Garry Sass and Dianna Sears are exceptional outstanding members of society and contributors in Surrey. Dianna and Garry have made outstanding contributions to Surrey’s youth and seniors and together an unstoppable force of giving and community spirit. Over the years, they have dedicated their time to running a leadership camp for youth, coaching baseball, working with the Salvation Army, holding an executive seat within the Rotary Club, hosting a Senior’s Christmas dinner, volunteering to create the Kaboom Playground at Hjorth Road Elementary and helping to develop the Starfish Backpack Program. When asked why Garry enjoys volunteering, he answered “I enjoy giving back selflessly to both the local community and International Community.” Dianna particularly enjoys helping younger youth develop skills they have and may not be aware of and introducing the model “service above self.” Both Dianna and Garry would like to acknowledge the groups they are a part of saying that they ‘simply couldn’t do it without the support of these groups.’\nARTS & HERITAGE AWARDS\nLITERARY ARTS: FAUZIA RAFIQUE\nIn addition to being a novelist, poet and community organizer and presenter, Fauzia has worked as a screenwriter and journalist in Pakistan before moving to Canada in 1986. Since 2011, she has published three novels and two collections of poetry in English and Punjabi. Her novels Skeena (2011), The Adventures of Saheban (2016), and Keeru 2020) weave together cultures and literary genres with themes of migration, identity, women’s rights, and religious and systemic oppression. In 2012, she was awarded by the Writer’s International Network with Canada’s Distinguished Novelist & Poet Award. Rafique is also very active as a cultural organizer. She is a founder and coordinator of Surrey Muse, a community group dedicated to promoting different forms of art and literature in Surrey.\nPERFORMING ARTS: CAROL SEITZ\nCarol Seitz has been an integral part of the Arts in Surrey for many years; being a dance teacher and choreographer for over 45 years. She is a premier teacher of tap and musical theatre in Surrey. Carol has been very supportive of the community with her dance studio Classic Steps Stage Productions performing at events such as Canada Day, The Millennial Celebration, Surrey International Children’s Festival, and Cloverdale Market Days just to name a few. She has taught at elementary schools, high schools and community centres. Her dance studio has encouraged many ages to enjoy and thrive in their chosen Art form.\nVISUAL ARTS: ROBERT MICHENER AND ANN NELSON\nPainters, Robert Michener and his wife, Ann Nelson have lived in Surrey for many years, and are well known for their gentle images that express their experiences of the natural landscape. Robert Michener was raised in rural Minnesota, which had a profound impact on his painting. He wrote “I chose to paint landscape because of my boyhood intimacy with nature and because I believe that the most urgent challenge facing humanity is to discover a viable way to live with nature.” He is represented in more than 200 public, private and corporate collections. Ann Nelson is a Surrey-based-artist whose work explores the BC landscape, with a particular interest in the Gulf Islands and Vancouver Island as well as the Lower Mainland. Her works can be found in private and public collections across Canada, in the United States, Europe, and Asia.\nHERITAGE EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION: DIANE JOHNSON: “ARCHIVAL TRANSCRIPTION”\nDiane Johnson has volunteered at the Surrey Archives for over a decade. With a strong passion for preserving and sharing Surrey’s history, she volunteered over 1,000 hours last year alone. Her time is spent transcribing rare and historically valuable archival records preserved for the City of Surrey and its citizens. She has transcribed over 220 oral history interviews containing the reminiscences of Surrey residents as well as 73 years’ worth of council minutes dating back to the year 1880. Her transcripts are accessible at the Archives and will soon be available online, too. Diane has also devoted time to local heritage groups. She is the Membership Chair on the Board of the Friends of the Surrey Museum and Archives; served as an executive board member on the Surrey Historical Society from 2010-2015; was a long-time member of Surrey Heritage Services’ Community Advisory Board; and attends the Surrey Heritage Advisory Committee meetings as an observer. Diane is a champion of heritage and is committed to sharing and providing widespread access to Surrey’s history.\nSTEVEN PUREWAL: “DUTY, HONOUR & IZZAT: THE CALL TO FLANDERS FIELDS”\nSteven Purewal’s Duty, Honor & Izzat project started as a way to teach his children about the little-known contributions of the Indian army to WW1. Mr. Purewal extensively researched the topic of the Indian army, then created exhibits, wrote a novel, presented lectures, and organized school tours. He designed a website rich with content, including videos, articles, and primary documents. Mr. Purewal’s exhibits travel to learning spaces across the province, including recent stops in Surrey such as the Museum of Surrey, Surrey Archives, Simon Fraser University’s Central City Campus, and the Surrey Central Library. The Duty, Honor & Izzat feature exhibit has been toured to the prestigious Canada War Museum in Ottawa.\nHERITAGE PRESERVATION: BARRY MCGINN ARCHITECT & SURREY FIRE FIGHTERS ASSOCIATION, PORT KELLS FIRE HALL NO 7.\nBarry McGinn Architect and the engineering consultants worked with the Surrey Fire Fighters Association to achieve a rear addition to both the 1923 original building and the 1950s garage addition that is respectful of the original buildings in terms of massing and scale and is discernible as a contemporary addition. This collaborative project ensured that a historic building met the administrative, meeting, social and storage needs of the Association. The project became a source of pride, fitting their functional needs like a glove, with help to nurture the camaraderie and social connections that are core to any fire fighting battalion and be a base for their extensive social outreach and awareness programs. The team worked together to ensure the heart of the building was kept including the original firepole, the antique ladders becoming a valence and encouraging the group to incorporate their history and craftsmanship into the interior design.\nLEGACY HERITAGE BUSINESS: ROUND UP CAFÉ\nThe Round Up Café has been a popular destination in Surrey for over sixty years. Located in the historic 1949 Goodmanson Building, the building itself is listed in the Canadian Register of Historic Places and the City of Surrey’s Heritage Register due to its architectural and historical significance. Orest and Goldie Springenatic purchased the Round Up Café in 1959. As one of the first restaurants along the northern stretch of King George Boulevard in the 1950s and 1960s, the Round Up Café quickly became a popular gathering spot for both locals and those commuting. Their original hours of operation – open 24 hours for six days a week – helped the Round Up Café become a main rest stop for those in the trucking industry delivering goods in the Lower Mainland and into the United States. While the Whalley community has evolved over the years, the restaurant itself continues to be a central pillar to its community and its loyal customer base.\nRESIDENTIAL SMALL SCALE AWARD OF MERIT: INFINITY PROPERTIES “THE LINKS”\nThe classic west-coast architecture and muted, neutral-tone colour palette is inspired by heavily-treed location. The low-density layout allows plenty of open space between buildings with the majority of the homes to fronting or backing onto green-space. They planted 187 trees, more than three-times the number removed during construction which resulted in trees being viewed from major thoroughfare at entryway. This protected riparian area becomes community’s natural centrepiece.\nRESIDENTIAL MEDIUM SCALE AWARD OF MERIT: ADERA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION “SOUTHRIDGE MASTER PLAN COMMUNITY”\nDriven by a commitment to health and social well-being, South Ridge Club is a community designed for young families and active adults. This townhome community consists of 209 townhomes over three phases. Each phase connects homeowners to the West Coast through modern architecture and through expansive views of mountains and abundant greenspace from private rooftop terraces and patios. At the heart of this community is a walkable, private clubhouse that offers an array of amenities to the community members, comparable to a luxury hotel. Amenities include: a heated outdoor pool, hot tub, a play area for kids, a 1,300 sq.ft. gymnasium, a fully equipped fitness centre, outdoor showers, indoor showers, a movie theatre room, a lounge, a pool table, a gourmet kitchen, a banquet ready dining area, and an outdoor barbecue and dining area for easy entertaining.\nRESIDENTIAL LARGE SCALE AWARD OF MERIT: WESTSTONE GROUP “EVOLVE”\nEvolve consists of a 37 storey multi-family residential tower consisting of 406 and attached three-storey commercial building. The building design is a sculpted tower rising from a 35-foot residential. The podium’s facades are articulated to emphasize the townhouse rhythm and massing with materials including brick masonry, glass and metal frames to further establish human scale at the lower levels of the project. Amenity spaces include residential lounges, exercise room, media and boardroom are provided on the ground floor, level two & three and at the top on level 36 which offers 360-degree views.\nCOMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL AWARD OF MERIT: WA ARCHITECTS “CITY CENTRE 2”\nCity Centre 2 (CC2) is a part of the rapidly growing health & technology district in Surrey. Completed in 2018, the building consists of 12 storeys of clinical, professional office, education, technology, as well as ground floor retail and restaurant uses. There are large landscaped rooftop decks, both at the podium and at the roof level, are provided for tenants to enjoy. As a part of the building’s sustainability features, operable windows contribute to the comfort of its users. CC2 was designed to compliment its sister building City Centre 1 (CC1), and though it utilizes the same finishes at CC1, CC2 starts to introduce different glazing colours that will be reflected in future City Centre office projects.\nINSTITUTIONAL AWARD OF EXCELLENCE: REVERY ARCHITECTURE INC., “SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY’S SUSTAINABLE ENERGY ENGINEERING BUILDING”\nSimon Fraser University’s Sustainable Energy Engineering Building at its Surrey campus is a state-of-the-art, five-storey academic research facility designed and purpose-built to house the university’s new Sustainable Energy Engineering (SEE) program. The building’s program comprises wet and dry teaching and research labs; collaboration and study spaces; faculty, graduate, and administrative offices; recreational rooms; undergraduate and graduate lounges spaces; student services; and plant maintenance facilities. A 400-seat Lecture Hall strategically situated on the ground floor serves SFU’s entire Surrey campus and is also available to the broader Surrey community. The building’s award-winning façade design—composed primarily of framed, undulating precast concrete sandwich panels and reflective glazing—is derived from abstracted circuit board imagery (also replicated in the maple wood panels lining the Lecture Hall) to symbolize the SEE program’s technological subject matter.\nAWARD OF EXCELLENCE: FRANCL ARCHITECTURE, “WEST VILLAGE PARK AND DISTRICT ENERGY UTILITY”\nThe West Village Park and District Energy Centre is a cornerstone of the ongoing renewal of Surrey City Centre into a denser, greener, live and work community. The project includes an urban scale park and an energy centre generating hot water, which is fed into to the expanding district energy pipe network. The City Parks and the District Energy Departments partnered in this novel type of project and the resulting design thus maximizes the land available for park use, while creating a visually dynamic building, showcasing the energy production process to any interested park user or passerby.\nLANDSCAPE, PUBLIC SPACE AND INFRASTRUCTURE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE: FRANCL ARCHITECTURE, “WEST VILLAGE PARK AND DISTRICT ENERGY UTILITY”\nThe City Parks and the District Energy Departments partnered in this novel type of project and the resulting design thus maximizes the land available for park use, while creating a visually dynamic building, showcasing the energy production process to any interested park user or passerby. The design team chose to depress the floor of the main boiler hall 14 feet below grade, which minimizes the building height relative to the size of the urban park and the adjacent low scale residential building, and creates more interesting viewing of the 4Mw boilers from street and park level. Purposefully exposing the sustainable energy creation was a major goal of the collaboration between Parks and Engineering.\nAWARD OF EXCELLENCE: INFINITY PROPERTIES, “THE LINKS”\nAWARD OF EXCELLENCE: OFFICE OF MCFARLANE BIGGAR ARCHITECTS + DESIGNERS, “SURREY CENTRE SKYTRAIN STATION – NORTH STATION HOUSE”\nThe new North Station House improves capacity, exiting, passenger safety and accessibility, while reinventing the station’s identity and relationship with its evolving context. The design for the Surrey Central Skytrain Station upgrade responds to the City’s rapid growth, while facilitating a long-term vision developed between TransLink and the City of Surrey. The vision reconfigures the Surrey Central bus exchange, which is critical to the City’s future development plans, specifically the Center Block. To accomplish this, the SkyTrain Station needed to expand and the bus exchange reconfigured to be ‘on-street’. New street trees, planting, paving and lighting help animate the public realm, giving the station a unique identity, while complimenting the adjacent City Plaza.\nRENOVATION AND ADAPTIVE RE-USE AWARD OF MERIT: ST. MARY COPTIC CHURCH\nSt. Mary Church is the current owner of the 100-year old South Westminster School Heritage Building. When they moved in 2007, the building was in desperate need of maintenance and upkeep. This project is an amazing story of the community coming together to restore a part of an original community landmark. Amongst other work, they have greatly enhanced the interior of the building through restoring the windows to their original size and configuration. The building now engages the streetscape in a way that helps to bring animation to an area that has previously been an uninviting pedestrian environment.\nThe new North Station House improves capacity, exiting, passenger safety and accessibility, while reinventing the station’s identity and relationship with its evolving context. The design for the Surrey Central Skytrain Station upgrade responds to the City’s rapid growth, while facilitating a long-term vision developed between TransLink and the City of Surrey. The vision reconfigures the Surrey Central bus exchange, which is critical to the City’s future development plans, specifically the Center Block. The concept for the new building provides a counterpoint to the eclectic architecture of the existing station and neighboring developments. A simple glazed form is articulated and carved by urban flows to showcase the functions / activities within and around the station. Internally the volume provides a vertical circulation experience, while integrating engineering and building systems to respond to current and future needs. Exposed mass timber, warm metal panel and architectural concrete infuse warmth into the interior.\nINTERIOR AWARD OF EXCELLENCE: REVERY ARCHITECTURE INC. “SFU BUILDING”\nSimon Fraser University’s Sustainable Energy Engineering Building at its Surrey campus is a state-of-the-art, five-storey academic research facility designed and purpose-built to house the university’s new Sustainable Energy Engineering (SEE) program. Organized around a spectacular light-filled central grand atrium, incorporating stepped seating tiers and more intimate seating pods punctuated with real Ficus trees. The distribution of windows adds to the quality of day light adding to its beauty and accessibility.\nPUBLIC ART: LARK, CITY CENTRE 2 – ABSTRACT MOUNTAINS, BY ARTIST MARIE KHOURI\nMade of stainless steel, this abstract sculpture stands near City Centre 2, a mixed-used development. The three silhouettes mirror our beautiful British Columbia mountains and was inspired by renowned Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti’s 1934 Cube.\nRIZE: WAVE IN CITY CENTRE – NAUTILUS, BY ARTIST DOUG TAYLOR\nNautilus is made up of two parts that create tension and contrast: the curvy and weightless-looking steel outline of the nautilus, and the three metres tall, angled steel wall on which it is mounted. In the evenings, Nautilus is illuminated in colour. The rear of the wall features a fifteenth century inscription by the great poet Rumi: “Live in the nowhere that you come from even though you have an address here.”\nPOLYGON: HARVARD GARDENS SOUTH SURREY – SUPERNATURAL EYE, BY ARTIST ROBERT DAVIDSON\nSupernatural Eye is a monumental sculpture that measures almost three metres in height. Its graceful contours and bold colours combine the traditional visual iconography of Haida art with a contemporary aesthetic. Davidson’s inspiration was the many supernatural beings that dwell in Haida Gwaii. Supernatural Eye is the second edition of a similar work currently in the collection of the National Gallery in Ottawa.\nAMICA: ABBY LANE ON 16TH – WATERS EDGE, BY ARTIST METZ & CHEW\nWaters Edge is a bronze dog that sits facing the residence’s front entrance, seemingly waiting for someone to come out to play. For senior residents, the sculpture is designed to initiate reflection and meditation; a practice which can help find a sense of tranquility and appreciation during these challenging times.\nHONOURABLE MENTION: SURREY CENTRAL SKYTRAIN STATION: THE SEA CAPTAIN, BY ARTIST MARIANNE NICOLSON WITH JOHN LIVINGSTON\nHanging from the roof of Surrey Central station, this large wooden sculpture was inspired by a pipe from the early 19th century, carved by an unnamed master from Haida Gwaii.\nHONOURABLE MENTION: ECOLE SALISH SECONDARY: VARIOUS LAND-BASED NATIONS INDIGENOUS ARTISTS INCLUDING: GARY LEON, TRENTON PIERRE, DEANNA POINT, ELINOR ATKINS, ROXANNE CHARLES, LES WELLS, BRANDON GABRIEL AND WES ANTONE.\nThese pieces, located throughout the school are reflective of the land we call home, bringing beauty and positive energy to the school.\nSPORT TOURISM AWARDS\nPROVINCIAL/REGIONAL EVENTS: OCEAN ATHLETICS TRACK AND FIELD CLUB, “2019 BC ATHLETICS JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS”\nThe 2019 BC Athletics Junior Development Track & Field Championships were Ocean Athletics’ (OA) 4th hosting of the event. This event brought 460 athletes aged 9-13 from across the province together with Surreys athletes for 2.5 days of Championship track & field events. As British Columbia’s largest track & field club, Ocean Athletics continues to look for opportunities for both Surrey athletes and the development of sport in Surrey as well as supports the City of Surrey’s bids to host multi-sport events such as Summer Games, Senior Games, Legions and more. Its financial success allows OA to keep our membership fees accessible and to purchase equipment that will further enhance the programming offered to young athletes.\nNATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL EVENTS: WICKENHEISER FEMALE WORLD HOCKEY FESTIVAL 2019\nThe Wickenheiser Female World Hockey Festival has been an incredible success story for the City of Surrey. WickFest has become a renown world-class event, attracting national and worldwide media, teams from around the world and special guests from Olympians to NHL players. More than 100 teams from the US and Canada participated with more than 1,200 players competing and even hosted a demonstration team from India. Sport equipment that is purchased by WickFest budget is allocated to local sports organizations or school districts in need through the First Shift program in collaboration with the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Player’s Association\nMAYOR’S CHOICE AWARDS\nOUTSTANDING COMMUNITY GROUP: DOWNTOWN SURREY BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION (DSBIA)\nIn the past 24 months, the DSBIA has contributed to the City in a wide variety of ways improving Surrey’s downtown core making it more attractive to business and residents alike. In addition to the DSBIA’s mandate, they have been leaders in the Love Where you Live initiative. They organize regular community clean-ups, ran a cigarette butt buy-back initiative, have a Clean Streets Team, champion litter reduction strategies and graffiti removal programs. This outstanding group exemplifies their commitment to the City’s downtown core through their beautification initiatives such as rock painting, painting the front of vacant storefronts lead an art project to add artwork to the fence on 135A street.\nOUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL: ZHAO FAMILY (AMABEL LI, AUSTIN AND JOE ZHAO)\nThe Zhao family is dedicated to keeping Surrey and their neighborhood clean and beautiful. They use social media to encourage people to join the neighborhood clean up and to cleanup after themselves, leaving the neighborhood as clean as when the found it. From June to October, mother and son clean up the neighborhood every week for 20 minutes and sometimes up to an hour. The family’s seven-year-old son loves to contribute to the community! Each member of the family participates in the events and is completely committed to ensure that their neighborhood shines and that their neighborhoods and visitors can take pride in the place they call home!\ntom.zillich@surreynowleader.com\nLike us on Facebook Follow us on Instagram and follow Tom on Twitter\n‘Our 104 residents were in awe’: Mobile light display rolls to retirement homes in Surrey\nLocal business donates more than 500 pairs of socks to the Cloverdale Community Kitchen","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1847683"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9127933979034424,"wiki_prob":0.9127933979034424,"text":"Cameron, a fan of Tesco and Israel.\nDavid Cameron is the leader of Britain's Conservative Party and he is expected to become Britain's next prime Minister.\nCameron told BBC Radio: \"If what the military are asking for is more troops in Afghanistan .... it does seem to me that there’s a very strong case for saying yes to that.\" (Conservatives to increase British troop levels in Afghanistan ... )\nPicture from the Israeli Government Press Office shows Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert meeting with UK opposition leader David Cameron in Jerusalem 1 March 2007. AFP/Getty Images.\nUK Conservative Party leader David Cameron is a Zionist.\nIn June 2007, Cameron branded those who describe Israel as a 'pariah state' as a 'bunch of loons.'\n(Boycotters are 'bunch of loons' 14th June 2007)\nSpeaking at the Conservative Friends of Israel's Annual Business Lunch, Cameron said that boycotts of Israel are damaging and he stated his support for Israel.\nCameron gave his backing to Israel's Apartheid Wall.\nCameron is a former 'henchman' of ex-Conservative Party leader Michael Howard, who is Jewish.\nCameron is said to be close to the Neo-Cons.\nGaby Hinsliff and Ned Temko, in The Observer , 23 October 2005, listed the members of David Cameron's inner circle (http://observer.guardian.co.uk/html) who include:\n1. George Eustice who started his political career with the UK Independence Party (which is reportedly pro-Israel and pro-Pentagon.)\n2. Oliver Letwin who has links to the Rothschilds.\n3. Michael Gove who is an admirer of the American neo-cons.\nPhoto of Michael Gove from: news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/mpdb/html/560.stm\nAccording to the Observer article:\nThe brains of the operation is Michael Gove.\nAn article at en.wikipedia (Michael_Gove) tells us Gove takes a pro-Israel line and has criticised anti-Americanism, anti-Semitism and several United Nations peace processes.\nA self-confessed neo-conservative, he called for early intervention against Saddam Hussein.\nDavid Cameron - likely to be Britain's next Prime Minister.\nThe Sunday Mirror, 24 August 2008, tells us about the holiday experience of David Cameron, leader of Britain's Conservative Party. (EXCLUSIVE: Lavish holiday exposes the lie of 'ordinary' guy David ...)\nAccording to the Mirror, Cameron holidayed on a £21,000 a week yacht on the Turkish Riviera.\nHe was accompanied by seven boats carrying 74 friends and family.\nIn Turkey, Cameron celebrated the 60th birthday of his mother-in-law Viscountess Astor.\nReportedly, Viscount Astor hired the five-star gulets and 'VIPs invited to join the celebrations flew in from Britain, France and Italy.'\nDavid Cameron is the son of stockbroker Ian Donald Cameron and his wife Mary Fleur Mount the second daughter of Sir William Mount, 2nd Baronet.[9]\nCameron is a direct descendant of King William IV (4th great grandfather) and his mistress Dorothea Jordan (and thus 5th cousin, twice removed of Queen Elizabeth II) through his father's maternal grandmother Stephanie Levita.\nhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Tesco_mielec.jpg\nReportedly, Cameron wants 'to run the UK like Tesco'\nReportedly, Cameron sees Tesco as a great model for government. But is Tesco fair to its suppliers?\n1. Tesco is the world's fourth largest retailer.\n2. Jack Cohen founded Tesco in 1909 when he began to sell surplus groceries from a stall in the East End of London. (Tesco - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)\nShirley, Lady Porter DBE is the daughter and heir of Jack Cohen.\nIn a review of the biography of Mrs Porter by Andrew Hosken, Nicholas Lezard in The Guardian described her as \"...the most corrupt British political figure in living memory, with the possible exception of Robert Maxwell\". [1] She retired to Israel in 1993.\n3. How fresh is Tesco food?\nAudrey Brown, of BBC News, (BBC NEWS Business Out-of-date food in UK supermarkets) reported:\n\"I saw food past its sell-by date on the fresh food counters... and it was regularly being sold.\n\"At Tesco, it was re-packaged and re-labelled with a new date and reduced in price, sometimes days after it should have been sold or removed from the shelves.\n\"A lot of the time, the counter staff treated the meat and fish we were selling with indifference and, worryingly, there were times at Tesco when they had no idea what the real sell-by date was as they had altered it so many times.\n\"Sometimes it was not until the food smelled bad that it was eventually thrown away.\"\nIn a programme for BBC1's Whistleblower, \"counter staff at... Tesco falsify food temperature records and flout basic rules of food hygiene such as using different knives for fish, raw meat and cooked meat to prevent cross-contamination of bacteria.\n\"Undercover footage shows the factory floor of a major supplier of ready meals to Tesco cross-contaminated with urine and faecal matter from employees' boots, and a farm which supplies chickens to Sainsbury's where a bin of dead birds crawling with hundreds of maggots is alongside the area for live birds being reared for sale.\" - TV film claims Tesco and Sainsbury's stores flout hygiene rules ...\n3. According to The Guardian, 31 May 2008:\nThe magazine Private Eye (May 2008) \"identified what it said was a Tesco tax avoidance operation involving a complex web of offshore operations centred on the Swiss canton of Zug.\n\"These arrangements involved an English limited liability partnership (LLP) called Cheshunt Overseas.\n\"Cheshunt is the name of the Hertfordshire town where Tesco has its headquarters.\n\"The Cheshunt Overseas accounts provide grounds for believing that the structure may so far have assisted the international retailer in sheltering more than £66m in profit from UK tax.\" (Tesco: new claims of tax avoidance)\nhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Hradec_Kr%C3%A1lov%C3%A9_-_Tesco.jpg\n4. According to Wikipedia (Tesco - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia):\nIn May 2007 it was revealed that Tesco had moved the head office of its online operations to the tax haven of Switzerland.\nIn February 2008 a six month investigation by The Guardian revealed that Tesco has developed a complex taxation structure involving offshore bank accounts in the tax haven of the Cayman Islands.[31]\nTesco is in the process of selling its UK stores, worth an estimated £6 billion, to Cayman Island based companies set up by Tesco. These companies then lease the stores back to Tesco.\nThis arrangement enables Tesco to avoid an estimated £1 billion tax on profits from the property sales, and also to avoid paying any tax on continuing operation of the stores, as the rate of corporation tax in the Cayman Islands is zero.\n5. In Thailand, Tesco has been criticised for aggressively pursuing critics of the company. Writer and former MP Jit Siratranont is facing up to two years in jail and a £16.4m libel damages claim for saying that Tesco was expanding aggressively at the expense of small local retailers.\nTesco served him with writs for criminal defamation and civil libel.[90]\n6. Criticism of Tesco includes allegations of stifling competition due to its undeveloped \"land bank\",[91] pugilistically aggressive new store development without real consideration of the wishes, needs and consequences to local communities,[92] using cheap and/or child labour,[93][94] opposition to its move into the convenience sector[95] and breaching planning laws.[96]\n7. It's time to close down the big supermarkets because they do more harm than good.\nWalmart and Tesco are examples of big supermarkets.\n\"Wal-Mart may drive prices down, but it drags the quality of life for millions of people down with it.\n\"With hundreds of employees dependent on public assistance to meet their basic needs, American taxpayers subsidize Wal-Mart's low prices at the rate of roughly $420,750 a year for every 200-employee store by paying for low-income services...\n\"Wal-Mart hurts U.S. communities by undercutting local merchants and increasing urban sprawl, and its suppliers have been cited for labor and human rights violations.\" - Responsible Shopper Profile: Wal-Mart:\n8. \"I've had a big notice in my shop window for a few weeks \"the shop that Tesco cannot close\" along with photos of the 50 empty shops in our town.\n\"There's a huge Tesco here, and the town centre is in a bad way.\n\"I think that small scale retail is just about dead ...\" -clearwood.co.uk (Comment is free: Tesco the superweed)\nTesco is to open a third store in the town of Dumfries.\n\"Tesco would take about 60% of all money being spent in the town.\" Traders fear third Tesco's impact\n9. In 2006, Felicity Lawrence wrote in the Guardian (Comment is free: Tesco the superweed):\n\"The trouble with weeds is that left unchecked they become invasive and strangle everything else. Tesco has spread uncontrolled with frightening speed. In some parts of the country it has 45% of the grocery market...\n\"Tesco... subverts the democratic process as it forces through planning permissions against community wishes; it added 2m sq ft of sales space last year alone...\n\"It suffocates independent shops and markets; it uses its power to squeeze its suppliers...\n\"The supermarket sector, with its just-in-time ordering that requires casual labour to be turned on and off like a tap, and its new packhouse industries, has been one of the most prolific creators of demand for trafficked labour.\"\n10. \"In Bangladesh young women are working for as little as 5p an hour to make clothes for Asda and Tesco while working up to 14 hours a day for weeks on end... Tesco reported annual profits of more than £2.5bn last week\" - 6p a T-shirt. 30p an hour for shelling cashews. Supermarkets accused of exploiting women\nLabels: Cameron, Tesco","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line73367"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7498443722724915,"wiki_prob":0.7498443722724915,"text":"Johnny Rotten’s Wife Diagnosed With Alzheimer’s Disease, Sex Pistol Becomes Full-Time Caregiver\nDave Hogan, Getty Images\nSex Pistols / Public Image Ltd. legend John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten) has revealed his wife of over four decades, Nora, has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. In order to properly look after his wife, Lydon shared that he’s now Nora’s full-time caregiver.\nJohn Lydon and Nora Forster have been married since 1979, not long after the Sex Pistols famously broke up following a short and explosive career. Though Forster hasn’t been extremely prominent in the public eye, Lydon did write about his life with Nora throughout his 2014 memoir, Anger Is an Energy.\nWhile speaking with The Mirror, Lydon explained, “Nora has Alzheimer’s... I am her full-time carer and I won’t let anyone mess up with her head. For me the real person is still there. That person I love is still there every minute of every day and that is my life. It’s unfortunate that she forgets things, well, don’t we all?”\nLydon elaborated on his 78-year-old wife, “I suppose her condition is one of like a permanent hangover for her. It gets worse and worse, bits of the brain store less and less memory and then suddenly some bits completely vanish. [Alleged experts] have been very impressed that she never ever forgets me, we are constantly there with each other [in her mind] and that bit won’t go.”\nAccording to John, he’s dedicated to keeping Nora at home, refusing to relinquish her to hospice care. “I am under lockdown anyway because I am her full-time carer. I don’t need to go out and socialize with buttholes,” said the singer.\nWe’d like to encourage fans to send John and Nora messages of support via Lydon’s official Twitter account.\n25 Legendary Punk + Hardcore Albums With No Weak Songs\nSource: Johnny Rotten’s Wife Diagnosed With Alzheimer’s Disease, Sex Pistol Becomes Full-Time Caregiver\nFiled Under: sex pistols","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line454484"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9148995876312256,"wiki_prob":0.9148995876312256,"text":"Home Calendar Things to Do CMT Celebrates Our Heroes to Debut on Wednesday, June 3\nCMT Celebrates Our Heroes to Debut on Wednesday, June 3\nBrothers Osborne, Florida Georgia Line, Kelsea Ballerini, and more to honor those on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.\nIn a press release sent on Monday, April 27, CMT announced the premiere of \"CMT Celebrates Our Heroes: An Artists of the Year Special,\" an uplifting celebration and virtual tribute to honor those on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. The two-hour special is set to premiere on Wednesday, June 3 at 8 p.m. EST on CMT.\n\"CMT Celebrates Our Heroes\" will feature one-of-a-kind tributes and performances from some of country music's biggest stars including Brothers Osborne, Florida Georgia Line, Kelsea Ballerini, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, Thomas Rhett, and more, all filmed from the safety of their own homes and virtually produced by CMT.\nKatie Krauss\nFlorida Georgia Line will honor those on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic on Wednesday, June 3.\nThe \"CMT Celebrates Our Heroes\" special will take the place of the traditional \"CMT Artists of the Year\" format which honors the year's top country artists with a live televised celebration.\n“The ‘CMT Artists of the Year’ franchise has always been reflective of the important issues of our time, and this year, we all felt it necessary to shift our focus to honoring the real heroes during these unprecedented times,” said Leslie Fram, Senior Vice President of Music & Talent at CMT. “From the first responders and healthcare workers to members of the military, our educators, food industry workers and so many more, the country music community will come together to honor these heroic men and women.\"\nCMT is also looking to highlight new stories of unsung heroes who have done exceptional things for their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Stories can be submitted directly to CMT for potential inclusion in the June 3 special.\nFor more information, visit CMT.com.\nCelebrities Music Entertainment Special Events Country Things to Do","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1296463"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6326062083244324,"wiki_prob":0.3673937916755676,"text":"Ocean Cadillac Rezoning Request at White House Inn\n56 Unit Prototype. Rezoning would double the height of this model\nPetition to rezone White House Inn property 115’ high with up to 107 residential units. The White House Inn property is currently zoned R-4. This is a residential zoning that allows only 35’ Maximum height and 12 dwelling units per acre. This zoning was reaffirmed in the recent Comprehensive Plan for the city and was in place when the land was purchased by Ocean Cadillac.\nThursday, Jan 11th, the Planning Commission will hear Ocean Cadillac’s application to rezone the property to BZ, which allows 115’ of height and 100 dwelling units per acre (du/ac). Ultimately, this property could have 107 residential units towering over the entrance to Keystone Point and 160+ vehicles commuting to and from the site daily.\nThe current R-4 zoning is designed to provide a transition zone between our residential community and other more intense forms of residential development. This zoning should be preserved to avoid the intrusion that a 10 story building will have on our community.\nThe entrance to the property for traffic eastbound on 123rd St. is problematic without significant alterations to existing roadways.\nResidents of the property needing to go north on Biscayne Blvd. are likely to use Keystone Point to avoid the gridlock at Biscayne & NE 123 St. and do the same upon their return.\nThe developer is presenting a scaled down version of the project, to obtain approval of the rezoning, while simultaneously marketing the site for $17 million with the full density and intensity of the BZ zoning. Any buyer will do as they please with the new zoning, if approved.\nJanuary 11th: The application will be presented to the Planning Commission. Starts at 7pm\nFebruary 13th: The Planning Commission will present their recommendation to the City Council for a first reading. Starts at 7pm\nFebruary 27th: The Planning Commission will present their recommendation to the City Council for a second reading. Starts at 7pm Planning Commission meetings do not usually have good public turnout, and the Planning Commission is most usually on the side of development.\nRecently a matter came before the Planning Commission for town-homes on the west side of the City. The large attendance by neighbors led to the Commission rejecting the development. This rarely happens, but proves that ATTENDANCE MATTERS! The meeting will take place at City Hall Council Chambers on Thursday, January 11 and begin at 7:00 pm. Please plan to attend and encourage your neighbors to come also. Our voices must be heard.\nVisit our Events Calendar for more details.\nORIGINAL POST - DECEMBER 2ND 2016\nOcean Cadillac, from Bay Harbor Islands, purchased this residentially zoned one acre parcel of land where the White House Inn sits approximately two years ago. Thus far, they have expressed interest to build on that site a seven story structure (80-100’) for their Cadillac showroom, auto service, parking garage and two restaurants on the ground level. City Council will have to vote to approve the rezoning.\nThe land is zoned for low/medium density residential use with a maximum height of 35’.\nFrom Aventura to downtown Miami there is no commercial development on the west shore of Biscayne Bay. This property would be out of place and completely inconsistent with the stated purpose of the R-4 residential district as defined in the North Miami Comprehensive Plan.\nAuto showrooms are not allowed in North Miami to the east of Biscayne Blvd.\nAuto repair is not allowed in North Miami to the east of Biscayne Blvd.\nSpot zoning is not allowed in North Miami.\nThis seven story garage would sit across the street from the only waterfront park in the city which the city has invested heavily into and tower over the south entrance to Keystone Point.\nAs of December 2, 2016, they have withdrawn their application. We await to see what they will ask next. Possibilities include keeping it residential but asking to build higher.\nWhen this proposal goes in front of Zoning and the City Council, we will need to be in attendance to express our desires. Zoning meets the first Tuesday of the month; City Council the 2nd and 4th Tuesday. Both at City Hall, Council Chambers (2nd floor) at 7:00.\nThis project will affect the quality of life our neighborhoods forever. Please stay informed (sign up for eblasts) and plan to attend these meetings and have your voices heard. Share with neighbors--not everyone receives these emails (they may sign up at www.keystonepoint.net).","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line980833"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7932400107383728,"wiki_prob":0.7932400107383728,"text":"The Cybercrime Economy\nMassive bank cyberattack planned\nby David Goldman @DavidGoldmanCNN December 13, 2012: 4:02 PM ET\nSecurity firm McAfee on Thursday released a report warning that a massive cyberattack on 30 U.S. banks has been planned, with the goal of stealing millions of dollars from consumers' bank accounts.\nMcAfee's research upheld an October report from RSA, the security wing of IT giant EMC Corp (EMC).\nRSA startled the security world with its announcement that a gang of cybercriminals had developed a sophisticated Trojan aimed at funneling money out of bank accounts from Chase (JPM), Citibank (C), Wells Fargo (WFC), eBay (EBAY) subsidiary PayPal and dozens of other large banks. Known as \"Project Blitzkrieg,\" the plan has been successfully tested on at least 300 guinea pig bank accounts in the United States, and the crime ring had plans to launch its attack in full force in the spring of 2013, according to McAfee, a unit of Intel (INTC). (McAfee was founded by John McAfee, who is wanted for questioning as part of a Belize murder investigation, but he no longer has any ties to the company.)\nProject Blitzkrieg began with a massive cybercriminal recruiting campaign, promising each recruit of a share of the stolen funds in exchange for their hacking ability and busywork. With the backing of two Russian cybercriminals, including a prominent cyber mafia leader nicknamed \"NSD,\" the recruits were tasked with infecting U.S. computers with a particular strain of malware, cloning the computers, entering stolen usernames and passwords, and transferring funds out of those users' accounts.\nThe scheme was fairly innovative. U.S. banks' alarm bells get tripped when customers try to access their accounts from unrecognized computers (particularly overseas), so banks typically require users to answer security questions. Cloning computers lets the cybercriminals appear to the banks as though they are the customers themselves, accessing their accounts from their home PCs -- thereby avoiding the security questions.\nAnd since most banks place transfer limits on accounts, recruiting hundreds of criminals to draw smallish amounts out of thousands of accounts is a way to duck those limits. The thieves could collectively siphon off millions of stolen dollars.\nHackers are holding data for ransom\nAs terrifying as that sounds, the fact that the project is out in the open is a huge deterrent. RSA first uncovered the scheme in the fall, and independent security researcher Brian Krebs linked the report to NSD in the following days. Since then, the project appears to have gone dark.\nNSD has effectively disappeared from chat forums, Krebs told CNNMoney.\n\"I can't find him anywhere,\" Krebs said. \"Either bringing this to light scuttled any plans to go forward, or it's still moving ahead cautiously under a much more protective cover.\"\nIn either case, knowing what they're up against could be a blessing for banks. McAfee said it is coordinating with law enforcement officials and working with several banks to prepare them for the potential attacks.\nThe financial industry is accustomed to fending off skilled cyberthieves. It gets hit every day by thousands of attacks on its infrastructure and networks, according to Bill Wansley, a senior vice president at Booz Allen Hamilton who specializes in cybersecurity issues.\nThose are just the attacks that get discovered. Not a single financial industry network that Booz Allen examined has been malware-free, he noted.\n\"If you catch something early on, you can minimize the threat,\" Wansley said. \"It's definitely worthwhile to get a heads up.\"\nFor example, in September an Iranian group claiming to be the \"Cyber Fighters of Izz ad-Din al-Qassam\" announced that it would launch a major denial-of-service attack against the largest U.S. banks. Few took the threat that seriously, but Booz Allen took advantage of the heads-up to work with some of the targeted banks.\nWhat followed was the largest direct denial-of-service attack ever recorded, preventing the public from accessing the websites of Chase, Bank of America (BAC), Wells Fargo, US Bank (USB) and PNC Bank (PNC) -- intermittently for some, and as much as a day for others. The banks that were better prepared were the least affected, he said. (Who actually sponsored the attacks remains a subject of debate. Security experts believe the Iranian government had a hand in them.)\nThe Cyber Fighters are at it again, declaring that they will be launching attacks on banks' websites this week as part of \"Operation Ababil.\" The banks are preparing.\n\"Security is core to our mission and safeguarding our customers' information is at the foundation of all we do,\" said Wells Fargo spokeswoman Sara Hawkins. \"We constantly monitor the environment, assess potential threats, and take action as warranted.\"\n\"Protecting Citi and its clients from criminal information security threats is a critical priority for us,\" said a Citigroup spokeswoman. \"We have a focused information security strategy and dedicated resources to execute it.\"\nChase and PayPal did not respond to requests for comment.\nStill, the war against cybercriminals isn't going so well for the financial industry. In July, threat detection software maker Lookingglass found that 18 of 24 of the world's largest banks were infected with popular strains of malware that the industry believed had been eradicated, suggesting that banks are prone to re-infections. In June, McAfee uncovered \"Operation High Roller\" -- a cyberattack that could have stolen as much as $80 million from more than 60 banks.\nSince consumers are federally protected from taking the hit when funds are stolen from their accounts, the banks eat the loss. And as the attacks grow more sophisticated, their annual price tag keeps rising.\n\"There are absolutely attacks going on right now that we don't know about, some of them minor, some major,\" Wansley said. \"There's a lot going on out there, and frankly, we're only seeing the frequency and severity pick up.\"\nCNNMoney (New York) First published December 13, 2012: 12:03 AM ET","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1908638"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9057309627532959,"wiki_prob":0.9057309627532959,"text":"Grove City's Big Splash will not open for 2020\nGrove City Mayor Richard “Ike” Stage has announced the Big Splash, the city’s aquatics facility, will not open this season.\nStage made the announcement during the June 1 virtual Grove City Council meeting.\nThe operating guidelines from the state of Ohio for public pools and aquatic centers, including recommendations to avoid gatherings if at least 6-foot social distancing can’t be maintained and further suggestions from Franklin County Public Health, would have made it “extremely difficult” to safely open the Big Splash, Stage said.\n“We also have problems in making sure it’s staffed correctly with the properly trained people,” he said. “There are no pools open right now to do training, and lifeguards have to go through a training exercise.”\nRoad-improvement work scheduled through most of the summer on Southwest Boulevard also would have affected the facility at 2831 Southwest Blvd., Stage said.\nThe city’s annual EcoFest, originally scheduled Aug. 8, has been canceled with the next event set for 2021, he said.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line344107"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5421828627586365,"wiki_prob":0.5421828627586365,"text":"Business groups react to Summer Economic Update\nBusiness groups, including the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) have reacted to Chancellor Rishi Sunak's Summer Economic Update.\nIn the Update, the Chancellor announced a range of measures designed to protect and create jobs and boost the UK economy following the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown. A new Job Retention Bonus was announced, alongside a six-month VAT reduction for businesses in the hospitality and tourism sector and a temporary increase to the nil-rate band of residential Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) in England and Northern Ireland.\nThe CBI welcomed the Chancellor's measures. Carolyn Fairbairn, Director General of the CBI, said: 'The Chancellor's jobs plan will be a much-needed down payment in young people's futures. By investing in skills, the government can lessen the potential scarring impact of the pandemic for the next generation.'\nThe FSB stated that the UK economy may need an additional boost in the short-term. Commenting on the Update, Mike Cherry, National Chairman of the FSB, said: 'The Chancellor is absolutely right to stress that the job of getting the economy back on its feet has only just begun.\n'Will this set of measures be enough to spur activity over the coming weeks? That's something that will need to be kept under close review – we may need further action before the autumn.'\nThe BCC gave a decidedly cautious response. Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the BCC, said: 'Businesses will celebrate many of the Chancellor's announcements . . . although it is likely that the scale of the stimulus needed to help the UK economy restart, rebuild and renew will need to be greater still over the coming months.'","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line93514"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8769510984420776,"wiki_prob":0.8769510984420776,"text":"Nova Scotia passes bill merging health authorities effective Wednesday\nHALIFAX - The Nova Scotia legislature has passed amendments to a bill that will reduce the number of health authorities in the province from 10 to two.\nThe Health Authorities Act takes effect Wednesday.\nThe new law also includes changes to the way health workers are represented in labour negotiations.\nFour councils will now negotiate collective agreements on behalf of nursing, health care, support and administrative workers.\nThe Liberal government says the changes to the way health care is administered will help divert more resources to frontline health care.\nThe Opposition Progressive Conservatives and NDP say it remains to be seen whether the proposed changes will help improve the delivery of health care services.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line499230"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8391266465187073,"wiki_prob":0.8391266465187073,"text":"Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio\nLake Nona to Host Bainbridge LPGA\nLake Nona Golf And Country Club To Host 2021 Gainbridge LPGA\nMadelene Sagstrom of Sweden poses with the trophy after winning the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio on January 26, 2020 in Boca Raton, Florida.\nPhoto Credit: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images\nDAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Jan. 13, 2021 – The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and Group1001 announced today that Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando, Fla., will host the second edition of the Gainbridge LPGA in 2021. The event will be held Feb. 25-28 and feature a field of 120 players competing for a $2 million purse.\n“We are thrilled to bring the LPGA Tour to Lake Nona Golf & Country Club for the second event of our record-breaking 2021 season,” said Ricki Lasky, the LPGA’s Chief Tournament Business Officer. “Lake Nona will be a quality, competitive test for the world’s best professional golfers, and we’re excited to showcase their abilities in Orlando come February on a global stage.”\nThis is the second LPGA Tour event to be held at Lake Nona. In 1990, the club hosted the inaugural Solheim Cup, where the United States defeated Europe, 11.5 to 4.5. Noted as one of the top private golf and country clubs in the world, the picturesque, 600-acre Lake Nona Golf & Country Club is located within Lake Nona, a 17-square-mile community in an aerotropolis setting that is recognized among the fastest-growing and most innovative in the nation. Designed by Tom Fazio, Lake Nona’s 18-hole championship golf course has also served as the host venue for the World Cup of Golf (1993), the Tavistock Cup (2004, 2007, 2009, 2012), U.S. Open qualifiers (1993, 2003, 2009) and numerous amateur tournaments.\n“We couldn’t be happier to welcome back the LPGA and the top women golfers in the world to our championship course at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club,” said Rasesh Thakkar, Senior Managing Director of Tavistock Group. “We love the global vision of the LPGA and its athletes who inspire and empower people from all walks of life, even beyond the game of golf.”\nThe Gainbridge LPGA will be the second of five events in Florida during the 2021 season, along with the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions presented by Insurance Office of America (Lake Buena Vista), the Drive On Championship at Golden Ocala presented by JTBC (Ocala), the Pelican Women’s Championship presented by DEX Imaging and Konica Minolta (Belleair) and the CME Group Tour Championship (Naples). In 2020 at the inaugural Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio Golf Club in Boca Raton, Madelene Sagstrom became a Rolex First-Time Winner with a one-stroke victory over Nasa Hataoka.\n“We are grateful to continue our work with the LPGA Tour and to confirm Lake Nona Golf & Country Club for the 2021 event,” said Dan Towriss, CEO and President, Group1001 and Gainbridge. “While it will be different without the presence of fans, Lake Nona offers the best female golfers a playing opportunity early in the Tour’s season. We are honored to be able to support the LPGA Tour and its players.”\nAbout the LPGA\nThe LPGA is the world’s leading professional golf organization for women. Founded in 1950 and headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla., the association celebrates a diverse and storied membership with more than 2,300 Members representing more than 30 countries. With a vision to inspire, empower, educate and entertain by showcasing the very best of women’s golf, LPGA Tour Professionals compete across the globe, while the Symetra Tour, the official development and qualifying tour of the LPGA, consistently produces a pipeline of talent ready for the world stage. Additionally, LPGA Professionals directly impact the game through teaching, coaching and management.\nThe LPGA demonstrates its dedication to the development of the game through The LPGA Foundation. Since 1991, this charitable organization has been committed to empowering and supporting girls and women through developmental, humanitarian and golf community initiatives, including LPGA*USGA Girls Golf, the LPGA Women’s Network and the LPGA Amateur Golf Association.\nFollow the LPGA on its television home, Golf Channel, and on the web via www.LPGA.com. Join the social conversation at www.facebook.com/lpga, www.twitter.com/lpga and www.youtube.com/lpgavideo, and on Instagram at @lpga_tour.\nAbout Gainbridge\nGainbridge is a digital platform providing simple and direct access to trusted financial products to help clients grow their money for goals big and small, not just for retirement. The Gainbridge platform offers three key benefits: competitive growth, simplicity and transparency.\nGainbridge is a member of Group One Thousand One, LLC (“Group1001”), an insurance holding company and family of companies striving to make accumulation and insurance products more useful and intuitive for everyone. Group1001 has combined assets under management of approximately $40.5 billion as of September 30, 2020 and continues to look for opportunities to help disciplined investors grow and protect their savings. Group 1001’s family of brands includes Gainbridge®, Delaware Life®, Clear Spring Health®, and Clear Spring Insurance®. Group1001 also believes education and sports have the power to transform communities. Its corporate social programs to date have spanned 22 states, positively impacting more than 200,000 youths, and have included public and private partnerships to revitalize youth sports fields in at-risk communities and the creation of mentoring and education programs.\nwww.gainbridge.life / www.group1001.com\nAbout Lake Nona\nLocated in Orlando, Fla., Lake Nona is one of the fastest-growing master-planned communities in America developed by Tavistock Development Company. Known for thoughtfully designed neighborhoods, top-rated education facilities, business and research clusters, retail and entertainment centers, and diverse workspaces, Lake Nona encompasses the best Central Florida has to offer. Lake Nona sets the foundation for a collaborative relationship between the people who live, work, and visit there by prioritizing forward-thinking technology, strategic partnerships, education, and wellbeing. For more information, visit www.lakenona.com.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line85470"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9431184530258179,"wiki_prob":0.9431184530258179,"text":"\"Libertad\"\n(RCA)\n01. Let It Roll\n02. She Mine\n03. Get Out The Door\n04. She Builds Quick Machines\n05. The Last Fight\n06. Pills, Demons & Etc.\n07. American Man\n08. Mary Mary\n09. Just Sixteen\n10. Can't Get It Out Of My Head\n11. For A Brother\n12. Spay\n13. Gravedancer\n14. Re-Evolution\nHow much more proof do we need that the new wave of \"supergroups\" — starting with AUDIOSLAVE and VELVET REVOLVER, moving onto ARMY OF ANYONE, and now culminating in the bottom-of-the-barrel likes of CIRCUS DIABLO — is now dead? \"Libertad\", the second album from VELVET REVOLVER, is a polished, professional-sounding rock record with more than a few hooks and some tasty guitar licks courtesy of undeniably talented axemen Slash and Dave Kushner.\nBut it's also a bland, curiously laid-back effort, lacking the dangerous intent of GUNS N' ROSES or the psychedelic urgency of STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, the two groups that provided the meat of this band's lineup.\nThat's not to say that VELVET REVOLVER should necessarily be compared to either of those once-great acts. But the truth is that the Velvets have yet to live up to the hype of its members' legendary histories. The quintet 's 2004 debut, \"Contraband\", was a heavier effort than the new disc but also never quite gelled together, the group instead trying to meld GN'R-style songs with singer Scott Weiland's psycho-pop delivery. The album had its moments, such as \"Slither\", but never quite caught fire. There's barely any heat generated by \"Libertad\", let alone a blaze.\nWhereas the first album generated some tension between Weiland's musical leanings and those of the GN'R vets (Slash, bassist Duff McKagan and drummer Matt Sorum), the singer's pop inclinations seem to dominate the new record. The more uptempo rockers, like opener \"Let It Roll\", \"She Builds Quick Machines\" and \"American Man\" never quite get off the ground, any instrumental highlights muted and even Weiland's vocal melodies sounding relatively uninspired. The poppier material like \"The Last Fight\" and \"Get Out The Door\" is reminiscent of the last — and weakest — STP disc, \"Shangri-La-Dee-Da\", while the country-flavored bonus cut following closing track \"Gravedancer\" just comes off like a weird self-indulgence.\nIt's strange to think that there's simply not much to say about an album made by musicians whose albums once dominated the late Eighties and early Nineties. A few striking tunes aside, such as \"For A Brother\", this second effort from a band that should know how to create gritty, raw rock leaves very little of an impression after it is finished. It's ironic that a record titled \"Libertad\" (Spanish for freedom) sounds so timid.\nAuthor: Don Kaye\nPosted in: CD Reviews\nGEOFF TATE Guests On New Single From Prog Rock Supergroup PROG COLLECTIVE\nOF MICE & MEN Announces 'Timeless' EP, Drops New Song 'Obsolete'\nJEFF PILSON Responds To DON DOKKEN's Criticism Of 'Heavy Hitters' Album\nTED NUGENT Says 'DONALD TRUMP Did Not Incite Violence,' Blames 'Antifa' And 'Black Lives Matter' For Storming U.S. Capitol\nMICHAEL ANTHONY Says He Spoke With ALEX VAN HALEN Right After EDDIE VAN HALEN's Death","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1453970"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9517530798912048,"wiki_prob":0.9517530798912048,"text":"Judge sends Bird Rock bandits to prison, tells them ‘You guys blew it’\nThree members of a La Jolla party crew, who served time for involuntary manslaughter in the beating death of a professional surfer, were each sentenced Friday to three years in state prison for violating probation.\nEric House, 22, Orlando Osuna Wright, 24, and Matthew Yanke, 23, admitted being in each other’s company and failing drug tests.\n“You guys blew it,” Judge John Einhorn told the defendants. “I’m done being your cheerleader. What a sad ending to senseless conduct.’'\nEinhorn reminded the trio that they got the “break of a lifetime” when they were allowed to plead guilty in June 2008 to involuntary manslaughter in the death a year earlier of 24-year-old Emery Kauanui of La Jolla.\nAt the time, the judge told them to “do the right thing” and comply with probation for the sake of their family and friends.\nCo-defendant Hank Hendricks also pleaded guilty in June 2008 to pleaded guilty in June 2008 to being an accessory after the fact. He was not involved in any of the probation violation cases.\nA fifth man, Seth Cravens, 23, was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 20 years to life in state prison.\nYanke, Osuna and House — members of the “Bird Rock Bandits’” — were arrested last month for violating court orders imposed on them at sentencing.\nThe defendants’ current violations were “significant,” the judge said.\nIn a tearful apology, Yanke said he took his probation “very seriously” and sought help when he started to feel himself slip.\n“I worried about going to prison, at times flat-out scared,” he said.\nHouse admitted testing positive for marijuana and having his photo taken with Yanke at the Viejas Casino.\nOsuna admitted testing positive for marijuana nine times since April, and Einhorn found that the defendant also violated probation by attending a function at a bar and being in the presence of Yanke.\nOsuna told the judge Friday that he tried, but failed, to comply with probation.\n“I’m ashamed,’' Osuna said. “You gave me a good judgment on my sentence. I did not follow my conditions of probation. I’m sorry for the anguish I’ve caused again.’'\nOsuna said he should have moved out of town after his original sentence, but stayed because he needed his family’s support.\nProsecutors contended the defendants’ allegiance to the “Bird Rock Bandits” made Kauanui’s death a crime committed by a street gang, but Einhorn previously rejected that allegation.\nThe deadly fight in front of the home of Kauanui’s mother erupted the night of May 24, 2007, after the victim and House were kicked out of the La Jolla Brew House. The two had gotten into a dispute at the bar when Kauanui spilled a drink on House.\nKauanui was driven home by his girlfriend. Cravens, House, Wright and Yanke followed, and House was egged on to fight the victim, according to testimony.\nDuring the fight, Kauanui confronted Cravens, who responded by throwing what the judge described as a “vicious swing” into the victim’s face. Kauanui fell backward and hit his head, suffering a severely fractured skull. He died four days later at a hospital.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1198316"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9733824133872986,"wiki_prob":0.9733824133872986,"text":"Apple tells US judge 'impossible' to unlock new iPhones\nPublished Wed, Oct 21 20156:34 AM EDT Updated Wed, Oct 21 20156:34 AM EDT\nApple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller speaks on stage during a Special Event at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium September 9, 2015 in San Francisco, California.\nApple told a U.S. judge that accessing data stored on a locked iPhone would be \"impossible\" with devices using its latest operating system, but the company has the \"technical ability\" to help law enforcement unlock older phones.\nApple's position was laid out in a brief filed late Monday, after a federal magistrate judge in Brooklyn, New York, sought its input as he weighed a U.S. Justice Department request to force the company to help authorities access a seized iPhone during an investigation.\nIn court papers, Apple said that for the 90 percent of its devices running iOS 8 or higher, granting the Justice Department's request \"would be impossible to perform\" after it strengthened encryption methods.\nThose devices include a feature that prevents anyone without the device's passcode from accessing its data, including Apple itself.\nThe feature was adopted in 2014 amid heightened privacy concerns following leaks by former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden about NSA surveillance programs.\nApple told U.S. Magistrate Judge James Orenstein it could access the 10 percent of its devices that continue to use older systems, including the one at issue in the case. But it urged the judge to not require it to comply with the Justice Department's request.\n\"Forcing Apple to extract data in this case, absent clear legal authority to do so, could threaten the trust between Apple and its customers and substantially tarnish the Apple brand,\" Apple's lawyers wrote.\nA spokeswoman for Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Robert Capers, whose office is handling the case, declined comment.\nEarlier this month, Orenstein expressed skepticism about whether he could require Apple to disable security on the iPhone, citing Congress' failure to act on the issue of encryption despite the urging of the Justice Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation.\nHow to trade 'Star Wars,' Apple headlines\nOrenstein deferred ruling until Apple had a chance to say if it was \"technically feasible and, if so, whether compliance with the proposed order would be unduly burdensome.\"\nApple in its brief said it limited its views to those questions rather than the broader legal issue at hand, which it called \"important.\" In an order Tuesday, Orenstein invited Apple to address that issue. A hearing is scheduled for Thursday.\nThe case is In re Order requiring Apple, Inc to assist in the execution of a search warrant issued by the court, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, No. 15-mc-01902.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line413183"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5397874116897583,"wiki_prob":0.4602125883102417,"text":"Central Bank News\nCentralBankNews.info - A trusted and authoritative source on global monetary policy\nEasier or Tighter?\nCentral Bank Calendar\nCentral Bank Governors\nReserve Ratios\nInflation Targets\nCentral Bank Information\nRussia maintains rate, any inflation rise seen temporary\nRussia's central bank left its key interest rate steady at 6.0 percent despite a plunge in the ruble's exchange rate, saying any rise in inflation will be temporary as slower global and domestic growth will limit price hikes and inflation will return to its target in 2021.\nThe Bank of Russia, which has cut rates six times since May 2019 by a total of 175 basis points, added the spread of the coronavirus - which had led to restrictions in international trade and travel, and a rapid deterioration of commodity and financial markets - may lead to a downturn in already-moderate economic activity in coming quarters.\nAnd while the growth path will depend on the scale of the fallout from the spread of the virus, Covid-19, and the actions taken to counter it, the central bank said the economy will be supported by measures taken by itself and the government.\nSo far Russia has reported relatively few infections and only one death from the coronavirus, but on the government on Monday announced a $4 billion package of measures to help businesses that are facing lower demand, and has banned foreigners from entering the country, shut its land borders with neighboring countries, closed schools, and restricted outdoor and indoor gatherings.\nIn addition, domestic demand is to receive a boost from additional social policy measures announced in January along with national projects that are being implemented.\nRussia's ruble plunged 26 percent from Jan. 12 to March 18, hit by the collapse in oil prices from the dispute with Saudi Arabia and the flight to the safe-haven U.S. dollar amid the fallout from the spread of the coronavirus worldwide.\nIn recent days the ruble has bounced back slightly though it fell in response today to trade at 79.6 to the U.S. dollar, down 23 percent since Jan. 12 and 22 percent this year.\nRussia's inflation rate eased to 2.3 percent in February from 2.4 percent in January but the central bank said it may temporarily exceed its 4.0 percent target due to the weaker ruble.\nThis rise in consumer prices may also trigger a temporary rise in inflation expectations but slowing domestic and external demand will be a \"significant disinflationary factor,\" and inflation should return to 4 percent in 2021.\nRussia's economy has been slowly recovering since a deep recession in 2015 and 2016 and in February the central bank forecast growth this year of 1.5 to 2.5 percent, up from 1.3 percent in 2019, helped by infrastructure projects.\nThe Bank of Russia issued the following press release:\n\"On 20 March 2020, the Bank of Russia Board of Directors decided to keep the key rate at 6.00% per annum. In February — March, the situation has been developing with a significant deviation from the Bank of Russia’s forecast under the baseline scenario. This is related to changes in external conditions: the spread of the coronavirus epidemic and a sharp drop in oil prices. The ruble’s depreciation is a temporary proinflationary factor. It might prompt annual inflation to exceed the target level this year. However, the dynamics of domestic and external demand will exert a meaningful constraining influence on inflation on the back of a pronounced slowdown of global economic growth and increased uncertainty. The package of measures adopted by the Government and the Bank of Russia ensures financial stability and will support the economy. All these factors were taken into account when making the key rate decision. Given the current monetary policy stance, annual inflation will return to 4% in 2021.\nMoving forward, in its key rate decision-making the Bank of Russia will take into account actual and expected inflation dynamics relative to the target and economic developments over the forecast horizon, as well as risks posed by domestic and external conditions and the reaction of financial markets.\nInflation dynamics. In 2020, inflation may temporarily exceed the target level. It is expected to return to 4% in 2021.\nThe temporary acceleration of annual inflation in the coming months will be caused by the weakening of the ruble in February — March, which is related to changes in external conditions: a worsening situation in global financial markets in the face of a threat of a global recession on the back of the coronavirus epidemic and a sharp drop in oil prices. The observed weakening of the ruble and the consecutive acceleration of consumer price growth rates may cause a temporary rise in inflation expectations of households and businesses.\nHowever, slowing growth in both domestic and external demand is a significant disinflationary factor. It will have a constraining effect on inflation. In this context, given the current monetary policy stance, annual inflation will return to 4% in 2021.\nMonetary conditions have tightened under the influence of negative external factors. The worsening situation in the global economy and a sharp drop in oil prices have prompted growth in risk premiums on a wide range of financial assets, including in emerging market economies. In this context, OFZ and corporate bond yields have increased, certain banks have started to raise their loan and deposit interest rates. The Bank of Russia’s measures taken to curb financial stability risks and regulatory relaxations adopted will support credit expansion, including in the most vulnerable sectors, and will help limit the scale of tightening of monetary conditions.\nEconomic activity. In February — March, the situation has been developing with a significant deviation from the Bank of Russia’s forecast under the baseline scenario. This is related to worsening global growth prospects amid the spreading coronavirus and restrictions on cross-border cargo and passenger traffic, as well as to a rapid deterioration of dynamics in global commodity and financial markets. These factors may cause the moderate growth of the Russian economy in the beginning of the year to change to a downturn of the economic activity in the coming quarters.\nThe Russian economy’s growth path will in many ways depend on the scale of the fallout from the further spread of the coronavirus and the action to counter it, alongside with the impact of this action on production, demand and business and consumer sentiment. The Russian economy will gain support from the package of the Government and the Bank of Russia’s economic measures to counter the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic and financial market volatility. Domestic demand is set to receive a boost this year from additional social policy measures announced in January, as well as the national projects being implemented as scheduled.\nInflation risks. There has been a rise in short-term proinflationary risks, driven by a potentially more pronounced pass-through of the ruble weakening into prices, coupled with the impact of the temporary increase in current demand for a number of products and services, triggered by consumers’ drive to accumulate stocks. However, a strong weakening of external demand, a potential decline in consumer activity and lag effects of the tightened monetary conditions may emerge as a source of significant disinflationary risks over a medium-term horizon.\nIn parallel with its key rate decision, the Bank of Russia took a number of measures towards ensuring financial stability, supporting the economy and the financial sector amid the coronavirus pandemic. These measures are intended to, among other things, maintain access of small and medium enterprises to bank lending, shore up mortgage lending and protect the interests of people affected by the spreading pandemic. In a similar vein, there are plans to take action to relax administrative burden for the financial sector, with a view to supporting the sector’s lending capabilities.\nThe Bank of Russia Board of Directors will hold its next key rate review meeting on 24 April 2020. The press release on the Bank of Russia Board decision and the medium-term forecast are to be published at 13:30 Moscow time.\"\nwww.CentralBankNews.info\nLabels: Asia, Banco de Capo Verde, Bank of Russia, coronavirus, Europe, fore, interest rates, Monetary Policy\nConnect to CentralBankNews.info\nFollow on Twitter @CentralBankNews\nCentralBankNews.info on Twitter Counter.com\nThe Archives January (4) December (22) November (27) October (20) September (23) August (26) July (21) June (35) May (37) April (44) March (53) February (26) January (25) December (26) November (33) October (29) September (32) August (26) July (22) June (19) May (29) April (21) March (27) February (24) January (29) December (33) November (15) October (25) September (34) August (27) July (24) June (34) May (27) April (28) March (44) February (32) January (22) December (25) November (37) October (26) September (29) August (28) July (33) June (34) May (35) April (22) March (33) February (30) January (43) December (45) November (35) October (31) September (33) August (34) July (40) June (46) May (40) April (22) March (51) February (44) January (50) December (53) November (45) October (39) September (56) August (53) July (65) June (71) May (48) April (54) March (74) February (65) January (70) December (64) November (60) October (73) September (74) August (64) July (71) June (73) May (65) April (71) March (74) February (66) January (71) December (68) November (74) October (69) September (78) August (73) July (69) June (70) May (75) April (66) March (78) February (66) January (73) December (84) November (73) October (74) September (85) August (59) July (60) June (63) May (18) April (23) March (73) February (49) January (51) December (51) November (42) October (54) September (59) August (57) July (46) June (52) May (42) April (47) March (56) February (30) January (44) December (5) November (7) October (12)\nBoss Options\nLorman Education Services\nInterested in Forex Technical Analysis?\nForex FX 4X\nBinary Options Professor\nPersonal Coinage\nEmail Marketing Software You Can Trust\nFor advertising inquiries please email us.\nAccess our Global Interest Rate Monitor\nAccess our Global Monetary Policy Rate Index or the data\nCopyright Central Bank News 2012. Powered by Blogger.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1454010"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6359663009643555,"wiki_prob":0.36403369903564453,"text":"Posted on January 24, 2016 by TCR\nBloomberg considers presidential run due to frustration with Trump, Sanders\nBy Steven Viera || Senior Editor\nMichael Bloomberg, former mayor of New York City who served for an unprecedented three terms, is considering a run for President of the United States. According to this article, Bloomberg is expected to make a final decision sometime in March.\nFurthermore, this article in the New York Times reported that Bloomberg—the founder, president, and CEO of the financial software, data and media company, Bloomberg L.P.—is willing to spend up to $1 billion of personal funds in his campaign.\nSources close to Bloomberg say that he is frustrated with the heightened polarization within both the Republican and Democratic races and that his views do not necessarily align with those of either party. He commissioned a poll to explore how he would perform as a third-party candidate against Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, the frontrunners for the Republican and Democratic parties, respectively.\n“He’s the opposite of me in many ways,” Trump said of Bloomberg in the New York Times article.\nAside from Trump’s rise, sources also report that Bloomberg is concerned by Bernie Sanders’ momentum within the Democratic race in the face of stumbles by the Clinton campaign.\nInternal polling, according to the CNN article, revealed that Bloomberg would take more\nvotes from Republicans, although this may change as the campaign proceeds.\nBloomberg’s announcement, if he is to run, will likely come in late March so that he can still make it on the ballot in all 50 states in time for the election.\nBloomberg, who reportedly had meetings with New York Democrats to gauge his interest in a run, considered a presidential bid in both 2008 and 2012.\nSenior Steven Viera is the Senior Editor. His email is sviera@fandm.edu.\nTagged news, Steven Viera","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line256099"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5721413493156433,"wiki_prob":0.5721413493156433,"text":"By: Aaron Fischman\nThe Popular Pairing of Music and Fitness\nMost active people listen to music while performing their workouts, and you probably do it too. If you don’t, mostly everyone around you does, as you see it every day.\nThe actress Jane Fonda actually played a significant role in popularizing the use of music in athletic training, according to Brunel University’s Costas Karageorghis, Ph.D., who has become a leading expert on the topic thanks to more than 20 years of intense research. “She [Fonda] realized that there was a bit of a niche in the market and that if you could ally music with physical activity, you had more of a chance of getting people physically active.” Fonda released her first exercise video, titled “Jane Fonda’s Workout,” in 1982. Since, she followed up with 23 additional videos in the series, which, including the original went on to sell more than 17 million total copies.\nKarageorghis noted that the advent of various technologies – products that allowed people to easily bring their music with them – helped fuel this trend. The Walkman was introduced by Sony in 1979. Just three years later, Sony was also the first to release a portable CD player, which they called the “Discman.” Portable MP3 players began to appear in 1999, and by 2004, Nike and Philips partnered to launch the Portable Sport audio player, which they claimed was designed specifically for the active consumer. Around the same time, iPod sales started to pick up serious stream even though the product was released in 2001.\nAs a result of these developments, “Music has become prevalent, I would say almost ubiquitous, in the sports and exercise field over the last 20 years,” said Karageorghis.\nThe Three Benefits\nAccording to Karageorghis’ more than two decades of research, music allows for greater athletic performance in three ways: 1) It reduces perceived exertion, 2) lifts the participant’s mood and 3) encourages the listener to coordinate his/her movements to stay on beat.\nThe research shows that if you listen to music while performing an activity of low-to-moderate intensity (light jogging or cycling, for instance), it will reduce your perceived exertion by 8 to 12 percent. In other words, the music’s presence will make you feel like you’re not working quite as hard. The reduction in perceived exertion is enjoyed even if the music is selected arbitrarily, and doing so takes into account the person’s musical tastes and the type and intensity of the workout.\nAccording to Karageorghis, it’s been known for years that music can lift one’s mood when performing low-to-moderate intensity exercises. He and his team, however, found that music’s positive affective qualities are not limited to low-to-moderate intensity workouts. “We’ve shown in a recent string of studies that well-selected music also has the propensity to enhance affect at very high intensities of exercise…in fact, right up until the point of voluntary exhaustion.”\nThis finding is significant, because one big reason why people give up on their regular workouts is that they feel bad when they’re exerting themselves so much. “Although music can’t influence what you feel at these high intensities, it can influence how you feel it,” Karageorghis said. “In other words, it seems to color our interpretation of fatigue, and I think therein lies the real power of music for Joe and Josephine Public.”\nThe research’s mention of “synchronous music” refers to music that’s coordinated with a participant’s physical movements. By contrast, when participants listen to music asynchronously, their movements are not matched to the beat.\nConventional wisdom has long posited that music, whether synchronous or not, should progressively increase performance as the beats per minute increase. Karageorghis’ research has found, however, that with asynchronous music, athletic performance improves between 120 and 140 beats per minute, but that no additional benefit is derived from moving beyond that level. He calls it a “ceiling effect.”\nAlthough using music in both ways has been found to improve athletic performance, synchronous music produces the best results. “If I put this into numbers,” said Karageorghis, “asynchronous music can generally lift performance – depending on what the performance is and a whole load of other factors – between say 2 and 10 percent. Synchronous music can lift performance between about 8 and 20 percent.” In fact, when compared with a control group who didn’t listen to any music, people who worked out synchronously on all intensities up to exhaustion saw ”performance benefits in the order of 15 percent.” It’s also worth noting that the people studied were recreationally active people as opposed to elite athletes.\nSynchronizing one’s movements to the music can take some work. If you want to synchronize your movements extremely closely to music, you’ll need to film yourself at different intensities. Karageorghis even sits in the back of a quad bike and films runners to determine their stride rates. He then selects songs so that their rhythm will coordinate with the runner’s strides. Occasionally, he’ll manipulate the songs by a beat or two in order to make the match even tighter.\nFortunately for the everyday person, many exercise machines now show the revolutions per minute a person is creating. There’s also an iTunes plug-in, for instance, that allows users to create playlists based on songs’ beats per minute. Even easier, Karageorghis says that many people will work out to the beat using trial and error. It certainly helps that most pop music falls into the range of 115 to 135 beats per minute. Another easier way to maximize the benefits of synchronous music is to take part in a group class, such as Zumba, aqua aerobics or step aerobics, because movements in those classes are designed to go along with the beat.\nNot Everyone Listens to Music\nThere are high-performing athletes, as well as everyday people, who prefer to train without music. Nearly 25 years ago when Karageorghis was beginning his research career, he interviewed decorated British Olympic decathlete Daley Thompson. Karageorghis asked about his use of music during training and competition and was told, “Music is an anathema to me. I always listen to my body. I never have a need for music.” Streak runner Jon Sutherland doesn’t listen to music during his runs, either.\n“It’s not necessarily for everyone,” said Karageorghis, “but generally speaking, people who struggle to get to the gym and are looking for a mild stimulant might benefit from integrating well-selected music into their routine.”\nFor Karageorghis, the next step over the coming years will be to isolate the effects of music on long-term workout adherence. In other words, he strives to determine which factors of music and other contingencies make people more or less likely to stick with their workout routine. He understands that it will be a challenge, because people quit working out for countless reasons, but he’s prepared to dive in regardless. If anything useful can be gleaned, people who are active, as well as those who are looking to start working out again, will have more information at their disposal.\nmusic running\t2020-12-18\nPrevious: Yoga Can Be for Everyone…Even Runners\nNext: Running Your First 5k? Check Out Couch25k\nCommon Sports Injuries: Hamstring Pull","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1690784"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5952864289283752,"wiki_prob":0.40471357107162476,"text":"Congregation Beth Shalom was born in the spring of 1990 at an open meeting of 10-15 families from Brandon and the surrounding areas who were seeking to form a temple of their own. Like nomads in the desert, every meeting and every decision was made in various people’s homes. We had no real home of our own. Through much trial and error, hundreds of phone calls and tireless work, Beth Shalom was chartered, incorporated and became an integral part of the Greater Brandon community.\nDuring those early times, we had to knock on doors and ask perfect strangers for the use of their buildings so we could pray and teach our children. We forever remain grateful to all of those who assisted us. After much fundraising and planning, Congregation Beth Shalom moved into our new home in September of 2000, just in time for the High Holy Days. It was a proud and glorious moment as we stood in our own building at 706 Bryan Road asking for forgiveness and expressing thanks for our good fortune. We stood in awe, facing our ark which houses our oldest congregant, our first Torah, inscribed in Poland over 200 years ago. It represents the lifeline of our religion and symbolizes our strong connection to the Jewish people. Our building houses our sanctuary, offices and classrooms for our religious school. It is both exciting and fulfilling to be an integral part of a warm, vibrant and inclusive congregation. Join us and share the experience.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1331109"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5070189237594604,"wiki_prob":0.5070189237594604,"text":"April 18, 2019 LSummer Leave a comment\nThis story transpired from severaI eye opening conversations that transpired on Stage 32, a global networking and education platform for screenwriters, fiImmakers and teIevision foIk.\nRecent aIIegations made by women against severaI maIe, Australian actors reminded me of my TV promotion days in the 1990s, when a likeable head honcho of Channel 9 in Sydney instructed me to include a specific boob shot in a movie promo. (Lest we forget that sex sells.) He even wrote down the exact timecode in-point to make sure I chose the right boobs.\nIn this #MeToo age, an incident like that would probably spark outrage. Legal threats. Back in the day, I just laughed it off and interpreted the boob incident as a clear sign that the time was nigh to find a meaningful job.\nYou Just Never Know Who You’re Gonna Meet\nMy comments led to a compelling response from American film director David Trotti and a refreshingly frank discussion about the bright and not-so-bright sides of Hollywood. I asked him for permission to share his recollections about the razzle-dazzle trade and he kindly agreed. Bearing in mind that the following stories hail largely from the ’90s, echoes clearly still remain.\n“Yeah. It’s always been a rough trade. I’ve heard stories of aspiring actresses in the early days performing favours for studio guards just to get on the lot to have a chance to get hired as an extra for a day. Casting offices would stop putting out mint-candy in bowls because the starving actors would clean them out.\nIt was bad enough that the wives of the studio executives raised money to build low-to-no-rent all-female apartment buildings to keep young women who’d flocked to Hollywood from sleeping in library basements.\nIn that sort of desperate power imbalance, a lot of people got taken advantage of.\nI have been on shows where a producer cast an actress just to have a shot at her. I have been at a party where I had to keep my director from successfully seducing a prop girl who was too drunk to even say yes or no. Which should be an automatic no.\nOn the other side, I have witnessed actresses stalking directors, producers and actors with the intent of seducing them for jobs, love, hero-worship or just another notch.”\nStars In Their Eyes, Dreams In Their Hearts\n“One of my darkest days in the business was when a buddy of mine was hired to direct a Roger Corman film called “Furious Angel IV” and he asked me to sit in on the casting. I don’t know if that was the final title. It has Catya Sassoon in it. It was a nude kickboxing movie they were going to shoot in the Philippines. Needless to say, there wasn’t a lot of ambiguity about what was required to be in it. 1) Nudity. 2) Kickboxing. I will also say my buddy was a stand-up guy, the casting director was a pro and I was a guest in the room. So the casting session starts and I have to say that of the fifty so women who came and went that day, all of them could be broken down into three categories.\nThese girls were fresh off the bus from Iowa, Calgary, small-town beauty queens and high school musical Dorothys. They had no idea what they’d gotten themselves into, but they had stars in their eyes and dreams in their hearts. This was a job! In Hollywood! A SAG job that meant a Union Contract. Okay, maybe it might require some nudity, but it was going to lead to bigger and better things.\nUnfortunately, most of these girls had been met at the bus stop by unscrupulous “agent” assholes who were really just camouflaged pimps.\nThey’d drag these girls around to all sorts of cattle calls before us as well as stops at Playboy, Penthouse and Hustler.\nOne poor girl – and I’ll always remember this – when the casting director asked for her “headshot” turned bright red and then reached into her backpack and produced a Polaroid beaver shot that she’d had taken at her first stop of the day. We quickly gave it back to her and said that’s not what we meant.\nThese were the gals who had been in town for a while and knew the score. But this was the job that was going to get them the next one that was going to get them a TV guest slot, that was going to turn recurring and pay the rent. They were jaded versions of the Category One girls, but they still had hope and dreams. And they weren’t going to go back to East Texas until they could show up, head held high and say they’d made it.\nThen there was Category Three. And the decline from level two to three was so sharp and severe it was striking. These girls had been in town too long and they would do anything, and I mean anything, for enough scratch to score their drug of choice just to get them by.\nYou could see that these were Category one girls who’d had the dreams burned out of them by one of those asshole pimps who put cigarettes out on their skin nightly. They would walk in the door and flash breasts or drop dresses with the singular goal of selling the merchandise. They had no room for morals. I don’t even know if they considered themselves human beings anymore or if they, like their asshole pimps, found their only value as commodities of flesh and lip gloss.\nJust Another Hollywood Story\n“I think the Director and I were shell shocked by the end. The Casting Director was a good guy, but I think working at Corman’s he’d seen it so often he was numb to it. None of us did anything unprofessional, we certainly didn’t take advantage of the situation. But also, we didn’t hand out bus money. Heartless? Maybe, but we knew none of them would use the cash for bus fare. They’d use it to get by one more day in Hollywood. Because tomorrow, it was going to happen. Fame, Fortune and Stardom. Because no one believes they’ll hit Category Three. Till they do.\nAnyway, that’s just another Hollywood story. Now go make magic!”\nPimps, Hitmen & Heroin\nAfter reading that, I felt far from magical. If anything, I worried about our Australian starlets and studlets with ‘stars in their eyes and dreams in their hearts.’ And old memories resurfaced about losing my childhood best friend to pimps, hitmen and heroin in the 1980s. She could have been a Vogue magazine cover girl but her pimp boyfriend brutally killed that possibility. Instead, she swiftly spiralled to Category 3. Then Category 4 – drug mule.\nShe eventually ‘confessed’ to her secret life of drugs, prostitution and mafia bosses in the mid-80s after stupidly thinking I would believe her innocent ‘I’ve just had a 5-star holiday in Bangkok’ story. When I jokingly suggested she hire a hitman to get rid of him, she said: “I can’t do that. They’re all his friends.”\nI didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. From memory, we laughed.\n“He hates your guts, Linda. He’s scared you’ll go to the cops.”\nI assured her I would never do that because I knew that crooked cops peddled heroin on the streets of Adelaide and threatened her with gaol if she refused to buy it from them. Even during her desperate attempts to kick the insidious habit.\nAnd I will always remember her telling me this:\n“I ended up being taken to heaps of Sydney’s exclusive A-lister parties. You’d be really shocked at how many celebrities and even sports stars are recreational heroin users. Trouble is, heroin is a disease. The first high is so mind-blowing that you keep going back for more. But you never get to that place again. You just fuck yourself up.”\nTurns out Australia and Hollywood ain’t so different after all. Her sordid story would probably make an eye-opening Australian gangster movie one day.\nMy conversation with David then moved on to the brighter side of Hollywood where he provided further insights and useful tips for aspiring stars.\nOne In A Hundred Thousand Shot\n“I would never wholly dissuade someone who has the means and desire from making the pilgrimage and trying to make a go of it if that is their life’s dream. I also have examples of people who did make it and did not go down that dark path.\nI’ve worked with Yvonne Strahovski on Chuck and Katherine Langford on 13 Reasons Why. They both took the chance and came from Australia and are doing very well. But they are both talented actresses with families who love, support and encourage them. They also were fortunate enough to fall on the legitimate side of the business with professionals who do take their responsibilities as agents, producers and executives seriously.\nThe real problem lies in that shaky ground in between the extremes not just where physical and emotional exploitation can take place but also where lives and potential are wasted pursuing what is statistically a one-in-a-hundred thousand shot.\nEven making it in Hollywood does not mean an actor can count on a sustainable career or a comfortable retirement.\nAnd talent does mean a great deal. The problem is it gets lost in the sheer numbers. There are so many actors and actresses and so few paying gigs. And sometimes you can be the best performer but just not have the right look that the director had in mind. It can all seem very random and heartless and cruel. But it can also be a hell of a fun ride.”\nSage Advice For Fledgling Dream Weavers\n“If someone is young and attractive (male or female) with enough money to live for six months and wants to party in LA while making a go at acting, God bless them. Use a condom, don’t do anything that requires needles, travel with a posse you trust not to leave you behind in a gutter, don’t drink anything you didn’t see poured out of a sealed bottle, have enough money saved for airfare home and if you’re an actor, for God’s sake don’t get a tattoo.\nThe rest you’ll figure out.”\nWith Compliments\nLinda Summer, Scribe @ Lost For Words","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line344330"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8078540563583374,"wiki_prob":0.8078540563583374,"text":"David Letterman: Late-Night TV Needs More Women\nWhy the Message of ‘Me Before You’ Is So Dangerous\nFormer Late Show host David Letterman says that late-night TV needs more diversity.\nThe now-bearded retiree recently sat down with NBC News’ Tom Brokaw for an extended Dateline interview, and implied that he thinks his former show should have been handed off to a female comedian instead of Stephen Colbert.\nI don’t know why they didn’t give my show to a woman. That would have been fine. You know, I’m happy for their success. And they’re doing things I couldn’t do. So that’s great.\nBut, aside from advocating for women on the landscape, Letterman didn’t really seem all that interested in talking about late-night TV (“The first day of Stephen’s show when he went on the air—an energy left me.”)\nHe told Brokaw,\nWould God Make Aliens?\nI couldn’t care less about late-night television. I’m happy for the guys—men and women—there should be more women … They didn’t ask me about anything. They were just—they were just happy I was going.\nLetterman’s not the first one to call for more women to host late-night shows. Samantha Bee, the host of TBS’ Full Frontal, made headlines earlier this year when she Photoshopped herself (as a laser-eyed centaur) into a Vanity Fair spread that featured 10 men who hosted late-night shows. The image she sent out on Twitter soon went viral. She explained to The Daily Beast, “I just felt so tired of it. It really just came from a place of exhaustion and feeling ignored.”\nThe People Behind ‘The Conjuring’ Are Making a Movie About That Creepy Nun","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1150368"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.673179566860199,"wiki_prob":0.326820433139801,"text":"This Week In XR: Virtual CES\nThis Is The Best Advice I’ve Ever Been Given As An Entrepreneur\nU.S. Adds Chinese Phone Maker Xiaomi To Military Blacklist\nThe Good, The Bad, And The Frustrating Aspects Of An All-Digital CES 2021\nAttention Real Estate Brokers: This New Platform May Put An End To Your Profession\nHome Office: ‘Software Bug’ Wiped 150,000 Arrest Records From Police Database\nThe Keypad On This Kingston USB Drive Keeps Data From Prying Eyes\nSamsung Galaxy Buds Pro First Look: Certified AirPods Pro Rivals\nCourt Blocks PA Safe Injection Again Despite Data, Citing Federal ‘Crack House’ Statute\nGoogle Now Owns Fitbit: What It Means For Your Fitness Data Privacy\nAug 7, 2020, 07:50am EDT |\nBy Next Year, Will Doctors Finally Have The Technology To Fully Personalize Treatments For Lung Cancer Patients?\nCarrie RubinsteinContributor\nToday, with the new risks posed by Covid, how do we provide the best care for people with non-Covid- related disease? For diagnosed cancer patients, these risks may warrant a re-evaluation of the common standards of treatment.\n\"Covid has had a very negative impact, as cancer screening is down by about 50%,\" says Oncologist Dr. Adam Dicker, Director at the Jefferson Center for Digital Health. “Most predictions suggest that a larger number of patients will present with a more advanced stage of disease because of the decrease in screening and fear of Covid. It seems like the end result will be more patients with advanced disease and lower cure rates because their cancers were diagnosed at a much later stage.”\nEven more worrisome, and while targeted cancer therapies are now more tumor-specific, less toxic, and offer new possibilities for tailoring cancer treatment, there are still so many missing pieces: often as not, oncologists are shooting in the dark, trying to tailor the right treatment for their patient with very limited data. With the shadow of Covid, and the multiple risks cancer patients now face, clinicians are increasingly concerned.\n\"There are very few good biomarkers that enable personalized treatment regimens and therefore, in ... [+] most cases, we have a ‘one size fits all approach’.\"\n“Today, we use protocols to treat our patients with lung or other kinds of cancers,” says Dr. Ofer Sharon, a longtime physician and entrepreneur. “There are very few good biomarkers that enable personalized treatment regimens and therefore, in most cases, we have a ‘one size fits all approach’. Treatment starts following diagnosis and staging and we start to follow up on patients using clinical capabilities.”\nWhat he describes is rather disturbing. Doctors are left to speculate as to which degree patients are responding to treatment. \"Oncology is at the beginning of the journey in terms of precision medicine,\" Dr. Dicker explains. \"We currently have a few classes of drugs that care for patients with specific mutations in their tumor DNA or a percentage of immune cells that stain for a particular protein. We currently do not have a comprehensive approach that integrates all the available information to enhance clinical decisions.\"\nSerious Warning Issued For Apple AirPods Max Users\nApple’s Massive iPhone 13 Upgrade Suddenly Confirmed\nForget Your iPhone 12 Pro Max, Ignore Samsung’s Galaxy S20 Fan Edition And Google’s Pixel 4a, This Is My Smartphone Of 2020\nDr. Sharon adds: “Usually, response assessment happens after three and six months. During this period, there are a lot of uncertainties, and sometimes there are adverse events and associated costs. If the patient is not responding the way we had hoped, we lose valuable time. There is a consensus among clinicians,” he notes, “that not all patients are the same and there’s a dire need for effective tools to differentiate between patients and personalize treatment according to their needs. There’s a dire need for effective tools to differentiate between patients and personalize treatment according to their needs. Will technology make a difference?\nOncoHost, an Israeli precision oncology company is now in the final steps of finalizing a host response profiling platform for predicting patient response to cancer therapeutics.\nWith over 20 years of experience in clinical and commercial product development for startups in the health tech, biotech, and medical device industries, Dr. Sharon decided to join OncoHost, as its CEO, following a personal tragedy. “Seven years ago my father-in-law was diagnosed with advanced-stage melanoma. At the time, I was the medical director for Merck (MSD) and involved in the phase 3 trials of Keytruda, a drug that treats melanoma. Unfortunately, my father-in-law didn’t meet the inclusion criteria for the trial and passed away three months before we launched the new drug. The frustration, which arises from the fact that in most cases we just don’t know in time which patients will benefit from treatment and which will not, kept me awake for many nights.”\nWhen he came across Oncohost, he realized there might be hope for others. ”I was fascinated by the concept and science. The opportunity to make such a crucial difference in the way we treat cancer was something I just couldn’t pass up, and I decided to take on this huge challenge.\nThe company’s technology is based on high-throughput protein analysis, machine-learning algorithms, and bioinformatics tools. Its product, PROphetTM, is currently under study in a multi-center international clinical trial to predict patient response to immune-checkpoint inhibitors for non-small cell lung cancer and melanoma.\n\"Potential combination strategies and alternative treatments that may mitigate treatment ... [+] resistance.\" Dr. Ofer Sharon\nOncohost\nSo far, it has successfully identified a 10-protein signature that distinguishes between responders and non-responders to anti-PD-1 monotherapy or anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 combination therapy for melanoma. The technology should elucidate protein patterns associated with resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors and will fulfill the need for differentiating responders from non-responders while monitoring the immune checkpoint inhibitor specific protein expression scores such as tumor proportion score.\nDr. Dicker views this innovation as the future of precision medicine. \" From a holistic perspective, precision medicine should take into account the patient’s germline DNA, the tumor DNA and the host ecosystem (immune system, microbiome, etc.), imaging, social determinants of health and goals. The outcome of precision medicine should be an evidence-based, tailored approach to each patient that maximizes clinical outcomes and minimizes toxicity. \"\nThe system, now in the clinical trial stage, analyzes the patient’s response and provides the patient and physician with a response prediction. In cases where no response is predicted, it suggests potential combination strategies and alternative treatments that may mitigate treatment resistance. \"We hope this platform will — like a CT or MRI — add much-needed clinical information to support the complex and in many cases, life-and-death decision-making process\".\nThe technology for assessing response to lung cancer therapy is expected to become available in the U.S. by next year.\nCarrie Rubinstein","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1833136"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5277374982833862,"wiki_prob":0.47226250171661377,"text":"Martin's French Blog\n~ Life in the French countryside\n“Aux Armes Citoyens!”\nPosted by Martin Pooley in Life in France\nBy now you will have seen and read so much coverage of the attacks in Paris that you won’t be interested in much more from me, but I’ll just offer you this:\nBefore Harfleur, Henry V urged his English army to “stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood, disguise fair nature with hard-favour’d rage”. Well, I’ll nail my colours to the mast and say that, as things stand, Islam is incompatible with secular, liberal, Western democracy. Since the attacks I’ve read a very good piece in The Times written by Usama Hasan a Muslim and an academic. He argues that an Islamic reformation is, in fact, under way, and he cites several admirable examples. My concern, and that of many others who commented in the newspaper on that article, is expressed in the question: how long do you want? To me, Islam has been going backwards for centuries. In the 10th and 12th centuries it could boast learned people such as Avicenna and Averroes. The latter was even portrayed by Raphael in his fresco masterpiece, “The School of Athens”.\nThe nihilistic extremists of IS, al Qaeda, Boko Haram etc are beyond any reformatory arguments in my view. At the same time we should remember that such groups are killing far more people in other countries than in Western Europe. They need to be destroyed. Period. My concern is that there are hundreds of thousands, if not millions of ‘ordinary’ Muslims out there who may be open to persuasion but that the process will take far too long. I’m referring to the very many who protested against, and even burnt, Salman Rushdie’s book, ‘The Satanic Verses’, and who protested against the Danish cartoons. Then there were the brothers who carried out the Charlie Hebdo shootings, although they claimed affiliation to one of the al Qaeda offshoots so could be put into the ‘militant’ bracket. In the case of ‘The Satanic Verses’ and the Danish cartoons, the protests were violent and Muslims were seen on the streets of London bearing banners saying such things as ‘Death to those who insult Islam’. An Islamic leader, the spiritual leader of Iran, even issued a death warrant against Rushdie Those actions represent a widespread rejection of western culture. Any internal reformation within Islam -and it does need to come from within- needs to happen quickly otherwise the West may well descend into fear and paranoia as appears to be happening with the rise of the far right in France and Holland and in some Republican circles in the US; the idiot Trump has even called for Muslims to be registered.\nEnd of sermon….for now.\nOne positive aspect of these dark events has been the outpouring of support for France. Prior to last Tuesday’s soccer international between England and France in London, everyone, English and French alike, sang La Marseillaise while the Wembley arch was lit up in the colours of the tricolore and the French national motto of ‘Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité‘ was displayed in lights at the stadium. From my observations, the French have been extremely grateful for all the support they have received.\nSue’s vernissage, the official opening of her art exhibition in nearby Pré-en-Pail which I mentioned in my last post, wasn’t a success, I’m afraid. The organisers, those council officials responsible for art & culture, made no effort to create any sort of event. The instructions we received said that we could invite only 3 guests and that the council would issue all other invitations. It’s just as well that our three came, as otherwise there would have been no-one there apart from three officials and two reporters from local papers. This was a real let down for Sue after her successful vernissage at Condé-sur-Sarthe last year. At least we got a couple of free glasses of cider plus some nibbles.\nOn a brighter note, here are a couple of autumnal photos of Alice & George. Alice only goes on short walks now because of her arthritis.\nAnd on an even brighter note, sunset across the road….As the British humorist and author the late Alan Coren once wrote: “Red Sky at Night, Refinery’s Alight”.\nA final word on the Rugby World Cup. It occurred to me that all the matches were played on pristine green pitches. Back in the day, in cooler, wetter climes, you didn’t consider yourself as having played in a REAL game of rugby unless you came off the pitch covered in mud….This is from the 70s. It’s the England forward, Fran Cotton, plus two teammates (?..Who would know?) taking part, I believe, in a match in New Zealand:\nFran Cotton\nJust a thought. It appears to me that as channels of communication multiply, we sometimes find our vocabulary decreasing. There is management speak, of course, with phrases such as “24/7” and “going forward” but I can’t help notice the proliferation of the adjective ‘amazing’. It’s everywhere. I recently heard one person on the radio use that word five times in the same interview. Don’t they know that there is such a thing as a Thesaurus and it isn’t to be found in the Natural History Museum? Astonishing!\nGallery Susan: Here are the latest from Sue’s brush. She has continued with the Maori theme but, lately, she has rowed out further into Polynesia, even as far as Tahiti. I hope the currents bring her back. À Bientôt\nMaori Woman Study #4\nPolynesian Woman with dove & eggs on nest\nTahitian Dreaming\nAutumn leaves….\n…..but not just yet. The first two days of November were gloriously and cloudlessly hot and sunny; all the better to highlight the rich russet textures in the trees, and other such effusions about autumn.We even took breakfast on our terrace on those two days it was so warm.\nPrior to that we had performed the usual end-of-summer rituals such as storing the hammock and the large garden table in the shed as well as lighting the fire. So far, though, the woodburner has only seen service on three evenings. Even though I had previously stocked up with more wood than ever on the basis that, after two mild winters we’re bound to have a brass monkey one, I have this fear of running out of logs before the warmer weather arrives. When this happened two winters ago, our usual supplier had no more on hand so I had to get what I could from other sources, which proved to be rubbish. Will 20 stères (approximately 20 cubic metres) suffice? I’m not confident, though, as the wood I have bought burns too well!\nWilliam the Conkerer.…Perhaps, wherever you are reading this, you won’t have had\nHorse chestnut peek-a-boo\nthe pleasure, but growing up in the Sussex countryside, along with other young lads, I used to enjoy gathering large horse chestnut seeds, drilling a hole through them, threading string through them and playing “conkers” against other boys. The idea was to hit the other boy’s chestnut (conker) and, if possible, split it. Some lads even used to resort to “underhand tactics” such as soaking their conkers in vinegar to toughen them up. What was good for Sussex is also good for Normandy. The grounds of the chateau at Carrouges are littered with conkers and this has led me think about William the Conqueror. As the audio guide at the Bayeux Tapestry tells visitors, after the Battle of Hastings in 1066, The Duke of Normandy went from being\ncalled Guillaume le Bâtard to Guillaume le Conquérant. My theory, though, is that something got lost in translation; he always was a Conqueror, but of the game of conkers. He was nobility after all and if he had wanted to coat his horse chestnut seed\nin lead, who was there to tell him nay? In any case, as like as not they didn’t stop at horse chestnuts but used the heads of men killed in battle! They were tough in them days, ay! If you don’t believe me, think on this: an old English word for head is conk!\nMushroom season almost passed us by. After we returned from Australia and New Zealand we found very few out in the countryside. When two good friends visited us\nWild mushrooms finally tamed.\nfrom Sydney towards the end of September we took them out on a forage for fungi but although we returned with some, there were no real treasures amongst them. In fact, it took longer on our return to decide which ones might kill me – no-one else was game to try any – and which I might survive. Sue and our two friends, Janett & Lisa, have around 60 years experience as scientists. Indeed, Lisa is the CEO of the NSW Food Authority. What\nIt’s so easy to tell the good from the bad!\ndoes she know about anything?! So, after a couple of hours of poring over our guide to mushrooms, their\nconclusion was that they couldn’t definitively rule on any of them but they thought I wouldn’t need a stomach pump. Comforting..not, but it is very difficult sometimes to tell the difference between edible, inedible and downright life-threatening. Each autumn our local pharmacy puts two boards in its window to try and indicate to people which mushrooms are good and which are not so. Some from both sides are almost identical. In this case- Taste test: Bland, but I’m still here.\nBefore went on holiday, we could tell that our Standard Poodle, Alice, was having difficulty moving and that was confirmed after we returned. She has found it increasingly difficult to jump into our car or onto a sofa or a bed (Yes, we’re tough parents, aren’t we!) and she is also having difficulty in climbing stairs. We didn’t really need the vet to tell us that she has arthritis but that issue was, and is, being compounded by her mental state. She has always been a nervous girl, but now, if she slips, she just sits down and gives up. In that situation Sue and I just have to lift her up. I’ve put non-slip tape on the stair treads and we will be buying her an electric blanket. In addition, and on the recommendation of a good friend, we’ve put her on Glyco Flex 3 tablets. These have a high concentration of Glucosamine and MSM plus a host of other ingredients listed in very small print on the jar. I wouldn’t be surprised to find that there is dried essence of eye of newt and toe of bat in there somewhere. Medicos sometimes poo-poo such remedies but my friend says that his dogs have benefited greatly from Glyco Flex and, besides, the medication prescribed by the vet also had Glucosamine and MSM in it.\nThe other treatment Alice is receiving is a weekly session at a hydrotherapy centre near Caen. That’s 86kms away but she is already showing some benefit from a swim in the pool plus massage and heat treatment. She loves the massage and the heat lamp and sleeps well in the car on the way home. Oh, I was amused to discover that, under her jacket, Cecile the hydrotherapist’s work “uniform” is a wetsuit!\nWell, you are meant to be a water dog, Alice!\nAlice on the treatment table\nLa Boulardiere “International” Aerodrome! A couple of sunny Sundays ago, hearing some strange sounds emanating from the field behind our house, I investigated and found a man using it as a launch pad and landing strip for himself and his motorised paraglider. Such excitement in rural France! The “motorised” bit seemed to be just a giant fan that the man strapped to his back. It worked though. He took off effortlessly, flew around for about 30 minutes and then landed again. For the latter operation -landing- it always helps to have some indication of wind direction lest one overshoots and ends up in a pond, or worse. In this case, Monsieur Paraglider had simply stuck a short metal rod into the field and attached a length of red & white barrier tape to it. Simples!\nEvery Hallowe’en for the past several years we have always stocked up on treats for any children who may call round. And every year up to now, we have been left with enough to stock a small candy store because no-one has knocked on the door. This year we decided not to bother, with the inevitable result that two of our neighbours’ children, Darth Vader and The Wicked Witch of the West, came calling. Fortunately, Sue had bought a packet of sweets for use on car journeys. Having never played it myself who decides on whether or not it should be a trick or a treat? What form can tricks take and who performs the trick?\nThis & that, here & there…..What are we going to do now that the Rugby World Cup is over? For the past six weeks or so Sue and I, plus some occasional Kiwi visitors, have enjoyed a feast of great rugby. We won’t talk about England. They disappeared from sight very early on, much to the chagrin, I’m sure, of advertisers on British TV who had used people such as the England captain in their ads on the basis that the national team was bound to make it beyond the first round….wasn’t it?! Fortunately, I had a back-up. Sue was born and brought up in New Zealand so it was an easy task to transfer my loyalties to the eventual, and deserved, winners. She only had one nervous moment. During the last five minutes of the semi-final, with South Africa only two points behind the All Blacks, she had to put her coat on and go for a walk down the road. Up to and beyond the final whistle in the final itself, I though that the highlight had been Japan’s defeat of mighty South Africa. That was, simply, the greatest upset in the history of the world cup, and possibly in the whole history of rugby union. But then, magic happened. After the final, the All Blacks team walked around the pitch at Twickenham on a lap of honour. At one point a young Kiwi lad, only 14 years old, and slightly built, ran onto the pitch to greet the players. Immediately he was crash tackled by a security guard but, one of the New Zealand players, Sonny Bill Williams, stepped in quickly, calmed the situation down, spoke to the young man and took him back to his parents in the stand. So far so good, with everyone happy, but then….SBW took his winner’s medal from around his neck and presented it to the boy. Price of a ticket to the final: probably well north of £200. Win Bonus for the New Zealand players: almost certainly in the tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. The look on that young man’s face after he realised that he had been given a winner’s medal by one of his heroes: Priceless. Look it up on YouTube; it’s worth it.\nCountry matters….A lot of maize remains unharvested in the fields. I’m told that’s because the weather hasn’t been dry enough for the crop to reach full maturity. I wonder if farmers have to give back their EU subsidies?\nI’m used to seeing fields of yellow oilseed rape in the springtime but I’ve noticed several fields of it this autumn. That’s a first for me.\nSorry, this is the best I can find in the way of local wildlife……\nThought for the Day: With the diesel emissions scandal enveloping the Volkswagen group, perhaps Audi should change it’s advertising slogan to read “Vorsprung durch Schwindel”?\nGallery Susan.….Since visiting New Zealand, Sue has taken inspiration from Maori culture. Here is a gallery of her latest work, mostly based on modern Maori women but with a memory of an albino girl she saw in Tonga back in 2000.\nMaori woman with child in a kahu kiwi cloak\nBlue Maori woman\nAlbino Tongan girls\nMaori woman with frill\nMaori girl with baskets\nMaori woman with Pohutekawa\nMaori woman in hat with flowers\nVernissage.…On Friday evening, Sue has a Vernissage (opening) of her work at the Communauté de Communes du Mont Des Avaloirs in our nearby town of Pré-en-Pail. This is an umbrella body responsible for services in 27 local communities. France is a very cultural country and councils have budgets to promote the arts. Last year Sue had an exhibition in the town of Condé-sur-Sarthe, near Alençon, sponsored by the local authority. This time she is closer to home. Last Friday was hanging day and, as you can see from the photo, Sue and I didn’t have to do much. The staff at the Communauté building did it all for us. I’ll let you know soon how the evening went…..À Bientôt!\nTravel broadens the mind\nPosted by Martin Pooley in Just a thought...\nGoodness, you wait nearly two months for a post and then two come along almost at the same time.\nHolidays are, of course, an excellent time to catch up on one’s reading, especially if you throw in extremely long flights at both ends. Thanks to Emirates, (but not so much to Qantas whose range was a little limited) Sue and I watched some excellent movies: “Mr Turner”, Mike Leigh’s film about the painter JMW Turner; “12 Years a Slave” and “Selma” for example. Sue would also like to give an honourable mention to “Boychoir” which stars Dustin Hoffman, and to “The Water Diviner” with Russell Crowe. Our joint pick, though, was “Woman in Gold”, a true story about an elderly Jewish woman’s struggle to regain possession from the Austrian authorities of a famous painting by Gustav Klimt that had been confiscated by the Nazis in the late 1930s. Played by Helen Mirren, Maria Altmann recruits a young, but determined lawyer (Ryan Reynolds) in her quest. Some of the reviews were lukewarm but we both found it moving and inspirational. Emirates was plugging “Furious 7”. We resisted that siren call.\nMy main reason for writing this post, though, is to laud Roberto Saviano’s latest book, “Zero Zero Zero”. The author is Italian and in 2006 published “Gomorrah”, an exposé of the Camorra, the Neapolitan mafia. It was later turned into a film. For daring to lift the lid on the putrid smell of the underbelly of Italy, the godfathers put a price on his head, so that Saviano now has a permanent team of bodyguards from the Carabinieri. I suppose you wouldn’t expect his next work to be a collection of children’s stories but with “Zero Zero Zero”, Saviano has chosen to stay in the underworld rather than pay Charon to ferry him back across the Styx -assuming the ferryman was willing or able to do so. (You might guess from that, that the other book I read on our trip was on Greek & Roman myths and legend). It is about the world of cocaine and is both compelling and depressing. it also made me angry that there are scum out there who not only make huge amounts of money out of human misery but cause it. I think it is an important work and that’s why I’m writing this post. For a critique of the book, I’ve taken the liberty of reprinting my comments on it from the Amazon website. For reasons of brevity, I chose not to mention the tentacles of the Russian and Italian mafias that have probed deeply into this particular underworld and which Saviano also describes.\n“Welcome to the Sewer”\n“The sewer that is all around us. The world of barbarity, evil and also of money, especially of money. It’s the world of cocaine that Roberto Saviano takes us into and, right from the first chapter he is telling the reader that it is all around us. If you live in Europe, as I do, it might be easy to think that the brutal world of Mexican and Colombian cartels is far away and doesn’t really impinge upon us, but Saviano describes how narco money is laundered through western banks with household names and how that money helped finance those banks during the recent GFC.\nAs he did with his book (and movie), “Gomorrah”, on the Neapolitan mafia, the Camorra, this book made me both angry and full of despair. That there are so many people who have made themselves super-rich on producing, transporting and selling cocaine to a receptive public, is bad enough but what makes me despair is the thought that all of “our” efforts hardly put a dent in the drug trade that produces those riches.\nI would like to hasten the day that sees interplanetary travel. Then, convicted narco-traffickers could be deported to a distant plant. At the moment, as Saviano makes clear, too often, these scum often escape justice through such devices as “lack of evidence”. Saviano, though, has another solution in mind: legalisation. Risky? Yes, but attempts at prohibition seem at present to be a Sisyphean task.\nThis is a very important book. I just hope that, with the aid of his many 24hr-a-day Carabinieri minders Roberto Saviano’s voice will make a difference in combating the evil he describes here.”\nAfter I had written that review I came across the latest edition of the respected magazine, ‘The Economist’ at a newsagent. The cover article was entitled “The Two Mexicos” and refers to modernity and poverty. The article completely fails to mention the third Mexico, the one where huge amounts of money are made by the drug cartels, nor does it really say anything of the slaughter of the innocent and not so innocent that is involved in making that money. There is no mention of the drug barons (why are they always barons?) who have whole governments in their back pocket. The only reference is one sentence on the poor whose lives are blighted by the curse of the drug trade: “Violent, drug-related crime stalks Mexico’s scruffy barrios, where city-dwellers live”.\nAh, there you are!\nIt would appear that France survived our absence while we visited friends and family in Sydney and New Zealand. Not only France but our house and “children” also seemed to thrive in the care of our housesitters, Georgie & Peter. At one point they sent us a photo of themselves, together with our dogs, in a bar in nearby Carrouges. Underage drinking, indeed; Alice & George are only 10! Oddly, though, on our return, we found our back garden almost bare of its usual population of birds. Perhaps all the tits, finches and sparrows got fed up with their regular diet of sunflower seeds, fat balls and peanuts, and moved elsewhere. I don’t see any increase in the number of raptors such as buzzards and kestrels so I doubt that they have been the cause.\nI’ll post some photos at the end but this account of our travels will be a collection of observations rather than a day-to-day diary, so you don’t have to worry, at least not unduly so. There will not be any “On Tuesday we visited friends on Auckland’s North Shore”. Promise.\nBut to start at the beginning, there is always a frisson of excitement and anticipation when one sets off on a trip, isn’t there. One of the aspects of France that I’ll miss when we eventually leave here is travelling on the TGV, the High-Speed Train. We took one from Le Mans directly to Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris (CDG). I get a real thrill when I see the sleek, streamlined shape of the TGV as it glides into a station. Well, I used to be a trainspotter in my youth; but I ditched the anorak years ago.\nA word of warning about CDG. Beware the oyster & champagne bars. Perhaps they only have them in the terminals used by the rich arab airlines such as Emirates, but they are still a rip-off. Silly us thinking that the microscopic dob of caviar on a spoon to accompany the aforementioned champagne & oysters that we treated ourselves to was “on the house”. Ha! €10 per spoonful!\nAustralia describes itself as The Lucky Country. Those who live in Sydney with its beautiful harbour and wonderful light certainly are lucky. No tits, finches or sparrows here. Yes, they do have those annoying and noisy Indian Mynahs (pesky immigrants!) but they also have such startlingly colourful birds as Rosellas, King Parrots and Rainbow Lorikeets. The last named even match the Mynahs in decibel level and overall bossiness.\nAt last, Sydney also has -cue fanfare- a working travel card system on its public transport. One was meant to be in place in time for the Sydney Olympics…..in 2000. Hong Kong has had its Octopus card for years and London has the Oyster card. Sydney did have a system but it wasn’t ready in time for the Olympics and it didn’t work anyway. Finally, the city has the Opal card for users to swipe when getting on and off buses, trains and ferries, and it does work.\nBus travel in Sydney is educational. Riding in to North Sydney I was astonished at the number of Asian pupils boarding my bus outside one of Sydney’s selective schools. These are state high schools but you have to pass a test or tests to gain entry. Our son, Jeremy, with whom we stayed, told me that parents of Asian pupils coach their children from about the age of two in order to pass those tests. That’s why their faces predominate.\nI guess the nicest surprise was realising that not every country’s shops shut for two hours over lunchtime and on Monday mornings. In Sydney, many are even open on Sunday! How very unfrench!\nBack at the bus stop, I came across adverts for a new Giorgio Armani men’s fragrance called ‘Profumo’. For people d’un certain age, that name conjures up a somewhat different odour: the smell of scandal. In 1963 a senior British government minister, John Profumo, had to resign his post because he lied to the House of Commons over his involvement with two, ahem, high-class call girls, Christine Keeler and Mandy Rice-Davies. That gave rise to my favourite quote. When it was put to Ms Rice-Davies in the witness box during a court case associated with the scandal that Lord Astor, at whose stately home Profumo had met the two women, denied all the accusations made against him, she replied, simply, “He would, wouldn’t he”. There endeth centuries of forelock-tugging deference to the ruling classes. Unsurprisingly, Armani chose not to use the image of the former Minister of War in its advert.\nThe main purpose of our trip to Sydney was to visit our granddaughter, April. She’s now 2 1/2 and delightful; of course! The Artist Known As Sue gave her painting lessons while we were there. You’ll see the photos later. Her parents, Jeremy & Giselle lead incredibly busy lives so April goes to daycare where, being 2 going on 20, she reportedly bosses all the other little mites.\nA word on architecture. The suburb where Jeremy & Giselle live, and where we stayed, is Castlecrag. The whole suburb and some of the houses were designed by the American architect, Walter Burley Griffin and his wife Marion. Walter designed the city of Canberra, the national capital of Australia. His and Marion’s idea for Castlecrag was to design houses that blend in with the local flora and sandstone rock. They do that but I’m glad he didn’t repeat the exercise for Canberra as I find his Castlecrag houses depressing. Not so the Dr Chau Chak Wing building at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS). It was designed by Frank Gehry, the man who couldn’t create a cuboid building if he tried. His work has the most startling facets and angles. This one is no exception. Photo later, but it bears the name “the squashed brown paper bag” with good reason.\nAnother word, but on Aussie celebrity chefs. We enjoyed catching up with a particular group of friends at the restaurant at the Art Gallery of NSW. The restaurant there is run by Matt Moran, a well-known name in culinary circles in Australia. My meal was average but Sue chose as a starter something called “school prawns”. In Sydney the word prawn conjures up something of a decent size that you can chuck on the barbie as Paul Hogan used to say, or even put a lead on and take for a walk down the road so big are some. These were tiny and reminded me of potted shrimps. Sue said they were barely edible. Guess we should have asked the waiter. At least the wine, conversation and ambience was good.\nI’ve discovered a new figure of hate. It’s called Travelex. The currency exchange people have refined the term usury. Normally when exchanging Aussie dollars for the New Zealand variety you come away with more in your hand. Not with Travelex you don’t. When Sue exchanged AUD300 at Sydney Airport she only received NZD270 in return. And Travelex now monopolise airport exchange bureaux. Still, the reason she had the cash in the first place is because she had sold some of her paintings whilst in Sydney. Sue did the same in N.Z. She sold some of her art both to friends and at a stall at the sunday market run by her brother.\nI really do like New Zealand, and New Zealanders; when I can understand them, that is. Those who know the old chestnuts about sex/six/sux and fush and chups know what I’m talking about. For me NZ has always been the quiet achiever. It has arguably the best rugby union side in the world. And when their yachtsmen won the Americas Cup, the noisy, brash neighbours on the other side of the Tasman -or the ditch, as the Kiwis like to say- ignored the return fixture in Auckland totally. Those could be said to be niche activities, but they do make some excellent wines; Sauvignon Blanc from the Marlborough region of the South island in particular. In addition, NZ is busy making itself the adventure capital of the world with all sorts of wild on- and off-water activities. That’s when they aren’t cashing in on the Middle Earth/Lord of The Rings phenomenon. Native, i.e. Maori, culture is very strong. Indeed, I saw numerous adverts inviting applicants for positions in Maori tourism. But how do you pronounce the word? The traditional method for us pãkehã (people of European descent) has been ‘Mowri’, but lately I have heard something halfway between ‘Maari’ and ‘Moori’ spoken by people in a position to know, like Sue’s niece, Polly, who until recently held an important position in Maori affairs in the government in Wellington. Oh, and the Kiwis definitely have a sense of humour; Air New Zealand’s inflight safety videos are never less than entertaining. They certainly get your attention. And see the photo later on of the “recycling” bin in Auckland.\nApart from visiting Sue’s brother and partner, Mike & Gwyn, in Auckland we also spent time with Sue’s very good friend, Gill, on the Bay of Plenty, a few hours drive to the ESE of Auckland. If Australia is the Lucky Country, Gill is a lucky lady. She lives in a beautiful spot, atop a cliff with views out to sea and native NZ birds in the pohutekawa trees around her house. It wasn’t all beach walks and bird watching though. We have decided to sell our 15th century house in France; That will go on the market next northern spring and we plan to buy a house in NZ in that area, probably in or near Opotiki or Whakatane. We looked at several and most were at ‘popular prices’ i.e. we like ’em!\nThe Butterfly Effect theory says that a butterfly that flaps its wings in the Amazon can cause a hurricane in New Mexico, or some such. Well, there is something in that. While we were in NZ there was an earthquake and tsunami in Chile. Even though the effect where we were wasn’t very large, there was, as a result, a 50cm swell that hit the East coast of New Zealand’s North Island at Gisborne on the other side of the Pacific. The tsunami alert was enough to warrant the local Civil Defence volunteer, one of Gill’s friends, alerting everyone in her local community. What they are really concerned about, though, is an eruption of the volcano on White Island, 50kms offshore and very visible. But as you can see from one of the photos below, the Tsunami Warning System at Opotiki is on constant alert!\nWhile on the subject of knock-on effects, the refugee crisis in Europe has washed ashore in Wellington. The government there has agreed to double its intake of refugees; that is only from 750 to 1500 but NZ is a small country where sheep outnumber people (just…I think) and it was a change made willingly without all the bickering and fuss that has gone on within the EU. What there is a fuss about is the Prime Minister, John Key’s desire to change the New Zealand flag. My radar detected that the whole business is a non-issue and people are happy to stay with the one they’ve got.\nSue’s brother-in-law lives just outside Auckland near Ardmore Airport. That is the home of NZ Warbirds, an association dedicated to the preservation and operation of ex-military aircraft. How nice of them to give us a flying display to remember NZ by on the day we left Auckland on the first stage of our journey back to France. There were Tiger Moths (in the plural) and Harvards and there may even have been a Mustang or two. The camera I had with me wouldn’t have been able to capture them adequately as they flew overhead so I have stolen a couple of photos from the nzwarbirds.org.nz website.\nMeanwhile, back in France, we missed the fifth French season, La Rentrée, the first full week in September when schools and government departments re-open after the summer holidays, but arrived back in time for the first week of the hunting season. What that means is: don’t walk in the woods at the weekends with your dogs and make sure your cats are safe and not out there acting as target practice for hunters.\nThere are other flying hazards. Driving past the prison at Condé-sur-Sarthe last week I noticed that there is netting over the entire prison area. Looks like the authorities have woken up to the many uses of drones!\nIt wasn’t a completely soft landing. Before we left on vacation we had noticed that Alice, our Standard Poodle, was having difficulty climbing into our car, but we discovered on our return that her condition had worsened and she is now on anti-inflammatory arthritis medication. We are also looking at taking her for regular hydrotherapy sessions at a centre near Caen. I guess she is 10 years old and old age comes to all of us, unless you are Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin und so weiter, but we don’t like to think of the future.\nI’m sorry but I don’t have any new art from Sue to show you. She has only just (today) started painting again after our return and after a visit from a lovely, bright & breezy, and stimulating couple of Australian friends. She is working on painting modern Maori women. I’ll include some images in my next post. I’m not sure when that will be. I hope to maintain one post per month but, frankly, I’m running out of topics.\nEnfin, we come, of course, to the German language…..The other topic that I’m not going to mention is the rugby world cup, especially now that England have been eliminated, thanks in large part to a defeat against Wales. The Celts have been crowing, as they always do when they beat England in any sporting contest. The word that describes their feeling rather well is Schadenfreude, that wonderful Teutonic word which describes delight in the misfortune of others. I have another for you: Altenlebensangst: the dread of meeting, quite by chance, someone from your past life, whom you had hoped never to see again, while walking down the street. For example it could be the date you stood up and left standing in the rain at a bus stop. I have a dread of meeting some folk who once turned up at Gatwick Airport to catch a flight to Athens to play a game of football but…that’s for another time! Here’s another one: Fotogelegenheitshoffnung: that secret hope that you will be in the right place at the right time with your camera or smartphone ready when something completely unexpected happens. The photo you take goes on to make millions for you when you sell it to media outlets. I mean, a Martian spacecraft could land in the field next to you……\nHere are the promised photos. Just run your cursor over the photos and the captions will appear…..À Bientôt\nDriftwood sculpture on Bryans Beach, Ohiwa. The footwear are called jandals in NZ\nSeal of Disapproval. It barked at me. Bryans Beach, Ohiwa, Bay of Plenty, NZ\nApril’s first art lesson with Sue\nBeautiful grass on Bryans Beach, Ohiwa, Bay of Plenty, NZ\nWalter Burley Griffin house, Castlecrag, Sydney\nSold! Two of Sue’s triptychs in their new home in New Zealand\nTiger Moth at Ardmore Airport, Auckland\nHarvard out of Ardmore Airport, Auckland\nSue at her stall at Clevedon market, Auckland.\nFrank Gehrey-designed building at UTS, Sydney.\nTsunami “Early Warning System”, Opotiki, Bay of Plenty, NZ. Love the bicycle!\nBring out your dead! Bin in Auckland.\nView from our bedroom at our friend Gill’s house, Bryans Beach Ohiwa, Bay of Plenty, NZ\nCall it what it is; it’s not a septic tank it’s a poo tank!\nJust a quickie…..\n….to say that Sue and I are going on holiday in a couple of days. We’re heading to Sydney and then on to New Zealand to VFR – Visit Friends & Relatives. We left Sydney three years ago and, for me, it will be my first time back there since.\nThis will be rather short as, frankly, I’ve found little to write about of late. There are no migrant crises in rural western France. They are all around Calais; the migrants and the crises. The farmers hereabouts haven’t been staging protests such as pouring milk all over the roads and\nHarvest time on Orgères\nherding their cattle through supermarkets to complain about farm gate prices for their products. And now that the Tour de France is in the past tense, the French have stopped moaning about a Brit, Chris Froome, winning ‘their’ tournament. It’s all been rather sleepy, really. Well, perhaps not for the farmers. They haven’t been protesting because they have been busy harvesting the many fields of wheat. As we can testify, it’s been a 24hr-a-day operation. Fortunately, the weather has been kind and the crop gathered in while the weather was dry. Next month, it’s the turn of the maize for the chop.\nOne for the road…..\n“Every day is a faded sign” according to a song by Sheryl Crow. That reminded me of an aspect of France that I’ve not touched on before, and which I would like to mention before we head off. It’s the old habit of painting adverts on the side of buildings. These days, so much of life is transient, especially advertising; through technology, adverts can roll around in quick order so a great variety of products and services can appear before you in a very short space of time. It wasn’t always thus; I still see the faded remnants of advertising that provide a reminder of, perhaps, a less transitory age. Here’s a Martini ad. Back then, scrolling down to the next advert meant waiting a day or two while painters got to work.\nIn other French news….\nMigrants seeking a better life in Britain continue to congregate at Calais seeking any way, no matter how dangerous, to cross over or under La Manche in search of what they obviously see as a pot of gold at the British end of the rainbow. This situation has caused chaos in the transport industry in Britain with thousands of trucks backed up on the approaches to the Channel Tunnel at Folkestone in Kent, unable to proceed further. The tunnel has had to be closed on numerous occasions because of ‘incursions’ by migrants. Fingers have been pointed in various directions but surely, the best solution would be to set up an assessment centre near Calais. Those who are genuine asylum seekers, fleeing persecution in countries such as Syria and Iraq, could be granted entry into Britain or other EU country while economic migrants could be returned whence they came. There is no orderly queue or ‘front door’ where genuine asylum seekers come from. For economic migrants, sorry, apply through your local consulate or embassy.\nEvery year, during August, to make up for the lack of a proper beach of their own, the city authorities in Paris create one along the banks of the Seine; palm trees, sand, the works. This year, in honour of one of the cities Paris is twinned with, the mayor, Anne Hidalgo, decided to hold a “Tel Aviv sur Seine” festival. This did not go down well with everyone. Pro-Palestinians held their own “Gaza-sur-Seine” event next door while police had to screen those who wanted to take part in the Tel Aviv event. The timing was unfortunate for Tel Aviv as it is just about a year since Israel launched attacks into Gaza including one missile attack that killed Palestinian youths playing soccer on a Gaza beach.\nContinuing the ‘holiday’ theme, I know that the south of France is very popular with visitors, especially during July and August but I had no idea that the whole of Holland and hordes of Belgians decamp there. While in the Ardèche last month, it seemed to me that every other car on the road had Dutch or Belgian plates, many towing trailers full of camping gear. Nearer to where we live, on the border between Pays de la Loire and Lower Normandy, foreign plates are less numerous but mostly British. It’s not too far from the Channel ferry ports. You can also spot the Brits of a certain class; they affect shorts, sandals and black socks….\nFinally, before heading out the door, here are some of Sue’s latest works, all as lovely as ever…..\nLady in Broad-Brimmed Hat & Pearls\nBallet Dancer en Pointe in Beige\nLady in Cerise Cocktail Dress\nA Prehistoric Sistine Chapel…..\n…is the best way I can think of to describe the Palaeolithic cave art of the Caverne du Pont d’Arc in the Ardèche region of southern France. Also known as the Grotte Chauvet after one of the three speleologists who first discovered the cave in December 1994, it contains spectacular rock art that has been radio carbon-dated back to 36,000BP*.\nAs with the much later cave at Lascaux in the Dordogne, the actual site is not accessible to the public. Too much carbon dioxide from human breath would destroy the paintings. To allow visitors to appreciate these prehistoric wonders, the French have spent a vast amount of money, time and effort to recreate exact replicas at both sites. In the case of Grotte Chauvet, 8500m2 of the real thing have been reduced to 3000m2, partially because some areas of the original are difficult to access and also because through the technology used, you supposedly get a realistic impression of the original volume.\nSue and I visited Lascaux last year and were very impressed so when the replica Grotte Chauvet was opened in April of this year, we booked our tickets straight away. We were not to be disappointed.\nGetting there wasn’t easy for us. The limestone country of the Ardèche is deeply scarred by gorges. It provides for spectacularly beautiful scenery but does nothing for our vertigo! On the way home, for our peace of mind, we took a 100km detour through less nerve-wracking countryside. Limestone, though, means not only gorges, but caves as well, hence the presence of Palaeolithic man. Caves mean shelter.\nThis newly opened reproduction is about 7-8km from the original which, in turn, is close to the Pont d’Arc itself that straddles the River Ardèche (see photo below). I guess we had high expectations but the overall effect is stunning. The quality of the reproductions force you to suspend disbelief. You are transported back in time. Not only has the cave, with its art, been reproduced authentically, but so have the temperature, humidity and light (the last-named with a little modern help of course). Then there is the art itself.\nThe artists didn’t live in the cave. Well, you wouldn’t if it was occupied by such as cave bears during their winter hibernation, would you. But in the summer, when the bears were away, the artists did play. What they depicted were a wide variety of beasts including bears, lions, woolly mammoths, woolly rhinoceroses, ibex, horses and megaloceros elk. What they didn’t paint was the human form. There are hand prints, both positive and negative, but no men, women or children. That throws up questions such as why did they paint what they did, and why did they paint at all? To the latter I would answer that the urge to depict the world around has been with us for a very long time; at least 36000 years! To the first question, one theory I have read speculates that to enter the cave was to enter the world of the spirits and perhaps even meet them. These spirits, the theory continues, can emerge from and disappear into the rock itself. The cave bear could have been seen as a messenger between the supernatural and natural worlds. At one spot in the cave there is a bear skull on a large altar-like stone and surrounded by other skulls on the floor of the cave so perhaps a form of worship took place. In this shamanistic world, spirits can take animal form so perhaps reproducing them in art form was also a type of worship.\nWhatever the motive, the art itself is spectacular. the skill of these 36,000 year-old artists is awe-inspiring, no matter if it was in red ochre, charcoal or in finger painting on soft rock. Perspectival accuracy is astonishing. Michelangelo may have lain on his back for three years painting that Sistine Chapel ceiling but these guys using just charcoal sticks for light as well as for drawing, created something truly wonderful. At the end of the hour-long guided tour we both felt that we had had something of an emotional, if not to say, spiritual, experience.\n*BP = Before Present. As we discovered, “Present” means 1950 in archaeological terms\nHere are some images. They are all off the internet as photography is NOT permitted inside the cave.\nWonderful depiction of movement in the rhinoceros!\nHorse drawn in soft rock\nInterior of the reproduction cavern\nPont d’Arc over the Ardèche river\nHand print .why hand prints? Don’t know.\nLions & horses\nHorses etc.\nExterior of the cavern.\n… of the Tour de France, from the home of a great cheese, Livarot in Lower Normandy, to Fougères in Brittany, duly arrived in our village of Lignières-Orgères on the 10th of July, as I mentioned it would in my last post. And everyone was en fȇte -in holiday mode. Madame at the boulangerie had prepared a good supply of crudités and the cafe/bar had provided tables and chairs on the pavement under an awning. Monsieur Le Patron was busy all the while ferrying drinks out to thirsty customers on what was a bright blue 30ºC+ day. It must have been his busiest time for years. The local pompiers (firemen) seemed to enjoy their beers. Fortunately for them I guess, they didn’t get called out.\nOur friends Mike & Mathilde came down from Paris for the show and on the ‘first-in-best-dressed’ basis we took up our positions at around 1130, nearly 2 hours before the arrival of le caravane, the cavalcade of sponsors’ and advertisers’ vehicles, and 3 1/2hrs prior to the expected entry of the gladiators themselves. Supplies of paté, cheese, ham and bread had been laid in, as well some Prosecco – well, we’re all European now and it’s cheaper than champagne. And so we waited.\nThere wasn’t an overabundance of banners to welcome Le Tour but the two young girls next to us created a great atmosphere all on their own, dressed as they were in red, white and blue wigs and waving tricolours. They became particularly animated, as everyone did, when le caravane rolled through. All manner of freebies were thrown to the waiting crowds. Fortunately there was nothing that could cause much damage. Included in the cavalcade of vehicles were mobile shops selling various items of Tour merchandise. They performed several laps of the track to rake in every last euro they could. A couple of helicopters overhead got people excited but they proved to be just carrying tv crews who were filming footage of the route to edit into coverage of the race itself. A friend in Sydney spotted the War Memorial in Lignieres from aerial shots of our village, but not us, even though we were only about 3 metres away from it.\nAnd then, real excitement, the arrival of a breakaway group of 5 cyclists, les échappés, including an Eritrean rider who was not only the first African rider ever in Le Tour but certainly the first to wear the polka dot jersey which denotes the current King of the Mountains, the best hill climber. Whoosh, gone! It was almost as quick as that. They had to slow down for the s-bend past the café/bar, but for the most part, on flat stages such as this one, riders average over 50kmph. A few minutes after that, more woosh,gone! This time it was le peloton, the rest of the chasing pack, so it was an elongated w-o-o-o-sh. I would like to say I spotted some great names such as Chris Froome, Alberto Contador and Mark Cavendish but it was all too quick and, besides I was concentrating on taking photos.\nAnd that was that. Almost immediately after the last cyclist had passed, someone in a support vehicle announced that it was all over. Other people started clearing barriers from road junctions and everyone, including us, packed up and went home. Fortunately, on the way, we dropped in to see friends and discovered that Le Tour is being broadcast live on free-to-air TV, instead of just on Sky, as I had thought, so we were able to watch the “Manx Missile”, Mark Cavendish win a thrilling sprint finish. After several disappointing stages for him, that really put the icing on the cake for us.\nHere are some images of the day\nMore of the caravan\nLe Peloton – that could be Chris Froome in the dark Sky jersey on the left!\nVillagers getting very excited over the arrival of Le Tour!\nAnother carnival float\nSue taking a photo of Martin taking a photo of the breakaway.\nPart of Le Caravane\nBienvenue in Mayenne! (Our Département)\nMobile Tour shop\n…since I last posted anything here. Blame it on the belated arrival of summer, with temperatures to match. Villages are holding their summer fȇtes and vides greniers (French car boot sales) while outdoor activities are advertised everywhere. But it feels as if the countryside has moved to that mythical land of Soporifia. In our local village of Lignières-Orgères, on the other hand, excitement is building ahead of Friday 10July. This is the day when the Tour de France, the world’s greatest cycle race, rolls right through le village. Everything is precisely planned. A few weeks ago I dropped into our local mairie (town hall) to ask the lovely Isabelle approximately what time would le caravane and les cyclistes be coming through. There’s no ‘approximately’ about it. Le caravane, the cavalcade of sponsors’ and advertisers’ vehicles that precedes the race itself and from where freebies such as caps and other goodies are thrown to the waiting crowds, will start to arrive at precisely 1317 local time. The cyclists are expected at 1504. It’s that exact. We saw le tour pass near here 8 years ago. Le caravane was the most entertaining part as it took at least 45 minutes for all the vehicles to make their way through, while the cyclists went past in a flash. We then went home and watched the rest on Sky. Not this time; no Sky. If you are a major sponsor of the Tour de France, it must be like the exposure afforded to those who advertise during the Super Bowl. I wonder how much Skoda pays, as it provides all the vehicles? There’s a downside to the jollity, though. A few years ago, large polystyrene hands were thrown to the throng. One young chap waved his hand so vigorously that it hit and injured one of the cyclists. If you’ve ever watched any of the Tour, especially any of the mountain stages, you may have seen a madman dressed all in red as a devil, complete with pitchfork, running alongside some of the riders. For the record that is not and will not be me. I’ll be trying to take photos, particularly of the Manx Missile, Mark Cavendish. The early stages of the race, such as this one, are sprinter territory as they are fairly flat. I’m hoping he can add to his tally of 25 stage wins. I expect there will be more in evidence on the day but here are a couple of early signs of excitement. Don’t hold out much hope for the guy on the bike in the window of our village shop. Even if he starts now, he stands no chance. As everyone knows, you’ve got to have all that go-faster Lycra stuff to succeed in cycling. I like the inclusion of ‘cycliste’ in the banner. Do you mean that there are people who don’t know what the Tour de France is?!\nIt all kicks off today in Utrecht, Holland,the home of the bicycle. I just hope that by the time it reaches here, the cobbles of Holland, Belgium and northern France haven’t led to riders crashing out of the tour through injury.\nCoat of Arms of Normandy\n“Three Lions on the shirt…” As the Tour negotiates Normandy, you may well see images of the Normandy coat of arms. It features two lions, or leopards. In heraldic terms they are Gules two lions passant gardant in pale or armed and languid azure. (Isn’t the internet wonderful!) If British people think they look familiar it is because they are. Those arms are based on William the Conqueror’s coat of arms which went on to become the basis for the royal arms of England after his successful invasion. They haven’t changed since the reign of Richard I in the Middle Ages. The only major difference\nRoyal Arms of England\napart from the number of lions – 3 instead of 2-\nEngland football shirt\nis that the tails are different. The reference in the opening sentence to “three lions on the shirt” refers to the badge on the shirts worn by England footballers. In addition, the England women’s team, which has just been knocked out at the semi-final stage of the women’s world cup in Canada, calls itself the Lionesses in honour of the badge.\nDifferent countries have different pests. Those cute-looking possums, for example, are pests in New Zealand. I have a hot-water bottle cover made from possum fur. Here, pests are called nuisibles. As I’ve mentioned before, coypu (ragondins) destroy river banks and are definitely persona non grata. So are crows, and not just from attacking crops. The pair of geese at the chateau at Carrouges, one of which I showed a photo of in my post of 12April, recently produced 5 goslings. Only one remains and when that “disappeared” a week or two ago, I asked one of the staff there what had happened. He told me that the little chap is now in witness protection after crows had killed the other 4. I reckon it’ll be the case of the century. “Which one did it to your brothers & sister?” “It was a black one!”. “OK guys, you know who to look for. Go get him!” I guess it’s no accident that the collective noun for a number of crows is a murder. As an aside, the collective noun for owls is a parliament. Owls are meant to be wise, but parliamentarians?\nTerrorism in Normandy? I took this photo as a joke but after recent events in the south-east of France when a man was beheaded, thus showing such attacks can occur anytime and anywhere, it pays to be vigilant. Still, I think this is innocent enough… Abu Hamza is currently serving life imprisonment in the US for terrorist offences after being extradited from Britain. The car has Belgian plates, though, and it was there that police carried out arrests in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo and Jewish grocery store attacks. Mmm.\nMeanwhile in other French news….\n– The 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo in Belgium has just been commemorated. Result of the battle: Anglo/Prussian Alliance 1: France 0. To commemorate the event, Belgium wanted to mint a €2 coin. To some French, that battle never happened. As I mentioned in a recent post, the author of a book on D-Day wrote that General de Gaulle managed to write a complete history of the French army without once mentioning the defeat. So, France said non! to the coin. A compromise was reached, of course. Political Europe is good at fudges and compromises. A €2.5 coin was minted but it is only legal tender in Belgium. Honneur satisfied?\n– It is sometimes said that if you can remember the 60s, you weren’t there. I can, so, obviously I wasn’t. I remember that one of the leaders of the momentous student-led uprising in Paris in 1968 was Daniel Cohn-Bendit. Do you remember him? I was surprised to learn recently that he is still around! I even heard him talk on the radio. After all these years, France has now granted this German-born man citizenship. Not to be left out, for reasons best known to themselves, Russia has placed him on a list of people whom they will not allow to enter that country. I’m sure he is heartbroken.\n– Another person whose potential travel plans have been upset is Julian Assange. Bizarrely, he wrote an open letter to President Hollande which was published in Le Monde newspaper, asking, we were told, for asylum in France. Assange’s lawyers denied that he was asking for such treatment, but the office of the President turned him down anyway on the very good grounds that there is a European arrest warrant out for him. The Swedes would like to talk to him about rape charges.\n– Ségolène Royal, the president’s former partner, is the Minister of, among other things, Ecology. She’s made the news for two reasons recently. She said on live TV that Nutella should be banned because of the decimation of palm trees because of the use of palm oil in the spread. What is she thinking of? So many people think that Nutella is delicious that she was forced to apologise. She’s also bringing in a ban next year on Round Up, the weed and everything else around it killer. I don’t have that on toast in the morning so she’s safe there.\n– Greece. OK, it’s not France but the fate of that country is important. On the day before the referendum in Greece on whether or not to accept the terms offered by the EU and others, I’m hoping for a “No” vote. The Greeks may have contributed to their woes in the past but the terms of the bailout since 2010 have resulted in the Greek economy shrinking by 25%. The Euro is a political construct and the various bodies such as the European Commission and the European Central Bank just want Greece to “get with the programme”. They don’t care for the suffering of the Greek people. They want to get rid of the Syriza government. Even the IMF is now saying that the austerity measures foisted upon Greece are unsustainable. That did not prevent Charlie Hebdo depicting the head of the IMF, Christine Lagarde, waterboarding a Greek on its front cover recently.\nPhoto Gallery. Here are some recent images….(roll the cursor over the photos to see the captions)\nWe appear to have redcurrants in our garden!\nFront-of-House\nHow now brown cow? Or several reasons to turn vegetarian.\nAnd finally….As ever, here are some of Sue’s paintings. She was asked recently to enter a competition by an art gallery in London. These are the three works she has chosen. I think they are all great but this gallery doesn’t go in much for figurative art so we shall see….À Bientôt\nYellow Nude with Pink Flower\n1920s Lady with Pearls\nLittle Ethiopian Princess\nBaguette-o-mat\n….Our daily bread. The French love the stuff, but it has to be fresh. Leave it overnight and you can use it as aggregate for a new driveway. But what to do if your local boulangerie est fermée? Why, hotfoot it down to your local baguette-o-mat! I thought that the Japanese had refined the art of the vending machine; you can get just about anything out of a dispenser there, but I’ve never seen one that coughs up bread.\nGrandes Randonnées are a feature of France. These long-distance paths criss-cross Europe so you can go on very grand walks indeed. The phrase reportedly used by Captain Oates in the Antarctic, “I’m just going outside. I may be some time.” could certainly apply here. There are 60,000kms of Grandes Randonnées in France alone. The one signposted here is GR22\nLes Chemins de Mont Saint Michel\nand is relatively short. It starts not far to the east of us and wends its way westward to the abbey at Mont St Michel. As you may imagine, it’s an old pilgrimage route, as indicated by the shell symbol. The colouring for GR signs is red and white but this sign is in yellow because it’s also part of a local network of paths, Petites Randonnées. Every village has a network of these but for my taste too much of the length of these shorter paths is on road. As for walking to Mont St Michel, we prefer to take the car.\nBocage near Lignières-Orgères.\nI mention footpaths because it leads me back to the subject of D-Day and the battle for Normandy, which I wrote about in my last post. Like me, you may well have heard of the bitter fighting that took place among the hedgerows & small fields -the bocage– of the Normandy countryside. I had never given much thought to what that word meant, but Antony Beevor’s book, which I also referred to last time, provided me with a description of sunken lanes between high hedgerows lining postage stamp-sized fields. Allied troop losses in that fighting were high because it was easy for German units to mount ambushes from the thick foliage of high summer as the Allies tried to advance. And then it really came home to me the other day as I walked our dogs up one of those narrow tracks overhung with a dense green canopy. It was a very pretty scene but the thought that there might be a company of men in field-grey uniform waiting unseen round the next bend must have terrified Allied troops.\nBeevor’s book is an excellent account of the D-Day campaign and eventual breakout towards the Seine and beyond, but what stand out for me are the personal vignettes and occasional flashes of humour. On the morning of D-Day a young student nurse returned to a beach hut on Sword Beach to retrieve the swimming costume she had left there the previous day. Finding so many wounded soldiers she set to and tended to them eventually meeting a British officer whom she later married….I find it difficult to imagine anyone willingly walking into what must have been an apocalyptic scene, but then I wasn’t there. I was also amused at stories of British infantry men who felt it was their right, as they advanced up the beach, to stop for a “brew up”, a cup of tea! And there was the Frenchman who tried to charge Allied soldiers 100 Francs for wine and Calvados on the basis that that was what he charged the Germans. The best story I came across, though, was of the French gendarme who, on the day after D-Day, arrested 3 local woman who had set up a brothel in a wrecked landing craft on one of the beaches used for the landings. That’s enterprise for you!\nSurprisingly the humour comes from the German side. Much as British troops at Dunkirk in 1940 are supposed to have criticised the RAF for being conspicuous by its absence, so the German troops in Normandy despaired of seeing the Luftwaffe come to their aid. The joke was that if you saw silver planes, they were American; khaki-coloured planes were British; but if you saw no planes, that was the Luftwaffe. Another joke concerned the K-rations given to American servicemen. They weren’t popular because the high salt content caused constipation. These same rations were also handed out to German prisoners-of-war. They said that that constituted a breach of the Geneva Convention.\nBoeuf Francais\nIt’s a cow…..Not that we eat much of the stuff but it took us ages to realise that French cuts of beef are different from both British and American ones. Well, the French are different of course. The meat is different, too. Neither Sue nor I are particularly fond of the popular cuts such as faux-filet but what we do like, filet, is just too expensive for us. As a comparison, here are diagrams of French, British and American cows. I have to tell you, though, that they don’t look\nBritish beef\nMurcan cows look like this\nlike that in the fields…\nMeadow flowers & broom\nYellow fields of Oilseed Rape have disappeared. Well, the flowers have but not the plants. I still think my theory that the farmers are in it just for the EU subsidies holds true as the crop itself is still in the fields. There is still colour a-plenty to be found everywhere and much of it yellow with broom and roses in flower. French meadows are a particular delight and especially colourful, with pink, white and deep cadmium red, as well as yellow.\nRose at Carrouges\nYellow Flag Irises at Carrouges\nWhile on the subject of colour, although the weather over the past few days has been cool and overcast, we have had some sunny periods this spring. On bright blue cloudless days, from the many condensation trails** it’s obvious that overhead our part of France are high-level aerial autoroutes. But even after a lifetime spent working at the civil aviation coalface, I still look up and think “I wonder where they are going?”. I also think of those lines from “Amelia” by Joni Mitchell: “I dreamed of 747s over geometric farms” They may have such regularity in Kansas or, where Joni comes from, in Canada, but here it’s small irregular fields and all that bocage that passengers are looking at from 37,000ft.\n**By the way, I’m not one of those conspiracy theorists who believe (seriously) that what one sees is not condensation at all but trails of chemicals that “they” are using to control both us and the environment. Wikipedia even has a page (Chem Trails) on the subject.\n“We’re from the EU, we’re here to help”. As I have mentioned before, Amazon is a real boon, especially if, like us, you don’t live within easy reach of a grand metropolis. Normally, of course, like most people I discard the packaging and concentrate on what’s inside, but when a book I had ordered arrived last week, I was curious about a yellow diamond-shaped sticker on the outside. Initially it occurred to me that for certain people of a certain age yellow diamonds or stars can have an unfortunate connotation, but it was the wording that intrigued me. It almost goes without saying that, these days, you can type just about anything into Google and come up with an answer. An exception is, as a friend told me recently: “Is there anything you can’t look up in Google?” There was no meaningful reply to that one, he told me. What I learned, in this case, is that, what this sticker means is that, although the package was transported within Europe by a European transport company, it originated outside the EU and customs duties and other fees are still liable to be paid. By whom? My search didn’t enlighten me on that aspect and I’ve not been asked for any money. It’s all a bit odd as I ordered the book from Amazon in the U.K. and the packet arrived with a German postmark. My thought in all this, though, is how many hours/days/weeks/months were spent in committee in Brussels producing these regulations and labelling requirements? And how many volumes do they occupy?\nIn other news from France….\n– The centre-right political party UMP, which is led by the former and, he hopes, future president of France, Nicholas Sarkozy, has renamed itself “Les Républicains”. I reckon it was a smart move as it means they can lay claim to the values of the French republic: Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité. Their main opponents, the Socialists, fought it in the courts but lost. I wonder if Les Républicains will receive fraternal greetings from across the Atlantic? Possibly not, as the Republicans in Washington once mocked John Kerry for speaking French, so they would not want to be hoisted with their own petard.\n– The Panthéon in Paris, as you may know, is the mausoleum where the remains of some of France’s greatest citizens are interred. Recently four members of the Resistance from WWII were ceremonially reburied there. I say ceremonially because the coffins contained only soil from their graves. Their living relatives had not wanted their remains disturbed. What gave the event a greater importance than it already had, was that two of the people were women. Prior to that, the only woman in the Panthéon had been Marie Curie. Yes, she was born in Poland but she became a French citizen.\n– Some good news. France has passed a law that requires supermarkets over a certain size to pass food, that has passed its sell-by date or has failed to meet other requirements, on to charities that help the poor. Up to now large food retailers had not only thrown such food out but had poured bleach on it to combat vermin. In our year in England prior to returning to France, one of the churches we attended ran a food bank. It shocked me because this was in The Cotswolds, one of the most prosperous areas of Britain.\n– Finally, not a French item but a phrase to add to modern jargon. Listening to BBC Radio 4 the other morning I heard an interview with the CFO of Ryanair. The airline had just posted record profits. The interviewer questioned the man on Ryanair’s history of poor customer relations. In his answers the CFO kept referring to their improved “product offering”. I must remember that. A seat is not a seat it’s a…..And paying extra for every last thing is just part of their “product offering”.\nStudio Sue has been really busy of late. Here are just four examples of the lovely work she is producing…..À Bientôt!\nBrown Study\nFlower Print Lady\nLa Couloir de la Mort\nThe Corridor of Death\nThe Corridor of Death is the sort of road sign that tends to get your attention, isn’t it. This one is not a comment on the speed of modern drivers but refers to events during the battle for Normandy in August 1944.\nInstead of attending the 8th of May VE Day commemorations in our local village, as we did last year, Sue and I drove to Montormel, about 45-50kms away, where a memorial and a museum commemorate the last battle in the liberation of Normandy post D-Day.\nIn mid-August 1944 Allied forces, American, French, British, Canadian and Polish, were closing in on and surrounding the German VIIth Army as it tried to retreat eastwards towards the Seine through what became known as the Falaise pocket. There were few avenues of retreat and all within range of allied bombardment, especially from the heights of Montormel overlooking the valley of the River Dives. As the noose tightened, the destruction of German men, equipment and horses became ever more devastating, hence the name given to one of those roads. Only a couple of days afterwards, viewing the carnage, Eisenhower declared that it resembled Dante’s Inferno. The images at the museum, of dead and dismembered horses are particularly upsetting\nToday, that memorial and museum occupy the top of what was known as Hill 262, Mont Ormel. From here the Poles were able to seal off the last escape route but it wasn’t all plain sailing as they found themselves being attacked from the rear by a Panzer corps.\nThe museum has an excellent audio/visual animated map display as well as other descriptive signs and plaques to guide you through the battle . From these you get a good sense of the destruction that took place and the role played by the various allied units – especially the heroic actions of the Poles – but the museum displays don’t offer opinions. For those I went to the British historian Anthony Beevor’s authoritative, you might even say magisterial, account: “D-Day – The Battle for Normandy”. From that book I learned that Montgomery, the British general in charge of the operation, came in for a great deal of criticism from his own people for indecision in failing to close the gap soon enough, thus allowing many Germans to escape. In addition, one senior Canadian officer was relieved of his command for failing to support the hard-pressed Poles. I also learned that, so confined was the battleground in the late stages, friendly fire incidents were common. “Look out boys, it might be one of ours” was a common cry.\nNumbers vary depending on which account you read but between 20,000 and 50,000 German soldiers were able to escape eastwards while 50,000 were taken prisoner and 10,000 were killed. Sobering figures. It’s fitting, therefore, that one of the pieces of sculpture in what is known as The European Way of Peace – in fact, I think it’s the first- is at the memorial at Montormel. Below are some photos from there but as a coda, a couple of matters arising from the book I referred to. The cover photo of the paperback edition that I bought is taken from a landing craft and looking out of the bow towards US infantry wading towards the shore. Inside the vessel is a lifebuoy. They obviously didn’t want anybody to drown before they had had a chance to be shot at by the enemy. Secondly, I came across one line in the book that made me laugh out loud. So totally Franco-centric was the leader of the Free French forces that, as the author says: “Only de Gaulle could have written a history of the French army and manage to make no mention of the Battle of Waterloo”\nThe valley of the Dives from Montormel through which the Corridor of Death ran. Looks very peaceful today!\nLa Couloir de la Mort then and now.\nMemorial at Montormel\nExplanatory sign at Montormel\nSculpture at Montormel as part of the European Way of Peace.\nNothing….reminds me more of England than the song of the blackbird. There is one in our garden which defies our cats, as well as the buzzards and kestrels in the area, to serenade us. I even heard larks in the neighbourhood a few days ago. They used to be quite common but I thought they had disappeared – maybe through the loss of habitat or maybe through the use of agricultural pesticides – so it was good to hear them again.\nNature continues to delight on other fronts as well. The yellows I mentioned in my last post are still with us through buttercups and broom while that special, vivid, expectant shade of green you only see in spring is in full bloom now.\nClose encounter of a buttercup kind\nSpringtime in the forest at Bagnoles de l’Orne.\nNew evergreen growth\nDandelion down\nThat’s not a tractor!……\nHow tractors used to be…before EU subsidies!\nTHIS is a tractor!…..\nTractors since the EU provided agricultural subsidies!\nI’ve not seen much local wildlife of late. Even those pests, the coypu that live in the banks of the pond at the chateau at Carrouges have been a rare sight this spring. I did find these guys, though, enjoying their own version of Playstation….\nGoats on their Playstation!\nEverybody loves a holiday, right? Well, the French certainly do. There are 4 public holidays this month: May Day (1st), VE Day (8th), Feast of the Ascension (14th), Pentecost (24th). Just so no-one feels overworked, the holiday for Pentecost, which falls on a Sunday, is being held on the Monday.\nThe last two are religious holidays, of course. France is a Catholic country, after all. In that case, why isn’t Good Friday a holiday as well? It’s not celebrated in that cauldron of Catholicism, Italy, either. Odd.\nA word about phone calls. Sometimes it pays to play on the fact that we’re not French. This country is as prone to marketing calls as much as any other. Lunchtime and early evening are the favoured times. Fortunately, the French can tell a foreign accent very easily and 19 times out of 20 the call is cut at the other end even before anyone there has spoken a word. One exception are the calls in English, but with an Indian accent, informing us that they are from Microsoft Windows and they have detected a problem with our computer. Those require a different approach…\n– The French media are having great fun with the infighting in the Front National between the party’s leader, Marine Le Pen and its founder, her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen. It’s open warfare fought on a public stage. Le Pen père hates the way his daughter is, as he sees it, betraying his far-right principles and taking the F.N. more towards the centre. As you would expect, Charlie Hebdo is having great fun with the feuding family. This is one of the more family-friendly cartoons.\nThe Le Pen family at war.\n– The French government has enjoyed a surge in interest from other countries in its multi-role fighter, the Rafale. After years of no overseas sales, Egypt and India have bought several and now Qatar has bought 24. Charlie Hebdo has even found one more use for the plane: to stone female adulterers….\nI don’t think anyone could accuse C.H. of pulling its punches!\n– Unfortunately, the party I voted for in the UK General Election did NOT do well, so now the Conservatives, who did win, are to offer an in/out referendum on EU membership to the people of the country. As an expat I hope that people see sense and opt to remain part of the union, even if it is in dire need of a kick up the posterior, to make it less of a bureaucratic monolith.\n– The big news story at the moment is the Cannes Film Festival. Somewhere along the line my invitation to walk the red carpet on La Croisette must have got lost in the mail, so instead, Sue & I contented ourselves with a visit to the local cinema. I look out for movie listings that say “VO” -Version Originelle. That means that if it’s a film originally made in English, then that’s what you will hear and French will only appear in subtitles. So, not only did we see the splendid Benedict Cumberbatch in “The Imitation Game”, an excellent movie about how the British broke the German codes during WWII, but also we received a French lesson by reading the subtitles.\nMeanwhile, back at Cannes, that enduring stalwart of the festival Catherine Deneuve is once again in the spotlight with her latest film. However, just to prove that it can aim at more than one target, Charlie Hebdo has portrayed her in a somewhat less than flattering light on its latest cover. The magazine labels her as a “suspect package”.\nFinally, as ever, here are the latest elegant works from Studio Sue……. À bientôt\n1920s Ladies in Burgundy…or, as I prefer “I started out on burgundy”, but not many would get that reference.\nLady in fur\nRedhead on chair\nLiving on the Sunshine Coast\njerrywh\nON BEING OLD\nthespirithouse\nOllie and Fleur Vintage\nléo baron\nTourAbsurd\nSorta Retired\ndreamonoz\nbridgetracey\njukeboxsite\nLife in the French countryside\nan Englishman adjusting to life down under\n(Formerly \"The Getting Old Blog\")\nVintage, Lifestyle, Provence\nTravelling with a light heart!","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line195718"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8907549977302551,"wiki_prob":0.8907549977302551,"text":"Junior Achievement celebrated its 100th STEM summit with nine activities ranging within the field.\nProfessionals stressed the importance of getting into the field, especially for young women.\nWalking on eggs, using air as a cannon and absorbing career advice were among the activities Central York High School freshmen engaged in as part of a two-day summit focusing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers.\nThe event was brought to the school by Junior Achievement of Southern York County and had students switch through nine sessions of simulations, games and career insight.\n“You never know what you’ll find, what you’ll see and what you’ll hear today that will inspire you,” said Kim Zech, director of the JA STEM summit.\nShe said the summit, the organization's 100th so far, was not to convince the students to pursue any one career field but instead to inspire them to “follow their passion,” whether in STEM or not.\nThe exercise is an opportunity for students to explore their options, she said.\nActivities: All of the activities consisted of 30-minute sessions on topics related to STEM fields. Six activities were held in the school’s gymnasium, and professionals working in technology companies around the county volunteered to take part. Two sessions had career panels featuring people in STEM-related careers, and one class had students writing code.\n“I think that not enough people are interested in STEM, and I think that this helps with diversity, (including) getting women and people of color,” Johnson Controls engineer Tashiah Myrick said.\n“It’s about getting them involved early on, since they’re freshmen,” Myrick’s partner Everett Hettema, also a Johnson Controls engineer, said.\nMyrick and Hettema taught students principles of physics and had students engage in several hands-on activities to better understand the concepts.\nOne activity had students hit the back of a large container that held smoke from a fog machine. When the container was struck, a smoke circle burst from a hole cut in the bottom of the container. Students were tasked with aiming the burst of smoke and striking a cup placed on a peer’s head several feet away.\nAfter each activity, Myrick and Hettema explained to the students the principle of the activity.\nIn the case of the smoke fog circles, they explained the physics of a toroidal vortex (the container and the fluid dynamics that allow the air to move in and out of the container).\nOther activities included a relay focused on teamwork and accuracy, an event that literally had students walking on eggshells to demonstrate using chemicals to make reactions with polymer, as well as listening to real-world professionals talking about their careers.\n“It’s been fun,” Cameron Aliaga, 15, said of the day’s activities. “It’s really informative, too.”\nImportance: One of the career panelists said she has seen the change from STEM being a male-dominated field to being more equitable. Barb Steiber, a clinical instructor in immunohematology at WellSpan, explained to students, particularly girls, that STEM is open to them.\n\"It's gender neutral,\" she said.\nSteiber said she remembers the nudging by many people when she was younger to stay in typically female-dominated fields.\n“'Oh, be a teacher, be a nurse, be a homemaker,'” Steiber recalled people telling her. “'You can’t do science, that’s for guys.'”\n“Things are a lot different now,” she said.\nYoung women learn career tips at JA Symposium\nSteiber was paired in a room with Mark Raschke, a project manager at American Hydro. They said describing their career fields helps students realize the diversity of STEM, with Steiber in the medical field and Raschke in the engineering realm.\n“One of the students asked us what a typical day was like, and we chuckled and said we have no typical day,” Steiber said.\nRaschke said the STEM day can serve as an eye-opening moment for students in their career search.\n“We don’t always end up where we want to be,” he said. “Science and engineering fields can take you anywhere.”\nSteiber stressed the opportunities in STEM fields for students, who are now studying in more blended learning environments. She said she remembers the first Earth Day when she was a junior in high school, and now many women are at the top in fields such as environmental science.\n“You can do whatever you want,” Steiber said. “Now, it’s just a given. Forty years ago, it wasn’t.”","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line864037"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8402876853942871,"wiki_prob":0.8402876853942871,"text":"Sudan’s Third Civil War: In Medias Res\nViolence has ebbed and flowed in Darfur for more than ten years now. Now, though the situation is almost totally absent from news coverage, the region teeters on the edge of a complete humanitarian collapse and uncontrollable violence.\nEric Reeves ▪ July 10, 2013\nMilitary helicopters at Juba Airport, South Sudan (Photodiarist/Wikimedia Commons)\nIn December 2011 I wrote for Dissent about “the early history of Sudan’s third civil war.” Some judged my comments gratuitously pessimistic, others shared my concerns (if more privately), and still others worried about self-fulfilling prophecies. But in fact the war had already begun, battle lines were taking shape, and on at least two subsequent occasions Sudan and newly independent South Sudan came perilously close to renewed all-out war. An incident in April 2012 in the highly volatile oil region along the border between Unity State (South Sudan) and South Kordofan (Sudan) led to major fighting between the Khartoum regime’s Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA). For over a month violence flared, including Khartoum’s repeated, indiscriminate aerial attacks on Bentiu, capital city of Unity (the South has no meaningful military air force).\nBut the actors in this third civil war are not simply on two sides, except insofar as all armed movements in greater Sudan have the Khartoum regime, as well as its SAF and security services, as their target. This has resulted in a loose and probably untenable alignment of forces known as the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF); it includes the increasingly potent Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-North (SPLM/A-N, based primarily in the Nuba Mountains of South Kordofan); it also includes several Darfuri rebel movements, most notably the well-armed Justice and Equality Movement and factions of the Sudan Liberation Army. The geography of conflict has greatly expanded, and the SRF attacked a major town (Umm Rawaba) in North Kordofan this past April, a northern state that had heretofore seen no fighting. A rebel force in eastern Sudan has also made cause with the SRF.\nHeightening military tensions is Khartoum’s decision to halt the flow of oil from land-locked South Sudan to Port Sudan in the north, denying both economies desperately needed foreign exchange currency. Hyperinflation is poised to strike, although its consequences for the more developed, import-dependent, and integrated northern economy may well be greater than in the south. A range of other agreements between Khartoum and Juba, the capital of South Sudan, have come to nothing, including the most recent agreement (made in March) to resume oil transit.\nIt is difficult to find evidence of progress anywhere in greater Sudan since South Sudan became independent in July 2011; African Union (AU) mediators dutifully present various “agreements” that Khartoum refuses to sign, or signs and then violates; there is no effective international support for negotiations. An agreement to permit critical humanitarian access to the Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile—proposed in February 2012 by not only the AU but the UN and the Arab League—has gone nowhere: the SPLM/A-N signed on almost immediately, but Khartoum has dithered, reneged, and finally declared the agreement “superseded.” Meanwhile, more than 1 million people in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states are in increasingly desperate condition; hundreds of thousands have suffered acute malnutrition for almost two years, and more than two hundred thousand have fled to refugee camps in South Sudan, often in locations that are poorly situated for water and sanitation. Tens of thousands of civilians from Blue Nile have fled to Ethiopia.\nThe situation in Darfur—until very recently almost totally absent from news coverage of the region—is especially shameful, given the appalling conditions that have prevailed so long within the displaced persons camps, the steep rise in the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees, and the escalating violence and insecurity. Relief organizations are withdrawing expatriate workers and suspending many operations. UN and nongovernmental organizations are increasingly restricted by both Khartoum’s Military Intelligence and expanding violence. The UN/AU “hybrid” Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) has failed abysmally. The UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations—already vastly overstretched and funding three separate peacekeeping forces in greater Sudan—is looking to draw down UNAMID, but rather than speak honestly about its failure, the UN has made the disingenuous claim that “circumstances on the ground” permit such a withdrawal of forces. This at least was the judgment of Hervé Ladsous, head of UN peacekeeping—a judgment he now refuses to defend publicly.\nInternational journalists have been almost completely excluded from Darfur for many years, as have independent human rights investigators. According to humanitarians on the ground, Khartoum has made of Darfur a “black box genocide.” There has been only one significant dateline from rural Darfur in several years, a story by the New York Times in February 2012; it declared on the basis of a single, tightly controlled visit to a “Potemkin Village” in West Darfur that “peace had settled on the region.” So-called “returns” of refugees and IDPs were a “sign that one of the world’s most infamous conflicts may have decisively cooled.” In fact, every available indicator of human security and well-being was, in aggregate, deteriorating, and the level of violence in various regions accelerated sharply. “Returns”—nominally safe and voluntary—have mostly been neither.\nViolence has ebbed and flowed in Darfur for more than ten years now. A dramatic surge began following the December 2010 defection from Khartoum by Minni Minawi, the only Darfuri signatory to the ill-fated 2006 Darfur Peace Agreement; the authoritative Small Arms Survey (Geneva), on the basis of courageous and detailed ground-based research, reported an escalation of violence against the (non-Arab) Zaghawa, the tribal group from which Minawi came. In the latter half of 2012, violence exploded in North Darfur, particularly near the Jebel Amir region, which has significant gold mines. The regime, desperate for a source of foreign exchange to buy parts and supplies from abroad, gave free rein to the Aballa tribal groups from which the Janjaweed, infamous for carrying out attacks in Darfur in the first decade of the twenty-first century, had been so heavily drawn. This meant attacking the Beni Hussein, the Arab group within whose administrative area Jebel Amir lies. The fighting killed hundreds, perhaps thousands—including a number of UN peacekeepers traveling to Hashaba town, site of reported mass killings by Khartoum’s forces. Peacekeepers themselves were clearly targeted by Khartoum in order to forestall such an investigation.\nMilitias have became increasingly aggressive, especially the notorious Abu Tira—nominally the “Central Reserve Police,” but now little more than a semi-autonomous fighting force that has attacked and extorted IDP camps and sexually assaulted countless women and girls. An even greater problem is seizure of the lands of African farmers by Arab militias and armed groups—some clearly from Chad, Niger, and Central African Republic. Farmers attempting to return are violently warned off or simply killed; women working their former lands have been raped and killed. The “returnees” that the UN celebrates are constantly being forced to return to IDP camps.\nMoreover, figures for new displacement in Darfur dwarf even the most optimistic UN/UNAMID estimates for returnees. UN data, supplemented by that of NGOs, provide strong evidence that more than 1.5 million people have been newly displaced since January 1, 2008, when UNAMID officially took up its mandate. The head of UN humanitarian operations was recently obliged to report that 300,000 Darfuris had been newly displaced between January and mid-May of this year alone. The refugee surge into Chad is again growing: the figure had remained at approximately 280,000 for a number of years, but in the past half year 50,000 more people have fled to Chad, according to Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières—nearly all in desperate condition.\nHuman Rights Watch reported on June 18 satellite photographic confirmation of Janjaweed attacks on villages in South Darfur—attacks led by Ali Kushayb, the Janjaweed “colonel of colonels” indicted by the International Criminal Court for massive crimes against humanity:\nSatellite images confirm the wholesale destruction of villages in Central [formerly South] Darfur in an attack in April 2013 by a militia leader sought by the International Criminal Court….The images show the town of Abu Jeradil and surrounding villages in Central Darfur state almost completely burned down….Villagers who fled the area told Human Rights Watch in May that Sudanese government forces, including the militia leader Ali Kosheib, had attacked the area. More than 42 villagers are believed to have been killed and 2,800 buildings destroyed.\nDarfur teeters on the edge of a complete humanitarian collapse and uncontrollable violence. Rebel fighters have recently gained the upper hand in many areas of fighting, and the callous leaders in Khartoum seem willing to let Darfur sink into destructive chaos, so long as gold from Jebel Amir continues to make its way to the capital.\nSatellite photography has also revealed a great deal about Khartoum’s conduct of war in the Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile, the latter the most inaccessible of the three contested areas between north and south (including Abyei). According to an important report recently released by Amnesty International,\nNew satellite imagery and eyewitness testimonies from rebel-held areas in Sudan’s Blue Nile State show that Sudanese military forces have resorted to brutal scorched earth tactics to drive out the civilian population….“We had no time to bury them”: War crimes in Sudan’s Blue Nile State documents how bombings and ground attacks by Sudanese military forces have destroyed entire villages, left many dead and injured, and forced tens of thousands to flee—with many now facing starvation, disease and exhaustion.\nNone of this should be surprising, given Khartoum’s May 2011 military seizure of Abyei, now the most dangerous flash-point for renewed war along the entire north/south border. The Satellite Sentinel Project (SSP) provided detailed satellite photography showing a steady build-up by the SAF and its Misseriya Arab allies over several months in early 2011. The scale of destruction in Abyei town was also made clear by follow-up satellite images.\nSubsequent photography indicated that South Kordofan would be the next site of major violence, and on June 5, 2011 the SAF struck again. The nature of this assault was immediately apparent, and clear patterns emerged in early reports. Human Rights Watch confirmed that Khartoum’s regular military and militia were undertaking a campaign of house-to-house roundups of Nuba (African) civilians in the capital city of Kadugli. Many of these people were hauled away in cattle trucks or summarily executed; dead bodies littered the streets of Kadugli. Nuba were also stopped at checkpoints grimly similar to those in Rwanda; those suspected of SPLM/N or “southern” political sympathies were arrested or shot. One aid worker who escaped from South Kordofan in the first weeks reported on militia forces patrolling further from Kadugli: “Those [Nuba] coming in are saying, ‘Whenever they see you are a black person, they kill you.’” Another Nuba aid worker reports that an Arab militia leader’s orders were “to just clear.”\nCharges of “ethnic cleansing” and “genocide” were coming ever more insistently from Nuba civilians, observers on the ground, and church groups with strong ties to the region. News reports confirmed that some 7,000 Nuba had been moved forcibly by Khartoum’s security services (disguised as Red Crescent workers) from the UN security perimeter in Kadugli to a soccer stadium; they were never heard from again. Mass graves were later confirmed both by UN human rights reporters who had observed events from the ground in June 2011 and by satellite photography from SSP.\nAt the same time, Khartoum renewed its blockade of humanitarian assistance to the people of the Nuba, hundreds of thousands of whom had already fled into the mountainsides. Two years later the blockade continues in the Nuba Mountains and rebel-controlled areas of Blue Nile. In Darfur and these two areas, Khartoum is denying adequate food, water, and medical care to more than 3 million people. Moreover, bombing of civilians and civilian agriculture has largely destroyed the last two harvests in both the Nuba and Blue Nile; malnutrition indicators long ago reached the emergency level; children and the elderly have begun to die, and many more will die soon. The trip to precarious safety in South Sudan is too arduous for many, and many more will not leave family members to starve alone.\nAs these events unfolded, the Obama administration has been engaged primarily in diplomatic damage control. Policy has focused on the realization of southern independence at the expense of other issues, including critical and unresolved implementation disputes arising from the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The administration has essentially abandoned Darfur—“de-coupled” was the word chosen by a senior administration official. It has remained largely mute on the military takeover of Abyei, and initially refused to credit reports of genocide in the Nuba Mountains.\nOn PBS’s NewsHour in 2011, Obama’s special envoy to Sudan Princeton Lyman scoffed at the idea that the Nuba Mountains might become “another Darfur”: “Nuba Mountain people are fighting back and I don’t think the North is capable of dislodging large numbers of people on an ethnic basis….That’s the reality on the ground. Second, I’m not sure that’s the objective of the government….” Two years later, we know that Khartoum is not only destroying the civilian base of support for the SPLM/A-N, but doing so deliberately. The same is true in Blue Nile. The SPLM/A-N have no weapons that can defend against high-flying Antonov cargo planes, which need aim only at sorghum fields to be effective (they have no militarily useful bombing precision).\nA second comment by Lyman proved dangerous. When asked in a December 2011 interview with the important pan-Arab news outlet, Asharq al-Awsat, about whether the United States would welcome the Arab Spring in Sudan, Lyman declared, “This is not part of our agenda in Sudan. Frankly, we do not want to see the ouster of the regime, or regime change. We want to see the regime carrying out reform via constitutional democratic measures.”\nBut all true democratic forces—in Sudan and in exile—are committed to regime change, including those who insist that the change must be effected by nonviolent means. Lyman made clear that this broad-based democratic ambition is not consistent with U.S. goals and policy. Did he really believe that the National Islamic Front/National Congress Party regime could preside over the “democratic” transformation of Sudan via “constitutional measures”? After twenty-four years of ruthless and comprehensive tyranny, the idea is preposterous.\nSudanese overwhelmingly want regime change, while a repressive security apparatus keeps the current cabal in power. But its survival also depends upon acquiescing before the decisions of key hardline generals—concerning the seizure of Abyei, the refusal to negotiate with the SPLM-N or allow for humanitarian access in the Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile, the abandonment of Darfur to chaos and increasing destruction, and—in an act of economic self-destruction—halting the transit of oil from the south to Port Sudan. President Omar al-Bashir has survived by siding with the most ruthless and militaristic elements in the regime (see my 2011 Dissent post “Creeping Coup in Khartoum”).\nNo real or just peace can emerge from negotiations with such a regime, as evidenced by the feckless efforts of the AU and the absence of unified international commitment. In the case of the Obama administration, the reasons for keeping the regime intact are all too clear: Khartoum’s putative provision of counterterrorism intelligence. The U.S intelligence community clearly puts tremendous value on the new embassy in Khartoum as a listening post (it was completed in 2010). Although we have no ambassador to Sudan, we do have a $175 million embassy, with nine buildings and more than 200 staff—and that’s before “top-shelf” spying equipment and personnel had been moved in.\nFormer Senator Russ Feingold, while chair of the Africa Subcommittee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a senior member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, was ideally positioned to assess the price we were paying for intelligence from Khartoum. In May 2009, he said:\nI take serious issue with the way the report [on international terrorism by the U.S. State Department] overstates the level of cooperation in our counterterrorism relationship. A more accurate assessment is important not only for effectively countering terrorism in the region, but as part of a review of our overall policy toward Sudan.\nFor those wondering why U.S. policy toward Sudan has been so ineffective during the Obama years, why special envoys have been so inept and disingenuous, why so little has been said about ongoing atrocity crimes and genocide, and why Khartoum feels no need to abide by agreements it has signed, Senator Feingold’s comment provides the most authoritative glimpse at what is done—and ignored—in the name of “national security.”\nEric Reeves is author of A Long Day’s Dying: Critical Moments in the Darfur Genocide and Compromising with Evil: An Archival History of Greater Sudan, 2007—2012.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1290614"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7465879321098328,"wiki_prob":0.25341206789016724,"text":"2015 Robot Industry Development Report (full version)\nAs China's demographic dividend disappears, robots are not only replacing workers in manufacturing, but also replacing humans in the fields of military, service, entertainment, etc. \"Iron Man\" is not only in American science fiction movies, but is entering us. life. This report analyzes the robot industry and leading listed companies, compares the technical routes, development paths, and downstream market distribution of the robot industry in Japan, the United States, and Germany, predicts the development direction and space of the domestic robot industry, and explores the tenbager of the Chinese stock market.\n(1) The service robot is a young member of the robot family, and its positioning is service. The current marketization of service robots in the world is still in its infancy, but it is growing rapidly due to the rigid drive and aging and other rigid drives and technological development. According to the reports from marketsandmarkets, the global service robot market in 2012 was 20.73 billion US dollars. It is estimated that the compound annual growth rate will reach 17.4% in 2012-2017 and reach 46.18 billion US dollars in 2017. The industry space is huge, and China will become a latecomer, and the growth rate will be faster.\n(2) At present, at least 48 countries in the world are developing robots, and 25 of them have been involved in the development of service robots. In Japan, North America and Europe, there are now more than 40 types of service robots in seven types of experimental and semi-commercial applications in the field of service robots. The development is in the forefront of the countries, the Western countries are represented by the United States, Germany and France. Asia is represented by Japan and South Korea. In 2012, China formulated the “Twelfth Five-Year Plan for Service Robot Technology Development” to support the development of the industry.\n(3) The emergence of Da Vinci robots indicates the advent of the third generation of surgical surgery. Medical robots, as the professional service robot with the highest unit value, are the hotspots of the current medical industry. The world's leading medical robotics company, Intuition Surgery, had revenues of $2.265 billion in 2013, with a total market capitalization of $15.96 billion. In the next four years, medical machines will grow at a rate of 19% per year, and the global market size is expected to grow to $11.9 billion in 2016. Although the popularity of medical robots in China is low and the start is late, companies such as Harbin Institute of Technology and Bosch have also actively intervened.\n(4) The engine of world economic growth is about to enter the RT era by IT, and the family intelligent robot will become the core terminal of the family in the era of intelligent Internet of Things. In 2012, the total consumption of smart home robot products reached US$1.6 billion. The leading company iRobot achieved revenue of US$254 million in the first half of 2014, with a global market share of over 60% and a market capitalization of approximately US$1 billion. IFR forecasts that an estimated 22 million smart home robots will be sold in 2013-2016. Although China's family service robot technology is relatively backward, the relevant enterprises have achieved the combination of research and production, which has already begun to take shape, with good performance and huge space.\n(5) Military robots are the key strategic strategies for military security in the 21st century: The Tyre Group said that the global R&D investment and procurement demand for UAVs will reach US$94 billion in the next 10 years. The military robots include the United States, Germany, Britain, France and France. These countries are not only in the forefront of technology research, but their products have already been used in the military. The technological gap between China and these powerful countries is obvious, supported by policies, and military robot-related enterprises. The development prospects are clearly good and may become a strong income guarantee for the company in the future.\nThe robot revolution was proposed in a scientific report entitled \"Autonomous System\" published by the Royal College of Engineering on August 19, 2009, as artificial intelligence robots and computers will increasingly appear in all aspects of life, 2019 Will usher in the robot revolution. In the past two years, as China's demographic dividend has fallen and labor prices have risen, robots are not only replacing workers in manufacturing, but also surpassing humans in military, reconnaissance, service, and entertainment. Take the example of a robot dog LS3 designed by Boston Dynamics, which is acquired by Google. It can carry 32.2 kilometers with a load of 181 kilograms without replenishment for 24 hours. It can also be in woods, rocks, obstacles. Follow the soldiers in complex terrain such as the city. In addition, unmanned aircraft for reconnaissance, unmanned vehicles, robots for accompanying care, robots for children's education and entertainment, and household robots for cleaning, \"Iron Man\" has not only existed in science fiction movies, robots Going into our lives.\nFrom the robot application environment, robot experts divide robots into two categories, industrial robots and service robots. Industrial robots can be roughly classified into welding robots, handling robots, painting robots, rubberizing robots, assembly robots, palletizing robots, cutting robots, automatic tractors (AGV) robots, and clean room robots. The service robot is a variety of advanced robots other than industrial robots for non-manufacturing and serving humans, mainly including personal/home service robots and professional service robots. Among them, personal/home robots mainly include: homework robots, entertainment and leisure robots, handicapped assisted robots, residential safety and surveillance robots; professional service robots mainly include: field robots, professional cleaning robots, medical robots, logistics robots, inspection and Maintenance robots, construction robots, underwater robots, and defense, rescue and safety application robots, etc.\nOur 2014 robot industry report series is divided into two parts: industrial robots and service robots. Although the Chinese robots are still in the initial stage, the domestic six-axis robots produce less than 2,000 units, and the core component reducers are almost imported. However, the Chinese market has become the world's largest market, with huge potential demand in the manufacturing, logistics, service and military sectors. In the past two years, China's robot industry investment is also in full swing. Dozens of listed companies have announced their entry into the robotics field. At the same time, the key technologies and core components of robots have not yet been broken, and the research and development personnel are in short supply, and the production capacity of low-end robots is repeated. Is there any excess of domestic robot production capacity? What kind of strategy should Chinese robotics companies adopt? In which application areas is China expected to achieve import substitution? What is the space for industrial robots, service robots, and military robots in the future? This report analyzes the robot industry and the world's leading listed companies, compares the technical routes, development paths, and downstream market distribution of the robotics industry in Japan, the United States, and Germany, and forecasts the development direction and space of the domestic robot industry, hoping for the robot industry, one or two. Level market investment has helped to tap China's tenbager.\nCartesian robots - will be the best seller in the Chinese market\nThe field of robotics and artificial intelligence is gaining momentum – are you ready?","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line156950"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6493862271308899,"wiki_prob":0.3506137728691101,"text":"What’s it all about anyway?\nPosted on January 16, 2017 by Miriam Lorie\n“Thank you” I said to the man in the flat tweed cap holding the park gate open for me. “That’s absolutely alright” he replied, as I walked through. He crossed the other way into the park, with a dog on a lead, and went on his way.\nIt was such a brief, passing interaction, but it brought a nostalgic sense of the quiet, pleasant way of British living that I’d missed flooding over me.\nBeing back in the UK, even for just a week, has triggered all sorts of thoughts about cultural differences between the corner of Jerusalem I’m calling home this year, and the corner of greater London I call home in general. And it has taken me right back to my ‘first’ gap year 12 years ago, and my perception then of the differences between the same two cultures.\nIf you’ll forgive the barrage of sweeping generalisation that is inevitable with this kind of cultural comparison, I’ll go on. Without a doubt, every thing that I’m about to characterise as particular to one of my two worlds, could be said of parts of the other. Nevertheless I really feel a certain difference, so, I’ll go on.\nLife here in Jerusalem, whether you’re religious or secular, seems to be lived at 100 volts. It’s intense. Even meetings in cafes like the one in which I’m writing this blog, are passionate affairs. People fling their arms around one another, cackle loudly, argue, wave their hands in the air. Back in my England home, encounters are more measured, restrained, even flavoured with a degree of nihilism.\nIf this is true of relationships between people who know one another, it certainly is between strangers. The cliches about avoiding eye contact on the tube are accurate. People retain an affable distance physically and emotionally. Not so in Israel. Here, you’re part of one big family, like it or not. Like your family, strangers will look after you when you’re in need. Like your family, they will also offer unsolicited advice on what you’re wearing, what’s healthy, how to parent, what to order on a menu, what your family planning decisions should be, how to spend money… Actually, thinking about it, even close family in the UK wouldn’t be this intrusive. I secretly love it. But it’s so different.\nThis brings me to politeness. I’ve missed the sense of ever-present British politeness here. But the non-politeness goes beyond a cultural difference; I think it’s more of an ideology. My Israeli relatives tease me for saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ so much. For them politeness is a facade, a false barrier covering true feelings. I think they might also see it as a bit of a social indulgence – a silly game to be played between people who know the rules.\nThere are other differences I’ve felt too. The standard of living is generally higher in the UK. People are more into ‘things’. Body image is of central importance. Less so here I feel, where women’s clothes, in the religious world but also beyond, are draped more loosely and aren’t designed to show off the body beneath. Maybe more of this in another blog, but for now suffice to say that life here feels characterised and motivated by passionate, feeling-fuelled encounters with others, and a far cry from the more restrained, respectful mode that orders British society.\nBack in 2004, I felt a different set of tensions. Aged 18 and fired up by religious passion after a year studying in an orthodox all-girls seminary, every small move in life in Jerusalem seemed imbued with a sense of great import. Every moment was to be used wisely because time was short. There was so much Torah to be studied. My actions and speech could make a real difference to others so every word was weighed, every activity considered carefully. A mundane everyday errand to buy milk in Jerusalem was an act of building the State of Israel. My prayers could really affect the world. Even my choice of boyfriend had a potential impact on the future shape of the Jewish people.\nI’m painting a bit of a caricature here, and ignoring the cynical streak that was quietly present throughout my whole year at seminary, but nevertheless, coming back to England in 2005 after a year immersed in that world, was a shock. Back in England, I was horrified by the many ways people found to distract themselves from what I considered to be “actually important”. Parties where drinking obliterated all memory of the night, watching banal TV programmes, fashions whose aim was to show off as much as possible. I found middle class distractions distasteful too: luxury products, social posturing, wasting time intricately decorating a cakes…\nAm I sounding like a self-righteous brat? Well reader, I changed. I can now think of little better than wasting time intricately decorating a cake. And while getting drunk and forgetting the night before still isn’t my thing, my entire approach to what is “actually important” has shifted. Back in England a fortnight ago, I was delighted to come across a whole article on the best way to make vegetable crisps from scratch at home. I sighed a deep sigh of relief to see neat rows of houses with well-tended, keep-up-with-the-neighbours front gardens. And I silently brimmed over with happiness when a man with a tweed hat held a park gate open for me.\nBecause while life is about using our time wisely, and while I still believe that Judaism calls upon me make a difference in the world, I believe that life is also about slowing things down, savouring those experiences where infinity seems captured in a moment, being kind to one another and kind to ourselves, training ourselves in the mindfulness that comes from paying close attention to an intricate task, and enjoying the sights, experiences and bounty of the world we get to live in.\nThere you go – the meaning of life. Now ignore all of this and go make some root vegetable crisps.\n← Partnership minyanim, banning and front pages… moving forwards\nFalling behind and bursting bubbles →","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line835263"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9902111887931824,"wiki_prob":0.9902111887931824,"text":"Home»World News»Europe»Michel Robin, Longtime French Character Actor, Dies at 90\nMichel Robin, Longtime French Character Actor, Dies at 90\n1 December 2020 Europe, World News 4 Views\nMichel Robin, an award-winning French actor who became a familiar face from his roles in more than a hundred movies and television shows, died on Nov. 18. He was 90.\nThe cause was Covid-19, according to a statement from the Comédie-Française, the prestigious theater company in Paris where he was a longtime member. The company did not specify where he died.\n“The French didn’t always know his name, but they recognized his face, which illuminated stages and screens,” the office of the French president said.\nMichel Robin was born on Nov. 13, 1930, in Reims, in eastern France. After studying law in Bordeaux, he decided to try his luck as an actor and took drama lessons in Paris when he was 26.\nFrom 1958 to 1964, Mr. Robin was part of a theater company near Lyon led by the playwright Roger Planchon before moving on to the Renaud-Barrault company in Paris. His career in theater spanned over 50 years, and he distinguished himself in classics by authors like Molière, Chekhov and Brecht.\nMr. Robin was especially fond of Samuel Beckett, and played Lucky in Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot” in 1970 and, 10 years later, Clov in his “Endgame.”\n“It might seem pretentious, but with Beckett, I feel at home,” Mr. Robin told the newspaper Le Monde in a 2003 interview. “It’s so funny and so awful at the same time.”\nHe joined the Comédie-Française in 1994 and became a staple of its productions for 15 years, often playing the classic supporting role of elderly servants.\n“Michel always played the old, very early in his career,” Éric Ruf, the general administrator of the Comédie-Française, said in a statement about Mr. Robin’s death. “He recently admitted that he was finally old enough for those roles, and that it annoyed him.”\nStarting in the late 1960s, Mr. Robin also appeared in movies by a number of directors, including Costa-Gavras, Claude Chabrol, and Alain Resnais. In “Amélie,” the 2001 movie by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, he played the father of Mr. Collignon, an irritable grocer. On television, he appeared in shows including the French version of “Fraggle Rock” in the 1980s and “Boulevard du Palais,” a police drama, in the late 1990s and early 2000s.\nIn 1979, Mr. Robin won a prize at the Locarno Film Festival for his role as an old farmer in the Swiss comedy “Les Petites Fugues” (“Small Escapes”). In 1990, he won a Molière — France’s most prestigious theater award — for best supporting actor, for his role in “La Traversée de l’Hiver” (“Winter Crossing”), a play by Yasmina Reza about a group of six vacationers on a melancholic mountain retreat.\nHe is survived by a daughter, Amélie, and a grandson, Gaspard.\nTags actor character dies French Longtime Michel Robin\nPrevious G.M. Scales Down Nikola Deal\nNext Biden plans to reverse Trump’s anti-LGBT+ policies including trans military ban","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line379028"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5328736901283264,"wiki_prob":0.5328736901283264,"text":"Created by David Califa. Managed by sasko\nLatest Activity: Feb 9, 2012\nOn this Human Rights Day, it is my hope that we will all act on our collective responsibility to uphold the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration. We can only honour the towering vision of that inspiring document when its principles are fully applied everywhere, for everyone.\"\nWe must work for the full implementation of human rights on the ground in a way that affects and improves the lives of the men, women and children who are all entitled, regardless of their race, sex, religion, nationality, property or birth, to realization of each and every right set forth in the Universal Declaratio.\nHigh Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanethem Pillay\nCompassion for the Taliban's Child Soldiers\nStarted by Suzette Piparo Nov 19, 2009. 0 Replies 0 Likes\nPlease help us in attaining the peace\nStarted by Muhammad Khurshid Apr 16, 2009. 0 Replies 0 Likes\nIf we really want to see true changes in the world\nStarted by Beatriz Pereira. Last reply by Beatriz Pereira Apr 14, 2009. 1 Reply 0 Likes\nYou need to be a member of HUMAN RIGTHS to add comments!\nComment by Fayssal Chafaki on February 9, 2012 at 6:06am\nFree and Independent Palestine\nComment by Kalsi : We are all one . on February 28, 2010 at 6:53pm\nReallly , it's human rights...\nComment by Joseph Wronka on February 15, 2010 at 1:25am\nIt is a pleasure to have just found out about the Human Rights Group. I have always felt that the bedrock of social justice was human rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the many beautiful conventions that followed it whose aims are, among others, to eradicate extreme poverty, discrimination against women, children, the disabled, and the aged. If you are an instructor, you can get a free copy of my book, Human Rights and Social Justice: Social Action and Service for the Helping and Health Professions (Sage, 2008). It has major conventions summarized and also an Instructor's Manual with PowerPoints, Slides, Social Action activities, questions for discussion. (Sorry for the advertisement, but I do think you might enjoy it) Here is the link:\nhttp://www.sagepub.com/booksProdDesc.nav?prodId=Book229258&;\nIf you are not an instructor and do not have any money to purchase it, then send me an email and I will see what I can do.\nPeace, humility, and everlasting love,\nComment by Muhammad Khurshid on December 16, 2009 at 4:29pm\nHello my dear friends, today I want to share a good news with all of you. I am standing in the election of Peshawar Press Club, which is going to be held on Decemeber 30. I shall be candidate for the post of president of Peshawar. I am sure that I will win the election and then will be able to play more effective role in bringing peace to my region and whole world. Please pray for the success of peace. But at the moment I am feeling backpain. Please add your voice in my prayer for peace.\nComment by David Sparenberg on August 25, 2009 at 5:54pm\nThere is no time\nFor intellectual speculation;\nThere is no time for argument.\nDoes it have to be spelled out;\nDoes it even\nNeed to be spoken?\nWe both know what this is about.\nBarriers of normalcy\nThe calculations\nThe social boxes\nPolitical baggage.\nThis is now!\nThe age of thresholds\nNot of locks.\nContriving complications\nFeigning deafness\nAs an exit.\nThe problem is here\nBefore our faces\nLooking at us\nIn our ears.\nOn a dying planet\nIn endless war\nOr friends.\nWhat is it going to be?\nDo we have the courage\nHumbly to become\nThe change we long for?\nOr tell me this\n—even if your heart is broken—\nIs there a new horizon?\nDavid Sparenberg\nComment by sasko on August 8, 2009 at 12:53am\nNobel Laureates in Dialogue:Connecting for Peace\nThey are renowned for their commitment to peace in the face of hate and violence. They are Nobel Peace Prize Laureates , recipients of what some deem to be the world’s highest honour.\nThe Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, Mairead Maguire, Betty Williams, Rigoberta Menchú Tum and Jody Williams will engage in dialogue on Sunday, September 27 at the Chan Centre beginning at 1 p.m. Mary Robinson, past president of Ireland, will moderate the discussion.\nThese champions of peace have survived great personal tragedy, dedicating their lives towards nonviolent approaches to conflict resolution. Each of their stories is an inspiration and testimony, and together they represent hope for positive change and a true chance for all of humanity.\nMairead Maguire\nMaguire, cofounder of the Northern Ireland based Peace People, along with Betty Williams and and Ciaran McKeown, found it impossible to remain passive in the face of brutal unrest after the death of her sister’s three children. They were run down and killed by an I.R.A. (Irish Republican Army) get-away car after a British soldier shot its driver.\nMaguire is an active pacifist passionately committed to nonviolent social and political change. She believes “When we reject weapons and war, when we uphold human rights and international law, when we build non-killing, nonviolent societies and world, refusing to kill each other but seeking nonviolent solutions to our problems, then we will have come of age as the human family.”\nOver the 30 years since Williams was named a Laureate, she has devoted her life to promoting a new way of thinking on how we deal with the injustices, cruelty and horror perpetrated on the world’s children.“ I had no concept of the depth of the children’s suffering until witnessing their pain. Yet in a world that we know can feed itself, upwards of 40,000 children daily die from conditions of malnutrition. Surely we must question why we are allowing this carnage to continue,” Mrs. Williams says.\nToday, Williams is helping to build the City of Peace for Children in Basilicata, Italy. In doing so she is fulfilling a dream to help refugee children seeking shelter in safe-zone countries to be housed, nurtured and educated. The goal is to build a city and give children the hope to believe that there is a possibility to live a life and feel accepted by humanity.\nRigoberta Menchú Tum\n“We have learned that change cannot come through war. War is not a feasible tool to use in fighting against the oppression we face. War has caused more problems. We cannot embrace that path.”\nSo wrote Menchú, the Guatemalan native of Mayan descent, who grew up poor, and who, early in her youth embraced a life committed to social reform. Many members of her family were tortured and killed by the oppressive military dictatorship controlling her homeland. Despite threats to her own life, Menchú became a leading advocate of indigenous rights and ethno-cultural reconciliation. Today she continues her work, recognizing the Nobel Peace Prize as “…an instrument with which to fight for peace, for justice, for the rights of those who suffer the abysmal economic, social, cultural and political inequalities, typical of the order of the world in which we live…”\nAmerican-born aid worker, Williams played a key role in the establishment of an international treaty banning antipersonnel landmines. Writing about the achievement of the signing of the Mine Ban Treaty in 1997, Williams said: “It has shown that in a partnership of civil society and governments, each brings particular assets to the process, which is made stronger by the participation of both. It demonstrates that small and middle powers can work together with civil society and address humanitarian concerns with breathtaking speed. It shows that such a partnership can be a new kind of \"superpower\" in the post-Cold War world.”\nAlong with Laureate Dr. Shirin Ebadi of Iran, in 2006 Williams took the lead in establishing the “Nobel Women’s Initiative,” together with sister Laureates Wangari Maathai, Rigoberta Menchu Tum, Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan Maguire. Its mission is to use the prestige and access afforded by the Nobel Prize to spotlight and promote efforts of women’s rights activists, researchers and organizations working to advance peace, justice and equality for women.\n\"We believe that peace is much more than the absence of armed conflict. Peace is the commitment to equality and justice; a democratic world free of physical, economic, cultural, political, religious, sexual and environmental violence and the constant threat of these forms of violence against women – indeed against all of humanity. We also believe that violence is a choice and the creation of a just and peaceful world must start with people.”\nComment by St.Thomas SpreadingEagle on July 28, 2009 at 9:40pm\nAs a Native Indigenous Indian in America.a\nnd a Ghost Dancer.I am all for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.I greatly wish the US Government would Have Integrity and Respect to Up Hold its Side of an Agreement for Human Rights.It Preaches Human Rights.My Experience of The United States is itself does not Practice it.It infact Violates Human Rights.AS a Indigenous Native American Indian.I have Wittness this,The Day will come and I will Testify against The US Goverment for Crimes Against Humanity at the Hague.St.Thomas SpreadingEagle,Shaman/Minister.\nComment by David Sparenberg on July 28, 2009 at 7:42pm\nAN EXORCISM\nThis is an exorcism.\nAnd it is said\nfor the angry and anguished dead\nwho are not departed.\nover the barracks and ashen plots\nof Auschwitz.\nover the powdered bones\nand the melted organs\nof Hiroshima.\nbehind the choking voice\nof common dignity\nand before\nthe smoking battlefronts\nof the inhuman heart.\nThese are words to release\nghettos of ghosts\nfrom the silence\nof endless torments. From\nlife’s madness.\nThese are words\nand to protect us\nof crimes committed\nin the names of our sons\nand our fathers.\nIt must be said\nevery place\na hand has clutched\nand every place\na tooth has bitten.\nTo be repeated, year after year,\nthe holy graveyards of heaven\nand the killing fields on earth.\nAnd it is said for them\nand for us.\nFor those who have fallen\nunder the heavy scythe of war.\nAnd for those who await\nthe season of slaughter\nfrom HEALING, A Book of Poetry by David Sparenberg","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line344985"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5761244893074036,"wiki_prob":0.5761244893074036,"text":"Asian Pacific American Heritage - Accomplishments\nPRESIDENT CLINTON AND VICE PRESIDENT GORE\nWorking on Behalf of Asian And Pacific Americans\nThe Strongest Economy In A Generation. President Clinton's three-part economic strategy --balancing the budget, investing in our people, opening new markets to American goods and services --is working for America's families. Since 1993 it has helped bring about:\nStrong economic growth. In the first quarter of 1998, the economy grew at a strong annual rate of 4.2 percent --the sixth consecutive quarter in which growth exceeded 3 percent;\nThe first investment-led expansion in three decades. In the first quarter of 1998, investment in business equipment rose 28.8 percent at an annual rate. For the first time on record, business investment has grown at double-digit rates for five years in a row;\nThe first balanced budget in a generation. The President's FY99 budget will be the first balanced budget in a generation, after inheriting a record $290 billion deficit in 1992.\nThe lowest unemployment level in more than 25 years. In 1992, the unemployment rate was 7.5 percent. In the first quarter, the unemployment rate was 4.7 percent -- its lowest level since 1970;\nAlmost 15 million new jobs. Since President Clinton took office, the economy has added nearly 15 million new jobs -- with nearly two million new jobs in manufacturing and construction combined;\nAn increase in family income of nearly $2,200. Real wages are rising at their fastest pace in 20 years and the typical family's income is up nearly $2,200 since 1993, when adjusted for inflation;\nThe highest consumer confidence level in 30 years. In the first quarter of 1998, consumer confidence rose to is highest quarterly level since 1969.\nThe Lowest Inflation Since 1964. Over the past year, inflation rose just 1.4%--the smallest increase in 34 years.\nTripled the number of small business loans to Asian and Pacific American entrepreneurs. Between 1993 and 1997 the SBA approved nearly 17,000 loans to Asian and Pacific American entrepreneurs under the 7(a) and 504 loan programs. Last year alone, the Small Business Administration granted more than 4,500 loans to Asian and Pacific American small business owners, nearly triple the number of loans granted in 1992.\nLargest investment in education in 30 years. Maintaining his longtime commitment to education, the President enacted the largest investment in education in 30 years --and the largest investment in higher education since the G.I. Bill --by signing the 1997 Balanced Budget Act.\nForeign language. Restructured Foreign Language Assistance Programs to assist local schools in establishing programs in Chinese, Japanese and Korean. Strongly opposed legislation to make English the official language of the United States which would have jeopardized services and programs for non-English speakers and jeopardized assistance to the tens of thousands of new immigrants and others seeking to learn English as adults.\nAddressing minority needs. Hosted Asian Pacific American Education Forums to address the needs of Asian Pacific American students and their teachers.\nAmeriCorps college support. Since 1993, more than 100,000 people have had the opportunity to serve through AmeriCorps, with Asian and Pacific American comprising 3% of all participants (1996 data). This year alone, nearly 50,000 young people will take advantage of the opportunity to serve and earn an award of up to $4,725 to pay for college or repay student loans.\nThe largest Pell Grant increase in 20 years. President Clinton increased Pell Grants from $2,300 in 1993 to $2,700 in 1997. These grants provide a total of 3.7 million low-income students the opportunity to attend college. And for FY 1998, Congress adopted President Clinton's proposal to increase the maximum Pell Grant to $3,000 --the largest increase in two decades. Approximately 3.7 million students will receive this year's $300 increase, and an additional 220,000 low-and moderate-income families that were not previously eligible will receive Pell Grants.\nHigher education tax cuts. The balanced budget agreement calls for roughly $35 billion in tax cuts to help families pay for college. Congress has enacted the President's $1,500 HOPE Scholarship tuition tax credit, to make the first two years of college universally available. Students beyond the first two years, or part-time students seeking to improve or acquire job skills, can now receive a 20% lifelong learning tax credit for up to $5,000 of tuition and required fees through 2002, and $10,000 thereafter.\nIncreased bilingual education by 35%. Last year, enacted a 35% increase in bilingual and immigrant education secured by the President in the Balanced Budget Agreement. The bilingual education funding will help school districts teach English to more than a million limited English proficient children, as well as provide some 4,000 teachers with the training they need to do their jobs better. The Immigrant Education program will help more than a thousand school districts provide supplemental instructional services to 875,000 recent immigrant students.\nHelping more children in elementary and secondary schools. In 1994, President Clinton reformed Title I --the major elementary and secondary program for disadvantaged children --clearing away barriers that had prevented limited-English proficient children from getting help.\nExpanding access to educational technology. The President's 1997 Budget Agreement with Congress doubles the funding for America's Technology Literacy Challenge, catalyzing private-public sector partnerships to put the information age at our children's fingertips. The President is committed to helping communities and the private sector ensure that every student is equipped with the computer literacy skills needed for the 21st century. For 1998, the Appropriations Act provides $425 million, more than twice as much as the $200 million appropriated last year.\nLinking schools and libraries to the Internet. The Clinton Administration is implementing a plan to create an \"E-Rate,\" provided for in the Telecommunications Act, a discounted education rate for telecommunications services so schools and libraries will be able to bring technology into the classroom, set up phone lines and access the Internet at a fraction of the cost. The FCC has already approved a plan to make discounts worth approximately $1.8 billion in 1998 available to our schools and libraries, with low-income schools eligible for discounts of up to 90%.\nOpposed Gallegly Amendment. The Administration opposed the Gallegly Amendment which would have ended the guarantee of public education for all children. It would have shifted immigration enforcement from the borders and work sites to classrooms and made children susceptible to gangs and violence.\nPromoting Equal Opportunity\nBuilding One America. The President is leading the nation in an effort to become One America in the 21st Century: a place where we respect others' differences and, at the same time, embrace the values that unite us. Angela Oh serves on the Advisory Board to the President's Initiative on Race, which the President charged with overseeing this effort.\nAn Administration that looks like One America. Appointed the most diverse Cabinet and Administration in history. The Clinton Administration has more than triple the number of Asian and Pacific American appointees as the previous Administration including Bill Lann Lee, Acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, Department of Justice; Nancy Ann-Min Deparle, Administrator of the Health Care Finance Administration, Department of Health and Human Services; and Robert Gee, Assistant Secretary for Policy, Planning and Program Evaluation, Department of Energy.\nJudicial appointments. Nominated more Asian and Pacific Americans to the federal bench than any other Administration, including the Honorable A. Wallace Tashima, Judge U.S. Ninth Circuit Court.\nOpposed California Prop 209. Filed amicus briefs opposing California Proposition 209 which would prohibit state affirmative action programs.\nElection fairness. Prevented election day discrimination against minority voters and voter intimidation and harassment by monitoring polling place activities in a record number of states and counties. Continued enforcement efforts to ensure that citizens who rely on Asian languages have the same opportunities to participate in voting-related activities as English-speaking voters.\nFocused health efforts. Established the Office of the Minority Health Research and Alternative Medicine at the National Institutes of Health. Helped communities develop culturally-competent systems of care for children with serious emotional disturbances through the Comprehensive Mental Health Services for Children and Families program. Negotiated agreements with hospitals and nursing homes to eliminate barriers to equal access for minorities based on language.\nThe rate of violent crime is down. From 1992 to 1996, violent crime has decreased by over 16%, and in the first six months of 1997, violent crime declined by an additional 5 percent. Preliminary 1997 data show murder and robbery also down by 9 percent.\nWon passage of the most comprehensive Crime Bill ever. In 1994, after more than six years of gridlock, a bipartisan majority in Congress passed the toughest, smartest Crime Bill in the nation's history. Among other provisions, the new law now provides: a targeted \"Three-Strikes-and-You're-Out\" provision to put career violent offenders behind bars for life; an expanded death penalty for drug kingpins, murderers of federal law enforcement officers and nearly 60 additional categories of violent felons; and funding for 100,000 more prison cells to help states ensure that violent offenders serve their full sentences.\nMore police on our streets and community policing. The President's plan to put 100,000 more police officers on the street through community policing represents the federal government's biggest commitment ever to local law enforcement. The President's plan will result in an almost 20% increase in the nation's police force levels. Already, the Administration has provided funding for over 72,000 officers, who are now helping keep our neighborhoods and communities safe.\nWhite House Conference on Hate Crimes. President Clinton convened the first White House Conference on Hate Crimes, which examined laws and remedies that can make a difference in preventing hate crimes, highlighted solutions that are working in communities across the country, and continued the frank and open dialogue needed to build One America.\nEnhanced penalties for hate crimes. As part of the historic 1994 Crime Act, the President signed the Hate Crimes Sentencing Enhancement Act which provides for longer sentences where the offense is determined to be a hate crime. In 1996 alone, 27 cases received enhanced sentences.\nSafe and Clean Environment\nEnvironmental justice and redevelopment. Issued an Executive Order on Environmental Justice, ensuring that low income citizens and minorities do not suffer a disproportionate burden of industrial pollution. Identified pilot projects to be undertaken across the country to redevelop contaminated sites in low-income communities and turn them into useable space, creating jobs and enhancing community development.\nNaturalization. Made naturalization a top priority of the Immigration and Naturalization Service in order to continue fostering legal immigration while combating illegal immigration. Naturalized over one million individuals in 1996. The Administration continues to work to streamline and improve the naturalization process so that eligible individuals who have played by the rules can become full partners as American citizens.\nResponsible immigration reform. Worked to enact responsible immigration reform legislation by properly focusing on immigration enforcement and opposing severe reductions in legal immigration which were not consistent with pro-family, pro-worker and pro-naturalization principles.\nDefended immigrant rights. The Administration defeated legislative efforts which would have significantly eroded health care for immigrants. The bipartisan agreement strengthened the sponsorship requirement while preserving the basic ability of families to reunify.Restored benefits to legal immigrants. When the President signed the 1996 Welfare Reform Law, he pledged to go back and change provisions he opposed regarding the cutting off of benefits to legal immigrants. Critics said the changes would never be made. However, in 1997, the President followed through on his pledge --and won much of the change he sought in the 1996 law. The President fought for and won $11.5 billion in SSI and Medicaid benefits for legal immigrants. He won changes that protect those immigrants now receiving assistance, ensuring that they will not be turned out of their apartments or nursing homes or otherwise left destitute. And immigrants in this country as of August 22, 1996, who subsequently become disabled will be eligible for SSI and Medicaid.\nInternational business affairs\nOpening Market Abroad: Over 240 Trade Agreements Have Helped Expand American Exports and Create American Jobs: Since President Clinton took office, his Administration has concluded 240 new trade agreements. This has helped expand exports so that over the last five years, new exports have accounted for more than one-third of our economic growth and have helped created jobs that, on average, pay 15 percent more than non-export related jobs. Notably, thirty percent of U.S. exports go to Asia and this country exports more goods to Asia than Europe.\nWTO: In the last year, this Administration completed a \"trifecta\" of three major global trade agreements in the World Trade Organization: the Information Technology Agreement covering $500 billion in global trade and more than $100 billion in U.S. exports, the global telecommunications services agreement (which will create more than a million jobs in the next ten years) and the financial services accord (which covers 95% of the global financial services market. Together these initiatives total cover trade totaling more than $1 trillion annually.\nAPEC: Secured commitments from Asia Pacific nations to eliminate barriers to open trade in the region by 2020 for developing countries and 2010 for industrialized countries. Over the next two years, 15 sectors will be identified for tariff reductions, including energy products and services, environmental technologies and services, natural resources, medical equipment, telecommunications, gems and jewelry.\nAPA Heritage Month","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1958853"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.847011148929596,"wiki_prob":0.847011148929596,"text":"Blood Samples From Recovered Patients Will Be Tested As Treatment For COVID-19\nPlasma, the liquid component of human blood which contains antibodies, from recovered COVID-19 patients can be infused into current sufferer's blood to help their body fight the illness. Komsan Loonprom/ Shutterstock\nBy Katy Pallister\nAs case numbers of COVID-19 continue to rise, scientists are working around the clock to develop and test treatments and vaccines in record time. In New York, where more than 25,000 cases of the coronavirus have been reported, trials of a rapidly available treatment – previously used to treat outbreaks of flu, SARS, and Ebola – are expected to begin later this week.\nDuring a news briefing on Monday, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced plans to trial convalescent plasma. This process involves the collection of plasma from recovered patients' blood, which contains antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. In turn, this can be infused into people who are still fighting the virus to help contribute to the body’s immune response.\n\"There have been tests that show when a person is injected with the antibodies, that then stimulates and promotes their immune system against that disease,\" Cuomo said in the briefing. \"It's only a trial. It's a trial for people who are in serious condition, but the New York State Department of Health has been working on this with some of New York's best health care agencies, and we think it shows promise, and we're going to be starting that this week.\"\nNew York is now the US epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak, with more than 25,000 reported infections and over 210 deaths. Joe Tabacca/Shutterstock\nWhilst this trial is awaiting approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the body made a separate announcement yesterday. FDA’s rules regarding the use of investigational drugs for the COVID-19 pandemic has been updated to include the administering of convalescent plasma under particular circumstances and still with FDA authorization.\n“Given the public health emergency that the expanding COVID-19 outbreak presents, while clinical trials are being conducted, FDA is facilitating access to COVID-19 convalescent plasma for use in patients with serious or immediately life-threatening COVID-19 infections,” the statement said.\n“This process allows the use of an investigational drug for the treatment of an individual patient by a licensed physician upon FDA authorization.”\nHowever, this treatment is not completely guaranteed to work. When studied in other respiratory infections, including the 2003 SARS epidemic and 2012 MERS epidemic, varying results were reported. Furthermore, there are risks associated with the plasma transfusions, such as giving a patient the wrong type of blood or inadvertently transmitting other pathogens. However, these procedures are relatively safe, provided the blood is screened for viruses and other components that could cause further infection.\nIn the case of COVID-19, trials for this method have already been conducted. In a pilot study from China, published on the pre-print website medRxiv, among the 10 severe cases who received plasma treatment, five showed rapidly increased levels of antibodies immediately post-transfusion, and within a week the virus was undetectable in seven patients.\nDr Arturo Casadevall, an immunologist at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, has also advocated this method for over a month. In a viewpoint article, published in The Journal Of Clinical Investigation, Casadevall and co-author Liise-anne Pirofski wrote that “as we are in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, we recommend that institutions consider the emergency use of convalescent sera and begin preparations as soon as possible.”\nFurther clinical trials are still needed to address questions about the treatment before being routinely administered, such as its effect in COVID-19 patients of varying severity and its use as a preventative measure for people in close contact with confirmed cases.\nOnly time will tell whether this treatment has the capability to help reduce the virus’ impact.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1633265"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9336055517196655,"wiki_prob":0.9336055517196655,"text":"2017 Participant Bios\nWendy Aronson (MA Jewish Communal Service and MA Jewish Education) has enjoyed working for innovative Jewish organizations like the Foundation for Jewish Camp, Boulder JCC and now Judaism Your Way where she is the Executive Director. Her early career has focused on creating positive Jewish experiences for young people through informal education like camp, youth group, and Israel experiences and has since grown to include a passion for administration.\nHannah Kapnik Ashar is a faculty member and Manager of Fellowship Year Experience with The Bronfman Fellowship and a rabbinic intern at Congregation Bonai Shalom in Boulder, CO. Hannah founded The Tefilah Retreat, a weekend of Jewish spiritual practice for young adults, and Boulder Denver Chevre, an independent minyan/Kevah group.\nRenna Khuner-Haber is a lay leader of Jewish ritual, song, and community in the San Francisco Bay Area through initiatives such as Nigun Collective. Renna received her undergraduate degrees from Barnard and JTS, holds a Master’s in nutrition, is an alumna of Adamah, and was the first staff member of Hazon’s inaugural satellite office way back before JOFEE took the Jewish world by storm.\nMatt Bar developed a distinct Hip­Hop/Folk fusion of Bob Dylan and Lil’ Wayne and then found a way to combine it with Jewish content with his founding of Bible Raps in 2006. His debut album, “Lying in Chalk,” contains singles that have played on MTV’s “The Real World” and NBC’s “Hip Hop Nation Notes from the Underground.” Since its inception, Bible Raps has reached tens of thousands of young Jews with Torah-rich performances in schools, Hillels, conferences and camps across the US and abroad.\nRabbi Tiferet Berenbaum is a graduate of Hebrew College in Newton, MA. She is currently the rabbi of Congregation Shir Hadash in Milwaukee, WI and will become the rabbi of Temple Har Zion in Mt. Holly, NJ this coming summer.\nCarrie Bornstein is Executive Director of Mayyim Hayyim Living Waters Community Mikveh and Paula Brody & Family Education Center outside of Boston, MA and lives in Sharon with her husband, Jamie, and their three children. A cum laude graduate of Skidmore College, Carrie received her Master’s degree in Social Work from Boston University, participated in the first cohort of DeLeT (Day School Leadership through Teaching), and studied at Pardes in Jerusalem.\nRabbi Sara Brandes was ordained at JTS and is the executive director at the Or HaLev: Center for Jewish Spirituality and Meditation. A student of world religion and a certified yoga instructor, Sara is the author of Magical World: Stories, Reflections, Poems and lives with her family at Kibbutz Hanaton, a progressive, pluralistic kibbutz in Northern Israel.\nCheryl Cook is the Executive Director of Avodah and has been active in the Jewish social justice community for over 25 years. She lives in Brooklyn with her family and enjoys hiking and biking in her free time.\nJessica Deutsch is a New York based artist who has taught at the New Shul, facilitated workshops as the 2D artist in residence at the Brandeis Collegiate Institute and completed a residency and volunteered with Art Kibbutz. Her work seeks to explore the intersections of Jewish spirituality and contemporary city life.\nJulie Emden directs the Embodied Jewish Learning Initiative. A graduate of five fellowship and teaching certification programs related to her work as a Jewish educator, Iyengar-based yoga instructor (RYT-500) and movement/expressive artist, Julie has two decades of experience guiding others in exploring Jewish wisdom via the body.\nRabbi Avi Finegold is the founder and lead educator of the Jewish Learning Lab, an adult education organization and strategic consultancy based in Montreal.\nRabbi Dan Goldblatt has been the spiritual leader of Beth Chaim Congregation in Danville, CA for 24 years. He serves on the Boards of both OHALAH: The Association of Rabbis for Jewish Renewal and ALEPH: The Alliance for Jewish Renewal and is a Past President of OHALAH.\nRishe Groner is a writer, teacher, strategist, marketer, musician, dancer and lover of life. As the founder of TheGene-Sis.com, Rishe focuses on bringing ancient Chassidic and Kabbalistic teachings into embodied practices around Brooklyn, including workshops, festivals, dancefloors and ceremonies.\nRabbi Jill Hammer, PhD, is the Director of Spiritual Education at the Academy for Jewish Religion, and the co-founder of the Kohenet Hebrew Priestess Institute. She is the author of eight books including: The Jewish Book of Days: A Companion for All Seasons; The Hebrew Priestess: Ancient and New Visions of Jewish Women’s Spiritual Leadership; Siddur haKohanot: A Hebrew Priestess Prayerbook; and The Book of Earth and Other Mysteries.\nDavid Jordan Harris has been Executive Director of Rimon: The Minnesota Jewish Arts Council since 2004 and is interfaith arts special consultant for the Jay Phillips Center for Interfaith Learning at the University of St. Thomas. Integrating his skills as a singer, actor, and dancer, he has appeared as guest artist with numerous companies including Zorongo Flamenco, Liz Lerman Dance Exchange and the Minnesota Opera.\nDavid Zvi Kalman is a doctoral student at the University of Pennsylvania. He is CEO and co-founder of Jewish Public Media and owner of Print-O-Craft LLC, an independent Jewish publishing house.\nDaniel Kaplan is a community organizer with the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs, Chicago’s Jewish voice for social justice. Daniel is also a resident of Doykeit, a nonaffiliated communal home with a progressive and observant Jewish orientation.\nLisa Lepson is the executive director of the Joshua Venture Group. Previously, Lisa served as the global director of non-profit services at RockCorps, a social venture dedicated to engaging youth in volunteerism through the power of music. With an MBA from The Anderson School at UCLA, Lisa has brought her expertise in entrepreneurship and organizational development to numerous non-profits, both within Joshua Venture and beyond it.\nIlana Lerman is the rabbinical council organizer for Jewish Voice for Peace and was a core member of the two-year strategy team responsible for launching the IfNotNow movement to end Jewish American support for the occupation. She organized in interfaith settings for five years with the Boston Jewish Community Relations Council and is an alumna of Adamah, JOIN, Shefa Gold’s Kol Zimrah chanting program, and is a current co-leader of Let My People Sing! traveling Jewish singing retreats.\nAudrey Lichter is a serial start-up person. Over her career she has been in the forefront of starting a congregation, a Jewish community high school, a Jewish Day high school, a Jewish Day School Consortium, and now a national Jewish engagement program called Chai Mitzvah.\nDr. Julie Lieber serves as the Director of Education at Kevah where she oversees the organization’s educational vision, its national network of over 50 educators and the Kevah Teaching Fellowship, which trains rabbis and Jewish educators in Kevah’s pedagogical approach to conversational Torah study for adults. She holds a PhD in European history with a focus on Jewish women, gender and sexuality, and was a professor of History and Jewish Studies in Colorado for many years before moving into her role at Kevah.\nRabbi Sara Luria is the founder and executive director of ImmerseNYC: A Community Mikveh Project. Ordained by HUC in 2013, Sara was a Tisch Leadership Fellow and is currently the program director for that Fellowship. She lives in her hometown of Brooklyn with her husband Isaac, and their young children, Caleb, Eva, and Judah.\nRabbi Natan Margalit was ordained in Jerusalem in 1990 and earned a Ph.D. in Talmud from U.C. Berkeley in 2001. He has taught at Bard College, RRC, and Hebrew College Rabbinical School and is the founder and president of Organic Torah Institute, a non-profit that integrates systems thinking and Judaism.\nPatricia Eszter Margit is the founder of Art Kibbutz, international Jewish artist residency, community, and a hub. She is a bestselling author in her native Hungary, currently living in New York.\nRabbi Miriam Margles, rabbi of the Danforth Jewish Circle in Toronto, facilitates workshops integrating Jewish learning and creative exploration in movement, voice and creative writing, particularly addressing conflict, systemic oppression, spiritual practice, mindfulness and healing. She is co-founder of Encounter (encounterprograms.org) and composes original music for Jewish prayer.\nYoni Oppenheim is the Co-Founding Artistic Director of 24/6: A Jewish Theater Company. He is a New York based director, dramaturg, translator, and teaching artist.\nKendell Pinkney is a Brooklyn-based theatre writer, Jewish education professional, and the associate producer of Kaleidoscope – a narrative arts showcase highlighting the personal stories of Jews of color and diverse ethnic backgrounds. He will start rabbinical school at JTS in fall 2017, where he hopes to build on his work at the intersection between the arts, Torah, Jewish education and community building by working with college-aged students.\nAri Pomerantz is a resident organizer at the Moishe Kavod Jewish Social Justice House and a recent alumna of the JOIN for Justice Fellowship and the Adamah Jewish Farming Fellowship.\nSammy Rosenbaum is a musician, songwriter, and spiritual educator from Atlanta, GA and is the co-founder of The Well – ATL, a once-a-month musical Shabbat gathering for young professionals. He travels to Jewish communities around the world performing his music, sharing innovative prayer experiences, and working to engage his peers in a deeper connection to their Judaism.\nRabbi Rami Schwartzer is the founding director of Ramah Day Camp of Greater Washington, DC, and the rabbi of a new Jewish community for 20s and 30s in the greater DC area. He lives in Bethesda, MD with his wife Adina and their dog Arthur.\nJane Shapiro is inspired every day when she teaches Torah to adults in the Chicago area. She is one of the founders of Orot: Center for New Jewish Learning.\nRabbi Jeremy Sher was admitted to OHALAH: The Alliance of Rabbis for Jewish Renewal after a successful career in political technology and entrepreneurship, and a six-year program of rabbinical study under Rabbi Natan Margalit, Ph.D., including the Master of Divinity program at Harvard Divinity School. He works full-time as a Chaplain Intern at Langley Porter Psychiatric Institute & UCSF Medical Center in San Francisco, is starting the new congregation Ha-Emek: Honest, Inclusive, Progressive Judaism in Silicon Valley, and has recently published his first book, Growth through Governance: What Every Jewish Nonprofit Leader Needs to Know.\nRabbi Garth Silberstein received rabbinic ordination from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah in 2016 and serves as the rabbi of Kenesset Israel Torah Center (Sacramento, CA). An outdoor enthusiast, Rabbi Silberstein twice staffed Hazon’s Cross-USA bike ride from Seattle to Washington, DC and in 2014 founded Organic Yeshiva, an immersive adult education program combining traditional Talmud study with hands-on experience in sustainable agriculture.\nRabbi Ruth H. Sohn is a teacher, spiritual director, and writer. She co-directs the Yedidya Center for Jewish Spiritual Direction, the Morei Derekh Jewish Spiritual Direction Training Program and also serves as Director of the Aronoff Rabbinic Mentoring Program and Rabbi of the Lainer Beit Midrash, all at HUC-JIR in Los Angeles.\nRabbi Joshua Stanton is the incoming rabbi at East End Temple in Manhattan and co-Director of Tribe, a Millennial engagement program that serves around 1,200 people in the New York area. He currently serves as an Associate Rabbi at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun in Short Hills, New Jersey and previously served as Associate Director of the Center for Global Judaism at Hebrew College and Director of Communications for the Coexist Foundation.\nNaomi Tucker is the founder and Executive Director of Shalom Bayit, an organization dedicated to building a Jewish communal response to domestic violence. Naomi led the integration of Jewish spiritual healing into battered women’s groups in the early 1990s, and today works to ensure that Jewish women’s safety and empowerment are prioritized within both the Jewish social justice agenda and spiritual communities.\nAharon Varady, M.A.J.Ed., is a curriculum consultant, editor, and publisher of Jewish liturgy and educational materials. A former community planner, in 2009 he founded the Open Siddur Project for sharing prayers and prayerbooks whose contents can be adapted and redistributed under Open Content licensing.\nRabbi Michael Wasserman, together with his wife Rabbi Elana Kanter, founded The New Shul in Scottsdale Arizona in 2002 and they continue to serve as its co-rabbis. Rabbi Wasserman is a graduate of Harvard University, the Jewish Theological Seminary, and the Shalom Hartman Institute’s Rabbinic Leadership Initiative.\nMicah Weiss is a community organizer and Jewish educator who is helping to launch the West Philly Shtiebel. He is a second-year student at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and interns at Drexel University Hillel.\nJudi Wisch serves as the Director of Community Engagement for PJ Library, supporting professionals in more than 200 communities in North America and beyond in reaching out and engaging families with young children, both within and outside of the organized Jewish community. Her past endeavors include serving as a supplementary school education director, Jewish film festival director, Judaic studies teacher, director of the Conference on Judaism in Rural New England, and conflict resolution facilitator at the Neve Shalom/ Wahat al Salaam School for Peace in Israel.\nKenissa Network Staff and 2017 Consultation Speakers\nHadar Cohen is the program associate for the Kenissa Network. An alumna of Mechon Hadar, Urban Adamah, Bend the Arc and Svara, she loves learning Torah, singing and organizing community. She lives in the Bay Area.\nClaudia Horwitz has been a leader in national efforts to integrate spiritual practice and social justice and has over 25 years of experience in nonprofit leadership and movement building. She currently works with a range of organizations and institutions, including serving as faculty for the Annie E. Casey Foundation in Results Based Leadership. She is the author of The Spiritual Activist: Practices to Transform Your Life, Your Work and Your World (Penguin Compass 2002) and is the director of training for the Kenissa Network.\nRabbi Sid Schwarz is the founder and director of Kenissa: Communities of Meaning Network. He is a serial entrepreneur having founded PANIM: The Institute for Jewish Leadership and Values, which he ran for 21 years, Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation (Bethesda, MD) where he continues to teach and lead services and the Clergy Leadership Incubator (CLI). He is the author of Finding a Spiritual Home: How a New Generation of Jews can Transform the American Synagogue, Judaism and Justice: The Jewish Passion to Repair the World and Jewish Megatrends: Charting the Course of the American Jewish Future.\nCasper ter Kuile is an On Being Fellow and a Ministry Innovation Fellow at Harvard Divinity School and the co-host of “Harry Potter and the Sacred Text”. He co-authored How We Gather with Angie Thurston and lives in Cambridge, MA.\nAngie Thurston is an On Being Fellow and a Ministry Innovation Fellow at Harvard Divinity School, supporting leaders who are deepening community amidst increasing religious disaffiliation. With Casper ter Kuile, she co-authored How We Gather and Something More, two reports profiling new forms of meaningful community in America.\nRob Weinberg, PhD is an independent consultant and coach. From 2001 through 2016 he served as Director of HUC-JIR’s Experiment in Congregational Education, prior to which he spent 18 years as an organizational change and effectiveness consultant with Hewitt Associates and the Carlson/Nathanson Group. Rob is the consultant to Kenissa’s Communities of Practice.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1475337"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7453247308731079,"wiki_prob":0.2546752691268921,"text":"A Tribute to Huntington’s Disease Warriors in the Age of COVID-19\nFrances Saldana is one of the most remarkable women I know. She has lost all three of her children to Huntington’s disease (HD) – a nasty, fatal disease that steadily destroys the nerve cells in the brain – but still retains a fighting spirit and a commitment to finding a cure for HD. She is the President Emeritus for HD-Care, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about HD, and finding money for research to cure it. She recently wrote a Mother’s Day blog for HD-Care about the similarities between HD and COVID-19. As May is National Huntington’s Disease Awareness Month we wanted to share her blog with you.\nFrances Saldana\nCOVID-19 has consumed our entire lives, and for many, our livelihoods. This is a pandemic like we have never experienced in our lifetime, bringing out in many families fear, financial devastation, disabilities, isolation, suffering, and worst of all, loss of life. But through all this, the pandemic has uncovered emotions in many who rose to the occasion – a fight and stamina beyond human belief.\nAs a family member who has lost all of my children to Huntington’s disease, it makes me so sad to watch and hear about the suffering that people all over the world are currently experiencing with COVID-19. This devastation is nothing new to Huntington’s disease families. Although Huntington’s disease (HD) is not contagious, it is genetic, and much of the uncertainty and fears that families are experiencing are so similar to what HD families experience….in slow motion, with unanswered questions such as:\nWho in my family is carrying the mutant HD gene? (Who in my family is carrying the coronavirus?)\nWho in my family will inherit the mutant HD gene? (Who will get infected by the COVID-19?)\nWill my loved on live long enough to benefit from a treatment for HD? (Will there be a vaccination soon if my loved one is infected by COVID-19?)\nHow long will my HD family member live? (Will my affected COVID-19 loved one survive after being placed on a ventilator?)\nIs my HD family member going to die? (Will my COVID-19 family member die?)\nIn watching some of the footage of COVID-19 patients on TV and learning about the symptoms, it appears that those with a severe case of the virus go through similar symptoms as HD patients who are in the late and end-of-life stages: pneumonia, sepsis, pain, and suffering, to name a few, although for HD families, the journey goes on for years or even decades, and then carries on to the next generation, and not one HD patient will survive the disease. Not yet!\nScientists are working furiously all over the world to find a treatment for COVID-19. The same goes for scientists focused on Huntington’s disease research. Without their brilliant work we would have no hope. Without funding there would be no science. I have been saying for the last 20 years that we will have a treatment for Huntington’s disease in the next couple of years, but with actual facts and successful clinical trials, there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel and we have much to be thankful for. I feel it in my heart that a treatment will be found for both COVID-19 and Huntington’s disease very soon.\nThe month of May happens to be National Huntington’s Disease Awareness Month. Mother’s Day also falls in the month of May. Huntington’s disease “Warrior Moms” are exemplary women, and I have been blessed to have known a few. Driven by love for their children, they’ve worn many hats as caregivers, volunteers, and HD community leaders in organizations such as HD-CARE, HDSA, WeHaveAFace, Help4HD, HD Support &Care Network, and many others.\nThe mothers have often also been forced to take on the role of breadwinners when the father of the family has unexpectedly become debilitated from HD. In spite of carrying a heavy cross, HD Warrior Moms persevere, and they do it with endless love, often taking care of HD family members from one generation to the next. They are the front-line workers in the HD community, tirelessly protecting their families and at the same time doing all they can to provide a meaningful quality of life.\nMany HD Warrior moms have lost their children in spite of their fierce fight to save them, but they keep their memory alive, never losing hope for a treatment that will end the pain, suffering, and loss of life. Many HD Warrior Moms have lost the fight themselves, not from HD, but from a broken heart. These are the HD Warrior Moms.\nWe salute them all. We love them all.\nCIRM is funding several projects targeting HD. You can read about them here.\nDashed Dreams and New Hope: A Quest to Cure Thymic Deficiency\nJanuary 8, 2020 January 15, 2020 / Kevin McCormack\t/ 1 Comment\nBy Kelly Shepard, PhD., CIRM’s Associate Director, Discovery & Translation\nCIRM has previously blogged about advances in treating certain forms of “bubble baby” disease”, where a person is born with a defect in their blood forming stem cells that results in a deficient immune system, rendering them vulnerable to lethal infections by all manner of bacteria, virus or germ.\nIf a suitable donor can be found, or if the patient’s own defective cells can be corrected through gene therapy approaches, it is now possible to treat or cure such disorders through a bone marrow transplant. In this procedure, healthy blood stem cells are infused into the patient, taking up residence in his or her bone marrow and dividing to give rise to functioning immune cells such as T cells and B cells.\nUnfortunately, there is another type of “bubble baby” disease that cannot be treated by providing healthy blood stem cells, because the defective immune system is caused by a different culprit altogether- a missing or dysfunctional thymus.\nCreated for the National Cancer Institute, http://www.cancer.gov\nT Cells Go to School\nWhat is a thymus? Most of us give little thought to this leaf-shaped organ, which is large and important in our early childhoods, but becomes small and inconspicuous as we age. This transformation belies the critical role a thymus plays in the development of our adaptive immune systems, which takes place in our youth: to prepare our bodies to fight infections for the rest of our lives.\nOne might think of the thymus as a “school”, where immature T cells go to “learn” how to recognize and attack foreign antigens (surface markers), such as those found on microorganisms or tissues from other individuals. The thymus also “teaches” our immune system to distinguish “self” from “other” by eliminating any T cells that attack our own tissues. Without this critical function, our immune system could inadvertently turn against us, causing serious autoimmune disorders such as ulcerative colitis and myasthenia gravis.\nMany children with a severely deficient or absent thymus, referred to as athymia, have inherited a chromosome that is missing a key stretch of genes on a region called 22q11. Doctors believe perhaps 1/2000-1/4000 babies are born with some type of deletion in this region, which leads to a variable spectrum of disorders called 22q11 syndrome that can affect just about any part of the body, and can even cause learning disabilities and mental illness.\nIndividuals with one form of 22q11, called DiGeorge Syndrome, are particularly affected in the heart, thymus, and parathyroid glands. In the United States, about 20 infants are born per year with the “complete” and most severe form of DiGeorge Syndrome, who lack a thymus altogether, and have severely depressed numbers of T cells for fighting infections. Without medical intervention, this condition is usually fatal by 24 months of age.\nOptimism and Setback\nAlthough there are no therapies approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for pediatric athymia, Dr. Mary Louise Markert at Duke University and Enzyvant, Inc. have been pioneering an experimental approach to treat children with complete DiGeorge syndrome.\nIn this procedure, discarded thymic tissues are collected from infants undergoing cardiac surgery, where some of the thymus needs to be removed in order for the surgeon to gain access to the heart. These tissues are processed to remove potentially harmful donor T cells and then transplanted into the thigh of an athymic DiGeorge patient.\nResults from early clinical trials seemed promising, with more than 70% of patients surviving, including several who are now ten years post-transplant. Based on those results, in June of 2019 Enzyvant applied to the FDA for a Biologics License Application (BLA), which is needed to be able to sell the therapy in the US. Unfortunately, only a few months later, Enzyvant announced that the FDA had declined to approve the BLA due to manufacturing concerns.\nWhile it may be possible to address these issues in time, the need to step back to the drawing board was a devastating blow to the DiGeorge Community, who have waited decades for a promising treatment to emerge on the horizon.\nDespite the setback, there is reason to hope. In early 2019, CIRM granted a “Quest” Award to team of investigators at Stanford University to develop a novel stem cell based approach for treating thymic deficiency. Co-led by Katja Weinacht, a pediatric hematologist/oncologist, and Vittorio Sebastiano, a stem cell expert and developmental biologist, the team’s strategy is to coax induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) in the laboratory to differentiate into thymic tissue, which could then be transplanted into patients using the route pioneered by Duke and Enzyvant.\nKatja Weinacht: Photo courtesy Stanford Children’s Health\nThe beauty of this new approach is that pluripotent stem cells are essentially immortal in culture, providing an inexhaustible supply of fresh thymic cells for transplant, thereby allowing greater control over the quality and consistency of donor tissues. A second major advantage is the possibility of using pluripotent cells from the patient him/herself as the source, which should be perfectly immune-matched and alleviate the risk of rejection and autoimmunity that comes with use of donated tissues.\nVittorio Sebastiano: Photo courtesy Stanford\nSounds easy, so what are the challenges? As with many regenerative medicine approaches, the key is getting a pluripotent stem cell to differentiate into the right type of cells in the lab, which is a very different environment than what cells experience naturally when they develop in the context of an embryo and womb, where many cells are interacting and providing complex, instructive cues to one another. The precise factors and timing all need to be worked out and in most cases, this is done with an incomplete knowledge of human development.\nA second challenge relates to using cells from DiGeorge patients to produce thymic tissue, which are missing several genes on their 22nd chromosome and will likely require sophisticated genetic engineering to restore this ability.\nFortunately, Drs. Weinacht and Sebastiano are up to the challenge, and have already made progress in differentiating human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) into thymic lineage intermediates that appear to be expressing the right proteins at the right time. They plan to combine these cells with engineered materials to create a three-dimensional (3D) tissue that more closely resembles an authentic organ, and which can be tested for functionality in athymic mice.\nThere is more work to be done, but these advances, along with continued technological improvements and renewed efforts from Enzyvant, could forge a path to the clinic and lead to a brighter future for patients suffering from congenital athymia and other forms of thymic dysfunction.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line664521"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7660637497901917,"wiki_prob":0.7660637497901917,"text":"Classified in: Health, Science and technology\nSubject: PDT\nFDA Clears nView Medical's First Imaging System, nView s1\nSALT LAKE CITY, July 13, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- nView medical Inc. (nView) today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance of nView s1, the company's first imaging system, bringing breakthrough imaging technology to surgery.\nnView's mission is to make surgery safer, faster, and consistently accurate by creating instant 3D information throughout the surgical procedure. nView s1 integrates the latest developments in low-dose x-ray imaging with intelligent imaging algorithms to provide fluoroscopic and multiplanar views derived from tomographic reconstructions. These views can be used by surgeons to accurately assess the anatomy and placement of implants during spinal and orthopedic procedures.\n\"nView s1 is an imaging platform that provides invaluable information to surgeons throughout the procedure. The technology can be used intraoperatively to visualize the surgery and at the end of the procedure to confirm the quality of the surgery. The future of surgery will be enabled by automation and quantification. nView s1 is our first step in that direction\" said Cristian Atria, founder and CEO at nView medical.\nLisa Last, COO, commented: \"nView s1 has been cleared as a fluoroscopic and tomographic imaging system for adult and pediatric populations. In pediatrics, our low-dose operation brings a unique opportunity to increase precision via 3D imaging while minimizing radiation exposure. The 510(k) clearance will allow us to expand our work with research partners in pilot sites\".\nAbout nView\nnView medical, based in Salt Lake City, UT, is an early stage start-up whose mission is to make surgery safer, faster, and consistently accurate. nView develops imaging systems, bringing breakthrough AI solutions for image creation, image processing, and image visualization to surgery. nView medical backers include the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the State Of Utah, the National Consortium for Pediatric Device Innovation, MedtechInnovator, Dr. Kevin Foley, MD, and Fusion Fund (Palo Alto, CA).\nSOURCE nView medical\nCOVID-19 Expert Panel provides science-based advice on optimizing testing and screening in Canada\nSince the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada has used the latest science and evidence to inform our response. By collaborating with scientists and experts, we are ensuring the provinces and territories have the tools they need...\nOptimi Health Corp. (\"Optimi\" or the \"Company\"), developers of a vertically integrated functional mushroom brand focused on the health and wellness sector, is pleased to announce that it has filed a preliminary prospectus (the \"Preliminary...\nThe \"Surgical Instruments Market (2020 - 2025)\" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. According to the findings of a study by the University of California, Irwin Medical Center, hip and knee replacement surgeries are on the rise...\nAccording to Coherent Market Insights, the global vascular patches market is estimated to be valued at US$ 4,778.33 million in 2020 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 7.0% during the forecast period (2020-2027). Key Trends and Analysis of the...\nPeachtree Corners ? the nation's first smart city environment powered by real-world infrastructure and next-generation connectivity ? announced the addition of revolutionary artificial intelligence-powered camera technology from Cawamo at City Hall ?...\nMore news about Health...\nNews published on 13 july 2019 at 16:00 and distributed by:","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line503482"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6934558153152466,"wiki_prob":0.6934558153152466,"text":"Home a - Web Site Placement Come Out to the 7th Annual Cup Show and Ceramic Studio Hosted...\nCome Out to the 7th Annual Cup Show and Ceramic Studio Hosted by the Jansen Art Center\nThe Jansen Art Center (The J) is a gathering place for artists—a communal spot where anyone can join in the excitement of creativity. From dancing to textiles, there’s something here for everyone with an imaginative spirit. One of the center’s most popular programs is ceramics.\nThe studio is used by all ages and has become a meeting place for new found friendships. “It’s comprised of an incredible group of supportive people who all bounce ideas off of each other,” says Dan Stockwell, a student at The J.\nA sculptor creates the figure of a man at the Jansen Art Center. Photo courtesy: Jansen Art Center\nThe large facility on Lynden’s Front Street is packed with services for ceramics students. Dozens of workshops and classes are available with regular and guest instructors who keep material and concepts fresh.\nAdult students participating in a 6-week class are allowed to utilize free open studio time with up to 20 hours a week to practice.\n“Acquiring ceramic tools and equipment can get quite expensive, and that’s where The J can help by providing amazing equipment and space at a very low cost to artists,” says Jesse Rasmussen, ceramics program director at the Jansen Art Center.\n“I moved to Lynden from Bellingham last, year largely because of the Jansen Art Center,” says Ruth Hesse, a student at the center. “Everyone is incredibly welcoming, I found Jansen Art Center at a time when I really needed to be around other people.”\nOpen studio time is popular among center visitors. “The ceramics studio is a warm and welcoming environment where artists share ideas, create, and build a sense of community through clay,” says Rasmussen.\nThe center is spacious and made to accommodate a lot of people and equipment. It’s home to eight pottery wheels, a hand building and sculpture space, shelving and storage for ongoing clay projects, a glaze room with mixing capabilities, two electric kilns, one downdraft gas kiln, and one raku kiln.\n“The Jansen Center Ceramics Studio is a fun place to work, you gain experience from interacting and sharing new ideas,” says Barbi J. Keily, a student at the center. “The people are friendly, and the classes offered are interesting. Whether you have been working with clay for years or just beginning, people are willing to help in your quest for that perfect ceramic project.”\nDan Stockwell works at the potter’s wheel during open studio time at the Jansen Art Center. Photo courtesy: Jansen Art Center\nIn addition to fundraising and sponsors, the center was recently awarded three grants, from the Norcliffe Foundation, the Whatcom Community Foundation and the McEachern Charitable Trust to beef up the ceramics department even more. Jansen used the funding to update the lighting to LED flat panels, add additional wheels, a waterfall spray booth, an upgraded ventilation system, new shelving, a new electric kiln, and a child-friendly vertical slab roller.\nThe upgraded workroom can house a sizable crowd of any age and ability. The only limit is your imagination.\nOn June 6, 2019, The J will host its 7th Annual Cup Show. Artists from all over the country and Canada submit handmade cups or mugs to be judged and exhibited with a chance to win one of over $1,000 worth of prizes.\nLast year’s Cup Show brought in 127 submissions from 49 artists. “People can get abstract with the cups,” says Amelia Chirichigno, marketing manager at the Jansen Art Center. “The cup show is unique and special; it allows artists to think outside the box and push the limits of a typical cup.”\nLast year’s Cup Show brought 127 submissions from 49 artists. Photo courtesy: Jansen Art Center\nPrizes are generously donated by the Mount Baker Rotary Club, Clay Arts Center, The Green Barn, Tony’s Coffee and Teas, Giffin Grip, the Washington Clay Arts Association, Whatcom Artists of Clay & Kiln and the Fraser Valley Potters Guild.\nWinners are chosen after being selected by a panel of judges. Guests will choose a People’s Choice Award by filling out a ballot on the opening night. One year, then-seven-year-old Hazel Lawson won the People’s Choice Award for an adorable bunny on a porcelain cup.\nPeople are allowed to purchase the cups in-house or online. Many of the artists who submit cups are sculptors who scale down their work to create a more approachable art piece the public can buy. “This is a great opportunity to purchase a small-scale piece from well-known artists,” says Rasmussen.\nGuests are encouraged to wander around the studio and take a look at the new equipment and studio space.\nSeven year-old Hazel Lawson won the People’s Choice Award at the 2016 Cup Show. Photo courtesy: Jansen Art Center\nThis year, on opening night, the center will host a passport giveaway. People will receive a passport card at the door and collect a stamp at each studio to enter for a chance to win a cup.\n“Every year, I usually have a favorite that I purchase,” says Rasmussen. “One had an image of a blue house that was slightly melting, then on the inside of the cup it had another whole drawing. It made you wonder how they did it.”\n“The exhibit challenges the viewer to look at cups from a different perspective,” says Chirichigno, “both sculpturally and functionally.”\nIn addition to the Cup Show, the Jansen Art Center will be opening three solo artist exhibits and a juried exhibit on June 6, 2019:\nInnerspace, Acrylic Paintings by Kay D Little.\nItch, by Cecilia Karoly-Lister.\nAncients Unfolding, Journal Sketches by Marcia K Moore.\nA Summer Juried Exhibit.\nDuring the celebration, J.P. Falcon Grady will perform in the piano lounge from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Firehall Café at the J will serve beer, wine, cider, and dinner on the balcony, which offers gorgeous views of Mount Baker.\nThe entire event is free and open to the public.\nMost artists will be in attendance, and guests will have the opportunity to ask questions and chat with cup and exhibiting artists.\nIf you can’t make it to the opening celebration, the exhibit will remain on display until Friday, August 30.\n7th Annual Cup Show at the Jansen Art Center\nJansen Art Center\n321 Front Street in Lynden\nTuesdays & Wednesdays: 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.\nThursdays: 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.\nFridays & Saturdays: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.\nPrevious articleBellingham Farmers Market Cooking Demonstrations for Kitchen Adventurers\nNext articleInvest in Yourself With Whatcom Young Professionals","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line847048"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6652364730834961,"wiki_prob":0.3347635269165039,"text":"In 1976, the Ontario Heritage Foundation designated McMaster Hall a building of historic significance. McMaster Hall is now being restored, and the TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning is scheduled to open in 2007.\"\nThe following account of strange happenings was received in November 2005. In the witness' own words:\n\"I was preparing for my Grade 8 piano exam at the Royal Conservatory of Music in 1984. I would rent out a studio on a quiet Sunday afternoon to study. The halls were very quiet. There were two areas in particular where I experienced something present. There was a small window on the doors of the studios and chairs outside for people to sit. On one occasion, I was locked in concentration, working on one of my pieces. I could hear heavy footsteps coming down the hall. As the sounds got closer, I felt disrupted and a face appeared in the window. It then sounded as if someone sat down on one of the chairs just outside the door. Assuming someone might have booked the studio for study, I immediately got up and opened the door, but nobody was there. I was all alone on the floor and the hallway was quite long, the studios locked, so it was as if the person vanished without a trace. No sign of any physical presence anywhere. This happened several times in various parts of the building when I booked a studio. Most times it was very quiet, hardly a soul in the building. One time, however, there was a lot of physical activity in the studios, but doors tightly shut and people focusing on their studies. The footsteps, sometimes a door being tested to see if it was open, a face appears in the window to see if anyone was in the room, but no one was there when I opened the door. By my senses, I was expecting to see a very large or heavy man when I opened the door, but there was absolutely no one there.\nOn occasion when I was walking up the main staircase to the studios, I felt a presence behind me. One day, out of the corner of my eye, I though I saw a stocky person in a dark cape and top hat clutching his hand on the side rail and walking briskly up the stairs behind me to my right. He appeared in an awful hurry. I finally applied humour to the situation. I thought I know I am having difficulty trying to learn this Beethoven piece, however, I wouldn't think it would be so bad that Beethoven himself would come back from the dead to see that it got played properly. Of course, my music teacher at the time thought that was very funny. However, at the time I was experiencing this, I wasn't laughing. All I know to this day, is that the sounds mixed in with the everyday sounds of the conservatory and the footsteps were loud enough and brisk as if the person were approaching with great intention. Who knows, maybe the energy assisted in my pursuit of passing my Grade 8 exam, which I did despite it all. I put this down as a fascinating life experience that is very hard to explain unless you experience it for yourself.\"\nOur thanks go out to the witness for sharing these unusual experiences.\nOther reports that we have received over the years include: a female entity (according to the witnesses) and one is a poltergeist (felt, not seen) but again, is assumed by the witnesses to be female.\nThe two apparitions of a woman are described in either a red top or a red dress. She is seen in the hallways of the second and third floor. The other is \"felt\" as if someone is entering a room... and there's a change in the \"environment\" as if someone has now come in, but no one is physically there.\nUpdate: May 2006 In May 2006 we received the following photo of parts of the RCM that were removed as part of current renos. Our thanks to Jamie Thompson, Photographer & RCM Faculty Member for his kind compliments to this site and his allowing are usage of this photo. You may visit Jamie's personal site here: www.shiningtree.org\nUpdate - November 2006 One of our readers writes:\nI heard the same story about a woman who haunts one of the top floors at the RCM from someone who had no prior knowledge of your website. Apparently the caretaker staff have seen the apparition on more than one occasion, and it's a well-known story among the staff. Another interesting bit of trivia I learned is that part of RCM used to be a chapel, and there were corpses buried underneath. There's been a big renovation going on over the past year, where they're adding a new concert hall. It would be interesting to find out whether the workers find anything!\nWe would like to hear from anyone else who may have had a strange encounter at the Royal Conservatory of Music. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.\nUpdate - November 2012\nMembers of Toronto Ghosts/PSICAN were invited to meet with staffers and document their own experiences as well as attempt some EVP recordings. We will update this page with notes from the primary visit along with any future investigations in the coming months. Much thanks to Ian and Daniel for allowing us this opportunity!","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line666393"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7650818824768066,"wiki_prob":0.7650818824768066,"text":"Geoeconomics\nCategory: Geoeconomics\nCreated by Conspecte Team\nThe national borders in Africa were drawn up by Europeans, with no concern for ethnic realities and tribal identity. More than ninety percent African States have conflict-ridden multiethnic identities (Glassner 1996). As if that was not enough, after the Second World War English-speaking countries expanded their territory at the expense of their neighbours, as Ghana did with Togo when they annexed those areas which were rich on natural resources (here first of all timber).\nThe banking system is wrecked in most African countries, likewise the insurance system. General corruption prevails. In the 1960s and 1970s many Western intellectuals imagined that the Third World could offer a superior value-system, a kind of liberation of the industrialized individual, a return to the essentials so to speak, to a simpler way of life. What do we find today? Most Third World projects have been failures, fostering corruption and nurtured the vilest dictators, ultimately creating social disorder. Some say that we decolonized too rapidly. Now it is too late to re-colonize.\nFew young Westerners are willing to leave their comforts and work in a Third World country. Our missionary spirit has disappeared. Most Westerners who go to Africa today are either overpaid government-funded consultants, or civil servants searching for an exotic break in their otherwise monotonous careers.\nChina is succeeding where the Western world has failed in Africa. It is sending over thousands of its highlyeducated countrymen, who speak both English and French. Above all they are building, conferring gifts in the form of large-scale infrastructure projects in return for access to African consumer markets. Chinese are also being hired as executives in local companies.\nAs soon as African countries have generated their own elites, the members of these have moved to the Western world where they can live a more comfortable life. This is largely due to lack of national patriotism. Compare this with Korean students, who often write on their essays: “For the prosperity of my family and my country”. That spirit is unknown to many Africans. Forming an educated class in many of these countries means deposing their existing elites. Our involvement has often had a perverse side-effect: we have organized their non-development.\nHunger, indeed starvation, have been a major problem in much of the Sahara region, from Mauritania across to Chad, in Nigeria, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Angola, and Mozambique; and malnutrition is a problem for almost all of sub-Saharan Africa.\nAccording to Johan Galtung, there are close to a billion people with no money, and 125,000 die each day from starvation (25,000)and from preventable and curable diseases (100,000). If you send money, it will be stolen. If you send food, you need to create jobs. By donating food we are easing our conscience, but neglecting our responsibility. The best thing we can do in Africa in the short run is to remove the subsidies we give our own companies to undercut African producers. We have been and are removing from Africans the only competitive advantage they have today: food production. Our export subsidies to Africa equal the amount we give in overseas aid.\nIf you take a closer look at the pot called “overseas aid”, you will see that most funds come back to our own companies and organizations in the form of administrative costs, consulting fees, accommodation, and educational programmes. But it looks very good on paper: “1 per cent of GDP”.\nSierra Leone was one of the biggest markets for arms during the first Gulf War. Like a number of neighbouring countries, its story has been a long series of social, political, and economic catastrophes.\nThe Islamic Sudanese government in the north sees no objection to killing their own (Christian) population in the South. In the meantime they have split into two countries. The Western world showed that it did not learn anything from the Rwanda massacre. We did not intervene in Darfur. There is not enough oil under the sand. Iran has terrorist camps in the Sudan to cause instability in Egypt. France has long supported the Islamic regime in Khartoum. Now they have changed to the Chinese. The American government supported the Christian guerillas in South Sudan (SPLA). France is losing country after country in Central Africa. The Anglo-American expansion is being checked by China.\nWhen you have a quasi-democratic political system where the majority of the 155 million people large population belong to 250 different ethnic groups and live in great poverty, you get continuing despair and chaos. When a handful of people have access to all the easy (oil) money, you get rage. The only thing which is stopping Nigeria from going the same way as Sudan, splitting the country in two, into a northern Islamic state and a southern Christian and Animist state, is the question of how to split the oil revenues.\nSomalia, Ethiopia, and the Horn of Africa\nSomalia is in the hands of the local Taliban, the Shabaab, who are financing their armies of young devotees through piracy. Their influence stretches down along the coast of Kenya and over the border into Ethiopia. Somalia is as frightening as any country gets today. Not even relief workers dare come here anymore. The 62 per cent of Christians who live in Ethiopia are being squeezed from all sides: Islamists in Djibouti (north), Sudan (west), and Somalia (south and east), and border disputes with Eritrea in the north. Islamic extremists are slowly getting a grip on the Horn of Africa. Piracy pays better than fishing, even if it is more of a lottery.\nCongo and the Great Lakes region\nCongo is the crossroads of American and French interest in Africa. The Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) is under French protection, the Democratic Republic, formerly known as Zaire (Kinshasa), is under American influence. In addition there is rebel activity in South Kivu (Rwanda) and in the north-eastern corner of the country (Lord’s Resistance Army attacks in Uganda).\nCongo is rich in minerals. It is the biggest producer of cobalt in the world (forty per cent of world share), and a major producer of copper and diamonds. Cobalt is essential for the electronics industry, for the manufacture of batteries, etc.\nThis used to be a region dominated by the interests of Belgium and France. That changed when Belgian mercenaries had Dag Hammarskjold (UN General Secretary) killed during a visit to Northern Rhodesia in 1961. Slowly the old powers were replaced by American and British interests. From their bastions in Rwanda and Uganda the British and Americans are continuing to push French diplomacy out of the Congo, the keystone of French interests in Central Africa.\nFigure 13: World map of colonialism at the end of the Second World War in 1945\nThe Hutus are backed by France, the Tutsis by the USA. France has lost Rwanda. Congo will be next. This has been the deadliest battlefield since the Second World War, costing the lives of some 5.4 million people since the 1980s. The Tutsi-dominated RPF, led by former Ugandan intelligence chief Paul Kagame, now president of the Republic of Rwanda, is supported by the USA. His soldiers are conducting a secret war in Kivu Province.\nTwo days before the massacre in Rwanda, Alain Juppe, the French foreign minister at the time, said that a victory by the Tutsi Patriotic Front (RPF) was unacceptable. But ultimately France did nothing to halt the killing of more than half a million Tutsis by the very Hutus they had trained. When the French troops returned home many of them suffered mental breakdowns due to feelings of guilt.\nThe USA supported Laurent-Desire Kabila when he overthrew Mobutu Sese Seko in 1997. But the senior Kabila was too Marxist for Washington’s liking. After he was killed, his son Joseph Kabila became president of the Democratic Republic. The US wanted to replace him with the more loyal Laurent Nkunda, a Congolese Tutsi general. But Nkunda was killing too many innocent civilians. In the end Kagama had to call his dog to heel. The Americans have been trying to take control of the Congo for a long time. When Patrice Lumumba (the\nfirst democratically-elected president of Congo) requested Soviet military help, the CIA initiated a secret war in the region. When the CIA caught Lumumba he was put on a plane and sent to his arch-rival Moise Tshombe, who had him executed (see e.g. Stockwell 1978: 10). In Congo the “ services speciaux” continue to support the Hutu militia against the government in Rwanda from bases in Equateur Province (Mbandaka).\nHired South African pilots fly in weapons bought in Eastern Europe. France is desperate in East Africa, and has made a series of bad choices “ dans la region des grands lacs”. Mobutu, who came to power in 1965, turned the Congo into one of the poorest countries in Africa. While in power he amassed an enormous fortune for himself, in gold, diamonds, and dollars, valued at 400 million francs, all deposited in Swiss banks. Chirac and Mobuto had known each other for a long time. Mobuto also supported the RPR election campaign with large donations in the 1980s. 10) In Uganda the USA is trying to defeat the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) led by Joseph Kony, a Christian fundamentalist and a self-righteous crusader.\nChad and Niger\nChad may be next in line. France is about to lose another African country where it has influence as the Franco- American geopolitical struggle moves further north. Niger is again an unstable country. Military coups occur here about every year or so, the latest on 18 February 2010. People are killed in the hundreds in this part of the world, but the stories seldom reach Western mass media. Niger was the last country where Kaddafi recruited his mercenaries from, the same people which are now being tortured in Libya with very few Western reactions Burkina Faso, Togo, Mali, and Senegal\nThe French are losing ground rapidly in the region. The Chinese are already everywhere. Only the French language is hanging on, so far. (The Chinese offer free courses in Mandarin all over Africa now, while the Western world is starting to charge more for their language courses). The Chinese are winning hearts and minds with their combination of gifts on one hand and access to consumer markets on the other.\nEveryone wants cheaper products, especially in Africa where people are poor. In Mali you can now buy Chinese motorbikes for a tenth of the price that a Western product costs. There are already Chinese cars on sale for a fifth of the price. Imagine what that means. If you think America changed with Wal-Mart it is nothing compared to how fast African economic reality is becoming Chinese.\nMalians used to receive considerable gifts from Russia (university education) and Gaddafi (television and radio stations). Now the Chinese are bringing many more gifts (airport infrastructure, major roads, major bridge, and new buildings surrounding the presidential palace). From the Western world they get the usual political talks which in the end give them next to nothing.\nThis is a country which receives about forty per cent of its GDP in overseas aid each year. Despite its “good student” reputation, it is a country with few economic prospects. Mainlanders (former Tanganyikans) feel themselves to be Tanzanians. Most people from Zanzibar feel themselves to be Zanzibaris, not necessarily Tanzanians. Zanzibaris in general have less education than mainlanders, and are sensitive to mainlander taking their jobs. This often leads to sabotage.\nTanzanians are sensitive towards anything that might look like a master–slave relationship and remind them of colonialism. Religion is another sensitive issue. Muslims feel that Christians are favoured, since many Christians also have leading positions in business and political life. Native religions are practised by about thirty per cent of the population. Different tribes have different gods and religious practices. The political scene is dominated by one party, the CCM (Chama Cha Mapinduzi), even though the country has a multi-party political system. Investors who want to stay must ensure they are on good terms with CCM politicians.\nTanzania is a tribal society. People still favour one another on a tribal basis. Members of the larger tribes tend to have advantages over those from smaller tribes. Tribes in areas with more schools tend to have more influence on national politics.\nAll Tanzanians speak Swahili. This has served as a unifying factor for the people of this country in a way hardly seen elsewhere in Africa. “In Ghana and Uganda it can take one or two years to establish a business and become operational. In Tanzania and Mozambique, [it takes] 18 months to three years; and in Namibia, six months to a year” (te Velde 2002)\nOnce the best kid in the class, now the most hated. How did it come to this? Robert Mugabe simply became too fond of power, they say. It was too good to pass on. Slowly the State became more of a dictatorship. Now he feels he has to play out the game to the bitter end. It is an old familiar story.\nIt was the multinationals more than Western governments who put pressure on the apartheid regime. Apartheid was bad for business, and the system was corrupt: it did not help to foster a new middle class of consumers. Instead a bargain was made: we will give you political power, if we are allowed to keep the assets we have accumulated. The USA and its allies failed in Namibia (SWAPO won, and is now the majority party) and in Angola (FNLA and UNITA lost, and are now small minority parties), because they were on the wrong side, supporting the white minority against the black majority.\nThe new leaders in South Africa are reluctant to help overthrow Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe, because they have shared a common struggle against the white minority.\nZuma coming to power marks the transition from meritocracy to mass democracy in South African, as conditions are getting worse. The South African homicide rate is four times that of the USA. Perhaps as many as forty per cent of the working population are unemployed. Poverty levels and social conditions have not much improved since the time of apartheid, and there are no obvious solutions in sight. As always in Africa, things will take time.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1514016"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5224720239639282,"wiki_prob":0.5224720239639282,"text":"How and Why You Should Take Photos in Bad Weather\nThe Only Photo of Neil Armstrong on the Moon is Up for Auction\nTamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD Lens for Sony E | Hands-on Review\nSpanish-American Photographer and YouTuber Aows has published this 9.5-minute video that discusses a topic most photographers avoid: taking photos in bad weather conditions. Aows explains how he does it and why he thinks it’s worth it.\nAows says he has experimented with multiple methods for keeping his camera dry when venturing out into bad weather. While he has tried umbrellas and waterproof cases, he has found neither of them to be particularly effective. Umbrellas handle driving wind and rain poorly and waterproof cases restricted his lens choices too much. Instead of these options which might look nicer, Aows said that he thinks using a plastic bag with holes cut into it is probably your best and most reliable option even if it doesn’t look good.\nFor the rest of your camera gear, most camera bags have a rain cover that Aows recommends you take advantage of.\nA post shared by adrian (@aows)\nWhen you’re out shooting in inclement weather, it’s highly likely that it will either be cold, wet, or a combination of both. Because of this, Aows recommends using a car as a base of operations so that you have a place to go to stay warm or dry off. It also allows you to drive to different spots, get out and shoot for a few minutes, and then return to the relative quiet and safety of the vehicle where you can then change up equipment and plan your next shot.\n“For me it’s about finding the right balance between finding the potential for a good image, and the potential for damage,” Aows says. “That’s also one of the main reasons I don’t use expensive gear.”\nIf his equipment cost several thousands of dollars, he says he would probably think twice about putting it through the rigors of bad weather. But since he only uses gear he knows he can replace, he’s less concerned about it.\n“The health of my camera and lenses is not my first priority to when it comes to making images.”\nOn that note, Aows says it’s a good idea to have a “disposable” camera that functions, but that you are positive you won’t miss if it were to break. For Aows, that is a Sony point and shoot.\nBut why should you take all these precautions in the first place? What’s the advantage of making an effort to take photos in bad weather? Aows says that winter landscapes, rain, and mist are extremely beautiful and worth shooting.\n“There are always images to be made out there,” he says. “Your camera gear is there to create images not to stay at home. Don’t limit yourself to sunny, clear, and warm days. There are very unique opportunities out there.”\nTo emphasize his point, Aows points out that he was the only person who was out the day he chose to shoot, meaning no one else was able to see or appreciate the scene except him and those who eventually see his photos.\nFor more from Aows you can follow him on Instagram and subscribe to his YouTube Channel.\n(via Fstoppers)\nUse This Astro Calendar to Plan Your Milky Way Shots This Year","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line538180"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9853047132492065,"wiki_prob":0.9853047132492065,"text":"8 European spacecraft put in hibernation amid virus lockdown\nBERLIN (AP) — The European Space Agency said Tuesday that it is putting eight of its spacecraft into hibernation as it scales down operations during the coronavirus outbreak.\nThe agency said it is further reducing the already limited number of staff working on site at its mission control in Darmstadt, Germany. As a result, the instruments and data collection on some space probes are being temporarily stopped.\nThey include the Cluster mission, consisting of four probes launched in 2000 to investigate Earth’s magnetic environment and how it is affected by solar wind; the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter launched in 2016 to investigate the red planet’s atmosphere; Mars Express, launched in 2003 and which has been capturing images of the surface of Mars; and the Solar Orbiter mission launched last month to observe the sun.\nThe eight spacecraft are among 21 currently flown from Darmstadt. The agency said one staff member there has tested positive for COVID-19.\n“Our priority is the health of our workforce, and we will therefore reduce activity on some of our scientific missions, especially on interplanetary spacecraft, which currently require the highest number of personnel on site,” ESA’s director of operations, Rolf Densing, said.\nHe said putting the probes into hibernation would have “a negligible impact” on their missions.\nThe European Space Agency recently said it was postponing the launch of its joint Mars rover mission with Russia’s Roscosmos until 2022, in part due to travel restrictions resulting from the pandemic.\nNASA has also temporarily suspended work on the James Webb Space Telescope in California due to the coronavirus, putting its spring 2021 target launch date in jeopardy.\nMore Science and Technology Stories\nCAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin company launched a new capsule into space Thursday to test all the astronaut perks before people strap in.\nThursday’s flight with a dummy named Mannequin Skywalker lasted 10 minutes and reached 66 miles (106 kilometers) above West Texas. Both the New Shepard rocket and the capsule landed successfully.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line320305"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.980929970741272,"wiki_prob":0.980929970741272,"text":"Judge in Marion County denies lawsuit to block Trump's rally in Ocala\nOCALA — A lawsuit filed by a Santa Rosa Beach real estate lawyer on behalf of an Ocala woman with two children to stop President Donald Trump from hosting a rally in Ocala on Friday has been denied by a local judge.\nIn rejecting the motion, Circuit Judge Edward L. Scott states in a three-page order dated Oct. 15 that the \"Complaint was neither verified by Jackson, nor was a supporting affidavit filed.\" The judge added, \"furthermore, there were no sworn allegations that Jackson will suffer immediate and irreparable injury, loss, or damage if the injunction is not granted on an ex parte basis.\"\nAttorney Daniel W. Uhlfelder submitted paperwork on Wednesday representing Chanae Jackson, a Marion County resident, who has two teenage children who were diagnosed with COVID-19 in July.\n>> LIVE UPDATES: See the latest on the scene surrounding today's campaign rally\nThe lawsuit makes reference to Jackson's daughter having mild symptoms, and her son had a very severe case. He had a 103-degree fever and had breathing issues for 11 days, according to the suit. He developed pneumonia in both lungs.\nReached at his office, Uhlfelder told a Star-Banner reporter has requested an emergency hearing on Friday. A staff member in Scott's office said the judge has not reviewed the motion or set a hearing.\nUhlfeder has filed similar lawsuits for other Trump events, dressed as the Grim Reaper at a beach on the Florida Panhandle, and costumed as a shepherd with goats in Tallahassee to protest the idea of herd immunity to COVID-19.\nThe president was hospitalized after coming down with COVID-19 earlier this month. He spent three days at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center after he was cleared by doctors.\nSince his release, there has been debate on whether or not the president should be out in public and interacting with people.\nTrump is scheduled to speak at the Ocala International Airport on Friday afternoon. He was in Miami on Thursday for a town hall discussion, which took place instead of the second debate between the president and former Vice President and Democratic nominee Joe Biden.\nTo counter the president's rally, the Marion County Democratic Women’s Club is hosting an in-person press conference and then plans to travel to the airport to wave their signs.\nAfter the denial, Uhlfelder filed an emergency motion for a re-hearing and wanted another chance to plead his case before the start of the rally.\nIn the second motion, the lawyer notes the airport was served with their notice on Thursday. And, in an interview with a Star-Banner reporter on Friday, Uhlfelder said the president's team was given their notice on Friday.\nUhlfelder said he filed the motion as quickly as he could and made the parties aware of what he was doing. The lawyer said in the motion that if the rally goes off as plan, then the judge should issue an order requiring that all \"necessary measures be taken to protect the health, safety, and welfare of Plaintiffs.\" He said the complaint is not only for Jackson, but \"in the name of the State of Florida and the Marion County community.\"\nIncluding in Uhlfelder's motion was an affidavit from Dr. Ron Staff, an assistant clinical professor of medicine at Florida State University College of Medicine.\nStaff said there has been more than eight million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the U.S., and more than 216,000 people have died from the illness. Statewide, Staff said they're at least 741,000 cases of COVID-19 with at least 15,500 deaths.\nThe professor said the president has \"played down the severity of the virus,\" and has repeatedly ignored recommendations from \"his own CDC director and NIH scientists.\"\nHe called Trump's rallies \"reckless,\" saying most attendees do not wear masks or practice social distancing.\n\"The OIA Rally is likely to be injurious to the health of many Marion County, Florida citizens and potentially Chanae Jackson.\"\nScott denied the emergency motion from Uhlfelder saying it \"does not raise any new issues, and the attached exhibits fail to cure the legal insufficiencies previously cited by the Court.\" The judge said the plaintiff did not address \"the fact that the Trump campaign rally is already underway, with thousands of people already in attendance.\"\nThe judge said the city and the county have no ordinance or mandates requiring people to wear masks in public or to social distance. It's left to the individual owners and operators of local businesses, the judge said. He also said if they were mandates, then law enforcement would enforce it, not the court.\nThe judge also denied the motion because he said it's too late as \"the rally is underway,\" and secondly, the Trump campaign and the city of Ocala have a right to due process to be heard and that cannot be done.\n\"I'm disappointed. I felt we should've been heard,\" Uhlfelder told the paper.\nThough he's disappointed, the lawyer thanked the judge for pointing out in the judge's order that \"the court is mindful of the Plaintiff's concerns that the Trump campaign generally does not require its attendees to wear masks or practice social distancing and that this could potentially increase the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus.\" In the same sentence, the judge said \"the plaintiff has failed to provide this Court with any legal authority requiring the attendees to do so.\"\nUhlfelder said he's \"praying for the people of Marion County,\" and hopes the event does not become \"a super spreader.\"","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line114862"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5675166845321655,"wiki_prob":0.5675166845321655,"text":"Poll: What’s Your Favorite Country Song About America?\nMax Whittaker, Getty Images\nEvan Paul is the host of Taste of Country Nights, a syndicated radio show heard on more than 100 country radio stations nationwide. Producer Amber co-hosts the show with him every night from 7PM to midnight. Together they play the best new country music and interview today's top stars, like Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Keith Urban, Luke Bryan, Garth Brooks, Brantley Gilbert, Lady A, Maren Morris, Miranda Lambert + more! ​​​​​​​​​​​\nIf you were to ask me what my favorite country song about America is, I would answer instantly with Toby Keith's \"Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.\" That song — still to this day — gives me goosebumps every single time it comes on. We will for sure be jamming that really loud on the Fourth of July at my house.\nAs we all know, there are a ton of great country songs about America, the best country on the planet. It's hard to choose just one, but that is what I'm going to task you with: With July 4 coming up, what is your favorite country song about America?\nListen to 13 Great Country Songs About America:\nSource: Poll: What’s Your Favorite Country Song About America?\nCategories: Entertainment, Music News, Taste of Country Nights","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1495058"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6120909452438354,"wiki_prob":0.6120909452438354,"text":"The winds of change blow for Japan’s energy mix\nMolly Lempriere 4 June 2019\t(Last Updated June 9th, 2020 13:28)\nFollowing the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, Japan has struggled as many of its nuclear power plants remain off the grid, forcing the country to turn to expensive foreign gas imports. A new report however by Wood Mackenzie highlights the potential wind power has for transforming the Japanese energy mix. Could a great leap see Japan become a wind powerhouse?\nBy the end of 2018, Japan had constructed 77 new wind turbines at 14 sites as the country moves towards a greater reliance on renewables. Credit: Σ64\nJapan was once thought of as a nuclear pioneer. The country relied on nuclear for 30% of its power up until 2011, which was generated by 54 reactors, ensuring the country had a reliable source of clean power. Japan was also planning to greatly increase the number of nuclear reactors, up to 70% by 2030.\nHowever, when a tsunami triggered the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster on 11 March 2011 all of its nuclear power plants were switched off. Now, some eight years after the disaster, only nine reactors are in operation again with a mere capacity of 9GW compared with 47.5 GWe in early 2011.\nAs such, Japan has become hugely dependant on imports, predominantly of natural gas, to meet its energy demands. As a nation it is resource poor, producing no oil or gas, and only a small amount of coal, which is all used domestically for power. Without nuclear it has had little alternative.\nHowever, as an island Japan has huge potential for generating power using wind farms. A recent report produced by Wood Mackenzie says offshore wind could increase 62-fold over the next decade.\n“In light of the power shortfall, Japan will need to increase its coal imports, supported by renewable energy capacity,” said senior analyst Robert Liew, “In terms of renewable energy, scale matters and offshore wind is at an advantage.”\nJapan’s wind potential\nJapans renewables transition has been slow by global standards. As of 2016, it has just 57 TWh (5%) of solar and wind together, 34 TWh (3%) of biofuels and waste 85 TWh (8%) of hydro.\nOver the last few years this has been growing, with Japan ending 2018 with an installed capacity of 3,584MW of wind. This is up from 3,392 MW the previous year, with an increase of 77 new wind turbines at 14 different sites.\nWood Mackenzie’s report, Sunrise for Japan Offshore Wind, predicts that the offshore wind sector in Japan is looking very bright. By 2028, wind power is expected to provide 4GW of power to the country, a 62-fold increase from last year.\nOffshore wind provides a much greater opportunity than onshore wind or solar. Especially as it typically offers capacities of about 300MW, versus just 40MW for a solar plant.\n“Offshore wind power plants operate at higher capacity factors compared to onshore wind and utilities can balance intermittency with gas power, and potentially with battery storage technology in the future,” says Liew.\nCompanies such as Japan’s largest utility Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO) are increasingly focusing on renewables. TEPCO, which owned the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, is seeking to switch the core of its business to wind and hydropower. The company, which currently relies on fossil fuels for 90% of its generation, announced last summer that it would spend 100 billion yen ($8.98 billion) on 7GW of renewable generation.\n“Rising costs and a lack of public confidence in TEPCO’s ability as a nuclear operator has led the company to reconsider its future strategy,” said Liew. “TEPCO’s involvement in offshore wind is a crucial development which signalled to the market that offshore wind is commercially viable. This will make it easier for the government and local companies to accept offshore wind.”\nIn January, TEPCO signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Danish power giant Ørsted. This will help it to develop its Choshi offshore wind farm off the coast of the Chiba Prefecture, where it is currently carrying out feasibility studies.\nThis uptick in investment and interest in renewable power will be especially important as Japan is predicted to face a shortfall of more than 10GW by 2030, as the country struggles to bring its mothballed nuclear power plants back online. Despite the slow pace with which the nuclear plants are being restarted, the government is still planning for them to meet 20%-22% of the national power mix.\nCould the burgeoning offshore wind sector ever match Japans nuclear legacy?\n“That depends on the size of offshore projects,” says Liew. “The average size of planned offshore project in APAC is around 360MW, while the average size of a nuclear reactor in Japan is around 1,000MW. But we are already seeing planned offshore projects in Taiwan reaching 600MW.”\nRegulation, opposition and developing a supply chain\nThere are a number of reasons why Japan’s transition has been slow, including the more pressing need for energy security. Following 2011, the country had to find ways to meet the 30% of its energy needs which had previous been met by nuclear. This required fast changes, and fossil fuel imports were the obvious choice. As such, speed was a priority over CO2 emissions.\nThere have been other challenges to overcome as well, such as governmental support.\n“In the past, there was a lack of regulation regarding offshore wind development in general sea areas (which is the preference for offshore developers) which resulted in policy uncertainty,” explains Liew.\nThis has been eased recently though, with the Japanese Cabinet approving an offshore promotion law. This secures developers’ rights to occupy an area for 30 years, during which time they can construct and decommission wind projects, in general sea areas.\nFurthermore, the government has established a working group to develop maintenance and management guidelines for the sector.\nOffshore tenders for potential sites in Aomori and Nagasaki prefectures are expected in 2019 H1. How to streamline the application process for port and harbour projects such as these is currently under discussion.\nThere is likely to be a small amount of resistance to offshore wind power, while this is unlikely to stop the development of large farms it is something that potential developers will have to bear in mind.\n“It is common to see local fisheries opposed to offshore wind power plants so developers must work closely with local communities to get their projects approved and promote the benefits of offshore wind to the local economy,” says Liew.\nThe final challenge will be to establish a local supply chain, in order to create the maximum local benefit. This could be hampered by Japanese company Hitachi’s announcement in January that it will no long manufacture wind turbines, instead focusing on selling German company ENERCON GmbH’s turbines.\nWithout a local supply chain, increasing the share of wind power in Japan’s energy mix will likely be more expensive. However, the technology presents such potential for the nation; even having to reply on foreign imports is unlikely to stop the shift.\n“The medium to long-term outlook for offshore wind in Japan looks especially promising with TEPCO’s involvement in offshore wind, the growing offshore pipeline and new policy measures to support wind development,” Liew said. “We expect Japan to emerge as a key offshore wind market in Asia.”","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line272515"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7394623756408691,"wiki_prob":0.26053762435913086,"text":"Christina Lamb is one of the world's leading foreign correspondents. She has reported on Pakistan and Afghanistan since 1987. Educated at Oxford and Harvard, she is the author of five books and has won a number of awards, including Britain's Foreign Correspondent of the Year five times, as well as the Prix Bayeux-Calvados, Europe's most prestigious award for war correspondents. She currently works for the Sunday Times and lives in London and Portugal with her husband and son.\nI Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot...\nI Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed...\nThe Girl from Aleppo: Nujeen's Escape from War to Freedom\nChristina Lamb and Nujeen Mustafa\nAfghanistan: Between Hope and Fear\nFarewell Kabul: From Afghanistan to a More Dangerous World\nThe Sewing Circles of Herat: A Personal Voyage Through...\nHouse of Stone: The True Story of a Family Divided in...","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line515108"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.803560733795166,"wiki_prob":0.803560733795166,"text":"GQ Middle East names Adam Baidawi as Editor-in-Chief\nGQ Middle East has appointed Adam Baidawi as Editor-in-Chief. The twenty-first edition of the title will launch in September and will be published under licence agreement with ITP Media Group.\nAt the age of 28 years old, Baidawi joins GQ Middle East as the youngest editor of the global brand. He has reported extensively on global, technology, style, politics, migration and technology issues and most recently held the post of Australia correspondent for the New York Times.\nSince 2011, he has also worked as a writer and photographer for GQ Australia, where he profiled celebrities, athletes and politicians. He has written feature stories from Colombia, Iraq, the United States and North Korea for the magazine. His writing and photography has also been published internationally by British GQ, Mr Porter, CNN, Vanity Fair Italia and Esquire UK. Born in Abu Dhabi to Iraqi parents, Baidawi was raised and worked in Australia.\nGQ Middle East aims to be an essential guide to fashion, culture and lifestyle for the modern men of the GCC. Baidawi will oversee the editorial direction of the brand across various platforms including a bi-lingual website, social media and a monthly magazine.\n\"GQ has been an integral part of my life for nearly a decade. It’s a huge honour to be chosen to launch the brand into the region where I was born. We’re looking forward to creating a magazine that’s relentlessly smart and stylish – and also something that will start and support important conversations in the region,\" remarked Baidawi.\nGQ Middle East is the twenty-first edition of the brand worldwide. GQ is published in the United States, Britain, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, South Africa, Russia, Japan, China, Taiwan, Mexico & Latin America, India, Korea, Brazil, Australia, Portugal, Turkey and Thailand.\nConsumer media Editorial appointments Editorial/content creation\nCornucopia Launches New Digital Archive\nWoodworking magazines\nNews site re-launched for Holyrood Magazine\nBloomberg and Hyundai create new video series\nDennis launches Nowse\nFuture announces recruitment drive\nBrides announces event partnership with Ocean Media","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line339462"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8331817388534546,"wiki_prob":0.8331817388534546,"text":"The Shot That Stopped Basketball\nEverything about Damian Lillard’s game-winning shot made you question your own eyes.\nBy Thomas Beller\nEverything about Damian Lillard’s game-winning shot made you question your own eyes.Photograph by Sean Meagher / The Oregonian / AP\nThe nature of basketball is such that its most cathartic moment—when the ball goes decisively and irretrievably through the hoop—is the same every time. The ball piercing the basket is both a discrete event and a continuous waterfall of motion that, for active players, is constant throughout their careers. They shoot in practice, they shoot in the game, they shoot and shoot and shoot. The motion becomes so ingrained in their muscle memory that the gesture requires only its activation; everything else—the elevation, the aiming at the basket, the cocking of the elbow and the follow-through of the hand—is programmed.\nI found myself thinking about the waterfall of shots in the wake of one of the more dramatic ones in recent N.B.A. history: Damian Lillard, of the Portland Trail Blazers, hitting the game-winning, series-ending shot against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Five. He shot the ball from thirty-seven feet out, with 1.7 seconds on the clock, over the outstretched arms of Paul George, one of the league’s best defenders, and it splashed through the net as the buzzer sounded.\nThe blocking of the play resembled a mostly empty chessboard at the endgame stage: Lillard is alone near half court while the four other Blazers and their defenders are spread out on the perimeter, far away. Lillard looks toward the teammate nearest to him on his left, Al-Farouq Aminu (the speaker of the most chillingly profound remark I have ever heard directly from an N.B.A. player: “Your body is your business”), and summons him. The conventional play here would be to set a screen so that a lesser defender has to switch over to Lillard.\nBut then Lillard changes his mind and waves Aminu off, not with an extravagant arm movement but with a smaller gesture, using his right hand. The first signal to Aminu is a beckoning: come here. But then, with the compact precision of an assembly-line robot, he rotates his wrist and, making the same motion but now in reverse, waves him away. As with so much that Lillard does, the whole thing happens so quickly that Aminu barely has a chance to react.\nNow Lillard and George are alone near the center court. Then Lillard does the thing that has fascinated me most about his basketball style. Even more than his stellar drives to the basket where he curls into the shape of a cannonball, only to extend his arms out at the last possible moment to release the shot; even more than the remarkable efficiency of motion in his piercing, long-range jump shot; even more than his Swiss Army knife versatility—in 2014, he became the first player to participate in every single event (the skills challenge, the dunk contest, the three-point-shooting contest, the rising-stars challenge) in an All-Star game—what has most captured my imagination about Lillard is the way that he will sometimes stand very still with the ball. There is a tensile, almost vibratory quality to this momentary pause.\nThe shot that he took in Game Five came off the dribble, but it, too, had this quality of pressure accumulated, unseen and then seen. But not believed. Everything about the shot made you question your own eyes. This included the sight of Lillard, normally so taciturn, turning around to wave goodbye to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The sight of his wave might endure as a more iconic image than the one of the shot itself. The whole arena is on its feet in a frenzy, and Portland players are rushing toward him, but, like a surfer with the wave closing around him, he is still in his own space, and he makes that hand gesture.\nLillard is a three-time All-Star and a first-team N.B.A. point guard, and yet he has remained a stealthy figure who always seems to be hovering just outside a charmed inner circle of superstars. Part of the drama of his shot involved the way that Oklahoma City’s two stars, Paul George and Russell Westbrook, have, in particular, treated Lillard with a palpable disdain. A further ripple in the iconic-image department came in the form of a photograph taken just as Lillard extricated himself from the swarm of delirious players who had piled on top of him. The look on his face is so inscrutable and rich. There is a hint of joy, without question, and a hint of defiance, since all these celebrations, even the ones the amateurs make alone, when it’s just them and the ball and a hoop and the endless narrative loop of them taking and making shots, are stories of redemption.\nYet behind the singularity of Lillard’s shot itself was the endless waterfall of shots taken in practice, chucked up during games, the shots discussed, watched on film, dreamed of with either pleasure or horror—but mostly just shots, “getting up shots,” practicing shots, over and over, endlessly. Repetition as religion. The game continues; the shots go up and splash down like water. But for a moment, after that shot, the waterfall ceased. It was so definitive as to briefly stop basketball time.\nThomas Beller’s books include “Seduction Theory,” “The Sleep-Over Artist,” and “J. D. Salinger: The Escape Artist,” which won the New York City Book Award for biography/memoir. He teaches at Tulane University and is a frequent contributor to The New Yorker.\nMore:BasketballSportsOklahoma City Thunder\nJames Harden’s Transcendent Step-Back\nHarden didn’t invent the step-back, yet he has made it is own, crystallized its impact on the game.\nHere We Go Again: A Few Thoughts on the Cavaliers-Warriors N.B.A. Finals\nAmerica’s Street-Ball Mecca\nAt Rucker Park in Harlem, players hone their basketball talent in a legendary tournament.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1375310"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.591801106929779,"wiki_prob":0.40819889307022095,"text":"Justin W. Safady\n+1 713 255 4132p+1 713 357 5160f\nvCardBio (PDF, 602.9 KB)\nUniversity of Texas School of Law, J.D., 2015\nColorado State University, B.S., Accounting Honors, 2012\nU.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas\nJustin is a trial lawyer who represents plaintiffs and defendants in construction, energy, commercial, and business disputes in state and federal court as well as arbitration. He has defended and prosecuted breach of contract claims, construction defect claims, energy torts, partnership disputes, product liability claims, business torts, and a variety of other claims. Justin’s significant second-chair trial and arbitration experience—particularly at the state court level across Texas—allows him to effectively steer clients through the complex litigation process.\nPrior to joining the firm, Justin was an associate at a litigation boutique in Houston, where he handled commercial, construction, and product liability litigation matters for a range of Texas-based companies.\nNotable Experience\nSuccessfully defended (as second chair) the general contractor in a $30 million construction defect and contract dispute. Secured a full defense verdict in arbitration.\nSuccessfully defended (as second chair) an international industrial engine manufacturer in a $12 million hydraulic fracturing product liability lawsuit. Secured a full defense jury verdict after a two-week trial.\nSecured a summary judgment dismissal of all claims in a $25 million construction defect lawsuit. Upon appeal, assisted in drafting the appellate brief to the Houston First Court of Appeals. Secured an appellate court victory affirming the summary judgment dismissal.\nHouston Young Lawyers Association","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1936945"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5745734572410583,"wiki_prob":0.5745734572410583,"text":"One in three women are affected by GBV during their lives. It is a leading cause of death and disability of women of all ages and a barrier to equal participation and gender equality. It also has negative consequences for women’s reproductive health and their access to and control over resources and livelihoods. Building on experiences from the previous strategic period’s Gender Justice programmes, the goal of the GBV programme is for women and girls to live a life free from genderbased violence. The focus is on changing dominant social, cultural and religious norms, attitudes and practices that uphold and condone GBV and gender discrimination. The programme seeks to increase protection of women and girls, prevent GBV, and offer a safe and adequate response to GBV survivors both in NCA’s humanitarian and long-term work. This is done in adherence with international standards for GBV responses. Partners include community and faith-based actors, women’s and other civil society organisations, and relevant networks. Together they facilitate and promote dialogue for raising gender sensitive issues in religions in order to change social and religious norms which condone GBV.\nThe majority of the countries where NCA implements its GBV programme can be classified as either conflict or post-conflict. Increased sexual violence in war and conflict is a silent weapon of war which seriously affects not only girls and women, but also boys, men and whole communities. Whilst NCA’s global GBV programme addresses this issue, it is the main focus of NCA’s Thematic Programme for Reduction of GBV in Conflict and Post Conflict Settings (GBV CPC) 2015-2017 which is funded by the Norwegian MFA. This programme has seen the scaling up of ongoing GBV projects as well as specific interventions for prevention of GBV and protection of GBV survivors and at risk populations. Examples include the integration of GBV components in WASH projects and capacity building of staff and partners on GBV case management and guidelines. Further highlights from the programme’s 2016 results are presented below and the full report as presented to the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) is available upon request.\nThe GBV programme is comprehensive in terms of its geographic coverage and has a diverse funding base (ref. pie chart below). This includes funding from the Norwegian MFA for the GBV CPC framework agreement which covers 7 of NCA’s GBV programme’s 14 countries. As part of NCA’s cooperation agreement with Norad, NCA’s country programmes in Somalia and Ethiopia implement two GBV programmes, focusing on female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage (CM), together with Save the Children Norway. These multi-year programmes build on experiences from previous programme phases, and both Ethiopia and Somalia are pilot countries in the Norwegian Government’s Strategy for intensifying international efforts for the elimination of female genital mutilation for the period 2014–2017.\nResults case\nTrafficking law to end violence on women and girls in Malawi\nPrior to March 2015, Malawi did not have a human trafficking law in place and was rated a tier 2 country in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA)8.\nTrafficking in Persons (TIP) cases were addressed using other laws like the Penal Code, Immigration Act, Child Care and Justice Act and the Constitution of Malawi. In 2015, NCA collaborated with partners and the Ministry of Homeland Security to pass a TIP law in Parliament in March of that year. This was followed by the development of a National Plan of Action Against TIP (2017-2020).\nPrior to the passage of the anti-TIP law in 2015, there was a lack of national response and effective action to combat TIP in Malawi. In 2007, NCA commissioned an evaluation to understand the magnitude and nature of trafficking of women and children for sexual exploitation. This evaluation established that at least 2,000–5,000 children under 17 and 5,000–8,000 women were trafficked internally and across borders each year. In response, NCA and partners began the long process of lobbying the Malawi government to pass an anti-TIP law.\nSince the Trafficking in Persons Act was enacted in 2015, NCA has made significant contributions to the further development of the National Plan of Action (NPA) by supporting partners and the Ministry of Homeland Security to learn from other countries through exchange visits and financial support. The NPA has five priority areas including:\nPrevention of TIP\nSupport and protection of victims\nDetection, investigation and prosecution\nPartnership coordination, sustainable financing and research\nM&E and reporting\nSince the plan was developed, there has been progress towards the prosecution of human trafficking cases in Malawi. Additionally, NCA and partners have conducted sensitisation with community members and religious leaders, in addition to building the capacity of law enforcement agencies like the police, judges and magistrates, partner staff and community volunteers. Through this work, there has been an increase in reporting of TIP cases at the community level.\nGIRLS WITH POWER AND DIGNITY\nThe Great Silence in War\nGender Justice Policy 2017\nEngaging Faith Actors on Gender-Based Violence\nJOINT REPORT NCA - SAVE THE CHILDREN ON FGM RH\nGENDER TRANSFORMATION TOOLKIT\nSIDE BY SIDE FAITH MOVEMENT FOR GENDER JUSTICE\nRESULTS FROM OUR GLOBAL REPORT 2015\nTHE FUTURE FOR IMPROVING NURSING EDUCATION IN MALAWI\nOVERCOMING VIOLENCE - STORIES OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE\nMANUEL DE FORMATION SUR LE PLAIDOYER POUR LA RÉSOLUTION 1325\nADVOCACY TRAINING MANUAL ON UNSCR 1325 WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY, NCA GBV CPC PROGRAM, 2016\nREDUCING GENDER BASED VIOLENCE AND BUILDING SUSTAINABLE PEACE IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (DRC) 2010 – 2012","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1370398"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7856288552284241,"wiki_prob":0.7856288552284241,"text":"Why won’t developers build housing in this Bay…\nWhy won’t developers build housing in this Bay Area city?\nSan Jose missed its annual housing production goals last year\nSAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 20: One of he Silvery Towers rises up south of the SP78 townhouse being built, Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in San Jose, Calif.(Karl Mondon /Bay Area News Group)\nSAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 20: Construction work continues on a large residential project on Park Avenue in the Midtown area of San Jose, Calif. Wednesday, March 20, 2019. (Karl Mondon /Bay Area News Group)\nSAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 20: Construction work continues on the Silvery Towers across from San Pedro Square in San Jose, Calif. Wednesday, March 20, 2019. (Karl Mondon /Bay Area News Group)\nSAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 4: Carpenters top off a residential building going up at the Ohlone development on West San Carlos Street in the Midtown neighborhood of San Jose, Calif., Monday, March 4, 2019. (Karl Mondon /Bay Area News Group)\nSAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 20: Construction work continues on a large residential project off West San Carlos in the Midtown area of San Jose, Calif. Wednesday, March 20, 2019. (Karl Mondon /Bay Area News Group)\nSAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 20: Construction work continues on a large residential project off Stockton Ave near Diridon Station in San Jose, Calif., Wednesday, March 20, 2019. (Karl Mondon /Bay Area News Group)\nSAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 20: Construction work continues on the Silvery Towers behind the Fallon House in San Jose, Calif. Wednesday, March 20, 2019. (Karl Mondon /Bay Area News Group)\nSan Jose fell short of its annual housing goals last year, missing one marker by 1,000 homes and prompting the City Council to ask a key question: Why aren’t developers building here?\nSan Jose permitted 2,973 new homes in 2018, according to the city. That’s a far cry from the 3,986 annual goal set by the state, and an even farther cry from Mayor Sam Liccardo’s goal of 5,000 homes a year. To make matters worse, the number of homes permitted by the city actually dropped 4 percent last year compared to 2017.\nRising construction costs and flattening rents have made development increasingly difficult, cutting into builders’ anticipated profits, scaring away potential investors and preventing projects from getting off the ground, city officials said this week.\nThat shift has left San Jose struggling to meet its production goals, even as the city grapples with a housing shortage that’s making it hard for everyone from teachers to techies to live here. The problem raises a broader question for cities throughout the Bay Area: Will they be able to build their way out of the housing crisis?\n“What I’m hearing from the development community is zero. They’re saying we’re stuck,” Liccardo said during Tuesday night’s City Council meeting. “It’s not because they don’t want to. It’s because they can’t get a loan. They can’t get financing.”\nMeanwhile, the San Jose metro area remains one of the most expensive places in the nation to rent or buy a home. The median price to buy a single-family house in Santa Clara County was nearly $1.1 million as of January, according to real estate data firm CoreLogic. And rents have increased 28 percent over the past five years, reaching an average of more than $2,400 a month at the end of last year, according to the city.\nDespite seeing a construction slowdown in 2018, San Jose actually is on track to exceed its long-term, market-rate housing production goal. The state requires San Jose to build 14,231 market-rate homes between January 2014 and October 2022, according to the city’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation goal, or RHNA. San Jose already is 83 percent of the way there.\nBut when it comes to building housing that’s affordable for its low-income residents, San Jose is way behind. The city has permitted just 13 percent of the state-mandated affordable housing it’s supposed to produce by 2022.\nThat dearth of affordable homes is extremely concerning, said Jennifer Loving, CEO of Destination: Home, which works to end homelessness in Santa Clara County.\n“These are the folks that are homeless, the folks that are in precarious situations every single month,” Loving said. “And this is the area that, in all jurisdictions, gets the least amount of attention.”\nSan Jose isn’t the only city struggling to build affordable housing. Last week, Oakland officials said while the city is on track to surpass Mayor Libby Schaaf’s ambitious goal of building 17,000 new homes by 2024, it’s falling behind on low-cost housing. The city has approved just 751 affordable units since 2016 — far less than the 1,785 units it should have permitted by now.\nThese days, San Jose is struggling even to get market-rate housing built within its borders. In 2017, Liccardo went above and beyond the state’s RHNA goals and proposed his own bold plan to build 25,000 new homes by 2022 — or 5,000 a year.\nBut after Liccardo’s announcement, San Jose’s housing production slowed. The number of residential building permits issued last year dropped 4 percent from the year before, according to the city.\nOn Tuesday, Liccardo said he was “aghast” to find that the city last year granted planning permits for fewer than 200 housing units — a step before issuing a building permit — signalling there aren’t many homes waiting to be built.\nThat may be because it’s getting harder for developers to make money here. Construction costs are increasing at a rate of 5 to 10 percent a year, according to a memo prepared for the city by real estate advisory firm Keyser Marston Associates. At the same time, average rents in the region grew by just 1 percent in 2017, compared to 10 percent in 2015, according to the firm’s analysis of local rents as reported by three major property companies. That discrepancy means many housing developments proposed in San Jose, particularly the type of costly high-rise apartment buildings the city is attempting to attract downtown, could end up in the red. Instead of taking that risk, developers are declining to build.\nLiccardo on Tuesday suggested temporarily reducing fees and taxes for high-rise apartments downtown and exempting them from city rules that require builders to reserve 15 percent of their units for low-income renters.\nCouncilwoman Maya Esparza suggested the city also consider reducing fees for housing developments that include low-cost units reserved for San Jose’s poorest residents.\n“We need to remember that there are those in our city that need a little more of our support,” she said.\nLast year, San Jose approved just 62 of the 525 homes it was supposed to set aside for extremely low-income residents — those making $39,900 or less for a family of four.\nCouncil members were supportive of both Esparza and Liccardo’s suggestions, which will be analyzed by city staff.\nOakland isn’t even close to meeting its lofty low-income housing goal\nEven Habitat for Humanity can’t build Bay Area homes cheaply enough for lower-income buyers\nSan Jose has built just 64 of 10,000 affordable housing units planned for 2022\nSan Jose slated for 25,000 housing units, says mayor’s plan\nBut several housing advocates expressed concern Tuesday that Liccardo’s proposal to exempt developers from the city’s affordable housing requirements would further hamper the city’s low-income housing production.\nDestination: Home applauded Esparza’s proposal to create new incentives to build below-market-rate housing.\n“They need to fast track extremely low-income development,” Loving said before the council meeting. “They need to remove all the barriers to creating housing for the most vulnerable people.”","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line488882"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8305733799934387,"wiki_prob":0.8305733799934387,"text":"Ελληνικα\tGreek\tel\nYou are here: Home1 / News2 / Eurovision3 / Armenia4 / Iveta Mukuchyan: “I was invited to represent Germany in Eurovision...\nIveta Mukuchyan: “I was invited to represent Germany in Eurovision 2021, but got rejected because I raised the flag of Nagorno Karabakh\nOctober 6, 2020 /0 Comments/in Armenia, Eurovision, Eurovision 2021, Germany /by Dimitris Argyropoulos\nOne of the events that stigmatised the Eurovision 2016 was the flag of the Republic of Artsakh ( formerly known as the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh), raised by the Armenian representative Iveta Mukuchyan, while in the green room during the 1st Semi Final. Through a post on her social media, Iveta reminded us the incident, and revealed that, due to this, she was rejected by the German national broadcaster for the representation of Germany in Eurovision 2021, despite the fact that she received invitation by the panel of 200 individuals who will choose the next German representative.\nThere were not a few those who believe that Iveta’s stance in the semi final cost her several points in the Grand Final, since she ended up in 7th place even though her entry, LoveWave, was one of the hot favourites to win the contest. In fact, the public broadcaster of Armenia was fined by the EBU for their representative’s action in Eurovision 2016.\nIveta, who lives in Germany, made a reference to the war between Armenia and Azerbaijan for the quarrelsome region of Nagorno Karabakh, citing that the war has nothing to do with these two peoples, since both Armenians and Azeris have a lot in common, but instead this was is triggered by Erdogan and Aliyev against Armenians and Armenia.\nI know how unpleasant it is to read about a war that is happening far away from where you are right now.I knew how unpleasant it was for millions of viewers at the Eurovision back in 2016 to engage a few minutes into the discussion about why I put up the Kharabagh flag in a contest that doesn’t want to be involved in politics. What many people don’t know is that this year I got an excited call from Germany that 200 experts voted, without me knowing about it, to discuss me representing Germany at the Eurovision 2021. Everybody was excited, me as well. Then I got a call that the press-department said unfortunately they decided last minute that they couldn’t take me, explaining that I already participated and that wouldn’t make sense for Germany. I knew from the first second that this explanation was nonsense but the real reason could only be, that I put up the Kharabagh flag up and Germany does not appreciate political involvement in the Eurovision and would get a shitstorm if they would choose me representing them since there are many Muslims living in Germany. Which I completely understand. I want to make everyone understand that this is not a war between Azerbaijan/Turkey and Armenia but a war against Alliyev and Erdogan. When Artsakh shoots back they warn the population of Azerbaijan to evacuate, while Azerbaijan is targeting peaceful civilians, not even telling their own people to hide in bunkers. After they told me kindly that even though they would like me to participate they decided not to, I was mad at myself…regretting that my past act of patriotism would influence my career once again…\nSource: Iveta Mukuchyan\nTags: Armenia, esc2021, Eurovision, Iveta Mukuchyan\nhttps://eurovisionfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Iveta-Nagorno-flag.jpg 529 940 Dimitris Argyropoulos https://eurovisionfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/eurovision-fun-transparent-1-3.png Dimitris Argyropoulos2020-10-06 19:16:302020-10-07 21:11:15Iveta Mukuchyan: “I was invited to represent Germany in Eurovision 2021, but got rejected because I raised the flag of Nagorno Karabakh\nLithuania: “We are the winners” was inspired by Helena Paparizou’s “My Number One”\nSweden: Jessica Andersson ready for Melodifestivalen 2021. Klara Hammarström and Alvaro Estrella are in too.\nGreece: More details about Stefania’s candidate songs\nPoland: The National Broadcaster wants Alicja Szemplińska for 2021\nLithuania: Songs submission for the national final kicks off\nNorway: MGP 2021 Final on 20th February with audience!!\nHungary: The former head of delegation explains the reasons of absence from ESC 2021\nEurovision 2019: Tender for the postcards has opened\nNEWS FROM GREECE\nStefania: “I will take the 12 points from The Netherlands”! (Video)January 15, 2021 - 2:02 pm\nGreece: “Last Dance” is Stefania’s song for Eurovision 2021!January 7, 2021 - 4:05 pm\nGreece: This is how Stefania’s song for Eurovision 2021 will be decided! EXCLUSIVEDecember 2, 2020 - 9:01 pm\nEditorial: How fair will the “live on tape video” be for Eurovision 2021?November 22, 2020 - 9:39 pm\nEurovision 2021: Participants will record their songs “live-on-tape” to ensure Contest will happen!November 18, 2020 - 5:38 pm\nStefania: “I will take the 12 points from The Netherlands”! (Video)\nNorway: Listen to the songs of KEiiNO and TIX for the MGP 2021!\nFinland: Listen to Teflon Brothers x Pandora’s song for UMK 2021!\nDream Team: “No one needs this kind of cheap tricks” | EXCLUSIV... Sweden: New format for Melodifestivalen from 2022?","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1657951"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5877711176872253,"wiki_prob":0.5877711176872253,"text":"he University of Castilla-La Mancha came into operation in the year 1985 although it was officially created by law on the 30th of June 1982, as a result of the autonomy policy and collective desire shown by Castilla-La Mancha society which was shared by the regional government.\nFrom its first days this academic institution was an element for cohesion and had a clear aim in mind: to act as a fundamental cog for economic, social, cultural and technological development for the Autonomous Community, providing solutions for its present and future needs.\nIn 1982, professor Javier de Cardenas y Chavarri was named chairman of the Management Commission entrusted with setting the University of Castilla-La Mancha in motion. This post was to be taken by professor Isidro Ramos Salavert between 1983 and 1988 who was succeeded by professors Luís Arroyo Zapatero (1988-2003) and Ernesto Martínez Ataz (2003-2011). Since November 2011 this became the responsibility of Professor Miguel Angel Collado Yurrita.\nIn its thirty years of operation, the UCLM has provided young people with access to higher education and has dynamized life in the cities where its four campuses have been established: Ciudad Real, site of its vice-chancellorship-, Albacete, Cuenca and Toledo. At present, teaching extends to the towns of Almaden (Ciudad Real) and Talavera de la Reina (Toledo).\nInauguración del Primer Curso en la prensa\nDiario Lanza: Inauguración solemne del curso en la Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (PDF)\nDiario Lanza: La grandeza y la desilusión de la universidad castellano-manchega (PDF)\nDiario Lanza: Inauguración del curso en la universidad (PDF)\nDiario Lanza: Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha \"Alegrémonos pues\" ... (PDF)\nDiario Lanza: Universidad castellano-manchega Gaudeamus igitur (PDF)","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line335642"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.640592098236084,"wiki_prob":0.640592098236084,"text":"17°Film Festival de la comedie MONTE-CARLO, PRINCIPATO DI MONACO, 5-10 OTTOBRE 2020\nThe prestigious film festival conceived and directed by Ezio Greggio President of the jury the world-famous director NICK VALLELONGA with SABRINA IMPACCIATORE, MAGGIE CIVANTOS and LOTTE VERBEEK MONTE-CARLO, PRINCIPALITY OF MONACO, 5-10 OCTOBER 2020 A predominantly female jury this year for the 17th edition of the Montecarlo Film Festival de la Comédie, the prestigious event conceived and directed by Ezio Greggio to be held from 5-10 October at the Grimaldi Forum in the Principality of Monaco.\nThe personalities called to be part of the Jury of the 17th edition of one of the most significant festivals exclusively dedicated to comedy, in addition to the 2-time Oscar-winning President Nick Vallelonga (“Green Book”, “Kingdom of the Blind”, “The Man with One eye is King “,” Choker and Stiletto “), I am the talented Sabrina Impacciatore (” A casa tutti bene “,” The Passion of Christ “,” The Last Kiss “), the eclectic Maggie Civantos (” Vis a Vis ” , “The girls of the Centralino”) and the Dutch actress winner of the Pardo D’Oro as best actress Lotte Verbeek (“Nothing Personal”, “The Borgias”, “Outlander”, “Blacklist”).\nThe first phase of the competition of the Festival de la Comédie of Montecarlo, one of the most important and significant film festivals exclusively dedicated to comedy, which over the years has enjoyed growing success with audiences and critics worldwide, has also ended: in the section dedicated to short films 5 author short films have been selected on the Filmfreeway platform, in the list for the Short Comedy Award which will award the best short film.\nThe finalist titles are: Snake Oil directed by Remy Archer (UK), That no one knows directed by Martin Guggisberg (Switzerland), The Line directed by Tim Butcher (UK), Cash Stash directed by Martin Darondeau and Enya Baroux (France ), Green Lake directed by Emanuele Daga (USA).\nEzio Greggio, “We are very happy to have a predominantly female jury this year apart from the president Nick Vallelonga, whom I respect very much. This new edition of the festival will take place in full compliance with the rules for the containment of the ongoing emergency and we are sure that this year, even if it will have a different flavor, it will still be a special edition “.\nThe event, in collaboration with EFG Bank (Monaco), has always been held under the High Patronage of S.A.S. Prince Albert II of Monaco and the Embassy of Italy. Radio Monte Carlo is the Official Radio of the Festival which, thanks to the commitment of Ezio Greggio and the late Maestro Mario Monicelli (co-founder of the Festival), has also re-evaluated comedy in other international festivals such as Cannes, Rome and Venice.\nEzio Greggio,Prince Albert\nMichael Madsen,Ezio Greggio, Andrea Iervolino\nEzio Greggio\nEzio Greggio, Michael Madsen\nEzio Greggio,Romina Pierdomenico\nPhoto Gigi Iorio/Newspress\nEzio Greggio Montecarlo, Festival Comedie Montecarlo\nMFW-Maryling Catwalk Spring/Summer 2021","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line218831"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8547009825706482,"wiki_prob":0.8547009825706482,"text":"Driven: Google, Uber, and the Battle to Build an Autonomous Car\nAuthor Alex Davies talks about his new book, Driven, and the the prospects of a truly autonomous vehicle.\nBy Brett Berk\nAnthony Levandowski stood at the center of the race between Google and Uber to build self-driving cars. He was there at the beginning of Google's program in 2009. By the time it became Waymo in 2016, he'd left, founded a self-driving truck company called Otto, and sold that (in 2016) to Uber for $600 million. He was eventually indicted on dozens of federal charges, accused of stealing 14,000 files containing Google's self-driving trade secrets. In August, Levandowski was sentenced to 18 months in prison.\nThe Future is ... in the Future\nIs Hyundai in Talks with Apple to Build Apple Car?\nWhat's Going on with Autonomous Trucking?\nSelf-Driving Cars Are Still Years Away\n“I think there’s a certain…egotism to the tech industry,” says Alex Davies, transportation editor for Business Insider and formerly for WIRED, and the author of Driven, a new book on the subject of the self-driving rivalry between Google and Uber. “The way the tech industry works today, it puts enormous value on the person who says, ‘No, no, no, no, no. You’ve all been doing it wrong. And I have the better way.’ And it rewards that with adulation, and incredible amounts of money.”\nThis turns out to be a toxic recipe for success, especially in a category as complex as autonomous cars, where one person’s vision cannot possibly triumph over the myriad of technological, social, cultural, political, economic, and logistical challenges. In their internal battles for dominance, the teams ended up wasting a huge amount of time, money, and energy.\nAlex Davies\nChristie Hemm Klok\n“It’s shocking, the stupid fights these guys had,” Davies says. “Arguments over who deserved more money, who should have power over the team. Screaming matches over button configurations in a car that wasn’t a product, where none of these people had product experience. They weren’t even designers. They were robotics PhDs.”\nDavies details all of these pitfalls, as well as the incremental successes, in a breezy 250-page narrative loaded with primary source reporting. And what develops is a sense that many of the higher-ups in these companies—for all their skills, all their monomaniacal focus, and all their desire to “disrupt”—were blinded by the hubris and potential payouts endemic to the tech industry. As Davies points out in the book, over the course of the past ten years, “thousands of engineers have been hired, billions have been spent, and there is still no product.”\nAfter writing the book, we wondered if Davies is more or less of a believer in the viability of the self-driving car. “In terms of whether the fully autonomous car will ever exist—the car that you own, that sits in your driveway, that doesn't’ have a steering wheel or pedals, and you get in and tell it where to go and it takes you anywhere? I wouldn’t say that it’s impossible, but I think that’s decades away—like, 40, 50 years away.” He continues: “Someone who is in this industry and had kind of soured on the potential of it, told me, ‘At the end of the day, the whole self-driving car initiative has been one hell of a jobs program.’”\nMore From Autonomous Vehicles\nCadillac’s Autonomous PAV Pod Pampers Passengers\nZoox Unveils its Autonomous Shuttle\nAudi Designer Shares More Project Artemis Details\nTesla’s FSD Beta Developer Settings Leaked\nAutonomous Cars Will Make Terrible Drug Mules\nMini's Urbanaut Concept Envisions Automated Future\nMusk Says Self-Driving Tesla Software Ready Soon\nMusk Says Autopilot FSD Beta Will Start Tonight","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1877125"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9808343648910522,"wiki_prob":0.9808343648910522,"text":"Lauren Conrad looks beyond ‘The Hills’\nKEEPING BUSY: Lauren Conrad is debuting a novel in June and is working on a new clothing collection.\n(Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)\nBy Denise Martin\n” The Hills,” the MTV reality series supposedly following the life and times of rich Californian Lauren Conrad, isn’t so much about her as it is about “Lauren Conrad on ‘The Hills.’ ”\nThe show’s fifth season premieres (April 6) tonight and marks the beginning of the end of Conrad’s carefully orchestrated small-screen persona. The 23-year-old reality star, weary of living in front of cameras for the better part of five years, is after this season leaving the show that has showered her with pop culture fame.\n“It’s been a long time coming,” she said. “I went through many phases when I thought I was done, but I’m at this point where I’m really ready.”\nTonight, viewers will see Conrad deal with yet another surprise from friend-turned-foe Heidi Montag, who crashes her birthday party, again in search of reconciliation. While her life on “The Hills” seems to revolve around the onetime friendship that turned the show into water cooler conversation, her off-camera reality seems to have moved past all the television-driven drama.\nIn Conrad’s off-screen life, she celebrated her birthday in Las Vegas with her boyfriend, “My Boys” actor Kyle Howard, whom she’s been seeing since last summer.\n“I would never put a guy I really cared for on camera again,” she said.\nHer friendships appear to be stronger than ever -- she shares a Westwood apartment with friends she’s had since high school, including “Hills” co-star Lauren Bosworth.\n“We don’t fight,” she added. “It wouldn’t be entertaining to watch.”\nShe even wrote a novel, “L.A. Candy,” which comes out June 16, and, contrary to reports that her eponymous fashion line was going under, is working on a new collection.\n“Neither is part of my social life,” she said.\nHer strange trip into the land of reality television began in 2004 when she was cast as the girl next door in MTV’s \" Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County.” MTV executives hoped audiences would identify with the Laguna Beach native, particularly as she journeyed north to pursue a career in the fashion world.\nAs she came of age before the cameras -- dating, partying and slogging away at an internship -- Conrad had a bitter falling out with Montag that transformed “The Hills” into a pop culture phenomenon. The sensation came thanks to a nightclub fight sparked by rumors -- possibly spread by Montag and her boyfriend, Spencer Pratt -- about a supposed sex tape involving Conrad.\nThe show’s ratings immediately jumped, and suddenly Team Heidi and Team LC (Lauren Conrad) shirts were being sold. Though debates about its authenticity arose, one of TV’s hot new soap operas seized on this template for success and producers focused on betrayals like Montag’s.\nIn more than one sense, “The Hills” became a victim of its own success. Celebrity news blogs and the tabloids developed an insatiable appetite for all things of “The Hills.” It got to the point where by the time an episode ran, it was old news because a more comprehensive look at Conrad and the show had already been served up by other media sources.\n“When we started the show, we got 100% of her life,” series creator Adam DiVello said. “As the show got [more popular], the part we wanted to follow -- her relationships with the cast, the parts of her life unaffected by fame -- got smaller.”\nOn-camera, Conrad would work through each heartache, while off-camera she went about establishing a life separate from the show’s plotting -- a life that would help her deal with the one she had on “The Hills.” She’d pursue her own projects, better friends and, eventually, romance.\n“Finding happiness off the show” turned out to be the collateral damage, DiVello said. “But it’s how she lasted as long as she did.”\na victim of its own successAccording to Conrad, she filtered out her romantic life after her breakup with Season 1 boyfriend Jason Wahler.\n“The boys I dated after him on the show, I knew they weren’t going to go anywhere,” she said.\nWhat she couldn’t stop was the drama -- and many tears -- that followed between her and her girlfriends on the show. Whether they were staged or not, few who watch “The Hills” can doubt Conrad’s deep emotions.\nBut the tumult made working with producers hired to shape her reality, well, awkward. Conrad called her relationship with DiVello “weird.” After Montag showed up unannounced to the birthday party airing tonight, Conrad informed the producers she’d be taking a week off immediately as payback.\n“He’s a genius, and I have a lot of respect for the show he’s created . . . but we’ve had a lot of arguments,” she said. “They’d put us in situations we didn’t want to be in. There were times I’d take my mike off and just stop.”\nConrad said she started looking at the show solely as a vehicle to promote her business opportunities. In that regard, she’s scored several notable successes -- a fashion label, a side career writing teen fiction, spokeswoman gigs, even the occasional guest starring role as herself.\n“I can’t act at all!” she said. “I’m so not interested.”\nFor MTV, Conrad’s exit leaves the network’s top franchise in the lurch, and producers say they still haven’t decided whether to continue the show without her. Montag and Pratt, ever willing to drum up drama as her adversaries, are pressing for more.\n“I don’t know that we need her,” Montag told MTV News on Friday.\nAudiences, quicker to find out news on “The Hills” in the tabloids than on the show, might also sense the story lines stretching thin. Though the series is still MTV’s No. 1 show, ratings for the fourth season were down from the previous season’s average of 3.9 million viewers to 2.9 million.\nBut that’s of no concern to its ex-star now. Free of the pressure to emote weekly, Conrad said she’s eager to lighten up. Her biggest post-show plans are drama-free.\n“I’m excited to not have everything scheduled in advance,” she said. “I can just call up a friend and grab lunch. I can wear white when I want to -- I could never do that on camera. I can go backless!”\n“Yeah,” she said, smiling. “I’m going to be real rebellious.”\ndenise.martin@latimes.com","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line177524"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7140631675720215,"wiki_prob":0.7140631675720215,"text":"Home | You are viewing: Primary Source Readers > Cecil Rhodes 6-Pack\nCecil Rhodes 6-Pack\nGuided Reading Level: Z\nIn this biography, readers will discover the remarkable journey of Cecil Rhodes from England to the diamond mines, parliament houses, and battlefields of Africa. The stunning facts, vibrant images, and engaging sidebars work in conjunction with the supportive text and helpful glossary and index to give readers a look into the Age of Imperialism and into Rhodes' life as he ventured into diamond mining, created the De Beers diamond company, started a scholarship fund, settled Rhodesia, and shaped policies that limited the rights of black South Africans through his belief in Social Darwinism. This 6-Pack includes six copies of this title and a lesson plan.\nThe Byzantine Empire 6-Pack\nDiscover how the Byzantines transformed Christianity, protected Europe from would-be invaders, and later carried the seeds of the Renaissance to Italy during their thousand-year reign.\nJustinian I 6-Pack\nLearn how Emperor Justinian I ruled the Byzantine Empire for 38 years. Readers will be fascinated as they discover that Justinian put down a rebellion, conquered new territory, and even survived the bubonic plague!\nThe Medieval Islamic World 6-Pack\nIntroduce readers to Islamic history through vivid images and intriguing facts. The text works in conjunction with the eye-catching photos and illustrations to give readers a look into the history of Islamic culture, life, and politics.\nMuhammad 6-Pack\nThis enlightening biography introduces readers to Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam. Readers will learn how he grew to become the founder of Islam and an important figure in the history of the world.\nMedieval Times 6-Pack\nMedieval England was a time of great change and uncertainty. Readers will be enthralled as they learn about various aspects of the Middle Ages in England including the feudal system, Hundred Years War, War of the Roses, and the bubonic plague.\nGeoffrey Chaucer 6-Pack\nGeoffrey Chaucer was a British poet during the Middle ages and is still considered one of the greatest English writers of all time. This book will have readers excited and eager to learn more about this influential author.\nThe Renaissance 6-Pack\nThe Renaissance was a time of cultural rebirth. Readers will learn all about Renaissance life and education in this engaging title that explores how artists created masterpieces and explored subjects like music, architecture, and Renaissance religion.\nLeonardo da Vinci 6-Pack\nLeonardo da Vinci lived during the Italian Renaissance, a time of great ideas and innovation. This enlightening biography allows readers to discover how Da Vinci perfectly embodied the spirit of the Renaissance.\nThe Reformation 6-Pack\nDuring the 1500s, religious change came to Europe and people began to question the beliefs and practices of Catholicism. This engaging book introduces readers to the changes that people wanted during the Reformation.\nMartin Luther 6-Pack\nLearn about Martin Luther's courageous and honorable life as he fought against the Catholic church and ideals and strived for Protestant Reformation in this captivating biography that features easy-to-read text, intriguing facts, and striking images.\nThe French Revolution 6-Pack\nDiscover the incredible people, ideas, and battles that lived and occurred during the French Revolution. Captivating photos, images, and facts work in conjunction with the supportive text, glossary, and index to provide an engaging reading experience.\nMarie Antoinette 6-Pack\nThis fascinating biography details the life of the last Queen of France, Marie Antoinette, through detailed images, illustrations, and interesting facts.\nThe Enlightenment 6-Pack\nHow did the universe work? How did the human mind learn? What kind of government was best? These are some of the questions that people asked during the Enlightenment. Discover some of the most important aspects, ideas, and people of this time.\nJohn Locke 6-Pack\nIn 1689, John Locke wrote that individuals had the right to \"life\" and \"liberty.\" His ideas spread across the world and helped create a new system of rule. Learn about the inspiring life of John Locke and his role in the Enlightenment.\nImperialism 6-Pack\nUsing vivid images, fascinating facts, and easy-to-read text, readers will learn about some of the most important people and occurrences that helped shape the Age of Imperialism.\nPrimary Source Readers: World History Add-on Pack\nExpand your classroom library with additional copies of each book in the World History kit.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line604883"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7681689858436584,"wiki_prob":0.7681689858436584,"text":"Cast : Nora Gregor, Paulette Dubost, Mila Parély\tScreenplay : Jean Renoir\tRelease : June 8, 1939\tDirector : Jean Renoir\tGenre : Drama, Comedy, Romance\tStream Now\n1939: The discreet charme of the bourgeoisie\nA recurring theme in our year-long review of the cinema culture of 1939 has been the awareness of filmmakers in those days of the coming war, almost like people in that year could predict the coming change in the whole structure of the western world that would result. In the English-language movies we've looked at so far, this has largely manifested itself in nostalgia: stories looking back in time to a (nominally) simpler age, when we didn't have to deal with All These Problems like Hitler and his goons. There's a certain undeniable thread of conservatism to be found in this kind of filmmaking, which I don't bring up as a judgment, but simply as an observation.\nWe have to go across the Atlantic, to France, a country where the threat of war was a great deal more imminent than in the United States or even Britain, to find a filmmaker who comes upon the idea, \"a great change is coming, where all the ways of the world that have been for generations shall be wiped away, and a new age that has forgotten all the traditions of the past will rise to power\", and replies, \"thank God, it's about time\". Jean Renoir's The Rules of the Game is many things indeed - for example, the most flawless motion picture ever made - but one of the most prominent things is that it's savage, satiric attack on the mores of upper class and upper-middle class culture in the time between the World Wars, and how specifically it was the pernicious effects of these same mores that all but guaranteed that the war rumblings that were really becoming hot in 1938 would finally erupt in 1939. So damning indeed was the film's social satire, its unwillingness to let the narcissistic idleness of the bourgeoisie off the hook, that the movie incited honest-to-God riots in France during its very brief official release there, while watching its running time progressively slashed in increasingly desperate attempts to salvage something commercial out of the material. The film, meant to be the debut for Renoir's independent company, instead sent Renoir scuttling to Hollywood in search of work, and was considered lost for many years, prior to a 1959 restoration of nearly all of the film's material. A strange start for a film that has since gained as sterling a reputation as anything else ever put to film.\nI shall have to beg the reader's indulgence with this essay. You see, I do not have any particular critical objectivity about The Rules of the Game. I do not want any critical objectivity about it. This is a film that I adore and worship with religious fervor, one of the small handful of movies that I have never been able to exhaust; like Citizen Kane or Seven Samurai, I have not yet been able to watch this film without discovering something new. I say this only because what I'm about to embark on is nothing but raw fanboyism; the greatest fan of The Dark Knight cannot beat me for uncritical enthusiasm; nor has any person yet watched Star Wars and walked away so profoundly touched as I by this French masterpiece. For this I apologise. You deserve more, my loyal readers, than the breathless slavering to follow.\nThe essential narrative elements, derived from the tradition of French stage farce, are these: a pilot named André Jurieux (Roland Toutain) is in love with a titled lady, Christine de la Chesnaye (Nora Gregor), wife of Robert de la Chesnaye (Marcel Dalio). Their past relationship is an open secret, but Christine, an expatriated Austrian, does not understand the cavalier attitude taken to marital fidelity in Paris, and has ended things with Jurieux, who stomps about like a petulant boy until his friend Octave (Renoir himself), a childhood friend of Christine's and current social acquaintence of Robert, arranges for André to come with him to a weeklong hunting retreat at La Colinière, Robert's country estate. Along for the trip are several other high society faces, including Robert's secret lover Geneviève (Mila Parély), not to mention the host of servants required to keep a country estate running. The most important for our present needs are Lisette (Paulette Dubost), Christine's fiercely devoted maid; her husband, Schumacher (Gaston Modot), the estate's gamekeeper, long-separated from his wife on account of his post so far from Paris; and Schumacher's nemesis Marceau (Julien Carette), a poacher hired by Robert to help keep the rabbits down for the hunt, who instantly and idiotically takes a fancy to Lisette, who is perfectly happy to reciprocate.\nRenoir does not feel hatred towards his characters, but nor does he soft-pedal their essentially heartless dalliances and casual betrayals, all of it perfectly moral and respectable as long as nobody gossips. This is the \"game\" of the title, and the filmmaker clearly has no use for it. While the rich enjoy their immensely shallow lifestyles, they barely even notice the roiling lives of the men and women keeping that lifestyle alive (a dichotomy that has been appropriated many times since, most recently and famously by Robert Altman's Gosford Park) - but Renoir issues no free passes to the underclass. They're just as greedy and foolish as the lovely people employing them. Not even the two people who don't like the game and don't seem to understand the rules, Jurieux and Christine, escape some measure of blame; he's a child, and she's far too willing to give up her principles to keep the game whirring along, even if she doesn't understand it. This is the danger of being an Other in a relentlessly insular society; knowing one doesn't belong fires up the desire to belong like nothing else. The more that Renoir subtly but continuously emphasises Christine's Austrianness (particularly with her accent, a nicety perhaps lost on American audiences, though anyone can notice that she alone pronounces Schumacher's name as \"Shoo-mahker\" while everyone else says \"Shoomashayre\"), the more he stresses that she is the single destablising element - which for the story, means the vehicle for tragedy, and for the thematic thrust of the film, means the tool by which the basic hypocrisies of the game are laid bare.\nThe chief joy of Rules of the Game, however, is not its narrative thrust, but how uncommonly well everything in the film aligns to that narrative; it is a particularly harmonious work, every element playing off of every other. Renoir does not tell us about the world of the bourgeoisie, so much as he shows it; and if we can agree that he was cinema's finest practitioner of the moving camera, so is Rules of the Game his own most glorious moment with that tool, uniting the work of four cinematographers (among them Renoir's son Alain). Under his watchful eye, La Colinière becomes maybe the most well-defined physical space in all of film history, the camera roving like a tourist in an art gallery, soaking in detail. And at the same time, the camera moves are strictly motivated by the story, revealing those parts of the setting that are most important for that moment, as plot and as emotional state. My personal favorite moment comes during the masquerade arranged in celebration of Jurieux's aviation triumph, as the camera tracks along the faces of the audience, showing the servants peeking in through doorways and showing in the furthest distance, just behind the rest, Marceau and Lisette hide from Schumacher, hunting through the crowd to catch them in an adulterous clinch. And since I've practically just now brought it up anyway: the use of deep focus in this film is absolutely exquisite. Virtually every plane of every frame is in crystal-clear focus at all points, inviting us to consider every last element of the mise en scène as sharing equal importance.\nTo save everyone's time, I will not speak of the acting, though it is perfect in all regards. I would briefly praise Renoir's own performance as perhaps the finest example of a director acting in all of the movies (discounting those like Keaton or Welles or several others, who are actors at least as prominently as they are directors), at least as far as the fact that he is the film's director influences the meaning of his character, the cautious voice of reason who is at the last revealed to be a fool like everyone else.\nThe plot structure in Rules of the Game, though, may be its most noteworthy element. It really is, almost without exception, the most structurally perfect film I know of: the first half of the movie contains almost precisely the same number of scenes as the latter, and they \"mirror\" each other. Specifically, the direction of conflict in the scenes switches at the midpoint, from scenes which move through chaos to resolution, over to scenes which move from placidity to chaos. Not my observation, by the way; thank you as always to Scott Curtis of Northwestern University, the man who made me the film lover I am today.\nThe film's structure also privileges its extraordinary, justly-famous hunt scene, which is just a bit off of dead center in the whole (and if the missing footage was ever restored, I believe it would be precisely in the dead center. The hunt! the very key to understanding the whole movie's thesis! Where there the rest of the film is taken up with stately, graceful long takes and nice framing, the hunt is rapidly-cut, shot in the uncontrollable outdoors, the camera darting about like a bird. Along it all is pure violence - a dozen animals die on camera, and while one could wonder if that adds a level of hypocrisy to Renoir's argument, it is a sad fact that this scene and thus the film could simply not have achieved the same impact with faked animal deaths made at the state of the art in 1939. What we find are legions of gamesman, soldiering through swamp and wood, beating animals out into the open, so that rich people could should them with impunity and josh each other over who's the better hunter; practically without ever taking a single step. And they certainly don't give a damn about the animals they're killing; oh, yeah, they'll be food, but it's mostly just sport. We in the audience, animal lover or no, don't tend to share that view, thanks to the merciless way the brutality is caught on film; particularly in one of the most wrenching shots in all cinema as a rabbit is hit by a bullet and tumbles on its side, flexing its paws in its death spasm and looking for all the world like it's stretching to go to sleep. Here, more than anywhere, is the callousness of the bourgeoisie, the inordinate selfishness that could blind whole countries to the crush tide of Nazism, exposed to the burning sun.\nAh, but with one exception. The most important character in the film, though few people ever seem to make this claim, is an unnamed general played by Pierre Magnier. He gets very little to do, one of several revellers wandering about and chatting throughout the movie, but there are two points where he delivers virtually the same sentiment, and one of these is given exceptional privilege of place, as the final line of the movie. That sentiment is, essentially, \"Robert is a grand old man, for he always does intuitively what makes for the least socially-awkward moment, and in this he is a great heir to the history of France\". The first of these occasions is right after Robert and Christine have successfully dealt with the embarassment of Jurieux; everyone knows the score, but they're so appreciative of the couple's flim-flam that they practically break into applause. It's an ironic, amusing moment in a film rich with amusing irony, although it does point out the emotional shallowness of everyone involved. But the second moment comes after a human being has died, shot in a fit of misaimed passion; the general has nothing but praise for Robert's line of bullshit designed to make all the guests feel at ease, noble about their part in remembering the dead man. That's what Old France is about, says the general, and Renoir agrees with the fact if not the sentiment. Damn Old France, with its fixation on surfaces; damn all societies more concerned with the face of things than their inner truth. World War II wasn't the last armed conflict to come about from a culture that couldn't get passed people who knew how to say the right thing, even if everyone knew that it was a lie, you know. For that reason if not for tens of others will The Rules of the Game remain absolutely essential cinema.\nAnd still, I have not scratched the merest surface of those things that make this a masterpiece.\nCategories: 1939, best films of all time, farce, french cinema, satire, sunday classic movies","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line965762"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9960456490516663,"wiki_prob":0.9960456490516663,"text":"Ira Glass at Zellerbach Hall on Sunday\nArts & Entertainment // Entertainment\nIra Glass: 'This American Life' host will talk about his radio show in Berkeley\nTony DuShane Feb. 6, 2013 Updated: Feb. 6, 2013 3:55 p.m.\nIra Glass in This American Life - Photo: Douglas Barnes/Showtime - Photo ID: thisamericanlife_dbp_3400 Ran on: 03-18-2007\nPhoto: Douglas A Barnes, Douglas Barnes/©Showtime\nEvery few weeks, Ira Glass leaves the comfort of \"This American Life's\" New York studios to give a talk about the nationally syndicated radio show.\nGlass, the host and executive producer of \"This American Life,\" has been doing a version of the talk since the show went national, in 1996.\nThe idea of the talk started as a business decision: The show, which now airs on more than 500 public radio stations in North America and boasts an audience of more than 1.7 million listeners, didn't have an advertising or publicity budget at the time.\n\"It's a way to remind people that you exist or to introduce people to the fact that you're still there,\" Glass says by phone. \"We needed to figure out a way to publicize that wouldn't cost any money.\"\nGlass will speak at Zellerbach Hall on Sunday.\n\"It's a combination of why we're making a radio show that's so different from other radio shows, what we're going for, how we do it and why we do it,\" he says of the talks.\nWhen he first started doing the lectures, Glass would set the stage up to emulate a radio production studio and sit at a mixing console with CD players to stay close to the look of a production studio while mixing himself live.\n\"Since then the technology has changed so much, I can have an iPad and wander around the stage.\"\nWhen Glass and his production staff do final edits for the radio show, they play the stories to each other over and over and with their staff, they bring in one person who has never heard the story to get their notes.\n\"But there's no substitute in the end for 1,000 people or 2,000 people in a room and you're telling a story and can feel just when it goes 10 seconds too long here or too quick there, but you can exploit some moment of it here and there,\" he says.\nHis talk is constantly changing, and Glass sometimes tells stories that have yet to air and uses the reaction of the audience to make changes. How does he remember what to tweak for the upcoming program?\n\"It's such a naked feeling onstage that I don't need to take notes,\" he says. \"It's seared into your heart.\n\"When you're all alone in a room just talking into a microphone, you can tell yourself it's going great, but when there's a real audience you actually know if it's going great. Which has a good side and a bad side - when it's going great it's an amazing feeling.\"\nIra Glass: 7 p.m. Sunday. Advance tickets sold out. Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley. (510) 642-9988. calperfs.berkeley.edu.\nFind author readings and literary events at sfgate.com/books.\nTony DuShane is a freelance writer. E-mail: 96hours@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @tonydushane\nLeah Garchik\nFlattening the fashion curve but feeling ready for finery again\nSF Ballet’s opening gala attracts glamorous, joyful crowd to City Hall\nDamages in Steinbeck rights cut, but defendant told to quit claiming rights...\nRenel Brooks-Moon was born for this; SF Giants announcer has her father’s...","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1243234"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5662828087806702,"wiki_prob":0.43371719121932983,"text":"Home/Others/Latest developments/President Al-Assad: Opposition should Not Be Puppet of Qatar ,KSA , US\nPresident Al-Assad: Opposition should Not Be Puppet of Qatar ,KSA , US\nsyriatr January 26, 2015\nIn a Foreign Affairs’ interview published on Monday, the Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus talked about the Syrian Conflict.\nAs the Syrian conflict enters its fifth year, questions were posed concerning an end to the war. On the issue of Syria suffering heavy casualties over the past four years, President Assad refused a military end to the war in Syria advocating a political solution.\nHe commented on the matter, “All wars anywhere in the world have ended with a political solution, because war itself is not the solution; war is one of the instruments of politics. So you end with a political solution. That’s how we see it. That is the headline”.\nWhen asked about the possibility to unite the increasingly dividing Syria – the three mini-states: a state controlled by the government, one controlled by “ISIL” and Jabhat al-Nusra, and one controlled by the more secular Sunni and Kurdish opposition, President Assad said that “the main issue is about the population. The population still supports the state regardless of whether they support it politically or not; I mean they support the state as the representative of the unity of Syria”.\nHe explained that the Syrians are still with the unity of Syria and that factions referred to control some Syrian areas are not stable and they tend to move around eliminating any clear lines of separation between different forces. President Assad added that “as long as you have the Syrian people believing in unity, any government and any official can unify Syria”.\nConcerning the negotiated solution to the conflict that lead to a political transition in the light of the shift in the Western attitude where diplomats were looking for an interim settlement that would allow President Assad to keep a role rather than stepping down, President Assad commented that they were open to negotiations from the beginning and that they “have engaged in dialogue with every party in Syria”.\nHe carried on that what he means by “party” is not only the “political party”; and the change in Syria was between the different Syrian parties and entities and not between the government and the opposition. He stated, “At the end you should go back to the people through a referendum, because you’re talking about the constitution, changing the political system, whatever. You have to go back to the Syrian people”. The Syrian people should make the decision.\nPresident Assad approved of attending the negotiations but he commented on the nature of the negotiating party. He said “the opposition in general has to have representatives in the local administration, in the parliament, in institutions; they have to have grass roots to represent on their behalf”. But according to the fighters, they are not represented by the opposition. So the fruitful dialogue is going to be between the government and those fighters.\nAssad added “Opposition means national; it means working for the interests of the Syrian people. It could not be an opposition if it was a puppet of Qatar or Saudi Arabia or any Western country, including the United States, paid from the outside. It should be Syrian. We have a national opposition. I’m not excluding it; I’m not saying every opposition is not legitimate. But you have to separate the national and the puppets. Not every dialogue is fruitful”.\nPresident Assad assured that they would meet with everyone without any conditions on the basis that they represent a certain party.\nAccording to President Assad, a cease-fire and a freeze in Aleppo was implemented even before UN representative Staffan de Mistura was assigned the mission. He said that this measure was also implemented in Homs and other suburbs, villages, and so on, and it succeeded. He added that De Mistura came to Syria with headlinesthey approved on and are discussing “a detailed plan or schedule-A-to-Z plan” with De Mistura’s deputy.\nConcerning the Moscow talks, President Assad explained that they were mere preparations for the talks. He asserted the idea that some of the groups were”puppets” of other countries.He also mentioned that it was in France’s interest that the conference did not succeed.\nHowever, President Assad mentioned that what the Americans do is talk about things – the Moscow talks for example, but what they need to do is to act. He added, “And you know there’s mistrust between the Syrians and the US So just wait till we see what will happen at the conference”.\nPresident Assad stated that the best way to strike a deal with the different parties in Syria is to directly deal with the fighters. There is nothing called the “moderate opposition” as Obama called them, they are rebels. Most of them joined al Qaeda, and some of them rejoined the army recently. They wereformer defectors who came back.\nAccording to President Assad, negotiation with al-Qaeda was fruitless; “They are not ready to negotiate; they have their own plan,” he stated. He added that the Security Council resolution, no. 2170, on al-Nusra and ISIS, should be implemented and this resolution is very clear about preventing anyone from supporting these factions militarily, financially, or logistically – as what Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar are still doing.\nHence, if not implemented, no real solution can be discussed because there will be obstacles as long as they spend money. He also added on the issue, “Western countries should remove the umbrella still referred to by some as ‘supporting the moderate opposition’”.\nOnce again President Assad emphasized on mechanisms saying “it’s not a personal relationship; it’s about mechanisms”. He added “you don’t have to trust someone to do something. If you have a clear mechanism, you can reach a result”. It all comes down to the nature of the party of negotiation and the influence it has on the ground.\nFighters, according to Assad, were offered amnesty in many instances. He said, “People gave up their armaments; we gave them amnesty; they live normal lives”. On the other hand, there is no relation between opposition and the prisoners? So it is completely a different issue.\nIf the entire opposition lay down their weapons, they would be safe. But there were no guarantees. It’s a fifty-fifty success. Negative aspects should be expected, but they were not the major aspects.\nOn the light of Iran’s influence over Syria, various factors were involved. As a fact, “Iran is an important country in this region, and it was influential before the crisis,” said President Assad. He continued “in the Middle East, in our region, you have the same society, the same ideology, many similar things, the same tribes, going across borders. So if you have influence on one factor, your influence will be crossing the border. This is part of our nature. It’s not related to the conflict”.\nPresident Assad declared, “Iran doesn’t have any ambitions in Syria, and as a country, as Syria, we would never allow any country to influence our sovereignty. We wouldn’t accept it, and the Iranians don’t want it either. We allow cooperation. But if you allowed any country to have influence, why not allow the Americans to have influence in Syria? That’s the problem with the Americans and with the West: they want to have influence without cooperation”.\nPresident Assad refused that Iran is playing a greater role and deciding on its own after a commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hajizadeh, said in an interview in Der Spiegel that Iran’s supreme leader has ordered his forces to build and operate missile plants in Syria. Mr. Assad commented that the issue was “in full cooperation with the Syrian government, and that’s always the case”.\nOn the issue of Hizbullah forces on Syrian soil, President Assad stated, “it’s natural to say that only the institutions of the government, of the state, let’s say, are the guarantee for stability and to put things in order. Any other factor that would play a role in parallel with the government could be positive, could be good in certain circumstances, but it will always have side effects, negative side effects. That is a natural thing. And having militias who support the government is a side effect of the war. You have it, but you’re going to try to control this side effect”.\nHe continued, “Nobody will feel more comfortable than if they are dealing with government institutions, including the army and the police and so on. But talking about what happened in Quneitra is something completely different. Never has an operation against Israel happened through the Golan Heights since the cease-fire in 1974. It has never happened. So for “Israel” to allege that there was a plan for an operation-that’s a far cry from reality, just an excuse, because they wanted to assassinate somebody from Hizbullah”.\nAssad confirmed, “That’s self-evident: the state cannot fulfill its commitment to society if it’s not the only master of order”.So in order to have effective sovereignty, the government has to have what is called a “monopoly of force”.\nThe situation in Iraq was different from the situation in Syria, Assad stated, “it’s because Paul Bremer didn’t create a constitution for the state; he created one for factions”. Whereas in Syria, he added, there was “a real constitution, a real, secular constitution… In Iraq, it is sectarian. When you talk about a sectarian constitution, it’s not a constitution”.\nPresident Assad refuted the fact that the “Israelis” since the war began did not get involved except when they felt their interests were directly threatened. He asserted that they have been attacking Syria for nearly two years, without any reason. They attacked army positions and that the army being accidentally shelled is false allegations.\nConcerning “Israel’s” Agenda in Syria, President Assad stated, “They are supporting the rebels in Syria. It’s very clear. Because whenever we make advances in some place, they make an attack in order to undermine the army. It’s very clear. That’s why some in Syria joke: ‘How can you say that al Qaeda doesn’t have an air force? They have the Israeli air force’”.\nEconomic-wise, President Assad indicated that there was no impact what so ever of the U.S.-Iranian nuclear deal norfalling oil prices on the war in Syria even if the closest allies and supporters, Iran and Russia, are very dependent on oil prices and they have suffered tremendous damage to their budgets in recent months as the price of oil had fallen.\nHe said on the matter, “They don’t give us money, so it has no effect on Syria. Even if they are going to help us, it would be in the form of loans. We’re like any other country: we have loans. Sometimes we pay; sometimes we take loans”.\nPresident Assad explained what he meant by the mistakeshis government made in the course ofthe war which he had mentioned in previous interviews. According to him, “We took three main decisions: First of all, to be open to all dialogue. Second, we changed the constitution and the law according to what many in the opposition were saying, allegedly, that this is the reason of the crisis. Third, we took the decision to defend our country, to defend ourself, to fight terrorists. So I don’t think those three decisions can be described as wrong or mistakes”.\nHe added, “If you want to talk about practice, any official in any place can make mistakes, but there’s a difference between practice mistakes and policy mistakes”. So regarding the threemain decisions, he said “they were correct, and I am confident about this”.\nAssad mentioned the potential for increased cooperation with the United States saying that “this potential needs will”.He added, “The question that we have is, how much will does the United States have to really fight terrorism on the ground? So far, we haven’t seen anything concrete in spite of the attacks on ISIS in northern Syria. There’s nothing concrete”.\nHe continued, “It’s not about greater involvement by the military, because it’s not only about the military; it’s about politics. It’s about how much the United States wants to influence the Turks. Because if the terrorists can withstand the air strikes for this period, it means that the Turks keep sending them armaments and money”.\nAssad stated, “If you want to talk about the military involvement, American officials publicly acknowledge that without troops on the ground, they cannot achieve anything concrete”. But the troops should Syrians and not Americans, he said.\nWhat the US should do was to pressure Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar to stop supporting the rebels, said President Assad. “The other thing is, to make legal cooperation with Syria and start by asking permission from our government to make such attacks. They didn’t, so it’s illegal” said President Assad on the basis of the actions that should be done by the U.S.In other words, the US should ask the Syrians for permission to take any actions concerning Syria and its affairs.\nThe head of the Syrian state had an optimistic view concerning the war in Syria, he said, “What we won in this war is that the Syrian people have rejected the terrorists; the Syrian people support their government more; the Syrian people support their army more. Before talking about winning territory, talk about winning the hearts and minds and the support of the Syrian people. That’s what we have won. What’s left is logistical; it’s technical. That is a matter of time. The war is moving in a positive way. But that doesn’t mean you’re not losing on the national level. Because you lose lives, you lose infrastructure; the war itself has very bad social effects”.\nAs a final point, when asked about his message to President Obama, President Assad’s answer was simple, “work for the interests of his people”. He added, “You are the greatest power in the world now; you have too many things to disseminate around the world: knowledge, innovation, IT, with its positive repercussions”. He emphasized the ability of America,as a great nation, to create problems without the ability to solve them.\nPresident Assad concluded the interview with expectations of better policy that preserved stability in the Middle East declaring “If the Middle East is sick, the whole world will be unstable”.\nHe added, “The policy should be to help peace in the region, to fight terrorism, to promote secularism, to support this area economically, to help upgrade the mind and society, like you did in your country. That is the supposed mission of the United States, not to launch wars”.\nSource: Foreign Affairs\nPeople of Occupied Syrian Golan Stress Belonging to Homeland, Support to the Army\nZionist Saudi FM growles in Moscow: Assad must leave soon\nTop Iranian Diplomat asks US to reconsider policy of arming Syrian dissidents\nAl-Nusra Terrorists Sustain Heavy Toll in Quneitra, Daraa\nArrested ISIL Members: Turkey, S. Arabia Supporting ISIL","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1462800"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5248826742172241,"wiki_prob":0.4751173257827759,"text":"Dictionaries thesauruses pictures and press releases\nEtcheverry, Henri-Bertrand, French bass-baritone; b. Bordeaux, March 29, 1900; d. Paris, Nov. 14, 1960. He studied in Paris, where he made his operatic debut as Ceprano in Rigoletto at the Opera in 1932; from 1937 he was a member of the Paris Opera-Comique, and he also sang at London’s Covent Garden (1937, 1949). He was greatly admired for his portrayal of Golaud; among his other notable roles were Don Giovanni, Wotan, Boris Godunov, and Gounod’s Mephistopheles and Friar Lawrence.\n—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire\nBaker’s Biographical Dictionary of Musicians\n\"Etcheverry, Henri-Bertrand .\" Baker’s Biographical Dictionary of Musicians. . Encyclopedia.com. 14 Jan. 2021 .\n\"Etcheverry, Henri-Bertrand .\" Baker’s Biographical Dictionary of Musicians. . Encyclopedia.com. (January 14, 2021). https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/etcheverry-henri-bertrand\n\"Etcheverry, Henri-Bertrand .\" Baker’s Biographical Dictionary of Musicians. . Retrieved January 14, 2021 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/etcheverry-henri-bertrand\nTeyte, Dame Maggie , Teyte, Dame Maggie Teyte, Dame Maggie, distinguished English soprano; b. Wolverhampton, April 17, 1888; d. London, May 26, 1976. She studied in Londo… Lawton, Jeffrey , Lawton, Jeffrey Lawton, Jeffrey, English tenor; b. Oldham, 1939. He studied with Elsie Thurston at the Royal Manchester Coll. of Music (1954–58) and… Gustave Charpentier , Charpentier, Gustave Charpentier, Gustave, famous French composer; b. Dieuze, Lorraine, June 25, 1860; d. Paris, Feb. 18, 1956. He studied at the Par… Henry Iv (france) , Henry IV (France) (1553–1610; Ruled 1589–1610) HENRY IV (FRANCE) (1553–1610; ruled 1589–1610), king of France and Navarre. Henry IV helped to end the… Paul Dukas , Dukas, Paul, famous French composer and teacher;b. Paris, Oct. 1,1865; d. there, May 17, 1935. From 1882 to 1888 he was a student at the Paris Cons.,… Pauline Viardot-Garcia , Viardot-García, Pauline (b Paris, 1821; d Paris, 1910). Fr. mezzo-soprano of Sp. parentage. Daughter of Manuel García and sister of Maria Malibran an…\nDabadie, Henri-Bernard\nPernet, André\nLarrivée, Henri\nFévrier, Henri\nFévrier, Henry\nPlançon, Pol (-Henri)\nRabaud, Henri (Benjamin)\netesian\netesian winds\nÉtex, Antoine\neth-\neth.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1969122"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9867408275604248,"wiki_prob":0.9867408275604248,"text":"U.S. captain confident Williams sisters will play Fed Cup\nBy Matt Majendie\nVenus Williams of the U.S. hits a return to Francesca Schiavone of Italy during the US Open tennis tournament in New York September 7, 2010. REUTERS/Mike Segar\nNEW YORK (Reuters) - American Fed Cup captain Mary Joe Fernandez is confident that Venus and Serena Williams will represent their country in this year’s final in San Diego.\nNeither Williams sister has played Fed Cup tennis since 2007 but both boast enviable records in the team format, where Serena has never lost and Venus boasts a 17-4 record.\n“Last year they both committed to playing and we were hoping they were going to be in the final but unfortunately because of injury and tiredness they weren’t able to come to Italy,” said Fernandez. “This year they’re committing again. I’m counting on it and I’m confident.”\nWithout the Williams sisters, the U.S. team were beaten by Italy 4-0 in the final.\nFernandez, who on Thursday announced she signed a deal to stay on as U.S. Fed Cup captain until the end of 2012, said she was confident of improving on that at this year’s final in San Diego from November 6-7.\n“The ultimate thing is to win the Fed Cup and bring it back home to the United States,” said Fernandez. “The best way to do that is to have the best players in the world. It’s going to be fantastic for the team to be around two of the best players to ever play the game, to have that experience and to see how they operate.”\nEditing by Frank Pingue","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1765266"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6995095014572144,"wiki_prob":0.6995095014572144,"text":"1841, The Presidency Of John Tyler\n6. Guest Constitutional Scholar Essayists, 90 in 90 2016, John S. Baker, Jr., Ph.D. 6. Presidential Elections and Their Constitutional Impact, 11. Guest Constitutional Scholar Essayists, 1841 The Presidency Of John Tyler, John S. Baker Jr. PhD\nGuest Essayist: John S. Baker\nPresidential Leadership: Rating the Best and the Worst in the White House, a Wall Street Journal Book; James Taranto and Leonard Leo, Editors; Free Press, 2004. Reprinted with permission.\nTyler understood the president’s role under the Constitution. His defense of the presidency against Congress and his own party should have earned him a more appreciated place in history.\nMarch 19, 2016 /1 Comment/by Janine Turner and Cathy Gillespie\nhttps://constitutingamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo_web_360x80.png 0 0 Janine Turner and Cathy Gillespie https://constitutingamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo_web_360x80.png Janine Turner and Cathy Gillespie2016-03-19 01:00:502020-04-08 12:16:431841, The Presidency Of John Tyler\nAmendment XVII: Direct Election of Senators\nAnalyzing the Amendments in 90 Days 2012 Project, Constitution Amendment XVII, John S. Baker, Jr., Ph.D. 2. The Constitution, 3. The Amendments, 4. The Classics that Inspired the Constitution, 11. Guest Constitutional Scholar Essayists, Article I Section 03, Constitutional Amendment XVII, Constitutional Amendment XVII, John S. Baker Jr. PhD, The Constitution of the United States of America\nGuest Essayist: Dr. John S. Baker, Jr., Distinguished Scholar in Residence, Catholic University School of Law; Professor Emeritus, Louisiana State University Law Center\nAmendment XVII:\n1: The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.\n2: When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.\n3: This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.\nMany Americans wonder why it is that the federal government continues to expand its power at the expense of the states and local governments. As the Supreme Court observed in Garcia v. San Antonio Metropolitan Transit Authority, 469 U.S. 528 (1985),“the adoption of the Seventeenth Amendment in 1913 … alter[ed] the influence of the States in the federal political process.” Ironically, it was state legislatures that insisted on adopting the Seventeenth Amendment even though it virtually guaranteed their loss of power. The Seventeenth Amendment inflicted a near death-blow to federalism.\nThe first sentence of the Seventeenth amendment substitutes “elected by the people thereof” for the words “chosen by the Legislature thereof” in the language of the first paragraph of Article 1, Sect. 3. The amendment also provides the procedure for filling vacancies by election, but permitting states by legislation to allow the state’s governor to make temporary appointments.\nPrior to the 17th Amendment, the Constitution provided for US senators to be elected by the legislature of each state in order to reflect that the Senate represented the states, as contrasted with the House which represented the people of each state. Originally, U.S. senators did represent their own states because they owed their elections to their state legislature, rather than directly to the voters of the state. The Senate, thus, carried forward the (con)federal element from the Articles of Confederation, under which only the states were represented in the national legislative body. As noted in The Federalist, the fact that state legislatures elected U.S. senators made the states part of the federal government. As intended, this arrangement provided protection for states against attempts by the federal government to increase and consolidate its own power. In other words, the original method of electing senators was the primary institutional protection of federalism.\nIn the decade prior to the Civil War, over the issue of slavery, and increasingly after the Civil War, some state legislatures failed to elect senators. That development, plus charges that senators were being elected and corrupted by corporate interests prompted some states to adopt a system of de facto election of senators, the results of which were then ratified by the state legislatures. Proposals for a constitutional amendment providing for direct popular election of senators were long blocked in the Senate because most senators were elected by state legislatures. Over time, the number of senators elected de facto by popular election increased. Also, states were adopting petitions for a constitutional convention to consider an amendment to provide for popular election of senators. As the number of states came closer to the number requiring the calling of a Constitutional Convention, the Senate allowed what became the Seventeenth Amendment to be submitted to the states for ratification.\nA major factor promoting direct popular election of senators was the Progressive Movement. This movement generally criticized the Constitution’s system of separation of powers because it made it difficult to enact federal legislation. The Framers had done so in order to protect liberty and to create stability in government. The Progressives, on the other hand, wanted government to be more democratic and, therefore, to allow easier passage of national legislation reflecting the immediate popular will.\nBy shifting the selection of senators to the general electorate, the 17th amendment not only accomplished those purposes; but it also meant that senators no longer needed to be as concerned about the issues favored by state legislators. Predictably, over time, senators voted for popular measures which involved “unfunded mandates” imposing the costs on the states. Senators were able to claim political credit for the legislation, while the states were left to pay for new national policies not adopted by the states. Such unfunded mandates would have been unthinkable prior to adoption of the 17th amendment.\nIronically, more than the required number of state legislatures ratified the Seventeenth Amendment, with little or no realization that they were diminishing the power of their own states and undermining federalism generally. Many legislators apparently thought they had more important matters to attend to than devoting time to the struggles that often revolved around electing a senator. Such an attitude might have been understandable at a time when the federal government had much less power vis-a-vis the states. What those legislators did not appreciate was that the balance of power favorable to the states was due to the fact that state legislatures controlled the U.S. Senate. Over time, since adoption of the Seventeenth Amendment, the balance of power has inevitably consistently shifted in favor of the federal government.\nDr. John S. Baker, Jr. is a Distinguished Scholar in Residence at Catholic University School of Law and Professor Emeritus of Law at Louisiana State University Law Center.\nMay 13, 2012 /11 Comments/by Janine Turner and Cathy Gillespie\nhttps://constitutingamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo_web_360x80.png 0 0 Janine Turner and Cathy Gillespie https://constitutingamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo_web_360x80.png Janine Turner and Cathy Gillespie2012-05-13 19:52:302020-03-15 08:30:30Amendment XVII: Direct Election of Senators\nAmendment X: Our Constitution a Grant of Limited Powers to the National Government\nAnalyzing the Amendments in 90 Days 2012 Project, Constitution Amendment X, John S. Baker, Jr., Ph.D. 1. The Federalist Papers, 2. The Constitution, 3. The Amendments, 4. The Classics that Inspired the Constitution, 11. Guest Constitutional Scholar Essayists, Bill of Rights, Constitutional Amendment X, Constitutional Amendment X, Constitutional Amendment XIV, Constitutional Amendment XIV, Constitutional Amendment XVII, Constitutional Amendment XVII, Federalist No. 23, Federalist No. 45, Federalist No. 84, John S. Baker Jr. PhD, The Articles of Confederation, The Constitution of the United States of America\n– Guest Essayist: Dr. John S. Baker, Jr., Distinguished Scholar in Residence, Catholic University School of Law; Professor Emeritus, Louisiana State University Law Center\nAmendment X:\nThe powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.\nTHE TENTH AMENDMENT\nStatements about the Tenth amendment tend towards opposing extremes. Some cite the Amendment in claiming more powers than the Constitution actually leaves in the states. On the other side, some claim that the Amendment is merely a “truism,” implying it does virtually nothing. The actual meaning of the Amendment lies in between these two one-sided views.\nThe Tenth Amendment reads as follows:\nThe most important word is the one that does not appear in the text, i.e., “expressly.” It is common for those who place great weight on the Tenth Amendment to state incorrectly that the Amendment says “powers not expressly delegated to the United States…” The Amendment, however, pointedly omits the word expressly.\nBy contrast, somewhat similar language in the Articles of Confederation did include the word expressly.\nEach state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this Confederation expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress assembled. (emphasis added)\nWhat difference in meaning does the word “expressly” make? The difference is that which distinguishes a confederation from a government. The Articles of Confederation provides that “The said States hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other…” (emphasis added). The Articles recognize that the States retained their full sovereignty and entered into a special kind of alliance or league. The Articles constitute a treaty involving multiple sovereignties and having several purposes. As a treaty, however, it is still a contract and each State delegates only those powers expressly written into the contract. Although “[t]he Articles thereof shall be inviolably observed by the States,” the document creates no government having the power to enforce its provisions. It provides only for states to send representatives to meet as the “United States in Congress” and to manage those powers expressly given.\nThe Constitution that emerged from the Convention, as all understood, was not a confederation or simply a league of friendship. Opponents of the Constitution, known as the Antifederalists, concluded that therefore the Constitution would create a consolidated or centralized government. The Federalist (written by Madison, Hamilton and Jay under the pseudonym of “Publius”) countered that the Constitution created a federal government of only limited powers and left most powers of government in the states.\nNot persuaded, the Antifederalists contended that the Constitution’s limits on the federal government could and would be swept aside by its “necessary and proper clause.” Their arguments in opposition to the Constitution emphasized the document’s lack of a bill of rights. They urged that a statement of rights was necessary to protect liberty by limiting the power of the federal government and specifically to undo the effect of the “necessary and proper” clause.\nThe Constitution drafted at the Constitutional Convention contained no bill of rights. This was not an oversight. The Convention voted down George Mason’s proposal that a bill of rights be added. Moreover, during the Ratification period, The Federalist (#84) argued “that bills of rights, in the sense and to the extent they are contended for, are not only unnecessary in the proposed constitution, but would even be dangerous.” A bill of rights was unnecessary because “a minute detail of particular rights is certainly far less applicable to a constitution like that under consideration, which is merely intended to regulate the general political interests of the nation.” It was dangerous because it “would contain various exceptions to powers not granted; and on this very account, would afford a colourable pretext to claim more than was granted.”\nThe Federalists and Antifederalists held opposing ideas about the best means to protect liberty. Whereas the Antifederalists gave priority to bills of rights, the Federalists distrusted the efficacy of such “parchment barriers.” Rather the Federalists drafted the Constitution on the premise that protecting liberty requires a structure of separation of powers within the federal government and a division of powers between the federal and state governments. For that reason, The Federalist said “The truth is … that the constitution is itself, in every rational sense, and to every useful purpose, A BILL OF RIGHTS.”\nPredictions of both the Antifederalists and Federalists have proved in part to be accurate. As the Antifederalists feared, the Necessary and Proper Clause has been used to expand the powers of the federal government greatly at the expense of the states, a trend aided (as discussed in a later essay) by the Seventeenth Amendment. The Federalists were correct that the Bill of Rights, aided by the Fourteenth Amendment’s judicially-developed doctrine of Incorporation, has been used to expand the powers of the federal government at the expense of the states.\nThe foundational explanation of the Necessary and Proper Clause came in Chief Justice Marshall’s opinion in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819). The opinion addressed the Necessary and Proper Clause as an additional, not the primary, reason for upholding the constitutionality of the Bank of the United States. Jeffersonian Republicans, many of whom had been Antifederalists, opposed this decision as an unconstitutional expansion of Congress’s powers. Chief Justice Marshall’s opinion, however, was perfectly consistent with, and generally tracked language in several essays from, The Federalist.\nOver the years, especially since the New Deal, the centralizers of national power have often relied on a distorted interpretation of the Necessary and Proper clause which disregards the fundamental principle that the federal government is one of limited powers. Accordingly, they dismiss the Tenth Amendment as simply a “truism.” The defenders of state power, on the other hand, emphasize the Tenth Amendment, almost as if nothing else in the Constitution matters. They generally fail to understand The Federalist explanation – confirmed by Chief Justice Marshall’s opinion in McCulloch – that Congress has the fullness of those powers actually given to Congress and that the Constitution includes the Necessary and Proper Clause in order to leave no doubt about the fullness of the powers actually given.\nWhen during the First Congress James Madison spoke for the Bill of Rights he had introduced, among other points he argued that they were of “such a nature as will not injure the Constitution.” Specifically, what became the Tenth Amendment did not injure the Constitution because it did not convert it to a confederation. That is to say, the Tenth Amendment pointedly did not use the word expressly.\nAs to any power actually given by the Constitution, Congress has the fullness of that power. Congress’s exercise of power is nevertheless limited– first by the fact that it is not given every power of government. Secondly, Congress encounters procedural limits on the implementation of its enumerated powers due to bicameralism and separation of powers. The division of powers between the federal and state governments which effectively limited Congress’s exercise of enumerated powers has been undermined by the Seventeenth Amendment’s provision for direct election of senators.\nThe U.S. government has over the years consolidated power to a degree feared even by the Federalists, and much more so by the Antifederalists. To point solely to the Tenth Amendment, however, as the primary limit on the expansion of federal power is to misunderstand the Constitution. The Tenth Amendment is a ‘truism” in the sense that it merely confirms that the Constitution creates a federal government with a limited number of powers, those related to national defense, foreign affairs, foreign trade, and trade among the states. See Federalist # 23 and #45. Like the Necessary and Proper Clause, a proper interpretation of the Tenth Amendment must be connected to the Constitution’s structure of divided and separated power.\nDr. John S. Baker, Jr. is the Distinguished Scholar in Residence at Catholic University School of Law and Professor Emeritus of Law at Louisiana State University Law Center.\nPlease leave your thoughts on our blog below! Click the Comment Button!\nEssay #39\nApril 11, 2012 /4 Comments/by Janine Turner and Cathy Gillespie\nhttps://constitutingamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo_web_360x80.png 0 0 Janine Turner and Cathy Gillespie https://constitutingamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo_web_360x80.png Janine Turner and Cathy Gillespie2012-04-11 21:00:252020-06-22 13:53:30Amendment X: Our Constitution a Grant of Limited Powers to the National Government\nAmendment XVII of the United States Constitution\nAnalyzing the Constitution in 90 Days 2011 Project, Constitution Amendment XVII, John S. Baker, Jr., Ph.D. 2. The Constitution, 3. The Amendments, 4. The Classics that Inspired the Constitution, 11. Guest Constitutional Scholar Essayists, Article I Section 03, Constitutional Amendment XVII, Constitutional Amendment XVII, John S. Baker Jr. PhD, The Articles of Confederation\nAmendment XVII\nThe Seventeenth Amendment, adopted April 8, 1913, provides as follows:\nThe first sentence substitutes “elected by the people thereof” for the words “chosen by the Legislature thereof” in the language of the first paragraph of Article 1, Sect. 3. The amendment also provides the procedure for filling vacancies by election, but permitting states by legislation to allow the state’s governor to make temporary appointments.\nIn the decade prior to the Civil War, over the issue of slavery, and increasingly after the Civil War, some state legislatures failed to elect senators. That development, plus charges that senators were being elected and corrupted by corporate interests prompted some states to adopt a system of de facto election of senators, the results of which were then ratified by the state legislature. Proposals for a constitutional amendment providing for direct popular election of senators were long blocked in the Senate because most senators were elected by state legislatures. Over time, the number of senators elected de facto by popular election increased. Also, states were adopting petitions for a constitutional convention to consider an amendment to provide for popular election of senators. As the number of states came closer to the number requiring the calling of a Constitutional Convention, the Senate allowed what became the Seventeenth Amendment to be submitted to the states for ratification.\nIronically, more than the required number of state legislatures ratified the 17th Amendment, with little or no realization that the Seventeenth amendment would diminish state power and undermine federalism generally. Many legislators apparently thought they had more important matters to attend to than to devote time to the struggles that often revolved around electing a senator. Such an attitude might have been understandable at a time when the federal government had much less power vis-a-vis the states. What those legislators did not appreciate was that the balance of power favorable to the states was due to the fact that state legislatures controlled the U.S. Senate. Over time, since adoption of the Seventeenth Amendment, the balance of power has consistently shifted in favor of the federal government.\nJune 9, 2011 /5 Comments/by Janine Turner and Cathy Gillespie\nhttps://constitutingamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Senate-copy.jpg 367 676 Janine Turner and Cathy Gillespie https://constitutingamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo_web_360x80.png Janine Turner and Cathy Gillespie2011-06-09 00:00:332020-03-14 20:18:50Amendment XVII of the United States Constitution\nArticle I, Section 08, Clause 03 of the United States Constitution\nAnalyzing the Constitution in 90 Days 2011 Project, Article I, Section 08, Clause 03, John S. Baker, Jr., Ph.D. 1. The Federalist Papers, 2. The Constitution, 11. Guest Constitutional Scholar Essayists, Article I Section 08 Clause 03, Federalist No. 23, John S. Baker Jr. PhD\nGuest Essayist: Dr. John S. Baker, Jr., Professor Emeritus, Louisiana State University Law Scho\nArticle 1, Section 8, Clause 3\n3: To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;\nDuring the Ratification Debates, the power of Congress under Clause 3 of Article I, Section 8 “To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with Indian Tribes” was not controversial. It was generally recognized that the lack of such a power in the Articles of Confederation had damaged trade and finance among the states. Moreover, without a power to superintend commerce moving from state-to-state, the United States as a confederation was hampered in negotiating trade treaties. Other nations, notably Great Britain, had experienced the inability of the Confederation to prevent States from violating treaty obligations of the United States.\nSince the adoption of the Constitution, the Commerce Clause has been much more controversial. Two early foundational cases in the Supreme Court, McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) and Gibbons v. Ogden (1824, address the Commerce Clause in the context of the broad issues of constitutional structure. Later cases in the Nineteenth century, particularly following the Civil War, deal primarily with what is known as the “dormant commerce clause.” This doctrine involves the limits implied by the Constitution on the ability of the states to affect commerce, e.g. Cooley v. Board of Wardens (1852). Since the beginning of the 20th Century, the Supreme Court’s jurisprudence concerning both Congress’s power under the Commerce Clause and the limits on the states’ powers to affect interstate commerce has undergone occasional, significant shifts.\nThe political divide over the regulation of commerce came to the fore soon after the creation of the government under the Constitution. During the Presidency of George Washington, Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton promoted federal legislation designed to develop an active commerce built around manufacturing. His most controversial success was creation of the Bank of the United States, a corporation chartered by the federal government. Hamilton and Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson squared off over the authority of Congress to create a corporation.\nThe Hamilton-Jefferson debate was not simply one over a policy. The two men had radically different ideas about the role of commerce in the United States. Jefferson’s vision of an agrarian America opposed Hamilton’s promotion of a commercial republic, driven by finance as epitomized in the Bank of the United States. Jefferson favored a more passive commerce which served mainly as a means for selling agricultural production, especially abroad. This debate involved a fundamental disagreement about the nature and the extent of the federal government’s powers under the Constitution.\nLong before the Supreme Court had the opportunity of addressing the issue, these two great statesmen publicly debated the constitutionality of the Bank. Their positions rested on opposing views regarding interpretation of the Constitution. Jefferson focused on the fact that the Constitution contained no power to create a corporation. He employed “strict construction” of the Constitution to argue that neither the Commerce Clause nor the “Necessary and Proper” Clause authorized creation of the Bank. Jefferson’s position was that Congress could rely on the “Necessary and Proper” Clause only to do that which was “absolutely necessary” to carry out one of the listed powers. Hamilton, on the other hand, justified creation of the Bank as a legitimate exercise of the federal government’s enumerated powers. His position coincided with his own explanation of federal powers laid out in Federalist #23. That is to say, the position of Hamilton and The Federalist, later embodied in McCulloch v. Maryland (to be analyzed later in the section addressing the “Necessary and Proper” Clause), was that the Constitution gives Congress a limited number of powers, but places no limit on the powers actually given.\nThe term “strict construction,” as used by Jefferson, differs from what the public apparently understands to be the meaning of that term. By “strict construction,” Jefferson means a narrow construction of the words in the Constitution. According to Jefferson, for example, the “Necessary and Proper” Clause only authorizes that which is “absolutely” necessary. The Constitution, however, does not include the word “absolutely” to modify “necessary.”\nToday, those who refer to “strict construction” do not necessarily adopt Jefferson’s narrow construction. Generally, those who use the term mean simply this: following the text of the Constitution. For them, the term “strict construction” is the opposite of a “liberal” interpretation,” which involves going beyond the words of the Constitution. Those, on the other hand, who support liberal construction justify doing so under the banner of “a living Constitution” which they contend must be “updated” by the Supreme Court. Justice Scalia, who opposes the notion of “the living Constitution,” surprises many when he says he is not a “strict constructionist.” Rather, the Justice describes himself both as an “Originalist” and a “textualist,” a methodology he explains as one which gives to the words of the Constitution the original meaning of the particular text.\nChief Justice Marshall’s opinion in Gibbons v. Ogden (often referred to as “the Steamboat case”) definitely rejected the Jeffersonian version of “strict construction.” Rather, Marshall’s reading of the Commerce Clause involved what today could best be described as “originalist” and “textualist.” The case addressed two issues: 1) whether, under the Commerce Clause, Congress had the power to enact legislation regulating river transportation; and 2) whether a New York statute granting a monopoly on steamboat traffic was constitutional.\nOn the first issue, the Court analyzed the text as follows: a) the federal law “regulates”; b) river transportation falls within the meaning of “commerce”; and c) the commerce, being between the states of New York and New Jersey is “among the states.” The federal statute, thus, fell within Congress’s power to “regulate Commerce … among the Several States.” The Court accordingly held that the federal law to be constitutional. On the second issue of the state monopoly which conflicted with the federal statute, the state statute had to give way under the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause.\nThe challenger to the New York monopoly argued the power over commerce given to Congress was an exclusive one which could not be exercised by the states. Gibbons found it unnecessary to decide that issue. A later Supreme Court opinion, Cooley v. Board of Wardens (1852), addressing primarily the power of a state to regulate matters related to a harbor, decided that the Commerce power was not exclusive to the federal government. Unfortunately, Cooley did not pay particular attention to the text of the Commerce Clause, which does not give Congress power to regulate all commerce, but “commerce among the States.” Instead, the Court took it upon itself to divide commerce between what is “national” and what is “local,” a distinction not grounded in the text. As a result of Cooley and later cases, the Court followed several theories to decide when a state could regulate commerce and when the federal government could do so.\nIn the course of things, the Court conflated the tests for what states could do and what the federal government could do. From cases involving state regulation, the Court looked to whether the law was “affecting” or “substantially affecting” interstate commerce. If what the state did was deemed to impede “interstate commerce,” then the statute was held to be unconstitutional as a violation of the “dormant commerce clause.” While the Court’s authority to imply a “dormant commerce clause” is itself debatable in terms of an originalist or textualist interpretation, transferring that text to the Congress’s power under the Commerce Clause clearly conflicts with an originalist or textualist interpretation of the clause, which nowhere mentions “interstate commerce.”\nThe Court’s departure from the text of the Commerce Clause has involved two wild swings. Prior to 1937, the Court declared certain pieces of federal legislation unconstitutional which it said did not actually regulate interstate commerce. In the view of the Court’s majority, the unconstitutional law had the purpose of regulating something else, e.g., manufacturing, and therefore fell within the powers of the states to regulate. The extreme case on this side was Hammer v. Dagenhart (1918), a case which held Congress could not enact a child-labor law. During the early years of the presidency of Franklin Roosevelt, the Court declared unconstitutional several key pieces of New Deal legislation which created a serious constitutional conflict between the Court and the two political branches.\nIn 1937, however, a majority of the Court began to uphold New Deal legislation on the theory that Congress’s purpose in enacting the law was to regulate some activity which “substantially affected,” and eventually simply “affected,” interstate commerce. The extreme example was Wickard v. Fillburn (1942), a case in which the Court upheld the power of the federal government to regulate how much wheat a farmer could grow. Even though some of the wheat was for self-consumption and specifically not for commerce, it was said to “affect interstate commerce” by with-holding wheat from the wheat market. Under this approach, Congress came to expect that the Court would uphold almost any legislation that simply claimed to regulate some activity which “affected interstate commerce.”\nSince the mid-1990s, and for the first time since the mid-1930s, the Supreme Court has declared unconstitutional two acts of Congress which were purportedly passed pursuant to the Commerce Clause. U.S. v. Lopez (1995) held that Congress could not enact a law prohibiting possession of a weapon within a school-zone because the activity regulated was not commerce. In U.S. v. Morrison (2000), the Court declared unconstitutional the “Violence Against Women Act.” More recently, however, in Gonzales v. Raich (2005), the Court upheld the ability of the federal government to punish the growing at home of marijuana for personal medical purposes. In doing so, the Court re-affirmed Wickard and the notion that, under the “Necessary and Proper” Clause, Congress can regulate activities otherwise beyond its power in order effectively to regulate a nationwide market.\nAs of this writing, the Supreme Court has not addressed the Healthcare Reform legislation enacted in 2010. When it does so, the federal government will rely on Wickard and Raich and the states and individuals challenging the law will rely on Lopez and Morrison.\nDr. John S. Baker, Jr. is Professor Emeritus at Louisiana State University Law School.\nMarch 22, 2011 /6 Comments/by Janine Turner and Cathy Gillespie\nhttps://constitutingamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo_web_360x80.png 0 0 Janine Turner and Cathy Gillespie https://constitutingamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo_web_360x80.png Janine Turner and Cathy Gillespie2011-03-22 00:05:202020-03-14 17:21:29Article I, Section 08, Clause 03 of the United States Constitution\nAnalyzing the Constitution in 90 Days 2011 Project, Article I, Section 08, Clause 01, John S. Baker, Jr., Ph.D. 1. The Federalist Papers, 2. The Constitution, 11. Guest Constitutional Scholar Essayists, Article I Section 08 Clause 01, Article I Section 08 Clause 03, Article I Section 09 Clause 4-6, Federalist No. 23, John S. Baker Jr. PhD\nGuest Essayist: John S. Baker, Jr., the Dale E. Bennett Professor of Law at Louisiana State University\n1: The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;\nArticle 1, Section 8 enumerates the powers of Congress. Listing those powers indicates that the federal government is one of limited powers. Unlike a unitary sovereign which has all the general powers of government, the federal government has only limited sovereignty. At the same time, the federal government possesses the fullness of any power actually given to it. As Federalist #23 makes plain, on those matters for which the Constitution has delegated responsibility to the federal government, i.e., national defense, foreign relations, regulation of national and foreign commerce, and preserving the public peace against insurrection, the federal government’s “powers ought to exist without limitation.” All of which is to say that the powers of the federal government are limited in number, not that a listed power itself is limited beyond what is stated in the text of the Constitution.\nAs a result, it becomes essential to determine the meaning of the text for each enumerated power. Improper interpretation through either expansion or contraction does damage to the legitimate role of the federal government. Giving the federal government a power not enumerated moves it closer to possessing full sovereignty. Limiting a given power enfeebles, at least partially, the ability of the federal government to carry out its legitimate responsibilities. Experience has also taught that the federal government can be enfeebled in the exercise of its legitimate powers because it expends resources illegitimately exercising powers not enumerated in the Constitution. The built-in efficiency of the Constitution’s federal design is that it gave to the federal government, and left to the states, those responsibilities which each level of government was best able to perform.\nThe federal government has in large measure been able to exercise non-enumerated power through misconstruction of the first clause in Article 1, Section 8. This clause illustrates the interpretive challenge. To understand the challenge, it is necessary closely to inspect the text of this clause which reads as follows: “The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;”\nNotice that after the word “Power” the word “To” is capitalized. Then notice that “to” before “pay” is not capitalized. Every enumerated power thereafter begins with “To,” without repeating “The Congress shall have the Power.” In other words, each clause beginning with a capitalized “To” states a separate, enumerated power. Nevertheless, books on Constitutional Law routinely treat this first clause as having two distinct powers: to tax and to spend. Textually, however, the clause states only one power which is the power to tax (in order) to pay debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States.\nThe Supreme Court has, at times, had to struggle with whether congressional legislation which purports to impose a tax is in fact a tax when its purpose appears to be regulatory, e.g., a tax on gambling which was illegal at the time. If the clause in fact grants a single power which ties taxes to paying debts and providing for the common defense and general welfare, then the issue changes. Rather than an issue of whether the tax is really a tax, the question becomes whether – even if it is a tax — it meets the purpose language of the text. If so read, regulatory taxes that do not raise revenue to pay government expenses would become constitutionally questionable. In other words, a reading of only the taxing language of the text – I suggest – has resulted in giving Congress regulatory powers it does not possess under a reading of the language as a single power.\nIncidentally, this kind of careful attention to the text is not “strict” or “narrow” construction. It is textualism of the kind that Justice Scalia writes and practices. As he says, he is not a “strict constructionist.” He attempts to give words in the Constitution their full meaning without either narrowing or broadening their legitimate sense.\nAnother mischaracterization of this clause refers to it as “the General Welfare Clause.” If Congress had a power simply to legislate for the “general welfare,” there would be no need to list any other powers. Under such a construction of the Constitution, the federal government would in no way be a limited one. Few, if any, students of the Constitution, however, would openly claim Congress has such unlimited power. Nevertheless, the spending language in the clause – viewed as distinct from the taxing language –can be distorted to achieve the same unlimited power.\nAs discussed in United States v. Butler (1936), one of the few Supreme Court cases to address the spending language of the clause, the clause has been a matter of dispute nearly since the beginning when Madison and Hamilton disagreed over its interpretation. (The legislation addressed in Butler also involved a tax collected to fund the spending.) Madison contended that the power to tax and spend for the general welfare had to be tied to one of the other enumerated powers. Hamilton, and later Justice Joseph Story, disagreed. They said the power was a separate power, limited only by the requirement that its exercise be for “the general welfare.” Although Butler adopted the Hamilton-Story position, it declared the particular legislation unconstitutional.\nIf the discussion above regarding the use of “To” and “to” means that the clause does not contain two powers, it should also establish that the clause contains a power separate from those which follow, as Hamilton and Story contended. If then Madison was incorrect, does this clause create a power so broad that it makes the enumeration of other powers superfluous? Both Justice Story and the Butler opinion recognize that there must be some limits on spending for the general welfare, but Butler did not elaborate.\nThe Supreme Court has since ignored Butler’s notion that the clause contains any justiciable limits. A year after Butler, the Court upheld the parts of the Social Security Act dealing with unemployment compensation, Steward Machine Co. v. Davis (1937), and old-age benefits, Helvering v. Davis (1937). In Buckley v. Valeo (1976), the Court rejected a challenge to federal spending that financed presidential campaigns, saying “[i]t is for Congress to decide which expenditures will promote the general welfare.”\nIt may be that the term “general welfare” has acquired a meaning that, at least in Congress, extends well beyond the interpretation of Hamilton and Story. For Hamilton who promoted infrastructure spending on canals and bridges, the spending was not for local “pet projects” or so-called “earmarks.” Rather, such spending was to promote economic development generally; it benefitted more than a single state. Underlying the term “general welfare” seemed to be the idea that the federal government could spend on matters that generally benefitted the whole country. It was assumed not only that state governments would tax and spend on projects that benefitted their own state, but that they would not and should not tax and spend on projects to benefit other states. As with the original understanding of the Commerce Clause and other provisions in the Constitution, Congress was given the taxing and spending power for the general welfare in order to do for the states as a whole what none of them individually could do.\nCongress’s idea of spending for the general welfare has often been used to “persuade” states to accept policy regulations which Congress lacks any power directly to impose. Congress achieves the regulatory end through conditioning receipt of the funds. Certain conditions attached to spending are not only reasonable, but required. Accordingly, the federal government ensures the proper use of funds by imposing accounting and reporting requirements and establishing other standards for spending the money. Congress, however, also manipulates conditions in what amounts to a form of “bait and switch;” it adds new conditions after states have become dependent on federal funding for such programs as highways and Medicaid. These new conditions are ones that a number of the states likely would not have accepted when the program began because they impose burdensome obligations or infringe on a state’s legislative powers. States, nevertheless, almost always accept the new conditions because they claim to have “no choice” — that is, except to drop the program or pay for it with state funds.\nRather than raise their own state taxes, with no diminution in federal taxes, states take the money because other states do and/or they get some return on the federal taxes paid by their citizens. Thus, the states at least acquiesce in – if not lobby for – high levels of federal spending with the accompanying federal taxes and/or deficits to support that spending. With almost all states participating in those spending programs directed to the states, the Congress can claim that those programs address the “general welfare.”\nStates have not been successful before the Supreme Court in claiming Congress’s imposition of new conditions is unconstitutional because they “coerce” states which have “no choice” other than to agree to the new conditions. In South Carolina v. Dole (1987), the Court rejected a constitutional challenge to Congress’s direction that the Transportation Department withhold 5% of the highway funds due to a state if the state did not prohibit persons under the age of 21 from purchasing or possessing alcoholic beverages. Congress certainly had no power under which it could directly establish a national drinking age. The Constitution left such police power issues with the states. Nevertheless, the Court determined, inter alia, that drunk driving was a “national concern.” Of course, it was not a concern that each state was incapable of addressing individually. Justice O’Connor argued in dissent that the condition was an unconstitutional infringement on state powers and noted that the Court’s discussion of federal spending in United States v. Butler (as distinct from other reasoning in the case) remains valid.\nThe last part of the clause (“all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;”) guarantees that one region of the country having more voting power in Congress cannot use that power to disadvantage other states economically. This provision ties in with the prohibition on taxing exports (Art. 1, Sect. 9, cl. 5) and the power over commerce among the states and with foreign nations (Art. 1, Sect. 8, cl. 3). It represents one example of how the Constitution, as finally drafted, coordinates its different parts into a comprehensive and consistent plan of government.\nProfessor John S. Baker is the Dale E. Bennett Professor of Law at Louisiana State University.\nMarch 17, 2011 /19 Comments/by Janine Turner and Cathy Gillespie\nFederalist No. 39 – The Conformity of the Plan to Republican Principles, For the Independent Journal (Hamilton)\nFederalist Paper 39, Federalist Paper Forum 2010 Essay Project, Federalist Paper Forum 2010 Essays by Guest Constitutional Scholars, John S. Baker, Jr., Ph.D. 1. The Federalist Papers, 2. The Constitution, 3. The Amendments, 4. The Classics that Inspired the Constitution, 11. Guest Constitutional Scholar Essayists, Constitutional Amendment XVII, Constitutional Amendment XVII, Federalist No. 09, Federalist No. 10, Federalist No. 15, Federalist No. 39, John S. Baker Jr. PhD, The Articles of Confederation\nFederalist 39 answers attacks that the proposed Constitution is not “republican” and not “federal.” In his response, Publius effectively redefines both terms.\nClaiming the proposed government is not “strictly republican” is a serious charge. Publius recognizes this, saying “no other form would be reconcileable with the genius of the people of America; with the fundamental principles of the revolution; or the honorable determination which animates every votary of freedom, to rest all our political experiments on the capacity of mankind for self-government.”\nThe term “republican” ( Latin “res publica,” or “public thing”) had an uncertain meaning. Common to its various understandings would have been an opposition to an hereditary monarchy and aristocracy. Republicanism referred to self-government, but proponents and opponents of the new Constitution had very different ideas about what that meant.\nOn the one hand, Publius acknowledged that “If the plan of the convention, therefore, be found to depart from the republican character, its advocates must abandon it as no longer defensible.” On the other hand, the vision of republicanism offered by The Federalist was quite different from that of the opponents.\nThose opposing the Constitution, the Anti-federalists, generally believed that a republic could exist only within a small territory where citizens were able to know one another, live a communal life, and directly govern themselves. Their reading of the French political writer Montesquieu and the example of the ancient republics convinced them that liberty was possible only in such republics. Thus, the Anti-federalists argued that the government to be created by the Constitution would deprive the people of their liberty.\nPublius had already argued in Federalist 9 that “the petty republics of Greece and Italy” leave one “feeling sensations of horror and disgust” because “they were perpetually vibrating between the extremes of tyranny and anarchy.” He also observed that opponents to the Constitution apparently were unaware that the states were already larger than the republics discussed by Montesquieu and that he praised the benefits of a larger “confederate republic.” Indeed, The Federalist contributes to political theory the idea that liberty is better protected in a large republic, as fully explained in Federalist 10.\nFederalist 39 asks “What then are the distinctive characters of the republican form?” Publius finds that political writers have wrongly applied the term to states that do not deserve to be called republics. Consulting principles of government, Publius says “we may define a republic to be, or at least may bestow that name on, a government which…” (emphasis added). In other words, he is giving his own definition of the term republic, one which corresponds to principles embodied in the new Constitution. Thus, Publius says a republic may be defined as “a government which derives all its powers directly or indirectly from the great body of the people; and is administered by persons holding their offices during pleasure [presidential appointees], for a limited period [members of Congress and the President], or during good behavior [federal judges].”\nFinally, Federalist 39 contends that the language in the Constitution explicitly prohibiting titles of nobility and guaranteeing the states will have a republican form of government proves the republicanism of the proposed government.\nThis large republic was also to be a (con)federal republic. But the Anti-federalists also charged that the Constitution violated the federal form. Publius did not actually deny this particular charge. Rather, he contended that “a just estimate of [the argument’s] force” requires first ascertaining “the real character of the government.” Before explaining that the real character is only “partly federal,” he added that the argument’s force also depended on the authority and duty of the Convention. In the following essay, Publius will argue that the authority of the Convention, as well as its duty to the people, justified creating the form of government proposed by the Constitution.\nGiven the common understanding of “federal” at the time, the Constitution did violate the federal form. Prior to adoption of the Constitution, the words “federal” and ‘confederal” meant the same thing, just as “flammable” and “inflammable” currently have the same meaning. The Federalist, itself at times, used these terms interchangeably. Clearly, however, the Constitution proposed to create something different from the existing confederacy.\nFederalist 15 had identified the great vice of a confederacy as the attempt by a league of states to legislate for state governments, rather than for individuals. The Articles of Confederation did not directly govern individuals, but the Constitution would do so – within its limited list of powers. The new government’s ability to reach individuals and the “necessary and proper clause” prompted the Anti-federalist fear that the Constitution would completely consolidate power in a national government.\nPublius had to explain that the Constitution would not create a consolidated national government. Federalist 39, therefore, explained the mixture of federal and national elements among five essential aspects of the Constitution: its ratification or foundation [national], the sources of its ordinary powers [partly federal –the Senate; partly national-the House], the operation of its powers on individuals [national], the extent of the powers, i.e., limited [federal], and the method of amendment [neither wholly federal nor national]. Based on this mixture of elements, Publius concluded: “The proposed constitution, therefore, …is, in strictness, neither a national nor a federal constitution; but a composition of both.”\nThis “compound republic” created by the federal Constitution came to be known as “federalism.” As a result, the “federal” form became distinguished from the “confederal” form existing under the Articles of Confederation. This new form of federalism involved a residual – rather than complete – sovereignty in the states. Indeed, as a limited Constitution, neither the federal nor the state governments were “sovereign” in the true sense of the word as a supreme power answerable to no other power. Rather, under the Constitution, “We the people of the United States” are the political sovereign and the Constitution is “the supreme Law of the Land.”\nSome argue that the Anti-federalists correctly predicted the consolidation of power in the national government. Such an argument, however, overlooks the critical shift of power caused by the Seventeenth Amendment. That amendment took the election of US senators from state legislatures and gave it to the voters. As a result, the key federal, i.e. state, protection against the concentration of power was lost. That is to say, the Seventeenth Amendment deprived the states of their direct representation in the federal government. As long as the state legislatures elected senators, the states had the ability to pressure enough senators, even if only a minority, to prevent incursions on state power. State legislatures no longer have that ability.\nJohn S. Baker, Jr., the Dale E. Bennett Professor of Law at Louisiana State University, regularly lectures for The Federalist Society and teaches courses on The Federalist for the Fund for American Studies.\nMonday, June 21st, 2010\nMarch 6, 2011 /0 Comments/by Janine Turner and Cathy Gillespie\nhttps://constitutingamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo_web_360x80.png 0 0 Janine Turner and Cathy Gillespie https://constitutingamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo_web_360x80.png Janine Turner and Cathy Gillespie2011-03-06 21:47:122020-06-15 13:42:11Federalist No. 39 – The Conformity of the Plan to Republican Principles, For the Independent Journal (Hamilton)\nFederalist No. 47 – The Particular Structure of the New Government and the Distribution of Power Among Its Different Parts, From the New York Packet (Madison)\nFederalist Paper 47, Federalist Paper Forum 2010 Essay Project, Federalist Paper Forum 2010 Essays by Guest Constitutional Scholars, John S. Baker, Jr., Ph.D. 1. The Federalist Papers, 11. Guest Constitutional Scholar Essayists, Federalist No. 09, Federalist No. 10, Federalist No. 15, Federalist No. 39, Federalist No. 47, Federalist No. 48, Federalist No. 51, Federalist No. 84, John S. Baker Jr. PhD\nGuest Essayist: John S. Baker, Dale E. Bennett Professor of Law at Louisiana State University\nAlthough mentioned in previous essays, Publius formally began to address separation of powers in Federalist # 47. Together with ## 48 and 51, #47 explained the unique understanding of that principle as built into the Constitution. The Federalists and Anti-Federalists agreed that separation of powers was essential to liberty, but disagreed on what that required in a constitution. Unfortunately, over the last century, the term “separation of powers” has almost disappeared from the civic vocabulary in the United States and been replaced by the term “checks and balances,” a term with an overlapping, but different meaning.\nFederalist #47 affirmed the principle upon which the Federalists and Anti-Federalists agreed: “The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.” Thus, the Founders did not believe that voting alone guaranteed liberty.\nIt must come as a surprise to many Americans to learn that the Federalists and Anti-Federalists emphasized separation of powers as an absolutely essential guarantee of liberty. For many — if not most – Americans, the protection of liberty is primarily accomplished through the Bill of Rights. The Federalist and Anti-Federalists agreed on the need for separation of powers, but not for a bill of rights. The Anti-Federalists criticized the proposed Constitution for a lack of a bill of rights, but the Federalists actually contended “that bills of rights, in the sense and to the extent they are contended for, are not only unnecessary in the proposed constitution, but would even be dangerous.” Federalist #84.\nInstead of mere “parchment barriers,” i.e. paper protections, the Framers presented a “well constructed Union.” Federalist ## 10 and 39 laid out the plan and purpose of the extended, (con)federal republic. Without separation of powers, however, that structure would have been insufficient to prevent the consolidation of power in the central government. Both parts of the structure came under attack as contrary to fundamental principles of liberty. In #39, Publius admitted that if the plan of the Constitution actually did depart from the republican principle, it would be indefensible. He did likewise in #47, admitting that if the Constitution ”really [were] chargeable with this dangerous tendency to such an accumulation, or with a mixture of powers, having a dangerous tendency to such an accumulation, no further arguments would be necessary to inspire a universal reprobation of the system.”.\nFor separation of powers, as for the extended confederate republic, see Federalist # 9, Montesquieu was the authority appealed to by both Federalists and Anti-Federalists. As with the extended (con)federal republic, Publius explained in # 47 that the claim that the Constitution violates the principle of separation of powers is mistaken. Montesquieu relied on his understanding of the British Constitution to explain separation of powers. Publius correctly observed that in the British Constitution “the legislative, executive, and judiciary departments, are by no means totally separate and distinct from each other.” Indeed, the British Constitution actually involved a “checks and balances” system, rather than one of separation of powers as understood by both the Federalists and Anti-Federalists. That is to say, separation of powers as understood by Montesquieu and the Founders included a separate, co-equal judiciary. Under the British (unwritten) Constitution, the judiciary has never been a separate, co-equal branch of government. Rather, at the time of our Founding, the British government involved a traditional governing system in which the one (the king), the few (the House of Lords), and the many (the House of Commons) checked and balanced each other.\nPublius concluded that Montesquieu “did not mean that these departments ought to have no partial agency or no control over the acts of each other.” (emphasis in the original) Rather, he said Montesquieu’s meaning “can amount to no more than this, that where the whole power of one department is exercised by the same hands which possess the whole power of another department, the fundamental principles of a free constitution are subverted.” (emphasis in the original). He demonstrated the point by examining aspects of the British constitution, Montesquieu’s model.\nPublius then considered the state constitutions. He noted “that, notwithstanding the emphatical, and some instances, the unqualified terms in which this axiom has been laid down, there is not a single instance in which the several departments of power have been kept absolutely separate and distinct.” He addressed the constitutions of all but two of the states and quoted the “emphatical” language from a couple of them. While looking at the state constitutions in order to rebut the charge that the proposed Constitution violates separation of powers, Publius was not indicating that the state constitutions are an appropriate model for the new Constitution.\nThe last paragraph of #47 opened, stating “I wish not to be regarded as an advocate for the particular organizations of the several state governments.” Indeed, the Framers created a government radically different from that of the state constitutions. In part, the differences were due to the fact of the federal constitution being one of limited powers, while the state constitutions have more general powers. In addition, however, the form of separation of powers in the federal Constitution differed significantly from that of the states.\nIn distancing himself from the state constitutions, Publius attempted to avoid giving offense by first offering a modicum of praise and an excuse for their deficiencies. (“I am fully aware, that among the many excellent principles which they exemplify, they carry the strong marks of the haste, and still stronger of the inexperience, under which they were framed.). Nevertheless, Publius was clear that the state constitutions provided for separation of powers “on paper,” but not “in practice.” (“It is but too obvious, that, in some instances, the fundamental principle under consideration, has been violated by too great a mixture, and even an actual consolidation of the different powers; and in no instance has a competent provision been made for maintaining in practice the separation delineated on paper.”)\nThursday, July 1st, 2010\nhttps://constitutingamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo_web_360x80.png 0 0 Janine Turner and Cathy Gillespie https://constitutingamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo_web_360x80.png Janine Turner and Cathy Gillespie2011-03-06 21:35:102020-05-23 17:32:26Federalist No. 47 – The Particular Structure of the New Government and the Distribution of Power Among Its Different Parts, From the New York Packet (Madison)\nFederalist No. 48 – These Departments Should Not Be So Far Separated as to Have No Constitutional Control Over Each Other, From the New York Packet (Madison)\nFederalist Paper 48, Federalist Paper Forum 2010 Essay Project, Federalist Paper Forum 2010 Essays by Guest Constitutional Scholars, John S. Baker, Jr., Ph.D. 1. The Federalist Papers, 2. The Constitution, 11. Guest Constitutional Scholar Essayists, Article I, Federalist No. 48, John S. Baker Jr. PhD\nGuest Essayist: John S. Baker, Jr. the Dale E. Bennett Professor of Law at Louisiana State University\nThe states had strict separation of powers in theory, but a dangerous mixture of powers in practice. Taking the opposite approach, Publius undertook “to show, that unless these departments be so far connected and blended, as to give each a constitutional control over the others, the degree of separation which the maxim requires as essential to a free government, can never in practice be duly maintained.” Theory guided writing of the Constitution; but the text itself is a practical — not a theoretical — document. As Federalist #48 states, “After discriminating, therefore, in theory, the several classes of power, as they may be in their nature be legislative, executive, or judiciary; the next, and most difficult task, is to provided some practical security for each, against the invasion of the others.”\nThe Constitution does not even mention the term “separation of powers.” Rather, the constitutional text formally establishes separation of powers by setting out the powers of each branch in a separate article: Article I (“All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress”); Article II (“The executive Power shall be vested in a President”); and Article III ( “The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court and such inferior Courts as Congress may from time to time ordain and establish.”). Omitting the term “separation of powers,” into which different persons — especially lawyers — might pour their own meanings, the Constitution instead implants into the text the elements of separation of powers necessary to make it operate in practice, e.g. the President’s qualified veto power.\nRather than “the parchment barriers” on which the state constitutions “principally relied,” the Framers consulted experience and concluded “that some more adequate defence is indispensably necessary for the more feeble, against the more powerful members of the government.” In other words, because the three branches are not naturally equal, simply separating them will not protect the weaker branches. Experience has shown that the legislative branch will dominate the other two. According to Publius, “The legislative department is every where extending the sphere of its activity, and drawing all power into its impetuous vortex.” It may seem surprising to many Americans that the Framers considered the legislative branch to be the most dangerous. Such an attitude is nothing new because it was prevalent at the time of the Constitution’s adoption. As Publius observed, “founders of our republics,,,,seem never to have recollected the danger from legislative usurpations, which, by assembling all power in the same hands, must lead to the same tyranny as is threatened by executive usurpations.”\nThen and today, there are those who view the President as the greatest danger to liberty. “But in a representative republic,” Publius writes, “the executive magistracy is carefully limited, both in the extent and duration of its power.” Compared to Congress, the President may appear to be more powerful due to the unitary character of the Presidency. Later, in Federalist 70, 73, and 74, Publius explains the unitary executive as a protection of the liberty, particularly in time of war.\nPublius tells us “where the legislative power is exercised by an assembly, which is inspired by a supposed influence over the people, with an intrepid confidence in its own strength; which is sufficiently numerous to feel all the passions which actuate a multitude; yet not so numerous as to be incapable of pursuing the objects of its passions, by means which reason prescribes; it is against the enterprising ambition of this department, that the people ought to indulge all their jeolousy, and exhaust all their precaustions.. (emphasis added).\nIf today the President seems to have more power than the Constitution, it can only be because the Congress has delegated that power and, in most instances, the Supreme Court has upheld those delegations. Since the 1930’s, the three branches of the federal government have generally cooperated in building “the Administrative State,” dominated by bureaucratic agencies. While apparently building the President’s power, however, the Congress has 1) avoided accountability and 2) disguised in its de facto influence over executive agencies. Driving this consolidation of power is an opposition to separation of powers.\nThe Administrative State incorporates certain “checks and balances,” which as discussed in the last essay differs from separation of powers. Federalist #9, which refers to “legislative balances and checks,” indicates that the term “checks and balances” has a different historical meaning. The Constitution’s version of separation of powers does include a checking function of each branch on the other. Federalist 48 explains the concern to give checking powers to the weaker branches, i.e., the President and the Judiciary. The Administrative State has grown because the Supreme Court has approved legislation giving Congress additional checking powers against the President, thereby weakening the Executive Branch. Congress, for example, has created so-called “independent agencies,” which are independent of the President’s control, but under the de facto control of Congress’s power over agency budgets.\nCongress’s enhancement of its own powers through the Administrative State confirms the observations in Federalist 48 about the deviousness of legislative bodies. “The legislative department derives a superiority in our governments [because] [i]ts constitutional powers being at once more extensive, and less susceptible of precise limits, it can, with the greater facility, mask under complicated and indirect measures, the encroachments which it makes on the co-ordinate departments.” (emphasis added).\nPublius’s indictment of legislative bodies drew “on our own experience.” The Virginia constitution, for example, required separation of powers; but as Jefferson wrote in his “Notes on the state of Virginia,” quoted by Federalist 48, “no barrier was provided between these several powers.” Publius approved Jefferson’s remark that “An elective despotism was not the government we fought for.”\nFederalist 48 concluded “that a mere demarcation on parchment of the constitutional limits of the several departments, is not a sufficient guard against those encroachments which lead to a tyrannical concentration of all the powers of government in the same hands.”\nFriday, July 2nd, 2010\nJohn S. Baker, Jr. is the Dale E. Bennett Professor of Law at Louisiana State University.\nhttps://constitutingamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo_web_360x80.png 0 0 Janine Turner and Cathy Gillespie https://constitutingamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo_web_360x80.png Janine Turner and Cathy Gillespie2011-03-06 21:33:312020-05-23 17:34:44Federalist No. 48 – These Departments Should Not Be So Far Separated as to Have No Constitutional Control Over Each Other, From the New York Packet (Madison)\nFederalist No. 51 – The Structure of the Government Must Furnish the Proper Checks and Balances Between the Different Departments, From the New York Packet (Hamilton or Madison)\nFederalist Paper 51, Federalist Paper Forum 2010 Essay Project, Federalist Paper Forum 2010 Essays by Guest Constitutional Scholars, John S. Baker, Jr., Ph.D. 1. The Federalist Papers, 2. The Constitution, 3. The Amendments, 11. Guest Constitutional Scholar Essayists, Constitutional Amendment XIV, Constitutional Amendment XIV, Constitutional Amendment XVII, Constitutional Amendment XVII, Federalist No. 09, Federalist No. 10, Federalist No. 39, Federalist No. 47, Federalist No. 48, Federalist No. 49, Federalist No. 50, Federalist No. 51, Federalist No. 62, John S. Baker Jr. PhD\nGuest Essayist: Professor John S. Baker, Dale E. Bennett Professor of Law at Louisiana State University\nFederalist #51 is the most important of the essays in The Federalist, after #10. It completes the discussion of the general structure of the Constitution before Publius turns to a consideration of its particular elements. It ties together the main points of the previous essays.\nFederalist #47 and #48 outlines the challenge of keeping the departments of government within their proper bounds; then Federalist #49 and #50 considers and rejects the suggestion of occasional or regular appeals to the people for that purpose. Federalist #51, therefore, begins with the question: “To what expedient then shall we finally resort, for maintaining in practice the necessary partition of power among the several departments, as laid down in the constitution?”\nImportantly, the answer is NOT a bill of rights! Rather, Publius writes, “[t]he only answer that can be given is, that as all these exterior provisions are found to be inadequate, the defect must be supplied by so contriving the interior structure of government, as that its several constituent parts may, by their mutual relations, be the means of keeping each other in their proper places.” (emphasis added).\nAs elsewhere, the analysis of the problem and the solution rest on an understanding of human nature. Each department must have a “will of its own,” which requires having “the means and personal motives” to defend its powers. Why the emphasis on power rather than “the common good.” Isn’t this just a cynical approach to government? Publius explains that enlisting private interests to protect the public good is the only method actually of achieving the end of government, which is justice.\nThe “preservation of liberty” requires “that each department should have a will of its own and consequently should be so constituted, that the members of each should have as little agency as possible in the appointment of the members of the others.” Rigorous adherence to this principle “would require that all the appointments for the supreme executive, legislative, and judiciary magistracies, should be drawn from the same found of authority, the people, through channels having no communication with one another.” (emphasis added). The federal judiciary, in particular, does not meet this test. Publius says this deviation is justified because the mode of choosing judges ought to be the one best designed to produce the peculiar qualifications required of judges. He also presciently observes, as so many later presidents have learned to their dismay, that lifetime appointments for judges “must soon destroy all sense of dependence on the authority [i.,e., the President] conferring them.”\nThis passage reminds us that a republic, as defined in Federalist #39, “derives all its powers directly or indirectly from the great body of the people.” The judiciary, along with the President and the Senate (prior to the 17th Amendment’s substitution of popular election for election by state legislatures), draws its powers “indirectly” from the people because judges are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The judiciary and the President — who is actually elected not by the people, but by the Electoral College — are both somewhat removed from the people and in need of protection from the legislative branch. Thus, if as to their salaries they were “not independent of the legislature in this particular, their independence in every other, would be merely nominal.”\nWhat follows are some of the most insightful and widely quoted observations about the relationship between human nature and government. With so much packed into one paragraph, each thought deserves to be separated out for separate consideration.\n“the great security against a gradual concentration of the several powers in the same department, consists in giving to those who administer each department, the necessary constitutional means, and personal motives, to resist encroachments of the others.:\n“The provision for defence must in this, as in all other cases, be made commensurate to the danger of attack.”\n“Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.”\n“The interest of the man, must be connected with the constitutional rights of the place.”\n“It may be a reflection on human nature, that such devices should be necessary to control the abuses of government. But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature?”\n“If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary.”\n“In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself.”\nThe notion that, at its core, the Constitution is a structure to control the self-interested tendencies of both the people and those in government may be a new idea for many Americans. To those who think that the citizenry and government require no restraint other than popular elections, Publius responds that “experience has taught mankind the necessity of auxiliary precautions.” The Constitution reflects the “policy of supplying, by opposite and rival interests, the defect of better motives.”\nFederalist #51 then reiterates and extends the argument of Federalist #47 and #48 concerning legislative dominance and the practical implementation of separation of powers. Besides strengthening the weaker branches, Federalist #51 makes clear the need to weaken the legislative branch. “The remedy for this inconveniency is, to divide the legislature into different branches; and to render them, by different modes of election, and different principles of action, as little connected with each other, as the nature of their common functions, and their common dependence on the society, will admit.” That explains the phenomenon that even when the same party controls both houses of Congress, the two bodies nevertheless do not cooperate very well.\nIt is often said in the media that the American people want the branches of the Federal government to work together. The Constitution, however, guarantees conflict among the branches and between the federal and state governments in order to protect the liberty of the people. Federalist #51 emphasizes the Constitution’s “double security” of separation of powers and federalism.\nIn the compound republic of America, the power surrendered by the people, is first divided between two distinct governments, and then the portion allotted to each subdivided among distinct and separate departments. Hence a double security arises to the rights of the people. The different governments will control each other; at the same time that each will be controlled by itself. Federalist #51 then ties the constitutional structure back to the fundamental argument of Federalist #10. For it is necessary “not only to guard the society against the oppression of its rulers; but to guard the one part of society against the injustice of the other part.” The way to avoid the “oppressions of factious majorities” is a federal system which encourages the multiplication of factions. As a result, in the United States, “a coalition of a majority of the whole society could seldom take place upon any other principles, than those of justice and the general good.” Thus, change is intended to be difficult as demonstrated by the fact that legislation cannot pass simply on the basis of “the majority” in Congress. A vote in the House of Representatives reflects one majority and a vote in the Senate represents a different majority. So, too, the President, who represents yet another majority, has the opportunity to sign or veto legislation.\nThe original Constitution operates on the basis of producing a legislative consensus through conflict and compromise. This reflects the Framers’ view that structured conflict among the departments of government, rather than simple majorities, is more likely to produce a just consensus protective of minority interests. In such a system, there must be less pretext also, to provide for the security of the [the minor party], by introducing into the government a will not dependent on the [majority]; or, in other words, a will independent of the society itself.” (emphasis added).\nThis structure of “double-security” has been changed in important ways. The initial addition of the Bill of Rights did not actually change the structure, as Madison explained it would not do so when he introduced the amendments for adoption by the first Congress. The Bill of Rights applied to the federal government, not to the states. The post-Civil War amendments did immediately change federalism by abolishing slavery and imposing important and just limits on the states. Nevertheless, federalism remained largely in tact as long as states continued to have a direct voice within the federal government by virtue of the election of U.S. senators by their state legislatures. See Federalist #62. The Seventeenth Amendment, however, changed that by requiring popular election of senators. Not that long thereafter, the Supreme Court became much more deferential to Congress and less so to the states.\nOne of the effects of the Senate no longer representing the residual sovereignty of the states, see Federalist #62, has been that the Court has had a relatively free hand – and indeed encouragement from some in Congress – to erode federalism. While there have been struggles among its members over federalism, the Court certainly has affected federalism through the manner in which, through the Fourteenth Amendment, it has applied the Bill of Rights to the states. In the course of doing so, the Supreme Court has arguably become “a will independent of the society itself” as it tends to prefer the minor party as against the states. As a result of these constitutional amendments and judicial interpretations, the states no longer offer much security against the federal government.\nFor Publius, “the enlargement of the orbit” through federalism (see Federalist #9 and #10) made republicanism possible. The Anti-Federalists, on the contrary, argued that such a large country was incompatible with a self-governing republic and would grow into imperialism. Despite “contrary opinions,” Publius concluded “that the larger the society, provided it lie within a practicable sphere, the more duly capable it will be of self-government.” As Publius predicted, self-government has flourished in the United States because “happily for the republican cause, the practicable sphere may be carried to a very great extent, by a judicious modification and mixture of the federal principle.” Publius’s prediction, however, became a reality because predicated on the premise of the double-security of separation of powers and federalism.\nProfessor John S. Baker is the Dale E. Bennett Professor of Law at Louisiana State University\nhttps://constitutingamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo_web_360x80.png 0 0 Janine Turner and Cathy Gillespie https://constitutingamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo_web_360x80.png Janine Turner and Cathy Gillespie2011-03-06 21:28:472020-05-24 09:54:39Federalist No. 51 – The Structure of the Government Must Furnish the Proper Checks and Balances Between the Different Departments, From the New York Packet (Hamilton or Madison)\nColleyville, Texas 76034\nconstitutingamerica@yahoo.com","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1570836"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7106723785400391,"wiki_prob":0.28932762145996094,"text":"You are here: Home1 / Wellness Tips2 / Exercise3 / Provision #514: Just Move\nProvision #514: Just Move\nWhen all else fails, just move. That’s the message of this Provision. It’s a message that’s hardwired into our genetic code. For thousands and millions of years, the human being has been a motion being. We are meant to be physically active and strong, far more so than most of us are today. For the past hundred years, our fitness and, in turn, our health has been slipping away. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Take it from Jack LaLanne who, at age 92, still exercises two hours per day: it’s not beyond anyone to move.\nAlthough his presidency lasted an all-too-brief 1,068 days, I remember US President John F. Kennedy better than any other President of my youth. Unlike today, when terror has become part of the cultural landscape, President Kennedy’s assassination was a real show stopper. I will never forget the school bus driver abruptly stopping the bus on a steep hill, commanding total silence, and then announcing that the President had been shot dead. I, along with my mother and much of the nation, spent many days in front of the television (which switched to 24-hour news coverage for the first time ever). I can remember her telling me to pay attention, because this kind of thing doesn’t happen very often. Oh, if only she had been right.\nI remember many other things about President Kennedy, including, of course, his famous remark, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” He also asked the nations of the world to join together to fight what he called the “common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.” We are still fighting those enemies, and it seems appropriate • given that it is Memorial Day weekend in the United States • to memorialize one of our truly great leaders. It was an age of idealism that infected me as a youth and lives on yet today.\nThree things stick with me as to President Kennedy’s time in office. One was the creation of the Peace Corps. Although I never served in the Corps, it became a model that I followed through the Appalachia Service Project and my time in the inner-city of Chicago. We were all paying forward to create a better world. Another was the challenge to put a person on the moon before the end of the decade. Kennedy did not live to see that day, but I had the privilege of sharing a stage with Neil Armstrong, the first person on the moon, not long after he returned from that distant and hostile environment. “We choose to (do this and) other things,” President Kennedy asserted, “not because they are easy, but because they are hard.”\nWhich leads to my third sticking point • the hardest of them all, or so it seemed at the time. In 1956, President Eisenhower created the President’s Council on Youth Fitness to serve as a “catalytic agent” concentrating on creating public awareness. President Kennedy, after he took office in 1961, changed the name to the President’s Council on Physical Fitness to reflect an expanded mandate. The Council continues to this day to “advise the President through the Secretary of Health and Human Services about physical activity, fitness, and sports, and to recommend programs to promote regular physical activity for the health of all Americans.”\nSoon after President Kennedy changed the name and mandate of the Council, Meredith Willson (of “The Music Man” and “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” fame) composed and Robert Preston recorded a song that is remembered by just about every baby-boomer who attended elementary school in the 1960s. That’s because the song • “Go You Chicken Fat, Go” • was distributed to every school in the United States with the idea that it would be played over the Public Address system in the morning while students did calisthenics. Imagine Harold Hill leading a Jazzercise class, and you get the idea.\nFor many of us, myself included, the song lives on in infamy. First of all, it’s one of those jingles that you can’t get out of your head (“Give that chicken fat, Back to the chicken, And don’t be chicken again. No, don’t be chicken again.”). Second of all, for those of us who did the six minute and thirty second workout routine day in and day out during gym class or at some other time during the day, we remember sweating and groaning our way through the drill: Toe Touches, Push Ups, Toe Touches, Push Ups, Marching In Place, Sit Ups, Torso Twists, Pogo Springs, Jumping Jacks, Marching In Place, Arm Circles, Bicycle Rides, Deep Breathing, Running In Place first Slow as a Tortoise than Fast as a Hare. Finally, “Everybody sing! Go, you chicken fat, go! Go! Go! Dismissed!”\nPhew! I used to dread that song, as Robert Preston’s perky voice ratcheted things up to a frenetic pace. You can listen or even move to the music yourself, if you dare, by Clicking Here.\nLong before President Kennedy and the 1960s, America’s first physical fitness guru, Jack LaLanne, was busy in San Francisco with the same mission: getting people in shape by getting them to move. Born in 1914, LaLanne lives on today with a vigorous fitness regimen at the age of 92. As a child, LaLanne was addicted to sugar, junk food, and acts of violence (he set his parents’ house on fire and attacked his brother with an axe). After hearing a lecture by Paul C. Bragg, when he was 15, LaLanne and his mother became convinced of a connection between his diet and his violent acts. As a result, LaLanne turned his life around by adopting a strict diet and exercising daily.\nTwo of his maxims became, “If man made it, don’t eat it.” and “If it tastes good, spit it out.” In what represents an early version of the Paleolithic diet and the Optimal Wellness Prototype, LaLanne gave up sugar, coffee, processed foods, and dairy products in favor of whole foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and fish. Diet alone would not have done the trick, however.\n“If all else fails, just move.” became LaLanne’s third maxim. And move he did. At a time when strength training was not in vogue, LaLanne developed not only a vigorous daily regimen, involving swimming and weight lifting, he also developed the first weight machines in the country. Today, such machines are standard equipment in the fitness industry. In 1936, LaLanne opened his first health spa and in 1951 he became the first TV fitness personality with shows that ran until 1984, when LaLanne retired from television at the of 70.\nTo celebrate his 70th birthday, LaLanne fought strong winds and currents as he swam 1.5 miles, handcuffed and shackled, while towing 70 boats with 70 people from the Queen’s Way Bridge in the Long Beach, California harbor to the Queen Mary. He had done crazy stunts like that all his life, including a number of world records (such as 1,033 pushups in 23 minutes and swimming the entire length of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, underwater, with 140 pounds of equipment, including two air tanks).\nBut one doesn’t have to be that extreme to follow LaLanne’s third maxim, “If all else fails, just move.” In fact, ironically enough, for more than thirty years on “The Jack LaLanne Show” he focused primarily on exercise aimed at homemakers, using items found around the home. LaLanne demonstrated that it’s not only possible, it may even be preferable, to get in shape through everyday activities rather than through athletic contests.\nThat’s why we first made the suggestion that you shift your body frequently throughout the day. What could be simpler than that? It’s a far cry from Chicken Fat or Jack LaLanne, but it is a step in the right direction to stand up and to sit back down, for example, at regular intervals throughout the day. Or to get up to change the channel rather than to use the remote. Or to turn your head all the way in one direction before turning it all the way in the other direction. Such gentle movements are essential to Optimal Fitness.\nBut they’re not enough. That’s why last week I encouraged you to step it up a notch with Ron Jones’ “Dynamic Warm Up“. In less than six minutes, and with none of the Chicken Fat frenzy, Ron takes you through a series of 10 warm up exercises that replicate the balance, reach, and strength requirements of everyday activities. I find Ron’s routine to be a great prelude to more vigorous exercise.\nThis assumes, of course, that you have no physical limitations when it comes to exercise. Even the “Dynamic Warm Up” may be too much for some people. When in doubt, check with your doctor. One way to check yourself is with the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q). Answer “Yes” or “No” to the following seven questions:\nHas your doctor ever said that you have a heart condition and that you should only do physical activity recommended by a doctor?\nDo you feel pain in your chest when you do physical activity?\nIn the past month, have you had chest pain when you were not doing physical activity?\nDo you lose your balance because of dizziness or do you ever lose consciousness?\nDo you have a bone or joint problem (for example, back, knee or hip) that could be made worse by a change in your physical activity?\nIs your doctor currently prescribing drugs (for example, water pills) for your blood pressure or heart condition?\nDo you know of any other reason why you should not do physical activity?\nIf you answer “Yes” to any of the questions, see your doctor first. You may have to follow special instructions in order to ease your way into an exercise program. But some form of exercise will work for just about everyone; even heart patients do better when they get the body moving. That should be your orientation. You’re not asking your doctor if you can exercise; you’re asking your doctor how you can exercise. Remember LaLanne’s maxim: “If all else fails, just move.”\nIf you don’t have much energy, just move.\nIf you’re feeling kind of groggy, just move.\nIf you’re depressed and down in the dumps, just move.\nIf you have too much work to do, just move.\nIf you’re feeling anxious or afraid, just move.\nIf you can hardly eat another bite, just move.\nIf you’ve been sitting at your computer too long, just move.\nIf you want to spend time with someone, just move.\nIf you need to clear your mind, just move.\nIf you don’t know what else to do, just move.\nLaLanne put it quite succinctly when he said, “You eat everyday, you sleep everyday, your body was made to exercise everyday.” Those are the things we have been doing since the beginning of time, only now we are eating more, sleeping less, and moving hardly at all in comparison to our ancestors. In 2002, for example, 25 percent of adult Americans did not participate in any leisure time physical activities in the past month, and in 2003, 38 percent of students in grades 9 to 12 viewed television 3 or more hours per day. No wonder we have so many health problems! President Kennedy’s mandate has not been fulfilled; indeed, we’ve gone backward rather than forward when it comes to physical activity in the past 40 years.\nHere are the current recommendations to promote health, psychological well-being, and a healthy body weight:\n30 minutes per day of moderate-intensity physical activity, in addition to whatever you normally do at home or work, is the bare minimum.\nDoing more than that in both intensity and duration generates greater health benefits for most people.\n60 minutes per day of moderate- to vigorous-intensity activity assists most people to maintain their optimal body weight.\n90 minutes per day supports weight-loss for people who want to reach their optimal body weight.\nThis means that not even Chicken Fat, as exhausting as it may be, is enough activity on a daily basis. Six minutes and thirty seconds just isn’t enough (although it felt like an eternity in the fifth grade). We need to warm up and then to challenge ourselves with a combination of aerobic activities, strength straining, stretching, and balance work. The more well-rounded the regimen, the better.\nModerate- to vigorous-intensity aerobic activities, such as walking, running, swimming, or cycling, form the base of the exercise pyramid. That’s not because they are more important than strength training, stretching, and balance work; that’s rather because they take the most time.\nNext week we’ll talk about aerobic activities that you may want to add to your daily routines. Between now and then, you might find it illuminating to keep a movement log. Write down your movements throughout the day, including their starting time, duration, and intensity, to get some sense of your activity level. Are you at or below the 30-minute level? The 60-minute level? The 90-minute level? Awareness is the keystone to change.\nCoaching Inquiries: What are your favorite activities? Do you do them as much as you would like? Who do you enjoy doing them with? How could you increase their duration and intensity? How could you make them more fun?\nIn your last Provision, Warm Up, you refer to the lazy way dogs wake up, with yawns and stretches. That may be true for domesticated animals, but wild animals leap into action without warming up beforehand. Not everyone thinks it’s so important to warm up; being consistently active is the key. (Ed. Note: Thanks for pointing this out. I will have more to say about stretching in the weeks ahead.)\nhttps://www.lifetrekcoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/logo.jpg 559 559 Bob Tschannen-Moran /wp-content/uploads/2014/06/logo.jpg Bob Tschannen-Moran2014-06-06 18:25:312014-07-17 13:40:13Provision #514: Just Move\nProvision #513: Warm Up Provision #515: Push Yourself","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line655183"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9331952333450317,"wiki_prob":0.9331952333450317,"text":"Area community colleges facing a full year devoid of almost all sports | The Daily Gazette\nArea community colleges facing a full year devoid of almost all sports\nBy Adam Shinder | January 13, 2021\nCategories: -The Daily Gazette, College Sports, Sports\nMost area community colleges will be going an entire year almost entirely without athletic competition.\nSUNY Schenectady announced Wednesday that it was canceling its baseball and women’s crew seasons for the spring, taking an entire academic year’s worth of intercollegiate athletics off the table due to the COVID-19 pandemic. SUNY Schenectady hasn’t had teams compete since canceling its 2020 spring season in the early days of the pandemic.\nIt’s a move that SUNY Schenectady athletic director Dave Gonzalez said Wednesday was going to be echoed throughout Capital Region junior colleges this spring. He said that of the remaining schools in the Capital Region — Fulton-Montgomery Community College, Hudson Valley Community College, Columbia-Greene Community College and SUNY Adirondack — only Adirondack was going forward with a plan to offer a large slate of spring sports.\n“We’ve been meeting weekly, all of the [NJCAA] Region 3 athletic directors, we have Zoom meetings every Wednesday,” Gonzalez said. “This has been the biggest topic of discussion, the spring. With all the different variables, and they’re so hard to control, it’s really very difficult to have a season. We all had to make a commitment this week. I looked at all the schools, and Hudson Valley, F-M and Columbia-Greene all did the same thing that we did.”\nF-MCC athletic director Kevin Jones confirmed via text message that the school would not be offering baseball or softball this spring, but the school is planning to offer golf. The only other sport the Raiders offered this academic season was cross country in the fall.\nHVCC also issued a release Wednesday that it was canceling its spring sports slate.\nAthletic officials at SUNY Adirondack did not respond to requests for comment.\nAlso Wednesday, the Division II Northeast-10 Conference, of which The College of Saint Rose is a member, made the decision to cancel plans for a repositioned regular season for the conference’s seven traditional fall sports. The affected sports, which the NE10 had hoped to sponsor during the spring, are men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, football, field hockey and volleyball.\nAccording to a release from the conference, the NE-10 remains “unanimously committed” to sponsoring competition in its 10 spring sports, including tennis and golf.\nSaint Rose is exploring opportunities for non-conference competition for the school’s fall and winter programs.\n“Although there will be no formal NE-10 competition for our fall and winter sport programs, we are committed to our steadfast goal of providing competition opportunities for the student-athletes in these programs,” Saint Rose athletic director Lori Anctil said in a release. “We are prepared to resume activity for all 19 varsity programs and will follow NCAA guidelines on testing as we gear up for competition. We are excited to welcome our Golden Knights back to campus this spring semester and are hopeful for the opportunities ahead.”\nAt the junior college level, wiping out an entire year of competition was an extremely difficult decision, Gonzalez said, but ultimately made the most sense.\n“Last summer, when we were trying to make a decision about the fall, I can remember two community colleges — Bunker Hill Community College in Boston and Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio — that at time canceled their whole seasons in advance,” he said. “In retrospect, that might’ve been the right move, because that’s pretty much what is happening.”\nIt’s especially difficult for the spring sports, which are now facing a second straight season without competition.\n“These kids have come to our place to play, and for two years in a row we haven’t been able to do it,” Gonzalez said. “It’s really disappointing.”","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1700799"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8102299571037292,"wiki_prob":0.8102299571037292,"text":"Caroline Taylor née Cancellor\nPhotograph with kind permission of Lacy Scott & Knight LLP\nCaroline Taylor (1810-1876) was an early, previously unknown, photographer whose calotype images recently came to light in an auction of photographic ephemera in December 2017.\nCaroline Cancellor was born on 16th January 1810, the youngest of five and the only daughter of stockbroker John Cancellor and Caroline Hall.[1] Within two months Caroline suffered the fate of many nineteenth century infants regardless of social standing; her mother died. John Cancellor never remarried but, despite this tragedy, the family lived a comfortable life on Upper Gower Street, St Pancras, London, just a twenty minute walk from her future husband at Great Marlborough Street in Soho.[2]\nCaroline’s father left a generous inheritance, augmented three years later by her brother Richard’s bequest in 1834. She was now the lease holder of a fashionable residence at Cambridge Place near Regent’s Park and this was to become her marital home. On 11th July 1834 Caroline married Alfred Swaine Taylor (1806–1880), an aspiring doctor and lecturer, specialising in forensic medicine.\nAlfred and Caroline Taylor\nOne year into their marriage, Caroline and Alfred’s son Richard Alfred was born but survived only five months and died in January 1836. Eight years later their only child Edith Caroline completed the Taylor family.\nCaroline assisted her husband in revising his books for publication including On Poisons in Relation to Medical Jurisprudence and Medicine (1847), even though the subjects covered included the most abhorrent imaginable.[3]\nAlfred Swaine Taylor took an immediate interest in the new scientific discovery of photogenic drawing by William Henry Fox Talbot, announced in January 1839. He was a skilled chemist and responded to Talbot’s invention, suggesting improvements to the fixing process, with a publication On the Art of Photogenic Drawing, published in the summer of 1840.\nThe British Medical Journal stated “It should be mentioned that his wife, whom he only survived four years, identified herself with all his pursuits…” [4]so there can be little doubt that she shared his great interest in photography.\nCaroline Taylor\nCalotype photographs marked “CT” were discovered among the December 2017 auction at Lacy Scott & Knight in Bury St Edmunds. These faded salt prints depicted views of English landscapes, Kenilworth, Tintern, Hampstead, Hampton Court and Highgate, also Continental views such of Rome and Pompeii.[5]\nSalt Print From Calotype View\nForum of Rome, Dec 1848, CT July 1848. Conflicting dates (1849 added in bold) and additional title added as ‘Roman Forum’[6]\nIn addition to these views Caroline was interested in using photography to reproduce works of art. Thirteen photographic prints annotated “CT” depicted copies of engravings by Rembrandt, Landseer, De la Roche, Pinelli and Bonnington.\nCaroline may have been the “Mrs Taylor” exhibiting two photographs in 1856 at the Exhibition of the Norfolk and Norwich Fine Arts’ Association; and the Photographic Society.[7]\nCaroline Taylor died on 8th February 1876 and is buried at Highgate Cemetery with her husband.[8]\nThe discovery of her photographs 141 years later shines new light on her status as Alfred Swaine Taylor’s wife, acknowledging her as one of a growing collection of quiet pioneers from the dawn of photography.\nMy grateful thanks to Darran Green for his introduction and information regarding Caroline Taylor.\nAlso Helen Barrell whose excellent biography of Alfred Swaine Taylor contained important references to Caroline’s life.\nAlso Edward Crichton ASFAV and Helen Robson, Lacy Scott & Knight LLP for their assistance with catalogue image permission.\nBarrell, Helen, Fatal Evidence: Professor Alfred Swaine Taylor & the Dawn of Forensic Science, (Barnsley: Pen & Sword History 2017)\n[1] Baptism record of Old Church,Saint Pancras,London May 3rd 1810 also lists date of birth as 16th January 1810 www.ancestry.uk Accessed 10/04/2018\n[2] Helen Barrell, Fatal Evidence: Professor Alfred Swaine Taylor & the Dawn of Forensic Science, (Barnsley: Pen & Sword History 2017) p.20\n[3] “Obituary, Alfred Swaine Taylor, M.D., F.R.S.” British Medical Journal, June 12 1880, p.905-6\n“It should be mentioned that his wife, whom he only survived four years, identified herself with all his pursuits, and greatly assisted him in the revision of his work for the press.”\n[4] ibid\n[5] Darran P. M. Green, “Much Remains to be Done”- The Pioneering Work in Photography of Dr.Alfred Swaine Taylor – A Neglected History. 2018, Unpublished\n[6] Darran P. M. Green The Taylor Collection: A Catalogue of Photogenic Drawings and Calotype Prints in Lot 1061 of Lacy Scott & Knight’s Home and Interiors Sale, Saturday 2 December 2017.\n[7]http://www.earlynorfolkphotographs.co.uk/Norwich%20Photographic%20Societies/Norwich_Photographic_Societies.html Accessed 01/04/2018\n[8] Burial registers Highgate Cemetery : Caroline Taylor February 11th 1876 and Alfred Swain (sic) Taylor May 29th 1880","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1291900"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8269497156143188,"wiki_prob":0.8269497156143188,"text":"In a statement issued today, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada's (ELCIC) National Bishop Susan C. Johnson offered her condolences to the family of The Honourable Jack Layton, remembering his contributions to Canadian society and his legacy of hope and optimism. The full text of the statement follows:\nOn behalf of the members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, I would like to offer our deepest condolences to the family of The Honourable Jack Layton.\nWe mourn the loss of a great leader who was unfailing in his compassion for people in need. Jack stood up and stood strong for what he believed in, never compromising in his dedication towards seeking social justice, nor in his passion for issues such as Aboriginal rights, the environment, affordable housing, and ending violence against women.\nJack inspired us all with his hope and optimism, both in his political career and in his personal life, and especially during his battles with cancer.\nOur thoughts and prayers are with Jack’s family, and all who mourn his loss.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line589775"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5326216220855713,"wiki_prob":0.4673783779144287,"text":"Art Graffiti News NYC\nOn a mission, we wondered for a few hours through a section of Barcelona considered the most dangerous. Some local say it’s even worse than The Bronx, and with an estimated 25 reported robberies per day, they may have a point.\nBut nobody robs a graffiti art aficionado from New York City of the chance to check some prized graffiti artwork. Time for a tour…\nJust a few blocks away from the touristy hotspots of Las Ramblas, Plaça Catalunya and the port sits this oasis of graffiti artwork.\nHistorically, the area has not always been the nicest or cleanest. The part of El Raval nearest the port is known as the city’s red light district. So unless your a savvy street artist, or street walker, touristing around here is not highly recommended. But the natural high that comes from strolling around catching glimpses of world class graffiti art is well worth it. Original New York City graffiti writers should feel proud of how far NYC graffiti art culture has spread.\nEl Raval, worse than The Bronx? Some locals think so.\nParallel skatepark: Tres Chimeneas\nNearest Metro Station: Paral-lel (L3) Green Line\nThis area is known as a haven for street art in Barcelona. Some walls in the neighborhood are specifically protected through the Wallspot Project for street artists to do their thing legally. Here, you will not only find graffiti art lovers, but the artists themselves who like to hang around and get busy.\nDangerous can mean many things.\nThe main reasons why people raise concerns about some parts of El Raval are drugs, prostitution. They don’t pose much of a problem for most tourists and can be ignored. But beware of pickpockets.\nLast Year, graffiti writer, Yeset, brought his Barcelona style to a New York City Subway train. But then got caught.\nYeset was busted December of last year in Brooklyn by the NYPD, with the help of Spanish Transit Police after he tagged his trademark signature on NYC subway cars.\nWhen Yeset was asked why he came to New York:\n“All the Europeans come to New York because that’s where graffiti was born.”\nEven though El Raval is no longer considered as dangerous, it still has an edgy, red-light aura about it. Scattered among the wave of Moroccan and Middle Eastern immigrants you’ll find trendy bars, clubs and tattoo parlors.\nA few corners in El Raval may still be a bit nervous, but worse than sections of The Bronx? Not really. But if you ever find yourself in Barcelona, be sure to check out the amazing graffiti art in El Raval. But you might want to bring a friend and don’t say we didn’t warn you.\nhttps://www.thelocal.es/20181018/welcome-to-el-raval-barcelonas-most-dangerous-neighbourhood\nhttps://nypost.com/2018/12/18/nypd-teams-up-with-spanish-cops-to-catch-graffiti-artist/\nhttps://thebarcelonian.com/el-raval-neighborhood-barcelona/","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line628720"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6299572587013245,"wiki_prob":0.6299572587013245,"text":"Legal Assistant 2\nCurrent UC employees must apply internally via SuccessFactors > http://bit.ly/UCEMPL\nThe University of Cincinnati’s Office of General Counsel is seeking a Legal Assistant II. This position will report to the Vice President of Legal Affairs and General Counsel or her designee, will be responsible for helping to manage the Office’s contract review process, and will support all areas of operation, instruction, research and administration at the University. This is an outstanding professional opportunity for a paralegal or other qualified legal professional to work with highly talented and committed colleagues and to contribute to the growth of a Tier One research institution.\nThe Office of General Counsel is a fast-paced, high-volume environment that provides legal services to the entire University. The successful candidate will assist Office of General Counsel attorneys with providing, managing and coordinating high-quality legal services to the University in a high-volume, fast-paced environment. This position is an individual contributor who is expected to assume significant responsibility for assigned areas and work collaboratively with attorneys to manage the contract review process; identify and communicate legal risks; and execute necessary steps to carry out their duties, including clear and helpful communications with attorneys, other University personnel, and third-parties.\nThe Office of the General Counsel supports the dynamic educational environment of the University of Cincinnati by providing legal advice to support all areas of operation, instruction, research, and administration at the University.\nReporting to the Vice President of Legal Affairs and General Counsel or her designee, this position assists Office of General Counsel attorneys and other staff with providing, managing and coordinating high-quality legal services to the University on multiple unrelated matters rapidly, accurately, and effectively in a high-volume, fast paced environment consistent with the expectations of the General Counsel or her designee, University stakeholders, and the Ohio Attorney General. The position will have primary responsibility for the contract review process, to include acting as the Office’s primary point of contact for issues related to the University’s contract management system or contracting questions, providing in-depth legal review of contracts, tracking Office and University metrics for contract processing times, and coordinating with other University departments who have contacted the Office of General Counsel to inquire about submitted contracts.\nThe position requires effectively communicating, working cooperatively and interacting comfortably with a diverse community and with multiple constituencies including administrators, staff, faculty, students, trustees, external professionals and vendors. The successful candidate will have strong oral and written communications skills, excellent organizational skills, high attention to detail, and the ability to execute directives from the General Counsel or Office of General Counsel attorneys promptly, accurately, and with alacrity.\nReceive contracts; analyze, review and negotiate proposed contracts and secure necessary approvals; prepare for attorney review and final signature by appropriate, authorized person; route for signature.\nSubject matter expert in Office of General Counsel’s use and support of the University’s contract management system; primary Office point of contact for University department and third-party contracting system and contract-processing questions.\nMaintain accurate computerized filing and logging systems documenting all contract activity and generate reports as needed.\nAs needed, support attorneys and staff with matter intake and file maintenance; maintain attorney calendars and arrange and schedule meetings; prepare correspondence.\nMaintain a thorough understanding of the University’s policies, procedures, and practices, as relevant to their assigned areas of responsibility.\nLiaison with University departments, staff, faculty, outside counsel and various agencies.\nAssist with special projects within the Office of General Counsel.\nPerform other duties as assigned by the General Counsel or her designee and perform other related duties based on departmental need.\nRequired Trainings/Certifications\nSix (6) years of experience with a law firm, corporation, government entity, or university as a paralegal, contract administrator, or other legal professional.\nExperience reviewing contracts and using a contract management system.\nProficient with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel.\nAdditional Qualifications Considered\nPhysical Requirements/Work Environment\nOffice environment/no specific unusual physical or environmental demands.\nThe University of Cincinnati, as a multi-national and culturally diverse university, is committed to providing an inclusive, equitable and diverse place of learning and employment. As part of a complete job application you will be asked to include a Contribution to Diversity and Inclusion statement.\nAs a UC employee, and an employee of an Ohio public institution, if hired you will not contribute to the federal Social Security system, other than contributions to Medicare. Instead, UC employees have the option to contribute to a state retirement plan (OPERS, STRS) or an alternative retirement plan (ARP).\nThe University of Cincinnati is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer / Minority / Female / Disability / Veteran.\nREQ: 57042\nSF:LJN (OMJ) SF:RM SF:HEJ SF:INS SF:HERC SF:DIV\nAbout University of Cincinnati\nHISTORY IN BRIEF - The University of Cincinnati is a public urban serving research institution that was founded in 1819 and today is one of the country’s largest universities offering more than 350 academic programs to more than 44,000 students. UC has many top ranked programs in areas such as Music and Arts, Medical and Human-Services, Criminal Justice and more. Located in an urban setting, UC is close to the heart of Cincinnati and allows easy access for students to enjoy all that the city offers. UC is also the alma mater of many notables such as President William Howard Taft; Albert Sabin, developer of the oral polio vaccine; Astronaut Neil Armstrong and Mary Weinberg, 2008 Olympic gold medalist. UC is classified as a Research University (Very High Research Activity) by the Carnegie Commission and is ranked as one of America’s top 35 public research universities by the National Science Foundation. UC jumped 17 spots in the U.S. News & World Report rankings in the past two years alone. In addition to being named a “green university” by Princeton Review, UC has been named one of the world’s most beautiful campuses by Forbes and Delta Sky magazines. Learn more at www.uc.edu.MISSIO...N STATEMENT - The University of Cincinnati serves the people of Ohio, the nation, and the world as a premier, public, urban research university dedicated to undergraduate, graduate, and professional education, experience-based learning, and research. We are committed to excellence and diversity in our students, faculty, staff, and all of our activities. We provide an inclusive environment where innovation and freedom of intellectual inquiry flourish. Through scholarship, service, partnerships, and leadership, we create opportunity, develop educated and engaged citizens, enhance the economy and enrich our University, city, state and global community.\nConnections working at University of Cincinnati\nAssistant State's Attorney Williston, North Dakota\nWilliams County 1 Week Ago\nRelease of Medical Information Specialist (work from home / North Central Pennsylvania) Harrisburg, Pennsylvania\nGeisinger Yesterday\nReceptionist/Scheduler Physical Rehabilitation Part-Time Days Hilton Head, South Carolina\nHilton Head Hospital Yesterday","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1261152"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.560422420501709,"wiki_prob":0.439577579498291,"text":"I have decided to change my name. Not that there is really a me here whose name needs to be changed; but I admit to an impulse to label this unit differently. Not legally. Not right now anyway; but in the context of these teachings.\nSome background first: Growing up, my parents and grandparents (and later, my brothers, cousins, and all relatives for that matter) used to call me Vinnie J, in large part to differentiate this biological unit from all the others in the family with the same name. Legally, my name was Vincent James III. So was my father’s name. Except he was Junior. And I had an older cousin with the same name, but he wasn’t given a number. This continued a tradition for naming children after a living patriarch, who in this case was my paternal grandfather, named Vincenzo. (I later learned that his grandfather was named Vincenzo, as was his great grandfather and his great great grandfather. For some reason, my grandfather’s grandfather skipped the tradition when his son, named Onofrio, was born. Perhaps it was because he understood what it was like to be the third in a line of succession of individuals with the same name that he did not want to subject his own son to that indignity. Unfortunately, years later when Onofrio’s wife Anna gave birth to their first born son, they named him Vincenzo, and, well, here we are.)\nNow, back in Italy. For reasons unbeknown to me, individuals named Vincenzo were often given the nickname Gimí. Thus, Onofrio’s first born son, Vincenzo, as called Gimí.\nHowever, when the family emigrated to the United States in the early 20th century, the name Gimí became Americanized as Jimmy. Now here’s where things get interesting. When my father was born, he was given the legal name Vincent James, rather than Vincenzo. James, of course, is the formal version of Jim or Jimmy. And although James was not a translation of Gimí, it became commonly attached to those with the name Vincent. Look it up. Most Vincent’s of Italian descent born in American have the middle name James.\nSo, in America my grandfather, was called “Gimí,” but it was spelled “Jimmy”. When my dad, Vincent James Jr. was born, he was referred to as Jimmy Junior. When I was born, I was legally named Vincent James III. Now, perhaps because calling a child Jimmy the third (or the turd, as my brothers liked to tease me) was deemed a little too much, I was referred to as Vinnie J. These days, my family calls me Vin or Vinnie, without the J, in large part, because as I entered puberty, I asked (i.e., demanded) that family stop calling me Vinnie J. At twelve years old, I was no longer a child, was I? Professionally, I become known as Vince. And here at home, I’m referred to as Vincent, among other endearing (written sarcastically) names.\nSo, back to the point. Although, I once believe that there was a ‘me’ who was named Vincent, along with all its variants, there really is no ‘me’ to identify with. Yes, there are still conditioned patterns that seem, from an outside perspective, to constitute a set of personality and behavioral characteristics (get it?); but, upon investigation, there really is no ‘me.’ Nor is there a ‘you’. (See my first post for more on this.)\nAnd yet, names are useful. We can’t just go around calling other people “Hey you!” or Hey, nobody!” or when introducing ourselves say “Hi, I’m no one!” (Except if you’re Arya Stark from Game of Thrones.)\nSo, in a humorous homage to the non-existent character known as Vincent, Vince, Vin, and Vinnie J, in this context the moniker ‘Vinji’ will be used. By the way, ‘ji’, in Japanese, which is usually found in the form of a suffix and although having many meanings, also means ‘self’ or ‘character’. So, Vinji! Appropriate, isn’t it?","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1009920"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.561255931854248,"wiki_prob":0.561255931854248,"text":"Response to COVID-19 Will Make Us All Stronger\nBy Rick Schostek, Executive Vice President at Honda North America Inc.\nThis week, Honda accelerated its preparation for an entirely new product in our 40-year history of building things in America. We will soon begin manufacturing compressors for ventilators that will help victims of COVID-19. This vital activity will soon get underway in a training center we established five years ago to help our associates develop manufacturing skills for the future, now home to the latest initiative in our company-wide effort to help provide solutions to many of the challenges posed by this pandemic.\nI’m humbled to be part of a manufacturing enterprise that is working to find ways to join this fight, with each of our business lines — automobiles, power equipment, power sports and aircraft — offering unique solutions and support. And I’m proud that our response focuses on three vital and immediate human needs. We are addressing food insecurity at a time when so many families are struggling, working to employ our manufacturing know-how to produce medical equipment to help those battling COVID-19, and enabling our associates to serve as ‘virtual volunteers,’ to help people in need. …\nThe Honda Women Engineers Who Drive Us Forward\nLiz Casteel and Tasha Krug are Honda engineers who competed together as Team Sand Mode in the 2019 Rebelle Rally, a grueling 1,500-mile off-road competition for women. These extraordinary engineers from Honda R&D Americas tackled the competition to pursue their outdoor passions and push the company’s future innovations to the next level. As the recipients of the Rebelle Rally Rookie of the Year award and Third Place winners in the Crossover Class, these superstars have proven that they can handle the toughest of challenges. Passionate and fearless women like them drive Honda forward with their challenging spirit.\nWhat do you do at Honda?\nLiz Casteel (LC): I’m a chassis reliability test engineer and that means I work on the suspension and frame of the car, to test and make sure it stays reliable for the life of the vehicle. So, in real-world terms, I check to make sure that your car lasts and will be okay when you run over potholes or railroad tracks, or hit curbs. …\nInclusion is Everyone’s Job\nBy Yvette Hunsicker, Vice President Human Resources & Inclusion and Diversity at Honda North America Inc.\nI joined Honda three decades ago as a production associate in the weld department of our Marysville Auto Plant in rural Ohio. Honda had become the first Japanese automaker to build cars in America seven years earlier and as a woman of color in a predominately white and male environment, well, let’s just say being different and new made for some challenging days.\nToday, I’m a vice president of Human Resources at Honda, and I lead our Office of Inclusion and Diversity. So, my job includes guiding the effort to bring younger versions of myself to the company and create an environment where young people of different backgrounds can contribute to Honda’s success. …\nA Woman’s Place is Behind the Wheel\nBy Lara Harrington, Chief Engineer and Honda Passport Development Leader\nWhen I was young, I couldn’t see myself in the way most women were portrayed in the media. I liked to work with my hands, and my father — a classic do-it-yourselfer — didn’t hesitate to involve me when he was out in the garage working under the hood of the car.\nThese opportunities fueled my own passion for working on mechanical things, but as a young woman, I questioned whether I had the confidence to pursue a non-traditional career path.\nI’m now some four decades removed from that critical time in my life, and I’ve spent most of my professional career as a Honda R&D engineer. In fact, I’m proud to be the first woman to serve as the development leader for a new vehicle at Honda, the Honda Passport. …\nSecuring a Carbon-Free Future through Virtual Power\nRendering of Boiling Springs Wind Farm in Oklahoma\nBy Ryan Harty, Manager, Connected and Environmental Business Development, American Honda\nStanding on this windswept stretch of central Oklahoma, it’s hard to imagine the connection this land will have to reducing CO2 emissions for an auto manufacturing plant a thousand miles east in central Ohio. But it’s our job to imagine the future we want to achieve. So the wind turbines that will soon dot this landscape are pivotal to Honda’s plan to reduce CO2 emissions from our North American auto manufacturing plants by more than 60 percent.\nCO2 from burning fossil fuels over the past century has changed our climate. We need to change our business in response. We have to change the energy that powers not just our operations, but also our entire society, from fossil fuels to zero-carbon sources as soon as we can. Tackling CO2 emissions is the biggest challenge that our business and our society face today. …\nHonda is developing technologies and products with the goal of creating a cleaner, safer and more convenient world.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1286885"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.717999279499054,"wiki_prob":0.28200072050094604,"text":"McCormick quoted in Al Jazeera article on release of Gen. Cienfuegos\n\"At the end of the day, arresting Cienfuegos jeopardized future collaboration between the two militaries because it meant that no one on the Mexican side was safe from possible prosecution, even after helping the Americans,\" Gladys McCormick, Jay and Debe Moskowitz Endowed Chair in Mexico-U.S. Relations, tells Al Jazeera. \"All in all, freeing Cienfuegos without any charges or penalties showcases that his arrest was a complete debacle for both the DEA and DOJ [Department of Justice],\" she says. Read more in \"Mexico denies deal to nab cartel leader in return for Cienfuegos.\" 11/24/20","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line129272"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.949227511882782,"wiki_prob":0.949227511882782,"text":"Home / World News / Canada PM Trudeau expresses concern at farmers’ protest; India says remarks ‘unwarranted’\nCanada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.(File photo)\nCanada PM Trudeau expresses concern at farmers’ protest; India says remarks ‘unwarranted’\nTrudeau made the remarks while participating in a Facebook video interaction to mark Gurupurab or the 551st birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion\nBy Rezaul H Laskar | Hindustan Times, New Delhi\nCanadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday that Ottawa has conveyed its concerns about the protest by Indian farmers to New Delhi, but the external affairs ministry dismissed his remarks as “unwarranted” as they pertained to the country’s internal affairs.\nTrudeau made the remarks while participating in a Facebook video interaction organised by Canadian MP Bardish Chagger to mark Guruparb or the 551st birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion. The event was joined by Canadian ministers Navdeep Bains and Harjit Sajjan and members of the Sikh community.\nIn his opening remarks during the interaction, Trudeau said: “I would be remiss if I didn’t start also by recognising the news coming out of India about the protest by farmers. The situation is concerning and we’re all very worried about family and friends.\n“I know that’s a reality for many of you. Let me remind you, Canada will always be there to defend the right of peaceful protest. We believe in the importance of dialogue and that’s why we’ve reached out through multiple means directly to the Indian authorities to highlight our concerns.”\nHours later, external affairs ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said in a brief statement: “We have seen some ill-informed comments by Canadian leaders relating to farmers in India. Such comments are unwarranted, especially when pertaining to the internal affairs of a democratic country.”\nAlso read | Farmers’ protest: All you need to know\nSrivastava added, “It is also best that diplomatic conversations are not misrepresented for political purposes.”\nPeople familiar with developments said on condition of anonymity that Trudeau’s comments appeared to be aimed at Canada’s influential Indian-origin diaspora.\nTrudeau also referred to the Covid-19 pandemic and said this “is a moment for all of us to pull together”. He added, “We’re going to be there to continue to work together as we are there to help each other out.” He also said it was important to remember Guru Nanak’s teachings of compassion, equality and selfless service, which are at the heart of both Sikhism and Canadian values.\nTrudeau is probably the first world leader to comment on the protest by Indian farmers, which entered its fifth day on Monday. The protest is aimed at against a set of laws to liberalise farm trade and open up agricultural markets. The Union government has offered talks to the protestors camping at New Delhi’s borders, but they have insisted on the repeal of the laws.\nThe comments weren’t seen favourably in New Delhi, especially at a time when both India and Canada have been taking steps to restore normalcy to bilateral ties that were hit by Trudeau’s perceived softness on pro-Khalistan activists in Canada during his first term.\nJustin Trudeau Guru Nanak farmers protest\nA medical worker wearing protective equipment monitors patients after they received the coronavirus vaccine at a vaccination facility in Beijing, Friday, Jan. 15, 2021. A city in northern China is building a 3,000-unit quarantine facility to deal with an anticipated overflow of patients as COVID-19 cases rise ahead of the Lunar New Year travel rush. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)(AP)\nChina's monetary policy to support 2021 economic recovery\nBacked by tough coronavirus containment measures and emergency relief for businesses, the world's second-largest economy has largely recovered to pre-pandemic levels, but a resurgence of infections worldwide and in parts of China is keeping policymakers cautious.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1160554"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7123069167137146,"wiki_prob":0.7123069167137146,"text":"Home » Cholos Are As American As Apple Pie\nThere's a reason Mexican American street gangs transcend economic class, geography, and even centuries.\nMy decade as a member of a Mexican American street gang was explosive. I learned how to fight. I learned how to dodge bullets. I learned how to elude police. Yet despite the intimidating glares, shaved heads and tattooed faces, there was something strangely endearing about the gang members I knew. Something far more complex and closer to home than most people realize. A world brimming with classic cars, music and art.\nSomething unmistakably American like Apple Pie.\nUnderstanding the origins of Mexican American street gangs (and the Central American street gangs they influenced on the surface) is crucial to curbing the violence often associated with them. Contrary to portrayal, the world’s largest street gangs not only originated on American soil in response to widespread discrimination and rampant nationalism, but spread to the rest of the world as a result of overactive immigration policies. And until the federal government acknowledges the failure of these policies, the true catalyst behind these problems can never be addressed.\nWar and Nationalism\nYou can’t talk about street gangs without talking about Mexican American street gangs, whose American origins run deep. Unlike white and black gangs, Mexican American street gangs transcend economic class, geography, and even centuries. In fact, some of the oldest Mexican American cliques date back to the late 1890s (Dog Town Rifa, for example), roughly 70 years before the Crips or Bloods, and almost 30 years before the first Outlaw Motorcycle gang.\nMany of these same cliques not only still operate in the same neighborhoods, outlasting both the Irish and Italian gangs that began at the same time, but have withstood repeated attempts by the federal government to root them out (38th Street, Big Hazard, and White Fence, for example). It’s an impressive feat. However, if you understand the cultural impact Mexican American gangs have had on American gang culture—and American culture in general—it’s not surprising.\nAs Leon Bing wrote in her book, Do or Die, which Luis J. Rodriguez subsequently quoted in his famous memoir, Always Running: “It was the cholo homeboy who first walked the walk and talked the talk. It was the Mexican American pachuco who initiated the emblematic tattoos, the signing with hands, the writing of legends on walls.”\nBut the cliques of the early 1900s weren’t the violent criminal street gangs we know today. Forced into segregated communities and widely discriminated against during a time when the American Southwest was in the middle of a turbulent transformation, young Mexican Americans primarily banded together out of self-preservation and common interests—not criminal intent. Some found identity through family surnames and close-knit neighborhoods. Others found brotherhood through car clubs and the zoot suit subculture of African American jazz music.\nSeeking respect and recognition, Mexican American Pachucos openly adopted the flamboyant “wide-legged” style associated with zoot suits. But as nationalist sentiment soared, American sailors began hunting down and attacking Pachucos over social and cultural differences. On one hand, sailors considered zoot suits to be unpatriotic during a time of war rationing. On the other, sailors viewed Mexican Americans as traitors and invaders despite being born in the United States.\nTensions eventually boiled over following a highly publicized incident at a popular swimming hole known as “Sleepy Lagoon” in Southern California. During the incident, a young Mexican American named José Díaz was found stabbed with a fractured skull on the side of the road. He later died. Following his death, widespread panic ensued, and officials began labeling all Pachucos and groups of young Mexican American males as criminal “gangs.” In response, the government rounded up some 600 Mexican Americans across Los Angeles, culminating in the wrongful conviction of 17 Mexican American youth, and later spawning the infamous Zoot Suit Riots.\n“As drugs flooded the streets…and divisions between neighborhoods grew, rivalries intensified. Cliques became gangs. Barrios became war zones.”\nThe incident at Sleepy Lagoon in 1942 and subsequent Zoot Suit Riots in 1943 were major flash points in the evolution of modern Latino street gangs. Following the riots, distrust of law enforcement skyrocketed, and Mexican Americans began protecting their neighborhoods from outsiders the same way outsiders had protected their neighborhoods from them. Worse, as drugs flooded the streets a few decades later and divisions between neighborhoods grew, rivalries intensified. Cliques became gangs. Barrios became war zones. The modern day Cholo (a Mexican American gang member) was born.\nIn 1943, all of the pachucos from the incident at Sleepy Lagoon had their cases overturned and reentered society (see People v Zammora 66 Cal.App.2d 166). These pachucos would go on to become heroes across Los Angeles. Some have speculated—including myself—that this is where the fashion of the California state prison system would go on to mix with the pachuco fashion of the 1940s—laying the foundation for one of the most recognizable and distinct gang fashions today (white t-shirts, creased pants, shaved head, dark sunglasses etc.).\nFailed Immigration Policies\nThroughout the mid and late 20th century, Mexican American street gangs grew in sophistication, adopted distinct customs and—contrary to widespread belief—initially discriminated against immigrants from Mexico and Central America. As a result, many immigrants were forced to adopt American gang culture or form their own gangs to survive.\nThis divide, and the debate over whether immigrants from Mexico or Central America should be allowed to join Mexican American gangs, ultimately led to the formation and growth of some of the largest transnational gangs in the world—each which recruited immigrants and went on to expand beyond the confines of their traditional neighborhoods.\nDivisions escalated both on the streets and in the prison system. On one hand, Mexican American gang members viewed Mexican and Central American immigrants, many who had fled to the United States to find work, as unsophisticated and subservient. On the other, immigrants viewed Mexican American gang members as “Americanized Hispanics”—or Pochos—who had forgotten their culture and roots.\nIn response, the federal government implemented strict mass deportation policies, not too unlike policies advocated today by President Donald Trump. But the move was rash and didn’t take into account the complex social constructs of gangs. As a result, the federal government not only failed to curb gang activity in American cities like Los Angeles, but exported American gang culture to places it had never previously existed—places like Mexico, Honduras and El Salvador.\nWhile in Mexico, gang members lost stature due to local aversion and powerful cartels, in places like El Salvador—which was in the midst of a bloody civil war at the time—gang members became militarized and empowered. Today El Salvador is home to over 60,000 militarized gang members—none that existed until the United States exported American gang culture. Now, thousands of innocent civilians attempt to escape the violence each year, which claims more than 3,000 lives.\nAmerican As Apple Pie\nSome of these same gang members have since tried to return to the United States, leading politicians to believe that deportation is again the answer. But it isn’t. The truth is undocumented gang members represents a minuscule fraction of total gang membership in the United States, and Central American gang members represent an even smaller faction. For perspective, Los Angeles county alone still remains home to more than 50,000 gang members—the majority of which are not Central American.\n“Since the 90s, one could argue that Mexican American gang culture in the United States has become a lucrative pop culture phenomenon at the demand of American consumers.”\nToo often, the media generalizes gang members of Latino origin, lumping Mexican American and Central American gang members into one phenomenon. But while central American gang culture was certainly influenced by Mexican American gang culture on the aesthetic level (as many gangs have been), the two have very different histories. More importantly, the two come from two very different social environments, and operate by sets of very different rules.\nSince the 90s, one could argue that Mexican American gang culture in the United States has become a lucrative pop culture phenomenon at the demand of American consumers. On social media, YouTube shows such as “Cholos Try” have amassed huge followings and landed television deals. In music, Chicano rap has spawned hundreds of artists and record labels. And in film and apparel, major multinational corporations ranging from Warner Bros to Nike have commissioned artwork from Mexican American artists whose style reflect Chicano gang culture.\nNike ad featuring Chicano-style Cortez shoes, designed by LA artist Mister Cartoon.\nLike most things that involve capitalism, the result has been a double-edged sword. On one hand, the advent of technology has probably done more to curb gang violence than any government program. On the other hand, it has also watered down many other aspects of Chicano culture, while perpetuating stereotypes.\nThe Trump administration hasn’t helped. Like the 1940s, increasing hysterics and a new wave of populism have again led to discrimination and dangerous nationalist rhetoric. With this, facts have been skewed and statistics muddled. But context is crucial. Though gang violence has spiked in recent years, it has plummeted over the past two decades, largely due to non-profit outreach, and the advent of technology. In fact, one could argue we are living in one of the most peaceful times in history.\nThis doesn’t mean gang violence doesn’t exist. It does. But before addressing gangs, we must first start with addressing the underlying social conditions that produce and fuel gangs, which begins by first acknowledging the failures of past government policies and sentiments. It was the Pachuco roundups of the 1940s and deportations of the 1990s, after all, that resulted in the unintended consequences we continue to deal with today. How much sense does it make to repeat them?\nAfter all, cholos are as American as Apple Pie.\nTagsChicano essays Must Read\nThe Unpublished Letters To El Niño Dios","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1658545"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6667268872261047,"wiki_prob":0.6667268872261047,"text":"Shaun Mark Bean (born 17 April 1959), credited professionally as Sean Bean (), is an English actor. After graduating from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Bean made his professional debut in a theatre production of Romeo and Juliet in 1983. Retaining his Yorkshire accent, he first found mainstream success for his portrayal of Richard Sharpe in the ITV series Sharpe, which originally ran from 1993 to 1997. Bean's film roles include Patriot Games (1992), GoldenEye (1995), Ronin (1998), The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001–2003), Equilibrium (2002), National Treasure (2004), Odysseus in Troy (2004), Flightplan (2005), North Country (2005), The Island (2005), Silent Hill (2006), Black Death (2010), Jupiter Ascending (2015) and The Martian (2015). His television roles include the BBC anthology series Accused, Game of Thrones and the ITV historical drama series Henry VIII. As a voice actor, Bean has been featured in the video games The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Sid Meier's Civilization VI, and the drama The Canterbury Tales, among several others.\nComplete biography of Sean Bean »\nMovie scripts starring Sean Bean:\nDark River (2017) Rate it:\nDrone (2017) Rate it:\nKingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV (2016) Rate it:\nKingsglaive Final Fantasy XV (2016) Rate it:\nAny Day (2015) Rate it:\nJupiter Ascending (2015) Rate it:\nWicked Blood (2014) Rate it:\nLes ténèbres révélées de Silent Hill révélation 3D (2013) Rate it:\nSoldiers Of Fortune (2012) Rate it:\nCleanskin (2012) Rate it:\nAge of Heroes (2011) Rate it:\nDeath Race 2 (2010) Rate it:\nBlack Death (2010) Rate it:\nThe Lost Future (2010) Rate it:\nSharpe's Peril (2008) Rate it:\nFar North (2007) Rate it:\nThe Hitcher (2007) Rate it:\nOutlaw (2007) Rate it:\nSilent Hill (2006) Rate it:\nSharpe's Challenge (2006) Rate it:\nFlightplan (2005) Rate it:\nNational Treasure (2004) Rate it:\nEquilibrium (2002) Rate it:\nDon't Say a Word (2001) Rate it:\nEssex Boys (2000) Rate it:\nAnna Karenina (1997) Rate it:\nGoldenEye (1995) Rate it:\nBlack Beauty (1994) Rate it:\nPatriot Games (1992) Rate it:\nCaravaggio (1986) Rate it:\nShare your thoughts on Sean Bean' movies with the community:\n\"Sean Bean\" Scripts.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2021. Web. 15 Jan. 2021. .","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line226219"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6977470517158508,"wiki_prob":0.6977470517158508,"text":"Orville G. Herning\nOrville Herning, undated\nPhoto from Coleen Mielke.\nProspectors began searching for Alaska's mineral wealth at Alaska purchase in 1867, and even before. The pace of development increased in Southeast and along the Yukon in the 1870s. Good prospects at Willow Creek in the Forty-Mile in 1886 and at Circle in the 1890s resulted in minor stampedes. These minor rushes became a torrent after the discovery of gold in the Klondike in 1896, the focal point of the Alaska-Yukon Gold Rush. All across America, entrepreneurs, usually without too much knowledge of minerals, created prospecting syndicates, raised funds, and headed north and west to strike it rich. One of these entrepreneurs was Orville G. Herning. Like most others, Herning did not obtain great wealth from the mines, but proved to be a competent mine operator and later, a successful businessman and civic leader.\nHerning was born in Eyota, Minnesota on July 30, 1868. He lived in Liard, Minnesota and also in Naugatuk, Connecticut - the later location is where he met Martha Amelia \"Mattie\" Rogers, whom he married on October 10, 1894. The Hernings had two sons; short-lived Elmer who was born on October 18, 1895 and died on August 14, 1906; and George Stanley, born on December 6, 1904 and died in 1987. George Stanley mined the New Bullion on Craigie Creek, also in the Hatcher Pass district.\nIn 1898, Orville G. Herning was instrumental in forming an east-coast-based mining exploration venture to prospect the north. In the spring of 1898, the Klondike & Boston Gold Mining Company of Massachusetts, with E. C. Davis Company as its official broker, hired two expedition teams to search for gold in the Cook Inlet area of Alaska. The first team was headed by Colonel E. J. Meagher; his men were Fred Falconer, I. Fonda, E. R. Chapman, W. J. Hayes, J. H. Bates, H. L. Grover, Frank Churchill, Charles Wolcott and M. Cameron. The second team was headed by Orville Herning; his men were Edward Kirkpatrick, Fred M. Young, William H. Thorne, George F. Butler, Michael Dineen, H. P. Daniels, Daniel Coleman, George H. Brown and George F. Burrows. Herning was a thirty-year-old Connecticut-based salesman. He and his team left Boston, by train, on March 23, 1898 and arrived in Seattle five days later. The men had reservations aboard the S. S. Whitelaw, scheduled to sail for Alaska on April 1st.\nThe morning of their departure, Herning was told that the Whitelaw would not be sailing; she had burned in the Alaskan town of Skagway. It wasn't going to be easy to find passage aboard another northbound ship since all vessels destined for Alaska were loaded to capacity with gold rush stampeders. It took the men twelve days to find room aboard the S. S. Dirigo which sailed from Seattle's Yesler Wharf on April 12, 1898.\nTwo days north of Seattle, the Dirigo began to wind its way through the protected waters of Alaska's Inside Passage. The ship bypassed the small fishing village of Wrangell and made a short stop at the mining town of Juneau before sailing north on the 2,000 feet deep (but narrow) Lynn Canal. At the northern extremes of the Canal, the ship swung wide around a small island known as Eldred Rock, where the 150 foot Steamer, Clara Nevada, had exploded nine weeks earlier, killing all aboard. Once safely around the uncharted rock island, the Dirigo steamed to the northern reaches of Chilkoot Inlet, then veered east into Taiya Inlet and docked at Skagway, the largest town in Alaska, population 10,000. Here, the men inspected the remains of the burned out S. S. Whitelaw as well as the partially submerged Mercury, a bark that had fallen victim to Skagway winds four days earlier. They also took a short side trip to Dyea, population 5,000, to see the infamous Chilkoot Pass where thousands of men, and a few hardy women, were climbing the torturous thirty-three mile Pass with dreams of striking it rich in Canada's Yukon Territory.\nFrom Skagway, the Dirigo backtracked south on Lynn Canal and into the Icy Straits where she experienced mechanical problems and anchored for repairs near the Tlingit village of Hoonah, on the north shore of Chichagof Island. The chief engineer diagnosed the ships mechanical problem as a faulty condenser; the ship would have to limp 40 miles back to Juneau to order the new part. While the team waited eight days in Juneau for the new condenser to arrive from Seattle, they enjoyed a working-tour of the Treadwell Quartz Mine on Douglas Island. With repairs completed, the Dirigo was preparing to leave Juneau when she accidentally rammed a coal transport called the Czarina. The collision cut a large hole in Czarina's side and she had to be beached at Douglas Island to avoid sinking.\nFinally out of Juneau, the men sailed past Glacier Bay and Brady Glacier before entering open ocean for the first time in their journey. The next scheduled stop was the Port of Valdez on the Valdez Arm of Prince William Sound. Six miles from Valdez, the Dirigo ran aground at low tide, leaving her bow high and dry and her stern in sixteen feet of water; there she lay stranded until the next high tide released her and she sailed into Valdez for the night. The following morning the ship departed in a blinding snowstorm and sailed through Prince William Sound where a foot of dense white snow floated on the water surface. The S. S. Dirigo, originally built as a two-mast schooner, was converted to steam power in late 1897. At 843 tons, she had one-fourth the tonnage of most steamships traveling between Seattle and Alaska. As she entered the Gulf of Alaska, the storm intensified, and the ship's smaller size reacted accordingly: she was rolled from gunnel to gunnel for the next two days. The waves were so relentless that a young Massachusetts man named Burrows (from the Revere Expedition Party) died, reportedly of seasickness, and was buried at sea, as the ship entered Cook Inlet.\nOrvlle Herning's destination was an outpost called Tyonek near the head of Cook Inlet. It was primarily an Athabascan Indian village, but it also had a nearby Alaska Commercial Company outpost which was a major supply source for anyone entering South-central Alaska. The trip from Seattle to Tyonek had taken twenty days, fifteen days longer than expected. Freight was lightered ashore from the Dirigo and left in great stacks on the muddy Tyonek Beach. Herning's team went to work moving their supplies to a location above the high tide line and building a series of tents for cooking, sleeping, and storage. Once situated, their first major goal was to locate Willow Creek in the extreme southwest corner of the Talkeetna Mountains, 110 unmapped miles from Tyonek. Unfortunately for the team, the rivers were still full of ice, which meant Susitna River access to the Willow Creek mining area would be delayed for another two weeks.\nMiners continued to arrive at Tyonek every day, and before long, 300 novice prospectors populated the beach. Expectations were high and tall tales of secret gold strikes were the talk of the day. Boodlers, selling imaginary claims and \"priceless\" treasure maps, were abundant. The beach resembled a shipyard with hundreds of first time boat builders scratching their heads in confusion. The most economical way for Herning's team to obtain a boat was to build one, but that option did not seem practical. Not only was lumber scarce, but the men had heard many stories about newly constructed boats disintegrating in the rough Cook Inlet waters. Instead of building, Herning decided to buy a boat with a proven history; he purchased a sea otter boat from a Tyonek merchant for $75. The merchant assured him that the boat was built for seal hunting and was very strong. Anxious to try out their boat, the men took it out for a quick trial run on a sunny afternoon; it handled nicely as the team rowed out into the deep waters of Cook Inlet. However, without warning, the sunny weather turned into a late afternoon gale force wind. Rowing for their lives, it took the men an hour to reach shore while the waves brutally battered their boat. Safely back on land, the men were convinced that a lesser boat would have cost them their lives; the sea otter boat turned out to be a very wise purchase and would save their lives many more times during the next few seasons. The experience also gave the team a lifelong respect for the weather and waters of Cook Inlet.\nTwo prospectors died the first week at Tyonek. One (unnamed) man died from natural causes. The second young man, from the Patterson Expedition Party of Kansas, became gravely ill after eating desiccated cabbage. With no medical help available, the men on the beach did what they could to comfort the dying man. One of Herning's men played his violin while the rest of the team sang In the Sweet By and By. The deaths were a sobering experience to everyone, even the most hard-bitten old timers.\nIn late May, the rivers were ice-free and it was time to locate Willow Creek. The men chose the most practical route, which began with a two-part sloop ride to Knik Station. Part one took the men 30 miles, from Tyonek to Fire Island at the head of Cook Inlet (three miles from present day Anchorage) where they spent the night on the beach and waited for the next high tide; part two of the journey took the men from Fire Island to Knik Station, an additional forty miles.\nKnik Station was barely a spot on the map in 1898; it had a small Alaska Commercial Company outpost, thirty-six Athabascan residents and three Non-native residents. Here, Herning's team learned about a system of ancient Athabascan walking trails that laced through South-central Alaska. Historically, the trails were used by seasonal nomadic hunting parties, and were narrow and hard to find. Herning hired two Athabascans, at the going rate of $6 per trip, to lead his men over the trail from Knik Station to Willow Creek. The team and their guides left Knik, reaching the foothills of Bald Mountain by the end of the third day. Their fourth day's progress was not as good; after ten hours of climbing their way over and around the snowy remnants of last winter's avalanches, the Native guides seemed to be lost. In an effort to summon help, they set a dry spruce tree on fire and shot their rifles into the air. Receiving no reply, the team set up camp for the night and dried their clothing.\nThe next morning, the guides had regained their sense of direction and led the team to a group of miners on who were already actively mining gold at Grubstake Gulch, off of Willow Creek. Their names were, L. H. Herndon, Billy Morris, Brainard, E'Van and Captain Andrews. Herning's team spent two days prospecting with Captain Andrews to \"learn the ropes\".\nWithin a week, Herning's team had located fifteen full placer claims on Willow Creek, and built a sluice box that produced a good sample of placer gold, a piece of silver, and reportedly, one ruby. On June 11, 1898, Herning, and his men, Edward C. Kirkpatrick, George H. Brown, Fred M. Young, William H. Thorne, George F. Butler, George F. Burrows, Michael Dinneen, H. P. Daniels and Daniel Coleman, joined the Grubstake Gulch miners, to establish the Willow Creek mining district, and appointed L. H. Herndon as recorder. The end of this historic meeting was punctuated with a strong earthquake that shook the gold dust off the recorder's table.\nAfter two weeks at Willow Creek, Herning and two of his men left on a re-supply run to the mouth of the Susitna River. Travel on foot was slow; the men were plagued with clouds of voracious mosquitoes that emerged from the wetlands along the creek's edge. Without the aid of netting, the insects were unbearable. With every breath, the men inhaled mosquitoes; their only relief was a nightly smudge fire or the hope of a strong breeze.\nAt the end of the third day on the trail, the men could smell heavy smoke. Thinking it might be a forest fire; they found refuge on a sandbar in the middle of a small side-stream and waited. Within thirty minutes, they could hear the approaching fire. The men buried their blankets and supplies in the wet sand and crouched in the shallow water as the flames raced down the banks on both sides of the stream. The men were surrounded by fire, and slapped frantically at the sparks that ignited their clothing. Once the fire had consumed all of the dry vegetation in the immediate area, the danger seemed to be over. The men were elated to discover their damages were limited to wet blankets, holes in their clothing and singed hair. To celebrate their survival, as well as the subsequent demise of the mosquitoes, the men said a prayer of thanks, shared a drink of Jamaica Ginger and retired for the night.\nThe next morning, as soon as the men had traveled outside of the burned area, the mosquitoes returned with a vengeance. So intolerable were the bugs that Herning decided to build a raft and float the Susitna River for relief. It didn't take long to fall the trees then build and launch the raft. On the second bend in the river, the hastily built raft struck the bank and fell apart, dumping the trio into the swift cold water. The men struggled their way to shore and decided it would be safer to continue on dry land and battle the mosquitoes.\nTravel along the river was slow, and food was short. The three men made plans to buy food at the Alaska Commercial Company (AC Co.) store at Susitna Station, which was closer than their supply camp. They weren't sure exactly where the Station was, they only knew that it was on an island roughly 30 miles from the mouth of the Susitna River. Tired and hungry, but fearing another broken raft disaster, the men continued downriver on foot, for two more days with no sign of the Station. They passed dozens of small islands, and at each one, they let out signal whoops but received no reply. On the sixth day, they ate the last of their food. . . one piece of bacon for each man.\nIn hungry desperation, the men decided to try their luck with another raft. It took two hours to fasten three 24 foot spruce trees together. Herning wrote their names on the tree stumps as well as the log ends of the raft. If their attempt failed, and no one lived to tell their story, the names written on the trees would record their fate. The plan was for one man to stand on the bow of the raft, with a long pole, and keep it from hitting the banks; a second man would stand on the stern, with a 16 foot oar and propel the raft; the third man would stand on the side midsection to help steer. The trio pushed the raft out into the swift current of the Susitna River; before long, they were traveling at (what Herning guessed to be) 10 miles per hour. Floating hour after hour, the men came to a section of the river where the current overpowered their control of the raft. The raft was now steering itself and picking up speed; they were totally at the mercy of the river. A group of Athabascan Indians, from a village two miles downriver, heard the men scream and came to their rescue. Paddling birch bark canoes, at a high rate of speed, the valiant Natives caught up with the raft, threw the men a towline, and began the heroic struggle of pulling the raft to shore against the fast current. Overjoyed with their escape from certain death, Herning eagerly paid the rescuers two bits each to take his men to the Station, a distance of two more miles.\nThe three men were a sorry sight when they arrived at Susitna Station: one had no shoes and his pants and shirt were nearly gone, the other two men only had the soles of their shoes left and their pants were worn off to the knees. The AC Co. agent, James Cleghorn, fed the men a welcome banquet of pork and beans, corned beef, bread, butter, cheese, canned peaches, canned apricots, crackers and tea with cream and sugar. After dinner, Herning hired the Natives to transport the trio to the mouth of the Susitna River, a thirty mile, three-hour canoe trip for $6.\nIn mid-July, Herning decided to make an unguided, solo trip to Willow Creek. He packed 65 pounds of provisions, and left Knik by boat at 8:30 one night to take advantage of the tides. He arrived at Cottonwood two hours later, and camped for the night. The next morning, he left Cottonwood at 10:30, on a horse he borrowed from a man named Lee, and arrived at Big Lake at 5:45 that evening, where he made camp, cared for the horse and slept, in the rain, under a tarp. Herning left Big Lake at 8:30 the next morning, and traveled due north to the Little Susitna River, arriving there at 1:00 in the afternoon. After a brief rest and a dinner of fried ptarmigan, he continued on to the base of Bald Mountain, where he spotted some caribou, but he wasn't close enough to shoot one. The next day, Herning reached the summit of Bald Mountain at 1:00 in the afternoon, where he arranged to have Lee's horse taken back to Knik by a prospector who was going that way. From the summit of Bald Mountain, it took him 3½ hours to snowshoe over to his mine.\nHerning's team spent a total of 80 days working the ground at Willow Creek (in Grubstake Gulch) that first summer, and produced 39 ounces of gold. . . not bad considering most of their time was spent staking claims, building cabins, hauling supplies, building dams, and whip sawing enough lumber to build a dozen sluice boxes measuring 12 feet long x 16 feet wide x 6 inches deep.\nGrubstake Gulch did contain placer gold, some of it rather coarse and angular, suggesting that it had not traveled far from its lode source, but it was not a simple placer gold deposit. Developed off and on for more than 100 years, one deposit type appears to have gold concentrated in an alluvial fan at the mouth, while the other deposit type contains placer gold within multiple river channels of Willow Creek. In both cases, gold may or may not be concentrated on bed rock surfaces, which is typical for most river placers. In any event, Herning realized that the deposit was potentially large, and could be attacked with hydraulic giants operating at a head of about 180 feet that could be developed in upper Grubstake Gulch.\nThe Boston-Klondike company would later make a valiant effort to develop and mine the deposit, ultimately with three hydraulic giants and thousands of feet of ditch. The mine's heyday was in the early 1900s, but, handicapped by floods, it was never very successful. Only three or four of the original venturers stuck with Herning, who built up his mining team with Indians, including Chief Nicolai from Old Knik. In the meantime, though, Herning assembled other claims, and developed contacts that would serve him substantially in later ventures.\nIn mid-August 1898, the men broke camp and headed for Knik Station. When they reached the Little Susitna River, they set up camp and were cooking dinner when their dog ran into camp with an angry brown bear sow nipping at its heels. The men scrambled for their revolvers as the cook began screaming and banging cooking pots together. The startled bear stopped within ten feet of the campfire and stood upright, towering over the men. The tense face-off lasted for several seconds before the bear retreated into the brush, leaving her two cubs crying in a distant tree. Assuming the bear would return, the men stood guard all night but they did not see her again.\nIn late August, with the mining season winding down, Herning's team wanted to build two food caches south of Knik Station for future use. The first cache was built at Goose Bay on the west side of Knik Arm. The second food cache was built at (what Herning called) Crescent Bay, on the east side of Knik Arm, directly across from Goose Bay. Herning predicted major growth for Crescent Bay. With its plentiful fresh water, wood, game, and deep Bay, he predicted it would someday be the \"Skagway of Cook Inlet\".\nWith the food caches completed, the men headed for their main supply camp at the mouth of the Susitna River. En route, they stopped, on the beach, just west of the Little Susitna River to inspect an abandoned AC Co. store building precariously perched in shallow water at high tide. The 1898 Lake George flood had washed the building from its original Knik River foundation and floated it, intact, including merchandise, down the Knik Arm to the Cook Inlet mud flats. The building and its contents would soon be devoured by scavengers and the Cook Inlet tides.\nThe discovery and subsequent development of the Skyscraper and Gold Bullion hard rock gold deposits in the Hatcher Pass area soon eclipsed the placer gold deposits on the tributaries of Willow Creek. Herning maintained his placer interests, but soon concluded that \"mining the miners\" was the way to go, and he opened the Knik Trading Company in 1905, then the leading transfer point on Cook Inlet. While Herning was operating the Knik Trading Company, his wife Mattie wintered in Seward. Mattie helped determine Herning's path in life, as she was 'urban-bound'. Herning built a new house in Wasilla for both of them to live in, but Mattie refused to move in, preferring to live in the growing community of Anchorage, or, later, the established community of Seattle. In 1917, Herning built a general store (the first permanent building) in the new railroad camp town of Wasilla, which he operated until his death in 1947.\nHerning family washing dishes on Knik Beach, circa 1901. Elmer (with shovel), Mattie, and Orville Herning(?).\nPhoto from Alaska's Digital Archives.\nWhen he died, Herning's store and home were sold to Walter and Vivian Teeland. Today, the building is located behind the fire station in downtown Wasilla, is owned by the Wasilla-Knik Historical Society, and houses a coffee shop.\nOrville Herning's general store in Wasilla, Alaska, circa 1931.\nMany of the prospectors that landed at Cook Inlet in 1898 stayed, and mined the Willow Creek, a.k.a. Hatcher Pass, district for many years. Many Wasilla streets, businesses and subdivisions are named after gold mines in the Willow Creek mining district - Hatcher Pass, Independence, Lucky Shot, Gold Bullion, Grubstake Gulch, War Baby, Gold Cord, and Gold Mint to name just a few.\nHerning was a very civic-minded man. He was the only source of medical aid (and veterinary care) for early Knik residents and Athabascan villagers. He helped build the first school at Knik in 1912. He and J. N. Johnston drew the first detailed map (1898) of the area between Hope and Mount McKinley, showing all rivers, trails, boat routes and gold fields. Before law formally arrived at Knik, Herning was part of an informal court that dealt with local scofflaws, and occasionally he was the unofficial coroner. Orville worked tirelessly to bring a school to early Wasilla. He wrote a series of letters to Alaska's Territorial Governor, which resulted in funding for the first school in 1917. He drew plans for the building, donated fire wood and gas lamps, and built school desks. As a member of the School Board, he was instrumental in hiring Wasilla's first teacher, Miss Ora Dee Clark. Herning also acted as the unofficial bank of Wasilla for thirty years. He cashed checks, collected debts, carried lines of credit and held money and valuables for people in his safe. He was well respected and hard working, and scrupulously honest. He never forgot a good deed or a scoundrel. He is the unsung patriarch of the Wasilla we see today and the quintessential Alaskan pioneer.\nOrville Herning passed away in Wasilla in 1947, shortly after the end of World War II. He was a faithful chronicler of events. Various attempts have been made to transcribe his rather hard-to-read diaries. Currently the author (Mielke) is now proofing her transcription of hundreds of thousands of words written by Herning over his fifty-year career in Alaska.\nBy Coleen Mielke, 2009, with mining and photographic additions by C. C. Hawley and C. R. Laird.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line331613"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.592602014541626,"wiki_prob":0.592602014541626,"text":"Umpire Joe West calls the Red Sox and Yankees \"pathetic\" and \"embarrassing\"\nBy Craig CalcaterraApr 8, 2010, 9:57 AM EDT\nI said I’d stop complaining about Yankees-Red Sox game times, but that doesn’t mean I can’t quote other people who are doing it. Especially when they’re the ones in charge of moving the game along. Veteran crew chief Joe West, who had the plate for Sunday Night’s game:\n“They’re the two clubs that don’t try to pick up the pace. They’re two of the best\nteams in baseball. Why are they playing the slowest? It’s pathetic and embarrassing. They take too long to play. The commissioner of baseball says he wants the pace picked up. We try. And [Tuesday night’s game] still almost went four hours . . . This is embarrassing, a disgrace to baseball.”\nI think Joe West is one of the worst umpires in baseball, so the fact that I find myself agreeing with him on this is going to cause me to have to reevaluate my position somewhat. In the meantime, though, let’s go with it.\nBut as we go with it, let us also acknowledge — as Jason at IIATMS so deftly does this morning — that Joe West’s crew did a pretty poor job of calling the low strike yesterday, and Joe West personally squeezed the zone on Sunday night. And presumably does so all the time, actually, as does every other umpire who works Yankees-Red Sox games, at least to my untrained eye.\nYeah, the hitters on those teams are among the best at working the count, but they work the umpires a hell of a lot too, and get a lot of calls they shouldn’t get. If the umps were calling the low strikes — and don’t even get me started on the almost completely absent high strike — these games wouldn’t drag on nearly as long as they do.\nView 104 Comments","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line582787"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5301142930984497,"wiki_prob":0.5301142930984497,"text":"Chairman Boxer and 15 Senate Colleagues Call for EPA Nominee with a Strong Record on Protecting Public Health\nWashington, D.C. - Senator Barbara Boxer, Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, joined with 15 of her Senate colleagues on a letter to President Obama urging him to nominate a strong leader as the next Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The letter called for an EPA nominee with a \"demonstrated record of working to safeguard our children and families\" who will \"enforce the Clean Air Act and our other landmark environmental laws.\" Lisa Jackson, the current EPA Administrator, announced her resignation last month.\nThe full text of the letter is below:\nYour words in your second inaugural address were an inspiration to all of us who seek to maintain and build on our nation's landmark public health and environmental protections. We have an obligation to further this legacy for the sake of future generations.\nWe share your commitment to protect public health and the environment using the best available science, while promoting economic growth, innovation, competitiveness, and job creation. To achieve these goals, we believe it is critical that you appoint an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator who has both a vision and demonstrated record of working to safeguard our children and families.\nThe EPA nominee must also build on Administrator Lisa Jackson's critical work to protect the air we breathe and the water we drink. We know that pollution can cause asthma attacks, heart and lung disease, cancer, damage to the reproductive system, strokes, and premature death. As we confront these numerous and growing threats to our health, our nation needs another strong leader at EPA who will work to craft bold solutions to these serious problems, as well as enforce the Clean Air Act and our other landmark environmental laws that protect public health.\nWe stand ready to work with you to use available tools to provide stronger safeguards that will address dangerous air pollution, including carbon pollution. An effective example has been your administration's historic new automobile efficiency standards that will save consumers $1.7 trillion in fuel costs over the life of their vehicles.\nBy working together, we can build on your administration's efforts to promote a strong and robust economy, foster our nation's global leadership in clean energy innovation and job creation, and reduce the significant harms posed by climate change.\nCommittee on Environment and Public Works\nCommittee on Veterans Affairs\nKirsten E. Gillibrand\nMazie K. Hirono\nCommittee on Agriculture\nPermalink: https://www.epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2013/1/post-8c28a6d7-dd23-2eb8-740c-b861cc5c7dd3","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line780920"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9565815329551697,"wiki_prob":0.9565815329551697,"text":"Saudis: Don't Want War But Will Defend\nDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- Saudi Arabia does not want war but will not hesitate to defend itself against Iran, a top Saudi diplomat said Sunday amid heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf after attacks on the kingdom's energy sector.\nAdel al-Jubeir, the minister of state for foreign affairs, spoke a week after four oil tankers— two of them Saudi— were targeted in an alleged act of sabotage off the coast of the United Arab Emirates and days after Iran-allied Yemeni rebels claimed a drone attack on a Saudi oil pipeline.\n\"The kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not want war in the region and does not strive for that... but at the same time, if the other side chooses war, the kingdom will fight this with all force and determination and it will defend itself, its citizens and its interests,\" al-Jubeir told reporters.\nA senior Iranian military commander was similarly quoted as saying his country is not looking for war, in comments published in Iranian media on Sunday.\nFears of armed conflict were already running high after the White House ordered warships and bombers to the region earlier this month to counter an alleged, unexplained threat from Iran. The U.S. also has ordered nonessential staff out of its diplomatic posts in Iraq.\nBut President Donald Trump appears to have softened his tone in recent days, saying he expects Iran to seek negotiations with his administration. Asked on Thursday if the U.S. might be on a path to war with Iran, the president answered, \"I hope not.\"\nThe current tensions are rooted in Trump's decision last year to withdraw the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear accord between Iran and world powers and impose wide-reaching sanctions, including on Iranian oil exports that are crucial to its economy.\nIran has said it would resume enriching uranium at higher levels if a new nuclear deal is not reached by July 7. That would potentially bring it closer to being able to develop a nuclear weapon, something Iran insists it has never sought.\nEnergy ministers from OPEC and its allies, including major producers Saudi Arabia and Russia, are meeting in Saudi Arabia on Sunday to discuss energy prices and production cuts. Iran's oil exports are expected to shrink further in the coming months after the U.S. stopped renewing waivers that allowed it to continue selling to some countries.\nOPEC and non-OPEC oil producers have production cuts in place, but the group of exporters is not expected to make its decision on output until late June, when they meet again in Vienna.\nSaudi Arabia's King Salman, meanwhile, has called for a meeting of Arab heads of state on May 30 in Mecca to discuss the latest developments, including the oil pipeline attack.\nThe kingdom has blamed the pipeline attack on Iran, accusing Tehran of arming the rebel Houthis, which a Saudi-led coalition has been at war with in Yemen since 2015. Iran denies arming or training the rebels, who control much of northern Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa.\n\"We want peace and stability in the region, but we won't stand with our hands bound as the Iranians continuously attack. Iran has to understand that,\" al-Jubeir said. \"The ball is in Iran's court.\"\nAl-Jubeir also noted that an investigation, led by the UAE, into the tanker incident is underway.\nThe state-run Saudi news agency reported Sunday that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss regional developments. There was no immediate statement by the State Department about the call.\nAn English-language Saudi newspaper close to the palace recently published an editorial calling for surgical U.S. airstrikes in retaliation for Iran's alleged involvement in targeting Saudi Arabia's oil infrastructure.\nThe head of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, Gen. Hossein Salami, was quoted Sunday as saying Iran is not looking for war, But he said the U.S. is going to fail in the near future \"because they are frustrated and hopeless\" and are looking for a way out of the current escalation. His comments, given to other Guard commanders, were carried by Iran's semi-official Fars news agency.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1199770"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8384552597999573,"wiki_prob":0.8384552597999573,"text":"Emile Wamsteker\nLight Work PublicationsContact Sheet 66\nWebsitehttp://www.wamstekerphotography.com/\nWorking as a street photographer Emile Wamsteker spends the time to learn about each of his subjects - their circumstances, desires, habits, and their 'chosen path in life'. As part of his ongoing series, Essays and Observations Wamsteker photographed people who frequent Washington Square Park in New York City. The diverse sampling of artists, college students, teenagers, the homeless, drug-pushers, panhandlers, street performers, and tourists make up the demographic composition of this active park in the middle of Greenwich Village at any given movement. For each individual this public space serves a different purpose - some vie for the attention of the crowds, others vanish into groups with their peers while others prefer to remain anonymous. In this series Wamsteker creates a rich portrait of American culture from a microcosm occupying four city blocks of New York City.\nEmile Wamsteker was awarded the Light Work Photographers' Grant in 1995.\nSlobodan Milosevic’s quest for a “Greater Serbia” has been going on in the mostly ethnic-Albanian province of Kosovo since 1989. In the summer of that year, he made history in Kosovo Polje. Milosevic was there to reawaken a nationalist spirit held dormant by years of communism. In an impassioned speech— declaring Kosovo the heart of Serbian civilization—he reminded his Serb brethren that they had paid for Kosovo with the blood of their ancestors, who were defeated on that very day, 600 years before, by invading Ottoman Turks in the battle of the Field of Black Birds.\nUp until 1989, Kosovo was an autonomous province of Serbia. After Milosevic’s famous speech, he began a systematic campaign of ethnic cleansing, stripping Kosovo of its autonomy, and declaring all those opposed to his policy as terrorists. The majority population of ethnic Albanians was now being ruled by the minority Serbian population in a kind of Balkan apartheid (prior to the war in Kosovo, ethnic Albanians outnumbered Serbs 9-to-1 in the province). The Albanian language was declared unofficial, and school curricula changed to reflect Serb history, culture, and language.\nBy 1991, a separatist movement was in full swing with Albanian Kosovars organizing their own political parties and holding elections. Ibrahim Rugova, an academic, was voted their president. In that same year, the de facto Albanian Kosovar government declared Kosovo independent of Yugoslavia. Consumed with the war in Croatia, and then Bosnia, the declaration was given scant attention by Belgrade.\nBy 1996, violence in the region began to escalate as the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA)—Kosovo’s separatist rebel army—regularly clashed with Serb police, and claimed control of nearly a third of the region of Kosovo.\nIn the spring of 1998, Milosevic responded by intensifying his campaign of ethnic cleansing, routinely using force against the civilian population, leveling villages, and driving people from their homes, causing a humanitarian disaster with over 300,000 Albanian Kosovars internally displaced. Anyone seen as the opposition, or in collaboration with the KLA, became fair game to Serb forces. In January 1999, 45 Albanian Kosovar civilians were massacred in the village of Racak. Milosevic claimed that they were all members of the KLA, despite the fact that they were unarmed and dressed in civilian garb.\nNearly ten years after Milosevic’s speech at Kosovo Polje, in the spring of 1999, leaders of NATO, the KLA, and Serbia, met in Rambouillet, France, to try to arrive at a peace agreement. Having failed to adhere to an earlier cease-fire agreement, this was Milosevic’s last chance. Prior to Rambouillet, NATO had made numerous threats to intervene in Kosovo and was beginning to lose face. Although the KLA agreed to the terms outlined at Rambouillet, the Serbs eventually walked out, and on March 24, 1999, NATO began an air war against Serbia in an effort to bring Milosevic back to the bargaining table and protect Albanian Kosovars from Serb police and armed forces.\nWhat happened as a result was a refugee crisis of massive proportion. Milosevic’s police and army raided villages throughout Kosovo, forcing families to flee, and in many cases murdering men that they accused of being affiliated with the KLA, or who they thought might leave and come back fighting for the KLA. Although men considered to be of fighting age were most likely to be killed, in many instances women, children, and the elderly were also victims. According to a published report in The New York Times, with statistics provided by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, of the 1.8 million ethnic Albanians residing in Kosovo, close to 800,000 were displaced throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Macedonia, with more than half the total number absorbed by Europe’s poorest country, Albania. The NATO bombing campaign and the exodus lasted 72 days before Milosevic gave in and efforts began to repatriate Albanian Kosvars.\nIn The Field of Black Birds: Kosovar Refugees in Albania and Italy by Emile Wamsteker was exhibited at the Light Work Gallery from November 1 to December 17, 1999. Wamsteker is a freelance photo- grapher and lives in New York City.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line273268"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6425961256027222,"wiki_prob":0.6425961256027222,"text":"You are here: Home / Uncategorized / State Sen. Leach: ASA Israel Boycott Is “Misguided, Irrational”\nState Sen. Leach: ASA Israel Boycott Is “Misguided, Irrational”\nJanuary 7, 2014 by Daylin Leach Leave a Comment\nIn a letter to the president of the American Studies Association (ASA), Curtis Marez, Pennsylvania State Senator Daylin Leach (D., Montgomery County) attacked the boycott of Israeli institutions by the Association.\nIn the letter, that will be publicly released tomorrow (Tuesday), Leach wrote, “you did not issue a statement criticizing a particular practice of the Jewish State; you singled out Israel for an alleged widespread systematic abuse of human rights.\n“Among the countries you have not chosen to boycott are Iran, China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Sudan and even North Korea, which apparently just executed a former government official on the day of his ‘trial’ by feeding him to a pack of starved wild dogs.”\nDear Mr. Marez,\nAs a former college professor and current Pennsylvania State Senator and member of the Senate Education Committee, I was disappointed (although, sadly, not surprised) to learn of the American Studies Association (ASA)’s decision to boycott academic establishments in Israel.\nIt is my view that this decision is misguided, irrational, and a slap in the face to the very concept of academic freedom.\nLetter continues after the jump.\nIn your statement attempt the justify the academic boycott of Israel, the ASA said: “The Council voted for an academic boycott of Israeli institutions as an ethical stance, a form of material and symbolic action. It represents a principle of solidarity with scholars and students deprived of their academic freedom and an aspiration to enlarge that freedom for all,” and that the boycott is warranted because “Israeli institutions of higher education are a party to state policies that violate human rights.”\nCertainly a case could be made that when it comes to human rights, Israel is imperfect. I would note that the same case could be made in regards to the United States, both in the past and currently.\nBut you did not issue a statement criticizing a particular practice of the Jewish State; you singled out Israel for an alleged widespread systematic abuse of human rights.\nTo my knowledge, you have call for a boycott of no other nation. This action suggests that Israel is uniquely deficient in its respect for basic rights.\nAmong the countries you have not chosen to boycott are Iran, China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Sudan and even North Korea, which apparently just executed a former government official on the day of his “trial” by feeding him to a pack of starved wild dogs.\nEven the Palestinian Authority, which you purport to be fighting for, conducts summary trials and executions and extra-judicial murders by militias of people deemed “collaborators” and has nothing resembling a free press.\nThose countries are apparently fine. But you boycott Israel, which:\nis a democracy;\nrespects the rights of women, who are considered fully equal in Israeli Society;\nlegally recognizes the rights of its gay and lesbian citizens;\nhas an independent judiciary which sometimes strikes down government actions;\nhas the rule of law;\nhas minority voting rights and Arab members of the Knesset; and\nhas a completely free press.\nAs you may already be aware, more than 100 American universities have taken issue with ASA’s decision, and have themselves decided to reject the boycott. The American Council of Education, the Association of American Universities and the American Association of University Professors have also expressed their opposition.\nFurther, it has been noted in the media that only approximately 16 percent of the ASA’s 5,000 members actually voted in favor of the boycott. It was troublesome to learn that this decision, which has severe implications, was pushed through with minimal member input and significant public opposition.\nFinally, in an examination of your association’s mission statement, is it not a violation of academic freedom and aspiration to target students and professors in a country for reasons beyond their control?\nA goal of your organization is to “enlarge [academic] freedom for all”, but does the boycott not actually limit academic freedom, thereby only granting it to some?\nI will conclude this letter by reinforcing what was previously expressed to you by Rep. Eliot L. Engel, senior Democratic Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, when he wrote that he encouraged you to review the most recent Country Reports on Human Rights Practices by the State Department.\nI would reiterate his statement pointing out that the report says that “there were no government restrictions on academic freedom” apparent in Israel.\nFiled Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: ASA, Boycott, In Their Own Words, Israel, Leach\nAbout Daylin Leach\nState Senator Daylin Leach has represented the 17th district in the Pennsylvania State Senate since 2009. He had represented the 149th district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives between 2003 and 2009, and has also worked as an attorney and professor.\nDaylin can be contacted at [email protected]","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line891428"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7612967491149902,"wiki_prob":0.7612967491149902,"text":"AMP Capital’s Community Infrastructure Fund acquires Riverland Water\nBy AMP Capital media team\nNot for release or distribution in the US\nAMP Capital has acquired the remaining 50 per cent equity stake in Riverland Water Holdings Pty Ltd (Riverland Water) from TRILITY, on behalf of investors in its Community Infrastructure Fund (CommIF). The deal increases CommIF’s interest in Riverland Water to 100 per cent.\nRiverland Water, located in South Australia, consists of ten water treatment plants that use sedimentation and filtration technology. The plants deliver drinking water to approximately 150,000 people across more than 90 communities, including supply to the Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, Mid North and River Murray towns.\nAMP Capital is one of the founding investors in Riverland Water, which began its operations in 1999 under a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer model in partnership with the South Australian Water Corporation.\nAMP Capital CommIF Fund Manager Charles Savage said: “AMP Capital is a proud long-term investor and we are extremely pleased to own 100 per cent of the equity interest in Riverland Water. It’s a high-quality asset that supports CommIF’s objective to provide long-term stable returns while generating real benefits for society.”\n“This is the second transaction for CommIF in 2018, following the acquisition of a 21 per cent stake in the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre in January. We remain focused on expanding our presence in the social infrastructure market in Australia and New Zealand during 2018.”\nRiverland Water outsources its day-to-day operation to TRILITY, who are continuing in their role as operator following the sale of their 50 per cent stake. TRILITY is a water utility service provider whose capabilities cover the full life cycle of water through water, wastewater treatment, reuse and desalination\nand bio-solid projects across Australia and New Zealand.\nCommIF invests in high-yield, brownfield, social infrastructure PPP assets in Australia and New Zealand in sectors such as education, health, justice, defence, community housing, recreational facilities and transport. The fund owns 13 assets with an enterprise value of more than A$8 billion (on a 100 per cent\nownership basis).\nContact us Media enquiries\nUK & Europe/Americas\nKatie Sunderland\nM +44 (0) 7788 183377\nkatie.sunderland@ampcapital.com\nWhile every care has been taken in the preparation of this article, AMP Capital Investors (UK) Limited, Registered Office at Companies House, 4th Floor Berkeley Square House, Berkeley Square, London W1J 6BX (no. 05524536) makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of any statement in it including, without limitation, any forecasts. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. This article has been prepared for the purpose of providing general information, without taking account of any particular investor’s objectives, financial situation or needs. An investor should, before making any investment decisions, consider the appropriateness of the information in this article, and seek professional advice, having regard to the investor’s objectives, financial situation and needs. This article is solely for the use of the party to whom it is provided.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1519453"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5056315064430237,"wiki_prob":0.5056315064430237,"text":"Look, I had second thoughts really about whether I could talk to about this to such a vital in a live audience is you guys.\nBut then I remember the quote from Gloria Steinem, which guys The truth will set you free.\nBut first, it will piss you off.\nSo eso with that in mind, I'm gonna set about trying to do those things here and talk about dying in the 21st century.\nNow that the first thing that will piss you off undoubtedly, is that all of us are in fact going to die in the 21st century, there will be no exceptions to that.\nThere are apparently about one in eight of you who think you're immortal on surveys.\nBut unfortunately, it isn't.\nThis isn't gonna happen.\nUm, while I give this talk in the next 10 minutes, 100 million of my cells will die.\nAnd over the course of today, 2000 of my brain cells will die and never come back.\nSo you could argue that the dying process starts pretty early in the piece.\nAnyway, the second thing I want to say about dying in the 21st century part is gonna happen to everybody is it's shaping up to be a bit of a train wreck for most of us, unless we do something to try and reclaim this process from the rather inexorable trajectory that is currently on.\nThat's the truth.\nNo doubt that will piss you off.\nNow let's see whether we can set you free out.\nI don't promise anything.\nNow, as you heard in the intro.\nI work in intensive care and I think I've kind of lived through the heyday of intensive care has been a ride man, this has been fantastic.\nWe have machines that go ping.\nThere's many of them up there.\nUm, and we have some wizard technology which I think has worked really well, and over the course of the time, I've worked in intensive care.\nThe death rate for males in Australia has hard and intensive Cares had something to do with that.\nCertainly a lot of the technologies that we use have got something to do with that.\nSo we have had tremendous success and we we kind of got caught up in our own success quite a bit, and we started using expressions like life saving.\nI really apologized everybody for doing that because obviously we don't.\nWhat we do is prolong people's lives and delay death on redirect death.\nBut we we can't strictly speaking, save lives on any sort of permanent basis.\nAnd what's really happened over the period of time that I've been working intensive care is that the people whose lives we started saving back in the seventies eighties and nineties are now coming to die in the 21st century off diseases that we no longer have the answers to in quite the way we did then.\nSo what's happening now is there's been a big shift in the way that people die on most of what they're dying off now isn't is amenable.\nToe what we can do as what it used to be like when I was doing this in the eighties and nineties.\nSo we kind of we kind of got a bit caught up with this, and we haven't really squared with you guys about what's really happening now, and it's about time we did.\nI kind of woke up to this bit in the late nineties when I met this guy.\nThis guy is called Jim, Jim Smith and he looked like this.\nI was called down to the ward to see him.\nHis is the little hand.\nI was called on the world to see him by a respiratory position.\nHe said, Look, there's a guy down here.\nHe's got pneumonia and he looks like he needs intensive care.\nHis daughter's here and she wants everything possible to be done, which is a familiar fries to to us.\nSo I go down to the warden, see Jim and his skin is translucent like this.\nYou can see his bones from the skin is very, very thin.\nAnd he is indeed very, very sick with pneumonia, and he's too sick to talk to me.\nSo I talked to his daughter Kathleen, and I say to her, Did you and Jim ever talk about what you would want done if he ended up in this kind of situation?\nAnd she looked at me, said No, of course not, OK, it's like this study, Um, and I got talking to her, and after a while she said to me, You know, we always thought that be time.\nJim was 94 and I realized that something wasn't happening here.\nThere wasn't this dialogue going on that I imagined was happening.\nSo a group of it started doing survey work.\nAnd we looked at 4.5 1000 nursing home residents in Newcastle in the Newcastle area and discovered that only one in 100 of them had a plan about what to do when their heart stops beating one in 100 on anyone in 500 off them had a plan about what to do if they became seriously ill.\nI realize, of course, this dialogue is Jeff definitely not occurring in the public at large.\nWhy work in acute care?\nThis is John Hunter Hospital, I thought.\nSurely we we do better than than that.\nSo a colleague of mine from nursing court, Lisa Shore and I went through hundreds and hundreds of sets of notes in the medical records department, looking at whether there was any sign at all that anybody had.\nHennie had any conversation about what might happen to them if the treatment they were receiving was unsuccessful to the point that they would die.\nAnd we didn't find a single record off any preference about gold's treatments or outcomes from any of the sets of notes initiated by a doctor or by a patient.\nSo we started to realize that we had a problem and the problem is more serious because of this.\nWhat we know is that obviously we are all going to die.\nBut how we die is actually really important, obviously not just to us, but also to how that features in the lives of all the people who live on after.\nIt's how we die, lives on in the minds of everybody who survives us.\nAnd the stress created in families by dying is enormous.\nAnd you felt you get seven times as much stress by dying in intensive care as by dying just about anywhere else.\nDying in intensive care is not your top option if if you've got a choice.\nAndi, if that wasn't bad enough, of course, all of this is rapidly progressing towards the fact that many of you, in fact, about one in 10 of you at this point will die in intensive care.\nIn the US it's one in five in Miami, it's three out of five people die in intensive care, so this is the sort of momentum that we've got at the moment.\nThe reason why this is all happening is due to this, and I do have to take you through what this is about.\nThese are the four ways to go so one of these will happen to all of us.\nThe ones you may know most about are the ones that are becoming increasingly of historical interest.\nSudden death.\nIt's quite likely in an audience this size this won't happen to anybody here.\nSudden death has become very rare.\nThe death of Little Nell and core Delia and all that sort of stuff just doesn't happen anymore.\nThe dying process of those with terminal illness that we've just seen occurs to younger people.\nBy the time you reached 80 this is unlikely to happen to you.\nOnly one in 10 people who are over 80 will die of cancer.\nThe big growth industry of these what you die off is increasing organ failure with your respiratory, cardiac, renal, whatever organs packing up each of these would be an admission to an acute care hospital at the end of which or some point during which somebody says enough is enough and we stop and this one's the biggest growth industry of all Onda.\nAt least six out of 10 of the people in this room will die.\nThis form, which is the dwindling off capacity with increasing frailty and frailties an inevitable part of aging and increasing frailty is in fact, the main thing that people die off now, on the last few years or last year of your life spent with a great deal of disability, unfortunately enjoying it so far.\nSo I had this field such a I feel such a Cassandra here.\nWhat can I say this positive?\nWhat's positive is that this is happening at very great age.\nNow we are We are all most of us living to reach this point.\nHistorically, we didn't do that.\nThis is what happens to you when you live.\nTo be a great age on.\nUnfortunately, increasing longevity does mean more old age, not more youth.\nAnd I'm sorry to say that, um, what we did anyway, Look what we did.\nWe didn't just take this lying down at John Hunter Hospital announced where we've started a whole series of projects to try and look about whether we could in fact involve people much more in the way that in the way that things happen to them.\nBut we realize, of course, that we are dealing with cultural issues on this is I love this clip painting because the more you look at it, the more you kind of get the whole issue that's going on here, which is clearly the death, the separation of death from the living on the fear.\nIf you actually look, there's one woman there who has her eyes open.\nShe's the one he's looking at, and he's the one he's coming for.\nShe looks terrifying.\nIt's amazing picture.\nWe had a major cultural issue.\nClearly, people didn't want us to talk about death or we thought that.\nSo, with loads of funding from the federal government and the local health service, we introduce the thing that John Hunter called respecting patient choices.\nWe trained hundreds of people to go to the wards and talk to people about the fact that they would die, and what would they prefer under those circumstances?\nThey loved it.\nThe families of the patients, they loved it.\n9 98% of people really thought this just should be normal practice and that this is how things should work on the When they expressed wishes, all of those wishes came true.\nAs it were, we were able to make that happen for them.\nBut then when the funding run out, we went back to look.\nSix months later on, everybody had stopped again.\nAndi, nobody was having these conversations anymore.\nSo that was really kind of heartbreaking for us because we thought this was going to really take off.\nThe cultural issue had reasserted itself.\nSo here's the pitch.\nI think it's important that we don't just get on this freeway toe.\nI see you without thinking hard about whether or not that's where we're all want to end up, particularly has become older and increasingly frail on I see you has less unless, unless to offer us.\nThat has to be a little sign road off there for people who don't want to go on that track.\nAnd I have one small idea.\nAndi, One big idea about what could happen, and this is a small idea.\nThe small idea is, let's all of us engage with more.\nWith this in the way that Jason is illustrated, Why can't we have these kinds of conversations with our own elders on people who might be approaching this, that there are a couple of things you can do?\nOne of them is You can just ask this simple question.\nThis this question never fails.\nIn the event that you became too sick to speak for yourself, who would you like to speak for you?\nThat's a really important question to ask people, because giving people the control over who that is produces an amazing outcome.\nThe second thing you can say is, Have you spoken to that person about the things that are important to you so that we can?\nI got a better idea of what it is we can do, so that's a little idea.\nThe big idea, I think, is more political.\nI think we have to get onto this.\nI suggested we should have occupied death, my wife said.\nI said, We're here, right?\nSittings in the mortuary?\nYeah, sure, So that one didn't really run, but I did.\nI was very struck by this.\nNow I'm in aging hippies.\nI don't look like that anymore, but I had to to my kids were born at home in the in the eighties, when home birth was a big thing and then we baby boomers are used to taking charge of the situation.\nSo if you just replace all these all these words of birth, I like peace, love, natural death as an option.\nI do think we have to get political and start to reclaim this process from the medicalize model in which it's going.\nNow listen, that sounds like a pitch for euthanasia.\nI want to make it absolutely crystal clear to you all.\nI hate euthanasia.\nI think it's a sideshow.\nI don't think euthanasia matters.\nI actually think that that in country, in places like Oregon, where you can have a physician assisted suicide, you taken a poisonous dose of stuff.\nOnly half a percent of people ever do that.\nI'm more interesting what happens to the 99.5% of people who don't want to do that?\nI think most people don't want to be dead, but I do think most people want to have some control over how they're dying.\nProcess proceeds, so I'm a point of euthanasia, but I do think we have to give people back some control.\nIt's deprives euthanasia of its oxygen supply.\nI think we should be looking at stopping the want for euthanasia, not for making it illegal or legal or worrying about it at all.\nThis is a quote from from Dame Cicely Saunders, whom I met when I was a medical student.\nShe she founded the hospice movement and she says you matter because you are and you matter to the last moment of your life.\nAnd I firmly believe that that's the message that we have to carry forward.\n讓我們來談談死亡--彼得-索爾。 (Let's talk about dying - Peter Saul)","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1652132"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5181874632835388,"wiki_prob":0.4818125367164612,"text":"What follows is a transcript of an interview I had with Bruce Matthews, Executive Director at the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies -Ontario (ACEC-Ontario).\nQ: How did you first hear about National Engineering Month (NEM)?\nA: I’m a professional engineer myself and have been one for a while. I’ve been involved in engineering for 30 plus years now, so I go back to a time when it was actually National Engineering Week. That said, I think it’s great that it’s expanded to National Engineering Month as with the scope of work that professional engineers do, it requires that extra time and attention, which is a good thing.\nQ: The theme for NEM 2021 is lifelong learning. What does the concept of lifelong learning mean for ACEC-Ontario and why is that important?\nA: There is one particular anecdote that I think it really captures the idea quite well. It involves two company executives talking to each other about training and one says to the other,\n‘what if we spend all this money on training our people and then they leave?’ To which the other replies, “Well, what if we don’t and they stay?’\nSo for that reason, lifelong learning is absolutely critical and it’s the kind of perspective that you need. Being forward thinking and realizing that it’s not just an investment in those people’s futures, but investment in the company’s future as well.\nQ: What is consulting engineering?\nA: The Association of Consulting Engineering Companies – Ontario (ACEC-Ontario) is an industry association and our members are consulting engineering companies across Ontario.\nPeople often talk about consulting engineering as if it’s almost a separate discipline, but it’s not. It really just describes a relationship between the engineer and the client. Consulting engineers operate at arm’s length to their client, and they provide independent and objective expertise to solve the client’s problems, they can serve as an agent or an advocate for the client in dealing with other people on a project.\nConsulting engineers can ultimately come from any engineering discipline. There are consulting electrical engineers and consulting structural engineers, and in fact, many consulting engineering firms are multidisciplinary. So ultimately clients turn to consulting engineering firms when they just don’t have that in-house engineering expertise to meet their needs and need those independent outside experts.\nQ: What do consulting engineering firms do?\nA: Consulting engineers offer professional engineering services and expertise in areas that aren’t just purely related to engineering and science, but also economic sectors such as energy resource development, environmental protection, manufacturing, etc. Certainly the public sector clients such as municipalities and provincial ministries and agencies and their federal counterparts are very significant consumers of consulting engineering services for things like water supply and wastewater treatment, roads and bridges, and other transportation infrastructure transit systems, energy telecommunications – the full gamut of the elements of infrastructure that our modern society relies upon. The firms that specialize in consulting engineering are responsible for designing and building much of the public infrastructure in Ontario and across Canada.\nQ: Why is public awareness about the work your member firms do important?\nA: It’s interesting because much of the work that the consulting engineering firms do is invisible. It exists, you know, but if it’s a study, nobody sees the study except the client. It’s a book. It’s a piece of paper or whatever, or if it’s a supporting kind of service, really the ultimate work product is somehow buried behind a wall. It’s buried underground, if it’s water wastewater, you don’t see the pipes that come into your house. You don’t see the water treatment in the wastewater treatment stuff that goes on – it’s all invisible. Much of the work is taken for granted – and that’s ok, but occasionally it’s good to pay some attention and appreciate the skills that go into these things as you drive along the road or highway.\nI think the other factor is frankly the high quality of engineering work in Ontario and across Canada. Canada is the second largest exporter of engineering services in the world. Engineers in Canada operate in a more regulated environment than most other jurisdictions and therefore we work to comparatively high standards. Because of this, that’s what allows the public to take that work for granted. For example, you turn on your tap and you don’t have to think twice that there’s safe drinkable water coming out of there. You turn on your light switch. You don’t have to worry about whether the power is going to come on or if a fire is going to start inside the wall. There’s just none of that kind of consideration because of the standards to which the engineers themselves established – they make it look easy.\nQ: Understand you had a recent name change. What was the driver of that and why is it important?\nA: We’ve been around as an association for 45 years now and up until just a few months ago we were known as Consulting Engineers of Ontario. Recently through some strategic planning efforts, our board was looking at issues of identity and growth and what we want the association to do. We found the identity and branding that we had for those 45 years – while it served us well, the nature of the marketplace evolved and we decided that a refreshed identity would be something useful for the organization. The new name helps harmonize and reinforce the idea that we are part of the greater whole of Consulting Engineers in Canada which helps to convey the strength in how we represent the interests of our member firms.\nQ: What are the benefits of working with consulting engineering firms?\nA: The strength comes from the ability to obtain an independent, objective, expertise and advice. If you want someone to bring a perspective and bring some insights into a project idea or certain plans rather than hiring in or dealing with organizations that you don’t have arm’s length relationships where there may be secondary interests at play that may influence the advice or opinions you get. By going to consulting engineering for you are very much guaranteed objectivity. When using an engineering firm there’s no bias. You may not get the answer you actually hope to hear, but that’s the nature of the beast as professional engineers. Of course, they all put the safeguarding of the public welfare as paramount. Ensuring that you’re getting bias free advice and opinions that are of the proper quality with respect to the expertise, is absolutely critical.\nQ: What is the less obvious work of your member firms?\nA: That’s a really interesting question actually, and I’m going to talk about a particular niche area of consulting engineers and that’s forensics. Almost a third of our membership offers services related to forensic engineering, which is really all about the study of materials and devices and structures and processes or products that don’t work as intended or have failed in some way, possibly causing injury and so on. So forensic engineering companies are retained, typically in association with investigative work either being done by a regulatory organization, including Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO), or in support of litigation. When investigating complaints about the work of engineers, PEO will hire forensic engineering consultants to provide expert opinions. Similarly, the Ministry of Labor will retain forensic engineering consultants if they’re investigating an incident. And a very relevant recent example of course is the stage collapse at the Radiohead concert. It was a major failure of a structure and it took forensic engineering work to discover exactly what happened there. So again, this is where you need an independent perspective on exactly what happened, so we look at the nature of the materials and the nature of the design and ask why did his failure happen? Was it a problem with the design? Was it a problem with the way it was built? Was it a problem with the way it was operated? There’s all sorts of possibilities, and the source of those failures could come from a number of reasons, so the job of the forensic engineer is to do the appropriate analysis to determine the cause.\nQ: What does ACEC-Ontario do to showcase the significance of its member firms?\nA: For the last 20 years we have recognized the achievements of our member firms through the Ontario Engineering Project Awards. We have awards in various categories relating to engineering including areas of applications, transportation, buildings, project management and so on. And then in addition, we actually have a separate category that’s based on the size of the firms broken down into sort of four ranges, so that even small firms have this opportunity to have their work recognized. With COVID we have turned it into a virtual event in May 2021. It’s really a great showcase opportunity, not just for our firms, but frankly for their clients as well. These projects are partnerships and are not just the work in isolation by the engineering firm. Typically a well regarded successful project is a function of both a high quality engineering firm and a very savvy and sophisticated client as well.\nQ: Why did you sign on to sponsor NEM and/or why is NEM important to ACEC-Ontario and the engineering profession?\nA: My perspective is that the objectives of NEM fit very nicely with the current mission and vision of ACEC-Ontario. Collectively, we want to raise the profile of the profession, and that ultimately helps us achieve recognition of the value of the work that our member firms do, and it’s going to heighten the regard in which they are held, ultimately raising the profile. I like to promote the fact that consulting engineering firms provide valuable essential services that provide for the social, economic and environmental welfare of Ontario. So we’re quite pleased to sponsor NEM to help get that message across. It’s really that simple.\nQ: Any final thoughts?\nA: For NEM 2021, I understand that there are separate sub themes and I latched right on to the fourth week where you’re talking about ethics, an engineering’s impact in society and resilience. And then this important one – exploring wicked problems. I think that’s such a great phrase, because that is the exact sort of circumstance we’ve got in either public sector or private sector individuals who have wicked problems that need solving. That’s when they’re going to go out to a consulting engineering firm because you know you’re gonna get that independent, different perspective and expertise. And that’s what our member firms are – they’re partners, they’re problem solvers. And that’s part of the message that we want to get across.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line48303"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5383121371269226,"wiki_prob":0.4616878628730774,"text":"CAR-T cell therapy has evolved from an arcane approach under study in a handful of academic centers to a commercialized immunotherapy that is now being integrated into standard cancer care. The session will highlight some of the recent scientific advances that have begun to define major mechanisms of resistance to CAR-T cell therapy in B cell malignancies and identify the challenges that need to be addressed if these agents are to find broader applications in other hematological cancers and solid tumors.\nPh.D., Director of Advanced Applications, NanoString Technologies\nI focus on developing and applying NanoString platforms to address key research areas in immuno-oncology. As part of that mission, I work with academics, biopharmas, and clinicians to identify unmet needs in translational research and create novel products for transcriptional and proteomic profiling. I oversee the collaborations network for the company to help investigators utilize NanoString tools in their research with the goal of developing new biomarkers that can be deployed as clinical diagnostics. I am also active in the immuno-oncology research community to promote the science and application of cancer immunotherapy to improve patient outcomes. Prior to joining NanoString, I was a founder and director of research at Oncofactor Corp., a biotech focused on developing therapeutics which targeted novel immune checkpoints. I have a PhD in immunology from the University of Washington and a BS in biochemistry and English from Iowa State University.\nRobust Transcriptomics to Inform Cellular Therapy During Manufacturing and Treatment\nPh.D., Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Pennsylvania\nJoseph Melenhorst\nDr. Melenhorst studies the biological basis of CAR T cell efficacy, including the immunobiology of CAR T cells, CAR engineering-related T cell reprogramming, and novel ways to augment the anti-tumor potency of tumor-redirected T cells. He was at the cusp of the first ever CAR T cell therapy approved by FDA: Kymriah and has contributed to seminal papers describing the clinical efficacy and CAR-related toxicities.\n​Biomarkers to Inform CAR-T Therapies\nProof of concept studies have demonstrated that chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-reprogrammed T cells effectively target bulky dis-ease. We are discovering the natural basis of this form of immunogene therapy, and how synthetic biology further augments this pre-existing potency. My talk will cover both topics and discuss novel developments.\nCEO & Co-Founder, IsoPlexis\nSean Mackay\nSean Mackay is an experienced entrepreneur passionate about applying life sciences and information technology to improve healthcare delivery. He co-founded and leads IsoPlexis, a venture-backed startup focused on accelerating the fight against cancer using our predictive patient profiling platform. He has led the company through foundational licensing with Yale and Caltech, venture capital financing, and building out its fantastic team, while developing applications, products, and collaborations. Previously, he also helped incubate Kleiner Perkins-backed Lifesquare, which connected patients, payers, and providers through sharing essential healthcare information. At Lifesquare, he generated business development and strategic initiatives related to partnerships across the healthcare ecosystem. Through work at Lazard and with several early-stage ventures, he developed deep experience in structuring and financing life sciences and medical device and technology companies. Sean also helped multiple public and private biotechnology and medical technology companies to manage times of strategic change.\nSingle Cell Functional Proteomics To Accelerate Cell Therapy In Preclinical Development, Manufacturing, and Patient Difference Biomarkers\nPh.D., Assistant Professor, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine\nAvery Posey\nDr. Posey is a geneticist proficient in the development and pre-clinical characterization of chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) and other engineered T cell strategies for cancer immunotherapy. He is developing novel CAR-T cell therapies that selectively targets a cell surface glycopeptides and glycoantigens found exclusively in cancers. The major objective of his research is to increase the efficacy of engineered T cells in solid tumors. Dr. Posey began his work in the CAR-T cell field in 2011. His initial work is currently being translated in a phase I clinical trial and he hopes to translate additional therapeutics in the next few years.\nThe Development Of Novel Cancer Therapies Targeting Abnormal Glycans For Humans\nM.D., CEO, Poseida Therapeutics\nEric Ostertag\nDr. Ostertag directed Poseida’s spin out from Transposagen in February 2015 and has served as our chief executive officer and as a member of our board of directors since May 2015. From October 2003 to July 2015, Dr. Ostertag founded and served as the chief executive officer and president of Transposagen Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., a biotechnology company that commercializes early gene editing technology in the research reagent space. Dr. Ostertag previously co-founded and served as chief executive officer and president of Vindico NanoBioTechnology, Inc., a biotechnology company engaged in the discovery, development, and commercialization of human therapeutics that are based on a nanometer-scale particulate technology. Dr. Ostertag also co-founded and served as executive vice president of PhenoTech, Inc., a biotechnology company engaged in the discovery, development, and commercialization of reagents for diagnostic use in blood banks.\n​A Novel Approach To CAR-T Therapy​\nCART Therapeutics comprised of a high percentage of stem cell memory T cells exhibit unique properties that could potentially solve most of the limitations of early-generation CART products, including significant toxicities, historically poor efficacy against solid tumors, and high costs.\nM.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Medicine, Stanford University\nDr. Miklos is a physician-scientist who has established a human translational immunology research group that fosters the development of both laboratory immunologists, and clinical translational researchers. His laboratory research focuses on 1) B cell reconstitution after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) 2) Lymphoid neoplasia minimal residual disease (MRD) quantification using Immune receptor high throughput sequencing technology 3) Prevention and treatment of chronic Graft versus host disease (cGVHD) and 4) CAR-T Cancer Cell Therapies. With his promotion to Associate Professor Spring 2016, he became Clinical Director of Stanford’s Cancer Immunotherapy program and Stanford’s Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (PICI). These aligned Immunotherapy clinical research groups focus on implementing human Chimeric Antigen Receptor Therapies (CAR-T), developing comprehensive clinical databases with linked biorepositories from industry sponsored and investigator initiated clinical trials. Dr. Crystal Mackall directs Stanford’s Center for Cancer Cell Therapy. Drs. Mackall and Miklos are two proven physician-scientists that synergize skills as pediatrician and adult oncologist that combine lab and clinical expertise daily. We have leveraged our comprehensive and established BMT program to provide Cancer Cell Therapy (CCT) clinician, research and laboratory expertise. Stanford CCT will advance cancer immunotherapy knowledge pursuing reiterative clinical trial research with biobanking and clinical databases to support innovative informative correlative studies including our bispecific CAR19-22 phase I trial and commercial CAR19 Therapies described herein.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line754087"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.613160252571106,"wiki_prob":0.613160252571106,"text":"Home » Wright Medical puts up $435m for Cartiva\nWright Medical puts up $435m for Cartiva\nWright Medical (NSDQ:WMGI) said today that it agreed to pay $435 million in cash to acquire Cartiva and its synthetic cartilage implant for treating arthritis in the big toe and raised its sales outlook for the rest of the year.\nAlpharetta, Ga.-based Cartiva won pre-market approval from the FDA for the SCI implant in July 2016 (the device won CE Mark approval in the European Union back in 2002 and is also on the market in Canada, Brazil, Chile and Australia). It’s made of an organic polymer designed to mimic the function of human cartilage.\nWright forecast a $35 million top-line contribution from Cartiva this year, assuming the purchase closes as expected during the fourth quarter, and $47 million in 2019. Memphis-based Wright said it plans to finance the purchase with an equity offer.\n“We are delighted to add Cartiva’s technology, including its Synthetic Cartilage Implant, the first and only PMA product for the treatment of great toe osteoarthritis, to our market-leading lower extremities portfolio. Supported by compelling clinical performance and the only product of its kind backed by Level I clinical evidence, Cartiva is experiencing rapid commercial adoption and is well positioned for future growth as it addresses large markets with significant unmet needs. We believe this technology is a perfect fit for our Lower Extremities business and adds a differentiated product that addresses a common condition that is treated by most foot and ankle surgeons and has strong patient demand,” president & CEO Robert Palmisano said in prepared remarks.\n“We are delighted to have found an excellent strategic buyer in Wright, a company that shares our commitment to technological leadership and that is a leader in foot and ankle with a demonstrated track record of commercializing breakthrough technologies. We believe that Wright, with its 300-plus direct foot and ankle sales organization in the U.S. and its large international organization, as well as its expertise in medical education and product development, is the ideal partner to realize the full potential of our SCI technology. We look forward to an exciting future as part of Wright Medical,” added Cartiva president & CEO Timothy Patrick.\nJ.P. Morgan Securities advised Wright, with Bass, Berry & Sims and Ropes & Gray as legal advisors. Guggenheim Securities iadvised Cartiva, with Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian as legal advisor.\nWright said it now expects to post full-year sales, excluding Cartiva, of $812 million to $822 million, up from $808 million to $820 million previously.\nFiled Under: Mergers & Acquisitions, Orthopedics, Wall Street Beat Tagged With: Cartiva, Extremities, wrightmedical","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line949251"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9149390459060669,"wiki_prob":0.9149390459060669,"text":"Google Startup Grind coming to Santa Clarita\nSanta Clarita is the newest outpost of Google Startup Grind, which holds monthly gatherings to give budding entrepreneurs a chance to hear the story of a successful startup from its founder while sharing ideas and experiences with each other.\nThe first event on Sept. 12 will feature Matthew Arevalo, founder of Loot Crate, a subscription box service launched five years ago at Comic-Con.\nLoot Crate’s 675,000 subscribers receive a box of geek and gaming-related merchandise each month. In 2016, Loot Crate raised $18.5 million in Series A funding, led by UpFront Ventures, with participation from Breakwater Investment Management, Time Inc., Downey Ventures, M13 and Sterling VC.\n“People don’t realize the depth of entrepreneurial talent we have in the Santa Clarita Valley,” said James McKinney, vice president of strategic growth at Status Not Quo, a Santa Clarita-based marketing firm, which is hosting the Startup Grind events.\n“We also have resources at the city and at College of the Canyons, with business accelerators and MakerSpace.”\nMakerSpace provides manufacturing equipment so that community members can design, prototype and create manufactured works that wouldn’t be possible to create with the resources available to individuals working alone.\nThe goal of Startup Grind, McKinney said, is to educate and mentor entrepreneurs through monthly business events and speaking series. “If you’re not in the grind or haven’t been through it, it’s difficult to understand what it’s like.” He has worked with other Startup Grinds over more than eight years working with startups.\n“Santa Clarita has a vibrant startup community, but it’s fragmented,” McKinney said. “I was familiar with Startup Grinds in Santa Monica and Hollywood, and saw the value of having one here.”\n“The value of these events is to be able to hear from someone who is further down the road, to hear how they overcame challenges,” McKinney said. “They bring that entire story of their startup. What were your conversations with potential investors like? How much bad money did you chase? What was it like when you got the financing?”\nDerek Andersen and Spencer Nielsen founded Startup Grind in 2010. The company grew out casual meetings Andersen had with friends and fellow entrepreneurs in his office at a startup in Mountain View, about being an entrepreneur.\nStartup Grind’s first event was held in Andersen’s Mountain View office with nine attendees. From a side project, Startup Grind became Andersen’s main business “when he realized his meetups were more successful than his startup,” McKinney said.\nIn 2011, it spread to Los Angeles and New York City. By March 2017, Startup Grind had a presence in 200 cities and 98 countries, according to its website.\nIn 2013, Google for Entrepreneurs came in as a global sponsor and technology provider to Startup Grind. Google for Entrepreneurs was launched in 2012 to connect and encourage startups around the world, by making it easier for entrepreneurs to use the search giant’s various products.\n“Google’s involvement means that when I call a founder, the phone gets picked up,” McKinney said.\nHe said the group plans to hold an event every month at the Status Not Quo offices on Citrus Street in Valencia, which can accommodate up to 120 people.\nMore information about the Startup Grind is available here.\nPatrick Mullen grew up in Syracuse, N.Y., and moved to Santa Clarita from Cleveland in 2016. He covered the business side of health care for 15 years.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line429512"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6527702808380127,"wiki_prob":0.6527702808380127,"text":"The Changes of African Americans During the Reconstruction and Progressive Era.\nDuring the reconstruction era through to the Progressive era much had changed for the African Americans. After the assassination of President Lincoln (April 14, 1865) President Andrew Johnson continued the “ten percent plan”. The African Americans wanted land, voting rights and wanted to be educated which had been denied to them for centuries, they were considered to be economically and racially inferior compared to the whites. During the years of 1867 to 1870 the African Americans were able to increase their amount of social power. However with this increase of power came a group of southerners led by an ex-confederate forming the Ku Klux Klan in 1867. There were many efforts made to be given equality to the African American and amongst them were three amendments laid during the Progressive era, they were amendments 13,14 and 15. The 13th amendment abolished slavery (1865), the 14th amendment gave them equal protection (1868) and lastly the 15th amendment allowed men of whatever class to be given equal opportunity of vote regardless of social and financial status. Some of the other efforts made to the African Americans is the “40 acres and a mule” (1865) that were promised to them in after they were freed. The 40 acres that the newly freed African Americans were promised were to be used for farmland, and the mule were to be used for the plowing of the soil. This was awarded to the freed African Americans so that they would be able to sustain themselves after they were freed from their masters. The North did not agree with the slavery of the African American belief of the South and did not want to pursue this belief into the West. They were motivated to pass on their beliefs as they wanted the West to be more educated, industrial, urban and commercial which in end would lead to a better government. The West after the civil war were hungry for change and did not\nCompare and Contrast the Ten Percent Plan and the Wade Davis Bill\nDelegates could know be elected to create a new revised state constitution and governments also all southerners would be pardoned accept for high ranking confederate army officers and government officials. Private property would be protected however this did not include slaves. While most of the Republicans in congress at that time supported the president's plane for reconstructions others wanted to punish the confederacy. One of the flaws to the plan was that it only took ten percent of the voters to decide if they wanted back into the Union This made voting no longer a democracy. On July 2 1864 two Radical Republicans Benjamin Wade and Henry Winter Davis wrote the Wade Davis Bill.\nTo What Extent Has the Contribution of Martin Luther King to the Advancement of Black Americans Between 1954 and 1968 Been Exaggerated?’\nHistory Practice Controlled Assessment: ‘To what extent has the contribution of Martin Luther King to the advancement of black Americans between 1954 and 1968 been exaggerated?’ On 6th December 1865, the 13th amendment to the American Constitution was passes, leading to the abolition of slavery. However whilst slavery was abolished, the black people of America still faced harsh racism and had very little rights. During the period of 1954-1968, many people were campaigning for an advancement of black Americans. These people wanted equal civil rights for blacks as white Americans had. One such person was Martin Luther King.\nHow Far Did Conditions for Black People Improve in the Period 1945-56?\nHowever, many southern states found ways around the laws to disenfranchise the black populations. They did this by introducing a ‘Grandfather Clause’, which is that only people whose grandfather voted, gave them the ability to vote. Also literacy test was another method used, which in most ways wasn’t made fairly and even well educated people were disenfranchised and not allowed to vote. However, in 1946 President Truman established The President’s Committee on ‘Civil rights’, producing a report examining the experiences of racial minorities in America. The report was called ‘To Secure These Rights’, this report highlighted the problems facing African Americans and proposed radical changes to make American society better.\nTo What Extent Was Ww1 a Turning Point in Increasing Racial Equality Between Black and White Americans\nThe 15th amendment (1870) gave black men equal voting rights with white men. However they were threatened or physically stopped from voting. It was no good having rights which were not enforced. Yet inequality increased at the end of the 19th century and continued in the early 20th century through Southern states passing the ‘Jim Crow’ laws which increased segregation. WW1 did little in stopping the rising tide of segregation.\nIn What Ways Were the Conditions Different for the African Americans in the North and South in 1945?\nIn what ways were the conditions different for the African Americans in the north and south in 1945? After the Second World War had ended, black Americans that were fighting for freedom and justice from Germany and Japan, found that they had return to their country that was overridden with discrimination and racism in 1945. They treated as second-class citizens. The Black American was unable to neither integrate with the mainstream of American society nor become independent farmers. However, generally the Northern blacks were somewhat better off than the Southern blacks in 1945.\nHow Far Do You Agree That the Impact of the Second World War Was the Main Reason Why the Position of African Americans Improved in the Years 1945-50?\nBefore the war, Living standards for African Americans were poor. They had been promised equality when slavery was abolished, but the new segregation laws only made them second class citizens beneath the white people. White supremacy activist such as the KKK made it their main priority to make sure that African Americans knew their place, and followed the unspoken rules of society. During war times 1.2 blacks had subscribed to fight in the war. For the northern men, the military training that they had gotten in the south was their first experience of formal racial segregations.\nMarcus Garvey And His Role In Black Nationalism\nYou mighty race. You can accomplish what you will”.It was very evident that emancipation of slaves had not really altered the economic conditions of the black masses in the New American South. Racial segregation had become a major issue in the South and the blacks suffered discrimination in all spheres (public and private institutions) between 1890 and 1910. This was accompanied by the disenfranchisement of the black voters. It was under such circumstances, did the black leaders, the newly educated black intelligentsia brought the issues of the Afro Americans into public life.\nThese causes include the failures of the politicians of the times, the tensions between the states caused by the issue of admitting new states to the Union, the victory by the Republicans in the 1860 Presidential election, the increasing trend towards abolitionism and, of course, slavery. Slavery was a huge issue at the time, with Southerners, strong supporters of slavery and slavers themselves demanding that they be allowed to expand westward with their slaves, while the Northerners were arguing in favour that slavery be contained and allowed to die a natural death. Slavery had started in the South as the climate there was perfect for growing cotton, and with the invention of Eli Whitney’s cotton gin in 1793, it became very profitable to make cotton. The cotton gin essentially made the time that it took for the seeds to be removed from cotton to be greatly reduced, making it much more profitable. On order to capitalise on this new process, the south needed lots of cheap labour, and found it in the form of slaves.\nIn its first year of publication, it managed to sell 300,000 copies to Northerners and Southerners alike. It greatly appealed to Northern abolitionist sentiments while simultaneously angering Southerners, who felt insulted by the general characterizations of them made in Stowe’s book. In the North, abolitionists regarded Uncle Tom’s Cabin as further rationale for anti-slavery activism. The book instilled into Northerners a stereotypical view of Southern plantation owners as cruel, demoralizing, and greedy whip-wielding masters. Simon Legree, the novel’s antagonist slave driver, became the archetypal Southern figure for whom Northerners felt much contempt.\nMore about The Changes of African Americans During the Reconstruction and Progressive Era.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line915478"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6279780268669128,"wiki_prob":0.37202197313308716,"text":"Public Health Toggle sub-menu\nCouncil on Education for Public Health (CEPH)\nPathways Toggle sub-menu\nAccelerated Format\nFull- & Part-Time Formats\nCOVID-19: Spread the Science, NOT the Virus Seminar Series\nName: Rosemary (Rosie) Frasso, PhD, MSc, CPH Expand/Collapse Contact Info\nPosition: Program Director\nEmail: Rosie.Frasso@jefferson.edu\nName: Katherine Puskarz, MPH Expand/Collapse Contact Info\nPosition: Assistant Program Director\nEmail: Katherine.Puskarz@jefferson.edu\nName: April Smith Expand/Collapse Contact Info\nPosition: Admissions and Recruitment Manager\n901 Walnut Street, 10th Floor\nEmail: JCPH.Admissions@jefferson.edu\nPublic Health is an interdisciplinary field of study and practice with three primary goals:\naddress pressing and emerging threats to health and well-being;\nprevent illness, disease and injury; and\npromote and protect human health.\nIn achieving these goals, public health emphasizes social justice, supports human rights and respects the dignity of individuals and the integrity of communities.\nThe Jefferson College of Population Health (JCPH) offers a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree, which is nationally accredited through the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Students develop competencies in several key public health areas: health behavior and social sciences, biostatistics, environmental health, epidemiology, policy and advocacy, program planning, implementation and evaluation, and others. The interdisciplinary curriculum stresses leadership skills, systems thinking, health communication, global health, and cultural humility and competency. JCPH also offers a Graduate Certificate in Public Health, which provides students with the foundational knowledge and skills for public health practice.\nDownload Program Brochure\nPublic health professionals track disease outbreaks, conduct community health assessments, plan health education programs and direct campaigns to reduce risk factors that foster chronic health conditions like heart disease and diabetes. They develop and advocate for policies, both public and private, that reduce harmful environmental exposures and that provide increased access to preventive health services for underserved populations. Many engage in public health research and support multi-cultural global health initiatives here and abroad.\nPublic health professionals take the lead in local, state and federal health agencies, community health centers and hospitals, non-governmental health organizations (NGOs), schools and universities, professional health agencies, health insurance companies and other related businesses.\nProgram Audiences\nPublic health students come from a variety of fields and have included:\nRecent college graduates with majors in natural or social sciences, including pre-med or other pre-professional students seeking an educational experience during their gap or glide year\nNot-so-recent college graduates with relevant work experience wishing to enhance their health-related career or make a career change\nStudents currently enrolled in a professional program (medicine, law, pharmacy, social work) who wish to earn an additional degree in public health as part of a dual degree program\nHealth or related professionals working in government, community health organizations, non-profits, healthcare settings, health insurance companies, the pharmaceutical industry and academic institutions\nPathways to Completion\nThe Public Health program is flexible, tailored, and high touch. We are prepared to support students who want to be public health practitioners and those who want to move into health care, law, government, or policy. Students can complete the program on a part-time basis or in as little as one academic year.\nJefferson offers several pathways for students to complete an MPH:\nThe accelerated pathway (one academic year) is for future healthcare professionals. Students on this pathway start the program in the fall (September).\nThis pathway is ideal for students planning to practice public health and take the lead in promoting health across siloes.\nThis program provides medical school graduates with the opportunity to pursue an MPH. Students can earn a degree either on a full-time or part-time basis.\nDual degree options allow students to apply coursework from other degree programs to the Jefferson MPH program. Currently, the Public Health program offers the following dual degrees.\nMD/MPH\nDO/MPH\nMSS/MPH\nPharmD/MPH\nJD/MPH\nPA/MPH\nThe MPH program offers four engaging concentration options. Each concentration offers elective course options that address specific competencies. Students are encouraged to complete their Clerkship-Applied Practice Experience and Capstone-Integrated Learning Experience on topics related to their concentration. Students in each concentration take 6 elective courses.\nPublic Health Analytics focuses on bolstering students’ epidemiological and statistical expertise through advanced coursework giving students the ability to collect, analyze, interpret and visualize data.\nPublic Health Policy & Advocacy gives students the skillset to promote public health policy at the local, state, federal and international levels.\nHealthcare Quality & Safety focuses on integrating public health knowledge and skills in the clinical space. This concentration is particularly of interest to students currently in or intending to enter the medical field.\nPublic Health Practice (Generalist) concentration gives students the most freedom to choose electives that appeal to them. Academic advisors will support students in determining which electives support their career goals.\nBaccalaureate degree with a competitive GPA from an accredited institution\nAnd one of the following:\nCompetitive score on the GRE or other graduate entrance examination\nGraduate degree from an accredited institution (GPA of 3.0 or higher )\nApplicants may request a waiver of the GRE requirement. Please review GRE Waiver Guidelines and application form.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line669982"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7297975420951843,"wiki_prob":0.7297975420951843,"text":"One Track Mind: the beatin’s\nStewart Lupton slips on his spurs for an EP of cowboy songs.\nby Aaron Leitko January 29th, 2010 August 29th, 2020\nStandout Track: No. 1, “Cool Clear Water,” a scrappy cover of the Sons of the Pioneers classic. On this one-off project, Child Ballads singer Stewart Lupton and artist Carole Greenwood slip on spurs for an EP’s worth of cowboy songs. Banjos are plucked and glockenspiels are tapped, but “Red River Valley” it ain’t. Lupton’s vocals imbue the tune with a sleazy swagger, making it a little more of a McCabe & Mrs. Miller–style affair.\nMusical Motivation: According to Greenwood, the EP was partly inspired by the duo’s mutual affection for the Western-themed TV series Deadwood. “We were so impressed with the writing and the themes,” she says. “How people make order out of disorder and create their own sense of morality when it seemingly doesn’t exist.” Lupton’s explanation was a bit more involved—including talk of runaway teens in San Francisco, Lewis and Clark, and the West as a psychological state. But his reasons for choosing the tune aren’t all that complicated. “I’ve always liked the lyrics,” says Lupton.\nWestern Rates: The beatin’s EP isn’t for everybody, but not because the music is inacessible. There just aren’t that many copies to go around. The 12-inch record was pressed as an accessory to Greenwood’s recent gallery show at Civilian Arts Project. Only 300 copies were made, each including unique artwork and a handful of poems by Lupton. Also, some people might not be willing to fork over the cash. Local record stores are selling the record for $29.99.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line526343"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6942501664161682,"wiki_prob":0.6942501664161682,"text":"Adopt a\nThis area is intended to provide resources and information relevant to general New Zealand research and is targeted at those less familiar with resources available online. For area-specific resources, take a look at the various regional projects available. Feel free to contribute by contacting the project coordinator.\nDescription and Travel\nArchives New Zealand and the National Library of New Zealand are the principal repositories for New Zealand records. The former ensures access to and preservation of those official records which have significantly affected the development of New Zealand. The role of the latter is to collect and maintain literature and information resources that relate to New Zealand and the Pacific.\nFamily History Centers in New Zealand, provided by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.\nThe New Zealand Genealogical Look Up Exchange list resources relating to New Zealand which volunteers are willing to search on request.\nCivil registration of births, marriages and deaths began in New Zealand in 1848.\nA project involving the conversion of records to electronic form has been completed, with original records being archived. Records which could not be converted because of their condition have been transcribed and micrographic copies of these are still available.\nThe replacement of micrographic copies with electronic print-outs offers a significant enhancement in the quality of records available and paves the way for new online services.\n>>> Birth, Death and Marriage Historical Records <<<\nApplications for copies of registrations must be made to:\nPO Box 10 526\nPhone: 64 4 474 8150 (or 0800 225 252 within New Zealand)\nInternet: Births, Deaths and Marriages\nTwo types of copies are available: electronic printout and certified. Electronic printouts are generally of more value to the genealogist, as they include more information than is available on certified copies. The basic fees (effective from 1 September 2003) are:\nelectronic printout: 1848 to 1874 - $NZ26.00;\npost-1874 - $NZ20.00 (convert for: Australia | UK | USA)\ncertified copy: $NZ26.00\nThese fees do not cover searching for a specific registration. The basic search fee includes a search of the index for one event under one name for a given year and one year either side, although you may continue the same search with a fee for each additional year:\nsearch of index: $NZ15.00\ncontinuation of search: $NZ1.00\nOverseas customers incur the following postage fees:\nAustralia / South Pacific: $NZ1.50\nanywhere else in the world: $NZ2.00\nNew Zealand is an ideal destination to visit and Tourism New Zealand's role is to let the world know. Tourisminfo has information on getting to New Zealand through to people and history.\nThe Telecom New Zealand White Pages and Telecom New Zealand Yellow Pages are the principal directories for residential and business contact information, respectively.\nArchives New Zealand holds records of government-assisted immigrants from 1840 to 1888, and ships' passenger lists from the 1880s to 1972.\nOnline AUSNZ Passenger Lists is designed to help family historians locate passenger lists for migrant ships to Australia and New Zealand.\nNew Zealand Bound is dedicated to identifying genealogical resources to assist in locating which New Zealand bound ship an immigrant ancestor was aboard.\nDenise & Peter's Our Stuff has a reasonable number of transcribed passenger lists of immigrants to New Zealand.\nUse the search facility below to search the New Zealand Place Names Database.\nThe NEW-ZEALAND list is a mailing list for anyone who has an interest in genealogy or general and local history related to New Zealand and its regions, hosted by Hugh Winters.\nThe GENANZ list is a mailing list for anyone who has an interest in genealogy or general and local history related to Australia and New Zealand. It is the oldest and most extensive mailing list for the region, hosted by Andrew Billinghurst. It is gatewayed with the with the soc.genealogy.australia+nz newsgroup.\nMaori:\nA key resource for those researching their Maori genealogy is Whakapapa Maori.\nVisit maori.org.nz for a variety of whakapapa resources.\nNZHistory.net.nz aims to be your first port of call for information on New Zealand history.\nThe New Zealand Defence Force Personnel Archives holds Navy, Army and Air Force personnel files for discharged personnel who have served with the New Zealand Forces from the Boer War to current time.\nArchives New Zealand holds rolls and other records from various military units, including soldiers who fought for the Crown in the New Zealand Wars.\nSTUFF, the home of Independent Newspapers Ltd, with news from across the country.\nNew Zealand Government Online is the gateway to the New Zealand government.\nThe Public Access to Legislation Project provides free access to New Zealand legislation.\nArchives New Zealand holds probate files (which usually include the will of the deceased) from most High Courts throughout New Zealand.\nThe New Zealand Society of Genealogists publishes a bi-monthly magazine, The New Zealand Genealogist and provides research services and an extensive library for the use of members.\nCopyright � 1999 - 2021 New ZealandGenWeb","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1892300"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9681577682495117,"wiki_prob":0.9681577682495117,"text":"GRACosway Weekly Wrap Up\nThe latest Newspoll reveals the Coalition continues to trail the ALP in the polls, 45 to 55 on a two-party preferred (2PP) basis. Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce indicated that negative perceptions of the Turnbull Government publicly voiced by former Prime Minister Tony Abbott over the previous week has caused a “desired impact” on the polling outcome, “exactly as predicted and as calculated”. The same poll also indicates One Nation’s primary vote has risen to 10 per cent; more than double that recorded in November 2016. See media coverage here.\nIn more positive news for the Government, according to data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics the real gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 1.1 per cent in the December 2016 quarter, growing to 2.4 per cent in the 12 months to December. The favourable result has averted the prospect of a second consecutive quarter of negative growth and reports greatest growth in the farming and mining industries. See media coverage here.\nPrime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has indicated his support for a phase-in plan to implement reduced penalty rates as ruled by the Fair Work Commission (FWC) last week. This follows comments from Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, who declared that the penalty rate cut is “the fight Labor was born for”, while Labor’s employment spokesperson Brendan O’Connor has indicated the Party intends to introduce a bill into Parliament to prevent the FWC decision from taking effect. while a recent poll by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) found that several regional Coalition-held seats could be in jeopardy if the issue is left unresolved before the next federal election. At a state level, Victorian Opposition Leader Matthew Guy expressed his support for the changes to penalty rates, with Deputy Leader David Hodgett showing his support on the issue by saying he does not “have a concern with changes to penalty rates.” See the media coverage here.\nThe House of Representatives Economics Standing Committee commenced further public hearings with Australia’s major banks as part of the Federal Government’s review of the performance of Australia’s banking and financial system. Ongoing parliamentary scrutiny will seek to address consumer and business concerns and rebuff the Federal Opposition’s continued push for a Royal Commission into the banking sector. Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison indicated the Government will formerly respond to the Committee’s first report, which was handed down last November following the conclusion of the latest series of hearings and release of a final report from the Productivity Commission, which is due later this month. See media release: Turnbull Government welcomes ongoing parliamentary scrutiny of big four banks.\nFederal Queensland MP George Christensen announced his decision to step down as Nationals Chief Whip in the lower house earlier this week, explaining that his “constant outspokenness was incompatible with the position in the long-term.” While previously alluding to the “hypothetical” option of joining One Nation, Mr Christensen has indicated he has no intention of leaving the National Party. See the media coverage here.\nIn Victoria, Speaker of the House Telmo Languiller and Deputy Speaker Don Nardella have both resigned following alleged violation of the parliamentary entitlements system for each claiming a second-residence allowance for beachside homes outside their electorates. In response to the revelations, Premier Daniel Andrews indicated that a review into the State’s entitlements system will be led by Special Minister of State Gavin Jennings and leave “no room for interpretation”. Despite insistence from both Premier Andrews and Opposition Leader Matthew Guy, Mr Nardella has so far refused to pay back the $110,000 claimed in expenses; Mr Languiller has agreed to pay back the $40,000 he claimed. In added pressure on the issue for the Government, Mr Guy has also confirmed he will request an investigation by the Victorian Ombudsman and additionally push for a separate Privileges Committee examination. See the media coverage here.\nFormer NSW Premier Mike Baird has become head of corporate and institutional banking at NAB in the role of chief customer officer. Prior to entering politics, Mr Baird spent 17 years in similar roles both in Australia and abroad and according to NAB chief executive officer Andrew Thorburn, is now returning to the industry with “invaluable experience in leading economic and financial reform to grow the economy”. See media coverage here.\nThe NSW, Victorian and Tasmanian parliaments sit next week.\nCommunications Parliamentary news Public affairs\nGRACosway news\nParliamentary news\nA Member of the Clemenger Group","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1827675"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5813153982162476,"wiki_prob":0.5813153982162476,"text":"Home/USA/Democrats urge Pelosi to adopt smaller stimulus package to provide relief by year’s end\nDemocrats urge Pelosi to adopt smaller stimulus package to provide relief by year’s end\nHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi has faced growing pressure from her party to adopt a smaller stimulus package so that Americans get the financial support they need by the end of the year.\nNegotiations on another stimulus package have been going on for five months without seeing an agreement. President-elect Joe Biden stressed the importance of reaching an agreement by the end of December, and Virginia Senator Tim Kaine believes lawmakers should help the incoming administration.\n“I think the Senate competitions in Georgia were a kind of premium‘ we have to try to get something. ’Because I think the two sitting senators have to go out in some way and … they have something,” the Democrat said. “Biden wants something by the end of December, we need to be able to do it.”\nSteny Hoyer, the leader of the majority in the House, signaled on Friday that party leaders must compromise for quick help amid a worsening pandemic. “I just hope we can reach an agreement. Maybe that’s not all everyone wants, but at least if we can get significant help from people,” he told Roll Call. “And then we’ll be here next year. If we need other things, we’ll do others.”\nHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) speaks at her weekly press conference on Capitol Hill on November 20, 2020 in Washington DC.\nSenator Dick Durbin echoed the remarks of his congressional colleagues, calling on Pelosit to “do something significant, do what we can achieve now.”\nPelosi and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer recently insisted on sticking to a $ 2.2 trillion starting point, but Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell was reluctant to move away from his $ 500 billion position.\nDelaware Democratic Senator Chris Coons doesn’t think McConnell’s offer would be appropriate to deal with the economic downturn caused by COVID-19, but he encouraged Pelsoi and Schumer to focus on the contents of the bill rather than the price tag.\n“I think we should come up with a comprehensive package that will support small businesses through another round of PPP to prepare schools, public health agencies for the distribution of vaccines,” he said. “For me, it’s less about what the top dollar is, though I’d like it to be as close to $ 2 trillion as possible, or higher than how wide.”\nNewsweek turned to Pelosi’s representatives for comment.\nEight months have passed since President Donald Trump signed the CARES ACT, with both sides of the political corridor blaming each other for failing to provide further assistance to food-stricken Americans in the midst of the third wave of COVID-19. Democrats criticized the government for refusing to allow enough funding, and Republicans accused Pelosi of using the pandemic to advance his political agenda.\n“[They] they’re still looking at something dramatically bigger, ”McConnell said earlier this month, standing firmly on the targeted incentive bill.\nLast Wednesday, Biden suggested that Republicans should not compromise because they fear retaliation from Trump. “Hopefully, when he’s gone, they’ll be more willing to do what they know they have to do in order to save the communities they live in,” he said.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1050796"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8200012445449829,"wiki_prob":0.8200012445449829,"text":"Home Teams Aston Villa Ancelotti: Aston Villa ‘Very Dangerous’, Arsenal, United and Chelsea must respect them\nAncelotti: Aston Villa ‘Very Dangerous’, Arsenal, United and Chelsea must respect them\nChelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has branded Aston Villa as a “very dangerous” team that could break the domination of the so-called ‘big four’ this season.\nVilla trumped Sunderland 2-0 at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday, but not before toppling three of the big boys, as they have registered victories against Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool so far.\nPresently, Ancelotti has warned his Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger to take the Villans seriously when the Gunners host Martin O’Neill’s charges at the end of the month.\n“Aston Villa are a very dangerous team,” Ancelotti is quoted by the Press Association as saying.\n“They won against Chelsea and Manchester United. I think Martin O’Neill is doing a fantastic job with this team.\n“Maybe we have to pay attention to them because nobody spoke about Aston Villa in the top four but now we have to pay attention to this team.\n“I think Arsenal have to pay attention to them.”\nAdithya Ananth, Goal.com UK","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1804470"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9604633450508118,"wiki_prob":0.9604633450508118,"text":"NCAA post-season\nNCAA post-season tournaments (9%)\nThe ACC is unique in that it is the only Division I college basketball conference that does not officially recognize a regular season champion. This started when only one school per conference made the NCAA tournament. The ACC representative was determined by conference tournament rather than the regular season result.\nHe is widely considered one of the greatest NCAA basketball players of all-time. Gola was the oldest of seven children born to Ike and Helen Gola.\nThe same year he also won the Gorriarian award for having the most amount of falls in the least amount of time at the tournament. Every match he won that year at the NCAA's, he won by fall. After graduating, he relocated to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career.\nThrough 2009, Villanova men's lacrosse was a member of the Colonial Athletic Association and in 2009, Villanova won the CAA tournament as the fourth seed (the lowest-seeded championship team in conference history) for its first title. The team also made its first NCAA tournament appearance that year.\nThe three awards and the 1994 award won by track and field athlete Tanya Hughes are the highest number of Woman of the Year awards won by a single university. A number of notable individuals have also won national championships in the NCAA.\nIn his senior season at Oral Roberts, Green led the nation in both free throws made and attempted. He finished his senior season as the NCAA's active scoring leader. Additionally, Green holds the Mid-Con Conference career scoring and rebounding records.\nRochester is the largest Metropolitan Statistical Area in the U.S. which does not include at least one college or university participating at the NCAA Division I level in all sports. Almost all area college sports are played at the NCAA Division III level. The only exceptions are the RIT men's and women's ice hockey teams, which compete at the Division I level.\nPreviously, only NCAA post-season games were broadcast on national television. The \"Game of the Century\" proved that a national audience would watch college basketball games during the regular season.\nDon McEwen is a former track and field athlete. He was a two-time NCAA champion in the two-mile run. While competing for the University of Michigan, he won consecutive NCAA men's track and field championships in the two-mile race.\nThe regional champion, and possibly a number of strength bids, advance to Nationals to compete for the championship title in May. College teams have for years been trying to get the sport accepted to NCAA status, without success.\nNo team has won an NCAA team championship as a member of C-USA.\nCousy played poorly, however, scoring only four points on 2-for-13 shots. Holy Cross became the first New England college to win the NCAA tournament. On their arrival back in Worcester, the team was given a hero's welcome by about ten thousand cheering fans who met their train at Union Station.\nClark finished as the career leader at the end of the 2006 MAAC tournament, but was soon passed by J. J. Redick, who held the NCAA record for three point field goals made with 457 until 2014 when Oakland's Travis Bader (461+) surpassed him. Clark finished his career as number six on the list of all-time NCAA scoring leaders.\nUnder SEC conference rules reflecting the large number of male scholarship participants in football and attempting to address gender equity concerns (see also Title IX), each member institution is required to provide two more women's varsity sports than men's. A similar rule was recently adopted by the NCAA for all of Division I.\nIn college, she was a three-time NCAA Division II track and field champion. She won the triple jump events at the United States Outdoor Championships in 2011 and 2012, and at the Indoor Championships in 2011.\nFinally, she set Big 12 records in ERA, strikeouts and opponents batting average, of which only the strikeouts has been surpassed. She finished the season at third place on the all-time NCAA single-season strikeout list. Osterman threw 6 no-hitters (an NCAA top-5 season record) and three more perfect games (another NCAA top-3 and Junior Class season tying record) and set a career best WHIP.\nIn 2007, the Bradley soccer team returned to the MVC Championship and defeated Creighton 1-0 to claim their first MVC Tournament Championship and fourth appearance in the NCAA postseason soccer tournament. They had never won a game in the NCAA tournament. Following their first ever NCAA tournament game victory over DePaul 2-0, the Braves continued on a magical run to the Elite Eight by defeating seven-time national champion Indiana University on penalty kicks (5-4) and the University of Maryland in overtime, both on the road.\nHow NCAA post-season gets used\nncaa post season tournament","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1663938"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6071276068687439,"wiki_prob":0.3928723931312561,"text":"Walk #735: Thames Path: Stonehouse to Ashton Keynes\nP20068260018\tA flooded barge in Stonehouse. P20068260035\tThe canal heading southeast from Stroud.\nCounty Gloucestershire, Wiltshire\nStart Location Stonehouse station\nEnd Location Ashton Keynes\nDescription This was a very pleasant walk following the Stroudwater Navigation and Thames & Severn Canal eastwards to the source of the Thames, after which the Thames Path took me onwards.\nPack Today I carried my 80-litre Macpac Glissade rucksack, containing a North Face Blue Kazoo sleeping bag, my Jack Wolfskin Gossamer tent, clothes, waterproofs and other camping items, excluding cooking gear.\nCondition I am fairly tired after this walk, but have no problems worth mentioning.\nWeather The day was a mixture of sunshine and showers, the former fortunately being more prevalent than the latter. It was quite a warm day when the sun was out, and there was not much of a wind to cool me down.\nOS map Landranger number 12 (Thurso & Wick, John O'Groats) and Landranger number 163 (Cheltenham & Cirencester, Stow-on-the-Wold)\nP20068260038\tThe canal heading towards Brimscombe. P20068260044\tA river in Brimscombe.\nP20068260050\tThe drained canal near Chalford. P20068260053\tThe Golden Valley heading up to Daneway.\nP20068260069\tThe path heading up from the Sapperton Tunnel. P20068260098\tThe stone at the source of the Thames.\nP20068260106\tLooking back from Thames Head. P20068260110\tThe path near Thames Head.\nI got up early this morning and had a bleary-eyed journey from Cambridge to Stonehouse, deep in the Cotswold hills. One of my targets for this year was to walk the Thames Path, and whilst this officially starts near Kemble I decided to connect it up with the Cotswold Way, which I walked a couple of years before. The train pulled into Stonehouse about fifteen minutes late, and after doing some stretches and waiting for the train to go I headed off down the road by my target time of ten.\nMy pack felt heavy on my shoulders - it was the first time that I had used this new pack, and although it was comfortable I could certainly feel the weight of all of the contents. The walk towards the canal was fairly unremarkable aside from the Cotswold stone used in many of the buildings, a stone that I have always like the look of. I had seen many of these buildings from the train as it had passed through Stroud, and it was nice to see some new buildings also being constructed from the stone.\nI soon joined the Cotswold Way for a few yards near a white footbridge over the road, and it was with some trepidation that I remembered that when I had been walking the Cotswold Way I had talked to my ex, Sam, on my mobile from Kings Stanley, a short distance away. I often got melancholic at the beginning of a long walk, and half of me realised that thinking about my ex was a silly thing to be doing at the start of this walk. I therefore put the thoughts to the back of my mind as I reached a bridge that led over the Stroudwater Canal, and as I was already overheating I stopped temporarily to take my coat off. The clouds overhead and the dismal drizzle when I had left Cambridge led me to think that I would soon have to put it back on, however.\nThe initial stretch of the canal was green with algae, a sign that although this stretch is in water it is not yet navigable. A sign beside the towpath stated that the canal towpath was soon going to be closed in sections to allow the canal to be rebuilt, part of the scheme by the Cotswold Canals Trust scheme to reopen the entire canal between the Severn and Thames. The first part of this is a �25 million pound scheme to reopen the six miles between Stonehouse and Brimscombe Port, and as I walked along I could see how hard it will be to reopen in places. The walk along the canal was very enjoyable, with a narrow unsurfaced towpath being surrounded by greenery on both sides, including nettles overgrowing the path.\nFairly soon I came across a large lock, not without gates but with brickwork that seemed to be in good condition. Above this the canal was totally overgrown, a large mass of brambles covering the canal bed, and shortly beyond this it was infilled to an extent that it was impossible to tell that there had ever been a canal there. After rising up to go over an old bridge there was a short stretch that was in water beside a new housing development, giving an impression of what the rebuilt canal will look like. This short stretch was separated from the next section by a small causeway built across the canal to allow plant access across for a new development. Beyond the canal was still in water but was narrow, silted up and overgrown, and two locks were without gates and had weirs allowing water to cascade over.\nThis led me to realise that for the first half of today's walk I was heading uphill, and all of the water falling around me was heading west to the Severn, whilst later on it would all be heading eastwards towards the Thames. It is strange to think that the watershed is this far east, but this is similar to the Severn, where the source is very near to the west coast of Wales. When the towpath reached a double roundabout in Stroud I had to join the A419 for a period as it headed eastwards, passing under a railway bridge before reaching another roundabout. It was hardly a salubrious part of town, with builder's merchants to my left and traffic roaring by me as I followed the wide pavement. I could see the canal a short distance away, but it was not obvious how to get onto the towpath from the road.\nIt then started to spit with light drizzle, which soon became a heavy downfall as I joined the canal towpath once again. I tried to walk through it as I did not want to put my coat on due toe the warmth, but the rain got too heavy and I sheltered under a tree as I quickly put it on. The rain was falling like drain rods, and perversely I could see patches of blue sky, a sign that the downpour was not going to last too long. This proved to be the case, and after ten minutes the rain had stopped, and the weather became a combination of sunshine and cloud. Because of the cloud I decided not to take my coat off, and walked on getting increasingly warm.\nThe towpath soon reached Brimscombe Mill, where it ended at a road. The canal here has been filled in, and I decided to keep on the level rater than climbing uphill. On my left there was a beautiful mill building made out of Cotswold stone that looked to be recently restored, and off to my left were a series of disused industrial buildings. There was absolutely no trace of the canal on the ground, and when I saw a man ahead of me I asked him where I should go to rejoin the towpath. It turned out that he was walking the same way, and we chatted as we walked. Apparently at one time Brimscombe Port was the largest inland port in Britain, and there are plans to reopen the canal as fare as here in the next couple of years. As I looked around the flat and dry area it was hard to believe that this was once a port, and I can imagine that the area can only be improved by the canal being reopened. All of the modern industrial buildings have been bought by British Waterways, and will be pulled down for the development.\nThe man had been in the army and as we strolled along we chatted about how walking boots have changed over the years. Once the canal towpath had been regained he walked off along another path, and I headed on eastwards towards Brownshill and Chalford. The canal crossed the A419 once more, and here the canal was essentially drained, the muddy bottom clearly accessible. The stroll took me on to the Red Lion pub, and as I was seven and a half miles into the walk I decided to stop in for a rest. The Grand Prix Qualifying was on and so I decided to stay longer to watch it. I had a lovely pint of Moles Bitter and another of orange and lemonade whilst I waited for my food to come. I had ordered a basket of scampi and chips; I was surprised to find that a basket was three pounds cheaper than a plate of the same meal. The food was lovely and as I ate I chatted to the barman about Formula One and other important matters.\nBefore I left the pub I packed my coat away into my rucksack once again, and within a couple of minutes of setting off it started to drizzle once again. Instead of stopping to put my coat on I walked through it, and within a few minutes it had stopped once more. The towpath joined the Wysis Way, a trail that connects Offa's Dyke Path with the Thames Path via the Severn at Gloucester, and the canal was soon climbing up along a series of abandoned locks through the superb scenery of the Golden Valley. The towpath entered some woodland Trust woodland, and after it exited this it reached the Daneway Inn, a whitewashed building built beside the canal. There was a marquee set up in the car park and music was blasting across the car park, signs of the music festival that was being held. It seemed as though people were enjoying themselves, and I withstood the temptation to go in for a drink and strolled on along the towpath.\nA little further on I reached the portal of Sapperton Tunnel, one of the longest canal tunnels in the country. It is currently closed due to a couple of roof and side falls, but there are plans to reopen it with the rest of the canal. The portal was in a magnificent Gothic style, and I explored around a little before climbing up along the path, which crossed the top of the portal, passing immediately behind the castlements. The path then exited the trees, and started climbing steeply uphill. There were some pleasant views from the climb, and before I knew it I reached the village of Sapperton. Another footpath took me up to the top of the village, and what followed was along road walk along what was a fairly quiet road, the occasional cars invariably roaring past me at speed.\nIt was therefore a relief when my route left the road to cross a field on a footpath towards the A419, and on the other side towards some woodland. By this stage I was feeling quite hot, and the shelter of the trees proved to be very welcome as the footpath followed a couple of tracks as they would through the woods. It took me longer than I expected to walk through the woods, and after passing under a railway bridge the track led on to emerge suddenly at the top of the other portal of the canal, near to the Tunnel Inn. This seemed to be quite busy and there was a little impromptu game of cricket going on in the car park, a tennis ball being used to ensure that the surrounding cars would not be damaged.\nI followed a path that led down to the canal, which at this point is in a fairly deep cutting. The canal was dewatered and the concrete lining of the canal used at this point to reduce leakage was easily visible. This stretch of canal can actually hold water well, and the canal society run occasional barge trips a short distance into the tunnel - although it will have to be refilled before it can be used again. I strolled down to the bottom of the canal and tried to look into the tunnel with little success, before climbing up once again and continuing on along the towpath, which ran on a ledge between the cutting side and the canal.\nA little further on the towpath passed a curious round stone building, looking quite magnificent and almost as if it was a restored ruin. The towpath then turned and passed under a railway bridge, and the path was increasingly overgrown and dark as the path headed onwards, and on occasion I had to fight overhanging branches. Fairly soon another bridge over the canal was reached, with the overhanging trees making it seem gloomy and depressing. On the other side of the bridge several loads of rubbish had been dumped into the drained canal, the burst black plastic bags adding to the general gloom.\nI continued on around the bend beside the bridge and headed southwards along the towpath for a few yards until it was blocked by trees. The path was impassable, so I dropped down the steep side of the bank into the canal bed and started following this. It was easier going through the trees that grew here, and I made relatively good time as I started to realised that, although there was a faint path through the trees, it was not frequently walked and I was probably not on the footpath. Looking at the map I could see the red dotted line denoting a footpath, and it did seem to be on the field side of the canal rather than along the canal. I did not mind the diversion and I continued along the bed until it was blocked by some barbed wire and some garden refuse that had been dumped.\nAs the way along the canal bed was blocked I climbed up the steep slope onto the canal towpath, and started forcing my way through the trees that grew along it. I knew that I had to make my way to the stone that marks the start of the Thames Path, and in the field below me I could see the top of a couple of heads behind a wall. I shouted down to them to ask where the stone was, and the man stood up and with a smile told me that they were sitting by it! The vegetation was too thick for me to push through, so I continued on for another few yards until it became clearer as I angled down the bank towards a barbed wire fence. This was too loose to climb over, so instead I took my rucksack off and with difficulty slid it down the bank, the sack rolling over a couple of times as it did so. I then followed it, and with joy strolled back to the start of the path.\nI soon joined the couple, who were sitting on a patch of grass beside the stone. It was a pleasant spot to stop, and I sat down near them, taking my rucksack off for the second time in five minutes before starting to chat. They had just completed the stretch of the Path from Oxford meaning that the lady had completed the Thames Path. She seemed absolutely ecstatic that the walk had been completed, and I felt similar in the fact that I was about to begin the trail. Eventually they left and I was left sitting there as a steady stream of people came along to visit the stone.\nEventually I felt the need to leave, and after asking someone to take my photograph I shouldered my rucksack and started off southeastwards. Initially the path followed a footpath across fields towards the A433, and there was no sign of any water or stream anywhere; the Thames rises in a spring, and in summer the source is generally very dry. On the other side of the A433 the path continued across more fields towards the A429, and it was just before this was reached that the first sign of the Thames was visible, in the form of a dry, wide channel leading up to a bridge under the road. I descended down to the grassy bed (a sign that it is rarely in water) and clambered up the other side, thus being able to say that I have walked across the Thames!\nOn the other side of the road the path headed on, bypassing away from Kemble before reaching a road, which was followed into an attractive village called Ewen. After passing through the village the path continued on, and for the first time there was a little stream running in the bed of the river. After passing a gauging station the flow looking barely enough to register the path headed south, crossing fields with the stream to my right. By this stage I was getting tired, and although the going was easy the earlier walking had fatigued me more than I had realised. The path soon reached the Neigh Bridge Country Park, and fishermen still lined the side of the bank despite the fact that it was starting to get late.\nA short stretch of road followed, before the trail headed down a track towards Lower Mill, past a series of lakes. There was a new and what looked to be fairly exclusive housing development on the right, the gates leading into the houses making me think who they needed protection from. I struggled on, crossing the border into Wiltshire before reaching the small village of Ashton Keynes. Although I was tired there were still a couple of miles left in my legs, and I was planning to camp somewhere on the path to the southeast of the village, which would reduce what promised to be a long day tomorrow by a useful amount.\nThe village was pretty, and I enjoyed strolling through it, passing one of several crosses to a road junction. Here a man was opening a gate from a house, and I stopped to ask him if he knew of anywhere that I could camp. He seemed to study me for a moment, before offering me a place in the field beside his house. I accepted the kind offer in an instance, as it meant that I could visit the pub later on, and he took me past the house to a large and neatly-kept field behind. It did not take me long to get my tent erected, and as the sun started sinking ever lower I lay down on a mat and read a book. The lady of the house soon arrived, and after initial alarm at seeing my tent we had a pleasant chat.\nAfter a little rest I felt fairly well recovered, and so I got up off the mat and headed down the road towards the pub. This was fairly packed with locals, and I found a clear space whilst I read and waited for my meal to arrive. This turned out to be filling, and I washed it down with a second pint before eventually heading back to me tent, feeling very pleased with finally having started the Thames Path.\nP20068260140\tThe path heading east towards Ashton Keynes. P20068260144\tA stream in Ashton Keynes.\nThis walk starts off at Stonehouse station, deep in the Cotswold contryside. Leave the station and head down the approach road for about fifty yards until the B4008 Bath Road is reached opposite a church. One this is reached turn left and follow the B4008 southeastwards for a few hundred yards until a junction with the A419 is reached. Turn right to head south down this for about twenty yards until a bridge over a canal is met; cross the bridge, and once on the other side turn left to start following the canal towpath eastwards.\nThe walk then simply continues along the course of the canal as it climbs eastwards from Stonehouse towards Stroud; in places the towpath is unwalkable due to obstructions (more of which should be removed as the canal slowly gets reopened). From Stroud the canal slowly curves to the right to start heading in a more southeasterly course, and the towpath is easy to walk until it finally gets obliterated by a road at the entrance to Brimscombe Port. Join the road and continue straight on along the level; pass a newly-restored mill on the left and then kink left and almost immediately right, to pass a car park on the left and continue on in an easterly direction.\nThe road heads on for a short distance until the canal towpath is rejoined once again, with the canal being in water, but unnavigable. It heads eastwards past Brownshill and Chalford, before eventually getting cut off by the A419 in Chalford. Cross the A419 and continue along the canal on the other side; the canal when I walked it was drained and the clay bed was clearly visible. Soon the path enters the Golden Valley, after which a long climb to the summit begins as the canal passes a series of ruined locks.\nEventually the path reaches the last lock by the Daneway Inn, where the canal turns sharply to the right to continue eastwards to the Gothic portal of Sapperton Tunnel. At the portal the path climbs up to the top of the portal, passing directly beside it before entering a field. It climbs diagonally eastwards up this steep field, soon leaving it as the gradient slackens and passes between some cottages before ending at a lane. Turn right along the lane for a few yards until it ends at a road; turn right down the road and them almost immediately turn left to take a footpath that heads uphill southwards before meeting another road by the village green.\nJoin this road and follow it as it heads southeastwards; after a few hundred metres a crossroads is reached. Continue straight on along this as it heads southeastwards for about a kilometre and it starts to drop downhill. Just before a right-hand bend a footpath leads off to the right; take this footpath as it heads south across a field to the A419 road. Carefully cross the A419, and on the other side continue on along a footpath that heads south towards Hailey Woods.\nA track leads through the woods in a southeasterly direction, before curving to take a more southerly direction, passing under a railway bridge and then turning slightly to the left to end above the southeastern portal of the tunnel. Walk over the tunnel mouth, and when the Tunnel Inn is reached turn left to descend back down to the canal towpath. Follow this as it heads south through a cutting to a bridge; after this the canal is dewatered as it curves to the left to head in a more easterly direction. The towpath becomes increasingly rough as it heads eastwards for a kilometre, until another bridge over the canal is reached in a dingy area overhung with trees. Here the canal turns to the right to head southwards, but leave the canal and turn right onto the bridge and onto a lane. When this enters a field follow the edge of the field south along a footpath to the stone that marks the source of the Thames, and the start of the Thames Path.\nThe walk is also covered in detail in the Thames Path National Trail Guide, by David Sharp, ISBN 1-84513-062-6 published by Aurum Press Ltd. Click on the image to the right to go to the Amazon page for the book.\nThe last third of this walk follows the Thames Path; for more details, please see the guide book for more details.\nStonehouse station Stroud 2.9 112 121\nStroud Daneway 7.3 925 712\nDaneway Source of Thames 4.2 354 354\nSource of Thames Ashton Keynes 6.9 43 125\nI spent the night camping in a field next to a house in Ashton Keynes, with the owner's permission.\n617 Cotswold Way: Tormarton to Dursley 19.9\n618 Cotswold Way: Dursley to Painswick 16.7\n619 Cotswold Way: Painswick to Dowdeswell Reservoir 18.2","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line148747"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.924205482006073,"wiki_prob":0.924205482006073,"text":"34 Results found for Gregory Peck\n#13274: ACADEMY AWARD CEREMONIES, 30TH, THE\n1958-03-26, ABC, 31 min.\nDavid Niven, Bob Hope, Gary Cooper, Clark Gable, Sophia Loren, Maurice Chevalier, Joanne Woodward, Vincent Price, Cary Grant, Doris Day, Fred Astaire, Ronald Reagan, Gregory Peck, Rosalind Russell, Jean Simmons, June Allyson, Miyoshi Umeki, Eva Marie Saint, John WQayne, Anita Eckberg, Sam Spiegel, Dana Wynter\nThe 30th Academy Award ceremonies are telecast live at the RKO Pantages Theatre In Los Angeles. Personalities include Jennifer Jones, David Niven, June Allyson, Eva Marie Saint, Gregory Peck, Joanne Woodward, Rosalind Russell, Anita Eckberg, Vincent Price, Fred Astaire, Dana Wynter, Bob Hope, Doris Day, Clark Gable, Sophia Loren, Cary Grant, Jean Simmons, Maurice Chevalier, John Wayne, Gary Cooper, Sam Spiegel, Ronald Reagan, and Miyoshi Umeki.\nJoined in progress.\nHosted by Bob Hope, Rosalind Russell, David Niven, James Stewart, Jack Lemmon, and Clarence Nash (voice of Donald Duck).\nBest Picture is awarded to \"Bridge On The River Kwai\"\nNOTE: MANY ABBREVIATED SEGMENTS.\n#7502: ACADEMY AWARDS: 35TH ANNUAL\n1963-04-08, ABC, min.\nEddie Fisher, Frank Sinatra, Jack Lemmon, Burt Lancaster, Marcello Mastroianni, Bette Davis, Gregory Peck, Patty Duke, Anne Bancroft, Angela Lansbury, Ed Begley, Omar Sharif, Lee Remick, Thelma Ritter, Peter OToole, Katherine Hepburn, Terence Stamp\nFrank Sinatra is host for the 35th Annual Academy Awards presentation, telecast live from the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in Santa Monica, California.\n#14038: ACADEMY AWARDS: 35TH ANNUAL\nGene Kelly, Eddie Fisher, Frank Sinatra, Maximillian Schell, Robert Goulet, Sophia Loren, Van Heflin, George Chakiris, Olivia De Havilland, Shelley Winters, Bette Davis, Johnny Mercer, Ginger Rogers, Audrey Hepburn, Ingrid Bergman, Gregory Peck, Patty Duke, Anne Bancroft, Rita Moreno, Ed Begley, Wendell Corey, Eva Marie-Saint, Sam Spiegel, Joshi Umeki\nFrank Sinatra is the host for the 35th Annual Academy Awards presentation, telecast live from the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in Santa Monica, California.\nEd Begley wins best-supporting actor award, Patty Duke wins for the best-supporting actress, Henry Mancini, and Johnny Mercer win for best song (\"Days Of Wine and Roses\") David Lean wins for best director (\"Lawrence of Arabia\") Gregory Peck wins the best actor (\"To Kill a Mocking Bird\") Anne Bancroft wins best actress award (\"The Miracle Worker\") \"Lawrence Of Arabia wins best picture award for 1962. Sam Spiegel wins producer award for \"Lawrence Of Arabia.\"\nHost: Frank Sinatra\nDuplicate of # 7502.\n#14276: CIVIL RIGHTS MARCH ON WASHINGTON, THE\n1963-08-28, , 150 min.\nAnthony Quinn, Frank McGee, Jackie Robinson, Martin Agronsky, Howard K. Smith, Lena Horne, Dick Gregory, Charlton Heston, Paul Newman, Burt Lancaster, Marlon Brando, Robert Ryan, Ray Scherer, Ed Silverman, Gregory Peck, Sammy Davis Jr., Tony Franciosa, Harry Belafonte, Marian Anderson, Bob Dylan, James Baldwin, Camilla Williams, Martin Luther King, Roy Wilkens, Lisa Howard, James Farmer, Strom Thurmond, Richard Bates, Eil Abel, Robert McCormack, Norman Thomas, Jim Groden, Russ Ward, Joe Michaels, Steve Cochran, Sidney Poiter, Ruby Dee, Patrick ODoyle, Daisy Bates, Rosa Parks, Floyd McKissick, Walter Reuther, A. Philip Randolph\nSPECIAL REPORTS RECORDED ARE INTERLACED IN THESE AUDIO AIR CHECKS THROUGHOUT THE DAY, STATIONS INTERRUPTING REGULAR PROGRAMMING, IN REAL TIME, AS EVENTS OCCUR. BROADCAST HEARD FROM WINS RADIO NEWS, ABC TELEVISION, WNBC RADIO, AND NBC TELEVISION. COVERAGE BEGINS AT 9:30 AM EASTERN STANDARD TIME.\nOn the day of this unprecedented extraordinary March on Washington, an estimated quarter of a million demonstrators planned to gather a the Washington Monument in the nation's capital. People from all walks of life and distances are taking part in a Jobs and Freedom March sponsored by six major civil-rights groups in the country. their goal: \"A massive, peaceful and democratic demonstration as evidence of he need for the Federal government to take action on civil rights.\"\nHoward K. Smith and Richard Bates report at the Lincoln Memorial. Ed Silverman reports on the parade march passing the White House, describing different groups who are marching. Jackie Robinson is heard...reports regarding the strength of the crowd now reaching 100,000 people...Eli Abel reports. Robert McCormack reports on Marian Anderson, singer. Advertisements for Freedom Land and the new Jerry Lewis show, and The Sunday Night Movie are heard.\nFrank McGee reports on the crowds as they reach the Lincoln Memorial. Ray Scherer at the Lincoln Memorial waiting for leaders to arrive anticipates the program will start at 1:30 pm. He describes details of the program. Martin Agronsky reports and interviews Norman Thomas of the Socialist Party, who praises the March. Richard Bates interviews Burt Lancaster. ABC NEWS journalist Lisa Howard interviews James Baldwin at the Washington Monument. He states that this day is a turning point, and that \"Americans will grow up.\" Report on the many buses arriving with people who are heard singing, \"We Shall Overcome.\" At 11:20 am an up to the hour report from Jim Groden.\nRuss Ward interviews Marlon Brando at the Lincoln Memorial (recorded earlier). Joe Michaels reports observations from a Mobile Unit during drive around the surrounding area of Washington D.C. Dick Gregory speaks to the crowd. Bob Dylan, Joan Biaz sing the spiritual song, \"Hold ON.\" Burt Lancaster at the microphone...\"The hour which we came approaches.\" He reads a scroll consisting of 1,500 supporters of the March. Announcements of the names of the speakers who will preside shortly are stated. Introduction of Harry Belafonte who reads some of the names on the scroll, including Marlon Brando, Tony Franciosa, Sammy Davis Jr., Steve Cochran, Robert Ryan, Sidney Poiter, Gregory Peck, Anthony Quinn, Paul Newman, Charlton Heston, Lena Horne, Ruby Dee, others. Harry\nBelafonte reads the pledge in its entirety, called \"FREEDOM FOR ALL-THE AMERICAN DREAM.\" Marlon Brando is interviewed and states that \"...all of us have been remiss in not voicing out...\" On the podium Philip Randolph speaks, and introduces Camilla Williams who sings the National Anthem. Invocation by Patrick O'Doyle who sates, \"This is the largest demonstration in the history of this nation.\" Additional reports from different stations. Miss Daisy Bates gives a special award to Rosa Parks. Walter Reuther speaks, as well as Floyd McKissick, National Chairman of the Congress of Racial Equality...speaking for James Farmer who is in prison.\nSenator Strom Thurmond from South Carolina voices his opinions...thinks that the March on Washington is unnecessary!\nHoward K. Smith gives a commentary. Richard Bates reports, stating that the rally should wind up at around 4:40 pm. Freedom song is heard, \"Freedom is Worth Shouting About.\" Mahalia Jackson sings a song requested by Dr. Martin Luther King, \"I've Been Duped and I've Been Scared.\" A. Philip Randolph speaks abut the movement and those individuals whom have been devoted to the cause. Introduction of \"moral leader of our nation,\" Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who gives his iconic 16 minute \"I Have a Dream\" speech.\n#14276C: CIVIL RIGHTS MARCH ON WASHINGTON, THE\n1963-08-28, , 46 min.\n*Highlights\nfrom ATA #14276 which runs 150 minutes.\nSome of the names notated here may be omitted from this condensed version which runs 46 minutes.\n#947: INSIDE THE MOVIE KINGDOM: 1964\nAnthony Quinn, Debbie Reynolds, James Garner, Stanley Kramer, Peter Ustinov, Anthony Perkins, Ingrid Bergman, Gregory Peck, Jules Dassin, Fred Zinnemann, J. Lee Thompson, Sammy Davis Jr., J.P. Miller, Arthur Hiller, Bernard Wicki, Samuel Bronston, Robert Lawrence\nHost and narrator James Garner takes us behind the scenes inside many studios and inside the minds and hearts of the makers of movies. Insights are provided by Debbie Reynolds, Anthony Quinn, Ingrid Bergman, Gregory Peck, Jules Dassin, Fred Zinnemann, Peter Ustinov, J. Lee Thompson, Sammy Davis Jr., Tony Perkins, J.P. Miller, Arthur Hiller, Bernard Wicki, Stanley Kramer, Samuel Bronston, and Robert Lawrence.\nDonna Reed, Steve McQueen, Shirley Jones, Frank Sinatra, Rock Hudson, Edward G. Robinson, Rita Hayworth, Jack Lemmon, Anne Baxter, Gregory Peck, Sammy Davis Jr., Patty Duke, Anne Bancroft, Sidney Poitier, Julie Andrews, Ed Begley\nThe Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presents its 36th annual Oscar Awards. Among the celebrities presenting awards are Julie Andrews, Anne Baxter, Rita Hayworth, Rock Hudson, Shirley Jones, Steve McQueen, Sidney Poitier, Donna Reed, Edward G. Robinson, and Frank Sinatra. Jack Lemmon is the host at the Santa Monica California Civic Auditorium. He introduces song-and-dance man Sammy Davis Jr., a short film history of the Awards, and the Award presenters, including last year's four top winners: Gregory Pick, Anne Bancroft, Ed Begley, and Patty Duke.\nAndy Williams, James Darren, Harve Presnell and Kayna Ranieri sing this years nominated songs.\n#14488: ACADEMY AWARDS: 36TH ANNUAL, ABC RADIO\n1964-04-13, ABC, 100 min.\nDonna Reed, Steve McQueen, Shirley Jones, Frank Sinatra, Jack Linkletter, Rock Hudson, Edward G. Robinson, Rita Hayworth, Jack Lemmon, Anne Baxter, Gregory Peck, Sammy Davis Jr., Patty Duke, Anne Bancroft, Sidney Poitier, Julie Andrews, Ed Begley, Irv Kupcinet\nAndy Williams, James Darren, Harve Presnell, and Kayna Ranieri sing this year's nominated songs. Behind the scenes (press room) after Oscars, short interviews with Sidney Poitier and Irv Kupcinet.\nABC radio simulcast with announcer Jack Linkletter.\n#14800: ACADEMY AWARDS, 37TH ANNUAL, THE\nJimmy Durante, Jonathan Winters, Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, Steve McQueen, Martha Raye, Bob Hope, Rock Hudson, George Cukor, Karl Malden, Vince Edwards, Greer Garson, Joan Crawford, Fred Astaire, Arlene Dahl, Merle Oberon, Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck, Dick Van Dyke, Rosalind Russell, Sidney Poitier, Angela Lansbury, Julie Andrews, Deborah Kerr, Jean Simmons, Rex Harrison, Richard Chamberlin, Jack Warner, Art Greene, Lila Kedrova\nBob Hope is the host for The 37th Annual Academy Award presentations from the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in Santa Monica, California.\nBest Actor: Rex Harrison (\"My Fair Lady\")\nBest Actress: Julie Andrews (\"Mary Poppins\")\nBest Picture: (\"My Fair Lady\")\nBest Director: George Cukor (\"My Fair Lady\")\nThis is Bob Hope's 14th time as Master Of Ceremonies for the Academy Award presentations.\n#15136: ACADEMY AWARD CEREMONIES\nBob Hope, Milton Berle, Julie Andrews, Lee Marvin, Gregory Peck, Shelley Winters, Julie Christie, Jason Robards, Peter Ustinov, Joanne Woodward, George Peppard, David Lean, Natalie Wood, Rex Harrison, Irene Kerdova, Jack Lemmon, Phyllis Diller\nThe 38th Annual Academy Award ceremonies telecast live from the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in Santa Monica, California. This was the first color broadcast of the award ceremonies.\nBest Actor: Lee Marvin (Cat Ballou)\nBest Actress: Julie Christie (Dr. Zhivago)\nBest Supporting Actor: Martin Balsam\nBest Supporting Actress: Shelley Winters\nBest Film ( Sound Of Music)\nBest Musical Score: Dr. Zhivago\nWilliam Wyler is awarded the Irving Thalberg Award.\nHost: Bob Hope.\n1968-04-10, WABC, 139 min.\nMike Nichols, Gene Kelly, Danny Kaye, Alfred Hitchcock, Shirley Jones, Martha Raye, Bob Hope, Stanley Kramer, Rock Hudson, Carol Channing, Rod Steiger, Robert Wise, Grace Kelly, Diahann Carroll, Robert Morse, Katharine Hepburn, Angie Dickinson, Olivia De Havilland, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Sterling Silliphant, Natalie Wood, Hank Sims, Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck, Patty Duke, Anne Bancroft, Dame Edith Evans, Walter Mirisch, George Kennedy, Dustin Hoffman, Katharine Ross, MacDonald Carey, Barbara Rush, Eva Marie Saint, Richard Crenna, Elke Sommer, Walter Matthau, Estelle Parsons, Hal Ashby, Rosalind Russell, Barbra Streisand, Sidney Poitier, Julie Andrews, Claire Bloom\nBob Hope is the host for the 14th time of the 40th annual Academy Awards.He would host this gala event alone only one more time; 10 years later in 1978, celebrating the 50th anniversary of this annual presentation. Academy President Gregory Peck gives tribute to the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Bob Hope commences the program with a monologue. Presenters and award winners include Carol Channing, Patty Duke, George Kennedy, and Katharine Hepburn. In a salute to the history of the Oscar and its first decade of development, Dustin Hoffman, Katharine Ross, MacDonald Carey, Diahann Carroll, Robert Morse, Barbara Rush, Eva Marie Saint, Martha Raye, Olivia\nde Havilland, who salutes Oscar's second decade, Natalie Wood, Richard Crenna, Elke Sommer, Walter Matthau, Estelle Parsons, Dame Edith Evans, Grace Kelly, who salutes Oscar's third decade, Hal Ashby, Rosalind Russell, Anne Bancroft, who salutes Oscar's fourth decade, Danny Kaye, Rock Hudson, Shirley Jones, Angie Dickinson,\nGene Kelly, Barbra Streisand, Robert Wise, Claire Bloom, Rod Steiger, Alfred Hitchcock, Mike Nichols, Sterling Silliphant, Stanley Kramer, Audrey Hepburn, Sidney Poitier, Julie Andrews, and Walter Mirisch. Bob Hope concludes with some serious remarks reflecting the assassination of Martin Luther King regarding bigotry and the purpose of motion pictures...to reflect the human condition. Hank Sims is the announcer.\nGeorge Kennedy-Best supporting actor\nEstelle Parsons_Best supporting actress\nAlfred Hitchcock: Irving Thalberg Award.\nEstelle Parsons- Best supporting actress\nSee #1047 for details.\n#15782: TONY AWARDS: 22ND ANNUAL, THE\nGregory Peck, Peter Ustinov, Joanne Woodward, Leslie Uggams, Tony Randall, Melina Mercouri, Paul Newman, Angela Lansbury, Art Carney, Anne Bancroft, Sandy Dennis, Groucho Marx, Martin Balsam, Robert Goulet, Robert Hooks, Anthony Roberts, Albert Finney, Milo Oshea, Alan Webb, Zoe Caldwell, Colleen Dewhurst, Maureen Stapleton, David Wayne, Dorothy Tutin, Patricia Routledge, Brenda Vaccaro\nAngela Lansbury and Peter Ustinov host the 1968 version of the Tony Awards (Broadway's Oscar). The ceremonies, telecast from the Shubert Theater in New York City, include production numbers from \"Hello Dolly,\" \"Golden Rainbow,\" \"The Happy Time,\" \"How Now Dow Jones?\" \"Mame,\" and \"Hallelujah, Baby!\"\nAward presenters include Art Carney, Anne Bancroft, Sandy Dennis, Groucho Marx, Paul Newman, Gregory Peck, Tony Randall and Joanne Woodward. Major categories and nominees are listed below.\nBest play: \"Joe Egg,\" \"Plaza Suite,\" \"The Price,\" \"Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.\"\nBest Musical: \"The Happy Time,\" \"Hallelujah,Baby!\" \"How Now Dow Jones?\" \"Illya Darling.\"\nDramatic actor/actress: Martin Balsam, Albert Finney, Milo O'Shea, Alan Webb, Zoe Caldwell, Colleen Dewhurst, Maureen Stapleton, Dorothy Tutin.\nMusical actor/actress: Robert Goulet, Robert Hooks, Anthony Roberts, David Wayne, Melina Mercouri, Patricia Routledge, Leslie Uggams, Brenda Vaccaro.\nMissing from tonight's show is the melodramatic \"may I have this envelope, please?\" Instead of nervous fumbling, viewers will see the nominees and winners names in lights. Nominations will be lighted up on a theater marquee as they are announced.\n#785: HOLLYWOOD: THE SELZNICK YEARS\nAlfred Hitchcock, Rock Hudson, George Cukor, King Vidor, Janet Gaynor, Joseph Cotten, Henry Fonda, David O. Selznick, Katharine Hepburn, Joan Fontaine, Dorothy McGuire, Russell Birdwell, Ingrid Bergman, Gregory Peck\nHenry Fonda narrates the legacy of movie titan David O. Selznick. Anecdotes recalled by Ingrid Bergman, Russell Birdwell, Joseph Cotten, George Cukor, Joan Fontaine, Janet Gaynor, Katharine Hepburn, Alfred Hitchcock, Rock Hudson, Dorothy McGuire, Gregory Peck and King Vidor.\n#8283: HOLLYWOOD: THE SELZNICK YEARS\nHenry Fonda narrates the legacy of movie titan David O. Selznick. Anecdotes recalled by Ingrid Bergman, Russell Birdwell, Joseph Cotten, George Cukor, Joan Fontaine, Janet Gaynor, Katharine Hepburn, Alfred Hitchcock, Rock Hudson, Dorothy McGuire, Gregory Peck, and King Vidor.\nDuplicate of #785.\n#1065: ACADEMY AWARDS: 41ST ANNUAL\nMartha Raye, Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Jane Fonda, Tony Curtis, Diahann Carroll, Burt Lancaster, John Woolf, Anthony Harvey, Natalie Wood, Hank Sims, Ingrid Bergman, Gregory Peck, Marni Nixon, Don Rickles, Mel Brooks, Aretha Franklin, Walter Matthau, Rosalind Russell, Barbra Streisand, Sidney Poitier, Jack Albertson, Boris Levin, Abbey Lincoln, Jose Feliciano, Ruth Gordon, Henry Mancini, Onna White, Carol Reed, Jean Hersholt\nThe best performances & achievements from 1968 are honored as the 41st Academy Awards are telecast from the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion. Gregory Peck introduces the \"Friends of Oscar,\" presenters who serve as hosts. They include Ingrid Bergman, Sidney Poitier, Jane Fonda, Frank Sinatra, Natalie Wood, Walter Matthau, Diahann Carroll, Tony Curtis, Rosalind Russell, and Burt Lancaster. Frank Sinatra sings an opening number from the motion picture \"Star!\" Jack Albertson accepts a best supporting actor award, the first of many awards given this evening. Other\naward winners and performers include Boris Levin, Abbey Lincoln, Jose Feliciano, Ruth Gordon, Marni Nixon, Henri Mancini, Don Rickles, Mel Brooks, Onna White, Aretha Franklin, Carol Reed, Bob Hope, Martha Raye (the first woman recipient of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award), Anthony Harvey, Barbra Streisand, and John Woolf. Hank Sims introduces and closes the program.\n#8353: JACK BENNY'S NEW LOOK\nJack Benny, George Burns, Henny Youngman, Gregory Peck, Nancy Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Gary Puckett, Eddie Anderson\nJack Benny displays his groovy new look in this 1969 TV special.\nJack Benny, George Burns, Gregory Peck, Nancy Sinatra, Eddie \"Rochester\" Anderson, Gary Puckett and The Union Gap\nA comedy-variety special \"Jack Benny Hour\" broadcast, with guest stars.\n#1091: ACADEMY AWARDS: 42ND ANNUAL\nMike Nichols, Billy Wilder, George Jessel, Michel Legrand, John Wayne, Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Clint Eastwood, Myrna Loy, Barbara McNair, John Schlesinger, Cary Grant, Fred Astaire, The Sandpipers, Gig Young, Franco Zeffirelli, Akira Kurosawa, Sergei Bonarchuck, Conrad Hall, David Lean, Arthur Rubinstein, Maggie Smith, Ingmar Bergman, Elizabeth Taylor, Raquel Welch, Gregory Peck, Katharine Ross, Lou Rawls, Glen Campbell, Barbra Streisand, Jon Voight, Candice Bergen, James Earl Jones, Cliff Robertson, Ali McGraw, Elliot Gould, Claudia Cardinale, Federico Fellini\nThe best performances and achievements from 1969. The 42nd Academy Awards ceremony is telecast live from Hollywood. Awards are presented by seventeen \"Friends of Oscar\": Bob Hope, John Wayne, Barbra Streisand, Fred Astaire, Jon Voight, Myrna Loy, Clint Eastwood, Raquel Welch, Candice Bergen, James Earl Jones, Katharine Ross, Cliff Robertson, Ali McGraw, Barbara McNair, Elliot Gould, Claudia Cardinale and, wearing a much publicized $1.5 million diamond, Elizabeth Taylor. Other celebrities contributing to this gala event are Gregory Peck, Lou Rawls, Frederico Fellini, Ingmar Bergman, David Lean, Akira Kurosawa, John Schlesinger, Franco Zeffirelli, Billy Wilder, Mike\nNichols, Sergei Bonarchuk, Glen Campbell, Conrad Hall, George Jessel, Arthur Rubinstein, B.J. Thomas. Frank Sinatra presents a special Oscar award to Cary Grant. Additional stars on this telecast include Gig Young, the Sandpipers, Michel Legrand & Maggie Smith.\n#9264: THE RECORD MAKERS\nCharlton Heston, Willie Mays, Arnold Palmer, Bing Crosby, Gregory Peck, Paul McCartney, Flip Wilson, Johnny Unitas, Buzz Aldrin, Willie Shoemaker\nExcellence in sports and entertainment achievements as recorded in the Guinness Book Of World Records.\nHost: Flip Wilson\n#1115: PLAYHOUSE NEW YORK: HOLLYWOOD - YOU MUST REMEMBER THIS\n1972-05-19, WNET, 87 min.\nJames Cagney, John Cassavettes, Lee Marvin, Richard Schickel, Gary Cooper, Rita Hayworth, Humphrey Bogart, John Huston, Walter Huston, Robert Mitchum, Ingrid Bergman, Gregory Peck, Orson Welles, John Garfield, Charlie Chaplin, Jean Arthur, Raoul Walsh, Howard Hawks, Claude Raines, Albert Maltz, Frank Capra, Dalton Trumbo\nJames Cagney, Charlie Chaplin, Gary Cooper, Jean Arthur, Humphrey Bogart, Raoul Walsh, John Houston, John Garfield, Howard Hawks, Ingrid Bergman, Claude Rains, Walter Huston, Gregory Peck, Lee Marvin, Rita Hayworth, Orson Welles, Robert Mitchum, Albert Maltz, Frank Capra, Dalton Trumbo, and others are personalities remembered by writer Richard Schickel in this retrospective of the 40's in the film industry. John Cassavettes narrates. Written by Richard Schickel.\n#822: AFI SALUTE TO JOHN FORD\nJames Stewart, Richard M. Nixon, John Ford, Frank Sinatra, Jack Lemmon, Charlton Heston, Maureen O'Hara, Gregory Peck\nThe American Film Institute premieres this annual event by honoring Mr. John Ford. President Richard M. Nixon is among the notables paying tribute along with Charlton Heston, Jack Lemmon, Maureen O'Hara, Gregory Peck, Frank Sinatra, James Stewart and John Wayne. Danny Kaye is host.\n#7521: AFI SALUTE TO WILLIAM WYLER\n1976-03-14, CBS, 90 min.\nJim Backus, William Wyler, James Stewart, Jack Lemmon, Myrna Loy, Henry Fonda, Charlton Heston, Greer Garson, Angie Dickinson, Lauren Bacall, Merle Oberon, Jack Nicholson, Eddie Albert, Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck, Harold Russell, Walter Matthau, Barbra Streisand, Burt Bacharach, James Brolin, Cheryl Tiegs, Betty Ford, Charles Bronson, Walter Pigeon, Max Baer, Jr, Helen Gurley Brown, Jill Ireland, Veronique Peck\nThe American Film Institute presents the 1976 Lifetime Achievement Award to director, producer, William Wyler.\n#1146: AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE SALUTES WILLIAM WYLER\nWilliam Wyler, James Stewart, Myrna Loy, Henry Fonda, Charlton Heston, Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon, Merle Oberon, Eddie Albert, Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck, Harold Russell, Barbra Streisand\nA live achievement award salute to famed motion picture director William Wyler. Guests paying tribute to Wyler are Eddie Albert, Henry Fonda, Greer Garson, Audrey Hepburn, Charlton Heston, Myrna Loy, Merle Oberon, Gregory Peck, Walter Pidgeon, Harold Russell, James Stewart and Barbra Streisand.\n#844: NBC'S FIRST 50 YEARS\n1976-11-21, WFRV, 230 min.\nDavid Brinkley, Jerry Lewis, Gene Kelly, John Chancellor, Milton Berle, Bob Hope, Johnny Carson, Dean Martin, Angie Dickinson, George C. Scott, Don Meredith, Freddie Prinze, Gregory Peck, Orson Welles, Jack Albertson\nNBC celebrates its golden anniversary in radio and television. Recalled is a half century of stars and shows. Orson Welles is the narrator and there are fifteen hosts: Jack Albertson, Milton Berle, David Brinkley, Johnny Carson, John Chancellor, Angie Dickinson, Joe Garagiola, Bob Hope, Gene Kelly, Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin, Don Meredith, Gregory Peck, Freddie Prinze and George C. Scott.\n#8872: MIKE DOUGLAS SHOW, THE\n1977-01-12, SYN, 90 min.\nRed Buttons, Rona Barrett, Mike Douglas, Gregory Peck, Yvonne Decarlo, Ron Samuels, Frank McCarthy\n1963-1982 (SYNDICATED). Mike Douglas hosted one of television's longest-running talk shows (19 years). Each week Douglas was joined by a different co-host. In 1967, \"The Mike Douglas Show\" became the first syndicated talk show to win an Emmy Award.\nBroadcast from 1963-1978 in Philadelphia\nBroadcast from 1978-1982 in Los Angeles\nCo-Host: Rona Barrett\n#9075: PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS: THIRD ANNUAL, THE\n1977-02-10, CBS, 120 min.\nCarol Burnett, Goldie Hawn, Jack Klugman, Redd Foxx, Bob Hope, Peter Fonda, Carl Reiner, William Holden, Frank Gifford, Angie Dickinson, Ron Howard, Telly Savalas, Gregory Peck, Dick Van Dyke, Lee Majors, Rick Dees, Penny Marshall, Peter Marshall, Georgia Engel, Gerald Ford, Army Archerd, Earl Holliman, Scatman Crothers, David Doyle, Robert Conrad, Jaclyn Smith, John Denver, John Amos, LeVar Burton, Kate Jackson, Michael Douglas, Brad Davis, Joyce Brothers, Mary Tyler Moore, Maureen OHara, Farah Fawcett, Candy Clark, Jodie Foster, Daryl Dragon, Paul Michael Glaser, Susan Blakly, George Stanford-Brown, Olivia Cole, Louis Gossett, Jr., Hilly Hicks, Bill Hudson, Lawrence-Hilton Jacobs, Stan Margulies, Lynne Moody, Olivia Newton -John\nThe Third Annual People's Choice Awards are presented.\nCO-Hosts: Dick Van Dyke and Army Archerd.\n#10064: PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS: THIRD ANNUAL, THE\n#9061: OSCAR'S BEST MOVIES, THE\nGregory Peck, Walter Matthau, Julie Andrews, Katherine Ross\nHighlights of movies that have won an Academy Award.\nHosts: Walter Matthau, Julie Andrews, Katherine Ross, and Gregory Peck.\n#10017: GREGORY PECK: \"A LIVING BIOGRAPHY.\"\nVincent Price, Celeste Holm, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Joan Collins, Gregory Peck, Peter Lawford, Lee Remick, Sheliah Graham\nA retrospective on the career of actor Gregory Peck by his friends and colleagues. Interviews with Celeste Holm, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Vincent Price, Lee Remick, Joan Collins, and Sheilah Graham.\nHost: Peter Lawford.\n#8222: GREGORY PECK: A LIVING BIOGRAPHY\nVincent Price, Celeste Holm, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Gregory Peck, Peter Lawford, Henry King, Sheilah Graham\nThe career of Gregory Peck is profiled.\nHost: Peter Lawford\n#850: AFI SALUTE TO HENRY FONDA\n1978-03-15, WBAY, 101 min.\nJames Stewart, Richard Widmark, Fred MacMurray, James Garner, Kirk Douglas, Jane Fonda, Peter Fonda, Jack Lemmon, Henry Fonda, Charlton Heston, Lloyd Nolan, James Dunn, Ron Howard, Jane Alexander, Lillian Gish, Bette Davis, Billy Dee Williams, Dorothy McGuire, Marsha Mason, Gregory Peck, Richard Burton, Lucille Ball\nTributes to Henry Fonda are given by daughter Jane Fonda, son Peter Fonda, Bette Davis, James Stewart, Lucille Ball, Jack Lemmon, Charlton Heston, Barbara Stanwyck, Kirk Douglas, Gregory Peck, Richard Burton, James Garner, Fred MacMurray, Marsha Mason, Dorothy McGuire, Lloyd Nolan, Jane Alexander, James Dunn, Lillian Gish, Ron Howard, Richard Widmark and Billy Dee Williams.\n#5254: GEORGE BURNS' 100TH BIRTHDAY PARTY\nGeorge Jessel, Goldie Hawn, Milton Berle, Bob Hope, Johnny Carson, Dean Martin, George Burns, Gregory Peck, Don Rickles, Pat Boone, Helen Reddy, Steve Martin, Jimmy Stewart, Andy Gibb, Debby Boone\nWith dry wit, a show business great marks his 100th birthday- 17 years early. Burns, who actually surpassed his 100th birthday in January of 1996 banters with many show business friends.\n#6737: GEORGE BURNS\nGeorge Jessel, Milton Berle, Bob Hope, Johnny Carson, Dean Martin, George Burns, Gregory Peck, Don Rickles, Pat Boone, Helen Reddy, Steve Martin, Jimmy Stewart, Debby Boone\nSpecial: A birthday celebration from 1979 for George (then 83), who talks about vaudeville; banters with Milton Berle, Jimmy Stewart, Helen Reddy, Gregory Peck, Don Rickles and George Jessel; and accepts sarcastic tributes from Bob Hope, Johnny Carson, Dean Martin, Steve Martin, and Pat and Debby Boone. (Repeat)","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1873889"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9712613224983215,"wiki_prob":0.9712613224983215,"text":"He focuses on the national security side of the Justice beat, including counterterrorism and counterintelligence. Lucas also covers a host of other justice issues, including the Trump administration's \"tough-on-crime\" agenda and anti-trust enforcement.\nBefore joining NPR, Lucas worked for a decade as a foreign correspondent for The Associated Press based in Poland, Egypt and Lebanon. In Poland, he covered the fallout from the revelations about secret CIA prisons in Eastern Europe. In the Middle East, he reported on the ouster of Hosni Mubarak in 2011 and the turmoil that followed. He also covered the Libyan civil war, the Syrian conflict and the rise of the Islamic State. He reported from Iraq during the U.S. occupation and later during the Islamic State takeover of Mosul in 2014.\nHe also covered intelligence and national security for Congressional Quarterly.\nLucas earned a bachelor's degree from The College of William and Mary, and a master's degree from Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland.\nDOJ National Security Boss Is Moving On — But Cyber, China Threats Aren't\nBy Ryan Lucas • 23 hours ago\nWhen John Demers came in to lead the Justice Department's national security division, the United States was grappling with the fallout from Russia's cyberattack on the 2016 election.\nNow, as he and the Trump administration prepare to leave office, the U.S. is dealing with another massive hack that American officials have again pinned on Moscow.\n\"Well, there is a certain symmetry to all of this,\" Demers said in an interview with NPR as his time at the Justice Department draws to a close.\nTrump Issues Additional 26 Pardons And 3 Commutations\nBy Ryan Lucas • Dec 23, 2020\nBarr Says No Need For Special Counsel For Hunter Biden Probe, Election Fraud Claims\nAttorney General William Barr said Monday he sees no reason to appoint a special counsel to lead the ongoing federal investigation into Hunter Biden or to probe further President Trump's claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 election.\nList Of Federal Agencies Affected By A Major Cyberattack Continues To Grow\nIn His Final Weeks, Trump Could Dole Out Many Pardons To Friends, Allies\nBy Ryan Lucas • Dec 3, 2020\nOn more than one occasion, President Trump has demonstrated his willingness to use his pardon power to pluck a political ally or associate out of legal trouble.\nBarr Says No Election Fraud Has Been Found By Federal Authorities\nTrump Pardons Michael Flynn Despite Guilty Plea For Lying About Russia Contact\nBy Ryan Lucas • Nov 26, 2020\nTrump Pardons Former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn\nPresident Trump has issued a pardon to his first national security adviser, Michael Flynn. Flynn had pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI and then recanted. This ends a years-long saga, which NPR's Ryan Lucas has been long following. And he joins us now.\nOnce Out Of Office, Trump Faces Significant Legal Jeopardy\nOf all the perks of being president, Donald Trump may soon miss most the legal protection that it affords.\nFor four years, Trump has benefited from the de facto immunity from prosecution that all presidents enjoy while in office. But that cloak will pass to Joe Biden when he's sworn in on Jan. 20, leaving Trump out in the legal cold.\nE. Jean Carroll Suit Against Trump To Proceed After Judge Rules Against DOJ\nBy Ryan Lucas • Oct 27, 2020\nA federal judge has denied the Justice Department's attempt to intervene on President Trump's behalf in a defamation lawsuit filed by a woman who alleges he sexually assaulted her in the mid-1990s.\nIn her memoir published last year, writer E. Jean Carroll accused the president of raping her in the dressing room of a Manhattan department store more than two decades ago.\nTrump denied the allegations and accused her of lying to sell books.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1168242"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9542901515960693,"wiki_prob":0.9542901515960693,"text":"Why Is There A Coronavirus Test Shortage? One Reason: We Don't Have Enough Swabs Widespread testing for COVID-19 is still not happening in the U.S. Although experts have been urging the federal government since February, it took until late April to ramp up production.\nEverything you need to know about the global pandemic\nDespite Early Warnings, U.S. Took Months To Expand Swab Production For COVID-19 Test\nDespite Early Warnings, U.S. Took Months To Expand Swab Production For COVID-19 Test 5:11\nMay 12, 20204:46 PM ET\nSacha Pfeiffer\nMeg Anderson\nBarbara Van Woerkom\nMedical workers prepare to use a swab to administer a coronavirus test at a drive-through center on March 21 in Jericho, N.Y. Bruce Bennett/Getty Images hide caption\nMedical workers prepare to use a swab to administer a coronavirus test at a drive-through center on March 21 in Jericho, N.Y.\nThe Trump administration says it will now spend billions of dollars to help states make COVID-19 testing more widely available, a move meant to address months-long complaints about test shortages.\nBut here's the puzzle: Many labs say they have plenty of tests. So what's the disconnect?\nTurns out a \"test\" is not a single device. COVID-19 testing involves several steps, each one requiring different supplies, and there are shortages of different supplies at different times in different places.\nBut despite warnings about supply shortages by health experts and governors at least as early as February, the federal government took until late April to ramp up domestic production of swabs — a universal ingredient in the most common type of COVID-19 test.\nThe swab test checks for active infections, unlike an antibody test, which involves drawing blood to check whether the body has recovered from the virus.\nStep 1 of a swab test is collecting a sample, and the most common way to do that is by swabbing a patient's nose or throat. Sample collection usually involves a swab, a tube and a chemical solution called \"viral transport media,\" which keeps the sample fresh as it travels to a laboratory. There are dozens of types of FDA-approved swab tests, and the swabbing is usually done at hospitals, community health centers or drive-through testing sites.\nU.S. Coronavirus Testing Still Falls Short. How's Your State Doing?\nTracking The Pandemic: How Quickly Is The Coronavirus Spreading State By State?\nStep 2 takes place at a lab. There, genetic material is extracted from the sample. That requires a special machine and chemicals called reagents.\nOnce the genetic material is extracted, Step 3 occurs: A machine checks whether that genetic material contains any of the coronavirus. If it does, the sample has tested positive for COVID-19.\n\"A test is not simply a one-component test, but is made up of many different components,\" said Heather Pierce, senior director for science policy and regulatory counsel at the Association of American Medical Colleges. \"If any one of those components is missing or has insufficient quantities, the test can't happen.\"\nThe COVID-19 testing process has been plagued by missing components, including swabs, reagents and the chemical solution that keeps samples fresh. Some weeks, there are shortages of some but not others, or one location has them and another doesn't.\nTake swabs. They are able to work with any approved swab test. The name suggests something as simple as a Q-tip, but they are more specialized. Nasopharyngeal swabs, as they're called, are considered medical devices and must be long and flexible enough to get all the way through the nose to the back of the throat.\nAt an April 17 press briefing, President Trump said that in the next few weeks, the federal government would be sending millions of swabs to the states, and he added: \"Mostly, it's cotton. It's not a big deal.\"\nBut Trump was wrong. Cotton can interfere with test results because it contains its own genetic material, so nasopharyngeal swabs are typically made of polyester, nylon, foam or some other synthetic material.\nPresident Trump compares a cotton swab (left) to a swab that could be used in coronavirus testing during a briefing on April 19. Two days prior, Trump erroneously said cotton swabs could be used for coronavirus testing. Patrick Semansky/AP hide caption\nPresident Trump compares a cotton swab (left) to a swab that could be used in coronavirus testing during a briefing on April 19. Two days prior, Trump erroneously said cotton swabs could be used for coronavirus testing.\nOn April 20, Vice President Pence, speaking publicly about a phased reopening of the economy, said this: \"By our best estimates, we have enough testing capacity today for every state in America to go to Phase 1.\"\nBut \"testing capacity\" does not necessarily mean testing is happening. Remember: Testing involves not just swabbing, but also having a sample analyzed at a lab. And labs may have the machines that analyze samples, but if there aren't enough swabs, those machines may sit idle. In other words, a shortage of swabs may prevent labs from operating at full testing capacity.\nSo why is there a shortage of something as seemingly simple as swabs?\nFor one reason, there had been only two major manufacturers of these swabs worldwide — Puritan Medical Products in Maine and Copan Diagnostics in Italy. When COVID-19 hit and demand for swabs skyrocketed, the companies became overwhelmed and couldn't keep up.\n\"I don't think the United States was prepared,\" said Timothy Templet, Puritan's executive vice president of global sales. \"That includes us, Puritan. It includes our customers. And it includes the government ... And now it gets really nerve-wracking to think that we may be in this for another couple years.\"\nPuritan Medical Products employees work in the Guilford, Maine, plant in 2017. On April 29, 2020, the federal government announced Puritan had been awarded a $75.5 million contract to produce more swabs for coronavirus testing. Carl D. Walsh/Portland Press Herald via Getty hide caption\nCarl D. Walsh/Portland Press Herald via Getty\nPuritan Medical Products employees work in the Guilford, Maine, plant in 2017. On April 29, 2020, the federal government announced Puritan had been awarded a $75.5 million contract to produce more swabs for coronavirus testing.\nThe U.S. government could have been amassing swabs in the Strategic National Stockpile, a federal warehouse of medical supplies, but was not.\nThe government also has the Defense Production Act, a tool the Trump administration used in late March to require General Motors to produce more ventilators for coronavirus patients. But the administration did not act as quickly to use that tool for swab shortages, even though some people were advising that.\n\"Weeks ago,\" Washington Gov. Jay Inslee told NPR on April 16, \"I spoke to the president and urged him to invoke the Defense Production Act and mobilize the incredible supply chains that the Department of Defense has and to ask them to convert some of their production from other hardware and software to swabs and contact vials and machines that can do analysis. And he did not agree with that assessment, and we lost weeks, frankly.\"\nThat was not the first time the federal government had been warned of swab shortages.\nOn Feb. 12, at a hearing on pandemic preparedness, a group of prominent health experts told a U.S. Senate committee that the country has a testing supply chain problem. On March 16, former FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb tweeted that \"swabs could be a weak link in broadening testing.\" On March 17, Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo told CNN that \"the problem is swabs.\" During the same time period, there were other public distress calls about supply shortages.\nIn mid-March, the government acted: It flew shipments of swabs from Italy to the U.S. But that still didn't meet demand, and complaints about shortages were still continuing in mid-April. On April 19, President Trump said he would use the Defense Production Act to increase swab production. On April 29, the government said Puritan Medical Products had been awarded a $75.5 million contract to produce more swabs.\nA health care worker seals a coronavirus swab after testing at a coronavirus testing site on April 30 in Wantagh, N.Y. Al Bello/Getty Images hide caption\nA health care worker seals a coronavirus swab after testing at a coronavirus testing site on April 30 in Wantagh, N.Y.\nPuritan's goal is to produce at least an additional 20 million swabs a month, and it's building a new factory to do that. But it's hard to say whether that's enough to meet demand because it's difficult to get consensus on how much COVID-19 testing the U.S. should be doing, and how many swabs can be produced.\nConsider the experience of the American Society for Microbiology, which asked in mid-April to speak with Dr. Deborah Birx's team on the White House coronavirus task force to find out what was being done to address testing supply shortages — and discovered that the White House was trying to figure out the same thing.\n\"Something happened that was very surprising,\" recalled Dr. Robin Patel, the organization's president. \"First of all, Ambassador Birx is a wonderful person and has very good insight into the challenges that are happening ... but what they did is they turned around and they asked the American Society for Microbiology to help with this situation. That's not why we were there. We were there asking for information.\"\nSo Patel's group gave the coronavirus task force its feedback.\n\"We are pleased to be able to help,\" said Patel, noting that the pandemic is a complicated situation and that everyone needs to work together to solve it. \"But we were not there to volunteer to help. That was what was surprising — was the ask back to us.\"\nThe American Society for Microbiology's experience makes clear that nearly three months into the pandemic, the Trump administration was still struggling to understand the shortage of swabs and other test supplies, and how to fix it.\nTo help address the shortage, the FDA has approved more types of swabs, and an Ohio company is converting a plant to make swabs. The FDA has also approved a saliva test that does not require a swab.\nAnd this week, the White House said it would send $11 billion to state governments to expand testing and make sure each state has enough testing supplies, although it said it wants to focus on high-risk communities like nursing homes.\nSo it remains unclear how widespread testing will ever be in the U.S.\nNPR's Laura Sullivan, Graham Smith and Tim Mak contributed to this story.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line232398"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5367102026939392,"wiki_prob":0.4632897973060608,"text":"By Gnanesh D\nIn 1941 Hitler followed what Napolean did in 1812. They both invaded Russia and ended by not just losing the battle but also the war. Both their armies were far superior on all fronts to the Russian army of respective periods. What then resulted in these history-defining losses?\n“Conditions”, Both the armies and the leaders were masters on their own turfs. However, Russia proved to be a very different terrain, and the elements impacted what would have been a routine operation. A combination of unfamiliar terrain, ill-preparedness, and bad judgment lost them defining moments in their conquests.\nWhat has Napolean and Hitler got to do with Machine Learning you might wonder. Machine Learning models are built and trained from historical data in a benevolent environment and are employed to make predictions on new data where many times, they are ill-prepared to deal with changes in data. In our last post, we discussed monitoring in Machine Learning. In this article let’s explore the two most significant changes that can occur in data, concept drift and data drift.\nConcept Drift\nConcept drift refers to the change in the target variable over time in unforeseeable ways. Concept drift arises when our interpretation of the data changes even while the data may not have. Generally, the word concept refers to the quantity to be predicted.\nThere are different ways in concept drift can happen\nA gradual change over time.\nAn incremental change.\nA recurring or cyclical change.\nA sudden or abrupt change.\nWhat we agreed upon as belonging to class A in the past, we claim now that it should belong to class B, as our understanding of the properties of A and B have changed since. This is pure concept drift.\nA piece of text(Corona) could legitimately be labeled as belonging to one class (Beer) in the past but belonging to a different class (Corona Virus) now. So the predictions from a model built in the past are going to be largely in error for the same data now.\nData Drift\nData drift refers to the change of properties of features used to train the model. Formally\nData drift between source distribution S and a target distribution T can be defined as a change in the joint distribution of features and target\nData drift can occur due to a change in the distribution of data. For example, an e-commerce apparel company might start serving a product that wins a lot of teenage customers, which is significantly different from its target market of 25-35 years.\nData drift can occur when data schema changes at the source. Some of the schema changes can be mentioned as a new feature being added, one of the existing features being deleted, or the type of a field is changed. In the above example, an e-commerce company can change it’s pricing from each individual item to a predefined set.\nDrifts whether Concept or Data cannot be avoided. What can be done is you can proactively detect these early and take corrective actions. We will talk about these in detail in a future post.\nTAGS : Artificial Intelligence Concept Drift Data Drift Machine Learning ML Monitoring","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line317450"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8014547228813171,"wiki_prob":0.8014547228813171,"text":"Japan Gaming Congress Focused on Nation’s Fledgling Casino Industry\nPosted on: May 11, 2018, 09:00h.\nLast updated on: May 11, 2018, 06:03h.\nThe Japan Gaming Congress began on Thursday in Tokyo, with delegates and government officials on hand to discuss a variety of issues and topics related to the future of casinos in the Asian country.\nAttendees mingle at a networking event during the 2017 Japan Gaming Congress. (Image: Hogo Digital)\nThere’s no absolutely guarantee that Japan will have casinos in the near future. But lawmakers are working towards passage of the Integrated Resorts (IR) Implementation Bill, which would allow for up to three casino resorts to be built in Japan.\nGovernment Officials Rally Support\nThe IR bill is somewhat controversial, as there’s been some public sentiment against the idea of allowing locals to gamble in the resorts. The proposed legislation would limit Japanese citizens to a maximum of three visits each week, and would charge a 6,000 Japanese Yen ($55) entry fee to locals that would grant access for up to 24 hours.\nIn and around the Japan Gaming Congress, government officials sought to build support for the legislation. Yasutoshi Nishimura, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), made a surprise appearance for an address at the conference hall.\nNishimura said that he hoped for the IR Implementation Bill would be passed before the Diet (or Japanese parliament) ends its current session on June 20, so that resorts could be opened in the country as soon as possible.\n“After this bill is passed we would like to build the government’s policy,” Nishimura told Inside Asian Gaming. “Based on this policy or regulation any prefecture, candidate city and IR operator can start to apply and then if everything proceeds smoothly I am hoping to have an IR here in Japan in the early 2020s.”\nIAG also spoke to Kiyohiko Toyama, a Member of the House of Representatives who is part of the Komeito Party, part of the government coalition with LDP. Toyama said that the bill would “need probably one-and-a-half months” to be passed by both houses, meaning it would be difficult — though perhaps not impossible — to finish before the end of the session.\nToyama also pushed back against media depictions of what a Japanese casino industry might look like.\n“I understand there are negative side effects and that is okay to discuss, but I have seen a lack of balance in the way that IRs with casinos have been presented by the Japanese media,” Toyama told IAG.\n“So many Japanese people have been misled to believe without any concrete evidence that once any IRs with casinos open in Japan that they will become really bad places in terms of security, safety, and their influence over children,” he added.\nMixing It Up\nRepresentatives of a number of major gaming firms were also on hand to address the conference. Steven Tight, president of international development for Caesars Entertainment, told attendees that they would like to see Japan look at Las Vegas and its mix of gaming and non-gaming revenue sources as a model to follow.\n“While there are many approaches to develop integrated resorts, Caesars would like to raise considerations — the Las Vegas model — as the most appropriate benchmark for Japan,” Tight said, according to a report from GGRAsia. “Las Vegas, as a city that reinvents itself through its non-gaming entertainments, has become the world’s undisputed entertainment capital.”\nChris Gordon, president of Wynn Resorts Development, focused on his company’s vision to create an entire entertainment district in a major city, rather than just a single large building, if Wynn Resorts is granted a casino license.\n“Our concept with creating an entertainment district in a destination city is that by providing guests with an almost endless array of options both within and outside of the resort, they will not only have good reason to stay longer, but will also want to come back,” Gordon told attendees.\nJapan Casino Bill Vote Could Come Wednesday, Integrated Resorts Measure Expected to Pass\nPrefectures Consider Hosting Japan Integrated Casino Resorts, Despite Public Opposition\nAnalyst: Japan Casino Bill Expected in Second Half of 2018, Initial Licensees to Hold Seven-Year Exclusivity\nJapan’s Wakayama Prefecture Delays Unveiling of Grand Casino Plan\nDevin O'Connor — June 12, 2018\nDevin O'Connor — May 7, 2018\nSamantha Beckett — April 5, 2018","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1750649"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5895292162895203,"wiki_prob":0.5895292162895203,"text":"Hulon L. Willis Sr. M.Ed. ’56 was the first Black graduate of William & Mary and served as a pioneer for those who have followed in his footsteps. To honor his legacy and memory, the Hulon Willis Association was formed in 1992. The Hulon Willis Association, as a part of the William & Mary Alumni Association, is dedicated to continued and sustained engagement of alumni of Black or African descent. It seeks to provide alumni opportunities to build community through connection with fellow alumni, students and alma mater. To this end, the Hulon Willis Association engages alumni through programmatic, leadership and philanthropic efforts.\nLooking to connect with fellow alumni on social media? Be sure to like and follow the Hulon Willis Association page on Facebook! You will receive updates about upcoming events and have an opportunity to make connections with alumni near and far.\nThis Hulon L. Willis, Sr. Memorial Scholarship is named in honor of Hulon L. Willis Sr. M.Ed. ’56, the first African-American student to attend William & Mary. It provides undergraduate scholarship assistance to students with a record of leadership and/or service to the multicultural university and/or local community with a preference for need-based support.\nThe Hulon Willis Association operates through a strong collaboration between a board of volunteer leaders and the alumni association.\nMason D&I Perspectives Series: Race in America -- The Black Experience\nTuesday, January 26, 12:00 pm EST\nPlease join us for this next event presented by the Mason Diversity & Inclusion Committee as part of the Perspectives series.\nIntersection of Race and Covid-19\nRecorded on July 16, 2020\nThe Intersection of COVID-19 and Race is an honest discussion surrounding health disparities and the ways in which COVID-19 effects marginalized populations. We will be joined by three panelists.\nMo Barbosa is the director of community engagement at Health Resources in Action (HRiA).\nProfessor Iyabo Obasanjo teaches public health courses at William & Mary. She has a Ph.D. in epidemiology from Cornell University, a master’s from University of California, Davis and a veterinary degree from University of Ibadan, Nigeria.\nProfessor Angela Odoms-Young is an associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition and associate director of research and education for the Office of Community Engagement and Neighborhood Health Partnerships at University of Illinois at Chicago.\nInvisible Racism\nRecorded on October 7, 2020\nJoin author of Daughters of the Dream: Eight Girls from Richmond who Grew Up in the Civil Rights Era, Tamara Copeland '73 and moderator Viola Baskerville '73 as they discuss issues of race and invisible racism.\nValerie Wilkins , Associate Director Alumni Admission & Inclusion Initiatives\nvtwilkins@wm.edu","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line101767"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6803569793701172,"wiki_prob":0.3196430206298828,"text":"By Kerry Gallagher, JD and Larry Magid, Ed.D\nFull Guide (PDF)\nTop 5 Questions (PDF)\nQuick-Guide (PDF)\nAdditional resources for Media Literacy & Fake News\nWe hear a lot about “fake news,” but that term, which was coined fairly recently, is really a symptom of much larger problems, including the lack of media literacy. In fact, in November 2016 Stanford Graduate School of Education recently found that more than 80% of middle and high school students surveyed were unable to distinguish between advertisements and real news stories. As parents and educators, it’s our job to help our students become more savvy consumers of information. But it’s not just kids who need a lesson in media literacy. Adults do as well. A December 2016 Pew study found that nearly a quarter of adults admitted to sharing fake news in the past. Most didn’t know it was fake when they shared it.\nUntil fairly recently, media were concentrated in the hands of a few organizations, but now it’s all around us. In addition to the so-called “mainstream media” outlets, there are now many online blogs, podcasts and videos from a wide variety of providers from all walks of life, as well as social media where anyone can be a “citizen journalist.” While this has created a vibrant and dynamic array of information sources, it has also made it more difficult to know which sources can be trusted. So, regardless of whether you’re a media consumer, media creator or both — the need for media literacy is greater now than ever.\nAnd, sad to say, we can’t always trust people in authority to tell “the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.” There are far too many cases where government officials and corporate leaders have been caught telling falsehoods, whether deliberately or because they were misinformed. There are also popular culture examples such as false claims about celebrity deaths and doctored photos.\nIn this uncertain climate, how can parents and educators help the children they care for to be critical, but not jaded, consumers of the media they encounter?\nHistory is full of widely accepted falsehoods, some with disastrous outcomes, like the victims of the Salem Witch Hunt. There are plenty of internet-based rumors like the claim that the post office was about to levy a 5 cent email tax, the story that Facebook would soon charge $5.99 a month for a private account, or that people could earn $5,000 from Bill Gates simply by sharing his picture online.\nNot everything that’s inaccurate is necessarily a deliberate lie. The once widely held view that the world is flat was based on what people thought they knew at the time. Without intent to deceive, a falsehood should not be considered fake news. Likewise there are examples of people simply not being able to discern entertainment or parody from reality. The Onion is an example of a parody site designed to amuse people with decidedly false information. The information is false but the intention is clearly comedic, though that might not be obvious to all who see it.\nThe difference between fact and opinion in the news\nBoth fact and opinion help shape our understandings of information. The facts are the foundation while the opinions help us determine how those facts affect the people and society we are connected with.\nFacts: High-quality news should focus on the indisputable information needed to relay events. This includes the people involved, the places where it happened, and any additional important details and evidence.\nOpinion: An important part of the news involves an individual’s interpretation of the meaning or impact of an event or facts. Opinion can be a specific point of view or can be meant to convince others, as long as it is clearly labeled as opinion.\nEven opinion columnists and commentators should place a high value on facts and, when crafting editorials, make sure their opinions are backed up by factual evidence.\nFactual reporting sometimes also includes or is supplemented by analysis, where the writer or speaker, who may be a news reporter, but could also be an academic researcher, a former government official or other expert will put the story in context, or quote experts who explain the meaning or implications of the facts. This is not the same as an opinion piece where the person is expressing a point of view. The purpose is to help the reader or viewer better understand the meaning of the facts. Though analysis may include quotes from people with different points of view, its purpose should be to explain, not to convince. Sometimes journalists will interview “analysts” who do have a point of view or a partisan affiliation, which is OK as long as their affiliations are made clear.\nStudents also need to understand the difference between speculation and fact. Sometimes all the facts aren’t in, such as immediately after an attack when it’s not known whether or not it’s terrorism. Journalists have an obligation to present the facts and, while they can offer various theories as to the cause, they shouldn’t assume a cause until it’s confirmed.\nFinally, it is important to point out that sometimes advertisements are designed to look like news reports, but are not. One way to recognize them is to look closely at whether the report is using the information to encourage the audience to purchase a particular product or support a candidate or cause. Sometimes they are labeled as “sponsored stories,” or advertisements, but sometimes it’s totally up to the reader to figure out that they’re ads, not editorial content.\nPractical Tips:\nShare these explanations of fact and opinion with your children or students and ask them to apply these explanations to a news story that is important to them.\nTeachers can ask students to take a news story or an historical event and write two editorials from opposing perspectives. It could be about a bill before a legislative body, a school issue or the significance of a scientific discovery or a controversial historical event. The idea is to push them to see the same set of facts from at least two different perspectives.\nPoint out advertisements or sponsored stories masquerading as news in social media streams or on news websites and ask children to evaluate them.\nK-6 Fact and Opinion Units ReadWorks.org\nReading Like a Historian Curriculum Stanford History Education Group\nOpinion vs. Analysis Canadian Broadcasting Company (Editor’s blog)\nProCon.org\nHow and Why to Avoid Fake News ConnectSafely\nThe difference between mistakes and lies\nWhether the author is a professional journalist or someone posting on their social media account, knowingly publishing false information online or in print is always wrong, but recognizing intentional lying is not as simple as it might seem. There are different kinds of lies:\nBlatant lies: Someone knowingly states a falsehood\nPartial lies: Someone uses one fact to make unreasonable assumptions or extrapolations. The foundational fact is true, but the rest of the information is false.\nLies by omission: Someone knows about pertinent facts and chooses to leave them out of a report in order to sway the audience in a certain way.\nEditors do make decisions about which stories to cover and facts to emphasize on the limited pages or during the limited air time available to them, but these decisions are based on what they feel is important to their audience. Without these decisions the New York Times would be thousands of pages long and evening news anchors would have to speak faster than an auctioneer. While websites can go into greater detail than print or broadcast, even they have to limit what they cover to keep the reader’s’ attention and avoid drowning readers with too much detail or too many stories.\nMistakes are not the same as lies. If a person reports false information based on an unintentional error, they should be willing to correct it as soon as the error is discovered.\nIt all comes down to the intent of the author. As parents and educators, we must encourage children to look past the information and consider the reliability and motivations of the source.\nClearly identify the difference between mistakes and lies and be sure children and students understand.\nIf you come across something that is falsely reported, help young learners investigate more about the source. Then ask them whether that source would have any reason to spread false information.\nBe sure to talk with them about the potential harm that could be caused by allowing false information to stand uncorrected.\nCharacter Education Lesson Plans and Best Practices Character.org\nDealing with conflicting reports\nOften, as new information is coming to light or even when we review hotly contested historical events, there might be conflicting reports by different sources. For instance, when learning about the Battle at Lexington and Concord, also known as the “Shot Heard Round the World,” students read first-hand accounts from witnesses who report conflicting information. When faced with this, sometimes young learners will look to adults and ask which is accurate. Adults should redirect that thinking toward examining why there might be conflicting reports in the first place. Sometimes what looks like conflicting reports or “facts” is actually two different perspectives or “sides” that need to be examined. Other times there are so-called conflicting facts because only one set of information is actually true while the other is a mistake or a lie. The tips below can help adults work with young people to figure out the difference.\nWhen faced with the reporting of conflicting facts, encourage students to take their time to develop their own understandings. Analyzing and interpreting information is not a race. Ask them:\nHow many other sources are reporting the same facts? Find corroboration.\nDo the corroborating sources seem to be reporting other believable facts?\nDo any of the sources or facts seem biased or skewed to favor one side?\nIf new information comes to light that disproves a previously held opinion, be open to sharing with children that it is OK to change one’s understandings in that circumstance.\nIn any of these conversations, be sure to stay calm. Children can feel anxious and uncertain when they are confused about information and a calm adult can help them think rationally.\nPoynter Fact Checking Network (Links to numerous other checking resources)\nEXPERT TIP | National Association for Media Literacy Education executive director Michelle Ciulla Lipkin recommends teachers pick one story and show how it was covered by different and diverse news organizations, whether it be the New York Times, Breitbart News, Fox News, CNN or even Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show.” Note how different media outlets expose or emphasize different facts or different perspectives based on who they quote in the story. Discuss how different approaches to the same story can leave the reader, viewer or listener with a different impression or interpretation of what occurred.\nEmotional intelligence and media literacy\nSometimes the author or creator of a piece of media intends to appeal to the emotions of the people consuming the media. As you may know from watching, emotion can be a big part of both commercial advertising and political messaging. If you pay attention to ads from carmakers, cosmetic companies or beverage brands, you’ll notice that they are often selling a lifestyle along with their products. The way they use imaging, music and the types of people they feature in their ads impact the way we emotionally react to the ad. The same can be true with political messaging, which seeks to play on people’s emotions – both their hopes and their fears – and sometimes makes vague promises without being specific as to exactly how the candidate will affect that change.\nSometimes feelings of inadequacy or even self-loathing can be triggered by looking at magazine covers and billboards, watching unrealistic lifestyles portrayed on TV and in movies, or wishing that you were as attractive or your life was as great as others appear to be on social media. When people who are already a little insecure compare their own lives to idealized versions, it can exacerbate those insecurities.\nAs both children and adults, it is OK to feel these emotions as long as we recognize the media that triggered them and do not let them control us. Parents will likely experience media-triggered emotions right in front of their children, while teachers must be careful not to allow media-triggered emotions to bleed into their classroom practice. In either role, it is worthwhile to share with children how you move past those emotions and start thinking rationally.\nTeach children to recognize their emotions from a young age. It’s never too late to start either. Adolescents and teens sometimes need help with emotion recognition as well. Then, when media triggers emotions, they will be better equipped to recognize which information caused them to feel that way.\nWhile watching TV or browsing online with your child, point out ads that are appealing to emotion and discuss them openly.\nOnce the emotion has been managed, engage children to think logically about how they can take action that is positive in response to that information.\nYale Center for Emotional Intelligence\nCollaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL)\nEXPERT TIP | Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence associate director Dr. Robin Stern recommends that adults check in with your own feelings first and keep calm when talking to your children – even about a ‘charged’ piece of news. Help children to listen for facts and name their feelings. Encourage them think about how producers create media to provoke feelings in the audience. Share your own thoughts and feelings. Be prepared with activities you can do with children to help them manage emotions in order to engage in conversation. For instance, belly breathing, drawing, coloring and writing are effective regulation strategies and easy to do with your child.\nTeaching kids what to do when they see falsehoods shared online\nIf you see something that looks like it might be incorrect, but you’re not sure, definitely don’t pass it on until you do a little research. One way to start is to highlight or copy part of the text and search to see if others have commented, verified or disputed the story.\nAside from not spreading false information, consider intervening so that others know not to spread it too. Sometimes the person who has shared the story isn’t aware that it’s likely false, so a gentle nudge might be all that’s necessary for them to either take it down or at least think a bit more critically the next time they’re tempted to pass on a questionable story.\nFor decades we have told students to stand up to bullying and teasing and that being a bystander is not acceptable. We need to apply this same standard to fake news and can teach how to stand up to false information without provoking more conflict. One way is by scripting comments and responses. Here are a few examples:\nHey, friend! A lot of people are concerned about this. It turns out that it is not an accurate story. Here is a link that explains what’s going on. Thought you’d want to know that it has been disputed. You might want to take it down so people don’t get confused.\nIf your learners are willing to share the truth on their own timeline or feed – and not merely in the comments responding to the posts of others – here are more examples:\nI’ve seen many of my friends post links to websites and articles claiming _______. This post explains the truth. Let’s spread the truth together. Please share!\nIn case you’ve seen posts about ______ and have become concerned, this information will clear things up. Lots of people were confused. You’re not alone!\nWe can all raise the bar together. Our goal should not be to merely teach students to analyze the media they consume, but also how to create and share media that make the internet a better place. Use these strategies when you consume media and be sure to share these strategies with your students and children, too.\nOur democracy depends on people’s ability to make informed decisions in the voting booth, the marketplace, and in all aspects of their personal, academic and professional lives. Often this requires analyzing the information that’s available to them and sometimes other people’s informed opinions. But one thing is for sure: It’s hard to make any type of good decision without the skills to distinguish between what is true and what is false or disputable.\nWe also live in a pluralistic world where people form different opinions on everything from what smartphone to buy, what’s the healthiest diet, what school to attend and so much more. Reasonable people will form different opinions on any of these subjects but, as Daniel Patrick Moynihan once said, “everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts.”\nAs parents and educators it’s our job to help young people hone their critical thinking skills so they can analyze information effectively and come to their own conclusions. It’s essential for all aspects of their lives and all decisions they will face ranging from what to buy, what media to create and how, who to form relationships with and, of course, how to vote. We should not tell them what to think, but rather should teach them how to think for themselves, based on accurate information.\nFinally, we need to distinguish between healthy skepticism and unhealthy cynicism. It’s good to question media, regardless of how well established it may be, but it’s also essential to learn how to glean truth and insight from the media around us so that, together, we can develop a better understanding of our world and how to make it better.\nMedia Literacy Defined National Association for Media Literacy Education\nWhat is Media Literacy? Media Literacy Now\nEducator Resources and Curriculum Center for Media Literacy\nTen Questions for Fake News Detection The News Literacy Project\nHow and Why to Avoid Sharing Fake News ConnectSafely\nLesson Plan: How to Teach your Students about Fake News PBS NewsHour\n1. What is media literacy and why is it important?\nIn short, media literacy is the ability to think critically about the information you consume and create. It includes the ability to distinguish fact from opinion, and to understand how media can sometimes be used to persuade people. Media literacy is important because it is the basis for being an informed and critical thinker in a world where technology and media are ubiquitous, helping to immunize people against undue persuasion and false information.\n2. What is fake news and why do people create it?\nFake news is any information that is deliberately meant to be wholly or largely false or misleading. Motivations for creating fake news include financial gain – by getting people to click on sites so they’re exposed to advertising – or to persuade others to take an action, purchase a product, or support or oppose a cause or political candidate. Some people perpetuate fake news just for the sake of deceiving people or as a prank. Honest mistakes happen and they are not fake news. But those who publish or say something that they later find out to be untrue have an obligation to correct the record.\n3. How do we explain the difference between facts and opinions?\nBoth fact and opinion help us understand the world around us. Facts are accurate reports of what happened or what exists, while opinions are an interpretation of the meaning or impact, usually from an individual’s perspective. It’s legitimate for an opinion to be influenced by a person’s world view, but even those who express an opinion should back them up with facts rather than inaccurate information.\n4. How can you spot fake news?\nConsider the source and other stories coming from that source. Do they ring true? Is the URL legitimate? Does the “news story” seem one-sided or biased toward a particular point of view? Also, consider the article’s author. Is there evidence that it’s a real person? Search for the source and author to see what else they’ve published and what others are saying about them. Sometimes you can tell if a story is true by copying a string of its text and pasting it into a search engine. Often (but not always) this will bring up sites that may dispute or confirm the story, but it may also bring up other fake news sites that repeat the story. FactCheck.org has other good tips for spotting fake news.\n5. What is the right thing to do when you spot fake news?\nWhile it’s never OK to spread fake news, it is OK to comment on links to fake stories with your own correction, to help set the record straight.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1675980"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5186929106712341,"wiki_prob":0.48130708932876587,"text":"\"It's because of China.\" The extreme right and its scapegoat strategy\nDirk De Block\nSolidaire.org\nInspired by Donald Trump, the far right around the world has adopted the same motto: \"It's because of China that we have this coronavirus. China must pay.\" After an initial joint campaign against the UN pact on migration, the far-right network is now carrying out coordinated attacks against China.\nDuring the first phase of the coronavirus crisis, the extreme right had difficulty positioning itself in relation to this health crisis. In France, Marine Le Pen fell by 3 % in the polls at the start of the crisis. In Italy, Matteo Salvini, who was responsible for many austerity measures in the previous government, saw his popularity fall by 10 %.\nIn recent weeks, however, the far right has found a new common narrative. \"It's because of China that we have this coronavirus. China must pay.\" In Belgium, the fascist Vlaams Belang party is also very clearly prepared to put the financial means to spread the 'anti-China' message in Flanders. Thus, the party did not hesitate to sponsor Facebook ads saying \"Lest We Forget, Lest We Forgive: China lied about the virus\", and \"Let's stop being dependent on China\". This sudden interest in China is part of an international far-right campaign, that is also taking place in Europe, at the instigation of Donald Trump. After an initial joint campaign against the UN pact on migration (known as the \"Marrakesh pact\"), the far-right network is now carrying out coordinated attacks against China.\nDon't defend Trump, criticize China instead\nThe most immediate objective of Trump's campaign against China is to win the elections. Indeed, the US President's disastrous reaction to the coronavirus crisis cost him dearly in terms of credibility. Because of its slowness in implementing World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, the country has paid a heavy price for the virus, with over 100,000 deaths and mile-long queues at food distribution points. He is also facing increasing social protest. An official document describes the (re)election strategy of Trump and the Republican Party as follows: \"Don't defend Trump. Criticize China instead.\" Marie-Cécile Naves, research director at the Institute for International and Strategic Relations (IRIS), summarizes the situation in the Belgian daily Le Soir: \"For Donald Trump criticizing the WHO's management of Covid-19 and accusing the organization of making a deal with China is to say that the WHO and China are responsible for the crisis. He is looking for scapegoats to silence criticism of his own disastrous approach to the pandemic.\"\nThis propaganda war gives pride of place to fake news and other conspiracy theories. Dozens of authoritative studies by virologists, biologists, the WHO and even Trump's own security services have already refuted the claim that the virus was created in a laboratory. Yet the White House occupant keeps coming back with these theories, supported in this by an international far-right network. All over the world, far-right politicians are repeating the same motto : it's China's fault. In Brazil, a minister in the Bolsonaro government even went so far as to claim that the coronavirus was part of a Chinese plan for world domination.\nProtecting American multinationals at all costs\nIn the medium term, this campaign against China aims to protect multinationals and shareholders during the worst economic crisis since 1929. It's becoming more and more obvious that not everyone is in the same boat. The richest 1% is not \"as hard hit by the crisis\" as Theo Francken of the N-VA (New Flemish Alliance, right nationalist) claims. Billionaires are the only group in society to grow collectively wealthy despite this crisis... or rather because of it.\nTrump's aid plan has freed up over $4 trillion to bail out big business first and foremost. However, growing social protest in the United States is becoming increasingly critical of this cheque offered to multinationals. There are increasing calls for a rescue plan for workers and, in both Europe and the United States, the idea of having multimillionaires contribute through a 'Corona Tax' is gaining ground.\nA campaign blaming China for the coronavirus crisis is therefore a golden screen to preserve the ultra-rich. Indeed, by blaming China for the coronavirus pandemic, Donald Trump concludes that it must also bear the financial cost. And he hammers: \"Make China Pay!\".\nIn order to achieve his aims, he is considering further increasing the customs duties on Chinese products. Thus, this anti-China campaign fits in perfectly with the trade war that Washington has been waging for some time now. The slogan ' Make America Great Again ' wants to teach American workers to hate China, instead of demanding explanations as to why Donald Trump was so slow to implement the WHO guidelines.\nThe right-wing populist German magazine Bild ran the headline \"What China already owes us\" and calculated that China should pay Germany 150 billion euros. The president of the Spanish far-right Vox party also wants China to pay for what the party, like Donald Trump, systematically calls the 'Wuhan virus'.\nIn Flanders, the extreme right-wing news website Doorbraak has cleverly translated 'Make China Pay' into 'China must pay for the coronavirus crisis'. Doorbraak even advocates a 'Corona tax' on goods made in China and not on multimillionaires. Vlaams Belang has actively contributed to the dissemination of this article. With this campaign against China, the far right wants to protect the ultra-rich, as was very clearly demonstrated by the behaviour of Vlaams Belang in Parliament, when they voted against a proposal to subject multimillionaires to a Corona tax.\nDonald Trump's Cold War against China\nThe campaign against China also has a strategic objective. It's about preparing the minds for a cold war against America's 'strategic' enemy. For twenty years now, the most reactionary and aggressive forces in the US establishment have been convinced that the United States must fight China to maintain its global hegemony.\nThe first anti-Chinese strategies were developed under the presidency of George W. Bush by the think tank Project for the New American Century (PNAC). One of the ideologues of the time was Samuel Huntington, author of the 'Clash of Civilizations', a book that was used to justify wars in the Middle East. Huntington claimed that these wars were not meant to control oil or raw materials. He argued that conflicts were inevitable because Western civilization was incompatible with Muslim civilization. What is less well known is that he considered a conflict with China just as inevitable, since Chinese civilization, based on Confucianism (named after the philosopher Confucius), had different values and norms from those of Western civilization.\nBarack Obama, for his part, has put forward the 'Pivot to Asia' strategy, shifting American attention from the Middle East to the Far East and now assumed by the 'Committee on the Present Danger: China' (CPDC). It brings together former CIA officials, former military leaders, representatives of the arms industry, NGOs, international allies, conservative journalists and media experts, including Steve Bannon, Trump's former far-right consultant, who was behind the creation of the committee.\nAccording to the CPDC, China poses a military, economic and ideological threat to the United States that must be fought. To find the shock troops that will lead the fight on the ground, the committee can count on the far-right network that Bannon is setting up. The man always applies the same tactics. Right-wing extremist campaigns on social networks are paving the way. Then, relatively respectable but extreme right-wing media and opinion-makers take up the story, or at least raise the issue and start a controversy, which is eventually picked up by the mainstream media.\nThis far-right anti-Chinese campaign is contributing to a rapid increase in anti-Chinese racism around the world. In one week, more than 600 cases of physical and verbal abuse against people of Chinese origin were reported. These people were invected, beaten, stabbed or otherwise molested. In some schools, Chinese students have even been denied access to classrooms. Since January, the number of Americans who see China as an enemy has tripled. In Europe, too, the extreme right is portraying China as an enemy. For example, in Spain, members of the far-right Vox party have spread racist messages against Chinese citizens and tourists in Spain. In Belgium, Vlaams Belang recently tabled resolutions in Parliament questioning China's membership of international institutions such as the WHO.\nThe cold war logic of the far right: not in our name!\nProgressives around the world must be aware of the danger of the Cold War logic into which Trump and his extreme right-wing troops want to push us. We must defend a social and solidarity-based alternative against their vision and strategies.\nInternational solidarity vs the 'every man for himself' logic\nInternational solidarity and the existence of the WHO as an international organisation is a thorn in the side of the extreme right. On the other hand, the coronavirus is a pandemic, which by definition does not stop at borders. If one country loses the fight against the virus, all the others lose as well. This logic goes totally against narrow nationalism and the 'our country first' principle dear to the extreme right. It is absurd to believe that the United States, or the West, will win if China loses.\nThese two points of view also clashed at the last WHO General Assembly. Both China and the European Union were calling for a public and universally accessible vaccine. Trump opposed it and stuck to his 'America First' principle.\nAusterity or investing in a strong healthcare system\nMoreover, for the WHO, highly developed health systems are essential factors in the response to the pandemic, which also runs completely counter to the vision of Donald Trump, who is determined to undermine social security and universal health insurance. In 2014, the chairman of Vlaams Belang, Tom Van Grieken, also advocated in his party's programme 4.4 billion euros of savings in real health spending.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line773918"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5391349792480469,"wiki_prob":0.5391349792480469,"text":"Hậu Giang plans $69 million agribusiness project\nPipeapple is a special fruit of the southern province of Hậu Giang. — nongnghiep.vn\nHÀ NỘI — The southern province of Hậu Giang is building a project on strengthening competitiveness through promoting agribusiness in the period 2021-26.\nThe project is being finalised with consultancy support from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).\nThe project is designed to have capital investment of VNĐ1.6 trillion (US$68.8 million), of which VNĐ780 billion is expected from ADB, VNĐ46 billion is non-refundable aid and the remainder is the province’s counterpart capital.\nIt has four parts including innovation and technology transfer; infrastructure construction and equipment; supporting information technology development, organisation and coordination of value chains and credit support; and project management and backup.\nIn the plan, the loan from ADB is expected to build infrastructure and equipment serving the project and developing the growing area of vegetables, mushrooms, medical mushrooms and orchards in seven districts and townships of the province. It aims to have at least 20 per cent of safe vegetable and fruit qualified for VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards and have two or three brand names of typical agricultural products by 2025.\nSpeaking at the meeting between local leaders and ADB representatives held in the province on Monday, Deputy Chairman of Hậu Giang People’s Committee Nguyễn Văn Tuấn said the project was very important, contributing to building a stable growing area of vegetables and fruits and developing rural areas in the future.\n“The province will conduct this project and pay attention to its efficiency,” Tuấn said.\nNguyễn Minh Cường, principal country economist at ADB, noted the province’s ideas. He said ADB wanted the project to be implemented at the same time as the provincial People’s Council’s medium investment plan in the period 2021-25.\nAt the meeting, Tuấn also proposed ADB to support Hậu Giang in upgrading infrastructure systems for water supply, waste water drainage, preventing climate change, electricity, healthcare, transport and agriculture and rural development. — VNS","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line835619"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7148924469947815,"wiki_prob":0.2851075530052185,"text":"“We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.” –Thomas Jefferson\nLooking to get involved in the student self-governance process? Looking to make a meaningful impact at the University? Apply to serve on the University Board of Elections!\nThe UBE will be accepting applications for the 2019-2020 University Board of Elections until May 12th at 11:59 PM. Take a look at the position descriptions. If you’re interested, apply here.\nDetails on Membership\nThe University Board of Elections (UBE) is the Special Status Organization created to regulate and conduct student elections and referenda at the University of Virginia. The UBE was empowered through a series of student referenda and through delegation of authority from the Rector, Board of Visitors and the President of the University of Virginia.\nThe UBE is composed of eleven members drawn from across the whole University. The Board is appointed by a selection process that includes input from school presidents and ultimate selection by a committee of the outgoing chairs of the Honor and University Judiciary Committees, Student Council and Fourth Year Trustee Presidents and the UBE Chair.\nThe function of the UBE is crucial to the continuation of student self-governance at the University. Board members are expected to commit several hours a month during the school year in addition to additional roles and commitments during the fall and spring election seasons. Please review the following UBE constitutional requirements for membership:\nThe applicant must be a full time student of the University of Virginia.\nThe applicant must be in good academic standing as defined by The Record of the University of Virginia.\nThe applicant must commit that if appointed to the Board, the applicant will resign any executive or leadership position of a student organization that endorses in elections under the Board’s jurisdiction.\nThe applicant must not currently hold or seek any electoral office that is overseen by the University Board of Elections.\nIf appointed, a Board member may not:\nPublicly support any candidate or position in a referendum.\nBecome involved in any student election overseen by the University Board of Elections.\nBecome involved in any organizational candidate endorsement process.\nUndertake other actions that could lead to an appearance of bias.\nFor more information, please email [email protected].","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line824917"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5075581669807434,"wiki_prob":0.5075581669807434,"text":"1988, Artists, Music, Top 40\nTop 40 Songs This Week – August 27, 1988: Songs 30-21\nAugust 26, 2014 Paul Stroessner\t5 Comments\nWelcome back to this week’s countdown. If you missed the first 10 songs, you can still check them out. Now, let’s Return to the week ending August 27, 1988, and continue the countdown.\n30. “Love Bites” by Def Leppard\nThis ballad by Def Leppard is probably my least favorite song by them. But, it was the band’s only song that became a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, so what do I know?\n29. “Missed Opportunity” by Daryl Hall & John Oates\nThis song is OK. I much prefer their hits from the early ’80s.\n28. “Please Don’t Go Girl” by New Kids On The Block\nToday’s songs aren’t exactly starting out strong. This was The New Kids’ breakout hit. The lead vocals og this ballad was sung by Joey McIntyre, Jordan Knight, and spoken by Danny Wood.\n27. “Just Got Paid” by Johnny Kemp\nThis was a fun dance song. However, I think that at the time that this came out, I got paid on Thursdays, so I couldn’t relate to this song.\n26. “I Hate Myself For Loving You” by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts\nJoan Jett just plain rocks.\n25. “Don’t Worry Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin\nUgh. Just when things were starting to get good, one of my most hated songs of the ’80s gets thrown in the mix!\n24. “Here With Me” by REO Speedwagon\nOK, now I’m happy. I always liked REO Speedwagon. I think it’s funny and presumptuous when new songs get introduced on a greatest hits album, as is the case with “Here With Me.” Well, this song proved that it was worthy to be on REO’s greatest hit album, The Hits.\n23. “Rag Doll” by Aerosmith\nThis would have been a good song if it wasn’t played to death.\n22. “One Good Woman” by Peter Cetera\nI’m loving this countdown again! This is one of my favorite Peter Cetera songs.\n21. “Hold On to the Nights” by Richard Marx\nGood. Today’s songs end on a good note. This is one of those songs that got played a lot, but I still liked it anyway. I still like it a lot. This was the fourth and final single released from Richard Marx’s self-titled debut album.\nWow, that was a schizophrenic list of songs for me today! I loved some songs and hated (or am totally sick of) others. What do you think of this countdown so far? This countdown will get better. So come back and see for yourself as we continue tomorrow.\nPrevious PostRemember That Song: 8/26/14Next Post1984-a-thon Day 2\n5 thoughts on “Top 40 Songs This Week – August 27, 1988: Songs 30-21”\nThe countdown got slightly better today, so I’m trusting you that it will continue to do so.\nI forgot about “One Good Woman”! Great song! Also liked Hall & Oates, Richard Marx…and yes…even Bobby McFerrin. But I heard his song quite a bit on my trip to Myrtle Beach that summer, so it kind of became the theme song of the trip.\nOh good! I was hoping somebody would like this more than me. But for me, the songs that were good were REALLY good. Tomorrow’s will be better. The top 10 isn’t bad either. That one might be on Friday.\nI was wondering if I remembered that Hall & Oates one! And yes I do agree though their mid to late 70’s into Early 80’s very much better!\nYes, I love there music from their early days. They just had hit after hit. It just really brings me back to a good place when I hear their late ’70s early ’80s music.\nLove how it was left off with a Chicago two fer! Peter Cetera and Richard Marx!","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line343163"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6721131205558777,"wiki_prob":0.6721131205558777,"text":"FRC Denounces Decision by New York State Legislature to Redefine Marriage\nWASHINGTON, D.C. - Family Research Council (FRC) President Tony Perkins reacted to the vote by the New York State Senate, releasing the following statement:\n\"Enormous political coercion has resulted in a profound failure of moral courage in the New York Senate. A clear majority of the people of New York oppose counterfeit 'marriage,' but Gov. Cuomo and anti-family lawmakers have shown that their allegiance is to a small but vocal minority seeking to redefine marriage and family.\n\"The so-called religious protections that were tacked on to the bill will ultimately do nothing to protect the religious rights of New York citizens. As we go forward there is little doubt that the \"incentives,\" some taxpayer funded, used to sway votes, especially Republican ones, will be exposed.\n\"While it was the Democrats who were pushing this agenda, it is the Republicans in the NY Senate who ultimately allowed this to happen, especially Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos. Sadly, the families of New York are not represented well by either of the state's major parties on this issue. This battle however, is not without its heroes. State Senator Ruben Diaz, Rev. Duane Motley, Jason McGuire and the National Organization for Marriage worked tirelessly for the families of New York in this battle, and they should be praised for their work - it is not all for naught.\n\"The New York state legislature's denial of its citizens a chance to vote on the issue of marriage shows it is long overdue that the U.S. Congress begin taking these threats to marriage seriously. They should move to allow the people of the U.S. the right to vote on an issue they clearly understand, as evidenced each time the issue of marriage is put to a direct vote of the people,\" concluded Perkins.\nSupplemental Briefs Filed in Embryonic Stem Cell Lawsuit »\n« The Social Conservative Review: The Insider's Guide to Pro-Family News--Special July 4 Edition","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line126075"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5034763216972351,"wiki_prob":0.4965236783027649,"text":"Filters: Author is Van Manen, Frank Teunissen [Clear All Filters]\nVan Manen, Frank Teunissen, and Michael R. Pelton. \"Data-based modelling of black bear habitat using GIS.\" In International Union of Game Biologists, 323-329., 1993.\nVan Manen, Frank Teunissen. Black Bear Habitat Use in Great Smoky Mountains National Park In Ecology . Knoxville, TN: University of Tennessee, 1994.\nPelton, Michael R., and Frank Teunissen Van Manen. \"Benefits and Pitfalls of Long-Term Research: A Case Study of Black Bears in Great Smoky.\" Wildlife Society Bulletin 24, no. 3 (1996): 443-450.\nVan Manen, Frank Teunissen, and Michael R. Pelton. \"A GIS Model to Predict Black Bear Habitat Use.\" Journal of Forestry 95, no. 8 (1997): 6-12.\nVan Manen, Frank Teunissen, Barron Allen Crawford, and Joseph D. Clark. Correlates of Red Wolf Repatriation Success in the Southeastern United States In Final Report. Knoxville, Tennessee: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1998.\nWilds, Stephanie, John Roland Boetsch, Frank Teunissen Van Manen, Joseph D. Clark, and Peter S. White. \"Modeling the Distributions of Species and Communities in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.\" Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 27, no. 1 (2000): 389-392.\nVan Manen, Frank Teunissen, Joseph D. Clark, Scott E. Schlarbaum, Kristine D. Johnson, and Glenn Taylor. \"A Model to Predict the Occurence of Surviving Butternut Trees in the Southern Appalachian Region.\" In Prediciting Species Occurrences Issues of Accuracy and Scale, edited by Michael J. Scott, Patricia J. Heglund, Michael L. Morrison, Jonathan B. Haufler, Martin G. Raphael, William A. Wall and Fred B. Samson, 491-497. Washington, D.C.: Island Press, 2002.\nBoetsch, John Roland, Frank Teunissen Van Manen, and Joseph D. Clark. \"Predicting Rare Plant Occurrence in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA.\" Natural Areas Journal 23, no. 3 (2003): 229-237.\nClark, Joseph D., Frank Teunissen Van Manen, and Michael R. Pelton. \"Bait Stations, Hard Mast, and Black Bear Population Growth in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.\" Journal of Wildlife Management 69, no. 4 (2005): 1633-1640.\nSettlage, Katie E., Frank Teunissen Van Manen, Joseph D. Clark, and Timothy L. King. \"Challenges of DNA-Based Mark-Recapture Studies of American Black Bears.\" The Journal of Wildlife Management 72, no. 4 (2008): 1035-1042.\nLaufenberg, Jared Scott, Frank Teunissen Van Manen, and Joseph D. Clark. \"Effects of Sampling Conditions on DNA-Based Estimates of American Black Bear Abundance.\" The Journal of Wildlife Management 77, no. 3 (2013).","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1491318"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5719168186187744,"wiki_prob":0.5719168186187744,"text":"Nepal National Dalit Social Welfare Organization (NNDSWO) is a pioneer organization in combating \"caste-based discrimination and untouchability’’ and promoting equality and dignity of Dalit in Nepal. NNDSWO, established in 1982, is a first registered non-government organisation by Dalit for Dalit rights.\nNNDSWO is the legitimization of the social movement against caste based discrimination and untouchability started in 1950s by small groups of Dalit activists in different corners of the country to voice against untouchability. The leaders of the time realising the importance of a registered organisation at national level to unite the movement established Nepal National Social Welfare Organisation, later renamed as NNDSWO. The registration of NNDSWO is itself a milestone in the history of the Dalit movement in Nepal. It became a national platform for Dalit activists working in different corners of the country establishing its district chapters in more than 50 districts in the time of registration. In the same spirit it has strengthened its local initiatives building linkages with regional and international human rights advocacy.\nNNDSWO has been advocating the issues from human rights perspective as the issue of CBD&U is not only of Dalit community rather an overall human rights issue of the nation. As an institution, NNDSWO is evolving gradually, expanding its intervention areas and building on strategic approaches.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1050541"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8426977396011353,"wiki_prob":0.8426977396011353,"text":"Chris Hemsworth is one of the most famous Australian actors in recent years, and he is one of the highest-paid leading men in today’s films. He is best known for his portrayal of the superhero Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films, in which he as portrayed the character 8 times.\nHe has also had many other film roles, avoiding the trap of being known only for one character (Thor). He has had roles in series like Star Trek, Men in Black, and the reboot of Ghostbusters in 2016.\nHe was born in 1983 in Melbourne and is the middle child of 3 boys. Both of his brothers are also professional actors, but Chris is the most famous of the family. He has said that his earliest memories are of being around the cattle farms in the Australian outback hanging around buffalo and crocodiles.\nHe got his early roles in the iconic Australian soap opera series ‘Home and Away’. His first major Hollywood role was portraying James’s Kirk’s father in the 2009 Star Trek reboot by J. J. Abrams. While his on-screen performance was less than 5 minutes in the film, he caught a lot of attention and was flagged as the next big male lead.\nHe greatest breakthrough was undoubtedly in portraying Thor in the move of the same name. In the role, Hemsworth displayed his signature comedic portrayal of Thor that also managed to get serious when the film called for it, advertising his impressive range as an actor.\nHis inclusion in the first ensemble Avengers film cemented him as a forced to be reckoned with in Hollywood, and he became a household name due to the film’s international success. Ever since he has been known as Australia’s top male actor in recent years.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line183615"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9660488367080688,"wiki_prob":0.9660488367080688,"text":"Thousands of guns in British museums could be 'mutilated' under new law from Brussels\nThe new EU laws were proposed in the wake of the Paris terror attacks\nBy James Rothwell And Agency 17 December 2015 • 16:55 pm\nFile photo: The National Army Museum, London- one of the British army museums who are destroying their collections of guns due to plans to tighten EU gun laws Credit: Photo: Alamy\nUPDATE: Since this article was first published, the European Commission has contacted us to make clear that the proposed changes to EU gun laws set out in this article do not affect museums administered by public authorities. We are happy to set the record straight.\nBritish army museums will have to destroy their collections under plans to tighten EU gun laws in the wake of Paris attacks, MPs have warned.\nThe Royal Armouries Museum and the National Army Museum have said the the plans from Brussels could lead to the \"near destruction\" of thousands of guns, according to the Conservative MP David Nuttall.\nAnd the Commons leader Chris Grayling warned against \"unintended consequences \" caused by attempts to remove dangerous firearms from Europe.\nHe said that the policy \"should not be at the expense of historic museums.\"\nThe European Commission is seeking to strengthen existing laws following the Paris terror attacks in November.\nSpeaking in the Commons, Bury North MP Mr Nuttall told Mr Grayling: \"The director generals of both the Royal Armouries Museum and the National Army Museum have warned significant damage will be done to their collections of firearms, leading to the near-destruction of thousands of historic guns, if the proposed changes to the EU firearms directive go ahead.\nFile photo: Chris Grayling, Commons Leader\n\"So can we have a statement from the Government on what they are doing to stop this happening please.\"\nMr Grayling replied: \"It's important whether it's in this place or in Brussels that new legislation is thought through carefully and that unintended consequences are planned for in advance and dealt with and addressed.\n\"You have identified (this) in what is absolutely a policy that one can understand because of course we want to see a removal from Europe of dangerous firearms, but it should not actually be at the expense of historic museums and I'm sure the Foreign Secretary will take a careful note of what you say.\"\nDr Edward Impey, Director General and Master of the Royal Armouries, said their priceless collection of weapons, some of which date back to the 19th century, could be \"mutilated\" through deactivation.\n“The Royal Armouries cares for the national collection of Arms and Armour, comprising over 70,000 items from prehistory to today and from across the globe. These are all displayed or stored with the highest regard to security and long-term conservation,\" he said,\nFile photo: The Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds\n\"The proposed changes threaten the Royal Armouries’ ability to discharge its mission in accordance with the National Heritage Act 1983, as it would lead to the mutilation or near-destruction of thousands of historic guns and other items by deactivation.\"\nThe threat to the exhibits stems from a proposed deletion of Article 2.2 in the law, which exempts museums from the stricter controls on guns.\nFile photo: The National Army Museum, London\nDr Impey added: \"Deactivation would be a destructive process, usually leading to the loss of those moving parts of the item which are of the greatest interest and significance to the understanding of history and technological change through the study of objects, one of the main missions of museums.\n\"Deactivation or destruction would also prevent us from carrying out our important work in support of the armed forces and, through the use of our collection for forensic purposes, the justice system. “\nThe historic guns under threat at the Royal Armouries Museum\nMaxim automatic rifle, about 1890\nAutomatic Maxim machine gun prototype, about 1885\nBren automatic light machine gun, about 1937\nExperimental Twin Villar Perosa, about 1916\nColt Armalite AR-15 Model 01\nThompson submachine gun M1921, about 1921\nPen pistol for Lord Mountbatten of Burma, about 1948","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line48025"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5275529623031616,"wiki_prob":0.4724470376968384,"text":"Overstock CEO makes blistering speech in New York\nPatrick Byrne, CEO of Overstock, concluded his keynote about investing in blockchain at a Wednesday event in New York hosted by investment bank and brokerage Oppenheimer & Co. with ““Warning! This is all risky, it may all fail.”\nThe CEO was giving a speech about the transformative potential of blockchain technology to an enthusiastic audience, including 150 Oppenheimer clients.\nHe began by going through a brief overview of traditional securities trading and its pitfalls — highlighting the fact that due to the arcane structure of today’s market, the ownership of stocks is indirect and somehow dubious, a message he has been trying to drive home for some time.\nHe had the crowd in fits of laughter when he said: “All the corporate shares in America are owned by the company called Cede & Co, and what you actually have is a contractual claim against a corporation, that has a contractual claim against another corporation, that has a contractual claim against DTCC, that has a contractual claim against Cede & Co. What can go wrong?”\nOffering support for the blockchain, he went to talk about the benefits’ of the technology’s transparency and the way in which it minimises the need for trust. He also talked up the fact that blockchain can bring capital markets to a position where “all kinds of systemic risks go away,” such as people meddling with the system or using it dishonestly.\nByrne also reiterated his view that in the course of the next decade all types of securities can be tokenised and even put a figure on the value of new blockchain securities at $914.4 billion.\nNor did he forget to mention tZERO, a security token trading platform that he has long been a fan of. “In December 2015, we applied to issue a public blockchain security — it took one year and $10 million of legal wranglings [but] we issued it,” he said. Overstock has always been ‘SEC-conscious” in its development of tZERO and Byrne said he wants to continue to focus on building tZERO out without violating regulations or otherwise harming his potential users.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1564716"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7987400889396667,"wiki_prob":0.7987400889396667,"text":"The Record�Special Needs Students at Risk Due to Gaps in Bus System\nSpecial needs students are often bused from their home school system to another district, putting them at risk from a spotty system to check drivers.\nhttps://www.northjersey.com/story/news/watchdog/2018/08/06/school-bus-safety-special-needs-students-risk/853913001/\nEducation Week--How Private Schools and Districts Partner Up on Special Education\nLess than 2 percent of school-aged students with disabilities�about 85,000 of them in fall 2016�are enrolled by their parents in private schools, according to records maintained by the federal government.\nBut the education of those students, including their rights under federal law and the resources available to them, has taken on an outsized importance since Betsy DeVos was appointed U.S. secretary of education under the Trump administration.\nDeVos is a strong supporter of school choice, including vouchers that would allow parents to use public funds to pay for tuition at private schools. Her detractors say that parents may not understand that taking a voucher means that their students lose individual rights to services that are available only to public school students.\nhttps://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2018/08/02/how-private-schools-and-districts-partner-up.html\nChristina A. Samuels| August 2, 2018\nCBS News--Former Education Secretary Arne Duncan says U.S. education system \"not top 10 in anything\"\nFormer Secretary of Education Arne Duncan says that political decisions about education \"don't reflect\" a desire to have better schools and teachers, saying that Americans \"never vote on education.\" In his new book \"How Schools Work\" out on Tuesday, writes that the American education system \"runs on lies.\"\nEmily Tillett CBS News August 5, 2018, 12:27 PM\nhttps://www.cbsnews.com/news/former-education-secretary-arne-duncan-says-u-s-education-system-not-top-10-in-anything/","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line323299"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5305862426757812,"wiki_prob":0.5305862426757812,"text":"Puslinch Real Estate\nAbout Puslinch\nPuslinch Today\nNewest:\nJanuary 14, 2021 - Wellington County – In Business News\nJanuary 13, 2021 - A Celebration Of Life: Earle Ray\nJanuary 13, 2021 - A Celebration Of Life: James King\nHistory Corner: Continuation School in Morriston\nMorriston Hall\nMorriston, May 13, 1920:\n“The Morriston Public School Board have been discussing the question of establishing a Continuation School in Morriston. They invited four other school boards to a friendly meeting Friday night last. There were also present the local clergymen, who took part in the discussion. Mr. Woods spoke on the Continuation School Act and Mr. Nash spoke on the moral aspects. Both were in favour of establishing such a class. John Ord thought that all the school boards in the township should be consulted and wondered if Morriston was the proper place for such a school. Mr. McDonnell thought that there ought to be two schools established, one in Morriston and another to the north of Aberfoyle, to accommodate the northern part of the township. Committees were appointed to investigate the matter further and it was agreed to ask all school boards in the township to meet in the Town Hall at Aberfoyle.”\nA deputation from Aberfoyle School (S.S. #4) and the trustees of Morriston School (S.S. #8) first petitioned Puslinch Township Council at a meeting held on Jan. 8, 1906 to establish a high school class in the township. However, it was not until 1920 that a Continuation School was opened in Morriston, functioning for a few years in Morriston Hall.\nThe school offered secondary school courses, probably equivalent to the first two years of high school, to Puslinch students. Most were unable to attend secondary school in a neighbouring Guelph, Galt or Hespeler, as they were geographically too far from the towns. Students from Puslinch, who wished to attend secondary school, were forced either to board in a city or to take a train to the city, if they lived close enough to access a railway station. For this reason of inaccessibility, the education of the majority of Puslinch people ended at the completion of public school, until the advent of the high school bus route in the township. In 1923, a few Puslinch Continuation School students were able to complete “the lower school work for entrance to Normal”. Normal was a training programme for teachers.\nContinuation School began on Sept. 7, 1920 in the Foresters Hall in Morriston, with Miss Brydon of Guelph as teacher.\nIn the Lower School Departmental Examinations, first class required a standing of at least 75%; second class, 66%; third class, 60%; and credit 50%. Pupils in Form One in 1922 were: Christina McLean, Grace Gray, Maud Clark, Isabel Leslie, Charlotte McCuen, Mary H. Clark, Cameron Hingleman and Helen Gray. Subjects studied were grammar, physiography, art, botany, zoology and arithmetic. Pupils in Form Two in 1922 were: Annie D. McLean, Alex Patterson, Isabel Foster, Alma Wise, Della Philpott and Joy Gregor. Subjects studied were history, geography, art and botany.\nIn September 1923, Miss Margaret Stewart of Puslinch was teacher of the Continuation School.\nPupils in Form I in 1923 were: Tom Hammett, Stella Dandeno, Donald Stewart, Gertrude Binkley, Margaret Hingleman, Hazel McCuen, Fairbanks McDonnell, Annabel McBean, Mildred Walker, Earl Penrice, Walter Westlake, Jean McPherson and Murray McPherson. Pupils in Form II were: Jean Stewart, Eva Schultz, Donald Hanning and Margaret Patterson.\nThere was also a continuation school in Aberfoyle, where Miss Cootes was teacher. It closed in 1922 and some of the pupils attended at Morriston in 1923.\nThe Inspector of Public and Continuation Schools, J. J. Craig appeared at Puslinch Township Council on May 30, 1921 to point out the need for a centrally located High School in the township, as the instruction and accommodation of third year pupils would require an extension of the existing equipment and facilities at Aberfoyle and Morriston. He stated that this could be most economically provided for by the erection of a modern building for use by the whole township. He intimated that the Council would be approached by the Township School Boards in regard to the matter.\nJohn A. Ord came to Council on Feb. 6, 1922, on behalf of a committee of the Aberfoyle Continuation School Board, requesting Council to either grant or state a price on a site for a High School on the Township grounds. In February 1922, the trustees from the school sections, who favoured a central continuation school, held a meeting to discuss the prospect. However, the Aberfoyle correspondent stated that a “very large majority” of the ratepayers were not in favour of building a school, as the tax rate was already heavy. As a consequence, no secondary school was ever established in Puslinch.\nIn the dark year of the Depression, 1931, those Puslinch youth, who could access the Guelph Collegiate, were required to pay a fee of $2.00 per month, which their families could not afford. Puslinch Township Council paid half of the fee for 109 students. However, Council decided to discontinue this measure in January 1932.\nDuring September to December 1938, seven Puslinch students attended McDonald Consolidated School in Guelph Township for grade nine and during January to April three, for which Puslinch Township Council paid the tuition. The same measure was extended to Puslinch students attending the Loretto Academy on Aug. 4, 1941.\nIn 1948, the Guelph Suburban District High School Board was established and Gladwin Crow was appointed as the representative for Puslinch Township by Puslinch Township Council. One school bus was employed to collect students throughout the township and deliver them to the Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute.\n« Previous Article Pedestrian Hit Crossing Street in Morriston\nNext Article » Puslinch councillors support refugee cause - from own pockets\nTagged with: Hall morriston Puslinch school\nMarjorie Clark\nA Celebration Of Life: Earle Ray\nA Celebration Of Life: James King\nNotice Of Public Meeting – Puslinch Proposed 2021 Budget\nA Celebration Of Life: Norman Boreham\nPlease Support Local:\nTo receive updates from our site and information during emergencies please click here.\n9:30 am On Hold Until Further Notice. FR... @ Duff's Church\nOn Hold Until Further Notice. FR... @ Duff's Church\nJan 19 @ 9:30 am\nPresented by the VON every week at Duff’s. This is a free excercise class for individuals 55+ who want to maintain their health and indepence. The class focuses on aerobic balance, flexibility and strength. Come out and see what we’re...\n6:30 pm Cancelled Until Further Notice: ... @ Puslinch Community Centre\nCancelled Until Further Notice: ... @ Puslinch Community Centre\nThe Optimist Club of Puslinch is one of the most active clubs in the Township. Our focus is youth. We meet on the 2nd (general meeting) and 4th (dinner meeting) Tuesday of each month. If you wish to become a...\nCopyright © 2015-2019 PuslinchToday.ca. All Rights Reserved. Web programming & Hosting courtesy Quantum Slice Corp.\nCopyright © 2015-2019 PuslinchToday.ca\nWeb Programming & Hosting\ncourtesy Quantum Slice Corp.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1777865"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6061354875564575,"wiki_prob":0.6061354875564575,"text":"Dez Bryant set to make season debut after being activated by Ravens\nDez Bryant is returning to the NFL, perhaps as soon as this week.\nAccording to Field Yates of ESPN, the Baltimore Ravens have activated Bryant from the practice squad and placed the wide receiver on the active roster. Bryant could play in Sunday’s game at Indianapolis as a result.\nBryant sent a tweet after the news broke about how excited he is to return to action.\nI told you I’m covered confident and thankful.. I don’t care who hate it…\n— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) November 7, 2020\nBryant hasn’t actually played in an NFL game since 2017. He has made it clear, however, that he is not going to take his latest chance for granted. The Ravens may be getting a very motivated player, even if he initially plays a limited role as he gets back into the swing of things.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1134610"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6286920309066772,"wiki_prob":0.37130796909332275,"text":"Home > Product News and Recalls > Hospital Under Fire Over Mold Infection Deaths\nHospital Under Fire Over Mold Infection Deaths\nPosted May 15, 2017 in Product News and Recalls\nWhen we think about mold, most of us probably think of the battle we fight whenever we clean our bathrooms. All it takes, however, is a little bathroom spray mixing with a little elbow grease, and the bathtub and shower are looking as good as new. Other times, we might think of mold remediation in the home. An undiscovered water leak can lead to very unpleasant – and expensive – surprises as the work of cleaning up months or years or toxic mold buildup begins.\nMold can come from the most unlikely of places however, and that is the focus of a new lawsuit filed against UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) over the death of Katherine Landman. A recent story in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette details the story of the mother of two, and how she was allegedly killed by a mold infection contracted from hospital linens.\nMs. Landman was undergoing treatment for acute myeloid leukemia at UPMC’s Shadyside facility. In preparation for a second bone marrow transplant, she was admitted to Shadyside on July 15, 2015 for chemotherapy treatments. On August 10, just 24 days later, she began showing symptoms of a sinus infection.\nThat month, she would endure two surgeries, but neither would be for the cancer that initially brought her to the hospital. Instead, they would be attempts to remove the mold infection that had taken root in her sinuses. The attempts would fail, however, and Katherine Landman died on October 11, 2015.\nWhile the death of Ms. Landman is tragic, it is not the most striking aspect of this story. The most striking aspect is that this is the not the first time that an alleged link has been drawn between a UPMC patient’s death and mold. There have, in fact, been six others.\nTheories abound as to the cause and all sides are, of course, pointing fingers at anyone but themselves. But a common thread seems to run through all the cases and that is the facility where UPMC has its linens cleaned: Paris Cleaners. In fact, UPMC conducted its own investigation of Paris Cleaners and found mold that was similar to what allegedly killed seven of its patients. The university, however, states that these results of an internal investigation do not link the seven cases. In fact, even after conducting its own investigation, UPMC also references an investigation carried out by the Centers for Disease Control that found no source for the mold within the UPMC system.\nHospital officials are instead focusing their attention on possible external causes for the patients’ mold infections. In one case, they believe a patient may have contracted his infection from gardening. In Ms. Landman’s case, the hospital contends that her sinus infection was pre-existing.\nThe timeline for how a mold infection takes hold, however, appears to contradict such a conclusion. When the CDC conducted its investigation of UPMC facilities in 2015, the agency stated that a hospital-acquired infection could be deemed “probable” if the infected patient had been in the facility for at least two weeks prior to showing symptoms.\nMs. Landman had been there for more than three.\nTags: mold, paris cleaners, university of pittsburgh, UPMC","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1151445"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6859713792800903,"wiki_prob":0.31402862071990967,"text":"Jonathan ThomBlogProjectsContact\nBook Thoughts: Capital and Ideology\nI recently finished Thomas Piketty’s Capital and Ideology and wanted to write down my impressions before they fluttered out of my head. On an extremely related note, while almost all of my posts to date have been technology related, I’ve decided that it’s my blog, I can and should write about whatever is interesting to me.\nSummarizing the book would be a fool’s errand; the thing is dense. But to give the briefest of introductions, if Piketty’s Capital in the Twenty-First Century was all about introducing the magnitude of financial inequality that exists today, Capital and Ideology is more about the history that led to that state, and how the ever-evolving political climate has contributed to that. I have a bit of a pet interest in finance, economics, and yes, I suppose politics, so it was right up my alley.\nSo. Some lessons that stood out to me:\nWe Are Bad At Taxes\nUnsurprisingly, there was much discussion of tax policy through the years. Piketty makes what I thought were two interesting points. The first is that taxes, especially on wealth and property, are not just useful for redistributing to those less fortunate, but actually intentionally decreasing the wealth of those at the upper ends. I know this thought makes many people bristle, but I am at least glad that he “said the quiet part out loud,” as there are two sides to inequality: it’s not just the poor getting poorer, it’s very much so the rich getting richer!\nThe text also made me think more about how many not-so-secretly regressive taxes we have in society, especially when many people (even those who just vomited at the paragraph above) agree that a progressive tax code is generally a good thing. Case in point, I love living in Washington, and the state leads the way in many positive initiatives, but having a sales tax instead of an income tax is seriously off-brand and weird.\nPatterns in History\nThere were a couple of patterns that Piketty discussed, that were particularly interesting due to how they cropped up in entirely different parts of the world independent of one another.\nA good-sized chunk of the book is spent talking about “trifunctional societies” – civilizations where there were essentially three classes: the nobles, the clergy, and everyone else. This societal organization repeated itself across continents and only finally (mostly) ceased to be in the last couple of centuries. Piketty makes a point to note (and this is really a central thesis of the book) that no matter how crappy a society’s organization looks in the rear view mirror, they all had their own prevalent justifications at the time. Of course, a justification doesn’t have to be good or convincing; but it’s often enough for it to exist, and it can be hard to imagine life in any other way until you have the benefit of hindsight.\nThe second trend is more recent, which is the shift in political demographics across many countries (though to be fair, mostly Western ones). In general, the trend is that the more educated you are, the more likely you are to vote for left-leaning politicians. This has been a slow shift since about the 1960s until today, when education is an extremely strong predictor of one’s politics. There has also been a shift in economic terms; it is slowly becoming the case that those who are more financially well off are more likely to vote left (though it hasn’t entirely switched this way). These trends, I suppose, were not particularly surprising to me, but above all they made me think about how demographic trends can be spun in both positive and negative lights. It’s easy to say, “Why yes, the parties of the left have the support of the well-educated, because the well-educated are smart enough to know what’s right and just in society.” But it’s also fair to say, “The parties of the left have lost the support of those in disadvantaged and less-well-educated groups, and they should be ashamed, because we should support those most in need.”\nWorkers on Boards\nA specific strategy for decreasing inequality that Piketty endorsed was representation for workers on boards of directors. This is already a practice in some countries, such as Germany (though the workers don't always have a ton of power in the boards they serve on). It made me think about the announcement last year by Very Important Business People that stakeholders other than just shareholders should be considered when a company makes decisions. This was met with skepticism by one of my favorite writers, Matt Levine, as it is a very nice thing to say, but it’s another thing to actually do. Saving seats for workers on the board of directors would be one way to do this, and is a real, actual thing that happens in the world (i.e. it’s not really that far fetched).\nThere is so, so much more to ponder from this book. Above all, it serves as a really great history lesson, and while still quite Western and Franco-centric, Capital and Ideology views the world with a much wider lense than its predecessor. I know everyone says this, but I think someone who was very-much-not into the idea of anything with the word “social” in front of it could still enjoy it if interested in the topic. At least as a jumping off point for arguing against it!\nNaive Diffie-Hellman Implementation in Ruby\nPGP/GPG\nLessons from Sandi Metz\nWhen Does the Magic Comment Work, and When Does it Not?\nBenchmarking Arrays Full of Nils\nGo, and When It's Okay to Learn New Things\nFavorite Talks from RailsConf\nGrouping Records by Month with Ruby\nFront End Refactor\nAdd Timestamps to Existing Tables in Rails\nLet Your Projects Breathe\nThe Busy and (Somewhat) Fit Developer\nTuxedoCSS and the Rails Asset Pipeline\nGem You Should Know About: auto_html\nQuerying for Today's Date with ActiveRecord\nGetting the Action Mailer to Actually Mail (with Mailgun)\nAdvice for New Epicodus Students","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1511052"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9657970666885376,"wiki_prob":0.9657970666885376,"text":"Progressives Won the Philly Election? You Sure About That?\nThe election wasn't the liberal tsunami some have made it out to be.\nBy Holly Otterbein·\t 6/5/2015, 2:08 p.m.\nThe victorious Jim Kenney on Election Day| Photo by Jeff Fusco\nPhiladelphia is suddenly a progressive utopia.\nAt least, that’s what you might believe after reading articles about the city’s primary election in the national media.\n“Jim Kenney, a former Philadelphia city councilman who has cast himself as a progressive in the mold of Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York, handily defeated five other candidates to win the Democratic nomination for mayor Tuesday,” reads the first sentence of The New York Times article about the race.\nThe Atlantic went a step further, writing that “progressives scored a victory” because the mayoral race “pitted a crusading left-winger against a charter-school advocate backed by suburban hedge-fund magnates” and “this time, the left-winger … actually won.” Even Will Bunch of the Philadelphia Daily News declared that it was a new day after Kenney, “who ran on the most progressive platform of a major Philadelphia mayoral candidate in our lifetimes,” won in a landslide, at the same time that education activist Helen Gym succeeded in her campaign for City Council.\nYes, “New Kenney,” as Philadelphia magazine likes to call him — an early supporter of LGBTQ rights and marijuana decriminalization, who promised on the campaign trail to expand pre-K and eliminate stop-and-frisk — won the mayor’s race. And that wasn’t the only feather in Progressive Philly’s cap.\nAs Bunch noted, Gym, the city’s leading advocate for traditional public schools, was victorious in the highly competitive Democratic City Council At-Large race. So was Councilman Bill Greenlee, who spent seven years fighting to pass paid sick leave legislation in Philly and finally prevailed this winter. And Frank Rizzo, the son of the former tough-on-crime mayor of the same name, was defeated in his bid for an at-large seat (hopefully snuffing out the Rizzo flame in City Hall forever).\nBut Election Day also dealt a number of blows to Philly progressives, especially in the Democratic at-large race.\nAllan Domb, a wealthy developer and realtor whose nickname is the “condo king,” succeeded in that battle. He only switched his party registration to Democrat from Independent this year. The city’s GOP, in fact, courted him to run for mayor just this February. He’s also been a big beneficiary of the city’s property tax abatement. Whether all that is good or bad depends on where you fall on the political spectrum. But it’s definitely not progressive.\nAt the same time, voters kicked out progressive Councilman At-Large W. Wilson Goode Jr., who has been a relentless critic of the same tax abatement as well as a fierce champion of a higher minimum wage. He was endorsed by such liberal groups as Pennsylvania Working Families and Action United.\nPaul Steinke and Sherrie Cohen, two gay at-large candidates, also lost. How progressive are Philly voters if they have never, ever in the history of the city elected an out person to City Council?\nMeanwhile, Manny Morales, whose Facebook page praised voter ID, questioned abortion rights, and compared gay men to flatworms, came within just 865 votes of winning the 7th District Council race. And Greenlee came within only about 3,000 votes of losing the at-large race.\nIt should be noted that Derek Green, who finished first in the Democratic at-large brawl, doesn’t fit neatly into either the “win” or “lose” column for the city’s progressives. As a former top aide to Councilwoman Marian Tasco, he is a protégé of Philadelphia’s old guard. But he is also a graduate of the celebrated Center for Progressive Leadership.\nLikewise, some may argue the city’s presumptive next mayor isn’t a slam-dunk for progressives. He certainly wasn’t an outsider like de Blasio, and calling him a “left-winger” is going a little far. Kenney’s opponents questioned his progressive bona fides repeatedly during the mayor’s race, pointing out that he was a former staffer to ex-state Sen. Vince Fumo, a past supporter of school vouchers, and a onetime enemy of bikers.\nWhile his legislative record shows that he made a fairly clear and consistent move from being a moderate-conservative to a progressive over a couple decades, it’s also true that many people who cast a ballot for Kenney were likely voting for “Old Kenney.” And those people will be in his ear (and possibly his administration).\nThe point is, Election Day painted a rather complicated picture about Philadelphia’s political leanings.\nWhat does that mean for the city going forward? Progressives may have won the mayor’s race, but the real battle is just beginning. They’ll have to fight to get Kenney’s progressive agenda passed on Council — and to keep the mayor’s seat from slipping into the hands of Old Kenney.\nDerek Green","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1158655"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7704525589942932,"wiki_prob":0.7704525589942932,"text":"Film Talk July 29, 2018 Dir-prod-scr, Film Talk\nRandal Kleiser: “I was very proud to capture Nina Foch’s teachings on video for other people to see”\n‘Grease is the word.’ That’s what the summer box office of 1978 was basically all about. The film which depicted the screen romance of 1950s high-school sweethearts Danny and Sandy, was released in the U.S. on June 16, 1978, and its double-LP soundtrack included several songs that topped the Billboard charts: Frankie Valli’s title song “Grease” (# 1), “You’re the One that I Want” (John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, # 1), “Hopelessly Devoted to You” (Olivia Newton-John, #3), “Summer Nights” (John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, # 5), and “Greased Lightnin'” (John Travolta, # 47). The soundtrack album, which hit the top of the Billboard charts in the summer of 1978, sold reportedly over six million copies. Prior to the phenomenal success of musicals such as “La La Land” (2016) or “Beauty and the Beast” (2017), the “Grease” soundtrack to which everyone was hopelessly devoted to, was way out of everyone’s league.\nFilmmaker Randal Kleiser (b. 1946) who directed “Grease” and several other box office champions over the years, including “The Blue Lagoon” (1980), “White Fang” (1991) and “Honey, I Blew Up the Kid” (1992), came to the Brussels International Film Festival (BRIFF) to talk about “Grease,” one of the most successful films ever made. It’s been a long and fascinating journey for Mr. Kleiser, considering Walt Disney was his idol when he was a boy, the parting of the Red Sea in Cecil B. DeMille’s “The Ten Commandments” (1956) was an incredible movie experience that he still remembers vividly, and about a decade later he made a short with his roommate George Lucas. It seems that both were destined to achieve stardom as George Lucas hit the screen with “Star Wars” (1977) and the following year Mr. Kleiser made his first feature, “Grease.”\nMr. Kleiser at Brussels Bozar, introducing a screening of “Grease” at the Brussels International Film Festival. Photograph: © Leo/Film Talk\nLuckily, actress and Academy Award nominee Nina Foch (1924-2008) had crossed their paths at the University of Southern California (USC): she was his key mentor, they became friends and she allowed him to videotape her classes. A couple of years after she passed away, Mr. Kleiser and George Lucas took the initiative to produce the DVD compilation “The Nina Foch Course for Filmmakers and Actors.” Click here to check out the Nina Foch Course YouTube channel.\nTime to sit down with this very interesting, talented and experienced filmmaker and talk about his craft. The location and the place to be was the lobby of a Brussels hotel.\nMr. Kleiser, about nine years ago we met at the Academy in Los Angeles where they had a tribute to Nina Foch. How important is she to you?\nNina was my teacher and mentor. She taught me everything I know about filmmaking. I did a video of her, and I was very proud to capture her teachings on video for other people to see. It took me many years to convince her to do this project. ‘Nobody wants to know about it,’ she said, but yes, they do. We filmed in 2000 and when we started editing it, she would say, ‘Don’t use that part because I’m being mean to that Asian girl.’ So I knew I had to wait until she was gone to edit it, because I wanted it to be real. Anyhow, the final result is really the way she was and how she thought.\nWhen you were a film student at USC in the 1960s with George Lucas, you made the short “Freiheit” [1966]. It seems that the two of you were discovering the art and craft of filmmaking together?\nAbsolutely. I saw George last week, and we also talked about that short. That was his first time doing any kind of narrative story, he had done a few abstract movies up until then. “Freiheit” was done during the time when the Berlin wall was up, and that’s what it was about, about escaping through the wall and then the character was being shot. He used a combination of slow motion and stills, and he was really pushing the envelope as a student, more than anybody else. He really was ahead of all of us. We had been roommates for a while, and we were both told that we would never make it in the movie business because we didn’t have any relatives or any contacts. You had to know somebody if you wanted to make it in Hollywood, if not, you’d end up doing educational films or industrial movies. We both proved them wrong, but the strange thing is that when I was twenty, George and some friends took me to Disneyland for my birthday, they blindfolded me, put me in a car, drove me to Disneyland and once we got there, we walked around for a whole day—we both loved Disneyland. And then years later, George and I had attractions at Disneyland across from each other, I had “Honey, I Shrunk the Audience” [short, 1994] then, so there we were again. It was just sort of surreal.\n“Freiheit,” directed by George Lucas, starring Randal Kleiser, was filmed in the Malibu Canyons\nTo most people you will always be the man who made “Grease” [1978], yet early on in your career, with TV movies such as “The Boy in the Plastic Bubble” [1976] and especially “The Gathering” [1977], you showed everybody that you’re truly an actor’s director. Is that also the reason why you never made for example any action or violent films?\nDid you ever see my USC master’s thesis short “Peege” (1973) with Bruce Davison and Barbara Rush? That really got my career going and because of that, I was hired to do “The Boy in the Plastic Bubble” and “The Gathering.” It was a film I wrote about my family, about a visit to my grandmother in a nursing home on Christmas day. She was blind and demented, and she was sitting in this chair, so we brought her a lot of presents and tried to get her to connect. Then the whole family leaves, and my character—the character that I wrote about myself [played by Bruce Davison]—he stays behind to talk to her, he touches her and tries to trigger memories. And when he leaves at the very end of the movie, there’s a big close-up of her and she smiles. So that got my career going, and that was the kind of work I intended to do. Jeanette Nolan was the grandmother. She had played Lady Macbeth with Orson Welles [“Macbeth,” 1948], but when I worked with her, I didn’t know that.\nJeanette Nolan isn’t an exception, because you really know how to cast the right people, don’t you? Like Maureen Stapleton in “The Gathering,” or Joan Blondell in “Grease.”\nJoel Thurm was very instrumental, he was my casting director for “The Gathering” and “Grease.” He also produced “The Boy in the Plastic Bubble” and many years later we worked again on “It’s My Party” [1996]. He was very good at casting, he was the man who really guided me.\n“Grease” with Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta on the cover of the February 1978 issue of ‘American Film,’ published by the American Film Institute\nCould you have imagined at the time when you made “Grease,” that it would become such a phenomenal success, while even today, forty years later, young people still know most of the songs?\nIt’s crazy, isn’t it? I only knew it was a big Broadway musical before I got involved. The studio thought it was just a little teen musical. I hoped it was gonna go somewhere, or that it would work for the summertime, but we could never have imagined that so many years later, people would still be talking about it. We took it several years in a row to the Hollywood Bowl where 17,000 people show up in the costumes of the movie, they sing along, they cheer after every musical number. That’s simply extraordinary. But you know, what I learned about how to direct a musical was from being an extra in musicals. When I was in film school, I worked as an extra, and I was in “Fireball 500” [1966], “Camelot” [1967], “Thorough Modern Millie” [1967] , “Hello, Dolly!” [1969] and I was in four Elvis Presley movies. In one of them, “Double Trouble” [1966], I had a little moment with Elvis. In the beginning he was dancing on the stage and I’m dancing with this blonde girl. He then comes down, grabs her, pulls her up on stage, dances with her a little bit, and then she jumps back down with me. So I had this moment with Elvis [laughs]. The director of “Double Trouble” was Norman Taurog who was an instructor at USC, and he knew me from school, so that’s how I got cast. And years later, I was working with John [Travolta] who was channelling all of this. So it all works together in some strange way.\nFrom an extra to a successful filmmaker: this is how it all began. Mr. Kleiser—in blue shirt, far left at the bottom from 00:23—dancing in this sequence from “Double Trouble” with Elvis Presley singing ‘Baby If You Give Me All Your Love’\nWere there any other instructors at USC that you remember?\nSure, I also studied with Jerry Lewis. Nina and Jerry were the two that I learned the most from. When we first heard that Jerry Lewis was going to be an instructor, we thought, ‘Oh well, he’ll be telling jokes and all that.’ So we were very curious, what would it be like? But it turned out that he was extremely smart about every element of filmmaking. He knew all about camera lenses, sound, visual effects… As an actor, he asked questions to everybody and that’s how he learned everything and became a director, that’s how he learned how to spread a camera, the video feed of the camera—that was his idea. Years later, I interviewed him for the Directors Guild Visual History and I went to Las Vegas, did an interview of about four hours and got all kind of great stuff [click here for a September 2012 interview of Mr. Kleiser with Jerry Lewis at the Samuel Goldwyn theater in LA].\nHow did you and choreographer Patricia Birch collaborate on the set of “Grease”?\nWhen we rehearsed, I would rehearse the actors, and she would rehearse the dancers, and in the middle of the day, we would rehearse the transitions. They are so important in a musical, because a musical number has to come out of the dialogue and ease into it. It was very important to get that right. So we had to make sure the music came out of the story. Pat Birch also had twenty dancers that we kept through the whole movie, she gave them each a name and a back story and they came up with brutal ideas of their own. If you watch the movie and look at the people in the back, they are always there doing something specific. That’s the difference with extras: they always walk back and forth and they have no purpose.\nA number of years ago I met Daniel Selznick, the son of producer David O. Selznick, and he said, ‘My father always knew what his obituary would be like: David O. Selznick, producer of Gone With the Wind, dies at age so and so.’ It didn’t matter that he also made films as “Since You Went Away” [1944] or “Duel in the Sun” [1946], people would only remember him as the man who made “Gone With the Wind.” So considering the success you had with “Grease”…\n… I know what mine will be like [laughs]. But that’s okay, I’m used to it after all these years. It often goes that way. It’s like Orson Welles’ first feature “Citizen Kane” [1941], right?\nOn your website, I noticed that you’re also available for speaking engagements, master classes and seminars. What are the topics that you like to discuss with your audience and film students?\nI always channel Nina and try to get her across, using clips from the video I did with her, and I always say what she taught me and several directors. An example would be Ron Underwood who studied with her. Nina always said that on the first day of a movie, the leading man will challenge the director in some way, and Ron tells a story of Jack Palance on the set of “City Slickers” [1991], how he gave him a hard time and how Ron handled it because of what Nina told him. It’s a wonderful story, and that’s an example of her teachings, so in the class I end up doing things like that. Sometimes I bring people up on stage and just do very primitive kind of directing to show them how you have an action and an obstacle, and how you get through it, and I like to show how a director works with actors and non-actors to achieve something. Another thing I talk about is virtual reality, because I’ve been working on a science fiction project “Defrost” starring Bruce Davison, Harry Hamlin, Carl Weathers, Veronica Cartwright and Christopher Atkins. We just finished twelve five-minute episodes. It’s about a woman who’s been frozen for thirty years, comes back to life and meets her aged family. I feel like I’m back in film school because it’s all new and fresh, it’s experimental, figuring out the rules, things like that.\nBrussels International Film Festival, Brussels\nThe trailer of “Defrost: The Virtual Series”\nFIREBALL 500 (1966) DIR William Ashner PROD Samuel Z. Arkoff, James H. Nicholson SCR William Ashner, Leo Townsend CAM Floyd Crosby ED Eve Newman, Fred R. Feitshans Jr. MUS Les Baxter CAST Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello, Fabian, Chill Wills, Harvey Lembeck, Julie Parrish, Douglas Henderson, Randal Kleiser\nCAMELOT (1967) DIR Joshua Logan PROD Jack L. Warner SCR Alan Jay Lerner (play by Alan Jay Lerner; novel by T.H. White) CAM Richard H. Kline ED Folmar Blangsted MUS Frederick Loewe CAST Richard Harris, Vanessa Redgrave, Franco Nero, David Hemmings, Lionel Jeffries, Laurence Naismith, Estelle Winwood, Randal Kleiser\nTHOROUGH MODERN MILLIE (1967) DIR George Roy Hill PROD Ross Hunter SCR Richard Morris CAM Russell Metty ED Stuart Gilmore MUS Elmer Bernstein CAST Julie Andrews, James Fox, Mary Tyler Moore, Carol Channing, John Gavin, Jack Soo, Pat Morita, Philip Ahn, Beatrice Lillie, Mae Clarke, Randal Kleiser\nDOUBLE TROUBLE (1967) DIR Norman Taurog PROD Irwin Winkler, Judd Bernard SCR Jo Heims (story by Marc Brandel) CAM Daniel L. Fapp ED John McSweeney Jr. MUS Jeff Alexander CAST Elvis Presley, Annette Day, John Williams, Yvonne Romain, The Weire Brothers, Chips Rafferty, Norman Rossington, Randal Kleiser\nHELLO, DOLLY! (1969) DIR Gene Kelly PROD Ernest Lehman SCR Ernest Lehman (play by Johann Nestroy; based on ‘The Matchmaker’ by Thornton Wilde; book by Michael Stewart) CAM Harry Stradling Sr. ED William Reynolds MUS Lennie Hayton, Lionel Newman CAST Barbra Streisand, Walter Matthau, Michael Crawford, Marianne McAndrew, Danny Lockin, E.J. Peaker, Joyce Ames, Tommy Tune, Louis Armstrong, Rutanya Alda, Scatman Crothers, Randal Kleiser\nGLI ESECUTORI, a.k.a. STREET PEOPLE (1976) DIR Maurizio Lucidi, Guglielmo Garroni PROD Manolo Bolognini, Luigi Borghese SCR Randal Kleiser, Maurizio Lucidi, Roberto Leoni, Franco Bucceri, Nicola Badalucco (story by Maurizio Lucidi, Roberto Leoni, Franco Bucceri) CAM Aiace Parolin ED Renzo Lucidi MUS Luis Bacalov CAST Roger Moore, Stacy Keach, Ivo Garrani, Fausto Tozzi, Ennio Balbo, Loretta Persichetti, Pietro Martellanza, Luigi Casellato\nGREASE (1978) DIR Randal Kleiser PROD Robert Stigwood, Allan Carr SCR Bronte Woodward (adaptation by Allan Carr; original musical by Jim Jacobs, Warren Casey) CAM Bill Butler ED John F. Burnett CAST John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing, Jeff Conaway, Barry Pearl, Michael Tucci, Kelly Ward, Didi Cohn, Dinah Manoff, Eve Arden, Frankie Avalon, Joan Blondell, Sid Caesar, Lorenzo Lamas, Ellen Travolta, Andy Tennant\nTHE BLUE LAGOON (1980) DIR – PROD Randal Kleiser SCR Douglas Day Stewart (novel by Henry De Vere Stacpoole) CAM Néstor Almendros ED Robert Gordon MUS Basil Poledouris CAST Brooke Shields, Christopher Atkins, Leo McKern, William Daniels, Elva Josephson, Glenn Kohan, Alan Hopgood\nRICH AND FAMOUS (1981) DIR George Cukor PROD William Allyn [Jacqueline Bisset, uncredited] SCR Gerald Ayres (play ‘Old Acquantance’ [1940] by John Van Druten; screenplay OLD ACQUAINTANCE [1943] by John Van Druten, Lenore Coffee) CAST Jacueline Bisset, Candice Bergen, David Selby, Hart Bochner, Steven Hill, Meg Ryan, Matt Lattanzi, Daniel Faraldo, Fay Kanin, Christopher Isherwood, Paul Morrissey, Roger Vadim, Nina Foch, Gavin Lambert, Randal Kleiser\nSUMMER LOVERS (1982) DIR – SCR Randal Kleiser PROD Mike Moder CAM Timothy Galfas ED Robert Gordon MUS Basil Poledouris CAST Peter Gallagher, Daryl Hannah, Valérie Quennessen, Barbara Rush, Carole Cook, Hans van Tongeren, Lydia Lenosi, Vladimiros Kiriakidis\nGRANDVIEW, U.S.A. (1984) DIR Randal Kleiser PROD Peter W. Rea SCR Ken Hixon CAM Reynaldo Villalobos ED Robert Gordon MUS Thomas Newman CAST Jamie Lee Curtis, C. Thomas Howell, Patrick Swayze, Troy Donahue, Jennifer Jason Leigh, William Windom, Carole Cook, M. Emmet Walsh, Ramon Bieri, John Cusack, Joan Cusack\nFLIGHT OF THE NAVIGATOR (1986) DIR Randal Kleiser PROD Dimitri Villard, Robert Wald SCR Michael Burton, Matt MacManus (story by Mark H. Baker) CAM James Glennon ED Jeff Gourson MUS Alan Silvestri CAST Joey Cramer, Paul Reubens, Cliff De Young, Veronica Cartwright, Sarah Jessica Parker, Howard Hesseman\nNORTH SHORE (1987) DIR William Phelps PROD Bill Finnegan EXEC PROD Randal Kleiser SCR William Phelps, Tim McCanlies (story by Randal Kleiser, William Phelps) CAM Peter Smokler ED Robert Gordon MUS Richard Stone CAST Matt Adler, Nia Peeples, Gregory Harrison, John Philbin, Gerry Lopez, Laird John Hamilton, Cristina Raines\nBIG TOP PEE-WEE (1988) DIR Randal Kleiser PROD Paul Reubens, Debra Hill SCR Paul Reubens, George McGrath CAM Steven Poster ED Jeff Gourson MUS Danny Elfman CAST Paul Reubens, Penelope Ann Miller, Kris Kristofferson, Susan Tyrrell, Valerie Golino, Frances Bay, Leo Gordon, Anne Seymour, Kenneth Tobey, Benicio Del Toro, Randal Kleiser\nGETTING IT RIGHT (1989) DIR Randal Kleiser PROD Randal Kleiser, Jonathan D. Krane SCR Elizabeth Jane Howard CAM Clive Tickner ED Chris Kelly MUS Colin Towns CAST Jesse Birdsall, Helena Bonham Carter, Jane Horrocks, Pet Heywood, Bryan Pringle, Lynn Redgrave, John Gielgud, Shirley Anne Field\nWHITE FANG (1991) DIR Randal Kleiser PROD Marykay Powell SCR Jeanne Rosenberg, Nick Thiel, David Fallon (novel by Jack London) CAM Tony Pierce-Roberts ED Lisa Day MUS Basil Poledouris CAST Ethan Hawke, Klaus Maria Brandauer, Seymour Cassel, Susan Hogan, James Remar, Bill Moseley, Clint Youngreen\nRETURN TO THE BLUE LAGOON (1991) DIR – PROD William A. Graham EXEC PROD Randal Kleiser SCR Leslie Stevens (novel by Henry De Vere Stacpoole) CAM Robert Steadman ED Ronald J. Fagan MUS Basil Poledouris CAST Milla Jovovich, Brian Krause, Lisa Pelikan, Courtney Barilla, Garette Ratliff Henson, Emma James, Jackson Barton\nHONEY I BLEW UP THE KID (1992) DIR Randal Kleiser PROD Dawn Steel, Edward S. Feldman SCR Garry Goodrow, Peter Elbling, Thom Eberhardt (story by Garry Goodrow; characters created by Stuart Gordon, Ed Naha, Brian Yuzna) CAM John Hora ED Michael A. Stevenson, Harry Hitner MUS Bruce Broughton CAST Rick Moranis, Marcia Strassman, Robert Oliveri, Daniel Shalikar, Joshua Shalikar, Lloyd Bridges, John Shea, Keri Russell\nIT’S MY PARTY (1996) DIR – SCR Randal Kleiser PROD Randal Kleiser, Joel Thurm CAM Bernd Heinl ED Ila von Hasperg MUS Basel Poledouris CAST Eric Roberts, Gregory Harrison, Margaret Cho, Lee Grant, Roddy McDowall, Marlee Matlin, Olivia Newton-John, George Segal, Christopher Atkins, Dennis Christopher, Sally Kellerman, Nina Foch\nCANNES MAN (1997) DIR – MUS Richard Martini PROD Tom Coleman, Holly MacConkey SCR Richard Martini, Deric Haddad, Susan Shapiro, Irwin M. Rappaport CAM Dean Lent, Denise Brassard ED Richard Currie CAST Seymour Cassel, Treat Williams, Randal Kleiser, Robert Evans, James Brolin, John Malkovich, Julian Lennon, Jim Jarmusch, Benicio Del Toro, Dennis Hopper, Johnny Depp, Menahem Golan, Peter Gallagher, Jim Sheridan, Richard Martini\nSHADOW OF DOUBT (1998) DIR Randal Kleiser PROD Adam Kline, T.J. Mancini SCR Myra Byanka, Raymond De Felitta CAM Craig Haagensen ED Jeff Gourson MUS Joel Goldsmith CAST Melanie Griffith, Tom Berenger, Craig Sheffer, Huey Lewis, Wade Dominguez, James Morrison, Lisa Pelikan, Nina Foch, Tony Plana, Victor Love\nLOVE WRECKED (2005) DIR Randal Kleiser PROD Joe Anderson, Robert Velo, Wendy Thorlakson, Stewart Hall, Sammy Lee SCR Stephen Langford CAM Gary Capo MUS Stewart Copeland CAST Amanda Bynes, Chris Carmack, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Jonathan Bennett, Susan Duerden, Fred Willard, Jackie Long, Joey Kern, Lance Bass\nRED RIDING HOOD (2006) DIR Randal Kleiser PROD Steve Austin, Jonathan Bogner SCR Timothy Dolan (story by Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm) CAM David Stump ED Harry Hitner MUS Bruce Roberts, David Tobocman (song ‘Lil’ Red Riding Hood’ arranged by Randal Kleiser) CAST Lainie Kazan, Henry Cavill, Morgan Thompson, Daniel Roebuck, Debi Mazar, Joey Fatone\nALL TOGETHER NOW (1975) DIR Randal Kleiser PROD Ron Bernstein TELEPLAY Rubin Carson, Jeff Andrus (story by Rubin Carson) CAM Gene Polito ED Larry Robinson, Bob Wyman MUS John Rubinstein CAST John Rubinstein, Glynnis O’Connor, Brad Savage, Helen Hunt, Dori Brenner, Bill Macy, Jane Withers, Larry Bishop, Adam Arkin\nDAWN: PORTRAIT OF A TEENAGE RUNAWAY (1976) DIR Randal Kleiser PROD Douglas S. Cramer TELEPLAY Dalene Young CAM Jacques R. Marquette ED Carroll Sax MUS Fred Karlin CAST Eve Plumb, Leigh McCloskey, Lynn Carlin, William Schallert, Anne Seymour, Joan Prather, Marguerite DeLain, Bo Hopkins, Anne Ramsey\nTHE BOY IN THE PLASTIC BUBBLE (1976) DIR Randal Kleiser PROD Joel Thurm, Cindy Dunne TELEPLAY Douglas Day Stewart (story by Douglas Day Stewart, Joe Morenstern) CAM Archie R. Dalzell ED John McSweeney, Jr. MUS Mark Snow CAST John Travolta, Glynnis O’Connor, Robert Reed, Diana Hyland, Karen Morrow, Buzz Aldrin, Ralph Bellamy, Anne Ramsey\nTHE GATHERING (1977) DIR Randal Kleiser PROD Harry R. Sherman SCR James Poe CAM Dennis Dalzell ED Allan Jacobs MUS John Barry CAST Edward Asner, Maureen Stapleton, Rebecca Balding, Sarah Cunningham, Bruce Davison, Veronica Hamel, Gregory Harrison, James Karen\nROYAL STANDARD (1999) DIR Randal Kleiser, Rob Metzer, Alex Eastburg PROD Adam Hauck, Anthony Miller SCR Alex Eastburg, Greg Capano, Adam Hauck CAM Clay Westervelt, Cort Fey CAST Scott Cleverdon, Louisette Geiss, Vernard ‘Bone’ Hampton, Ed Marques, Corey Page\nDEFROST: THE VIRTUAL SERIES (2016) DIR – SCR Randal Kleiser PROD Randal Kleiser, Tanna Frederick CAM Christopher C. Pearson ED Kevin Joseph Barrett, Alicia Cota, Matt LaCorte MUS Greg O’Connor CAST Bruce Davison, Harry Hamlin, Tanna Frederick, Carl Weathers, Veronica Cartwright, Ethan Rains, Christopher Atkins\nPosted in Dir-prod-scr, Film Talk and tagged Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science, American Film, American Film Institute, Barbara Rush, Beauty and the Beast, Berlin, Billboard, Bruce Davison, Brussels International Film Festival, Camelot, Carl Weathers, Cecil B. DeMille, Christopher Atkins, Citizen Kane, City Slickers, Daniel Selznick, David O. Selznick, Defrost, Directors Guild, Disneyland, Double Trouble, Duel in the Sun, Elvis Presley, Fireball 500, Frankie Valli, Freiheit, George Lucas, Gone With the Wind, Grease, Greased Lightnin', Harry Hamlin, Hello Dolly!, Hollywood Bowl, Honey I Blew Up the Kid, Honey I Shrunk the Audience, Hopelessly Devoted to You, It's My Party, Jack Palance, Jeanette Nolan, Jerry Lewis, Joan Blondell, Joel Thurm, John Travolta, La La Land, Macbeth, Malibu Canyons, Maureen Stapleton, Nina Foch, Norman Taurog, Olivia Newton-John, Orson Welles, Patricia Birch, Peege, Randal Kleiser, Ron Underwood, Since You Went Away, Star Wars, Summer Nights, The Blue Lagoon, The Boy in the Plastic Bubble, The Gathering, The Nina Foch Course for Filmmakers and Actors, The Ten Commandments, Thorough Modern Millie, University of Southern California, USC, Veronica Cartwright, Walt Disney, White Fang, You're the One that I Want. Bookmark the permalink.\nClaudia Cardinale: “I loved working in America, but I always considered myself to be a European actress”\nQuote Quentin Tarantino","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1673783"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5947015285491943,"wiki_prob":0.40529847145080566,"text":"Mural Honoring Jazz Great Billy Strayhorn completed in Hillsborough, North Carolina\nA mural honoring jazz great Billy Strayhorn has been completed in downtown Hillsborough, North Carolina. Max Dowdle, the artist behind the mural, worked with Volume Records co-owner Tony Lopez on the design for the mural, which they named “Take the A Train”, one of Strayhorn’s most well-known compositions.\nHillsborough Mayor Tom Stevens hopes to see more public art such as this in the future. “Hillsborough has become very much an arts community as well as a place where we preserve our history,” says the Mayor.\nThe mural was sponsored by the Hillsborough Tourism Development Authority and the Hillsborough Arts Council. According to Stevens, since the mural adorns a building located inside Hillsborough’s Historic District, it had to be approved by the Historic District Commission. “What the Historic District Commission does is review any changes to the exterior of buildings, nothing about the interior, so this falls right under what they do.”\nBilly Strayhorn, a renown composer and pianist, burst onto the jazz scene in the late 1930s when he joined Duke Ellington’s band. Although he was born in Ohio and lived in New York City for most of his adult life, he spent much of his childhood visiting his grandparents in Hillsborough.\n“Billy Strayhorn came to Hillsborough. This is one of the places where he learned music, so this feels like a local part of our community, and now we have this great art mural,” says Stevens. “It’s quite lovely; that’s the first kind of thing we’ve had like that downtown.” A historical marker located near where Strayhorn’s grandparents house was located also pays homage to the jazz legend.\nAugust 26, 2019 /by Galen Demus\nhttp://billystrayhorn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Strayhorn-Mural.jpg 703 1140 Galen Demus http://billystrayhorn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Strayhorn_logo1-R-1.png Galen Demus2019-08-26 19:20:292019-08-26 19:20:32Mural Honoring Jazz Great Billy Strayhorn completed in Hillsborough, North Carolina","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line972820"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5374926924705505,"wiki_prob":0.5374926924705505,"text":"The New Documentary, Part I: “Going Clear”\nIn the late 90s, I took a UCLA Extension course in directing whose instructor declared, “There is no more objective truth in documentaries than [in] feature films.” I couldn’t have disagreed more. Documentary films–as opposed to the opinion piece or docu-drama–are the converse of feature films, with a distinct set of rules:\n1. Don’t make things happen. Rather than forming an opinion and then trying to prove it, documentary filmmakers shoot first and organize later.\n2. The script comes last. Any narration is based on the footage, as is the structure of the film. Documentaries are made in the editing room.\n3. Don’t mess with the timeline. With the exception of interviews, events are shown in the order of occurrence.\n4. No pictures, no story. All narration must be illustrated by images, preferably moving images, followed by still photos and illustrations. Re-enactments, if any, are a last resort.\nBecause I’ve followed these rules in all my documentaries, I’ve had to make hard choices, particularly where images are concerned. When Jim Thompson’s heir failed to follow through on his promise to let me use family photographs, I had to cut short the section on Jim’s youth. Later, a total lack of photographs of Peter the Hermit, the original Hollywood costumed character, led me to drop his story from “Under the Hollywood Sign.” In the same film, I reluctantly made a re-enactment of Peg Entwistle’s final hour because I lacked photos and artifacts. In both Peter and Peg’s cases, I later received a flood of photographs and information, some of which can be found on this blog, but in Peter’s case it came too late to be included in the film.\nWhile I don’t regret my strict approach, it doesn’t jibe with recent trends. The preferred model for new documentaries is the three-act screenplay, which requires a dramatic arc. Stories unfold like police procedurals, with satisfactory conclusions, while unrecorded events are generously re-enacted, often in lurid slow-motion. All of this makes for compelling entertainment, but is it real?\nAlex Gibney’s “Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief,” is a good example of the new approach. Essentially a filmed version of Lawrence Wright’s book of the same name, the film employs traditional elements–interviews, archival footage, B-roll of Scientology landmarks. But it is also loaded with re-enactments that tell L. Ron Hubbard’s story and those of his disaffected followers. So we see recreated auditing sessions using the E-Meter, typewriters, explanatory charts and lots and lots of stars (the planetary kind, though there are archivals of John Travolta and Tom Cruise as well).\nAbsolutely nothing is left to the viewer’s imagination. To illustrate his subjects’ retelling of Scientology’s creation myth, Gibney creates a colorful montage of 1950s Americana, spaceships, volcanoes and planets. And in case the term “Operating Thetan” proves too difficult to comprehend, he inserts a shot the words, neatly typed, on a piece of paper. The paper is still in the typewriter, one of many such shots, lest we forget that L. Ron Hubbard was a writer.\nGibney’s treatment of the interviews is curious. Though his interviewees–who include not only Wright but former Scientologists Paul Haggis, Jason Beghe and Spanky Taylor–are without exception eloquent, compelling and worthy of screen time, Gibney does everything possible not to show them talking. When not cutting to re-enactments, he cuts to graphics–anything to avoid screen time for a talking head. The result is an undermining of the interviewees, whose stories, after all, are the crux of “Going Clear.”\nNext time: “The Jinx.”\nBeachwood Canyon in the 1940 Census, Part I: Cosmopolitan, Occupationally Diverse, and Stable\nA Page from the 1940 Census/Courtesy http://www.the1940census.com\nFor the past week, I’ve been mesmerized by the 1940 Census records for Beachwood Canyon. A time capsule loaded with demographic information, the Census shows a neighborhood that was largely upper-middle class, yet diverse in national origins and occupations. (Unsurprisingly, there wasn’t much racial diversity; apart from a few Lebanese and Egyptians in nearby Bronson Canyon, everyone in the area seems to have been of European extraction, including live-in servants.)\nAs I expected, movie industry employees were well represented in the Canyon, which crawled not only with actors but directors, producers, sound engineers, cameramen, and executives. But I didn’t think musicians would be as prevalent: conductors, singers, pianists, violinists, teachers and coaches, most not connected to the movies, abounded in the Canyon. It’s a reminder of the fact that Los Angeles, with its burgeoning population of urban sophisticates, was a center for live music long before the existence of the Music Center, let alone Disney Concert Hall.\nAnother notable element of Beachwood’s 1940 population was the number of residents born outside California. Unsurprisingly, the largest number came from the Eastern Seaboard, with significant numbers from the Midwest, notably Ohio, Illinois and Wisconsin. Others came from Kansas, Nebraska and other Plains States. More surprising is the number of foreign-born residents, who were so common that every page I reviewed had at least one. The most common foreign birthplaces were England, Germany, Canada and Russia.\nIn 1940 the United States was still emerging from the Great Depression, an economic reality that was reflected in Beachwood’s households. Multigenerational families were common, not only where adult children lived with their parents, but in households containing three generations. For example, the house next door to mine, notable for having been designed by a famous architect, housed not only the architect’s sister, her husband and two sons but her widowed mother and middle-aged brother, as well as a maid from England. Although they undoubtably were the richest family on the block–the husband was a manufacturing executive with an income in excess of $5000 per year, the highest category on the Census, and his wife worked as an apartment manager–the house is far from palatial. A family of three lives there today, and the house doesn’t seem too big for it.\nAnother significant difference between Beachwood then and now is the number of households with live-in servants. Maids were common in 1940, as were trained and practical nurses, most in charge of babies and toddlers. Other households listed lodgers–which, ironically, are common again in today’s tough economy. The prevalence of rented rooms in circa 1940 Hollywoodland belies the idea that houses above the Gates were intended as single-family homes: lodgers, it seems, have always lived here.\nThe Census contains a last surprise, one that puts to rest the idea of Los Angeles as a way station for vagabonds. It asks respondents where they resided five years earlier, on April 1, 1935. Overwhelmingly, Beachwooders responded “same place.”\nNext time: Discovering the original owner of my house.\nYou are currently browsing the Scientology category at Under the Hollywood Sign.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line320158"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6527148485183716,"wiki_prob":0.6527148485183716,"text":"Messier Monday: Messier's Greatest Mistake, M40\nBy esiegel on April 1, 2013.\n\"It is the highest form of self-respect to admit our errors and mistakes and make amends for them. To make a mistake is only an error in judgment, but to adhere to it when it is discovered shows infirmity of character.\" -Dale Turner\nThis April Fools' day, even though the rest of the internet revels in trickery, happens to fall on a Monday. Over here at Starts With A Bang, that means it's time for Messier Monday, an in-depth look at one of the 110 deep-sky objects catalogued by Charles Messier in the 18th Century to help comet-hunters avoid confusion. Today, the catalogue boasts 107 spectacular deep-sky clusters, nebulae and galaxies of various sorts, as well as three -- to be polite -- curiosities.\nImage credit: SEDS' Messier Catalogue, via Hartmut Frommert and Christine Kronberg.\nToday, for April Fools' day, we'll take a look at the most foolish of all 110 objects in the Messier catalogue, an object that could not possibly, conceivably ever be mistaken for a comet: Messier 40, a mere double star in the sky. You may wonder, amidst hundreds of extended objects, open clusters, globular clusters, spirals and more, how such an obvious blunder could make it in? Well, I'll tell you. But first, here's how to find it for yourself.\nImage credit: Me, using the free software Stellarium, via http://stellarium.org/.\nThe Big Dipper is an asterism -- a configuration of stars in the sky -- that you're all familiar with. Along with Orion and the Summer Triangle, it's one of my favorite starting points for finding deep-sky objects. To find M40, you don't need to wander very far. Simply take a good look at Megrez, the bright star where the dipper's handle connects to the cup, and look slightly above (or north of) the star itself.\nImage credit: Me, using the free software Stellarium, available at http://stellarium.org/.\nThere are a few bright-ish stars near 3rd-magnitude Megrez, denoted by their Hipparcos catalog numbers, above. And near the just-barely-naked-eye star, HIP 60212, a little farther away from Megrez, are two faint stars, very close together in the sky.\nThat, my friends, is Messier 40.\nImage credit: © 2006 - 2012 by Siegfried Kohlert, of http://www.astroimages.de/.\nIt's just a double star, nothing more than that. It's somewhat remarkable because of how close these two stars are to one another, as they're separated by less than one arc-minute (one sixtieth of a degree) on the sky. And it's the most obvious mistake in the Messier catalogue, as no one in their right mind would confuse this with a comet.\nImage credit: NOAO / AURA / NSF.\nNot in the visible, which is what all telescopes were back in Messier's day, nor in the infrared, as the 2-micron All-Sky-Survey shows, below.\nImage credit: 2MASS.\nAnd yet, Messier included this object as the 40th one in his catalogue. What gives?\nThe story goes back 100 years before Messier, to the famed 17th Century astronomer, Johannes Hevelius.\nImage credit: Johannes Hevelius, retrieved from Tom Michalik of Randolph College.\nHevelius discovered numerous comets, was the last naked-eye astronomer to make significant contributions to the field, became the first noted lunar topographer and measured the longitudinal libration of the Moon. He -- along with many other astronomers before Messier's time -- had compiled a list of extended, deep-sky objects to steer potential comet-hunters clear of such patches in the sky.\nBut you haven't heard of the Hevelius catalogue, or any other astronomical catalogues of deep-sky objects that predate Messier's. There's a good reason for that; Messier's objects actually exist, and they actually exist where he said they are!\nImage credit: Fred Espenak of http://www.astropixels.com/.\nThat's why Messier 40 is such a bummer. There were many objects that were in previous catalogues that turned out to be spurious, and Messier chose not to include them in his 18th Century compendium. And yet, when he came across Hevelius' cataloguing of this object from 1660, he made his own observations, and wrote the following:\nThe same night of October 24 to 25 [in 1764], I searched for the nebula above the tail of the Great Bear, which is indicated in the book Figure of the Stars, second edition... I have found, by means of this position, two stars very near to each other and of equal brightness, about the 9th magnitude, placed at the beginning of the tail of Ursa Major: one has difficulty to distinguish them with an ordinary [nonachromatic] refractor of 6 feet... There is reason to presume that Hevelius mistook these two stars for a nebula.\nIn other words, Messier knew that there were no nebulae there, and yet recorded this \"object\" anyway!\nImage credit: user egres of http://www.astrobin.com/, via http://www.astrobin.com/4334/.\nWe now know that these two stars are unrelated to one another; according to these guys, one of the stars is around 500 light-years distant, while the other is closer to 2,000 light-years away! In other words, it's only by a chance alignment at this moment in time that these two stars even appear as a double star.\nAnd yet, if there were a much more powerful telescope at Messier's disposal, he might have found that there were, in fact, a slew of deep-sky objects within half-a-degree of this double star!\nImage credit: Me, using the free software Stellarium, again.\nIn fact, just a few years later -- in 1789 -- William Herschel would discover a pair of spiral galaxies that formed an equilateral triangle with Messier 40 and HIP 60212: NGCs 4290 and 4284. (There's a smaller, third galaxy there, too, that wouldn't be discovered until much later.)\nImage credit: Courtney Seligman of http://cseligman.com/.\nAnd if someone had continued the line from HIP 60212 to Messier 40 and beyond, they would have found four more spectacular galaxies in roughly a straight line, with William Herschel once again discovering the three bright \"NGC\" ones in 1789.\nImages credit: Courtney Seligman of http://cseligman.com/, stitching by me.\nBut this is Messier Monday, not NGC-never-gonna-complete-it (with 7,840 objects), and so this April Fools' Day, now you've learned all about the most foolish of all Messier's entries, M40! Including today, we've taken a look at the following Messier objects:\nM1, The Crab Nebula: October 22, 2012\nM8, The Lagoon Nebula: November 5, 2012\nM13, The Great Globular Cluster in Hercules: December 31, 2012\nM15, An Ancient Globular Cluster: November 12, 2012\nM30, A Straggling Globular Cluster: November 26, 2012\nM33, The Triangulum Galaxy: February 25, 2013\nM37, A Rich Open Star Cluster: December 3, 2012\nM40, Messier's Greatest Mistake: April 1, 2013\nM41, The Dog Star’s Secret Neighbor: January 7, 2013\nM44, The Beehive Cluster / Praesepe: December 24, 2012\nM45, The Pleiades: October 29, 2012\nM48, A Lost-and-Found Star Cluster: February 11, 2013\nM52, A Star Cluster on the Bubble: March 4, 2013\nM53, The Most Northern Galactic Globular: February 18, 2013\nM60, The Gateway Galaxy to Virgo: February 4, 2013\nM65, The First Messier Supernova of 2013: March 25, 2013\nM67, Messier’s Oldest Open Cluster: January 14, 2013\nM72, A Diffuse, Distant Globular at the End-of-the-Marathon: March 18, 2013\nM74, The Phantom Galaxy at the Beginning-of-the-Marathon: March 11, 2013\nM78, A Reflection Nebula: December 10, 2012\nM81, Bode’s Galaxy: November 19, 2012\nM83, The Southern Pinwheel Galaxy, January 21, 2013\nM97, The Owl Nebula, January 28, 2013\nM102, A Great Galactic Controversy: December 17, 2012\nCome back next week, where we’ll learn about a real deep-sky object here, on another Messier Monday!\nmessier monday\nwinnecke 4\nMessier Monday: A Young Open Cluster in the Summer Triangle, M29\n\"In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.\" -Albert Camus Welcome back to another Messier Monday, only here on Starts With A Bang! The first accurate, large catalogue of fixed, deep-sky objects, Messier's 110-object-strong catalogue features galaxies,…\nMessier Monday: A Very Unusual Globular Cluster, M71\n\"The image is more than an idea. It is a vortex or cluster of fused ideas and is endowed with energy.\" -Ezra Pound It's time for another Messier Monday, where we profile one of the 110 deep-sky objects that make up the Messier catalogue! This was the first large, accurate catalogue of fixed, non-…\nMessier Monday: A Big, Blue, Bright Baby Cluster, M47\n\"Do not look at stars as bright spots only. Try to take in the vastness of the universe.\" -Maria Mitchell It's time again for Messier Monday, where we highlight the various wonderous deep-sky objects of the night, and show you how to find them against the expansive backdrop of stars. The (almost)…\nMessier Monday: Messier's First Globular Cluster, M2\n“God put me on this earth to accomplish a certain number of things. Right now I am so far behind that I will never die.” -Bill Watterson Welcome back to another Messier Monday, only here on Starts With A Bang! With each new Monday, we take an in-depth look at a prominently visible random object…\nHurry up already and do an article on M87 :)\nBy Brian (not verified) on 01 Apr 2013 #permalink\nIt wasn't a mistake. Like you say, it was even noted as being a double before writing down. I get the feeling that he either had a soft spot for Hevelius. Maybe his funder did.\nThere are more \"absolutely could not be confused for a comet\" markings in the catalogue, so I rather suspect he put these in because he kept getting people asking him to put them in. It would be one way to shut them up...\nBy Wow (not verified) on 02 Apr 2013 #permalink\nEthan, you do have a talent -- you can even make a pretty ordinary double star seem interesting. Thanks for Messier Mondays!\nBy JoeB (not verified) on 02 Apr 2013 #permalink","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line955014"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8014426231384277,"wiki_prob":0.8014426231384277,"text":"Rocketing crime on the cards\nCredit and cash card conmen are targeting Tyneside which has seen a massive increase in fraud cases.\nMore than £5.5 million was cleared out of North East bank accounts by criminals using credit card cons in 2003.\nNow police chiefs are warning people to keep an eagle eye on their flexible friends and to use new chip and pin devices in shops.\nThe Association for Payment Clearing Services revealed £5.5 million has been creamed off by conmen in the North East during 2003 compared to £3.5 million in 2002.\nIn Newcastle the figure was £3 million, almost 176% more than in 2000 when £1 million was lost.\nSecretary of the North East Anti-Fraud Forum, Frank Nesbitt, said thieves are using a range of devices to get their hands on credit card and to switch details.\nHe said among the most prolific was a hand held scanner which can copy credit card details in seconds and which can then be used to create a carbon copy.\nHe added they also use skimming devices that copy and record account details from the magnetic strip of each card. A tiny camera is sometimes used in conjunction so criminals can record pin number details.\nIn the past this system has been used in at the HSBC ATM, in Team Valley and the Abbey National machine, at Safeway, in Gateshead.\nAnother device is the Lebanese Loop, where a plastic or wire device is inserted into the cash withdrawal slot, giving the impression the machine has malfunctioned and has not issued any money.\nIt is then removed and the trapped card is taken by a gang member while the victim tries to sort out the problem with bank staff.\nMr Nesbitt said Newcastle was being targeted by gangs of criminals who travel the country on credit card fraud.\nHe said they were attracted to the area by the recent growth of wealth in Newcastle.\n\"They see Newcastle as a vibrant city where there is wealth because we have such a good economy.\"\nMr Nesbitt said: \"Economic crime is a very serious problem. The bottom line is to not lose sight of your credit card. Do not let someone you do not know walk away with it.\"\nMr Nesbitt said the best way to beat fraudsters was to use chip and pin machines which can now be found in the Post Office and major stores.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1549199"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5985528230667114,"wiki_prob":0.4014471769332886,"text":"Friday, October 14, 2016 / 11:39 am\nPlaying Lawyer\nAt the CBS TCA Summer Press Tour back in August, Katherine spoke to the press about her upcoming show Doubt. She also touched on how much she enjoyed working as a producer on State Of Affairs, the entertainment industry, life in Utah, and dealing with internet trolls.\nWhat’s it like now playing a lawyer?\nI’ve not really watched any legal dramas and I forgot about the whole courtroom thing, that you have to perform for a jury. I found that fascinating, that as an actor I get to actually act in front of a jury, to be demure or passionate and get them on my side. I’ll bet the best lawyers are the ones comfortable grandstanding, because that’s a big part of it.\nIt’s not a gritty, heavy show though. Was that one reason you wanted to do it?\nIt has a lightness and joyfulness to it. Everyone [in the cast] has fascinating story lines and great characters and that’s more interesting for fans – they can get invested in this character here or there and are not force-fed one storyline or one actor. There’s always a bit of levity and banter between us. I wish people would write me witty banter, just for my personal life.\nWas it hard to come back to TV after State of Affairs?\nThis came my way and I wasn’t looking for anything at that moment. I was grieving for State of Affairs. It was sad. I was so committed to that and loved it so much and it was such an extraordinary experience. I wasn’t gunning to do something else right away. But I got the call and read it and it was such an interesting character I’d be a fool to say no.\nYou must have learned a lot from that experience though.\nWhat I learned is that I love producing. I loved that experience and reveled in it. It was my opportunity to be a real producer and not just a vanity title. I learned a lot. But I did not nail it. I would love to do it again. I have a couple of ideas I’d love to pitch just for the opportunity to produce again.\nIt must take a certain amount of resilience to be in this industry.\nYou’ve got to be resilient if you want to succeed. You can’t give up and say, \"I’ve had enough failure and I’m tired of publicly failing and I’m going to retire to Utah,\" because that was the plan. But I just keep wanting to do this. I like it, and I feel like it’s my thing. Life is about trying and failing and trying again and one day it all comes beautifully together and you ride that wave for as long as you can and then you fail all over again. That’s the nature of the industry. If you can take the pain out of it, it’s amazing. It makes room for other talent and other interesting stories to be told and other performers to rise up, and then your wave rises again.\nWas it a conscious decision to not live in Los Angeles anymore?\nUtah is my home base now. It’s where I raise my family and spend 90 percent of my time. I’ve spent the past two years just being a mom. But then I was ready to go back to work, and that’s part of who I am too. I always said I’d be a working mom. I was naive enough to think I could totally do both. You can, but you’re compromising both to do both. When I’m done filming here in early December, I’ll go back to Utah, give birth, and I get to be in that world again. It helps me keep everything in perspective.\nHow have you handled the negative things said about you?\nI started acting when the Internet was just starting, and fan sites were happening. I was 17 and had done a little movie and suddenly my body was changing. I was putting on weight and I didn’t know how to diet. I was doing the Cindy Crawford exercise videos, but didn’t know I had to stop eating so much. Somebody online called me \"thunder thighs\". I was horrified. I felt like the world had turned into high school and they were bullying me and there was nothing I could do about it. Five years ago, I realized this is enough. I couldn’t influence how everyone felt about me but still, I was thinking, they hate me, and they are right. Is there something wrong with me? Then I realized, if I was that big of an asshole, there’s no way Josh Kelley would have married me. Everyone loves him. He’s the most charming guy, and he would never love that person, because if I’d turned into that person, he would have left me.\nDo you think it’s harder for someone starting out in the industry now, with all the trolls and twitter wars?\nFor anyone in entertainment, it’s hard to resist. You want to engage in the fight, but the more breath you give it, the bigger it gets. Look at what happened to me. I kept talking about it, explaining it, defending it, and it just made it bigger. It’s hard to disengage from the phone and not read the comments because they alert you! They notify you! Every time somebody says your name! Turn it off, turn it off. It does not define you. Use it to your advantage, and as a tool for self-promotion, and to give your fans your version of you. There’s always going to be some asshole who has something ugly to say. It’s high school on a bigger scale. My niece is 14 and that phone – my God, it’s a nightmare. We’re just trying to teach her that she doesn’t have to put so much of herself out there and rely on what strangers think of her. That’s what our youth is growing up with – having relationships with anonymous, faceless people. As the mother of young girls, and the aunt of a young girl, I’m trying desperately to teach them how little that matters. It’s all so pointless.\nCategories: Interviews, News, Production, Television\nTags: CBS, Cindy Crawford, Doubt, Pregnancy, Social Media, State Of Affairs, TCA Press Tour 2016, Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour 2014, Trolls, Utah","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1308183"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.528247058391571,"wiki_prob":0.528247058391571,"text":"Exclusive: ‘Jurassic World’ Director Colin Trevorrow Talks Plot Details and Recent Leaks\nPosted on Wednesday, May 28th, 2014 by Peter Sciretta\nExclusive Photo: Director Colin Treverrow on the set of Jurassic World\nJurassic World plot details leaked onto the Internet last week (by way of a scooper for JoBlo), sending Jurassic Park fans into a tizzy. Some of the details that leaked turned out to be spoilers that the filmmakers would have preferred not be released before the film. I got an exclusive opportunity to talk with Jurassic World director Colin Trevorrow from the set of the Jurassic Park sequel about the recent information leaks, to clarify some of the misconceptions and address some of the fan concerns. The conversation will surely calm many of you who were worried about some of the material in the recent leaks. You can read our full Colin Trevorrow Jurassic World interview after the jump.\nThe following interview was conducted over e-mail with Jurassic World director Colin Trevorrow this week while he was on set shooting the movie. Be warned, Colin talks about some of the contents of the recent leaks in this conversation.\nWhat do you feel are the biggest misconceptions from the leaked rumors about the Jurassic World story versus the real screenplay?\nThat’s the thing about leaks, sometimes they aren’t misinterpreted or false. They’re real story elements that the filmmakers were hoping to introduce to the audience in a darkened movie theater. But unfortunately, in 2014, you read about it on a computer. Last week was discouraging for everyone on our crew–not because we want to hide things from the fans, but because we’re working so hard to create something full of surprises. When I was a kid, you got to discover everything at once, it washed over you and blew your mind. Now it only takes one person to spoil it for everyone else. I hope whoever leaked it is actively trying to undermine what we’re doing. Because if they’re trying to help, they’re doing it wrong.\nSo the rumors are true?\nYes. Jurassic World takes place in a fully functional park on Isla Nublar. It sees more than 20,000 visitors every day. You arrive by ferry from Costa Rica. It has elements of a biological preserve, a safari, a zoo, and a theme park. There is a luxury resort with hotels, restaurants, nightlife and a golf course. And there are dinosaurs. Real ones. You can get closer to them than you ever imagined possible. It’s the realization of John Hammond’s dream, and I think you’ll want to go there.\nHow long has elapsed since the third film and how has the world we knew from those films changed in that time?\nThis film picks up twenty-two years after Jurassic Park. When Derek [Connolly] and I sat down to find the movie, we looked at the past two decades and talked about what we’ve seen. Two things came to the surface.\nOne was that money has been the gasoline in the engine of our biggest mistakes. If there are billions to be made, no one can resist them, even if they know things could end horribly.\nThe other was that our relationship with technology has become so woven into our daily lives, we’ve become numb to the scientific miracles around us. We take so much for granted.\nThose two ideas felt like they could work together. What if, despite previous disasters, they built a new biological preserve where you could see dinosaurs walk the earth…and what if people were already kind of over it? We imagined a teenager texting his girlfriend with his back to a T-Rex behind protective glass. For us, that image captured the way much of the audience feels about the movies themselves. “We’ve seen CG dinosaurs. What else you got?” Next year, you’ll see our answer.\nWhat are the relationships between the main characters and the dinosaurs? Are there “good guy” and “bad guy” dinosaurs in the movie?\nThere’s no such thing as good or bad dinosaurs. There are predators and prey. The T-Rex in Jurassic Park took human lives, and saved them. No one interpreted her as good or bad. This film is about our relationship with animals, how we react to the threat they pose to our dominance on earth as a species. We hunt them, we cage them in zoos, we admire them from afar and we try to assert control over them.\nChris Pratt’s character is doing behavioral research on the raptors. They aren’t trained, they can’t do tricks. He’s just trying to figure out the limits of the relationship between these highly intelligent creatures and human beings. If people don’t think there’s potential in those ideas, maybe they won’t like this movie. But I ask them to give it a chance.\nWill there be crossbred dinosaurs or new species created for the movie?\nWe were hoping audiences could discover this on their own, but yes, there will be one new dinosaur created by the park’s geneticists. The gaps in her sequence were filled with DNA from other species, much like the genome in the first film was completed with frog DNA. This creation exists to fulfill a corporate mandate—they want something bigger, louder, with more teeth. And that’s what they get.\nI know the idea of a modified dinosaur put a lot of fans on red alert, and I understand it. But we aren’t doing anything here that Crichton didn’t suggest in his novels. This animal is not a mutant freak. It doesn’t have a snake’s head or octopus tentacles. It’s a dinosaur, created in the same way the others were, but now the genetics have gone to the next level. For me, it’s a natural evolution of the technology introduced in the first film. Maybe it sounds crazy, but most of my favorite movies sound crazy when you describe them in a single sentence.\nWhat makes Jurassic World different than the previous three Jurassic Park films?\nThat’s something you’ll have to tell me after you see it. We’re trying to tell a bold new story that doesn’t rely on a proven formula, because the movies we watch over and over again are the ones that surprised us, that worked when they shouldn’t have.\nI understand the risks of leaving the safe zone. We’ve all been disappointed by new installments of the stories we love. But with all this talk of filmmakers “ruining our childhood”, we forget that right now is someone else’s childhood. This is their time. And I have to build something that can take them to the same place those earlier films took us. It may not happen in the same way everyone expects it to, but it’s the way I believe it needs to happen.\nHonestly, the biggest misconception on this movie is that there’s some massive conference room at the studio where all these cynical story decisions are made. There is no committee. Universal has given us the resources to tell the story we want to tell, on the scale we want to tell it. Will this one be different from the other movies? You bet it will. And I’m not going to pass the buck if it doesn’t work. This one’s on me.\nJurassic World will hit theaters on June 12th, 2015.\n‘Jurassic World Aftermath’ Review: This Hair-Raising Stealth Game Keeps You on Edge But Needs More Variety\n‘Jurassic World Aftermath’ Trailer: This VR Game Will Have You Hiding from Velociraptors\n‘Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous’ Season 2 Trailer: The Campers Must Evolve or Die\n‘Jurassic World: Dominion’ Wraps Filming, Colin Trevorrow and Cast Celebrate\n/Featured Stories Sidebar, Interviews, Sci-Fi, Sequels, Universal, Colin Trevorrow, Jurassic World","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1706503"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7227426171302795,"wiki_prob":0.27725738286972046,"text":"Funding for Whitacre's Virtual Choir 4 reaches halfway\nVirtual Choir 4 has reached $50,000 in donations, halfway to its target of $100,000.\nEric Whitacre's Virtual Choir 4 project has reached the halfway point. The project, which encourages amateur singers to submit videos of themselves singing a specific composition to be then made into an immense online choir, is now in its fourth incarnation and requires $100,000 to launch.\nCurrently, the funding (which has been organised and publicised via the Kickstarter fundraising website) has just reached $50,000, with 20 days to go until pledging closes. Backers are invited to donate money in return for a range of different packages, ranging from $5 up to $10,000.\nA $25 donation will land you a copy of the digital presentation of the Virtual Choir including photographs, sketches and lyrics and a credit on the choir's website. $7,500 will get you Eric's backstage pass from the 2012 Grammy Awards, alongside a host of other goodies.\nThe highest pledge of $10,000 will get the lucky donor Eric's own conducting baton, used to conduct his own Paradise Lost at Carnegie Hall. You can see a full list of the various pledging packages at the project's Kickstarter page. You can also view the project's video below:","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line948920"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9227439165115356,"wiki_prob":0.9227439165115356,"text":"The Subject Steve\n3.32 (714 ratings by Goodreads)\nBy (author) Sam Lipsyte\nList price: US$9.53\nDark, dazzling American satire from the natural heir to George Saunders or David Sedaris. 'A brilliant novel, in every conceivable way.' Toby Litt\nSteve's fettle is absolutely fine, but nevertheless, he's dying - of a mystery disease that just might be boredom. At least, that's what the guys in the white coats say. They're not doctors, they're just guys in white coats, and the subject's name isn't Steve, either, but we'll get to that...\nPublisher HarperCollins Publishers\nImprint Flamingo\n'Sam Lipsyte is a gifted stylist, precise, original, devious, and very funny. In a time when the language of most novels is dead on arrival, this book, about a dying man, is startlingly alive.' Jeffrey Eugenides, author of 'Middlesex' and 'The Virgin Suicides'\n'An all-American tale made up of smart deliveries and cracking ideas...reminiscent of Douglas Coupland or \"A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius\".' Observer\n'I laughed out loud - and I never laugh out loud...' Chuck Palahniuk, author of 'Fight Club'\n'An original voice: smart, savvy...intensely funny.' TLS\n'The best thing since George Saunders last broke cover...Kind of Beckett meets \"Six Feet Under\", comedy doesn't come much blacker than this.' Uncut\n'Rowdy, shocking and lyrical...very funny.' New Yorker\n'Dark, lancing humour, first-rate satire and writing that dares to be bold and edgy.' San Francisco Chronicle\n'Laugh-out-loud funny...By turns strange, disturbing and hilarious.' Irish Independent\nAbout Sam Lipsyte\nSam Lipsyte is the author of 'Venus Drive', a collection of short stories, and two novels, 'The Subject Steve' and 'Home Land'. His work has appeared in the New York Times and the Quarterly. He was born in 1968, and got married in 2003.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1614008"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7621787190437317,"wiki_prob":0.7621787190437317,"text":"Humor in abundance at the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency\nHumor suffuses the charming little novels of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, but I have never laughed so much as I did when reading the 15th entry in the series, The Handsome Man’s De Luxe Cafe.\nThe Handsome Man’s De Luxe Cafe (No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency #15) by Alexander McCall Smith\nHere, for example, is a conversation between Mma Precious Ramotswe, founder and proprietor of the agency, and her friend Mma Potokwane.\n“Ah, Mma Ramotswe,” she said. “Do you know whether this sauce is as hot as the jar claims? The label has a picture of a man with fire coming out of his mouth. Look.”\nShe handed her friend the jar for scrutiny. “I believe this is very hot,” said Mma Ramotswe. “But the picture is an exaggeration, I think. I do not think it will set you on fire.” For a moment she pictured Mma Potokwane with flames coming out of her mouth. She imagined herself reaching for a fire extinguisher and covering her friend in white foam, or pushing her down to the ground and covering her head with a fire blanket. It would be an undignified end to a meal.\nThe humor of Alexander McCall Smith is gentle and forgiving, never mean. Underlying the meandering dialogue that exposes the naivete and stubborn ignorance of Smith’s characters is a love for the culture of Botswana and its people, a wistful yearning for the simpler life he portrays. It’s all a fantasy, of course; Botswana has its ugliness and its challenges despite the charmed history that has isolated the country from the greatest excesses of ill-intentioned governments. But the people of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Series embody the African ideal of homegrown wisdom, tender manners, and a love for the land.\nMma Precious Ramotswe has named Mma Grace Makutsi as a partner, inflating the younger woman’s already outsized ego to gargantuan proportions. Now married to the wealthy owner of a furniture store and many cattle, Mma Makutsi has determined to establish a restaurant in the time she can spare from her duties as co-director and mother of her infant son. This leaves little time for Mma Makutsi to lend a hand on the mysterious new case that surfaces when a prosperous Indian shopowner requests help with an amnesiac woman who has wandered into his life. Meanwhile, Mma Ramotsewe’s ever-loving husband, Mr. J. L. B. Matekoni, is facing a decline in his auto-repair business and must lay off his long-serving apprentice, Charlie. In other words, it’s a typical time in the life of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. The three strands of the plot weave together artfully and amusingly in unpredictable ways, with complications galore: unbeknownst to Mma Makutsi, her bete noir, Violet Sephotho, has become the restaurant critic of the local newspaper.\nThe Handsome Man’s De Luxe Cafe is more comedy of manners than detective fiction. I loved it from beginning to end.\nA diplomatic thriller set in a country where more died than in the Holocaust\nAn African American detective investigates the Rwanda genocide\nA nitty-gritty view of Ghana today in this inventive detective novel","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line557263"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9696404337882996,"wiki_prob":0.9696404337882996,"text":"Former amateur basketball league director Merl Code leaves federal court after sentencing, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in New York. Code was sentenced to three months in prison for his role in a college basketball bribery scheme that focused on NBA-bound athletes. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)\nNEW YORK (AP) — An amateur coach was sentenced to three months in prison Friday for his role in a college basketball bribery scheme that sought to steer impressionable NBA-bound athletes toward fledgling money managers and handlers.\nMerl Code, 45, was sentenced in Manhattan federal court by Judge Edgardo Ramos, who called the Greer, South Carolina, resident a “very decent human being” who played a lesser role in a conspiracy that gave a glimpse into corruption in major college sports.\n“It appears that all this type of conduct is prevalent in college basketball and other college sports,” the judge said. “The money is there. There’s a lot of it and it’s so easy to take it. It doesn’t make it right, but it explains how an individual like Mr. Code ends up in this courtroom today.”\nWithout leniency, Code faced between three and four years in prison according to federal sentencing guidelines.\nA day earlier, Ramos sentenced former aspiring sports business manager Christian Dawkins, 26, of Atlanta, to a year and a day in prison when sentencing guidelines called for a prison term of three-to-four years.\nDawkins and Code were both convicted at a May trial on a bribery conspiracy charge, though Dawkins was also convicted of bribery. Previously, each had been sentenced to six months in prison after they were convicted in a related case.\nThey were among 10 individuals arrested in 2017 as authorities revealed a conspiracy involving a network of individuals including several affiliated with apparel companies that sponsor college athletic programs.\nThe goal was to steer top players to certain schools, then get them to sign with managers who would handle their finances once they turned professional.\nFour former assistant basketball coaches who pleaded guilty to bribery conspiracy also were sentenced leniently.\nCode was a Clemson point guard in the 1990s who later worked with Nike and Adidas. He declined to speak when given the opportunity to address the judge prior to sentencing.\nHis attorney, Mark Moore, said his client was too emotional.\n“This has been very difficult for him,” Moore said. He added that Code had no employment prospects and feels “he’s toxic because of these prosecutions.”\nCode and Dawkins were previously sentenced to six months in prison in a related case. They will remain free on bail pending the outcome of appeals.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1319410"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7107638716697693,"wiki_prob":0.7107638716697693,"text":"Bahrain industrial firms see fall in revenue\nBahrains industrial sector, just like other economic segments, is grappling with the impact of Covid-19 as both its manufacturing and supply chain operations have been disrupted, according to a study conducted by the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI).\nAlba SPL treatment plant on track for Q1 2021\nAluminium Bahrain (Alba), the world’s largest aluminium smelter ex-China, said the construction work was progressing as per schedule at its Spent Pot Lining (SPL) treatment plant, a first-of-its- kind facility in the whole of GCC and Bahrain.\nEbrahim K Kanoo wins top Toyota awards\nToyota Engineering & Material Handling has honoured Ebrahim K Kanoo, the sole distributor of Toyota vehicles in Bahrain, with the prestigious President’s Award for outstanding sales performance.\nExport Bahrain facilitates $32m deals in 18 months\nExport Bahrain, a key initiative of the national SME Development Board, has facilitated over $32 million worth of exports across more than 26 various product and service categories to over 32 markets worldwide in a span of 18 months.\nBahrain-origin exports hit $464m during May\nThe value of Bahrain’s exports of national origin decreased by 16 per cent to BD176 million ($464 million) during May 2020, compared to BD210 million for the same month of the previous year, said the Information &eGovernment Authority (iGA) in foreign trade report of May.\nBahrain’s first drug factory starts production\nMedicines boosting immunity will now be produced in Bahrain as the country’s first ever drug factory has initiated trial production, reports our sister publication GDN. The BD5 million project by Bahrain Pharma will produce the first batch of 600 million gelatin coated multivitamin capsules and 20 million soluble syrup bottles in two months.\nEmirates Steel to secure 1mt of scrap locally\nEmirates Steel, a leading integrated steel plant in the UAE, has announced its continued efforts to support trade and business in the UAE through purchasing local scrap material for use as feed stock in its production process.\nGarmco receives ISO 14021:2016 certification\nGulf Aluminium Rolling Mill (Garmco), a Bahrain based international aluminium rolling mill, and one of the largest downstream facilities in the Middle East, has embarked on a transformative role in shaping the climate agenda through the Garmco Green Initiative that sets the stage in steering the company’s vision for a sustainable future in a\nBasrec wins quality certification\nBahrain Ship Repairing and Engineering Company (Basrec) has received Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance (LRQA) certification of ISO 45001:2018 for the shipyard’s integrated management system. The certification attests to the company meeting the requirements of quality of service as well as the latest health and safety standards.\nGCC chemical industry ‘must lift competitiveness’\nThe chemical industry in the Arabian Gulf must plan and prepare for the post-Covid period, turning adversity into advantage, and capitalise on the lessons learned to retain and enhance its global competitiveness, according to the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA).\nTrade in UAE food products hits $8.6bn in Q1\nThe value of Emirati food products traded in the first quarter of 2020 totalled AED31.7 billion ($8.6 billion), according to the latest figures from the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority. The figures also show that the value of the country’s food imports in the first quarter of 2020 amounted to AED17.98 billion ($4.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1174951"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9997584223747253,"wiki_prob":0.9997584223747253,"text":"Beast's Yang Yo-seob Announces First Solo Album in Japan\nYang Yo-seob of boy band Beast will debut as a soloist in Japan, agency Cube Entertainment announced on May 15.\nYang has engaged in solo activities in Korea since the release of single \"Caffeine\" last year. Yang will announce his first Japanese solo album, \"The First Collage\", on May 15.\nA Japanese version of Caffeine and the title song, a remake of Japanese song \"Another Orion\", along with five other tracks are included in the new album.\nYang announced his Japanese debut through promotions in Japan around the end of last month. Japanese music-related luminaries and reporters from Japanese news media - including Nikkan Sports, Sankei, and Tokyo TV - attended his fan meeting, which was held at Zeff Hall in Odaiba, Tokyo, with over 3,000 fans participating. [Yonhap]","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line634408"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6789360046386719,"wiki_prob":0.6789360046386719,"text":"Gender equality, and placing diverse women’s voices, experiences and expertise at the centre of our security and peace work supports long term commitment to conflict prevention and sustainable peace.\nImplementing UNSCR 1325\nThe landmark United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, adopted in 2000, acknowledged that men and women experience conflict differently.\nIt addressed the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflict, humanitarian response and peace building and urged all actors to increase the participation of women and incorporate gender perspectives in all peace and security efforts.\nSince 2000, seven additional UN Security Council Resolutions have been adopted providing an international framework that underpins the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. The Women, Peace and Security Agenda encourages action against four pillars:\nParticipation of women at all levels of decision-making, in peace operations and peace processes;\nProtection of women, including from sexual and gender based violence;\nPrevention of violence against women through the promotion of rights, accountability and law enforcement; and\nRelief and Recovery are designed to meet the specific needs of women and girls’ and women’s capacities to act as agents in relief and recovery are reinforced.\nOn International Women’s Day in 2012, Australia adopted a six-year National Action Plan on Women Peace and Security. The National Action Plan (or NAP) demonstrates Australia’s commitment to implementing women, peace and security.\nIt provides a clear whole-of-government framework and a joined-up approach to strategies and actions. The NAP is founded on robust engagement between government and a diverse array of civil society groups.\nThe Australian Civil-Military Centre plays a unique role in support of women, peace and security and Australia’s National Action Plan. We are not a policy lead for implementation. Rather we work closely with our key stakeholders to enable their work on Women, Peace and Security. We commission research to deepen Australia’s understanding of key issues and to promote good practice. We foster cross-agency collaboration and partnerships and deliver on implementation actions that stretch across agency boundaries. We support capacity building and dialogue, with Australian government agencies and civil society and across Asia and the Pacific.\nMain menu: 2nd level navigation\nCourse: Women, Peace and Security\nWomen, Peace and Security: Reflections from Australian male leaders\nEds. Helena Studdert\nSarah Shteir\nMoving past the theoretical by drawing together the real-life experiences, reflections and lessons of male leaders from the Australian Defence Force, the Australian Federal Police and civilians.\nAustralian National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security 2012-2018\nThe National Action Plan sets out what Australia will do, at home and overseas, to integrate a gender perspective into its peace and security efforts, protect women and girls’ human rights, and promote their participation in conflict prevention, management and resolution. ACMC has a role in the design and implementation of this plan.\nConflict-related Sexual and Gender-based Violence\nAn introductory overview to support prevention and response efforts.\nWomen, Peace and Security: An Introductory Manual\nThe Australian National Committee for UN Women\nWomen’s leadership and collective action have changed the world by combatting violence against women and building equality. Women’s leadership is central to reconciliation and conflict resolution and to peacebuilding efforts that bring results for families and communities.\nGendered Crises, Gendered Responses\nThe Necessity and Utility of a Gender Perspective in Armed Conflicts and Natural Disasters: An Introductory Overview.\nWomen Peace & Security\nArchie Law, Executive Director of Action Aid Australia, Leanne Smith, Chief of Policy and Best Practices for Peacekeeping Operations at the United Nations and Dr Phoebe Wynn-Pope, Director of International Humanitarian Law and Movement Relations at the Australian Red Cross discuss women, peace and security in crises.\nVideo: Women Peace & Security - Empowerment of Women\nVideo: Side by Side - Women, Peace and Security\n\"Side by Side - Women, Peace and Security\" explores how the international community has and can meet its commitments on women, peace and security.\nASEAN-Australian Women, Peace and Security Dialogue\nThe United Nations’ Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda has emerged over the past decade and a half as a significant cross-cutting thematic program for achieving global peace and security.\nNational Action Plans on Women, Peace and Security - Eight Countries in Focus\nThe purpose of this report is to identify the lessons learned and emerging best practices of UN Member States committed to the implementation of this agenda through National Action Plans (NAPs).\nTALISMAN SABRE – an overview\nThe past decade of operations has taught us that in order to more effectively respond to complex international crises\nCivil-Military – Illicit Small Arms in the Pacific\nStephanie Koorey\nWith the exception of Papua New Guinea, the number of illicit small arms likely to be in circulation in Western Pacific island countries is not particularly large or widespread. The region remains relatively ‘gun free’ as Philip Alpers’ recently proclaimed.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1544460"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5968644022941589,"wiki_prob":0.40313559770584106,"text":"Marv Levy goes 1-on-1 with Walter Payton’s son to discuss first Super Bowl loss, journey back\n(NEXSTAR) – Marv Levy still smiles about the lie he told the Buffalo Bills organization when applying for the head coaching position.\nThe then 61-year-old told the organization he was 58 years old. But one thing that can’t be disputed is his longlasting impact on the franchise.\nThe Hall of Fame coach led his team to four straight Super Bowls from 1990 to 1993. Losing all four, perhaps the biggest heartbreak occurred on their first trip to the Big Game. Down 19-20, Scott Norwood kicked what would have been the game-winning field goal wide-right, sealing a Super Bowl victory for the New York Giants.\n“It hurt terribly, I didn’t sleep a wink that night after the game when we lost it, knowing how close we came but didn’t,” Levy said.\nThe coach recalled a four-line poem from a book his mother had given him that read:\nFight on, my men, Sir Andrew said,\nA little I’m hurt but not yet slain.\nI’ll just lie down and bleed awhile,\nAnd I’ll rise and fight again.\nPosted on the team’s bulletin board, the message impacted players after heartbreaking losses. Levy believes the character inside the locker room helped the team make it back to three more Super Bowls.\nThe 1988 NFL Coach of the Year, Levy retired in 1997 with a 154-120 record over a 17-year career as an NFL head coach.\nWatch J. Payton’s full interview with Levy above.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line880318"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7346544861793518,"wiki_prob":0.2653455138206482,"text":"Movie Review: ‘Nomadland’ is a Profound Look at the Lonely in America\nBy Ryan McQuade\nDirector: Chloé Zhao\nWriter: Chloé Zhao\nStars: Frances McDormand, David Strathairn, Linda May, Charlene Swankie\nSynopsis: A woman embarks on a journey through the American West after losing everything during the recession.\nWe live privileged lives. Many reading this have a good job, a home, and a loving family to spend time with at the end of a long day. We live in big cities with tons of opportunities and activities to keep your mind off the harsh realities that face so many other people around this country and the rest of the world. The comfort we have is something many struggle to achieve within an entire lifetime. In Nomadland, the latest film from director Chloé Zhao, we are taken into a world where our protagonist, and the people around her, are fighting to get by, one small job at a time, city to city, living in their vans.\nWe meet Fern (Frances McDormand), a woman in her late sixties living in a sprinter van, coasting through the heartland of America looking for jobs. Her husband passed years before her voyage throughout the country, thus she found her purpose in traveling around, exploring a world we don’t normally get to see on the big screen. Leaving her conventional possessions behind, she makes up her van to fit her needs and quickly becomes a part of a community that is quietly growing around the United States right now.\nVan life is a reality for people of all ages due to the hardships of the economy since the late 2000s. Thousands of people are struggling to keep the lights on, put food on the table, and have resorted to the idea of this being their way of life. This doesn’t make it easy on them, considering most businesses will only hire stable employees who live in the area, rather than someone who is looking for something part-time. Jobs are simply hard to come by, we hear about this during every political debate on television, but Zhao shows you that keeping this life is not always going to be easy for Fern. Yet through all the hardships and bad luck, she is able to rise above it all and keep moving on.\nIt can seem like a lonely business to do this sort of living. After all, Fern’s family believes she is a modern-day nomad, a person that moves around for various new opportunities, but also does it because she can’t be in one place for too long. She does this to mask the pain of her life, the lives lost and people taken due to the harshness of the 2008 recession. It’s clear that Fern struggles to become close to someone, but as the film plays out, her walls come down, realizing this way of life is better because of the people she’s met along the way. Fern doesn’t have to be alone, like many people in this world right now. Therein lies the secret as to why Nomadland is a perfect film for 2020; because it’s a commentary on the ideas of isolation and how we can’t allow it to consume us.\nZhao, whose previous film, The Rider, was one of the best films of 2018, continues to build on the style she curated within that film and the others within her filmography. Besides McDormand and David Strathairn, all of the other characters in the film are played by real-life nomads, people who live this life day after day. That authenticity is what makes Nomadland feel so real. Even though there is a merger of Hollywood and the real world in this story, you never for one second feel like this is being manifested in a way that is disrespectful. Overall, it’s a human story built off the stories and lives of those less fortunate to comfortably live in our country, yet they find the comfort of this lifestyle to suit them even better than before.\nMcDormand is stellar in the role of Fern, in what might be her best work since her Oscar-winning role in Fargo. This isn’t the showiest of performances, rather one that is stripped of fluff so it can feel like we all know who Fern really is and the emotional toll this is all taking on her. You feel like you could just watch her walk slowly on screen for hours, contemplating the ideas in her head, taking in the beauty of the world around her. One could easily fall under the spell of Joshua James Richards’ cinematography mixed with Zhao’s direction by just watching Fern go through each step of her life.\nUltimately, it’s not hard to connect with everything you see on screen because you can understand every character like they were someone you know. We’ve all experienced hardships in our lives, and Nomadland displays it all so vividly that it hits home hard. In watching movies, we forget that some of the best ones strike us in our most personal emotional spaces, making us react to it in a tearful expression of gratitude. Right now, there are very few directors that can elicit this kind of response from audiences, but one of those is certainly Chloé Zhao. May we see her continue to challenge her audiences, as well as herself, in making some of the best movies you can see on any platform.\nRyan McQuade\nFew times has a celebrity death hit me quite like that of Chadwick Boseman. The fact that it... Read More »\nThe 30th Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards took place this past Monday, having been pushed back from its... Read More »\nThe War on Terror has proven to be one of the most controversial policies of the United States... Read More »","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1236015"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5805909633636475,"wiki_prob":0.5805909633636475,"text":"The Town of Torbay Celebrates the Life of Mayor Cyril Power\n(TORBAY) – Former Town of Torbay Mayor and local sports icon, Cyril Power, has passed away.\nThe 75-year-old family man and community-minded volunteer passed peacefully away in the presence of family and friends at the Health Sciences Centre, on Sunday, June 2nd, 2019.\nHis political career started in 1981 when he was elected to the Town Council. He served five terms on council, over more than 20 years, as Councillor, Deputy Mayor, and Mayor, until 2001.\nAs far as his sports contributions to the community, he was instrumental in the start of the Town of Torbay Recreation Commission. He was heavily involved in the start of minor softball, adult softball leagues, coaching ladies softball, and was himself a player in the Avalon East Slo Pitch league. In celebration of his contributions, he was one of the first people inducted into Torbay’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2009. He also spent significant time contributing to the annual Swilers Festival.\n“I am saddened by the passing of my friend, mentor and former Mayor Cyril Power. Cyril was a great advocate and builder in our community during his lifetime, and his contributions to the Town of Torbay will live on,” says Mayor Craig Scott.\n“Our residents benefit daily from the commitment that Cyril made in our community both as a member of Council and as a citizen, who gave freely of his time to make Torbay a better place to live. I want to express my deepest condolences to his wife Genie and son Greg in this difficult time.”\nThe family will receive visitors at Caul’s Funeral Home, Torbay, on Wednesday, June 5th, 2019 from 4 – 9 p.m. and Thursday, June 6th, 2019 from 12 – 3 p.m. and 5 – 9 p.m. Funeral mass will be held on Friday, June 7th, 2019 at 10 a.m. from Holy Trinity Church, Torbay, with inurnment to follow at the Roman Catholic Cemetery, Bauline Line. Flowers gratefully accepted or donations in Cyril’s memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line394212"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5587480068206787,"wiki_prob":0.4412519931793213,"text":"The Great Repeatable Business Model\nLeveraging a simple formula allows corporations to create new and more-lasting differentiation.\nChris Zook\nFrom the Magazine (November 2011)\nThe sharper a company’s differentiation, the greater its competitive advantage. In studying companies that sustained a high level of performance over many years, the authors, both partners at Bain, have found that more than 80% of those companies had a well-defined and easily understood differentiation at the center of strategy. But differentiation can wear with age: The growth it generates creates complexity, and complex companies tend to forget what they’re good at. Often they respond by trying to reimagine their entire business models quickly and dramatically.\nThat’s rarely the answer, the authors write. Really successful companies relentlessly build on their fundamental differentiation, going from strength to strength. They learn to deliver it to the front line, creating an organization that lives and breathes its strategic advantages day in and day out. They learn to sustain it through constant adaptation to changes in the market. And they learn to resist the siren song of today’s hot market better than their less-focused competitors do. The result is a simple, repeatable business model that a company can apply to new products and markets over and over again to generate sustained growth.\nIdea in Brief\nReally successful companies build their strategies on a few vivid and hardy forms of differentiation that act as a system and reinforce one another.\nThey grow in ways that exploit their core differentiators by replicating them in new contexts. And they turn the sources of their differentiation into routines, behaviors, and activity systems that everyone in the organization can understand and follow.\nPowerful differentiations deliver enduring profits only when they are supported by simple, nonnegotiable principles and robust learning systems that drive constant improvement across the business.\nDifferentiation is the essence of strategy, the prime source of competitive advantage. You earn money not just by performing a valuable task but by being different from your competitors in a manner that lets you serve your core customers better and more profitably.\nThe sharper your differentiation, the greater your advantage. Consider Tetra Pak, a company that in 2010 sold more than 150 billion packages in 170 markets around the world. Tetra Pak’s carton packages extend the shelf life of products and eliminate the need for refrigeration. The shapes they take—squares and pyramids, for example—stack more efficiently in trucks and on shelves than most cans or bottles. The packaging machines that use the company’s unique laminated material lend themselves to high-volume dairy operations. These three features set Tetra Pak well apart from its competitors and allow it to produce a package that more than compensates for its cost.\nIn studying companies that sustained a high level of performance over many years, we found that more than 80% of them had this kind of well-defined and easily understood differentiation at the center of their strategy. Nike’s differentiation resides in the power of its brand, the company’s relationships with top athletes, and its signature performance-focused product design. Singapore Air’s differentiation comes from its unique ways of providing premium service at a reasonable cost on long-haul business flights. Apple’s differentiation consists of deep capabilities in writing easy-to-use software, the integrated iTunes system, and a simplicity of design and product line (Apple has only about 60 main SKUs).\nYou can find high performers like these in most industries. The cold truth about hot markets is this: Over the long run, a company’s strategic differentiation and execution matter far more to its performance—our research suggests at least four times as much—than the business it happens to be in. Every industry has leaders and laggards, and the leaders are typically the most highly differentiated.\nBut differentiation tends to wear with age, and not just because competitors try hard to undermine or replicate it. Often the real problem is internal: The growth generated by successful differentiation begets complexity, and a complex company tends to forget what it’s good at. Products proliferate. Acquisitions take it far from its core. Frontline employees, more and more distant from the CEO’s office, lose their sense of the company’s strategic priorities. A lack of consistency kills economies of scale and retards the company’s ability to learn. Small wonder that “reinvention” and “disruption” have become leading buzzwords; companies struggling with complexity and fading differentiation come to believe they must reimagine their entire business models quickly and dramatically or else be overwhelmed by upstarts with disruptive innovations.\nMost of the time, however, reinvention is the wrong way to go. Our experience, supported by more than 15 years of research into high performance, has led us to the inescapable conclusion that most really successful companies do not reinvent themselves through periodic “binge and purge” strategies. Instead they relentlessly build on their fundamental differentiation, going from strength to strength. They learn to deliver their differentiation to the front line, creating an organization that lives and breathes its strategic advantages day in and day out. They learn how to sustain it over time through constant adaptation to changes in the market. And they learn to resist the siren song of the idée du jour better than their less-focused competitors. The result is a simple, repeatable business model that a company can apply to new products and markets over and over again to generate sustained growth. The simplicity means that everyone in the company is on the same page—and no one forgets the sources of success.\nLet’s look in more detail at what this involves.\nSources of Differentiation\nOpportunities for differentiation are rich and varied in virtually every industry. To examine them more closely, we built a database of 8,000 global companies and tracked their performance over 25 years. We created another database of 200 global companies, which we studied in detail. We supplemented that research with two other data sets: a survey conducted with the Economist Intelligence Unit of nearly 400 global executives, and 50 interviews with chief executives around the world. Building on the data, we cataloged 250 assets or capabilities that can contribute to differentiation and sorted them into three major clusters of five categories each. (See the exhibit “The Differentiation Map.”)\nThe Differentiation Map\nWe cataloged 250 assets or capabilities that can make up a company’s differentiation. We then sorted them into three major clusters, each with five categories, to create the Differentiation Map. Assuming that four or five categories are required to achieve differentiation, these 15 basic categories generate more than 5,000 distinct ways in which a company can differentiate itself. (It is possible, however, to break the categories down further, in which case the number of ways to differentiate explodes into more than a million.)\nVanguard’s differentiating strengths are highlighted below.\nThe most enduring performers, we found, built their strategy on a few vivid, robust forms of differentiation that acted as a system, reinforcing one another. To illustrate, let’s examine the factors that make the mutual fund company Vanguard one of the most consistently high-performing businesses in our study.\nEver since its founding, in 1974, Vanguard has been a different kind of company. Its founder, John Bogle, believed passionately in the value of index funds. He saw that a company based on them would need few fund managers and researchers and could therefore charge considerably less than companies with actively managed funds. Bogle also felt he should deal directly with customers and offer them highly responsive service, thus building loyalty. These characteristics are at the core of Vanguard’s differentiation today, as can be seen in “The Differentiation Map.” The company has the lowest-cost mutual fund “engine,” a distribution system that avoids middlemen and allows direct contact with customers, and the highest level of customer loyalty in the industry.\nThe strongest sources of differentiation in a company’s strongest businesses are its crown jewels. Yet our research shows that most management teams spend little time discussing or measuring them and therefore don’t agree on what they are. This lack of clarity permeates entire organizations. For instance, more than half of frontline employees say in surveys that they are not clear on their companies’ strategic tenets and differentiators. Customers are even more mystified: Although 80% of managers told us they thought their companies were strongly differentiated, fewer than 10% of customers agreed. Yet understanding and agreeing about differentiation, where it can be applied, and how it must evolve is what makes a strategy work.\nA systematic approach to understanding your sources of differentiation is key to rectifying this situation. It enables you to have a meaningful discussion of what distinguishes your company from competitors and what you can build on. When we ask each of a company’s top 15 managers privately what he or she feels are the most differentiated and important assets and capabilities, we often find a surprising lack of agreement.\nOne way to bring data to bear on this range of views is to rate the success of your company’s past 20 growth investments and determine what they have in common. This is a starting point for mapping the company’s differentiation. Discussions of what really differentiates a business from its competitors are, however, often based on past beliefs more than on current data. As you deliberate about your own key differentiators, you might consult these criteria: Are they (1) truly distinctive? (2) measurable against competitors? (3) relevant to what you deliver to your core customers? (4) mutually reinforcing? (5) clear at all levels of the company? Though each of the five seems obvious, reaching agreement on your differentiation and testing it against these criteria is not as easy as it sounds. The harder it proves, the more valuable the exercise. In our experience, many companies fail these tests—but the most successful ones pass them every time.\nMaking Your Differentiation Easier to Repeat\nReplicating your greatest successes means deeply understanding their root causes, maintaining a 360-degree view of where they could be adapted, and ensuring that the entire organization internalizes the strategy and the differentiation on which they are built. Here are six actions to consider:\n1. Make sure that you and your management team agree\non your differentiation now and in the future. You may want to ask each person to write it down; then you can collate the results in advance for discussion. At a minimum, consider three questions: (a) What do our core customers see as our key sources of competitive differentiation? (b) How do we know? (c) Are these sources becoming more or less robust?\n2. See whether the front line of your organization agrees\nwith what you come up with. Can employees and supervisors describe the strategy and the areas of differentiation as you do? Do they feel that they understand the strategy? Is it simple and clear? Online surveys, anonymously tabulated, can be a big help with this task.\n3. Write your strategy on a page,\nor even on an index card. Does your description of it center on the key sources of differentiation? Is your page sharp and convincing to others, including customers and investors, and backed by data?\n4. Conduct a postmortem\nof your 20 most recent growth investments and initiatives. Are your greatest successes or disappointments explained, in part, by the central differentiators that were transferred?\n5. Translate your strategy\ninto a few nonnegotiables. Can you describe simple principles that the organization believes in and that define the key behaviors, beliefs, and values needed to drive the strategy? Are they embedded in day-to-day routines, or are they simply words on a page?\n6. Review how you monitor\nthe most important health indicators of your core business and its differentiators, both for short-term adjustment and for long-term investment in new capabilities. Does your method drive learning and adaptation? Is quickness to adapt a competitive advantage? Are you sure?\nThe ability to recognize and test the sources of your differentiation in this way is important for focusing innovation. Most innovations, even disruptive ones, affect only one part of a business model, leaving the rest intact. The shift from glasses to contact lenses, for example, had little effect on the basic customer need for vision correction, the industry’s distribution system, or the network of eye doctors. The shift from wired to wireless telephony caused chaos for many incumbents, yet some used their infrastructure, customer access, brand, and ability to work with regulatory organizations to prevail. The more precise your understanding of your model and the sources of its success, the more precisely you can focus innovation resources on the areas where the threats and the need for change are greatest.\nGrowth Based in Differentiation\nThe best way to grow is usually by replicating your strongest strategic advantage in new contexts. Companies typically expand in one or more of four ways: They create or purchase new products and services, create or enter new customer segments, enter new geographic locations, or enter related lines of business. A company can pursue each of these strategies in various ways—for example, adding new price points or finding new uses for a product or service that will appeal to new customers.\nThe power of a repeatable model lies in the way it turns the sources of differentiation into routines, behaviors, and activity systems that everyone in the organization can understand and follow so that when a company sets out on a particular growth path, it knows how to maintain the differentiation that led to its initial success. The global agribusiness Olam is a case in point. The company began as a cashew trader. It purchased nuts directly from farmers in Nigeria and sold them to a dozen customers in Europe, managing a supply chain from the farm gate to the shop door. This approach was unusual for the industry. It cut out middlemen, safeguarded Olam’s access to products, and increased the company’s market intelligence and speed of reaction. To do this well, of course, Olam had to learn to work closely with small farmers. It also had to develop a risk management system that drew on information garnered from farmers, customers, and commodities and foreign exchange markets to minimize the risks of crop problems, price and currency volatility, and supply disruption.\nThese capabilities translated into other contexts. Olam realized that its knowledge of small farmers in Nigeria could be applied to small farmers in, say, Burkina Faso. Its risk management skills could be applied to peanuts or coffee beans as well as to cashews. The company accordingly added both farmers and customers in new countries and new products. It now sources 20 agricultural products from farmers in 65 countries and delivers them to more than 11,000 customers across the world.\nOf course, Olam’s differentiation evolved as the company grew. For instance, as it expanded into certain countries, it found opportunities to acquire and fold in small operations based in those countries. Although Olam had no experience with M&A, its capabilities and assets, including good contacts at the ground level in its countries of operation, gave it an advantage in recognizing promising opportunities and understanding how to negotiate with and integrate acquisitions.\nOver time, the company has developed playbooks for M&A and deal integration and now considers them important differentiating features that frontline managers (and everyone else in the organization) understand and value. As Olam’s CEO, Sunny Verghese, explains, “Our line managers find and consummate transactions at the local level. It is sort of a hidden asset that we have because our people are in the market at a lower level of contact than anyone else. Our ability in transactions is now part of our core, and we manage it centrally with a unique repeatable formula of clear rules and criteria.”\nSupporting Your Differentiation\nAlthough differentiation is at the heart of a repeatable model, it needs the support of a rigorously focused yet flexible organization. Our research shows that powerful differentiations create the most enduring profits when a company delivers them to the front line in the form of simple, nonnegotiable principles and when it creates robust learning systems that facilitate constant adaptation. Let’s look at these factors in turn.\nNonnegotiable principles.\nThis is a fundamental building block of repeatability, a way of keeping everyone on the same page. Analysis of our 200-company database reveals that 83% of the best-performing businesses had established explicit, widely understood principles across the organization, while only 26% of the worst performers had done so. Indeed, a link between well-defined, shared core principles and frontline behavior was more highly correlated with business performance than any other factor we studied.\nThe logic of this connection seems clear. Nonnegotiables translate the most important beliefs and assumptions underlying the company’s differentiation into a few prescriptive statements that all employees can understand, relate to, and use as a reference point for making trade-offs and decisions. In effect, they are the headlines of the user’s manual for a company’s strategy.\nTo illustrate how companies use nonnegotiables, let’s go back to Olam. A key differentiator is that the company manages supply chains right from the farm gate. To support this, Olam requires managers to live in the rural areas of developing countries in order to learn what really goes on at the farms. This nonnegotiable principle is the foundation for hiring criteria, assignments, and the structure and content of training. Another nonnegotiable is that each manager give highest priority to relationships with local farmers. Olam’s field operating manual captures many of the routines that support this requirement. The company’s principles, and the practices that support them, are central to its culture and provide a bonding experience for managers, who respond to trade-offs and challenges at all levels with remarkable consistency.\nTetra Pak has different but equally powerful nonnegotiables. One of them is that the package must save more than it costs, an idea that originated with the company’s founder and was the reason for developing its signature tetrahedron-shaped package for milk or juice. Every major new product, package design, or line of equipment must meet that standard. Tetra Pak has developed sophisticated methods for evaluating the systems cost of packaging, including production costs, spoilage, transportation and storage, and disposal costs. It claims that it can reduce operating costs by as much as 12% for a dairy or juice company.\nTo understand the power of this consistency, consider that from the moment a business is founded, management becomes increasingly distanced from the customer and the front line. Up and down the organization, information slows and grows distorted—the corporate equivalent of the classic game Telephone, in which a message is relayed around a table in whispers and has become unrecognizable by the time it completes the circuit. When a company internalizes a set of principles, the message no longer gets garbled. A shared point of view, core beliefs, and a common vocabulary improve everyone’s ability to communicate and foster self-organization, permitting fewer layers, fewer handoffs, and shorter communication lines. All this increases the speed of a business, which means you can capture more growth opportunities ahead of competitors and accomplish more per unit of time.\nRobust learning systems.\nClear differentiation supported by nonnegotiables confers a competitive advantage—for a while. As markets shift, however, successful organizations must also be able to learn quickly and adapt to new circumstances. Both our research and the recent history of business reflect the importance of supporting your differentiation with rapid learning and adaptation. Some 48% of managers in our top group of performers felt that their companies were characterized by strong learning systems, compared with only 9% among the rest. The travails of Kodak, General Motors, Xerox, Nokia, Sony, Kmart, and many others can be seen as cases of arrested adaptation—great formulas that simply did not change fast enough. Most such cases, we should note, didn’t involve disruptive innovations that caught the incumbent flat-footed. Stalls and stagnation stem from a failure to learn much more often than from a hard-to-predict disruption.\nThe most common method of learning in companies with great repeatable models comes from direct, immediate customer feedback. The most powerful demonstration we have seen is through Net Promoter systems, which are used at Vanguard, in Apple’s retail division, and at many other companies. In this approach, customers are usually asked one or two questions shortly after contact about their satisfaction with the experience and their willingness to recommend the product, service, or company to a friend or colleague. The power of the Net Promoter Score lies in its simplicity. Companies that chase more-detailed feedback typically find that customers don’t bother to engage, so data are fewer and poorer as a result.\nIn more-complex environments, companies with direct sales forces have other interesting opportunities to create strong feedback loops with customers. Take the toolmaker Hilti. Founded in 1941 by Martin and Eugen Hilti as a mechanical workshop with five employees in Schaan, Liechtenstein, the company focused on innovative tools for difficult construction jobs. Martin Hilti spent much time at job sites, observing and interacting with customers. This was the start of the Hilti direct sales force. Over the decades, the business grew one tool at a time. The company would develop a basic design and then innovate intensively on the details, using information its salespeople acquired at job sites. Today, in an industry where about 75% of products are sold through indirect channels, this direct customer contact remains a differentiated strength. It accounts in part for Hilti’s ability to command significant price premiums over competitors.\nReal-time response is a competitive weapon of growing importance in a world of increasing speed and complexity. The companies that move fastest can often operate within competitors’ decision cycles, so competitors are always responding to them rather than the other way around. Marcia Blenko, Paul Rogers, and Michael Mankins recently studied 760 companies worldwide through 40 questions regarding perceptions of decision speed, quality, and ability to execute. When they synthesized the responses into an index of decision effectiveness, they found that companies ranked in the top quintile produced, on average, a total shareholder return about 6 percentage points higher than the returns of other companies. Companies with robust learning systems usually score higher than average on all three counts.\nA repeatable differentiation can falter and even collapse without nonnegotiable principles and robust learning systems—and without strong management to preserve and protect it. Think of Nokia. Its leaders created a formula for tablet-shaped handsets that allowed it to achieve enormous economies of scale and dominate the market for more than a decade. Yet despite considerable surplus resources during that time, the company’s leaders failed to adapt and invest aggressively in the future. As a result, in just a year Nokia lost its market position to Apple, Google, and Research In Motion. This lesson is all the more sobering given that Nokia’s R&D and product development teams had many years earlier created some of the basic concepts later used in the iPhone: a large display, a touchscreen, internet readiness, and an app store. The search for profitable growth is becoming increasingly difficult. Today fewer than 10% of companies achieve more than a modest level of profitable growth over a decade, and the odds of success are declining. A series of interviews we conducted with CEOs regarding their challenges on the job spotlight two reasons for this state of affairs. One is that companies are forced to adapt faster than ever. The other—and this one was at the top of the list—is the need to control ever-growing levels of complexity. Sluggish, too-complex organizations are the silent killers of corporate growth and profitability. Interestingly, only 15% of executives in our survey cited a lack of attractive opportunities as a major barrier to growth. Internal complexity and barriers to speed of adaptation were far more important.\nOur findings show that the simplest strategies, built around the sharpest differentiations, have hidden advantages not only with customers but also internally, with the frontline employees who must mobilize faster and adapt better than competitors. When people in an organization deeply understand the sources of its differentiation, they move in the same direction quickly and effectively, learning and improving the business model as they go. And they turn in remarkable performance year after year.\nMost innovations, even disruptive ones, affect only one part of a business model.\nThe power of a repeatable model lies in the way it turns the sources of differentiation into routines, behaviors, and activity systems.\nThe travails of Kodak, General Motors, Xerox, and others can be seen as cases of arrested adaptation—great formulas that simply did not change fast enough.\nRead more on Business models or related topics Competitive strategy, Growth strategy and Strategy\nChris Zook is a partner in Bain & Company’s Boston office and has been a co-head of the firm’s global strategy practice for twenty years. He is a co-author of a number of bestselling books including Profit from the Core and The Founder’s Mentality: How to Overcome the Predictable Crises of Growth (Harvard Business Review Press, June 2016).\nJames Allen is a partner in Bain & Company’s London office and a co-head of the firm’s global strategy practice. He also leads Bain’s Founder’s Mentality 100 initiative. He is a co-author of a number of bestselling books including Profit from the Core and The Founder’s Mentality: How to Overcome the Predictable Crises of Growth (Harvard Business Review Press, June 2016).","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1849907"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.879705548286438,"wiki_prob":0.879705548286438,"text":"Home / NCAAF / NCAAF News / North Carolina vs. Florida State, 10/17/20 College Football Week 7 Predictions\nNorth Carolina vs. Florida State, 10/17/20 College Football Week 7 Predictions\nNorth Carolina vs. Florida State Prediction\nACC rivals will meet in Tallahassee on Saturday night when unranked Florida State hosts No. 5 North Carolina at 7:30 p.m. ET. Are the unbeaten Tar Heels laying too many points to their division rivals or will Mack Brown’s team role against the inferior Seminoles?\n125 North Carolina Tar Heels (-13.5) at 126 Florida State Seminoles (+13.5); o/u 64\nDoak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, FL\n7:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, October 17, 2020\nNorth Carolina sophomore QB Sam Howell completed 18-of-23 passes for 257 yards with three touchdowns in a 56-45 victory over Virginia Tech. Howell just missed having a fourth touchdown pass, but his swing-out to Dazz Newsome was behind the line of scrimmage, so it was ruled a rushing score. Even without it, this was a very impressive effort from the 6-foot-1, 225-pound signal-caller. His best throw of the day was a 43-yard dart to Dyami Brown to make it 35-14 with just 14 seconds left in the first half. Howell had some issues getting the ball down field prior to this week in the first two games. He did not against the struggling Virginia Tech defense on Saturday. The Tar Heels move to 3-0, and they should have no trouble scoring points against Florida State next Saturday.\nFlorida State Seminoles Game Notes\nFlorida State redshirt freshman QB Jordan Travis (hand) was a participant in Tuesday’s practice according to HC Mike Norvell. Just how much Travis (6’3/195), who injured his hand during Saturday’s loss at Notre Dame, was able to do during the session was not divulged by his head coach. But the fact that the redshirt freshman, who is listed as the starter on the depth chart ahead of the Seminoles’ game at North Carolina, has taken part in each of the last two practices in some capacity may be viewed as a positive. Should Travis not be healthy enough to play on Saturday, former starter James Blackman would be first choice to fill the void.\nNorth Carolina vs. Florida State Betting Prediction\nThe Tar Heels covered in all four of their last four trips to Tallahassee and are 5-2 against the spread in their last seven meetings with the Seminoles overall. The road team has also cashed the last six times these two ACC rivals have faced each other and the Tar Heels have covered five of their last six games overall. The Seminoles, meanwhile, have been a dreadful play for backers. They’re 0-5 against the spread in their last five home games, are 1-6 against the number in their last seven games overall and are 4-11-1 at the betting window in their last 16 games as an underdog. It’s tempting to take the home dog on a Saturday night when facing a ranked rival but I just can’t do it with FSU.\nCOLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 7 BETTING PREDICTION: NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS -13.5","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line436616"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6059036254882812,"wiki_prob":0.39409637451171875,"text":"How climate change affects populations\nThe main activity of the team’ s research program is the study of the effects of global changes on marine ecosystems, using birds and mammals as sentinels. Located in the upper part of food webs, marine birds and mammals naturally integrate the dynamics of lower trophic levels and are considered reliable indicators of the state of the ecosystems to which they belong.\nThe scientific objective is to understand the mechanisms of interactions between individuals, populations and their environment, in order to establish scenarios on the future evolution of marine ecosystems and populations of top predators. Past observations (long-term series over decades) make it possible to establish how changes in the environment and uses influence the demographic trajectories of predator populations and to estimate their capacity to adapt to environmental changes.\nThis research is being conducted in a wide variety of marine ecosystems, mainly in French mainland and overseas waters, notably in the French Southern and Antarctic Territories (TAAF), with the support of the Institut Polaire Français Paul Emile Victor (IPEV). Every year, six young contract biologists are recruited to go into the field to study marine predators (albatrosses, petrels, penguins, sea lions, elephant seals, etc.) for a 14-month break, cut off from “civilisation”.\nThe Marine Predator Team began its activities at the CEBC in 1985. It is currently the result of the merger in 2014 of two teams located respectively in Chizé (CNRS) and La Rochelle (La Rochelle University). This natural rapprochement was preceded by the creation in 2010 of the PELAGIS Observatory which gathers the pre-existing databases of the two sites. The PELAGIS Observatory is now directly supported by the new Marine Predators team and manages spatial databases (observations, telemetry), strandings, counts and capture-recapture databases, as well as the oceanographic database of the MEMO Observing System.\nBirds and marine mammals, sentinels of the oceans\nThe Marine Predators team studies the effects of global changes on ocean ecosystems and works towards their conservation.\nCharles-André Bost\nChristophe Barbraud\nLRU Senior Lecturer\nResearch Engineer CNRS\nChritophe Guinet\nResearch scientist CNRS\nProfessor of Universities LRU\nStudy Engineer CNRS\nStudents and Post-docs\nPierre-Loup Jan\nCandice Michelot\nYann Planque\nChristophe Sauser\nLola Gilbert","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line280465"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7267992496490479,"wiki_prob":0.27320075035095215,"text":"Years of effort and investment lead to NCI's biggest win\nNavy intends to award 5-year cybersecurity IDIQ\nBy Matthew Weigelt\nThe Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC) intends to award a single, five-year indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity contract for IT and cybersecurity support services.\nThe warfare center will use the IDIQ for services, such as analysis, design, development and testing, integration and deployment of IT systems and services. The work will include configuration management, technical information assurances, network monitoring, and defense and security, as the contractor backs up the cybersecurity workforce.\nThe Navy expects to release a request for proposals for the IDIQ in early 2017.\nThe Navy released a solicitation Nov. 14. Responses are due by Jan. 5.\nMatthew Weigelt is a freelance journalist who writes about acquisition and procurement.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1212366"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7246896028518677,"wiki_prob":0.2753103971481323,"text":"“Ocean’s 11” (2001) Review\nPosted on December 9, 2001 October 24, 2011 by John DiBiase\n– for some language and sexual content.\nDirector: Steve Soderbergh\nStarring: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, Andy Garcia\nDanny Ocean has just been released from prison after serving time for a robbery crime. Once out he immediately starts work on a new plan… a crazy plan to rob three casinos at once. To pull it off, Danny needs to enlist the help of some trustworthy assistance. Ocean hires a total of eleven men (including himself) to carry out the tall task. Can they pull it off? Things get even more complicated when the ten discover Ocean’s ex-wife is dating the casino owner of the casinos they intend to rob…\nWow. Quite the cast. This film surprised me in many ways, and also kind of disappointed me from a content standpoint. For what one might expect from such a cast and from almost any film these days (and considering the director who did such films as Erin Brockovich & Traffic), you would probably expect a vulgarity-soaked let-down. But although I’m grateful it wasn’t worse, and that they did overall keep the swearing and vulgarities to a minimum, I can’t help but notice that with just a little bit more fine tuning, we could have had a winning PG film on our hands.\nOf course, we can note that the film does break the eighth commandment, “Thou shalt not steal.” And while it does glorify the act, I believe it is possible to watch the film for entertainment value and not feel the need to rob a wealthy (or any) establishment following viewing the film. The film has a slick, cool, funky feel to it. It’s sly, witty, and most of the dialog follows suit. It’s a clever remake of the 1960 original which featured the “Rat Pack” Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and others. It was nice getting to see such an ensemble and have it actually work while other notable times it has completely flopped (anybody remember Mars Attacks? If you see this film anywhere… run and hide from this atrocity in filmmaking).\nLet me just say, I want to love this movie. I really do. There’s so much to like about the characters and the plot. Let me say what I want to hate about the movie as well. The language. Yes it’s arguably less than most movies in this genre, but were the 2 “f” words really all that necessary? Did the (roughly) eight uses of blasphemy add to the film? (Tell me it did and I’ll show you another commandment) There were, of course, a number of other unnecessary\ncolorful phrases and a few sexual comments but thankfully not many. Only instance of sexual content otherwise is a brief glimpse at a flyer ad for a hooker who is suggestively holding her bare chest (no nudity shown). Also in a bar we briefly see some dancers dancing suggestively in a couple scenes. They really could have done without all this but unfortunately didn’t.\nThe chemistry between the actors was magnetic and fun to watch. The movie took its time and may seem to drag for some, but it didn’t rush through character development or the planning of the heist. It was well directed by Soderbergh and executed in a very stylish fashion. If they had only polished it up — content-wise — it would have been much more enjoyable.\nOverall, I really liked the film, but due to the above-mentioned complaints, I can’t completely recommend it.\n– John DiBiase (reviewed: 12/9/01)\nParental Guide: Content Summary\nSex/Nudity: Two uses of innuendo. While Rusty is playing cards with a table of guys, we see some female dancers in immodest outfits dancing in a somewhat suggestive fashion. We see a advertisement for hookers that has a topless woman on the front with her hands over her bare chest, but there is no explicit nudity.\nVulgarity/Language: 2 “f” words, 7 “s” words, 5 “g*dd*mn,” 1 “scr*w,” 3 “h*ll,” 4 “J-sus,” 1 “G-d,” 1 “For G-d’s sake.” Yen gives Rusty the finger after he makes a sarcastic comment to Yen.\nAlcohol/Drugs: Lots of people have drinks during the film considering it takes place in a casino.\nBlood/Gore: After being beaten up, we see that Danny has some cuts and bruises on his face.\nViolence: Some gunshots; in a flashback we see a man shot as he’s trying to rob a casino (not graphic); Danny is beat up by a large man\nPosted in Reviews, TheatricalTagged 4.5 stars, Andy Garcia, Brad Pitt, crime, George Clooney, heist, Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, remake, Steve Soderbergh\n“Serendipity” Review\n“Kate & Leopold” Review","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1294851"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6729227900505066,"wiki_prob":0.6729227900505066,"text":"From Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki\nWASHINGTON (Dec. 22, 2010)-- The second year of our declared\nindependence found General George Washington's Continental Army encamped\nat Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. In the week before Christmas of 1777,\nmore than 12,000 poorly-clothed, hungry and near-frozen American\nsoldiers were huddled against a brutal winter, enduring the numbing cold\nas disease ravaged their ranks. As many as 2,000 of them did not\nsurvive Valley Forge.\nGeneral Washington wrote that, \"unless some great and capital change\nsuddenly takes place. . . this Army must inevitably. . . starve,\ndissolve, or disperse, in order to obtain subsistence in the best manner\nthey can.\"\nDespite these bleak conditions, the fighting men of the Continental Army\nlifted their own spirits, located much needed supplies and took to\ntraining with determined vigor. They honed their basic fighting skills,\nlearned new tactics, preserved their dwindling strength and disciplined\nthemselves for the difficult campaign that would follow. It was an act\nof sublime courage and determination. Six months later, the Continental\nArmy marched out of Valley Forge fit and ready, stronger and more\ncohesive as a fighting force, and went on to seize American\nSince that winter, American patriots in an unbroken line have found\nthemselves on duty during the holiday season each year. Our freedom and\nsecurity as a nation has required it. So as Americans and their\nfamilies gather to celebrate these holidays, let us remember the men and\nwomen, who sacrifice so much for our privileges, comforts and\nwell-being. They are away from their own families, standing watch for\nus on freedom's distant frontiers. We salute their valor, past and\npresent, and we pray for them and our Veterans, who have so selflessly\ngiven us the gifts we enjoy this holiday season, as we have every season\nI offer my warmest best wishes for a blessed and joyous holiday to all\nour serving military, our Veterans, all of their families, the survivors\nof the fallen, and the members of our Veterans Affairs family, who are\nprivileged to serve them. May God bless each and every one of you, and\nmay God continue to bless this wonderful country of ours. Merry\nPresident George H. W. Bush Invites Desert Storm Veterans to Special Bush School Event Marking 20th Anniversary of Gulf War\nRare Gathering of Bush 41 Foreign Policy Team, Foreign Dignitaries at Texas A&M Next Month to Look Back at the Liberation of Kuwait\nCOLLEGE STATION, Texas, Dec. 21, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- President George H. W. Bush today released a video inviting all veterans of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm to a special Gulf War retrospective that the George Bush School of Government and Public Service is hosting next month, on January 20, 2011, on the campus of Texas A&M University. The highlight of this special milestone event will be a rare roundtable discussion between the key members of the Bush 41 foreign policy team about the historic events that led to the liberation of Kuwait.\nThe presidential invite video can be seen at http://bush.tamu.edu/scowcroft/, and all interested veterans of the first Gulf War are invited to register to attend at http://gulfvets.questionpro.com by 5:00pm on Monday, January 10, 2011.\nSCRIPT FOR PRESIDENT BUSH-GULF WAR VET INVITE VIDEO:\nSome two decades ago, you answered the call to duty and helped spearhead an unprecedented coalition of nations determined to reverse Saddam Hussein's unprovoked invasion of neighboring Kuwait. Your service in uniform during the course of Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm did more than eject the invaders and uphold international law. Your courage, honor and selflessness also helped unite and inspire our Nation and heal the wounds of Vietnam.\nIt was, without a doubt, a great honor to serve as your Commander-in-Chief.\nNext month, on January 20th, the George Bush School of Government and Public Service will convene a rare gathering of key players and distinguished guests at Texas A&M University to reflect on those momentous events that culminated in the liberation of Kuwait. As someone who contributed much to that historic achievement, I hope you will accept this personal invitation to attend this special event as well.\nIf you can attend, we look forward to seeing you on the 20th.\nIf, however, you cannot join us, I hope you will once again accept my heartfelt gratitude and respect for helping the United States and our allies write one of history's noblest and most hopeful chapters.\nThe distinguished participants in this rare event on January 20th to mark the beginning of military operations to liberate Kuwaitare scheduled to include:\nHis Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, The Amir of the State of Kuwait\nHis Excellency the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Salim Al-Sabah\nThe Honorable Richard B. Cheney, former Vice President of the United States\nThe Honorable J. Danforth Quayle, former Vice President of the United States\nThe Honorable James A. Baker, III, former Secretary of State of the United States\nThe Honorable Colin L. Powell, former Secretary of State of the United States\nThe Honorable Brent Scowcroft, National Security Advisor to Presidents Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush\nGeneral (Ret.) Walter E. Boomer, United States Marine Corps\nAmbassador Ryan Crocker, Dean of the George Bush School of Government and Public Service\nMembers of the general public are also invited to attend and may register for tickets by calling the Texas A&M UniversityMemorial Student Center at (979) 845-1234. For more information, please go to: http://bush.tamu.edu/gulfwar/\nABOUT THE GEORGE BUSH SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SERVICE\nOpening its doors on the campus of Texas A&M University in 1997, the Bush School today ranks 22nd among public universities for public affairs programs. The School educates principled leaders in public service and international affairs, conducts research, and performs service. The Master of Public Service and Administration and the Master's Program in International Affairs are the two academic cornerstones of the School.\nIn addition, the Bush School offers certificate programs in Homeland Security (online), Nonprofit Management (in-residence) and Advanced International Affairs (online or in-residence). Distinguished, multidisciplinary faculty members are national and international leaders in their fields, and the School is home to the Institute for Science, Technology & Public Policy; the Mosbacher Institute for Trade, Economics, and Public Policy; and the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs.\nSOURCE George Bush School of Government and Public Service\nPaid Research Volunteer Opportunity: Seattle VA study examining mindfulness-based intervention for Gulf War Syndrome.\nCall Michelle at 206-277-1721.\nLocation: VA Puget Sound - Seattle\nWritten by Anthony Hardie, DAV-Wis. Special Assistant\n(davwi.blogspot.com) – The U.S. House of Representatives today voted to fund the federal government into next week, buying time for the current lame duck Congress to seek a compromise effort to decide FY11 funding for the entire federal government.\nAt stake are all twelve FY11 appropriations bills – including the Defense (DoD), and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (MILCON-VA) bills -- which both houses of Congress have been seeking to roll into a single bill.\nThe House has already passed a Continuing Resolution (CR), which, if passed by the U.S. Senate would fund the federal government at current FY10 levels.\nMeanwhile, the Senate has been working on a separate, omnibus appropriations bill. However, Senate Republicans have been successful in using a variety of delaying tactics that to date have prevented the Senate from passing even a single FY11 spending bill.\nAt particular stake for veterans are the VA spending bill and key measures, including Congressionally directed military medical health research, in the DoD spending bill.\nThe current Congress ends on January 3, 2011, when the House majority will shift to Republican control. The Democrats’ control of the Senate will be retained, albeit with a smaller majority than is currently held.\nAccording to The Hill, one of two leading Capitol Hill daily newspapers, House Republicans want to roll federal spending back to FY08 levels.\nThe New York Times used even stronger language, calling the current impasse a “collapse” into “partisan chaos.”\nAccording to the Times, “Aides said that behind closed doors, White House officials and some Democratic lawmakers were still trying to strike a deal to finance the government through September. But the officials said it was much more likely that government financing would be extended only into February or March.”\nWith all the twists and turns in Congress over the last week, the ultimate outcome is anyone’s guess.\nThe Hill: House funds government for three days, forcing return of lawmakers next week\nNew York Times: Republicans Prepare for Looming Budget Battle\n91outcomes.com: Legislative Update: Current Status of DoD Gulf War Illness Research Funding Remains Volatile\nLUNG CANCER ALLIANCE REACHES OUT TO VETERANS, VETERANS HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS\nPledges Continued Support to Reduce Lung Cancer Mortality Among Veterans\nRespiratory symptoms a frequently reported symptom among Gulf War veterans; CT screening may be important for some veterans\nWritten by the Lung Cancer Alliance\nWashington, DC—Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA) salutes the nation's 21.9 million Veterans who have so nobly served our country and pledges to continue to make the high incidence of lung cancer among Veterans one of its highest priority issues.\nAdmiral T. Joseph Lopez, USN (Ret.), a member of the LCA board and only the second admiral in the Navy to rise to a four star rank from direct commissioning from the enlisted ranks said, “Lung cancer kills more Americans and Veterans than all other major cancers combined and it is attacking our Veterans with a higher frequency than our civilians, and now that we have incontestable evidence that early detection with CT screening can save lives, we simply must bring this benefit to our Veterans as expeditiously as possible. We can do no less.”\nAdmiral Lopez recommends coordination between the VA and DOD in identifying those at highest risk and developing a comprehensive program of screening and early disease management.\n“If we do this right and integrate CT screening for those at high risk into our Veteran and Military healthcare system in an efficient and cost effective way, we can set the standards for the civilian population and not only extend life, but save lives,” he said.\n“What we cannot do is ignore this. I believe that screening should be our first step and the optimum choice to save and extend life for potential lung cancer victims in our Veteran community,” he said.\nOne of the first studies to document disparity in lung cancer incidence and mortality was carried out by the VA in 1987 and indicated that former Marine ground troops in Vietnam died of lung cancer at a 58% higher rate than marines who did not serve in the war.\nAccording to the most recent U.S.Census update, 35% of veterans today are from the Vietnam era.\nLast week, the National Cancer Institute announced the results of a large, 53,000 person, eight year civilian study which showed that screening a high risk population with CT scans can reduce lung cancer deaths by 20%.\nLCA President and CEO Laurie Fenton-Ambrose said: “Veterans deserve our deepest gratitude for their extraordinary sacrifice and unyielding protection of our freedoms. We can help express that by moving quickly to bring the benefits of CT screening to those who are at high risk for lung cancer.”\nLung Cancer Alliance, www.lungcanceralliance.org, is the only national non profit dedicated exclusively to providing patient support and advocacy for those living with or at risk for lung cancer. Lung Cancer Alliance is committed to reversing decades of stigma and neglect by empowering patients, elevating awareness and changing health policy.\nTo learn more, please click here to download the 2009 Lung Cancer and Veterans Fact Sheet (pdf).\nSOURCE: http://lungcanceralliance.org/news/2010-veterans-day.html\nLabels: Lung Cancer\nSenate: $11.8 million for Gulf War related health research in Omnibus\n(91outcomes.com) - According to a key staff member in the office of U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), a longtime, leading champion of Gulf War Illness treatment research and other Gulf War related efforts in the U.S. Senate:\nHere is what I found in the most recent FY 2011 Omnibus DOD Appropriations currently under consideration.\nProvides $8 million for the Peer Reviewed Gulf War Illness Research Program and $3.8 million for the ALS Therapy Development Institute Gulf War Research Project.\nThis will ensure continued funding at this year’s level, a wonderful outcome that is even more exceptional given the current challenges facing a lame duck Congress trying to get a lot done in a matter of days left before the end of the year.\nAnd, General “Mic” would probably have been pleased to see this continued, designated funding for Gulf War related ALS funding.\nSo, in total, it appears highly likely that the FY11 funding for Gulf War related research in the CDMRP will be at $13.8 million, as described above. Excellent news!\nAnd, according to another key Hill insider from one of the leading veterans service organizations on this issue:\nWe have no influence on the current funding levels (they have been set by CBO and will not be impacted).\nPutting all of our energy into planning a concerted effort to influence the next Authorization funding cycle will be a much more worthy endeavor.\nIn everyone’s opinion [on the Hill, this year’s GWI funding level] is set in stone at this point.\nAs noted in the 91outcomes’ earlier article, the House version already had a provision ensuring that DoD funding continues, for the most part, at FY10 levels. As such, this includes $8 million for the peer reviewed $8 million Gulf War Illness research program.\nAnd, if the Senate should also change course from the proposed “omnibus” appropriations act and move to a “clean” Continuing Resolution like the House has already passed, this will also result in the same funding outcomes for CDMRP Gulf War related health research.\nSo, good news all around!\nNow is the time to begin thinking about preparing for a concerted effort in the next Congress to seek increased funding for DoD-Army-CDMRP GWI research.\nGiven the possibility of new inter-agency, inter-institution research consortiums being funded, having a coordinated message by all organizations and individuals contacting Congress will be of critical importance.\nWHAT NOT TO DO TODAY:\nFragmented messages and random calls by individuals not really clear on what it is for which they’re asking has the strong potential of derailing efforts.\nAnything perceived by members and staff in Congress as having a lack of clear unity on a particular issue -- like CDMRP GWI funding -- can lead to lots of calls and confusion and result in that particular issue – like CDMRP GWI funding -- to be left in the “too hard to do” category and left off from funding entirely.\nAnd, the current “CR” and omnibus appropriations bills do not contain “line items” for these research programs – they’re mostly “clean” bills that simply say to continue funding across the board at last year’s levels.\nThis also means that there is little if any possibility of changing funding from last year’s levels.\nWHAT TO DO TODAY:\nSo for now, individuals interested in contacting their members of Congress should simply say, “thank you” for the continued funding at this year’s level for all programs, including the DoD-Army-CDMRP peer reviewed Gulf War Illness research program.\nWHAT TO DO AFTER JANUARY 3RD:\nStay tuned here on 91outcomes for updates on concerted efforts in the next Congress, which begins in January.\nIt will be important that Gulf War veterans speak with one voice on these critically important issues, particularly with the possibility of a need to fund consortiums with FY12 funding.\nLabels: ALS, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, CDMRP, Congress, Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program, Consortiums\nLegislative Update: Current Status of DoD Gulf War Illness Research Funding Remains Volatile\n(91outcomes.com) – Just like last year, monitoring Congressional appropriations actions for the FY11 peer reviewed Gulf War Illness (GWI) research program administered under the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) and efforts to ensure the program’s funding success remain highly challenging.\nAs of today, it appears that both House and Senate actions suggest final GWI CDMRP funding for FY11 might be at $8 million, the same level as FY10. However, it should be noted that the situation continues to change rapidly. As always there are no guarantees until the entire Congress sends a final bill to the President.\nContinued careful monitoring, combined with veterans advocates and organizations at the ready to contact key members of Congress, will be required.\nOn Wednesday, December 8, 2010, the House narrowly passed by a vote of 212-206 a Continuing Resolution (CR) that provides -- with various unrelated exceptions -- continued FY11 appropriations at FY10 levels, through September 30, 2011.\nUnder the CR, funding for the GWI program administered by the CDMRP reportedly would be retained at the FY10 funding level of $8 million.\nThirty-five House Democrats sided with 171 House Republicans in voting against the CR, while Eight Democrats and eight Republicans did not vote. This deep division suggests that future prospects for a final omnibus appropriations bill after Senate and conference action may also be challenging.\nThe Senate appropriations committee’s FY11 Defense appropriations act report language, which provides detailed funding by line item, directs $8 million for the Peer Reviewed Gulf War Illness Research Program.\nThe funding was requested in a letter by Senators Sanders, Bond, Feingold, Kerry, Tester, Schumer, Leahy, Durbin, Burris, Brown, Boxer, Snowe, and Kohl.\nThe Senate bill passed out of committee on September 16, 2010 by an 18-12 vote. Like all the other FY11 appropriations bills, the defense appropriations bill was not considered by the full Senate. However, it may very well remain a guide for future Senate action as discussed below.\nUnder the report accompanying the Senate bill, total appropriations for the military medical research programs currently operated by the CDMRP would be $358 million. In addition to the GWI appropriation, $150 million would be designated for peer reviewed research on breast cancer, $10 million for ovarian cancer, $80 million for prostate cancer, $60 million for psychological health and traumatic brain injury (TBI), and $50 million for the multifaceted peer reviewed medical research program (PRMRP).\nIt is currently expected that the Senate will combine the House’s CR into a Senate omnibus appropriations bill. Any action must be completed by the end of the current Congress on January 3, 2011.\nAdditionally, the FY11 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) remains an unknown variable in the legislative equation. It remains unclear whether or not the NDAA will pass before the current Congress ends and what impact, if any, an enacted NDAA might have on the CDMRP’s GWI research program.\nLooking Back at Last Year: Who to Call\nLast year, retaining funding for the Gulf War Illness research program was, as usual, extremely challenging for the handful of veterans advocates and organizations involved.\nInitially, the Senate version of the FY10 Defense Appropriations Act lumped Gulf War Illness under the Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP), a catch-all that included more than two dozen conditions including GWI and funded at just $50 million. While the PRMRP restricts research to the listed conditions, there is no guarantee that research will be funded for any particular condition from among those listed.\nInitially, the House failed to include funding for the GWI program at all.\nHowever, as the bill went back and forth between the House and Senate, advocacy efforts resulted in amendments to the final bills in both chambers and final FY10 GWI funding at $8 million.\nA last minute save on October 1, 2009 by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and four of his colleagues amended (SA 2559) the Senate’s bill to include an amendment that would have appropriated $12 million for the GWI program. Those Senators included Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.), Russ Feingold (D-Wis.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Sherrod Brown (D-Oh.).\nAnd, a December 11, 2009 letter by Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Oh.) and 25 other Members of Congress called for the conference committee to fund the CDMRP’s GWI research program at the Senate’s $12 million level.\nUltimately, the conference committee set final funding for the FY10 GWI program at the original, lower House level of $8 million. Both the House and Senate agreed and the final Defense funding bill was enacted by the President.\nGWI research supporters Sanders, Durbin, and Brown remain in the Senate.\nHowever, Byrd died on June 28, 2010 and is being succeeded by former West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.). Feingold was defeated in the November 2010 election and is being succeeded by Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), a Tea Party favorite.\nGWI research funding supporters who signed onto the December 2010 Kucinich letter included the following. Of the 21 who remain in Congress, only four are Republicans, who will hold the majority in the House beginning January 3, 2011.\nRep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.)\nRep. Shelley Berkley (D-Nev.)\nRep. John Boccieri\nRep. Corrine Brown (D-Fla.)\nRep. Henry Brown, Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee Ranking Member\nRep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.)\nRep. Steve Buyer, House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member\nRep. John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.)\nRep. Bob Filner (D-Calif.), House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chair\nRep. Charlie Gonzalez (D-Tex.)\nRep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.)\nRep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.)\nRep. John Hall\nRep. Rush Holt (D-N.J.)\nRep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Oh.)\nRep. Steve LaTourette (D-Oh.)\nRep. Frank LoBiondo (R-N.J.)\nRep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.)\nRep. Michael Michaud (D-Maine), Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee Chair\nRep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis.)\nRep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.)\nRep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.)\nRep. Janice Schakowsky (D-Ill.)\nRep. Patrick Tiberi (R-Oh.)\nRep. Timothy Walz (D-Minn.)\nRep. Don Young (R-Alaska)\nFY11 PRMPR\nPRMPR research areas in the Senate bill would include the 32 conditions listed below. Four that are particularly relevant to Gulf War veterans are highlighted. The House CR would retain the list the same as in FY10. It should be noted that the final outcome remains indeterminate.\namyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS),\nchronic fatigue syndrome,\nchronic migraine and post-traumatic headache,\ndental research,\ndrug abuse,\nepidermolysis bullosa,\nfragile x syndrome,\ninflammatory bowel disease,\ninterstitial cystitis,\nkidney cancer,\nmesothelioma,\nneuroblastoma,\nneurofibromatosis,\nosteoporosis and related bone disease,\nPaget's disease,\nParkinson's,\npediatric cancer,\npheochromocytoma,\npolycystic kidney disease,\npost-traumatic osteoarthritis,\nsocial work research,\ntuberous sclerosis complex, and\nvision research.\n§ FY11 House Continuing Resolution (CR) for combined FY11 appropriations: H.R. 3082 [Would fund GWIRP at $8 million]\n§ Senate FY11 Defense Appropriations Act, S. 3800 [Would fund GWIRP at $8 million]\n§ Senate FY11 Defense Appropriations Act Committee Report, S. Rpt 111-295 [Would fund GWIRP at $8 million]\n§ FY10 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), PL 111-84 [Authorized GWIRP at $12 million]\n§ FY10 Defense Appropriations Act Explanatory Statement (essentially the conference report), p. 367 [Funded GWIRP at $8 million]\nLabels: 1991 Gulf War, ALS, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Bob Filner, CDMRP, CFS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome\nNational Survey Finds Gap in Doctor-Patient Communication\nEditor’s comment: This study captures the experience of many ill Gulf War veterans, who, at best, have frequently had their symptoms poorly understood by clinicians due to mixed and flawed VA and DoD messages about Gulf War illnesses, and, at worst, outright ignored our discounted.\nRecognizing doctor-patient communication as a serious issue in treating Gulf War veterans’ illnesses is a key step to advancing effective treatments for Gulf War veterans.\nWritten by Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY\nDr. Megan Wills Kullnat, a fourth-generation physician, communicates with a new patient at her pediatric practice.\n(USA TODAY) - Doctors and patients alike say that when they communicate well, healing goes better, and it can even make the difference between life and death.\nBut a national survey of doctors and hospitalized patients finds that, in reality, effective communication often is sorely lacking.\nOnly 48% of patients said they were always involved in decisions about their treatment, and 29% of patients didn't know who was in charge of their case while they were in the hospital.\n\"That's terrible,\" says Beth Lown, medical director of the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare at Massachusetts General Hospital, which commissioned the survey by Marttila Strategies in Boston. These patients \"are orphans\" in the hospital, she says.\nEighty-one percent of patients and 71% of doctors agreed communication made a difference in \"whether a patient lives or dies,\" according to the survey of 500 doctors and 800 patients.\n\"So there's a disconnect between what people say they want and what's happening,\" says Gregory Makoul, chairman of the American Academy on Communication in Healthcare.\nEmphasis on better communication has increased in recent years as the medical community has become more aware of its effect on patient healing. Since 1995, U.S. medical students have been required to get training in communication skills. And in 2005, the United States Medical Licensing Exam began to include testing on interpersonal and communication skills.\nCommunication skills and high patient-satisfaction scores can give hospitals a competitive edge as well as reduce malpractice claims, says Debra Roter, a professor at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.\nGulf War Illness Medical Treatment Research Funding Panel Meets Today\nOpening Moment of Silence Recognizes Severity of Gulf War Illness, Impact on Gulf War Veterans Two Decades After War\nWritten by Anthony Hardie\n(91outcomes.com) – Today, the integration panel of the Congressionally directed Gulf War Illness Research Program (CDMRP is a U.S. Department of Defense military medical research funding program) will meet in the Washington, DC area to make its final determinations for funding approximately $8 million in Gulf War Illness research proposals.\nThe program is focused on treatments and research that will lead to treatments in order to improve the health and lives of Gulf War veterans of the 1991 Persian Gulf War.\nThe funding, appropriated each year by Congress, in contained in the annual Defense authorization and appropriations acts. This year’s defense authorization bill for has become the subject of news and controversy for several of the proposals it contains, though the media has made no mention of the Gulf War Illness research funding authorization it is believed to contain.\nProceedings of the panel are not public at this stage because the information being discussed includes proposals detailing proprietary intellectual property of the researchers and research institutions involved.\nThe funded proposals will be announced in the upcoming months, after they have been funded and contracts to perform the proposed research have been completed.\nIt is customary for each CDMRP panel to begin with a “Moment of Silence”. Having been given the honor of making today’s “Moment of Silence,” below is what I will be saying before the scientists, medical doctors, Gulf War veteran “consumer reviewers” and CDMRP staff and contractors begin this morning.\nIn recognition of the 250,000 veterans of the 1991 Gulf War who remain disabled by chronic multi-symptom illness better known as Gulf War Illness, may God bless these efforts, all the researchers who have worked so hard to develop proposed solutions to help improve the health and lives of Gulf War veterans, and the CDMRP staff, contractors, and reviewers, and the veterans all involved hope to help.\nMOMENT OF SILENCE DEDICATION – Anthony Hardie, Gulf War Veteran\nDelivered at the Commencement of the Gulf War Illness Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program’s Integration Panel Meeting at metro Washington, DC., December 2, 2010\nThe following are real stories from real Gulf War veterans who have written to me in the last few months.\nFrom a A Missouri Navy Gulf War Veteran with PTSD and GWI: “I am a 90-91 veteran of the Gulf War. I have tried to receive help for many years through the Va and other sources. Since my discharge from the Navy I feel as though I really have not had a \"good day\" , when I am not sick with physical problem I am so withdraw from the outside world. I really don't know why I am writing this to you I just seen this and thought maybe someone would understand. Could you tell me where I could go or what you think Is wrong maybe you have encountered other veterans with some of these same problems.\n“I have chronic breathing problems and bad stomach aches and body aches. My nose runs all the time and I have this persistent cough and a lot of time have hoarseness. I hate nighttime I do not sleep. I have severe anxiety and insomnia. I have severe mood swings and most of the time just want to be alone I cannot be around groups of people and really do not ever want to carry on conversations with anyone. I do not have friends and really do not want them. I just feel like life isn't going to be long for me so its hard for me to see the future. Is there any information or advice you could give me to help me and my family before I loose them all. Thank you your fellow veteran.”\nAnd, From a female Gulf War veteran: “I finally (today) filed for VA disability for issues I have been dealing with since 1991 and that have increasingly gotten worse in the last 10 yrs. I filed for Fibromyalgia, Fatigue, tinnitis, headaches, plantar fascitis, and IBS. I did take the little pills and get the shots before deploying, but the military didnt keep records of this! There were also the black pesticide trucks all over Khobar where I lived every night. Main problem is that now, at 42, I can no longer handle the episodes or manage them with rest, diet, supplementation, etc, and new symptoms are cropping up now. I do not think I can work and support myself in a few years when they worsen even more.”\nAnd, after responding to her, “THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU - It is nice to have someone tell me I have a case for my 19 years of suffering!!”\nAnd, from A Medically Retired Army Gulf War Veteran from Kentucky: “ I'm feeling a little crappy, but oh well. I will live. Never had these rashes before the gulf. And they get bad and I get much sicker like I am now . Then my norm. But I have faith, things are going to get better.”\n…And so, for the veterans like the Missouri Gulf War veteran with PTSD and GWI who has given up hope…\n…For the 42-year-old female Gulf War veteran who is relieved just to know she has a case for her 19 years of suffering….\n…For the Gulf War veteran from Kentucky who has faith in what we have been doing and what we are about to do here today…\n…And for the approximately 250,000 of our fellow Gulf War veterans still dealing with chronic and debilitating multi-symptom illness not explained by any known psychiatric or medical diagnosis, please join me in a moment of silence before we begin this critically important work today and May God bless our efforts here today.\nLabels: CDMRP, Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program, Gulf War Illness Research Funding, Gulf War Illness Treatments","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line485313"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6514168977737427,"wiki_prob":0.3485831022262573,"text":"Because contact lenses are worn directly on the eye, they can potentially cause side effects. The lenses, roughly the same diameter as a person’s iris, float on a layer of tears right in front of the cornea. Contacts are not “one size fits all,” and in fact must be carefully prescribed to match not only the person’s prescription but his eye size and shape. When they are prescribed and fitted properly, contact lenses provide great vision, including peripheral vision, and they are hardly noticeable.\nContact lens designs have taken advantage of new materials technology and are more comfortable to wear than ever before. Lenses are often coated or impregnated with moisturizing agents that keep the eye from drying out. Ciba Vision is a brand that uses a substance called hydrogel, a substance designed to keep the eye moist all day. Wearers report that they are extremely comfortable. But Ciba Vision isn’t the only brand of contact lenses. Acuvue, made by Johnson & Johnson, is one of the top-selling brands of contact lenses in the world.\nA few decades ago, the only choices in contact lenses were “hard lenses” or “soft lenses.” The vast majority of people who need vision correction can wear soft contact lenses, which are the ones most often seen in advertisements. Contact lenses today are assumed to be soft lenses unless otherwise specified. These can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, presbyopia (problems with close vision that often develops as people get older), and astigmatism. People who have very mild astigmatism can often rely on the shape of the lens itself to gently push the cornea into a more regular shape, mainly correcting mild astigmatism without having been specifically prescribed with astigmatism correction.\nThough the overwhelming majority of contact lenses are soft lenses, there are still some types of hard contacts available. They are made of a stiff plastic called polymethyl methacrylate, or PMMA. While they can correct vision problems that may not be manageable with soft contacts, they are the least comfortable contact lenses. There are also rigid gas-permeable lenses, which are more comfortable than PMMA lenses and can be worn overnight for up to one week.\nWhen it comes to soft contact lenses, there are several varieties, including daily wear, disposable, and one-day lenses. Daily wear lenses must be removed at night for cleaning and storage. They’re then put back in the next morning. While they may last for a year and are economical, they can be uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time or in dry, windy weather.\nEnzymatic cleaning\nWith daily wear lenses, weekly enzymatic cleaning is often necessary. This is an extra step in the cleaning process that cleans protein deposits and other substances that can build up on lenses. When daily wear contacts are handled haphazardly, or when cleaning and storage instructions are not followed faithfully, contact lens side effects can include pink eye and even ulceration of the cornea.\nDisposable contact lenses may be designed only to be worn during waking hours or to be worn overnight. They are used for a period of one day to one month and then discarded. Lenses designed to be worn for longer than a day have to be cleaned and stored when they are taken out. One-day disposable contact lenses are considered the safest contact lenses available because the only handling they require is that of putting them in and taking them out.\nContact lens side effects are rarer with disposable lenses than with daily wear lenses but can include eye irritation, pink eye, and only very rarely corneal ulceration. They must be fitted and prescribed as carefully as daily wear lenses and must still be handled with clean hands.\nSpecial effects contacts\nSome contact lenses are not worn for vision correction at all, but for special effects or fashion. Colored contact lenses are made with varying degrees of tint to subtly or radically alter eye color. The lighter the wearer’s natural eye color, the less tint that is required to change eye color. People with dark eyes must use the so-called opaque contact lenses to change the color of their eyes. Though the tiny dots that make up the color are opaque, they aren’t one solid sheet of color. The circle in the center of the lenses is clear and fits over the wearer’s pupil.\nWith opaque contact lenses, the circular area over the pupil is of a fixed diameter, and human corneas open wider or get smaller depending on the amount of ambient light available. In conditions of low light, the pupil opens widely, and the opaque portion of the lens may partly cover the outer edges of the pupil, partly obstructing vision. Wearers usually don’t find this to be much of a problem. Another contact lens side effect with opaque colored contact lenses is that they may shift slightly when the wearer blinks. This shifting may cause part of the opaque portion of the lens to block part of the pupil for a brief instant after blinking until the lens shifts back into place. Some of the newer designs claim to stay in place better to combat this problem.\nOpaque contact lenses can be made with or without vision correction so that people who have perfect vision can still take advantage of the ability to change eye colors. These lenses, called Plano lenses, still require an eye doctor’s prescription, because in the U.S. all contact lenses are part of the purview of the Food and Drug Administration, which has declared that a prescription is necessary when ordering contact lenses online.\nAnother just for fun type of contact lens is the special effect lens. These are available from numerous online retailers and are very popular for costume parties, Halloween, and going to clubs in some parts of the world. The special effects consist of outrageous colors, swirls, patterns, cat-eye pupils, starburst patterns, and even blackout and whiteout effects. The blackout and whiteout effects are made with what is called scleral lenses. They cover more than just the iris of the eye; they cover the entire visible part of the eye. They are only meant to be worn on special occasions for short periods of time. Scleral lenses had the contact lens side effects of irritation but extended to the entire visible part of the eye rather than just the iris and the cornea.\nSpecial effect contact lenses are generally made with no vision correction, though some companies will custom make special effects lenses with prescriptions for an extra charge and with the extra wait time.\nProper cleaning and handling of contacts\nWhile contact lenses are manufactured and packaged under very strict conditions, the fact that they are inserted directly onto the eye opens up the opportunity for contact lens side effects. A speck of dust or a truant eyelash trapped under a contact lens can feel as irritating as a grain of sand. Proper cleaning and handling of lenses will minimize the possibility of a foreign object making it into the eye.\nHuman error is almost always the cause of contact lens side effects, but there are people whose eyes simply cannot adjust to having a foreign object on them, and there are people with allergies to the materials the lenses are made from or the cleaning solutions that must be used with all contact lenses except for daily disposables.\nIn 2006, Bausch & Lomb, one of the largest, oldest, and most respected makers of contact lenses recalled one of its contact lens cleaning solutions, Renu, when it was associated with an eye fungus called Fusarium keratitis. Of the patients with the infection, most wore soft contact lenses and reported using Renu solution on them. However, a few of the patients reported that they did not use Renu, and several patients said they wore lenses overnight, which is associated with greater risk of infection regardless of lenses or solutions. But contact lens side effects like the outbreak of Fusarium keratitis are extremely rare.\nBifocal and monovision contacts\nPerhaps the main reason people wear contact lenses is that they feel like they look better in contacts than they do with glasses. They are also convenient and do a great job of correcting vision. Contact lenses can now correct vision problems that required glasses to correct in the past. In addition to nearsightedness, farsightedness, and presbyopia, contact lenses can be made to correct for astigmatism and can even be made into bifocal contact lenses for people who hate the idea of wearing bifocals. Another contact lens technique that can take the place of bifocals is what is called monovision. With monovision, one eye is corrected for distance vision, and the other eye is corrected for close vision. After the patient’s eyes adjust to the new vision correction, they report not noticing that the correction is different for each eye and that the brain compensates for it, allowing clear distance and near vision.\nThe best candidates for wearing contact lenses include people who need correction all the time. People who wear glasses only part-time don’t always adjust to wearing contacts for extended periods. Potential contact lens wearers must be willing to commit to the time and effort of handling the lenses properly every time they are inserted, removed, and cleaned. People who play sports may find contact lenses superior due to the better peripheral vision compared to eyeglasses, and for reasons of safety.\nPeople who should probably not wear contact lenses\nPeople who should probably not wear contact lenses include those who are unwilling to commit to handling and storing them properly. People who have trouble using their hands, in cases of arthritis or other conditions may find that contact lenses are not worth the effort. People with uncontrolled diabetes, asthma, and allergies may find it difficult to adjust to contact lenses, as will people who have naturally dry eyes. Those with chronic infections of the cornea are far more prone to experiencing adverse contact lens side effects.\nThe fact is that millions of people worldwide wear contact lenses with no problems and no contact lens side effects. Anyone who is tired of wearing eyeglasses or who would like to see what they would look like with different colored lenses should consult their eye care professional about getting fitted for contacts.\nTags: Acuvue, cleaning process, disposable, eye color, side effects","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1083342"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6514628529548645,"wiki_prob":0.3485371470451355,"text":"Brigantine Schools the Latest to Announce Remote Learning in September\nGilles Glod/Thinkstock\nSchool-aged children in Brigantine will not be hopping aboard school buses next month as yet another district has announced they will begin the year virtually.\nIn an e-mail sent to parents of children in Brigantine schools Thursday evening, it was announced that they, \"...will be starting the school year fully remote on September 8th.\"\nIn the statement, Glenn Robbins, Superintendent of Schools, said,\nToday, two crucial pieces of information came to our attention, which is why we will be starting the school year fully remote on September 8th. We will continue to evaluate and plan for a re-entry date on/or before November 11, 2020, the end of our first marking period for the 2020-2021 school year.\nFirst, in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Education, we are unable to fully staff the physical building to protect the health and safety of all students and staff. The second crucial piece of information in regards to changes came to us in discussion with the Atlantic County Department of Health. It was stated that for the safety of all students and staff, they must be at least 6 feet apart or more at all times, and that barriers and/or masks cannot be used as substitutes. This includes prior to boarding the school bus at the bus stop, while on the bus, and in the school building at all times. These ever-evolving changes along with inconsistent guidance from Trenton have placed us in a situation that we had hoped we would not have to face.\nAs a parent and school leader, I am disappointed that we are unable to open in person on September 8th, but I am confident that our remote plan of everyday virtual learning with direct instruction will be a leading institution for others to model from.\nOfficials say they will continue to evaluate and plan for a re-entry date on or before November 11th, which is the end of the first marking period.\n2020 Election: NJ changing the way you vote\nSource: Brigantine Schools the Latest to Announce Remote Learning in September\nFiled Under: Brigantine, New Jersey Coronavirus\nCategories: News, South Jersey News","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line730280"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6064019799232483,"wiki_prob":0.6064019799232483,"text":"ghost towns, urban exploration and abandoned places at night\nTrip The Rhyolite Fantastic\nRhyolite under the starry Milky Way. Rhyolite is one of the best known ghost towns in the West, founded in 1904, and at one point having a population of 10,000. This evening, I was excitedly testing a new lens, an Irix 15mm f/2.4, which seems quite good so far. I illuminated the former Cook Bank building with a hand-held LED flashlight during the 15 second exposure.\nSaluting The Night Sky\nThe Car Forest is an art installation outside Goldfield, Nevada. I drove up from Beatty to photograph here on a gorgeous evening, surrounded by braying and sometimes galloping burros. Many of these cars were repainted since my last visit, some for the better, and some by idiots.\nThis Blood Red Room\nPhotographing the abandoned and apparently haunted penitentiary at night was creepy, interesting, exciting, and sometimes challenging. The penitentiary has imposing Gothic stone architecture adorned with turrets and like a castle, and has an extremely violent history, with almost a thousand deaths within these stone walls. Photos were created with only a handheld flashlight in total or near total darkness. Tim Little and Mike Cooper also photographed here the same evening. The former West Virginia State Penitentiary, a National Historic Places Registered facility, operated by the Moundsville Economic Development Council in Moundsville, West Virginia, was built in 1866, just three years after West Virginia seceded from Virginia, and closed in 1995.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1555753"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8433559536933899,"wiki_prob":0.8433559536933899,"text":"Mathematics and Physics at the Crossroads\n6 June 2016 to 30 September 2016\nINFN - Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati \nLNF Map and Travel Directions\nParticipants Schedule\nTopical Workshops\nAbout Frascati\nlia.sabatini@lnf.infn.it\nFrascati is a town and comune in the province of Rome in the Lazio region of central Italy. It is located 20 kilometres (12 mi) south-east of Rome, on the Alban Hills close to the ancient city of Tusculum. Frascati is closely associated with science, being the location of several international scientific laboratories. Frascati produces the white wine with the same name. It is also a historical and artistic centre.\nThe most important archeological finding in the area, dating back to Ancient Roman times, during the late Republican Age, is a patrician Roman villa probably belonging to Lucullus. In the first century AD its owner was Gaius Sallustius Crispus Passienus, who married Agrippina the Younger, mother of Nero. His properties were later confiscated by the Flavian imperial dynasty (69–96 AD). Consul Flavius Clemens lived in the villa with his wife Domitilla during the rule of Domitian.\nAccording to the Liber Pontificalis, in the 9th century Frascati was a little village, probably founded two centuries earlier. The name of the city probably comes from a typical local tradition of collecting firewood (\"frasche\" in Italian)—many place-names around the town refer to trees or wood. After the destruction of nearby Tusculum in 1191, the town's population increased and the bishopric moved from Tusculum to Frascati. Pope Innocent III endorsed the city as a feudal possession of the basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, but in the following centuries its territories were ravaged by frequent raids that impoverished it. It was owned by various baronial families, including the Colonna, until, in 1460, Pope Pius II fortified the city with walls.\nAt the beginning of the sixteenth century, Pope Julius II gave Frascati as a feudal possession to the condottiero Marcantonio I Colonna, who lived there from 1508 together with his wife Lucrezia della Rovere (1485–1552), niece of Pope Julius II. In 1515 Colonna gave Frascati its first statute, Statuti e Capituli del Castello di Frascati, under the Latin title Populus antiquae civitas Tusculi.\nIn 1518 a hospital was built, named after St. Sebastiano, in memory of the old basilica destroyed in the 9th century. After Prince Colonna's death in 1522, Lucrezia della Rovere sold Frascati to Pier Luigi Farnese, nephew of Pope Paul III.\nOn May 1, 1527 a Landsknecht company, after having sacked Rome, arrived out of the bordering villages. However, the soldiers changed the direction of their movement next to a niche, a \"Rural Aedicule\" consecrated to the Virgin Mary, and the town was therefore saved. This event is commemorated by a church now called Capocroce.\nIn 1538, Pope Paul III conferred the title of \"Civitas\" to Frascati, with the name \"Tusculum Novum\". In 1598 construction began on a new cathedral dedicated to St. Peter.\nOn September 15, 1616 the first public and free school in Europe was established on the initiative of Saint Joseph Calasanz. Religious holiday in Frascati: arrival of St Joseph Calasanz and the image of Our Lady (1823).\nOn June 18, 1656 a part of the plaster peeled off a wall inside the Church of St. Mary in Vivario, and an ancient fresco became visible. It was the image of Saints Sebastian and Roch, protector from the plague. In that same year there was an epidemic of plague in Rome but Frascati was unaffected. Since that year, the two Saints have been co-patron Saints of the city. There are statues of the two saints in the façade of the Cathedral.\nIn 1757 the Valle theater opened in the centre of the town, and in 1761 the fortress changed to a princely palace under the patronage of Cardinal Henry Stuart, Duke of York.\nIn 1809 Frascati was annexed to the French Empire, and selected as the capital of the Roman canton.\nIn autumn 1837, there was a plague epidemic in Rome, and 5,000 people left Rome. Frascati was the only city that opened its doors to them. Since then Frascati's flag has been the same as Rome's, yellow and red. In 1840 the \"Accademia Tuscolana\" was founded in the city by Cardinal-Bishop Ludovico Micara.\nIn 1856 the city was chosen as the terminus of the Rome–Frascati railway, the first railway to be built by the Papal State. The last section of the railway line was opened in 1884, 14 years after the city became part of the new Kingdom of Italy. On December 17, 1901, Frascati started to receive electricity from a hydroelectric plant in Tivoli.\nIn 1906, an electric tram line opened for service between Frascati, Rome and Castelli Romani. The trams traveled wholly along tracks laid down on existing streets as an interurban electric streetcar (light rail). In 1954 the electric tram line was replaced by buses. Another electric tram service, the Rome and Fiuggi Rail Road, called \"Vicinali\", was opened for service in 1916. It connected Frascati, Monte Porzio Catone, Monte Compatri and San Cesareo. This tram line was destroyed in 1943 and was replaced by buses.\nIn 1943, during World War II, Frascati was heavily bombed because it contained the German General Headquarters for the Mediterranean zone. Approximately 50% of its buildings, including many monuments, villas and houses, were destroyed. One thousand Italians and 150 Germans died in that air strike[1] and in a second air strike on January 22, 1944, the day of the battle of Anzio (Operation Shingle). The city was liberated from the Nazi German occupation on June 4, 1944 by the 85th Infantry Division. In 1944–1945 the ruins of the buildings were used to fill in a valley, and that land now supports the \"8 September Stadium\".\nFrascati is famous for its notable villas, which were built from the 16th century onwards by Popes, cardinals and Roman nobles as \"status symbols\" of Roman aristocracy. These country houses were designed for social activities rather than farming. The villas are substantially well preserved, or have been carefully and authentically restored following damage during World War II. Villa Aldobrandini. The main villas are:\nVilla Parisi\nVilla Falconieri\nVilla Grazioli\nVialla Lancellotti\nVilla Muti\nVilla Ruffinella or Tuscolana\nVila Sora\nVilla Mondragone\nVilla Sciarra\nThe Cathedral (Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter Apostle) was designed by Ottaviano Nonni, known as \"Mascherino\", and the original structure was completed in 1598. A new high façade was added between 1698–1700 by Gerolamo Fontana. The cathedral was demolished by bombing in 1943, and the reconstructed interior appears bare. On the inner side of the façade is the tombstone of Charles Edward Stuart.\nThe Church of the Gesù (Frascati), designed by the Jesuit architect Giovanni De Rosis, was built at the end of the 16th century, and it has niches on the façade with statues attributed to Pietro da Cortona. The most significant feature of the interior is the trompe l'oiel false dome and other architectural features. These were created by Andrea Pozzo and are copied from models developed for the church of Sant'Ignazio in Rome. In 1773 Cardinal Henry Benedict Stuart, Duke of York, reconsecrated the church to the Holy Name of Jesus and to St. Gregory the Great.\nThe Bishop's Palace, the old \"Rocca\" (\"Castle\"), is a massive construction with two square towers and one rounded one. The Bishop of Frascati resides here. The Palace is flanked by the former cathedral, the church of Santa Maria in Vivario, with a campanile (1305) featuring three orders of three-mullioned windows.\nThe civic archaeological museum at the Scuderie Aldobrandini (\"Aldobrandini Stables\") exhibits archaeological finds from the ancient city of Tusculum and the nearby area. It has scale models of the Tuscolane Villas.\nThe Ethiopian Museum of Cardinal Guglielmo Massaia (1809–1889), a missionary who was buried here, in the Capuchin friary, whose church is dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi, houses works by Giulio Romano and Cristoforo Roncalli. It can be visited on request.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line38215"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6995493173599243,"wiki_prob":0.6995493173599243,"text":"https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/2019/10/17/gm-survey-james-harden-forces-most-adjustments-by-other-teams/\nGM survey: James Harden forces most adjustments by other teams\nSuperstar Houston Rockets guard James Harden forces the most adjustments of any NBA player for opposing teams, according to NBA.com‘s annual GM survey for the 2019-20 season.\nFrom the survey:\nWhich player forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments?\n1. James Harden, Houston — 48%\n2. Stephen Curry, Golden State — 17%\nLeBron James, L.A. Lakers — 17%\n4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee — 14%\n5. Kevin Durant, Brooklyn — 3%\nLast year, James led the way with 60% of the vote in response to that question. Harden was second with 20% in the October 2018 survey.\nHarden finished with a career-high 36.1 points per game last season, along with 7.5 rebounds and 6.6 assists. Though he finished second in the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) voting after winning it the prior season, it seems Harden’s 2018-19 exploits have made him even more feared among league executives relative to a year ago.\nHeadlined by his legendary step-back jumper, Harden made 36.8% of his three-pointers last season, even on an extremely high volume of 13.2 attempts per game. The combination of Harden’s shooting efficiency with his ballhandling, passing, on-court intelligence, and his crafty knack for drawing fouls (11.0 free throws per game) makes him an extremely tough cover for opposing defenders and a nightmare for coaches to plan for, as shown in the survey results.\nIn five preseason games this month, Harden is averaging an astonishing 28.6 points, 9.4 assists, and 6.8 rebounds in just 27.7 minutes per game — which would seem to indicate that the 30-year-old hasn’t lost a step since his scoring binge last season.\nElsewhere in the GM survey, Harden was selected by 86% as the NBA’s top shooting guard, up from 73% a year ago.\nHarden also received votes for being the league’s best passer; having the best basketball IQ; who will win MVP this season; and what player each GM would want taking a shot with a game on the line.\nHarden and the Rockets will begin their 2019-20 regular season in just one week, with a nationally televised home opener on Thursday, Oct. 24 versus 2019 MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks.\nHarden scores 40, but Rockets' defense struggles in loss to Spurs\nJames Harden, Russell Westbrook share new Sports Illustrated cover\nHighlights: How Houston's James Harden dazzled versus Raptors\nRockets beat Clippers in Hawaii behind James Harden's 37 points","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1522344"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.616974413394928,"wiki_prob":0.616974413394928,"text":"Articles From : laurengoodman\nlaurengoodman\nEmotional Inflammation: Discover your Triggers and Reclaim Your Equilibrium during Anxious Times - Free Webinar with Lise Van Susteren, MD and Stacey Colino\nIf the news and other current events have you feeling anxious or outraged, you’re not alone. There is a name for this: emotional inflammation, a state that’s not unlike post-traumatic stress but stems from simply living in a world that feels increasingly out of control.\nDuring the webinar, you’ll have the chance to identify how you react to intense circumstances, and you will learn several individualized strategies to relieve stress, improve critical thinking, and reclaim your inner calmness.\n0 Comments\">Comments\nDEEPAK CHOPRA on Solutions News on Friday, September 18th\nOn this week’s episode of Solutions News, we’re interviewing the well-known Deepak Chopra, a prominent figure in the New Age movement, author, and advocate for alternative-medicine. Chopra founded the Chopra Foundation, a nonprofit that researches well-being and humanitarianism. He is the author of over 90 books, and we will be discussing his recent Metahuman: Unleashing Your Infinite Potential on the show among other fascinating and solutions-oriented topics.\nLorenzo Kristov, PhD talks about the need for microgrids to achieve a clean, renewable, and resilient future on Solutions News\nSource: World Business Academy Last week, the World Business Academy welcomed Lorenzo Kristov, PhD on Solutions News, a radio show hosted by Rinaldo Brutoco that airs live on KZSB 1290am and as a podcast.\nRiane Eisler on Solutions News on Friday, September 11th\nRiane Eisler is a social systems scientist, cultural historian, and attorney whose research, writing, and speaking has transformed the lives of people worldwide. Her newest work, Nurturing Our Humanity: How Domination and Partnership Shape Our Brains, Lives, and Future, shows how to construct a more equitable, sustainable, and less violent world based on partnership rather than domination.\nLorenzo Kristov on Solutions News on Friday, September 4th\nLorenzo Kristov is an independent consultant focusing on power system transition to integrate high levels of renewable generation and distributed energy resources. In the 2000s, Kristov was a lead designer of the locational marginal pricing-based market structure the California Independent System Operator (CAISO). He later led initiatives to redesign the transmission planning process and the new generator interconnection process to accommodate rapid growth of renewable energy projects in California.\nCongresswoman Julia Brownley on Solutions News on Friday, August 28th\nJulia Brownley was first elected to Congress in 2012 to serve as the Representative for California’s 26th District, which encompasses most of Ventura County and a portion of Los Angeles County. Brownley has served on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, and has also been selected to serve as one of the House Democratic Caucus’s Senior Whips.\nHazel Henderson on Solutions News on Friday, August 21st\nHazel Henderson is the founder of Ethical Markets Media, LLC and the creator and co-executive producer of its TV series. She is a world-renowned futurist, evolutionary economist, worldwide syndicated columnist, consultant on sustainable development, and author of The Axiom and Nautilus award-winning book Ethical Markets: Growing the Green Economy and eight other books.\nDirector of Office of Emergency Services Patrick Maynard on Solutions News\nPatrick Maynard has exhibited tremendous leadership during numerous major incidents affecting the residents of Ventura County during the past nine years. He has the skillset to handle any major emergency and has forged the necessary relationships to activate all of the right resources to solve a problem. Maynard has taken the helm during a critical time when one of the greatest challenges confronts Ventura County residents: the coronavirus pandemic.\nSolutions News is welcoming George Eskin, retired judge of the Superior Court of Santa Barbara County, on Friday, August 7th.\nDuring his tenure on the bench, Judge Eskin’s primary assignment was a criminal trial department, where he established a Military Veterans Treatment Court Calendar, and he also presided in a civil trial department. He was appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to serve four years on the Criminal Law Advisory Committee to the Judicial Council. Santa Barbara Women Lawyers Foundation honored him as its 2012 Founding Father, and he received the 2013 John T. Rickard Judicial Service Award by the Santa Barbara County Bar Association.\nErik Talkin, SB County Foodbank CEO, on Solutions News\nSolutions News is welcoming Eric Talkin, CEO of the Santa Barbara County Foodbank, on Friday, August 1st. For the past ten years, Erik’s goal has been to help the Foodbank become an organization that moves people from hunger to nutritional self-sufficiency and health – both for themselves and their communities. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the California Association of Food Banks and the National Advisory Council of Feeding America.\nApr 14 2020 10:54 AM\nThis Week Solutions News Features Voice from the Climate Strike\nOn this episode of Solutions News, we are mixing things up. Last week we interviewed Brent Goodlet who organized the General Climate Strike that occurred on September 27, 2019 - the day we recorded this show. In honor of this action and the millions who participated in the youth-led strikes that occurred around the world on September 20, 2019, we are going to take a listen to some of the young voices and others who are making this a global event.\nSolutions News Welcomes Brent Goodlet (replay)\nBrent Goodlet is a postdoctoral scholar and community organizer focused on grassroots campaigns. After coming to terms with the dire warnings of the scientific community about the climate crisis that we all now face, Brent and the Climate Strike SB team organized Santa Barbara’s first Climate Strike in September of 2019. They embraced the powerful and disruptive potential of a global general strike, as it is now being called for by numerous national and international groups, including 16-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg and her global Fridays For Future movement.\nSolutions News Welcomes Stacy Pulice\nOn this episode replay of Solutions News we focus on citizen engagement. We are thrilled to welcome our guest, psychologist, educator, and environmental advocate Stacy Pulice. We take a look at how citizen scientists are helping advance humanity’s knowledge. From working with NASA to identify extraterrestrial planets, to counting larvae of some of the rarest pollinators, some of the most important science these days is being done by passionate volunteers.\nSolutions News Welcomes Jon Aimonetti, Executive Director of Fairview Gardens\nWHAT: This week’s Solutions News live radio broadcast and podcast interviews Jon Aimonetti\nWHEN: 5 to 6 pm Friday, March 27, 2020\nWHERE: KZSB 1290AM\nThis week Solutions News welcomes Rep. Tom Malinowski\nRep. Malinowski represents the 7th District of New Jersey. He served as a Senior Director on President Clinton’s National Security Council where he worked to end conflicts around the globe. He then served as the chief advocate for Human Rights Watch, where he led the bipartisan campaign to end the use of torture by the Bush Administration. Later he served the Obama Administration as Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor where he helped lead America’s fight for human rights around the world.\nThis week Solutions News welcomes Dr. Douglas Metz\nDr. Metz became Deputy Director Primary Care/Family Health at the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department in 2016. Before moving to the Central Coast, he served as COO at Tri-City Health Center in Fremont, CA and served in leadership roles in community health-center settings and other health-related nonprofits in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. Metz was a part-time instructor in health sciences at San Jose State University for nine years, and spent 16 years of his professional life as a practicing podiatric physician and surgeon in San Jose.\nThis week Solutions News Radio welcomes Sandy Blair\nOn this episode of Solutions News we interview Sandy Blair, Air Force veteran and Founder of the nonprofit Operation WEBS. Operations WEBS, which stands for Women Empower Build Strong, works to provide stability for veterans and sustainable housing solutions for those facing homelessness. Sandy served twelve years in the Air Force and four years as a Peace Officer. She faced adversity upon medical discharge from the Air Force and struggled to find employment. Sandy eventually obtained her real estate license and used her past to fuel her mission to take action and start a nonprofit.\nThis week, Solutions News radio and podcast welcomes Susanne Chess and Bob Evans\nOn this episode of Solutions News, we interview Susanne Chess and Bob Evans. Susanne has a passion for business with more than 30 years of key management experience. She is a recognized business leader in Santa Barbara, CA and has spoken at the Women’s Economic Venture Group and the UC Santa Barbara symposia on International Business, and received the Spirit of Entrepreneurship Award for Santa Barbara County. Bob Evans has dedicated his career to executing projects to better our oceans and society, focusing heavily on coastal desalination.\nThis week \"Solutions News\" welcomes David Gershon\nOn this episode of “Solutions News,” we will interview David Gershon, co-founder and CEO of the Empowerment Institute and “the number one expert on social change.” David has dedicated his life to empowering humanity to believe that we can create the world of our dreams and design the strategies and tools to help us make this a reality. David is the author of twelve books, including the award-winning Social Change 2.0: A Blueprint for Reinventing Our World and the best-selling Empowerment: The Art of Creating Your Life as You Want It.\nFeb 10 2020 03:26 PM\nTHIS WEEK \"SOLUTIONS NEWS RADIO\" WELCOMES DAS WILLIAMS\nOn this episode of Solutions News we interview Das Williams, current Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor and Santa Barbara and Ventura County local. Williams is running for reelection to provide solutions for clean energy and public service protection. Topics he will address include gun violence, carbon emissions, disaster preparedness, and county revenue sources. In the past, Williams has served as a Santa Barbara City Councilmember, leading the local movement toward renewable energy and helping protect teachers from layoffs during the recession.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1847345"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7367967963218689,"wiki_prob":0.2632032036781311,"text":"Die klinische Prüfung in der Medizin\nDie klinische Prüfung in der Medizin pp 53-57 | Cite as\nClinical research in accordance with national and international codes, with emphasis on the Protocol of the Bioconvention of the Council of Europe\nPovl Riis\nPart of the Veröffentlichungen des Instituts für Deutsches, Europäisches und Internationales Medizinrecht, Gesundheitsrecht und Bioethik der Universitäten Heidelberg und Mannheim book series (IMGB, volume 17)\nCouncil of Europe. Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Dignity of the Human Being with regard to the Application of Biology and Medicine. Oviedo: Council of Europe, 1997.Google Scholar\nCouncil of Europe. Explanatory Report to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Dignity of the Human Being with regard to the Application of Biology and Medicine: Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine. Strasbourg: Council of Europe, 1997.Google Scholar\nCouncil of Europe. Draft additional Protocol to the Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine. Strasbourg: CDBI, 2002.Google Scholar\nCouncil of Europe. Draft Explanatory Report to the Draft Additional Protocol to the Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine, on Biomedical Research. Strasbourg: CDBI, 2002.Google Scholar\nDirective 2001/20/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 4 April 2001 on the approximation of laws, regulations, and administrative provision of the Member States relating to the implementation of good clinical practice in the conduct of clinical trials on medical products for human use. OJ 2001; L 121/34.Google Scholar\nWHO/CIOMS. International Guidelines on Bioethics. Geneva: CIOMS, 1999.Google Scholar\nCouncil for International Organizations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS). International Ethical Guidelines for Biomedical Research involving Human Subjects. Geneva: CIOMS, 2002.Google Scholar\nUNESCO. The Universal Declaration of the Human Genome and Human Rights: from theory to practice. Paris: UNESCO, 1999.Google Scholar\nUNAIDS. Guidelines Document: Ethical Considerations in HIV Preventive Vaccine Research. UNAIDS, 2000.Google Scholar\nWorld Medical Association. The Declaration of Helsinki. 5th revision. Edinburgh: WMA, 2000.Google Scholar\nNuffield Council on Bioethics. The ethics of research related to healthcare in developing countries, London: Nuffield Foundation 2002.Google Scholar\nRiis P. (2005) Clinical research in accordance with national and international codes, with emphasis on the Protocol of the Bioconvention of the Council of Europe. In: Deutsch E., Schreiber HL., Spickhoff A., Taupitz J. (eds) Die klinische Prüfung in der Medizin. Veröffentlichungen des Instituts für Deutsches, Europäisches und Internationales Medizinrecht, Gesundheitsrecht und Bioethik der Universitäten Heidelberg und Mannheim, vol 17. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-26722-0_6","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line11460"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5103509426116943,"wiki_prob":0.48964905738830566,"text":"Tackling climate change one city — and carbon budget — at a time\nA governance tool for reaching the municipalities emission targets, Oslo’s ‘Climate Budget’ budgets the city’s CO2 emissions in a similar manner to the city’s finances.\n“Oslo is part of a global trend. More than 55 % of people live in cities and urban areas today; a proportion that is expected to increase to 68% by 2050. So we need to find climate-friendly solutions so that all those people can live in our cities,” explains Vegar Andersen, one of Oslo’s seven Vice Mayors.\nCities are already responsible for around 70 % of global green gas emissions today. They also have huge financial resources to localise, and many of them are already threatened by the climate crisis. A few municipalities around the world are taking bold climate action, leading the way towards a healthier and more sustainable future. Oslo, which was designated European Green Capital in 2019, wants to be position itself as a role model to other cities.\nThe city’s ambition is to reduce its global emissions by 50 % by 2020 and by 95 % by 2030. “CO2 emissions is a political matter and must be dealt with in a matter of government,” says Andersen. In 2017, the city developed a Climate Budget as a governance tool for efforts to achieve these targets. Oslo’s Climate Budget is fully integrated into the budget of the government. It’s a management tool for achieving the city’s goal to become zero-emission by 2030, and it is directly linked to Oslo’s financial budget.\nWha does a Climate Budget do?\nA Climate Budget like the one implemented in Oslo shows whether the existing measures to reach climate targets are sufficient. It also imposes an obligation on all municipal bodies to submit regular status reports on the climate measures for which they are responsible.\nOslo wants to create a livelier urban society, with more green spaces, better air quality, and easier access to nature and opportunities for outdoor recreation and prioritise climate measures that will help to achieve the city’s emission goals. But this doesn’t come without efforts. “Everyone must contribute and look towards the same direction. Everyone must want to decrease emissions and everyone must be held accountable,” says Oslo’s Vice Mayor.\nEveryone, meaning all sectors. The 36 measures within the Oslo’s Climate Budget have been developed to tackle GHG emissions from waste, buildings, and transport sectors.\nTransport is the main source of greenhouse gas emissions in the Norwegian capital. “Road traffic is the largest emissions source in the city, and accounted for 54 % of all emissions in 2016,” explains Vegar Andersen. The rapid phasing out of fossil-fuelled vehicles is therefore essential for the achievement of Oslo’s climate goals. The city is now implementing a variety of strategies in order to improve accessibility and the capacity in the public transport system. The goal is to reduce car traffic into the city by 20 %. The city also wants to implement a rapid transition to low- and zero-emission vehicles. At the start of 2018, already 17.5 % of privately owned cars in Oslo were chargeable vehicles. The city also shows its ambition to keep well-maintained bike roads and lanes throughout the year to improve security and accessibility. “That might come as a surprise, but people in Oslo are biking all year round!”, adds Anderson. 60 kilometres of additional bike roads or lanes are planned to be built on a network of prioritised stretches.\nWhen it comes to the buildings, Oslo wants to encourage fossil-free construction projects and reinforced efforts to promote fossil-free construction practices. A ban on fossil heating fuels will come into effect in 2020 for the building sector. Waste treatment is another priority: “We have a circularity approach to waste,” explains Andersen adding that the city currently recycles 40 % of its waste, and aims to reach 60 % by 2030.\nEarlier this week, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Patricia Espinosa said that if we manage to address climate change in cities, we’ll be in a very good situation to address the global challenge. “I believe what is important is that climate change is embedded in all planning and agenda of all level of government. So addressing climate change doesn’t become a side program for those governments,” she added.\nOslo’s climate budget was the first document of its kind in the world, but other cities like New York City are considering Norway-style bill to budget climate emissions like finances. This is the kind of ambitious climate action the world needs. And we need it now.\nPicture Copyrights: Oliver Cole. Oslo.\nLocal authorities, companies and NGOs: together for a more sustainable tomorrow\nWhat Does the European Green Recovery Mean for Business Sustainability?\nFormer UN General Assembly President María Fernanda Espinosa-Garcés on the Future we Must Choose\nUN special representative, Damilola Ogunbiyi, about her lifelong fight for sustainable energy for all\nPosted in CitiesTagged CIties, sustainability","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1036775"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.935673713684082,"wiki_prob":0.935673713684082,"text":"German Admiral Raeder’s Navy Raiders\nThe German Navy’s surface raiders harried Allied shipping through much of World War II.\nBy Mark Carlson\nOn the nights of August 21 and 24, 1939, two dark ships slipped out of the German naval base at Wilhelmshaven and turned west toward the English Channel. Forty-eight hours later they were well out into the broad Atlantic Ocean, safe from prying British eyes. They were two of the Kriegsmarine’s most innovative warships, the compact but powerful pocket battleships Admiral Graf Spee and Deutschland. Each was armed with six 11-inch guns and could range for nearly 10,000 miles, prowling the seas for vulnerable prey.\nA week before Hitler’s attack on Poland, Germany was already preparing to initiate Grand Admiral Erich Raeder’s Plan Z, the daring surface campaign to destroy Britain’s military and commercial sea trade.\nThe two ships were the vanguard of what Raeder hoped would eventually be dozens of fast and potent cruisers and battleships that would disrupt and destroy the Allies’ sea lanes and starve England into surrender.\nAt the war’s outset, Britain possessed about 2,000 merchant ships and another 1,000 coastal vessels of less than 2,000 tons each. This added up to around four million tons of cargo capacity. Another three million tons came from countries conquered by Germany, while another million tons were being launched each year. Britain required about 55 million tons of imports— consisting of food, oil, cotton, wool, and other industrial products—to sustain it. Raeder’s goal was to sink more tonnage than Britain could endure and force the capitulation. In essence, his raiders had to sink ships faster than Britain could replace them. As events proved, Raeder was doomed to fail before he even began.\nGrand Admiral Erich Raeder led the Kriegsmarine until he fell out of favor with Hitler.\nErich Raeder, who had risen to command the Kriegsmarine after a career that went back to being a junior officer aboard Kaiser Wilhelm II’s yacht Hohenzollern to the post of chief of staff for Admiral Franz von Hipper’s battlecruiser force in the Great War, was a strong advocate of fast surface commerce raiders. They had proved successful during World War I, even if their impact on the outcome was negligible. The most successful surface raider was the light cruiser SMS Emden. In three months in the Indian Ocean, Emden sank two Allied warships and captured or sank 16 merchant vessels totaling 70,000 tons. Emden was undoubtedly Raeder’s inspiration for his vision of fast raiders running wild through Allied shipping. But he failed to give much credibility to the U-boat campaign of World War I. Although the U-boats were often hampered by the diplomatic need to appease neutral nations who violently opposed unrestricted submarine warfare, in 51 months the 371 U-boats sank 5,282 British, Allied, and neutral merchant ships totaling more than 11 million tons.\nIgnoring this persuasive statistic, Raeder had convinced Adolf Hitler that a surface fleet was essential to victory at sea. In January 1939, he proposed his Plan Z, envisioning a huge fleet of battleships, heavy cruisers, and aircraft carriers that would roam and dominate the seas by 1948. Hitler had promised his fleet commander that there would be no war until at least 1944, giving Raeder a healthy margin of time to carry out his grand building program.\nBut in the summer of 1939, Raeder learned of the planned invasion of Poland. Even though there was little doubt that Britain would quickly become involved, Hitler forged ahead, disrupting Raeder’s carefully laid plans to build a huge surface fleet. Faced with a fait accompli, Raeder used what few large surface warships he possessed to support Hitler’s grand campaigns.\nBut Raeder was more of a tactician than a strategist, a remnant of his time with the battlecruisers under Hipper. He never developed a broad strategy, instead using his meager force in hit and run raids and attacks. Additionally, Raeder gave little thought to U-boats as a viable means of cutting the Allied sea lanes. But his greatest blunder was that he failed to recognize the nearly two decades of advances in aviation, marine technology, and radar that made a surface fleet more of a target than a threat.\nHis shortsighted dogmas condemned the Kriegsmarine to defeat.\nErich Raeder was not only up against the powerful Royal Navy, but the former First Lord of the Admiralty and later Prime Minister Winston Churchill, whose devotion to the Navy was close to reverence. Churchill gave the Navy all the support it needed to assure Britain’s survival.\nThe German battleship Bismarck posed a tremendous threat to Allied shipping with its main 15-inch gun batteries. Bismarck was hunted down and sunk by Royal Navy warships in 1941.\nThe last thing Churchill and the Admiralty wanted was for the distinctive shape of a huge German battleship to come out of the misty horizon and open fire with its heavy guns on a helpless convoy of tankers and transports. A salvo of heavy 8-inch or 11-inch high-explosive shells screaming out of the sky like angels of death could be devastating. The thin-skinned merchant ships could be sunk in minutes, leaving their crews to flounder and die in the freezing sea. Germany’s powerful ships would be wolves in the fold, unstoppable and deadly.\nRaeder lacked the strength and time to make a significant contribution to the Third Reich’s war aims, but he doggedly followed a radically shrunken version of his original raiding plan. His only advantage was that the Royal Navy was largely equipped with vessels that had been launched during or shortly after the Great War. They were mostly older, slower battleships and battlecruisers with a leavening of light cruisers and destroyers.\nHowever, Raeder’s ships were all new, having been launched since 1931 and fitted with the latest naval technology and engines. They were for the most part fast, heavily armed and armored and were the equal of their larger British counterparts. But there were too few of them.\nThe numbers leave little doubt as to the inevitable outcome. Even at a fraction of its former glory, the British Home Fleet consisted of seven battleships, two battlecruisers, four aircraft carriers, 21 cruisers, more than 50 destroyers, and 20 submarines. The navies of Canada, New Zealand, and Australia added their own strength to this huge armada. Against this Raeder never had more than 10 powerful warships. Three were the so-called “pocket battleships” Deutschland, Admiral Graf Spee, and Admiral Scheer. In Germany they were officially called Panzerschiffen, or “armored ships.” They carried two triple turrets with six 11-inch guns. They were registered as being 10,000 tons each but actually displaced over 12,000 tons. Three 14,500-ton Admiral Hipper-class cruisers, Hipper, Blucher, and Prinz Eugen, each carried eight 8-inch guns in four turrets. Formidable in themselves, they were soon superseded by two larger vessels, which were called heavy cruisers but were in fact battleships. Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, launched in 1936, each carried nine 11-inch guns in three turrets. While they were officially registered as displacing 19,000 tons, their registered gross tonnage was closer to 32,000. This made them larger than any German warship ever constructed up to that time, but Raeder was not finished. His planned armada was only partially complete.\nThe zenith of Raeder’s raider fleet were the huge new battleships Bismarck and Tirpitz, each of more than 50,000 tons and carrying eight 15-inch guns in four turrets. Launched in 1939 and 1940, respectively, the sisters were the largest and most heavily armed and armored warships ever built in Germany. But their very size and power made them the focus of Royal Navy attention even before they completed their sea trials. They were also the last capital ships built in Germany during World War II.\nA large crowd gathered in June 1934 to watch the launching of the pocket battleship Graf Spee. Graf Spee came to grief in 1939, scuttled after the Battle of the River Plate.\nIn August 1939, Raeder initiated Plan Z by sending Graf Spee and Deutschland out to sea. Graf Spee, named for Count Maximillian von Spee, commander of the German East Asia squadron in 1914, went to the South Atlantic, while Deutschland headed for the North Atlantic.\nFrom the moment Graf Spee received word that Great Britain and Germany were at war, her captain, Hans Langsdorff, who was above all a gentleman warrior, began his hunt for British merchant ships. German raiders were under the strict rules of cruiser warfare, where all ships stopped must be searched and their crews allowed to escape in lifeboats before the vessel was sunk. His crew was skilled and loyal to their mission. Langsdorff used his ship’s reconnaissance plane to scout for prey. When Graf Spee came upon a likely ship, the first thing Langsdorff did was to destroy the merchant ship’s radio room with direct fire, preventing a distress call. Then he ordered the captain to abandon the vessel before he opened fire. Graf Spee sank 16 ships in three months of raiding in the Indian Ocean and South Atlantic. Not one person was killed or injured. But time and circumstances were catching up with Langsdorff.\nThree British cruisers, HMS Exeter, Achilles, and Ajax, none of which had the firepower of Graf Spee, were under the command of Admiral Henry Harwood, a brilliant tactician. Harwood deduced that Graf Spee would head for the port of Montevideo at the mouth of the River Plate in Uruguay where a convoy was expected. On the morning of December 13, 1939, Langsdorff found the three Royal Navy ships converging on him. With few options, he chose to fight. While the three British cruisers had less firepower than their foe, they split up and forced Langsdorff to either concentrate on a single ship or split his own limited firepower. Graf Spee’s main armament of six 11-inch guns were in two triple turrets.\nAfter only 20 minutes of battle, Langsdorff had severely damaged Exeter but suffered major damage to his own ship’s superstructure. The British guns could not penetrate his hull or turret armor. He chose to break off and attempt to make repairs in Montevideo. But the Uruguayan government would not allow him to stay long enough to make repairs, and in the end Langsdorff had to either face a more numerous and powerful foe or scuttle his ship. He stripped Graf Spee of all classified equipment and set off charges that sank her in the river.\nLangsdorff and his crew then headed for Buenos Aries, where he later committed suicide.\nCoincidentally Admiral Maximillian von Spee had died aboard his flagship SMS Scharnhorst only 1,000 miles from where his namesake would be scuttled almost exactly 25 years later.\nThe two forward 11-inch main batteries of the battlecruiser Scharnhorst loom as the ship lies at anchor in the port of Kiel in the winter of 1940. Scharnhorst sank the British aircraft carrier HMS Glorious but was destroyed in the Battle of the North Cape.\nGraf Spee’s sister, Deutschland, had a longer but far less successful career. Commanded by Captain Paul Veneker, Deutschland was operating off southern Greenland and Nova Scotia to interdict British shipping. At first she was moderately successful with two ships taken, but then Venaker made an error that caused great embarrassment to the Third Reich by capturing the American steamer City of Flint less than 1,200 miles from New York. The ship was seized and the American crew taken prisoner. Evading prowling British warships, Venaker headed for Norway. This was a further outrage, as both America and Norway were still neutral. The United States sent a flood of protests to the Nazi government.\nVeneker then tried to go to Murmansk, but the Soviets, also neutral, refused entry. This meant that Deutschland and her crew were, in effect, kidnappers. Returning to Norway, Deutschland was boarded by Norwegian officials and the Americans set free. Deutschland returned to Germany for refit. To avoid any connection with the highly embarrassing incident, the ship was renamed Lutzow. Lutzow was heavily damaged by gunfire and torpedoes during the invasion of Norway the following year and towed back to Germany. Her luck failed to improve when the ship was again torpedoed by a Bristol Beaufort of RAF Coastal Command in June 1941.\nRepaired, the ship then went aground off the coast of Norway, thus missing the famous July 1942 attack that scattered convoy PQ-17. By 1944, Lutzow nee Deutschland was providing support to German troops retreating from the advancing Soviets on the Baltic coast. Then an RAF Avro Lancaster heavy bomber dropped a 12,000-pound Tallboy bomb on the deck, doing great internal damage. Repaired once again, her ignominious career was ended when she was deliberately blown up four days after Hitler committed suicide in 1945.\nYet, as ineffective as Deutschland’s raids had been, she had managed to stretch the Royal Navy’s assets to the breaking point. Dozens of cruisers and battleships were detailed to protect the convoys from German raids, making things easier for Raeder’s plans but also rendering his goals virtually impossible.\nWorse was in store for Raeder’s reputation. In November 1939, even before Graf Spee’s death ride, the battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau found the armed merchant cruiser SS Rawalpindi in the region between the Faeroe Islands and the Denmark Strait. A small P&O liner of 16,700 tons, she was fitted with eight 6-inch and two 3-inch guns. Under the command of Royal Navy Captain E.C. Kennedy, the Rawalpindi savagely attacked the two big German battleships. Even while the small liner sank from dozens of heavy shell hits, her guns continued to fire. The action forced the two German raiders to leave the area before a heavier Royal Navy force arrived.\nhe heavy cruiser Lutzow lies at anchor in a Norwegian fjord in 1942. The warship was originally christened as the Deutschland, but its name was changed after the seizure of the American steamer City of Flint.\nAlmost exactly a year later, another converted liner, the 14,000-ton SS Jervis Bay, under Commander Edward Fegen, was escorting Convoy HX-84 from Bermuda to Britain. Admiral Scheer found the convoy off the coast of Iceland. Fegen charged at the German ship with her seven 6-inch and three 3-inch guns. Jervis Bay was sunk in 20 minutes. Fegen earned a posthumous Victoria Cross. The convoy escaped without loss.\nDespite some victories, one factor Raeder could not ignore was that the German surface raiders needed fuel, ammunition, replacement parts, food, and other supplies as they roamed far and wide in their hunt for Allied ships. Tankers and freighters had to be stationed in neutral or friendly ports. The raiders could patrol no farther than a few thousand miles from a support vessel, further limiting their range and effectiveness. Raeder recognized that it would become increasingly difficult for any of his raiders to evade the Royal Navy and patrol aircraft.\nThe other factor was geographical. Germany has only one coastline in the Baltic and North Seas. The major ports on the two seas are connected by the Kiel Canal, built in 1895 and expanded in 1913 to allow rapid deployment of ships, avoiding the long and often treacherous route around Denmark. But the fact was Germany could not deploy any ships without passing England either via the North Sea or through the English Channel. Raeder began to urge Hitler to invade Norway. This would provide dozens of fjords and harbors far up the North Sea from which to send his ships out to the Atlantic. Hitler, who had always considered the Norwegians to be a racially kindred nation with Germany, and seeing both strategic and tactical advantages to taking Norway, agreed. Raeder’s ships and transports were used extensively in the campaign, which began in April 1940.\nThe heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper and four destroyers were escorting 1,700 troops to Trondheim when they were spotted and attacked by the British destroyer HMS Glowworm. Hipper’s captain first fired on the Glowworm and then attempted to ram, but the British ship turned the tables by ramming the larger ship, tearing a 100-foot rent in the hull. While Glowworm later exploded, Hipper needed extensive repairs. Another invasion unit consisting of the newly named Lutzow and Hipper’s sister Blucher was accompanied by the light cruiser Emden, namesake of the famous raider of World War I. They headed for Oslo, which was guarded by 40-year-old 11-inch guns purchased by the Norwegians from Krupp to defend the city. When the German ships were almost near enough to “see the whites of their eyes,” the heavy guns began firing. Blucher was so heavily damaged that she was easily finished off with torpedoes. More than 1,000 German seamen went down with her. Lutzow was also damaged but escaped. The big German surface ships had not played a major role in the Norwegian campaign.\nThe Royal Navy sent the carriers HMS Ark Royal and HMS Glorious, recently arrived from the Mediterranean, to support the defense of Norway. They were to recover the remaining RAF fighters and bombers that were now stranded in Norway. The captain of Glorious, a veteran of World War I, failed to have an air patrol watching for any attack as his ship landed the precious fighters and bombers. Then, vectored in by Luftwaffe reconnaissance planes, the battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau raced in and began firing their 16 8-inch guns at the helpless carrier. Even with a smokescreen laid down by the escorting British destroyers, Glorious went to the bottom an hour later. This was the only significant warship, other than the battlecruiser HMS Hood the following year, to be sunk by German surface raiders.\nThe heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper engaged the British destroyer Glowworm off the Norwegian coast in April 1940. Glowworm rammed Hipper, causing extensive damage, but was sunk in the unequal fight.\nWith the fall of Norway in June 1940, Raeder had his North Sea sanctuaries for the raider fleet. Germany now controlled 3,000 miles of coastline from northern Norway to the Bay of Biscay, 10 times more coastline than before the war.\nBy the spring of 1941, Raeder was scrutinizing the total number of ships sunk in the first full year of war. Graf Spee had sunk 16 ships, totaling 50,000 tons. Admiral Sheer did better in the less heavily patrolled Indian Ocean, sinking 17 ships totaling over 113,000 tons before sneaking back to Germany in March 1941. Scharnhorst and Gneisenau managed to send 122,000 tons of ships to the bottom before being forced to run for a safe base in France.\nThe totals were not nearly as high as Raeder had promised Hitler.\nAnd things were only going to get worse. Using radio direction finding (RDF) and brilliant cryptanalysis, the British Admiralty was tracking the raiders with ever-increasing skill. Long-range patrol aircraft, such as the American-built Consolidated PBY Catalina and its Canadian-built counterpart, the Canso, were scouring the Atlantic Ocean over the convoy routes. Added to this must be the work at Bletchley Park, where the German radio traffic was analyzed and distributed to the fleet. The Royal Navy was able to deduce the location and operational orders for Raeder’s ships. Every tanker and supply ship that was found and sunk further limited Raeder’s ability to find and attack the convoys.\nBut Raeder’s delusion that his few remaining ships could still do what he had envisioned in 1939 refused to die. He sent word to the newly operational Bismarck in April 1941, that she and her escort, the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen, should move out of southern Norway and head to the Atlantic. His ultimate plan was to have the two ships join with the newer Tirpitz and the sisters Scharnhorst and Gneisenau to break into the Atlantic and hit the big convoys. His theory was that the two biggest warships could temporarily control and extend into regions of the North Atlantic with their speed and heavy guns. Bismarck, being the most dangerous, was to fight and distract the Royal Navy escort ships while the other German raiders sank the helpless merchant ships. But Raeder’s grand plan was never to materialize. Tirpitz was not yet fully operational, Scharnhorst was having her engines overhauled, and Gneisenau had been torpedoed in the harbor at Brest, France. All Raeder had left were Bismarck and Prinz Eugen. No destroyer escorts could accompany them on their sortie as their range was too limited.\nRaeder had little choice. The British convoys were carrying the weapons and troops for the invasion of Crete in the Mediterranean. They had to be destroyed or disrupted. This was pure folly on Raeder’s part. The Royal Navy was well aware of Bismarck’s location and was keeping a close eye on her. Norwegians, resisting their conquerors, reported any movement of German warships and planes to their British allies. Raeder assumed, with some justification in light of Rawalpindi and Jervis Bay, that the Royal Navy was defending convoys with as few as one warship or converted liner.\nYet the Royal Navy was more than willing to strip protection from other convoys to provide extra firepower to destroy Bismarck. In all, the British force consisted of six battleships, four battlecruisers, two carriers, 13 cruisers, 33 destroyers, and dozens of patrol aircraft. This was the largest force ever tasked with the destruction of a single ship.\nEven without the additional support of three other large warships, Bismarck was to sail in mid-May and wreak havoc on the convoys no matter what.\nThere is little need to detail the chase and sinking of Bismarck as it has been covered many times over the years. But it serves as an excellent example of bad planning, bad leadership, and bad judgment by both Raeder and the fleet commander, Admiral Guenther Leutjens, who commanded Bismarck and Prinz Eugen on their ill-fated attempt to break out to the Atlantic. Leutjens made some very poor decisions that not only sealed Bismarck’s fate but condemned nearly his entire crew to death without any hope of success.\nThe crew of the battleship Tirpitz busily camouflages the warship, which lies at anchor in Flehke Fjord, Norway, in 1942.\nBy the summer of 1941, Scharnhorst, Gneisenau, Admiral Scheer, and Admiral Hipper were all being repaired or under constant air attack. They were unable to find a way to escape their French and Baltic Sea prisons. Then there was the last big raider, Tirpitz. She was what Raeder called a “fleet in being,” a term for a single powerful ship dominating an entire region. That might have had some validity at the start of the war, but by late 1942 it was pure madness. But Tirpitz’s fearsome presence did reap some unexpected benefits for Raeder. When the Soviet Union joined the Allied cause, Churchill promised Josef Stalin that he would begin sending convoys carrying vital war material to the Russian arctic ports of Murmansk and Archangel.\nBy the end of 1941, the first seven of these, designated PQ and JW, made it through to their destinations unscathed, but soon the Kriegsmarine was able to take action. More surface raiders and U-boats were sent to northern Norway, and long-range Focke-Wulf FW-200 Condor planes were sent out to find the convoys. Then the Royal Navy received word that the huge Tirpitz, along with the pocket battleship Admiral Scheer and the cruiser Prinz Eugen, were being sent to Norway. This was ominous news, as they could only have one objective: the Murmansk convoys.\nPrinz Eugen was spotted and torpedoed, forcing her into a port for repairs.\nIn March 1942, Tirpitz was sent out to interdict PQ-12, but bad weather made finding the convoy impossible. The battleship returned to the safety of the Norwegian fjord. The Royal Navy conducted several air raids against the ship, but none were able to get close due to heavy antiaircraft fire.\nConvoy PQ-17 was assembled in Iceland. It consisted of 35 merchant ships, 22 of which were American. Their cargoes were composed of hundreds of tanks, aircraft, and trucks, as well as fuel, ammunition, and supplies badly needed by the hard-pressed Red Army in its desperate battle to stop the Germans. The escort was six destroyers and a covering force of four cruisers, two British and two American. Several Royal Navy battleships were sent out in case Tirpitz emerged from her Norwegian redoubt.\nOn June 27, PQ-17 set a course into the Arctic Ocean, well aware of the threat that could come from the many fjords and harbors along the enemy coast. The convoy was spotted by a Condor on July 1, and the U-boats closed in to sink two ships. Then the Admiralty received word via Bletchley Park that Tirpitz was refueling in a northern Norway port. This could only mean one thing: she was going to attack PQ-17. There was no way for the heavy battleships of the Royal Navy to get there in time to stop a bloodbath. Near panic ensued, and in a series of badly conceived orders, the covering cruiser force was to head west and the convoy was to scatter, each ship to make a run for Murmansk on its own.\nThe last transmission from the convoy escort commander was, “Sorry to leave you like this. Good luck. Looks like bloody business.” Convoy PQ-17 was now at the mercy of Doenitz’s U-boats and the Luftwaffe. Day after day they charged in with a savage fury. By the time the remains of PQ-17 reached Murmansk, only 11 of the original 35 ships were left. It was a costly debacle. It was also the German Navy’s greatest single victory against an Allied convoy. The truth was, Tirpitz was never sent out to the convoy, but merely fueling and shifting its berth. The scattering of PQ-17 served to show how much the Admiralty feared the power of heavy guns on a convoy. Yet neither Tirpitz nor any of the other surface raiders fired a single shot at the unprotected ships.\nIn April 1944 the battleship Tirpitz was attacked by British Fairey Barracuda bombers. Tirpitz took multiple hits, and 300 crewmen were killed or wounded. Still, the battleship sustained only minor damage to its superstructure. The ship was finally sunk by British bombers in November 1944.\nThe turning point in the debate over the effectiveness of U-boats versus surface raiders was decided in favor of the former at the end of 1942. Early on, at Hitler’s insistence, Raeder had issued standing orders for the raider fleet. It stated that they engage at whatever cost, as long as they did not endanger or lose their ships. Even a casual reading of this order reveals its obvious contradiction. It ultimately led to Raeder’s fall from power.\nIn December 1942, Hipper, Lutzow, and six destroyers were sent from Norway to attack convoy JW-51B. The convoy consisted of 15 ships moving through the Arctic Ocean to Kola. The force was heavily escorted by seven destroyers and two light cruisers. Corvettes and air support from Murmansk were at the ready. When the German ships hove into view on December 31, they attacked the outer escort screen, sinking one minesweeper and a destroyer. But it was apparent that many more British warships were coming and further reinforcements had been called in.\nThe German commander broke off the action. Raeder’s order had also made it plain that if the German force was confronted with ships of equal strength they were to disengage. Not one freighter had been sunk. Worse, Hipper received three hits from 8-inch shells. The BBC announced the incident, and Adolf Hitler, never one to accept or recognize his culpability, went into a rage and ordered that all the remaining surface raiders be scrapped, their guns turned into coastal fortifications and their crews transferred to the U-boat fleet. In light of how poorly the surface raiders had so far served the Third Reich, this might have been a good tactical move.\nRaeder resigned on January 30, 1943. The new grand admiral of the fleet was Karl Dönitz. The U-boats finally had the high command’s full support.\nAs for Tirpitz, she remained under heavy air and shore protection in Trondheim throughout much of the war, being subjected to numerous and costly air attacks by Royal Navy torpedo planes and land-based bombers. The only time Tirpitz, the last and most powerful battleship in the Kriegsmarine, ever fired her huge guns at the enemy was a shore bombardment of a British weather station on the island of Spitzbergen in September 1943. Fuel shortages prevented her from any further sorties, and the ship spent months sheltered in antiaircraft and antitorpedo defenses.\nMore Royal Navy torpedo planes and land-based bombers made attacks on Tirpitz through the summer and fall of 1944. The end finally came in November 1944, when Lancasters of No. 617 Squadron, the same group that had bombed the Ruhr Valley dams in March 1943, attacked Tirpitz with huge 12,000-pound Tallboys. Even though most bombs missed, there were enough hits to assure that the last German battleship would never leave port.\nIn the end, the mighty Tirpitz rolled over and sank in Tromso, Norway. No more surface raiders emerged from the Baltic or North Sea to threaten Allied shipping lanes.\nAfter February 1943, the U-boats were the primary German naval weapon of the war. Altogether U-boats sank 2,779 ships for a total of 14.1 million tons, or 70 percent of all Allied shipping losses in all theaters of the war. The most successful year was 1942, when more than six million tons of shipping were sunk in the Atlantic.\nAs for the surface raiders, the total tonnage sunk by their guns was just short of 800,000. Considering the expense and the number of men needed to operate them, the results were dismal. The irony is that Raeder, who oversaw all new construction, was undoubtedly aware that for the cost, materials, and manpower of building just one battleship like Bismarck the Kriegsmarine could have launched at least 10 U-boats. If he had turned the Navy’s efforts to constructing submarines as far back as 1935, there could have been as many as 100 more U-boats manned and in service by 1940.\nChurchill had openly stated that the thing that most frightened him during the war was the U-boat menace. Fortunately for the Allies, Raeder followed his own doomed plan. Of all the German surface raiders that put to sea in World War II, only one survived the war. The heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen, whose sole claim to fame was accompanying Bismarck on part of her death ride, was captured by the Allies and ended up in the Pacific.\nPrinz Eugen was made into a target in the Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll in July 1946. While Prinz Eugen survived the two blasts, the sturdy cruiser was so totally irradiated that she had to be towed to Kwajalein Atoll and left as a derelict. She later turned over and sank. Her stern is still visible today.\nThis was the final blow to Admiral Erich Raeder’s fleet of surface raiders.\nAuthor Mark Carlson has written on numerous topics related to World War II and the history of aviation. His book Flying on Film—A Century of Aviation in the Movies 1912-2012 was recently released. He resides in San Diego, California.\nThe Story of Bill Millin, Lord Lovat’s Mad Piper of Sword Beach\nHow The RAF’s Eagle Squadrons Joined the Eighth Air Force\nHitler’s Bold Attack at Mortain\nThe Film and Battle of San Pietro\nWhat If Hitler Didn’t Invade Russia in 1941?","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line366708"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9062545299530029,"wiki_prob":0.9062545299530029,"text":"PAPA ROACH Was 'A Little Bit Surprised' By Overwhelmingly Positive Response To New Songs\nKaaos TV conducted an interview with PAPA ROACH guitarist Jerry Horton before the band's June 23 performance at The Circus in Helsinki, Finland. You can now watch the chat below. A couple of excerpts follow (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).\nOn the fan response to PAPA ROACH's eighth studio album, \"F.E.A.R.\" (Face Everything And Rise), which was released on January 27:\n\"[We've had] lots of good feedback, which is… You know, it's a little bit surprising, because [the album] is different, and it sounds different from the last record. But even people that are not die-hard PAPA ROACH fans — like on the festivals that we've been doing — people are jumping up and down. Just at the end of the song, they're showing that they like that one. And it's good. We're excited about it.\"\nOn having IN THIS MOMENT's Maria Brink as a guest on \"F.E.A.R.\":\n\"It seems like with every record that we do, when we talk about doing it and what our goals are, the idea of having a collaboration comes up. And we've talked about having a female vocalist for quite a few years, but we could never agree on anything… on anyone between us. And then we were on tour with SHINEDOWN and IN THIS MOMENT a couple of years ago, and decided that we were gonna work with the producer [Kevin Churko] that did IN THIS MOMENT's previous albums and learned that we would be in the studio at the same time. So we said, 'Okay, are you down for this? Do you wanna do a song with us?' And she said, 'Of course.' So immediately we all said, 'Okay. Cool. We just have to find the right song for her to sing on.'\"\nPAPA ROACH singer Jacoby Shaddix said that \"F.E.A.R.\" was \"probably the most positive record we've written\" and described it as a \"very guitar-heavy record.\"\n\"F.E.A.R.\" followed up 2012's \"The Connection\", which was made as Shaddix was going through personal turmoil, including problems in his marriage and a struggle to stay sober.\nTags: papa roach\nFIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH Bassist CHRIS KAEL Is Looking Forward To Getting Back On The Road\nTHE PRETTY RECKLESS's TAYLOR MOMSEN: 'I'm Very Controlling When It Comes To The Artistic Side Of Things'\nSAMMY HAGAR And MICHAEL ANTHONY On EDDIE VAN HALEN Tribute Concert: 'It's Gonna Happen'\nWatch THE SWORD Perform Quarantine Version Of 'The Warp Riders'","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1698281"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5819866061210632,"wiki_prob":0.41801339387893677,"text":"You are here: Home > United States > Massachusetts > Cape Cod > Museums\nMuseums in Cape Cod, MA\nFind museums in Cape Cod, MA and other fun things to do. View our list of attractions, activities, events, restaurants and visitor information.\nFrench Cable Station Museum\nMuseum in Orleans, MA USA\nA collection of old Marine Telegraph Equipment. The station closed in 1959 and reopened as a museum in 1972. Most of the equipment remains in the building and some can be demonstrated. Tours generally have a section for the history of the Transatlantic Cable and the Station.\nHeritage Museums & Gardens\nMuseum in Cape Cod, MA USA\nOne hundred acres of gardens, exhibits & family fun. Heritage Museums & Gardens--the largest public garden in Southern New England--offers a multi-generational experience of exploration, discovery, learning, and fun.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line548446"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7409704327583313,"wiki_prob":0.2590295672416687,"text":"HomeUncategorizedMobile Phones\nI would like everyone to have a modern and stylish mobile phones. But as you know, the best phones are quite expensive. We will not go into details as to why exactly a certain way, and move on. In our society there are so-called price categories, focused on one or the other social strata of the population. For example, there are facilities for people wealthy, but there are similar but simpler. Machinery, appliances, clothing and, of course – mobile phones. Speaking about the cost of cell phones, we should note that their value depends on the assembly.\nThat is, the phone Nokia, made from original parts anywhere in Hong Kong and Romania, will cost slightly less than the same cell of the original assembly. However, the question now is not about the difference in cost. As mentioned above, there are phones for different segments of the population. After all, man, let him not rich, I want to have the same Vertu or iPhone. But it is unlikely whether an ordinary citizen, will lay out tens of thousands of rubles for a phone. Here and come \"to rescue\" a copy of phones. And these copies exist as much as the original model.\nMaybe be even greater. Copies and especially vip phones are all the same functionality and appearance. Quality and durability – that's practically the only difference between the original models of copies, or as commonly called – replicas. Good replica phone can last for several years. So do not assume that if the phone is worth ten thousand, rather than sixty thousand (cost of Vertu, on average), then they are bad and must be broken the next day. No, it's The situation is quite different. Sometimes it is so annoying mobile phone that you think you would probably have broken down, or started a \"fail\" to have a reason to replace you. But it was not there! Phone continues to work, despite the fact that it is not original model. For some reason, people are more inclined to think about the bad and expect this. But why, exactly, needs to happen is something bad? By purchasing a Nokia N95 TV a few years ago (I urgently needed a modem), and I do not think he should break down. Well, the Chinese, so what? I have a general, almost all Chinese. And this phone runs on this day, despite the fact that he does not even have a complete Russification. That says that my phone is not collected from original spare parts. So, dear friends, think about the good! And then it's good, is sure to be present in your life.\nTags:products and services, tips\nXII Innovationspreises Thuringen","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line298292"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7726553678512573,"wiki_prob":0.7726553678512573,"text":"Altman, Robert (115)\nCoen, Ethan (87)\nCoen, Joel (87)\nLeigh, Mike (87)\nFrears, Stephen (87)\nEastwood, Clint (86)\nChabrol, Claude (86)\nKieslowski, Krzysztof (86)\nWenders, Wim (2)\nAlmodóvar, Pedro (1)\nBoyle, Danny (1)\nRoeg, Nicolas (1)\nCassavetes, John (1)\nSheridan, Jim (1)\nScorsese, Martin (1)\nSoderbergh, Steven (1)\nSpielberg, Steven (1)\nLee, Ang (1)\nLean, David (1)\nLosey, Joseph (1)\nLee, Spike (1)\nPitt, Brad (1)\nPinter, Harold (1)\nTruffaut, Francois (1)\nTarantino, Quentin (1)\nKubrick, Stanley (1)\nKureishi, Hanif (1)\nMinghella, Anthony (1)\nFilm Industry, The (111)\nFilm Producing/Film Production (110)\nAuteur, Authorship (13)\nStardom and Celebrity (2)\nRace and Racism (1)\nFrench New Wave/Nouvelle Vague (87)\nBritish New Wave (87)\nClassical Hollywood cinema (86)\nCult cinema (86)\nNew Hollywood (8)\nWar films (2)\nCrime/Thriller (1)\nCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (1)\nInglourious Basterds (1)\nMy Left Foot (1)\nsex lies and videotape (1)\nSaving Private Ryan (1)\nBrokeback Mountain (1)\nGo-Between, The (1)\nGodfather, The (1)\nLord of the Rings, The (trilogy) (1)\nPrick Up Your Ears (1)\nPsycho (1)\nAltman, Robert\nSort By: Relevance Title Ascending Title Descending Date Ascending Date Descending 1-10 of 115 (12 pages)\nShort Cuts – Prêt-à-Porter – Kansas City – The Gingerbread Man – Cookie's Fortune – Dr T and the Women\nAltman on Altman\n...Short Cuts DAVID THOMPSON: How did you come to think of Raymond Carver's short stories as material for a film?. ROBERT ALTMAN: I was on an airplane, flying back from Europe in 1990 after a project in Italy had collapsed,Altman and his son...\nEarly Years – The Calvin Company – First Features – Television\n...Altman as a young boy, already expressing himself with a pencil Early Years Robert Bernard Altman was born on 20 February 1925 in Kansas City, Missouri. His ancestors were German in origin; his great-grandfather Clement, born...\nGosford Park – The Company – Tanner on Tanner\n...Gosford Park DAVID THOMPSON: What brought you to England to do a period film? ROBERT ALTMAN: Bob BalabanBob Balaban (b. 1945) has had an extensive career on stage, television and film, both as an actor and director, notably of Parents...\nAuteurism in the 1990s\nNÖEl King\nToby Miller\nThe Cinema Book\nBritish Film Institute, 2007\n...In the Afterword to the 1998 edition of Signs and Meaning in the Cinema, Peter Wollen wrote: ‘I am still an auteurist’. It is tempting to see the coincidence of auteurism and millennialism contained in the notion ‘auteurism in the 1990s...\nRobert Altman and the New Hollywood Musical\nGayle Sherwood Magee\nThe Sound of Musicals\n...Between 1975 and 1980, director Robert Altman (1925–2006) made eight films, of which three are unquestionably musicals. These three musicals were filmed during one of the most productive and volatile periods in Altman’s career, and amid...\nDan Mirvish\nDan Mirvish is a director, screenwriter, producer, inventor and author. Mentored by Robert Altman on his first film, Omaha (the movie), Dan co-founded the Slamdance Film Festival. Dan's film Open House forced the Academy Awards® to rewrite their rules, and he also co-wrote the critically-acclaimed novel I Am Martin Eisenstadt. His award-winning film Between Us played in 23 festivals and sold to 144 countries. Dan’s latest film is Bernard and Huey, written by the legendary Jules Feiffer. He’s also written for Filmmaker Magazine, Indiewire and The Huffington Post. Dan has a master’s degree in film from USC and has guest lectured at UCLA, NYU, USC, CalArts and many other film schools. Once labelled a \"cheerful subversive\" by The New York Times, Mirvish was named one of Variety's Top 50 Creatives to Watch. Author affiliation details are correct at time of print publication.\nThe Cheerful Subversive’s Guide to Independent Filmmaking\n... Write a Brilliant Script! Do you have something important to say that can only be expressed as a series of moving images and sound? Did you have a peyote-dosed fever dream at Burning Man that you absolutely must share with the rest...\nMore Television – Countdown – That Cold Day in the Park\n...More Television DAVID THOMPSON: In spite of your dismissal from Alfred Hitchcock Presents, you went on to work solidly in television for ten years before breaking into feature films. ROBERT ALTMAN: I decided that television was the world...\nWhere White Men Dream Out Loud: Robert Altman’s West\nCynthia J. Miller\nCynthia J. Miller is a Scholar-in-Residence at Emerson College, USA, and a cultural anthropologist specializing in popular culture and visual media. She serves on the board of the National Popular Culture/American Culture Association, and is Treasurer and Governing Board member of the International Association for Media and History, as well as Director of Communication for the Center for the Study of Film and History. She also serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Popular Television. She is the winner of the James Welsh Prize for lifetime achievement in adaptation studies and the Peter C. Rollins prize for a book-length work in popular culture. Author affiliation details are correct at time of print publication.\nReframing Cult Westerns : From The Magnificent Seven to The Hateful Eight\n...Introduction Robert Altman’s West can be overwhelming at first glance. Sweeping landscapes full of vibrant color and gritty grays are animated by icons and antiheroes, strangers, and stereotypes, all struggling to negotiate...\nYou Don’t Have to Call Us Home, but Please Stay Here: The City Film Commission\nNathan Koob\nThe City in American Cinema : Film and Postindustrial Culture\n...Many have argued that the development of film commissions in the United States followed the economic development strategies of municipal powers within postindustrial cities to move to a more service-based economy.For example, Lawrence Webb...\nRecursive Self-Reflection in The Player\nRandy Laist\nRandy Laist is Associate Professor of English at Goodwin College, US. He is the author of Technology and Postmodern Subjectivity in Don DeLillo’s Novels and the editor of Plants and Literature: Essays in Critical Plant Studies and Looking for Lost: Critical Essays on the Enigmatic Series. Author affiliation details are correct at time of print publication.\nCinema of Simulation : Hyperreal Hollywood in the Long 1990s\n...Several of Robert Altman’s early films, including McCabe and Mrs. Miller (1971), M*A*S*H (1972), and The Long Goodbye (1973), were adaptations of novels, as was his “come-back” film, 1992’s The Player. After more than a decade of being...","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1276414"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7374395728111267,"wiki_prob":0.7374395728111267,"text":"Canary Watch now legally tracks secret NSA and FBI national security data requests\nBy Justin Kahn\t on February 4, 2015, 16:00\nMost major internet services and social networks claim to be as transparent as possible regarding user privacy, but there are times when legal issues prevent them from doing so. Data requests from the likes of the NSA and FBI in many cases come along with stipulations that stop sites from disclosing details about what and when information is given to the government. But now a new site known as Canary Watch claims to have figured some of that out.\nWhile it is in most cases illegal for a site to say it is receiving a national security data request from the government, it is not illegal for it to say it has not received one. This is how Canary Watch works. By tracking a constant flow of statements from sites saying they have not received a request, it will be able to reveal when a site has received one.\nAn example of a transparency statement or “canary” can be found here for Reddit, and includes information like when a site was last checked (2015-01-30 in this case) among other things. While Canary Watch can know when a service has received a data request, it does not appear to receive any details on what that information is.\nThe service, which was created by the NYU Technology Law & Policy Clinic group known as the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), is currently tracking a series of cloud based services as well as better known sites like Reddit, Pinterest and Tumblr. The EFF was recently quoted as saying canaries help companies to be honest with the public in a legal way, as well as acting as an advocate for user privacy transparency industry wide.\nA new widespread malware attack targets Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Yandex users","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line997880"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6406715512275696,"wiki_prob":0.3593284487724304,"text":"Home » Journalism\nCategory Archives: Journalism\n“The Post”, A Tribute to the Fourth Estate\nThe Post. What a fantastic movie on so many levels!\nI saw it recently with my family and, except for someone who kept falling asleep and snoring behind us, we really enjoyed this truly inspiring movie. The actual events surrounding the Pentagon Papers and the Vietnam conflicts here at home all flooded back to mind (yes, I am that old). But the movie brought in more detail and information than I ever knew. It filled the theater with suspense despite knowing the ultimate outcome. It reminded me again of just how vulnerable our First Amendment rights are, and how easy it is for an administration of government to take them away.\nThe U.S. Constitution doesn’t actually grant us our rights, it is just a slip of paper. Rather, it challenges us to physically inhabit those rights for ourselves. It lays the framework for an active civic process. Each generation must secure their rights anew under our Constitutional framework.\nIt was twice said in the movie that the right to publish the news is secured by publishing it, not by arguing about it. Our rights can wither in debate but can only strengthen when exercised. That is a lesson we must pass along to every generation.\nTwo present day examples of this principle come to mind. NFL players kneeling during the National Anthem is an actual exercise of our First Amendment rights, while the ensuing debate did little to strengthen our right to protest. A second example comes from a local news story of a lawyer who was stopped in her car by a police officer. The officer asked her if she knew why he had stopped her. She said she refused to answer the question, but otherwise cooperated and gave him her documents. The officer was so upset that she wouldn’t answer his question that he arrested her for not following a “legal” command. As he put her in the back of his police car he read her that familiar Miranda warning, which says in part, “You have a right to remain silent…” She remained under arrest for hours before being released. She later won a modest settlement in a suit brought against the Department for her unlawful arrest. The story generated a lot of debate while her actions helped secure our actual rights.\nBut back to the movie. I also came away with a profound appreciation for the incredible heroine depicted so well by Meryl Streep.\nKatharine Graham was a socialite and heiress to the Washington Post, which was a local newspaper at that time. Her father founded the paper and left her husband in charge. Then her husband died suddenly leaving all of this crushing responsibility for the newspaper on her.\nMs. Graham was ill prepared for her role as publisher in most aspects. But she had an incredibly noble character and somehow managed to summon enormous strength to do the right thing under threats of disaster. She was a woman alone in a man’s world, yet she rose to meet the challenges. Her courage saved the Post and helped save the First Amendment for a generation to come. Her decision to publish the stolen, top secret Pentagon Papers exposed decades of government lies about Vietnam and helped bring that war to an end. The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the freedom of the press in publishing that information set the stage for journalism’s victory in holding the Nixon administration accountable to the rule of law following the Watergate break in.\nContrast that with how the government is acting in the Edward Snowden matter today, for example, consider the public good Snowden has done in exposing illegal, unconstitutional government activities. His decision to selectively reveal classified information to the press has lead to strong government reforms designed to protect our privacy rights, yet he is considered a criminal, just as Daniel Ellsberg was a generation ago.\nAt a time when our current President openly lies to us, disparages the free press, calls it “fake news” and encourages citizens to distrust not only legitimate journalism but many trusted government institutions, this story about Publisher Katharine Graham, her Editor-in-Chief, Ben Bradley and the Washington Post is a timely tale of caution and inspiration for us all.\nIt all began with a conversation on Facebook with a conservative friend of mine and ardent Trump supporter. I had posted an article about Erik Prince. He is the founder of Blackwater, a solders for hire firm that is also providing very militarized training programs for our domestic police departments. I was surprised to learn that Betsy DeVos was his sister. The story is about him being a quiet Trump advisor.\nMy friend immediate responded with a link to FakeNewsChecker.com that lists Democracy Now as a fake news site. I went to the FakeNewsChecker site for myself and saw that it lists perhaps hundreds of new sites as “fake news” sites. I was suspicious about this site as I am confident that Democracy Now, while progressive in its editorial decisions, present fully accurate, verifiable information.\nAlso overdue, is a discussion of what makes news “fake” news. In my view it is willfully false information presented as news either for profit or propaganda. It isn’t mistakes in reporting or accurate reporting, but selective reporting. It isn’t obviously intended satire either.\nWhat follows it our Facebook discussion and my findings about the rise of fake, fake news checker sites here and abroad.\nME: WOW!!! This a really scary. I didn’t know\nScahill: Blackwater Founder Erik Prince, the Brother of Betsy DeVos, Is Secretly Advising Trump\nThe Intercept’s Jeremy Scahill has revealed Betsy DeVos’s brother, Erik Prince, the founder of the mercenary firm Blackwater, has been quietly advising Trump’s…\nDEMOCRACYNOW.ORG\nFriend: Don’t believe it: http://www.fakenewschecker.com/fake-news…/democracy-now\nDemocracy Now has been added to the growing list of untrustworthy and fake news sources.\nFAKENEWSCHECKER.COM\nMe: Thank you for sharing this. I. Was unaware until now that there was a fake, fake news reporting site. Democracy now is Progressive in terms of its editorial content but it is one of the most respected news sites on the web for its accuracy in reporting.\nFriend : Again, We have to agree to disagree.\nME: your discovery of the Fakenewschecker site and it’s obvious flaws lead me to do some checking of my own.\nFirst you will notice that there is no ownership information or “about us” menu on the Fakenewschecker.com website. This is a sure sign that the owners want to remain anonymous, not a good thing for a site that claims to check facts. There are no links or statements or any other evidence of an attempt at transparency. There is no discussion of what criteria or process the site uses to make hits findings. There are no references to source material used.\nNext I learned that fake news checker sites are popping up in other countries lately. There is growing concern around the world that this may be a coordinated attempt to undermine confidence in news gathering. There is some evidence in Europe linking these sites to Russia (See a portion of an article below).\nThen I looked the domain up on WhoIs.com. The site was only created on November 17, 2016. This is very recent. The time it would take to thoroughly vet the content of so many “fake news” sights far exceeds the three month window that the website has been active.\nFinally, you will notice that the registrar for “FAKENEWSCHECKER.COM” is 1&1 INTERNET SE. When you go to this registrar’s website (http://registrar.1and1.info) you discover that the site is registered in Germany or Austria. Check out the flags below for 1&1 Internet SE. The first is Germany and the second is Austria. When you go to these sites the writing is all German. This is odd in my opinion because the owners are both secret and foreign based. I don’t have the skills or resources to track this suspicions that this is a Russian cyber-op, but I wouldn’t put much faith in the veracity of this site.\nBelow is a clip from an article on the recent appearance of fake, fake news checker sites.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line824352"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6285080909729004,"wiki_prob":0.3714919090270996,"text":"Home/News/Motion at Ankara’s parliament to extend Turkey’s troops deployment in Libya\nMotion at Ankara’s parliament to extend Turkey’s troops deployment in Libya\nTurkey’s presidency submitted Saturday a motion to parliament to extend troop deployment in Libya for 18 months, according to Anadolu Agency.\n“The risks and threats are coming from Libya to Turkey and the whole region. In the case of restart of the so-called Libyan National Army attacks and the clashes, Turkey’s interests both in the Mediterranean basin and North Africa will be adversely affected,” the motion said.\nThe Turkish motion noted that the permanent peace, ceasefire and political dialogue process in Libya bears great importance for Turkey.\n“Turkey, within the Memorandum of Security and Military Cooperation signed with Libya, will continue to contribute to the training and consultancy support to Libya,” it added.\nThe motion will be debated in parliament after the budget debate set to end on December 18, Anadolu Agency reported.\nIn November 2019, Turkey and Libya’s UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) signed an MoU on military cooperation, as well as an MoU on maritime boundaries in the Eastern Mediterranean.\nThe deal involves technical information, support, development, maintenance, repair, planning and material support as well as training and consultancy services regarding the use of weapons system and equipment.\nGNA Libya Main News Military MoU Turkey Turkish Parliament Turkish Troops","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1917951"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5669791102409363,"wiki_prob":0.5669791102409363,"text":"Picasso’s Muse Portrait Created in the Same Year as Guernica to Be Exhibited in Hong Kong\n15 Jan, 2018 | Mon | 19:22\nSotheby’s announces its coming Impressionist and Modern Art Evening Sale, scheduled to be held in London on 28 February, will be led by a powerful portrait of Picasso’s golden muse.\nThe star lot of the sale, Femme au béret et à la robe quadrillée (Marie-Thérèse Walter), has been kept in private hands since the artist’s death in 1973. It is the first time the painting being offered at auction. It has been out of the public eye for a long time, except being lent for a 2013 show in Málaga and a 1986 exhibition in Basel.\nPablo Picasso's Guernica\nThe work was painted in 1937, a pivotal moment of Picasso’s career. It was the same year he created 'Guernica', the artist's famous anti-war work representing the horror of Nazi's bombing during the Spanish Civil War.\nPicasso and Dora Maar\nFemme au béret et à la robe quadrillée (Marie-Thérèse Walter) charts Picasso's evolving relationship with his muse Marie-Thérèse Walter, whom he was ostensibly still devoted at the time, and the increasingly dominant presence of his new lover Dora Maar.\nFemme Ecrivant (Marie-Therese)\nLe Rêve (Marie-Therese)\nIn Picasso’s paintings, Marie-Thérèse is typically portrayed with curved lines whereas Maar is often depicted in an angular and diamond-shaped face.\nThis present lot appears to have been used as a means for exploring his feelings for the two women. There is a conscious blurring of styles inspired by the two muses, reaching its pinnacle in the silhouetted 'other' that emerges from behind the main subject. Whether the shadow represents Maar or indeed a self-portrait, the implication is that of duality and conflict. Picasso is quoted: \"It must be painful for a girl to see in a painting that she is on the way out\".\nThe travelling exhibition of the sale highlights will make the first stop in Hong Kong, before heading to Taipei, New York and London. The art industry has seen strong appetite for big names of 20th century in Asian region, with Picasso ranking top on the wishlist of Asian collectors. The estimate of the painting is upon request but it is reported to be around £36.5m (US$50m).\nPablo Picasso (1881-1973). Femme au béret et à la robe quadrillée (Marie-Thérèse Walter).\nSale: Impressionist & Modern Art Evening Sale\nAuction date: 2018/2/28|7pm\nTravelling exhibition:\nHong Kong| 2018/1/30 - 2/2\nTaipei|2018/2/6-7\nNew York|2018/2/12-14\nCreated in: 4 December 1937\nProperty from a Distinguished Private Collection","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line456457"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6768221855163574,"wiki_prob":0.3231778144836426,"text":"LUCIA HERRERO\nTRIBUTE TO LA BATA\nThe planet is experiencing a problem of a huge magnitude. The economic system is damaged and everyone is at home.\nAt the end of March 2020 photographing people all over the world inside their homes. I am traveling around the world from my own living room. My photographs, taken through and with computer screens is my logbook, my way of trying to understand what is happening globally. It is a great puzzle made up complex mini pieces. This is history in the making, gathering little stories from around the world, in a unique way.\nI am confined in my Barcelona flat with my 6-year-old daughter. We play a game on our balcony. We use a mirror to reflect sunlight into our neighbors’ apartments. This gave me the idea to document this great event.\nHow do I enter someone else’s home during a quarantine? How do I do it technically? First, I make a video call with someone who has agreed to participate in my project. I direct the shoot as if it was a movie and it ends with a screenshot. The pixilated image reflects the times in which we live. The composition is delicate, cinematographic. All this happens with the cooperation of the models using an improvised language. It is not easy, but it is working.\nThis is a philosophical and experimental approach to photography storytelling. I´ve set a teleworking challenge: How much control over one´s work and vision can a documentary photographer have when she can´t even be on site or touch a camera? The photos are taken remotely, through the most popular means of communicating with each other in this period of social isolation: The screen and the internet.\nThe virus has reached every corner of the planet using globalization as a means of transportation. As a globalized person, how far can I go by jumping from contact to contact (without using social networks)? So far I have collected over 120 stories on 5 continents and the project continues to grow. I cover all social classes and races: Inuits in Canada; frontline doctors and essential workers; refugees, middle and upper classes; activists, artists, Olympic athletes, loners; people living in skyscrapers, caves, and circuses. I exponentially meet them in my way.\nI also include some essential workers (new concept) in their work places.\nNext to each portrait, I show the view from the person’s window (streets in Florida, market in Ghana, skyscrapers in Singapore, town in Mexico, the jungle in Colombia, the sea around a Pacific island, the broken streets of Yemen, empty Madrid, or the mountains of the Pyrenees…). There are interviews, photos and videos of the houses that people show previous to the session.\nThis is a documentary-poetic work made up of many eclectic pieces. It is the story of my own confinement and my need to understand the mechanisms shaping the world, now truly perceived as our home.\nEach country has been affected in a different way and the measures taken have been adapted to the circumstances. This story just started. This moment is an inflection point. The consequences are difficult to predict.\nI want to continue telling this global narrative this time through concatenated stories. Like in a domino game where one piece affects the nextone.\nLuis Maria is a priest in San Gabriel Archangel’s church, Madrid, Spain.\nHe is alone in the church these days because people are not allowed to go to church. He is taking care of his people by takingcalls, listening and giving advice. The day of the picture was Sacred Friday. That’s a big day for Christianity and the churchwas empty. He is also responsible for visiting the patients from a psychiatric hospital. He is still going there but he can’tapproach or talk to the patients. He just walks around the place so they perceive that they matter and that gives them the feeling of a certain normality. He is very disappointed with the governments. He hopes that this leads us to discover theessentials in life and makes us be more human.\nAdrián is an actor and theatre director living in Barcelona, Spain. Public events have been cancelled and so have his theatrecompany´s performances for the next 6 months. The future of artists like him is in danger. These days of confinement he dresses as Dragon Ball and Spiderman for the children in the neighborhood when he goes out to the balcony to entertain them. Balcony life is now more active than ever in Barcelona.\nHe lives with his mother and sister. His mom, Laura, is an essential worker. She takes the metro every day to go to work. Shemakes medicines for a pharmaceutical company. And his sister, Marta, is a school helper who is now unemployed becauseof quarantining and school closure. Next year, she wants to study to become a nurse.\nPablo is a first line doctor in a hospital in Madrid, Spain.\nAt the beginning of the crisis, it was even more horrible. Hospitals were not prepared. Seven hundred people per day weredying at the hospitals in Spain because of covid19.\nHospitals didn´t have good equipment and protocols. There were overloads.\nThe window in the photo is the one from where the doctors wave to the neighborhood people who clap for them and theother emergency workers every day at 8 pm. This is done all over Spain.\nHis wife is also a doctor. They have a 1 year old son. The babysitter, a 55 year old woman, decided to continue working withthem assuming the risk because she considers it a social responsibility to be able to allow two doctors to work and not onlyone.\nRuth lives with her husband Edu and their two children in 3 room flat in a residential area on the outskirts of Madrid, Spain. Ruth works in the pharmaceutical industry. At this time both can telework. “Every day we exercise at home, much more thanusual, I am getting stronger.”\nSeeing so many paralyzed countries creates moments of great anguish and concern about the world economy. It changesthe way of seeing life, but in the end, we adapt. It is our characteristic as humans.\nI am glad to see how nature has been quickly reborn when we have stopped bothering it.\nEric lives in an apartment in Harlem, New York. He is the organist and choir director at the historic Saint Phillip’sEpiscopal Church in New York City. All services were suspended until mid-May. He lives with his partner. He loves to be athome, surrounded by his music and books.\nHe is not worried, \"We New Yorkers passed through a terrorist attack, so… this is just one more thing. New Yorkers movequickly. In a year, this period will be behind us and business will be fast and furious like it has always been here”.\nTanya and Terry posing with their 3 children in front of their house.\nLeaning on the facade is the skin of the polar bear that they hunted a few days ago. They are Inuits living in Igloolik, a smallcommunity in the Artic, Canada. Nunavut is the only jurisdiction in Canada with no confirmed cases of covid19 yet. But theirgovernments have taken precautionary measures very seriously.\nBoth are now working from home and finally spending good quality time together.\nTerry has also the time to hunt, something that he adores. He hunted a polar bear during his 9 days expedition with his10 dogs. When he came back, they skinned and cleaned the bear skin, a process that took two days. Now the skin is dryingoutside the house. They are proud.\nThe meat was distributed among the community members. The skin will be used as an isolation surface to put the tent onwhen they go camping and hunting in the Artic.\nThe nearest hospital is hundreds of Kms away and there are no respirators. Since a covid19 breakout would be a disaster in the region, they take so much responsibility and practice social isolation voluntarily.\nTanji is a video camera operator living in Turkey. He is a third-generation refugee. No passport, no nation. His grandparentsbecame refugees in Syria from Palestine in 1948. He was born in Syria as a refugee 28 years ago. He managed to go to Iran tostudy art. His grandmother is still in Syria. His mother and sister escaped from war in Syria by crossing the Mediterranean Sea ina little boat.\nNow they are refugees in Germany. His father is stuck in Lebanon. It’s been 6 years ago that he hasn´t seen any of them. Forhim, covid19 is not his biggest problem. It has already been 6 years that he is communicating with his family only throughvideo conferencing, something we all have been doing just for 2 months. He dreams to get his family together.\nSonia is 32 years old. She works in a supermarket in Salamanca, Spain. She said she lived in \"a horror movie\" during thefirst few days of the pandemic. There was a rush on the supermarket by people running scared, emptying shelves andpanicking.\nHer grandmother died of coronavirus. Sonia couldn´t go to the hospital to help her or say goodbye or even attend the burial.There was no ceremony because of the state of emergency and the social distancing policy.\nShe pays tribute to her grandmother with this photo. She didn’t have a portrait of her in the provisional house where shelives so she shows the face of her grandma in the computer. There is no place to buy a flower so, instead, she used abamboo branch that she had at home.\nWhen the lockdown ends she is going to rush to see her parents who she misses so much.\nMaggie lives in Singapore with her husband, their two kids and two helpers. They live in a penthouse of an apartmentbuilding on the 35th floor.\nShe is a tv producer and runs a social-conscious e-comerce business. He works in the finance world. “We are safe. InSingapore, the people suffering from the pandemic are the immigrants coming from other places in Asia and providing cheap labor: they live crowded with other immigrants in small spaces. The government is taking care of them now”.\nThis pandemic time is good for Maggie and her family. They are spending time together and have stopped rushing around.\n“Nature is happy without our interference but after this ends, humans will start doing what they do best: destroy”.\nRoser is the finance coordinator at Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)\nIn Yemen. War started in 2014. Roser has been there since August 2019 and should have left in April 2020 but she couldn´t because of the travel restrictions. Independently from the pandemic and because of the conflict in Yemen she lives in aperpetual lock down, only relating with 30 other people from the MSF team. She needs to wear the women’s traditionalclothes just to cross the street to reach the office.\nYemen is suffering the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Diseases including cholera, dengue, diphtheria and malaria arerife and only half of the hospitals are fully functional. Covid19 is now there as well.\nRose lives with her husband Stefano and their teenage son Teo in an 85 sq. meter flat in the lovely historic centre of Foligno, Umbria, Italy.\nRose and Stefano are performers. They have toured the world together.\nTheir shows have been cancelled for the upcoming months.\nThey are extremely worried for their future as they know that the measures taken for social distancing will naturally prevent them from working.\nDespite this disturbing scenario, Rose is much more concerned for her family which comes from a very poor environment atthe favelas in Brazil. Social distancing and proper hygiene are not realistic options there. People in Brazil are not taking thepandemic seriously.\n“I’ve learned that it is not so bad to be at home despite I am a hyper social person who likes to be outside all the time. I havelearnt to control anguish. I am happy to see that nature is vibrating in full splendor without us. The planet needed that time. I find it difficult for the world to really change. Humans beings have a short memory”.\nMounkaila Harouna lives with his wife and children in his home in Niamey, Niger. At that very moment, they break the fast atthe end of the day during Ramadan.\nHe is a geographer, specialized in migrations. He researches and teaches at the university. “There is no confinement inNiger, but a state of emergency. Public places like schools and universities are closed, although places of worship reopen in mid-May. The mosques were closed, but people kept gatheringto pray every day around the mosques.\nThis is being difficult for the poorest people. Land borders are closed.\nSurely something positive will come out of all this, but I have the feeling that there will be a permanent change in the world.”\nGovind is 25 years old and lives in Himatgar Gjrat, India, in a house with other 8 members of the same family. In the photo,he appears with his cousin, grandmother, father and grandfather.\nIn the morning, he studies to be an administrative police officer and in the afternoons he works as a private driver for awealthy family. His family works in agriculture and now they are having a hard time since they cannot sell their products atthe market due to the lock down. Since the watermelons they are collecting this season will not be sold, they will keep themfor themselves. They also have a cow and a calf. \"During this crisis we, humans, have realized that we are not gods.\"\nMasayuki, Akane and their 5-year-old son pose in the livingroom of the the Shooting Star, a hostel they run in Fukoaka City,Japan. It is a traditional Japanese construction surrounded by nature.\nThey live in an attached house. The hostel is closed now.\nIn Japán they are living an emergency situation, not a lock down.\nInternational travel will take time to occur. They don't know when the hostel will reopen. Right now they are still selling theEthiopian coffee that they roast themselves and also hammocks of exquisite manufacture. They value more now the timespent with other humans and they will reconsider consumerism.\nKris works as an administrator in a meat processing company in Bilbao, the Basque Country, Spain. During the first days ofcrisis and social panic the company worked harder than ever. Sales skyrocketed as if it were Christmas.\nShe is an essential worker. Food production and processing has not stopped functioning. Thanks to it, the rest of us can eat.\nThey take uniform and distancing precautions. Even so, several of her companions have become ill during this time.\nHer husband, who lost his job due to the crisis, waits for her at home. He is very afraid of a contagion and demands Kris to do a total disinfection before entering the house and getting comfortable.\nKarmele Llano is founder and director of IAR Indonesia, an orangutan rescue and recovery center in Kalimatán, Borneo. They reintroduce orangutans into the wild. They have environmental educational and forest protection projects. Three hundred people work there.\nSince there is evidence that covid19 can pass from humans to primates, we are taking extreme precautions. In Indonesia, the most disadvantaged people find themselves in need to exploit natural resources. The tourism industry hasfallen. The companies that clear the forests will find an excuse to continue doing so.\nHere many people do not have access to the health system. Still, confinement in a society like this can be more damagingthan the pandemic itself.\nScientists were warning about new diseases of zoonotic origin. Deforestation and illegal animal trafficking are the reasons. Welive disconnected from the natural world, crowded into cities. The pandemic was going to happen. it will come back if we don't change something from the base.\nDorothy, 65, is living with her husband Donald, 75, in Port SaintLucie, Florida, USA. They own a private house in a Gated Community with 650 houses.\nThey moved from New York to Southern Florida after they got retiredin order to “Live the dream”, having continual Summer weatheroutdoors, year-round beaches, & no snow!\nRetiring in Florida is the ultimate American dream.\nDonald was a self-employed voice/data cable contractor and Dorothy retired after working 37 years in a New York Public School.\n“We believe the President of the United States has taken action in our best interests. We believe we should respect our government.\nThe governor of Florida should have banned northerners traveling toFlorida weeks earlier. There are many living in our community who are “snow-birds”. They spend Winters in Florida, Summers up North. Most returned quickly when virus arrived, bringing the virus with them”.\n“This Global Pandemic has changed our mental, emotional state much more than physical. We are blessed to be able to go outdoors; bicycling, walking, seeing neighbors outside for conversation. We are able to preorder takeout meals. Local food markets offer early senior shopping hours to try to keep seniors safe. Covid-19 postponed Donald’s Robotic Lung Surgery scheduled for March 28th.”\n“We do not believe life will ever be the same as before Covid-19. Thephysical distancing, we see now will become the new way of life.\nWearing face masks, standing 6+ more feet away from others, nohand shaking, no warm friendly hugs, no large group events for who knows how long, the fear of catching illness from strangers, will become common place. Unfortunately, that fear causes selfishness, unkind actions towards others, which upsets us greatly. Our friendly,outgoing personalities might not be accepted as freely as it had been welcomed before”.\nArriel lives in the Pyrenees, the mountains between Spain and France, with his wife Maca. They raise sheep and makecheese that they sell in their own store. Their clients are mostly travelers and tourists who visit the mountains. Now there is no one traveling so they can't sell their products. They bought their milk from a producer in France but now they can’t because the frontiers are closed. They assume they are going to lose money during these months.\nIt has become evident that cities are traps when an emergency like this pandemic happens. Many people will escape to the rural life, especially now that tele work has been tested.\nThey think things will change forever. The pandemic will affect their capacity to relate and approach others and they worry therewill be more control over their lives.\nSabrina and Tom are a German couple. They were traveling in Indiawhen the crisis started. For them it was too late to travel back to Germany. They are in a hotel in Pushkar, India.\nThey are the only guests apart from another couple from Argentina.The family who owns the hotel treat them very well and the landscape is beautiful. They are now in calm but were deep in fear. At that moment, the Europeans were not welcome in India or anywhere else as they were considered guilty of spreading thedisease. They are unsure of what will happen in India; it will be a huge problem if the economic and health system collapse. Sabrina and Tom are learning to enjoy every minute and control fear.\nThey are an example of so many people who have had to live through the pandemic somewhere outside their home because they were traveling in that moment. Flights stopped, so they were trapped.\nLauren Gibbs is a 2018 USA Olympic medalist competing as a bobsledder.\nDuring the pandemic, she is living in San Francisco, USA, with her parents who are both tele working.\nThey had to do without the house assistant so she is cleaning and cooking for her parents. What a high-performanceprofessional athlete does when not being able to practice and take her body to the highest level required? She is training at home because she can’t go to sport facilities. New weights that she ordered by mail just arrived. This year the Olympicgames were delayed. She feels lucky during this global pandemic because she has a family, an education, a house andaccess to a health system. Not everybody can say this now. Poor people and poor countries will suffer the most.\nRosa and Rafael are 94 and 95 years old. They live in La Hoz de La Vieja, a small village in Teruel, Spain, with only 60inhabitants. It is a simple country house that belonged to Rosa's great- grandparents.\nThey have worked very hard in the fields all their lives. Now they only have chickens and a vegetable garden that they arevery proud of.\nRegarding the pandemic, they are very scared and say with resignation \"Let it be what God wants.\" They feel isolated as they can´t be helped or visited by their sons or grandchildren to avoid a potential contagion.\nWinter is spent in an apartment in the city of Zaragoza. They feel very fortunate that this has caught them in their beloved town.\nFabiana and Giacomo are the creators of Circo el Grito, they live in Italy with their 6-year-old daughter, Nina. They werewith the technician and a trapeze artist from the company preparing his new creation in his tent when the pandemic arrivedto Italy.\nThey are in the countryside; they have space to breathe and move and every day they use their time to create the new show.His entire tour in the coming months has been canceled due to the state of emergency and the impossibility of traveling andgathering people in the same place.\nThey are worried like all the show workers. “Things are going to change. Live shows cannot be passed to the onlineworld. They need presence, glances, human warmth. You can’t play with masks in front of a masked audience. To whatextent can one reinvent themselves?\nArtists from all over the world have suffered greatly from this global crisis. They are in great uncertainty.\nArt makes life more livable. It is what makes us human immediately after having food and shelter needs covered. Duringthis crisis everyone has seen movies, read books and listened to music, all made by artists”\nSamir lives in Lagos city, Nigeria. He lives in a rented room in a house with 3 other men.\nHe worked at the airport as a baggage handler. But since there are no more flights, he has no job. During the first 3 weeks of the lockdown he had already consumed 90% of his savings. He is extremely worried for himself and for the people inNigeria. He believes that a lock down could bring hunger to the poorest. He blames the government for not caring about itspeople.\nBaba lives in Ghana. He is 25 years old. He rents a room in a building with a shared bathroom. He doesn’t have a window. He takes me to see the streets outside his home. The market is not crowded as it is normally. The lockdown is not strict there. The governments places small water deposits in the market so people can wash their hands. He just finished hisnursing studies and is just waiting for the government’s permission to be able to work in a hospital. So, he is using his time now to study and not forget anything. “People need to go out to work every day; they don’t have savings. A lockdown can represent a big danger for survival”. But he ends saying with a smile: “Economy is not important. Its life that matters”.\nThey are a Quiche Mayan Family. They live in Chichicastenango, El Quiché, Guatemala. They have worked in commerceand the services sector.\nThey are currently working on a 100% self-sustainable project on issues of food sovereignty, renewable energy andthe construction of a collection of modern and native art that has 230 pieces.\nThey had a restaurant for 30 years. Their main clientele was European and Asian. They had to close the restaurant due to the pandemic crisis because they suspect that the travel industry will not start to recover until at least two years from now.They do food delivery service now.\nDiego believes that in Latin America they are already used to living a life of semi-confinement due to security problems andconflicts.\n“People here are still not fully aware of the danger of this pandemic”. Diego lives with his mother (Carmen), father (Diego) andAnny (sister).\nMarcos Guevara is his stage name. He chose the last name in honor of Che. He is a former FARC guerrilla soldier.\nHe went to university to study philosophy. There he became a member of the Colombian Clandestine Communist Party (PC3). In 2013, when the peace talks with the government began, he entered the ranks of the organization. He never had to shoot, his main function was to teach to read, to draw drawing, mapping and photography.\nHe lives in the Tierra Grata village, in the Perijá mountain range, in Cesar, Colombia. It is a place founded by 162 men and women who laid down their arms. Today they are more than 200 people.\nHere he poses with an orthopedic leg of a former combatant. Marco is doing a photographic work about the wounds of the conflict.\nBehind it appears the map of the land that the community has recently bought. There they will settle permanently. He proudly shows me his piece of land where he will build his house and the place where the graphic arts office will be settled. Hi is the responsible for the image and communication. He has the illusion of mounting, among other things, a cinema.\nDuring the pandemic, he, his wife and other comrades dedicate themselves to distributing boxes of food to the neediest families in neighboring communities.\nHe shows great love for simple and in need people from Colombia.\n“The profession of documentary photographer is of great importance during the post-agreement period that we are experiencing. I like to show forgotten- and-lost Colombia”.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1584431"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9930408596992493,"wiki_prob":0.9930408596992493,"text":"SEO, Submit directory,web marketing, Web Hosting Companies, Forex Currency trading listings, promotion web,promotion site,internet find,business directory,web directory,web site directory,paid web directory,web directories,internet directory. 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His full name is Sebastián Zurita Bach and he was born on November 22, 1986 in Mexico City. He is the eldest son of popular actors Humberto Zurita and Christian Bach.\nSebastián Zurita Bach made his acting debut as a child, appearing in the soap opera ‘Cañaveral de Pasiones’ in 1996, playing the character of Pablo Montero. After several years, in 2008 when he was 21 years old, he made his television comeback in the production ‘En Nombre del Amor’, where he played Emiliano Saenz.\nOne year later, Zurita joined the cast of the 2009 remake of the telenovela ‘Corazón Salvaje’, inspired by the original 1956 novel written by Caridad Bravo Adams. He also starred in the 2009 film ‘Fallen Angel’, along with his father and younger brother Emiliano Zurita, as well as the film ‘An elephant in a band’ (1990).\nHis other television credits include “When I Fall in Love” (as Rafael Gutiérrez’s character); ‘Mujeres Asesinas’ (as Franco’s character) and ‘La Impostora’ (as Eduardo Altamira’s character).\n–You may also be interested: Stimulus checks that were delayed by IRS error will reach beneficiaries until February\nExpansion of vaccination for Covid-19 creates new problems in the US\nEffects of the snowfall: a Renault ‘4 Cans’ humiliates a Dacia Duster\nYouTube temporarily suspended Donald Trump’s channel – .","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line588860"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5018658638000488,"wiki_prob":0.49813413619995117,"text":"2020 Is 10th Anniversary Of Bob Marley’s World Record Set In Maine\nWMTW TV via YouTube\nMaine's King of Comedy, Bob Marley took to Facebook to remind us that he is \"a rekkid holdah\". Later this year will be the 10th anniversary of \"Uncle Bobby\" becoming the only person in the world to do \"the longest stand up comedy performance\". The amazing feat put him in the The Guinness Book of World Records.\nIt happened on September 22 into September 23 in 2010 at the Comedy Connection in Portland, Maine. He told jokes and funny stories on stage for 40 HOURS in support of the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital and he's got the official framed award here to prove it.\nHe humorously points out in this new video that while that is a very worthy cause, he's \"married with 3 kids and ...just wanted to get out of the house for 40 hours.\"\nYou'd think that after nearly 2 entire days non-stop entertaining, he'd go back to the house and crash. Nope.\nWatch Bob's hilarious show and tell.\nAccording to this news clip from WMTW TV, Bob Marley broke the old record of 38 hours. Check out the historic moment when he hits the 40 hour mark.\nSo Bob, we read on the official Guinness World Records website that the record you set in 2010 has since been beaten. Any interest in shooting for the title again? That could be a wicked awesome way to celebrate the 10th anniversary of your previous victory.\nEither way, congratulations on being a \"rekkid holdah\". You are an amazing human being and truly Maine's King of Comedy. We love you, mistah man!\nSource: 2020 Is 10th Anniversary Of Bob Marley’s World Record Set In Maine\nFiled Under: Anniversaries, Comedian Bob Marley, Guinness Book of World Records, Guinness World Record, Wicked Funny","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line641026"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6528671383857727,"wiki_prob":0.6528671383857727,"text":"December 13, 2010 | 44:24 | Public Domain\nPress Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 12/13/2010\nMR. GIBBS: Mr. Feller.\nQ Two topics. On the health care ruling, the passage here in which the judge says that the unchecked expansion of congressional power to the limit suggested by the minimum coverage provision would invite unbridled exercise of federal powers. And this is not about -- just about health care, but it’s about individual right to choose to participate. Doesn’t this vindicate or validate a central argument of skeptics, which is that despite your intentions you can't require people to participate in a law like this?\nMR. GIBBS: Well, I think a couple of important things for perspective, Ben. First and foremost, obviously the administration argued on the other side of this case and disagrees with the ruling. I do think it is important to keep some perspective about the fact that there are now 20 or so cases making their way through federal courts. This was the Eastern District of Virginia; 115 miles away, the Western District Court of Virginia ruled November 30th to uphold the same provision that the Eastern District and its judge had ruled against. So I think the other court -- the Eastern District of Michigan on October 7th ruled in favor of the law as it was passed.\nSo, again, we disagree with the ruling. Obviously the individual responsibility portions of the Affordable Care Act are the basis and the foundation for examining and doing away with insurance company discrimination on behalf of preexisting conditions. Obviously, without an individual responsibility portion in the law, you could not find yourself dealing with preexisting conditions because the only people that would likely get involved in purchasing health care would be the very sick. And obviously, that would be enormously expensive.\nQ So given that it is so fundamental to the whole law and you have these different court rulings, is it clear to you that this is going to go to the Supreme Court? And if so --\nMR. GIBBS: I am not a legal scholar, Ben. I think it is safe to say that because there are several other cases in the pipeline and because of -- again, you’ve got disparate court rulings 115 miles away -- that the bill will continue to have its day in court.\nI do think it is important that even this judge ruled that the bill continues to move forward in terms of its implementation. And obviously, the individual responsibility aspects of this legislation weren’t to go into effect until 2014 so there’s some time to work this through.\nQ Well, just to wrap up this part, what gives the White House confidence that ultimately it will prevail if this case continues to go to the --\nMR. GIBBS: Well, again, I think -- and I’m certainly not, Ben, a lawyer in terms of the legal arguments that underpinned each of the briefs. But I would say that challenges like this are nothing new in terms of laws that have come before the courts in the past in which our position has prevailed. We’re confident that it is constitutional. And quite frankly, of the three courts that have rendered decisions on this question, two have ruled in our favor.\nQ Real quick question on the tax deal. Democrats in the House are talking of targeting the estate tax provision that they're unhappy with and maybe dealing with that in an amendment or legislatively trying to change that language. Is the White House urging those Democrats not to do that out of fear it could cause the whole deal to unravel?\nMR. GIBBS: Well, I will say this, Ben, obviously, the Senate is going to vote on -- have a procedural vote a little bit later on this afternoon. I think the President is encouraged by what we hear in the Senate and believe that the legislation will pass that hurdle and be one important step closer to passage.\nIn terms of -- I’m not going to get involved in sort of what the amendment process might be in the House at this point. I think you have seen, whether it was in here on Friday with former President Clinton, or whether you have seen just this morning that this is something that has broad bipartisan support in the public, it’s an excellent -- it’s a good agreement. It’s an excellent agreement on behalf of millions of Americans who won’t see their taxes go up. Those that are impacted in having lost a job in this recession will have the security of knowing that their unemployment benefits won’t fall victim to politics. And the middle class will enjoy a significant tax cut in the payroll tax portions of this bill. So we are encouraged that we get closer and closer each day to having this agreement become law.\nQ Can you talk about the initial reaction to the health care ruling? Were you surprised by it?\nQ And how concerned are you about the fact that there’s a lot of other lawsuits out there?\nMR. GIBBS: Well, again, this is the third federal court that’s rendered a decision on this portion of the Affordable Care Act. And two of those courts have upheld it. So I think we are confident that the Affordable Care Act will be upheld.\nQ So what’s the next step for you?\nMR. GIBBS: Well, the Department of Justice, obviously, is going to have to make some decisions about appealing this particular case. My sense is that that appeal decision is something they’ll likely make, but I would point you over to them.\nQ And just a question -- Larry Summers gave a farewell speech today at a think tank, and I’m just wondering how the decision-making is going on his replacement. Do you still hope to do that before the end of the year?\nMR. GIBBS: Look, I will say that it is -- I’m not sure that that’s going to get done by the end of the year. Obviously, a whole host of legislative -- lots of legislative work around the lame duck with a budget, taxes, START, “don’t ask, don’t tell,” the DREAM Act -- there are a whole host of things that have taken up a bunch of bandwidth and a bunch of time. And it’s unclear to me whether that will get done before the end of the year.\nQ It appears that one of the main reasons why the judge ruled this way -- ruled that Congress exceeded its constitutional power -- is because, for what I can only imagine were political reasons, the word “tax,” in terms of the penalty for those who don’t have insurance who can afford it, was replaced by the word “penalty.” And he said, because the legislators who drafted --\nMR. GIBBS: I have been getting ready for this. I have not had a chance to read that. And I know our folks in here are taking a look at it as well as at the Department of Justice. I don't have a direct response to the judge’s -- some of the individual reasoning in the judge’s decision just because I have not had an opportunity to look at it.\nQ I mean, this is how it is. I'm just reading his own --\nMR. GIBBS: No, no, I'm not doubting what you're reading. I'm just saying we have not -- I have not had a chance to read it and I've not had a chance to talk to counsel here about how they take it.\nQ All right, well, the question would be was it, in retrospect, a mistake to change the terminology from -- I understand you're not ready to answer it right now. Maybe you could get back to me.\nMR. GIBBS: I need some time to have somebody take a look at it.\nQ Okay, but can you get back to me on that point, though?\nMR. GIBBS: I'll see whether they can, yes.\nQ You keep talking about the two other cases where a judge ruled otherwise. In those, it’s my understanding that those were Democratic-appointed judges, and in this case this judge was appointed by a Republican. Is politics, you think, playing into any of this?\nMR. GIBBS: I, Dan, don't know the answer to that. The judges clearly make different decisions based on different points of reasoning. I think -- our belief is that the health care act is -- will go forward and that it is constitutional; that it improves people’s lives, and particularly this is the basis, as I've said, of the provision that allows us to finally address the lingering discrimination against those who have a preexisting condition.\nIt also, by the way -- your health care, my health care, everybody who has health care in this room pays the uncompensated -- the cost for the uncompensated care when somebody doesn’t have health insurance, gets into a car accident, becomes sick and ends up going to the doctor through the emergency room or because of the seriousness of their illness and not having regular checkups or primary care. All of that is -- that's paid for by you and me. We seek to address that in the Affordable Care Act. That's why I think the progress that we've made in offering tax credits for those to afford to be able to have a minimum set of health care -- a minimum standard of health care that allows us not to pay for their health care in that sense, and to get the health care that they need.\nQ Can you tell us what the President’s reaction was when he was briefed?\nMR. GIBBS: I have not seen the President since the ruling came down.\nQ And is it any annoyance at all that this signature item for the President and for this White House continues to be challenged -- something that the President says is critical for all Americans, yet it continues to be challenged in a court?\nMR. GIBBS: Again, I don't -- I can’t speak to the motives of -- I would appeal only this basis -- I don't remember quite the coverage when both courts upheld the law, but that's just from the cheap seats of being --\nQ It was a plane that landed safely.\nMR. GIBBS: -- an armchair executive producer. Well, you do mention that -- sometimes when planes land safely there’s not breaking news.\nQ Can I get another crack at a question?\nMR. GIBBS: You can try.\nQ Okay. Do you --\nMR. GIBBS: You’re sort of like the district court. One court ruled -- go ahead.\nQ The Congress that's about -- the House that's about to take office in January is much more predisposed to oppose the health care law. Do you worry at all this ruling politically will help provide momentum for either starvation of the health care law through lack of funding or stronger action against the health care law? Do you think this politically will be ammunition?\nMR. GIBBS: I don't because I think the position that's held by those that seek to repeal the law I think has been their position both when courts ruled against their position and when courts rule in a way that upholds their larger position. So I don't think that impacts it.\nI think is important to understand, though, when you roll these provisions back, or when you repeal these provisions, the impact of that is, as I said -- if you are somebody that cannot get health care because of a preexisting condition, the guarantee that when this is fully implemented in 2014 that you’ll be able to do that, that's wiped away in a ruling like this. And I think that's important for everyone to understand.\nChip.\nQ Thanks, Robert. Given the signals that Henry Hudson had sent in previous writings on this, back in October for example, would you have been surprised if he had done anything other than what he did in this --\nMR. GIBBS: As I said earlier, I don't think this was -- I don't think the decision today and how he decided it was a surprise to anybody here.\nQ And you said you're not a legal scholar, and I'll accept that, although -- the President is --\nMR. GIBBS: I didn’t go to law school like you did, Chip. And that's worked out so well, you're here in the front row of the briefing room. (Laughter.)\nQ I'm not even the only one --\nMR. GIBBS: Savannah as well.\nQ Yes, we're both trying to forget it.\nMR. GIBBS: I hear the theme music to L.A. Law playing in the background. (Laughter.)\nQ That's exactly what it was like, too. (Laughter.) But the President was a legal scholar and still -- and you said you haven't talked to him since this came down --\nMR. GIBBS: I have not.\nQ -- but has he been keeping up on this, talking to the Attorney General? Does he get personally involved in making the arguments and discussing it with Justice?\nMR. GIBBS: Well, I'll say this. Not that I'm aware of with Justice. Obviously in our regular meetings with him, White House Counsel Bob Bauer will update him on where different courts are, a few -- not long ago in terms of the Western District of Virginia, that was something we covered. I don't honestly remember, and I can go back and ask and see if whether or not he’s read rulings before.\nQ Not just whether he’s read and whether he gets briefed on them, but does he put in his two cents and make suggestions about how to argue these things?\nMR. GIBBS: Let me take that question. Not that comes to my memory, but let me go flesh that out with others who may.\nQ I don't think this has been asked -- START, where do we stand on START? And is it still the President’s position that he’s going to stay here until it’s done?\nMR. GIBBS: Yes, to the second question. I think -- quite frankly, I think it’s probably one of the next couple of pieces of business that the Senate will move to, not long after the procedural vote and then -- obviously it’s unclear yet the number of hours of debate after the procedural vote today before the Senate takes up for final passage of the tax agreement. But I think fairly soon after, the Senate will move to the debate on START ratification.\nOur belief is, as you’ve seen a number of Republican senators come out, that this is a treaty that has the votes to pass the Senate and I believe will pass the Senate before Congress goes home for the holidays.\nQ Will he stay here until Christmas Eve or beyond if necessary?\nMR. GIBBS: If that's what it takes.\nQ Will he -- right up till New Year’s Eve if that's what it takes?\nMR. GIBBS: I think the President is hopeful to spend a little time with family and friends in Hawaii, but if Congress is here the President will be here.\nQ Sounds like any chance of getting out this weekend is --\nMR. GIBBS: I think you’ve got a few extra days to pull together those Christmas presents that you put off buying. I think obviously there’s a decent amount still left that getting out of here Friday or Saturday is probably not the day I'd pick in the pool.\nQ And would he also stay until \"don't ask, don't tell\" is --\nMR. GIBBS: I'll say this. I think the President will be in Washington and in the White House for as long as Congress is in session.\nQ Any comments on the Boehner interview last night?\nMR. GIBBS: I only saw some clips of it, so I don't have anything on it.\nQ Don't want to go there -- (laughter.)\nMR. GIBBS: I wasn’t going to talk about -- (laughter.)\nQ Does the administration view the mandate to purchase health insurance as a tax?\nMR. GIBBS: Look, again, Mike, I'm not a lawyer. I think we look at it as the basis by which we can address important issues like the discrimination against those who have a preexisting condition. We look at it as how you deal with uncompensated care as a result of people going to the emergency room and everyone’s health insurance going up as a result of that.\nQ Because one of the legal arguments against this ruling seems to be that it goes against Congress’s ability to issue a tax.\nMR. GIBBS: Again, I've not, as I said to Jake, I have not had an opportunity to speak on the merits of some of what the judge ruled.\nQ CEOs are coming to meet with the President on Wednesday. Can you talk a little bit about what he’s hoping to accomplish in that meeting?\nMR. GIBBS: Well, look, I think the President has over the course of the last several years, last two years, at fairly regular intervals had CEOs in for meetings, discussions, for lunches. Over the past few weeks the President has met with what I think you would consider economists on the left, economists on the right. He has and will have an occasion to have similar meetings with labor and discuss a whole range of ideas that are out there in terms of continuing our fragile economic recovery.\nAnd I think if you look at something like the South Korea free trade agreement, I think it’s an issue -- there are clearly issues that Congress is going to deal with and the administration is going to deal with where we share the opinions of those in business as to how to expand our economy, how to create jobs, and how to keep things going.\nQ Mr. Donohue from the Chamber of Commerce, in an interview with FOX on Friday, suggested that the relationship with the business community -- he’s seeing signs of improvement. Do you have reaction to that? Because obviously there have been some tense times between the administration and the Chamber of Commerce.\nMR. GIBBS: Well, look, I think whether it’s -- I mean, obviously one of the biggest proponents of the Korea free trade agreement was the Chamber of Commerce. I think that whether it’s individuals at the Chamber, whether it’s members of the Chamber, whether it’s CEOs that aren't members of the Chamber or belong to other organizations, again, I think there are a series of issues that are important to the business community, that are important to getting our economy moving again, and I think those are issues that the President is eager to work on.\nQ Just to follow up -- you know the administration is taking a legal position in its papers that the authority for the individual mandate lies in the power to tax. Is that inconsistent with your political arguments that health care reform will not raise taxes on the middle class?\nQ How so?\nMR. GIBBS: Again, I think it is -- again, it’s the basis for -- I guess would you presume that you pay a tax right now on your health care for -- would you consider the thousand dollars that you pay as part of your health care a tax because somebody who does not have health care is paid for by you?\nQ No, but I'm not paying it to the government.\nMR. GIBBS: No, you're paying it to an insurance company.\nQ The administration states that the individual mandate and the fees raised, the penalty, constitutes a tax -- leaving aside how much revenue --\nMR. GIBBS: You went to law school, not me. I -- we think, and based on the rulings of two other courts and the belief of this administration that the law will be upheld.\nQ You just said a couple of minutes ago when Dan asked, you said you didn’t know if politics motivated Judge Hudson’s decision. You also said to Chip you weren't surprised by the result. Just to clarify, some Democrats are saying this is a case of judicial activism --\nMR. GIBBS: Again, I think what -- Chip mentioned that there had been earlier writings that I think led most people to believe and understand that this would be the ruling that he would make. So, again, I don't --\nQ You're not signing onto Democrats who are saying this is a case of judicial activism by a Bush appointee?\nMR. GIBBS: Well, again, I'm not rendering a decision on that. I'm just saying that I think some of what we've heard about this case -- look, I don't think there’s -- 115 miles away a different judge in a different district rendered a different decision. So I think there are obviously a number of different viewpoints on this. Our belief is that when all of the legal wrangling is said and done, that this is something that will be upheld.\nQ On the tax deal, there was a poll this morning from the Pew Center that found that there was support for the tax compromise fairly evenly distributed with Democrats just as likely as Republicans to support that. Do you think that that --\nMR. GIBBS: I think I tried to make that point last week.\nQ Do you think that that's a sign, and does the White House believe that the rancor that we've heard from liberal Democrats in Washington is not reflective of how the country as a whole, how Democrats in the country feel about it?\nMR. GIBBS: Well, again, I think -- look, I think whether you -- we sent out the statements from a number of people across the country that represent Democrats, Republicans, and independents -- mayors, governors, governors-elect. You heard from in this room former President Bill Clinton. I think the notion that the view of some in Congress is monolithic to the viewpoint of every person in the party -- I didn’t think that then. I'm not surprised by the polling that shows that a vast majority of people don't want to see their taxes go up at the end of the year.\nQ So do you think that the protest, very loud protest -- in fact, so loud that they’ve put passage in the House in some doubt -- are -- what’s behind that if it’s not reflective of how people really feel? Is it just politics?\nMR. GIBBS: Well, again, that's a question for them. Look, I understand --\nQ -- your analysis is.\nMR. GIBBS: I understand that people are frustrated that, as a result of a whole series of things, we find ourselves having to make an agreement that contains things that the President finds less than satisfactory. That's the nature of how this place works. But again, I didn’t think last week that it was the monolithic viewpoint of every person in the party or every person even in the progressive wing of the party.\nQ Robert, is the administration inclined to seek an expedited Supreme Court ruling on this health care matter?\nMR. GIBBS: Mark, again, I think I'd leave that to the Department of Justice, who will make some legal decisions on that.\nQ On tax cuts, why is the President doing this mini media blitz, this afternoon with four TV stations?\nMR. GIBBS: Well, again, I think this is -- I think the President is just looking for more ways and more opportunities to talk to the American people about what he thinks is important and what’s good in this agreement.\nAnd I said this a lot last week and I should start this week by saying it again, and that is if you look at the individual components of this agreement, they make sense economically. We are -- by preserving the rate for middle-class taxpayers, we're providing them certainty in not having their taxes go up at the end of the year. We're taking the politics out of unemployment insurance for the 2 million people that would stand to lose those benefits this year and the millions more next year that could see those benefits threatened.\nThe payroll tax cut is important for middle-class families. It’s obviously a tax that -- you pay taxes on Social Security up to $106,800 of your income. By reducing the amount that an employee is required to pay into that, that's money that's going to come into -- that money will be in the pockets of those middle-class families.\nThis makes sense for the economy. It contains things that the President doesn’t like, but it contains much more of what we think is necessary and what we like than there is to dislike.\nQ How did you choose the cities that get the interviews?\nMR. GIBBS: Finkenbinder with a dart and --\nQ No, really. I know you're not a lawyer. (Laughter.)\nMR. GIBBS: But I'm a good dart-thrower. Look, truthfully, we picked a few markets around the country that represent some geographic diversity -- the South, the Midwest, the West. We had animated discussions with scheduling. I would like to do 14, not four. So I think it’s a good opportunity to talk to the American people.\nQ Who said he wanted -- he said he wanted to do 14 not four?\nMR. GIBBS: No, this is a sort of argument that we were having with scheduling.\nQ Robert, to follow up on that, were they in districts where there are members who are undecided?\nMR. GIBBS: I have not heard any discussions about that so I don't -- they were not picked because of that.\nQ I'd like to shift to the Afghan review. That's coming up I believe this week. What’s the outline, what’s the plan? Is there like a final NSC meeting that the President attends -- and will we hear from him?\nMR. GIBBS: The President’s regular monthly AfPak review meeting will be Tuesday, tomorrow morning at 11 a.m., as it’s scheduled now, in the Situation Room. That will have the people that you are used to seeing at that meeting. The President will make a statement on Thursday and we will have -- there will be a public release for the December review. That will happen on Thursday --\nQ Of the document?\nMR. GIBBS: Of the document. And I think it’s our hope that after that we'll have in here, schedule permitting, Secretary Gates and Secretary Clinton and others to take some questions on the review.\nQ And should we expect any broad changes in policy or --\nMR. GIBBS: I don't want to get ahead of all the meetings. I think we are -- as you’ve heard the President say on his most recent trip to Afghanistan, I think we are seeing some progress. We still have -- and I think you know many of them -- we have many challenges in both security and governance. We have -- well, we have progress and we have challenges. That is something that is talked much about when we go into these meetings in the Situation Room.\nObviously there will be another meeting before the review is released, so I don't want to get ahead of where we are on that. But I think the President feels confident that we're on track on where we should be and that we can certainly meet our commitments to begin a conditions-based drawdown of our forces next July.\nQ Just to be clear, he'll get the review tomorrow? He'll see the review tomorrow?\nMR. GIBBS: He’s been -- there are different aspects of and drafts of this, some of which he has seen. Tomorrow obviously is the normal meeting that generally takes about an hour and a half to two hours. Obviously some part of that will be based on the review and some part of that will go through in his briefing some of what has been talked about both in the review and in the weekly memos that he gets from commanders and ambassadors.\nQ So, I'm sorry, will there be a meeting that's just focused on the review, or is that tomorrow?\nMR. GIBBS: There have been a number of those. It will be covered in tomorrow’s meeting, too.\nQ Is there any reaction to the comments from President Karzai in The Washington Post today, which -- he’s quoted, “If I had to choose sides today, I'd choose the Taliban”?\nMR. GIBBS: I have not talked to anybody about that, no.\nQ And as the House Democrats talk about what they want to change in the tax deal, are Geithner, Lew and Vice President Biden an active part of those discussions as they were in the initial conference with Republicans and Democrats?\nMR. GIBBS: I don't -- look, I think a number of people are having discussions with members of Congress. The President is having discussions with members of Congress. So I think that subset of people is likely involved as well as others.\nQ But it’s not as though it’s round two of negotiations with regular meetings on the Hill?\nQ And then, about the health care fight, when you’ve got a full plate of things that you want to accomplish in the next two years, how much of a distraction is it to have to keep litigating your major fight from the last two years at the same time?\nMR. GIBBS: Well, again, people challenging the constitutionality of different laws is nothing new and nothing that’s unexpected.\nQ Just a quick one on the health care ruling. You said that you remain confident that it’s going to -- that the law will be upheld. But the judge that just ruled against the administration was appointed by a Republican; the two who ruled for the administration were appointed by Democrats. How can you stay confident when this could end up in front of the Roberts Supreme Court?\nMR. GIBBS: I think we have a good argument. I think the merits of the case are strong and I think its constitutionality will be upheld.\nQ Two aspects on the tax -- for the House Democrats who have said they cannot vote for the language as it’s currently in the Senate, has anybody in recent days brought the President language, particularly on the estate tax, some kind of changes in language that might be proposed on the House side that could still work on the Senate?\nMR. GIBBS: Again, the President has talked with members and heard their concerns, but I do not know of -- I don’t know of anything that would fit the requirement that you just said about language for both.\nQ Are there some changes being kicked around or at least run by the White House?\nMR. GIBBS: Well, I think the biggest changes that we’ve seen in the agreement are the addition of the energy credits for production and that’s the basis by which the legislation is written that will be voted on by the Senate.\nQ And on the Senate vote this afternoon, what will you take from that -- a measure of what? Of strength, or of where people are?\nMR. GIBBS: I mean, I think -- look, I think this will give you a sense of where people are in the overall agreement. I think -- again, I think if you look at -- I think there’s broad bipartisan support in the Senate for this. I think there is clearly broad bipartisan support throughout the country, and I think and believe that that will be reflected in the vote that the Senate makes.\nQ Thanks, Robert. As you look at what’s achievable in the rest of the lame duck session, where does the DREAM Act and “don’t ask, don’t tell” sort of come into play? How is the President going to prioritize those?\nMR. GIBBS: Peter, there’s not a list of one, two, three, four; there’s a series of things that I think the President believes are important and can be done this year. I think the Senate is likely to move not long after taxes to the START -- ratification of the START treaty. “Don’t ask, don’t tell” and DREAM, along with government funding, are all in a basket of issues that are likely to come after that.\nQ Very much alive?\nMR. GIBBS: Absolutely.\nQ Is there anything else that you want --\nQ Can I ask a follow-up?\nMR. GIBBS: Let me come around. Well, let me just -- there’s judicial nominations. There’s Senate confirmations. This is not an exhaustive list.\nQ Robert, two questions. There’s a considerable likelihood here on this tax vote that Speaker Pelosi is going to vote no. It’s really going to be the first example that I can think of on a major legislative initiative where the President and her have been at variance. How does he feel about that and what does it say about the respective directions they’re moving in?\nMR. GIBBS: I, Glenn, have not spoken to the President about that. I have not heard a ton about vote counts in the House. I think obviously the first procedural hurdle will be encountered this afternoon in the Senate and I think that’s where a decent amount of our energy has been directed.\nAgain, as I said, the President has reached out and talked to individual members of Congress. And, look, I think each is going to have to evaluate what they feel is -- or how they feel about the agreement and whether they think it’s important for the economy.\nQ Is he actively trying to convince her, or vice versa, to deal with this differently? I mean, are there ongoing conversations between the two of them?\nMR. GIBBS: I don’t know when the last time they spoke. I can check on that, but --\nQ What were his thoughts to the Bernie Sanders lengthy filibuster on Friday?\nMR. GIBBS: I have not talked to him about that.\nQ Robert, one other quick thing. There was a sense that there were going to be some personnel announcements and some various moves prior to Christmas, prior to the end of the year. You’re now telling us that NEC is not likely going to be announced until the beginning of the year. Are we going to see any really significant --\nMR. GIBBS: Look, I think that because of the volume of the work that’s been done in the lame duck, that most of this is going to get pushed over.\nSam, let me address just tangentially that what you said about Sanders. Look, I think the President will be the first to agree that there are aspects of this that he doesn’t like, as I’ve said before and as he said before. Our preferred method was to make permanent the tax cuts for the middle class. The votes weren’t there in the Senate to do that. And rather than threaten our economic recovery, the President believed that this bipartisan agreement was the best way to go.\nAnd he respects and he understands the frustration of those that have a different viewpoint on the agreement. I think, at the same time, he believes that it is important for our economy, it’s important for middle-class families and important to get done.\nQ Robert, just to be clear on “don’t ask, don’t tell,” will the President direct the Senate to stay in session longer for this week if work on repealing that law isn’t finished by the end of this week?\nMR. GIBBS: Well, again, I think the Senate is going to be in longer than this week. And I think there’s no doubt that based on the votes last week, it’s clear that a majority of the Senate supports the President’s position of doing away with “don’t ask, don’t tell,” repealing that. And our -- certainly our hope is that the Senate will take this up again and it will see this done by the time the year ends.\nQ Can I follow up on that? New litigation was filed in courts today challenging the constitutionality of “don’t ask, don’t tell.” What does the President have to say to opponents of that law who feel like they need to pursue litigation to get that off the books?\nMR. GIBBS: Well, I think the President would say the same thing that I’ve said and the same thing that Secretary Gates has said, that one of the two entities, either Congress or the courts, is going to repeal or do away with “don’t ask, don’t tell.” The best way to do it would be to do it through Congress. And the House has passed that legislation. And it is clear that a -- well more than a majority of -- well above a majority of U.S. senators believes that’s the case as well. And I think that -- I think we’re closer than we’ve ever been to making repeal a reality.\nQ A slightly different take on the question -- the President has pledged to stay in town himself until START is done. Would he pledge to stay in town until “don’t ask, don’t tell” is done?\nMR. GIBBS: Let me be clear, the President isn’t -- if START gets done, the President and Congress is here, the President is not leaving. I said earlier that the President will be here as long as the Congress is here.\nQ I thought he pledged specifically, though, to stay in town until START was done.\nMR. GIBBS: No, I think that we always envisioned it that if the Congress was here, the President would be here. There’s a whole host of important things beyond the tax agreement and START -- “don’t ask, don’t tell” being one of them -- that the President believes can be dealt with before Congress leaves town.\nQ If the legislative effort fails, are there other options on the table? I mean, this is a distinct possibility now.\nMR. GIBBS: Well, I should say this. I think it’s a distinct possibility that “don’t ask, don’t tell” will be repealed by the end of this year and that’s where our effort is focused.\nQ Robert, the American Legion --\nMR. GIBBS: Tommy.\nQ The American Legion opposes legislation that would open up --\nQ I have three quick ones.\nMR. GIBBS: Tommy --\nQ Can you come back to me, Robert?\nMR. GIBBS: Go ahead. Tommy passed to you. Go ahead.\nQ All right, thank you.\nMR. GIBBS: I’ll come back.\nQ Thank you very much.\nMR. GIBBS: Your name is Tommy.\nQ Yes. (Laughter.)\nQ The American Legion, “opposes legislation” that would offer up to 2.1 million illegal aliens amnesty by meeting educational or military requirements. And my first of two questions: Will the President defy the Legion on this or try some sort of compromise?\nMR. GIBBS: Well, I think the President understands the viewpoint of the Legion, but also is getting advice from military commanders and those at the Department of Defense right now that the legislation is important and believes it should be passed.\nQ What is the White House reaction to what both FOX and CBS reported as a Ralph Nader statement, including -- and this is a quote -- it’s not my quote --\nMR. GIBBS: I bet it’s not.\nQ “The President has no fixed principles. He is opportunistic. He is a con man. I have no use for him.” What is your reaction to that? They both reported it.\nMR. GIBBS: Well, and we’ve had that discussion about what people report and what is true. Right, Lester? But we won’t -- I digress.\nQ Are you claiming it’s not true?\nMR. GIBBS: No. I don’t know when the last time I talked to Ralph Nader was. I don't know when the last time you have. I don't have any specific comment to that.\nI think the President -- the President’s viewpoint on this, Lester, is that we have to make decisions each and every day -- and he makes decisions every day on what’s in the best interests of the American people and of this country.\nQ Thank you, Robert. Thank you, Les. (Laughter.) I have three quick questions. First one, last week during his special comment, Keith Olbermann compared the President’s tax compromise to Nazi appeasement. I wanted to see if you guys had a reaction to that. Did the President hear that, or what do you think about that?\nMR. GIBBS: I doubt the President heard that. I obviously have given a number of answers that would denote that we think it’s a good agreement. And I would say this to Democrats or Republicans. I think whenever you compare anything to what the Nazis did, if you ever get to that point in your speech, stop, because nothing does. And hopefully, God willing, nothing ever will.\nQ Fair enough. Second, over the weekend, Sarah Palin was visiting Haiti. She told reporters that she thought that anyone who was considering freezing aid to Haiti should go down there and visit first. I think she was referring to a statement by Senator Leahy. Does the White House have a position on that, on freezing aid?\nMR. GIBBS: Let me look at what the statement is and whether or not there is some reasoning. Obviously, our response to the earthquake in Haiti was and has been befitting a disaster of that magnitude and our response has been at the forefront of all the international responses on this.\nQ So you’re not aware of Senator Leahy’s comment?\nMR. GIBBS: I have not seen it.\nQ Finally -- I did have three. (Laughter.) Do you have a reaction to the Bill Sammon, FOX News memo that was -- I had to throw in --\nMR. GIBBS: I feel like I’m -- no, I don't.\nQ You don't have a comment on a FOX News memo? Come on.\nMR. GIBBS: No, I don't. Thanks, guys. (Laughter.)","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line980123"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5394597053527832,"wiki_prob":0.4605402946472168,"text":"Coronavirus Particles Can Remain In The Air For 14 Minutes — Study - 8 months ago\nA recent study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health says particles of the coronavirus released by an infected person while talking can remain in the air for 8 to 14 minutes, a warning sign that airborne transmission might be more contagious than previously anticipated. The scientists behind the study said, while it has been long accepted that coughing and sneezing can transmit respiratory viruses through droplets, It is less widely known that normal speaking also produces thousands of oral fluid droplets with a broad size distribution. The research, published last week in an edition of the peer-reviewed Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, highlighted that, “There is a substantial probability that normal speaking causes airborne virus transmission in confined environments.” “Speech droplets generated by asymptomatic carriers of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are increasingly considered to be a likely mode of disease transmission,” the study reads. It noted that while COVID-19 is less deadly than SARS, it is far more easily transmitted, and scientists are still working to understand the extent to which it can be spread and how long it can survive. “This information has huge ramifications for how we interact with one another and what kinds of spaces and activities are considered safe,” it said.\n“Leave Ned Nwoko For My Daughter” Regina Daniels’ Mother Attacks Chika Ike\nMr Eazi - Supernova\nI Am Unbothered About People’s Opinion About My Life – Bobrisky","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line821029"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8274645805358887,"wiki_prob":0.8274645805358887,"text":"Chapter 4 (Hertford County's 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Generations)\nChapter 1: The Early Harrells in America\nThere were Harrells among the early settlers in America. They did not necessarily all leave their homelands with the Harrell name, however. Some emigrants left under the name of Harrwell, some Harrold, and, of course, some as Harrell—why most of them changed to the Harrell spelling soon after they arrived in America will probably remain forever a curiosity. There were probably several reasons for the name changes—more than likely it was often because scribes in different regions of America spelled the names to the best of their abilities and according to the developing accents in a given region. That was probably more often the case when a settler did not recognize the written word. Nonetheless, many of these early settlers ended up using the Harrell spelling, which suggests that was already the established spelling in this place—or at least the spelling most familiar to scribes and county clerks.\nOther researchers have undertaken the task of arranging and connecting the fragments of information that exists for the Harrells in northeastern, North Carolina. Their work has been helpful to me and many others, so I have started this chapter with a brief review of their work as it relates to my purpose. Then I summarize the available information on Harrell immigrants, and try to chart their descent into the Albemarle region of the Carolinas. Next I have attempted to plot their settlement patterns around the area that would become Hertford County with the use of property deeds, tax lists, and wills. With this endeavor I seek to identify the legendary “Seven Harrell Brothers” who settled in northeastern, North Carolina.\nSome Other Research on Harrell Ancestors in the Area\nThe efforts by researchers to compile the citings of Harrells beginning in the Colonial period have found that the Harrells in Virginia during the early 1600s and 1700s clustered in and around the Nansemond County area on Virginia’s southern border.\nThe Work of Marilu Burch Smallwood\nThe broadest survey of these early settlers was compiled by Marilu Burch Smallwood.[1] She listed all the references to Harrells (in its various early spellings) she could find, and her sources of information. Marilu’s primary concern, however, was with a branch of the Harrells that moved early from Virginia to South Carolina and on to Georgia. She pays less attention to the Harrells who moved from Virginia to North Carolina and stayed for awhile—like one or two hundred years. Nevertheless, it is obvious that she covered all the important county, state, and federal archives and libraries which makes her work a very useful point of departure for this early period.\nThe Work of Orrin Felton Harrell & Margaret Harrell Williams\nAnother type of compilation of information on Harrells in the area is much more modest in scope. The works of Orrin Felton Harrell and Margaret Harrell Williams, while different projects, use much of the same information for the first generations in America, but ultimately each focuses on one particular line of Harrells descending from an early resident. The project compiled by Margaret is based on research done by Orrin (died 1988) of Ahoskie, Hertford County, North Carolina.[2] Orrin’s research was designed to trace his ancestors from their arrival in Virginia.\nIn their works, Orrin Harrell and Margaret Williams determined their lines began with Thomas Harrwell who was born in 1606, and left England at the age of 29. He sailed on the ship Falcon which left from Grovesend, Kent County, England on December 19, 1635. These researchers believe Thomas changed the spelling of his name to Harrell by the time he landed in Virginia, and they refer to him as Thomas Harrwell I, and to his son as Thomas Harrell II. These same works indicate that Thomas Harrell II proved he was the son and heir of Thomas Harrwell I, then deceased, and Thomas II received a grant in 1681 for land his father had purchased in Nansemond County, Virginia. These researchers also state that Thomas II got two additional land grants, one in 1686 and another in 1698. They add a third generation to this line of Harrells when they cite Thomas II along with his probable son, Thomas Harrell III, on the tax roll in 1704 for Nansemond County. Orrin and Margaret believe Thomas Harrell III was the father of Samuel Harrell (died in 1761 in Chowan County, North Carolina) who was their proven great, great, great, great grandfather.\nOrrin and Margaret’s ancestor, Samuel, apparently ends up in North Carolina when the border with Virginia is surveyed and moved down a bit. Orrin was convinced that all Harrells in America descended from Thomas Harrwell I, and Margaret agreed. It follows then, that the original Seven Brothers, who according to tradition, were the first Harrells to move into North Carolina, were descended from Thomas I, II, and probably III. There is no confirmation of this, however. I have some trouble with their conclusion because it would mean all other Harrells who came to America had no descendants—that is not very likely the case.\nMore specifically, Orrin describes his line as ascending through David Harrell (died 1860), then through David’s father, Samuel Harrell (died 1825), and in turn through his father, William Harrell (died 1762), then through his father, Samuel Harrell (died c. 1761), and then upward through three Thomas Harrells ending with the Thomas Harrwell I, who was born in 1606. Orrin’s line of Harrells, starting from Samuel, was in the area that would later be known as Gates County; Orrin himself did not get to Hertford County, North Carolina until the 20th Century, but other descendants of Samuel were in Hertford County much earlier.\nThe Work of Lellie Harrell Edwards, Katherine Edwards Meech & Travis Meech Peters\nIn another study Lellie Harrell Edwards and a couple of her descendants[3] have identified their immigrant ancestor as Samuel Harold, who was born in Kent County, England around 1662, and who settled in an area of Perquimans County that would eventually be Gates County, North Carolina. If their Samuel settled in the Perquimans area, he more than likely arrived in Virginia. Once again, upon arrival, they feel his name became Harrell. These researchers claim Samuel was the Harrell who originally purchased the land that would be known as the Harrell Farm for generations. It is “thought to be” on Sugar Run. They also suggest that Samuel came with two brothers, one settling in Nansemond County Virginia, and the other south to Bertie County, North Carolina. There is no evidence of such brothers, but with several as yet still unconnected Harrells in the area of Nansemond County, it is very possible. Lellie et. al. claim to descend from this Samuel (born 1662) through his son James (died 1790), and through James’ son Major Samuel (died 1811), and through his son Noah (died 1849). Major Samuel Harrell had twelve children, several of whom moved from Gates to Hertford County: They were Abner, James, and Mary Wilson—Abner became the namesake of Harrellsville in Hertford County.\nLellie et. al. apparently did descend from Major Samuel, but the Major’s parentage is still a bit unclear. First of all, the researchers identified a Samuel (1662-1753), who was born in Kent County, England. I have not been able to find a record of their Samuel coming to these shores, and they did not provide a reference.\nThe Work of Benjamin B. Winborne\nBenjamin Winborne’s work is a history of the county; not a family history, but it includes considerable information about some of the Harrell families in and around Hertford County. At this point, his work is of interest to me because there were several Samuel Harrells in the area and time period, and it is often difficult to keep the information we have about them straight—it is nonetheless important to try. In this spirit, I will start by clarifying one of his observations. Winborne wrote his History of Hertford County in the early 1900s, and most of the time it is very useful, but occasionally it is misleading. On one of the latter occasions, Winborne’s work contains the following comment:[4]\n“Maj. Samuel Harrell was on the jury list in Bertie in 1740, and had often served his county in the capacity as Clerk of the Court, and was made major in the state troops after the war, and resigned the office in 1783.”\nWell, Major Samuel was probably not on the jury list 10 years before he was born. (Winborne also has him at the Hillsboro convention in 1788, which is consistent with other information.) Further on in his history, when writing of the Major’s son, Abner, Winborne made a more correct statement about Major Samuel, which reads as follows:[5]\n“…. He was the son of Maj. Samuel Harrell, who resigned his military office in 1783. Samuel Harrell was a soldier in the War of 1776-1782, a member of the state Convention of 1788, a son of Abner Harrell, a freeholder in Bertie County in 1740, as appears from the jury list of that county. Major Harrell left the following children: Noah, James, William B., Willis, Isaac, Andrew, and Abner, Mary and Nancy.”\nThe second quote is correct, Major Samuel’s father, Abner, was on the Bertie County jury list in 1740. Which tells us Major Samuel and his father, who was probably James Abner Harrell, both spent a good portion of their lives in Bertie County—probably the northern part that would years later become Hertford County.\nSeveral researchers agree Major Samuel was one of the early Harrells in North Carolina, and his presence and children are well documented. He was the son of James according to Lellie et. al., and the son of Abner according to others—Lellie et. al. suggested his name may have been James Abner Harrell, and that he was known as Abner Harrell. It makes perfect sense to think she was correct on this point.\nOn the issue of identifying Samuel Harrell, Lellie et. al. concluded that her line was: Samuel (b. 1662); to James (b. 1708, maybe James Abner); to Major Samuel (1750-1811, see his will of 1811); to Noah (b. 1787); to Samuel Riddick Harrell (b. 1812); to William Preston Harrell (b. 1843); and to Lellie Hines Harrell (b. 1875).\nIt is important to note at this point that Lellie’s account of her immigrant ancestor (Samuel from Kent County, England) is very much like the one given first by Major Samuel’s grandson, William Bernard Harrell, whose work is discussed below—Lellie et. al. may have relied on this source.\nThe Work of William Bernard Harrell\nThere is no dispute about the facts that Major Samuel was born on the family farm in the Gates area around 1750; and most researchers point to his will of 1811 as indicating the year of his death. Major Samuel’s grandson, William Bernard Harrell, however, included in his autobiography a reference to Major Samuel’s year of death in 1828.[6] William Bernard (1823-1906) may have been old enough to have known his grandfather, but because William’s immediate family was living in Suffolk, Virginia at that time, he probably did not know him well. For our purposes, at his point, it does not matter much which date of death is correct—it is clear from the 1811 will and William Bernard’s material, that they are speaking of the same person, Major Samuel. Lellie et. al. had determined they descended from Major Samuel’s son, Noah, and William Bernard indicated he descended from Major Samuel’s son, James (b. 1792).\nIn addition, William Bernard Harrell included in his work a list of his ancestors as recorded in a family Bible. This Biblical record maintains the following:[7]\n“Samuel Harrell - Born on the Harrell farm near Sunbury, 1750? - He died at the same place in 1828? - A large planter and slave-owner. He was a soldier in the Revolution. He was the son of\nJames Harrell - Born 1708 on the Harrell Farm. Died at his home in 1790. Planter and Merchant, with a large country store. He was the son of\nSamuel Harrell - Born 1663 in Kent County, England. Original purchaser of the Harrell Farm, where he engaged largely in farming and also ran a store. He died there (cir.) 1753. This man is supposed to have originally spelled his name “Harold,” though after his coming to America, the name became spelled as at present.”\nThe lineage, however, may not be as certain as Samuel’s grandson had determined. As I will discuss in the coming pages, several researchers identified three or more Samuel Harrells in the Gates area at about the same time. My point is, there has to be some uncertainty about who Major Samuel’s father was, and even more uncertainty about the identity of his grandfather.\nFor instance, I mentioned earlier that Winborne in his history of Hertford County stated there was an Abner Harrell who was the father of Major Samuel Harrell.[8] I further mentioned that Lellie et. al. had stated that the Major’s father was James. Lellie et. al. suggested we reconcile the difference by considering there may have been a James Abner Harrell who fathered Major Samuel—that seems reasonable, but not yet a fact.\nIn addition, Lellie et. al. either based their conclusions on the information provided by William Bernard Harrell, or found information consistent with what can be found in the latter's’ family Bible. They both seem to agree that Major Samuel was the grandson of Samuel Harold (Harrell) of Kent (born there in 1662). We should also keep in mind, I still have not been able to find a record of a Samuel Harrell (or Harold) as an emigrant from England.\nIn the above paragraphs, I have outlined two claims of descent from emigrant Harrells—Orrin’s claim to have descended from emigrant Thomas Harrwell, and the claim of others who link their lines to the emigrant Samuel Harold of Kent. It is not easy to conclude that Orrin’s (and Margaret’s) line and William Bernard’s (and Lellie et. al.’s) line of Harrells have a common ancestor in America because there is no convincing evidence of this yet. Nonetheless, as stated above, Orrin and others believed this was probably the case.\nWe can recall, Orrin described his line as going through David Harrell (died 1860), then David’s father Samuel Harrell (died 1825), and through his father William Harrell (died 1762), and through William’s father, Samuel Harrell (died c. 1761), and upward through three Thomas Harrells. Orrin speculates that Major Samuel Harrell (died 1811), the father of Abner, may have descended directly from his Samuel Harrell who died in 1761, thus making Orrin and Lellie distant cousins—this is possible, but as yet very difficult to document. The point is, the records are very skimpy, and the inferences are very long. Nevertheless, both lines have Samuel Harrells in the same time frame, and who settled in an area that would become Gates County, North Carolina. A major part of the uncertainty about all Harrells here having a common emigrant ancestor results from the loss of records by fire in Nansemond County Virginia.\nThe Work of Elizabeth J. Harrell Gerlack\nIn another study, Elizabeth J. Harrell,[9] traced the line of Lott Harrell (his estimated birth year is in the 1770s, and he died around 1814), through his father (either Lott Sr. or his brother John Harrell), to his grandfather, Abraham Harrell (c. 1690-1755). Elizabeth acknowledges that because so many documents from Nansemond County, Virginia were destroyed, Lott’s connection to his ancestors “...can only be speculated upon.” She does, nonetheless, feel Lott descends from the emigrant, Thomas Harrell, who purchased land in Nansemond County in 1662 and 1676. Descending from Thomas for “several generations,” Elizabeth’s line arrives at Abraham, who moved south to the North Carolina Colony near the Roanoke River in Bertie County, which was where Lott Harrell was born around 1770.\nElizabeth seems fairly certain that Abraham descended from Thomas Harrell, and that position is consistent with Orrin’s conclusions which were presented in the paragraphs above—mainly, that all the Harrells in the area descended from his original Thomas Harrell I. Indeed, Elizabeth’s Abraham (c.1690-1755) could well have been the brother (or, of course, even a cousin) of Orrin’s Samuel (c. 1700-1761), and both could have descended from Thomas Harrell. These lines match well, generation to generation. For instance, Orrin’s Samuel (b. c. 1700) was responsible for the following children: Isaac, Abraham, William, Samuel, Martha, and Rachel. We know Orrin descended from William, and consequently, we have estimated dates for William; born about 1720, and died 1762. Elizabeth’s Abraham had eleven children with birth years estimated to be from 1722 to 1744, and death dates in the 1770s. The children of Samuel and Abraham seem to be of the same generation—Samuel and Abraham were probably two of the original Seven Brothers that tradition holds were the first Harrells in North Carolina (of course, some may have been cousins).\nOnce again, as with Samuel, we have no evidence that Abraham was the son of Thomas Harrell. As Elizabeth indicates, “Lott’s immigrant ancestor was probably Thomas Harrell.”[10] Maintaining a spirit of caution, I agree with Elizabeth’s choice of words—it is at best a “probable” relationship.\nIt is possible Thomas was the father of the probable brothers, Samuel and Abraham, but there are other possibilities. They could have descended from the Thomas Harrald who died in Virginia between 1622 and 1629; or the Thomas Harrwell who arrived in Barbados in 1635; or John Harrold who arrived in Virginia in 1655; or Christopher and Henry Harrell who arrived in Virginia together in 1678. The list is not endless, but it is full of possibilities. In the following section, I have surveyed the possible Harrell immigrant ancestors.\nThe Harrell Immigrants\nAs I indicated above, there were several immigrants who started or ended spelling their name, Harrell. The first thing to acknowledge is that not all people who ended up in America can be found on the available passenger lists. For instance, there was the Thomas Harralde who is reported in the “Minuets of Council and General Court, James City, Virginia, 1622-29. At that place, Hugh Hayward and Robert [page 10] Fitt sore they were present when the then deceased Thomas Harralde made his will, and they witnessed it.[11] I will call him, Immigrant No. 1.\nIf Orrin’s Thomas Harrwell I, came to America in 1635, and the above mentioned Thomas Harralde died here between 1622 and 1629, then we have at least two immigrant Thomases.\nIn any case, we can consider Orrin’s Thomas Harrwell I as Emigrant No. 2. This was probably the same Thomas Harrwell, age 29, who was transported from London to Barbados on the Falcon, December 19, 1635.[12]\nThe Quit Rent Rolls for Nansemond County, Virginia in 1704 show the presence of the two Thomas Harralds—Thomas II and III (as in Orrin’s and Elizabeth’s work). The Rolls shows “Thos. Harrold 652 a.: & Thomas Harrold 100 a.”[13]\nLellie Edwards et. al. is pretty sure her Harrells descend from Samuel Harold, born around 1662 in Kent County, England. But I can’t find a reference for an immigrant named Samuel Harrell (using the various spellings). Similarly, William Bernard Harrell’s family Bible specifies that his line also descends from Samuel, born in Kent County, England in 1663, and that he was the Samuel who bought and settled the original Harrell farm in the Gates area. Again, however, I have not found him on any passenger list, but it is hard to ignore his past presence—so I have labeled him Emigrant No. 3.\nFurthermore, there is additional information indicating all Harrells in the area did not necessarily descend from Thomas Harrwell or Samuel Harold. The following citings expand the “first American ancestor” possibilities:\nEmigrant No. 4 can be found in the following reference: John Jenkins 400 acres, called Egg Neck, in Northampton Co, Va. 17 March 1655. p. 31 (49) for transportation of 8 persons, John Harrold, was one of them.[14] According to the Virginia County Court Note Books, a “John Harrold was a Virginia Colonist of Northampton Co. Va. in 1655.”[15] This is certainly the same fellow who was brought in March 1655 by John Jenkins.\nEmigrants No. 5 and No. 6 came together and in similar circumstances. On October 7, 1678, several people were apprenticed in Bristol and came to Virginia. Among them were Christopher Harrell apprenticed to Anthony Thieron for 8 years in Virginia; and Henry Harrell also to Thieron in Virginia, but for 10 years—both came on the Victory.[16]\nEmigrant No. 7. “Thos. Ivey on April 8, 1711 patented 374 acres in Princess Anne Co. Va. for bringing 8 settlers.” They included Garratt Harrell.[17]\nAs far as I have been able to determine, these are the only Harrells to arrive in Virginia before some of the Virginia Harrells began to move south into the Albemarle area of North Carolina in the 1720s.\nIn any case, there were at least seven different Harrells who arrived on this continent by 1711. There were, in fact, others who continued to arrive in America after the Harrells started to move south into North Carolina: In 1730, Thomas Harrold, age 18, apprenticed to work 6 years in Pennsylvania; and in 1734, Robert Harold, “Sentenced to transportation and reprieved for transportation Summer 1734. Suffolk.[18] The 1730 and 1734 immigrants arrived after Harrells had already begun to move into North Carolina—so they are not good candidates for the Harrell lines in Nansemond, County Va. who moved down to the North Carolina area in and before the 1720s, but they could have moved down in the 1740s or later.\nAs I have made clear, I am not inclined to assume all Harrells who passed through or settled in North Carolina descend from Thomas or Samuel. In particular, I find it hard to dismiss the 1678 immigrants, Christopher and Henry (who appear together as witnesses on a deed in Bertie County in 1741), or even the 1711 immigrant, Garratt Harrell, who must also be considered a possible ancestor to at least one of us. We need to also keep in mind that the Harrell lines in early Bertie and Hertford Counties used the name John in nearly every generation. So the John Harrold who arrived in Northampton, Va. in 1655 may have been the immigrant ancestor to at least some of the Harrell lines.\nThere are other references to Harrells in Nansemond County, Virginia which carry names of Harrells, some immigrants, some their sons and even grandsons. For instance, an item in the records of Perquimans County N. C. contains this information: “…. John Harrell of Upper Parish of Nansemond Co. in Virginia, unto Richd Harrell, of afore’ for 10 lbs. ‘Right as by assignment of Wm. Kitchen to whom the Patent was grt.’ 1728.”[19] Another source cites “Wm. Ward of Nansemond County Va., to Samuel Harrell, 160 acres—Part of a patent to John Moore, Nov. 17, 1700.”[20] This must be the same or adjacent land to that supposedly bought by Thomas Harrell from John Moore, and then willed to Thomas’ son, Samuel Sr. of Chowan County, North Carolina. This same source also shows William Hareild was a witness to Richard Bond’s will in Nansemond Co. Va. Jan. 15, 1727.[21] In addition, Edward Harrell married Margaret Brumwell on April 20, 1707 in Middlesex, Virginia. This may have been one of the first settlers in North Carolina, who died in Bertie County in 1754. Another Harrell who left his tracts in the real estate of Nansemond County, Virginia was “Francis Harrell of Nansemond County, Virginia. He sold land in 1731 to John White of Nansemond County. This same Francis Harrell of Nansemond County, Virginia sold land to Richard Baker on the east side of Northwest Swamp, adjoining lands of Richard Parker, in Chowan County, North Carolina.[22]\nThe First Records of Harrells in The Albemarle region.\nIt is clear most of the first Harrell settlers in northeastern North Carolina were from Nansemond County in Virginia. The early deeds in the area usually read, for instance, “Joseph Harrell of Nansemond County, Virginia,” and the same for many other Harrells. This point was also recognized by an early historian from Norfolk, W. Squires, when he said, “Nansemond County, Virginia, was the mother of North Carolina.” This point was reiterated by W. E. McClenny in his The History of Gates County.[23]\nAs indicated, many Harrells had gathered in and around Nansemond Co., Virginia by 1720, and it is very hard to know which immigrants they had descended from. Nevertheless, in the following section, I have formulated a list of the Harrells in northeastern North Carolina in the early 1700s. As I mentioned above, tradition holds that there were Seven Brothers who were the first Harrell settlers in North Carolina., and in some cases beyond. There are, of course, no documents indicating the first Harrells to North Carolina were brothers—some of them may well have been cousins. More important, however, is the fact that in the first years, there were more than seven Harrells who moved in this time period from Virginia to northeastern North Carolina.\nBased on my survey of the documents from the area, the first Harrells to settle in North Carolina were: Samuel of Kent, Samuel of Chowan, Thomas, Joseph, John Sr., John Jr., Abraham, Edward, Francis, and Richard. There may well have been some already in North Carolina, who were not involved in recording deeds—thus left no tracts.\nThe Albemarle Region: Its Precincts and Counties\nThe northeastern part of North Carolina was first called the Albemarle region. The Lords Proprietors in 1663 established the first government in Albemarle County. By 1670, Albemarle County was divided into 4 Precincts: Currituck, Pasquotank, Perquimans, and Chowan. Most Harrells were in Chowan Precinct. It takes some effort to keep tract of where they settled because part of Chowan was split off into Bertie Precinct in 1722, then part of Bertie County split off into Northampton County in 1741, then more of Bertie County and a little from Northampton & Chowan Counties split off into Hertford County in 1759, and finally, part of Hertford County and more of Chowan County split off into Gates County in 1779—these are the counties where most of the Harrells settled.\nSo, for the people in Hertford County, early documents are in Chowan records, after 1722 they are in Bertie County records, and after 1759, if they still exist, they are in Hertford County records.\nBecause of the nearly complete burning of Hertford County records in 1862, it is necessary to attempt sorting the Harrells in all the adjacent counties in an effort to connect the Hertford Harrells to the first settlers in the Albemarle region. This is the long way around the identification of the ancestors of the first Hertford Harrells, and the evidence in fragmentary at best, but in most cases, it is all we have at this point. So in the following section, I attempt to piece together the information we have on the Harrells of the early Precincts—mainly Chowan and Bertie, as well as their derivative counties.\nDeeds in The Early Precincts and Counties\nThe deeds help place people in regions as they first appeared and then settled in North Carolina. We must keep in mind, however, that simply buying land in an area at that time did not constitute living there. Often when one appeared as a witness on a deed, it was more indicative of his living in the area.\nPasquotank Precinct\nEven though we have records of Harrells in Virginia dating back as far as the mid-1620s, the earliest record of a Harrell in the old Albemarle area is “At a Court held at ye House of Richard Pope, Pasquotank Precinct, the 3rd. Monday in July 1694.... Edward May Clk. suit Edward Grainger vs. Rich’d Harrold.”[24]\nThis Court case illustrates government on the frontier, where government functions took place in the homes of the officials involved. This Richard Harrold was probably related to John Harrell of the Upper Parish of Nansemond County—they are probably the same John and Richard on the 1728 Right of Assignment in Perquimans County mentioned below.\nTyrrell County;\nAs near as I can determine, the first land purchase in North Carolina by a Harrell was in 1715—when John Harrell bought land in Tyrrell County. I can not be certain it was John Sr. of Nansemond County, but he was one of the first to purchase land in several of the nearby counties, and that would be my best guess.\nRobert and Martha Fewox sold John Harrell 150 acres on the east side of the Scuppernong River, on Mahomet Swamp on October 14, 1715.[25] The Scuppernong River travels from eastern Washington County into western Tyrrell County. Then it flows first northeast, then northwest into the Albemarle Sound. It is on the south side of Albemarle Sound just across from Perquimans County, and it is just about 30 miles east of where the Harrells began buying land near the Roanoke and Cashie rivers of Bertie County a few years later.\nPerquimans County Deeds\nThe first recorded document by a Harrell in Perquimans County was from John Harrell of Nansemond County, Virginia to Richard Harrell—Richard was probably John’s son. Richard paid 10 pounds for a “Right of Assignment” of William Kitchner, to whom the Patent was granted in 1728.[26] There was a John Harrell Sr. who stayed in Nansemond County long after several of his sons had moved into North Carolina. Apparently Richard got the right to buy the land from John Harrell in 1728, and the purchase was complete in the deed of 1737—John still owned adjacent land according to the 1737 deed. Deed activity for Harrells in early Perquimans County is summarized in Table 1 below.\nPerquimans County Deed Activity*\nacquired in sold in witnessed in\nJohn Harrell** 1728;\nRichard Harrell 1728 (& 1737) 1745;\nDemsey Harrell ? 1768;\nJames Harrell** ? 1770;\nSamuel Harrell 1768 (for Demsey)\n*The deeds for each person in Table 1 are as follows: John 1728, Book B, item no. 320, and Winslow, page 94 (John is shown still owning adjacent land in 1737); Richard 1728, Book B, no. 320, and Winslow page 94; 1737, Book C, no. 215, and Winslow page 113; 1745, Book E, no. 51, and Winslow page 140; Dempsey & wife, Susanna, Book H, no. 40, and Winslow page 215; James, Book H, no. 125, and Winslow page 222; Samuel Book H, no. 40, and Winslow page 215.\n**John and James are both referred to as “… of Nansemond County, Virginia.” When Richard Sr. bought land in southern Bertie County in 1747, he was also referred to as from Nansemond County (Bertie County deed, Book G, page 98).\nRichard Harrell was more than likely the first Harrell to settle in Perquimans County, and he probably left descendants there—several of his sons, however, ended up in southern Bertie County. Richard named his sons in his 1761 will, two of whom were Dempsey and James (the other two were Richard Jr. and John).\nBy the late 1760s and early 1770s, Demsey, and James Harrell owned land in Perquimans County, but James may still have been living in Nansemond County—Richard Sr. may well have had a brother named James who came down from Nansemond County, or a son named James. Demsey and James probably inherited their land because I have not found deeds recording the acquisition of land in their names. (James Harrell also sold a parcel of land in Chowan County in 1774, see below.) Samuel was old enough to witness Demsey’s deed in 1768. The deed activity summarized in Table 1 probably represents that of Richard Sr. from Nansemond County and his sons—who were more then likely born in Nansemond County.\nChowan Precinct/County Deeds\nBefore Bertie Precinct was formed in 1722, the deeds covering the area over to the Roanoke River should be with Chowan Precinct records. The deeds from the Gates area are included in the Chowan County records up to 1759, when Hertford County was established largely from parts of Bertie and Chowan counties. Chowan lost its northwest territory to Hertford, and then in 1779 lost its northeastern lands and people to the new Gates County.\nThe Harrell deeds listed in Table 2 are for Chowan County dating from the 1700s. Only one is dated “pre-Bertie” County—that is pre-1722. It reflects Francis Harrell’s purchase in 1721. Francis’ land was on the east side of the Chowan River, and consequently it did not get incorporated into Bertie Precinct in 1722. Thus, when Francis sold his property in 1731 and 1750, he was still recording his deeds for this property in Chowan County. It is hard to know how much time Francis spent in Chowan County, however, because he also owned property across the river in Bertie County. He was one of five Harrells in Bertie County on the list of “Arrears of Quit Rents,” for September 1729-March 1732, and it shows him with 240 acres in Bertie Precinct.[27] (The only Harrell on the list for the Chowan Precinct was Samuel Harrell.)\nIn Chowan County after Bertie County was formed, but before Gates County, the deed activity for Harrells has been summarized in Table 2 below.\nChowan County Deed Activity*\nacquired in sold in\nRichard Harrell 1735;\nJohn Harrell Sr. 1730; 1750;\nJohn Harrell 1754;\nFrancis Harrell 1721; 1731, 1735;\nSamuel Harrell (Son of John Jr. of Va.) 1739;\nSamuel Harrell Sr. 1737, 1740, 1747;\nSamuel Jr. etux. Mary (to Isaac), 1769;\nThomas Harrell 1742, 1744, 1748, 1754; 1758;\nAaron Harrell 1756;\nJethro Harrell 1756;\nJudith Harrell 1757;\nPeter Harrell 1758 (from Thomas Harrell);\nJames Harrell 1774;\nIsaac Harrell 1769, 1779;\n*The deeds for each person in Table 2 are as follows: Richard 1735 (Book W, page 272); John Sr. 1730 (Book C-1, page 635), 1750 (Book F-1, page 222); John (Book G-1, page 121); Francis 1721 (Book F-1, page 150), 1731 (Book C-1, page 657), 1735 (Book W, page 243); Samuel, Son of John Jr. of Va., 1739, (Book C-2, page 64); Samuel Sr. 1737 (Book W, page 363), 1740 (Book C-2, page 120), 1747 (Book E, page 201); Samuel Jr. and wife Mary 1769 (Book O-1, page 77), 1769 (Book O-1, page 79); Thomas 1742 (Book A-1, page 185), 1744 (Book A-1, pages 283 & 284), 1748 (Book E, pages 301 & 302), 1754 (Book G-1, page 118), 1758 (Book H-1, page 270); Aaron 1756 (Book H-1, page 152); Jethro (Book H-1, page 158); Judith (Book H-1, page 211); Peter (Book H-1, page 270); James 1774 (Book G, page 97); Isaac 1769 (Book O-1, page 77), 1779 (Book R-1, page 166). (Jethro, Thomas, The Younger[?], Aaron, and Peter also owned land in the Gates area of Hertford County in 1768-1770.)\nI have placed Richard and the John Harrells at the top of the list in Table 2 because they probably did not live in Chowan County. Richard was in Perquimans County and then southern Bertie County. John Harrell Sr. was more than likely John of Nansemond County, Virginia, who may have spent his last years in southern Bertie County. The other John Harrell who purchased land in Chowan County in 1754 was probably John Sr.’s son, who also bought land in several counties, but settled with several of his sons in southern Bertie County.\nThe early purchase in 1730 by John Harrell of Nansemond County (John Sr.) was of land on the north side of Cypress Swamp between Eure and Gatesville—this is the Gates area of Chowan County that went to Hertford County in 1759, and back to Gates County in 1779. The other Harrells in Table 2 who bought and sold land in Chowan County were also, for the most part, in the area of Chowan that would become Gates County in 1779. (I refer to these lands as in the Gates area even though Gates County did not exist at the time.) The James Harrell in Table 2 was probably the same James of Nansemond County, Virginia who sold land in Perquimans County in 1770, and lived in southern Bertie County.\nThe 1739 deed in Table 2 for one of the Samuel Harrells identified him as “Samuel Harrell, son of John Harrell, of Va.” Samuel was selling 100 acres to Peter Parker on November 10, 1739. The land was on Gum Branch at Bull’s Skull.[28] Orrin Harrell’s ancestor, Samuel I, was still alive [page 16] (he died around 1762), and presumably in the Gates area, in 1739, but Orrin’s Samuel was a son of Thomas Harrell. The immigrant ancestor of William Bernard Harrell, Samuel of Kent, was also presumably still in the Gates area in 1739 (he died around 1753), but it is not too likely a reference would have been made to him as the “son of John” if he were the Samuel born in Kent County, England. If Orrin and William Bernard had correct information about the origins of their respective Samuels, then there was clearly a third Samuel Harrell who owned land in the Gates area in 1739—and he was the son of John Harrell Junior of Nansemond. John of Nansemond and several, if not all, of his sons settled in northeastern North Carolina.\nWhile the information in Table 2 makes it clear that Samuel Harrells were in abundance in the Chowan Precinct during the early years, it is difficult to know which one of them was the property owner in 1729-1732 when he appeared as the only Harrell in Chowan Precinct on the “Arreas of Quit Rents” list—his taxable property was 221 acres.[29]\nFrom time-to-time, land passed from one generation to another without a recorded deed—usually by inheritance which is probably why Richard, Samuel (son of John Jr.), and James could record a sale of land when there is no record of their purchase. When we are fortunate, a deed will contain a history lesson, as well as an example of how property transfers often occurred. For instance, the 1769 deed by Samuel of Chowan’s son, Samuel Junior, refers to a tract of land that was passed to him by the will of his father, and before that from his grandfather, Thomas, to his father also by will.[30]\nThe will of Samuel Harrell of Chowan (Orrin’s Samuel I) was written on October 1, 1761. His son, William, recorded the inventory of his estate January 25, 1762. In his will, Samuel of Chowan gave William the land he was living on at the time; his son, Isaac, the plantation he was living on, and a piece of land in Oystertong Neck; his son, Abraham, the land he was living on at the time; and his son, Samuel Jr. (Orrin’s Samuel II), was to receive the home plantation at the end of his mother’s widowhood. Samuel of Chowan also named his daughters, Rachel and Martha in his will. The executors named in the will were his sons William and Isaac.[31]\nSamuel of Chowan’s son, William, died about a year after his father—his will is dated February 18, 1762. William named his wife, Elizabeth, and their youngest son, Samuel, who was not of age at the writing of the will, and who was to be cared for by William’s brother, Abraham. Once he came of age, William’s son, Samuel, was to inherit the family plantation. In his will, William also made reference to his “other Children.”[32] Orrin indicated that he had found a copy of the estate settlement papers for William Harrell, presented at the October term of 1766, in which four other children were named: Henry, Abner, Ruth, and Abselah.\nThere were no Chowan County deeds recorded for any Harrell from 1778 through 1825—for over 47 years after Gates County was split-off from Chowan, no Harrells bought or sold land in the latter county. Some Harrells in the Gates area may have owned property in what remained of Chowan County, but it would have had to pass from person to person by inheritance without a supporting deed. This may have been the case when finally in 1826 David Harrell etux. sold some property in Chowan County.[33] Also, not until 1826, when James Harrell purchased land in Chowan County did a “next-generation” [page 17] Harrell buy more land in that County.[34] In any case, the absence of deed activity by Harrells in the county for over 47 years strongly suggests few, if any, Harrells were living there during that time. Most if not all of the Chowan Harrells were living in the Gates area, and their names will reappear when we look briefly at Gates County records.\nThe Gates Area (in Chowan and Later Hertford Counties)\nThe Gates area of Chowan County, for the most part, went to Hertford County in 1759, before it became part of the new Gates County in 1779. When Hertford County was created, it included that part of the Gates area which began on the Chowan River at the mouth of Bennett’s Creek (the area near the points where the present day Hertford, Gates, and Chowan counties meet), followed Bennett’s Creek mostly northward to the Gatesville area, then turned mostly eastward to just above Sunbury, and somehow ended up at the Virginia line. The older maps make it appear the line between Chowan and the new Hertford counties started at the mouth of Bennett’s Creek on the Chowan River and headed almost due north to the Virginia line. It should be a relatively easy matter to determine which Harrells in the area between the Chowan River and Bennett’s Creek were indeed in Hertford County and which ones remained in Chowan County between 1759 and 1779, but unfortunately the documents recorded in Hertford County were burned in 1830, and if not then, in 1862. Consequently, there are few surviving records to help us know which Harrells were cut to Hertford County for that 20 year period.\nOne of the earliest surviving records available for Hertford County is a tax receipt book kept by Sheriff William Murfree. This list includes the taxables in the county in 1779 who were cut off to a new county called Gates.\nThe Harrells in Murfree’s tax lists are contained in Table 3. As near as I can determine, Adam, Elijah, John, and Thomas were all in the area of Hertford County that had been in Bertie County prior to 1759—that is southwest of the Chowan River. The other Harrells in Table 3 were in Hertford County, east of the Chowan River between 1759 and 1779.\nWhen we compare these tax lists with the list of deeds recorded in Chowan County prior to 1759, we find that only Aaron, Jethro, Peter, and the Thomases were still around to be taxed in the Gates area of Hertford County. By 1768, however, Charles, David, Jesse, and Josiah had appeared as taxables in the Gates area. The Samuel Harrells as well as James and Isaac were apparently in the Gates area that remained in Chowan County until 1779.\nWe will get back to describing the possible Hertford County Harrells later, but first we need to continue the description of the Harrells in the area with a look at early Bertie County Harrells in an effort to detect which family lines were cut off into Hertford County when it was formed in 1759.\nHarrell, Aaron 1768 1 tax @ 09 10\nHarrell, Charles 1768 1 tax @ 09 10\nHarrell, David 1770 2 taxes @ 07 04\nHarrell, Demsey 1770 1 tax @ 07 04\nHarrell, Jesse 1768 1 tax @ 09 10\nHarrell, Josiah 1768 1 tax @ 09 10\nHarrell, Jethro 1769 2 taxes @ 07 04\nHarrell, Peter 1768 1 tax @ 09 10\nHarrell, Thomas 1768 1 tax @ 09 10\n(The Younger) 1769 1 tax @ 10 06\nHarrell, Thomas Jr. 1770 3 taxes @ 07 04\n*These records are available on microfilm at the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources, Division of Archives and History in Raleigh; and the records have been transcribed and compiled in, Raymond Parker Fouts, William Murfree Tax Receipt Book, Hertford County, North Carolina, 1768-1770 (Cocoa Florida: GenRec Books, 1993), pp. 7-67.\nBertie County (excluding the Hertford area)\nHarrells, mostly from Nansemond County, Virginia, began to appear in southern Bertie County at an early date. In fact, an early record of Quit Rents in “Arrears” for Bertie Precinct, from September 1729 to March 1723, included the following property owners Harrells:[35]\nJohn Harrell with 645 acres\nAbraham Harrell with 250 acres\nEdward Harrell with 350 acres\nFrancis Harrell with 240 acres\nJoseph Harrell with 100 acres\nWhen most of these Harrells settled in the southern part of Bertie County, they were just north of the Moratock (Roanoke) River and near the Cashie River. Thomas was the first Harrell to buy land in that area. He bought 640 acres from John Lovick on May 2, 1721. The land was located just north of the Moratuck River. Thomas’ land acquisition, and the deed activity of the Harrells who followed him to the area are summarized in Table 4.\nJoseph Harrell Sr. of Nansemond Co., Virginia appears to have been the second Harrell to move into southern Bertie County. He bought 200 acres from James Smith on the north side of the Morattock River, on August 12, 1725. In 1729, Joseph sold 100 acres of this land to Abraham Harrell. He did not buy more land in the area until April 3, 1753, when he purchased 300 acres from Thomas Pugh.[36] The deeds for Joseph’s purchase and sale of land in southern Bertie County show Thomas, Joseph, John, and Abraham Harrell in the same area, just above the Moratock River. Joseph Harrell Sr.’s purchase of 300 acres on April 3, 1753 was for land at Flaggy Run, adjacent to the lands of Jethro Butler, and John Harrell (probably John Jr./Sr.). The deed was witnessed by John Harrell, Abraham Harrell, and Mary Harrell—probably his brothers and wife or sister-in-law. Joseph in his turn was also often a witness on deeds for other Harrells—for instance, he was a witness for John Harrell Jr./Sr., and in 1735, he, along with John and Edward Harrell, witnessed a deed for a neighbor.\nWhen Joseph was a witness for John Jr./Sr. on August 12, 1728, John was buying 630 acres from Henry Baker on the north side of the Morattock River at Flaggy Run. John Jr./Sr. was identified as “John Jr.” in the 1728 deed, because he was almost certainly the son of John Harrell of Nansemond County, Virginia. This John Jr. will later be known as John Senior. His probable father, John of Nansemond’s will was probated in Bertie County in 1749; John Jr./Sr. died in 1759; John of Nansemond’s grandson, John Jr., died in 1755, before his father died in 1759. In an effort to keep these three John Harrells distinct from one another, as well as from the other John Harrells in Bertie County, I will refer to this family of Johns as John of Nansemond, John Jr./Sr., and John Junior. The deeds recorded in the area often use the Junior and Senior designations, and most of the time when the reference is simply to John, it was not one of the men in this three-generation line of Johns.\nJohn Jr./Sr. bought an additional 24 acres of woodlands on March 22, 1737, adjacent to Edward Harrell’s farm. The witnesses for this deed were Edward Harrell, and John Junior. John purchased 640 more acres on November 14, 1747 from Thomas Barker[37]—this latter purchase from Barker was specifically divided in his will among four of his heirs.\nJohn Jr./Sr. was a witness for a number of deeds in his area of Bertie County from 1729 to 1750—many of them were for others Harrells. For instance, when Edward Harrell of Nansemond County purchased land on December 20, 1729, John Jr./Sr. and his wife, Grace, as well as their son John Jr. all witnessed the deed; in 1731, John Jr./Sr. witnessed a deed for a neighbor who was selling 40 acres adjacent to the farms of George and Edward Harrell; then in 1733, “John Harrell, jurat, John Harrell, Junior” witnessed a purchase made by Abraham Harrell; and in 1750 he witnessed a deed for Edward Harrell’s purchase of 330 acres in the area. These are typical deeds that reflect the involvement of one Harrell in the property transactions of other Harrells.\nSummary of Bertie County Deed Activity by Harrells*\nThomas 1721 1728-1736;\nJoseph Sr. 1725** 1753 1729 1728-1735;\nJohn Jr./Sr. John** 1728, 1737, 1747 1751(gift to sons) 1729-1750;\nJohn 1729;**\nAbraham Aug. 1729(from Joseph) May 1729(for Joseph);\nEdward 1729,** 1737, 1749 1735, 1737, 1738;\nGeorge 1731(adjacent to Edward);\nOther Johns 1754, 1756, 1756;\nFrancis 1736(with Thos., jurat),\n1747(for Richard Sr.);\nRichard Sr. 1747** 1755 1753, 1753;\nIsaac 1739 1734;\nThomas Edward before 1738, 1743;\nSamuel 1743(from Thomas Jr.) 1743(for Thomas);\nJohn Richard 1739 1741(to James);\nJames Richard 1741(from brother John);\nChristopher 1741(for James/John);\nHenry 1741(for James/John);\nJohn Jr. John Jr./Sr. 1749, 1749 1754 1733-1755;\nJosiah John Jr./Sr. 1751(gift from John Sr.) 1748, 1751(with John);\nDavid John Jr./Sr. 1751(gift from John Sr.) 1751(to brothers);\nElias John Jr./Sr. 1751(gift from John Sr.);\nEzekial John Jr./Sr. 1751(gift from John Sr.) 1754 (with John);\nIsrael Hardy John Jr./Sr. 1751(gift from John Sr.) 1753, 1755, 1756;\nJesse John Jr./Sr. 1753\nJoseph Jr. Joseph Sr. 1753 1754(to brother) 1742 (with brother);\n“Little” John Joseph Sr. 1754(gift from Joseph Jr.) 1742 (with brother);\nJohn Abraham 1755.\nThis Table does not include those residents of Bertie County who lived in the Hertford area of the county—they are discussed in the following section.\n*The deeds for each person in the order above are as follows: Thomas 1721 (Hathaway, vol. 2, page ), 1734 (Bertie County Deed Book D, page 190), 1735 (Book E, page 49), 1736 (Book E, page 467) (Book E, page 457); Joseph Sr. of Nansemond County, Va. 1725 (Book C, page 17), 1753 (Book G, page 474), 1729 (Book C, page 185), 1728 (Book C, page 22), 1735 (Book D, page 191); John Jr./Sr. 1728 (Book C, page 22), 1737 (Book E, page 291), 1747 (Book G, page 95), 1729 (Book C, page 177), 1731 (Book D, page 123), 1733 (Book D, page 50), 1734 (Book D, page 185), 1735 (Book D, page 191), 1736 (Book E, page 37), 1737 (Book E, page 191), 1748 (Book G, page 172), 1750 (Book G, page 338), 1751 (Book G, page 366); John of Nansemond County, Va. 1729 (Book C, page 119); Abraham 1729 (Book C, page 119), (Book C, page 185); Edward of Nansemond County, Va. 1729 (Book C, page 177), 1737 (Book E, page 191), 1749 (Book H, page 397), 1750 (Book G, page 338), 1735 (Book D, page 191), 1737 (Book E, page 291), 1738 (Book E, page 498); George 1731 (Book D, page 123), 1756 (Book H, page 380); Other Johns, 1754 (Book K, page 257-260), 1756 (Book H, page 286), 1756 (Book H, page 380); Francis (of Chowan County, Gates area) 1736 (Book E, page 467), 1747 (Book G, page 98); Richard Sr. of Nansemond County, Va. 1747 (Book G, page 98), 1753 (Book G, page 548), 1753 (Book H, page 55), 1755 (Book H, page 179); Isaac 1739 (Book F, page 66), 1734 (Book D, page 185); Thomas Jr. 1743 (Book F, page 494), (Book F, page 495); Samuel 1743 (Book F, page 495), (Book F, page 494); James (son of Richard) 1741 (Book F, page 318), 1754 (Book K, page 254); John (son of Richard) 1739 (Book E, page 498), 1741 (Book F, page 318); Christopher and Henry had not bought or sold land in Bertie County, but together witnessed a deed for brothers, James and John in 1741 (Book F, page 318); John Jr. 1749 (Book G, page 237), 1749 (Book H, page 346), 1754 (Book H, page 174), 1737 (Book E, page 291), 1733 (Book D, page 43), (Book D, page 50), 1736 (Book E, page 37), 1755 (Book H, page 179); Josiah 1751 (Book G, page 366), 1748 (Book G, page 172), 1751 (Book G, page 423); David 1751 (Book G, page 366), (Book G, page 365); Elias Jr. 1751 (Book G, page 366); Ezekial 1751 (Book G, page 366), 1754 (Book H, page 74); Israel Hardy (“Hardy”) 1751 (Book G, page 366), 1753 (Book G, page 512), 1755 (Book H, page 180), 1756 (Book H, page 380); Jesse 1753 (Book G, page 512); Joseph Jr. 1753 (Book G, page 474), 1754 (Book H, page 74), 1742 (Book F, page 402); John (“Little John,” son of Joseph Sr.) 1754 (Book H, page 74), 1742 (Book F, page 402); John (son of Abraham) 1755 (Book H, page 180).\n**On specific documents, the person’s name was followed by, “… of Nansemond Co., Va.”\nOn May 11, 1729, John of Nansemond County, Virginia bought a small parcel of land, 8 acres, down on the north side of the Morattuck River and south side of Flagg Run—adjacent to John Harrell Jr./Sr., his probable son. It appears one of his probable sons, Joseph, witnessed the deed, along with Abraham, who was also probably one of his sons. There is a good likelihood John of Nansemond had been instrumental in establishing several of his sons in the area—first Thomas around 1721, then Joseph in 1725, John Jr./Sr. in 1728, and then Abraham was in the area by 1729. On May 11, 1729, John of Nansemond may have been buying a small place for himself—this, of course, is pure speculation.\nAs I mentioned above, Abraham Harrell bought 100 acres from Joseph Harrell on August 7, 1729 in the cluster of Harrell farms. Then on December 20, 1729, Edward Harrell of Nansemond County bought 350 acres in the same area, adjacent to Joseph Harrell. The deed was witnessed by John Harrell Jr./Sr., his wife, Grace Harrell, and their son, John Junior. In 1737, Edward purchased 260 acres from James Brown; in 1749, he bought 190 acres from the Earl of Granville; and in 1750, Edward purchased 330 acres from Samuel Page.[38]\nI have not been able to find a deed describing George Harrell’s purchase of land in the area—but on April 4, 1731, the Harrells’ neighbor, William Eason, sold some of his land that was located adjacent to George Harrell and Edward Harrell. George probably inherited or married his land—but he was in the area early in the migratory period.\nI will pause here for a moment to speculate on some probable connections among the Harrells thus far encountered. Recall that outside of Bertie County, Richard had a land purchase in Perquimans County, and Francis made a purchase in the Gates area in 1721—probably while they were still in Nansemond County; and that Samuel, the son of John Jr. of Virginia, was already settled in the Gates area before 1739. If there were, indeed, Seven Brothers, according to tradition, who were the first Harrells to settle in North Carolina, then I believe we may have encountered at this point, all 7 of them—Richard in Perquimans County (in 1728), Francis in the Gates area (in 1721), Samuel in the Gates area (before 1739), and in the Bertie area Thomas (in 1721), Joseph (in 1725), John Jr./Sr. (in 1728), and then Abraham (in 1729). If one or even two of the above Harrells were not among the brothers, then we could easily replace them with Edward (in 1729)or George (before 1731). If they were not all brothers, they were more than likely first cousins. Most of these men are noted as witnessing deeds for each other in the area just above the Roanoke River in Bertie County.\nOne could easily add to the List of early Harrells in Bertie County by simply looking at deeds in which John Harrells were involved, but with insufficient description to classify him as John of Nansemond, his son, John Jr./Sr., or his grandson, John Junior. The additional John Harrells began to appear in the early 1730s. Richard’s son, John, was active by the 1740s, and by the 1750s, Joseph Sr.’s son, “Little John,” was active. Some of the deeds classified as belonging to “Other John Harrells” in Table 4, may belong to one of the Johns just mentioned above. In addition, starting in the early 1730s there was a county official who signed various documents as John Harrell, Esquire. I will discuss this John at greater length below, because he was probably the John who ended up in Hertford County—however, he also owned considerable land in southern Bertie County while living in Hertford County after 1759. In any case, in this catch-all category of “Other Johns,” I may have a deed or two from any one of the John Harrells in the area, if no distinction other than John Harrell was given.\nIn the “Other Johns” category, I have placed the following: On February 12, 1754, John Harrell bought 470 acres from the Earl of Granville near Williams’ and his own lines; On February 15, 1756, John Harrell bought 60 acres on the north side of the Roanoke River, adjacent to John Harrell Junior (this may be Little John who lived adjacent to John Junior.); and on October 15, 1756, John Harrell bought 100 acres from George Harrell, which was part of a grant given to John Harrell Junior in 1749—he paid 20 pounds, it was not a gift.[39] I have not yet accounted for Abraham’s son, John, who inherited his father’s plantation in 1755. (Abraham’s John stayed in the southern Bertie area as far as I can tell.)\nIn 1748, a John Harrell witnessed a deed with Josiah Harrell—I am pretty certain Josiah was the son of John Jr., but I am not at all certain about who the John was in the 1748 deed. It could have been his cousin and neighbor, Little John, but there is no way to tell for sure. My reason for suspecting it was a John other than John Jr. or Little John is because the 1748 deed on which their names appear was for land in the Hertford area, which is north of where John Jr. and Little John were usually active. The 1748 deed dealt with land on the south side of Flatt Swamp, adjacent to the lands of Edward Outlaw, Thomas and Absolom Hollowell, William Godwin, and Joel Sanders—all in the Hertford area.[40] So Josiah was already roving, and he was probably the Josiah Harrell who ended up in Gates County.\nI discussed Francis Harrell in the section on Chowan County deeds, because he bought and sold land in that county (the part that would become Gates County in 1779). I mention him here simply to illustrate his relationship to the Harrells on the north side of the Roanoke River, and to suggest he may have moved to Bertie County in his later years. Francis was one of the first to buy in North Carolina—he bought in the Gates area in 1721, and sold his land there to the Bakers in 1731 and 1735. After he had sold his land in the Gates area, he appeared in southern Bertie County as a witness on a deed along with Thomas Harrell, jurat, on December 8, 1736; and then again, he, along with John Harrell, witnessed the deed on November 16, 1747 for Richard Harrell Sr. of Nansemond County, when the latter bought land in southern Bertie County.[41]\nRichard Harrell was a planter in Perquimans County as early as 1737, and was involved in legal matters as early as 1694 and 1728 in that area—also Richard Harrell sold land in Perquimans in 1745. Then on November 16, 1747, he bought land in southern Bertie County. In the 1747 deed, he was referred to as Richard Harrell, Sr. of Nansemond County, Virginia. Richard bought land adjacent to another Harrell, and the deed was witnessed by John Harrell Junior. On June 5, 1753, Richard sold some of his Bertie land to Samuel Andrews—John Harrell was a witness. Then on November 30 of 1753 Richard sold another 100 acres to John Rutland, and on May 3, 1755, he sold another 110 acres adjacent to the lands of a Harrell—the latter deed was again witnessed by John Harrell Junior.[42]\nIsaac Harrell was probably one of the first of the second generation of Harrell settlers in North Carolina—he, like many of the second generation, may well have been born in Nansemond County and relocated with his parents to northeastern North Carolina. In August of 1734, Isaac witnessed a deed along with one of the John Harrells for the sale of 320 acres on the north side of Flatt Swamp. On August 11, 1739, Isaac bought 140 acres on the north side of the Moratuck River, adjacent to the lands of William Eason—most of the Harrells in the area lived next to or near William Eason.[43]\nIn addition to the Thomas Harrell who bought 640 acres just north of the Moratock River in 1721, there is a Bertie County will dated April 29, 1831, for a Thomas Harrell. So clearly there was a Thomas Harrell in the area from one of the other Harrell families. Edward Harrell’s 1754 will identified Thomas as one of his sons.[44] A deed on May 4, 1738, between two Virginians for the sale of 250 acres on the north side of the Moratuck River, adjacent to Thomas Harrell, Jr., located at Spring Branch.[45] This 1738 reference was probably to Edward’s son Thomas, the reference to Thomas Jr. presents a problem. He may have been called Junior when in fact he did not qualify for the title. It was common to name a son after a brother, and occasionally the son was referred to as Junior, when in fact he was a nephew. That may have been the case with Thomas Jr., but we have to stay open to the possibility that Thomas Jr. was the son of Thomas of the 1721 deed, and was not mentioned in the will because he had already been provided for.\nEdward’s son, Thomas, did not have a brother named Samuel, and the Thomas whose will was dated September 15, 1786 did not have a son named Samuel. In any case, it is difficult to say exactly who this Thomas relates to, but the two following deeds testify to his presence in the county. On June 13, 1743, Thomas Harrell bought 300 acres (for 40 lbs.) from Caleb Spivey. The land was adjacent to William Hinton on Village Swamp, and Theophilus Williams. Samuel Harrell was a witness on the deed. On the same day, Thomas Harrell sold 150 acres of the same parcel of land to Samuel (for 20 lbs.) on the east side of Village swamp, adjacent to William Hinton, Pettegrove Salsberry, Theophilus Williams, and ______ Bond. Spivey’s land and the adjacent landowners were all located the north side of the Roanoke River.[46]\nThere is a possibility Samuel passed the land on to his sons. The Samuel Harrell who bought 150 acres in southern Bertie County, may have been the Samuel whose will was dated January 19, 1770, and probated September 1772. If so, there is a good chance it went to the only son named in his will—Cader.[47]\nAs mentioned above, Richard Harrell did not buy land in southern Bertie County until 1747, but his son, John, bought 200 acres from James Brown on February 13, 1738/39, on the west side of Cashy Swamp. (It was part of a survey granted Thomas Mann for 640 acres dated February 1, 1725.) The deed was witnessed by Edward Harrell—John’s probable uncle. John sold 50 of the 200 acres to his brother, James, on February 4, 1741. John identified his brother as James in the deed and the land as “being the lower end of the Land I bought of James Brown for 200 a. more or less…” Both deeds identified the land as that granted by patent to Thomas Mann for 640 acres on February 1, 1725.[48]\nOne of the more intriguing features of the 1741 deed from John to his brother James is the joint appearance of Christopher Harrell and Henry Harrell as witnesses. This was the first time the names of Christopher and Henry Harrell appeared together in North Carolina documents. They had appeared together in 1678, when the two boys came from Bristol, England to work as contract labor in Northampton County, Virginia for 8 and 10 years respectively. (I identified Christopher and Henry as immigrants numbers 5 and 6 in the early section on immigrants in this chapter.) [page 24] If they were the same Christopher and Henry, they would have probably been in their late 70s or early 80s when they witnessed the 1741 deed. We should consider the possibility that James and John, the sons of Richard of Nansemond County, were the grandsons of either Christopher or Henry. (Also keep in mind, Abraham had a son named Christopher, and Edward had a son named Henry—they all lived in the same area, and were of age before 1755, but not necessarily before 1741.)\nEarlier, I described the deeds of John Jr./Sr. for the area just above the Roanoke River—one of his land purchases consisted of 640 acres (on November 14, 1747) from Thomas Barker. In John Jr./Sr.’s will, dated November 1, 1756, he divided the same 640 acres and other property among his sons. Apparently his will reflected a property distribution that had already taken place, because John Jr. was obviously provided for early-on judging by his capacity to buy property in the 1730s, and part of the property distribution reflected in the will was accomplished with a 1751 gift deed from John Jr./Sr. in which he dispersed the Barker property as well as other holdings to sons, David, Elias Jr., Josiah, Ezekial, and Israel Hardy (“Hardy”). Jesse, according to the 1756 will, was to get the home plantation on which John Jr./Sr. was then living.[49]\nIn addition to the inherited lands, most of John Jr./Sr.’s sons were involved in a number of real estate transactions. For instance, on March 25, 1749, John Harrell Jr. received 200 acres (at a cost of 3 Shillings) from the Earl of Granville—the land was located near the rest of their holdings, on the north side of the Roanoke River. Then on September 27, of 1749, John Jr. bought 640 acres (for 6 pounds). This land was also on the north side of the Roanoke River. On February 7, 1754, John Jr. sold the 200 acres he had been granted by the Earl of Granville. John Jr. had also obviously inherited considerable land, because in his 1755 will he distributed over 1000 acres to his sons.[50]\nIn 1748, John Harrell Jr./Sr. witnessed a deed with his son, Josiah Harrell—I am pretty certain this Josiah was the son of John Jr./Sr., but I am not as certain about who the John was in the 1748 deed. Josiah was a witness on another deed with an unidentified John in 1751 relating to property in southern Bertie County.[51] John Jr./Sr.’s other son, David Harrell, had a deed recorded at the same time as his father’s May 13, 1751 deed, distributing land to his sons. David’s deed reflected the sale of land to several of his brothers—perhaps a total of 210 acres.[52] The other sons of John Jr./Sr. appeared as witnesses from time-to-time during the 1750s, but they did not buy or sell property with recorded deeds before the formation of Hertford County in 1759.\nThe item in Table 4 relating to Joseph Jr. in 1753 is actually for his father, Joseph Harrell Sr.’s purchase of 300 acres from Thomas Pugh on April 3, 1753. The land was at Flaggy Run, adjacent to the lands of Jethro Butler, and John Harrell (probably John Jr./Sr.). This land was apparently inherited by Joseph Jr. prior to February 23, 1754, because on that date Joseph Jr. made a deed for a gift of 20 acres to his brother, John Harrell—in the deed he identified it as “… a tract of land purchased by my father Joseph Harrell from Thomas Pugh and commonly called by the name of Sympsons Old Field….” The land was on Flagg Run, adjacent to the lands of James Parker, and John Naren. It was witnessed by John Harrell, George Howse, and Ezekiel Harrell.[53]\nThe last entry in Table 4 is for John, the son of Abraham. He may have purchased 50 acres in March of 1755 from John Yealverton of Edgecombe County. The land was adjacent to ____ Parker, Abraham Harrell, George House, and ____ Baker; the witnesses included Hardy (or Israel Hardy) Harrell.[54] I stated he may have made the purchase, because it could have been one of the other John Harrells in the area. I suspect, however, it may have been John, son of Abraham, buying some land next to his father’s farm just months before he would inherit the family plantation.\nMost of the above information came from looking at the property deeds in the area; this can be usefully supplemented by information from the tax lists for Bertie County.\nTax Lists in Bertie County: 1755-1761\nA survey of the early Bertie County tax lists will help sort out which Harrells stayed in Bertie after 1759 and which ones became residents of Hertford County. Just as with the deeds, we will also find some information here that will be helpful in forming family clusters of Harrells with an eye toward connecting the Hertford County Harrells to the early settlers in Bertie County.\nThe first eleven entries in Table 5 are for taxable residents who, I surmise, represent the Harrells who were cut to Hertford County in 1759. These entries, through James, reflect the presence of nine different Harrells. John of Hertford County is on three separate lines because I wanted to retain the “titles” used with his name on the various lists—It in no way should be read to suggest that there was more than one John Harrell in the first generation of Hertford County Harrells.\nA glance at the list in Table 5 reveals the difficulty in sorting the John Harrells into the appropriate families. I have paid special attention to the John Harrells of Bertie County, because one of them became a principle source of Hertford County Harrells for generations to follow. The details I have used to identify the Johns are presented in the remaining sections of the chapter. A very brief overview is contained in the following sentences.\nThe John Esq. and John of Wiccacon were probably one and the same, and he was relatively wealthy as he appeared on a later 1779 Hertford County Tax List. How he related to the other John Harrells on the above list is still difficult to determine. Further down the list, I have grouped several John Harrells—most of whom were different tax payers. The first among them was “John of Roanoke” in 1758—I am pretty sure he was Abraham’s son. The second John was John Jr./Sr. (his will was probated in 1759), followed by his widow, Grace. The next entry is for John Jr.—the son of John Jr./Sr. and Grace (his will was probated in the January Court, 1756). The next two entries for John Harrell contain short descriptions but are too difficult to read, so I am uncertain who they were, or if they differ from the others—the second of the two also appeared on a short list along with Joseph Harrell, so may have been Joseph’s son, John. The other may well refer to the John who was cut off into Hertford County in 1759, because he continued to own land in Bertie County until after the 1779 Hertford County tax list (see Table 9, page 114). I am fairly certain the next person on the list, John Jr., was the son of “John of Roanoke,” and grandson of Abraham.\nBertie County Tax Lists: 1755-1761\nJohn Esq.(Letters) (1) (4)\nElijah Brickell (1) Willoford *\nJames (1) (2)**** Butterton\nAnn (2) (2) Pugh(2)\nAbsalom (d. 1757)*** delinq Mary(3) Mary(3, delinq)\nJohn son of Absalom (1) (5)(? son of Abm)\nEdward (died 1750) delinq. delinq.\nHenry son of Ed. Perice Perice (1) Geo(1) Pugh(1) Pugh(1) (1)\nJoshua son of Ed. Perice Perice (1) Geo(1) Pugh(1) Pugh(1) (1)\nThomas son of Ed (1) (1) Pugh(1)\nFrancis (2) (1) Pugh(1) Vance\nHenry (1) Hollowel\nIsaac (1) Pugh(1) Vance\nJames Perice (1) Geo(2) Pugh(2) Pugh(2)\nJames Hollowel\nJohn Brickell (3) (3)** Pugh(3) Pugh(3)\nJohn Harrell l---d (last raised on line) Pugh(3) Vance(1)\nJohn Jr./Sr.(d. 1759) Geo(5) Pugh(5)\nJohn Harrell lhnesoy (?) Pugh(5)\nGrace, John Sr.’s widow Pugh(6)\nJohn Jr.’s widow Mary (3) Geo(3) Hollowel\nJohn(?) Hollowel\nGeorge (son of John Jr. & Mary) (1) (1) Hollowel\nJosiah (1) (1) Pugh(1) Vance(1)\nEzehiel (1) (1) Pugh(1) Vance\nDavid (3) (3) Pugh(3) Vance(1)\nJesse (1) (2) Pugh(2) Pugh(2) Vance(1)\nJohn Jr. (1)\nMoses (1) Geo(1) HollowelPugh(1) (1)\nRichard (2) Geo(2) HollowelPugh(2) (1)\nSamuel (3) (3) Pugh(4) Pugh(4) Vance(1)\nThomas (4) (4) Pugh(2) Vance\nWilliam Pugh(1) Vance\nBailis Pugh(1) (1)\nLott Vance\nBertie County Tax Lists for these years can be viewed on the microfilm “Bertie County List of Taxables, 1755-1775, no. c.010.70002 from the North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina.\nTaxes prior to 1777 were taxes on people. There was a property tax in 1715 for the Tuscarora War, but it only lasted 7 years. Property tax became permanent in 1777. The above lists include taxables defined as white males at least 16 years age. It is also important to note that an individual from time-to-time appeared on two different lists in the same tax year—usually because they had farms in different districts.\nWhen I have included a person’s name in the body of the table, it indicates that the Harrell in the column on the left was in that person’s tax district. The numbers in parentheses indicate the number of taxables in a household.\nThe 1761 list, as I have summarized it here, does not contained all the Harrells due to the number of new names on the list—I have only included those who also appeared on a list in a previous year.\n*Elijah is the only Harrell on Willoford’s 1759 list, and he is not on the 1760 or 1761 lists for Bertie County.\n**He was listed as John Harrell of Roanoke.\n***Absalom was listed in 1756, then his widow, Mary in 1757 and 1758.\n****James was in a short, untitled list—the only other Harrell was Adam.\nIn 1758, George Harrell’s tax list (Geo) had most of the Harrells on it. (George was a Constable, thus responsible for compiling a tax list.) Another list in that same year included Ben. Wynns, Nicholas Askew, Joseph Harrell, and John Harrell. This latter list probably covered most of what would become Hertford County—Ben. Wynns and Nicholas Askew were for sure cut off into Hertford County in 1759. Joseph was off the Bertie tax list at the right time, but by Murfree’s Tax List for Hertford in 1768-1770, he was not on that Hertford List (see Table 3, page 18). (Recall, Joseph and a John were witnesses to deeds in the Hertford area before 1759—even after the county seat was moved out of St. Johns in 1741.) I think the tax lists make it clear there was a Joseph Harrell in the Hertford area. He simply did not appear on deeds except as a witness, usually with a John Harrell. (Joseph could have been John’s father, but there is no evidence to support the speculation.)\nFrom the Bertie County Tax Roll, on October 6, 1759, Sheriff Brickell included the following note: “then Wm. Wetherington Const. of the County of Bertie I move that he had Summoned the Persons herein mentioned to give in their Dist. of Assembly for the present year. Wm. Brickell”[55] Included in the list Brickell was referring to were the following names: Starkey Sharp, John Harrell, Joseph Harrell, and Nicholas Askew. This appears to be the Sheriff’s effort to cut from the Bertie County tax rolls those people who were then in the new county of Hertford. Again, Starky Sharp, Nicholas Askew, and a John Harrell were definitely permanent residents of Hertford County—so also was Joseph Harrell then.\nThe survey of Bertie County tax lists also established that Adam Sr. and Elijah Harrell were taxables in the Hertford area—Elijah was a taxable by 1757, and was in Hertford County by 1759. Unfortunately, he was still on a Bertie tax list, Willoford’s list, in 1759. Elijah was, however, the only Harrell on Willoford’s list, and did not belong on it; he was cut from the Bertie County tax lists by 1760. Adam Sr. was off the Bertie lists by 1759, but his sons, Adam Jr. and Thomas, were still listed as taxables on Butterton’s list in 1759. It would seem Butterton simply did not want to remove Adam’s family from his tax lists, because after skipping 1760, Butterton again included Adam Sr. and his five probable sons, Adam Jr., Thomas, William, Edward, and James, in his 1761 tax list for Bertie County.\nIn the next section, I have tried to identify the original Harrells to the Albemarle County in order to find a bases for connecting the first Harrells in Hertford County to roots in Chowan or Bertie Counties.\nSummary of North Carolina’s First Harrells—Identify The Seven plus Brothers\nAccording to Orrin Harrell, and others, tradition in the area holds that there were seven brothers who moved, or were moved by the surveyor, from Virginia to the Chowan Precinct of Carolina. It should be kept in mind, however, the notion of seven brothers may have originated as a loose association of cousins as well as more than one group of brothers. In addition, I am pretty sure there were more than seven Harrells who moved into the Albemarle region in the early 1700s, and as near as I can tell, they were married before they arrived, and many had children who were born in Virginia. The first Harrells in the Hertford area may have been among the first Harrells to the Albemarle Precinct, but they were more [page 28] likely the sons of the original “Seven Plus Brothers.” While several of these first settlers bought land on both the Chowan County side of the Chowan River and the Bertie County side of the River, they tended to settle in either upper Chowan County (in the Gates area), or in southern Bertie County (just north of the Roanoke, and near the Cashie Rivers).\nThe first recorded Harrell in the Gates area of Chowan County was Francis Harrell. He was referred to as “Francis Harrell of Nansemond County, Va.,” in a 1721 deed, but he sold his land on the northeast side of the Chowan River in 1731 and 1735. He was in southern Bertie County by 1736.[56] Francis’ will was probated in March of 1759 in Bertie County. Richard and John Harrell Sr. also owned land in Chowan County during the early 1730s, but the evidence indicates they also lived in southern Bertie County.\nThe early Harrells settlers who apparently stayed in the Gates area of Chowan County were Samuel Harrells—yes, more than one. There was the Samuel of Kent who lived on the Harrell farm near Sunbury and died there in 1753. There was also the Samuel, who was a direct descendant of Thomas Harrell of Nansemond County—this was Samuel of Chowan (and the Samuel I identified by Orrin Harrell and others).\nIn addition to Samuel of Kent and Samuel of Chowan, there was another Samuel who lived in the Gates area of North Carolina. There was Samuel Harrell who was probably a brother to the Harrells who moved from Virginia to southern Bertie County. This possibility is suggested by the following reference: “Samuel Harrell, son of John Harrell, of Va., to Peter Parker; Nov. 10, 1739. 100 acres on Gum Branch at Bull’s Skull, patented by Richard Berryman Jany 19, 1716.”[57] This was probably the John Harrell of Nansemond County, Virginia, whose will was probated in Bertie County in 1749, and whom I think may have been the father of most of the “Seven Brothers.”\nMost of the first Harrells to Bertie County settled in the area just above the Roanoke River. Joseph, John Jr./Sr., Edward, and Abraham settled in southern Bertie County in the 1720s. They lived on adjacent farms, and sold land to each other, and often witnessed one another’s deeds. They were probably brothers, and may have been sons of John of Nansemond County, Virginia. Joseph was the first to arrive in the area just north of the Roanoke River—he was referred to as “Joseph Harrell of Nansemond Co., Va.” in 1725. In December of 1729, Edward of Nansemond County bought 350 acres adjacent to Joseph, and the deed was witnessed by John Jr./Sr. and his wife, Grace, and their son John Junior.[58]\nIn addition to Joseph, John Jr./Sr., Francis, Edward and Abraham, other possible brothers in this area were Thomas and Richard Harrell Senior. There is a reference to Thomas Harrell in the southern Bertie area. It reads in part as follows: John Lovick deed to Thomas Harrell in Chowan Co. N. C. for 640 acres on the Moratuck River, May 2, 1721. This item is not among the Chowan County list of deeds, however. Richard Harrell Sr. also appeared in deeds as early as 1728 in Perquimans County, and was selling land in Chowan by 1735—he too, however, ended up in Bertie County. [59]\nAnother couple of possibilities emerge from Orrin Harrell’s work which was discussed earlier in this chapter. Orrin thought Adam, Francis, John, and James were brothers, the core of the “Seven Brothers,” and the sons of Thomas II—at least he felt they were closely related. Adam and James are potential new members of the first Harrells to the area, but I am inclined, at this point, to add only one of the two new names to my tentative list—that of Adam.\nAdam first appeared in the documents of Bertie County in 1735—he was in the Hertford area.[60] Because of his relatively late appearance in the area, I am inclined to think he was a son of one of the original brothers who came from Virginia—but, of course, he may simply have been a younger brother, or in any case, one of the last in the family to leave Nansemond County. I will consider him one of the first generation, mainly because he was there early, and I have not found any evidence that might exclude him.\nJames Harrell was still referred to as “James Harrell of Nansemond Co., Va.” in 1770, but that does not exclude the possibility he came with his father as an adult. There were several John Harrells in the area by 1741, but only one with a brother named James.[61] They were the sons of Richard Sr., originally of Nansemond and then of Perquimans County. I am fairly certain James in the 1741 deed moved to the Albemarle area with his father, Richard, and as such he and his brother, John, were in the second generation of Harrells in Carolina—so James’ status as one of The Seven Brothers is very uncertain.\nIn summary then, my preliminary list of the first settlers in the Albemarle region of North Carolina include Samuel of Kent, Samuel of Chowan, Joseph, John Jr./Sr., Francis, Edward, Abraham, Thomas, Richard Sr., and Adam. From among them, only a handful of Harrells settled in the Hertford area by the mid-1730s. They were, as indicated, Adam Sr., John Esq., Joseph, and Elijah Harrell—their siblings and perhaps parents were probably in southern Bertie County.\nWhether brothers or cousins, all ten of the “Seven Brothers” passed through Chowan and Bertie Precincts/Counties in the early years. I am inclined to believe the descendants of John of Nansemond County were the first Harrell inhabitants of the Hertford area; his descendants mostly settled down on the Roanoke River. If there is a pattern, and it seems there might be one, it is that the Harrells who eventually populated the northern part of Hertford County (Harrellsville to Winton) came over from the Gates area; while the Harrells who settled in southern Bertie County may have been the ones who moved up to the St. Johns to the Ahoskie area. These brothers and cousins are described more fully in the next several chapters.\nIn the next three chapters, with the use of the material presented in this chapter and information from available wills, I have described the families of the first Harrell settlers to the area—their children and grandchildren when possible. In chapter 2, I have focused primarily on the Samuels; in chapter 3, on Joseph, John Jr./Sr., Francis, Edward, Abraham, Thomas, and Richard Senior; and in chapter 4, I focus on the first Harrells in the Hertford area, Adam Sr., John Esq., Joseph, and Elijah Harrell. My goal in those chapters is simple and focused: in chapters 2 and 3, I have attempted to determine the most probable [page 30] family connections for the first Harrells of the Hertford County area; and in chapter 4, I have described the first generation of settlers in the Hertford area, and what is known about their descendants.\n[1] Marilu Burch Smallwood, Some Colonial and Revolutionary Families of North Carolina, (Washington, North Carolina, 1968), vol. II, pages 184-186.\n[2] The work of Orrin F. Harrell can be found in a short paper he wrote entitled “About The Limb of The Harrell Tree Through Which I Descended,” Ahoskie, Hertford County, North Carolina, before December 1980. His compilation with commentary was privately circulated. In December 1980, he circulated a two page correction based on additional information he had come across. Both papers were made available to me by Marion Johnson, the Curator of The Harrellsville Museum, Hertford County, North Carolina. The following work was based on Orrin Harrell’s research, and was organized into a broader project: Margaret Harrell Williams, The Harrell Family: Barnes, Credle, Brooks, Farrow, Carter, Forman, Cox, Williams, (Wilson, North Carolina, 1984), pages 4-7 and 15-19. This work is available in the Genealogical Section of the North Carolina State Library in Raleigh, N. C..\n[3] This work was edited and compiled by Lellie Harrell Edwards, Katherine Edwards Meech, and Travis Meech Peters, Harrell Family Records, (Norfolk, Virginia, 1952). This typed manuscript is available in the Genealogical Section of the North Carolina State Library, Raleigh, North Carolina.\n[4] Benjamin B.Winborne, The Colonial and State Political History of Hertford County, N. C. (Murfreesboro, N. C., 1906), page 57.\n[5] Winborne, History of Hertford County, page 196.\n[6] William Bernard Harrell’s autobiography and related materials are in the Private Collections, P.318, called the Harrell Papers, at the North Carolina Division of Archives and History, Raleigh, NC.\n[7] The Biblical record included in the papers of William Bernard Harrell is part of the Private Collections, P.318, Harrell Papers.\n[9] Elizabeth J. “Betty” Harrell, The Harrells: Lott Harrell (est. 1770s-c. 1814) of North Carolina and the Mississippi Territory, his Ancestors and Descendants, ( Los Altos, California, 1989). A copy of this work is in the Genealogical Section of the North Carolina State Library, Raleigh, North Carolina.\n[10] Elizabeth J. Harrell, The Harrells: Lott Harrell,page 47.\n[11] “Minuets of The Council and General Court 1622-1629, Virginia Historical Magazine, 1913, vol. 21, page 57.\n[12] Peter W. Coldham, The Complete Book of Emigrants, 1607-1776 (The Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, Md.), on CD # 350, from Broderbund, section 2, chapter 30, page 159.\n[13] “Virginia Quit Rent Rolls”, pp. 403, 404. Also see Annie L. W. Smith, compiler, The Quit Rents of Virginia, 1704 (The Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, Md. 1987), page 4\n[14] Nell Nugent, “Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, 1623-1666,” Cavaliers and Pioneers (Genealogical Publishing Company, 1974), vol. I, page 331.\n[15] W. A. Crozier, Virginia County Court Note Books, vol. IV, no. 3, page 19.\n[16] Coldham, The Complete Book of Emigrants, 1607-1776. Section III, chapter 19, page 146.\n[17] W. Mac Jones, “Ivey Family,” William and Mary Quarterly, vol. 7 (2nd. Series), page 93.\n[18] Coldham, The Complete Book of Emigrants,section IV, chapter 33, 1730, page 181; and Coldham, Emigrants in Bondage, section VI, chapter 2, page 875.\n[19] Perquimans County, deed Book B, item no. 320. In Mrs, Watson Winslow, History of Perquimans County North Carolina (Baltimore, Md., 1990), page 94.\n[20] J. R. B. Hathaway, “Abstract of Conveyances,” North Carolina Historical and Genealogical Register, vol. III, no. 1, Jan. 1903, page 130.\n[21] Hathaway, “Abstract of Wills,” North Carolina Register, vol. I, no. 1, page 133.\n[22] Hathaway, “Abstract of Conveyances,” North Carolina Register, vol. II, no. 3, page 450.\n[23] Two works have been jointly published by the Gates County Arts Council Bicentennial Committee, Gatesville, N. C., no date given. They are Isaac S. Harrell, Gates County to 1860, circa 1916; and W. E. McClenny, The History of Gates County, The Gates County Index, 1933-1934. See page 66 in the Gates County Arts Council’s volume for this note.\n[24] Hathaway, “Miscellaneous Items,” The North Carolina Register, (July 1901), vol. II, no. 3, page 465. The original is in Edenton, North Carolina.\n[25] Hathaway, “Abstracts of Conveyances,” The North Carolina Register, (April 1900), vol. I, no. 2, page 289.\n[26] Perquimans County, deed Book B, item no. 320; Winslow, History of Perquimans County, page 94.\n[27] Clark, “Arreas of Quit Rents,” State Records of North Carolina, vol. XXII, miscellaneous.\n[28]Chowan County deed, Book C-2, page 64. Also in Hathaway, “Abstract of Conveyances,” North Carolina Register, vol. III, no. 1, page 134. Gum Branch rises in southwest Gates County and flows northeast into Taylor Millpond. William S. Powell, The North Carolina Gazetteer, (Chapel Hill, N. C., 1968), page 207.\n[29] Clark, State Records of North Carolina, “Arreas of Quit Rents,” vol. XXII, miscellaneous.\n[30] Chowan County deed, Book O-1, pages 77-78.\n[33] Chowan County deed: Book H-2, page 474.\n[35] Walter Clark, State Records of North Carolina, vol. XXII, miscellaneous.\n[36] Bertie County deeds: 1725, Book C, page 17; 1729, Book C, page 185; 1753, Book G, page 474.\n[37] Bertie County deeds: 1728, Book C, page 22; 1737, Book E, page 191; 1747, Book G, page 95.\n[38] Bertie County deeds: 1729, Book C, page 177; 1737, Book E, page 191; 1749, Book H, page 397; 1750, Book G, page 338.\n[39] Bertie County deeds: 1754, Book K, page 257; February 1756, Book H, page 286; October 1756, Book H, page 380.\n[40] Bertie County deeds: 1748, Book G, page 172; 1742, Book F, page 555.\n[41] Chowan County deeds: 1721, Book F-1, page 150; 1731, Book C-1, page 657; 1735, Book W, page 243. Bertie County deeds: 1736, Book E, page 467; 1747, Book G, page 98.\n[42] Bertie County deeds: 1747, Book G, page 98; 1753, Book G, page 548; 1753, Book H, page 55; 1755, Book H, page 179.\n[43] Bertie County deeds: 1739, Book F, page 66; 1734, Book D, page 185.\n[44] J. Bryan Grimes, Abstract of North Carolina Wills (Raleigh, N. C., 1910), page 152.\n[45] Bertie County deed, Book E, page 350.\n[46] Bertie County deeds, Book F, page 494; Book F, page 495; Book F, page 99.\n[47] Bertie County will Book A, page 162; and Hathaway, “Abstract of Bertie County Wills,” North Carolina Register, vol. II, no. 3, page 337.\n[49] Grimes, North Carolina Wills and Inventories, pages 222-225. Bertie County deeds, 1747, Book G, page 95; 1751, Book G, page 366.\n[50] Bertie County deeds: 1749, Book H, page 346; 1749, Book G, page 237; 1754, Book H, page 174. Bertie County will: January Court 1756. Also in Grimes, North Carolina Wills and Inventories, pages 219-222.\n[51] Bertie County deeds: 1748, Book G, page 172; 1742, Book F, page 555; 1751, Book G, page 423.\n[52] Bertie County deed: Book G, page 365.\n[53] Bertie County deeds: 1753, Book G, page 474; 1754, Book H, page 74.\n[54] Bertie County deed, Book H, page 180.\n[55] Bertie County Lists of Taxables, 1755-1775; North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, microfilm no. c.010.70002.\n[56] Chowan County deeds, 1721, Book F-1, page 150; 1731, Book C-1, page 657; 1735, Book W, page 243; 1736, Bertie County deed, Book E, page 467.\n[57] Hathaway, Abstract of Conveyances, North Carolina Register, vol. III, no. 1, page 134.\n[58] Bertie County deeds, 1725, Book C, page 17; May 1729, Book C, page 119; August 1729, Book C, page 185; December 1729, Book C, page 177.\n[59] Perquimans County deed, 1728, Book B, no. 320 (also in Winslow, page 94); Chowan County deed, 1735, Book W, page 272.\n[60] Bertie County deed, Book D, page 252.\n[61] Perquimans County deed, Book H, no. 125; and in Winslow, page 222; Bertie County deed, 1741, Book F, page 318.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line1366124"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9989801645278931,"wiki_prob":0.9989801645278931,"text":"David Oyelowo says 'Birth of a Nation' director Nate Parker 'deserves a second chance' after a rape scandal halted his career\nDavid Oyelowo.\nWlktor Szymanowicz/Getty\nDavid Oyelowo spoke to Insider about why he's set to star in two upcoming movies directed by Nate Parker.\nParker, who is best known for directing and starring in \"The Birth of a Nation,\" seemingly fell out with Hollywood when rape allegations against him resurfaced during the release of the 2016 movie.\nParker and \"Nation\" screenwriter Jean McGianni Celestin were accused of raping a female student in 1999 while attending Penn State University. Parker was acquitted while Celestin's conviction was overturned on appeal.\nOyelowo said what made him decide to work with Parker is because he's seen the actor and director change.\n\"I truly believe that Nate's acquittal was right. I don't think he did what I think he was accused of,\" Oyelowo said. \"But I think his handling of when all of that came out during 'Birth of a Nation' felt very insensitive to survivors of sexual assault and that was his big mistake.\"\nDavid Oyelowo believes that the world will encounter a very different Nate Parker when he attempts to make his comeback to Hollywood.\nThe British actor is starring in two upcoming movies directed by Parker, the star and director of the 2016 Sundance Film Festival sensation \"The Birth of a Nation,\" which lost its Oscar buzz and crippled Parker's career after 1999 rape charges against him and the movie's co-screenwriter Jean McGianni Celestin resurfaced.\nParker was acquitted while Celestin's conviction was overturned on appeal.\nOyelowo, who has been friends with Parker since the two made the war movie \"Red Tails\" back in 2012, said the reason he agreed to work with Parker on not just one but two movies is because he's seen his friend's growth since the resurfaced rape scandal in 2016.\n\"He handled it incredibly badly, in my opinion,\" Oyelowo said of Parker's reaction to his decades-old rape allegations resfurfacing, while speaking to Insider Wednesday to promote his upcoming movie, Netflix's \"The Midnight Sky.\" \"He has done a lot of growing in the past four years and I have seen that. I had a front row seat to that.\"\n\"The Nate Parker that people are going to be encountering going forward is a very different person than the indignant person who was evident initially,\" Oyelowo continued. \"I truly believe that Nate's acquittal was right. I don't think he did what I think he was accused of. But I think his handling of when all of that came out during 'Birth of a Nation' felt very insensitive to survivors of sexual assault and that was his big mistake.\"\nNate Parker.\nIn 1999, while Parker and Celestin were students at Penn State University, the two were accused of raping a female student, who later reported her sexual assault to authorities. Both Parker and Celestin denied the accusations, saying the encounter was consensual. Parker was acquitted of all charges in 2001, while Celestin was convicted of sexual assault initially, but the charge was overturned during an appeal in 2005.\nThe incident resurfaced following the success of Parker's feature directing debut \"The Birth of a Nation\" at Sundance in 2016, in which Parker also stars as Nat Turner, who led a slave rebellion in Southampton County, Virginia in 1831. The movie won both the audience and grand jury prizes and was set up to be a major Oscar contender that year. It also made Parker a major voice in a Hollywood that was starving to showcase more diverse voices.\nBut more details of what happened following the alleged assault surfaced as the film's buzz grew, such as the woman saying Parker and Celestin hired \"a private investigator to publicly expose her as the accuser\" and she also claimed that she experienced \"continued bullying by Parker and his friends outside [of] buildings where she had class.\" The woman later died by suicide in 2012 with her death certificate noting that she suffered from a \"major depressive disorder with psychotic features, PTSD due to physical and sexual abuse, [and] polysubstance abuse.\"\nNate Parker (center) in \"The Birth of a Nation.\"\nFox Searchlight, which released \"The Birth of a Nation,\" quickly scaled back its Oscar campaign of the movie, which featured a fictional rape scene. And despite Parker doing interviews to tell his side of the story, many fans and industry insiders felt he wasn't sincere or didn't quite understand the severity of the accusations.\nIn an interview with Anderson Cooper on \"60 Minutes\" before the release of \"Nation,\" Cooper asked Parker if he had anything for which to apologize.\nParker's response was, \"I was proven innocent. I was vindicated. And I feel terrible that this woman isn't here. You know, I feel terrible that her family had to deal with that. But as I sit here, an apology is — no.\"\nSince then, Parker has for the most part left the public eye. In 2019, his directing effort following \"The Birth of a Nation,\" \"American Skin,\" played at the Venice and Deauville film festivals but was never released wide. He also directed 10 episodes of the web series \"Baselines,\" but there is no indication that the series ever aired.\nThat puts Oyelowo's first project with Parker, \"Solitary,\" as the director's entry back into the business potentially. Written and directed by Parker, it follows a man who after being in solitary confinement for seven years comes back into the world. The movie is currently in post production.\nParker also has in the works \"Sweet Thunder,\" a biopic on late 1940s boxing great Sugar Ray Robinson, in which Oyelowo would play the lead.\nOyelowo blames Parker's \"immaturity\" to how he responded to his scandal in 2016. \"That was tied to being blindsided at the time,\" he added. \"He's grown a lot and I think on that basis, [he] deserves a second chance.\"\nThe \"Selma\" star said what gave him the confidence to work with Parker again is seeing up close that he's a changed man.\n\"He deserves an opportunity to talk to these people who have been victims of sexual assault and show his compassion and his understanding of what they have been through,\" he said.\nSEE ALSO: Mads Mikkelsen said it was \"a shocker\" to be cast as Grindelwald after Johnny Depp was asked to resign\nMore: Movies David Oyelowo Nate Parker","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line345841"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5715783834457397,"wiki_prob":0.5715783834457397,"text":"Tags Umkhonto We Sizwe\nTag: Umkhonto We Sizwe\nIntroduction: Kiilu Nyasha, Black Panther veteran, revolutionary journalist and mother of every movement, joined the ancestors on April 10, and just three days later, Bay View Arts Editor Wanda Sabir opened the phone lines on her morning radio show for tributes to our revered comrade. To listen to the entire show, go to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/wandas-picks/2018/04/13/wandas-picks-radio-show-special-tribute-to-kiilu-nyasha or listen here. – Editor\nMandela, sanitized\nHe was born Rolihlahla in July of 1918, in a nation of which he was not truly a citizen, into a country called the Union of South Africa, a part of the British Empire. The world would come to know him as Nelson, a name given him by a grade school teacher: Nelson Mandela. At long last, after 95 years of life, Mandela has returned to his ancestors. Between birth and death he has blazed an amazing life of love and revolution, of struggle and resistance, of prison and isolation, of freedom – and now death.\nMandela, pacifist or rebel?\nPerhaps it’s a false contradiction. But today there are many who stress the pacifist message with which South Africa’s Nelson Mandela (1918-2013) emerged from prison in 1990, while few put an emphasis on his rebellion against apartheid, including armed rebellion, which landed him in prison. Mandela was a political activist and a revolutionary at least since 1942.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line309568"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7078268527984619,"wiki_prob":0.7078268527984619,"text":"Anxiety and the professional tennis player\nA year ago, I wrote about my concern that professional tennis players' mental health issues may be under-addressed. One of those issues, anxiety, is worth a more thorough exploration, since its prevalence is obvious among many players.\nWe see it all the time--choking, getting tight during a match, losing successive \"winnable\" matches, alternating between firing aces and hitting a series of double faults. Dinara Safina, aka Thrill Ride (on this blog), perhaps the WTA's most quotable player, once said, when asked about her failure to be mentally tough: \"If I would know explanation, then of course I would do it on the court.\" She also said: \"...First to find the reason what's going on, what are the mistakes, and then to work on them. Not to go blindly on the court and killing your ass for like five hours. Sometimes it makes no sense.\"\nAnd it does \"make no sense\" until a player addresses the anxiety that is behind repeated errors, choking and erratic serving. Anxiety is natural to all of us, but--like every other emotion--too much of it creates problems. Anxiety among tennis players (and the rest of us) has many causes:\n1. Childhood trauma\nThis is undoubtedly the main cause of excessive anxiety. A child who feels unsafe because of emotional, physical or sexual abuse, or because of poverty or war or constant re-locating, will grow up to be an anxious adult.\n2. Adult trauma\nLiving through traumas such as accidents, assaults, natural disasters and war is likely to create posttraumatic anxiety. Having unresolved past trauma (such as childhood trauma) makes someone more likely to develop symtoms.\n3. Poor coaching\nA coach is like a parent. If s/he manages the player through constant criticism, harsh words or lack of praise, the player will respond with anxiety about her performance. (Safina knew a thing or two about that.)\n4. Left-handedness\nLeft-handed people, as a rule, feel more fear than right-handed people. The \"fear\" part of the brain, on the right side, is reversed--and therefore dominant--in left-handed individuals, who are more apt to be afraid of making mistakes.\n5. Cultural expectations\nCertain expectations are placed by our cultures on various groups. These expectations can involve gender, nationality, profession, etc. Not \"living up to\" these expectations can create anxiety. To make things worse, these expectations tend to be very unhealthy, and ignore the individual's right to evolve at her/his own pace. They also tend to reflect values that are harmful to human psychological growth.\nThe good news is that anxiety is fairly easy to reduce. The bad news is that people often do not seek treatment, or the only treatment they receive is from medication. I don't know how much (good) anxiety treatment pro tennis players are getting, but I suspect it isn't enough. There are a number of treatment modalities (I use them in my own practice) which can significantly reduce anxiety and create the relaxation response in its place.\nLimerick for Indian Wells\nThere was a director named Ray\nWho chose a press conference to say\nLady players should please\nwith their looks (on their knees).\nAnd he's still the director today.\nBack in the desert\nPerhaps our favorite pic from Wednesday: Welcome back, #Venus #BNPPO16 pic.twitter.com/3zyKInJ0BT\n— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 10, 2016\nIn the desert you can remember your name\n'Cause there ain't no one for to give you no pain\nFrom \"A Horse with No Name,\" by Dewey Bunnell\nMaybe. The BNP Paribas Open comes at a time when many questions abound, and some may have painful answers. The biggest one, of course, concerns a player who isn't even there, but whose name has dominated the headlines for the last several days. More about that later.\nIf it weren't for the Sharapova controversy, we might be hearing more about defending champion and world number 5 Simona Halep, who--not that long ago--was world number 2. Halep has faltered repeatedly at big moments for much of the past year. As defending champion, the pressure is on, and Halep's recent history indicates that she doesn't buy into pressure being a privilege.\nHalep is now working with coach Darren Cahill, but her propensity to change coaches makes me wonder how long that relationship will last. Since the season began, the defending champion has been dealing with a chronic illness and an achilles injury. She canceled her scheduled surgery in order to play for Romania in Fed Cup competition, and then later declared herself free of pain and injury. Whether she had the good sense to avoid an unnecessary surgery, or whether the inevitable is just being postponed, is something we cannot know.\nIf Halep is illness- and injury-free, then she has a chance to turn her career around. But there's something mentally fragile about the Romanian star, whose talent on a court is stunning. And then there's the reality of having had an incredible season (2014) and having to face one's new celebrity and all the expectations that go with it. Here's hoping 2015 was Halep's season to make that adjustment.\nMeanwhile, the new world number 2, Angelique Kerber, steps into the desert as the Australian Open champion. In a recent interview, Kerber said that, after her early Doha loss, she took some time off to relax, and that she feels ready and confident at the BNP Paribas Open.\nWorld number 1 Serena Williams has returned to Indian Wells, and this year, Venus Williams has also returned after a 15-year absence. Unfortnately, in 2015, Serena's long-awaited return to the event ended with her retirement in the semifinals because of a knee injury. That gave Simona Halep a walkover, and then Halep beat Jelena Jankovic in the final.\nOf interest in the draw: Serena and Venus could face each other in the quarterfinals. There's also a potential meeting between Kerber and Johanna Konta, which could be good, and it's also likely that Doha champion Carla Suzarez Navarro will be waiting for Kerber in the quarterfinals.\nThere could also be a quarterfinal clash between Agnieszka Radwanska and Petra Kvitova, though there are some pesky players in their part of the draw who could cause trouble. Chief among them is the eternally unpredictable Svetlana Kuznetsova. Under \"normal\" conditions, Lucie Safarova would be considered a major threat in that section, as would Dominika Cibulkova. They still could be, but both players have been recovering from physical challenges. I'll add Madison Keys to that list, too.\nAlso of note: Ekaterina Makarova and Lucie Safarova formed a team to play in Indian Wells. They are already out of the tournament, but should they continue to play together, they have the potential to do well. Makarova and Elena Vesnina were a successful team, but upon Makarova's return from a long injury layoff, the pair did not reunite.\nI'm now going to be the laziest blogger ever and say that my sentiments about the Maria Sharapova issue are summed up beautifully by Todd Spiker, so I'll just let him speak for me. I'll add, however, that while I expect so-called tennis fans to speak from positions of ignorance and prejudice, it still distresses me (though I expect this, too) when the news and sports media do it. The amount of misinformation and distorted information that has been spewed by tennis writers and commentators has been really disheartening. Equally disappointing have been a couple of the player reactions--one full of pompous self-righteousness (not to mention hypocrisy), and the other just plain vicious and crazy.\nWe will never know all of the facts behind this situation, nor will we ever know all of the motivations--from all parties involved. Historically, as I see it, Sharapova certainly has a better character rating than the ITF, but that doesn't mean she didn't do anything wrong. I hope for a fair accounting and a fair judgment. In the meantime, thank goodness, we have Indian Wells.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line453878"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6749835014343262,"wiki_prob":0.32501649856567383,"text":"The Game: West Side\nAugust 17, 2019 August 4, 2019 Captive BalanceComment(0)\nOver the years, The Game has established himself as one of the best rappers from the West Coast. He has managed to drop one hit song after the other and “West Side” is another one. The track has a hard-hitting beat that matches Game’s aggressive flow. Check it out below.\nTagged hip hop, rap, the game, west side\nTweetMusic videos over the years have become a form to be reckoned with. Some are mini-movies while others are complete works of art and 2014 has been a year of both these categories. From living in a dream to dancing for self-love here are the top 10 music videos of 2014. 10. Childish Gambino: Sweatpants […]\nRejjie Snow: Cookie Chips feat. MF DOOM & Cam O’bi\nTweet“Cookie Chips” is a new song from Scottish rapper Rejjie Snow. The track features MF Doom and Cam Obi. It has been some time since Rejjie has released a new song and I have been waiting patiently for new music after like his last album Dear Annie. Hear the new song below.\nThe Starting Line: Anyways\nFebruary 3, 2016 Captive Balance\nTweet I discovered really good news only yesterday: The Starting Line are releasing a 7″ this Friday called “Anyways”. I have been a fan of this band for quite a long time especially when pop punk was huge during the 2000s. I have even followed vocalist/bassist Kenny Vasoli’s side project “Vacationer” which is in the […]\nNothing: Our Plague\nThe Twilight Sad: Chewing Gum","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line142732"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8987606763839722,"wiki_prob":0.8987606763839722,"text":"ABM Selected as Preferred Supplier and Installation Partner for BMW i Center EV Charging Stations\nFriday, November 22, 2013 9:29 AM - New York, US\nABM, a leading provider of facility solutions, has been selected by BMW of North America as its preferred electric vehicle (EV) charging station installation and service partner for its BMW iCenters across the United States and for BMW i Retailers across Canada. Each of the charging stations will be part of the ChargePoint® network.\nBMW will release the company's first full production, all-electric vehicle, the BMW i3, in early 2014, with the BMW i8 to follow later in the year.\"Our collaboration with ABM and ChargePoint will provide our BMW i Centers with the charging infrastructure expertise and preparation for the arrival of the BMW i3 and BMW i8 in the United States and Canada,\" said Robert Healey, EV Infrastructure Manager of BMW of North America.\nABM will provide installations and BMW i branded ChargePoint charging stations for participating BMW i Centers across the United States and Canada, and will serve as BMW's preferred service provider for these charging stations. In all, ABM will support over 300 participating BMW i Centers. To date, ABM has sold and/or installed over 700 commercial, public and workplace EV charging stations across the United States.\n\"We're honored to have been selected by BMW to play a key role in its entry into the EV market,\" said Ken Sapp, ABM Energy Solutions Vice President. \"ABM prides itself as an industry leader in the development of North America's EV infrastructure. We look forward to bringing our expertise and best practices to BMW locations across the U.S. and Canada.\"\nThe EV charging stations at each BMW i Center will be part of the ChargePoint Network, the largest and most open EV charging network in the world, with more than 14,000 charging locations.\n\"ABM has been a key ChargePoint partner for many previous station installations and we are thrilled to collaborate with them on our newest venture with BMW,\" said Pat Romano, CEO of ChargePoint. \"This latest partnership will help grow the public charging network for all EV drivers and give potential car buyers the confidence that they can plug-in on the go.\"\nThrough the use of the ChargePoint Network, drivers will also have access to a mobile app that provides EV drivers with real-time information, including availability of charging locations across the country.\n\"ABM is proud to undertake this strategic partnership alongside BMW as part of its commitment to industry-leading innovation in the electric vehicle market,\" said ABM Executive Vice President Tracy Price. \"We look forward to assisting BMW in setting the sustainability standard in the automotive market.\"\nAbout ABM\nABM (NYSE:ABM) is a leading provider of facility solutions with revenues exceeding $4 billion and 100,000 employees in over 350 offices deployed throughout the United States and various international locations. ABM's comprehensive capabilities include facilities engineering, commercial cleaning, energy solutions, HVAC, electrical, landscaping, parking and security, provided through stand-alone or integrated solutions. ABM provides custom facility solutions in urban, suburban and rural areas to properties of all sizes — from schools and hospitals to the largest and most complex facilities, such as manufacturing plants and major airports. ABM Industries Incorporated, which operates through its subsidiaries, was founded in 1909. For more information, visit www.abm.com.\nAbout BMW Group in America\nBMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and the Rolls-Royce brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, a strategic design consultancy in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group's global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all X5 and X3 Sports Activity Vehicles and X6 Sports Activity Coupes. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 338 BMW passenger car and BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 139 BMW motorcycle retailers, 119 MINI passenger car dealers, and 34 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group's sales headquarters for North America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.\nAbout Chargepoint\nChargePoint is the largest and most open electric vehicle (EV) charging network in the world, with more than 14,000 charging locations and a 65%+ market share. Ranked #1 by leading independent research firm, Navigant Research, ChargePoint makes advanced hardware and best-in-class cloud based software. ChargePoint's open network is utilized by many leading EV hardware makers and encourages all EV charging manufacturers to join.\nChargePoint also manages the only mobile app that provides EV drivers with real-time information, including availability of charging locations throughout the nation. Every 15 seconds, a driver connects to a ChargePoint station. By initiating over 3,000,000 charging sessions, ChargePoint drivers have saved over 3.5 million gallons of gasoline and avoided 36 million pounds of CO2 emissions.\nChas Strong\nABM Industries Incorporated\nwww.abm.com/Home\npublic charging stations BMW Group electric vehicles EV charging stations charge points","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0000.json.gz/line549931"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5950798392295837,"wiki_prob":0.40492016077041626,"text":"Why ‘Star Wars’ New Republic Was Always Doomed to Failure\nScreenCrush Staff\nReturn of the Jedi ends on such a high note. The Rebels are victorious. The Emperor is dead. The Empire is on the verge of collapse. It was the dawn of a New Republic.\nBut when we rejoin our heroes in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, everything has fallen apart. The First Order is rising. Luke Skywalker is missing. Han Solo’s quit the Republic and he’s hanging out with Chewbacca and smuggling again like a dad from the suburbs who buys a Mustang and starts dressing like he did in college.\nDespite the mega-happy-ending in Return of a Jedi, the New Republic was always doomed to fail. The new video from ScreenCrush’s Ryan Arey uses the long history of Star Wars novels to explain what went wrong — and why it was basically a foregone conclusion that this would happen:\nIf you liked this video about why the New Republic from the original Star Wars trilogy was doomed to fail, check out some of our other videos, including our theory about the possible time travel in The Empire Strikes Back, our recap of the entire series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and our bigger recap of all of Star Wars. Plus, there’s tons more over at ScreenCrush’s YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe to catch all our future episodes.\nGallery — Our Favorite Rise of Skywalker Easter Eggs:\nSource: Why ‘Star Wars’ New Republic Was Always Doomed to Failure\nFiled Under: Star Wars","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line938839"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6971166729927063,"wiki_prob":0.6971166729927063,"text":"MainAll NewsForeign AffairsIn France, 2,200 Mosques Not Half Enough\nIn France, 2,200 Mosques Not Half Enough\nFrance has a large number of Muslims, but not enough mosques to hold them, according to a top official in a top French Muslim group.\nTags: Fance National Front Muslms Anti-Semitism CRIF\nMoshe Cohen , Apr 05 , 2015 8:53 PM\nArab protester in France (file)\nFrance has a sizable Muslim population - the largest community in Europe - but not enough mosques to hold them, according to a top official in a top French Muslim organization. To correct that, says Dalil Boubakeur, president of the French Muslim Council, France needs to double its current mosques to 4,400.\n“We need double” the current 2,200 mosques in the country “within two years,\" Boubakeur told a convention of Muslims over the weekend. “There are a lot of prayer rooms, of unfinished mosques, and there are a lot of mosques that are not being built,\" the France 24 network quoted him as saying at the 32nd Annual Gathering of French Muslims, where members of over 250 Muslim groups representing the country's Muslims.\nThe last time a census of the Muslim population in France was conducted was in 2010, with Muslims numbering over 4 million people, or 7.5% of the population. Given their natural growth rate, they are expected to reach 10% of the total population by 2030, but that percentage could grow even further if immigration increases. French government censuses generally do not query respondents on religion.\nSupporting the call for more mosques is one of the leaders of France's Catholics, Monsignor Ribadeau-Dumas, spokesperson for the Bishops' Conference of France. “Muslims should, like Christians and Jews, be able to practise their religion,” France 24 quoted him as saying.\nIn a statement, France's far-right National Front party called the idea of building more mosques in France “ludicrous and dangerous.” The funding for construction of mosques is not clear, and at least some of the money, the group said, was coming from organizations “which have links with the worst jihadist movements in the world, (and) is a clear threat to national security.”\nRecent polls suggest that French Muslims or Frenchman of Muslim origin are are much more likely to hold anti-Semitic views than the general French population.\nIn one survey, 1,005 respondents from the general population were asked a set of questions about their attitudes toward Jews. Their responses were compared with the answers of 575 people, either Muslim or born to a Muslim family, who were asked the same questions.\nThe anti-Semitic trope that Jews control the media received an approval rating of 23% in the general French population and 70% among practicing Muslims. 32% of respondents among the general population agreed with the statement that \"Jews use to their own benefit their status as victims of the Nazi genocide.\" This is compared to 56% percent of respondents from the Muslim contingency as well as among citizens who voted for the far-right National Front party in 2012.\nAmong voters of the far-left Front de-Gauche party, the claim had a 51% approval rating.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1533316"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6336338520050049,"wiki_prob":0.3663661479949951,"text":"BooFest\nChristmas in Shepherdstown\nDogFest\n4th of July Celebration\nColonial & Revolutionary History\nBoating, Tubing & Fishing\nBiking & Hiking\nCaves & Geocaching\nShepherdstown Swimming\nAntiques & Flea Markets\nGaming & Horse Racing\nVineyards, Distilleries, & Breweries\nHair, Nails & Tanning\nInsurance, Financial & Business Services\nShepherdstown Maker Pivots in Time of Need\nJuly 16, 2020 /in SVC Blog /by Shepherdstown Visitors Center\nWhen COVID-19 became the new normal earlier this year, and effectively scuttled just about every industry in one way or another, businesses large and small across the country scrambled to try and salvage payrolls, budgets, processes, and of course, employees.\nSole-proprietors certainly weren’t left out of the fun, and one local community within the community—the makers—quickly found themselves without festivals and related events, and thus bereft of an opportunity to sell their wares.\nRose Sanders Mendez (pictured above) is one of those makers, and not long after COVID became a harsh reality nationwide, she knew her way of making a living was about to change dramatically. “A couple weeks into March, I started getting cancellations for six of my annual shows,” she explained. “I do ten larger shows throughout the year, but they were being careful, so I understood. But it also made me want to not do as much work, because I didn’t necessarily have anything to work toward.”\nAnd so, as makers tend to do, she adapted. “I’d just redone my studio, and I had some really lovely fabric, and I thought, there’s a need. And whenever there’s a need, I feel like we should jump in. I’d also just come off of another larger project for a client that involved large flags, so that’s where my brain sort of already was.”\nWhile hand-forged and upcycled metal jewelry is Rose’s typical medium when times are more stable, fabric isn’t far behind—so at least in this instance, it wasn’t a complicated decision for her to pivot.\n“A lot of us in the maker community locally were discussing what to do with our studio tour, partly to decide what to do with our summer show,” she indicated. “Having relationships with everyone, I could see that many folks were sort of frozen and not sure where to put their energy. For me, turning to the sewing machine was a place where I could focus my energy without thinking too hard, I guess.”\nBecause she was already accustomed to wearing protective equipment as she works, Rose’s thoughts gravitated towards masks. “A lot of people were donating any PPE they had early on when the shortages were everywhere,” she said. “It made me think about designing masks. Most of them are also disposable, so I started to do a little research—to see what was both effective and a little more ecologically sound.”\nWhat emerged initially were artfully crafted designs representative of the natural beauty of the Shepherdstown area, and then something even more engaging happened. “People were complaining that no one could see each other’s face, especially if they were smiling,” said Rose. “So I started making masks with faces. I didn’t really expect that people would like them as much as they did—to me they look like an odd clown face. But they’ve been very well received. In fact, there were a bunch of different iterations of that first one, so I had to play with it a lot. But I just listened to the community, and requests started coming in, so I started playing around with ideas.”\nRose’s designs can easily be found on Facebook and Instagram, where she can also be contacted. At the moment, and until art festivals return, she plans on continuing down this path. “Most people aren’t wearing jewelry at this point either. And since there’s a need to be met here, I’ll do it for as long as I need to.”\nAs for her small but significant part within a historic moment, Rose sees it more as a commitment to adaptability and inspiration. “At the beginning of all this, I think so many of us were just in a panic, trying to figure out how not to get swallowed up by the uncertainty. I thought that I’d simply make some masks for a few months, and then it would be done. I wasn’t putting so much care into making them, because they were just a temporary thing. Now I’m making things that are perhaps more beautiful or more durable—objects that will last.\n“As a maker, I’ll always make something, and this is a way I can be a working artist and also be of use in these times. And that’s always a driving force—to do something that helps, that has worth.”\nTags: Rose Sanders Mendez\nhttps://secureservercdn.net/45.40.148.147/da5.7dc.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/8BF95517-C206-491B-B7FA-3A2586B5C7FE_1_201_a.jpeg?time=1610509988 2286 2316 Shepherdstown Visitors Center https://secureservercdn.net/45.40.148.147/da5.7dc.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/SVC_logo_80.png Shepherdstown Visitors Center2020-07-16 11:44:352020-07-16 15:33:22Shepherdstown Maker Pivots in Time of Need\nReVersa Rose Offers a Fresh Take on Self-Care December 12, 2020\nGerman Street Tattoo Finds its Purpose in the Shared Experience November 27, 2020\nFour Seasons Books Starting to Bounce Back October 21, 2020\nNew Bench Project Decorates Downtown With Art and Inspiration September 21, 2020\nLucky’s Barbershop Lands on German Street August 20, 2020\n2020 Election Produces Both New and Familiar Faces July 31, 2020\nShepherdstown Maker Pivots in Time of Need July 16, 2020\n“Protect–Respect–Thanks” Campaign Prepares Town for Summer Business June 22, 2020\nStay Current on Corona-Related Information for Shepherdstown May 23, 2020\nNo Matter the Crisis: Shepherdstown Shows Up March 22, 2020","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1078523"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7303380966186523,"wiki_prob":0.26966190338134766,"text":"Launch of 6th Edition of Global Residence and Citizenship Handbook\nThe 6th edition of the Global Residence and Citizenship Handbook has been launched to coincide with the world’s most important...\n10th Global Residence and Citizenship Conference\nRegistration has opened for the 10th Global Residence and Citizenship Conference, which will take place at the iconic Savoy Hotel in London from ...\nUpdates to Cyprus Citizenship-by-Investment Program\nThe Cyprus Government, through the Council of Ministers, has revised its criteria for granting individuals Cypriot citizenship through the country’s...\nSKN Citizenship-by-Investment Program Garners Praise\nHenley & Partners, a long-standing supporter of the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship-by-Investment Program, congratulates the Government of...\nFirst Global Index to Rank Quality of Nationalities\nA new index unveiled in Zurich today (2 June 2016) is the first to ever objectively rank the quality of nationalities worldwide...\nPortugal and Malta Ranked World's Best Investment Migration Programs\nResidence and citizenship planning has established itself as an important industry over the last few years, providing...\nLaunch of the Henley & Partners Online Visa Restrictions Index 2016\nHenley & Partners launches the online Visa Restrictions Index 2016 with unique insights on trends over the last 11 years.\nThe Henley & Partners Visa Restrictions Index Celebrates Ten Years\nHenley & Partners launches its renowned Visa Restrictions Index for 2015 with unique insight on trends over the last decade\nProgram Announced for World's Foremost Residence and Citizenship Forum\nThe world’s most respected experts in the field of residence and citizenship planning will come together at the Dolder Grand Hotel, Zurich on 5-6 May 2015 for The Henley & Partners...\nFourth Investment Option to Golden Residence Permit Programme\nThe Portuguese Government has proposed a fourth investment option of EUR 350,000 in scientific research, in artistic productions or...","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line348927"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6375789642333984,"wiki_prob":0.36242103576660156,"text":"Upper Dublin High School vs. the Arab-Israeli Conflict\nhttps://www.meforum.org/campus-watch/20535/upper-dublin-high-school-vs-the-arab-israeli\nJohn Dewey of Columbia University and Arthur Lovejoy of Johns Hopkins University came together with other educators in 1915 to found the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), an organization designed to preserve the integrity of the academy from a donor-driven agenda.\nTheir 1915 Declaration of Principles set standards that we should all abide by:\n[T]he freedom of the academic teacher entail[s] certain correlative obligations…The university teacher…should, if he is fit for his position, be a person of a fair and judicial mind; he should, in dealing with such subjects, set forth justly, without suppression or innuendo, the divergent opinions of other investigators… and he should, above all, remember that his business is not to provide his students with ready-made conclusions, but to train them to think for themselves.\nUnfortunately, Dewey and Lovejoy's message has fallen on deaf ears when it comes to most teachers who attempt to teach the Arab-Israeli conflict and commonly adopt the Palestinian narrative as the embodiment of the underdog who have suffered a great wrong under the hand of Israel and the US. The notion of allowing our students to be free thinkers, and of exposing them to a variety of opinions is many times censored by the \"sensitivities\" of the teacher.\nA case in point: I was recently invited by one Mr. Jules Mermelstein, a Social Studies Teacher at Upper Dublin High School, to take part in a panel on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This is something I welcomed and do regularly as a lecturer around the world as well as locally in the greater Philadelphia area. But after accepting the invitation, I received an email from Mr. Mermelstein that he had come across one of my articles that dealt with Arab-Palestinian refugees and came to the conclusion that he does not believe I am \" the right speaker to be addressing high school students on this issue… I will be inviting other speakers to take your place, beginning with my rabbi.\"\nSubstituting a rabbi for a Ph.D. in Middle Eastern history is an effort to control the message being delivered to high school students. Putting himself in the position of judging the message before it is delivered, and ignoring both civility and qualifications, is a fairly shameless tactic. It seems designed to produce an obvious result, a message delivered to students that Israel was and is responsible for the Arab-Israeli conflict. The hostile environment seen on college campuses flows directly out of the manipulations of teachers like Mr. Mermelstein who are uncomfortable with diversity of opinion.\nThe obvious lack of balance in academia and now in many public high schools like Upper Dublin, produces pseudo-scholarship that consistently fails to examine, much less condemn, terrorism or jihadism, and creates an atmosphere where these intolerable ideas are accepted as normative. Willful blindness under the guise of thoughtful education seems to be the preferred course of action when teachers like Mr. Mermelstein don't think his students deserve or can handle another view of the Arab-Israeli conflict.\nThe fact that more and more Jews feel uncomfortable with the State of Israel and modern day Zionism to a point where they feel the need to apologize for Israel's actions and at times existence and adopt the Palestinian narrative is very concerning.\nThis state of affairs needs to be confronted by all those concerned about the health of academia, as well as the continued well-being of Israel and the Jewish people.\nLike Israelis, Americans have varied political preferences. While they may not all unconditionally support everything Israel does, the land of Israel is the Jewish state and has the right to exist in security. We must help our students (the future voters) expand their knowledge about the Arab-Israeli conflict and ensure that our tax payer dollars are actually providing a balanced education when it comes to a topic that has many long reaching foreign policy implications.\nRelated Topics: Asaf Romirowsky receive the latest by email: subscribe to the free mef mailing list","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1541931"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7251887321472168,"wiki_prob":0.7251887321472168,"text":"Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv 80\nNovember 24, 2016 CET: 18:45\nLocal time: 19:45 PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP STADIUM\n#GameONSocial\nSeeley shoots Maccabi FOX to victory in Piraeus\nMaccabi FOX Tel Aviv won its third straight Turkish Airlines EuroLeague game by beating Olympiacos Piraeus 73-80 at Peace and Friendship Stadium on Thursday. D. J. Seeley made 5 of 8 three-pointers en route to a season-high 19 points to pace Maccabi, which improved to 5-4. The Reds are also 5-4 after losing at home for the second time this season. The visitors opened up a double-digit lead already in the first quarter, led by as many as 18 in the third and held off a late Olympiacos push to claim the win. Maccabi outrebounded its opponent 35-43 and limited the home team to 6-of-33 three-point shooting (18.2%). Colton Iverson amassed 14 points on perfect shooting plus 8 rebounds, Sonny Weems collected 12 points and 6 assists, Andrew Goudelock also scored 12 and Devin Smith tallied 10 points and 10 boards. Matt Lojeski paced Olympiacos with 15 points, Vassilis Spanoulis scored 14 and Erick Green added 10 in defeat.\nSmith drilled a pair of triples in a 0-8 Maccabi run that made it 5-12 after four minutes of action. Seeley’s first three boosted the margin to double figures, but the Reds went on a 7-0 push capped by a monster slam by Khem Birch to get within 16-20. Ioannis Papapetrou free throws ended the first quarter at 20-24. Strong play by Iverson helped the visitors remain in front and Seeley added a pair of threes to make it 31-38. Maccabi remained in control, 37-44, at the break. Dunks by Weems and Victor Rudd in the first minute of the third quarter reestablished a double-digit cushion. It took nearly four minutes for the home team to get on the board in the second half, but even after that Maccabi continued to pile on and stretched the difference to 40-57. Little changed after that as the yellow-and-blue crew took a 49-65 edge through three quarters. The difference reached 18 before Olympiacos mounted a late charge to make it 61-72 with three minutes to go on a long Spanoulis jumper. The hosts managed to get within 6 in the closing seconds, but the comeback proved to be too little, too late as Maccabi raced home with the victory.\nReferees: RYZHYK, BORYS; JOVCIC, MILIVOJE; PATERNICO, CARMELO\nOlympiacos Piraeus 20 17 12 24\nMaccabi FOX Tel Aviv 24 20 21 15\nOlympiacos Piraeus\n1 GREEN, ERICK 20:27 10 1/4 2/4 2/4 2 2 2 1 1 2 7\n2 BIRCH, KHEM 21:26 8 3/4 2/2 1 7 8 1 1 2 2 3 20\n4 YOUNG, PATRIC 7:03 2 1/1 1 1 1 1 1 2\n6 PAPAPETROU, IOANNIS 24:28 7 1/1 1/4 2/4 1 4 5 2 1 2 2 10\n7 SPANOULIS, VASSILIS 26:57 14 5/7 0/6 4/6 3 3 4 1 4 1 4 6 9\n11 MILUTINOV, NIKOLA 5:41 2 1 3 1 1 3\n15 PRINTEZIS, GEORGIOS 13:46 4 2/5 0/3 1 1 2\n16 PAPANIKOLAOU, KOSTAS 18:05 4 1/4 0/4 2/2 2 1 3 1 1 1 2 2 1\n17 MANTZARIS, VANGELIS 21:12 3 0/1 1/5 1 1 1 2 -4\n23 HACKETT, DANIEL 17:45 6 2/4 0/3 2/3 1 1 2 3 1\n24 LOJESKI, MATT 23:10 15 4/6 2/4 1/1 4 4 1 1 1 1 4 19\n27 ATHINAIOU, IOANNIS DNP - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -\nTotals 200:00 73 20/37 6/33 15/22 10 25 35 12 6 8 2 3 18 23 71\nHead coach: SFAIROPOULOS, IOANNIS\nMaccabi FOX Tel Aviv\n0 GOUDELOCK, ANDREW 19:09 12 3/7 1/4 3/4 1 1 2 3 2 6\n3 RUDD, VICTOR 28:07 6 2/6 2/4 2 6 8 1 1 2 3 11\n4 SEELEY, DENNIS 31:04 19 1/4 5/8 2/2 1 2 3 3 1 3 3 20\n6 SMITH, DEVIN 29:33 10 2/5 2/4 1 9 10 3 2 1 1 2 1 19\n8 YIVZORI, DAGAN DNP - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -\n9 MEKEL, GAL DNP - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -\n10 PNINI, GUY 4:34 0/1 1 1 1 -1\n12 OHAYON, YOGEV 16:32 2 1/2 0/1 2 2 1 1 3 -1\n13 WEEMS, SONNY 33:43 12 6/8 0/3 5 5 6 6 1 2 1 10\n23 ALEXANDER, JOE 4:15 2 1/1 1 1 1 2\n24 IVERSON, COLTON 19:26 14 6/6 2/2 1 7 8 1 2 1 4 5 23\n33 ZIRBES, MAIK 13:37 3 1/4 1/2 1 1 2 1 2 3 1\nTotals 200:00 80 23/44 8/20 10/14 8 35 43 15 5 11 3 2 24 18 90\n52.3% 40% 71.4%\nHead coach: HADAR, RAMI\nSFAIROPOULOS, IOANNIS\n\"This is a night that nothing went well for our team. We played against a team that we knew is very athletic, will push the tempo and go a lot in the open court. A lot of isolations and a lot of uptempo game. From one side, we did not start good defensively; we let them score one-on-one tough baskets, but easy. We were not aggressive. From the other side on offense we lost our concentration. Maccabi packed the paint, they tried not to give us layups, so we had a lot of open shorts that we missed. And as the game was going on, we started to be nervous to shoot from outside. We missed a lot of open shots, so that hurt us and hurt our defense more. Although in halftime we tried to restart our offense and defense, in the beginning of the second half was very bad. The beginning of the third period we were bad offensively and defensively and they scored a lot of easy points. They got a bigger lead. We tried to press at the end. We played with five guards, we cut down the difference, but we didn’t do anything more. Maccabi deserved to win. \"\nHADAR, RAMI\n\"I think that most of the game we played excellent defense. Until the last quarter we played perfect on defense and that gave us the victory. I have capable players to play defense. We are making progress defensively. We are forcing the other teams to play a set game, we are forcing their percentages down, but it’s not there yet.\"\n\"I think this win is a combination of the process that we are going through in Maccabi in two parameters. One is basketball – offense, defense, tactics. And the other is the spirit. The guys played hard, they played accurate according to the game plan and I salute them for the effort.\"\nSEELEY, DENNIS\nWe just came out here and played aggressive on defense from the jump and we set the tone for the game. We know we could play offense, but we struggled on defense in the beginning of the season. We all just got together and said the key to winning is defense, because we got a lot of players that can score, so we need to clamp down on defense.\n2020-21 VALENCIA 2019-20 BELGRADE 2019-20 KAUNAS 2019-20 MUNICH 2019-20 VALENCIA 2018-19 VITORIA-GASTEIZ FINALS 2018-19 BELGRADE 2018-19 KAUNAS 2018-19 MUNICH 2018-19 VALENCIA 2017-18 BELGRADE Finals 2017-18 BELGRADE 2017-18 MUNICH 2017-18 KAUNAS 2017-18 L'HOSPITALET 2016-17 ISTANBUL 2016-17 BELGRADE 2016-17 COIN 2016-17 KAUNAS 2016-17 L'HOSPITALET 2015-16 BERLIN 2015-16 BELGRADE 2015-16 KAUNAS 2015-16 L'HOSPITALET 2015-16 ROME 2014-15 2013-14 2012-13 2011-12 2010-11 2009-10 2008-09 2007-08 2006-07 2005-06 2004-05 2003-04 2002-03\nREGULAR SEASON PLAYOFFS FINAL FOUR\nRound 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Round 6 Round 7 Round 8 Round 9 Round 10 Round 11 Round 12 Round 13 Round 14 Round 15 Round 16 Round 17 Round 18 Round 19 Round 20 Round 21 Round 22 Round 23 Round 24 Round 25 Round 26 Round 27 Round 28 Round 29 Round 30\nAnadolu Efes Istanbul 100\nCrvena Zvezda mts Belgrade 79\nNovember 24 18:00 CET LIVE FINAL\nBrose Bamberg 72\nEA7 Emporio Armani Milan 70\nFenerbahce Istanbul 79\nCSKA Moscow 112\nBaskonia Vitoria Gasteiz 84\nGalatasaray Odeabank Istanbul 78\nFC Barcelona Lassa 64\nPanathinaikos Superfoods Athens 86\nDarussafaka Dogus Istanbul 80\n© Euroleague Properties SA. All rights reserved - Privacy Policy - Cookies Policy","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1049679"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5873275399208069,"wiki_prob":0.5873275399208069,"text":"iRiS Highlighted Features\niRiS Software Solution\nRBI Customer Reference\niRiS Training Videos\nRequest Demo Access to our iRiS\nGo to Demo\nRBI Q&A\nRBI Experts\nRBI Atlas\nRBI Atlas Tool\nProf. Aleksandar S. Jovanovic\nE-Mail: jovanovic@risk-technologies.com\nAleksandar Jovanovic (MSc. ME, PhD) has worked for industry, research, EU institutions and universities, in a number of different countries, such as Belgium and Italy (EU, university), Germany (industry, research, university), France (university), USA (industry, university, research), etc. Since 2001, he is the director of the Steinbeis Advanced Risk Technologies Group in Stuttgart, Germany providing consultancy in the areas of risk assessment and risk management for industry and public sector. He is the CEO of the European Institute for Risk & Resilience Management (EU-VRi), bringing together about 50 industrial and research organizations active in the area of applied risk and resilience management, full professor at Steinbeis University Berlin (Technical Risks) and his other current and previous assignments include Italy (Politecnico di Milano), France (Ecole Polytechnique), Japan (University of Tokyo), USA (La Jolla), Serbia, Croatia and China.\nAleksandar’s main contributions to risk research and advancement of the respective state-of-the-art have been related to (a) industrial “risk projects”, (b) academic research in the area of risk (especially emerging risks and resilience) and (c) European and international risk standardization.\nAleksandar has a long-year professional experience as project manager of many large international industry “risk projects”, dealing with risk management, engineering risks, innovation risks, risk governance for new technologies, use of big data for risk analysis and related areas, etc. Main clients in these projects have been the EU, national governments (Norway, Belgium, Japan…), industry, utilities, insurances companies, R&D and academia. Main topics of the current projects deal with risk management in industry (e.g. for insurance, power, process) and include HSSE (Health, Safety, Security, Environment), RCM (Reliability Centered Maintenance), RBI (Risk-Based Inspection. Examples of the industrial projects are, e.g., the assessing risk of 40,000 MWe installed electric power capacity for Eskom in South Africa (about $10 million) or assessing risks refineries in Gazprom. Sample EU projects managed by him include iNTeg-Risk (www.integrisk.eu-vri.eu, 19.3 million €, 80+ partners), or SmartResilience (Resilience Indicators for critical infrastructures in Europe, www.smartresilience.eu-vri.eu).\nIn the area of academic risk research Aleksandar has been pioneering the risk-oriented probabilistic structural mechanics in 1980’s (stochastic finite element method), introduced risk methods in the engineering analysis of remaining life in 1990’s, developed new methods for risk-based optimization of inspection and maintenance in the industrial plants (power and process primarily). He is a coauthor of the milestone study/book on Future Global Shocks of the OECD (2013), author of 7 books and over 170 publications (www.researchgate.net/profile/Aleksandar_Jovanovic5).\nAs a “risk practitioner” in the area of international standardization, A. Jovanovic has contributed to the global risk community by a number of actions. He is the Convener and main author of:\n(a) European standard CEN-CWA 15740:2008 (“Risk-Based Inspection and Maintenance”),\n(b) European standard EN16991:2018 (“European Risk-Based Inspection Framework”)\n(c) CEN-CWA 16449:2013 (“Management on New Technologies-Related Risks” also appeared as DIN SPEC\n(d) ISO standard ISO 31050 “Management of emerging risks for enhanced resilience” – has involved SRA into the process, as an Organization in Liaison to ISO.\nHe act as the Liaison Officer in the ISO 31000 (risk management) ISO Committee, as a member of the Committees TC292 (security) and ISO 31010 (risk assessment methods , and as convener for the new ISO 31050 standard (https://committee.iso.org/sites/tc262/home/projects/ongoing/iso-31022-guidelines-for-impl-2.html).\nIn 2019, A. Jovanović was one of the main “Organizing Chair” of the SRA World Congress in Cape Town, South Africa (https://srawc.wpengine.com/congress-organization/).\nAleksandar speaks fluently French, Italian, English, German and Serbo-Croatian, reads and communicates in Spanish, Portuguese and Russian and has always used this to promote the risk-related issues in many countries.\nProf. Walter Bogaerts\nNon-Executive General Manager\nE-Mail: technologica@telenet.be\nWalter Bogaerts is professor of Corrosion & Materials Engineering at the University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Belgium’s internationally recognized leading university. He holds appointments in the departments of Chemical Engineering and Sustainable Chemical Process Technology. He teaches in KU Leuven’s post-graduate program on Safety Engineering and has been a long-time member of the Steering Committee of the national inter­university program on Nuclear Engineering (BNEN).\nHe graduated summa cum laude as a chemical engineer from the University of Leuven and completed his PhD on corrosion problems in the energy sector (nuclear, geothermal). He further specialized at Cambridge University (UK) and Stanford Research Institute (SRI International, USA) with British Council, NATO and Fulbright fellowships.\nWith support of the international chemical industry, in the early 90’s he was the founder of a pioneering university spin-off company dealing with applications of advanced informatics and artificial intelligence in the field of materials and corrosion engineering (MetaLogic n.v.). In this framework he introduced some of the early concepts of RBI (Risk-Based Inspection) and intelligent corrosion prediction and monitoring.\nWith his team he also authored the first “e-books” in the field of corrosion, e.g. for Elsevier Science Publishers and NACE International, the world-wide corrosion engineering organization. For this work he received the T.J. Hull Award in 2001 and the NACE International Fellowship honor for technical excellence in 2020.\nHe has also been the European Director of the NACE organization and established its NACE-Benelux branch more than 20 years ago. He further has a long-standing relationship with the European Federation of Corrosion (EFC) and served as a chairman for a number of its formal Working Parties.\nAside from his scientific and academic profession, prof. Bogaerts had an industrial career and has e.g. been CEO of Belgium’s central nuclear waste treatment facility (Belgoprocess n.v.). Since 2019 he is the ‘Chief Strategy Officer’ of EU-VRi. He also runs his own engineering company and is a regular consultant for the European Commission and for the international chemical and nuclear industry.\nDr. Jörg Michael Bareiß\nZustandsüberwachung und Kraftwerkchemie, Werkstofftechnik (TMZW)\nE-Mail: j.m.bareiss@enbw.com\nJörg Bareiß, (1965) PhD as Engineer in Mechanical Engineering (Materialprüfungsanstalt UNI Stuttgart, DE). Since October 1995 working at EnBW AG (before the merger of the companies EVS AG, BW AG and NWS AG to EnBW AG up to December 1998 at EVS AG) as Quality Assurance Engineer, today as Expert Senior Engineer at EnBW Kraftwerke AG (Generation Business Unit of EnBW AG) responsible for Materials (research, material behavior and damage assessment) and Quality Supervision of the new 912MW power plant, unit 8, of Rheinhafen Steam Power Plant Karlsruhe, which is still under construction. Since 2002 Chairman of the Technical Committee “Materials and Quality Supervision” of VGB PowerTech e.V., the European technical association for power and heat generation. Several publications in the field of Life Assessment of pressurized components, Condition Monitoring and Diagnostics of boiler parts and piping components, Risk Based Inspection and Maintenance and Advanced Calculation Methods of steam and reheat lines. Member of RIMAP-Project (FP7).\nMr. Pertti Auerkari\nChief research scientist\nE-Mail: pertti.auerkari@vtt.fi\nPertti Auerkari (MSc, Lic.Tech.) is Senior Principal Scientist in the area of Knowledge driven design at the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd in Espoo, Finland. Since graduating from Helsinki University of Technology (now Aalto University) in 1976/1983 on materials science, and a further stint in Osaka University 1984-86 in Japan on welded high temperature structures, his particular interests have encompassed condition and performance assessment, life prediction and failure analysis for power and process plants, with emphasis on high temperature applications. In terms of materials, these interests have involved mainly applications of metallic structures, but also research on utilizing modern engineering ceramics, and metal-ceramic and polymer composites. In terms of frameworks, his professional activities have included national, Nordic and European projects in related fields, and European projects on risk and resilience of critical industrial and other infrastructures. In addition to projects for local national customers, he has conducted contractual projects for international customers in Europe, South Africa, Middle East and South East Asia.\nHe has been a national representative since 1995 in supporting and developing the European standardization on materials for pressure equipment, and in projects developing European standards for risk assessment in industrial applications.\nMr. Auerkari has been a lecturer of professional courses on risk assessment, risk-based inspection (RBI) and reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) for Steinbeis, and on materials and non-destructive testing for his alma mater university in Finland, where he continues to support post-graduate education as a Senior Expert. Since 1988, he has been the chairman of the triannual Baltica series of international conferences on life management and maintenance for power plants (www.vtt.fi/baltica).\nHe has more than 200 publications on his areas of expertise.\nApart from his native Finnish, he is fluent speaker of English, independent user of Swedish and basic user of German.\nMr. Svetozar Eremic\nE-Mail: se@risk-technologies.com\nSvetozar (MSc. ME) has worked in last 20 years for process industry, research, Engineering, EU institutions, in a number of different countries, such as Germany (industry, research, university), Russia (industry), China (industry), South Africa (industry). Since 2010, he Managed several departments in Oil Refinery, Serbia and providing consultancy in the areas of risk assessment and risk management, reliability, maintenance and HSE for industry and process plants. He is the partner of the European Institute for Risk & Resilience Management (EU-VRi), bringing together about 50 industrial and research organizations active in the area of applied risk and resilience management, lecturer at Steinbeis University Berlin (Technical Risks) and in Serbia.\nSvetozar ‘s main contributions to risk research and advancement of the respective state-of-the-art have been related to (a) industrial “risk projects” (like Risk Based Inspection), (b) industrial research and implementation in the area of reliability (Reliability Centered Maintenance) and (c) European and international risk standardization.\nSvetozar has a more than 20 years of professional experience as manager in process industry, participant in a many large international industry “risk projects”, dealing with risk management, engineering risks, innovation risks, risk governance for new technologies, use of big data for risk analysis and related areas, etc. Main topics of the current projects deal with risk management in industry (e.g. for insurance, power, process) and include HSSE (Health, Safety, Security, Environment), RCM (Reliability Centered Maintenance), RBI (Risk-Based Inspection. Examples of the industrial projects are, e.g., the assessing risk of 40,000 MWe installed electric power capacity for Eskom in South Africa (about $10 million) or assessing risks refineries in Gazprom. Sample EU projects participated by him include iNTeg-Risk (www.integrisk.eu-vri.eu, 19.3 million €, 80+ partners), or Smart Resilience (Resilience Indicators for critical infrastructures in Europe, www.smartresilience.eu-vri.eu).\nHe managed Maintenance in an Oil Refinery plants, was a Turnaround Manager and implemented new approaches in Risk based management.\nSvetozar is dedicated to reliability approaches, HSE and process safety and therefore working everyday with field operators, plant managers, engineers to company leaders succeeding in implementation of innovative management, understanding of risk, risk mitigation strategies and leading by example approach.\nMain area of developing is implementing continuous improvement methodology, working with employees, and couching in Lean 6 Sigma techniques for achieving sustainable results.\nHe implemented Risk based inspection in 2010 in several plants and power-plants, implemented CMMS and connected it to RBI system, and constantly improve it to new digitalization strategies (innovative mobility program and Digital Operator).\nIn the area of industrial consultancy Svetozar has been practicing and implementing the risk-oriented techniques in plant maintenance, introduced Lean 6 Sigma methodology and continuous improvement, risk-based optimization of inspection and maintenance in the industrial plants (power and process primarily).He participated in working groups of:\na) European standard CEN-CWA 15740:2008 (“Risk-Based Inspection and Maintenance”),\nb) European standard EN16991:2018 (“European Risk-Based Inspection Framework”)\nSvetozar speaks fluently English, German, and Serbo-Croatian, reads and communicates in Russian and has always used this to promote the risk-related issues several companies and countries.\nProf. Josef Peters\nE-Mail: jpeters@risk-technologies.com\nJosef Peters (MSc. Engineering) is a hands-on Mechanical Engineer who started off as an engineer for energy efficiency in Germany and progressed into the pressure equipment compliance field gaining on-site inspection experiences during In-service inspections and break downs on large generation power plants and petrochemical plants. The involvement in RBI processes was a natural consequence and followed automatically. He was a CEO of the TUV Rheinland Group of Companies in South Africa between 1997 to 2016 and is well known in South African circles for his contributions to plant safety in the petrochemical- and power industry. The main clients were users of large generation power stations (ESKOM) and of petrochemical industries (SASOL). Major aspects of these projects dealt with pressure equipment safety processes during manufacturing and in-service condition, covering most of the relevant international health and safety standards.\nJosef’s main contributions have been related to (a) the implementation of the first international recognized certification scheme for RBI in South Africa according to ISO 17021 accreditation requirements, successfully certifying SASOL and 13 ESKOM power stations in compliance to the relevant API 580/581 and EN16991 standards, (b) the harmonization of international recognized manufacturing and in-service health and safety standards for pressure equipment into the South African legislative framework, (c) the contribution to international risk standardization development (CEN-CWA 14740 / EN16991:2018) in European technical committees through his connections to Steinbeis Advanced Risk Technologies (R-Tech) in Stuttgart (Germany).\nFurther to this, Josef was an active board member for several years at both SANAS (South African National Accreditation System and the SAIW-C (Certification Division of the South African Institute of Welding). He was also a chairman of the society of AIAs (Approved Inspection Authorities for pressure equipment in South Africa) for several years.\nHis European background and African experience coupled with a passionate interest in RBI-Engineering makes him a sought-after contributor. He continues to support the South African Industry and Government Departments in an advisory capacity, representing SAAMA (the South African Asset Management Association) at the Department of Labour as an RBI-expert and also works as a Technical Manager for the TUV-SUD Group in South Africa in their inspection agency department.\nCurrently he runs his own consulting company Energy Training Solutions B.V in the Netherland.\nJosef speaks fluent English and German.\nProf. Petar Stanojević\nE-Mail: ps@risk-technologies.com\nPetar Stanojević, (MSc. ME, PhD) has worked for the government, industry, research, EU institutions and universities, in Serbia (university, government, industry), South Africa (industry), Romania and Turkey (industry, university) and Germany (university). In 2005 he was elected a Full Professor. He has obtained international and domestic licenses in the field of Project Management, Design, Construction, several international risk certificates, two short Strategy MBAs in London and more.\nPetar was the technical leader of the project of Risk Based Inspection (RBI) project at ESCOM, the fifth largest electricity producer in the world, in South Africa (the largest project of this type up to date in the world). In the project he was responsible for Power plant RBI Methodology development, RBI assessments and power stations RBI process certification and courses lecturing. Thirteen power stations RBI were certified and five recertified. Project got a prize for the best project in ESKOM in year 2015.\nPetar was the State Secretary at the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure and Assistant Minister of Energy for Oil and Gas (and pressure equipment). Additionally, he was Director of Jugopetrol (largest petroleum retailer in Serbia), Director of Development and Investments and Strategy of the Petroleum Industry of Serbia, Assistant to the Executive Director of the Ministry of Defense and commander of technical maintenance units. He managed investment programs up to $ 100 million a year and organizational and research projects up to 50 million euro. He was in charge of capital construction and procurement. Built and reconstructed 70 petrol stations. Petar participated in the design of the oil refinery Pancevo (natural gas and auxiliary units). Act as a founder of the Research Development Center in the Petroleum Industry of Serbia and introduced PED Directive, Seveso Directive and RBI in Serbia.\nIn his career he was a leader, coordinator and participant of dozens of national and international projects in the domain of strategy, organization, management, industrial safety, logistics, risk, information systems, reliability, organization of maintenance and management, total value of tens of millions of euros. Special emphasis should be given to the projects of introduction of the unique investment management system in Serbia, projects of introduction of the most advanced management systems \"Opportunity Confirmation Program NIS\" and \"Business Improvement Program\" implemented in cooperation with Shell. In cooperation with German institutes, for the first time in Serbia, maintenance systems for risks and reliability (RBI and RCM) were introduced into the Serbian refineries. The project \"Reform of the Military and the Defense System\" served as the basis for a military reform in the post-2005 period. The book \"RCM - Maintenance to Reliability\" is the first in this field in Serbian language. He led the project of designing and building the first automatic petrol station in Serbia. Petar introduced Marking and Monitoring of Petroleum Products in Serbia. Act as one of the co-authors of the Law on Commodity Reserves, South Stream gas pipeline and Energy low from 2014. In the drafting of the Energy Strategy of the Republic of Serbia, he participated as one of the co-authors. He participated in EU projects FP7 and FP6, as well as in projects of the Ministry of Science.\nAuthor and co-author of 9 monographs and textbooks, 120 scientific and professional papers, part of which are published in international journals. Petar was a member of editorial boards of scientific journals and conferences. He held several courses, lectures by invitation and presided over sections at professional meetings. For his work he has been awarded several times. Petar received the Belgrade Chamber of Commerce award for the best doctorate thesis at the Belgrade University in 1997, and for one of the works he received an award from the University of Oxford. He was a member of the Council of the European Virtual Institute for Risks (EU VRI), member of the Serbian Engineering Academy, Management Board of the Yugoslav Association of Project Managers and a member of Serbian Society of Operational researchers.\nPetar peaks excellent Russian and English language.\nProf. Gopika Vinod\nScientist - F, Reactor Safety Division ; Assistant professor, Homi Bhabha National Institute\nE-Mail: vinod@risk-technologies.com\nGopika Vinod (PhD.) is the professor at Homi Bhabha National Institute (Mumbai, India), head of Probabilistic Safety Section. She has experiences in conducting Risk based inspection on Chemical Plant, Risk in-service inspection for research reactor, has researched in Resilience methods for safety analysis, and has contributed in development of methodology for Passive system reliability, Software reliability, Dynamic reliability analysis and human reliability analysis.\nAlong with her professional experience, she has contributed in writing many publications including books, journal papers, conference papers, and BARC Report. She is also member of various committees in regulatory board.\nShe worked as Post-Doctoral fellow with Steinbeis Advanced Risk Technologies, Germany since 2007, visiting Scientist at Brookhaven National Laboratory and Lecturer at Steinbeis Hochschule Berlin\n© 2021 Steinbeis Advanced Risk Technologies. All rights reserved.\nWe use cookies to improve your experience on our website. If you continue using our website, we will assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on this website. Read more Continue","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line408240"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8500567674636841,"wiki_prob":0.8500567674636841,"text":"What Russian invasion?\nIn-Place Cease-Fire Reached between Government and Rebel Forces in Ukraine\nThe separatist rebels of eastern Ukraine and the government in Kiev that controls the Ukrainian army have reached a cease-fire in place that leaves the separatists largely in control of the Russian-majority regions of the eastern part of that country.\nThe agreement to stop the fighting was reached at negotiations organized and led by Russia and held in Minsk, the capital of Belarus. It was reached at the same time that the US was pressing leaders of the NATO countries, at a meeting in Wales, to boost their military spending and to set up more offensive military positions in countries bordering Russia.\nThe one thing that did not happen as a result of the cease-fire, and that in fact never even got addressed in the Minsk talks, was a withdrawal of Russian troops from eastern Ukraine.\nThere was no withdrawal or even mention of those troops — said to number about 1000 by the US and the Kiev government — because there never were Russian troops invading Ukraine.\nAs both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Aleksandr Zakharchenko, the head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic have, quite logically, pointed out, if Russia had invaded eastern Ukraine, it would not have done so by just secretly slipping in 1000 troops. It would have gone in with all 20,000 of the heavily armed troops it has reportedly massed on the Russian side of the border with Ukraine, and with its overwhelming air power, and by now would be threatening Ukraine’s capital of Kiev.\nThe Pentagon knows this. The CIA knows it. The State Department knows it. Anyone who’s watched the Russians in prior military actions (Afghanistan, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, etc.) knows it. Never mind, President Obama continues talking ominously and speciously about a Russian invasion. But as I learned when I wrote a spoof piece about that “invasion” a few days ago and tried to find some photos of Russian soldiers or Russian weapons in Ukraine on-line to go with it, there is absolutely no photographic evidence of such an attack.\nOh, there were some alleged satellite photos of perfectly lined up heavy mobile artillery which the US claimed were Russian arms inside Ukraine aiming westward, allegedly targeting Ukrainian forces. But these photos, which looked suspiciously like screen shots of video game images, and not like the crisp photos we have grown accustomed to seeing provided by military and even commercial satellites, didn’t even include GPS coordinates. The weapons were also far too perfectly lined up to be actually in operation in the field under wartime conditions. There was no effort to camouflage them from aerial attack, no effort to put them in protected positions, for example in a forest. Rather they were out in what appeared to be a plowed field (one which, significantly, didn’t show any piled up ammunition around the weapons, either).\nImage from a Tweet by the Russian Embassy in the UAE, saying : \"#NATO's latest evidence of #Russian armor invading #Ukraine has been leaked! Seems to be the most convincing ever!\nThere were also those nine Russian paratroopers who were captured in Ukraine, and subsequently paraded before the media in Kiev, but they claimed they had gotten lost and had crossed the border by mistake — a thoroughly credible explanation given that a large number of Ukrainian forces have done the same thing in reverse, crossing inadvertently over into Russia, which has been letting them return home.\nWhere there were articles in the media about an alleged Russian invasion, it always turned out that the accompanying photos of Russian troops or Russian tanks, instead of being of invading forces, either were of Russian troops on the Russian side of the border, or were old stock photos from Crimea, where Russian troops have long been stationed under the terms of a long-term lease agreement between Russia and Ukraine. (This was another earlier lie pushed by the US — that Russian troops had swept into Crimea like Nazi stormtroopers in the Anschluss — when in fact the troops that supported Crimeans’ desire to leave Ukraine and seek to rejoin Russia, were already there legally under a treaty agreement with Ukraine. Actually, there was no way for a Russian army to “cross the border” into Crimea, given that the only way to get from Russia to Crimea, at least back then, was a small ferry across the Kerch Strait that links the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea and that separates Crimea from Russia.)\nSurely if there had been a real invasion of the Donbass region by Russian troops and their equipment over the past two weeks, the US would have had plenty of incriminating photos, including really impressive satellite images, to spread around. (US spy satellites can pick out license plate numbers from space!)\nThe claim of a Russian invasion was so weak, that Michael Gordon, the ethically compromised and politically tainted reporter at the New York Times who, back in 2002, brought us the bogus “aluminum tubes for uranium enrichment centrifuges” story and other war-mongering lies about Iraq, and to whom the Times, either in spite or, or because of that sorry record, handed the job of ginning up a new war hysteria, this time about Russia, was stumped. In the end, he was reduced to claiming Moscow was involved in a “stealth” invasion — one which you cannot see but just know is happening.\nAs a group of 30 former intelligence professionals in an organization called Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS) wrote in a memo delivered to German Chancellor Angela Merkel just before the NATO summit:\n“The accusations of a major Russian ‘invasion’ of Ukraine appear not to be supported by reliable intelligence. Rather, the ‘intelligence’ seems to be of the same dubious, politically ‘fixed’ kind used 12 years ago to ‘justify’ the U.S.-led attack on Iraq”.\nMerkel appears to have taken the VIPS memo seriously, and has backed away from her earlier solid support for more economic sanctions against Russia. She even hedged her reference at the NATO gathering to an alleged Russian invasion of Ukraine, calling it a “supposed” invasion.\nIndeed, while the US has dissed the new cease-fire agreement, huffing that there was no implementation plan included (cease-fire agreements, as opposed to peace treaties, are always works in progress, as the US surely knows, and as we saw recently in Gaza, and the important thing is just to stop the guns and bombs, so talks can take place), the NATO countries, led by Merkel, have refused to blindly cave in to US pressure to put added sanctions in place against Russia, preferring instead to approve tentative sanctions but hold them in reserve to give the cease fire a chance.\nThat hasn’t stopped US war-mongering. Although any sane observer knows that Russia’s support for the embattled Russian minority in eastern Ukraine, far from being a sign that Putin and the Russian government want to try and recapture the former satellite states of Eastern Europe, is rather a logical response to a US-led effort to turn Ukraine into an armed and threatening US/NATO outpost on Russia’s southern border. (Just recall how the US responded when the old Soviet Union tried to enlist Cuba in its NATO equivalent of the Warsaw Pact by installing missiles on the island!).\nIn any case, Russia’s support for the rebellion of the ethnic Russians in Ukraine’s east (the same kind of moral, financial, tactical and military support the US has given to Chechnyan rebels, the Georgian military, Nicaraguan Contras and anti-Castro rebels) has been a smashing success. The US neo-con dream of pushing Russia out of its Crimean naval base, which would have left Russia with no navy in the Mediterranean region and scant access to the Atlantic, is gone with the annexation earlier this year of Crimea, following a plebiscite. Meanwhile, the cease-fire leaves ethnic Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine in control of half of Ukraine’s Black Sea coastline, and, should the cease-fire collapse, within striking distance of the port cities of Mariupol and Odessa, which would leave western Ukraine an impoverished and landlocked nation.\nThe US, having seen its $5 billion plan for a NATO puppet state on Russia’s southern flank resoundingly crushed, is still pushing disconsolately for a more threatening NATO stance against Russia, with more weapons and troops posted near to Russia’s western border, for example in the Baltic states and in Poland, Rumania and Poland. But saner heads in Europe, particularly in Germany, are balking, noting that NATO and Russia have a treaty that bars the placing of permanent military bases in those countries. European NATO countries area also largely ignoring US calls for them to boost their military spending to bring it to 2% of GDP (US military spending is officially 3.8% of GDP, among the highest rates in the world, according to the World Bank, though adding in interest on war funding debt, veterans benefits and health care and the intelligence budget, it is really closer to 5%).\nAs a sop to Washington’s bruised ego, the NATO countries have approved a plan to pre-position weapons in the so-called “front-line” NATO states nearest to Russia, and to create a small “rapid action force” of several thousand NATO troops who could presumably gear up and go to those pre-positioned weapons within days in a crisis involving Russian aggression.\nThat plan, while a provocation, is unlikely to trouble Russia much, because a) Russia has no interest in trying to invade any of those countries like Estonia or the Czech Republic, and b) because if it did ever have such a plan, its 1-million-strong military would not be deterred by a few thousand NATO troops.\nThe Ukraine crisis is not over. The cease-fire is precarious, and the US is talking about providing arms to Ukrainian forces, and has announced plans for sending some US troops to Ukraine for “war games” with Ukrainian troops.\nHopefully, though, with its diplomatic nose already bloodied by the military successes of the separatist forces, Washington will decide not to risk having things get even worse, with Russia regaining full control of the Black Sea coast as it had under the old USSR, and Europe left with a rump “Novopoland” economic basket case to contend with.\nPrevious PostPrevious The Odor Seeping Out of Our Criminal Justice System\nNext PostNext Satellite Images of Alleged Russian Artillery in Ukraine Come A-Cropper\nHas Trump Already been Removed as Commander in Chief?\nThu, January 7, 2021\n[caption id=\"attachment_5523\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"852\"] Members of Congress and staff cower as Trump Brownshirts invate the Capitol building, incited by the president (Wall Street Journal video screen shot)[/caption] Little noticed…","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line878711"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9794230461120605,"wiki_prob":0.9794230461120605,"text":"Rotorua school girl Mystery Ada McLean-Kora says playing at the Bayleys National Sevens Rugby Tournament over the weekend was a fantastic experience.\nThe 16-year-old attends Western Heights High School and says her focus at school has always been sporty. She plays basketball, volleyball, touch rugby and started playing 15-aside rugby last year, making the Bay school’s team.\nBay of Plenty women’s and men’s sevens rugby teams came tantalisingly close to final showdowns at the national tournament in Rotorua over the weekend. The men’s team lost 33 nil to eventual tournament champs Waikato in a one-sided semi-final, while the women lost a third and fourth play-off again to Waikato opponents by 26-21.\nGames were played in brilliant sunshine and heat, leaving players staggering through games towards the end of the tournament. Mystery told The Mud’s Kevin O’Connor she has a long way to go at this stage as far as the sevens game is concerned.\n“It’s been good, playing with the New Zealand players in the team and learning off them.” Smiling, she admitted she had to get bigger.\nShe said she was proud of the way the Bay women’s team performed, especially since because it was a largely “put together team” due to injuries without much experience of playing together.\nBay of Plenty Men’s Sevens team manager Mark Day said the energy level seemed to go away from the guys during their semi-final against Waikato.\nAlthough they didn’t show it in their final game, the team had worked hard on defence with their coaches and were looking forward to next year and making more improvements.\nBay of Plenty Rugby Union chief executive officer Mike Rogers told The Mud the BOP teams’ performances were the “icing on the cake”.\n“I think it’s been a fantastic couple of days. The weather has helped the event. Talking to the teams they’ve had a great time and so have the spectators.”\nHe did not have crowd numbers to hand, but he said there was growth on last year.\n“Word has got out that it’s a good event to be at and people have found the atmosphere this year has been a step up from last year.”\nFor the record, Waikato men’s team took the final off last year’s champs Wellington, winning 38-19; and the Auckland women’s team beat Manawatu 29-14 in their final.\nNeed to find the full results, download them here:\nMystery's marvellous sevens rugby tournament","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1190052"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9687970876693726,"wiki_prob":0.9687970876693726,"text":"YouTube Considering 'Further Consequences' Over Logan Paul Video\nBy James Packard\nThe YouTube user faced a wave of backlash after posting a video of Japan's so-called \"suicide forest.\"\nYouTube says it's looking at \"further consequences\" against vlogger Logan Paul for a video he published on Dec. 31.\nPaul issued an apology for taking his camera into Japan's so-called \"suicide forest,\" showing a dead body and seeming to make fun of suicide.\nYouTube said Tuesday that the video \"violated our community guidelines\" and that the company \"acted accordingly,\" but it's not clear what that means.\nRelated Story YouTube To Scale Up Human Review As Site Faces Child-Content Scandals\nPaul's video set off a wave of backlash. He took the video down and claimed he was trying to raise awareness for suicide prevention. Mental health experts say his video might have had the opposite effect.\nYouTube acknowledged that it had taken a while for it to respond to the controversy. The company said it was taking steps to \"ensure a video like this is never circulated again.\"","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line849726"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5871924161911011,"wiki_prob":0.5871924161911011,"text":"Film Festival Review: Gore Vidal - The United States of Amnesia\nBy Simon Wilson date Jul 25, 2013\nGore Vidal: The United States of Amnesia\nDirector Nicholas Wrathall\nSo, Gore Vidal. Novelist, excoriating critic of capitalism, warmongers and politicians. Wealthy leftist haranguer of the Right and of John F. Kennedy and all other soft-headed liberals who sailed in his wake… Long-form journalist!\nHe got so much so horribly wrong, especially in relation to World War II and again after 9/11. But he got an awful lot right, too, including his enthusiasm for Martin Luther King and the whole range of activism that grew up in American in the 1960s and 70s. He was charming, bombastic, erudite. He went on TV with sparring partner the ultra-conservative William F. Buckley, and their debates were electric: two gloriously quick wits going at each other for the sake of high political ideals, neither afraid to utilise some low personal blows.\nWhat made Vidal great among public intellectuals was that it all mattered so much. Christopher Hitchens had the same quality, and it’s no accident that he appears in this film to tell us Vidal called him his “dauphin”, by which he meant his heir apparent. Both of them, committed, erudite, pretentious, intellectually demanding and terribly enjoyable. And in this film it’s Hitchens, never scared to destroy anyone’s reputation, even that of his own erstwhile hero, who discusses where and why Vidal went wrong after 2001.\nThe movie is not a reckoning, because there’s too little of that sharp Hitchens-style evaluation. Vidal remains unchallenged on most of what he said, both in the public sphere and in private. Are we really expected to believe he lived for decades with the man he calls the great love of his life, but that the relationship wasn’t sexual? And if we are, isn’t that worth exploring a little more, for what it tells us about the man?\nAnd yet. Public intellectuals are in short supply. This one was a doozy, and the movie delivers you that.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1453492"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6823567152023315,"wiki_prob":0.6823567152023315,"text":"DU Alumni\nDU career center helps launch alumna’s environmental consulting firm\nBy Meg McIntyre\nPosted November 10, 2015 at 7:10 am\nJessica Acosta graduated from the University of Denver in 2003 with a BA in communications. Today, she is CEO of Environmental Consulting Services, an environmental construction consulting firm in the Denver area.\nAcosta says she was able to break into the construction industry with help from the University Career Center.\n“A company got my resumé from the career center shortly after I graduated, and they called me for an interview, offered me a job in construction, and that’s how I got started in the construction industry,” she says.\nSince founding her company in 2011, Acosta has participated in the JE Dunn Minority Contractors Business Development Program, was selected by the Associated General Contractors of America to participate in the Turner School of Construction Management, and was named an Outstanding Woman in Business and one of Denver’s 40 under 40 by the Denver Business Journal. She also serves on the board of directors for Hispanic Contractors of Colorado.\nAcosta says that even today, her DU degree continues to help her further her career.\n“A lot of times, just by mentioning that I went to DU, or that I’m a Pioneer or DU alumna, it really catches attention right off the bat,” Acosta says. “I definitely think that was true when starting my career. It opened some doors.”","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line10011"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5634794235229492,"wiki_prob":0.5634794235229492,"text":"Keweenaw County is Michigan's northernmost county, and its smallest (in population). The county comprises the upper half of the beautiful Keweenaw Peninsula, that beckoning finger of land that sticks out into Lake Superior.\nAccording to Google Maps,\nEagle River, the county seat of Keweenaw County is:\n574 miles from Detroit\n443 miles from Chicago\n369 miles from Minneapolis\nThe Keweenaw is a region rich in history as well as natural beauty. Copper mining is a major historical theme, but commercial fishing, lumbering, maritime and life-saving history, and various ethnic stories are notable, too.\nThe Keweenaw County Historical Society, established in 1981, is a group of volunteers who work hard and take pleasure in commemorating and sharing that history.\nThe picture in our web banner is of the Eagle Harbor Light Station on the shore of Lake Superior. This property is owned by the Keweenaw County Historical Society and is the site of its major museums. The lighthouse was built in 1871, and the light is still operated by the Coast Guard. The other buildings on the grounds are: the maritime museum and gift shop, housed in the former fog signal building; and, two former assistant lightkeepers’ dwellings. One houses a commercial fishing museum, the other is known as the Keeper’s Cottage and is available for vacation rental to Society members in the summer and fall.\nPronounce Keweenaw: KEY-win-awe\nPhoto Notes: Unless otherwise noted all 'current' images on the site were taken by photographers working for the KCHS and are intended only for the express use of the KCHS.\nCopyright: All content of this web site, including text, photos, maps, drawings, etc., are copyright © 2010-2025 The Keweenaw County Historical Society. All rights reserved.\nGoogle Map Keys\nFor those not familiar with Google maps:\nOpen list of placemarks\nOpen larger version of this map in Google Maps\nZoom in and out","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line995955"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6292702555656433,"wiki_prob":0.3707297444343567,"text":"Senate feeling energetic\nFederal energy bill moves to final round: House v. Senate showdown\nBy Emily Gertz on Jun 29, 2005\nThe Senate passed its $16 billion version of the federal energy bill yesterday with an 85-12 vote. Included: tax breaks and incentives for domestic oil and gas production; billions for clean energy, nuke power, and conservation; and, the “sense of the Senate” demanding that “the United States should demonstrate international leadership and responsibility regarding reducing the health, environmental, and economic risks posed by climate change.”\n(Search on ‘S. J. RES. 5’ for the 109th Congress at senate.gov to read the whole thing.)\nNot included, as compared to the House version: Even more incentives for dirty energy production; immunity from defective-product lawsuits for manufacturers of MTBE, a gasoline additive that has fouled drinking water in hundreds of communities nationwide; drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. And the House certainly didn’t include no namby-pamby non-binding resolution on reducing global warming.\nSo stay tuned for the next round, as the House and Senate duke it out in conference to reconcile their two versions of the bill.\nRead more in today’s The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and The New York Times.On Monday, anticipating this vote, the editors of The New York Times weighed in on the significance of the climate resolution — far from being an empty gesture (as opponents to action on climate change would style it),\nThe resolution was anything but meaningless. It represents a major turnaround in attitudes, especially among prominent Republicans who only a few years ago doubted a problem even existed. It is something to build on: Pete Domenici, the most influential Senate Republican on energy matters and a recent convert to the global warming cause, has already scheduled hearings to see what sort of legislation can be devised down the road.\nAnd it terrifies the White House because it is further proof that the administration’s efforts to minimize the warming threat have failed and that President Bush’s voluntary approach to the problem is no longer taken seriously.\nSo, what do you think? Tipping point, or toothless?","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1499782"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7993205189704895,"wiki_prob":0.7993205189704895,"text":"Marvel Lucha Libre Edition Pulls Inspiration from Iconic Super Heroes and Villains\nNew storytelling content and a collection of clothing, accessories and other consumer products inspired by Mexican wrestling is coming soon!\nMarvel Lucha Libre Edition\nMarvel and AAA get together to expand the sporting and cultural experience of Mexican wrestling. As part of the actions that will be taken for this collaboration, a new group of wrestlers inspired by Marvel's most iconic Super Heroes and villains will be introduced; and a series of family events that will gather the perfect combination of sports, culture and entertainment that distinguishes wrestling in Mexico will be developed.\n\"This collaboration with AAA represents an opportunity to participate in an iconic part of Mexican culture, such as wrestling and offering attractive content and experiences to the whole family that can be further celebrated with spectacular consumer products inspired by this discipline which is valuable for fans and consumers; says Luis Lomelí, Head of Licensing and Consumer Products area at The Walt Disney Company (Mexico). \"While developing these storytelling and content creation initiatives, the premise has been to stay true to the essence of Mexican wrestling at all times by bringing together AAA’s experience in terms of wrestling and Marvel’s experience in terms of story and character development. The potential of wrestling is unlimited. Its quality, color and talent are increasingly valued in the world. Based on this unique and original creative platform, we will develop different product lines such as clothing, footwear and accessories, toys, household and school items”, adds the executive.\nDuring autumn of this year, the first 4 wrestlers of this group will be announced, who will be called to revolutionize the AAA lineup. On the one hand, we will have the technical wrestlers: Aracno and Leyenda Americana and, on the other hand, we will have the tough wrestlers: Terror Púrpura and Venenoide.\nIt will be at the next AAA event, Triplemanía XXVIII, to be held on December at the Arena Ciudad de México, in Mexico City, when the public will be able to watch them live and appreciate the moves, holds, counter offenses and evolution of these wrestlers inspired by their beloved Marvel Super Heroes and villains.\n\"Teaming with Marvel represents the union of two fantastic worlds that house characters that public have turned into their great heroes. Therefore, it will be a pleasure to welcome you to the Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide family in a successful event, such as Triplemanía XXVIII,\" concluded Dorian Roldán, General Director of Lucha Libre AAA.\nWant to stay on top of everything in the Marvel Universe? Follow Marvel on social media—Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram—and keep watching Marvel.com for more news!","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line797461"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9807211756706238,"wiki_prob":0.9807211756706238,"text":"Transfer Talk, January 3: All the latest transfer gossip, rumours and speculation\nIS BERAM Kayal ready to sing like a Canary? Is Terry Butcher looking for some Devine intervention? And is Ryan Fraser experiencing a change of heart? Read it all in our latest Transfer Talk.\nGregor Kyle\nBeram Kayal: Could the Bhoy become a Canary?\nWITH Ryan McGowan on a slow boat from Tynecastle to China and Jamie Murphy bidding a teary farewell to the ‘Well, we’ve seen the first of what should be many departures from the Scottish Premier League during the January transfer window.\nCeltic are keeping tight-lipped on Rabiu Ibrahim’s transfer to Kilmarnock - although nothing has been confirmed by the Ayrshire club either, despite quotes from the player doing the rounds.\nThere could be another departure from Celtic in the near future as well. Here is the latest news in our transfer round-up.\nCELTIC: According to one national tabloid, Beram Kayal is a £5m target for Chris Hughton and Norwich City. The Celtic midfielder signed a new deal last season, but has made no secret of his determination to eventually move to the English Premier League. Kayal has struggled to earn a regular starting place this season and the club could well be tempted by a £5m offer. Meanwhile, the Celtic fans are not particularly enamoured with the prospect of signing former-Ranger Kevin Thomson from Middlesbrough. And coach Garry Parker has warned Gary Hooper he’d be mad to return to England this month.\nHEARTS: Manager John McGlynn has done his best to prepare fans for more departures during the window. Ryan McGowan could prove to be the first of many.\nMOTHERWELL: Jamie Murphy played his final match for the club yesterday and has said that he is just delighted to see Motherwell get a fee for him.\nINVERNESS CT: Former Wrexham defender Danny Devine is reportedly in talks with Caley having been released from his contract by Fleetwood Town. The 20-year-old Irish centre back also played for Lisburn Distillery and Linfield, before moving to Preston North End.\nABERDEEN: It could be just like a new signing! If rumours are to be believed, Ryan Fraser has had a change of heart and back in talks with the Dons. As Craig Brown told him, ‘you can always change your mind...’\nLopez could be on his way to Arsenal\nCHELSEA: Demba Ba - and his dodgy knee - are currently undergoing a medical at Chelsea and the club is keen to get him registered in time for the weekend. He could also be the first of several January arrivals with Micah Richards (Manchester City), Brazilian Taison (Metalist Kharkiv) and Atletico Madrid’s Radamel Falcao also being linked with the club.\nNEWCASTLE UNITED: Marseille striker Loic Remy is the Magpies’ first choice replacement for Ba. They’re also close to agreeing a deal for Lille’s French right-back, Mathieu Debuchy.\nASTON VILLA: Paul Lambert was glad to see the back of him, but might well be forced to accept Alan Hutton’s early return from Nottingham Forest. His former Rangers’ boss, Alex McLeish is considering ending his loan deal at the City Ground.\nCRYSTAL PALACE: The Eagles have a novel idea to keep their promotion push on track and make between £10-£15m in the process. Wilfried Zaha would be allowed to move to Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester United or Arsenal - only if he is immediately loaned back to Palace for the second half of the season.\nSTOKE CITY: One player who won’t be moving in the January window is Stoke captain Ryan Shawcross - who has signed a new five-and-a-half-year contract. Manager Tony Pulis was desperate to tie him to a new deal and Pulis: \"He's been the bedrock of what we've been trying to do over the past five or six years and we're really pleased that he's finally agreed.\"\nARSENAL: Arsene Wenger feels signing Theo Walcott on a new contract would send a \"positive message\" that the future is bright at Arsenal. Wenger remains confident an agreement can be reached and is ready to overhaul his squad. Arsenal are expected to move for Atletico Madrid striker Adrian Lopez. Fringe players Marouane Chamakh, Sebastien Squillaci and Johan Djourou are all likely to be offloaded. Andrey Arshavin has been linked with Reading and Paris St Germain.\nWEST HAM: Joe Cole is currently undergoing a medical and could make a hero’s return to his first club. Heading for the exit is Yossi Benayoun, who has returned to his parent club Chelsea.\nEVERTON: Phil Jagielka has signed a two-year contract extension to keep him at the club until 2017. The England international has committed his future to the Toffees until beyond his 34th birthday.\nM'Villa in action against Celtic\nATHLETIC BILBAO: The Basque side have announced that striker Fernando Llorente is in talks with Juventus. The 27-year-old's contract is up at San Mames at the end of the season and after announcing his decision to leave during the summer, he has been used sparingly - scoring just twice in 16 matches, the majority of which have come from the bench. \"Juventus Football Club informed Athletic Club on January 3 that, knowing Fernando Llorente will end his stint at our club on June 30, 2013, they will begin negotiations with the player to incorporate him into their squad,\" the statement read.\nRENNES: Yann M'Vila has reignited speculation over a move to Arsenal by questioning his future at the Ligue 1 club. The 22-year-old was linked with the Gunners in the summer transfer window and has now stated: \"If the club receive a good offer and I like the destination then I will go, there is no doubt about that. Until that happens, nothing can be said.\"\nHibernian FCChris Cadden completes Hibs move as Jack Ross hails 'manager's dream' on MLS returnThe Scotland cap makes his return to the Scottish Premiership from Columbus Crew on a ... year deal.\nNeil Lennon's Celtic return date set as Gavin Strachan confirms no new positives from latest round of testing\nNeil LennonThe manager and 13 players will be back for the second of a double-header with David Martindale's side.\nHearts director in 'crocodile tears' jibe as he takes aim at clubs who stood by during SFA relegation fight\nHearts FCSeveral League One and League Two clubs have been left fuming after the SFA put the divisions on hold for three weeks.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line607210"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.648734986782074,"wiki_prob":0.351265013217926,"text":"History & How to Get Started\nClass Times & Rates\nOwners & Coaching Staff\nVacation Workouts\nGroup warm up\nLine drills\n10 push-ups\n5 big C's and D's\n7@ empty bar\n5@ 40% of max\n3@ 60%\nThen in one shot (with a spot)\n10 - 8 - 6 - 4 - 2\n*Start with 50%, after each set, rest bar long enough to add 10 lbs on each side, then immediately begin next set\n18min AMRAP\n400m run/row\n7 hang power snatch 135/95, 105/75, 85/55\n9 slam balls 20/15\nPosted by James Martinez at 10:22 PM\nJames Martinez - CrossFit Coach\nJames Martinez\nJennifer Martinez\nWeight loss, health, and protein Supplements\nBlog Archive 06/23 - 06/30 (2) 06/02 - 06/09 (1) 05/19 - 05/26 (1) 04/21 - 04/28 (2) 03/31 - 04/07 (1) 03/24 - 03/31 (1) 03/03 - 03/10 (5) 02/24 - 03/03 (2) 02/17 - 02/24 (5) 02/10 - 02/17 (5) 01/27 - 02/03 (2) 01/13 - 01/20 (2) 01/06 - 01/13 (3) 12/30 - 01/06 (4) 12/23 - 12/30 (4) 12/16 - 12/23 (5) 12/09 - 12/16 (5) 12/02 - 12/09 (5) 11/25 - 12/02 (4) 11/18 - 11/25 (3) 11/11 - 11/18 (5) 10/28 - 11/04 (2) 10/21 - 10/28 (2) 10/14 - 10/21 (2) 10/07 - 10/14 (5) 09/30 - 10/07 (3) 09/23 - 09/30 (4) 09/16 - 09/23 (4) 09/09 - 09/16 (5) 09/02 - 09/09 (4) 08/26 - 09/02 (4) 08/19 - 08/26 (4) 08/12 - 08/19 (4) 08/05 - 08/12 (3) 07/29 - 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02/16 (6) 02/02 - 02/09 (6) 01/26 - 02/02 (6) 01/19 - 01/26 (5) 01/12 - 01/19 (6) 01/05 - 01/12 (6) 12/29 - 01/05 (7) 12/22 - 12/29 (6) 12/15 - 12/22 (6) 12/08 - 12/15 (7) 12/01 - 12/08 (5) 11/24 - 12/01 (6) 11/17 - 11/24 (5) 11/10 - 11/17 (6) 11/03 - 11/10 (5) 10/27 - 11/03 (5) 10/20 - 10/27 (6) 10/13 - 10/20 (5) 10/06 - 10/13 (6) 09/29 - 10/06 (5) 09/22 - 09/29 (6) 09/15 - 09/22 (6) 09/08 - 09/15 (6) 09/01 - 09/08 (6) 08/25 - 09/01 (6) 08/18 - 08/25 (5) 08/11 - 08/18 (6) 08/04 - 08/11 (6) 07/28 - 08/04 (5) 07/21 - 07/28 (7) 07/14 - 07/21 (5) 07/07 - 07/14 (6) 06/30 - 07/07 (6) 06/23 - 06/30 (4) 06/16 - 06/23 (6) 06/09 - 06/16 (6) 06/02 - 06/09 (5) 05/26 - 06/02 (5) 05/19 - 05/26 (5) 05/12 - 05/19 (5) 05/05 - 05/12 (5) 04/28 - 05/05 (6) 04/21 - 04/28 (5) 04/14 - 04/21 (6) 04/07 - 04/14 (5) 03/31 - 04/07 (7) 03/24 - 03/31 (5) 03/17 - 03/24 (7) 03/10 - 03/17 (5) 03/03 - 03/10 (6) 02/24 - 03/03 (6) 02/17 - 02/24 (6) 02/10 - 02/17 (7) 02/03 - 02/10 (9) 01/27 - 02/03 (7) 01/20 - 01/27 (7) 01/13 - 01/20 (5) 01/06 - 01/13 (6) 12/30 - 01/06 (5) 12/23 - 12/30 (5) 12/16 - 12/23 (4) 12/09 - 12/16 (5) 12/02 - 12/09 (5) 11/25 - 12/02 (5) 11/18 - 11/25 (5) 11/11 - 11/18 (4) 11/04 - 11/11 (4) 10/28 - 11/04 (4) 10/21 - 10/28 (4) 10/14 - 10/21 (5) 10/07 - 10/14 (6) 09/30 - 10/07 (5) 09/23 - 09/30 (5) 09/16 - 09/23 (5) 09/09 - 09/16 (5) 09/02 - 09/09 (6) 08/26 - 09/02 (4) 08/19 - 08/26 (5) 08/12 - 08/19 (6) 08/05 - 08/12 (5) 07/29 - 08/05 (4) 07/22 - 07/29 (5) 07/15 - 07/22 (5) 07/08 - 07/15 (5) 07/01 - 07/08 (5) 06/24 - 07/01 (5) 06/17 - 06/24 (6) 06/10 - 06/17 (5) 06/03 - 06/10 (4) 05/27 - 06/03 (4) 05/20 - 05/27 (5) 05/13 - 05/20 (6) 05/06 - 05/13 (5) 04/29 - 05/06 (6) 04/22 - 04/29 (6) 04/15 - 04/22 (6) 04/08 - 04/15 (5) 04/01 - 04/08 (6) 03/25 - 04/01 (6) 03/18 - 03/25 (5) 03/11 - 03/18 (7) 03/04 - 03/11 (6) 02/26 - 03/04 (5) 02/19 - 02/26 (3) 02/12 - 02/19 (5) 02/05 - 02/12 (6) 01/29 - 02/05 (6) 01/22 - 01/29 (7) 01/15 - 01/22 (6) 01/08 - 01/15 (6) 01/01 - 01/08 (8) 12/25 - 01/01 (7) 12/18 - 12/25 (8) 12/11 - 12/18 (5) 12/04 - 12/11 (4) 11/27 - 12/04 (6) 11/20 - 11/27 (3) 11/13 - 11/20 (6) 11/06 - 11/13 (7) 10/30 - 11/06 (1) 10/23 - 10/30 (1) 03/20 - 03/27 (1) 03/13 - 03/20 (1) 03/06 - 03/13 (1) 02/27 - 03/06 (1) 02/20 - 02/27 (1)\nIf you can see this, your browser doesn't understand iframes. to the widget.\nPowered by Fringe Sport\nFollow CFS by Email\n\"DT\" \"The 800\" \"The 900\" \"The Mac\" \"the machina\" 1 rep max 1000 Facebook likes 12 days of CrossFit 13.4 14.2 1500 17 years 17.1 19 Firefighters 1k row 1RM 1st pull 2 fer 1s 2.5k 200 2013 open 2014 2015 21 day challenge 21 Days of Fitness 21-15-9 24 day challenge 24 watts 2nd week oly training 3 wise men 300 300 revisited 31 heroes 365 Days 365 days of CrossFit 38 special 3rd week of Oly training 4 Corners 4 hour body 40 meter repeats 400 400 meter run 400M Run 4th of July 4th week of oly training 5 minutes later 500 500 facebook fans 5k 65 shades of green 700 800 Meters 80s 9/11 900 Likes abmat active recovery day advanced Airforce Albert alicia AMRAP Anchored Situps Angie annie Anniversay arms Ashley Axle Bar Back Squat back squat cycle bar facing burpees Barbell Hip Thrusters Baseball bday WOD Bear Complex bear crawls Beer Bella Bench Press benchmark bent over rows Big Clean Complex Birthday WOD birthday workout Black Friday Body Comp Body Fat body weight Box jump challenge Box Jumps boxing bradshaw bring sally up challenge burpee bar touch burpee box jump overs burpee jump over burpee penalty burpee wall balls Burpees buy in C-130 C&J C2 Rowers candlestick get up CF Total CFS top 10 list Challenge chaos Chasing Grace cheif chelsea Cheryl Chest Press chest to bar Chipper Chris Kyle christan Christas WOD Christmas eve Christmas Eve WOD Christmas WOD cinco de mayo cindo de mayo Cindy cindy ladder clean Clean and Jerk Clean and Press clean clinic clean grip Cleans Coach's week Commando Pullups comp training Competition competition Prep complex Concept 2 Rowers Core crippler CrossFit crossfit endurance CrossFit Games CrossFit open CrossFit Prayer CrossFit Success CrossFit total crossfitsuccess dallas 5 dallas police db split cleans Deadlift deadlifts deanz death by Death by Cleans death by sprints death by Wall Balls Deck of Cards diane diane ladder dianne dirty 30 double Unders DT DthreeMOM Dwain 1k Eating EMOM End of the Year endurance facebook false grip farewell Farm Farmer's Carries fat bar Fat Tuesday Feedback Friday fight gone back Fight Gone Bad fight gone badder Filthy Fifty Final Countdown Fire fighters flight simulator flight simulator wall balls Floor Sweepers Floor Swipers Foam Rolling Football Fran Fran ladder fran's jumping cousin Frangie friggatriskaidekaphobia front rack lunges Front Squats full snatch Fun Friday fundraiser Gage garbage ball GHD GHD situps girl wod gluten free gluteus maximus hurteus goal setting Goat work Goblet Squats Grace Grand Re-opening Ground to Overhead gymnastics halloween hand stand walks Hand Stands Handstand handstand hold handstand walks handstands Hang Cleans Hang Power Clean hang power snatch hang snatches HCC health holidays Helen Hero WOD Holleyman Hollow Rocks honey badger hoover ball Hope HSPU indian run iron bill jack jackie James Complex James Day jen jenny Jerk jerks Jump jump rope Karen kb swings keep is simple and Strong kelly Kenya kettle bell Poppers kettlebell kettlebell Swings Kevin Ogar KISS klokov Knees To Elbows Kraken KTE Labor Day ladder ladders Land Mines Laredo Lateral Jumps Legs Legtastic Lindsay lions and tigers and bears lucky 7s Lunges Lurong Lurong Benchmark Mac Complex main site man on fire burpee manmakers Marissa martin luther king masters Matrix Reloaded Maverick and Goose WOD max pushups Max Sheets Maximum Overdrive may the 4th be with you Med ball Sit ups memorial day Metcon MLK Mobility Monday Mountain Climbers Murph Muscle Up Mwod Myofascial release Mystery nancy Nasty 90 New Year. New Year's Eve Novelty WOD Nurses week Nutrition OGAR strong OH Lunges OH Squats OHS oly total Olympic lifting olympic lifting total One arm Snatch One Rep Max Open 17.1 Open WOD open wod 13.1 open wod 13.2 OT over the hill over the hills overhead squats Overtime Painting Paleo Paleo Challenge Parallette Parallette Pass Throughs Partner Partner WOD peeling the onion penalty Pistols Plank Post turkey WOD Post-Workout Power Clean Power Cleans Power Snatch PR Bell pre turkey day Pre-workout Prep president's day Press Pull up Bars Pull Ups Pulling Grace pullup clinic pullups Push Jerk Push Jerks Push Press Push ups pushpress pyrAMID Quinn Randy RDL Recovery recovery wod regionals Renegade Rows repeats Results RFT ring dips Ring Rows rolls Romanian Dead Lift rope climb clinic Rope Climbs Rounds for time Rowers rowing run running Running from Grace running from jerks Running Ladder Russian Twists sabrina Santa WOD Sara saturday WOD schedule SDHP Seal Jacks shoot Throughs shoulder mobility Shoulder press shoulder to OH Single Arm Dumbell Snatch single arm snatches sit ups skill work Slam Ball sled pulls slow carb diet snatch Snatch Balance Snatch Blance snatch complex Snatch Crazy Snatch Grip Snatch progressions snatch this snatch work snatches snatching cindy Social Soreness split cleans split jerk sprints squat clean Squat cleans squat form squat snatch Squats St. Patrick's day St. Patty's Day Star Wars Star Wars Day Station Stations Strength Strict Press strict Pullups Sumo Super Hero super ladder Surprise t-rex Tabata tabata squats tabata Tuesday talk team team green team scream prep Team Success team WOD Team Work Team workout Test testing TGU Thanksgiving the chief The Crowley Box the night before Christmas The Seven three wise men Throwback Thursday Thrusters time bomb Tire Carry's Tire Flip Tire Hit tk Toes 2 Bar tow tristine trying Turkey Day Turkish Get up twas the night before Christmas unbroken unfinished valentine's day veterans day Wall Balls Wall Climbs Warm up Wedding WOD week 1 week 2 strength week 6 of strength Weekend Warrior Weight Loss Winners WOD wod and wine WOD for GOD WODaCrazy WODAHOLIC wodapalooza recap wonder ladder of wonderful ladder of work and hold world down syndrome day","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1155651"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7241735458374023,"wiki_prob":0.7241735458374023,"text":"Book Preview: \"Eyes of the World: Grateful Dead Photography 1965 – 1995\"\nTitle: Eyes of the World: Grateful Dead Photography 1965 – 1995\nPublisher: Rock Out Books\nEyes of the World: Grateful Dead Photography 1965 – 1995 is a fine art, hardcover coffee table photography book that brings together, for the first time, a comprehensive collection of photographs from a wide range of photographers whose work has captured the Grateful Dead at different times throughout their career.\nCo-Edited by former Relix editor-in-chief Josh Baron and famed rock photographer Jay Blakesberg, Eyes of the World was released today (October 23, 2017) via Rock Out Books.\nShocking as it may seem—particularly given the unparalleled job the band’s shepherds did in documenting its history—until now there has been no definitive visual reference encompassing the 30 year career of the Grateful Dead.\n“What we also realized in assessing this book project,” explains Baron, “is that even for those images that fans had seen before, the vast majority had only seen them on a computer screen. Most people—including Jay and I —had never seen the majority of these images printed in large format.”\nOver the course of six months of research, Baron and Blakesberg reached out to more than 100 individual photographers (or in some cases, their representatives) to see if they’d be willing to submit their images for review. After much deliberation, countless conversations and 32 versions of the eventual layout, they landed on 220 images captured by 61 photographers across 272 pages that would become Eyes of the World, the book.\nPhotographers featured in Eyes of the World include such legendary names as Annie Leibovitz, Jim Marshall, David Gahr, Mark Seliger, Herb Greene, William Coupon, Michael O’Neill, Adrian Boot, Michael Putland, Peter Simon, Baron Wolman and, of course, Jay Blakesberg. Included in the collection are iconic images, lesser known photos, and never-seen before seen images – each of them a singular perspective of a poignant moment that together help tell the Grateful Dead’s epic tale through large, bold imagery.\n“There were quite a few of us photographers fortunate to have had the opportunity to help document the Grateful Dead,” Blakesberg says. “But no single photographic perspective can tell this band’s full story. For many years, I have thought a book that considered the archives of numerous photographers - Jim Marshall, Herb Greene, myself, and others - would be the ultimate photography book on this band. It was Josh who went above and beyond, seeking out the rare and unseen archives that truly makes this a unique collection. I’m very happy to see this book come to life.”\nEach of the images included on the pages of Eyes of the World were originally shot on film. Many of them have been reproduced for the first time via high-resolution scan, allowing them to be viewed anew. Unfettered in presentation, each photograph holds relevance and weight, many of them taking up a full page or more.\nAs renowned musician and photographer Graham Nash writes in the book’s forward, “It’s obvious that the authors of these photographs were great fans and also that they had a unique perspective. They were ‘trusted.’ Trusted so much that it’s certain that the band were completely comfortable in revealing the many faces of themselves.” Graham continues, “It’s moments like these that photographers live for: the ability to be invisible so that no one knows you’re there. That’s when the good shots happen and that’s when I realize how lucky the band was to have such talented witnesses to their journey.”\nAs the band’s own Phil Lesh notes, “These photographs really capture the spirit of the Grateful Dead’s 30-year adventure.”\nWhether a Grateful Dead veteran who caught them in the heady days of the late-‘60s in San Francisco, or a millennial who made it to Chicago for Fare The Well in 2015, Eyes of the World: Grateful Dead Photography 1965 – 1995 provides fans of all ages and stages the opportunity to see this band in a way they never have before.\n-Preview- Grateful Dead Preview\nLabels: -Preview- Grateful Dead Preview","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1217682"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9790990948677063,"wiki_prob":0.9790990948677063,"text":" \nMatch Settings\nleague time\nAm. Football >\nESPN2 USA Channel Live Streaming and TV Schedule\nESPN2 USA\nTV Rights\nLIVE REPEATS/DELAYS\n ESPN2 USA TV Rights\nNCAA - FBS (2019 - 2028)\nNCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament (2019 - 2028)\n1. Bundesliga (2020 - 2026)\nESPN has acquired multi-platform broadcast rights to the German Bundesliga in USA, which will run from 2020 through 2026. The broacaster will cover every game live on its streaming service ESPN+, whereas its linear TV networks will telecast select Bundesliga games every season. The deal also includes exclusive programs and match highlights.\nUEFA Euro (2014 - 2022)\nMajor League Soccer (2015 - 2022)\nESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes will show 28 matches from the 2020 MLS Is Back Tournament on television in USA. ESPN will broadcast 22 games live, including the opening game and Final, in addition to all matches scheduled for 9am ET. ESPN2 will show six MLS matches live, including a game from the quarterfinals and semis. ESPN Deportes will televise all 28 matches from the MLS Is Back Tournament with Spanish-language commentary. All 28 MLS matches will be streamed live on the ESPN App.\nUSL (2019 - 2022)\nESPN has acquired multi-platform broadcast rights for the USL Championship through the 2022 season in USA. With the deal including both English- and Spanish-language telecasts, coverage for 19 linear games—consisting of 18 regular-season fixtures plus the USL Championship Final—will be aired by ESPN2, ESPNEWS, ESPNU or ESPN Deportes annually. Matches not aired by any of these TV networks will be available to stream live on ESPN+, and also from within the ESPN App, on computers, mobile devices and smart TVs.\nUsl League One (2019 - 2022)\nUS broadcaster ESPN has secured multi-platform broadcast rights for the USL League One. English-language telecasts will be brought to viewers by ESPN2, ESPNEWS or ESPNU, whereas ESPN Deportes will provide Spanish-language broadcasts. Live streaming of USL League One games will also be available on direct-to-consumer video service ESPN+ and accessible from within the ESPN App.\nNFL (2011 - 2021)\nXFL (2020 - 2021)\nInternational Champions Cup (2019 - 2021)\nESPN and ESPN Deportes will each broadcast 15 matches per year in the US, while ESPN+ will exclusively show up to 10 live games in both English and Spanish.\nUefa Nations League (2018 - 2021)\nESPN owns the exclusive English-language multi-platform broadcast rights for the UEFA Nations League in the USA. The deal starts with the inaugural 2018-19 season and runs until the 2020-21 season.\nESPN has secured English-language U.S. TV rights for the UEFA Euro 2020. The network’s family of channels will combine with Disney-owned network ABC to air all 51 matches from the group stage to the Final. Flagship channel ESPN will show 39 Euro 2020 matches live on television in high definition, whereas ESPN2 will telecast seven games. Both networks will produce 30-minute pregame, halftime and postgame reaction shows for every match they cover. An exclusive program named EURO Tonight will also be broadcast by both ESPN and ESPN2 every matchday after the conclusion of the final fixture. Further news and updates will be provided on daily sports program SportsCenter in the mornings. All UEFA Euro 2020 matches aired on TV by linear networks will be streamed live on the ESPN App.\nSerie A (2018 - 2021)\nESPN has acquired multi-platform broadcast rights to the Italian Serie A in the United States. The deal, which was signed ahead of the 2018/19 season, will bring over 340 exclusive Serie A matches every season to the broadcaster’s direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service, ESPN+. As an OTT platform dedicated to expanding the sports viewing experience of ESPN subscribers, ESPN+ will stream an average of nine live matches every week, every season. ESPN linear networks, on the other hand, will organize to telecast a Serie A TIM Match of the Week, every matchday. Television broadcasts of the Italian Serie A in USA will be carried out by ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNEWS in English, whereas ESPN Deportes will show the matches in Spanish. Throughout the year, ESPN will offer additional Serie A-related programming, such as news bulletins and match highlights. The full action is expected to be available for subscribers to watch live and on demand online, as well as through the official ESPN App for Android and iOS mobile phones and tablets.\nCoppa Italia (2018 - 2021)\nESPN has acquired the multi-platform broadcasting rights of the Coppa Italia in the US territory. As per the rights agreement, ESPN+ will stream 24 Coppa Italia matches each year of the agreement. Coverage of the Coppa Italia in the USA will comment with the round-of-16 matches in January 2019 through the two-leg, semifinal series in February. The Coppa Italia Final and the Supercoppa Italiana will air live on the ESPN networks (ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNEWS), in addition to ESPN Deportes’ live Spanish-language presentation of the matches.\nSuper Cup (2018 - 2021)\nESPN Networks has acquired the TV and Streaming broadcast rights for the SuperCoppa Italiana. In the agreement, the Coppa Italia Final and the Supercoppa Italiana will air live on the ESPN networks (ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNEWS), in addition to ESPN Deportes’ live Spanish-language presentation of the matches.\nKBO (2020 - 2020)\nFriendlies (2016 - 2020)\nCfl (2019 - 2019)\nEuropa League (2015 - 2018)\nCopa del Rey (2016 - 2018)\nESPN has the rights to broadcast the Copa del Rey Final in the USA with English and Spanish-language commentary.\nWC Qualification Africa (2014 - 2017)\nWC Qualification Asia (2014 - 2017)\nWC Qualification CONCACAF (2014 - 2017)\nWC Qualification Europe (2014 - 2017)\nWC Qualification Intercontinental Play-offs (2014 - 2017)\nWC Qualification Oceania (2014 - 2017)\nWC Qualification South America (2014 - 2017)\nLiga MX (2013 - 2015)\nClub Friendlies (2014 - 2014)\nESPN offers a collection of matches pitting select Major League soccer teams against European clubs.\nPremier League (2012 - 2013)\nDuring the 2011-12 season, ESPN will televise up to 74 matches on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, ESPN3.com, and ESPN Mobile TV. ESPN 2 includes the Saturday morning matches at 7:30 a.m.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line424491"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.560630738735199,"wiki_prob":0.439369261264801,"text":"Su Friedrich1996\nMore on Su Here\nOften autobiographical in content and experimental in form, Friedrich's films question illusion, belief, cultural and sexual identity and the conventions of documentary and narrative films. Having produced eleven 16mm works which weave black and white images, voice-over, interviews, \"street footage,\" and silence, her most recent project combines the artifice of fiction and the direct address of documentary to explore the experiences of lesbians during childhood. In all her films, Friedrich starts with material from her own life, or the lives of people around her, extensively researches the subject, (be it World War Two or the lives of nuns), conducts interviews and/or writes a narrative, shoots and collects footage, optically prints and re-works her footage and, during months in the editing room, fashions a structure by discovering the unexpected relationships between disparate images and texts. The result: ingenious formal strategies and complex, provocative, visually pleasurable representations of a great range of interior states.\n\"I start making a film when I stumble upon something I'm afraid to think about. I often work with material from my own life because I hope that forces me to be honest. What I've observed of human nature makes me think that most of us don't fit into the normal categories, so I think that creating an accurate portrait of a person, place, or an event is I think one of my main tasks as an artist is to try to create accurate portraits of those people, places or events that have been ignored or misrepresented, but I also dream of making comedies.\"","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line483250"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8170040249824524,"wiki_prob":0.8170040249824524,"text":"State of emergency lifted in most of Japan\nAsia, News, Front, Headlines\nJapan has lifted a state of emergency imposed due to the coronavirus in 39 out of 47 prefectures, after a sharp fall in new infections.\nThe order still applies in Tokyo, Osaka and on the northern island of Hokkaido, where new cases are emerging daily.\nPrime Minister Shinzo Abe said Japan’s rate of infection had reduced to one seventh of the country’s peak.\nHe urged the public to be vigilant, wear masks, and keep following distancing guidance.\n“If possible, before 31 May, we would like to lift the state of emergency for the other regions as well,” Mr Abe said.\nMay 15, 2020 /by Diplomat Editor\nhttps://www.thediplomatmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/State-of-emergency-lifted-in-most-of-Japan.jpg 576 1024 Diplomat Editor https://www.thediplomatmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/diplomat-logo-v5.jpg Diplomat Editor2020-05-15 01:29:462020-05-15 01:29:46State of emergency lifted in most of Japan\nAmazon to make face shields and sell at cost WTO head steps down a year early as downturn looms","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1178891"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9568071365356445,"wiki_prob":0.9568071365356445,"text":"Germany: one dead and others hurt or missing after BASF chemical plant explosions\nOne person has been killed in an explosion at a chemical plant in Germany.\nIt was one of two separate blasts at plants owned by BASF. Several people have been reported injured or missing.\nAt about 8.30 in the morning a gas explosion injured four people at the company’s Lampertheim facility.\nThe second blast three hours later caused a fire at the plant at Ludwigshafen on the river Rhine, about 50 kilometres south of Frankfurt.\nIt’s the company’s headquarters and the world’s largest chemical complex.\n“As the first emergency crews arrived it was immediately clear where the location was. Together with the company’s own fire crew and a fire engine boat, we were able to contain the blaze. Right now there is still some residue in the pipes burning off,” said the head of the fire department, Peter Friedrich.\nBASF said at least one person was killed, with six injured.\nThe Ludwigshafen site’s chief said six people were still missing.\nThe company is investigating what caused the explosion.\nSeveral facilities near the blast site were shut down for safety reasons.\nCity authorities advised people in the surrounding area to avoid going outside but the company has since said there is no danger to the population.\nWho’s hoping to be the CDU’s new leader and Germany’s next chancellor?\nGermany defends COVID vaccine rollout amid criticism it's too slow\nGermany extends coronavirus lockdown for three more weeks","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line508746"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5678094625473022,"wiki_prob":0.5678094625473022,"text":"Grants & Foundation Relations\nGrant Opportunities: Fine Arts\n[Annual]\nA Room of Her Own Foundation\nOpen to female visual artists for an award of up to $50,000 payable over two years.\nAaron Siskind Foundation\nThe Aaron Siskind Foundation is offering a limited number of Individual Photographer's Fellowship grants of up to $10,000 each, for artists working in photography and photo-based art. Recipients will be determined by a panel of distinguished guest judges on the basis of artistic excellence, accomplishment to date, and the promise of future achievement in the medium in its widest sense.\nAdolph and Esther Gottlieb Foundation\nTwo grants for painters, printmakers and sculptors: 1) Individual support grant-20 yrs mature phase of art. 2) Emergency assistance grant-10 yrs mature, victim of catastrophic incident such as fire, flood, or medical emergency. No Geographical restrictions. Open to USA residents and International Artists\nArtists' Fellowship\nThe Artists' Fellowship, Inc. is a private, charitable foundation that assists professional fine artists (painters, graphic artists, sculptors) and their families in times of emergency, disability, or bereavement.\nArts Link\nArts Link Collaborative Projects are designed to encourage mutually beneficial artistic collaboration between US artists and their counterparts in Central and Eastern Europe. Open to individual artists and non-profit arts organizations.\nBemis Center for Contemporary Arts Residencies\nThe Bemis Center currently supports artists with three residency programs: at our main campus in the Old Market, at Carver Bank in North Omaha and through opportunities to work with our community partners.\nThe Shirley Holden Helberg Grants for the Mature Women, NLAPW, Inc.\nWomen artists, sculptors, or photographers who are at least 35 years of age are invited to submit three color prints of any medium (oil, watercolor, original works on paper, or sculpture) or three color or black-and-white prints of photographic works.\nBlack Rock Arts Foundation\nBRAF funds highly interactive, community-driven works of art that prioritize community involvement in their development, execution and display. We fund art that is accessible to the public, civic in scope and prompts the viewer to act.\nCapelli D'Angeli Foundation\nCapelli d’Angeli Foundation is offering a limited number of fellowship grants of up to $500 each for individual women artists who are in treatment or are survivors of cancer at any stage and creating art in the form of painting, sculpture, photography (of all types), and mixed media.\nCenter for Documentary Studies Film Making Award\nThis $7,500 annual prize recognizes documentary films that combine originality and creativity with firsthand experience in examining central issues of contemporary life and culture. In keeping with the CDS mission, the award was created to honor and support documentary artists whose works are potential catalysts for education and change.\nCenter for Documentary Studies/Honickman Foundation First Book Prize in Photography\nWinners of the CDS/Honickman First Book Prize in Photography receive a grant of $3,000, publication of a book of photography, and inclusion in a website devoted to presenting the work of the prizewinners. The winner will also be given a solo exhibit at the Center for Documentary Studies and the photographs will then be placed in the Archive of Documentary Arts in Duke University’s Rubenstein Library.\nCharles A. Lindbergh Fund\nAwards up to a total of $10,580 per year to individuals whose individual initiative and work in a wide spectrum of disciplines furthers the Lindberghs' vision of a balance between the advance of technology and the preservation of the natural/human environment.\nCreative Capital Foundation\nSupports work with the potential for significant artistic and cultural impact. They seek to act as a catalyst for the development of adventurous and imaginative ideas. Open to US citizens. Rotates mediums annually.\nDaniel Langlois Foundation\nGrants for development of innovative (noncommercial) proejcts combining art, science, and technology.\nDorothea Lange-Paul Taylor Prize from the Center for Documentary Studies\nThe prize is intended to fund collaborative work between a writer and a photographer in the formative or fieldwork stages of a documentary project. Submissions on any subject are welcome. At the end of one year, prizewinners are invited to come to Durham to make a public presentation based on their fieldwork. The amount of the award is $10,000.\nE.D. Foundation\nGrants to individual professional artists, sculptors, and printmakers. Grants: $2,500 to $5,000\nElizabeth Greenshields Foundation\nThe purpose of the Foundation is to aid talented young artists in the early stages of their careers. Awards are limited to candidates working in the following: painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture.\nElla Lyman Cabot Trust, Inc.\nThis twice-annual Offers financial support for proposed projects that are a unique endeavor for the individual, as well as contributing in some way to society. The trustees expect grants to be in the range of $15,000 per applicant.\nThe Fulbright Program provides grants for Graduate Students, Scholars and Professionals, and Teachers and Administrators from the U.S. and other countries.\nFellowships for advanced professionals in all fields to assist research and artistic creation.\nGunk Foundation\nGrants for public art projects that break out of the academic/gallery/alternative space arenas and involve the spaces of daily life. Awarded to individuals, teams, or organizations.\nMarie Walsh Sharpe Art Foundation\nThis program provides studio space for free in New York City (Tribeca) to visual artists for periods of up to one year. Up to 17 artists are awarded non-living studio space.\nMarty Forscher Fellowship Fund for Humanistic Photography\nThe Marty Forscher Fellowship was established in 1990 to recognize students and young professionals with a talent for humanistic photography. Grants are approximately $1200-$2200. They are awarded under the auspices of the Photo District News (PDN) annual contest\nMusicians Foundation, Inc.\nProviding financial assistance to those who need help in meeting current living, medical and allied expenses.\nIndividuals and organizations looking for funding for cultural programming. Contact them for specific grant opportunities.\nPollock-Krasner Foundation\nOne year grants to US individual working artists of established ability -- painters, sculptors, printmakers. Also makes emergency assistance grants for problems resulting from catastrophes.\nPuffin Foundation\nGrants of a few hundred to a few thousand dollars in the following fields: visual arts, writing, photography, video, public interest and documentary, music and dance, and theatre. Projects must have social relevance.\nEmergency Change\nGrants for emergency expenses incurred by medical (not HIV/AIDS related) catastrophes, fire, theft, natural disaster, accident, or to avoid eviction, etc.\nCraft Emergency Relief Fund\nThe Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) is a non-profit, tax exempt organization which provides immediate support to professional craftspeople facing career threatening emergencies such as fire, theft, illness and natural disaster.\nArt-In-Architecture\nThe program’s purpose is the promotion and preservation of the arts by securing suitable works of art for the adornment of public buildings constructed or subjected to major renovation by the State or which utilize State funds, and thereby reflecting our cultural heritage, with emphasis on the works of Illinois artists.” The works of art that have been created through the program create a permanent art collection for the people of the state of Illinois.\nGrants of up to $30,000 to support multi-disciplinary and collaborative planning residencies in the US for artists from Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific Islands to work with US-based artists under the umbrella of a U.S. host organization.\nGroot Foundation Award\nGrans to sculptors or ceramic artists. Must be at least 21 years old and have exceptional talent.\nLudwig Vogelstein Foundation\nGrants ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 are awarded for specific projects on the criteria of merit and need.\nRuth and Harold Chenven Foundation\nThe Ruth and Harold Chenven Foundation gives unrestricted cash awards, up to $15,000 to individual crafts artists for the continuation of their work.\nOpportunities are open to artists, journalists, independent scholars, and others. Grants are available to U.S. citizens with a Ph.D., MA, or recognized professional standing and accomplishments. Fulbright award assignments vary from two months to an academic year or longer.\nGuggenheim Fellowship\nJohn Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation provides fellowship grants averaging $31,683 to artists and writers in all fields except the performing arts.\nThe American-Scandinavian Foundation\nAn American non-profit organization, the ASF works to build international understanding with an extensive program of fellowships, grants, intern/trainee sponsorship, publishing and membership offerings.\nLa Napoule Art Foundation\nThe program awards residencies in all disciplines (literature, music, design, film, visual and performing arts) to artists who are selected on the basis of a record of excellence and commitment to the arts. Artists with professional standing in their fields and emerging artists of recognized ability are eligible for residence.\nGrants Advisor Plus - Fine Arts\nThe Grant Advisor Plus provides an exciting new way to quickly and easily conduct exhaustive searches of external funding opportunities in YOUR field! Listings are presented in a table format and dedicated to funding in the Fine Arts and include links directly to the following (all where applicable): (a) web pages of the funding agency or organization; (b) complete program reviews from \"The Grant Advisor\" newsletter; (c) complete text from all current Federal Register grant listings; (d) complete text of National Science Foundation documents; and (e) e-mail addresses.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line793091"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5593501329421997,"wiki_prob":0.4406498670578003,"text":"Nichole Perkins\nNichole Perkins is a writer from Nashville, Tennessee, currently based in Brooklyn. She co-hosts Thirst Aid Kit, a podcast about pop culture and desire, with Bim Adewunmi. She is also one of the hosts of The Waves, a podcast that examines news and culture through a feminist lens. Both podcasts are at Slate. Nichole writes about the intersections of pop culture, race, sex, gender and relationships. Nichole is a 2017 Audre Lorde Fellow at the inaugural Jack Jones Literary Arts Retreat, a 2017 BuzzFeed Emerging Writers Fellow and a 2016 Callaloo Creative Writing Fellow for poetry. Her first collection of poetry is called Lilith, but Dark. Her forthcoming memoir Sometimes I Trip On How Happy We Could Be will explore black womanhood and sexuality, online messageboard communities and the effects of pop culture on female desire.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line232335"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7892044186592102,"wiki_prob":0.7892044186592102,"text":"You are here: Home / People / Judith Kroll\nDistinguished Professor of Psychology, Principal Investigator at the University of California, Irvine (UCI)\nEmail: judith.kroll@uci.edu\nJudith Kroll is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Language Science at the University of California, Irvine, and Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Psychology, Linguistics, and Women's Studies and former Director of the Center for Language Science at The Pennsylvania State University. She completed her undergraduate work at New York University and her graduate work at Brandeis University. She previously held faculty positions at Mount Holyoke College, Rutgers University, and Swarthmore College.\nTogether with Annette de Groot, she co-edited Tutorials in Bilingualism: Psycholinguistic Perspectives (1997, Erlbaum) and the Handbook of Bilingualism: Psycholinguistic Approaches (2005, Oxford). She served as a co-editor of Bilingualism: Language and Cognition from its founding in 1997 until 2001 and its coordinating editor from 2001-2002. She serves on a number of editorial boards, including Journal of Memory and Language, Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, International Journal of Bilingualism, and Psychological Science.\nThe research that she and her students conduct concerns the acquisition, comprehension, and production of two languages during second language learning and in proficient bilingual performance. Their work, using behavioral and neurocognitive methods, is supported by grants from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. She is the PI on a recently awarded PIRE grant from NSF (Partnerships for International Research and Education) to develop an international research network and program of training to enable Penn State students at all levels (undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral) and early career faculty to pursue research abroad on the science of bilingualism. She was one of the founding organizers of Women in Cognitive Science, a group developed to promote the advancement of women in the cognitive sciences and supported by the National Science Foundation.\nBilingualism, Mind, and Brain Lab\nRepresentative Publications:\nKroll, J.F., Gullifer, J., & Rossi, E. (accepted). The multilingual lexicon: The cognitive and neural basis of lexical comprehension and production in two languages. In C. Polio (Ed.),2013 Annual Review of Applied Linguistics on Multilingualism. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.\nKroll, J.F., & Rossi, E. (in press). Psycholinguistic perspectives on second language acquisition and bilingualism. In Oxford Bibliographies Online: Linguistics. Oxford (UK): Oxford University Press.\nPrior, A., Kroll, J. F., & MacWhinney, A. (in press). Translation ambiguity but not word class predicts translation performance. Bilingualism: Language and Cognition.\nKroll, J. F., & Gollan, T. H. (in press). Speech planning in two languages: What bilinguals tell us about language production. In V. Ferreira, M. Goldrick, & M. Miozzo (Eds.). The Oxford handbook of language production. Oxford: Oxford University Press.\nHoshino, N., Kroll, J. F., & Dussias, P. E. (in press). Psycholinguistic perspectives on second language speech production. In M. Sanz & J. M. Igoa (Eds.), Applying language science to language pedagogy: Contributions of linguistics and psycholinguistics to second language teaching. Newcastle, UK: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.\nKroll, J. F., & Rossi, E. (2013). Bilingualism and Multilingualism: Quantitative Methods. In C.A. Chapelle, The Encylopedia of Applied Linguistics. Blackwell Publishers.\nKroll, J. F., & Bogulski, C. A. (2013). Cognitive second language acquisition: Organization of the second language lexicon. In C.A. Chapelle, The Encylopedia of Applied Linguistics. Blackwell Publishers.\nVan Hell, J. G., & Kroll, J. F. (2013). Using electrophysiological measures to track the mapping of words to concepts in the bilingual brain: A focus on translation. In J. Altarriba & L. Isurin (Eds.), Memory, Language, and Bilingualism: Theoretical and Applied Approaches (pp. 126-160). New York: Cambridge University Press.\nGuo, T., Misra, M., Tam, J. W., & Kroll, J. F. (2012). On the time course of accessing meaning in a second language: An electrophysiological investigation of translation recognition. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 38, 1165-1186.\nMisra, M., Guo, T., Bobb, S. C., & Kroll, J. F. (2012). When bilinguals choose a single word to speak: Electrophysiological evidence for inhibition of the native language. Journal of Memory and Language, 67, 224-237.\nKroll, J. F., Dussias, P. E., Bogulski, C. A., & Valdes-Kroff, J. (2012). Juggling two languages in one mind: What bilinguals tell us about language processing and its consequences for cognition. In B. Ross (Ed.), The Psychology of Learning and Motivation, Volume 56 (pp. 229-262). San Diego: Academic Press.\nKroll, J. F., Bogulski, C. A., & McClain, R. (2012). Psycholinguistic perspectives on second language learning and bilingualism: The course and consequence of cross-language competition. Linguistic Approaches to Bilingualism, 2, 1-24.\nKroll, J. F., Guo, T., & Misra, M. (2012). What ERPs tell us about bilingual language processing. In M. Faust (Ed.), The Handbook of the Neuropsychology of Language. Volume 1: Language Processing in the Brain: Basic Science (pp. 494-515). Cambridge, MA: Blackwell Publishers.\nGuo, T., Liu, H., Misra, M., & Kroll, J. F. (2011). Local and global inhibition in bilingual word production: fMRI evidence from Chinese-English bilinguals. NeuroImage, 56, 2300-2309.\nMorford, J. P., Wilkinson, E., Villwock, A., Piñar, P. & Kroll, J. F. (2011). When deaf signers read English: Do written words activate their sign translations? Cognition, 118, 286-292.\nKroll, J. F., Van Hell, J. G., Tokowicz, N., & Green, D. W. (2010). The Revised Hierarchical Model: A critical review and assessment. Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, 13, 373-381.\nHoshino, N., Dussias, P.E., & Kroll, J. F. (2010). Processing subject-verb agreement in a second language depends on proficiency. Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, 13, 87-98.\nLinck, J. A., Kroll, J. F., & Sunderman, G. (2009). Losing access to the native language while immersed in a second language: Evidence for the role of inhibition in second language learning. Psychological Science, 20, 1507-1515.\nLinck, J. A., Hoshino, N., & Kroll, J. F. (2008). Cross-language lexical processes and inhibitory control. The Mental Lexicon, 3, 349-374.\nKroll, J. F., Bobb, S. C., Misra, M. M., & Guo, T. (2008). Language selection in bilingual speech: Evidence for inhibitory processes. Acta Psychologica, 128, 416-430.\nHoshino, N., & Kroll, J. F. (2008). Cognate effects in picture naming: Does cross-language activation survive a change of script? Cognition, 106, 501-511.\nSchwartz, A. I., Kroll, J. F., & Diaz, M. (2007). Reading words in Spanish and English: Mapping orthography to phonology in two languages. Language and Cognitive Processes, 22, 106-129.\nSchwartz, A. I., & Kroll, J. F. (2006). Bilingual lexical activation in sentence context.Journal of Memory and Language, 55, 197-212.\nKroll, J. F., Bobb, S., & Wodniekca, Z. (2006). Language selectivity is the exception, not the rule: Arguments against a fixed locus of language selection in bilingual speech.Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, 9, 119-135.\nSunderman, G., & Kroll, J. F. (2006). First language activation during second language lexical processing: An investigation of lexical form, meaning, and grammatical class.Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 28, 387-422.\nChristoffels, I. K., De Groot, A. M. B., & Kroll, J. F. (2006). Memory and language skill in simultaneous interpreting: The role of expertise and language proficiency. Journal of Memory and Language, 54, 324-345.\nKroll, J. F., & De Groot, A. M. B., Eds. (2005). Handbook of bilingualism: Psycholinguistic approaches. New York: Oxford University Press. (Paperback edition published 2009.)\nMiller, N. A., & Kroll, J. F. (2002). Stroop effects in bilingual translation. Memory & Cognition, 30, 614-628.\nKroll, J. F., Michael, E., Tokowicz, N., & Dufour, R. (2002). The development of lexical fluency in a second language. Second Language Research, 18, 137-171.\nJared, D. & Kroll, J. F. (2001). Do bilinguals activate phonological representations in one or both of their languages when naming words? Journal of Memory and Language, 44, 2-31.\nDe Groot, A. M. B., & Kroll, J. F., Eds. (1997). Tutorials in bilingualism: Psycholinguistic perspectives. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.\nAltarriba, J., Kroll, J. F., Sholl, A., & Rayner, K. (1996). The influence of lexical and conceptual constraints on reading mixed-language sentences: Evidence from eye-fixation and naming times. Memory & Cognition, 24, 477-492.\nSholl, A., Sankaranarayanan, A., & Kroll, J. F. (1995). Transfer between picture naming and translation: A test of asymmetries in bilingual memory. Psychological Science, 6, 45-49.\nDufour, R., & Kroll, J. F. (1995). Matching words to concepts in two languages: A test of the concept mediation model of bilingual representation. Memory & Cognition, 23, 166-180.\nKroll, J. F., & Stewart, E. (1994). Category interference in translation and picture naming: Evidence for asymmetric connections between bilingual memory representations. Journal of Memory and Language, 33, 149-174.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line628790"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9441540241241455,"wiki_prob":0.9441540241241455,"text":"Dolly Parton Wants to Reunite with Her ‘9 to 5’ Co-Stars on ‘Grace and Frankie’\nBy Moze Halperin\nThe premise (if not the execution) of Grace and Frankie was so exciting to so many people not only because it’d feature two immensely talented stars depicting people of an underrepresented age, but also because those stars had actually first become friends through their participation in the 25-year-old feminist workspace cult comedy, 9 to 5. And a new proclamation from Dolly Parton suggests 9 to 5 affiliations may soon become even stronger.\nFor Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda, Grace and Frankie was an anticipated onscreen reunion. But though Tomlin and Fonda’s characters were the first to band together against their misogynist boss in 9 to 5, they’re eventually joined by Dolly Parton’s character, who they’d wrongly ostracized due to their own stereotyping based on her buxomness and southern charm. That movie was very much about the three characters, and so in order to complete the fulfillment of 9 to 5 fans’ fantasies, Dolly Parton would have to appear on Grace and Frankie. (Also, Parton should just appear in everything, anyway.)\nAccording to The Hollywood Reporter, at the summer press tour for the Television Critics Association, Parton — who was there to discuss her major plans for NBC telepics based on her songs — expressed her enthusiasm about a 9 to 5 reunion on Grace and Frankie. Though she admitted to not having seen the show, she said:\nI told them whenever I get a little block of time, I’d love to come be on the show. We always talked about a [9 to 5] reunion.\nShe allegedly joked that, 25 years later, such a reunion would seem more like “95.” She also referenced Grace and Frankie‘s premise of two women who become friends when their husbands leave them for one another, saying, “I don’t know what my husband [on the show] is going to turn out to be…but we’ll figure it out.” I mean, I’m certainly down for a plotline about a polyamorous triad between Sam Waterston, Martin Sheen and some other respected septuagenarian.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1056770"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5910637974739075,"wiki_prob":0.40893620252609253,"text":"Del. Ken Plum: Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus\nDel. Ken Plum December 26, 2013 at 1:30pm\nThe editorial in the Sept. 21, 1897 New York Sun, responding to a letter from eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon who had inquired about whether there was a Santa Claus, has become the most reprinted newspaper editorial, according to the Newseum.\nVirginia’s father had told her that if she read it in the Sun it was certain to be true. The editor wrote, “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy.”\nVirginians, especially those around the capital city, have long believed in Santa Claus. The “Legendary Santa” has been meeting with boys and girls at Miller and Rhoads — first a department store and now a hotel in Richmond — for more than 75 years.\nThere is ample proof that he is the “real” Santa Claus for he is able with assistance from the Snow Queen and some technology to call every child by name.\nWe go as a family of four generations with Jane’s mother and our grandchildren to see him at his latest location at the Children’s Museum of Richmond. Read more about this Virginia tradition in Legendary Santa’s Stories from the Chair. On page six is a photograph of young Jane Durham (now Plum) and her brother visiting Santa many years ago.\nThroughout the capital, there is a quickened pace of activity during the holiday season in anticipation of the General Assembly convening on Jan. 8 and the new governor being inaugurated on Jan. 11. There are wish lists from all the agencies and special interests. And, yes, Virginia, if there is a Santa Claus here is my wish list for the legislative session.\nVirginia would extend health insurance to nearly half its uninsured working poor by expanding Medicaid. Not only would more people have access to preventative care as well as treatment, but Virginians would get more of their federal tax dollars back and a boost to the economy with the health care jobs being created. Also in the area of health, I want Virginia to increase funding for its presently inadequate mental health care program.\nWhile I am wishing, I want the General Assembly to expand background checks for all gun purchases to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and violent people. I also want the legislature to approve my bill to establish an independent redistricting commission that will fairly and objectively draw legislative boundaries. We would on my wish list repeal the marriage amendment and other discrimination based on sexual orientation. And while we are at it, we need to get the state back to the position of being an equal partner in funding public schools.\nNone of these goals will be reached by simply wishing for them. Hard work, determination, and public pressure can make them reality. Just like in Santa’s workshop, there will be a lot of work behind the scenes.\nDel. Ken Plum represents Reston in the Virginia General Assembly. He writes weekly on Reston Now. He can be reached at [email protected].\nDel. Ken Plum Virginia General Assembly\nToll Road Rates Rise Again Jan. 1\nAfternoon Poll: Back To The Stores?","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1439479"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7893677949905396,"wiki_prob":0.7893677949905396,"text":"S&P 500 ends at another record high as tumultuous 2020 ends\nBy DAMIAN J. TROISE and ALEX VEIGA\nIf I told you with perfect hindsight in February that the entire economy was going to shut down, that GDP would be down 30%. You would want to take all of your money out of stocks and think that you've done the right thing. Fast forward to December. Here we are, up 15% for the year, and you would have missed some great returns. If this feels a lot like 1999 doesn't it? You have a lot of AIPO action. You got some crazy Internet stocks and really, really big valuations. And that doesn't mean that the stock market can't go down next year or go down a lot. But I think internally Way could draw a fair number of pretty significant contrasts. Between 2020 in 1999 in terms of valuation 1999 the S and P traded upto 30 times earnings, and the 10 year Treasury was at 6%. Today it's more like 22 times earnings, which is above average, but it's a lot less than 30. And the really big difference, though, is the 10 year yield is below 1%. You could get 6% just showing up in 1999 today, you probably can't in the 10 year Treasury, even achieve inflation over the next 10 years. Yes, stock prices were bumping up against all time highs. Evaluations today are a lot more palatable for someone who's got a 10 year or 15 or 20 years time rising in the equity market than they were in than they were in 1999. Again, that doesn't mean next year can be turbulent to dance point. At a point time, you could see the market down 2030%. But it does say you've e think a better fundamental base evaluation today than you did 20 years ago to see other people's faces to be, um, in gatherings, to travel, to experience, to have experiences. I think it's fundamental to being human. And so way were talking as investment group that that's likely to happen in 21. And and if people are thinking about getting their first trip to Walt Disney World and the back half of next year, it's gonna be pretty busy. I just think there will be this resumption to what was normal to most most of us pre pandemic. If you look at the mortgage refinancing data. If you want a house in this country and you refinance, you probably have a couple $100 mawr of extra discretionary income, and then you're saving a tremendous amount of money because you're not going to restaurants. You're not traveling, and your entertainment budget has other than your Netflix subscription is not existent. And so you've seen people people's willingness to spend when there's a great deal of uncertainty. So the disconnect of the stock market being up when earnings were down, it's entirely predicated on the fact that earnings are gonna be very good in 2021.\nWall Street closed out a tumultuous year for stocks with more record highs Thursday, a fitting coda to the market’s stunning comeback from its historic plunge in the early weeks of the coronavirus pandemic.Above video: Investors look ahead to 2021The benchmark S&P 500 index finished with a gain of 16.3% for the year, or a total return of about 18%, including dividends. The Nasdaq composite, powered by high-flying Big Tech stocks, soared 43.6%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 7.2%, with Apple and Microsoft leading the way.The market’s milestone-setting finish follows a mostly upward grind for stocks in recent weeks, fueled by cautious optimism that the U.S. economy and corporate profits will bounce back in 2021 now that the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines is under way.“We came into the year expecting slow growth and it turned out to be the fastest bear market recovery in history,” said Sunitha Thomas, national portfolio advisor at Northern Trust Wealth Management.The virus pandemic shocked markets early in the year. The S&P 500 fell 8.4% in February, then plunged 12.5% in March as the pandemic essentially froze the global economy. Businesses shut down in the face of the virus threat and tighter government restrictions. People shifted to working, shopping and doing pretty much everything else from home.The dire economic situation weighed heavily on almost any company that relied on direct consumer spending or a physical presence, including airlines, restaurants, hotels and mall-based retailers.Trading became volatile, especially in the early weeks of the pandemic, as investors scrambled amid an increasingly grim economic outlook. The Dow had several day-to-day swings of about 2,000 points. And the S&P 500 rose or fell by at least 1% on twice as many days in 2020 than it did, on average, since 1950.The VIX, which measures how much volatility investors expect from the S&P 500, climbed to a record high 82.69 in March and remained above its historical average for much of the year.The wave of selling accelerated as the economic fallout from the pandemic widened, leaving many long-term investors looking on as their gains after a blockbuster 2019 for stocks evaporated. Five months later, the market recouped all of its losses.“It was probably very hard to imagine getting those back in such a short period of time,” said Shawn Cruz, senior market strategist at TD Ameritrade.Wall Street didn’t stay down for long, thanks in large part to unprecedented actions from the Federal Reserve and Congress to support the economy. Investors flocked to big technology companies such as Apple and Amazon and smaller companies like Grubhub and Etsy that were poised to take advantage of the shift to working and shopping from home.The S&P 500 jumped 12.7% in April. From there, markets disconnected from the rest of the still-reeling economy and pushed higher in fits and starts as vaccine development progressed and analysts and economists looked ahead to the eventual end of the pandemic.Individual investors, sometimes referred to as retail investors on Wall Street, hopped onto the market rally via commission-free online trading platforms like Robinhood. Along the way, they helped power shares in companies like Tesla to new heights. The electric car maker jumped 743.4% in 2020 for the biggest gain in the S&P 500.“Retail investors represented a larger portion of the market than they ever have,” Cruz said. “It was retail and institutional investors all coming to the same conclusion about what was going to work and what wasn’t going to work this year at the same time.”The market’s turnaround was faster than anyone might have expected in March, when the S&P 500′s nearly 11-year bull-market run ended. By August, the index had recovered all of its losses and climbed to new highs. All told, the S&P 500 set 33 record highs in 2020.“It was another reminder that unless you have a foolproof market timing technique the adage to remember is it’s always better buy than bail,” said Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA.The end of the virus and its pummeling of the economy seems even closer now that vaccine approval and distribution is ramping up. The U.S. and U.K. have both approved Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine and Britain recently approved another vaccine from AstraZeneca and Oxford University. Meanwhile, the U.S. government has approved another round of aid for businesses and people dealing with another surge in the virus and tighter restrictions on businesses.Thomas expects pent-up demand and high savings rates to help drive an economic recovery in 2021. Many of the more beaten-down stocks will benefit from a “vaccine-shaped” recovery as the number of vaccines on the market increases and distribution widens.“We have more visibility that by midyear we start to be able to reopen the economy,” she said.The sharp run-up in stock prices relative to the outlook for earnings growth suggests stocks could be in for a correction, or drop of at least 10%, in 2021, Stovall said.“There’s a good possibility that we get a deep pullback — pullbacks being 5%-10% — or maybe a shallow correction,” he said. “Enough to remind investors that share prices don’t go up forever.”Markets were mostly quiet on the final day of trading for the year. Several overseas markets were closed for holidays, and U.S. markets will be closed for New Years Day on Friday.The S&P 500 rose 24.03 points, or 0.6%, to 3,756.07, an all-time high. The Dow rose 196.92 points, or 0.7%, to 30,606.48, a record high. The Nasdaq rose 18.28 points, or 0.1%, to 12,888.28.The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies fell 5.14 points, or 0.3%, to 1,974.86. Smaller companies notched strong gains in recent weeks after lagging in the early months of the broader market rebound. The Russell 2000 ended the year with a gain of 18.4%.Trading was closed in Tokyo and South Korea as well as Germany. France’s CAC 40 slipped 0.9% and Britain’s FTSE 100 lost 1.5%.The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 0.92% from 0.91% late Wednesday.\nWall Street closed out a tumultuous year for stocks with more record highs Thursday, a fitting coda to the market’s stunning comeback from its historic plunge in the early weeks of the coronavirus pandemic.\nAbove video: Investors look ahead to 2021\nThe benchmark S&P 500 index finished with a gain of 16.3% for the year, or a total return of about 18%, including dividends. The Nasdaq composite, powered by high-flying Big Tech stocks, soared 43.6%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 7.2%, with Apple and Microsoft leading the way.\nThe market’s milestone-setting finish follows a mostly upward grind for stocks in recent weeks, fueled by cautious optimism that the U.S. economy and corporate profits will bounce back in 2021 now that the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines is under way.\n“We came into the year expecting slow growth and it turned out to be the fastest bear market recovery in history,” said Sunitha Thomas, national portfolio advisor at Northern Trust Wealth Management.\nThe virus pandemic shocked markets early in the year. The S&P 500 fell 8.4% in February, then plunged 12.5% in March as the pandemic essentially froze the global economy. Businesses shut down in the face of the virus threat and tighter government restrictions. People shifted to working, shopping and doing pretty much everything else from home.\nThe dire economic situation weighed heavily on almost any company that relied on direct consumer spending or a physical presence, including airlines, restaurants, hotels and mall-based retailers.\nTrading became volatile, especially in the early weeks of the pandemic, as investors scrambled amid an increasingly grim economic outlook. The Dow had several day-to-day swings of about 2,000 points. And the S&P 500 rose or fell by at least 1% on twice as many days in 2020 than it did, on average, since 1950.\nThe VIX, which measures how much volatility investors expect from the S&P 500, climbed to a record high 82.69 in March and remained above its historical average for much of the year.\nThe wave of selling accelerated as the economic fallout from the pandemic widened, leaving many long-term investors looking on as their gains after a blockbuster 2019 for stocks evaporated. Five months later, the market recouped all of its losses.\nWill Some Communities Be Left Behind as the Economy Starts to Recover?\n“It was probably very hard to imagine getting those back in such a short period of time,” said Shawn Cruz, senior market strategist at TD Ameritrade.\nWall Street didn’t stay down for long, thanks in large part to unprecedented actions from the Federal Reserve and Congress to support the economy. Investors flocked to big technology companies such as Apple and Amazon and smaller companies like Grubhub and Etsy that were poised to take advantage of the shift to working and shopping from home.\nThe S&P 500 jumped 12.7% in April. From there, markets disconnected from the rest of the still-reeling economy and pushed higher in fits and starts as vaccine development progressed and analysts and economists looked ahead to the eventual end of the pandemic.\nIndividual investors, sometimes referred to as retail investors on Wall Street, hopped onto the market rally via commission-free online trading platforms like Robinhood. Along the way, they helped power shares in companies like Tesla to new heights. The electric car maker jumped 743.4% in 2020 for the biggest gain in the S&P 500.\n“Retail investors represented a larger portion of the market than they ever have,” Cruz said. “It was retail and institutional investors all coming to the same conclusion about what was going to work and what wasn’t going to work this year at the same time.”\nThe market’s turnaround was faster than anyone might have expected in March, when the S&P 500′s nearly 11-year bull-market run ended. By August, the index had recovered all of its losses and climbed to new highs. All told, the S&P 500 set 33 record highs in 2020.\n“It was another reminder that unless you have a foolproof market timing technique the adage to remember is it’s always better buy than bail,” said Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA.\nWill COVID-19 vaccines work on the new coronavirus variant?\nThe end of the virus and its pummeling of the economy seems even closer now that vaccine approval and distribution is ramping up. The U.S. and U.K. have both approved Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine and Britain recently approved another vaccine from AstraZeneca and Oxford University. Meanwhile, the U.S. government has approved another round of aid for businesses and people dealing with another surge in the virus and tighter restrictions on businesses.\nThomas expects pent-up demand and high savings rates to help drive an economic recovery in 2021. Many of the more beaten-down stocks will benefit from a “vaccine-shaped” recovery as the number of vaccines on the market increases and distribution widens.\n“We have more visibility that by midyear we start to be able to reopen the economy,” she said.\nThe sharp run-up in stock prices relative to the outlook for earnings growth suggests stocks could be in for a correction, or drop of at least 10%, in 2021, Stovall said.\n“There’s a good possibility that we get a deep pullback — pullbacks being 5%-10% — or maybe a shallow correction,” he said. “Enough to remind investors that share prices don’t go up forever.”\nMarkets were mostly quiet on the final day of trading for the year. Several overseas markets were closed for holidays, and U.S. markets will be closed for New Years Day on Friday.\nThe S&P 500 rose 24.03 points, or 0.6%, to 3,756.07, an all-time high. The Dow rose 196.92 points, or 0.7%, to 30,606.48, a record high. The Nasdaq rose 18.28 points, or 0.1%, to 12,888.28.\nThe Russell 2000 index of smaller companies fell 5.14 points, or 0.3%, to 1,974.86. Smaller companies notched strong gains in recent weeks after lagging in the early months of the broader market rebound. The Russell 2000 ended the year with a gain of 18.4%.\nTrading was closed in Tokyo and South Korea as well as Germany. France’s CAC 40 slipped 0.9% and Britain’s FTSE 100 lost 1.5%.\nThe yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 0.92% from 0.91% late Wednesday.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line932783"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6740432381629944,"wiki_prob":0.6740432381629944,"text":"Second-in-command of the country’s nuclear arsenal is suspended as he is investigated for GAMBLING\nThis is one of many in key positions of the U.S. Military that are mysteriously being taken down. Either way, it’s the weekend and we have the NFL to watch on Sunday, so who cares?\nThe following two articles (among a host of others that can be found through a simple search) expand on this:\nMilitary chiefs oppose removing commanders from sexual assault probes\nSense of entitlement behind military ethics scandals?\nThe No. 2 officer at the military command in charge of all U.S. nuclear war-fighting forces has been suspended and is under investigation by the Naval Criminal Investigation Command for issues related to gambling, officials said Saturday.\nThe highly unusual action against a high-ranking officer at U.S. Strategic Command was made more than three weeks ago but not publicly announced.\nAir Force Gen. Robert Kehler, the commander of Strategic Command, suspended the deputy commander, Navy Vice Adm. Tim Giardina, from his duties on Sept. 3.\nKehler has recommended to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel that Giardina be reassigned, Kunze said. Giardina has been the deputy commander of Strategic Command since December 2011. He is a career submarine officer and prior to starting his assignment there was the deputy commander and chief of staff at U.S. Pacific Fleet.\nStrategic Command oversees the military’s nuclear fighter units, including the Navy’s nuclear-armed submarines and the Air Force’s nuclear bombers and nuclear land-based missiles. It is based at Omaha, Neb.\nFull article: Second-in-command of the country’s nuclear arsenal is suspended as he is investigated for GAMBLING (Daily Mail)\nThis entry was posted in Espionage, Government Corruption, Military, National Security & Terrorism, Nuclear Weapons & Proliferation, Politics, USA and tagged Chuck Hagel, gambling, Gen. Robert Kehler, high-ranking officer, investigation, Kunze, Military chiefs oppose removing commanders from sexual assault probes, military coup, Naval Criminal Investigation Command, NFL, nuclear bombers, nuclear fighter units, nuclear land-based missiles, Nuclear Weapons & Proliferation, nuclear-armed submarines, Omaha Nebraska, politics, reassigned, Second-in-command of the country's nuclear arsenal is suspended as he is investigated for GAMBLING, Sense of entitlement behind military ethics scandals?, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Military, U.S. Navy, U.S. nuclear forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. Strategic Command, Vice Adm. Tim Giardina. Bookmark the permalink.\nDemographic Shifts Could Radicalize Russia\nRussia, Iran, Damascus may crank up border tensions to weaken Netanyahu’s hand in America","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line515907"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8181467652320862,"wiki_prob":0.8181467652320862,"text":"http://www.smcm.edu/anthropology/\nwcroberts@smcm.edu\n303 Kent Hall\nAnthropology is the study of humankind across the world today and throughout history.\nSMCM Archaeologists Featured in Archaeology Magazine\nProfessor of Anthropology Julia King and adjunct instructor of anthropology Scott Strickland '08 are featured along with Chief Anne Richardson of the Rappahannock Tribe in the January/February edition of Archaeology Magazine. The article, “Return to the River,” focuses on their work tracing the… Find Out More\nProfessor Julia King Awarded Archeology Grant from National Park Service\nProfessor of Anthropology Julia King was recently awarded a $110,000 grant from the National Park Service to fund a complete archeological overview and assessment of Piscataway Park in Prince George’s County, Maryland. This project will be conducted through a Cooperative Agreement under the… Find Out More\nThe Center for the Study of Democracy Presents a Virtual Panel on Public Health Featuring St. Mary’s College of Maryland Scientists on the St. Mary's County COVID-19 Scientific Advisory Group, and the St. Mary’s County Health Department\nThe Center for the Study of Democracy will present a virtual panel featuring St. Mary's College of Maryland scientists on the St. Mary’s County COVID-19 Scientific Advisory Group and the St. Mary’s County Health Department to discuss public health issues including COVID-19 on Wednesday, June 24,… Find Out More\nAssociate Professor Gijanto and Professor Larsen Awarded Three-year NSF Grant to Fund Student Research Experiences\nLiza Gijanto, associate professor of anthropology, and Randy Larsen, professor of chemistry, were recently awarded an NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) grant focused on archaeological investigations of colonial Maryland. The $368,278 grant will fund a multi-year research program for… Find Out More\nAssociate Professor Gijanto Published in International Journal of Historical Archaeology\nLiza Gijanto, associate professor of anthropology, recently published an article in The International Journal of Historical Archaeology.\n“Interpreting West Ashcom: Drones, Artifacts, and Archives,” is based on work at Cremona Estate in Mechanicsville, Maryland, and draws on field work… Find Out More\nProfessor King Featured on the National Humanities Alliance Website\nJulia King, professor of anthropology, is featured on the National Humanities Alliance website.\nAccording to the website, “since 2001, Julia King and a consortium of researchers have been advancing the archaeological study of the region through digital methods, collections-based research, and… Find Out More\nOpen Discussion Scheduled to Address Connection Between Poverty and Mental Illness\nThe St. Mary’s County Health Department and St. Mary’s College of Maryland’s anthropology, environmental studies, psychology, and sociology departments will jointly host an open discussion focusing on the connection between poverty and mental illness. This event is scheduled for Monday, February 3… Find Out More\nAdjunct Professor Steve Lenik Publishes a Chapter in the Book \"Historical Archaeologies of the Caribbean\" from University of Alabama Press\nAdjunct Professor of Anthropology Steve Lenik published a chapter “Kalinagos and Catholics in Dominica before 1763: Archaeology and History of Caribbean Frontiers” in the book “Historical Archaeologies of the Caribbean: Contextualizing Sites through Colonialism, Capitalism, and Globalism” edited by… Find Out More\nSt. Mary's College of Maryland Receives Chesapeake Cultural Studies Grant\nSt. Mary’s College of Maryland has been awarded a $24,000 Chesapeake Material Cultural Studies Grant from The Conservation Fund.\nThe grant will advance the College’s work using archaeological artifacts to examine how Native American groups in the Chesapeake’s major river drainages responded to the… Find Out More\nAssociate Professor Gijanto Named English Editor for the Society for Africanist Archaeology bulletin, Nyame Akuma\nCongratulations to Liza Gijanto, associate professor of anthropology, who was recently named the English editor for the Society for Africanist Archaeology bulletin, Nyame Akuma.\nAccording to the website, The Society of Africanist Archaeologists is an organization of archaeologists, researchers… Find Out More\nSubscribe to Anthropology","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line295093"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7150036096572876,"wiki_prob":0.7150036096572876,"text":"**WARNING: EXPLETIVES WILL BE USED IN THE FOLLOWING ROUND-UP AS THEY ARE LYRICS TO THE SONGS BEING REVIEWED. THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THESE SONGS MAY ALSO BE OFFENSIVE. IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE TOPICS I’VE MENTIONED ABOVE DO NOT READ. THANK YOU.**\nHarverd Dropout – Album – Lil Pump\nAfter the highly anticipated album was delayed following its announcement, many were left wondering if the project would ever come to fruition. After Lil Pump posted images of him and Kanye West working together on his birthday, fan’s interest in Pump skyrocketed as a collaboration of this level necessitates some sort of hype song. Following the release of “I Love It,” at the Pornhub Awards, Pump was arrested and sent to jail. The album was again delayed as any promise of release from prison was up in the air. After his inevitable release from imprisonment, kudos to the American legal system, Lil Pump announced the album, and fans were yet again drawn into a frenzy. The night came for release, and no album came out. Pump posted videos on social media announcing that he had, “lost the album.” Now, we stand here on the night of the 21st, “Harverd Dropout” finally a released project. The album, personally, delivered exactly what my expectations had been. Tracks such as “Be Like Me (feat. Lil Wayne)” demonstrate Pump’s talent for creating building blocks for, arguably, more lyrically talented artists to craft a feature than makes the track shine. Overall, the album is a fun escape from the normal competitiveness of rap.\nFavorite Bar: I’m a millionaire but I don’t know how to read (Nope)\nJack R. Connolly\nFather of 4 – Album – Offset\nWith his first solo project, Offset firmly cements himself as the Beyonce of the Migos rap group. Each song features catchy hooks, the track “Don’t Lose Me” opens softly and catchy bongos lead into the main beat of the actual track. Alongside the actual hook, the following content is unique in that when do a full listen, the end of each song is distinct enough to realize. A problem with modern hip hop, especially mumble rap, is the monotony of beats and the lack of any individuality between each track. Offset however, offers the listener a unique beat and flow each song, proving to be one of the more iconic of the Migos members. When compared to the absolute dumpster fire that was “The Last Rocket” and the monotony of “Quavo Huncho,” “Father of 4” delivers sonically pleasing cuts from track to track as Offset delivers his most well produced project yet. With the emergence of Migos’ space in what some consider the “mumble rap” genre, Offset does not chain himself to the precedent set by the rap trio.\nFavorite Bar: Drippin’ too clean like a napkin (Drip-drip-drip)\nDrip or Drown 2 – Album – Gunna\nWith 2018 undoubtedly being Gunna’s breakout year, the artist had the attention he had long desired with the release of his delayed solo album Drip or Drown 2. With a heavy reliance on supporting artists throughout last year, Gunna found his way onto the top charts numerous times with songs such as “Yosemite” and “Drip Too Hard,” however Gunna was given the chance to further secure his spot as a solo artist this week. With the production of Wheezy and Turbo, and features coming from Lil Baby, Young Thug, and Playboi Carti, the familiarity was entirely present. However, with a tracklist of 16 songs, the Atlanta rapper was able to showcase his personal identity as an artist. Gunna’s failure to deliver lyrically was of no surprise, and most likely no disappointment to his returning fans. The flow was noticeably unique to Gunna’s style, and distinctly separated this album from his previous work with Baby and Thug on Drip Harder. Overall, the album met, but did not exceed, all expectations I had for this project. Going forward we should expect to see Gunna stray further from the constant collaborations, and continue to establish himself as a stand-alone artist.\nFavorite Bar: If I put on White, then it’s gotta be Off\nCade M. Caballero\nFive Stars – Album – Higher Brothers\nSeemingly slipping off my radar, Higher Brothers drops a star studded project sporting features from JID, Soulja Boy, Ski Mask the Slump God and Denzel Curry. Mixing English with Mandarin, and even hints of the group’s local dialect, the super group creates a fusion that caters to both niche fan groups, yet tracks with features allow Higher Brothers to tap into the mainstream. The track “One Punch Man” has piqued the interest of Denzel Curry fans as the possibility of a Ski x Curry collaboration seems to have entered the minds of many. JID yet again delivers an amazing feature as his rise to the top of hip hop continues forward. JID’s flow is then imitated by the Brothers and the backend of the track carries on the high paced energy that JID never fails to deliver. Overall, the album delivers an insight into Chinese hip hop that some in western society may find to be an impenetrable scene. However the inclusion of American artists being featured on the track, a larger audience is able to enjoy their creative vision.\nFavorite Bar: Look at the diamonds we’re Benihana. Whippin it up like Hibachi\n“Spy Kid” – Single – Chief Keef & Zaytoven\nThe first single released off of Chief Keef & Zaytoven’s GloToven album shows great promise for the upcoming collaboration, as well as draws immediate attention to the fact that “Spy Kid” is an exponentially better title than Kyle’s “iSpy.” Following Zaytoven’s “BEASTMODE 2,” the producer regards his next project with the 23 year old rapper as “one of [his] favorite albums yet,” and this release shows no reason to believe otherwise. The song lyrically falls short of what Sosa fans have heard in the past, but through an execution that highlights his diversity as an artist. With a beat resembling that of a future album, and Chief Keef’s entire alteration of flow, I found tremendous surprise with how impressively the song was pulled off. If the full length album reflects that of this week’s single, fans should be more than pleased come March 15th.\nFavorite Bar: I changed the forecast I be Icy-cy\nRound-Up by Jack R. Connolly and Cade M. Caballero\nThe Dallas Sound Machine February 25, 2019\nPrevious Previous post: PHOTO OF THE WEEK 2/18/19\nNext Next post: PHOTO OF THE WEEK 2/26/19","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1534360"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6112985610961914,"wiki_prob":0.6112985610961914,"text":"The mystery of strange sounds coming from the sky over Anchorage, Alaska\nRecently, many Anchorage residents have heard a strange noise in the early morning hours. A loud noise comes in a distant hum, gets louder, and then disappears.\nAnchorage is the largest city in Alaska, located in the south central part of the state on the shores of Cook Bay.\nPeople many kilometers from each other report that a strange sound abruptly wakes them, sometimes one or even several times for several hours. But no one knows what exactly causes this mysterious metal moan.\nThe last time it was heard was around 5 a.m. Monday. This signal woke residents from the city center to West Anchorage.\nIt has been described as creepy, symphonic and also sporadic, sounding for about 20 seconds and then disappearing. This sound is internally loud. You feel this sound.\n“It’s almost like a foghorn, and screeching metal on metal. It sounds like a submarine scraping the bottom of a pool or something,”\nAnother eyewitness describes this rumble as an “underwater moan.”\nAnchorage sound recording 1\nRelated Topics:AlaskaAnchorage hums\nThe Found and Lost Atlantis Library\nThe great mystery of the the seven-headed hydra figure of the deity worshiped throughout the ancient world\nThe “Second Bermuda Triangle” is located in Alaska. The media and the government bypass this topic\nMan set to solve Iliamna Lake Monster mystery\nMen in black encounter caught on tape : secret government agents or aliens in disguise\nCanadian Researchers Obtain A Simple Cure For Cancer, But Major Pharmaceutical Corporations Arent Interested\nAlaska Sasquatch Encounters\nAncient Landscape Is Found Under 2 Miles Of Ice In Greenland\nIn the northeast of the Republic of South Africa is the picturesque, but mysterious and ominous Lake Funduji. The local population considers the lake sacred and tells legends about it.\nDespite the problems with fresh water in Africa, the tribes never settled on the banks of the Funduji, did not fish there and did not even replenish the water supplies from this lake.\nThis is because, according to local legends, it is impossible to take a drop of water from Lake Funduji, and anyone who touches the water, or even more so drinks it, will soon die. Also, people made sacrifices to the mythical monster Funduji to appease him.\nThe general public learned about Funduji at the beginning of the 20th century, when deposits of chrome ore were found in the vicinity of the lake. When expeditions from Europe began to come to this area, the lake was finally mapped.\nScientists listened to the stories of the locals about the ominous lake and the monster, but in the course of geological research, nothing mystical was found.\nIn 1955, Professor Henry Burnside and his assistant Thacker decided to check the legend about strange water that cannot be carried away from the lake. Scientists collected water in several containers made of different materials – glass, porcelain and plastic, and walked several kilometers, intending to examine the samples.\nBut it was not possible to carry out the analysis: in the morning all the containers were empty. Then the scientists decided to return to the lake and take new samples. This time, Burnside dipped his finger into the water and tasted it: the taste of the water was bitter-rotten.\nThroughout the day, scientists observed the containers, but no changes occurred, and by morning the vessels were empty again. Burnside intended to go back to the lake and examine water samples on site, but the plans were prevented by a sudden deterioration in his health: the professor was hospitalized, and a week later he died – as it later turned out, from intestinal inflammation.\nIt would seem that there is evidence of sinister legends, but there is still a scientific explanation for the phenomena of Lake Funduji. In fact, chromium ore deposits are the cause of the anomalies.\nChromium salts are very toxic to humans, and the concentration of chromium in the lake was so high that a couple of drops killed Professor Burnside.\nThe disappearing water phenomenon is also explained by the high chromium content. At temperatures below 19 degrees Celsius, chromium particles in water crystallize (therefore, the water “disappeared” at night, when it was cooler). In fact, the liquid from the vessel does not go anywhere, but turns into a solid state, scattering along the bottom and walls of the vessel.\nTo be fair, some of Funduji’s riddles have not yet been solved – for example, it is not clear why a large number of crocodiles live in the poisonous lake. It is also unclear what these reptiles eat, because there are no fish in the lake, and other animals do not go there to drink.\nThe pyramid of Cheops is one of the seven wonders of the world. This is one of the largest ancient buildings, which contains many secrets. Recently, some experts have been worried about what hides the blocked tunnel near the underground chamber.\nBlogger Ben van Kerkwick, who hosts the UnchartedX YouTube channel, managed to get into the tunnel. The video is two hours long and shows the entire journey. Ben was surprised that the tunnel helped to find the descending and ascending passages, although, according to the idea, they cannot be found.\nThe blogger explored the Cheops pyramid with his team. All passages were covered with granite blocks. The group followed to the Great Gallery, and Ben van Kerkwick – to the underground chamber.\nArchaeologists noted that the mysterious passage crosses the rock on which the base of the pyramid is located. The blogger was struck by the skill of the engineers: the discovered 87-meter passage turned out to be perfectly straight.\nThe underground camera was incredibly deep. There was a mysterious door there, where it led is still unknown. This confirms the opinion that the structure keeps many secrets.\nThe pyramid was erected 4.5 thousand years ago for Pharaoh Cheops, who was the ruler of the 4th dynasty.\nA giant pink ball appeared near the place where a cosmic body fell in China. It arose immediately after the collision of an asteroid with the Earth and a powerful explosion. A giant spherical cloud formed over the meteorite impact site.\nThe meteorite fell on December 23 in Qinghai province (PRC). According to eyewitnesses, immediately after the explosion of the fireball, a giant spherical structure appeared over the crash site, which hovered over the Dealing highway.\nA strange red light was spotted in northern #China on Tuesday evening (December 23).\nthe unidentified source of red light appeared in the sky above #Delingha in Qinghai province and remained visible for around 35-40 minutes pic.twitter.com/U78LGPnxRj\n— Global News (@GlbBreakNews) December 24, 2020\nThe strange pink formation hung in the air for about 40 minutes and then evaporated. Locals used various metaphors in their descriptions of the sphere, for example, someone compared this phenomenon with a “bright pink moon”, while others called it “a leisurely round cloud”. Someone remembered that a meteorite had already fallen in China last fall, and then a coronavirus pandemic began around the world. Moreover, its distribution began from the PRC.\nThe first thing that ufologists-conspiracy theorists immediately start thinking about is the appearance of Nibiru, which is hidden from us almost all the time by chemtrails, but from time to time the wind blows the fog away and strange appearances begin in the sky:\n#twosuns #nibiru #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/SsquaDOpw4\n— Anunnaki (@OneAnunnaki) December 15, 2020\nどっちも眩しいんですけど、2つあるの?? pic.twitter.com/rNcokOu0t9\n— hiromi_suisuistar* (@suisuistar) December 13, 2020\nWhat is noteworthy is that the temporary distance between the meteorite that fell on Tibet on December 23 and this pink object was only 12 hours and the observation sites were relatively close by the standards of China – that is, everything happened somewhere in the northern part of Tibet. Therefore, maybe in the morning not quite a meteorite fell there.\nIf it was Nibiru, then its appearance as a separate astronomical object suggests that its trajectory has slightly changed and it will now begin to appear in different places in the Solar system. Something similar is predicted in a number of ancient and not very apocalyptic prophecies of Christian mystics.\nNibiru itself is not directly mentioned there and, perhaps, this fragment was simply removed by the censor at one time, but the prophecies say that before the End of the World “there will be two winters and two summers”. That is, the arrangement of seasons in a year will become quite dense. One of the possible explanations for such strange changes involves the appearance of another star in the solar system.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1158176"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6981046199798584,"wiki_prob":0.6981046199798584,"text":"Book reports outcomes of Olympic-sized events\nCredit: North Carolina State University Winning a bid to host a ”mega-event” like the Olympic games is the start of a Herculean commitment for host countries. After years of planning, investment and construction, nations roll out the welcome mat for international visitors and media attention. But once the closing ceremonies are over, what are the enduring economic, environmental and human impacts of a mega-event? Those questions fascinate NC State professor Jason Bocarro in the College of Natural Resources, who studies the public health effects of recreation and sports programs and organizations. Bocarro, co-editor of Legacies and Mega Events: Fact or Fairy Tales? answered questions about the new book for The Abstract.\nWhat exactly is a mega-event? Can you provide some examples?\nDefining a mega-event is controversial. However, the general consensus is that mega-events require substantial investment by their hosts and attract considerable media attention. In addition to their scale, defining features of mega-events are that they move from place to place, last for a fixed duration, attract a large number of visitors, have a large mediated reach, come with high costs, and have significant impacts on the built environment and the population.\nSome people think that a mega-event should be confined to sports. However, in our book we included non-sports related mega-events.\nSporting mega-events include the FIFA World Cup, Olympic games, Rugby World Cup and Asian Games, because they include multiple countries and their size, scope of their infrastructure, costs and media attention are significant. Some would also include the Super Bowl in that definition. Non-sporting mega-events include expos, political summits, conventions or festivals, such as Mardi Gras, which we discuss in the book.\nTell us about the different types of legacies that can occur because of mega-events, including economic, environmental and social impacts.\nThe impetus to measure legacy emerged from the Olympic Movement and a desire to legitimize it, gain global recognition, increase power and self-promote. Increasingly, as local mega sporting event advocates and governing bodies sought to justify considerable resource allocations for sport and supporting infrastructure to stakeholders, legacy was promoted as both a tangible and intangible benefit that will accrue to host states in return for their investments.\nThe rising cost of hosting mega sporting events, controversies over host government spending, allegations of corruption and increased scrutiny by a variety of stakeholders have all led to concerns over the sustainability of mega sporting events. This has resulted in a significant growth in legacy research, which some have attributed to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) mandate in 2000 that stipulated hosts produce legacy plans.\nSome of the types of legacies that are being studied are economic, public health (participation), volunteer, infrastructure (both facilities and transportation), environmental, urban redevelopment, security, cultural, branding (linked to tourism), knowledge/education, social and emotional (linked to what the event means to the host nation).\nYou can see recent games, such as London, being focused on a few targeted legacies:the regeneration of East London (infrastructure/ urban redevelopment legacy)inspiring community activity by young people (volunteer legacy)encouraging business investment (economic legacy)inspiring sustainable living (environmental legacy)making the U.K. a world-leading sporting nation by getting people more involved in sport (health/participation legacy)Countries that bid to host mega-events like the Olympics often talk about their benefits for citizens in underserved areas. Does research show that this happens? If so, under what circumstances?\nAlthough the potential impacts of mega-events are significant and well-documented, the actual impacts realized by host nations and regions often fall far short of expectations in terms of economic and non-economic impacts in both advanced and developing societies. For example, critics are already labeling the 2016 Rio Olympics as a legacy failure as expensive venues remain without owners and approximately 22,059 families were estimated to have been evicted from Rio’s favelas due to the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Olympic games.\nOur research, backed up by many previous studies, shows that on the whole mega-events do not benefit underserved populations. Even in examples like the 1992 Barcelona Olympics or 2012 London Olympics, where parts of the city significantly benefited from the increased urban infrastructure, critics have pointed out that it gentrified parts of these cities, forcing poorer residents out.\nWe just had a postdoctoral student visiting from the University of Belfast. Her research examined the legacy of the 2014 Commonwealth Games on the East End of Glasgow (a very deprived part of Glasgow with high rates of poor health). Residents in that area complained about the disruption the games caused and the facilities and amenities left behind. Local people are not using the world-class velodome and swimming pool – in fact, people are coming from distances away to use them. In the case of swimming, use has actually decreased as residents look at the incredible facilities and see a mismatch with their ability.\nThe only ad hoc way I’ve seen mega-events benefit underserved populations is in the case of various programming that starts as a result of the games. For example, the Football Foundation of South Africa was started prior to the 2010 World Cup. It has continued to grow and serve children in the Gansbaai area and Masakhane township. There are similar initiatives throughout other mega-events, but they are very ad hoc and many continue to struggle to survive after the event.\nWith only two cities bidding, the IOC is planning to award Paris and Los Angeles the 2024 and 2028 Olympics. Based on what you’ve learned, will it be more difficult to attract bidders for mega-events in the future?\nYes, we’re already seeing that. In 2012 the Dutch government released a report that predicted that in the future only non-democratic countries will pay to host these events. The use of sporting and other mega-events to bring about transformation of socially deprived areas of major cities, as well as a host of other legacy claims, are becoming an increasingly important part of the rationale behind hosting such events. The tax-paying public increasingly has to be persuaded of the benefits, beyond the event itself, to spend the nation’s resources in this way.\nHowever, the facts suggest that previous widespread support for embracing these events has waned. Data suggests that potential hosts are becoming more reluctant to bid in that 12 different cities bid for the 2004 Olympics, whereas the 2020 Olympics elicited just five applicants. After Oslo removed itself from consideration, only two cities—Beijing and Almaty, Kazakhstan—remained as viable candidates to host the 2022 Winter Olympics.\nHosting mega-events has also proven both costly and difficult to budget for. For example, the Athens Olympics’ projected budget was set at $1.6 billion, but the games eventually cost nearly $16 billion. For the Beijing Olympics projected costs for the organizing committee alone were reported as $1.6 billion with a final budget, including facilities and infrastructure, being $40 billion. Non-sporting mega-events do not often include a bidding process but also have the potential to produce considerable impacts for hosts. Cultural mega-events arguably produce fewer quantifiable economic impacts such as ”trading opportunities for nonprofit organizations and the contribution of the festival to local entrepreneurial culture.” The fact is that mega-events are happening throughout the world and the costs associated with these appear to be increasing significantly.\nWhat is the most compelling example you’ve seen of a successful mega-event? Of an unsuccessful mega-event?\nA couple of examples of successful sporting mega-events are the 1992 Barcelona Olympics (well planned) and the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England. Barcelona leveraged the games to promote the city. It rebuilt decaying infrastructure and used those improvements to attract business to the city. Manchester has used sport to revitalize communities and tackle social deprivation. Since successfully staging the 2002 Commonwealth Games. Manchester has had some excellent public-private partnerships that have turned into some good economic investments.\nAn example of an unsuccessful mega-event was the 1976 Montreal Olympics that crippled the city financially and took something like 40 years to pay off. I’d also say that the 2004 Athens Olympics was fairly disastrous, given the economic conditions that crippled the Greek economy shortly afterwards. However, I think in 10 years we’ll look back and see that Brazil, which hosted the FIFA World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016, was a social, economic and environmental disaster. Recent pictures which you have probably seen from Sochi, Beijing, Athens and Brazil show white elephant stadiums alongside increasing debt. Some countries and cities (such as London, Beijing and Sydney) are able to absorb some of the negative impacts of the Olympic games.\nTell us about some unexpected effects your research uncovered.\nOne of the points we make in our book is that legacy does not take place in a vacuum and so much long-term impact is actually largely out of the control of those that organize the events. For example, most legacy planning for the truly major events such as the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the FIFA World Cup takes place seven to 10 years before the event actually takes place. That makes it almost impossible for planners to know what the situation, in terms of the global/political economy, might be in the future, which makes guaranteeing any kind of legacy almost impossible. I think you will increasingly see the bidding process changed for mega-events, with potentially no bids or rotating hosts.\nA clear example of the problems associated with choosing locations years in advance is the Rio 2016 Games, where the political and economic situation in Brazil in 2009 (the year they won the bid) was far better and more stable than in 2016 when the games occurred. However, it was impossible in 2009 for organizers to predict significant political and economic events such as the crash in global oil and commodity prices (upon which their economy was so dependent), the political scandals and corruption allegations that led to the impeachment of their president just before the games, or even the Russian doping crisis that enveloped the games. Placing legacy research within the wider context is vitally important when assessing the success or otherwise of a particular legacy plan in relation to a mega-event.\nAlso, I think our research from the 2012 London Paralympic Games was surprising and shows evidence of unintended consequences. We found that the success of the 2012 London Paralympic Games had a surprisingly negative legacy for people with disabilities. Ordinary people with a disability felt little connection, if any, to Paralympians, in terms of the issues they face in their everyday lives. Furthermore, the perceived expectations by the nondisabled population that all people with disabilities can perform like Paralympians only accentuated this disconnection. Thus, despite the games being the most watched (both in person and on TV), people with disabilities in the UK reported more discrimination in the years after the games.\nExplore further:Sochi Winter Olympics ’cost billions more than estimated’\nProvided by:North Carolina State University\nIn the 1920s, German chemist Otto Warburg discovered that cancer cells don’t metabolize sugar the same...\nThe following letter was sent to the MIT community today by President L. Rafael Reif. To...\nJames DiCarlo, the Peter de Florez Professor of Neuroscience, has been appointed to the role of...\nScholars say big ideas are getting harder to find\nTomb of early classic Maya ruler found in Guatemala","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line145840"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.796683132648468,"wiki_prob":0.796683132648468,"text":"There’s more to raw spectacle than meets the eye. The action film is nearly as old as cinema itself but while the genre has always been about providing people with vicarious excitement and raw spectacle, the nature of the spect...\nBelieve it or not Chris Pine’s Jack Ryan is the fifth screen incarnation of Tom Clancy’s iconic CIA operative. From Alec Baldwin’s Hunt For Red October, Harrison Ford’s double wammy of Patriot Games and Clear And Present Danger...\nI, Frankenstein\nMary Shelly’s Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus, has had many different interpretations over the years. Part of this is down to the basic concept of the monster as an outcast is ripe for metaphor or story possibilitie...\nNinja: Tear Of A Shadow\nIt begins somewhat like this, boy is happily in love with wife, wife is happily in love with boy, disaster strikes as the pregnant girl is brutally murdered. Boy temporarily loses his sanity trying to avenge her death. Lots of ...\n47 Ronin may have been one of 2013’s biggest box office bombs but it’s never fair to judge a film by its revenue. After all Fight Club and The Shawshank Redemption did little at the box office while the most recent Transformers...\nWhile Hollywood becomes saturated in superheroes and remakes it seems inevitable that films deemed ‘untouchable’ will invariably be on the receiving end of the remake treatment. That includes cult classics such as Oldboy, the ...\nHatchet 3\nIn 2006, an unlikely new horror franchise appeared at a time when modern horror had lost its sense of fun in a midst of torture porn and nihilism; a low-budget old school slasher with as many (good) bad jokes as memorable kills...\nHomefront comes from the pen of Oscar Nominated writer Sylvester Stallone. You can re-read that sentence all you like it won’t make it any less true. For while Sly has made a name for himself as first an iconic and then a ger...\nThe Turing Test is an idea that plays an important part in The Machine. It is the concept that a true artificial intelligence is one that a person could communicate with, and not be aware that they are not conversing with a hu...\nProving there’s life in the ‘Young Adult’ genre after the sun setting on Twilight, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire was one of last year’s biggest success stories. Raking in a massive $863.9 million at the global box office it ...\nOne of the chief joys of watching older films lies in finding answers to questions about why certain films get made and why they look the way they do. Often, people who concern themselves with such matters argue that particular...\nRush may be set in the world of Formula One racing but rest assured this is a sports movie with character, story and drama to burn. Just as 2010’s heartbreaking documentary Senna managed to transcend the sport, so director Ron...\nLast Passenger\nLast Passenger, a British movie low on both concept and budget, set on the last train out of London, doesn’t sound like it promises too much and indeed it barely bothered the box office. But put all cynicism aside and get...\nSometimes movies are like London buses; you wait for ages for one Die Hard in The White House movie to come along and then two arrive at once. White House Down may have lost the race out of the gates to Olympus Has Fallen but,...\nHarrigan\nIt’s a brave director who takes on a story of filial-fuelled revenge in 1970s northern England, but Vince Woods has done just that with his first flick, Harrigan. Bolshy, brash, and just back from Hong Kong, DS Barry Hann...\nIn a summer rife with remakes, sequels and superheroes, Elysium stood-out as a rare blockbuster of originality. After the success of District 9 much was expected of writer director Neil Blomkamp. Having seen his planned adapt...\nPercy Jackson: Sea of Monsters\nYou’d be hard pushed to find a more bog standard family fantasy than Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters. All the elements are there – you’ve got your quests, your silly dialogue and your CGI monsters (the kind that look like they’r...\nConsidered something of a box office flop upon it’s original cinema release – making just £11 million of its £25 million budget back in cinemas – Big Trouble In Little China went on to become something of a cult classic on the ...\nClark Kent, Kal-El, Supes, Superman. Call him what you want, the Man Of Steel is the pinnacle of the superhero genre. So it is something of a surprise that, with the tidal wave of superhero films flooding out of Hollywood, we’...\nIf you’ve seen the trailer for The Heat (and if you’ve seen Paul Feig’s previous film, Bridesmaids), you’ll most likely be expecting a silly, gag-laden romp with a good measure of slapstick and a large supply of crude humour. Y...","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1235476"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.786079466342926,"wiki_prob":0.786079466342926,"text":"The Five Most Anticipated Games Of 2020\nThis year is going to be awesome for gamers. Besides the fact that the two best gaming console companies, Xbox and PlayStation, are going to launch new models somewhere at the end of November, there are also many much-expected games that are going to come out this year, and I’m sure you’re going to love all of them. Let’s take a look at the biggest titles that will get a 2020 release.\nThe Last Of Us: Part II\nAlthough it’s a PlayStation exclusive, The Last Of Us was a huge hit and the second instalment of the series is almost ready. When I first saw the teaser for the second part of this game, I was impressed, but I was also shocked to realize that seven years have passed since the release of the original game. Time flies when you play. The Last Of Us: Part II is programmed to hit the market on May 29th.\nI’m not a huge fan of remakes, but I must admit that the news about Final Fantasy getting a modern redone got me excited. This immense game kept me busy on PlayStation 1, and I’m sure that I’ll spend just as much time with this adventure gameplay on my PlayStation 4. However, the game won’t come in full. Because it’s this big, the developers divided it into multiple parts, set to be released in the coming months and years. The first release will feature the Midgar adventures only, and it will be available starting with April 10th.\nEven Nintendo comes with a big release this year. They didn’t set a date year, but at last year’s edition of E3 they teased the public with a trailer for a new instalment in the Legend of Zelda universe. There’s not so much information on what the game will feature, but from the trailer, we can see that the story takes a dramatic turn.\nOriginally planned for a 2019 release, Doom Eternal got a reschedule for the end of March 2020. I was a bit bummed when I heard that it won’t come out in 2019, but I could see why. Doom Eternal is a multiplatform game, which will be available on Xbox, PlayStation, PC, but also on Nintendo Switch.\nFinally, in 2020 we will get to see the release of Cyberpunk 2077, which will also be available on Xbox, PlayStation and PC. It’s set for a release on 17th September and it will surely be a lot of fun. After all, it has Keanu Reeves as the main character, and it will be an open world that plays in the same category with Grand Theft Auto V and The Witcher 3.\nAnticipated Gamesxbox playstation","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line530417"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6531707644462585,"wiki_prob":0.6531707644462585,"text":"Home What we do Our medals and awards Metge Medal How to nominate\nLearn how to nominate someone for the Dame Joan Metge Medal.\nNominations may be made by any person. The Royal Society Te Apārangi’s Academy Executive Committee reserves the right to decline any nomination.\nAn online Nomination must be completed.\nPlease email the Academy (academy@royalsociety.org.nz) if you wish to submit a new nomination and you will be provided with a URL to access the web portal.\nPlease also review general criteria that apply to all Royal Society Te Apārangi medals and awards.\nNominations are to include one set of the following:\nOne sentence citation of not more than 25 words, describing their work, which may be used for publicity purposes;\nNomination summary of not more than 100 words, that clearly explains their research contribution to a non-specialist;\nNomination statement of no more than 500 words highlighting their contributions to excellence and building relationships in the social science research community;\nCurriculum vitae of nominee;\nTwo references (to be arranged by the nominator), at least one from outside the nominee’s institution.\nPublications should include the names of all authors (Initials and Surname) and the full title of the journal in which a paper is published. Abbreviations should not be used.\n“Working within New Zealand” includes all those who were employed in New Zealand for more than 50% of the time during which they performed the work that is being considered in making the award; and/or all those who were resident in New Zealand during that time.\nMetge Medal","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line769516"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8060739040374756,"wiki_prob":0.8060739040374756,"text":"Ajit Pai Will Step Down As FCC Chair in January.\nNov 30, 2020 Updated Dec 1, 2020\nAjit Pai said Monday he will follow what has become a Washington tradition when a new President is sworn-in and vacate the chairmanship of the Federal Communications Commission on Jan. 20. In a statement he called his time at the agency “the honor of a lifetime” and noted that on his watch the Commission adopted more than 25 proposals updating media regulations. Among the other accomplishments he cited was the opening of the C-band for new mobile broadband services, and the designation of 988 as the three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, as well as making “tough choices” to close the digital divide while at the same focusing on promoting innovation and competition.\n“I am proud of how productive this Commission has been,” said Pai. “I’m also proud of the reforms we have instituted to make the agency more accountable to the American people. In particular, for the first time ever, we’ve made public drafts of the proposals and orders slated for a vote three weeks before the agency’s monthly meetings, making this the most transparent FCC in history.”\nPai, 47, joined the FCC in 2007 as a staff attorney in the Office of General Counsel. In 2012, Pai was nominated by President Obama to fill one of the Republican-controlled seats on the Commission. Then in 2017, when President Trump was elected, he turned to the senior GOP commissioner to take over the agency.\n“To be the first Asian-American to chair the FCC has been a particular privilege. As I often say: only in America,” said Pai, the son of Indian immigrants. His current term was set to expire in June 2021.\nThe National Association of Broadcasters says Pai always had “an open door” to hear from local radio and TV stations. “Chairman Pai has been a champion of free and local broadcasting since he joined the FCC. His fair, thoughtful approach to regulation led to many common-sense reforms that were long overdue,” said NAB President Gordon Smith. “Most notably, Chairman Pai modernized the Commission’s media ownership rules, authorized and promoted the transition to the Next Gen TV transmission standard, helped revitalize the AM radio band and cleared out some significant regulatory underbrush that was no longer in the public interest.”\nPai’s departure will allow President-elect Joe Biden to name a new head of the FCC with speculation already focused on former Commissioner Mignon Clyburn and current Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel as potential successors.\nIn a statement Monday, Rosenworcel acknowledged she sees things differently than Pai. “While we did not always agree on policy matters, I always valued our shared commitment to public service. Serving the American people is a tremendous honor and I wish him the best in the future,” Rosenworcel said.\nPai is not the only Republican leaving the FCC. Commissioner Michael O’Rielly will also depart at year-end when his term expires. He congratulated Pai on a “distinguished run” as the head of the FCC. “His Commission ushered in many policy advancements and made strides updating communications regulations, from restoring the Commission’s successful light-touch regulatory framework for internet service providers to modernizing media rules,” said O’Rielly.\nPandemic Leads To Fewer Commercial Stations, As Translator Numbers Keep Growing.\nPodtrac Says iHeart Remained Top Publisher In December.\nRadio’s Most-Listened-To Stations – Then & Now.\nFor Female Country Artists, The Biggest Hits Got Bigger In 2020.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line939778"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8896340131759644,"wiki_prob":0.8896340131759644,"text":"Home Embassy Embassy Information\nEmbassy Information\nThe Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Budapest, located at Rómer Floris utca 57, a prime area of the second district, was opened in 1992 after twenty-eight years of the establishment of Diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Hungary.\nThe history of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Hungary goes back to 1964 with Hungary having diplomatic presence in Nigeria since that period. The interests of Nigeria were overseen, on concurrent accreditation, initially from Warsaw, Poland, and then subsequently from Belgrade, Yugoslavia, before effective presence in Budapest in 1992. The Embassy presently has Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina as its countries of concurrent accreditation.\nThe Mission provides Consular, Immigration and other services to Nigerians and other nationals. The Mission is also engaged in representational duties on behalf of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on political, economic, social, educational, humanitarian, cultural and other global issues including promoting trade ties and supporting new avenues for economic partnership between Nigeria and Hungary and other countries of concurrent accreditation.\nThe Embassy is currently headed by Ambassador (Dr) Ajayi Eniola Olaitan who arrived Hungary on 23rd October, 2017 and presented her Letter of Credence on 1st December, 2017. Ambassador Ajayi presented her Letter of Credence in Bosnia and Herzegovina on 21st February, 2018. On 9th May, 2018, Ambassador Ajayi presented her Letter of Credence to the Croatian President, H.E. Ms. Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic at the President's Office. Ambassador Ajayi offically became Nigeria's Ambassador to Serbia on 25th June 2019 after presenting her Letter of Credence to the Serbian President, H.E. Mr. Aleksandar Vucic.\nEMBASSY HOME BASED STAFF\nH.E. Dr. (Mrs) Eniola Olaitan AJAYI\n(Ambassador/Head of Mission)\nMrs. Misitura ABDULRAHEEM\n(Minister)\nMr. Ahijo Yabo YUSUF\n(Counsellor /Head of Chancery)\nMr. Sunday James OCHEIDI\n(Finance Attaché)\nMr. Opubo EKINE\n(Admin Attaché I)\nMr. Noah Akomolafe BAMIYO\n(Admin Attaché II)\nMr. Ayotunde ADIGUN\n(Immigration Attaché I)\nMr. Murtala ADAMU\n(Immigration Attaché II)","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line71903"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6842946410179138,"wiki_prob":0.3157053589820862,"text":"DRAWN REGION\nMIN. PRICE MIN. PRICE $25,000 $50,000 $75,000 $100,000 $125,000 $150,000 $175,000 $200,000 $225,000 $250,000 $275,000 $300,000 $325,000 $350,000 $375,000 $400,000 $425,000 $450,000 $475,000 $500,000 $525,000 $550,000 $575,000 $600,000 $625,000 $650,000 $675,000 $700,000 $725,000 $750,000 $775,000 $800,000 $825,000 $850,000 $875,000 $900,000 $925,000 $950,000 $975,000 $1,000,000 $1,250,000 $1,500,000 $1,750,000 $2,000,000 $2,250,000 $2,500,000 $2,750,000 $3,000,000 $3,250,000 $3,500,000 $3,750,000 $4,000,000 $4,250,000 $4,500,000 $4,750,000 $5,000,000 $5,250,000 $5,500,000 $5,750,000 $6,000,000 $6,250,000 $6,500,000 $6,750,000 $7,000,000 $7,250,000 $7,500,000 $7,750,000 $8,000,000 $8,250,000 $8,500,000 $8,750,000 $9,000,000 $9,250,000 $9,500,000 $9,750,000 MAX. PRICE\nMAX. PRICE MIN. PRICE $25,000 $50,000 $75,000 $100,000 $125,000 $150,000 $175,000 $200,000 $225,000 $250,000 $275,000 $300,000 $325,000 $350,000 $375,000 $400,000 $425,000 $450,000 $475,000 $500,000 $525,000 $550,000 $575,000 $600,000 $625,000 $650,000 $675,000 $700,000 $725,000 $750,000 $775,000 $800,000 $825,000 $850,000 $875,000 $900,000 $925,000 $950,000 $975,000 $1,000,000 $1,250,000 $1,500,000 $1,750,000 $2,000,000 $2,250,000 $2,500,000 $2,750,000 $3,000,000 $3,250,000 $3,500,000 $3,750,000 $4,000,000 $4,250,000 $4,500,000 $4,750,000 $5,000,000 $5,250,000 $5,500,000 $5,750,000 $6,000,000 $6,250,000 $6,500,000 $6,750,000 $7,000,000 $7,250,000 $7,500,000 $7,750,000 $8,000,000 $8,250,000 $8,500,000 $8,750,000 $9,000,000 $9,250,000 $9,500,000 $9,750,000 MAX. PRICE\nBedrooms BEDROOMS 1+ 2+ 3+ 4+ 5+\nBathrooms BATHROOMS 1+ 2+ 3+ 4+ 5+\nSq Ft (min) SQ. FT. (MIN) 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000 5500 6000 6500 7000 7500 8000 8500 9000 9500 10000\nBuilt After BUILT AFTER 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021\nLOT. SQFT LOT SIZE 2,000+ sq ft 4,000+ sq ft 6,000+ sq ft 8,000+ sq ft 10,890+ sq ft / .25+ acres 21,780+ sq ft / .5+ acres 1+ acre 2+ acres 3+ acres 4+ acres 5+ acres 10+ acres 20+ acres 30+ acres 40+ acres 50+ acres 100+ acres\nANY FEATURE Air Conditioning Balcony Basement Elevator Furnished Garage Gated Community Golf Course Horse Property Multilevel New Construction Pets Pool REO Short Sale View Waterfront\nANY VIEW Golf course view Lot has bay view Lot has beach view Lot has canal view Lot has city view Lot has lagoon view Lot has lake view Lot has marina view Lot has mountain view Lot has ocean view Lot has park view Lot has river view Lot has water view\nANY STYLE 1 Level 1st Floor Multi-Story 2 Levels 2nd Floor Multi-Story 3 Levels 3rd Floor+above Multi-Story 4+ Levels Attached Bungalow Cape Cod Colonial Contemporary Corner Unit Courtyard Craftsman Custom Detached Dutch Provincial Efficiency Elevated End Unit Florida Four Story French Provincial Ground Floor Unit Ground Level High Rise Historical In M/H Community Key West Mid Rise Mid-Century Modern One Story Other Out of M/H Community Patio Penthouse Ranch Spanish/Mediterranean Split Level Three Story Townhouse 2-3 Floors Traditional Tri-Level Tudor Two Story Victorian\nVenice Homes for Sale\n(349 listings)\nBdrms\nShowing 1 – 20 of 349 Listings","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line740861"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.930079996585846,"wiki_prob":0.930079996585846,"text":"James Bonard Fowler\nAmerican police officer\n(1933-09-10)September 10, 1933\nGeneva County, Alabama, U.S.\nJuly 5, 2015(2015-07-05) (aged 81)\nAlabama state trooper, US Army, farmer\nConviction(s)\nPleaded guilty to manslaughter, 2010[1][2]\nMurder[1][2]\nSix months in prison\nJames Bonard Fowler (September 10, 1933 – July 5, 2015) was an Alabama state trooper, known for fatally shooting civil rights activist Jimmie Lee Jackson on February 18, 1965, during a peaceful march by protesters seeking voting rights. Fowler was among police and state troopers who attacked unarmed marchers that night in Marion, Alabama. A grand jury declined to indict him that year. It was not until 2005 that Fowler acknowledged shooting Jackson, a young deacon in the Baptist church, claiming to have acted in self defense. In response to Jackson's death, several days later civil rights leaders initiated the Selma to Montgomery marches as part of their campaign for voting rights. That year Congress passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which President Lyndon B. Johnson signed.[3]\nAfter the shooting, Fowler was reassigned to Birmingham. In 1968 he was dismissed from the state troopers after physically attacking his supervisor. He enlisted in the US Army, serving with valor in Vietnam. He was awarded two Silver Stars and a Purple Heart. After the war, he became a heroin trafficker in northern Thailand, returning to the US for brief visits. During his time in Thailand, he was convicted of heroin trafficking and served five years in a Thai prison. After returning to the US permanently in 1996, Fowler farmed with his wife in rural Geneva County, Alabama.\nIn 2005 Fowler admitted the shooting of Jackson in an interview with a local newspaper, saying that he had acted in self defense. In 2007 he was indicted by the district attorney in Perry County for Jackson's death, and in 2010 he pleaded guilty to manslaughter. He was sentenced to six months in prison but was released one month early because of needing surgery.[1][3]\nBeginning in 2007, Fowler was also being investigated by the FBI for the 1966 shooting death of Nathan Johnson, a black man fatally shot after being taken to the Alabaster jail.[4]\n2.1 Shooting of Jimmie Lee Jackson\n3 Aftermath\n3.1 Delayed justice\n3.2 Shooting of Nathan Johnson\n3.3 Dismissal from State Police\n3.4 US Army service and decades in Southeast Asia\n4 Later life\nFowler was born in 1933 to a farming family in Geneva County, Alabama. He attended local schools, which were racially segregated, as were other public facilities at the time. He played football in high school. After graduating, he served for a period in the US Navy from 1951 to 1953 during the Korean War as an Petty officer third class, and then attended the University of Alabama in the late 1950s.[5] He married a local woman but later they were divorced.[6]\nAfter completing training, Fowler entered the Alabama State Police in 1961. By February 1965, he was a corporal. He and other state troopers were increasingly charged with managing or suppressing civil rights actions conducted by African-American groups seeking to regain their constitutional rights in the state and others of the South. The mid-1960s had become increasingly a time of tension in Jim Crow Alabama.\nShooting of Jimmie Lee Jackson[edit]\nLeaders of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and other civil rights groups had come to nearby Selma, Alabama, where they were conducting protests and marches about voting rights. On the night of February 18, 1965, around 500 people left Zion United Methodist Church in Marion, intending to walk to the City Jail about a half a block away, where a young civil rights worker was being held.\nThe march was to protest his arrest, and the unarmed marchers were singing hymns. They were met by a crowd of Marion City police officers, county sheriff's deputies, and Alabama State Troopers. In the standoff, streetlights were abruptly turned off (some sources say that they were shot out by the police),[7] and the police began to beat the protestors.[3][7] Two United Press International photographers were beaten by the police and their cameras were smashed.\nJimmie Lee Jackson, his mother, Viola Jackson, and his 82-year-old grandfather, Cager Lee, and some others ran into Mack's Café by the church, pursued by about ten Alabama state troopers. Police clubbed Cager Lee to the floor and his daughter Viola rushed to his aid. The 26-year-old Jackson went to help his mother and was shot twice in the abdomen by Fowler (who was not then identified). Jackson died eight days later in the hospital on February 26, 1965.[3]\nA grand jury declined to indict Fowler in September 1965, and his name was not publicized.[3]\nAftermath[edit]\nJackson's death is considered the primary catalyst for the first Selma to Montgomery march that occurred a few days later on \"Bloody Sunday\", March 7, 1965. The violence unleashed there increased widespread public support for the movement to gain enforcement of voting rights, and later that year the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed.[3]\nDelayed justice[edit]\nAfter the shooting, Fowler returned to his duties as a State Trooper. A grand jury failed to indict him for Jackson's death. He was transferred to Birmingham, Alabama, and promoted. He said that he never received any negative reaction from supervisors about the case.[3]\nInterviewed in 2005 by John Fleming of the Anniston Star about the shooting, Fowler said:\nI don't remember how many times I pulled the trigger, but I think I just pulled it once, but I might have pulled it three times. I don't remember. I didn't know his name at the time, but his name was Jimmie Lee Jackson. He weren't dead. He didn't die that night. But I heard about a month later that he died.[3]\nThis was the first time he had been publicly identified as the former trooper who had shot Jackson.\nOn May 10, 2007, 42 years after the homicide, Fowler at the age of 73 was indicted by Michael Jackson, the district attorney for Geneva County (and the first black district attorney in the state),[8] on charges of first degree and second degree murder for the death of Jimmie Lee Jackson (no relation). Fowler subsequently surrendered to authorities.[2] Fowler was among a number of persons who were being prosecuted in criminal cold cases from the civil rights era.[5]\nAt the age of 77, Fowler pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree manslaughter on November 15, 2010.[1] Fowler apologized for the shooting but insisted that he had acted in self-defense, believing that Jackson was trying to grab his gun in the melee.[1] Fowler was sentenced to six months in state prison.[1] He was released early after serving five months, due to health problems that required surgery.[9]\nShooting of Nathan Johnson[edit]\nIn December 2007, the Anniston Star reported new information related to the 1966 shooting death of Nathan Johnson, an African-American man, allegedly by Fowler at the Alabaster, Alabama police station. Johnson had been arrested for suspicion of drunken driving on US Highway 31 and was shot in an altercation with Fowler, then still an Alabama state trooper. The Star said these details were known to both the prosecution and defense in Fowler's 2007 case related to the shooting death of Jimmie Lee Jackson, then under prosecution.[10]\nAccording to details in Johnson's file, \"obtained from the National Archives through the Freedom of Information Act\", Johnson, an African-American man, had a \"history of mental illness, and a \"lengthy arrest record, including a manslaughter conviction in the death of a teenager\" in a drunk driving accident. In addition, he was \"intoxicated when Fowler arrested him.\"[10]\nIn 2011, FBI officials announced that they were seeking information about the May 8, 1966 death of 34-year-old Nathan Johnson, a cold case from the civil rights era. They repeated allegations that Fowler had fatally shot him.[4][11] At the time, the press had reported that law enforcement officials said that Johnson had grabbed a billy club from Fowler and was attacking him; the officer fatally shot Johnson twice in the chest.[11]\nDismissal from State Police[edit]\nFowler was dismissed from the state police in 1968 for physically attacking his supervisor.[5] His supervisor, Sergeant T. B. Barden, said that Fowler was angry about a poor job evaluation and had attacked him as he was getting into his car.[5]\nFowler and his attorney George Beck said that Fowler had taken time off to mourn with his mother after his father's death. He said that the state troopers did not give him sick leave for this absence. In the melee, he rammed Barden's head into a windshield. Barden was knocked unconscious and taken by ambulance to a Birmingham hospital.[12] Fowler entered the US Army after being dismissed from the state troopers and served in Vietnam. His brother Robert had died there, and Fowler was able to join his former rifle unit.[6]\nIn 2007 Barden said that after Fowler returned to the United States withdrawal from Vietnam, he called his former supervisor and apologized for his action. Barden said that they had a good talk and he bore no ill will toward Fowler. He had thought the man bound for a promising career before that incident.[13]\nUS Army service and decades in Southeast Asia[edit]\nFowler served with the U.S. Army in Vietnam War from 1968 to 1974 as a Sergeant First Class and was awarded Silver Star & 10 Oak leaf cluster for gallantry in action, Bronze Star Medal & 2 Oak leaf cluster for leadership in action, and Purple Heart for his injuries in combat during his military service.[6][5]\nAfter the US pulled out of Vietnam, Fowler remained in Southeast Asia, living and working in northern Thailand.[6] For the next two decades, Fowler returned to the United States for brief periods to take care of business in Alabama but lived primarily in Thailand. During this period he became interested in Buddhism, married Noie, a woman from Burma,[3] and started a family in Thailand. [6]\nIn the late 1980s Fowler testified in a military case involving a alleged murder-for-hire plot, in which an army sergeant wanted to kill his captain. His life took another turn a few years later, when Fowler was convicted by Thai authorities of heroin trafficking. He served about five years in a Thai prison.[6][5]\nLater life[edit]\nAfter returning to the United States for good in 1996, Fowler settled with his second wife on a farm in rural Geneva County. He farmed for the remainder of his life.[5]\nFowler expressed a racist attitude in a 2005 interview with a local newspaper.[3] He said that he greatly respected such black leaders as Nelson Mandela and Colin Powell, but generally did not think that blacks and whites should mix in society.[3][5]\nDeath[edit]\nFowler died of pancreatic cancer on July 5, 2015, in Geneva County, Alabama at the age of 81.[14][5]\n^ a b c d e f Brown, Robbie (November 15, 2010). \"45 Years Later, an Apology and 6 Months\". New York Times. Retrieved November 16, 2010.\n^ a b c \"Nation in Brief: Indictment Brought in Civil-Rights-Era Death\". The Washington Post. May 10, 2007. pp. A08. Retrieved January 21, 2008.\n^ a b c d e f g h i j k Fleming, John (March 6, 2005). \"The Death of Jimmy Lee Jackson\". The Anniston Star. Archived from the original on November 24, 2010. Retrieved January 21, 2008.\n^ a b Associated Press (November 24, 2009). \"FBI: Ex-Alabama trooper Fowler's 1966 killing of black man in Alabaster jail still probed\". Anniston Star. Archived from the original on December 6, 2010. Retrieved February 3, 2011.\n^ a b c d e f g h i Bernstein, Adam (July 8, 2015). \"James Bonard Fowler dies; Alabama lawman was convicted 45 years after killing civil rights protester\". The Washington Post.\n^ a b c d e f Fleming, John (July 8, 2007). \"Former state trooper had varied experience in Southeast Asia\". The Anniston Star. Retrieved June 27, 2019.\n^ a b Davis, Townsend (1998). Weary Feet, Rested Souls: A Guided History of the Civil Rights Movement. New York: W. W. Norton & Company. pp. 121, 122. ISBN 0-393-04592-7.\n^ Editorial Board (November 17, 2010). \"Justice, finally: Gratitude for case's resolution\". The Anniston Star. Archived from the original on September 13, 2011. Retrieved June 27, 2019.\n^ Associated Press (July 7, 2011). \"Blog: Former Alabama state trooper James Fowler freed in civil rights killing\". Alabama.com. Retrieved October 7, 2013.\n^ a b Fleming, John (December 7, 2007). \"New details emerge in second shooting by former state trooper\". Anniston Star. Archived from the original on December 2, 2010. Retrieved June 25, 2019.\n^ a b Associated, Press (November 24, 2009). \"FBI says ex-trooper's 1966 killing of black probed\". Anniston Star. Archived from the original on December 6, 2010. Retrieved February 3, 2011.\n^ Rawls, P. (2007, May 12). \"Ex-trooper had rollercoaster career: man charged in historic killing was later fired for other reasons\", The Charleston Gazette (subscription required)\n^ Fleming, John. (10 May 2007). \"State records: Fowler discharged after he beat superior officer\", The Anniston Star\n^ Schapiro, Rich (July 7, 2015). \"Ex-Ala. trooper whose killing of protester sparked 1965 civil rights marches dies at 81\". Daily News. New York City.\nRetrieved from \"https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=James_Bonard_Fowler&oldid=994571864\"\nPeople from Geneva County, Alabama\nMilitary personnel from Alabama\nUniversity of Alabama alumni\nAmerican state police officers\nAmerican people convicted of manslaughter\nAmerican police officers convicted of crimes\nSelma to Montgomery marches\nDeaths from cancer in Alabama\nCrimes in Alabama\nDeaths from pancreatic cancer\nPolice brutality in the United States\nPolice misconduct in the United States\nUse mdy dates from July 2015","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1130943"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7239120006561279,"wiki_prob":0.7239120006561279,"text":"WATCH: First look at...\nWATCH: First look at new Clerys Quarter which includes a rooftop bar on historic O'Connell Street site\nBy James Fenton\nA first look at the planned Clerys Quarter has been unveiled today, offering a glimpse at the proposed project on the historic Clerys Building site on O'Connell Street.\nClerys Quarter will be centred on the refurbishment and extension of the historic Clerys Building, which was known for being a prime meeting point for Dubliners for generations.\nThe development will be made up of retail outlets, a restaurant and a rooftop bar and will also include a 213-bed four-star hotel. The Earl Building will offer 28,107 sq ft of office space, with retail space and restaurants on the ground floor.\nThe rooftop bar and restaurant will provide panoramic views over the capital and you can have a look for yourself in the below clip, which was shared this morning.\nA post shared by Clerys Quarter (@clerysquarter)\nClerys Quarter is scheduled to open in 2022 and you can find out more via this link.\nREAD NEXT: Christmas socialising for dummies - All of your pub and restaurant questions answered","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line483336"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6903431415557861,"wiki_prob":0.6903431415557861,"text":"Name: Ryan Morales\nBorn: 9/24/76 – New York City, NY USA\nAstrological: Libra – Year of the Dragon\nNationality:United States & Colombia\nDJ Since: 1989\nMain Music Style: Progressive Hi-NRG\nOther Styles: Trance, Tribal, Electro, Nu-Disco, Alternative\nFavorite DJs: Tiesto, Paul Van Dyke, Armin Van Burren, Paul Oakenfold, Todd Terry, Markus Schultz, Sharam\nBest Known For: Resident DJ at the infamous Limelight NYC, Production work including Bon Jovi Bad Name remix & Jana Found A Love remix\nFavorite Quote: “Just do it!” – Nike\nFavorite Movies: Spaceballs , Star Wars Series, The Hangover, Avatar, The Shinning, The Matrix, Lord of the Rings Series\nFavorite Author: Edgar Allen Poe\nFavorite Event: Ultra Music Festival\nBrands Behind the Sound: Native Instruments, Electro Voice, Pioneer, Denon, QSC, Alesis, Yamaha, PreSonus, M-Audio, Sony, Korg\nMiami-based producer, re-mixer and DJ Ryan Morales energizes dance music fans from around the world with his High Energy Progressive House sets. Boasting a career spanning over 20 years, Ryan spins with the ease of a well-oiled machine while at the same time demonstrating his ability to read a crowd and infuse a room with energy. He was influenced by some of the biggest pioneers in new wave, electro, dance and electronica; artists such as Todd Terry, Hex Hector, Depeche Mode, Lime, Paul Oakenfold, and Keoki. Ryan’s sound is a blend of high-energy house with a touch of our favorite classic sounds of yester-year and a breath of electro energy that keeps you pumping.\nSchooled in piano and percussion since the age of six, spinning seemed to be a natural extension of Ryan’s musical abilities. As a kid, he grew up around well-known local New York and New Jersey DJs, and by the age of twelve began spinning at school and town functions. Encouraged to continue because of his natural ability, he soon became a regular at New York nightclubs, becoming one of the youngest resident DJs in the city (LimeLight) by the age of sixteen. Time Out magazine (1995) considered him one of the top New York City DJs at the time.\nBesides his two year stint at LimeLight, Ryan was a regular at other New York nightclubs such as Tunnel, Palladium, Octogon, Expo and China Club. At the same time, he got schooled in audio engineering at the Institute of Audio Research in New York City. This education offered him the opportunity to hone his production skills while spending hours of studio time with artists including Wyclef Jean, Tracie Spencer, Jana, Dynamix, and more recently with vocalist and performer Tania Mashay.\nRyan’s production experience extends over the last 16 years and includes award winning remixes such as dance diva Jana’s “Found a Love” (2001), and radio favorites such as his Bon Jovi’s “Bad Name” remix (2004). He also extended his production abilities to a more serious avenue as a Sound Engineer at the Jazz Center New York.\nAlways looking for new ways to create music, Ryan prides himself with his ability to incorporate a variety of influences and evolving technologies into his work. More recently he has added the use of Native-Instrument’s Traktor DJ set up controlled by their Maschine Groove Box controller. This allows him to play four decs simultaneously for a better live mixing experience. These days, Ryan has been spending time in the studio working on a new album. He releases a monthly podcast which is downloaded by over 10,000 fans every month and you can also access his remixes through iTunes.\nHere’s a bit more about Ryan…\nAs a DJ, he has played at some of America’s most famous events and venues including Ultra Music Festival (Miami), Winter Music Conference (WMC Miami), Carnaval de Cali (Colombia), Pawnshop (Miami), Crobar (NYC), Spirit (NYC), Exit (NYC), Sandbar USA (NJ), Studio 4 (NJ), Liquid (Miami), The Relyc (NJ), SandBar USA (NJ), Club Abyss (NJ), Columbus 72 (NYC), Porkys (NYC), The Grand (NYC), One (NYC), Aer (NYC), Anthonys (NJ), Supperclub (NJ), Carusos (NJ), StingRays (NJ), Element Lounge (NJ), Club Tribecca (NJ), Club Drama (NJ), The Warehouse (NJ), XTC (NJ), Liquid (WMC Miami), The Shelbourne (WMC Miami), Suite Lounge (Miami Beach), PawnShop Lounge (Miami), Cameo (Miami Beach), Aerobar (Miami Beach), Living Room (Ft Lauderdale), and many more.\nThroughout his long career Ryan has played alongside lengendary and famous DJs including David Morales, Lil Louie Vega, Armand Van Helden, Frankie Bones, Sven Vath, Gonzo, Hector Romero, Skribbles, Anthony Acid, Denny Tsettos, Lil Cee, Louie Devito, George Morel, and Roland Clark among others.\nMiami Groove Cruise 2013\nTwisted Halloween at LMNT Oct 27th\nRetro Night Party at RokBar Miami Sept 15th\nSunday 9.9.12 Shore Club Miami\nFriday August 24th Gryphon Hard Rock Ft Laud\n2018 © Copyright @ Ryan Morales – All Rights Reserved – Website by DelPuma","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line244259"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7235557436943054,"wiki_prob":0.7235557436943054,"text":"Encore! The Renaissance of Wisconsin Opera Houses\n272 pages, full-color photographs, 8\" x 10\"\nBy Brian Leahy Doyle\nPhotographs by Mark Fay\nA remarkable number of Wisconsin towns and cities were home to an opera house in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Some were freestanding structures built by local benefactors, industrialists, and capitalists. Others were located within a city hall building and financed by local tax dollars with the support of government officials who believed in the value of the arts for their community.\nSome of the biggest names in theater and vaudeville graced these Wisconsin stages: Marion Anderson, the Barrymores, Sarah Bernhardt, Enrico Caruso, George M. Cohan, Gracie Fields, Mario Lanza, Jenny Lind, Alfred Lunt and Lynne Fontanne, the Marx Brothers, Sir Laurence Olivier, Bill \"Bojangles” Robinson, Arturo Toscanini. But these theaters—especially those in smaller, rural towns—also served as \"a public space for town meetings, lectures, political speeches and rallies, proms, high school graduations, church bazaars, and even basketball games,” notes Brian Leahy Doyle.\nDoyle chronicles the histories of ten Wisconsin opera houses and theaters, from their construction to their heydays as live performance spaces and through the periods when many of these stages went dark. But what makes these stories so compelling is that all but one of the featured theaters has been restored to its original splendor. Just as the beginnings of these theaters were often the result of the efforts of local citizens, Doyle discovers that their restoration is due to the commitment of dedicated and passionate people. More than one of these revived theaters has spurred the revitalization of its surrounding downtown business district as well.\nMark Fay’s photographs capture the essence of these structures, from the austerely handsome to the magnificently ornate opera houses.\n\"Encore!\" is the second book in the Places Along the Way series. Richly illustrated with historic and contemporary photos, the Places Along the Way series links Wisconsin's past with its present, exploring the state's history through its architecture.\nplaces along the way series (1)\nHorse-Drawn Days: a Century of Farming with Horses\n240 pages, 140 b/w and color photos and illus., 8 x 9\nTavern League: Portraits of Wisconsin Bars\n136 pages, 60 color photos, 9 x 9\nBeyond the Trees: Stories of Wisconsin Forests\n336 pages, 154 color and b/w photos and 17 maps, 8 x 9\nAlexander Hamilton: From Obscurity to Greatness\n200 pages, 5 ½ x 8 ½","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line132139"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5693535804748535,"wiki_prob":0.4306464195251465,"text":"Jeremy Scahill: Corporations Are Making a Killing Off US Targeted Killing\nWhen it comes to targeted killing by US drones, “due process” is basically reversed — everyone killed in a drone strike is designated as an enemy killed in action until proven otherwise, ​says Jeremy Scahill.​ (Photo: Sergey Melkonov / Flickr; Edited: JR / TO)\nIf drone warfare has come up at all this election season, it’s been in passing. The candidates don’t differ much on the use of pilotless drones. But how is the face of war changing, and how do our peace movements need to respond?\nJeremy Scahill is an award-winning investigative journalist and a founding editor of The Intercept. He’s the author of Blackwater: The Rise of the World’s Most Powerful Mercenary Army, Dirty Wars (the book and the film), and now The Assassination Complex: Inside the Government’s Secret Drone Warfare Program, written with the staff of The Intercept.\nScahill joined me recently for a conversation that ranged from “death by metadata,” to corporations in the kill chain and the military-industrial complex.\nYou can watch the conversation in full (or listen to the podcast) on “The Laura Flanders Show.”\nLaura Flanders: Let’s start with the meat of the matter, the book. It is based on a mountain of classified documents that you and your colleagues went through. Briefly, what is the most important thing we need to take from it?\nJeremy Scahill: The Obama administration and the president himself have claimed really from the first year of the administration on, that this is somehow a cleaner way of waging war, that it’s a smarter way of waging war and that it’s a more effective way of killing terrorists and protecting Americans. There’s no doubt that under President Obama dozens of people, who, I think, objectively could be declared terrorists, have been killed. Whether they went through a judicial process is a whole other story. But the entire thing is predicated on a lie, the lie that this is a cleaner, safer way of waging war. The reality is — and the documents that we obtained show this — in nine times out of 10, of the people killed in drone strikes by the US, the US doesn’t even know their identities. In other words, nine of the 10 people were not the intended targets of the strike. Were they other so-called bad guys? Maybe.\nYou have a chapter in the book co-authored with Glenn Greenwald called “Death by Metadata.”\nRight. That’s how people are essentially being killed today. It’s not that you are locating an individual and killing them. They are locating people’s SIM cards [in their cell phones] or their handset numbers, and there’s a number of things. They call them selectors. Everything is in corporate language…. The SIM card has a way of communicating with the cell phone tower, and the phone itself has a way of communicating with the Wi-Fi communication. Your phone is basically just like a homing beacon that’s constantly admitting signals without your knowledge. So the US, the NSA, the CIA and the military are using those signals being emitted by everyone’s phones to triangulate the location of a phone that they believe to be in the possession of an individual, and that’s how they trigger the drone strike. In many cases, they’re not even 100 percent certain that they have the person, but they know they have the phone.\nWhat if you’ve given your phone to someone?\nIt does happen. In fact, the source who gave us these documents, the whistleblower who worked on the targeted assassination campaign, said that they would watch the Taliban go into meetings. Then they would shuffle a bag of SIM cards, pass them out, and then they would all go their separate ways. They understand the system. There have also been a number of cases where people have been killed because they had a phone that US intelligence believed was connected to terrorism. Then a drone strike takes place, and it turns out not [to have targeted] the “right” person.\nNow, the White House says it’s releasing documents purporting to tell us more about who’s targeted and why. What do we need to think about when we hear the White House talk about its releases?\nPresident Obama is a constitutional lawyer by trade and training and has a lot of support from liberals … I think people generally on the liberal end of the spectrum say, “Well, we trust Obama with this stuff. We wouldn’t want the Republicans to have it” — which is a whole other moral discussion — “but we trust Obama.”\n“Corporations are making a killing off of this killing.”\nWhen the president of the United States looks into a camera and says, “The number of civilians killed is minimal” … I don’t think it’s that the president is knowingly lying to people. It’s that the system — and this is what our documents in the book show — is created so that the number will almost always be zero when asked how many civilians were killed because everyone killed in a drone strike, unless they are clearly a woman or a child, is going to be designated as an enemy killed in action. The only way you lose that designation after death is if posthumously you are proven to have not been a terrorist.\nIt’s sort of the reverse of due process. When Obama says, “The number of civilians killed is minimal,” it’s because the system produces the number zero or very low numbers every time they do a strike unless a journalist or a human rights organization goes to the scene and figures out, “Wait, these people weren’t terrorists. This was a wedding party.”\nNow, you said some people even on the liberal side of the spectrum are comfortable with, “Well, as long as Obama’s in charge,” but he’s not the only person in charge. There’s a whole kill chain. An extraordinary part of your book is Cora Currier’s reporting on the materials that you were able to receive. The other piece of it is that corporations are involved in all of this, too. Talk a little bit about the role the corporations play in our assassination complex.\nFirst of all, many of the slides that were produced that we have in the book for the US military were actually done by a national security division of the IBM corporation where they have a whole national security division. They use some of the same language and actually the same templates for slides that are about hunting and killing people for other corporate clients [too]. It seems like they are producing widgets. I mean that’s how they talk about it. The banality of evil just is kind of oozing from these things because it’s like, who are the authors who wrote these documents that refer to find, fix, finish, all of these terms that they use? We have a whole glossary of them in there.\n“There’s nothing new in warfare except the technology.”\nI mean corporations are making a killing off of this killing. You have Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and then you have these huge farms filled with private contractors who are on loan or being rented to the US government to be drone pilots or to be intelligence analysts. Those individuals are essentially part of a matrix that is a for-profit industry of killing. It’s wrapped in this flag of patriotism and national security. But at the end of the day there’s very little difference between what is happening now with the warfare industry and drones [and] what happened with [President] Lyndon Johnson when he was throwing contracts to Bell Helicopter because they were a Texas company and the Vietnam War seemed like a great market for them.\nThe military-industrial-war-killing complex is, as you said, nothing brand new, but this definitely is a new form. We often talk on this program about the history of capitalism and how it keeps going. First you exploit land, then you exploit people, and increasingly it looks as if war has become the way capitalism self-perpetuates.\nIf you look at what the US is doing in Africa right now, it is a form of neocolonialism…. You have an increasing number of what they call small footprint bases throughout Africa. The US, rather than deploying large numbers of troops, is starting to create outposts where they can fly drones and other essentially robotic tools of war and then also partnering up with unsavory militias or human rights-abusing governments. I recently did a story about how Erik Prince … the creator of Blackwater [is] creating a privatized air force using crop dusters manufactured by a farm company in the US state of Georgia and weaponizing them to sell to the Christian supremacist leader of South Sudan.\nYou have this growing covert or not-so-covert military presence in Africa. If you just rewind history half a century, there were these liberation struggles against exploitation of natural resources, against stomping out any attempts at self-determination. I feel like there’s nothing new in warfare except the technology. These companies are very much like the Dutch East India Trading Company and United Fruit. They’re just a little bit more sophisticated in how they conduct their business.\nOne of the topics we hear about a lot is the close relationship between the US policing system and Israel’s. Does Israel show up a lot in these leaks?\nWell, Israel doesn’t show up in these documents. In some ways, Israel is more effective at keeping secrets than the US intelligence community. You haven’t had this scale of a leak on the Israeli program at all. In fact, the only real … remember, and I know you’ve reported on this a lot, Mordechai Vanunu, the former Israeli nuclear worker, blew the whistle in the early 1980s about Israel having nuclear weapons, which was an open secret, but he confirmed it. Then, he was, as a result of that, kidnapped and then had his entire life destroyed, spent decades basically in prison or being driven to insanity.\n“All of these policies that were unleashed around the world now have come home in the most real way ever.”\nThere is a very deep Israeli connection to this. That is that the US has whole cloth adopted the Israeli assassination model. In the ’90s, Israel began very openly and proudly bumping off people, Palestinians who they considered to be either too popular of leaders or they accused of being heads of terror cells. After 9/11, when the Bush administration was trying to basically keep all of the blame on the Clinton era, Richard Clarke, who was the counterterrorism czar in the waning years of Clinton and then continued on with Bush, testified in the secret hearing in front of Congress that the reason that they didn’t want to use a weaponized drone to kill [Osama] bin Laden early on or to launch a cruise missile strike that would effectively kill him is they didn’t want to give the perception to the world that the US was running an Israeli-style assassination program. Fast forward to the middle of the Bush administration and then the Obama administration, [and] we have become the Israeli assassination program across the globe.\nHow does our peace movement need to change to respond to the current moment?\nI think that if we step back and look at it, especially people that are just really focused on antiwar activism [need to] pay attention to the fact that everything you’ve been opposing around the world is here now … It’s in the targeting of young Black people by law enforcement. It’s in the paramilitarization of police forces in this country…. It’s [in] the militarization of the border. All of these policies that were unleashed around the world now have come home in the most real way ever, where local police forces all look like SWAT teams now. There’s a whole program that the Homeland Security Department runs to give grants to local law enforcement to obtain armored vehicles that the military is done using in Afghanistan. Those are now facing down against protesters, but also [more generally against] Black communities or poor communities.\nJeremy Scahill’s book is The Assassination Complex co-authored with the staff of The Intercept. “The Laura Flanders Show” airs multiple times weekly on KCET/LINKtv, (DIRECTV Ch. 375 and DISH Network Ch. 9410), on FreeSpeech TV and in Spanish and English on the Latin American network teleSUR. For more information or to watch more coverage of drone warfare, go to LauraFlanders.com.\nAnti-Drone Movement Grows: Ethics, Legality and Effectiveness of Drone Killings Doubted\nZeese and Flowers examine the US drone program, its security effectiveness, legality under US and international law, state of development, and position in US opinion.\nKevin Zeese &\nMargaret Flowers,\nDrones and Lethal Robotics: The Future of the Police War on Black Lives\nIn a society where Blackness equates to risk, technology will reproduce the defining characteristics of anti-Blackness.\nWilliam C. Anderson,","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1401663"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6854801177978516,"wiki_prob":0.6854801177978516,"text":"Two local high school musicals nominated for 2012 Stage Top Honor Awards\nby Linda Hubbard on May 15, 2012\nEditor’s note: Evidently it’s the day for local student musical theatre. Soon after we posted the story on Grab Bag Theatre below, we received word about these high school musical nominations.\nMusicals produced by Menlo-Atherton High School and Menlo School have been nominated for the 2012 Bay Area High School Musical Theatre Stage Top Honors Awards. The awards program, sponsored by the San Jose Stage Company, encourages and rewards exceptional accomplishments in the production of high school musical theatre. Sixteen private and public high schools competed for the 2012 Awards, which are modeled after Broadway’s Tony Awards.\nMA’s four nominations for the musical Once Upon a Mattress include Hannah Berggren for Best Leading Actress (pictured top) and Zachary W. Abt for Best Supporting Actor. The school also picked up nominations for Shayda Abadi for Best Graphic Design and Kent Kurrus for Student Orchestra.\nMenlo School received seven nominations for its production of Spring Awakening, including Best Leading Actor Andrew Klingelhofer and Director Beth Orr (pictured right). Other nominations include Best Chorus; Best Supporting Actor, Brett Caplan; Choreography, Jan Chandler; Lighting Design, Tripp Robbins; and Costume Design, Kim Klingelhofer.\nWinners of the 2012 Stage Top Honor Awards will be announced on Monday, June 4 at 7:00 pm at the California Theatre in downtown San Jose. More information and tickets are available online. Winners of the the Best Actress and Best Actor categories will be sent to the National Musical Theatre Awards in New York City.\nPhoto of Hannah Berggren by Gillian Bostock\nPhoto of Beth Orr courtesy of Menlo School","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line402432"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7833096385002136,"wiki_prob":0.7833096385002136,"text":"OSCAR GOLD: THE 84TH ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS\nIn a night that was a tribute to classic Hollywood glamour, the big winners at the Oscars this year were films like The Artist and Hugo, which were an ode to vintage Hollywood cinema. TV TALK takes a close look at the glitzy affair that was magical and resplendent in every way…\nFor a complete list of winners, CLICK HERE\nPhoto Courtesy: AMPAS\nTo bring back to the magic of Hollywood and the Oscars, the biggest event on television, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences played up the classic and vintage value of the motion pictures, even with Billy Crystal as host, his ninth time on the job. The night wasn’t full of surprises, even though the most deserving nominees did take home Oscar gold, and there weren’t any major snubs.\nMoreover, I thought that the host did a fine job, even though he received criticism from many. And in addition to that, most presenters were effective and entertaining, especially Jennifer Lopez and Cameron Diaz, Robert Downey Jr and Gwyneth Paltrow, Chris Rock, Ben Stiller and Emma Stone, and the cast of Bridesmaids.\nFAVORITE RED CARPET LOOKS\nPenélope Cruz in Armani Privé\nCameron Diaz in Gucci\nSandra Bullock in Marchesa\nGwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford\nA still from the Cirque Du Soleil performance\nThe show seemed shorter than other years, with the introductions to the categories not as elaborate as always, and even the presentation of nominees in the technical categories also toned down. Additionally, the tradition of all the Best Original Song nominated being performed has been phased out since 2010, and this year, with just two songs nominated, there weren’t any song performances. The only major performances were the opening sequence with host Billy Crystal, and the breathtakingly amazing exclusive performance by the Cirque Du Soleil, with their largest ensemble ever, to the music of renowned Hollywood composer Danny Elfman.\nTaking the theme forward were videos of several actors like Tom Cruise, Reese Witherspoon, Adam Sandler and others speaking about being a part of Hollywood, the motion pictures, expression and telling stories that go down as pieces of cinematic history. That was an interesting addition to the show, while montages of scenes from successful movies of the past seemed to be an attempt to add elements that would appeal to the audiences of more popular movies. Even the ‘In Memoriam’ section, paying tribute to those personalities who passed away in the last year, was innovatively presented with music and portraits.\nHollywood history was created again in several ways again, with some of the results in particular. Christopher Plummer (Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role for Beginners), 82, became the oldest individual to have ever won an Oscar. Meryl Streep, the actress with the maximum number of acting nominations (17) ever, won her third [very well deserved] Oscar (Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for The Iron Lady) almost thirty years after winning her last one. The Artist became the first silent film since 1929 to be nominated for Best Picture, and it won!\nChristopher Plummer, Octavia Spencer, Meryl Streep and Jean Dujardin\nAmong other noteworthy wins were Octavia Spencer’s (Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for The Help) and Jean Dujardin’s (Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for The Artist), who both got really emotional on stage. Dujardin’s speech, ending with, “Merci formidable! Merci Beaucoup!”was the stuff that classic Oscar acceptance clips are made of. Plummer’s speech, which began with him saying to the statuette, “You’re only two years older than me; where’ve you been all my life?” made one of the best lines of the evening. And with all these wins being announced by last year’s winners in the categories (Colin Firth, Natalie Portman, Melissa Leo and Christian Bale), they became even more special.\nThe Artist wins Best Picture\nWith a well-paced-out announcement of categories and winners, the evening drew to a close steadily, with the Lead Actress announcement being pushed to after Lead Actor. And after Meryl Streep’s heartfealt, humble and beautiful acceptance speech, Tom Cruise came on stage to present the big one of the evening—Best Picture. The Artist, which also won Michel Hazanavicius an Oscar for Direction, turned out to be the very deserving winner this year, with the simple story that The Artist was having been told with such brilliance and honesty. The endearing sight of Uggie the dog up on stage, along with the cast and winners, accepting the award added so much charm to a largely perfect show.\non Monday, February 27, 2012 3 comments\nTags: Academy Awards, Awards, Colin Firth, hosts, Jean Dujardin, Meryl Streep, Natalie Portman, Oscars, presenters, Records, Red Carpet, Star Movies, The Artist, The Help, The Iron Lady\nTHE TV TALK BEST OF 2011, NOMINEES\nI look back at the year of TV that 2011 was, recognizing the best in popular television\nFrom starting new shows, to catching up on the old ones, to bidding adieu to others, 2011 was an interesting year in television for me. I started watching BONES, and it became my favorite crime show. BROTHERS & SISTERS ended after its five-year run. It was announced that one of my all-time favorite shows DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES would be ending after its eighth season. Hit comedies like HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER and THE BIG BANG THEORY got renewed for multiple seasons. Actors like Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ashton Kutcher and Rachel Bilson returned to television with RINGER, TWO AND A HALF MEN and HART OF DIXIE, respectively. DEXTER took a deadly turn with its sixth season finale… And so much more! 2011 was an exciting year to say the least. And here’s a small way to acknowledge my favorites from the year gone by. Presenting the nominees for the TV TALK Best of 2011…\nSeries – Drama\nSeries – Musical or Comedy\nPerformance by an Actress in A Leading Role – Drama\nEmily Deschanel, Bones\nEva Longoria, Desperate Housewives\nGlenn Close, Damages\nMadeleine Stowe, Revenge\nMarcia Cross, Desperate Housewives\nSally Field, Brothers & Sisters\nPerformance by an Actor in A Leading Role – Drama\nDavid Boreanaz, Bones\nHugh Laurie, House MD\nMichael C Hall, Dexter\nPatrick Dempsey, Grey’s Anatomy\nPeter Krause, Parenthood\nTom Seleck, Blue Bloods\nPerformance by an Actress in A Leading Role – Musical or Comedy\nCourteney Cox, Cougar Town\nJulie Bowen, Modern Family\nKat Dennings, Two Broke Girls\nLea Michele, Glee\nPerformance by an Actor in A Leading Role – Musical or Comedy\nBreckin Meyer, Franklin & Bash\nJim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory\nJohnny Galecki, The Big Bang Theory\nJosh Radnor, How I Met Your Mother\nMatthew Morrison, Glee\nTy Burrell, Modern Family\nPerformance by an Actress in a Supporting Role – Drama\nJennifer Carpenter, Dexter\nKadee Strickland, Private Practice\nLisa Edelstein, House MD\nSandra Oh, Grey’s Anatomy\nSara Ramirez, Grey’s Anatomy\nVanessa Williams, Desperate Housewives\nPerformance by an Actor in a Supporting Role – Drama\nEd Westwick, Gossip Girl\nJohn Goodman, Damages\nJustin Chambers, Grey’s Anatomy\nKevin McKidd, Grey’s Anatomy\nMatthew Rhys, Brothers & Sisters\nPaul Adelstein, Private Practice\nPerformance by an Actress in a Supporting Role – Musical or Comedy\nAlyson Hannigan, How I Met Your Mother\nCobie Smulders, How I Met Your Mother\nJane Lynch, Glee\nKaley Cuoco, The Big Bang Theory\nMayim Bialik, The Big Bang Theory\nSofia Vergara, Modern Family\nPerformance by an Actor in a Supporting Role – Musical or Comedy\nChris Colfer, Glee\nEric Stonestreet, Modern Family\nJesse Tyler Fergusson, Modern Family\nKunal Nayyar, The Big Bang Theory\nNeil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother\nWriting – Storylines & Dialogues\nMusic – Background Score\nMusic – Compilation\nTitles – Opening & Closing Credits\nLike last year (Click for results of TV TALK Best of 2010), there will be a Readers’ Choice also for the series and acting categories. For that, you may vote in the polls that are in the right-hand panel of this page.\nThe TV TALK BEST OF 2011 will be declared soon…(watch this space)\n**Please note: The nominated series are only from the list of shows that I watch. The list of those is also further down in the right-hand panel.\non Sunday, February 12, 2012 8 comments\nTags: Awards, comedy, Desperate Housewives, drama, Grey's Anatomy, House MD, How I Met Your Mother, Modern Family, The Big Bang Theory, TV TALK Best of\nAs we celebrate the end of this dreadful year, I take a look back at some of the most noteworthy seasons of television that I watched in 202...\nSearch TV TALK\nPopular on TV TALK\nAMELIA SHEPHERD: 11 MUST-WATCH ‘PRIVATE PRACTICE’ EPISODES TO KNOW HER BETTER IN ‘GREY’S ANATOMY’\nWithin the GREY’S ANATOMY universe that Shonda Rhimes created, there are years and years of backstory for many of the characters. But ...\n‘BATES MOTEL’ – ‘PSYCHO’ FROM THE BEGINNING\nAfter watching the first season of BATES MOTEL, I decided to re-watch Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho , based on the book by Robert Bloch—the or...\nDEREK SHEPHERD IS DEAD\nIn ‘How To Save A life’—season 11, episode 21 of GREY’S ANATOMY, Meredith said goodbye to her husband and we said goodbye to another perso...\nAN APT END FOR ‘DAMAGES’\nEarlier this month, DAMAGES came to an end. The show about the rivalry and twisted relationship between two very compelling characters sign...\nJUSTIN CHAMBERS LEAVES ‘GREY’S ANATOMY’: WHY HE MIGHT HAVE LEFT, HOW ALEX COULD BE WRITTEN OUT, AND THE LOSS FOR THE SHOW\nI have read this statement several times since I found out that Justin Chambers is not only leaving GREY’S this season (16), but that we’ve...\nA MODERN FAREWELL TO A MODERN CLASSIC—FIVE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ‘MODERN FAMILY’ SERIES FINALE\nEarlier this week, we bid a ‘modern farewell’ to the Pritchetts, Dunphys, Tucker-Pritchetts and Delgado-Pritchetts. The end of MODERN FAMI...\nCURRENT SHOWS THAT I FOLLOW\nAffair, The\nCrown, The\nGoldbergs, The\nGood Fight, The\nMarvelous Mrs. Maisel, The\nMorning Show, The\n30 Rock (8) 90210 (4) ABC (18) Academy Awards (35) American Idol (6) Anne Hathaway (4) Awards (104) Boardwalk Empire (6) bonding (4) Bones (12) Brothers and Sisters (15) Castle (10) character development (32) competition reality show (4) Damages (6) death (6) Desperate Housewives (29) Dexter (19) Family Drama (9) finale (30) Friends (7) Glee (19) Golden Globes (21) Gossip Girl (8) Grey's Anatomy (36) House MD (18) How I Met Your Mother (20) Idol judges (4) James Franco (2) Jennifer Lopez (4) Mad Men (22) Marc Cherry (7) medical drama (14) Modern Family (39) Mr Sunshine (3) Natalie Portman (2) Off The Map (6) Oscars (35) Parenthood (6) premiere (25) presenters (8) Primetime Emmys (32) Private Practice (23) Protagonists (7) Randy Jackson (2) Readers' Choice (3) reality tv (3) relationships (28) Ryan Seacrest (4) Screen Actors Guild (14) Shonda Rhimes (21) siblings (1) Star Movies (3) Steven Tyler (2) The Big Bang Theory (26) The Good Wife (19) TV TALK Best of (12) Ugly Betty (3) Who's the Boss (1) winners (8) Women's Day (1)\nrnvj","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1544954"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5028026700019836,"wiki_prob":0.49719732999801636,"text":"A Walk on the Wild Side\nA visit to NSF\nAbout Bees and the Bee Genome\nAnt Life Part 1\nAnt Math\nArt & Science of Broadcast Journalism\nBats, Bones, and Biology\nBeen There, Dung That\nBiology Business\nBiology Net\nBreath of Fresh Ocean Air\nBugs in Films\nBugs in Space\nBuild Your Own Ant Farm (Part 1)\nButterflies and Insect Vision\nCasting a Podcast Line\nCataglyphis\nCell CAT Scans\nCollecting Ice Cores\nCute Colorful Poison Dart Frogs and Their Mimics\nCybertaxonomy\nDear Aliens\nDr. Bio goes to Washington\nDr. Biology Visits the Laboratory of Michael Angilletta\nDr. Biology visits with Biologist Kate Ihle\nDrawn to Bones\nEd Wilson 1\nEvolution of Bird Flight\nFeather Biology\nFire & Life\nFood for Thought About GMOs\nGood Cells Gone Bad\nHacking Nature\nHealing with clay\nHiking South Mountain Park\nHulking Biology\nInner Space the Final Frontier\nInsect Infatuation\nJaguar in My Backyard?\nKeeping Cool\nA Tasty Bite of Science\nAre Plants Made from Thin Air?\nBiology Explained by Cats\nLiving in Extreme Worlds\nWhat Makes You, You?\nAre Your Cells Cooperating or Cheating?\nBeetle X-rays\nBreak Proteins in Eggs\nCRISPR Science\nClawed Climbers?\nExploring the Dark Side of the Earth\nHigh Flying Science\nHistory, Rabbits, and a Deadly Virus\nHoney Bee Waggle Dance\nLeafcutter Ant Life\nLearning from Darwin's Finches\nLife in the Cold\nMicrobes Living Inside Us\nSee DNA\nSuperoxide, Superhero, or Supervillan?\nTiger Beetle Observations\nVirus Quest\nWhy We Get Sick\nLife & Building E.T.\nLooking into Lucy\nMake Your Own Pocket Seed Viewer\nMath Biology\nMicronauts and beyond\nMonster DNA\nMysterious World of Dr. Biology movie\nMystery of the dying coral reefs\nOcean Winds and Climate\nOh No-Exersize\nOne Wormy World\nOuch! Body defense and repair\nPanda-monium\nPlant Detective\nPutting the Touch into Biology\nQueen Switcharoo\nRebooting the Immune System\nRoses Are Red, But Why?\nScience-Powered Games\nSecret Life of the Natural History Museum\nSkeleton Secrets\nSocial Nature\nSpace Physiology\nSpiderwoman\nStinging Mystery\nStrange Cricket Silence\nSwarm Science\nTales of Termites\nThe Other Marine Biologist\nTime Traveling Paleoentomologist\nTiny Matter\nUgly Bug Contest 2008\nUgly Bug Contest 2009 Winner\nVenom!\nVisit to the Plankton Zoo\nWatching Grass Grow\nWhy Is Life the Way It Is?\nWickedly Cool Plants\nYou say dirt, I say soil\nYoung Women in Science Part 1\nZombie Ants\nEdward O. Wilson Science Rock Star - Part 1\nAsk A Biologist Podcast, Vol 046\nPodcast Interview with Edward Wilson\nDr. Biology meets up with one of the rock stars of science - Ed Wilson. While one has a his own comic book character the other is larger than life in the world of science. Listen in as these two sit down for a fun conversation about science and art.\nDownload the MP3\nContent Log\nIntro 00:00\nWhat is biodiversity? 02:11\nWhy is biodiversity important? 03:07\nWhat is a bioblitz? 04:35\n- Finding rare and new species. 05:58\n- Discovering new species and IISE species.asu.edu. 06:30\n- Naming new species 06:56\nCan you do a bioblitz in your backyard? 07:21\nDo you need special equipment for a bioblitz? 08:02\nWhen did you start doing bioblitzes? 08:46\nWhat is the Encyclopedia of Life web project? [eol.org] 09:22\nHow are we going to get people involved in EOL and can anyone participate? 10:51\nWriting and the importance of writing. 12:56\nWhat's your favorite part of writing? New novel - fiction and non-fiction. 13:40\n- Fun creating your own world, but also hard work. 15:00\nIs there a part of writing you don't enjoy? 15:36\nThe importance of writing what you know. 16:10\nWriting dialogue. 17:22\nNew book Superorganism. What is a superorganism? 17:55\nPheidole in the New World. Illustrated by E. O. Wilson - 5000 drawings. 20:40\nWhat was your process for drawing all these ants? 22:07\nWhy are the ants drawn in the way you have drawn them? 22:36\nHow are these drawings a form of art? 24:14\nWhy draw the ants instead of taking a photograph? 24:31\nIs there one ant you liked drawing more than others? 25:56\nSign-off 28:33\nDownload Transcript PDF\nDr. Biology: This is \"Ask a Biologist,\" a program about the living world, and I am Dr. Biology. To start us off today, let me list a few names; Elvis Presley, The Beatles, U2, Gwen Stefani, and E.O. Wilson. Why these names? Well, they've all been called rock stars. And even though you may not know all their names, you certainly know some of them. My guest today is one of the rock stars in the world of science, Edward O. Wilson, or for those that follow rock stars of science as well as they follow rock stars of music, he's known as simply \"E.O. Wilson.\" If you haven't heard of him, try typing in \"Edward O. Wilson\" into the search engine Google, you'll end up with millions of results.\nSo just who is E.O. Wilson? Well, he's a biologist, author, and an artist who's been observing life on our planet with a particular interest in ants. Bu his interests extend far beyond these six legged insects to include all living things. In fact, he's one of the main persons behind the Encyclopedia of Life web project, as well as a very interesting activity called BioBlitzes.\nToday we get a chance to talk about the Encyclopedia of Life, BioBlitzes, his scientific work, and his art. Welcome to \"Ask a Biologist,\" Professor Wilson.\nEdward O. Wilson: I'm delighted to be here Dr. Biology.\nDr. Biology: Would you mind if I call you \"Ed\"?\nEd: I prefer it. When I was a kid, I was known variously as \"Bugs\" or \"Snake\" Wilson. I just mentioned that, because to tell you that I started my interest in outdoors pretty young.\nDr. Biology: You did, and actually we get to talk about that a little bit later, because I think it's fascinating to know how a lot of the scientists do start young, and you had a really interesting find I would say, at a young age. We'll talk about that, but before we get into that let me start by giving you a test, something different. Biodiversity is a word that is being used a lot, well it's being used a lot these days. We often hear it in the classroom, as well as in the media, you might read it in a local newspaper. In two minutes or less, can you explain what 'biodiversity' is, and why it's important?\nEd: I better be able to, I introduced the word. [laughs] Biodiversity is short for biological diversity, it means all the different species, and all of the different ecosystems, habits that species live in, and it just means the totality, the whole life on Earth, but studying from a point of view of variation, variety among different life forms, different kinds of snakes, different kinds of plants, and so on.\nDr. Biology: So why is it so important?\nEd: It's so important, because our lives depend on it.\nDr. Biology: So you mean to tell me that if we lose a few hundred plants, it could be a problem?\nEd: Big problem, especially if they include the plants that we get all our food from, but even if they didn't, you'd have all sorts of things go wrong. You need a lot of different kinds of plants to collect the water up on the mountainsides and let it trickle down slowly, so we just don't get washed out every time. You need plants that support animal life of all sorts. You need plants of a great variety to give you enough oxygen in the air to breathe, and so on. The same is true with different kinds of animals that we need. Some of those animals incidentally, are very small, you never see them. They're there in huge numbers, in the soil, in the dirt in your feet, and up in the trees and so on.\nMost people don't even know they're there, but it turns out that we need them up there and down there, doing all the things they need to circulating the materials, the nutrients, the things the soil consists of, and generally keeping the whole system we live on working. We need all of them, we can't start just letting too many of them get extinct, and throw them away.\nDr. Biology: Alright, well now that we have a basic understanding of biodiversity, let's shift to an activity that you were one of the pioneers of, it's called a BioBlitz. If a person didn't know any better, they might think it's something to do with football or some other sport. So what is a BioBlitz?\nEd: A BioBlitz is a great big celebration. It's a great big treasure hunt. To have a BioBlitz you get a lot of people together some time in the day, you can start in the afternoon or start in the morning; who are interested in finding different kinds of plants and animals out in nature, like a treasure hunt. They all gather together, and there are experts, and then there are just anybody, families and others who want to come along and be a part of it. The idea is to see how many different kinds of plants and animals you can find in a 24 hour period.\nDr. Biology: Oh, so it's got a time limit.\nEd: Yes it does, and actually you can even have contests, different towns having different BioBlitzes and competing. The idea then is to see how high you can get the score, and you have to verify that you did see this, and you saw that. You can easily get in a 24 hour period, if you have enough folks working, like over 1,000 different kinds. It's so interesting, because not only do you see people having a lot of fun, they're turning up rare species, that experts say, \"We haven't seen one of these in 20 years around here,\" or, and it happens all the time, new species. The expert may be an expert on butterflies or an expert on dragonflies or something like that, says, \"Well heavens! That's a new species! Let's get a specimen of that, and we'll get it in there. We'll get a scientific name put on it, because we need to know about that in the future.\"\nDr. Biology: I just think that's so cool that you can go out and explore, and you might during this treasure hunt, discover something for the very first time. From an earlier show, we got to talk to Quinten Wheeler, who runs [directs] the International Institute for Species Exploration, and it's easy to find. It's called species.asu.edu. One of the things he mentioned is not only do you get to discover them, you get to name them. Can you talk about some of the names you have put on some of the ants that you've discovered?\nEd: Yes. Well usually it's the scientist that you get them to, who knows all the different kinds, and knows that it's a new species, who names it, but he could name it after you! I named a lot of species of ants after the people who found them.\nDr. Biology: OK. Now I'm motivated. I need to go out and do this. Which brings me to the point of, can you do a BioBlitz in your backyard?\nEd: You can. Yes. It would be kind of tough on your backyard if you had 100 people showing up to just do a BioBlitz on your backyard. But you could do with two or three people. And you would be amazed at what you can find in a backyard. Even if you have sort of a scrubby little backyard with not a lot of plants in it, pretty soon, you would probably be getting dozens of different kind of insects. And if you've got a magnifying glass and start looking at the soil, the dirt down there, pretty soon you'll see other things there. But generally speaking, when you have a BioBlitz, we like to have a few square miles and a few 100 people searching through them.\nDr. Biology: Now, is there any special equipment besides, you mentioned a magnifying glass, is there any other kind of equipment you'd need?\nEd: Well, if you're interested in looking for certain kinds of things. Most people are. They don't want to just go out and look for everything that moves. Even just families who want to be part of it will join in and say, \"Well, we just love butterflies. And we think we want to just see how many different kinds of butterflies we can get.\" And they ought to be able to get a butterfly net to do that. If they want to see all the different kinds of birds they can find, they'd want binoculars. And of course, if you want to see how many different kinds of ants or how many different kinds of little spiders and so on that live in the soil, you bring along a trowel. But it doesn't take much more than that.\nDr. Biology: All right. So when did you start doing the BioBlitzes?\nEd: Dr. Biology, we started it 10 years ago, 1998. And this is the 10th anniversary of doing that. I might add that it's so popular. I don't know the number of states around this country, but a large number of them have BioBlitzes. One year Massachusetts had BioBlitzes in every school district in the state. And then when you go abroad, you find a number of countries having BioBlitzes. It's now up to about 19.\nDr. Biology: You also are a champion of a project called the Encyclopedia of Life, which is a web based project. Can you talk just a little bit about Encyclopedia of Life?\nEd: Yeah. First of all, I invented the idea five years ago, and I suggested that we have an Encyclopedia of Life. It's on the web. The web address incidentally is eol.org, and I recommend it to anybody, eol.org. And we have a lovely introduction to the whole project. It is an electronic encyclopedia which is being built up now by a lot of scientists. It will have, does have already for many species, information on every kind of plant and animal, including right down to bacteria, known in the world, and everything known about each one in turn, with new information constantly being added. And information that's found to be wrong, taken out, and going on indefinitely. And available to every person, everywhere, anytime, free.\nDr. Biology: Wow. 24/7 Encyclopedia of Life. But when you talk about the Encyclopedia of Life, there's a lot of discussion about how many species we already know about. I see the number about 1.7 million species, and some say that might be only 10% of the species on this Earth. How are we going to make this really happen? How are we going to get everybody involved in your Encyclopedia of Life? And can we participate if we're not a scientist?\nEd: Well you certainly can participate. And the figure, you're right, is somewhere a little under two million. I say 1.8 is a good figure, but it's true that probably only roughly... This is my guess 10% of all of the different kinds of plants and animals and bacteria or fewer are known to science. In other words, 90% out there are still undiscovered by science. It's no big deal to find a new species. Well that means that we're on a little known planet. We need to explore this planet as though we're landing on Mars, and then get a way of understanding all of that life, because our life depends on knowing it.\nAnd that's why I and a number of other scientists are really anxious to get people interested and get them involved. Because just people who haven't been trained at science even can add to this. Certainly, we need the support of everybody in promoting the idea of the Encyclopedia of Life and other scientific endeavors that help us explore this little known planet.\nDr. Biology: I'm very hooked on the website myself, and I'm encouraging anybody who has not been there to go look at it, because it's right now in its infancy even though it was conceived five years ago. We've got a lot of work to do, and I think we're going to need a big army. So, let's see if we can get people out there to do it.\nI had the pleasure of having Bert Hölldobler as a guest on \"Ask a Biologist.\" He is one of the preeminent ant specialist, myrmecologist, and your co author on several books, which brings us to writing. We talk about science and scientists. You can't do science without communicating. So one of the things I like to talk about is the craft of writing. So, how important has writing been to your science?\nEd: It's very important. Throughout my life, I've worked as a scientist, but let me tell you that when you get to writing up your results, especially if you want to make a lot of people aware of what you've found or what other scientists have found, which is so important in modern times. Then the better you can write, the more effective you'll be as a scientist.\nDr. Biology: What's your favorite part of writing?\nEd: Well, I'm going to surprise you. All my life, I've written what's called non fiction. That is, I don't make anything up. Everything is fact. Writing about fact is an art in itself, to make it clear, to make it organized, to get it right.\nDr. Biology: Make it interesting.\nEd: And to make it interesting. But most recently, since you asked me my favorite kind of writing, I decided I'd try to do a novel. I know a lot of people try to do novels. But I said to myself and my editor at the publishing house I use... I said, I think that if I use biodiversity and the search to save it and the fight to save it and to show how a young boy, in this case in the South, grew up determined to be part of the effort to study it and save it. This would be a book a lot of people would like to read. Also, it would help bring attention just a novel like that to what the whole subject is all about.\nSo I started writing it, and I've discovered that I really enjoy writing fiction, you know a novel. As anyone who undertakes it will discover. On the one hand, it's just a tremendous amount of fun to create your own world in your own head, your own people saying the things you want them to say. On the other hand, I'll tell you it's real hard work. I was surprised at how hard it is, writing a novel.\nYou really have to do a lot of thinking and a lot of imagining, and select your words just right to describe people and how they live, and what they look like, and what they're trying to do, and even what they think. So that's what I'm finding right now, and I think that overall, I'm having the most fun writing a novel.\nDr. Biology: So is there a part of writing that you don't enjoy?\nEd: I don't think so. Oh, wait a minute. Let me take that back. The kind of writing I do not enjoy doing is possibly to a department store, when I write and I say, \"Are you sure I haven't paid that bill?\"\nDr. Biology: [laughter]\nEd: [laughter] Most kinds of writing, I enjoy doing. Creative writing, both non fiction and fiction.\nDr. Biology: You set your novel in the South, or at least your character's a young boy in the South. It turns out you were a young boy in the South, and it sounds like, to me, you're doing one of the best things you can do when you start to be creative, is to write what you know.\nEd: That's exactly right, yeah. People have said that the best novels, the ones people most enjoy writing, and also most enjoy reading, are autobiographical. They're about the life of the author. But since they're fiction, and since you want to make them maybe more exciting than most of the life you actually live, then you are obligated to change things around. However, people you know, incidents that occurred, settings that you lived in, are valid background. You just don't try to present them literally, because this is fiction after all, and you need to combine them and break them up and add to them in ways that give them maximum amount of fun and drama in the work that you publish.\nDr. Biology: Right, and if you're writing a novel, now you're dealing with dialogue.\nEd: And you're dealing with dialogue. That's both tough and easy. For some people, they just can't get it down on paper the way they talk. But others and I've found it fairly easy myself can write just the way people talk. You've got to be willing to write some poor English once in a while, and sound a little dumb once in a while. But I find that it's very easy to sound very dumb, at least for me.\nDr. Biology: [laughter] All right, I hate to do this, but we're going to have to switch back to your [non]-fiction, because you and Bert Holldobler have written a new book. It's called Superorganism. Can you talk to us a little bit about this book?\nEd: Yes, certainly. This is a big book. It's non fiction, it's real science, it has over 1,000 footnotes, and thousands of references from the literature and so on. And it's very complete, but it's all about social insects. Ants, a little bit of termites, some wasps, some bees. And why we call this Superorganism and why that's important in biology in life generally is that a colony of ants or honeybees, to take an example, is made up of a lot of little members many ants in a colony, many bees, 50,000 maybe in a hive of bees. But they're so well organized, and they so depend on each other, and they're so altruistic, that is, self sacrificing and taking care of one another, that they've been able to build up very complicated and highly organized society, more than the ones humans have.\nThe results of that is that a colony of ants, or a hive of bees, almost acts like a single unit. The whole colony, all of the 10,000 harvester ants, or all of the 50,000 bees, acts almost in unison. So it's like one great big organism. It's a superorganism. And that's where that title came from.\nDr. Biology: Is this going to be a book that the average person's going to pick up off the shelf and want to read?\nEd: Well, yes. It's beautifully illustrated. I say that because, without being immodest, it's mostly the work of my co author Bert Hölldobler, who is really creative as a photographer, in rendering art, and so on, showing exactly how these creatures look and how they live. It's not as easy going as many books written for a broad audience, but it is very readable. Especially when it's connected up with the illustrations that we have. You can figure out what the ants mostly ants, but also bees really are like, how they live, and why we call them superorganisms.\nDr. Biology: Well, you've helped me move right along into my next question. I brought in the studio another one of your books, talking about Pheidole in the New World. Now Pheidole is the genus of ant that you have a particular passion for, I'd say. Right?\nEd: Yes.\nDr. Biology: And this book, we can talk about the science and your passion, but I also want to make sure that we talk about not only the writing that's in here, but your illustrations. You illustrated the entire book. From what I know, I think there's well over 600 species of ants in here. So how many illustrations do you have?\nEd: 624 different kinds of ants in that one genus. 344 were new to science, I had discovered them. And to illustrate all of them, all 624, over 5,000 drawings that I did myself.\nDr. Biology: 5000 drawings.\nEd: Yeah.\nDr. Biology: How long did it take?\nEd: Well, off and on, 18 years. But when you do a scientific project like this, you're not sitting and doing it all the time. In fact I did this one just at leisure, sometimes on a Saturday afternoon, or early Sunday morning before the paper arrived, or a weekend when I just wanted to do something relaxing like do a lot of drawings. And gradually it came into existence.\nDr. Biology: So it's something that you consider relaxing for you, and the process, because we are drawing ants... I've seen a picture of you in front of a microscope. So are you using a microscope, and then drawing the ants?\nEd: That's right, and listening to soft rock.\nDr. Biology: And listening to soft rock! OK, well that brings up another question I'll ask later. I like to hear that.\nDr. Biology: All right. The illustrations are simple, they're clean, but I know the word that I love the most about them. I consider them elegant. Why are they drawn this way? Is it purely for art purposes? Or is there a science behind this?\nEd: Mostly science, but a bit of art. I design the whole layout so that each one of the 624 species by the way, there are at least 624 species that make up about 20 percent of all the known ant species in the Western hemisphere. So in order to make it possible to identify them and look at their traits neatly, I arranged all the figures in the same way. Each species has, say, 10 or so drawings, or a little less than that, in many cases. But they're all drawn exactly the same way, so that you can compare species by species. But then, what I did was to take them exactly as they look in different poses, different directions, different parts of their bodies. I drew them with very simple lines, and I drew in the traits the exact shape of the head, the length of the little spines on their bodies that they had, the sculpturing as we call it, the little dots they have on the outside of their bodies and lines that run through part of their body.\nI did those in a minimal manner, that is accurate, but in a way, that just highlighted what they really look like and why they're so different, one from another.\nSo basically, I suppose it does approach art, in that it requires the interpretation of the form, and how it's placed, and how it's depicted. But it's not imaginary. This is the exact way the ants look.\nDr. Biology: The thing I find interesting is, this day and age, when you can snap a picture in a second, you're still doing drawings. And after going through the book, I can tell why. Let me give my interpretation. If I look at a photograph, I get so much information that I'm often going to miss the subtle details or differences between different ants. With these drawings, I think I can see them almost instantaneously.\nEd: I think you've got it exactly right. What the artist does or, in this case, the scientist in using art is to depict exactly what makes that ant a different species. We see that used in caricatures, in cartoons of people and so on. And the art there is to show those traits that make the person in that cartoon immediately recognizable. I do that here, too, except that everything is accurate, it's not a distortion, not an exaggeration. It's exactly the ant looks.\nDr. Biology: So this brings us to the world of the taxonomist. The ones that are actually looking at these different parts of the insects, or plants, or whatever animal you might be dealing with. Being able to isolate those differences. Is there a particular species of Pheidole that you enjoy drawing more than another?\nEd: I enjoy drawing them all. The reason is that in most cases, when I was drawing, I was drawing something that was being seen for the first time. Very gratifying to be drawing something that no one has ever seen, this new species, and you're introducing it to science, you're giving it a name that will be there for all time. But I guess if I had to pick one out that I thought was the most fun, it's the moustache ant. And I had the one specimen collected in Mexico, and it's a soldier ant for that particular one, a great big head. And it has bristles that stick out on either side from where the jaws are. And it makes it look like it has a moustache!\nI enjoyed really depicting that. Of course, I did it exactly as it looks. But when it came out, it's such a strange looking ant. So I called it this is the full name it's Pheidole, that's the genus name that they all have. But then I added a name: Mystax, which means moustache. So it's the moustache ant.\nDr. Biology: Right, that's the Latin for it, right?\nEd: That's Latin, yeah.\nDr. Biology: OK. Is there a part of drawing that you don't like or maybe that you get frustrated with?\nEd: I think probably just the more routine parts of the body. You have to get them right. But it's when you get to the distinctive parts of the body that make that creature that you're drawing absolutely unique, and it makes it stand out from all else. Just as a portrait artist doing a human face arrives at those features that allow, at a glance, the identification of a person, that's when it gets really interesting.\nDr. Biology: Is there anything that you draw, other than ants?\nEd: Actually, no. I have to admit. You caught me on that one! That's why I say I'm not an artist. I put my creative work in writing. That's where I do my best and most enjoyable work. I do say I so much enjoyed doing those thousands of drawings of these ants on this one occasion.\nDr. Biology: Well, maybe, if it's OK with you, we'll have to check and see if we can do a short article on you that includes just a couple of these plates, maybe even the moustache plant, on the \"Ask a Biologist\" website. I really would like people to see these things.\nEd: Sure.\nDr. Biology: And explain just a little bit more about them. Because they really are just exquisite drawings.\nAs I look down my sheet of questions, I can see that it looks like we should take a break, and we'll return for part two of our conversation with Ed Wilson, science rock star.\nThe \"Ask a Biologist\" podcast is produced on the campus of Arizona State University, and is recorded in the Grass Roots Studio, housed in the School of Life Sciences, which is an academic unit of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.\nAnd even though we don't broadcast our show live, you can still send your questions to us using our companion website, which is askabiologist.asu.edu, or you can just Google the words \"ask a biologist.\" I'm Dr. Biology.\nAnd don't forget, tune into Part Two with Ed Wilson, science rock star.\nArticle: Edward O. Wilson Science Rock Star - Part 1\nEpisode number: 46\nAuthor(s): Dr. Biology\nPublisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist\nDate published: December 15, 2009\nLink: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/podcasts/edward-o-wilson-science-rock-star-part-1\nDr. Biology. (2009, December 15). Edward O. Wilson Science Rock Star - Part 1 (46) [Audio podcast Episode.] In Ask A Biologist Podcast. Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/podcasts/edward-o-wilson-science-rock-star-part-1\nDr. Biology. \"Edward O. Wilson Science Rock Star - Part 1.\" Produced by Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist. Ask A Biologist Podcast. December 15, 2009. Podcast, MP3 audio. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/podcasts/edward-o-wilson-science-rock-star-part-1.\n\"Edward O. Wilson Science Rock Star - Part 1.\" Ask A Biologist Podcast from Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist, 15 December, 2009, askabiologist.asu.edu/podcasts/edward-o-wilson-science-rock-star-part-1.\nCan Gila monsters climb trees?\nAnswer >>","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line148785"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9762042760848999,"wiki_prob":0.9762042760848999,"text":"Joe Biden Will Sign Executive Order on Day 1 Forcing Americans to Fund Planned Parenthood\nSteven Ertelt Mar 3, 2020 | 2:57PM Washington, DC\nThe liberal media likes to bestow the “moderate” descriptor on former Vice President Joe Biden. But when it comes to abortion, the former senator and longtime abortion advocate is anything but moderate.\nRecently, Biden confirmed he would force Americans to fund the Planned Parenthood abortion business if he is elected president.\nThe 2020 presidential candidate spoke Thursday at a town hall in South Carolina where he confirmed that one of his first acts as president would be sticking taxpayer dollars behind the global abortion agenda.\nAn audience member attending the town hall asked Biden what he would do to “empower women” in poor countries to address overpopulation.\n“Another serious issue is overpopulation,” the audience member said. “The majority of the world’s population growth takes place in the poorest countries in the world, where women aren’t being empowered. What will you do to help empower women in the world’s poorest countries?”\nInstead of empowering women, Biden said he would fund the promotion and performance of abortions overseas.\n“I strongly oppose the limitations on the ability for the United States to contribute to organizations in these countries that, in fact, provide women’s health alternatives for choice,” Biden said.\n“We should end that limitation,” he added. “It’s called the Mexico City Rule. We should end that.”\nLifeNews depends on the support of readers like you to combat the pro-abortion media. Please donate now.\nBiden would overturn a key pro-life policy President Trump enacted. During his first week in office, President Donald Trump issued an executive order known as the Mexico City Policy or the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance Act that revoked taxpayer funding to the International Planned Parenthood abortion business.\nThe policy prohibits taxpayer funding to international groups that promote and/or provide abortions overseas, the biggest of which is the International Planned Parenthood Federation. Trump’s decision applied to nearly nine billion dollars in U.S. taxpayer funds to foreign non-governmental organizations. The policy ensures U.S. funds continue to go to health care, humanitarian relief, and even family planning; it only blocks funding to those groups like IPPF that perform or promote abortion in other nations. Ultimately, that cost Planned Parenthood’s international abortion company $100 million.\nSince that order, the Trump administration has expanded it to cover additional foreign funding – disqualifying the abortion giant from other taxpayer revenue streams.\nLast March, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the Trump Administration announced new enforcement mechanism designed to expand this executive order to the broadest extent possible. Pompeo announced that the U.S. State Department will refuse to work with any foreign non-governmental organization (NGO) engaged in the abortion business. The State Department will also refuse to fund foreign NGOs that give money to other foreign NGOs engaged in the international abortion industry.\nLeading pro-life groups praised President Trump and the expansion of the pro-life foreign policy.\n“By ensuring enforcement and compliance with existing pro-life policies, Secretary of State Pompeo and the Trump Administration reaffirm their commitment to protecting innocent human life at home and abroad,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “We applaud Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for his dedicated pro-life leadership and for his efforts to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not used to fund or promote abortion overseas.”\nFamily Research Council President Tony Perkins commented: “The abortion industry is well known for relentlessly pursuing taxpayer dollars — and will exploit any opportunity to grab US taxpayer funds. Thankfully, President Trump and Secretary Pompeo are just as relentless in working to ensure taxpayers aren’t forced into a partnership with the abortion industry overseas.\nKristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America, also praised the president in remarks to LifeNews.com.\n“The Trump administration has been the most pro-life administration in history, and Secretary Pompeo and President Trump should be thanked for closing the loopholes that allowed NGOs to take our taxpayer dollars and give them to sub-contractors that commit or promote abortions. This is an 80-20 issue, and the American people have made it clear they do not want their taxpayer dollars subsidizing abortions. This step will start to rectify the mistakes we made in enshrining abortion into Kenya’s constitution, a grave mistake made by the Obama administration,” she explained.\nThis policy will close the 90 to 95% of the loopholes that allowed NGOs to skirt the Mexico City Policy’s prohibitions on taxpayer-funding of abortions through foreign aid dollars, Hawkins said. According to the announcement, NGOs will have to provide certification to the State Department that they are not involved with abortions.\nIt’s no surprise that Biden would force Americans to fund the Planned Parenthood abortion business, since he has a n extensive record supporting abortions up to birth.\nWhen it comes to abortion and appointing federal judges who have the power to determine the direction of abortion legislation, Biden made it clear during a Democrat debate he would not compromise as president.\n“It’s a woman’s right to do that. Period,” Biden said, “And if you call that a litmus test, it’s a litmus test.”\nBiden went further. He said if the Supreme Court were to overturn Roe v. Wade, he would push for a national law allowing abortions up to birth.\n“If they ruled it to be unconstitutional, I will send to the United States Congress, and it will pass I believe, a bill that legislates Roe v. Wade adjusted by Casey,” Biden said.\nBiden also touted his role in rejecting former President Ronald Reagan’s Supreme Court nominee Robert Bork when he was in the Senate, as Bork had said he favored overturning the landmark decision that has resulted in killing 61 million babies in abortions.\nBiden once attempted to appear a a moderate on abortion but that has changed.\nAfter Biden came out supporting overturning the Hyde Amendment and forcing Americans to fund abortions, pro-life Americans made it clear they opposed his position supporting taxpayer-funded abortions up to birth. Biden then flip-flopped and said he would not support efforts to overturn the Hyde Amendment, which protects Americans from funding most abortions.\nBut after an outcry from abortion advocates when he flip-flopped, Biden then flip-flopped again last June and now says he will support forcing Americans to fund abortions up to birth with our taxpayer dollars.\nBiden said he supported forcing Americans to pay for abortions. “It can’t stay,” Biden said of the Hyde amendment during an exchange with an ACLU activist earlier this month. The video of the exchange was posted by the ACLU on Twitter on May 8th\nHere’s the transcript of that exchange between Biden and an ACLU activist [emphasis added]:\nACLU Activist: I’m an ACLU Rights For All voter, and I have one quick question for you. And that is: Will you commit to abolishing the Hyde amendment, which hurts poor women and—\nBiden: Yes…. Yes. And by the way, ACLU member, I have a near-perfect voting record my entire career.\nACLU: I heard you did. But I’m glad you just said you would commit to abolishing the Hyde Amendment.\nBiden: Right now it has to be… It can’t stay.\nBiden clearly answered “yes” and “it can’t stay” when asked if he’d “commit to abolishing the Hyde amendment.”\nNaturally, pro-life organizations called Biden out for his support for taxpayer-funded abortion on demand and for changing his position repeatedly.\nSBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser told LifeNews: “Joe Biden’s support for taxpayer funding of abortion after decades of opposition is just the latest example of Democratic extremism on abortion. Long gone are the days of ‘safe, legal, and rare.’”\nPolling data is clear that Americans oppose abortion funding.\nA January poll conducted by Marist University finds an overwhelming majority of Americans support restrictions on abortion and would like Roe v. Wade reinterpreted to allow restrictions on abortions. It also found that three-quarters (75 percent) of Americans oppose taxpayer funding of abortion abroad, fewer than two in 10 (19 percent) support such funding. Opposition to this funding includes most Republicans (94 percent) and independents (80 percent) and a majority of Democrats (56 percent).\nBy a double-digit margin, a majority of all Americans oppose any taxpayer funding of abortion (54 percent to 39 percent).\nDespite the data, Biden is still an ardent abortion supporter.\nBiden has a strong pro-abortion voting record that goes back for many years, and he supported President Barack Obama’s leadership as the most pro-abortion president in U.S. history. What’s more, pro-abortion movement leaders say they “trust” Biden to protect abortion on demand. As the vice president, he supported the administration’s pro-abortion policies, including Obamacare, which forced religious employers to pay for drugs that may cause abortions.\nFrom 2001 to 2008, Biden’s voting record on pro-life issues was close to zero, according to the National Right to Life Committee. In 2005, for example, he voted against the Mexico City Policy, which prohibits funding to overseas groups that promote and/or perform abortions. He also voted repeatedly to require that military service members’ abortions be covered by taxpayer dollars.\nKate Michelman, a former leader of NARAL, is not worried.\n“Joe Biden continued his evolution on the issue under Obama. He got there,” she told the newspaper. “I can’t say for absolute, 100 percent, but I would trust him as president to protect and defend a women’s right to choose.”\nTo show how far Biden has come toward the pro-abortion view, he once likened an abortion to an operation — as if taking the life of a baby before birth is somehow beneficial in the same manner as a patient’s operation.\nBiden said: “Maybe where Romney is most sketchy is on women’s rights. I got a daughter and lost a daughter. I’ve got four granddaughters and Barack has two daughters. And this is to our core. Our daughters and our granddaughters are entitled to every single solitary operation, every single solitary opportunity!”","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1432139"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6551780700683594,"wiki_prob":0.3448219299316406,"text":"Home Entertainment & Sports Law Maine Boothbay\nBoothbay Entertainment & Sports Lawyers\nThe LII Lawyer Directory contains lawyers who have claimed their profiles and are actively seeking clients. Find more Boothbay Entertainment & Sports Lawyers in the Justia Legal Services and Lawyers Directory which includes profiles of more than one million lawyers licensed to practice in the United States, in addition to profiles of legal aid, pro bono and legal service organizations.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line648082"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6080769896507263,"wiki_prob":0.3919230103492737,"text":"The Girl with a Clock for a Heart\nby Peter Swanson\nFirst Love is Deadly. What if your college sweetheart, the girl of your dreams, suddenly disappeared? Twenty years later she's back, she's in trouble and she says you are the only one who can help her...\"Very hard not to read in one sitting\". (Alison Flood, Observer). \"A twisty, sexy, electric thrill ride\". (Dennis Lehane). \"Takes your breath away ...a plot that twists like a corkscrew\". (Daily Mail). \"A well-plotted, enjoyably twisty debut\". (Sunday Times).\nPeter Swanson's debut novel, The Girl With a Clock for a Heart (2014), was described by Dennis Lehane as 'a twisty, sexy, electric thrill ride' and was nominated for the LA Times book award.\nHis follow up The Kind Worth Killing (2015), a Richard and Judy pick, was shortlisted for the Ian Fleming Silver Dagger, was named the iBook stores Thriller of the Year and was a top ten paperback bestseller.\nHe lives with his wife and cat in Somerville, Massachusetts.\nThriller / suspense Crime & Mystery\nBe the first to review The Girl with a Clock for a Heart.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line604352"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8336840867996216,"wiki_prob":0.8336840867996216,"text":"Social links Global\nEnvironmental Sustainability Commitment\nJoin Us Register\nThe George Institute for Global Health works with a number of partners and networks to amplify our advocacy, build momentum and drive changes that will improve the health of millions of people worldwide.\nAlliance on Gender Equality and Universal Health Coverage\nThe Alliance for Gender Equality and UHC, co-convened by the International Women’s Health Coalition, Women Deliver, and Women in Global Health, comprises more than 100 civil society organizations from more than 40 countries worldwide. The Alliance drives collaboration and coordinated advocacy for gender-responsive Universal Health Coverage policies, programs, and dialogue; including, but not limited to sexual and reproductive health and rights.\nAllies Improving PHC\nUnlocking the full potential of primary health care as a vehicle for universal health coverage will require the support of everyone with a stake in achieving health for all. Allies Improving PHC reflects this potential by bringing together global and local organizations representing engaged citizens, patients, health workers, international NGOs, advocates, researchers and representatives from the private sector to work together in this effort.\nChild Health Initiative\nThe Child Health Initiative is a collaborative partnership with a focus on global and national advocacy, research, and programme implementation. It aims to provide a voice for the particular needs and rights of children within transportation and urban mobility policymaking, and to highlight the serious and costly health impacts on the young of unsafe roads and air pollution.\nCivil Society Engagement Mechanism for UHC2030\nThe Civil Society Engagement Mechanism for UHC2030 is the civil society constituent of the International Health Partnership for UHC2030. The CSEM raises civil society voices in UHC2030 to ensure that Universal Health Coverage policies are inclusive and equitable, and that systematic attention is given to the most marginalized and vulnerable populations so that no one is left behind.\nGlobal Alliance for the Care of the Injured\nThe Global Alliance of the Care of the Injured (GACI) is a WHO hosted network of governmental and intergovernmental organizations as well as nongovernmental organizations, including professional societies, working internationally, who collaborate to improve care for the injured across the spectrum of prehospital and hospital care and rehabilitation of the injured. The aim is to save millions of lives and minimize the devastating consequences of injuries by strengthening trauma care systems.\nThe George Institute is a member of this Alliance providing input and evidence into the areas of nursing care, injury surveillance and capacity building.\nNCD Alliance\nFounded in 2009, the NCD Alliance is a global network of more than 2,000 organisations in 170 countries, including global and national NGOs, scientific and professional associations, academic and research institutions, private sector entities and dedicated individuals. The Alliance is a recognised global thought leader on NCD policy and practice, a convener of the civil society movement, a partner to governments and UN agencies, and an advocate for people at risk of or living with NCDs.\nRoad Traffic Injury Research Network\nThe Road Traffic Injury Research Network (RTIRN), established in 2000, is a group of over 1700 researchers, professionals and students from different disciplines and sectors from over 120 countries with an interest in road safety in low- and middle-income countries. The George Institute was a founding member.\nTaskforce on Women and NCDs\nThe Taskforce on Women and NCDs brings together global health organizations from the women’s health and NCD communities to respond to the unique and growing burden of non-communicable diseases on women in low- and middle-income countries by mobilizing leadership, expanding technical expertise and disseminating evidence to inform policymaking, planning, and services.\nUnited Nations Road Safety Collaboration\nThe UN Road Safety Collaboration is an informal consultative mechanism whose members are committed to road-safety efforts and in particular to the implementation of the recommendations of the World report on road traffic injury prevention. The goal of the Collaboration is to facilitate international cooperation and to strengthen global and regional coordination among UN agencies and other international partners.\nWHO Global Coordination Mechanism on NCDs\nThe Global Coordination Mechanism on Prevention and Control of NCDs is a WHO Member State-led coordinating and engagement platform, established in 2014 by the World Health Assembly to help counteract the growing global health threat of noncommunicable diseases. The GCM/NCD contributes to accelerating the implementation of the WHO Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases 2013-2020, and the NCD-related Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets, by fostering high-level NCD commitments.\nLevel 5, 1 King Street\nNewtown NSW 2042 Australia\ninfo@georgeinstitute.org\nAffiliated with UNSW Sydney\nThe George Institute acknowledges the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which our Australia office and Global Headquarters are built. We pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line177454"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7399422526359558,"wiki_prob":0.7399422526359558,"text":"Visit H.I.G. Capital\nH.I.G. Benefits\nAlphabetical Sector\nH.I.G. Team\nCurrent and historical news, press releases, and announcements.\nH.I.G. Capital News\nKeval Patel\nkpatel@higcapital.com\nH.I.G. Capital\nwww.higcapital.com\nUSALCO Completes Acquisition of AlChem and CalCHEM\nMIAMI – January 5, 2021 – H.I.G. Capital (\"H.I.G.\"), a leading global alternative investment firm with $42 billion of equity capital under management, announced today that its portfolio company, USALCO, LLC (“USALCO” or the “Company”), has acquired Al Chem Specialties, LLC (“AlChem”) and CalChem, LLC (“CalCHEM”). USALCO is a leading provider of specialty chemicals used primarily in the water and wastewater treatment processes and for the manufacturing of refinery catalysts.\nOperating as a unified business under common leadership, AlChem / CalCHEM is a leading manufacturer of high-quality specialty chemicals for municipal water treatment and industrial applications and operates premier manufacturing plants in Mentor, Ohio and Modesto, California. AlChem / CalCHEM was founded in 2004 and has grown significantly under the leadership of Founder and CEO Scott Williams over the past two decades. Mr. Williams will join the USALCO leadership team following the acquisition.\n“AlChem / CalCHEM builds our presence in Ohio and establishes a base of operations on the West Coast,” said USALCO CEO Ken Gayer. “The combined business is a leading manufacturer of specialty chemicals used in water and wastewater treatment, refinery catalysts, food production and other industrial applications with the ability to serve customers anywhere in the continental U.S.”\nScott Williams, Founder and CEO of AlChem / CalCHEM, noted the synergistic benefit of joining USALCO. “We see tremendous commercial opportunity in the combined platform given our complementary product set and go-to-market strategy,” he said. “We look forward to partnering with Ken and his team to continue serving our customers and expanding our offering across the United States.”\n“We are pleased to partner with Scott and the AlChem / CalCHEM team,” said Keval Patel, Managing Director at H.I.G. “The transaction fits squarely into our strategy of further expanding our geographic reach within the U.S. and acquiring best-in-class companies that produce significant value creation opportunities.”\nAbout USALCO\nUSALCO is a leading provider of high-quality aluminum chemicals used in water and wastewater treatment, refinery catalysts and other industrial end market applications in the United States. Headquartered in Baltimore, MD, USALCO operates 11 manufacturing facilities throughout the United States. For more information, visit https://www.usalco.com/.\nAbout H.I.G. Capital\nH.I.G. is a leading global private equity and alternative assets investment firm with $42 billion of equity capital under management.* Based in Miami, and with offices in New York, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta in the U.S., as well as international affiliate offices in London, Hamburg, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Bogotá, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, H.I.G. specializes in providing both debt and equity capital to small and mid-sized companies, utilizing a flexible and operationally focused/ value-added approach. Since its founding in 1993, H.I.G. has invested in and managed more than 300 companies worldwide. The firm’s current portfolio includes more than 100 companies with combined sales in excess of $30 billion. For more information, please refer to the H.I.G. website at www.higcapital.com.\n* Based on total capital commitments managed by H.I.G. Capital and affiliates\n* Based on total capital commitments managed by H.I.G. Capital and affiliates.\nTerms and Conditions. All material on this site Copyright © 2021 H.I.G. Capital, LLC\nBy continuing to browse or by clicking ‘Accept’, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance your site experience and for analytical purposes. To learn more about how we use the cookies, please see our privacy policy.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line599923"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6669135093688965,"wiki_prob":0.3330864906311035,"text":"The Five-Minute Forums > Search Forums\nSearch took 0.03 seconds. Search: Posts Made By: Scooter\nForum: Science Fiction 01-27-2007, 01:31 AM\nOld Doctor Who question: What's 'DARDIS' supposed to stand for?\nPosted By Scooter\nDARDIS was used in the third Dalek serial, \"The...\nDARDIS was used in the third Dalek serial, \"The Chase\" (1965), to refer to the Dalek time machines. (This is the first time we see directly that the Daleks have developed the capacity for time...\nThe importance of being Sci-Fi\nIf you're going to include film 2001 is a...\nIf you're going to include film 2001 is a compelling choice, because it made it possible to view sci-fi in a serious light, building on what had been done by Robert Wise with The Day the Earth Stood...\nForum: Science Fiction 12-10-2006, 04:19 PM\nDavid Tennant named 'best Dr Who'\nHey, it's cool if you don't watch, it's cool if...\nHey, it's cool if you don't watch, it's cool if you don't like it. We all have our things. I don't want to be the guy who gets wound up if people don't like his show. My original responses were to...\nInteresting point, and the way fans talk about...\nInteresting point, and the way fans talk about the ten Doctors (not even mentioning the extra, non-canonical Doctors (speaking of Curse of the Fatal Death -- or how about Scream of the Shalka?)), it...\nWell, DT definitely has the \"cute\" and...\nWell, DT definitely has the \"cute\" and \"energetic\" thing going. I wonder about the lack of exposure to other Doctors -- I'd be interested to find out how much of the voting audience had either seen...\nFans have named David Tennant the best ever Doctor Who in a poll, beating Tom Baker into second place.\nhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6211584.stm?ls\nMan, Valium must need a Valium...\nTorchwood discussion (spoilers)\nI still haven't seen it (or anything but Lost, to...\nI still haven't seen it (or anything but Lost, to be honest), so I reserve the right to get passionate about it. The who let's-be-sexy-because-it's-not-teatime thing kind of dulled my initial...\nForum: 5MV Talk 11-16-2006, 04:01 AM\nZeke, I demand that I may or may not want answers!\nIt's great if you're not also working full-time...\nIt's great if you're not also working full-time and teaching. I love teaching and I love being in grad school and I kinda wish those were the only things on my plate.\nForum: 5MV Talk 11-15-2006, 10:55 PM\nTwo words: Grad. School.\nThis is a really cool discovery, IJD, thanks. For...\nThis is a really cool discovery, IJD, thanks. For some reason it reminds me of the clarihew, in which you give a pithy biography in the space of a brief quatrain. I only ever remember the famous one...\nI read Homer Price 15 times when I was a kid, but...\nI read Homer Price 15 times when I was a kid, but I'd forgotten about it too. For some reason the main thing I remember is that it was the first time I encountered the phrase \"nothing new under the...\nForum: News 11-05-2006, 09:48 AM\nGreat, now I have a head revolving on a turntable...\nGreat, now I have a head revolving on a turntable stuck in my brain.\nPoll: The Quinessential Trek Episode\nSome people I know habitually rename Trek eps...\nSome people I know habitually rename Trek eps using the \"Friends\" format -- \"The One with the Gorn,\" \"The One with Ricardo Montalban,\" \"The One where the Crew Are Turned into Dodecahedrons,\" etc....\nYou know, I was going to say \"Amok Time\" but then...\nYou know, I was going to say \"Amok Time\" but then I saw your reply and went, \"Duh.\" Definitely \"Corbomite Maneuver.\" It's one of the few episodes that captures the real vastness of space, the sense...\nI thought there was also one about there always...\nI thought there was also one about there always being coffee in that nebula. Could be wrong.\nAnyway you're forgetting:\n7. Always make references that are so obscure that, even if they're not...\nAs much as I would prefer to be classical than...\nAs much as I would prefer to be classical than ancient, all other things being equal, \"classical\" refers to a narrower range of history than \"ancient.\"\n\"Only\"? . . .\n\"Only\"?\nThe Ring-Ship Enterprise\nHmm, isn't your point that the Daedalus comes...\nHmm, isn't your point that the Daedalus comes from a more primitive time? I was assuming no turbolifts. My guess would be something more along the lines of an airport moving walkway. I'm picturing it...\nI sure wouldn't want to serve on the Daedalus. It...\nI sure wouldn't want to serve on the Daedalus. It doesn't look very practical. Everything arranged along a long thin shaft like that? Archer would have a five-hour hike every time he had to go from...\nI think the lack of placement of the NX-01 in the...\nI think the lack of placement of the NX-01 in the rec room in TMP can be easily explained by the fact that the movie was made several years before the NX-01 was developed for Enterprise.\nDoctor Who wins Hugo Award\nMore minor awards for Doctor Who: ...\nMore minor awards for Doctor Who:\nhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5314890.stm\nNow now, Mrs Whitehouse never said Dr Who was...\nNow now, Mrs Whitehouse never said Dr Who was tasteless. It was perfectly fit for the Queen to watch as long as they stopped drowning the Doctor in freeze-frame at the end of the episode. Which I...\nThis rocks, especially since it beat out serious competition from BSG.\nFrom Outpost Gallifrey:\nDoctor Who Wins Hugo\nSteven Moffat's first series episodes The Empty Child and The Doctor Dances...\nWe should do some of our own. It'd be kind of...\nWe should do some of our own. It'd be kind of like that \"Five Second Star Trek\" we're always talking about...\nto submit a fiver..\nAre you at work? The software that Derek wrote...\nAre you at work? The software that Derek wrote for the fiver submission site can be inhibited by browser restrictions imposed at some workplaces (like mine). I have to do all my submissions from my...\nUser Control Panel Private Messages Subscriptions Who's Online Search Forums Forums Home FiveMinute.net News 5MV Talk Science Fiction Miscellaneous Fiver By Committee Exosites Five-Minute Stargate Five-Minute Buffy\n-- Default Style ---- FiveMinute.net Style (in progress)\nContact Us - FiveMinute.net - Archive - Top","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line378911"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6499336957931519,"wiki_prob":0.35006630420684814,"text":"When HR gets hold of academe, quackery and gobbledegook run riot\nIn expanding its empire, human resources damages intellectual standards and peddles nonsense, argues David Colquhoun\nHR is like many parts of modern businesses: a simple expense, and a burden on the backs of the productive workers ... They don't sell or produce: they consume. They are the amorphous support services.\" So wrote Luke Johnson recently in the Financial Times. He went on: \"Training advisers are employed to distract everyone from doing their job with pointless courses.\" Mr Johnson is no woolly-minded professor. He is in The Times Power 100 list, he organised the acquisition of PizzaExpress before he turned 30 and now runs Channel 4.\nWhy has human resources acquired such a bad public image? Like most groups, those in HR are intent on expanding their power and status, hence the name change from personnel. As personnel managers, they were seen as providers of a service and even, heaven forbid, as being on the side of the employees. As HR they become part of the senior management team, and see themselves as managing people.\nMy concern is the effect that that change is having on science. The problem with HR people managing science is that they have no idea how it works. They think every activity can be run as though it were Wal-Mart. That idea is old fashioned even in management circles. Good employers know that people work best when they are not constantly harassed and when they feel that they are assessed fairly. If the best people don't feel that, they just leave. That is why the culture of managerialism and audit will in the end do harm to any university that embraces it.\nThere was a good example this week of the damage that the HR mentality can inflict on intellectual standards. As a research assistant, I was sent the HR division's staff development and training booklet. Some courses are quite reasonable. Others amount to little more than the promotion of quackery. Here are a couple: \"Self-hypnosis\" and \"Communication and learning: recent theories and methodologies\".\nSelf-hypnosis seems to be nothing more than a pretentious word for relaxation. The second course teaches the \"core principles\" of neurolinguistic programming, the Sedona Method (\"Your key to lasting happiness, success, peace and wellbeing\") and, wait for it, Brain Gym. This booklet arrived just after doctor and journalist Ben Goldacre's demolition of Brain Gym, headlined \"Nonsense dressed up as neuroscience\", who wrote: \"This ridiculousness comes at very great cost, paid for by you, the taxpayer, in thousands of state schools. It is peddled directly to your children by their credulous and apparently moronic teachers.\" And now, it seems, peddled to your researchers by your credulous and moronic HR department, along with the equally discredited psychobabble of neurolinguistic programming.\nIn the UK, most good universities have stayed free of quackery. But it is creeping in.\nA lot of the pressure for this sort of nonsense comes from a Government obsessed with measuring the unmeasurable. Again, real management people have already worked this out. Two new government initiatives provide beautiful examples of HR mentality in action. They are Skills for Health and the newly created Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (already dubbed Ofquack).\nThe purpose of the latter seems to be to implement a box-ticking exercise that will give a government stamp of approval to treatments that don't work. The advert for its CEO says that the main function of the new body will be to enhance public protection and confidence in the use of complementary therapists. (Shouldn't it be decreasing confidence in quacks, not increasing it?) But, disgracefully, it will pay no attention to whether the treatments work. And the ad refers you to the Prince's Foundation for Integrated Health (president HRH the Prince of Wales) for more information.\nSkills for Health, with the help of that unofficial branch of government, the Prince's Foundation, has been busy \"writing competences\" for distant healing, with a helpful list that divides this imaginary subject into healing in the presence of the client, distant healing in contact with the client and distant healing not in contact with the client.\nAnd it has done the same for homoeopathy and its kindred delusions. The one thing they never consider is whether they are writing \"competences\" in talking gobbledegook. When I phoned Skills for Health to try to find out who was writing this stuff (they wouldn't say), I made a joke about writing competences in talking to trees. The answer came back, in all seriousness, \"You'd have to talk to Lantra, the land-based organisation, for that. Lantra, which is the sector council for the land-based industries, uh, sector, not with us sorry ... areas such as horticulture etc.\" Anyone for competences in sense of humour studies?\nThe \"unrepentant capitalist\" Luke Johnson also said in the FT: \"I have radically downsized HR in several companies I have run, and business has gone all the better for it.\"\nNow there's a thought.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line953409"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8363876342773438,"wiki_prob":0.8363876342773438,"text":"Bill to Allow Certain Felons to Vote While Still in Jail Before CA Governor\nPosted by Republican National Lawyers Association (RNLA) 0sc on September 06, 2016\nA bill that would allow convicted felons still serving time in county jails in California to vote is currently before California Governor Jerry Brown.\nInmates in California county jails would have the right to vote, under a bill passed by the state Legislature. Democratic Senator Holly Mitchell said the bill conforms with a 2014 court decision. . . . A superior court judge ruled felons in county supervision programs can vote, since they're not in prison or on parole. The bill also extends the right to inmates in county jail, who would vote in the district where they're incarcerated. Republican Senator Patricia Bates argued that could improperly influence elections.\n\"These individuals who are in that particular jail may have zero connection to any of the issues going on in that city, have no vested interest, or perhaps a negative one,\" says Bates.\nThe bill exploits California's definition of prison, as the California Constitution requires disenfranchisement of felons in prison:\nIn 1976, voters amended the Constitution to end the permanent disenfranchisement of felons. The California Constitution now reads: The Legislature “shall provide for the disqualification of electors while mentally incompetent or imprisoned or on parole for the conviction of a felony.”\nWith such clear language, you would think that a measure to allow felons to vote behind bars first would have to go before voters as a constitutional amendment. But voters get no say thanks to an unholy alliance of California politicians, California courts and the ACLU. In 2011, Gov. Jerry Brown signed the Realignment Act, which mandated that low-level felons serve their sentences not in state prisons, but in county jails or under county supervision. It was Brown’s clever way of alleviating state prison overcrowding by moving felons to largely overcrowded jails.\n. . . AB2466 would extend voting rights to felons in county jails because they are not called prisons. The legislation “defines ‘imprisoned’ to mean currently serving a state or federal prison sentence.” [Democratic Assemblywoman Shirley Weber] told the Assembly her bill would not change the penal code, but simply serve to “clarify” the law and its “ambiguous terms of imprisonment.”\n[Republican Assemblymember Melissa] Melendez noted, “They’ve exploited the language in the code to suit their own needs.”\nRestoring voting rights to felons still serving time, whether in prison (however it is defined) or under penal supervision, is bad policy. The bill passed the California Senate on a strict party line vote, demonstrating that it is a political tool for the Democrats. Further, super majorities of the public recognize the folly of this policy and oppose restoring voting rights to felons still incarcerated.\nWorries About Garland's DOJ Underscored by the Records of Fellow DOJ Nominees\nThe nomination of D.C. Circuit Judge Merrick Garland to be U.S. Attorney General has been hailed as a moderate pick for the incoming Biden Administration. However, as Hans von...","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1258470"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.73251873254776,"wiki_prob":0.26748126745224,"text":"Water & Power\nPowerplants\nAgrimet/Hydromet\nWater Operations\nTechnical Service Center\nReclamation Manual\nReclamation Information Sharing Environment (RISE)\nEnvironmental Resources/Reports\nAddresses/Contacts\nRecreation & Public Use\nFind Recreation\nRecreation.gov\nPublic Use\nReclamation to Begin Field Work for Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project\nMedia Contact: Stan Powers, (970) 385-6555, spowers@usbr.gov\nBarry Longwell, blongwell@usbr.gov\nFor Release: September 20, 2010\nReclamation's Four Corners Construction Office will begin field and exploration work for the western portion of the Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project on September 20, 2010 in the area from Twin Lakes N.M. to Ya-ta-hey junction in N.M. The purpose of the work is to investigate the engineering and geologic properties along the project alignment to proceed with the design of the water supply pipeline.\nThe field work will include ground surveys, geological and geophysical surveys, archaeological surveys and subsurface exploration. Approximately 30 ten-foot deep, temporary test pits will be excavated along the project alignment to identify the material the pipeline will be placed in as well as the depth to rock. This information will help determine the cost for excavation and the type of bedding and trench appropriate for the pipeline. Once this is has been determined, the test pits will be backfilled.\nThe Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project was authorized for construction by Public Law 111-11 as a major component of the Navajo Nation San Juan River Basin Water Rights Settlement in New Mexico. Once completed, the NGWSP will provide a reliable municipal, industrial, and domestic water supply to Navajo Nation communities, the city of Gallup, NM, Window Rock and Fort Defiance in AZ, the Navajo Agricultural Products Industry, and a portion of the Jicarilla Apache Nation Reservation. These areas currently rely on a rapidly depleting groundwater supply that is of poor quality and inadequate to meet the current and future needs.\nThe NGWSP will divert a total of 37,764 acre-feet of water annually from the San Juan River and the existing Cutter Reservoir, treat the water at two water treatment plants, and deliver water to the cities and chapters via 260 miles of pipeline and 24 pumping plants. The project is designed to provide for the water needs of approximately 250,000 people in these Native American communities by the year 2040. The Navajo Nation water supply will come from water obtained through the Navajo Nation - New Mexico Water Rights Settlement, the Jicarilla Apache Nation water supply will come from water obtained through the Jicarilla Apache Nation - New Mexico Water Rights Settlement, and the City of Gallup will obtain its own water supply, which may come through a contract with the Jicarilla Apache Nation and/or the Navajo Nation.\nThe San Juan River diversion will occur downstream of Fruitland, just above the Public Service Company of New Mexico diversion structure. The water will be treated to drinking water standards at a treatment plant to be constructed near the diversion and piped along Highway N36 and south along U.S. Highway 491to provide water to the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project, the adjacent Navajo Chapters, and the city of Gallup. Pipelines will also be constructed to provide water to Crownpoint and the adjacent Navajo Chapters and to Window Rock, Fort Defiance, and adjacent Navajo Chapters.\nThe Gallup Regional System will be constructed to distribute water throughout the city and to deliver water to Navajo Chapters surrounding Gallup. Prior to completion of the entire project, non-project water will temporarily be transported through the Gallup Regional System to satisfy water demands of the surrounding chapters of Manuelito, Chichiltah, Red Rock, Bread Springs, Iyanbito, Church Rock, Pinedale, and Mariano Lake. A system of wells near Twin Lakes will provide the temporary water supply until facilities are constructed to treat and deliver water from the San Juan River. Construction of Project facilities from Twin Lakes to Ya-ta-hey is scheduled to start in 2011, depending upon appropriations from Congress and execution of numerous agreements and contracts.\nOn the eastern side, water will be diverted from the Cutter Reservoir, treated at a water treatment plant located near the base of the dam, and piped south along U.S. Highway 550 to provide water to adjacent Navajo Chapters, the Jicarilla Apache Nation, and additional Navajo Chapters south of the highway.\nThe authorizing legislation requires completion of construction of all NGWSP features no later than December 31, 2024.\nThe Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.\nMore Information about the Bureau of Reclamation","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1489348"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8955650925636292,"wiki_prob":0.8955650925636292,"text":"The new Nano promise\nFuelled by five years of disappointment, Ratan Tata's little car wants to erase its 'cheap' past for a 'smart city' future.\nSuveen Sinhaand Sunny Sen | Print Edition: Mar 30, 2014\nTata Motors' Ranjit Yadav and Ankush Arora\nThe call was unexpected. But when it came, Delna Avari had no doubt in her mind what her response would be. She moved from Bangkok to Mumbai, and from trucks and buses to little cars, \"overnight\".\nThat was October 2010. Avari had spent the previous eight years doing short stints in different countries for Tata Motors' commercial vehicles division. She was in Bangkok when Ravi Kant, who ran the company at the time, called. He wanted her to come back to India and join the Nano team. The vision for the Nano, said Kant, had not played out the way they thought it would. As understatements go, that was like calling a Ferrari a four-wheeled transport for two. The Nano was unveiled in January 2008, exactly 100 years after Model T hit the road and helped ordinary Americans drive every day. The Nano, as the world's cheapest car, was meant to migrate millions of Indians from two wheels to four and prove India's supremacy in frugal manufacturing just as Henry Ford's Tin Lizzie had established the moving assembly line.\nHowever, the month Avari moved, the Nano sold a mere 3,065. It had crossed 5,000 only in four of the 16 months it had been in the market. Its installed capacity was 15,000 a month. There would have been periodic increases in it. According to reports at the time, Tata Motors had spent $400 million just on developing the little car, and then some on setting up a new factory in Sanand, Gujarat to produce it.\nTata Motors' Ranjit Yadav and Ankush Arora Photo: Rachit Goswami/www.indiatodayimages.com\n\"When we were planning facilities for the car and working out a business plan, the business plan shown to me was looking at a figure of 200,000. I said the figure is crazy. If we can do this, we should be looking at a million cars a year, and if we cannot do a million then we shouldn't be doing this kind of car at all,\" former Tata Sons Chairman Ratan Naval Tata said in an interview to the group website in January 2008, on the eve of unveiling the car and giving it a name.\nBetween two stools\nTata, or RNT, as his executives like to refer to him, remains a guiding light for the group despite retiring at the end of 2012. He was the one who conceived the idea of the Nano. His first doodle, of a car built around the humble scooter, was inspired by the sight of a family perched precariously on a scooter and trying to take shelter under a flyover in typically heavy Mumbai rain. The Nano, with its low price tag, would be the answer to their problems. Years before it came to be named, the concept of the car spread like wildfire as soon as Tata mentioned it in 2003. They called it the world's cheapest car, or the Rs 1 lakh car, or - in Hindi - the lakhtakia gaadi.\nWe left a lot of the positioning to somebody else. The company did not manage the perception: Delna Avari, Head, Marketing, Passenger Vehicles Business Unit, Tata Motors Photo: Rachit Goswami/www.indiatodayimages.com\nAvari, brought back to head the Nano project, had to be part of the team tasked with reviving its fortunes. She came amid inauspicious portends. The next month, November 2010, the car plunged new depths by selling a mere 509. Didn't she come back to India kicking and screaming?\n\"I was honoured,\" says Avari with a chuckle, something that is never too far from her countenance. \"Anything for the Tata group.\" That last bit has to do with her lineage. Her father, like her, worked in Tata Motors, and mother in the group's insurance arm; her sister is with Taj, the group's hotel chain. \"We are a Tata family.\" She is also a Nano owner, driven by her chauffeur, and refers to the tiny egg-shaped car as \"the little one\".\nOne reward for her unquestioning loyalty was a briefing by RNT, during which he said all he wanted was to provide an affordable personal mobility option to every Indian. \"That somehow got translated into gharib ki gaadi. We left a lot of the positioning to somebody else. The company did not manage the perception,\" says Avari.\nThat wasn't new; Tata had made the point in that interview to the group website. \"It was never meant to be a Rs 1 lakh car; that happened by circumstance. I was interviewed by the [British newspaper] Financial Times at the Geneva Motor Show and I talked about this future product as an affordable car. I was asked how much it would cost and I said about Rs 1 lakh. The next day the Financial Times had a headline to the effect that the Tatas are to produce a Rs 100,000 car.\"\nIt was never meant to be a Rs 1 lakh car; that happened by circumstance: Ratan Tata, Former Chairman, Tata Sons Photo: Yasbant Negi/www.indiatodayimages.com\nThat price was interpreted as 'cheap'. The current thinking, within the company and outside, sees that as the root cause of all that did not go according to plan with the Nano. \"Nobody wants to tell his friends and neighbours he has bought a cheap car. The brand is damaged,\" says Jack Trout, global guru in marketing strategy. \"It is a category that they maybe should not have got into.\"\nCheap would have been a mistake even a lot earlier. Model T had to be discontinued in 1927 - it had already sold 15 million by then - because Americans wanted more than just a sturdy, affordable car; they wanted style, speed, and luxury, too. It may have been too much to expect Indians to lap up a no-frills car in the 2010s. It is no surprise that the Nano has sold only a quarter of a million in nearly five years.\nIt did not help that the Nano, when it came, redefined no-frills downwards: forget stereo, air-conditioning, and power windows, it did not even have a glove compartment. With that, customers became less tolerant of its little quirks such as the different sizes of the front and rear wheels.\n\"Smart (a small car from Mercedes), too, has wider tyres at the rear. Since the weight was heavy on the rear, we had to go for broader rear wheels,\" says Girish Wagh, another secondgeneration Tata employee, who headed the project to create the rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive Nano. The architecture was found the most suited for providing the most interior space - it is indeed surprisingly big inside - and manoeuvrability.\nBut the quirks stretched a consumer who had already had to wait about a year and a half after Tata unveiled the car to be able to buy one. It hit the road only in the middle of 2009. The first advertisement, reflecting the wait, was all about Nano aa gayi (the Nano is here). There were reported to be 200,000 bookings before launch, the deliveries were a fraction of that.\nSoon after the cars hit the road came reports of some of them catching fire. Now the low price tag backfired worse than it had for Model T. For the Nano, it was seen as an indicator of low quality, lack of reliability, and absence of safety.\nVanessa Able wrote on London's Guardian newspaper's website last month she was so inspired by the idea of the Nano she bought one and took it on a 10,000 km trek across India in 2010. Along the way, people used to ask her if she was not concerned about the prospect of a Nano fireball.\n\"There were stray cases of foreign objects found in the exhaust system of the car. When the car ran for some time and reached a certain temperature, those objects caught fire. The second reason had something to do with the starting system,\" says Wagh. In some cases the owners - in a sign that they wanted more from the car - had installed after-market equipment like a music system, directly tapping the power and leading to a short circuit.\n\"Quite a few cars catch fire,\" says an executive of Maruti Suzuki. \"Often it is because of something wrong with the electricals.\" But the Nano fire, figuratively speaking, proved difficult to douse because it was a \"cheap\" car. Had it been more expensive, the fires may have been dismissed as a one-off. After all, there were only three or four episodes. But it stuck because people said, \"What else would you expect from a cheap car?\"\nMaruti had briefly toyed with the idea of bringing out a product to rival the Nano but quickly discarded it because first, it was a daunting task to make a car profitably at that price, and secondly, it witnessed a change in consumer behaviour. Says the executive mentioned above: \"The bulk of the sales of our cars, 50 to 60 per cent, used to be for the middle model; the base model would get 30 to 40 per cent, and the top model no more than 10 per cent. But a shift happened around that time. The top end started to get significant share and not many buyers wanted the base variant.\"\nIt was clear that the consumer now wanted more value for his money even if it meant spending a little more. Cheap was going out. \"I do a good bargain\" was no longer a good boast to make. The launch of the new Swift by Maruti in 2011 was a case in point. When it came, there was a wait list for the old one. All those in the queue readily agreed to switch to the new Swift, which had more bells and whistles, but cost Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000 more than the old one.\nAs the car buyer wanted better cars, and not a supposed replacement for the two-wheeler, the twowheeler buyer preferred to wait till he could buy a car that was perceived to offer more value - a real car (see Rama Bijapurkar's column on page 70). The Nano may have fallen between the two stools. It is now trying to get a foothold on the one that is costlier, swankier, and more desirable to the consumer.\nIt was a different India in 2007, the year before the Nano was unveiled. The Nokia 1200, priced at less than Rs 3,000, was among the most popular mobile phones. Flat panel LCD televisions were sparse, the ones with bloated backsides were everywhere. Facebook had just come in. Flipkart had just been set up. Laptop computers vied with desktops for supremacy; tablets were what you had when the doctor told you to.\nToday, Samsung Galaxy S3, a smart phone priced at more than Rs 25,000 is all the rage. LCD televisions adorn most walls in the cities. Facebook has 100 million users. Flipkart is valued at more than $1 billion. You can see tablets in the hands of every other passenger on Rajdhani Express. And yes, there is a Nano variant priced at Rs 2,58,000. How did that happen to the lakhtakia? It started with that briefing Avari had with RNT.\n\"If you drive the Nano, the first thing that will strike you is, 'why do I hear these [bad] things about the car?' RNT wanted more and more people to experience the product, instead of talking about it without experiencing it,\" says Avari. Secondly, he wanted the car supported from all quarters. \"The Nano innovation happened within Tata Motors: product, manufacturing, and sales; not outside.\"\nAvari, and the save Nano team, set about managing the \"outside\". There was always help available from Wagh, as Avari began to frequent the company's mother factory in Pune as well as the Nano factory in Sanand. Ankush Arora, head of sales and marketing, was a core part of the team. Ranjit Yadav, having made a name for himself as the head of Samsung India's mobile phone division, joined Tata Motors in October 2012. He joined a few days after Karl Slym, the managing director who fell to his death from Bangkok's Shangri-La hotel in January this year.\nWhen Yadav joined, Tata Motors was the country's third-largest carmaker but ranked 12th out of 12 in JD Power's sales satisfaction survey. In service, too, it was not in the top six. \"Clearly, your consumer had to love you because you made it hard for them to buy from you. Clearly, we had to improve our sales and service experience,\" says Yadav.\nTata Motors had several of its employees working at the dealerships, at times 16 touching each dealer. \"If you went into a dealership in those days, you would probably have shaken the hands of a Tata employee and not a dealer's,\" says Yadav. The dealers told him it was too complex to deal with Tata. They did not know who to listen to. Today each dealer has one person to talk to on sales and one on service. \"I would say we are five times easier to do business with than we were 15 or 16 months back,\" says Yadav. The JD Power ranking on sales experience last year jumped five places to seven. \"It's still not good, but at least some of the things we are doing are starting to trend upwards.\"\nNew sales outlets were opened old ones were refurbished. The documentation for getting a loan was made easier. The acquisition cost of the Nano was low, but the car's life cycle cost had to be brought down. So Tata announced a four-year warranty. \"We did it also because there were these funny things being stated about its reliability. It was already the most fuel-efficient petrol car,\" says Avari.\nThe network taken care of, the team turned to the customer. Avari, who was promoted to head marketing for all of Tata's passenger vehicles in August last year, says they started thinking of those who would want the Nano as their first car upon turning 18. \"How can they want it from age 14 and bug their parents till they get it? How do you speak their language?\"\nThat's how the repositioning of the Nano started in August-September 2011. After long-winded conversations with RNT and Ravi Kant, they prepared a plan for the next five years.\nTwist in the Nano Tale\nAs a manifestation of the plan, cheap is out, awesomeness is in. Jagdish Khattar, who ran Maruti in the years that the idea of the Nano excited and enthralled everyone, says that should have been the case from the beginning. \"I would have given this car to people who owned Mercedes and told them, 'Sir, this is your third car, take it when you go out to walk your dog in the park. Everyone will buy a car if they think it is the one that the well-heeled drive.\"\nAvari swears the affluent always drove the Nano. \"When we launched, and through the booking phase, the car was picked up by the well-heeled; 80 per cent of the buyers wanted it as their third or fourth car.\" She sees evidence of this every day around her house in Mumbai's upscale Cuffe Parade area, which she says is full of Nanos. \"All of them are driven by their owners.\nMine has a driver because I get stressed driving.\" That is rich coming from someone who learned to drive on a Sumo and saw people jump out of the way on seeing a girl driving the burly utility vehicle. The effort now is to hold on to the affluent buyer, and also move down in age to catch the urban youth, who have always liked the Nano, but whom Tata Motors, busy trying to appeal to the humble first-time buyer, never consciously wooed.\nIt is ready to make amends now. \"From the time of the Nano's launch to 2010, 20 per cent of the buyers were in the age group 25 to 34. Today, 45 per cent are. Obviously my consumer set has changed. Our task is to bring in more of those buyers for the simple reason that 55 per cent of our population is within the age of 25. Those are the buyers who are going to come into the market. If we don't get those buyers, we will probably miss the bus,\" says Arora, the sales and marketing head.\nNano's advertising today, in contradistinction to the first Nano aa gayi campaign, is an explosion of colour and music, with young people apparently having fun while doing things few do in real life, and Masaba Gupta taking the covers off an electric blue Nano. Gupta is the young sensation on the fashion designing circuit, who was earlier a symbol of women's liberation as a child born out of wedlock to West Indian cricketer Vivian Richards and Indian actress Neena Gupta. \"We wanted to connect with [the urban youth] on the phenomenon of celebrating achievement, or celebrating what you stand for,\" says Arora.\nComing days after Cyrus Mistry, who replaced Ratan Tata as the group's Chairman, said the Nano would be repositioned as a \"smart city car\", the commercial raced to five million views on YouTube in 30 days, more than any other car commercial had garnered, according to The Economic Times.\nBut if advertising alone could do the job, Martin Sorrell would be the king of the world. The Nano's new aspiration had to be constructed in drafting rooms and workshops. It went through several changes as newer versions emerged in 2012 and 2013. The latest, called the Nano Twist, is as different from the one first seen in 2008 as Mamata Banerjee, the West Bengal politician who drove out Tata Motors, is from Narendra Modi, the Gujarat Chief Minister who sent an SMS to Ratan Tata inviting him to set up shop in Sanand as soon as he heard of Tata's decision to move out of Singur.\nFrom an engineering perspective, it is more refined and has a better steering wheel - a power steering, no less. Wagh tweaked its suspension for better ride quality and added an anti-roll bar in front. The result is reduced body roll and better stability at corners. The power train was improved to increase peak power and torque, and the exhaust system for a more refined feel.\nAs it began to come in new vibrant colours like \"damsel purple\" (\"I have a shirt in that colour,\" says a gleeful Yadav), the Nano sprouted a glove compartment, a modern music system with Bluetooth connectivity, and keyless entry. And yes, an additional layer has been added to the entire electrical system to prevent fire.\nNobody wants to tell his friends and neighbours he has bought a cheap car... It is a category that they (Tata Motors) maybe should not have got into: Jack Trout, Marketing guru\nFebruary's Auto Expo in Greater Noida gave a glimpse of the big things in store for the little one. The Tata Motors pavilion displayed a Nano with automatic manual transmission, which appears to be the new tune many carmakers are singing to lure buyers. The technology makes city driving easier by doing away with the clutch. Maruti Celerio is already off the block, reportedly getting half its orders for the clutchless variant.\nOf course, the prices, too, have risen. Nano Twist's price takes it into the territory of Maruti's Alto, which has remained the largest selling car in the country, or thereabouts, for many years. Ratan Tata, when he unveiled the first Nano at Rs 1 lakh, had famously said, \"A promise is a promise.\" Is it a different promise now? A promise with a Twist? \"That product had a particular value proposition and it was very disruptive.\nThe value proposition has changed completely, but even today it is significantly disruptive,\" says Wagh. He would be hoping it would not only be disruptive but also attractive. The economy is growing at nearly half the rate at which it was growing when the Nano made its first appearance on Indian roads. That means less money in the hands of potential buyers.\nSecondly, talking to CNBC's Managing Asia programme in Singapore last November, RNT had said: \"Maybe it (the Nano) gets launched in another country like Indonesia, where it doesn't have the stigma and the new image comes back to India. Or maybe as a changed product that gets marketed in Europe. There's a lot of interest in Nano outside India.\"\nRama Bijapurkar\nThe walk, not the talk, may be the problem\nAn illiterate housewife will tell you that a cheap cooking oil, though with ultra modern packaging, is more expensive in the long run because it is more chikna and clings to the sides of the pan, requiring more oil to make bhindi ki subzi. A low-income mother will tell you that two pay channels for movies is good value because then her mother-in-law will stay at home all evening with the kids and she can go to work and command the higher night-time premium wages from richer working women. Customers - rich or poor, illiterate or PhD - always choose the option that the computer in their head calculates as the option with the highest value.\nA simplistic model of how this calculation is done is that consumers see each option (including the \"don't buy now\") as comprising a set of benefits (rational and emotional - even for B2B customers!) and a set of costs (cost, as they see it, is not just price) - that's where many marketers go wrong in their simulations. A car's 'cost' could be processed as EMI, running cost, and, if they think it's a fragile vehicle, the likely cost of repair when driving on potholed roads with other large cars and brutish drivers.\nUsing the value processing algorithm in their heads, each customer arrives at a net value for each option - net value being the value added from benefits less the value taken away by costs. They then pick the one with the best net value. Do different groups of consumers have different value processing algorithms? Of course they do. But if you believe unsophisticated or less educated consumers do not know how to do this, think again. How much value a person attaches to something is dependent on his life context and mental makeup.\nA young, well educated and well employed first-time intending car owner for whom a twowheeler is not an option will process the value delivered by a Nano's benefits and costs very differently from a 40-year-old, middle-class, selfemployed small services provider who wants to upgrade to a car from his high-end motorcycle.\nThe other options that each considers are also different. The question is in which situations (and for how many people) was the Nano seen to be the best value option, meriting purchase? Clearly, it wasn't seen to be the best value option for large enough numbers - or it would have sold more.\nOne explanation for this being put out is that the Nano-related communication distorted its perceived value to consumers. That \"low price\" made consumers interpret it as \"low status\" and inferior in benefits - because Indian consumers are programmed to think that low price means poor quality. However, that isn't true at all. Consumer perceptions are shaped by suppliers' conduct, and in the past 15 years Indian consumers have experienced low-priced but stylish dual-language keyboard and camera feature phones (thank or blame Nokia for that), have seen IndiGo do cheaper and better flights, and have seen prices of durables drop and quality go up. The pavement fashion streets have got a lot better merchandise and styles and the same goes for everything imported that we find on the street.\nSo it isn't the Indian consumer's psyche that's to blame; perhaps it's the lack of communication of the Nano's benefits. But perhaps it's not the talk, but the walk that is the problem. Perhaps consumers' computers are processing what's available and telling them that the value lost from the additional EMI is more than offset by the value gained by better features if they buy a more expensive car. Forking out `3 lakh at one go is impossible for them. But paying it as EMIs may merely mean two less family outings each month to the multiplex.\nIf at current interest rates, the \"Benefit minus Cost\" of the next level of cars is poor value, we know of consumers who say that one or two years later I will earn more and the EMI will come down, and then it will be good value. So why not defer the purchase till then rather than settle for an option that gives lower value today and tomorrow?\n\"Stretch for more\" and \"wait if you must, rather than settle for less\" are the mantras of the new Indian customer. That's what an aspirational, upwardly mobile society is about. And 'more' and 'less' is not about price; it's about value, which is the aggregation of benefits and costs, rational and emotional, price and other costs too.\nRama Bijapurkar is a market strategy consultant and author of Customer in the Boardroom - Crafting Customer-Based Business Strategy\nFollow the authors on Twitter: @suveensinha, @SunnySen\nTweetYoutube\nTags: Tata Nano | Ratan Tata | New Tata nano | Small car\nBeset by regulatory trouble, Indian Pharma is on the run\nBusiness Today lists 16 of India's best start-ups in 2014\nAmartya Sen on Visva-Bharati's 'illegal occupants' of campus plots list\nThis stock held by Rakesh Jhunjhunwala hits all-time high, rallies 350% in 9 months\n51 lakh people in Delhi to receive coronavirus vaccine in phase-1 of vaccination\nCOVID-19 vaccine: Tamil Nadu readies priority list; trains 21,000 personnel\nPope Francis does it again; likes another bikini model's photo on Instagram\nFujifilm may unveil GFX 100S medium format camera with 102MP sensor early 2021\nReliance set to relaunch 4G feature JioPhone in the first quarter of 2021\nIs Moto G 5G a good buy? Review in 5 points\nOppo Reno 5 Pro, Reno 5 may launch in India in January\nApple to use TSMC made advanced 3nm chipsets for its upcoming Macs and iPhones","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1334506"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9844480156898499,"wiki_prob":0.9844480156898499,"text":"Stacey Abrams (right) rose to prominence last year during her campaign for governor of Georgia, which she lost by 1.4 percentage points. | Emma McIntyre/Getty Images\nStacey Abrams: '2020 is definitely on the table'\nBy JAMES ARKIN\nGeorgia Democrat Stacey Abrams said today that she had long seen 2028 as the \"earliest\" she could see herself running for president but later tweeted \"2020 is definitely on the table\" as she weighs her next political move.\nAbrams, in an interview at SXSW in Austin, Texas, referred to a quote from her book where she said she keeps a spreadsheet to document her goals.\n\"In the spreadsheet with all the jobs I wanted to do, 2028 would be the earliest I would be ready to stand for president because I would have done the work I thought necessary to be effective in that job,\" Abrams said.\nAfter the interview, Abrams insisted in a tweet that the comment did not mean she has ruled out running for president next year.\n\"In #LeadFromTheOutside, I explore how to be intentional about plans, but flexible enough to adapt. 20 years ago, I never thought I’d be ready to run for POTUS before 2028. But life comes at you fast,\" Abrams tweeted. \"2020 is definitely on the table...\"\nAbrams' former campaign manager, Lauren Groh-Wargo, also tweeted after the interview that the quote referring to the old spreadsheet did not mean Abrams was ruling out running for president next year.\nAbrams remarks \"were in reference to her years-old spreadsheet, not her current considerations. She is taking a look at all options on the table in 2020 and beyond,\" Groh-Wargo tweeted.\nAbrams rose to prominence last year during her campaign for governor of Georgia, which she lost by 1.4 percentage points. National Democrats have urged her to run against Republican Sen. David Perdue next year, but she has also been considering a potential presidential campaign in 2020 or running for governor again in 2022.\nAbrams has given a timeline of late March or early April for a decision on her next moves, and she did not update that timeline in the interview Monday.\n\"My task is to make certain that a Democrat is elected not only to the White House but that we have a Democratic majority in the Senate and a Democratic majority in Congress,\" Abrams said.\nAbrams also answered \"yes\" when asked during the interview if she thinks President Donald Trump is a racist.\n\"I think he's racist, I think he's xenophobic, I think he's homophobic. I think he has disdain for anything that he considers different than the norm,\" Abrams said. She also called Trump a \"bully\" but said she doesn't thing Democrats would defeat him next year by adopting similar tactics.\n\"I think beating Donald Trump is the wrong mission. When you're focused on your enemy then you are ignoring your allies,\" Abrams said.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line819153"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6683647632598877,"wiki_prob":0.6683647632598877,"text":"Wilhelm Lehmbruck – SOLD\nKÜRZLICH VERKAUFT\nWilhelm Lehmbruck (Meiderich nr. Duisburg 1881 - 1919 Berlin)\nGirl with one Foot Resting on a Rock, Paris, 1910\nLifetime cast\nBronze with brown patina, Height: 62.5 cm\nSigned Lehmbruck/Paris beneath the right foot and inscribed A. Rudier Fondeur. Paris on the base\nGalerie Alex Vömel, Düsseldorf 1953\nWalter Stein, Long Island, New York\nThe Walter and Sonja Caron Stein Collection, Long Island, New York\nDietrich Schubert, Wilhelm Lehmbruck - Catalogue raisonné der Skulpturen, 1898-1919, Worms 2001, p.206 (two other lifetime casts illustrated, nos. 152 and 153)\nProfessor Dr. Dietrich Schubert has examined the work and confirmed its authenticity. His statement, dated 'July 2010, Heidelberg', accompanies the sculpture.\nProfessor Schubert states that the sculpture is [...] one of only very few lifetime casts of the figure made in Paris before 1914. Before the discovery of the present sculpture, only two lifetime casts of the figure were recorded. This third cast will be listed in the catalogue raisonné of Lehmbruck's sculptures.\nThe motif of a female bather with one foot resting on a stone or rock is a subject that has preoccupied artists since antiquity. The Renaissance saw a revival of interest in the subject - one example is Giambologna's Bathing Venus. The motif was taken up by nineteenth-century artists like Max Klinger, Louis Tuaillon and Aristide Maillol. Lehmbruck is known to have greatly admired Maillol's work. The present figure was executed in Lehmbruck's Parisian period between 1910 and 1914. It exemplifies how his preoccupation with the classical tradition and classical ideals led him to develop his own highly original style of sculptural expression. A number of preliminary drawings (Munich, Graphische Sammlung; Duisburg LN 117, 123) dating from the same period show him experimenting with the motif. A further group of drawings dating from this period depict a male figure in a similar position. Although the male figure is interpretable as a pendant Lehmbruck did not execute a sculpture of the subject.\nThe present sculpture is a lifetime cast executed in Paris under the artist's supervision. It has none of the deficiencies in quality common to the posthumous, unauthorized casts[1] of the figure. It bears the inscription A. Rudier, the inscription of the famous Parisian foundry Rudier established by Alexis Rudier (d.1897). Rudier's son Eugène (1875-1952) later took over the business, building it up to become one of the leading foundries of its day. It produced casts for Auguste Rodin, Aristide Maillol and Antoine Bourdelle and was also involved in casting some of the outstanding bronzes of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Like Rodin, Maillol and Bourdelle, Lehmbruck would almost certainly have supervised the casting of the present sculpture himself and had a hand in the working up of its marvellously rich patina.\n[1] It is not just the overall quality of the cast, the quality of its surface and the richness of its patina that distinguish the present figure from later casts. The distance between the right heel and the ground - only 4.1 cm - is a further distinguishing feature. This distance is shorter than in the innumerable posthumous casts of the figure. It is identical to the relevant measurement in the case of the two lifetime casts recorded in the catalogue raisonné. See Dietrich Schubert, Wilhelm Lehmbruck: Catalogue raisonné der Skulpturen, 1898-1919, Worms 2001, no. 54. B. a.1 and 2. Both are A. Rudier casts. Professor Schubert, the author of the catalogue raisonné, has set stringent standards for meeting his authenticity criteria. His objective is to limit Lehmbruck's sculptural oeuvre to a core body of work and exclude the large number of new casts made over a period of decades after his death. Following Lehmbruck's suicide in 1919, his widow had new casts made right through to the 1940s. Lehmbruck's sons continued to commission casts from the 1950s to the 1970s. Unauthorized casts of Girl with one Foot Resting on a Rock have also come onto the art market. Some of these casts are stamped with the foundry mark H. Gonot/Paris while others are unmarked. These casts are of poor quality and often smaller in format. In many cases the figure itself has been cast separately and a plinth added. In the case of forged casts, about two centimetres have been found to have been added to the lower edge of the model/bronze to obtain the standard height of 63/64 cm compensating for the loss of height in casting a sculpture from a negative matrix.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line621314"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6455638408660889,"wiki_prob":0.6455638408660889,"text":"Virginia H Dale (2002)\nFor pioneering research in disturbance and landscape ecology and in modeling of land-use change with its implications for global changes, which have influenced environmental decision making on a worldwide scale.\nAl Geist (2002)\nFor internationally recognized contributions in distributed and cluster computing, including the development of the Parallel Virtual Machine and the Message Passing Interface standard now widely used in science to solve computational problems in biology, physics, chemistry, and materials science.\nDouglas H Lowndes (1994)\nFor outstanding contributions to many areas of solid-state physics, including the electronic structure of metals, ultrarapid melting and solidification phenomena, pulsed-laser deposition and epitaxial film growth, high-temperature superconductivity, and beam-assisted processing of thin films and superlattices.\nTuan Vo-Dinh (1994)\nFor distinguished contributions to the field of analytical spectroscopy and the development of advanced monitoring technologies for environmental and human health protection.\nEric Hirst (1985)\nFor pioneering work on energy conservation, including development of energy demand models, data bases, and analyses of energy use trends, which has contributed to federal and state energy policies and programs and to demand-side planning by electric utilities.\nFormer Research Fellow (8)","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1470647"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7465423345565796,"wiki_prob":0.2534576654434204,"text":"Port Hercule, Monaco\nMonaco Yacht Show 2011 was a resounding success, leaving behind a wake of industry movement which surely perpetuated the growing positivity surrounding the Superyacht Industry. We spoke to some of the most influential members of the superyacht community to gain an insight into how the show was shaping up for them.\nJoining us at the Breaking News Centre were the likes of Hein Velema, CEO of Fraser Yachts; Henk de Vries of Feadship; Jamie Edmiston, Director of Edmiston and Linley; Kevin Merrigan, Managing Director of Northrop & Johnson; Eric de Saintdo, CEO and Chairman of Camper & Nicholsons; Espen Oeino; Captain Paul Watson of Sea Shepherd; Donald Starkey, Gaëlle Tallarida, Managing Director of the Monaco Yacht Show to name just a few.\nThe Superyachts.com 18-man team successfully filmed and edited over 40 different interviews with key industry representatives, so what kind of feeling did we ascertain from the exhibitors of the 2011 Monaco Yacht Show?\nAt the start of the show, Gaëlle Tallarida noted, “Now it’s not any more our show, so it’s the down to the exhibitors, our big work is over … what we can see from the moment is that it’s already really crowded … It’s difficult to walk on the docks; it’s certainly a good idea of what will happen for the next three days.”","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line275818"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5761286020278931,"wiki_prob":0.5761286020278931,"text":"Skip to main content Skip to footer Accessibility help\nThere are many ways to get involved with research, at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust\nResearch trials\nPsychological treatments\nResearcher’s toolkit\nIs my project research?\nHow can I cost my research?\nWhat approvals are needed?\nWhat is a Research Passport?\nWhat is sponsorship?\nWhat is insurance and indemnity?\nWhat is governance?\nRegister your project for CRIS\nPromote your research trial\nWe can all feel fearful and anxious at times. However, when these feelings are very strong and persistent they cause much distress, and interfere with everyday life. In this case they may represent a clinical ‘anxiety disorder’. Anxiety disorders are, in fact, the most common mental health problem likely to affect people. Indeed, a survey of mental disorders across the whole of Europe in 2010 found that anxiety disorders of one kind or another affected almost 15% of the European population, that is over 60 million people.\nThere are many different kinds of anxiety disorders, some of which make life particularly difficult, For example, generalised anxiety disorder is characterised by an overwhelming and uncontrollable sense of worry about almost all aspects of one’s life. Other anxiety disorders can manifest as panic attacks and fear of going out; this can be so bad that sufferers become housebound. Post-traumatic stress disorder can occur in anyone who has been subject to, or witnessed, a life-threatening or horrifying event. This can lead to a constant state of arousal, nightmares and avoidance of any reminders associated with the event.\nFor all these conditions, in most people specific psychological treatments are highly effective. Many of the treatments currently recommended by NICE were developed in the University Department of Psychiatry which continues to work closely with the Oxford Health Foundation Trust in devising new treatments that can be readily implemented in an NHS setting. We are also performing work on the effects of combining medication and psychological treatments for people experiencing panic disorder and social anxiety (with Andrea Reinecke and Catherine Harmer).\nProfessor of Cognitive Neuroscience, Catherine Harmer, Oxford University Department of Psychiatry, and Philip Cowen, Professor of Psychopharmacology, Oxford University Department of Psychiatry","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line639078"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9575216174125671,"wiki_prob":0.9575216174125671,"text":"'All my dreams are shattered': coronavirus crushes Asia’s garment industry\nBy Thu Thu Aung, Ruma Paul, Poppy McPherson\nYANGON/DHAKA/BANGKOK (Reuters) - Zarchi Lwin pawned her only two gold bangles for $140 when the owner of the Myanmar factory where she sewed winter coats for British retailer Next Plc shut it down after orders dried up due to the coronavirus.\nZar Chi Liwn poses for photo near her hostel, in an industrial zone on the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar April 28, 2020. Picture taken April 28, 2020. REUTERS/Myat Thu Kyaw\nShe is one of hundreds of thousands of garment workers across Asia who have been laid off, according to the Workers Rights Consortium, a labour rights campaign group, and are now struggling to survive with little welfare support, mired in debt and in many cases reliant on food handouts.\n“If I have a job and an income, I can pay for medical treatment for my mother,” Zarchi Lwin, 29, told Reuters from the home she shares with her 56-year-old mother, who has lung disease, in a shanty town on the outskirts of Yangon. “Now no income, no job,” she said, fighting back tears. “We don’t know what to do.”\nNext temporarily closed all its stores in Britain in March due to the coronavirus. The company said in a statement it had only cancelled some orders and “endeavoured to be fair” to its suppliers. KGG, the factory where Zarchi Lwin worked, did not respond to requests for comment.\nSince the 1960s, Asia has grown into the world’s garment factory, sending about $670 billion worth of clothes, shoes and bags a year to Europe, the United States and richer Asian countries, according to the International Labour Organization, a United Nations agency.\nAfter non-essential stores were closed in many countries and people were told to stay at home to prevent further spread of the disease, international retailers from ASOS Plc to New Look said they cancelled orders with garment makers. Factory owners in Myanmar, Bangladesh and Cambodia immediately shut down thousands of factories and sent home workers with little or no pay.\nRetailers generally place orders at least three months ahead of delivery and pay for the finished product when it is delivered. Initially most retailers cancelled all outstanding orders, but many adjusted their position in March and April after a public outcry, agreeing to pay for goods that had already been manufactured or were mid-production.\nTo finish pending orders, about half of Bangladesh’s 4,000 garment factories have reopened, according to garment manufacturer associations. About 150 of Myanmar’s 600 or so factories have shut down, while 200 out of 600 or so are closed in Cambodia.\nMany factories that have reopened are struggling to enforce social distancing and good hygiene practices in often cramped conditions, two union officials told Reuters. “Most of the factories are not complying with the safety guidelines,” said Babul Akter, president of the Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers Federation, adding that dozens of garment workers had been infected with the virus. “Just placing hand-washing systems and checking temperatures at the entrances will not help. Inside the factories, when the workers work so closely, how will they maintain safe distancing?”\nFactbox: Fashion brands cut orders with Asian garment makers\nSome orders have been trickling back. Swedish fashion retailer H&M said it only paused orders for two weeks at the height of the virus outbreak. U.S.-based Walmart Inc, the world’s largest retailer, said it placed new orders with Asian manufacturers last month.\nFor a list of retailers and the status of their orders with Asian garment makers, see FACTBOX\nSTAY OR GO BACK HOME?\nDespite the new orders, several garment manufacturers said the low volume of work on the books means many factories in Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Cambodia will not be viable, which means many of the young women who make up the majority of the workforce will no longer have jobs. That leaves them torn between returning to families in the countryside, where there are few employment opportunities, or enduring life in the city in the hope that factories will reopen at full capacity.\nThe European Union has created a wage fund for workers in Myanmar worth 5 million euros ($5.3 million) to pay a portion of the salaries of the most vulnerable for three months. Myanmar has promised to cover 40% of the salaries of workers whose factories were closed on government orders until they pass inspections for preventing the spread of the coronavirus. More than 58,000 have been laid off, according to the country’s garment manufacturer association.\nIn Bangladesh, one million workers were furloughed or laid off by late March, according to the Penn State Center for Global Workers’ Rights, although some have since returned to work. About 75,000 have not been paid for March, according to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), which estimates tens of thousands more will not be paid wages owed to them.\nThe government has announced a $588 million aid package for its export sector to help pay employees. Garment manufacturers, which estimate they have lost almost $3 billion in exports since the start of April, said the funds are not enough. Foreign-owned firms and joint ventures are not eligible for payments.\nIn Cambodia, where about 60,000 garment workers have been “suspended,” according to the country’s manufacturer association, workers have been promised $70 per month - $40 from the government and $30 from the employer - but that amounts to just over a third of the current minimum wage.\nIn that country’s capital, Phnom Penh, 39-year-old Rom Phary said she and her husband had racked up $550 of debt and interest since she lost her factory job in early March, several times her monthly salary. She said she and her family are living off rice donated by an NGO, the Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights, which is working in Cambodia. Phary said she persuaded her landlord to let her stay rent-free rather than forcing the family to return to relatives in the provinces.\n“If we go back, it would be shameful. We don’t know what we would do,” she said.\n‘IF SHE DIED, IT WOULD BE A RELIEF’\nIn Myanmar the garment industry was the fastest-growing sector of the economy, accounting for about 10% of the country’s exports and offering an escape route from extreme poverty for hundreds of thousands of people, many of them migrants from rural areas.\nIn Dagon Seikkan, an industrial zone on the outskirts of Yangon that is home for many migrant workers, local officials have been giving out rations of free rice to those who have been without jobs for some time. But Zarchi Lwin said she did not qualify as she was employed up until recently.\nShe and her parents left their small village in the central Magwe region six years ago after selling their house to pay for treatment for her brother, who eventually died from kidney disease. At first, they worked as cleaners and lived in a dormitory. Then Zarchi Lwin trained herself to sew clothes and secured a sought-after job at one of the nearby factories, earning $146 per month: enough for food, rent of a small wooden shack, and medical treatment. She saved up for a year to buy the bangles she pawned, she said.\nSobbing, she recounted how her mother told her she wants to die in order to lessen the financial burden on the family. “Sometimes I want to kill myself because of this situation,” she said. Her father, a guard at a furniture factory, has also lost his income.\nBefore the new coronavirus, garment workers in Yangon and the neighbouring province of Bago were sending more than 40 million euros ($43 million) in remittances to their hometowns and villages across the country each month, said Jacob Clere of SMART Textile and Garments, a European Union-funded project.\n“Education for children who would otherwise not have it. Medicine for grandmothers who would otherwise go without. Healthy food. Better shelter,” said Clere, describing how that money helped rural communities. Many are now at risk of being forced into early marriage or taking on debt from loan sharks at very high rates, said Mike Slingsby, a regional urban poverty specialist.\nHIGH-INTEREST DEBTS\nIn Bangladesh, the world’s second-largest garment maker behind China, 4.1 million workers or 2.5% of the population worked in garment factories, many of which are now closed. About 70% of Dhaka’s garment industry workers left the city to return to their villages, said Tuomo Poutiainen of the International Labour Organization, although he said some have since returned after some factories reopened to finish work on existing contracts.\nOrders for June are down 45% from a year ago, according to Rubana Huq, president of the BGMEA.\nBanesa Begum, a 21-year-old worker laid off from a Dhaka factory making clothes for Zara, among other brands, said she had nothing to send to her parents, subsistence farmers in the northern district of Rangpur. “I know they are starving,” she said.\nInditex, the owner of Zara, told Reuters it will pay for orders from garment makers, whether finished or in production, according to the original payment schedule.\nBegum’s salary also paid for her two young brothers to go to school. “I don’t know how I’ll manage money to continue their study,” she said. “All my dreams are shattered.”\nReporting by Thu Thu Aung in Yangon, Ruma Paul in Dhaka, Poppy McPherson in Bangkok, Prak Chan Thul in Phnom Penh, Sonya Dowsett in Madrid and James Davey in London; Writing by Poppy McPherson; Editing by Bill Rigby","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line925807"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7366656064987183,"wiki_prob":0.26333439350128174,"text":"Edge Home\nTag study in the UK\nJen Smith March 13, 2019\nHave you considered studying abroad? What if you could study abroad for your entire college experience rather than just one semester? Studying in the United Kingdom could be a great way for you to experience another culture for college without worrying about a language barrier.\nThe UK has some of the most prestigious universities in the world – Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial College of London all rank among the top 10 – along with over 160 colleges and universities across the country. Just like in the U.S., you can find a university that fits your style.\nThere are several advantages to studying in the United Kingdom:\nEarn a bachelor’s degree in 3 years. You can finish your bachelor’s degree in 3 years (in England, Ireland, and Wales – still 4yrs in Scotland) which means moving on to graduate school or a career sooner than at an American university. And a 3-year degree means less tuition cost!\nSkip the general education. General education courses are not required in the UK system. You take only the classes you need for the subject you are studying. This means as a freshman you’ll be studying business, engineering, political science – or whatever you’ve chosen as a major.\nTravel opportunities. The UK can be a great jumping off point to travel to many other places in Europe and beyond. You can fly from London to 10 other European capital cities in under 2 hours. What a great way to spend some of your school breaks – exploring other countries, cultures, and languages!\nNo additional cost. The United Kingdom offers student loans to U.S. citizens and permanent residents who attend approved UK schools. It’s possible for you to actually pay less to go to school in the UK than you may pay at an expensive school in a high-cost area of the U.S. International Student Loan has more information and a list of eligible colleges in the UK.\nAdditionally, there are many schools around the world – including in the UK and Canada – that will accept U.S. Federal Direct Loans. You can apply for Direct Loans using the FAFSA and use your U.S. loan money abroad. The Federal Student Aid website has some helpful information and a list of eligible schools.\nExplore United Kingdom schools through the Educate in UK website. Make notes in your GuidedPath account.\nGeneral, Juniors college admissions, Education, GuidedPath, study abroad, study in the UK\nedge@guidedpath.net","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line681488"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8145817518234253,"wiki_prob":0.8145817518234253,"text":"Alternate Approach: Airline access and frequency\nBy David Carr\nHaving managed Canadian airports to the brink of bankruptcy in the 1970s and early 1980s, Transport Canada should have learned its lesson.\nThe devolution of Canadian airports that began with the Mulroney government in the mid-eighties marginalized Transport Canada’s centralized decision-making and reversed the flow of hundreds of millions of dollars going out to prop up Canada’s crumbling airport infrastructure, to where airports are now net contributors to the federal treasury.\nTransport Canada resisted commercialization at every turn and at least one senior bureaucrat had to be removed for obstruction. Almost 25 years later, the ministry is trying to push through the back door what it can no longer get through the front. Ottawa remains the gatekeeper to airports for countries that do not have an open-skies agreement with Ottawa, which at this moment includes most of the planet. It is a position of authority that does not fit with the commercialized business model of\nCanadian airports.\nAirports compete for traffic. Just as it would be wrong for Transport Canada to make decisions on access to Halifax based on how it affects St. John’s, it is just as egregious to starve airports of revenue based on the commercial interests of one airline or its international partners.\nThis appears to be the case in Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver, where Transport Canada stubbornly refuses to grant Emirates Airlines daily service at a cost of $480 million in economic benefits according to Vancouver-based InterVISTAS Consulting, a transport and tourism specialist hired by the airline. The Greater Toronto Airports Authority estimates daily service by Emirates and Etihad would result in an additional $3.2 million in revenue and create more than 500 jobs. Transport Canada’s position routes between Canada and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are adequately served with six flights weekly split between Emirates and Adu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways. On the surface it would be right, but it is blinkered thinking. Air Canada does not have a presence in the growing markets where Emirates is strong. Lufthansa, Air Canada’s Star Alliance partner does, and there lies the rub. It is in Air Canada’s commercial interest to keep passengers in the Star Alliance pen. But should Transport Canada be playing the role of herder?\nThe issue is coming to a boil, with Premiers Ed Stelmach of Alberta and Gordon Campbell of British Columbia joining the fray. It is hard to see how the federal government, with its distinct western hue, can resist, except the UAE may have overplayed its hand by appearing to link the Canadian military’s future use of a Persian Gulf airbase to expanded commercial rights. The base gives the Canadian Forces critical logistical support for the Afghanistan mission and is up for renegotiation later this year.\nEmirates is not a one off. Two years ago Ottawa prevented Singapore Airlines (SIA) from ramping up its Vancouver service to daily. SIA pulled out of Vancouver in April 2008 as part of a global retooling in response to plunging traffic volumes, evidence that a well run airline understands its market and can adjust its schedule accordingly.\nAlliances such as Star and oneworld took a giant leap forward earlier this year after the U.S. Department of Transportation approved an American Airlines/British Airways tie up that will result in greater collaboration on pricing, schedules and revenue splitting across the Atlantic. Star partners Air Canada, Continental, Lufthansa and United have a similar alliance within an alliance, loosely called Atlantic Plus. This could be the next step toward industry consolidation and the evolution of the global airline.\nIt also gives alliance partners greater clout at hubs such as London/Heathrow and Frankfurt, where Atlantic Plus will have a near monopoly on flights to Canada. All the more reason for Transport Canada to step aside and let access and frequencies be decided by airlines and the airport authorities that want to let them in.\nA system where airports gain control over their runways is not perfect. Airports do compete, but they are monopolistic beasts at root. A dispute resolution mechanism would have to be set up to prevent airport authorities from negotiating cozy side deals with airlines to keep competitors out.\nThere is no place for Transport Canada bureaucrats, to be picking winners and losers.\nDavid Carr is a Wings writer and columnist.\nAlternate Approach: Into the theatre of the absurd\nAlternate Approach: Playing the alliance game\nAlternate Approach: Tapping into the triangle\nAlternate Approach: In need of a ‘big fix’\nM1 Composites Technology Inc\nWaypoint: Changes on the horizon\nAt The Gate: A synthetic future","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line831900"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8382706046104431,"wiki_prob":0.8382706046104431,"text":"Publisher Pulls David Barton’s Revisionist History of Thomas Jefferson\nAugust 10, 2012 | Joe Carter\n© Photo by Desmond Hester on Unsplash\nMore By Joe Carter\nThe Fantasy Ideology of the American Insurrectionists\nWhy Complementarian Men Do More Housework\nEconomics for Church Leaders: Understanding ‘The Economy’\nDon’t Plan Your Year—Plan Your ‘Season’\n15 Good News Trends from 2020\nThe Story: After being criticized as factually inaccurate by historians and boycotted by evangelical ministers for glossing over racism, publisher Thomas Nelson decided to cease publication and distribution of David Barton’s controversial book, The Jefferson Lies: Exposing the Myths You’ve Always Believed about Thomas Jefferson.\nThe Background: Barton, president of Wallbuilders, an organization “dedicated to presenting America’s forgotten history and heroes,” recently published a book claiming that America’s third president was a “conventional Christian” and a a civil rights visionary.\nAs World magazine reported, several Christian historians who have examined Barton’s books and videos agree, as Jay W. Richards says, that the works are full of “embarrassing factual errors, suspiciously selective quotes, and highly misleading claims.” Additionally, a group of Cincinnati pastors and church leaders initiated a boycott against Thomas Nelson because, they claim, the book glosses over Jefferson’s racism and justifies his ownership of slaves.\n“David Barton falsely claims that Thomas Jefferson was unable to free his slaves,” Damon Lynch, pastor of New Jerusalem Baptist Church, said in a press release. “In fact, Jefferson was allowed to free his slaves under Virginia law, but failed to do it. The Jefferson Lies glosses over Jefferson’s real record on slaveholding, and minimizes Jefferson’s racist views.”\nAccording to World, Thomas Nelson evaluated the criticisms, and after doing their own review, determined that the historical details “were not adequately supported.”\n“Because of these deficiencies,” Casey Francis Harrell, Thomas Nelson’s director of corporate communications told World, “we decided that it was in the best interest of our readers to stop the publication and distribution.”\nWhy It Matters: In 1950, British biologist Sir Peter Medawar said that French philosopher Teilhard de Chardin “can be excused of dishonesty only on the grounds that before deceiving others he has taken great pains to deceive himself.” A similar criticism could be made about Barton. While his books and videos have deceived thousands of Christians about the historical record, Barton appears to be sincerely convinced of the superiority of his own interpretations.\nYet despite his claims to being an “historical expert,” Barton tends to make sloppy, factual errors and extrapolations that are wholly unsupportable. For instance, he claims the U.S. Constitution is laced with biblical quotations. As he told James Robison on Trinity Broadcast Network:\nYou look at Article 3, Section 1, the treason clause, direct quote out of the Bible. You look at Article 2, the quote on the president has to be a native born? That is Deuteronomy 17:15, verbatim. I mean, it drives the secularists nuts because the Bible’s all over it! Now we as Christians don’t tend to recognize that. We think it’s a secular document; we’ve bought into their lies. It’s not. [emphasis in original]\nNeedless to say, nowhere in the Constitution is the Bible quoted verbatim. Consider Deuteronomy 17:15 (because the verse is only a clause, I’ll include the previous verse):\nWhen you come to the land which the Lord your God is giving you, and possess it and dwell in it, and say, ‘I will set a king over me like all the nations that are around me,’ you shall surely set a king over you whom the Lord your God chooses; one from among your brethren you shall set as king over you; you may not set a foreigner over you, who is not your brother. [Deuteronomy 17:14-15]\nNow lets look at part of Article 2 of the Constitution, the section Barton thinks is a direct biblical quote:\nNo person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President;\nWhile there is a vague similarity, without additional evidence it is hard to imagine how anyone could make a connection between the two passages. Does Barton have a quotation from a “founding father” making that connection? No, because none exists. Indeed, the fact that no professional historian—-secular or Christian—-ever noticed this “verbatim” quotation before would lead most people to assume that such an interpretation should be viewed with skepticism. But not Barton. He appears to subscribe to a type of gnostic contrarianism, thinking that secret knowledge that goes against the conventional wisdom is not only correct but self-confirming.\nUnfortunately, many evangelicals who would dismiss the use of such revisionist methods by someone like historian Howard Zinn or novelist Dan Brown unquestionably accept them when used by a fellow Christian like Barton. Many are unaware, of course, that Barton has long been considered an unreliable source. But too many are aware of the legitimate criticisms and dismiss them because they want to subscribe to Barton’s vision that America was founded as a “Christian nation.” Indeed, as Tom Gilson laments, “Inevitably some Christians will be angry with those who have shined a light on David Barton’s errors.”\nHowever, Gilson recommends a better approach: “Far better they recognize that the best way to rally around him is to encourage [Barton] to stick close to the truth. Far better we all stick close to the truth.”\nJoe Carter is an editor for The Gospel Coalition, author of The Life and Faith Field Guide for Parents, the editor of the NIV Lifehacks Bible, and the co-author of How to Argue Like Jesus: Learning Persuasion from History’s Greatest Communicator. He also serves as an executive pastor at the McLean Bible Church Arlington campus in Arlington, Virginia. You can follow him on Twitter.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1174732"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7982527613639832,"wiki_prob":0.7982527613639832,"text":"At this point, almost everyone's got an opinion about whether or not Kit Harington will return as his Jon Snow character in the next season of the show. Because he's probably dead. Or is he?\nIn a new interview with Belgian magazine Humo [via The Playlist], Harington appears to have let it slip that he's still on the show. \"The important thing is that I now know exactly how long I am still under contract,\" he said.\nThe interview pressed Harington for more information, asking him how much longer he'd be on the show. \"I can't talk about that,\" he said. \"Let's just say that Game of Thrones will remain a part of my life for a while. I'll probably be in my thirties when it's over. One thing's for sure: the day I'm no longer on Thrones is the day I'll bury myself in movie projects.\"\nThere you have it: Kit Harington will maybe possibly probably still be on the next season of Game of Thrones.\nMore Kit Harington\nHBO's long-running weed comedy High Maintenance has officially come to an end following news that it will not return for Season 5. The sh...","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line423883"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6721126437187195,"wiki_prob":0.3278873562812805,"text":"Newgioco Group, Inc.: Newgioco Engages United Tote to Supply Sports Betting Terminals Throughout U.S.\n3rd March, 16:48\nNEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 3, 2020 / Newgioco Group, Inc. (\"Newgioco\" or the \"Company\") (NASDAQ:NWGI), a global sports betting and interactive gaming technology company providing fully integrated, omni-channel sports betting software solutions, is pleased to announce a strategic alliance with United Tote Company to supply self-service betting terminals (\"kiosks\") for the planned distribution of Newgioco's land-based retail sports betting channel throughout the U.S.\nAs we move to pivot our advanced ELYS sports betting technology from our regulated European operations into U.S. facing operations, we are pleased to have established a relationship with a reliable supplier that can deliver consistent quality betting terminals for distribution of our retail sports betting channel in the U.S.,\" stated Michele (Mike) Ciavarella, Newgioco Chief Executive Officer. \"Similar to the proliferation retail sports betting existing in many regulated countries, Newgioco firmly believes that the future of U.S. sports betting will be built on a solid land-based foundation throughout the U.S. With a significant number of potential local venues across the nation, Newgioco plans to partner with neighborhood vendors and proprietors such as our current relationships with Shane August of Handle 19, Andy Seligman and Brian Vasile of Grand Central in Washington, DC, and Raymond Parker at Northern Winz Casino for Tribal Class 1 wagering in Montana, along with countless other possible venues including convenience stores, service stations, restaurants, sports bars and other leisure locations\n\"We look forward to working closely with United Tote's professional team by sharing our extensive retail sports betting know-how to develop one of the best all channel experiences in the country, and are proud to partner with a firm that carries a reputable and professional long-standing history in the industry. We are honored to join their extensive list of top-quality clientele.\"\nAbout United Tote Company\nUnited Tote Company, headquartered in Louisville, KY, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Churchill Downs Incorporated and is a leading supplier of sports wagering kiosk terminals, services and equipment, pari-mutuel settlement services, and a provider of pari-mutuel tote services to racing operations and OTB facilities in North America and around the world, including such leading racetracks as Arlington Park, Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Oaklawn, Canterbury Park and Fairgrounds. United Tote designs, manufactures and operates pari-mutuel wagering systems for more than 150 racing companies and numerous OTB facilities in North America and around the world.\nAbout Newgioco Group, Inc.\nNewgioco Group, Inc., is a global leisure gaming technology company, with fully licensed online and land-based gaming operations and innovative betting technology platforms that provide bet processing for casinos and other gaming operators. The Company conducts its business under the registered brand Newgioco primarily through its internet-based betting distribution network on its website, www.newgioco.it as well as in retail neighborhood betting shops throughout Italy.\nNewgioco offers clients a full suite of leisure gaming products and services, such as sports betting, virtual sports, online casino, poker, bingo, interactive games and slots. Newgioco also owns and operates innovative betting platform software providing both B2B and B2C bet processing for casinos, sports betting and other online and land-based gaming operators. Additional information is available on our corporate website at www.newgiocogroup.com.\nInvestors may also find us on Facebook® and follow us on Twitter @NWGI_gaming.\nThis press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are identified by the use of the words \"could,\" \"believe,\" \"anticipate,\" \"intend,\" \"estimate,\" \"expect,\" \"may,\" \"continue,\" \"predict,\" \"potential,\" \"project\" and similar expressions that are intended to identify forward-looking statements and includes statements regarding the distribution of our land-based retail sports betting channel throughout the U.S., pivoting our ELYS sports betting technology from our regulated European operations into U.S. facing operations, the future of U.S. sports betting being built on a solid land-based foundation throughout the U.S., plans to partner with neighborhood vendors and proprietors such as our current relationships along with other possible venues and developing one of the best all channel experiences in the country. These forward-looking statements are based on management's expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations and assumptions from those set forth or implied by any forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include our ability to roll-out our land-based retail sports betting channel throughout the U.S., our ability to pivot our ELYS sports betting technology from our regulated European operations into U.S. facing operations, our ability to build on a solid land-based foundation throughout the U.S. and partner with neighborhood vendors and proprietors such as our current relationships, along with other venues, including convenience stores, service stations, restaurants, sports bars and other leisure locations, and our ability to apply our extensive retail sports betting know-how to develop one of the best all channel experiences in the country, and the risk factors described in Newgioco's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and our subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including subsequent periodic reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K. The information in this release is provided only as of the date of this release, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.\nNewgioco Group, Inc.\nMichele Ciavarella, Chief Executive Officer\ninvestor@newgiocogroup.com\nSOURCE: Newgioco Group, Inc.\nhttps://www.accesswire.com/578756/Newgioco-Engages-United-Tote-to-Supply-Sports-Betting-Terminals-Throughout-US\nNEWGIOCO GROUP-Aktie jetzt für 4€ handeln - auf Smartbroker.de","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1542528"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9915725588798523,"wiki_prob":0.9915725588798523,"text":"Bonus items\n40 Years Bear Family R...\nfor 650 points\nThank You For The Days...\n1000 Nadelstiche - Ame...\nThe Complete Health & ...\nHellooo Baby - The Bes...\nImmed. available\nVinyl record size\nSingle (7 Inch)\nWho was/is Don Covay ? - CDs, Vinyl LPs, DVD and more\nDon Covay & The Goodtimers\nMercy, Mercy\nIt never hurts to have the Man Upstairs as your unbilled collaborator when you're desperate for a hit. Just ask Don Covay, who claims divine intervention helped write his smash Mercy, Mercy. \"God sent that one to me,\" he says. \"I was just onstage one night. He started playing, I said, 'Man, I like that!' I started singing. The song was written.\" A famous deejay's earthly advice helped too. \"If it wasn't for the Magnificent Montague, I wouldn't have did 'Have Mercy,'\" says Don. \"He was the one that told me–-I sang one song to him. He said, 'Man, that ain't no soul. That ain't no soul. You're a soul singer, man. Do something with some soul, man!' And I started searching my heart. I said, 'I gotta come up with a hit!'\"\nBorn in Orangeburg, South Carolina on March 24, 1938, little Don watched his older siblings' gospel group, The Cherry Keys. \"My sister used to sing high, so I would try to sing 'em high like she did 'cause I wanted to sing in the group,\" he says. Bertha's high-flying vocals later inspired Covay's practice of double-tracking a falsetto on his records. Don's family moved to Washington, D.C., and Covay joined the doo-wopping Rainbows in his teens. They scored a 1955 East Coast hit with Mary Lee. Don went solo in '57, inspired by a flamboyant rock and roller. \"I saw Little Richard, and that was the end,\" he says. \"I came back and I put curls in my hair!\" Billed as Pretty Boy and backed by Richard's Upsetters, Don's Bip Bop Bip for Atlantic was his solo debut.\nThere were encores for Big, Sue, and Big Top before Covay nicked the hit parade with Pony Time, his '61 dance workout for Arnold Records with his band, The Goodtimers. Chubby Checker covered it for Parkway and paced the pop charts. \"I was very disappointed, 'cause Dick Clark promised to play my record, and the next thing I know he was playing Chubby Checker's.\" John Hammond brought Covay onto Columbia that same year, but his main talent seemed to be writing for the likes of Hank Ballard & The Midnighters, Connie Francis, Gladys Knight & The Pips, and Jerry Butler. He introduced another dance in '62 on Cameo with The Popeye Waddle, a song he didn't write, and scored a mild hit. \"I didn't like it at all,\" he says.\nMercy, Mercy finally propelled Covay and his Goodtimers into the spotlight. Cut at Herb Abramson's A-1 Studio in Manhattan, it vaulted to #35 pop on the fledgling Atlantic-distributed Rosemart label, an enterprise of Montague's. The Rolling Stones covered it on their 'Out Of Our Heads' LP. Before long Don was on Atlantic proper, and in 1965 he headed down to Memphis to cut another classic, See Saw, at Stax. Covay went through a blues phase towards decade's end, though he reverted to steamy soul during the '70s. A 1992 stroke slowed him down but couldn't stop him from making a new CD as the millennium turned.\n- Bill Dahl -\nVarious - Sweet Soul Music\n31 Scorching Classics From 1964\nRead more at: https://www.bear-family.de/various-sweet-soul-music-31-scorching-classics-from-1964.html\nCopyright © Bear Family Records\nMore information about Don Covay on Wikipedia.org\nRelease date Customer referral Popularity Lowest price Highest price Product title A-Z Artist ↑ Artist ↓\nDon Covay: King Of Soul (CD) Art-Nr.: CD108524\n(AIM) 17 tracks","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line337680"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.658248245716095,"wiki_prob":0.34175175428390503,"text":"Volunteer Story: “I just love rescuing surplus food!”\nAnna Gillon rescues prepared meals for the Gateway Center\n“It seems like a small thing to be a driver, but to know that you’re rescuing surplus food that would have gone into the landfill is great.” That’s how Second Helpings Atlanta (SHA) Volunteer driver Anna Gillon describes her experience.\nSeveral times a month, Anna pulls up to the loading dock at Sprouts in Smyrna and fills her SUV with hundreds of pounds of surplus rescued food. She delivers it to the Gateway Center in downtown Atlanta, a SHA Partner Agency. “Recently my car was filled with boxes of spinach, prepared meals, bread, produce, cheese and smoothies—it’s just unbelievable!”\nAs a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, which has historically been involved in hunger issues, Anna has long been concerned about those in need. When a friend, Volunteer driver Amy Durrell, told Anna about SHA she knew it was the perfect volunteer job. “I hate sitting in meetings and this is a tangible thing I can do,” she explains. Anna, a fit 57, loves the physical aspect of being a driver. She also appreciates helping those in need without having to ask for money. “I just really love doing this,” she adds.\nWith its army of Volunteer drivers, SHA serves as the link between a network of over 60 Food Donors and more than 30 Partner Agencies. SHA is currently looking for driving and non-driving Volunteers. The latter are needed for help with grant writing, marketing/PR, technology, event planning and administration to support our expanding operation.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1428924"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5934538245201111,"wiki_prob":0.4065461754798889,"text":"Podcasts to Listen To: Myths and Legends and the best mythology podcasts to listen to\nTo help understand the world around them, ancient peoples often used sacred tales or fables to explain the numerous aspects of what is known as the human condition. Today, we know these tales and fables as myths. From the harrowing adventures of Odysseus to the travels of Gilgamesh, myths and legends have captivated our imaginations for millennia. Here are a few mythology podcasts to help you discover new myths or get the full story on the most famous myths we all thought we knew.\nFrom the origins of wizards, knights, Vikings, dragons, princesses and kings, host Jason Weiser brings listeners the folklore that has shaped our world. Weiser discusses the most popular stories and dives into their surprising origins along with introducing myths you might not have heard before. Recent episodes include \"Tanuki: Changes,\" \"Trojan War: Horsin’ Around\" and \"Trojan War: When I am Gone.\"\nFind it: https://mythpodcast.com\nLet’s Talk About Myths, Baby!\nExploring Greek and Roman mythology, host Liv Albert doesn’t hold back on any of the details of the antics of Greek and Roman gods. Albert tells the stories of the mythology's treatment of women, what the gods did and how the Greeks and Romans came up with these stories. Recent episodes include \"Liv Reads the Iliad: Book Four,\" \"Mini Myth: The Gigantomachy, it’s a War, with Giants\" and \"Liv Reads the Iliad: Book Three.\"\nFind it: https://mythsbaby.com\nWith an assortment of voice actors and theatre-like production, Mythology brings the drama of ancient myths to life. Each episode presents stories and analyses of each myth’s history and origins. Episodes also offer insight into how our ancestors saw the universe. Recent episodes include \"Crossover Week: Mythical Monsters,\" \"Dangun\" and \"Mahishasur.\"\nFind it: https://parcast.com/mythology\nOur Fake History\nThis podcast dives into the myths we think are history and the history that might be hidden in the myths. Sebastian Major and Beth Lorimer explore the tall-tales and try to figure out what is fact. Major and Lorimer combine storytelling, humor and detective work for both history buffs and those who love a good story. Recent episodes include \"What Should We Believe About Boudica?\" \"Is the Renaissance a Myth?\" and \"What Caused the Black Death?\"\nFind it: https://ourfakehistory.com","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line827427"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8804697394371033,"wiki_prob":0.8804697394371033,"text":"Past Remains\nA view of yesterday from today\nSeaton Junction, Devon\nSeaton Junction is not only the name of the abandoned station and defunct junction, but is also the name of the little community which lives around it. Apart from the station itself, there are two footbridges, an overgrown and abandoned platform on the opposite side of the rails, plus derelict factory and office buildings next door to the station. The station platform footbridge is inaccessible, as is the platform and the inside of the station itself, but the second footbridge can be crossed, which is great for looking down on the one existing line which still runs between Exeter and London and the abandoned platforms, etc. There is a public footpath sign on the station side, but once across the bridge and onto the other side, there's no sign of a footpath...just a plantation of young trees and a tangle of ivy, old man's beard vines and brambles. It does afford an overall view of the bridge however, which cannot be seen from the station side.\nOriginally called Colyton Junction, it was given the name Seaton Junction in 1869, a year after the opening of the Seaton Branch Line. As well as an important part of the holiday traffic for the seaside, the station accommodated Express Dairy Depot next door. A fleet of vans were used to collect the milk from local farms, which was then loaded on to six-wheel tank wagons and sent by rail up to London.\nThe depot was later used by Axminster Engineering & Mouldings Co, but is now left empty and derelict.\nThere are two concrete footbridges. The one above connects to the other side of the platform. The one below leads to the public footpath.\nFrom the second bridge can be seen the station platform, the remains of the opposite platform and what used to be the goods yard.\nMore photos, along with these, can also be seen in the Seaton Junction album in the Gallery.\nCopyright E Wright; 2009-2016","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1169073"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7576072812080383,"wiki_prob":0.7576072812080383,"text":"Songs From an American Movie Vol. Two\nby Shannon Zimmerman December 15th, 2000 August 29th, 2020\nSongs From an American Movie Vol. Two: Good Time for a Bad Attitude\nEverclear frontman Art Alexakis once summed up his band’s sound as “happy melody with a New Wave whine,” copy pithy enough to suggest that he was finally earning his keep as an A&R man for Capitol—or maybe just moonlighting as a music writer in case the rock-star thing didn’t work out. Not to worry. Alexakis is doing just swell in his day job, turning in two solid records in a single year, an early-Ramones-style pace that’s all the more impressive for Alexakis’ status as a card-carrying oldster. For this second set of Songs From an American Movie, the group lays off the “Mr. Big Stuff” and “Those Were the Days” samples of Vol. One: Learning How to Smile and laces the record instead with so much angst and punk-metal wattage that it might as well be called Use Your Confusion Vol. Two. “I will be sitting on top/When it all goes wrong again,” Alexakis chants on the album’s head-banging opener, “When It All Goes Wrong Again.” “We were fading like the bottom of a bad dream” is how he puts it on the equally crunchy “Slide.” But because Alexakis is old enough to know that poetic fatalism will only take you so far, he also throws in some Beatlesesque choruses and plenty of those ringing, Big Country-style guitars that he’s been milking for three albums now—not to mention personal endorsements of professional counseling and a well-reasoned explanation of the parental advisory sticker that appears on the LP’s cover. A savvy and cathartic tour de force, Good Time for a Bad Attitude is strong enough to make you hope the angst-ridden boys in Korn are paying attention. They could use a good male role model. —Shannon Zimmerman","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line50709"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7363387942314148,"wiki_prob":0.2636612057685852,"text":"Let It Go by Naima B Robert & Mufti Menk\nBy Naima B Robert & Mufti Menk, Kube Publishing, hardcover, 32 pages\n'Life isn’t always easy, even when you’re small, You may feel angry, or hurt or sad, We’re only human, after all.' Take off your heavy bag of worries and learn to forgive, move on, and let go.\nWe all have days when things seem to go from bad to worse. Follow one little boy whose frustrating day is making him angrier and angrier and see where it takes him...\nA charming way to introduce children to one of the core character traits in Islam: forgiveness. Inspired by the motivational words of the popular/ well-loved Mufti Menk and crafted by award-winning author Na'ima B. Robert, this story invites children to identify and talk about their feelings and learn how to cope with them.\nNa'ima B Robert is descended from Scottish Highlanders on her father's side and the Zulu people on her mother's side. She was born in Leeds, grew up in Zimbabwe and went to university in London. She has written several multicultural books for children.\nDr Mufti Ismail Menk is a leading global Islamic scholar born and raised in Zimbabwe.\nHe studied Shariah in Madinah and holds a Doctorate of Social Guidance from Aldersgate University.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1421426"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8731940388679504,"wiki_prob":0.8731940388679504,"text":"Wolverine sells some military assets\nWolverine Worldwide has sold its factory in Big Rapids, Michigan and some other assets related to its business with the U.S. Department of Defense to a smaller firm, the Original Footwear Company. Wolverine says the divestiture will improve the future viability of the Big Rapids facility because small businesses like Original Footwear have access to many contracts that are not available to large corporations under U.S. legislation.\nThe terms of the deal have not been disclosed.\nBased in Morriston, Tennessee and born in 1969, Original Footwear is a small firm that has specialized since then in the manufacture of military boots products, and developed the Altama brand. It also makes boots for uniformed safety and service professionals under the SWAT brand name. The company has developed and patented a special technique for molding and attaching a rubber sole to a welted upper.\nUnder the new agreement, Wolverine has also transferred its outstanding contracts with the Department of Defense to Original, with effect from Sept. 29. On the other hand, Original will become a supplier of footwear to Wolverine for certain products currently made at the Big Rapids facility. Wolverine will also retain the Bates brand, continuing to operate the civilian and military exchange businesses under this brand name.\nWolverine had made significant investments in the Big Rapids plant, which is located less than 50 miles away from its head office in Rockford, Michigan. Last year, it spent about $1 million on a 16,000-square-foot expansion of the factory, adding also a new warehouse for incoming raw materials and creating 250 new jobs. The investment reportedly helped the group to honor two big new contracts for the U.S. Marines and the Afghan military.\nThe whole manufacturing facility, which had been originally built in 1964 to make Wolverine and Hush Puppies branded shoes, employs some 600 people and measures a total of 80,000 square meters. In addition to Bates shoes, it has been manufacturing some Hytest and Merrell styles for Wolverine. It was also going to make some Saucony footwear styles.\nTypically, military contracts make for smaller profit margins than consumer-oriented businesses. In a bid to improve its profitability, Wolverine has been cleaning up its product range since its acquisition of Collective Brands in 2012, which turned it into the owner of 16 different footwear brands. The group stopped developing apparel under the Merrell brand. It then sold Robeez, a children's footwear brand last December, and licensed out its much bigger children's brand, Stride Rite. This past summer it divested Sebago, which was in some ways cannibalizing Sperry, a bigger brand of boat shoes in its portfolio.\nObservers are wondering what will be the company's next move on the merger & acquisitions front. The takeover of an outdoor apparel business could help it to develop in expertise that it may be able to apply to Merrell and other brands to create some new and meaningful brand extensions.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line46361"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9144216179847717,"wiki_prob":0.9144216179847717,"text":"Tiger Tales: A Detroit Tigers Blog\nDetroit Stars All Star Team: 1919-1931\nThe Detroit Stars were a charter member of the Negro National League in 1920\n(Photo Credit: MLBemuseum.com)\nOn December 16, Major League Baseball announced that it will now officially recognize seven professional Negro Leagues that operated between 1920-1948 as major leagues. Historians have long considered baseball played in these leagues as comparable in quality to the White major leagues. It is about time that they these leagues get their due recognition.\nIt is of course tragic that the Black leagues were not integrated with the White leagues and shameful it has taken so long for them to be classified as major leagues. Now that it has finally happened though, it is time for more baseball writers and analysts to delve into the records and stories and make the rich history of the Negro Leagues more widely known.\nFor those of us who love statistics, it is important to understand the challenges of analyzing Negro Leagues data. Hall of Fame historian Jay Jaffe discussed these issues in a recent FanGraphs article. I will summarize some of them here:\nNegro Leagues statistics are only about three quarters (73%) complete according to Ben Lindbergh, writer at The Ringer. It varies by era depending on how frequently newspapers printed box scores and accounts. For example, the 1920s era is mostly complete while the 1940s era is only about half complete.\nSeasons prior to 1920 will be excluded. For example, Hall of Fame outfielder Pete Hill played for the Chicago American Giants, one of the greatest Black teams ever, from 1911-1918 but those years will not be counted in official major league statistics. His statistics from 1920-1925 with the Detroit Stars and other teams will count.\nSeasons after 1948 will be excluded. So, seasons for players, such as Hank Aaron and Ernie Banks, playing in the highly competitive Negro American League from 1949-1962 will not be recognized.\nPlayers like Jackie Robinson who played in both the Negro Leagues between 1920-1948 and also the White major leagues will have their official total statistics altered to include their time in the Negro Leagues.\nThe Negro Leagues had shorter seasons - usually somewhere between 50 and 100 games - than the White majors. Teams may have played 100 or more additional games outside of league play often against inferior local teams, but these games will not be counted.\nThe official site for Negro Leagues statistics is Seamheads.com. It is a fun site and you should get to know it.\nMy first dive into the Seamheads database and other more anecdotal sites will involve putting together a Detroit Stars All Star team similar to the decades teams I have been assembling for the Tigers.\nThe Detroit Stars were established as an independent league team in 1919 and became a founding member of the Negro National League in 1920. The Stars played through 1931 when the Negro National League collapsed due to the great depression. A different Negro National League was established in 1933. The Detroit Stars played in the league the first year, but were not very successful and played under 40 games.\nMy All Star team is going to be based on 1919-1931. While 1919 is not officially recognized, they had a strong team in a competitive league that year.\nIn prior posts, I have assembled All Star Teams for the Detroit Tigers by decade:\nThe Stars All Star team will be constructed similarly. I will select nine position players, one for each position on the field plus one other hitter. This ninth player could be a multiple position player who didn't fit neatly into one position and/or the best hitter who didn't get selected as a position player. I refer to this final hitter as the utility player. I will also select five pitchers.\nThe All Star teams are listed in Tables 1 and 2 below. Player profiles follow.\nTable 1: Detroit Stars All Star Position Players: 1919-1931\nEdgar Wesley\nFrank Warfield\nBill Riggins\nWade Johnston\nTurkey Stearnes\nEd Rile\nSource:Seamheads.com\nTable 2: Detroit Stars All Star Pitchers: 1919-1931\nAndy Cooper\nBill Force\nBill Gatewood\nYellow Horse Morris\nC Bruce Petway\nBruce Petway was one of the top catchers in the early days of the Negro Leagues. He was a great receiver with a strong accurate arm and was one of the first catchers to consistently throw to second base without coming out of his squat. Playing in exhibition games in Cuba in 1910, he reportedly threw out Ty Cobb three times in three attempts. Petway was also very fast for a catcher and was a good bunter and base stealer (Negro League Baseball Museum, nlbemuseum.com).\nPetway played for the Stars towards the end of his career starting at age 33 from 1919-1925. He also managed the team from 1922-1925. He batted just .251 with a 69 OPS+, but was known more for his managing and catching at that point in his career. His best offensive years for the Stars were 1921 and 1924. In 1921, he batted .301 with a 105 OPS+ in 249 plate appearances. He batted .326 with a 124 OPS+ in 110 plate appearances in 1924 at age 38.\n1B Edgar Wesley\nEdgar Wesley was a big left-handed slugger and strong defensive first baseman and was considered the best all around player at his position in the early years of the Negro National League. He was also known to be an aggressive base runner. Indianapolis catcher Larry Brown recalled Wesley barreling into home plate so hard that he cut his chest protector: \"My mask went one direction, my glove went the other and the ball went up to the stands\" (Richard Bak, Turkey Stearnes and the Detroit Stars).\nIn eight years with the Stars, Wesley hit .322 with a 144 OPS+. He led the league with 11 home runs in 1920, but his best was yet to come. He had a monster year in 1925 leading the league in batting (.404), slugging percentage (.715) and OPS+ (202). He also hit 17 home runs in 264 plate appearances which was second to his legendary teammate Turkey Stearnes (19).\n2B Frank Warfield\nFrank Warfield was an elite defender who had good speed, reactions and a strong arm. He also had a unique underhanded snap throw to first base which helped him in turning double plays. He had little power, but was a slap hitter who could draw walks and was an excellent base runner.\nThe five-foot-seven-inch 160-pound infielder was an intense competitor on and off the field. While he was a smart player, he was very sarcastic and caustic with teammates and opponents and he carried a knife. He was unpopular enough that he earned the nickname \"weasel\". He once got into a violent fight in Cuba with teammate Oliver Marcelle and bit off part of Marcelle's nose. All of this was the result of a dice game and $5 which Marcelle owed Warfield (Negro League Baseball Museum, nlbemuseum.com).\nThe Weasel batted mostly leadoff for the Stars between 1919-1922 hitting .278 with a .347 on base percentage and 96 OPS+. He was remarkably consistent with OPS+ of 98, 96, 99 and 93 over the four years. In 1921, he finished second in the league in walks (43) and seventh in runs scored (72).\nSS Bill Riggins\nThere is some confusion about Riggins' real name. It appears that he was named Arvell at birth, but it's often spelled Orville (Agatetype.typepad.com). During his playing career, he went by the name Bill or \"Mule\". Before his playing career, he worked in the coal mines of Southern Illinois. Mule was a heavy drinker, but it didn't seem to affect his playing skills. He was an excellent fielder and baserunner and Bill James ranked him the fifth best shortstop in Negro League history (The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract)\nRiggins played with the Stars from 1920-1926 batting .285 with a 94 OPS+ in 541 games. In 1926, the switch-hitting shortstop batted .300, finished second in the league in stolen bases (25) and fifth in runs scored (80). He also finished second in steals in 1925 with 26. In both cases, the league leader was Cool Papa Bell, the fastest runner in Negro League history.\n3B Claude Johnson\nClaude Cecil Johnson started out as a second baseman with the Cleveland Stars in 1921 and also managed the team in 1923. Hooks joined the Detroit Stars 1n 1927 and played mostly third base. His best season was in 1928 when he batted .333 with a 123 OPS+ in 75 games. He finished seventh in on base percentage that year (.421).\nLF Wade Johnston\nLike Claude Johnson above, William Wade Johnston started out with the Cleveland Stars in 1921. He joined the Detroit Stars in 1928 and became their starting left fielder for four years batting .310 with a .391 on base percentage. He was small at five-foot-seven-inches tall and 142 pounds, but he had good power, In 1929, he finished third in the league in homeruns (16) and sixth in OPS+ (164). He apparently had some patience as he led the league with 35 walks in just 200 plate appearances in 1931.\nCF Turkey Stearnes\nNorman Thomas Turkey Stearnes was the top player in Detroit Stars history and one of the best in Negro Leagues history. He was inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame in 2000.\nStearnes was quiet and unassuming off the field, but he was a dynamic player on the field. The legendary Satchell Paige once said that Stearnes \"was one of the greatest hitters we ever had. He was as good as Josh (Gibson). He was as good as anybody who ever played\" (BaseballHall.org).\nIf Turkey played today, he would be described as a five-tool player. Cool Papa Bell said \"that man could hit the ball as far as anybody and he was one of our best all around players. He could field, he could hit, he could run. He had plenty of power. (BaseballHall.org).\nThe left-handed hitting outfielder batted .348 with a 173 OPS+ in 1,049 games lifetime. His 197 home runs was the third most behind Gibson (238) and Oscar Charleston (211) in recorded Negro League history.\nIn nine years with the Stars, Stearnes lead the league in homeruns four times and in OPS+ twice. He finished in the top ten in OPS+ every year and the top five seven times.\nRF Pete Hill\nPete Hill played most of his career in the pre-Negro League era prior to 1920. His organized baseball years ran from 1899 to 1925 and he was one of the pioneers of Negro League Baseball. He was the captain of Rube Foster's Chicago American Giants from 1911-1918, the most dominant African American team of the time. Foster created the Detroit Stars in 1919 and named Hill the manager. Foster then organized the Negro National League in 1920 and the Stars were one of the original franchises.\nNegro League statistics were not accurately kept or well published and statistics for Black baseball prior to 1920 were even worse, but Hill was considered an excellent fielder with a cannon arm and great glove. Offensively, he was a line drive hitter and a speedy base runner. Prominent baseball historian and author of Biographical Encyclopedia of Negro Baseball James Riley said that he would include Ty Cobb, Tris Speaker and Pete Hill in his pre-1920 era all star outfield.\nHill's days with the Detroit Stars did not come until he was 36 years of age in 1919. He was a player manager from 1919-1921 and he could still hit. He put up Ruthian numbers in 1919 batting .396 with 16 home runs and a 273 OPS+ in 165 plate appearances. He followed that up with OPS+ of 139 and 153 in 1920 and 1921 respectively. Hill was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006.\nUT Ed Rile\nEdward \"Huck\" Rile was a two-way player (first baseman and pitcher) who played for 11 teams over 14 seasons. At six-feet-six-inches and 230 pounds, Rile was one of the biggest players in Negro Leagues history. Huck excelled on both sides of the ball with a lifetime OPS+ of 122 and ERA+ of 110.\nThe switch hitting Rile had a fantastic season as both a batter and pitcher for Detroit in 1927. At the plate, he hit .389 with a .660 slugging average and finished second in the league with a 188 OPS+ in 297 plate appearances. From the mound, he was second in the league with a 157 ERA+ in 141 innings. He didn't pitch a lot in 1928, but continued to excel offensively batting .348 with a 147 OPS+.\nSP Andy Cooper\nAndrew Lewis Cooper was a left-handed pitcher who worked for 19 years mostly with the Stars and Kansas City Monarchs. Sturdily built at six-foot-two-inches and 220 pounds, Cooper was a durable and steady performer. He went into the baseball Hall of Fame in 2006 (BaseballHall.org).\nAccording to Russ J. Cowans in 1941 in The Chicago Defender (one of the leading African American newspapers of the day) \"Andy never possessed the fine assortment of curves held in the supple arms of other pitchers. However, he did have what so many pitchers lack - sterling control. Cooper could almost put the ball any place he wanted it to go. In addition, Cooper had a keen knowledge of batters. He knew the weakness of every batter in the league and would pitch to that weakness when he was on the mound.\"\nCooper's best season in Detroit was 1925 when he went 12-2 and was second in the league with a 2.88 ERA in 147 innings. He had five other seasons of 120 ERA+ or better with the stars.\nSP Bill Holland\nElvis William Holland started 226 games in the official 1920-1948 window which is more than any other Negro Leagues pitcher. His 1,920 innings pitched total was second to Bill Foster (2,005) and his 1,085 strikeouts was third among Negro Leagues pitchers.\nThe Right-handed Holland had a wide array of pitches but was most known for his fastball which is probably the reason for one of his nicknames (\"Speed\"). He also had a competitive streak and fiery disposition resulting in his being dubbed \"Devil\".\nHolland's best year in Detroit was 1922 when he was third in ERA+ (153) and second in strikeouts (115) in 191 innings. In 1921, he lead the circuit with 140 strikeouts in 218 innings pitched.\nSP Bill Force\nWilliam \"Buddie\" Force was a left-handed pitcher for the Stars, Baltimore Black Sox and Brooklyn Royal Giants over a ten year career. In 1922 with Detroit he finished second in the league in strikeouts (120) and posted a 120 ERA+ in 176 innings pitched. He had a similar year in 1923 finishing third in strikeouts (92) and registering a 119 ERA+ in 195 innings.\nBuddie pitched a no hitter versus the St. Louis Stars on June 27, 1922 (Detroit Free Press, June 28, 1922).\nSP Yellow Horse Morris\nJohn Harold Goodwin Morris had a relatively brief Negro Leagues career pitching six seasons from 1924-1930 with the Stars, Kansas City Monarchs and Chicago American Giants. After his career, he played briefly for one of the famous House of David barnstorming teams.\nThe House of David was a religious cult that banned alcohol, sex and shaving, but they loved baseball. They established teams which toured or barnstormed the country playing amateur, semi-pro and eventually professional teams. They often included well known major leaguers or ex-major leaguers such as Mordecai Brown and Pete (Grover Cleveland) Alexander. Players grew beards and long hair or had fake beards and hair. Much like the Harlem Globe Trotters, they entertained fans with trick plays such as hiding the ball in their beards.\nThe original House of David team was a White team which often played some of the best Negro Leagues teams. It was the first time in many towns especially those in rural areas where fans saw Blacks and Whites on the same field. Later, there were Black teams such as the Van Dyke colored House of David in Sioux City Iowa for which Morris played (Ryan Whirty, Des Moines Register, April 4, 2015).\nMorris pitched three seasons in Detroit posting a 102 ERA+ in 417 innings. His best season was 1927 when he had a record of 14-8 with a 3.16 ERA (120 ERA+) in 185 innings.\nSP Bill Gatewood\nAccording to Bill Johnson at SABR.org, Bill Gatewood was known for three things:\nHe gave Cool Papa Bell his nickname.\nHe taught Satchell Paige his notorious hesitation pitch.\nOn June 6, 1921 against the Cincinnati Cuban Stars, he pitched the first no hitter in Negro National League history. He later pitched a second no hitter.\nMorris pitched only two years in Detroit but they were dominant seasons. In 1920, he had a 15-5 win/loss record and 138 ERA+ in 159 innings. The following year in 1921, he posted a 134 ERA+ in 124 innings.\nPosted by Lee Panas at 12/29/2020\nTigers Blogs\nBless You Boys\nChat Sports - Tigers\nDetroit Tigers Weblog\nMotor City Bengals\nMotown Sports (forum)\nNew English D\nRoar of the Tigers\nBatter Strikeout Blog\nBeyond the Boxscore\nFan Graphs\nSabermetrics Library\nTangotiger\nTexas Leaguers\nThe Book Blog\nWalk Like a Saber\nTigers All Stars: 1950-1959\nTigers All Stars: 1940 - 1949\namateur draft (1)\nBase Running (21)\nbaserunning (3)\nbatters (6)\nBatting (83)\nbeyond batting average (8)\nBrian Bluhm (3)\nconsistency (2)\nfantasy baseball (3)\nFidrych Diary (8)\nFielding (99)\nFielding Glossary (7)\ngame recaps (41)\ngame recap (5)\nGame Recaps (285)\nHistory - 20 seasons (20)\nhitting (10)\nInjuries (38)\nline-ups (18)\nopening day (6)\nPitching staff (11)\npostseason 2011 (10)\nProspects (66)\nrelievers (5)\nroster management (26)\nRuns Assisted (3)\nsabermetrics (44)\nsabermetrics primers (8)\nseries recap (13)\nspring training (77)\nStat Summaries (18)\ntranactions (11)\ntransactions (163)\nwalk offs (3)\nWeekly summary (5)\nBaseball Prospect Nation\nSickels’ Blog\nTigers Minors\nTigs Town\nTigers News\nBeck's Blog\nMLB Detroit Tigers\nMLive News\nDRays Bay\nRLYW (Yankees)\nTwinkie Town (Twins)\nPhillies Flow\nViva El Birdos (Cardinals)\nRedleg Nation (Reds)\nOn Baseball & The Reds\nBrew Crew Ball\nDucksnorts (Padres)\nDetroit Tigers in Sports Betting History\nMy Sabermetrics Book\nOne of Baseball America's top ten books of 2010\nOther Sabermetrics Books\nThis template made by and copyright cmbs.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1569571"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5971691012382507,"wiki_prob":0.5971691012382507,"text":"Place Announcement\nMEMORIAL WEBSITE\nNewspaper admin\nMemorial website admin\nChipman Funeral Home Ltd\nMILLS, JOHN\nJohn Joseph Mills passed away at the Veterans Health Unit, Fredericton on Tuesday, April 19th, 2016. John was born in Windsor, England on May 22nd, 1922, son of the late Albert (Amelia Parker) Mills. He emigrated to Canada with his parents at age five, to live in Saint John and later Salmon Creek NB.\nJohn was predeceased by his wife Edith Sylvia (Hornbrook) Mills, on 6th January, 2016 and by his brother Anthony G. (Pauline) Mills some five years ago.\nHe is survived by his nephews and nieces, George Mills (Linda), Mary Cunningham (Michael), Anne Caldwell (David), Rob Mills (Shelley), Barbara Hale (Roger, deceased), Eileen Jordan [Dalton], and their families. He also leaves his very special friends, Nick and Elena Nechita.\nJohn graduated from Chipman High School in 1939, and in 1940, at the age of eighteen, joined the RCAF. He became a wireless/ air gunner and was assigned to air protection of convoys on the North Atlantic. In the spring of 1942, his unit was sent to the Aleutians where he flew protection runs for allied shipping. In 1943 he was assigned to the RAF and sent to Burma, where his wing ferried supplies to the 14th Army. He ended the war as a Warrant Officer, First Class, and was awarded the Pacific Star.\nIn 1947, he married his high school sweetheart, Edith Hornbrook and lived in Chipman for the rest of his life. For the first years after the war he owned and drove a truck, then found work at the Grand Lake Power Plant in Newcastle Creek. Here he rose to the position of Shift Supervisor, and ended his career as a Training Instructor with the NBEPC, in 1978.\nHis retirement was long and happy involving travels with Edith to every Canadian Province and forty-nine American States. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion and Chipman United Church.\n“The family would like to thank the many kind nurses and staff at the Veterans’ Health Unit for the excellent care John received over the last two and a half years.\nThank you also to Bonnie Hasson who made sure Edith was able to visit John at least three times a week, and was a good friend to them both.”\nInterment for John and Edith will be at the Red Bank United Church Cemetery later in the spring. By his previous request, there will be no funeral service or visitation.\nDonations in his memory can be made to the Fredericton SPCA (459-1555) or www.frederictonspca.ca.\nArrangements are in the compassionate care of Chipman Funeral Home and Crematorium (339-6612). Memories may be shared through www.chipmanfuneralhome.ca.\nFuneral home(s)\nANNOUNCEMENT PUBLISHED IN\nSee all organisations\nCreate a memorial website\nAbout InMemoriam.ca\nPlace a Card of Thanks\nPlace a Prayer\nPlace a Memoriam\nRecent Candles\nPrayers and Memoriams\nRecent Condolences\nA iciMedias site,\nLocal Solutions\nAll rights reserved. iciMedias © 2021","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line830633"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9827971458435059,"wiki_prob":0.9827971458435059,"text":"Corus fires AM640 late-night host, citing complaints of anti-Semitic content\nBy Bruce DeMaraEntertainment Reporter\nWed., Nov. 29, 2017timer1 min. read\nCiting complaints of anti-Semitic content on a Nov. 11 episode, Corus Entertainment has fired veteran broadcaster Gary Bell, ending his weekly Saturday night radio show on AM640.\n“I can confirm that Mr. Bell has been terminated from his employment with AM640 and Corus Entertainment,” said company spokesperson Rishma Govani.\n“We sincerely apologize to our listeners and anyone else who was offended by Mr. Bell’s egregious comments. Corus Radio recognizes that our broadcast licences are a privilege. Therefore we are taking strong and immediate steps to ensure such an incident at is never repeated,” Govani added.\nThe show, entitled A View From Space, featured commentary from Bell, a.k.a. Spaceman, on conspiracy theories. The show ran from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. during the NHL season and from 8 p.m. to midnight in the off-season; a digital archive of episodes online stretches back to 2004.\nBell, who has appeared on radio in a variety of programs since the 1970s, could not be reached for comment. An online petition to restore his show had 85 signatures as of Wednesday morning.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line998977"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5437340140342712,"wiki_prob":0.5437340140342712,"text":"Home › Uncategorized › How hate crime affects a whole community\nHow hate crime affects a whole community\nPosted on January 22, 2018 by Maria Balboa Carbon — 3 Comments ↓\nThis article was originally published by the BBC on 12th January 2018.\nThousands of people are physically and sometimes brutally attacked each year in hate crimes. Such offences not only affect the victims, but also the thoughts and behaviour of others.\nWithin 24 hours of the massacre of 49 people at a gay nightclub in Orlando, protests and vigils were joined by thousands in London, Sydney, Hong Kong, Bangkok and many other cities around the world. Although a particularly stark example, the response shows how the effects of hate crime are not limited to the immediate victims: they also affect others who learn of such events.\nProf Rupert Brown presenting at the Sussex Hate Crime Project launch.\nOver the past five years, the Hate Crime Project at the University of Sussex has investigated these wider impacts of hate crime, looking at how simply knowing a victim, or even hearing about an incident, can have significant consequences. Many such attacks take place: in England and Wales, for example, the number of hate crimes recorded by police has increased sharply, rising 29%, to more than 80,000, in 2016-17. Race hate crimes were most common, but victims might also be targeted because of their sexual orientation, religion, disability, or because they are transgender.\nThe University of Sussex project used studies, experiments and interviews with a total of more than 1,000 Muslim and 2,000 LGBT people in the UK to investigate the indirect effects of such crimes. It found that four out of five participants knew someone who had been victimised in the past three years, with about half knowing someone who had been physically assaulted. As a result of hearing about hate crime in their community, the most common responses were anger, anxiety and feelings of vulnerability.\nThese emotional reactions had a significant impact on both LGBT and Muslim participants’ feelings of safety. Many said they took steps to increase their own security and avoided parts of their neighbourhood where they thought an attack was likely. Others joined community support groups. One Muslim woman described how she had responded to reports of Islamophobic hate crimes, including the murder of 82-year-old Mohammed Saleem, who was stabbed as he walked home from a mosque in Birmingham. “I do feel vulnerable… and it does affect my behaviour,” she said. “I become more fearful and avoid going to certain places that I feel might be a risk to my safety. And especially within certain times, I would avoid walking within those areas.”\nOne reason for these indirect effects is that people feel more empathy for victims who come from their own community. When they learned about a fellow Muslim, or LGBT person, being abused because of their identity, they put themselves in the victims’ shoes and felt something of what they must have felt during the attack. This made them feel angry on the victims’ behalf, but also threatened and fearful that they could also become a victim. These feelings can lead people to change their behaviour – for example, using social media to raise awareness of such attacks – with the effects lasting three months or longer in many cases.\nDr Jenny Paterson at the SHCP launch on 12th January 2018\nThe University of Sussex research demonstrated these effects through experiments in which participants read newspaper articles about someone being attacked. All the articles were identical, except that some described the attacks as anti-LGBT or Islamophobic hate crimes, while the others portrayed the attacks as random, with no mention of hate as the motivation. Those who read about hate crimes reported more empathy for the victim which, in turn, made them more likely to express feelings of anger or anxiety than those who read about the non-hate crimes. The strength of their responses suggest that hate crimes can have a greater impact on the victims and those in the wider community than otherwise comparable attacks which are not motivated by hate.\nAmong the Muslim and LGBT people who took part in the study, simply knowing someone who had been a victim of a hate crime was linked to them having less positive attitudes towards the police, the Crown Prosecution Service and the government. They were also more likely to support laws designed to enhance the penalties for hate crime and different methods of policing – for example, special procedures for dealing with victims and more police in the community. Most had not had any contact with the police about a hate crime, but members of the Muslim group who had been in touch with them were less likely to believe that they would respond effectively than those who had not had contact. During one interview, a Muslim man said: “For me it seems that a lot of the police force come from a certain background, and sometimes that’s why I think they won’t take it [Islamophobic hate crime] seriously.”\nDr Mark Walters from the School of Law presenting at the SHCP launch\nAttitudes towards different forms of justice used to deal with those responsible for hate crime were also investigated. More than six out of 10 Muslim and LGBT people who took part in the study said that instead of an enhanced prison sentence, they preferred restorative justice – in which victims meet or communicate with the perpetrators in order to explain the impact of their crime and agree a form of reparation. This, they believed, was more likely to be an effective way to repair the harm caused by hate and prejudice. One LGBT person said: “I’m not sure that just sending somebody to prison… is going to change somebody’s attitude… Whereas [restorative justice is] a much better route to be able to understand the impact that their behaviour has had on somebody.”\nThe question for police and politicians now is what they can do to reduce the impact of hate crimes. One step might be to investigate measures – like restorative justice – that aim to address the harm to both the victim and community. Another might be to ensure greater use of community impact statements in criminal trials. With tens of thousands of people affected each year, there are many in the Muslim and LGBT communities, and other parts of society, who will be keen to know the answer.\nThis analysis piece was commissioned by the BBC and edited by Duncan Walker.\nProf Rupert Brown, Prof Mark Walters and Dr Jenny Paterson are at the University of Sussex and are members of the Sussex Hate Crime Project, which was funded by the Leverhulme Trust.\nThe project recruited more than 2,000 LGBT and 1,000 Muslim people from a wide number of sources, including specific community groups and charities -for example, Stonewall, GALOP, the Muslim Council of Britain and LGBT and Muslim university groups.\nFind out more about our research on Social and Applied Psychology.\n‹ Statement for Excellence in Research Degrees\nMeet your PGR Student Reps (2017-2018) ›\n3 comments on “How hate crime affects a whole community”\nLisa Rea, President says:\nRestorative Justice International (RJI) is very interested in the subject of hate crime and restorative justice. We are in strong support of this approach for victims of hate crimes. We are currently planning a series of podcasts on this subject. Let us know if someone with this project might be interested in being a guest on such a podcast. Glad to see your important work launched.\nIf RJI can work with you in any way let us know.\nStonebridge says:\nHate crime targets anyone that might be different to an individual’s or a group’s expectations of society. This is a broad statement, but because of it, it affects communities at a much larger scale. It raises questions like: “I’m not a part of this group, should I be scared as I walk down the street? Should I wear something else? Should I not live in this part of town?”.\nIn turn, these concerns affect the actions of those “different” individuals and the very fabric of the community they would be a part of, or not. As a result, today entire city areas, for example, are secluded, poor, with a high level of crime, and completely inaccessible to those perceived as different.\nVery nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. After all I抣l be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again very soon!","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line469160"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5782349705696106,"wiki_prob":0.5782349705696106,"text":"Wage Differential Award Must Be Considered\nby Peter D. Corti | Jul 27, 2015 | Case Law News, Illinois Workers' Comp Info\nWhen an injured employee’s work-related accident results in a permanent disability, the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act allows various options in terms of the benefits available. Depending on the severity of the injury and the consequences thereof, both physical and financial, the worker could be compensated based on loss of the person as a whole, wage loss, or even permanent and total disability. The recent case of Lenhart v. Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, 2015 IL (3d) 130743WC, offers an interesting discussion of the alternative forms of permanent disability.\nIn Lenhart, there was no dispute that the employee had sustained a work injury and that as a result, he could no longer physically perform his pre-injury job as a dockworker/truck driver; he had undergone multiple back surgeries and the employer’s hired expert concluded that he was permanently restricted to lifting no more than 25 pounds. The main dispute between the parties involved the extent of the worker’s permanent disability: the employee argued that he was permanently and totally disabled; the employer argued that the injured worker had exaggerated his physical disability as well as manipulated and misled his treating physicians and therefore was not entitled to permanent total disability. In support of its position, the employer presented extensive video surveillance of the employee engaged in numerous activities which were beyond his proclaimed physical limitations.\nThe matter was brought before the arbitrator, who found that the injured worker had met his burden of proving that he was entitled to permanent total disability benefits under the odd-lot theory. The employer filed a review with the Commission, requesting that they reverse the arbitrator’s permanent total award and instead find the injured worker entitled to wage differential benefits. Wage differential benefits are awarded when an injured worker is partially incapacitated from pursuing her or his usual and customary line of employment and has an impairment in the wages she or he earns or is able to earn. Upon review of the evidence, the Commission unanimously agreed that the employee failed to prove entitlement to permanent total disability benefits; instead of awarding a wage differential, however, the Commission awarded a 75% loss of the person as a whole.\nThe injured worker appealed the Commission’s decision to the circuit court and then the appellate court. While the Third District Appellate Court determined there was more than ample support for the Commission’s adverse credibility determinations with regard to the employee and subsequent finding that he had failed to establish permanent total disability, the court took issue with the Commission’s refusal to consider a wage differential award. Emphasizing the long-standing preference for wage differential awards, as they are easier to calculate than attempting to assign a percentage loss, the Lenhart court found that the Commission erred in not contemplating whether the injured employee had proven entitlement to a wage differential:\nIn the present case, the employer stipulated that the claimant could no longer meet the physical demands of his usual and customary line of employment as a dockworker/truck driver. Also, the employer’s medical expert, Dr. Espinosa, opined that the claimant could return to work with a 25-pound lifting restriction at the light end of the light-medium demand level, and the Commission found Dr. Espinosa’s opinion to be credible. Therefore, the record conclusively establishes the first requirement for a wage differential award.\nWith respect to the second requirement, reduced earning capacity, the employer’s vocational rehabilitation experts, Steffan and Bigelow, opined that there was a readily available and stable labor market in which the claimant could obtain positions earning between $10 and $15 per hour.\nThe evidence in the record, therefore, supports a finding that the claimant was entitled to a wage differential award, i.e., that he suffered a partial incapacity which prevents him from pursuing his usual and customary line of employment and that he has an impairment in earnings. The Commission, however, did not consider a wage differential award under section 8(d)(1), but instead awarded PPD benefits under section 8(d)(2). Lenhart, 2015 IL App (3d) 130743WC, ¶46-48.\nThe court vacated the Commission’s permanency determination and remanded it back for consideration of whether the employee was entitled to a wage differential; if the Commission finds that the injured worker is entitled to wage differential benefits, those should be awarded; if the Commission should find that the employee is not so entitled, the 75% loss of the person as a whole is to be reinstated.\nAppellate Court, Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, Odd-Lot Theory, Permanent Partial Disability (PPD), Vocational Rehabilitation, Wage Differential","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line853695"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7373485565185547,"wiki_prob":0.7373485565185547,"text":"Pacifastacus\nRob Jordan / 2020VISION / View of the River Till, part of area where The Tweed Foundation are monitoring the population and spread of Signal Crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus), Northumberland, England, UK, October\nRob Jordan / 2020VISION / Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) in a defensive posture after being caught by The Tweed Foundation monitoring the species population and spread on the River Till, Northumberland, England, UK...\nPaul Hobson / Signal Crayfish {Pacifastacus leniusculus} Leicestershire, UK\nMichel Roggo / Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) Europe, introduced from North America\nAndy Sands / Signal Crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) defence posture in chalk stream, Hertfordshire, UK\nMichel Roggo / Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus), fighting for burrow built in the soft limestone lake bed, Lake Neuchatel, Switzerland, October. Photographed for The Freshwater Project.\nMichel Roggo / Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus), Lake of Neuchatel, Switzerland, October. Photographed for The Freshwater Project.\nMichel Roggo / Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus), fighting over burrow dug in soft limestone ground. Lake Neuchatel, close to Boudry, Canton of Neuchatel, Switzerland. October. Photographed for The Freshwat...\nMichel Roggo / Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus), a North American species of crayfish, introduced to Europe in the 1960s. Lake Neuchatel, close to Boudry, Canton of Neuchatel, Switzerland. October. Photo...\nCyril Ruoso / Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus), non-native invasive species. On riverbed in woodland. La Cure river, Morvan, Bourgogne-Franche-Comte, France. May.\nCyril Ruoso / Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus), non-native invasive species, on riverbed. La Cure river, Morvan, Bourgogne-Franche-Comte, France. May.\nCyril Ruoso / Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus), non-native invasive species, on riverbed in woodland. La Cure river, Morvan, Bourgogne-Franche-Comte, France. May.\nPaul Hobson / Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) on river bed near bridge, split level image. River Rivelin, Sheffield, England, UK. September 2018.\nPaul Hobson / Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) displaying aggression with claws up, split level. River Don, Sheffield, England, UK. September 2018.\nPaul Hobson / Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) displaying aggression with claws up. River Don, Sheffield, England, UK. September 2018.\nNick Upton / White-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) collected from a well-stocked stream being released at an ARK site stream, safe from Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) and Crayfish plague, E...\nNick Upton / Alan Sumnall of GWT releasing White-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) collected from a well stocked location at at an ARK site stream, safe from Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) an...\nNick Upton / John Field placing White-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) in an inspection tray for sexing and health checks ahead of translocation to an ARK site, safe from Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus l...\nNick Upton / GWT team placing White-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) collected from a well-stocked stream in buckets for release at an ARK site, safe from Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) and...\nNick Upton / John Field and a GWT volunteer inspecting White-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) caught in a well-stocked stream to check their size, sex and health ahead of translocation to an ARK site, s...\nNick Upton / White-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) collected from a well-stocked stream in a bucket ready for release at an ARK site, safe from Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) and Crayfish p...\nNick Upton / Emma Settle of GWT disinfecting her boots before helping to release White-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) at an ARK site, safe from Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) and Crayfish...\nNick Upton / White-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) found in shallow stream by GWT team for translocation to an ARK site, safe from Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) and Crayfish plague, Englan...\nNick Upton / Large White-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) caught in a well stocked stream ahead of translocation to an ARK site, safe from Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) and Crayfish plague,...\nNick Upton / Very small White-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) beside a much larger one caught in a well stocked stream, with the smaller one not large enough for translocation to an ARK site, safe from...\nNick Upton / Large male White-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) with claspers visible under the tail, caught in a well stocked stream ahead of translocation to an ARK site, safe from Signal crayfish (Pac...\nNick Upton / GWT team processing White-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) in a well-stocked stream to check their size, sex and health ahead of translocation to an ARK site, safe from Signal crayfish (Pac...\nNick Upton / Richard Spyvee lifting a baited trap set for White-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) under license in a well stocked stream for translocation of healthy Crayfish to an ARK site, safe from Si...\nNick Upton / Richard Spyvee inspects a baited trap that has caught many White-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) under license in a well stocked stream for translocation of healthy Crayfish to an ARK site...\nWill Watson / Scientist measuring a crayfish head and thorax of a non-native Signal Crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus), River Lugg SSSI, north Herefordshire, England, UK, August.\nWill Watson / Scientist castrating Signal Crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) during a control programme, River Lugg, SSSI, Herefordshire, England, UK, August 2017.\nRemi Masson / Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) in a river. Haute-Savoie, Alps, France, October.\nRemi Masson / Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) in a river. Alps, Haute-Savoie, France. October. Invasive species.\nStephen Dalton / Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) seeking new habitat walking across land. Claws raised in defense, Rookery Wood, Sussex, England, UK. August.\nMYN / Dirk Funhoff / Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) waving claw, Idar-Oberstein, Hunsruck, Germany, January. Meetyourneighbours.net project\nMYN / Dirk Funhoff / Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) Idar-Oberstein, Hunsruck, Germany, January. Meetyourneighbours.net project\nMYN / Dirk Funhoff / Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) claw, Idar-Oberstein, Hunsruck, Germany, January. Meetyourneighbours.net project\nVisuals Unlimited / Signal Crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) a species that has been introduced from the USA into Europe and Japan, seen here feeding on a fish.\nVisuals Unlimited / Signal Crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) a species that has been introduced from the USA into Europe and Japan\nVisuals Unlimited / Signal Crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus), a species that has been introduced from the USA into Europe and Japan, captive\nVisuals Unlimited / Signal Crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus), a species that has been introduced from the USA into Europe and Japan\nAlex Hyde / Signal Crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus), a species introduced to the UK from North America. They are far larger and more aggressive than the native species, and can easily out-compete them. Photog...\nLinda Pitkin / 2020VISION / Signal Crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) on lake bottom, Wraysbury Lake, Middlesex, England, May\nRob Jordan / 2020VISION / Signal Crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) placed on a population spread monitoring map, River Till, Northumberland, England, UK, October","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line751269"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5221416354179382,"wiki_prob":0.47785836458206177,"text":"Aston Martin Vantage AMR coming with manual transmission\nBrett Davis\t Apr 30, 2019\nAston Martin, Car News\nYep, Aston Martin is kicking on with the manual transmission, releasing this teaser image ahead of the new option that will soon be available in the form of the Vantage AMR.\nThe teaser image is pretty blunt but also very clear. It simply shows three pedals in the traditional format, with a large accelerator pedal and two smaller pedals for the brake and clutch. This, of course, means the car has a manual transmission.\nAston Martin used Twitter to send out the teaser and incorporated the hashtag #VantageAMR. The AMR badge is currently applied to the DB11, and is the flagship variant of that car featuring enhanced aero treatment, exclusive trimmings, and increased engine power for its V12.\nWe’re guessing the same philosophy will be applied to the Vantage AMR. At the moment the Vantage comes with a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 producing 375kW and 685Nm. These outputs could easily be boosted. Boosted up to 450kW, in fact. As you may know the current Vantage engine is a Mercedes-AMG unit which is featured in cars ranging from the C 63 AMG S (375kW), and up to the new AMG GT 63 S 4-Door (470kW).\nThere is also the chance Aston Martin will revive the Vantage V12 layout. After all, the previous model generation was available with a V12 and a manual transmission. However, it used the old 5.9-litre naturally aspirated V12 that produced 421kW. Nowadays, Aston has a 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 that develops up to 470kW.\nWith a manual transmission, even with 375kW, it should be a very exciting vehicle to drive. We’re not sure about 470kW, though. That might be a bit tricky to get off the line in a rush. But either way it will no doubt come in as the new flagship Vantage.\nWe won’t have to wait long to know all of the details. Aston Martin says the new model is “coming soon.”\nAston Martin Vantage, Aston Martin Vantage AMR\nMercedes-Benz to increase Aston Martin stake to 20% October 28, 2020\n2020 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster revealed February 12, 2020\n2020 Aston Martin DB11 Shadow Edition announced March 13, 2020\nAston Martin DBX shows off 'Q by Aston Martin' options February 26, 2020","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line324954"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9771608114242554,"wiki_prob":0.9771608114242554,"text":"Home » Miami Hurricanes win ACC Indoor Track and Field Championship\nCross Country/Track and Field, Sports\nMiami Hurricanes win ACC Indoor Track and Field Championship\nThe No. 15 University of Miami women’s team successfully defended its ACC Indoor Track and Field Championships title, winning its fourth in program history. The Hurricanes, led by senior sprinter Shakima Wimbley, put on a show at Loftus Sports Center at the University of Notre Dame in a repeat-championship performance.\nThe Canes, earning 113 points for the team, finished well ahead of the rest of the field to get the win. The Clemson Tigers were 15 points behind, taking second place.\n“We came here to beat everybody to win the conference,” sophomore Michelle Athlerley said before the meet.\nThe pentathlete won the first individual ACC Indoor title of the meet for Miami. With a personal-best 800m time and the fourth-best high jump in school history, Athlerley earned 4,281 points to set a new school record and ACC Championship record in the women’s pentathlon.\n“We put so much effort into our fall training to make sure that we come to this competition and we win,” she said.\nCoach Amy Deem now has the most ACC Indoor titles by an active coach. She led the Hurricanes to all four championships in program history.\n“I’m just excited for the team,” Deem told HurricaneSports.com. “I don’t really think about stuff like that, but it’s awesome. I hope it’s an inspiration for the young females out there. It’s tough to be a coach, whether you’re a man or a woman, but hopefully it gives inspiration to women that want to be head coaches.”\nWimbley, who is a seven-time ACC Performer of the Week, defended her title as Women’s MVP for the event.\nWith a record-setting win in the women’s 200m, she is the first woman in ACC history to win four consecutive titles in one event. After breaking her own championship record from 2015 in the semifinals, she would top it again in the finals. Not only was the time of 22.83 seconds a personal best for Wimbley, but it is also the third-best time in school history.\nSuccess continued for the decorated senior in the women’s 400m. Wimbley’s time of 51.20 seconds is a conference record, conference-championship record, school record and the best time in the NCAA this year.\nBrittny Ellis won second place in the women’s 400m with a time of 52.19 seconds. Syracuse sprinter Kadejhia Sellers upset Miami’s clean sweep by edging Aiyanna Stiverne for third place. Stiverne and Wimbley would join sophomores Anna Runia and Erin Ford to win the women’s 4x400m relay with a time of 3:34.77.\n“I am so proud of my teammates, but I am not surprised to see them do that because they train like beasts with me,” Wimbley told HurricaneSports.com. “They’re always alongside me in practice, and I was just waiting for that moment where they would have that breakthrough.”\nSenior Ebony Morrison tied her personal best to win the women’s 60m hurdles in 8.12 seconds. Morrison told HurricaneSports.com that she’s never been on such a stellar team and, in spite of struggling with the loss of her mother, she focused on what’s important to win an individual title and help win the team title.\n“Ebony and Shakima have done so much,” Deem told HurricaneSports.com. “They set the bar high for our underclassmen as two of our seniors. For the young kids to see our seniors continue to work hard and have great things come to them sets a great example for the next group.”\nHurricane athletes finishing in the top 16 in respective events will advance to the NCAA Indoor Championships at Texas A&M. The competition begins on March 10.\nChloe Harrison\nFlume impresses with sound design, beats in “Skin Companion EP II”\nMiami track and field ranked in top 10 for first time in program history\nVolleyball looks to take next step this season\nFormer UM women’s basketball players participate in WNBA strike; Hurricanes react to police shooting of Jacob Blake\nUM to allow 13,000 fans at Hard Rock Stadium for football home opener","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line223023"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6419110894203186,"wiki_prob":0.6419110894203186,"text":"Regent’s Canal death: man arrested on suspicion of murder\nSophie Inge\nPublished: 5:27 PM October 16, 2015 Updated: 8:03 PM October 15, 2020\nSabstiano Magnanini's body was found submerged in Regent's Canal last week. Police say he had been living in south London (Photo: Metropolitan Police) - Credit: Archant\nA third man has been arrested in connection with the death of Sebastiano Magnanini, whose body was recovered from the Regent’s Canal in September.\nThe man, aged 41, was arrested on suspicion of murder on Thursday and is currently in custody at a central London police station.\nDetectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command have also charged two men in connection with the investigation.\nPaul Williams, 61, of no fixed abode, was charged on Thursday, October 8 with preventing lawful burial and is currently remanded in custody. He is due to appear at Blackfriars Crown Court on Tuesday, October 20.\nDaniel Hastie, 22, of no fixed abode, was charged on Friday October 9 with fraud by false representation. He is currently bailed to appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Friday, October 23.\nThe body of Mr Magnanini was discovered tied to a shopping trolley close to the entrance of Islington Tunnel by a member of the public at 9:07am on Thursday, September 24.\nMr Magnanini was originally from Venice and had been living and working in south London.\nAccording to Italian newspaper La Repubblica he was jailed for 18 months in 1998 over the 1993 theft of a painting, The Education of the Virgin, by 18th-century artist Giovanni Tiepolo from a church in Venice. The painting was reportedly worth two billion lire.\nHe was last seen alive on Tuesday, 22 September as he travelled into central London on public transport. It is thought he visited the Euston area at around 16.50 before travelling to Kings Cross and Caledonian Road around 18.50.\nSebastiano Magnanini was described as being 6ft 1in tall with short brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing black jeans, a blue hooded top with a zip down the front and a dark-coloured t-shirt. He was wearing the same outfit when he was discovered in the canal.\nA post-mortem examination took place at the Whittington Hospital on Friday, September 25, and the cause of death is unknown.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1022025"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5365280508995056,"wiki_prob":0.4634719491004944,"text":"TMS Health Education Adds Fourth Day and New Faculty for 2017 Advanced Hands-on TMS Symposium, which is Accredited for 20 CME for the Four-day Completion\nDr. Paul Croarkin, Consultant and Associate Professor at the Mayo Clinic, and Dr. Jonathan Downar, Co-Director of MRI-Guided rTMS Clinic, University Health Network in Toronto, Canada, have joined an already-distinguished faculty.\nSAN FRANCISCO, CA, June 15, 2017 /24-7PressRelease/ — TMS Health Education announced today it has added a fourth day to the Advanced Hands-on TMS Symposium and has invited two new TMS experts to join its faculty. “We’re thrilled to have the extra day and talented new faculty members for our symposium, as this has enabled us to add in some new tracks to the curriculum, build in more hands-on training, and increase the accredited psychiatry CME credits received by participants,” said Dr. Karl Lanocha, Director of Education for TMS Health Solutions and Course Chair for the Advanced Symposium.\nFollowing the second Advanced Symposium held in October of 2016, TMS Health Education reviewed feedback from participants and noticed how well received the hands-on training had been. “We wanted to give our participants more training on each of the machines- and while we had done extensive training in small groups during our first two courses, we concluded an extra day would enable further hands-on time, ” said Dr. Richard Bermudes, course faculty for TMS Health Education and previous President of Clinical TMS Society. “Plus this would enable us to add a few more presentations,” he said.\nNew faculty members include Dr. Paul Croarkin, Consultant and Associate Professor at the Mayo Clinic, and Dr. Jonathan Downar, Co-Director of MRI-Guided rTMS Clinic, University Health Network in Toronto, Canada. All other faculty from the Fall 2016 will be returning to the Symposium. The renowned faculty is highly regarded in the field of TMS, and comes from extensive practice and research backgrounds with acclaimed teaching credentials from universities such as Duke, Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), Stanford University and UCLA.\nThe course will include new content around using TMS in the treatment of other disorders other than major depression and in special populations along with accelerated TMS and novel pulse sequences. It will also include a review of TMS in the long-term management of depression. With new course work and further hands-on training, the CME credit will increase and there will be over twenty CME credits offered for the four-day completion.\nAbout TMS Therapy\nCleared by the FDA in 2008, TMS is a drug-free, non-invasive therapy for patients who suffer from treatment-resistant depression. It is administered in a physician’s office in an outpatient setting. By using an MRI-strength magnetic field to stimulate the prefrontal cortex of the brain, the core symptoms of major depression can be relieved. Unlike antidepressants or Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), patients undergoing TMS therapy experience minimal side effects.\nAbout TMS Health Education:\nHeadquartered in San Francisco, TMS Health Education is an education company that provides CME credits and continuing medical education and brings together the nation’s leading academics and clinical practitioners to present the most current and relevant information on the treatment of clinical depression illness through Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy. TMS Health Education is led by Dr. Richard Bermudes and Dr. Karl Lanocha, two of the nation’s leading experts on TMS therapy.\nPreviousCloudy with a Chance of Radiation: NASA Studies Simulated Radiation\nNextInvestigation Tests Drug to Activate Immune System, Help Fight Cancer\nAnytime HVAC now Offering Plumbing Services in the Greater Atlanta Area!\nSound Physicians and Dartmouth Partner on NIH-Funded Research on Advance Care Planning\nBest 100 Search Engine Optimization Companies for September 2020 Released by topseos.com","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line928119"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7254199981689453,"wiki_prob":0.7254199981689453,"text":"Contact Rep. Oberlander\nPA State Rep. Donna Oberlander Serving PA's 63rd Legislative District\nEconomic Briefs\nRep. Donna Oberlander\nMajority Whip\nContinuing to rely on her proven entrepreneurial and public sector experience to advance economic development opportunities and preserve traditional values to make Clarion, Armstrong and Forest counties an even better region to live, work and raise a family, Donna Oberlander was elected to serve her sixth term as state representative for the 63rd Legislative District in November 2018.\nIn June 2020, Donna made state history by becoming the first Republican woman and only the second woman in the history of the Pennsylvania General Assembly to be elected as Majority Whip, the third highest position in the House Republican Caucus. As Whip, she is responsible for tracking House votes and informing her other Republican colleagues on upcoming issues and legislation. This position also comes with positions on the House Rules Committee and the Bipartisan Management Committee.\nMajority Whip is Oberlander’s third role in House Republican leadership. She was elected as caucus secretary in 2014 and majority Policy Committee chairman in 2018, a position she has most recently held. She was the first woman to chair the Policy Committee and the first representative from the 63rd District to achieve this advanced leadership role.\nShe also serves as chairman of the House Diabetes Caucus, where she has led House passage of significant legislation to help people diagnosed with this health condition. This session, she also co-chairs the House Manufacturing Caucus, which allows members to interact with the manufacturing community on relevant issues and policy, help create pro-manufacturing legislation and raise the profile of the industry.\nDuring the past few sessions, she also co-chaired the House Gas and Oil Caucus. In this capacity, she helped lead policy discussions, developed legislation and eliminated burdensome, unnecessary and outdated regulations – all in an effort to promote responsible growth of the state’s natural gas and oil industry.\nIn the prior two sessions, Donna served as Majority Caucus Secretary. Her tenure in the House has also included services as a House Republican Deputy Whip and membership on the following standing committees: Appropriations, Children and Youth, Environmental Resources and Energy, and Local Government.\nTo date, five of her bills have been signed into law, including Act 7 of 2020, which requires the Pennsylvania Department of Health to regulate milk banks, which are entities that gather, process and distribute mothers’ milk for medically fragile newborns.\nShe began her legislative career in spearheading the repeal of a Uniform Construction Code mandate that required sprinkler systems to be installed in all newly constructed residential housing (Act 1 of 2011). Other laws she has authored include Act 45, which renamed a local bridge in memory of a local hero who died in action in Afghanistan, and Act 13, which allowed Pennsylvania to opt out of abortion coverage through federal health care exchanges as part of the Affordable Care Act. She also authored Act 171 of 2016, which requires the state Department of General Services to establish a process to formally recognize all Pennsylvania-based minority-, woman- and veteran-owned businesses – also known as “diverse/disadvantaged” businesses – to make it easier to do business.\nSupplementing her work with the small business community and job creators, Donna was appointed in August 2018 to the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center’s (SBDC) Advisory Board. She is able to use her experience as a certified finance professional from the National Development Council, a former business outreach manager with Clarion County Economic Development Corporation and a former small business owner to help other entrepreneurs and business owners. In recognition of her strong support for pro-business legislation, she has earned consecutive “Guardian of Small Business” awards from the Pennsylvania chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).\nFor her work to advance education initiatives, she received the Hillman Award and was named the “Pennsylvania Rural Educator of the Year” in 2015 from the Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools (PARSS). Oberlander was specifically cited for her contributions to improving education and opportunities for rural students.\nIn 2018, Donna was awarded with the Rural Health Legislator of the Year by the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health. This honor recognizes a Pennsylvania legislator for outstanding work and support of rural health initiatives that address an identified need in their district or across the state. To help enhance her legislative work, Donna completed Clarion University’s program to become a certified recovery specialist for drug and alcohol addiction.\nDuring 2019, Donna was selected by the Council of State Governments to participate in the prestigious Henry G. Toll Fellowship Program, which is one of the nation’s premier leadership development programs for state government officials. She was also named the 2019 Legislator Leader by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts Inc.; the Robert C. Keaton Government Leader Award by the Pennsylvania Defense Institute; and a Recovery Champion by the Armstrong-Indiana-Clarion Drug and Alcohol Commission.\nBefore her time in the state House, Donna was elected to the Clarion County Board of Commissioners, where she aggressively worked to control local government spending and took an active role in strategic planning for economic development and growth. A proud graduate of Clarion University, she actively serves as a member of the university’s Council of Trustees and was reappointed to the post in 2018.\nDonna and her husband, Derek, a United States Marine Corps veteran, have two children, Tori and Tanner.\nThe 63rd Legislative District includes all of Clarion County and the Armstrong County communities of Bradys Bend, Cowanshannock, Hovey, Madison, Mahoning, Perry, Pine, Plumcreek, Redbank, Sugarcreek, Washington and Wayne townships and Atwood, Dayton, Elderton, Rural Valley and South Bethlehem boroughs, as well as Parker City, along with Jenks and Barnett townships in Forest County.\nClarion Office\nClarion, PA 16214\nElderton Office\n309 Saltwork Street\nElderton, PA 15736\n121 Main Capitol","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1277348"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6195574402809143,"wiki_prob":0.6195574402809143,"text":"Nerja Jazmin Apartment\nSan Juan de Capistrano, Nerja\nGraham Swan\nThe Caminito was originally built between 1901 and 1905 and was used to transport material and people between two power stations that were built either side of the El Chorro gorge. It wasn't until the early 1920s that it was officially opened by King Alfonso XIII who walked its whole length and gave it its name. Since that time, the Caminito has become one of the wonders of Spain.\nThe El Chorro Gorge (La Garganta del Chorro) is an amazing place, with huge walls of rock as high as 400m along its three-kilometre length. “El Chorro” can be loosely translated as the \"spurt,\" which is exactly what the water used to do when travelling through the gorge’s narrow ravine. The height difference between the two man-made reservoirs at either end of the gorge provided a unique opportunity to develop hydroelectric energy. An almost revolutionary concept at the time.\nElectrical genius notwithstanding, the real attraction has always been the concrete catwalk, El Caminito del Rey, which threads the length of the gorge hanging precipitously halfway up its side. The original structure was said to be built by sailors who were used to climbing ropes and working while suspended above a void. Unconfirmed reports have also stated that prisoners, who were condemned to death, carried out some of the more dangerous tasks. The path was built using sand and cement, and held in place by metal brackets. A simple iron railing was put in place along this decidedly non-frills path. The Caminito slowly fell into disrepair over the years and was officially closed in 2000 after several people fell to their deaths.\nThis danger became the stuff of legends and attracted climbers and adrenaline junkies from all over the world, with many people referring to the Caminito as the ‘world’s most dangerous pathway.’ This is what the Caminito del Rey looked like in 2013 just before the reforms started. The government spoke of reforming the Camino for years. In late 2013, these plans finally came to fruition. The local authorities and the city of Malaga are sharing the total €5.5m renovation cost. €2.2m have been used for the new construction of the new Caminito, the rest is destined for additional services in the area, roads, parking and bus facilities. It promises to be one of the largest attractions in Andalusia, if not the whole of Spain. Tickets Tickets have to be reserved online and can be done so on the official Caminito del Rey website. Guided tours are also available. The maximum number of people allowed on the Caminito at one time is four hundred. Groups of up to fifty people are allowed through the initial control points, with slots allocated every half hour. A maximum of 1,100 people per day is allowed to walk the Caminito. The total distance to walk the new Caminito del Rey is 7.7 km. You walk from Ardales in the north to southern Álora.\nThis route follows the river downstream and takes about 4 hours. The route starts just off the MA-444 access road that winds around the Ardales lakes. There are several ways you can get to the start of the Caminito from here. You need to get to the other side of the mountain.\nThere’s a small tunnel that is situated just beside the Kiosk restaurant, right in front of the Conde de Guadalhorce reservoir. The tunnel is short, but you need to walk further at the other end (approx. 2.5kms). The path is exceptionally picturesque, signposted and follows the course of the river until you reach the control point/entry.\nThere's a larger/longer tunnel that is situated near the Mirador restaurant. This tunnel is quite a bit longer than the one near El Kiosk, but you save time walking on the other end. At the time of writing, there were no lights installed. Bring a torch or headlight if feeling unsure. If you don't want to use the tunnels, you can easily walk over the mountain and drop back down to the river. Follow the track that runs behind the Mirador restaurant. You can't miss it. The control station is situated just next to the old hydroelectric plant. Once you pass through the control, the path quickly narrows and gets increasingly vertical as you progress into the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes. You eventually drop down into the Valle del Hoyo. The old Caminito has been left as intact as possible with the new path built just above it. It's made up of predominantly wood panels that have supports drilled into the rock face. The one-metre wide path offers several spectacular glass floor sections and culminates with a hanging bridge that crosses above the Balconcillo de los Gaitanes. Not for the faint-hearted, the bridge is suspended more than 100m off the Gaintanes gorge.\nThe Caminito should not be attempted if you are of a nervous disposition or suffer from vertigo.\nYou will be provided with a helmet upon entry. It must be kept on at all times.\nThere are no bathrooms or facilities throughout the entire route.\nBring water and food with you.\nChildren need to be accompanied at all times and must be over 8 years old.\nAccess can be closed during high winds - over 35 km/h.\nThe walk is linear. You start in the north and end in the south.\nThere's a bus service that connects the two sides. Buses leave every half an hour, with a single ticket costing €1,55. You can buy the bus tickets together with the tickets for the Caminito.\nThe bus from the El Chorro side leaves from the first roundabout just before arriving at the train station.\nGetting there by car On leaving Málaga follow the A-357 northwards towards Cártama. Stay on the motorway for 65 km, just after you pass the village of Ardales on your left hand side, keep your eyes open for a sharp turning rightwards. It's labelled M-442/Ardales/MA-5403/El Chorro. Take an immediate left onto the secondary road MA-444 which quickly starts to wind around the Guadalhorce reservoir, providing some fantastic scenery. Keep following this road as it winds around the lake. You'll eventually come to a junction, with a sharp turning rightwards towards the village of El Chorro. Rather than turning rightwards, keep on the MA-444, driving past the campsite and the beach areas.\nWe are ready to Welcome you back to Nerja\nThe Alhambra Palace\nHow about Malaga for a Day Out?\nwww.holidayatnerja.com","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1337541"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9679802060127258,"wiki_prob":0.9679802060127258,"text":"Evans cut\n8-25-02, 7:35 a.m. Updated:\n8-25-02, 10:00 a.m. Updated:\n8-26-02, 10:35 a.m.\nThe Bengals cut their first draft choice since 1999 when they released Monday seventh-round draft pick Joey Evans, a defensive end from North Carolina.\nThey also cut two defensive tackles in veteran free-agent Pernell Davis and second-year man Randy Chevrier, clearing the way for long snapper Brad St. Louis to keep his job and for end Eric Ogbogu to be the eighth defensive lineman (the traditional number) despite his inability to play in the preseason with a calf injury.\nAlso released Monday was third-year quarterback Scott Covington, cut for the second straight year after not taking a snap in a pre-season game. Rookie free agents Justin Bland, a tackle from Missouri, and Kwazeon Leverette, a receiver from Syracuse, were also cut, as were first-year center Ray Redziniak and first-year receiver Khori Ivy.\nThe Bengals now have 65 players and plan to make the final 12 cuts this coming Sunday.\nAKILI STAYS HOT: Offensive captain Willie Anderson wasn't pleased with some of his skill players after Saturday night's odd 552-yard night that ended in the Bengals' 31-23 loss to the Saints.\n\"Guys that are the playmakers, the guys that get the press and pub around here, they've got to make the plays,\" Anderson said.\nNow the guy everyone forgot about until the last two weeks ago is the guy making the plays. Akili Smith may be running third in the quarterbacks derby, but he is No. 1 on the stat sheet and style points.\nAfter watching Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks bob through the Bengals for 158 yards, Smith weaved through New Orleans for more than a third of the Bengals' yards in a quarter of play he brought them within two yards and five seconds of a chance at tying the game in the Paul Brown Stadium season opener.\nSmith passed for 137 yards and a touchdown, and ran for 64 more to lead the Bengals in rushing and leaving his teammates shaking their heads.\n\"It was a show,\" Anderson said. \"Just a show. He's playing with no fear and just doing his thing.\"\nAll indications have been that Smith's rehab from last year's severe hamstring injury has taken him out of the Opening Day mix. But his performance in three pre-season games,\nwhich includes two touchdown passes and seven scoring drives, have guaranteed him at least a an important backup role for this season and next.\n\"You can see he scrambles around and makes plays,\" said head coach Dick LeBeau. \"I thought he led several key drives there in the end.\"\nScrambling out of a no-huddle offense, Smith led a 62-yard drive in which he wriggled for 11 yards and capped it off with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Chad Johnson with 2:24 left in the game that cut the lead to 31-23.\nThen with 1:51 left, Smith did what they said he would do when they picked him third in the 1999 NFL Draft. He veered outside for a 10-yard gain, converted a third-and-10 on a 20-yard heave to a diving Ron Dugans, and steered the Bengals 67 yards to put them on the Saints' 2 with one play left. He got flushed from the pocket and ended up volleyballing an end-zone interception, but all Smith ended up doing was just making more fans.\n\"It was the funnest game I've been in in a long time,\" said Smith, who again worked with the second team. \"You get in the game and there is pressure because the coaches want to win and the fans want to win and it's great. I wasn't satisfied with my performance. There were four or five passes I should have completed.\"\nSmith hit just 14 of 28 passes and his yard per pass mark for the preseason is hovering between four and five. But he is moving the ball. He has proof, because he could hear the Saints' coaches and players yelling at him to slow down and yelling at each other to stop him.\nSmith knows the irony. Brooks is the late round pick from the same draft class who has done what Smith was supposed to do. Use his athletic gifts and rocket arm to confound defenses and take his team to the playoffs.\n\"I've been watching and studying Aaron Brooks for a long time,\" Smith said. \"He's going in the right direction. They've been to the playoffs. Yeah, I think I can definitely do what he's doing. But I've been on a roller-coaster ride with the Bengals.\"\nAt the moment, he is not all the way to the top of \"The Beast,\" but he's giving \"The Beasty,\" a pretty good ride.\n\"I think if you look statistically in the NFL, you have to have a good backup and a good third quarterback,\" LeBeau said. \"You may have to use one in a series during a game, maybe for one game, possibly for three or four games. Quarterbacks end up all playing in this league.\"\nSmith ended up playing Saturday night when the Saints went into a prevent defense and he took all but the last two yards that they gave him. He said the last play was a \"choice route,\" headed to the back of the end zone, but the pocket collapsed on him as he scouted the secondary. He tried to run, found nowhere to go, stood back up, and blindly shot-putted a Hail Mary as he spun around. It got picked off, but like Anderson said, it was a show.\n\"I don't know what happened,\" Smith said. \"I got blitzed and I tried to run it. Then I tried to come back and throw it because I knew I couldn't take a sack in that situation.\"\nWith one preseason game left before what looks to be heading to the clipboard and the No. 3 spot, Smith isn't sure what is next.\n\"(Thursday) might be the last you see of Akili Smith for this season,\" he said. \"If that's what the coaches decide, then I'll be back next year to try and win the job.\"\nLEVI LEARNING: Bengals rookie left tackle Levi Jones said it himself: \"Not too good of an outing by No. 76,\" after he gave up some pressures by a tag team of New Orleans defensive ends.\nFor instance, quarterback Gus Frerotte still managed to complete a pass for a first down even though Darren Howard blew past Jones and drilled Frerotte just as he threw it.\nJones replaced Richmond Webb during the first quarter so their first-rounder could get work with the first team to see if he's ready to be in the Opening Day lineup. Maybe not. Webb returned with the first group at the beginning of the second half in a move that Jones said was \"prescripted.\"\nJones also got a penalty for tripping and got bull-rushed pretty good on one play.\n\"There were some different defensive ends. They were dancing around a lot,\" Jones said. \"They weren't speed defensive ends by far. I was setting prepared for one thing and they did another. It wasn't stunts. It was the threat of stunts. I just have to learn and get better.\"\nThat's what head coach Dick LeBeau basically told him in the locker room after the game: \"Learn from it grow and become a better player.\"\nRight tackle Willie Anderson thought it was the kind of game a young player needed.\n\"Sometimes you're going to have games where the other team gets up by three touchdowns right away and you have to throw 100 passes,\" Anderson said. \"I've lived my seven years here doing that.\n\"Sometimes the coaches are going to be in throwing moods and they were in a throwing mood tonight trying to decide on the quarterback,\" Anderson. \"Those kind of days are tough on a tackle. You just have to hunker down. He gave up some pressures, but he also had some good blocks because they're a tough team. They keep rotating linemen, so you're always going against a fresh guy. I thought he held up pretty well. I was proud the way he played.\"\nDEFENSE SHAKEN: Is it time to officially start worrying about the Bengals' No. 1 defense? Yes, for the first time since the last game of 1997, they played without both right outside linebacker Takeo Spikes (shoulder) and middle linebacker Brian Simmons (lower back). They are also without left outside linebacker, Steve Foley, but they still got drilled for two of the Saints'\nfirst three touchdowns in decisive fashion.\nThe Bengals came into the game allowing 47 yards rushing per game, and Saints running back Deuce McAllister ripped off 38 on his first two carries. McAllister finished with 6.5 yards per his 13 carries, one for a touchdown and he scored another on a 16-yard screen pass.\n\"We know we're a better defense than that,\" said middle linebacker Adrian Ross. \"They were getting us misaligned. They were lining up to the (strong side) and cutting us off that way. When we started just staying to the back side, we did a better job.\"\nThe Bengals' defense came in ranked No. 1 in the NFL defense and the first team didn't allow a touchdown last week against the Colts. But they did give up 17 points against the Bills and 14 points Saturday against New Orleans in the first half. Against the Saints, they did get a handle on their third-down problems, where they were successful 30 percent of the time.\nSpikes doubts he'll play in Thursday's pre-season finale against the Falcons. Simmons isn't sure he'll go, but they both say they will be ready foo the Sept. 8 opener.\nRB DERBY: Did Curtis Keaton get a leg up in the running back race with a 32-yard run that set up the Bengals' first touchdown? Rudi Johnson got stuffed in his bid to pass Keaton's pre-season record when he lost four yards on two carries. Veteran Brandon Bennett was his usual solid self. Seventeen of his 20 yards came on one play, and he caught four passes for 36 yards.\nBottom line? Probably no one got an edge. Keaton fumbled away a kickoff, but also ripped one off for 30 yards. Johnson had three catches for 26 yards. **\nNO CONTACT:** The Bengals apparently weren't very happy that wide receiver Peter Warrick didn't wear his new contact lenses Saturday night. He wore them the first two games and had nine catches and no drops. He did have his longest catch of the season, a 28-yarder, against the Saints, but he also had two third-down drops. With the move from training camp to PBS this weekend, the contacts apparently went under his radar but he'll no doubt be reminded to wear them Thursday.\nRACKERS COMES UP BIG: What was bigger news? Neil Rackers' field goals from 18 and 44 yards and his successful on-side kick? Or the fact that he gave out his first quotes of the preseason?\nRookie Travis Dorsch also stayed perfect on the preseason with a 36-yard field goal, but it appears Rackers continues to lead on him with Thursday's game possibly the decider. There is still a possibility the Bengals could keep both on the final roster, but it is slim.\nThe on-side kick was a work of art because Rackers made a great fake, as if he was going to crush it. Then he topped it and tight end Chris Edmonds was able to recover it at the Bengals 41 with 1:18 left in the third quarter and the Bengals trailing, 31-16.\n\"The reason it looks like the same kick (I always do) is because I kick it as hard as I do (usual) kicks,\" Rackers said. \"I just pound it down hard into the ground. You just pound it down into the ground. It's something we've worked on for two years and it was just the first time we used it. I learned that from (former Bengal) Richie Cunningham, so I want to thank him for that.\"\nRackers attributes his fast start to slowing down.\n\"I'm slowing down. That's all I needed to do was slow down,\" Rackers said. \" I'd get so excited and because I was so quick, the field became more of a factor. I think (Bengals special teams coach) Al (Roberts) got 50 percent of the team telling me to slow down. That's all it is — slow down.\"","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line884252"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8170485496520996,"wiki_prob":0.8170485496520996,"text":"Rick McGinnis\nCharles Khabouth unveils Bisha, his new boutique hotel\nNot that it was a surprise, but clubland impresario Charles Khabouth finally took the wraps off his Bisha boutique hotel and condo project last week. The 41-storey tower will go up near King and Peter, on the site that once housed Second City's second home in Toronto, and will feature 100 hotel rooms and 322 condo suites, the latter to range from $300,000 to $1.5 million.\nIt's a whole new plateau for the man who began his career with a tiger and a police siege in the office of his first club, but who broke ground in what would later be known as the Entertainment District. The famously workaholic Khabouth and his INK Entertainment is behind The Guvernment, Kool Haus, Ultra Supper Club, Spice Route, Tattoo Rock Parlour and more, but for a project the size of Bisha he's teamed up with Lifetime Developments, who include Liberty Market, M5V, Water Park City and the new and old Four Seasons among their portfolio.\nKhabouth has a long history with food, drink and entertainment in the city. Earlier this week I talked to him about the past, as well as how he intends to make a difference in a city suddenly besotted with boutique hotels and the new downtown.\nWhy did it take Toronto so long to warm to the boutique hotel concept? London, New York and Montreal were years ahead of us.\nIf I had the opportunity to do this ten years ago, I would have done it. Unfortunately I didn't have the right partner ten years ago. It's long overdue for the city to embrace it, but unfortunately no one came forward with it. Hotel Le Germain opened a few years ago, but Le Germain, for me, is a great boutique hotel but offers no amenities. It's very well done - beautiful, great service, but they don't have what I like to see in a boutique hotel, which is great F&B (food and beverage,) great gym, great room service.\nGetting back to your original question, it's not like the city wasn't ready. Unfortunately nobody came into town, but what's allowed it to be possible now is that you can do a mixed-use building with condos and that makes it more feasible. To put up a 100 or 120 room hotel is very expensive and very difficult to finance if it's not attached to a residential unit, because what are you financing? You're financing a building that you have to rely on the income after opening.\nKing West is getting to be known as the boutique hotel district - what are you going to do to compete with the hotels that have already opened, and will still be opening by the time you open the doors at Bisha?\nThere's a couple of things. One is my knowledge of the city and the people around me which will definitely give me an edge. I've been doing the F&B thing for the last 27 years. The people coming here to build these are from out of town, but what will help me is that I have existing clients. On a yearly basis, for the last fifteen years, I book between a thousand and 1,600 rooms in the city, just for my own purpose, my own use, because of the number of concerts we do, the amount of talent we bring to town, the clients we have. And also the fact that I'm partners with a lot of big corporates, whether they're liquor partners, concert partners, we do so much business with these people that we already have an existing need internally.\nThe other thing is that I think what we're going to offer is luxury with an edge, because right now if you want luxury you have to go to something like the Four Seasons or the Shangri-La when it opens, but they're not edgy. Your average 30-year-old person doesn't want to stay at a property like that. When you think of those properties you think of something much older, very quiet and serene. We want to be able to offer a building that has a little more lifestyle, more edge, more excitement. It's one of the reasons why we're putting a 24-hour cafe in the property - there will constantly be traffic in and out of that property.\nIt's why, in my opinion, the coolest hair salon in town will have a little outpost in there, there will be a car wash in the basement, a private lounge, two restaurants, a rooftop patio that's almost 7,000 square feet with an infinity pool. It'll be a hub; it'll have a level of energy and excitement that nobody is offering in the city.\"\nAre there any other projects on the go?\nWe're doing a bistro at Bloor & Avenue Road, on Bloor - we will have the first ever patio on Bloor Street. It's a second floor location with a patio on the main floor and a patio on the second floor, so I will be surrounded by Cartier and Louis Vuitton and so on. It will not be fine dining - it will be casual dining with breakfast, lunch and dinner, a three meal restaurant. We are in for permits already and we will begin construction on Nov. 1 to open in March or April.\nWhat about the rumoured concert space on Queen West?\nThat hasn't been signed yet but that is in the works.\nYou have a longer view on the city's nightlife than most people, so where do you think it's headed, now that it appears that the city-sanctioned Entertainment District is winding down?\nIt's like any city in the world - every few years there's a new area that emerges. Thirty-five years ago when I came to Toronto the biggest neighbourhood was Yorkville. Seven days a week, breakfast, lunch and dinner it was packed, and Sunday you couldn't walk down the street. It's no longer that - it's coming back slowly but it'll never be what it was, and the Entertainment District is something that I started 23 years ago.\nI was the first venue in the area with Stilife and I was paying four dollars a square foot and parking was free across the street after six o'clock because there was nobody there. I had to fight with the city for them to put some lighting on Duncan, by the entrance to my club. It was pitch dark - they would have maybe a couple of lights on a street that needed eight.\nThat area kicked in and now it's winding down for the entertainment and it's really booming for the residential and everything else. The towers are going up fast and furious because the real estate became too expensive to have a 2-3 story building with a nightclub in the basement and 20 offices on top. And it is very central - it's got Queen Street and it's walking distance to the business district. You're a five minute walk from the TD Centre, you're walking distance from the theatre district, the TIFF building is launching in September. You've got the Skydome, the ACC is in walking distance, really. Convention centre - I believe King and Peter will become the centre of the real downtown core.\nImages courtesy of Bisha\nPeople furious over Ontario's plans to demolish four Toronto heritage buildings","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line276884"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5189163684844971,"wiki_prob":0.48108363151550293,"text":"We love playing and watching all kinds of sports, but we always find it a shame how few sporting opportunities are afforded to women. In this series we showcase Team Patata's professional athletes, representing a variety of sports.\nWhile researching for this project, we found some interesting facts about women in sport, and have included a few below...\nIn 1920, a women’s football game in Liverpool attracted a crowd of 53,000 spectators with another 15,000 turned away because the ground was full. Women’s football was so popular that the FA, feeling threatened, decided to ban women from playing on their grounds because football ‘damaged women’s bodies’. This ban wasn’t lifted until 1971 and women’s football continues to suffer as a result.\nIn 2017 Forbes calculated that Women NBA paid no more than 22.8% of its revenue to it's players, whilst the NBA pays theirs on average more than 50%. According to Forbes, WNBA player Jonquel Jones was paid $47,774 in 2016 when, based on her performance, she should have earned $1.15 million.\nThe All American Girls Professional Baseball League started in 1943. All player were enrolled in charm school and required to act in a ‘lady-like manner’. They could only wear skirts or dresses, always had to wear lipstick and could not have short hair. Players could not consume liquor and they couldn’t move without permission. Despite this, by 1954 ten teams had been formed with over one million fans watching them play.\nSTUDIO | GALLERY\nEspai Patata\nCarrer de Biada, 4, bajos, 08012","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line133250"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7173730134963989,"wiki_prob":0.2826269865036011,"text":"3 eco-friendly alternatives to plastic straws\nIf you want to reduce your plastic waste and consumption, here’s an easy first step: Use metal straws instead of plastic ones. (Want to try one? Check out Seastainable Co and UnPackt.)\nOr better yet, drink straight from the bottle or glass. (Of course, this won’t work if you’re having bubble tea, or any other beverage with pudding, sweets and toppings. Thankfully, there are now metal straws that have been specially made and sized just right for those.)\nBut there are still other, eco-friendly options to plastic and metal straws – two, in fact. I recently discovered dried grass and rice powder straws. (Actually, there's three, if you count bamboo. But I already know a little bit about that one.)\nHang Xanh Co, Ltd – a 20-year-old company in Vietnam that specialises in agricultural, seafood, and eco-friendly products for restaurants, coffee shops and hotels, with customers from the US, Korea and Japan – has both kinds of straws, as well as bamboo.\nAre you as curious about them as I am? 😊 Pink Do, Hang Xanh’s sales executive, gives us an introduction, as well as her personal favourite things about each. (This isn't sponsored.)\n#1 Dried grass straws\nNaturally green and yellow, these are said to keep for as long as six months under room-temperature conditions.\n“It is the cheapest, and is suitable for liquids and water without jelly or toppings,” Pink says.\n“When you drink coffee, it makes the coffee bolder and more delicious.”\n#2 Rice powder straws\nIn black, purple and green, these are made of rice flour and tapioca starch.\n“We can eat these after using. If you don’t want to, they’ll decompose within three months – you don’t have to wait 500 years, like with a plastic straw,” she explains.\n“It’s also suitable for water and liquids without jelly or toppings.”\n#3 Bamboo straws\nThese are biodegradable, organic, and produced and crafted in Vietnam.\n“Ours come in a big size, 8mm to 15mm, and a smaller size, 5mm to 7mm,” Pink describes.\n“Bamboo straws are suitable for all types of liquids. You can reuse them for as long as you want. You can also engrave a name on the straw and use it as a meaningful gift.”\nI say the more eco-friendly choices, the better.\nAre these straws readily available in your area? Let me know if you’ve already tried and tested them. What do you think? 😊\nHang Xanh Co, Ltd is at 173 Dien Bien Phu Street, Ward 15, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam. Visit their website or get in touch with them via sales10@hxcorp.com.vn and +84 969 482 585 (WhatsApp).","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1463632"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.522026002407074,"wiki_prob":0.477973997592926,"text":"DRIVER IN CARDIAC ARREST Thursday 14th December 2017 – 9.50am\nLocation: Halesowen\nDate and time: Dec 14, 9:50 AM, 2017\nSwift action by fire and ambulance staff has given a man the best possible chance of survival after he suffered a cardiac arrest.\nWest Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Stourbridge Road in Halesowen next to the Luttley Mill Public House at about 9.50am this morning, Thursday.\nTwo ambulances, a paramedic officer, the West Midlands Care Team and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford were sent to the scene.\nA West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, ambulance crews found a man who was in cardiac arrest.\n“He had been rapidly extricated by firefighters after the car had collided with a bush, a post box and a wall.\n“After resuscitation at the scene, the man’s heart was restarted. He was anaesthetised before being taken on blue lights by land ambulance to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham with the Care team doctor travelling with the crew.\n“The man was in a critical condition, but the rapid action of emergency services have given him the best possible chance of survival.\"\nPrevious Page Back to West Midlands Next Page\nDonate now to help fund the next mission","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line177567"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8135288953781128,"wiki_prob":0.8135288953781128,"text":"Pilgrimage Destinations\nPilgrimage to Germany\nAnd other sites in Austria, Belgium, and Switzerland\nUPCOMING GERMANY PILGRIMAGES\nCatholic Pilgrimage to Germany\nGermany and its neighbors have played pivotal roles in the history of the Catholic Church in Europe. From St. Meinrad and the miracle of the Black Madonna in Switzerland, to St. Boniface and the legend of the Christmas tree in Germany, from the alpine shrine of Mariazell in Austria to the beer-brewing monks of Belgium, these countries are steeped in Church history and tradition.\n\"When you seek truth, you seek God whether you know it or not.\"\n- St. Edith Stein\nGERMANY PILGRIMAGE SITES\nStep into the lives of numerous great saints, including Doctors of the Church. St. Boniface, St. Hildegard of Bingen, and St. Theresa Benedicta (Edith Stein) have all left their mark on Catholicism in Germany and beyond. Visit the site of the miracle at Altötting, explore the winding streets and architectural wonders of Munich, and take in the beauty of the Black Forest and Lake Constance.\nView More Germany Sites\nRheinbollen/Rudesheim\nView Fewer Germany Sites\n\"The Tekton staff are good, organized, experienced, thorough, friendly, caring Christians.\"\n- Maria E., Pilgrim from Annandale, VA\nAUSTRIA PILGRIMAGE SITES\nVisit the birthplace of Mozart and immerse yourself in the wonders of Salzburg. Wonder at the multicolored roof of St. Stephansdom in Vienna and bask in the peacefulness of Melk Abbey.\nView More Austria Sites\nView Fewer Austria Sites\n\"I very much appreciate all that you did for our family pilgrimage! You made the whole process fulfilling, from the emails that we received in preparation, to the thoughtfulness you put into the many holy places and family places that we visited, to the wonderful accommodations. \"\n- Catherine H., Pilgrim from Rensselaer, IN\nBELGIUM PILGRIMAGE SITES\nThough a small country, Belgium beckons with a rich history – both religious and secular. Traverse battlefields from both World Wars, learn about the ancient art of brewing beer in ancient monasteries, and marvel at soaring spires of magnificent cathedrals.\nBanneux\nView More Belgium Sites\nWestvleteren\nView Fewer Belgium Sites\n\"If others interested have never left the country (like myself of 50 years of age) tell them do not worry. Nearly every detail was covered, and the experience is worth much more than the money I spent!!\"\n- Brian E., Pilgrim from Rensselaer, IN\nSWITZERLAND PILGRIMAGE SITES\nFrom the majestic alps to the pristine lakes to the falls on the Rhine River, Switzerland invites you to ponder the majesty of creation. Retreat into the woods to explore the lives of St. Meinrad and his Benedictine descendants and see the results of the Protestant Reformation and the Catholic Counter-Reformation in Zurich.\nWhy Choose Tekton?\nTekton Ministries has been leading Catholic pilgrimages for more than 20 years. We work and listen closely to our priests and pilgrimage leaders to create thoughtfully planned itineraries. We help make the Catholic faith more tangible to your daily life by taking you where the seeds of Catholicism were first planted to be spread across the world. Daily Mass and time for prayerful reflection are important parts of each day’s experience.\n20+ Years in Ministry\nTrue pilgrimage – not religious tours\nCustom-crafted itineraries\nAuthentic Catholic experiences\nInclusive, competitive pricing\nProperly paced itineraries include daily Mass and time for reflection\nOnly Catholic/Christian guides\nPrayerful pre-pilgrimage preparation\nCustom guidebooks, name and luggage tags\nLocal offices and support worldwide\nFree pilgrimage promotion materials\nEasy online registration means no extra effort for your busy staff\nGermany Pilgrimages\n6/21/2021 11 Days $3,800 (est.) View Details\nLooking to create your own pilgrimage group?\nCreate a Pilgrimage\nFor Your Parish or Group\nLooking for pilgrimages to Oberammergau and the Passion Play?\n2022 Oberammergau Passion Play\nabout Germany Pilgrimages\n▸ What is an abbey?\nAbbeys are governed by abbots or abbesses who reside and oversee self-supported religious compound of buildings and land. Catholic holy men or women live, work, and worship together there, practicing extreme self-denial and abstaining from any form of indulgence within their everyday secluded lives. Abbeys must have a minimum of twelve members and most abbeys today belong to the Benedictine order. Abbeys must have a minimum of twelve members to be considered an abbey and most abbeys today belong to the Benedictine order.\n▸ What is a monastery?\nA monastery is a religious complex which includes a chapel or church and also provides residence to those who have consecrated themselves to religious vows or a particular order. It is a place where one can focus on their faith in isolation, away from the distractions of the world. In its simplest form, it is a place where nuns or monks live in community together.\n▸ How often is the Passion Play performed in Oberammergau?\nThe Passion Play is performed once every decade in Oberammergau, a quaint German town in the Bavarian Alps. Except during times of war and/or pandemics, this play has been performed by the local townspeople every tenth year since 1634; a return gift from the villagers to God for sparing them from the bubonic plague that had devasted their population just a few years before. For more information, please see our Oberammergau page here.\n▸ Where is the church of St. Mary, the “Basilica Birnau”?\nRich in history, this 18th century Rococo church was built in southern Germany among vineyards on the banks of Lake Constance. This lake shares borders with three different countries: Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The church and its predecessors have been a local and international pilgrimage destination since the early Middle Ages.\n▸ Where is the Black Forest?\nThe Black Forest is a heavily wooded, mountainous region, located in the southwestern portion of Germany. The territory is about one-hundred miles long, and thirty miles wide and is where the Danube river originates, and where the majestic Rhine river skirts along the western edge of the forest. In German, it is known as the Schwartzwald and is famous for its cuckoo clocks, natural thermal hot springs, and natural beauty.\n▸ Where is the Shrine of Our Lady of Altotting?\nAlso known as the “Lourdes of Germany,” this small chapel is situated on the banks of the Rhine River about 60 miles east of Munich. It is most likely the oldest church in Germany and attracts millions of pilgrims who seek miraculous healings every year. Pilgrimages to this shrine began after the first recorded miracle occurred here in 1489, when a desperate mother laid the dead body of her drowned child before the statue of Our Lady and the child came back to life and survived.\nGermany Articles\nGod’s Way or the Highway\nA Chapel Built from the Bones of Martyrs\nItaly France Holy Land\nWalking the Path to Sainthood\nThe Top 10 Tips for a Pilgrimage\nSt. Luke & St. Paul: Companions\n© Tekton Ministries 2020\nShrine of Mariazell\nLocated in the Alps, this town is a hub for winter sports while simultaneously being a significant site of pilgrimage for local Catholics. At the center of the Baroque basilica is the famed Virgin Mary carved of wood – to which many miracles are attributed.\nBenedictine Abbey of Admont\nSurrounded by mountains and near the Enns River, Admont Abbey is known for its extensive library, the largest monastic library in the world. Starting in 1074, the abbey bustled with activity – containing a scriptorium, convent, and secondary school. Following the ups and downs of wars and poor economics, the abbey today is filled with 30 monks.\nMelk Abbey\nThis Benedictine abbey sits high upon a cliffside and looks out over the Danube river. It came into existence in 1089, after Leopold II bestowed his former castle to Benedictine monks. What stands today is a reconstructed version, completed in 1739, which still operates as a monastery and school.\nShrine of Maria Taferl\nThis small town in Lower Austria has been a popular pilgrimage site since the 17th century. Named after Our Lady, many have journeyed to the basilica there seeking miraculous cures and have received them. The property is lined with offerings of thanksgiving from those who have visited the shrine.\nMozart’s Birthplace\nLocated at No. 9 Getreidegasse, the Mozart family lived on the third floor of a colorful city residence. Today, visitors can tour the residence and see artifacts from his lifetime, including his instruments, early versions of his music, personal belongings, and writings.\nHohensalzburg Fortress\nWith sweeping views and sturdy architecture, this fortress remains one of the largest medieval castles in Europe. Built as a way to protect the city in the late 1000s, it has also served as a prison, railway, barracks, storage depot, and military outpost.\nKapuzinerkloster (Capuchin Monastery)\nConsecrated in 1602, the building of the monastery was a response to the Reformation at the time. It grew in size and occupation until French troops occupied the area in the early 1800s. In 1938, the monks were displaced again when Nazis took over the property. It wasn’t until 1942 when the monks could return to their home, sharing the space with newly released refugees and prisoners.\nFestival Hall\nBuilt in 1960, this hall serves as the venue for the famed Salzburg Festival. It seats over 2,000 people for opera and concert performances.\nSalzburg Cathedral\nFirst built in 774 over what was once a Roman town, Salzburg Cathedral only lasted for 300 years before a fire called for its renovation. Over time, it was renovated to fit the Baroque style, and most notably it contains the baptismal font where Mozart was baptized.\nNonnberg Abbey\nThis vast Benedictine abbey was founded in 715 by St. Rupert of Salzburg and has become the oldest German-speaking convent with continuous operation. It became popularized by one of its most well-known postulants, Maria Augusta Kutschera, better known as Maria Von Trapp.\nSt. Peter’s Abbey\nThis ancient Benedictine monastery was founded in 696 by St. Rupert and boasts the oldest library in Austria. Containing over 800 manuscripts and 100,000 volumes, its collection also possesses paintings, treasures, minerals, furniture, instruments, and coins. The sister of Mozart, Maria Anna Mozart, is buried next to the altar in the monastery’s church.\nHellbrunn Palace\nBuilt by the Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg in 1613, the Hellbrunn Palace is known for its curiosities. Rigged with many practical jokes in the form of trick fountains, visitors would get surprised by a stream of water when walking through the grounds, save for the Archbishop, as he always stood in the one dry area. The Palace also lacks a bedroom, as the Archbishop would only travel there for the day and return to the city in the evening.\nSt. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom)\nThis multi-color roofed cathedral was the constructed in 1340. A prominent feature in the Vienna skyline, locals affectionately call the church Steffi. The interior of the church has 18 altars, several tombs, and distinguishing artwork.\nThis grand structure dates back to the mid-1800s and has been the seat of the local government of Vienna since. The façade consists of five towers, which pierce the city’s skyline.\nState Opera House\nThe first major building to be erected on Vienna’s main boulevard, the opera house was completed in 1869 and celebrated with a production of Don Giovanni by Mozart. The building was severely damaged by U.S. troops in World War II, including the destructing of the opera house’s full stock of production props and costumes. In 1955, re-construction was completed, and operas were once again performed there.\nThe palace is comprised of a campus of different establishments, such as the Upper Belvedere, the Lower Belvedere, the Orangery, and the Palace Stables. The Belvederes contain many pieces of artwork, which make up the Belvedere Museum. The palace was constructed in a time of prosperity in the early 1700s for the Prince of Savoy to use as a residence.\nSt. Charles Church (Karlskirche)\nThis large Baroque church was constructed in the 1700s after a plague inspired Emperor Charles VI to build a church in this patron’s (St. Charles Borromeo) honor. After a competition was held to find the best design, the church was built and completed in 1737. The church is most known by its grand dome and two soaring towers.\nHofburg Palace\nConstructed in the 13th century, the Hofburg Palace was once the residence of the Habsburg dynasty. Today it operates as the living and working place of the Austrian president. Over the years, additional expansions have occurred around the property, adding a chapel, library, treasury, theater, riding school, and stables.\nKaisergruft (Imperial Crypt)\nLocated below a Capuchin church and monastery, this site has been the burial place for the members of the House of Habsburg since the early 1600s. Nearly 150 Austrian royalty rest there today, including 12 emperors and 18 empresses.\nMeaning “beautiful spring,” the Schönbrunn Palace is a grand monument boasting nearly 1,500 rooms and Rococo-style grandeur. Since 1548, it has served as the summer residence for the ruling Habsburgs. Today it operates as a museum and venue.\nThis spa town, translated as “baths,” lies in the lush valley of Helenental that is fed by 13 hot springs. It was first established by the Romans in the 800s, whose ruins are still visible throughout the town.\nMayerling Hunting Lodge\nThis hunting lodge is most well-known for being the scene of the mysterious deaths of Crown Prince Rudolf and his mistress, Baroness Mary Vetsera. It is unknown exactly how their deaths came about, but today the lodge is a church and museum, where Carmelite nuns still pray for the repose of the soul of Prince Rudolf.\nCisterian Abbey of Heiligenkreuz\nKnown as the Abbey of the Holy Cross, this establishment is the oldest continually occupied Cisterian monastery to have ever existed. Founded in 1133, today it still operates as a home for nearly 90 monks as well as a theological school for seminarians.\nHöldrichsmühle\nIn operation since the 1200s, this establishment has changed with the times, once operating as a vineyard, mill, restaurant, bar, inn, stable, and conference center. Today it is a favorite attraction in Vienna for its rustic charm and surrounding natural beauty.\nHinterbrühl Seegrotte\nThis natural tourist attraction is system of underground caves that lives below a former gypsum mine. The mine has been out of operation since 1912 due to excessive flooding. In 1930, it was opened to tourists and they could tour the old mine via boat and ride across the underground lake.\nLiechtenstein Castle\nThis “small” castle located in Lower Austria was first built in the 12th century, and then rebuilt in 1884 after being attacked by the Ottomans. Though built as a fortress, the residence was used by the House of Liechtenstein as more of a hunting lodge. It sits on a cliff’s edge and is surrounded by the beauty of lush forests and snowcapped mountains.\nMaria Plain\nIn the 16th century, a family bakery caught fire, destroying all within except for an image of Our Lady. The image was taken to a chapel on a hill, where pilgrims came from all around to venerate. In the late 1600s, the bishop ordered a shrine to be built on the spot, where pilgrims still flock to this day.\nStanding at over 379 feet, the tower of this 13th century church stands as the tallest structure in Bruges. Inside, one notices this church displays great wealth and sophistication. One pious supporter even paid to have a chapel constructed to serve as his own private worship space. Within the chapel of the southern aisle stands a marble sculpture named Madonna and Child, sculpted by Michelangelo.\nBasilica of the Holy Blood\nThis quaint basilica earns its fame from the relic it holds within – a portion of the blood of Christ collected by Joseph of Arimathea at the crucifixion. It is contained within a vial made of crystal and precious stones and is brought out every five years for the Procession of the Holy Blood.\nDe Halve Maan Brewery\nThe Half Moon Brewery has been in operation for nearly 500 years and has been in the same family’s ownership for nearly five generations. In 2016, the brewery finished a beer pipeline measuring 2 miles in length between its brewery and bottling plant so as to avoid sending trucks through the old village roads.\nShrine of the Virgin of the Poor\nOur Lady of Banneux first appeared to young Mariette Beco in 1933. Mariette claims she saw a lady in white beckoning to her through her kitchen window. Told she could not go outside by her mother, Our Lady appeared to Mariette again, telling her that she was Our Lady of the Poor. Mary would appear six more times, during one of which she told Mariette to dip her hands into a nearby spring that would bring healing for all nations. Pilgrims started to gather at the site before long and many still report miraculous healings.\nAbbey of Val-Dieu\nThis abbey was built in the “Valley of God” for the first time in 1216. Over time, it would be destroyed four times and then rebuilt soon thereafter. In 2001, the last of the three monks left, leaving the abbey empty and closed. In 2002, a small lay community took up residence there. Today, you can buy a variety of beers brewed at the abbey’s brewery in the tradition of its former monks.\nKnown also as the Grote Markt, this central square of Brussels is comprised of grand buildings and is known as one of the most beautiful squares throughout all of Europe.\nNamed after the two patron saints of the city of Brussels, this 11th century church has seen numerous additions throughout the years until its completion in the 16th century.\nNational Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Koekelberg Basilica)\nYoung in comparison to its fellow churches, the Koekelberg Basilica was built upon land that was supposed to house a grand royal residence. After some pushback from locals, the project was left behind. It wasn’t until King Leopold II visited the Basilica of Sacré-Coeur in Paris that he decided that he too desired a church designated for pilgrimage in his own land. Ground was broken in 1905 and construction finished in 1969.\nShrine of Our Lady of Beauraing\nThis shrine is dedicated to the Virgin of the Golden Heart, who, starting in 1932, appeared 33 times to five children until 1933. Upon hearing of the apparitions, pilgrims journeyed to Beauraing, where many claimed to have received cures to their ailments.\nScourmont Abbey\nThis Trappist monastery was settled in 1850. Now famous for its Chimay beers and cheeses, the Abbey is integral to the village life on the Scourmont plateau. Those within the order dedicate their lives to prayer, reading, and manual work.\nSaint Sixtus Abbey\nThis Trappist monastery has been in existence in its current location since the 1200s. In the 20th century, it was a place of shelter and refuge for civilians and soldiers in both the First and Second World Wars. Today it is known for its brewery – one of many that produces Trappist beers in the area.\nOne of the oldest European cathedrals, the Aachen Cathedral holds its own share of history. Constructed under the rule of the emperor Charlemagne, who was laid to rest there in 814, the chapels within oversaw the coronation of 43 German royals over the centuries.\nShrine of Our Lady of Altötting\nAlso known as the Chapel of Grace (Gnadenkapelle), this national shrine is known for its many healings, so much so that it’s called the Lourdes of Germany. Within is housed a Black Madonna carved from Lindenwood and noted for the miraculous healing of young boy whose mother brought him before the statue after drowning. Throughout the centuries, many offerings have been left at the shrine, including silver urns containing the hearts of passed German nobility and the episcopal ring of the former Archbishop of Munich – the current Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.\nThis massive and impressively-scaled cathedral was under construction for over 600 years, beginning in the 1200s with completion in 1880. On average, it welcomes nearly 20,000 visitors a day, making it the most popularly visited site in Germany. Reaching a height of 515 feet, its spires make it the second tallest church in Europe.\nChurch of St. Andreas\nContained within this 10th century church are the remains of St. Albertus Magnus, a Dominican bishop, philosopher, theologian, and one of the 36 Doctors of the Church. Today, the church is ministered to and maintained by the same order.\nChurch of St. Ursula\nThis church is one of legend. According to stories, St. Ursula, an English princess, sailed to Rome along with 11,000 virgins in the year 300. Upon their arrival, they were all captured and beheaded by the invading Huns, then later buried in a Roman cemetery. Later, a church was erected on their burial site, where their remains are displayed in various forms in the church’s Golden Chamber.\nOld Town District\nSitting on the shores of the Rhine River, Cologne’s Old Town gives a rustic taste of the city, complete with narrow streets, local pubs and breweries, museums, historic homes, a cathedral, and fountains. One of the most popular spaces within the Old Town is the Alter Markt in front of the City Hall, where many festivals, markets, and dining experiences take place.\nRoncalliplatz\nA wide-open square surrounding the Cologne Cathedral, the Roncalliplatz is a space for pedestrians to gather and for events to take place. Known as one of the most traversed places in the city, this square has been home to markets, concerts, and other artforms throughout the year.\nFreiburg Cathedral\nMiraculously surviving the test of time and devastating bombings during World War II, Freiburg Minster’s attractive tower was said to forever remain the most beautiful spire on earth.\nThe square on which Freiburg Cathedral stands (Minster Square), this paved land also contains city buildings and a market that is open on all working days except for August 15 – the Assumption of Mary.\nOld and New Town Halls\nThe Old and New Town Halls sit next to each other on Rathausplatz, connected by a bridge and housing government offices. The Old Town Hall was built in the 13th century, at a time when Freiburg was becoming one of the biggest and most bustling cities in the area. Designed in the Renaissance style, they give a local sense of traditional and homey German aesthetic.\nHeidelberg Castle\nThis hillside ruin was once one of the most important Renaissance structures in Germany. Constructed first in the 1200s, lightning strikes and fires have caused the need for reconstruction. After expanding the structure, further wars and fires wrought more devastation. The castle was home to German royalty during its time of use.\nAlte Brücke\nThe latest of 9 bridges built on the site, the Old Bridge is a bridge of arches that reaches across the Neckar River. Over time, natural disaster and weak materials led to the destruction of its predecessors, but today this 250-year-old structure still stands strong.\nThe Old Town of Heidelberg, this one is especially known for its beautiful surroundings of water, mountains, and city. Views of the nearby castle, historical buildings, and brick streets attract millions of visitors every year.\nHeiliggeistkirche (Church of the Holy Spirit)\nCompleted in 1544, this most famous church in Heidelberg is peculiar in that it has been used by both Catholic and Protestant congregations – even at the same time. In the 1700s, a partition was fashioned in the church so that both could worship without disturbing the other. In 1936, the entirety of the church was given to the Protestants, who still utilize it today.\nJesuitenkirche\nThis Jesuit Church was built over the course of two different periods in time. Beginning in the early 1700s and completed in the late 1800s, the church today has no preserved interior. All that remains of its original state is the painting above the central altar.\nThis crystal-clear lake surrounds the island of Old Town Lindau, a historic and lively city known for its mountain views, cafés, and lakeside promenade. Also known as the Bodensee, it forms part of the borders between Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.\nLocated on Lake Constance, the Lindau lighthouse is the southernmost lighthouse in Germany. For years in the 1800s and early 1900s, it was lit with an open oil fire and tended by a keeper, who also operated foghorns and a bell. In the 1990s, it became an electric operation, allowing the light to shine automatically by approaching boats who put out radio signals.\nBavarian Lion Sculpture\nWelcoming visitors at the entrance of the Lake Constance harbor is a statue of a Bavarian lion. This lion makes several appearances throughout Bavaria, most notably on the coat of arms.\nThis ancient church in the city of Lindau is dedicated to St. Peter, the patron of the local fishermen. Its crowning beauty is what’s found inside – a collection various frescoes and artwork.\nLindau Abbey\nLocated on the island, this community withstood the test of the Protestant Reformation, being the only place to remain Catholic in the region. In the intervening years, the monastery has dissolved, but the abbey still remains the local Catholic church.\nThis annual event has been a mainstay in German culture since the 1800s. Known as the world’s largest beer festival, it attracts visitors from all over the world and is the model for other beer festivals. Traditionally, the event kicks off mid-September and lasts until the first Sunday in October. It has since found significance by commemorating German Unity Day on October 3rd, when East and West Germany were once again one.\nBürgersaalkirche\nOriginally constructed in 1710, this church was first used as a Citizen’s Hall before being converted into a place of worship in 1778. It currently consists of an upper and lower church, and beneath an altar are the remains of Blessed Rupert Mayer, a priest who was a leader in the Catholic resistance to Nazism in the 1930s and 40s.\nMichaelskirche\nSt. Michael’s Church is a Jesuit establishment whose construction began in 1585. As part of the Counter Reformation, the interior and exterior both represent the grandeur of the Catholic faith and its beauty. In 1590, one of the church’s towers collapsed, causing extensive damage. Taking this as a sign, the architect resolved to build an even bigger and grander church, finally completing construction in 1597.\nAlso known as the Cathedral of Our Dear Lady, this church is a breathtaking spectacle on the Munich horizon. Due to local height limitations, no other building can exceed the height of this church’s towers, making it widely visible from all over the city. Finished in 1494, this cathedral sustained catastrophic damage during the Second World War, reconstruction for which was only completed in 1994.\nNamed for the sculpture of Our Lady at its center, Marienplatz has been Munich’s main square since the 1100s. Over the years, the square has been home to tournaments, markets, city halls, a large clock tower, shops, and restaurants.\nRathaus-Glockenspiel\nThis large clock is situated within the New Town Hall located in the Marienplatz of Munich. The clock chimes two to three times a day, accompanied by a re-enactment of Bavarian stories from the 16th century. Made up of 43 bells, and 32 life-sized figurines, this massive clock is a crowd pleaser to those watching from below.\nNymphenburg Palace\nLarger even than the Palace of Versailles, this vast establishment has served as the summer residence for the Bavarian royalty since the 1600s.\nLinderhof Palace\nThe smallest of three palaces erected by King Ludwig II, Linderhof Palace is still grand in its own right. Taking cues from the décor of Versailles, its interior and exterior are full of lush and glittering details. Contained within the 125-acre park that surrounds the palace are numerous diverse structures, including a Venus Grotto, Moorish Kiosk, Moroccan House, Music Pavilion, and Chapel.\nHofbräuhaus Beer Hall\nThis famous beer hall was built in 1589 by Duke Maximilian I. It wasn’t until 1828 that the general public was allowed entry. In World War II, much of the beer hall was destroyed by bombings. In 1958, it reopened its Festival Hall as it completed all renovation due to the war. Today, the establishment offers traditional foods, beers, music, and beautiful rooms. For locals who frequent often, there is a beer stein locker, where they may keep their personal mugs to be used upon their visits.\nThis 19th century castle located in the countryside outside of Munich was paid for by the private funds of Ludwig II of Bavaria, intending for its use as the king’s home. Upon his death before its completion, the castle was then opened up to the public, allowing visitors to tour its grandeur. More well-known is Disney World’s Cinderella’s Castle, which was based on the aesthetics of Neuschwanstein.\nWieskirche (Pilgrimage Church of Wies)\nSitting in the foothills of the Alps, not too far from Munich, this beautiful Rococo church is a delight to take in. Its magnificent interior strives to bring the transcendent to earth and to welcome pilgrims as they journey to venerate the statue of the Scourged Savior, which was reported to have shed tears in 1738. Since then, many have claimed miraculous healings.\nDachau Concentration Camp\nOpened in 1933, just northwest of the city of Munich, Dachau was originally created as a Nazi concentration camp for political prisoners. Shortly after opening, it was reimagined as a camp for forced labor and imprisonment of Jews, criminals, and those deemed unnecessary during German occupation. Over time, 100 sub-camps appeared throughout Germany and Austria, intended for the same brutalities as Dachau. The camp was liberated by the U.S. in 1945, where it was discovered that over 41,000 people were killed and over 188,000 were imprisoned during its 12 years of operation.\nIn 1633 the small village of Oberammergau, Germany was under threat of the plague and also surrounded by conflict of the Thirty Years War. So a promise was made. The people of Oberammergau prayed to God for deliverance and protection, and in return pledged to perform “a play about the suffering, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ” once every ten years. Since 1634, they have kept their promise, and the most famous Passion Play in the world has taken place in Oberammergau (with few exceptions) every decade.\nFor more information on Oberammergau and the Passion Play, see our\n2022 Oberammergau Passion Play page.\nEibingen Abbey (Benedictine Abbey of St. Hildegard)\nFounded by St. Hildegard of Bingen in the 12th century, a community of nuns has lived and worked in the Abbey almost continually since its beginnings. In 1804, it was disestablished, but later restarted in 1904. The nuns today make wine, crafts, and are known for their incredible hymn singing during Vespers.\nRheinfels Castle\nThis castle of the Middle Ages sits just above the Rhine River. Because of its prime spot, those in charge of the castle could block the river, protect against the French, and be safe within the fortress’s walls. Today, only its vast ruins remain, as it was destroyed by the French in the late 1700s.\nBasilica of St. Martin\nThis stylized church isn’t hard to spot on the edge of the Nahe River. Over time, it has been restored and reconstructed, thus making it a unique blend of several architectural styles.\nSpeyer Cathedral (The Imperial Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption and St. Stephen)\nBuilt of red sandstone and topped with a copper roof, this Romanesque cathedral is the burial site for past emperors and kings. Since the 1000s, it has remained the largest Romanesque church in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.\nOld Gate (Altpoertel)\nOne of the original 68 towers of the old wall, this 12th century gate is one of the tallest and most significant of those remaining. Upon its construction, the Old Gate was used to mark the end of a procession route from the cathedral throughout the town.\nConstantine’s Basilica (Aula Palatina)\nCommissioned by Constantine I in the 300s, this Roman-style structure was first built as a piece of a larger palace complex. Initially, several smaller buildings surrounded it for various uses. At one time, it housed the Bishop of Trier, before becoming a Protestant church in the 1850s.\nKaiserthermen\nIn the third century, these Imperial Baths were gifted to the people of Trier by the Roman emperor. Throughout its construction and usage, plans were changed as to the building’s functions. It is believed that this vast structure was used as a barracks, a castle, baths, city wall, and a monastery.\nMuch like the Roman Colosseum, the Trier Amphitheater was constructed for its usage in gladiator contests. Holding nearly 20,000 people, this hillside theater provided the utmost entertainment for the time.\nOne of four Roman gates that surround the city, this black gate was erected in the 100s and was never fully completed. For unknown reasons, the its sides were never fitted with a gate, yet it was still used as an entryway for several centuries. Today, it is the only of the four gates that remains.\nBenedictine Monastery of Einsiedeln\nDedicated to Our Lady of the Hermits, this patronage was based off of the land’s first inhabitant – the hermit, St. Meinrad. After Meinrad’s death, others flocked to his hermitage with the desire to live a life such as he did. Before long, a monastery and church were built on the site in 934. Today, about 60 monks currently make up the community there, as well as 360 college pupils who are taught by the monks.\nThis Renaissance style city center offers visitors views of the architectural beauty that Zürich has to offer. Complete with a view of church towers, Europe’s largest clockface, and beautiful stained glass, passersby have many options of entertainment to choose from as they walk the historic city streets.\nFounded as an abbey for aristocratic women in the mid-800s by Louis the German, Fraumünster today is a one of the four main churches of Zürich. In its earlier years, the abbey was granted much power, giving the abbess the authority to select the town’s mayor and to mint money. In 1336, the first independent mayor was appointed\nThis most powerful waterfall in all of Europe is a tourist favorite in Zürich. Measuring 490 feet wide and 75 feet tall, this natural beauty has intrigued viewers for centuries.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1183027"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8508442640304565,"wiki_prob":0.8508442640304565,"text":"'What does he mean when he says words': Watch John Oliver's searing takedown of Trump's lies\nJohn Oliver's Last Week Tonight returned Sunday night for its fourth season on HBO—the first episode to air with Donald Trump as the President of the United States. Oliver devotes a solid 24 minutes tackling the reality of a Trump administration. Or rather, the disconnect between reality and many of the president's statements.\n\"We have a president capable of standing in the rain and saying it was a sunny day,\" Oliver said, referring to Trump's false claims that it didn't rain during his inauguration on Jan. 20.\n\"Normally we like to focus this part of the show on complex, depressing policy issues…but unfortunately we can't until we address something even bigger. The concept of reality itself. And that is because of this guy,\" said Oliver, over a picture of Trump. \"Since taking office around 412 years ago Trump has made it clear that reality is not important to him.\"\nOliver goes on to bring up \"four basic questions\": \"How did we get a pathological liar in the White House? Where are his lies coming from? Why do so many people believe him? And what can we possibly do about it?\"\nThe host points out that Trump has lied about everything from the crowd numbers and weather on Inauguration Day, to the current murder rate in the U.S., America's GDP, to voter fraud—he even lied about being invited to be a guest on Last Week Tonight.\nAs Oliver himself says, calling Trump a liar is \"not a fresh observation.\" But the decisions made on the basis of those lies make them worth examining more closely.\n\"Trump was telling the truth about his solutions to the problems he was lying about,\" says Oliver, referring to the Muslim ban and the wall on the Mexican border.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1160440"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5698368549346924,"wiki_prob":0.4301631450653076,"text":"Wife poisons husband and parents-in-law after she was criticised for her cooking!\nA scorned wife poisons her husband and her parents-in-law after she got tired of constantly being criticised for her cooking!\nThere’s an old saying that goes, “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.” And in this tragic story, a scorned wife poisons her husband and her parents-in-law during a family celebration.\nWhat spurred her to do the unthinkable?\nWife Poisons Her Husband and Parents-In-Law\nThe woman poisoned the food which killed five people.\nA 28-year-old woman from India reportedly served poisoned food during a housewarming party. The poisoned food caused the deaths of five people, and the hospitalisation of 120 others.\nA senior police officer shares, “After five days of intense probe, we arrested housewife Pragya Survase on charges of mixing insecticide in food that was served to guests at one of her relative’s housewarming party in Mahad village Monday (June 18).”\nPolice said that during the questioning of family members, the woman broke down and confessed to the crime.\nLocal police chief Anil Paraskar shares, “Survase has confessed to the crime citing marital, family disputes.”\nShe said that she did it to take revenge upon her husband, her in-laws and their relatives because they taunted her for her complexion and her cooking.\nPolice will be charging her with murder, attempt to murder and conspiracy charges. Her victims include several children, and she faces the death penalty for her actions.\nIt’s Important to Work on Your Marital Issues\nMarital issues are common in any marriage. That’s why it’s important for married couples to know what they can do to fix these problems.\nHere are a few ways to ensure that you can work out any problems you encounter in your marriage:\nCommunicate with each other. Take the time to talk to each other openly and honestly, and share your thoughts and feelings with one another.\nListen and understand. Listening is very important in a marriage. Make sure to not just listen, but also understand what your spouse is trying to say.\nMake an effort to be better. People like to make excuses whenever they get criticised about something. It’s always a good idea to take criticism in stride, and not always be offended by it.\nYour marriage should be a priority. Married people need to know that their relationship with each other is important. Having a healthy and thriving marriage can have a positive impact on your family, and it should always be a priority.\nShare your problems with each other. Don’t be afraid to speak up. You need to be able to trust that your spouse will listen, understand, and help fix any problems you might have in your marriage.\nSource: Straits Times\nREAD: Abusive babysitter slaps 8-month-old baby while playing on her phone\nJan Alwyn\nin-laws poison wife kills her husband\nMy Wife Changed After Our Baby Was Born—AND It's Okay\nWife crashes her own funeral after husband paid to have her killed\nSingapore Mum Says Clinic Neglected Her Vomiting Baby","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1093973"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.661443829536438,"wiki_prob":0.661443829536438,"text":"What is “The Hammer?”\nMay 24, 2019\tTHE HAMMER No Comments\nWhistleblower Tapes: Trump Wiretapped “A Zillion Times” By ‘The Hammer,’ Brennan’s and Clapper’s Secret Computer System\nBy Mary Fanning and Alan Jones\nPresident Obama’s Director of National Intelligence (DNI) James Clapper and his Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director John Brennan oversaw a secret supercomputer system known as “THE HAMMER,” according to former NSA/CIA contractor-turned whistleblower Dennis Montgomery.\nClapper and Brennan were using the supercomputer system to conduct illegal and unconstitutional government data harvesting and wiretapping. THE HAMMER was installed on federal property in Fort Washington, Maryland at a complex which some speculate is a secret CIA and NSA operation operating at a US Naval facility.\nPresident Trump’s allegation that the Obama Administration was wiretapping him is not only supported by Montgomery’s whistleblower revelations about Brennan’s and Clapper’s computer system THE HAMMER, but also by statements made this week by William Binney, a former NSA Technical Director of the World Geopolitical and Military Analysis Reporting Group, by former CIA and State Department official Larry Johnson, and by Montgomery’s attorney Larry Klayman.\nComputer expert Dennis Montgomery developed software programs that could breach secure computer systems and collect massive amounts of data.\nThat system, THE HAMMER, according to the audio tapes, accessed the phone calls, emails and bank accounts of millions of ordinary Americans.\nThe tapes also reveal that the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance court (FISA), Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, 156 other judges, members of Congress, and Donald J. Trump were targeted by the HAMMER.\nOne of the audio tapes made public by Federal Judge G. Murray Snow revealed that Brennan and Clapper particularly targeted and wiretapped Donald Trump a “zillion times.”\nMontgomery also contends that the government can plant files such as child pornography or state secrets on a target’s computer, setting up the owner of that device for blackmail or framed prosecution.\nFormer CBS reporter Sharyl Attkisson alleged in 2013 she was under electronic surveillance for at least two years and that three classified documents were planted on her “compromised” computer.\nThe audio tapes were released by Federal Judge G. Murray Snow in Maricopa County, Arizona in the Justice Department’s civil contempt case against Sheriff Joseph M. Arpaio.\nAttorney Klayman, founder of Freedom Watch, represented Montgomery before federal Judge Royce C. Lamberth. Klayman, who characterizes his client Montgomery as a “whistleblower,” told Fox News that Montgomery “turned over 600 million plus pages of information to the FBI.” Judge Lamberth was formerly the presiding judge over the FISA court.\nAfter Montgomery produced his documentation, the FBI gave him two immunity agreements: one in the area of “production” and the other regarding “testimony.”\nThe FBI then took possession of documentation.\nAttorney Klayman asserts that this information precipitated James Clapper’s resignation.\nClapper had gone before Congress to testify under oath that the NSA, and other intelligence agencies including the CIA,” were not collecting massive amounts of telephonic and Internet metadata on hundreds of millions of innocent American citizens” according to Klayman.\nWhistleblower Edward Snowden’s revelations proved otherwise.\nClapper was subsequently found to be untruthful and resigned on November 17, 2016, effective January 20, 2017, the day Donald Trump was sworn in.\nClapper has not been prosecuted for perjury.\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRyWkIzHfVo&feature=em-uploademail\nhttp://www.freedomwatchusa.org/freedom-watch-and-whistleblower-likely-responsible-for-today\nhttps://www.yahoo.com/news/blogs/ticket/wyden-warns-clapper-americans-straight-answers-spying-154640996.html?ref=gs\nhttps://theamericanreport.org/2017/03/17/whistleblower-tapes-trump-wiretapped-zillion-times-hammer-brennans-clappers-secret-computer-system/#more-2120\nTags: THE HAMMER\nThe Deep Cleaning of The ‘Criminal’ Intelligence Agencies Begin\nSWAMPgate: ALL the perps are connected…as in joined at the hip!","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line704673"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9128038287162781,"wiki_prob":0.9128038287162781,"text":"Chart Beat\nSamantha Fish, King Von & Gashi Debut on Emerging Artists Chart\nBy Xander Zellner\nStephen J. Cohen/Getty Images\nSamantha Fish performs during the 2019 Bourbon & Beyond Music Festival at Highland Ground on Sept. 21, 2019 in Louisville.\nPlus, NLE Choppa spends a fourth week at No. 1.\nSamantha Fish debuts at No. 8 on Billboard's Emerging Artists chart (dated Oct. 5), as her new LP Kill or Be Kind opens at No. 1 on both Blues Albums and Heatseekers Albums with 5,000 copies sold, according to Nielsen Music.\nFish adds her third Blues Albums No. 1, following 2017's Belle of the West and 2015's Wild Heart.\nKill or Be Kind is Fish's first Heatseekers Albums No. 1.\nArtists Mentioned\nThe Emerging Artists chart ranks the most popular developing artists of the week, using the same formula as the all-encompassing Billboard Artist 100, which measures artist activity across multiple Billboard charts, including the Billboard Hot 100, Billboard 200 and the Social 50. (The Artist 100 lists the most popular acts, overall, each week.) However, the Emerging Artists chart excludes acts that have notched a top 25 entry on either the Hot 100 or Billboard 200, as well as artists that have achieved two or more top 10s on Billboard's \"Hot\" song genre charts and/or consumption-based \"Top\" album genre rankings.\nNLE Choppa logs his fourth week at No. 1 on Emerging Artists, as his single \"Camelot\" rises 40-37 in its second week on the Hot 100.\nNLE Choppa Launches Own Label in Partnership with Warner Records\nChicago-based rapper King Von debuts at No. 28 on Emerging Artists, as his Grandson, Vol. 1 arrives at No. 37 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and No. 75 on the Billboard 200 (9,000 equivalent album units), marking his first appearance on both charts.\nPlus, Albanian rapper/singer Gashi debuts at No. 37 on Emerging Artists, thanks to his sophomore self-titled LP, which launches at No. 2 on Heatseekers Albums with 2,000 copies sold. He's tallied two entries on the Rhythmic Songsairplay chart: \"Creep on Me,\" featuring French Montana and DJ Snake, reached no. 31 in January and \"My Year,\" with G-Eazy, hit No. 30 in March.\nCheck out this week's full Emerging Artists chart here.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1507401"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7250571250915527,"wiki_prob":0.27494287490844727,"text":"Anastasia Lijadi\nResearch and Education Director\nAnastasia Aldelina Lijadi, PhD received her PhD in Psychology from the University of Macau, Masters Degree in Counseling and Psychotherapy from the University of Saint Joseph, Macau and Bachelor Degree in Management from the University of Indonesia. Her PhD dissertation – proposing theory of place identity construction of Third Culture Kids - won the 2015 Atlas TI Award for the best dissertation using qualitative methods at PhD level from the International Institute of Qualitative Method, University of Alberta. Dr Lijadi continues to study the phenomenon of Third Culture Kids, in particular on their academic adjustment and quality of life related to high mobility lifestyle. She is actively involved in the Research Network Committee at Families in Global Transition, and serves as editorial member for the International Journal of School and Education Psychology.\nDr Lijadi is currently working with the International Institute of Applied System Analysis (IIASA http://www.iiasa.ac.at), Austria as a Research Scholar in the Department of World Population. She is part of the team working under a 2017 ERC grant to make unconventional cross-disciplinary contributions to developing a new human well-being indicator.\nAnastasia has served on the FIGT Board since October 2019. Contact her at researchandeducation@figt.org.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1293657"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.553638219833374,"wiki_prob":0.446361780166626,"text":"Constitution Party on Free Trade\nMulti-national corporations extract tax money as free trade\nWe reject the trade concept of normal trade relations (Most Favored Nation status), used to curry favor with regimes whose domestic and international policies are abhorrent to decent people everywhere and which are in fundamental conflict with the vital interests of the United States of America. We strongly oppose unconstitutional \"Trade Promotion Authority,\" which transfers the establishment of trade policy from Congress to the Executive branch of government. In the name of free trade, multi-national corporations have been given tax breaks by the U.S. government which are not available to American businesses, and the money extracted from U.S. taxpayers has been used by the government to subsidize exports and encourage businesses to move abroad. Such improprieties must cease. Source: 2012-2016 Constitution Party national platform , Nov 1, 2012\nWithdraw from NAFTA, the GATT, and the WTO\nWe favor the abolition of the Office of Special Trade Representative, and insist on the withdrawal of these US from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), the World Trade Organization (WTO), and all other agreements wherein agencies other than the Congress of these US improperly assume responsibility for establishing American trade policies. Source: Constitution Party platform ratified at National Convention , Apr 26, 2008\nClick here for definitions & background information for the Free Trade.\nClick here for VoteMatch responses for the Constitution Party.\nOther political parties on Free Trade: Constitution Party on other issues:","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line570851"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7544117569923401,"wiki_prob":0.7544117569923401,"text":"The Drones\nW♥M147: Australian Music Festivals\nSally and Vu on some Australian Music Festivals. This is the first podcast to be uploaded on YouTube, for those interested in getting content via the video service.\n• Metric in Minneapolis (09/11/12)\n• ATP Music Festival happening in Melbourne. Name inspired by Velvet Underground/Nico with \"All Tomorrow's Parties\" and \"I'll Be Your Mirror\"\n• Drones curating ATP Melbourne and Greg Dulli (Afghan Whigs) is the curator for ATP New York.\n• Weezer playing Sydney Entertainment Center ($120 for single tickets)\n• Meredith Music Festival is sold-out.\n• Meredith's ballot tickets.\n• Grimes is one of the headliner for Meredith.\n• Harvest Festival's second lineup: Dexy's Midnight Runners, Silversun Pickups, Dark Dark Dark, and more.\n• Song of the show is The City Lights' \"I Just Got to Believe\"\nMEREDITH MUSIC FESTIVAL LINEUP: Primal Scream, Spiritualized, Four Tet, Turbonegro, Grimes, Sunnyboys, Omar Souleyman, Regurgitator, Big Jay McNeely, Chet Faker, Rahzel & DJ JS-1, Pond, Twerps, Saskwatch, Hot Snakes, Eye-2, DJ Yamantaka Eye (The Boredoms), J.B. Smoove, Earthless, The Toot Toot Toots, Meredith Sky Show, Brous, Bitter Sweet Kicks, The Town Bikes, Otologic, Fraser A Gorman & Big Harvest, Angus Sampson, Royal Headache, City Of Ballarat Municipal Brass Band, Silence Wedge\nHARVEST FESTIVAL LINEUP: Beck, Sigur Ros, Mike Patton's Mondo Cane, Grizzly Bear, Ben Folds Five, Silversun Pickups, Beirut, Santigold, Cake, The Dandy Warhols, Dexys, The Black Angels, Chromatics, Crazy P, Ozomatli, Liars, Fuck Buttons, Los Campesinos!, The War On Drugs, Dark Dark Dark, River City Extension, Dark Horses, Winter People\nATP I'LL BE YOUR MIRROR MELBOURNE: my bloody valentine, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Swans, The Dead C, HTRK, Thee Oh Sees, Sleepy Sun, Standish/Carlyon, The Drones, Beasts Of Bourbon (Original Line-up), Einstuerzende Neubauten, Lost Animal, Harmony, Cam Butler & The Shadows Of Love\nATP I'LL BE YOUR MIRROR NEW YORK: Frank Ocean, Philip Glass + Tyondai Braxton, Janeane Garofalo, Lightning Bolt, Lee Ranaldo's 'Hanging Guitar', Hannibal Buress, Edan (The Deejay), Kurt Braunohler, The Afghan Whigs, The Roots, José González, Mark Lanegan Band, Dirty Three, The Antlers, JEFF The Brotherhood, The Dirtbombs, Scrawl, Emeralds, Vetiver, Afterhours, Charles Bradley And The Extraordinaires, Joseph Arthur, DJ Questlove, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, The Make-Up, Hot Snakes, The Magic Band, Autolux, Thee Oh Sees, Lee Ranaldo (Full Band Show), The Album Leaf, BRAIDS, Quintron And Miss Pussycat, Tall Firs, Blanck Mass, The Psychic Paramount, Endless Boogie, Demdike Stare, DJ Jonathan Toubin,\nAlso, leading up to ATP's New York show (taking place September 21-23), you can win tickets with three nights accommodation at the Ace Hotel, Greg Dulli curated books, and Criterion Collection Blu-rays and DVDs on their Instagram Scavenger Hunt game.\nMore details on the ATP Website.\nSome clues for you to work out:\n1) Oscar the LP\n2) Where a lighthouse might store its clothes\n3) There are six in this clue\n4) Flour, sugar, eggs and butter for sale\n5) Tito's Scottish cousin\n6) Motorhead digs at this hotel\n7) This gallery is so delusional\n8) Howard the doorman stares at the pink pussycat in the West Village\n9) Sounds from a strange village in Lost\n10) Audio neutering on fruit\n11) Not a condo in the year before the nation started to daydream\nBONUS: San Cisco's first ever USA date is in Minneapolis, Taco Bell, Sophia Petrillo sings about a goat, Sally saw the sign, and naked race!\nvu ( ) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ podcast.weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic ♥ +W♥M\nPosted at 04:09 PM in Afghan Whigs, Festival, Podcast, Quintron, Sally, Sigur Ros, Silversun Pickups, The Drones, Vu | Permalink | Comments (2)\nThe Drones and Little Man at 400 Bar, Minneapolis (4/9/09)\nThe Drones - The Minotaur\n04/12/09 Sunset Tavern Seattle, WA\n04/13/09 Someday Lounge Portland, OR\n04/15/09 Catalyst Santa Cruz, CA\n04/17/09 Fox Theatre Oakland, CA\n04/18/09 Spaceland Los Angeles, CA\n04/23/09 The Corner Hotel Melbourne\n04/25/09 Metro Theatre Sydney\n04/26/09 Fly By Night Fremantle,Aus\n04/29/09 The Hi Fi Brisbane\n04/30/09 ANU Bar Capital Territory\n05/01/09 Governor Hindmarsh w/ Witch Hats Adelaide, South Australia\n05/02/09 Groovin’ The Moo Festival Townsville, Queensland\n05/03/09 Ripe Festival Noosa, Queensland\n05/09/09 Groovin’ The Moo Festival Maitland, New South Wales\n05/16/09 Groovin’ The Moo Festival Bendigo, Victoria\n05/21/09 The Luminaire w/ Snowman London, London and South East\n05/22/09 Festival Nuits Sonores Lyon, Rhône-Alpes\n05/23/09 L’Abordage Evreux, Haute-Normandie\n05/24/09 Gran Mix Tourcoing, Nord-Pas-de-Calais\n05/25/09 Paradiso Amsterdam, Zuid-Holland\n05/26/09 Merleyn Nijmegen, Zuid-Holland\n05/27/09 Botanique (Witlof) Brussels, Brussels-capital\n05/29/09 Primavera Barcelona, Barcelona\n05/30/09 Le Confort Moderne Poitiers, Poitou-Charentes\n05/31/09 Bad Bonn Festival Dudingen, Bern\n06/02/09 Rote Fabrik-Ziegel Oh Lac Zurich, Zurich\n06/04/09 Chelsea Vienna, Wien\n06/05/09 Molotow Hamburg, Hamburg\n06/06/09 Bang Bang Club Berlin, Berlin\n06/10/09 The Rainbow w/ Snowman Birmingham, London and South East\n06/11/09 Bodega w/ Snowman Nottingham, Midlands\n06/12/09 Deaf Insitute w/ Snowman Manchester, Midlands\n06/13/09 Brudenell Social Club w/ Snowman Leeds, Midlands\n06/14/09 Captains Rest w/ Snowman Glasgow, Scotland\n06/16/09 Hana-Bi Ravenna, Ravenna\n11/03/09 Cargo London, London and South East\n[2002] Here Come the Lies\n[2005] Wait Long by the River and the Bodies of Your Enemies Will Float By\n[2005] The Miller's Daughter\n[2006] Gala Mill\n[2008] Havilah\nThe Drones came a long way to be here at the 400 Bar in Minneapolis. I have previously mentioned that singer Gareth Liddiard had a \"heavy, heavy\" accent. I have to correct that by adding that I did not understand a word the man said.\nThe Drones at 400 Bar, Minneapolis (04/09/09)\nThe Drones - Six Ways to Sunday\nKidding aside, but it was seriously hard to understand the man. They were also surprisingly louder than I thought, lots of distortion and odd feedback (probably unintentional). Listening to their Havilah album and seeing them live are two very different experience. I have concluded that this is a LIVE band.\nThere was no set list, I think the song order were all given out by bassist Fiona Kitschin. They started out with \"Nail It Down\", followed by some song, and then \"The Minotaur\". Right after Minotaur was an amazing bass-y song \"Six Ways To Sunday\", from their first album Here Come the Lies (and also their very first EP). Clearly one of the band's favorite song to play live.\nI also caught \"She Had An Abortion That She Made Me Pay For\", from their third album, so basically their set is a mix-mash of new and old songs - making it for an effective playlist.\nThere were no encores, which didn't surprise me, as it was a work day and there was a moderate turnout for the show.\nThey have a few more US dates left, so be sure to catch them in Seattle and Portland if you can. Their latest album is called Havilah and it is available for purchase at ATP Recordings.\n04/10/2009 23:27:26 ♥ vu ( ) ♥ thedrones.com.au ♥ myspace.com/thedronesthedrones\nLittle Man - Everyone On The Floor\n04/18/09 7th Street Entry Minneapolis\n04/25/09 Uptown Bar Minneapolis\n04/29/09 318 Cafe - (solo) Excelsior\n05/07/09 Underground Menomonie, WI\n05/22/09 First Avenue Minneapolis\n05/29/09 Turf Club St. Paul, Minnesota\n05/30/09 Baba Louie’s DePere, WI\n[2001] Core of Discovery\n[2004] Big Rock\n[2007] Soulful Automatic\n[2008] Of Mind And Matter\nSetlist at 400 Bar, Minneapolis (04/09/09)\nOpening up for The Drones is Little Man. I'm actually embarrassed to admit talking to singer Chris Perricelli before the show that I didn't know Little Man the warmup band. Andrew seems to know all about Little Man and filled me in about how there was a local television commercial that showed Little Man playing while some student explained how he got his degree in video editing (apparently the 'acting' in the commerical really stunk).\nLittle Man ♥ 400 Bar, Minneapolis (4/9/09)\nFor those who don't know T.Rex, they are a wildly popular glam rocker from the 70s, whose lead si...\nAnyway, Little Man played a pretty full set, which is a relief since I was so used to the 30 sets from SXSW. Sometime they would pause for applause and sometime each song leads directly into the next.\nHalfway into the set, Perricelli picks up his acoustic guitar for two songs (I think \"Seal Of Secrecy\" and \"Love Of All Time\"), before going back to electric for the rest of the set. The acoustic was a nice treat, especially with the harmonica (which sort of made me think of Bob Dylan).\nYou can tell right away that Perricelli is an excellent guitarist with his left hand moving quickly up and down the neck of the guitar. It's no surprise why the City Pages called Little Man the Next Big Thing on their cover story for February 27th, 2007. I did ask Perricelli the story behind this and he told me that they had sent someone over the house to interview and take some photographs. He honestly didn't know it was going to be a cover story, so he was a little shocked when he learned about it.\nAnyway, I have their latest album Of Mind And Matter since early February, but haven't had a chance to give it a listen. (If you've ever seen my ridiculous pending review pile, you can understand why it takes me so long to get to things).\nListening to the album post concert, I did recognize many of the songs on the album. This is evident on songs like \"Everyone On The Floor\", which is my personal favorite. Slower/sensitive songs like \"Did You Now\" was left off the setlist, probably for pacing.\n\"Tarots And Arrows\" is catchy, although I felt was kind of repetitive with the lyrics at the end, but hearing this live, it made sense. The repetitive lyrics of \"she's into tarots and arrows\" suddenly comes to a halt, by the way.\nThe majority of the album feels very 60s, early 70s to me. Some people cited that they sound like T.Rex, and I can see where they are coming with that. In some songs, I thought I hear Beatles influence (\"Don't Pray To Fantasy\") and even a bit of The Zombies (check out \"Talisman\" with that \"ch-ch-ahh\" sound). So if you like \"classic rock\", you need to check out \"the next big thing\" Little Man.\nClicking on the 'discography' images on the sidebar will take you to websites to buy the album. You can find out more about his record label at Eclectone Records.\nPS, when I talked to Perricelli, he was generally really excited about being interviews by life-sized muppets. So I leave you with part one of the Buzz Show:\nBUZZ SHOW Part 1 - \"Greetings\"\n04/10/2009 23:27:26 ♥ vu ( ) ♥ littlemanmusic.net ♥ myspace.com/sweetlittleman\nPosted at 11:39 PM in 400 Bar, Concert, Little Man, The Drones, Vu | Permalink | Comments (0)\nSpace and the Astral World\nthedrones.com.au ♥ myspace.com\nThe Drones are \"an unconventional rock band\", currently based out of Melbourne (originally from Perth). I used those quotes because I believe their current album, Havilah, fits more in the realm of psychedelic/space rock band with lots of guitar finger noodling and heavy, heavy Australian accent of Gareth Liddiard.\nThe cover artwork features what looks like a picture of the Moon, but the album title, Havilah, comes from an Australian area, near where this album was recorded.\nMy favorite song off the album is easily \"Your Acting's Like The End Of The World\", a lofty acoustic guitar song with lots of humorous lyrics, but with a bitterness to it. As usual, however, the song is so different that it doesn't really fit into their moody space music, such as either song \"Nail It Down\" or \"The Minotaur\". Although between the two songs, I might be leaning towards \"The Minotaur\", simply because \"Nail it Down\" features too much \"nail it down\" repeating lyrics (even though I think it's a superior song with chorus, bridge, the whole kit and kaboodles).\n\"The Minotaur\" doesn't contain any catchy lyrics, but its music rhythm and energy more than makes up for it. Listen to that yep, followed by that bouncy bassline!\nThey are on tour to promote Havilah, currently available in the States via ATP Recordings. They will also be at SXSW 2009 - which I'm happy to report, I will be doing some coverage this year.\n02/21/09 Theatre Royal (Gareth Solo) w/ Tendrils Castlemaine, Victoria\n02/27/09 The Vanguard (Gareth Solo) w/ Ben Salter Sydney, New South Wales\n02/28/09 The Troubadour (Gareth Solo) w/ Ben Salter Brisbane, Queensland\n03/12/09 MORE U.S TOUR DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON! Various Cities, New York\n03/15/09 The Echoplex - Aussie BBQ Los Angeles, California\n03/16/09 The Aardvark Fort Worth, Texas\n03/18/09 SXSW - Little Radio / Topspin Event Austin, Texas\n03/20/09 SXSW - Aussie BBQ Austin, Texas\n03/20/09 Karma Lounge - SXSW Official Showcase Austin, Texas\n03/26/09 Bell House - Aussie BBQ Brooklyn, New York\n04/07/09 Shubas Chicago, Illinois\n04/24/09 The Corner Hotel w/ Qui (USA) & Witch Hats Melbourne, Victoria\n04/25/09 Metro Theatre w/ Qui (USA) & Witch Hats Sydney, New South Wales\n04/26/09 Fly By Night w/ Qui (USA) Fremantle, Western Australia\n04/29/09 The Hi Fi w/ Qui (USA) & Witch Hats Brisbane, Queensland\n04/30/09 ANU Bar w/ Qui (USA) & Witch Hats Acton, Australian Capital Territory\n05/01/09 Governor Hindmarsh w/Qui (USA) & Witch Hats Adelaide, South Australia\n06/10/09 Hare & Hounds w/ Snowman Birmingham, London and South East\n06/12/09 Roadhouse w/ Snowman Manchester, Midlands\nPHILIP CLEMO\nphilipclemo.com ♥ ilovestrings.com ♥ myspace.com\nPhilip Clemo and Ysanne Spevack - Surfing Dreams and Chaos\nPhilip Clemo - Taking A Hand (In The Company Of Angels)\nPhilip Clemo is a Scottish-born music composer, whose work seems to tie closely with his film project, \"The Air Holds Still On My Breath\", a series of paintings to the music from his album The Rooms (2008). In addition to The Rooms, I have Soundzero (to be release on March 29th), despite the album was recorded in 1999 with violinist and vocalist Ysanne Spevack, aka Mee.\nSpevack's singing on the album isn't typical pop singing, it sounds like she's reciting poetry. Much of her vocals are also manipulated to sound distant to clearly in your head.\nMy favorite song off Soundzero is \"Surfing Dreams and Chaos\", which sounds a bit Celtic with the Spevack's metal violins. Unfortunately, there's none of her singing on this song - which is probably best as Clemo is more known for his atmospheric music.\nWhich brings me to The Rooms. The album opens up with an epic 17-minute track, \"The Place\" that slowly builds up in intensity. You can check out the entire song on his official page.\nAdmittedly, I was drawn to Chloë Goodchild's song, \"Taking A Hand (In The Company Of Angels)\" and the addition of organs and trumpets helped make the song interesting.\nIf you like electronica compositional soundtracks, you should definitely want to check out these two albums. Between the two, I will have to admit to liking Soundzero just a tad because it features more singing and doesn't feel like transitional songs (for some reason, the atmospheric songs like \"Leaving Corridor Red\" didn't strike a chord with me). But I reckon you have to be in the mood for these things...\nYou can find Clemo's albums on amazon (for Soundzero, it's listed under \"Various Artists\"). Both albums have a release date of March 29th, 2009, but The Rooms was made available in the UK in 2008.\nASTRONAUTS OF ANTIQUITY\nastronautsofantiquity.com ♥ myspace.com\nAstronauts Of Antiquity - Dance Until Dawn\nAstronauts Of Antiquity's Rocket Science For Dummies is an loungey, funk-ish album with layers of electro-type of sounds. The band consists of B. Rhyan (music, guitars) and singer India. India's vocals is from a saucy jazz-styling, which actually fits well in these electronic lounge music - not too dissimilar to such acts as Thievery Corporation or Zero 7.\nThe smooth vocals of India, in contrast to Cee Knowledge's rap, is pretty interest and worth checking out on their track \"Soup Du Jour\".\nOther songs worth noting is the trumpets on \"Strangest Places\", which seems to sound like it's an additional vocals, singing along India's vocals \"looking for love in the strangest places\".\nAs for my favorite song, check out \"Dance Until Dawn\". This sounds almost Caribbean, but with a flute solo and easy-to-listen-to vocals.\nIf you're in the mood for an urban loungey pop album, Astronauts Of Antiquity is worth checking out. Details on purchasing their music can be found on their official website.\nThey are playing at Shrine in New York on April 10, 2009, so be sure to see them, if you're in the area.\nERIK SCOTT\nerikscottbass.com ♥ myspace.com\nErik Scott - Bassque Revolution\nErik Scott, aka Eski, released his all instrumental album Other Planets in early 2009. He seems to have a thing for 'dada' (an art/music/media movement, often with abstract/surreal concepts) as he spent sixteen years with his former band Sonia Dada, but previously did some work for Alice Cooper in early eighties - possibly during his conceptual album DaDa (1983).\nOther Planets is 100% original compositions by Scott, with one collaboration with Ron Schwartz for the song \"Other Planets (Sundogs)\".\nAll of the songs sounds epic, like a journey that starts from point a to point b, with lots of emphasis on the bass. There is one exception, \"Bathing Maui\", which I felt was just a fun song (like a toss-away b-side). I get the impression from the song that Scott is a huge dog lover and Maui, I believe, is the dog's name.\nTo represent Erik Scott, I would have to recommend \"Bassque Revolution\". Again, heavy on the bass, but it's perky enough to sound like it has its origin in a European cinema soundtrack. You do need to put on headphones to pick up the organ, keys, cymbals and variety of acoustics - but it should also be just as good for background music while you're reading a novel, or hanging out.\nOther Planets can be downloaded at digstation, physical compact disc at amazon or CD Baby.\n02/22/2009 21:15:40 ♥ vu ( ) ♥weheartmusic.com♥podcast.weheartmusic.com♥news.weheartmusic.com\nPosted at 09:25 PM in Astronauts Of Antiquity, Erik Scott, Philip Clemo and Ysanne Spevack, The Drones, Vu | Permalink | Comments (2)","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line335980"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5047346949577332,"wiki_prob":0.49526530504226685,"text":"Home>Energy>Waste-to-Energy\nSonoco Opens Biomass Unit in South Carolina\nTAGS: Waste-to-Energy Yard Waste Generators\nAllan Gerlat | Jan 20, 2014\nSonoco Products Co. has opened a biomass facility at its Hartsville, S.C., plant.\nThe biomass boiler for the Hartsville-based company is part of $100 million investment in the Darlington County compound, Sonoco said in a news release.\nThe company said it took more than two years to complete final engineering, fabricate the boiler, put together the infrastructure and complete construction of the biomass co-generation boiler system.\n\"A key part of Sonoco's culture is our commitment to sustainability, including our dedication to improving the environment and our contributions to the future of the communities in which we operate,\" said Jack Sanders, Sonoco president and CEO.\nIn 2011 Sonoco spent $75 million to replace two aging, coal-fired boilers and add the new biomass boiler at its plant in Hartsville.\nThe new boiler is fueled primarily by woody biomass from regional logging activity, but it also can run on natural gas. It will produce about 16 megawatts of energy that will be consumed by the manufacturing complex, as well as steam that is used to make paper.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1172108"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7480480074882507,"wiki_prob":0.25195199251174927,"text":"Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)\nMEET THE EXPERT TEAM FIND A LOCATION CALL: 1-800-CEDARS-1\nInterstitial lung disease (ILD) includes many different types of chronic lung conditions that make it hard to breathe—typically due to inflammation and scarring of the lung tissue. If you're living with ILD, you can get help from some of the world's leading experts at Cedars-Sinai, which is ranked among the nation's top hospitals for lung care by U.S. News & World Report. Using the latest advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of ILD, dedicated care teams will work alongside you to help you understand and manage your symptoms—so you can breathe better and get back to the activities you enjoy.\nPioneering Treatment for IPF\nIdiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the most common type of ILD, affecting as many as 100,000 people in the U.S. \"Idiopathic\" means there's no known cause of the condition. IPF can progress quickly, which makes treatment challenging. Doctors at Cedars-Sinai were involved in testing pirfenidone and nintedanib, the only two U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved antifibrotic medications shown to slow the progression of IPF.\nLEARN MORE ABOUT PULMONARY RESEARCH\nWe treat and provide specialized care for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and a wide range of other ILD conditions.\nRelated Programs and Services\nAdvancing Diagnostics\nEarly, accurate detection is vital to managing your symptoms and slowing disease progression. Research conducted at Cedars-Sinai has led to significant strides in diagnosing lung illnesses more quickly. Major developments include pinpointing genetic links and establishing a tissue bank for ongoing research.\nCedars-Sinai is also testing a first-of-its-kind scanner that creates live, 3D images of lung tissue and can measure lung function more precisely using radiographic images. These images will eventually help doctors detect lung disease earlier than ever before, so you can start treatment sooner.\nWith a $12 million research grant from the National Institutes of Health, Cedars-Sinai is leading the way in studies on treatments and diagnostics for IPF and other serious lung conditions. Learn about clinical trials being conducted by our doctors and researchers.\nResearchers and doctors at Cedars-Sinai have pioneered medical advances in lung care and remain at the forefront of innovative tests and treatments to improve patient outcomes. Learn more about our current pulmonary research.\nMedical Professionals & Postgraduates\nCedars-Sinai offers multiple options for graduate studies, postdoctoral research, continuing medical education and professional development in pulmonary and respiratory specialties.\nBetting on Hope\nWhen Paul Giordano was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), he thought he would have to get his affairs in order. But thanks to new medications prescribed by his Cedars-Sinai doctor, Paul W. Noble, MD, he now has renewed optimism—in fact, he and his wife just purchased a vacation home.\nRead Paul's Story\nGet Help or Make an Appointment\nIf you need a diagnosis, treatment or second opinion, call or send a message to our care team. You can also have us call you back at your convenience.\nMonday–Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Pacific Time (U.S.)\nView Lung Patient Guide","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1171014"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8980038166046143,"wiki_prob":0.8980038166046143,"text":"You are here: Home / Music / Alternative / Song of the Day – “Kill Your Sons” by Lou Reed\nSong of the Day – “Kill Your Sons” by Lou Reed\nSeptember 22, 2018 by Eric Berman\nSong of the Day by Eric Berman – “Kill Your Sons” by Lou Reed\nAfter the huge success of the Transformer album and its top-twenty single “Walk On The Wild Side,” Lou Reed delivered his most beautifully disturbing album as a follow up. The concept album, Berlin was considered at the time to be a depressing mess, and it was not exactly what fans expected or wanted from their newly minted glam rock star. Over time, Berlin’s stature has deservedly risen and is now not only considered a classic, but one of Reed’s greatest albums.\nIn order to calm the nerves of his record company and his fans, Reed followed Berlin with the live Rock ‘n’ Roll Animal that included readings of Velvet Underground classics with the blazing twin guitar attack of Steve Hunter and Dick Wagner who went on to back Alice Cooper. The album, which was recorded in New York City at the Academy Of Music in December of 1973, sold very well and still does to this day.\nReed’s next studio album, Sally Can’t Dance was his best-selling and highest charting (#10) record to date. The album was a hastily recorded reaction to all of the expectations fans and record company alike put on Reed, and while his involvement on the record was relegated to a minimum of tossed off vocals and some minor acoustic guitar parts, it did restore his standing in the decadent world of glam rock.\nSally Can’t Dance was not one of Reed’s most consistent collections of songs either, however there are a few standouts including the glammy “N.Y. Stars,” that comments on the many imitators that cropped up in the wake of the success he had with “Walk On The Wild Side,” the sadly beautiful and intimate album closer “Ennui” and “Billy,” a song about a school friend who chose a straighter path than Reed did. The latter track also reunited Reed with his ex-Velvet Underground band-mate Doug Yule on bass.\nThe album also features horn charts, which was a first for Reed, and soulful female backing vocals on the funky “Ride Sally Ride,” “Sally Can’t Dance” and the somewhat misguided “Animal Language.” But the album’s one true classic was also Reed’s most personal song “Kill Your Sons,” which found him reflecting on his childhood stint in a psychiatric hospital where he underwent shock therapy. It is perhaps one of Reed’s most frank and harrowing recordings (and that’s saying something), it is also one of his very best.\nThe top-ten success of Sally Can’t Dance found RCA Records pressuring him for a quick follow up, so Reed acquiesced and delivered the much-maligned-yet-superb-and -classic Metal Machine Music, which consisted of an hour of nothing but noise and feedback. RCA hastily rebounded by assembling the unused Rock ‘n’ Roll Animal tapes into the 1975 album Lou Reed Live. (Yet another great Lou Reed album!)\nFiled Under: Alternative, Classic Rock, Experimental, Garage Rock, Glam Rock, Grunge, Indie, Music, Post Punk, Psychedelic, Punk, Rock 'n' Roll, Song of the Day Tagged With: Kill Your Sons, Links - Rock and Roll, Lou Reed, Music, Sally Can't Dance, Song Of The Day by Eric Berman, Velvet Underground\nAbout Eric Berman","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1521164"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7764325737953186,"wiki_prob":0.7764325737953186,"text":"NRA's Ties to Russia and Alleged Spy Maria Butina Run Deep Despite Denials, Report Reveals\nBy Cristina Maza On 1/30/19 at 3:50 PM EST\nTim Kirby, a journalist at the Moscow’s state-funded international broadcaster RT and a member of the National Rifle Association addresses a press conference following the arrest on July 15 of a Russian gun rights enthusiast on espionage charges in the United States, in Moscow, on July 31, 2018. Vasily Maximov/AFP/Getty Images\nWorld Russia investigation National rifle association Maria Butina Moscow\nFor the first time since the National Rifle Association's links to Russia became a matter of public interest, the gun advocacy organization released a statement about a trip high-ranking members of the group took to Moscow in 2015.\nThe organization's lawyers told The New York Times that the NRA's chief executive had forbidden members of the association from joining the delegation that went to Russia, and noted that the NRA's then-president Allan Cors had decided not to go on the trip.\nBut despite attempts to minimize the involvement of its top officials, analysts say there is ample evidence that the organization had deeps ties to Russia and a longstanding relationship with Russian guns rights activist Maria Butina, who was recently charged for attempting to infiltrate Republican political circles on behalf of the Russian government.\nButina was an assistant to the deputy governor of Russia's central bank, Alexander Torshin, who asked to meet President Donald Trump at the NRA's 2016 convention. Torshin did not meet then-candidate Trump, but he did meet briefly with Donald Trump Jr. The president's son has dismissed the conversation as inconsequential, but it is still unknown what the two men discussed.\nIf you’re a senior NRA executive and you know Russia is invading Ukraine, harboring Edward Snowden, and threatening our NATO allies, what makes you decide to take a high-profile trip to Moscow to wine and dine Kremlin officials? (Hint: $$$$). https://t.co/3EUV2guxAg\n— Michael Carpenter (@mikercarpenter) January 30, 2019\nABC News reported Wednesday that it had reviewed internal NRA emails showing that the organization was deeply involved with planning the trip to Moscow. One NRA employee even helped Butina arrange travel for the group, and Butina met the delegates at the airport carrying a sign that read \"Welcome NRA.\" During the trip, the members of the NRA met with officials from the Kremlin. Many of the people on the trip are today a part of the association's top leadership.\n\"Put simply, the NRA's half-baked explanation for its infamous 2015 Russia trip doesn't pass the smell test. It's time for the NRA to dispense with the smoke and mirrors and tell the full truth about its ties to the Kremlin,\" John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety, told Newsweek.\nSenator Ron Wyden of Oregon has launched an investigation into the NRA's ties to Russia.\n\"Any claims that the NRA played no official role in the 2015 Moscow trip are not credible,\" Wyden tweeted Wednesday.\nThe NRA donated tens of millions of dollars to the campaign of President Donald Trump. The Trump campaign's ties to Russia are also the subject of numerous congressional investigations and are under scrutiny by Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team. The Senate Judiciary Committee requested documents about Russia's ties to the NRA in late 2017.\nAmerican Paul Whelan Arrested in Russia on Spy Charges\nRussia Says Maria Butina Is #MeToo Movement Victim\nRussia: U.S. Threatened to Send Maria Butina to Gitmo","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line998889"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8197128772735596,"wiki_prob":0.8197128772735596,"text":"HD 158 - Rep. Christina Sappey\nRep. Christina Sappey\nMore: Learn more about Rep. Sappey on her website\nState Representative Christina Sappey is running for re-election in the 158th district in Chester County.\nRep. Sappey formerly served as the Chief of Staff for two environmental champions, Reps. Carolyn Comitta and Barbara McIlvaine Smith, and was a founding member of the Marshallton Conservation Trust. She was first elected to the state House in 2018 and earned a 100% on the 2019-2020 Pennsylvania Environmental Scorecard. Rep. Sappey currently serves on the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee and is a member of the Climate Caucus. She considers environmental protection a top priority, particularly as Chester County’s land and water remain under threat from the Mariner East II Pipeline. Recently, Rep. Sappey stood with many of her colleagues in calling for an immediate halt to pipeline construction and a revocation of its building permits.\nThe 158th District has a committed environmental ally in Rep. Sappey, and we urge her constituents to send her back to Harrisburg to continue to fight us.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1019231"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9233853220939636,"wiki_prob":0.9233853220939636,"text":"Triumph of Faith\nAccording to the Muslims the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was born on Monday, 12th Rabi al Awwal, in the year of the elephant, c. 571, in Mecca. He was forty years old in 610, when on a night in the month of Ramadan, the angel Gabriel came and asked him to ‘Recite in the name of thy Lord who created man’. The Prophet (PBUH) migrated from Mecca to Medina in 622. This became the first year of the Muslim calendar, beginning with 16 July, as the first day of the first month.\nThe Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was a great prophet and a great general who possessed nine named swords, led his followers in eight major battles, and organized about a hundred raids in his last ten years at Medina. He expelled Jewish tribes from Medina, Banu Qaynuqa in February 624, Banu Nadir in August 625, and Banu Qurayza in March 627. And attacked the Jews of Khyber outside Medina in May/June 628.\nThe Prophet dispatched an army in Jumada al-awwal 629, to take revenge for killing of his emissary at Mutah but all three of the commanders appointed by the Prophet were killed and Khalid bin al-Walid brought back the army to Medina. The Prophet went to Mecca in triumph on 20 Ramadan 8/11 January 630 to become a Prophet (PBUH) with honour in his own country. Before he died at Medina on 13 Rabi al-Awwal 11/8 June 632, the prophet ordered an army to avenge the martyrs of battle of Mutah.\nThe Prophet’s elder father-in-law, Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, was proposed caliph (successor) by his younger father-in-law, Umar. On the first day of his caliphate, Abu Bakr ordered the army to fulfill the Prophet’s command and march to Mutah. Thereafter, Caliph Abu Bakr organized armies for the Ridda wars (wars of apostasy) against those who had turned away from prophet on his death, and established an Islamic state in Arabia. This enabled the Muslims to create the largest pre-modern empire that was planned by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), who had sent ambassadors to rulers of the states round him to accept Islam.\nThe first caliph, Abu Bakr (632-634), on his deathbed, nominated the Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) younger father-in-law, Umar Al-Farooq (634-644), as the second caliph who assumed office on 23 August 634. During the Ridda wars those who did not accept Islam and took up arms were killed or enslaved. Caliph Umar freed thousands of Bedouin Arab enslaved during the Ridda wars. He expelled Christians and Jews from Arabia, and occupied the most heavily Christian and Jewish areas in the world. Jerusalem fell in February 638. Syria was conquered in 634-641, and Egypt in 639-642.\nPersian empire comprising Iraq and Iran was conquered in 633-655. The Persian slaves in Medina chose a Persian slave, Firuz Nahavandi Abu Lulu, to attack Umar while he was leading the morning prayers at Al-Masjid al-Nabawi. He wounded Umar and twelve others. Six did not survive. Caliph Umar died three days later on Wednesday, 3rd November 644 (26th Dhu al-Hijja 23). It was followed by rebellion all over conquered Persian Empire.\nCaliph Umar nominated a council of six to elect his successor, who chose a first cousin of the Prophet, son of a daughter of Um Hakim bint Abdul Mutalib, and elder son-in-law of the Prophet, Usman al-Ghani, known as Dhu al-Nurayn (of two lights), because he married to two daughters of the Prophet, firstly Ruqayyah and upon her death to Kulsoom. Caliph Usman consolidated the Islamic conquest and brought prosperity which created rivalry among the tribes. Caliph Usman (644-656), was surrounded by dissidents from Egypt, Kufa and Basra, and killed while he was fasting and reciting the Quran in his house at Medina, and another cousin of the Prophet, i.e. son of his father’s brother and the Prophet’s younger son-in-law, Ali (656-661), took over.\nThe failure of Caliph Ali to punish the murderers of his predecessor ran counter to the Quranic law of Qisas (Retaliation), and the traditional belief in tribal honour, which required every member of an Arab tribe to avenge the murder of one of their member, and stipulated that the heir was the man who accepted the responsibility for avenging the death. Muawiya, who was brother-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), leader of the Banu Umayya and the Governor of Syria, demanded that murderer of Caliph Usman be punished. This led to the di­vision of the caliphate. Caliph Muawiya ruled the western part of the caliphate from Damascus in Syria, while Caliph Ali ruled the eastern part of the caliphate from Kufa in Iraq.\nThe Kharijites (seceders), partisan of Ali’s party did not agree with the division. They decided to kill both the caliphs on the same day during the early morning prayers. Caliph Muawiya in Damascus escaped with minor injuries, but Caliph Ali in Kufa received fatal injuries and died on 21st of Ramzan /26 January 661. Ali’s elder son Hasan fulfilled Qisas by killing Ali’s murderer and was declared caliph as successor of Ali but entered into a pact with Caliph Muawiya, whereby he gave up the caliphate on 10 August 661, in fulfillment of a saying of the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH), ‘This son of mine is a Sayyid, and he will unite two branches of the Muslims’. In celebration of this meri­torious deed of reconciling the opposing parties, the year is known as ‘Am al-Jama’a, the Year of Community (Jafri, 1979, 156). Imam Hasan died nine years later at Medina in AH 49/AD 669.\nUnder the Umayyad caliphate (661-750), Muslim armies conquered all of Christian North Africa, Spain, Portugal, Andorra and part of France. In the east, they conquered Bukhara and Samarqand in 706–712, and Sindh in 711-714.\nThe successful challenge to the Umayyad’s came as per the tribal system from the family of Abbas who was uncle of the Prophet (PBUH), and eldest male member of the Prophet’s family at the time of his death. It was natural for an Arab to accept Abbas as heir to the Prophet (PBUH), because the eldest male of the tribe was considered by them to be the main recipient of the inheritance. The claim of Abbas’s family also received support from the offspring of younger brother of Hasan and Husain named Muhammad, who was a son of Caliph Ali from ‘a blackish slave girl from Sindh’ (Ibn Saad, Book V, 105). He was known as Ibn Hanafiyya, to distinguish him from another son of Caliph Ali by that name from another wife. The imamate of Muhammad, son of Caliph Ali, and after his death that of Abu Hashim, son of Muhammad, was recognised by Shiites in preference to those members of the family of Caliph Ali who had taken to political inactivity and prayers. As Abu Hashim had no son, he made Muhammad, an offspring of Abbas, his nominee to the imamate and gave him letters addressed to Shiite circles in Khurasan.\nThis Muhammad, a great grandson of Abbas, conceived a plan for seizure of power from the Umayyad’s, which upon his death in 743, was put into operation by his son Ibrahim. It received active support in the province of Khurasan where Abu Muslim, a non-Arab, unfurled the black banner of the Abbasids in June 747 and occupied the provincial capital Merv (now in Turkmenistan). As Ibrahim had been captured in 748 and had died in captivity, his brother Abu al-Abbas al-Saffah received the oath of allegiance as caliph in the mosque of Kufa on 28 November 749.\nAlthough Abbasids tried to kill the entire Umayyad family, Abd ar-Rahman, escaped and established an independent kingdom in 756 in Andalusia (Spain) where most of the local population converted to Islam by the tenth century.\nMuslim forces captured part of Sicily in 827, sacked the Basilicas of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Rome in 846, and sacked Pisa in 1004 in Italy.\nInstead of militia of Arab warriors who were riddled with factions, the Abbasid caliphs began to hire slave troops. The Shia Buyid troops from Daylam (on the southern shore of the Caspian Sea) employed by the Abbasids kept control of Baghdad for over a century. And independent dynasties emerged in the East, like the Tahirids, Saffarids, Samanids and Ghaznavids. A Shiite Fatimid caliphate (909-1171) came into power in North Africa, and built their capital al-Qahirah (Cairo) in 973.\nIn 1055, the Sunni Seljuq Turks under Tughril Beg (1016-1063) took control of Baghdad from the Shi'a Buyids. The Seljuq Alp Arslan added Armenia and Georgia in 1064, invaded the Byzantine Empire in 1068 and at the Battle of Manzikert in 1071, annexed almost all of Anatolia. His famous vazir, Nizām al-Mulk established a network of madrassas (Islamic schools) in Baghdad, Isfahan, Nishapur, Mosul, Basra, and Herat, capable of giving uniform training to the state’s administrators and religious scholars, and wrote a treatise on kingship titled Siyasatnama (The Book of Government). He appointed Abū Ḥāmid Muḥammad ibn Muḥammad al-Ghazālī (405-505/1058 –1111) as head of the Nizamiyya madrassa in Baghdad. Al-Ghazali wrote more than 70 books on science, philosophy and Sufism. He wrote Tahafut al-Falasifa (The Destruction of Philosophy), as he saw in philosophy a danger to correct faith. Al-Ghazali’s work, Ihya al-Ulum al-Din (The Revival of the Religious Sciences), provided the parameters within which a revived Islam was confined. He brought orthodox Sunni theology and Sufi mysticism together. To him the ultimate value was only in the mystical experience (nubuwwa), that is attained as a result of following Sufi practices. Thus Muslim world moved toward an increasingly theologically enclosed culture that could no longer promote original scientific research, while Europe was once again becoming aware of the glorious heritage of Greek science and philosophy.\nThe majority of Muslims believe that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did not appoint a successor, and regard the first four caliphs, Abu Bakr, Umar, Usman and Ali as close companions of the Prophet and the rightly guided caliphs.\nHowever today about 13% Muslims are Shi’atu Ali (partisan of Ali) who believe that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUM) nominated his cousin and son-in-law Ali as his successor.\nA majority of Shias, about 85 percent are Twelvers who believe that after the death of elder son of Imām Ja'far al-Sadiq (702–765), his younger surviving son Musa al-Kazim became Imam and his descendent the twelfth and final imam is Muhammad al-Mahdi.\nThe Zaidiyyah Shias believe that a true imam must fight against corrupt rulers, therefore Zayd was the rightful 5th imam since he was killed fighting tyranny and corruption.\nBatiniyyah Sevener believe that Isma'il (721–755), the predeceased elder son of Ja'far al-Sadiq (702–765) was the divinely appointed 6th Imam who was succeeded by his son, Muhammad ibn Ismail, as the 7th Imam, who became \"hidden\" and will return as the Mahdi. The Assassins, Druses, Fatimids, Ismailis and Qarmatians, are Ismaili Seveners.\nThe Qarmatians believe that the Imams are in occultation, who communicate and teach their followers through a network of dawah (Missionaries). The Qarmaṭians considered the pilgrimage to Mecca a superstition. They sacked Mecca and Medina in 930, and desecrated the Zamzam Well with corpses of Hajj pilgrims and took away the Black Stone from Mecca.\nThe Nizari Mawla of Alamut, Hassan-i Sabbah (1034-1124) founded a group of fedayeen known as Hashshashin, or Assassins who assassinated the Seljuq vazir Nizam al-Mulk on 10 Ramadan 485 A.H. (14 October 1092). The Seljuq ruler Malik Shah (1072-1092) was assassinated the same year, which resulted in a war of succession and dismemberment of the Seljuk Empire.\nThe Pope Urban II at the town of Clermont called the first crusade by Christians against Muslims in November 1095 in central France, which was to depart on 15 August 1096. The pope made the proposal: 'Whoever for devotion alone, but not to gain honour or money, goes to Jerusalem to liberate the Church of God can substitute this journey for all penance.' The reaction to Pope's appeal was astounding as thousands saw this as a new way to attain salvation and to avoid the consequences of their sinful lives.\nHowever, before that Peter the Hermit, led a \"People's Crusade\" of about 20,000 people towards the Holy Land after Easter 1096. The Seljuqs easily defeated the untrained People's Crusade. They ambushed them outside Nicaea with only about 3000 people escaping. But they could not stop the progress of the army of the subsequent Princes' Crusade, which set off from France and Italy on 15 August 1096. They took the city of Nicaea in June 1097. The first Crusader State, the County of Edessa, came into being under Count Baldwin of Boulogne in 1098.\nIn 1099 the crusaders captured the Holy Land and established three more states: those of Jerusalem, Antioch and Tripoli, and began to take control of the coastline with the support of the Italian trading cities.\nThe Seljuqs appointed Imad ad-Din Zengi of Oghuz Turk origin as atabeg (governor) of Mosul in 1127. He captured Edessa on 24 December 1144, which was the first city to fall to the Crusaders, and became the first to be recaptured by the Muslims.\nThe news of this disaster prompted Pope Eugenius III to issue an appeal for the second crusade (1145-49). King Louis VII of France and King Conrad III of Germany led armies from France and Germany to Jerusalem and Damascus without winning any major victories.\nAfter the assassination of Imad ad-Din Zengi in 1146, his sons Saif ad-Din Ghazi I and Nur ad-Din, divided the kingdom between themselves. In 1149, Nur ad-Din defeated Raymond, Prince of Antioch, seizing several crusader castles in the north of Syria, defeated an attempt by Joscelin II to recover the County of Edessa, and captured Damascus.\nIn 1163, Shawar, the vazir to the Fatimid caliph al-Adid, asked for Nur ad-Din’s help against his rival Dirgham. Nur ad-Din sent his Kurdish commander Shirkuh, who restored Shawar as Vazir but kept the control of Egypt. Shawar was dissatisfied and asked Amalric, crusader king of Jerusalem, for help. Christian Amalric and Shia Shawar besieged Sunni Shirkuh at Bilbeis. Shirkuh retreated to Alexander where he left his nephew Saladin to guard the city. To relieve Shirkuh, Nur-ad-Din moved against the crusader state of Antioch. Amalric went back so did Shirkuh and Shawar was left with Egypt.\nShirkuh returned in 1166 to take back Egypt. Once again the Crusader King of Jerusalem came to Shawar’s aid. Saladin helped his uncle Shirkuh to move to Alexandria where the besieged Shirkuh agreed to leave Egypt alone in return for a Crusader withdrawal. Amalric left with a favorable treaty resulting in Egyptian tribute to Jerusalem and a friendly Shawar in control.\nAmalric launched an attack against Bilbeis in 1168, Shawar appealed to Damascus and Shirkuh returned and fought off Amalric. The Fatimid vazir, Shawar, was assassinated and Shirkuh died in 1169. Saladin took over as vazir of the Fatimid Caliph, al-Adid. However, a group of Egyptian soldiers and amirs attempted to assassinate Saladin, and 50,000 black African soldiers from the regiments of the Fatimid army opposed Saladin's rule. Saladin crushed the uprising by 23 August 1169 and after that he never again had to face a military challenge from Cairo.\nTowards the end of 1169, Saladin, with reinforcements from Nur ad-Din, defeated a massive Crusader-Byzantine force near Damietta. In 1170, Nur ad-Din sent Saladin’s father to Egypt at his request, as he had begun granting his family members high-ranking positions to strengthen his support base. Saladin also ordered the construction of a college for the Maliki branch of Sunni Islam in the city, and one for the Shafi'i denomination to which he belonged in al-Fustat.\nAfter establishing himself in Egypt, Saladin launched a campaign against the Crusaders besieging Darum in 1170. He also attacked and captured the Crusader castle of Eilat, built on an island off the head of the Gulf of Aqaba.\nNur ad-Din wrote to Saladin in June 1171, to establish the Abbasid caliphate in Egypt. Fatimid caliph Al-Adid died on 13 September 1171, and five days later, the Abbasid khutba was pronounced in Cairo and al-Fustat, proclaiming al-Mustadi as caliph. When Nur ad-Din died in 1174, Saladin took over Damascus and proceeded to reduce other cities previously held by Nur ad-Din. The combined forces of Mosul and Aleppo marched against Saladin who won and proclaimed himself king. The Abbasid caliph declared him \"Sultan of Egypt and Syria.\" Saladin received threats from the Ismaili \"Assassins\", led by Rashid ad-Din Sinan. On 11 May 1175 a group of thirteen Assassins gained admission into Saladin's camp, but were detected and killed. Once while Saladin was resting in one of his captain's tents, an assassin rushed forward at him and struck at his head with a knife. Saladin had his guards supplied with link lights and had chalk and cinders strewed around his tent outside Masyaf—which he was besieging—to detect the Assassins. One night Saladin's guards noticed a spark glowing down the hill of Masyaf and then vanishing among the Ayyubid tents. Saladin awoke to find a note pinned by a poisoned dagger. The note threatened that he would be killed if he didn't withdraw. Saladin made an alliance with Sinan and his Assassins and left for Egypt.\nSaladin returned in November 1177 to fight crusaders. Saladin and his men were surprised near Ramla on 25 November and suffered heavy losses. Saladin won a victory in the spring of 1178, at Hama. He ordered one of his generals, Farrukh-Shah, to guard the Damascus frontier with a thousand men, retire in case of attack, avoiding battle, and light warning beacons on the hills. In April 1179, the Crusaders led by King Baldwin expecting no resistance, advanced in pursuit of Farrukh-Shah's force, and were defeated by the Ayyubids. In the spring of 1180, while Saladin was in the area of Safad, to commence a campaign against the Kingdom of Jerusalem, King Baldwin sent messengers to him with proposals of peace. Saladin agreed to a truce. Raymond of Tripoli denounced the truce but was compelled to accept after an Ayyubid raid on his territory and the appearance of Saladin's naval fleet off the port of Tartus.\nRaynald of Châtillon, harassed Muslim traders and pilgrims with a fleet on the Red Sea and threatened to attack the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. In retaliation, Saladin besieged Raynald's fortress Kerak in 1183 but was forced to leave on arrival of a relief force under King Baldwin IV. Saladin returned to Kerak again in 1184 with the same result.\nIn late May 1187, Saladin assembled the largest army he had ever commanded, around some 30,000 men including about 12,000 regular cavalry. The opposing Crusader army consisted of around 20,000 men, including 1,200 knights from Jerusalem and Tripoli and 50 from Antioch. Saladin annihilated the Crusader force led by Guy of Lusignan, King Consort of Jerusalem and Raymond III of Tripoli at the Battle of Hattin on 4 July 1187, and. It was a major disaster for the Crusaders and a turning point in the history of the Crusades. The Christian cities surrendered one by one; Jerusalem surrendered on October 2, 1187 after 88 years with Christians. Only some of the ports remained with the Christians.\nThe Pope Urban III died of heart attack at the news and his successor, Gregory VIII, issued an emotive crusade appeal and the rulers of Europe began to organise their forces for third crusade (1189-1192). Frederick Barbarossa's German army successfully defeated the Seljuq Turks in Asia Minor only for the emperor to drown crossing a river in southern Turkey and Saladin escaped facing this formidable enemy.\nThe Franks in the Levant had managed to cling onto the city of Tyre and were besieging the most important port on the coast, Acre. It was here in the summer of 1190 that Philip Augustus and Richard the Lionheart landed. The city surrendered and Philip returned home.\nSaladin faced King Richard at the Battle of Arsuf on 7 September 1191, and suffered heavy losses. Richard occupied Jaffa, restoring the city's fortifications. Saladin moved south, where he dismantled the fortifications of Ascalon to prevent it, from falling into Crusader hands.\nIn October of 1191, Richard began restoring the inland castles on the coastal plain beyond Jaffa in preparation for an advance on Jerusalem. During this period, Richard and Saladin passed envoys back and forth, negotiating the possibility of a truce. Richard proposed that his sister, Joan of England, Queen of Sicily, should marry Saladin's brother and that Jerusalem could be their wedding gift. However, Saladin rejected this idea when Richard insisted that Saladin's brother convert to Christianity.\nIn January 1192, Richard's army occupied Beit Nuba, just twelve miles from Jerusalem, but withdrew without attacking the Holy City. Instead, Richard advanced south on Ascalon, where he restored the fortifications. In July of 1192, Saladin tried to threaten Richard's command of the coast by attacking Jaffa. Saladin very nearly captured it, however, Richard arrived a few days later and defeated Saladin's army in a battle outside the city.\nThe Battle of Jaffa (1192) proved to be the last military engagement of the Third Crusade. After Richard reoccupied Jaffa and restored its fortifications, he and Saladin again discussed terms. At last Richard agreed to demolish the fortifications of Ascalon, while Saladin agreed to recognize Crusader control of the Palestinian coast from Tyre to Jaffa. The Christians were allowed to travel as unarmed pilgrims to Jerusalem. Saladin died of a fever on 4 March 1193, at Damascus, not long after King Richard's departure.\nThe Fourth Crusaders (1201-1204) came to an abrupt halt as the Pope Innocent III excommunicated the entire Crusade for attacking and looting Constantinople, the greatest Christian city in the world.\nIn the Fifth Crusade (1217-1221), the Crusaders attacked Egypt from both land and sea, but bogged down outside the port of Damietta.\nIn the Sixth Crusade in 1229, Emperor Frederick II achieved the peaceful transfer of Jerusalem to Crusader control through negotiation with Kamil. The Muslims took back Jerusalem a decade later.\nThis prompted the Seventh Crusade (1239-41), led by Thibault IV of Champagne who recaptured Jerusalem but it was lost again in 1244.\nIn 1249, King (later Saint) Louis IX of France led the Eighth Crusade against Egypt, which ended in defeat.\nIn 1250, when the Ayyubid sultan as-Salih Ayyub died, his Mamluk slaves murdered his son and heir al-Muazzam Turanshah, and Shajar al-Durr the widow of as-Salih became the Sultana of Egypt. She married the Atabeg (commander in chief) Emir Aybak and abdicated, Aybak ruled from 1250 to 1257.\nWhen Mongke Khan was installed as the Great Khan in 1251, he selected his brother, Hulagu, to conquer the Muslim states. Hulagu's Mongol army set out for Baghdad in November 1257 and laid siege to the city on January 29, 1258. Baghdad surrendered on 10 February 1258.\nIn 1260, Hulagu demanded that Mamluk Sultan Saif ad Din Qutuz in Cairo should surrender. However, Mongke Khan died and Hulagu had to return to Mongolia for the election of a new Khan. Upon receiving news of Hulagu's departure, Sultan Qutuz quickly assembled a large army in Cairo, which defeated the Mongols at Ayn Jalut, where David is believed to have once humbled the giant Goliath.\nOn way back to Cairo, Sultan Qutuz was assassinated and Abu al-Futuh (Father of conquests) Bai (chief) bars (panther) took over as Sultan of Egypt, a move which was contested by Sinjar al-Halabi who claimed Damascus. Baibars defeated Sinjar on 17 January 1261 and occupied Damascus, thereafter the Ayyubid Amirs of Homs and Hama who had staved off the Mongols also submitted to him. When the Abbasid refugee Abu al-Qasim Ahmad, the uncle of the last Abbasid caliph al-Musta‘sim, arrived in Cairo in 1261, Baibars had him proclaimed caliph as al-Mustansir II and duly received investiture as sultan from him. Unfortunately al-Mustansir II was killed in an expedition to recapture Baghdad from the Mongols. In 1262, another Abbasid who had survived from the defeated expedition, was proclaimed caliph as al-Hakim I. In 1263, Baibars laid siege to Acre, the capital of the remnant of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. He used siege engines to defeat the Crusaders in battles such as the Fall of Arsuf from March 21 to April 30. He next captured Athlith and Haifa. In 1266, Baibars invaded the Christian country of Cilician Armenia. He captured Antioch on 18 May 1268.\nIn the Ninth Crusade in 1270, Prince Edward of England arrived in Acre. In May 1271 he survived an assassination attempt organised by Baibars, negotiated a ten-year truce and returned to England in 1272.\nIn 1272 Baibars invaded the Kingdom of Makuria, headed by King David I. Baibars' invasion of Makuria continued for four years until 1276, Baibars had completed his conquest of Nubia, including the Medieval lower Nubia which was ruled by Banu Kanz.\nIn 1277, Baibars invaded the Seljuq Sultanate of Rûm, then controlled by the Mongol Ilkhanate . Baibars died in Damascus on 1 July 1277.\nIn 1291, Acre, the last major Crusader fortress in the Holy Land fell to the forces of the Mamluk Sultan, al-Ashraf Khalil of Egypt, and any remaining territories on the mainland were lost over the next decade.\nA product of the Crusades and the Mongol invasion was Taqi ad-Din Ahmad ibn Taymiyyah (1263-1328). Ibn Taymiyyah’s family had to leave their hometown of Harran which was completely destroyed by the Mongols and settle in Damascus. After the death of his father in 1284, he took his place as the head of the Sukkariyya madrassa giving lessons on the Hadith. A year later, as chair of the Hanbali Zawiya at the Umayyad Mosque, he started teaching tafsir on Fridays.\nIn 1293, Ibn Taymiyyah issued a Fatwa saying that any person, Muslim or non-Muslim, who insulted Muhammad must be killed. In 1310, Ibn Taymiyyah wrote against visiting the tombs of prophets and saints. According to Ibn Taymiyyah, seeking the assistance of God through intercession is allowed, as long as the other person is still alive. But those who ask assistance from the grave of the Prophet or saints, are engaged in shirk.\nTo Ibn Taymiyyah, the role models for Islamic life were the first three generations of Islam (Salaf); which constituted Muhammad's companions, the Sahaba (first generation), followed by the generation of Muslims born after the death of Muhammad known as the Tabi'un (second generation) and then the generation after the Tabi'un known as Tabi' Al-Tabi'in (third generation). Any deviation from their practice was bid‘ah (innovation), and was forbidden.\nTo Ibn Taymiyyah, \"It is in jihad that one can live and die in ultimate happiness, both in this world and in the hereafter. Abandoning it means losing entirely or partially both kinds of happiness.\" He believed in taking the initiative in fighting those who did not observe unambiguous obligations and prohibitions, until they undertook to perform the prescribed prayers, to pay zakat, to fast during the month of Ramadan, and to make the pilgrimage to Mecca. He made a declaration of apostasy (takfir) against a Muslim who did not obey Islam, and considered it a duty to oppose and kill Muslim rulers who did not implement the revealed law (shari'a). He declared the Mongol ruler Ghazan and other Mongols who did not accept shari'a in full, to be unbelievers. Ibn Taymiyyah affirmed that Jihad against the Mongols, \"was obligatory, because the latter ruled not according to Sharīʿah but through their traditional, and therefore man made, Yassa code. He called for a defensive jihad to mobilise the people to kill the Mongol rulers and anyone who supported them, Muslim or non-Muslim. According to Ibn Taymiyyah, everyone who was with the Mongols, in the state over which they ruled had to be regarded as belonging to the most evil class of men. He was either an atheist (zindīq) or a hypocrite who did not believe in the essence of the religion of Islam. This meant that he outwardly pretended to be Muslim but belonged to the worst class of all people who were the people of the bida` (heretical innovations).\nIbn Taymiyyah thought of the Alawites as heritical and campaigned against Shias. He considered Husain's martyrdom a divinely bestowed honour—not a tragedy, and that the Islamic response to such loss is not extravagant mourning but to endure the loss with patience and trust in God.\nIbn Taymiyyah also criticized Mutakallimun for their use of kalam, rationalist theology and philosophy. To Ibn Taymiyyah the usul al-din of the Mutakallimun, deserved to be named usul din al-shaytan (principles of Satanic religion).\nAccording to Ibn Taymiyyah, Tauheed is the most essential element of Islam. It means one nation under one Allah, i.e. Khilafat. The Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) established the Islamic state according to the Quran, performing the political and religious duties simultaneously. Muslim fragmentation is because of the loss of a sacred central authority of Khalifah, where the government is established according to the commandments of Quran, with Allah being the supreme and sovereign ruler of the state. Man cannot be the sovereign.\nMore than half of the European portion of what is now Russia and Ukraine, came under the suzerainty of Muslim Tatars and Turks from the 13th to 15th centuries. Between 1354 (when the Ottomans crossed into Europe at Gallipoli) and 1526, they had conquered the territory of present-day Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia, and Hungary. The Ottomans conquered Thrace and much of Macedonia in 1371. The Bulgarian capital Sofia fell in 1382. Sultan Mohammad conquered Constantinople in 1453. All of Greece fell in 1461 and much of Serbia by 1459. They laid siege to Vienna in 1683. Today, the Muslim-majority regions of Europe are Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Kosovo, parts of Bulgaria, Macedonia and Montenegro, as well as some Russian regions in Northern Caucasus and the Volga region.\nIn 1517, Ottoman Sultan Selim I defeated the Mamluks and made Egypt part of the Ottoman Empire. The Abbasid Caliph Al-Mutawakkil III was captured and transported to Constantinople. He formally surrendered the title of caliph as well as its outward emblems — the sword and mantle of Muhammad — to Ottoman Sultan Selim I. Thus the Ottomans established the caliphate (1517-1925) in Turkey.\nThe Mediterranean naval campaign, which lasted from 1570 to 1573, resulted in the Ottoman control of much of the Mediterranean Sea, which was once called by the Romans Mare Nostrum (Latin, \"Our Sea\"). Further, the Barbary pirates of North Africa based primarily in the ports of Salé, Rabat, Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli, under Ottoman rule preyed on Christian shipping in the Western Mediterranean, and captured 1 million to 1.25 million Europeans as slaves from the 16th to 19th century.\nThus, in about nine hundred years, Muslim armies had encircled, captured and invaded Christian Europe from all sides but the north. From Spain in the west, they attacked France, from the Mediterranian in the south they attacked Italy and from Turkey in the East, they attacked Vienna.\nDiwane Aam\nNext: Science and Industry\nPrevious: Relief","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line115557"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5344464182853699,"wiki_prob":0.5344464182853699,"text":"Tag: race relations\nFifty years on… how the Wolverhampton community remembered Enoch Powell\nIt’s fifty years since Enoch Powell made his infamous ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech. Journalist LYNN BUTLER attended the ‘Rivers of Love’ rally held in the same room at the Burlington Hotel…\n“I’d like to think that if Enoch Powell was here today he would stand up and apologise to all and sundry and say ‘I was wrong’.”\n– Brendon Baston OBE, former West Bromwich Albion footballer\n“In 1948, the Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury Docks. The promise was of streets paved with gold. The reality, as we know, was very different.”\n– Rose Brown, Unison NEC member for the West Midlands\n“Fifty-five years ago there was a black woman walking down the street in Walsall. She was pregnant and she was attacked in the street. She survived and her child survived. That was my mom and that was me.”\n– Roger McKenzie, Deputy General Secretary, Unison\n“I wish my dad was alive to see that in the very place those evil words were said, his daughter is joining with others in defiance and as a real and practical legacy of how wrong Enoch Powell was.”\n– Salma Yaqoob, head of the Birmingham Stop the War Coalition and spokesperson for Birmingham Central Mosque\n“We will all stand together, united in solidarity.”\n– Labour MP Eleanor Smith, Wolverhampton South West (pictured standing)\n“We represent all that is good in this country and we represent the majority of people out there who say we are not going to stand for racism. We are going to meet it head on.”\n“What we are here for is the future, and what we want to do is make sure Powell belongs in the dustbin of history. He doesn’t represent us.”\n– Weyman Bennett, co-convenor of Stand Up To Racism\n“People commit racism because they know they can get away with it. The only way of getting rid of this cancer is by tackling systematic, institutionalised racism. We have to start there.”\n– Maxie Hayles, anti-racism activist (seated right)\n“We are all one. It is time for all of us to stand up and be counted.”\n– Reverend Doctor Desmond Jaddoo\nThere are fears racism is on the rise again, with 3,495 incidents reported to West Midlands Police in 2017, compared with 2,328 in 2013, according to Weyman Bennett, Joint National Convenor for the Stand Up to Racism campaign.\nSalma Yaqoob, Head of the Birmingham Stop the War Coalition, told the invited audience of around 50 campaigners they represented ‘the best’ of the region and were a legacy of ‘how wrong Enoch Powell was.’\nBut she warned racism in the West Midlands wasn’t dead, adding: “Whether it’s institutional, cultural or ignorant, it’s still there. But we won’t give up hope and we won’t be complacent.”\nTagged Black Country, photojournalism, race relations, reportage, Wolverhampton2 Comments","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line427358"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5270302295684814,"wiki_prob":0.47296977043151855,"text":"Sophie Gilpin\nArtistic Director & Executive Producer\nSophie is Artistic Director of HeadFirst Productions and Co-Founder of SWAP’ra: Supporting Women and Parents in Opera.\nRecent work includes La Traviata (Director, Hampstead Garden Opera); Madama Butterfly (Assistant Director, Opera North); A Festival of Sex, Love and Death (Producer, Pleasance Theatre Islington); and Don Giovanni (Director, Pleasance Theatre).\nPrevious opera directing credits include the world premiere of The Peasants’ Opera; Strauss’ Die Fledermaus for Celebrate Voice; Puccini’s La Bohème for HeadFirst Productions; Gounod’s Romeo & Juliet for Riverside Opera at the Rose Theatre Kingston; Puccini’s Tosca; Donizetti’s Don Pasquale (scenes); and the premiere of a new composition, Quays & Laila, for the Grimeborne Festival at the Arcola Theatre. From 2012 – 2013 Sophie was Director in Residence for the New London Opera Players.\nSophie has also directed numerous pieces of new writing at venues including the Park Theatre, Theatre 503 and The Firestation Arts Centre in Windsor. Highlights include Katherine Armitage’s Duet for Re:Sound Music Theatre - a new commission by The Oxford Lieder Festival; Solitude, the winner of the Kenneth Branagh Drama Award; And Then He Came Back and Him, Her & Us both at the Park Theatre (Park200). Promenade productions include Macbeth, A Dickensian Christmas, and Narnia on the Pantiles.\nWork as an Associate or Assistant Director includes Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte for Metta Theatre at the New Theatre, Oxford; Verdi’s La Traviata for Iford Arts; Verdi’s Otello for Dorset Opera; Bizet’s Carmen for Riverside Opera; Louis Nowra’s Cosi at the Kings Head Theatre; Leoncavallo’s I Pagliacci for Opera up Close; a new translation of Euripides’ The Women of Troy; and Shakespeare’s King Lear.\nUpcoming work includes directing the world premiere of Keith Bernstein’s The Prometheus Revolution for Fulham Opera at the Arcola Theatre, co-producing/co-directing the inaugural SWAP’ra Gala at Opera Holland Park, and working as the Assistant Director on Idomeneo for Buxton International Festival.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1102605"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6534101963043213,"wiki_prob":0.6534101963043213,"text":"Brussels: Moslem Stabs Policeman While Shouting “Allahu Akbar,” Police Unsure of Motive\nCharles Martel November 21, 2018\nCharles Martel\nDaily Stormer\nFor God’s sake Moslems, can’t you just tell us what you WANT?\nI’m so sick of these ambiguous crimes that have everyone scratching their heads.\nBreitbart:\nA police officer was stabbed in the neck in front of Brussels’ main police station on Tuesday morning – with claims the attacker was an Islamist shouting “Allahu Akbar.”\nThe attack took place on the second day of a state visit to Belgium by French President Emmanuel Macron, and shortly before he is due to visit the infamous terror-linked neighbourhood of Molenbeek.\nThe police officer is said to be in a stable condition and his injuries are not life-threatening.\nAn attacker stabbed the officer outside the central police station at 5:30 am local time, police spokeswoman Ilse van de Keere told the AFP news agency.\n“A police officer was stabbed and slightly wounded” and taken to the hospital, she said. “His colleagues retaliated by firing shots at the attacker who was subdued,” but he also did not sustain life-threatening injuries.\n“It is too early to say now what the motive was of the attacker. The investigation is underway,” the police spokeswoman said.\nMeanwhile, Belgian interior minister Jan Jambon said the suspect in the “cowardly attack” was not listed in Belgium’s counter-terrorism database.\nAllahu Akbar Belgian Police Belgium Moslem on White Crime Moslems in Belgium\t2018-11-21\nBelgium: BLACKS Rise Up Against Racist Police, King’s Car Hit by Bricks\nBelgium Tears Down Statue of King Who Hated Blacks\nStatues of Belgium’s King Leopold II and London’s Robert Milligan are Removed Because They Raycis","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1154515"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8599368929862976,"wiki_prob":0.8599368929862976,"text":"The NM Political Report (https://nmpoliticalreport.com/2015/02/06/rolling-stone-writer-talks-about-apd-feature-story/)\nRolling Stone writer talks about APD, feature story\nBy Matthew Reichbach | February 6, 2015\nAlbuquerque was profiled in two major magazines last week but city leaders will not be promoting them any time soon.\nThe New Yorker started the week with an 8,300 word feature that wove the story of the Albuquerque Police Department shooting Christopher Torres in with what is now a litany of shootings and offenses that have become all-too-common when writing about APD.\nThe Torres shooting was in 2011, seemingly a lifetime ago when you run down the timeline of APD shootings and other violations. The Albuquerque Journal timeline only goes up until April 10, 2014 when the Department of Justice announced the findings of its civil rights investigation.\nThe Rolling Stone article used a more recent APD shooting as a launching pad — the 2014 shooting of James Boyd, a homeless man who was illegally camping in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains.\nNew Mexico Political Report spoke to Nick Pinto, the author of the Rolling Stone article, this weekend about his piece. Pinto said that the article was in the works for a long time.\nPinto said the he began working on the piece in October. This included a whirlwind week of in-person interviews where Pinto says he lost his voice.\nTalking to family members of those who were killed in APD shootings was particularly emotional.\n“Certainly talking to family members of people who have been killed… people are obviously still grappling with this incredible loss,” Pinto said. “That translates into anger and pain.”\nHowever, the energy from the anger is being used for positive things.\n“They’re finding ways to transform that into positive efforts for change,” he said.\nWhile they saw the Justice Department investigation and consent decree as a positive step, a word that came up repeatedly was “skeptical.”\n“There has to be a genuine and sincere will on the department’s behalf to change,” Pinto said. He said there was a lot of skepticism that there was indeed that will to actually change the culture at APD.\nPinto says there is a sense that one reason for a lack of public acknowledgement is the potential fiscal impact on the city.\n“There’s a concern that if the city were to completely concede that there’s a real problem here and that the DOJ’s diagnosis is entirely correct that would actually open them up to a greater liability to these civil suits than they’re prepared to face,” Pinto said. He noted that civil suits have been very expensive for the city over the past few years.\nWhile this was Pinto’s first dive into reporting on APD, he said that he had covered the New York Police Department and there were some similarities thanks to the job.\n“There are ways in which police culture has a certain consistency because of what we ask our police to do,” he said. “Police work is very difficult. It’s difficult and it’s dangerous and it’s complicated. It’s demanding.”\nHe does say that Albuquerque is different in many ways. APD is geographically isolated as compared to police departments in other parts of the country.\n“These departments are more isolated and when things start to go wrong in that environment, it’s easier for them to go wrong in that environment,” Pinto said.\nPinto also acknowledged the New Yorker story.\n“There are a lot of things that her piece does that mine doesn’t,” he said. He welcomed the new article, saying that more coverage of APD can only be a good thing.\nHe, for example, was told the APD would not comment on the story. The administration of mayor Richard Berry did not respond to his attempts for comment.\nSo why all the attention on APD now, when shootings have been ongoing for years?\nIt was part of the national media realizing there is a national conversation about this sort of thing in cities across the country.\n“All of a sudden the national press and the national conversation is paying attention to the national conversation for the first time,” Pinto said.\nHe acknowledged local coverage, especially that of Jeff Proctor, first at the Albuquerque Journal and now at KRQE, has been instrumental to national media.\nOne reason why Albuquerque seems to be getting more attention, Pinto believes, is the video of police killing James Boyd. “That’s not so common,” he said of the video that went viral nationally.\nSo what will it take for changes to come to APD?\nPinto says there needs to be a mayor and police chief who are committed to the project of changing things.\n“I think people on all sides of this conversation agree on one thing, which is that the solution to this, the responsibility for fixing this situation really has to come out of Albuquerque,” Pinto said. “This isn’t something that stories out of Rolling Stone and the New Yorker can fix. This isn’t really something that the justice department can parachute in and fix.”\nPolitical ‘retribution’: The DOI rejected 100% of New Mexico’s proposed LWCF projects\nAfter cheering the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act, which secured permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), New Mexico wildlife and conservation advocates were shocked to learn every single project proposed to the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) for LWCF funds was rejected. The LWCF, created by Congress in 1965 to support public land management using offshore oil and gas royalties, received $900 million annually under the Great American Outdoors Act, which was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump in August. It marked just the second time since its creation that the program is fully funded.\nGrowing Forward and looking to the past\n'When history deals a bad hand:' Las Vegas struggles as tourism comes to a halt\nView all Featured articles →\nGovernor, health officials discuss COVID-19 vaccine efforts\nView all News articles →\nAlbuquerque could issue curfew if virus spread continues to increase\nAlbuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew like the one now in effect in El Paso could be on the horizon for Albuquerque if the city doesn’t get the coronavirus spread under control. Keller and Dr. Mark DiMenna, a deputy director for the city’s Environmental Health Department, spoke Wednesday during a live teleconference about the increasing rate of virus transmission and actions the city is taking to try to reduce the spread and help local businesses survive.\nNew Mexico’s 1969 abortion law was one in a long line of laws restricting access\nDetails of APD’s plan for Oñate statue protest still fuzzy\nView all Albuquerque Police Department articles →\nABQ police watchdog: Feds investigating more than just video tampering claims\nThe scope of an ongoing federal criminal investigation into events surrounding the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old woman by an Albuquerque police officer in 2014 stretches beyond what has been previously reported. That’s according to the lead investigator for the city’s independent police watchdog group.\nIncoming DA announces panel to look at retrying case in James Boyd shooting\nLaw enforcement board to review how shootings by police officers are investigated\nView all James Boyd articles →\nBill to legalize marijuana is tabled in first committee\nSen. Pinto sings The Potato Song on American Indian Day [Video]\nAbout Matthew Reichbach\nMatthew Reichbach is the editor of the NM Political Report. The former founder and editor of the NM Telegram, Matthew was also a co-founder of New Mexico FBIHOP with his brother and one of the original hires at the groundbreaking website the New Mexico Independent. Matthew has covered events such as the Democratic National Convention and Netroots Nation and formerly published, “The Morning Word,” a daily political news summary for NM Telegram and the Santa Fe Reporter.\nFollow @fbihop\nMore by Matthew\nMatthew Reichbach","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line806443"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9727179408073425,"wiki_prob":0.9727179408073425,"text":"The waitress rescues the boy from his abusive parents by sending him a message asking \"Do you need help?\"\nCoronavirus Scotland: Nicola Sturgeon bans alcohol in pubs\nNicola Sturgeon (pictured today) has unveiled a dramatic \"breaker\" print that coincides with mid-school hours north of the border\nNicola Sturgeon warned that coronavirus cases have increased among the older generation today as she banned pubs and restaurants from serving alcohol in Scotland for at least 16 days from Friday.\nThe First Minister told Holyrood MSPs that the situation was \"better than March\" but admitted that she had to take a \"step backwards\" when she unveiled a dramatic \"breaker\" pressure that started with school halftime north of the Border coincided.\nIn addition to the ban on alcohol consumption, restaurants are only open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.\nIn five \"hotspot\" areas, pubs will be closed until October 26th and people are advised not to use public transport.\nMs. Sturgeon said if it were a \"purely one-dimensional public health decision\" there would be an even tougher lockdown, but she was considering the general economy and wellbeing.\nThe extraordinary move – which Ms. Sturgeon said would come with new compensation for affected companies – comes after Scotland reported more than 1,000 new infections in one day.\nIt will put pressure on Boris Johnson, who was faced with damn numbers this afternoon showing local restrictions in England are failing to contain the cases. Ministers and advisers in the war consider what to do next.\nAt a stormy PMQ meeting, Mr Johnson stressed that the effects of the surge were being felt worst in the north. This shows that the mix of tough local bans and national restrictions such as the curfew for pubs after rule 6 and 10 p.m. is the right one.\nSupport for \"differentiated\" action in England suggests that the Prime Minister is still resisting pressure from academics for blanket action – an obvious boost for Cabinet Ministers alarmed by the threat to millions of jobs and civil liberties.\nBut union leader Keir Starmer launched a furious attack on Mr Johnson in the House of Commons, saying that 19 out of 20 areas exposed to local curbs in the past two months have actually seen increases in infections. He insisted that the measures \"do not work\" and highlighted the controversial curfew at 10 pm for pubs, according to which the government had not provided a \"scientific basis\".\nAs chaotic fighting threatened to engulf the government, allies of Chancellor Rishi Sunak, seen as the leading \"hawk\" on the need to protect the economy, today denied allegations that he tried to deter Michael Gove from making decisions on which areas he succumbs the most draconian restrictions.\nThe dispute is believed to hold back the announcement of a new three-tier traffic light system designed to remove confusion about which rules apply where in England.\nTensions between ministers were underscored this morning when Matt Hancock told executives that hospitalization rates have risen \"very sharply\" and the government has a \"very serious problem\". But Trade Secretary Liz Truss suggested in a round of interviews that the current balance of restrictions is \"right\".\nMeanwhile, executives from four Covid-affected cities in the north, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Newcastle, have written to Mr Johnson asking him not to ride up the coronavirus curbs again – which could mean pubs and restaurants are completely closed will.\nIn other twists of today's coronavirus crisis:\nSir Keir hinted that Labor will join Tory rebels in a key vote next week against the controversial 10 p.m. pub curfew, increasing the prospect of losing the government.\nScientists from the world's top universities have written an open letter calling on the UK and US to strengthen herd immunity to Covid-19 by letting it spread to young people.\nConcerns have been raised about the supply of vital test materials for a number of conditions, including Covid-19following a supply chain problem with pharmaceutical giant Roche;\nThe number of Covid-19 hospital admissions in England has increased 25 percent in one day, according to government data.\nThe number of daily cases in Scotland rose from under 300 two weeks ago – when a ban on indoor mixing was introduced – and has reported 1,054 cases today\nBoris Johnson (pictured left at PMQs today) is desperate to allay fears of an increase in infections and hospital stays, particularly in the north. However, union leader Keir Starmer (right) said that 19 out of 20 areas exposed to local curbs in the past two months have actually seen an increase in infections\nKey points of the new Scottish lock from Sturgeon\nStrict new rules for 16 days from 6 p.m. on Friday\nThe sale of alcohol in pubs and restaurants is prohibited nationwide\nPubs and restaurants in the central belt closed\n6 p.m. curfew for all indoor hospitality venues in the rest of the country\nOutdoor bars can stay open until 10pm and serve alcohol\nThe Scots already said not to visit each other\nThe \"non-essential\" use of public transport is not recommended\nMs. Sturgeon said indoor hospitality venues can only be open between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily and can only sell food and soft drinks.\nBars, restaurants and outdoor cafes are allowed to stay open until 10 p.m. and sell alcohol until then.\nThe restrictions will go into effect on Friday at 6:00 p.m. and are expected to end after October 25th.\nHowever, all licensed premises in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Arran, Lothian and Forth Valley areas are closed to both indoor and outdoor use.\nCafes without a license to sell alcohol are allowed to be open until 6 p.m., the Prime Minister said to counteract social isolation.\nPeople in the central belt of Scotland have been asked to avoid public transport unless it is strictly necessary for the next two weeks.\nWhile no travel restrictions are placed on people in these five areas, Ms. Sturgeon urged those living in these areas not to travel beyond their own health authorities.\nMs. Stör said: “Let me be clear. We will not go into lockdown again today.\n“We are not closing schools, colleges or universities.\n& # 39; We're not stopping the NHS remobilizing for non-Covid care. And we don't ask people to stay home.\n“The actions I am announcing today will feel like a step backwards, but they are in the interests of protecting our progress as a whole.\n\"By taking the tough but necessary measures now, we hope that we can avoid even tougher measures in the future.\"\nAt her daily briefing yesterday, Ms. Sturgeon said infections were spreading from younger populations to older age groups.\nThe number of daily cases has risen from under 300 two weeks ago – when a ban on indoor mixing was introduced – and has reported 1,054 cases today.\nMs. Sturgeon described the situation as \"the most difficult decision point we have ever faced\".\nHowever, it had already ruled out school closings and travel restrictions across Scotland.\nIt will also not require people to stay in their homes most of the time, as it did in March, although some additional action may be required in “hotspot” areas.\nConcerns about the lack of Covid and cancer tests after the warehouse failed\nConcerns about the supply of critical test materials for a range of conditions, including Covid-19, emerged following a supply chain issue with pharmaceutical giant Roche.\nOn Tuesday, Roche announced that processing capacity had \"decreased dramatically\" due to a problem with the Sussex distribution center in Newhaven, the only one in the UK.\nThe shortage has been reported to include vital reagents, screening kits, and swabs.\nIn addition to providing these chemicals and parts used in Covid-19 tests, Roche also offers materials for a variety of procedures, including blood and urine tests, and for treating diabetics.\nIt comes days after the government confirmed that a technical error caused 16,000 positive test results to be missed.\nThe government is facing increasing pressure to increase coronavirus testing capacity as cases continue to rise. 14,542 new cases were registered yesterday. This means that the number of people who test positive for Covid-19 every day tripled within 14 days.\nOn bruising Sir Keir in the House of Commons, Mr Johnson appeared to rule out the possibility of an impending national clash.\n\"Although cases in the country have increased significantly across the country this week from last week, the 7-day statistics show that there are now 497 cases per 100,000 in Liverpool, 522 cases per 100,000 in Manchester and 422 in Newcastle\" , he said .\n\"The key point is that the local regional approach combined with the national approach remains correct as two-thirds of those hospitalized on Sunday were in the North West, North East and Yorkshire.\"\nBut Sir Keir sparked a rant, pointing out that the government's local lockdown is clearly \"not working\".\n& # 39; On nursing homes, protective gear, exams, tests. The prime minister ignores the warning signs, speeds towards a car accident, then looks in the rearview mirror and says, \"What's this about?\" he said.\n\"In hindsight, it's literally government.\"\nSir Keir added, \"All the Prime Minister has to say is that it is too early to say if restrictions are working, but it is obvious that something has gone wrong here. What is the Prime Minister going to do about it?\" \"\nThe Labor leader pointed out that there were currently 62 cases per 100,000 in Mr Johnson's local authority, Hillingdon, with no local restrictions.\n'But restrictions were imposed in 20 local areas across England when infection rates were much lower. In Kirklees it was only 29 per 100,000, ”he said.\n“The local communities, Prime Ministers, really don't understand these differences. Can he please explain it to you? & # 39;\nMr Johnson replied, “I wish I could pretend everything was going to be rosy in the Midlands or in London, which is unfortunately also where infections are increasing.\n\"So we need a concerted national effort, we need to follow the directions, we need hands, face, space, a test if you have symptoms and follow the rule of six.\"\nSir Keir insisted that he support the government's rule of six.\nBut he took on a completely different tone as to whether Labor would support the 10 p.m. bar and restaurant curfew in England, which does more harm than good to critics as night owls only take to the streets.\n\"The Prime Minister cannot explain why an area is restricted, he cannot explain what the various restrictions are, he cannot explain how restrictions end – it is getting ridiculous,\" said Sir Keir.\n& # 39; Next week this House will vote on whether to approve the 10pm rule. The Prime Minister knows that there are differently ingrained views across the country. A question now screams: Is there a scientific basis for the 10pm rule? & # 39;\nMr Johnson replied, \"The basis on which we set out the hospitality restriction was the basis on which he accepted it two weeks ago – that is, to reduce the spread of the virus, and that is our goal.\"\nThe British government's scientific experts have publicly called for \"urgent and drastic measures\" to curb the rising numbers of infections and growing hospital admissions.\nSAGE member John Edmunds said there needs to be a nationwide crackdown quickly, saying the current package of local bans, the 6pm and 10pm pubs curfew, is obviously not working.\nMr Edmunds told BBC Newsnight: “These local restrictions being put in place in the north have really not been very effective. We can see that rates are still rising. We have to take much stricter measures, not just in the north of England – we have to do it nationwide.\n\"We have to do a whole package across the country … I'd include circuit breaks to get the cases right.\"\nHe was particularly concerned about the 10 p.m. curfew, which was criticized for making matters worse by partying on the street and in homes.\n\"I really don't think it will do anything,\" he said.\nProfessor Calum Semple, who specializes in disease outbreaks, has called for a \"breaker\" of perhaps two weeks with strict restrictions.\nProf. Semple said, \"A circuit breaker a few weeks ago would have been a really good idea.\"\nHe added, “It is always easier to reduce an outbreak earlier than let it go and then try to reduce it at a later time.\n\"Yes, circuit breakers are certainly something we should think about on a national basis.\"\nStephen Reicher, a professor of social psychology at the University of St. Andrews and another SAGE member, told BBC Radio 4's Today program that there was a \"window of time\" to keep the outbreak from reopening by the end of the month the March level is returning.\n“I think it's important to do something because if you look at the numbers right now, the infection rate is around 10 percent of the March peak, but if it doubled, that would likely be the case by the end of October at the peak of March, ”he said.\n“So the good news is that we have the opportunity to do something.\n“If we miss this window of time, then we are really in trouble, then we would really talk about going back to March on lockdown measures. But we're not talking about that now. We have time. & # 39;\nFirst victim of the curfew at 10 p.m .: the 200-year-old brewer Greene King will close 79 pubs and restaurants\nHundreds of jobs are at stake as Greene King will close numerous pubs after curfew and coronavirus lockdown at 10 p.m.\nThe company – with more than 3,000 pubs across the country – has today started a consultation process with 800 employees on a layoff process.\nThe heads of the company, with nearly 1,700 managed pubs and 1,000 rented venues, want to recruit affected employees whenever possible.\nIt plans to close 79 pubs and restaurants and believes a third of them will be permanent.\nA spokesman said: \"The continued tightening of trade restrictions on pubs, which may take another six months, as well as changes in government support would always make it a challenge to reopen some of our pubs.\n& # 39; Hence, we made the tough decision not to reopen 79 locations including the 11 Loch Fyne restaurants we announced last week.\n\"Around a third will be permanently closed and we hope to be able to open the others again in the future.\"\nThe Telegraph claimed that in order to gain tighter control over new lockdown measures, Mr. Sunak would like to set up a new committee of himself, Mr. Johnson and Secretary of Health Matt Hancock, to decide which cities to put on high alert.\nSuch a committee would exclude Mr. Gove, who is believed to be an advocate of restrictions, from the decision-making process.\nHowever, allies of the Chancellor told MailOnline that he \"did not dictate who should be on which committee\" and did not want the \"red\" areas to be decided by just three people.\nIt comes amid growing discontent on Tory benches over the 10 p.m. government curfew on the hospitality industry – with a rebellion expected in a vote next week.\nSpeculation of further government action increased yesterday when the UK reported 14,542 new coronavirus cases, up nearly 2,000 from the last 24 hours.\nThe surge has continued after ironing out an artificial thorn caused by a “computer glitch” that left 16,000 cases missed from the government's reporting system.\nTest and Trace are still trying to contact 6,000 positive cases to find out who they may have infected – probably around 50,000 people.\nCoupled with the growing infection data, yesterday's numbers also showed hospital admissions rose to the highest daily rate in four months.\nIn another blow to hopes that the virus will be brought under control, official NHS data shows there were 478 new hospital admissions in England on Sunday – the latest daily numbers are in.\nThis is an increase of 25 percent compared to the data on Saturday, when 386 people with Covid-19 were hospitalized. It's also a four-month high, unseen since June 3rd when the number was 491.\nData also shows that the number of people using ventilators rose from 259 a week ago to 349 on Sunday.\nGovernment data shows that coronavirus cases have increased recently among the older generation\nCoronavirus cases are starting to increase in the elderly\nCoronavirus cases in the elderly are on the rise again, according to government data.\nAccording to Whitehall sources, the trend is ringing alarm bells, warning that tougher measures may be needed to keep the crisis under control.\nData from Public Health England shows that 30.1 Covid-19 cases were diagnosed out of 100,000 people over the age of 80 last week.\nThe rate has tripled since the last week of August when it was just 8.9 and has been rising steadily since then. It was 27.5 the week before.\nCovid-19 hunts the elderly, with estimates by top scientists killing around one in five over 75-year-olds. For comparison: Experts assume that the mortality rate for people under 45 years of age is below 0.1 percent – for children it is even lower.\nPHE data, which takes into account cases diagnosed between September 21-27, shows a similar increase was seen in people in their sixties and seventies.\nThe infection rate in people aged 70 to 79 is currently 20.6 compared to 17.4 the week before and 4.6 at the end of August.\nFor people aged 60 to 69, it is now 34.2, up from 27.5 last week. It has more than quadrupled since the figure of 7.5 a month ago.\nCases have risen for every age group since last week except for those under 10, for whom rates appear to have stabilized. Twenty are still driving the outbreak (95.0 out of 81.2), followed by 10 to 19 year olds (76.7 out of 53.7).\nThe Covid-19 infection data for the past week will be released by PHE this Friday when the government-led agency updates its national surveillance report.\nWhile hospital admissions have increased, the number of people dying from the virus in hospital remains significantly lower than it was when the pandemic began.\nIn addition, the figures show that hospital admissions rates are still low in some areas, such as the south of England.\nThe recent surge in cases has been particularly acute in the major cities of the north and the Midlands. Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Newcastle and Nottingham saw large increases, partly due to the return of university students.\nPlans for a new three-tier system to combat local outbreaks that could close pubs, restaurants and cinemas in parts of England are currently being finalized.\nThese are expected to be unveiled next week but could be brought forward by the end of this week if current trends continue.\nOfficials have also refused to rule out further national measures.\nIn a sign of an imminent crackdown, Mr. Sunak reportedly drew up plans yesterday evening for renewed aid from the Treasury Department to businesses affected by new local lockdown restrictions.\nThis could be a new support package for those who are forced to close.\nLast minute yesterday the leaders of Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Newcastle called on ministers to think carefully about new lockdown measures.\nIn a letter to Mr Hancock, the four said they were \"extremely concerned about the surge in\" new coronavirus cases in their areas.\nHowever, they cautioned against supporting further economic lockdowns, urging him to hand over powers to regional leaders rather than impose restrictions on Whitehall.\nJudith Blake, Leeds City Council Chair, Joe Anderson, Mayor of Liverpool, Sir Richard Leese, Manchester City Council Chair, and Nick Forbes, Newcastle City Council Chair, wrote: – clock rule, are counterproductive.\n\"Instead, local measures, developed jointly by the police, law enforcement and public health services, should be adopted to tackle rising infection rates based on local knowledge.\"\nSpeaking to ITV's GMB this morning, Mr Anderson said, “We have seen 2,500 new cases in Liverpool in the past week and yet we are seeing restrictions imposed on Manchester and Newcastle that are not working and the rate of infection is rising.\n“It's about common sense, about finding the right balance and what we can do, what we should do and how local lockdowns work, and working with local executives to get it right.\n\"There's a lack of consistency, a lack of clarity, but most of all, a lack of communication and collaboration.\"\nOfficials also expect Nottingham to lock down in some cases after a surge.\nThe city's infection rate has increased. In the seven days leading up to October 2, 1,273 new cases were recorded – that's 382 cases per 100,000. That's an increase of 59 per 100,000 in the seven days leading up to September 25th.\nNottingham Public Health Director Alison Challenger said current restrictions \"are no longer enough to stop the virus from spreading\".\nOther areas with high rates are Knowsley and Liverpool, while Newcastle upon Tyne, Sheffield and Leeds have seen big jumps in their infection rates over the past seven days.\nMPs support the six-in-commons rule with just 17 politicians speaking out against it despite widespread Tory anger over the coronavirus law. They fear that they \"do more harm than good\".\nMPs overwhelmingly backed the controversial rule of six in a Commons vote last night – but Boris Johnson had no doubt about the anger on the Tory back benches.\nThe The Covid-19 regulations that enforce the rules of gatherings in England were passed in Westminster by 287 votes to 17 – a majority of 270.\nThe rules are already in place and the motion only provides an ex post vote on them.\nBut a number of Tories said they would abstain rather than support, and used the debate beforehand to attack government ministers over the scope of the rules.\nSteve Baker, a former Brexit minister, said he had \"real concerns\" about the \"appalling\" cost of the measures, while Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the influential 1922 Tory backbench committee, called the measures \"a massive encroachment on.\" the measures \"denoted the private life of the British people.\nHuw Merriman MP, chairman of the Transport Select Committee, said he feared the measures would \"do more harm than good\".\nHowever, there was little prospect that the measures would fail the Commons vote after Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer told reporters on Tuesday that his party would support the measures.\nPresenting his opposition to the vote, Mr Baker said: “I have real concerns about the very high cost of these measures.\n\"(It's an) absolutely appalling set of costs that people bear, and the anecdotes that (will) now increasingly suggest poor compliance actually seem to create a gap between their intentions to comply and what they actually do to have.\"\nHe added, “It is not now clear that the benefits outweigh the costs of the lockdown. We have to ask ourselves whether these circumstances are really what we want.\n“We hear from people who are destroyed by this lockdown, strong, confident people, open-minded people, sociable people who are destroyed and reduced to repeated tears on the phone.\n\"This is a devastating social impact on our society, and I believe that people would make different choices if they could take responsibility for themselves.\"\nMr Brady, who voted against the Rule of Six, said: “These rules are a massive encroachment on the freedom and privacy of the entire British people and also have a devastating economic impact that will result in great job losses and masses of business failure. & # 39;\nLast week Boris Johnson hinted that the rule of six could be suspended on Christmas Day to ensure a family of five can invite both grandparents out for festive lunches.\nHe had stressed that the government would \"do everything possible to ensure that Christmas is as normal as possible for everyone\".\nIn late September, a desperate Prime Minister called on the British to \"save Christmas\" by following his rule of six.\nHowever, in Tuesday's debate, Mr. Baker was joined by other Tory MPs who were fully opposed to the measure.\nBexhill Tory MP Huw Merriman warned that the measure would \"do more harm than good\".\nHe said, “Now I am looking for this evidence, but I still don't see it.\nOn that basis, I fear that I will not be able to vote for the rule of six because I simply do not believe that it is proportionate and that it will actually do what the government hopes, and I hope and fear that it actually does more harm than good. & # 39;\nYesterday some experts called for stricter restrictions.\nChris Hopson, head of the NHS Providers hospital group, urged Boris Johnson to be ready \"to put appropriately strict local lockdown measures in place wherever the virus spreads in a way that could jeopardize the NHS 'ability to cope\".\nSir Jeremy Farrar, director of the Wellcome Trust, tweeted, “Community broadcasting is increasing. The number of people who need to be hospitalized is increasing.\n& # 39; Tragically, more people are dying. Options for intervention could be discussed, but the data are clear. & # 39;\nYesterday MPs overwhelmingly backed the controversial rule of six in a vote today – but Boris Johnson had no doubt about the anger on the Tory back benches.\nHowever, in last night's debate, Mr Baker was joined by other Tory MPs who were fully opposed to the measure.\nHe said, “I don't see any evidence how this will bring Covid down rates.\n“My main concern is that we rule by consent. We need people to come with us.\n“When people look at these rules, people I speak to who were absolutely religious supporters of the lockdown, now they say that I just won't do this anymore.\n\"And the concern is that they are not following some of the other rules that make sense that we should have.\"\nHe added, “Now I am looking for this evidence, but I still don't see it.\nOn that basis, I fear that I will not be able to vote for the rule of six because I simply do not believe that it is proportionate and that it will actually do what the government hopes, and I hope and fear that it actually does more harm than good.\nUniversities cancel classroom courses\nBy Chris Brooke\nUniversities started canceling classroom teaching yesterday as they stepped up efforts to contain rising infection rates on campus.\nThe University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University, which has around 73,000 students attending, said classes would only be online until at least November.\nThe University of Sheffield, home to nearly 30,000 students, followed suit last night when it announced that in-person learning will be suspended from Friday until at least October 19.\nThe University of Manchester (pictured) and Manchester Metropolitan University – with around 73,000 students – said classes would only be online until at least November\nThe measures are a drastic step to stop the coronavirus from spreading among the student population. However, they will increase the requirements on students to receive tuition reimbursements.\nStudent outbreaks make up a large proportion of the total cases in both cities. In Sheffield, where there are two major universities, 808 students tested positive between Monday last week and Sunday. There were a total of 1,532 positive tests in the city during the same period. This means that 53 percent of all positive tests came from students. There appears to be a similar pattern in Manchester, although the evidence from universities there is more limited.\nThere were 792 positive tests from students at Manchester University between Monday last week and Friday.\nManchester Metropolitan University has not released positive test results to date, although more than 1,500 students in university accommodation are known to be self-isolating and there is a significant outbreak among students. The total number of tests in the city for the same period was 3,055.\nIf a similar percentage of students at both universities tested positive, they would represent more than 45 percent of Manchester.\nDavid Regan, Director of Public Health at Manchester Council said: “This is the right thing to do and supports our approach of using data and a local approach to contain outbreaks to reduce the possibility of further infection.\n\"More online teaching protects employees, students, and the wider community about what we want and need.\"\n(tagsToTranslate) Dailymail (t) Nachrichten (t) Coronavirus\nWhite House aides must wear yellow clothes, a surgical mask, and disposable glasses to get anywhere near Trump\nMcMafia millionaire's £ 10 million real estate empire is revealed","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line145808"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6882026195526123,"wiki_prob":0.6882026195526123,"text":"Hayla R.\nIzzy Stevenson\nJana Ruth\nSky Destrian\nTravis Craig\nFilm Spotlight\nUltimate Movie Marathon\nAlbum Spotlight\nAdam Young Scores\nThe Fangirl Experience\nThe Fangirl Mixtape\nThe League of Literary Gentlemen\nLuminous Beings\nMBTI Diaries\nINTJ Diaries\nMeet Cute\nSo Not Over It\n'Til the End of the Line\nLike This? Try That\nSo You're New to...\nA Fangirl's Explanation of Love Types\nFriday, February 10, 2017 / Unknown / 1 comment\nWhen it comes to complex concepts, language fails us. It especially fails us when we look at the concept of love. English just doesn't do it justice. After all, the Ancient Greeks had many different words for such an important emotion. The main four are Eros, Philia, Storge, and Agape, and I'll be using all types of fandom to describe the distinctions.\n1) Eros\nEros is often defined as physical desire. I couldn't think of a better representation of this than Shimoneta: A Boring World Where the Concept of Dirty Jokes Doesn't Exist, an anime that's premise is all about the Japanese government censoring inappropriate material and repressing sexual desire. A group of erotica-terrorists rise up in order to stop them. As one might expect, there are quite a few examples of Eros.\nHowever, Eros isn't always about physical attraction. It is also a desire to appreciate beauty and is the initial draw one might feel for another. If you’ve watched Yuri!!! on Ice, you can't help but be captivated by the various ice skating routines, especially Yuri's performance entitled (you got it) Eros. His movements and the background music captures Eros perfectly.\nEros is also that trembling, fluttering, almost manic feeling a person first gets when he/she falls in love. It’s the love that makes someone lose their appetite and see that other person in an idealistic way. In D.N.Angel, the main character, Daisuke, changes into his alter-ego, Dark, if he so much as gets too close to his crush and feels even a stirring of Eros.\n2) Philia\nPhilia is all about the bromance/womance. It’s the feeling you have for a “brother in arms.\" Philia is at the heart and soul of Final Fantasy XV. I mean, the game is about four bros on one grand adventure. By the end of the game, the player sees how much the guys appreciate each other and that they're stronger together because they've been through so much.\nPhilia is also a love that you can choose. In Voltron: Legendary Defender, the Paladins are far, far away from home, so they don’t have their relatives close by. Over the course of the show, they become a team and a family.\nLastly, Philia is all about making a connection through shared experiences. The perfect example of Philia is shown in Kingdom Hearts, which is about Sora's connection with everyone he meets. Philia, and Kingdom Hearts' main message, means that no matter the distance, you hold your friends in your heart. It means that friendship is a power that cannot be rivaled.\n3) Storge\nStorge is the love of community or family. It’s usually seen as a type of love between a parent and a child. A good example of Storge love is in Saga, an adult graphic novel. Saga’s story centers on the bond of family and the undying love one feels for his/her child. Two parents must risk it all to find a better place for their daughter to live and thrive.\nStorge isn’t always about a parent and child. It can also include the love between siblings, just like in Caraval by Stephanie Garber. This novel is about a girl named Scarlett who will doing anything in her power to save her sister. The reader sees just how far Scarlett will go to save her family.\nStorge can also be a dutiful kind of affection. An example of this can be seen in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan. Time and again, we are reminded that demigods must complete the tasks of their parents. But this sense of duty to the gods is questioned throughout the series. As the reader continues, he/she realizes that the gods' “lack of affection” isn’t always what it seems.\n4) Agape\nAgape is the purest form of love because it is unconditional. If a person experiences Agape, they will go to great lengths in order to protect the one they love. I can’t help but think about Joyce Byers in Stranger Things. Once she realizes that her son is missing, she never once gives up the search to find him.\nAgape is also a mature love, in that a person loves no matter the circumstances and sees beyond another person's flaws and appearance. This is definitely true of Belle in Beauty and the Beast. She grows to love the Beast for who he is, not for what he looks like.\nFinally, Agape is when one is willing to sacrifice his/her own values and desires, even his/her own life, all for the other person or for other people. Final Fantasy X has a few instances of this. (Highlight for spoilers.) Yuna is a summoner tasked with defeating Sin, but in order to do so she must make the ultimate sacrifice for the greater good and give her life to perform the Final Summoning so that she can defeat Sin and restore a temporary peace to Spira. Yuna considers others before herself and will do anything to stop Sin's spiral of death and destruction.\nFrom Eros to Agape, Fandoms are complex and include all versions of love. They deal with a range of emotion and complicated concepts, making it easier for us to understand ourselves and our world.\nWhat other fandoms illustrated the different kinds of love?\nanime, Beauty and the Beast, Caraval, DNAngel, Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy X, Final Fantasy XV, Kingdom Hearts, Percy Jackson, Saga, Shimoneta, Stranger Things, Voltron, Voltron Legendary Defender, Yuri!!! On Ice\nJaime February 10, 2017 at 9:35 PM\nI LOVE this post. (Pun definitely intended.) It was so fun to read and educational! :)\nHamilton: Myers-Briggs Personality Types\nWhich Merlin Character Are You? (According to Myers-Briggs Type Indicator)\nParks and Recreation: Myers-Briggs Personality Types\nHow to Throw a 'Star Wars' Christmas Party\nINTJ Diaries: I Love You. Most Ardently.\nBlog Archive April (2) March (3) February (3) January (4) December (2) May (3) April (4) March (9) February (7) January (7) December (4) November (12) October (15) September (16) August (32) July (32) June (31) May (32) April (30) March (33) February (29) January (31) December (33) November (31) October (37) September (32) August (32) July (33) June (35) May (40) April (38) March (47) February (41) January (40) December (46) November (43) October (44) September (39) August (32) July (33) June (33) May (34) April (43) March (34) February (33) January (37) December (31) November (8)\nCopyright © The Fangirl Initiative | Powered by Blogger","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1522009"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9851424694061279,"wiki_prob":0.9851424694061279,"text":"Digital TV News: SatLink\nARABSAT and EMC announce triple play over satellite joint venture\nSep 8, 2015 – ARABSAT and EMC have announced a joint venture to launch TRIO, the first real triple play service over satellite in the world. The TRIO platform is built using SATLink technology from EMC with the soon-to-be launched ARABSAT Badr-7 satellite at the MENA hotspot of 26°E.\nNews categories: ARABSAT, EMC, TRIO, Khalid Balkheyour, Abel Avellan, Santiago Rossi, Content Distribution, Digital TV, Middle-East, Satellite\nSatLink and Pi Telecom to offer Cloud-based TV Everywhere platform\nSep 30, 2014 – SatLink Communications has announced a partnership with Pi Telecom. Through the partnership, SatLink is expanding into the IP delivery market by bringing the best of TV online through the launch of a new End-to-End (E2E) OTT Cloud-based platform.\nNews categories: SatLink Communications, Pi Telecom, David Hochner, Arie Aig, Content Distribution, Digital TV, OTT, TV Everywhere, Worldwide\nSatLink launches Hot Bird DVB-S2 platform for HD in Europe\nApr 7, 2014 – SatLink Communications has announced the launch of a DVB-S2 platform on Eutelsat’s Hot Bird satellite. The service has been developed to meet the growing demand for HD content via satellite.\nNews categories: SatLink, David Hochner, Content Distribution, Europe, Satellite\nSatLink Launches New DTH Platform to Africa on Astra 4A\nApr 19, 2009 – SatLink Communications has announced that it has acquired its own capacity covering sub-Saharan Africa on ASTRA's Astra 4A (Sirius 4) satellite located at 5° East. The MCPC platform is for DTH broadcasters aiming to cover the region.\nNews categories: SatLink, Africa, Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo-Brazzaville, Côte d'Ivoire, Digital TV, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Satellite, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line941945"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9720863699913025,"wiki_prob":0.9720863699913025,"text":"Return to History\nRobert Taylor was born Spangler Arlington Brugh in Filley, Nebraska on August 5, 1911. The only child of a farmer/physician father and a possessive mother, Taylor excelled in both athletics and the arts. At Beatrice High School, he ran track, played cello in the orchestra and was a skilled orator. Upon graduation, he pursued courses in musicianship at Doane College in Crete, Nebraska where he studied cello under Professor Herbert E. Gray. Taylor so admired his mentor that he followed him to California and enrolled at Pomona College in Los Angeles after his instructor accepted a position there. Bob joined the campus theater group and was eventually spotted by a MGM talent scout.\nAccording to the Internet Movie Database, Taylor “holds the Hollywood record for the longest contract with one studio (MGM), 24 years from early 1934 to late 1958” in addition to holding the Hollywood record for the lowest initial contract salary of $35 a week (1934). Such were the rewards and disappointments of implicit trust and faith in studio chief Louis B. Mayer. Yet despite the career manipulating Mayer, Taylor credited his years at MGM as the happiest period of his professional life.\nTaylor’s breakout film was “Magnificent Obsession” opposite Irene Dunne in 1935. His handsome looks and solid dramatic skills made him an instant star and secured his position as the male romantic lead opposite a succession of the era’s most seductive sirens. In later years, Bob’s acting became darker and edgier, allowing him to transition from the musicals and comedies of his earlier career to more dramatic roles in film noir, combat movies, historical epics and westerns.\n1936 was a pivotal year for Bob. Barbara Stanwyck, on the heels of a bitter divorce from first husband Frank Fay, had become a Hollywood recluse and friends Marion and Zeppo Marx were concerned. The couple invited her to accompany them to a dinner party at the Trocadero in Hollywood where Taylor was also a guest. Bob and Barbara hit it off immediately. Taylor admired Stanwyck’s professionalism and she his energetic sense of fun. What began as an industry friendship blossomed into romance during Barbara’s years at Marwyck Ranch. By early 1938, Taylor had invested. $50,000 in a ranch of his own just a few miles to the west with a home designed by architect Burton A. Schutt.\nStanwyck and Taylor made two pictures together during the period of their courtship, His Brother’s Wife (1936) and This Is My Affair (1937).\nBarbara and Bob's carefree life in the San Fernando Valley was turned upside down when Kirtley Baskette's article, \"Hollywood's Unmarried Husbands and Wives\" appeared in the January 1939 issue of Photoplay magazine. Taylor and Stanwyck, along with other actors including good friends Gable and Lombard, were exposed as couples living together in unwedded bliss. The article caused a public scandal for the studios. MGM, which had previously squashed Taylor’s romances in a desire to maintain lucrative box office receipts by keeping him “attainable” to his legions of female fans, insisted that Bob and Barbara wed. The two immediately announced their engagement. The civil marriage ceremony took place in a private residence overlooking San Diego Bay shortly after midnight on May 14, 1939.\nFollowing their marriage, Barbara and Bob divested themselves of their respective ranches and moved back to Beverly Hills. Their careers continued to flourish and they were regulars on the Hollywood social scene. Bob was also an avid sportsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and flying. He named his private Twin Beech airplane “Missy” after Barbara, despite her distaste for flying in small aircraft. The couple were the first to place joint foot and hand prints along with their signatures in a single cement square at Grauman’s Chinese Theater in June of 1941. During World War II, Bob served as a Lieutenant in the United States Naval Air Corps, where he worked as a flight instructor and appeared in instructional films.\nOver the years, rumors of Taylor’s extra-marital affairs plagued Bob’s marriage to Barbara and the couple finally divorced on February 25, 1952. Barbara was devastated. As part of their settlement, Barbara was granted 15% of Bob’s gross earnings until she either remarried or died. Despite the acrimony, the two remained friends, starring in their third and final film together, a psychological horror movie titled “The Night Walker” in 1964.\nTaylor married German actress Ursula Theiss in 1954 and fathered two children. He lived out his remaining years on a beautiful 112-acre ranch in Mandeville Canyon, an exclusive Brentwood enclave of Los Angeles. Eventually, Bob’s life-long three pack a day cigarette habit caught up with him and he was diagnosed with lung cancer in October of 1968. He died from the disease on June 8, 1969 at the early age of 57. At his funeral, Ronald Reagan, then Governor of California, delivered the eulogy and Barbara Stanwyck was among the mourners.\nRobert Taylor’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is located at 1500 Vine Street.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line789073"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6765793561935425,"wiki_prob":0.3234206438064575,"text":"Self-Management and the Remote Workforce at Phrase\nRemote work has become the new normal as we practice physical distancing amid the current pandemic. Phrase would like to share its collective experience in this new situation in the hope that it may be useful to colleagues, customers, vendors, and fellow start-up community members.\nHere at Phrase, like most workplaces on the planet, remote has become a new normal as we practice physical distancing. Though the duration of this unprecedented pandemic is unknown, remote working is not. We were able to build upon several learnings from the past, but (like most companies) we have never been 100% remote before. We’d like to share our collective experience in the hope that it may be useful to our colleagues, customers, vendors, and fellow start-up community members.\nLearnings From Our “Daily Checkout” Poll\nFirst Impressions After the First Two Weeks of Working From Home\nMotivation (Put Your Pants On)\nWork Setup\nScattered Teams Require Autonomous Decision Making: Introducing Holacracy\nThe Longer Term: Work in Progress\nOne of the techniques we’re using to manage the new challenges of working in a remote environment is through a daily poll created by our HR circle. The goal is to gain insights on everyone’s remote learning curves, as well as the overall home office morale, and to share experiences and discoveries that help us function as a team, regardless of location. Let’s look at some of this feedback.\nWe’re only a few weeks into this change but certain feedback was consistent across the board, including how people were feeling about this big adjustment:\nIndividual productivity is perceived as high, rated 6.0 out of 7;\nMorale in home office is positive, rated 5.9 out of 7.\nConsidering the amount of uncertainty everyone is facing right now, the fact that we as a company seem to be adapting to changes easily without major obstacles is considered especially positive. It can be difficult to cope when everything is turned upside down. It helps to know work is stable to keep up the morale.\nWhen you are working solo, after being in a collaborative face-to-face office environment, self-motivation becomes far more critical. Going into the office automatically puts you in work mode, but at home, you have to shift gears. There was a lot of feedback and tips on making this shift:\nGetting started was important. Entering ‘work mode’, getting dressed and creating a morning routine.\nCreating a structure was also important. Many responses were about setting up a proper workspace, scheduling the day, and generally creating a work-focused atmosphere.\nA lot of responses were also sharing personal rituals. E.g. music playlists dedicated to working hours, making coffee to take into your home office every day at the same time, moving around with specific rooms for different tasks.\nIt all adds up to setting a stage, physically and mentally, for being at ‘the office’.\nWhen you can’t walk down the hall or into a coworker’s office to ask a quick question or for help with an issue, your ability to work efficiently is different. The good news is the communication tools and processes we use at the office were already optimized for remote work:\nSlack provides an ‘always on’ channel that helps us feel connected in real-time. It also serves as an excellent way to share files and to manage various team activities by organizing threads by subject.\nEmail is primarily a communication medium for more complex messages and for connecting with customers, vendors, and other outside resources.\nConferencing software like Google Hangouts is the meeting medium, and the tools it provides for screen-sharing, timing meetings and preserving a record are invaluable. It was also mentioned a lot to help with isolation and keeping up with coworkers socially while working together.\nRemote communication offers both challenges and benefits. When you are communicating via technology, keeping things brief and to the point becomes more important. This seems to make meetings more productive. At the same time, lots of writing and Slack messages leave room for interpretation and misunderstanding and sometimes can get lost in workload. To us, talking always beats writing when troubleshooting, resolving personnel issues, doing one-on-ones, and working through more strategic considerations.\nWe’ve become more aware of the amount of time spent in an office that is not focused on the task at hand. While working at home has its own set of interruptions and distractions to handle, many people miss ‘the distractions’ of the office. Those ‘distractions’, such as colleagues sharing stories from the weekend or discussing a difficult situation with a customer, can create a team mindset. By far, the most mentioned aspects of the workdays at home revolved around interactions with the team and experiencing a newly created team spirit of being in this together. New ways to interact were created through dedicated slack channels, sharing of photos, virtual coffee or lunch dates and other initiatives from the team.\nWe also always love to hear and read about other company’s experiences and experiments with new ways to keep up the morale and feeling of belonging. Let us all continue to share ideas and inspire each other.\nOur polling also identified some areas that need improvement. The majority of comments about necessary improvements were linked to:\nHardware issues: There have been some transition issues with equipment like headsets and monitors.\nErgonomics: Home offices are not as ergonomic as at work; getting things like decent desks, chairs, and lighting is important to productivity and staying healthy.\nAfter the first days, we offered to take home office hardware, which solved most of the hardware issues. Nevertheless, we are considering what kind of equipment and office supply support we can add. A lot of this depends on the duration of the crisis and our plans for a post-coronavirus world. Taking care of ergonomics and staying healthy these days is more difficult, but it is very cool to see how necessity really is the mother of invention. Several team members reported self- built stand-up desks, timers to remember regular movement and taking breaks to exercise.\nAlong with these learnings on an individual level, the current situation really invites us to also create new understandings on an organizational level (#newwork). Working remotely and independently magnifies the need for greater self-direction since mechanisms of instruction and control become less important and less efficient. Following Holacracy, we have developed what we believe to be a unique perspective on how our self-management system is helping us to manage these necessary transitions.\nHolacracy is a management system that seeks to empower our team members to make their own decisions when facing problems. It encourages everyone in the organization to take charge. It also provides an ideal framework for working remotely, with clearly defined roles and responsibilities as well as useful communication protocols in order to keep meetings concise and useful.\nSelf-management, which Holacracy requires a high degree of, is based on the idea that each person in an organization is responsible to fill their roles and strive to reach the best results in the frame the organization has defined for the role. As its creator, Brian Robertson, puts it, this changes the primary functions of the team managers in a self-managed business:\nKeeping things moving – by monitoring work, inspiring motivation, and removing obstacles.\nCreating clarity – by defining who does what, who has the authority to make which decisions, and what priorities the team should focus on.\nImproving alignment – by making sure team members are all pulling in the same direction.\nInviting trust – by creating a space in which people feel emotionally and psychologically safe to express their creativity.\nLiberating and empowering – by giving people space and freedom to get work done and the authority to do so.\nContrary to classical hierarchical structures, roles, responsibilities, and even team structures are all but static. Every team member has the power to change the system, change the rules for their domains and communicate obstacles as well as improvements freely across the organization. In order for this to not end up in anarchy, there are clarified discussion and integration rules for these changes with a focus on enabling change, reducing discussion and moving things forward.\nWe’ve been working with Holacracy since 2016, which proves to be a valuable asset these days. Our teams at Phrase work to follow the mentioned principles and it enables us to quickly adjust to changing circumstances.\nOf course, no framework is perfect, and it all comes with a price. To just share one learning here, we quickly realized that for us following Holacracy lacked transparent cross-team alignment. We, therefore, added a quarterly OKR (objectives and key results) process to align forces and reflect our shared responsibility across teams towards reaching our common goals.\nUncertainty can be uncomfortable, but there is also opportunity in crisis, as the Chinese saying goes. We’ll certainly be looking to learn from this situation and take it as an experiment to prepare for future disruptions. We’re also refining our self-management protocols to support this new remote working world. It’s a work in progress, but it’s progress.\nAuthored by Mariana. Last updated on April 8th, 2020 .\nThe Ultimate Guide to Localization Management\nFind out all you need to know about localization from start to finish with our ultimate guide\nCheck out the guide\nMust-Read Software Development Blogs\nThe Best Libraries for React I18n\nA Step-by-Step Guide to JavaScript Localization\nThe Ultimate Guide: Node.js Internationalization (I18n)\nThe Ultimate Symfony Tutorial on Internationalization\nSubscribe to our mailing list to keep up with best practices for localization, new features, and updates from Phrase.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line116380"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7178080677986145,"wiki_prob":0.2821919322013855,"text":"The Canons of Dort as a Standard for Teaching and Preaching (2)\nArjen Vreugdenhil\nIn a previous article I pointed out that the Canons of Dort not only define the content of Reformed doctrine, but also direct the way in which it is taught and preached. In this article I will address section I of the Canons, and draw conclusions about the way we ought to speak about God’s work of election.\nElection in Broader Context\nThe first section of the Canons is about election, but this is only brought up in section I.6. The first few articles of section I outline more foundational principles of Christian doctrine; and we see this pattern repeated at the beginning of the other sections.\nThere are several reasons for choosing this approach. By taking its starting point in basic Christian doctrine, the Canons emphasize that the Reformed churches are not sectarian, but stand fully in the tradition of the Christian church. By beginning with common ground, the polemic with the Arminians also becomes less militant.\nBut most importantly, the introductory articles I.1-6 show us the proper context in which we must think about election. The doctrines of sin, Christ, gospel, and faith take priority over the doctrine of election. In election, God chose people from the sinful, human race. Election is in Jesus Christ. Election is no direct ticket to heaven, but predestination to be in Christ, and to be saved in the way of faith in the gospel.\nIn this way the Synod of Dort defused the first main complaint against the Reformed, namely, that they teach that God predestines people to heaven or hell “without the least regard or consideration of any sin.”[1] People perish eternally because of their sin and unbelief; people inherit eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. Contrary to the Arminian accusation, sin and the obedience of faith are central in the Reformed doctrine!\nI frequently meet Reformed believers who will suspect anyone of being “Arminian” if he begins his gospel presentation with John 3:16, in God’s love for the world. It is true that some evangelicals take this text too far, and declare God’s saving love for every individual, whether they believe or not. But note that our very own Canons of Dort start with John 3:16—in his love for the world, God gave Christ. This merciful gospel must be preached to all, so that people may believe. And God, based on his eternal decree of election, will give faith precisely to those he has chosen. Do you see how evangelistic the Canons are from the very beginning?\nSpeaking of Reprobation\nArticle I.15 addresses the dark side of predestination. If God elects some to receive Christ and his benefits, there will be others to whom this is not given. They will perish in their unbelief.\nAccording to the Remonstrants this was a terrible, cruel doctrine. They complained that the Reformed made “reprobation the cause of unbelief and ungodliness, in the same manner in which election is the source and cause of faith and good works.”[2] This would make God the cause and “author” of sin.\nTo be fair, there were some Reformed ministers who drew this conclusion. The Synod of Dort even dealt with a seminary professor, Maccovius, who taught that “God wills and decrees sin” and that “he predestines people to sin.” Maccovius was not declared a heretic, but he was strongly reprimanded to tone down his teaching. Even those who did not agree with Maccovius would conclude that, at the very deepest level of God’s decree, God must be the ultimate cause of sin. After all, he created people, he allowed them to fall, and by electing some to be saved, he implicitly allowed others to die in their sins.[3]\nThe Canons do not give an explanation of the origin of sin; the reality of sin is simply assumed throughout, starting explicitly in article I.1. And article I.15 ends with a serious warning, intended to keep our thinking and speaking straight. Never, ever are we to think of God as the cause, the author of sin.\nThe decree of reprobation, say the Canons, is no more than this: that God decided to leave the non-elect precisely where they are, by their own fault, in the guilt and misery of sin.[4] He does not make them sin. He does not prevent them from believing. He simply gives them what they (and we, if it were not for God’s grace!) want in their rebellion.\nThe Canons make it abundantly clear: people do not go to hell because God forces them to go there. People go to hell because they are guilty and do not believe in Jesus Christ. Is it unfair that God permits them to become lost? Article I.18 answers with a sharp but loving rebuke to those who complain: if anything is unfair, it is our election! Everybody deserves hell, and our election to faith and salvation is undeserved.\nThe first section of the Canons ends with praise to God for his deep council, which we cannot understand. It points us to Romans 9, which teaches that God has the basic right to do with his creation as he wants, like a Potter with his clay.\nToday there are Calvinists who like to start with this principle, that God is sovereign and therefore has the right to cast into hell whoever he wants. They believe that this is a “higher,” better view than that presented in the Canons.[5] It is this kind of teaching of unmitigated divine sovereignty that evoked the Arminian complaint that the Reformed doctrine is no different than Islam.[6] But the Canons start with the revealed gospel of grace in a sinful world. The teaching of God’s sovereignty is for those who would talk back to God who justly punishes rebellion.\nElection, Assurance, and Comfort\nSeveral articles toward the end of section I of the Canons spell out important pastoral consequences of election. Christians who are aware that their faith is a gracious gift can easily worry: how can I be sure that God has chosen me? How do I know my faith is real? Sadly, there are entire denominations where this anxiety overshadows all of the Christian life, and only very few are assured of their salvation.\nThe Canons do not want us to think this way, and certainly not to teach this pious-sounding doubt. Article I.12 gives a careful, sensitive answer. Believers, as they grow in faith, will receive assurance of their election. Not by some private insight in God’s secret council. Not by a miraculous experience. But “by noticing within themselves, with spiritual joy and holy delight the unmistakable fruits of election pointed out in God’s Word”: faith, awe and trust in God, sorrow for sin, desire to be righteous.\nWhat about those who lack this assurance? As a result of sin we can feel so guilty, so much lacking in godliness, that we may fear that God has not chosen us. Canons I.16 comforts us that we should not “be alarmed at the mention of reprobation, nor count ourselves among the reprobate.” This article point us to the mercy of God. It shows the way of growth and perseverance in the Christian life; I will address this at the end of my next article, where we look at section V of the Canons.\nThe pastoral approach of the Canons is balanced; articles I.13 and 16 also address the opposite problem of presumption and antinomianism. There are people who are not serious about their faith, but claim to be elect in spite of an uncaring, ungodly life. It even says that such false assurance “usually happens to those who casually take for granted the grace of election” and “are unwilling to walk in the ways of the chosen.”\nThe Question of Dying Infants\nBelieving parents care about the salvation of their children. One particularly pressing question is what we may believe about our children if they die at a very young age. At the time when the Canons were written, infant mortality was extremely high, due to warfare, pestilence, and other factors. But even today, when most infants survive after birth, many parents look for comfort after a miscarriage.\nThe Arminians made this question a focus in their campaign against the Reformed doctrine. As I mentioned in the previous article, they accused the Reformed churches of teaching that “many children of the faithful are torn, guiltless, from their mothers’ breasts, and tyrannically plunged into hell” (by God).\nThe delegates at the Synod of Dort had to address this question. They did so, briefly but powerfully, in Article I.17.\nWe may believe that children of believers who die at an early age belong to God’s elect. There is no reason for doubt, because God himself speaks favorably about the children in the Scriptures. The Canons give two arguments. First of all, there is the covenant, which continues from parents to children and is only broken by deliberate unbelief at older age. Second, there is the declaration in 1 Cor. 7:14 that children of believers are holy. This does not automatically mean that all children of believers are elect, and saved no matter what; but it does imply that these children are special to God. If he takes them to himself at a young age, there is no reason to doubt his covenant mercy.\nIn fact, article I.17 says very much the same as the traditional Reformed form for the administration of baptism to infants.\nThroughout the centuries this article has been controversial in Reformed circles, especially in those experiential churches who were hesitant to lay hold of the assurance of faith. The Canons of Dort also clearly go beyond the Westminster Standards in this respect, which only teach that elect infants will be saved, even though they have not believed (WCF 10.3). But where the church received this article as a faithful reflection of the covenant promise, it has been of great comfort to many parents.\nTeaching Election Properly\nWe have seen that section I of the Canons is evangelistic and pastoral. It also exhibits great pedagogical qualities, as a guide for preaching and teaching. If we are to preach on predestination, let it always be in the context of sin, Christ, and gospel, as shown in Articles I.1-6! If we are to preach on election, let us give comfort to the afflicted and warning to the presumptive! If we are to preach on reprobation, let us endeavor never to suggest that God is the author of sin, but admire the justice and wisdom of God even when we do not comprehend him!\nArticle I.14 gives explicit instruction about how to teach the doctrine of election. This doctrine was taught throughout the history of the church, in Old and New Testament, and so it must be taught today. But it is very important how this teaching takes place. Article I.14 is not only a warning against not preaching election; it is also a warning against improper teaching of it. The Canons list a number of qualities our teaching of election should have.\nFirst of all, the doctrine of election is “specifically intended” for God’s church, to comfort believers. It is not the first (or even second) aspect of Christian doctrine to bring to unbelievers! For many zealous Calvinists that may seem wrong, especially if they are eager to combat Arminianism in all its forms. But the Canons are following the Biblical example here: the Bible speaks about election almost exclusively in the context of God’s people, whether Old Testament Israel or the New Testament church.\nSecond, the Canons call for discretion and a godly and holy attitude. Because the doctrine of election can raise difficult questions, and can be distorted into a false denial of assurance or presumptive complacency, we must be very careful how to present it. Articles I.12, 13, 16, and 17 list some pastoral considerations that should be taken into account.\nThird, the Canons tells us that election must be preached “at the appropriate time and place.” This should be understood as the proper time and place in the preaching and teaching curriculum. For instance, the Heidelberg Catechism speaks of election in Lord’s Days 20 and 21, and when teaching these questions and answers a teacher should explain election. Likewise, election must have a place in sermons about Deut. 7, Rom. 9, and Eph. 1. But neither the Bible nor the catechism speaks about election all the time, and neither should we.\nFourth, in the preaching and teaching of election we must be careful to bring glory to God, “without inquisitive searching into the ways of the Most High.” Practically, this means that we echo the clear teaching of the Bible that God has chosen for himself a people, to save them in the way of faith; but we must refrain from speculation on the details which are not clearly revealed.\nSome argue that election is one of the most foundational doctrines of the Bible, and must therefore figure in most sermons. One Reformed minister wrote, for instance:\nIf the question be asked, ‘What place does Scripture allot to the truth of election?’ the answer is: ‘First place.’ The truth of election is of prime importance. … Take it away, and the whole body of the truth dies. For there is not a single element of the entire truth of Holy Scripture that can stand ultimately without the truth of sovereign election. … Even while the church is busy with the task of proclaiming in the narrower sense of the word such truths as vicarious atonement, regeneration, or conversion, for example, that truth of election will pulsate regularly and strongly through the preaching. If it does not, then the truth of election is being deprived of its proper time and place.[7]\nIt even seems that Canons I.9 support this view, when it calls election the “source of every saving good”.\nBut this view is mistaken. God’s decree (including election) comes first in the logical and historical order; but that does not mean that it is the central element in God’s revelation. Scripture tells us clearly that the center of revelation is Jesus Christ and his ministry. The Bible calls to faith in Christ much more than it speaks of election. In fact, even our election is in Christ (Eph. 1:4). Likewise, in the very definition of election, the Canons define Christ as the foundation of salvation (I.7).\nTo be sure, the truth of God’s electing grace may not be obscured or denied. It is a tremendous source of comfort for the believer. But this doctrine must take its proper place, so that Jesus Christ, the greatest Word of God to a sinful world, remains at the center.\nThe same guiding principle is found in the remaining sections of the Canons. I will address this in the next and last article of this series.\n[1] See the “Conclusion” of the Canons of Dort for this accusation. The full text of the Remonstrant complaint is this: “Some [Reformed churches teach] that God by an eternal and unchangeable decree, out of the people whom he did not view as created and much less as fallen, ordained some to eternal life, some to eternal perdition, without any consideration of righteousness or sin, obedience or disobedience, merely because he was pleased to display the glory of his justice and mercy, or—as others formulate it—his saving grace, wisdom and sovereignty.”\n[2] See the “Conclusion” to the Canons.\n[3] See, for example, the Synopsis Purioris Theologiae, which was published in 1625 by four leading Reformed professors. Also, in his dissertation, The Issue of Reprobation at the Synod of Dort (1618-19) in Light of the History of this Doctrine (1985), D. Sinnema discusses the many ways in which Arminian and Reformed theologians alike attempted to parse out the difficult doctrine of election without putting the blame on God.\n[4] The last paragraph of I.15, “And this is the decree of reprobation …” must be understood in a limiting sense. This, and nothing else or more, is the decree of reprobation.\n[5] E.g., Homer Hoeksema, The Voice of Our Fathers\n[6] The “Conclusion” of the Canons summarizes the Arminian complaint that “this teaching … is nothing but a refurbished … Turkism.” Mainstream Muslim doctrine has many tenets of hyper-Calvinism: A hard determinism, combined with the view that Allah is absolutely sovereign, and even the most faithful believers can only hope that he will be merciful to them.\n[7] Homer Hoeksema, The Voice of Our Fathers, 231.\nArjen Vreugdenhil was born and raised in the Netherlands where he earned his M.Sc. from the Free University of Amsterdam in Mathematics. He moved to Michigan in 2003 and taught Physics at Grand Valley State University. Afterward he completed his M.Div. at Mid-America Reformed Seminary. He is a member of the United Reformed Churches in North America. He and his wife Jodi have three young boys.\nPrevPreviousThe Canons of Dort as a Standard for Teaching and Preaching\nNextThe Canons of Dort as a Standard for Teaching and Preaching (3)Next\nDort’s Study Bible: Colossians 2:8 and Philosophy\nDaniel Ragusa\tMarch 11, 2020\nThese [pagan] philosophers in their appearance of wisdom [schijnwijsheid] had only imagined things about God and about the way to the supreme good, which these teachers would mix with the Gospel, as do also the scholastic teachers in the Papacy, whereby the simplicity and straightforwardness of the saving doctrine of the Gospel is considerably darkened and distorted.\nKarl Barth and the “Word-of-Godness” of Scripture\nJames J. Cassidy\tFebruary 19, 2020\nI often receive questions about Barth’s views on the Bible, which admittedly is a challenging topic. According to Karl Barth, the Bible is not revelation.\nVan Til and the Creator-Creature Relation\nCamden M. Bucey\tFebruary 17, 2020\nOn February 7, 1951, Cornelius Van Til wrote an insightful letter to neo-evangelical theologian Carl F. H. Henry. While it was written sixty-nine years ago,\nThe Fundamentalist-Modernist Controversy and the Spirit of Schleiermacher\nJames J. Cassidy\tFebruary 3, 2020\nIt is a great strength of our Presbyterian and Reformed ethos that we are historically conscious. We enjoy history and pride ourselves on being self-consciously rooted in\nThe Two Popes, Rahner, and Divine Immutability\nCamden M. Bucey\tJanuary 15, 2020\nI recently watched The Two Popes, a film written by Anthony McCarten and directed by Fernando Meirelles available on Netflix. The movie recounts the relationship","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line478755"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6434040069580078,"wiki_prob":0.6434040069580078,"text":"Winter Park Perspective\nCommentary by Pete Weldon\nCommuter Rail Update – Fall 2008\nPosted on October 29, 2008 3:28 pm by Peter Weldon\n(Originally sent to the Winter Park City Commission September 18, 2008)\n(Commissioner Beth Dillaha attempted to terminate the commuter rail agreement with Orange County on January 26, 2009 (pg 10). The vote failed 3 to 2.)\nThe facts and circumstances included here relating to the commuter rail agreement between the City of Winter Park and Orange County have been reviewed for accuracy with the Winter Park City Manager. The opinions expressed here are of course mine and mine alone.\nCommissioner Beth Dillaha’s commuter rail presentation at the September 8, 2008 City Commission meeting re-addressed known risks and possible costs associated with the commuter rail system as they impact the City of Winter Park and its citizens. Beth’s stated goal is to seek a renegotiation of the existing commuter rail agreement with Orange County so we get a better deal.\nGiven no material changes in commuter rail circumstances at either the County or City level since the agreement was entered into, it is certain that Orange County will not renegotiate. It is of interest to note that the people instigating, supporting, and encouraging Beth’s call for a renegotiation are those with the stated desire, and continuous, strident intention to kill Winter Park’s participation in the commuter rail system, not to “renegotiate” that participation. I can easily presume these people intend to use the County’s certain refusal to renegotiate as fodder to call for the City’s withdrawal from the existing commitment. All this makes me wonder whom Beth believes she was elected to represent.\nWhile this effort at “renegotiation” is a painfully transparent political charade to undermine the City’s commitment to participation in the commuter rail system it is nonetheless always useful to review the substance of the existing agreement as it impacts the City of Winter Park and its residents.\nThe entire central Florida community has agreed to take on the challenges and risks of creating a commuter rail service. This includes the governments of Orange County, Osceola County, Seminole County, County of Volusia, and the City of Orlando; with the cities of Maitland and Winter Park having agreed to share responsibilities assumed by Orange County. The Maitland and Winter Park commuter rail agreements with Orange County are identical in all material respects, including cost sharing and the opt out clause effective seven years from the date fare paying service begins.\nTo my knowledge the City of Winter Park is the only party to these agreements that asked its citizens to provide permission to construct a station and pay for the construction and operating costs. A majority of Winter Park voters said, “yes” with full involvement of activists on both sides of the issue delineating the possible costs and risks, benefits and opportunities. Winter Park is the only community that exercised the full democratic process on this issue and the voters said, “yes.”\nLet’s get some important context out of the way.\n· The City of Winter Park has no control over whether this regional commuter rail system is built and operated on tracks and right of ways running through our city.\n· Commuter rail trains will be coming through Winter Park.\n· Orange County has executed an agreement that commits all Orange County residents to assume responsibility for certain capital and net operating costs of the commuter rail system whether trains stop in Winter Park, or not.\n· The City of Winter Park has no control over commuter rail obligations assumed by Orange County.\nBeth’s presentation emphasized the possibility the City will be bearing uncertain high levels of costs and risks in support of its participation in the commuter rail system. Let’s looks more closely at these costs and risks (paragraphs 5.2 a, b, and c of the agreement between Orange County and the City of Winter Park).\nCapital Costs:\nWinter Park is obligated to pay all capital costs related to the development of the Winter Park station. The City has been proceeding with FDOT on plans to construct the Winter Park commuter rail station based on prior assurances that $3,000,000 in federal funds will be available to the City for this purpose. (The $4,300,000 number Beth used in her presentation represents the total funding request made by the City in case more dollars may be available for improvements outside the commuter rail right of way.) The City expects to provide $375,000 in matching funds. All information to date indicates that station plans approved by the City Commission can be completed within the minimum $3,000,000 in expected federal funds. The FDOT Winter Park project update dated August 11, 2008 states that FDOT expects to secure a “full funding grant agreement” from the Federal Transit Administration by “mid 2009.”\nLike Beth, I am concerned that we do not yet understand whether federal funds will be forthcoming or whether FDOT will assume costs expended up to the time that availability or unavailability of such funds is known for certain. Accordingly, as a citizen I would like to see:\n· Confirmation that FDOT intends to negotiate a “full funding grant agreement” from the Federal Transit Administration by “mid 2009” that includes a commitment of at least $3,000,000 to be available to defray design and construction costs for the Winter Park commuter rail station, among other possible and permitted Winter Park uses.\n· Confirmation that the City of Winter Park is not responsible for costs expended by FDOT on planning for construction of the Winter Park commuter rail station whether or not a funding agreement is eventually secured, beyond those FDOT costs that may be covered under a funding agreement.\nIn any event, the Termination paragraph 6.2(b) in the commuter rail agreement with Orange County allows the City to terminate if sufficient funding to construct the station is not forthcoming from either federal or state government. (There are some timing issues here that may warrant clarification from counsel and city management.)\nIn her presentation Beth raised the question of whether the City would be obligated to refund any or all funds used to pay for Capital cost obligations in the event the City exercises its “opt-out” clause with Orange County. (This is the $3,000,000 in expected federal money to come through FDOT to fund construction of the Winter Park station.) I understand there has also been formal public mention of a possible reserve in anticipation of some type of refunding requirement. I suggest this is a slippery slope to go down and that it is counter to the interests of the City to do so. I suggest the City Commission seek opinion of counsel on this issue. It would be counter to City interests to execute any agreement with a Capital refunding requirement in the absence of similar pre-existing Capital refunding agreements involving all other entities receiving federal funds related to the commuter rail system. It would also be counter to City interests to presume such a liability exists in the absence of pre-existing agreements with Capital refunding requirements involving all other entities receiving federal funds related to the commuter rail system.\nLocal Operating Support Costs and Debt Service Costs\nThe City of Winter Park is not responsible for Local Operating Support Costs during the FDOT funding period, which is seven years from the date of the first fare paying service. After that time, the City of Winter Park is responsible for 100% of the Local Operating Support Costs. These costs are shared based on relative passenger boarding by station under a formula set in the Master Interlocal Agreement to which Orange County is a party. For example, if the Winter Park station has 5% of boardings as defined then the City of Winter Park would be responsible for roughly 5% of the total costs of operating the entire system net of fare and other revenues. Orange County has agreed to refund 30% of these costs to the City.\nThe City of Winter Park is not responsible for Debt Service costs during the FDOT funding period. After that time, the City of Winter Park is responsible for 100% of the Debt Service costs. These costs pay off debt undertaken to construct the system and are shared based on track mileage within each entities boundaries as a portion of total track mileage of the entire system. The formula is set in the Master Interlocal Agreement to which Orange County is a party. Orange County has agreed to refund 30% of these costs to the City.\nBeth brought up the issue of double taxation (paying as both Winter Park and Orange County residents). I too was concerned about this issue but find the reality is subtler than the point made in Beth’s presentation. Under the existing agreement Orange County is picking up 30% of the operating and debt service costs allocated to Winter Park based on boardings and track mileage as defined in the Master Agreement. This 30% and all the other costs assumed by Orange County will be spread across all Orange County taxpayers, including Winter Park taxpayers. The right issue to focus on is whether or not the actual operating and debt service costs directly assumed by Winter Park combined with remaining Orange County costs assumed by Winter Park taxpayers represents a fair value for the City and its residents.\nThis fair value assessment must include consideration of the costs and risks as well as the benefits and opportunities, a necessary dynamic not included in Beth’s considerations. Beth’s focus on costs is a canard, and an old argument the voters rejected. Projecting numbers for costs and risks in a vacuum that excludes the benefits and opportunities does not serve the interests of the City and its residents (buts certainly bolsters the ambitions of those intent to kill the Winter Park commuter rail station). Beth’s cost projections are irrelevant as uncertainties about actual costs are addressed in the existing commuter rail agreement through the opt-out clause.\nThe Opt-Out Clause\nBeth’s September 8 presentation questioned the strength of the opt-out clause language. This clause is the lynchpin protecting the interests of the City and its residents. As such, it is productive to re-address the implications of this language with counsel to reassure us that the City has the right to withdraw from the commuter rail system with protection from Local Operating Support Costs and Debt Service cost obligations beyond any opt-out date should a dedicated funding source not be secured.\nIt is important to note that we would not entirely escape Local Operating Support Costs and Debt Service costs related to the Winter Park station in the event of an opt-out, even though the station would cease to operate. Orange County would still need to pay for costs formerly paid by the City to the extent such costs are not allocated to other station partners. A portion of this burden would continue to be borne by Winter Park residents through additional County level taxation.\nBeth’s stated goal in her September 8th presentation is to renegotiate the commuter rail agreement with Orange County in a way that results in a better and more secure financial position for the City. However, it is clear (and should be clear to Beth and the other members of the City Commission) that we already have what we need to protect the City’s financial position.\nLet’s summarize where the City stands today (which is fundamentally the same place the City stood when the commuter rail agreement was signed with Orange County in 2007).\n· The City committed $375,000 and has assurances for funding of at least $3,000,000 to pay the capital costs of planning and constructing a Winter Park commuter rail station.\n· The City has the right to terminate the agreement if full capital funding for the Winter Park station does not materialize. (It is clear to me the agreement would be and should be terminated under such a circumstance.)\n· The City has rights to follow and understand the operating details of the commuter rail system for seven years during which time it has no responsibility for any Local Operating Support Costs or Debt Service Costs.\n· If a dedicated funding source is secured after seven years of commuter rail operation the City of Winter Park will not have to pay Local Operating Support Costs or Debt Service Costs related to the Winter Park commuter rail station.\n· If a dedicated funding source is not secured we will have had seven years of free experience with the commuter rail system, its rider ship, costs, and impact on our community available to access whether or not to exercise the opt-out clause.\n· If a dedicated funding source is not secured after seven years of operation the opt-out clause gives the City negotiating leverage to change the agreement with Orange County in ways that reflect the then current realities and needs, and to do so based on measurable experience to assure the City is receiving fair value.\nThe existing agreement affords the City full capital funding for a commuter rail station, a free ride on operating the station and debt service for seven years, leverage through the opt-out clause to renegotiate based on detailed experience should a dedicated funding source not be secured, and the right to shut down the station after seven years with little or no future City obligations (but certainly costs on Winter Park taxpayers through more County level taxation) should a dedicated funding source not be secured. We receive this flexibility and financial protection in exchange for a total expected commitment of $375,000 in matching funds.\nSubject to clarifications requested above, I conclude the existing agreement affords the City flexibility as well as financial protection and security. Further, I know of no events since the City entered into the commuter rail agreement that materially change the costs and risks, benefits and opportunities from those argued at the time the people of Winter Park voted on this matter. As Beth Dillaha stated during her election campaign, “In March [2007], the citizens approved a commuter-rail stop in Winter Park, and I fully support the citizens.” I do too.\nI ask the City Commission to affirm support for the existing commuter rail agreement and move forward.\nCitizen Survey – Honest and Unbiased? »\nResponse to Commissioner DeCiccio\nResponse to Commissioner Sullivan\nTraffic Truth\nClueless or Careless?\nTax Rate Increase Stopped – Taxes Increase\nLess Tax Increase, More Chickens\nCommissioners Likely To Reverse Tax Rate Increase\nDeCiccio Reverses Course?\nDo You Want Chickens in Your Neighbor’s Yard?\nThe Tax Leadership Solution\nHow Much Will The Tax Increase Cost You?\nGet Your “Stop Tax Increases” Sign\nMayor Leary Addresses Tax Increase\nCategories Select Category Arts and Culture (2) Commuter Rail (14) Development (45) Districts (13) Election 2009 (8) Election 2010 (12) Election 2011 (12) Election 2012 (4) Election 2014 (3) Election 2015 (14) Election 2018 (2) Election 2020 (6) Elections (41) Ethics (32) Money (22) Parks (17) Policy (131)\nAbout and Subscribe\nAbout Winter Park Perspective\nSubscribe to Winter Park Perspective\nCity of Winter Park\nLocalNewsOrlando\nthe32789\nWP Voter\nPeter Weldon on Clueless or Careless?\nMinoga Barreto Family on Clueless or Careless?\nPitt Warner on Three Questions\nJames Bolen on Clueless or Careless?\nPitt Warner on Clueless or Careless?","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1478697"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5537059903144836,"wiki_prob":0.5537059903144836,"text":"The Voice of the Anti-Imperialist Movement from\nCan you do layout? Help out by laying out pamphlets and study packs to mail to prisoners. help out\n[MIM] [ULK Issue 70]\nMIM Line on Labor Aristocracy: Liberating Truth or Depressing Reality?\nby Wiawimawo of MIM(Prisons) February 2020 permalink\nAs the launch of a new Maoist Internationalist Movement newsletter was scheduled to occur in the next week or so, we are addressing in part the events of the last 6 weeks that have delayed this project indefinitely. There were a series of splits, degenerations and internal struggles within our movement that came to a head last month. We are still assessing where things will fall, as we work to keep the prison ministry projects operating.\nOn 10 December 2019, remaining members of the Revolutionary Anti-Imperialist Movement announced, “After nearly 13 years of existence, the Revolutionary Anti-Imperialist Movement (RAIM) is no more. Contradicting lines and practical inadequacies have been allowed to fester to the point of intractability, resulting in several splits and the widespread abandonment of our organization.”(1)\nRAIM was our primary partner in the planned newsletter. There have been promises of more thorough assessments of RAIM’s history and shortcomings, but the most detailed commentary right now is at the link in the notes below. One of the key things it highlights is the challenges of revolutionary organizations to engage in the practice that allows us to learn from and bind ourselves to the masses in real struggle while in a non-revolutionary situation. There is a challenge in distinguishing ourselves in action, not just words, from the countless non-profits, non-governmental organizations, liberal reform groups and other bourgeois institutions misdirecting energy and resources from the struggles of oppressed people in this country.\nThe announcement from RAIM was followed shortly by the sudden resignation by a cadre member of MIM(Prisons). This loss seems to echo some experiences coming out of the RAIM camp, and this article is an attempt to analyze it in terms of phenomena that stem from our conditions in particular and that we must try to combat.\nIn contrast to some other struggles that had happened within MIM(Prisons) and within RAIM, this comrade who left MIM(Prisons) said ey had no political disagreements and therefore there was nothing to discuss or struggle over. In eir resignation ey stated, “I’ve come around to the belief that the humyn race is likely doomed at its own hand.” Ey went on to say, “I don’t see a better political line out there, instead I see a problem with me and my First World conditions. I’m no longer able to rally the energy to continue contributing.”\nFor some of us, this is a hard position to understand. For some of us there is no life free of despair outside of a committed struggle for a world without oppression. However, we must understand that we live in a predominately petty bourgeois country, and what the class interests of that class is, and what its political outlook is. Only then can we understand and combat these types of conclusions.\nOn the one hand, it was mostly true that this comrade did not see a better political line. In fact, until eir last days with us ey was upholding that line in practice, even challenging others who were wavering in their own belief that Maoist organizing, in the form it took within our movement anyway, was the best way to struggle against oppression.\nHowever, it was just a few weeks prior when i was editing an article this comrade had written reviewing the recent Terminator movie. In it ey had commented on capitalism marching towards the annihilation of nature and humyn life. I argued we should change the clause to “annihilation of the current balance of life on Earth that humyns depend on.” The “annihilation of nature” is such an absolute concept that i’m not sure humyns could be capable of such a thing if they tried. Even the elimination of humyn life is an extreme outcome.\nThis seemingly subtle change hints at an underlying line struggle that emerged as em leaving the movement completely because ey thought “the humyn race is likely doomed at its own hand.” This type of apocalyptic outlook is unfortunately common in our petty bourgeois culture. The petty bourgeoisie is a class whose purpose is based in consumption, leading to a different type of alienation than what Marx talked about (one that leads towards nihilism). And this is a truly First World problem that we should take seriously.\nWhether it’s lifelong communists retreating to the comforts of a consumer life built on the exploitation of the Third World, or imperialist warhawks attempting to literally initiate a biblical rapture, First World nihilism is a threat to humyn life. Whether it will kill off all of the humyn race aside, we sure know it kills a lot of us, and it is happening every day as long as imperialism stays in place.\nThere are two main forms of political degeneration that we see. There are those that abandon attempts at change to take up a bourgeois position as this comrade did. Then there are those who sneak bourgeois politics into their practice. The more obvious examples of the latter are comrades leaving to join single-issue reformist groups. The more insidious are those who take up a revisionist, or non-revolutionary line that hides in Maoist clothing. Really there is only one form of political degeneration: it is the abandoning of proletarian politics for bourgeois politics in one form or another.\nThe fact that this comrade, who had served the people and upheld the proletarian line against attacks for so long, did not see eir decision as a disagreement in political line makes no sense. The MIM line is very clear that our strategic confidence comes from the 80% of the world’s people who have a material interest predominately opposed to imperialism. Mao Zedong said that the imperialists were paper tigers, and proved in practice what that meant; that they are dangerous on the surface, but will collapse in the face of organized peoples’ power. So clearly the comrade had disagreements with Maoist political line.\nApparently this comrade felt ey had made up eir mind and didn’t want to engage in struggle anymore. This reminds me of the many times people have told me they don’t listen to the news anymore because it just makes them depressed. And sure, I can relate to getting upset at times at things that I hear on the news. But most often I listen to the news with an open mind to understanding the world around me, the good and the bad. To stick one’s head in the sand is easier than looking for answers. But if you are just getting depressed every time you listen to the news, it is because you are not engaged in the process of transforming our reality and/or you think humynity is doomed and there are no answers to the massive problems we are facing. To believe there are no answers is metaphysical thinking – ideas that things just are the way they are, or maybe even that humyn nature is just bad. This is religious/idealist thinking. And it is strange to come from a comrade who spent many years railing against religious and idealist thinking and advocating Maoism based in a historical materialist analysis of history.\nKnowing what this comrade knew, the lie ey told, perhaps to emself, about not disagreeing with us politically, can only be explained as an excuse to do what this persyn subjectively wanted to do. If ey was being honest with us ey might have said something like “i feel that my life will be happier, more fulfilling, more rewarding by abandoning the struggle against oppression and imperialism.” And i know what you’re thinking, what kind of sick mind could think that? Well, we are surrounded by sick minds, present company included. Here in the belly of the beast, to seek out and uphold a proletarian position takes real effort and fortitude. It is going against all we are taught. And that is why this struggle to transform society is dialectically a struggle to transform ourselves. All the self-help books and therapy sessions cannot transform us into the new socialist humyns we are striving to be. Only revolution can transform us to the point that we have eliminated this sickness.\nWell, you say, aren’t we in the First World hopeless then, because revolution is so far off? For one, revolutions happen quickly. It is true that our movement has been saying for decades that we do not live in revolutionary conditions. But that could change in a matter of months. And for the oppressed, crisis is opportunity, not the individualist, nihilist fantasy of the zombie apocalypse or the end of humynity that the petty bourgeois culture prophesizes.\nSecondly, we do not have to achieve a stateless communist utopia to begin to transform ourselves. In fact, we transform every day. It is up to us whether we are training our brains to become more responsive to capitalist advertising and consumption or training ourselves to better embody the proletarian line and morality that leads us to struggle every day. That struggle defines us. And it impacts those around us. And together we lay the groundwork for a better tomorrow. Tomorrow can be better, a step in the right direction, or not. It is in the act of making revolution that we can cure the disease that has infested all our minds, and the system that requires unnecessary death and suffering to grease its wheels.\nThe recent events have created a significant shake up in our plans. These were long-term plans that were closely reaching their due date. Needless to say the setbacks have brought temporary disappointment and discouragement. At the same time we have been striving for a new path, and this shake up can help us get there.\nWe have already begun to transform our reality in recent weeks as we develop relationships with a number of new comrades. Even here, in the heart of empire, we know the number of potential comrades out there vastly outnumber what we have managed to unite to date. And we know it is our responsibility to be effective at what we do, to inspire the masses to join our movement. It will take us some more months to get back up to speed. And we don’t foresee any newsletter coming out before that. But we are rebuilding. And we invite you to join us.\n1. https://old.reddit.com/r/mao_internationalist/comments/e8wmjv/announcement_the_revolutionary_antiimperialist/\nHow Do We Protect Prisoners' Names and Info?\nOn the Passing of Comrade Prairie Fire\nQ&A with MIM(Prisons), Spring 2020\n[Elections] [Civil Liberties] [Prison Labor] [ULK Issue 69]\nTulsi Gabbard Appeals to Amerikan Thinking on Injustice System\nby Wiawimawo of MIM(Prisons) August 2019 permalink\nAt the latest Democratic Party debate among candidates for U.$. President, Tulsi Gabbard made headlines by appealing to emerging views on the criminal injustice system among younger Amerikans. Ey did so in attacks on former California District Attorney Kamala Harris. Gabbard focused on two issues of particular interest to the petty bourgeoisie: drug decriminalization and prison labor.\nSenator Gabbard opened eir comments by expressing concerns for the \"broken criminal justice system that is disproportionately, negatively impacting Black and Brown people all over this country.\" Ey went on to say that Harris \"kept people beyond their sentences to use them as cheap labor for the state of California\" and condemned Harris for imprisoning people for marijuana possession and then laughing when ey was asked if ey had ever smoked it.\nThe prison labor point was specifically about concerns Harris's office raised about losing firefighters if they complied with court orders to reduce the prison population.(1) The court had ruled that overcrowding in the state had led to cruel and unusual punishment. As we've established in our own surveys and research, most prison labor is for the state, and most of it is to maintain the prisons themselves. Fire fighters are the exception in terms of the important role their work plays in protecting humyn life, and no doubt Harris's legal team was playing that up at a time when wildfires were a major headline in California. But the fire fighters are typical in that they are not producing value or part of the profit-making of private corporations.\nPrison labor (and the privatization of prisons) has been an ongoing issue of concern for Amerikans in the age of mass incarceration. MIM(Prisons) has long demonstrated that there is a myth that exploiting prison labor is a motivating force for mass incarceration in this country.(2) It is important to point out that the petty-bourgeois obsession with this myth is largely based in class interests. On the one hand there is a fear among the labor aristocracy about competition with prison labor resulting in lower wages and higher unemployment. This has been the major political barrier that explains why prison labor for profit is so rare in the United $tates. More generally, there is a contradiction between the petty bourgeoisie and the big bourgeoisie that causes the former to be skeptical and fearful of the latter, because the petty bourgeoisie favors small-scale capitalism. This results in a general sentiment against corporations profiting off prison labor, even without the direct concern of wages. In a recent campaign ad, Gabbard condemns private prisons for profiting off prisoners.\nDrug decriminalization is also very popular among the Amerikan petty bourgeoisie, in particular the movement to decriminalize marijuana. In 2016, Pew Research found 57% of Amerikans supported legalization of marijuana compared to just 12% in 1969.(3) And the younger generations were more favorable of course. In this case, public opinion is based in class interests around economics and leisure time. While there is a financial interest in the booming legal economy of marijuana products for young Amerikans, the broader public opinion is based in leisure-time interests.\nThe movement to legalize weed will often give lip service to condemning the blatant racism in many U.$. drug sentencing laws, similar to Gabbard's opening statement against Harris's criminal injustice record (above). Yet the scale of your average weed festival/rally versus that of the size of your average protest against torture (of primarily New Afrikan and [email protected] men) tells a clearer story. These reformists for persynal freedoms of the petty bourgeois individual are not going to do anything about national oppression in the form of targetted arrests, sentencing, concentration camps and torture chambers that make up the U.$. criminal injustice system.\nMIM has long used the \"Willie Horton\"-style of campaigning as an example of Amerikans support for national oppression, especially of New Afrikans.(5) While \"tough-on-crime\" politics is finally waning, we have yet to see whether Amerika can really start to decrease its prison population now that the infrastructure and economic self-interest has been built up around it.(6) Beyond that, the national question is only more at the forefront today, with Amerikans chanting \"send them back\" at a recent rally held by current President Trump, where they were calling for female Senators who are not white to be sent back to the countries their ancestors came from.\nIt is important to be aware of these shifts, as they may provide opportunities for the anti-imperialist prison movement. But there has been no change in the overall orientation of the Maoist Internationalist Movement that sees nation as the principal contradiction both internationally and within the United $tates. We continue to organize with the medium-term goals of building dual power and independent institutions of the oppressed and the long-term goal of national liberation and delinking from imperialism.\n1. Jackie Kucinich, \"Kamala Harris' A.G. Office Tried to Keep Inmates Locked Up for Cheap Labor\", The Daily Beast, 11 February 2019.\n2. MIM(Prisons), \"2018 Survey of U.S. Prisoners on Prison Labor\", Under Lock & Key 62, June 2018.\n3. A.W. Geiger, \"Support for marijuana legalization continues to rise\", Pew Research Center, 12 October 2016.\n4. Inimai Chettiar and Udi Ofer, \"The 'Tough on Crime' Wave Is Finally Cresting,\", The Daily Beast, 14 January 2018.\n5. George H.W. Bush campaigned heavily around the case of a New Afrikan man who did not return from furlough to prison, and went on to assault, rape, and burglar.\n6. MIM(Prisons), \"MIM(Prisons) on U.S. Prison Economy — 2018 Update\", Under Lock & Key 60, February 2018.\n2018 Survey of U.S. Prisoners on Prison Labor\nMIM(Prisons) on U.$. Prison Economy - 2018 update\n[Organizing] [Street Gangs/Lumpen Orgs] [ULK Issue 68]\nFrom Gangster Mentality to the Communist Road\nby Wiawimawo of MIM(Prisons) June 2019 permalink\nTransforming the gangster mentality into a revolutionary one is possible because they are two sides of a coin. As an intermediary class the lumpen can act out both bourgeois ethics (in the form of gangsterism) or proletarian ethics (as revolutionaries).\nThe lumpen implementation of bourgeois ethics is the gangster. The gangster in many ways imitates the most ruthless aspects of bourgeois behavior, allowing them to be potential tools of the imperialists. Yet there are aspects of the collective identity, the discipline, and perhaps most importantly the connection to an oppressed nation, that you see in both the gangster and the revolutionary. This is what distinguishes the lumpen organization (L.O.) from the criminal gangs made up of correctional officers and police departments.\nThe lumpen implementation of proletarian ethics is the revolutionary. The lumpen revolutionary may be more adventurous and tend more towards left errors than the proletariat. Regardless, choosing the proletarian road, means reforming oneself to take on proletarian morality. The collective action and rebelliousness of the lumpen organization must mature into pure dedication to the people and a strategic approach to protracted peoples' war against imperialism.\nWe discussed these two roads in our review of J. Sakai's \"The Dangerous Class and Revolutionary Theory\".(1) As we said then, there are two roads today, the communist and the capitalist. The capitalist is the old road, the decaying road.\nSo when comrades keep bringing up this question of \"how do we overcome the gangster mentality,\" it is essentially a question of how do we move the lumpen off the old capitalist road and into building the new communist one.\nOur critics might counter, \"wait a minute, plenty of people give up a violent gang life without becoming proletarian revolutionaries.\" And they are correct. But this also has not put a dent in the presence of the gangster mentality in our society, has it? Individuals aging out of gangs and integrating into bourgeois society does nothing to combat gangsterism because the motivation, the causes are still there. Even those who reach out to dissuade youth from taking the same path only provide a band-aid. A class of people, excluded from the means of production and distribution, living in an economic system driven by profit, will keep reproducing the gangster mentality. Until we can replace capitalism with a system where everyone has a productive role to play and peoples' needs drive our society, instead of profit, only then can we truly overcome the gangster mentality.\nA few years back, in ULK 51 a comrade summed up some discussion around this topic among USW comrades:\n\"Today's youth show the same apathy, indifference and nihilism as the youth of 1955. It was the civil rights movement that awoke the youth of that era. USW comrades struggled over what today can take the place of the civil rights movement. War, environment and imperialist expansion were three good starting points to organize around. We lumpen youth have more stake in the future environment and it is us who fight the wars. It helps to understand that those starving to death and suffering/dying from preventable diseases are our people. We must fulfill our destiny or betray it. All this nitpicking and betrayal between sets/sides contributes to humankind suffering. We must overcome this flaw.\n\"The principal enemy we must defeat is the glamorization of gangsterism. A revolutionary or a gangster? What are we? Can the two coexist in a persyn and still be progressive? Gangsterism plants fear by oppression, and revolutionaries are in struggle against oppression. This internecine violence we perpetrate between sets is what the pigs want us to do. They sold us this shit in Scarface and we've built on to it and made it our own. Overcoming the glamorization of gangsterism will take proletarian morality, conscious rap, exposing the downsides and ills of gangsterism, the glamorization of revolution, revolutionary culture, and possibly to redefine the word gangsta. Gangsters are parasites and revolutionaries are humankind's hope. It's as simple as that. We need to leave the lumpen mentality for a proletarian one. Many true revolutionaries were once gangsters. Gangsterism is a stage, basically.\n\"Self-respect, self-defense and self-determination define transitional qualities of a revolutionary. Bunchy Carter, Mutulu Shakur and Tupac all transcended the hood and grew into progressives. What we are seeking as USW is opening up the spaces for gangsters of all walks of life to enter the realm of anti-imperialism and begin a transformation of mind, actions and habits to develop into the model of a revolutionary gangsta with the capability of forwarding the cause of the people. We must understand our potential. It is us, we reading these ULKs, that hold imperialism in our fists. A real gangsta is one who has gone revolutionary and has kicked off all the strings of social control - mental illness, drugs, fantasy, despair, escapism, etc.\"(2)\nA program for overcoming the gangster mentality involves a multi-pronged approach. We must expand and develop the membership of the vanguard cadre organizations. Simultaneously we must organize the lumpen masses around a minimal program of unity. As K.G. Supreme of USW stressed in an article on this topic, it is revolutionary nationalism and anti-imperialism that provides a viable group identity and movement to rival that of the current L.O.s that dominate the terrain.\n\"Cultural Freedom is the best weapon for defeating the gangster mentality. Cultural freedom that is geared in nationalist liberation of oppressed nations, and exploiter nation suicide for members of the euro-amerikan oppressor nation. As Marcus M. Garvey of the African nationalist organization, UNIAACL said, 'Power is the only argument that satisfies man.'\"\nAnd as Pilli discusses in \"Love Your Varrio by Liberating Your People,\" we must embrace the oppressed people, communities and organizations. And we must encourage growth within them. Communists are not here to attack the gangsters or the addicts, that is what the bourgeois state does. We are here to guide others down the same path of education and growth that we have found.\nUnited Struggle from Within has long put forth the slogan, \"Unity from the inside out.\" This embodies the dialectical process of developing unity within one's own thinking so that one can better build unity with others; that an organization must struggle within its membership to build unity before it can unite with others in the nation; and that a nation must build unity before it can properly unite in its own interests with other oppressed nations.\n\"Unity-struggle-unity\" is a related slogan that depicts how we should approach building unity among the people, addressing contradictions amongst the people. We can't be all unity, we must challenge, question and struggle. But we start and end with unity, so that we can grow in that direction.\n\"Each one, teach one\" is a slogan that stresses the role of education, especially in these early stages. It also embodies the truth that we all have things to learn from each other. Education and learning are a central part of our program for building the cadre and the masses.\nThese slogans, and others, should be actively built around. Comrades should study and popularize the 5 points of the United Front for Peace. We should organize events and study programs around Black August, the Commemoration of the Plan de San Diego and the September 9th Day of Peace and Solidarity. MIM(Prisons)'s Free Books to Prisoners Program offers study materials around all of these topics. We also offer correspondence study courses, which all comrades wishing to work with USW should join. We offer a wide array of revolutionary literature for your own independent study and for prison-based study groups.\nWhile uniting around study groups and education is important for building cadre, most people will only be able to unite with us around concrete battles. It is up to comrades on the ground to determine what winnable battles exist where you are. What are the masses' righteous demands and how can we mobilize them to achieve them? How can we build Serve the People programs locally by pooling resources and helping others out? It is in these concrete battles that we gain mass support, and we learn to organize, lead and challenge injustice.\nWe believe we have the correct theoretical basis and the framework of a program for this stage of the prison movement. But there is much to be done to experiment and learn from. As K.G. Supreme stresses, the lumpen masses must get deep into the gangster mentality, understand it so as to transform it.\n\"It is important, in defeating the gangster mentality, that those serious about raising the consciousness of the subjects of gangsterism, first come to terms with the mentality as a lifestyle from the vantage point of inside the mind of a first world gangster. Approaching the subject from any other angle would be an inferior method promised to fail in producing any significant impact in the social behavior of those that are the target. The investigation into this gangster mentality should be led by those who are infected with the mentality. This isn't to say petit bourgeoisie nationalist groups cannot support the leaderships of those struggling against the gangster mentality. It is to say that the petit bourgeoisie nationalist must not seek to dictate the leaderships that struggle to defeat the gangster mentality, as to not contaminate the nationalist liberation objective, spreading culture indifferent to the destructive culture, spread by the bourgeoisie.\n\"...As more and more ground level leaderships disconnect themselves with the lifestyles that encourages behavior motivated by the gangster mentality, there becomes a need to replace the un-natural behavior with disciplines motivated by reconnection with natural lifestyles that are in harmony with the growth and development of a parasite outkaste of society, matured into a productive component of the internationalist objective to end national oppression by the exploiting nations in independent nations. Only culture that promotes national liberation struggles, applying political methods in interest of the oppressed can be relied on to replace the mentality of gangsterism... Emotions do not dictate the course of action in gradual transformation from unconscious behavior to conscious population. Instead the culture of educating against defeatist mentality, borns the scientific approach of the analytical prisoner, who in turn of reversing the gangsterism pop culture for a popular culture of upliftment in nationalist liberation objectives that free the available remedies of exploited and nationally disadvantaged, free themselves. The key to defeating the gangster mentality is investments in engineering techniques that make anti-imperialist culture popular.\"\nNotes: 1. Wiawimawo, \"Sakai's Investigation of the Lumpen in Revolution\", ULK 64, October 2018. 2. USW461, \"Fighting Apathy Among the Lumpen\", ULK 51, July 2016.\nSakai's Investigation of the Lumpen in Revolution\nFighting Apathy Among the Lumpen\nLove Your Varrio by Liberating Your People\n[Africa] [China] [Militarism] [U.S. Imperialism] [ULK Issue 66]\nAfrica Can't Prosper Under Boot of United States\nAnti-imperialists got a little taste of good news from Trump last month when ey announced plans to pull troops out of Syria. Ey later backpedaled saying ey did not set a timeline for such a pull out. But Trump has long made comments indicating that the new focus of U.$. strategy will be to combat China and Russia. In other words, the war on oppressed nations, particularly in the middle east and north Africa, and euphemistically dubbed the \"War on Terror,\" will no longer be the primary focus.\nIt has always been MIM line that we are in a period of World War III, that is a low intensity war by the imperialists against the oppressed nations. The hegemony of the United $tates allowed for this to be the focus in the decades following World War II. That hegemony is fading, and the emergence of a fourth world war, or a third inter-imperialist war is bubbling to the surface.\nOf course, inter-imperialist war does not mean the oppressed nations get a reprieve from the needless brutality of capitalism, as inter-imperialist war is always about carving up the oppressed nations for their resources and markets. Enter \"Prosper Africa\", the plan announced by U.$. National Security Advisor John Bolton in December. Bolton stated, \"America's vision for the region is one of independence, self-reliance and growth, not dependency, domination and debt.\"(1) This is a hypocritical jab at China, from the country who has done more to make Africa dependent and in debt in the last half-century than any other. At the same time the Trump administration is calling for more \"honest\" dealings with Africa, that recognize U.$. economic and political interests more openly.\nThe \"Prosper Africa\" plan coincides with Pentagon plans to reduce U.$. troops in Africa by 10%. Nothing close to our demands to shut down Africom, rather a subtle adjustment of current U.$. strategy. The immediate focus seems to be drawing hard lines in the sand of the African continent between those compliant with U.$. imperialism and those who are not.\nIn recent years, China has joined forces with other emerging imperialist or sub-imperialist nations with independent banking capital including Brazil, India, Russia and South Africa (BRICS). As a group, the BRICS countries have greatly increased trade with African countries over the last decade. Increases in trade on the whole is a benefit to the well-being of all peoples involved. While this trade provides outlets and opportunities for capital from countries with growing finance capital, the established imperialist powers (the United $tates and France) face a reduction in their access to markets and in their ability to strong arm the oppressed nations of the world into serving their interests. This threatens to contribute to economic crisis in the advanced imperialist economies, and trigger more militaristic and desperate actions politically.\nThe Trump administration has hinted at pulling support from United Nations (U.N.) \"peacekeeping\" missions in Africa. While opposing the U.N. garners support from white nationalists subscribing to isolationalism and Amerikkkan exceptionalism, the real motivation here is likely to reduce Chinese influence in the region. More than 2,500 Chinese troops are stationed in war zones created by U.$. and French imperialism in South Sudan, Liberia and Mali. China accounted for 1/5 of the U.N. troops pledged to operations in Africa in 2015.(2)\nChina established its first military base outside of China in 2017 at the strategic location of Djibouti in the Horn of Africa. This is in line with a shift in Chinese foreign policy over the last decade from non-interference to \"protecting our country's over-seas interests.\"(3) The United $tates, France and Japan are among the countries with existing bases in Djibouti, where the government depends on military leases as an important source of income.\nThe U.$.-backed coup and murder of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 helped break the continent's resistance to Africom. Up until then Africom had to operate out of Europe. With the pan-Africanist government in Libya out of the way, Africom was able to operate from within Africa for the first time. Now the United $tates has at least 46 military bases in Africa and close military relations with 53 out of the 54 African countries. Many countries have agreements to cede operational command of their militaries to Africom.(4)\nWhile the coup in Libya was a victory for U.$. imperialism, it continues to be a disaster for Libyans, with repercussions for the whole region. The United $tates will have a much harder time stemming the still-expanding Chinese pole that challenges U.$. hegemony in Africa. As this contradiction threatens the world with inter-imperialist war, it offers opportunities for the oppressed to move independently as cracks widen in the imperialist system.\n1. Michele Kelemen, 13 December 2018, Trump Administration Announces New Plan to Promote U.S. Businesses in Africa, All Things Considered, NPR.\n2. Brad Lendon, 13 July 2017, China sends troops to Djibouti, establishes first overseas military base, CNN.\n3. N.B. Turner, 2015, Is China an Imperialist Country?: considerations and evidence, Kersplebedeb Publishing, p.121.\n4. Black Alliance for Peace, Shut Down Africom! campaign info\nU.$. Out of Africa! Shut Down AFRICOM!\n[Theory] [Gender] [Principal Contradiction] [ULK Issue 65]\nIntersecting Strands of Oppression\nby Wiawimawo of MIM(Prisons) November 2018 permalink\nWhile we frequently discuss gender oppression in the pages of Under Lock & Key, most readers will notice a primary focus on national oppression. This is intentional, as we see the resolution of the national contradiction as the most successful path to ending all oppression at this stage. But for any of our readers who like our focus on nationalism, and have not taken the time to read MIM Theory 2/3: Gender and Revolutionary Feminism, i recommend you take a look. It is in MT2/3 that MIM really dissected the difference between class, nation and gender and justified its focus on nation. Don't just focus on nation because it's more important to you subjectively, understand why it is the top priority by reading MT 2/3.\nAll USW comrades should be working their way to the level 2 introductory study program offered by MIM(Prisons). We start level 1 studying the basics of scientific thinking. In level 2, we move on to study Fundamental Political Line of the Maoist Internationalist Ministry of Prisons, which gives a good overview of the 3 strands of oppression: class, nation and gender, and how they interact. This issue of Under Lock & Key is intended to supplement that theoretical material with some application to prison organizing and contemporary current events. (Let us know if you want to sign up for the study group.)\nAcademic Individualism vs. Revolutionary Science\nBourgeois individualism looks at race, class and gender as identities, which are seen as natural categories that exist within each individual. While proponents of identity politics generally recognize these concepts have evolved over time, they generally do not explain how or why. Dialectical materialists understand nation, class and gender as dualities that evolved as humyn society developed. Under capitalism, the class structure is defined by bourgeoisie exploiting proletarians. Class looked different under feudalism or primitive communist societies. One of the things Marx spent a lot of time doing is explaining how and why class evolved the way it did. Engels also gave us an analysis of the evolution of gender in The Origin of the Family, Private Property, and the State.\nOne self-described \"Marxist-Feminist critique of Intersectionality Theory\" points out that \"theories of an 'interlocking matrix of oppressions,' simply create a list of naturalized identities, abstracted from their material and historical context.\"(1) They do not provide a framework for understanding how to overthrow the systems that are imposing oppression on people, because they do not explain their causes. This \"Marxist\" critic, however, falls into the class reductionist camp that believes all oppression is rooted in class.\nThe MIM line is not class reductionist, rather we reduce oppression to three main strands: nation, gender and class. This is still too limited for the identity politics crowd. But when we dive into other types of oppression that might be separate from nation, class and gender, we find that they always come back to one of those categories. And this clarity on the main strands of oppression allows us to develop a path to success, by building on the historical experience of others who have paved the way for our model.\nWhile MIM is often associated with the class analysis of the First World labor aristocracy, this was nothing really new. What MIM did that still sets it apart from others, that we know of, is develop the first revolutionary theory on sexual privilege. The class-reductionism of the writer cited above is demonstrated in eir statement, \"to be a 'woman' means to produce and reproduce a set of social relations through our labor, or self-activity.\"(2) MIM said that is class, but there is still something separate called gender. While class is how humyns relate in the production process, gender is how humyns relate in non-productive/leisure time. And while biological reproductive ability has historically shaped the divide between oppressor and oppressed in the realm of gender, we put the material basis today in health status.(3) This understanding is what allows us to see that things like age, disability, sexual preference and trans/cis gender status all fall in the gender strand of oppression.\nUsing \"Feminism\" to Bomb Nations\nMilitarism and imperialist invasion are antithetical to feminism. Yet the imperialists successfully use propaganda that they wrap in pseudo-feminism to promote the invasion of Third World countries again and again. Sorting out the strands of oppression is key to consistent anti-imperialism.\nIn MT 2/3, MIM condemned the pseudo-feminists by saying that \"supporting women who go to the courts with rape charges is white supremacy.\"(4) A recent Human Rights Watch report discussing alleged widespread rape in the Democratic Peoples' Republic of Korea (DPRK) is getting lots of traction in the Amerikkkan/Briti$h press.(5) This campaign to demonize the DPRK is just like the campaign to imprison New Afrikans, with potentially nuclear consequences. We have two leading imperialist nations who committed genocide against an oppressed nation touting information that is effectively pro-war propaganda for another invasion and mass slaughter of that oppressed nation.\nIf it is true that rape is as widespread in the DPRK as in the United $tates and Great Britain, then we also must ask what the situation of wimmin would have been in the DPRK today if it were not for the imperialist war and blockade on that country. In the 1950s, Korea was on a very similar path as China. Socialism in China did more for wimmin's liberation than bourgeois feminists ever have. They increased wimmin's participation in government, surpassing the United $tates, rapidly improved infant mortality rates, with Shanghai surpassing the rate of New York, and eliminated the use of wimmin's bodies in advertising and pornography.(6)\nAn activist who is focused solely on ending rape will not see this. Of course, a healthy dose of white nationalism helps one ignore the mass slaughter of men, wimmin and children in the name of wimmin's liberation. So the strands do interact.\nDistracted Senate Hearings\nRecently, Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh went through a hearing before his appointment to assess accusations of sexual assault from his past. This was a spectacle, with the sexual content making it tantalizing to the public, rather than political content. Yes, the debate is about a lifetime appointment to a very high-powered position, that will affect the path of U.$. law. But there was no question of U.$. law favoring an end to war, oppression or the exploitation of the world's majority. Those who rallied against Kavanaugh were mostly caught up in Democratic Party politics, not actual feminism.\nA quarter century ago, MIM was also disgusted by the hearings for Clarence Thomas to be appointed a Supreme Court Justice, that were dominated by questions about his sexual harassment of Anita Hill. Yet, this was an event that became quite divisive within MIM and eventually led to a consolidation of our movement's materialist gender line.(7) It was the intersection of nation with this display of gender oppression that made that case different from the Kavanaugh one, because Thomas and Hill are both New Afrikan. The minority line in this struggle was deemed the \"pro-paternialism position.\"\nThe minority position was that MIM should stand with Anita Hill because she was the victim/oppressed. The line that won out was that Anita Hill was a petty-bourgeois cis-female in the First World, and was not helpless or at risk of starvation if she did not work for Clarence Thomas. While all MIM members would quickly jump on revisionists and pork-chop nationalists, paternalism led those holding the minority position to accept pseudo-feminism as something communists should stand by, because they pitied the female who faced situations like this. Similarly today, with the Kavanaugh appointment, we should not let our subjective feelings about his treatment of wimmin confuse us into thinking those rallying against him represent feminism overall.\nBourgeois theories and identity politics\nThe paternalistic line brings us back to identity politics. A politic that says right and wrong can be determined by one's gender, \"race\" or other identity. The paternalist line will say things like only wimmin can be raped or New Afrikans can't \"racially\" oppress other people. In its extreme forms it justifies any action of members of the oppressed group.\nAnother form of identity politics is overdeterminism. The overdeterministic position is defined in our glossary as, \"The idea that social processes are all connected and that all of the aspects of society cause each other, with none as the most important.\"(8) The overdeterminist will say \"all oppressions are important so just work on your own. A parallel in anti-racism is that white people should get in touch with themselves first and work on their own racism.\"(9) Again this is all working from the framework of bourgeois individualism, which disempowers people from transforming the system.\nThere is a paralyzing effect of the bourgeois theories that try to persynalize struggles, and frame them in the question of \"what's in it for me?\" Communists have little concern for self when it comes to political questions. To be a communist is to give oneself to the people, and to struggle for that which will bring about a better future for all people the fastest. While humyn knowledge can never be purely objective, it is by applying the scientific method that we can be most objective and reach our goals the quickest.(10)\n1. Eve Mitchell, 2013, I Am a Woman and a Human: A Marxist-Feminist Critique of Intersectionality Theory, p.17.\n2. Ibid., p.20.\n3. MC5, 1998, \"Clarity on What Gender is\", MIM Congress Resolution.\n4. MIM, 1992, MIM Theory 2/3: Gender and Revolutionary Feminism by MIM, p. 92.\n5. Benjamin Hass, 1 November 2018, \"'They considered us toys': North Korean women reveal extent of sexual violence\", The Guardian\n6. MT 2/3, p.19\n10. see Under Lock & Key No. 44\nBuilding Scientific Leadership Behind Bars\n[First World Lumpen] [Theory] [China] [ULK Issue 64]\nby Wiawimawo of MIM(Prisons) October 2018 permalink\nThe Dangerous Class and Revolutionary Theory\nJ. Sakai\nKersplebedeb Publishing, 2017\nAvailable for $24.95 (USD) + shipping/handling from:\nkersplebedeb\nCP 63560, CCCP Van Horne\nH3W 3H8\nThe bulk of this double book is looking at the limited and contradictory writings of Marx/Engels and Mao on the subject of the lumpen with greater historical context. MIM(Prisons) and others have analyzed their scattered quotes on the subject.(1) But Sakai’s effort here is focused on background research to understand what Marx, Engels and Mao were seeing and why they were saying what they were saying. In doing so, Sakai provides great practical insight into a topic that is central to our work; the full complexities of which have only begun to unfold.\nSize and Significance\nIn the opening of the \"Dangerous Class\", Sakai states that \"lumpen/proletarians are constantly being made in larger and larger numbers\".(p.3) This follows a discussion of criminalized zones like the ghetto, rez or favela. This is a curious conclusion, as the ghettos and barrios of the United $tates are largely being dispersed rather than expanding. Certainly the rez is not expanding. Sakai does not provide numbers to substantiate these \"larger and larger\" lumpen populations today.\nIn our paper, Who is the Lumpen in the United $tates? we do run some census numbers that indicate an increase in the U.$. lumpen population from 1.5% of the total population in 1960 to over 10% in 2010. However, other methods led us to about 4% of the U.$. population today if you only look at oppressed nation lumpen, and 6 or 7% if you include whites.(1) This latter number is interestingly similar to what Marx estimated for revolutionary France (around 1850)(p.66), what Sakai estimates for Britain around 1800(p.112), and what Mao estimated for pre-revolutionary China.(p.119) Is 6% the magic number that indicates capitalism in crisis? The historical numbers for the United $tates (and elsewhere) are worthy of further investigation.\nIn this graph we see the biggest changes being the increase in the lumpen (from 1.5% in 1960 to 10.6% in 2010) and the decrease in the housewives category. While this is completely feasible, the direct relationship between these two groups in the way we did the calculation leaves us cautious in making any conclusions from this method alone.(1)\nlumpen (Sakai) lumpen + destitute semi-proletariat (Colquhoun) source\n6% 16% (pp.111-112)\n1850s France (Marx)\nlumpen lumpen + destitute semi-proletariat source\n6% 13% (p.66)\n2010 United $tates (MIM(Prisons))\nFirst Nations lumpen New Afrikan lumpen Raza lumpen Raza lumpen + semi-proletariat source\n30% 20% 5% 15% (1)\nAlliances and Line\nCertainly, at 6% or more, the lumpen is a significant force, but a force for what? In asking that question, we must frame the discussion with a Marxist analysis of capitalism as a contradiction between bourgeoisie and proletariat. There’s really just two sides here. So the question is which side do the lumpen fall on. The answer is: It depends.\nOne inspiring thing we learn in this book is that the lumpen made up the majority of the guerrillas led by Mao’s Chinese Communist Party at various times before liberation.(p.122) This shows us that the lumpen are potentially an important revolutionary force. However, that road was not smooth. On the contrary it was quite bloody, involving temporary alliances, sabotage and purges.(pp.201-210)\nSakai's first book spends more time on the French revolution and the obvious role the lumpen played on the side of repression. Marx's writings on these events at times treated the Bonaparte state as a lumpen state, independent of the capitalist class. This actually echoes some of Sakai’s writing on fascism and the role of the declassed. But as Sakai recognizes in this book, there was nothing about the Bonaparte government that was anti-capitalist, even if it challenged the existing capitalist class. In other words, the mobilized lumpen, have played a deciding role in revolutionary times, but that role is either led by bourgeois or proletarian ideology. And the outcome will be capitalism or socialism.\nDefining the Lumpen, Again\nInterestingly, Sakai does not address the First World class structure and how that impacts the lumpen in those countries. Our paper, Who is the Lumpen in the United $tates? explicitly addresses this question of the First World lumpen as distinct from the lumpen-proletariat. While MIM changed its line from the 1980s when it talked about significant proletariats within the internal semi-colonies of the United $tates, this author has not seen Sakai change eir line on this, which might explain eir discussion of a lumpen-proletariat here. Sakai's line becomes most problematic in eir grouping of imperialist-country mercenaries in the \"lumpen\". Ey curiously switches from \"lumpen/proletariat\" when discussing China, to \"lumpen\" when discussing imperialist-country mercenaries, but never draws a line saying these are very different things. In discussions with the editor, Sakai says the stick up kid and the cop aren't the same kind of lumpen.(p.132) Sure, we understand the analogy that cops are the biggest gang on the streets. But state employees making 5 or 6-digit incomes with full bennies do not fit our definition of lumpen being excluded from the capitalist economy, forced to find its own ways of skimming resources from that economy. The contradiction the state faces in funding its cops and soldiers to repress growing resistance is different from the contradiction it faces with the lumpen on the street threatening to undermine the state's authority.\nSakai dismisses the idea that the line demarking lumpen is the line of illegal vs. legal. In fact, the more established and lucrative the illegal operation of a lumpen org is, the more likely it is to be a partner with the imperialist state. That just makes sense.\nThe inclusion of cops and mercenaries in the lumpen fits with Sakai's approach to the lumpen as a catchall non-class. We do agree that the lumpen is a much more diverse class, lacking the common life experience and relationship to the world that the proletariat can unite around. But what's the use of talking about a group of people that includes Amerikan cops and Filipino garbage pickers? Our definitions must guide us towards models that reflect reality close enough that, when we act on the understanding the model gives us, things work out as the model predicts more often than not. Or more often than any other models. This is why, in our work on the First World lumpen in the United $tates, we excluded white people from the model by default. We did this despite knowing many white lumpen individuals who are comrades and don't fit the model.\nHow about L.O.s in the U.$.?\nThe analysis of the First World lumpen in this collection is a reprint of Sakai's 1976 essay on the Blackstone Rangers in Chicago. Sakai had referred to L.O.s becoming fascist organizations in New Afrikan communities in a previous work, and this seems to be eir basis for this claim.\nWhile the essay condemns the Blackstone Rangers for being pliant tools of the Amerikan state, Sakai does differentiate the young foot soldiers (the majority of the org) from the Main 21 leadership. In fact, the only difference between the recruiting base for the Rangers and the Black Panthers seems to have been that the Rangers were focused on men. Anyway, what Sakai's case study demonstrates is the ability for the state to use lumpen gangs for its own ends by buying off the leadership. There is no reason to believe that if Jeff Fort had seen eye-to-eye with the Black Panthers politically that the youth who followed him would not have followed him down that road.\nEssentially, what we can take from all this is that the lumpen is a wavering class. Meaning that we must understand the conditions of a given time and place to better understand their role. And as Sakai implies, they have the potential to play a much more devastating and reactionary role when conditions really start to deteriorate in the heart of the empire.\nRelating this to our practice, Sakai discusses the need for revolutionaries to move in the realm of the illegal underground. This doesn't mean the underground economy is a location for great proletarian struggle. It can contain some of the most egregious dehumanizing aspects of the capitalist system. But it also serves as a crack in that very system.\nAs comrades pointed out in our survey of drug use and trade in U.$. prisons, the presence of drugs is accompanied by an absence of unity and struggle among the oppressed masses. Meanwhile effective organizing against drug use is greatly hampered by threats of violence from the money interests of lumpen organizations and state employees.(2) The drug trade brings out the individualist/parasitic tendencies of the lumpen. Our aim is to counter that with the collective self-interest of the lumpen. It is that self-interest that pushes oppressed nation youth to \"gang up\" in the first place, in a system that is stacked against them.\nThe revolutionary/anti-imperialist movement must be active and aggressive in allying with the First World lumpen today. We must be among the lumpen masses so that as contradictions heighten, oppressed nation youth have already been exposed to the benefits of collective organizing for self-determination. The national contradiction in occupied Turtle Island remains strong, and we are confident that the lumpen masses will choose a developed revolutionary movement over the reactionary state. Some of the bourgeois elements among the lumpen organizations will side with the oppressor, and with their backing can play a dominant role for some times and places. We must be a counter to this.\nWhile Mao faced much different conditions than we face in the United $tates today, the story of alliances and betrayals during the Chinese revolution that Sakai weaves is probably a useful guide to what we might expect. Ey spends one chapter analyzing the Futian Incident, where \"over 90 percent of the cadres in the southwestern Jiangxi area were killed, detained, or stopped work.\"(p.205) The whole 20th Army, which had evolved from the lumpen gang, Three Dots Society, was liquidated in this incident. It marked a turning point and led to a shift in the approach to the lumpen in the guerilla areas. While in earlier years, looting of the wealthy was more accepted within the ranks of guerrilla units, the focus on changing class attitudes became much greater.(p.208) This reflected the shift in the balance of forces; the development of contradictions.\nSakai concludes that the mass inclusion of lumpen forces in the guerrilla wars by the military leaders Mao Zedong and Chu Teh was a strategic success. That the lumpen played a decisive role, not just in battle, but in transforming themselves and society. We might view the Futian Incident, and other lesser internal struggles resulting in death penalties meted out, as inevitable growing pains of this lumpen/peasant guerilla war. Mao liked to quote Prussian general Carl von Clausewitz, in saying that war is different from all other humyn activity.\nFor now we are in a pre-war period in the United $tates, where the contradictions between the oppressed and oppressors are mostly fought out in the legal realms of public opinion battles, mass organizing and building institutions of the oppressed. Through these activities we demonstrate another way; an alternative to trying to get rich, disregarding others' lives, senseless violence, short-term highs and addiction. We demonstrate the power of the collective and the need for self-determination of all oppressed peoples. And we look to the First World lumpen to play a major role in this transformation of ourselves and society.\nnotes: 1. Who is the Lumpen in the United $tates? by MIM(Prisons).\n2. Wiawimawo, November 2017, Drugs, Money and Individualism in U.$. Prison Movement, Under Lock & Key 59.\nDrugs, Money and Individualism in U.$. Prison Movement\n[China] [U.S. Imperialism] [Principal Contradiction] [United Front] [ULK Issue 60]\nChina's Role in Increasing Inter-Imperialist Rivalries\nU.$. military encirclement of rivals China and Russia\nIn my last article on China I rehashed the 40-year old argument that China abandoned the socialist road, with some updated facts and figures.(1) The article started as a review of the book Is China an Imperialist Country? by N.B. Turner, but left most of that question to be answered by Turner's book.\nWe did not publish that article to push some kind of struggle against Chinese imperialism. Rather, as we explained, it was an attack on the promotion of revisionism within the forum www.reddit.com/r/communism, and beyond. The forum's most-enforced rule is that only Marxists are allowed to post and participate in discussion there. Yet almost daily, posts building a persynality cult around Chinese President Xi Jinping, or promoting some supposed achievement of the Chinese government, are allowed and generally receive quick upvotes.\nThe title of our previous article asking is China in 2017 Socialist or Imperialist may be misunderstood to mean that China must be one or the other. This is not the case. Many countries are not socialist but are also not imperialist. In the case of China, however, it is still important (so many years after it abandoned socialism) to clarify that it is a capitalist country. And so our positive review of a book discussing Chinese imperialism, became a polemic against those arguing it is socialist.\nOne of the major contradictions in the imperialist era is the inter-imperialist contradiction. The United $tates is the dominant aspect of this contradiction as the main imperialist power in the world today. And currently Russia and China are growing imperialist powers on the other side of this inter-imperialist contradiction. Reading this contradiction as somehow representative of the class contradiction between bourgeoisie and proletariat or of the principal contradiction between oppressed nations and oppressor nations would be an error.\nWe have continued to uphold that China is a majority exploited country, and an oppressed nation.(2) But China is a big place. Its size is very much related to its position today as a rising imperialist power. And its size is what allows it to have this dual character of both a rising imperialist class and a majority proletariat and peasantry. Finally, its size is part of what has allowed an imperialist class to rise over a period of decades while insulating itself from conflict with the outside world — both with exploiter and exploited nations.\nA major sign that a country is an exploiting country is the rise and subsequent dominance of a non-productive consumer class. At first, the Chinese capitalists depended on Western consumers to grease the wheels of their circulation of capital. While far from the majority, as in the United $tates and Europe, China has more recently begun intentionally developing a domestic consumer class.(3) This not only helps secure the circulation of capital, but begins to lay the groundwork for unequal exchange that would further favor China in its trade with other countries. Unequal exchange is a mechanism that benefits the rich First World nations, and marks a more advanced stage of imperialism than the initial stages of exporting capital to relieve the limitations of the nation-state on monopoly capitalism. As we stated in the article cited above, China's size here becomes a hindrance in that it cannot become a majority exploiter country, having 20% of the world's population, without first displacing the existing exploiter countries from that role. Of course, this will not stop them from trying and this will be a contradiction that plays out in China's interactions with the rest of the world and internally. At the same time with an existing \"middle class\" that is 12-15% of China's population, they are well on their way to building a consumer class that is equal in size to that of Amerika's.(3)\nIn our last article, we hint at emerging conflicts between China and some African nations. But the conflict that is more pressing is the fight for markets and trade dominance that it faces with the United $tates in the Pacific region and beyond. China remains, by far, the underdog in this contradiction, or the rising aspect. But again, its size is part of what gives it the ability to take positions independent of U.$. imperialism.\nAs we stated in our most recent article, this contradiction offers both danger and opportunity. We expect it to lead to more support for anti-imperialist forces as the imperialists try to undercut each other by backing their enemies. Then, as anti-imperialism strengthens, the imperialists will face more global public opinion problems in pursuing their goals of exploitation and domination. In other words, a rising imperialist China bodes well for the international proletariat. Not because China is a proletarian state, but because the era of U.$. hegemony must end for a new era of socialism to rise. We should be clear with people about the definitions of imperialism and socialism to make this point.\nWhether N.B. Turner agrees with us on these points is unclear. It is possible eir line is closer to Bromma's, who we critiqued because ey \"claims a trend towards equalization of classes internationally, reducing the national contradictions that defined the 20th century.\"(3) As mentioned above it seems highly unlikely for China to be able to replicate the class structure of the United $tates. And it is absolutely impossible to recreate it globally.\nChina's potential to play a progressive role in the world in coming years does not change the fact that the counter-revolution led by Deng Xiaoping dismantled the greatest achievement towards reaching communism so far in history. If we do not learn from that very painful setback, then we are not applying the scientific method and we will not even know what it is that we are fighting for. How and when socialism ended in China is a question that is fundamental to Maoism.\n1. Wiawimawo, October 2017, China 2017: Socialist or Imperialist?, Under Lock & Key 59.\n2. MIM(Prisons), October 2015, What is the Third World?\n3. Wiawimawo, May 2014, Bromma's Worker Elite and the Global Class Analysis, Under Lock & Key Issue 40.\nChina 2017: Socialist or Imperialist?\nWhat is the Third World?\nBromma's Worker Elite and the Global Class Analysis\n[China] [Mental Health] [Medical Care] [Drugs] [ULK Issue 59]\nOpioids on the Rise Again Under Imperialism\nOn 26 October 2017, U.$. President Trump declared the opioid epidemic a public health emergency. The declaration should lead to more federal funding for grants to combat opioid abuse.(1) As we explain below, this epidemic disproportionately affects euro-Amerikans. Trump linked his campaign to build a wall along the current Mexican border to the battle against this epidemic, despite the fact that prescription painkillers are at the root of it. This is consistent with the Amerikan government's solution for drug problems created by imperialism. For the crack epidemic of the 1980s Amerika responded with mass incarceration of New Afrikan men as the solution. As opioid addiction continues a steady rise, Trump offers further militarization of the border.\nOpioids have been used by humyns for thousands of years both medicinally and recreationally, with many periods of epidemic addiction. Use began with opium from poppies. Morphine was isolated in 1806. By the early 1900s heroin was promoted as a cure for morphine addiction in the United $tates, before being made illegal in 1924. There was a lull in heroin use during the 1980s, when cocaine and crack overshadowed it. Various prescription pain killers began to come back into vogue in the 1990s after the \"Just Say No!\" mentality was wearing off. Since then, use and abuse has been on a steady rise, feeding a new surge in the use of heroin as a cheaper alternative. This rise, in the economic centers of both the United $tates and China, is directly linked to capitalism.\nWhile K2 is one dangerous substance plaguing U.$. prisons these days, partly due to its undetectability, opioids are by far the biggest killer in the United $tates, and we expect that is true in prisons as well. Drug overdoses surpassed car accidents as the number one cause of accidental deaths in the United $tates in 2007 and has continued a steady rise ever since. The majority of these overdoses have been from opioids.(2)\nWhile the increase in deaths from opioids has been strong across the United $tates, rates are significantly higher among whites, and even higher among First Nations. One reason that use rates are lower among New Afrikans and [email protected] is that it has been shown that doctors are more reluctant to prescribe opioids to them because they are viewed as more likely to become addicted, and Amerikan doctors see them as having a greater pain threshold.(3)\nWe did see some evidence of this trend in the results of our survey on the effects of drugs in U.$. prisons. The most popular answer to our question of whether certain groups did more drugs in prison than others was no, it affects everyone. But many clarified that there was a strong racial divide where New Afrikans preferred weed and K2, while whites and usually [email protected] went for heroin and/or meth. Some of these respondents said that New Afrikans did less drugs.(4) A couple said that New Afrikans used to do less drugs but now that's changing as addiction is spreading. In states where K2 has not hit yet (CA, GA, CO) it was common to hear that whites and \"hispanics\" (or in California, \"southern\" Mexicans) did more drugs. The pattern of New Afrikans preferring weed and K2 seemed common across the country, and could have implications for strategies combating drug use among New Afrikans compared to other groups. In particular, stressing that K2 is completely different and more dangerous than weed could be part of a harm reduction strategy focused on New Afrikans.\nIf prison staff were doing their jobs, then we would expect rates of both overdoses and use in general to be lower in prisons. But we know, and our survey confirmed, that this is not the case (78% of respondents mentioned staff being responsible for bringing in at least some of the drugs in their prison). In hindsight, it may have been useful to ask our readers what percentage of prisoners are users and addicts. Some of the estimates that were offered of the numbers using drugs in general were 20-30%, 90%, 75%, and many saying it had its grips on the whole population.\nDeaths from opioids in the general U.$. population in 2015 was 10.5 per 100,000, double the rate in 2005.(5) This is higher than the rates in many state prison systems for overdoses from any drug, including Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Ohio, Texas and Pennsylvania that all reported average rates of 1 per 100,000 from 2001-2012. California was closer at 8 per 100,000 and Maryland exceeded the general population at 17 deaths from overdoses per 100,000 prisoners.(6) At the same time, prison staff have been known to cover up deaths from overdoses, so those 1 per 100,000 rates may be falsified.\nIn our survey of ULK readers, we learned that Suboxone, a drug used to treat opioid addiction, is quite popular in prisons (particularly in the northeast/midwestern states). Survey respondents mentioned it as often as weed as one of the most popular drugs, and more than heroin. Suboxone is actually used to treat heroin addiction. And while it is not supposed to be active like other opioids, it can lead to a high and be addictive. It is relatively safe, and will not generally lead to overdose until you combine it with other substances, which can lead to death.\nPrescription drugs are not as common as other drugs in most prisons, according to our survey. Though in some cases they are available. We received a few responses from prisons where prescription drugs prescribed by the medical staff seemed to be the only thing going on the black market. Clearly there is variability by facility.\nTwo Paths to Recovery\nThe increases in opioid abuse in the United $tates has been staggering, and they cause a disproportionate amount of the deaths from drug overdoses. About 10% of opioid addicts worldwide are in the United $tates, despite only being less than 5% of the world's population.(7) At the same time, only about 1% of people in the United $tates are abusing opioids.(8) This is not the worst episode in U.$. history, and certainly not in world history.\nAround 1914 there were 200,000 heroin addicts in the United $tates, or 2% of the population. In contrast, some numbers for opium addicts in China prior to liberation put the addiction rate as high as 20% of the population around 1900, and 10% by the 1930s. That's not to dismiss the seriousness of the problem in the United $tates, but to highlight the power of proletarian dictatorship, which eliminated drug addiction about 3 years after liberation.\nRichard Fortmann did a direct comparison of the United $tates in 1952 (which had 60,000 opioid addicts) and revolutionary China (which started with millions in 1949).(9) Despite being the richest country in the world, unscathed by the war, with an unparalleled health-care system, addicts in the United $tates increased over the following two decades. Whereas China, a horribly poor country coming out of decades of civil war, with 100s of years of opium abuse plaguing its people, had eliminated the problem by 1953.(9) Fortmann pointed to the politics behind the Chinese success:\n\"If the average drug addiction expert in the United States were shown a description of the treatment modalities used by the Chinese after 1949 in their anti-opium campaign, his/her probable response would be to say that we are already doing these things in the United States, plus much more. And s/he would be right.\"(9)\nAbout one third of addicts went cold turkey after the revolution, with the more standard detox treatment taking 12 days to complete. How could they be so successful so fast? What the above comparison is missing is what happened in China in the greater social context. The Chinese were a people in the process of liberating themselves, and becoming a new, socialist people. The struggle to give up opium was just one aspect of a nationwide movement to destroy remnants of the oppressive past. Meanwhile the people were being called on and challenged in all sorts of new ways to engage in building the new society. There was so much that was more stimulating than opium to be doing with their time. Wimmin, who took up opium addiction in large numbers after being forced into prostitution in opium dens, were quickly gaining opportunities to engage at all levels of society. The poor, isolated peasants were now organized in collectives, working together to solve all kinds of problems related to food production, biology and social organization. The successful struggle against drug addiction in China was merely one impressive side effect of the revolutionizing of the whole society.\nIn contrast, in the capitalist countries, despair lurks behind every corner as someone struggles to stay clean. The approach has ranged from criminalization to medicalization of drug addiction as a disease. \"Once an addict, always an addict\", as they say. Always an individualist approach, ignoring the most important, social causes of the problem. That drug addiction is primarily a social disease was proven by the practice of the Chinese in the early 1950s, but Western \"science\" largely does not acknowledge the unquestionable results from that massive experiment.\nIt is also worth pointing out the correlation between drug abuse and addiction, and capitalist economics specifically. Whether it was colonial powers forcing opium on the Chinese masses who had nothing, in order to enslave them to their economic will, or it is modern Amerikan society indulging its alienation in the over-production of prescription pills from big pharmaceutical companies marketing medicine for a profit.\nAnd now, opioid addiction is on the rise again in capitalist China after decades. A steady rise in drug-related arrests in China since 1990 are one indicator of the growing problem.(10) As more profits flowed into the country, so have more drugs, especially since the 1990s. We recently published a review of Is China an Imperialist Country?, where we lamented the loses suffered by the Chinese people since the counter-revolution in 1976. It goes to show that when you imitate the imperialists, and put advancing the productive forces and profits over serving the people, you invite in all the social ills of imperialism.\nIn China drug addiction has now become something that people fear. Like it did with its economy, China has followed in the imperialists' footsteps in how it handles drug addiction. Chinese policy has begun treating addicts as patients that need to be cured to protect society. Rather than seeing those who give up drugs as having defeated the oppressor's ways, they are monitored by the state, lose social credibility, and have a hard time getting a job.(11) Under socialism, everyone had a job and no one needed recreational drugs to maintain themselves mentally. The path to combating drug addiction and abuse is well-established. Attempts under imperialism that don't involve liberatory politics of the oppressed have little to no effect.\nNotes: 1. Dan Merica, 26 October 2017, Trump declares opioid epidemic a national public health emergency, CNN. 2. Dan Nolan and Chris Amico, 23 February 2016, Chasing Heroin: How bad is the Opioid Epidemic?, Frontline, PBS. 3. 4 November 2017, Why is the Opioid Epidemic Overwhelmingly White?, All Things Considered, NPR. 4. 18 out of 62 respondents indicated that drugs affected all equally. 15 said that New Afrikans preferred weed and/or K2, while whites/[email protected] preferred heroin and/or meth. Some of those 15 also said New Afrikans did less drugs overall. Other answers given were the young, gang members, people with longer sentences and people who did drugs before coming into prison were more likely to use. 5. CDC/NCHS, National Vital Statistics System, Mortality. CDC WONDER, Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC; 2016. 6. 22 June 2015. Drug Overdoses Deaths Increasing in Prisons, Orchid Recovery Center. 7. \"It is estimated that between 26.4 million and 36 million people abuse opioids worldwide\" - Nora D. Volkow, 14 May 2014, America's Addiction to Opioids: Heroin and Prescription Drug Abuse, National Institute on Drug Abuse. 8. \"Of the 20.5 million Americans 12 or older that had a substance use disorder in 2015, 2 million had a substance use disorder involving prescription pain relievers and 591,000 had a substance use disorder involving heroin\" - Opioid Addiction 2016 Facts & Figures, American Society of Addiction Medicine. 9. Richard Fortmann, November 1976, The Politics of Drug Addiction: A Comparison of United States and Chinese Drug Policies since 1949, The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare, Volume 4: Issue 2, November. 10. While we don't have great numbers, one source mentions 8000 drug-related arrests in 1990 and 30,000 in 2003 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?vIsxVGO87H-g). While another source mentions 60,500 arrests and 180,000 people punished for drug use in 2015 (https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/25/world/despite-a-crackdown-use-of-illegal-drugs-in-china-continues-unabated.html). Finally, Misha Glenny, in eir book McMafia, cites a Shanghai Annual Police Report from 1998 that indicated drug-related crime was up 250% from the previous year (p. 326). 11. Allison Griner, 6 July 2016, China's new opium wars: Battling addiction in Beijing, Al Jazeera.\nEpidemic of K2 Overdoses at Estelle, Throughout Texas\n[Black Panther Party] [Drugs] [Organizing] [Street Gangs/Lumpen Orgs] [ULK Issue 59]\nFor this issue of Under Lock & Key we took on the task of investigating the impacts of drugs and the drug trade on the prison movement. We ran a survey in the Jan/Feb 2017 and March/April 2017 issues of Under Lock & Key. We received 62 completed surveys from our readers in U.$. prisons. We have incorporated the more interesting results in a series of articles in this issue. This article looks at the central question of the role of the drug trade inside and outside prisons and how to effectively organize among the lumpen in that context. In other articles we look more closely at the recent plague of K2 in U.$. prisons, and the latest rise in opioid addiction and what socialism and capitalism have to offer us as solutions.\nDistribution of survey respondents by state\nBourgeois society blames the individual\nBourgeois society takes an individualistic view of the world. When it comes to drugs, the focus is on the individual: we talk about how they failed and succumbed to drugs because of their weakness or mistakes as an individual. While individuals must ultimately take responsibility for their actions, it is only by understanding society at a group level, using dialectical materialism to study the political economy of our world, that we can address problems on a scale that will make a real impact. Even at the individual level, it's more effective to help people make connections to the root causes of their problems (not supposed persynality flaws) and empower them to fight those causes if we want lasting change.\nMuch of our criminal injustice system is built on punishment and shaming of those who have been convicted. A proletarian approach to justice uses self-criticism to take accountability for one's actions, while studying political economy to understand why that path was even an option in the first place, and an attractive one at that.\nIn the essay \"Capitalism Plus Dope Equals Genocide\", Cetewayo, a Black Panther leader, provides a good example of overcoming the conditions one is born into. Ey was addicted to heroin from age 13 to 18, before joining the Black Panther Party. Eir example stresses the importance of providing alternative outlets for oppressed nation youth. In some cases the mere existence of that alternative can change lives.\nDrugs and the Principal Contradiction in Prison\nMIM(Prisons) and leaders in the Countrywide Council of United Struggle from Within (Double C) have had many conversations about what the principal contradiction is within the prison population. MIM(Prisons) has put forth that the parasitic/individualistic versus self-sufficient/collective material interests of the lumpen class is the principal contradiction within the prison movement in the United $tates today. The drug problem in prisons relates directly to this contradiction. Those pursuing drugs and/or dealing are focused on their persynal interests, at the expense of others. The drug trade is inherently parasitic as it requires an addicted population to be profitable, and users are escaping the world for an individual high, rather than working to make the world better for themselves and others.\nA Double C comrade from Arkansas explains this contradiction:\n\"Things have been slow motion here due to lockdown. Reason being too much violence across the prison. Some of this violence is due to the underground economy. Being submerged in a culture of consumerism which is not only an obstacle to our emancipation (mentally and physically) this self-destructive method of oppression is a big problem consuming the population. I've been in prisons where the market is not packed or heavily packed with drugz. It is in those yards that unity and productive lines are greatly practiced. The minute drugz become the leading item of consumption, shit breaks down, individualism sets in and all of the fucked up tendencies follow suit.\n\"I say 75% of the population in this yard is a consumer. About 5% have no self control, it's usually this percentage that ends up a 'debt' victim (since you owe $ you owe a clean up). Aggressor or not, consumerism is a plague that victimizes everyone one way or another. This consumerism only aids the pigz, rats, infiltrators, and oppressors in continuing with a banking concept of 'education/rehabilitation' and therefore domesticating the population.\n\"I mean the consequences and outcomes are not hidden, it is a constant display of what it is when you can't pay the IRS, so it is not as if people don't know. I've seen people slow down or stopped some old habits after experiencing/witnessing these beheadings. Shit, I just hit the yard because pigz were all inside the block searching and homeboy's puddles of blood were still on the yard.\"\nHigh Drug Prices in Prison\nWe looked at the minimum and maximum prices each prisoner mentioned (which probably correspond to a \"dose\", depending on the drug). The minimum had a median of $10 and the maximum had a median of $80.\nSome respondents mentioned the amount drugs cost compared to outside. The median markup was 800% (so, drugs cost eight times as much in prisons, on average). The min was 200% and the max was 3000%, with an interquartile range of 375%-1167%. So, prisoners are highly likely to pay a hefty markup. The economics of the black market create strong interests of keeping it intact.\nIt is no secret that drugs and violence often go hand-in-hand. As the above comrade alludes to, this is often related to debts. But one of the things we learned from our recent survey of ULK readers is that in most prisons there is an inherent threat of violence towards people who might take up effective organizing against drugs.\nA California comrade wrote,\n\"No one in prison is going to put their safety and security on the line over drugs. You have to understand that life has little value in prison. If you do anything to jeopardize an individual's ability to earn a living, it will cost you your life.\"\nAnother California comrade was more explicit,\n\"If you say anything about the drugs, cell phones, extortions, etc., whether if you're in the general population, or now, worse yet in 2017, SNY/Level IV, the correctional officers inform the key gang members that you're running your mouth. You either get hit immediately, or at the next prison. Although my safety is now at stake, by prisoners, it's being orchestrated by corrections higher-ups concocting the story.\"\nThis was in response to our survey question \"Have you seen effective efforts by prisoners to organize against drug use and its effects? If so, please describe them.\" Not only were the responses largely adamant \"no\"s, the vast majority said it would be dangerous to do so. This was despite the fact that we did not ask whether it would be dangerous to do so. Therefore, we assume that more than 73% might say so if asked.\nSome readers questioned what to do about staff involvement bringing drugs into the prisons. One writer from Pennsylvania said:\n\"It's hardly ever dry in Fayette and this institution is a big problem why. A lot of the staff bring it in. Then when someone goes in debt or does something they wouldn't normally do, they don't want to help you, if you ask for help. There's no unity anymore. Nobody fights or stands up for nothing. Everybody rather fight each other than the pigs. It would take a lot to make a change in the drug situation. Is it wrong to put the pigs out there for what they're doing? Would I be considered a snitch? I know there would be retaliation on me, maybe even a ass whoopin. I'm curious on your input on this.\"\nIf we look at the involvement of staff in bringing drugs into prisons, and the violence associated with the drug trade, we have to call bullshit when these very same institutions censor Under Lock & Key on the claim that it might incite violence. The system is complicit, and many staff actively participate, in the plague of drugs that is destroying the minds and bodies of the oppressed nation men and wimmin, while promoting individualistic money-seeking behavior that leads to brutal violence between the oppressed themselves.\nOrganizing in Prisons\nWhile the reports responding to that question were mostly negative, and the situation seems dire, we do want to report on the positive things we heard. We heard about successful efforts by New Afrikans getting out of the SHU in California, some Muslim communities and the Nation of Gods and Earths. Some have been at this for over a decade. All of these programs seemed to be of limited scope, but it is good to know there are organizations providing an alternative.\nIn Arkansas, a comrade reports,\n\"For the mass majority of drug users and prisoners I have not seen any positive efforts to stop drug use and its effects. But for my affiliation, the ALKN, we have put the product of K2/deuce in law with heroin and its byproducts where no member should be in use of or make attempts to sell for profit or gain. If you do you will receive the consequences of the body who governs this affiliation and organization for lack of discipline and obedience to pollute your self/body and those around you who are the future and leaders of tomorrow's nations.\"\nWhile practice varies among the many individuals at different stages in the organization, the Latin Kings/ALKQN has historically opposed the use of hard drugs amongst its members. Many in New York in the 1990s attributed their recovery from drug addiction to their participation in the organization.(1)\nThere are some good examples of lumpen organizations engaging in what we might call policies of harm reduction. One comrade mentioned the 16 Laws and Policies of Chairman Larry Hoover as an example of effective organizing against drugs in eir prison. Lumpen leaders like Jeff Fort and Larry Hoover are where we see a national bourgeoisie with independent power in the internal semi-colonies of the United $tates. The proletarian organizations of the oppressed nations should work to unite with such forces before the imperialists corrupt them or force them into submission. In fact, the Black Panthers did just that, but failed to build long-term unity with the Black P. Stone Rangers largely due to state interference and repression.\nOn the other hand, in some states comrades reported that lumpen organizations are among the biggest benefactors from the drug trade. Some of the same names that are mentioned doing positive work are mentioned as being the problem elsewhere. This is partly explained by the largely unaffiliated franchise system that some of these names operate under. But it is also a demonstration of the principal contradiction mentioned above, which is present in the First World lumpen outside of prisons, too. There is a strong individualist/parasitic tendency combating with the reality that self-sufficiency and collective action best serve the oppressed nations. Too often these organizations are doing significant harm to individuals and the broader movement against the criminal injustice system, and can not be part of any progressive united front until they pull out of these anti-people activities.\nThe more economically entrenched an organization is in the drug trade, the more they are siding with the imperialists and against the people. But on the whole, the First World lumpen, particularly oppressed nation youth, have the self-interest and therefore the potential to side with their people and with the proletariat of the world.\nAs one Texas comrade commented:\n\"I must say that the survey opened a door on the issue about drugs within prison. After doing the survey I brought this up with a couple of people to see if we could organize a program to help people with a drug habit. I'm an ex-drug dealer with a life sentence. I can admit I was caught up with the corruption of the U.S. chasing the almighty dollar, not caring about anyone not even family. Coming to prison made me open my eyes. With the help of MIM and Under Lock & Key I've been learning the principles of the United Front and put them in my everyday speech and walk within this prison. The enemy understands that the pen is a powerful tool. Comrades don't trip on me like other organizations done when I let them know I'm a black Muslim who studied a lot of Mao Zedong.\nBuilding Independent Institutions of the Oppressed\nAt least one respondent mentioned \"prisoners giving up sources\" (to the pigs to shut down people who are dealing) in response to the question about effective anti-drug organizing. From the responses shown below, it is clear that the state is not interested in effective anti-drug programming in prisons. This is an example of why we need independent institutions of the oppressed. We cannot expect the existing power structure to meet the health needs of the oppressed nation people suffering from an epidemic of drug abuse in U.$. prisons.\nThe Black Panthers faced similar conditions in the 1960s in the Black ghettos of the United $tates. As they wrote in Capitalism Plus Dope Equals Genocide,\n\"It is also the practice of pig-police, especially narcotics agents, to seize a quantity of drugs from one dealer, arrest him, but only turn in a portion of the confiscated drugs for evidence. The rest is given to another dealer who sells it and gives a percentage of the profits to the narcotics agents. The pig-police also utilize informers who are dealers. In return for information, they receive immunity from arrest. The police cannot solve the problem, for they are a part of the problem.\"\nOur survey showed significant abuse of Suboxone, a drug used to treat opioid addiction. In the 1970s Methadone clinics, backed by the Rockefeller Program, became big in New York. The state even linked welfare benefits to these services. Yet, Mutulu Shakur says, \"In New York City, 60 percent of the illegal drugs on the street during the early '70s was methadone. So we could not blame drug addiction at that time on Turkey or Afghanistan or the rest of that triangle.\"(2) Revolutionaries began to see this drug that was being used as treatment as breaking up the revolutionary movement and the community. Mitulu Shakur and others in the Lincoln Detox Center used acupuncture as a treatment for drug addiction. Lincoln Detox is an example of an independent institution developed by communists to combat drug addiction in the United $tates.\n\"[O]n November 10, 1970, a group of the Young Lords, a South Bronx anti-drug coalition, and members of the Health Revolutionary Unity Movement (a mass organization of health workers) with the support of the Lincoln Collective took over the Nurses' Residence building of Lincoln Hospital and established a drug treatment program called The People's Drug Program, which became known as Lincoln Detox Center.\"(3) Lincoln Detox was a program that was subsequently run by the Young Lords Party, Black Panthers that had survived the Panther 21 raid, the Republic of New Afrika, and White Lightning, a radical organization of white former drug addicts, until 1979 when a police raid forced the communists out of the hospital, removing the political content of the program.(4)\nYoung Lord Vicente \"Panama\" Alba was there from day one, and tells eir story of breaking free of addiction cold turkey to take up the call of the revolution. After sitting on the stoop watching NYPD officers selling heroin in eir neighborhood, and a few days after attending a Young Lords demonstration, Panama said, \"Because of the way I felt that day, I told myself I couldn't continue to be a drug user. I couldn't be a heroin addict and a revolutionary, and I wanted to be a revolutionary. I made a decision to kick a dope habit.\"(3) This experience echoes that of millions of addicted Chinese who went cold turkey to take up building socialism in their country after 1949.\nMutulu Shakur describes how the Lincoln Detox Center took a political approach similar to the Chinese in combatting addiction, \"This became a center for revolutionary, political change in the methodology and treatment modality of drug addiction because the method was not only medical but it was also political.\" Shakur was one of the clinic's members who visited socialist China in the 1970s to learn acupuncture techniques for treating addiction. He goes on to describe the program:\n\"So the Lincoln Detox became not only recognized by the community as a political formation but its work in developing and saving men and women of the third world inside of the oppressed communities, resuscitating these brothers and sisters and putting them into some form of healing process within the community we became a threat to the city of New York and consequently with the development of the barefoot doctor acupuncture cadre, we began to move around the country and educate various other communities instead of schools and orientations around acupuncture drug withdrawal and the strategy of methadone and the teaching the brothers and sisters the fundamentals of acupuncture to serious acupuncture, how it was used in the revolutionary context in China and in Vietnam and how we were able to use it in the South Bronx and our success.\"(2)\nDealing with the Dealers\nThough the Black Panthers had organized the workers at Lincoln Hospital leading up to the takeover, by that time the New York chapter was already in decline due to repression and legal battles. While many BPP branches had to engage with drug cartels, the New York chapter stood out in their launching of heavily-armed raids on local dealers and dumping all of their heroin into the gutters. The New York Panthers faced unique circumstances in a city that contained half of the heroin addicts in the country, which was being supplied by la Cosa Nostra with help from the CIA. While there was mass support for the actions of the Panthers at first, state repression pushed the New York Panthers down an ultra-left path. The Panther 21 trial was a huge setback to their mass organizing, with 21 prominent Panthers being jailed and tried on trumped up terrorism charges. After they were all exonerated, the New York Panthers, siding ideologically with Eldridge Cleaver who was pushing an ultra-left line from exile in Algeria, made the transition to the underground. If they were going to be accused of bombings and shootings anyway, then they might as well actually do some, right?\nThese were the conditions under which the Black Liberation Army was formed. Though there was overlap between the BLA and those who led community projects like Lincoln Detox, the path of the underground guerrillas generally meant giving up the mass organizing in the community. Instead, raiding local drug dealers became a staple of theirs as a means of obtaining money. Money that essentially belonged to the NYPD, which was enabling those dealers and benefiting them financially. The former-Panthers-turned-BLA continued to destroy the dope they found, and punished the dealers they raided.\nAgain, we are confronted with this dual nature of the lumpen class. It would certainly be ultra-left to view all drug dealers as enemies to be attacked. It is also certainly clear that the CIA/Mafia/NYPD heroin trade in New York was an enemy that needed to be addressed. But how does the revolutionary movement interact with the criminal-minded LOs today? In its revolutionary transformation, China also had to deal with powerful criminal organizations. The Green Gang, which united the Shanghai Triads, significantly funded the Guomindang's rise to power, primarily through profits from opium sales. In the late 1940s they opened up negotiations with the Communist Party as the fate of China was becoming obvious. However, no agreement was reached, and the criminal organizations were quickly eliminated in mainland China after 1949. They took refuge in capitalist outposts like Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Chinatowns elsewhere in Asia and Europe. While heroin has returned to China, the gangs have not yet.(5)\nWhile the contradiction between the communists and the drug gangs did come to a head, it was after defeating Japanese imperialism and after defeating the reactionary Guomindang government. And even then, most drug dealers were reformed and joined the building of a socialist society.\nIn eir article, Pilli clearly explains why slangin' can't be revolutionary. And a comrade from West Virginia gives an example where the shot-callers are explicitly working against the interest of the prison movement to further their economic goals. We must address the question of how the prison movement should engage with those who are slangin'. The answer to that is beyond the scope of our drug survey, and needs to be found in practice by the revolutionary cells within prisons taking up this organizing work.\nBuilding Socialism to Serve the People\nMany respondents to our survey sounded almost hopeless when it came to imagining a prison system without rampant drug addiction. But this hopelessness is not completely unfounded. As \"Capitalism Plus Dope Equals Genocide\", reads:\n\"The government is totally incapable of addressing itself to the true causes of drug addiction, for to do so would necessitate effecting a radical transformation of this society. The social consciousness of this society, the values, mores and traditions would have to be altered. And this would be impossible without totally changing the way in which the means of producing social wealth is owned and distributed. Only a revolution can eliminate the plague.\"\nTo back up what the Panthers were saying here, we can look at socialist China and how they eliminated opium addiction in a few years, while heroin spread in the capitalist United $tates. The Chinese proved that this is a social issue and not primarily a biological/medical one. The communist approach differed greatly from the Guomindang in that addicts were not blamed or punished for their addiction. They were considered victims of foreign governments and other enemies of the people. Even many former dealers were reformed.(6) Although we don't have the state power now to implement broad policies like the Chinese Communist Party, we can help drug users focus on understanding the cause and consequences of their use in a social context. We need people to see how dope is harming not only themselves, but more generally their people, both inside and outside of prison. People start doing drugs because of problems in their lives that come from problems in capitalist society. Being in prison sucks, and dope helps people escape, even if it's fleeting. But this escape is counter productive. As so many writers in this issue of ULK have explained, it just serves the interests of the criminal injustice system. We can help people overcome addictions by giving them something else to focus on: the fight against the system that wants to keep them passive and addicted.\nNotes: 1. David C. Brotherton & Luis Barrios, 2004, The Almighty Latin King Queen Nation: street politics and the transformation of a New York City gang, Columbia University Press: New York, p. 236.\n2. Mutulu Shakur: On The History Of Acupuncture & COINTELPRO\n3. Interview with Vicente \"Panama\" Alba, by Molly Porzig, 15 March 2013, Lincoln Detox Center: The People's Drug Program, The Abolitionist No. 19.\n4. Amy Sonnie and James Tracy, 2011, Hillbilly Nationalists, Urban Race Rebels, and Black Power: Community Organizing in Radical Times, Melville House, Brooklyn, p.152-155.\n5. Misha Glenny, 2009, McMafia: A Journey Through the Global Criminal Underworld, Vintage Books:New York, p.326-7.\n6. Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding, March 1977, How China got rid of opium, China Now #70, Page 17.\nDrugs Hold Back West Virginia Organizing\nPoisoning the Well: The imprisoned dope trade and its impact on the movement\nDrugs a Barrier to Organizing in Many Prisons\nNew Afrikan Prisoners: Anti-alcohol campaign\nArkansas DOC Covers Up Deaths from K2, Frames Comrade\nMarxist Economics and Amerikan Mass Incarceration: Revisiting ULK 8\n[Economics] [China] [Theory] [FAQ] [ULK Issue 59]\nIs China an Imperialist Country? considerations and evidence\nby N.B. Turner, et al.\nKersplebedeb, 2015\nAvailable for $17 + shipping/handling from:\nThis article began as a book review of Is China an Imperialist Country?. However, I was spurred to complete this review after witnessing a surge in pro-China posts and sentiment on the /r/communism subreddit, an online forum that MIM(Prisons) participates in. It is strange to us that this question is gaining traction in a communist forum. How could anyone be confused between such opposite economic systems? Yet, this is not the first time that this question has been asked about a capitalist country; the Soviet Union being the first.\nMao Zedong warned that China would likely become a social fascist state if the revisionists seized power in their country as they had in the Soviet Union after Stalin's death. While the question of whether the revisionists have seized power in China was settled for Maoists decades ago, other self-proclaimed \"communists\" still refer to China as socialist, or a \"deformed workers' state,\" even as the imperialists have largely recognized that China has taken up capitalism.\nIn this book, N.B. Turner does address the revisionists who believe China is still a socialist country in a footnote.(1) Ey notes that most of them base their position on the strength of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) in China. This is a common argument we've seen as well. And the obvious refutation is: socialism is not defined as a state-run economy, at least not by Marxists. SOEs in China operate based on a profit motive. China now boasts 319 billionaires, second only to the United $tates, while beggars walk the streets clinging to passerbys. How could it be that a country that had kicked the imperialists out, removed the capitalists and landlords from power, and enacted full employment came to this? And how could these conditions still be on the socialist road to communism?\nRecent conditions did not come out of nowhere. By the 1980s, Beijing Review was boasting about the existence of millionaires in China, promoting the concept of wage differentials.(2) There are two bourgeois rights that allow for exploitation: the right to private property and the right to pay according to work. While the defenders of Deng Xiaoping argue that private property does not exist in China today, thus \"proving\" its socialist nature, they give a nod to Deng's policies on wage differentials; something struggled against strongly during the Mao era.\nTurner quotes Lenin from Imperialism: The Highest Stage of Capitalism: \"If it were necessary to give the briefest possible definition of imperialism we should have to say that imperialism is the monopoly stage of capitalism.\"(3) And what are most SOEs but monopolies?\nIs China a Socialist Country?\nThe question of Chinese socialism is a question our movement came to terms with in its very beginning. MIM took up the anti-revisionist line, as stated in the first cardinal principal:\n\"MIM holds that after the proletariat seizes power in socialist revolution, the potential exists for capitalist restoration under the leadership of a new bourgeoisie within the communist party itself. In the case of the USSR, the bourgeoisie seized power after the death of Stalin in 1953; in China, it was after Mao's death and the overthrow of the 'Gang of Four' in 1976.\"\nWe'll get more into why we believe this below. For now we must stress that this is the point where we split from those claiming to be communists who say China is a socialist country. It is also a point where we have great unity with Turner's book.\nWho Thinks China is Socialist?\nThose who believe China is socialist allude to a conspiracy to paint China as a capitalist country by the Western media and by white people. This is an odd claim, as we have spent most of our time struggling over Chinese history explaining that China is no longer communist, and that what happened during the socialist period of 1949 - 1976 is what we uphold. We see some racist undertones in the condemnations of what happened in that period in China. It seems those holding the above position are taking a valid critique for one period in China and just mechanically applying it to Western commentators who point out the obvious. We think it is instructive that \"by 1978, when Deng Xiaoping changed course, the whole Western establishment lined up in support. The experts quickly concluded, over Chinese protests, that the new course represented reform 'capitalist style.'\"(4) The imperialists do not support socialism and pretend that it is capitalism, rather they saw Deng's \"reforms\" for what they were.\nTeleSur is one party that takes a position today upholding China as an ally of the oppressed nations. TeleSur is a TV station based in Venezuela, and funded by Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, Cuba, Uruguay and Nicaragua. Venezuela is another state capitalist country that presents itself as \"socialist\", so it has a self-interest in stroking China's image in this regard. One recent opinion piece described China as \"committed to socialism and Marxism.\" It acknowledges problems of inequality in Chinese society are a product of the \"economic reforms.\" Yet the author relies on citations on economic success and profitability as indications that China is still on the socialist road.(5)\nAs students of the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, we recognize that socialism is defined by class struggle. In fairness, the TeleSur opinion piece acknowledges this and claims that class struggle continues in China today. But the reality that the state sometimes imprisons its billionaires does not change the fact that this once socialist society, which guaranteed basic needs to all, now has billionaires. Billionaires can only exist by exploiting people; a lot! Fifty years ago China had eliminated the influence of open capitalists on the economy, while allowing those who allied with the national interest to continue to earn income from their investments. In other words they were being phased out. Some major changes had to take place to get to where China is today with 319 billionaires.\nFidel Castro is cited as upholding today's President of China, Xi Jinping, as one of the \"most capable revolutionary leaders.\" Castro also alluded to China as a counterbalance to U.$. imperialism for the Third World. China being a counter-balance to the United $tates does not make it socialist or even non-imperialist. China has been upholding its non-interventionist line for decades to gain the trust of the world. But it is outgrowing its ability to do that, as it admits in its own military white papers described by Turner.(6) This is one indication that it is in fact an imperialist country, with a need to export finance capital and dump overproduced commodities in foreign markets.\n\"The Myth of Chinese Capitalism\"\nAnother oft-cited article by proponents of a socialist China in 2017 is \"The Myth of Chinese Capitalism\" by Jeff Brown.(7) Curiously, Brown volunteers the information that China's Gini coefficient, a measure of a country's internal inequality between rich and poor, went from 0.16 in 1978 to 0.37 in 2015 (similar to the United $tates' 0.41). Brown offers no explanation as to how this stark increase in inequality could occur in what ey calls a socialist country. In fact, Brown offers little analysis of the political economy of China, preferring to quote Deng Xiaoping and the Chinese Constitution as proof of China's socialist character, followed by stats on the success of Chinese corporations in making profits in the capitalist economic system.\nBrown claims that Deng's policies were just re-branded policies of the Mao era. A mere months after the counter-revolutionary coup in China in 1976, the China Study Group wrote,\n\"The line put forward by the Chinese Communist Party and the Peking Review before the purge and that put forward by the CCP and the Peking Review after the purge are completely different and opposite lines. Superficially they may appear similar because the new leaders use many of the same words and slogans that were used before in order to facilitate the changeover. But they have torn the heart out of the slogans, made them into hollow words and are exposing more clearly with every new issue the true nature of their line.\"(8)\nYet, 40 years later, fans of China would have us believe that empty rhetoric about \"Marxism applied to Chinese conditions\" are a reason to take interest in the economic policies of Xi Jinping.\nBrown seems to think the debate is whether China is economically successful or not according to bourgeois standards. As such ey offers the following tidbits:\n\"A number of [SOEs] are selling a portion of their ownership to the public, by listing shares on Chinese stock markets, keeping the vast majority of ownership in government hands, usually up to a 70% government-30% stock split. This sort of shareholder accountability has improved the performance of China's SOEs, which is Baba Beijing's goal.\"\n\"[O]ther SOEs are being consolidated to become planet conquering giants\"\n\"How profitable are China's government owned corporations? Last year, China's 12 biggest SOEs on the Global 500 list made a combined total profit of US$201 billion.\"\nSo selling stocks, massive profits and giant corporations conquering the world are the \"socialist\" principles being celebrated by Brown, and those who cite em.\nThe Coup of 1976\nWhat all these apologists for Chinese capitalism ignore is the fact that there was a coup in China in 1976 that involved a seizure of state apparati, a seizure of the media (as alluded to above) and the imprisonment of high officials in the Maoist camp (the so-called \"Gang of Four\").(9) People in the resistance were executed for organizing and distributing literature.(10) There were arrests and executions across the country, in seemingly large numbers. Throughout 1977 a mass purge of the party may have removed as many as a third of its members.(11) The armed struggle and repression in 1976 seems to have involved more violence than the Cultural Revolution, but this is swept under the rug by pro-capitalists. In addition, the violence in both cases was largely committed by the capitalist-roaders. While a violent counterrevolution was not necessary to restore capitalism in the Soviet Union, it did occur in China following Mao Zedong's death.\nAt the time of Mao's death, Deng was the primary target of criticism for not recognizing the bourgeoisie in the Party. Hua Guofeng, who jailed the Gang of Four and seized chairmanship after Mao's death, continued this criticism of Deng at first, only to restore all his powers less than sixteen months after they were removed by the Maoist government.(12)\nThe Western media regularly demonizes China for its records on humyn rights and free speech. Yet, this is not without reason. By the 1978 Constitution, the so-called CCP had removed the four measures of democracy guaranteed to the people in the 1975 Constitution: \"Speaking out freely, airing views fully, holding great debates and writing big character posters are new forms of carrying on socialist revolution created by the masses of the people. The state shall ensure to the masses the right to use these forms.\"(13)\nThis anti-democratic trend has continued over the last forty years, from jail sentences for big character posters in the 1980s and the Tianamen Square massacre in 1989 to the imprisonment of bloggers in the 2010s. While supporters of Xi Jinping have celebrated his recent call for more Marxism in schools, The Wall Street Journal reports that this is not in the spirit of Mao:\n\"Students at Sun Yat-sen University in southern China arrived this year to find new instructions affixed to classroom walls telling them not to criticize party leadership; their professors were advised to do the same... An associate professor at an elite Beijing university said he was told he was rejected for promotion because of social-media posts that were critical of China's political system. 'Now I don't speak much online,' he said.\"(14)\nWhat about abroad? Is China a friend of the oppressed? Turner points out that China's Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Africa is significant, though a tiny piece of China's overall FDI. First we must ask, why is China engaged in FDI in the first place? Lenin's third of five points defining imperialism is, \"The export of capital, which has become extremely important, as distinguished from the export of commodities.\"(15) A couple chapters before talking about Africa, Turner shows that China has the fastest growing FDI of any imperialist or \"sub-imperialist\" country starting around 2005.(16) Even the SOEs are involved in this investment, accounting for 87% of China's FDI in Latin America.(17) This drive to export capital, which repatriates profits to China, is a key characteristic of an imperialist country.\nIn 2010, China invited South Africa to join the BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and now South Africa) of imperialist/aspiring imperialist countries. This was a strategic decision by China, as South Africa was chosen over many larger economies. \"In 2007... the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (now the world's largest company) bought a multi-billion-dollar stake in the South African Standard Bank, which has an extensive branch network across the continent.\" Shoprite is another South African corporation that spans the continent, which China has invested in. In Zambia, almost all the products in Shoprite are Chinese or South African.(18)\nThe other side of this equation indicating the role of China in Africa is the resistance. \"Chinese nationals have become the number one kidnapping target for terrorist and rebel groups in Africa, and Chinese facilities are valuable targets of sabotage.\" China is also working with the likes of Amerikan mercenary Erik Prince to avoid direct military intervention abroad. \"In 2006, a Zambian minister wept when she saw the environment in which workers toiled at the Chinese-owned Collum Coal Mine. Four years later, eleven employees were shot at the site while protesting working conditions.\"(19) While China's influence is seen as positive by a majority of people in many African countries,(20) this is largely due to historical support given to African nations struggling for self-determination. The examples above demonstrate the irreconcilable contradiction developing within Chinese imperialism with its client nations.\n\"Market Socialism\"\nChinese President Xi Jinping talks often of the importance of \"Marxism\" to China, of \"socialism with Chinese characteristics\" and of \"market socialism.\" Xi's defenders in communist subreddits cite Lenin and the New Economic Policy (NEP) of the Soviet Union to peg our position as anti-Lenin. There's a reason we call ourselves Maoists, and not Leninists. The battle against the theory of the productive forces, and the form it took in the mass mobilization of the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution is core to how we define Maoism as a higher stage of revolutionary science than Leninism. The Bolsheviks tended toward upholding the theory of the productive forces, though you can find plenty in Lenin's to oppose it as well. Regardless, Lenin believed in learning from history. We'd say Maoists are the real Leninists.\nLenin's NEP came in the post-war years, a few years after the proletariat seized power in Russia. The argument was that capitalist markets and investment were needed to get the economic ball rolling again. But China in 1978 was in no such situation. It was rising on a quarter century of economic growth and radical reorganization of the economy that unleashed productive forces that were the envy of the rest of the underdeveloped nations. Imposing capitalist market economics on China's socialist economy in 1978 was moving backwards. And while economic growth continued and arguably increased, social indicators like unemployment, the condition of wimmin, mental health and crime all worsened significantly.\nThe line of the theory of the productive forces is openly embraced by some Dengists defending \"market socialism.\" One of the most in-depth defenses of China as communist appearing on /r/communism reads:\n\"Deng Xiaoping and his faction had to address the deeper Marxist problem: that the transition from a rural/peasant political economy to modern industrial socialism was difficult, if not impossible, without the intervening stage of industrial capitalism... First, Chinese market socialism is a method of resolving the primary contradiction facing socialist construction in China: backwards productive forces.\"(21)\nSo, our self-described communist detractors openly embrace the lines of Deng Xiaoping and Liu Shaoqi, thereby rejecting the Maoist line and the Cultural Revolution.\nResilience to Crisis\nDuring the revolution, China was no stranger to economic crisis. From the time the war against Japan began in 1937 to victory in 1949, goods that cost 1 yuan had risen to the price of 8,500,000,000,000 yuan!(22) Controlling inflation was an immediate task of the Chinese Communist Party after seizing state power. \"On June 10, 1949 the Stock Exchange — that centre of crime located in downtown Shanghai — was ordered to close down and 238 leading speculators were arrested and indicted.\"(23) Shanghai Stock Exchange was re-established again in 1990. It is currently the 5th largest exchange, but was 2nd for a brief frenzy prior to the 2008 global crash.(24)\nThe eclectic U.$.-based Troskyite organization Workers World Party (WW) used the 2008 crisis to argue that China was more socialist than capitalist.(25) The export-dependent economy of China took a strong blow in 2008. WW points to the subsequent investment in construction as being a major offset to unemployment. They conclude that, \"The socialist component of the economic foundation is dominant at the present.\" Yet they see the leadership of Xi Jinping as further opening up China to imperialist manipulation, unlike other groups discussed above.\nA Chinese \"Ghost City\"\nTurner addresses the \"ghost cities\" built in recent years in China as examples of the anarchy of production under capitalism. Sure they were state planned, but they were not planned to meet humyn need, hence they remain largely empty years after construction. To call this socialism, one must call The New Deal in the United $tates socialism.\nMarx explained why crisis was inevitable under capitalism, and why it would only get worse with time as accumulation grew, distribution became more uneven, and overproduction occurred more quickly. Socialism eliminates these contradictions, with time. It does so by eliminating the anarchy of production as well as speculation. After closing the Stock Exchange the communists eliminated all other currencies, replacing them with one state-controlled currency, the Renminbi, or the people's currency. Prices for goods as well as foreign currencies were set by the state. They focused on developing and regulating production to keep the balance of goods and money, rather than producing more currency, as the capitalist countries do.(26)\nWhen the value of your stock market triples and then gets cut back to its original price in the span of a few years, you do not have a socialist-run economy.(27) To go further, when you have a stock market, you do not have a socialist economy.\nTurner addresses the recent crisis and China's resiliency, pointing out that it recently started from a point of zero debt, internally and externally, thanks to financial policy during the socialist era.(28) China paid off all external debt by 1964.(29) This has allowed China to expand its credit/debt load in recent decades to degrees that the other imperialist countries no longer have the capacity to do. This includes investing in building whole cities that sit empty.(30)\nSo, if socialism isn't increasing profits and growing GDP with state-owned enterprises, what the heck is it? The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution (GPCR) was the pinnacle of socialist achievement; that is another one of MIM's three main points. No one has argued that the Cultural Revolution has continued or was revived post-1976. In fact, the Dengists consistently deny that there are any capitalists in the party to criticize, as they claim \"market socialism\" denies the capitalists any power over the economy. This is the exact line that got Deng kicked out of the CCP before Mao died. Without class struggle, we do not have socialism, until all classes have been abolished in humyn society. Class struggle is about the transformation of society into new forms of organization that can someday lead us to a communist future.\n\"A fundamental axiom of Maoist thought is that public ownership is only a technical condition for solving the problems of Chinese society. In a deeper sense, the goal of Chinese socialism involves vast changes in human nature, in the way people relate to each other, to their work, and to society. The struggle to change material conditions, even in the most immediate sense, requires the struggle to change people, just as the struggle to change people depends on the ability to change the conditions under which men live and work. Mao differs from the Russians, and Liu Shao-chi's group, in believing that these changes are simultaneous, not sequential. Concrete goals and human goals are separable only on paper — in practice they are the same. Once the basic essentials of food, clothing, and shelter for all have been achieved, it is not necessary to wait for higher productivity levels to be reached before attempting socialist ways of life.\" (31)\nYet the Dengists defend the \"economic reforms\" (read: counter-revolution) after Mao's death as necessary for expanding production, as a prerequisite to building socialism.\n\"The fact that China is a socialist society makes it necessary to isolate and discuss carefully the processes at work in the three different forms of ownership: state, communal, and cooperative.\"(32)\nThe Dengists talk much of state ownership, but what of communes and cooperatives? Well, they were dismantled in the privatization of the 1980s. Dengists cry that there is no private land ownership in China, and that is a sign that the people own the land. It was. In the 1950s land was redistributed to peasants, which they later pooled into cooperatives, unleashing the productive forces of the peasantry. Over time this collective ownership was accepted as public ownership, and with Deng's \"reforms\" each peasant got a renewable right to use small plots for a limited number of years. The commune was broken up and the immediate effects on agriculture and the environment were negative.(33)\nStrategic Implications\nOverall Turner does a good job upholding the line on what is socialism and what is not. This book serves as a very accessible report on why China is an imperialist country based in Leninist theory. The one place we take issue with Turner is in a discussion of some of the strategic implications of this in the introduction. Ey makes an argument against those who would support forces fighting U.$. imperialism, even when they are backed by other imperialist powers. One immediately thinks of Russia's support for Syria, which foiled the Amerikan plans for regime change against the Assad government. Turner writes, \"Lenin and the Bolshevik Party... argued for 'revolutionary defeatism' toward all imperialist and reactionary powers as the only stance for revolutionaries.\"(34) But what is this \"and reactionary powers\" that Turner throws in? In the article, \"The Defeat of One's Own Government in the Imperialist War,\" by \"imperialist war\" Lenin meant inter-imperialist war, not an imperialist invasion of a country in the periphery.\nIn that article Lenin praised the line that \"During a reactionary war a revolutionary class cannot but desire the defeat of its government.\" He writes, \"that in all imperialist countries the proletariat must now desire the defeat of its own government.\" While Lenin emphasizes all here, in response to Turner, we'd emphasize imperialist. Elsewhere Lenin specifies \"belligerent countries\" as the target of this line. So while it is clear that Lenin was not referring to Syria being invaded by the United $tates as a time that the proletariat must call for defeat of the government of their country, it seems that Turner is saying this.\nWe agree with other strategic conclusions of this book. China seems to be moving towards consolidating its sphere of influence, which could lead to consolidation of the world into two blocks once again. While this is a dangerous situation, with the threat of nuclear war, it is also a situation that has proven to create opportunities for the proletariat. Overall, the development and change of the current system works in the favor of the proletariat of the oppressed nations; time is on our side. As China tries to maintain its image as a \"socialist\" benefactor, the United $tates will feel more pressure to make concessions to the oppressed and hold back its own imperialist arrogance.\nIn 1986, Henry Park hoped that the CCP would repudiate Marxism soon, writing, \"It is far better for the CCP to denounce Marx (and Mao) as a dead dog than for the CCP to discredit socialism with the double-talk required to defend its capitalist social revolution.\"(35) Still hasn't happened, and it's not just the ignorant Amerikan who is fooled. Those buying into the 40-year Chinese charade contribute to the continued discrediting of socialism, especially as this \"socialist\" country becomes more aggressive in international affairs.\n[We recommend Is China an Imperialist Country? as the best resource we know on this topic. As for the question of Chinese socialism being overthrown, please refer to the references below. We highly recommend The Chinese Road to Socialism for an explanation of what socialism looks like and why the GPCR was the furthest advancement of socialism so far.]\n1. Turner, p.115\n2. Henry Park, The Political Economy of Counterrevolution in China: 1976-88.\n3. Turner, p.8\n4. William Hinton, The Great Reversal: The Privatization of China 1978-1989, Monthly Review Press, 1990, p.13.\n5. Ajit Singh, China: The Revolutionary Present, TeleSur, 4 October 2017.\n7. Jeff Brown, The Myth of Chinese Capitalism, The Greanville Post, 20 August 2015.\n8. China Study Group, The Capitalist Roaders Are Still on the Capitalist Road, 1977, p.4.\n9. see the book in note 8\n10. see note 2\n11. Charles Bettelheim and Neil Burton, China Since Mao, Monthly Review Press, 1978, p.91.\n12. Ibid., p.90.\n14. Te-Ping Chen, China Steps Up Ideology Drive on College Campuses, The Wall Street Journal, 25 September 2017.\n15. V.I. Lenin, Imperialism: The Highest Stage of Capitalism, 1939(1917), International Publishers: New York, p.89.\n16. Turner, p.73.\n18. Padraig Carmondy, The New Scramble for Africa, Jacobin, issue 19, fall 2015.\n19. Ho-fung Hung, China Fantasies, Jacobin, issue 19, fall 2015.\n20. China's growing presence in Africa wins largely positive popular reviews, 24 October 2016, Afrobarometer, No. 22.\n21. see https://www.reddit.com/r/communism/comments/5ku8dz/china_as_a_socialist_marxistleninist_state_a/\n22. Peng Kuang-hsi, Why China Has No Inflation, Foreign Languages Press:Peking, 1976, p.19.\n23. Peng, p.24.\n24. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghai_Stock_Exchange\n25. Fred Goldstein, Marxism and the social character of China, Workers World, 13 June 2013.\n26. Peng.\n27. see note 24.\n28. Turner, p.45-6.\n29. E.L. Wheelwright and Bruce Macfarlane, The Chinese Road to Socialism: Economics of the Cultural Revolution, Monthly Review Press: New York, 1970, p.13.\n30. Gus Lubin, New satellite images show inside China's ghost cities, Business Insider, 3 March 2017.\n31. Wheelwright, p.221.\n32. Wheelwright, p.16.\n33. Hinton, p.172.\n34. Turner, p.5.\n35. Henry Park, Postrevolutionary China and the Soviet NEP, Research in Political Economy, vol. 9, pages 219-233, 1986.\nHenry Park Obituary: MIM Comrade and Devoted Revolutionary\nGo to Page 1 [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1244165"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7275471687316895,"wiki_prob":0.27245283126831055,"text":"Conjoined Twins\nConjoined twins are identical twins who are joined together somewhere in the body, most often at the chest, abdomen or pelvis. They are monozygotic twins, in the sense that they share the same zygote.\nThe formation of this twin type is believed to be the result of late twinning. When the twinning occurs more than 12-13 days after fertilization of the egg, it may lead to the formation of conjoined twins because the embryo may not split completely.\nConjoined twin births are very rare, amounting to around one birth in every 100,000 births. The ratio of female and male sets was found to be three to one. There is a slightly higher chance of conjoined twins from Africa and Southwest Asia.\nDepending on where they are joined, some may share some vital internal organs.\nClassification of conjoined twins\nThere are several ways to classify these unique twins.\n75 percent are joined at the chest wall or upper abdomen (thoracopagus and omphalopagus)\n23 percent are joined at the hips, legs or genitalia (pygopagus and ischiopagus)\n2 percent are joined at the head (craniopagus)\nWhile conjoined twins are typically classified by the point of fusion they may also be divided into two broad categories: homogenitally conjoined twins, who shared a single set of genitalia, and heterogenitally conjoined twins, with two distinct sets of genitalia.\nConjoined twins, sometimes referred to as Siamese twins, named after the famous conjoined twins, Eng and Chang Bunker from Siam. Chang and Eng were joined at the torso by a band of flesh, cartilage, and their fused livers. In modern times, they could have been separated.\nSurvival rates\nConjoined twins rarely survive because of the complexity of the bodies. 40% are stillborn or die within twenty-four hours after birth (35%).\nConjoined twins can only be separated surgically if none of the vital organs are involved. The success of the separation surgery depends on many factors, mainly where the twins are connected and which structures they share. Only 60% of the surgically separated cases survive.\nSome people consider the separation as unethical if it involves death or disability of one of the twins. Those that extensively share vital organs can generally not be separated as separation might lead to the death of one or both twins. This presents some ethical dilemmas in the surgical management of conjoined twins, but the overall decision still lies with the parents.\nConjoined twins, if they survive, can lead healthy lives. There are instances where some have even married and become parents. The famous Siamese twins, Chang and Eng Bunker, fathered twenty-one children in thirty-one years.\nOther kinds of conjoined twins\nThere are also some rare kinds of conjoined twins, such as parasitic twins (where one twin is not completely formed and depends on the other twin to sustain life), and fetus in fetu (where one twin’s fetus is present inside the body of the other twin).\nTwinfo provides a connection to resources, information, products and service providers who specialise in supporting multiple births at every stage of their life.\nConnect with the Twinfo community via the Twinfo Website, FaceBook Page, Facebook Group, Pinterest or via the Twinfo Instagram page.\nby TwinfoBabies and Toddlers, Blog\nTalking Twins and More. S2 – Ep 18.\nFive reasons why backpack harnesses or wrist style leashes for twins, triplets or more are GREAT!","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line879247"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6463170647621155,"wiki_prob":0.6463170647621155,"text":"Ex-Im Guarantees PNC Loan to Finance Solar Power in Barbados; Supports Small Business Jobs in Five States\nSteve Horning (202-565-3200)\nWashington, D.C. - Ex-Im Bank provided a $6.4 million loan guarantee to finance the export of solar modules from West Coast-based SolarWorld Americas to Williams Industries Inc.-Williams evergreen Ltd. of St. Thomas, Barbados. This project, one of the largest in the Caribbean, includes engineering services and solar-system racking exported from two American companies.\nEx-Im export financing for this deal supports several American businesses and helps support jobs in five states, including California, Oregon, Arizona, Colorado, and Washington, said Ex-Im Bank Chairman and President Fred P. Hochberg. Our financing is good for American jobs, boosts American manufacturing and supplies clean, renewable energy to Barbados.\nWilliams Industries-Williams evergreen Ltd will use the solar-power system to provide 1.4 megawatts of on-site power to ten sites within the Williams Group portfolio. The immediate savings in power costs will also furnish a hedge against future increases in electricity prices. Williams Industries, established in 1972, controls 13 wholly owned and 17 joint venture companies in Barbados, St. Lucia and other Caribbean islands. These companies are active in manufacturing, electrical engineering, construction, agriculture, tourism waste recycling, real estate development, and water desalination.\nWorker in Barbados installs American-made solar panels. Ex-Im Bank provided a $6.4 million, 10-year loan guarantee to PNC Bank to finance the export of complete solar modules which will provide 1.4 megawatts of electricity to Caribbean industries.\n(Photo courtesy of Williams Industries Inc.)\nWithout the assistance of Ex-Im Bank, Williams Industries through its subsidiary Williams evergreen would not have been able to build 1.4 megawatts of solar capacity over the last six months, said Williams Industries chairman Ralph Bizzie Williams. As a Feed In Tariff is legislated for Barbados, we are looking forward to working with the Ex-Im Bank to build a very significant expansion of our output of electricity from the sun.\nSolarWorld Americas, a subsidiary of SolarWorld AG, employs about a thousand U.S. workers at its headquarters manufacturing facility in Hillsboro, Oregon, and its sales and marketing hub in Camarillo, California. Engineering corporation CH2M HILL of Colorado provided engineering services to the project. The Tucson, Arizona manufacturing plant of Schletter Inc. US exported the necessary solar-system racking.\nWith its sun-drenched tropical setting and reliance on imported oil for energy generation, the Caribbean is an ideal location for solar, said Raju Yenamandra, vice president of sales and business development for SolarWorld. In Williams Industries, we found a perfect partner for island solar development. By combining SolarWorld's high-quality solar equipment with Williams' knowledge of the Caribbean electrical sector, we can provide significant oil savings to the island and lower payments for Williams. With Ex-Im Bank financing, this project makes good economic and environmental sense.\nThe Bank partnered with PNC Bank to provide the $6.4 million, 10-year loan guarantee. Barbados accounted for approximately $ 3.8 million of the Bank's worldwide credit exposure as of the end of FY 2011. The Bank's Environmental Export Program offers enhancements such as repayment terms of up to 18 years for eligible U.S. exports to renewable energy and water-related projects.\nEx-Im Bank is an independent federal agency that helps create and maintain U.S. jobs by filling gaps in private export financing at no cost to American taxpayers. In the past five years, Ex-Im Bank has earned for U.S. taxpayers $1.9 billion above the cost of operations. The Bank provides a variety of financing mechanisms, including working capital guarantees, export-credit insurance, and financing to help foreign buyers purchase U.S. goods and services.\nEx-Im Bank approved $32.7 billion in total authorizations in FY 2011 -- an all-time Ex-Im record. This total includes more than $6 billion directly supporting small-business export sales -- also an Ex-Im record. Ex-Im Bank's total authorizations are supporting an estimated $41 billion in U.S. export sales and approximately 290,000 American jobs in communities across the country. For more information, visit www.exim.gov.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line891241"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8144558668136597,"wiki_prob":0.8144558668136597,"text":"Hurkacz Halts Harrison\n12 Jan Hurkacz Halts Harrison\nPosted at 19:10h in Newswire\tby\tTomi Garguilo 0 Comments\nBy STEVE DORSEY\nDELRAY BEACH, Fla. – Hubert Hurkacz put the brakes on Christian Harrison’s remarkable storybook run at the Delray Beach Open by VITACOST.com Tuesday afternoon and in the process took another step forward in his quest to claim his second career ATP Tour title.\nHurkacz advanced to his second Tour final with a hard-fought 7-6(4), 6-4 victory on the Stadium Court at the Delray Beach Tennis Center in a match that featured outstanding shot-making by both players. He will face the winner of tonight’s other semifinal match between Cameron Norrie of Great Britain and American Sebastian Korda.\nHarrison’s setback in the first semifinal of his ATP Tour career ended a captivating run here that included a win over top-seeded Cristian Garin after going through qualifying to earn a berth in the main singles draw. Despite falling short of reaching his first ATP Tour final, the 26-year-old American’s five singles wins here this week will pay huge dividends for him in the world rankings. He arrived here ranked No. 789 and now is projected to improve on that by an astounding 444 points.\n“That’s crazy. It’s definitely the most points I’ve ever gotten in a tournament by a lot,” said Harrison, who has persevered through eight various surgeries since 2009, never giving up on his desire to continue competing as a professional. “I’m just going to keep trying to play events and then keep trying to pile on, and hopefully by the end of the year I can see where I’m at and start getting back into the bigger tournaments.”\nHurkacz complimented Harrison’s effort, but the world No. 35 Pole made a couple more shots at key junctures of both sets to end Harrison’s run. Hurkacz, the No. 4 seed here this week, made numerous superb returns and had outstanding court coverage for a 6-foot-5 player.\nThe first set was indicative of how closely matched the two players were. There were 81 points in the set that needed a tiebreaker, with Hurkacz winning 41 to Harrison’s 40. Neither player broke the other’s serve until the seventh game of the second set when Hurkacz broke to go up 4-3. They then traded two more breaks to make it 5-4 before Hurkacz held to close out the set and match.\n“Christian was playing very well,” Hurkacz said of Harrison’s performance. “He was serving tricky. He was slicing and kicking and then placing the ball really well. So I was struggling with that, especially the first set.”\nHarrison, who also has a doubles semifinal with his brother as his partner tonight, was equally complimentary of Hurkacz’s effort.\n“I’m a big fan of his game. I have a lot of respect for him,” Harrison, the second-lowest-ranked semifinalist in Delray Beach Open history, said. “It was a great match, so I have a lot to be proud of right now.”\nHurkacz, who received a first-round bye in the 28-player field, has won all three of his matches here this week in straight sets. If he can duplicate that on Wednesday, he’ll claim the Delray Beach title.\n“It’s a great start to the year,” Hurkacz said. “I’m looking forward to playing the final.”","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line518535"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.815671443939209,"wiki_prob":0.815671443939209,"text":"Home > Trout Unlimited: A Leader in Dam Removal\nTrout Unlimited: A Leader in Dam Removal\n6/30/1999 -- -- TROUT UNLIMITED AND DAMS: Founded in 1959 in Grayling, Michigan, Trout Unlimited is America's leading coldwater fisheries conservation organization. TU's 100,000 members in nearly 500 chapters nationwide are dedicated to the conservation, protection, and restoration of North America's trout and salmon and their watersheds. Almost from the beginning, Trout Unlimited has been a national leader in defending America's trout and salmon fisheries from the harm caused by dams.\nDams are one of the most significant and visible obstacles to restoring the integrity of riverine systems. They can alter natural flow patterns, fragment habitat, block migration corridors and degrade water quality. Entire ecosystems can be transformed by dams through fluctuating water temperatures, decreased oxygen availability, fishery changes and disrupted hydrologic regimes. Trout Unlimited and other conservation groups are involved with dam issues to ensure that all factors, from environmental impacts to economics, are carefully considered in decisions to construct, repair, or remove dams nationwide.\nEARLY ANTI-DAM EFFORTS: By 1965, TU was already establishing itself as a national player in trout conservation. In that year, TU won its first national campaign: Halting the construction of Reichle Dam on Montana's Big Hole River and protecting over 20 miles of wild trout water. TU's work to halt ill-conceived dam projects continues to this day.\nIn 1971, TU initiated two important legal actions to protect fish from dams. The first, today considered perhaps the most important early application of the Endangered Species Act, stopped the Tellico Dam on the Little Tennessee River. While the victory was thwarted by an eleventh-hour congressional appropriations rider, it put TU \"on the map\" as a major environmental organization. The second was aimed at saving Idaho's Teton River and its cutthroat fishery from a proposed dam. TU ran out of money to prosecute the case; the dam was built but failed five years later, killing 14 people. In 1978, TU spearheaded a successful campaign to protect the Yellowstone River, America's largest remaining free-flowing stream, from the Allenspur Dam. Trout Unlimited also led efforts against the ill-conceived Two Forks Dam in Colorado.\nSMALL DAMSctnIn partnership with the River Alliance of Wisconsin, which has pioneered dam-removal efforts at the local and state level, TU has developed The Small Dams Project. This four-part initiative will assist communities and others facing hard decisions on dam repair or removal. The simple goal of the project is to ensure that the dam removal option is considered on its merits. The project initially focuses on Wisconsin, while developing materials applicable to small dam issues nationwide.\nFERC-LICENSED DAMS: Consideration of the \"4H's\" - habitat, hydro, harvest, and hatcheries - guides TU in its mission to protect and restore the nation's coldwater fisheries. \"Hydro,\" the second \"H,\" is often used as an abbreviation for hydroelectric dams, most of which are under the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). TU is involved in the FERC process to ensure that the needs of trout and salmon are represented in dam licensings.\nVisit American Rivers at http://www.amrivers.org/edwardsremoval.html#details\nDownload A River Reborn: Benefits for People and Wildlife of the Kennebec River Following the Removal of Edwards Dam at http://www.tu.org/library/conservation.asp\nDownload the Trout Unlimited and American Rivers draft report on dam removal success stories at http://www.tu.org/library/conservation.asp","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1459973"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9373116493225098,"wiki_prob":0.9373116493225098,"text":"Eddie Mair 4pm - 6pm\nHealth Secretary announces new payment for people isolating in high risk areas\nThe scheme will be trialled in high risk areas, such as Oldham in Greater Manchester. Picture: PA\nBy Maddie Goodfellow\n@MaddieGoodfell2\nPeople on low incomes who need to self-isolate in areas where there are high numbers of coronavirus cases will be able to claim a maximum of £182 from the Government, Matt Hancock has announced.\nThe health secretary has confirmed that as of Tuesday September 1, people on either Universal Credit or Working Tax Credit, who are required to self-isolate and are unable to work from home, in areas with high incidences of Covid-19, will benefit from a new payment scheme.\nStarting with a trial in Blackburn, Darwen, Pendle and Oldham, eligible people who test positive for the virus will receive £130 for their 10-day period of self-isolation.\nOther members of their household, who under the current rules have to self-isolate for 14 days, will be entitled to a payment of £182.\nThe Department for Health and Social Care added that non-household contacts who are advised to self-isolate through the NHS Test and Trace system will also be entitled to a payment of £13 per day up to a maximum of £182, dependent on the length of their isolation period.\nThe payment will not reduce any other benefits that a person may already receive, the department said.\nPayments will be provided within 48 hours of the eligible person providing all the necessary evidence, and to receive the payment people will be asked to provide a notification from NHS Test and Trace and a bank statement.\nTo be eligible, an individual must have tested positive for Covid-19 or received a notification from NHS Test and Trace asking them to self-isolate, have agreed to comply with the self-isolation guidance and provided contact details to the relevant local authority, be employed or self-employed, be unable to work from home and be losing income as a result and be currently receiving Universal Credit or Working Tax Credit.\nEmployed people will be asked to show proof of employment, while self-employed people will be required to show evidence of trading income and that their business delivers services which the local authority reasonably judges they are unable to carry out without social contact.\nThe department added that checks will be undertaken on all applicants to ensure they are self-isolating.\nLocal authorities will be able to check the NHS Test and Trace system to confirm an individual has been asked to self-isolate, if an individual is unable to provide this information, and will put in place checks to prevent fraud, the department said.\nIt added that there will be a rapid review of the pilot scheme in Blackburn to assess how effectively vulnerable people have been reached and transmission has been reduced.\nIf the approach is successful, the scheme will be quickly applied in other areas where coronavirus cases are prevalent, DHSC said.\nBut Labour's shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds said \"everyone should get the support they need to self-isolate\".\nMs Dodds said: \"Effective local lockdowns depend on people self-isolating when they're supposed to. Labour has been warning for months that the Government needs to make sure that people can afford to do the right thing, but once again ministers have taken far too long to realise there's a problem.\n\"Just last week the Chancellor suggested there was no need to change the system for people who have to self-isolate.\n\"Now the Health Secretary - who confessed that Statutory Sick Pay in the UK isn't enough to live on - thinks the solution is to offer people who aren't currently eligible the same limited level of support.\n\"It's concerning that this will only apply to a limited number of areas with high rates of Covid-19. The instruction to self-isolate applies to everyone in the country, so everyone should get the support they need to self-isolate.\"\nThe Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, added: \"I have been calling for weeks for the Government to provide financial support for those asked to self-isolate. I am pleased they have at last acknowledged this issue but am sorry to say this move goes nowhere near far enough.\n\"The Health Secretary has already said that he couldn't live on Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) at £95 a week. So how can an announcement like this work?\n\"For many workers in Greater Manchester, this will not provide the support people need to cooperate with NHS Test and Trace. Having belatedly acknowledged that something needs to be done, Government must now accept the calls of the 'Time Out to Help Out' campaign and support people across the country to self-isolate on full pay.\"\nSee more UK News\nUK to close all travel corridors from Monday, Boris Johnson announces\nWatch Live: Boris Johnson holds Downing Street press conference\nEasyJet cancels holidays up to last week in March amid Covid lockdowns\nSee more World News\nThe News Explained\nBrazil Covid strain: What is the new variant? Have flights been stopped?\nWhat does impeachment mean for Donald Trump? What happened in the vote?\nWhat's the latest on the UK's coronavirus vaccine program?\nSee more More Topics","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line283368"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6986892223358154,"wiki_prob":0.6986892223358154,"text":"Queen On UK TV This Christmas\nQueen are all over the UK TV listings for the Christmas holidays. Lots of documentaries and concerts spread across numerous channels, mainly Channel 5, Sky Arts and Pick (part of Sky, but on Freeview). They are repeats, but should keep the mighty Queen following happy! On Christmas Day itself, ...\nUniversal Music Publishing Group Acquires Bob Dylan's Entire Catalog Of Songs\nUniversal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), Universal Music Group's leading, global music publishing division, today announced the acquisition of Bob Dylan's entire catalog of songs. This landmark agreement encompasses more than 600 copyrights spanning 60 years, from 1962's cultural milestone \"Blowin' ...\nElvis Presley's Graceland Celebrates The King Of Rock 'n' Roll's 86th Birthday With Three Days Of Events\nElvis Presley's Graceland will be celebrating the King of Rock 'n' Roll's 86th birthday on January 7-9, 2021, including the annual Elvis Birthday Proclamation Ceremony on January 8, a Birthday Celebration \"Elvis Unplugged\" Concert featuring singer and musician Dean Z, exclusive tours and more. In addition ...\nJuno Award Winning Artist Gowan And Alt-Rockers Stuck On Planet Earth Team Up For The New Original Holiday Song \"Can You Make It Feel Like Christmas\"\n\"Can You Make It Feel Like Christmas\", a brand new track from JUNO Award winner Gowan and Toronto alt-rockers Stuck On Planet Earth is available tomorrow via Anthem Records/Anthem Entertainment. The festive holiday song, written by Gowan, is a timely offering in a year fraught with challenges, delivering ...\nThe Royal Mint Sends A Coin Into Space In Honour Of 'Starman' David Bowie\nThe Royal Mint, the Original Maker of UK coins, has today launched a commemorative coin celebrating the career of one of Britain's most enduring musical icons - David Bowie. It is the first time that a UK coin has been sent into space, and celebrates the intergalactic legacy of David Bowie and his hits ...\nLittle Steven &The Disciples Of Soul's Thrilling Live Concert Album \"Μacca To Mecca\" Will Be Released January 29\nLittle Steven And The Disciples Of Soul's Thrilling Tribute To The Beatles, 'Macca To Mecca,' Receiving Wide Release On CD/DVD And Newly Expanded 'Soulfire Live!' 4CD Collection On January 29 Via Wicked Cool Records/UMe In the fall of 2017, when Little Steven landed in Liverpool on his sold out ...\nElvis Costello With Iggy Pop Release \"No Flag (en Français)\"\nAt midnight tonight ET, \"No Flag (en Français)\" by Elvis Costello avec Iggy Pop - a version of Costello's song \"No Flag\" sung in French by Iggy Pop - will be released, accompanied by a new music video featuring hand-drawn animation by frequent collaborators Arlo McFurlow and Eamon Singer. Costello's ...\nDamon Johnson Announces New Band And Album 'Damon Johnson & The Get Ready'\nInternationally renowned guitars-linger, vocalist, songwriter, Damon Johnson announces the release of his new album Battle Lessons, due January 22, 2021 via Double Dragon Records. The collection was made possible with the assistance of an Indiegogo pre-order helping to support the recording of Johnson ...\nBill Champlin Signs To Imagen Records; First Single \"Reason To Believe,\" Is Due Out On January 1, 2021\nLegendary Singer/ Songwriter/ Guitarist BILL CHAMPLIN has signed a record deal with Imagen Records. Bill's first single, \"Reason To Believe,\" is due out on January 1, 2021. The single is off of his new record Livin' For Love that will release early in the new year. \"Hey everyone, this is Bill Champlin. ...\nGary Lucas Unveils 'The Essential Gary Lucas'\nLegendary guitarist Gary Lucas upcoming retrospective THE ESSENTIAL GARY LUCAS via Knitting Factory Records offers ample evidence of this maverick artist's trailblazing and unique career, from his early work on stage and record with Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band, to his landmark work with Jeff ...","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1275094"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5060259103775024,"wiki_prob":0.5060259103775024,"text":"Virginia Appellate Court History\nLearn about the history of Virginia's appellate courts, the judges and justices who have served, and the cases that have helped shape the commonwealth and the nation.\nJustices of the Supreme Court\nA short history of the Supreme Court of Virginia\nAbout the biographies\nAbout the portraits\nJudges of the Court of Appeals\nAbout the Court of Appeals of Virginia\nA Short History of the Court of Appeals of Virginia\nOral History Highlights\nVirginia’s Judicial History\nBreaking Down Barriers\nJudicial Trailblazers\nG. Steven Agee, 2003-2008\nhttps://scvahistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Agee_-small_HD720P.mp3\nListen to an audio recording of an oral history interview of U.S. Circuit Court Judge G. Steven Agee with Connie Doebele on September 26, 2017, at his chambers in Salem, Virginia, or read the transcript:","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1565845"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5886801481246948,"wiki_prob":0.4113198518753052,"text":"Center for Advanced Mineral and Metallurgical Processing at Montana Tech Forms Partnership with Space Propulsion Group\nThe Center for Advanced Mineral and Metallurgical Processing (CAMP) at Montana Tech has partnered with Space Propulsion Group (SPG), formerly of Sunnyvale, CA. SPG is a world leader in the formulation, casting, and processing of high regression rate hybrid rocket fuels. Their fuels technology allows the design of formulations for specific attributes such as regression rate, structural strength, glass transition temperature and toughness among others. In addition, their base fuel matrix is highly hydrophobic which enables formulations using high-energy additives such as aluminum, lithium hydride, magnesium or boron.\nAlong with the business partnership, SPG and CAMP now share equipment essential to the fabrication of rocket test motors. A 3-axis, 30-foot long filament winding machine is now housed at the Montana Tech Research Center. This winder will be used to not only fabricate the rocket motor casings up to 5 feet in diameter for testing but for production of rocket casings for various programs for NASA and the US Air Force. CAMP personnel will oversee the daily operation of the winding facility and will also provide academic guidance for undergraduate and graduate work for composite materials fabrication projects.\nThe addition of a filament winder has been a goal of CAMP Materials Scientist Ronda Coguill. “Having the capability to do advanced fabrication of composite materials is essential to the Materials Science program at Montana Tech,” noted Coguill. “With this state-of-the-art machine, we can now provide realistic training for our students who are interested in working with advanced materials such as fiberglass and carbon composites. Working with SPG will be a perfect fit for CAMP, which specializes in the characterization and analysis of materials from basic mineralogy to structural performance.”\nFor more information, please contact Ronda Coguill at 406-496-4808.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line916974"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5403822064399719,"wiki_prob":0.4596177935600281,"text":"InlandPolitics: Supreme Court: Final brief filed in Colonies appeal\nFriday, May 10, 2013 – 09:00 a.m.\nIn a strange turn of events, state prosecutors now say it’s no longer necessary for the California Supreme Court to throw out two long standing case law precedents, and more than a dozen underlying appellate opinions, in order to reinstate key bribery and conflict of interest charges against defendants in the well-publicized case involving the 2006 Colonies Settlement.\nThe new spin, one of many executed by prosecutors during the appeals process, comes in the final reply brief filed by the California Attorney General on Tuesday. State prosecutors along with the San Bernardino County District Attorney are scrambling to have bribery and conflict of interest charges reinstated against Rancho Cucamonga Developer Jeff Burum and Former Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin.\nIn October, the Riverside-based Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Two, upheld the dismissal of core charges to a 2011 grand jury indictment.\nBurum, Erwin along with co-defendants, Former County Supervisor Paul Biane and Mark Kirk, former chief of staff to Supervisor Gary Ovitt have all adamantly denied any wrongdoing. At issue in the case is the assertion by the defendants that prosecutors, after spending years trying to find credible evidence of misconduct, knowingly fabricated an illegal charging scheme to engineer a 29-count criminal indictment. So far, both the San Bernardino County Superior Court and California Court of Appeal have agreed with that premise.\nThe defendants, who last appeared in court January 2012, are awaiting the chance to file dismissal motions before the trial judge.\nThe case now awaits oral argument before the high court’s seven justices, which is expected to occur sometime in late summer.\nTo read the People’s Reply Brief, click here: People’s Reply Brief On The Merits\nFiled under: County of San Bernardino, Courts, Law Enforcement, Legal, Mike Ramos, State of California, State Supreme Court\n29 Responses to this post\nAnonymous on May 10th, 2013 11:48 am\nIn re Doe, 801 F. Supp. 478, 480 (D.N.M. 1992).\nProsecutors are “Shepherd[s] of justice.” When Government lawyer, with ENORMOUS RESOURCES at his or her disposal, ABUSES POWER and ignores ethical standards, he or she not only undermines public trust, but inflicts damage beyond calculation to system of justice. This alone compels the responsible and ethical exercise of this power.\nFout v. State, 4 Tenn. 98 (1816)\n“ He is to judge between the people and the government; he is to be the safeguard of the one and the advocate for the rights of the other; he ought not to suffer the innocent to be oppressed or vexatiously harassed, any more than those who deserve prosecution to escape; he is to pursue guilt; he to protect innocence; he is to judge the circumstances, and according to their true complexion, to combine the public welfare and the safety of the citizens, preserving both, and not impairing either; he is to decline the use of individual passions and individual malevolence, when he can not use them for the advantage of the public; he is to lay hold of them where public justice, in sound discretions, requires it.\nAppeal of Nicely, 18 A. 737 (PA 1889)\n“ The District Attorney is a quasi-judicial officer. He represents the commonwealth and the commonwealth demands no victims. It seeks justice only–equal and impartial justice– and it is as much the duty of the district attorney to see that no innocent man suffers as it is to see that no guilty man escapes. Hence, he should act impartially. He should present the commonwealth’s case fairly, and should not press upon the jury any deductions from the evidence that are not strictly legitimate. When he exceeds this limit, and in hot zeal seeks to influence them by appealing to their prejudices, he is NO LONGER AN IMPARTIAL OFFICIAL, but becomes a heated partisan.”\nBailey v. Commonwealth, 193 Ky. 687, 237 S.W. 415, 417 (1922).\n“ [T]he duty of a prosecuting attorney is NOT TO PERSECUTE, but to prosecute, and that he should endeavor to protect the innocent as well as to prosecute the guilty. He should always be interested in seeing that the truth and the right shall prevail….”\nAmerican Bar Association Standards for Criminal Justice\n3-1.2(c): The Function of the Prosecutor\nThe duty of the prosecutor is to seek justice, NOT MERELY TO CONVICT.\nBerger v. U.S., 295 U.S. 78, 88 (1935).\n“… therefore, in a criminal prosecution is not that it shall win a case, but that justice shall be done. As such, he is in a peculiar and very definite sense the SERVANT OF THE LAW, the twofold aim of which is that guilt shall not escape nor innocence suffer. … But, while he may strike hard blows, he is not at liberty to strike foul ones. It is as much his duty to refrain from IMPROPER METHODS CALCULATED to produce a wrongful conviction as it is to use every legitimate means to bring about a just one.”\nUnited States v. Wade, 388 U.S. 218, 256 (1967) (Justice White, concurring and dissenting).\n“ Law enforcement officers have the obligation to convict the guilty and to MAKE SURE they do not convict the innocent. They must be dedicated to making the criminal trial a procedure for the ascertainment of the TRUE FACTS surrounding the commission of the crime\nFrom a letter read at the retirement dinner of Manhattan District Attorney William Travers Jerome, New York Times, May 8, 1909, p.2.\n“ [T]he prosecuting officer occupies a semi-judicial position; that he is charged with a large discretion, and that, while it is his duty to bring to justice those whom he believed to be guilty, it is equally his duty to protect the innocent and to refrain from prosecuting those against whom no sufficient or reasonable proofs can be found. In the course of his duties he sometimes has to stand between an incensed public sentiment, voiced by a clamorous press, and suspected persons against whom no proofs of crime can be produced.”\nRepairman on May 10th, 2013 3:24 pm\nThe underling has more charges then the mastermind? And the underling is still helping the mastermind? What’s that tell ya?\nMaybe the mastermind will put a couple of buck’s on the underling’s prison commissary credit card for Christmas or every once and awhile, while the mastermind and his friends eat caviar, and laugh at said underling, who was willing to spend years of his life in prison to protect them ( that is really taking one for the team). I think we’ll ALL have a good laugh over that one! Well except for said underling, who’ll probably just go ahead and laugh anyway, not really knowing why, trying to figure what the hell went wrong with the perfect plan. But I think it will be alright, I hear they treat corrupt ex-officers with great respect in prison. Hopefully the underling’s dance card won’t be too full.\nMaybe the mastermind will send the underling some post cards from his travels around the world, spending the money the underling is in prison for, but I doubt it. I think as soon as the underling is in prison the mastermind will stop taking his call’s and forget about him as no longer being useful.\nIt makes me wonder if the mastermind has something on the underling?\nAnonymous on May 10th, 2013 4:38 pm\nRepairman!\nPlease don’t WANDER into irrelevant, personal, or some non-criminal past…you wouldn’t want anyone “wondering” what kind of a past YOU have “Repaired” from.\nWhere you are heading is not a legal issue and will only throw us off track into the wilderness- it’s unfair and wrong of you to go into such diggings!\nLet Mr. Larson take this baby THE DISTANCE without any irrelevant gossipy sideshows.\nA few observations;\n1. The fact that the Supreme Court decided to hear this case suggests that a number of the judges of that court think that the Court of Appeals made a mistake. If that were not the case the entire court would have merely declined to hear the case, as they usually do in about 98% of the cases.\n2. As a general rule this court will go out of its way to make sure that the public is protected by the laws. What I mean is that this court if it decides to intervene will do so on behalf of of the public, not on behalf of of a criminal defendant. While this Theory is not 100% foolproof it tends to survive the test of time. The fact that the appeal to the Supreme Court was filed by the prosecution suggests that this is probably the case.\n3. While it is understandable that Mr. Larson and the defense would like to portray the prosecution’s position in the\nappeal as being basically ridiculous, an actual reading of the briefs suggests that the Atty. Gen. has a number of legitimate questions and positions for the court to decide. This theory would suggest that the odds are not in favor of the\ndefendants in this appeal.\nNow it could be that this analysis is completely flawed and incorrect. But a historical reading of the California Supreme\nCourt in cases where the prosecution has appealed tend to favor the prosecution in the end.\nAnonymous #6\nI’m not sure where you keep getting the extra “ed” from, but reading some of your ramblings, I chalk it up to cognitive difficulties.\nI think whether or not the mastermind has something to hang over the head of the underling would be vary relevant. The theory is the mastermind has used threats, extortion and, coercion on more than one person, who knows who else?\nAnd as for as shining a light into the shadows , somehow throwing you into the wilderness, Maybe you need a light shined on you.\nAs far as Mr. Larson goes, I think he’s meet his match.\nI’ll let your “lemming” remarks about me pass…because I’d like to believe the “ed” DOES apply- besides we all needed a laugh.\nYou state, “I think whether or not the mastermind has something to hang over the head of the underling would be vary relevant.”\nYes, you would think. However, not in this case!\nThis case is based on the written LAW, no need to go in the gutter looking for past gossip when in the end- and when all is said and done- that will be IRRELEVANT, so please don’t go there.\nYou also claim, “As far as Mr. Larson goes, I think he’s meet his match.”\n>>>>>>>> “the ultimate test of cerebral fitness”\nBut a historical reading of the California Supreme Court in cases where the prosecution has appealed tend to favor the prosecution in the end.”\nDo you mean as in “rubber stamp”- regardless of the defenses presented and lack of proof on the prosecution side?\nAs #1 stated: When you add this all up, you get $165 million spent, and not too much to show for it.\nRepairman on May 11th, 2013 6:34 am\nWhat lemming remarks? Better get your med.s strait.\nlegallyminded on May 11th, 2013 9:59 am\nRepairman:\nIf there is dirt or evidence to support the prosecution it would have come out by now, the investigators have leaked all they have in this case. You and the prosecutors probably should stick to your television and enjoy your Lifetime movies, because most in the legal field already know the ending to this one, and based upon your written opinion you are not going to enjoy this ending.\nObserver of Facts on May 11th, 2013 11:28 am\nAs I recall, the charge that Rex Gutierrez was prosecuted for was running a political operation out of the assessor’s office at taxpayer expense. It seems to me that this is precisely what Mike Ramos is doing: ruining a political operation out of the District Attorneys office at taxpayer expense. Perhaps his day will come as well.\nAs to the “mastermind” using “threats, extortion, and coercion,” what did he use them for? To get far less money than he was entitled to and most likely going to be awarded when the damages phase of the trial took place. Does that make any sense?\n“Like promises that they will be made better then whole, when all is done.”\nOr they could be forced to do so, under threat.\nOr the mastermind decided those people were no longer useful, so no longer needed, and just quit taking their calls.\nThere were no “promises”, no “threats”, nor did the “mastermind” EVER have any control to decide who is “useful” or who is not, who is “needed” and who is not… that’s all make believe gossip and repeated false information to “create” a new twist on a case that had already been handled by the lower courts.\n“If there is dirt or evidence to support the prosecution it would have come out by now” Yea, it has, the grand jury took a look at it and that is why the mastermind is on trial now. I guess you forgot about that, it didn’t end well for him then, and I doubt it end any better for him at trial. Now go give your boss a big butt kissin, and tell him everything is going to be okey-dokey and he’ll be getting off. Ha Ha\nObserver of Facts\nNo I think the “mastermind” using “threats, extortion, and coercion,” was awarded much more than he should have been. Now that makes sense.\nAnd as far as Ramos “ruining a political operation out of the District Attorneys office at taxpayer expense” why don’t you tell someone? hasten his day of reckoning.\nAnonymous #16\nYou have absolutely no idea what was said or done by the mastermind in secret.\nRepairman on May 12th, 2013 10:39 am\nlegallyminded on May 12th, 2013 10:45 am\nYou are all bark no kiss!\nRepairman, you state:\nHmm, and YOU do I suppose!\nlegallyminded,\n“The grand jury’s indictment will be dismissed for a multitude of reasons; ”\nIT MAY BE FAR FETCHED, but would Fruit of the Poisonous Tree doctrine apply here? Especially for the two MAIN witnesses?\nYou know, the one’s pursued and threatened- one in full blown paranoia while high as a kite, the other so painfully stupid and scared he would have confessed to killing anyone if the DA investigators wanted him to.\n” (also known as the Derivative Evidence Doctrine) is a rule in criminal law that makes evidence that was derived from an illegal search, arrest or\n>> INTERROGATION inadmissible.\n“a rule that prohibits, with some exceptions, evidence obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment from being admitted in criminal trial proceedings.\nI have been told there are problems with the initial search warrants in the case due to bad fruit from Aleman, evidently they forgot to mention his plea to the judge that signed them based upon his statements.\nLittle Stevie Wonder on May 12th, 2013 12:10 pm\nThis blind dude subscribes to the SELECTIVE PROSTITUTION theory to the tune of $200M in taxpayer dollars for LEGAL SERVICES FRAUD by DA Mikey, orchestrated by the real politically-motivated MASTERMIND-O-CORRUPTION in San Berdoo doo County and with the Good-old-boy GOP connection to the OC, that government hack Davey-boy Ellis.\nIn the know on May 13th, 2013 8:53 pm\nLegally minded,\nInvestigators failed to disclose Aleman’s arrest and falsification of evidence to a grand jury to a superior court judge, who signed the initial warrants.\nMr. big “A” Anonymous #23\nI have no idea what the mastermind said, never claimed I did. What I said was you have no way of knowing what the mastermind said or did in secret.\nlegallyminded #24\nYou’ve been told? By vary credible sources I’m sure. But their just keeping it secret for now? Only telling people like you? waiting for the perfect time to blow the case wide open, just like Perry Mason?\nYea, good luck with that, Sport.\nIn the know #27\nWhy don’t you and legallyminded go tell somebody who cares, all that you know about about what has happened, and maybe this whole thing will end, finally going away and leaving these poor people alone.\nAnd there were some County Supervisors that thought it was worth nothing.\nThat is where this trail of intrigue starts.\nRepairman on May 17th, 2013 12:23 pm\nI guess that’s where the theory of the Red Hill judges come from.\nI imagine he would be if he could. And you really couldn’t blame him for it.\nLittle Stevie Wonder on May 18th, 2013 1:05 am\nCan’t have SELECTIVE PROSTITUTION W/O CORRUPT JUDGES… wake-up Observer and Repairman and SMELL THE CORRUPTION.\nNo kidding, have you ever read this blog before?","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line952110"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5091583132743835,"wiki_prob":0.5091583132743835,"text":"Undergraduates develop a memory foam attachment for CPAP machines\nBy MEDHA KALLEM | September 21, 2020\nCOURTESY OF MIN JAE KIM\nThe team tested their prototype with a CPR dummy to simulate aerosolization.\nAs the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues, health-care professionals continue to face new challenges. In a time of need, some health-care professionals have suggested using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines in lieu of ventilators to treat seriously ill COVID-19 patients. However, one of the biggest concerns with placing an infected patient on this machine is the aerosolization of viral particles, which can infect others.\nA team of Hopkins undergraduates sought to address this problem when they returned home in March at the beginning of the national health crisis.\nMin Jae Kim, a junior Biomedical Engineering major, put together a team of undergraduates to create a solution for the rapid spread of the virus using CPAP machines.\nKim was joined by juniors Adam Kenet, Ankur Govil and Joshua Ni, who are all Biomedical Engineering majors, as well as Varahunan Mathiyalakan, who is majoring in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.\nFirst, the team conducted preliminary background research for two months regarding COVID-19 and mechanical ventilation. They then reached out to medical professionals at Hopkins, such as Amir Manbachi, an assistant professor of neurosurgery and biomedical engineering, for further advice.\nFor funding, they applied to opportunities offered by Agara Bio, a student-led community biology lab at Hopkins. Since June, the team has been working on developing a device that can minimize the spread of aerosolized viral particles from an infected patient on a CPAP machine.\n“There was one hypothesis that we had that later proved wrong,” Mathiyalakan explained in an interview with The News-Letter. “We initially thought that the main source of leaks was due to [viral particles] escaping through material. Rather, there’s a gap, so the mask isn’t conforming directly to the patient’s face, and that’s where the aerosolized particles are escaping.”\nThe team then combined their initial research and engineering knowledge to design a device to close the gap. They turned to memory foam because it is a pliable, widely accessible material. They created a memory foam attachment for the CPAP mask. The purpose of this attachment is to close the gap between the mask and the patient’s face so that there is no space for the aerosolized viral particles to leak.\nThe team has conducted efficacy tests of their prototype by using LED lights to visualize the viral particles released from a patient’s respiratory tract. This aerosol was simulated with the use of a CPR dummy.\n“We can then test the efficacy of the prototype by applying a CPAP mask with padded-foam on the dummy, and see if we can visualize the release of aerosol particles via these lights,” Kim explained in an email to The News-Letter.\nThe team did not comment on the results of these efficacy tests. However, Kim mentioned the prototype is ready for clinical testing and is awaiting an Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval.\nThe IRB requires a sub-approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for clinical efficiency testing of new devices. The FDA provides an exemption for devices that make a minor change to pre-existing FDA devices utilized for their pre-approved purposes. The team is not yet sure if they qualify for this exemption, but they are working towards submitting their first draft of their IRB. They hope for the application to be approved by October.\nThe team is currently working on designing a new prototype.\n“We realized that our early stage, just memory foam [prototype] probably is not going to work,” Mathiyalakan said in an interview with The News-Letter. “Since then, we’ve refined our concept a little bit. We are still in the design phase, but we’re talking with people from the Center for Bioengineering Design, and we’re thinking of a three-pronged approach.”\nThe three features include a material that conforms to the face, an impermeable material and an adhesive to stick the memory foam attachment onto the mask. The need for an impermeable material is to minimize the amount of aerosol leakage. Although the memory foam prototype conforms to the face to reduce gaps, aerosol can still leak through the foam.\n“We would implement an impermeable yet flexible material resembling film to provide an additional mechanism to fully prevent the aerosol leakage for future prototypes,” Kim wrote in an email to The News-Letter.\nOthers have also attempted to address this issue. A pair of Harvard and Yale professors designed a circuit that is able to filter air breathed in and out by patients on positive airway pressure machines. The Hopkins team believes that their design is more useful because of its simplicity.\n“A memory foam add-on device would be easier for clinicians to adapt into their workflow,” Kenet said in an interview with The News-Letter. “We would just give them the memory foam padding with some adhesive that they can peel off, and they would just be able to attach it onto their CPAP masks directly.”\nTo address the potential spread of viral particles from the exhalation port, the team suggested the use of a filter, but no further information was provided regarding this design.\nThe group is hopeful for their device’s impact in the medical community.\n“It could potentially reach beyond just COVID,” Govil said in an interview with The News-Letter. “This could potentially go beyond just the respiratory issues of COVID but other respiratory diseases as well.”\nErrata: This article originally stated the students received funding from the SNF Agora Institute. They received funding from Agara Bio. The News-Letter regrets this error.\nTags: science-technology\nHopkins barn owl lab faces scrutiny from PETA\nBy BAYLEIGH MURRAY and JENNIFER JIANG | December 15, 2020\nPublic health experts and biostatisticians weigh in on \"COVID-19 Deaths: A Look at U.S. Data\" webinar\nBy TRISHA PARAYIL and BAYLEIGH MURRAY | December 14, 2020\nA list of a few cognitive biases that you may have experienced this year\nBy JESSICA KASAMOTO | December 14, 2020","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line910454"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6180474758148193,"wiki_prob":0.6180474758148193,"text":"Ontarians should expect 'modified' holiday season this year, expert says\nCodi Wilson Web Content Writer, CP24\n@CodiWilson Contact\nPublished Tuesday, October 20, 2020 9:54AM EDT Last Updated Tuesday, October 20, 2020 11:03AM EDT\nTORONTO -- After several months of public health restrictions to slow the spread of COVID-19, provincial officials are still holding out hope that people will be able to gather with their extended families over the holiday season but one infectious diseases expert says Ontarians should prepare to spend Christmas differently this year.\nEarlier this month, officials urged Ontarians only to gather with their household for Thanksgiving as COVID-19 cases continue to climb in the province and on Monday, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health asked residents in Toronto, Peel Region, Ottawa, and York Region to skip trick-or-treating due to high levels of transmission in those communities.\n“My friends, we all know that this isn’t going to be a regular Halloween and the steps we take now will determine what the holiday season looks like this year,” Premier Doug Ford said at a news conference at Queen’s Park on Monday.\n“We need to work together this Halloween to protect Christmas and the holiday season this year.”\nLast month, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also suggested that Canadians still have “a shot at Christmas” if we can bring the number of active cases down, comments that were made just before infections began to spike in the country’s two largest provinces.\nSpeaking to CP24 on Tuesday morning, Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious diseases specialist and researcher at Toronto General Hospital, said he believes some provinces, including Ontario and Quebec, will likely have to impose restrictions on gatherings over the holidays.\n“It is a long fall and a long winter ahead and rates of COVID-19 climbed pretty quickly at the end of August and look where we are at now... based on the trajectory we are seeing now, it would not be surprising to me if we are going to have a modified Christmas and New Year holiday,” he said.\n“I know no one wants to hear that.”\nHe noted that the holidays are still several weeks away and it is possible that cases will decline in the hardest hit regions.\n“Obviously we need good policy. We need businesses and organizations to do the right thing to create safe environments and we need citizens to do the right thing to make the right decisions,” Bogoch said.\n“If we all do our part, we can get case numbers lower and maybe we can have a somewhat… normal holiday season but I think we are going to see some modifications, unfortunately.”\nTrick-or-treating can be done safely: Bogoch\nBogoch was one of a number of people who questioned the province’s decision to cancel trick-or-treating this year in the four regions that have been reverted back to a modified version of Stage 2.\nAt Monday’s news conference, the premier was asked about the province’s logic in keeping patios and dance studios open while at the same time indicating that activities like trick-or-treating are not safe.\nIn a tweet, Bogoch said the decision didn’t “sit right” with him and said the province should be finding ways to “do things safely rather than cancel.”\n“There is a variety of ways that this can be done in a safe manner and I think many people are going to choose to do so,” Bogoch told CP24 on Tuesday.\n“You've heard some medical and health leaders say that this can be done safely... there certainly have been some mixed messages. I do think it is important to adhere to the local public health guidelines and I will be adhering to those but of course there are strategies to do this safely.”\nThe province's top public health doctors have asked people in the four COVID-19 hot spots to spend Halloween with their own household this year and consider activities such as an indoor candy hunt, pumpkin carving, watching movies, and decorating lawns instead of trick-or-treating.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1474449"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5857805013656616,"wiki_prob":0.5857805013656616,"text":"States With the Most Heavily Enforced Traffic Laws\nPromoted by Insurify\nIn the summer, roads are not as congested during rush hour as they are from fall to spring. Yet, the volume of traffic actually increases — by nearly 8 percent, or 21 billion vehicle miles — from June to August, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. People across the country take advantage of the warm weather during summer for outdoor activities or for travel.\nIt may be surprising to learn that this year’s unique circumstances have actually increased traffic volume on America’s roads past usual levels. This is because many who are wary of public transportation due to COVID-19 have opted instead to drive. In fact, according to Apple Maps’ Mobility Trends Reports, June has seen driving rise thirty-four percent above baseline levels in January. Taking seasonality into account, Americans are still driving significantly more than usual this month than they have in previous years. At the same time, the use of public transportation remains low in the United States, hovering around forty-eight percent below baseline.\nWith traffic at an all-time high in the United States, respecting driving laws is paramount to maintain road safety. And in states where policing is especially strict, doing so eliminates the risk of a traffic ticket; law enforcement on the roads varies by state, as officers in some states may be more inclined to give a ticket than a warning.\nCurious to identify where traffic policing is heaviest in America, the data scientists at Insurify turned to their database and ranked each state based on its share of drivers with a traffic infraction on their record. Without further ado, here are the ten states with the most heavily-enforced traffic laws, where drivers should remember to be on their best behavior this summer.\nNational and regional averages. Across all states, 22.45 percent of drivers have one or more traffic infractions on their record (including an at-fault accident). And while there is greater variation among individual states, no one region is host to significantly heavier traffic enforcement than others. Specifically, traffic enforcement in the four Census Bureau-designated regions falls closely around the national average; 23.85, 23.33, 21.87, and 21.53 percent of drivers in the Midwest, West, South, and Northeast, respectively, have one or more traffic infractions on their record.\nAmerica’s speed demons. The most common traffic infraction in all states is speeding, and 10.59 percent of all drivers in the United States have this infraction on their record. And as navigation systems with user-submitted information on police officer locations and speed traps become more ubiquitous, an increasing number of drivers may be tempted to speed where they know they can get away with it. What implications does this have for road safety?\nMore police officers, more enforcement of traffic laws? Not according to the data. Using data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics and the FBI, Insurify’s data scientists calculated the calculation between the density of police officers in each state and rates of these traffic infractions by state. Namely, they found that states with a high proportion of traffic infractions do not have a correspondingly high density of police officers, either in terms of police officers to drivers, or in terms of police officers to total miles of road.\nThe data science team at Insurify referred to their database of over 2.5 million car insurance applications, to determine the states with the most heavily-enforced traffic laws. In order to apply for car insurance, drivers disclose personal and vehicle information, including whether they have accumulated any at-fault accidents or traffic infractions on their record. Drivers also list their state of residence. The most common moving violations, including DUIs, speeding, reckless driving, failure to stop infractions, and at-fault accidents, were included in the analysis. At-fault accidents were included in this analysis, as police reports play a highly influential role in determining whether either driver (or both) is at fault in an accident. The proportion of drivers with one or more of these infractions on their record was calculated for each state.\nThe number of licensed drivers per state, police officers per state, and traffic fatality data come from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s latest Uniform Crime Reporting statistics, and the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, respectively. For each state, the density of police officers per state was calculated by dividing the number of police officers by the number of licensed drivers.\nStates with the Most Heavily-Enforced Traffic Laws\n10. Idaho\nPercentage of drivers with any prior incident: 27.73% (1.24 times the national average)\nDensity of police officers: 26 per 10,000 drivers\nKicking off the countdown is Idaho, which ranks tenth in the nation for the most heavily-enforced traffic laws. The Gem State also has the tenth-highest rates of DUIs in the nation and the ninth-highest rates of speeding. Idaho is also adopting a new driving law: beginning July 1, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with an electronic device in hand, and drivers risk a $75 fine for a first-time offense. To allow drivers time to adjust to this new law, officers will issue warnings until December 31.\n9. Colorado\nColorado ranks ninth in the nation for the most heavily-enforced traffic laws. And, despite Colorado’s many mountain roads leading to treacherous driving conditions, drivers continue to speed: Colorado has the eighth-highest share of speeding tickets in the nation. Law enforcement in The Centennial State also has been vigorously battling DUIs via The Heat Is On Campaign. Aiming to reduce drunk driving, crashes, and related injuries and fatalities, The Heat Is On is conducted throughout the year in Colorado, with major enforcements during holiday periods.\nDriving in South Carolina is more dangerous than in any other state, so we weren’t surprised to find it ranking on this list. The Palmetto State has the highest rate of traffic fatalities per million miles traveled, according to the NHTSA’s Traffic Safety report. Clearly, law enforcement has been cracking down on misbehaving drivers. Additionally, out of all other states, South Carolina has the sixth-highest share of at-fault accidents and the fourth-highest share of speeding tickets per driver.\n7. North Dakota\nNorth Dakota ranks seventh on this list, but it also has the second-highest share of DUI citations and sixth-highest share of speeding tickets in the nation. North Dakota doesn’t rely only on ticketing to discourage unlawful driving behaviors. In fact, The Peace Garden State recently concluded its fifth annual Share the Road Safety Week, during which residents are encouraged to celebrate safe bicycling and walking on North Dakota roadways and to educate themselves and others about safe driving practices.\nSixth in the nation for the most heavily-enforced traffic laws, Nebraska also has the eighth-highest rates of DUIs and at-fault accidents in the United States, and the 10th-highest for speeding. Drivers in Nebraska, in particular, should exercise caution this summer, as the state has experienced one of the greatest increases in driving since baseline levels in January, according to Apple Mobility Trends data. As of the beginning of July, driving is up a whopping 81 percent and shows no sign of decreasing as COVID-19 restrictions loosen in the state.\nWyoming rounds out the top five states in the nation with the most heavily-enforced traffic laws. Like Nebraska, Wyoming’s drivers also have three other dubious distinctions under their belts: drivers in the Cowboy State have the highest share of DUIs, the seventh-highest share of speeding tickets, and the eighth-highest share of red light violations in the nation.\n4. Wisconsin\nWisconsin ranks within the top five states in the nation with the most heavily-enforced traffic laws. Law enforcement in the Badger State takes road safety seriously, and this state also has the fifth-highest citation rate for speeding and for DUIs. Drivers in Wisconsin should exercise extra caution this summer; as of the beginning of July, driving in Wisconsin is 76 percent above January’s baseline levels, according to Apple Maps’ Mobility Trends report, and it continues to trend upwards.\nWith 32 percent more drivers with a prior incident on their record than the national average, Iowa ranks third in the United States for the most heavily-enforced traffic laws. Drivers in Iowa are handed speeding tickets 66 percent more frequently than average, landing The Hawkeye State state in third place for the highest share of speeders. Yet despite Iowa’s heavy policing of law-breaking drivers, recent reports suggest that speeders in Iowa have been reaching all-time highs during the pandemic. Many have taken advantage of the open roads, reaching speeds above 125 miles per hour, according to law officials in the state.\n2. Virginia\nVirginia ranks second in the nation for the most heavily-enforced traffic laws. Like Iowa, law enforcement in Virginia has cracked down hard on drivers with a lead foot. The Old Dominion has the second-highest citation rate for speeding in the nation — 67 percent higher than the national average — where many drivers are caught in the state’s notorious speed traps on interstate highways near Richmond. Running reds isn’t taken lightly in Virginia, either, as the drivers in this state have the ninth-highest share of red light violations in the nation.\n1. Ohio\nOhio may have the lowest ratio of officers to drivers, but this state ranks number one for the most heavily-enforced traffic laws in the nation. The Buckeye State also ranks first in the nation for speeding, with 69 percent more speeders on its roads than the national average. Drivers with an at-fault accident on their record are also more common in this state than in others, as Ohio ranks seventh in the nation for this offense.\nIf you have questions or comments about this article, please contact insights@insurify.com.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1318146"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6331417560577393,"wiki_prob":0.36685824394226074,"text":"Past and Present Presidents\nThe Annual William Willetts Lecture\nOur 2019 AGM\nThe Ceramics of Southeast Asia\nCAMBODIAN CERAMICS\nMYANMAR CERAMICS\nTHAI CERAMICS\nVIETNAMESE CERAMICS\nCERAMICS OF THE MALAY WORLD\nSEA Ceramic Periods of Production\nClay Basics\nA Glossary of Southeast Asian Ceramic Terms\nCERAMIC STORIES\nSEACS Publications\nSEACS Publications: Books\nPublications: Articles & Translations\nPreviously Published Articles by our Members & Friends\nWhat is clay?\nClay is a natural product dug from the earth, which has decomposed from rock within the earth’s crust for millions of years. Decomposition occurs when water erodes the rock, breaks it down, and deposits the eroded particles. The particle size of these minerals is extremely small.\nBecause it is dependent on the type of rock that it decomposes from, clay is specific to a geographic area. Hence, different types of clays, each with its own particularities, are found in different areas of the world.\nClay can come in a wide spectrum of colours, from white, to red to black, and many colours in between.\nTwo properties of clay\nClay differs from the inelastic earths and fine sand because of its ability, when wet with the proper amount of water, to form a cohesive mass and to retain its shape when moulded. This quality is known as clay’s plasticity.\nA second property of clay is that of shrinkage and rigidity when air-dried or heated. The more water clay holds, the more it will shrink when it dries. To prevent excessive shrinkage which will deform a finished piece, a potter can add in small quantities of materials that do not absorb water to the clay, such as feldspar or flint, called additives.\nWhat are additives used for?\nDifferent types of additives lend different qualities to the clay. Different types of clay can also be mixed together. Ingredients may be added to aid plasticity, change its fired coloration, or to lower or raise the firing temperature. To make the clay materials fuse better, a flux may be added. A common flux agent is wood ash, which was also used extensively in Cambodian and Thai pottery as glazing.\nSometimes potters also use clay that has already been fired and then ground up to add to their mixture. This type of substance is called grog. Grog can be used to add colour to a piece as well, as can flakes of rust or adding chemicals such as manganese dioxide.\nThe clay and additives are then mixed thoroughly together with water to form a liquid mud, called slop. Once the ingredients are sufficiently blended, the slop must be air dried, so that excess moisture may evaporate, otherwise the clay will not have enough consistency to be shaped.\nThe resulting compound is the clay body, although we generally use the term clay to describe this composite material that is used to make pottery.\nA third property of clay\nA third characteristic of clay is that when heated to high temperatures, it partially melts, resulting in the tight, hard substance known as ceramic material. The higher the temperatures, the harder the clay becomes, depending on the type of clay used. Firing also changes the colour of the clay and makes it less porous. Thus, both the type of clay used, and the firing processes, will influence the look and properties of a finished piece.\nPottery, therefore, is not made only from raw clay but a mixture of clay and other materials.\nDe-airing before shaping\nBefore a lump of clay can be fashioned into a ceramic object, another step of preparation is needed: clay has to be de-aired to remove any air trapped within it, as air bubbles in the clay can cause cracks in the final product when it is fired. This is because the trapped air will expand in the hot kiln atmosphere and sometimes even cause the object to explode in the kiln, destroying other objects in the process.\nNowadays, a machine called a vacuum pug mill can be used, but in earlier times (and still used by craft potters), a potter had to wedge it by hand. This just means kneading the clay in different directions to push out the air bubbles. Wedging can also help to ensure an even moisture content throughout the body. There are modern methods of wedging, but it is safe to say that the technique of kneading clay has probably remained the same for millennia. Only after all this is done can the clay be shaped into a desired object.\nPottery: both an art and a science\nPottery-making is a long process. In modern society, clay is readily bought and ceramics can be mass produced. But imagine when potters had to dig their own clay from the banks of the river, remove the minuscule impurities from it, mix it with various ingredients that they had to collect themselves, fashion an object from the resulting clay compound, monitor the drying process, fabricate their own glazes, construct their own firing chambers (kilns), gather their own firewood and even sell their own products.\nLittle wonder then that the objects that have passed through the ages now command such respect from us; respect for their art and craft, for those anonymous, ancient potters, of whom we know so little.\nThe World's oldest known pottery\nThe world’s oldest known pottery was found in Xianrendong in southern China in 2012. “Pottery making introduces a fundamental shift in human dietary history, and Xianrendong demonstrates that hunter-gatherers in East Asia used pottery for some 10,000 years before they became sedentary or began cultivating plants.” Read the story of its discovery here.\n©2021 Southeast Asian Ceramic Society (SEACS)","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line592435"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7885810136795044,"wiki_prob":0.7885810136795044,"text":"Apple unveils AirPower charging mat to charge your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods at once\nAnna Hensel@ahhensel\t September 12, 2017 12:18 PM\nAirPower was unveiled on September 12, 2017 and expected to ship in 2018. It disappeared from Apple's web site in September 2018, and Apple stopped commenting on its status.\nImage Credit: Apple\nAs Apple moves toward a wireless charging future, the company has announced that it will be developing a mat to charge multiple Apple devices at once — called the AirPower.\nApple revealed the news on Tuesday at its annual keynote event, after revealing that the upcoming iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X would all have wireless charging capabilities, as expected. The Apple Watch has always had wireless charging.\nUsers will also be able to charge AirPods on the AirPower, using what Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing Phil Schiller called an optional wireless charging case. The AirPods’ current case doesn’t provide wireless charging capabilities, and it’s unclear when Apple plans to launch the wireless charging case.\nApple also announced that the AirPower charging mat will be coming in 2018, but didn’t give a specific date.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line532699"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5924307703971863,"wiki_prob":0.5924307703971863,"text":"The colonial enterprise hard-baked violence in Nigeria: how it can be fixed\nOctober 19, 2020 11.05am EDT\nBenjamin Maiangwa, University of Manitoba\nBenjamin Maiangwa\nInstructor, University of Manitoba\nBenjamin Maiangwa does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.\nUniversity of Manitoba provides funding as a founding partner of The Conversation CA.\nUniversity of Manitoba provides funding as a member of The Conversation CA-FR.\nThe favoured approach to understanding colonial rule, particularly in Africa, is through the prism of political governance – how the colonial authority was imposed through local or native authorities.\nIn our paper on Nigeria’s colonial history, we apply a different lens. We focus rather on British colonial rule through imperial companies. We argue that the British colonist did not conceive of or organise “Nigeria” as a “nation”. Rather it was administered as a business enterprise in which the Crown depended on companies to “govern” its Nigerian colonies.\nThe most prominent of these companies was the Royal Niger Company which succeeded the United Africa Company in 1886. It was based mainly in southern Nigeria, but expanded to the northern territories. The company traded in tropical foods and industrial goods. And it established both commercial and governing rights over the territories of the Niger area. It also built a military force to ensure its survival and control of the area.\nThis business approach of the colonialists existed elsewhere too. For example, the historian William Dalrymple has looked at Britain’s colonisation of Asia through the lens of the East India company. Another historian, Philip J Stern, examined how the East India Company acted like a state and controlled the political, economic and social life of the people of India.\nUnderstanding the use of companies to secure and govern the captured colonies is a departure from the argument that indirect rule in Nigeria started with a pronouncement by Governor Frederick Lugard in the early twentieth century. As the Governor of the Northern and Southern protectorates, Lord Frederick Lugard consolidated the two colonies and created Nigeria in 1914. The colonies were administered indirectly through local chiefs.\nWe argue that the process of indirect rule actually began with the granting of charter rights to companies like the Royal Niger Company.\nThe fact that the colonial system in what was to become Nigeria, as elsewhere, was essentially a commercial expedition meant that the outcome was the creation of corporate entities rather than nation states. Consequently, the Nigeria of today is more or less an industrial project rather than a community of people with legitimate rights to determine their own local affairs.\nIn essence, the Nigerian people and their land were imagined not as people with rights to exist and function as a community or even nations. They were imagined as corporate money making entities whose bodies were enslaved and lands plundered. This system created a problem of unification in the “post-British” era.\nThe fact that companies drove the colonial process had a number of other consequences. Among them was that it made organised violence and the commodification of people and their socio-political systems possible.\nIn our view, this history lies at the roots of most conflicts in the post-independence era. And redressing the wrongs of the past hinges on understanding present day Nigeria, not as a nation, but as a corporate entity. Arguably, this knowledge can be useful in creating a new workable reality in Nigeria. This could be based either on the idea of nationhood, or at least, on some form of inclusive governance at the local level. This, in turn, could lay the ground for a system of peacebuilding and societal restructuring based on the legitimate goals and agency of all the groups involved.\nThe post independence nationalists’ leaders mainly supervised the transition of a corporate machine set up by Britain. Successive leaders continued to treat Nigerians as the workforce of the industrial project. They failed to realise and respect the Nigerian people as legitimate entities with fundamental rights to live and thrive with the resources available to them in their communities.\nA company state produced by violence can only further yield violent returns. The military coups that followed after independence were clearly attempts at capturing or seizing the industrial state. The Nigeria-Biafra war and the ongoing terrorism of Boko Haram and the Niger Delta militancy are further pointers to the consequences of the colonial enterprise. The Niger Delta people have been emasculated by successive Nigerian leaders and multinational corporations and left to their own devices. This despite living in one of the most resource-rich places in the world. Their militancy or insurgency is merely a symptom of corporate environmental irresponsibility and degradation.\nOther similar groups in the country, left with few livelihood options, are egged on by the idea of Nigeria as a “corporate cake” in which they ought to also seize their share. These include gun-wielding kidnappers and marauders.\nThen there are corrupt and lawless politicians. They spearhead a structure of police and military brutality, poor healthcare, abuse of power, poverty and unemployment. They also pursue extractive oil deals with their foreign benefactors, and a systemic discrimination of “outsiders” – those for whom the “corporate cake” was not baked.\nRead more: Why disbanding the notorious anti-robbery squad won't stop bad policing in Nigeria\nWithin such a dishevelled system, it is not surprising that elections turn violent or brutal as opposing groups jostle for the capture of the company-state.\nWe propose a system of peace building and societal restructuring based on the legitimate goals and agency of all parties involved. The Norwegian sociologist Johan Galtung described this kind of peace building as one that legitimises the affected parties as agents in their own right. They are therefore able to identify their needs and goals and work through their contradictions and differences without calling in outside experts. This mode of peace building – or conflict transformation – places enormous power and responsibility on the people affected by social injustices and violence.\nThe #EndSARS protests gaining momentum in Nigeria may be a step in the direction of social change led by young people concerned about the structural and direct violence of the corporate state in Nigeria.\nCritical and emancipatory peace building holds enormous potential for rethinking the terms of violent relations in Nigeria. This rethinking would entail a serious mental effort of self criticism and appraisal. In this process the notions and practice of citizenship, leadership, and nationhood would assume their real meaning and importance.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1089777"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9880548119544983,"wiki_prob":0.9880548119544983,"text":"Wayne Cochran, ’60s rhythm-and-blues showman, dies at 78\nFlamboyant soul singer Wayne Cochran poses for a publicity shot circa the mid-1960s in Miami. Credit: Getty Images / Michael Ochs Archives\nBy The Washington Post Updated November 26, 2017 10:30 PM\nFor a few years in the 1960s and 1970s, one of the music world’s most extraordinary showmen was a Georgia-born rhythm-and-blues singer named Wayne Cochran. Inspired by the vocal styles of soul superstars Otis Redding and James Brown, he was once billed as the “White Knight of Soul.”\nWith his gravelly voice, gravity-defying hairstyle and outrageously dynamic performances, Mr. Cochran became a cult favorite and was an influence on Elvis Presley. He had an unforgettable stage presence that led entertainer Jackie Gleason to call him “the wildest guy I’ve ever seen in my life.”\nCochran died Nov. 21 at his home in Miramar, Florida. He was 78.\nThe cause was cancer, said a grandson, Jason Cochran.\nCochran began his career in the 1950s, singing country and rockabilly music and writing songs. One of his tunes, “Last Kiss,” became a major hit for two other groups, 35 years apart.\nIn the 1960s, he was a headliner in Las Vegas and appeared on national television and at the Apollo theater in Harlem. He recorded several albums and was sometimes proclaimed “the King of Blue-Eyed Soul” and “the white James Brown,” after whom he patterned much of his stage style.\nWriting for the website Allmusic.com, musician Steve Leggett called Mr. Cochran “one of the true unsung heroes of rock & roll.”\nHis band, the C.C. Riders, included backup singers and a blazing horn section, all performing slick, choreographed moves. His shows had no stopping point: The band kept vamping from one song to the next, as the music and audience reached a point of frenzy.\nIn Las Vegas, where he once made $14,000 a week, Cochran began wearing custom-designed capes and rhinestone-studded jumpsuits — a style later picked up by Presley, who also borrowed some of Mr. Cochran’s songs.\nCochran’s records never became big hits, and life on the road took its toll. Drugs and marital problems left Cochran in despair and, by his own account, he once held a gun to his head, ready to pull the trigger.\n“I had had everything,” he said in 1997. “I had gone from nothing to everything and was heading back to nothing.”\nExcept for occasional stage or television appearances, Mr. Cochran largely abandoned his music career at 40 and turned to preaching. For the rest of his life, he was the born-again pastor of the Voice of Jesus ministry near Miami, which featured Bible readings, shouts of hallelujah and a state-of-the-art sound system, for whenever Cochran felt the urge to sing.\nBy The Washington Post\n1:41 WATCH NOW LI's Future: See what life may look like in 100 years\n1:15 WATCH NOW LIers hopeful Biden's vaccine plan will work\nAssembly GOP: Shift development money to disaster recovery","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line762462"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8673074841499329,"wiki_prob":0.8673074841499329,"text":"Ferebyrne History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms\nThe Anglo-Saxon name Ferebyrne comes from its first bearer, who was a person with attractive, youthful looks, or someone who was noted as having been a beautiful child. The surname Ferebyrne is derived from the Old English words fair, which means lovely, and bearn, which means child. However, the name Ferebyrne may also be a local surname applied to someone from the settlement of Fairbourne in Kent or Fairburn in the West Riding of Yorkshire. In this case, Ferebyrne belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.\nEarly Origins of the Ferebyrne family\nThe surname Ferebyrne was first found in North Yorkshire at Fairburn, a small village and civil parish in the Selby district that dates back to before the Domesday Book when it was listed as Fareburne c. 1030. A few years later in 1086, the Domesday Book lists the placename as Fareburne [1] and literally meant \"stream where ferns grow,\" having derived from the Old English fearn + burna. [2]\nSome of the first records of the family were Augustin and Robert Fayr(e)barn(e) who were listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Yorkshire in 1297. [3]\nBy the time of the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379, spellings were quite varied: Johannes Fayrebame; Willelmus Fairebarn; and Robertus Fayrebarne were all listed there at that time as holding lands. [4]\nIn Scotland, the name literally means \"beautiful child\" [5] and the first record of the family was \"Stephen Fairburn, burgess of Berwick on Tweed, [who] held the hostelry of the abbot and convent of Arbroath in Dundee c. 1327.\" [6]\nEarly History of the Ferebyrne family\nThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ferebyrne research. Another 166 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1297, 1327, 1644, 1680, 1742, 1685, 1686, 1688, 1690, 1692 and 1693 are included under the topic Early Ferebyrne History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.\nFerebyrne Spelling Variations\nThe first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Ferebyrne has been spelled many different ways, including Fairbairn, Fairbairns, Fairbarn, Fairborn, Fairborne and many more.\nEarly Notables of the Ferebyrne family (pre 1700)\nNotables of the family at this time include Sir Andrew Fairbairn; and Sir Palmes Fairborne (1644-1680), an English soldier and Governor of Tangier. He was \"the son of Colonel Stafford Fairborne of Newark, and probably related to the Yorkshire family of that name.\" [7] Sir Stafford Fairborne (d. 1742), was Admiral of the fleet and the eldest son of Sir Palmes Fairborne. \"In June 1685 Stafford was lieutenant of the Bonadventure at Tangiers, and during the illness of his captain commanded the ship in a successful encounter with some Sallee vessels at Mamora. On 12 July 1686 he was...\nAnother 98 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ferebyrne Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.\nMigration of the Ferebyrne family\nThousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Ferebyrnes to arrive in North America: Robert Fairbarn landed in 1763. William Fairbarn joined many of his fellow Fairbarns when he purchased land in Philadelphia in 1835.\nSubsidy Rolls\nThe Ferebyrne Motto +\nMotto: Nec cede arduis\nMotto Translation: Not high yield\n^ Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)\n^ Sims, Clifford Stanley The Origin and Signification of Scottish Surnames. 1862. Print.\nFerebyrne (English)","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line880352"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7843419313430786,"wiki_prob":0.7843419313430786,"text":"7 Badass TV Moms Who Run It Like a Boss\nJune 21, 2020 June 21, 2020 / Parenting / By Andrew Kreeger\nOver the past several years, we’ve seen an explosion of more complex characters being explored on the small screen. Imparticular, TV moms are thriving and their stories have gotten grander, bolder, and more complicated than dated storylines solely about domestic life. We all know that mom’s kick ass. Edie Falco‘s performance as Carmela in The Sopranos was one of the pioneers who carved out this space in TV dramas. Her character was tough as nails and felt closer to the actually lived experiences of many families whose matriarchs hold it all together even though flaws exist.\nA few years later when Desperate Housewives premiered in 2004, the show felt subversive in all the right ways. The show featured juicier, more unconventional roles for women than many of us were accustomed to seeing on broadcast television. Ever since then, TV has been the place to see moms as more robust and three-dimensional characters. We love a badass mom! Here are 7 of our favorite TV moms who continued to break the mold over the last several years.\nLady Olenna – Game of Thrones\nLove it or hate it, there was no denying that Lady Olenna from Game of Thrones was one of the smoothest and most ruthless political actors from the entire series. She fought for her children and their legacy at every turn including devising elaborate assassination plots, getting a seat at every table, and just telling it like it is. Cheers to this amazing TV mom who gave us more zingers than any other on the show.\nAlicia Florrick – The Good Wife\nAfter her husband, the state’s attorney is caught up in a sex/corruption scandal, Alicia Florrick is forced to return to practicing law to provide for her family. What ensues is a personal revolution that sees Alicia transform from being a “good wife” into one of the most powerful attornies in the city of Chicago. While she might not plot a poisoning like Lady Olenna, Alicia’s dedication as a parent and intrepidity as a lawyer prove that she definitely earns a spot on this list.\nRainbow Johnson – Black-ish\nBlack-ish is an extremely funny comedy, but every episode delivers a message about the joys and difficulties of parenting in modern America as a Black family. For Bow, who raises and captains the entire family, she’s got even more to contend with outside the home as an anesthesiologist. Her fierce loyalty to her family and her ability to always handle hard situations with wisdom is truly remarkable. We love this badass mom.\nCatherine Cawood – Happy Valley\nWoo! Happy Valley is one of the most intense crime dramas we’ve ever seen. The protagonist, Catherine Cawood is a police sergeant who stumbles into a crime with implications for her own dysfunctional family. This tough cop literally kicks butt and will stop at nothing to ensure the safety of her orphaned grandson. Although she cannot always put into words how deeply she feels for members of her family, her actions speak louder.\nMaeve Millay – Westworld\nWestworld, for all of its production valley and beautiful imagery, is often completely unhinged with various plot holes and complications that make it very hard to follow. However, Maeve’s devotion to her daughter is a constant that anchors the first seasons of the show. Maeve might be a robot, but she uses her machinery to her advantage to transcend the limitations of a human body. The character dismantles an entire power structure by orchestrating a robot uprising to ensure the safety and wellbeing of her child. She proves that even robot moms will stop at nothing for their children.\nAngela Abar – Watchmen\nWe were pleasantly surprised by HBO’s Watchmen when it premiered last Fall. It features one of the most badass characters ever written: Angela Abar AKA Sister Knight. After becoming a police officer in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Angela and her partner were attacked in a massacre by a vigilante group. Her partner and his wife die as a result. Angela takes it upon herself to adopt his two orphaned children and raises them as her own. She kicks butt left and right! When she’s not unraveling a very knotty mystery. we are treated to tender moments of her with her kids, expertly explaining the realities of this world.\nYOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Comparing the 10 Worst TV Character Moms with the Actresses Who Portrayed Them\nElizabeth Jennings – The Americans\nElizabeth Jennings’s relationship with her daughter, Paige has tremendous highs and lows over the course of the show’s six-season run. Elizabeth is a Russian spy, posing as an American whose missions often put her odds with her Americanized children. And boy, can she rock a disguise! Elizabeth rarely loses sight of a mission which makes it hard for her to convey her deeper feelings to Paige until Paige is an adult herself. Elizabeth Jennings is one of the greatest spy characters ever put on screen.\nAndrew Kreeger\nChicago based writer who enjoys finding the best of the internet. Cheese and crackers are a mood.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1475604"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8877071142196655,"wiki_prob":0.8877071142196655,"text":"Beverly Erschell – Internationally Known Painter Located in Northern Kentucky\nJune 25th, 2014\t| Published in * | 2 Comments\nby Laura A. Hobson\nA visitor winds her way off interstate roads to reach artist Beverly Erschell’s home, tucked away in a house overlooking the Ohio River in Northern Kentucky. There, Erschell, 79, paints in a home studio. “All my paintings are discoveries,” she said. “I paint to learn.” Her preferred medium is oils, but she has also worked in transparent watercolor and acrylics. “Painting has no purpose other than to transport a person from one world to another. I’m not making a political or moral statement in my painting,” Erschell commented.\nAt an early age, she discovered art. Attending Miss Doherty’s (now part of Seven Hills School) for seventh and eighth grades, she wanted to go to a coed high school and graduated from Highland Heights High School in Kentucky. “There, the only thing I did well was art. I’ve always been an artist. It was a punishment to read,” she said.\nErschell – View of Cincinnati from Newport\nBy 17 she enrolled in Stephens College in Missouri to study fine art. After she received her associate’s degree from that college, she obtained her bachelor of fine arts in 1969 and master of fine arts in 1971 from the Design, Art and Architecture College of University of Cincinnati. This training she put immediately to use by teaching part-time at the Art Academy of Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky University and UC. Her subjects included art history, painting, art appreciation and drawing.\nInspired by such teachers as UC professor Martin Tucker, who taught painting with an emphasis on self-expression, and local artist Robert Fabe, who taught tempura at UC, she also found ideas in her trips to Europe as well as from scenes of Cincinnati. Arthur Louis Helwig (1899 – 1976), instructor at the Art Academy of Cincinnati, gave her a background in painting, particularly value, i.e., an element of art which refers to the lightness or darkness of color. Erschell said a sense of drama in a painting can be intensified by more contrasting values.\nErschell – I Don’t Know Why the Caged Bird Sings\nAcademic life wasn’t for her she decided at an early age and after a bout with cancer, treated successfully. She rented a studio in Newport in the early 1970’s and began her professional life. In 1971, Erschell took a picture to Miller Gallery on Hyde Park Square. She sold it in a week. Thus began a partnership of over 30 years.\nOther galleries where she exhibited include the Rosenbaum Contemporary Gallery run by director Armand Bolling in Boca Raton, Florida and the Marin-Price Gallery headed by Francisco Marin-Price in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Closer to home, she showed at the Malton Gallery on Edwards Road. Later, she began exhibiting her pieces in regional juried art shows at such national recognized art museums as the Contemporary Arts Center and The Dayton Art Institute. Dianneand her now deceased husband Jay Dunkelman donated one of Erschell’s painting to the permanent collection of the Cincinnati Art Museum, which began Erschell’s association with the museum. After the contribution, Erschell attended CAM sales, got to know the CAM staff and eventually brought in prints, cards and ornaments to sell at the gift shop.\nNationally known, she has also exhibited in New York City and Dallas, Texas. Her work is represented in private and corporate collections including Procter & Gamble, Cincinnati Financial, Frisch’s and Cincinnati Bell. Eisele Gallery of Fine Art represents her in Cincinnati with eight pieces currently shown there. Selling over 1,000 paintings in her career, Erschell also has cards and prints for sale at the Cincinnati Museum Center and Fabulous Frames on Fourth St.\nWhat contributes to her success is her longevity in the field, according to Erschell. She said she paints what other people enjoy. “I had great advisors and gallery dealers,” who helped guide her way. “People love to help,” she said. “I work hard and do whatever comes along.” Advice she gives to up and coming artists is to work as hard as you can. “I learned to say yes with anything that comes in. I was not a teacher; I would rather grab a brush. I am a studio artist,” she said,\nNow returning artistically to interiors from Cincinnati scenes, Erschell is rejuvenated by watching Alfred Hitchcock movies, which take her to the realm of tension, mystery and suspense. Currently, she has on her easel a challenging, commissioned piece of the ocean in North Carolina. In addition, she wrote and illustrated “The Lucky Greyhound,” a story of her dog, Maple, in 2013.\n“Modern artists who have influenced my work include David Hockney and Marsden Hartley,” said Erschell. British artist Hockney (1937-1963) who painted using vibrant colors, became an influential force in the 20th century. “I liked the way Hockney has the figures and negative space,” she said. American painter Hartley (1877-1943) influenced her with his clear lines and undecorated style.\nHer work is often brightly colored, reminding the viewer of Henri Matisse, a French artist (1869 – 1954). When she is stymied artistically, she goes to the masters. In Matisse, she finds bright color and dramatic composition. Additionally, Erschell looked at Impressionist and post-Impressionist works in particular. Van Gogh and Gauguin are obvious influences, while Matisse’s spaces are key influence on her interiors. Her work with interiors inside a room with a balcony on the outside are a reflection of Matisse in the 1930’s.\nTaking photographs and drawings of subjects, Erschell would bring home her ideas and put them to work on canvas. She loved the water; its transparency as a device for depth. It took her back to Mirror Lake at Ryland Lakes Country Club, south of Covington, near where she grew up. “Water has a mystery for me.”\nSome oil paintings take months to develop. Two recent unreleased paintings accompany this article. One is “The View of Cincinnati from Newport,” which depicts a Cincinnati urbanscape and the other is “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” (title taken after the book written by Dr. Maya Angelou in 1970), which captures her interest in interiors. She emphasizes strong color, fluid line and spontaneity.\nThe Art of Beverly Erschell by Sue Ann Painter published in 2009 brings together representative examples of the artist’s paintings and works on paper over four decades. In the preface, Cincinnati Art Museum Director Aaron Betsky said, “Beverly Erschell has a way of bringing out the joy of painting. Her work is always full of the sensual pleasures of everyday life, the beauties of landscape and the strength of form as the artist observes it.”\n“In Erschell’s work we encounter the liberation of color, the reduction of space and form, a tendency toward abstraction and spontaneous brushwork. She frequently combines landscape, still life and portraiture into a single painting,” said Phillip Long, director emeritus, Taft Museum of Art.\n“The pictures are all puzzles for me; and I try to solve them,” she said.\nTo return to the community which has embraced her and her work, she established the Beverly Helmbold Scholarship Foundation at the University of Cincinnati. UC officials asked Erschell if she wanted the money to go to students with talent or need. Her reply was talent. The foundation is designed to help graduate students in fine art. She started with $25,000 and adds money to it every year. A worthy student receives $1,000 for tuition each year.\n“There’s not as much government funding now,” she said. “Some (students) can go to college if there’s an endowment there,” said Erschell. “I did enough teaching to realize the importance of an education. You have to be tough today to go out and deal with the galleries and museums. It’s a tough world out there,” she added.\nErschell is married to Fritz, a retired funeral director at Dobbling, Muehlenkamp Erschell with locations in several Northern Kentucky towns. They have two children, Barbara Sweet and Viktoria Grimme, and seven grandchildren.\nErschell has built a successful career: one step at a time.\nJudy Greene says:\nJuly 8th, 2014at 9:26 am(#)\nI was immediately drawn to Beverly’s art and talent and her warm fun personality is contagious. This artist’s work makes one smile and brings a room to life. I have Beverly’s art displayed in my home along with her book The Art Of Beverly Erschell. Beverly is a true treasure. An artist that I have had the pleasure to know and love.\nBarbee Yung Carson says:\nJuly 9th, 2014at 10:45 am(#)\nI fell in love with City Scapes and some of Beverly’s earlier paintings I have always been a fan of hers. Her paintings are beautiful.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1540749"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8598411679267883,"wiki_prob":0.8598411679267883,"text":"This road in Lincolnshire has been dubbed one of the most dangerous in the UK\nAn entire family were killed there in 2013 and it has recently taken the lives of others too\nHolly O'Flinn\nA road where a number of serious and fatal crashes have taken place has been dubbed one of the most dangerous roads in the UK.\nThe A18 - from its junction with the A46 near Laceby and its junction with the A16 near Ludborough in East Lindsey - was named in the top ten.\nThe notoriously dangerous 15km stretch of road has recently seen the death of motorcyclist Alan Critchley.\nPolice have since called for the junction to be modified after he suffered fatal injuries between Barton Street and Lincoln Gate in Ludborough on May 31.\nAlan Critchley died after his motorbike collided with a Renault Clio on the A18 at Ludborough\nCoroner calls for action to make junction safer after motorcyclist dies in crash\nThe latest Road Safety Foundation report has found that the A18 is the ninth most deadly road nationwide.\nBetween 2013 and 2015, there were 11 fatal or serious crashes on the road, including one death, a stat that represents a drop of six between 2011 and 2013.\nIn February, Daniel Thomas, 31, was driving on the wrong side of the A18 Barton Street, near Ludborough, north of Louth, in his Seat Leon car when it hit an Iveco HGV.\nA post-mortem examination revealed Mr Thomas died from “catastrophic injuries” when the Seat somersaulted following the head-on impact with the lorry.\nAn inquest heard he had sent text messages to his wife Nikki Thomas telling her he had taken a significant quantity of tablets and he “might as well speed it up”.\nIn July this year, a lorry crashed into a tree and trapped the driver between Lincoln Gate and Barton Street in Ludborough.\nTragically, five members of the same family, the Cockburns, died on the A18 when their car was involved in a collision on the road in 2013.\nMap of dangerous roads\nBut there are signs that the A18 may be getting safer.\nIn September 2015 and referring to stats from 2011 and 2013, the Road Safety Foundation listed the A18 as the number one most dangerous road in the country.\n'Fantastic' dad of three killed in head-on lorry crash was not wearing a seatbelt\nBack then, the single carriageway road was given a risk rating of 209.5, which shows the number of fatal and serious crashes per billion vehicle kilometres travelled on the road between 2011-13.\nBut this new report gives the A18 a risk rating 128.8, which indicates that the road is getting safer over time.\nThe Road Safety Foundation's new stats show how 55 per cent of crashes on the A18 between 2013-15 involved motorcyclists, while none involved pedestrians or cyclists.\nJust over half of the serious crashes happened at junctions, nine per cent were head-on collisions and 27 per cent happened on run-offs.\nNationally, the number of people killed on Britain’s roads increased by four per cent, from 1,730 in 2015 to 1,792 in 2016, the highest annual total since 2011.\nAn average of 71 people were killed or seriously injured on Britain’s roads every day, and 19 per cent of local authority roads by length are high risk or medium-high risk, and as such have \"unacceptably high levels of risk\".\nHundreds of local jobs available today on Fish4Jobs\nBest of Lincolnshire Live\nPilots final moments before F-15 crash\nWarning over MOT changes\nMum's tribute to daughter\nWoman's anger over commuters using hedge","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line63597"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6424687504768372,"wiki_prob":0.35753124952316284,"text":"The Washington Times, \"After the Terrorist Attack: Our Next Test Will Be Drawing Lines of Battle.\"\nAn op-ed on the U.S. response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks and how the future may play out for the U.S. and its adversaries for The Washington Times.\nAUTHOR: Henry Sokolski\nAfter the Terrorist Attack-Our Next Test Will Be Drawing Lines of Batt.... (PDF) 15.38 KB\nAfter the Terrorist Attack\nOur next test will be drawing lines of battle\nMake no mistake about it. As we prepare to wage war against Osama bin Laden, the next test of U.S. and allied security will not come from terrorism or terrorists, but from other nations. Indeed, Russian, Chinese and terrorists states' reticence to support fully our fight against terrorism today gives us fair warning of what's in store -- an increasing alignment of nations for and against the promotion of liberal democracy. Full recognition of this point requires that we not only be more circumspect about what we do today, but also much bolder and more ambitious in our preparations for the challenge ahead.\nIn this and in the current fight, a democratic India has no problem offering temporary military staging bases to American special forces, but a dictatorial Pakistan does. NATO and allied nations, meanwhile, as well as the democracies of Latin America, can all back U.S. military action and differ only over what kind of military or economic contribution each should make in support. Russia and China, on the other hand, are more niggardly, publicly denigrating the need to lend any specific assistance. Finally, Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Afghanistan, North Korea, Libya, all terrorist states -- those most worried about being hit -- are insistent in denying any responsibility.\nBattle lines, in short, are being drawn. States anxious to preserve or promote liberal self-rule understand that cowardly acts of violence against the best of them are attacks against them all. Those states that have misgivings about limited, liberal self-government, meanwhile, are much more willing to wait and see, or to play both sides against the other. Finally, Stalinistic and dictatorial states, along with countries that have succumbed or are succumbing to the tyrannical religious distortions of Islamic radicalism, will hope and work for the ruin of liberal democracies.\nThis clearly is not the post-Cold War world of the last decade, a period in which the democratic wave seemed inevitable. Back then, the United States believed that all that was necessary to complement liberal trends was international investment and occasional, limited military operations against the world's Haitis, Serbias and Sudans. Now, getting to the end of history seems more arduous. Certainly, whichever way Russia or China go -- democratic or despotic -- can no longer be taken for granted. Nor can the United States continue to deal with tyrannical terrorist states, such as North Korea, Iran, and Iraq, as though they were already contained and developing in our direction. In each case, regime\nchange for the better is something United States and allied policies now must consciously pursue.\nIn fact, America cannot hope to wage, much less win, its current war against terrorism unless it is willing to defeat the purposes of the terrorists it is fighting. And these aims are clear: to defeat the world's leading liberal democracy in hopes of promoting an anti-liberal alternative to it. The specific, limited alternative Osama bin Laden and his sympathizers are promoting, of course, is Islamic radicalism for the Middle East. Yet, if we let bin Laden succeed in achieving this, the other enemies of liberal democracy will pile on with additional alternatives of their own. And, make no mistake, the key actors in this rivalry will not be sects but nations, which given our lax past efforts to stem weapons proliferation, will increasingly be armed with strategic warheads and long-range missiles.\nAlthough this new competition will be daunting, it has direct bearing on how we should approach our crisis today. Specifically, we need to make clear that our current battle is not against terrorism per se, but against terrorists and their state supporters, whose aim is to undermine liberal democratic self-rule. Our actions against such terrorism must be tailored to gain the support of democratic and democratic-leaning nations rather than that of illiberal states, like Iran and China, who are unlikely to champion liberal democracy, and will almost certainly encourage us to compromise our principles to keep them on board.\nWe must reduce the risks of not prevailing against future state supporters of terrorism by redoubling our efforts against strategic weapons proliferation. This not only means getting much more serious about nonproliferation, but also deploying defenses against missiles, which, in these states' hands, might otherwise keep us from acting against them. We should employ public diplomacy now to isolate illiberal sects and states that favor using terror against us or their own people, in order to gain as much advantage as we can for the larger struggle ahead.\nFinally, we should keep our military as far from domestic law-enforcement tasks as possible, and be vigilant against domestic authorities violating our essential civil liberties, lest we fail the next test before we pass the first.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1298422"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7090838551521301,"wiki_prob":0.7090838551521301,"text":"dannyvisionentertainment.com\nDRB MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS DIGITAL NEWS-YOUTUBE\nDannyVision Entertainment\nMCSO/CRIME STOPPERS\nDanny “DanBar” Barrera\nDannyVision Entertainment NEWS\nTXDPS-MIDLAND/ODESSA\nBIANCA DE LEON MUSIC\nDRB MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS-ECTOR COUNTY SHERIFF’S ICE CREAM SOCIAL\nPosted on July 19, 2017 by Danny Barrera\n← DRB MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS\nDRB MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS-Ector County Sheriff’s Office Is Investigating The Dead Body Of A Female →\nAuthor: Danny Barrera\nODESSA-MIDLAND\nCurrent Conditions: Fair\nWind: Variable at 6mph\nMISD Board Names Lone Finalist for Superintendent\nDr. Angelica Ramsey\nJanuary 14, 2021 — The Midland ISD Board of Trustees has named Dr. Angelica Ramsey as their lone finalist to be the district’s next superintendent.\nThe announcement came Thursday after the board completed its second round of interviews and voted unanimously to name Ramsey.\n“We are very excited by what Dr. Ramsey can bring to our district, and we look forward to her joining in our mission to ensure all students are prepared and ready for college or career,” said Rick Davis, Board President.\nAfter receiving interest from numerous candidates, the board narrowed the pool to five, then to three. From there, the board determined Ramsey was the best choice to the lead the district.\n“All board members are thoroughly impressed with Dr. Ramsey’s track record of academic improvement, and we feel she will be a great fit not only in our district, but in the Midland community,” Davis said.\nDr. Ramsey is currently the Superintendent of Schools for Pleasant Valley School District in Camarillo, CA. Ramsey has deep ties to Texas: the UTEP graduate spent a decade with Socorro ISD in El Paso.\nDr. Ramsey holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of the Pacific, a Master’s Degree from the University of Texas at El Paso, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Liberty University. Prior to her Superintendency, Ramsey held positions as an Assistant Superintendent, Chief Academic Officer, High School Principal, Assistant Principal, and Teacher.\n“I am excited and honored to be joining the Midland ISD team,” said Dr. Ramsey. “I look forward to meeting with and learning from the Board, our students, teachers, staff, and the entire community as we work to build a new era of excellence,” she added.\nThe board will wait a period of 21 days before voting on the hire. A date has not been set for the vote.\nMedical Center Hospital to Fly Texas Flag at Half-Staff in Honor of Employee Who Died of COVID-19 Complications\nODESSA, TEXAS – Medical Center Hospital is flying the Texas Flag at half-staff on\nThursday, January 14, in honor of the MCH employee who died of COVID-19 earlier this\nmonth. Joe Guerra, an EKG Tech who had worked for MCH for more than 32-and-a-half\nyears, died on January 3 from COVID-19 complications.\n“Joe was one of those familiar faces that was synonymous with Medical Center\nHospital,” said Russell Tippin, MCHS President & CEO. “Everyone that worked with him\ncan speak to how Joe made MCH a better place. He was a hard-working man that loved\nhis family, his job and his coworkers. This tribute is only but a small fraction of the\nrecognition Joe deserves for a life dedicated to helping others.”\nEctor County Utility District Boil Water Notice JANUARY 14, 2021\nDue to a main break causing a loss of system pressure, the Texas Commission on\nEnvironmental Quality has required the Ector County Utility District/PWS ID# 0680235\npublic water system to notify all customers within the area indicated on the attached\nmap to boil their water prior to consumption (e.g., washing hands/face, brushing teeth,\ndrinking, etc). Children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems are\nparticularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these\ndirections).\nTo ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking,\ncooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or\nhuman consumption purposes. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil\nand then boiled for two minutes.\nIn lieu of boiling, individuals may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some\nother suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes.\nWhen it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the public water system officials will\nnotify customers that the water is safe for drinking water or human consumption\nOnce the boil water notice is no longer in effect, the public water system will issue a\nnotice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this\nRepairs have been completed.\nPlease share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially\nthose who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in\napartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this\nnotice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.\nIf you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact ECUD at 432-381-5525,\n1039 N. Moss Ave., Odessa, Texas.\nSTREET CLOSURE\n17th Street between Dixie and Walnut will be closed Monday (1/18/2021) through Friday (1/21/2021)\ndue to the removal and replacement of an existing water main line.\nJoyner Brings Passion for Success to School Board Trustee Says All Students Should Be Confident They’ll Be Ready for College,Career\nKatie Joyner\nJanuary 14, 2021 — For newly elected Katie Joyner, being a member of the Midland ISD Board of Trustees means working to build students’ confidence in their futures.\n“Our children deserve schools that are safe and offer amazing academics and equal opportunities for success,” Joyner said. “All MISD alumni should be confident they’ll be ready for their next steps in life because they know they received a great education.”\nThe district is individually highlighting school board members throughout January as part of School Board Recognition Month, which recognizes the crucial role an elected board of trustees plays in our communities and schools.\nJoyner is a Midland native and graduated from Midland High School in 2000, where she was part of the tennis team and yearbook staff. She received her Bachelor of Science in Radio-Television-Film from the University of Texas at Austin in 2003, after which she headed west to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.\nIn Los Angeles, Joyner served as a Drama Development Coordinator for NBC Universal’s Drama Development department, which is focused on creating new slates of fall television shows. She also spent time working on the reality competition show “America’s Next Top Model” for the CW Network. Joyner later worked in Austin for advertising agency T3 and in project management for Veritas 321 Energy Partners in Midland until before starting her family in 2010. She is now a philanthropist and has taught yoga for more than 10 years.\nJoyner is actively involved in the community. She is a member of First Presbyterian Church, where she has been a vacation bible study chairwoman. She is president of the Midland Memorial Hospital Forum Board and previously served on the Midland YMCA board. Joyner also has been heavily involved with Bynum School, including service as co-chair for the school’s Smash Tennis Tournament.\nJoining the MISD school board is an extension of her passion for the Midland community and its children. “We have to provide children the opportunity to succeed in their pursuit of college, career or military service after graduation,” she said.\nJoyner and her husband, Dave, are UT-Austin Texas Exes. They have two daughters: Fay and Willa. Katie’s parents, Bill and Kathy Wallace, still reside in Midland.\nDistrict 4 generally extends from east Midland to southwest Midland. “My district is unique in that it covers a very wide stretch of the community, and I’m excited to serve such a diverse group of families and campuses,” Joyner said.\nAmber Alert Awareness Day\nGovernor Abbott has declared January 13th as Amber Alert Awareness Day, in remembrance of the 1996 abduction and subsequent murder of 9-year-old Amber Hagerman in Arlington, Texas. Amber stands for “America’s Missing Broadcast Emergency Response. The purpose of the Amber Alert Program is to locate and bring home missing children.\nOPD has partnered with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (missingkids.org) and the Texas Center for the Missing (centerforthemissing.org) to combat Human Trafficking. The Texas DPS app has an entire section dedicated to Human Trafficking Awareness and the NCMEC provides a “Safety Central” app, which also has several “Child Safety” resources.\nCOVID-19 MIDLAND/ODESSA\nDaily COVID Recap for MCH\nTotal COVID numbers for MCHS, along with the daily COVID in-house census as of 1:45 p.m.\n4759 positives\n78 COVID patients in-house, 1 PUIs in-house\n22 Critical Care Patients, 8 of those in CCU overflow in WSMP\n13 COVID patients vented\n27 on 4 Central\n3 on 9 Central\n1 PUI on 9 Central\nCOVID patient list includes 3 from Focused Care Odessa, 1 from The Parks Odessa, 2 from Andrews, 1 from Blue Springs, MO, 2 from Crane, 1 from Ft. Stockton, 1 from Lamesa, 1 from McCamey, 2 from Midland, 1 from Pecos, 1 from Pittsburg, TX\n11,804 negatives\n146 pending\n16,709 total tested\n6 New COVID-19 Related Deaths\nToday, Midland County, the City of Midland and Midland Health confirmed Midland County’s 195th, 196th, 197th, 198th, 199th and 200th COVID-19 related death.\nThe 195th patient, a female in her 80s with underlying health conditions, was being treated at Midland Memorial Hospital. The patient passed away on January 6, 2021.\nThe 197th patient, a male in his 80s with underlying health conditions, was being treated at Midland Memorial Hospital. The patient passed away on January 11, 2021.\nThe 198th patient, a male in his 50s, was being treated at Medical Center Hospital. The patient passed away on January 7, 2021.\nTrischitti: Education Must Equip Students for Success\nJohn Trischitti\nJanuary 12, 2021 — “Public education is the base for students to achieve potentially anything they want in life.” This mission is at the core of John Trischitti III’s purpose as a trustee on the Midland ISD school board.\nThe district is individually highlighting school board members throughout January as part of School Board Recognition Month. which recognizes the crucial role an elected board of trustees plays in our communities and schools.\nTrischitti joined the board in 2019 as the representative for District 5 and is no stranger to public service. He served as Director of the Midland County Public Libraries from 2011 to 2019 and he spearheaded the establishment of the popular Centennial branch during his tenure. He is currently the Executive Director of the Midland Development Corp., an organization that creates opportunities for businesses and individuals in Midland through economic development activities, outreach, education and support.\nTrischitti credits education for setting his course for success after high school and being community-minded. “I am an example of the power that education can have on a life,” he said, adding that part of his work as a trustee is to find solutions to overcome the hurdles families might face that can stifle student growth. “We need to find tools that break the difficult social and economic cycles we sometimes find ourselves in,” he said. “We need to provide the best possible education that equips students for success.”\nA Lubbock native, Trischitti graduated from Coronado High School. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Wayland Baptist University in 2000 and received his Master of Library Science from the University of North Texas in 2009.\nTrischitti is heavily involved in serving Midland and the state. He served on the Texas Library Association Bluebonnet Award selection committee and was a member of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission’s Library Systems Act Board. He also serves on the city of Midland Airport Board and on the Basin PBS Board of Directors.\nTrischitti is a former Texas Librarian of the Year and is a past receipt of the Rosalind Redfern Library Benefactor Award and Midland 20 under 40. He also is a TED Talk presenter on the social impacts of illiteracy and is a frequent speaker and program presenter across the state on children’s literature and best practices on management and leadership.\nTrischitti attends Golf Course Road Church of Christ. He has five children: Jay, Olivia, Dean, Charlotte and Paul — all of whom attend MISD schools.\nDRB MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS DIGITAL NEWS(011321)-ODESSA PD INVESTIGATING THEFTS AT KENT KWIK January 14, 2021\nDRB MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS DIGITAL NEWS(011321)-INTERVIEW WITH JENNY CUDD/PART-2-FINAL January 13, 2021\nDRB MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS DIGITAL NEWS(011121A)-ODESSA POLICE INVESTIGATING CELL PHONE THEFT January 12, 2021\nDRB MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS DIGITAL NEWS(011121)-INTERVIEW WITH JENNY CUDD/PART-1 January 12, 2021\nDRB MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS DIGITAL NEWS(010621B)-ODESSA POLICE INVESTIGATING THEFT AT GRANT DELUXE INN January 7, 2021\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVSZGgBjv4w\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF5YH_eLy1Y\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eIqCoJ-W6U\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7xRckDaKn0&t=3s\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riiGvLPZbio\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avQKPELOiqs\nLOS GRANDES DEL DESIERTO-“AMIGA”\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJzHceHtZgA\nMIDLAND COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gucM47iQDcQ\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PRSVCesvn0\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wO7Dd0V6c3E\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i04ML0r_CGI","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line715681"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7129584550857544,"wiki_prob":0.2870415449142456,"text":"Showcase Properties\nFeature Properties\nReal Reports\nCaribbean Directory\nDesign Den\nEditor’s Obsessions\nCaribbean Resorts\nThe Lust List\nKeepin’ it Real\nMy Island\n1514 results found for \"\"\n529-534 of 1514\n1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253\nWIN A COOLIBAR RAFFIA BEADED BEACH HAT\nLuxury Cayman Villas is proud to announce the launch of Point of View villa in South Sound, Grand Cayman\nLuxury Cayman Villas' portfolio is growing with the addition of Point of View, a luxurious oceanfront villa that will be available this summer 2016 for vacation rentals. Located in the tranquil South Sound, Point of View has been fully renovated and...\nKirk Freeport opens new stores\nEarlier this year Kirk Freeport opened two new stores in Grand Cayman: the island’s first Breitling Boutique in George Town and a luxury boutique at The Ritz-Carlton which features an official Rolex shop-in-shop. To celebrate the opening of each lo...\nCayman Distributor's HUB provides online connection to Cayman's social scene\nGet direct finger on the pulse details of Cayman's Social scene at facebook.com/thehubcayman. Your one-stop-shop for all information on the hottest parties and DJ events, drinks specials, the perfect serve and much more! There is always something g...\nMise en Place entertaining Cayman for over 10 years\nOffering catering for private parties, weddings, corporate events and galas. They also provide private chef services for dinner for 2 to 20 guests, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your party while they take the guesswork out of the evening. For...\nDesign Cayman has a busy year ahead\nWith exciting projects on the drawing board and under construction, from innovative commercial fit-outs to modern family and contemporary luxury ocean front estates Design Cayman has a busy year ahead. They are proud to announce their design for Caym...\nreallifecaribbean on Instagram\nMr. Jamaica: Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart\nPeriwinkle: There’s No Place Like Home, Cayman Islands\nLa Rosa Náutica, Cayman Islands\nBahia & Arvia, A New Lifestyle – Cayman Islands","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1267372"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7405780553817749,"wiki_prob":0.2594219446182251,"text":"Share this Story: Ontario Special Investigations Unit investigating the incident\nOntario Special Investigations Unit investigating the incident\nApr 20, 2017 • April 20, 2017 • 1 minute read\nOntario’s police watchdog is investigating after a police dog bit a suspect during an arrest in Strathroy Thursday.\nMiddlesex County OPP responded to a report of a theft in progress on Centre Road at 2:20 a.m.\nOfficers located a 30-year-old man in a nearby field about 4 a.m., the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) said.\nA police dog bit the man during the arrest. The man was taken to hospital for treatment, the SIU said.\nA Sarnia man is charged with break and enter and possession of stolen property under $5,000.\nThe SIU has assigned three investigators and one forensic investigator to probe the case.\nThe watchdog is asking anyone with information about the incident to contact the at lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529. Video evidence can be uploaded at www.siu.on.ca.\nEstablished in 1990, the SIU investigates cases of civilian death or serious injury involving police and allegations of sexual assault against officers. The agency has the power to lay criminal charges.\nOntario Special Investigations Unit investigating the incident Back to video","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line967264"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5077133178710938,"wiki_prob":0.5077133178710938,"text":"Littler Global Guide - United Kingdom - Q4 2019\nLeaked Legal Advice Protected Under Privilege, Court of Appeal Holds\nPrecedential Decision by Judiciary or Regulatory Agency\nAuthor: Sophie Vanhegan, Partner\nOn October 22, 2019, the UK Court of Appeal held that a leaked email, in which in-house counsel told a line manager that the company could use a planned reorganization to dismiss someone with a live grievance, was covered by legal advice privilege and could not be relied upon by the claimant in his disability discrimination and victimization claim. The Court of Appeal held that the email contained advice which employment lawyers give day in and day out where an employer wishes to consider an underperforming employee for redundancy selection. This overturned the decision of the Employment Appeal Tribunal that this was not privileged because it was advice to act in an underhanded or iniquitous way. This decision is welcome news to in-house and private practice lawyers alike in that it reinforces the principle that the legal advice privilege is not something that can be easily circumvented.\nHidden Reason for Dismissal Can Be Attributed to Employer, Even if Decision Maker Was Unaware of It, Supreme Court Holds\nAuthor: Darren Isaacs, Partner and Deborah Margolis, Associate\nOn November 27, 2019, the Supreme Court held in a whistleblowing claim that the principal reason for dismissal was a hidden reason that had been concealed from the person who made the decision to dismiss, not the engineered reason of the employee’s line manager (which had been the ostensible reason for the decision-maker’s decision). The employee was therefore dismissed for the hidden reason (which was that the employee had made a protected whistleblowing disclosure under UK law), an automatically unfair reason for dismissal.\nEmployees Can Claim Third-Party Discrimination Only in Limited Circumstances\nAuthor: Darren Isaacs, Partner and Mark Callaghan, Associate\nOn October 18, 2019, the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) provided useful clarity on the circumstances in which an employee may bring a discrimination claim against their employer for the discriminatory acts of third parties. In this case, the employee, a mental health nurse from a minority ethnic background, was racially assaulted by a patient in circumstances where the employer had failed to prevent and/or protect him against such harassment. The EAT confirmed that an employer will be liable for third-party harassment where the employer has acted (or failed to act) because of the employee’s protected characteristic (and not just failed to act for a nonprotected reason). The employee’s discrimination claim against his employer here failed because the employer’s failings were not themselves connected to the employee’s ethnic background.\nChristian Doctor’s Anti-Transgender Views Not Protected, Employment Tribunal Holds\nAuthor: Caroline Baker, Partner\nOn October 2, 2019, an Employment Tribunal found that a doctor engaged to carry out health assessments for the government’s Department for Work and Pensions was not discriminated against on the grounds of religion or belief by being subjected to disciplinary action for refusing to address transgender patients by their chosen pronoun. While the doctor’s Christianity is protected under the discrimination law, the Tribunal held that the doctor's particular beliefs that God only created men and women and that a person could not choose their gender, and his lack of belief in and conscientious objection to “transgenderism” were views incompatible with human dignity which conflicted with the fundamental rights of others. As a result, such views were not protected religious or philosophical beliefs under UK discrimination law.\nEmployment Appeal Tribunal: Validity of Defense to Equal Pay Claim\nAuthor: Raoul Parekh, Partner\nOn October 11, 2019, the Employment Appeal Tribunal held that an employer was entitled to rely on a defense that a difference in pay between a female HR director and the rest of the male executive team was justified until a further decision (or failure to decide) on the female employee’s pay occurred. The initial pay differential was justified by the female employee’s lower experience and reduced importance to the business. The first instance tribunal did not have sufficient evidence to conclude that the justification for the pay discrepancy had expired. Employers will welcome the decision as clarifying that the defense to an equal pay claim remains valid until a discriminatory decision is made (or omitted to be made).","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1296616"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5407565236091614,"wiki_prob":0.4592434763908386,"text":"Personal Protective Equipment for those who protect us!\nMorning Pride Pro Fit Pant NFPA\nMorning Pride /Honeywell\n36 / 26 - $1,500.00 USD 36 / 28 - $1,500.00 USD 36 / 30 - $1,500.00 USD 36 / 32 - $1,500.00 USD 36 / 34 - $1,500.00 USD 36 / 36 - $1,500.00 USD 38 / 26 - $1,500.00 USD 38 / 28 - $1,500.00 USD 38 / 30 - $1,500.00 USD 38 / 32 - $1,500.00 USD 38 / 34 - $1,500.00 USD 38 / 36 - $1,500.00 USD 40 / 26 - $1,500.00 USD 40 / 28 - $1,500.00 USD 40 / 30 - $1,500.00 USD 40 / 32 - $1,500.00 USD 40 / 34 - $1,500.00 USD 40 / 36 - $1,500.00 USD 42 / 26 - $1,500.00 USD 42 / 28 - $1,500.00 USD 42 / 30 - $1,500.00 USD 42 / 32 - $1,500.00 USD 42 / 34 - $1,500.00 USD 42 / 36 - $1,500.00 USD 44 / 26 - $1,500.00 USD 44 / 28 - $1,500.00 USD 44 / 30 - $1,500.00 USD 44 / 32 - $1,500.00 USD 44 / 34 - $1,500.00 USD 44 / 36 - $1,500.00 USD 46 / 26 - $1,500.00 USD 46 / 28 - $1,500.00 USD 46 / 30 - $1,500.00 USD 46 / 32 - $1,500.00 USD 46 / 34 - $1,500.00 USD 46 / 36 - $1,500.00 USD 48 / 26 - $1,500.00 USD 48 / 28 - $1,500.00 USD 48 / 30 - $1,500.00 USD 48 / 32 - $1,500.00 USD 48 / 34 - $1,500.00 USD 48 / 36 - $1,500.00 USD 50 / 26 - $1,500.00 USD 50 / 28 - $1,500.00 USD 50 / 30 - $1,500.00 USD 50 / 32 - $1,500.00 USD 50 / 34 - $1,500.00 USD 50 / 36 - $1,500.00 USD 52 / 26 - $1,500.00 USD 52 / 28 - $1,500.00 USD 52 / 30 - $1,500.00 USD 52 / 32 - $1,500.00 USD 52 / 34 - $1,500.00 USD 52 / 36 - $1,500.00 USD 54 / 26 - $1,500.00 USD 54 / 28 - $1,500.00 USD 54 / 30 - $1,500.00 USD 54 / 32 - $1,500.00 USD 54 / 34 - $1,500.00 USD 54 / 36 - $1,500.00 USD 56 / 26 - $1,500.00 USD 56 / 28 - $1,500.00 USD 56 / 30 - $1,500.00 USD 56 / 32 - $1,500.00 USD 56 / 34 - $1,500.00 USD 56 / 36 - $1,500.00 USD\nThe new Morning Pride® TAILS™ retain the classic features and benefits of the original that you probably wear, but have been re-engineered to provide a better fit, new features, and allow more range of motion and protection.\nNow, all firefighters, including larger and smaller sized responders, can expect greater comfort, mobility and safety on the fireground.\nThe Benefits You Rely On:\nPower: Supports your every move for reduced physical stress\nEndurance: improve your endurance\nProtection: Innovations that maximize protection\nAgility: Redesigned ergonomics enable unobstructed movement\nComfort: Precise fit increases comfort and protection\n23 Hamburg Turnpike Unit A\nRiverdale, NJ 07457\nEmail sales@safe-tonline.com\nCopyright © 2021, Skylands Area Fire Equipment & Training (SAFE-T). Powered by Shopify","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line290703"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7017425298690796,"wiki_prob":0.2982574701309204,"text":"Home History A 46,000-year-old bird carcass was found in Siberia\nA 46,000-year-old bird carcass was found in Siberia\nImage Collected.\nScientists have recently found the body of a 46,000-year-old Horned lark. Because it has been buried under a pile of Siberian snow, the bird’s body has not been so popular for so many years. On the contrary, it has been preserved in such a way that zoologists have been able to recover the bird’s genetic theory from the carcass.\nFrom this it is known that the corpse of this horned lark is the mixed ancestor of the Hund lark, which roams in the Siberian tundra and the steppe meadows of Mongolia today. That’s what Nicholas Dasex, a researcher in the zoology department at Stockholm University in Sweden, said.\nReferring to the recent hand lark carcasses, the scientists wrote that hairy mammoths and hairy rhinos once roamed the grasslands of Europe and northern Asia during the last ice age. According to the researchers, this region of Siberia was actually a combination of steppe, tundra, and coniferous forests.\nBy the end of the last ice age, the region was divided into three parts — tundra in the north, taiga in the middle, and steppe grassland in the south.\nFrom the carcasses of these birds, they can understand how the Horned Lark evolved, scientists think.\nPrevious articlePeace pigeon unrest spread inside the plane!\nNext articleAfter birth, newborn fire of anger, doctors are surprised!\nI am now the puppet leader: the founder of Huawei","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line547287"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7750695943832397,"wiki_prob":0.7750695943832397,"text":"Marquette center Luke Fischer at full strength for team’s European trip\nBy Raphielle JohnsonAug 8, 2015, 7:00 PM EDT\nWith one of the nation’s top recruiting classes joining the program this summer, Marquette is a team many believe to be capable of turning things around after a tough 2014-15 campaign. But one of Steve Wojciechowski’s most important players is 7-footer Luke Fischer, who was a key contributor for the Golden Eagles once he became eligible to play following his transfer from Indiana.\nFischer played last season while dealing with a left shoulder that was less than 100 percent, averaging 11.0 points and 4.8 rebounds per game in 24 contests. With the issue having been addressed via offseason surgery, Fischer is back to full strength ahead of the team’s upcoming trip to Italy and Switzerland as noted by the Associated Press earlier this week.\n(Henry) Ellenson is fully recovered after breaking his left hand in the Wisconsin high school basketball playoffs in March. He is ready to play overseas, as is junior center Luke Fischer, who is recovered from left shoulder surgery.\n“I’m 100 percent,” Fischer said. “No more worries about that. I was always ahead of schedule, which was fantastic. Rehab went by real quick. I never had any worries about it, any issues with it. We’re looking great right now.”\nThese trips can be incredibly valuable for teams preparing for the upcoming season, especially one as young as Marquette will be in 2015-16. The Golden Eagles don’t have a scholarship senior on the roster, and they’ll have to account for the loss of their leading scorer in guard Matt Carlino as well.\nMarquette won’t lack for talent, with players such as Fischer, guard Duane Wilson and freshman forward Henry Ellenson leading the way. But for a group with so many newcomers, having the extra time (in games and practices) to strengthen their chemistry will help them a great deal. Getting to visit two countries many of them have never been to isn’t a bad way to do so either.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1248956"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8266714215278625,"wiki_prob":0.8266714215278625,"text":"Mielke’s senate write-in campaign raises $10,000\nPosted on October 7, 2020 by Calley Hair\nRemember last month, when we reported that Tom Mielke was eyeing a run for state senate?\nWell, in a shocking twist, Tom Mielke is running for state senate.\nThe Republican launched a write-in campaign in the 18th Legislative District, despite the fact that the 18th is already represented by an incumbent Republican senator.\nAccording to the Public Disclosure Commission, Mielke formally filed his campaign on Sept. 10 and has since raised $10,882.67. His top contributors include himself ($2,882.67), David and Donna Madore ($1,000 each), Ken and Sherrilyn Fisher ($1,000 each), Kenneth and Claudia Peterson ($1,000 each) and Clyde Holland ($1,000).\nThese are friends in high places — David Madore is a former (and controversial) Clark County councilor and founder of Clark County News. Ken Fisher is the embattled billionaire chairman of Fisher Investments, the single largest private employer in Clark County. Ken Peterson is the wealthy Vancouver investor behind Columbia Ventures Corporation. Clyde Holland is the CEO of Holland Partner Group, the developer building Block 10 and a fourth Vancouvercenter tower downtown.\nMielke previously served four terms as a state representative in the 18th District. After that, he spent two terms as a Clark County councilor before retiring in 2016.\nHe’s challenging Sen. Ann Rivers, the two-term incumbent.\nIn a campaign announcement reported by Clark County Today, Mielke said he’s watched Rivers with “complete dismay”:\n“In everything from violating her promise to oppose the largest gas tax and tab fee increases in this state’s history, to selling us out on the McCleary budget and then blaming our County Assessor when most of our property taxes exploded, to leading the charge to restart the failed Columbia River Crossing (CRC) with tolls instead of a 3rd crossing, she has failed us.”\nFor what it’s worth, Rivers is a Republican. She was a Republican when she was elected to the state House of Representatives in 2010 and served as the minority party whip, she was a Republican when she issued the formal Republican response to then-Gov. Christine Gregoire’s State of the State address, she was a Republican when she was elected senator of the 18th District in 2012, and she was a Republican when she was reelected in 2016.\nThe Clark County Republican Party, however, disagrees. During the party’s July 18 meeting, precinct committee officers formally moved to endorse Rivers’ earlier GOP challenger — John Ley, who’s since been eliminated in the primary election — despite a rule in the CCRP’s bylaws that the group can’t endorse one Republican over another.\nAccording to the minutes from that July meeting, the PCO’s got around that particular rule on the basis that “Ann Rivers does not meet the standards for being a republican.”\nIt’s unclear how two Republican candidates will impact the outcome of the Nov. 3 election. We can, however, look at the August primary: Ley and Rivers split the Republican vote, and the top ballot-earner was Democrat Rick Bell.\nMielke told me Friday that he’s hoping for a similar outcome. He either wants to win outright, or split the vote and send Bell to Olympia in place of Rivers.\n“At least we know how a Democrat votes. A moderate Democrat will do a better job than Ann Rivers,” Mielke asserted.\n2020 election clark county republican party State Sen. Ann Rivers Tom Mielke","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line361979"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5362480282783508,"wiki_prob":0.46375197172164917,"text":"if(Truth and power) » Refine Search\nCreating Moral Authority and Collective Action Frames: Christian Pulpit Monologues in the Ex-Gay Movement\nby Schmidgall, Darci, M.A. Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. 2013: 112 pages; 1549839.\nThe anagogic qualities of John Gardner's “Grendel”\nby Swinson, Cullen E., M.A.L.S. Georgetown University. 2009: 93 pages; 1462300.\nMeasuring the Effect of an Emotional Health Discipleship Course (EHDC) on Emerging Christian Leaders in the ECA Church in Damascus After Eight Years of War\nby Awabdeh, Edward, D.Min. Nyack College, Alliance Theological Seminary. 2020: 158 pages; 27994902.\nWhere Are All the Women Engineers? An Insider's View of Socialization and Power in Engineering Education\nby Christman, Jeanne, Ph.D. State University of New York at Buffalo. 2017: 312 pages; 10620731.\nOn Tongues: The Grammar of Experiential Evaluation\nby Muñoz, Patrick Joseph, Ph.D. The University of Chicago. 2019: 304 pages; 13883003.\nShi'ite reformism versus shi'ite fundamentalism: A comparative study of shi'ite discursive practices in 20th century Iran: The cases of Khomeini and Hakamizadeh\nby Banihashemi, Mozafar, Ph.D. The University of New Mexico. 2012: 212 pages; 3553804.\nFeminisms, Publics, and Rhetorical Indirections: Figuring Marcet Haldeman-Julius, Anita Loos, and Mae West, 1905-1930\nby Barrett-Fox, Jason, Ph.D. University of Kansas. 2013: 255 pages; 3596423.\nPersona of Anime: A Depth Psychological Approach to the Persona and Individuation\nby Jackson, Danielle, Ph.D. Pacifica Graduate Institute. 2017: 233 pages; 10637564.\nPigs Is Pigs: The Ideology of Violence\nby Suire, Phillip Joel, M.A. University of Louisiana at Lafayette. 2015: 92 pages; 10002400.\nModern Miracles as the Foundation for a Renewal Apologetic\nby Wilson, Christopher J., Ph.D. Regent University. 2017: 251 pages; 10605114.\nDoctor's Orders: A Grounded Theory of Physician Power Relations in the Practice of Medicine\nby Callanan, Michael I., Ed.D. The George Washington University. 2018: 347 pages; 10748433.\nAnimal Magic, Secret Spells, and Green Power: More-than-Human Assemblages of Children’s Storytelling\nby Molloy Murphy, Angela, Ed.D. Portland State University. 2020: 269 pages; 27738558.\nCosmotheanthropic imagination in the post-Kantian process philosophy of Schelling and Whitehead\nby Segall, Matthew David, Ph.D. California Institute of Integral Studies. 2016: 296 pages; 10117893.\nExploring the Role of the Atmosphere on Wind-Energy Production: From Turbine Wakes to Varability of Wind Speed\nby Lee, Cheuk Yi Joseph, Ph.D. University of Colorado at Boulder. 2018: 196 pages; 10790207.\n‘I am the page of words’: How cognitive poetics reveals metaphor's transformative power\nby Dusenbery, Kathleen E., Ph.D. Illinois State University. 2011: 236 pages; 3500073.\nBlack South African women writers: Narrating the self, narrating the nation\nby Boswell, Barbara-Anne, Ph.D. University of Maryland, College Park. 2010: 233 pages; 3426412.\nTransitional Justice and Civil Society: The Importance of Historicity and International Donors in Côte d'Ivoire\nby Davis, Justine M., M.A. The American University of Paris (France). 2012: 78 pages; 10305810.\nPower and Control in Medicine and Nursing: Could Intrinsic Gender Beliefs Impact Interprofessional Education in Pre-professional Programs?\nby Delnat, C. Christine, Ph.D. University of Hawai'i at Manoa. 2019: 143 pages; 22624895.\nThe Relationship Between Candidate Preparation And Effective Healing Prayer at Living Christ Church in Nyack, NY\nby Schepens, Dona, D.Min. Nyack College, Alliance Theological Seminary. 2017: 128 pages; 10268649.\nPower management and frequency regulation for microgrid and smart grid: A real-time demand response approach\nby Pourmousavi Kani, Seyyed Ali, Ph.D. Montana State University. 2014: 440 pages; 3637101.\nThe Unending Conquest of the S.S. Beaver: Steam Power and the Myth of the White Anglo-Saxon Nation in the Nineteenth-century Pacific Northwest\nby Greenfield, Mary Catherine, Ph.D. Yale University. 2016: 335 pages; 10160853.\nDigital feedback control of MEMS devices: Design challenges and power efficient design using multi-timescales\nby Kataria, Nitin, Ph.D. University of California, Santa Barbara. 2009: 189 pages; 3371652.\nPossible Futures for Teacher Education Programs: Meta-Theory Orientation\nby Svendsen, Jared C., Ph.D. Florida Atlantic University. 2016: 342 pages; 10300327.\nDefeating systemic challengers: Coordination and the balance of power theory\nby Ribat, Jean-Bertrand, Ph.D. Indiana University. 2014: 579 pages; 3620162.\nEnergy-Pivotal Frameworks for Green Femtocell Power Control in Hybrid-Dense Deployments\nby Al Haddad, Mazen, Ph.D. University of Louisiana at Lafayette. 2016: 125 pages; 10245452.\nExploring Factors in the Relationship Balance Assessment\nby Luttrell, Thomas B., Ph.D. Loma Linda University. 2016: 347 pages; 10165422.\nThe Doctrine of Divine Healing: A Training Seminar for Laity and Church Leaders in the Northeastern Section of the Southern New England Ministry Network of the Assemblies of God\nby Passamonte, Francesco, D.Min. Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. 2013: 256 pages; 3558878.\nConstructing Madrona: Place, race, and discourses of community\nby Lindsay, Jennifer, Ph.D. University of Washington. 2009: 372 pages; 3377330.\nNGO Fundraising Campaigns on HIV/AIDS and The African Continent: The Case Study of CARE\nby Cooper, Amber Lynette, M.A. The American University of Paris (France). 2009: 115 pages; 10305717.\nGarifuna place-making: Hope for the Guatemalan nation\nby Gorres, Shannon, M.A. University of Kansas. 2008: 200 pages; 1462130.\n« First < Previous | 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Next >","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line478726"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7310576438903809,"wiki_prob":0.7310576438903809,"text":"Tag Archives: Sean McAllister\nProducer Elhum Shakerifar: “How Are We Going to Challenge the Industry’s In-Built Elitism?”\nJuly 3, 2019 Interviewawards, distribution, documentaries, elhum shakerifar, independent production, interviews, producer, Sean McAllister, shubbak, womencarolnahra\nOver the last decade producer Elhum Shakerifar has established herself as a vital voice in the world of international documentary, working with a range of directors on highly acclaimed films, including A Syrian Love Story and Almost Heaven. She has won numerous awards including the 2016 BFI Vision award and the 2017 Women in Film & TV’s BBC Factual Award; she was also named one of Screen International’s 2018 #Brit50 Producers on the Rise. As she explains below, Elhum is an outspoken advocate of the need to challenge mainstream narrative and to bring quieter voices to the big screen. I sent Elhum a number of questions about her work – her written answers are printed here in full.\nCan you tell me a bit about how you came to be a documentary producer?\nI have been making films for about 10 years and came to filmmaking from an unusual journey through Persian literature, photography, anthropology and many years working in a community centre with unaccompanied minors (young refugees who are separated from their families).\nThe first film I produced was about a long distance runner from the Western Sahara – The Runner (2015) by Saeed Taji Farouky. I actually became involved in the film out of sheer surprise that I didn’t know anything about The Western Sahara, a territory larger than the United Kingdom. It is the last colony in Africa, under Moroccan occupation since 1975. I thought that making a film about a territory most people have never heard of – by design – would be the most challenging part of the equation. But I was wrong – it was showing the finished film that was a bigger problem. We were told informally several times that the film “couldn’t possibly be screened”, some screenings were complicated by complaints from the Moroccan embassy, etc. This first experience already underlined that the biggest challenge is being seen and being understood on your own terms – whether as filmmakers from diverse backgrounds, or filmmakers making work that challenges the mainstream understanding of things, which is dictated by the loudest voices.\nMaking The Runner was in many ways my baptism of fire. I thought that things should be simpler after all the learning of that experience – how wrong I was! I have since produced films all over the world – in Yemen, in Nepal, in Syria, in Japan, in the UK. They each have their distinct worlds, issues and surprises. The one thing that unites all of my work, I believe, is that I am interested in the quieter voice, the untold side of the story. And sadly, it has not become easier to do that work – which really says something about the world we live in.\nHow do you decide to take on a project? What do you look for in stories? Can you give some examples?\nI only work on films that mean something to me – there needs to be a strong personal reason and drive to getting involved in a film, because that determination will be key in carrying you through from conception to the finish line, from the good days to the bad. The creative process is a vulnerable one, and it is important to know why you are engaging in that space, even if just for yourself.\nI would say that I’m a director’s producer – I work with people whose vision I understand, admire and want to bring to fruition. Shared vision and teamwork enables the strongest films to be made – teams make films. And so it is also important to work with people who you can have a cup of tea or an ice cream with and really talk things through, talk things out.\nFor example, Sean McAllister, who I have now made three films with, had been filming in Syria for some time when we first met. The footage he showed me was unlike anything I had seen coming out of the country, and his relationship with the family was intense, direct, and also complicated – just like human relationships really are. I respected this directness and honesty, and it is something that I value in our relationship as collaborators as well.\nHow has the documentary industry changed over the years you have been working? Is it easier or more difficult to get your films made? How has distribution changed?\nI would say that reality TV and celebrity documentary biopics have all but destroyed the mainstream understanding of documentary, and have certainly changed the dynamic of making non-fiction. The prominence of these films have also made variety in documentary filmmaking styles difficult – the space for creativity, to stray from format and ‘known’ values much more challenging. The space for newer voices to emerge on their own terms is essentially impossible without external support (read: trust fund) to enable years of unpaid and never adequately funded work.\nThe documentaries I have made to date have all been fairly unknown entities at the start of the process. I enjoy the layered space of the documentary journey, rather than contrived formats where you know what you’re going to do and say from the beginning. In the absence of partners who will get involved early and share a creative risk with you, to really develop documentary work, I would say that no: things are not getting easier.\nI feel that we have lost the ability to respect documentary’s value outside of box office and easy to quantify audience numbers – but film is an art form, should it be measured only in these terms?\nFinally, I feel that we have lost the ability to respect documentary’s value outside of box office and easy to quantify audience numbers – but film is an art form, should it be measured only in these terms? To my mind, the art of non-fiction filmmaking is in holding a mirror up to the world. There is undeniable value in longitudinal, artistic, unexpected, creative, divergent and diverse approaches. We must see things from different perspectives to better understand the world, but also to challenge ourselves. If we valued the variety of mirrors, of voices and the range that non-fiction can represent – we would be living in a very different world today.\nWhat are the biggest challenges for the films you produce? Do women face particular challenges?\nThere is a vulnerability to making films that is seldom talked about, and that makes every film into a distinct struggle – creatively and financially. As an independent producer, it is a challenge to take the risk of jumping into a film, time and again – in knowledge that you will be carrying that risk alone for a long time before anyone else shoulders it with you.\nMy biggest challenge right now is understanding how we are going to challenge the industry’s in-built elitism. How can I keep – ethically, and realistically – producing so called ‘diverse’ filmmakers, in particular people who do not come from an affluent background? How can we possibly expect people with no fall back to take on the level of risk and uncertainty that a documentary requires? How can I ensure that people don’t feel more disempowered by the status quo, when it is exactly these voices that I want to hear? There is some good work being done out there, but I have been struggling with this question a lot recently – I don’t need any more training, accolades or schemes – I need cash funding to pay highly competent people properly.\nLet’s not pretend that we don’t live in a patriarchal society, and that the film industry isn’t a sexist and elitist space.\nAnd yes – women face particular challenges, most importantly to my mind, of not being taken seriously. When I first started working in the industry, people always assumed “Elhum” was a man’s name– sometimes to the point of telling me “no, I’m waiting for someone else”. I have been asked on numerous occasions whether I would like for a male colleague to corroborate my decision. I have been asked by Sales Agents whether I am dating filmmakers whose work I produce. I am currently developing work with a male and female co-directing team – nine times out of ten, people pivot to talk to the man to ask questions about the film, regardless of who had been speaking in the first place. The inability to dissociate women’s gender from their work is a burden placed on women by others. There is great work being done and some good spokespeople but let’s not pretend that we don’t live in a patriarchal society, and that the film industry isn’t a sexist and elitist space.\nCan you discuss one of the projects you are most proud of, and why?\nI am proud of all the films I have produced – the (often long) journeys of making them really are woven into my life, and I sometimes revisit them like I might old photo albums. The people in the films we’ve made become like distant relatives – you share some sort of genetic information and oscillate in and out of contact depending on the order of the world.\nA good recent example, however, would be Island by Steven Eastwood. Island follows four individuals to the end of their lives, including one, Alan, who you see breathing until he doesn’t breathe anymore. When I first met Steven, I was already juggling quite a lot and certainly wasn’t planning of getting involved in another film, but the visceral connection I had to his idea of giving an image to death – a reality that we all too often turn away from – was something I had to listen to. I truly believe Island to be a film of distinct, bold beauty. I have seen it countless times, but it still mesmerises me, as if it had its own magnetic field. I am incredibly proud of having produced it, and I am moved every time it is screened. I am proud to know that it is a film that has challenged and helped many people reflect on death and dying – we still receive emails and messages to this effect, particularly from people as they prepare to say goodbye to their loved one, or reflect on the death of someone close. Challenging the silence around death was important to me on a personal level, but I am also proud of the relationships we build with the hospice where the film was shot (Mountbatten, on the Isle of Wight), with the families of the beautiful individuals in the film. We are currently developing pilot toolkits for the film to be used for training NHS junior doctors and nurses – this was a tangential outcome, but really underlines how far a film can travel when a story is told with intent.\nHow many projects do you have on the go at the moment, and what work of yours can we look forward to seeing soon?\nMaking creative documentaries is an all encompassing, all consuming reality. Whilst you might develop several ideas at once, I have learnt (the hard way!) that it’s too much to be involved in full production of too many films at once. You never known how long a film might take – A Syrian Love Story ended up being made over six years; Even When I Fall over seven. And once the film is finished – its festival journey, distribution, future…the full span of a film’s life is long. When you make documentaries, you’re also working with real human beings, whose life you have depicted in a moment in time, but the relationship exists far beyond the film. Does your responsibility to that representation ever end?\nAt the moment, I am developing a few exciting projects with emerging directors Ana Naomi de Sousa and Omar El-Khairy, as well as working on new ideas with Steven Eastwood, and Sean McAllister, which I look forward to sharing more information about in due course. I am currently putting finishing touches on a film called Ayouni by Yasmin Fedda, which reflects on forcible disappearance in Syria through the prism of families searching for their loved ones. We began making the film five years ago, after Father Paolo, the subject of a film we were making at the time, was forcibly disappeared in Raqqa. We still have no concrete or reliable information of Paolo’s fate, though the Italian press have recently been reporting on new evidence that would suggest he was killed shortly after he was disappeared. The film depicts his sister Machi’s search for him, alongside that of Noura Ghazi, lawyer and wife of Syrian Creative Commons developer and hacker Bassel Safadi, who disappeared in 2014.\nOn the curation side, this July will see the return of Shubbak, the festival of contemporary Arab culture, for which I have once again curated the film programme at the Barbican (it runs 3-7th July) around the thematic of generational change in an exciting programme of films from Algeria to Tunisia, and a focus on Arab-British directors, a hyphenated identity that is rarely discussed in these terms, which is in itself quite interesting.\nHow do you think the industry will change in the next few years?\nI don’t know, but one thing I hope for is greater support for producers. Receiving the BFI Vision Award in 2016 was a game-changer for me – it gave me an insight into what working with a secure overhead could be like, it enabled me to develop new work from scratch and so to champion projects that were too malleable and raw to be pitched to funders before being more fully developed. Essentially: to be supported to take risks. It also positioned me amongst my peers – most of whom work with fiction exclusively – which also gave me a lot of insights into the bigger picture, broader industry. The way that I see it, documentary hardly has a place at the table.\nI also think that there is a discussion around mental health that needs to be had in relation to both creative processes, and the industry. I found this recent Filmmaker Magazine article “Disclosed: Producers and Therapists on Dealing with the Stress of a Demanding Profession” painfully pertinent, and have seldom seen this addressed in a meaningful way. There are so many complex questions that need to be discussed, that would challenge the reality of this profession as a particularly lonely and complex space. Should independent producers be supported to be more mobile and visible in a dense and competitive international space? When do you pay for someone’s time – taking part in panels, hosting events, imparting wisdom in other ways? Should there be budget lines for therapy worked into complex projects? Shouldn’t the ‘aftercare’ for subjects of complex films be the responsibility of all film partners, and not just the filmmakers? I could go on. Rebecca Day is doing interesting work in this space, having recently set up Film in Mind and offering tailored therapeutic workshops, support and consultancy.\nI know you also do an impressive amount of work outside of producing creative documentaries, including film programming, translation and publishing. What underpins all the work that you do, and does your other work inform your doc producing?\nI would say that all my work looks to challenge a mainstream narrative. In the film world, I produce, distribute and curate – but I believe that all of these things are in essence a form of storytelling: deciding which films get seen, and how those films are framed. I crossed into distribution space after producing A Syrian Love Story and realising that if nobody inherently saw the ‘value’ of the film, that we would have to create the conditions for it to be understood – our self-devised release strategy enabled a reach of over two million people in the UK in the month of release alone.\nPerhaps the film’s framing and visibility was so important to me because I had spent a decade working in a community centre with young refugees – in the years directly following the invasions of Afghanistan and then Iraq. I think that all the different hats and spaces I’ve occupied – from translating Persian poetry, to producing photography (and even once upon a time, a band!) – have contributed to how I understand the world, and to the work I am doing today.\nI produce, distribute and curate – but I believe that all of these things are in essence a form of storytelling: deciding which films get seen, and how those films are framed.\nI think there is real value in this kind of cross pollination, and don’t believe that everything needs to necessarily follow a certain pattern or format. I remember walking around Paris’s empty streets on a hot August day (I grew up in Paris), wondering what I should do after school. I was drawn to the postcards outside a bookstore – one was a stunning piece of Arabic calligraphy, in brilliant blue. Its meaning was a saying by Lao Tseu “Le parfait voyageur ne sait pas où il va” – meaning, a good traveller doesn’t know where they are headed. That postcard (by an Iraqi calligrapher called Hassan Massoudy) has been up on my wall ever since. I interpreted it then as having the confidence to not always know the exact answers. This doesn’t mean not having plans or goals, but being open to enjoy the journeys that life takes you on, to see the opportunities as they present themselves. Similarly, Rebecca Solnit has written about getting lost in a way that reminds me of the creative process. (Apart from the fact that I have a terrible sense of direction ) I think it says a lot about why I make the films I make.\nYou can learn more about Elhum’s work on www.hakawati.co.uk. Shubbak’s film programme runs 3-7th July at Barbican – for more info about the line up, and the whole festival, see https://shubbak.co.uk\nDocs You Can Watch Right Now!\nMay 25, 2018 commentary, reviewsadam gee, BBC, BBC Storyville, Grierson, mark craig, Morgan Matthews, Raw, real stories, Sean McAllister, sheffield doc/fest, sue bourne, The Guardian, youtubecarolnahra\nOne of my guest speakers pointed out the other day that we average 23 minutes a day searching for something to watch. That adds up to seven years of our lives. Gulp. To make it easier on you, assuming you’re reading this cause you love documentaries, here are some films well worth your time:\nI recently interviewed Adam Gee about his original commissioning for the Real Stories channel on Youtube. Here are some of my favourite films that the channel has acquired:\nOne Killer Punch\nI found this programme riveting – not surprising perhaps as it comes from the always outstanding Raw TV.\nYou can also see the below BMX storyline, which was left out of the original programme, but has gone on to gain many viewers, both through Headway and the Guardian:\nBattleship Antarctica\nThis is an outstanding and overlooked little gem by the very talented Morgan Matthews, and a great example of how observational documentary can lead you to unexpected places.\nMum and Me\nAs evidenced by her multiple appearances in this blog, I’m a big Sue Bourne fan. Here’s a very personal film she made about her mum:\nMeet the Mormons\nI found this fascinating – great access, great story, ’nuff said.\nOther Real Stories films I recommend are The Drug Trial, My Sister the Geisha (which, admittedly, I worked on back in my development days at Stampede), My Fake Baby, and Fighting the Taliban.\nThere are a couple Docs on Screens-featured films currently on I-Player: Sean McAllister’s A Syrian Love Story, is available for another twelve days and, for another three weeks Mark Craig’s The Last Man on the Moon.\nAnd I highly recommend Jamie Roberts’ Manchester: The Night of the Bomb (exec produced by Dan Reed), as a gripping, moving and insightful account of the tragedy.\nIn the last few years I’ve guest lectured for the Grierson Trust’s DocLab, where participants as part of the mentoring programme develop doc ideas. One of the best ideas last year was from Ryan Gregory, who went on to win a new Sheffield Doc/Fest pitch. The film is now up on BBC Three. Below is a short version, with the full film available on the IPlayer:\nLots of good docs on All 4 and Netflix as well, but those will have to wait for another post.\nIf you live in London and want to dip more into great docs, please sign up for the course I will be teaching at the Crouch End Picturehouse. We’ll be talking about British docs for six Wednesday evenings from mid June.\nSean McAllister on his Syrian Labour of Love\nJune 4, 2015 Interview, previewsBBC Storyville, BFI, Independent documentary, Sean McAllister, sheffield doc/festcarolnahra\nBritish documentary Sean McAllister is known for launching himself into foreign lands, often in the midst of war, and finding unforgettable personal stories. Whether it’s via a piano player in Baghdad, a postal worker in Japan, Sean’s own “minders” in Iraq, these are stories of ordinary people – though always strong characters – struggling to survive in an often unkind world. Sean’s latest film, A Syrian Love Story, is perhaps his best yet. It begins as a very local story about Amer and Raghda, a couple who met as political prisoners in Syria and went on to have four sons together. When Sean is arrested with footage of them in his camara, the family has to abruptly flee to Lebanon, and the film turns into a larger story about lives in exile. Sean continues to follow them as they struggle to find solid footing, not least in their marriage, whilst watching a deteriorating Syria from afar.\nSean and Bob\nI spoke to Sean a few days before the film’s world premiere at Sheffield Doc/Fest, and he explained a bit about the circuitous way the film was made:\nIt’s been a long time in the making. Is this your longest project?\nYes, it’s a labour of love, isn’t it? It didn’t get commissioned. That’s why it went on and on and on. I suppose the interesting side of it is that I’d given up on it actually. Then Matt Scholes, who graduated from Sheffield University film school, read an interview with me about it, and contacted me and said rather than working in the industry I’d like to edit this material of yours. I said I’ve given up on it – it’s not happening. And he said, well let me just have a look at it. And he went off for three months and started cutting it together and got me excited again. So I went off filming again because of him.\nThat’s amazing. At what point had you given up on it?\nI gave up on it so many times. But the most significant point probably was two years ago, when I finished my Yemen film. I took off from Syria and went to Yemen and made The Reluctant Revolutionary. Nick (Fraser, of BBC Storyville) had sort of wanted a film from Syria. I gave him the Yemen film. I think he felt after the Yemen film and post Arab spring that it wasn’t so interesting to have an Arab spring film again…So he then sent me off to Greece to make a film. So I used the development money in Greece to fly off to Lebanon to film them, with the development money from Greece.\nAmer and Bob speak to imprisoned Raghda\nThere’s no Greece film, huh?\nThere’s no Greece film. But like at the beginning, when I wanted to go to Syria and couldn’t get Syria commissioned, they sent me to Dubai. So I used the Dubai development to go to Damascus. So where there’s a will there’s a way. At the end of the day Nick saw there was nothing happening in Greece, and I was very passionate about this. And by then it wasn’t Arab spring; it was a different story. The arc of it had changed over the course of five years; it became a story of exile. It became something a bit more unusual because of the time frame. And this was all possible because Matt had got on board to construct the material, so we had stuff to show. And then when the BBC came on board, we pitched to the BFI. It’s perfect for a BFI pitch because they need to see what they’re getting into. And we had certain scenes cut, and they were excited.\nThe family’s story arc changed thanks to you, probably in a more direct way than has previously happened in your films.\nI just came back from the border, screening the film with Raghda, and one of my questions (in preparation for post screening Q&As) was did she blame me for life today? Because I got arrested and they were all thrown into exile….And she laughed and said “I cried when you were arrested, I cried for you. The only people I blame in any of this are the regime.”\nA Syrian Love Story has its world premiere screenings 7 and 9 June at Sheffield Doc/Fest. It will then be playing at festivals internationally and following a cinema release will be broadcast on BBC Storyville in early 2016.\nFilms to Watch at Sheffield Doc/Fest 2015\nMay 7, 2015 festival, previewsautobiographical films, brian hill, documentaries, Joshua Oppenheimer, Parvez Sharma, Sean McAllister, sheffield doc/fest, The Hunting Groundcarolnahra\nThe Sheffield Doc/Fest programme, which I have been helping to write for some weeks now, is live! Here are a few of my favourites, with more to follow:\nA Sinner in Mecca\nAfter releasing his film A Jihad for Love, exploring Islam and homosexuality, Parvez Sharma is a marked man, having been publicly labelled an infidel. But Sharma is unwilling to give up the faith that has been overshadowed by extremists. “Oh Prophet: Is there a place in Islam for sinners like me?” he asks – and decides to go in search of the answer. Leaving his husband behind in New York, he journeys to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, to undertake the Hajj pilgrimage, considered the greatest accomplishment within Islam. With filming forbidden and homosexuality punishable by death, he films surreptitiously on his IPhone. He follows thousands of pilgrims through garbage-filled streets, and from the holiest of sites, the Kaaba, through to the air-conditioned Starbucks 700 metres away. Throughout, Sharma weaves a thoughtful meditation on modern Islam that is also a brave and moving autobiographical documentary.\nCarol Nahra\nThe Hunting Ground\nExcited at having landed a place at the University of North Carolina, Annie Clark’s elation evaporated when she was raped before classes began. She is far from alone: studies show that 20% of women will suffer a sexual attack at university. In a masterful, wide-ranging investigation, Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering present dozens of testimonials detailing how universities of every shape and size collude to cover up sexual crimes on their campuses, creating an ideal “hunting ground” for serial offenders. Fear of damaging their reputation – and enrolment – drives shocking behaviour throughout the universities, with the fraternity and athletic communities covering up the most grievous assaults. For many victims, the institutional denial proves even more painful than the crime itself. But hope is in sight as Annie and other victims begin to fight back through the courts, hitting universities where it hurts – by threatening their revenue streams.\nIn this multi-award winning companion piece to The Act of Killing, filmed before its release, Joshua Oppenheimer further explores the terrible legacy of the Indonesian genocide fifty years ago, this time through the lens of one family. Adi was born in 1968, two years after his brother Ramli was slaughtered in front of many eyewitnesses. Now an optometrist, Adi lives with his elderly parents and his children. Not only does he live under the ongoing rules of his brother’s killers, he has to listen to his children regurgitate the propaganda which led to the slaughter, and is still being perpetuated in schools. Adi decides to confront some of the murderers, who are surprised when his questions are more intense than Oppenheimer’s. His breaking of the silence leads to some electrifying scenes, in a film where the beauty of the Indonesian landscape belies the bone chilling horrors carried out there in the name of democracy.\nA Syrian Love Story\nAmer met Ragda, when both were locked up in a Syrian jail for speaking out against an oppressive regime. Twenty years and four sons later, filmmaker Sean McAllister comes into their lives, as Amer is waiting for Ragda, who has once again been imprisoned. When she is unexpectedly released, the family is overjoyed – they need her, particularly three year-old Bob. McAllister and his subjects’ lives become irrevocably intertwined when McAllister himself is jailed, and footage of the family is confiscated. Amer and Ragda must flee overnight to Lebanon, with nothing but their children. McAllister follows their story over five turbulent years, as they struggle to find their feet as refugees; Ragda in particular can’t bear to be away from Syria in its hour of greatest need. As they watch Syria descend into chaos, they struggle to repair their troubled relationship. A powerful, moving story of family and exile from one of the UK’s most talented independent filmmakers.\nThe Confessions of Thomas Quick\nA loner from an early age, Thomas Quick went on to become Sweden’s most notorious serial killer, openly confessing to the gruesome murders of more than 30 people. Held for decades in a psychiatric institute, Quick’s confessions emerged after years working with a group of touchy feely therapists, convinced that the recovery of memories would cure patients of their criminality. In a country with a low crime rate, the nation watched with horror as Quick’s confessions mounted, accounting for many of the country’s unsolved murders. With testimonials from a range of people whose lives have been dominated by this story – including Quick himself – and dramatic reenactment, Brian Hill weaves a stylish noir thriller that works a treat on the big screen. What appears at first to be a tale of unimaginable evil evolves into something much more layered as Hill digs deep into the motivations behind those working closely with Quick.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line168968"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6242063045501709,"wiki_prob":0.3757936954498291,"text":"Climate reality requires starting at home: Weaning from fossil fuels\nPlanetPolicy\nTimmons Roberts Thursday, October 11, 2018\nFossil fuels have to go. It didn’t take the latest report from the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to tell us that: we’ve known it for three decades. But the report makes it clearer than ever: Burning billions of tons of coal, oil, and natural gas is creating a thickening blanket over the Earth, holding in its heat and disrupting all kinds of systems, from oceans temperatures and chemistry to storm patterns, creating heat waves, hurricanes, droughts, and floods.\nTimmons Roberts\nFormer Brookings Expert\nTwitter timmonsroberts\nYet societal action has been stymied by fossil fuel industry lobbyists (for example, Americans for Prosperity and Crossroads GPS), their campaign contributions, their successful efforts to change society’s thinking on what governments are for, and their orchestrated amplification of any uncertainty in the scientific literature on the need to get off their product. While unsurprising, the scale and intensity of the effort is impressive. Most insidiously, by undermining peoples’ faith in our government to serve us in the addressing of difficult problems like climate change, the fossil fuel industry and its proxies have made our society not just unsustainable, but also ungovernable.\nActivists concerned both about climate change writ large and about local impacts of fossil fuel extraction, transportation, and refining are using an array of strategies.\nYet there is one basic step we can all take to weaken this doomsday industry’s death grip on our culture: stop buying their product.\nMy family has taken a series of steps to slash our fossil fuel consumption. Some were easy and quick, some were not. In just a few years, though, our usage is just a fraction of what it was. We are not absolutists: our short-term goal is not zero fossil fuels, though we’d like to get there eventually. We see the tremendous concentration of energy in liquid fossil fuels as a great back-up system, a fallback for when the renewables need filling in. For example, we’re keeping our oil furnace and water heater for now, and slowly switching to biofuels made from cooking oil. We bought an all-electric plug-in car, and another plug-in hybrid car, which switches over to gas after its battery has drained. These are useful transition technologies to help us across some of the final steps to decarbonization.\nSome first steps have propelled us down this road. First, we focused on reducing energy waste in our 100-year-old New England bungalow. With no insulation besides horsehair plaster and stucco, we had a home energy audit and then hired a company that sealed up cracks and drilled holes between each joist and pumped over a hundred bales of cellulose into the walls. The place was transformed, from a drafty and fairly miserable place to a warm and quiet nest. Our energy bills dropped by half.\nIt’s Energy Week: Here are 10 lessons about buying or leasing an electric car\nOne year since Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement\nGrid storage in the 1830s: Lessons for innovation in today’s energy market\nPerhaps the easiest and most impactful step we took was to switch over to “green power,” bought through the grid from a local supplier, Green Energy Consumer Alliance. They have a mixed renewables plan, which uses small hydro and biodigesters, in addition to solar and wind facilities in the region. We went for the 100 percent New England Wind option, to see how much it would cost to have each electron we pull off the grid for our home replaced by an electron somewhere in the region released by a wind turbine. With an offshore wind resource right at hand, my state of Rhode Island could create two or three times its energy needs indefinitely, without pollution. Our buying this electricity has only cost about $20 a month extra, and the margin is tax-deductible.\nWe are buying substantially more electricity now, since we have leased an all-electric Chevy Bolt, and bought a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (a PHEV), the Mitsubishi Outlander. The Bolt is the future car, with a range of 240 miles that allows us to charge it once or twice a week, from the “Level 2” 220-volt charger box I had installed by the driveway. Plugging the car in when you get home takes about 7 seconds, and you never need to stop at gas stations again.\nThe plug in hybrid gas Outlander feels like it has one foot in the future and one in the past, using the gas engine for backup after the 22-mile electric range is depleted. Getting the benefit of renewables and the efficiency of the electric engine actually takes more work with the PHEV, since you need to plug it in every night. But this small SUV allows us to have a car to tote the collies, the kids, and substantial stuff.\nThese electric car options have strongly shifted the pathway to near zero carbon economies. Here in New England, transportation is 40 percent of our carbon emissions, and just a few years ago that number seemed nearly impossible to address. Now we have options—cars that are zippier, cheaper to maintain, and delightfully quiet. Even using normal electricity off the grid, the Bolt gets an equivalent of 113 miles per gallon. Using all local wind power, it’s nearly infinite. The Union of Concerned Scientists did an analysis showing that even with the impacts of mining all that battery material and building the car, it pays off in carbon terms in about 9 months.\nWe’ve also changed how we heat and cool our house. Someday, we’ll electrify our hot water heater with a tankless unit, and switch to an all-electric air- or ground-sourced heat pump. This and solar panels for the roof are fairly major investments, and it would be good to do them at a time when we’re replacing existing infrastructure, like the furnace or the roof (which is getting old). In the meantime, we’re using our efficient wood stove, which I recognize causes some local air quality issues and is not zero carbon.\nTwo final areas have to be acknowledged and dealt with: our food system’s carbon intensity, and travel—especially by air. On the latter, I have cut way back on travel to conferences and giving invited talks around the world. I travel by train when possible or beam in by Skype. It’s not the same, and I will keep making a few carefully chosen trips, but this year alone Skype has saved me thousands of air miles.\nWe’re trying to eat less beef and lamb, which are among the worst foods for the amount of emissions they cause, and we eat vegetarian several days a week. Again, we are not absolutists, and believe that self-denial can lead to backsliding and even political backlash. We’re looking for sustainable levels of action, with the aim of leading satisfying lives that sharply reduce our impacts on the climate.\nIndividual solutions are not enough—we need to help our employers and churches get off fossil fuels, and push governments to level the playing field so that fossil fuels don’t continue to get massive subsidies. The World Bank calculated those costs at hundreds of billions of dollars, with subsidies shoring up a product that incurs huge societal costs by imperiling our health (asthma, cardio-vascular problems directly result from fossil fuel combustion) and damaging our ecosystems (from drought, sea level rise, and heavy metals deposited downwind of highways and power plants). We’re also supporting groups (also here) who are working on policy options like an economy-wide tax on carbon and providing dividends to residents and funding the kinds of efforts described above. We’re participating in efforts to shape our state and region’s energy policy and what goes on the grid to make electricity. Many of these are efforts to restore balance and transparency to our democratic system, which has become dominated by private interests over public ones. The system must change, it can change, and new legislation and strengthening existing programs will be crucial.\nI don’t have numbers on this transformation in our household, but between insulation and biofuels and wood heat, our oil consumption is down by over 50 percent. Our gasoline use is down about 80-90 percent with the EV Bolt and the PHEV Mitsubishi. Our electricity is now 100 wind power, so these are not just Emissions Elsewhere Vehicles (EEVs).\nOverall, my family has probably slashed our fossil fuel use by about two-thirds, and we hope to attain near zero carbon energy for our household soon. Through personal and collective action, we can wrest our society back from the fossil fuel industry. Based on the input of thousands of scientific studies, the new IPCC report says we need to. And we must.\nThe findings, interpretations and conclusions posted on Brookings.edu are solely those of the authors and not of The Brookings Institution, its officers, staff, board, funders, or organizations with which they may have a relationship.\nMore on Climate Change\nDisrupting the waste management industry through technology\nSanjay Patnaik and Michael Allegretti\nEducation Plus Development\nHow can we implement education for climate action and climate justice?\nChristina Kwauk\nOn December 8th, 2020, David G. Victor participated in a panel hosted by Boston Review and the Harvard Bookstore discussing climate policy and strategies to address the climate crisis.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line809455"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7146298289299011,"wiki_prob":0.2853701710700989,"text":"NEW SHOTS!\nCalifornia Buildings\nSouthern California Landscapes\nBy The Road\nThe First Hike\nOn October 9, 2015, I took delivery of my current camera, the Samsung NX500. I decided to take a hike up in Griffith Park to “break it in” and hike a part of the park I’d not been to before. The hike began at the Old Zoo which was all decked out for evening hay rides for Halloween. The Old Zoo was actually the LA zoo’s second location, the first being in east LA’s Lincoln Park before moving to Griffith Park in the 1920’s and moving from this location to it’s current location about a half mile north in the 1960’s. The hike route went a north and west up the hill to Vista Del Valle Drive(a road that’s been closed to traffic since the early 90’s) and up a short but steep trail(affectionally known as “Cardiac Hill”) to the trail that goes south to Mt. Hollywood. Then the route goes down the east side of Mt. Hollywood to Daunte’s View and down the single track trail down a ridge known as the “Hogback”(it looks like the back of a hog from Glendale). At the bottom of this trail is a bridge over a ravine and then the trail loops around Glendale Peak(it’s more of a hill) to the Helipad. Continuing east to make the short climb to Beacon Hill(they used to have a beacon up there to guide flyers to Glendale’s Grand Central Airport) which is the easternmost mountain in the Santa Monica range.\nIn addition to me getting a good workout, I really wanted to get a good idea what the camera could do so I kept it in “Manual” mode and manual focus. I think this is a really good way to adapt to a\nnew DLSR(or mirrorless) camera. The one thing that I failed to take into account with this approach(I was using the camera’s display to focus and set the exposure) is that I was wearing sunglasses and every exposure came out a bit overexposed. Fortunately I was shooting in RAW so it wasn’t a major problem to correct this in Lightroom.\nThe Hogback Trail\nThe Hogback trail is only about 1/2 a mile long but can get pretty steep in places(like you see in the picture). After going down this trail, I vowed never to do that again(I’ve hiked up it since then). This whole area burned in the 2007 fire.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line155548"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7488153576850891,"wiki_prob":0.7488153576850891,"text":"What Every Developer Needs to Know About Software Patching\nWe all make mistakes. Here’s how to fix them.\nTammy Xu\nEven the best developers make mistakes, and sometimes those mistakes make it into production.\nWhen that happens, they’re hopefully caught by a developer or an external user and brought to the attention of the development team. At that point, it’s time to roll out a patch.\nThe main difference between a patch and a new version release is that, while new versions tend to ship with product enhancements and new features, software patches are meant to fix bugs and security vulnerabilities. For products such as web applications, rolling out a patch can be as simple as pushing updated code to the production environment — but that doesn’t mean the patching process is easy.\nTo help make software patching as stress-free as it can be, we spoke with experienced developers about some best practices you should keep in mind.\nReminders When Patching Software\nOrder and priority of patches is important\nTest patches in small batches before pushing to a larger group\nKeep your users in the loop when rolling out fixes\nRemember that patches are a normal part of the development process\nThe order in which patches are done matters. | Image: Shutterstock\nOrder Matters When It Comes to Patching\nA useful tip to keep in mind before releasing a patch is to consider the issues that can come up when rolling out patches internally within a company. The order in which patches are made can be important.\n“The biggest struggle for large-scale enterprises is priority of patches, number of machines and isolated networks,” said Chelsea Brown, CEO of Digital Mom Talk.\nBrown consults with companies to locate software vulnerabilities in need of patching. She said the priority of patches matter, because different types of vulnerabilities carry different levels of risk. It’s important to understand which issues to tackle first in order to try to minimize the overall risk.\n“When you find a problem, a lot of times it’s not just a one-stop fix — sometimes there’s different levels,” Brown said.\n“When you find a problem, a lot of times it’s not just a one-stop fix — sometimes there’s different levels.”\nSome bugs are not big concerns, and they can be dealt with later. But a high-priority vulnerability — one that grants unauthorized access to a payment system, for example — requires immediate attention.\n“Something that doesn’t affect day-to-day operations and isn’t necessarily going to hurt our bottom line or reputation or customers, it’s put on the lower priority end,” Brown said.\nHigher-priority issues should be fixed first because leaving them could give attackers time to compromise a system, which can result in significant damage to the company’s reputation and revenue.\nIt’s important to take into account not only the technical aspect of the vulnerabilities when deciding the priority, but the business side as well. If certain patches are known to take more time and affect other systems, then the decision of when to patch should take that into account.\n“As a security person, I think [the patches] are all vital,” Brown said. “But from a business perspective, there are ones that you need to do first — and there are ones that take a little longer. If you’re a company running Windows servers, Windows updates can take literally three to four hours. For a company to have a system down for three to four hours, that’s very critical.”\nMORE ON ENGINEERING3 Simple Strategies for Making Your Code Reviews More Effective\nTesting is an important part of patching. | Image: Shutterstock\nBe Sure to Test Patches Before Releasing Them\nCompanies need to understand all the different ways a patch will affect a customer’s system before releasing it. The best way to ensure that is by doing a lot of testing.\nTom DeSot, CIO at Digital Defense, a cybersecurity company that helps clients check for vulnerabilities in their systems, said it’s important to test the changes on a select few machines before pushing them out to a larger group. Within a company, this can be done by rolling out patches to individual machines or certain departments first.\n“Typically, you have a lab of computers that are representative of computers on your network used by different divisions with different applications,” DeSot said. “You try to push the updates on those systems, and you’d make sure that it doesn’t cause the system to crash or anything of that nature. Once you validate that the patches are working properly, then you begin pushing them out to the organization at large.”\nBy approaching it step by step, it’s more likely that issues associated with the patch will get caught early, before they affect a large number of machines. Similarly, companies should test extensively prior to pushing out patches to customers, with a special emphasis on testing that pushes the edge cases of what the application is meant to do.\n“They may work in our testing, but we’re testing them for certain types of use,” Brown said. “If a customer gets it and they’re not using it the way that we tested it, a patch could potentially break — and when you send it out to the user, you won’t know that until the user uses it.”\nShe said it is common for users to contact companies about bugs, only for companies to say that they have never seen that bug before. That kind of situation results from use cases the company hasn’t considered.\nIt's important to keep users informed. | Image: Shutterstock\nKeep Your Users in the Loop\nIn addition to getting the technical rollout right, Brown said it is also important to notify customers about patches, usually through a written agreement such as a security policy.\n“The security policy should have a clause about [how long the company can take to issue] patches, because if a company [has no specified buffer] and a criminal was able to get into it, it opens up the company for potential lawsuits — especially if they suffer a major data breach,” Brown said.\nMaya Kaczorowski, a product manager at GitHub, said notifying users of open-source projects can be especially tricky, because it isn’t easy to see who the users of an open-source project are.\n“Open-source projects have taken a variety of approaches here, from a security-announcement mailing list to a forum or website,” Kaczorowski said. “Ideally, develop a fix before going public with the vulnerability, but if that’s not yet possible, or if the vulnerability is already public, identify mitigations to help users better protect themselves even without a patch.”\nKaczorowski said it is good practice to have a help file in open-source code repositories that specifies the project’s security reporting and disclosure policy. A critical component of the instructions should be how to reach out to a project’s maintainers about possible vulnerabilities.\nFor GitHub projects, she suggested using GitHub Security Advisories, which add a project’s vulnerability information to the GitHub Advisory Database that tracks vulnerabilities in GitHub’s open-source projects. The advisory will trigger security alerts and “automatically tell your downstream users about the vulnerability.”\nSometimes, even patches themselves might have bugs. In those cases, once the bug is caught, companies can either roll back the patch or release a new patch that fixes the old one. Brown said the better option is usually to roll out a new patch that either fixes the broken code or renders it “null and void.”\nBut, most importantly, remember: Patching is a normal and important part of the development process, as long as proper testing is done and customers are informed before patches are rolled out.\nMORE ON ENGINEERINGHow to Contribute to Open Source: The Ultimate Guide\nSoftware Engineering Perspectives","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line459715"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6529461145401001,"wiki_prob":0.6529461145401001,"text":"Cultural Comparison: Canadian Ice Hockey vs. American Football, Part VII\nVincent A. @ ELC Research International\nDavid Gordon-MacDonald, the proofreader of the articles, has given a quite interesting suggestion about the origin of Canadian ice hockey, as follows:\nIce hockey started on rinks made on village ponds and icy back yards. It was a community game but also a game played by people who considered themselves, in many cases, rough and ready frontiersmen. So, physicality was always a great part of the game. Hockey has always been a working man’s sport and did not have the early intervention from the educated classes that many other sports had. For instance, the British working man’s game, soccer football, had the first version of its current rules written down by a nobleman, as I recall. That kind of thing never happened in village sport of ice hockey.\nIt is thought that ice hockey started in Nova Scotia, the Scottish area of Canada in the 19th century as a version of Shinty, a Scottish Highland game with some similarities to field hockey, but played here on ice instead of grass. Shinty sticks are flat on each side and you can see how they could evolve into the modern hockey stick. However, even in Scotland, Shinty was a village game or a game played in communities of Highlanders who migrated to cities.\nIn fact, the game may have had similar origins to the Irish game of Hurling, as a Celtic warrior’s pastime. Games like Shinty in Scotland and Hurling in Ireland are related to stick-and-ball games used by the Celtic warrior class to keep themselves in shape without actual combat. In Ireland, there are traces of such games going back a couple of thousand years.\nThere has never been anything academic about either Shinty or ice hockey, unlike in the American collegiate athletics as discussed in this article. Canadian universities, today, have hockey programs, but it always seems like an imperfect fit.\nActually, the author had an experience of watching an ice hockey practice game by the rink, only once. The speed and the impact of the moving players and the puck shot by them, as well as the live sound of scraping off the ice surface, were so intense and powerful, which were totally different from those we could see or hear in the TV. I realize the reason why the ice hockey wins a great popularity in Canada.\nBut, for the very reason that the ice hockey is a quite attractive sport as such, it would be enjoyable even without a violence in the game. I would be happy if Canadian people realize this. Though the U.S.A. might not have had the model of ice hockey, since there is a good example of American football having been refined from a brutal sport wherein casualties occurred frequently to an advanced sport wherein the violence is well controlled, I believe the Canadian ice hockey had better pursue the modernization modeling after the football. It’s never too late.\nCopyright ©2013-2018 Japanese Canadian Community Organization of Victoria\nThis article is a revision of the article entitled “In-Depth Cultural Comparison, No. 2: Comparing Canada and America; Ice Hockey vs. American Football” printed in Japonism Victoria, vol. 8 no.3, 2013 published by Japanese Canadian Community Organization of Victoria.\nCanadian Ice Hockey vs. American Football, Part I <\nCanadian Ice Hockey vs. American Football, Part II <\nCanadian Ice Hockey vs. American Football, Part III <\nCanadian Ice Hockey vs. American Football, Part VI <\nCanadian Ice Hockey vs. American Football, Part V <\neditors 07/01/2018 07/03/2018 Eng, 文化 Culture No Comments\n← The Truth of Victoria Oriental Home [2]\nカナダ・アメリカ文化比較:アイスホッケーとアメリカンフットボール Ice Hockey vs. American Football[7] →","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line337289"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6206480860710144,"wiki_prob":0.6206480860710144,"text":"Bishop Javier Echevarría, Prelate of Opus Dei\nBishop Javier Echevarría Passes Away\nElective General Congress\nFrom the Prelate and the Auxiliary Vicar\nAddresses and Other Statements\nPontifical Appointment\nEstablishment of New Centers of the Prelature\nSome Diocesan Assignments Entrusted to Priests of Opus Dei\nIsidoro Zorzano Is Declared Venerable\nInterview with Msgr. José Luis Gutiérrez Gómez, Postulator for the Cause of Isidoro Zorzano\nInvestigative Phase of Dora Del Hoyo’s Cause of Canonization Concluded\nThe University of Navarra Bible Goes Digital\nSixty Years of Apostolic Work in Uruguay\nDocumentary “Ernesto Cofiño, All Can Be Saints”\nOther Publications of Interest\nNumber 63News\nWho was Isidoro Zorzano?\nIsidoro Zorzano was an engineer who worked diligently in an exemplary way, with loyalty and a spirit of service towards his colleagues. He promoted initiatives to help the needy, and demonstrated great faith and charity in his life as a Christian. Those who knew him remember his serenity, equanimity, optimism, and his reflective and thoughtful manner. One witness testifies that during Isidoro’s years at the university, his companions “would go to him as a ‘peacemaker’ to resolve the arguments they sometimes had.”\nHe was born on September 13, 1902, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, of Spanish parents. In 1905 the family moved to Spain, where Isidoro earned the title of industrial engineer. He worked in the Railway Company, first in Malaga and afterwards in Madrid. He also gave classes in the Industrial School in Malaga. In 1930 he met with St. Josemaría Escrivá, a former high school classmate, and after a long conversation with him, Isidoro asked to join Opus Dei, which had been founded in 1928. In this path of the Church, Isidoro discovered the possibility of fulfilling his desire to give himself to God in the midst of the world.\nHis unwavering fidelity was always a great support to the founder of Opus Dei, in both the difficult years of the Spanish Civil War (1936 - 1939) and also in the development of Opus Dei’s apostolic works in the early 1940s. In January 1943 he was diagnosed as having malignant lymphoma. It was an extremely painful illness, which had begun months before and which he had bravely borne with abandonment to the will of God. He died with a reputation for sanctity on July 15 of the same year, at the age of 40. One of his colleagues in the railway offices in Madrid remembers: “When we talked about our bosses, it was common for someone to say: ‘Don Isidoro is a saint.’” Another person who worked with him declared: “We felt his loss in an extraordinary way, because his passing was for us like losing a father.”\nPope Francis has approved the publication of a decree about the virtues Isidoro lived to a heroic degree. Can you speak to us about some of them?\nIsidoro’s perseverance in ordinary things was outstanding, an expression of his loyalty. He always fulfilled the commitments he had taken on, right up to last moment of his life on earth. This might appear easy because of a mistaken idea of what “heroism” means. This word is not synonymous with extraordinary deeds or surprising accomplishments. Heroism means practicing the virtues constantly and during a sufficiently long period of time, right where one happens to be, in everyday realities, in the fulfilment of one’s obligations as a worker, citizen, friend, member of a family, etc. This is what Isidoro did.\nHe loved his profession, and he knew that God called him to seek holiness in his work. His love for God, for example, spurred him to be the first to get to work in his office in the morning; he accepted with good humor and supernatural outlook the occasional annoyances and injustices of his bosses; he sought to do everything with professional competence and tried to be pleasant in his dealings with others. He was well-known for his sense of justice and closeness to the people who worked for him. They knew that “with Don Isidoro shabby work wouldn’t do,” because he always made sure personally that the job had been done conscientiously. Isidoro also gave classes in the Industrial School of Malaga. His pupils recall his great patience, and that they could approach him to ask questions, even going to his home. Among the students “it was frequently said that he was a saint.”\nHe made his work compatible with an intense life of prayer. He had a great love for the Eucharist, and got up early every day to go to Mass and receive Holy Communion. He helped out in social works and tried to lead his friends and colleagues closer to God.\nHow can Isidoro help a worker in our day and age?\nFrom the examples I’ve just given, Isidoro can be held up as a model for the worker of our day, whether an engineer or a laborer, or a mother of a family who cheerfully “multitasks” every day. Blessed Alvaro del Portillo knew Isidoro quite well and left a written testimony that he had learned from him to “sanctify the work of each day, with order and perseverance; to carry out with perfection, with Love, the little things of each moment. Isidoro was always working. I don’t think anyone can say that they ever saw him wasting time. But even more, he combined this industrious spirit with an exceptional spirit of humility. Isidoro never got in anybody's way; he worked silently and humbly, trying not to draw attention to himself.”\nI think Isidoro also gives us an example of Christian integrity; he was not bothered by what other people thought or said, even though this might bring problems or difficulties. One of his sisters tells us that he had a boss who opposed Isidoro’s promotion at work saying: “What kind of engineer is someone who goes to Mass every day!”\nDo people today have a devotion to Isidoro? How did they get to know about him?\nIsidoro died 73 years ago. There is hardly anyone alive today who knew him personally. Nevertheless, even before his death, those who knew him spoke about Isidoro’s reputation for sanctity. And this reputation has been growing, spreading rapidly among people in many countries of all ages and social conditions. For example, a friar who knew him quite well, Fray José López Ortiz, on being named bishop asked for a piece of the ring Isidoro wore so it could be melted as a relic into his own Episcopal ring.\nMany people go to Isidoro’s intercession to obtain graces and favors from God, and sometimes true miracles. In the office of the postulator we have received more than 5,000 accounts of favors attributed to his intercession. They vary a great deal, touching on the thousands of events that come up in the ordinary life of any person. There are, of course, lots of engineers and people of related professions who address Isidoro as a colleague, to ask him to help solve problems in their specialty. Many have recourse to him as “their engineer” whenever they encounter a technical difficulty, for example, getting a computer to work that refuses to start. But Isidoro’s intercession isn’t confined to the technical world; he is ready to help wherever necessary.\nBesides, in the last ten years, some 390,000 prayer cards for private devotion to him have been printed – not only in languages of the western world, but also in Arabic, Cebuano, Chinese, Japanese and Tagalog, as well as 300,000 copies of his newsletter.\nSo there are lots of people who are confident that Isidoro is in heaven and who make him known to those around them as a model and intercessor to obtain help from God.\nFor the Church to declare a person as blessed, it is necessary to establish that through his intercession a miracle has been obtained. Have there been any miraculous favors attributed to Isidoro?\nThe office of the postulator has received accounts of several possible miracles attributed to the intercession of Isidoro. One example is the cure of a young priest who after a series of coughing attacks, accompanied by expectorating blood, was taken to the hospital urgently, where they diagnosed a possible cancer. They suggested immediate surgery to determine the nature of the tumor, and if possible to proceed with its removal. The priest entrusted himself to Isidoro, asking for a cure. At the same time, several people began to pray for him, through Isidoro's intercession. During the operation, after exploring the right lung and examining the mediastinum (the space between the membranes of the heart and the lungs and other organs in the thorax), the surgeon found no lesion or alteration. There was no sign of the nodular mass. The priest was completely cured.\nI invite people who have a devotion to Isidoro, and those who find out about him now thanks to the news of this new step towards his beatification, to ask for favors and miracles through his intercession.\nRomana, No. 63, July-December 2016, p. 349-352.\n← Isidoro Zorzano Is Declared Venerable\nInvestigative Phase of Dora Del Hoyo’s Cause of Canonization Concluded →","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1000909"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8054330348968506,"wiki_prob":0.8054330348968506,"text":"Enquire Enrol Login Library\nImpactful Real-World Learning\nAfrican Case Studies Portfolio\nFor Next Generation Leaders\nABLA’s faculty are a global African network of respected practitioners, thought leaders and academics across disciplines and industries. Collectively they bring a rich blend of proven insights and experience gained at the coalface of building brands in Africa.\nOur ABLA faculty help participants in our programmes to shape their perspectives and sharpen their insights and approaches in building purposeful brands in Africa.\nFeyi Olubodun\nFeyi Olubodun is one of the leading authorities on understanding the African marketplace. He is the Founder and Managing Partner of Open Squares Africa, a marketing strategy consulting firm focused on advising multi-nationals and indigenous businesses on how to win in the African marketplace.\nHe is the author of the seminal book “The Villager: How Africans Consume Brands”. The book sets out the only proprietary framework for understanding African consumer. A seasoned business leader, Feyi was previously the CEO of Insight Publicis, Nigeria's foremost, and arguably, West Africa’s largest marketing communications firm.\nOlubodun is a Global Executive MBA alumnus of the Duke University Fuqua School of Business, alumnus of Lagos Business School, and a BSc Psychology graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU). An inspiring speaker, facilitator and teacher, he is considered a leading authority on the African Consumer.\n- MBA\n- BSc in Psychology\nSpecialisation/s\n- The African Marketplace\n- The African Consumer\n- Marketing Strategy\nCONSUMER INSIGHTS AND STRATEGY\nDr. Sergey Sheykhetov\nKenya/Russia\nDr. Sheykhetov is a business leader with a strong passion for cross-cultural studies. He has spent the past 18 years advising marketers of the leading local, regional and global brands in Sub Saharan Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, on how they can build sustainable businesses based on enduring consumer needs and market conditions. He has been based in Kenya since 2014, leading a team of researchers in Sub-Saharan Africa who undertake leading-edge qualitative research across Africa at Kantar, the world’s largest information and insights research firm.\nHe is a strategic and execution-driven leader with a proven track record of successfully turning around businesses. Sergey holds a BA in History (Novosibirsk State University, Russia), MA in History (Central European University, Hungary) and PhD in Economic History (University of California, USA).\n- BA in History\n- MA in History\n- PhD in Economic History\n- Cross-Cultural Studies\n- Qualitative and Quantitative Research\nMilton Nkosi\nMilton Nkosi is an award-winning journalist and media thought-leader. He joined the BBC in the late 80s just before the release of Nelson Mandela, covering all the township wars and the subsequent political negotiations, major stories across continent and interviewing all consequential African presidents and CEO’s until he retired in 2020 as Africa Bureau Analyst and Correspondent.\nAs founder and chairman of MMN International Consulting, he brings to bear a wealth of practical experience in media, communication and reputation management.\nIn a lauded 25-year career with the most watched and listened media global channel in Africa, the BBC, he has been based in the United Kingdom and in South Asia Bureaux Editor based in Delhi, India and South Africa as Africa Bureaux Chief.\nHe has covered major stories in Angola, the then Zaire which is present day DRC, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Rwanda, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Sudan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Iran and many more others.\nNkosi has interviewed Walter Sisulu, Harry Belafonte, former US President Bill Clinton, Former UK Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, F.W. De Klerk, Former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo, Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former President Jacob Zuma, President Thabo Mbeki, President Cyril Ramaphosa, Winnie Mandela and many other leaders.\nHe is a Trustee on the board of Warwick University’s Africa Project and has lectured at the Institute for the Advancement of Journalism. He was instrumental in the publishing of the book “Soweto Inside Out” and wrote a chapter in the world acclaimed book “Something to Write Home About”.\nIn 2020 he went on a road trip with former BBC colleagues around South Africa giving talks about story-telling, investigative journalism, solutions journalism and deep listening at leading South African universities.\nIn 2017 Nkosi travelled to Dubai to interview Duduzane Zuma on allegations of State Capture. He is still the only journalist to have done so. His video went viral on social media and has over 1,2 million hits on Youtube.\nNkosi studied journalism at the BBC Academy's College of Journalism in London and management and leadership at Ashridge College in Hertfordshire.\nNkosi is married to Paediatric-Neurologist Dr. Dorcas Wilson and they are blessed with two children, Kgosietsile and Khanyisile. He’s happiest when seen through the lens of a proud father, husband and an ordinary township boy from Orlando West, Soweto, who supports Orlando Pirates.\n- Journalism\n- Management and Leadership\n- Media, Communication and Reputation Management\nDr Nimrod Mbele\nDr Mbele helps organisations and leaders to solve complex business-related problems and achieve synergy by aligning organisational strategies with culture, structure, processes, and human and financial resources.\nA managing partner at Knowledge Anchors Group (KAG), he blends a wealth of experience in strategy consulting, academia and the public sector having held various leadership roles at Dual Point Holdings Pty, Wits Business School, Regenesys Management where he headed the Centre for Local Government as head of the National Development Agency (NDA) in Mpumalanga and Jet Education Services and Workplace Innovation (Pty), Ltd. Since 2017, Mbele has been one of the judges on Integrated Reporting (IR) awards co-hosted by PwC, Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and the Chartered Governance Institute of Southern Africa (CGISA).\nMbele anchors a thought leadership radio show called “Beyond Governance with Dr Mbele” on ChaiFM and has hosted numerous high-level interviews with captains of industry, legislators and senior government official on numerous leadership and management issues facing the country.\nHe holds Bachelor of Art (BA) in Political Studies, African Political Studies, History and Sociology, Posts Graduate Diploma in Management, Master’s degree in Management and a PhD in Corporate Governance from School of Governance from Wits University. He has published widely on governance, leadership and management. He also wrote a chapter in book on Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) published by the Human Science Research Council (HSRC).\nOver the past 15 years, Mbele has delivered keynotes in numerous national and international conferences on corporate governance.\n- BA in Political Studies, African Political Studies, History and Sociology\n- Post Graduate Diploma in Management\n- Masters in Management\n- PhD in Corporate Governance\n- Governance\n- Ethical Leadership\nDr. Puleng Makhoalibe\nLesotho/South Africa\nDr. Puleng Makhoalibe is recognized as a global thought leader and practitioner in creativity, design thinking and innovation. She has over twenty years of experience working in the private sector, government and in higher educational institutions.\nShe established and lead the center of Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship (ICE) at Henley Business School between 2015 and 2020. She co-founded the Alchemy Inspiration and Upside Global to help global organizations across diverse fields accelerate innovation.\nMakhoalibe launched the first virtual creativity conference - World Creativity and Innovation Day, in 2020, which attracted participation from 41 countries.\nIn 2016, she received an Africa Social Innovation Leadership Award and in 2019 received an award to be part of the Women Leaders of the World and became a lead for the cohort. She is a member of the Women leaders of the World Council.\nMakhoalibe holds a BSc in Computer Science and Statistics, an MBA and a PhD in Business Management and is an alumnus at Singularity University (Executive Programme on exponential technologies).\nShe is a passionate speaker, published author, facilitator, and an innovation and design thinking advisor.\n- BSc in Computer Science and Statistics\n- PhD in Business Management\n- Creativity, Design Thinking and Innovation\n- Excellence in Creativity Award (2014)\n- Africa Social Innovation Leadership Award (2016)\n- Women Leaders of the World (2019)\nDESIGN THINKING AND INNOVATON\nSouth Africa/Singapore\nDave Holland is a strategic brand thinker, narrator and designer, with over 20 years’ international branding and design experience. With a skill set covering brand narrative, positioning, design expression and identity guardianship, his strengths lie in broad-view conceptual approach to branding, writing and also hands-on-design.\nHolland has worked across Africa, the US and Asia, with project experience covering financial services, consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, hospitality, city branding and sports. He has designed and led the creative direction for numerous standout institutions’s branding, notably UBA’s merger with Standard Trust, WEMA Bank, Skye Bank, Diamond Bank - all in Nigeria. Other African exprience includes Standard Bank in South Africa, BPR Atlas Mara in Rwanda, EFG-Hermes in Egypt, Indonesia's shariah Bank Muamalat, and the Rogers Group in Mauritius.\nHe is adept and experienced in C-suite relationships and holding brand conversations at the most senior and core organisational levels. Dave trained in design and holds a Master of Arts in Digital Media Management from Teesside University where he researched the depth of the social web today in uncovering audience needs. Dave is currently based in Singapore where he leverages its geographic platform to connect with similarly global-minded businesses. Dave co-founded and leads BBH Singapore's BLACK SHEEP DESIGN product vertical - an intrapreneurial strategic design practice within BBH Communications.\n- MA in Digital Media Management (Teesside University)\n- Digital Media\nCreativity and Digital Media\nProfessor Ernest Abaho\nProfessor Abaho is an Associate Professor and Head of Department, Entrepreneurship in the Faculty of Entrepreneurship and Business Administration at the historic Makerere University Business School and is the managing director of ABNEST Consultancy in Uganda.\nA respected academic and practitioner in Entrepreneurship, Abaho earned a PhD in Entrepreneurship at the University of Dar es Salaam, an MBA, Post Graduate Diploma in Microfinance and a Bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management, all at Makerere University.\n- PhD in Entrepreneurship (University of Dar es Salaam)\n- MBA (Makerere University)\n- Post Graduate Diploma in Microfinance\n- Bachelor's Degree in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management\n- Entrepreneurship\nProfessor Adré Schreuder\nProfessor Schreuder is considered to be the subject matter specialist in the field of customer experience measurement and management. He has over 25 years of experience and advises companies across multiple industries both locally and internationally. He founded the independent national benchmark for Customer Satisfaction, the South African Customer Satisfaction Index (SAcsi) in 2012.\nHe completed his Bachelor’s, Honours and Master’s degree in Marketing cum laude at the University of Pretoria (UP), and subsequently his doctoral studies at the University of Johannesburg. Schreuder held various academic positions up to Professor and Head of Department levels before he became a full-time practitioner in leading Consulta – a Customer Experience Advisory Consultancy - as Founder and CEO and CVO for 20 years until he sold it at the end of 2019.\nSchreuder specializes in Customer Experience Measurement and Management, Customer Satisfaction, Customer Engagement, Customer Loyalty, Customer Service, Service Quality, CVP Design and Testing, Conjoint Analysis, Brand Fitness Analysis, Market Research Leadership.\n- B Com\n- B Com Honors\n- M Com\n- Customer Experience Measurement and Management\n- Experience Management\n- Research\nDr. Alistair Mokoena\nDr. Mokoena is a well-rounded marketer with deep client and agency experience, and a strong passion for client-centric service. He has spent over 20 years in various senior corporate marketing roles at Unilever, Tiger Brands, SABMiller, Cadbury, Barclays from Brand Manager to Marketing Director and in advertising agencies where he was Managing Director of FCB Johannesburg, Managing Director of Ogilvy Johannesburg and Chief Executive Officer of Ogilvy South Africa. He is country director for Google South Africa.\nHe serves on various South African marketing bodies, including as chairman of the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) South Africa and is a visiting Professor of Practice at the University of Johannesburg’s Joburg Business School (JBS).\nMokoena holds BCom, LLB, MBA and PhD degrees and is a Chartered Marketer (SA).\n- BCom\n- LLB\n- PhD\n- Agency/Client Relationships\n- Digital Disruption\nAgency/Client Relationships and Digital Disruption\nDr Titilayo Adebola\nNigeria/UK\nDr Titilayo Adebola is a law academic and policy advisor with special interests in international economic law, in particular, intellectual property rights. She is a lecturer at the University of Aberdeen, where she is affiliated with three of the School's research centres: Centre for Commercial Law, Centre for Energy Lawand Centre for Constitutional and Public International Law. She co-ordinates and teaches varied Intellectual Property Law and International Economic Law courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.\nBefore joining the School of Law, Dr Adebola taught Global Intellectual Property Law and Policy at the University of Warwick.\nShe has practised law in Nigeria, where she is called to the Bar with dual qualifications as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.\nAdebola holds a PhD and LLM (University of Warwick), Bachelor of Law (Nigerian Law School), LLB (Olabisi Onabanjo University), AFHEA (Higher Education Academy) and GradICSAN (Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria) qualifications.\n- LLM\n- Bachelor of Law\n- AFHEA\n- GradICSAN\nNnamdi Oranye\nNigeria/South Africa\nNnamdi Oranye is the author of Disrupting Africa: The Rise and Rise of African Innovation andTaking On Silicon Valley: How Africa’s Innovators will change its future. He has been named one of the 100 most influential people of African descent, an initiative by the United Nations.\nHis many travels and business experience across the continent have greatly contributed to his huge optimism for Africa and its bright future. He has explored how African Innovation truly has the potential to change the African narrative, as well as global and pan-African trends shaping the landscape in Africa. More recently he has begun to explore the overlap between Social Sciences, particularly Anthropology and the rise of African technology, arguing that we may have underestimated the value of African Innovation.\nHe features frequently as a presenter and chairperson across conferences internationally, contributes regularly to think-tanks on the subject of innovation, and has been named amongst the 100 most influential names in Africa's telecoms, media and ICT industry by the AfricaCom100 Research Board.\nHe is also the founder of the Disrupting Africa Encyclopedia, an online platform dedicated to identifying the 30 million Africans who can change the narrative and legacy of Africa.\nHe is a writer for CNBC Africa, focusing on the social and technological trends in African Innovation.\nTHEBE IKALAFENG\nThebe Ikalafeng (South Africa) is arguably the foremost global African branding authority. In a distinguished corporate career which started at Colgate Palmolive in New York and concluded as chief marketing officer for NIKE for Africa, he won over 75 awards in branding and marketing communication globally. He has travelled to over 100 countries globally, every continent in the world and to every country in Africa. This experience has provides him with an advantageous global African perspective on African consumers and building brands in Africa. He has been recognized by New African Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential Africans.\nHe is the founder of the award-winning Brand Leadership Group and has worked on over 100 corporate, nation and political brands across Africa. The Brand Leadership pan-African branding and reputation advisory firm has been recognised by Fin Week Magazine as “Marketing Services Agency of the Year” in 2008 and was inducted into the Rebrand “Hall of Fame” for Excellence in Branding in 2015.\nHe is the founder of the non-profit Brand Africa initiative to mobilize Africans and the diaspora to proactively drive a brand-led African agenda and the widely regarded Brand Africa 100: Africa’s Best Brands initiative to survey, understand and celebrate leading brands in Africa.\nA fellow of the Institute of Directors, he is a non-executive director at South African Tourism, Cartrack Group and WWF South Africa. He has held directorships in the public and private sector, including a 15 years tenure on the board of Mercantile Bank Group, and full terms on the Brand South Africa, Foodcorp and Nike boards, and is a former council member of the Durban University of Technology and advisory council member of the Vega School of Branding Leadership.\nIkalafeng has summited Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, the highest free-standing mountain in the world, and Mount Elbrus in Russia, the highest mountain in Europe.\nIkalafeng holds BSc. and MBA degrees from Marquette University in the USA, completed executive education at Wits Business School and Harvard Business School and is a Chartered Marketer.\nBased in Johannesburg, South Africa, he advices, writes and speaks on Africa-focused branding, leadership and related matters. Africa is central to everything he does.\n- BSc\n- CM (SA)\nSpecialization/s\n- Brand Strategy\nMalawi/UK/Belgium\nJames Woods is an award-winning African achiever with significant experience dealing with governance issues, reputation management, strategic media, and communications. He has served in the Malawian diplomatic corp.\nHe has served as a communications advisor to two African governments; worked in the diplomatic field; The Mo Ibrahim Foundation; Navigate Response and has consulted for numerous international entities such as Ras Al Khaimah Gas and Surestream Petroleum.\nHe has placed a number of clients in leading global media, developed their branding, cultivated a strong business and leadership portfolio and handled issues around reputation management, media, communications, and brand-awareness.\nJames is a Founder and Co-Founder of numerous businesses with operations in the United Kingdom; The Balkans and Malawi focussing on providing tailor-made services to corporations, individuals and governments on complex issues which are usually at the nexus of the political, business, and media worlds.\nAs an avid lover of sports he serves as a Director and Southern Africa Partner at Rainbow Sports Investments, a sports company that identifies, develops and manages talented African athletes to ensure they reach the elite level of sport. He is also a FIFA registered football intermediary with the Football Association of Malawi.\n- Bachelor Degree with Honours in Politics, Philosophy and History\n- Master of Science in Social Policy and Development, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE\n- Executive Leadership Programme, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford\n- Certificate in Global Diplomacy, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) joint programme with the University of London\n- Executive Certificate in Shipping Economics, Investment and Finance, CASS Business School and Baltic Exchange\n- Certificate in Job Creation for African Youth, Ashoka Changemakers\n- Diplomatic Training, Clingendael Institute in The Netherlands\n- International Relations\n- National Identity\n- African Achiever, 2015\n- Young African Leader, 2015\n- Malawian Achiever, 2016\nInternational Relations and National Identity\nElikem Nutifafa Kuenyehia\nGhana/United Kingdom\nElikem Nutifafa Kuenyehia (“ENK”) is a leading international corporate lawyer and is considered a thought leader on entrepreneurship. A Solicitor & Barrister admitted in Ghana and England & Wales, he has previously been an adjunct lecturer on entrepreneurship at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration and Executive-in-Residence at University of Ghana Business School. His first book “Kuenyehia on Entrepreneurship’ is considered a ground breaking resource on African entrepreneurship.\nENK is most noted for starting Oxford & Beaumont (now ENSafrica|Ghana) with just US$5,000 seed capital. He grew Oxford & Beaumont to become an undisputed leading law firm in Ghana and was the first Ghanaian law firm to open in the City of London. After successfully initiating and executing a merger with ENSafrica, ENK stayed on as Chairman of ENSafrica|Ghana until December 2020 when he exited the firm.\nBefore starting his own law firm, ENK was part of the founding team of United Bank for Africa Ghana Limited where he spearheaded UBA’s Ghana market entry strategy.\nHe has been recognised by Legal500 in its Hall of Fame as a lawyer “at the pinnacle of the legal profession in Ghana based on consistent feedback from clients,” Forbes and CNBC “West Africa Young Business Leader of the Year” (2012), “Ghana’s Most Promising Entrepreneur (2013)” World Economic Forum Young Global Leader and one of Africa’s 40 under 40 achievers (2010).\nENK has been nominated by the President of Ghana onto the Governing Board of State Interests and Governance Authority which oversees and administers the State’s interest in 144 State-owned entities, joint ventures and regulators. His directorships include Intrepid Investment and Asset Management, Luno Money Ghana and Mindfull Creative Agency. He has previously hed directorships in Google Ghana, Chase Petroleum and Hollard Insurance.\nENK holds BA and MA degrees from Oxford University and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.\n-\tBA\n-\tMA\n-\tMBA\n-\tSolicitor & Barrister in Ghana and England & Wales\n-\tEntrepreneurship\n-\tSmall business management\n-\tLeading professional service firms\nVision Our Values Founding President Council Academic Committee Operations\nImpactful Real-World Learning African Case Studies Portfolio Partnerships\nExecutives Next Generation Leaders Entrepreneurs Everyone Organisations\n© ABLA, Africa Brand Leadership Academy and Brand Leadership Academy are registered and protected Trademarks.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line564028"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5623342990875244,"wiki_prob":0.4376657009124756,"text":"high school dating sites\nBob Jones University Drops Mixed-Dating Ban\nPosted By: August 2, 2018\nINTERRACIAL DATING ATTITUDES AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS\nInterracial Dating Was Illegal in the US Not Too Long Ago — Here’s the Important History\nAnti-miscegenation laws in the United States\nINTERRACIAL DATING DIVIDES ALABAMA SCHOOL PROM IN 2\nAlabama Interracial Dating\nFirst They Lost Interracial Dating Bans, Now…\nDo you need sex without any obligations? CLICK HERE - registration is totally free!\nThe Civil Rights Era has come and gone and despite the removal of this unconstitutional law, society still stigmatizes mixed-race couples. The ethical and emotional fence straddling interracial dating remains divided and black and white is not yet an equal opportunity phrase. To some, Bull Connor, who was a member of the Ku Klux Klan and a strong advocate of racial segregation, and white supremacy are more alive than ever. According to the opposition, it is black or white and not something to be mixed. Yet the state of Alabama did not legally endorse the meaning behind this religious tune until when it became the last state to overturn its anti-amalgamation laws, which had prevented whites and blacks from being married. Although law states that people of different race can now marry, date and procreate with their person of choice, it remains a divided issue today. Several students at Stillman College and the University of Alabama expressed their opinions about interracial dating. While some say it is not taboo anymore, they all agree that it isn’t something that is endorsed and openly practiced.\nBob Jones University is dropping its ban on interracial dating in the wake of the criticism that followed George W. The school then began admitting blacks, but the IRS said the dating policy still constituted discrimination. The school fought the IRS action in court and did not actually forfeit its tax-exempt status until\ninterracial couples and families historically and how they collectively facilitate racial Virginia and the Continued Pursuit of Racial Equality held at Fordham University School of That is, the marriage markets in Birmingham, Alabama, like in.\nIn the United States , anti-miscegenation laws also known as miscegenation laws were laws passed by most states that prohibited interracial marriage and interracial sexual relations. Some such laws predate the establishment of the United States, some dating to the later 17th or early 18th century, a century or more after the complete racialization of slavery. Most states had repealed such laws by , when the U.\nSupreme Court ruled in Loving v. Virginia that such laws were unconstitutional in the remaining 16 states. Typically defining mixed race marriages or sexual relations as a felony , these laws also prohibited the issue of marriage licenses and the solemnization of weddings between mixed race couples and prohibited the officiating of such ceremonies. Sometimes, the individuals attempting to marry would not be held guilty of miscegenation itself, but felony charges of adultery or fornication would be brought against them instead.\nAll anti-miscegenation laws banned marriage between whites and non-white groups, primarily blacks, but often also Native Americans and Asians. In many states, anti-miscegenation laws also criminalized cohabitation and sex between whites and non-whites. In addition, Oklahoma in banned marriage “between a person of African descent” and “any person not of African descent”; Louisiana in banned marriage between Native Americans and African Americans and from —, concubinage as well ; and Maryland in banned marriages between blacks and Filipinos.\nAlthough anti-miscegenation amendments were proposed in United States Congress in , — and , [7] [8] a nationwide law against mixed race marriages was never enacted. Prior to the California Supreme Court’s ruling in Perez v. Sharp , no court in the United States had ever struck down a ban on interracial marriage.\nThis paper discusses how online interracial dating communities function in the 21st century. About 75 year ago, my then approximately 8-year old grandfather slammed the door shut when he saw a black man in front of him, who was trying to sell nuts to people in the neighbourhood. He told me he had never seen a person with a different skin colour than white in his life, which scared him and made him run away from the man. During this time, he could have never imagined that only two generations later, one of his closest family members would get into a relationship with someone with another skin colour: interracial relationships were not usual then, definitely not in the village where he lived.\nHowever, this does not mean that racism has disappeared: the discourse of my grandmother and grandfather is still with us today. The development of digital technologies has provided new knowledge on all kinds of romantic relationships.\nThis paper discusses how online interracial dating communities function in the 21st century. Alabama, the US Supreme Courts announced that ”[I]f any white person and any negro, Cambridge: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.\nInterview Q Southern Oral History Program Collection Granville County, North Carolina, resident Floyd Alston and his mother, Ethel Thorpe Alston, remember their lives in the area in an interview that touches on, among other topics, racial identity and the struggles of post-emancipation African Americans to find economic and social security.\nOral History Interview with E. Dacons, March 4, Interview M Dacons recounts his career as a black administrator of segregated and desegregated public high schools in Wilkes County, North Carolina. Interview K Southern Oral History Program Collection Leslie Thorbs describes growing up in a tenant farming family in eastern North Carolina, during the s and s. Thorbs describes his experiences with poverty, farming, factory work, race relations, and family life. He concludes the interview by discussing the devastating impact of Hurricane Floyd’s flooding on his family and his community.\nInterview R\nThen, for a year period, interracial dating was prohibited. Now the university has announced that its polices were wrong. Lost in the spectacular news accounts of the election of a black man as president of the United States is another event — this time in higher education — that stands as a milestone in racial progress. Consequently, for far too long, we allowed institutional policies regarding race to be shaped more directly by that ethos than by the principles and precepts of the Scriptures.\nCoye Cheshire at University of California, Berkeley. Coye Cheshire in Alabama​. Clearly acceptance of interracial dating and marriage by.\nI am interested in the automatic processes of learning and attention, as well as the neurological bases of those processes. Additionally, I am specifically interested in how these processes may function differently in persons with Autism, and how those differences may be related to symptoms of the disorder. I also research topics in the social-cognitive domain, specifically related to how people automatically process social information, and how that affects our decision-making and behavior.\nKana, R. Neural networks underlying language and social cognition during self-other processing in Autism spectrum disorders. Neuropsychologia , , —\nGallery: Interracial in Alabama: One couple shares their journey. It was the late s, so, not surprisingly, race was the powder keg amid every encounter between whites and blacks in the tiny town–which, of course, boasted a chapter of the Ku Klux Klan. Once, Reggie befriended an African-American boy from across town, often inviting him to his all-white neighborhood.\nYet Reggie’s mother wasn’t upset–just concerned, that he might get beaten up by the white kids on his street for having a black friend. Stokes’ parents–dad was a school teacher; mom cared for their three boys, at home–didn’t poison their sons with racial hatred or prejudice, maybe, in part, because their paternal grandmother was mixed-race, something their parents probably knew, Stokes says, but didn’t talk about.\nIt was only with the rise of the Civil Rights Movement that interracial couples 28 “5th Amendment,” Cornell University Law School, accessed 12 September In , Tony Pace and Mary Cox, both residents of Grove Hill, Alabama, were.\nInterracial marriage in the United States has been legal throughout the United States since at least the U. Supreme Court Warren Court decision Loving v. Virginia that held that “anti-miscegenation” laws were unconstitutional. The number of interracial marriages as a proportion of all marriages has been increasing since , so that by Interracial marriage has continued to rise throughout the s. The proportion of interracial marriages is markedly different depending on the ethnicity and gender of the spouses.\nThe first “interracial” marriage in what is today the United States was that of the woman today commonly known as Pocahontas , who married tobacco planter John Rolfe in The Quaker Zephaniah Kingsley married outside the U. He also had three black common-law enslaved wives; he manumited all four. In he published a Treatise , reprinted three times, on the benefits of intermarriage, which according to Kingsley produced healthier and more beautiful children, and better citizens.\nCheck out where you are 15 ideas for free online dating company focusing on helping singles. Speed dating for free and timezone. Call us on single christian women who share your match – our community who share your matches for local singles groups in birmingham? Save the birmingham personals and bisexual guys in birmingham people in. Find loads of your match!\nBob Jones University, the Bible college in Greenville, South Carolina, did not admit Then, for a year period, interracial dating was prohibited. Bibb Graves, who had just been elected governor of Alabama with the official backing of the.\nThe first serves as a state to the Israelites not to marry the Alabama. The term “intermarry” causes some to think of race automatically, but it was the Canaanites way of life that was concerning-not their start color. In fact, Biblical and ancestral statistics point to the fact that Alabama and Canaanites are the same start. Though they wouldn’t have wanted to connect themselves to the Canaanites, the Israelites and said the group is ethnically identical.\nSo, if it wasn’t their race that was the problem, what was Israel’s beef with the people of Canaan? They didn’t worship the same God. Israel saw the start of Canaan as that was evil and cruel. God’s issue was with religion and race, not interracial marriage. The Corinthians verse mimics this sentiment as it urges believers in Christ then to yoke with non-believers unequally. Unfortunately, these verses have been misinterpreted and taught incorrectly for many years, leading many Christians to believe in the myth that the Bible bans the interracial marriage.\nSo, what does the Bible say about interracial marriage? While there isthen a specific verse that says verbatim “interracial marriage is okay,” there is an old advice story that solidifies this fact.\n7 Things Everyone Should Understand About Interracial Relationships\nDear Damona: Is it racist if I don’t want to date outside my own race?\nI Thought I Understood White Privilege. Then I Married a Black Man.\nThe Dynamex Decision: The California Supreme Court Restricts Use of Independent Contractors\nGermany best free dating sites\nHandicap Dating Site Gratis Sarpsborg\nCougar online dating sites\n10 Things You Must Know About Dating A Single Mom\nDeutschEesti keel中文(简体)NorskPortuguêsItalianoΕλληνικάSuomiLëtzebuergeschSvenskaEnglishالعربيةEspañolMagyar日本語FrançaisNederlandsDanskČeštinaTürkçePolski","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line771650"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6707635521888733,"wiki_prob":0.6707635521888733,"text":"Data Picture\n1. Select the file types:\nCSV XLSX Shape KML Placemark\nKML TIFF JPG\n2. Select the date: By Monthly By Annual By Normals By Trends\n3. Select the variable:\nClick on map point\nWelcome to Globalclimatemonitor.org\nWe're sorry, but our site requires Javascript.\nHere you will find instructions on how to enable Javascript in your browser.\nx,y\nDownload a point\nDownload a bounding box\nDownload a country\nComplete map\nClimograph\nMonthly series\nMonthly anomalies series\nAnnual anomalies series\nExit graph mode\nCreate a full profile\nCreate a point profile\n+ Add OGC services\n⇅ Layers\nOpenStreetMap White background with borders World Street Map World imagery World Topo Basemap World Terrain Basemap\nAdd external service\nWMS WMTS\nData source:@Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia:CRU TS 3.21@NOAA:GHCN@DWD:GPCC made available under the ODL\nGlobal Climate Monitor\nGetting Knowledge from data\nBy Monthly values\nMonthly rainfall Monthly rainfall anomalies Monthly relative rainfall anomalies (%) ────────── Monthly temperature Monthly temperature anomalies Monthly minimum temperature Monthly minimum temperature anomalies Monthly maximum temperature Monthly maximum temperature anomalies ────────── Monthly potential evapotranspiration Monthly potential evapotranspiration anomalies Monthly relative potential evapotranspiration anomalies (%) January February March April May June July August September October November December 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1968 1967 1966 1965 1964 1963 1962 1961 1960 1959 1958 1957 1956 1955 1954 1953 1952 1951 1950 1949 1948 1947 1946 1945 1944 1943 1942 1941 1940 1939 1938 1937 1936 1935 1934 1933 1932 1931 1930 1929 1928 1927 1926 1925 1924 1923 1922 1921 1920 1919 1918 1917 1916 1915 1914 1913 1912 1911 1910 1909 1908 1907 1906 1905 1904 1903 1902 1901\nBy Annual values\nAnnual rainfall Annual rainfall anomalies ────────── Annual mean temperature Annual mean temperature anomalies Annual minimum temperature Annual minimum temperature anomalies Annual maximum temperature Annual maximum temperature anomalies ────────── Annual PET Annual PET anomalies ────────── Seasonality Index 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1968 1967 1966 1965 1964 1963 1962 1961 1960 1959 1958 1957 1956 1955 1954 1953 1952 1951 1950 1949 1948 1947 1946 1945 1944 1943 1942 1941 1940 1939 1938 1937 1936 1935 1934 1933 1932 1931 1930 1929 1928 1927 1926 1925 1924 1923 1922 1921 1920 1919 1918 1917 1916 1915 1914 1913 1912 1911 1910 1909 1908 1907 1906 1905 1904 1903 1902 1901\nBy Normals\nMonthly rainfall ────────── Monthly temperature Monthly minimum temperature Monthly maximum temperature ────────── Monthly potential evapotranspiration January February March April May June July August September October November December Autum Winter Spring Summer 1901-1930 1911-1940 1921-1950 1931-1960 1941-1970 1951-1980 1961-1990 1971-2000\nRainfall Mean temperatures Minimum temperatures Maximum temperatures Potential Evapotranspiration 1901-2012 1901-1950 1951-2012\nMetadata portal\nGCM Survey\nNOAA monthly report\nGCM News\nBy Monthly valuesMonthly temperature August 1930\nUniversity of Seville Geographica\nOptimized for Chrome and Firefox","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line784655"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7904035449028015,"wiki_prob":0.7904035449028015,"text":"Review: ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Tribute To Loretta Lynn’\nPosted by Aryl Watson at 4:30 pm\tAdd comments\n“Coal Miner’s Daughter” wasn’t just a song to Loretta Lynn; it was the story of her life. Lynn grew up in poverty, married at 13, had four children by 19. For most, it would be a recipe for disaster, but not for Lynn. When her husband Moony (named for the moonshine he ran) gave Lynn a guitar for her 24th birthday, she taught herself to play and began her journey towards country stardom. Loretta Lynn has written hundreds of songs, released over 70 albums and was one of the first women in Nashville to write songs from a woman’s point of view. Lynn was unafraid to be a liberated woman, releasing songs about birth control (“The Pill”), teen sex (“Wings Upon Your Horns”), and the Vietnam War (“Dear Uncle Sam”).\nIt’s no surprise that contemporary female artists felt inspired to contribute to Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Tribute to Loretta Lynn. Lynn’s songs translate well to the pop sound dominating current country music. On “Don’t Come Home a Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind),” Gretchen Wilson’s vocal swagger imbibes the song with girl power. For “You’re Looking at Country,” on the other hand, Carrie Underwood tries too hard—polishing the rough edges of Lynn’s song with denser instrumentation, extra vocal twang and studio slickness, ensuring that we’re not looking at Loretta Lynn’s country. Faith Hill makes the same mistake on “Love Is the Foundation.”\nLynn and Conway Twitty’s famous duets dominated the country music scene for most of the ’70s, with five #1 songs and seven top 10 hits. Alan Jackson and Martina McBride have a great time recreating the pairing with “Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man,” a standout track. Jackson and McBride’s vocals and harmonies highlight the song’s lyrics; adding accordion and omitting electrical guitar make the song more enjoyable. On the closing track, Miranda Lambert, Sheryl Crow, and Lynn trade verses on “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” Lambert and Crow willingly take a backseat on the chorus, letting Lynn tell the story her way.\nIt’s no surprise that The White Stripes contributed a song to honor Lynn. After producing her 2004 release Van Lear Rose, Jack White called Lynn “his favorite singer.” “Rated X”—stripped down to acoustic guitar, tapped drums and tambourine—fits nicely into The White Stripe’s catalog next to “It’s True that We Love One Another.” In this arrangement, Meg White’s background cute vocals add rather than detract from the song. Surprisingly, Kid Rock’s version of “I Know How” works well with his rough-hewn vocals. Dueling guitars, honky-tonk piano and Hammond organ transform this song into a raging country boogie. It’s one of the best songs on the album.\nAlthough most of the songs on Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Tribute to Loretta Lynn are country, it would be a shame to miss out on the new versions of Lynn’s iconic, well-written songs just because you’re not a fan of the genre. Hopefully, these covers will create a new legion of Loretta Lynn fans, because this coal miner’s daughter deserves it.\nCoal Miner’s Daughter Track Listing:\n01. Gretchen Wilson, “Don’t Come Home A Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ On Your Mind)”\n02. Lee Ann Womack, “I’m A Honky Tonk Girl”\n03. The White Stripes, “Rated X”\n04. Carrie Underwood, ” You’re Lookin’ At Country”\n05. Alan Jackson and Martina McBride, “Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man”\n06. Paramore, “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man)”\n07. Faith Hill, “Love Is The Foundation”\n08. Steve Earle and Allison Moorer, “After the Fire Is Gone”\n09. Reba featuring The Time Jumpers, “If You’re Not Gone Too Long”\n10. Kid Rock, “I Know How”\n11. Lucinda Williams, “Somebody Somewhere (Don’t Know What He’s Missin’ Tonight)”\n12. Sheryl Crow and Miranda Lambert (Featuring Loretta Lynn), “Coal Miner’s Daughter”\nCheck out more from Loretta Lynn at her website.\nLera Lynn and John Paul White Cover Country Standard “Almost Persuaded”\nLoretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, and More Cover Roger Miller on New Tribute Album\nRobbie Fulks and Linda Gail Lewis Cover Don Gibson's \"Who Cares\"\nAlbum Review, Feature Tagged with: Alan Jackson, Allison Moorer, Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill, Gretchen Wilson, Jack White, Kid Rock, Lee Ann Womack, Loretta Lynn, Lucinda Williams, Martina McBride, Miranda Lambert, Paramore, Reba McEntire, Sheryl Crow, Steve Earle, The Time Jumpers, The White Stripes\n2 Responses to “Review: ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Tribute To Loretta Lynn’”\njoeyC says:\nhave you heard Eilen Jewell’s “Butcher Holler?” A fine set of Lynn covers that came out this year as well.\nAryl Watson says:\nYes. I found it doing research for this review. The songs are well done, but the arrangements are too consistent for me, making the songs run together. Good, but not as good as this album.\nRubblebucket’s “Michelle” Blends “A Day in the Life” with 2001: A Space Odyssey Jack White Produces Laura Marling on Two Old-School Covers","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line507056"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5611104965209961,"wiki_prob":0.5611104965209961,"text":"December 5, 1892 -- Supreme Court Decision on Riparian Rights Published\nDecember 5, 1892 – There are four stars on the flag of Chicago, each star corresponding to a key event in the city’s history. If there were to be a fifth star – and it was not assigned to the 2016 World Series victory of the Cubs – it might very well be given to a case decided in the United States Supreme Court, the results of which were published on this date in 1892. The case pitted the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago against the Illinois Central Railroad in an effort to “obtain a judicial determination of the title of certain lands on the east or Lake-Front of the City of Chicago, situated between the Chicago River and Sixteenth street, which have been reclaimed from the waters of the lake and are occupied by the tracks, depots, warehouses, piers, and other structures used by the railroad company in its business, and also of the title claimed by the company to the submerged lands constituting the bed of the lake, lying east of the tracks, within the corporate limits of the city for a distance of a mile, and between the south line of the south pier near Chicago River extended eastwardly, and a line extended in the same direction from the south line of Lot 21, near the company’s round-house and machine shops.” In a lengthy explanation the court found that the city was not deprived of its riparian rights by a previous decision to allow the Illinois Central to construct tracks and a breakwater along the lakefront between Randolph Street and Park Row. The court said, “With this reservation of the right of the railroad company to use the tracts on ground reclaimed by it and the continuance of the breakwater, the city possesses the same right of riparian ownership, and is at full liberty to exercise it, which it ever did.” [Chicago Daily Tribune, December 6, 1892] Writing for the majority, Justice Stephen J. Field stated, “It is the settled law of this country that the ownership of and dominion and sovereignty over lands covered by the waters, within the limits of the several states, belong to the respective states within which they are found, with the consequent right to use or dispose of any portion thereof, when that can be done without substantial impairment of the interest of the public in the waters, and subject always to the paramount right of congress to control that navigation so far as may be necessary for the regulation of commerce with foreign nations and among the states.” The case has tremendous implications for the future of the city’s lakefront, which up to this point, had been expanded through landfill with parcels from north to south being claimed by property owners claiming that because they owned land adjoining the lake, they also owned the riparian rights and therefore could expand their property as far as they desired. In short, the city would look far different today if the case in 1892 had turned in a different direction. The photo above shows the lakefront just north of today's Art Institute probably in 1891 or early 1892. The portion of the lake that we can see, which is west of today's Columbus Drive, is part of the property included in the suit before the Supreme Court.\nLabels: 1892, Chicago Events, Lake Michigan, Lakefront\nDecember 31, 1943 -- Tribune Endorses Lakefront Ai...\nDecember 30, 1950 -- So Long . . . Frank Lloyd Wright\nDecember 29, 1944 -- Officer Who Sounds Eastland A...\nDecember 28, 1918 -- U. S. Government Tells Hines,...\nDecember 27, 1865 -- Union Stockyards Receives Fir...\nDecember 26, 1951 -- Stand-Off at Michigan and Ohio\nDecember 25, 1934 -- Comfort and Joy at Oak Street\nDecember 24, 1961 -- Christmas at Fort Dearborn\nDecember 23, 1954 -- Toll Roads Receive the Go-Ahead\nDecember 22, 1954 -- 333 North Michigan Changes Hands\nDecember 21, 1915 -- Weeghman Gets the Cubs\nDecember 20, 1974 -- New Park Coming to the River\nDecember 19, 1948 -- Hamilton Memorial Moves Slowl...\nDecember 18, 1935 -- The End of an Era\nDecember 17, 1936 -- Plans to Extend Lake Shore Drive\nDecember 16, 1942 -- Chicago Heads for High Court ...\nDecember 15, 1940 -- Proposal Made for Lakefront A...\nDecember 14, 1937 -- Kate Sturges Buckingham Dies\nDecember 13, 1951 -- Calumet Expressway Opens\nDecember 12, 1943 -- IIT Runs Full Throttle\nDecember 11, 1911 -- Historic Agreement on Lakesho...\nDecember 10, 2010 -- Hey, Neighbors -- Drop that Suit\nDecember 9, 1961 -- Tribune Details History of Pro...\nDecember 8, 1961 -- Equitable Announces New Tower\nDecember 7, 2006 -- Mixed Reviews on Amended Spire...\nDecember 6, 1892 -- \"Boodle Aldermen\" Given a Warning\nDecember 5, 1892 -- Supreme Court Decision on Ripa...\nDecember 4, 1902 -- Lincoln Hotel Fire Claims 14 L...\nDecember 3, 1948 -- Pizzeria Uno Opens\nDecember 2, 1945 -- Last Peek at the McCormick Man...\nDecember 1, 1891 -- First Step Taken in Establishi...","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1155645"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7129680514335632,"wiki_prob":0.7129680514335632,"text":"Lowell General and Winchester Hospitals named 2014 Best Places to Work winners (Boston Business Journal)\nBoston Business Journal announces 2014 Best Places to Work winners\nby Eric Convey\nThe Boston Business Journal today announced the 2014 Best Places to Work, a list of companies whose employees had the best things to say about their employers in confidential surveys.\n“Our Best Places to Work event will again recognize the importance of cultivating a great workplace culture as a competitive advantage,\" said Chris McIntosh, publisher of the Boston Business Journal. \"Companies on our list can be justifiably proud of creating a high level of workplace satisfaction during an economy where traditional rewards like big raises and bonuses aren't as easy to give. In good times and in bad, our results validate how the creation of the right corporate culture can create powerful business advantages. Employees are proud to work for companies that are about more than just business.”\nLGH Excels in Patient Safety – Awarded an “A” in Spring 2014 Hospital Safety Score (Lowell.com)\nby Elliot Silver on Apr 29, 2014\nLowell, Massachusetts, April 29, 2014 – Designed to rate how well hospitals protect patients from accidents, errors, injuries and infections, the latest Hospital Safety Score honored Lowell General Hospital with an “A” – its top grade in patient safety. The Hospital Safety Score is compiled under the guidance of the nation’s leading experts on patient safety and is administered by The Leapfrog Group (Leapfrog), an independent industry watchdog. The first and only hospital safety rating to be peer-reviewed in the Journal of Patient Safety, the Score is free to the public and designed to give consumers information they can use to protect themselves and their families when facing a hospital stay.\nTufts, Lowell Hospital uniting (Boston Globe)\nTufts, Lowell hospital uniting Tentative deal adds to trend in health alliances\nBy Robert Weisman | Globe Staff April 14, 2014\nTufts Medical Center and Lowell General Hospital are joining forces to form a new health care system they say will offer lower-cost medical services from Southern New Hampshire to south of Boston at a time of changes sweeping through the industry.\nThe alliance would link a 415-bed Boston teaching hospital that has been scrambling for a niche in the fast-consolidating market with one of the state’s largest community hospitals. Lowell General, which two years ago took over a crosstown rival, Saints Memorial Medical Center, has 434 beds on two campuses.\nMassachusetts Council of Community Hospitals Announces New Executive Director\nBraintree, Mass. – The Massachusetts Council of Community Hospitals (MCCH) announces Steven Walsh as its new executive director. Walsh currently serves as State Representative for the 11th Essex District and is the House Chairman of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. He will begin his new role at MCCH in March.\n“Steve will ensure that MCCH continues to advocate for the advancement of community medicine and community hospitals throughout the state,” said Donald Thieme, who has served as executive director for the past 12 years.\nFormed in 1991, MCCH is a non-profit corporation that advocates for the Commonwealth’s community hospitals, which play a vital role in providing convenient, high-quality health care at a reasonable cost. Massachusetts community hospitals care for 50% of acute care patients in the Commonwealth. MCCH consists of 17 community hospitals from throughout the state.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line895872"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6230459213256836,"wiki_prob":0.6230459213256836,"text":"5 Dividend-Paying Stocks That Delivered 100%-Plus Total Returns in One Year\nBy: Ned Piplovic, December 31, 2019\nInvestors looking for equities that offer balanced returns from dividend income and asset appreciation should consider one of the five dividend-paying stocks that have delivered a total return of more than 100% just over the trailing one-year period.\nWhile nearly 50 equities doubled shareholders’ investment over the past year, the securities included in the list below meet additional criteria. This ensures that the companies included here are more likely to offer sustainable dividend income and capital gains.\nEach of the five companies below has a market capitalization in excess of $2 billion. The market capitalizations range from $2.49 billion on the low end to $65.14 billion as the upper limit. The simple, unweighted average market capitalization of all five equities is $15.9 billion.\nAll five companies offer dividend yields in excess of 2%. Ranging from 2.05% to 4.37%, the simple average of all five yields is 3.24%. While three of the five companies have not raised their dividend distribution in the past 12 months, one company has a current streak of eight consecutive annual dividend hikes, and one company has boosted its annual dividend for the past 51 consecutive years. Despite no recent dividend hikes from two-thirds of companies in this group, the one long streak pushes the average streak of consecutive dividend boosts to nearly a dozen years.\nTo ensure sustainability of dividend income payouts, the highest dividend payout ratio among the five securities listed below is 57%. Generally, investors consider 50% to be the upper limit of the sustainable range. A ratio that is too low indicates that the company does not distribute a significant portion of its earnings to be attractive to income-seeking investors. While there are certainly exceptions to the rule based on specific situations and specific individual portfolio goals, investors generally look for a minimum payout ratio of 30%.\nAlternatively, a payout dividend ratio in excess of 50% indicates that the company uses more than half of its earnings to cover dividend distributions. While most companies can occasionally pay more than 50% of its earnings as dividends, it is nearly impossible to sustain a payout ratio in excess of 50% over extended periods. However, the 50% is just a general guideline for overall markets. The upper limit for a sustainable payout ratio also varies by sector, industry and other factors. The five equities below have payout ratios right around that upper limit and range from 42-57%, with a simple payout ratio average of 49%.\nWhile asset appreciation delivered bulk of the gains over the past year, dividend income contributed between 2.2% and 6.1% of total gains. For the five companies on the list below, these combined gains from dividend income and asset appreciation averaged more than 105% and ranged between 100.13-113.08%.\nAnother important characteristic of these five equities is that the robust one-year asset appreciation resulted from a share prices recovering after recent pullbacks. Three of the five companies here have higher total returns over the past year than over the last three years. Moreover, the one-year total returns of all five equities outperformed their total returns over the last five years.\nIn ascending order by their respective one-year return, here are the five dividend-paying stocks that delivered 100%-plus total return in one year\n5 Dividend-Paying Stocks That Delivered 100%-Plus Total Return in One Year: #5\nOneMain Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:OMF)\nOneMain Holdings — a financial service holding company — began delivering dividend distributions to its shareholders only in 2019. The company’s $0.25 quarterly dividend converts to a $1.00 annualized payout and yields 2.32%. In addition to its regular quarterly dividend distributions, OneMain Holdings also paid a special dividend of $2.00 per share in September 2019.\nThe company’s share price experienced above-average volatility and declined from its all-time high above $53 in March 2015 to its all-time low under $20 by November 2016. After another significant decline in late 2018, the share price nearly doubled over the trailing one year. The combined regular and special dividends paid during the year were just enough to push the total return marginally over the 100% mark of the last 12-month period. Without any dividends before 2019, the 60%-plus share price pullback from early 2015 through late 2016 delivered a total return of less than 26% over the last five years. The timing of the all-time low in late 2016 resulted in a total return of 106% over the last three years.\nSeaspan Corporation (NYSE:SSW)\nBased in Hong Kong, the Seaspan Corporation operates as an independent charter owner and manager of containerships. The company’s current $0.125 quarterly dividend payout is equivalent to a $0.50 annualized payout and a 3.5% dividend yield at the current share price level. While only slightly lower than the 3.9% average yield of the overall Shipping industry segment, Seaspan’s current yield is almost 65% higher than the 2.12% yield average of the entire Services sector.\nDuring the first half of the trailing five-year period, the company’s share price declined more than 70%. However, since reversing direction in May 2017, the share price rose almost 170% and recovered nearly 70% of its previous losses. Dividend income covered the gap and managed to maintain the five-year total return in positive territory with 1.5%.\nThe recovering share price contributed most of the gains and combined with the dividend income for a total return of 83% over the last three years. The share price accelerated growth to deliver a total return of 101.5% over the trailing 12 months.\nAircastle Ltd. (NYSE:AYR)\nAircastle — a holding company that acquires, leases and sells commercial jet aircraft — has been paying dividends since 2006. While forced to cut its dividend payouts in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, the company began its current streak of nine consecutive annual dividend hikes in 2011. Over the past nine years, Aircastle has enhanced its annual payout amount more than three-fold, which corresponds to an average annual dividend growth rate of 13.8% per year.\nThe most recent dividend hike for the December 2019 distribution raised the quarterly payout 6.7% from $0.30 in the previous period to the current $0.32 quarterly payout amount. This new distribution amount is equivalent to an annualized payout of $1.28 per share. This annual payout corresponds to 4% forward dividend yield, which is 90% higher than the 2.12% average yield of the company’s peers in the entire Services sector.\nThe company’s share price traded relatively flat for five years before surging in the second half of 2019. Because of the flat share price, dividend income contributed the majority of the 65% total returns over the last three years and 75% over the past five years. However, the share price surge limited the dividend contribution towards the 105% total return over the last years to slightly more than 6%.\nThe Carlyle Group LP (NASDAQ:CG)\nAfter initiating dividend distribution in 2012, the Carlyle Group has increased its annual dividend distribution more than six-fold over the first three years. Unfortunately, after paying its peak dividend of $3.39 per share in 2015, the company cut its annual payout more than 60% over the subsequent two years and then paid a flat annual dividend of $1.24 in 2017 and in 2018.\nHowever, the company has increased its annual payout this year. The $1.36 annual dividend per share in 2019, corresponds to a 4.35% forward dividend yield, which is 8.6% higher than the 4.02% simple average yield of the Asset Management industry segment, as well as 5.6% above the 4.12% yield average of the overall Financials sector.\nA share price drop of nearly 60% from mid-2015 through early 2016, limited the five-year total return to less than 50%. The rising share price drove the total return to nearly 107% over the trailing 12-month period and above 127% over the last three years.\nTarget Corporation (NYSE:TGT)\nAs one of just 16 S&P 500 Dividend Kings, the target corporation has rewarded its shareholders with more than five decades of consecutive annual dividend hikes. Just over the past two decades, the company has boosted its annual dividend payout more than 13-fold. This advancement pace is equivalent to an average annual dividend growth rate of nearly 14% per year.\nThe current quarterly dividend of $0.66 is 3.1% higher than the $0.64 payout from the same period last year. This new quarterly amount corresponds to a $2.64 annualized payout and currently yields 2.05%, which is in line with the average yield of the overall Services sector but outperformed the 1.32% simple yield average of the Discount & Variety Stores industry segment by more than 55%.\nThe share price more than doubled on its own and combined with the dividend income distributions for a total return of 113% over the trailing 12-month period. Driven by a share price pull back from 2015 to 2017, the total returns over the last three and five years were slightly lower in the mid-80% range.\nDividend-paying stocks, dividend increases and dividend decreases, new dividend announcements, dividend suspensions and other dividend changes occur daily. To make sure you don’t miss any important announcements, sign up for our E-mail Alerts. Let us do the hard work of gathering the data and sending the relevant information directly to your inbox.\nTop 20 Living Economist's Shocking Prediction for Gold...\nAnd his #1 way to invest in gold in 2021\nBank of America just raised its gold price target to as high as $5,000 per ounce in its new report, “The Fed Can’t Print Gold.”\nCLICK HERE FOR ACCESS >","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1490357"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6760866641998291,"wiki_prob":0.6760866641998291,"text":"Time for justice: Tackling race inequalities in health and housing\nDayna Bowen Matthew, Edward Rodrigue, and Richard V. Reeves Wednesday, October 19, 2016\nDespite undeniable progress since the civil rights era, the gulf that separates black and white Americans remains vast. This chapter reviews the reasons for this stubborn race gap, focusing in particular on data showing the extent, causes, and impact of housing segregation and health inequity. It proposes concrete recommendations for the new administration to shrink the racial divide, urging strong political leadership, improved housing market mobility, innovative focus on the social determinants of health, and tools to reduce unintentional biases in health care.\nThe following brief is part of Brookings Big Ideas for America–an institution-wide initiative in which Brookings scholars have identified the biggest issues facing the country and provide ideas for how to address them.\nThe first decades of the 21st century have, like the many that came before, been difficult for black America, despite the election and re-election of our first black President. There has been progress on some fronts, including narrower gaps in high school graduation rates, declining rates of teen pregnancy, and fewer suicides among black men. But the median black American will be as just as far behind their white counterpart in 2017 as they were in 2000 in terms of income, wealth, unemployment, earnings, the risk of incarceration, and many measures of health. In the last couple of decades, progress toward broader equity for African-Americans has been halting.\nCompared to whites, black Americans face the same risk of unemployment today as in the 1960s. Between 2007 and 2013, the net wealth of the median black household fell from 10 percent to 8 percent of median white household wealth, largely the result of the differential impact of the Great Recession. In other words, the median white household now has a net wealth 13 times greater than the median black household. In 2000 the median black household had an income that was 66 percent of the median white household income. In 2015 that figure was 59 percent.\nIn other words, the median white household now has a net wealth 13 times greater than the median black household.\nIn terms of housing and health, the two areas we focus on here, the race gap faced by black Americans remains wide and stubborn. It is perhaps no surprise that black and white Americans have starkly different views on progress toward racial justice. Nine in ten blacks say African-Americans have not achieved equality in this country. Four in ten are skeptical that they ever will. Yet thirty-eight percent of white Americans think “our country has made the changes needed to give blacks equal rights with whites.” Among the half of whites that think there is more to do to achieve equality, almost all think that it will be achieved. The two groups are, as the Pew Research Center puts it, “worlds apart.”\nMany of the barriers blacks face are the result of invisible, insidious force of unconscious bias. Whether it is water quality in Flint, school quality in Ferguson, environmental hazards in Dickson, Tennessee, or the inferior health care that the majority of black patients receive nationwide, the African-American experience is different, and is allowed to be different, more than would ever be accepted within white communities. Racial injustice and inequality is a problem not just for poor and low-income blacks, but for moderate-income blacks as well, as we will show. Racism, even if unintentional, determines where, how, and how well black people live, relative to other groups in America. For most African-Americans, in addition to the tangible inequalities captured in statistics, the intangible experience of being black in America is nothing like the experience of being a white person. Racial injustice lies not only in hard facts, but also in “the thick of everyday life.”1\nDuring his presidential campaign, Donald Trump appealed directly to whites, especially those who felt threatened by immigration, trade, and diversity. His choice of words and his choice of advisers have not suggested that the inequalities faced by black Americans are at the top of his agenda. He did point out, however clumsily, the difficulties that many blacks living in cities face in finding jobs or decent schools. If the new administration decides to treat the race gap seriously, there is much that can be done, right now.\nResidential Segregation: The Problem\nMore than half of black or white residents in 70 of the 100 largest U.S. metro areas would need to move to a different census tract in order to integrate the metro. At the rate of progress we’ve seen since the 70s, 268 of our metro areas will not be integrated until the year 2120.2 Younger black city-dwellers (born between 1985 and 2000) are just as likely to live in a high-poverty neighborhood as the previous generation (born between 1955 and 1970). White Americans are also more segregated from black Americans than from either Asian or Hispanic Americans, according to analyses by our Brookings colleague William Frey:\nAmerican neighborhoods have become more diverse in the last 20 years, but the main reason for this is the growth of the Asian and Hispanic-American populations, rather than significant movement by either black or white Americans. Native-born black Americans experience levels of urban neighborhood segregation nearly three times higher than native-born black British citizens.\nNative-born black Americans experience levels of urban neighborhood segregation nearly three times higher than native-born black British citizens.\nThe causes of residential segregation are complex, enduring and overlapping. It is only a few decades since racial segregation was an explicit goal of public policy.3 But even after the successes of the civil rights movement, a number of factors continued to contribute to segregation—and, in many cases, do so still today. Four stand out:\n1. Zoning. Even in the post-civil rights era, many forms of land use regulation have perpetuated segregation. Complex webs of covenants and zoning ordinances across U.S. cities—in particular for low-density development—superimposed on already highly-segregated neighborhoods, have slowed integration. When there are wide economic gaps by race, as we have in the U.S., exclusionary land-use policies based on families’ economic circumstances entrench racial segregation.\n2. Transportation. Highways and runways have often damaged or cut off black neighborhoods. “Highways cut the heart out of poor areas,” as Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx observed. Meanwhile public transit investments often fail to connect minority communities to opportunities for education and employment.\n3. ‘Steering.” Black and other minority homebuyers and renters receive different treatment from realtors and agents. In 2012, white and black “homebuyers” (in fact actors) were sent to 8,000 randomly selected realtors. Black home-seekers were shown 18% fewer homes. There are some signs that realtors “steer” by race with reference to local schools.\n4. Credit. After being denied home loans before the civil rights era, black Americans have continued to be denied affordable credit, and have been pushed towards sub-prime loans.4 SunTrust, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America have in recent years settled with the Justice Department (for $21 million, and $175 million, and $335 million respectively) for pushing black homebuyers into subprime mortgage deals, overcharging them for home loans, and other breaches.\n5. Attitudes. Although harder to pinpoint, the attitudes and preferences of individuals and families likely plays a role too. Attitudes are shifting, but remain heavily influenced by race. Many white Americans strongly prefer to live with only a minority of black neighbors, up to roughly 20 percent of the neighborhood. Black Americans, meanwhile, prefer “50-50” neighborhoods, and are averse to homogeneous neighborhoods.5\nPhysical segregation by race is costly to society simply in terms of race relations. It is harder to foster an equal, tolerant, multi-racial society when people of different races live in their own enclaves. But there are more tangible costs, too, especially in terms of wealth disparities, educational opportunities, concentrated poverty and neighborhood effects, with implications for well being and health.\nWealth. The median black family has barely any wealth, in large part because blacks have not been able to participate in the wealth-generating momentum of the heavily-subsidized housing market. Many blacks who did get a foothold before the recession fell backwards during the Great Recession, when black median household wealth almost halved from $19,200 in 2007 to $11,000 in 2013. The median wealth of white households is now 13 times greater than for black households—the largest gap in a quarter century (see figure 3.2).\nEducation. There are wide, well-documented race gaps in educational outcomes. School quality is a significant factor here, and since schools tend serve specific areas, residential segregation leads to school segregation, along both racial and economic lines. The compounding effects of wealth, race and place means that even middle-income black students are more likely to attend high-poverty schools, as recent research by Sean Reardon, Demetra Kalogrides and Kenneth Shore shows. This may be one reason why black children born into middle-income families are twice as likely to be downwardly mobile as middle-income whites (see figure 3.3).\nNeighborhood effects. People living in areas with higher rates of poverty have worse outcomes across a range of social and economic measures. From sidewalks to social capital, differences in safety and neighborhood quality lead to differences in outcomes, as the case-studies jointly produced by the Community Affairs Offices of the Federal Reserve System and Brookings show. Children in poor families that were able to use a voucher to move to a low-poverty neighborhood saw a 16 percent increase in college attendance and were much less likely to become single parents, compared to a control group; those who moved earned 31 percent more in their mid-twenties.\nResidential segregation in terms of race is deep, and damaging. What can be done?\nResidential Segregation: some solutions\nA complex and enduring problem like segregation will not be solved quickly or easily. It will require sustained political attention and policy efforts from federal and local government. The president’s role may seem limited at first. But there is plenty that she or he can do, even without new laws or funds. Many of the powers needed to make progress already exist; they simply need to be used. Below we sketch out a concrete policy reform, one element of a wider strategy to tackle segregation. But the most important ingredient is political leadership—from the new President, but also from the people that she or he appoints to critical roles in the administration.\nBring back Romney (The other one)\nAll of these proposals will require leadership from the new President. But it will also require bolder action from HUD. Leadership of that Department is critical. We need another Romney. George Romney, that is.\n“Some white people and public officials will advocate the return to state’s rights as a way to legalize segregation,” he said in the wake of the 1967 race riots: “As citizens of Michigan, as Americans, we must unhesitatingly reject all these divisive courses.” He then enacted a statewide fair housing law and told voters he wanted to end local zoning where it facilitated segregation and evenly distribute affordable housing around metro areas.\nAppointed Secretary of HUD by Nixon, Romney didn’t hesitate to use the tools at his disposal—and which are still at HUD’s disposal. As Nikole Hannah-Jones reported for ProPublica:\n“Romney ordered HUD officials to reject applications for water, sewer and highway projects from cities and states where local policies fostered segregated housing…[he saw his goal as using] his power as secretary of Housing and Urban Development to remake America’s housing patterns, which he described as a “high-income white noose” around the black inner city…HUD terminated grants to the Boston, Baltimore and Toledo metro areas after they rejected low-income housing slated for white neighborhoods, and won concessions.”\nSince the end of Romney’s HUD tenure in 1972 there have been only a handful occasions when the department cut funding to recipients for violating the Fair Housing Act of 1968. “HUD has sent grants to communities,” wrote Hannah-Jones, “even after they’ve been found by courts to have promoted segregated housing or been sued by the U.S. Department of Justice.”6\nScale up “Small Area Fair Market Rents”\nIn many metro areas, HUD benchmarks the value of housing vouchers to costs in the entire metro. This means voucher holders can’t afford to rent in more expensive, opportunity-rich neighborhoods, and are effectively pushed into neighborhoods with cheaper housing.\nIn some places, like Dallas, voucher amounts are indexed to zip codes, rather than entire metro areas. This means the allowance falls slightly in lower-rent areas, but rises in higher-rent areas. In a recent study of this “small area fair market rent” (SAFMR) approach in Dallas, Robert Collinson and Peter Ganong find that SAFMR led voucher families to enter neighborhoods with less poverty and violent crime. Across five SAFMR demonstration sites, the total cost of the program actually fell by 5 percent between 2012 and 2014. This doesn’t mean that SAFMR will make sense everywhere, but HUD should permit and encourage more cities to adopt the approach, especially in those areas with concentrated poverty.\nExpand Mobility Counseling\nOpening up broader, regional markets for voucher recipients will help to create more integrated cities; a powerful complement would be “mobility counseling” that helps voucher holders find a new residence. In Chicago, the Housing Opportunity Program offers a range of services, including housing search counseling and unit referrals, free credit reports, financial counseling, transport to potential new homes, expedited HUD Quality Standards inspections, legal workshops, and post-move support and house visits. The program helps families move to lower-poverty neighborhoods, according to longitudinal research, including a 2005 analysis by Mary Cunningham and Noah Sawyer. Recent analysis of the Baltimore Mobility Program suggests that families who get this kind of extra support raise their neighborhood and school expectations, and move to areas with higher-quality schools.\nHealth Inequality: the problem\nAs the new administration and Congress design the ACA replacement,7 it is important to remember that increased access is necessary but not sufficient to close morbidity and mortality gaps between blacks and whites. Health disparities resulting from racial inequity will persist as long as our nation continues to tolerate a separate and unequal health care system for black Americans.\nThe infant mortality rate for black babies is more than twice that for whites.This gap persists as the mother’s’ education and income rises.8 Babies born to well educated, middle-class black mothers are more likely to die before their first birthday than babies born to poor white mothers with less than a high school education:9\nThese disparities continue into adulthood. Black men still have the shortest life expectancy of any other group in America. Racial inequities, compounded by education gaps, have a cumulative negative impact on health outcomes. White men and women with college degrees live an average of 14.2 years and 10.3 years longer than black men and women with less than a high school education.10\nAfrican Americans are disproportionately treated at health care facilities with the fewest technological resources, the most poorly trained professionals, and least experienced clinicians serve predominately black patient populations.11 The most highly trained professionals serve predominately white populations.12 When compared to whites, black patients are referred to see specialists less often, receive less appropriate preventive care such as mammography and flu vaccines, receive fewer kidney and bone marrow transplants, receive fewer antiretroviral drugs for HIV, receive fewer antidepressants for diagnosed depression, and are admitted less often than whites for similar complaints of chest pain.13 No single cause explains these disparities, but five stand out.\n1. Unintended race discrimination. The next president should take direct aim at the problem of unintended racial discrimination—also known as implicit bias—in medical care. Practices and policies that are race-neutral on their face actually result in inferior quality of and access to health care for blacks as compared to whites across geographic regions, diseases, facility types, and treatments.14 Though different from intentional racism, the impacts of unintended discrimination are equally harmful. Because implicit bias is subtle and hidden, it allows discrimination in health care to persist although most Americans reject explicit racism.15\n2. Social determinants of health. The next administration must also address racial disparities in the social determinants of health. These are the conditions in which Americans live, work, and play—including access to clean, safe, affordable house and health food choices. Health care alone accounts for only 10 percent of health outcomes. Social and environmental factors (20 percent), genetics (30 percent), and behavior (40 percent) all have a greater influence on health than health care. Closing the gap in health outcomes for blacks and whites means addressing inequity in upstream social and environmental factors that impact health.\n3. Housing disparities. Housing inequity is an obvious place to start. Substandard housing conditions such as pest infestation, lead paint, faulty plumbing, and overcrowding disproportionately affect black families and lead to health problems such as asthma, lead poisoning, heart disease, and neurological disorders. Blacks are 1.7 times more likely than the rest of the population to occupy homes with severe physical problems.16 Concentrated housing inequity also disproportionately exposes black communities to environmental pollutants17 and isolates black populations from essential health resources such as improved recreational spaces; quality pharmacies, clinics, and hospitals; and healthy food options (see figure 3.5).18\n4. Health behaviors. Addressing housing disparities will encourage healthy behaviors. For example, reducing neighborhood violence and improving built environments will reduce sedentary behavior. Reducing the ratio of fast food and liquor outlets to healthy food options will reduce disparately unhealthy food consumption.19\nWhy Presidents Fail And How They Can Succeed Again\nBy Elaine C. Kamarck\n5. Criminal law enforcement. The next administration can improve health equity by addressing instances of discriminatory law enforcement that disproportionately affect black communities. Black men and women are more likely to be arrested, charged, and convicted of crimes than whites who commit the same crimes (see figure 3.6);20 disparate marijuana arrests are exemplary.21 Once convicted, black men receive prison sentences that are nearly 20 percent longer than white men for similar crimes.\nThe public health impact on black communities is staggering. Crowded living conditions in prisons increase transmission of infectious disease such as tuberculosis, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted diseases. The prevalence of mental illness and injection drug use among incarcerated populations is significantly higher than in the community at large. When prisoners are released, they bring a higher incidence of disease back to the detriment of the entire community’s health.22\nIncarceration affects the mental and physical health of communities left behind. Family members experience increased mental illness such as depression and anxiety disorders, and there is an increased risk of poverty and homelessness.23 These health consequences are multi-generational. Incarceration, for example, is associated with a 30 percent increase in infant mortality.24\nWhile there are some who express doubt that discrimination in the health care system is a cause of health disparities,25 the costs of differences in black and white health outcomes are indisputable:\n1. Excess deaths. In 2005, former surgeon general David Satcher estimated the cost in terms of lives lost due to racial discrimination in health care. He concluded that over 83,000 African American men and women needlessly lose their lives yearly due to unjust and avoidable differences in the quality and quantity of health care that they receive compared with the rest of the U.S. population.26\n2. Preventable hospitalizations. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study estimated that if black Americans had the same adjusted rate of preventable hospitalizations as non-Hispanic whites from 2004 to 2007, the African American population would have had 430,000 fewer hospitalizations.27\n3. Dollars. It is estimated that racial and ethnic disparities cost Americans $1.24 trillion between 2003 and 2006.28\nHealth Inequality: some solutions\nThe new President’s most important step to achieve health equity will be to provide strong political leadership on this issue from day one. The President must publicly name the elimination of health inequality as a top priority of the new administration. This will intentionally and comprehensively re-focus the entire federal government’s attention on the issue of racial discrimination, which gave rise to the civil rights statutes beginning in 1866; but the promise of equality of opportunity has yet to be fulfilled. Hence, black Americans have suffered the worst health outcomes of any group throughout this nation’s history. We make three further recommendations:\nThe new President’s most important step to achieve health equity will be to provide strong political leadership on this issue from day one.\nMaintain Strong Agency Leadership Committed to Health Equity\nThe new president must ensure that political leaders are committed and empowered to fight health inequity to the full extent of the law. This must be true throughout the federal family, and especially so for Dr. Tom Price and Scott Pruitt, the people who will occupy the positions of secretary of health and human services (HHS) and administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Similarly, political leadership in both agencies’ offices of general counsel and offices of civil rights must be individuals charged by the president and demonstrably committed to make the elimination of health disparities a top administration priority.\nMake Efficient Use of Interagency Working Groups\nWithout any additional federal expenditures, the new president can strengthen the use of the Federal Interagency Health Equity Team to develop strategies, technical assistance tools, and accountability measures that will ensure that all federal agencies and departments, as well as all recipients of federal financial assistance, comply with health civil rights statute Section 1557.29\nSection 1557 and its accompanying regulations provide powerful enforcement tools for the federal government to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race by health programs and activities. However, despite the strong final rule implementing the statute, Section 1557 is underutilized against racial health inequity. Currently, no sample or reported cases involving use of this statute to combat race discrimination in health care appear on the HHS website. The president can use existing interagency working groups to significantly enhance deployment of Section 1557 as a weapon against racial discrimination—whether conscious or unconscious—that produces health disparities.\nFully Implement Executive Order 12898\nMore than two decades have passed since President Bill Clinton signed the historic Executive Order 12898 on Environmental Justice, yet the order has not been fully implemented. The new president has an opportunity to live up to the promise that in America, “no matter who you are or where you come from, you can pursue your dreams in a safe and just environment.”30 Improving Title VI civil rights enforcement is the place to start. Currently, the EPA dismisses or rejects over 90 percent of Title VI complaints, takes an average of 350 days to complete jurisdictional reviews,31 and has never in its history made a formal finding of discrimination. The EPA has never denied or withdrawn financial assistance from a recipient. And the agency’s civil rights office has cases on its Title VI docket that were filed more than 10 years ago.32 Making the promise of this executive order a reality will help reduce health disparities suffered by black Americans.\nIn sum, the new president can, by reducing the inequality that separates blacks and whites, not only improve economic growth, social mobility, health, and opportunity for many, but also ensure justice for all Americans.\nRead more in the Brookings Big Ideas for America series »\nDayna Bowen Matthew\nNonresident Senior Fellow - Economic Studies, USC-Brookings Schaeffer Initiative for Health Policy\nTwitter daynamatthew3\nEdward Rodrigue\nFormer Senior Research Assistant\nRichard V. Reeves\nJohn C. and Nancy D. Whitehead Chair\nSenior Fellow - Economic Studies\nDirector - Future of the Middle Class Initiative\nDirector - Center on Children and Families\nTwitter RichardvReeves\nThis is a phrase used, in a different context, by Gerry Cohen in his book If you're an egalitarian how come you're so rich?\nHere, “integration” means that each census tract’s demographics match those of the larger metro. This 2120 figure assumes that more integrated metropolitan areas would experience additional integration at historical rates, which isn’t how things have played out in the past.\nSee, for example, racist lending practices within the Federal Housing Administration during the 20th century.\nRedlining furthered segregation, and continues today; see here and here. Here is a list of examples of redlining in the past few years. Another example: Wisconsin’s largest bank, Associated Bank, just settled with HUD over discriminatory lending. Now they have to finance $200 million in home loans in minority census tracts, fork over $10 million in down-payment assistance, open four new offices in minority neighborhoods, and spend $1.4 million on marketing to these underserved communities.\nSee here and here. Even fairly small differences in the kinds of communities people prefer to live in can have significant aggregate effects, as Thomas Schelling's work famously showed, especially in his book Micromotives and Macrobehavior.\nOne example Hannah-Jones provides: “New Orleans…. has continued to receive grants after the Justice Department sued it for violating that Fair Housing Act by blocking a low-income housing project in a wealthy historic neighborhood.”\nThe Department of Health and Human Services reports that the uninsured rate among black non-Hispanics dropped by more than 50%, from 14.3% to 7.0% because of the Affordable Care Act. http://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2016/03/03/20-million-people-have-gained-health-insurance-coverage-because-affordable-care-act-new-estimates\nLindy Washburn, “Medical Mystery Endures: Black Babies at Twice Risk of Whites for Death, Study Indicates,” Medical Press (March 2, 2011) (available here: http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-03-medical-mystery-black-babies-whites.html).\nLaudan Y. Aron, (August 26, 2013) “Despite Fifty Years of Improvements in Infant Mortality, Large Black-White Gap Remains Unchanged,” Urban Wire: Poverty, Vulnerability and the Safety Net. (available here: http://www.urban.org/urban-wire/despite-fifty-years-improvements-infant-mortality-large-black-white-gap-remains-unchanged).\nS. Jay Olshansky, et al., (2012). Differences in Life Expectancy Due to Race and Educational Differences are Widening, and Many May Not Catch Up, Health Affairs 31(8):1803-1813.\nJustin B. Dimick, et al., (2013). Black Patients are More Likely to Undergo Surgery at Low Quality Hospitals in Segregated Regions, Health Affairs (Millwood)< 32(6):1046-1053; Laurent G. Glance, et al. (2013).\nPopescu, (2011). Differences in Admitting Hospital Characteristics for Black and white Medicare beneficiaries with Acute Myocardial Infarction. Circulation 123(23):2710-2716 (Differences in hospital quality, which may be due in part to zip code differences, may contribute to disparities).\nKevin Fiscella and others, “Inequality in Quality: Addressing Socioeconomic, Racial, and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care,” JAMA 283, no. 19 (2000), 2579–84.\nU.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “2015 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report and 5th Anniversary Update on the National Quality Strategy,” AHRQ Publication no. 16-0015 (Rockville, Md.: Department of Health and Human Services, April 2016).\nBianca DiJulio and others, “Kaiser Family Foundation/CNN Survey of Americans on Race” (Washington, D.C.: Kaiser Family Foundation, November 2015).\nJames Krieger and Donna L. Higgins, “Housing and Health: Time Again for Public Health Action,” in Urban Health: Readings in the Social, Built, and Physical Environments of U.S. Cities, edited by H. Patricia Hynes and Russ Lopez (Burlington, Mass.: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2009), 106.\nLiam Downey and Brian Hawkins, “Race, Income, and Environmental Inequality in the United States,” Social Perspectives 51, no. 4 (2008): 759–81.\nR. Williams and C. Collins, “Racial Residential Segregation: A Fundamental Cause of Racial Disparities in Health,” Public Health Report 116, no. 5 (2001): 404–16.\nAngela Hilmers, David C. Hilmers, and Jayna Dave, “Neighborhood Disparities in Access to Healthy Foods and Their Effects on Environmental Justice,” American Journal of Public Health 102, no. 9 (2012): 1644–54.\nDylan Matthews, “The Black/White Marijuana Arrest Gap, in Nine Charts,” Washington Post Wonkblog, June 4, 2013.\nSandro Galea, “Incarceration and the Health of Populations,” Boston University School of Public Health, March 22, 2015, www.bu.edu/sph/2015/03/22/incarceration-and-the-health-of-populations/.\nEditorial Board, “Mass Imprisonment and Public Health,” New York Times, November 26, 2014.\nChristopher Wildeman, “Imprisonment and (Inequality in) Population Health,” Social Science Research 41 (2011): 74–91.\nJonathan Klick and Sally Satel, The Health Disparities Myth: Diagnosing the Treatment Gap (Washington, D.C.: American Enterprise Institute Press, 2006).\nJoe Palazzolo, “Racial Gap in Men’s Sentencing,” Wall Street Journal, February 14, 2013.\nDavid Satcher and others, “What If We Were Equal? A Comparison of the Black-White Mortality Gap in 1960 and 2000,” Health Affairs 24, no. 2 (2005): 459–64.\nCarrie Hanlon and Larry Hinkle, “Assessing the Costs of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities: State Experience” (Rockville, Md.: Health Care Cost and Utilization Project, June 24, 2011).\nThomas A. LaVeist, Darrell J. Gaskin, and Patrick Richard, “The Economic Burden of Health Inequalities in the United States” (Washington, D.C.: Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, 2009).\nSee, for example, Executive Order 11246, as amended by Executive Orders 113575 and 10286 and applicable regulations.\nSee, for example, Lisa Garcia, “President Obama’s Proclamation on Environmental Justice,” EPA blog, February 25, 2014, https://blog.epa.gov/blog/tag/executive-order-12898/.\nEditorial Board, “The E.P.A.’s Civil Rights Problem,” New York Times, July 7, 2016.\nU.S. Commission on Civil Rights, “Environmental Justice: Examining the Environmental Protection Agency’s Compliance and Enforcement of Title VI and Executive Order 12,898” (Washington, D.C.: September 23, 2016).\nRace in American Public Policy\nU.S. Metro Areas\nDismantling white privilege starts with undoing racist housing policies\nAndre M. Perry and Stuart Yasgur\nFour reasons why more public housing isn’t the solution to affordability concerns\nJenny Schuetz\nAmazon and Walmart have raked in billions in additional profits during the pandemic, and shared almost none of it with their workers\nMolly Kinder and Laura Stateler","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line241372"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6053267121315002,"wiki_prob":0.39467328786849976,"text":"A Banquet of Consequences: A compelling critique of all that is wrong with the world economy\nWritten by Contributor, 14th May 2016, 0 Comments\nThe essential argument of Satyajit Das’ new book is: “The 2008 crisis showed that perpetual growth is an illusion. It exposed the high debt levels, credit-driven consumption, global imbalances and excessive financialisation that underpinned an unsustainable economic model, coinciding with an emerging scarcity of energy, food and water, and increasing evidence of climate change impact.”\nJayati Ghosh, Sify Finance\nThe Age of Stagnation: Why Perpetual growth in Unattainable and the Global Economy is in Peril\n(Marketed in the U.S. as ‘A Banquet of Consequences’)\nBy Satyajit Das\nPublished by: Tranquebar Press\nEdition: Hardback Pages: 346\nThe essential argument of this book is neatly encapsulated in its title. Satyajit Das argues that the recent era of unprecedented economic expansion is now definitively over, and the watershed for this was the Great Financial Crisis (GFC) of 2008. In essence, his point is this: “The GFC showed that perpetual growth and progress is an illusion. It exposed the high debt levels, credit-driven consumption, global imbalances, excessive financialisation, and unfinanced social entitlements that underpinned an unsustainable economic model. The crisis coincided with an emerging scarcity of energy, food and water, and increasing evidence of the impact of climate change.” (page 285-286)\nAll of these problems have reached or are reaching the point of no return, that is the point when they are no longer amenable to easy or even feasible solutions. As a result, all of us have to accept the reality of a period of stagnation, or “the new mediocre”, in which fragile and volatile economic conditions will be the norm. This argument is made sharply, in clear and approachable prose, and is peppered with striking analogies and literary quotations that drive the points home in a more persuasive way than dry analytical statements. Das also makes sweeping generalisations, some of which are indeed debatable and can be contested, but much of what he says does indeed make a lot of sense.\nBut the overall message of gloom and doom – while compelling – is unleavened by a deep sense of history or of the specific roles played by political, social and economic configurations that need not be taken for granted as inevitable. Das takes us through a quick and somewhat racy tour over the economic landscape leading up to and subsequent to the Global Financial Crisis, noting the role played by debt-driven models of accumulation and consumption, which must inevitably end in tears. Much of this was well-known, though it has been remarkably quickly forgotten by those who matter, especially as the policy responses to the crisis across the world have been in the direction of generating more of the same.\nDas is particularly frustrated by the easy money policies of low interest rates and quantitative easing that have dominated crisis responses in the advanced economies. He is upset with them not only because the stimulus from low interest rates tends to be temporary, but because “low rates create zombie economies. Weak businesses survive, directing cash flow to cover interest on loans that cannot be repaid but banks will not write off. With capital tied up, banks reduce lending to productive enterprises, especially small and medium-sized ones, which account for a large portion of economic activity and employment. Firms do not dispose of or restructure unproductive investments. The creative destruction and reallocation of resources necessary to restore the economy does not occur.” (page 77) They also encourage asset bubbles, which in turn create the conditions for future crises.\nAll this is absolutely true, but the central problem is not that of cheap money per se as the response to the crisis, but that it is occurring in a continued context of unregulated finance that is also not directed to socially important goals – neither of which is inevitable. Das notes the significance and terrible role played by financialisation, but he does not give sufficient importance to the process of financial deregulation that made it possible, or note that this can still be reversed with sufficient political will. And this makes the consequences indeed appear, as he puts it, like the global economy in a black hole, in which “(e)xcessive levels of debt deep-seated fundamental imbalances now prevent escape from stagnation or worse.” (page 92) These depressing factors are rendered even worse, according to Das, by changes in the real economy and patterns of production and investment.\nDas provides a correct critique of GDP as a false indicator of human or even economic well-being, but then proceeds to use it as the relevant indicator in much of the rest of his discussion. He finds that several processes that impinge on the real economy are combining to add to the forces of economic stagnation: technological change, trade patterns, environmental constraints, economic inequalities. These forces are then further exacerbated by the growing democratic deficits and social instability that they generate, in a vicious cycle.\nDas notes that recent patterns of innovation have focused on “disruptive” technologies rather than sustainable and productive ones – those that create cheaper and poorer quality goods and services, thereby with limited long-term growth and productivity generation potential. So the cycle of technology booms and busts continues, but without the longer term and economy-wide impact of previous industrial revolutions. Das is also sceptical of the potential gains of the so-called “sharing economy” based on internet and connectivity. He points out that in reality it “relies on disintermediating existing businesses and minimising regulatory costs” (page 267) so that amateurs provide work previously done by professionals, and peer to peer brokers like Uber and Airbnb essentially reduce costs by depressing the incomes of the service providers. Therefore “the sharing economy exploits low-wage workers in a weak regulatory environment”. (page 269).\nDas also exposes the myth of the rise of emerging markets, which is now rather old news even in the world of global finance, as these countries are no longer the favoured destinations they briefly were. He points to the limitations of China’s growth model, based not just on ever-increasing exports but on massive excess capacity creation increasingly financed through debt levels that are rapidly becoming unsustainable. He briefly (and it must be said, quite simplistically) outlines the problems with the growth strategies in other countries like India and Brazil. Some of his arguments read not as careful analysis so much as reiteration of trite stereotypes beloved of the international financial media, which now focus on weaknesses that they ignored during the boom.\nBut on a central question, that of inequality, Das is clear: “economic apartheid, in the shape of inequality, now threatens growth.” (page 227) But the rest of that chapter is somewhat weak in suggesting how it can be redressed and how such inequalities can be reversed. While he castigates Thomas Piketty for being limited only to asking for high taxes on capital and on inheritance, he himself offers no other solutions, and in other chapters he even criticises governments like those in Latin America that have taken direct and positive action, and is surprisingly wobbly on the need to curb finance and control rentier incomes much more explicitly.\nOn all of these issues, Das provides a clear and compelling critique of the existing system, one that can be usefully taken up to consider feasible alternative strategies (which indeed exist for each of the dilemmas he highlights). But because he does not appear to take these alternative possibilities seriously, his own thought experiment of a feasible alternative as described in his Epilogue is a stark one, unlikely to find too many takers. Instead, readers should take note of the criticisms of existing policies and economic arrangements that Das describes, to consider how these can be changed for a better future in which at least the living standards and social freedoms of the majority of the world’s poor can be improved. For that a closer look at class relations and the political economy of both policies and power in different societies and in the world economy is essential.\nRenowned economist Dr Jayati Ghosh is the Chairperson at the Centre for Economic Studies and Planning, School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. She has been a member of the National Knowledge Commission. Since 2002, she has been the Executive Secretary of International Development Economics Associates (IDEAS), an international network of heterodox development economists.\nTags: Books, climate change adaptation, collapse, debt bubble, debt crisis, economic recession, global economy, Global Inequality, Satyajit Das\n«« Peak Oil returns to haunt the global economy\nFailure of reforms: 5% of India’s farmers own a third of the land »»\nHopepunk, Solarpunk: Here are climate narratives that go beyond the Apocalypse\nAmitav Ghosh: What the West doesn’t get about the climate crisis\n2020: The Incipient Bet\nMore Stories From Bookshelf\nBig Farms make Big Flu: The deadly connection between industrial farming and pandemics\nThe Songs of Trees: Stories From Nature’s Great Connectors","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line182970"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8401896357536316,"wiki_prob":0.8401896357536316,"text":"Warhammer (game)\nMiniature wargame\nThis article includes a list of general references, but it remains largely unverified because it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (November 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)\nManufacturer(s)\nSetup time\nVaries, depending on the size of the game, but usually around 10 to 20 minutes\nVaries, depending on the size of the game, but usually around three hours\nRandom chance\nMedium – dice rolling\nMilitary strategy, arithmetic, spatial awareness\nwww.games-workshop.com\nWarhammer (formerly Warhammer Fantasy Battle or just Warhammer Fantasy) is a tabletop miniature wargame with a medieval fantasy theme that simulates battles between armies from different factions. The game was created by Rick Priestley and sold by the Games Workshop company.[citation needed]\nAs in other miniature wargames, players use miniature models (minis) to represent warriors. The playing field is a model battlefield comprising models of buildings, trees, hills, and other terrain features. Players take turns moving their model warriors across the playing field and simulate a battle. The outcomes of fights between the models are determined by a combination of dice rolls and simple arithmetic. Though the gameplay is mostly based on medieval warfare, it incorporates fantasy elements such as wizards, dragons, and magical spells.\nWarhammer was the first commercial miniature wargame designed to use proprietary models. Prior to this, miniature wargames rulesets were designed to use generic models that could be bought from any manufacturer.[citation needed]\nThe first edition rulebook for Warhammer was released in 1986, and the line was supported for thirty years by model releases, supplementary rulebooks, and new editions of the core rules.[1] The eighth and final edition of the core rules was released on 10 July 2010. The game is no longer supported by Games Workshop, and the last supplementary rulebook was released in 2015.[2] It was replaced later that year by Warhammer Age of Sigmar, which uses the models created for the Warhammer line in a new setting and game system.[3]\nThe Warhammer setting is inspired by the fiction of J. R. R. Tolkien, Poul Anderson and Michael Moorcock.[4] The fictional background for the game was developed in rulebooks, White Dwarf magazine, Inferno! magazine, and more than 150 novels set in the Warhammer universe. Many of these novels are still in print under the Warhammer Chronicles imprint.[5]\n2 The Warhammer world\n3 Armies\n4 Magical Lores\n5 Editions\n5.1 Inspiration\n5.2 First edition (1983)\n5.2.1 Critical reaction\n5.2.2 Expansion\n5.3 Second edition (1984)\n5.4 Third edition (1987)\n5.4.2 Reviews\n5.5 4th edition (1992) and 5th edition (1996)\n5.6 6th edition (2000)\n5.8.1 8th edition's Expansion (2011)\n5.8.1.1 Reviews\n6 Future\n7 Derivative games\nGameplay[edit]\nWarhammer is a tabletop wargame where two or more players compete against each other with \"armies\" of 25 mm – 250 mm tall heroic miniatures. The rules of the game have been published in a series of books which describe how to move miniatures around the game surface and simulate combat in a \"balanced and fair\" manner. Games may be played on any appropriate surface, although the standard is a 6 ft by 4 ft tabletop decorated with model scenery in scale with the miniatures. Any individual miniature or group of similar miniatures in the game is called a \"unit\".\nThe core game rules are supplied in a single book, with supplemental Warhammer Armies texts giving guidelines and background for army-specific rules. Movement of units about the playing surface is generally measured in inches, and units' combat performance is dictated randomly by either the roll of a 6-sided die (a 'D6') or a 6-sided 'scatter' die. The latter is often used to generate direction, commonly alongside an 'artillery' die, for cannons, stone-throwers, and other artillery. Each unit and option within the game is assigned a point value for balancing purposes. A game will commonly have armies of 750 to 3,000 points, although smaller and larger values are possible.\nThe Warhammer world[edit]\nMain articles: Warhammer Fantasy (setting) and List of Warhammer Fantasy novels\nWarhammer is set in a fictional universe notable for its \"dark and gritty\" background world, which features influences from Michael Moorcock's Elric stories, and also many historical influences.\nThe geography of the Warhammer world closely resembles that of Earth because of manipulation by an ancient spacefaring race known as the Old Ones. This mysterious and powerful race visited the Warhammer World in the distant past. Establishing an outpost, they set about manipulating the geography and biosphere of the planet. With the assistance of their Slann servants, they moved the planet's orbit closer to its sun, and arranged the continents to their liking.\nTo travel between worlds, the Old Ones used portals to another dimension (\"warp gates\"), which they built at the north and south poles of the Warhammer World. Eventually, however, these gates collapsed, allowing raw magical energy and the daemonic forces of Chaos to pour forth into the Warhammer world. At this point, the Old Ones disappeared. Before leaving however, they had established the Lizard men (ruled over by the Slann) as their servants. In addition they had created the races of Elves, Dwarfs, Humans, Ogres and Halflings. Orcs and Goblins were not created by the Old Ones, or part of their plan, and their origin is not made clear in the setting. Beastmen and Skaven were the result of mutation from raw magical energy at this time. Eventually the Chaos Daemons were driven back by Lizardmen and Elves, with the Elves performing a great ritual to drain out the raw magic that was flowing into the world and sustaining the Daemons. Some creatures, such as Dragons and Dragon-Ogres, are stated to have existed prior to the arrival of the Old Ones.\nAfter this, Elves and Dwarfs flourished and created mighty empires, but eventually they were set into a slow decline. A series of civil wars amongst the Elves split them into two groups – the malicious Dark Elves and righteous High Elves. A petty war between the High Elves and Dwarfs served only to diminish both races and caused the High Elves to abandon their colonies. Some of the colonists refused to leave their homes in a magical sapient forest and over time developed into the enigmatic and isolationist Wood Elves. A period of seismic activity caused by the Slann decimated the underground holds of the Dwarfs while attacks by Skaven and Goblins, who breached the Dwarf strongholds from below, only made things more desperate.\nThe humans were the slowest to develop, but ultimately formed several strong nations able to defend themselves from aggressors. The Nehekharan Empire (based on Ancient Egypt) was the first great human empire, but due to a curse by Nagash (the first necromancer) they became an undead faction known as the \"Tomb Kings\" who now dwell in The Land of the Dead (former Nehekhara). Nagash, in his efforts to find eternal life, also created the first Vampires, an entirely separate undead faction.\nIn the present time (according to the setting's fictional timeline) there are two prominent human nations: The Empire which is based on a combination of aspects of the Holy Roman Empire and Renaissance Germany, and Bretonnia, which is based on Arthurian legends and medieval France. Sigmar, founder of The Empire, wielded a mighty Dwarf-made Warhammer from which the name of the \"Warhammer Fantasy\" setting is derived. There are also numerous other nations which are fleshed out in the background information but are not represented by playable factions in the tabletop game, some of which are loosely based on real-world nations from various historical periods; examples being Estalia and Tilea which reflect medieval Spain and the Roman Empire, or Cathay to the far East that is analogous to a fantastic version of Imperial China.\nThe forces of disorder are often depicted as not a localised threat, but a general menace consisting of disparate factions, many of which are typically also at odds with each other. The Skaven exist in an \"Under Empire\" (an extensive network of tunnels beneath the planet's surface), while the war-loving Orcs and Goblins are nomadic (although they are most common in the Badlands, Southlands and Dark Lands) and regularly amass large numbers and stage raids without warning. Similarly, Ogres are most common in the Ogre Kingdoms and in the eastern Mountains of Mourn, but are depicted as unscrupulous wandering warriors who are always hungry, who sometimes hire themselves out as mercenaries to both the forces of order and disorder.\nIn addition to the chaos-worshiping Warriors of Chaos who live in strange Chaos Wastes north of the other faction's lands, chaos cults often arise within human and elven nations. Beastmen are depicted as mutants dwelling deep in forests and impossible to fully eradicate. Vampires and necromancers raising armies of undead are also depicted often as an internal threat. Chaos Daemons are restricted to manifesting themselves where magical energy is strongest, but this could be almost anywhere.\nThe 8th Edition Empire Army Book describes the Warhammer World to currently be in the year 2522 (Empire calendar), whilst the current Lizardmen Army Book puts the collapse of the warpgates at −5700 on the same calendar, thus the fictional history spans at least 8200 years.\nArmies[edit]\nThere are a number of playable armies for Warhammer, which are representative of one or other of the factions or races that are present in the Warhammer world setting. For the first few editions of the game armies were presented in collective books like Warhammer Armies. Starting in the 4th edition individual books were released for each army.\nIn the 8th edition of the game, the following armies had individual army books:\nDuring the 6th edition, the following armies had official rules available from the Games Workshop website, and were usable throughout the 6th and 7th editions. These rules have since been taken down, and they were unplayable in the 8th edition.\nChaos Dwarfs: The White Dwarf Presents army book was released during the 4th Edition as a collection of White Dwarf articles, but is still considered an official rule book. An official Chaos Dwarf army list was included in Ravening Hordes at the start of the 6th edition. The army list was included in the reference section of the 7th edition, but has been removed from the 8th edition rulebook. This model line was discontinued at the end of the 5th edition and is no longer supported by the main rules. Forge World released Chaos Dwarf models under their Warhammer Forge line.\nDogs of War: The official army book was released during the 5th Edition; Regiments of Renown and Mercenary Army lists for the 6th edition were released on the website. Regardless, some of this line remained available for direct order from Games Workshop as late as 2013.[citation needed]\nKislev: The army book was given away free with White Dwarf magazine during the 6th edition. This model line has since been discontinued and is no longer supported.\nArmies that were left unsupported prior to the 6th edition:\nFimir\nMagical Lores[edit]\nThe eight main Lores of the Warhammer world are used by multiple armies and races, and are the only Lores available to Empire and Bretonnian armies. Dwarves do not use magic at all.\nLore of Light\nLore of Metal\nLore of Death\nLore of Life\nLore of Heaven\nLore of Shadow\nLore of Fire\nLore of Beasts\nWhile at least some of the eight main lores can be used by many armies of the Warhammer world many races have their own unique magical Lores.\nLore of High Magic (High Elves, Wood Elves and Lizardmen)\nLore of Dark Magic (Dark Elves and Wood Elves)\nLore of the Little WAAAGH (Goblins)\nLore of the Big WAAAGH (Orcs)\nSkaven Spells of Ruin (Skaven)\nSkaven Spells of Plague (Skaven)\nLore of the Wild (Beastmen)\nLore of Nurgle (Warriors of Chaos and Daemons of Chaos)\nLore of Slaanesh (Warriors of Chaos and Daemons of Chaos)\nLore of Tzeentch (Warriors of Chaos and Daemons of Chaos)\nThe Lore of the Vampires (Vampire Counts)\nThe Lore of Nehekhara (Tomb Kings)\nLore of the Great Maw (Ogre Kingdoms)\nFormer Lores:\nLore of Athel Loren (Wood Elves)\nLore of Ice (Kislev)\nEditions[edit]\nThroughout the eight editions of the game, the core movement, combat and shooting systems remained generally unchanged, with only minor revisions between editions. The most significant changes which ensure incompatibility between editions have been made to the magic, army composition systems, and specialist troop types.\nThe starter armies in the box sets have grew more detailed with each succeeding generation, and the 7th edition (2006) was the first to be titled as a scenario (\"The Battle for Skull Pass\") instead of just Warhammer Fantasy Battle. For example, the High Elves have appeared in the 4th edition (1992) and the 8th edition (2010); while the 4th edition only contained Spearmen and Bowmen figures (essentially, just two types of figurines) plus cardboard cutouts for the general and a warmachine,[6] the 8th edition contained a more widely varied army (including cavalry, Sword Masters, mage, and a general mounted on a griffon).[7]\nInspiration[edit]\nPublished in November 1981 for its second edition (1978 for the very first one), and written by Richard Halliwell and Rick Priestley, Reaper is considered the ancestor of Warhammer Fantasy Battle. Reaper is more a skirmish game for up to 30 miniatures rather than a large-scale wargame.[citation needed]\nFirst edition (1983)[edit]\nThe first edition, written by Bryan Ansell, Richard Halliwell and Rick Priestley was published in 1983 as Warhammer The Mass Combat Fantasy Role-Playing Game and consists of a boxed set of 3 black and white books illustrated by Tony Ackland: Vol 1: Tabletop Battles, which contains the core rules, turn sequence, creature lists, potion recipes and features an introductory battle 'The Ziggurat of Doom'. Vol 2: Magic which explains rules for wizards of 4 different levels and the higher order arch magi. Higher level wizards have access to more powerful spells. In this system, a wizard picks his spells at the start of the game, must have the correct equipment (usually Amulets), and as he casts each one it depletes a store of 'constitution' points, until at zero points he could cast no more. Vol 3: Characters introduces 'personal characteristics' statistics, rules for roleplaying (including character advancement through experience points and statistic gains, random encounters, equipment costs, and alignment) and has a sample campaign \"The Redwake River Valley\".\nVery little world background is given at all and the race descriptions are kept to a minimum, and most of the background given is in describing the origins of magic items. Some notable differences to later editions are the inclusion of Night Elves (later Dark Elves), the appearance of Red Goblins – and that Citadel Miniatures order codes are given.\nCritical reaction[edit]\nIn the July 1983 edition of White Dwarf, (Issue 43), Joe Dever gave the system a positive review, saying, \"If you regularly wargame with miniatures, or have been wondering what additional fun you could have from your rapidly growing collection of fantasy figures, then I recommend you check out Warhammer and let battle commence!\"[8]\nChris Hunter reviewed Warhammer for Imagine magazine, and stated that \"if you are looking for a mass fantasy combat system, I would recommend Warhammer; but if all you want is a fantasy role-playing game, it would perhaps be better to look elsewhere\".[9]\nIn the May 1984 edition of Dragon (Issue 85), Katherine Kerr was not impressed, and called it \"one of the most irritating new games I’ve ever read.\" She found the manuscript full of typographical errors, and \"On top of it all, the authors have a miserable command of the English language. Their prose is even more awkward than the usual low level of gaming writing and is studded with grammatical errors.\" She found the game system divided between a good combat system and a poor roleplaying system, and called the effort \"two separate games with a weak attempt to link them together. The first, a set of rules for tabletop battles with miniature figures, is very good; the second, pieces of a fantasy role-playing game, is embarrassingly bad.\"[10] In the same issue, Ken Rolston also reviewed Warhammer, and although he agreed that the rules were \"hardly a model of English usage or proofreading,\" they were well-organised and readable. Rolston agreed with Kerr that the miniatures rules were the strong suit of the system, but he also admired the psychology rules that determined how classic fantasy racial types behave towards each other. However, he found the role-playing system to be \"primitive\".[11]\nIn the January–February 1985 edition of Space Gamer (Issue No. 72), Edwin J. Rotondaro also thought the system was divided between good miniatures rules and bad roleplaying rules. \"Overall, I have to say that Warhammer is a good miniatures game, but a terrible roleplaying game. The system is flexible enough to be used as a mass combat module in most RPGs, but you have to decide whether it's worth [the price] for a set of fantasy miniatures rules.\"[12]\nExpansion[edit]\nThe first edition was extended with Forces of Fantasy boxed set in 1984.\nSecond edition (1984)[edit]\nThe second edition split the rules into three rulebooks — Combat, Battle Magic and Battle Bestiary, with full-colour artwork by John Blanche. There were few substantive changes in rules, but major clarifications of the original rules were included. New rules included uses and effects of standards and musicians, flying, fortifications, fire, artillery, chariots, reserve units, specialist spellcasters, and poisons.[13]\nThis edition also further developed \"The Known World\", which was geographically and socially based upon Earth.[13]\nIn the June 1985 edition of White Dwarf (Issue #66), Robert Alcock called the second edition \"a predictable expansion of the original\", although he noted that this edition had \"not ironed out all the problems.\" Alcock especially disliked the mechanic of \"throwing a bucket full of dice to cause casualties and then find that your opponent gets most of them back with a saving throw.\" However, despite these issues, Alcock concluded that \"Warhammer does remain the only viable set of fantasy mass battle rules\", and gave the second edition an overall rating of 8 out of 10.[13]\nThird edition (1987)[edit]\nThe Third Edition of the game was published as a single hardback book in 1987. It had the most in-depth and complex movement and manoeuvre system of any edition. Other changes included a variety of new specialist troop types, rules for war machines and a more finely tuned system of representing heroes and wizards. It kept the same magic system and open-ended army design system as the first two editions. However, by this stage the use of army lists was very much encouraged. Army lists for this edition were published in a separate book called Warhammer Armies in 1988; until then, use of the 2nd Edition's Ravening Hordes list was encouraged. This is partly because it was the last edition published before Games Workshop took a different commercial approach, leading to competition from former GW employees in the briefly published competing Fantasy Warlord.\nThe third edition was expanded with the Realm of Chaos: tome one, Slaves To Darkness, followed by tome two, The Lost and the Damned; and Warhammer Siege books.\nIn the February 1989 edition of Dragon (Issue 142), Ken Rolston gave the third edition high praise, saying, \"If you’re serious about fantasy tabletop gaming, Warhammer Fantasy Battle (WFB) is probably your only choice. Rolston liked the \"fast-paced\" rules system and developed fantasy background, and his only reservations were about presentation: \"The text is dense and wordy. The wealth of diagrams is good, but their captions aren’t always clear. The abundance of photos, illustrations, and paintings is often visually stimulating, but many of these graphics are of marginal or negligible relevance to the accompanying text. The black-and-white photographic reproduction is surprisingly poor.\" He concluded with a strong recommendation: \"The fantasy campaign setting is simply super. The series of revised editions, supplements, and magazine support articles indicates that Games Workshop is interested in and capable of catering to the gamer’s appetite for new features, refined editions, and elaborated fantasy campaign materials.\"[14]\nReviews[edit]\nChallenge #37 (1989)\n4th edition (1992) and 5th edition (1996)[edit]\nThe fourth and fifth editions of the game, released in October 1992 and October 1996, respectively, were similar to each other but quite different from the third. The fifth edition in particular became known pejoratively as \"Herohammer\" because of the imbalance between the very powerful heroes, monsters and wizards in the game and blocks of troops which existed effectively as cannon fodder.[citation needed] Both editions of the game were sold as box sets containing not only the rulebooks and a variety of other play aids but also sufficient plastic miniatures to be able to play the game \"out of the box\". The rules underwent a re-write compared to the 3rd Edition. A completely re-worked magic system was produced which was available as a boxed expansion set. Rather than selecting spells they were drawn at random and the magic phase was based on the play of these cards, making magic a bit like a game within a game. The magic system was further expanded by the Arcane Magic box set and the magic element of the Chaos box set.\nThe fourth edition was also the first edition to enforce the use of army lists in the form of separate Warhammer Army books for the separate racial groupings. These books prescribed for each army a limited number of unit choices; specifying limits on the number of points that could be spent on \"characters\", troops and monsters and so on. The books also included background on the particular army, illustrations and photographs showing models and have remained with the game though updated with the rules.\nThe magic system was reworked and re-released in December 1996 as a single box covering the magic for all the armies. The magic was \"toned down\" (WD204) with spell casting limited to the players' own turn. The multiple card packs of the Colours of Magic system was replaced by 20 Battle Magic spell cards but the Colour Magic spells were in the rule book for players to use if they wanted.\nSeveral boxed campaign packs were produced, Tears of Isha for example, gave a campaign for High Elves and included a card \"building\" to assemble. Likewise, the Orc and Goblin themed campaign Idol of Gork included card idols of the Orc deities Gork and Mork. The others were Circle of Blood (Vampire Counts vs Bretonnians), Grudge of Drong (Dwarves vs High Elves) and Perilous Quest (Bretonnians vs Wood Elves).\nThe fourth edition featured High Elves versus Goblins. The fifth edition, released in 1996, re-introduced the Bretonnian forces, which had been left out of the 4th edition, and re-worked the Slann heavily to create the Lizardmen armies.\nIn 1997, the fifth edition of Warhammer Fantasy Battles won the Origins Award for Best Fantasy or Science Fiction Miniatures Rules of 1996.[15]\n6th edition (2000)[edit]\nThe sixth edition, released in 2000, was also published as a box with soft-cover rulebook and miniatures (Orcs and Empire). The Rulebook was also available for separate sale, hard-cover in the first printing and soft-cover after that.[16] After the fifth edition, this edition put the emphasis back on troop movement and combat: heroes and wizards were still important but became incapable of winning games in their own right. There was also an all-new magic system based on dice rolling.\nThe seventh edition rules were released on 9 September 2006. It was available in two forms: as a single hardback rulebook for established gamers and as a complete boxed set game complete with plastic miniatures (Dwarfs and Goblins), The Battle for Skull Pass supplement book and a soft-cover rulebook that has less artwork and background material than the hardback version. The smaller rulebook from the boxed set was approximately half the size of the large book both in size of the cover and page count. The \"Basic Rules\" and \"Advanced Rules\" sections of both books were identical in text, layout, illustrations, credits, page numbering and ISBN. The two books had different front pieces and the larger rulebook has two extensive addition sections \"The Warhammer World\" (68 pages) and \"The Warhammer Hobby\" (56 pages) plus slightly expanded appendices.[17]\nAccording to the official Games Workshop webpage, the 8th edition of Warhammer was made available for pre-order on 14 June 2010 and was released 10 July 2010.\nThe new starter set named Island of Blood contains facing armies of High Elves and Skaven. A condensed mini-rulebook, as well as 10 standard dice, one scatter and one artillery die, two 18 inch rulers, and three blast templates are included in the box.\nOn Friday 23 July 2010, Games Workshop began posting an \"unboxed\" series detailing the contents of the new game box called \"A Blog of Two Gamers\"[18]\nThe first army to be introduced to the 8th edition was Orcs and Goblins. They are one of the most popular Warhammer Fantasy armies, but their release in the 8th edition was not totally expected, as at the time there were four (Dwarfs, Wood Elves, Tomb Kings and Bretonnia) Warhammer army books which had not been updated since the 6th edition. The Dwarf, Wood Elf and Tomb Kings army books have since been replaced with newer versions. The Skaven and bretonnians armybook however, still has not been updated since the 7th edition.\n8th edition's Expansion (2011)[edit]\nThe 8th edition was extended with Storm of Magic 'supplement' in 2011 (an expansion that features rules for using more destructive magic and monsters). Another one was released, called Blood in the Badlands shortly afterwards (it included some special scenarios and introduced rules for siege warfare). In 2013 Triumph and Treachery (an expansion that allows multi-player games of between 3 and 5 players) and Sigmar's Blood (a 5 scenario short campaign between Empire and Vampire Counts following the crusade led by Volkmar to destroy Mannfred von Carstein) were released. Another series of five books in 2014–15, entitled The End Times, saw the appearance of every major character of the setting. The last book Archaon described the end of the Warhammer world.\nCasus Belli (v4, Issue 15 - Jun/Jul 2015)[19]\nFuture[edit]\nIn 2019 it was announced that Games Workshop is working on Warhammer: The Old World, a new wargaming line using the Warhammer setting.[20] The released map[21] suggest that it takes place in the past of the setting.[citation needed] Concept art featuring units for Kislev has been released.[22] Development is expected to take three or more years, so it is not expected to be released before 2022.[23]\nDerivative games[edit]\nGames based on the core Warhammer mechanics and rules include:\nWarhammer Ancient Battles (often referred to as \"WAB\" and sometimes Warhammer Historical). Intended to simulate armies of the real world of the Ancient and Medieval periods.\nA science fiction based skirmish wargame using similar rules was developed as Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader by Games Workshop and released in 1987. Originally using a minor variation of the 2nd edition Warhammer Fantasy Battle rules, the two games have subsequently taken different development paths. This has since developed into the separate Warhammer 40,000 setting.\nThe first edition of Blood Bowl uses the same basic turn system and character statistics as Warhammer to simulate a fantasy American football game. Rules for ranged combat applied to ball throwing. Since the second edition of Blood Bowl the game has taken its own development path. A card game inspired by the game has also been developed.[24]\nGames Workshop released a skirmish scale wargame set in the world of Warhammer called Mordheim. It is set in the destroyed city of Mordheim. It uses the same basic rules as the 5th edition of Warhammer, but modified to support activation of individual models in a small gang. It also has a campaign system which you use to improve your warband as they gain experience.\nThe Warhammer Fantasy Battles rules led to Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay in 1986, again using the same statistics, although presented as percentiles rather than 1–10 to give more detail and differentiation between characters than is required in a wargame. In 2005 Black Industries released a second edition and Fantasy Flight Games now owns the rights to the 2nd edition game. In 2009 Fantasy Flight Games discontinued active support for the second edition due to the release of the 3rd edition.\nDark Heresy (another Role-playing game) was released by Black Industries in 2008 using a variation of the 2nd edition of Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay. The line was transferred to Fantasy Flight Games, which then released Rogue Trader (2009), Deathwatch (2010), Black Crusade (2011), and Only War (2013), each using close variants of the Dark Heresy engine.\nGames Workshop release Judge Dredd: The Role-Playing Game (1985) was clearly derived from the same percentile mechanics as Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay.\nInquisitor is a detailed, percentage based miniatures game set in the derivative Warhammer 40K setting. The mechanics fall somewhere between Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 1E and Warhammer 40K.\nGames based on the Warhammer setting, but not sharing the rules, include:\nWarmaster, representing very large-scale, epic battles. Warmaster uses smaller models than Warhammer using 10 mm as opposed to 28 mm, with different rules regarding troop movement and combat.\nIn 1987, GW released a board game Chaos Marauders[25]\nIn 1989, GW released another board game, Advanced HeroQuest[26]\nIn 1993, Games Workshop released a naval wargame set in the world of Warhammer called Man O' War.\nIn 1990, Games Workshop released a strategic wargame of empire building, Mighty Empires, intended both as a stand-alone game and as a way to manage a campaign of miniature battles. This was followed in 1991 by Dragon Masters, an introductory game reusing some Mighty Empires assets in which players take the role of competing Elven princes in Ulthuan.[27]\nIn 1995 the boardgame Warhammer Quest was released. Based upon the Warhammer Fantasy Battle system it shared many of the same combat mechanics as well as the setting, while building upon the previous game Advanced Heroquest. Warhammer Quest was followed by two expansions, Lair of the Orc Lord and Catacombs of Terror, nine Character Packs and several Card Packs.[28]\nWarhammer Fantasy Battle has been adapted as computer games: the 1995 Warhammer: Shadow of the Horned Rat, its 1998 sequel Warhammer: Dark Omen, Warhammer: Mark of Chaos and the MMORPG, Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning which was released on 18 September 2008.\nChaos in the Old World has been released (2009)[29]\nOn 1 October 2011, Games Workshop released the one-off game, Dreadfleet.\nFantasy Flight Games' Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 3rd edition is a new game engine not derived from the earlier game mechanics. It was released in 2009.\nWarhammer Quest card game has been released (2015)[30]\nWarhammer: End Times - Vermintide is a first person shooter video game developed and published by Fatshark that was released on 23 October 2015. A sequel titled Warhammer: Vermintide 2 was released on 8 March 2018.\nTotal War: Warhammer is a turn-based strategy real-time tactics video game developed by the Creative Assembly and published by Sega that was released on 24 May 2016. It was followed by a sequel that was released on 28 September 2017.\nWarhammer computer games\n^ \"Warhammer: The Mass Combat Fantasy Roleplaying Game (1st Edition)\". BoardGameGeek. Retrieved 21 May 2020.\n^ \"Warhammer: The End Times - Archaon\". Goodreads. Retrieved 21 May 2020.\n^ \"Warhammer: Age of Sigmar Rules & Compendiums FREE!\". Bell of Lost Souls. Retrieved 21 May 2020.\n^ Baxter, Stephen (2003). \"Freedom in an Owned World\". Vector. No. 229. Archived from the original on 9 November 2012.\n^ \"Black Library - Warhammer Chronicles\". Black Library. Retrieved 21 May 2020.\n^ \"Warhammer (Fourth edition Box Set) | Board Game Version\". BoardGameGeek. Retrieved 22 April 2013.\n^ \"The Island of Blood\". Games Workshop. Retrieved 22 April 2013.\n^ Dever, Joe (July 1983). \"Open Box: Warhammer\". White Dwarf (review). Games Workshop (43): 12. ISSN 0265-8712.\n^ Hunter, Chris (November 1983). \"Game Reviews\". Imagine (review). TSR Hobbies (UK), Ltd. (8): 42.\n^ Kerr, Katherine (May 1984). \"Warhammer FRP falls flat\". Dragon (review). TSR, Inc. (85): 68.\n^ Ken, Rolston (May 1984). \"Advanced hack-and-slash\". Dragon (review). TSR, Inc. (85): 68.\n^ Rotondaro, Edwin J. (January–February 1985). \"Capsule Reviews\". Space Gamer. Steve Jackson Games (72): 34–35.\n^ a b c Goldberg, Eric (June 1985). \"Open Box\". Ares. Simulations Publications, Inc. (7): 6.\n^ Ken, Rolston (February 1989). \"Role-playing Reviews – 'Warhammer'\". Dragon (review). TSR, Inc. (142): 34–39.\n^ \"Origins Award Winners (1996)\". Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design. Archived from the original on 21 December 2007.\n^ Priestley, Rick; Tuomas Pirinen (2002). Warhammer. Games Workshop. ISBN 1-84154-051-X.\n^ Cavatore, Alessio (2006). Warhammer. Games Workshop. ISBN 1-84154-759-X.\n^ \"Island of Blood: Un-boxed; Warhammer FAQs; Your tactics | 2010-07-23 04:34:21.0 | What's New Today\". Games Workshop. 23 July 2010. Retrieved 22 April 2013.\n^ https://rpggeek.com/rpgissuearticle/175363/warhammer-battle\n^ \"Old World? New Warhammer!!\". Warhammer Community. 15 November 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2020.\n^ \"Cartography in the Old World\". Warhammer Community. 20 June 2020. Retrieved 21 May 2020.\n^ \"The Old World: Ice Guard of Kislev\". Warhammer Community. 15 November 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2020.\n^ \"Old World? New Warhammer!!\". Warhammer Community. 15 November 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2020.\n^ \"Blood Bowl: Team Manager – The Card Game\". BoardGameGeek.\n^ \"Chaos Marauders\". BoardGameGeek.\n^ \"Advanced Heroquest\". BoardGameGeek.\n^ \"Dragon Masters\". BoardGameGeek.\n^ \"Warhammer Quest\". BoardGameGeek.\n^ \"Chaos in the Old World\". BoardGameGeek.\n^ \"Warhammer Quest: The Adventure Card Game\". BoardGameGeek.\nAlcock, Robert (June 1985). \"Open Box: Warhammer (2nd Edition)\". White Dwarf (review). Games Workshop (66): 7. ISSN 0265-8712.\nPriestley, Rick (1988). Warhammer Siege. Games Workshop. ISBN 1-869893-44-1.\nPriestley, Rick; Bill King; Andy Chambers (1992a). Warhammer Rulebook. Games Workshop. from Warhammer (4th edition) boxed set.\nPriestley, Rick; Andy Chambers (1992b). Warhammer Battle Bestiary. Games Workshop. from Warhammer(4th edition) boxed set.\nPriestley, Rick (1996a). Warhammer Battle Book. Games Workshop. ISBN 1-869893-97-2. from Warhammer(5th edition) boxed set.\nPriestley, Rick (1996b). Warhammer Rulebook. Games Workshop. ISBN 1-872372-04-X. from Warhammer(5th edition) boxed set.\nPirinen, Tuomas; Nigel Stillman (1998). Warhammer Siege. Games Workshop. ISBN 1-872372-51-1.\nWarhammer Skirmish. Games Workshop. 2002.\nWarhammer End Times Nagash. Games Workshop. 2014.\nWarhammer End Times Glotkin. Games Workshop. 2014.\nWarhammer End Times Khaine. Games Workshop. 2014.\nWarhammer End Times Thanquol. Games Workshop. 2014.\nWarhammer End Times Archaon. Games Workshop. 2015.\nWikimedia Commons has media related to Warhammer.\nGames Workshop Creators of the games Warhammer\nWarhammer Fantasy Battle at BoardGameGeek\nShadow of the Horned Rat\nBattle for Atluma\nMark of Chaos\nOnline: Age of Reckoning\nOnline: Wrath of Heroes\nEnd Times - Vermintide\nTotal War II\nVermintide 2\nNations and races\nWarhammer Army Book\nList of novels\nForge of War\nCore games\nSpinoff games\nDiscontinued games\nAdvanced HeroQuest\nDungeonbowl\nKerrunch\nSpace Fleet\nTyranid Attack\nUltra Marines\nThe Warlock of Firetop Mountain\nBattle Games in Middle-earth\nOwl and Weasel\nSpace Crusade\nSpace Hulk (1993)\nVengeance of the Blood Angels\nBlood Bowl (1995)\nFinal Liberation\nChaos Gate\nRites of War\nFire Warrior\nDawn of War\nWinter Assault\nDark Crusade\nGlory in Death\nSquad Command\nAge of Reckoning\nDawn of War II\nChaos Rising\nWrath of Heroes\nDark Millennium (cancelled)\nSpace Wolf\nStorm of Vengeance\nEisenhorn: Xenos\nDeathwing\nWarhammer: End Times – Vermintide\nDarktide\nBL Publishing\nIan Livingstone\nAlan and Michael Perry\nAndy Chambers\nBattle Masters\nChaos League\nRetrieved from \"https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Warhammer_(game)&oldid=999912965\"\nMiniature wargames\nOrigins Award winners\nArticles lacking in-text citations from November 2017\nUse dmy dates from September 2020","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line466220"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5235222578048706,"wiki_prob":0.4764777421951294,"text":"Biffle Salvages 20th-Place Finish after Being Collected in a Lap Three Accident\nMonday, Jul 06 1337\nThe July 4th weekend at Daytona International Speedway proved challenging for Biffle and his team. A wreck early in practice was severe enough for the team to pull out the backup Cheez-It Ford. As if one wreck wasn’t enough, after a rain delayed start of the Coke Zero 400 Biffle got collected in an accident just three laps into the race. The team made the necessary repairs and Biffle was in contention for a solid finish until being collected in the final lap accident, resulting in a 20th-place finish.\nBiffle took to the track in the first of two practice sessions on Friday in his No. 16 Cheez-It Ford. Just a few laps in things got dicey up ahead and Biffle wound up collected in the melee. The damage resulted in the No. 16 team having to pull out the backup car. Despite July Daytona heat, the team got the backup car ready in time to make some laps in final practice.\nThe start of the Coke Zero 400 was delayed around five hours for rain. Biffle started 25th, but just three laps in got collected in an accident on the track. Despite multiple pit stops for repairs, Biffle was able to remain on the lead lap in his Cheez-It Ford.\nAerodynamics are crucial to Superspeedway racing and after the damage the team did the best they could to fix their Ford. Over the course of the race the No. 16 Cheez-It Ford had good balance, but was lacking aero speed.\nBiffle was poised to salvage a decent finish as the field headed into a green-white-checkered finish. A giant wreck unfolded as the field slid across the finish line. Biffle was sliding sideways in the No. 16 Cheez-It Ford and made it across the finish line for a 20th-place finish.\nRFR PR","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line939521"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7884673476219177,"wiki_prob":0.7884673476219177,"text":"West-London\nPosted on November 1 by mudlark121\nWhat with the all the Brexit row inspiring an increased interest in parts of the UK splitting off (eg Scotland – and probably London next!), we got thinking of previous attempts to secede – including the odd Passport to Pimlico style revolts…\nThe Unilateral Declaration of independence by some disgruntled residents of the Isle of Dogs in 1970 was not the last attempt of part of London to secede from the U.K…\nIn 1977 squatters in three streets in North Kensington also declared independence, to call attention to the terminal decline the area was in and protect their housing. All hail Frestonia!\nThe building of the Westway cut through North Kensington leaving some parts of it a bit stranded. Latimer Road was truncated, Walmer Road was bisected and the area south of Latimer Road was full of empty houses and industrial sites earmarked for development.\nThe neighbourhood at Freston Road, acquired by the Greater London Council (GLC), had been allowed to deteriorate into such a state of disrepair by the 1960s, that GLC tenants had to be rehoused to nearby accommodation such as Trellick and Grenfell towers. However the houses were neither demolished not left empty – many were squatted.\nBy the mid-1970s Freston Road and neighbouring streets had become home to a new community; a bohemian mixture of artists, writers, musicians and substance misusers… Some of these gravitated to the area to live cheaply; others saw squatting as a way to build an alternative, more communal way of life. Others were desperate just for somewhere to call home.\nThe winters were hard, resources were scarce, and there were few amenities – except what the residents provided themselves. Much of the housing in North Kensington and Notting Hill was in a state of decay and decline then, and squatting was rife… In the early/mid 70s thus area was squat central, and a corresponding eruption of alternative projects and radical developments sprouted in the area.\nIn 1977, the Greater London Council (GLC) announced plans to redevelop the Freston Road area, the details of which are captured in an edition of the Tribal Messenger (the national newspaper of Frestonia.), after residents collared a young surveyor wandering the street and interrogated him as to the plans:\n“This whole area is up for grabs. Tenders from industries wanting to develop here have to be in to the GLC by today.\nWE’VE OFFERED TO LEASE THE WHOLE SOUTHERN AREA!\nYesterday, Ken of 90 Freston Road [+Josefine saw him too – short-haired young inspector], saw a bloke walking up and down Freston Road with notebook in his hand examining the area. Ken asked him what he was doing, and he said he was from the council, and that the whole area (Bramley Road, Freston Road and Latimer Road) was being leased off by the council to light industries, and that light industries wanting sites here were having to submit offers (tenders) by this Thursday, today, the 22nd.\nEek! Eek!\nWe phoned up Mr Birlo of the GLC Estates and Valuation Dept (01-633-6861) who was friendly enough, except he confirmed it’s all true. All the houses in Freston Road and 2-16 Bramley Road are affected except, we think, the People’s Hall and the Scrap Yard. What houses in Latimer Road are affected he couldn’t immediately tell us.\nSo we’ve done the obvious thing and submitted a tender ourselves, asking more or less to be left alone to develop the area ourselves, and offering tentatively £10 per week per house (roughly £20,800 a year). Our tender only deals with Bramley Rd and Freston Road, as apparently Latimer Rd people aren’t so keen to stay and renovate their houses. We didn’t have time to consult anybody – there’s a copy of the letter we sent off express yesterday on the back of this sheet.\nWe say in the letter to the GLC that several of us are members of a sort of ‘southern branch’ of the Latimer Road Cooperative Housing Association. This was discussed at one meeting. Hope you’ll not mind us jumping the gun you northern L.R.C.H.A. people. (Any Freston road and Bramley Road people who want to join it, try going to see Jan at 351 Latimer Road, she probably knows how to do it. It costs £1, and it may be worth doing as the GLC have already dealt with these in the past.\nBy the way, could anyone put a report in the Tribal Messenger as to how the L.R.C.H.Association is going? What’s the GLC’s latest position with you etc?)\nWe asked Mr Birlo what would happen if an industrial company got a lease on our houses. How long till we’d be turned out? Mr Birlo said it could take a long time:\n“We’ve got to get lease terms established first. All that’s happening is that offers have to be in by thursday so we can think about them, and so we can talk to those we think ought to be accepted. Then we’ve got to receive drawings of the buildings to be erected, architects’ and builders’ estimates, and we’ve got to have lease documents prepared.”\n“What about if they want vacant possession as soon as possible?” Mr Birlo thought this was unlikely as the “date of asking for vacant possession is the date they have to start paying”.\nSo relax, it could take more than 6 months yet.\nJosefine’s just done a bulky Tribal Messenger No 19 with photos and comics. She could only afford 50 copies (£4.50, donations welcome!) so it went only to houses in St Anns Rd, Stoneleigh St, Freston Rd and Bramley Rd. Anyone in Latimer Rd wanting to see a copy will have to come south.\nWho’d like to do the next issue? (Message collection say Tues and We 4th and 5th October, for coming out Thursday 6th).\nNicholas, 107 Freston Rd, W.11…\ndig it dig it dig dig dig dig”\nAs former resident Tony Sleep put it: “The GLC decided that it was intolerable having 120 people living in these damp old dirty houses and it would be a much better idea to knock them all down and make us homeless…”\nInspired by a previous visit to the squatted community of Christiania, in Copenhagen, Nicholas Albery, ‘social activist, author and conservative anarchist’, who had arrived at Freston Road in 1976, put forward the notion of seceeding from the United Kingdom, establishing the Free & Independent Republic of Frestonia. Albery chaired a meeting attended by 200 locals. A referendum was held on Sunday, October 30th 1977, resulting in a unanimous vote for secession. Independence was declared the following day.\nUnlike in the case of Catalunya more recently, the UK government did not indulge in heavy repression…\nCiting a legal loophole, the residents took the collective surname of Bramley, in an effort to support their request to be rehoused as a single family. An application for membership of the United Nations, was submitted, opening:\n“We the Free Independent Republic of Frestonia, herewith apply for full membership of the United Nations, with autonomous nation status…”\nWithin the application were detailed plans for an independent nation, signed by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, David Rappaport-Bramley, ”a very small man who cast a very large shadow”, (best known for his later role as Randall in Terry Gilliam’s Time Bandits). This was picked up by the media, Rappaport-Bramley made radio and tv appearances, and before long the world was watching.\nMartin Young interviewed David Rappaport-Bramley, the Foreign Affairs Minister of the newly declared independent state in London (Broadcast on November 1st, 1977)\nDavid Rappaport\nMartin Young: Good evening. Tonight we report the emergence of a new nation state and ask the questions the world will need to answer. Can Hammersmith ever be the same again?\nThere was a time when Britain could boast she controlled 2 thirds of the world. Now, with devolution on all sides, the one thing the Foreign Office didn’t need was another UDI. Yet now there are rebellious rumblings of revolution from residents of Freston Road in Hammersmith.\nWorking on the theory that small is beautiful, the 120 residents have declared themselves independent of the London Borough of Hammersmith and indeed of Britain. Overnight they’ve renamed an 8 acre site of near dereliction The Free Independent Republic of Frestonia. And they’ve applied formally for full membership of the United Nations.\nWhen we visited Frestonia this afternoon we faced no customs or passport formalities but it’s still early days yet.\nAll 120 residents are involved in running Frestonia. There’s his Excellency Geoff-Gough-Bramley, the Argentinian Ambassador to Frestonia and part-time sign-writer. He’s putting the finishing touches to a sign outside the Ministry of Culture, formerly Champion Dining Rooms.\nMeet the Minister of State for Housing & Construction, unemployed Gordon Gibbs-Bramley. There’s a Minister for the Environment, who’s in charge of the National Frestonian Park and a Justice of the Peace, Carmello di Piazzo-Bramley. There’s even a Minister for Public Health and Street Cleaning; 12-year-old Caroline Yeo-Bramley.\nAlthough Frestonia hasn’t got it’s own currency yet, she has got a national flag, designed of course by the Minister of Propaganda. The Frestonians stood by proudly as their flag was solemnly raised outside the People’s Hall for the very first time.\nWell, with me in the studio is the Minister for Foreign Affairs, who has come straight from the Frestonian Foreign Office in St Ann’s Road.\nErm, David Rappaport-Bramley, this is of course a very serious political move by your residents. Er, what’s brought about this break with the United Kingdom?\nWell the basic thing was dissatisfaction with the GLC. They planned to redevelop the area and knock down all the houses and build factories, which is against the wishes of all the people who live within the area.\nHave you had a continuing dialogue of meaningful discussions with the GLC?\nI wouldn’t say it’s been continuing. I’d say it’s been disjointed and er the inhabitants have been dialoguing but the GLC haven’t been listening.\nYou are of course in some ways an illegal regime since you’re actually squatters in the area at the time. Don’t you think that they might come along to evict you?\nErm, well we know we’re going to leave the area shortly but we’re rather proud of squatting the area because this was how Great Britain started; a Norman Conquest. Great Britain was squatted and that’s become the great nation that it is today.\nBut supposing they do come along to evict you, which is perfectly within their rights before Frestonia is established. What will you do?\nWell, if we get our state made legal then there could be a United Nations peace-keeping force coming in to protect us from the GLC.\nOne thing I couldn’t help noticing in researching into Frestonia today was that everybody’s called Bramley.\nWhy’s that?\nWell, the GLC have promised to rehouse all families and now we’ve formed one big family of 120 people, so we hope to be rehoused all together.\nSo, all the Bramleys will be rehoused together.\nSeriously, what do you hope to achieve from this very engaging publicity stunt?\nRight, well there’s been a lot of effort gone into it. Really, it is one big gesture just to show that all the normal paths haven’t worked. The GLC still seem to want to build factories on this land. All the council tenants are united with everybody in the area, that they don’t want it.\nWell, it’s an interesting story. I’m sure we’ll be following it. Thank you very much.\nAt its height, a national census identified around 120 Frestonians united as members of the Bramley family.\nSome reminiscences from someone who grew up in Frestonia\nGetting stamped with a visa for unlimited entry was a highpoint of any tourist trip to Frestonia.\nPlaywright, poet, and squatting activist Heathcote Williams-Bramley, who lived in nearby Notting Hill, was appointed Ambassador to Great Britain, (he premiered his play The Immortalist at the National Theatre of Frestonia in 1978).\nThe Republic issued its own postage stamps, visiting tourists could have their passports stamped with the official Frestonian visa stamp and pick up a copy of the national newspaper, the Tribal Messenger. The Clash recorded parts of Combat Rock at Ear Studios in the People’s Hall on Olaf Street.\nThe international media were captivated, with coverage from the UK current affairs TV show, Nationwide, and attention from news teams across the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Spain, Denmark and Japan. The neighbouring UK government were forced to respond and Nicholas Exelby-Bramley (Albery’s pseudonym) received letters from Sir Geoffrey Howe MP, and Horace Cutler, leader of the GLC.\nA letter was also sent to the ‘independent kingdom’ of Hay-on-Wye:\nThe Free Independent Republic of Frestonia\nTO THE PEOPLE OF HAY\nFROM THE FREE AND INDEPENDENT\nCITIZENS OF FRESTONIA\nWHO CURRENTLY RULE\nTHE CORRUGATED WAVES IN WEST LONDON\nLOYAL GREETINGS!\nThe three streets now known as Frestonia since early last year were an open sewer in Dickens’s day: the Jarrow Hunger Marchers in the Twenties asked to visit the poorest part of London and were taken on a conducted tour of the area en route to Speakers’ Corner. It is much the same now the Rat Safari Park is still going strong but we love it! small higgledy-piggedy houses with all the back gardens joined together by mutual agreement. Windmills are planned, the streets are shortly to be turfed, and the new National Theatre of Frestonia is currently the only available venue for the Sex Pistols and much other nameless wildness.\nThe GLC has forfeited her rights to the property, having callously torn down the surrounding areas to construct jerry-built flash cubes and vertical slums. Frestonia is a giant squat, and since the GLC have a policy of only rehousing families from squats we’ve all changed our name to Bramley after Bramley Road, one of the three streets in Frestonia. “In Frestonia we’re a family. At the moment there’s 123. And we all call ourselves Bramley To fuck up the powers that be!” Ministries in the Frestonian Government of which every citizen is a member from birth include the Ministry of Relativity, the Ministry of Free Labour, and the Ministry of Secrets Not Worth Knowing. Other Ministries are available on request and invention from the British Embassy, 107 Freston Road, W10, Frestonia. Also Postage Stamps denomination 9D… Nine Doleniks: a division of the Frestonian Exchange, which are emblazoned with the Frestonian Coat of Arms: Nos Sumus Una Familia. We are all one family, and you can have your passport stamped with an immortal visa giving permanent entry rights at the Frestonian Embassy, 2 Blenheim Crescent, Portabello Road, Albion Free State.\nSympathetic mutterings have been received from the Danish Embassy, the World Service Authority who issue World Passports, and the Micro Patriological Society of Chicago!\nGO WITH THE GLOW AND RENEW THE GLUE!\nFrestonia 1st anniversary, Freston Road, London W11. Oct 1978\nFrestonian Culture\nAs well as establishing a National Film Institute (which, appropriately, showed Passport to Pimlico and a feature on The Sex Pistols), Frestonia also opened ‘The Car Breaker Art Gallery’ on 14th December 1979. A review in The International Times the following year described the opening:\n‘AN OPEN DOOR Art Gallery has just opened in Frestonia, London, and is now operating as one of the onlyexhibitionsites open on a non-commercial basis to more or less anyone who wants to exhibit their work. To be known as the Car Breaker Art Gallery it’s at 4 Bramley Road, London W. 10 (Latimer Rd. Tube) Tel: 01- 221 5092. Someone who normally hates all art galleries reports that the opening exibition was “Better than I feared”. This means it is probably very good.’\nThe gallery played host to some interesting exhibitions – including a joint exhibition by Giles Leaman and Martin Piper entitled Splotches in Space (1980) and street art, including:\n‘…a whale on Stoneleigh Street, created for Ken Campbell’s production of Douglas Adams’ Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, and an urban Vietnam Apocalypse Now re-enactment. The latter… consisting of ‘The Ride of the Valkyries’ at 2am, floodlights, bicycles, LSD and gloss paint.’ (Vague 2010)\nCar Breaker Gallery also hosted an exhibition by Brett Ewins, who designed the 2000AD comic strips Judge Dredd and Rogue Trooper. This attracted 2000AD fan Jo Rush to migrate to Frestonia, who – while staying at The Apocalypse Hotel (a graffiti-covered shopfront that housed around half a dozen punks) – formed the Mutoid Waste Company, creating sci-fi inspired sculptures out of scrap metal. Mutoid came to play a pivotal role in the emerging warehouse scene in the eighties and nineties, collaborating with sound systems like Sprial Tribe to build vast mechanical beasts and cyberpunk structures at raves throughout the UK. After creating a huge skull out of a burned-out bus and a centaur from old engine parts, Rush took his creations to Glastonbury and before long became a regular part of the festival (building iconic monuments such as Car Henge). In 2007, Pip Rush (Jo’s younger borther) and Bert Cole brought their own creation – a fire spitting spider called Arcadia – citing Frestonia’s ‘mutoid tradition of hi-tech hedonism and scrap metal sculpture’ as their inspiration (Barry 2015).\nThe Republic announced its intention to:\n“generate our own power supply… [and] our own national radio station, which will in no way interfere with the broadcasts of neighbouring nations.”\nPart of the agreement regarding the rezoning of Frestonia included accommodation for light industry, so that the craftspeople could continue to live and operate workshops in the area.\nNicholas Albery envisaged a craft village, perhaps inspired in part by the Findhorn Ecovillage, under development in Moray, Scotland around the same time.\nNick’s ambitions sought simply to provide basic amenities for craftspeople who might need space to run, for example, a lute workshop. As resident and Co-Op Secretary (’77-’78), Freddie Venn recalls, these humble plans were charged as frivolous.\nAs a Friendly Society the Co-op could only raise up to a million pounds. The NHHT came in with 6 million, and a vote decided that they would take over, bringing in their own designers etc.\nVenn disagreed with the decision and resigned her post in protest.\nAs she puts it, “To this day one can see the ‘super expensive workshops’ to qualify for the zoning of the time opposite us alongside the People’s hall.”\nBramleys Housing Co-Operative\nFollowing international press coverage, the residents formed the Bramleys Housing Co-operative in order to negotiate with Notting Hill Housing Trust for the continued residence and acceptable redevelopment of the site.\nThe Co-operative worked with the Notting Hill Housing Trust to build quality homes for the residents who wished to stay. The furore forced the GLC to negotiate and eventually the Bramleys Housing Co-operative was formed, assisted by local lawyer Martin Sherwood, giving the residents a voice in development plans for the area.\nAlthough concessions were made, the site was redeveloped to make safe, livable homes for the residents, many of which live there to this day, along with the generations that followed.\nSome residents were unhappy with this loss of independence and moved away but, according to Tony Sleep (a photojournalist who documented Frestonia), ‘everybody realised that we had to become more formal, more organised… more responsible perhaps. Less anarchic’ (Kerr 2014). There was also increasing issues with drinking and drugs: ‘the residents of Frestonia [had] developed a strong social fabric and complex cultural life before it fell into decline to the crime, drugs and social problems that gradually infiltrated the community’.\nToday, Bramleys Housing Co-operative still manages the properties which were built on the Frestonia Site by Notting Hill Housing Trust, and its members live as a close-knit community. Some are the descendants of original Frestonians, although there has been a significant influx of new residents.\nLarge new office developments (also named ‘Frestonia’) were built on adjacent sites, and these are now occupied by the headquarters of high-street retailer Cath Kidson, as well as Monsoon Accessorize and Talk Talk.\nBut does the Republic still exist? The United Nations never responded to the application, nor was the notion ever officially dismissed. Some conclude that the Republic of Frestonia is “as much a reality now as it was then. And the spirit in which it was formed serves as a reminder that, faced with oppression, anything can happen when we work together as a family.”\nThere’s loads more here\nToday in London striking herstory, 1995: Hillingdon Hospital cleaners strike against casualisation\nPosted on October 1 by mudlark121\n‘We’ve met people from all over the world who are supporting us: from Russia, India, South Africa, America, Germany – even Winnie Mandela! They know we are low-paid workers. They know we are mostly Asian workers. But the point isn’t that we’re Asian, black, white, women or whatever. This is a struggle of workers against greedy bosses.’\nThe Hillingdon Hospital Strike began on October 1st, 1995 when 56 domestic and catering workers were sacked by private contractor Pall Mall for refusing to accept a £40 per week wage cut.\nThe strike continued for five years.\nOn October 30, 2000, UNISON shop steward Malkiat Bilku led her members back to work on their original terms and conditions with no victimisations, having also won maximum compensation for unfair dismissal.\nThe women were ‘outsourced’ in 1986. In September 1985 at the civic centre, the District Health Authority had voted to privatise the Hospital cleaning service, with the loss of 213 jobs.\nHillingdon was one of the first private contracts after St Helier, Hammersmith to be forced through by the Tory government.\nThis had not taken place without any resistance – for instance a One Day strike organised by COHSE and NUPE had taken at Hillingdon Hospital on 23rd May 1985, in protest at the hospital’s privatisation programme and in support of strikers at Barking hospital.\nHillingdon Hospital Management had put a vote to domestic staff – asked them either to lose their bonus or be privatised. The staff voted overwhelmingly against cutting their bonus.\nAfter privatisation, some 320 ‘domestic’ staff at the Hillingdon Hospital found themselves employed not directly by the NHS, but by private contractor ICC Hospital Services Ltd. ICC took over the contract from February 1st 1986.\nA series of NHS reforms had been introduced by the Thatcher Government – it was still politically inadvisable to launch a frontal assault on the principles of the NHS itself – which imposed the ‘contracting out’ of specific services, like catering and cleaning, to the lowest bidders in the private sector. ‘They thought that the people could do more work for less wages,’ said Malkiat Bilku. In the process the staff lost sick pay, bonus and pension rights.\nIn 1989 another company, Initial, took over the contract and cut working hours. The number of staff fell to 220, though the work remained the same. Then, in 1994, the contract was passed on again, this time to Pall Mall, part of the Davies Group international conglomerate, which proposed a 20 per cent wage cut.\nGreater ‘efficiency’ at the Hillingdon Hospital was being paid for straight out of the purses of these women – already among the lowest-paid in the country. To increase its efficiency still further, the hospital also announced that it would refuse admission to patients aged over 75.\nThen Pall Mall went one step further. The company demanded the women’s passports – an intimidatory move, questioning their immigration status – and presented individuals with new contracts. ‘They told us, if you don’t sign this, you’ve got no job,’ said Malkiat Bilku. ‘We’d already had our wages cut, we’d already been transferred to a private company. We did not refuse to work. We did not even ask for more money. We did not ask for anything. And they asked for our passports and they wanted to force us to accept.’\nIn May 1995, Pall Mall announced that they were bringing in multi-skilling, intended to cut wages by what amounted to £40 a week, and change working conditions.\nThe 53 women refused to sign the new contracts and were duly locked out. In October 1995 the strike began, reluctantly supported by their union, Unison. Subsequent negotiations between Unison officials and Pall Mall produced a cash offer of $500 for each of the women as ‘compensation’ for the loss of their jobs.\nThe membership had voted for action, but the union officials did not call a strike, so the strike started off as an ‘unofficial’ action on October 1st, 1995.\nThe strikers had to battle with the trade union leaders for nine weeks to force them to make it official. UNISON organised a national demonstration on October 21, 1995 and Hillingdon strikers went along.\nThey fought to place themselves at the front of the march, as they were leading the fight in the NHS against the privateers, defying the stewards, who tried to physically remove them. At the rally in Kennington, the demonstration demanded that strike leader Malkiat Bilku be allowed to address them, which she did.\nThere were many demonstrations and marches that the strikers participated in. They organised two lobbies of the UNISON headquarters to demand their strike be made official. At one, where the NEC was meeting, the strikers occupied the building until the then General Secretary Rodney Bickerstaffe came down to speak to them.\nFinally on November 17 1995, the UNISON Industrial Action Committee was forced to make the strike official. At the 1996 National Delegate Conference, a resolution was carried unanimously which said that the Hillingdon strike would be supported by the union until the remaining 53 strikers won their jobs back on their old terms and conditions.\nBut the trade union leaders resisted all calls for national action to win the Hillingdon struggle, while boasting that the strike had stopped Pall Mall cutting wages in their other NHS contracts. The irony being that, largely because of its behaviour at Hillingdon, Pall Mall had been losing numerous NHS contracts – much to the benefit of those who might otherwise have had to work for them, but not of the strikers themselves.\nThe strike remained official until January 16, 1997, when UNISON declared that the strike was over and told the strikers to accept the Pall Mall offer of £6,000 compensation as this was the best they would get and further, that they would not win their Industrial Tribunal.\nThey did allow a ballot but, as far as they were concerned, the strike was over!\nEverything was being rushed through as a general election was coming in May, and they wanted the struggle out of the way so as not to ‘embarrass’ Labour. However, the strikers rejected the offer, insisting that they would continue until they got their jobs back and the Industrial Tribunal must proceed as well.\nOn January 16, the strikers lobbied the UNISON head office again where they found two rows of police armed with batons guarding the door of the head office.\nAt a strike meeting the following Sunday morning they resolved to fight back, continue their strike, and defy the UNISON leadership.\nThey would not return until they had won back their jobs, on the old terms and conditions.\nA conference was called to announce their intention and in spite of the SWP and others, insisting that the strikers must accept the UNISON decision and call off their strike, the Conference overwhelmingly supported the strikers’ decision to continue their strike.\nThe strikers continued unofficially; they toured the country tirelessly for the next 18 months, winning huge support everywhere and raising enough money to pay £100 weekly strike pay to all the strikers.\nThey attended every demonstration and challenged Bickerstaffe and TUC General Secretary John Monks if they were there.\nJust one month later, the Annual General Meeting of the London Region of UNISON voted to give £10,000 to the Hillingdon Strikers’ Support Campaign – a donation which was stopped by the UNISON leadership. They also tried to stop other branches and districts making donations.\nMeanwhile, Pall Mall pulled out of Hillingdon Hospital and media giant Granada – a prominent money-spinner in the catering and media trades – took over the contract.\nA High Court injunction was brought by the hospital against the strikers picketting outside the hospital, and refusing them entry. The strikers were forced to move from the hospital entrance but picketing continued (despite racist taunts directed at them from passers-by).\nOn the second anniversary of their strike, on October 1st, 1997, 3,000 people marched through Uxbridge, to a rally, on a working day, with a number of trade union leaders and MPs speaking at the rally.\nIn January 1998, the strikers won their appeal to the Employment Appeal Tribunal which meant that their claims for unfair dismissal by Pall Mall would now be heard.\nThen at the UNISON conference in Bournemouth in 1998, in the last five minutes of the Conference, overcoming all the objections of Standing Orders and the attempt by the union’s bureaucracy to delay the resolution, the vast majority of the Conference voted for the emergency resolution which called to make the Hillingdon strike official again and restore their full membership.\nThe strike was once more back to being official, with national negotiations by the union to ‘ensure reinstatement’.\nThen at their Employment Tribunal, Pall Mall admitted that they had wrongfully dismissed the hospital workers. Granada was left to meet the unfair dismissal claims.\nThe Tribunal ruled that the maximum compensation must be paid to all the strikers and that the employers should restore them back into their jobs at the hospital. Although this was carried, Granada did nothing. There were pickets of the Granada HQ to demand they take the workers back.\nBut Granada challenged the ruling and organised an appeal against this decision. Once again at the Employment Tribunal, Granada was defeated and the decision upheld. The strikers were paid maximum compensation and they also won the right to their jobs back at the hospital.\nEvery cynic said this would never happen but on October 30th 2000, Malkiat Bilku walked back into the hospital, to the first day back at her job after five years. She was subsequently elected as UNISON shop steward.\nIn 2004, she stood for the leadership of UNISON challenging for the position of General Secretary and received 30,000 votes.\nToday in London housing history, 1946: mass squat of Duchess of Bedford House, Kensington\nPosted on September 8 by mudlark121\nAt the end of WW2 there was massive homelessness around the country – a pre-war shortage of housing had been made worse by the destruction of houses through bombing and a total halt in the building of new housing.\n“During both wars, the demands of wartime production meant that house-building was almost halted for the duration while the population needing homes grew; but in World War II there was the additional factor of damage to the housing stock from air raids, which had been minimal in World War I. According to official estimates, enemy action destroyed 218,000 homes and so severely damaged a further 250,000 as to make them uninhabitable. In addition, only around 190,000 houses were completed during the war, probably around a tenth of what might otherwise have been built. The number of useable houses, taking account of enemy action and change of use for wartime purposes, probably fell by around 400,000 between 1939 and 1945, against a rise in the housing stock of nearly two million in the six years before the war.\nIn contrast, the number of ‘potential households’ rose from about 12 million to approximately 13.2 million during the war. If there were around 500,000 more potential households than houses in 1939, this had grown to something like 2.1 million by the end of the war. The housing shortage had never been as acute as in 1945 – the previous peak, after World War I, was 1.5 million.” (Howard Webber).\nThe demobilisation of thousands of servicemen jacked this up into a crisis… Demand for housing was greater than ever; on the flip side, there were thousands of empty houses in London; mainly houses and flats that had been left vacant as better off folk moved out of London during the blitz. This had resulted in a glut of empties in middle class areas while working class communities were put under massive pressure for lack of decent housing.\nAround the country, the housing crisis produced the 20th century’s first mass squatting wave. Empty army camps and depots, and some houses, were squatted all around the UK.\nIn Brighton, a group called the Vigilantes, or the “The Secret Committee of Ex-Servicemen” began squatting houses for the many homeless. This spread to towns all along the south coast as well, then to Essex, Birmingham, London and Liverpool. The Vigilantes included anarchists with experience of anti‑fascist and other struggles in the ’30s. They didn’t bother much with conventional politics or lobbying. There was still very little council housing and their campaign was mainly against private landlords. They demanded that privately-owned empties be taken over for immediate use by homeless people.\nFrom May 1946 a new phase began: the squatting of empty army camps. All over the country there were redundant army and air force camps with Nissen huts and other buildings – rudimentary, but mostly better than the conditions many people were having to live in. From Scunthorpe, the movement spread to Sheffield and then virtually everywhere in England, Scotland and Wales. An organisation was formed – the Squatters’ Protection Society. Other places started being taken over – schools, hotels, even a greyhound stadium, and the movement just kept on growing. This was a largely spontaneous movement, organised from below by working class people, though both communist and Labour activists had a hand st local level in helping people squat and supporting them.\nThere were attempts to evict the squats, but most eviction attempts seem to have failed. Council workers and even police sometimes refused to carry them out – or were seen off by sheer force of numbers.\nLife in the camps had to be improvised and communal: people organised water, furniture, food and child care… Camp committees elected by the squatters themselves co-ordinated work to house people and gather and allocate resources.\nEventually, the state had to give in and try to absorb and co-opt the movement. Councils started to organise “methodical squatting”. This was exactly the same as the “short-life licensing” of more recent times. “O.K., we’ll let you live here after all -as long as we’re in charge” had become the line adopted by bureaucrats stamping their little feet, by 1947. So most of the squatters got to stay for several years before being eventually rehoused. Councils also started to use the camps themselves for “official” short-term housing, moving in thousands more people. The last of the camps was not closed until 1961. In Oxfordshire, over a hundred families from one of the original 1946 occupations were determined to stay together and were eventually housed in the new village of Berinsfield in 1959….\nThere was some camp squatting in London, mainly in east and outer London, but the opportunities were fewer, partly as army camps were generally smaller around the capital than in other places.\nIn early September 1946, squatting entered a new phase, as several large buildings in central London were occupied.\nSquatters outside the Duchess of Bedford flats\nOn 8 September, the a seven-storey Duchess of Bedford flats, off Campden Hill Road in Kensington, was squatted. The building was owned by the Prudential Assurance Company, but had spent much of the was being used by the Ministry of Works, who had done several thousand pounds worth of refurbishments, and had proposed to Kensington Borough Council that the buildings be used to house some of the borough’s 4000 homeless. In keeping with the attitude of the modern RKBC (Kensington was merged with Chelsea in 1965), the Borough Council refused to use its powers of requisition to take control of the building, preferring that it should return to its pre-war use for high-rent flats for toffs.\nThe Kensington squat came about due to planning by the Communist Party London District, but there had been pressure on them in the few weeks prior to this:\n“People from many areas were pressing on the London District offices of the Communist Party, asking – no, demanding – that something should be done and the Party must take the initiative, as it had done in the past on many occasions. I can reveal that what happened on September 8th. 1946 was not the result of long planning, committee meetings and so on. It was a 48-hour effort…\nOn Friday September 6th. Ted Bramley, as London District Secretary, and Dennis Goodwin, as District Organiser, discussed the whole question and decided it was time to act. Leading members from the various areas were called in, including people like Bill Carritt and Joyce Alergant (Communist councillors on Westminster City Council who were later arrested for their part in the squatters movement) and Stan Henderson, Secretary of the Hammersmith Communist Party. At this meeting members were asked urgently to identify suitable empty dwellings, preferably blocks of flats. These were then pared down to a few. First on the list was Duchess of Bedford House…\nOn the next day, Saturday, local leaders got in touch with the many people they knew – mostly not Party members – who were living in bad conditions, told them what was to happen and asked if they would like to join in. If\nso, they would meet at agreed spots on Sunday afternoon, would bring bedding,\netc. and see what happened. Nobody was led to believe that they would have a long term place.” (Jack Gaster)\nOn the afternoon of 8th September around 100 families occupied Duchess of Bedford House, and some nearby empties in Upper Phillimore Gardens and in Holland Park Road. According to the Times (9 September 1946), “Groups of people carrying bedding converged on High Street Kensington at 2 o’clock in the afternoon… Within ten minutes 1,000 people, about 400 families were through the doors and being directed to individual flats”.\nThat evening, the action was announced in a speech by Ted Bramley made at a Communist Party public meeting held in the Palace Theatre that Sunday evening. That this speech was recorded was due to the diligence of of Detective Sergeant Gibson of the Special Branch who kindly sat in the dress circle and made a note of that speech – it subsequently formed the basis of a criminal charge against Bramley.\nSergeant Gibson’s statement:\n“I was present in the dress circle of the Palace Theatre from 6.15p.m. until 9.45p.m. on Sunday 8th. September attending a meeting organised by the Communist Party..\nAt 8.40p.m. the Chairman of the meeting said that Ted Bramley was to make an important announcement. Ted Bramley, who is known to me as the Secretary of the London District Committee of the Communist Party, then rose and with a piece of paper in his hand, said: “At 6 o’clock this evening the B.B.C. made the\nfollowing announcement.” He then read what appeared to be a verbatim report of the news bulletin to the effect that between 2 and 3 o’clock… about 100 London people occupied three blocks of luxury flats and a number of houses in Kensington and adjacent areas. Bramley then read with special emphasis to the members of the audience: “The operation appeared to have been organised to the last detail by the London Communist Party.” Bramley then said: “I should like to point out that we only heard of the accommodation becoming available 36 hours ago and it was clear that it just what was urgently needed by the homeless workers of London. It was clear to us that there was some danger that if we remained idle or waited to discuss it, the accommodation would go to those who were in the least need of it. Within 24 hours we had contacted a representative number of London\nfamilies who were in desperate need of homes from a representative number of boroughs.\nFifteen minutes before zero hour, some hundreds of people had arrived at the appointed place, some with suitcases and some with lorries loaded with furniture,\nThey proceeded to occupy Duchess of Bedford House owned by the Prudential Assurance Company. There were a hundred self-contained flats, in which we placed 100 families and in which some of the 400 people were lodged. They then entered Moray Lodge owned by (apparently the Police Sergeant missed the name) and ten families were placed there.”\nA picture of the squatting operation in progress was described by Police Constable Arthur Smith, during the later court case:\n“At about 2.30p.m. on the 8th September did you go to Kensington High Street?\nIs that near the Underground station?\nI saw about twenty persons crossing the road from the station to the north side of\nKensington High Street where they tuned right into Horton Street.\nDid they walk along Hornton Street?\nWhat happened then?\nOn turning into Hornton Street there was quite a crowd the whole length of the street, some 100 persons.\nWere they joined by people coming from another street?\nYes, from several other streets, Argyle Street and other roads in the vicinity.\nWhere did they go?\nThey turned left into Duchess of Bedford Walk…\nWere they going to any particular building?\nYes. I found them already inside the Duchess of Bedford House.\nDid you notice which entrance they were using?\nYes. It appeared to me to be the first tradesmen’s entrance at the rear of the Duchess of Bedford House.\nWere other doors open later on?\nYes; several other doors were open back and front.”\nSmith then went on to describe how one of the defendants, Councillor Rosen of Stepney (known in the Party as “Tubby” Rosen) stood near the steps of the building and directed people into it. Bill Carritt was also there helping to organise the event. Stan Henderson was one of the squatters; they elected him secretary of their committee.\nAccording to the Times (9 September 1946), “Groups of people carrying bedding converged on High Street Kensington at 2 o’clock in the afternoon… Within ten minutes 1,000 people, about 400 families were through the doors and being directed to individual flats”.\nA number of serving soldiers and ex-servicemen and their families were among the were mainly young married couples who moved in. The police did turn up but did nothing to prevent the action, and in fact “made themselves helpful to people and an inspector arranged for a WVS van to supply hot drinks.”\nBlock committees were quickly set up to co-ordinate arrangements for heating and cooking. Nominal rents were collected from all the families.\nWhen the Duchess of Bedford House was full, other buildings in nearby streets were squatted – people were also redirected to a squat at Moray Lodge, and then to the Melcombe Regis Court, in Marylebone where Councillor Joyce Alergant was waiting to welcome them. [Moray Lodge was an empty 2-room mansion, the pre-war home of Lord Ilchester, according to the Daily Worker.]\nEx-marine Arthur Hill wrote an account of the squatting of Duchess of Bedford House:\n“And there I was, three piece grey chalk stripe suit, brown trilby in hand, trying to be a civilian again.\nWith a wife and baby, living in one room in my gran’s house, where my mum and dad also lived, life was difficult. It didn’t help at all to have Lil, the next door neighbour, a friend (?) of the family, winding things up all the time.\nConstantly quoting how people were ‘getting housed by the Council’, and ‘all you have to do is keep reminding them’, so that you won’t be overlooked.\nI must admit, it didn’t take a lot to wind me up. Having been barred from the Housing Department for causing trouble, I went in through the back door, through the Borough Surveyor’s Office. I knew my way round the council house better that most, as it had been used as the control centre of the A.R.P. where I was a messenger in 1939. Still protesting and asking where was the ‘Land fit for Hero’s’ that we’d been promised, and what was our new Labour Goverment going to do about it?, I got escorted out once again, with instructions not to return until sent for.\nThat was when I decided to pitch my tent on the Council House front lawn.\nThis time the police were called, and the ban enforced.\nGinger Cooley (ex-Marine oppo), often talked about our housing problems. We went to his wedding, and of course, had met his and his wife’s families, and there were a lot of them! After they had wed, he was living with his family, sharing a bedroom with his brothers, while she stayed with her parents, sharing with her sisters.\nWe thought they were daft to have married under the circumstances, at least we had a room, but as Ginger said, it did put them on a housing list.\nSeveral times, when the subject was raised, he said that a Nissan hut could be made quite comfortable, and he knew places where we could go squatting. My reply was always the same, that I’d seen enough of Nissan huts to last a lifetime. If I went squatting it would have to be something better than that.\nSo, this was why, when early one Sunday morning Ginger phoned to say that a large group were preparing to squat in a block of luxury flats in Kensington, that I dropped everything and went.\nA boy carries possessions up to a Duchess of Bedford House squat, September 1946\nThis was it, the BIG ONE! The first ever mass squatting. We hit the headlines! Not that we ever had time to read them…\nthere must have been at least 200 of us, and we went straight in. Somebody had opened everything for us, and it was just like staking a claim – and we did!\nIt was a block of luxury flats, halfway between Kensington (where we got married), and Notting Hill (where Carrie, my darling, came from). Ginger and I, together with our wives, took over a flat on the 2nd. floor. It was enormous, more space than the average house, and divided in two as night and day accommodation. Just the job.\nWithin the next week or two, other mass squattings had taken place, the other main big one being Fountain Court, Pimlico, and from what we heard they never had anything easy at all.\nBecause we were the first, we were regarded as a test case, and everything had to go through the Courts. The owners had file a complaint and prefer charges, but who were the owners?\nApparently the Ministry of Works had requisitioned the buildings, to house Maltese building workers, who were repairing bomb damage. They had all been moved on, and the place had been standing empty, but somebody had neglected to return it to the original owners, who the newspapers said was the Prudential Assurance Company. Because of the adverse publicity, they were denying ever to have owned it.\nAll this confusion was to our advantage, we were left alone for weeks, except for a few attempts to turn off our mains supplies, but we were taking turns on picket duty round the clock, and were able to thwart these manoeuvres. The support we had was marvellous, from the media, and the public in general, and especially the papers.\nCarrie and I had moved in all our furniture, -we must have been daft, but we were fully committed. On her 21st.birthday, and baby Maureen’s first., we had a party, one never to forget. Family and friends, and some representatives from the unions turned up with reporters in tow. Pictures were taken, but there was no feedback, so we’ve never seen them. I suppose that they are in the archives of the papers somewhere and could probably be found, at least we do know the date!”\nA couple of buildings nearby or adjacent were also squatted, as Len Smith later related: “I was in the Stepney Young Communist League, and the Borough Secretary suggested to me – very quietly – that I ought to go down to Kensington with one or two others… There were not many people to be seen until we got into an arcade where we discovered hundreds of people. Eventually the whole lot moved in a matter of seconds across the road, down a side street, round a corner and all disappeared. Following them up, we discovered that what we were allocated was a couple of buildings which were not part of the main squat. They were something separate. There were a lot of people gathered round outside the doors, so two or three of us got in, opened the doors and let the people in. Then I was sent up to the top floor to climb through a skylight, get down over the roof and into the next building and I opened the doors there. We did this for two or more buildings. After this I was asked to go and organise more assistance from Stepney, which I did. Later I organised a collection of camp beds and tinned food, etc. for the squatters at Abbey Lodge.” (Len Smith)\nWhen the Duchess of Bedford House was full, some families were moved on to a block known as Melcombe Regis Court in Weymouth Street, Marylebone. It had been requisitioned by the Government for the use of the US army during the war, and had been offered to the St Marylebone Borough Council for housing purposes. But the Council had refused this offer, after which the block had stood empty for seven months. Tess Gorringe lived in Wandsworth in South London, and was a member of the London District Committee of the Party. She took charge of the Melcombe Regis squat for the first few days:\n“I was a member of the London District Committee and on Friday September 6th,\nDennis Goodwin, the London organiser, asked me to pop over and see him in\nClapham. I went, and he said to me “Do you think people would be prepared to\nsquat with no guarantee about anything?” I said “yes.” He said “Do you know such\npeople?” I said, “Yes; I’ll pass the word around.” And that’s what we did. On Sun-\nday morning, when I got up, there was drenching rain, and I thought “Nobody will\ncome.” But I went to Kensington High Street, as arranged, and saw this stream of\npeople going up to the place where we were to meet. I saw someone with a bar-\nrow with bedding and pots and pans. I reported to the person I’d been told to get\nin touch with, and he said: “We’ve got too many people here; will you go over to\nanother building, we have someone will take you there, and get you in, to take\nover till we get someone to relieve you.” I said: “That means setting up a commit-\ntee and getting it all started?” He said “Yes.”\nSo I went. A building worker comrade took me to the back door of the place and\nwe went in through a basement window. I went and opened the door when the\npeople started arriving, I said “Come in, go and pick a flat, come down and register.” I was in a small room at the side. I sat down and made a register of everyone coming in.\nThe thing I’ll never forget was the way people co-operated. We started off with\npeople volunteering to do certain things. A couple of blokes came in and said\n“Look, the water isn’t on and the lights aren’t on.” I said “Can you do it?” They\nsaid “Sure we can.” And they did. They came back presently and said we might\nget the central heating working and the lifts. I said “Wait a minute, let’s get every-\nthing else sorted out first.”\nAnd then people began to call on us from outside. They brought in camp beds and blankets, and a woman from a nearby flat said, “If you get anyone with babies, they can come and wash them at my place. I’ve got dome spare milk.” Very, very co-operative.\nWe had to put a guard on the door. The people who were an absolute menace were the press; they wanted “human interest stories”. We began to set up an organisation. People came forward to volunteer for the committee to get things straightened out.\nI slept on a camp bed in the side room, and the following morning I was up at\nseven, and we started the day’s think. One of the things we needed to do was to\nget emergency ration cards, and to make contact with the food department so we\ncould get milk and vitamins and orange juice for the kids and baby food. So I had\na bright idea. I said, “Fetch me one of the press in.” It was the Daily Express man.\nI said, “If you will take a group of women to the food office and bring them back\nyou can find a human interest story, you can interview them.” So he did. And we\nmade bargains with the press to run errands for us.\nI was there from Sunday to Wednesday morning, and hadn’t been able to go to\nwork, so on Wednesday when someone came to see how we were getting on, I\nasked to be relieved of the job, and they sent someone down to take over.\nThe thing I’ll never forget is that if I’d ever had any doubts about the problems of\nworking people taking on and managing their own affairs, I lost them forever\nduring this squatting thing. Because without any hassle, fuss, argument, they found what they could do, and collectively decided that it should be done, and then went off and did it.”\nPeggy Venes helped in the Weymouth Street squatting: “I held the squatters’ ration books for milk and bananas. The WVS let us have cooking stoves on each floor for the families, and we managed to get paraffin for them. I made them sandwiches for a sing-song and get-together for talks, etc, of an evening.\nWhen they were sent to a rest home in Camden, a deputation came to our flat to\nask me to go and sort out the sleep and food question. I carried on every day with\nthem, until Dr Joan McMichael took over as I was too ill to continue.”\nThe day after the occupation of Duchess of Bedford House and Melcombe Regis\nCourt, squatters took over several other blocks of flats, one of which was Fountain\nCourt in Westminster which had just been de-requisitioned by a Government department. One of the people involved in helping to organise the squatters was Dr Joan McMichael, then a Communist councillor in Westminster:\n“We in Westminster had a tremendous problem with returned ex-service people,\nWe had a campaign on a resolution which got through the Westminster Council\nto requisition all those houses where a conviction had been secured for their use\nas brothels and use them for those on the waiting list. Although it was the Communist councillors who had moved this resolution, it got through not only on the Westminster Council but was agreed by all twenty-eight of the Metropolitan\nBoroughs. But it was turned down by Bevan, presumably because of the enormous church interests in property in Soho and Covent Garden.\nWe knew at the time of the discussion on the London District and were also dis-\ncussing the matter in the Westminster branch of the Communist Party. I had a case book of the worst housing cases in our area, and we were discussing with\nthem whether we should take over Fountain Court, then being de-requisitioned,\nhaving previously been used for building workers. Many of us were present on the\nSunday when the takeover at Bedford House took place, but on Monday morn-\ning everything appeared the same as usual. I was working in Stepney and when I\ncame back to meet the branch at 5 o’clock I found that occupation of Fountain\nCourt was already taking place. Not only were people handing babies and prams\nover the railings, but the police said, “Oh, don’t do that, we’ll open the door.” So\nthe police opened the door and ushered the families in.\nWe were in a particular position, of course, because I was a member of the\nWestminster City Council and we agreed to call an official from the Westminster\nCity Council to come down and meet the squatters and discuss what we intended\nto do. It was a remarkable meeting at which the official laid down all the threats\nabout writs and possible evacuation and about breaking the law and so on. We\ngave him about twenty minutes and then we put the squatters’ case, and what they felt about it, and then we had a break for twenty minutes while everyone discussed among themselves what their reaction would be. We took a vote, and it was absolutely unanimous that we stay, there was tremendous feeling.\nThen we got down to practical details. We elected a team for Red Cross if necessary, a group to run a creche so that women could go to work the next day, guards for the door so that the door was covered for twenty-four hours, and cooks – we had two volunteer ex-army cooks who said they would cook for all the squatters. Everyone was entranced with their new flats and put their names up on the flats until we were warned that, in order to issue writs, names had to be found – so everyone hastily took them down again.\nThen we had a problem. The electricity council cut off the electricity. So we went\nout on to the steps of Fountain Court (and every time we went on to the steps we\nwould always get a couple of hundred people waiting around wanting to know\nwhat was happening) and I appealed for candles, because, I said, we had families\nin pitch dark. Showers of candles arrived, groceries arrived and were stacked,\nanything we asked for, the local people responded immediately. The next day we\norganised a poster parade in Trafalgar Square in the dinner hour saying that\nWestminster Council was endangering the lives of its citizens. So electricity was restored.\nOn the second day, I rang up from work at midday, and was told that the council\nhad refused to empty the dustbins. This was pretty serious, so I raced back at 5\no’clock and said, “What’s happened about the dustbins?” “It’s all right,” they said,\n“We’ve tipped them into Buckingham Palace Road.” After that the dustmen came\nround and resumed emptying the dustbins.\nIt all went on for ten days until the crunch came. The decision was taken with the\nParty that it would be impossible to defend the squatters against forcible evacuation and therefore we should go out as a whole, as we had come in. I have a clear recollection of the filthy trick that the LCC played on us. We went up to join the Duchess of Bedford squatters, where we were held from 11 o’clock in the morning until 4 o’clock in the afternoon. We bad babies and young children and no\nfood, no lavatory accommodation, and so on. We arrived at Bromley House at 5\no’clock at exactly the time when the building workers arrived back from work.\nThey had been told there was no food, it was to be only for the squatters. After\nenormous discussion we all went in together and shared the food. Discussions\nwent on until 9.30. The builders remained in their own rooms, but they brought\ntheir bedding down to the hall where the women and children slept and we set up\na special clinic for milk. It only lasted one night; after that we moved into Alexandra House. The Squatters Committee continued to negotiate until every individual family was housed. We kept a record of every single family until their problem was solved. I think it was a tremendously positive achievement which redounded to the credit of the Party.\nOther buildings in Westminster were quickly occupied: over the next two days 60 families forced their way into Fountain Court, Pimlico and Abbey Lodge, a block of flats near Regent’s Park.\nAbbey Lodge, a block of luxury flats near Regent’s Park in Marylebone, was another of the buildings occupied on September 9th. It had been used for the RAF during the war, but had since been empty for several months. Marylebone Borough Council had 3,300 families on its waiting list, but was refusing to requisition empty flats to accommodate them, so the block was expected to be re-let shortly at exorbitant rents. Lou Kenton was the chief organiser of the Abbey Lodge squat:\n“I was at the meeting of the London District held on that Friday before the squat-\nting took place on the Sunday. I was secretary of the North West Area Sub-Dis-\ntrict of the Party. The Party was already under great pressure to organise a squat.\nOur area stretched from Cricklewood to Boreham Wood, and we knew that some\nsquatting had already been taking place. At the initial stages it was not the Party\nthat organised it, but very soon the squatters turned to the Party for help; we came\nunder pressure that we should do something for the people in our area. We had\nalready found a block of flats in Regent’s Park: Abbey Lodge. So we organised it\n– took about twenty families in. Most of them were already squatting somewhere,\nsome were quite homeless and living rough; they were all ex-servicemen. Most\nhad married during the war, gone into the forces and when they came back, suddenly found themselves in terrible conditions and having to live with in-laws.\nWe went in as a group. We took two large vehicles with all their furniture, drove\ninto Abbey Lodge and two policemen and a porter helped us to get in. They didn’t\nstop us, but showed great friendliness. Forty-eight hours later it changed. On the\nsecond or third day, they cut off the water, cut off the electricity, and surrounded\nthe building so that none of the squatters could get in once they’d left. So we were\nin a very difficult position, not being able to feed them.\nThe thing that struck me most about that period was the support we had from out-\nside – every night there were massive demonstrations outside – and the ingenuity\nof some of the squatters in finding ways of getting out and coming in. Several of\nthem had to go out to get to work, and very soon they found all sorts of ways, including climbing over the roofs of adjacent buildings and down the side. We were able to feed the squatters during the whole of that period in that way.\nAfter about ten days we were informed by the Party that writs might be issued\nagainst myself and Maud Rogerson, area secretary of another London area. We\nhad organised the occupation, and the rest of the squatters had asked us to stay\non to help them, and we had agreed. Now we were advised by the London District that the squat would need to end. We had a meeting of the squatters and they\nagreed unanimously to leave as one body, and they instructed Maud and myself\nto leave early because they knew writs were coming. This we did.\nI think it had a tremendous impact on the whole movement at the time. It showed\nthat the Party cared. In our case, seven people joined the Party and they joined\non the day we decided to leave. They did not go to Alexandra House. The local\narea of the Party looked after them; many of them were re-housed.”\nIvor Segal was a member of the Islington (London) Young Communist League,\nand was asked to help the squatters who had just occupied Abbey Lodge:\n“The police had a fairly heavy patrol which tried to stop supplies going into Abbey\nLodge, where the leader of the squatters was a Party member named Lou Kenton. They needed cooking facilities as the gas had been disconnected. But how?\nI had a primus stove which I padded all round with corrugated cardboard and\ntied securely with string; likewise a pint bottle of paraffin. Lou Kenton had removed\none of the windows, and while a policeman’s attention was diverted, Alec Miller\nthrew the primus and then the bottle of paraffin through the window. They both\narrived safely.\nThe question of food was better organised once a pulley had been fixed up be-\ntween the flats and the house next door. At night, boxes of tinned food were continuously and quietly pulled across from the house to Abbey Lodge. The police\nWere puzzled as to how the squatters were receiving food until one night the pulley broke and the cargo” nearly hit a copper down below.” [Apparently the house next door from which the pulley was operated was in Kent Terrace. The author and communist Montague Slater lived at the other end of this terrace, and he and his family helped organise the cooking and packing of the food which was then go in at night.] We stayed outside Abbey Lodge for nearly two weeks, giving both physical and moral support. All the time, the newspapers were reporting fresh takeovers of houses and flats. In Islington, the Borough Council started putting large houses back into repair – something they had not attempted to do before.”\nOn the morning of September 9th a deputation from Duchess of Bedford House went to Kensington Town Hall to ask for the flats to be requisitioned and for all amenities – gas, water and electricity – to be supplied.\nMany of the London Communist Party (CP) members involved had been active in pre-war tenants’ struggles in the East End. The London occupations had a more directly political edge than the wave of camp squatting. The Communist Party launched a high profile campaign, through the pages of the Daily Worker, and in letters delivered by delegations to Downing Street and the Ministry of Health, for the Labour government to both legitimise the existing squatted buildings and to take the initiative by Requisitioning. The CP’s demands consisted of\nRequisitioning the occupied buildings,\nconnection of services and security of tenure for squatters.\nthe ending of the policy of de-requisitioning buildings that government had taken over in wartime\ncentral government to compel councils to take over empty houses\nstricter control on licences for repairs (i.e. that working class houses should be repaired first)\nSquatters demo in Hyde Park\nParty propaganda identified West London local authorities as ‘acting as though the housing emergency was over and that property developers could go ahead irrespective of the conditions in which many thousands of families were living.’ The Labour government had also allowed blocks and houses to be returned to their private owners when they could have been -re-requisitioned’ for the homeless. With around half a million on London housing waiting lists, nevertheless there was enough empty accommodation in the capital to house a good proportion.\nDuchess of Bedford House was an ideal focus for this campaign; Kensington Council had refused the block when offered it by the Ministry of Works on the grounds that the flats were not suitable (i e too good for) homeless families, and the block stood in a bourgeois area where many houses had lain empty during wartime, as the upper classes had generally fled London during the Blitz. In addition, precious public resources were being spent on repairing the block for its return to the luxury end of the private rented sector.\nIn contrast, another of the large squats, Fountain Court, was not such a good target, as unlike the others it was already destined for the public sector, and Westminster Council had already approved a scheme of works. Tactically occupying Fountain Court was a mistake, as it played into the hands of government anti-squatting propaganda, which claimed that the block occupations were the work of queue-jumpers.\nMinistry of Works officials try to break in to evict Duchess of Bedford House, 11 September 1946\nThe Labour government was desperate to put a stop to the wave of squatting as a whole, but the generally supportive mood of many people in the country to the squatters – especially among Labour’s own supporters – put them off from large-scale repressive measures. At a Cabinet meeting on the day of the Duchess of Bedford seizure, it was felt that criminal prosecutions against squatters could fail because juries might be unwilling to convict because of sympathy with the squatters’ cause. The cabinet itself was also divided on the issue of requisitioning homes. Aneurin Bevan, after indicating the slow progress of the rehousing programme and the seriousness of the housing shortage, requested that some London hotels about to be de-requisitioned should be used for the homeless.\nBut the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the President of the Board of Trade said they would have very great difficulty in agreeing as there was ‘a serious shortage of hotel accommodation in London.’ This was needed to attract trade in the interests of the export markets, and to bring in tourists and the wealthy who would spend money in London.\nHowever, Bevan and other ‘left-leaning’ cabinet members were strongly against any concessions to the squatters. Bevan insisted on a line that no cooking or other facilities be supplied to the new squats, and he and his disciple (future Labour leader) Michael Foot wrote a vicious attack on the Communist Party in left Labour magazine Tribune (though they carefully avoided having a go at the squatters themselves, sharply aware of the public sympathy for squatting in general). They labelled squatters’ demands as ‘queue-jumping’, that would divert resources from other needy families, and claimed the CP had in practice allied itself with rightwing critics of Labour with an aim of making capital for themselves. Another leftwing Labour cabinet member, Ellen Wilkinson, said that ‘the government has to govern and cannot be faced with anarchy of this kind which is the negation of everything the Labour Party stands for – the organised meeting of people’s needs’. Ie – we know best and you should know your place till we tell you to move…\nThe Cabinet’s first step was to step up police patrols around central London to keep a watch for groups of potential squatters and an eye on likely buildings. Cops with their recently issued two-way radios prowled the West End. orders were also given to blockade existing squats and resist attempts to bring in food and amenities. Anyone leaving (eg to go to work) was to be refused re-entry. Water was cut off at Abbey Lodge and no-one was allowed to enter the building. The squatters and their helpers showed considerable ingenuity in breaking the blockade. Men went out to work across the rooftops. As detailed above, a primus stove and paraffin for brewing tea was thrown in, and food, cooked in the neighbouring house of a Party member, was supplied by means of a pulley\nrigged between the two houses.\nOn Wednesday morning, while a crowd of 150 people gathered outside Abbey Lodge, the squatters displayed a crudely written placard for the press photographers: We Want Water and Bedding’. A Communist organiser told the\n“Their conditions in there are shocking. There is a pregnant woman, and there are babies, all doing without cooked food, and sleeping on the floor – babies sleeping on the floor! You people must help by shouting …”\n“Give the babies water …’, yelled the obliging crowd, and a deputation marched off to the Town Hall, while others tossed apples, sandwiches and parcels of food through the open windows.” Eventually the police allowed some blankets in for the children. At around 11.00 pm that night, however, chanting ‘twenty-five blankets are not enough’, the crowd surged into the street – the main road on the west side of Regents Park. After marching up and down for fifteen minutes they sat down, while from the besieged building the squatters sang ‘There’ll Always Be An England’. Stewards distributed the disputed blankets among the demonstrators and for a time it looked as though they intended to stay all night. Shortly before midnight, however, the police agreed to allow the rest of the blankets in and the\nCommunist loud speaker van announced: ‘There’s no need to hold up the\ntraffic any longer. On Thursday morning the papers were full of photographs of demonstrators sitting in the road. At Abbey Lodge the police finally agreed to allow sympathisers to take in pails of water and limited food supplies. But crowds who gathered again later that day were dispersed.\nDespite the security precautions, another squat was cracked on Wednesday 11th: the 630-room Ivanhoe Hotel in Bloomsbury.\nThe cabinet’s next move was to set out to discredit the squatters as ‘queue-jumpers’. A Cabinet memorandum of 12 September records:\n‘Ministers considered that further steps should be taken to bring it home to the public that the squatters were overriding the claims of many people who had been waiting a long time for houses and that the effect of their activities would be to delay the completion of rehousing.’\nThe Labour Government now found willing allies in the Tory press. The pro-upper class newspapers not been particularly hostile to squatters while they confined their activities to army camps – state property – which embarrassed Labour government (generally considered as the enemy by the press barons) and made it look incompetent. But squatting of private property in central London blocks was going too far: soon newspaper editorials called for stern action in defence of the legitimate rights of property owners and rallied to the government. ‘The homeless who are being duped by the Communists’ became stock characters in the reports.\nThe Daily Mail and the Daily Express as usual gleefully hyped up squatters as a new bogy to scare the respectable, running (largely unsubstantiated) front page stories of householders afraid to go out shopping for fear their houses would be squatted, and of a rush to buy padlocks throughout suburbia. Very similar lies have been used to whip up fear of squatting in the decades since…\nThe government also gave instructions to the police to guard large empty buildings in the centre of London, and all police leave was cancelled. Further instructions were sent to local authorities (both in London and other major cities) ordering them to refuse to connect services to squatted buildings, and Sir Hartley Shawcross, the Attorney General, launched possession proceedings to recover government property, and to encourage any private owners to do the same. The Met’s Special Branch (which had to admit to having had no advance knowledge that the occupations were being planned) was instructed to investigate the squatters organisation and try to determine what future plans they had.\nHarry Pollitt, general secretary of the Communist Party, addresses a meeting in support of the squatters, Cranbourne Street, London, 11 September 1946\nPolice cordons were set up surrounding the Abbey Lodge and Ivanhoe Hotel occupations; food and bedding was allowed in, but people were barred from coming and going as they wished. The central London squats became sieges. The squat committees appealed for candles’ paraffin stoves, water and food, and supporters brought these and tried to smuggle them in – sometimes by climbing over roofs, hauling items via pulleys from neighbouring buildings and so on.\nAn attempt was made on 11th September to evict the Duchess of Bedford flats by Ministry of Works officials, who were forced off after being threatened with iron bars…\nAlthough crowds of supporters gathered, confrontations between squatters and both foot and mounted police could not break these cordons, and a number of squatters’ supporters arrested. Whether or not plans had been made to squat further blocks, the government’s tactic may have worked, as no more large blocks were occupied in the latter half of the week. However some isolated privately-owned houses were squatted independently in the London suburbs. Squatters’ demands around housing and delegations to try to meet local or national authorities were ignored and rejected.\nAt the same time, legal proceedings were begun to evict the squats. Writs for possession were served on Duchess of Bedford House on September 12th by the Ministry of Works, demanding the building be vacated by the 17th.\nOn the 13th Bevan issued a government circular denouncing the squats and restating government policy, that local authorities were responsible for allocations for housing and that process could not be short-circuited by individuals taking matters into their own hands.\nOn Saturday 14 September, five CP members prominent in the central London squatters’ organisation were arrested on orders from the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Cabinet. They were Ted Bramley, London District Secretary and member of the London County Council, Bill Carritt and Joyce Alergant, both Communist councillors on Westminster City Council, “Tubby” Rosen, a Communist councillor in Stepney, and Stan Henderson, the leading figure\nin the Duchess of Bedford squat. All five were charged with conspiring and incitement to trespass. That afternoon 12,000 people rallied in Leicester Square in support of the squatters. A large public meeting also took place in Hyde Park on Sunday 15th.\nBill Carritt, one of the five arrested, declared, “We will resist, to the last man, woman and child… They will have to carry us out bodily.” Stan Henderson announced “I shall be the last to leave, and tear gas won’t move me.” However, defiant language aside, the arrests and unco-operative government approach did put a spoke in the Communist Party’s plans. A telegram was sent out from Party headquarters around the country: ‘No more squatting’. Plans for occupying other buildings (possibly including Kensington Palace!) were put on hold.\nTwo days later, the five appeared in court and were bailed to reappear. The next day, the High Court granted the Attorney General an interim injunction, ordering certain named people at Duchess of Bedford House to end their trespass (names had possibly been obtained from looking at noticeboards in the blocks, see below). Downing Street issued a press release, offering a combination of carrot and stick to the squatting families:\n‘Her Majesty’s Government think it right to call the attention of all those in unauthorised occupation of houses and flats and certain other buildings required for public purposes to the fact that the High Court today made orders at the instance of the Ministry of Works against various trespassers in the premises known as Duchess of Bedford House forbidding the continuance of the trespass.\nA baby girl squatter from Duchess of Bedford house, taken by ambulance to hospital on 11 September 1946\nThe High Court has accordingly made it clear beyond all doubt that the action of those occupying the premises without legal authority is illegal. Those who have squatted in such premises no longer have any excuse for not recognising the illegality of their actions and should quit the premises at once. It will be the duty of the police to prevent further occupations. The Government will not press proceedings for damages against those who have left voluntarily. HMG will recommend to local authorities that those who now leave voluntarily should not lose such claims to priority rehousing as they may already have had.’\nThe day after this press release, the families at Duchess of Bedford House announced they would leave the following Friday: “Our committee had been in negotiation for other accommodation, and decided that if we were going to be picked off piecemeal, it would be better to go voluntarily in style.” (Arthur Hill)\nThey also asked for the London County Council to make a rest centre available for those who had nowhere else to go. Squatters occupying the other central London buildings had already left voluntarily.\nThe decision to leave Duchess of Bedford House in fact did not originate with the occupiers – it was decided at Communist Party headquarters: “I was at a meeting at King Street with Harry Pollitt, Peter Kerrigan, a number of other members of the E.C. I remember Harry Pollitt said at one point after everybody had expressed attitudes, “Well, what about the man who is on the spot?”\nIt was on this question as to whether we should withdraw at that point from the\nDuchess of Bedford, the argument being that there was a great danger of break-\nup and disarray of the whole thing. I remember saying at the time: “My feeling is\nthat the members of the Communist Party associated with this movement are held\nvery high esteem by the squatters, and if the Communist Party makes a recommendation that we withdraw, then I’m sure that the body of squatters will agree with them that the contrary is also the case, and if we say “Right, let’s stay”, they would agree with that also.” The argument was, you see, that we should possibly try passive resistance; I made the point that I could not see these returned warriors from the Second World War sit passively by whilst coppers mauled their womenfolk and kids about; you knew that it would end up in a bust-up.” (Stan Henderson)\nJames Hinton concluded later, however, that the party hierarchy also wanted to avoid a confrontation that would completely jeopardise its relationship with the Labor government. To some extent the CP’s top officers put pressure on the activists most involved in the squats to pull out.\nAlthough Communist Party activists made much of the unity of the squatters and their willingness to in effect obey CP instructions, the decision to leave was actually not universally popular or agreed without argument: Henderson later said that a number of the Kensington squatters were up for staying and fighting the eviction, and that he had to persuade them to agree to depart: “They wanted to run up the Red Flag and fight it out.” It took a whole evening’s debate for a resolution to leave to be agreed on.\nThe squatters’ public statement read, “The situation created by the judgement granted today against the Bedford House squatters has received our careful attention. We deplore the inhumanity of a law which can only act so on behalf of property, and against the welfare of human beings. We came in here, not for ourselves alone, but for the hundreds and thousands of others in similar plight. Two of our cases have been heard in court today, they were by no means the worst. Our residents include a large proportion of ex-servicemen who, after years of service for their country, are homeless. In the services we fought on behalf of all, and we resent and repudiate the charge that now we are out for ourselves alone. We resent also the charge that we are a lawless mob.\nThe charge is made by those who a short while ago were clapping and cheering\nas we marched in the ranks. The court decision makes it impossible for our elected leaders to stay here. We came in together, and we have decided to go out together, confident that we have achieved our purpose. those who were ignorant of our plight now know, and those who knew and ignored, are now shamed into a sense of urgency that London’s homeless shall be housed.\n“When we march out on Friday, we expect the public authorities to show us that\nhuman consideration that should be shown to all the homeless and ill-housed. We\nask that a rest-centre be put at the disposal of the vast majority who have nowhere to go; that our cases be investigated, and that we take our place with the other Londoners who are fighting for a decent home. We will continue to fight with\nthem for housing to be treated as a military operation, and for all local authorities\nto bring a fresh urgency to the problem, never resting until property interests and\nthe black market have been completely prevented from standing in the way of\ndecent homes for London’s people.”\nThe squatting families, who had reduced waiting lists by housing themselves in empty property, were bussed around London from one temporary accommodation to another, and were eventually gradually rehoused by the London County Council.\n“We made a ceremonial exit with a little band and banners waving. Before we left,\nwe had already met members of the builders’ committee who represented the\nbuilding workers who were based at Bromley House. They had told us they didn’t\nwant to leave; we said we did not want to be used as a lever. So we had already\nestablished friendly relations with them. But later we were told that they had in\nfact left Bromley House, and it was then that we said “Alright, we’ll go to it” and\nso left Kensington.” (Stan Henderson)\nArthur Hill again: “The Communist Party… organised a band to march us down the road, to a fleet of coaches, and then on to our destination – the Old Workhouse at Bromley by Bow.\nSo that is how we ended up in the Workhouse.\nLeaving the ‘Duchess of Bedford’ was closing a chapter of our lives, arrangements were made to store our furniture, and the same removal men, (friends of my Dad), took to the storage, the same pieces that they had so recently delivered.\nOutside, the band played, creating a festive atmosphere, and in the mood of the moment, we all piled into\nThe Duchess of Bedford House squatters arrive at their ‘new accommodation’ in Bromley By Bow\nthe coaches, looking forward to the next stage.\nAlas! Someone was out to stir trouble. As we approached our destination, every side road and turning was occupied by Police vans, Black Marias and Police cars, what a welcome! Was it Political? the Communists were’nt in favour at this time, or was it big business having a whisper in high places?\nThe scenario was, the old ‘Workhouse’ at Bromley by Bow, was being used as a dormitory for Itinerant workers. Mainly Irish and from the North, all working on bomb sites and housing repairs. Apparently they were told, at the last possible moment, “Go to work as usual, and when you finish for the day, you will not be coming back here, but to other accommodation, your personal effects will be moved for you” At the same time, we squatters were told, “all the accommodation has been prepared for you” Human nature being what it is, all the building workers refused to go to work, but instead of a riot, they stayed to welcome us. They did the best they could for us, in what can only be described as primitive conditions, a mattress on the floor, in what could only be called a tunnel, no windows, it was underground, arched roof of black dirty bricks. The last time I had stayed in such a place, was in the catacombs, when in transit with the Marines.\nWho-so-ever engineered this scheme, came unstuck.\nBecause then the builders representatives and our committee got together, and a joint deputation was sent to The Houses of Parliament, to the Ministry of Works and the G.L.C. at City Hall. The reporters followed every move, they had, in all probability, been primed for other reasons, but the publicity did us a power of good. From what we heard, this was front page news, and the support for our cause nationwide. (Must look up the Newspaper archives some day). Quite suddenly, what a coincidence, there was on offer, a fresh start, at a home that had formerly housed G.I.Brides, prior to shipping out.\nNow that the pressure was on, our side of the negotiation thought it was time to press for a few concessions. They won us the right to have our own committee to represent us in the home, and to have the use of the main hall, for meetings and for social functions. The building workers were restored to their original status, and so we all moved on.\nAt Chalk Farm, dormitory quarters, screened off into cubicles, in charge of a Master, (just like the Workhouse). A bit of shuffling around, and we sorted ourselves into some sort of order, people with families, tended to clump together, as did young couples with no other ties. The building was about 5 stories high, I say about, because it was’nt evenly disposed, sitting as it was on a steep hill, the lower floor was hall and offices, the rear half of the hall being underground. The first floor housed the original residents, mainly old ladies, the next two were ours, plus a little overlap, and above, all the staff. We barely had time to settle when a meeting was called, everybody to the hall.\nAs soon as we were seated, we were addressed thus,\n“I am the Master of this House, and these are the rules”\nWith a shout, “Objection” our committee leader was on his feet, “Has’nt anybody told you ‘Sunshine’, that no longer applies, without our consent” At this, all the little old ladies started cheering, one shouted, “It’s time that miserable sod got his come-uppance”\nAnd so began our new period of Mk.2 Workhouse…” (Arthur Hill)\n“Jack Gaster was sitting behind me on the coach taking us there and, as we ap-\nproached the building, we went past a side street and I said to him “Those are\npolice “hurry-up’ wagons stationed there; there’s something odd going on.” Jack\nsaid to me “Don’t let anybody out for a moment; let’s see what’s happening.” We\ngot out and walked inside; the building was a blaze of light and the building workers were still there. They said they had no intention of leaving. We immediately called a meeting of our committee with their committee; we discussed the matter in amicable terms and came to an agreement, at our insistence, that we would not occupy their beds or their rooms. We would camp down on the floor and spend the night, and the following morning we would go on a joint deputation to 10, Downing Street. It was a betrayal by the London County Council and the Government. They were hoping to discredit the squatters movement and the builders, presumably by having a brawl which they could make a feast of.\nNext morning a small deputation of us went to Downing Street and, of course, Attlee was not there. We left a written document in which we laid at his door the\nresponsibility for anything of a serious nature which might happen because, as we\npointed out, there were young babies sleeping on the floor in the hostel. Then\nJack arranged a meeting at County Hall in a main committee room and the end\nof the table and said “Sit there”; so I sat in a big, red leather, gold ornate chair and\nour committee were all around. I remember making the point that we had lost our\ntrump card: we had been levered out into the open; we had no Duchess of Bed.\nford to fall back upon and we were on the spot. The thought occurred to me that\nwe might put pressure on Mr. Bligh and this man said “Bligh of the Bounty” you\nknow, do you remember? I suggested that we might occupy that committee room\nand refuse to be shifted and Jack said That’s a good idea”. So we sent for Mr.\nBligh who was somewhat non-plussed at hearing this proposition. We said we\nwanted the L.C.C., as the Executive arm of what had been decided between the\nGovernment and the L.C.C., jointly, to honour their word and provide us with a place where we could retain our organisation as promised and where we could\ncontinue to function as a body of squatters.\nBligh said it was impossible. He then went out and came back within five minutes.\n“By a coincidence” he said, and produced information about Alexandra House at\nChalk Farm from where, he said, some elderly ladies were in process of being\nmoved to other accommodation. Would we go there, he said. We said we had yet\nto hear of a coincidence operating in our favour, but we said “Yes” and he said\nWell then, let’s move on”. We said “No, we want to look at it first, we’ve been\ncaught out before”. So a deputation went out and looked at it, and agreed that we\ncould make a go of it, and we moved there. It was that betrayal thing which really got us, because we had been manoeuvred out and promises had been broken.”\n100 families eventually ended up at Alexandra House, the Duchess of Bedford people had been joined by Melcombe Regis and Fountain Court. “This was an improvement on Bromley House. A committee was formed, chosen by the squatters… The drawback was the lack of privacy, as we all had to sleep together, wash together and eat together. The dormitories were separated, one for mothers with babies, one for mothers with children over 3 years, one for women without children and one upstairs for men and boys over 8 years old. Meals were prepared by L.C.C. staff and served at large tables. Men who were at work were given meals in the evening and the women’s committee members noticed that these were bigger and of better quality than those served to the women and children. Consequently, we saw the supervisor and told him of our findings and asked for the same treatment for everyone; this he granted and the matter was rectified.\nAlready a lot was happening, as two families had been rehoused, the Ministry of\nHealth had launched a new housing drive and the L.C.C. had agreed to deal with\nall squatters’ cases instead of the local town halls. By October 8th, five families\nhad been found homes.\nWe stayed at Alexandra House for about another six months. My husband be-\ncame the Secretary when Stan Henderson left, and I continued on the Women’s\nCommittee. We proved we could handle the day to day problems of which we\nhad many, whilst the men were away, and always managed to solve them amicab-\nly. We were able to get a few improvements where families could be together\nrather than apart, though this only meant separate curtained spaces depending\non the size of the family, but it was preferable to being apart. Gradually people\nwere being rehoused, those with children and particular problems being given priority.\nEventually, about Easter time 1947, those that were left were moved to an L.C.C.\nhalfway house at Queens Gardens, Lancaster Gate. Here we all had our own sparsely furnished room. Meals were supplied in a communal\ndining room. This proved to be much better. People continued to be rehoused. We were finally offered a very derelict pokey flat at Rotherhithe which we refused, so had to leave. This was about October or November.\nWe did not obtain the accommodation we had hoped for, but it was a very worthwhile and enlightening experience and one we will never forget.” (Hilda and Barney Lewis)\nDuchess of Bedford House was eventually returned to its owners for luxury renting after the Ministry of Works had spent £5,000 on repairing it. The owners then rented it out again to anyone who could afford the £15 a week rent (high rent in them days…)\nHaving been remanded twice, the five arrested CP organisers’ case came to trial at the Old Bailey at the end of October. The trial lasted for two days. “Sir Walter Monckton defended four of us; Ted Bramley conducted his own defence. To those not directly involved I have no doubt that the brilliant display of dialectics and the biting irony on the part of Sir Walter was most impressive. Pointing out that we were being tried under an Act of Richard II he asked: “Was the arm of the civil law so weak in this matter that it required the first prosecution in our history for a criminal conspiracy to trespass?” (Joan Alergant)\nAlthough expecting jail, they were merely bound over to be of good behaviour. The judge observed: ‘I am satisfied the motive was primarily to find homes for these unfortunate people’, and he almost advised counsel for the defence to appeal the verdict. However, it is worth noting that counsel for the Prosecution admitted that the charges had been mainly aimed at denting the squatting at its most active phase, and now that the big squats had stopped the government had little interest in creating Communist martyrs.\nBob Darke, who was active in the Communist Party in Hackney at the time of the squats, but later left and wrote a detailed critique of CP tactics, took a cynical view of the Party’s motives and practice regarding the squatting movement, suggesting they had always thought the West End squats would be shortlived and used the exercise as a publicity vehicle:\n“During the serious housing shortage of the mid-forties the Party worked the most sensational confidence trick in its history – the Squatters’ Movement. So pathetic were the hardship cases exploited in this deception that for a while even Fleet Street was convinced that it was normal, a spontaneous demonstration on the part of the homeless. But when the almost military-like precision of the campaign became obvious there should have been no doubt in anybody’s mind that the Party was at the back of it.\nThe Party never openly admitted that it ran the squatting in the West End blocks of flats, or the rash of small house squatting that spread across London. The Daily Worker covered the campaign with the same poker-face inscrutability it wears when Party members paint anti-American slogans on cars in Grosvenor Square or demonstrate against American bomber stations. If you only read the Daily Worker it always sounds as if the party has been taken as much by surprise as everybody else.\nThe London Squatter Movement was conducted by Ted Bramley, from the offices of the London District Committee. Bramley actually appeared in person to run the taking-over of blocks of flats in Kensington, and members of his staff occupied rooms in one of the blocks to conduct the campaign more efficiently.\nIn Hackney the Party was instructed to ear-mark vacant houses, to collect homeless families\n(there were names enough on my lists) and move them in on the word go… Let it be understood that I was as angry as anybody else to see these flats vacant at a time when the housing situation was so desperate. And for a time I believed the Party had found the right solution to the problem, arbitrary seizing of property.\nBut I soon realised that the Party’s real attitude was no less cynical than usual. It regarded the various ‘Squatters’ Committees’ we had formed as no more than propaganda vehicles. The Party’s leaders knew that the authorities would not allow the situation to develop and would suppress it forcibly. It knew, in short, that the squatters’ campaign would be defeated.\nBut win or lose the Party was going to benefit on two scores:\n1. It would get the kudos for making the only forthright effort to grapple with the housing shortage and the anomalies that existed.\n2. It could use the opposition to the Squatters’ Movement as proof that the Government was refusing to live up to its Socialism.\nConclusion? ‘Only the Communist Party fights for the workers!’\nAnd that was how it worked out. Heaven only knows how many wretched pram-pushing families were moved into flats and rooms found for them by our eager-beaver comrades, only to be moved out again by the police.\nThe siege of the West End flats, the blockade running of food and water by Communist flying squads, got full play in the Party press with full use of epithets like ‘fascist technique’. ‘Labour’s Tory tactics”.\nFor weeks after the defeat of the Squatters’ Movement the Party in Hackney was capitalising on the misery of the debacle. Homeless families, coming back to the now defunct Party Squatters’ Committee, were told ‘Go and see Councillor Bob Darke. He’ll raise your case in the Council. And don’t forget, the Communist Party has been the only political party to help you.’.”\nWithout doubting genuine motivation from the CP’s point of view – housing the homeless and putting pressure on the Labour Government to improve housing options – the CP both acted with its usual murkiness – trying desperately to catch up and cash in on an autonomous movement that had outflanked it – and failed to keep up the pressure when government action came at it fast and hard.\nThe September squats in fact might be described as stunts, which had no real lasting impact, whose importance in terms of the squatting movement of 1946 is minimal, compared to the self-organisation of the vigilantes and the camp squats.\nJames Hinton, who later wrote an account of the 1946 squatting wave, suggested part of the motivation was the CP’s need to re-assert a political identity. The Party hierarchy had imposed a line of opposing strikes in the last years of the war, and had supported the continuation of the wartime coalition government – this had angered some party activists and also fell out of step with the electorate (who would shortly elect a landslide Labour government). The CP desperately needed a popular cause to indicate a position to the left of labour, that would also win support among working class people; strategists may also have felt successful popular action on housing could push the government leftwards on requisitioning and house building. The CP was trying to regain or keep hold of a precarious relationship to the wartime government that it had built by having a strong organisation in armaments factories but restraining industrial action and strikes in the interests of the war effort. The end of the war meant this influence was waning. Ironically, if getting heavily involved in the squatting had been intended to rebuild this influence and give it a lever over the Labour administration, it may have had the opposite effect. (James Hinton also suggested that some behind the scenes contacts between Labour ministers and leading Communists, including Ted Bramley, in fact ceased after the events of September).\nBut could more have been done to spread the squatting movement in London? The CP kept tight control of the organisation – but the lack of a truly self-organised basis to the September London squats is obvious in its sudden collapse under state pressure. There was potential for mobilising popular or trade union support for the occupations; but the CP did not really attempt this. Despite threats to spread mass squatting of houses in other cities, CP general secretary Harry Pollitt in fact issued an instruction that squatting was to cease. Party activists continued to support and aid camp squatters in some areas but no more initiatives like the London squats was taken.\nWorkers from De Havilland factory demonstrate in support of squatters\nDuring the summer of 1946, trade unionists in several northern towns had refused to wreck buildings as a deterrent to squatting. Miners in Yorkshire had imposed an overtime ban when mine officials had tried to evict a family squatting in a colliery house. Council direct labour force workers in North London had also organised work parties to divert building materials to two squatted camps.\nDuring the week of 9-16 September, officials of the building trades unions were inundated with resolutions supporting squatters, and demanding requisitioning and an end to the black market in repairs. De Havilland workers in West London announced they would strike if force was used to evict squatters. On the day the High Court injunction was granted, the London Trades Council, theoretically representing 600,000 workers, backed the squatters.\nSo the potential for workplace action in support of occupations of residential property existed… But the CP didn’t call for industrial action to get services connected to the squats, or to push the demand for wider requisitioning of housing. A more concerted fight in the courts could also have been put up, as the CP did have access to good lawyers – this did not happen either.\nWhen the court orders were granted, there was no attempt to organise resistance to the evictions: in fact, as noted above, Stan Henderson for one argued down squatters who wanted to physically fight any eviction. The Party confined its activities to organising a demo in Leicester Square and sending delegations to Atlee, Bevan and local town halls.\nIt is also however, worth noting that, while there seems to have been mass popular support for the camp squats, to some extent feelings about the central London squats were more ambiguous. Many people did view seizing empty pubic property and empty private property as distinctly different, and support for seizing empty private houses was markedly lacking compared to very widespread approval for occupying disused army camps.\nEven some of the camp squatters themselves thought occupying the Duchess of Bedford flats and other private property was a mistake, or even morally wrong. Despite a broad sense that the government should house people, and that public property was fair game, in the sense that it ‘belonged’ to all anyway, there was, it would appear, no real popular mood for expropriating the wealthy, even on a small scale.\nApril 1946: Schoolchildren helping the workmen construct a new estate of pre-fabricated houses in Watford, Hertfordshire.\nVarious commentators have characterised the post-war squatting movement as not really an example of militant workers action, or even especially political. Undoubtedly the movement was born out of practical need, not ideology. At times some of the post-war squatters exhibited individualist and reactionary tendencies – as in Buckinghamshire, where racist and nationalist sentiment against Polish emigres (many war veterans) being housed in former camps was mobilised to encourage its being squatted instead. The Communist Party to its shame snidely contributed to this, as the Poles were viewed as ‘anti-communist’ since they were refusing to return to the new ‘communist’ Poland.\nThe CP was to claim that the London squatting actions had helped accelerate the housing repair and building programme; while Labour denied this, it seems clear that the post-war squatting movement as a whole did contribute to pressure on the government to bring forward construction projects, and ramp up solutions like pre-fab housing. Some 6000 properties the government had been in control of were also released for housing over the following year; in parts o London, at least, some local authorities did step up requisitioning of empty buildings.\nHow much the London squats contributed to that pressure is open to debate; the potential for the mass squatting wave to spread into a large-scale campaign of occupation in cities was lost. Local authorities gained control over most of the squatted camps, and kept control over the housing allocation process; working class direct action on housing was mostly pushed back to the margins, for a decade or so…\nAs a follow-up to this, read ‘Who Are the Squatters?’ – an article from 1946, based on interviews with squatters from the Duchess of Bedford House and Abbey Lodge occupations…\nWe haven’t talked much about the squatted camps here, which deserves a whole other article. Another time. The following are useful reads on the 1945-6 squatting movements.\nSelf-Help and Socialism: The Squatters Movement of 1946, James Hinton\nHousing, An Anarchist Approach, Colin Ward\nLondon Squatters 1946, Noreen Branson (Communist Party ‘Our History series)\nSquatting in Britain 1945-55, Don Watson\nSquatting: The Real Story, ed Nick Wates and Christian Wolmar.\nA Domestic Rebellion: The Squatters’ Movement of 1946, Howard Webber\nAdvisory Service for Squatters Info Sheet on the post-war squatters\nThe Squatters of 1946: A Local Study in national Context, Paul Burnham\nThe Communist Technique in Britain, Bob Darke\nWho Are the Squatters? Diana Murrray Hill (published in Pilot Papers, vol 1 no 4, 1946.)\nThere’s some film footage of the Kensington squatters here:\nToday in London riotous history, 1821: the funeral of Richard Honey and George Francis\nPosted on August 26 by mudlark121\nContinuing the story of the two men shot dead during rioting at the funeral of king George IV’s estranged wife Caroline of Brunswick in August 1821; the men’s funeral took place on 26 August and like Caroline’s became a public demonstration that ended in disorder.\nhere’s a contemporary account:\n“PUBLIC FUNERAL OF HONEY AND FRANCIS. A number of Mechanics &c. having met at a public house, and resolved to attend in procession the funeral of the two unfortunate men who had been slaughtered by the Lise Guards; with this view they prevailed on the friends of the deceased to let the funeral be a public one, at Hammersmith church; a measure strongly reprobated by the well-disposed part of the community ; but which the original projectors would not relinquish. as anOU The following statement of the proceedings of the day is from a most respectable source: August the 26th, being the day upon which it was announced that the public funeral of these two unfortunate men was to take place, at the expense of the mechanics of London, an extraordinary interest was excited, not merely among the members of that numerous body, but in a very considerable proportion of the public of this metropolis. Upon the inexpediency and impropriety of the measure itself (which seems to have been resolved upon and effected by a committee of the bricklayers, and carpenters and joiners-of which two trades the deceased themselves were members,) we have already expressed a decided opinion. We condemned it as one which, under existing circumstances, was calculated rather to renew that animosity and irritation which on a recent which this day presented.\nWe should premise, that Mr. Sheriff Waithman – apprehending the possibility that the public peace might be endangered by the carrying in procession through the principal streets, and along the road to Hammersmith, the bodies of those who fell the unfortunate victims of the needless employment of the military power on the 14th – on Saturday addressed the following letter to several of the newspapers, with a view to dissuade the committee from the public execution of their designs:\nSir,-Seeing a paragraph that has appeared in some of the papers, that a procession is intended to proceed to morrow from Smithfield, to accompany the funeral of the two unfortunate men who were shot on the 14th inst. near Cumberland-gate, as I have assisted the relatives of one of those individuals in the investigating the circumstances which led to his death, I feel called upon to say, through the medium of your paper, that I highly deprecate such a proceeding, and particularly as the matter is now under judicial inquiry; and earnestly’ hope that the public will refrain from attending the proposed meeting. “ I am, Sir, your obedient servant, “ Bridge – street , Aug . 25 . ROBERT WAITHMAN.”\nFinding, however, that the individuals in question were bent upon effecting their original intentions, the worthy Sheriff accompanied the procession in person. To his exertions and assiduous attention is mainly to be attributed the general good order in which the proceedings of the morning were conducted. It is very remarkable that it was not till four o’clock in the afternoon of Saturday that the Lord Mayor received the usual notification from Lord Bathurst, desiring him to take the proper measures for keeping the peace of the city during the next day. The Sheriffs of the county received no such intimation whatever; but the moment that the High Sheriff (Mr. Waithman) was satisfied that the procession would take place, he adopted the most prompt and vigorous measures to preserve the public peace. He wrote to Mr. Burchell, the Under Sheriff, desiring him to order out a sufficient posse of constables for the county, and sent a similar letter to the Secondary, with a like request for city constables. [ We subjoin a copy of the letter to , and answer from , these gentlemen . ]:\n“ GENTLEMEN – A placard having appeared , inviting an assemblage of the people to – morrow in Smithfield , at twelve o ‘ clock , to pass up Holborn to Hammersmith , I wish you to have the officers and constables in readiness to prevent any breach of the peace . I do not wish to have them appear amongst the people , but to have them in readiness to act , in case there should be a necessity for their so doing.” “Sir, We have, agreeably to your directions, summoned the constables and officers to be in Charter-house-square to-morrow morning, at eleven o’clock precisely, ready to receive your further instructions. “ We are, Sir, your obedient humble Servants, ‘ “ Henchman and BURCHELL, “ Sheriffs’ officers, Red Lion-square, Aug. 25. “ To Mr. Sheriff Waithman, &c.”\nMr. Waithman met the chief officers of the peace, and gave similar directions for the attendance of constables; and having no apprehension of any tumults, save near the barracks, posted the larger proportion of the men in that vicinity, and, previously to the passing of the procession, he repeatedly rode in among the people, entreating them to abstain from hissing or using any other expressions of anger towards the soldiers. The general rendezvous was appointed for twelve o’clock in Smithfield; and long before that hour multitudes had congregated there.\nA few minutes before twelve, some men on foot with mourning hatbands came down Long-lane; and shortly after them, Dr. Watson, of Spa-fields notoriety, attended by six or seven of his friends, entered the market-place by another avenue. Infinite confusion and uncertainty prevailed among the crowd, as to the direction which the first part of the intended procession was to take or had taken, when Dr. Watson addressed the spectators, for the purpose of dispelling their doubts. Having mounted upon the top of a post, he informed his fellow-countrymen, “that it would be useless for them to wait there any longer, as the procession was not to proceed from thence, but from Kingsgate-street, Holborn, in the neighbourhood of which the body of Francis lay.”\nThis information proved to be correct; but that some feud had sprung up, or that some misunderstanding existed between the Doctor and the managing committee, was evidenced by the appearance of several members of the latter, preserve the strictest order. At about half-past one the first part of the procession, consisting of the hearse and four, which contained the coffin of Francis, followed by four mourning coaches and pairs, and preceded by a man bearing a plateau of feathers, began to move from the neighbourhood of Red-Lion-square. As it advanced up Holborn, at a slow and solemn pace, it was met by one or two friendly societies, and by a band of music, which accompanied it all the way to Hammersmith, playing the Dead March in Saul, the 95th, the 100th, and other Psalms. The feeling which was apparent in the demeanour of the mourners, relatives and friends of the deceased—the undisturbed order and quietness with which they proceeded, and the general sympathy of the beholders, formed an interesting scene. From every street and avenue, at the windows of every house, in the carriage-road, on the pathway, crowds were collected, and a sense of decorum appeared to pervade the whole of them.\nThe procession having at length reached Oxford-street, was joined (nearly at that part where it is intersected by the Regent’s Circus and the other new streets) by the hearse which carried the body of Honey, and which had been waiting between Soho-square and Dake-street. This hearse was preceded by feathers, and followed by four mourning coaches, precisely in the same way as the other was, and we observed the High Sheriff and his Deputy a little in advance. The scene was striking, and neither the incredible numbers of the spectators, nor the long continued succession of vehicles of every description with which the streets were thronged, detracted from its general effect, which was mournful and extraordinary. When the procession had arrived near the end of Stratford-place, that effect was much heightened from the advantageous view which this position afforded. Two gorgeous banners, which were borne by the ‘Provident Brothers,’ and another society, offered a singular spectacle, in the contrast of their purple and yellow silks, decked in gold and silver embroidery, with long weepers of black crape, that were attached to them.\nThe multitude that was now assembled defied all calculation; yet the procession met with no obstruction in its course. It between that and Park-lane; and it was curious to observe from some point where these streets intersected one another, five or six dense columns of people, hastening down at once through as many streets, in order to arrive at Piccadilly in as little time as possible. Other individuals were not so fortunate; for, seeing the great concourse of equestrians, and vehicles of every imaginable variety, that almost choked up Park-lane, they ran to Cumberland-gate, in the expectation of getting through the Park. The gate, however, proved to be impracticable ; it was locked, and a chain was drawn across it. We did not see a single soldier near the place. In our way through Park-lane, we were struck with the utter solitude of the Park. We had almost said that not an individual was to be seen in it; but certain it is, that the Sunday promenaders, with whom it is usually so replete, were yesterday replaced by a small straggling party of the police horse patrol, who were riding up and down in undisputed possession. Stanhope-gate was not merely blocked up, but the iron gate was covered by a complete fencing of deal planks.\nBefore the procession reached to Hyde-park corner, every eminence between that and Knightsbridge barracks was thronged with spectators. Doorways, windows, and the tops of houses, for nearly the whole line, were crowded to excess. The footways on both sides of the road presented a dense mass of persons, as closely thronged together as it was possible for a moving mass to be. But the crowd was not confined to the footways alone : the carriage-road was so far encroached upon by pedestrians, that, at a first appearance, one would have thought it possible the funeral could pass through. As the procession advanced, however, way was made, and it came through, though in a much more compact body than it presented in any street from its first setting out.\nBefore it reached Knightsbridge barracks, every house and place, which commanded a view of that situation, was occupied. Indeed, so great was the anxiety for places from which to view the procession in that quarter, that as high as five shillings were offered for a single window- at another it was rumoured that the gates would be allowed to remain open, as they are on ordinary occasions. We were, however, very glad to find on our arrival that neither of those rumours had any foundation. For a considerable time before the arrival of the procession at the barracks, the gates were closely shut, and not a soldier was to be seen, except here and there a few who looked through the closed windows of the upper apartments. When the body of the procession was seen advancing towards Knightsbridge, some of the persons who had taken their stand in front of the barracks began to hiss and call out, “Butchers. This intemperate expression was no sooner enunciated than it was loudly condemned by the majority of the bystanders.\nMr. Sheriff Waithman was on horseback in the neighbourhood of the barracks, and exerted himself very earnestly to suppress every attempt which could lead to a breach of the peace. He was assisted in his laudable endeavours by a gentleman who acted as his Under Sheriff, and by a few other gentlemen on horseback, whose names we could not collect. Wherever the Sheriff went, he was loudly cheered by the people, who on every occasion paid the utmost attention to his orders not to disturb the peace. The first outcries against the Guards were very speedily put down. In a short time, however, they were renewed by a few individuals who had come on before the procession, but who had not been present at the previous expression of disapprobation by their predecessors. This intemperate conduct, we were happy to observe, was received with loud cries of Order, order,’ and was immediately put down. The persons who had the conducting of the procession appeared to us to be strenuously opposed to every act on the part of the surrounding thousands which could at all tend to disturb the public tranquillity.\nWe should here observe, that as soon as the first expression of disapprobation on the part of the people was evinced towards the Guards, they (the Guards) removed back from the windows through which they were seen. The greater part of them did not again make their W be properly denominated the funeral, approached close to the barracks, the utmost silence was observed; the greater part of the persons who walked arm in arm in front were uncovered, as were the majority of the by-standers. The scene at this instant was certainly very striking. Viewed from the tops of the houses in front of the barracks, the road, as far as the eye could reach on either side, was thronged as closely as it was possible for it to be by human beings congregated together. The hearses and mourning coaches had receded a little from the spot on which we stood, the parts above the wheels alone were visible, and they appeared as if floating in the midst of the thousands by which they were surrounded. From the spot of which we now speak, we do not think that the number of persons within view at both sides could have been less than from 70,000 to 80,000, though the exact numbers cannot of course be ascertained.\nFrom Knightsbridge, the procession moved on in the same order, till it reached Kensington. Here there was a halt for some moments, in consequence of the difficulty of passing through the immense multitudes which had there assembled. Not an eminence from which a view could be commanded was left unoccupied. Here also the utmost good order prevailed among the crowds who formed, as well as among those who witnessed, the procession. It was every where received in a solemn and becoming manner. It then moved on from Kensington to Hammersmith. The houses along the road were all, as elsewhere, lined with spectators, who exhibited, if not a strong, at least a decent sympathy with the melancholy pageant which was passing before them. In many places the hedges were also filled with groups of observers.\nAbout four o’clock the procession arrived at Hammersmith. The bell of the church began to toll as soon as it entered into the town, and did not cease till both the coffins were placed within its walls. The body of Francis was the first which reached the churchyard; and as soon as it arrived there, preparations were made for taking it out of the hearse. The persons who had taken part in the procession advanced first, England. It was carried by a person in deep mourning, and was followed by the supporters of the coffin, who were eight in number. A rich pall – and here again the difference between the funerals of these two poor mechanics, and that of the late Consort of the most potent monarch, George IV, presented itself to the mind – was thrown over the coffin, and thrown over it with a decency and solemnity which formed a striking contrast to the scene which was exhibited a short time before at Harwich.\nSuch of the mourners as were of the family of the deceased came next, and appeared to excite a strong interest amongst the crowds who were assembled in the church-yard. As soon as they had effected their entrance, which they did by the south gate, that gate was closed, to prevent a fresh influx of strangers upon those who were already assembled there, and who filled every inch of vacant ground that was to be found within the yard, to say nothing of the walls and trees which surround it. The clergyman, as is usual, met the corpse at the church gate, and read over it the solemn commencement of our burial service, – I am the resurrection and the life, ‘&c. &c. At that moment, as if by general consent, every head was uncovered, and not a sound was to be heard among the immense multitudes thus collected, except that of the trumpets accompanying the procession, which played a funeral psalm. The whole scene was impressive. It would be almost impossible to collect the same persons again together, and to influence them with a similar feeling with that which at that moment actuated them.\nThe coffin and its bearers proceeded at a slow pace through the midst of them, calling forth their remarks at every step. At last it reached the church porch, into which it was pre ceded by the two banners. As soon as the body of Francis had been placed on the rude kind of scaffold which was prepared in the interior of the church for its reception, orders were sent to admit into the church-yard the body of Honey, which for a few moments had been waiting at the entrance of it. It was ushered into the church with the same order and decency, and received by the people in the church-yard ‘with the same feeling, as had been evinced by them in the case of Francis. It was found, however, impossible to close the gates, which had been opened to admit this part of the procession. The wand-bearers endeavoured, but and on looking down into the chancel, we found it to be quite filled with the mourners who belonged to the family of these two unfortunate victims of military execution. The men who held the two banners which we have before noticed, placed themselves in the pew of her late Majesty, which, as well as the pulpit, was covered with black cloth, in consequence of her decease. The banners themselves, covered as they were with crapé, added to the picturesque appearance of the place, and increased the general melancholy which had been inspired by the sight of the escutcheons, between which they were ranged—those mournful memorials of departed royalty.\nOn the clergyman’s proceeding to read the impressive litany for the dead, enjoined by the Church of England, a vast, majority of the congregation drew forth their prayer-books, and followed him through it, thus giving another proof, if indeed any were wanted, that the lower orders of the people of England are not the immoral, irreligious, and infidel crew, which some of the unfeeling Pharisees of the age wish to represent them. After the funeral psalms, and that sublime and affecting chapter taken out of the first epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians, had been read, the two coffins were carried to the grave. We do not know, sand shall not pretend to conjecture, what feelings influenced the people to such conduct; but were surprised at observing the eagerness displayed by numbers, both of men and women, to touch the coffins of the deceased as they were conveyed from the church to their last home. If they had believed in the efficacy of religious relics, and had conceived the coffin to contain the bodies of some of the earliest martyrs, they could not have touched them with stronger feelings of regard and veneration. The banners accompanied them to the grave, and on earth being committed to earth, ashes to ashes, and dust to dust,’ were lowered over them in the most impressive and CAS affecting silence.\nOn the conclusion of the funeral service, the different friends of the deceased retired to the mourning coaches which were waiting for them, attended by the warmest sympathies of all present. It ought not, however, to be overlooked, that the deep grief of the children of the either with the place, or the ceremony which they had just witnessed. With this exception in the conduct of a few, and but a few individuals, every thing which passed in the church-yard was highly creditable to their moral and religious feelings, notwithstanding the efforts which some individuals made, but in vain, to create a disturbance among the populace during the time that the funeral was in the church.\nAs soon as the motion of the mourning coaches made it known to the multitudes who were collected in the streets of Hammersmith, that the funeral was over, they began to turn their steps towards the metropolis. It was evident from their orderly conduct on the road to Hammersmith, that unless some irritation was given to them by the appearance of the Life Guards at Knightsbridge barracks, nothing would occur tó disturb the general peace and tranquillity which had prevailed on their whole line of march during the day. Mr. Sheriff Waithman, who, as our readers will have seen, had been most actively and successfully employed during the whole advance of the procession in using his influence to soothe the irritated feelings of the people, posted himself, and such of the posse comitatus as he had thought proper to call out, opposite to the barracks, in order that he might, if possible, prevail upon them to dispense with those expressions of indignation against the Life Guards, which the people thought, justly or unjustly, that the conduct of that corps on a recent occasion had richly merited.\nAbout six o’clock a numerous group of soldiers planted themselves in a most conspicuous position before, the front gates of their barrack, and appeared by their behaviour to be challenging the attention of the passengers to their bold and undaunted demeanour. Mr. Sheriff Waithman, observing the manner in which they had ranged themselves on the footpath, along which a great part of the crowd were certain to walk in their return from Hammersmith, rode up to them, and requested them to withdraw from the conspicuous position in which they had placed themselves. The soldiers replied that they had a right to stand in the position which they then occupied, and declared their resolution of not moving from it. Mr. Sheriff Waithman then said to them, that he did not mean to insist, as he was justified in doing, upon their complying with his desire to remove from the footpath; that his sole anxiety was to preserve the public peace; and to effect that it been complied with in the first instance, would have indisputably prevented all the commotion which afterwards ensued, the soldiers persisted in retaining their station. The worthy Sheriff then asked them to give him the name of their commanding officer, that he might communicate with him upon the subject. To that proposition the soldiers, at whose head was either a corporal or a serjeant, gave a most unqualified refusal. Mr. Waithman made, however, another attempt to effect his object. He sent two or three of his officers into the barracks to find out the gentleman in command of the regiment, and ordered them to deliver his respectful compliments to him, and to state how expedient it would be to withdraw the military from the view of the populace. If the report of the officers is to be believed, the answer which they got from the officer to whom they delivered the Sheriff’s message was, “Tell Mr. Waithman, your Sheriff, he may go and be damned; my men shall stay where they are; I will not consent to have them made prisoners of.’ The import of this answer got’ spread among the people, and did not tend to a spirit of conciliation between them and the soldiers.\nDifferent groups kept arriving from Hammersmith with feelings strongly excited by the melancholy fate of Francis and Honey. The news of this answer was not calculated to repress that natural irritation under which they laboured. The worthy Sheriff saw this; and in consequence went up to the gate of the barracks, and said to the men, “As your commanding officer will not give you the orders which appear to me to be necessary to preserve the public peace, I, as Sheriff of the county, to whom the King’s peace in that county is intrusted, take upon myself to act as your commanding officer, and order you to retire this moment within the barracks. If not, I shall look upon you as responsible for all the fatal consequences which may ensue from your obstinacy and perverseness. This was said in the presence of several individuals, both civil and military. The soldiers murmured, but at last reluctantly, and after considerable delay, withdrew within the gates. The people immediately gave Alderman Waithman three cheers. Shortly after this point had been soldiers, who had collected themselves in the windows of their respective apartments, laughed at them, in many cases most loudly, and, in several, shook their fists at the parties surrounding them. The populace retorted the insult by calling them. Piccadilly butchers, cowardly cut-throats, &c., and no longer confined themselves to hissing and hooting. Mr. Sheriff Waithman, whilst this scene was transacting, was riding up and down with his Under Sheriff, endeavouring to mollify the anger of the people. By threatening the more violent spirits that he would order his officers to seize them in case he saw them insult the soldiery, and by using milder arguments to the more peaceably inclined, he succeeded to a certain degree in accomplishing his object. The seeds of disturbance had, however, been sown among the people, and though his presence prevented them from striking deep root, they sprung up with greater vigour as soon as he retired.\nStones at last began to be thrown by both parties, and so simultaneously, that it would be difficult to decide which were the aggressors. In less than two or three minutes after the commencement of this distant warfare, several of the soldiers climbed over the wall into the street, and made an attack on the people, who, as we were informed by a respectable witness, though we certainly did not see the fact ourselves, were maltreating a drunken Life Guardsman, who was staggering through the streets to his quarters. A general engagement ensued between this man’s comrades (some of whom were armed with bludgeons, but none at this time with swords) and the multitude. The success was various; but during the barracks perceived that their friends were defeated, and immediately issued forth armed, some with swords, and others with carbines, to assist them.\nIt was at that exact moment that we ourselves became eye-witnesses of the scene, and we conceived, and are still inclined to conceive, that it was at this moment that the affray really commenced. It was a frightful spectacle. Soldiers, some dressed, some in their undress, were seen bursting out of the gates of their barracks, clambering over its walls, and rushing, with drawn swords and infuriated looks, into the midst of the unarmed multitude. Others were throwing stones and brickbats into the street from their private rooms, in much greater quantities than were thrown from the street. We saw several people around us struck by them. Some of the people now began to fly from the unequal contest which they were waging, but others stood up to the Guards, in spite of their superiority of offensive weapons, with the most undaunted fortitude.\nBlood was flowing on both sides pretty freely, when Mr. Sheriff Waithman, in whose absence this tumult had occurred, rode up to the scene of action, and in the very throng of the contention. He endeavoured to part the combatants, who were then fighting at that end of the barracks which is nearest to Hyde-park. Not succeeding immediately in his efforts, he turned back his horse, and was riding on the foot-path towards the front gate of the barracks, out of which the men armed and unarmed kept continually issuing. As he was going along, he found another party scuffling with the military. He immediately ordered them to desist, and contrived to separate the corporal or sergeant, with whom he had been before conversing at the gate, and who, from the conversation which he had held with him, must have known him as the Sheriff-a point that is material to keep in mind_from the conflict in which he was engaging. The worthy Sheriff immediately desired him to return to his quarters and to induce his companions to return; the answer which the man made him was to slip aside and knock down an individual who was standing near him. Still the Sheriff attempted to persuade him to retire, and whilst he was doing so, a young officer, in plain clothes, came up, and, if we saw rightly, attempted to shoulder the Sheriff off the foot-path. The seeing this outrage, and immediately seized the Sheriff’s horse by the bridle, saying to him, “Damn you, I’ll soon show you the way off the foot-path. Mr. Waithman, around whom there were no more than five or six of his officers, all of whom were struck and wounded by the military, seeing himself thus assaulted, hit the individual thus wilfully impeding him in the discharge of his ministerial duties, a heavy blow on the top of the cap with a riding stick which he had in his hand. The blow stunned the man, but others of his comrades forced the Sheriff and his horse into the middle of the street.\nImmediately afterwards every person who witnessed the transaction, either from the streets or the neighbouring houses, must have expected to have seen Mr. Waithman murdered. Two or three ruffians–for they deserve not the name of soldiers—ran at him with their pointed swords; his officers turned them aside; another was seen at the same moment, after having first deliberately taken a cartridge out of his pouch, and primed and loaded his carbine, to place it against his shoulder, and to take deliberate aim at the worthy Alderman. Whilst the carbine was in that situation, a Sheriff’s officer of the name of Levi, ran up, and knocked the ruffian down. The struggle continued a few minutes afterwards, and then suddenly closed, the men retiring, as we understood, by the command of their officers to the barracks.\nThe Sheriff was then fully occupied in calming the spirits of the enraged multitude, many of whom, even while the struggle was at the hottest, applied to him to know whether they had a right to repel the brutal force which was brought against them, adding, that, if they had, and he would lead them on, they were ready to die by his side. Of course, the Sheriff’s answer to these applications, was an injunction to those who made them to keep themselves quiet, and disperse. That, however, was advice not always very palatable ; for the irritation which these events had excited in the minds of the people was not likely to cease immediately. They stayed, therefore, for a considerable time before the barracks, hooting the military, and loading them with every term of vituperation that the English language could afford them. The women who were in the streets, and who had used towards them. This circumstance rendered it necessary for the Sheriff to remain riding up and down the road till nearly eight o’clock, to prevent the accumulation of crowds before the barracks. This he was at last enabled to accomplish, partly by threats, and partly by the influence which his conduct in the affray with the Life Guards had given him with the multitude. By eight o’clock the streets about Knightsbridge were comparatively cleared, and it did not appear that any interruption of the public tranquillity occurred, save that which has been just recorded. : Fortunately, there was not any person mortally wounded in this affray; though several of the people received heavy contusions, and some severe cuts. Several of the Guards were bleeding copiously from the nose and mouth, when they were called into their quarters.”\n(from A Correct, Full, and Impartial Report, of the Trial of Her Majesty, Caroline, Queen Consort of Great Britain, Before the House of Peers, On the Bill of Pains and Penalties – Queen Caroline (consort of George IV, King of Great Britain), John Adolphus\nA memorial stone was built to Richard Honey and George Francis in St Paul’s Churchyard, Hammersmith, after collections taken in pubs all over London.\nThe memorial reads:\nHere lie interred the mortal remains of\nRichard Honey, Carpenter,\naged 36 years, and of\nGeorge Francis, Bricklayer, aged 43 years,\nwho were slain on the 14th August, 1821, while attending the\nfuneral of Caroline, of Brunswick,\nQueen of England\nThe details of that melancholy event\nBelong to the history of the country\nIn which they will be recorded\nTogether with the public opinion\nDecidedly expressed relative to the\nDisgraceful transactions\nOf that disastrous day\nDeeply impressed with their fate\nUnmerited and unavenged\nTheir respective trades interred them\nAt their general expence [sic]\nOn the 24th of the same month\nto their memory.\nRichard Honey left one female orphan.\nGeorge Francis left a widow and three young children.\nVictims like these have fallen in every age\nStretch of pow’r or party’s cruel rage\nUntil even handed justice comes at last\nTo amend the future and avenge the past\nTheir friends and fellow-men lament their doom\nProtect their orphans, and erect their tomb.\nThis stone is still visible in the Churchyard…\nToday in London striking history, 1966: A series of guerilla strikes begin at the ENV Engineering Works, Willesden\nPosted on July 20 by mudlark121\nE.N.V. was an early manufacturer of aircraft engines, originally called the London and Parisian Motor Company, their first model appearing in 1908. E.N.V. engines were used by several pioneer aircraft builders and were produced in both France and the UK until about 1914. They subsequently specialised in camshafts and bevel gear manufacture.\nThe castings and forgings for its engines were made in Sheffield where the company was originally based, then taken to France for assembly. The reason for this was that there was much more aeronautical activity in France than in England in 1908, but the French were taxing imported machinery.\nThe French works were in Courbevoie in the Paris suburbs. By 1909 there was more aviation activity in England and E.N.V. decided to begin full manufacture at home, at Willesden, North London. At that time a separate company was formed to produce the aero-engines in Willesden,\nIn 1964 ENV became part of the Eaton, Yale and Towne group, losing its identity in 1968: the Willesden Works closed in the same year.\nENV’s works in Willesden became a hotbed of rank and file union activity, which peaked in a series of strikes in 1966.\nMilitancy in the factory is discussed in this article, written at the time of the campaign against the works’ closure, in late 1967.\n@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@\nA Working-Class Defeat: The ENV Story\n(Winter 1967/68)\nJoyce Rosser & Colin Barker\nNicked from International Socialism (1st series), No.31,Winter 1967/68, pp.21-32.\nAuthors’ intro: We are grateful to the shop stewards of ENV and to others in the North London labour movement who gave us so much of their time and help in writing this article. None of them will agree with\neverything we say, and we should like to pay tribute to them for their patience with us. All responsibility for this article must necessarily be ours.\nWe hope we have not done them too great an injustice.\nBefore the Attack\nThe initial emergence of ENV as a militant factory seems to have taken place in the period after the War, and particularly in the latter years of the Labour Government. In the context of a Government wage freeze, supported by the great majority of union executives, shop-floor action in support of local wage claims gradually developed.\nUnder a predominantly Communist Party leadership, the factory had a whole series of small stoppages, go-slows, overtime bans, etc. In general these actions were successful, and there was little managerial resistance to shop-floor demands, provided that the stewards and workers backed these up with action or the threat of action. The workers themselves were prepared to go on strike, as experience had shown that the strike-weapon was both effective and relatively speedy in operation.\nIn November 1951, however, there was a more serious dispute. One of the shop stewards wished to have a meeting with the works manager, but a foreman refused to arrange this. When the convenor, Bill McLoughlin, took this up with the management the foreman physically threatened him. The factory struck, demanding the foreman’s removal. This strike lasted 13 weeks, and ended with a Government-appointed Court of Inquiry. The issue was one of some importance, for it was the first time that so explicit a challenge had been made to the management’s own prerogatives of choosing their staff. There is some dispute as to whether this was in fact a good issue on which to lead a protracted strike. It is unlikely that, if the men had realised quite how protracted the struggle would be, they would have agreed to go on strike over this issue, in the absence of a long period of preparation, agitation, etc on the issue of managerial functions in the months before the stoppage. The experience of the previous few years had led them to suppose that all strikes would be brief, and no attempt was made to point out to them that no management was likely to give in as easily on an issue of this kind, intimately touching as it did their power within the factory. On the other hand, the strike was over a question of trade-union principle, and this was the central issue. In this connection, it is possible that the Communist Party at this time were anxious to have strikes called in the motor industry, in line with current WFTU (World Federation of Trade Unions, the Communist Trade Union international) policy, and that the Communist stewards at ENV were to a degree more concerned with having a strike than with the principle of the thing.\nThe strike was made official, after six weeks, and then only by the AEU (Amalgamated Engineering Union). The T&GWU (Transport and General Workers’ Union), however, decided to pay strike-pay to its members, although it did not recognise the strike. Only a small proportion of the strike fund, which amounted in all to some £14,000 by the end of the strike, came from the official unions; the majority of the funds came from factory collections organised by the ENV stewards themselves, not only in the North London area, but all over Britain. Teams went out to Birmingham, the West of England, Scotland, etc, and it was largely through the efforts of the strike committee in organising their own financial support that the strike was maintained for so long. One interesting feature of this collection was the fact that it was by no means from the largest, or reputedly most ‘militant’ factories that the greatest support came: Fords of Dagenham gave the ENV stewards only £25, and the Austin factory at Longbridge gave only £50.\nIn about the tenth week, the strike began to crumble a little, as about 100 of the men went back to work. (Up to the tenth week at most half a dozen had blacklegged.) In the 13th week the Court of Inquiry reported, and recommended that there should be a return to work on the following terms: that the foreman should be removed from any contact with trade unionists, and that McLoughlin, the convenor, should be replaced in the post by another steward. The strike committee decided to accept these terms, with one dissenting voice (who urged that it was for the stewards and not a capitalist court to elect the convenor).\nThe obvious candidate for the post of convenor among the remaining stewards was the deputy convenor, Sid Wise, an ex-member of the Trotskyist Revolutionary Communist Party, and for a short time, with Gerry Healy, a member of the Socialist Outlook group. The Communist Party stewards, however, not wanting a Trotskyist convenor, proposed in his place Harry Ford. Much later Harry Ford was appointed safety and security officer by ENV, and was sacked in the summer of 1967 after he had played his part in the breaking of militant organisation in the factory (feeling against him after his promotion to management was considerable: one of his jobs was the setting of traps round the factory to catch the numerous cats that infested the place, and workers went around releasing the cats. Harry Ford complained of ‘lack of cooperation.’)\nThe two years after this big strike found the rank and file in the factory much more reluctant to take strike action. Until 1950-51 ENV had held a virtual monopoly in the manufacture of gears but from then on the car manufacturers (Austin and Morris in particular) started to make their own and the ENV management, fighting for a place in new markets, toughened their attitude.\nFrom 1953 to the end of 1957 there were numerous strikes, almost without exception confined to particular sections of the factory. The most important activity during this period was the formulation of an eleven-point plan for fighting redundancy. This plan, whose main architect was Sid Wise, provided for a sliding scale of demands. It was discussed on a number of occasions at factory meetings in the middle of this period, and was accepted by the men as their policy on redundancy. It was not to be put to the test, however, until 1957.\nA little before Christmas, 1957, the management informed the stewards that they would have to make ten per cent of the workforce redundant. The stewards were extremely concerned about the situation: it was just before the holiday period, the motor industry as a whole was in difficulties, and they were extremely doubtful about their ability to fight the management on this issue. True, they had a plan for dealing with redundancy, but although the men had given their support to the eleven-point plan in a period of prosperity, there had been doubt about it. Many of the men had felt that, although the plan was a good one, the management could not really be expected to pay a man for doing nothing.\nAt a factory meeting, however, when the stewards informed the men about the position, there was a demand from the men themselves that the stewards remember ‘our eleven-point plan.’ Many of them argued that it was better at least to ‘have a go with the plan,’ since there was nothing to lose anyway. The meeting instructed Geoff Carlsson, recently elected as convenor, to inform the management that they would not accept redundancy.\nWhen Carlsson told Mr Pailing, the senior manager, that the men would not accept redundancy and that there would be a major strike if the management sacked anyone, Pailing walked out in a rage. The stewards told him that the furnaces would be closed down, and, after Pailing’s anger, fully expected to find next morning that the gates were locked against them. However, the management clearly decided that they would box clever, and informed the stewards that it was now their problem, and they would have to solve it themselves. Effectively this meant that the stewards would have to reorganise a considerable part of the production-arrangements, and the management no doubt expected that this would frighten the stewards into acceptance. They were unlucky.\nThe stewards’ committee accepted the responsibility and began the process of reorganisation. The men were put on to four and four-and-a-half day weeks, and were transferred from departments where there was a shortage of work to departments with enough to do. It took several months to sort the whole factory out, and the reorganisation was a process of continual improvisation. Although the reorganisation led to a certain amount of tension and jealousy, since it proved impossible to guarantee that everyone would suffer the same degree of inconvenience, the factory did stay united for nine months. For the whole of this period, although a number of men left voluntarily because of the work shortage, not one man was made redundant.\nThere was one incident which illustrated some of the conflicts and problems. Some men were supposed to be moved into one department, but the three men already working refused to accept them. Havelock, the manager, approached the stewards and asked them what they intended to do about their ‘three brothers.’ Carlsson told Havelock that he would either have to listen to the three men, or listen to the whole factory: if the three would not cooperate, then the management would have to sack them. This was done. As soon as the three men had been sacked, the stewards demanded that they be given a second chance. The three were visited and invited back to the factory; one refused, and two returned. This must be one of the few cases in which stewards have, in pursuit of a militant line, had men sacked; the essential thing in this case being, of course, that circumstances had turned the reorganisation itself into a dispute, and failure to cooperate with the majority was equivalent to crossing a picket-line.\nThe struggle over redundancy had several implications. Firstly, this was a period of fairly widespread struggles over redundancy. At BMC in the summer of 1956 there had been a strike over mass sackings. The labour movement was actively discussing policies for redundancy in various ways. Within the AEU, Communist Party militants were fighting for the acceptance of a rather dubious ‘right to work’ policy, whose principal demand was that workers should be retained on a firm’s books until ‘suitable alternative employment’ had been found for them; this rather legalistic approach left unanswered the whole question of what was ‘suitable’ and what was ‘alternative.’ In this general context the example of ENV stood out as one of the very few factories in which redundancy was actually fought successfully; managements in other local factories found that their stewards were less amenable, and were quoting the ENV example when sackings were demanded.\nSecondly, the way the struggle had been conducted raised, although in only a partial way, issues of workers’ control within the factory. ENV management had to accept a situation for nine months in which the workers’ shop-floor representatives took over control of manning scales in the different shops, and organised production within the factory to an extent previously unheard of. It should be noted that this was done without any of the blueprints for workers’ control that are currently being offered on the Left, but was a process of continual improvisation in response to concrete problems in the factory.\nThirdly, the lesson was not lost on management. As we shall see below, when the ENV management finally set about the systematic destruction of the stewards’ committee they at no time attempted to remove the stewards on the pretext of a redundancy, for they knew that if redundancy were threatened the men would fight it. Given the history of the factory, the management’s choice of weapon – the (completely false) assertion that they were going to close the factory down – becomes more comprehensible.\nTowards the end of 1958 trade picked up again and there was a return to the earlier pattern of national wage claims and disputes. In 1959 the stewards attempted to bring the factory together for a unified wage claim. The pattern of wage advances within the factory up to that time had been uneven, each shop fighting by itself for its own particular claims, and the whole factory’s wages going up by fits and starts through a process of leapfrogging and comparisons. The stewards, fearing the effects of differentials among the workers, proposed that the factory should fight as a whole, but at a factory meeting a majority of the men turned this idea down.\nSix of the most militant shops then went out on strike on their own, in support of their own wage claims. This was not especially successful, since the balance of forces within the factory was now altered: the six most militant departments were outside the gates, and the weaker ones were still inside. As was traditional, the labourers immediately blacked all the work from the six shops on strike. There then arose a division on the stewards’ committee (composed for the occasion of the stewards from the shops remaining inside the gate). The majority of the stewards unfortunately argued that the question of blacking should be put to a factory meeting; the minority of militants urged that this was not necessary, since the labourers were already, on their own initiative, blacking the six shops’ work. But the majority argument was carried, and at a factory meeting (not including the men from the six shops) the blacking was rejected. The labourers then began handling the work again, and, with the factory’s strength evaporating rapidly, the men from the six militant shops had to make the best settlements they could.\nTwo years later there was again a similar danger that the factory might be divided. Under the National Agreements in the engineering industry piece-workers are supposed to be able to make an average minimum bonus of 45 per cent, or about 8£d per hour. In fact this agreement is completely out of date, at least for all but the most backward factories. At ENV average bonuses ranged from six to eight shillings an hour. But the existence of the agreement provided the ENV workers with a handy weapon; when working a go-slow they could justifiably argue that they were fulfilling the terms of the National Agreements and making the requisite 45 per cent bonus. The tactic was known as ‘working time-work.’\nIn the grinding shop a go-slow of this kind ran for a number of weeks. The grinding shop was of some importance in the factory’s production flow, and there were pile-ups of work from some departments and shortages in others. The action of one shop could seriously disrupt production throughout the factory, and this could easily create resentment, especially when, as in this case, the grinders were among the highest-paid groups already. In cases like these there was usually a certain amount of grumbling among the men in other shops, although it must be added that this grumbling never actually stopped them from giving the required support. Faced with the grinders’ protracted go-slow, and refusing to meet their demand for more money, the management approached Sir William Carron, president of the AEU, who informed the stewards that they must abide by National Agreements. The stewards’ answer was that they were abiding by these agreements, but Carron replied – in the spirit if not the letter of what the employers had intended – that the grinding shop must resume normal production. The stewards ignored this instruction. As the pile-ups and shortages continued, the rest of the factory decided to go on ‘time work’ as well: At this the management put out a notice stating that the grinding shop must resume normal working by 11 a.m. that day, or be sent home, and that the rest of the factory had until 2 p.m. to return to normal working, or be clocked out.\nWhen these ultimatums were ignored, the whole factory was in fact clocked out. On the stewards’ instructions the men stayed at work. The foremen refused to give them any work-cards, so the men simply carried on with the jobs that were already in the shops. This went on for several days, with the management pretending that it had no workers, and the factory buzzing with activity. No wages were paid, and no record was kept of times on jobs. After a few days the management decided to come to terms, reached a settlement with the grinders and paid the whole factory back pay at a standard, consolidated time rate.\nAn ‘organised’ factory\nThe above stories should make it clear that ENV was a highly organised factory from the trade-union point of view. Although there is always the danger of exaggeration, it seems clear, that it was one of the best-organised in the London area. It was the very fact of its high level of organisation, indeed, that was responsible for the major managerial offensive that developed there over the years 1962 to 1967.\nIn calling ENV an ‘organised’ or ‘militant’ factory one or two things have to be borne in mind. In the first place, the organisation was developed by the stewards and the men within the factory, with very little reference to the official union structure outside. The union outside was of very little importance; indeed, in general the stewards only had recourse to the union officials as a ‘face-saver.’ In situations where a return to work was necessary at the end of a dispute, and there was little possibility of going back on the terms the stewards and men wanted, then the officials might well be called in, to advise the men to go back. In this way the officials rather than the stewards would carry the blame for the element of ‘defeat.’\nSecondly, one of the most important aspects of its ‘militancy’ as a factory was ENV’s readiness to help other sections of the labour movement who were in dispute. The stewards claim – not without justification – that the first place in London to which workers would turn for help was the ENV stewards’ committee. Any group of workers coming to ENV could be assured of an immediate donation from the stewards’ funds, and in a number of cases there were regular collections taken on the shop floor in support of disputes in other factories. Some of these collections were very considerable. During the 13-week strike at British Light Steel Pressings, Acton, in 1961, for instance, collections taken among the 1,100 workers at ENV amounted to over £1,500. During the strike of predominantly coloured workers at Marriott’s in Southall in 1963 a weekly collection of a shilling a head was maintained for 30 weeks – amounting to £1,717, or 18 per cent of the national total contribution.\nThis readiness to help other workers in dispute contrasted strongly with other so-called ‘militant’ factories in which assistance, particularly on this kind of scale, is very much the exception, or is subject to various conditions and qualifications. Mention has already been made of the poor response from a number of factories during the 1951 strike at ENV itself. One of the stewards, at that time a CP member, recounts how he visited the Austin factory at Longbridge and was only able to persuade the convenor there to help the ENV workers when he produced his Party card. During the Marriott strike, indeed, this kind of political exclusiveness led to serious divisions among groups within the Party itself. Due to the involvement of the Socialist Labour League in the dispute, the Southall District Committee, under CP influence, would do nothing to help the strike, declaring it ‘Trotskyite.’ And when Reg Birch and Bill McLoughlin of the London Committee (also Party members) wished to do something to help the Marriott strikers, they were verbally attacked by the Southall Committee. [1] At ENV, although there were serious disagreements over the way the strike was conducted, differences of this kind did not at any time inhibit the basic principle of solidarity with other workers in dispute. Even after it was felt that the strike should have been called off, ENV stewards and workers took part in the Marriott demonstrations, contributed to the strike fund, etc.\nThirdly, and most important, the term ‘well organised’ within the factory refers especially to the relationship that was built up and maintained between the workers and their stewards. Throughout the whole history of the factory this relationship was one of close support. Had this not been so, it is difficult to see how the 1957-58 fight against redundancy could have been kept up. Workers would not take orders from their foremen without reference to their stewards. On average a full meeting of the factory in the works canteen was held at least once a fortnight. What is more important, the calling of factory meetings was something decided by the stewards themselves without reference to management. In fact there was an agreement with the management to the effect that in the event of anyone working during a factory meeting they would not be paid wages. This came about as a result of a threat not to start work after a meeting if anyone had been working. As soon as an issue arose, a meeting would be called; there was no question of delaying a meeting to suit the convenience of the management or their production schedules. In effect, therefore, the very calling of a meeting amounted to a stoppage of production. Through this use of regular meetings the membership in the factory was kept fully informed of all developments in negotiations with management, and their feelings were communicated directly to the stewards. Thus the all too common phenomenon of a stewards’ committee that adopts a militant posture towards management but loses contact with its rank and file was avoided.\nThe stewards too met frequently. Apart from numerous ad hoc meetings on particular issues, there were regular meetings twice a week of the entire stewards’ committee. These meetings took place on Tuesdays at lunchtime and again after work. Unlike many other engineering factories, it was the policy of the ENV committee to refuse payment from the management for time spent at stewards’ meetings, apart from one hour’s wages every other Tuesday evening when the meeting began an hour before the normal working day ended. (This is a small point, but there are many factories where the stewards do, in a sense, gain material advantage from their positions: they receive payment for time spent at meetings, often after other workers have gone home; they perhaps administer overalls-cleaning schemes and receive a small payment for this. At ENV this kind of practice, which can tend to divide the steward from his ‘constituents,’ was rigorously opposed by the stewards themselves.)\nAll the various aspects of ‘organisation,’ of course, have a serious purpose: better wages and conditions. And at ENV wages were higher than elsewhere in the North London District, considerably higher than the District average and probably above the level in any other organised factory in the area. In February 1967, when the chairman and convenor were sacked, the average skilled man’s pay for a 40-hour week was just under £28. Like other militant factories, the atmosphere on the shop floor was very friendly. Also, ENV was probably unique in the engineering industry in that women workers got the same pay as men. One sign of the good conditions in the factory was the remarkably low rate of labour turnover: in the late 1950s the management told the stewards that on average 6 men a month were leaving (a rate of 6 per cent a year) of whom the majority were labourers. Of the others who left, most went because they were retiring or moving to another district. In fact the rate of labour turnover, most unusually, was higher among the clerical and administrative staff, and among the management themselves than it was among the men on the shop floor. There can be no doubt at all that militancy at ENV, as elsewhere, paid off in terms of good wages and conditions.\nAt no time did the stewards meet the management on any kind of formal ‘works committee’ with an agenda laid down by the management. All notions of joint production committees’ and other similar devices to get the workers’ representatives to take responsibility for the failures of capitalist production were strongly resisted as ‘stooge’ committees. Moreover, within the factory there were no rate-fixers allowed; in some departments there were even agreements totally banning the use of stop watches. The management had production departments and production advisers and other similar machinery of control, but in point of fact it was generally the men on the shop floor themselves who determined the amount and speed of production. To some degree this exists in every workshop, but at ENV this type of embryonic control was developed to quite a high degree: the workers had established tight ceilings on their earnings, which they varied as they saw fit, so that they could easily be used as sanctions against the management in case of dispute. At one point the management claimed that 55 per cent of the workers in the factory were on what was termed ‘dispute production.’\nIn the kind of environment that developed over the years at ENV, in which managerial control over a whole range of issues connected with discipline, production and so forth was hopelessly ineffective, it became possible for individual workers to develop their own special side-lines in open view of the management (some of whom did not even realise what was happening). Thus one man in the factory spent a large part of his time mending watches and clocks for his own customers – who included members of the management – while receiving a high average wage from the firm for his long hours of non-production. A labourers’ rest room gradually developed into a full-scale cafe, complete with a bar, tea-urn and sandwiches. In another part of the factory there was a highly organised cut-price shop. Proprietary rights to these ‘informal institutions’ were passed on from generation to generation. And one legendary worker had a dispute with his foreman, in the course of which he announced that he was not going to work for ENV any more. He came to work each day for six months, but for the whole of that time did nothing at all for the firm, spending his time making fancy metal goods for his mates. The wretched foreman let it pass for a couple of days, but then found that he could do nothing out of fear of his superiors. The possibilities for workers who wish to exploit the contradictions of bureaucracy are enormous! Another worker, who had been on a go slow the preceding week, refused to go home for his holidays without his correct pay, locked himself in the shop stewards’ room and phoned the national press. The management pleaded with him to come out, but he refused, and finally the money was pushed to him through a small hole in the window.\nThere were many more stories of small individual struggles against the management at the factory, as no doubt every other factory has its stories; what is important about them is that the majority would have been impossible without: a background of a very high level of organisation and control within the factory by the workers and their stewards.\nProblems of Organisation\nThe very fact of having a militant factory creates new problems for the shop stewards. In the first place, there is a constant tendency for the majority of the workers to assume that the situation is a stable one and to depend on their stewards for everything. This attitude threatens the whole strength of union organisation in a factory, which hangs on the maintenance of a continuous pattern of mutual interdependence between workers and stewards. Faced with a foreman attempting to get him to do something he did not want to do, a worker would immediately take the problem to his steward without attempting to handle it first himself. Stewards were relied on to help with all manner of personal problems, the writing of letters, marital questions and so forth. Much of this of course is a sign of the worker’s trust in his steward, but at the same time if it develops too far it tends to separate the stewards from the men as a special race apart.\nMaintaining a high degree of organisation, and keeping the initiative in dealings with management, is not a simple matter of just going around ‘being militant’ but requires strategy and continual adaptation. No stewards who wish to maintain their organisation intact can afford to fight on every small issue that comes up for fear of wasting their strength and alienating sections of the factory. Issues for struggle have to be selected to some degree, and estimates made continually of relative strengths and weaknesses. Where, as happens all the time in a highly organised factory in a period of relative working-class political inactivity, workers ‘lean’ on the union there is a constant danger that the essentially fragile strength of the stewards vis-à-vis the management may be exposed. And this kind of problem is endemic. At ENV, for instance, there was a shop in which the men regularly finished work three quarters of an hour early, cleaned up the shop and then stood about waiting for the hooter with their coats on, deliberately provoking the management. The management knew very well that the men had finished their work for the day, and appealed to the stewards to get the men, not to carry on working, but to pretend that they were! On rare occasions men would come in drunk – an open invitation to the management to discipline them – and the stewards would have to get the other workers to keep them concealed until they had sobered up. Again, a rather unpopular worker urinated on the bins of work outside his shop instead of going to the lavatory, and was sacked. The stewards, feeling quite unable to call a strike over the man’s sacking, pleaded for suspension as an appropriate measure, and were relieved when the management agreed to alter the sacking to a suspension.\nNone of this in any way implies a weakness on the part of the ENV stewards: any militant, acting in a non-revolutionary situation, has to estimate all the time precisely how far he can push without exposing his weaknesses; an unimaginative excess of ‘militancy’ can weaken an organisation quite as much as the lack of it.\nThere are also various problems concerning relations between groups of workers within the one factory. Differentials are one: although the stewards resisted attempts to widen differentials, it was much more difficult to get them narrowed. Yet the existence of differentials can weaken the fighting capacity of a factory. If a highly paid shop goes on strike there is a danger that others in lower-paid departments will resent the cut-backs in production that follow, even though the higher-paid group are opening the way for further wage claims for the rest of the factory. Over the period from 1950 to 1965 differentials were probably maintained, more or less, in percentage terms, and of course widened quite considerably in cash terms. It must be noted, however, that this potential source of division, although it did on occasion lead to grumbling, did not at any time actually lead to serious divisions in the factory when one section needed support. For the whole of the period, some shops stayed in front of some of the others. In particular, the Hard Test shop were earning a significantly higher wage than the rest; they had a unique agreement whereby the whole shop’s wage was determined by one man’s production – with the result that whenever there was a dispute, all the men but one could go slow, cutting production by 80 per cent without loss of pay, while the one man maintained their earnings level by ‘highly organised scabbing!’ The management tried for years to get this agreement annulled, but without success. Although percentage differentials were not permitted to increase, attempts to reduce them were not very successful. The holiday bonus was changed from a differential to flat-rate system at a factory meeting, but generally it was not possible to overcome the feeling of the ‘skilled’ men (many of whom were in fact up-graded) that their differentials should be maintained. At the same time, the ENV factory did have an unusually high proportion of up-graded men, and the stewards never accepted the argument, regrettably still all too popular among some sections of the Left, that ‘skilled’ men had to have their position especially protected, at the cost of other sections of the class.\nWithin the AEU and other engineering unions there is, formally, a rule that overtime must not exceed 30 hours a month. This is a rule which is much more honoured in the breach, even in the majority of the organised factories. At ENV it was fairly rigidly adhered to, on the grounds that higher pay should be won through negotiations and not through extra work. The stewards won an agreement with the management whereby, if one man was asked to work overtime, the whole factory was immediately guaranteed three full months’ work. No evening or Sunday overtime at all was permitted, nor was overtime on the night shift. This policy tended on occasion to cause some dissent, especially among the labourers, who compared the hours they were permitted to work with the hours worked by labourers in other local factories. During overtime bans it was the labourers in particular who had to bear the brunt, but still the stewards insisted that if the labourers wanted more money they ought to win it by bar-gaming. The labourers were fortunate in their stewards, however, and their rates were higher than those obtaining in other local factories; thus the unity of the factory was never seriously impaired by this potential division.\nDespite the fact that on many occasions the strength of the organisation within ENV was available to help other sections of workers in dispute, it would be a mistake to imagine that the ENV stewards were very popular in other factories. They were admired for the level of their organisation and militancy, certainly, but at the same time this admiration was touched with a degree of jealousy among less successful militants in other factories, a problem that was compounded by political differences between the leading elements among the ENV stewards (in the latter days) and the majority of the District Committee. They made several attempts to get a representative on to the District Committee, but on each occasion were blocked for political reasons. When they succeeded in getting Ron Johnson on, he was virtually isolated by other delegates for most of the time. When the final battle was joined by the management, there were reports of local militants remarking, ‘It serves them right. They were too greedy.’ Thus, through no wish of their own, the ENV stewards were really quite isolated from other local militants. Such a position of isolation is especially dangerous for a highly organised factory like ENV, which tended to stand out for local managements like a sore thumb. In the North London area, ENV was something of a symbol to all the enemies of militant factory organisation, not only the local managements and the Government but the union bureaucracies as well.\nThus for some time it was apparent that sooner or later the management at ENV, with the backing of other local employers, the majority of the AEU executive and others, would initiate action against the ENV organisation. The same thing had happened at other organised factories in the London area: the British Light Steel Pressings strike in 1961 and the Ford debacle in the winter of 1962-63 were the most obvious examples. There is a danger, therefore, in such a situation that the stewards will grow over-confident, over-estimate their actual strength and work on the assumption that they will be able to hold the situation in the factory static for as long as they like. This very much bothered a couple of the stewards’ committee, Carlsson and Hogan, who were convinced that sooner or later they would have to accept some form of increased productivity, if only to avoid a major management offensive against their whole position. Carlsson and Hogan did, therefore, work out a serious plan for presentation to the management, which would allow for the introduction of new work methods, etc, while keeping the advantage with the stewards. The cardinal point of the plan was a proposal to reduce differentials and demand a higher consolidated rate in such a manner that the lower-paid workers would get much larger rises than the higher-paid. The plan was worked out in the explicit expectation of an attack by the management, and rested on the recognition that some kind of change was inevitable. What mattered was that the stewards should anticipate the management and seek to keep such changes under their control. However, when Carlsson and Hogan presented their ideas to the stewards’ committee, the plan was turned down with very little discussion; the stewards most vocal against it (calling it a ‘sell-out’) were in fact the least politically aware of the stewards, and also the least militant.\nGiven the failure of this attempt to control the pace of change within the factory, it became almost inevitable that the management would initiate some kind of attack on the stewards. The form that it took was not however arrived at all of a sudden: the managements (who changed with great rapidity over the period 1964-66) tried a number of approaches without success before they worked out the final formula that led to the defeat of the ENV organisation. It is worth remarking in general, however, that in a factory which is both more highly organised than other local factories (and in which wage costs are consequently higher than elsewhere, and management control weaker) and which is isolated more or less from the rest of the local labour movement, the management is bound, sooner or later, to demand changes. The problem for stewards in this situation is one of finding a way of reacting in a realistic manner to preserve the essentials of their organisation, often while accepting that some concessions will have to be made. In a sense the final defeat of the ENV stewards is a measure of their failure to manage this. It is to the story of their defeat that we now turn.\nThe American Takeover\nIn 1962 the giant American firm of Eaton, Yale and Towne bought the ENV factories at Willesden and Aycliffe. It seems that they were anxious to get a foothold in the aircraft industry and in the Common Market. Later they bought another factory in Manchester. They immediately set out to change things and in particular to destroy the power of the trade-union organisation at Willesden.\nInitially they used a succession of British managers for these tasks. These were frequently given time limits in which to produce results – if they failed they left. During the next four years there was a very high turnover of managers at the factory as new men and new methods were tried. These managers were carefully watched by American managers, some of whom actually worked at ENV. Townsend, who later smashed the factory organisation, worked for six months as General Manager before taking over completely.\nSome managers tried to win the support and cooperation of the workers by stressing that in the long run the interests of management and workers were the same; both would benefit from a prosperous factory. They made special approaches to the shop stewards. An American who worked for a year at Willesden as a ‘tool specialist’ took the stewards on trips to other factories and attempted to make friends with the workers. He later became Managing Director of the Manchester factory. Another manager called Hill tried the same approach, stressing that he was also only an employee and that he was really on the workers’ side. He would show his trade union card to everyone and was continually attacking the other managers. Another kept telling the stewards that he was working in close touch with George Brown (whom he assumed the stewards would support) and that the management were keen to do what the Labour Government wanted (which they were!).\nA Dr Jarrett from CAV (a part of the Lucas electrical group) was then made Managing Director. He started productivity bargaining throughout the factory. As he said, ‘We want you to earn more money … this is the socialist approach of equality.’ Hill commented, ‘I’m a bit of a Communist myself and Dr Jarrett has got a real socialist plan.’\nThese crude approaches were hardly likely to fool anyone. Some of the managers brought in were just hatchet men with no experience, including ex-naval commanders and the like. Similarly approaches and offers made specially to the shop stewards were also rejected. For instance, they were offered a proper office, that the management deduct union dues from wages, and some stewards were offered supervisory jobs (as mentioned above, one ex-convenor accepted).\nJarrett introduced into the factory Emersons, the Work Study firm which had been responsible for the Fawley agreements. A meeting was arranged with the shop stewards at which the Emersons’ representative outlined their plan. Jarrett then said that he expected the shop stewards would like to ask questions; but the stewards walked out and refused any cooperation. They threatened that the workers would go out if the Emerson people as much as came on to the shop floor. So although Emersons had an office in the factory for several months, they never did a thing. This is the only known occasion on which Emersons have failed to get any concessions whatsoever.\nIt was also Jarrett who started productivity bargaining in the factory. The management had issued several statements about the unsatisfactory state of affairs at ENV and how they were losing orders. They stressed that everyone would benefit from greater productivity at the factory – ‘High wages and high productivity go together.’ They also produced outline proposals for a new wage structure, both simplifying it and making it fairer.\nThe productivity campaign had a certain appeal for the workers, because the management were saying that there was to be more money but no redundancies. Also there was discontent about the existing pay structure and differentials. Even though the stewards realised that productivity deals represented a disguised form of attack on union organisation and working conditions, the plausibility of management’s offer made it difficult for them to refuse participation, unless they were to cut themselves off from the rest of the workers. So the stewards participated in the central and shop committees which were set up. The management were then very desultory over productivity bargaining.\nMany of the lower managers were reluctant to suggest changes as they did not want to carry the can if things went wrong. So most of the proposals and suggestions came from the shop stewards’ side. But after many months only a few agreements had been reached and there was no agreement on the new wages structure. Some of the agreements which were concluded revealed both the strength of the shop floor organisation on these issues and the general incompetence of the management. For instance the packers agreed to a reduction from 16 to 12 men when in fact there had been 12 all along and also agreed to help with loading and unloading lorries which they had also always done. For these ‘concessions’ they got 1s an hour extra. The stacker-truck drivers agreed to become ‘mobile’ for an extra 1s an hour. Before this agreement each driver had regarded himself as attached to a particular shop and would only take loads from his own shop but would not bring them back. The failure of productivity bargaining to produce any real result meant the end of Jarrett who admitted at one time that he had been given a deadline of only a few months to produce results.\nIn 1966 there was a dispute in the milling shop and work from this shop was blacked. The management then sacked a worker who refused to be moved to this department. At this time the management seemed anxious to provoke a strike and get the workers outside; the stewards on the other hand were trying to avoid this, preferring to choose their own issue and occasion for a major fight. A factory meeting was held over the sacking and three shop stewards went to see Jarrett. He refused to meet them, so the meeting decided to go en masse to Jarrett’s office; ‘If he won’t see three of us, he’ll have to see all of us.’ About 1,000 workers marched singing through the office to Jarrett’s office. Jarrett declared he would have a meeting the next day but this was not accepted. Finally he said that the man would not be sacked or suspended. This incident led to the resignation of Jarrett a few weeks later and was also referred to later by the management as an example of the ‘anarchy’ existing in the factory.\nThe Final Offensive\nOn Jarrett’s resignation in June 1966 Townsend assumed full control and became Managing Director. Only a few weeks later he notified shop stewards that things had gone too far, the company was losing money and there were too many disputes. He announced that the management were not prepared to negotiate with the stewards until normal working conditions were resumed. He had asked the Engineering Employers’ Federation to approach the Executive Councils of the unions to arrange an informal Joint Composite Conference to be held at the Willesden factory. Until that Conference was held there were going to be no more negotiations with the stewards.\nIt seems probable that in the meantime Townsend had had a secret meeting with Carron at the Confederation of Engineering and Shipbuilding Unions Conference. Some of the stewards saw a letter from the management to the AEU headquarters trying to arrange this meeting. Carlsson made this public in the local press and was never disciplined for it. Townsend obviously wanted to make direct contact with Carron. There were other examples of contact between the ENV management and the AEU head office: the management for instance, used to collect all references to ENV stewards and workers in the press and agendas of factory and stewards’ meetings, and send them to Carron.\nThe joint Composite Conference was held on 4th July. Amongst the representatives of the AEU were Carron, Boyd, Berridge from the Executive, Reg Birch (then Divisional Organiser) and District Officials. Carron and Berridge warned the ENV stewards before the meeting that they must be prepared to compromise. National officers of the ETU, TGWU, ASPD and ASW were also present. ASSET were not informed and when Mike Cooley of DATA tried to attend the meeting he was refused admittance because the Conference was just for representatives of manual workers, not staff unions. All ENV stewards attended as did the top ENV management, some of whom were flown over from the States.\nTownsend opened the Conference with a prepared statement illustrated with charts showing the company’s position. In his words he was ‘astounded, amazed and shocked.’ According to him the company was losing money and customers. He admitted that in the past there had been weak management at ENV and it was natural that the stewards would take advantage of this. But, he went on, ‘The main reason why we are here today is labour relations; the management will not put up with the actions of the shop stewards and therefore are refusing to negotiate with them.’ He complained of the ‘mass of domestic and verbal agreements’ at the factory, and of the fact that ‘two unauthorised mass factory meetings have taken place, one culminating in the march of an unruly mob through the Executive Offices … this is anarchy and will not be tolerated in the future.’\nHe went to warn the union executives that although he was asking them to support the management’s actions in making these changes, ‘if the unions are unable to do this, we will take the necessary steps ourselves.’ Even Carron could not accept Townsend’s approach: ‘If you insist on going forward in the way you are, then you must expect a revolution.’ Of course, Carron was merely defending procedure, not threatening anything. He insisted that whatever proposals the management had must go through stewards and local officials.\nTownsend then went on to outline the management’s proposals which were presented in the form of two documents called Management Functions and Interim Agreement. The effect of the proposals would have been to wipe out all the gains and benefits won by the trade-union organisation at the factory over the previous 20 years.\nFirstly, the management intended to check all domestic and verbal agreements and would renegotiate them in a revised form that would make them clear. Of course these agreements were one of the strengths of the shop-floor organisation, especially the purely verbal agreements which could be interpreted as necessary whenever a dispute arose. The management had often complained that they did not know of the existence of half of the supposed agreements.\nSecondly, standards were to be set up by ‘modern time-study methods’ and would include multi-machine operation. At the same time that the new standards were applied a graded wage structure of between five and nine grades would be introduced. Payments to time-workers were no longer to be linked to pieceworkers’ earnings and when an established piece-work rate was in dispute, payment would continue at the established rate until agreement was reached through procedure. Townsend admitted that the management had not yet decided whether in the long run the factory would continue to operate on piece-work or on measured day-work.\nAmongst the other management proposals were things like mobility of labour, shift working as required, tea breaks to be limited to 10 minutes, and so on. Also the management would be able to transfer work to other factories as it wished. Towns-end mentioned that if these proposals were not accepted the factory might have to close.\nCarron and the other officials made it clear that they were not prepared to agree to this. If the management wanted to change the agreements they must operate through the procedure, which meant first of all discussing it with the shop stewards. Carron reminded Townsend that the employers had as much obligation to go through procedure as the work people. The employers accepted this point.\nHowever after this Conference the ENV management still refused to meet the stewards. So at a factory meeting it was decided to have token stoppages in protest. A series of guerilla stoppages to start on 20th July was planned. Each evening different shops were to be told by the stewards to go out the next morning for a few hours. At this stage it seems clear that the workers were prepared to resist the management. In fact the workers were prepared to resist the management right up until closure was announced.\nOn the day before these stoppages were due to begin a conference was held at the Employers’ Federation headquarters. At this the ENV management agreed to resume negotiations with the stewards the following morning. However the meeting finished late and so it was impossible to inform the workers at Willesden about the decision.\nOn the morning of 20 July, as planned earlier, the stoppages started. The management now announced that they knew nothing about the agreement made the previous day. This is one incident quoted by the stewards to illustrate how it was impossible to trust the ‘new’ (i.e. American) management – at least the ‘old’ management did keep their word. This resentment of the methods of the new management was one of the reasons that the stewards used the contrast between the British and American managements and made it a political issue.\nAnyway, on this morning the storemen and electricians were already out as planned. They were due to come in at 10 o’clock. When they tried to return to work the management would not let them in and locked them out for the rest of the day. Carlsson, the stewards’ chairman who went out to see them, was stopped at the gate but pushed his way in. Shortly after this the management threatened to sack a stacker driver who refused to pick up a load as a protest in support of the workers locked out. A factory meeting was held and it was decided that if some workers were out then they would all go out. They planned to come back the following morning.\nThe next day the workers came back to find the electricity switched off, and everyone being herded into the canteen. On the platform were half a dozen managers and two representatives of the Electoral Reform Society. When all the workers had entered the canteen the doors were locked and Townsend made a speech about the crisis the factory was facing. He said that it came down to a choice – either the factory could stay open upon new conditions or it would be closed. He told the workers that they must now vote on whether they were prepared to accept the management’s proposals. Ballot boxes had been placed by each door and as each worker left the meeting he was to take a form and put it in the box. The ballot would be run by the Electoral Reform Society.\nAfter Townsend had spoken Carlsson made a speech from the floor in which he condemned the methods being used by the management and insisted that the proposals must go through the shop stewards. He launched attacks upon the recent change in behaviour of several of the managers on the platform, but excluded Wilson, a popular representative of the ‘old’ management. Mitchell, the convenor, then spoke and said that he was walking out of the meeting and wanted everyone to follow him\nstewards and some workers left the canteen, but immediately after they had gone the management locked the doors behind them, leaving the majority of the workers inside. So the stewards and other workers forced the doors open, upturned the ballot boxes, and the meeting broke up. During this meeting police in black marias were stationed near the factory and a manager phoned for them to come round to the back gate. The press and TV came down to the factory immediately after the meeting. Possibly it was a mistake to walk out of the meeting rather than argue the case out in full in front of the workers, showing that there was an alternative and then letting them refuse to vote in the management’s ballot. However the next day a factory meeting was held to which the press were invited and the workers voted unanimously in support of their shop stewards and against the management’s proposals.\nAt this meeting the workers passed a unanimous resolution stating that they would rather accept closure than any worsening of their pay and conditions. This resolution was continually re-affirmed at further meetings throughout the following period, and to the time of writing (late October 1967) still represents the attitude of those who remain at ENV.\nTownsend announced that this sort of ‘intimidation’ would not put him off and he was going to organise another ballot, but this time it would be a postal one. Again it was organised by the Electoral Reform Society, who used the same pre-paid envelopes which they had used in an ETU ballot. Apparently the ETU did not object to paying for this ballot; they said they were not interested in taking the matter up. On another occasion one ETU official remarked that the ENV stewards ‘deserved to be shot’ if the management’s story was true.\nReg Birch protested about the postal ballot, but Townsend refused to drop it. However a few days later the ENV management called it off themselves because of ‘interference’ by the stewards – ‘once more the stewards had wrecked it.’ The vast majority of workers had returned the ballot forms to their shop stewards.\nAt about the same time a factory meeting was held at which the stewards attempted to settle outstanding disputes. This was done in order to prevent management having an excuse for locking workers out. Several disputes were settled as a result of this meeting. Negotiations were going on between shop stewards and management over the management’s proposals. On all major issues ‘failure to agree’ was recorded and the issues were passed to local officials.\nOn 24 August all ENV workers received letters saying that the Willesden factory was going to close. There was to be a phased close-down to be carried out over the next few months. The management gave as the reason the financial position of the factory which was, they said, aggravated by the government’s economic policies.\nThe major issue for the next few months was whether this announcement was genuine or only a bluff. The majority of workers and stewards tended to believe that the closure was genuine; only the convenor and chairman believed consistently that it was a bluff and that they must act accordingly. Yet there was plenty of evidence that the picture the management painted of the financial situation at ENV was inaccurate. Firstly, the aircraft sections at ENV were always busy and work from other departments too was deliberately being transferred to Aycliffe and Manchester or abroad- Secondly, the Annual Reports of the company showed large profits and increases in orders. Finally the management’s account of the effect of government policy was clearly misleading. For instance ENV as a manufacturing firm would stand to gain considerably, not lose, from the Selective Employment Tax.\nLooking back it is now easy to say that it was a bluff but at the time the great majority of workers and stewards were not sure. The ENV management’s campaign had had a long build up over the previous years, with frequent announcements of ‘crises.’ Now they stressed continually that the factory was to close, and without any qualification. And of course even if one did not accept the firm’s reasons for closure, there was still the possibility that if in the last resort they could not defeat the trade union organisation in any other way, they would close down the factory, even if only temporarily. Whether this would have been possible is more difficult to say; the fact that the aircraft sections had plenty of work throughout the next six months suggests that the management would have found it very difficult to transfer all the work that the factory was doing.\nThe other issue which became of increasing importance was that of redundancy payments. The workers started to think of these payments and what they were going to spend them on. Since most of the workers had long service, the sums involved were quite considerable – many of them over £500. The management argued that if there were a strike, this would count as misconduct and would mean that the workers would lose redundancy payments. The stewards denied this and got lawyers to back them up, but this type of rumour had a considerable influence.\nThe Campaign Against Closure\nAt the beginning of September the unions challenged the management’s case at the longest Local Conference on record. McLoughlin, an ex-ENV convenor, now local AEU official, opened the union’s case. He rejected the management’s figures which showed falling profits and losses of orders, and quoted Eaton publications which gave a glowing report of trade prospects. The President of the Employers’ Federation, who had just been to the USA at Eaton’s expense, then said that the closure was definite, and even if the management’s earlier proposals were accepted by the workers, it would not make any difference. He stressed that this was the result of the government’s economic policy.\nAt the end of this Local Conference, a failure to agree was recorded and in October 1966 the issue went to Central Conference at York where there was still no agreement. The night before the conference Carron stated that he did not see why he should take up the reference since both the management and he had been criticised sharply by Carlsson, and he had to be reminded that the jobs of more than 1,000 workers were at stake. After the closure was announced the ENV stewards began organising their campaign. In their publicity, they attempted to show that the closure announcement was only a bluff to defeat the workers’ organisation. They also attempted to get support by arguing that the ENV management’s policies were against the Labour Government’s policy of increasing exports. They argued that the bulk of the goods produced at ENV were exported and that the balance of payments figures would suffer if the factory did close and the work was transferred out of the country. The ENV stewards got the support of Brent Trades Council which organised meetings and marches about ENV. Marches were held in Willesden and Wembley. The issue was also brought up at meetings of the Shop Stewards’ Defence Committee, which had originated months before out of a legal dispute concerning the ENV convenor, Mitchell.\nDeputations of ENV stewards and workers went to the TUC conference at Blackpool and the Labour Party conference at Brighton where they held demonstrations. A group of workers went to the Farnborough Air Show and picketed the ENV stand in order to illustrate the conflict between reports of the factory closing down and attempts to get new orders.\nThe stewards issued regular statements to the press about ENV. They told the press that work was being transferred from Willesden to factories in the USA. But although some of the journalists were interested in the stories, nothing appeared. The stewards found out that some of the journalists had been warned by the AEU head office that if they did print the stories about ENV then they would not get any more stories from the union.\nThe stewards organised lobbies of MPs and tried to get support and questions asked in Parliament. When they first tried to contact the MPs, many of them, especially the Left-wingers, agreed to help. But very few of them did so. Russell Kerr, who expressed great interest, later walked into one of the ENV meetings by mistake, much to his embarrassment as he had done nothing. The MP for Uxbridge, Ryan, promised to help but never turned up. But perhaps the worst case was that of the two Willesden MPs, Laurie Pavitt and Reg Freeson. They had been in close touch with the factory for years and had often held factory gate meetings there. ENV had raised canvassing teams to go out for them at election times. When the closure was announced, the stewards arranged a meeting with both of them. Pavitt and Freeson came and announced that they could not interfere as they had just discovered that ENV was not in their constituencies! In fact it was just inside the boundary of North Hammersmith, and so the ENV stewards were told to go to their own MP, Tomney. Pavitt and Freeson then went off to a meeting with the ENV management and didn’t see the stewards again.\nWhen a meeting of MPs at the House of Commons was called to discuss ENV, only four turned up. Two of these, Stan Orme and Norman Atkinson, who were AEU MPs, said that they could not stay because they had been advised not to listen as the AEU Executive was going to advise them on the case. The only MPs who did consistently try to help were Sid Bidwell and Bill Molloy. Bidwell and Molloy were warned for taking the matter up and Molloy lost his chance of promotion.\nIn general the Left wing MPs were useless on an issue like this. A few were genuinely sympathetic, but where they were required to be more than ‘social workers with connections,’ they were too frightened to come out openly.\nA few questions were asked in the House of Commons but these were mostly ‘safe’ questions, about the value of exports which would be lost and so on. The fact that the gears which ENV made for defence purposes could not be made elsewhere in Britain and would have to be made in the USA or on the continent was never mentioned, although at the time it would have created quite a controversy.\nIt was known that the ENV management had already had meetings with members of the government. One of the American managers went to a meeting with Austin Albu and he took a copy of the Shop Stewards’ Defence Committee’s pamphlet on Incomes Policy with him.\nThe ENV stewards and the union officials had a meeting with Douglas Jay and then with Shirley Williams, both at the Board of Trade. Mrs Williams said that they seemed to have a good case and if any union asked for an investigation it would take place. Only the DATA representative took up this offer, but nothing happened.\nThe results from this type of campaign – contacting MPs, questions in the House, and so on – seem to have been nil. One serious criticism which has been made is that it diverted attention away from the factory and took up effort which could have been used in trying to get opposition organised inside the factory. In point of fact, the campaign outside was only an alternative because there was no action within.\nRegularly after the closure was announced, calls for a factory strike were put to factory meetings. The shop stewards recommended strike action as they knew that this was the only way they could win. Yet the strike calls were always turned down by large majorities. Among the workers and some of the stewards, doubts about whether the closure was a bluff or not persisted. Most workers were prepared to let the stewards attempt to avert the closure but they were not willing to risk sacrificing their redundancy pay. In the meantime they were anxious to increase their earnings in order to increase the amounts of these payments.\nDuring this period the management were transferring work from Willesden to Aycliffe and Manchester in order to lay off Willesden workers. This was well known at the time. One criticism of the stewards was that they should have foreseen the situation arising out of this transfer of work months before and should have prevented it. When the Manchester stewards offered to black this work, the Willesden stewards turned down their offer on the grounds that since there was no opposition in their factory it was not fair to leave it to Manchester when they themselves were doing nothing. In this way they deliberately passed the buck back to their own workers.\nIn October the management announced that they wanted another stock-taking and therefore some workers must do overtime. Since they were proposing to lay off workers because there was not enough work, the factory banned overtime. As a result some sections were locked out and others went out in support. The management then locked out the entire factory for a week, with the exception of the storekeepers. When the management tried to do the stocktaking themselves the storekeepers walked out.\nDuring the lock-out a meeting of ENV workers was organised at Hammersmith Town Hall with 800 workers attending. (However the following day, Saturday, when a march was held in Willesden only 14 people turned up, and these were mostly stewards.) At the Hammersmith meeting Birch and Cooley spoke, as well as the ENV stewards. A solicitor also explained that any strike action would not lead to loss of redundancy pay. The meeting supported the fight against redundancy and closure. The stewards had previously agreed that those workers who wanted to leave ENV should be allowed to go as this would make the rest of the factory stronger, but no vote was taken on this at the meeting.\nBut after the Hammersmith meeting, nothing happened. The men returned to work the following week. Resolutions for strike action at factory meetings were still turned down. Although various proposals for departmental strikes were discussed and sometimes agreed, they never came to anything. In the continued absence of any action from within the factory, the stewards attempted to get an official strike.\nAt the end of October the AEU District Committee took the rare step of calling for an official strike at ENV. However this had to be endorsed at the next AEU Executive meeting. When this took place Reg Birch moved that the North London District Committee’s decision be endorsed, but could not even get anyone to second the motion (Hugh Scanlon, who was at the meeting, just kept quiet.) So the official strike came to nothing at all. No attempt was made to strike in the few days before the EC met, since unfortunately the majority of the workers wanted to wait for the EC’s decision. Thus the chance for a strike was missed, although some of the stewards now think that the majority of the workers would have come out then. One difficulty was that it was getting near to Christmas and hence there was a greater unwillingness to strike. Quite a few of the workers could remember the long 1951-52 strike which began before Christmas.\nIn November the first group of workers were sacked. Each week more followed. A large number of stewards and other militants went in the first weeks, often in spite of their seniority. Early in the new year the management offered to make a deal with some of the remaining shop stewards, especially Carlsson. If they would get the workers to agree to the management proposals then they would not be sacked. This Carlsson insisted on reporting to a full factory meeting. The factory refused to make any deal of this sort. After this, both Carlsson and Mitchell were sacked.\nIt was now clear to everyone that the management’s only interest was in getting rid of the militants and then keeping the factory open. Soon after the sackings of Carlsson and Mitchell, they announced that ‘due to changed economic circumstances’ they would be keeping the factory open with a labour force of between 400 and 500. The workers who remained at ENV, however, stuck strongly to their earlier decisions and refused to make any concessions on pay or conditions. At the time of writing, eight months after the chairman and convenor were sacked, the management has still not succeeded in changing one agreement. The new ENV stewards, as we went to press, had just won back control over overtime at a Local Conference, where the management was forced to stand by the agreement that forces them to ask the shop stewards for permission before they could approach any worker to ask him to work overtime.\nAssessment of the Fight Against Closure\nOnce the ENV management had announced their intention of closing the factory, the problem that faced the shop stewards was that of finding some realistic way of opposing the management and carrying the men with them. It must be remembered that only a minority of the stewards – and an even smaller minority of the men – were convinced from the start that the management’s declaration of imminent closure was in fact a fraud. As we have seen, the men were already planning how they would spend their redundancy pay, and the stewards’ efforts to convince them that a strike would not affect their right to redundancy money were not entirely successful against a barrage of management propaganda.\nIn the period before the actual announcement of closure, the stewards, aware that a wholesale attack of some kind was about to be launched, followed a policy of ‘clearing the decks for action.’ They urged workers to settle outstanding departmental disputes in order to avoid giving management the opportunity to provoke a strike before they were ready or on an issue of management’s own choosing. With the benefit of hindsight, it seems perhaps that the management would not anyway have risked provoking a major stoppage at this stage, for they had not seriously begun to shift work from the Willesden factory elsewhere (indeed some sections of the factory remained busy throughout 1966 and 1967). At this stage it seems that the management’s hope was still that they would make some kind of breakthrough in the negotiations, through their attempt to divide the stewards from the rank and file by devices like the ballot. However one unfortunate result of the ‘clearing the decks’ policy was that some of the men, not fully realising the way that the management were shaping up for a major struggle, began to think that the stewards were ‘going soft’.\nIt has been suggested that during this period the stewards should have pursued a militant policy on all fronts and tried to secure a large-scale strike before the closure was announced, in order to keep the initiative. Some critics have condemned the ENV stewards for not turning the dispute into a major political campaign in the North London area. But this criticism ignores the current level of consciousness in the labour movement. Certainly any realistic review of .the movement’s experience over the past three years suggests that the formula, ‘incomes policy equals political struggle’ is quite wrong, over-simplified and Utopian. The campaigns which have been successful have depended on the presentation of issues in very low-level ‘trade union’ terms: the role of the State has been seen as an additional cause for working-class indignation, rather than as the central element in a larger pattern. Outsiders see only the abstract possibilities – down on the ground in North London, the real response of other workers looks quite different. Of course, this does not mean that every issue must be reduced to the lower common multiple. A campaign of solidarity must operate on at least two levels – aiming to rebuild, through activity in fragmented day-to-day struggles, a meaningful labour movement, and to re-group the existing militants and formulate a more coherent and revolutionary political programme.\nIf a campaign outside the factory was, in the concrete conditions of the moment, almost fruitless, the campaign among the workers within the factory was also difficult. For, although the stewards knew very well that a management offensive was imminent, it was not easy to communicate this general awareness to the men until the management showed its hand.\nThe actual announcement of closure quite seriously disoriented the stewards’ committee. For one thing, there seemed to be no precedent for this – how, after all, does one fight a closure? Furthermore, as we have already seen, it was only a minority of the stewards who believed that the management was bluffing. And in face of the management’s repeated insistence that it would be shutting up shop in Willesden (and for economic reasons not directly connected with the shop stewards) it was by no means easy to win the other stewards over to a realisation of the actual state of affairs. (We might add, too, that it is by no means impossible that if a more successful fight had been waged by the stewards the management would have closed the factory for a time.) The belief that the management were serious in their stated intentions was in fact not really dissipated until early 1967, by which time a number of stewards had already been ‘made redundant.’ It took the management’s offer of a ‘deal’ to Carlsson and Mitchell to convince even some of the most militant and ‘political’ spirits on the stewards’ committee.\nUnless this background is understood, it is difficult to attempt a fair criticism of the policy of the leading stewards. They were, and through no fault of their own, faced with a situation of undoubted difficulty, being the only ones who saw even that a fight was necessary. There was by this time, it is true, an IS [International Socialists, pre-cursor organisation to the modern Socialist Workers party. Ed] factory branch with about 12 members, most of them stewards. This met fortnightly after work. But it would be a mistake to see this as a highly conscious organised group. Throughout the ‘fifties and early ‘sixties, Geoff Carlsson had been completely isolated politically in the factory. The bulk of the stewards had been members of the Communist Party or had accepted a Party lead, although disillusion had gradually been setting in. It was not until well into 1965 that it proved possible to recruit the militant stewards to IS. Inevitably, given the political histories of these comrades, the development of the branch had hardly begun when the attack came. In a very real sense, as one of the ex-CP stewards remarked, the IS branch ‘came too late.’ Partly as a result of this immaturity of the branch, the group did not act in a very organised way on the stewards’ committee.\nGiven the failure of their repeated attempts to get a majority of the workers voting for strike action (although the minority in favour grew steadily) the question that arises is whether a minority or departmental strike of some kind was possible. In the past, faced with different circumstances, the stewards had encouraged the development of a tradition at ENV of abiding always by majority decisions. This stress on factory democracy – by no means present in all ‘militant’ factories – was of course very valuable. This kind of democratic procedure is particularly well fitted to a situation where workers and stewards are on the offensive, for then the more advanced can afford to wait for the more backward to catch up. In a defensive struggle, whose terms are set by the management, however, an unwillingness to lead, even from a minority position, is a definite weakness. And it is on these grounds that we feel the ENV stewards were open to criticism.\nIn a real sense, the stewards lost the initiative. It is not for us, at this remove, to specify that on such and such an occasion they ought to have pursued a particular line of action. What we do feel, however, is that they should have done something. Various suggestions have been made, from a ‘sit-in’ by the militants to a departmental walk-out. And many ideas were discussed by the stewards, but in each case they seem to have weighed the advantages to such a degree that they partially paralysed themselves. They were – quite rightly – afraid of being ‘adventuristic,’ but adventurism is better than nothing. In a way, the stewards’ legitimate fear of substituting themselves for the majority of the workers was, we feel, carried too far. Action cannot be determined mechanically by the existing level of consciousness; a spark of action could, perhaps, have altered the workers’ consciousness too. The stewards had a large fund of goodwill that they could rely on, and they should have risked more than they did. At the most general level, they saw only that substitutionism was a danger, but did not see that the theory of substitutionism (with which IS has often been identified) implies no rejection of the need for leadership. [2]\nWould they have been defeated anyway? Almost certainly. But for socialists and militants this is not the sole question. What was sad about the defeat at ENV was that it was so quiet. For the stewards to go down without a fight was to miss the opportunity to generate any kind of campaign that could assist in the further linking of the militants in the engineering industry. Even if for example the pickets on the Myton and Sunley sites in London go down in defeat (as seems sadly probable at the time of writing), other militants in the building industry will have gained from their struggle, and from the solidarity movement that was built around it.\nAt the same time, the extent of the failure should not be exaggerated. An employer can be defeated fifty times, and he will still be there. A stewards’ committee cannot survive one major defeat. And in no sense was it a ‘sell-out.’ No concessions were made to management. Even today, fifteen months after the management’s final attack began, none has been made. One worker, still at the factory in October 1967, was amazed at the very idea that there had been a defeat: ‘We’ve never given them anything!’\nAnd the positive elements remain. For years ENV provided a powerful instance of the possibilities of strong factory organisation. And it was, in a very real sense, the centre of militancy in North London engineering. Its defeat, as other militants in the area recognise, was a serious loss. The memory of the years of the struggle at ENV will serve for some time to come as an example to all those who are involved in the struggle for workers’ control and a new socialist movement. The unhappy manner of the final defeat should not be allowed to obscure that.\nThis kind of division among the Communist Party’s industrial membership in the engineering industry undoubtedly played an important part in the development of the later split in the Party’s ranks over the question of the AEU Presidential election, the Shop Stewards’ Defence Committee and ultimately the expulsion of Reg Birch from the Party.\nSee T. Cliff, The Revolutionary Party and the Class: Trotsky on Substitutionism, IS 2, Autumn 1960.\n@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@\npast tense note:\nNB: Regarding the question raised in the final section, Assessment of the Fight Against Closure, “how, after all, does one fight a closure?” it is interesting that at this point factory occupations by workers as an attempt to prevent closures had not yet come to the fore. Occupations were to be a major tactic in the 1970s and into the early 1980s. Here’s one account of such an occupation only five years after ENV, at Briant Colour Printing\nToday in London festive history, 1996: Reclaim the Streets Re-Wild the M41 motorway, Shepherds Bush\n1996 was proclaimed (by the car industry) “Year of the Car”.\nReclaim The Streets turned that into ‘the Year We Squatted a Motorway’.\nJuly that year saw RTS mount what was probably their most ambitious and gloriously subversive action – squatting a stretch of motorway. The short M41 link in Shepherds Bush – the shortest motorway in England then – was turned into a party zone for an afternoon and evening. The sight of thousands of people running onto an empty motorway shut off by large tripods is an image that stays with you…\nThe M41 was a hangover from a previous era of uninhibited road-building in the 1960s, similar to (if not worse than) the early 90s program that had sparked RTS’s existence. This was the West Cross Route of the Ringways project, a plan to encircle the capital with concentric rings of motorway and dual carriageway, with radial motorways and links roads fanning out in various directions. Two major elements of the Ringways scheme got built – the M25 and the North Circular Road. The South Circular expansion got bogged down; so did the third and innermost proposal, the ‘Motorway Box’ which would have formed an ‘inner ring road’; this was to have meant the demolition of thousands of homes and the relocation of over 100,000 people. In the north of the city new eight-lane motorways on raised concrete pylons were to be erected through Dalston, Highbury, Camden, Canonbury, Kilburn, Shepherds Bush… The South Cross route of the new autobahns would have driven through Barnes, Balham, Battersea, Clapham, Brixton, Camberwell and Peckham to Kidbrooke and Greenwich.\nThe M41 was one of only two sections of the Ringways actually ever built (along with the A102 in East London) – massive popular opposition scuppered the rest. Locals in all the neighbourhoods threatened with mass demolition got together and fought the ringway proposals in the later 1960s and early 1970s. In 1971, opposition movements coalesced into the London Motorway Action Group. The massive economic cost and opposition eventually led to the vast majority of the ‘Motorway Box’ being shelved in 1973.\nFollowing on from two successful street parties in 1995, Reclaim the Streets set their sights on taking over a motorway.\nThousands of partygoers were invited to gather at Broadgate near Liverpool Street, on Saturday 13th July. “a good humoured crowd gathered in the sunshine, buzzing with anticipation, as a handful of baffled policemen did their best to look like they were in control of the situation.”\nLeaflets were distributed asking people to “follow those with pink armbands” and to “expect the unexpected”. At 12.30pm word spread that it was time to go and a three hundred strong Critical Mass set off, while the main group, aided by undercover organisers, moved underground to the westbound Central Line. “A huge roar went up as the first of the ribbon holders was spotted heading into Liverpool Street tube station, quickly followed by the surging crowd. The sound and spectacle of a multitude of drummers echoing down the tiled corridors and a kaleidoscopic range of hair and face colours proved a little too much for a party of Japanese tourists who stood by the escalators, jaws wide open in stunned amazement. This wasn’t in the tourist book!”\nFourteen stops and six packed tube trains later the crowd emerged at Shepherds Bush; the party commuters emerged to see the entire Shepherds Bush roundabout completely gridlocked and the exit surrounded by police vans. The cops, who had merely watched to his point, blocked off the roundabout exit to the M41. Some people, thought this was the actual party site, and began dancing there.\n“Some guy felt inspired to jump up and down on a traffic box stark naked, gesticulating wildly at the unamused massed ranks of officers. Unfortunately, further down the road some potential road ragers were frothing madly at the hold-up. I argued with some guy who was effin’ and blindin’ loudly from his huge shiny car.\nAfter some debate he came up with the conclusion that he didn’t mind if he was held up because of traffic, but being held up by *people* was an absolute outrage!\nThe crowds continued to build to a soundtrack of drums and car horns (not all sympathetic) until we embarked on what could only be described as a military-esque pincer movement.\nThe mass split into two, one heading directly to the roundabout, the other slipping round the backstreets to meet up at the opposite entrance to the roundabout behind the police blockade.”\nAt the opposite end of the motorway the blockade crew, aware that people had arrived, went for it; outmanoeuvring police spotters, they ran onto the road, crashed two cars to block the road, and quickly threw up three tripods across the southbound carriageway. At the foot of the convoy two sound system vehicles drove on, chased by dozens of cops on foot, who managed to surround the vehicles on the empty motorway.\n“The drivers were pulled out and arrested by smug police officers, certain that they had stopped the party. But the police had under-estimated the creativity of the crowd. Hearing that the road had been taken people began finding alternative ways onto it. Like a river breaking through a dam, the trickle grew into a flood. One large group walked far around the police line, coming up from behind and simply running past it onto the street! Others found ways through back streets and climbed onto the road further up… At the blockade, those not already arrested had clambered onto the sound system trucks and witnessed the amazing sight of thousands of people running up the motorway towards them. Police faces dropped quickly and as the crowd neared they began backing off. The arm-twisted, quick-cuffed arrestees, on a nod from a sergeant were swiftly de-arrested… and the vehicles were soon swarmed with partygoers. The sides of the lorries were opened and the sound systems kicked off. The people roared. The party was on!”\nWithin ten minutes the whole road was completely jammed with (in the parlance of various Sections of the 1994 Criminal Justice Act) a ‘large number of persons pursuing a common purpose’, enjoying the space and freedom to dance to ‘repetitive beats’ and take in the glorious sunshine.\nWith the crowd invading one side and the tripods and cars on the other, both sides of the motorway were now taken over… people set about transforming the landscape. Huge banners were unfurled from lamp posts… A huge sun, colourful murals; while others proclaimed ‘Destroy Power!’ ‘Support the Tubeworkers’ [who were in dispute] and the old Situationist slogan: ‘The society that abolishes adventure, makes its own abolition the only adventure’… musicians, stalls, bands, street performers and sound systems started playing… kids played contentedly in the ton of sand that had been dumped in the road. Graffiti was painted all along the concrete walls on the side of the road…\n“A struggle ensued when police tried to stop other decorations and equipment being brought in from a nearby estate. One van containing the p.a. rig for live bands was impounded, but once again, faced with an active crowd, the authority of the police dissolved.”\nA complete living room was set up in the fast lane, with people relaxing on a selection of sofas, playing guitars and reading newspapers, while their dog slumbered on the rug..\n“Three thirty foot ‘pantomime dames’ glided through the party throwing confetti. Food stalls gave away free stew and sandwiches; graffiti artists added colour to the tarmac; poets ranted from the railings; acoustic bands played and strolling players performed. The tripod sitters, isolated by a police line from the party, negotiated their inclusion and joined the mass of people. The police retreated to the ends of the road settling for re-directing traffic and arguing amongst themselves.”\nSome 7,000 turned up – “as far as the eye could see there were people dancing on the road and crash barriers with DJs and sound systems doing it for love not lucre. This was rave music as it should be heard – defiant, proud, full-on and communal – without a bomber jacketed doorman in sight!”\n“Despite the vibe being very friendly and totally peaceful, a few of the police (as ever) did their best to get themselves a ‘situation’ or two, using the old tactics of intimidation and confrontation.\nI went up with a small posse of 15 to help out the guys sat on the tripods, and we found ourselves in the ludicrous situation of being surrounded by over 90 (yes ninety!) officers – including several officers from an armed response unit with a helicopter hovering above!”\nAt the height of the festivities, beneath the tall pantomime dame figures on stilts, dressed in huge farthingale Marie Antoinette skirts, people were at work with jackhammers, hacking in time to the techno, to mask the sound to the officers standing inches away, digging up the surface of the road until large craters littered the fast lane. Collectors were later seen comparing ‘chunks’ of motorway!” As far as I know a trade in ‘bits of the M41’ has never sprang up like the ‘bits of the Berlin Wall’ you can buy (I bet if you put them all together it’d be larger than the possible total concretage of the actual wall, like the bits of the true cross found in various catholic/orthodox churches….) Tree saplings – rescued from the path of the M11 link road – were then planted in the craters –\n– quite simply brilliant, literally rewilding the motorway.\n“As the sun set on an extraordinary day fires were lit on the road, litter was collected and the banners removed. The sound systems announced another free party elsewhere in London, then at 11pm the music went off, and the trucks drove off to the cheers of a grateful crowd.\nFor nearly ten hours the M41 vibrated, not to the repetitive roar of the car system, but to a human uprising; the living sound of a festival, and as one activist put it to a disgruntled copper, ‘Think yourself lucky, we could have gone anywhere: Buckingham Palace, Downing Street, thousands of people climbing up Parliament.’ “\nThe police later traced down two people who hired one of the drills used to dig up the road surface. One was visited in the early morning and arrested. After searching his house and confiscating some belongings, including teenage diaries (very embarrassing), police could not find the other “suspect.”\nAll this would be laughable, as neither of them actually did any digging.\nOn the same day, police visited the (tiny) office of Reclaim the Streets and took computers containing among other things, the data base… Luckily all important information had been encrypted.\nShortly after the M41 party, one Jim Sutton turned up and got involved in Reclaim The Streets, proving useful and practical, as he had a van he could shift gear in etc; always willing to drive here to there… Only his real name was Jim Boyling and he was an undercover policeman from the Met’s Special Demonstrations Squad (SDS), protege of previous spy opportunity Bob Lambert.\nInterestingly for spycops nerds to examine Jim’s record – even after his involvement, it looks like his intel was not really used to prevent actions, in common with a lot of other SDS and other infiltrators. It’s true that exposing an undercover in return for stopping actions like street parties might have been weighed up and someone supervising might have felt the continuing source of inside info more valuable than busting one day’s activities/disruption. Perhaps they were waiting for ‘more serious disruption’: though June 18th definitely comprised this… But also – this isn’t Line of Duty. The Met and their secret arms have their own distinct interests and strategies, and allowing odd days of street blockading, occupations, even more serious sabotage etc, can be employed as an argument for more resources, greater powers and so on. They are also not homogenous, and struggles over strategy occur within the police too. Jim did commit perjury in court, testifying in defence of arrested RTS activists, and went on to drive for activists involved in sabotage of genetically modified crops, as well as exploiting several women for sex and fathering two children. Ever so sadly exposure from former ‘partners’ and activists has led to him being sacked from the police for misconduct – an unusual act for the cops. But then his usefulness was long at an end, publicity was bad, and the police hierarchy will shaft officers on the ground, dump them without even a thought, even undercovers, in the wider interest of their own PR and continuing operations. Prospective spycops take note.\nThe West Cross Route/M41 was downgraded from motorway to an A-road in 2000… What a comedown…\nHere’s a fascinating account of organising the M41 party:\n“I have a pain in my stomach. As the fog of sleep gives way to daylight, dawn and the strangeness of someone else’s house are the first things of which I’m aware. I don’t want to remember why. But my memory, usually unfailingly bad, lets me down again. It’s strange, this morning has been the object of so much nervous pondering over the last six months. Will it be raining? How will the police intervene? Will I panic? Will we panic? And now, as future and present collide, it’s as if there never was a past, there had always only been this day. I’ll explain. There’s a group organising what we hope will be a massive illegal street party. We want to fire an arrow of hope and life into the heart of our dying city. We’re going to take back the M41, reclaim it, steal it back from the machine. But occupying a motorway is no easy business. You can’t just walk up saying, “Excuse me, could you go away, we’re going to have a street party here.” We’ve been planning this for about five months. Everything has been looked at in detail. Every possibility scrutinised and coordinated. Even the likelihood (certainty?) that we’ll miss something. Backups for mistakes, contingencies for backups. It’s our own Frankenstein’s monster. Our own Catch 22. Once we’ve realised it’s essential to stop, to back out, it’s become impossible to do so. This is the basic plan. The crowd meet up at Liverpool Street station, the meeting place we’ve advertised in advance. Then when there’s around two thousand people, they’re directed onto the tube by people in the crowd. Then they’re taken right across London to Shepherd’s Bush where they’re directed out of the station in groups of eight hundred, and onto the motorway. The basic plan is quite simple but it’s the smaller details that really hold it together. The crowd block the northbound traffic, but for technical reasons they can’t stop the southbound traffic. That’s our job. At exactly the same time as the crowd arrives at Shepherd’s Bush, we have to drive onto the south lane, block it (by crashing two cars together and putting up tripods), and drive trucks carrying the sound systems, bouncy castles, etc. onto the road to meet the crowd. I’m in the group driving the trucks from their secret location to two points. One about two miles away, and then on signal, to another one about quarter of a mile from the motorway. A short wait, one more phone call, and we drive onto the road, block it and unload all the gear. That’s the plan anyway. I make Andy some tea. I’m staying at his address because it’s one the police don’t know. We guess they might bust the main organisers the night or morning before the event. It sounds paranoid, but it turns out to be sound thinking. I leave the house on my bike around 9.00 am. I don’t exactly feel calm but I’m on automatic, I’m pre-programmed. It’s a beautiful day. The bleached blue of sky cuts strange shapes against the jumbled horizon of a city full of question marks. I hope we can answer, I hope we can pull this off. After half an hour I arrive at the factory, our secret rendezvous. A group of Spaniards are squatting it and holding parties every now and again. Ian, a man with siesta in his blood, has sniffed them out and for the last few weeks we’ve been storing equipment and practicing the erection of our fortyfoot tripod which is to be used for blocking the road. The Spaniards hung out, sitting cat-like in the sun, looking sexy and listening to weird mixes of Mozart and techno. I think they liked us, the way you might like a furry alien. We must have seemed strange. Coming in at all hours, dropping things off, being very secretive. Then we’d rush around the courtyard, putting up creaking tripods in minutes with military precision. Well almost. Sometimes the contrast was ridiculous. Their endless dreamy siestas, us charging up and down shouting and sweating. One morning we caught the tail end of one of their parties. There were about 20 Spaniards lying around tired and happily stoned listening to very ambient, end of party music. We were there in the courtyard putting the upper section of our tripod on for the first time. Twenty bodies melting into the furniture haphazardly strewn around, us 12 maniacally constructing. Just as we lifted the last 20 foot section into place, the DJ started playing a dramatic remix of the Space Odyssey 2001 soundtrack. I realised that they were willing us on, hoping we’d succeed in our bizarre project. It’s quiet when I arrive. The sound crew are in the warehouse. They’ve been packing the trucks all night and their techno sculpture is now complete. My arrival is greeted with tired hostility which turns to laughter when they realise it’s me. But it’s the laughter of people bemused, worried even. The sound system people treat us with some suspicion. It’s not surprising. Ask anyone from a rig what they do and their answer will be reasonably clear. Ask someone from RTS and the answer will be as clear as the Thames on a foggy night. Ours is the politics of the margins, the margins where words fear to tread. But a shaman needs an audience, a religious site, and they know that we’ll try our best to provide it. Soon the RTS road crew (yeah I know) arrive, and yet despite enjoying the feeling of comradeship, the feeling of purpose, this feels like the spinning point around which months of fantasy become a terrifying reality. The two trucks are parked behind each other in the bigger of the two warehouses. The front truck contains one sound-system and three tons of sand (a beach for the kids). The other truck has a huge sound system and four 20 foot tripods, which together make the 40 foot tower. After some last-minute running around looking for that crucial remix, petrol for the generators, and so on, everybody is on board. Two drivers, two co-drivers, and the sound crews happily hidden in the back with their systems. It’s one of life’s rarer moments. Everything’s organised, we’ve taken our responsibilities seriously, and everything is going to plan. I feel like I’m going to burst but there’s also a sense of calmness that preparation allows you. Dean and I are in the front tuck. Dean’s driving, the others are waiting for us to move off. “Shall we…?” I venture. “Give us the keys then.” “Oh yeah, the keys.” I am water. The plug has been pulled. I’ve forgotten the keys. I’VE FORGOTTEN THE FUCKING KEYS. The keys to the truck. The truck with the stuff. The truck in front of the other truck. The other truck with the rest of the stuff. The truck with the tripods for the blockade, the truck with the sound systems, the beach, the everyfuckingthing. Two trucks. Eight sad tons of useless metal. One small piece of brass, a shudder of electricity, compression and life. But the key, the key whose ninety degree shift gives meaning, is four miles away. I slip from a rigidity of shock to a catatonic nothingness. It takes half an hour to drive to Muswell Hill. We’ve got to be parked up in three quarters of an hour. Without these two trucks there will be no blockade, no sound systems, and probably no street party. People are getting out, wondering what the hold-up is. I’m sitting in the cab shaking, unable to move or speak properly. This event confirms all my most firmly held doubts about myself. That: (1) I am, and always have been stupid. (2) I am not worthy of love, friendship, or trust. (3) That I will have a miserable life. Dean is staring at me from the driving seat. His eyes say it all. I know he’s thinking that I’m totally stupid, utterly untrustworthy and deserving of a miserable life. People, having discovered what’s going on, are pacing the courtyard like a troop of headless chickens. I pull back into my vacated self and maniacally start scraping every pore of my bag in the forlorn hope that…. A woman arrives in the courtyard in her car. It’s an old Fiesta, which to us shines with the perverted curves of a sports car. Like zealots we explain our plight to this goddess of fortune. She hands us the keys and a ghost of sadness shadows her face as we leave in the car, that in a strange, human way she kind of loves. Turnpike Lane passes in a blur as we speed towards the Hill. Somehow we get to the flat in 15 minutes. I charge up to the top floor. There are the keys. I run back to the car, clenching the key in fearful grip, a tiny sliver of brass thawing the ice that has entered my body. Dean’s smile mirrors my relief, and we race back towards the factory, our fragile hopes of success alive again. We arrive at the factory ten minutes over the 30 minutes we had in hand. A phone call to Liverpool Street establishes that the crowd has started to gather. I ask them to give us an extra ten minutes to get in place. Now we have to drive the trucks across London, park up in a quiet industrial estate and wait for a phone call which tells us to move to a final pitch less than half a mile from the motorway. We drive across London, every now and then spotting a group of people obviously heading for the meeting place at Liverpool Street station. I’m too vain not to feel a sense of pride, and too scared for it to make me feel anything but more nervous. We join the Westway, which rises majestically out of the chaos like a giant silver-backed reptile winding over the city. I feel young, like a child on a great adventure, the blue skies echoing our new found mood. London seems to be waiting, almost conspiring with us, as if somehow it’s a living participant in the day’s events. We pull off the motorway and drive to our first pitch. The industrial estate is virtually deserted. A jumble of silent, blank warehouses. Our cars, which are to crash and block the road, are parked at the back of the estate. With the cars are the four people responsible for the block: Louise, John, Anna, and Beth. You can tell they’re nervous. You would be if you had to stage-crash a car on one of London’s crowded motorways. A tailback of a thousand overheated motorists and you caused it. On purpose. We’ve bought the two cars for 100 pounds each. Scrap on wheels and it shows. One has died on us. NO amount of mouth-to-exhaust can bring it back. Blocking the road with one car is going to be difficult. Luckily we have a backup car. I call Des, the driver, who starts heading over. Now it’s just a case of waiting and hoping. Waiting for the call to say “move”, hoping that Des arrives before the call. So, of flesh and beating hearts we wait among the silent and formless warehouses. People are out of the trucks and lolling about in the sun. The phone rings. “Pete, it’s Des. I’ve run out of fucking petrol.” Maybe it’s right and proper that a group who claim to be against car culture should be jinxed when it comes to using them. Anyway, we’re going to have to manage the road block with just one. These problems aside, I feel surprisingly confident. It feels like some kind of miracle to be in this nowhere place waiting to pounce. If we can get this far, anything is possible. Every now and then the mobile rings. Things are OK at Liverpool Street. The crowds have started moving off and are heading towards us on the tube. And we wait. I feel like we’re on some strange island, isolated from a world we can only dream of. And then this guy wanders over, wearing a big coat and black clothes to match his long black hair. He seems vaguely pissed or stoned or both. “So, what’s happening?” “Errh… nothing much.” I sound nervous as hell. “So, what’s in the trucks?” It may have been a casual inquiry, but it’s like someone has thrown a bucket of icy water over us. I’m staring at the others and trying to look relaxed at the same time. Lee tries to shake him off, “What’s up, what you doing down here?” “Oh, my truck’s broken down. I’m parked up round the corner. Is that a sound system in the back?” Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. This is getting stranger. I’m feeling panicky again. My next words sound hollow, “Yea we’re doing a party in Hampshire tonight, should be good.” He ignores my synthetic voice and carries on, “Oh right, did you hear about the Reclaim the Streets party?” The words hang in the air like branding irons. He mutters something indiscernable and wanders off, leaving us to our paranoia. Then, as if to balance things, Des arrives. He’d managed to hitch to the petrol station and back to the car in under 20 minutes. Recent strangeness is soon forgotten as we explain the practicalities of the road-block to our new arrival. The crowd is on the way. We wait some more. The mobile rings again. It’s John. “The first tube’s gone past Marble Arch!” Now we have to move to the final pitch. It’s only just down the road, but we want to be as close as possible when the final call comes, so we can time our arrival just right. The next parkup is next to a riding school squeezed in behind a block of flats. We pull up and park in a line next to some bushes. This time there’s no lolling about, no jokes, just the weight of our nervous anticipation. If the plan goes well we shouldn’t be here for more than five minutes. The mobiles are going mad. There’s a call from Dee, her gentle nervous voice sounding strange amongst the aggressive chaos. She says there are police vans crawling all over the location, but that her group is in place. She’s part of a group of ten hiding behind a wall next to the motorway. When our cars crash, we pull the trucks up next to the wall and they all jump over, get the tripods out and put them up. We thought the police might work out where we were going by looking at the map and the direction we were heading. Our hunch was that by the time they’d worked it out we’d be too close for it to make any difference. Still, their arrival is like salt water to our already flayed nerves. In the distance we can hear police sirens above the low grumble of traffic. What is usually the slightly annoying sound of somebody else’s problem, today strikes fear into our hearts. There are probably only two or three of them, but to us it sounds like thousands. Then Clive calls. Clive is the spotter at Shepherd’s Bush, who will give us the final go ahead. He tells me that there’s a thick line of police blocking the crowd in at Shepherd’s Bush and they can’t get through onto the motorway. His words crash through me like a vandal in a greenhouse. In the background I can hear the noises of the crowd. It almost sounds like the party’s started. I tell the others, a desperate gloom envelops us, and our collective mood shifts with the speed of a retreating tide. I have spent months telling myself that even if we failed it will have been worth it. I could never have carried on if I’d thought everything hung on success. Now I see I’ve been conning myself. I feel sick. Everyone looks crushed. Jim calls. “Pete is that you?” “Yeah, fuck’s sake what’s going on.” “We can’t get through. We’re going to have to have it at Shepherd’s Bush. You’ll have to go round the back.” Even through the electronic echo I can hear the tension in his voice. He knows as well as I do that Shepherd’s Bush is a dire location. A strip of dog-shit covered lawn squeezed between two hideous shopping parades. It seems pretty unlikely that we could drive through the police cordons, and even if we could, would it be worth it? How could all those coppers get there so quickly? Why can’t the crowd break through the cordon? The hopeless, pointless, questions of loss drown out my thoughts. A mood of desolation fills me like the first cold rains of winter. It’s over. We fought the law and the law won. Sitting there in that truck in the London sunshine with those people feels like the end of hope. We start looking at the A-Z trying to work out a back route to Shepherd’s Bush. There’s no enthusiasm, this is a job now. Jen calls. She was to call if things were going badly. This call signifies a last ditch attempt to rectify things. When Clive sees there’s no way through he calls Jen. She’s waiting at the nearest station. She runs down the tube and tells people coming from Liverpool Street that there’s no way through. They then get out and approach the motorway through some back streets. “There’s a hundred or so people heading down through the back route.” By this time a small group of us are gathered round the front truck, analyzing all the information as it arrives. Everyone looks at everyone else. Hope releases tiny vascular muscles and blood lights our pale faces. A straw is floating out there on the stormy waters. This is the moment the plan comes alive. It’s like the question of artificial intelligence. I viewed the plan a bit like that. It was so complicated (too complicated) and intricate that I felt it might develop a life of its own. For months we’d worked on it in meetings without end, a tangled mess which often threatened to pull us under. Now, on the day, the plan is boss. Dean takes the initiative. “Come on, let’s fucking go for it.” The change of mood is instantaneous. A recklessness born of desperation, grabbing at straws that can give us our dreams back. This is it. The beginning. It’s like being interviewed for a job you don’t want – you can take it easy. An action that can’t succeed. I feel almost relaxed. As the convoy pulls off I’m hit by a wave of guilt. We may well be consigning thousands of pounds worth of other people’s equipment to the scrap heap. Appallingly, I ignore these moral qualms – my sense of relief is too great. It will take us a couple of minutes to reach the location. I swing between elation, “Thank fuck we’re doing something,” and profound doubt, “We’re doing this because we can’t face not doing it, we should be going to Shepherd’s Bush.” The cab is silent. Too much emotion, too much tension, words, forget it, they come from another dimension. I realise I haven’t called Dee. With fingers of lead I fumble desperately with the mobile. “Dee, we’re on the way.” “Oh, OK. I think we’re ready.” She doesn’t sound confident. We circle the final roundabout which leads onto the M41. There’s a riot van waiting on the roundabout. My sense of fatalism sets like concrete. We drive past, followed by the two cars. We take the second exit and follow the gentle curve of the slip road onto the motorway, a black unflowing river, the motorway of dreams. The slip road is held aloft by giant concrete pillars. A thin concrete wall bounds each side; on the left behind the wall there’s a skateboard park and our twelve hidden activists. Behind us the cars are slowing down to block the traffic, they hit each other, stop, and the road is sealed. We pull up next to the skateboard park and jump out. The tripod team are scrambling over the wall to join us. Now things just become a frantic chaotic blur. As we heave the tripods out of the truck I can see coppers coming through the blocked traffic towards us. Three tripods are up within 45 seconds and we’re trying to join them together. It’s like trying to communicate in a gale, we can’t hear each other above the adrenaline. The others look at me for direction, but my map has blown off in the wind. Only Dee knows what’s going on but she can’t raise her voice above the din of maleness. People climb the tripods. Incredibly the road is blocked. I look round and see the M41 stretching away from us like a desert. Utterly empty. No thousands of people, no hundreds, no-one. In the distance I can see the two trucks parked up on the hard shoulder. They’re already surrounded by coppers and still no party goers have arrived. I don’t think any of us know why, but we just start running towards the trucks. We arrive and find that Carl from Express Sounds has managed to dodge the police and get to our side of the wall. He looks dazed and wanders about aimlessly. He’s probably just lost his sound system. Just over the wall the police are arresting people and rifling through the lorry cabs. On the one hand I recognise that the street party is probably over, deep down I’m bracing myself for the humiliation of failure. On the other hand we’re all clutching at every straw, filled with a belief that even now it might still be possible. We realise that we’ve got to get onto the truck roofs. The police will want to move them, but the longer we can keep them there the more the chance of the mythical crowd appearing. The police are concentrating on their conquest. Flushed with the joy of victory they fail to see us skulking just feet away on the other side of the wall. They’re already arresting the drivers and searching the trucks. We see a space, a lucky moment when their attention is distracted. We haul ourselves over the wall and launch ourselves at the trucks. As we begin climbing I’m struck by a trembling fear that some unseen hand will grab my leg. But the police are too slow and two of us find ourselves standing on the thin aluminium tops laughing with relief. The coppers have handcuffed the drivers and sound crews, more of them are arriving all the time. Three hundred and thirty yards to the south, a wall of police vans and cop infantry has formed what looks like an impenetrable barrier blocking access from the roundabout. Anyone who managed to get through the cordon outside the tube station would be faced by this. And then we see it, our mythical crowd, shimmering mirage-like at the roundabout. They’ve managed to get through at Shepherd’s Bush. Ian and I start jumping and screaming at the crowd, our hopes alive again. Then, like a giant beast stumbling, the police line falters, and somehow the smallest breach seems suddenly to threaten the stability of the whole. The faltering becomes panic, police vans drive madly all over the place, and then the crowd bursts through. At first a trickle, the odd person sprinting onto the silent tarmac beyond the police line. Then, with sheer determination and weight, the dam bursts and 3,000 people charge onto the waiting road. At this point I look down and see a senior police officer walk over to the people under arrest and pinned to the wall. “De-arrest them.” If he hadn’t, we would have. I almost feel sorry for him. Within moments what was empty motorway, hot strips of tarmac, utterly dead, is living and moving, an instant joyous celebration. It is our moment; everyone and everything seems incredibly and wonderfully alive. Seconds later a sound-system fires up and our fragile dashed hopes become resurrected in the certainty of the dancing crowd.\n(‘Charlie Fourier’)\nWatch M41 – the film\n@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@\nFor another view:\nThis is the text of a leaflet written for distribution at a 1996 Reclaim the Streets occupation of the M41 motorway, looking at the limitations of such occupations in the broader context of the capitalist restructuring occurring at the time.\nReturning to Upper Street a week or two after July ’95 “Reclaim the Streets” was unsettling and strange. Heavy traffic now roared through the area where a children’s sandpit previously was and where a settee and carpet had been too.\nReclaim the Streets is a hundred times better than the average boring demo, trudging along between rows of cops to a “rally” where we’re talked at by no-hope politicians and union bureaucrats. By seizing territory and using it for our own purposes, our own party, it’s already a victory (whereas every union/Leftist campaign is already a defeat).\nStill, Reclaim the Streets has its limitations, most obviously in time and space. The actions are usually strictly timed; the minority who held on after the official end last time were abandoned to our fate; a police riot. And it was bizarre the way in Islington last year diners carried on their meals outside Upper Street restaurants only a hundred metres from the blocked off street and police lines.\nThe use of space in the street party was highly imaginitive. The kids sandpit and grown-up’s settee in the middle of the road were a good bit of fun, demonstrating the opposition between rising traffic and human relaxation and play. The action was also one in the eye for the ‘radical’ left-wing Labour council of Islington, who try to make themselves real representatives of the local ‘citizens’. Still their attempts to do this don’t always go to plan.\nAt the anti-Poll tax demo at Islington town hall in early 1990 the council showed their direct democratic principles and closeness to their electors by miking up the council chamber and relaying the sound to a PA outside so anti-Poll tax demonstrators could hear the process of democracy. This backfired quite a bit though as what we could hear was the Mayor saying things like “Can the demonstrators in the public gallery stop throwing missiles into the council chamber”! Fuck their democracy and their pseudo-radicalism! We weren’t letting them screw the Poll tax on us! We were penned into a small area just outside the town hall, surrounded by cops. The first violence I saw was when a few youngsters (10 to 12 years) started throwing bottles at the cops. When the cops dived in to arrest them we couldn’t do much to save them, just throw a journalist in the cops way to try and slow them down. The main trouble started when the demo was breaking up. I didn’t see exactly what happened, but a mini-riot started and we were chased all the way from the town hall down to the Angel: to the exact spot where Reclaim the Streets was last year and where the cops started chasing us from, when that finished!\nThere is more to the conflict between state and protesters over roads than just a growing environmental consciousness. The expansion of the road network has been a key element in capitalist political strategy for over two decades.\nThe defeat of fascism, and victory for totalitarian democracy in the West, and Stalinism in the East, marked a new phase in capitalism. Both east and west did their best to integrate the proletariat (people without social power or social wealth) through high employment and a high social wage (unemployment benefit, free healthcare and education etc.). This strategy was always a bit creaky in the east with its weak capital, but in the west combined with consumerism it helped bring relative social peace through to the late 60s.\nBut even in the rich west, not every section of the proletariat could be bought off, even temporarily. The first break with the post-war deal came from sectors normally ignored by, and incomprehensible to, the workerist left. First of all came the struggles by blacks, including many of the poorest and oppressed amongst all proletarians. Then developed a new wave of women’s struggles. Certainly both of these had their contradictions; they took time to find their feet and also the racial or gender basis, rather than specifically proletarian, made them especially wide open to co-optation. But even so these were important struggles, the first thrashings of a waking giant. As the sixties progressed, struggles spread amongst students in many countries. After several days of rioting around the Sorbonne in Paris in ’68, these “marginal” struggles kicked off a weeks-long general strike and occupation movement with strong revolutionary overtones. This strike sent reverberations around the world, with related struggles echoing in Mexico, Italy, Poland, Britain, Portugal, Spain and many other places over the next few years.\nThese struggles shook capital to its foundation but never became an authentically internationalist revolutionary movement. Capitalism’s knee-jerk response was to move investment from areas of successful proletarian struggle to more placid zones (or more fascistic ones). This original “flight of capital” was quickly developed into a coherent strategy. Industries or industrial areas with strong traditions of struggle were deliberately run down. Mass unemployment was used to slash wages, including the social wage. This was blamed on “the recession” as if this was some natural disaster. Capitalist production was dispersed and internationalised so as to make any revival of proletarian class power more difficult.\nThis dispersal of production naturally leads to greater need for communication, transport and co-ordination between the different elements of production. This strategic attack has had a major effect on the composition of the proletariat. In the UK for example, since 1981 job cuts in mining and utilities have amounted to 442,000; in mineral and metal products 435,000; in transport 352,000; in construction 307,000. All cuts in traditional areas of class power. The biggest growth areas have been information technology with 916,000 more jobs; as well as social work with 450,000; hotel and restaurants 334,000; and education 247,000. The biggest cuts have been in traditional industry, the biggest growth in IT, connecting together the new dispersed production system. This reorganisation has been carried out with the deliberate aim of atomising our struggles. So instead of using efficient rail transport, the new model has relied instead on road transport with massive state investment in road programs. The use of road transport against class struggle became crystal clear at the News International dispute in Wapping in 1986. The typographers’ jobs were replaced by computer technology and the rest of the printers sacked and replaced by scabs. Up till then, the Sun and Times had been distributed using British Rail. But Rupert Murdoch knew he couldn’t rely on BR’s workers to distribute scab papers. Part of his winning strategy was to use his own fleet of lorries instead of rail transport. Part of our struggle against Murdoch was the blocking of roads around Wapping to try and prevent the papers getting out.\nRoad building is a conscious strategy of capital against proletarian struggle. Reclaim the Streets sits in a long line of struggles including Wapping, The Poll tax, even May ’68.\nCapital’s strategy has undeniably been fairly effective. Workers struggles in Britain reached an historical low a couple of years back. Most workers’ struggles remain trade union style disputes in the ever diminishing state sector. The newer sectors of the workforce have yet to make any major collective struggle. For the workerist left, this is a truly depressing time. But the increasingly politicised struggles outside the workplace; the interlinked struggles of the anti-roads, anti-Job Seeker’s Allowance, anti-Criminal Justice Act etc., are much more than so called single issue campaigns. These struggles are consciously linked and determinedly expansive. Their effectiveness is certainly limited, compared to the potential of a wave of wildcat strikes or riots, but who can say that these struggles won’t play the same role as the struggles of the blacks’, women’s and students’ movements in the 60s; first skirmishes of a new revolutionary movement.\nThis is a version of a leaflet that was written in Summer 1996, for the ‘Reclaim the Streets’ party on/occupation of, the M41 motorway in West London, UK. For various reasons, the leaflet was not produced at that time. This slightly revised version is made available here as the comments on restructuring and recomposition have a continuing relevence.\nWhat the (undistributed) Antagonism leaflet said about roadbuilding is interesting – but also links in to some thoughts we recently had about the M41. Roads have not only been used to defeat workers’ struggles; they are also a massive source of capitalist accumulation, of profit in themselves. The roadbuilding program of the early-mid 1990s – the trigger for the rise of Reclaim the Streets – was a hugely profitable policy for some of the UK’s biggest companies. In the end it was defeated by resistance – from the myriad anti-roads campaigns, from Twyford Down, through Oxleas Wood to the M11 and on to Newbury; there were lots of defeats, but the fightback, in the end, forced the road lobby onto the back foot and the government to pull the plug.\nIt was the same in the 1970s – the Ringways project was delayed and cut back so long by campaigns against the various routes, that the economy eventually ran out of steam.\nThe planners of all these projects always thought that massive destruction and obliteration of inner-city communities, or bulldozing through woods and fields, would be easily achieved… Massive destruction and upheaval did devastate cities in the post-WW2 decades, furthering the work of wartime bombers: building of new estates and highways made cities that functioned for car use, but isolated people in environments that quickly fell into decay or became alienating and ghettoised.\nRoadbuilding has also been used to simply destroy areas – to just evict and disperse people seen as troublesome, unprofitable, rebellious, or just too poor. Some of London’s main roads were driven though ‘rookeries’ and slums in the 19th century with the deliberate aim of removing the thousands who lived in them – making profit for the road builders and shaving pounds for the well-to-do ratepayers; although quite often the inhabitants simply ended up in more crowded slums nearby…\nToday the planners and developers need to be more subtle – the outcry when you bulldoze neighbourhoods is huge, so they do things on a smaller scale, usually now picking off council estates one by one. But added together, demolition and ‘regeneration’ are affecting hundreds of thousands of people across the city.\nCampaigns against roadbuilding and the attendant destruction of older housing and communities in the 1970s, typified by the Ringway protests, were among the first stirrings of a stand against wholesale demolition in favour of conservation, but also of a human level grassroots sense of community asserting against hitherto all-powerful planners and politicians. Although sometimes voicing a kind of reactionary, anti-progress, middle class nimbyism, often in fact the campaigns were quite broad, if usually limited to the immediate rolling back of the project at hand. The 1990s anti-roads campaigns were similar, but transformed in one way, by the wandering eco-warriors who went from camp to camp, linking up one campaign with another, spreading and sharing experience and ideas.\nTwenty years after the Ringways, Reclaim the Streets went out into the some of the same roads, with different and wider aims – to push for a redefinition of urban space itself, focussed on the road, and how it’s used, but looking to use the streets as a route to a bigger challenge – to capitalism and its control over our daily lives. If the anti-roads campaigns that RTS emerged from were mostly themselves defeated, the campaign itself was more eventually able to halt some of the government’s road expansion program. RTS’ challenge to capital was always going to be more difficult – it could only ever be the start of a conversation, a sharing of ideas and spreading of tactics.\nWe have written a little bit elsewhere comparing RTS and 2019’s Extinction Rebellion street demos and occupations, which echoed RTS while simultaneously large, and yet ideologically sometimes more hidebound. 2019 and XR now seem a long time ago! – what with virus lockdowns, Black Lives Matter, the last five months have seen first streets emptied – of cars, though not entirely of people, and then a resurgence of urgent street action against racism and violent racist policing, which we are still in the midst of. It would be interesting if the awareness of impending eco-disaster, the explosion of mutual aid covid-19 encouraged, the BLM movement, and the growing coming together of campaigners against gentrification and for a sustainable housing system, find common ground and common cause. Poignantly, as we partied on the M41, we danced in the shadow of Grenfell Tower…\nInterestingly lockdown, and the partial relaxing of lockdown, have seen a re-colonisation of streets and urban space in some areas – less cars, more bikes, people sitting on the street; as pubs re-open and people ‘bubble up’ we’ve seen people sitting out in the roadway, on the steps, on the corners, again, in places where it had kinda died; it’ll be interesting to see if this continues. Can it be built on? There are lots of campaigns in many localities to re-design streets to reduce car use and encourage more human shared space; to reduce pollution and accidents as much as anything.\nTaking over motorways is really fun – for me I will never forget the M41 party, and would love to repeat it. But I will always also remember seeing people sitting on the road in the street I lived in, during the Brixton RTS party two years later, when we’d closed the whole of central Brixton. Both felt brilliant, but the Brixton party was more direct to me – we’d taken over the streets I lived my daily life in, and showed the potential for our own areas… This is the true lesson of RTS for me, and the arena where change in roads and cars, the future, capital, work, play, locality and life can be effected, on a daily level.\nBut every once in a while, you also have to squat a motorway and plant some trees in the tarmac…\n@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@\nOne of the biggest local victories against roadbuilding in the 1990s was the abandonment of the planned East London River Crossing – however, a new plan in the same area is being fought now in Silvertown.\nHere’s an Archive of Reclaim The Streets parties (not by any means complete)\nToday in London’s anti-racist history, 1981: Southall youth burn down the Hamborough pub after racist skinhead provovations\nPosted on July 3 by mudlark121\nOn Friday 3 July 1981, several ‘Oi’ (streetpunk) bands were set to play a gig in Southall, an area of west London with a large South Asian population. The line up at Southall’s Hambrough Tavern included the 4-Skins, The Last Resort and The Business. Oi may not itself have been a solely fascist movement, for sure, not all its bands and adherents were racist. It was quite distinct from the White Power music scene around bands like Skrewdriver. But gigs by Oi bands did often attract skinheads with neo-nazi sympathies, and their presence in an area like Southall was asking for trouble. (The 4-Skins in particular had close links to nazi groups like the British Movement).\nSouthall was one of the most racially diverse areas in London: in five wards surveyed in 1976, 46 per cent of the population had been born in the Commonwealth: many were Sikhs from the Punjab.\nThis was an area where racists attacks had taken place: in 1976 a National Front-inspired gang had stabbed teenager Gurdip Singh Chaggar in Southall, prompting the formation of the Southall Youth Movement. After the killing, Kingsley Read of the National Party was quoted as having remarked, ‘One down – a million to go’. Chaggar’s killers were never convicted. The failure of the state to take action gave the later events at Southall their edge. The widespread belief that the police were generally sympathetic to the National Front, and institutionally (and in many cases personally) racist, was heavily reinforced in April 1979, when 1000s of police swarmed the area to protect a National Front election meeting. 100s of the demonstrators who came to protest the NF provocation were battered by the Met’s paramilitary Special Patrol Group, and anti-racist teacher Blair Peach was killed when police hit him over head. After the killing, a whitewashed inquest covered up evidence of police involvement, and a report which found a wide range of racist and fascist sympathies among the SPG officers – and identified the officers suspected of killing Peach – was suppressed (until 2010).\nRage in Southall was matched only by the solidarity of youth in the area. They knew police would not defend them against racists. One incident which particularly angered young Asians in Southall was an attack on Satwinder Sondh, by three white racists who carved swastikas on his stomach. The police did not believe the victim and charged him with wasting police time. Racism had been institutionalised in Southall Police Station for years.\nThe Southall Youth Movement formed in 1976, emerging from a meeting at the Southall Dominion theatre the day after Gurdip Singh Chaggar’s murder, where various groups of local youth came together in anger.\nFor the background to the Asian youth’s anger against racism – watch Young Rebels – The Story of the Southall Youth Movement – a great film made by Southall young people more recently interviewing people involved in the events of the 1970s and 1980s. Many of those who formed SYM had experienced ‘bussing’ in the early 1970s- Asian schoolchildren from Southall were transferred to schools across the borough of Ealing, dispersed after protests from white parents. Most were sent on coaches every day to school where they would be the only Asian child or one of a few, and all faced racist attacks and abuse on daily basis. School, police, authorities, did nothing. Many of their parents were keen to keep their heads down, not cause or attract trouble, to respect authority – a theme that emerges was youth feeling their parents had accepted racism and violence, but that they were not going to knuckle under…\nThe Southall youth organised self-defence and kept their memories sharp. So, when in early July ‘81, reports of racist incidents involving skinheads heading to the gig in the Hambrough spread through Southall, the youth quickly took to the streets.\nThe Hambrough landlord had helpfully warned shopkeepers near the venue that racist skins were coming and they might want to close up early. However, when one went to the police his warnings were ignored… Busloads of Skins on their way to the pub arrived in the area all day{ they harassed people, shouted NF slogans, smashed windows of Asian shops, abused an Asian shopkeeper, and kicked an Asian woman and threw a shopping trolley at her. This kind of racist provocation was routine in many areas with Black and Asian populations in the 1970s and early 80s. This time, though, the racists would not get it all their own way.\nAn angry crowd gathered and marched on the Hambrough. The police formed a cordon around the pub, protecting the skins (many of who were sieg heiling and shouting abuse) and tried to disperse the ant-racist crowd by using truncheons on them. Petrol bombs were thrown and the pub was set on fire.\nThe police then herded the skins out towards Hayes, barricading the route behind them to prevent further attacks on them, but allowing many to fan out into the area and carry ut random attacks on Black and Asian people. Police also harassed and arrested passers-by.\nA running fight between police and the angry local youth ensued. Cars and police vehicles were overturned, and a police coach was burnt out. Walls were demolished to provide bricks for ammunition. 61 policemen were injured and at least as many civilians; there were 70 arrests, 68 of black or asian people.\nThere’s some footage of the riot on youtube in the course of an old documentary about Oi\nAfter the riot, police said they had no evidence that the white youths were members of the National Front, but locals begged to differ:\n“The skinheads were wearing National Front gear, swastikas everywhere, and National Front written on their jackets,” said a spokesman for the Southall Youth Association. “They sheltered behind the police barricades and threw stones at the crowd. Instead of arresting them, the police just pushed them back. It’s not surprising people started to retaliate.”\nThe police claimed later they had been tipped off that there would be racial violence in West London, but their informant sent them to Greenford instead, two miles away. (Wonder if the tip off was deliberately misleading? And who was the informant? A copper with NF links? An – as yet unexposed – Special Demonstration Squad undercover officer embedded in the nazis?) Conveniently leaving the area free for skins to rampage?\nThe morning after the riot, some 6,000 people from Southall gathered around the ruins of the pub. “It became a shrine for the Asian community,” said Borough Councillor Shambhu Gupta…\nThe week of the Hambrough riot saw riots sweep across the UK, from Liverpool, to Brixton, Hackney, and many other parts of London and elsewhere… here’s a commentary on the 1981 riots written shortly afterwards: Like a Summer with 1000 Julys\n@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@\nIn the aftermath of the Hambrough incident, the Oi band the 4-Skins struggled to book gigs – understandably! – which contributed to their breakup in 1984. Some enlightening (?) debate can be read here on whether they were a racist band…\nHere’s also a post linking to an article on the reggae and punk scene in Southall and its involvement in anti-racist movements.\nThere’s some photos of anti-racist demos in Southall here\nToday in London’s sporting history, 1837: protestors invade the Kensington Hippodrome to re-open a blocked footpath\nPosted on June 17 by mudlark121\n“From the most distant part of the metropolis they can ride in the omnibus, for sixpence, to the Hippodrome…’\n“As long as the off-scourings of Kensington and its neighbourhood, backed by the redoubtable vestry of that parish, are allowed to intrude themselves into the grounds, it would seem that a much larger attendance of the police were absolutely indispensable.” (The Times)\nThe Kensington Hippodrome was a racecourse built in Notting Hill, London, in 1837, by entrepreneur John Whyte, who leased 140 acres (0.57 km2) of land from James Weller Ladbroke, owner of the Ladbroke Estate, who was in the process of developing much of his lands for housing. Whyte then enclosed “the slopes of Notting Hill and the meadows west of Westbourne Grove” with a 7-foot (2.1 m) high wooden fence.\nThe area bounded by the Portobello and Pottery lanes was laid out with 3 circular tracks; a steeplechase, a flat racecourse, and a pony and trap course; and was also to be used for training, ‘shooting with bow and arrow at the popinjay, cricketing, revels and public amusements.’ The stables and paddocks were situated alongside Pottery Lane.\nThe Notting Hill grassy knoll (where St John’s church now stands) was railed in as a “natural grandstand”, from which spectators could watch the races. The main public entrance was situated in Portobello Lane, at the point where Kensington Park Road now joins Pembridge Road, and through a gate at the end of Ladbroke Terrace, corresponding with the present gate into Ladbroke Square Garden.\n[Interestingly, the southernmost section of the racecourse must have been built on or very close to what had been Kensington Gravel pits (which lay just to the north of modern Holland Park Tube to the west of Ladbroke Grove), where gravel was previously dug for road-laying, and also a sometime meeting place – in 1786/7: London bookbinders met there to plan a strike to try to get their 84-hour working week reduced…]\nWhyte’s race course was an ambitious venture, his intention being to build a rival to the well established race courses of Epsom and Ascot. When the Hippodrome opened, Sporting magazine’s correspondent described it as “the most perfect race-course I have ever seen”, ” a racing emporium more extensive and attractive than Ascot or Epsom. . . . An enterprise which must prosper. . . . It is without competitor, and it is open to the fertilization of many sources of profit. . . . A necessary of London life, of the absolute need of which we were not aware until the possession of it taught us its permanent value.” It is stated to be eminently suitable for horse exercise especially ” for females,” for whom ” it is without the danger or exposure of the parks,” whilst the view from the centre is ” as spacious and enchanting as that from Richmond Hill, and where almost the only thing that you cannot see is London.”\nThe Hippodrome opened ‘under promising auspices’ on June 3 1837. ‘Splendid equipages’ and ‘gay marquees, with all their flaunting accompaniments, covered the hill, filled with all the good things of this life.’ The Sporting Magazine reporter prophetically summed up the first meeting and the area’s future with: “Another year, I cannot doubt, is destined to see it rank among the most favourite and favoured of all the metropolitan rendezvous, both for public and private recreation.” There were no drinking or gambling booths, and the prices charged were ‘strictly moderate’. Among the stewards were such ” dandies ” and leaders of society as Lord Chesterfield and Count D’Orsay.\nBut other reviews were less favourable; in one the horses were described as ‘animated dogs’ meat.’ The Times described the racetrack as a “disgusting … petty botheration” and cried “shame upon the people of Kensington” for permitting it.\nFor a (very) short while, the Hippodrome seemed on course to become a popular destination, a cross between Aintree and Glastonbury…\nBut, just as with Glastonbury back in its heyday, lots of people objected to paying to get in, and found other ways in – over, or through, the fence.\nThere had been some vocal opposition to the erecting of the racetrack ,some of which at least seems to have been based on the loss of open fields and public rights of way. A public footpath went straight through the land enclosed by Whyte’s fences. The path led from the present junction of St. Mark’s Road and Cambridge Gardens, running south-easterly, crossing the hill by the curve of Stanley Crescent and descended to Uxbridge Road by Ladbroke Place, as the north end of Ladbroke Grove was called then. Described as a ” public road ” in 1820, it led through the farmyard of Notting Hill Farm and communicated with Kensington by Lord Holland’s Lane. This right of way gave people a good legal argument for ignoring the fence, and would lead to the parish officials from Kensington Vestry getting involved…\nThere was also opposition to the Hippodrome on moral grounds – racing directly encouraged gambling, and indirectly encouraged drinking, smoking, indecent behaviour and probably also riotousness… The temperance and moral reforming opinion of the day was that opening a racecourse was a green light to sin.\nThe racetrack bordered on the “Potteries and Piggeries” of Pottery Lane, at that Point then a notorious slum known as “cut-throat lane”, where a spot of mugging wasn’t unknown. Many of its inhabitants were skint and had a loose respect for entry fees. The footpath also allowed people to avoid walking down ‘Cut-Throat Lane’, so blocking it off also annoyed a more respectable demographic…\nThe opening day, June 3rd, saw a mass crowd invasion through a hole in the fence. Locals cut the hole through the paling, with hatchets and saws, where it blocked the public footpath to Notting Barns farm. Of the 12 to 14,000 in attendance, it was estimated that most hadn’t paid: “some thousands thus obtained gratuitous admission.” These “unappealing visitors”, accustomed to “villainous activities” were at least in part not the class of customers that John Whyte had in mind. The Times correspondent complained of “the dirty and dissolute vagabonds of London, a more filthy and disgusting crew … we have seldom had the misfortune to encounter.”\nWhyte had the hole blocked up the hole with clay and turf: but if he thought that would end the matter, he would soon think again. By this point, either the invaders had never quite been as disreputable as the Times made out, or the blocking of the footpath and unwillingness to pay to get into the Hippodrome had spread to higher castes in the parish, as parish officials now got involved.\nOn June 17th 1837, “local inhabitants and labourers, led by the parish surveyor and accompanied by the police”, asserted their rights to walk the footpath, taking the form of Beating the Bounds – the traditional ceremony of walking parish boundaries and marking them every year, a practical task that had over time assumed a ritual role, and was often used to note down or demolish unsanctioned enclosures, buildings or attempts to move borders and fences.\nThe officials may have been co-opted by a crowd, or acted out of strict respect for parish rights. In any case, they re-opened the traditional footpath, by reinstating the original entrance hole, and knocking another hole in the fence on the other side of the racetrack to make a northern exit. Once this was achieved, these community activists gathered on Notting Hill to give three loud cheers for the parish of Kensington. It was noted that the crowd was a mix of the ‘righteous’ and the ‘unrighteous’: the footpath protestors “seem as a rule to have been orderly enough, but gipsies, prigs (thieves) and hawkers did not neglect the opportunity of mingling with the nobility and gentry.” As with many gardens and parks, the exclusion of the undeserving poor was a must. For lots of the local poor, the beating of the parish bounds offered a chance to cock a snook at the respectable and enjoy the sport for free…\nThe involvement of parish officials in maintaining the rights of way and preventing or removing what they could prove were illegal enclosures or encroachments on parish land and parochial rights may seem surprising when harnessed to invasion of the racecourse. However, this is far from a unique event – from the early days of enclosure parish busybodies were in fact heavily involved in ruling some enclosures illegal, even in actively tearing them down. The local disputes over private individuals fencing off land or blocking traditional paths and routes in their own interest led to continual splits in local bodies – not all the worthies were in favour of such landgrabs, either due to actual principled stands, local rivalries, or in some cases pedantic insistence on statute and local bylaw. Check out this enclosure battle from nearby Westminster in 1592.\nAnd similarly, a local vicar was involved in the Richmond Park trespass in 1751.\nThe Times, already heavily prejudiced against the opening of the racecourse, was further enraged by the involvement of the parish officers in this action:\n“The great annoyance experienced by the respectable company at the Hippodrome, from the ingress of blackguards who enter by the ‘right of way’, ought, at once, to convince the Kensington people of the impolicy, as well as the injustice of the steps they have taken in reference to this ground… The very urchins who were made the instruments of this piece of contemptible parochial tyranny, will, in after life, blush for the action. We allude to the little boys who accompanied the beadles and ‘old women’, in beating the boundaries of the parish. The reckless injury occasioned to the property, perhaps, is a minor consideration, when compared with the inconvenience attendant now upon the impossibility of keeping out any ruffian or thief who may claim his ‘right of way’ on the footpath… shame upon the people of Kensington!’” (The Times, 1837)\nThe Times also reported somewhat inconsistently on the 4th Hippodrome meeting: “It is true that a large portion of the assemblage consisted of the dirty and dissolute, to whom the disputed path affords a means of ingress; but there was still a sufficient muster of the gay and fashionable to assure the proprietor that a purveyor of manly national sports will find no lack of powerful and flattering support from the largest and richest metropolis in the world… As long as the off-scourings of Kensington and its neighbourhood, backed by the redoubtable vestry of that parish, are allowed to intrude themselves into the grounds, it would seem that a much larger attendance of the police were absolutely indispensable.”\nLocal feeling was still very much against the racecourse. Petitions to close it were circulated, the Kensington Vestry asked Parliament for the closure of the racecourse, and the question was discussed by the Court of King’s Bench and before Parliament.\nIn order to pacify both the moral opposition and the local roughs, Mr. Whyte and his business partners promised to reform certain evils on the premises, and to admit the public free on Sundays, and for a charge of twopence on certain holidays. However, the moral reformers saw the latter proposal as a desecration of the Sabbath, when they thought no sport should take place at all. Although there restrictions on gambling and drinking within the Hippodrome, it merely took place instead in nearby “gambling houses, gin-shops, beerhouses, etc.,” which had increased in number, attracting all sorts of undesirables, “the scum and offal of London assembled in the peaceful hamlet of Notting Hill.”\nReminding us of the local middle class petitions against Camberwell Fair and other annual shindigs.\nA year later the pathway was fenced off by an iron railing. But before the beginning of the 1839 racing season, Mr. Whyte gave up the contest and abandoned occupation of the eastern half of ‘Hippodrome Park’, which included the disputed pathway. However, the race-course was extended to the north-west, just avoiding the footpath from Wormwood Scrubs, (now St. Quintin Avenue). The Park became a bulb-shaped piece of land which reached as far as Latimer Road, and the race-course formed a loop on the western side of the training ground.\nPortobello Lane was now connected by road with a new entrance on the top of the hill. (Part of this road was unearthed when a potato patch was made in Ladbroke Square Garden in 1916.) As part of this new extension, the old public way from Notting Barns to Uxbridge Road seems to have been cut through and done away with without any protest.\nApart from losing income to ‘trespassers’ and now having pissed off the parish sticklers for probity, Whyte had other serious problems, however. The next scheduled race-meeting had to be suddenly relinquished on account of the death of William IV on 20th June 1837. The sale of the royal stud after the king’s death was also a serious blow to horse-racing in general.\nThe ground was also shifting beneath Whyte’s feet… Heavy clay soil was characteristic of the neighbourhood, which was how the neighbouring Potteries had evolved – high quality clay was dug for brick making at Pottery Lane. This made for poor drainage, which meant the training ground became regularly waterlogged and was unusable for long periods. From 1837 to 1842 just 13 race meetings were held, with many jockeys refusing to take part, saying that the heavy clay ground made riding too dangerous.\nA drawing by Kathleen McIlvenna showing the racecourse superimposed upon a modern street plan.\nTwo stewards of the Hippodrome, Lord Chesterfield and Count D’Orsay, attempted to improve the deteriorating image of the racecourse by changing its name to “Victoria Park, Bayswater”, after the new Queen Victoria. But in order to pay for the extensive alterations the charges for admission had to be doubled. Pedestrians paid two and sixpence instead of one shilling, and a four-wheeled carriage cost ten shillings instead of five.\nHowever, the Hippodrome continued to haemorrhage money, and in 1842 Whyte gave up the struggle, and relinquished his lease back to James Weller Ladbroke. The summit of the hill quickly reverted to open country. Shortly thereafter Ladbroke resumed the development of the Ladbroke Estate, building crescents of houses on Whyte’s circular race track.\nA Shabby London Suburb? A walk around the radical & working class history of Hammersmith\nPosted on May 10 by mudlark121\nThis walk was originally researched and drawn up by members of the West London Anarchists & Radicals group (since defunct), who guided about 30 people around the walk on Friday 3 May 2002. The walk was part of the Mayday Festival of Alternatives. The walk lasted about two hours and at the end we finished off with a few pints in one of Hammersmith’s oldest pubs, the Dove. The walk has been retrodden several times since.\nSome additional information has been added by interested mudlarks with permission of the walk’s original architects.\nTo contact the authors of the walk, email: hornet955@yahoo.co.uk\nSTART: Hammersmith Tube Station\nThe most famous revolutionary in Hammersmith was William Morris, who we will encounter many times, but there is much more to our local radical history than Morris. For example, Hammersmith was a stronghold of the National Union of the Working Classes in the early 1830s; local NUWC ‘classes’ met at the Perseverance Tavern. Meetings were held here, as in other working class areas, in the lead up to the Battle of Coldbath Fields, where radicals fought a pitched battle with police in Clerkenwell. Later the local branch of the Chartist movement met a short distance from here in Hammersmith Road, many times between 1842 and 1848. Chartist leader Feargus O’Connor also lived in King Street in 1837.\nWalk up Shepherds Bush Road to old Hammersmith Palais\nHammersmith Palais: The building was originally a roller skating rink and opened as the Palais in 1919. It was an important place of working class entertainment as a popular dance venue. You will no doubt remember it from the Clash song ‘White Man in the Hammersmith Palais’. The Clash were closely associated with West London, the members of the band all living locally. The Palais closed a few years ago in dubious circumstances when the owners wanted to convert it to offices. When it was reopened and renamed Poo Na Na, the original sign was presented to a bemused Joe Strummer, lead singer of the Clash. It later reverted to its old name; but the Palais was demolished in 2012. The Fall played the last ever gig. When the then Tory Council gave permission for closure and demolition, radio DJ Robert Elms, whose parents met at the Palais, said “It’s all about knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing”. Private student accommodation now stands on the site.\nHammersmith Police Station (Just up Shepherds Bush Road to north.) The police station is notorious. On Christmas Eve 1990 the cops rounded up lots of Irish men for being drunk. One prisoner, Patrick Quinn, was killed in the cells by the cops, who then framed another prisoner present in the cells, fellow Irishman Malcolm Kennedy, for his murder. It took Malcolm years to clear his name.\nIn the late 1950s, the area between Hammersmith and Notting Hill was, at the best of times, a violent playground for gangs. Leaving aside the local warriors, it was handy for Teds from Fulham, Battersea and Elephant and Castle in the south-east who would come over for a skirmish. Violence between the various factions, the police and any unfortunate bystanders was endemic. In 1958 several policemen were injured in Hammersmith when they went to deal with a crowd of youths who were ‘creating a public nuisance’ in Fulham Palace Road.\nUp Shepherds Bush Road, at no 190, was for years the old Hammersmith and Fulham Unemployed Workers Centre. Sadly now shut.\nLook towards Brook Green\nBrook Green was the site of St Pauls School for posh girls. The school had to stop using the public baths in 1908 as the local bad boys of Hammersmith pulled their pigtails.\nDick Turpin was known to frequent the Queens Head pub (in which you can still enjoy a pint).\nBrook Green Fair: This annual event was banned in the 1820s, when such rowdy gatherings were being suppressed as they terrified the authorities and upset religious reformers because of the explosion of sex and drink that accompanied them. They also were annoying the middle classes who were colonising the villages near London to escape the Smoke.\nIn the 1930s Hammersmith Council planned a grand new Town Hall in the middle of Brook Green; locals protested so much they built it in King Street instead.\nLook towards Hammersmith Flyover: The flyover was built in 1966-70. There were protests at the opening from nearby residents, over the traffic noise. They demanded to be rehoused.\nAs you walk back through Hammersmith Broadway look to your left. Here you will see the building that in the 1980s housed the offices of the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) Support Group. The ALF are the militant wing of the animal rights movement, best known for freeing animals from laboratories.\nThere was trouble on the Broadway in the 1926 General Strike. On 6th May TUC HQ sent a panicked letter after receiving reports of a “bad riot at Hammersmith outside OMS HQ. it is said stones were thrown and police used batons.” It seems “buses were stopped near the station, and various parts removed by the strikers. When some of the buses returned at 8.30 pm some of the occupants began to jeer at the crowd some of which became angry and boarded some buses roughly handling the drivers and conductors one of whom was badly injured” (shame). “Local fascists began to throw stones from a building near by. Later the police made a charge using their batons, and arrested forty three people only one of which was a trade unionist and he was released owing to a mistake being made.”\nA People’s Plaque Remembering the battles here during the General Strike was left, guerilla-style, as near to the spot as we could. this was a laminated poster cable-tied to a lamp-post… More permanent plaques – one day…?\nShortly after this time the local National Unemployed Workers Movement branch was campaigning over the means test & the dole. The NUWM branch had 1200 members here in 1931.\nWalk up Beadon Road into the square\nWhere Turners Florists stands was the site of the Hammersmith bookshop from 1948 -1964, which was the supplier of revolutionary and radical publications. A plaque now marks the spot.\nWilliam Morris moved to Hammersmith in 1878, when he was already well established as a designer. In 1883 he joined Henry M. Hyndman’s Marxian Democratic Federation (later the Social Democratic Federation, or SDF). Hyndman was known by the derogatory nickname ‘socialist in a top hat’. Morris (along with others) broke with the SDF in 1884 and formed the Socialist League. In a letter dated 1st January 1885 Morris complained of Hyndman’s jingoism and sneers at foreigners, pointing out that the SDF would at best bring about a kind of Bismarckian State Socialism. He said: “I cannot stand all this, it is not what I mean by socialism either in aim or in means; I want a real revolution, a real change in Society: Society a great organic mass of well regulated forces used for the bringing about a happy life for all”.\nMorris is perhaps better known today as a designer of wallpaper, but he was an important revolutionary whose view of the transformation to communism was strongly influenced by the Paris Commune. He was anti-parliamentary at a time when only the anarchists supported such views. Indeed this was to become the reason for the split in the Socialist League. For the election in November 1885 the League issued a leaflet entitled “For Whom Shall we Vote”, which concluded by urging “do not vote at all”. Two thirds of the electorate usually take his advice! Instead the leaflet explained that “the time will come when you will step in and claim your place and become the new born society of the world”. Morris combined this outlook with distaste for politicians.\nWe are now standing at one of the places where William Morris spoke at open-air meetings (at an intersection north of the underground). For example on 17th April 1887 his diary records “meeting fair, also a good one at Walham Green [which is in Fulham] and at our room in the evening where I lectured”. Speaking at three meetings in a single day was common for Morris at this time.\nMorris speaking\nIn April 1886 Morris spoke there ‘at the back of the Liberal Club’, in February 1887 the local socialists started meeting there regularly. For February 7th 1887, Morris’s diary reads: “I spoke there alone for about an hour, and a very fair audience (for the place which is out of the [way]) gathered curiously quickly; a comrade counted a hundred at most. This audience characteristic of small open air meetings also quite mixed, from labourers on their Sunday lounge to ‘respectable’ people coming from church; the latter inclined to grin, the working men listening attentively trying to understand, but mostly failing to do so: a fair cheer when I ended, of course led by the three or four branch members present.”\nThe William Morris pub is a recent addition, replacing a market. Inside you can see pictures of the Socialist League and examples of Morris’s designs.\nOne cause the Hammersmith Social Democratic Federation branch supported locally before the split was that of the local costermongers (poor street traders), in 1884, after the Board of Works threatened to ban the sellers from their kerbsite market…With help from the local SDF branch they resisted. Hammersmith costermongers were eventually forced to move by King Street shopkeepers in 1886, who feared competition. They resettled in North End Road, Fulham, which still has a cheap shopping ethos today.\nWalk around the corner into Beadon Road:\nOn the morning of 23 September 1996 Diarmuid O’Neill, an alleged IRA member, was shot dead by the cops. He was unarmed and no weapons or explosives were found on the premises. Diarmuid was shot a total of six times and as he lay bleeding to death a police officer stood on his head. With blood pouring from him he was dragged down the steps of the house to the street. Just before Diarmuid was shot, another cop was heard to shout, “shoot the fucker”. The blood was left for 2 days as a reminder to us locals.\nJames Tochatti\nProbably here, near the approach to the Hammersmith & City Line station, stood Carmagnole House, (sometimes described as being on ‘Railway Approach’, sometimes called 7 Beadon Road). James Tochatti lived here. Born in Canada, he became a tailor, and lifelong anarchist-communist activist and lecturer (as well as writing two plays about anarchist life!). A member of the local Socialist League branch from 1886, Tochatti spoke regularly at their outdoor meetings, and wrote for Commonweal. In 1889 he helped to organise a strike at Thorneycroft’s engineering factory in Fulham, and in 1891 was arrested for causing a ‘disturbance’ at a United Shop Assistants union strike… He remained in the Socialist League after Morris and the Hammersmith Socialist Society departed, and was involved in a Hammersmith Anarchist group around 1892. Despite the Hammersmith Socialist Society’s split from the Socialist League, Tochatti remained in close contact with Morris and the Society locally. He seems to have been closer in some ways to Morris than some of his fellow anarchists in the League, disagreeing with ‘propaganda by the deed’ (the current anarchist vogue for individual bombings and attacks against state and bourgeois targets). Tochatti started a new anarchist paper, Liberty, in January 1894, partly because of unease at the incendiary line Commonweal was taking. Despite his reservations about propaganda by the deed, in April ’94 The Liberty group organised a defence campaign for a French anarchist, Theodule Meunier, who had been arrested & was awaiting extradition to France for a bombing, but Meunier was deported & sentenced to life imprisonment. Liberty attempted to maintain a dialogue between anarchists, anti-parliamentary socialists & libertarians in groups like the Independent Labour Party – at a time when divisions between these wings of the socialist scene were increasing. Sadly, Tochatti’s ill-health led to the paper’s collapse in December 1896. Around 1911 however he became active again, speaking at meetings; “his book-lined cellar under his shop…became something of a centre in Hammersmith for ‘young workmen disillusioned by the timid programmes of other parties’“ as well as old comrades. Some meetings were held at the ‘Morris Studio’, in Adie Road, Hammersmith.\nSee a People’s Plaque Remembering Tochatti\nTochatti later lived at 13 Beadon Rd, and 6 Hammersmith Grove. He opposed World War 1; union activist and later Communist party leader Harry Pollitt described visiting his shop in 1918 and later, and debating conscientious objection to the War, with Tochatti “alternatively favour[ing] folded arms and shooting the officers.”\nThere were still anarchists of this or a related scene active in Hammersmith as late as World War 2, Several were involved in workers’ organising in the transport movement, as in the East End.\nIf you look round the corner into Hammersmith Grove: This seems to have been a regular meeting point for demos… In May 1913: A local contingent marched from here as part of a large London-wide anti-militarist demonstration as WW1 approached.\nWalk through the square cross King Street & turn left, then right on the roundabout to St Paul’s Green\nHammersmith was known as a place for free thinking and troublemakers. Hammersmith folk were involved in the Peasants Revolt of 1381: Local rebel John Pecche (a Fulham fisherman) was specifically excluded from the General Pardon. But John Norman of Hammersmith was pardoned by name.\nIn 1647 the New Model Army agitators, elected agents of the rank and file of the army, to put forward their political and economic grievances, were quartered in Hammersmith in the Summer. At this time the radical political and religious views in the Army were not only leading soldiers to act independently against a growing alliance between moderate parliament and the defeated king, but also to make common cause with the Levellers against Army Grandees. These latter struggles against Cromwell and Ireton came to a head in the Putney Debates in November and the Ware Mutiny that followed… The Army dissidents set up a puritan chapel, probably in Union Court, now Foreman Court off the Broadway. The Levellers also had a group & printing press here in the late 1640s.\nA People’s Plaque Remembering the Agitators… put up in the Broadway\nIn the 16th century Hammersmith was a place of non-believers, with no churches but many taverns. In 1722, in the first count, there were 28 public houses in the Broadway area, one for every 150 residents (the oldest was probably The George, which was originally called the White Horse). The Bishop of London (from his nearby house at Fulham Palace) had suggested taking a group of heretics to Hammersmith to be burnt. St Paul’s Church was consecrated on 7th June 1630 – very late for a large Parish. Between 1757 – 1783 the Rev\nBurning of a group of vagabonds accused of heresy, Paris, 1372. MS 677, folio 103 verso\nThomas Sampson presided. He protested over being required to preach on a Sunday afternoon, on one Sunday refusing to perform his duties! The current church dates from 1887.\nA People’s Plaque celebrating heresy in Hammersmith – more pubs less churches!\nSouth from here is Fulham Palace Road, leading to Fulham. Where Charing Cross hospital now stands was the site of the workhouse, which was built in 1850 to house increasing numbers of the poor under a single roof. Later it became the hospital. In December 1991, there were 2 or 3 demos over NHS cuts here.\nOpposite us (on the west side of Fulham Palace Rd) is the facade of Brandenbergh House. The home of the Lord of the Manor. Later it became a post office and the interior was removed to the Geffrye Museum. King George IV’s estranged wife Queen Caroline lived at Brandenburgh House 1820-21. Died here. She had become very popular because of widespread hatred of the king, who had treated her pretty badly. When she died her funeral procession (on 14th August 1821) from Hammersmith was turned into a riotous demo, erupting into fighting and two Hammersmith men, carpenter Richard Honey and George Francis, a bricklayer, were shot dead at Hyde Park Corner. A memorial stone was built to them in the churchyard after collections in pubs all over London. Brandenburgh House was pulled down after Queen Caroline’s death.\nA People’s Plaque Remembering Queen Caroline. Past Tense have gone soft on royalty I hear you cry!\nGeorge IV had a hard time of it from locals: Radical journalist Leigh Hunt, who lived at 7 Cornwall Road (now 16 Rowan Road, off Brook Green), was jailed in 1816 for libelling Georgie Porgie (while he was still prince regent) in his paper the Examiner.\nWalk to Hammersmith Bridge to left side and go under bridge\nHammersmith Bridge: The first bridge was a toll bridge was built in 1827. The current bridge dates from 1887.\nRegular public talks were given under the bridge by William Morris on Sunday mornings, who complained when the Salvation Army, who had the pitch before him, used to overrun. To the meeting they bought the Socialist League banner, designed by Walter Crane and worked by May Morris. There were also reports of the meetings being interrupted by the police. After the meetings, the Socialist League often marched to Hyde Park or Trafalgar Square. On 13th November 1887 (which became known as Bloody Sunday) 200 socialists were hurt and 100 arrested at a demo in Trafalgar Square.\nMorris described Mayday as: “Above all days of the year, fitting for the protest of the disinherited against the system of robbery that shuts the door between them and a decent life”.\nA number of his lectures have been published, including “How we live and how we might live” and “The society of the future”.\nA People’s Plaque we left here commemorating Morris regular speaking under the bridge…\nThe bridge later became a favourite target for IRA bombers. The first was planted on 29th March 1939, as one of first mainland targets. A passer spotted the bomb by who threw it in the river so it caused minimal damage. In 1996 another IRA attempt was foiled, but they succeeded in 2000 and the bridge closed for over a year.\nThe IRA connection, unsurprisingly in an area long known for its Irish community, goes back much further though: Michael Collins, later IRA leader in the War of Independence, lived at 5 Netherwood road (off Brook Green) in 1914-15 and worked in the Post Office Savings Bank in Blythe rd.\nWalk along the river to the west to the Blue Anchor Pub: In 1893 the composer Gustav Holst took rooms in Hammersmith. He attended meetings of the Hammersmith Socialist League and became a socialist. In 1897 he became conductor of Hammersmith Socialist Choir. Later, in 1905, he became musical director of St Pauls Girls School (remember those pigtails), as he needed the money. Although he composed works for the posh girls, he found them to be hopeless, so he preferred teaching working class boys at Morley College. He is best known for writing The Planet Suite, but he wrote the Hammersmith Suite in this pub, in memory of his socialist days.\nWalk into Furnival Gardens and stop\nFurnival Gardens: Originally the Creek ran from Stamford Brook to the river, and this was the site of slums, factories and wharves, an area known as Little Wapping. On the riverside was a local centre of heavy industry: Oil mills, lead works and Boat building. Behind this teeming slums where workers lived, in overcrowded and terrible conditions. Narrow alleys wove between factories, sheds and mills, each with their fumes and effluent.\nIn 1846 the District Medical Officer wrote: “Almost every house is visited with epidemic diarrhoea, so violent as to be mistaken for Asiatic cholera”. The same report recorded that: “The scanty supply of water, the crowded state of the dwellings, the overflow of privies and cesspools, all combine to poison and destroy the health of the poorer inhabitants of Hammersmith and are allowed to create and perpetuate more than half of the diseases which are incidental to human nature itself.”\nThe Creek was filled in in 1936 but the Furnival Gardens were not created until created in 1951.\nWalk under the underpass down Macbeth Street and left through Riverside Gardens\nThe slums stretched from the river to King Street, an area now bisected by the A4. Histories of the area comment on the stark contrast between the slums and the grand buildings in King Street.\nRiverside Gardens was part of the homes fit for heroes building program as slum clearance by the Council and completed in 1928. Neighbouring Aspen Gardens was built for returning soldiers after the 2nd World War and was opened in 1948 by Labour Minister for Health Aneurin Bevan. At the fifty years celebration a plaque was unveiled by Michael Foot to his mentor, Bevan.\nThe Aspen Gardens estate was the first to defy a local council and vote against voluntary stock transfer in the 1980’s.\nWalk to Hammersmith Town Hall\nThe Town Hall was built in the 1930’s, when the creek was filled in.\nHammersmith first had a Labour council in 1937 and, save for a few short periods, it remained Labour – till 2006. The first black mayor, Randolph Berrisford, was appointed in 1975.\nThe Council and the health authority compete to be the largest employer locally. There have, of course, been many demonstrations here and strikes amongst council workers. One we remember was the nursery workers strike, when the Council decided in the early 1990’s to close all nursery provision. A couple of council workers scaled the town hall, removed the corporate red flag, and gave it to the striking nursery workers. It was last seen shredded on the front page of the local paper.\nWalk along King Street to the Hampshire Pub\nHampshire Pub: this street was previously Hampshire Hog Lane, which ran into the slums behind, close to New Street. Formerly called the Hampshire Hog. In November 1905 it opened as a social (temperance) club for working men. A mock parliament was established here in 1906 and by 1910 it was debating a ‘Poor Law Amendment Bill’ and whether there could be a socialist government in office, but not in power.\nWalk down King Street to the Bull statue\nHammersmith first returned a Labour MP in 1924. Prior to that it’s most famous MP had the great name of William Bull, who practised as a solicitor in the family firm of Bull and Bull! Bull was a Tory who supported votes for Women, and an egotist. The statute of the bull was moved here from the Black Bull Inn in Holborn in 1904. The gates of the park were erected in Bull’s memory in 1933.\nWalk down King Street to Black Lion Lane\nThe corner of Weltje Road, which we have just passed, was another of William Morris’s public speaking haunts.\nThe Radical Club, which was located on King Street, although we have not been able to discover exactly where, was another regular meeting place for the Socialist League. Morris spoke here, in January 1887 he described the place: “The room was crowded, and of course our socialist friends there, my speech was well-received, but I thought the applause rather hollow as the really radical part of the audience had clearly no ideas beyond the ordinary party shibboleths, and were quite untouched by socialism; they seemed to me a very discouraging set of men…” Morris class origins emerge at times in his patronising tone, as he continues: “The frightful ignorance and want of impressibility of the average English working man floors me at times.”\nThere were two other local Radical Clubs, in Overstone Road and the Broadway, in the 1870s.\nAlso In King Street was the old Hammersmith Workhouse: After 1845 it was used for men and children only, as families were split up. Women were sent to Fulham Workhouse.\nLook West towards Stamford Brook: The son of the anarchist sympathiser and impressionist painter Camille Pissarro, Lucien, lived here, as did the Russian anarchist Sergius Stepniak. A rarely used railway branch line ran from Stamford Brook to South Acton. On a fateful day in 1895 Stepniak was killed by a train whilst crossing the line. Given the infrequency of the trains, this was almost certainly an accident, although some authorities suggest he committed suicide. He had fled Russia in 1878 after being involved in the assassination of the Tsarist chief of police, and at the time of his death was living in nearby Bedford Park, and involved with Hammersmith Socialists. 1000s attended his funeral in Woking Crematorium. A footbridge was built over the line as a result.\nLook down King Street\nThe trendy Hart bar, previously the White Hart pub, was a meeting place for Protestant dissenters in 1706.\nWalk down Black Lion Lane on left side. Stop at the French restaurant.\nIn this street is the former home of MP Stephen Milligan, another radical Tory, at least in sexual practices if not political life. In 1994 Milligan was found dead, tied to a chair, wearing women’s underwear with a plastic bag over his head and a satsuma in his mouth. No one does it like a Tory MP!\nsatsumas were handed out on the original walk at this point!\nHere’s a People’s Plaque remembering Milligan’s heroic effort, which never got hung for one reason and another…\nUnusually, St Peters Church was built in 1829 to attract rich residents, rather than serve an existing population. One of those attracted more recently is the doyen of the Workers Revolutionary Party, the Trotskyist actor Vanessa Redgrave, who still lives in St Peters Square (behind).\nWalk under the underpass to the continuation of Black Lion Lane, at bottom turn right into Hammersmith Terrace and stop at No 8.\nMay Morris, HH Sparling, Emery Walker and George Bernard Shaw\nThis street has no less than 3 blue plaques, but there isn’t one on no 8, the home of May Morris, daughter of William and an important socialist in her own right. May later edited her father’s Collected Works. She was in love with George Bernard Shaw. Whilst he flirted with her, the love was unrequited and she later married Harry Sparling, another member of the Socialist League. Perhaps there is no plaque, because she was a woman?\nHere’s a Plaque remembering May Morris we made ourselves and hung up to redress the balance…\nAt no 7 lived Emery Walker, another member of the Socialist League and a founder of the Doves Press (he had previously lived at no 3). A typographer and engraver, Walker joined his near neighbour William Morris in typographical experiments (which led to the founding of the Kelmscott Press), then in the Arts and Crafts movement, the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, and the local SDF and Socialist League branches. Walker served as the League branch secretary, organising the regular Sunday evening lectures. In 1900, Walker and\nT Cobden-Sanderson founded the Doves Press at no 1 Hammersmith Terrace, (Cobden-Sanderson had begun bookbinding at 15 Upper Mall under the name of the Doves Bindery in 1893). Walker and Cobden-Sanderson didn’t get on, however, and Walker left the Press in 1909.\nNo 3 was also later the home of Edward Johnston, a “gifted but eccentric” calligrapher, who designed the type for the Doves Press books.\nHis neighbour and fellow socialist, T. J. Cobden-Sanderson, was a burned-out barrister whom Janey Morris thought capable of something therapeutic with his hands. And so the Doves Bindery and Press came about, first at 15 Upper Mall and later at 1 Hammersmith Terrace. After Walker left the Press, it gradually declined. One night in 1915, as blood flowed at the second Battle of Ypres, Cobden-Sanderson, by then a burned-out bookbinder, threw all the Doves type (from which the Kelmscott Chaucer and Bible were composed) off Hammersmith Bridge, to spite his old partner Emery Walker (with whom he had fallen out). The business closed down soon after.\nWalk east along the river\nIn May 1906 a demonstration was held at Clare Lodge, the home of Mrs Dora Montefiore which was located near here. She was refusing to pay income tax as a protest at the exclusion of women from the parliamentary franchise’. The following month a further demonstration in her support was attended by 60 working class women who had walked all the way from Canning Town in the East End to lend their support.\nHere’s a People’s Plaque we hung up to remember Dora Montefiore and her fellow suffragettes\nIt had been Sylvia Pankhurst who, in 1905, had helped to found the Fulham branch of the Women’s Social and Political Union (the Suffragettes). William Morris of course had been an early influence on Sylvia, both politically and artistically. Later her influence was to be felt in Hammersmith, when a workers’ committee was formed at local factory Davidsons under the influence of her Workers Socialist Federation and the Russian Revolution.\nA painting by Camille Pissarro contrasts the village of Chiswick with the heavy industry of Hammersmith, looking from Chiswick down the river. Ironically it is now in a private collection.\nContinue along the river to Kelmscott House\nThe meeting hall at Kelmscott House\nMorris lived in Kelmscott House from 1878 until his death in 1896, naming it after his country home Kelmscott Manor. The house is now owned by the William Morris Society and is open to the public as a museum on Thursdays and Saturdays. Inside you can see the printing press used by Morris, which is still used occasionally. On this was printed the Commonweal, the League’s paper. The second issue contained Engels “England in 1845 and England in 1885”, later published in “The Condition of the Working Class”. Other contributors included Paul Lafargue, Marx’s son in law, Shaw, Stepniak, and Belfort Bax.\nGeorge Bernard Shaw, echoing Morris’s views, said of the house: “everything that was necessary was clean and handsome; everything else was beautiful and beautifully presented”.\nIn 1885 Morris established the Hammersmith branch of the Socialist League with Eleanor Marx and her husband Edward Aveling, among others. Meetings were held in the Kelmscott House Coach House. Originally a stables attached to 26 Upper Mall, Morris had it converted to a meeting room; it was described as unheated and cold in the winter. Speakers and lecturers here included:\n• George Bernard Shaw, a Fabian. Reading Marx’s Capital in French had an overwhelming effect on him and he felt that he had discovered what was wrong with the world and why he was so miserable in it.\n• The Russian anarchist, Prince Kropotkin, a founder of the Freedom newspaper. He maintained his independence by neither joining the League nor writing for the Commonweal.\n• Stepniak, another anarchist, was a compelling speaker, but not always comprehensible.\n• Lucy Parsons, the US Black revolutionary, and later founding member of the Industrial Workers of the World (as well as being the widow of the Chicago anarchist Albert Parsons, executed in 1885 after being framed for a bomb attack on police). She was a guest of the Socialist League in 1888 when she came on a speaking tour. She stayed at Kelmscott House.\n• Socialist Annie Besant, one of the organisers of the 1888 East End matchwomens’ strike also spoke here.\nThe audience often included included figures such as Oscar Wilde, HG Wells and WB Yeats.\nThe League was increasing split between the ‘parliamentary’ (Eleanor Marx/Aveling) and anti-parliamentary (Morris) factions. In 1888 the anarchists seemed to be taking charge of the League and Aveling and Eleanor Marx split off. In 1890 Morris himself left the Socialist League and founded the Hammersmith Socialist Society, which again held their meetings here. His last lecture had as its title “One Socialist Party” and was given on 9th January 1896. On 3rd October that year he died. His body was taken up Rivercourt Road and by train to Kelmscott Manor.\nShortly after his death the Socialist Society folded, in December 1896.\nBut in May 1911, a Hammersmith Socialist Society revived, as a result of a direct action-oriented split from the Social Democratic Party (the old SDF). In the 1930s Guy Aldred’s United Socialist Movement had some support in London among old adherents of this long-defunct second Hammersmith Socialist Society.\nCobden-Sanderson lived at no 15 Upper Mall; here the Doves Bindery and Press were started.\nKelmscott Press was located opposite the Dove pub at no 16 Upper Mall. Over the five years between its foundation and Morris’ death in 1896 it produced 52 hand-printed works, most with type and ornaments designed by Morris.\nThis ends our walk. But we can well imagine Morris, Eleanor Marx and the printers retiring to the Dove for a pint or a coffee!\nThis walk is available as a pamphlet, ‘A Shabby London Suburb’ which can be bought from the publications page on our website.\nAnd why ‘A Shabby London Suburb’ eh? Bit rude?\nIt’s from the opening chapter of William Morris’ classic utopian vision of a post-revolutionary communist society, ‘News From Nowhere’. The book opens with an argument ‘Up at ‘he League’ – the Hammersmith Socialist League’s meeting hall, at Kelmscott House ? – as to what Britain would look like ‘after the revolution’. Dissatisfied with the debate, the narrator storms out into the night:\n“he, like others, stewed discontentedly, while in self-reproachful mood he turned over the many excellent and conclusive arguments which, though they lay at his fingers’ ends, he had forgotten in the just past discussion. But this frame of mind he was so used to, that it didn’t last him long, and after a brief discomfort, caused by disgust with himself for having lost his temper (which he was also well used to), he found himself musing on the subject-matter of discussion, but still discontentedly and unhappily. “If I could but see a day of it,” he said to himself; “if I could but see it!”\nAs he formed the words, the train stopped at his station, five minutes’ walk from his own house, which stood on the banks of the Thames, a little way above an ugly suspension bridge. He went out of the station, still discontented and unhappy, muttering “If I could but see it! if I could but see it!” but had not gone many steps towards the river before (says our friend who tells the story) all that discontent and trouble seemed to slip off him.\nIt was a beautiful night of early winter, the air just sharp enough to be refreshing after the hot room and the stinking railway carriage. The wind, which had lately turned a point or two north of west, had blown the sky clear of all cloud save a light fleck or two which went swiftly down the heavens. There was a young moon halfway up the sky, and as the home-farer caught sight of it, tangled in the branches of a tall old elm, he could scarce bring to his mind the shabby London suburb where he was, and he felt as if he were in a pleasant country place—pleasanter, indeed, than the deep country was as he had known it.”\nHe has been transported to the future, to a world of free communist existence…\nYou can read this excellent vision of the future as seen from the past, for free, here\n“Go on living while you may, striving, with whatsoever pain and labour needs must be, to build up little by little the new day of fellowship, and rest, and happiness.”\nYes, surely! and if others can see it as I have seen it, then it may be called a vision rather than a dream.”\nToday in London aeronautical herstory, 1909: Muriel Matters flies suffragette airship over West London\nPosted on February 16 by mudlark121\nSteampunk rebels eat your heart out…\nIf you thought the scene in the old Ealing Comedy film Kind Hearts and Coronets, where the suffragette aunty flies a hot air balloon to distribute ‘Votes for Women’ leaflets from the air, was made up – think again…\nWomen’s struggle to win the right to vote in the United Kingdom in the first couple of decades of the 20th century was long and full of both inspiring actions and fierce repression.\nAs well as traditional methods of campaigning, lobbies, meetings, leafleting, some activists carried out direct actions, sabotage, arson and destruction of property. As the male establishment continued to lock women out, suffragettes developed novel ways of grabbing media attention, devising elaborate and eye-catching stunts.\nOne lesser known but brilliant action employed red hot technology: the launch of the suffragette airship, flown over London in 1909 by Muriel Matters.\nMuriel Matters\nMuriel Matters was born in Australia and became a professional actress. Moving to England, she got involved with the direct action wing of the suffragette movement. She became politically active after being challenged by the anarchist Prince Kropotkin to use her skills for ‘something more useful’ than the dramatic recitals she was earning a living from, after she performed at his home…\nKropotkin asserted that “Art is not an end of life, but a means.” Matters took this on board, and soon became involved with the Women’s Social & Political Union, and then the Women’s Freedom League (WFL), to further the cause of women’s suffrage. She later wrote that her encounter with Kropotkin, “proved to be the lifetime in a moment lived – my entire mental outlook was changed.”\nThrowing herself into campaigning for the vote, Matters travelled the south east counties of England in 1908 as “Organiser in Charge” of the first “Votes for Women” caravan, holding meetings, spreading the word and helping found WFL branches. In October 1908, she took part in a WFL protest at the Houses of Parliament, chaining herself to a grille in the Ladies Gallery of the House of Commons, while declaiming a pro-suffrage speech. As a result becoming one of the very first women to make a speech in Parliament… (if unauthorised)! She was jailed for a month in Holloway for this action. She also formed the League of Light, an organisation to support women, particularly stage actresses, who were oppressed or abused by their employers.\nThe Women’s Freedom League ‘Votes for Women’ Caravan\nOn 16 February 1909, King Edward VII officially opened Parliament for the coming year. As a part of the usual bombastic festivities a procession was to be held to the Houses of Parliament, led by His Majesty. To gain attention to the suffrage cause, Matters’ decided to hire a dirigible air balloon (similar to a modern-day blimp in appearance) and intended to shower the King and the Houses of Parliament with pamphlets headlined with the words “VOTES FOR WOMEN”.\nThirty years later she recalled the trip:\n“That morning I went to Hendon and met Mr Henry Spencer who had his airship all ready near the Welsh Harp [These days renamed the Brent Reservoir.] It was quite a little airship, eighty eight feet long (25m), and written in large letters on the gas bag were three words, Votes For Women. Below this was suspended an extremely fragile rigging carrying the engine and a basket, like those used for balloons. We loaded up about a hundredweight of leaflets, then I climbed into the basket, Mr Spencer joined me, and we rose into the air.”\nThe dirigible, with ‘Votes for Women’ painted on one side and ‘Women’s Freedom League’ on the other, ascended to an altitude of 3,500ft (1,000 metres). “It was very cold,” Muriel recalled, “but I got some exercise throwing the leaflets overboard.” She later described how Spencer had to climb out of the basket repeatedly and clamber ‘like a spider’ across the dirigible’s framework to make adjustments to the engine. “Suddenly I realised that if he fell off, I hadn’t the first idea how to manoeuvre the airship.” she said. “Not that I was terribly bothered about that. I was too busy making a trail of leaflets across London.”\nMatters scattered 56lbs weight of handbills on the streets and houses below as she flew, with other leading members of the Women’s Freedom League, Edith How-Martyn and Elsie Craig, following behind by car.\nHowever, airships and dirigibles, in these early days of steampunk, were difficult to manoeuvre, especially in adverse weather conditions… They tended to drift with the wind, having limited power of their own – in this case a small motor. The wind on the day in question blew somewhat against the suffragette Air Force, frustrating Muriel’s plan to fly over the Palace of Westminster, Instead they drifted around the outskirts of London, passing over Wormwood Scrubs, Kensington, Tooting, eventually crash-landing in the upper branches of a tree in Coulsdon in Surrey, after a flight lasting an hour and a half in total.\nDespite failing to fly over the king’s procession, Matters considered the aerial adventure a great success. “The flight achieved all we wanted”, she said. “It got our movement a great deal of publicity, as you can imagine. In those days, the sight of an airship was enough to make people run for miles!”\nMuriel’s airship adventure was also the first powered flight from what later became the London Aerodrome at Hendon, which was to feature prominently in both World Wars, and site of various pioneering aviation experiments, among them the first airmail, the first parachute descent from a powered aircraft, the first night flights, and the first aerial defence of a city.\nMuriel Matters continued with her political life as an active member of the suffragettes lecturing all over the world.\nLike many of her comrades in the Women’s Freedom League and the core group of Sylvia Pankhurst’s East London Federation of Suffragettes (and in marked contrast to the bulk of the women’s suffrage movement), Muriel opposed the slaughter of the First World War. In June 1915, one year after the outbreak of the war, Matters declared her opposition to the war in an address entitled “The False Mysticism of War”.\nReturning to London from lecture tours abroad in 1916, Muriel became involved with the “Mothers Arms” project in East London led by Sylvia Pankhurst. With the help of others, she educated working class children in the Montessori method in addition to feeding and clothing them. (She had previously studied under Maria Montessori in Barcelona).\nAfter the war, Muriel ran (unsuccessfully) as Labour Party candidate for the seat of Hastings in the General Election of 1924, on a largely socialist platform advocating a fairer distribution of wealth, work for the unemployed and furthering the equality of the sexes.\nMuriel Matters died on 17 November 1969 in St. Leonards on Sea nursing home aged ninety-two.\n@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@\nBeing obsessed by airships as well as radical history, Muriel Matters’ flight over West London blew our minds when we read about it. Imagine if this had not been an isolated event, but the start of a free feminist flotilla; airborne activists defeating the male establishment’s control of the streets by taking over the skies… Imagine if we could build such a fleet today; dirigibles or drone-powered; link them together to form free-floating libertarian communist cities in the lower atmosphere, outside the alleged national airspace of the so-called nations… Our theory heavier than cannonballs, our dreams lighter than air…\nAn entry in the 2020 London Rebel History Calendar – buy a paper copy here\nCheck out the 2020 London Rebel History Calendar online","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line637174"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7216289043426514,"wiki_prob":0.7216289043426514,"text":"Home » People » Faculty A-Z Listing » Margaret Homans\nMargaret Homans\nBird White Housum Professor of English and Professor of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies\nPh.D., Yale University, 1978\nB.A., Yale University, 1974\nAs I have practiced feminist (and, more recently, queer) literary criticism in fields ranging from Romantic poetry to the contemporary novel, my goal has been to mediate between sometimes polarized views of human identity: is gender the core or essence of any human subject, or is gender mutable and socially and culturally constituted? In my courses and publications on Victorian, modern, and contemporary literature, I have focused on women writers who explore questions of gender, sexuality, power, and identity. My current research is on narratives about adoption, which raises questions about what constitutes the human in the contexts of race, ethnicity, nationality, and class as well as gender and sexuality.\n- Bearing the Word: Language and Female Experience in Nineteenth-Century Women’s Writing (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1986)\n- Royal Representations: Queen Victoria and Victorian Culture 1837-1876 (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1998)\n- “ ‘Racial Composition:’ Metaphor and the Body in the Writing of Race,” in Female Subjects in Black and White: Race, Psychoanalysis, Feminism, ed. Elizabeth Abel, Barbara Christian, and Helene Moglen (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1997)\n- “Amy Lowell’s Keats: Reading Straight, Writing Lesbian,” The Yale Journal of Criticism 14 (2001)\n- “Adoption Narratives, Trauma, and Origins,” Narrative 14:1 (Jan. 2006)\nUndergraduate: George Eliot and Virginia Woolf; Virginia Woolf; History of Feminist Thought; Feminist and Queer Theory; The European Literary Tradition; Feminist Perspectives on Literature; Victorian Heroines; Gender and Power in Victorian Literature; World War I, Gender, and Literature; Reading and Writing the Modern Essay; Adoption Narratives\nGraduate: Victorian Poetry, Feminist Criticism and Theory, George Eliot, Graduate Research Colloquium in Women’s & Gender Studies\nThe Imprint of Another Life: Adoption Narratives and Human Possibility\nRoyal Representations: Queen Victoria and British Culture, 1837-1876\nBearing the Word: Language and Female Experience in Nineteenth-Century Women's Writing","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1445786"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8549920320510864,"wiki_prob":0.8549920320510864,"text":"Recorder Lessons\nRecorder Music Library\nAbout Recorder\nWhich Recorder to Buy\nRecorder Notes\nRecorder Societies\nRecorder Shops\nRecorder Teachers\nRecorder Players\nRecorder Orchestras\nRecorder Articles\nRecorder Songs\nRecorder Links\nFranz Bruggen\nPhoto by Annelies van der Vegt\nOnce the world's most famous recorder player, Frans Brüggen is now considered among the foremost experts in the performance of eighteenth century music. He was born in Amsterdam and studied musicology at the university there. At 21, he was appointed professor at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague and later held position as Erasmus Professor at the Harvard University and Regents Professor at the University of Berkeley. Yet, as Luciano Berio wrote, he was \"a musician who is not an archeologist but a great artist\".\nIn 1981, Brüggen and friends founded the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century, which consists of some fifty-five members from more than twenty different countries. The wide-ranging repertoire this orchestra has recorded for Philips Classics and nowadays for The Grand Tour / Glossa includes works by Purcell, Bach, Rameau, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Mendelssohn and Chopin.\nFranz Bruggen passed away in 2014. The video below is from 1967.\n© Tony Eyers 2014-19","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line591753"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6731467247009277,"wiki_prob":0.32685327529907227,"text":"Pariser Dachterrasse des Pavillon d’Armenonville\nGesetzesänderungen im neuen Jahr 2021 wirken sich in vielen Bereichen auf Verbraucher aus\n7 Tage Intensiv-Kur bei zu Couperose neigender Haut\nWir holen Ihren Schrott ab und zahlen faire Preise – Schrotthändler Plus\nCopper Mountain Closes C$17.25 Million Bought Deal Offering of Common Shares\nCopper Mountain Mining Corporation (TSX: CMMC | ASX: C6C) (“Copper Mountain” or the “Company” – https://www.commodity-tv.com/…) is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced bought deal offering of common shares (the “Offering”) led by Industrial Alliance Securities Inc. with a syndicate of underwriters including Cormark Securities Inc., National Bank Financial Inc., BMO Capital Markets and Haywood Securities Inc. (collectively, the “Underwriters”). Pursuant to the Offering, the Company has raised gross proceeds of C$17,250,002 through the issuance of 15,000,002 common shares of the Company (“Common Shares”) at a price of C$1.15 per Common Share (the “Offering”), including C$2,250,000 worth of Common Shares issued pursuant to the exercise by the Underwriters of the full amount of the over-allotment option.\nThe Common Shares were offered by way of a short form prospectus dated November 23, 2020 (the “Prospectus”) filed in all provinces and territories of Canada except for Quebec and were also offered by way of private placement in the United States. The Prospectus is available on the Company’s profile on www.sedar.com. The net proceeds of the Offering will be used for regional exploration on the Company’s prospective land package in Australia, advancing the development of the Eva Copper Project and general corporate purposes as more fully described in the Prospectus.\nThe securities offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.\nAbout Copper Mountain Mining Corporation\nCopper Mountain’s flagship asset is the 75% owned Copper Mountain mine located in southern British Columbia near the town of Princeton. The Copper Mountain mine currently produces approximately 90 million pounds of copper equivalent per year. Copper Mountain also has the development-stage Eva Copper Project in Queensland, Australia and an extensive 2,100 km2 highly prospective land package in the Mount Isa area. Copper Mountain trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “CMMC” and Australian Stock Exchange under the symbol “C6C”.\nAdditional information is available on the Company’s web page at www.CuMtn.com.\nOn behalf of the Board of\nCOPPER MOUNTAIN MINING CORPORATION\n“Gil Clausen”\nGil Clausen, P.Eng.\nLetitia Wong\nExecutive Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Development\nEmail: Letitia.Wong@CuMtn.com\nWebsite: www.CuMtn.com\nThis news release may contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as “plans”, “expects”, “estimates”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “believes” or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “occur” or “be achieved”. Forward-looking statements include, the anticipated use of the net proceeds from the Offering, and the Company’s intentions regarding its objectives, goals or future plans and statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance and opportunities to differ materially from those implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the successful exploration of the Company’s properties in Canada and Australia, the reliability of the historical data referenced in this press release and risks set out in Copper Mountain’s public documents, including in each management discussion and analysis, filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although Copper Mountain believes that the information and assumptions used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Except where required by applicable law, Copper Mountain disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.\nPoststrasse 1\nCH9100 Herisau\nTelefax: +41 (71) 560-4271\nhttp://www.resource-capital.ch\nE-Mail: js@resource-capital.ch\nOriginalmeldung der Swiss Resource Capital AG\nAlle Meldungen der Swiss Resource Capital AG\nMartin Burkert führt die Allianz pro Schiene\nAxians Infoma Innovationspreis 2020","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line341293"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8043763637542725,"wiki_prob":0.8043763637542725,"text":"Home > News > Japanese Films and Talents Receive 18 Nominations For the 10th Asian Film Awards\n[Updates]\n(February 3, 2016; Hong Kong/Tokyo)\nFrom left; Johnnie TO, Wilfred WONG, Sean LAU Ching-wan\nThe Asian Film Awards Academy announced the nominations for the 10th Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong today, with 18 nominations for Japanese films (including co-production film for the Best Film Award) and talents in 15 categories, including a nomination for “Three Stories of Love” (Director: Ryosuke Hashiguchi) for the Best Film Award.\n*Full list of nominations of 10th Asian Film Awards⇒here\nTokyo International Film Festival (TIFF), together with the Hong Kong International Film Festival and the Busan International Film Festival, created the Asian Film Awards Academy (AFA Academy), a nonprofit organization, in 2013 to promote and develop Asian cinema and its talents. Organized by the AFA Academy, the Asian Film Awards (AFA) will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year.\nToday’s announcement encompassed 77 nominations for 15 awards. The nominations represent 36 films from 9 countries and regions. World-renowned Hong Kong director Mr. Johnnie TO Kei-fung will serve as this year’s Jury President and lead a jury comprising two charismatic and popular celebrities, Hong Kong actor Mr. Sean LAU Ching-wan and mainland Chinese actress Ms. GAO Yuanyuan, as well as 12 respected film industry professionals, festival programmers and critics from around the world, who will together choose the best Asian works. The 10th Asian Film Awards will take place on March 17, 2016 at one of the world’s leading integrated resorts, The Venetian Macao.\nTo commemorate the special occasion of the AFA’s 10th anniversary, a new award has been created in the category of Best Sound. Skillful recording, editing and mixing of sound is an often unnoticed but critical element in filmmaking, and this award is being given to recognize excellence in the field and encourage talent.\nDr. Wilfred WONG Ying-wai, SBS, JP, Chairman of the AFA Academy and the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society, said, “The Asian Film Awards’ annual ceremony recognizes many outstanding Asian filmmakers and we have also launched year-round initiatives to sustain the promotion of Asian movies. Our Academy has developed from the annual awards to an entity that now organizes audience and professional development programs such as master classes, film festival visits for students, young professional training programs and film roadshows around the globe. The 10th anniversary is a special occasion for all the past winners to join together in this spectacular event and to testify to the great work of Asian filmmakers and industries.”\nThis year also marks the first collaboration between the AFA and Twitter. All the guests walking the red carpet and participating in the ceremony can now share their behind-the-scenes views and news with the world through a specially tailored mobile app called Twitter Mirror.\nDetails of the 10th Asian Film Awards Ceremony:\nDate: March 17, 2016 (Thursday)\nOfficial Site : www.asianfilmawards.asia\nFull list of nominations of 10th Asian Film Awards","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line9366"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9016334414482117,"wiki_prob":0.9016334414482117,"text":"Major key alert\nMarch 23, 2016, 1:15 p.m. | By Nicholas Shereikis | 4 years, 9 months ago\n\"You think they want me to have all these plaques?\" the man who is one of the generation's most idolized hip-hop moguls asks, letting his camera glide over his wall of gold and platinum albums in yet another Snapchat video. \"They don't. They don't want you to win.\"\nEvery generation has their star motivational speaker, their glowing symbol of hope. Wayne Dyer, Zig Ziglar, Tony Robbins all provided inspiration and determination to countless souls, and yet none have ever matched the notoriety and influence that musician DJ Khaled currently has. Encouraging and supportive, Khaled has taken social media by storm.\nKhaled currently has over two million followers on social media platform Snapchat, with more on others like Twitter and Instagram. The 40 year old daily shares his personal keys to success and gives brief mini speeches that raise self-esteem and inspire anyone watching. His trademark phrases and popularity even prompted a shout out from the White House in its first ever Snapchat story that contained the caption: \"The key: get some rest before the big day.\"\nPhoto: Millions of followers watch his stories every day.\nWhether he's in the kitchen eating Chef Dee's breakfast of turkey sausage, egg whites, and bottled water or lost at night on his jet ski, DJ Khaled has certain phrases that never grow old. Granted, there are those that don't follow Khaled – \"All I know is that he was like trapped on an island and ate a sandwich or something,\" senior Eric Chen said – but a lot of Blazers do. In this article, Blazers explore what these life lessons mean to them.\nOne of DJ Khaled's biggest character traits is his perpetual gratefulness for everything he has, and that translates into his Snaps. \"I think 'bless up' means being blessed or being grateful for everything you get,\" senior Zaafira Elham said, \"it's also a way to say hi.\"\nHowever, that doesn't mean Khaled sits back and is content with what he's got. Much like a personal trainer (although less in shape), the rap icon is all about 'another one,' pushing yourself to the next level. \"Another one means 'more',\" senior Kaleab Ribbiso said. \"It means never accept mediocrity. It means to exceed your expectations. Above all, it means to never give up.\"\nKhaled also helps his fans get to the next level by putting out a continuous stream of advice, which he calls 'keys to success.' \"Major key alerts are advice that DJ Khaled gives that he thinks will help people be more successful in life,\" Elham said. When you see these signs, usually denoted by a key emoticon, you know that you're about to receive some invaluable advice or truth.\nAmong the easily discernible, however, DJ Khaled also mixes in some phrases with more ambiguous meanings. For example, 'they don't want you to [insert action here]'. And this includes everything from winning to exercising: \"They don't want you to win. They don't want you to have the No. 1 record in the country. They don't want you get healthy. They don't want you to exercise. And they don't want you to have that view.\" While this phrase in itself has piqued people's interest across the world, its meaning is somewhat vague. In an interview with Bon Appétit Magazine, Khaled's personal Chef Dee Hodges said \"In my opinion, 'they' are whoever is bringing negative energy to positive vibes.\" Senior Jimmy McMillan agreed. \"In saying that, DJ Khaled is referring to his haters and people who don't work as hard as 'you' do or should. He's trying to motivate and move people, and reminds them that success is never without consequence or sacrifice,\" he said.\nAfter all the inspiration and motivation, one thing is left: promotion. Khaled peppers his phrase \"we the best!\" onto everything – it's the name of his merchandise website, personal record label, and second record.\nNo matter what Khaled's saying or doing, his Snapchats are currently watched by millions internationally. Some, like McMillan, watch for pure entertainment. \"I watch for the entertainment,\" he said, \"but it's also interesting to see the things that people with absurd amounts of money and free time do that doesn't show up in tabloids or news.\"\nOthers, like Ribbiso, watch in order to get inspired or motivated for the day. \"His stories give me motivation,\" Ribbiso said, \"whenever I'm up at 2 AM doing homework and considering if school is even necessary to be successful in life, I can just watch a few of his stories and have a renewed passion.\"\nTags: Blessup DJ Khaled","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line838204"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9183453917503357,"wiki_prob":0.9183453917503357,"text":"Tag Archives: election monitoring\nEntries tagged with \"election monitoring\"\nChina: Foreign observers: Tibetan democracy is a moral example to the world | The Tibet Post\nChinaBy admin October 23, 2015\nRepresentatives of foreign delegations observed ‘Exile Tibetan Primary Elections’ stressed Sunday that the voting process in Tibetan elections offers lessons for the Future and marked by high turnout. They said that “Tibetans in Exile will further strengthen the moral example they display to the world.” A four-delegates representing the Asia Democracy Network (ADN), the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), and the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) said they “wish to congratulate the Tibetan Community in Exile for turning out in large numbers to exercise their democratic right to select their leaders in a peaceful and orderly manner.” The members of the delegation for the “Tibet Election Monitoring Solidarity Mission” are; Mr Pradip Ghimire coordinator (NEMA); Ms Kanchan Khatri, Program Officer (NEMA); Mr Tur-Od Lkhagvajav, president (TIM); and Mr Ryan D. Whelan, campaign & advocacy coordinator (ANFREL).\nTunisia: Presidential Vote Goes to a Runoff | Wall Street Journal\nTunisiaBy admin November 25, 2014\nTunisia’s presidential election is poised to enter a hotly contested runoff vote next month, after unofficial results showed the interim president faring better than expected against the candidate widely tipped to win. Moncef Marzouki, who was voted in as interim president in 2011 by the Constituent Assembly, appeared to have secured between 32% and 35% of Sunday’s vote, according to a tabulation released on Monday by a respected Tunisian election monitoring group, Mourakiboun. Mr. Marzouki, a human-rights activist and longtime dissident during the autocratic regime of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, was seen as the only candidate who could pose a challenge to favorite Beji Caid Essebsi, but few observers believed he could garner such a high percentage of the vote. He was believed to have been weakened by the slow and often turbulent transition in Tunisia since a popular uprising unseated Mr. Ben Ali in 2011.\nMauritania: Ex-president calls upcoming elections “farcical” | Middle East Eye\nMauritaniaBy admin June 19, 2014\nFormer Mauritanian president Ely Ould Mohamed Vall on Tuesday called on local and international civil society groups not to recognize the country’s upcoming presidential polls in which incumbent President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz will vie for a second term in office. “These farcical elections will be supervised by a non-representative commission dedicated to serving the interests of one political party,” read a press statement issued by Vall. The June 21 presidential election is being boycotted by the National Forum for Democracy and Unity, an umbrella group of opposition parties ranging from social democrats to Islamists.\nAfghanistan: Election monitors leave Afghanistan after Kabul hotel attack | The Guardian\nAfghanistanBy admin March 24, 2014\nTwo foreign election observer and support missions have pulled staff out of Afghanistan after a Taliban attack on a hotel in Kabul, in a move that could undermine confidence in the outcome of next month’s vote. The presidential election on 5 April could mark the country’s first democratic transfer of power. Many fear a repeat of the widespread fraud that discredited the poll in 2009 when about 20% of votes were thrown out. “It’s really bad news,” said Jandad Spingar, director at the Free and Fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan, the largest Afghan monitoring group. “Having international observers in the election is really, really important … [to] give legitimacy to the process.”\nEditorials: Azerbaijan’s ‘AppGate’ | Al Jazeera\nEditorialsBy admin October 15, 2013\nFew people honestly thought that Azerbaijan stood a serious chance of conducting a fair and free presidential election on October 9. As I have written extensively, since the beginning of the year, Azerbaijani authorities have been engaged in an unprecedented crackdown to silence all forms of criticism and dissent. The underlying climate simply did not allow for a fair competition – not to mention that Azerbaijan has not held a single authentically democratic election since Aliyev came to power in 2003. Still, the brazen nature of the electoral violations that took place surprised even close observers of Azerbaijan. A day before the election, Meydan TV, a satellite/Internet television station, broke the story that set the tone for the whole election, which became known as the “AppGate” scandal. Meydan TV exposed an apparent fault of the Central Election Commission’s mobile phone application to allow users to track election results. On October 8, Meydan TV discovered that the results section of the application was showing, giving incumbent President Ilham Aliyev 72.76 percent of the vote before a single vote had been cast.\nRussia: Opposition Leader Asserts Broad Problems in Moscow Race | New York Times\nRussiaBy admin September 11, 2013\nThe Russian opposition leader, Aleksei A. Navalny, on Thursday submitted to a court more than 50,000 pages of documents illustrating what he said were irregularities in Sunday’s voting in the Moscow mayor’s race in an attempt to prove that he won enough votes to force a runoff against the incumbent, Sergei S. Sobyanin. But the court refused to block the inauguration of Mr. Sobyanin, who barely cleared the threshold for an outright victory with 51.4 percent. He was sworn in on Thursday evening during a ceremony in the city’s World War II museum. According to the official returns, Mr. Navalny placed second with 27.2 percent. Yet, even as Mr. Navalny and his aides lugged 21 boxes of documents to the courthouse, they acknowledged not only that there was little hope of overturning the results, but also that the voting had been relatively fair. So they have adopted a new message: while the vote was generally free of blatant fraud like ballot stuffing, the election itself was rigged from the beginning.\nRussia: Vote monitoring group suspended under ‘foreign agent’ law | Reuters\nRussiaBy admin June 27, 2013\nRussia suspended an independent election monitoring group for six months on Wednesday, for failing to register as a “foreign agent” under a law that President Vladimir Putin’s critics say is part of a crackdown on dissent. The Moscow-based group, Golos, angered the government by publicizing evidence of fraud in a 2011 parliamentary vote that sparked opposition protests, and at the presidential election that returned Putin to the Kremlin for a third term last year. It is the first non-governmental organization (NGO) to have its operations suspended under the law Putin signed last July as part of a drive to decrease what he has said were efforts by Western countries to meddle in Russian politics. Golos denies it falls under the law, which obliges NGOs that receive any foreign funding and are deemed to be involved in political activity to register as “foreign agents”.\nRussia: Election watchdog group must register as ‘foreign agent’ | UPI.com\nElection monitoring group Golos must register as a “foreign agent” even though it says it does not get any foreign funds, Russian officials said Friday. The independent organization says it has not received money from outside Russia since November 2012, when a new law went into effect governing non-governmental organizations such as Golos, RIA Novosti reported.\nRussia: Vote monitor slams Russia ministry for ‘wanting it closed’ | AFP\nRussiaBy admin April 11, 2013\nRussian election monitoring group Golos (Voice) on Wednesday slammed the authorities for trying to halt its work after the justice ministry launched a court case accusing it of failing to declare itself as a “foreign agent” with international funding. “This is total lawlessness. They have given an instruction not to let us cover elections,” the group’s executive director Lilia Shibanova told AFP, vowing to fight back and possibly even countersue the ministry. The group, which has claimed mass falsifications in parliamentary and presidential polls won by Vladimir Putin, is accused of “carrying out the functions of a foreign agent” and failing to register. The case is seen as the first test of a law passed by parliament last year obliging foreign-funded NGOs to register as a “foreign agent” and widely criticised as a throwback to the Soviet past.\nRussia: Charges Brought Against Election Monitors | New York Times\nThe federal Justice Ministry opened a legal case on Tuesday against Russia’s only independent election monitoring organization, charging that the group, Golos, and its executive director had violated a controversial new law by failing to register as a “foreign agent.”\nRelated The ministry’s action came a day after Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany publicly chastised Russia over its intimidating treatment of nongovernmental organizations, including a series of recent raids. Ms.Merkel was the first Western leader to challenge President Vladmir V. Putin of Russia on the issue. She made her comments at a news conference in Hanover, Germany where the leaders toured a trade fair. The new law, which requires nonprofit groups that receive financing from abroad to register as foreign agents, was among the most provocative in a passel of Kremlin-supported legislation in recent months that was aimed at tightening restrictions and limiting foreign influence on nonprofit groups.\nUkraine: Violations build up as Ukrainian Election Day approaches | Kyiv Post\nUkraineBy admin October 5, 2012\nJust several weeks ahead of Election Day, Ukraine’s parliamentary campaign is already full of violations of election legislation that could affect the results and the vote’s legitimacy. Observers from OPORA, the largest domestic election monitoring group, point out increasing number of incidents of campaign violations, among them bribing voters, use of government resources of local authorities to the advantage of some parties and candidates, obstruction in election campaigning, unfair campaigning, use of law enforcement for campaign help and pressure on news media. “We have clearly determined that the [use of] administrative resources and [vote] bribing are those factors that may influence the outcome of [upcoming parliamentary] elections,” said Olha Ayvazovska, coordinator of electoral programs at OPORA, but could not elaborate whether this impact would be significant saying that it is too early to provide a final judgment as the campaign is not over yet.\nCongo: Congolese vote in legislative elections | Radio Netherlands\nCongoBy admin July 16, 2012\nCongolese voters went to the polls on Sunday for the first round of legislative elections expected to maintain an overwhelming majority for allies of longtime President Denis Sassou Nguesso. The oil-rich central African country has been open to multiparty politics since 1991 but wracked by two civil wars in which Sassou Nguesso, an army colonel who first came to power in 1979, played a prominent role. Voting got off to a late start in some parts of Brazzaville, but Sassou Nguesso, who cast his vote at midday near the presidential palace, sought to reassure the nation that everything was proceeding smoothly. “The instructions I had given for the elections to take place in peace, transparency, for them to be free, fair and credible, have for the most part been followed,” he said.\nCambodia: Prime Minister Hun Sen’s party expected to win Cambodia elections | The Brunei Times\nCambodiaBy admin June 4, 2012\nPrime Minister Hun Sen’s ruling party was expected to win Cambodia’s local elections yesterday in a vote that monitors say is tainted by vote buying and other irregularities. The elections for local governing councils across the country are viewed as the key indicator of public opinion ahead of general elections in 2013. Hun Sen’s Cambodian People’s Party has ruled Cambodia for nearly three decades. It has strong rural support and overwhelmingly won both previous local elections in 2002 and 2007. Preliminary results from Sunday’s vote were expected by Monday.\nRussia: Demonstrations denouncing electoral irregularities repressed, election monitoring NGO slandered | fidh.org\nRussiaBy admin December 15, 2011\nThe Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), strongly condemns the pressure exercised on the NGOs, human rights defenders and peaceful protesters who denounced electoral irregularities and called for fair, free and independent electoral processes following the elections results on December 4, 2011, as well as the defamation campaign targeting the Golos, an NGO working on election monitoring, ahead of the election.\nGolos (“the Voice”), a major Russian NGO specialising in election monitoring has been the target of a State-organised harassment and a defamation campaign since November 26, 2011. The harassment started a week before the holding of the elections when a State-controlled media, the pro-Government newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta, published an article dated November 26, criticising Golos and accusing them of “reducing the process of observing the electoral campaign and voting on election day into a way of making money”.\nLater, on December 2, 2011, the State-controlled TV channel NTV entered Golos headquarters to question the staff with cameras in order to broadcast in the evening a half-hour documentary containing sharp criticism of the NGO. In line with the Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s statement of November 27, the broadcast alluded that Golos had been a “recipient of grants” following “instructions of foreign governments”, and that the NGO’s executives were handling millions of dollars in cash, in an attempt to discredit them. Vladimir Putin had accused the “representatives of some foreign countries” to pay money to influence the elections and accused western-granted associations to make a “wasted effort” as “Juda [was] not considered the most respected biblical character” in Russia.\nRussia: Websites downed in Russia poll ‘hack attack’ | AFP\nRussiaBy admin December 5, 2011\nWebsites which revealed violations in Russia’s legislative polls were targeted in a mass hacking attack Sunday their operators said was aimed at preventing the exposure of mass election fraud. Popular Russian radio station Moscow Echo and election monitoring group Golos said their websites were the victims of massive cyber attacks, while several opposition news sites were inaccessible.\n“The attack on the website on election day is clearly an attempt to inhibit publication of information about violations,” Moscow Echo editor-in-chief Alexei Venediktov wrote on Twitter.\nGolos said it was the victim of a similar “distributed denial of service” (DDoS) attack, while several other opposition news sites were down. The Moscow Echo is popular among the liberal opposition although it is owned by state gas giant Gazprom. After the close of polls on Sunday, the Moscow Echo website was working again but the Golos website was still inaccessible.\nIndia: EC warns Punjab officials against repeat of SGPC polls omissions | Times Of India\nIndiaBy admin November 14, 2011\nThey may have had no powers to take note of and stop the alleged irregularities and partisan activities committed during the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) elections, but the Election Commission of India has definitely been alarmed by what happened during the gurdwara polls recently.\nThat’s why, in a major snub to the state government, chief election commissioner S Y Quraishi told the administrative heads – the deputy commissioners and the divisional commissioner – on Saturday at Ludhiana that they knew “what exactly happened in Punjab during the SGPC elections and you dare not repeat this again.”","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line982012"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5496813058853149,"wiki_prob":0.5496813058853149,"text":"Artists Who Recorded WestCoast Music\nNuCoast Artists from the New Millennium\nWestCoast Artists from Around the World\nWestCoast Artists from Hawaii\nWestCoast Artists from the US\nWestCoast Contemporary Christian Music Artists (CCM)\nThe History of West Coast Pop\nOut of the Ashes of 70s Fame Rose Solo Acts of the 80s\nPosted on February 22, 2018 by The WestCoast Breeze\nThe idea of being super started to take over by the late 70s. It was not just for comic book heroes, expanded grocery stores or the Concorde. It was one thing to be successful but to be considered a superstar raised you to another strata few had ever been. Whatever feelings of invincibility one felt they were just as soon matched with time pressures, fan burdens, company managers and egos so out of control that by the end of the decade, a lot of these groups crashed and burned or at the very least didn’t want to be around each other anymore.\nBy 1980, The Eagles, Steely Dan, and the Doobie Brothers put out their last recorded output for a while as some of the members of those bands decided to explore other musical avenues. (Fleetwood Mac needed a similar break, and after recharging the batteries they would get back together from time to time.)\nLuckily for us fans we ended up with more music than before. The Eagles would get back together 14 years later with Hell Freezes Over. The Doobie Brothers would only need 9 years until Cycles, but Michael McDonald never rejoined the band. And even though Steely Dan started touring again in the mid-90s after a multi decade drought of concerts, it would be a solid 20 years for their next album, Two Against Nature, which won a Grammy for Album of The Year. Good things come to those who wait….\nHere’s a montage of 1980s West Coast solo acts spawned from popular 70s bands:\nThe Story Behind Toto’s 99\nThe first single from Toto’s second album, Hydra, in 1979, was the band’s second Top 40 hit when it peaked at #26 in early 1980. Written by David Paich, this soft yet funky keyboard-driven jam featured lead vocals by Steve Lukather and a very jazzy solo on the outro by him.\nMany have wondered what the title refers to. Some say that someone in the band had been dating Barbara Feldon – Agent 99 on Get Smart – and that it was written about her. That turned out to be not true. [Coincidentally Barbara Feldon released a 45 in 1966 called 99.] Some say that 99 is about a girl who’s almost perfect but is not quite 100. Again, false. And it’s not about Wayne Gretzky either. Or the number of beer bottles on the wall.\nDavid Paich actually wrote the song as a tribute to George Lucas’ first film, THX-1138. This film takes place many centuries in the future where people live in a totalitarian state and are referred to by number. Thus it’s a love song to someone imagined in the world with the number 99. Why 99? It probably just sounds right. (Two more Top 40 songs in the 1980s would have 99 in them – Prince’s 1999 and Nena’s 99 Luftballons.)\nToto didn’t play the song live for many years, mostly because Luke didn’t like it all that much. As it peaked in the Winter of 79-80, I personally enjoyed hearing it on the radio. When it came on I felt it breathing life into me as I stared out through frosted windows at the cold, dreary skies and leafless trees.\nThe song’s video reflects the film that inspired it by everyone wearing white jumpsuits and lens a tinge out of focus. I think most videos back them were made for $20 and took 30 minutes to film. Check it out for yourself:\nDoes Anything Last Forever?\nI don’t know. But one thing that has lasted a very long time is the career of Michael McDonald. Since his early days with Del-Rays, Michael has been entertaining folks for almost 50 years. So let’s celebrate the birthday of one of our true national treasures with a deep cut from his first solo LP in 1982, If That’s What It Takes:\nAnd here’s Michael and Kenny singing a big hit they wrote together:\nArchives Select Month December 2019 February 2019 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017\nAOR Disco\nBlue Desert\nThe UnCola Radio Show\nThe WestCoast Breeze 24/7\nWest Coast Rendez-Vous","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line526025"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5231009125709534,"wiki_prob":0.47689908742904663,"text":"Chuck Jaffe\nA brother's prognosis puts life in focus\nPublished: June 24, 2010 at 12:01 a.m. ET\nChuck Jaffe and\nCommentary: Forget about 'the number,' focus on making good things happen\nPALO ALTO, Calif. (MarketWatch) -- The doctors were meeting with my brother Rob when I arrived at Stanford Medical Center last week to visit him. They let me in on the conversation. The prognosis was not good.\n\"I am not asking, 'Why me?'\" my brother said, a little later. \"I have had so many blessings and so many great things that I won't complain or waste time trying to figure out why this is what fate has picked for me.\"\nAnd then he paused for a moment.\n\"I will wonder, 'Why not Bernie Madoff?'\"\nMy big brother has been diagnosed with primary amyloidosis, a disease so nefarious and rare that many medical diagnostic specialists will go a lifetime without seeing it. There are just three medical centers in the U.S. that specialize in treating it. He is blessed to be at one of those facilities; it has already extended his life.\nHis mind is sharp as ever, his sense of humor obviously intact, but his body is failing him. While he believes his fate might be a fitting punishment for the likes of Madoff, he wouldn't wish this on anyone.\nThere is nothing Rob did to catch primary amyloidosis; there is nothing genetic that caused it. There also is no known way to beat it. You merely put it off for a time, until it eventually overwhelms you. He turned 57 in May.\nThe odds of being diagnosed with primary amyloidosis are only a bit better than winning the Powerball jackpot; as Rob said, his condition is like \"winning the evil sweepstakes.\"\nRob's decline was swift and severe. He didn't feel so well at my father's 85th birthday party last December, but generally seemed fine. Soon thereafter, doctors diagnosed a gall bladder issue, but he didn't improve for long when that was removed in March.\nSoon it was thought to be his kidneys, then his central nervous system, and then a failing heart; he couldn't stand up without feeling faint, then ultimately he couldn't sit or stand without his blood pressure falling so low that he'd trigger cardiac arrhythmia.\nBecause amyloidosis can affect so many internal organs and because the symptoms look like so many other things, doctors believe that many patients go undiagnosed; someone might suffer from, say, congestive heart failure with no one knowing that there was an amyloid problem that caused the decline and, ultimately, death.\nWhile Rob is prepared to fight it with everything he has left -- and his condition has improved thanks to the efforts of Dr. Ronald Witteles and the team at Stanford -- he knows there might not be much left. Patients diagnosed early seem to be able to go for anywhere from 12 to 56 months in treatment; he was not diagnosed early.\nNot counting the days, but living them\nHis goal now is not to count the days, but to live them. He's not looking for a measure of months, but rather the things he can live to see. It's not about ticking off days on a calendar, it's about checking off events in a life. There's a 30th wedding anniversary, his daughter's completion of graduate school, his son's graduation from college, his 60th birthday; he'd like to experience those events, and he knows the chances are not all that good.\nThat knowledge is what drove that first conversation we had when the doctors left after giving him such a short time. It's why he pushed me to write about something I would have otherwise kept to myself.\nRob knows that the one thing he can control in this situation is his attitude; we believe, as the late basketball coach Jim Valvano put it, that you can have a full day if you laugh, think, and are moved to tears, so every last day he gets will be a full one.\nWhen your doctor delivers the news that you are financially set for life -- because you will not outlive your assets no matter what you do -- it puts things into focus. Rob wanted me to tell you some of the thoughts he has been focused on, because everyone's days are numbered -- you just live a little differently when God puts the time remaining in your game up on the clock.\nIf you can achieve your dreams, don't wait to make them happen\nOne of Rob's few regrets is the trip to New Zealand his wife always wanted to make. Eileen never asks for anything, yet this was one thing she really wanted. Two years ago, he picked a different family destination spot \"because it was cheaper, and a better fit for the schedule.\" The dollars he saved will never allow him to make the journey with his wife.\nThe term \"bucket list\" has become cliché, and too often those lists are populated with the trivial. His point was different. \"I wanted that trip for 30 years,\" he told me. \"Cheaper shouldn't have made the difference. Having that experience we always dreamed of -- doing something that might have been once-in-a-lifetime -- that's why you work, and why you save, and why you ultimately spend something when you can afford to get the things you have always wanted.\"\nForget about 'the number'\nThis is connected to pursuing your goals. Financial-services companies manage money, so they want you to believe -- as one company shows in a series of wretched television ads -- that \"your number\" is what matters.\nYour number is poppycock. It's how people set goals for themselves, work a lifetime to achieve them and then live like misers, because spending or losing any money would drop them below the goal and leave them short of their life's ambition.\nMake your ambition the lifestyle you want, the things you hope to do. That doesn't just apply to trips or travel, it applies to work and job choices, to the timing of your retirement and much more. Let your spirit -- not the number -- drive your actions. It's a lot easier to save when you have a goal that is more concrete and real than seeing digits on an account statement.\nPick your causes, and support them to the fullest\nGiving money away is a sign of money maturity. Give until it hurts, because the pain is exquisite, and because someone else is hurting or in need. When your time is up, knowing you helped to make a difference is a true comfort.\nMy current charity of choice is the Stanford Amyloid Center. For more information, see the site.\nLike most middle-aged guys who work too hard, Rob was busy and he let some health concerns linger. Put off an appointment here, ignored an ache or pain there; nothing would have prevented him from having the disease, but catching it earlier might have improved his prognosis.\nNo one gets to the end of their life and says, \"Man, I really wish I had worked more.\" Find the time to get yourself checked out, to recognize the signs your body is sending. There is no other appointment or task at work that is more important.\nMake good things happen, rather than waiting for them to happen\nI got some Chinese food on my trip and brought my brother the fortune cookies. Bad call. \"Do you realize how much time people waste on horoscopes and fortune tellers and lottery tickets, hoping to have something magical happen that will change their lives?\" he told me.\n\"If they want something to happen, they need to change their lives themselves; otherwise, you might still be waiting when something like [amyloidosis] happens, with nothing to show for your time and effort.\"\nFocus on what's important, not on what's others think is important\nIt's much less about the dollars than about what you do with them. You won't come to the end of your life and wonder what the Dow is doing at that instant, or whether your portfolio is \"optimized\" or if it's worth a slightly above-average expense ratio for that mutual fund you like.\nMoney is a tool, not your scorecard or your ambition. In the end, if you ever have to reflect and judge your life and take stock of your life's work, you'll feel much richer if the focus is on something besides how big you could grow your bank accounts.\nTake a look inside Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen’s Massachusetts mansion\nNFL great Tom Brady has finally offloaded his Massachusetts mansion. The quarterback and his wife, supermodel Gisele Bündchen, have sold their luxe Brookline estate, according to the Boston Globe.\nHow much money was President Trump’s Twitter account worth?","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1416412"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8212111592292786,"wiki_prob":0.8212111592292786,"text":"Salute to American Success\nCycleBar’s Unique Approach to Indoor Cycling Workouts\nBy Charles Payne, Matthew KazinFOXBusiness\nIn this Salute to American Success, we’re taking a look at CycleBar, an indoor cycling company. This luxury boutique fitness franchise was founded in 2004 by Bill Pryor and his sister Alex, and uses technology and forms of entertainment to enhance the fitness classes it offers to customers.\nBill, then a corporate executive, became interested in cycling after years of playing pick-up basketball took a toll on his knees.\n“That [basketball] was my fitness workout for years,” Pryor said. “I started feeling a lot of pain in my knees. My doctor said I couldn’t run anymore, and recommended cycling, swimming or rowing… so I got into outdoor cycling.”\nAccording to Pryor, CycleBar is unlike other types of indoor cycling classes.\n“It’s a completely different type of experience than taking an indoor cycling class at a gym,” he said. “Everyone [at CycleBar] knows each other... there’s a community feel, a certain intimacy to it.”\nHe added, “We have a theater, the lights go down, video content is projected and music is played as well. We don’t refer to it as a workout. You come out drenched in sweat because it’s fun and doesn’t feel like drudgery.”\nSome of CycleBar’s competitors include SoulCycle and Flywheel. However, Pryor said one of the biggest differences between CycleBar and other indoor cycling companies is its franchise model.\nPryor said the financial model of CycleBar is different as well. Customers pay per class, and the company offers packages of 20, 50 and 100 classes, which can help lower the cost for customers. Some classes offered include ones dedicated to endurance, performance and strength.\n“You see results and the economic model is appealing to customers,” Pryor said.\nCurrently, CycleBar has three studio locations open for business, with a fourth opening in December.\nPryor expects the company to see rapid growth in the coming year.\n“We plan to have 100 new locations available to open by the end of 2016,” he said. “The big deal with getting started is finding real estate, and we help people with that process.”\nTo Pryor, who still teaches multiple classes, the key to getting into shape is finding something that's “sustainable.”\n“The key thing about getting into shape is commitment,” he said. “That becomes part of your lifestyle, like brushing your teeth. You just have to do it… find something you enjoy participating in. Then it becomes sustainable.\"","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line214943"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5718738436698914,"wiki_prob":0.5718738436698914,"text":"BRUNO DANN\nBruno Alfonse Dann is a Traditional Owner, Indigenous Artist, Indigenous Landcare and Culture Specialist and Chairperson of Manowan Aboriginal Corporation.\nBruno was one of the original artists for “Walkabout Australia” which became very successful in Europe, Canada, USA and Japan. In 1985 he was awarded a certificate from the Chief Minister for the Northern Territory for his contribution to art. In 2001, Bruno helped establish the Manowan Aboriginal Corporation, which was named after the country that Bruno’s grandfathers had left for him. As Chairperson, Bruno began his life’s work of healing and restoring his culture and country, while bringing employment and opportunities to many other members of the Nyul community.\nBruno has been an invaluable support for the Foundation, and continues to provide guidance and insights to the Board.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line530006"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6969131827354431,"wiki_prob":0.6969131827354431,"text":"Featured, News\nDJ Snake teases future collaboration with Drake\nBy Staff Team\nDJ Snake is one of the biggest household names within the entire music industry. After breaking through the scene with the crowd-pleaser “Turn Down for What”, the French producer has consistently produced one hit after another. With the likes of “Lean On” and “Middle” under his portfolio, DJ Snake’s career has been nothing short of spectacular, especially during the past few years.\nAlso being one of the scene’s most versatile producers, DJ Snake has collaborated with numerous artists from a variety of genres. From rappers like Jeremih and Young Thug to pop stars like Justin Bieber, DJ Snake clearly shows no fear of teaming up with some of the world’s most prominent names.\nRecently, another major artist popped up who could be working together with DJ Snake for a future collaboration. On his Twitter account, DJ Snake posted a photo of himself alongside Canadian rapper Drake, which could hint at a possible track from the two superstars.\nWhile this tweet, by no means, is an official confirmation of a collaboration between DJ Snake and Drake, it could tease that they are cooking up new music inside the studio. Especially considering the amount of success DJ Snake has accumulated and the number of famous artists he has worked with, a production with a high-caliber talent like Drake should not come as a surprise at all.\nNew Season ~ @Drake pic.twitter.com/3CVIUn2XIe\n— DJ SNAKE (@djsnake) December 2, 2016\nTags: collaboration, Dj Snake, Drake, Teaser, Twitter","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line727311"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5944599509239197,"wiki_prob":0.5944599509239197,"text":"Danesha Mead | Board President\nDanesha Mead is first in her family to go to college. She grew up in Los Angeles and went to a high school where more students dropped out than went to college. She saw first hand how difficult the journey can be to navigate and is dedicated to helping the next generation avoid the many many mistakes she made herself.\nDanesha works at McKinsey & Company where she focuses on data driven growth for technology, finance, and retail companies. She started her career at Hall Capital Partners, an investment management firm based in San Francisco, where she grew from a portfolio management analyst to an internal technology and operations strategy associate. Her love for technology drew her away from Hall to Salesforce, where she was an internal consultant for their marketing group focusing on data strategy, data visualization, and attribution modeling.\nDanesha holds an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School, a Masters in Economics & Finance at the University of Leeds in England, and a BS from UCSD. Danesha also served on the board of the Financial Women’s Association of San Francisco. In her spare time, she makes and distributes maple syrup so that people can know what real syrup tastes like and enjoys morning walks with her daughter (7 months), dog and husband.\nRyan Baum | Board Vice President\nPrincipal, Jump Associates\nRyan Baum is a Principal at Jump Associates. For the past 10 years he has acted as a partner and advisor to Fortune 500 executives setting the course for large-scale transformations and aggressive growth. That has included work ranging from helping a major airline clarify and roll-out a new corporate strategy, to partnering with an automotive company to recapture the Millennial market, to helping a technology giant break into the healthcare space by redefining the long-term care market.\nRyan is an active thought leader in business strategy and innovation. He teaches a course at Stanford University in which students draw upon methods from anthropology, design, and business strategy to discover insights about people and define new offerings. He has also written for publications such as FastCompany, spoken at conferences such as the Economist’s Ideas Economy conference, and guest lectured at universities such as Wharton and Berkley.\nRyan holds a B.A. in Ethics, Politics and Economics from Yale University.\nHanish Rathod | Finance Committee Chair\nDirector of Global Go-To-Market Strategy, Zendesk\nHanish is the Director of Global Go-To-Market Strategy at Zendesk where he leads global GTM strategies, product strategy and integrated sales, marketing and channel strategy . Additionally, he leads enablement, pricing & packaging and market intelligence. He has over 15 years of tech industry experience in functions that include product development, marketing, strategy and investing.\nPrior to Zendesk, Hanish worked in product marketing at The Climate Corporation, driving global go-to-market strategies, product strategy, messaging & positioning and channel enablement. Earlier at VMware, Hanish was the global lead product marketing manager for vSphere with Operations Management. He has also worked in asset management in New York leveraging his expertise in investment analysis on tech companies for Morgan Stanley.\nHanish went to Harvard Business School and has a Masters in Electrical Engineering from UCLA, and a Bachelors of Engineering from Vanderbilt. Outside of work, Hanish has been actively involved in higher education legislation in Washington D.C. for over 10 years. His grass roots efforts led to the house bill H.R. 3412 (Higher Education Affordability and Equity act) during the 108th congress and continues to serve through various channels to advocate on behalf of students.\nJohn A. Spensieri | Development Committee Chair\nRetired Financial Advisor\nJohn served as a Financial Advisor in San Francisco with MorganStanley SmithBarney. Prior to that he was a Financial Advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors in NYC.. He made a career change into the financial services industry joining AG Edwards in NYC which was acquired by Wachovia Securities, which was then acquired by Wells Fargo Advisors.\nPrior to Wells Fargo Advisors he was a VP & Senior Partner with Core Strategies, a market development consulting firm providing services to technology small businesses to help them dramatically grow their sales & profitability.\nPrevious responsibilities included Chief Marketing Officer for an eMarketplace startup Fast Parts, President of a new business unit within International Data Group, Senior Vice President of Business Development for Avnet’s Computer Marketing Group and Vice President of Marketing for Arrow Electronics’ Commercial System Group.\nJohn received his MBA in Marketing from Loyola University in Chicago and a BSME from Marquette University in Milwaukee. John is a board member of the San Francisco Embarcadero YMCA, has served on the board of the NYC McBurney YMCA, Enterprise for HS Students- Board member & mentor in the Career Exploration Program, Career Coach for Summer Search, Volunteer for KIPP Charter Schools, Volunteer for First Graduate, Co-op Board Finance Committee Chairman, Co-President of the NYC Loyola Chicago Alumni and Host Committee member for Marquette University Circles events. Has served on various committees including the advisory committee for Youth Chance HS, YMCA Board Development Committee, YMCA Financial Development Committee , Program and Development for EHSS and Mentor for Enterprise for Youth. He and his wife Jayne enjoy collecting Contemporary Art and traveling.\nJohn is a first generation college graduate.\nSiddharth R. Alexander | Board Member\nManaging Director, Investment Portfolio at Wells Fargo\nSiddharth began his volunteer journey with First Graduate in 2009, joining the Board of Directors in 2018.\n“I’ve supported and been involved with First Graduate for almost ten years now. The culture of the organization and level of dedication to the students and mission is truly impressive. Despite their success, I’ve valued their continued focus on the San Francisco area to help students be the first in their families to graduate college. Last year I had the opportunity to meet the college graduates I tutored when I first volunteered at First Graduate in 2008. It’s hard to express the mixed emotions of pride, joy, and mostly gratitude that I and other volunteers felt to have another class of students enter the work force and adult life equipped with a college degree, in large part due to First Graduate’s support. And if I were to gauge success, the same graduates fully recognize the benefits and support they have received from First Graduate’s staff, volunteers and donors. If you believe that education is near the top of the list to directly or indirectly make for a better world and better human beings, I would strongly urge you to consider supporting First Graduate in any capacity.”\nMarvell C. Allen | Board Member\nPrincipal & Owner, Millennium Career Advantage, LLC\nMarvell C. Allen is Owner and Principal, of Millennium Career Advantage, LLC, a professional leadership development and coaching practice, started in 2010. Current and past clients have included Twitter, LinkedIn, Contra Costa County, The Bureau of Indian Affairs (U.S. Department of the Interior), Marin County, UC Davis, Marriott International, City of Mountain View, Kaiser Permanente, SanDisk, Watermark, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, and Genentech, to name a few.\nMarvell is an expert at delivering executive, management, and staff development programs that support organizational objectives. Moreover, she has a solid track record as a training leader for dynamic organizations to resolve complex business issues. Marvell is known as a key strategic partner for senior executives and cross-functional teams to help achieve business imperatives.\nMarvell has spent many years supporting strategic organizational/learning initiatives with topics including:\nExecutive Presence\nOrganizational Influence\nStrengthsFinder\nBuilding Effective Relationships and Alliances\nMarvell’s academic credentials include a BA degree from UC Berkeley, a MA in Political and Economic Assessment (International Business Asia) from Dominican University of California, and coaching certifications in StrengthsFinder, Leadership/Talent Management, and Career Management Coaching.\nNeera Bhat | Board Member\nManaging Director, Accenture\nNeera is a Managing Director at Accenture, and like all of our students she is the first in her family to graduate from college.\nGopa Dasari | Board Member\nGopa Dasari was a volunteer with First Graduate for seven years before joining the board. Over the past 10 years, he has worked in the Private Wealth Management industry, dealing primarily with high-net-worth families and institutions.\nDaniel Curme | Board Member\nProfessional Development Administrator at Minerva Schools at KGI\nDan Curme is a Professional Development Administrator at Minerva Schools at KGI, a relatively new non-profit university program built on principles of the science of learning and which equips students with practical skills and knowledge for the 21st century. He works with some of the brightest undergraduate students from around the world to help shape their professional interests and opportunities outside the classroom – and he does this without having a Minerva alumni network to lean on (the first graduating class in May 2019). Based on his experience teaching in the classroom, managing education programs, and advising students, Dan believes effective change in education comes from passionate, well-supported individuals and teams working in innovative and forward-thinking models.\nDan has spent his entire professional career in education, working and volunteering at organizations around the world with a variety of age groups. His experience includes Junior Achievement, City Year, College Access Now, Seattle Public Schools, StudentVox, and Minerva Schools. For 7 summers, Dan coached at Ultimate Peace, a non-profit ultimate Frisbee summer camp for Palestinian and Israeli youth.\nDan has co-written two Master’s theses, both of which explored college culture and supporting first-generation students in high school and college. Dan holds a BA in Modern Middle East History from Carleton College and an MA in Higher Education Administration from Stanford University.\nMark Hamilton | Board Member\nCEO & Founder, Hamilton Zanze\nPrior to co-founding Hamilton Zanze in 2001, Mark Hamilton sponsored the acquisition, ownership, and development of nearly 40 properties in the Bay Area. Mark’s main focus has always been locating value-add properties in changing urban neighborhoods and then re-working them into higher-quality buildings with higher incomes, improved tenant profiles, and higher resale values.\nMark has considerable experience in partnership formations and operations, project planning and implementation, asset management and management oversight, landlord-tenant and rent-control issues, risk management, and zoning and building department matters. Before forming his own commercial brokerage and investment business in 1994, Mark worked in the San Francisco office of Marcus & Millichap, subsequently co-founding Property Resource Group (real estate brokerage) and Quantum Land Company (development).\nMark earned a B.A. with High Honors in English Literature from San Francisco State University and an M.A. in English and American Literature from Brandeis University, which he attended as a University Scholar and Fellow.\nJenny Kao | Board Member\nChief Policy Advisor to the President of the University of California\nJenny Kao is the Chief Policy Advisor to the President of the University of California system of 10 UC campuses, 6 medical centers, and 3 affiliated national laboratories, where she advances the University’s policy agenda, leads policy initiatives and advises the President on a wide array of policy issues. Issues range from supporting undocumented/DACA-mented, first-generation and low-income students, to standardized testing in admissions, to developing a vision for UC’s role as a social mobility machine and economic driver in California’s future.\nA product of California public education, Jenny has worked in the public sector and in public higher education for over two decades. Before her current role as Chief Policy Advisor to the President, she served as both Chief of Staff for Public Affairs and founding Executive Director for Issues Management, Policy Analysis and Coordination (IMPAC). In this dual role, she developed external messaging and strategy for policy initiatives and the University system’s positions on state and federal legislation. Prior to this role, Jenny co-led the University’s state governmental relations office in Sacramento, advocating for UC’s priorities with the Governor and Legislature. Before that, she worked as the Higher Education Policy Analyst in then-Governor Gray Davis’ administration from 1999-2000. She began her career in higher education in undergraduate admissions policy and student athletics at the UC Berkeley campus.\nKao earned her B.A. degree (with honors) in American History from UC Berkeley, with a minor degree in French literature. She holds a Master’s Degree in Public Affairs from Princeton University. An immigrant and non-native English speaker, Jenny was born in Taiwan, raised in San Francisco, and now calls Oakland home. She’s fluent in Mandarin and French. Hobbies include running, hiking, and wining and dining.\nSusan Knowles | Board Member\nDirector of Genomics Services at UCSF Health\nSusan Knowles has been a volunteer with First Graduate for four years, and she enjoys working with students on resumes, school applications and math homework. Susan manages four clinical genetic labs and supports the implementation of cutting-edge genomics methods for precision medicine. Susan spent 10 years in the life sciences industry developing DNA-sequence based applications in the fields of reproductive health, infectious disease, and metagenomics.\nSusan has a BS degree from The George Washington Universityand an MBA from the University of Chicago. Susan lives in San Francisco and in her spare time enjoys cooking and just about anything outdoors.\nJaime Najarro | Board Member\nConsultant at The Bridgespan Group\nJaime Najarro is a strategy consultant with deep expertise providing actionable insights to internal and external clients in education, philanthropy, government, and startups. Skilled in quantitative and qualitative analysis, stakeholder engagement, and effective communication on highly sensitive strategic questions. Wharton MBA, with additional degrees from Berkeley and Princeton.\nJaime is a first generation college graduate.\nTucker Serenbetz | Board Member\nDirector at TMT Strategy at KPMG\nTucker is a 12-year resident of San Francisco and lives just a short walk from the First Graduate office. His career has focused on advising large enterprises on growth and operating model strategy. In that time, he has worked for a number of companies in the Bay Area, including Yahoo! and McKinsey & Company.\nCurrently, Tucker is a Director of the Corporate Strategy practice at KPMG where he helps Technology, Media, and Telecommunications clients make effective M&A decisions, create winning corporate strategies, and use data to improve business performance.\nTucker is a graduate of Yale University where he studied Economics and History, which remain favorite hobbies.\nStefan Zorn | Board Member\nSenior Operations Executive at Deloitte\nStefan is a senior operations executive with over 20 years work experience focused on spend management transformations and M&A execution. He has very deep experience leading complex enterprise-wide external spend management transformations for global enterprises in many industries, including high- and FinTech. Most currently, Stefan led the Customer Success group at Globality, a company that applies AI to transform the sourcing of professional services for Fortune 100 companies. In his previous role as a Managing Director of Deloitte Consulting’s Sourcing and Procurement practice, he has sourced over $3 billion of spend for his clients, while achieving over $450 million of savings and was a leader in Deloitte’s Sourcing and Procurement M&A practice. Stefan is an experienced execution and thought leader in:\nSpend management transformations: Stefan has deep experience leading global sourcing and procurement leaders through complex transformations to become innovative contributors to their companies\nSourcing strategies and execution: Stefan has deep experience in extracting value from a large variety of spend categories, including professional services, marketing, IT hardware and software, legal services and travel\nM&A execution: Stefan led many companies successfully through company-altering mergers and divestitures\nStefan is a first generation college graduate.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1269056"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6271558403968811,"wiki_prob":0.3728441596031189,"text":"Nepera Meetings 200005\nMeetings on Nepera\nThe Monroe-Woodbury CAP (Community Advisory Panel) that meets monthly on health and safety issues at the Nepera Chemical company in Harriman, NY, has been busy with the recent odor releases occurring at the plant. Meetings have been held at the Central Valley Elementary School and have been well attended by the public with experts from the DEC also attending to answer questions.\nThe latest incident caused a number of students who are sensitive to the pyridine smell and who had physical reactions (rashes, nausea, headaches, etc.) to be sent home. The plant was shut down by the DEC until a settlement was reached. Nepera paid a $62,500 plus fine and agreed to a number of restrictions. An on-site DEC monitor will be hired by the DEC (but paid for by Nepera) to oversee Nepera’s operations on a daily basis and to help ensure they are operating safely. Additionally, Nepera has hired ENSR, an engineering firm, to conduct a review of all manufacturing operations on the site. The company says that recommendations for equipment improvements will be implemented.\nThe CAP held a joint meeting with the CAER (Community Awareness and Emergency Responnse) Subcommittee on March 3rd to discuss the problems the schools and the community response teams have had with Nepera’s reporting procedures in the past. The Community Alert Network (CAN) response procedures, priority list notification protocols, and who should be on the lists was reviewed at length. Ellen Stoutenberg of the DEC attended all meetings and will incorporate suggestions from these meetings into the protocols for Nepera as required by the DEC.\nAddtionally, Nepera had to appear in Village Court in the Village of Harriman on two charges of air quality violations for the odor releases in February. They pleaded not guilty and will appear again on May 17.\nThe Woodbury Zoning Board is holding a public hearing on Wednesday, the 22nd, at the Woodbury Town Hall, Route 32, Highland Mills, for the special permit renewal for “…operation and maintenance of a chemical production facility with its tank farm and other associated equipment.” A special audit report was prepared by Gerald J. Lauer, Ph.D. of Applied Science Associates for the Town of Woodbury for the Town’s and the public’s review.\nRecent statistics on incidents of asthma attacks as reported by local hospitals shows that the Monroe-Woodbury area has one of the lowest rates in the region (Times Herald Record article: Tuesday, March 14, 2000). The study was done by the state Department of Health at the request of the Times Herald Record.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1301225"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7655115127563477,"wiki_prob":0.7655115127563477,"text":"Van Gogh masterpieces come to Imax theaters\nBy Frank Scheck\nNEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - Art lovers who lack the means to visit such cities as New York, Paris or Amsterdam surely will be thrilled by the prospect of seeing “Van Gogh: Brush With Genius.”\nThis Imax Theater documentary, from MacGillivray Freeman Films, provides the visceral thrill of seeing numerous masterworks by the painter in visually dazzling fashion, even if its narrative style leaves something to be desired. The film is scheduled for release in Imax theaters in early 2009.\nLike so many giant screen films, “Van Gogh” feels the need to enhance its visuals with a prosaic story line. In this case, it takes the form of concentrating on figures like Peter Knapp, who conceived the idea for the film, and a fictional museum researcher (played by French actress Helen Seuzaret) delving into Van Gogh’s numerous letters.\nMore problematically, Marie Sellier’s screenplay includes numerous observations by “Van Gogh” himself, who comments on the proceedings in, considering the mental illness that eventually led his suicide, disarmingly chipper fashion.\nBut these silly conceits don’t detract from the film’s raison d’etre, which is to showcase the artist’s magnificent paintings in a manner that will prove visually revelatory even for those fortunate enough to have seen many of them in person. The images of these masterworks, which are frequently accompanied by beautiful shots of the actual landscapes in such places as Arles and Saint-Remy that inspired them, are so stunning that it’s a wonder that no one thought to showcase them in this cinematic manner before now.\nReuters/Hollywood Reporter","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line445369"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5855094194412231,"wiki_prob":0.41449058055877686,"text":"Thousands in Chile protest IDF Gaza operation\nDemonstrators, mainly from Arab community, march to Israeli and US embassies\nBy AFP\t20 July 2014, 12:23 am 18 Edit\nIllustrative photo of pro-Palestinian activists, July 12, 2014. (AFP /Claudio Reyes)\nSANTIAGO, Chile — About 5,000 people gathered in the Chilean capital to protest against Israel’s military strikes in Gaza in retaliation for Hamas rocket fire on Israeli cities.\nThe march took demonstrators to the Israeli embassy in Santiago, home to a sizeable Palestinian population, where some participants glued pictures of children who have died in the attacks to the walls of the building.\nThe marchers continued on to the embassy of the United States, seen as Israel’s close ally.\nProtests were also held Saturday in Paris and London.\nTwelve days of violence between Israeli forces and Hamas have led to more than 340 deaths, most of them Palestinian civilians.\nChile in 2011 recognized Palestine as a sovereign state, without specifying where its boundaries should be affixed.\nSome 300,0000 people of Middle Eastern and Arab ancestry live in Chile, compared to a Jewish community of just 30,000.\nanti-Israel activity","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line171548"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5697662234306335,"wiki_prob":0.43023377656936646,"text":"Deadline for NoMa Underpass Competition is Friday\nNoMa Parks Foundation To Create Spectacular Art Parks in NoMa Underpasses\nWASHINGTON, DC, May 7, 2014 – Calling all artists and designers! Friday is the deadline for qualifications to be submitted for consideration in the NoMa Parks Foundation’s underpass competition. On April 11, the Foundation launched an international design competition to transform four railroad underpasses in NoMa. The long hoped-for initiative will turn the underpasses at Florida Avenue, NE, and K, L and M Streets, NE, into stunning contemporary art installations, and further strengthen east-west connections in NoMa and to Capitol Hill.\nQualifications are due this Friday, May 9, 2014 and will be followed by a formal RFP issued to qualified entrants. Neighborhood residents could begin to see installation start as early as 2015. Details about the competition can be found at www.NoMaUnderpasses.org.\nThe NoMa Parks Foundation seeks artists and designers who will envision bold, creative and interactive approaches to the underpasses. Finalists will receive stipends to refine their ideas prior to final selection. The selected artists/designers will be responsible for final design and oversight of installation.\nNoMa is a vibrant, growing neighborhood nestled between Union Station, the U.S. Capitol, Shaw, and the H Street, NE corridor in Washington, D.C. Over the last several years, private developers have invested more than $5 billion in the 35-block area within the NoMa BID boundary, and have plans to develop more than 16 million square feet of additional office, residential, hotel, and retail space. With a capital investment of $50 million from the District government in 2013, NoMa will soon have great new parks and public spaces as well. NoMa is home to more than 3,900 terrific new apartments, and more than 40,000 people work here each day. NoMa is the most connected neighborhood in Washington, D.C. With unparalleled transportation access on Amtrak, VRE, MARC, two Red Line Metro stops, and vehicular access to Interstate 395, visitors, workers and residents can easily travel throughout the region as well as get to New York or anywhere on the East Coast. NoMa has a WalkScore of 92 and offers great biking facilities, including three free outdoor air pumps, the East Coast’s only Bikestation, the 8-mile Metropolitan Branch Trail, and seven Capital Bikeshare stations. The NoMa BID organizes more than 50 free award-winning community events each year, connecting more than 20,000 friends and neighbors. For more information about NoMa, visit www.nomabid.org and sign up for our bimonthly newsletter. Follow us on Twitter @NoMaBID and like us on Facebook.\nNews media contact:\nRachel Davis","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line525346"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6793597936630249,"wiki_prob":0.3206402063369751,"text":"Bob Dylan Sells Out To Universal Music\nby Paul Cashmere\nAnd just when you thought 2020 couldn’t throw up any more surprises Bob Dylan has become a complete sell-out. Dylan has sold the publishing rights to his songwriting catalogue in a deal said to be worth around $300 million to Universal Music.\nTagged as: 60s, 70s, Abba, Adele, Al green, Alabama Shakes, Alex Da Kid, Alexandre Desplat, Alicia Keys, Ariana Grande, Axwell & Ingrosso, Bastille, Beach Boys, Beastie Boys, Bee Gees, Benny Blanco, Billie Eilish, Billy Joel, Bob Dylan, Brandi Carlile, Britney Spears, Bruce Springsteen, Carly Rae Jepsen, Carly Simon, Carole Bayer Sager, Chris Brown, Coldplay, DaBaby, Danny Elfman, Dave Matthews, Demi Lovato, Desmond child, Disclosure, Don Henley, Dua Lipa, Elton John/Bernie Taupin, Elvis Costello, Emile Haynie, Eminem, Florence + The Machine, folk, future, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Gustavo Santaolalla, H.E.R., Halsey, Harry Styles, Imagine Dragons, Irving Berlin, J Balvin, Jack White, Jason Derulo, Jeff Bhasker, Jhené Aiko, Jimi Hendrix, Jody Gerson, Joe Jonas, Josh Groban, Justin Bieber, Justin Timberlake, Kane Brown, Keith Urban, Kendrick Lamar, Kenny Chesney, Leonard Bernstein, Lil Baby, Lil Mosey, Lil Yachty, Linkin Park, Logic, Lucian Grainge, Maren Morris, Mariah Carey, Maroon 5, Martin Garrix, Megan Thee Stallion, Metallica, Metro Boomin, Michael Chabon, Miguel, Mumford & Sons, Ne-Yo, Neil Diamond, New Order, Nick Jonas, Nicki Minaj, Otis Redding, Paul Simon, Pearl Jam, Post Malone, publishing, Quavo, R.E.M., Randy Newman, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rex Orange County, rock, Rosalía, Sam Hunt, Selena Gomez, Sex Pistols, Shania Twain, Shawn Mendes, songwriting, Stax (East Memphis Music), Steve Mac, SZA, Taylor Swift, The Clash, the Mamas & the Papas, Tobias Jesso Jr., Troy Verges, U2, Universal Music Publishing, USA, Zedd\nSting, Al Green Given Kennedy Honors\nby Roger Wink, VVN Music\nSting and Al Green shared in Kennedy Honors on the weekend.\nTagged as: Al green, Kennedy Honors, Sting\nAl Green And Sting To Be Honored At Kennedy Center\nAl Green and Sting are two of the people named to be honored at the 2014 Kennedy Centre donors.\nTagged as: Al green, music news, Sting\nB.J. Thomas Discusses His New Album\nB.J. Thomas has travelled the road from R&B to pop/rock, country, gospel and back home again with his latest album The Living Room Sessions. Thomas sings many of his hits in new, acoustic-based arrangements with such artists as Vince Gill, Lyle Lovett, Keb Mo, Steve Tyrell and Isaac Slade of The Fray.\nTagged as: 1970s, 2010s, Al green, B.J. Thomas, Burt Bacharach, Carole King, Hal David, Isaac Slade, John Sebastian, Johnny Farnham, Keb Mo, Lyle Lovett, Marvin Gaye, Paul Newman, pop, soundtrack, Steve Tyrell, The Fray, U.S.A., Vince Gill\nBeyonce Lip-Synchs Star-Spangled Banner\nby Music-News.com\nBeyoncé Knowles lip-synched America’s national anthem at President Barack Obama’s inauguration.\nTagged as: Al green, Beyonce, First Lady Michelle Obama, Jennifer Hudson, Kelly Clarkson, Marine Corps Band, President Obama, Star-Spangled Banner\nMemphis Music Hall Of Fame To Induct Initial 25 Artists\nThere are dozens of music halls of fame that have sprung up around the country.\nTagged as: Al green, B.B. King, Elvis Presley, Howlin' Wolf, Isaac Hayes, Jerry Lee Lewis, Memphis Music Hall Of Fame, Otis Redding, Rufus Thomas, Sam Phillips, The Staple Singers, ZZ Top\nBeyoncé Knowles lip-synched America's national anthem at President Barack Obama's inauguration.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line703257"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5241640210151672,"wiki_prob":0.5241640210151672,"text":"As Indian Casinos Grow, Regulation Raises Concerns\nMajor Expansion in California\nWould Aid State Revenue,\nBoost Oversight Only a Bit\nBy John R. Emshwiller and Christina BinkleyStaff Reporters of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL\nCandace Cates saw many things that troubled her as an investigator of Indian casinos for the California attorney general's office. What troubled her most was what she couldn't see.\nMs. Cates ran across what she and other agents suspected was evidence of embezzlement, kickbacks and suspicious money movements, including $90,000 being stuffed into a shoebox and driven away from one casino in the trunk of a car. Yet, she contends, her bosses at the state consistently stopped her from investigating these matters and ordered her to delete references to them from reports. One senior state official allegedly told her that because Indian tribes are semi-sovereign entities under federal law, investigators needed to \"kiss a- on the reservations.\"\nGambling in Indian casinos is an increasingly large part of the gaming industry in the U.S. Indian casino revenues have nearly doubled since 1998, as new casinos have opened, putting the tribal sector on track to overtake the non-Indian sector within four years. But casino regulation hasn't kept pace with the growth, tribal-gambling critics say.\nThey maintain that Indian casinos are regulated much more loosely than their counterparts in places like Las Vegas and Atlantic City, N.J. Under federal law, the tribes that own casinos have the main responsibility for regulating them, a deal akin to letting the Yankees umpire their own games. States and the federal government play a limited role.\nEvidence hasn't surfaced at Indian casinos of the kind of widespread corruption or organized-crime influence that long plagued Las Vegas. But state and federal investigators have at different times raised questions about suspected improprieties at tribal casinos in Connecticut, New Mexico and elsewhere, some of which have produced enforcement actions. Nationwide, the potential for problems is likely to grow as the industry continues to boom. More than 350 Indian casinos operate in 30 states, and dozens more are in the works.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1403730"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9877578020095825,"wiki_prob":0.9877578020095825,"text":"Posted inHigh School Sports\nWinslow football coach retires after 35 years\nby Ernie Clark August 13, 2020 August 13, 2020\nWinslow head coach Mike Siviski watches his team during their Class C football state championship game against Leavitt at the University of Maine's Alfond Stadium in 2014. Siviski is retiring from the position after 35 years. Credit: Ashley L. Conti | BDN\nOne of the state’s legendary football coaches is stepping down after a storied career.\nMike Siviski, who led Winslow High School to 287 victories and seven state championships over the last 35 years, has announced his retirement from the post.\nThe 73-year-old Winslow native told his returning senior players of his decision Wednesday.\n“I think it’s just time,” said Siviski, who returned to his alma mater in 1985 and also guided the Black Raiders to 11 regional championships during his head coaching tenure. “It’s been my pleasure as a Winslow kid growing up in this area to coach in a community with great football tradition, dedicated players and strong coaching staffs. It has for the most part been not work, but fun.”\nSiviski did acknowledge the uncertainty of the upcoming season amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic as a factor in his decision.\n“The dynamics of football have drastically changed,” he said. “COVID isn’t the overall reason as everything came together, but it is a concern.”\nSiviski, who graduated from Winslow High School as a three-sport athlete in 1965, has been part of a remarkable run of coaching stability within the Winslow program.\nHe is one of just three head coaches for the Black Raiders over the last 62 years, since Wally LaFountain — who was Siviski’s high school coach and later coached the school’s freshman team under his former player — took the job in 1958.\nHarold Violette followed from 1969 through 1984 before Siviski — who went on to play at the University of Maine before beginning his coaching career as a student assistant with the Black Bears — returned home to teach history and coach football after serving as an assistant coach under Bob Cote at Thornton Academy in Saco.\n“We’ve only had three coaches since 1958 and Michael’s the longest-tenured of the three,” Winslow athletic administrator Jim Bourgoin said. “He really is Winslow football and has been since 1985.”\nSiviski guided Winslow to its first state championship under his leadership in 1986. He went on to add three sets of back-to-back titles in 1992 and 1993, 2000 and 2001 and most recently in 2014 and 2015. The first five state crowns were captured in Class B, the 2014 and 2015 championships in Class C.\nIn addition to the state-title years, Winslow also won regional championships in 2004 and 2006 (Class B) and 2012 and 2013 (Class C).\nThe Black Raiders finished 9-2 last fall, advancing to the Class C North championship game before being defeated by Maine Central Institute of Pittsfield 49-21.\nSiviski was known as an offensive innovator, and his final team proved to be an example of that as it led the state in scoring at 52.9 points per game during the 2019 regular season and 48.6 points per game overall.\nThe 2016 recipient of the John Wolfgram Coach of the Year award from the Maine chapter of the National Football Foundation concluded his head coaching career with a 287-101 record.\n“It hasn’t been the Mike Siviski show here at Winslow,” Siviski said. “We’ve had very strong coaching staffs all the way through, and it’s not just that we’ve had strong staffs but the staffs have stayed. Year in and year out there hasn’t been much turnover and that’s really been a key because we don’t have to coach the coaches.”\nThis offseason had been less routine from a football perspective for the longtime head coach, perhaps portending his decision to retire.\nSiviski was not able to run his traditional summer football program at Winslow due to the coronavirus or hold his annual Raider Camp meeting timed shortly after the Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl — also canceled this year — where players are issued their equipment and lockers for the upcoming season.\nSiviski also charted out his team’s anticipated preseason workouts and found that in some cases teammates would come shoulder-to-shoulder or face-to-face 16 to 28 times during each morning of double sessions.\n“I don’t know how you can social distance in a contact sport, to be honest with you,” he said. “It’s that simple.”\nNo one has been named yet to fill Siviski’s coaching post.\n“Obviously we’re up against the clock a little bit but we’ll do what’s best for the program,” Bourgoin said.\nTagged: Winslow\nErnie Clark\nErnie Clark is a veteran sportswriter who has worked with the Bangor Daily News for more than a decade. A four-time Maine Sportswriter of the Year as selected by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters...\tMore by Ernie Clark","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1250349"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6913083791732788,"wiki_prob":0.6913083791732788,"text":"Philippine’s Leading Cities by Economic Expansion\nHow do you define a busy city? If you see yourself stranded in a sea of people at any given time of day, that’s one way to define a busy city. On top of that, population size, numerous infrastructures, active transport systems, commercial buildings, are the factors that define a busy city.\nPhoto courtesy of Aristocrats-hat via Flickr\nAccording to the CIA World Factbook, the Philippines carries a total population of 86.24 million ten years ago and rose to more than 100 million people to date. People are the future of every country that a rising number of population means greatness to the growth of industries and businesses. However, the problem lies in the concentration of the people in the country. Almost all these people choose to embrace urbanization by living in cities in the country which causes crimes and issues on social control. More so, traffic, noise, pollution, insufficient public transportation vehicles and lots of people make a busy city. You probably know all these so read on and find out whether you live in one busy city. Check out the top eight busiest cities in the Philippines below.\n8. Pasig City\nPhoto courtesy of Jun Acullador via Flickr\nPasig used to be completely residential and industrial, however, Pasig is slowly getting into the commercial side of the industry. Pasig boasts of the Ortigas Center which is one of the top business districts of the country. Another business hub lies along the Ortigas Avenue Extension, the Frontera Verde which houses CCF and the well-known Tiendesitas.\nThis city is also a known foodie destination especially in the Kapitolyo where numerous restaurants and hole-in-the walls swarm the streets. Transportation is made available in the city but having one of the main roads in the country, the Ortigas Avenue is always congested with cars especially during the rush hour.\n7. Pasay City\nPhoto courtesy of Jojo Nicdao via Flickr\nIn terms of population density, Pasay City ranks third on the list with a population of 392,869 and an area of 13.97 sq. kilometers. One of the four original cities of Metro Manila, Pasay city has embraced urbanization during the American occupation. Pasay city houses the hangar of the top airlines of the Philippines like Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Zest air, and the like.\nPasay is also known for its share of tourist attractions and entertainment hubs located along Roxas Boulevard. The second largest mall in the Philippines is also found in Pasay, the SM Mall of Asia. Numerous attractions are found within the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex such as the Philippine International Convention Center(PICC), World Trade Center Metro Manila, Manila Film Center, Cuneta Astrodome, Aliw theater, and Star City. With the amount of tourists they get in a day, Pasay is teeming with numerous condominiums like La Verti Residences and properties near business districts like other condotels to stay in for the night.\n6. Cebu City\nPhoto courtesy of Dbgg1979 via Flickr\nHistorically the first capital of the country, Cebu City has a population of almost a million people. Located in the Visayas region of the Philippines, Cebu city is the second most populous city in the country. With an area of 315 sq. kilometers, this so called “Queen City of the South\" is the fifth most busy city in the country.\nAs early as the 1990s, Cebu has experienced a rapid economic progress due to its strategic location close to islands and beaches and accessibility to tourists. Last year, it was considered as the 8th BPO Destinations from all over the world due to the IT-BPO brands that crowded the city. On top of this, international hotel brands and big mall operators have popped in the city which increased the confidence level of more condominium and hypermarkets in Cebu. With this, you will always see people in the city out and about, experience traffic in the metropolis, and even experience crowded night markets.\n5. Makati City\nPhoto courtesy of Sakanami via Flickr\nEven with a population of only approximately 500,000 people and an area of 21.57 sq. kilometers, the city of Makati goes in the list of the top 8 busiest cities in the Philippines. Being the center of commerce and numerous business districts and establishments including hotels, BPO industries, bars, and condominiums, Makati city is home to most professionals and tourists alike. With 7,200 residents per square mile, you will witness the busy streets of Makati during the day and experience heavy traffic along its avenues during 7-8 pm. During the weekdays, the population of Makati is believed to double its size to almost a million people considering the people who go to work, shop, dine, and play within its Central Business District.\nThe city of Makati is considered the richest local government in terms of the local sources. To note, Makati has over 62,000 business enterprises with 1,159 BPO companies in the city. Numerous condominiums could also be found in the area such as DMCI Homes’ Brio Tower, whereby residents get full access to malls, sports centers, and even their workplace. With this, more and more people are hooked into the city living in Makati with the convenience a condo community offers.\n4. Taguig City\nPhoto courtesy of Spektrograf via Flickr\nWith the current popularity of the Bonifacio Global City, Taguig city passes as one of the top 8 busiest cities in the Philippines. With a population of 695,793 and an area of 53.67 sq. kilometers, this city is home to top international brands’ main offices and IT-BPO companies. It is also home to SM Aura, one of the largest shopping centers in the country and is thrived by numerous foreigners and expats. Taguig city is booming with top-of-the-line condominiums and residential townhouses such as Cedar Crest, Cypress Towers, and Bonifacio Heights. With Taguig City, another commercial hub, Mckinley Hills is also crowded with professionals during the day.\n3. Davao City\nPhoto courtesy of Asia DB via Flickr\nWith almost 1.4 million people, Davao City may not not have the tall buildings or skyscrapers but is packed with numerous people. Located in the island of Mindanao, this is considered as a rich city due to its low crime rate, curfew for minors, and 24-hour emergency system. It offers the closest taste of modern cosmopolitan living amidst a city of garden and forest resorts. To note, Davao city has been smoke-free for more than 10 years. Apparently, Davao has a lot of potential in becoming an economic power ranking 87th among the world’s fastest-growing cities in 2011.\nDavao city also houses the Davao Light and Power Co., the third-largest electric utility in the country. In the region of Mindanao, Davao is the center for finance, trade and commerce. It is the leading producer of mangoes, pomelos, bananas, coconut products, and mangosteens. Apparently, this is city is expected to become the next BPO center in the Philippines with 20,000 to 21,000 full-time employees in more than 20 big, medium and small BPO firms.\n2. Manila\nPhoto courtesy of Andrew Subiela via Flickr\nThe current capital of the Philippines and the most dense city in the world with 43079.48 people per sq. kilometer, Manila ranks second among the busiest cities in the Philippines. The population in Manila is close to two million people and is considered as the second among the largest cities in the country. Despite sitting in the Pacific typhoon belt and a high crime rate, Manila still holds on to its population.\nManila is also considered as the heart and soul of the Philippines economy. The city is home to major centers of finance, transportation, tourism, real estate, legal services, theater and the arts in the country. The largest seaport may be found in Manila making it the main international shipping gateway to the country. The largest Chinatown could be found in the Philippines. Binondo, as it is popularly known, is home to Chinese and Filipino residents. During the day, Binondo is crowded with chinese food lovers making you feel the busy streets of Manila. Also, the top shopping center of the Metro, Divisoria, is in Manila. During the Christmas season, tons and thousands of people crowd the streets for a chance to get a bargain or look for cheaper alternatives. Having a large area, numerous condominiums and townhouses have been built in different parts of the city such as Hampstead Gardens and Illumina Residences of DMCI Homes in Sta Mesa. This city is also a well-known shopping hub and known as one of the best shopping destinations in Asia. On top of this, tourists swarm Manila due to its landmarks like the Luneta Park and Intramuros, along with the red light districts of Malate.\n1. Quezon City\nPhoto Courtesy of JLCuasay via Flickr\nTopping the charts of the most populous city in the country with nearly three million in population, Quezon City also tops the charts of the busiest city in the Philippines. Considered as a highly urbanized city, there live 16,084 people per sq. kilometer. It is the largest city in the Metro Manila and is the site for most government offices. During the early 1980s, Cubao was considered the commercial center of the country with most shopping centers and the infamous Smart Araneta Center can be found. Moreover, the Philippine’s major broadcasting networks such as GMA Network, ABS-CBN, RPN, IBC, UNTV, and Net 25 are located in the city.\nOn top of this, Quezon City is also home to food lovers’ paradise and bars in Tomas Morato, Timog Avenue, and Maginhawa St. in UP Diliman. Eastwood, another commercial center is also within Quezon City where commercial buildings are present along with residential condominiums like the Stellar Place may be found. Just recently, different commercial centers have popped up like the UP Techno Hub and the Eton Centris which has retail establishments as well as BPO offices. Various transportation systems are also within Quezon city such as the LRT (Light Railway Transit System) 1 and the MRT2.\nIf you are into the city living and love the life it brings, then you have these eight busy cities to choose from. There’s no need to worry about living spaces because tons of condominiums like those of DMCI Homes are present and most of them are near business districts so travelling from home to work and work to some fun and entertainment will not be a problem at all!\nFun and Exciting Valentine’s Day Ideas for Singles\n5-Minute Breakfast Recipes to Whip Up After Simbang Gabi\n4 Event Places To Hold Your Mid-year Business Review","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line164527"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6796050071716309,"wiki_prob":0.32039499282836914,"text":"Shale, Not Renewable Energy, Is Reducing Carbon Dioxide Emissions\nThe facts are the facts and it’s shale, not renewable energy, that’s allowing the U.S. to reduce carbon dioxide emissions while others merely yap about it.\nCarbon dioxide emissions, the largest component of greenhouse gases, have been declining in the United States, mainly due to the shale gas renaissance. Between 2005 and 2016, U.S. carbon dioxide emissions declined by 12 percent. However, China’s carbon dioxide emissions over the same period increased by 50 percent, surpassing U.S. carbon dioxide emissions in 2006.\nSource: BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2017\nChina’s commitment to the Paris Agreement is to allow greenhouse gas emissions to continue to rise until 2030, when they are expected to peak. China’s emissions are projected to rise approximately 3.5 percent this year due partly to poor hydroelectric output. While China’s emissions are allowed to increase, the Obama administration pledged that the United States would reduce its greenhouse gas emissions 26 to 28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025.\nIndia, the world’s third largest emitter of greenhouse gases, pledged to install more renewable energy and to lower its carbon intensity—the amount of CO2 emitted per unit of gross domestic product. It will do so while allowing total emissions to increase through 2030, similar to China. India’s carbon dioxide emissions are expected to increase 2 percent this year—slower than the 6 percent annual growth seen over the last decade. India still has 240 million citizens without electricity and needs to provide reliable power to them.\nCarbon dioxide emissions worldwide are increasing as the graph below shows, though their rate of growth has slowed in recent years. That may be temporary because global carbon dioxide emissions are expected to increase by 2 percent this year. Global carbon dioxide emissions are continuing to grow despite investment in renewable energy.\nOver the past 10 years, governments and private investors have together spent $2 trillion on infrastructure to produce electricity from wind and solar power. According to Environmental Progress, after adjusting for inflation, that level of investment exceeds the total cost of all nuclear plants built or under construction. In recent years, renewable capacity has outpaced all other sources—including coal, natural gas and nuclear power. Solar and wind capacity installed in 2015 was more than 10 times what the International Energy Agency had forecast a decade before.\nHowever, as seen from the graph above, this investment in wind and solar capacity has not brought about much decarbonization. Integrating renewable energy into the grid requires large investments in electricity transmission—to move power from intermittently windy and sunny places to places where power is consumed. It also requires fossil fuel plants to be ready to operate when there is no wind or sun. These back-up plants operate at levels far below their maximum capacity, increasing their operating costs and making them uneconomic.\nFurther, these intermittent renewable sources can drive wholesale electricity prices down to the point where they force back-up power off the grid. There are times when intermittent renewable generators flood the grid with power, reducing the price of electricity to negative levels due to tax credits, thereby forcing back-up power off the grid. Or, if the back-up power cannot shut down quickly, it must pay for the grid to accept its electricity.\nGerman electric prices have skyrocketed as grid is plunged into turmoil by renewable energy political correctness\nDespite some countries making progress in integrating wind and solar energy into their electricity mix, their carbon dioxide emissions have actually increased. Germany, for example, is now generating 34 percent of its power from non-carbon sources (hydro, nuclear, wind and solar), but its carbon dioxide emissions have increased in the last two years as the country is closing nuclear plants and backing up its intermittent renewables with coal. Germany’s residential electricity prices have skyrocketed to pay for the new renewable capacity and are three times those in the United States.\nThe United States is ahead of many countries in reducing its carbon dioxide emissions. That result is largely because of increased generation from inexpensive natural gas rather than from constructing wind and solar generators that produce much less energy per unit of capacity.\nThe post Shale, Not Renewable Energy, Is Reducing Carbon Dioxide Emissions appeared first on Natural Gas Now.\nTagged: *Natural Gas Now*, Construction, Environment and Climate","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line786570"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5362151861190796,"wiki_prob":0.5362151861190796,"text":"Hebrew Roots/Neglected Commandments/Idolatry/Christmas\n< Hebrew Roots‎ | Neglected Commandments/Idolatry\nThe Origin Of ChristmasEdit\nMost people assume that Christmas had its origin in the events surrounding the birth of Christ and was established in the early Church as a memorial of these things to honor the Son of God who came down to earth to save the world and was instituted as such by His early followers.\nThe fact is that there is no instruction in scripture to remember His birth, not any record of the early believers doing so. Nor is there any historical record of any official celebration of Christmas until after 300 AD when the emperor Constantine made Christianity a State 'religion' and gave the pagan celebrations of the period a \"Christian\" face.\nThe Roman Empire's religion was one of sun-worship (Mithraism), a pagan deity whose religious influence became widespread in the Roman Empire during the first few centuries A.D.. Mithra was related to the Semitic sun-god, Shamash, and his worship spread throughout Asia to Europe where he was called Deus Sol Invictus Mithras. Rome was well-known for absorbing the pagan religions and rituals of its widespread empire. As such, Rome converted this pagan legacy to a celebration of the god, Saturn, and the rebirth of the sun god during the winter solstice period. The winter holiday became known as Saturnalia and began the week prior to December 25th. The festival was characterized by gift-giving, feasting, singing, drinking and downright debauchery, as the priests of Saturn carried wreaths of evergreen boughs in procession throughout the Roman temples.\nThe New International Dictionary of the Christian Church, p. 223: “December 25 was the date of the Roman pagan festival inaugurated in 274 as the birthday of the unconquered sun which at the winter solstice begins again to show an increase in light. Sometime before 336 the Church in Rome [under Constantine's control], unable to stamp out this pagan festival, spiritualised it as the Feast of the Nativity of the Sun of Righteousness.” Hislop observes, “That Christmas was originally a Pagan festival, is beyond all doubt. The time of the year, and the ceremonies with which it is still celebrated, prove its origin,” The Two Babylons, p. 93.\nConstantine enforced this blended form of Christianity and Mithraism on the empire. He out-lawed the true Sabbath, and enforced Sun-day worship under penalty of death. He established Catholicism (Latin meaning: Universalism) by setting the dates for observing the weekly \"sabbath\" as Sun-day, and Easter for the empire. (Easter was already one of several vital Pagan observances, originally \"Ishtar\", commemorating the impregnation of the Earth-Mother nine months prior to the winter solstice!).\nThe Encyclopedia Britannica, Volume II (1943-1973), under Christmas, we find: “In the Roman world, the Saturnalia was a time of merrymaking and exchanging of gifts. December 25th was also regarded as the birthdate of the Iranian Mystery god, Mithra, the Sun of Righteousness.” Mithra, according to ancient legend (pre the birth of Yeshua the Messiah), was born on December 25, of a virgin. His birth was witnessed by shepherds and magicians [magi]. Mithra raised the dead and healed the sick and cast out demons. He returned to heaven at the spring equinox (northern hemisphere) and before doing so had a last supper with his 12 disciples (representing the 12 signs of the zodiac), eating mizd, a piece of bread marked with a cross (an almost universal symbol of the sun).\n(Such is the counterfeit \"Christ\" of he who would assume to be like the Most High God)\nSo it was not difficult to have the pagans of that period accept the name \"Christmas\" (Christ's -Mass) for their celebration of their \"Sun of righteousness\", the savior/redeemer Mithra, understanding that there was no change in the customs or the traditions.\nThe Catholic church fabricated and proclaimed that Jesus was born on December 25 and the festival of Saturnalia and the birthday of Mithra were now going to be celebrated as the birthday of \"Christ\" and it became a State holiday (\"holy-day\").\nWith the publication of a standardised text of the writings of the apostles the Messiah's name had also undergone a change. His Hebrew name was Yehoshua (God's salvation), in usage shortened to Y'shua. When translating from Hebrew into Greek, the Greek name \"IOSOUS\" (the name of the Greek god of healing) was chosen to replace His Hebrew name, further paganising His image and making Him 'acceptable' to the pagan masses of the Roman/Greek-speaking peoples. This name was later changed to JESUS in Latin.\nThe true Messiah was not born in December. Shepherds could not have been in the fields in the northern hemisphere mid-winter. It can be calculated when he was born from the records given in scripture of the priestly cycle, the details surrounding His birth, the historical records of King Herod death and the astronomical calculations and records of eclipses and star sightings of the time.\nThe Bible-believing \"Christians\" of the time regarded the \"Christmas\" and \"Easter\" celebrations which were introduced as blasphemous and refused to endorse them. Origen proclaimed it heathenish to celebrate 'Christ's birthday' as if He were merely a temporal ruler when His spiritual nature should be the main concern and Clement of Alexandria and Epiphanius said it was pagan. :(Encyclopedia Britannica 15th edition Vol.4 p.499).\nUp till this time the only holy days which the followers of the true Messiah had kept were the Passover, the Feast of Pentecost and the Feast of Tabernacle in Sept/Oct.. When early Christians celebrated a specific day for a person, it was associated with their death, usually as a martyr, and was an epitaph to their life's service to God. Only pagans celebrated birth-days.\nAll of the customs of Christmas pre-date the birth of Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah. It was noted by the pre-Christian Romans and other pagans, that daylight was at its lowest point prior to December 22nd when they assumed that the sun god died, and began to increase after that date. These ancients believed that the sun god rose from the dead three days later as the new-born and venerable sun. Thus, they figured that to be the reason for increasing daylight.\nThis was a cause for much wild excitement and celebration. Gift giving and merriment filled the temples of ancient Rome, as sacred priests of Saturn, called dendrophori, carried wreaths of evergreen boughs in procession. In Germany, the evergreen tree was used in worship and celebration of the yule god, also in observance of the resurrected sun god.\nThe evergreen tree (Christmas tree) was a symbol of the essence of life and was regarded as a phallic symbol in fertility worship. Witches and other pagans regarded the red holly as a symbol of the menstrual blood of the queen of heaven, also known as Diana. The holly wood was used by witches to make wands. The white berries of mistletoe were believed by pagans to represent droplets of the semen of the sun god. Both holly and mistletoe were hung in doorways of temples and homes to invoke powers of fertility in those who stood beneath and kissed, causing the spirits of the god and goddess to enter them.\nThese customs transcended the borders of Rome and Germany to the far reaches of the known world at that time.People gave gifts to each other and prepared special foods. They decorated their homes with green branches. Everywhere, people stopped work to join in the celebration. The merrymaking, exchanging of gifts, etc. (from the festival of Saturnalia ) and the date, December 25, was an adaptation of the birthday of Mithra (the sun god).\nIn England, as the authorized Bible became available to the common people by the decree of King James II in 1611, people began to discover the pagan roots of Christmas, which are clearly revealed in Scripture. The Puritans in England, and later in Massachusetts Colony in 1647, outlawed this holiday as witchcraft.\nYahweh God said to His people \"take heed to yourselves that you are not ensnared to follow them, ..(the people of the nations) .. and that you do not enquire after their gods, saying, 'How did these nations serve their gods? I will also do likewise. You shall not worship Yahweh your God in that way .. .. .. Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.\" Deut.12:30-32\nThe Prophet Jeremiah condemned as Pagan the ancient Middle Eastern practice of cutting down trees, bringing them into the home and decorating them, \"Thus saith Yahweh, learn not the way of the nations/heathen; and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven. For the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are futile. For one cuts a tree out of the forest. The work of the hands of the workman with the axe. They decorate it with silver and with gold. They fasten it with nails and with hammers that it will not topple.. .. ..\" Jeremiah 10: 2-4\nEzekiel 8:14-18 condemns ancient Israel for adopting worship of Tammuz (the legendary son and re-incarnation of Nimrod), which included sun worship and the asherah (phallic symbols using trees and poles). Tammuz is the Phoenician counterpart of Mithra.\nThe nation of Israel was constantly being disciplined by God for incorporating into their form of worship toward Him, the customs of the other nations - the pagans round about them. He did not accept them following the traditions of their day.\nWe are to cast off the works of darkness (Rom.13:12) knowing that no one who engages in idolatrous practices is acceptable with God and we are told as new covenant believers to keep ourselves from things to do with idols (Acts 21:25; 1 John 5:21; 1 Cor.10:14).\n\"Live as children of light .. and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness\" Eph 5: 8-11\nIgnorantly, those engaging in the customs and traditions associated with Christmas are participating in pagan worship directed toward the god Mithra (as he was known to the Romans) who is the counterfeit saviour of the world. We know from past examples in the scriptures that although the general masses of the people followed false traditions in ignorance, He still held them accountable for their sin in turning away from the way of worship which He had revealed, and He corrected them.\nYeshua (Jesus) the Messiah said that the true worshipers must worship God in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24)\nDoing it our own way is not acceptable. That is being insubordinate to what He has decreed and established as the way to approach Him. He is God! - the whole universe functions on the laws which He has established.\n\"There is a way that seems right to man but its end is the way of death\" Proverbs 14:12\n\"But now, overlooking the times of ignorance, God is telling everyone everywhere that they must repent, because He has fixed a day when He shall judge the world in righteousness by that man He has appointed. \" Acts 17:30-31\nRetrieved from \"https://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?title=Hebrew_Roots/Neglected_Commandments/Idolatry/Christmas&oldid=3452125\"\nLast edited on 19 August 2018, at 14:47","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line681421"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6668271422386169,"wiki_prob":0.33317285776138306,"text":"Dreaming it Up\nLucy Lawless as \"Zena, Warrior Princess\"\n“Once, in a spasm of sappiness, you asked Q-Jo if she thought your dreams would ever come true. 'You aren't talking about dreams,' she corrected you, 'you're referring to your pathetic bourgeoisie ambitions. Dreams don't come true. Dreams are true.” ― Tom Robbins, Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas\nNow that we are well past the exact point of the Cardinal Grand Cross of last month, many of you may be wondering where all the big changes are that were more or less prophesied in the run up to the event on April 23rd, 2014. Trying to discern where and when the other shoe may drop is not going to be possible…mainly due to the presence of Uranus, the “Mr. Surprise” of these times.\nSometimes, I like to think Uranus would be more aptly named “Mr. Shock”, as it is the archetype for electricity and kundalini fire. Uranus’ other role is that it is the bringer of divine visions, shamanic insights, chaotic dreams. While Neptune continues to deepen its dream-like radiance in the human psyche via its transit in the sign that it rules (Pisces), this, then, may be the perfect opportunity to talk about imagination and dreams.\nAgainst the backdrop of Neptune, Uranus, and the continuing reverberations from the Grand Cross, are the transits of Mars Retrograde in Libra and Venus’ entrance into the sign Mars rules – Aries, earlier this month. Mars and Venus are in mutual reception, as Venus naturally rules Libra, and Mars naturally rules Aries. They’ve flip-flopped, and are now walking a mile in each other’s shoes.\nWith Venus in Aries, I tend to think of a fictional character like Zena, the warrior Princess from the television series. She is about assertiveness, and reclaiming her sovereign nature. She is also about passion, new beginnings and fighting for her own dreams, and the space in which to create a foundation in order that they may bear fruit…beautiful fruit!\nAnother version of Venus in Aries is the Hawaiian goddess Pele. She’s all about creative fire, lava, passion and transformation. She embodies the dual archetype of destroyer and creatrix through the constant rebuilding of the islands through the outflows of lava which sometimes destroys manmade structures and systems, but which also sustains and preserves the balance of forces, especially the power of the oceans and water to erode the coastlines. The elements of Fire, water and earth are in constant metamorphosis via this powerful archetype.\nFor Mars in Libra, imagine a hierophant, a wisdom master, in the guise of a mediator and peacemaker who isn’t just interested in maintaining a dual perspective, but is also devoted to unblocking and freeing us from restrictive beliefs, patterns and behaviours.\nMars has stationed now at 9 degrees of Libra, and will remain there until it moves direct on May 20th, mere hours from today. Venus will finish its transit through Aries on May 29th. They had a showdown, an exact opposition on Sunday, May 11th. Perhaps something of significance happened that day for you?\nNow that the stage has been set, let’s look at what this time is for, and how to navigate the now. Most of the material for this blog came to me in a lucid dreaming state that occurred around 3am, shortly after Venus entered the sign of Aries. I take it to be a message from the wisdom goddess, Sophia, and it is for both men and women.\nThe Grand Cross in April was the ignition point, the blast off. We are now moving upwards into new regions, and in the process, we are being asked to let go of old booster stages, and break free from the atmosphere of the past. As we move into more rarefied states of awareness, we may be tempted to cling to what was familiar or cherished, and at the same time our souls are dreaming...dreaming it all up. And up, and up, and upwards, imagination, divine inspiration and passions emerging out of the clouds and urging us to make our move. Feeling scared is part of it. Feeling great excitement is also part of it. Somewhere between these two, is a silent knowing in your spirit that says, “…all is well. Trust.”\nYou see, I am not writing about astrology now…I am communicating soul stuff. What is it you dream of? What were your dreams, the ones you remember from your childhood, your young adulthood? Are they still alive? Or were they briefly glimpsed, or even partially realized, and then you watched as they turned to dust, or fell apart? How many times did you think, “this will never happen”? How many times do you still feel, that your dreams are impractical, unrealizable?\nI will clarify what I mean here by dreams. Dreams are the evidence of our divinity, the “nous” or soul-spirit stuff we were gifted with. Our power to dream is not a unique trait of the human animal. All animals dream…just watch your dog, cat or parakeet while they sleep. What is unique in the human soul is our ability to image, or imagine, and then to create or realize what we imagine. This is the avenue that connects us to the larger Imagination, of the Goddess, or the Originator of all that is. And, it is also the manifestation of our unique vision and version of that incomprehensible vastness of Being.\nWhere our real dreams come from are from our Soul (via the heart). As such they are always an opportunity to surrender to the power within us to manifest the dream that Creation dreams about us and through us. When we discount our deepest longings and yearnings, we diminish our potential…we surrender not to Life, but to a death that comes before dying.\nWe cite our fears, or we invest in the fears that were implanted in us as children, just to avoid difficulties or judgment from others. Most of us are told that they cannot do this or do that. Others are told “grow up…it’s a tough world and you have to go along with it in order to get along.” That was the message that I heard anyway. When that happened, I’d take my imaginings, my dreams, and hide them from the prying eyes of the adults, so I wouldn’t have to feel the pain of their rejection. In some people, their dreams nag at them, badger them, until finally listen, and then surrender to them. We see these ones…who live from their soul and seem larger than life. Actually, it is their dreams which have mastered them, and live through them.\nHow we surrender to our dreams is not some trick of the mind, like learning to lucid dream or going for an out-of-body experience. Those are useful exploratory techniques through which we can come into a deeper understanding of what our consciousness is, and how it is connected to everything and everyone. But to really dream from our Soul…that is an intuitive art, which opens up all the doors.\nIn the course of our lifetime, and especially when we have entered into relationships of any kind, we test ourselves and those closest to us on the issue of our dreams…and theirs. Sometimes, when we have become involved in our intimate relationships, and we bond deeply, we feel that there is nothing we would not do for the other. If the relationship is one based as two people who are more or less equals, then there is less of a tendency to sacrifice our dream for the dream of another. However, if the two involved are not conscious enough, it is easy to mistake their dream for ours, and try to manifest it for them.\nAssumptions are made, silent betrayals of the Self occur, and then one day, a long time later, one or the other awakens to find that their dream was temporarily abandoned…sacrificed for the other. If there isn’t enough consciousness, the other is seen as the cause for this self-abandonment. A great deal of strength, compassion and tact is required to reclaim one’s power, without blaming the other. The appropriate action then flows from the heart, not the head.\nSo Venus and Mars are in opposition to each other this month, and oppositions oppose, which creates the necessary tension that brings things to the light of day. It is also a call to balance something between each other, and to remain open to communication and dialogue.\nUnless each individual stays true to the dream of their Soul, everyone loses a bit of themselves, betrays themselves. We lose something of the divinity inherent in our humanness. Aries courageously enters the fray, Libra hangs back and assesses and mediates between the Inner Self and the outer reality. Both are needed to propel one forward fearlessly…devoted to the image of divine inspiration imprinted in each of us, and with the strength to manifest it in our lives. That is what we are called to do, to bring our unique Gift into this world, and share it brightly.\nTogether, as individuals, we are now beginning the movement towards greater authenticity as human beings, which will translate into more healing and meaningful action in the world. The Grand Cross was a “calling” as it were, a clear mandate to initiate and follow through with radical change and to re-imagine ourselves and our world in a whole new way. Part of this vision is a new understanding that glimpses the Planet as a living and sentient creature that requires our cooperation to recreate our abode as a real Eden, and a place where heaven does reign on the Earth. That is the collective dream of the Soul of Humanity; harmony with the Earth, with the Cosmos, and peace in our souls…all because we listened to our dream, and respected the dream roles that others carry.\nNow, if you want to know the secret for bringing your dream forth…remember that it is what you feel that counts most…and that feeling cannot be manufactured or created. You can only strip away all inward barriers to your heart, which is the hotline for your Soul to talk to you. More powerful than visualizations or mantras, feelings are the language that the Soul speaks with…and creates with. An undefended heart is capable of the miracles that the mind can never comprehend.\nThat is the magic of these times. Now is the time to start dreaming it up.\nSweet dreams!!\nThe Touch of Grace\nAutumn is arriving in the Northern Hemisphere. Wet leaves are falling here in Ireland, and the smell of decaying vegetation and the wan light that filters through the clouds all confirm it. Halloween is just around the corner, also known as Hallowmas, and if you live in certain Latin countries, it is time for the three day celebration of the ‘Day of the Dead’. Time to dig the woolly jumpers and Wellington boots out of the trunks or closets, and make sure our heating systems and chimney flues are ready. After all, to quote a now popular meme, “…winter is coming.”\nAnother response to the cool and damper conditions is the sense of needing to feel cosy and warm, so if we are in a relationship, the desire for closeness is accentuated. Besides the obvious thermal advantages, it is the feeling of connection and protection that we crave. When we’re drawn closer to others of our own kind, whether it is one person or an extended family, everything can feel brighter and better. Even the growing number of people who prefer the single life and do not have a live-in companion will also feel this, and I am sure that they will seek to engage in more social activities, and take advantage of any opportunity to snuggle up with someone. Cuddle parties are becoming more popular. Not surprising…and no matter which hemisphere on Mother Earth you reside in, there’s more than just a change of the seasons behind it.\nHuman beings are highly social creatures, and even though the sense of being an individual has been part of the development of the human experience for thousands of years, in our pre-conscious state that existed long before the invention of agriculture, economies, city states, countries and nations, we were pretty much living symbiotically with the natural surroundings and within the context of a clan or tribal community. Our sense of ‘self’ was inexorably connected to the sense of ‘us’, and we shared a mutual concern for food, shelter, health, companionship and safety in uncertain conditions. Since the advent of our brief sojourn into an industrial-technological society, the rise of individualism has given way to an artificial tribal identity via the global communications network. Corporate identities carry more weight in our consciousness than thinking that we are related to flesh and blood counterparts. This artificial sense of ‘us’ is replicated continually in social media, sports and entertainment archetypes (reality television shows, major sports teams, serialized dramas, etc.), and is constantly spun by politicians to reinforce and intellectual and emotional dominance nationally, regionally and even globally (i.e. ‘…a coalition of civilized nations’)\nHowever we view our virtual interconnectedness, we still are denied one thing through our electronic mediums. The innate human need to give and receive touch remains an elusive factor in cyberspace, and in fact, it will never be simulated there successfully. Even if it is technologically feasible to create the simulation of kinetic contact, there is no circuit or programming that can replicate the consciousness that is behind the touch. This power of tactile communication is something our species is now yearning for, and indeed, if we are to survive as a species, we must satisfy in some way. We’ve been starving for it, while wondering through the digital desert landscape.\nThe growing popularity of tantric workshops, massage and somatic therapies, and the relative newcomer on the scene – the cuddle party, is evidence of how many are seeking to re-establish the neural connections that respond to touch. I first experienced non-demanding touch while attending a weekend workshop called ‘Naka Ima’, which translated from Japanese means “inside the now.” All of the support staff cuddled with the attendees almost all weekend. It was incredibly supportive when we were going through our rough bits.\nThere are many kinds of touch, and many kinds of physical manipulation, that can offer us a sense of connection or even provide healing from mental, emotional or physical traumas. Some may feel that touch cannot do what it’s being advertised to do, that is, replace traditional therapies or reinforce the standard societal bonding systems. Touch is discouraged in the clinical environment to avoid the possibility of transference of affections from a client to the therapist. Incidental touch, touch that is not part of a typical routine in the course of a therapeutic massage is routinely discouraged, for much the same reasons, though I feel it is more a part of the social taboos we’ve erected to respect boundaries. After I moved to Scotland, I discovered the ‘towel dance’ in which the massage practitioner was constantly readjusting and repositioning the towels covering parts of the body not being massaged. Not wanting to see too much flesh, and be tempted by it, was probably the rationale. This kind of massage was, as you can imagine, not as enjoyable as what I was used to in the more laid-back environs of Eugene, Oregon.\nOut of our five physical senses, the sense of touch possesses some unique characteristics. The many reported and purported cases of spontaneous healing conferred from human being to another usually happened through the medium of touch. Religious and spiritual ceremonies and initiations almost always involve touch at some point in the process. This includes Reiki initiations, baptisms, the gifting of Shaktipat, and other forms of activating an aspirant’s inner spiritual awakening. Touch combined with an understanding of energy and sensitivity, and administered with love, can literally erase many traumas, especially those traumas that remain from sexual abuse.\nIn the realm of sacred (conscious) sexuality, of which Tantra is but a part, the power of touch to open and heal a human being from the main conditioned responses that have been learned through shame, guilt and judgment. Some of the forms that have come forward for dealing with these deeply held patterns are designed to heal people of ‘genital armoring’, which prevents someone from freely expressing and enjoying their natural sexuality. Most of these forms focus on finding the resistance or pain, and working with that to help the individual release the blockages. However, my own personal experience has shown me that nurturing touch, touch that goes slowly, gently and lovingly, not only removes the physical and emotional blockages, but also dissolves the charge on the original wound. The power of touch is discovered in how much heart and presence you can express through it. The ability to heal is inherently in the individual seeking healing…the touch of grace signals the person seeking wholeness to allow themselves to let go…to trust in Life once again.\nIt will be risky, and it will take some measure of courage, but to reacquaint ourselves with the depth of our being – and everyone else’s beingness, we must become more attuned to touch as a vehicle of awakening and transformation. Body-centered therapies and practices usually encourage the individual to focus on what one does and experiences within our own body and space, or as something you only ‘get’ from another. To feel interactive touch, it is necessary to fully receive with the need to give, and to fully give without the need to receive. We are probably more habitually comfortable with giving than receiving, so I will recommend focusing on the receiving first, until you don’t feel resistance or the compulsion to ‘give something in return.’ It’s not easy!\nIf you are wondering how going for touch in a more proactive and intimate way will begin to have positive effects on your life, and possibly everyone else’s life, then all I can say to that is “what do we have to lose?” If you’re afraid you might lose your sense of individuality, well, that can’t really happen. Besides, how most Westerners have been conducting themselves for a few millennia hasn’t really contributed much to engendering more trust towards each other, so it may be time to add loving and graceful touch so that we may actually recreate the experience of egalitarian interdependence that our primordial ancestors enjoyed.\nWe aren’t really individuals, for we haven’t fully individuated yet. That is to say, we are not yet fully knowing who we are and expressing it without censorship or judgment. To be fully individual is to be one with all of Life…naturally. This is true enlightenment, for it doesn’t make value judgments about the body or the consciousness that creates and maintains it. It sees that they are completely the same thing. This is what we learn through the magic of touch, for it ends our false perception of separation and isolation, of being an ‘I’ in the midst of ‘they’.\nThe grace of touch can create bonding without bondage, unity without destroying the experience of the Self, and cooperation instead of competition. Sharing becomes innately more natural and sensible when we lose the idea that we might lose something of our integrity through when we feel drawn to wanting to touch someone who is in pain, or someone who longs to know that they are loved and not cast adrift and alone in the world. Touch heals. Touch helps us regain our humanity, which in turn opens us to the touch of something invisible in our hearts.\nSexuality is an inherent part of our spiritual homecoming, and I don’t mean nicey-nicey, hearts and flowers romance. Connecting with our earthiness, with the Earth herself, will transform our biology and bring it back in harmony with Nature and the Cosmos. In the last issue, in my essay “The Longest War on Earth”, I encouraged readers to get the book “Sex at Dawn” by Christopher Ryan Ph.D. and Cacilda Jethá, MD. The title is a play on words, but the content, and our understanding and embracing of it, may just be essential to our survival as a species. Sharing, egalitarianism, and non-possessive intimate relationships existed in the primordial utopia that came before the Earth cataclysms of 12,000 years ago, which propelled us out of foraging societies, and into the invention or agriculture, hoarding, scarcity, competition, patriarchy, war, disease and death. Such is progress.\nThe roots of this are much, much older, but suffice it to say that there was one thing that these cultures understood: the chances for surviving and thriving were enhanced because of mutual sharing and cooperation. This also included touch and sexuality. After finishing the book, I now recognize why I had such a difficult time acclimating back into human society in 2003 after spending three weeks of deep communion with the dolphins (and the wild environment ) of the Big Island of Hawaii. The abrasiveness of that contact after living ‘in the raw’ during that time was illuminating…and extremely difficult.\nHumanity will not solve all of its problems and challenges just by going to a cuddle party. But for those brief moments that you and the person you are cuddling with experience, you will cease feeling alone, separate, isolated. As you focus on the pleasure of being embraced and embracing, just imagine yourself as this Earth. The Earth holds us all in her embrace in each moment we are drawing breath, and shares everything it offers without hesitation. If we are the children of a loving Earth and a Benevolent Source Consciousness, then we cannot lose anything by opening to touch, except our fear and loneliness.\nAs we travel through this era of an ever-changing and uncertain world, the encouragement to ‘love one another’ will take on a deeper significance. Perhaps the sheer desire for connection, companionship, and touch will transcend the realm of a need born out of fear, to a fulfilment born out of compassion and the sure knowing that we are all that we have. Then, the touch of grace may just inspire us to see the truth of our predicament, and open to channel something through that propels back into the Garden…back to innocence. It won’t happen without work, but sure as heck won’t happen without play and trust.\nEnough with the sad stories…let’s create a new script. Go gracefully…and touch with love.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line308238"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7415844202041626,"wiki_prob":0.7415844202041626,"text":"CERAMICISTS\nhello [@] glazemagazine.com\nNEENINEEN Curves Around Your Expectations of Ceramics\nThe pottery line has a uniqueness that isn’t serious but designed in a way to take seriously.\nWords by Jennine Jacob\nPhotos by Lily Glass\nComing across something cool and playful that’s well-designed doesn’t happen a whole lot. When you go to NEENINEEN’s website, you’ll find everything curves around your expectations of pottery and introduces you to a world that just invites you to play. Flexuous handles which grace the mugs will brighten dreary mornings. Strategically placed geometric shapes in pastel colors on the surface soothes the eye. The pottery line has a uniqueness that isn’t serious but designed in a way to take seriously.\n“I feel like design is very serious, my aesthetic is not in the serious realm. Even if it’s not the most ergonomic, but it looks fun, and it will brighten your day. [My work is] something that doesn’t blend in with everything else.”\nNEENINEEN certainly does not blend in with everything else. Paris born-and-raised now works in Los Angeles, Ninon Choplin founded the company just two years ago. Ninon finds inspiration in the Californian approach to life; it’s okay stand out, be yourself, wear color. Something they didn’t experience so much in the colorless Parisian aesthetic where they grew up. “When I’m on the [Paris] Metro I feel like everyone knows I’m not from here. I feel like a red dot because I’m wearing color.”\n“I felt reunited with a material that I haven’t worked professionally before. I had this weird feeling like it was waiting for me the whole time.”\nNinon first encountered working with clay in their grandmother’s studio as a child. They went on to RISD where they studied industrial design. Even though the ceramics classes were always full, the college had a broad program so they explored other mediums such a metal. After college, Ninon headed out to the Los Angeles where they first took a wheel-throwing class where they fell in love with the medium. “I felt reunited with a material that I haven’t worked professionally before. I had this weird feeling like it was waiting for me the whole time.”\nAs a formally trained industrial designer and a RISD graduate, they embed a design process in their work. Each design takes careful planning and ideating. “I spend a lot of time thinking about designs; I tend to have shapes come up in my head. I’ll either draw it or make it on a 3-D modeling software just to see what it would look like. But sometimes I have it in my head and make it straight from there.”\nAside from wheel-throwing and hand-building, Ninon has started to work more in 3-D modeling and slip cast. The pipes, for example, were rendered on a 3-D modeling software, then sent out for 3-D printing, from there a slip-cast mold was made for production. Interestingly, they are able to create a seamless aesthetic throughout the collection. For their next project, Ninon will create a collection based on the arches of French architecture through the slip-cast production process. This will enable them to work on a larger scale than the smaller mugs and pipes.\n“Because I feel like I’m in the middle of both genders, I like to make it really confusing. Just because it’s my personal identity and I like to have fun with that. I like the ambiguity of it.”\nNinon’s perfectly lives a balance between life and art, every aspect of their creativity and identity go hand in hand. Identifying as genderqueer, Ninon expresses that in their work, “Because I feel like I’m in the middle of both genders, I like to make it really confusing. Just because it’s my personal identity and I like to have fun with that. I like the ambiguity of it.” Like the playful shapes of the handles on the mugs, they like to play with our expectations around creativity and gender. For example, we have certain ideas about what kind of work women create versus men, and Ninon likes to challenge those paradigms. “An aesthetic that’s put on people who were born of the female gender who are more masculine. You expect somebody to be more rugged, but I make these delicate feminine shapes.”\nIn the two years since Ninon took their first started working in ceramics, they have made a lot of progress, starting a brand which has shown in exhibitions such as Clay LA. They have learned a great deal about pottery in such a short period of time, but the biggest lesson is letting go of something if it falls apart. “You never know what is going to happen until you get the glazed piece out of the kiln,” Ninon said.\nCeramics Trend Guide for 2018\nYonder Shop's Studio Experience\nThe Handmade Precision of Pawena Studio\nJennine Jacob\nLily Glass\nNEENINEEN\nLegend in the Making: Heath Ceramics Factory Tour\nEasy to Breathe’s Rituals in Clay\nLindsey Hampton: Creativity and Balance\nAndrea Roman Ceramics: Inspired by the Earth\nAbout GLAZE","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1087616"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6127933263778687,"wiki_prob":0.38720667362213135,"text":"Loon Researcher Mike Meyer Retires from WDNR\nIf you are a Loon Ranger, most likely you are familiar with the name Mike Meyer, who has been doing loon research for the last twenty-five years. If you are a very lucky Loon Ranger living in the northeast Wisconsin counties, you may have witnessed Mike and his crew band* a loon family—part of his mercury research. Meyer recently retired from the Wisconsin DNR as a wildlife toxicologist.\n“What has made this a great place to work is the past and present management of Research and Science Services, which has provided the intellectual space, resources, and free rein to assemble a body of work I am thankful to have tackled,” he said.\nLoonWatch has been privileged to work closely with Meyer, an internationally recognized source of loon expertise. He has served on the LoonWatch Advisory Council for more than ten years, and plans to continue.\n*Leg bands help researchers identify the birds without having to recapture them. Each loon is fitted with a unique band color combination, allowing scientists to identify each loon’s behavior and location.\nhttps://www.northland.edu/news/soei-news/loon-researcher-mike-meyer-retires-from-wdnr","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1553516"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9102290868759155,"wiki_prob":0.9102290868759155,"text":"Jordan: ‘We are tired of living like the dead’\nAmid economic decline and high unemployment, resentment is building among the country’s youth.\nRecent protests in the town of Dhiban were dispersed by Jordanian forces, but demonstrators say they will continue calling for change [Photo courtesy of Dhiban protesters]\nAreej Abuqudairi\nDhiban, Jordan – In the Jordanian town of Dhiban, tension boils beneath the temporarily calm surface.\nOver the past couple of months, clashes have erupted between police and protesters, with military tanks rolling along the town’s winding roads. Young men set up a tent where they demonstrated for weeks while negotiating with officials and tribal leaders in the hope of securing jobs. The protest camp was stormed last month, with Jordanian forces firing tear gas to disperse demonstrators; 28 men were reportedly arrested.\nWhile the tent is now gone, frustration is still boiling among the young men of Dhiban.\n“We are tired of living like the dead after working so hard to study and learn,” protest spokesman Sabri Mashaaleh told Al Jazeera. The 29-year-old holds a bachelor’s degree in counselling from the University of Jordan, but five years after graduating, he has still not secured a full-time job.\nREAD MORE: Discontent simmers among East Bank Jordanians\nArab Spring protests erupted in Dhiban back in 2011, and to this day the town remains a barometer of Jordanians’ frustrations over the worsening economic climate in the country and rising youth unemployment. According to a 2014 study by the International Labour Organization, the unemployment rate in Jordan had surpassed 30 percent.\n“Dhiban is only the beginning. We will see more tension as unemployment and poverty remain unsolved problems,” Jordanian freelance blogger and commentator Mohammad Munir told Al Jazeera.\nUnemployment is even higher among Jordanians with university degrees. According to Jordan’s Department of Statistics, 21 percent of Jordanian men with a bachelor’s degree or higher are unemployed – a number that jumps to 71 percent for women.\nOraib Rantawi, director of the Amman-based Al-Quds Center for Political Studies, warned of the dangers facing what he called the “waiting generation”.\n“We have a generation of young people who graduate from university and spend eight to 10 years waiting to get a job and start a family,” Rantawi told Al Jazeera. “This group is a very good target for extremist groups, or may be driven to any kind of violence due to their frustration.”\nOfficials with Jordan’s interior and labour ministries did not respond to Al Jazeera’s requests for comment, but in official statements the Jordanian government has referred to the Dhiban protesters as “outlaws” and said that they had been “directed to get jobs in the private sector”.\nHowever, protesters say the main private-sector jobs available include work in two factories in the cities of Madaba and Sahab, which pay an average monthly salary of 190 Jordanian dinars ($270) – barely enough to pay for transportation to and from the workplace.\ntent more than working to find a solution for our situation. We will keep building our tent, regardless of how many times they demolish it.”]\nMashaaleh said he quit his job as a receptionist at a medical centre in Amman after just two years, because the salary was hardly enough to cover his rent and living expenses in Amman, which is about 70km from Dhiban.\nAnother protester with a bachelor’s degree in business administration said he had a similar experience while working a service job at a hotel in Amman.\n“We would work for the sake of serving the employers, but could not move one step towards building our future,” said the 28-year-old protester, who spoke to Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity.\nMany residents of Dhiban, with no direct public transportation options to Amman, work in the army or in public-sector jobs, such as government hospitals or operational offices. And like most rural towns in Jordan, Dhiban has not benefited from the country’s various development projects, with its poor infrastructure repelling private-sector investment.\nAccording to the Department of Statistics, 87 percent of the jobs created in Jordan last year – both private and public-sector – were based in three major governorates: Amman, Zarqa and Irbid.\nCOUNTING THE COST: The state of Jordan’s economy\nMeanwhile, desperation among unemployed young people has reached critical levels, with several high-profile suicide attempts by young Jordanians over the past four months. In May, a group of unemployed men from Ajloun governorate planned to jump off a building near the interior ministry in Amman, but they were talked down by police.\nJordan’s newly appointed cabinet has announced a series of measures to alleviate unemployment, starting with replacing foreign migrant workers – who are estimated to number up to one million – with Jordanians. But some analysts question whether Jordanians would want such jobs, most of which are in the construction and food-service sectors.\n“Shame is not an issue, but the issue is that this sector is not organised and does not provide stability, insurance or social security to Jordanians,” Rantawi said.\nThe Jordanian government has also allocated 25 million Jordanian dinars ($35m) for unemployed Jordanians to use as loans to start their own projects, particularly in rural areas where jobs are limited. While residents welcomed the idea in theory, some questioned its practicality.\n“In a place like Dhiban where people could only buy their bread, what income-generating project could you set up here?” Mashaaleh asked.\n“We are not giving up,” he added. “They worked on silencing us and demolishing the [protest] tent more than working to find a solution for our situation. We will keep building our tent, regardless of how many times they demolish it.”\nJordan: Violent protests in Dhiban over unemployment\nResidents of Dhiban clash with paramilitary units, demanding employment and better economic conditions in the region.\nIraq crisis worsens Jordan’s economic woes\nFighting in Iraq has caused a dramatic drop in trade with neighbouring Jordan, as the shared border is ‘partially’ shut.\nTension rises in Jordan over Syrian refugees\nThere are fears that rising tensions in Jordan and the growing refugee crisis could fuel violence in the country.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line270734"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9300007224082947,"wiki_prob":0.9300007224082947,"text":"Mixed results\nComcast will finally launch its NBC streaming service in April 2020\nThe NBC streaming service will have content from outside partners as well.\nImage credit: Comcast\nComcast has reported higher than expected earnings for Q2 2019.\nThe company added 209,000 new high-speed internet customers during the quarter, exceeding expectations.\nIt plans to launch a free NBC streaming service in April 2020.\nPhiladelphia-based cable giant Comcast today reported its Q2 2019 earnings. The company managed to beat EPS estimates but revenue fell shorts of expectations. Adjusted earnings per share grew to 78 cents a share, instead of 75 cents a share estimated by analysts. Revenue came in at $26.86 billion, which is 23.6% higher compared to the same period last year. The company added 209,000 new high-speed internet customers during the second quarter this year but lost 224,000 video customers. However, total customer relationships went up to 30.9 million in Q2 2019, with 152,000 net additions.\nWith its video business continuing to lose customers, Comcast is now focusing on other business areas to drive growth. British broadcaster Sky, which was acquired by Comcast last year, added 304,000 new customers in Q2 2019, an improvement of 197,000 over Q2 2018. Revenue, on the other hand, fell 3.3% compared to last year. Sky's advertising sales saw a drop of 10.7% due to currency fluctuations.\nThe cable giant is also planning to launch a free, ad-supported NBCUniversal streaming service in April next year. Comcast will be streaming \"The Office\" on its own streaming service starting 2021 for five years. According to NBCUniversal CEO Steve Burke, \"The Office\" is the number one show and is about 5% of all of Netflix's volume. In addition to \"The Office\", the streaming service is expected to have content from Sky Studios as well.\nThe service itself is expected to be based on a similar platform as Sky's Now TV streaming service in the UK. CNBC reports the service will be available to all pay-TV subscribers by logging in through a cable or settle provider. Those do not have a cable or satellite subscription, will need to shell out $12 per month for the service.\nPlus for protection\nThese are the best Samsung Galaxy S21+ cases you can buy\nThe Samsung Galaxy S21+ is sure to hit that sweet spot of price and functionality, and it looks to be the most popular phone in the S21 lineup. Why not protect your new phone with one of the best Samsung Galaxy S21+ cases?","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line805305"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7175170183181763,"wiki_prob":0.28248298168182373,"text":"Freemasonry in Manitoba\nThe presence of Freemasonry in the Red River Settlement may be traced back to John Palmer Bourke who arrived with the second group of settlers in the summer of 1813. He had arrived at York Factory the previous year and, because of their late arrival, had been forced to winter-over at that desolate place until the following spring. He was a survivor of the Seven Oaks Massacre. Following that battle he was arrested by the North West Company on the charge of having participated in the destruction of Fort Gibraltar and taken to Montreal for trial. While there he became a member of Wellington Persevering Lodge No. 20 on the Register of Lower Canada. He died just a few short years prior to the formation of Northern Light Lodge which took place in the fall of 1864. Among the founding members of this Lodge were John Schultz, who was later to become Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Manitoba, A.G.B. Bannatyne, a prominent merchant, and William Inkster. The formation of this Lodge was the beginning of organized Freemasonry in the Red River Settlement and, ultimately, in the prairie provinces of Canada. Today approximately 2,075 Members of the Craft meet in the 43 Lodges spread out throughout Manitoba to practice their ancient ritual, study the symbolic meaning and history of the Craft, and determine ways or means to improve themselves, and contribute to their community.\nSome of the better known public Masonic initiatives within Manitoba:\nThe Masons Care Program - a transportation service for cancer patients established in Winnipeg and Brandon\nPartners For Life - Canadian Blood Services; Ongoing Member participation for regular blood donations\nThe Masonic Foundation of Manitoba - which raises and distributes $50,000 annually to charitable causes\nMasonic History in Manitoba\nVisit this extremely informative and accurate page for more indepth information about Freemasonry's roots in Manitoba.\nManitoba Masonic Historical Information","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1338928"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5213642716407776,"wiki_prob":0.5213642716407776,"text":"Posted inMagazine\nEIT ‘Crusaders’ Help Rebuild Christchurch\nby Claire Hague December 30, 2012 December 31, 2012\nI’ve visited family in Christchurch a few times since the devastating earthquakes of 2011, and it has been heartening recently to see the small seeds of new life beginning to appear on the landscape.\nThe colourful temporary town centre, the increasing number of spaces cleared of rubble and debris, and the community-building activities springing up in pockets throughout the city all signal the start of something significant – and Hawke’s Bay has a great opportunity to be part of that.\nHere in the Bay we have of course major common ground with the people of Christchurch. Two of the most devastating natural disasters in recent New Zealand history have been earthquakes in our respective regions. Napier and Hastings arose from the rubble as Art Deco and Spanish Mission jewels. Christchurch is about to rise and become another iconic city in which New Zealanders can take pride.\nAnd we have young people here in Hawke’s Bay who are helping to make that happen.\nHawke’s Bay Today recently featured on its front page some distressing statistics about unemployment in the Bay, particularly amongst young people, with Mãori and Pacific Islanders disproportionately represented. We can either keep wringing our hands about that or we can do something about it.\nLong term, there are all sorts of economic initiatives that need to happen to pull our regional economy out of its current slump. Those things will happen, but if we’ve learned anything from the last few years of recession it’s that economic recovery takes time.\nOur young people don’t have time to sit around waiting for that. They are here now, trained and ready in the kinds of trades and other disciplines that Christchurch needs for its rebuild, and it would be a waste to let them become yet another youth statistic when they could be finding their place in the world by reconstructing one of New Zealand’s major cities.\nEIT trades graduates to Christchurch\nWith that in mind, the trades team at EIT this year launched a “Trades Crusade” to assist trades ‘graduates’ into jobs that will help rebuild Christchurch with the help of partners such as MSD, the YMCA, a Christchurch Mãori trust and Christchurch employers themselves. With the Christchurch rebuild looming, the government funded extra places at tertiary organisations last year and as a result, the first graduates are now ready and willing to do what they were trained to do.\nMichael Burne, who trained in engineering at EIT, was the first to fly out – to a job with Elliott Scaffolding.\nHe was closely followed by Ngatoko Fraser, Presley Ratima and Hale Tuari – all EIT Certificate in Carpentry graduates. Hale is working for a painting company, the other two for building firms.\nEIT and the Ministry of Social Development have jointly created the position of a Youth Link employment advisor to transition young people from study to work, and the appointee Aayden Clark is overseeing the crusade, and closely follows the progress of the young men.\nAfter initially staying with relations, Michael is now set up to go flatting, and his employer will be putting him through the relevant training programmes so he can gain qualifications specific to scaffolding.\nFour weeks after Hale started at Paintworx, the company offered him an apprenticeship – which he is happy to take. “They love him,” says Aayden.\nHale is staying at the YMCA with several others who have since travelled down to Christchurch.\nSharon Eade of Paintworx says: “If you can send us more like Hale…we will employ the lot of them.”\nThe other two original crusaders are working as building labourers. They had an initial hiccup with transport. They were working on the outskirts of the city and, without cars, there was no easy way they could get to their jobs. Supported by EIT, they’ve moved to new positions with another company where public transport isn’t an issue.\nA further five crusaders, the youngest aged 17, have now joined the group in Christchurch. They completed EIT’s Level 3 carpentry programme and are working for construction companies in Christchurch.\nAayden Clarke\nAayden is finalising placements for another six and is confident three of these will be in Christchurch before Christmas.\n“It’s awesome, very awesome,” he says of the scheme’s success. “The boys are loving it – their jobs, a new city and the things they are doing besides work.”\nMore potential awaits\nAayden sees post-employment support as very important for keeping people in jobs and he believes companies have a role to play in this.\nEIT has set up a Facebook page for posting messages to trade crusaders. It’s also the means for the crusaders to keep in touch – although they are working for different companies, they socialise together. They have a good culture, Aayden says of these young men.\nNext year, it’s anticipated 12-15 more crusaders will be heading to Christchurch. It comes back to a resourcing issue in terms of lining up the jobs, matching those up with the trades ‘graduates,’ arranging accommodation and supporting them down there in their new environment. “We could make it as big as we wanted to down there,” Aayden says. “We could have 50 if we wanted to.”\nAt the end of January, EIT will hold a workshop in Christchurch for the trades crusaders. It will be an opportunity for them to come together, for EIT to offer accreditation and to perhaps take on a community project.\nBarry Baker, chairman of Te Kaihanga Mãori Trade Co-op in Christchurch, who is helping the graduates as they settle, says: “In 10 years time, these boys will really appreciate the opportunity, effort and support you are giving them. Their lives are changing.”\nLong term of course, we want to keep young people in Hawke’s Bay. We all need to come together to do that – employers, economic development agencies, the education sector, families and local government. If they do leave for work, we need to be able to attract them back when our own economy recovers by creating the flourishing economic, social and community environment that young people want to live in. There are a lot of people and organisations working on that. Let’s give them our personal and professional support for their endeavours, as they will benefit all of us.\nIn the meantime, let’s also keep sight of the big picture – the vision for education, for training, for adulthood that our young people need to embrace in order to take their rightful place in the world.\nThis is nowhere more aptly demonstrated than in the famous story about Sir Christopher Wren’s rebuilding of St Paul’s Cathedral after the Great London Fire of 1666. The architect toured the worksite, asking people what they were doing. The men’s replies focused on their specific tasks, or the wages they were earning for their effort. Then, the architect came across a small boy, sweeping dirt and debris. What was he doing? Wren asked. The boy replied, “I’m helping Sir Christopher Wren to build a cathedral.”\nWe’ve got some young men in Christchurch who could have been struggling on a benefit in Hawke’s Bay. They’re now clearing land, erecting scaffolding, designing, welding and constructing things. They’re re-building Christchurch, and their own lives in the process. We should be proud of them, and of the people who helped to make it happen.\nBotanic Beats","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line950946"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6438174843788147,"wiki_prob":0.6438174843788147,"text":"Home Conferences & Master classes What Architect Do YOU Want to Be?\nWhat Architect Do YOU Want to Be?\nWe will talk about architecture as a career and the importance of selecting your own, unique path as the architect to come.\nEVENT TYPE Conferences & Master classes\nDATE 20th January 2021\nChoosing a career path is usually a difficult decision where we bring to bear our passions, our intuitions, our vision of the present, and our ambitions for the future. However, sometimes we only have a fragmented version of what it means to choose one, in this case, Architecture. What is it to be an architect? and more importantly, What is it to be an architect today?\nDuring this masterclass, we will talk about how to make a difference while also strengthening our own abilities and interests. We will talk about architecture as a career and the importance of selecting your own, unique path as the architect to come, and how we, at IE School of Architecture and Design, offer you the space and knowledge to do so.\nRomina Canna\nInternational Ph.D.\nRomina Canna holds an International Ph.D. in Urbanism from the Barcelona Superior Technical Architecture School (ETSAB) of the Polytechnic University of Catalunya (UPC) in Spain, and an Architecture degree from the National University of Rosario (UNR) in Argentina.\nShe is currently directing the d-Lab, a design laboratory within IE University.\nOrganized by IE Events","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line840609"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7470765113830566,"wiki_prob":0.7470765113830566,"text":"Adventure time. Pirates of the Enchiridion\nXbox One. It's Adventure Time! Finn and Jake have saved the Land of Ooo more times than they can count-but, this time, they might be in over their heads. Somebody's up to bad biscuits. They got their hands on another Enc...\nTrackmania. Turbo\nXBOX ONE. Step into the wild car fantasy world of Trackmania Turbo, where everything is about having fun chasing the fastest time. Discover the ultimate time attack racing experience with over 200 head-spinning tracks, s...\nXBOX ONE. It's Scribblenauts, party-style! Use your imagination and go head-to-head in the ultimate multiplayer showdown! Enjoy a party-style Scribblenauts experience, conjuring from over 60,000 objects from the vast Scr...\nA plague tale innocence.\nXbox One. Follow the grim tale of young Amicia and her little brother Hugo, in a heartrending journey through the darkest hours of history. Hunted by Inquisition soldiers and surrounded by unstoppable swarms of rats, Ami...\nTony Hawk's pro skater. 5\nXBOX ONE. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 5 offers a fresh take on combo-driven skateboarding, the most advanced online multiplayer experience, and a state-of-the-art skatepark builder.\nAce combat. 7, Skies unknown\nPutting gamers in the cockpit of the most advanced war planes ever developed, Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown delivers the fiercest air combat experience ever created through photorealistic visuals, intense dog-fighting acti...\nXBOX ONE. Use the latest technology and state-of-the-art licensed machines to manage all aspects of modern farming. Travel between Europe, Asia, and both Americas to plant region specific crops such as hemp, coffee beans...\nAssassin's creed. 3 remastered.\nXbox One. The American Colonies, 1775. It's a time of civil unrest and political upheaval in the Americas. As a Native American assassin fights to protect his land and his people, he will ignite the flames of a young nat...\nXBOX ONE. Gather your friends and family: the newest installment of the world's most popular dance game is here! Bust a move and get down with the hottest songs of the year, including new and classic tracks like ٢Sorry,٣...\nMiddle-Earth. Shadow of war\nXBOX ONE. The sequel to the critically-acclaimed Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor, winner of over 50 industry awards, arrives this August, continuing the original story of Talion and Celebrimbor, who must now go behind ene...\nOne piece. World seeker\nXBOX ONE. Set sail in an all-new One Piece adventure in One Piece: World Seeker! Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates are back in a new story that puts players' into Luffy's point of view, as he battles and explores an expans...\nStreets of rage. 4\nXBOX ONE. Amongst the best beat'em up series ever created, Jammin' '90s beats and over the top street beating, the iconic series streets of rage comes back with a masterful tribute to and revitalization of the classic ac...\nLEGO Harry Potter. Years 1-4\nXBOX 360. LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 brings the action, adventure and fun of the first 4 stories in the Harry Potter catalog to the video game screen in the way only the LEGO franchise can. Featuring all your favorite ...\nWatch dogs. 2\nXBOX ONE. Explore the birthplace of the tech revolution as Marcus Holloway, a brilliant young hacker who has fallen victim to ctOS 2.0's predictive algorithms and accused of a crime he did not commit. In Marcus' quest to...\nBattlefield. Hardline\nXBOX 360. Combining an emotionally-driven single player story inspired by popular TV crime dramas, and an all-out-war multiplayer on the streets of Los Angeles and Miami, Hardline delivers the most complete FPS on the ma...\nAssassin's creed. Odyssey\nJourney to ancient Greece and explore the path of a legendary Spartan hero in Assassin's Creed Odyssey. As you make choices throughout the game the world around you will be shaped by your decisions, and you'll be able to...\nXBOX ONE. The year is 2036. A quarter-century after nuclear war devastated the earth, a few thousand survivors still cling to existence beneath the ruins of Moscow, in the tunnels of the Metro. They have struggled agains...\n2K invites players to Step Inside the ring with WWE 2K20. Your favorite WWE Superstars, Legends, Hall of Famers and NXT's best will join the festivities and celebrate the evolution of the WWE 2K franchise! WWE 2K20 will ...\nXbox One. Break the rules and take full-contact racing to the limit with wreckfest! expect epic crashes, neck-to-neck fights over the Finish line and brand-new ways for metal to bend - these are the once-in-a-lifetime mo...\nAssassin's creed. 2\nXBOX 360. The Assassin's Creed franchise is back with a sequel that introduces Ezio, a Renaissance-period noble seeking vengeance for his family's betrayal. As Ezio works through the environment he gradually uncovers som...","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1197621"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7614526748657227,"wiki_prob":0.7614526748657227,"text":"STATE CHAMPS! Roundup: Muskegon earns comeback win over Grand Rapids Christian\nBy: Jeff Dullack, September 6, 2014, 2:00 am\nMUSKEGON — After falling behind 21-10 at halftime, Muskegon stormed back to score 19 unanswered points in the second half to earn a 29-21 win over Grand Rapids Christian on Friday night.\nCaleb Washington’s 32 yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter gave Muskegon a 22-21 lead with over eight minutes left to play and then Washington scored the go-ahead touchdown from five yards out with 54 seconds left to give the Big Reds a 29-21 leadd that they would hold on for to improve their record to 2-0 on the season.\nAfter Muskegon took a 10-0 lead in the first quarter, Grand Rapids Christian scored three second quarter touchdowns as Patrick Hall threw for one score to Malik McLaughlin and rushed for two more to give his team an 11 point lead at the break.\nMuskegon drew to within five after Shawn Pfenning’s 23 yard touchdown pass to Keonte Whiteside to make it 21-16.\nGrand Rapids Christian falls to 1-1 on the season.\nEast Grand Rapids 24, Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills 7: Mike Banbury recovered two fumbles to help lead the East Grand Rapids defense on Friday night. Bryce Henkey scored two touchdowns on the ground in the second half to keep the Pioneers out in front and seal the win.\nHudsonville 48, Traverse City West 17: Mason Opple rushed for 181 yards on 13 carries and also threw for 118 yards and tallied four total touchdowns to lead the way for Hudsonville. Jeff Turnquist threw for 153 yards to lead TC West.\nSaginaw Swan Valley 55, Shepherd 0: Alex Grace rushed for 129 yards and a touchdown, while Nick Call threw for 136 yards and three scores to lead Swan Valley.\nMt. Pleasant 28, Flint Carman Ainsworth 27 (OT): Hunter Buczkowski’s 13 yard touchdown reception from Nick Burkholder in overtime gave the Oilers a one point win over Carman Ainsworth on Friday night. Burkholder finished with 90 yards through the air and two scores for Mt. Pleasant (1-1).\nLowell 45, Chicago Hubbard (IL) 6: Ryan Stevens paced the Lowell offense, throwing for 147 yards and three touchdowns, while Josh Branagan grabbed four passes for 99 yards for the Red Arrows.\nMidland 31, Bay City Central 15: Vondre Warren rushed for 135 yards on 20 carries to help lead the Midland offense and Luke DeLong chipped in with 90 more on the ground for the Chemics.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line349183"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.622831404209137,"wiki_prob":0.37716859579086304,"text":"CLN Daily Archive\nAcute Vaginitis\nAnalytical Validation of Body Fluid Testing\nBiological Variation\nCortisol and Cushings Syndrome\nDiagnosis of Pheochromocytomas\nFetal Lung Maturity Testing\nImplementing High Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin Assays Into Practice\nLactate and Lactic Acidemia\nMeasurement of Urinary Albumin\nPorphyrias\nRoutine Lipid Testing\nCCTC Preview Videos\nBecome a CCTC Member\nCCTC (English)\nPearls of Laboratory Medicine\nClinical Case Studies\nClinical Chemistry Podcasts\nClinical Chemistry Guide to Scientific Writing\nThe Journal Club\nInspiring Minds\nCCTC Coordinating Committee\nCCTC (Español)\nCCTC (中文)\nCCTC (日本語)\nCCTC (Français)\nCCTC (Português)\nAACC.org // ... // CCTC (English) // Pearls of Laboratory Medicine // Routine Lipid Testing\nAuthor: Sarah M. Brown // Date: JAN.3.2012 // Source: Trainee Council in English\nAnalytes,\nPathophysiology and Organ Systems,\nLipids,\nDownload Transcript (pdf)\nSlide1: Title Slide\nRoutine lipid testing consists of a “Fasting Comprehensive Lipoprotein Profile” which includes analysis of: plasma total cholesterol, Triglycerides, Low Density Lipoprotein Associated Cholesterol (LDL- Cholesterol), and High Density Lipoprotein Associated Cholesterol (HDL-Cholesterol). It is recommended that all adults over the age of 20 undergo routine lipid testing at least once every 5 years. These recommendations are provided by the National Cholesterol Education Panel (NCEP). They were decided because of the causal risk associated with plasma lipids and coronary heart disease, or CHD.\nCHD is a considerable medical problem in the United States. In 2006, approximately 1 in every 6 deaths was due to CHD. In fact, CHD is the leading cause of death to cardiovascular disease. There is a direct relationship between the level of serum total and LDL-cholesterol and the rate of CHD. It has also been recognized that there is an inverse relationship between serum HDL concentrations and the risk of CHD.\nBased on clinical and laboratory evidence, the NCEP Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III, in 2002, recommended the following cut points for triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL. According to the NCEP ATPIII, for persons with no risk factors, LDL cholesterol below 100 mg/dL is optimal, between 100 and 129 mg/dL is near optimal, between 130-159 mg/dL is borderline high, between 160 and 189 mg/dL is high and > 190 mg/dL is considered very high. The NCEP considers total cholesterol <200 mg/dL to be desirable, total cholesterol between 200-239 mg/dL to be borderline high and cholesterol levels ≥ 240 mg/dL to be high. The recommendations for HDL are: <40 mg/dL is low and > 60 mg/dL is high. These cutpoints are the same for men and women.\nThe NCEP recommends modified guidelines for patients with CHD or with risk factors for CHD. These patients are often on lipid-lowering therapy, and LDL-C and non-HDL-C are used as primary and secondary goals of therapy. Non-HDL-C is simply the Total Cholesterol value minus the HDL-C value. The set points for non-HDL-C are 30 mg/dL greater than those for LDL-C. So, the goals for LDL-C and non- HDL-C are: LDL <100 mg/dL and non-HDL-C < 130 mg/dL for patients with CHD and CHD risk equivalent; LDL <130 mg/dL and non-HDL-C <160 mg/dL for patients with more than one risk factor.\nBefore we begin discussing how lipids are measured, we should briefly review lipid biochemistry. Lipids are organic molecules and insoluble in water. Lipids circulate as part of water-soluble macromolecules, which are known as lipoproteins. Lipoproteins consist of a hydrophobic core that contains hydrophobic cholesterol esters and triglycerides. Surrounding this core is a membrane composed of a monolayer of free cholesterol and phospholipids. Apoproteins are attached to the surface. There are five major lipoprotein classes, based on their size, density, composition and function: chylomicrons, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL), lowdensity lipoprotein, and high density lipoprotein.\nThis graph breaks down some of the physiochemical characteristics of the 4 major classes of lipoproteins. Density increases as protein content increases. HDL has the highest protein content. The amount of cholesterol in the lipoprotein particles varies, too, with LDL having the highest cholesterol content. In fact, 70% of total plasma cholesterol is carried by LDL. Chylomicrons consist almost entirely of triglycerides.\nHistorically, measurement of lipids was a time-consuming and tedious process. The methods available, ultracentrifugation and electrophoresis, exploited the differences in physical properties of the different lipoprotein classes. Because these methods are so labor-intensive, they are not well suited for screening or routine clinical purposes. Now, there are fully automated homogenous assays available for the measurement of triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-C and LDL-C.\nTriglycerides are measured in the clinical laboratory by an automated enzyme-coupled reaction. In the first reaction, triglycerides are converted to glycerol by lipase. Then, the glycerol produced in the first reaction is converted to glycerol-3-phospate by glycerol kinase. Glycerol-3-phosphate is then converted to dihydroxyacetone and hydrogen peroxide in a reaction catalyzed by glycerol phosphate oxidase. The hydrogen peroxide reacts with 4-aminophenone to produce color.\nBecause plasma triglyceride concentration can increase transiently yet appreciably after a meal, a fasting specimen is required for the accurate measurement of triglycerides. It is recommended that the patient fast for at least 8-12 hours or overnight prior to the blood draw.\nTotal cholesterol is also measured by an enzyme-coupled reaction. In this reaction, cholesterol esters are hydrolyzed by cholesterol ester hydrolase to free cholesterol. Free cholesterol is then converted to cholest-4-en-3-one by cholesterol oxidase. This produces hydrogen peroxide which can react with phenol and 4-aminoantipyrine to produce color.\nA fasting specimen is not required for accurate measurement of total cholesterol, because plasma concentrations of cholesterol do not change appreciably after a meal. While this assay does not require a fasting specimen for accuracy, it is recommended that the specimen be drawn after fasting along with the rest of the “fasting comprehensive lipoprotein profile.”\nThere are direct (homogenous) HDL-cholesterol assays available for automated chemistry analyzers, and are widely used in clinical laboratories. There are different assays available but they have similar principles. For example, in one type of assay, the non-HDL-particles (chylomicrons, VLDL, and LDL) are blocked with a synthetic polymer. By the use of a selective detergent HDL is then solubilized and cholesterol is measured, with the use of cholesterol esterase and cholesterol oxidase. The end products are cholestenone and hydrogen peroxide. Like in the total cholesterol assay, the hydrogen peroxide formed in this reaction reacts with 4AAP to produce color.\nLDL can be calculated or estimated from measurements of total cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL- cholesterol. The equation used is called the Friedewald equation.\nUsing the Friedewald equation, LDL-C is estimated by subtracting the sum of HDL-C and VLDL-C from the total cholesterol value. VLDL-C is not measured, but determined from the triglyceride value by dividing the total trig concentration by 5. This is valid because the ratio of triglyceride to cholesterol in VLDL is 55%/12% which is equal to 5.\nThis does not hold up at high triglyceride concentrations; it is invalid when triglycerides are > 400 mg/dL. Advantages to using the Friedewald equation include:\nExtensive experience with the equation,\nIt has been used in many clinical studies,\nIt has been well-established in determining clinical significance,\nIt is convenient, and\nIt is inexpensive\nDisadvantages are that it does not hold up at high triglyceride concentrations; also, it is invalid when triglycerides are >400 mg/dL. Finally, the value is estimated from three independent measures, each with their own errors.\nThere are now fully automated homogenous (direct) assays available for the measurement of LDL-C (these are third-generation assays). The premise is similar to the HDL-C assay. In all assays, the non-LDL particles are removed by specific blocking or solubilization, in order to achieve specificity for LDL-C. Then, enzymes are added.\nThe assay shown here is the Kyowa Medex assay, distributed by Roche Diagnostics. In this assay, chylomicrons, VLDL and HDL are removed by complexing with synthetic polymer. Then, LDL is solubilized with a selective detergent and cholesterol esterase and cholesterol oxidase are added to produce cholestenone and hydrogen peroxide. As in the total cholesterol and HDL-C assays, the hydrogen peroxide reacts with 4AAP (catalyzed by peroxidase) to produce color. These assays have a few drawbacks. They have been shown to be unsuitable for patients with dyslipidemias and are less accurate within samples with high triglycerides. For patients with triglycerides >400 mg/dL, non-HDL-C is recommended over direct LDL-C assays.\nAs mentioned before in this presentation, non-HDL-C is the difference of total cholesterol minus LDL- cholesterol. This calculation includes the VLDL and IDL fractions, and does not require fasting. Non-HDL- C is used as a secondary target of lipid-lowering therapy, especially in patients with co-morbidities such as diabetes mellitus or metabolic syndrome, who are likely to be dyslipidemic.\nIt is important to understand that there is considerable intra-individual variability in lipid and lipoprotein measurements, due in large part to biological variation. Variation has been shown to be 6% for cholesterol, between3.6% and 12.4% for HDL-C and up to 20% for triglycerides. Thus, except in patients with marked abnormalities in lipid and lipoprotein concentrations, multiple measurements are recommended for accuracy. The NCEP guidelines recommend that the patient is sampled on several occasions at least a week apart within an 8 week period. These individual values can then be averaged.\nAs stated by the NCEP, “The adoption of a single set of cutoffs imposes on laboratories the mandate to measure lipids and lipoproteins accurately and precisely.” Therefore, the NCEP also proposed guidelines for total allowable error in assays for cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol.\nThe bias is from the CDC reference methods.\nIn conclusion, according to the NCEP ATP III Guidelines, routine lipid testing should be performed for every adult over age 20 at least once every 5 years. This should include measurement of plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-C and LDL-C.\nLipids do not circulate freely but as part of water-soluble macromolecules called lipoproteins. Measurement of plasma lipids depends on the separation of the lipoprotein classes by their distinct physiochemical characteristics.\nLabor-intensive lipid quantitation has been replaced by fully automated assays that are available in routine clinical laboratories.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line447992"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5772615671157837,"wiki_prob":0.5772615671157837,"text":"Cuba is the chief “rogue” regime in terms of its foreign policy and human rights. On the UNHRC it has voted consistently against resolutions condemning human rights conditions in Syria (16 times), Ukraine and (with only two exceptions) North Korea. And Cuba’s participation in the UNHRC’s UPR process has been limited to raising social and economic issues—if any at all—and remaining mute on human rights violations in countries like North Korea, Iran and Turkey. On the UN ECOSOC, Cuba helped lead the charge to deny accreditation to 34 independent NGOs, including the Committee to Protect Journalists, that would allow them to participate in the UN ECOSOC committees and bodies, including the UN Human Rights Council. And in the Organization of American States, despite being invited to join if it agreed to accept the various conventions and authorities of OAS bodies, Cuba has failed to re-join the regional body and refuses to accept the legitimacy of the inter-American human rights system.\nBelow is a breakdown of Cuba’s actions and votes at the various venues we are monitoring. For more information click on each title and summary.\nFreedom Status Not Free\nPress Freedom Not free\nEvaluation of OECD Compliance Non-signatory of convention\nRule-of-Law Index N/A\nRegional rank N/A\nGlobal rank N/A\nSocial Inclusion Index N/A\nCuba is currently on the Council, from 2012-2019, and was perviously a member from 2007-2012. It is one of the countries that consistently votes against human rights at the Council on the issue of Syria, North Korea, and on Ukraine. Of course all of this raises the question: what is Cuba even doing on the UNHRC? In our most recent report we highlight ways to strengthen the UNHRC so that it doesn’t become a rogues’ gallery. The proposal includes requiring members to accept visits from special rapporteurs and making the voting open and public.\n16th special session The current human rights situations in the Syrian Arab Republic in the context of recent events voted Against\n17th special session Situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic voted Against\n18th special session Human rights situation in the Syrian Arab Republic voted Against\nResolution 19/22 Situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic voted Against\nResolution 19/01 The escalating grave human rights violations and deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Syrian Arab Republic voted Against\nResolution 20/22 Situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic. voted Against\n19th special session deteriorating human rights situation in the Syrian Arab Repubic and the recent killings in El-Houleh votedAgainst\nResolution 21/26 Situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic votedAgainst\nResolution 25/23 The continuing grave deterioration of the human rights and humanitarian situation in the Syrian Arab Republic voted Against\nResolution 26/23 The continuing grave deterioration in the human rights and humanitarian situation in the Syrian Arab Republic voted Against\nResolution 29/16 The grave and deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situation in the Syrian Arab Republic voted Against\nResolution 31/17 The human rights situation in the Syrian Arab Republic voted Against\n25th special session The deteriorating situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic, and the recent situation in Aleppo voted Against\nResolution 34/26\nThe human rights situation in the Syrian Arab Republic\nvoted Against\nResolution 29/23 Cooperation and assistance to Ukraine in the field of human rights Against\nResolution 32/29 Cooperation with and assistance to Ukraine in the field of human rights Against\nResolution 28/22 Situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea voted Against\nResolution 31/18 Situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Consensus\nResolution 7/15 Situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea voted Against\nAs recipient: Cuba received 386 recommendations. Accepted 260, noted 126. (only select topics listed below)\nCivil society 5 3 2\nElections 7 7 –\nEnforced disappearances 1 – 1\nFreedom of association and peaceful assembly 12 2 10\nFreedom of opinion and expression 32 9 23\nFreedom of religion and belief 4 4 –\nHuman rights defenders 7 – 7\nHuman rights violations by state agents – – –\nImpunity – – –\nIndigenous peoples – – –\nInternational instruments 77 10 67\nJustice 16 7 9\nMigrants 2 – 2\nMinorities – – –\nRacial discrimination 3 3 –\nSexual orientation and gender identity 4 4 –\nTorture and CID treatment 8 – 8\nTotal 386 260 126\nAs commenter: Cuba is an active participant in the UPR process, with 333 comments made so far in the 2nd cycle (for data available) but entirely on second generation economic and social rights, and not political and civil rights. Only 18% made towards other Latin American countries, but consistently made 2-4 comments for most countries around the globe. Israel, Poland, and the Russian Federation were exceptions, with Israel receiving 6 comments and Poland and Russia receiving 5 comments from Cuba.\nMain topics of comments included: right to health (58 comments), right to education (50 comments), women’s rights (47 comments), and poverty (38 comments).\nCuba has not been on the committee since at least 1993.\nDespite having its Cold War-era suspension lifted, the Cuban regime has refused to apply for readmission to the regional body.\nCuba has a number of pending cases before the Commission but does not accept the legitimacy of the regional human rights body.\n164th Human Rights Situation of Persons with Disabilities in Cuba 0/3\n161st Human Rights Situation of Afro-Descendants in Cuba 0/3\n159th Situation of human rights defenders in Cuba 0/3\n157th /158th Situation of human rights defenders in Cuba 0/3\n156th LGBT Persons 0/3\n2011 $0 0%\nCuba has not had any OAS missions to monitor their elections.\nSignatory/Participant in MESICIC No\nConstitutional protection N/A\nSpecific law enacted N/A\nIs there a presumption of right N/A\nScope/Exceptions/Overrides N/A\nReceived information under FOIA law? N/A\nReceived information within a week? N/A\nReceived the appropriate information? N/A\n2015 data shows that the female homicide rate is 2.4 per 100,000 women. Little information beyond the basics is available.\nNot a signatory to ILO 169 or the American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, but voted in favor of UNDRIP.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1491567"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6082698106765747,"wiki_prob":0.6082698106765747,"text":"Justia Lawyer Directory Employment Law Florida Seminole County Attorneys\nSeminole County Employment Lawyers\nCompare 12 top rated Florida attorneys serving Seminole County.\nFind Seminole County Employment Lawyers by City\nEmployee Benefits Employment Contracts Employment Discrimination ERISA Overtime & Unpaid Wages Sexual Harassment Whistleblower Wrongful Termination\nWilliam J. Sheslow Esq.\nAggressive Legal Representation! Dedicated to Pursuing Justice for Employees!\nI am a seasoned and aggressive employment law attorney. I am committed to delivering exceptional service and results to victims and their families! Visit my website for client reviews or call for a consultation. Read More »\nGeorge Indest\nSeminole County, FL Employment Law Attorney with 41 years of experience\n(407) 331-6620\t1101 Douglas Avenue\nAltamonte Springs,\tFL 32714\nEmployment, Arbitration & Mediation, Business and Health Care\nTulane University School of Law and The George Washington University Law School\nGeorge F. Indest III is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, based in Orlando. Mr. Indest is board certified by the Florida Bar in the legal specialty of Health Law. He is also board certified as a health care risk manager by the American Board of Risk Management, Inc. His practice encompasses all aspects of business, corporate, transactional, regulatory and administrative health law practice, and he represents physicians, nurses, hospitals, home health agencies, long term care facilities and other health care providers. His practice also includes the litigation of professional licensing cases and business litigation, defense...\nKeith Petrochko\nSeminole County, FL Employment Law Attorney\n(855) 956-7529\t3595 W. Lake Mary Blvd., Ste. 5C\nLake Mary,\tFL 32746\nFree ConsultationEmployment, Business and Personal Injury\nFlorida A&M University College of Law\nAttorney Petrochko was born in Pennsylvania. After earning a bachelors of science degree from Penn State University he decided to trade his snow shovel in for beach blankets and jurisprudence. Keith was awarded a Juris Doctor degree from Florida A&M University College of Law. While pursuing this degree, he was involved in several academic and civil organizations including leading the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund. It was during this time that Keith developed a passion for civil litigation and alternative dispute resolution. Keith primarily focuses his efforts on labor and employment law and personal injury cases. He enjoys being...\nEric Daniel Frommer\nSeminole County, FL Employment Law Lawyer with 16 years of experience\n(407) 330-9664\t270 Waymont Court\nEmployment, Business and Immigration\nBarry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law, Duke University School of Law, Duke University School of Law and Franklin Pierce College\nPhillip Sigman\nSeminole County, FL Employment Law Lawyer\n(407) 332-1200\t211 Maitland Avenue\nBlawg Search\nMichael L. Smith is board certified in health law by The Florida Bar. He represents physicians and other health care providers in business, corporate, transactional, regulatory and administrative health law matters. His practice includes the defense of professional licenses, defense of Medicare and Medicaid audits and investigations, preparation and negotiation of contracts, representation in the sale or purchase of physician practices, legal opinions on complex health care transactions, and a myriad of other health care legal issues. His clients include physicians, nurses, dentists, independent diagnostic testing facilities (IDTFs), durable medical equipment (DME) companies, home health agencies, temporary nursing agencies, nursing...\nLance O. Leider\nEmployment, Administrative, Business and Education\nBarry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law\nAs a health care attorney Lance O. Leider represents health care providers finding themselves the targets of investigations in state and federal cases. These cases include fraud accusations, licensing and disciplinary issues, administrative hearings and appeals, regulatory matters and litigation. Lance O. Leider is a native of the Central Florida community. He is a graduate of Lake Mary High School and The University of Florida where he received bachelor's degrees in Political Science and Philosophy. Mr. Leider has practiced health care law on an exclusive basis since graduating from the Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law in 2011....\nJoanne Kenna\nEmployment, Business, Education and Health Care\nJoanne Kenna is an attorney whose practice encompasses most aspects of health law and nursing law, including the representation of health care providers in professional licensing and credentialing matters, professional board representation, administrative hearings, contracts, licensure issues, corporate matters, transactional matters and litigation. She is also a registered nurse in the state of Illinois, as well as an attorney licensed to practice in the state of Florida. Ms. Kenna received her Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Stetson University College of Law where she was a member of the legal fraternity Phi Delta Phi. She began her law career in Tampa,...\nRichard Howard Weisberg\n(407) 835-9211\t520 W Lake Mary Blvd Ste 103\nOrlando,\tFL 32773\nLeigh Todd Budgen\n(407) 481-2888\t2180 West State Road 434\nLongwood,\tFL 32779\nEmployment and Bankruptcy\nThomas John Pilacek\n(407) 660-9595\t5844 Red Bug Lake Rd\nWinter Springs,\tFL 32708\nEmployment and Entertainment & Sports\nPamela Silberglied Spalter\n(954) 217-0057\t1864 Wingfield Dr\nEmployment and Business\nPeri Sedigh\n(321) 230-0589\t2443 Grandview Ave\nSanford,\tFL 32771\nL. Reed Bloodworth\nOrange County, FL Employment Law Attorney with 16 years of experience\n(407) 777-8541\t801 N Magnolia Ave\nFree ConsultationEmployment, Business, IP and Probate\nManaging partner of Bloodworth Law, PLLC, L. Reed Bloodworth, is one of Orlando, Florida’s, top business and commercial litigation attorneys as noted by the U.S. News & World Report Best Law Firms Award 2020; the U.S. News & World Report Best Lawyers in Commercial Litigation Award 2019-20; and a 2017-20 Super Lawyers Award.\nReed was named by peers from 2017-19 as a Florida Trend’s Florida Legal Elite in Commercial Litigation. This honor places Reed in an exclusive group that includes less than 2% of Florida’s litigators.\nReed is a respected and trusted Florida business litigation, trust litigation, probate, and estate litigation, and...\nRyan LaBar\nOrange County, FL Employment Law Lawyer with 16 years of experience\n(407) 835-8968\t2300 East Concord St\nEmployment, Criminal, DUI and Medical Malpractice\nNathan Ryan LaBar grew up in Central Florida. He attended the University of Florida and received a degree in Psychology and in Economics. Following undergraduate work, he attended the University of Florida Law School. While studying in Gainesville, he worked for a prestigious personal injury law firm and learned firsthand what it takes to represent people in disadvantaged situations. He used this knowledge, along with his experience as an attorney representing large insurance companies, to effectively represent his present day clients that are now fighting against those same insurance companies. Mr. LaBar represents all men, women, and children...\nKevin G. Brick Esq.\n10.0 (2 Peer Reviews)\n(813) 816-1816\t37 N. Orange Avenue\nFree ConsultationOrange County, FL Employment Law Lawyer with 15 years of experience\nEmployment, Antitrust, Business and Consumer\nFlorida State University College of Law and Florida State University College of Law\nI am the managing attorney of Brick Business Law, P.A. My firm focuses primarily on litigating and resolving business disputes in and around the Tampa Bay Area. Our clients include business organizations of various sizes and in various industries such as manufacturing, services, technology, medical, food, real estate and others. I am an AV-rated attorney with significant trial and courtroom experience (over 100 trials). I have been named as a \"Rising Star\" by SuperLawyers, to the \"Florida Legal Elite\" and among Tampa's Top Attorneys. I am rated \"Superb\" and received the Client Choice Award from...\nMitchell Feldman\n(877) 946-8293\t618 E. South Street\nFree ConsultationOffers Video ChatEmployment, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury and Workers' Comp\nMitchell Lloyd Feldman Esq. experienced trial lawyer, 23 years litigation experience.\nFor over 2 decades, MITCHELL LLOYD FELDMAN, ESQ., has been a civil litigator, who has worked on the defense and the plaintiff side of cases. Over the last 10 years, Mr. Feldman has focused his practice representing employees and individuals in personal injury, workers' comp and employment claims. Mr. Feldman’s bench and jury trial experience includes cases involving the following: Wage and hour claims, personal injuries and automobile accidents, workers’ compensation, Employment Contracts and Whistleblower Actions, and one criminal case. Mr. Feldman has handled...\nRaquel Santiago\n(407) 545-2179\t1802 N. Alafaya Tr.\nEmployment, Immigration and Trademarks\nUniversity of Puerto Rico - Río Piedras and The George Washington University Law School\nBilingual Attorney and Senior Certified Professional by the Society for Human Resources Management. Attorney Santiago has been practicing law since 2009, and possesses over 17 years of combined professional experience in the legal & human resources fields and vast functional experience in consulting services & project management. Service focused in providing support and recommendations aimed to strengthen the businesses overall operations and compliance with state & federal regulations of governmental clients and clients in the private sector as well. A trusted professional with proven business acumen and people-service oriented who will not compromised principles of integrity and ethical standards. ...\nPhilip K. Calandrino\n(407) 621-4200\t214 South Park Avenue\nFree ConsultationEmployment, Business, Estate Planning and IP\nAs an entrepreneurial lawyer, I understand the challenges that small business owners face each day. We deal with vendors, customers, employees, taxes, and regulations all the time. Each one of these relationships creates legal risks that you must address in a cost-effective manner, before trouble strikes. Relying on my experience in trying business law cases, I have developed a three-step legal strategy that every small business owner should implement. In its most basic form, this strategy employs contracts, insurance coverage, and an operating company-management company-holding company format for the organization, to help control the common risks that can tank...\nScott Christopher Adams\nEmployment, Appeals, Personal Injury and Workers' Comp\nNova Southeastern University - Shepard Broad Law Center\nMr. Adams received his Juris Doctorate from the Shepard Broad Law Center, Nova Southeastern University, graduating in the top 5% of his class. In law school, Mr. Adams was a member of Law Review, as well as, the Chief Advocate for the Moot Court Honor Society. He attended law school as a Dean Fellow Scholarship recipient. While in law school, Mr. Adams received the \"Book Award\" (highest grade) in Corporations, Tax, and Appellate Practice. Prior to seeking higher education, Mr. Adams served in the United States Army and the New Jersey Army National Guard. He is a veteran of the...\nJohn W. Bolanovich\n(855) 473-1818\t1000 Legion Place, Suite 1000\nOffers Video ChatEmployment, Business, Construction and Education\nJohn W. Bolanovich is a Partner at the Central Florida law firm of Bogin, Munns & Munns. He specializes in Business Law, Employment Law, Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, and Civil Litigation. Cases he has handled include Wrongful Termination, Sexual Harassment, Workplace Discrimination, Real Estate Closings, and Formal Bid Protests.\nMr. Bolanovich has a distinguished career in several fields, including teaching and hospitality. He received his M.S. degree in Hotel and Food Service Management in 1987, leading to executive-level positions with several top hotel corporations. He received his J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law in...\nDerek Benjamin Brett\n(407) 781-2392\t1301 West Colonial Drive\nEmployment, Appeals, Business and Civil Rights\nFlorida State University College of Law and University of Central Florida\nDerek Brett is a trial attorney who has been actively practicing since 1996. He maintains two offices, one in Orlando and another in Pensacola.\nRonnie Bitman\n(407) 647-0090\t1770 Fennell Street\nMaitland,\tFL 32751\nFree ConsultationEmployment, Appeals, Business and Consumer\nRonnie Bitman continues to demonstrate why he is one of Orlando's most promising young lawyers. Having been named to Florida Trend's 2010 \"Up & Comers\" and Super Lawyers' \"Rising Stars\" 2012, Ronnie litigates a range of complex and novel matters. Ronnie is well-versed in complex litigation, including class actions, consumer protection matters, contract and employment disputes, trade secret, unfair and deceptive practices, personal injury, and various other consumer and commercial-related matters. Some of his recent important cases include the settlement of Virgilio v. Ryland Group, Inc. and the prosecution of eight related class action law suits stemming from a homebuilder's...\nJennings Kemp Brinson\n(407) 777-8541\t801 N. Magnolia Ave.\nEmployment, Business and Probate\nGeorge Washington University - Virginia Campus\nJ. Kemp Brinson is a Partner at Bloodworth Law, PLLC, in Orlando, Florida, and Winter Haven, Florida. Kemp has practiced business litigation, trust litigation, probate litigation, and employment litigation since 2004.\nKemp is able to see legal issues as a plaintiff’s attorney and as a defendant’s attorney.\n“I would describe it as perspective because I know what the other side is thinking,” Kemp said. And it’s most valuable in the settlement context because I know exactly what conversation is had if I’m on the plaintiff’s side or whether as the defendant’s attorney. I know what it’s going to take to...\nJonathan K. Allen\n390 N. Orange Ave, Suite 2300\nFree ConsultationEmployment, Arbitration & Mediation, Business and International\nWestern Michigan University Cooley Law School and University of California, Berkeley School of Law\nMr. Jonathan K. Allen, Esquire, received his bachelor's degree in Legal Studies from University of California, Berkeley. He minored in philosophy. Having acquired a notable scholarship, he continued his education and earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Thomas M. Cooley School of Law. While in law school, he served as Vice President of the law school chapter of Amnesty International and became a member of Phi Alpa Delta Law Fraternity. He also participated in mock trial and moot court competitions. After completing law school, Mr. Allen gained admission to practice law in New York, New Jersey and Florida. He...\nMintrel D. Martin\n(407) 801-7709\t801 North Magnolia Avenue\nFree ConsultationEmployment, Bankruptcy, Personal Injury and Workers' Comp\nAndrew Peter Zesinger\n(407) 500-0000\t189 South Orange Avenue, Suite 1800\nEmployment, Business and Insurance Claims\nAndrew Peter Zesinger is a senior associate with NeJame Law, P.A. Born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania, Mr. Zesinger earned his Bachelor’s degree in Health Policy Administration from The Pennsylvania State University in 1999. He created a summer externship in the business administration department that emphasized and analyzed universal health care coverage. Mr. Zesinger earned his Juris Doctor from The University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Mr. Zesinger began his career as a judicial clerk for the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida.\nAttorney Andrew Zesinger focuses his practice in civil litigation throughout the state of Florida. Mr. Zesinger also handles...\nHeather Marie Meglino\nOrange County, FL Employment Law Attorney with 9 years of experience\n(407) 900-7440\t12249 Science Dr.\nFree ConsultationOffers Video ChatEmployment and Business\nI exclusively represent businesses and employers. I currently litigate in the State of Florida including employment discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, overtime, and unpaid wages, FMLA leave and disability issues, ADA claims, and other employment law claims under state and federal laws.\nI can also assist businesses in transactional work in drafting and revising contracts, drafting internal policies and procedures such as commission agreements, employee handbooks, severance agreements, etc. I conduct harassment and discrimination training, as well as on-site visits at businesses to help forecast potential areas of liabilities.\nIf you are buying or selling your business, I can also...\nAndre Tylor Young\n(407) 422-4000\t1115 E. Livingston Street\nFree ConsultationEmployment, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury and Real Estate\nThe Young Law Firm of Florida, LLC provides companies, non-profit organizations, families, and individuals with the legal representation they need to resolve the critical issues impacting their lives and businesses. We will guide you through your concerns and help you find the right solution. You deserve legal counsel who puts your welfare first while providing aggressive advocacy, sound advice, and protection of your rights. At the Young Law Firm of Florida, we provide individualized service to ensure your needs are met. All of our clients meet with Attorney Andre T. Young and are supported by a competent team of highly...\nSarah Elizabeth Wade\n(855) 473-1818\t1000 Legion Place\nGateway Center, Suite 1000\nOffers Video ChatEmployment, Construction, Consumer and Personal Injury\nI am a personal injury attorney with the Central Florida law firm Bogin, Munns & Munns. Throughout my ten years of experience, I have practiced in the areas of premises liability (\"slip & falls\"), product liability, civil litigation, hospitality law, and construction defect law. My experience has allowed me to gain a well-rounded perspective on different areas of law, and I have represented individuals, businesses, and corporations in their legal matters.\nTheodore W. Small Jr.\nVolusia County, FL Employment Law Lawyer with 28 years of experience\nDELAND,\tFL 32721-0172\nEmployment, Business, Estate Planning and Probate\nTheodore W. Small Jr. (\"Ted Small\") has over 25 years of legal experience, formerly with the large law firm of Holland & Knight LLP in its Tampa, Washington DC, and Orlando offices and currently as a small firm practitioner in DeLand, Florida. Mr. Small brings the training and experience from his large firm experience to a small firm setting with the goal of pursuing cost-effective solutions for business and individual clients. Mr. Small also has experience as a mediator and NAM arbitrator and is available to serve as a professional neutral to resolve employment, business and contract disputes.\nDaniel J. Fisher\n(407) 829-3290\t250 International Parkway\nEmployment and Immigration\nI have nine years of experience as an Immigration Attorney. Additionally, I have a very strong knowledge of employment law and the connection between immigration and Federal and State employment regulations. While I have not counted exactly how many immigration cases I have handled, reviewed, consulted with or been associated with, I estimate that the number is easily in the thousands. Based on this experience there is rarely a situation that I have not seen before. I am AV rated perfect “5.0”, Avvo rated “Superb”, Avvo Client choice awards 2011, 2012, 2013, “Rising Star” Orlando Style Magazine, Lead Counsel Rated...\nChristopher Pace\n(407) 459-1735\t121 S. Orange Avenue\nEmployment, Business, Collections and Personal Injury\nKimberly De Arcangelis\n(407) 420-1414\t20 North Orange Ave Suite 1600\nKim De Arcangelis (formerly Kim Woods) was born in Washington, D.C., raised in Orlando, Florida and then later resided in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida for a number of years. Ms. De Arcangelis practices in the labor and employment litigation division of the Orlando, Florida office of Morgan & Morgan. She has both bench trial and Federal jury trial experience. She represents numerous employees with matters including wage and hour disputes and ranging from single plaintiff actions to class/collective actions. Ms. De Arcangelis attended Nova Southeastern University for both her undergraduate degree and law degree.\nTee Persad\n(407) 647-7887\t201 East Pine Street, Suite 445\nEmployment, Appeals, Business and IP\nNew York University School of Law and University of Akron\nMr. Persad has worked in the legal profession for over 20 years. He is licensed to practice law in Florida, the United States Virgin Islands, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and before the U.S. Supreme Court. He earned his Juris Doctor degree and his Masters in Public Administration degree from the University of Akron in 1993 and 1994, respectively. He also holds a Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration from the University of the Virgin Islands and a diploma in paralegal studies from New York University. Mr. Persad's experience in the legal field...\nMark Loren Van Valkenburgh\n(407) 761-6399\t401 W. Fairbanks Ave.\nEmployment and Arbitration & Mediation\nMark L. Van Valkenburgh has been practicing law in Central Florida since 1995. The vast majority of his practice has been in the area of employment law. While he has won significant jury trials on behalf of plaintiffs and defendants, his practice now focuses on helping employers proactively avoid litigation. Services include:\n•\tDrafting, review and revising of Employee Handbooks and other policies which not only comply with the law but are customized to your business.\n•\tNegotiating and drafting Employment Agreements.\n•\tNegotiating and drafting Confidentiality, Non-Solicitation and Non-Compete Agreements.\n•\tFlat fee retainer arrangements to respond to employers’ unlimited telephone calls and e-mails of...\nNathan Adam McCoy\n(407) 803-5400\t100 E Sybelia Ave\nDavid Howard Abrams\n(407) 385-0529\t200 N. Thornton Ave\nEmployment, Appeals, Bankruptcy and Business\nConcord Law School, The George Washington University Law School and Florida A&M University College of Law\nThe Law Office of David H. Abrams in Orlando, Florida provides legal services in: Aviation Law Bankruptcy Commercial & Civil Litigation Corporate Law Computer & Internet Law Copyright & Trademark Estate, Elder Law, & Probate Family Law Real Estate\nLaura Catherine Douglas\n(407) 500-0000\t189 South Orange Avenue Suite 1800\nEmployment, Business, Civil Rights and Workers' Comp\nLaura Douglas received a B.A from the University of Central Florida and began her professional career as an award winning news producer at WFTV in Orlando, where she developed the passion for investigation and advocacy that led her to law school. While attending St. Thomas University School of Law in Miami, she served as a Certified Legal Intern for the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida and clerked for the Florida Department of Transportation trial division. Following early graduation, Laura obtained priceless courtroom experience as an Assistant State Attorney in Miami-Dade County, prosecuting domestic violence, child abuse and...\nBlair Thomas Jackson\n(407) 245-1232\t189 South Orange Avenue\nEmployment, Business and Civil Rights\nUniversity of Alabama School of Law and Western Michigan University Cooley Law School\nBlair T. Jackson was born in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada in 1965. He attended McGill University in Montreal where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 1988. He then attended the Western Michigan Cooley School of Law where he received his juris doctorate in 1991. Mr. Jackson also graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law with a LL.M. (Masters of Law) degree in Business Transactions in 2014. Mr. Jackson has more than twenty-three (23) years of civil litigation experience, practicing in both state courts in the State of Florida, as well as the United States District Court of the Middle...\nBobby Lean Jr.\n(407) 502-0053\tP.O. Box 635\nFree ConsultationOrange County, FL Employment Law Attorney with 5 years of experience\nEmployment, Insurance Claims and Personal Injury\nBobby Lean, Jr. is the Managing and Founding partner of Lean Law, P.A. Bobby's experience includes litigation of Insurance & Contract disputes, Employment Law, Insurance Subrogation, Negligence, Personal Injury Protection, Bad Faith, Debt Collection, Family Law, and Bankruptcy. He has represented national corporations and individuals alike during his career.\nBobby received his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. He then moved to sunny Orlando, Florida to attend and receive his Juris Doctor degree from Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law.\nBobby’s passion for the law and desire to help others has been...\nEmployment Lawyers in Nearby Cities\nSeminole County Employment Legal Aid & Pro Bono Services\nLegal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, Inc.\nWinter Park , FL","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1146960"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9855613708496094,"wiki_prob":0.9855613708496094,"text":"Iran missile attacks target U.S. forces in Iraq; Trump says 'All is well!'\n0 0 Tuesday, 7 January 2020 Edit this post\nBAGHDAD: Iran launched a missile attack on U.S.-led forces in Iraq in the early hours of Wednesday in retaliation for the U.S. drone stri...\nBAGHDAD: Iran launched a missile attack on U.S.-led forces in Iraq in the early hours of Wednesday in retaliation for the U.S. drone strike on an Iranian commander whose killing has raised fears of a wider war in the Middle East.\nIran fired more than a dozen ballistic missiles from its territory against at least two Iraqi facilities hosting U.S.-led coalition personnel at about 1:30 a.m. (2230 GMT), the U.S. military said.\nU.S. President Donald Trump said in a tweet late on Tuesday that an assessment of casualties and damage from the strikes was under way and that he would make a statement on Wednesday morning.\n“All is well!” Trump, who visited the al-Asad air base in December 2018, said in the Twitter post.\nOne source said early indications were of no U.S. casualties. Other U.S. officials declined to comment.\nIran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps confirmed they fired the missiles in retaliation for last week’s killing of Qassem Soleimani, according to a statement on state TV.\nThe force advised the United States to withdraw its troops from the region to prevent more deaths and warned U.S. allies including Israel not to allow attacks from their territories.\nPentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said in a statement that the bases targeted were al-Asad air base and another facility in Erbil, Iraq.\n“As we evaluate the situation and our response, we will take all necessary measures to protect and defend U.S. personnel, partners, and allies in the region.”\nHours earlier on Tuesday, U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said the United States should anticipate retaliation from Iran over Friday’s killing in Iraq of Soleimani, commander of the elite Quds Force.\n“I think we should expect that they will retaliate in some way, shape or form,” he told a news briefing at the Pentagon, adding that such retaliation could be through Iran-backed proxy groups outside of Iran or “by their own hand.”\nIranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Iran “took & concluded proportionate measures in self-defense under Article 51 of the U.N. Charter”, targeting the bases where the attack against its citizens and senior officials was launched.\n“We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression,” he wrote in a post on Twitter.\nIf the U.S. military was indeed spared casualties, and Iran has completed its threatened retaliation for the U.S. drone strike on Soleimani, as Zarif suggested, there might be an opportunity for Washington and Tehran to seek an off-ramp to their increasingly violent confrontation.\nAsian stock markets, which had been roiled by the attack, pared some of their losses after the tweets from Trump and Zarif. U.S. crude prices also retreated after surging almost 5% on worries any conflict could cut oil supplies.\n‘WE WILL TAKE REVENGE’\nThe U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said it would ban U.S. carriers from operating in the airspace over Iraq, Iran, the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Singapore Airlines had already diverted all flight routes from Iranian airspace.\nDemocrats in the U.S. Congress and some of the party’s presidential contenders warned about the escalating conflict.\n“Closely monitoring the situation following bombings targeting U.S. troops in Iraq,” U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Twitter. “We must ensure the safety of our service members, including ending needless provocations from the Administration and demanding that Iran cease its violence. America & world cannot afford war.”\nSoleimani, a pivotal figure in orchestrating Iran’s long-standing campaign to drive U.S. forces out of Iraq, was also responsible for building up Tehran’s network of proxy armies across the Middle East.\nHe was a national hero to many Iranians but viewed as a dangerous villain by Western governments opposed to Iran’s arc of influence running across the Levant and into the Gulf region.\nA senior Iranian official said on Tuesday that Tehran was considering several scenarios to avenge Soleimani’s death. Other senior figures have said the Islamic Republic would match the scale of the killing when it responds, but that it would choose the time and place.\n“We will take revenge, a hard and definitive revenge,” the head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, General Hossein Salami, told throngs who crowded the streets for Soleimani’s funeral on Tuesday in Kerman, his hometown in southeastern Iran.\nSoleimani’s burial went ahead after several hours of delay following a stampede that killed at least 56 people and injured more than 210, according to Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency.\nLocal Glob: Iran missile attacks target U.S. forces in Iraq; Trump says 'All is well!'\nhttps://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_W-SpCn9qAo/XhVlgH_d8VI/AAAAAAAAp_w/HdgZ8iIfRH849I5o9xrVl_8Mb7t5EwPSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Iran%2Bstrikes%2BUS%2Bbase1.png\nhttps://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_W-SpCn9qAo/XhVlgH_d8VI/AAAAAAAAp_w/HdgZ8iIfRH849I5o9xrVl_8Mb7t5EwPSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s72-c/Iran%2Bstrikes%2BUS%2Bbase1.png\nhttp://www.localglob.com/2020/01/iran-missile-attacks-target-us-forces.html","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line245255"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.688102662563324,"wiki_prob":0.688102662563324,"text":"Police officers describe Pulse scene as 'horiffic'\nORLANDO, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - For the first time since the mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub, five officers with the Orlando Police Department are sharing their stories from the night of the massacre.\nSeveral of the officers actually risked their lives by going into the nightclub to pull people out as they were being fired upon by the gunman. Their supervisor, Deputy Chief Robert Anzueto, is calling them all heroes.\nAt the time, the officers said it was hard to see anything inside the club, because it was so dark, but patients grabbed them and screamed for help. Anzueto said the officers were about 30 feet from the killer, when they made around 15 to 18 rescues.\n\"These people needed my help, and they were reaching out to us to help them. It was an instinctive thing to grab whoever I could and get them out of there, get them into a safe zone,\" said Officer James Hyland.\nHyland was driving an unmarked OPD black Ford F-150, onto which victims were loaded and taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center.\n\"I don't remember anybody really talking to us. They were either in shock or just so injured at the time that there wasn't much conversation,\" explained Officer Justin Lovett. \"We got them to the truck, dropped off who we could and ran off to try to bring more people out.\"\nLovett described the scene as \"horrific\" as he and some 50 police officers disregarded their own safety. \"At some point, I think someone made mention of a bomb, and we needed to get back. All the officers looked at each other, and we all decided at the same time, there is no way we're going to move. Leave them here? Nobody moved.\"\nOfficer Michael Napolitano, who was saved by his Kevlar helmet from the shooter's bullet, was also transported to ORMC by his colleagues.\nThe officers were not allowed to go into detail about the shooting, because it' is still an open investigation.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line688987"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7424659729003906,"wiki_prob":0.7424659729003906,"text":"Joe Fab – Filmmaker\nProducer • Writer • Director • Documentary Film Consultant • Guest Speaker\nBedford: The Town They Left Behind\nNOT The Last Butterfly\nMore Broadcast Docs…\nThe FABlog\nMy Newest Documentary: WHEN MY TIME COMES\nHow To Watch Movies…\nThanks, Washington Post!\nFalling in Love with Liv\n2016 Virginia Film Festival Report\nSan Diego Jewish Film Festival Audience Award for Best Feature Documentary (2017) – for “NOT The Last Butterfly”\nJCC Rockland International Jewish Film Festival Best Short (under one hour) (2017) – for “NOT The Last Butterfly”\nFaith and Freedom Award (2010) – presented by MovieGuide for promoting positive American values – for “Bedford: The Town They Left Behind”\nG.I Film Festival Documentary Award (2009) – for “Bedford: The Town They Left Behind”\nEmmy Award (national nomination) (2006) – in News and Documentary category, for “Paper Clips”\nDiscovery and Imagination Award (2006) – presented by president of Discovery Networks, U.S., Billy Campbell (previous recipients were Christopher Reeve and Dr. Jane Goodall) – for career achievement\nChristopher Award (2005) – for achievement in media that affirms the highest values of the human spirit – for “Paper Clips”\nNational Board of Review: One of Top Five Documentaries of 2004 – for Paper Clips”.\nJewish Image Award for Excellence in Cross Cultural Communication (2004) – for “Paper Clips”\nPalm Springs International Film Festival Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature (2004) – for “Paper Clips”\nSarah and Harold Gottlieb Prize for Contributions to Jewish Culture, Lenore Marwil Jewish Film Festival (2004) – for “Paper Clips ” The prior year, this award was given to renowned documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman (“Titicut Follies,” “High School,” “Welfare,” etc)\nRome International Film Festival Jury Award for Best American Director (2004) – for “Paper Clips”\nRome International Film Festival Audience Award for Best Overall Film (2004) – for “Paper Clips”\nRome International Film Festival Jury Award for Best American Documentary (2004) – for “Paper Clips”\nFilmfest DC Circle Audience Award for Best Film (2004) – for “Paper Clips”\nAtlanta Jewish Film Festival Audience Award for Best Film (2004) – for “Paper Clips”\nJackson Hole Film Festival Jury Award for Best Documentary (2004) – for “Paper Clips”\nJackson Hole Film Festival Audience Choice Award for Best Film (2004) – for “Paper Clips”\nWorld Cinema Naples Film Festival Audience Award for Best Documentary (2004) – Washington Jewish Film Festival\nMarco Island Film Festival Audience Award for Best Documentary (2004) – for “Paper Clips”\nWashington Jewish Film Festival Audience Award for Best Documentary (2003) – for “Paper Clips”\nTelly Gold Award (2001) – for “Musical Wizards” (client: The Johnson Group)\nTelly Silver Award (2001) – for “Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation: For The Children” (client: Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation)\nCine Golden Eagle (2000) – for “Safe!” (client: Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence)\nCine Golden Eagle (2000) – for “Living With Hope” (client: National Cancer Center, National Institutes of Health)\nVision Award (national winner) (2000) – for “Freedom From Anxiety” (client: Anxiety Disorders Association of America)\nVision Award (national finalist) (2000) – for “Musical Wizards” (client: The Johnson Group)\nVision Award (national finalist) (2000) – for “Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation” (client: Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation)\nVision Award (national finalist) (2000) – for “Safe!” (client: Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence)\nCatalyst Silver Award (2000) – for “Musical Wizards” (client: The Johnson Group)\nCatalyst Silver Award (2000) – for “The Beginning of a Miracle: the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation” (client: Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation)","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line74539"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5126609206199646,"wiki_prob":0.5126609206199646,"text":"By Alex StoneMarch 25, 2005 6:00 AM\nAdults are getting smarter about how smart babies are. Not long ago, researchers learned that 4-day-olds innately understand addition and subtraction. Now, University of Reading research psychologist Graham Schafer has discovered that infants—typically considered prelinguistic—can learn words for uncommon things long before they can speak. “They may not be saying much, but they probably understand a lot more,” Schafer says. He found that 9-month-old infants could be taught, through repeated show-and-tell, to recognize the names of objects that were foreign to them, a result that challenges the received wisdom that, apart from learning to identify things common to their daily lives, children don’t begin to build vocabulary until well into their second year. “It’s no secret that children learn words, but the words they tend to know are words linked to specific situations in the home,” explains Schafer. “This is the first demonstration that we can choose what words the children will learn and that they can respond to them with an unfamiliar voice giving instructions in an unfamiliar setting.”\nFiguring out how humans acquire language may shed light on why some children learn to read and write later than others, Schafer says, and could lead to better treatments for developmental pathologies such as autism and Williams syndrome. What’s more, the study of language acquisition offers direct insight into how humans learn. “Language is a test case for human cognitive development,” says Schafer. But overzealous parents itching to bust out flash cards should take note: Even without being taught new words, a control group caught up to the other infants within a few months. “This is not about hothousing or advancing development,” he says. “It’s just about what children can do at an earlier age than what theorists or educators have often thought.”","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1099680"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7657184600830078,"wiki_prob":0.7657184600830078,"text":"Home / Greece / Two Greek finds in Archaeology magazine most important discoveries for 2016\nGreece Science\nTwo Greek finds in Archaeology magazine most important discoveries for 2016\nPosted on December 14, 2016, 10:11 am\nTwo Greek archaeological finds are included in the list of the top 10 most important discoveries in the world for 2016 according to Archaeology magazine. The remains of 80 men shackled together at the wrists in a mass grave at a necropolis near Athens and the first human remains to be found at the Antikythera shipwreck in almost 40 years.\nThe end of the seventh century B.C. was a tumultuous period in Athenian history. Though once ruled by a king, the increasingly powerful region of Attica, home to Athens, had come to be presided over by aristocrats who maintained their hold on power through landownership and lifetime appointments. But as the century drew to a close, the political climate was primed for a new type of government – that of a single ruler, or tyrant. An evocative grave site on the outskirts of Athens is a testament to this contentious moment in history.\nExcavators at the Phaleron Delta necropolis have uncovered the remains of 80 men, shackled together at their wrists, lying in a mass grave. The most recent osteological studies have determined that the majority of the men were between 20 and 30 years old, although four were much younger, and that all 80 had been killed in the same manner – with a fatal blow to the head. The discovery of two small vases buried with them has allowed archaeologists to date the grave to the mid-to-late seventh century B.C., suggesting to project director Stella Chrysoulaki that the men were executed in the course of one of these attempts to gain political primacy. “For the first time,” Chrysoulaki says, “we can illustrate historical events that took place during the struggle between aristocrats in the seventh century and led, through a long process, to the establishment of a democratic regime in the city of Athens.\n“The Antikythera shipwreck (circa 65 B.C.) is the ancient world’s largest, richest, and perhaps most famous wreck. Discovered in 1900 off the Greek island of Antikythera, the site has yielded hundreds of treasures, including bronze and marble statues, as well as the Antikythera Mechanism, often referred to as the world’s oldest computer. However, an important new discovery was made in summer 2016 when an international team recovered a human skeleton there. The remains, which include parts of the cranium, jaw, teeth, ribs, and long bones of the arms and legs, most likely belonged to a young male. Evidence of at least four other individuals had previously been found at the site, but the newly discovered remains are the first to be uncovered in almost 40 years – and during the age of DNA analysis. According to ancient DNA expert Hannes Schroeder, the discovery might provide the first opportunity to examine the genetics of an ancient mariner. “Human remains from ancient shipwrecks are extremely uncommon,” he says. “DNA analyses can potentially provide fascinating new information on the crew’s genetic ancestry and geographic origins.”\nProject co-director Brendan Foley suggests that the individual may have been trapped below decks when the ship smashed into the rocks and sank. Parts of the skeleton discovered in 2016 remain in site and will be further excavated this summer. Foley believes that even more human remains may survive at the site along with other precious cargo.\nMinor earthquake shakes Thessaloniki\nTsipras: All sides must respect Greek people and their sacrifices\nNew Democracy: ‘Tsipras lied again’\n/ May 23\nStefanos Tsitsipas qualifies for the Australian Open semifinals\nZoran Zaev: “We believe in friendship with Greece”\n/ Jul 9","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1326763"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5893873572349548,"wiki_prob":0.5893873572349548,"text":"2019 Molloy Nursing Graduates Win Election\nTwo of Molloy's 2019 Nursing graduates - Megan Scali and Grace Anne Crockett - were recently elected to the board of directors of the New York Chapter of the American Nursing Association (NY-ANA). Both Scali and Crockett will be a part of the Chapter's Nominations and Elections Committee.\n\"I never would have had the confidence to run for state office without all the leadership opportunities I had at Molloy,\" said Scali, whose Molloy resume includes student government and being a part of the tennis team. \"Grace and I were roommates at Molloy, and we also were co-VPs of the NY-ANA Student Association, so we are both looking forward to doing even more with the ANA going forward.\"\n\"I was so nervous when I first got to college, but there is no doubt that Molloy helped me become the person I am today,\" said Crockett, who ran track at Molloy while also participating in student government and other activities. \"The Molloy spirit has carried me to where I am today, and I am happy and proud that Megan and I will have the opportunity to continue to serve as leaders in our professional careers.\"","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1497631"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.703464925289154,"wiki_prob":0.29653507471084595,"text":"NOW MagazineLifeHealthThe pandemic is affecting your sleep in ways you might not expect\nThe pandemic is affecting your sleep in ways you might not expect\nStress eating and staying at home 24/7 is continuing to impact our sleep routines\nBy Charlie Smith\nIt’s sometimes called the “Quarintine 19.” Higher stress levels, more time snacking at home and less exercise is causing the expansion of waistlines during the pandemic.\nA WebMD poll of 1,000 readers found that nearly half of women respondents and one-quarter of men admitted gaining weight since the outbreak of COVID-19. A different survey of 1,500 Canadians by Leger reported that 32 per cent had gained weight since the pandemic started.\nWhat many don’t realize is that weight gain is increasing the likelihood of sleep apnea, a serious disorder in which people repeatedly stop and start breathing after dozing off. Dr. Fernanda Almeida, an associate professor in UBC’s faculty of dentistry says that if sleep apnea goes untreated, it can lead to range of serious health issues, including cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, depression and dementia. Another consequences of severe sleep apnea is a higher risk of having accidents during the day, due to being less alert.\nAccording to Almeida, there’s a strong link between obesity and sleep apnea. It results from the temporary relaxation of soft tissues in the throat, closing a person’s airway while they snore.\n“What we normally say is if you can lose, for example, 20 per cent of your weight, you can decrease your apnea by half,” Almeida said. “That’s what we tell patients who have 20 per cent to lose.”\nAt the same time, she emphasized it’s possible to have sleep apnea even if you’re not obese.\nThe majority of patients are not aware they keep waking up during their sleep, Almeida added. That’s because these “mini-awakenings,” also called “arousals,” only last between three to 10 seconds.\n“We can only see them by looking at an electroencephalogram,” she said.\nAlmeida pointed out that fragmented sleep can also affect memory in ways that have only recently become known. The glymphatic system cleans the brain, mostly when a person is sleeping. But she says that repeatedly waking up in the middle of the night, even for tiny intervals, interferes with this process. And if the brain’s synapses aren’t properly cleaned, this debris can accumulate over time.\n“That would make patients with sleep apnea more prone to having dementia and Alzheimer’s disease because of that mechanism,” Almeida declared.\nThe same issue can be a contributing factor in depression.\nBut sleep apnea isn’t the only potential consequence of staying home 24/7 and not exercising. Those who don’t go outside – which is easy to justify nowadays – also risk disrupting their circadian rhythms. This is the natural internal process that regulates our sleeping and waking cycle.\nVancouver-based sleep researcher and neuroscientist Myriam Juda said that when these rhythms are disrupted, it can lead to severe health outcomes, such as higher incidence of depression and diabetes, as well as cardiovascular disease.\nAn adjunct professor of psychology at Simon Fraser University and research manager at UBC’s BRAIN Lab, Juda said human beings tend to believe the sleep-wake schedule is very much under their control. In fact, it’s physiologically regulated and is a product of human evolution.\n“The circadian clock synchronizes to our environment,” Juda explained. “The most reliable indicator in our environment is the light-dark cycle of the sun. That is a 24-hour clock. And over millions of years, we have evolved mechanisms to synchronize to the light-dark cycle of the sun on a continuous basis.”\nShe added that photo-receptors in the eyes have the sole function providing information on light and darkness to the hypothalamus in the brain. That then regulates sleep patterns.\n“As humans, we are day-active and we sleep at night,” she said. “This is not because we have decided to do so at some point.”\nBut if we’re not exposed to natural light, this affects the amplitude of circadian rhythms.\nAccording to Juda, a high amplitude means a person has high sleepiness at night and high wakefulness during the day.\nA lower amplitude is associated with the opposite – low sleepiness at night and low wakefulness during the day. These rhythms flatten when people are not exposed to natural light. That can result in less restful sleep at night and more fatigue during the day.\n“It’s not a very nice way of living,” Juda said. “It increases your risk of accidents, including car accidents, and it affects your productivity and your mental health.”\nFortunately, there are relatively easy ways to address disrupted circadian rhythms and sleep apnea. And by taking action, it’s possible to reduce the likelihood of devastating health outcomes.\nJuda said that being exposed to two hours of natural daylight each day will improve circadian rhythms, facilitating a deeper sleep at night and more wakefulness in the day. And if a person doesn’t have two hours to spend outside, it’s possible to maximize the benefits of natural light by stepping out earlier in the day.\n“Fifteen minutes in the morning is equivalent to a few hours of light exposure in the afternoon,” she said.\nAs for sleep apnea, Almeida cited several treatments, including “oral appliances.” These are retainer-like devices that either pull the mandible or the tongue forward.\n“There are more than 100 already FDA-approved that are out there,” she said. “Now there are good companies that do them very precisely, with warranties.”\nAnother option is continuous-positive-airway-pressure machines, aka CPAPs, which apply atmospheric pressure through a mask to the upper airway. Almeida said CPAPs work exceptionally well, but many people dislike donning a mask before going to sleep.\n“With the oral appliances, they do decrease the apneas as well, but less effectively than the CPAP,” she stated. “But they’re so much easier to use. Patients tend to use them every night, all night long.”\nCharlie Smith discusses this story in the latest episode of the NOW What podcast, available on Apple Podcasts or Spotify or playable directly below:\nNOW What is a twice-weekly podcast that explores the ways Torontonians are coping with life in the time of coronavirus. New episodes are available Tuesdays and Fridays.\nTips for achieving a healthier sleep routine during the coronavirus pandemic\n@charliesmithvcr\nHealth life Sleep\nLove Your Body: Own how you look in 2021\nAfter a tough 2020, six inspiring Torontonians bare all and greet the new year with self-love and body positivity\nJessie Olsen, aka Bae Savage, community manager, podcaster\n\"As I started to develop more self confidence, I realized life is actually so much easier and filled with way.\nArianne Persaud, writer, documentary filmmaker\n\"There are many Black and brown examples of non-binary existence that are outside the westernized versions that we see.\"","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line329577"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5242558717727661,"wiki_prob":0.5242558717727661,"text":"Posted By Rengha Holidays 23 October 20 , 5:05 PM\nPERAMBALUR DISTRICT\nThe most important irrigation supply is the floor water aid through tube wells and wells. Paddy, groundnut, sugarcane, millet and cashew are the most important crops grown within the district. Perambalur owes about 24 percent of the small onion produced in Tamil Nadu to Perambalur and has its first production site within the state.\nNAMAKKAL DISTRICT Egg City\nNamakkal reveals an area of significance within the map of India due to its Lorry body building enterprise, a unique function of the city. More than one hundred fifty Lorry body building workshops and with a number of subsidiary industries of vehicle body works are running because of the 1960's. There are Lorries, Trailers and L.P.G. Tanker Lorries are in Namakkal district. Therefore it's called ‘ Transport City ’. Namakkal is the principal producer of Egg in Southern Region. Hence, known as ‘ Egg City ‘.\nPENANG CULTURE\nThere are endless locations to consume in Penang; however, each dish has one unique stall where it's far carried out nice. For those who are indecisive, head to the open-air hawker center to find maximum forms of local food; a superb choice, as maximum neighborhood delicacies are great sampled on the road. It might be a novelty for a few, however to Malaysians ingesting road meals is part of their every day lifestyles.\nSkiing at Auli\nAuli is a Himalayan ski resort and hill station in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand. It’s surrounded by coniferous and oak forests, plus the Nanda Devi and Nar Parvat mountains. A long cable car links Auli to the town of Joshimath. North of Auli are the colorful Badrinath Temple, a Hindu pilgrimage site, and the Valley of Flowers National Park, with its alpine flora and wildlife like snow leopards and red foxes. Auli is among the well-known places to visit in Uttarakhand in India. It is the popular snow skiing destination that hosted the first South Asian Winter Games in 2011. Auli also offers to its visitors' tranquil conifer-lined slopes and spectacular Himalayan mountain views.\nTurmeric City ERODE District\nThe cool waters of the Kaveri River and Bhavani River flowing through either side of Erode, enhances its scenic beauty, making it a favourite travel destination for nature lovers, history buffs and adventure seekers. Legends have it that, the name Erode is derived from the phrase \"Era Udu\" which stands for \"wet skull.\" An ancient city, Erode has been ruled by several kingdoms including the Cheras, the Cholas and later by Tipu Sultan, and finally the British. Today, a prominent district headquarters, Erode is located roughly at a distance of 265 kilometres from Bengaluru, 100 kilometres from Coimbatore and around 409 kilometres from Chennai.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1168751"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8967050313949585,"wiki_prob":0.8967050313949585,"text":"1 ... 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 ... 224\nJohn Howard Cavender, Jr. (\"John Cavender\", “J.H. Cavender” & “John H. Cavender”) born December 23, 1877 in St. Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri, married Blanche Phillippi of Crystal City, Missouri on December 26, 1901, and was a salesman for the Philip Carey Company. John Cavender and Blanche Cavender had 4 children:\nJohn Howard Cavender, III (\"John Cavender\", “J.H. Cavender” & “John H. Cavender”) born December 26, 1902 in Kansas City, Missouri, and died in February 1976;\nLouis Phillippi Cavender (\"Louis Cavender\" & “L.P. Cavender”) born May 12, 1904;\nRogers Greenleaf Cavender (\"Rogers Cavender\" & “R.G. Cavender”); and,\nFlorence Phillippi Cavender (\"Florence Cavender\" & “F.P. Cavender”) who married a Hargrave and they had a daughter named:\nCatherine Hargrave who married William L. Daniel (\"William Daniel\") and it is believed that they, in turn, might have had a son also named:\nWilliam L. Daniel (\"William Daniel\"); and,\nLucile Cavender (\"Lucille Cavender\"?) born March 6, 1882, and married Albert Edward Bernet (\"Albert Bernet\") on October 21, 1903. Albert Bernet and Lucile Bernet (\"Lucille Cavender\"?) had a unidentified son who was born on July 10, 1904;\nJames Smith Cavender (\"James Cavender\", “James S. Cavender” & “J.S. Cavender”) born on October 11, 1862 in St. Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri, and apparently never married;\nEdward Rowse Cavender (\"Edward Cavender\" & “E.R. Cavender”) born August 30, 1864 in St. Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri, married Alice Turner, and lived in Denver, Denver County, Colorado. Edward Cavender and Alice Cavender had an unidentified daughter; and,\nHarry Wales Cavender (\"Harry Cavender\") born on December 1, 1871 in St. Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri, and apparently remained unmarried;\nCharles James Cavender (\"Charles Cavender\", “C.J. Cavender” & “Charles J. Cavender”) born January 29, 1828 and died at the age of 4 years in New Hampshire; and,\nColonel Robert Smith Cavender (\"Robert Cavender\", “R.S. Cavender” & “Robert S. Cavender”) born August 28, 1831, was the second son said to have been a Colonel in the Civil War and who fought on the opposite side than his brother, Colonel John Smith Cavender, married Caroline M. Atwood (“Caroline Atwood”) of Alton, Madison County, Illinois and in which county they were married, in 1950 he was residing in Alton, Madison County, Illinois, and he died on March 28, 1900 in Alton, Madison County, Illinois. Robert Smith Cavender and Caroline Cavender had a daughter named:\nBertie Cavender (\"Bertha Cavender\"? & \"Alberta Cavender\"?) who died druing childhood. 1QA47, 10, 12, 14, 130, 255, 257, 262, 264, 265, 271, 274, 275, 279, 281, 290, 300, 302, 325, 326, 327, 353, 364, 384, 386 & 424\nHUGH CAVENDER line (1646/7-1697)\nHUGH CAVENAGH (“John Hugh Cavenagh”?, \"Hugh Cavenaugh\"?, \"Hugh Cavenough\", “Hugh Caviner”, “John Hugh Cavender”? & \"Hugh Cavender\"?), believed to have been born about 1646-1647, departed the port of Bristol, Bristol County, England on August 20, 1658 as a “yoeman” on a ship headed for the colony of Virginia to begin his service as an indentured servant to a Mr. Wills in Virginia for a period of 5 years.\nIt is often said:\n“The concept of ‘correct’ spelling of any name is comparatively modern - because, of course, spelling only has meaning to literate people. On the very few occasions when our distant ancestors’ names were recorded, the spelling would be determined by the vicar or official who wrote it. That spelling was as valid as any other - our ancestor didn’t know or care because he couldn’t read it. An illiterate man’s name was only a sound - not a sequence of letters. Do not expect fixed spellings of any surname until 1870 or even later.”\nOf possible relevance, according to LDS records: (i) a Hugh Kavanagh died about 1633 in Wexford, Ireland and apparently was listed as being a relative of William Cavanagh, and (ii) a Hugh Cavanagh was born in Dublin, Dublin County, Ireland about 1652 and was likewise listed as being a relative of William Cavanagh.\nAccording to a letter dated August 17, 2001 from Della Murphy, Assistant Keeper II, Genealogical Office, Dublin, Dublin County, Ireland, it was stated: “I would suspect that your name (i.e., Cavender) may have originally been Cavanagh (pronounced Cavana).”\nOn June 9, 1668, Hugh Cavenagh (“Hugh Cavender”) testified as a witness in a lawsuit brought by Thomas Baker against Phillip Bisse on April 7, 1668 in the County Court of Charles County, Maryland. He swore before the Court that he was then about 21-22 years of age (thus born about 1646-1647), that Mr. Philip Bisse (\"Phillip Bisse\"?), defendant, came to Mr. Thomas Baker, plaintiff, about April 17, 1668 and demanded a hogshead of tobacco in Daniel Johnson's name, and that the said Thomas Baker asked him whether he had a note from the said Daniel Johnson for the same, replied that he had, whereupon the said Philip Bisse weighed the tobacco and marked it.281, 392, 393 & 412\nOn September 8, 1668, Samuel Cressy (apparently the Sheriff) delivered a complaint to the named defendant, Thomas Baker, on a suit brought against him by Hugh Cavenagh (\"Hugh Cavenaugh\"? & \"Hugh Cavender\"?) for trespass and damages. The factual basis for the suit was not specified. Hearing before the court in Charles County, Maryland was scheduled for September 8, 1668. However, as Hugh Cavenagh did not appear in Court, the suit was dismissed on November 10, 1668. 392 & 393\nOn April 10, 1671, when about 24-25 years of age, Hugh Caviner (Hugh Caverner”, “Hugh Cavenagh”?, “Hugh Cavenah”? & \"Hugh Cavender\"?) and a Joseph LeDuke, both of St. Mary's County, Maryland, proved their rights for 100 acres of land, “it being due to them for transporting themselves into this Province to inhabit”. They both executed an assignment which stated:\n\"Know all men by these presents that we, Hugh Caviner (also \"Hugh Cavnier\") and Joseph LeDuke, of the county of St. Maries (Actually St. Mary's County, Maryland) for valuable consideration to us in hand paid by James Lewis of the same county have assigned, sold and made over and by these presents do assign, sell and set over unto the said James Lewis all of our right, title and interest of, in and to our Leveroll Rights to Land to us due for transporting ourselves into this Province to inhabit, to have and to hold the said one hundred acres rights to him the said James Lewis, his heirs and assigns forever, In Witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals the tenth day of April 1671. Sealed and delivered in the presence of Robert Ellys (“Robert Ellis”?).\"\nThe above instrument was signed and sealed on behalf of both Hugh Caviner and Joseph LeDuke as neither man apparently could write his own name, and was witnessed by Robert Ellys (“Robert Ellis”?). On the same date, James Lewis, a planter, received 50 acres in consideration of his furnishing transportation to Elizabeth Thompson into the province. Still further, John Rawlings, merchant, received 150 acres of land for furnishing transportation to James Devill, William Thompson and Katherine Niver into the province and which he also assigned to James Lewis. Still further, and on the same date, James Lewis assigned the above 300 acres of land to Thomas Paine, who, in turn assigned the acreage to Robert Ridgely (“Robert Ridgley”? & “Robert Ridgly”?). 370\nOn February 27, 1679, the County Court of Westmoreland County, Virginia declared Ellianor Cavanagh (\"Eleanor Cavanagh\"?, \"Elinor Cavanagh\"?, \"Ellianor Cavender\"?, \"Eleanor Cavender\"? & \"Elinor Cavender\"?) to be a free woman. As it can be assumed that when she was declared to be a free woman, she had served her indenture time, that she was then married, and that she was also at least 18 years of age at that particular time and therefore must have been born prior to 1661. As the above Hugh Cavenagh (\"Hugh Caviner” & “Hugh Cavender”?) was born about 1646-1647, he would have been about 32-33 years old at the time Elinor Cavanagh was declared a free woman.\nIt is to be noted that the law reiterated in October 1705 stated that indentured servants could get married, if the master approved. The law read as follows:\n\"And be it also enacted, by the authority aforesaid, and it is hereby enacted, that if any minister or reader shall wittingly publish, or suffer to be published, the banns of matrimony, between any servants, or between any free person and a servant; or if a minister shall wittingly celebrate the rites of matrimony between any such, without a certificate from the master or mistress of every such servant, that it is done by their consent, he shall forfeit and pay ten thousand pounds of tobacco: And every servant so married, without the consent of his or her master or mistress, shall, for his or hersaid offence, serve his or her master or mistress, their executors, administrators, or assigns, one whole year, after the time of service, by indenture or custom, is expired: And moreover, every person being free and so marrying with a servant, shall, for his or her said offence, forfeit and pay to the master or owner of such servant, one thousand pounds of tobacco, or well and faithfully serve the said master or owner of the said servant one whole year, in actual service.\"\nIt is believed that Hugh Cavanagh eventually married an Elinor Sheridan (“Eleanor Sheridan”) shortly before she was declared by the court in Westmoreland County, Virginia to be a free woman, and that he died shortly before 1709. It is further believed that following the early death of Hugh Cavanagh, widow Elinor Cavanagh (“Elinor Cavender”) remarried an Eaches to become Elinor Eaches (“Elin Ereches” & “Elin Eaches”) who was mentioned in the Last Will and Testament of her father, John Sherdon (“John Sheridan”?”) which was probated in Lunenburg Parish, Richmond County, Virginia on June 1, 1709, as mentioned in greater detail hereinafter.\nThe above are the only evidence thus far found of anyone, except the above Hugh Cavenagh and Elinor Cavenagh, who could have been the parents of the following 7 minor children who were subsequently born during the years 1681-1690 after their mother was declared a free woman, and all of which were subsequently indentured. In fact, it appears that the youngest child, John Cavenagh (“John Caviner” & “John Cavender”?), was indentured when he was in his 60's.\nThe basis of assuming that the maiden name of Elinor Cavender was Elinor Sheridan is base on the fact that on June 1, 1709, the last Will and Testament of John Shordon (\"John Shordon\"?, “John Sherdan”? & \"John Sheridan\"?) was probated in Lunenburg Parish, Richmond County, Virginia and that Ellen Eroche (also “Eleanor Eaches”, “Elin Eroche”, “Elinor Eroche”, “Elinor Eaches” & “Eliner Eaches”) was the named Executrix, and in which Will he bequested to his godson, John Dunn, the son of Patrick Dunn, and he further bequested to his grandson and son of Elllen Eroche, Daniel Cavenner (“Daniel Caverner”?, “Daniel Cavener”?, \"Daniel Cavener\", “Daniel Cavenough”? & “Daniel Cavender”?) who was to receive either a \"hat of a half-crown price\" or “half of a half-crown piece”, and his daughter Ellen and her son John Cavenner (\"John Caverner\"?, \"John Cavener\"?, John Cavenough\"? & \"John Cavender\"?) were to receive the remainder of his estate. 393 & Richmond Cnty, Va Will Bk 1, p.128-129\nOn July 6, 1709, Eleanor Eaches (“Elinor Eaches”, formerly “Elinor Cavenner”) was ordered by the County Court of Richmond County, Virginia to present inventory of the estate of John Sherdon (“John Sheridan”). The order was discontinued on September 8, 1709 as she did not appear in Court, apparently because she was either too ill or the fact that she was then deceased, because an inventory of her estate was filed on June 5, 1710 by Samuel Peachey in the county court of Richmond County, Virginia.393\nThe children of Hugh Cavenagh (“Hugh Cavender”?) and Elinor Cavenagh (“Elinor Cavender”? & “Eleanor Cavender”?) who were born after she was declared to be a “free” woman on February 27, 1679 are believed to be as follows:\n(i) THOMAS CAVENAH/THOMAS CAVERNER (“Thomas Cavender”?) born about 1681, was bound out to Thomas Banks of Northumberland County, Virginia, and died about 1719 in Richmond County, Virginia, at the age of about 38 years. An inventory of his estate was filed by Stephen Wells in Richmond County, Virginia on May 6, 1719, which is the very same date that the inventory of the estate of Daniel Caverner (“Thomas Cavender”) was filed and who is believed to be his brother.\nThe basis of establishing his date of birth is based on the fact that on July 25, 1697, Thomas Cavenah (\"Thomas Cavender\"?), then a servant to a Mr. Thomas Banks, was adjudged by the Court of Northumberland County, Virginia to be 16 years of age, and was ordered to serve as indentured servant according to law; Records of Indentured Servants, etc. of Northumberland Cnty Va, p170, document 989\nIn 1703, Thomas Cavenah (“Thomas Cavender”?) was claimed as a headright by Harry Beverley (“Harry Beverly”?) and John Smith in Essex County, Virginia.393\nOn either March 21, 1705 or March 21, 1706, a certificate was granted to Capt. George Eskridge for 450 acres of land in Northumberland County, Virginia for the importation of 9 persons, including Thomas Cavernott (“Thomas Cavender”?). 393\nOn July 6, 1710, the suit previously brought by John Crawly (“John Cralle”, “John Crawley”, “John Craley”?, \"John Crauley\" & “John Cralley) against Thomas Caverner (“Thomas Cavender”) in the county court of Richmond County, Virginia was continued until the next court. Apparently, on March 7, 1711, the suit was dismissed as the plaintiff did not appear to prosecute. 393 & 441\nOn August 7, 1712, the lawsuit filed in the county court of Richmond County, Virginia by Henry Halso against Thomas Cavener (“Thomas Cavender”) for a debt owed to him by Thomas Cavener was dismissed. 393\nOn March 8, 1715, the lawsuit previous brought by Jane Todd in the Court of Richmond County, Virginia against John Lane for 300 pounds of tobacco, to which suit Thomas Caverner (\"Thomas Cavender\") was an assignee, was dismissed as Thomas Caverner was not prosecuting.Richmond Cnty Va Order Bk 6, p. 416\nOn April 1, 1719, Gilbert Metcalf, William Smith on the hill, William Smith by the pond and John Grower were appointed by the Court of Richmond County, Virginia to appraise the estate of Thomas Caverner (\"Thomas Cavender\"), deceased, which was to be administered by Stephen Wells who made oath that Thomas Caverner died intestate. Security bond was posted by Samuel Bayley (“Samuel Bailey”?) and John Simons (“John Seamen”?). Gilbert Metcalfe (“Gilbert Metcalf”?), William Smith by the ponds, William Smith on the hill, and John Gower were to do the appraisal of the estate. Richmond Cnty Va Order Bk 8, p. 91\nOn May 6, 1719, Stephen Wells was named the administrator of the estate of Thomas Caverner (“Thomas Cavender”) in Richmond County, Virginia;\n(ii) WILLIAM CAVENAH/WILLIAM CAVENDER (“William Cavenah, Sr.”?, “William Cavinah”? & “William Cavender”, Sr.) also born about 1680-1681, was bound out to William Wildy in Northumberland County, Virginia, married a Turbevile or Turbeville, and apparently died prior to 1719 at the age of about 38-39. (See later entry regarding the son of William Cavenah/Cavender where the surname of his son was written as CAVENDER, not Cavenah.\nThe basis for establishing his date of birth is based on the fact that on August 18, 1697,a William Covenah (William Cavenah in a marginal note), then a servant to William Wildy, was adjudged by the Court of Northumberland County, Virginia to then be 16 years of age, and was ordered to serve as an indentured servant according to law;Records of Indentured Servants, etc. of Northumberland Cnty Va, p171, document 993\nBoth he and his wife apparently deceased prior to 1719 because, on December 1, 1718, Gilbert Turbervile (“Gilbert Turbeville”? & “Gilbert Turberville”) of St. Mary's County, Maryland (“St. Mary’s County, Maryland”) executed his Last Will and Testament and which was probated on June 15, 1719. In his Will, he left his entire personal estate to his grandson, William Cavinaugh (\"William Cavenaugh\"?, “William Cavenner”?, “William Caverner”?, “William Cavener”?, \"William Cavener\", “William Cavenough”? & \"William Cavender\"?), bequested 10 pounds to St. Innigoes Church, and bequested 10 shillings to his granddaughter, Margaret Cavinaugh (\"Margaret Cavenaugh\"? & \"Margaret Cavender\"?). Vitus Harbert was appointed the guardian of William Cavinaugh and Margaret Cavinaugh as their parents were then deceased.392 Thus, William Cavenah and his wife had at least 2 children:\nWILLIAM CAVENAH/WILLIAM CAVENDER (“William Cavenah, Jr.”? & “Willliam Cavender”Jr.) who apparently married a Mary, and who was mentioned in the Last Will and Testament of his maternal grandfather, Gilbert Turbervile (“Gilbert Turberville”? & “Gilbert Turbeville”?), of St. Mary’s County, Maryland, and who apparently married a Mary.\nOn August 8, 1741, William Cavenough (\"William Cavenaugh\"? & \"William Cavender\"?) and Mary Cavenough (\"Mary Cavenaugh\"? & \"Mary Cavender\"?) witnessed the execution of the last Will and Testament of Charles Sewall (“Charles Sewal”?) of St. Mary's County, Maryland.392 & 441\nOn May 13, 1751, in the Last Will and Testament of George Clarke (\"George Clark\") in St. Mary's County, Maryland, it was stated that William Cavenough (“William Cavenah”? & \"William Cavender\"?) was the previous seller of land to the said George Clarke.412\nOn ____ 8, 1767, an accounting of the estate of W. Garland, deceased, was filed in the Court of Richmond County, Virginia by executor Griffin Garland and a William CAVENDER (exact spelling) was listed as a debtor; and,\nMARGARET CAVENAH (“Margaret Cavender”?) who was mentioned in the Last Will and Testament of her maternal grandfather, Gilbert Turbevile (“Gilbert Turvenville”? & “Gilbert Turbeville”?), of St. Mary’s County, Maryland;\n(iii) ELLINOR CAVENOH (“Ellinor Cavenah”?, \"Eleanor Caviner\"?, \"Eleanor Cavener\"?, \"Eleanor Cavenough\"?, \"Eleanor Cavenaugh\"?, \"Elinor Cavender\"? & \"Eleanor Cavender\"?) born about 1682-1683. The basisand for establishing her date of birth is the fact that on January 31, 1699, she was then an indentured servant to William Carruther (\"William Caruther\"?) and was adjudged by the Court of Westmoreland County, Virginia to then be 16 years of age and ordered to serve according to law.Westmoreland Cnty, Va. Order Bk 1698-1705, p 69a & 112\nIt is to be noted that, on September 27, 1704, William Graham made oath in the Court of Westmoreland County, Virginia claiming 8 headrights for importations into this Colony, one of whom was an Elleanor Cavano (“Ellinor Cavenoh”?, “Ellinor Cavenah”?, \"Eleanor Cavender\"? & \"Elinor Cavender\"?). The so-called “Headrights” were assigned to George Eskridge who was buying up several land certificates at the time. And, in 1705, an Eleanor Cavano (“Eleanor Cavender”?) was claimed as a headright by Augustine Smith for land in Essex County, Virginia.)393 & Westmoreland Cnty Order Bk, p 243a & 393\nOn April 5, 1722, Ellinor Caverner (“Ellinor Cavenah”?, \"Elinor Caverner\", \"Eleanor Caverner\", \"Eleanor Cavenogh\"? \"Eleanor Cavenaugh\"?, \"Ellinor Cavender\",? \"Elinor Cavender\"? & \"Eleanor Cavender\"?) of Richmond County, Virginia was on a long list of persons presented by the Grand Jury that were summoned into court as evidence against Thomas Twinley.441\nOn June 6, 1722, the Court in Richmond County, Virginia ordered the Sheriff to summon Ellinor Caverner (“Elinor Caverner”, “Elianor Caverner”, “Eleanor Cavender”, “Ellinor Cavender”? & “Elinor Cavender”?) to the next session of the county court of North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia, together with a servant belonging to Moore Fartleroy (\"Moore Fauntleroy\" & \"Moore Fantleroy\"), to answer presentment of the grand jury against her for have a bastard born child, by report to be a mullato contrary to law. On the same date, judgment was granted by the Court in Richmond County, Virginia to John Calley (“John Crawley”, \"John Cralley\", “John Caley”? & \"John Crauley\") against the estate of Francis Caverner, deceased, in the hands of Johannah Caverner, administratrix of the descendant’s estate, for six thousand and eight hundred thirty seven pounds of tobacco due upon balance of a bill which is ordered to be paid out of the estate of said descendant with costs. Also on the same date, a court order was issued by the Court in Richmond County, Virginia ordering that Thomas Twinley be taken into custody and that the Sheriff give notice to Moore Fartleroy (“Moore Fauntleroy”) and William Smith to have their Negroes Jack, Peter and Opher at the next court concerning the said Thomas Twinley. 441 & Richmond Cnty Va Order Bk 9, pgs 50 & 51\nOn May 6, 1724, she was again summoned into the Court of Richmond County, Virginia to answer a \"presentment\" of having a mulatto baseborn child. Richmond Cnty Va Order Bk 9, p. 150\nAnd, on July 1, 1724, she was finally appeared before the grand jury in the Court of Richmond County, Virginia on the charge of having a bastard child, who plainly appears to be a mulatto, and she now appears in Court with her child which plainly appears to be a mulatto, it is therefore ordered that after her time has expired with her present master, that she pay 15 pounds of current money to the church wardens of North Farnum Parish (\"North Farnham Parish\") of Richmond County, Virginia, or that she be sold by them for 5 years to the use aforesaid. And it was further ordered that after she serves her present master or his assigns after her time now due to him is expired 1 whole year in consideration for the trouble to his house for her having the said child.441 & Richmond Cnty, Va Order Bk9 p 164\nIt is to be noted that she may have subsequently married a Barnsby and moved to Fairfax County, Virginia. This conclusion is based on the fact that on May 7, 1755, a John Cavener (\"John Cavenor\"? &\"John Cavender\"?) of Fairfax County, Virginia, believed to be her nephew, executed his Last Will and Testament in Fairfax County, Virginia in which he left to Elenor Barnsby(\"Eleanor Barnsby\", \"Eleanor Barnsby\" & \"Elinor Barnsby\"?) all his personal estate and appointed her as the Executrix. His Will was witnessed by William Grove, George Simpson and Peter Smith, Jr. He apparently died in Fairfax County prior to May 20, 1755 as it was on that date Eleanor Barnsby filed an affidavit in court requesting that the above Will of John Cavender be probated, and which was \"proved\" on May 30, 1755. An appraisal of the estate of John Cavener was filed on June 17, 1755 by James Ingoe Dozier (“James Dozier”), Richard Brown and George Landman. It is possible that Elinor Barnsby was the aunt of the deceased John Cavender and that she was the person who had a mulatto child earlier, had subsequently married and moved to Fairfax County, Virginia, or that she was the Elinor Eaches who had subsequently remarried to a Barnsby,, and hence was the grandmother of John Cavender.\n(iv) FRANCIS CAVINER/FRANCIS CAVERNER/FRANCIS CAVENAUGH (\"Francis Cavender\"?) born about 1681-1682, lived in Richmond County, Virginia, and who died in either 1721(\"Old Style\" calendar) or 1722 (\"New Style\" calendar) at the age of 39 years, leaving a 1-2 year old son named John Caverner (\"John Cavener\"?, “John Cavenough”?, “John Caviner”? & \"John Cavender\"?). 441 Actually, his widow applied for administration of his estate about April 2, 1722 and an inventory of his estate was filed in Richmond County, Virginia on May 2, 1722. The so-called “New Style” Calendar became effective on January 1, 1751 and which was revised in order to compensate for earlier miscalculations. Thus, in 1752, the new year began on January 1 for the very first time. Previously, the year began on March 25. Therefore all dates before that day (that is, January 1-March 24, inclusive, of each year) would bear the date of the previous year. The so-called Gregorian Calendar was first adopted in Europe in 1582 and was later adopted in the British Colonies in on January 1, 1751.\npresent site\ngeneral pattern\nwestern section\ncorrect pronunciation\nreal purpose\nnorthern neck","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line469389"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6797661185264587,"wiki_prob":0.32023388147354126,"text":"Home :: Bridge :: Bridge Replacement Project Updates :: Bridge Replacement Project Director Report March 22, 2018\nBridge Replacement Project Director Report March 22, 2018\nThe following is the Bridge Replacement Project Director Report presented to the Port Commission on Thursday, March 22, 2018. To request copies of materials noted as “attached” or “included in your packet,” contact Kevin Greenwood via email to kgreenwood@portofhoodriver.com.\nThe following summarizes Bridge Replacement Project activities from March 7 through March 20, 2018.\nFINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDY (FEIS)\nENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDIES REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)\nIncluded in your packet is the RFP for “Consultant Services for Hood River Bridge Replacement Environmental Studies, Design and Permit Assistance.” No formal Commission action is necessary, but comment/input is\nThis document has been reviewed by Jerry Jaques, Port Counsel; Bill Ohle, Schwabe Williamson; Chuck Green, Port EIS Advisor; and Kristen Stallman\nStaff anticipates receiving a handful of proposals to prepare studies for environmental clearances necessary to proceed with a bridge replacement. The contract is for 3?1/2 years but it will most likely finish up faster than the\nKey timeline dates:\nRelease RFP ……………………………………………………………….. March 28, 2018\nPre-Submittal Meeting ………………………………………………….. April 18, 2018\nSubmittals Due to the Regional Transportation Council …… April 25, 2018\nEISEC Interviews top ranked proposers…………………………….May 23, 2018\nManagement Prepares Commission Staff Report ……………..May 29, 2018\nCommission Authorizes Negotiations to Begin……………………June 5,2018\nManagement Prepares Commission Staff Report ……………. June 26, 2018\nCommission Approves Contract (tent.)…………………………….. July 10, 2018\nContract Begins/Notice to Proceed ……………………………………….. July 2018\nEnvironmental Study Plan …………………………………………..September 2018\nStudies Delivered (Tentative) …………………………………… December 2018\nContract Ends by …………………………………………………………December 2021\nSummary of process for Commission Approval:\nEvaluation Committee Scores Proposals and presents to Management\nManagement Compiles Comments, Scores and presents to Commission\nCommission Authorizes Management to enter negotiations with top scoring firm.\nIf unable to secure favorable terms with top firm, Management will seek approval from Commission to begin negotiations with next highest ranked proposer.\nUpon successful negotiations being completed, Management will bring contract to Commission for final approval.\nProcess can be ended at any time by Commission.\nAn updated project Organizational Chart is attached.\nA project budget for the $5million appropriation is attached.\nPublic Contracting Amendment allowing for short-listing of consultants for interviews will be presented under Action Items.\nAuthorization of EIS Committees will be an Action Item for the March 20\nPROJECT DELIVERY CONSIDERATION\nP3 ADMINISTRATIVE RULES\nThe Public Hearing will be conducted this evening [March 20, 2018]\nTRAFFIC & REVENUE ANALYSIS\nManagement has not yet scheduled the meeting with Steve Siegel to discuss next steps for financial modeling. Staff hopes to have that scheduled by April.\nProject Director will be working with Chief Finance Officer to begin the US of Agriculture Capital Facilities Pre-Application.\nCONTRUCTION COST ESTIMATE\nStaff received proposal from Mott McDonald to develop an updated cost estimate. The last cost estimate was developed in 2011 and it would be helpful to have a review of that methodology and Project Director will bring contract amendment to April 3 meeting for Commission consideration.\nAttached is a March Update produced by Management has distributed the Update at public meetings and has been positively received. This was also added to the Project blog site.\nMet with Krystyna Wolniakowski, Columbia River Gorge Commission Dir., to discuss project on Mar. 6; Klickitat County Commission, Mar. 6; Cindy Marbut, City of Bingen City Manager, Mar. 8.\nI will attend the City of White Salmon Council, Wednesday, March 21st at 6pm and the Skamania County Commission at 2 p.m.\nAttached is a resolution from the Klickitat County Commission stating support for a regional bridge replacement effort. Marc Thornsbury from the Port of Klickitat drafted the document and a form of it has been, or will be, adopted by the City of Bingen, City of White Salmon and the Port of Klickitat.\nThe next Port newsletter will include a Q&A section on the bridge replacement project.\nPort intern Nando Rodriguez is compiling a comprehensive consultant and agency list and updating the organization He recently researched the Columbia River Inter Tribal Fish Commission and identified how the Port would engage the agency.\nI will attend Design/Build Infrastructure Authority Conference in Portland on Thursday, March 22nd.\nFY18-19 Bridge Replacement Budget will be a topic for discussion during Spring Planning.\nArticle by Kevin Greenwood / Bridge Replacement Project Updates","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line834017"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7734885811805725,"wiki_prob":0.7734885811805725,"text":"This page includes information about new appointments and positions in FIG member associations and other organisations that are of interest to FIG and its members. The second part consists of short news and pictures of visits by FIG representatives or visits to the FIG office.\nProf. Dr. Dalal Alnaggar, former FIG Vice President passed away on 2 February 2020\nIt is with sadness that we must inform that Prof. Dr. Dalal Alnaggar, Egypt, passed away on 2 February 2020. Prof Dalal Alnaggar was well known and highly respected within FIG, and it is a big loss for the international surveying community.\nDalal was Vice President for FIG 2007-2012 and she was Conference Director for FIG Working Week 2005. Further to these two official posts, she has been a regular participant at many FIG events and has been a true inspiration for many; and was engaged especially in the establishment and development of FIG Young Surveyors Network. Read more\nClifford Dann MBE, FRICS, Honorary Member of FIG, passed away on 19 Septembed 2017\nUnfortunately the news was brought to us that Clifford Dann passed away on 19 september 2017 at a respectable age of 90. Clifford Dann was a well respected honorary member of FIG.\nThere is a memorial service for Clifford being held in London in April\nThe Service of Celebration and Thanksgiving for the life and work of Clifford Dann will take place in St. Margaret’s Church, Westminster at 2.30 pm on Tuesday 10th April 2018, followed by refreshments in the Lecture Hall of RICS Headquarters.\nFor security purposes, entrance to the Church will be an all ticket affair. To apply for tickets either:\nGo to this link, or:\nWrite enclosing a stamped self-addressed envelope to Mr M Arnoldi, Room 10, 20 Dean’s Yard, London SW1P 3PA. Tickets will be posted by 28th March.\nYou are advised to retain your ticket as it will also give access to the RICS building at 12 Great George Street, Parliament Square, London SW1P 3AD for the refreshments.\nYou may find it expedient to deposit coats or bags at reception in the RICS Headquarters prior to the ceremony and then walk across Parliament Square to St. Margaret’s Church for the service, because there will be a bag search on arrival at the church. For this purpose, the RICS will be open from 1.30 pm as entrance to St. Margaret’s Church will be from 1.45 pm.\nHonorary Member Jo Henssen has passed away 7 September 2015\nIt is with sorrow that we inform that Jo Henssen died 7 September 2015. Jo Henssen was a honorary member of FIG and he has participated in many FIG events throughout the years.\nObituary by Paul van der Molen\nIn memory of Dr. Ron Adler - Survey of Israel Director General 1971-1992\nDr. Ron Adler was born in Warsaw Poland in 1927. Ron served as a surveyor in the British army during World War II. He arrived at Israel in 1953 after finalizing his B.A degree in Geodesy from Redding University. Ron got his M.A from Ohio University in 1963, and Doctorate from the Technion in 1970.\nDr. Adler started his career in the Survey of Israel immediately after finishing his B.A in 1953. In 1965 he was nominated as the chief cadaster engineer, In 1968 he became the deputy director general and in 1971 he was nominated as the Director General of the Survey of Israel.\nIn 1972 Dr. Adler organized the FIG working conference in Tel-Aviv. This was the first FIG event that surveyors attending from abroad hosted in Israel and at Israeli surveyor's homes.\nDuring his period as the Director General, Ron was in charge for several advances in the organization:\nAcquisition of modern instruments in the photogrammetry and field survey. He got the first GPS instruments and analytical stereoplotters, into the SOI.\nStrengthening the relations with international professional organizations – FIG, ASPRS, ISPRS, USGS.\nAs the DG, he expedited the appropriation for the SOI, in order to initialize its GIS operations. From that perspective, we can declare that Dr. Adler's visionary directive decisions served as the basis for our current technological advancements.\nAfter his retirement in 1992, Ron continued his academic career, published several books, and served as visitor professor at some universities. In 2008-2009 he served as a honored member in the organization team for the Eilat 2009 FIG working week.\nTo our grief, Dr. Adler passed away in August 2015.\nRonen Regev, Director General\nSurvey of Israel\nSecretary General of PAIGH Santiago Borrero steps down\nSantiago Borrero has served for ten years as Secretary General of PAIGH\nAfter ten years serving as Secretary General of PAIGH, Pan American Institute of Geography and History, Santiago Borrero, Colombia, stepped down from the post on 7 February 2014. PAIGH, a sister society to FIG, is a part of the Inter-American system coordinated by the Organization of American States – OAS. Santiago Borrero says: \"It has been a great personal and professional experience and I hope I have contributed to the institutional development of the Pan American specialized community working in the areas of geospatial information, governance and development\". Rodrigo Barriga, Chile, is taking over the position as Secretary General.\nMemory report by Santiago Borrero (Spanish, pdf 12 MB)\nProf. Holger Magel receives The German Honour \"Bundesverdienstkreuz 1. Klasse\"\nMinister of Agriculture, Helmut Brunner presents the Bundesverdienstkreuz 1. Klasse to Holger Magel\nNovember 2013 former FIG President Holger Magel had the great honour to receive the German \"Bundesverdienstkreuz 1. Klasse\" for his long term work in research, development and teaching and for his work on the development on the development of Land, not only in Germany but world wide. Professor Magel has expanded the Department of Land Tenure and Land Development at the University of Munich into an Internationally recognised centre and has earned a reputation as a global ambassador for the development of Land and rural areas.\nFIG Past President Prof. Holger Magel appointed TUM Emeritus of Excellence\nProf. Holger Magel receives the certificate at a celebration on 22 July 2013 by President Wolfgang Herrmann in Garchinger TUM Institute of Advanced Studies (IAS) Not many experience the honour to be appointed \"Emeritus of Excellence\", however past FIG President Holger Magel received this outstanding award at a celebration on 22 July 2013, as a sign of the highest award from the Technical University München, TUM.\nThe award is given for \"excellent initiatives within Germany\" and is only appointed to researchers who have a particular scientific reputation and who with their outstanding personality have contributed actively throughout many years for the development and reputation of the University.\nPast FIG President Carl-Olof Ternryd has passed away 8 July 2013\nCarl-Olof Ternryd\nIAt the age of 85 Carl-Olof Ternryd passed away in July 2013. Carl-Olof Ternryd graduated from the Royal Institute of Technology in 1953, and made a long career in the service of the State Road Administration. In this period the Swedish road network increased to the current dimensions. He served as Director-General 1978-82, after which he joined the Defence Materiel Administration FMV's as Director General. He has served as President of FIG in the late 1970'ies and has been very active throughout all the years. Even in 2008 when the FIG Working Week was taking place in Stockholm, Sweden, he contributed as senior advisor.\nAlan Wright unexpectedly passed away June 2013\nIt is with sorrow that we inform that Alan Wright died suddenly of a heart attack at the end of June 2013. Alan Wright was a well known face in FIG and has participated in many FIG events throughout the years. He was involved in the FIG International Institution for the History of Surveying and Measurement.\nObituary by Jim Smith, IIHSM\nObituary by Stephen Booth published in The Guardian\nPresident of the mediterranean Union of Surveyors, Aziz Hilali appointed Honorary Doctor of Philosophy\nThe trustees of the American University for Science and Technology of California has granted Aziz Hilali, Morocco, the degree of Honorary Doctor of Philosophy (option: Civil Engineering, Surveying and Topology), in recognition of his career and his quality as president of the Mediterranean Union of surveyors. FIG congratulates Aziz Hilali.\nFIG Honorary President William “Rad” Radlinski passed away 15 February 2013\nWilliam Radlinski\nWilliam “Rad” Radlinski passed away on Friday 15 February 2013 at the age of 92 after a long and fruitful life. For three years in the mid 70'ies he was President of FIG and was afterwards appointed FIG Honorary President. During the many years after his presidency, he has followed FIG closely and many FIG members have very fond memories of being together with William Radlinski. FIG thanks for his both formal and informal contributions to FIG.\nObituray\nFIG Honorary Member Seppo Härmälä passed away 3 January 2013\nSeppo Härmälä\nSeppo Härmälä passed away on Thursday, 3 January 2013, in Helsinki at the age of 94. He acted as the Chair of Commission 2 from 1985 to 1987 and as the Vice-President of FIG from 1988 to 1991. Härmälä’s role in FIG was active and creative and his characteristics of humour and social skills made him popular during meetings and social events. He promoted the so-called Chain of Struve to be nominated as one of the World Heritage sites of UNESCO, just to mention one of his achievements in FIG. Before his retirement in 1985 Härmälä’s civil post since 1972 was the Deputy Director General of the National Survey of Finland.\nSeppo Härmälä was active and mentally sharp up to the end of his high age. Even during the last years he took part in meetings and seminars where he was regarded as the Real Grand Old Man among younger Finnish surveyors. Memoriam by Pekka Raitanen, Honorary Member and Vice-President of FIG 1992-95\nThe passing of Mr. C. H. (Charlie) Weir\nMr. C. H. (Charlie) Weir passed away peacefully September 24, 2012. Charlie has been active in FIG for 16 years. He served as President from 1985 to 1987. FIG thanks for his contribution and active role.\nMemoriam by his family\nThe Passing of Professor Dr. Volker Böder\nIt is with great sadness that we recognise the passing on Friday, 31st August, 2012 of Professor Dr. Volker Böder of HafenCity University Hamburg (HCU), Germany and, until his passing, Vice-Chair of Commission 4, and Chair of Working Group 4.3 Multi-Sensor Systems for Hydrographic Applications. Volker was a very active member of Commission 4 who was working on a publication related to the development of technical guidelines for sensor integration (best practises). Although he had a busy life outside of FIG and Commission 4, he was very supportive of the Commission’s work and objectives. I found him always pleasant, soft spoken, respectful and dependable. He shall be very much missed as a colleague and friend.\nDr. Michael Sutherland (Canada, and Trinidad and Tobago)\nChair (2011-2014), Commission 4, September, 2012\nHonorary Member Milan Klimes, Czech Republic, passed away 15 January 2012\nMilan Klimes has been very active in FIG. In 1973 Milan Klimes was elected the first president of the Czechoslovak National Committee for FIG and remained in this position for over 20 years. Thanks to him the Czechoslovak and later the Czech delegations always played an active role at the FIG Congresses, Working Weeks, Exhibitions and Congresses. Due to his contribution and very active role in FIG he was appointed Honorary Member of FIG. Milan Klimes designed the FIG flag and initiated the FIG anthem which was composed by the Czech composer Jiri Simek, also a member of the Czechoslovak Delegation to FIG.\nMemoriam by Vaclav Slaboch\nDavid Neale of Trinidad and Tobago passed away on 7 June 2011\nDavid Neale was a former Commission 4 Vice-Chair Administration (2007-2010). Until his passing, he was an active member the FIG/IHO/ICA International Board on Standards of Competence for Hydrographic Surveyors and Nautical Cartographers (IBSC), and as well the Chairman of RICS Caribbean (2009-2011). He was also a part-time lecturer on Hydrography in the Department of Geomatics Engineering and Land Management, Faculty of Engineering, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.\nMemoriam by Michael Sutherland, Chair of Commission 4, 2011-14\nFIG Honorary President Holger Magel receives Austrian Order\nFIG Honorary President, Professor Holger Magel was awarded with the prestigious Silver Commanders Cross Order by the Austrian Region \"Niederösterreich\" in for his pioneering contributions to the practical and scientific development of the rural development in Europe for many years, which \"Niederösterreich\" has particularly benefited from. He received the order by Govenor Dr. Erwin Pröll on 1st of March 2011.\nFIG President Stig Enemark receives prestigious Danish Order\nPresident Stig Enemark at the door to the Queens castle.\nThe order Knight of Dannebrog\nFIG President, Professor Stig Enemark has been awarded the prestigious Danish Order “Knight of Dannebrog” for his outstanding service to the Danish surveying profession and to the international surveying community. The Order is named after the Danish flag (Dannebrog) and is awarded directly by the Queen based on recommendation from, in this case, The National Survey and Cadastre, Denmark. The award therefore should be seen also as recognition of the surveying profession in contributing to society and in supporting the global agenda.\nLouise Friis-Hansen started as the new Office Manager in FIG\nOn 1 December 2010 Louise Friis-Hansen was appointed Office Manager for the FIG Office. She will be looking forward to the cooperation with all members and persons involved in FIG.\nOn 1 January a new Office Coordinator, Hanne Elster, started in the office also servicing members and friends of FIG.\nMarkku Villikka continues as FIG Director.\nProf. Holger Magel, Honorary President of FIG, receives an Order by the Royal Government of Cambodia\nOn 30 September 2010 Prof. Dr.-Ing. Holger Magel was appointed \"Commander of the Royal Order of SOWATHARA\" by Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen. The order was given because of Holger Magel's extraordinary work establishing a sustainable Land Policy in Cambodia.\nProf. Holger Magel received the order, founded in 1923, by Senior Minster Prof. Im Chhun Lim. In his speech, Im Chhun Lim especially mentioned the personal engagement of Holger Magel and his department by building up the Spatial Planning Policy in Cambodia and by establishing a Capacity Building Programme at an academic and professional level.\nFIG Working Week 2008 Local Organising Committee meets for the last time\nThe organising committee of FIG Working Week met for the last time 28 October in Stockholm to conclude their five year project. The comments from the participants ranked this working week among the most successful in the FIG history. The conference gathered 950 participants from 90 countries to Stockholm in June 2008. The organising committee was chaired by Svante Astermo. Read more: Report from the conference.\nMatt Higgins listed among 50 top figures in GNSS\nMatt Higgins, FIG Vice President has been listed by GPS World in the group of 50+ leaders to watch in GNSS business. The list was published in the May 2008 issue of GPS World. Read what Matt Higgins is saying. The full article is also available on GPS World web site.\nVice President Ken Allred Elected to Alberta Legislature\nVice President Ken Allred was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Alberta in a general election on March 3, 2008 as a representative of the Alberta Progressive Conservative Party. The historic election, elected Premier Ed Stelmach and 72 Progressive Conservative members, out of a total of 83 seats in Alberta’s Legislature, with 9 Liberal members and 2 New Democrats holding the remaining eleven seats. The Alberta Legislature is the parliament for the province of Alberta, one of the ten provinces in Canada with a population of 3.5 million people.\nRead more about the elections.\nFIG Honorary Member, Professor Emeritus Jean-Marie Becker passed away\nProf. Emeritus Jean-Marie Becker, Honorary Member of FIG since 2004 and FIG Commission 5 Chair from 1998 to 2002 passed away on 27 October 2007. He was born in 1935 in France.\nBecker started his career in the Swedish National Mapping Agency in 1966 and was appointed adjoint Professor at the Royal Institute of Technology in 1966.\nHe was the Chair of FIG Commission 5 between 1998 and 2002 and was appointed FIG Honorary Member in 2004.\nRead In Memoriam written by\nLars E Engberg, Mikael Lilje, and Ulf Sandgren\nThe Swedish Association of Chartered Surveyors\nProf. Holger Magel, Honorary President of FIG, receives the Bavarian Order of Merit (Bayerischen Verdienstorden)\nProf. Holger Magel and Bavarian Minister President Dr. Edmund Stoiber\nProf. Holger Magel received 11 July 2007 the Bavarian Order of Merit from Dr. Edmund Stoiber, Bavarian Minister President as recognition for his outstanding services to Bavaria and to the Bavarian People.\nThe Bavarian Order of Merit is the highest Order of the Bavarian State and thus ranking higher than the German Federal Order of Merit (Bundesverdienstkreuz). Prof. Magel is the first surveyor in 26 years receiving this Order.\nDr. Edmund Stoiber is thanking Prof. Holger Magel for his outstanding services to Bavaria and the Bavarian people\nMrs. Ansi Magel with Holger Magel\nRichard Meyer, Honorary Member of FIG, passed away 20 February 2007\nRichard Meyer, Secretary General of the FIG Bureau during the first German presidency 1968-1971 and a member of the US led Bureau 1971-1974 - in Germany passed away 20 February 20007. He was born 11 June 1910.\nThe German FIG Council congratulated Meyer at his 95th birthday in 2005 by saying that thanks to \"Richard Meyer's life-long outstanding engagement for FIG one can really say: Richard Meyer made FIG well-known in Germany\". Due to his multilingual language skills and his open minded character he has found a lot of friends worldwide and has brought the German way of surveying and land managing a good reputation.\nIn memoriam Richard Meyer (1910 - 2007) by dr. Andreas Drees.\nProf. Richard K. Bullard, FRICS Anglia Polytechnic University passed away\nProf. Richard K. Bullard, FRICS passed away 25 January 2007. Prof. Bullard was a former national delegate, appointed by the RICS, to FIG and Secretary of Commission 2 (Professional Education) and also a corresponding member of Commissions 3 (Spatial Information Management) and 7 (Cadastre and Land Management). He was also representative of the Anglia Polytechnic University, Academic Member of FIG, to FIG.\nProf. Bullard was working as a Researcher in the Department of the Built Environment at Anglia Polytechnic University APU and also worked as a freelance consultant specialising in land related issues. Started his surveying career in Zimbabwe and worked in 41 countries. Completed Masters in Engineering by research at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, and Doctorate at Sheffield University.\nWorked in many of the activities of surveying including, cadastral, engineering, land management, photogrammetry, remote sensing, and topographical survey. He was a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, and a Fellow of the Survey Institute of Zimbabwe. The Chair of the Geomatics Faculty Board (2002-2004) at the RICS and a Member of its Executive. An RICS APC examiner. With the European Faculty of Land Use and Development and is a Professor in Systemes d'Information du Territoire. His main interests in consultancy and research included land reform, land management, land consolidation and coastal zone management. Particular interest in the multidisciplinary aspects of land development for countries in transition and those in the developing world. Is the author of books, chapters and publications in the above fields of activity. A member of the editorial panel of International Land Management Series, published by Ashgate Publishing. Richard will be missed by his wife Pauline and surveyors all over the world.\nProf. Holger Magel receives the Soldner Medal\nPresident Holger Magel received 18 December 2006 the Soldner Medal from Mr. Kurt Faltlhauser, the Bavarian Minister of Finance as recognition for his services to Bavaria and as serving as the FIG President and organising the XXIII FIG Congress in Munich. The medal is named after Astronomer and Mathematician Johann Georg von Soldner. Read more about the recognition and award in German..\nPresident Holger Magel and Minister Kurt Faltlhauser.\nMrs. Ansi Magel with Holger Magel and Kurt\nFaltlhauser.\nProf. Holger Magel awarded with a high Bavarian medal\nHolger Magel and Alois Glück\n©Rolf Poss\nProf. Holger Magel was awarded 13 December with a high profile Bavarian medal \"Bayerische Verfassungsmedaille\". This silver medal was handed to FIG President Magel by Alois Glück, President of the Bavarian Parliament. The award was given to the FIG president and the President of the Bavarian Academy of Rural Areas in appreciation of his services on developing rural areas and building civil society through participatory involvement of citizens. The medal is given by the Bavarian Parliament to persons, who have promoted the conditions of Bavaria. It belongs to the national honours, which are lent most rarely in the State of Bavaria.\nProf. Dr hab. inz. Kazimierz Czarnecki passed away 23 August 2006\nProf. Dr hab. inz. Kazimierz Czarnecki, President of the Association of Polish Surveyors and a long-time leader of the Polish delegation to FIG passed away 23 August 2006 at the age of 67. Prof. Czarnecki was appointed posthumously as an Honorary Member of FIG at the FIG Congress in Munich.\nProf. Willem Baarda, Honorary Member of FIG passed away - In Memoriam\nProf. Willem Baarda, Honorary Member of FIG since 1959 passed away 2 January 2005. He was born in Leeuwarden 20.7.1917 and died in Delft. On January 2, 2005. Prof. Baarda was an honorary member of the Netherlands Geodetic Commission, member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, honorary member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (GB), honorary doctor of the University of Stuttgart. He received the Levallois Medal of the IAG in 1995. Read In Memoriam written by Prof. (em.) Dr.-Ing Wolfgang Torge.\nFIG Working Week 2012 preparations in good progress\nGeom. Antonio Benvenuti, CNG Councillor (left), Geom. Enrico Rispoli, Hon. Secretary of CNG, President Geom. Fausto Savoldi, Ms. Maria Scorza, International Relations and FIG Director at the balcony of CNG in Piazza Colonna in Rome.\nFIG Director visited Consiglio Nazionale Geometri e Geometri Laureati (CNG) in Rome 17-18 November 2009 to prepare the FIG Working Week in Rome. This will be the first time that a major FIG event will be organised in Italy since 1960s. During the visit with President Fausto Savoldi and members of the CNG Council it became obvious that FIG Working Week in Rome will be a great experience both from professional and social aspects.\nPresident Stig Enemark meets with Honorary President Peter Dale\nPeter Dale and Stig Enemark.\nPresident Stig Enemark met with FIG Honorary President Peter Dale during Stig Enemark's visit to Scotland in September 2009. Peter Dale was the FIG President 1995-1999. He is very happy with the current commitment of FIG on contributing to the Global Agenda to see the way FIG has developed over the years especially with regard to the current commitment of contributing to the Millennium Development Goals through cooperation with the UN agencies and the World Bank. Peter Dale sends his very best regards and wishes to the FIG community.\nICES celebrates Royal Charter event in September 2009 and becomes the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (ICES)\nCharter with ICES President Steve Jackson & CIC Chief Executive Graham Watts OBE\nThe Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors, second FIG member association from United Kingdom celebrated the granting of its Royal Charter and 40 year anniversary at an event addressed by the Construction Industry Council 10 September 2009.\nGraham Watts OBE, Chief Executive of the Construction Industry Council, who has worked with the Institution for more than 20 years, spoke at the event and guests included representatives from industry partners including Balfour Beatty, Carillion, RICS, ICE, Network Rail, Construction Youth Trust and the Olympic Delivery Authority.\nPrior to the celebration, the institution’s advisory solicitor John Rushton and President Steve Jackson attended the Crown Office at the House of Lords to collect the Royal Charter. President Jackson said in his speech that \"Securing the Royal Charter has been a long and exciting journey. The Charter unites our members all over the world and celebrates their achievements. I’m looking forward to the future and the Charter is a springboard for growth as well as a hallmark of excellence. To be able to celebrate our achievement with so many of our peers is a real honour.”\nThe Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (ICES) was established in 1969 in order to support the professional development of surveyors working in the civil engineering industry. Further information will be made available via the web-site www.ices.org.uk, and on the new web-site www.cices.org when it comes on-line in the next few weeks.\nPresident Stig Enemark attends the XXI Congress of Nordic Surveyors in Aalborg, Denmark, 5-7 August 2009\nPresident Stig Enemark together with Presidents from the Nordic associations: Leiv Bjarte Mjoes (NJKF, Norway, left), Henning Elmstroem (DdL, Denmark), Svante Astermo, Past President, SLF/ASPECT, Sweden) and Pekka Halme (MIL, Finland).\nThe four-yearly congress of Nordic surveyors was organised for the 21st time in Aalborg Denmark 5-7 August 2009. The conference rotates between four Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden) and was this time arranged in the west coast of Denmark. The keynote address \"From Measurement to Management - Toward a Spatial Enabled Society\" was given by FIG President Stig Enemark. The other sessions discussed digital administration, preparations to climate change, surveyors' changing role to advisors and surveyors role in construction projects in digital era. The Nordic congress has a tradition as a family event and is held in Scandinavian languages, programme: http://public.ida.dk/ddl/nl09/fagligtprogram.htm.\nPresident Stig Enemark visits the Institution of Surveyors Uganda in July 2009\nFIG President Stig Enemark and ISU President Nathan Behangana.\nPresident Stig Enemark visited Uganda in late July 2009. During his visit met Mr. Nathan Behangana, President of the Institution of Surveyors Uganda (ISU) and other members of ISU. The institution has three chapters: Land Surveying; Quantity Surveying; and Valuation Surveying. In total the institution has 285 members plus 100 students.\nDuring his visit to Uganda for training the trainers in the area of surveying and land management (a World Bank project), President Enemark had the opportunity to have a meeting with the ISU that is currently not a member of FIG. The meeting was attended by around 50 surveyors, and was an excellent opportunity to explain about the role of FIG and benefits of being a member. ISU is fighting the same problems as most of their neighbouring countries such as Kenya and Tanzania. President Enemark is looking forward very much to welcome the Institution of Surveyors Uganda in the FIG family.\nMeeting with the members of ISU.\nMAKLI in Finland celebrates it 50th Anniversary 23 April 2009\nMaanmittausalan ammattikorkeakoulu- ja opistoteknisten Liitto MAKLI ry, one of the two member associations from Finland celebrated its 50th Anniversary in Helsinki, Finland 23 April 2009. The celebration was highlighted with a reception were key people in MAKLI and partners were recognised. MAKLI also published a book on the history of the association. MAKLI represents about 1,200 surveyors that have BSc or technician education.\nMs. Carola Tiihonen, President of MAKLI and Mr. Pekka Halme, President of MIL (the Finnish Association of Surveyors) at the 50th Anniversary reception.\nFIG Director meets Intergraph and OVG in Vienna 12 January 2009\nJohann Jessenk, Intergraph and Gerhard Muggenhuber, former chair of FIG Commission 3.\nFIG Director visited Vienna 12 January 2009. He met with first with representatives of the Austrian Society for Surveying and Geoinformation. The meeting was attended by President Gert Steinkellner, Reinfried Mansberger and Gerhard Muggenhuber. At the meeting among actual other issues the FIG Commission 2 workshop in Vienna in February 2009 was discussed.\nThe Director together with Gerhard Muggenhuber, former chair of FIG Commission 3 met also with Johann Jessenk from Intergraph. Johann is the new focal point for FIG co-operation in Intergraph, platinum member of FIG. At the meeting a partnership programme for the next three years was prepared.\nVice-President Allred Makes Presentation at Lund University\nVice President Ken Allred made a presentation on January 30, 2006 to the students in the Masters program at Lund University in Lund, Sweden.\nStudents from the Master of Science in Engineering - Land Surveying and Management program at Lunds Tekniska Högskola have been active in FIG over the past several years giving presentation in Paris (2003) and Athens (2004).\nThe M.Sc. program at Lund combines geomatics, law and economics to provide students with a good background in land management. Some of the specializations students can take in their later years are real estate economics, land use planning and geomatics. About 50 students, including a large percentage of female students, are admitted to the program each year.\nVisit from NSW, Australia to Denmark and FIG Office\nVisit to the Ministry of Environment: Warwick Watkins (to the left), Minister Tony Kelly, Niels Østergård, Stig Enemark and Virginia Knox.\nA delegation from New South Wales, Australia visited Denmark 4-5 July 2005. During the visit delegation visited the Ministry of Environment and the FIG office to get familiar with FIG and to discuss the arrangements of FIG Congress 2010 to be held in Sydney. The delegation was headed by the Hon. Tony Kelly, Minister for Lands and included Virginia Knox, Chief of Staff, Warwick Watkins, Director General, Department of Lands, Surveyor General and Registrar General and Richard Lyons, Director of the Office of Emergency Services. FIG was represented by Vice President Stig Enemark and Markku Villikka. During the visit to the Ministry of Environment, Niels Østergård explained the visitors the planning system and local governance reform in Denmark.\nFIG President visits Slovenia\nProf. Holger Magel, President of FIG visited Slovenia 30 September - 1 October. During the visit he met with Mr. Janez Kopac, Minister of Environment, Spatial Planning and Energy.\nTomaz Petek, Member of the Executive Committee of the Association of Surveyors of Slovenia, Bojan Stanonik, M.Sc., M.Sc., President of the Association of Surveyors of Slovenia., Prof. Holger Magel, Janez Kopac, M.Sc., Minister of Environment, Spatial Planning and Energy and Bozena Lipej, Ph.D., Deputy Director General of Surveying and Mapping Authority.\nFIG receives ESRI \"Special Achievement in GIS\"\nJack Dangermond, President of ESRI, Markku Villikka, FIG and Mike Weir, ESRI at the award ceremony.\nFIG received one of this year's ESRI \"Special Achievement in GIS\". The award was given to FIG during the ESRI Users' Conference in San Diego in August 2004.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1431089"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5946864485740662,"wiki_prob":0.40531355142593384,"text":"Leap Therapeutics Presents Biomarker Data from Clinical Study of DKN-01 in Combination with Paclitaxel in Esophageal Cancer\nDurable responses observed in patients with Wnt-pathway genetic mutations\nCAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 19, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leap Therapeutics, Inc. reported updated clinical and biomarker data from an ongoing study of DKN-01, a monoclonal antibody against the Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) protein, in patients with cancer of the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction. Data from the trial identified genetic mutations that may be responsive to DKN-01 therapy, as well as decreased circulating immunosuppressive and angiogenic markers that are consistent with the anticipated mechanism of action of DKK1inhibition. The data were presented today by John Strickler, M.D., of the Duke University Medical Center and an investigator on the trial, at the American Society for Clinical Oncology Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium.\nFour of 19 patients evaluated with genetic testing were found to have activating/stabilizing mutations of beta-catenin, which is a molecule in the Wnt signaling pathway implicated in oncogenesis, metastasis, and immune suppression. Of these 4 patients, 2 achieved partial responses (PR) per RECIST v.1.1 and 1 had prolonged stable disease. One patient has an ongoing response exceeding 20 months, of which the past 9 months have been on DKN-01 monotherapy with continued improvements in the disease.\n“Wnt/beta-catenin signaling is often dysregulated in cancer, leading to increased proliferation, metastasis, and immune suppression. These early clinical results are encouraging and give important insights into patient selection in these highly aggressive cancers,” commented Dr. Strickler.\nIn the study to date, Leap has enrolled 44 patients with advanced esophageal and gastroesophageal junction cancers who had received between 1 and 7 prior lines of therapy. 10 of 41 evaluable patients achieved a PR and 15 patients achieved a best overall response of stable disease, representing a total disease control rate of 61%. Leap is continuing to enroll patients in this study and has opened a new cohort specifically for patients with gastric cancer with known Wnt pathway mutations.\nAbout DKN-01\nDKN-01 is a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to and blocks the action of the Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) protein, a modulator of Wnt/Beta-catenin signaling. DKK1 expression has been associated with poor prognosis in multiple cancers. Recent literature suggests DKK1 has an important role in tumor cell signaling and in mediating an immuno-suppressive tumor microenvironment. DKN-01 is being studied in clinical trials in patients with esophageal, gastric, and biliary tract cancers. DKN-01 has demonstrated single agent activity in non-small cell lung cancer patients.\nAbout Leap Therapeutics\nLeap Therapeutics’ most advanced clinical candidate, DKN-01, is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting the Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) protein. DKN-01 is in clinical trials in patients with gastroesophageal cancer in combination with paclitaxel and in patients with biliary tract cancers in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin. Leap’s second clinical candidate, TRX518, is a novel, humanized GITR agonist monoclonal antibody designed to enhance the immune system’s anti-tumor response. Leap has signed a Merger Agreement with Macrocure Ltd (Nasdaq:MCUR) that is expected to result in Leap becoming a public company that will trade on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “LPTX.” For more information about Leap Therapeutics, visit http://www.leaptx.com or our public filings with the SEC that are available via EDGAR at http://www.sec.gov.\nThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve risks and uncertainties. These statements include statements relating to Leap’s expectations with respect to the development and advancement of DKN-01, TRX518, and other programs, including the initiation, timing and design of future studies, enrollment in future studies, business development, and other future expectations, plans and prospects. Leap has attempted to identify forward looking statements by such terminology as ‘‘believes,’’ ‘‘estimates,’’ ‘‘anticipates,’’ ‘‘expects,’’ ‘‘plans,’’ ‘‘projects,’’ ‘‘intends,’’ ‘‘may,’’ ‘‘could,’’ ‘‘might,’’ ‘‘will,’’ ‘‘should,’’ or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Although Leap believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the accuracy of our estimates regarding expenses, future revenues, capital requirements and needs for financing; the ability to complete a financing or form business development relationships to fund our expenses; the outcome, cost, and timing of our product development activities and clinical trials; the uncertain clinical development process, including the risk that clinical trials may not have an effective design or generate positive results; our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of our drug product candidates; our plans to research, develop, and commercialize our drug product candidates; our ability to achieve market acceptance of our drug product candidates; unanticipated costs or delays in research, development, and commercialization efforts; the applicability of clinical study results to actual outcomes; the size and growth potential of the markets for our drug product candidates; our ability to continue obtaining and maintaining intellectual property protection for our drug product candidates; and other risks. Detailed information regarding factors that may cause actual results to differ materially will be included in Leap Therapeutics’ periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the \"SEC\"), including Leap Therapeutics’ Form 10-K that Leap filed with the SEC on February 23, 2018. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors. Any forward looking statements contained in this release speak only as of its date. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release to reflect events or circumstances occurring after its date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.\nKEYTRUDA® is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA. OPDIVO® is a registered trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. BAVENCIO® is a registered trademark of Pfizer, Inc.\nLeap Therapeutics, Inc.:\nDouglas E. Onsi\ndonsi@leaptx.com\nArgot Partners:\nHeather Savelle\nheather@argotpartners.com\nmary@argotpartners.com\n© 2021 Leap Therapeutics, Inc. All Rights Reserved","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1329138"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5141264200210571,"wiki_prob":0.48587357997894287,"text":"Remarks in New York City Accepting Election as the 45th President of the United States\nThank you. Thank you very much, everyone. [applause]\nSorry to keep you waiting; complicated business; complicated. [applause]\nThank you very much. [applause]\nI've just received a call from Secretary Clinton. [applause]\nShe congratulated us — it's about us — on our victory, and I congratulated her and her family on a very, very hard-fought campaign. I mean, she — she fought very hard.\nHillary has worked very long and very hard over a long period of time, and we owe her a major debt of gratitude for her service to our country. [applause]\nI mean that very sincerely. [applause]\nNow it's time for America to bind the wounds of division; have to get together. To all Republicans and Democrats and independents across this nation, I say it is time for us to come together as one united people. [applause]\nIt's time. I pledge to every citizen of our land that I will be president for all Americans, and this is so important to me. [applause]\nFor those who have chosen not to support me in the past, of which there were a few people...[laughter]...I'm reaching out to you for your guidance and your help so that we can work together and unify our great country. [applause]\nAs I've said from the beginning, ours was not a campaign, but rather an incredible and great movement made up of millions of hard-working men and women who love their country and want a better, brighter future for themselves and for their families. [applause]\nIt's a movement comprised of Americans from all races, religions, backgrounds and beliefs who want and expect our government to serve the people, and serve the people it will. [applause]\nWorking together, we will begin the urgent task of rebuilding our nation and renewing the American dream. I've spent my entire life and business looking at the untapped potential in projects and in people all over the world. That is now what I want to do for our country. [applause]\nTremendous potential. I've gotten to know our country so well — tremendous potential. It's going to be a beautiful thing. Every single American will have the opportunity to realize his or her fullest potential. The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer. [applause]\nWe are going to fix our inner cities and rebuild our highways, bridges, tunnels, airports, schools, hospitals. We're going to rebuild our infrastructure, which will become, by the way, second to none. And we will put millions of our people to work as we rebuild it.\nWe will also finally take care of our great veterans. [applause]\nThey've been so loyal, and I've gotten to know so many over this 18-month journey. The time I've spent with them during this campaign has been among my greatest honors. Our veterans are incredible people. We will embark upon a project of national growth and renewal. I will harness the creative talents of our people and we will call upon the best and brightest to leverage their tremendous talent for the benefit of all. It's going to happen. [applause]\nWe have a great economic plan. We will double our growth and have the strongest economy anywhere in the world. At the same time, we will get along with all other nations willing to get along with us. We will be. [applause]\nWe'll have great relationships. We expect to have great, great relationships. No dream is too big, no challenge is too great.\nNothing we want for our future is beyond our reach.\nAmerica will no longer settle for anything less than the best. [applause]\nWe must reclaim our country's destiny and dream big and bold and daring. We have to do that. We're going to dream of things for our country and beautiful things and successful things once again.\nI want to tell the world community that while we will always put America's interests first, we will deal fairly with everyone, with everyone — all people and all other nations. We will seek common ground, not hostility; partnership, not conflict.\nAnd now I'd like to take this moment to thank some of the people who really helped me with this, what they are calling tonight, very, very historic victory.\nFirst, I want to thank my parents, who I know are looking down on me right now. [applause]\nGreat people. I've learned so much from them. They were wonderful in every regard. I had truly great parents.\nI also want to thank my sisters, Maryanne and Elizabeth, who are here with us tonight. And, where are they? They're here someplace. They're very shy, actually. And my brother Robert — my great friend. Where is Robert? Where is Robert? [applause]\nMy brother Robert. And they should all be on this stage, but that's OK. They're great. And also my late brother, Fred. Great guy. Fantastic guy. [applause]\nFantastic family. I was very lucky. Great brothers, sisters; great, unbelievable parents.\nTo Melania and Don...[applause]...and Ivanka...[applause]...and Eric and Tiffany and Baron, I love you and I thank you, and especially for putting up with all of those hours. This was tough. [applause]\nThis was tough. This political stuff is nasty and it's tough. So I want to thank my family very much. Really fantastic. Thank you all. Thank you all.\nAnd Lara, unbelievable job, unbelievable.\nVanessa, thank you. Thank you very much.\nWhat a great group. You've all given me such incredible support, and I will tell you that we have a large group of people. You know, they kept saying we have a small staff. Not so small. Look at all the people that we have. Look at all of these people.\nAnd Kellyanne and Chris and Rudy and Steve and David. We have got — we have got tremendously talented people up here. And I want to tell you, it's been — it's been very, very special. I want to give a very special thanks to our former mayor, Rudy Giuliani. [applause]\nUnbelievable. Unbelievable. He traveled with us and he went through meetings. That Rudy never changes. Where's Rudy? Where is he? Rudy.\nGovernor Chris Christie, folks, was unbelievable. [applause]\nThank you, Chris.\nThe first man, first senator, first major, major politician, and let me tell you, he is highly respected in Washington because he's as smart as you get: Senator Jeff Sessions. Where is Jeff? [applause]\nAnother great man, very tough competitor. He was not easy. He was not easy. Who is that? Is that the mayor that showed up? [laughter]\nIs that Rudy? Oh, Rudy got up here.\nAnother great man who has been really a friend to me. But I'll tell you, I got to know him as a competitor because he was one of the folks that was negotiating to go against those Democrats: Dr. Ben Carson. Where is Ben? [applause]\nWhere is Ben?\nAnd by the way, Mike Huckabee is here someplace, and he is fantastic. Mike and his family, Sarah — thank you very much.\nGeneral Mike Flynn. Where is Mike? [applause]\nAnd General Kellogg. We have over 200 generals and admirals that have endorsed our campaign. And they're special people and it's really an honor. We have 22 congressional Medal of Honor recipients. We have just tremendous people.\nA very special person who believed me and, you know, I'd read reports that I wasn't getting along with him. I never had a bad second with him. He's an unbelievable star. He is...[crosstalk]\nThat's right. How did you possibly guess? So let me tell you about Reince, and I've said this. I said, Reince — and I know it, I know. Look at all those people over there. I know it. Reince is a superstar. But I said, \"They can't call you a superstar, Reince, unless we win,\" because you can't be called a superstar — like Secretariat — if Secretariat came in second, Secretariat would not have that big, beautiful bronze bust at the track at Belmont.\nBut I'll tell you, Reince is really a star. And he is the hardest-working guy. And in a certain way, I did this — Reince, come up here. Where is Reince? Get over here, Reince. [applause]\nBoy oh boy oh boy. It's about time you did this, Reince. My God. [applause]\nSay a few words. No, come on, say something.\nRepublican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus: Ladies and gentlemen, the next president of the United States, Donald Trump. [applause]\nThank you. It's been an honor. God bless. Thank God.\nThe President-elect: We will do a great job. [applause]\nI look very much forward to being your president, and hopefully at the end of two years or three years or four years, or maybe even eight years... [applause]...you will say, so many of you worked so hard for us, but you will say that — you will say that that was something that you really were very proud to do and I can...[crosstalk]\nAnd I can only say that while the campaign is over, our work on this movement is now really just beginning. [applause]\nWe're going to get to work immediately for the American people. And we're going to be doing a job that hopefully you will be so proud of your president. You'll be so proud. Again, it's my honor. It was an amazing evening. It's been an amazing two-year period. And I love this country. [applause] Thank you. Thank you very much. [applause]\nThank you to Mike Pence. Thank you. [applause]\nDonald J. Trump, Remarks in New York City Accepting Election as the 45th President of the United States Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/318972\nCampaign Documents\nVictory Speeches","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1499110"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6593319773674011,"wiki_prob":0.3406680226325989,"text":"Spencerport Central School District » District » Instruction » Student Services » Social Worker Services\nMeet Our Social Workers:\nJennifer Davin, Spencerport High School, 349-5261\nDarlene Learo, Spencerport High School, 349-5226\nTraci Powlowski, Cosgrove Middle School, 349-5361\nCounseling Services and Crisis Interventions\nAt the secondary level, school social workers are involved in counseling, both group and individuals, for students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs). At times of crisis, school social workers are available for counseling all students as needed. Referrals for families and students are often made to outside agencies to assist with family and student needs.\nA major role for school social workers is to work with school, students and families as it pertains to a student’s attendance. The overall objective of the school district is for students to attend school on a regular basis. To this end, the district has published a Comprehensive Attendance Policy. When students fail to attend school, intervention becomes necessary, and in the most severe case, the district collaborates with the FACT team (stand for Family Access and Connection Team), CPS, primary care doctors and other external providers.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line463923"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7999172806739807,"wiki_prob":0.7999172806739807,"text":"The Cyclopædia of Education: a Dictionary of Information for the Use of ...\nխմբագրել է Henry Kiddle, Alexander Jacob Schem\nCopyright, 1876, by E. STEIGER.\nPress of\nE. STEIGER, N. Y.\nThe work here offered to the public is the first cyclopædia of education in the English language, although the need of such a work has long been felt. Cyclopædias, both general and special, are rapidly increasing in number, not only in countries in which the English language is spoken, but wherever, under the influence of advancing civilization, literature flourishes, and the cultivation of science and art has enlarged the boundaries of human knowledge. Information scattered through a multitude of volumes is usually inaccessible to those by whom it is most needed ; and, consequently, the most important results of study and research are often of no avail to those whose special office it is to apply them to a practical purpose. Hence, the need of works that present in a condensed form, and so as readily to be referred to all the important facts in the various departments of human knowledge; and, consequently, we find that it is fast becoming the habit of the educated classes every-where to consult such works. In view of the large number of special cyclopædias in other departments of knowledge, and more especially of the excellent cyclopædias of education which Germany has possessed for many years, it is quite surprising that a branch of knowledge so extensively valued and studied as education, should have continued, in this country and in England, for so long a tiine without its special cyclopædia. Accordingly, the first announcement of this work was, on all sides, greeted with the most earnest expressions of approbation and Welcome.\nThe value of a work of this kind must, of course, depend on the plan which forms its groundwork, and the accuracy and fullness with which the plan is carried out. To both of these points the editors have given their undeviating attention, striving to leave nothing to be desired in either respect.\nThe plan of the work has been constructed after a careful examination, not only of all the cyclopædias and general histories of education which have thus far appeared, but of the principal cyclopædias, both general and special, which have been published in English or in other languages. Of course, the editors did not contemplate, for a moment, the task of undertaking a work of the magnitude of Schmid's great German encyclopædia of education, which was commenced in 1857, and of which the last (11th) volume is not yet completed, although a revised and enlarged edition has already been issued of the first volume. Their design was to prepare a work which, while comprehensive and complete within its scope, would be of moderate size, and would be completed within a reasonable time—a work which, while useful to all, would, like the dictionary, be upon every teacher's desk, to be consulted whenever occasion might require, thus affording information and practical aid at every exigency of his daily labors. Such a work, it was thought, would not only supply valuable information, but would stimulate the study of pedagogy, still very widely neglected because of the want of a brief but comprehensive embodiment of the whole subject.\nIn accordance with these views, the editors now present, a little more than two years after the first announcement of the work, a single volume of nearly 900 pages, in which they have endeavored to treat, in alphabetical order, of all the subjects, which they have deemed to come within the limits of their plan, embracing the following general topics : (1) Theory of Education and Instruction (pedagogy and didactics), including a consideration of the principles of education, in each of its departments, with practical suggestions as to the best methods of applying them, both in training and instruction. In this connection, it will be found that every subject ordinarily embraced in the school or college curriculum has been carefully treated in its relation to practical education, special attention having been given to the department of language, both the classical and the important modern languages being separately considered. (2) School Economy, including the organization and management of schools, also discipline and class teaching. (3) The Administration of Schools and School Systems — embracing supervision, examinations, school hygiene, school architecture, co-education of the sexes, etc. (4) Governmental Policy in regard to Education — including such subjects as state education, compulsory attendance laws, the secular and denominational systems, etc. (5) The History of Education, giving an account of the most noted plans and methods of instruction and school organization that have been proposed, or that are now in vogue, as well as the history of the school system of every state and territory in the Union, and of every important country in the world. Much of the matter under this section is entirely new, and will be found to be of great interest. (6) Biographical Sketches of distinguished educationists, educators, and others who have been celebrated for their efforts as promoters or benefactors of educational progress or enterprise. (7) Statistical and other information in regard to (a) schools and other institutions of learning of different countries, states, cities (in the United States, of those having a population of 100,000 and upward), and religious denominations (the latter treated with considerable fullness) ; (b) different kinds of schools, as public schools, private schools, parochial schools, academies and high schools, kindergartens, colleges and universities. Every important college or university in the United States has been described in a separate article; and special articles also inserted on the great universities in England, the latter articles having been written in that country. Considerable care has also been taken to show what has been done, during the last few years, for female education, and more particularly for the higher education of women (especially in this country and in Great Britain). (8) Educational Literature, which is constantly brought to the notice of the reader in connection with the various articles. As the immense mass of material to be condensed within the compass of a single volume has necessitated the greatest possible brevity, references are made throughout to standard works on educational science, as well as to statistical works affording more detailed information. It is believed that this will prove one of the most valuable features of the work. (9) The main work is followed by an Analytical Index, in which reference is made to the principal topics of all the longer articles, as well as to the pages on which the more important subjects are treated incidentally.\nOf course, the editors of a cyclopædia cannot be expected to carry out their plan withorit the support of an adequate corps of able contributors. However extensive their own information may be in relation to the general subject, there must always be many topics to the details of which specialists have devoted a much more minute study, and of which, therefore, their knowlege must be more comprehensive and exact. The list of special contributors which follows this preface will show to what extent the editors have succeeded in securing the co-operation of distinguished educators and writers in the preparation of this work. Most of the names presented will be at once recognized as those of persons of well-established reputation for successful experience in their respective spheres of effort. The editors deem themselves singularly fortunate in securing to so large an extent the aid and co-operation of the state and city superintendents throughout this country, the articles on the school systems having been prepared by them or under their direction, or compiled from the latest and most accurate information officially supplied by them. The articles on the different classes of professional, scientific, and denominational schools and colleges have, in the main, been written by persons professionally conversant with those institutions, and thus afford an amount and kind of information very difficult to obtain, but often of great value to students and educators.\nIt is proper to say that the announcement of this work has met with a most earnest and encouraging response from educators in Great Britain, and that the editors have received most prompt and valuable assistance, as well as cordial co-operation, from that source, so as to enable them to carry out their intention to make the usefulness of the Cyclopædia co-extensive with the English-speaking race. It is, however, a cause of deep regret to the editors that a long illness, terminating in death, deprived them of the co-operation of one of the ablest and most highly esteemed English educators, the late Joseph Payne, who not only was among the first to afford encouragement to this work when proposed, but promptly engaged to contribute a number of important articles.\nAs a work of reference for information in regard to American institutions for higher education, the Cyclopædia will, it is hoped, prove eminently satisfactory. Great pains has been taken to secure the fullest and most accurate information respecting the colleges and\nuniversities of this country; for which purpose, every article of this description has been submitted, in proof, to the president of the institution described, and, with but very few exceptions, has received the benefit of his revision.\nThe editors also acknowledge their indebtedness for the very full information, in regard to the educational work of the various religious denominations of the United States and Great Britain, which they have received from distinguished menibers of those denominations. Very much of this information could bave been obtained by no other means than by a long official connection with the educational boards of the churches, and, to a considerable extent, is now supplied exclusively by this work.\nTo all the contributors the thanks of the editors are due for a support without which the work could not have been completed – at any rate, could not have possessed the value which may, with considerable confidence, be attributed to it; and certainly could not have earned the approval which it may justly be expected to receive. The editors, also, take occasion to express their obligations to the many friends who, though not special contributors, have afforded valuable aid in the revision of special articles. in giving important advice, or in affording needed information.\nIn these few remarks, the editors have briefly stated the object they have striven to attain, and some of the instrumentalities of which they have availed themselves; but they are by do means so presumptuous as to suppose they have produced a work without fault or blemish. The Cyclopædia, it must be borne in mind, is but a pioneer, opening out, it is to be hoped, a wide path for further literary and professional effort in the same direction. It will, doubtless, share the fate of all books of its class, in which the habitual reader, as well as the scrutinizing critic, by the side of that which elicits his approval, meets with statements that are capable of improvement or that require correction. In every future edition of the work, pains will be taken to correct what is faulty and to improve what is imperfect; and any assistance which those who appreciate the aim of the work may be able to render to that end, will be gratefully acknowledged.\nNew York, March 17, 1877.\nNOTICE OF THE THIRD EDITION.\nIn issuing the Third Edition of the Cyclopædia, the publishers would express their grateful acknowledgments to the educational public for the favorable reception hitherto accorded to it, and the many appreciative, commendatory notices it has received from scholars and educators of the highest culture and the ripest experience. For the present edition of the work, the articles have been carefully revised for the correction of inaccuracies, but no essential change has been made in any of them. In order, however, to bring the work down to the present time, a brief Supplement has been added, containing a summary of the latest educational statistics of this country, as far as they have been received in reply to inquiries. It has been considered best thus to limit the information given, and to refer for further particulars to the official reports and catalogues.\nE. STEIGER & Co. NEW YORK, Feb. 1, 1883.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1346741"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6625610589981079,"wiki_prob":0.6625610589981079,"text":"Asia Bibi Continues to Live Like a Prisoner in Pakistan Months After Acquittal\n01/18/2019 Pakistan (International Christian Concern) – Asia Bibi, a Christian woman formally on death row in Pakistan, continues to live like a prisoner almost three months after her acquittal by the Supreme Court. Bibi, who continues to be a controversial figure in Pakistan, remains in grave danger as she seeks to flee the country with her family.\nOn October 31, 2018, Bibi was acquitted by Pakistan’s Supreme Court of the blasphemy charges that had kept her on death row for nearly a decade. Following the announcement of Bibi’s acquittal, Islamic hardliners took to the streets in protest across Pakistan. These nationwide protests brought the country to a standstill for nearly three days.\nIn order to appease the protesters, the government agreed to have the Supreme Court review its decision to acquit Bibi. In the meantime, Bibi has not been allowed to leave the country until that review is complete.\nAs the Supreme Court awaits its review, Bibi and members of her family have been shifted to an unknown location by Pakistani security forces. According to friends of the family, Bibi is not even able to open a window in her hideout.\nAs Bibi and her family face an uncertain future, continued prayer on their behalf is needed. Pray that Bibi and her family are given a sense of peace as they await the opportunity to flee Pakistan for freedom.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1221659"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6943662166595459,"wiki_prob":0.3056337833404541,"text":"Watch the Video for Jim Hart and Ivo Neame’s “Transference”\nJanuary 31, 2020 By Sébastien Hélary\nPianist Ivo Neame, one-third of the powerhouse trio Phronesis, is bringing to life a new project in collaboration with vibraphonist and drummer Jim Hart. Multiverse, slated for a February 21st release on Edition Records, is a mishmash of jazz, groove, and electronica augmented by ear-catching and bold electronic textures. As Jim Hart explains ​“It brings together so many of our … [Read more...]\nWatch the Lyric Video for The Souls Rebels’ “Greatness” Feat. Dee 1, Alfred Banks and Sean Carey\nLegendary NOLA brass band The Souls Rebels just dropped a sick lyric video for their single “Greatness”, featuring Dee 1, Alfred Banks and Sean Carey, off last October’s Poetry in Motion album. The track is straight fire, uplifting, conscious and hella inspiring, and was featured by ESPN as the official soundtrack of the 2019-20 college basketball season. The bars are deep and … [Read more...]\nWatch the Music Video for Lettuce’s Cover of Tears For Fears’ “Everybody Wants To Rule The World”\nFormed in 1992 by four Berklee alumni, powerhouse genre-bending collective Lettuce recently released a seriously dope music video for their take on Tears For Fears’ “Everybody Wants To Rule The World”. Off their Grammy-nominated 6th studio album Elevate, released just last Summer, the single by the self-proclaimed … [Read more...]\nDave Liebman’s Expansions Group’s ‘Earth’ Album Reviewed\nJanuary 27, 2020 By Rob Shepherd\nScientists estimate that the earth vibrates at varying frequencies between 7.83 and 33.8 Hz. Of course, music also consists of rhythmic waves, though they are limited to our unaided hearing range from 20 to 20,000 Hz. As a result, many of our planet’s tones are wholly incapable of being perceived. Earth, the latest Expansions album lead by saxophonist Dave Liebman undertakes … [Read more...]\nStream Pianist Matt Herskowitz’ Take on Louis Moreau Gottschalk’s “The Last Hope”\nThere is no denying that jazz music is going through a form of globalization, branching out into other musical realms, drawing inspiration from other established genres. The musicians on the cutting edge right now are building upon the discipline, theory and improvisational skills learned from the century-old tradition of jazz and augmenting the music with textures and … [Read more...]","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1460080"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.930789589881897,"wiki_prob":0.930789589881897,"text":"World Rowing’s 2019 Season Set To Begin In Plovdiv\nWorld Rowing looks to the season ahead\nPress Release Via World Rowing\nPhotography Benedict Tufnell\nPublished 01.05.19\nA taste of what 2019 has in store for World Rowing will be revealed when World Rowing Cup I takes place in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. This first international regatta for 2019 goes from 10-12 May with 12 May featuring 16 finals. The regatta has seen entries come in from 24 countries with over 300 athletes competing. A large contingent from China, Romania and Poland will be competing. Both China and Romania are sending 24 crews with Poland sending 15.\nPhoto The Sinkovic brothers of Croatia return in the M2-\nCredit Benedict Tufnell\nThe men’s single sculls sees the return of Croatia’s Damir Martin to international rowing. Martin, who took silver at the Rio Olympics, had his 2018 season cut short due to injury. Also from Croatia is the men’s pair of Martin and Valent Sinkovic. The Sinkovic brothers raced at the Rio Olympics in the men’s double sculls, winning gold. They have switched to the pair for this Olympiad, won it at last year’s World Rowing Championships and will be up against Marius-Vasile Cozmiuc and Ciprian Tudosa of Romania in this first race of season. Cozmiuc and Tudosa are the 2018 world silver medallists.\nThe unstoppable Ekaterina Karsten of Belarus, winner of gold at the Atlanta and Sydney Olympic Games, goes into her 29th international season. Karsten is back in the women’s single sculls as she works towards her seventh Olympic Games. Also making a return to the single is 2012 Olympic Champion Mirka Knapkova of the Czech Republic. This match-up will be one to watch.\nPhoto US W8+ in Plovdiv in 2018\nThe United States looks to be doing a women’s pair selection with four boats entered. The top crew is likely to be World Champion from the women’s eight Tracy Eisser and three-time Olympian Megan Kalmoe.\nRacing begins on Friday 10 May 2019 EEST and will continue through to semifinals with finals commencing at 10:35am Sunday 12 May. All races will be live streamed on www.worldrowing.com\nRegatta information and entries can be found here.\nThe World Rowing media guide will be online (from 3/5/19) here.\nThe World Rowing Cup series was launched in 1997 and consists of a series of three events. The overall World Rowing Cup winners are determined after the third event. This year, the three stages of the series are Plovdiv, BUL (10-12 May), Poznan, POL (21-23 June), Rotterdam, NED (12-14 July).\nWorld Rowing\nBritish Rowing confirms coaches for Tokyo Games\nBritish Rowing's performance director Brendan Purcell has confirmed the coaching team which will lead Britain's oarsmen and women into the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics planned...\nBoat Race moves to Ely\nHOCR and Gold Cup award $100,000 to U.S. rowing programs\nBy signing up to the Row360 newsletter you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.\nDesign and Code: Kaleido Grafik","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line155361"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5507516264915466,"wiki_prob":0.44924837350845337,"text":"Category Archives: Colonial America\nMy Name Is Resolute\nOn my first visit to Boston in the early 80’s to have lunch with my play publisher, I had built in plenty of time to visit the typical Beantown tourist attractions – walking the Freedom Trail, visiting Paul Revere’s House, the Old North Church, the U.S.S. Constitution. It wasn’t until I was lunching one day at Ye Olde Union Oyster House that I got the distinct impression I wasn’t alone. Situated in a building that predates the Revolutionary War, the restaurant sent my imagination into overdrive thinking about how many luminaries and common folk regularly crossed its threshold to discuss political news of the day. I was reminded of that experience when I recently immersed myself in Nancy E. Turner’s compelling page-turner, My Name Is Resolute – the story of a young girl kidnapped by pirates in her native Jamaica and taken to a bewildering new world where only the strongest, cleverest and luckiest have any chance of survival.\nQ: Tell us about your journey as a writer and when you first knew that this was what you wanted to do.\nA: I told a teacher in fifth grade that I wanted to be a writer when I grew up, but I always held the belief that a writer had to start with having a PhD of some sort. It wasn’t until I finally got a chance to go to college along with my children that I found this wasn’t entirely true.\nQ: Were you a voracious reader when you were growing up? If so, what are some of the books we might have found on your nightstand as an adolescent and as a teen?\nA: I always read. My parents kept us enrolled in library book clubs and they had walls of bookshelves crowded with volumes. I loved Harriet the Spy, Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie series, The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew, and as a teen, anything involved with science fiction. Although I cut my “adult” teeth on Gone with the Wind at 9, I centered my teen reading on Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, and Robert Heinlein books. I was a “trekky” before it was cool and read Star Trek novels too. While many of my friends loved the Hobbit books, the closest I got to Tolkein was Alfred Lord Tennyson’s Morte d’Arthur and White’s Once and Future King.\nQ: What/who are you reading now?\nA: Just finished Jeff Shaara’s newest called The Fateful Lightning, before that Fifty Dead Men Walking by Martin McGartland and Empire of the Summer Moon by S. C. Gwynne. Next on the list is Circling the Sun by Paula McLain.\nQ: If you could sit down for lunch with one of your favorite authors (living or dead), who would it be, where would you go, and what question would you most like to ask him or her before that meal was over?\nA: I’d have a long lunch with Earnest Hemmingway on a balcony porch in Havana in the springtime. I’d like to know how he came to craft his work with the narrative voice he used – whether he’d tried other styles, admired other authors, whose work he liked to read. I suspect, however, he was his own editor from the beginning. I think he’s a fascinating character in his own right. And then, if I answered this question tomorrow, I might choose someone else.\nQ: Each of your best-selling novels thus far utilizes the backdrop of bygone eras and you have a wonderful quote on your website that says, “Writing historical fiction is much like working on a term paper every day.” The level of detail that goes into so vividly recreating the past – and, in the case of My Name Is Resolute, displaying a solid understanding of British laws – requires copious amounts of research. Share with us some of your techniques for fact-finding, fact-checking, and ensuring that the text doesn’t become so overstuffed with all those facts that the fiction itself gets lost.\nA: In one of the first classes I took on writing technique I learned never to “let the author dash out onto the stage and explain things like a Greek melodrama.” I’ve never forgotten that warning. There is much the author has to know to inform the writing without telling the reader all about it. In one of my novels I had come to a new chapter and wanted Charlie to have a conversation with his mother Sarah as he’s getting ready to leave home. The purpose of it was to show he was 1) a grown and determined man, not a boy; 2) an experienced hand with a gun even at twenty; and 3) eager for better technology. A week of searching historical weaponry in 1900 yielded this line of dialog: “Look at that. Krags with the rim out.” Does the reader know what he means? Not until he pushes the box of ready-made bullets toward his mother for her response. A reader doesn’t need to know what the development of rimless brass projectile casings does to the velocity and accuracy of a rifle. But, they immediately believe that Charlie and Sarah both know, and that is enough.\nIn each of my novels, and in My Name Is Resolute most recently, I immerse myself in their worlds. I walk the streets where they have walked. Smell the woods, steep my stories in the shadows and sunlight, the desert heat, the gloom of a New England winter. I listen to period music, and do the chores the characters do. It frames the foundation of the entire novel. You walk into a dark room and flip a switch. There is light. You don’t need a treatise about theories of electricity to use the light. But, before the room was built and furnished and the lamp placed just so, someone did need to construct it. That, to me, is the writer’s job as researcher – to construct a world in which a reader can move with alacrity, seeing what they need to see to follow the story.\nFact-finding starts with reading. It must also include traveling to the places to do it well. Photos, leaves pressed in notebooks, touring reproductions of early whaling ships, a freshening breeze off shore in Jamaica, the smell of mutton-fat candles, a barn full of goats and a murky Maine seashore, the taste of hard cider, the cobbles of old Boston. Luckily there are books, maps, and writings from the period. I’ve discovered free access online to historic works in the public domain that shed invaluable light on the world of Resolute Talbot. I kept favorite websites about British currency in the eighteenth century, clothing styles, social mores and religious and civic law, among dozens more. Until I started researching for Resolute, I had never known a person could be arrested for wearing the wrong hat or a calico gown not befitting their station in life. Imagine that cotton calico was reserved for the rich alone! I wanted to know more than the dates of battles of the American Revolution. I wanted to know what made the people tick, what kept them alive and motivated to engage in a war, when circumstances were desperate just to survive.\nQ: Resolute Talbot, the heroine of this page-turning epic, undergoes an amazing character arc over the span of five tumultuous decades. From a frightened and naive young girl to a wise old woman whose eyes have seen a lion’s share of loss and heartbreak, she wavers only rarely from the belief that she was born to be a survivor. As you were developing Resolute’s character and her relationships with others, did she ever do anything that surprised you? (Because, of course, we all know as writers that our characters “talk” to us while we’re writing about them…)\nA: Resolute was a wonderful character to write and to know. One of the things she surprised me with was the depth of her anguish and anger at being taken from her life of privilege and made a slave. Of course, I reminded myself she was a child, and children can be incredibly hostile in times of desperate stress. Her anger at her sister Patience was part of her desperation, and the feeling that both Patience and August had abandoned her put an edge on every choice she made. She became wary and subtle almost beyond what I imagined. I had a vague idea of where I wanted to end the story, sometime during or just after the Revolutionary War, and I was at first surprised at how old Resolute would be by that year. However, research showed that if a person survived childhood diseases which included measles, yellow fever, smallpox, great pox (chickenpox) injury, infections, and childbirth, she could easily live to a great age and still be quite vital. They ate food untainted by chemicals, vegetables from their gardens, very little sugar, and did aerobic exercise just getting through the day. Many towns had a few venerated citizens of eighty- or ninety-plus years.\nQ: Did you work from an outline or allow the story to unfold in your head from chapter to chapter?\nA: I knew where the story began, before I put a single word down. I started with the title, a rare occurrence in novels. I knew Resolute would survive the War, but little beyond that. One of the beginning themes was her longing to go home to Jamaica, but it wasn’t until I was almost at the end that I knew whether or not she would get there. In the end, her choice in the matter is the pivot of the story. Much of the meat of the novel developed through research in how she would have lived, the people around whom she’d have been surrounded, and the politics of the revolution.\nQ: My Name Is Resolute weighs in at a hefty 585 pages. How long did it take to write from start to finish?\nA: The novel was in progress a good two and a half years. The last six months I spent cutting it down to size. My original manuscript was 830 pages.\nQ: This book also seems to have feature film or mini-series written all over it. If Hollywood came calling, who would comprise your dream cast?\nA: That’s so much fun to imagine. I picture Karen Sheila Gillan as Resolute. Gerard Butler as Cullah. As Patience, Amy Adams. Ewan McGregor as Wallace Simpson, Russell Crowe as Cullah’s father and, Liam Neeson as Rafe MacAlister.\nQ: I especially enjoy it when fictional characters cross paths with luminaries of the day – in this case, John Hancock, Paul Revere and George Washington. Have you used this device in some of your other titles (or plan to in future works)?\nA: I thought long and hard about including names of real people. In general, I try to keep the true history as a backdrop for the stage upon which my characters tell the story. However, I discovered that on the dates in question, George Washington was traveling across Massachusetts, and would have stopped and eaten only with a family whose loyalties had been vouchsafed by trusted officers. There was a price on his head, as you can imagine. The Revere family was a very well known presence in Boston society, and Resolute had crossed a tenuous line from a society where everyone kept to their “level” as a weaver, when she made friends with Margaret Gage. Margaret Gage is reputed to have been the one to “spill the beans” about the imminent march of soldiers toward Concord. She knew the Reveres, and her husband, General Gage, was in command of the British Army stationed in the Colonies. I inserted Resolute as the go-between from Margaret to Paul Revere, to make her part of the story a pivot point. John Hancock was perhaps the most colorful character in real life, and hard to ignore. Anyone who knew anyone in Boston, knew him or knew of him. He was a known smuggler, a rebel, and a man not to trifle with. His efforts to defy the British rule seemed to color every account I read. To have Resolute’s daughter develop a teen-aged “crush” on the most eligible bachelor in town seemed logical. He was dashing, elegant, handsome, and the richest man on this continent at the time. I felt I could not tell Resolute’s story without including those real people, though I worked carefully not to have them do or say anything no appropriate to their real lives.\nAs far as using this as a device, each novel seems to take what it needs of real lives and real life. The only novel I’ve written that is purely fictional is The Water and The Blood. There are references to WWII and President Roosevelt, but no real people ever walk on stage. There are characters in each of my other books that are very real people, though a reader may not recognize their names as handily. In These Is My Words, the children go to a one-room school taught by Miss Wakefield who soon marries the owner of the general mercantile, Mr. Fish. Tucson still has a Wakefield Middle School named in her honor, and the Fish name is laced through the town history in many places. Ronstadt’s Livery Stable is owned by the great-grandfather of singer Linda Ronstadt. General Crook really commanded the Sixth Army in Tucson. Very real people. To me, it’s just a nice way to add verisimilitude to a tale. I don’t really plan to use or not use real people. It’s all about what the story needs to be present in the imagination of a reader.\nQ: Tell us about your Sarah Prine series and the real-life connection that inspired it.\nA: The real Sarah Agnes Prine was my great-grandmother. Stories abound among her children and grandchildren, but not much actual documentation existed when I began. All I knew was what I’d been told – that she was courageous, hard-working, smart but uneducated, and that she could out-ride and out-shoot her brothers. I changed all the names of real people except hers, just so I wouldn’t offend anyone. In 1950 the local paper in the small town where she lived ran an article about “Granny” finally retiring from active ranching at 75 because she couldn’t hit what she was aiming at with a lariat any more. Never mind she was on a horse throwing one. Also, she complained that her “little” double-barrel shotgun was “out of fix.” I imagined that her life was colorful, difficult, and strenuous. Her mother lived until she was 105 or 106. Sarah passed at 96, her youngest daughter, my grandma, was 95, and my mother is still gardening at 84.\nAfter growing up in far distant California, isolated from most of the family by distance, once the first novel came out, I heard from people all over the country who I can now claim as cousins. I’ve been informed by some that there are plenty of “fish tales” in that novel, the dates are accurate to history but not to her life, but it was never meant to be a biography. It was simply a way to connect to a woman I wished to know, and through her to create a character I could aspire to become were I in her position. Jack Elliot, the romantic lead and Sarah’s soul mate, is modeled largely after my husband John. After serving in the Infantry in Vietnam for a year he became a police officer and retired after 33 years on the Arizona Highway Patrol as a supervisor. He’s a bit of an old lion, now, but yes, he was the inspiration. Always was and always will be a man who would run into a burning building, not away from it, to save someone he doesn’t even know.\nQ: Which do you feel is more challenging for you – to pen a series with recurring characters or to do a stand-alone book?\nA: I much prefer thinking about a stand alone novel than a series. I actually never meant to do a series, but the publishers were adamant that I at least make a try at it. I’m just lucky the other books sell as well as These Is My Words. The reason for me is simple. I prefer to read a stand alone book. I don’t really want to have to find out in “the next installment” what’s happened to my favorite characters. I was advised by my agent and considered splitting My Name Is Resolute into two books because of its length. However, no one, myself included, could find a place halfway through the story that made a good ending for one part and a good beginning for the next. I felt that if a person read the second installment first, it could not contain adequate examples of the motivation for Resolute and the other characters to do what they did. The first half, or first book, would have to stop when she was a child and had not really accomplished what she’d come to life to do. I finally decided the story had to remain whole, and ultimately, the editors agreed with me.\nQ: What is a typical writing day like for you?\nA: My writing usually doesn’t happen on a schedule. When I’m deep into research, I read into the wee hours of the night. If I read in bed I usually fall asleep with something like Lemuel Shattuck’s History of Concord on my chest. I don’t mind. I just pick it up in the morning and start over. Writing itself is not about sitting in front of a computer. I work out scenes while I’m planting flowers, or walking the dogs, or sitting in a boring meeting. The actual work of typing the story is pretty much taking dictation from the voices in my imagination who have already “run” the dialog and action several different ways. Yet, just getting it down on paper, or on a screen is never the end. Then the real work starts, the fun part. The editing. I love the work of going over each and every sentence, and deciding whether it says what it needs to say, uses the best words for the task, and if I can eliminate anything superfluous.\nI ALWAYS work to a sound track of music that inspires the stories. I wouldn’t bother you with the lists, but it’s probably a result of having grown up in the television era – every good movie needs a sound track. I spend many hours assembling a list of mostly instrumental music that keeps the story playing out in my head. I rarely if ever have experienced a writing block because when the music starts, the curtains lift, and my cast take their places on cue.\nQ: What would most people be surprised to learn about you?\nA: I struggle after the end of each novel with whether I can do it again. It’s like giving birth to a huge baby after a two or three year gestation. You’re just not in a hurry to be “with book” very soon. You need that toddler to get out of your head before the next one comes along. I sometimes miss my characters very much once I’m done with their stories. Very much.\nA: I’m doing some research on Texas history. I started the research before I saw the recent TV series called Texas Rising. It’s a good series, but while it doesn’t really have anything to do with the story I’m pondering, there is nothing wrong with letting someone else’s take on a historical situation add flavor and fire to what I’m thinking. I need to leave any more description of it there. It’s far too nebulous a bubble to expose to much scrutiny yet. Might burst.\nQ: Where can readers learn more about you (and buy your books!)?\nA: My website is www.nancyeturner.net. Just remember the initials, NET. There are a few fan pages around, and Facebook. I haven’t yet begun Twitter and I’ve just heard it’s passé so I don’t know if I should. The books are for sale at all major chains and local bookstores. Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and any place you normally buy books.\nA: I appreciate your taking the time to feature my novel on your site. My Name Is Resolute is, I think, my finest work, and if I were never to write another, I could retire happily knowing Resolute has told her story.\nPosted in American history, Colonial America, fiction, George Washington, Paul Revere, pirates, Revolutionary War, slavery, Susan E. Turner\nTagged American history, Colonial America, fiction, George Washington, Paul Revere, pirates, Revolutionary War, slavery, Susan E. Turner","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line582065"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6646130681037903,"wiki_prob":0.3353869318962097,"text":"Placemaking Hero Matti Luci Arentz - Really listening to the users\nReally listening to the users, the not-so-complicated secret to developing better public\nReally listening to the users, the not-so-complicated secret to developing better public spaces. Matti Lucie Arentz, senior curator at DOGA Design and Architecture Norway, and community activist at Tøyen.\nWith a background in art and sculpture, a full time job in urban development, and a beating heart for her local community, placemaking comes naturally to Matti L. Arentz. At Tøyen Torg, it started with Tøyen kontoret, an open space for the arts, which evolved into Tøyen Hageklubb, a summer project for local children and teenagers. Hageklubben built gardens in pallets and furniture to sit on, there was a workshop almost every day for a full summer.\n- We looked at how the square was used, by whom, and how it changed throughout the day and night, she explains. – It’s not just about making it nice while we wait for the permanent upgrade, she emphasises.– It’s about understanding a place and creating a place that teaches us something that we can learn from, and that we can create even better places.\nBeing present and in dialogue with all sorts of neighbours every afternoon and evening for that whole first summer, led to some key insights. In the evenings, people would come out and sit down on the ground outside the library, to use the free Wifi to Skype with their families in faraway countries. The placemakers soon found out that no matter what their background is, people would ask for the same things; more greenery and more colours, not using snobby materials, allowing user groups to mix and improving the lighting. Matti approached the city, asking for funding to convert these insights into a temporary testbed that could feed local knowhow into the future upgrade of the square.\nOne of the first upgrades was to construct a landscape with varied seating outside of the library, responding directly to the practical needs of the users of the square. Other community-lead upgrades included changing the tiling of the floor of the square into a carpet-like design, where elements from traditional designs of all local ethnicities were collected through public workshops.The temporary upgrades were so well received by the neighbours that they stayed in place for nearly three years, much longer than the planned two-and-a-half months. And more importantly, it lead the city to reconsider their original, architect-drawn-but-without-community-input plans for the square, becoming thereby also a testbed for how the city can better work with local stakeholders.\nFor a long time, Tøyen Torg was the favourite place of bureaucrats to concentrate services for vulnerable groups, such as a methadone distribution service to drug addicts and the local immigration police. As a consequence, the local square by the metro station was facing a decline in businesses and it was in need of a revitalisation beyond a physical upgrade. When the city council declared Tøyen to be an “area boost” focus area for the city, in exchange for moving the Munch art museum located in the nearby Tøyen Park to the new harbourfront, the area was ripe for community-led innovation feeding local knowhow into the future upgrade of the square.\nAligning her bottom-up placemaking initiatives to public sector processes and private sector priorities has been a key to success for Matti and her colleagues. This means fully understanding the steps involved in a city-led upgrade to a public square, understanding the needs of local businesses – and always prioritising the community voices.\nThe project creators took great care to talk to as many different groups as possible, including vulnerable groups such as drug users and senior citizens. Engaging diverse stakeholders through informal workshops and shared tasks to build pilots with the aim to learn for future, more permanent, placemaking projects. Using creative arts, crafts and music to engage local children and youth, including workshops of welding bikes, lyrics workshops with local rappers, and hosting a beach party right in the middle of the square.\nTøyen Torg is by many in Oslo listed as the crown example of gentrification in Oslo. And although critics may be right, in that the range of trendy bars currently lining the square may not feel too relevant for most of the multi-ethnic, mainly muslim, neighbours, locals from all walks of life still feel ownership and pride in the way the square has evolved over the last few years. Maybe because their opinions and ideas have been heard, acknowledged and incorporated along the way or simply because the square now feels safer and more welcoming than ever.\nThe main objective was to keep the project down-to-earth and feel relevant and personal to the neighbours and users of the square and make their opinions count. Therefore, initiating conversations with all users of the square, being a good listener and a keen observer was at the core of their process.\nCoordinator: Matti Lucie Arentz\nLocation:Tøyen Torg\nTime period:2011-2018\nFinancing: As the project has gone through several phases, so has the financing, going from hosting unpaid workshops to having funding for participatory activities and testbed construction.The final upgrades to the square were funded in collaboration between the municipality and the building owners surrounding the square.\nDid you like the story? Check out more placemaking hero highlights in our booklet \"Exploring placemaking in context\".","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line290663"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8095399141311646,"wiki_prob":0.8095399141311646,"text":"Frontiers launches new open-access journal: Frontiers in Pediatrics\nFrontiers, one of the world's fastest growing open-access publishers, announced today the launch of its new online journal in Pediatrics: Frontiers in Pediatrics.\nFrontiers has profoundly changed the academic publishing model by overcoming the restrictions posed by traditional journals through its rigorous real-time interactive peer-review and social networking platform. Based on its success over the last four years, Frontiers is branching out into 10 new scientific and medical fields, adding to its collection of 12 existing online journals, including Frontiers in Genetics, Frontiers in Psychology and Frontiers in Microbiology. Frontiers in Pediatrics is the first of these new journals to go live, initially with 11 specialty sections covering a range of specialist pediatric topics. More sections will complement this list soon.\nFrontiers in Child and Neurodevelopmental Psychiatry (Editor-in-Chief: Vishal Madaan)\nFrontiers in Genetic Disorders (Editor-in-Chief: Jumana Al-Aama)\nFrontiers in Developmental Psychology (Editor-in-Chief: Natasha Kirkham)\nFrontiers in Neonatology (Editor-in-Chief: John Torday)\nFrontiers in Neuropediatrics (Editors-in-Chief: Eugene Schnitzler and Christoper Inglese)\nFrontiers in Pediatric Anesthesia (Editor-in-Chief: Diana Mathioudakis)\nFrontiers in Pediatric Cardiology (Editor-in-Chief: Antonio Corno)\nFrontiers in Pediatric Endocrinology (Editor-in-Chief: Stefano Cianfarani)\nFrontiers in Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology (Editor-in-Chief: Andrew Day)\nFrontiers in Pediatric Oncology (Editor-in-Chief: Crystal Mackall)\nFrontiers in Pediatric Otolaryngology (Editor-in-Chief: James Coticchia)\nFrontiers in Pediatric Surgery (Editor-in-Chief: Paul Losty)\n\"It is very exciting to see the Frontiers model been readily taken up by new academic fields. Frontiers not only aims at solving open-access publishing, but also the problems in peer-review, and the needs of scientists to network and collaborate with their peers as well as track their research impact, monitor the literature globally, and so much more,\" says Kamila Markram, CEO of Frontiers and researcher at EPFL.\nAntonio Corno, King Fahad Medical City, Saudi Arabia, Field Chief Editor of Frotniers in Pediatrics made the following comment: \"Frontiers in Pediatrics will connect scientists and researchers on the front line, allowing the exchange of their findings without limits or boundaries, and their discoveries will be available to the public in an open platform for mutual exchanges. This will attract the curiosity of the most visionary geniuses and the most candid researchers to provide unexpected insights and openings into the field.\"\nFrontiers in Pediatrics will publish high-quality and rigorously peer-reviewed papers, where authors retain copyright to their work and reach an international audience through its open-access model and unique evaluation system.\nThe Specialties of Frontiers in Pediatrics welcome the following article types: Book Review, Classification, Clinical Case Study, Clinical Trial, CPC, Editorial, General Commentary, Hypothesis & Theory, Methods, Mini Review, Opinion, Original Research, Perspective, Review, Specialty Grand Challenge and Technology Report.\nAbout Frontiers\nFrontiers is more than just an open-access, Gold publisher of scholarly articles: it is a pioneering approach to the world of academic publishing. The Frontiers journals, part of a grassroots initiative by scientists for scientists started in 2007 at EPFL, publish peer-reviewed scientific research articles freely accessible to anybody in the world. The editorial boards of its 13 journals are composed by over 25,000 world-renowned scientists, and it has become one of the fastest growing open-access publishers world-wide, with over 4 million monthly page views, and partnerships with international organizations such as the Max Planck Society and the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS).\nRelated Psychology Articles from Brightsurf:\nMore than one cognition: A call for change in the field of comparative psychology\nIn a paper published in the Journal of Intelligence, researchers argue that cognitive studies in comparative psychology often wrongly take an anthropocentric approach, resulting in an over-valuation of human-like abilities and the assumption that cognitive skills cluster in animals as they do in humans.\nPsychology research: Antivaxxers actually think differently than other people\nAs vaccine skepticism has become increasingly widespread, two researchers in the Texas Tech University Department of Psychological Sciences have suggested a possible explanation.\nIn court, far-reaching psychology tests are unquestioned\nPsychological tests are important instruments used in courts to aid legal decisions that profoundly affect people's lives.\nPsychology program for refugee children improves wellbeing\nA positive psychology program created by researchers at Queen Mary University of London focuses on promoting wellbeing in refugee children.\nPsychology can help prevent deadly childhood accidents\nInjuries have overtaken infectious disease as the leading cause of death for children worldwide, and psychologists have the research needed to help predict and prevent deadly childhood mishaps, according to a presentation at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association.\nRaising the standard for psychology research\nResearchers from Stanford University, Arizona State University, and Dartmouth College used Texas Advanced Computing Center supercomputers to apply more rigorous statistical methods to psychological studies of self-regulation.\nPsychology: Robot saved, people take the hit\nTo what extent are people prepared to show consideration for robots?\nResearchers help to bridge the gap between psychology and gamification\nA multi-disciplinary research team is bridging the gap between psychology and gamification that could significantly impact learning efforts in user experience design, healthcare, and government.\nVirtual reality at the service of psychology\nOur environment is composed according to certain rules and characteristics which are so obvious to us that we are scarcely aware of them.\nModeling human psychology\nA human being's psychological make-up depends on an array of emotional and motivational parameters.\nRead More: Psychology News and Psychology Current Events","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line472803"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8690063953399658,"wiki_prob":0.8690063953399658,"text":"Olvera Street Mexican Marketplace at El Pueblo de Los Angeles\nUnited States California Los Angeles\nAll Los Angeles\nKayte Deioma\nKayte Deioma is an internationally published travel writer and photographer based in the Los Angeles area.\nmarianne muegenburg cothern/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0\nYou don't have to travel to Tijuana to get a taste of Old Mexico; there's a clean, nicely packaged slice of Mexican California right in downtown L.A. at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument also known as Olvera Street. Technically, El Pueblo encompasses the whole block of historic buildings, and Olvera Street is the named alley that was turned into a pedestrian Mexican Marketplace that runs down the middle of the block, but the terms are often used interchangeably. The entire area is usually referred to as Olvera Street.\nThe famed Mexican Marketplace with its colorful old-world feel was created in 1933 as a way to preserve the surrounding historic buildings, including the oldest structure in Los Angeles, the Avila Adobe ranch house, now squeezed between a couple later brick buildings halfway down Olvera Street.\nWhere Is Olvera Street?\nOlvera Street is conveniently located across Alameda Street from L.A.'s historic Union Station in downtown Los Angeles next to Chinatown, which was once Little Italy, so there are remnants of all three cultures at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument. While most visitors focus on the Mexican Marketplace, there are 27 historic buildings on the site, some of which are open to the public, so it is worth exploring a little further.\nThe block is bound by Alameda to the east, Plaza to the south, Main to the west, and Cesar E Chavez to the north.\nThe small parking lots at Olvera Street are quite expensive. You can usually find less pricey lots or metered street parking north of Cesar Chavez on North Spring Street or New High Street in Chinatown just a couple blocks away.\nDirectly across from Union Station at the southeast corner is the Old Plaza, which is a good point to start your exploration.\nLa Placita Olvera\nVisitor7/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0\nThe Plaza was the center of community life for the first settlers in Los Angeles. It is a square space with a circle of shade trees surrounding a bandstand or kiosko where events are held.\nThe Pobladores Plaque in the Plaza is dedicated to those first settlers of the City of Angels. According to the plaque, the original 44 settlers were Negro, Mulatto (Negro and Spanish), Indian, Mestizo (Indian and Spanish), and a couple of Spaniards.\nThe Plaza (Placita) is often used for festivals at Olvera Street including Dia de Los Muertos Novenarios, Cinco de Mayo, the Christmas Posadas, the Easter Blessing of the Animals, the Chinese Lantern Festival, and many more.\nContinue to 2 of 13 below.\nPlaza Methodist Church\nOn the right side of the plaza is the Plaza Methodist Church, which replaced an adobe house owned by Agustin Olvera who was the first judge of Los Angeles County. The street was named for him in 1877. The church is designated a Methodist Historical Site and a California Historic Monument. Its tower lords over the entrance to Olvera Street, which proceeds to the right. The church is still used by a local congregation. In 2012, the Los Angeles United Methodist Museum of Social Justice also opened on the site.\nNext to the church is the Biscailuz Building, which was originally the United Methodist Church Conference Headquarters and the Plaza Community Center. It was more recently the Instituto Cultural Mexicano (Mexican Cultural Institute), and before that was the Mexican Consulate in L.A. for 30 years.\nBlessing of the Animals Mural\nChris English/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0\nIn 1979, artist Leo Politi painted the mural \"Blessing of the Animals\" under the archways of the Biscailuz Building at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument. It represents the event that happens at Olvera Street every Easter.\nMexican Marketplace\nPeter C in Toronto Canada/Flickr/CC BY 2.0\nNext to the Methodist church is the entrance to the Mexican Marketplace in the pedestrian zone that is Olvera Street proper. You really will find the same touristy souvenirs on Olvera Street that you would find in any marketplace in Mexico. The prices are just a little higher and you don't have to deal with vendors badgering you to buy their wares.\nThe Mexican Marketplace is bustling in summer, especially on weekends and perks up for holidays throughout the year, but can be pretty calm, if not totally dead on a winter weekday.\nAvila Adobe\nLos Angeles/Flickr/CC BY-SA 3.0\nAbout halfway down Olvera Street on the right, you'll find the oldest surviving structure in Los Angeles: the Avila Adobe. It was built in 1818 by Francisco Jose Avila, who was mayor of Los Angeles in 1810. The Avila Adobe is now a museum furnished in the style of a 1940s ranch. It is free to walk through the house, courtyard, and the additional exhibits in an educational building at the back of the courtyard. These include the History of Water in Los Angeles and a Tribute to Christine Sterling, who was instrumental in saving the Avila Adobe and creating the Mexican Marketplace on Olvera Street.\ncoffee shop soulja/Flickr/CC BY 2.0\nYou eat at Olvera Street more for the ambiance than the food itself, which is generally decent, if not inspired. La Golondrina and La Luz del Dia are both popular sit-down restaurants in historic buildings with open-air seating. At the outside tables, you have the advantage of people watching as well as enjoying the music from strolling musicians. La Golondrina, in the Pelanconi House, the oldest brick building in L.A., is famous for its enormous margaritas.\nChurros from Mr. Churro's are an Olvera Street tradition, and the taco stand, Cielito Lindo at the Cesar Chavez end, is known for its taquitos.\nDaniel Orth/Flickr/CC BY 2.0\nBeyond the Avila Adobe, about halfway down the street is a gathering spot under a shade tree where musicians often stop to perform. There is a brick archway there that used to be the entrance to a winery. You'll find public restrooms and a gallery through the archway. The musicians are volunteers who play for tips, and only scheduled musicians are permitted to perform.\nItalian-American Museum in Los Angeles\nSheila Thomson/Flickr/CC BY 2.0\nAfter exploring the Mexican Marketplace on Olvera Street, take a left at Cesar Chavez and walk left again around the corner to Main Street. The first building on the corner is Italian Hall, once the center of Italian community life in L.A.'s Little Italy. It is now the home of the Italian-American Museum in Los Angeles.\nIf you turn around and look up after you pass the building, you can see the winged canopy covering the restoration of a mural on the side of the second story of the building. Painted in 1932 by David Alfaro Siqueiros, it's called América Tropical and \"featured an Indian bound to a double cross, surmounted by an imperialist eagle and surrounded by pre-Columbian symbols and revolutionary figures.\" About halfway down the street just before the Sepulveda House is the América Tropical Interpretive Center where you can learn more about Siqueiros and his work as well as the restoration of the mural. The main entrance is on the Olvera Street side.\nSepulveda House\nKen Lund/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0\nThe Sepulveda House (1887) is now a museum and the El Pueblo Visitor Center with the Interpretive Center for the David Alfaro Siqueiros' América Tropical mural next door. On the other side is the Jones Building, which used to be machine shops. Most of what you are looking at are street-front side—which is now the back—of the buildings that show their business side on Olvera Street. There is an entrance to the Visitors Center from the Olvera Street side through a corridor near Casa Flores Imports, opposite El Paseo Restaurant.\nContinue to 10 of 13 below.\nNuestra Señora Reina de Los Angeles\nAlso known as La Placita and the Old Plaza Church, this is the oldest church in Los Angeles and the only building at El Pueblo that has always been used for its original purpose. The first chapel was built in 1784, but it was damaged in an earthquake. The current church was dedicated in 1822, but it too sustained earthquake damage and was rebuilt in 1861. The church is an active Parish of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles.\nKen Lund/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 2.0\nLA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, which is a museum about the history and contribution of Mexicans and Mexican culture in Los Angeles, occupies two historic buildings on Main Street near La Placita Old Plaza Church. The two-story Plaza House was built in 1883 as part of the Garnier Block by Frenchman Philippe Garnier. The lower level has been occupied by a variety of shops, saloons, and restaurants.\nThe five-story Vickrey-Brunswig Building next door was constructed in 1888 to house the Eastside Bank. It was purchased by the F. W. Braun Drug company in 1897 for its wholesale pharmaceutical operations and taken over in 1907 by one of the partners, Lucien Napoleon Brunswig, who, among other significant renovations, added his name to the top of the building. In 1930, the building was purchased by the County of Los Angeles and used for various offices including a courthouse and crime lab.\nBoth buildings suffered damage from earthquakes and fires and sat vacant for decades before being completely retrofitted and renovated for their current use as a museum.\nPico House\nBuyenlarge/Contributor/Getty Images\nOn the Plaza side of the street, you'll see the Pico House, which is a grand hotel that opened in 1870 by Pio Pico, the last governor of Mexican California. On the Main Street side of Pico House, it abuts the Merced Theatre (1870), one of L.A.'s oldest theaters; and the Masonic Hall (1858), which after various other uses over the years is once again an active Masonic Hall and home to L.A. City Masonic Lodge 841. It is currently used as a special event space.\nLas Angelitas del Pueblo\nKonrad Summers/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0\nAround the corner, the opposite side of the old hotel faces the offices of Las Angelitas del Pueblo (Little Angels of the Pueblo) in the Hellman-Quon Building between the firehouse and the Chinese American Museum. Las Angelitas consists of a group of volunteer docents who conduct free, 50-minute tours of El Pueblo historic site. Their office also includes exhibits and is sometimes used for workshops during El Pueblo events.\nDowntown Los Angeles Tour\nCelebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in LA With These Cultural Events\nLike Being in Mexico without Going to Mexico: Latino LA\n25 Best Free Things to Do in Los Angeles\nExplore the Local History of LA and Environs at these Local Museums\nLA's Most Historic Eateries\nThe History of LA and Its Mexican Roots at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes\nTake a Visual Tour of Chinatown in Los Angeles\nExplore the Diversity of LA at These Ethnic & Cultural Museums\nGo Back in Time at These Historic LA Missions, Ranchos, and Adobes\nSightseeing via Metro: Take the Red Line Tour of Los Angeles\nFind Your Place in Our Time Through These Top LA History Museums\nWhere to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Los Angeles\nBest Los Angeles Museums for Different Interests\nLos Angeles Trivia Quiz - Fun Facts You Might Not Know About LA","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line606178"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6430691480636597,"wiki_prob":0.35693085193634033,"text":"in response to reader comment: It's been suggested...\nSubmitted by Waell Murray (United States), Feb 18, 2007 at 21:54\nSome of us live long or short life and may never find the truth of many many things about life, the world around us and about those who we interact with on daily basis.\nWhen I read the first thing about Walid, let's forget about his family name for a little while, I was struck by a strange or a weird feeling, first I thought to myself: what a shame, someone had to be brought up in such a messy circumstances to have such a confusion in life, in own religion, and in own culture. A lot of Palestinians like myself do not agree with acts of some fellow Palestinians because some acts may appear to be unjustified to the world and the truth of the matter is: only those who commit those acts can begin to justify them.\nFor example; a person who decides to cause a group of people death and injury by exploding a number of grenades strapped to his or her waist , such person must have reached a point where nothing in life had a balance of value due to the lack of choices left out there, it's life with nothing to hope for, free from freedom, free from a valid identity, free from the ability to plan for a bright future and above all, it's life without dignity . I'm not justifying the act, I'm trying to enter the mind of the bomber to figure out what drives such acts.\nI made several calls to the West Bank and checked the availability of Shoebat as a family name, but my search hit a gridlock, no such name or even a close name regardless of how you want to play with the spelling. It bothers me a great deal that some or many Americans can get taken away by such false hype due to the fact that they are willing to believe any story without finding out the truth about the story teller. Our religion was never about spreading terror or fear in others, non Muslims have been urged to study our shareeah ( Low) and come to our faith but forcing people to become Muslims was never a conduct of Muslims.\nIn the glorious QURA'AN Allah said: La ikraha fiddeen, meaning: no force shall be needed to get people to get into this religion, and those who say anything contrary to that rule are trying to change Allah's intention, they are simply wrong.\nI don't know how many people realize that it was Israel who helped the establishment of Hamas in Palestine years ago, so the goal Hamas is playing today is nothing but an Israeli plan that has been put on the back burner for a few years. It's a shameful fact that those who are leading the Palestinian people today are far away from the people of Palestine, the elections that took place were nothing but a game that lacked the true people acceptance, but outside powers played a major role in enforcing a fake leadership on the helpless people who had no way of contesting the outcomes.\nMark my comment as a response to The Truth, by Waell Murray","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line737805"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9202225804328918,"wiki_prob":0.9202225804328918,"text":"EXPLAINER: Who Has Been Charged in the Deadly Capitol Riot?\nThe top federal prosecutor for the District of Columbia has said “all options are on the table” for charging the rioters, many of whom were egged on by President Donald Trump’s speech hours earlier at a rally over his election loss\nBy Alanna Durkin Richer\t• Published January 9, 2021 • Updated on January 9, 2021 at 7:38 pm\nShay Horse/NurPhoto via Getty Images\nDozens of people have already been arrested and prosecutors across the U.S. have vowed to bring to justice those who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, sending lawmakers into hiding as they began their work to affirm President-elect Joe Biden’s victory.\nThe top federal prosecutor for the District of Columbia has said “all options are on the table” for charging the rioters, many of whom were egged on by President Donald Trump’s speech hours earlier at a rally over his election loss. Investigators are combing through photos, videos and tips from the public to track down members of the violent mob.\nA Capitol Police officer died after he was hit in the head with a fire extinguisher as rioters descended on the building and many other officers were injured. A woman from California was shot to death by Capitol Police and three other people died after medical emergencies during the chaos.\nSome questions and answers about the investigation into the Capitol breach:\nHOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN CHARGED?\nThe U.S. attorney’s office for D.C., which handles both local and federal cases in the district, had filed 17 cases in federal court and at least 40 others in the Superior Court by Saturday. The cases in Superior Court mainly have to do with things like curfew violations and gun crimes. Those being tried in federal court, where prosecutors can generally secure longer sentences, are charged with things like violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, assaulting a federal law enforcement officer and threatening House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.\nDefendants facing federal charges include Richard Barnett, the Arkansas man shown in a widely seen photo sitting in Pelosi’s office with his boots on the desk. Barnett is charged with crimes including theft of public money, property or records.\nAnother man being tried in federal court, Lonnie Coffman of Falkville, Alabama, was arrested after authorities say they found guns and 11 Molotov cocktail explosive devices made out of Mason jars, golf tees and cloth rags in his pickup truck.\nA Florida man identified as the person seen in a photo shared widely on social media carrying the speaker of the House’s lectern also was arrested Friday. Adam Johnson faces charges including theft of government property.\nWHY HAVEN’T MORE PEOPLE BEEN CHARGED YET?\nProsecutors say these charges are just the beginning. Authorities said Friday that said additional cases remained under seal and dozens of other people were being sought by federal agents.\nU.S. attorneys in several states, including Kentucky, Ohio and Oregon, said people could face charges in their home states if they traveled to Washington and took part in the riot. The FBI has released photos of people inside the Capitol, urging the public to help identify them.\nIt takes time to build a case. Capitol Police arrested just more than a dozen people the day of the breach while D.C. police arrested around 70. Many people freely left the Capitol, which means investigators now have to work to identify them and track them down. Authorities have to distinguish between those who traveled to Washington only to participate in the rally before the riot versus those who were part of the insurrection at the Capitol. It can take weeks for investigators to go through photos and video, identify suspects, interview witnesses and write a complaint to secure an arrest.\nThose who’ve been charged so far could also lead investigators to others who joined in the violent siege on Capitol Hill.\nCOULD THEY FACE MORE SERIOUS CHARGES?\nMichael Sherwin, acting U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, said this week that prosecutors are not keeping anything out of their “ arsenal for potential charges.” As prosecutors gather more evidence, they can add more charges against those they’ve already arrested.\nExperts say federal prosecutors could bring rarely used seditious conspiracy charges against some of the rioters. In the wake of protests across the U.S. over police brutality this summer, then-Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen told prosecutors in September that they should consider using the sedition charge, which calls for up to 20 years in prison, against violent demonstrators. Rosen, who took over the top Department of Justice job when Attorney General William Barr stepped down last month, said the charge does not require proof of a plot to overthrow the U.S. government and gave the hypothetical example of a group that “has conspired to take a federal courthouse or other federal property by force.”\nCOULD TRUMP BE CHARGED?\nTrump urged the crowd to march on the Capitol, even promising to go with them, though he didn’t in the end. The president told his supporters to “fight” to stop the “steal” of the election, while his personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, called for “trial by combat.”\nBut the legal bar for charging the president or any other speakersat the rally with inciting violence is high. Experts say it would be tough to prove that the president intended for violence to happen on Capitol Hill. Trump’s speech likely would not be considered illegally inciting violence because he didn’t specifically call for people to storm the Capitol, experts say.\nRicher reported from Boston. Associated Press reporter Michael Balsamo contributed to this report from Washington.\nCapitol Riotriots","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line550828"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8079012036323547,"wiki_prob":0.8079012036323547,"text":"30 June 2016 / Features\nSilicon Valley Bank Bets on Utah\nWe’ve been engaged in Utah for years and have watched it grow into a vibrant technology market.\nSilicon Valley Bank was founded in 1983 by Bob Medearis and Bill Biggerstaff. The two came up with the idea to create a “bank for startups” during their weekly poker game, which was attended by a group of people who would eventually become some of the biggest names in Silicon Valley.\n“The mythology around Silicon Valley Bank is that it was during this poker game that the very first idea for Silicon Valley Bank was hatched, or conceived,” said Blake Baldwin, former Executive Vice President of Silicon Valley Bank. “The idea was quite simple: that the burgeoning tech and life science companies that were blooming like so many wildflowers in the valley at the time were substantially underbanked — if not unbanked.”\nThe idea paid off — big time. Today, SVB Financial Group has more than 1,400 employees and more than $23 billion in total assets.\nLike so many great companies, Silicon Valley Bank was created to challenge the “traditional way of doing things.” In 1983, the big banks were not even remotely interested in taking a chance on startups.\n“When you’ve gone through from the real estate side and been rejected by some of these big banks, you sit there and all of a sudden come into the fact that maybe there is an opportunity for a bank to be in the high technology sector,” said Medearis.\nMedearis and Biggerstaff envisioned a different kind of bank. A bank that actually understood the plight of an entrepreneur.\n“We decided let’s have one where we really specialize in startups, get to know them, the product and the people. We’re really lending to people,” said Biggerstaff.\nIn 2006, Silicon Valley Bank opened a parallel operations facility in Salt Lake City to provide support and back-operations company-wide as part of its business continuity strategy. By 2008, the bank had officially opened a locally-based relationship manager office in Salt Lake City.\n“Our strategy is to have a local presence in those areas with a significant concentration of technology, life science and venture capital worldwide, and we see plenty of opportunity in Utah,” said Greg Becker, president and CEO of Silicon Valley Bank, in a statement announcing the opening of the Salt Lake City office. “We’ve been engaged in Utah for years and have watched it grow into a vibrant technology market. We’re pleased to be a part of it and look forward to increasing support for local venture funds and entrepreneurs.”\nWe recently had the opportunity to visit the bank’s Salt Lake City office to learn more about the type of support it can offer to local entrepreneurs.\n“We bring the technology and the banking to them,” said Gary Jackson, Managing Director of Silicon Valley Bank’s Salt Lake City branch. “Our business model revolves around lending, which is what a typical bank might do. The differentiator for us is that because we have such an in-depth understanding of technology, we’re able to do things that other banks won’t do or can’t do.”\nSilicon Valley Bank pioneered a lending practice commonly referred to as “venture debt,” which is something traditional banks would never even consider. For those unfamiliar, venture debt provides debt financing for VC-backed companies as a means to accelerate growth in a way that’s beneficial to shareholders. In layman’s terms, venture debt can be a good way to grab some extra capital on relatively favorable terms.\n“It allows a lot of companies to extend their runway while reducing dilution to the founders,” said Jackson. “It ends up being a win for people that are raising capital on an institutional basis.”\nFrom total assets in 1983 of $18 million, Silicon Valley Bank has come a long way. The bank now dominates the startup banking market.\n“If a company has institutional venture backing, there’s a better than 50–50 chance that they’re a client of ours, or soon will be,” said Jackson.\nWith 34 locations worldwide, and a market share that includes half of all venture capital-backed technology companies in the United States, Silicon Valley Bank is in a unique position to evaluate the validity of a startup ecosystem. With that in mind, we asked Jackson to describe what makes Utah unique compared to other parts of the country.\n“It’s hard to compete with a Silicon Valley,” said Jackson. “It’s hard to compete with a New York, and some of these other major population centers. That’s not where Utah has its advantage. Utah does have an advantage in terms of the quality of life that people can have here, which has attracted a lot of people and a lot of talent to this area.\n“It’s a very favorable economic environment due to just the community. You have major research universities that are putting out incredible science, and you have a culture of boot-strapping entrepreneurs building, in particular, software companies. What makes it great is also what makes it unique.”\nAs it continues to increase its presence in Utah, Silicon Valley Bank hopes to help foster the state’s blossoming startup ecosystem by focusing on what makes it such a unique place to start a company.\nAn Update From Executive Director Clint Betts\nBeing A First-Time Attendee At Silicon Slopes Tech Summit\nSilicon Slopes Podcast: Divvy CEO Blake Murray Joins After Raising $200M In Funding Round Led By NEA\nSLC-Based ArmorActive Acquired By Mobile Technologies Inc.\nUnder $10 million, but multiple millions. When Scott Paul founded ArmorActive three years ago, he didn’t have time to think about what the future held for his company, or even the possibility\nOgden-Based Vidpresso Accepted Into Y-Combinator\nYC helps dole out a healthy dose of perspective. Utah is well-represented at Y Combinator right now. The Silicon Valley accelerator boasts two Utah-based companies as members of its 2014 winter class. The","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1485795"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8211758136749268,"wiki_prob":0.8211758136749268,"text":"California's pathway to 100% clean electricity begins to take shape, but reliability concerns persist\nKavya Balaraman @kavya_balaraman\nCalifornia's energy agencies are taking a first stab at assessing possible pathways to the state's ambitious goal of achieving 100% renewable and zero-carbon electricity by 2045, but concerns about system reliability — especially in light of the rolling blackouts that took place in the state this August — continue to dog regulators.\nThe California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), California Energy Commission (CEC) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) last week released a draft report on getting to a 2045 clean electricity portfolio, which indicated that the goal is technically achievable.\nBut multiple stakeholders raised the need to think hard about system reliability at a joint agency workshop Friday, including Jim Shetler, general manager at the Balancing Authority of Northern California (BANC). \"[W]e support California's greenhouse gas reduction goals as defined in SB 100 — with the understanding that implementation needs to be balanced against the equally important requirements of safety, reliability and affordability,\" Shetler said.\nThe report presents important initial insights into potential paths for the electric sector, Mary Nichols, CARB chair, said at the workshop, adding that \"the initial work highlights the enormous challenge ahead, requiring a complete transformation in the type of electricity that Californians consume.\"\nCalifornia's carbon goals are part of legislation passed by the state in 2018, called Senate Bill 100, which calls for 100% of electric retail sales in the state to come from renewable energy and zero-carbon resources by the end of 2045. The bill also required the three energy agencies to create a report evaluating the policy, and follow it up with updates at least every four years. The agencies intend to submit a final version of the initial report early next year.\nThe draft report uses a 60% renewables portfolio standard model as a reference baseline, and modeled, among other things, \"core scenarios,\" which include technologies that have already been commercialized and have public cost data. Based on this analysis, the report concludes that achieving the 100% clean electricity goal is technically achievable, and could cost around 6% more than the baseline 60% RPS future by 2045, although that could change if renewables grow cheaper at a faster rate than anticipated by the models.\nThis modeling included only resources that have been commercialized, with vetted, public cost and performance data, including solar, wind, geothermal and bioenergy as well as green hydrogen fuel cells. However, they did not include \"drop-in\" hydrogen and biomethane — that is, as replacement fuels in natural gas power plants and potential zero-carbon dispatchable generation — after concluding that the technologies didn't meet those requirements\nSimilarly, both natural gas and coal-fired generation coupled with carbon capture and sequestration were excluded from the analysis, the former because of the lack of data around carbon capture, and the latter because of possible health impacts.\nMeeting SB 100's goals in a highly electrified scenario would require record build rates for new generation, according to the draft report. It also concludes that natural gas is still the cheapest way to ensure a reliable system — although future cost reductions and innovation around storage technologies and other zero-carbon firm resources could change that.\n\"Further analysis is needed to evaluate costs associated with maintaining an aging gas fleet operating in a high renewables system,\" according to the report.\nReliability remains a top concern\nBut there are additional details that regulators think require more scrutiny for the next iteration of the report, especially in terms of reliability, which has been a major concern in California especially since an unprecedented heatwave this summer led to rolling blackouts in the state for the first time in 20 years. More analysis will be required to ensure that the portfolios forecasted in the modelling can meet system reliability needs, the draft report notes, and the CPUC and CEC are in the process of doing so.\nBANC agrees with the overall analysis that existing technologies should theoretically allow the state to reach 100% clean electricity, Shetler acknowledged — but it would be premature to make this conclusion before the detailed reliability analysis is completed.\n\"[E]specially in light of the events of this August, we urge the agencies to view an honest and transparent discussion on reliability challenges as a positive element of debate that will advance the interests of consumers, and not view any reliability analysis as an inconvenient roadblock to decarbonize,\" Shetler added.\nDanielle Mills, director of the American Wind Energy Association-California, agreed that regulators cannot compromise on reliability.\n\"A diverse and complementary portfolio of renewable resources and storage is the solution, with regional and offshore wind that complement California's solar and storage resources,\" she said, adding that the state will need to double or triple renewable and storage deployments to replace the suite of conventional resources that are scheduled to go retire in the next four years.\nThe analysis of the report's core scenarios suggest that reaching the SB 100 goal could cost around $5 billion more annually in 2045, or 6% more than the 60% RPS model, driven largely by investments in renewables, storage and transmission. But Doug Karpa, senior regulatory analyst at Peninsula Clean Energy, urged regulators to also do a more extensive analysis of how affordable the models are.\n\"I think many Californians are pretty keenly interested in, how does that translate into actual ratepayer bills?\" he said.\nFollow Kavya Balaraman on Twitter\nFiled Under: Solar & Renewables Energy Storage Regulation & Policy\n\"Jon Ossoff After a Campaign Speech\" by John Ramspott is licensed under CC BY 2.0\nDemocrats to take Senate majority after Georgia victories. Here's how it could impact the power sector.\nAnalysts and stakeholders say the implications of a Democrat-majority Senate could be consequential for renewables and electric vehicle deployment, as well as broader carbon reduction policies.\nLatest in Solar & Renewables\nFollowing Google's footsteps, Des Moines pledges 24/7 clean electricity by 2035\nBy Emma Penrod • Jan. 15, 2021\nGlobal corporate solar funding rises 24% to $14.5B in 2020, after 25% drop in first half: Mercom\nBy Leslie Nemo • Jan. 14, 2021","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line970021"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5864454507827759,"wiki_prob":0.4135545492172241,"text":"I Live Here Too: Why young people want a stake in the future of their neighbourhood\nAuthor Grosvenor Britain and Ireland\nThis resource publishes findings from the 'I Live Here Too' project, commissioned by Grosvenor and conducted by consultancy Beatfreeks. The project focused on the role of young people in community consultation about the future of their neighbourhoods, and found that, whilst many young people would like to have more of a say in the future of their places, the majority have never been asked for their view on this. The research supports a free youth engagement toolkit, which can be drawn upon to engage more young people in shaping the future of high streets and town centres.\nDate added 25 November 2020\nI Live Here Too: Why young people want a stake in the future of their neighbourhood https://www.grosvenor.com/Grosvenor/files/40/405ae6cd-5423-4e60-bc49-a4169a1f562e.pdf\n‘I Live Here Too’ is a piece of research commissioned by Grosvenor Britain & Ireland to support the launch of 'Voice, Opportunity, Power', a free toolkit to enhance young people's participation in how places are made and managed. The research set out to gain a better understanding of young adults' views on activism, community engagement, and the opportunity to have a voice in the future of their neighbourhood.\nFollowing a survey of over 500 young people (16 - 18 year olds) across the UK, the research found that 89% had never been asked their opinion about the future of their neighbourhood, and only 8% had taken part in a public consultation. This was despite 97% responding positively to the idea of contributing to these discussions.\nFor those that had engaged in these conversations, 46% said that they didn’t feel listened to and reported examples of experiences in which they felt the person conducting the interview wasn’t interested in their opinion. The study found that young adults felt most listened to when the people undertaking this process showed that they cared and respected their voices, and shared the results of how their thoughts and views had actively effected the outcome.\nAlthough nearly a quarter of people in the UK are under 19, this study shows that they feel they have almost no influence in the planning or management of places.\nThe Voice, Opportunity, Power youth engagement toolkit can be found here.\nStage 4: Transformation","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line415574"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6760226488113403,"wiki_prob":0.32397735118865967,"text":"Life of a Manchild Chapter 19 – It’s a Small World After All\nIt was the last night of my first trip abroad. After three weeks of draining our bank accounts as well as ourselves pounding all the wine and beer we could handle along coastal Spain and southern France, my buddy Clough and I had decided to take it easy and watch some TV in our Roman apartment which we’d rented for three nights at the cost of a hundred bucks a night. We’d been alternating between Jersey Shore with which the authentic Italians genuinely detested being associated, a music video station and some soft-core porn which had appeared to be on a basic cable channel during primetime hours. Since our apartment had only been about three blocks from the Vatican, I had to imagine that they had the same cable service provider over there and it made me wonder if the Bishop of Rome ever tuned in to this non-penetrational cunt-ramming and got the urge to grease up the old papal ferula on nights when he’d felt particularly enlivened by the holy spirit.\n“Yo,” I said to Clough around ten p.m., “I’m gonna go grab some pizza from that place across the street. You interested?”\n“Nah,” he replied without taking his eyes off the tan Mediterranean tits on the tele, “I’m good.”\n“Okay, but, uh, how do you say ‘good evening’ again? I forgot already.”\n“It’s ‘buona sera,’” he said while turning to look at me. “I remember it this way. When I was a kid growing up, I used to know a girl named Sara Buona. And I imagine her visiting Italy and some dude with a goofy mustache and a striped shirt greeting her as she steps into a gondola, ‘Buona sera, Sara Buona!’” he said in a stereotypical Mario Brothers accent. “Try it. You won’t forget it that way.”\nHe was right. Four years later and I still haven’t forgotten it.\nAfter stumbling across Via Ottaviano in my flip flops and into the pizza shop where I found I’d been the only customer, I greeted the tall, hairy man behind the glass counter with a hearty, “Buona sera!”\n“Buona sera,” he replied then followed that phrase up with some seemingly basic Italian that had exceeded my understanding of his language.\nI shrugged like the touristy ignoramus I was and he laughed.\n“Where you from?”\n“I’m from Chicago.”\n“Oh yeah? If you’re from Chicago, then I’m from Lake Forest.”\n“You know,” he said, “Lake Forest, up on Chicago’s North Shore.”\n“I know where Lake Forest is. I’m just confused as to how you know where Lake Forest is.”\nHe again laughed.\n“I lived there for two years with some family when I was in my early twenties.”\nHe was probably in his mid-forties at the time we crossed paths.\n“No shit, man. That’s wild. How’d you like it?”\n“It was a great time. You know Excalibur night club?”\n“Yeah, I know where it is. Never been there though.”\n“Oh-ho-ho, you should go,” he said. “I was there every weekend when I lived in Chicago. That’s where all the beautiful young ladies like to hang out. Of course they probably like me better than you because I’m a romantic Italian guy, but hey, I’m sure you’d have a good time too.”\n“Yeah, I can’t compete with you Casanova types.”\n“That’s right, you can’t,” he joked. “So what can I get for you?”\n“I’ll take that one,” I pointed to what looked like a pepperoni and sausage combo under the glass.\n“You got it,” he replied before taking the square-shaped delicacy and throwing it in the oven behind him. “Why don’t you take a seat, it’s gonna be a few minutes.”\nI did just that.\n“So what part of Chicago you from?”\n“I’m from the northwest side. A little neighborhood called Edison Park. You know it?”\n“Yeah, I know it. You ever hear of Tony’s Deli?”\nI was again caught off-guard.\n“Yeahhhhhh. I live a block away from Tony’s Deli. How do you know it?”\n“Viti,” he said, “the guy who owns it, he and I are from the same village. I ate there all the time when I was in Chicago.”\n“Isn’t his name Vito?”\n“Maybe in America, but in my village we call him Viti.”\n“Wow man, that’s ridiculous.”\n“Here,” he added, “take my business card. Next time you get a sandwich from Tony’s, bring this to Viti and show him that you met me. He’ll be surprised.”\nI took his card, went to Tony’s when I got back to Chicago and showed it to Vito as was suggested. As he held it in his hands and squinted at it to read what it’d said, it brought a strange smile to the man’s face – one that I interpreted as home never being as far away as it sometimes seems. In fact, he was so glad to have received that card from me that he gave me a free sandwich, we had sex in the back of the shop and then went on a killing spree together. Nah, I’m just fuckin’ around. He said, “Thank you for showing this to me,” and we each went on with our days and our lives. But it was still a pretty cool connection and I was glad to have been part of it. Never again had I thought I’d experience anything like this.\nIn China, in October 2012, after all the wild partying at Sanlitun, I needed to get away from all the east coast big city madness and out to the country where I could clear my mind and sober the fuck up. So I left Beijing by train going through other major metropolises such as Xi’an and Chengdu on the way and then took a bus to a town called Kangding up in the hills of the Sichuan province which is used by many as a gateway into a Tibetan region known as Kham.\nThe roads in between Chengdu and Kangding ran along mountainsides and had been very narrow – so narrow that buses traveling in opposite directions could not pass each other at certain points. At one particularly skinny stretch, since we were on the inside part of the road and there’d been less risk of us teetering off the edge, the bus I was in as well as all the traffic behind us had to back up a quarter-mile so a bus in the opposite lane could pass us. It was an hour-long process that involved both drivers waving their arms and yelling at each other out the window until the two buses had finally been able to safely weasel past one another.\nWhen the bus arrived in Kangding after an eight-hour ride, seeing that I hadn’t bothered to book anything in advance, I began walking around, looking for a place to stay. As I’d read and remembered some commentary on the internet in advance about a few good guesthouses being located in that general direction, from the bus station I wandered up a road that diverged from the main part of town which’d been situated at the bottom of a valley alongside a raging river. This winding pathway led me up, up and away from the city center, through a residential area. About fifteen minutes later – five of which I started thinking I should turn around and head back to town before it got dark out – I came across a place called Zhilam Hostel.\n“Hi there,” said the white dude in his late thirties who sat behind the desk in a North American accent. “Did you make a reservation?”\n“Hey, what’s up? Naw, I didn’t. Please don’t tell me you don’t got any open beds here tonight.”\n“Nah, don’t worry, we got open beds,” he replied. “You need a private or a dorm?”\n“Dorm’s fine.”\n“Alright. Dorm’s actually pretty much like a private this time of year anyway.”\n“Yeah? Business is slow?”\n“Yeah. This is a pretty big trekking area and it always slows down when it starts to get cold and snow. Can I get your passport so I can check ya in?”\n“Yeah, sure.”\n“Timothy. From Chicago,” he said, looking at my information page. “What part of Chicago are you from, Timothy?”\n“Northwest side. An area called Edison Park.”\n“Hmm. Is a place called Olympia Park anywhere near Edison Park?”\n“Olympia Park? Like, the one with the playground, the three baseball fields and the basketball court – that Olympia Park?”\n“Yeah, I think so.”\n“Yeah, that’s in Edison Park. That’s less than half-a-mile away from my house.”\n“Wow, no way. You know the street Isham, right off Devon Avenue?”\n“I got some friends who live on that street. My wife, the kids and I visit them every so often when we’re back in America. They’re like my second family.”\n“That’s crazy. If you walk out onto Devon from Isham and head east towards the railroad tracks – like, ya know, less than a block away – there’s a place there called O’Connor’s Market. My mom works in the deli there.”\n“Okay. Wow man, small world. Ya know, you should sign the guest book that’s sitting on the table over there near the fireplace before you go. Maybe I’ll contact you next time we’re in the neighborhood and we could get some tea or something.”\n“Yeah, sure man. I’ll sign the book.”\nSo, I signed the book and even though my plan had originally been to keep travelling until my money ran out, I decided to fly home for Christmas that December and spend the first two weeks of 2013 in Chicago before again flying off to Sri Lanka to meet my Chinese friend, Yun. On one of the first several mornings of the new year, I’d been sitting around my parents’ house without much to do when I received a phone call from my mother who’d been at work in the deli.\n“This guy named Kris is here. He said he met you in Tibet and he gave me a Tibetan necklace and his two little kids are with him and he’s just the nicest man. He thought that you were still in Asia but I told him you came home for Christmas. He’s sitting here right now having a cup of tea, you should come in and see him.”\n“Oh yeah? No shit. Alright, I’ll be right over.”\nI went over to the deli and took a seat at the table across from the man I’d met on the other side of the planet almost three months beforehand. It was a strange feeling to encounter him in such drastically different social contexts. After we’d greeted each other, he asked me why I was home and mentioned that he thought I’d still be travelling.\n“I needed a break,” I told him, “but I’m heading back to Asia in a week or so. You here visiting your friends?”\n“Yeah, in America for the holidays. We left the hostel for the winter because it’s too cold and we don’t get any customers. I remember you said your mom worked here and I thought I’d stop by. Pretty nice place.”\n“Yeah,” I bopped my head up and down.\n“Where you heading next?”\n“Sri Lanka. I’m gonna meet a Chinese girl there.”\n“Sri Lanka, yeah? You’re not gonna believe this,” he grinned, “but I actually grew up in Sri Lanka.”\n“What? Are you serious?”\n“Yeah, Sri Lanka when I was younger and northern India during high school. My parents did mission work there.”\n“Shit. Ooh,” I put my hand over my mouth, “sorry, forgot about the kids.”\n“It’s okay. They didn’t hear. But, um, you plannin’ to go to Kandy?”\n“Yeah. Definitely.”\n“Okay. Well, I can write down the names and addresses of some people I know there who can show you around if you’re interested.”\n“Oh, that’s uh…that’s uh…I’m sorry,” I gasped. “My mind is blown by the coincidence of all this. It’s strange enough seeing you here in the place that my mom works and then you tell me you grew up in the far-fetched destination I happen to be heading to in less than a week? It’s all too much, Kristopher.”\n“That’s okay,” he laughed.\n“Um, yeah, sure, I’d love for you to write that stuff down for me.”\nAlthough I didn’t end up convening with Kris’s contacts because my Chinese friend and I had our own agenda that was mostly all about one-on-one time while together on that island in the Indian Ocean, I’m still blown away by the one-in-a-million odds of all that’d happened. And then only a couple months after that when I’d been sitting in the lobby of a Tehran hotel getting to know the seven or eight other members of the tour group that’d signed up to be taken around Iran by a British-owned company that operates out of China, I was amazed to find that one of the girls had grown up less than a mile away from where I had on Chicago’s northwest side. It’s a small world after all. It truly is.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line997892"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5458819270133972,"wiki_prob":0.5458819270133972,"text":"Hendrickson Sponsors IndyCar Team, Builds Engineering Support Trailer\nMay 23, 2019 • by HDT Staff\nHendrickson has become an associate sponsor of the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing NTT IndyCar Series program. As part of the deal, Hendrickson created a purpose-built engineering support trailer that debuts at the Indianapolis 500.\nPhoto courtesy Hendrickson\nHendrickson has joined Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in a multi-year partnership that will see Hendrickson become an associate sponsor of the team’s NTT IndyCar Series program. As part of the deal, Hendrickson will also create a purpose-built engineering support trailer to be used throughout the season beginning with the Indianapolis 500.\n“The addition of a third trailer devoted exclusively to our engineers will enable us to maximize information sharing between our most important assets – our human capital,” said Bobby Rahal, team co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing with David Letterman and Michael Lanigan. “In addition to using the state-of-the-art trailer to its full extent, we are looking forward to sharing technology.”\nThe engineering support trailer features a single wheel Intraxx suspension that maximizes the interior dimensions and usable space for the race team. It debuted at Indianapolis Motor Speedway as the team prepares for the Indianapolis 500 on May 26. The team won the 2004 Indy 500 from pole with Buddy Rice as the driver.\n“For Hendrickson, advanced technology and innovation continues to drive our product development engineering process,” said Gary Gerstenslager, Hendrickson president and CEO. “We look at all industries for inspiration and new ideas, and IndyCar has always been at the top of the list. The opportunity to partner with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing on their Engineering Support Trailer and to share technology was an easy decision for Hendrickson.”\nThe 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500 will take place on Sunday, May 26.\nRelated: Hendrickson to Expand Ohio Operations with Trailer Suspension Plant\nRead more about Hendrickson Trailers Sponsorship Suspensions","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1449493"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6950793862342834,"wiki_prob":0.30492061376571655,"text":"Build custom package\nZrće\nExperience crazy Zrće beach\nCroatia’s most popular beach Zrće has over the last decade become one of the most recognizable beaches in Europe. Because of its ideal location on the island of Pag, it has the perfect combination of paradise surroundings, crystal clear sea and fabulous party offers. Croatia’s most famous beach Zrće has become the place where beautiful people flock in search of hedonistic parties with the world’s biggest DJs.\nThe beach has established itself as the no.1 after beach party location in Europe with over one million visitors each summer. The mild Mediterranean climate of the whole island provides warm and sunny weather throughout the summer. There's a great variety of restaurants, bars and cafés which offer a large selection of different Mediterranean and light Croatian summer dishes, cocktails and a very warm, welcoming and friendly atmosphere throughout night and day.\nThose who have experienced the thrill of Zrće beach with all of its facilities agree that it’s one of the best party spots in the world - you can relax and enjoy at the chill out lounge areas inside the clubs, taste different types of food, participate in various types of sports or simply sunbathe on the shore of beautiful pebble beaches and take long swims in the clear Adriatic.\nThe main feature of Europe’s most attractive beach is its amazing selection of clubs with very affordable prices, especially in comparison with other famous party spots that have similar party concepts. Zrće and the neighbouring Bura Bura beach together consist of 6 clubs. When walking from the beginning of Zrće beach, the first club you’ll see is Kalypso club, following with Euphoria club, Aquarius club and Papaya club.\nBura Bura beach hosts one more exclusive club - Noa Beach club. All clubs host parties on a daily basis during warm summer months and most of them organize big After Beach Parties as well. Zrće beach has become this popular mainly because of its festivals - you can find numerous festivals of various music genres happening every week from June to September.\nZrće Clubbing\nNoa Beach Club\nNoa Beach Club is one of the most trendy and entertaining clubs in all Adriatic region. Settled above the water, offering an epic view of the clash of crystal Adriatic Sea and high Croatian mountains, combined with the top end music and entertaining experience, Noa offers life changing perspective of summer holidays. Noa Beach Club is proudly marching into new season of operation, with the impressive list of DJs in past, and some true world music sensations to come. Unforgettable music experience is guaranteed by world class artist and DJs, state of the art sound system, 3D projections and laser show in combination with attractive performers and dancers. Besides that, club offers eleven bars, yacht berths and docking area, VIP areas, lounge chairs, pool, massage tables and much more.\nPapaya Club\nThe most popular club of Zrce beach – Papaya club – is considered to be the best beach club in Croatia and is also pronounuced the 6th best club in the world according to DJ MAG’s Top 100 Clubs poll in 2018. They say it's one of the best party spots in Europe - at the same time the club is a spectacular open air summer beach resort as well as a festival venue. It spreads over 32,000 sq ft and has the capacity of approximately 4500 people.\nPapaya club has hosted numerous world famous DJs throughout the years. Some of the artists that performed at Papaya several times are Tiesto, Armin Van Buuren, Hardwell, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Paul Kalkbrenner, Nicky Romero, Marco Carola, Loco Dice, Sven Vath, Jamie Jones, Paul Van Dyk, Justice, Calvin Harris, Swedish House Mafia, Showtek, W&W, Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, Rick Ross and many others.\nOne of the oldest and best clubs in Croatia – Aquarius club – is pronounced the 19th best club in the world according to DJ MAG’s Top 100 Clubs poll in 2019.\nIt's located at one of the best party spots in Europe - Zrce beach - and it serves as an spectacular open air summer beach club as well as a festival venue. Its capacity is approximately 2000 people.\nAquarius club at Zrce beach has hosted numerous world famous DJs throughout the years. Some of the artists that performed at Aquarius are Afrojack, Alan Walker, Alesso, Amelie Lens, Avicii, Axwell, Fedde le Grand, Jamie Jones, KSHMR, Nicky Romero, NERVO, Oliver Heldens, Richie Hawtin, Robin Schulz, Salvatore Ganacci, Seth Troxler, Sven Vath, Steve Angello, Tchami and many others.\nThe club is also hosting different types of various music genre festivals such as: Hideout, Sonus, Barrakud, Fresh Island, Hard Island, Black Sheep, Area 4, Zrce Spring Break Europe and many others, all located at Zrce beach throughout the summer months.\nAt one of the best clubs in Croatia you can enjoy the remarkable night parties, become a part of the amazing atmosphere and taste various types of refreshing summer cocktails. You are also able to watch the show of our beautiful go-go dancers, enjoy the view from the club overlooking Zrce beach, Adriatic sea and the Velebit mountain, dance until dawn under the amazing sound and light system on Aquarius club's main dance arena or just sit and relax with the luxurious treatment of our staff at the Aquarius VIP area.\nThe crazy late 80s, or more precisely 1987, gave birth to what was to become the first Croatian beach club - Kalypso, the pioneer of the renowned Zrce club scene and the Mecca of partygoers from all around the planet.\nKalypso is definitely the place where celebration never ends. Over the years it has been the host of electronic music superstars. Festivals, special events, crazy pool parties and outstanding after beach parties are already a part of the partygoers’ collective memory.\nMassive festivals such as Hideout, Fresh Island, Sonus, Area 4, Black Sheep and Hard Island, as well as numerous special events, make Kalypso more and more electrifying each year.\nThe very seafront location of Kalypso beach club, surrounded by hundred-year-old pine trees and the utopian landscape of the island of Pag, is what creates the unique atmosphere and places Kalypso very high on the list of the world’s best clubs.\nIn 2015 Kalypso’s venue was completely renewed and upgraded, which has given even more emphasizes to its organic and natural character, making it more attractive and exclusive. Guests can enjoy the luxury of the brand new VIP area, dance by the pool while drinking cocktails and various refreshing summer drinks, or chill out in the lounge area.\nHow to get to Zrće\nIf you booked your flight in advance you can be lucky and find very good value. There are a lot of flights from the UK to Zadar (CRO) or Split (CRO) per day and the flight duration is around 3 hours on average.\nCheck for the best and cheapest flight option for you:\nhttps://www.cheapflights.co.uk/\nUltimate Zrće Stag Croatia Package\nQuad Adventure\nTrip to NP Plitvička jezera\nPag boat trip\nNight Activities\nDinner at Italian restaurant\nNightclub entry\nDinner at traditional restaurant\nLesbo show\nTransfers to Destination\nMinibus airport transfer\nLimo airport transfer with stripper\nLimo airport transfer\nStagcroatia are specialists in organising the ultimate stag, bachelor and activity weekends in Croatia. Whether you are looking for a wild stag, bachelor party or a more relaxing weekend in Croatia Stagcroatia will make it happen.\nCertificate level 1 Internet Payment Gateway\nStag Croatia\n© 2021 INCENTIVE Travel Agency d.o.o.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line611587"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5556992292404175,"wiki_prob":0.5556992292404175,"text":"Is Facial Recognition a Violation of our Privacy?\nLike any other technological advancement, facial recognition technology (FRT) has its benefits. Whilst there are clear advantages to such developments that seem almost too futuristic for 2019, there is usually a caveat at hand with an array of TBD answers to much pressing questions prior to it being fully adopted and welcomed into civilisation. Especially, if it is in the hands of authority.\nAnd FRT is no exception. In fact, it has barely yet made its national debut into society before someone decided to legally challenge its use. Three major police forces in the UK – Leicestershire Police, Metropolitan Police and South Wales Police, have actually been trialling the tech out for a few years now, but it hasn’t been without criticism. Now, it is under scrutiny in court for breaching human rights. But, why?\nWhy are the police using FRT?\nSome fear FRT is the first phase of pushing the US to a Big Brother era, enforcing a more oppressive surveillance state.\nFRT sounds like every Crimewatcher’s dream. This piece of tech is supposedly more effective than CCTV as the camera creates a biometric map of the face it has captured, creating a unique code which distinguishes that particular face. In short, police can use these images of passers-by to see if they match anyone on their watch lists. Handy, huh? Merely understanding the basic form of how this sophisticated tech works almost makes you feel so much safer. The tool allows the police force to scan busy crowds in shopping centres or concerts to omit risk and potential danger.\nAnd many agree. Speaking to the BBC, Chris Phillips, Former Head of the National Counter Terrorism Security Office, said: “If there are hundreds of people walking the streets who should be in prison because there are outstanding warrants for their arrest, or dangerous criminals bent on harming others in public places, the proper use of AFR [automated facial recognition] has a vital policing role.”\nHowever, Ed Bridges, an office worker simply trying to peacefully purchase a sandwich for lunch has questioned this and states that it is a violation of privacy, a breach of human rights, data protection and equality laws.\nWhen the MET police trialled the above in London, not everyone was happy; three arrests were made alone on one day alone\nDoes FRT violate our privacy?\nSome would strongly argue so. San Francisco for starters: earlier last month the hub for tech revolution became the first city to ban the use of FRT by police and other agencies. Why? Some fear FRT is the first phase of pushing the US to a Big Brother era, enforcing a more oppressive surveillance state.\nHowever, other states have witnessed the advantages of facial recognition during threatening events. In Annapolis Maryland when a suspect refused to cooperate with police and be identified with their fingerprints, FRT came into play. With Maryland being one of the most aggressive states when it comes to facial recognition, it is no surprise they opted for it to help them with their investigation. As Anne Arundel County Police Chief Timothy Altomare said: “We would have been much longer in identifying him and being able to push forward in the investigation without that system.”\nBut after UK’s Ed Bridges decided to seek legal action, Megan Goulding, a lawyer from the civil liberties group Liberty which is supporting Bridges in his claim, stated that using FRT is: “just like taking people’s DNA or fingerprints, without their knowledge or their consent.”.\nIn order to scan the suspect’s face in Maryland, the police needed to use their ‘exclusive’ access to “three million state mug shots, seven million state driver’s license photos and an additional 24.9 million mug shots from a national FBI database”, and it is not clear to how many other people or agencies have access to this same information.\nIt is now for police and parliamentarians to face up to the facts: facial recognition represents an inherent risk to our rights, and has no place on our streets.\nIf we were to push aside our worry that anyone could potentially hack or scam their way in to gain access to such data, we must at least give our time to question how we feel about scanners taking our photos when we are merely going for a stroll. When the MET police trialled the above in London, not everyone was happy; three arrests were made alone on one day alone, and one man was fined £90 for a public order offence, after arguing his right to cover his face in order to avoid the cameras. When does it switch from trying to maintain your personal privacy, to refusing to cooperate with authorities? It is a fine line in play here.\nAnd privacy is one aspect, but Liberty states, and we can argue that the aforementioned gentleman would probably agree, that the tech breaches our freedom of expression. They released a statement, saying:\n“Facial recognition technology captures the biometric data of everyone who passes the cameras, violating our right to privacy and undermining our freedom of expression.”\nGoulding added to this, saying: “Facial recognition is an inherently intrusive technology that breaches our privacy rights. It risks fundamentally altering our public spaces, forcing us to monitor where we go and who with, seriously undermining our freedom of expression… It is now for police and parliamentarians to face up to the facts: facial recognition represents an inherent risk to our rights, and has no place on our streets.”\nFreedom of expression aside, (yes, there is still more factors to ponder), Liberty also bring to light another pressing issue:\n“The technology also discriminates against women and people of colour – it disproportionately misidentifies those people, making them more likely to be subject to a police stop due to an incorrect match.”\nIn fact, the BBC reported that Black and minority ethnic people could be falsely identified and face questioning, due to the fact that the police have failed to test how well their systems deal with non-white faces after missing chances to test how well their systems deal with such situations.\nWith the risk of there being a bias towards certain ethnicities and races, there is potential for false matches such as these changing society and the nature of public spaces.\nFrom freedom of expression to discrimination, the matter at hand remains: is FRT well regulated? In short, no.\nAdding to this, speaking to Julian Hayes, Partner at BCL Solicitors, he mentions how at the 2017 Notting Hill Carnival, FRT was wrong 98% of the time, risking misidentification and miscarriages of justice. He said: “To mitigate the risks posed by such tools, it’s important we fully consider the implications of their deployment by the authorities.”\nFrom freedom of expression to discrimination, the matter at hand remains: is FRT well regulated? In short, no. Lecturer in law, Dr Purshouse argues that Parliament should set out rules governing the scope of the power of the police to deploy FRT surveillance in public spaces to ensure consistency across police forces. He says “As it currently stands, police forces trialling FRT are left to come up with divergent, and sometimes troubling, policies and practices for the execution of their FRT operations[1].”\nHowever, if the criminal justice system is to retain the trust and confidence of society, it’s essential that we appreciate the limitations of AI in its various guises, from FRT to futuristic recidivism forecasting.\nWith there being no legal framework, there is little stopping police forces from taking images from the internet or social media accounts to populate their ‘watch lists’.\nAs Julian expands, “Algorithmic policing, with its efficiency and cost-saving potential, is undoubtedly here to stay, and if it prevents crime and assists in apprehending offenders, most people would encourage its use by law enforcement. However, if the criminal justice system is to retain the trust and confidence of society, it’s essential that we appreciate the limitations of AI in its various guises, from FRT to futuristic recidivism forecasting. The privacy implications are significant and the technology is not infallible; it must not be seen as a panacea.”\nIn essence, policy is the problem. There is a fine line between security and infringing citizens’ privacy if there is not any legislation stating what is and is not acceptable use of FRT. We can only wait to see what the court decides to those legally challenging its use and if the government outlines the policies regarding FRT and its public usage in the upcoming years.\n[1] https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/police-facial-recognition-technology/60775/\nMagazineOpinion & AnalysisPublic & Regulatory\nBy Jaya Harrar\t Last updated Jul 4, 2019 0\nJaya Harrar\nDivorce & Trusts – Will the Pandemic Change Marriage & Family?\n5 Trends in Family Law for 2021","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1563461"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8022138476371765,"wiki_prob":0.8022138476371765,"text":"Review by Ernie Sutton and Terry Bloxham\n6 June 2013 to 6 October 2013 KUNST HAUS WIEN\nhttp://www.kunsthauswien.com/en/exhibitions\nThe first real major retrospective of Linda’s photographic work has gone on exhibition in Vienna, in the magnificent Kunst Haus Wien.\nThe Kunst Haus Wien was designed by the Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser (1928-2000) and two floors of the gallery are devoted to his work. Hundertwasser was unique – a painter, designer and architect, he believed that life was not meant to be lived in bland square boxes. His work is characterised by bright colours and no straight lines. It’s worth going to the Kunst Haus just to see and, most importantly, experience his work – once experienced, it is not easily forgotten!\nLinda McCartney’s Photography retrospective is located on the top two floors of the museum.\nLinda studied at the University of Arizona where she first became interested in photography. Her influences include the photographers Walker Evans (1903-1975) and Paul Strand (1890-1976), both of whom specialised in personal, close observation work; something that Linda herself excelled in.\nThe exhibition is split into 5 sections.\nSection one: ‘The Light Comes From Within’\n“My photography is me.”\nHere the exhibition focuses on Linda’s special approach to photographs, with its cultural elements of trust and understanding.\nOne of the highlights is the C-Type (chromogenic) print (of which there are many in this exhibition) entitled ‘My Love’ of Paul’s face viewed through the rear view mirror, taken by Linda from the back seat. The picture was taken somewhere in London (along the no. 4 bus route) and captures the red sky above in a fascinating, evocative way. There is also a wonderful photo of horses in the snow taken in 1986, which captures two horses at play and two in a ‘contemplative mood’. Linda caught that magical moment through her lens, making this one of the best shots from this section.\nSection two: ‘The ‘Chronicler of the 60s’\n“A special approach to photographic portraiture with central elements of trust and understanding.”\nHere we have pictures of Jimi Hendrix, Simon and Garfunkel and the Rolling Stones.\nLinda was working as a receptionist at Town and Country Magazine when an invitation came in to attend a promotion party on the Sea Panther in 1966 for the Rolling Stones new album.\nLinda grabbed the opportunity and took some great shots which are exhibited here. Rolling Stone Magazine published her picture of Eric Clapton on 11 May 1968 on their front cover, making Linda the first woman photographer to achieve this feat.\nHer subsequent pictures of such artists as The Yardbirds, Frank Zappa, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Twiggy, Judy Collins, and, of course, The Beatles, suddenly brought Linda to the public eye.\nThere is a video in the exhibition of The Grateful Dead featuring Linda’s pictures which encapsulates the spirit of the 60s.\nIncluded in this section are fantastic photos of Linda taken by Paul McCartney, Graham Nash and Jim Morrison.\nThe majority of her black and white photographs in this section are bromide print.\nSection three: ‘Family Life’\n“It was a life which fluctuated between the poles of extreme publicity and retreats into privacy.”\nLinda’s intimacy with both her family and with her camera produced fabulous, natural shots of the McCartney clan, their animals and their friends. There is a wonderful shot of Denny Laine with a horse, taken in Scotland in 1977. A selection of 30 small Polaroids is included with a very interesting image of John Lennon in 1974 when the Maccas met up with John and May Pang in Los Angeles and recorded the session that became the bootleg “A Toot and a Snore in ‘74”, allegedly the last ever meeting between John and Paul.\nWe also have a lovely picture of son James looking through an eye glass, plus a photo from 1971 of Paul in Liverpool behind which Camerons Whitbred Pale Ale is displayed. There is a great shot from 1979 taken of the heads of local Caribbean children over which are imposed images of Paul and Stella, which shows Linda’s clever manipulation of the photographic image.\nLinda experimented with old photographic processes as well and some of her sun prints are displayed in this section.\nSection four: ‘Photography as social commentary’\n“Her empathy extended to all people of all social strata as well as to animals, and she took a stand on issues concerning the protection of animals and the environment.”\nThe influences of Walker Evans and of Henri Cartier-Bresson are particularly strong in this section.\nLinda’s animal rights concerns are clear with photographs of animal carcasses hanging in butcher shops. One image that stands out is that of hares hanging down from a rack with plastic bags over their heads. What is most striking is that these images are of familiar scenes, the barbarity of which are revealed in Linda’s photography.\nSection five: “Later Works”\n“The later portraits of her husband and grown up children radiate sureness of style and an immense sense of peace.” “The woman who often would have liked to be unrecognised, scrutinised her own image at various times of her life and presented this to the beholder.”\nThe best photo here is one showing Paul reflected in a mirror holding a camera but which was taken by Linda. Flanking the mirror are two balloons with the markings “Listen to this Balloon” and “Happy Xmas Apple R5970” (note the UK Catalogue number). Was this a meeting between John and Paul in New York City in 1974, or is it Paul parodying John’s “Listen to this Button” ‘Walls & Bridges’ promo campaign?\nA sixth section would have been welcome which explained in detail the different photographic techniques and processes Linda used but all in all this is such a great exhibition and one you must see.\nFor more information on this fabulous exhibition, including images of some of Linda's iconic photographs, click HERE!\nPosted by Donna J at 17:20 No comments:\nLabels: Beatle Week 2013\nBeatle Week Schedule for Jiri Nikkinen The Beatles Tribute Band!\nHere's the schedule for Nube 9, one of the regular, and most popular, bands at Beatle Week!\nLiverpool’s Cavern Club Beatles are entering a new dawn this week as the band sees the departure of The Coburn brothers, Jimmy and Tony.\nLiverpool’s Cavern Club Beatles are entering a new dawn this week as the band sees the departure of The Coburn brothers, Jimmy and Tony. The two who played John Lennon and Paul McCartney in the band are heading off to New York to play respective roles in the Broadway show ‘Let It Be’ which starts next month. But fear not…the Cavern Club Beatles show will go on with the brand new line-up which features Steve Howard (of Mersey Beatles fame) and Paul McDonough (formerly of Backbeat Beatles).\nCavern Director Bill Heckle says “The Cavern Club Beatles have continued to grown in stature and amaze everybody with their live sell-out show. It is with a touch of sadness mixed with a huge amount of personal pride that we can announce the departure of Tony and Jimmy Coburn have left the band temporarily to star in the Broadway version of ‘Let It Be’. It is a dream come true for both of them who have worked tirelessly throughout their careers to end up in Broadway and we all wish them the best of luck.\nHowever, this is by no means an end to The Cavern Club Beatles and we’re excited to showcase the brand-new line up this coming Saturday in the Cavern Live Lounge. Both Steve and Paul have been performing their respective roles in highly acclaimed Beatle tribute bands for many years and really know their craft. Both of the ‘new arrivals’ are excited about joining current CCB members Paul Jones (George Harrison), Steve Finnigan (Ringo) and Paul Laverick (keyboard) and the show will be every bit as authentic and dynamic as previous shows.”\nThe new line-up will also be entertaining International Beatleweek audiences at the Liverpool Philharmonic show on Friday 23rd August where they will be performing the early Beatles set (from 1962 to 1964). On the same bill that night will be Scotland’s finest ‘Them Beatles’ who will perform the Beatles later years from 1965.\nTickets priced £20 are available to purchase online here or from www.liverpoolphil.com\nLimited number of box seats available – please contact 0151 236 9091 or email bookings@beatlewwek.co.uk\nThe Cavern Club Beatles perform every Saturday in the Cavern Live Lounge – visit our what’s on page to purchase tickets. We strongly recommend early booking as this show sells out weekly.\nLabels: Beatle Week 2013, News\nREVIEW: THE APPLE CORE BEATLES AT THE CITY BARGE SUNDAY 28TH JULY 2013\nReview by Ernie Sutton & Terry Bloxham\nThe City Barge pub, based at Strand on the Green, Chiswick, London, W4, is well known to Beatles fans. It is the pub where the Beatles retreated to in the film ‘Help!’, only for Ringo to fall through a trap door into a cellar where he met the Beethoven-loving Bengal tiger.\nIn reality the pub doesn’t have a cellar due to its location close to the Thames, but there were a number of shots of The Beatles featured in the film that were filmed at this location.\nOn Sunday 28th July, the pub celebrated this Beatles connection with a special event. From 2.30 a tribute band, The Apple Core Beatles, played three sets from the balcony overlooking the Thames into the early evening.\nA barbeque feast was laid on and we were treated to some glorious weather (apart from the odd bit of rain that caused the band to stop for a short while).\nThe first set featured songs from the films ‘Help!’ and ‘A Hard Day’s Night’, focusing mainly on the Beatlemania years. The Apple Cores’ drummer couldn’t play that gig but we were introduced to ‘Jimmy Nicoi’, his replacement.\nThe second set was the most interesting of the three as it featured a number of George tracks including ‘Here Comes The Sun’, ‘If I Needed Someone’ and, to the crowd’s delight, the Traveling Wilbury’s song ‘Handle Me with Care’. At last George’s songs were performed on a par with the Lennon & McCartney ones.\nMost of the material played was from the early albums and it got the crowd up on their feet, dancing away the afternoon. Songs from the later albums were also played, notably ‘Back in the USSR’, ‘Get Back’ and, of course, ‘Hey Jude’.\nFrom what I could gather, the majority of those there were regular customers and have probably never seen a Beatles tribute band before, so all in all it was a great event for the locals. The Apple Cores are working hard on their harmonies and we look forward to hearing some more polished performances.\nIt was a great day in beautiful sunshine at a Beatles film location- what more could you want- and to top it all the film ‘Help!’ was being shown throughout the day inside the pub, and the beer is good!\nPosted by Donna J at 10:01 1 comment:\nInternational Beatle Week Shows at The Philharmonic Hall\nCelebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Beatles Last Show at the Cavern!\n3rd August 1963 – 2013\nThe Cavern Club to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of The Beatles last ever show\nFriday 2nd – Sunday 4th August 2013\nThe Cavern, the most famous club in the world, will open its doors to the world to celebrate this occasion with a weekend of Live Music. The Beatles played the legendary Mathew Street venue 292 times between February 1961 and August 1963 before going on to conquer the world. The Cavern originally opened in 1957 as a jazz venue and continues to this day to be a thriving live music venue as well as a major visitor attraction.\nThe weekend will see a celebration of the legacy the fab four left the Cavern. Alongside the club’s regular live music offering, there will be highlighted events on all three Cavern stages showcasing the past, the present and the future of this iconic Liverpool club;\nHighlights include;\n8pm – Cavern Live Lounge\nDave Monks from BBC Radio Merseyside presents\n“The Cavern Today”\nFeaturing some of Liverpool’s very best, new emerging bands and artists;\nThe Hummingbirds, Stephen Langstaff, The Mono L.P’s, The Verdict & Richard Batty\n10pm – Cavern Front\n“The Rockits”\nResident 60’s band celebrate the music of The Beatles, The Stones, The Kinks and many more of the musical greats that graced the Cavern stage\nGeneral Admission for both stages - £4 after 8pm\n4pm & 9pm – Cavern Live Lounge\n“Saturday with The Beatles”\nTheatre style Beatles show featuring our resident Beatle band, The Cavern Club Beatles\nTwo shows – 4pm & 9pm / Tickets £15.00\n“The Cave Dwellers”\nResident band invite guest musicians and singers from all over the world to join them on the famous Cavern stage for their weekly four hour jam. A unique opportunity to be part of this historic celebration\nGeneral Admission - £4 after 8pm\n“Cavern Originals”\nAn afternoon of authentic Merseybeat – Featuring;\nThe Undertakers, The Hideaways, The Kirby’s and Beryl Marsden\nPresented by Frankie Connor – BBC Radio Merseyside\nTickets £10.00\n“The Cavern – the beat goes on!”\n“The Ian Prowse Monday Club” presents a special show featuring the very best in new song writing. His regular Monday night in the Cavern pub is a hub of creativity, a chance for Liverpool artists, song writers and poets, to try out their new material in front of an appreciative and supportive audience.\nClick here for full listings\nBeatle Week Schedule for the Fabulous \"Johnny and the Moondogs\"!\nNew Competition: Win Tickets to LET IT BE, with dinner included!\nLabels: Competition, News\nMark Ronson arrives to be inducted as the latest LIPA Fellow\nc. Donna Jackson\nMike McCartney arriving\nPaul arriving and faced, as usual, by autograph\nhunters!\nPaul paused to wave at the crowd before\ngoing in for the Graduation ceremony\nPaul fighting his way through the crowds after\nthe ceremony!\nNB: All photos are used here with the kind permission of the copyright holder. Please DO NOT download or reproduced without the express permission of Donna Jackson and the British Beatles Fan Club.\nLOS PASANTES from Barcelona - www.lospasantes.com\n94 Baker Street gets a psychedelic revival - July 31 at 9.16pm!\n94 Baker Street, the former headquarters of The Beatles, will be lit up with a special light projection in tribute to the band on Wednesday 31st July.\nThe projection will be a contemporary interpretation of the psychedelic-style mural that adorned the building in its heyday, and is to celebrate the converting of the building into residential apartments, aptly named ‘The Apple Apartments’. The projection will take place at 9.16pm.\nThe exterior of the building has a blue plaque, unveiled earlier this year, to celebrate John Lennon and George Harrison’s links with the former Beatles HQ. The building sits on the corner of Baker Street and Paddington Street, Marylebone W1.\nAs well as the base for The Beatles record empire in the late 1960s, the Apple Boutique was opened at street level selling clothes and accessories. The aim of the shop was, according to Paul McCartney, to create “a beautiful place where beautiful people can buy beautiful things. The launch party in December 1967 was attended by John Lennon, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, Cilla Black and Kenneth Tynan. Invites stated: “Come at 7.46. Fashion show at 8.16.”\nPaul McCartney, the Beatles, and the UK Counter-Culture\nComing to DVD on October 1st\nIn the mid-1960s the often rigid and colourless British way of life was irrevocably transformed by the emergence of a cultural underground movement. Led by a loose collective of young radicals, they introduced new social, sexual and aesthetic perspectives. Operating out of the heart of London, their various activities, from 'The International Times' - a bi-weekly journal that no hipster could be seen without - to the psychedelic nightclub UFO, promoted alternative lifestyles and values, and sparked a social revolution.\nThis film not only traces the history of this underground scene, but also explores its impact on the pre-eminent British group of the era, The Beatles. Although they were well established by the time the movement emerged, Paul McCartney in particular, was closely linked with several of its key players, and through his exposure to cutting edge concepts brought ideas directly from the avant-garde into the mainstream.\nFeaturing many new interviews with key players from the time including; IT editor and long term friend of Paul McCartney, Barry Miles; founder of IT and UFO club organiser, John 'Hoppy' Hopkins; founder of UFO and Pink Floyd producer , Joe Boyd; Soft Machine drummer, Robert Wyatt; drummer from experimental improvisational collective AMM, Eddie Prevost; proprietor of Indica, the counter-cultural gallery, John Dunbar; Underground scenester, vocalist with The Deviants and IT journalist, Mick Farren; plus author of 'Days in the Life: Voices from the English Underground 1961 - 1971', Jonathon Greene; Beatles expert, Chris Ingham and Mojo jounalist Mark Paytress.\nAlso includesrare archive footage, photographs from private collections and music from The Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Soft Machine, AMM and others.\nPre-order: http://www.seeofsound.com/p.php?s=PGDVD161\nWe are pleased to announce the release of the ALL NEW TRAILER for the graphic novel of THE FIFTH BEATLE! The Fifth Beatle follows the life of The Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein who was known to many as “The Fifth Beatle” due to his efforts in grooming the band’s persona. The graphic novel (which will be released on Nov. 19 by Dark Horse Comics) already has a film adaptation in development (with Beatles music rights secured).\nThe trailer will be screened as part of a continuously looping video throughout San Diego Comic-Con at the Dark Horse Comics booth. The novel's artist, Andrew Robinson, and writer/producer Vivek J. Tiwary will host a Fifth Beatle signing at the booth on Friday at 3 p.m.\nFor more information visit the official website: http://thefifthbeatle.com/\nPre-Order Link: http://amzn.to/13OWmy8\nAbout The Fifth Beatle:\nTHE FIFTH BEATLE is a graphic novel and feature film recounting the untold true story of Brian Epstein, the brilliant visionary who discovered the Beatles in a cellar in Liverpool, nurtured, protected, and guided them to international stardom, and died extremely successful and painfully lonely at the age of 32. It’s a human story about the struggle to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds—Brian was homosexual when it was a felony to be so, Jewish at a time of anti-Semitism, and from Liverpool when it was just a dingy port town. It’s a story about staggering ambition yielding staggering success, through a desire to change the world by messages of love and peace. A story about being an outsider and trying desperately to belong. A story about speed, triumph, and tragedy. A story whose themes resonate deeply across generations, sexes, and sexual preferences. A story full of dreams and music… The greatest music of all time.\nThe Fifth Beatle charts Brian Epstein’s discovery of The Beatles and his work to sharpen them into the stars they became—crafting their infectious image and presentation from truly rough and tough beginnings, securing a record deal when no one wanted to touch them, successfully bringing them to a world stage with a scale and scope no music impresario had ever attempted, and eventually proving through “Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” that pop music could be an inspirational art form. Brian Epstein’s boast—“The Beatles will be bigger than Elvis!”— seemed absurd in 1961, but proved not just prophetic but humble by 1967.\nYet behind this “behind the music” story, The Fifth Beatle also follows Brian’s personal struggles and his desire to be “one of the boys”—a true “Fifth Beatle” if you will—in the face of crushing personal obstacles and loneliness from never having fallen in Love. His struggles with rapid, overwhelming success in the face of his simple human desire to belong. “The Fifth Beatle” will leave us passionately inspired but equally forced to question the last song on the last Beatles album when it suggests: “In the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make”.\nThe Apple Core Beatles will be playing at the City Barge pub (a location in Help!) in Chiswick this Sunday, July 27.\nThere will be a barbecue and cider festival at the pub, also the film will be shown in the pub throughout the day.\nThe event will be running from 2-6 and the band hopes to see lots of BBFC members at the event!\nThe City Barge\n27 Strand on the Green\nW43PH\nFor more information, visit the band's website at www.theapplecorebeatles.com\nLast year, we brought you news of a week-long summer school programme offered by the University of Oxford: \"The Beatles, Popular Music and Sixties Britain\". We were delighted, therefore, when we received this email from David Beard, the Academic Director and Programme Director for the Oxford Experience Summer School, telling us of the amazing time that two graduates of the programme experienced!:\nTwo Oxford Experience students who had studied “The Beatles, Popular Music and Sixties Britain” with Rikky Rooksby attended the the Paul McCartney sound test at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma on May 29, 2013 got the experience of their lives when they were invited up onto the stage to meet Paul.\nCharles and Sherry Heard had held up a sign saying \"We studied Beatles at Oxford - Please sign our diplomas\"\nPaul announced \"Right, here we have, straight from Oxford, straight from their exams, come on, then, let's see this. I wanna see if this is official. I'm not sure I believe this even yet! Let me see. (takes the diploma) Thank you. (reads the diploma)\n\"University of Oxford, Christ Church, Oxford. Sherry Childress-Heard... interesting there, and Charles Heard. Oh! Very wonderful. Well, they studied Beatles!”\nPaul added, \"Well, anyone who studies The Beatles at Oxford is a friend of mine.\" Then he signed their certificates and said \"And now, I confer upon you the honor of 'Beatle.'\"\nRikky Rooksby will be teaching the course “The Beatles, Popular Music and Sixties for Oxford Experience 2014 from 20 to 26 July.\nFor more information on how to enrol for this course in 2014 (all the places for this summer are -- unsurprisingly -- taken), visit the website at http://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/courses/details.php?id=V210-36\nOur original story can be seen here: http://www.britishbeatlesfanclub.co.uk/2012/11/the-beatles-popular-music-and-sixties.html\nExhibition - The Beatles & Bournemouth - Opens August 15!\nThe Beatles & Bournemouth\nBeacon Hotel, Bournemouth\nOpens 15 August\nTo mark the 50th anniversary of The Beatles’ first shows in Bournemouth, on 19 August 1963 when they opened a six-day residency at the Gaumont (now the Odeon) cinema on Westover Road, a new exhibition celebrating their many connections to the town is to open.\nThe Beatles played more shows at the Gaumont than in any other UK theatre outside London, notching up no less than 16 shows between August 1963 and their final visit on 2 October 1964.\nThe exhibition, at the Beacon Hotel on Priory Road, Bournemouth, includes dozens of photos of The Beatles in Bournemouth, as well as posters, handbills, reviews and programmes from the group’s four visits to the town.\nThere are various other photos from Robert Freeman’s photo shoot of the boys at the Palace Court Hotel on Westover Road that produced the iconic half-shadow sleeve shot for their second album, With The Beatles.\nThe Beatles on the balcony of the Palace Court Hotel\n(now Premier Inn) in Westover Road, Bournemouth\ntaken by Harry Taylor (copyright Dave Robinson).\nAlso at the Beacon Hotel you can find the main venue sign, a section of stage and some seats from the historic Winter Gardens theatre where The Beatles played on 16 November 1963 and were filmed for US television – the first footage America was to see of the Fab Four.\nMuch interest is bound to fall on the remarkable photo of John Lennon with his young son Julian and his Aunt Mimi at Sandbanks Ferry, just yards from the harbourside bungalow he bought for Mimi in 1965 and where he visited her many times before he left these shores for good in 1971.\nThe exhibition tells an incredible story of how a small resort on the south coast of England came to play a significant part in the history of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll group of them all.\nIn conjunction with the exhibition there is a new restaurant opening at the Beacon Hotel in August.\nThe Bournemouth Rock Cafe uses Harry Taylor’s iconic ‘Stick of Rock’ photo as part of its logo and will be serving gourmet burgers and a full menu in rooms that are adorned with Bournemouth music memorabilia from all eras and genres.\nhttp://www.natula.co.uk/BournemouthBeatles.html\nhttp://beatlesbournemouth.blogspot.co.uk/\nPlaywrights competing in an international Liverpool Festival will introduce their own plays via the medium of film.\nThe eight writers selected for the Beatles-themed Ticket to Write Festival have recorded a brief message to be shown ahead of their entry at the Unity Theatre, Liverpool on Tuesday July 30.\n“This will really help reinforce the international appeal of The Beatles with writers from the USA , Merseyside and throughout the UK focusing on the home city of the Fab Four”, said Artistic Director, Michelle Taylor, from Crosby, who came up with the idea of the filmed introductions.\nAnd members of the audience will have a say in who wins the tasty £150 prize.\nTo mark the 70th Anniversary of George Harrison's birth, this year, four of the entries selected focus mainly George – often dubbed the quiet Beatle.\nThe three Merseyside entries are:\nDigital Age by Chris Jenkin, from Aigburth, gives a humorous insight into how things would be if the Beatles were still together today.\nDouble Fantasy by Paul McGuire from Ainsdale, Southport which imagines John and George in Limbo keeping ‘dixie’ on Paul and Ringo on Earth.\nDarren and George by Phil McNulty of Southport, shows a man with George’s laid back style using his beliefs and spiritual ideals to try to calm a very angry young scally tearaway.\n“It's also a chance for actors from the North-West to parade their talents”, said Festival Director, Jamie Gaskin, from Southport.\nFurther details and tickets available at www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk (£10/£8 concessions) and full details about the Ticket To Write Festival at www.acedrama.co.uk. You can also follow the festival on Facebook (TicketToWriteFestival) and Twitter(@TicketToWrite13).","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line251425"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.574442982673645,"wiki_prob":0.574442982673645,"text":"gastro-documentaries | series\n“Concepts and Regions”, is a documentary series, presenting restaurants different in concepts, but with a common motivation, working with regional produce.\nIn the first episode, we explore the thoughts of Chef “Noon”, Weerawat Triyasenawat , from the restaurant Samuay & Sons, in Udon Thani, northeast of Thailand. The region known as the “Isan” region, has one of the most exciting and complex cuisines in Thailand, mixing unique herbs and challenging the balance of flavors through dynamic combinations of salty, bitterness, sour and sweet, with an enlighten spicy feeling. A history in foraging and preservation of proteins, is part of the region character. The forest is a key element, as its communities, like point the very passionate Chef, that dish by dish calls the attention to sustainable farming and cultural preservation.\n“A Ostra Bêbada” (The Drunken Oyster), is located in Curitiba, capital of the Paraná State, in Brasil. The City has a very special location, being at 934 meters above sea level and 100km from the coast, separated by the Atlantic Forest Mountain Range. The Chef Lucas Cintra and his partner, the architect and urbanist Rafael Fusco, were inspired by the Spanish Tapas concept, to bring to the heart of Curitiba, native produce from the coast and the mountains. The concept goes according their, already stablished, relationship with the City and its urban use, after their first successful enterprise, the street food bar, Pizza CWB. But with “A Ostra Bêbada” they take another step, connecting the City, the Mountain and the Oceans, with a touch of the influence by the Italian and Spanish cuisine, bringing into a full circle the important geographical, historical and cultural elements that build Curitiba’s Character.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1541570"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.7484151721000671,"wiki_prob":0.7484151721000671,"text":"Home Dinosaur Ancient Earth may have birthed islands of life\nAncient Earth may have birthed islands of life\nCredit: Michael S. Helfenbein\nIslands jutting up from the world’s oceans provided environmental conditions necessary for early life to flourish, a new study co-authored by a Yale scientist suggests.\nSignificantly, the finding offers important evidence supporting one of the most popular ideas about the origins of life on Earth — Charles Darwin’s notion of “warm little ponds.”\nEarth scientists Jun Korenaga of Yale University and Juan Carlos Rosas of the Ensenada Center for Scientific Research and Higher Education in Mexico describe their new theory in the Jan. 4 online edition of the journal Nature Geoscience.\nIn his writings, Darwin hypothesized that life began when shallow, warm ponds of water allowed essential biomolecules to concentrate and undergo polymerization reactions.\nMany scientists believe that if such ponds existed in abundance, or if they existed over a long period of time, it is possible that life emerged from a series of these chemical reactions.\nYet there was a problem when applying this theory.\nThe early Earth was a “water world,” covered by deep oceans long before the first continents poked their way to the surface. In such a world, Darwin’s shallow, warm ponds simply didn’t exist.\nKorenaga and Rosas say they may have the answer.\nThe researchers developed a theoretical model for the likely topography of Earth’s sea floor during the Archean eon, which lasted from 4,000 million years ago until 2,500 million years ago.\nTheir model found that a higher amount of internal heating in the Earth’s mantle than what exists today may have halted certain ongoing geophysical processes — creating a shallowing of ocean basins in some parts of the world.\nIn this scenario, the researchers said, volcanic island chains and oceanic plateaus may have remained above sea level for hundreds of millions of years.\n“This is a very exciting finding for solid Earth science as well as prebiotic chemistry,” said Korenaga, a professor of earth and planetary sciences at Yale.\nEarth’s internal heating comes from the decay of radioactive elements such as uranium. Because these elements disappear over time, there would have been more of them during the Archeon eon. Korenaga said this would mean there was greater internal heating in the past.\n“My earlier collaboration with Jeffrey Bada, a world expert on prebiotic chemistry at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, tempted me to look into the influence of this well-known fact of sea-floor topography in the past, which had never been explored before,” Korenaga said.\n“Juan and I were surprised when we first saw our results, but in hindsight, it actually makes sense.”\nKorenaga said he hopes the study will motivate further investigations into the dynamic nature of Earth’s early landscape and its implications for the origin and evolution of life.\nGrants from NASA and the National Science Foundation supported the research.\nWritten by Jim Shelton.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line342074"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.7073529958724976,"wiki_prob":0.29264700412750244,"text":"The City of Helotes currently holds two (2) Certificates of Obligation issues dated 2007 and 2015. With principle and interest totaling a little over $15 million or $2,078 per capita, the debt instruments were used to fund, among other things, City Hall renovations, new Police and Fire stations, Old Town Helotes Special District improvements, and utility, park, and drainage improvements throughout the City.\nMost recently, City Council approved $4.4 million in Certificates of Obligation (series 2015) for capitol improvement projects within the City of Helotes. Click here for a copy of the financial advisor’s bid presentation.\nCity of Helotes Outstanding Debt (8/31/15)\nIssue Name\nHelotes Comb Tax & Ltd Pledge Rev CO Ser 2002 GO 8/1/2017 $270,000.00 $11,897.50 $281,897.50\nHelotes Comb Tax & Ltd Pledge Rev CO Ser 2007 GO 8/1/2027 $7,065,000.00 $1,802,789.25 $8,867,789.25\nCertificate of Obligation Documents\nFor more information, review the following Certificate of Obligation documents:\n2015 Document\nClick here to access the 2015 auditor’s report of municipal debt.\nCredit Rating Information\nIn December 2013, Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services raised its long-term and underlying rating for the City of Helotes from A+ to AA. Click here to access the full report. In 2015, Standard & Poor’s reaffirmed the City’s long-term and underlying rating. Click here to access the full report.\nTexas Comptroller Debt at a Glance Tool\nBond Review Board Data","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1452005"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6632792949676514,"wiki_prob":0.33672070503234863,"text":"Home / News / Police arrest the son of late Kogi state governor, Abubakar Audu\nPolice arrest the son of late Kogi state governor, Abubakar Audu\nby Bjay Ademola on 07:00:00 in News\nThe Police in Kogi state have arrested the son of late Kogi state governor, Abubakar Audu, Mohammed and about 15 other members of the late governor's family. According to the former governor's younger brother, Mustapha, Mohammed and other family members were arrested today and are being detained at the Lokoja Police Division.\nHe accused the state governor of ordering the arrest of his family members. He alleged that the state governor was using the police to intimidate their family because Mohammed in a statement he released recently, mocked the governor for using the scarce resources in the state to organize an award ceremony to mark the state's 25 years anniversary, instead of using the money to pay salaries.\nMeanwhile the state governor, Yahaya Bello, has denied having any links with the arrests made.\nA statement from the governor's Chief Press Secretary, Fanwo Kingsley, reads “The Governor did not order the arrest of anybody. However, law enforcement agents are free to effect arrest when anyone infringes the Law. If members of Audu family run foul of the Law, they would not be spared just because they are members of Audu's family”.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line933992"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6122632026672363,"wiki_prob":0.6122632026672363,"text":"COVID-19 pandemic will hurt retirement nest eggs more than Great Recession, new survey shows\nSeven in 10 Americans say the COVID- 19 pandemic will affect their retirement, with many dipping into their nest eggs, scaling back contributions and planning to work longer, a new survey shows.\n“The impact to Americans’ retirement accounts is bigger than that of the Great Recession,” says Dara Luber, senior manager, retirement product for TD Ameritrade. “It’s disrupting their finances.”\nAnd while trillions of dollars in government aid is helping, many people are confused by the programs. Nearly one-third, for example, believe they’ll need to pay back the stimulus checks they’ve recently received next tax season.\nTwenty-one percent of those surveyed anticipate the crisis will deliver a severe blow to their retirement blueprint while 50% expect somewhat of an impact, according to TD Ameritrade’s survey of 1,008 adults with at least $10,000 in investable assets. , conducted April 24-May 4.\nBy comparison, 18% of Americans said their retirement plans were severely affected by the Great Recession of 2007-09, and 40% said they were somewhat affected.\nFor many workers, particularly millennials, the two recessions amount to a one-two punch. Forty-three percent of Americans said they’re still recovering financially from the Great Recession.\nGeneration Xers (age 39-54) have been hurt most by the pandemic, with 76% saying their retirement road map has been somewhat or severely affected.\n“They are in their peak earning years and they’re starting to put their retirement more in focus,” Luber says. Meanwhile, she says, “They’re paying mortgages, they have kids in college. If they have a job loss, I would expect they’ll be hit harder.”\nThe current recession has done more economic damage more quickly than the downturn a decade ago. Since February, nearly 20 million workers have lost their jobs as states abruptly shut down nonessential businesses to curtail the spread of the virus. That compares to 8.7 million layoffs over two years during the Great Recession, which was triggered by a housing crisis.\nThe stock market, however, tumbled more steeply in the earlier slump, taking a bigger toll on retirement savings. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index fell about 50%, compared wotj a drop of about a third during the current crisis. And a market rally since late March has left the broad index just 5.2% below its mid-February peak.\nYet many Americans have lost jobs during the pandemic and raided their savings or nest eggs to make ends meet. Seventeen percent have withdrawn money from their emergency funds or saving accounts while another 20% are considering doing so, the survey shows. And 11% have taken money out of their 401(k) accounts while 10% have dipped into their individual retirement accounts (IRAs). Nearly one in five are weighing such moves.\nThe federal government is waiving penalties on retirement account withdrawals if they’re due to the pandemic.\nWorkers also have trimmed their contributions to free up more spending money, with 14% setting aside less of their paychecks for retirement savings.\nMillennials (age 24-38) have been most financially strained. Twenty-six percent have siphoned money from emergency funds or savings accounts, 16% have pulled cash out of their 401(k)s and a similar share has dipped into IRAs. Seventeen percent have shaved retirement contributions.\n“More (millennials) likely have had to stay home” to watch kids while schools are closed, taking a bite out of their incomes, Luber says. “And we know they have more student loans.\"\nMeanwhile, 15% of Americans have put off retirement and another 24% are considering doing so. And while 16% of baby boomers (55-73) have delayed retirement, 9% have retired early and another 14% are thinking about it. Many older Americans have lost jobs during the crisis.\nYet if they do hang it up, it likely won’t be a traditional retirement, with many boomers working part-time or as gig economy workers, Luber says.\nOverall, 51% of Americans are more open to working in retirement because of the pandemic, according to the survey.\nAnd 45% of millennials are more open to living with a roommate to save on expenses.\nThe government has come to the rescue with a laundry list of financial lifelines, but many Americans are in the dark. Just 26% know they can take money out of a 401(k) without penalty if they’ve been hurt by the pandemic. And just 18% realize they can borrow up to $100,000 from their 401(k).\nDespite the damage the pandemic has done to retirement planning and savings, many workers are taking steps to close the gap. Sixteen percent have increased their retirement saving contributions and 31% are considering doing so.\n“Even during a time of uncertainty, Americans are doing their best to continue to improve their financial health,” Luber says.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line134183"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5744321942329407,"wiki_prob":0.5744321942329407,"text":"Health care and ex-servicemen\nSenior service\nOld people looking for cheap drugs have found them at veterans' hospitals\nUnited StatesJul 20th 2002 edition\nBattle honours include Merck, Pfizer and Glaxo\nDESPITE a $50 billion budget and 220,000 employees, the Department of Veterans' Affairs gets hardly any public attention. A decade ago, a Senate aide famously compared visiting the department to Jules Verne's “Journey to the Centre of the Earth”. Now it seems that another group of explorers has discovered the department: old people needing prescription drugs.\nThe department, known just about everywhere as the VA, oversees compensation programmes for retired servicemen and women. It has long been one of the best protected fiefs in Washington: ex-servicemen's lobbies are extremely powerful and few politicians want to be seen cutting support for men who have served in war. Yet the department now offers a good example of how a problem can move around the federal government—in this case from the failing Medicare system, the health-insurance programme for all elderly Americans, to the more sprightly VA system.\nSince 1995, the VA's health-care system has seen an unexpected 46% jump in the number of patients making use of its services. For that it has to thank a package of laws passed in 1996. These smartened up the VA's 163 hospitals and broadened the services the department offers (including out-of-hospital care). The laws also made every one of the country's 25m ex-servicemen eligible for comprehensive care. Previously the service had been available only to poor and disabled vets whose health problems were a consequence of their time in military service.\nFrom a financial point of view, this generosity was ill-timed. The largest group of living vets, from the Vietnam era, was then reaching illness-prone middle age, and the second-largest group, from the second world war, was beginning the equally costly process of dying.\nThe late 1990s were also a time when prescription-drug costs rose steeply for old people—particularly America's 9m ex-servicemen over the age of 65. The Medicare system covers medicine costs only for older Americans in hospital. With most private insurance plans demanding that people pay $10-40 per prescription and imposing all sorts of conditions, the VA's $7 for prescriptions started to look attractive. In the past five years the proportion of VA patients looking primarily for cheap drugs has increased from 2% to 21%.\nBoth parties are committed to expanding the Medicare system, but they cannot agree how to organise it or pay for it. The House passed a bill last month, and the Senate is debating the medicine issue this week. But none of the proposals is likely to become law in this election year. And, even when a law eventually emerges, it will hardly save the VA: any Medicare cover plan would find it hard to compete with $7 prescriptions.\nSo, unless the VA once again decides to pick and choose between the veterans it covers (something it is loth to do), it will have to start cutting services. In May the under-secretary for health in the VA, Robert Roswell, gave warning that the VA might have to shift money to pay for cheap drugs from that allocated to its traditional patients, such as paraplegics.\nCash for pills\nThree other ways to save money present themselves. The most dramatic would be a long-mooted merger with the Department of Defence's health system. Both departments have always dismissed the idea. Military hospitals say they have to be ready to look after an army at war; the VA is closer to traditional patient care. On the other hand, the two departmentsoften operate hospitals and clinics within a few miles of each other: why not share medical equipment, neurosurgeons and bed space? A presidential task-force looking at this will report later this month. Congress also wants to start some pilot schemes.\nA second way to save money would be to get rid of excess hospital space. Three years ago, a General Accounting Office report found that the VA was spending one in every four of its dollars maintaining its “medical infrastructure”, particularly in northern states that have lost patients to the warmer south. Attempts to redress this balance have been fought by suspicious veterans' interest groups. Frederick Malphurs, the VA man in charge of the assessment process, stresses that his aim is not to bring in bulldozers, but to rent out extra space to research organisations and private-sector hospitals.\nThe third possible source of cash is the new Department of Homeland Security. The VA is already part of the National Disaster Medical System and is the official caretaker of the national vaccine stockpile. It now thinks it can play an even bigger role, not least because the entire network is under the command of the federal government. In late May the House of Representatives passed a $100m bill to set up four VA research centres on chemical, biological and radiological threats. The Senate is making headway on a similar bill.\nEven if all three of these ideas were put into effect, they might not produce enough cash to cover the drug bills. Some argue that Congress should simply pay for veterans' drugs through the VA: after all, its big chain of hospitals can get the pills at cheaper rates than Medicare. Others may wonder how on earth a department that was supposed to look after battered old soldiers is becoming a cheap pharmacy for retirees in Florida.\nThis article appeared in the United States section of the print edition under the headline \"Senior service\"\nWhere bullets fly\nAmerica is experiencing the worst recorded increase in its national murder rate\nMinor-league baseball is getting squeezed\nStars and gripes\nWhat to expect from Texas legislature’s new session","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1577401"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5926796793937683,"wiki_prob":0.5926796793937683,"text":"Health » Fitness\nTrump Administration Takes Another Swipe at LGBTQ Health Protections on Way Out\nby Kilian Melloy\nEDGE Staff Reporter\nEven as Donald Trump has acknowledged his presidency is coming to an end, his administration isn't finished attacking LGBTQ Americans, as yet another reversal of federal non-discrimination protections regarding health care and social welfare policies made abundantly clear, Human Rights Watch reports.\nThe new rollback took effect the day after rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol Building, driven in part by conspiracy theories peddled by Trump, along with a number of GOP lawmakers, that falsely assert last November's elections were \"rigged\" to favor President-elect Joe Biden.\nThe change affects \"lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people seeking the services of health and welfare programs funded by the US Department of Health and Human Services,\" Human Rights Watch notes.\n\"Previously, a federal regulation expressly prohibited health and welfare programs receiving federal funding from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity,\" HRW explained. \"But the administration's new rule, first proposed in 2019, erases this language.\"\nThe alteration also removes what had been an overt recognition of marriage equality, HRW added.\nIn addition to potentially driving even greater disparities in health care for LGBTQ Americans, the rollback also affects children in need of loving homes and the same-sex couples who are willing to adopt them.\n\"The previous regulation was used to ensure adoption and foster care agencies who receive federal support serve all qualified parents, including same-sex couples,\" HRW points out. \"Rolling back existing nondiscrimination protections will harm those families, as well as the many kids awaiting placement in loving and supportive homes.\"\nAmericans United for Separation of Church and State denounced the change just before it took effect. In a press release about the rollback, the watchdog group slammed the change, saying, \"Rather than prioritizing the best interests of children and families, the Trump administration's new rule invites taxpayer-funded foster care agencies to discriminate against them.\"\nThe release went on to add: \"Discrimination should never be funded or supported by our government, but that's exactly what this rule does. Families, senior citizens and children could lose protections against discrimination and suddenly be turned away from taxpayer-funded programs they need.\"\nSexual minorities are not the only people who could be affected by the rollback. Though supposedly rooted in \"religious freedom,\" the administration's peeling away of those protections paradoxically leaves people of faith vulnerable to discriminatory treatment.\nIt's already happened, Americans United pointed out, referencing how one of the group's clients, Aimee Maddonna, \"was turned away from helping children in foster care by a government-funded agency solely because Aimee is Catholic — the 'wrong' religion according to an evangelical Protestant agency in South Carolina.\"\nThough it will take time for the incoming president to correct the damage that can be undone, the Trump administration's legacy will be felt for decades in the courts, which, a new report reveals, have been packed with anti-LGBTQ ideologues.\nIn the meantime, however, President-elect Biden has vowed to prioritize ushering the Equality Act into law in his administration's first 100 days.\nKilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Assistant Arts Editor. He also reviews theater for WBUR. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.\nTop Republican says Trump Committed 'Impeachable Offenses'\nTrump Administration Targets Diversity Hiring by Contractors\nDREAMLAND on Blu-ray & Digital from Paramount Home Entertainment!\nCOLLATERAL on 4K UHD/Blu-ray Combo from Paramount Home Entertainment!\nThe Power of Women: Our Favorite Gifts From Female-Owned Brands","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line544721"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6662649512290955,"wiki_prob":0.33373504877090454,"text":"August 24, 2020 - Stocks Reach New Highs\nStocks powered to another week of gains as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite set multiple new record highs along the way.\nThe Dow Jones Industrial Average was essentially unchanged while the Standard & Poor’s 500 rose by 0.72%. The Nasdaq Composite index added 2.65% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, slipped 0.71%.[1][2][3]\nThe S&P 500 Sets Record High\nThe S&P 500 closed at a record high on Tuesday, erasing the steep losses suffered in February and March. The recovery has been powered by unprecedented monetary accommodation, fiscal stimulus, and investor willingness to look ahead with confidence that global economies will get past the pandemic challenge. Technology stocks continued to lead the market and helped push the NASDAQ Composite to new highs.[4]\nStocks were mixed as the week progressed amid some weak economic news, a message of economic caution from the Fed, and continuing uncertainty over a new fiscal stimulus plan. Technology momentum provided support for the broader market, with a late Friday afternoon rally pushing the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite to close out the week at fresh record highs.[5]\nNot All Sectors Are Participating\nBehind last Tuesday’s headline that the S&P 500 had set a new record high lies a story of a deeply bifurcated market.\nDespite a new high, more than half the companies in the index were still trading below where they began the year. When dissected on an industry sector basis, the year-to-date performance dispersion was quite wide, with sectors like Technology (+25.53%), Consumer Discretionary (+16.68%), and Communication Services (+12.70%) posting strong performance, while Energy (-37.56%) and Financials (-20.08%) remained sharply down. In fact, nearly half (5 out of 11) of S&P 500 sectors were still in negative territory year-to-date.[6][7][8]\nTuesday: Consumer Confidence. New Home Sales.\nWednesday: Durable Goods Orders.\nThursday: Jobless Claims. Gross Domestic Product (GDP).\nFriday: Consumer Sentiment.\nSource: Econoday, August 21, 2020\nTuesday: Salesforce.com (CRM), Best Buy (BBY), Intuit (INTU)\nThursday: Marvell Technology (MRVL), Dollar General (DG), Dollar Tree (DLTR), Dell Technologies (DELL), VMware (VMW)\nSource: Zacks, August 21, 2020\nThe Wall Street Journal, August 21, 2020\nCNBC.com, August 19, 2020\nBBC News, August 18, 2020\nFactSet.com, August 21, 2020","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line508729"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6411593556404114,"wiki_prob":0.6411593556404114,"text":"9/11 / Al Qaeda / Iran / US-Iran Alliance\nFederal Court Finds Iran Behind 9/11 Attack on World Trade Center | Israpundit\nPosted on August 2, 2015 by adara press\nJudge for yourself:\nMembers of the 9/11 Commission staff testified that Iran aided the hijackers by concealing their travel through Iran to access al Qaeda training camps in Afghanistan. Iranian border inspectors refrained from stamping the passports of 8 to 10 of the 9/11 hijackers because evidence of travel through Iran would have prevented the hijackers from obtaining visas at U.S. embassies abroad or gaining entry into the United States. The 9/11 Commission Report addressed these facts and called for further investigation. 9/11 COMMISSION REPORT at pp. 240-41.\nExpert and U.S. government evidence also confirmed that Iran facilitated the escape of al Qaeda leaders and members from the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan into Iran and provided safe haven inside Iran after 9/11\nAbolghasem Mesbahi testified he was part of an IRGC-MOIS task force that designed contingency plans for unconventional warfare against the U.S., code-named “Shaitan dar Atash” (“Satan in Flames”) which included crashing hijacked passenger airliners into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the White House. During the weeks before 9/11, Mesbahi received three coded messages from a source inside Iran’s government indicating that the Shaitan dar Atash plan had been activated.\nMesbahi also testified that in 2000 Iran used front companies to obtain a Boeing 757- 767-777 flight simulator for training the terrorists. Due to U.S. trade sanctions, Iran has never had any Boeing 757-767-777 aircraft, but all the airplanes hijacked on 9/11 were Boeing 757 or 767 aircraft.\nA May 14, 2001 memorandum from inside the Iranian government demonstrating that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, was aware of the impending attacks and instructing intelligence operatives to restrict communications to existing contacts with al Qaeda’s Ayman al Zawahiri and Hizballah’s Imad Mughniyah. – Documents obtained from German federal prosecutors showing that 9/11 coordinator Ramzi Binalshihb traveled to Iran in January 2001 on his way to Afghanistan to brief Osama bin Laden on the plot’s progress. – Evidence from the 9/11 Commission Report that a “senior Hezbollah operative,” which the Havlish evidence identifies as Hezbollah terrorist chief Imad Mughniyah, coordinated activities in Saudi Arabia and was present (or his associate) on flights the hijackers took to and from Beirut and Iran. 9/11 COMMISSION REPORT at pp. 240-41. Mughniyah, a longtime agent of Iran, orchestrated a string of terror operations against the U.S. and Israel during the 1980s and 1990s. He was assassinated in Syria in February of 2008\nU.S. DISTRICT COURT RULES IRAN BEHIND 9/11 ATTACKS\nA federal district court in Manhattan yesterday entered a historic ruling that reveals new facts about Iran’s support of al Qaeda in the 9/11 attacks. U.S. District Judge George B. Daniels ruled yesterday that Iran and Hezbollah materially and directly supported al Qaeda in the September 11, 2001 attacks and are legally responsible for damages to hundreds of family members of 9/11 victims who are plaintiffs in the case.\nJudge Daniels had announced his ruling in Havlish, et al. v. bin Laden, et al., in open court on Thursday, December 15, 2011, following a three-hour courtroom presentation by the families’ attorneys. Judge Daniels entered a written Order of Judgment yesterday backed by 53 pages of detailed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law.\nNorth Tower on 9/11 said, “This is a historic day. For ten years we’ve wanted the truth to be known about who was responsible for our losses. Now we have that answer.”\nEllen Saracini, the wife of United Airlines 175 pilot Victor Saracini, which the hijackers crashed into the WTC South Tower, said after the hearing last Thursday, “We just came from Judge Daniels’ court where he ruled in favor of holding accountable those who perpetrated the attacks of 9/11… I just smiled up to Victor and I said we’re still thinking about you … we’re there for you … we’ll always be there for you. But today’s very special.”\nIn Havlish, et al. v. bin Laden, et al., Judge Daniels held that the Islamic Republic of Iran, its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei, former Iranian president Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, and Iran’s agencies and instrumentalities, including, among others, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (“IRGC”), the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security (“MOIS”), and Iran’s terrorist proxy Hezbollah, all materially aided and supported al Qaeda before and after 9/11.\n“The families have waited a very long time for this day and they have been through a lot. So I was greatly relieved that the families received an answer to the question that they asked me ten years ago: they asked who was the responsible party? How did this happen? Today a federal court judge has said that a principal responsible party is the Islamic Republic of Iran,” said Thomas E. Mellon, Jr. of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, law firm of Mellon Webster & Shelly, the lead attorney for the Havlish plaintiffs.\nThe evidence was developed over a seven-year international investigation by the Havlish attorneys who pursued the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation regarding an apparent link between Iran, Hezbollah, and the 9/11 hijackers, following the Commission’s own eleventh-hour discovery of significant National Security Agency (“NSA”) intercepts: “We believe this topic requires further investigation by the U.S. government.” 9/11 COMMISSION REPORT, p. 241. The Havlish evidence included sworn testimony and affidavits from the following:\nTen expert witnesses including three former 9/11 Commission staff members, two former CIA case officers, two investigative journalists, and an Iran analyst who has testified in 25 cases involving Iranian terrorism.\nThree Iranian defectors who were operatives of MOIS and the IRGC. Witness X, whose dramatic testimony was previously filed under seal, was revealed to be Abolghasem Mesbahi, a former MOIS operative in charge of Iran’s espionage operations in Western Europe. Judge Daniels found that Mesbahi has testified in numerous prosecutions of Iranian and Hezbollah terrorists, including the Mykonos case in Germany and the AMIA case in Argentina, and found to be highly reliable and credible.\nJudge Daniels also credited Mesbahi’s testimony that he received messages during the summer of 2001 from inside the Iranian government that an Iranian contingency plan for unconventional warfare against the U.S. called “Shaitan dar Atash” had been activated. “This is compelling proof that Iran was deeply involved in the 9/11 conspiracy,” said Tim Fleming, lead investigative attorney for the Havlish group. Included among Judge Daniels’ findings in Havlish are the following:\nExpert and U.S. government evidence also confirmed that Iran facilitated the escape of al Qaeda leaders and members from the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan into Iran and provided safe haven inside Iran after 9/11.\nA May 14, 2001 memorandum from inside the Iranian government demonstrating that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, was aware of the impending attacks and instructing intelligence operatives to restrict communications to existing contacts with al Qaeda’s Ayman al Zawahiri and Hizballah’s Imad Mughniyah. – Documents obtained from German federal prosecutors showing that 9/11 coordinator Ramzi Binalshihb traveled to Iran in January 2001 on his way to Afghanistan to brief Osama bin Laden on the plot’s progress. – Evidence from the 9/11 Commission Report that a “senior Hezbollah operative,” which the Havlish evidence identifies as Hezbollah terrorist chief Imad Mughniyah, coordinated activities in Saudi Arabia and was present (or his associate) on flights the hijackers took to and from Beirut and Iran. 9/11 COMMISSION REPORT at pp. 240-41. Mughniyah, a longtime agent of Iran, orchestrated a string of terror operations against the U.S. and Israel during the 1980s and 1990s. He was assassinated in Syria in February of 2008.\nAttorneys emphasized that it is important to understand that Iran, Hezbollah, and al Qaeda formed a terror alliance in the early 1990s. The attorneys cited their national security and intelligence experts, including Dr. Patrick Clawson, Dr. Bruce Tefft, Clare Lopez, Kenneth Timmerman, Dr. Ronen Bergman, Edgar Adamson, and 9/11 Commission staff members Dietrich Snell, Dr. Daniel Byman, and Janice Kephart, as well as the published writings of Robert Baer, to explain how the pragmatic terror leaders overcame the Sunni-Shi’a divide in order to confront the U.S. (the “Great Satan”) and Israel (the “Lesser Satan”). Iran and Hezbollah then provided training to members of al Qaeda in, among other things, the use of explosives to destroy large buildings. The Iran-Hezbollah-al Qaeda alliance led to terror strikes against the U.S. at Khobar Towers, Saudi Arabia (1996), the simultaneous U.S. embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania (1998), and the USS Cole (2000). Shortly after the Cole attack, Iran was facilitating the international travel of the 9/11 hijackers.\n“It was a wonderful day. A great day where the truth was finally revealed in a court of law with strong, strong evidence. The judge allowed us to put on and present all the evidence that we had filed directly or under seal and he accepted it and made a ruling in our favor,” said Dennis Pantazis, one of the Havlish attorneys. “Now we go on to prove damages for each one of the family members,” he added.\nThe case is Fiona Havlish, et al v. Usama Bin Laden, et al, 03-CV-9848 (GBD), and is part of the consolidated proceeding In Re Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001, Civil Action No. 03 MDL 1570 (GBD).\nClick these links to access:\nHavlish Order of Judgement\nHavlish Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law\nEmail: tmellon3@mellonwebster.com\nToll-free telephone: 800-348-7705\nhttp://www.israpundit.org/archives/63608569\nTags: 9/11, Al Qaeda, Iran. Bookmark the permalink.\nPrevious post ← Seized Bin Laden Documents Reveal Iran – Al Qaeda Alliance\nNext post Europe To Drop Sanctions Against The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) →","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line912407"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6729342937469482,"wiki_prob":0.32706570625305176,"text":"Advanced Engineering in Greater Norwich\nGreater Norwich is strengthening its position as a hub for advanced engineering. Over 95ha of development land is available at two established and very successful locations.\nBoth the Hethel Engineering Centre and Norwich Airport have ambitious development plans, and between them offer attractive investment opportunities for advanced engineering, aviation and ancillary businesses.\nHethel Engineering Centre\nThe Hethel Engineering Centre (HEC) is a successful and innovative incubation centre dedicated to supporting high performance engineering and manufacturing companies.\n20ha of land is available for development as part of HEC’s vision to develop a Technology Park and create over 1,000 high skilled jobs.\nHome to companies such as Group Lotus, Extremis Technology, Ansible Motion, Pangean Engineering and Tech Mahindra, HEC is the base for cutting edge businesses working in areas such as food processing and packaging, defence, automotive, offshore, agriculture and ICT.\nHEC offers flexible workshop and office space, training, support and shared expertise. Following a recent 40,000sqft expansion, HEC is now able to offer larger workshops and offices as well as virtual / hot desks and small incubation space.\nThe infographic below shows just how successful the centre has been in recent years, and its contribution to the Greater Norwich area. Please note that this information was correct as of August 2017, you can find out more about the centre and the latest statistics at www.hethelcentre.com\n“Hethel is not just a great place to work but a fantastic community to grow our business within. From supporting our business, to helping the next generation of engineers, the HIL team have worked hard for me, my company, and our future”\nJulia Glenn\nCEO, Extremis Technology\nNorwich Airport\nAmbitious plans are underway at Norwich Airport where 75 ha of land has been earmarked for development.\nNorwich AeroPark is being developed on 40 ha of the site and will unlock opportunities for aviation-related and other businesses. It will also strengthen the Airport’s aim to become a leading centre for aviation support services and a key location for commercial activity in the region.\nAn additional 35 ha are available for the development of a business park to the north of the airport.\nThe £13m Norwich International Aviation Academy opened in early 2017. It is a partnership between Norwich International Airport, KLM UK Engineering Limited, UEA and City College Norwich and will train and develop aviation professionals through a ‘real world’ learning environment, and is attracting both local and international students.\n“Norwich Airport is already a major hub for business in the region. The further development of the Airport and the surrounding business parks will build on this, bringing benefits to the Greater Norwich economy and creating jobs.”\nAndrew Bell,\nChief Executive,","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line89346"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5993435382843018,"wiki_prob":0.5993435382843018,"text":"Peter G. Von Rhedey\nShare Peter's life story with friends and family\nHammondsport - Peter G. Von Rhedey, age 49, passed away after a brief illness, on Friday, January 8, 2021. He is survived by his mother, Marsha Von Rhedey; brother, Steven (Olivia) Von Rhedey; uncle, Andy (Gloria) Von Rhedey; aunt, Carmen Von Rhedey; several cousins, including Milka, Rebecca and Isaac; sister-in-law, Christy; and nieces and nephews . He was predeceased by his father, Steve and brother, David.\nPeter was born and raised in Canandaigua. He attended Canandaigua schools and was a graduate of Canandaigua Academy, class of 1989, where he played football and lacrosse. Peter was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating and camping.\nA celebration of life will be held at a later date and time to be announced. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, 1595 Elmwood Ave., Rochester, NY 14621. Arrangements are by Johnson-Kennedy Funeral Home, Inc., Canandaigua. Condolences may be offered at www.johnsonkennedy.com.\nPublished in Daily Messenger from Jan. 12 to Jan. 14, 2021.\nJohnson-Kennedy Funeral Home Inc.\n47 N. Main St.\nPlease consider a donation, as requested by the family.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line24001"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.5787222981452942,"wiki_prob":0.4212777018547058,"text":"Classic FM’s John Suchet to present a year-long series on Beethoven\nCelebritiesRadio\nPublished on November 22, 2019 - 2:49 pm\nJohn Suchet is to broadcast a 52 week series on Classic FM about Beethoven to celebrate 250 years since the birth of one of the world’s best-loved composers.\nThe series, Beethoven – The Man Revealed will air on the station every Saturday evening (9pm – 10pm) starting from 4 January. Researched, written and presented by John Suchet, it’s described as the UK’s biggest radio series devoted to a single composer.\nBeethoven was a complicated musical genius and John will give listeners an insight into the man behind the music revealing his dramas, loves, conflicts and successes.\nThere will also be a special anniversary edition of John Suchet’s Sunday Times bestseller, Beethoven – The Man Revealed published to coincide with the series. It will include a new section exploring the composer’s music, giving a guide to the major compositions, with details on how they came to be written and insights into what to listen out for.\nEach programme will celebrate Beethoven’s music, from best known compositions, such as his Piano Concerto No.5 (‘Emperor’) and the famous Fifth Symphony.\nListeners can also expect to hear compositions that have rarely, if ever, been broadcast on UK radio, such as musical jokes he composed for his friends.\nJohn Suchet said: “If you had told me 30 or more years ago, when I first began researching Beethoven’s life, that I would one day write and present the biggest ever radio series devoted to him, I could not possibly have believed you.\n“It is beyond my dreams to be given 52 programmes in which to explore the life and music of the greatest composer who ever lived. When you know what is going on in his life, you hear his music through new ears.\n“His deafness, his failure to acquire a wife, his difficult friendships, and his utter faith in humanity — all these feed into his music. I cannot wait to present the man behind the music in Beethoven – The Man Revealed.”\nclassic fmjohn suchet","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1484243"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9880772829055786,"wiki_prob":0.9880772829055786,"text":"AC/DC's Power Up voted Classic Rock's best album of 2020\nBy Fraser Lewry (Classic Rock) 11 December 2020\nPower Up was the album the proved AC/DC could overcome multiple obstacles in the tricky business of doing business as usual. In other words, it rocked\nIn the kind of vote that doesn't require court interference, AC/DC's Power Up has been duly and decisively elected as the best album of 2020 by Classic Rock staff and writers, beating out stiff competition from Fish, Joe Bonamassa, Deep Purple and Bruce Springsteen.\nClassic Rock's 50 Best Albums of 2020 are featured in our end of year issue, out now.\nPower Up was only released last moth, with our review describing the album as \"a killer\" and claiming that it \"basks in the glory of the early Brian Johnson era.\"\nMagazine editor Siân Llewellyn says, \"If there was one gleaming bright spot of 2020, then it was the announcement that all the rumours were true and AC/DC's classic Back In Black line-up had reunited to record a new studio album (sadly bereft of the late, great Malcolm, although his presence was deeply felt in the album's signature 'DC songwriting).\n\"The moment got even brighter once the album dropped and we realised that it was everything we wanted, no, needed it to be. Brian back at the mic, Angus tearing out the riffs like only he can, the powerhouse rhythm section of Phil and Cliff all combined to deliver an absolute triumph.\n\"Once Power Up had earwormed us from first listen, there wasn't a shadow of a doubt what would make Classic Rock's Album Of 2020.\"\nToday's best AC/DC: Power Up deals\nAC/DC - Power Up (Music CD)\nBase.com\nAC/DC Power up CD multicolor\nEMP UK\nPower Up [VINYL]","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line657060"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6957172751426697,"wiki_prob":0.3042827248573303,"text":"Biography Miles Mikolas\nby Jorge 09 Apr,2019\nBody Stats\nBirth Name Miles Tice Mikolas\nBirth Place Jupiter, Florida\nFamous Name Miles Mikolas\nBirth Date August 23, 1988\nHoroscope Virgo\nFather Stephen Mikolas\nSalary $17,000,000\nPast Team San Diego Padres , Texas Rangers and Yomiuri Giants\nSiblings Karel and an older half-sister Martina\nDate FEB 26 2019\nContract 4 year $68 million\nCareer Earnings $21,151,537\nPosition in Team Pitcher\nNo. of Siblings 2\nCurrent team St. Louis Cardinals\nProfession Baseball\nCurrently Working For St. Louis Cardinals\nMarried to Lauren Mikolas\nMiles Mikolas is an American professional Baseball player who plays in the Major League Baseball(MLB). As of 2019, Miles Mikolas currently plays for the St. Louis Cardinals as their Pitcher. Miles Mikolas has played for other teams like San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers, and Yomiuri Giants.\nAs a Pitcher, Miles Mikolas reportedly earns around $17,000,000 as his yearly salary from St. Louis Cardinals. Further, Miles Mikolas has an estimated net worth of over $10 million.\nIs Miles Mikolas Married? Who is his Wife?\nMiles Mikolas is married to his beautiful wife, Lauren Mikolas. Further, Miles dated his girlfriend for quite a long time and got hitched in May 2015. The couple went to Japan for their honeymoon.\nMiles and his spouse is blessed with three children. His wife gave birth to their first child, a daughter named Lillianne in March 2017. They had twins named Madelyn, and Miles Jr March 2017 in July 2018.\nHad a blast with Lilly at the pool this morning #fourseasons #miami\nA post shared by Miles Mikolas (@magic_mikolas39) on Aug 6, 2018 at 12:52pm PDT\nDespite his busy and tight schedule for his game, Miles does manage to spend quality time with his family. Further, they often go on vacations.\nWho is Lauren Mikolas?\nLauren Mikolas is a wife of Miles Mikolas and Mother of Lillianne, Madelyn, and Miles Jr’s. Lauren Mikolas was a primary school teacher and a UFC ring girl.\nSo proud of this man @magic_mikolas39 receiving the Baseball Writers Association of America’s Man of the Year Darryl Kile Award !!! So deserving! ?? #velvet #slickedback #momanddadsnightout #stlouis #cardinalnation\nA post shared by Lauren Mikolas (@fearlesscharm) on Jan 20, 2019 at 6:41pm PST\nMoreover, she is a certified wellness coach who with her lifestyle blog became a social media celebrity in Japan. Additionally, she runs a blog named Fearless Charm.\nHow Much is Miles Mikolas's Net Worth In 2019? Know About His Career Earnings\nAs of 2019, Miles Mikolas has an estimated net worth of over $10 million. He reportedly signed a 4 year $68 million contract with St. Louis Cardinals on February 26, 2019.\nFurther, the NBA player has an average salary of $17,000,000 annually which is slightly higher than Kolten Wong's Salary. Miles Mikolas so far has made earnings of $21,151,537 from his entire NBA career.\nDetailed information about his career earnings and contract:\nYEAR TEAM SALARY\n2009 San Diego Padres $125,000\n2013 San Diego Padres $24,236\n2014 Texas Rangers $502,301\n2018 St. Louis Cardinals $7,750,000\n2019 St. Louis Cardinals $12,750,000\nAs per the reports, he is 8th best-paid player of St. Louis Cardinals whereas Yadier Molina is the highest earner of the team with an annual salary of $20,000,000. Additionally, he is 90th best-paid player of MLB as per 2019 financial ranking where is Mike Trout, and David Price is the top-2 earners in 2019.\nMoreover, he hasn't revealed any information about his endorsement deals. However, the player with such fame is believed to have an endorsement deals with various renowned brands and has been earning a significant amount of money. Further, his personal assets include home and cars but the details are still behind the rock.\nMiles Mikolas Early Life and Family\nMiles Mikolas was born on August 23, 1988, in Jupiter, Florida to father Stephen Mikolas. He is American and belongs to the White ethnic group. Further, his star sign is Virgo. He grew up along with his siblings, Karel and an older half-sister Martina.\nMikolas pitched in Palm Beach County, Florida for Jupiter Community High School, from which he graduated in 2006. He then attended the University of Nova Southeastern and played the Nova Southeastern Sharks college baseball from 2007 to 2009.\nMiles Mikolas Is Currently Playing For St. Louis Cardinals\nIn the seventh round of the 2009 Major League Baseball draft, the San Diego Padres selected Mikolas and played one year for the team. After the 2013 season, the Padres traded Mikolas to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Alex Dickerson together with Jeff Decker.\nOn December 5, 2017, Mikolas signed a $15.5 million two-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals. On April 2, 2018, at Miller Park against the Milwaukee Brewers, he won his debut with the Cardinals 8–4. While batting, for his first major league hit, he hit a two-run home run versus Zach Davies.\nMajor League Baseball MLB Baseball Pitcher St. Louis Cardinals Miles Mikolas","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line843706"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8150100708007812,"wiki_prob":0.8150100708007812,"text":"San Antonio Bans Chick-Fil-A From Airport Over ‘Anti-LGBTQ Behavior’\n(MANDEL NGAN/AFP/GettyImages)\nJoshua Gill Religion Reporter\nThe San Antonio City Council banned Chick-fil-A from San Antonio International Airport over “anti-LGBTQ behavior” as part of a new concession plan for the airport.\nDistrict 1 City Councilman Roberto Treviño motioned to approve the Food, Beverage and Retail Prime Concession Agreement with Paradies Lagardère for the airport Thursday on condition Chick-fil-A be excluded from the agreement. Treviño asserted Chick-fil-A has a “legacy of anti-LGBTQ behavior” and that such a business had no place in the city’s airport. (RELATED: New Jersey University Dean Resigns Over Chick-Fil-A Ban)\n“With this decision, the City Council reaffirmed the work our city has done to become a champion of equality and inclusion. San Antonio is a city full of compassion, and we do not have room in our public facilities for a business with a legacy of anti-LGBTQ behavior,” Treviño said according to ABC.\n“Everyone has a place here, and everyone should feel welcome when they walk through our airport. I look forward to the announcement of a suitable replacement by Paradies,” he added.\nTreviño’s motion came after a Wednesday ThinkProgress report that asserted Chick-fil-A donated $1.8 million in 2017 to the Salvation Army, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Paul Anderson Youth Home — charitable Christian ministries that ThinkProgress defined as discriminatory against LGBTQ individuals. Chick-fil-A cut ties with the Paul Anderson Youth Home as of June 2017.\nTwo men prepare to have lunch on the patio of the Chick-fil-A in Hollywood, California, Aug. 1, 2012. (Photo: ROBYN BECK/AFP/GettyImages)\nChick-fil-A said the city council made no mention of its concerns before the motion and that the restaurant would have liked to have had a dialogue with it prior to the decision.\n“This is the first we’ve heard of this. It’s disappointing. We would have liked to have had a dialogue with the city council before this decision was made. We agree with Councilmember Treviño that everyone is and should feel welcome at Chick-fil-A. We plan to reach out to the city council to gain a better understanding of this decision,” the company said in a statement.\nFollow Joshua on Twitter\nSend tips to joshua@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.\nTags : chick fil a san antonio texas\nJoshua Gill","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1552674"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8780807256698608,"wiki_prob":0.8780807256698608,"text":"— Municipality —\nThe Sahara near Ommen\nLocation of Ommen in Overijssel, Netherlands\nArea(2006)\n181.98 km2 (70.3 sq mi)\n1.99 km2 (0.8 sq mi)\nPopulation (1 January 2007)\n- Density 96/km2 (248.6/sq mi)\nSource: CBS, Statline.\n- Summer (DST)\nOmmen is a municipality and a Hanseatic city in the Vecht valley of the Salland region, which is at the heart of the province of Overijssel in the eastern Netherlands. Historical records first name Ommen in the early 12th century and it was officially founded as a city in 1248. It now has 17,402 inhabitants on a surface of 181.98 km2 (70.26 sq mi).[1]\n1 Population centres\n2.1 The emergence of Ommen\n2.2 Development into a city\n2.3 War and disaster\n2.4 Ommen in modern times\n2.5 Eerde\n2.6 Ommerschans\n3 The city of Ommen\n3.1 Location, economy and infrastructure\n3.2 Local politics\n4.1 Bissing\n4.2 Language\n6 Famous inhabitants of Ommen\n7 International relations\n7.1 Twin towns — Sister cities\nBesides the city of Ommen (population: 8,710) and the town of Lemele (population: 570), the municipality consists of the following hamlets and villages: Archem, Arriën, Arriërveld, Beerze, Beerzerveld, Besthmen, Eerde, Giethmen, Junne, Ommerschans, Stegeren, Stegerveld, Varsen, Vilsteren, Vinkenbuurt, Witharen and Zeesse.[1]\nThe city of Ommen on a map of Overijssel from before 1550\nThe emergence of Ommen\nThe first inhabitants of Ommen were probably semi-nomadic hunter-gatherers. Flint from the Mesolithic period found in between Ommen and Mariënberg indicates the presence of humans, but there seems to have been hardly any cultivation or permanent settlement during this period.[2]\nThe Vecht (sometimes called the Overijsselse Vecht, to avoid confusion with its namesake in Utrecht) and Regge rivers determined the first settlements in the area that is now the municipality of Ommen. Most of the Salland region was marshy but the higher banks along the Vecht and Regge provided fertile soil for agriculture. Moreover, good roads were rare, so for trade, transport and travel the rivers provided a vital infrastructure. The first sporadic agricultural settlements in Salland therefore arose along the riverbanks of the Vecht and the Regge. Indeed, all early population centres in the current municipality of Ommen were originally built on riverbanks — with the exception of the town of Lemele, which was situated on the lower slopes of the Lemelerberg, free from flooding by the Regge.\nA hutkom: an early Saxon dwelling\nThe location of Ommen itself proved particularly suitable for settlement — not only because of the fertile river soil and the higher ground of the river dune (even today the church square is visibly higher than the streets to its east and south), but also because of the ford in the Vecht facilitating trade routes between the Frisian north and Twente to the south. Archeological discoveries indicate that the first settlement at Ommen emerged during the 8th century AD, and by the end of the 11th century a veritable town had developed — among the first in Overijssel.[3] The first permanent settlers in Ommen were mixed crop-livestock farmers who also engaged in river trade and innkeeping. Most of these first settlers were probably of Saxon origin, though the Salians who dominated the banks of the IJssel also influenced the region economically, politically and religiously. The first houses in Ommen were hutkommen: wooden houses of which the ground floor was typically around half a meter below the ground. A church was built at the heart of Ommen around 1150 and was soon after replaced by a stone church, indicating further growth of the settlement. Written records first mention Ommen as de Vmme in 1133 and as Ummen in 1227.[4]\nThe official seal of the city of Ommen (15th century), depicting its patron saint, Saint Brigid of Kildare\nThis gradual growth, however, did not mean Ommen could also dominate the surrounding area politically, as there were many other powers in the land. Above all, the Prince-Bishop of Utrecht, who had obtained dominion over all of Oversticht from Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor, in 1010, repeatedly attempted to increase and centralise his authority over the towns and estates of Salland. The burghers of nearby cities — especially Zwolle — were also known to interfere in the region. More locally, farming communities in the eastern Netherlands organised themselves into markes (autonomous areas) where a buurschap (rule by neighbours) formed a unique kind of grassroots local government. Last but not least, havezates (or castles) arose in the area surrounding Ommen — especially at strategic points such as the banks of the Vecht (the Arendshorst on the northern bank and Beerze on the southern bank), the banks of the Regge (most notably at Eerde) or both banks ('t Laer) — from which robber barons dominated the surrounding area and could levy tolls on river commerce in defiance of the authority of the bishop.[5] These robber barons and the buurschappen formed a check on the influence of Ommen on the surrounding region — yet it was ironically due to one such robber baron that Ommen grew to become an outright city.\nDevelopment into a city\nThe death of Otto II of Lippe during the Battle of Ane near Ommen (Frederik Zürcher, 1825-1876)\nOn 25 August 1248, Ommen received city rights and fortification rights from Otto III, the Prince-Bishop of Utrecht, after the town was pillaged by local robber baron Rudolf of Coevorden and his militia of freemen in both 1215 and in the aftermath of the Battle of Ane of 1227. Ommen's location at the confluence of two rivers at the heart of the region made it the bishop's strategic and logistic basis in the defence of his domain Oversticht against the rebellious Drents.[6] Ommen thus became the third-oldest officially recognised city in Overijssel, after Zwolle and Rijssen.\nA wall was soon erected around Ommen, including three gates: the Vechtpoort or Voorbruggenpoort (on the bank of the Vecht), the Varsenerpoort (on the western wall for traffic with Varsen) and the Arriërpoort (on the northern wall for traffic with Arriën). Even to this day, the two bells in the church's belltower, named Maria and Salvator and cast in 1517 by Hendrick de Tremonia of Dordrecht, are rung every evening at nine o'clock. These so-called Ave-Maria peals form a custom which traces its origin to the tradition of ringing the bell at the closing of the gates. Ommen never received a moat, even though it was permitted one.\nOmmen soon became a regional port and market for agricultural products. Due to this commercial growth and strategic commercial position, Ommen eventually joined the prosperous Hanseatic League - although most of its trade was not directly with the Baltic Sea region, but with fellow Hanseatic cities Zwolle, Kampen, Zutphen and especially Deventer, of which it was a subsidiary city. A toll bridge across the Vecht (first built in 1492) further increased its wealth and commercial importance, even though the toll bridge across the Vecht was destroyed by ice floes three times through the centuries. The toll levy was usually auctioned off to private tax collectors, who resided in the toll house (built in 1531) next to the bridge. A bridge toll would be levied until 1925.[7]\nFor centuries during the Middle Ages, the Estates of Oversticht, a diet or feudal parliament representing the quarters of Salland, Twenthe and Vollenhove (and until 1527 also Drenthe) and the cities of Zwolle, Deventer and Kampen, convened just outside of the city of Ommen at Nieuwebrug (or New Bridge), named after the bridge over the Regge on the road between Ommen and Hellendoorn. Following a feud between Kampen and Zwolle in 1519, however, a gathering of the Estates was attacked by citizens of neighbouring Zwolle, who abducted three noblemen and pillaged nearby Eerde castle. During the years that followed, conflict escalated in Overijssel.[8]\nWar and disaster\nThe Reformed Church at the very heart of Ommen: the oldest surviving structure in Ommen\nIn 1522, citizens of Zwolle attacked and pillaged Ommen with the aid of Charles of Guelders who thus conquered the city from Utrecht. Only the church and women's home de Heilige Geest (the Holy Spirit) survived the pillage and fire.[9]\nmap of Ommen ca. 1818\nOmmen remained part of Guelders until 1528, when emperor Charles V inherited authority over the entire Duchy of Guelders, including Overijssel. A new city hall was built in 1531 in between the church and the Vrijthof square. The city was pillaged again in 1568 by Spanish troops under the 'Iron' Duke of Alba, fighting for Charles's successor, Philip II of Spain. This time, the pillage was not as devastating: Ommen's church, city hall and several other main buildings were spared. In 1581, the Estates of Overijssel convened outside Ommen to depose Philip and proclaim the independence of the Netherlands.\nVrijthof Ommen with former city hall (in centre), 1905\nThough a 'Golden Age' for the young Dutch Republic, the 17th century proved rather devastating for Ommen. A great fire in 1624 inflicted serious damage on the church, of which only the foundations and a few walls remained. To control traffic and to prevent military invasions from the north, the fortification of Ommerschans was constructed. In 1672, one of the most severe fires in Ommen's history raged through the entire city, destroying everything but the church. In that same year, the aptly named 'Rampjaar' (disaster year), the Franco-Dutch War broke out, and until 1674 foreign troops (especially from Münster) frequently marched through Ommen, demanding passage, payment, food and lodging. It was not until 1753 that Ommen had sufficiently recovered to afford a new city hall, built at the Vrijthof square, on the same location as the previous building.\nDuring the so-called 'periwig era' of decline in the Netherlands, discontent with oligarchical rule also increased in Ommen. In 1732, the citizens of Ommen rose up against the city council. A petition was handed to the Magistrate on May 31, in which a large share of the citizenry rejected its authority and asked it to resign. The council refused and severe riots ensued, but eventually order was restored. In 1762, a night guard was installed to maintain public order, but the unrest would remain until the Batavian revolution of 1795.\nOmmen in modern times\nFortification plan Ommen 1819\nOn March 2, 1809 the municipal authorities prepared a welcome for the visit of Lodewijk Napoleon, king of the short-lived Kingdom of Holland. They were disappointed when they found out the king had already passed Ommen the day before. The three burgomasters quickly pursued the king and met with his party near Gramsbergen, still receiving a gift of 1000 Dutch guilders for the well-intended preparations for his visit.\nWhen his brother Napoleon Bonaparte annexed the Kingdom of Holland into the French Empire in 1810, he had all local government radically reformed to become compatible with French structures. Ommen too was affected: the separate jurisdictions of Stad Ommen (composed of the city of Ommen and the Ommerschans) and Ambt Ommen (which comprised most of the rest of the current municipality, Avereest and Den Ham as well) were merged into one Mairie Ommen (though Den Ham became a separate municipality).[10] This caused much controversy and discontent locally because the marke communities thus lost their ancient rights of self-governance. In 1818, shortly after Dutch independence, Mairie Ommen was once more decentralised into the municipalities Stad Ommen, Ambt Ommen and Avereest. To ensure good coordination, one burgomaster was appointed over both Stad and Ambt from 1851 onwards.[11]\nTo safeguard the eastern borders of the newly established Kingdom of the Netherlands, plans were drawn by order of Baron Krayenhoff in 1819 to convert Ommen into a city with fortifications. However, these radical plans (Ontwerp ter bevestiging van Ommen 1819) were not carried out in the end, as the IJssel river to the west was considered a more natural line of defence.[12]\nAlthough renovated and expanded in 1758, the toll house next to the bridge (also called the bridge master's house) was torn down in 1827 to be replaced by a new city hall, designed by the architect J.P. Orentzburg. This new building, situated on the bank of the Vecht, housed all offices of the municipal authorities — including the city council, the court, the tax and toll office, the Gentlemen's Society and the home of the burgomaster. The court moved to a new building in 1882. The burgomaster and the Gentlemen's Society moved soon afterwards. The city hall was renovated and expanded in 1925 and again in 1955. The municipal authorities left the building in 1982. It has since been converted into a museum and a restaurant.\nOmmen at the beginning of the 20th century\nIn 1923, the municipalities of Stad Ommen and Ambt Ommen were once again merged. The borders of the municipality have remained unchanged since, with the exception of the eastern part of Lemelerveld which came under the municipality of Dalfsen in 1997.\nOn the night of 6 February 1972, a Palestine terrorist organisation named Black September attempted to blow up a natural gas pipeline at a distribution hub near Ommen, but not all explosives were detonated. A blue bag filled with explosives was found after the explosion, next to a three meter wide crater. During the same night there were also attacks in Hamburg and the Dutch village of Ravenstein — and later that year, Black September also caused the Munich Massacre.[13]\nEerde\nEerde Castle\nAbout four kilometres (or 2½ miles) south-east of Ommen and adjacent to the hamlet of Eerde lies the castle Eerde, a castle in the Dutch-classical style from 1715, surrounded by a 1,667 hectare estate in the Baroque style managed by the Natuurmonumenten foundation since 1965.[14]\nThe name \"Eerde\" is a Saxon word meaning \"earth\". The first castle on this site was built in the 14th century, but was soon destroyed by the bishop's men in 1380 — along with the fortifications of the town of Ommen. In the centuries since, the Van Twickelo, Van Renesse and Van Pallandt families have lived in castles on this site. The castle was used by the famous philosopher and spiritual teacher Jiddu Krishnamurti, of whom Baron Philip van Pallandt was an avid follower, from about 1924 to just before the start of the Second World War. Van Pallandt granted Krishnamurti a territory at the Besthemerberg, north of Eerde. There Krishnamurti held his Order of the Star in the East lectures and meetings in front of audiences of thousands of people from dozens of countries.[2]\nDuring the Second World War, a Nazi concentration camp, Kamp Erika, was situated at the Besthemerberg. Only eight Jews were detained here; the camp was designated mostly for Dutchmen convicted of black market trade or resistance to the occupational authorities. The camp was notorious for the brutal behaviour of its personnel, leading Dutch judges to refuse to send convicts there in 1943. The camp was turned into an Arbeitserziehungslager mostly for those refusing to do forced labour, but in the fall of 1944 it once again became a penal camp. The camp was liberated on 11 April 1945. From 1945 to 1946, the camp was instead used to detain Dutchmen who had collaborated with the German occupiers. Their treatment was not much better.[15]\nNowadays the castle houses the private international boarding school Eerde, which offers the IB programme.[16]\nOmmerschans\nSketch of the Ommerschans fortress\nAbout ten kilometres (or six miles) due north of Ommen lies the former Ommerschans fortification.[17] The Ommerschans was a fortress built in 1628 as part of a defence line to defend the northern provinces of Groningen and Friesland from the marauding count Hendrik van den Bergh (in Spanish service) after the expiration of the Twelve Years' Truce. Hendrik, a nephew of William of Orange, then defected to the Dutch Republic in 1633.\nThe defences of the Ommerschans were restrengthened in the middle of the 17th century to deter and halt a possible invasion from the German states. Despite these new fortifications, the Ommerschans was captured without any resistance when the Catholic bishops Bernhard von Galen of Münster and Maximilian Henry of Cologne invaded in 1672, the so-called rampjaar (or disaster year) that started the Franco-Dutch War. The 146 musketeers and 55 pikemen stationed at the Ommerschans fled north, only to return later that year when the bishops retreated after their failed siege of the northern city of Groningen.\nUnder pressure from the citizens of Ommen and after the Peace of Utrecht of 1713, the fortress was closed down in 1715, only to be reinstated as a fortified arsenal in 1740 when war reignited in Continental Europe. During the Patriot Revolt of 1787, militias from Zwolle, Kampen and Vollenhove conquered and pillaged the Ommerschans, stealing all its weaponry to help them in their paramilitary struggle against the regime. The Ommerschans fortification became abandoned and would never again be used for military purposes.\nOmmerschans labour camp in the 1820s\nIn the early 19th century, the Dutch government changed it into a resocialisation institution and labour camp for beggars, prostitutes and alcoholics from Amsterdam and other western cities. They were supposed to learn farming and morals by experience so they could reintegrate into society. In reality the beggars were used for semi-forced and all-but-unpaid labour to reclaim the wetlands surrounding Ommerschans, eventually reclaiming an area of 4 by 2½ kilometres. Politician and novelist Jacob van Lennep visited Ommerschans during his walking tour with Dirk van Hogendorp across the newly independent United Kingdom of the Netherlands in the summer of 1823, and documented his appal at the conditions at the labour camp: \"These hours are certainly among the saddest I have lived through.\"\nWhen the institution went bankrupt in 1859 the Dutch government managed the labour camp until 1889, when it was finally closed down. During its years in operation, between several hundred and two thousand workers would live at Ommerschans at any one time, and an estimated 5448 workers died whilst interned there.\nThe city of Ommen\nLocation, economy and infrastructure\nThe Regge near Eerde\nOmmen lies 20 kilometres (12½ miles) east of the provincial capital of Zwolle and 35 kilometres (22 mi) north-east of fellow Hanseatic city Deventer. It lies on the north bank of the Vecht river, not far from where the Regge river merges with this stream. Only smaller ships and yachts can use these waterways.\nBecause Ommen is a rural municipality, tourism and agriculture are the pillars of the local economy. The beautiful forests and hilly heathlands of Ommen attract many nature-seeking visitors. The city of Ommen has several hotels and in the surrounding area there are fifteen campgrounds. Gilwell Ada's Hoeve on the left bank of the Vecht was the first Scouting campground in the Netherlands. Ommen also has a small marina.\nSince 15 January 1903, Ommen has had a railway station designed by Eduard Cuypers. It is situated one kilometer from the centre on the opposite side of the Vecht. The station is on the (minor) Zwolle-Emmen line and trains stop roughly twice an hour. Ommen also used to have direct railway links to Stadskanaal and to Deventer via Raalte, which were abandoned when they lost their importance due to the emergence of the automobile. Early plans to establish railway lines from Ommen to Hoogeveen and to Hellendoorn were abandoned for that same reason.\nAn important infrastructural problem is the N34 road from Zwolle via Emmen to Groningen, which crosses the city of Ommen. One of its main crossroads, near the Vecht bridge is a bottleneck that causes frequent traffic congestion. The government is rerouting the N34 road north of the city, in order to reduce crosstown traffic.\nThe current burgomaster is Mr. Gerrit Jan Kok (VVD). He was appointed by the crown in January 2007 to replace Arend ten Oever (CDA), after consultation with the citizens of Ommen.\nThe last municipal elections were in March 2010. The seventeen seats in Ommen's municipal council were divided as follows:\nCDA: 5 seats\nLocal Party Ommen (LPO): 4 seats\nVVD: 3 seats\nChristianUnion: 2 seats\nDemocrats: 2 seats\nLabour: 1 seat\nThe current College of Burgomaster and Aldermen (the municipal executive) is supported by the four coalition parties: CDA, VVD, ChristianUnion and Labour - each of which provides one alderman.\nBissing\nFormer burgomaster Arend ten Oever (CDA) opening the 2006 Bissing\nOmmen is famous for its Bissing fair and markets. These yearly markets have been organised on the second Tuesday of July since at least 1557. The Bissing lasted three days from Monday till Wednesday. Its success was based on the wide array of products on offer and a relaxation of excises and regulation on alcoholic consumption, attracting merchants and consumers to Ommen from far and wide. In the 19th century it became one of the main markets in the province of Overijssel, and there would often be brawls and riots. In 1918, the council of Dutch Reformed Church asked the town council to end the public events surrounding the Bissing for moral reasons. The town council complied and the Bissing activities were suspended until 1958, although the market continued.\nNowadays the Bissing has become a major tourist attraction, lasting for five consecutive Wednesdays after the initial market and comprising a wide array of ceremonies, fairs, concerts, funfairs and activities.\nThe etymology of the word Bissing is widely discussed. Some believe it is derived from 'Bishop's day', in recognition of the granting of Ommen's town rights, whilst others believe the Low-Saxon word is related to the English word business.\nRegion where Low Saxon is spoken\nMost inhabitants of Ommen speak Dutch, but many will also speak Low Saxon or Plat — an ancient language related to Low German and Old English which is indigenous to the north-east of the Netherlands. The dialect of Plat spoken in Ommen is Sallands. Although both the national government and the European Union recognise Plat as a regional language, it is considered by many to be a mere dialect of Dutch, and its popularity is waning rapidly, even compared to Twents. English and German are also widely spoken as second languages.\nThe poet Johanna van Buren died in Ommen in 1962. Her Plat poetry in the Salland and Twents dialect is still popular throughout Overijssel. The Johanna van Buren Cultural Prize is awarded once every three years to a person who contributed to the regional culture of the Eastern Netherlands.[18]\nOmmen has a reasonable mix of churches, with sizable Roman Catholic, Dutch Protestant and Liberated Reformed (Gereformeerd Vrijgemaakt) congregations.\nOmmen was built around the old church at its centre, built around 1150, first mentioned in 1238 and severely damaged by fires in 1330 and 1624.[2] The church was converted to Calvinism during the Reformation of the 16th century, and it was not until the constitutional reforms of 1853 that the Roman Catholicism was once again openly practiced in Ommen and not until 1860 that a new Roman Catholic church was founded in the centre of Ommen. The village of Vilsteren to the west of Ommen, however, had remained entirely Roman Catholic throughout the centuries.\nThe famous preacher and dissenter Albertus van Raalte lived and worked in Ommen between 1839 and 1844, before he and his congregation moved to America to found the Reformed Church in America and the city of Holland, Michigan.\nMost of the Jews of Ommen were murdered in the Holocaust, as were the majority of the Dutch Jews.\nThe newly renovated Besthemermolen\nThe church in the centre, built in 1150 but rebuilt and renovated regularly, is by far the oldest building in Ommen.\nThe National Tin Figurine Museum in the former Town Hall has over 200,000 figurines and panoramas, including four panoramas of the Battle of Ane.[19]\nOmmen has five windmills, of which three are in the town itself: the Lelie (1846, still in full operation), Den Oordt (1842, operates weekly) and the Konijnenbelt (1806, out of commission). Vilsteren has its own windmill (1858, recently recommissioned), as does the hamlet of Besthem (1862, recently renovated). The Besthemermolen also houses the Nature Information Centre with expositions about Ommen's diverse landscape and ecosystems.\nThe small Regional Museum in Ommen explains Ommen's customs and history.[20]\nThe estates of the Vilsteren and Eerde castles are open to the public.[21][14]\nThe Pieterpad rambling trail (the most popular trail in the Netherlands) passes through Ommen.[22]\nFamous inhabitants of Ommen\nAlbertus van Raalte (1811–1876), preacher and founder of Holland, Michigan\nAugust Pieter van Groeningen (1866–1894), writer\nJohanna van Buren (1881–1981), poet\nC.J.E. Dinaux (1898) - 1980), writer\nEdward Top (1972), composer\nSee also: List of twin towns and sister cities in The Netherlands\nTwin towns — Sister cities\nOmmen is twinned with:\nRecke in neighbouring North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany (since 1989)\nŻnin in Poland (since 1991)\n^ a b Central Bureau for Statistics (CBS), January 1, 2010\n^ a b c Gerrit Nevenzel, Ommen\n^ Willem Bemboom, Het maritieme cultuurlandschap van Regge en Vecht (2007), Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Afdeling Maritieme Archeology. (in Dutch)\n^ Steen, G. en W. Veldsink, 1948 - De geschiedenis van Ommen. (in Dutch)\n^ The History of 't Laer (in Dutch)\n^ Unknown author, Quedam narracio de Groninghe de Trentis de Covordia et diversis alliis sub episcopis Traiectensibis (a.k.a. Narracio), published by Vereniging Herdenking Slag bij Ane (2000), folder.\n^ The historical sources about Ommen differ on many of the dates before the 17th century. Usually the difference is only one or two years, but sometimes as much as a decade. The most commonly quoted dates are used on this page.\n^ Dieks Horsman, \"Nieuwebrug, geen echte buurtschap... en toch een gezellige buurt\" in De Darde Klokke, No. 117, page 28 (in Dutch)\n^ Jan Lucas, The Town Hall (in Dutch)\n^ Ad van der Meer and Onno Boonstra, \"Repertorium van Nederlandse gemeenten\" (2006) Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen, ISBN 90-6984-495-8.\n^ Harry Woertink, Burgemeesters van Ommen, in Ommen Historisch Belicht (2006), Historische Kring Ommen. (In Dutch)\n^ Plans for the fortification of Ommen in the Dutch National Archives\n^ Andere Tijden, Aanslagen in Ravenstein en Ommen: De grootste sabotage-daad van na de oorlog, October 16, 2001. (In Dutch)\n^ a b Stichting Natuurmonumenten, Natuurgebied Eerde\n^ Guusta Veldman Knackers achter prikkeldraad : kamp Erika bij Ommen, 1941-1945 (1993) ISBN 90-5345-037-8 (in Dutch)\n^ International School Eerde\n^ Vereniging De Ommerschans, History of the Ommerschans (in Dutch)\n^ Streektaalzang, Johanna van Buren (in Dutch)\n^ National Tin Figurine Museum, National Tin Figurine Museum\n^ Regional Museum Ommen (in Dutch), Regional Museum Ommen\n^ Landgoed Vilsteren, Landgoed Vilsteren\n^ Pieterpad (in Dutch) www site: http://www.pieterpad.nl/\nOfficial Website (Dutch)\nWebsite Mooi Ommen! (English)\nOmmen Regional Museum (Dutch)\nOmmen Historical Society (Dutch)\nInternational School Eerde (English)\nOmmen Tin Figurine Museum (English)\nOmmen Tourist Office (Dutch; summary in German)\nSONT: Streektaal-Organisaties in het Nedersaksisch Taalgebied (Low Saxon)\nv · d · e Municipalities of Overijssel\nAlmelo · Borne · Dalfsen · Deventer · Dinkelland · Enschede · Haaksbergen · Hardenberg · Hellendoorn · Hengelo · Hof van Twente · Kampen · Losser · Oldenzaal · Olst-Wijhe · Ommen · Raalte · Rijssen-Holten · Staphorst · Steenwijkerland · Tubbergen · Twenterand · Wierden · Zwartewaterland · Zwolle\nSee also Netherlands · Provinces · Municipalities\nCoordinates: 52°31′N 6°26′E / 52.517°N 6.433°E / 52.517; 6.433\nMunicipalities of Overijssel\nPopulated places in Overijssel\nHanseatic League\nCities in the Netherlands\nPopulated places established in the 8th century\nOlst-Wijhe","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line829452"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6370798945426941,"wiki_prob":0.3629201054573059,"text":"Home Faculty of Law and Criminology\nDepartment of European, Public and International Law\nMigration Law Research Group\nRuben Wissing\nRuben Wissing https://www.ugent.be/re/epir/en/researchgroups/public-law/department/migration-law/rwissing-en https://www.ugent.be/logo.png\nRuben Wissing is a PhD researcher at the (start-up) Migration Law Research Group at Ghent University. The subject of his research is refugee protection in Morocco and Turkey and the impact of EU migration policy. The research is done under the guidance of promotor Prof. Dr. Ellen Desmet, Professor of Migration Law, and clustered with other migration studies by the interfaculty Centre for the Social Study of Migration and Refugees (CESSMIR) at Ghent University.\nRuben studied Law in Leuven and Madrid (2004), and also holds a bachelor in Philosophy. After practising as a lawyer specialized in migration and asylum law in Antwerp for three years, he worked for the then Flemish Minorities Centre (now Kruispunt Migratie-Integratie) and later as a legal officer and policy coordinator at the Belgian Refugee Council (CBAR-BCHV) for more than six years.\nHe also was an independent consultant, i.a. as national expert for the Asylum Information Database (AIDA) of the European Council for Refugees and Exiles (ECRE), and at the UN Refugees Agency (UNHCR) in Brussels on the issue of migration detention. In 2017 he coordinated the (start-up non-profit) organisation NANSEN, in combination with the teaching assistant position in Migration Law at the Ghent University with professor Desmet.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1001846"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.5094670653343201,"wiki_prob":0.5094670653343201,"text":"the Club on Social Media\nJoin the MoCoGOP Club\nWeekly NEWS & REVIEW\nGary Baise Commentaries\nBob Ehrlich Commentaries\nThe Free State\nDr. Politics\nNominate a Person of the Month\nOutrage of the Week\nFirst Thursday\nPizza & Politics\nSubmit your Evnet\nRepublican Clubs\nConservative Books\nConservative Talk Radio\nConservative Organizations\nMFRW Clubs\nRepublican Party Organization\nConservative YouTube Channels\nThat $900 billion stimulus package includes pork – lots of it\nCongress has no problem spending money on agriculture -- or gender studies in Pakistan\nCongress has passed, and the President has signed, the $900 billion stimulus package. There’s a lot of pork in the bill, and it includes USDA.\nWhat is your tax dollar going to support?\nAbout $10 million will be made available for gender programs in Pakistan. There will also be a study of the Springfield, Ill., race riots of 1908. There is also funding for studying the succession or reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. There is even money for a commission tasked with educating consumers about the dangers associated with using or storing portable fuel containers for flammable liquids near an open flame.\nThere’s more: $130 million for Nepal, $453 million for Ukraine, and $700 million to our great allies in Sudan.\nWhat about USDA?\nBut let us examine what USDA received. Title I of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, starts with agriculture and rural development. Under Division A of the bill, there is a Title for the following agricultural programs: farm production and conservation programs; rural development programs; domestic food programs; and foreign assistance and related programs. There is a title for related agency and food and drug administration, and finally there is a Title VII for general provisions. There is even a Title XII for horseracing integrity and safety.\nThe Office of the Secretary of Agriculture is given approximately $47 million of which he is to spend approximately $5 million. Twenty-one million goes to the Assistant Secretary for Administration.\nThe language in the bill is enough to make your head spin. For example, the Chief Economist of USDA receives approximately $24 million. Of that, $8 million must go to grants and cooperatives for policy research. The lawyers, of course, are not left out because the USDA Office of Hearings and Appeals receives $15,394,000. The Chief Information Officer of USDA’s office receives approximately $67 million “…of which not less than $56,000,00 is for cyber security requirements of the department.”\nThe Civil Rights Office of USDA receives approximately $23 million and to maintain the department’s buildings across the country, $108,124,000. USDA apparently has a number of hazardous waste sites and the legislation provides $6,514,000 to deal with this issue.\nTo protect all the bureaucrats in federal buildings, Congress sets aside approximately $23 million to the Office of Safety and Security, to make sure farmers and ranchers have identification papers to get into USDA buildings. The Office of Inspector General has approximately $100,000,000 to make sure all our USDA funds are spent appropriately. There is even $125,000 for paying confidential informants. In USDA there is even an Office of Ethics, and it receives $4,185,000.\nThe National Agricultural Statistical Service receives approximately $184 million. This money is used to send confidential surveys to you.\nResearch gets big bucks\nThe Agricultural Research Service (ARS) starts spending real money. Approximately $1.5 billion goes to the ARS and in addition, the ARS receives approximately $36 million to buy land or construct or repair buildings.\nThe National Institute of Food in Agriculture also receives for research and other expenses $992,642,000. Another $11,880,000 is spent on Native American Institutions Endowment Fund. Extension activities which include the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, Micronesia, the Northern Marianas, and American Samoa are allocated $538,447.\nI suspect many of you are not aware of the extension activities involving these areas.\nAnother program popular with American farmers and ranchers is the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). AMS receives the tidy sum of $188,358,000. Of course, AMS may collect fees pursuant to another statute. Of course, Congress claims USDA cannot collect more than $55 million.\nAnother favorite agency is the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). NRCS helps conserve soil and water and acquires some lands and water. It also operates and maintains aircraft for which only $832,727,000 is made available. Out of this $832 million, $175 million must be spent on watershed protection and flood prevention.\nI will not get into the Federal Crop Insurance Fund or the Commodity Credit Corporation Fund in this blog. As you can see, Congress has no problem spending money on agriculture - or gender studies in Pakistan.\nRepublican Groups\nBlack Republican Activists\nGOP Hispanics\nRNC Women\nGOP Faith\nAsian Pacific Americans\nOur GOP\nRepublican Platform\nNational GOP Leadership\nState GOP Leadership\nHistory of the GOP\nRNC Rules & Resolutions\nRNC Counsel’s Office\nRe-Open Maryland – Hosted by Robin For Governor\nNational March For Life\nCPAC 2021","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1361330"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6432181000709534,"wiki_prob":0.6432181000709534,"text":"• Updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)\nRegional Forums Information\nRead Daily Reflections\nGo to Online Bookstore\nHome Press/Media Press Releases 25 Millionth Alcoholics Anonymous 'Big Book'\n25 Millionth Alcoholics Anonymous 'Big Book'\nTo be Given in Gratitude to Warden of San Quentin\n(TORONTO, ONTARIO) The 25 millionth copy of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous will be presented to Jill Brown, warden of San Quentin prison, at the International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous which takes place in Toronto June 30 - July 3. The landmark book will be presented to Warden Brown by Allen Ault, Class A (nonalcoholic) trustee of Alcoholics Anonymous, who has been a director of corrections in three states and is currently Dean of the College of Justice and Safety at Eastern Kentucky University in the United States.\nThe gift of the book is A.A.'s way of expressing gratitude for that institution's long history of supporting A.A as a resource for alcoholic inmates. The first A.A. meeting in a prison was held in San Quentin in 1941. Since that time, hundreds of A.A. groups have sprung up behind prison walls. Some have started with the help of A.A. members on the outside, and all with the vital support and cooperation of corrections personnel.\nFor the Big Book itself, passing the 25 million sales mark in English versions alone is something worth noting. It took 36 years to sell the first million copies. Now A.A. distributes approximately one million books each year in the English-language edition alone.\nIt didn't seem like that would be the case in 1939. The new book Alcoholics Anonymous was featured on a popular radio show by radio commentator Gabriel Heatter, and three days later, A.A. founders lugged empty suitcases to their post office box in anticipation of a deluge of orders only to find two lone inquiries. Often called A.A.'s “most effective sponsor,” the Big Book was launched on a shoestring. Initially sales lagged, and the young Fellowship found itself saddled with nearly 5,000 unsold books and large incidental debts. Then, in March 1941, after an article about A.A. by Jack Alexander appeared in the Saturday Evening Post, sales soared and a second printing was ordered at once.\nThe book provided the name for a small movement that until then had been known simply as the Alcoholic Foundation, with but 100 members. Today, Alcoholics Anonymous has an estimated two million members worldwide with a presence in 180 countries. Additionally, its program of recovery serves as a model for many other 12 Step Fellowships.\nThe Big Book itself has opened the way to a life of comfortable sobriety for thousands of suffering alcoholics who otherwise might not have found help. It has offered convincing evidence to relatives and friends that compulsive drinkers can recover; and has furnished revealing insights to physicians, psychologists, members of the clergy and other professionals who work with alcoholics.\nPrevious recipients of milestone copies of the Big Book have included United States President Richard Nixon (the one millionth), U.S. Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare Joseph Califano (two millionth), the widow of Dr. John (Jack) L. Norris, Class A nonalcoholic trustee and former A.A.W.S. Board Chairman (15 millionth) and the Al-Anon Family Groups (twenty millionth).\nPublic Information Coordinator (212) 870-3119 or publicinfo@aa.org\nWindows users: Right click your mouse over the image and choose Save Picture As from the scroll down menu.\nMac users: Hold down your mouse button over the image. Also you can drag the image directly to your desktop.\nView this page in: Español | Français\nGeneral Press Releases\nInternational Convention\nThe \"Big Book\" (A.A.)\nWorld Service Meeting\nAmerican Sign Languages ASL\nNo Press Releases in 2021\nNeed Help with a Drinking Problem? | A.A. Near You | What Is A.A.? | For Professionals | For A.A. Members\nA.A. Literature | eBooks | Read the Big Book and Twelve & Twelve | Alcoholics Anonymous Facsimile First Printing | Make a contribution | Self-Support\nPress/Media | Archives & History | A.A. General Service Board Calendar | G.S.O. Newsletters | Videos and Audios | Go to Online Book Store\nRegional Forums Information | A.A. Around the World\nAbout G.S.O.\nCopyright © 2021 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. All rights reserved. This is the official Website of the General Service Office (G.S.O.) of Alcoholics Anonymous. Videos or graphic images may not be downloaded, copied or duplicated without the express written permission of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. The “Blue People” graphic is a trademark of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. All rights reserved.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1314566"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9743844866752625,"wiki_prob":0.9743844866752625,"text":"Economy|Business and Economy\nThe rainmaker behind Mukesh Ambani’s $13bn deal spree\nManoj Modi is viewed by insiders and others in India’s business world as the right hand of billionaire Mukesh Ambani.\nIn the halls of Reliance Industries Ltd, Manoj Modi has quietly become one of the most powerful forces behind the corporate empire of Asia's richest man [File: Bloomberg]\nSaritha Rai, P R Sanjai and Baiju Kalesh\nHe has no flashy titles and few outside India know his name. But in the halls of Reliance Industries Ltd., Manoj Modi has quietly become one of the most powerful forces behind the corporate empire of Asia’s richest man.\nReserved and mostly invisible to the public, Modi is viewed by many insiders and others in India’s business world as the right hand of billionaire Mukesh Ambani. He played a key role during negotiations for a $5.7 billion deal with Facebook Inc. in April, backing Ambani and his children as they hashed out an agreement with the social networking giant, people familiar with the matter said.\nAs Ambani, 63, shifts his sprawling conglomerate’s focus from petrochemicals to internet technologies, Modi is seen as a particularly influential voice. Facebook’s investment in the group’s Jio Platforms was followed by similar deals from a slew of private-equity funds, injecting $13 billion into the business and placing it firmly on Silicon Valley’s radar.\nThe sixty-something, diminutive Modi — who isn’t related to India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi — rarely gives interviews and there’s little in the public realm about his private life. Yet he illustrates how lesser known personalities in India with long-running ties to corporate dynasties can have an outsized impact.\n“It’s not a company that advertises its organizational structure but the industry knows that Ambani and Modi are a strongly-bonded team — and together drive deal negotiation and relentless execution to the last level of detail,” said Vani Kola, managing director of venture capital firm, Kalaari Capital Partners, who persuaded Modi to make a rare public appearance at a conference last year, albeit by video.\nA Reliance spokesperson didn’t respond to a request for comments from the company and Modi.\nModi is a director at Reliance Retail Ltd. and the group’s telecom carrier Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd. At Kola’s conference, he downplayed his skills. “I don’t really negotiate,” Modi said. “I don’t understand strategy,” he went on. “In fact, people internally know that I don’t even have a vision.” He described his role, saying, “I deal with our internal people, coaching them, mentoring them and guiding them on how something can be done.”\nBut then came a hint of his thinking: “Our principle at Reliance is very simple: Unless everyone makes money while working with us, you cannot have a sustainable business.”\nIn interviews, more than half-a-dozen executives in the technology industry, who have had dealings with Reliance, said Modi has a reputation for driving hard bargains. When dealing with startups, he often controls negotiations from behind the scenes by instructing executives how far to push, making an appearance nearing deal fruition, they said.\nWhile Reliance’s recent mega investments have drawn the spotlight, the conglomerate also began an acquisition spree to buy smaller firms some years ago to build expertise in newer technologies from artificial intelligence to blockchain. The idea is to create a digital business that wields power in everything from online retail to streamed entertainment and internet payments.\nThe Tiny Deals Behind Mukesh Ambani’s Bid to Take on Amazon\nModi has a big say in every deal and often a meeting with him signals the final stamp of approval, four different startup founders said in interviews.\n“He derives his power in the organization not just because of his loyalty, but because of his very astute, smart and able negotiator skills for Reliance Industries,” G. R. Gopinath, founder of budget carrier Air Deccan, who had sold a stake in his cargo airline to Reliance in 2010. “Significantly, though without formal education from Ivy League universities, he has a very sharp mind and a rare insight and native genius to grasp modern technology in the Indian context.”\nGopinath said Modi is “ruthlessly efficient” and manages to get the best possible deal for Reliance in mergers and acquisitions.\nModi is one of the few who have been with the company since the 1980s when Ambani’s late father was building the oil-and-petrochemicals giant. A few years earlier, Manoj Harjivandas Modi and Ambani had studied at what was then called the University Department of Chemical Technology in Mumbai and become fast friends.\nThat’s allowed Modi a chance to work with three generations of the Ambani dynasty: The late patriarch Dhirubhai, then Mukesh and his wife Nita, and now his children Isha and Akash, who are playing more prominent roles on deals like Facebook.\nOver the years Modi became known as the execution man, overseeing large projects. He broke new ground by managing Reliance’s retail reach to smaller cities and expanded it to India’s largest retailer. But it was with the pathbreaking telecom service that Ambani built up that Modi came into his own.\nTelecom Talks\nHis negotiating skills were very visible when Reliance Jio raced to launch its wireless services in 2016 and built its fiber optic cable network.\nOne of the people who participated in the negotiations described a scene where select vendors were summoned to the headquarters for talks. The bait dangled in front of each was the massive scale of the project. Unknown to vendors at that time, multiple Reliance teams negotiated simultaneously in separate rooms with Modi as the interface guiding executives, that person said.\nThese days, after crushing its rivals, Jio is the largest telecom operator in India with nearly 400 million users. It’s also increasingly important to global businesses like Facebook and WhatsApp as it serves as an entryway into an exploding digital economy and an e-commerce ecosystem that includes payments, education and health care.\n“Their work in expanding access to affordable mobile broadband has been phenomenal,” Ajit Mohan, vice president and managing director in India for Facebook, said of Ambani’s company.\nAmong the skills Modi has honed is working with senior executives at Reliance, like Anshuman Thakur, head of strategy at Reliance Jio Infocomm and a long time banker, who plays a key role on deals and regularly briefs the press.\nDuring the negotiations for the Facebook deal, Ambani, his children Isha and Akash, and Modi were key right through the discussions, one of the people familiar with the transaction said. Once Ambani gave the go ahead, Thakur worked to structure the deal, one of the people said.\nIn recent weeks, Jio’s investor list has included names like KKR & Co., Silver Lake Partners, Vista Equity Partners, General Atlantic and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. There may be more. Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund is in advanced talks for a stake, people familiar with the matter said this month.\nStill, the global coronavirus pandemic is poised to put India on track for a sharp economic contraction. That means Modi and Ambani will have their work cut out to grow digital sales amid slowing consumer spending, even as they ready Jio Platforms for a share sale. Reliance Industries is preparing the business for an initial public offering overseas, people with knowledge of the matter said last month.\nMeanwhile, a crash in oil prices caused uncertainty in negotiations to sell an estimated $15 billion stake in Reliance Industries’ oil and chemicals division to Saudi Arabian Oil Co., or Aramco, as part of its bid to pay down its formidable debt pile, which stood at more than $20 billion as of March last year. Reliance recently said the Aramco talks are progressing.\nVery little is known about the actual plans of Jio Platforms as the digital business rolls into the next phase of its expansion. Both Modi and his boss may have a joint hand in maintaining this level of secrecy.\n“Why talk needlessly when you can show your capabilities in the ranbhoomi,” said Kola, the venture capitalist, using the Hindi word for battlefield.\nSource : Bloomberg","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1333041"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.9001805186271667,"wiki_prob":0.9001805186271667,"text":"Yeshiva University News\nYU In The News\nKatz School’s Virtual Speech Clinic\nStraus Center Summer Seminar for High School Juniors and Seniors\nUptown–West Bronx Vanguard Offers YU Students A Mentorship Opportunity\nHelping Everyone Breathe Easier\nWhat is Wall Street? Inquiring Minds Want to Know\nFerkauf Announces New Master’s Program in Marriage and Family Therapy\nFaculty, Most Recent News, Press Release November 17, 2020November 29, 2020 Michael Bettencourt\nYeshiva University’s Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology has announced the Fall 2021 launch of a new Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy. Graduates of the program will be licensure-eligible as Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists (LMFTs) in New York State.\n“Ferkauf is extremely excited for the launch of this new program, one of New York State’s only offerings for a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy,” said Dr. Leslie Halpern, dean of Ferkauf. “This further enforces our mission of providing excellent graduate education to students and preparing them for successful careers in the field. As public awareness and acceptance of mental health issues continue to grow, we remain committed to training psychologists and counselors who make a difference in the lives of individuals and society as a whole. Our new program will produce therapists equipped to help families and couples, a service with growing demand in the mental health space.”\nThe 60-credit program prepares students with theoretical and applied principles of therapy for couples and families. Courses will cover the foundations of marriage and family therapy, family law, counseling with children and adolescents, developmental psychology across the lifespan, group therapy, multicultural issues and more. Students will also be required to complete 600 hours of fieldwork and will be provided placements with training and mentorship opportunities with practicing LMFTs.\n“Students graduating from this new program will be able to work in private practice and mental health centers with specialized MFT expertise that is rare for therapists with master’s degrees,” said Michael Gill, assistant dean. Dr. William Salton, director of the Parnes Clinic at Ferkauf, added, “This program will also prepare students for the opportunity to serve multiple communities since they will receive training with a multicultural and diversity focus.”\nIdeal candidates will have a strong interest in working with couples and families and a core background in psychology. The first cohort will launch in Fall 2021. Applications for admissions to this new program will begin in December 2020.\nTo learn more about the program, visit the Ferkauf website.\nFamily, Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, LMFT, MARRIAGE, Therapy\nWurzweiler School of Social Work Announces Two Post-Master’s Degree Programs\nStraus Center Course Spotlight: Philosophy of Law\nMichael Bettencourt\nTweets by @YUNews\nCopyright © 2021 by Yeshiva University News.\tTheme: DW Focus by DesignWall.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1134900"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8184751272201538,"wiki_prob":0.8184751272201538,"text":"Library/\nLiberation Africa/\nDavid Wirmark\nLiberal Party—General Secretary of the World Assembly of Youth—Member of the 1977 committee on sanctions against South Africa—Ambassador of Sweden to Tanzania Board member of the Swedish International Liberal Center\nThe interview was held by Tor Sellström in Stockholm 22 February 1996.\nTor Sellström: How did your involvement with Southern Africa begin?\nDavid Wirmark: I was a young student in Uppsala and elected to participate as a representative of the Swedish youth in the first general assembly of WAY, the World Assembly of Youth, which took place at Cornell University, Ithaca, USA, in 1951. The theme was ‘Youth and Human Rights’ and I was participating in a commission that dealt with racial discrimination. There was a fellow delegate from Cameroon. His name was Etienne Noafu and he represented the Protestant youth, I recall. He made a very interesting plaidoyer for solidarity of youth the world over with the cause of equality and justice in South Africa. He also made a description of the South African situation in a document that was very detailed about the educational and the political system. It showed how things had gone backwards and that discrimination had become harder. There was a system which only allowed the white population to attain full citizenship. Of course, we were very shocked. I already knew from newspapers and articles that there was racial discrimination in South Africa and that the situation was getting worse, but I did not know the details. That made me struggle later in support of South Africa and against racial discrimination.\nOf course, we were also shocked by the racial discrimination in the United States. We met many black American youngsters who worked for various youth organizations. They told us that they hoped that the system would cease, but that it would take a long time. At that time, we also discussed technical assistance and development aid, because President Truman had presented his Point Four plan. This struck me very much and determined more or less what I was going to devote my life to.\nTor Sellström: Were you then chairman of the National Council of Swedish Youth?\nDavid Wirmark: No, that was a couple of years later, but when I came back to Sweden I was internationally concerned. At that time, a students’ association at Uppsala University devoted to international affairs invited a Swedish diplomat, Paul Mohn. He had an idea of inviting a thousand young people from the poor countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America to Sweden to learn how the Swedish society and democracy functioned.\nTor Sellström: Was that the famous Mohn Plan?\nDavid Wirmark: Yes. Mohn was already rather old, but had wide international experience. He had been in Korea to supervise the armistice and before that—immediately after or during the war—he was responsible for administration in Greece. Particularly, I think that his period in Korea and Asia had made him interested in how we could make the youth of the developing world understand how a modern society functions and become aware of the rules and the values of the democratic system, local democracy etc.\nMohn wrote a pamphlet about this and one of the first speeches he gave in Uppsala—it must have been at the Foreign Policy Association—aroused a lot of enthusiasm. We took over the idea and the National Council of Swedish Youth proposed it to the Central Committee for Swedish Technical Assistance (CK), but I think that the older generation did not know exactly how to handle the proposal. They thought that it was interesting, but they also saw difficulties in implementing it. We never got full support from them. The interesting thing is that the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs at that time, Arne Lund-berg, made a speech on the First of May 1952 where he also took up the idea. That made us advance, but what happened in the end was that some youth organizations themselves raised money and brought a few people to Sweden.\nWe in the Liberal Youth League had one or two people here. I recall that we had a Korean who studied economy. Of course, the idea was that they should go back to their own countries and work for them, but he married a Swedish girl and stayed here. He became a good economist at Konjunkturinstitutet (The National Institute of Economic Research). But there were others who went back. The Centre Party Youth League (SLU) invited several people from Ethiopia and I think that the Social Democratic youth had young people from East Africa here. Paul Mohn spoke of one thousand young people, but we could never implement such a huge programme. There was a debate in Expressen. One article was against the plan, stating that the idea of learning democracy by coming to Sweden was a little bit naive. We replied that we did not want them to only study democracy, but also to practise and do some further training within their professional field, so that they could develop their knowledge while they were here. We thought that both things were important.\nIt is interesting to see that the questions of democracy and human rights later came much more to the forefront than they were at that time. It was only the youth that brought them forward and wanted to have this programme implemented. It might be because of the fact that WAY had made the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the basis for our work. We were accustomed to these questions.\nTor Sellström: Among the students who came to Sweden through the Liberal, Centre or Socialist youth, were there any from Southern Africa?\nDavid Wirmark: Yes, in the Liberal youth we had one or two people from Zambia. The National Union of Students also invited foreign students to Sweden. They had, I think, six or eight medical students from Indonesia. Olof Palme was involved in that undertaking and I was involved from the Uppsala side, so we had some contact already then.\nTor Sellström: As chairman of the National Council of Swedish Youth and, from 1958, as general secretary of WAY, you had contacts at a very early stage with some of the future leaders of Southern Africa. You met Joshua Nkomo from Rhodesia as early as 1958 and also Kenneth Kaunda around that time. Just after he went into exile you met Oliver Tambo and you also met Nelson Mandela at a conference during his African tour in 1962. Could you comment on the relations that you established with the leaders of Southern Africa?\nDavid Wirmark: Yes, we became very friendly. I met Joshua Nkomo several times. Kenneth Kaunda as well. When Kenneth Kaunda became President, he always received me when I came to Lusaka. I came rather often to Zambia in those years, because when I worked for WAY I travelled widely in Africa. Those were the years of liberation and I went to Africa on various occasions, for instance, every independence celebration. When Tanzania, Nigeria and Zambia became independent I was there and, of course, I met a number of leaders at the same time. Kenneth Kaunda is really a very close friend of mine. I met him in South Africa during the elections in 1994. We happened to stay at the same hotel. I did not know that he was there, but when I came down to the breakfast room I heard his familiar voice ‘Oh David, are you here?’\nWhen Oliver Tambo was smuggled out of South Africa, I immediately—in April 1960— sent him a ticket through Seretse Khama in Bechuanaland. Seretse Khama replied that he had taken care of Oliver Tambo and that he had given him the ticket. Oliver Tambo then came to the first Pan African Youth Seminar in Tunis, where he gave a fantastic speech about the struggle for freedom in South Africa. It was on the basis of non-violence, which was the ANC policy at that time. Luthuli’s old policy. That laid the foundation for a friendship that went on for a very, very long time. Until the end. I saw him about one month before he died. I saw that his health was not as it should be. Of course, I knew that he had been in hospital in Sweden. I had met him there.\nTor Sellström: You were a leading representative of the Liberal youth. Later on you were a Liberal member of parliament. Many of those who were active in the formulation of an opinion on South and Southern Africa in Sweden— people like Herbert Tingsten, Ivar Harrie etc.—came from the liberal camp. Would it be fair to say that liberals were the first to articulate an anti-apartheid and pro-liberation opinion in Sweden from the late 1950s?\nDavid Wirmark: Yes, I think so. In the church, there were individual missionaries, in particular those who went to South and Southern Africa and saw the discrimination on the spot. Some of them—not all of them—became horrified and decided to devote themselves to efforts and programmes to struggle against this. On the liberal side it was natural, because liberalism is about freedom, and colonialism and racial discrimination are negations of freedom.\nI was very much influenced by Julius Nyerere. He came to a seminar that we had in Dar es Salaam. Kenneth Kaunda was also there. Julius Nyerere addressed the seminar, arguing against the British thesis that you need to be prepared to become independent. He quoted Nehru, saying that he did not accept that you first needed a certain standard of education. Education is important for every individual, but independence is something more than just the technical standard you have in terms of education. It concerns an important political element, namely political human rights. He was refusing the argument that you need a period of preparation before democracy. He said that the best preparation for democracy and freedom is freedom itself. I thought that it was very well put, because it went very well with my liberal belief.\nIn the case of Zambia, it was a Liberal group in Sweden that made the collection of funds for Kaunda’s first election campaign in 1962, preceding independence. In that, for example, the Liberal Party chairman Bertil Ohlin and other personalities, both older and younger, participated. Among them was also Gunnar Myrdal from the Social Democratic Party, if I recall correctly. There was a mixture of political beliefs among those who supported the fund.\nThe Liberal Party Youth League was certainly the first political organization to take a clear stand on the Algerian struggle and freedom for the Algerian people. This we did in concordance with liberals in France, for instance, the group around Mendès-France and the journal L’Express. Of course, in Britain you also had important liberal newspapers, like The Guardian and The Observer, which played important roles in the debate and continue to do so, as also liberal politicians have done in Britain. I think that we in Sweden have been more or less part of the British progressive liberal tradition for the liberation struggles.\nTor Sellström: In 1969, the Swedish Parliament paved the way for direct government support to liberation movements in Southern Africa. All of these movements waged an armed struggle and some of them had a formal alliance with a Communist party. Most of them were considered to be in the ‘Soviet camp’. How did you in the Liberal Party look upon this?\nDavid Wirmark: Of course, we knew that there were links between members of the liberation movements and the Communist parties or the Communist camp. But we were also convinced that they were not true Communists. They did not act like Communist party organizations. They were true national liberation movements. We never had any hesitation about ANC, for instance. All the time we also wanted that ZAPU of Zimbabwe should have some support. We were not guided by the question of whether they cooperated with the Communists. The important thing was that we were convinced that they wanted a free society and respect for human rights. They did not want a racial society. ANC had taken a very clear stand. They did not want the blacks to have more rights than the whites. They did not want to reverse the system, but a society where all citizens were equal.\nTor Sellström: Do you think that the very early and close personal relations between leading opinion makers—like yourself—and the leaders of the liberation struggle in Southern Africa, like Mondlane, Tambo, Nkomo, Nujoma etc., played a role regarding the understanding of the ideological orientation of the struggle?\nDavid Wirmark: Yes, I believe so. Definitely. It had repercussions in two directions. It was important for the understanding in Sweden of the national liberation movements and their significance, but it also, I think, had the effect that the leaders of the liberation movements saw that they could get real, and perhaps even more efficient, support from the non-Communist world. This was an argument when they later on negotiated for political liberation. The fact that they got support from true democrats in the Nordic countries had an importance, both for ANC and the other liberation movements. Many of the leaders have said so to me. Nujoma, Nkomo and Kaunda have said so, and, of course, the Tanzanian leaders. I was ambassador to Tanzania between 1979 and 1985, but even before that time I knew Julius Nyerere and his colleagues very well. In particular, Rachidi Kawawa, who was Vice President but also others in the Tanzanian government, like Salim Salim and Oscar Kambona, who was at the time Foreign Minister, but then fell out with the party and with Julius Nyerere. They were very close to me.\nTor Sellström: Do you think that the Nordic countries were able to broaden the diplomatic space for the liberation movements in the polarized East-West divide?\nDavid Wirmark: Yes. There was a time when the Soviet Union was very active in Africa and that created difficulties for the liberation movements. We were not in favour of the various Communist initiatives, for instance in Ethiopia and Angola, although most of us had to accept that MPLA had essential support from the Soviet Union. My line—and also that of the Liberal Party—was that it was not really up to the donor countries to decide which political inclination the liberation movements should have, other than in a broader sense. It should be democratic and respect human rights, but whether it should have a more socialist or another leaning was not for us to decide. That is why we advocated that in certain cases one should support several liberation movements. For instance, in Zimbabwe we thought that both ZANU and ZAPU should get support and they also got that when the non-socialist parties came into government. In Angola, we advocated that in accordance with what had been agreed between the African leaders, both MPLA and FNLA should get support. But Sweden went on with exclusive support to MPLA and did not change its stand. South Africa was a different case. There I became convinced from reports by, among others, Kenneth Kaunda that ANC was the main representative and that we did not need to extend support to PAC.\nTor Sellström: Was the difference that the Social Democratic Party tended to support only socialist liberation movements, while the Liberal Party supported nationalist movements independent of their ideological outlook?\nDavid Wirmark: Well, I would not go as far as to say that they only supported liberation movements with a socialist outlook, but they did not want to support more than one movement in each country. I think that they argued in favour of that. As I said, in principle we argued for letting the Africans themselves decide within a rather liberal framework. In the case of Zimbabwe, Angola and South Africa we would at an early stage probably have advocated support to the two movements that we have been speaking about, but in the end it was only in Zimbabwe that it was implemented.\nI think that political reality was part of the decision in the other two cases. In the case of Angola, UNITA was impossible according to my and others’ belief by the fact that they had so openly welcomed South African support. But we argued for FNLA for a long time. Olle Wästberg went there and wrote a book about the struggle. There were quite a few Swedes who had contacts with the FNLA side. Of course, in all camps one could see that some rather harsh methods were used, but I think that there was no major difference between, for instance, MPLA and FNLA in terms of the methods.\nI would also say that if you had taken the liberal viewpoint you might have had a freer trade of opinions, which would have been positive. On the other hand, many of those that I thought were the best among the Africans advocated the one party system. So did Nyerere, Kawawa and others in Tanzania and so did Tom Mboya in Kenya. He wrote a very famous article in the American journal Foreign Affairs, defending the one party system. His main argument was that the tribal differences made it very difficult to make a multi-party system work.\nI never bought that argument. I had various articles published by SIDA on this question. I have also written other things on the question of whether the developing world can have full democracy in our sense. My argument was that it is possible. It is not easy, but it is possible. One should strive for that. I was always against those who said that these were bourgeois or Western freedoms, because according to me human rights and fundamental freedoms are the same all over the world. They are universal and, therefore, if people want them, they should be allowed to. I found in Africa— also in the one party states—that many of my friends came to me and complained about the lack of freedom at a personal level. They either wanted to go to a country in Europe to have a period of greater freedom of expression or to change the system. I am also convinced that the British electoral system—the single constituency principle, where the winner takes all—is not very conducive to a fully fledged interplay of opinions and full democracy. I think that a proportional system could have helped to form a greater understanding of the need for an opposition and how to deal with an opposition.\nTor Sellström: So you think that there is something in the statement that support to one ‘sole and authentic’ liberation movement was partly detrimental to a well functioning parliamentary democracy upon independence?\nDavid Wirmark: One has to emphasize that it may be one cause, but I would say that in the case of South Africa I had no grudges about only supporting ANC. I think that they had such a solid base in the struggle for human rights that they will not be averse to the opposition or to other parties. In fact, I think that South Africa might well be the case that paves the way for a more open system in other countries in Africa. Even Nyerere has recognized that the one party system had its drawbacks. Well, I think that it would not have harmed to support several liberation movements in one country, but one should not invent a movement in order to get a better democracy. It is the people who decide which their movements are. In the case of Mozambique, for example, FRELIMO was the only liberation movement, so why should one worry? It was up to them to decide the movements and also about the future democratic system, but what one has to attack is the philosophy of making a virtue of the one party state, because I do not think that it has a virtue.\nTor Sellström: Was the question of armed struggle in your view a difficult issue when it came to the anchoring of support in the Swedish public opinion and in parliament?\nDavid Wirmark: Within the Liberal Party, we had a discussion on this. Of course, there were those who said that we could not support movements that used violence. In the case of ANC of South Africa, they changed their policy and entered into a period of armed struggle. The majority line within the Liberal Party was that it was up to them to decide which method they wanted to use. We knew that the apartheid government used violence to a great degree and it was in our view difficult to criticize ANC’s stand. But we made it clear that we could not support the military struggle. We could not give aid to arms and military equipment.\nTor Sellström: When the non-socialist coalition succeeded the Social Democratic government in 1976, it not only continued the support to the liberation movements, but increased the assistance. It also introduced the first sanctions’ legislation against South Africa. Was the Swedish government ever the object of international pressure from the West—the United States and Great Britain, particularly—to end the support?\nDavid Wirmark: I have no recollection of any pressure from the West on Sweden to change the policy with regard to the liberation movements. I think that the other Western countries simply knew that we were right and that we had a case.\nWhen I was ambassador to Tanzania, there was nobody who tried to get us less involved with the liberation movements. Instead, what was important was that the various major powers—the United States, the UK etc.—in the Tanzanian context were very interested in the Swedish viewpoints and what we understood to be the viewpoints of the Tanzanians, because they knew that we had very good contacts with them. We had a close cooperation between the Nordic countries, but also with the Dutch and the Canadians, although they were not so outspoken as we were. I recall that we had a celebration for both ANC and SWAPO every year in Dar es Salaam. The Swedish ambassador was always invited to speak. I still have my speeches from that time. Once I also represented all the ambassadors to the President of Tanzania at a diplomat gathering at State House. I spoke about South Africa and I could go quite far. The pressure was not on us. It was rather the other way around, that the others were pressurised.\nTor Sellström: As ambassador to Tanzania, you were the head of a Swedish mission that was responsible for a lot of support to ANC. Do you think that there was a sound distribution of responsibilities between the political and the aid offices in the Swedish embassy?\nDavid Wirmark: Yes, I have no complaints. I thought that it worked well and that the SIDA personnel was competent. Of course, the major cause was that in a country like Tanzania we had very good SIDA representatives. The heads of SIDA were always selected with great care and we were consulting regularly. They knew of my interest in the liberation movements and they knew that I had been a member of the board of SIDA for a long time. There was no attempt to play one side against the other. I would say that it worked well. The decisions about the support were also mainly taken in Sweden.\nTor Sellström: Is it your understanding that there was a satisfactory system in place when it comes to financial control of the funds disbursed to the liberation movements?\nDavid Wirmark: Yes, I believe so. As far as I know, we had no complaints during my time.\nTor Sellström: SIDA used a flexible system of quarterly payments in advance. Do you think that it worked well?\nDavid Wirmark: I think that it was necessary to have a flexible system in order to make things work well. At the same time, it was necessary to check that the money really was used for the purpose that it was said to be used for. In most cases, this could be done satisfactorily afterwards, but, we were, of course, also involved in the planning of various programmes. It was not only that money was paid out at an early stage. We were also involved with the planning side and the liberation movements were open to us. I was often invited by ANC to Morogoro for discussions. They also received SIDA missions and various other people.\nTor Sellström: One important issue is the question of liberation and liberty. We know of crises within the liberation movements, such as the Shipanga crisis in SWAPO, abuse in ANC and SWAPO camps in Angola, human rights violations in MPLA etc. Did you discuss these matters with the leaders of the liberation movements?\nDavid Wirmark: Yes, I discussed them with those persons that I was most involved with. For instance, I took up delicate questions with Oliver Tambo, but I did not take up the issue of the Angolan camps, because it happened after my time.\nTor Sellström: The so-called Shipanga affair involved three friendly actors from the point of view of Sweden, namely SWAPO, Zambia and Tanzania. Shipanga was never sentenced, but kept in jail in Zambia and in Tanzania for a long period. Did Sweden or the Nordic countries put any pressure on SWAPO or the host governments to have him tried in a court of law?\nDavid Wirmark: I was not involved in that and I am not sure that it was the case. If there were things that I thought were not correct during my time in Tanzania, what would happen was that I first took them up with somebody among the Tanzanians that I knew was involved with the liberation struggle and then with the movement itself. But I had never any orders from home to do so. If they were taken up at the official negotiations, it must have been by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs or SIDA.\nTor Sellström: Internationally, and perhaps particularly in Southern Africa, Olof Palme has to a large extent come to personify Sweden, the Nordic countries and a commitment to liberation. Did Palme earlier than others in the Social Democratic Party support the liberation process in Southern Africa?\nDavid Wirmark: That I really do not know, but he had contacts with the liberation movements and when he committed himself to the liberation cause, he did so with all his mind and all his force. I recall when he came to Tanzania. That was when the Socialist International had a conference in Arusha in 1984. He invited me to participate. He knew my views since a very long time back. He also made a state visit to Tanzania at the same time and I helped to prepare his official speech. But he really came to life when he made his intervention in Arusha. That was his life, but, of course, he was limited by his social democratic policy.\nWe liberals had argued for more funds to the various countries in Southern Africa. More than the Social Democratic government, and Palme knew this. When I was in parliament, he visited Zambia where he made a famous speech about the border of decency with Rhodesia. I put a question to him in parliament and said: ‘If this is the border of decency, should you not increase the support to Zambia?’ He had some difficulty in giving a reply to this question, because he knew that we had argued for more aid to Zambia than his own government. I also see from the memoirs of Ulla Lindström that she at a certain time had to argue against him regarding the level of aid. She advocated more aid than he, so I am not sure that he always was heading the movement for more support. But it was clear that he was convinced and that he found this very important.\nTor Sellström: Is there anything you would like to add?\nDavid Wirmark: I would say that Southern Africa is a region where Swedish politics has played a role. We have made our impact and the Nordic countries have made an impact. We should be proud of that, because we really have had a significance and everybody has respected that. The British have respected it and the Americans have respected it. The Americans were never in Africa and American politicians were never very loyal to the colonial system. They wanted freedom for Africa, because they also thought that freedom was the best way of combatting Communism. As far as I know, we never had any criticism from the US because of our policy of support to Southern Africa. In individual cases, like in Angola, they might have thought that we landed wrong with our exclusive support to MPLA, but that is how it was. I think that our support to ANC in South Africa was well understood because of the political realities. Some of my best friends in the United States were very convinced that ANC was the organization to support and that it was the most representative. However, the most important thing is that we made a difference in terms of South Africa. We should play those cards well. We should not forget that role.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line357532"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6549929976463318,"wiki_prob":0.3450070023536682,"text":"Wellness Workability\nHolistic approach to understanding, managing, and healing illness, inflammation/disease, gene mutations & a healthy state of mind.\nAutoimmunity/ AIP Diet\nMental Health/Mental Illness\nDiet/ Weight Loss\nEssential Oils with ongoing education…\nGene mutations\nGut Health/ IBS/ SIBO/ Leaky Gut\nTraditional vs. Alternative Medicine\nChromosomes are the thread-like structures in cells that contain genes. We have 46 chromosomes, arranged in 2 sets of 23. Genes are in the DNA of each cell in our bodies. They control how the cell functions, including how quickly it grows, divides and lives. Genes control how our cells work by making proteins. The proteins have specific functions and act as messengers for the cell. Each gene must have the correct instructions for making its protein. This allows the protein to perform the correct function.\nResearchers estimate that each cell contains 30,000 different genes.\nA gene mutation is a permanent alteration in the DNA sequence that makes up a gene, such that the sequence differs from what is found in most people. Mutations range in size; they can affect anywhere from a single DNA building block (base pair) to a large segment of a chromosome that includes multiple genes.\nGene mutations can be classified in two major ways:\nHereditary mutations are inherited from a parent and are present throughout a person’s life in virtually every cell in the body. These mutations are also called germline mutations because they are present in the parent’s egg or sperm cells, which are also called germ cells. When an egg and a sperm cell unite, the resulting fertilized egg cell receives DNA from both parents. If this DNA has a mutation, the child that grows from the fertilized egg will have the mutation in each of his or her cells.\nAcquired (or somatic) mutations occur at some time during a person’s life and are present only in certain cells, not in every cell in the body. These changes can be caused by environmental factors such as ultraviolet radiation from the sun, or can occur if an error is made as DNA copies itself during cell division. Acquired mutations in somatic cells (cells other than sperm and egg cells) cannot be passed to the next generation.\nMajority of breast cancer cases are not caused by inherited genetic factors. It’s estimated between only 5-10% of breast cancer cases are passed from mother or father to children. Most breast cancer cases are associated with somatic mutations in breast cells that are acquired during a person’s lifetime, and they do not cluster in families. The number one factor we can control in terms of preventing cancer is what we put in our mouths and on our bodies.\nIn hereditary breast cancer, the way that cancer risk is inherited depends on the gene involved. For example, mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are inherited in an autosomal dominat pattern, which means one copy of the altered gene in each cell is sufficient to increase a person’s chance of developing cancer. Although breast cancer is more common in women than in men, the mutated gene can be inherited from either the mother or the father.\nMost disease-causing gene mutations are uncommon in the general population. However, other genetic changes occur more frequently. Genetic alterations that occur in more than 1 percent of the population are called polymorphisms. They are common enough to be considered a normal variation in the DNA. Polymorphisms are responsible for many of the normal differences between people such as eye color, hair color, and blood type. Although many polymorphisms have no negative effects on a person’s health, some of these variations may influence the risk of developing certain disorders.\nWhat is MTHFR?\nMethylenetetrahydrofolate reductase is a gene mutation that, in a nutshell, prevents the cells in our bodies from methylating properly.\nMTHFR mutations affect everyone differently, and symptoms can vary from long-term health issues to hardly any noticeable changes in overall health. Research has shown an association between MTHFR mutations and several health problems including:\nNeurological issues\nNeurol tube defects\nCongintal cardiac malformations\nADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)\nThis gene mutation can be found all over the world. It is estimated that, at least, 40% of the US population has this gene mutation. Unfortunately I do, and I’m here to tell you I’m passionate about it. I’ve lost grandparents to Alzheimer’s and I want to remember who my family and friends are until I die – let’s say at 103. I also lost my mom to breast cancer (who was unaware of the MTHFR within her body). It causes a methylation problem and every cell in our bodies must methylate properly to function. The types of food we eat and the supplements we (must) take is the armor we have to prevent/ control this mutation.\nWhat is CD33?\nCD33 is a sialoadhesin molecule and a member of the immunoglobulin supergene family. CD33 is an excellent myeloid marker and is commonly used for the diagnosis of AML (acute myeloid leukemia).\nCD33 mRNA expression is specifically increased in microglia, and expression in autopsy brain tissue is associated with more advanced cognitive decline. The amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ) cascade hypothesis predicates that Aβ accumulation is the fundamental initiator of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and mounting evidence suggests that weakened Aβ clearance rather than its overproduction is the major cause of Alzheimer’s disease.\nWhat is Apoe?\nThe APOE gene provides instructions for making a protein called apolipoprotein E. This protein combines with fats (lipids) in the body to form molecules called lipoproteins. Lipoproteins are responsible for packaging cholesterol and other fats and carrying them through the bloodstream. Maintaining normal levels of cholesterol is essential for the prevention of disorders that affect the heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular diseases), including heart attack and stroke.\nThere are at least three slightly different versions (alleles) of the APOE gene. The major alleles are called e2, e3, and e4. The most common allele is e3, which is found in more than half of the general population.\nResearchers estimate that between 40 and 65 percent of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s have the APOE gene mutation.\nIt’s a gene mutation that puts us at a higher risk for dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and cardiovascular disease and I happen to have it. They estimate that 25% of the US population has this mutation. It’s particularly important to get tested for this if you have a family history of dementia/Alzheimers. Please don’t assume you will get it and there’s nothing you can do about it. It’s also important to know which allele you have. For example: I’ve been eating a low carb diet for about 2 years now. This is bad because years of research shows, based on my allele, I should be plant based. There are also natural supplements that help prevent the risks associated with the mutation.\nFor more information: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2908458/\nThe risk of developing type 1 diabetes is increased by certain variants of the HLA-DQA1, HLA-DQB1, and HLA-DRB1 genes. These genes provide instructions for making proteins that play a critical role in the immune system.\nThe HLA-DQA1, HLA-DQB1, and HLA-DRB1 genes belong to a family of genes called the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex. The HLA complex helps the immune system distinguish the body’s own proteins from proteins made by foreign invaders such as viruses and bacteria.\nTo see more information about these gene mutations, see the blog section–> https://wellnessworkability.com/category/gene-mutations/\nAutoimmunity (24)\nDiet / Weight Loss (37)\nDietary Supplements (22)\nGene Mutations (11)\nGut Health / SIBO / IBS (19)\nHeath & Nature (2)\nHerbs & Spices (9)\nMental Health/Mental Illness (25)\nTraditional Medicine vs Alternative Medicine (9)\n© 2021 Wellness Workability","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1005402"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.8243699073791504,"wiki_prob":0.8243699073791504,"text":"Gift in your Will\nDonate Give Monthly\nThe Fred Hollows Foundation | 24/05/17\nHome Latest 2016 Annual Report\nIt's a record: more than 1 million eye operations and treatments in one year!\nIn 2016, The Fred Hollows Foundation achieved record-breaking results.\nWith the help of our partners, we performed 1,004,975 eye operations and treatments, trained 78,450 surgeons, nurses and health workers, advocated to local and national governments and equipped 120 medical facilities. We changed the lives of millions of people around the world, all thanks to generous support from people like you.\nWatch the video, read the highlights, or download the 2016 Annual Report to learn more about our impact in 2016.\nHelping people see\nTreating and preventing the main causes of avoidable blindness – including cataract, trachoma and diabetic retinopathy – remains at the core of what we do. There are 36 million people around the world who are blind, yet four out of five don’t need to be. We’re working tirelessly to change this. In some countries where we work, as little as $25 can restore sight and give someone the future they deserve.\nThol's story\nA simple 15 minute operation was all it took to give Thol’s children their mother back. Thol was blind from cataracts for two years, unable to leave the small wooden platform that was her family’s home in northern Cambodia. Her children fended for themselves and survived by fishing and collecting rubbish on the streets. The Foundation supported Thol’s surgery at Oddar Meanchey Provincial Hospital. When her patches were removed she was overcome with joy as she caressed her baby son, Cheet. It was the first time she had seen him clearly. With her independence restored, Thol is now supporting her family by selling fish and frogs at the local market. “My big wish was for my children to be able to go to school,” Thol said. Now her dream has become reality.\nInvesting in people\nWe know that teaching the teachers first is the best way to create sustainable change. That’s why we’re empowering local people to identify, refer and treat eye disease in more than 25 countries around the world. With the help of our partners, we’ve trained thousands of surgeons, nurses, community health workers and teachers.\nMercy's story\n\"I get emotional when I see parents weeping at the mention of their children being blind due to cataracts,” said Mercy Mbayi. Mercy works as a nurse at the Sabatia Eye Hospital in Kenya, where staff restore sight to more than 100 people a week. As a mother of six, she can empathise with their situation and often carries children in her arms to and from the theatre while reassuring anxious parents. Mercy regularly travels hundreds of kilometres as part of the hospital’s community outreach screening team which identifies and refers patients for treatment. She also trains Ophthalmic Nurse Assistant students who are supported by The Fred Hollows Foundation during their three month placement at the hospital. Mercy’s passion for her work is evident in everything she does. “It brings me joy when I see children receive their sight back. It is definitely a new beginning for the family and the entire community. It’s hard to explain how wonderful that is to watch.”\nEquipment and Technology\nFred Hollows believed in giving people independence by providing them with the tools they needed to get the job done. The Foundation is continuing this philosophy by building and equipping medical facilities around the world. From outreach screening units and community health centres, to regional hospitals and national training facilities, we’re providing the technology needed to deliver high-quality eye care.\nFaith's story\nBy equipping our partner hospitals with the latest technology, we can deliver high-quality eye care to people like Faith from the remote Trans Mara region in Kenya. Faith was born blind from cataracts. Abandoned by her parents, she was taken in by her Aunt Helen, who, despite having five children of her own, was determined to give Faith a better life. “I would sell all my cows, everything we have, to give her sight,” she said. Helen’s determination paid off and Faith’s cataracts were removed at Sabatia Eye Hospital by Dr Ollando, an ophthalmologist trained by The Foundation. Since her surgery, Faith has transformed from a young girl who used to hide her face in the folds of her aunt’s skirt, to a boisterous and playful three-year-old with a bright future ahead of her. Every day she used to ask her Aunt Helen, “Can I go to school today?” Now, with her sight restored, she can.\nIndigenous Australia Program\nOur commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is grounded in Fred’s deep respect for their right to good health. We are determined to Close the Gap on Indigenous health. By working with partners, we’re providing culturally appropriate services to people in remote and underserviced areas.\nTracey's Story\nTracey Howard was a young woman when she had her eyes examined by Fred Hollows in Broome, Western Australia, in the late 1970s. Fred’s visit was one of 465 that he and his team made to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities during the National Trachoma and Eye Health Program, a three-year crusade to treat trachoma in Australia. While Tracey, now 73, had no idea who the doctor was, she was surprised to see him on television a few years later. “I didn’t know much about him,” she said. “Then I heard he was the one who travelled the world and he became very well-known. I couldn’t believe he was the doctor man who checked our eyes.” Her encounter with Fred Hollows was the start of a long connection. Fast forward 40 years, and Tracey had a cataract removed this year, thanks to The Fred Hollows Foundation’s partnership with The Lions Eye Institute.\nGabi Hollows, Founding Director\nIan Wishart, CEO\nShe Sees\nSight Simulator\nThe Fred Hollows Humanity Award\nMake a tax deductible donation\nThe Fred Hollows Foundation is registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).\nEligible tax-deductible donations have Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status with the Australian Tax Office.\nThe Fred Hollows Foundation is accredited by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), responsible for managing the Australian Government's aid program.\nThe Fred Hollows Foundation receives support through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).\nThe Fred Hollows Foundation acknowledges the Traditional Owners and custodians of the lands on which we work and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures; and to Elders both past and present.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1282352"} {"pred_label":"__label__wiki","pred_label_prob":0.6904191970825195,"wiki_prob":0.6904191970825195,"text":"North Memorial Medical Center v. Gomez\nRoy v. City of Little Rock\nThus, before a procedural due process claim can be mounted, the claimant must show that he enjoys a…\nSac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi v. United States\nMovers Warehouse, 71 F.3d at 718 (quoting Craft v. Wipf, 836 F.2d 412, 416 (8th Cir. 1987)). See also, North…\nFull title:NORTH MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER; UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA HOSPITAL AND…\nCourt:United States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit\nDate published: Jun 30, 1995\nUnited States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit\nholding that in order to have a protected property interest, one must have a \"legitimate claim of entitlement to [the property]\"\nSummary of this case from Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi v. United States\nSubmitted December 12, 1994.\nDecided June 30, 1995.\nKent G. Harbison, of Minneapolis, MN, argued, for appellants.\nKim Buechel Mesun, St. Paul, MN, for appellee.\nAppeal from the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota.\nBefore MCMILLIAN, Circuit Judge, JOHN R. GIBSON, Senior Circuit Judge, and SHAW, District Judge.\nThe HONORABLE CHARLES A. SHAW, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri, sitting by designation.\nJOHN R. GIBSON, Senior Circuit Judge.\nNorth Memorial Medical Center, University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinic, Cannon Falls Community Hospital, and Canby Community Health Services, appeal from the district court's entry of summary judgment in favor of Maria Gomez, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services. The Hospitals sought a declaration that the Department interpreted a 1989 amendment to Minn. Stat. § 256.9695(1)(b) (1994) in violation of the Boren Amendment, 42 U.S.C. § 1396a (a)(13)(A) (Supp. V 1993), the regulation that effectuates the Boren Amendment, 42 C.F.R. § 447.253(a) and (e) (1994), and the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. We affirm the judgment of the district court.\nThe Honorable Diana E. Murphy, then Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, now United States Circuit Judge for the Eighth Circuit.\nThe Hospitals are participants in Minnesota's Medicaid program. Medicaid is a joint federal-state program providing medical services, including in-patient hospital care, to needy persons. The Hospitals are paid according to a payment rate which the Department sets. There are several types of rate determination appeals which are described in detail in the district court's opinion. North Memorial Medical Ctr. v. Steffen, Civ. No. 4-92-706, slip op. at 2-3 (D. Minn. Apr. 4, 1994). We need concern ourselves only with the \"case-mix\" appeal which is at issue in the present case. The purpose of a \"case-mix\" appeal, which may be filed at the end of a rate-year, is to review the adequacy of the current year's payment rate. This is accomplished by calculating the difference in the mix of Medicaid patients served during the current rate year as compared with the mix of Medicaid patients served during the 1981 base year.\nBefore August 1, 1989, there were no deadlines for the filing of \"case-mix\" appeals, and generally the Hospitals waited for the Department to issue settle-up notices for a given rate year before submitting a case-mix appeal. The settle-up notices contained the information the Hospitals needed to file their case-mix appeals. Although the Hospitals admit that they could have compiled the information contained in the settle-up notices themselves, because the process was time consuming and there were no deadlines, the Hospitals typically waited until they received the settle-up notices before filing their appeals. Often the Department would not send settle-up notices until several years after the end of a rate year.\nNorth Memorial filed a successful case-mix appeal for the rate year 1984. The Department did not complete processing the 1984 appeal until the spring of 1990. North Memorial contends that even if it wanted to file a case-mix appeal for 1985 or later years, it could not because it did not know what its adjusted base year rate would be until the Department finished processing the 1984 appeal. North Memorial argues that the regulations then in effect required that a permanent adjustment be made to the base year costs in the years following a successful appeal. The Department contends that the regulation then in effect did not require that successful case-mix appeals be included in the adjusted base year costs for following years, and that North Memorial misconstrued the regulation.\nOn June 1, 1989, the Minnesota Legislature amended the Medicaid program and enacted Minn. Stat. § 256.9695(1)(b) (Supp. 1989), which required that all case-mix appeals be filed with the commissioner within 60 days of the end of the rate year. The Department interpreted this new statute to mean that all appeals filed after its effective date, August 1, 1989, must comply with the 60-day deadline, including appeals that related to rate years before 1989.\nThe length of time to file a \"case-mix\" appeal was amended from 60 days to 120 days effective August 1, 1990. Act of May 3, 1990, ch. 568, Art. 3, § 18, 1990 Minn. Laws 1859.\nThe district court entered summary judgment in favor of the Department, rejecting each of the four arguments asserted by the Hospitals. Slip op. at 16. First, the district court rejected the Hospitals' argument that the Department was applying the statute retroactively in violation of Minn. Stat. § 645.21 (1994). The court concluded that because the Eleventh Amendment barred consideration of this issue, it lacked subject matter jurisdiction. Slip op. at 6-8.\nSecond, the district court rejected the Hospitals' argument that the Department's application of the statute violated the Boren Amendment, 42 U.S.C. § 1396a(a)(13)(A), which requires that state Medicaid plans provide reasonable and adequate payment for hospital services. Id. at 8-10. The district court reasoned that the Hospitals had several years in which to file their appeals, but did not do so, and that after the passage of the statute in 1989, there was an additional 60-day window period before the statute became effective in which the Hospitals could have filed their appeals. Id. at 10.\nThird, the district court rejected the Hospitals' argument that the Department's application of the deadline violated 42 C.F.R. § 447.253(a) and (e), a regulation promulgated under the Boren Amendment. The regulation requires that Medicaid agencies provide Medicaid providers with an appeals procedure. The district court concluded that the Hospitals had not been deprived of an opportunity to appeal, but had failed to exercise their right to appeal within the prescribed time limits. Slip op. at 11. The district court reasoned that the Hospitals \"are sophisticated players in the healthcare industry,\" who \"should have been aware of the passage of the appeals statute, and taken steps to protect their interests.\" Id. at 12.\nFinally, the district court rejected the Hospitals' argument that the Department's interpretation of the statute eliminated their vested property right to file \"case-mix\" appeals for the years ending in or before 1989 without notice and, therefore, violated their right to due process. Slip op. at 12-16. The district court concluded that the Hospitals had an obligation to \"stay abreast of changes in the law that affected them, and to request written clarification of policy interpretation\" and, therefore, received sufficient notice of the change in the appeals deadline. Id. at 15-16.\nOn appeal, the Hospitals do not challenge the district court's dismissal of their Minn. Stat. § 645.21 claim, but otherwise reassert the arguments which the district judge dealt with so capably.\nWe review a district court's grant of summary judgment de novo, and apply the same standards used by the district court. Langley v. Allstate Ins. Co., 995 F.2d 841, 844 (8th Cir. 1993). Summary judgment is appropriate only if the record, when viewed in the light most favorable to the non-moving party, shows that there is no genuine issue of material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c); see, e.g., Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322-23 106 S.Ct. 2548, 2552-53, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986).\nThe Hospitals contend that the Department's refusal to allow appeals for rate years ending prior to 1989 violates the Boren Amendment, which provides:\nA state plan for medical assistance must\n(13) provide —\n(A) For payment of the hospitals services . . . which the State finds, and makes assurances satisfactory to the Secretary, are reasonable and adequate to meet the costs which must be incurred by efficiently and economically operated facilities in order to provide care and services in conformity with applicable State and Federal laws, regulations, and quality and safety standards and to assure that individuals eligible for medical assistance have reasonable access . . . to inpatient hospital services of adequate quality. . .\n42 U.S.C. § 1396a(13)(A). The Hospitals argue that by refusing \"case-mix\" appeals for rate years before the deadline became effective, the Department is failing to comply with the Boren Amendment's requirement that it provide Medicaid providers with reasonable and adequate payment for their services.\nThe Hospitals' reliance on the Boren Amendment is misplaced. The Boren Amendment was designed to assure that state reimbursement rates remained reasonable, and to afford states greater flexibility to adopt \"`reimbursement methodologies'\" that would \"`promote the efficient and economical delivery of [medical] services.'\" Wilder v. Virginia Hosp. Ass'n, 496 U.S. 498, 506, 110 S.Ct. 2510, 2515-16, 110 L.Ed.2d 455 (quoting H.R. Rep. No. 97-158, 97th Cong., 1st Sess., Vol. 2, at 293 (1981)). The Hospitals do not contend that the Department's adoption of a 60-day appeals period is unreasonable or results in a system of payment which is inherently inadequate. Rather, the Hospitals contend that the Department's application of the 60-day appeals period as a bar to pre-1989 appeals resulted in inadequate payment. The Department may place reasonable deadlines upon appeals without running afoul of the Boren Amendment. The 60-day appeals deadline which the Department imposed was reasonable. The Hospitals had sufficient time in which to file appeals before the statute was enacted, but failed to do so. After the legislature enacted Minn. Stat. § 256.9596(1)(b), the Hospitals failed to take advantage of an additional 60-day period before the deadline became effective in which they could have filed their pre-1989 appeals. The Hospitals' failure to comply with the applicable deadline does not make the Department's payment system unreasonable or inadequate. If the Hospitals failed to receive adequate payment as a result of the Department's denial of their appeals, they have no one to blame but themselves.\nThe Department points out that the shortest appeal period at issue in this case is 244 days.\nNext, the Hospitals argue that the Department's interpretation of Minn. Stat. § 256.9695(1)(b) violated 42 C.F.R. § 447.253(a) and (e), which was promulgated under the Boren Amendment and provides that:\n(a) State Assurances. In order to receive [Health Care Financing Administration] approval of a State plan change in payment methods and standards, the Medicaid agency must make assurances satisfactory to HCFA that the requirements set forth in paragraphs (b) through (i) of this section are being met, must submit the related information required by § 447.255 of this subpart, and must comply with all other requirements of this subpart.\n(e) Provider Appeals. The Medicaid agency must provide an appeals or exception procedure that allows individual providers an opportunity to submit additional evidence and receive prompt administrative review, with respect to such issues as the agency determines appropriate, of payment rates.\n42 C.F.R. § 447.253(a), (e). The Hospitals assert that the Department's interpretation of § 256.9695(1)(b) cut off any meaningful and reasonable appeals procedure for Medicaid providers to contest the Department \"case-mix\" rate decisions for rate years ending in or before 1989.\nNothing in the record supports the Hospitals' contention that the Department's interpretation of § 256.9695(1)(b) resulted in the implementation of an unreasonable appeals procedure. As we set out above, each of the Hospitals, at the very least, had a 60-day period in which to file their pre-1989 \"case-mix\" appeals. The Hospitals argue that the imposition of a 60-day appeals period without notice is unreasonable. However, as participants in the Medicaid program, the Hospitals had a duty to familiarize themselves with the legal requirements of the appeals process and obtain a written agency interpretation of the statute. See Heckler v. Community Health Servs., 467 U.S. 51, 64-65 104 S.Ct 2218, 2225-27, 81 L.Ed.2d 42 (1984) (holding that a Medicare provider was responsible for familiarizing itself with the legal requirements of cost reimbursement and obtaining an agency interpretation of the applicable regulations). Furthermore, 42 C.F.R. § 447.253(e) requires only that the Department provide Medicaid providers \"an opportunity to submit additional evidence and receive prompt administrative review . . . of payment rates,\" it does not impose any notice requirements. Therefore, we conclude that the Hospitals received ample notice and had an opportunity to appeal, as required under 42 C.F.R. § 447.253(a) and (e).\nFinally, the Hospitals argue that the Department's interpretation of Minn. Stat. § 256.9695(1)(b) violates the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, because it deprived them of their property interest in pre-1989 appeals process without notice. The district court concluded that the Hospitals were sufficiently notified of the change in the appeals deadline by the broad language of the appeals statute and the case law interpreting similar statutes and, therefore, were not deprived of due process. Slip op. at 14-15. We find it unnecessary to consider whether the Hospitals were deprived of due process, because we conclude that the Hospitals did not have a protected property interest in the pre-1989 appeals process.\nAlthough it is not clear from the briefs, it appears that the Hospitals are asserting only a procedural due process claim. In order \"to make out a substantive due process claim, [the Hospitals] must show that the law violated one of [their] fundamental rights.\" Walker v. City of Kansas City, 911 F.2d 80, 93 (8th Cir. 1990), cert. denied, 500 U.S. 941 111 S.Ct. 2234, 114 L.Ed.2d 476 (1991); see also Lemke v. Cass County 846 F.2d 469, 471 (8th Cir. 1987) (en banc) (per curiam) (Richard Arnold, J, concurring) (stating that the application of substantive due process should be \"strictly limited\"). The Hospitals make no arguments which even begin to approach this standard. Thus, we address the Hospitals' argument only as a procedural due process claim.\n\"The Fourteenth Amendment's procedural protection of property is a safeguard of the security of interests that a person has already acquired in specific benefits.\" Board of Regents v. Roth, 408 U.S. 564, 576, 92 S.Ct. 2701, 2708, 33 L.Ed.2d 548 (1972). In order to have a protected property interest one must \"have a legitimate claim of entitlement to [the property].\" Id. at 577, 92 S.Ct. at 2709. Property interests are \"created and their dimensions are defined by existing rules or understandings that stem from an independent source such as state law.\" Id., Ikpeazu v. University of Neb., 775 F.2d 250, 253 (8th Cir. 1985).\nThe Hospitals rely upon Littlefield v. City of Afton, 785 F.2d 596, 600 (8th Cir. 1986), to support their claim that they have a protected property interest in the pre-1989 appeals process. In Littlefield, we held that \"an applicant for a building permit ha[d] a constitutionally protected property interest in the permit,\" because the only requirement under state law and the city ordinance for the issuance of the permit was compliance with city ordinances, a condition the plaintiff had fulfilled. 785 F.2d at 602. Thus, the Hospitals are correct in their assertion that \"a legitimate claim of entitlement can arise from procedures established in statutes or regulations adopted by states.\" Id. at 600. However, the Hospitals ignore a fact which was critical to the Littlefield court's holding. The Littlefield court reasoned that the ordinance at issue \"significantly and substantially restricted\" the City's decision making power and, therefore, created a constitutionally protected property interest. Id. at 602. In the present case, no statute or regulation significantly or substantially restricts the Department's authority to implement a 60-day appeals deadline. Thus, the Hospitals' interest in the pre-1989 appeals process amounts to nothing more than \"an abstract need or desire,\" which is not sufficient to establish a protected property interest. Roth, 408 U.S. at 577, 92 S.Ct. at 2709.\nThe portion of Littlefield which addresses substantive due process has been abrogated. See Lemke, 846 F.2d at 470-71.\nFor the foregoing reasons, we affirm the judgment of the district court.","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1417043"} {"pred_label":"__label__cc","pred_label_prob":0.6294133067131042,"wiki_prob":0.37058669328689575,"text":"Positively Bob Dylan\nThis site has moved to Facebook, join us there!\nCalled home by the Highlands\nHappy 2008, Bob! This time it was probably Scotch and not Champagne Bob was drinking at his New Year's party.- He and his brother David are said to have spent the time in Bob's new $4 million home in the Cairngorms Mountains of the Highlands - west of Aberdeen. After one year of renovating the Scottish castle it seems that finally it's ready for moving in.\nDylan mentioned his passion for Scotland on several occasions, the last track on his 1997 album \"Time Out Of Mind\" is \"Highlands\". In 2004 he accepted an honorary degree from St. Andrews University - he had only done this once before (Princeton, 1970). He his also regularly performing live in Scotland, and his classic song \"The Times They Are A-Changin’\" from 1964 is based on an old Scottish folk song by Hamish Henderson.\nPlease note: Links and embedded images and videos have been removed from this archived post.\nYou can find all old posts here\n© 1997-2021 Mike Hobo | Contact","source":"cc/2021-04/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1563834"}